green tea

Beauty Food: Tea

January 25, 2014

Tea is a popular healthy food and has been so for many centuries. Personally I’m an avid tea drinker because a hot cup of team is very relaxing and soothing. I drink tea year-long not just because it tastes great but it’s also a wonderful beauty food. There are many types of teas that are healthful, here are a few of my favorites:

Chamomile – One of the most popular herbal teas today, Chamomile has been traditionally used for calming and relaxation.
Passionflower – Used for more than 200 years by Native Americans, Passionflower is traditionally used for easing occasional nervous tension and supporting restful sleep.
Green Tea – green tea has numerous beneficial properties and is often consumed to promote energy and general well-being.
Raspberry – Native to North America, Raspberry leaves are highly valued because of their unique astringent properties. The tea remains popular among midwives and herbalists today.

Green tea is full of antioxidants that have been used for many beauty treatments including soothing tired eyes and as an astringent. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition green tea can help to speed up the metabolic rate and speed up fat oxidation to support weight loss. Green tea is also known to simulate hair growth and keep hair shiny and soft. Just steep three tea bags in a liter of water and rinse your hair with it after you’ve conditioned it. One of my favorite brands of tea is Alvita because their tea is fantastic – its organic and their tea boxes are 100% recycled paperboard.

What is your favorite kind of tea?

Sunday Morning Beauty Rituals: Tea Time!

October 23, 2011

My weekends are for family but they’re also for some relaxing “me time”. One of my favorite ways to relax is to grab a book and that also includes a hot cup of tea. I occasionally drink coffee but I drink tea daily, usually Green Tea without any sugar. I’ve always been a tea drinker ever since I was a teenager, coffee seemed to bitter to my immature taste buds. Tea came in so many wonderful flavors that I instantly fell in love with it. I tried everything from Lemon Zinger to Tummy Mint tea, and anytime that I found a new flavor I purchased it right away.

Even as an adult my love for tea never waned, but my view of tea changed. Over they years I learned so much about the health benefits of teas like the antioxidant properties of Green Tea, the immunity boosting claims of Peppermint Tea and the healthy skin benefits of White Tea. I’m a faithful Green Tea drinker and I usually have at least two cups of it daily. But recently starting drinking White Tea because I enjoy the delicate flavor and its similar antioxidant benefits. According to studies performed at the Linus Pauling Institute of Oregon State University White tea appears to have more potent anti-cancer qualities than green tea. White tea has also been proven to contain anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties that can help fight illness. The health benefits are pretty amazing.

Professor Declan Naughton, from the School of Life Sciences at Kingston University in South West London, said the research showed white tea had anti-aging potential and high levels of antioxidants that could prevent cancer and heart disease.

So when I have some time to relax I like to make a cup of tea, grab my favorite book and curl up on the coach for some much need “me-time”. There’s nothing like relaxing with a great book and a some hot tea in this cool Fall weather. It’s so relaxing, you absolutely have to try it. Make your favorite tea and take a moment to enjoy the aroma of the tea, inhale it. Feel the warmth from the tea-cup near your hands. Taste the delicate flavors swirling around in your mouth. Be aware of every sense that you experience from drinking your tea, and you’ll enjoy it all the more. Enjoy every moment and live life luxuriously!

Dr. Dennis Gross Extra Strength Alpha Beta Peel, yes please!

January 23, 2011

Dr Dennis Gross Extra Strength Alpha Beta Peel

Dr. Dennis Gross Extra Strength Alpha Beta Peel is an anti-aging treatment in a handy travel-friendly, individually wrapped packette. This peel has medical grade alpha and beta hydroxy acids and over 40 age defying ingredients including retinol, resveratrol, antioxidants, Green Tea, vitamins and soothing botanicals.

This at home peel claims to:

Diminish the appearance of wrinkles
Balance oil, tone skin, and increase clarity and radiance
Calm redness, sensitivity and irritation
Targets dark spots; improves skin tone & texture
Reduce pore size and help prevent breakouts

I tried a few of the Alpha Beta Peel packets and I was very elated with the results! My sensitive skin was not at all irritated by the extra strength peel. In fact my face felt more balanced – not dry and not oily. My sensitive skin showed no sign of redness and my skin felt as if I’d just received an hour-long facial. Even my spouse remarked that my skin looked very bright (and that was after the first application) and smooth. I try many products and a lot don’t work, many are just ok and few I would buy again. This peel falls into the last group, I would absolutely purchase this product again.

I should also mention that this product is Paraben, Sulfate and Phthalate free as well as vegan and cruelty free. I should also mention that in studies 96% of users reported that their skin looked more youthful and glowing. I read several reviews and even looked at some of the data from the study and I was impressed with the feedback.

After I finish the small package that I have, I plan on getting the full thirty-day supply. This seems to work really well and I am hoping to see some improvement on my hyperpigmentation and fine lines. It’ also a quick 3 minute beauty routine that I can easily incorporate into my morning grind. I think we have a winner.

Alpha Beta® Extra Strength Peel: 10 Individual Packettes /$35 or 30 Applications/$85 available at http://www.dgskincare.com/

Pacific Shaving Company All Natural Shaving Cream

October 21, 2010

The Pacific Shaving Company created a small line of natural and eco-friendly infused with essential oils and certified organic ingredients. Their All Natural Shaving Cream is fast becoming one of my favorite products mainly for it’s ingredients. This all natural formula contains aloe, shea butter, and sweet almond oil to keep you skin hydrated and smooth. White and Green Tea extracts were added for their anti-oxidant properties to protect against free-radical damage. The company even added Lavender which helps to calm skin.

Pacific Shaving Company describes the formula as low-lather but I found that the formula was thick and lathered well. This shaving cream is a bit more dense than other brands so a little will go a long way.

The 3-oz. jar may seem quite small at first but you will get 40 shaves (or more) out of it, it’s nice and compact. The scent is extremely light and very “clean” smelling, you won’t notice it after application.

Overall the I would say that I loved the shaving cream. The texture, the scent and the all natural ingredients work harmoniously together. Shaving was smooth and nick free and most importantly my skin didn’t feel dry afterwards. This is my first experience with the Pacific Shaving Company and it was great, I can’t wait to try the rest of their line!

All Natural Shaving Cream 3-oz., $8.95

Disclosure: The product(s) featured in this review were provided for editorial consideration. Receipt of a product does not guarantee review and all opinions are my own. For further information, please see my disclosure policy.

One of my favorite little things: Boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens

August 25, 2010

Life is all about enjoying the little things. I apply this philosophy to my life in all aspects and my beauty routine is no different. I’ve mentioned a time or twenty that I have very oily skin so I keep that in mind whenever I buy products for my face. So as you can imagine blotting sheets and I are BFFs. Blotting sheets remove that excess oil that pops up during the day that can ruin an otherwise flawless makeup application. I’ve tried several brands of blotting sheets but some of them contain ingredients like mineral oil which is not good for the skin. Yuck! Well that was before I cam across Boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens. Ahhhhh….Nirvana.

These blotting linens have been my saving grace for a shiny face! It’s pretty amazing that one little product can really improve your appearance in such a big way and that’s why I carry them in my makeup bag. Boscia offers a variety of scent infused linens for your blotting needs. Should you desire something with no scent you can opt for the “Fresh” (essence free) option. If you enjoy a little scent play then you can choose from: Green Tea, Vanilla, Lavender, Rose, California Orange or Peppermint. Boscia Blotting Linens are natural; they’re made from fibers of the Abaca Tree Plant. The best part is that there are no artificial ingredients and the blotting sheet is powder free so no unpleasant powdery residue to be left behind. Yes, these blotting sheets are simple yet effective and that’s why they’re one of my favorite little things. What’s one of your favorite little (beauty) things?

Boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens are $10 for 100 sheets