Treatments

free foot massages…today only!

/ BethonBeauty / 1 Comment

Today was the day we tried out some of the Pink Papaya goodies sent by Liz 🙂 It seemed like the perfect time to use the blackberry fig foot scrub and the foot creme with sweet almond oil…Nick underwent elbow surgery on Wednesday of this week and has been trying to relax and recover. I offered to test the scrub and creme on his feet because he’s in need of a little pampering. He gladly accepted the offer.

The supplies! A couple towels + a big mixing bowl (big enough for a foot haha) filled with warm water, and the sample size foot scrub and creme!

Side note…I’m not usually the gal who gives her guy foot rubs – but I feel like he really needs it…and he’s a great test subject!

First we used the foot scrub – Pink Papaya says: organic brown sugar and blackberry seeds remove tough and rough skin from your feet. Sesame seed oil and vitamin E soothe and heal feet while adding moisture. $22.50 for 6.5oz. (item # 00057) – PARABEN FREE!

Pink Papaya blackberry fig foot scrub - it's so pretty - you can see the crystals of brown sugar and blackberry seeds

The smell of the scrub is amazing – it has a warm, sweet brown sugar scent. I liked that the smell is not overpowering so Nick didn’t feel like I was rubbing his feet with ‘girl stuff.’ The pieces of brown sugar and real blackberry seeds make it easy to scrub rough areas of the feet. The scrub stayed in tact – I’ve used scrubs that dissolve once they hit water, which defeats the purpose! The scrub felt nice against the skin!

When we washed the scrub off and you could feel a smooth coating on the feet, but once we wiped with a towel it was all dry. And ready for the creme!

foot creme with sweet almond oil – Pink Papaya says: hydrate your feet with this wonderful foot creme enriched with jojoba and sweet almond oil. Banish callouses and rough feet forever! Your feet will feel silky and have an improved appearance instantly.  $17.00 for 6.0oz (item #00056) – PARABEN FREE!

Pink Papaya foot creme

The creme has a subtle smell – and is nice and emolient so you don’t need a lot – it’s just the right consistency – not too thick (like a body butter) and then also not too watery. It made massaging the feet easy (I can’t believe I was massaging someone else’s feet FOR FREE haha)

Nick had no complaints – shocking 😉 his feet felt so soft. And he said once he gave them a minute or so to dry, they didn’t feel greasy. After we were done he kept saying how good his feet felt…and how relaxing the treatment was 🙂

At the end of the day, this was definitely a treat. It made me realize that pampering like this is great for someone who is on their feet all day – like a teacher, nurse, or cop (etc.) If you have a job that keeps you on your feet a lot – this would be something to consider as a regular treatment to soothe tired feet. It’s also a nice bonding experience if you’re looking to spoil a significant other.

Lavender fields forever…

/ BethonBeauty / 1 Comment

Most of us have heard of lavender oil, and are familiar with the smell. Up until recently, I thought of it more as a relaxing scent…in perfumes, or bubble baths…

However, after my boyfriend (Nick) was in an accident at work, I read up on the other health benefits of lavender oil. Nick’s back was very sore and we were looking for ways to relieve the pain without using additional medications. We read that lavender oil is used to treat muscle aches and sprains.

It was suggested that we use pure lavender essential oil for it to work most effectively. So, we went to Whole Foods. One of the sales people there was very helpful and suggested we mix the pure lavender essential oil with a topical pain relief cream called, Arnicare which contains Arnica Montana, a homeopathic medicine used for centuries as a pain reliever.

 

We mixed 2 drops of the lavender oil with the Arnicare Cream and massaged onto the sprained areas. Massaging the cream/oil was relaxing in itself, and because the pure essential oil has a stronger concentration of the lavender, it also served as an aromatherapy treatment. Nick has been using this combination regularly and has found some relief! We like this homeopathic alternative…and would recommend it to anyone looking for a natural way to treat muscle aches/sprains.

 There are other known benefits of lavender oil – see below:

  • Alleviates Insomnia: use the essential oil in bath water or apply topically. It will soothe tensions and quiet nerves, often leading to a better night’s sleep. The aroma tends to assists those having difficulty falling/staying asleep
  • Analgesic:  thought to serve as a natural analgesic, relieving headaches, muscle aches, menstrual cramps and wounds. Adding a few drops of lavender oil and some Epsom salts to a bath can reduce muscle achiness. Periodic lavender oil massages may lessen joint pain; a hot compress that has had several drops of lavender oil applied may comfort menstrual cramps if laid across the lower abdomen. A cool compress given the same application of lavender oil and laid across the forehead can relieve headaches. Lavender oil gently applied to cuts and wounds may lower pain levels, avert infection and prevent scars. To soothe burned skin, run cold water on the burned area for 5 minutes then lightly rub lavender oil on the burn
  • Anti-Infective: according to Diabetes Spectrum, essential oils, and lavender in particular, can improve wound outcome and help guard against chronic infection. Lavender’s anti-fungal and antibacterial properties may heal head lice and scalp infections.
  • Respiratory Relief: some believe lavender offers respiratory relief to those suffering from colds, sinusitis, coughs and the flu. Adding two drops of lavender and two drops of thyme oil to a bowl of warm water, then placing a towel over the head and bowl and inhaling deeply to ease the symptoms of sinusitis. Doing so may loosen phlegm and help those with respiratory tract infections to breathe better

 My final thoughts:

  • It’s worth having a bottle of pure lavender oil on hand to treat a variety of ailments
  • The smell alone is relaxing and worth having around (you can put some droplets into a diffuser)
  • The small bottle of the Aura Cacia lavender essential oil should last a good amount of time. You only need a couple of droplets per treatment – regardless if you are mixing it in the bath, with cream, or another ‘carrier’

Do you already use lavender oil? For what? please share!

Source/Read more: Lavendar Oil Benefits | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_7195014_lavendar-oil-benefits.html#ixzz1S02kMaMs

Splurge: eyelash extensions

/ BethonBeauty / 2 Comments

Let me start by saying, I’m not an expert on these or really any beauty treatments/services. But I’ve tried eyelash extensions and recently got a solid review from a trusted friend and beauty resource.

What are eyelash extensions? 

  • Extensions are single strands of synthetic eyelashes that are curved to replicate a natural eyelash. They provide length and thickness to your own lashes and are available in varying lengths and thickness. They are applied to your individual eyelashes, one lash at a time. There is no need for mascara even though a water based mascara is fine to use. The result is thicker, longer, eye-opening eyelashes that are safe in the shower, while swimming, sleeping or exercising. (courtesy of lashoutpro.com)

I first tried eyelash extensions a few months ago. I went to a salon on Newbury St. (in Boston) and was offered ‘weekend’ lash extensions for $50. Weekend lashes are a few lashes placed on the outer corner of the eyes. Normally, the cost for weekend lashes is $100. A full set at this salon, which is considered a more ‘dramatic’ enhancement is $350, yowza. Half set lashes are also available for $250. Touch-up applications are offered for full/half sets for $50. I was offered the discount as one of the aestheticians was recently trained and wanted to show me how they work/would look. Application took about 45 minutes. For a full set it takes ~180 mins. It’s a tedious process, definitely takes skill! They are supposed to last 3-4 weeks.

The application was completely painless and quite relaxing as I laid on one of the massage tables with tranquil music playing in the background. I was so excited to see the results. I have thicker lashes naturally, so I was hoping this would be an added bonus, making me look more awake or detract from my dark circles. To be honest, I was not astounded with the results. The lashes were pretty, and I noticed them slightly, as a few were longer and stood taller than my natural lashes. After leaving the salon I was kind of bummed but I realized I didn’t get the full set, and I got to try them for pretty cheap (considering). Within the next few days I lost a couple lashes. I ended up going back to the salon because I felt like, discount or not, these babies were not lasting. The aesthetician gladly re-did the lashes. She was super nice and apologetic and she said she used a stronger adhesive this time around. The re-done lashes stayed on longer (~1.5 weeks). But after this experience, it didn’t feel like something I could keep up with or justify as an expense.

Now, that was my experience. I recently talked to my friend Kaitlyn about her experience, and I got to see the handy work. She loves her ‘new’ lashes…and I must say, they look amazing. They were done by Blink out of Hanover MA. Her application took 2 hours – she got a full set. The cost is $195 which includes a one week touch up. Kaitlyn has really long lashes naturally, so she wasn’t sure how they’d look. But…see for yourself:

She loves them because she doesn’t have to wear mascara. In the pictures she literally had one stroke of mascara on.

So gorgeous! Thank you, Kaitlyn for glamming up my blog! sorry boys, she’s spoken for 😉

So, the end scoop:

  • Eyelash extensions are definitely a splurge
  • Make sure you go to someone who’s well experienced, a referral from a friend is a good idea (holler @ Blink)!
  • If possible, give lash extensions a test drive before using them for a big event (i.e. wedding, honeymoon, trip to Vegas!), to make sure you like them first
  • Lash extensions can be a pretty enhancement! When done right, they have a natural yet flirtatious look
  • Be ready to kick back and relax, as the application takes some time
  • Lashes should last a couple of weeks, at least
  • Some people pay to get the full set put on, and then go back and get ‘touch up’ applications regularly to keep the lash extensions as a long term staple in their beauty routine
  • For me, I’d probably try lash extensions again. BUT, I’d save them (and my money) for a big event, and I’d go with a full set, to get the full effect. I’d also go with Blink, or someplace off of Newbury St. knowing that you can get a full set for a more reasonable price, and they do a great job

I’ll be reporting back on a less expensive (and more temporary) approach to lash extensions…’steal: fake eyelashes done by YOU’ stay tuned!

Have you had eyelash extensions? If so, please share your experience / referrals here!

CREDITS:

It’s rainy in Boston…

/ BethonBeauty / Leave a comment

For a frizz stopper – see my post on Moroccan Oil: http://wp.me/p1kq6s-2f

 

Oh and, I started using the Moroccan Oil Moisture Repair Conditioner – I was skeptical at first, but my hair has been so soft, and less frizzy. Paraben-free, to boot! The bottle lasts awhile. I use a quarter size amount, but I have a lot of long hair.

Find it at G2O Salon (my fave) on Newbury St., Boston – or, many other salons and it’s sold online:

http://www.amazon.com/Moroccanoil-Moisture-Repair-Conditioner-8-5-Ounce/dp/B002N5MKM6

 

 

Photo courtesy of: Realsimple.com

itchy scalp issues

/ BethonBeauty / 1 Comment

I was teased the other day (I won’t name names) for mentioning that I have an itchy scalp sometimes. So itchy that my manicures don’t usually last more than 3 days (unless I get the gel mani!) Whatever, we all have our problems.

It’s annoying issue…if you have an itching scalp, or dry skin problem on your head…the best shampoo I have found is Head & Shoulders Dandruff Shampoo. I know, it doesn’t sound cool at all, but it works and it’s cheap. It can’t just be any version of H&S, it has to have the Pyrithione zinc (that’s what my dermatoligist recommended).

I usually get this condition around allergy season…I keep this on hand. It completely relieves the problem. Thankfully, I don’t have to use it everyday. But there are seasons when I have to use it regularly. I use my regular conditioner with it, and my hair looks/feels great. It doesn’t make my hair weird or frizzy.

Guys love this stuff…so when people see it in my shower, I just tell them it’s Nick. He does use it too! It’s about $8, and you can find it at most drugstores, I usually get mine at Target. Or here: http://www.drugstore.com/head-and-shoulders-ocean-lift-dandruff-shampoo-ocean-lift/qxp345554?fromsrch=head+and+shoulders