DDF Sulfur Therapeutic Mask is the greatest face mask I’ve ever used. This face mask contains sulfur and eucalyptus, that are both anti-inflammatory. Sulfur is a clay-based mineral which dries up pimples practically immediately! This acne mask will also minimize oil, keep future breakouts and can also be exfoliating so it will slough off those dead skin cells. I like to make use of this mask a minimum of 3 times a week. Leave the DDF Sulfur Therpeutic Mask on for about ten minutes, but don’t let it dry out. The right approach to use this acne mask would be to place it on prior showering and let the steam penetrate it into your skin. You can also spot treat before going to bed and use it on other parts of your body too! Another fantastic acne mask which is comparable is the Peter Thomas Roth Sulfur Cooling Mask. This face mask has similar ingredients and is just as effective.
Sulfur mask for acne
25Jan10
Healing Naturally
05Jan10I was recently introduced to a fantastic new company: MJ’s Herbals. MJ’s products include body salves made from only the purest ingredients: organic herbs, organic Olive Oil, premium Grade A Shea Butter, pure Beeswax and other essentials oils, processed to retain their purest form.
And they really work! I was lucky enough to try the Lavender E Salve, First Aid Salve, Calendula Salve and Arnica Salve. I am a believer in natural remedies and the use of herbs and essential oils for a variety of ailments. From the moment I opened each salve, the fragrance and feel were obviously of the utmost quality.
The Lavender E Salve is simply divine. At night I put a little under my nose and on my pulse points to help me relax and sleep well. It is calming and soothing and helps to relieve stress and headaches. The addition of Vitamin E enables this salve to reduce scarring as well.
I used the First Aid Salve on various cuts and scrapes I had, as well as on my very dry hands, cuticles and chapped lips. First Aid Salve contains ingredients such as unrefined Propolis and Olive Oil, both extremely healing, as well as Tea Tree Oil for its antiseptic properties. My dog had a hot spot and had itched himself bald, so I applied some of the First Aid Salve mixed with the Calendula and his scrapes went away in no time. Better still was that all of MJ’s salves, with the exception of the Arnica, are safe if ingested.
The Calendula Salve is absolutely the best product I have ever used after shaving for ingrown hairs. I apply it post-shave and my skin remains calm and rash free. It is a natural anti-inflammatory and safe enough to use on the most sensitive skin.
The Arnica Salve is a great on-the-spot treatment for an overstressed body and bruising. It is great to use during a massage to relieve pain and sore muscles. I have often used ingestible Arnica to promote healing post surgery, and MJ’s topical Arnica Salve is a welcome addition to any medicine cabinet!
I am very impressed with MJ’s knowledge and expertise. She has worked as an herbalist since the 1980’s and uses only the purest form of natural ingredients. I hope you explore these wonderful, natural remedies! Enjoy!
Mandee’s Wardrobe Bailout
14Feb09
The economy may be in bad shape, but that doesn’t mean your pocketbook has to be!
Mandee’s is offering a fabulous discount – Mandee’s “Wardrobe Bailout” lets you enjoy 20% off anything! Mandee’s is full of up to the minute clothing, shoes and accessories.
Right now, Mandee’s has discounted much of their stock up to 70%! That means you can use your coupon and enjoy an additional 20% off already slashed prices! Don’t wait- this deal is too amazing to pass up!
Enter Coupon Code BAILOUT at checkout to receive an additional 20% off your order.
How to Style Curly Hair
23Aug08Hey curly haired beauties, I thought I’d share my fool proof styling tips to help you achieve perfectly frizz free ringlets in no time at all!
- In the shower, shampoo hair with a gentle, low suds shampoo like Deva Curl Low Poo Cleanser. Deva Curl products are sulfate free and designed for curly hair. The less lather there is equals less frizzing in the end.
- After washing out shampoo apply a semi-thick moisturizing conditioner. For less dry hair, I love Deva Curl One Condition. It was created just for curly hair and provides lightweight but effective moisture. For drier hair, try Pureology Antifade Complex Hydrate Conditioner. Pureology products are always safe for color treated hair and this moisturizing conditioner leaves hair soft and manageable. Pureology does not test on animals.
- Before rinsing conditioner out, brush hair with a wide tooth comb while still in the shower. Any wide tooth comb will do, just go to your local drugstore and pick one up. In the shower with conditioner on should be the ONLY time you brush out your hair. This will eliminate tangles but still keep your curls in tack. Never dry brush curly hair or you will end up with hair larger than your own head!
- After combing, rinse out conditioner. Squeeze water from hair using your hands or a towel. Do not use the towel to vigorously rub your hair and scalp. Maintain your curls by merely squeezing your hair to rid most of the water.
- Apply a light leave-in conditioner to the ends of your hair. I like Eufora Hydration Leave-in Conditioner. Eufora is an organic, all natural product line that utilizes the power of pure Aloe Vera gel and does not test on animals. Their leave-in conditioner is just light enough not to weigh hair down but still seals in the moisture curly hair needs. Apply 2-3 pumps and wrap wet hair in towel.
- Once hair is damp, remove towel and apply styling products. For extra dry hair, spray a bit of Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Moisture Mist all over hair. Paul Mitchell is a long-standing animal friendly company and all of their products are wonderful.
- If hair is not exceptionally dry, skip the Moisture Mist and apply a creamy styling product for curls. I personally mix a few pumps of L’Oreal Texture Line Spiral Down Crème to reduce frizz with Aveda’s Be Curly Curl Enhancer to add definition and slight hold. Aveda is also all natural and animal friendly. Use a light hand and avoid roots when applying styling products to curly hair; too much product will weigh down a style and create a greasy look.
- Diffuse hair. Using a diffuser on curly hair is the only way to get volume at the roots. Letting curly hair air dry is fine but hair may fall flat. I also like to walk out the house with dry, perfectly styled hair.
- Once hair is dry, applying a finishing cream to lock in your curls and eliminate any frizz. I use a bit Aveda Light Elements Finishing Solution to delicately scrunch curls and smooth frizz. Be careful not to separate curls or work your hair too hard.
- Finish with hair spray if needed.
Go show off that fabulous hair!
Best Hair Dryer
22Aug08The FHI Turbo Nano Weight Pro 1900 Hair Dryer is the best one on the market – and the best one I’ve ever used!
I was looking for a hair dryer that would decrease the drying time of my long, thick, curly hair and that came with a diffuser to create curly styles. I decided on the FHI Turbo1900 and I’m so glad I spent the money on it. The FHI Turbo 1900 is extremely lightweight and easy to manage, but still packs an incredible punch.
This ionic hair dryer has nano technology, which, combined with the ceramic heater, preserves your hair’s health and keeps it frizz free. The 12.6 ounce weight of the FHI Turbo belies its incredible 1900 watt motor that makes it stronger, more powerful and keeps it running longer than other dryers. There are several temperature and speed adjustment options on this hair dryer letting you go from ultra cool to hot and all ranges in between. There are turbo boost cold and hot “shots” for use while drying.
The proof is in the pudding. The FHI Turbo Nano 1900 really did knock my hair drying time down 50%. Better yet, the diffuser that comes with this hair dryer let’s me dry and form my curls with just a gentle flow of heated air so my curls come out frizz free and perfectly styled. A concentrator is also included with the FHI Turbo Nano so straight styles are also a breeze. And for all my readers, I found the FHI Turbo Nano 1900 on sale for $60 less on my favorite hair tools website, www.misikko.com. Since this professional rate dryer has definite staying power and is sure to last me for years, spending the money is worth it. The FHI Turbo Nano 1900 is both your straightener and curly hair styler in one!
Murad Vitalic Energizing Pomegranate Cleanser is a foaming cleanser that is fantastic for all skin types. It’s packed full of extremely beneficial antioxidants taken from pomegranate that act as a defense against sun and environmental damages to your skin.
I love foaming cleansers because they wash off easily and Murad Energizing Pomegranate Cleanser does not disappoint. You only need 1 to 2 pumps to cleanse your face and remove makeup so the 5.1 ounce bottle lasts a long time without any wasted product. Murad Pomegranate Cleanser goes on light and washes off clean, removing makeup, including mascara, easily.
This cleanser is particularly great for any skin type as it is extremely gentle, containing Artemia, a skin “brightener” and natural fuel for the skin that stimulates healthy skin cells, and witch hazel to remove impurities and tighten pores without over-drying. Murad Pomegranate Cleanser’s pleasant scent actually feels energizing and your skin is left clean, toned and ready for the day. You will look forward to washing your face!
Click here to see more products from Murad.
Best New Eye Cream
23Jul08
YBF (Your Best Face) Correct Eye Cream is a fabulous new eye cream that actually does what it promises to do!
This concentrated, medium thickness eye cream goes on smoothly and provides incredible moisture that lasts all day. The benefits of YBF Correct on your eye area are incredible – wrinkle correction, brightening dark circles and firming are just the start. This is truly a one-stop-shop eye cream.
25% of YBF Correct is made up of a cocktail of peptides, those all-important ingredients that visibly plump up wrinkles, smooth the skin and actually help to prevent future wrinkles. The antioxidants contained in Correct are plentiful, including YBF’s patented complete blend along with the addition of alpha lipoic acid. Sodium hyaluronate, a derivative of hyaluronic acid, delivers unmatched moisture and actually retains moisture levels throughout the day.
My favorite feature of YBF Correct, aside from the plumping that I can actually see happen, is the way it brightens my eye area and diminishes dark circles, made possible with the addition of caffeine and vitamins E and C and the light reflecting nature of this product.
YBF recommends applying Correct day and night and I agree. With the visible smoothing of the delicate eye area, daytime is the perfect time to use Correct. However, I would recommend that if you wear under eye concealer, wait until the eye cream dries completely or your concealer will not last as long as you want it too. Nighttime is a perfect time to apply a little more, especially around the upper area and sides of your eyes.
To top it all off, YBF Correct smells of YBF’s soothing signature scent of almond and nutmeg, creating an all around pleasant and effective experience.
Who doesn’t love a giveaway? This is BeBeautified’s first contest and we are excited to share Spinlash Mascara with you – the most incredible innovation since mascara itself!
Here’s the deal… I’ve lived through many mascara disasters and I know I’m not alone. Whether it is funny, traumatizing or just plain embarrassing, I want to hear your’s!
Send me your mascara horror story and the 5 best stories will receive a Free Spinlash Mascara! Just comment on my Spinlash post and share your mascara tragedy.
Entry deadline is August 2, 2008. The contest is open to residents of the US only.
Best Ceramic Flat Iron
10Jul08
I just bought the Hana Elite 1″ Ceramic Flat Iron and I’m loving it! Not only is it handy but it is one of the only flat irons made of 100% pure ceramic. It comes in a neat special edition tin case which is only the beginning of this flat iron’s quality and uniqueness.
Most flat irons plates are metal with only a coating of ceramic which doesn’t make them actual “ceramic flat irons.” The Hana Elite straightening plates are 100% pure ceramic to allow for a smoother pass through your hair, more even heat distribution and it’s gentler on your hair. Better yet, no coating means no peeling and no exposure of your hair to damaging hot metal. The ceramic plates heat up evenly and ceramic actually helps to protect your hair color with little damage and fading.
I love to travel but normally lugging around all of my hair styling tools adds another bag! Not anymore- here’s a flat iron that does it all. The Hana Elite is only 1″ wide – that’s big enough for great styles and small enough to fit into any bag. It also comes with a handy travel pouch and a portable rubber mat to set the Hana flat iron down on when it’s still hot – no more worries about burning your counter!
The damp to dry styling feature of this flat iron is great. As always, it’s best to use a product that provides heat styling protection, but the Hana Elite is still very smooth and simple to use. There’s no sizzle when you use it on your damp hair and with one pass your hair is straight.
The Hana Elite provides detailed instructions on which temperature is best for you – up to 450 degrees! You can curl, straighten or make waves with this small but effective flat iron. It’s easy to hold, super light and the cord swivels around like professional tools to avoid tangling. AND, at only 38 watts this baby is energy officiant to boot!
Voted top pick by online flat iron superstore Misikko.com, the perfectly sized Hana Elite hair flat iron packs a powerful punch! Try it, you’ll love it!
Best Light Hold Hairspray
07Jul08
Paul Mitchell Super Clean Light Finishing Spray has just the right amount of light hold without any crunchiness or stickiness. You can add more hold by spraying more of Super Clean Light onto your hair and it will still retain a soft feel. This is not a dry hairspray so for curly to straight styles I would recommend Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Working Hair Spray, but I really like Paul Mitchell Super Clean Light as a finishing spray after styling to tame fly-aways.
Paul Mitchell has long held a reputation of making quality hair products without any endorsement or conducting of animal testing.