NorCal Bella

Have a Steam Facial at Home

2009-11-09T13:39:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd share something that my dry skin loves and that is a Steam Facial.

I tell you guys right now I'm not a big fan of spa's for a couple of reasons:

1) It can be expensive $50-$90 bucks. To some that is nothing and to others its a lot, as for me...well I'm just cheap.

2) The stuff you'll need for this is most likely already in your cabinets.

3) I like using products I know the ingredients to because I'm trying to minimize my Chemical exposure and not to mention a allergy or two I have.

Now on to the fun stuff!

Here is what I like to use for my Steam Facials:
Bellapierre Exfoliating Masque Peel
A Large Towel
My Trifle Bowl (you can use any type of bowl)
Rose Bud Loose Leaf Tea (Jasmine, Chrysanthemum, or any other Loose Leaf Tea)
Small Wash Cloth with Cold water on it.
Bellapierre Toner
Bellapierre Moisturizer

*Herbs have a wonderful effect on the skin.

Many are healing, softening and lubricating; others hydrate and moisturize; and most are antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. So feel free to experiment

with your herbs and teas to see what will fit your skin best.

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Place your water on the stove to start boiling.

I washing my face and use the Exfoliating Masque Peel. This will help to open pores up and remove dead skin to allow you to get the maximum benefits from the steam. I let this sit for about 10 minutes then wash it off and pat my face dry.

*I then place my tea in the bottom of my Bowl and pour my hot water over it. Usually the water boils before I'm done with my face masque so I just let it sit and start to cool. If you dont want to use Tea you can also use a couple of drops of Essential Oils but no more then 2-3 drops or you could run the risk of irritating our eyes. I like to drop the occasional Blossoming Tea bundle into my water since it looks so pretty to stare at while I do this.

*Get comfortable sitting over your bowl and drape your towel over your head. Sit like this for 5-10 minutes. If your water is too hot just sit further away, if its cooling down sit closer. I like to blow air out of my nose onto the water to help circulate more steam.

With a Small Wash Cloth that has been dipped into cold water and rung out I like to pat that around my face to give me a little invigorating wake up.

I apply my Facial Toner with a cotton pad to help to seal up those pores so the wonderful effects from the steam can really sink in.

Last but not least I apply my Moisturizer to help give my dry skin that extra bit of omph as well as provide me with spf 15.

There you have my relaxing and fun way to keep my skin looking radiant.

Rainy Day = In Home Spa Day!

2009-10-13T11:42:00.000-07:00

So today is the 1st rainy day of the Fall season here in Elk Grove and the greater Sacracmento area. So I thought it would be perfect to post about Spa Treatments you can make right in your home from everyday items around the kitchen. Some of these little recipes will involve soaking in a bath or showering after so it all goes with the theme of relaxing on a rainy day. Have fun pampering yourselves, I know I will!
*For all of these recipes you'll want to use Organic. Since these recipes will open pores you don't want Pesticides getting into your body so Organic will give you the full benefits of the ingredient.

Goddess Yogurt Body Mask

This recipe is courtesy of Noreen Finneran "Incredible Edible Spa"

1/4 Cup Yogurt

3 T Honey

3 T Puréed Pumpkin or 3 T Puréed Carrots

To Make: Use canned (nothing added), or slightly cooked pumpkin or carrots. Drain, and purée in a blender. Pour into a bowl with the yogurt and honey.

To Use: Draw a warm bath. Lather your face and body with the yogurt mask. Sink into a warm bath and soak for 10-20 minutes. Rinse in the shower, tone, and apply a light moisturizer.

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Lavender Honey Milk Bath

This recipe is courtesy of National Honey Board

3 T dried Lavender flowers*

1 1/2 cups whole mild, cream, or combination

1/3 cup Honey

To Make: Process lavender flowers in a blender until they become a powder, turning off the blender and scraping down the sides as necessary. Whisk together lavender powder, milk and honey in a glass bowl, then pour into a jar.

To Use: Before each use, shake the jar and pour half of the mixture into the bath. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Makes enough for 2 baths.

*Dried lavender flowers can be found in the spice section of gourmet and specialty stores.

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Dry Skin Moisturizer

This is another recipe courtesy of the National Honey Board

2 Tablespoons honey
2 Tablespoons cocoa butter, melted
2 drops bergamot essential oil, optional
1 drop lavender essential oil, or tea tree, optional

To Make & Use: Mix all ingredients together and apply to clean, dry face. This all-natural moisturizer can be covered and kept in a cabinet, but it will solidify. For a second application, heat in microwave for 10 seconds, stir and apply to skin same as before.

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Orange-Citrus Bath Herbs

This recipe is courtesy of Jeanne Rose "Kitchen Cosmetics"

1 oz. Orange peel, CS (Cut and Sifted)

1 oz. Orange flowers, WH (Whole)

1 oz. Lemon peel, CS

1 oz. Comfrey leaves, CS

Camomile, WH

1 oz. Almond meal

Quantity: Makes 6-12 baths.

To Make: Mix together and store away for use.

To Use: At bath time you may, 1) put a large handful of the mixed herbs into a muslin bag and drop the bag in the hot tub; 2) drop the herbs directly into the water; 3) put the herbs into a perforated metal ball available in the cooking section of department stores and often used in the cooking of rice; 4) make an infusion of herbs and strain the liquid into the tub.

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Cucumber Hair Drench

This recipe is courtesy of www.spaindex.com

1 egg

1 eggshell's worth of olive oil

1 quarter of a peeled cucumber

Blend the egg, olive oil and peeled cucumber. Spread evenly through your hair, leave on for 10 minutes, then thoroughly rinse. For the best results year-round, continue this treatment monthly.

** This recipe is perfect for those with Chlorine damaged hair, it will help repair the damage and help to prevent further damage as well. When I first read about this recipe though the first thing I thought about was that episode of I Love Lucy where she makes a crazy concoction to help Ricky grow more hair.

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Aphrodite Apple Mask

This recipe is courtesy of Noreen Finneran "Incredible Edible Spa"

1 T Applesauce

1 T Wheat Germ

To Make: Purée apple in a blender or add applesauce to a small bowl. Mix in the wheat germ to form a paste.

To Use: Apply to washed, scrubbed, and steamed face. Allow mask to set for 10-15 minutes. Tone then moisturize.

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Avocado Carrot Cream Mask
This recipe is courtesy of spaindex.com

This mask combines avocados, which are rich in Vitamin E, with carrots, which are high in beta-carotene and antioxidants, and cream, which is high in calcium and protein. These ingredients will rebuild skin collagen, improve tone and texture, and fade age spots.

1 avocado, mashed

1 carrot, cooked and mashed

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 egg, beaten

3 tablespoons honey

Combine all ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Spread gently over your face and neck, and leave in place 10-15 minutes. Rinse with cool water and follow with your favorite toner.

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I hope you guys enjoy these recipe's to help you enjoy your rainy days or just a little impromptu Spa Day at home. If you have to brave the bad weather to pick up any ingredients remember to dress warm and drive safely so you can fully enjoy your In Home Spa Day!

Take care,

Fall and Winter Skin Tips

2009-10-08T12:08:00.000-07:00

Fall and Winter have arrived, don't you love it! For me its my favorite time of the year, that nice crisp morning air and temperatures that don't go over 75!
So even with as much love those these seasons as I have there is one thing that can be challenging and thats keeping my skin moist.Now quite a few of you have seen my skin up close while I'm doing your Make Up out at events and have made a few comments that my skin is near flawless (thanks so much for that btw, its always so nice to hear. ) but I work hard to keep it that way. You see I have the type of skin that can dry out very quickly and get pretty parched in the Winter so starting in September there are a few things that help get my skin ready for that transition in Seasons.

I start to drink fresh brewed loose Leaf Tea, Jasmine is my favorite. How does this help my skin? By brewing Loose Leaf Tea you are getting the full benifits of the tea leaf. The natural essential oils that were on the plant of time of picking stay there and dry with the plant also the higher amount of Antioxidants found in Loose Leaf Tea's will definatly give your skin as well as your body a great boost. *This is also how I avoid getting sick in the winter, at least 1 cup a day keeps the pharmaceuticals away!

A great moisturizer with sunscreen. I know this is obvious but it cannot be stressed enough! In the Colder Seasons its best to moisturize Twice a day. I love using the Bella Pierre Moisturizer, it has a great feel and the added SPF 15 to help nourish and protect your skin.

Get a Humidifier. Central Heating (and space heaters too) blast hot dry air throughout our homes and offices. A humidifiers will help to get more moisture in the air, which will help prevent your skin from drying out! Get a few small ones and place evenly throughout your home to get the best benefits from them.Then go curl up with a good book and cup of tea! This cute penguin humidifier is by Crane, love it!

A Milky Cleanser. Ease off the harsh facial peels and just rely on a good quality Milk Cleanser. Bella Pierre's Milky Cleanser will clean deep down into your pours without stripping your skin of its natural moisture. It has lots of great ingredients to help give your skin a gentle boost in the Chilly months to come. Some of those are Jojoba, Sunflower seed Oil and Green Tea Extract ( love love love tea!) oh I almost forgot....Cucumber too!

A Warm Bath. Okay I know soaking in a burning-hot bath or shower feels fantastic after frolicking out in the cold. But all of that intense heat of the bath or shower will actually breaks down the lipid barriers in the skin and this will lead to a loss of moisture. So scorching hot baths are a no no, instead just take a soothing warm bath. Want to make it extra soothing, try adding some oatmeal or a touch of Baking Soda into the water to help revive chilly dry skin.

Hydrate Hydrate Hydrate I know its a little obvious as well but you can never have enough water....okay maybe you can but most of us actually dont drink enough so bust out your Kleen Kanteen and get to drinkin! Also I must add, please try to use a Filter Pitcher or attachment to your facet. Less plastic in our land fills the better!

Use a Foundation Primer. I am a huge fan of Bella Pierre's Facial Primer! A little will go a very long way as well as make your skin feel softer then silk (my sister said her face felt like an Angel's Butt!). After my moisturizer has been absorbed I'll usually put this onto my skin in a very thin layer, it helps to lock in my moisturizer as well as give me add moisture throughout the day. Its infused with minerals help give your skin added benefits too. This is a very big part of my secret to keeping my temperamental skin soft and thoroughly moisturized.

To pick up any of the luxurious Bella Pierre Products visit our store shop.norcalbella.com

Until next time,
B~

Up Coming Blogs

2009-10-06T13:22:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

We're going to try to get this blog up and running as quick as possible, we have a lot of great things to share so come back soon.

Upcoming Blogs:

Our First Youtube blog where we will show you have to apply your mineral foundations.
The importance of a good skin care practice to keep your skin radiant year round.
Product of the Month
The Concept and Creation of Beeyond Baskets
Local Artist and why we love them!