Here’s a question from one of my readers:

“My mom was watching Dr. Oz on TV and he said drinking peppermint tea can get rid of unwanted facial hair. Is this true?”

Well…kind of…

Research has shown that drinking peppermint or spearmint tea can reduce testosterone levels and raise estrogen levels in women, treating a condition called hirsutism.

Hirsutism is a disorder that causes hair growth in various areas (usually face, breasts, and belly) in women. Hirsutism is caused by a hormone imbalance.

If you think your unwanted facial hair is caused by a hormone imbalance, I recommend first, seeing a physician, but as a home remedy, you can drink peppermint or spearmint tea and see if you have any positive results.

If your unwanted facial hair is hereditary, this will not treat it. You will have to bleach, wax, shave or tweeze, just like your mom, aunts, and grandma have to do…

How do you know if your facial hair is caused by a Hormone Imbalance?

1. Have you always had the hair (for most of your adult life), or has it recently sprouted?

anything that suddenly pops up can be a sign of an issue

2. Does the hair grow at an abnormal rate?

If you have to wax or tweeze your upper lip and a spot or two on your chin every 2 - 4 weeks when you do your eyebrows, that's perfectly normal (especially for us girls with dark coarse hair!), but if you're removing hair from the same spot every day or every few days, there might be a problem

3. Is your unwanted facial hair accompanied by any other symptoms?

unwanted body hair, thinning hair on your head, mood swings, and unexplained weight gain are other symptoms of hormone imbalance. If you have 2 or more of these symptoms, you should call your doctor ASAP.

This is a great option for women who are going through menopause, as it does regulate hormone levels.

The most effective way to make this tea is to include a handful of fresh peppermint or spearmint leaves in your teapot when making tea. This will give you the most natural and potent dose.

Drink 2 – 5 cups of this tea per day hot or cold.

Send your beauty questions to pamperp[email protected] and I’ll answer them in my next blog.

Don’t forget to stop by next week for another dose of the beauty blog!

Thanks,

Bethany

Here’s a question from one of my readers:

“What are the benefits of Fish Oil? I’ve heard a lot of people who say they take it, but why? What does it do for you?”

Fish oil contains Omega 3 fatty acids: Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA), Eicosapentaeonic Acid (EPA), and Docosahexaeonic Acid (DHA) , which are three of the most important fatty acids for normal brain development, nervous system functioning, eyesight, and reducing arthritis.

The list of health benefits associated with Fish Oil is practically endless, below I’ve listed just a few:

- reduces fatty deposits in arteries, therefore reducing risk of heart attack and heart disease

- inhibits the growth and development of cancer cells

- prevents complications in pregnancy and reduces risk of post partum depression

- has been known to lessen the symptoms and effects of all kinds of depression and ADHD

- improves brain activity and memory

- reduces cravings for fatty foods, therefore regulating weight

- effective treatment for most inflammatory conditions, including arthritis and lupus

- prevents stroke

- raises good cholesterol

Since this is the “Beauty Blog”, I assume you’re asking what the Beauty Benefits of Fish oil are, so I’ll focus more on those.

1. Fish oil is one of the best ways to combat the formation of wrinkles and the decrease of collagen in your skin.

Why: Decreased collagen and elastin in your skin causes skin to sag and wrinkle. The increase of bad Arachidonic Acid (AA) eventually leads to the production of pro-inflammatory agents, causing deep-set wrinkles and puffy eyes. Both of these instances occur with age, but Fish Oil can boost your body’s production of Good AAs, therefore curbing the development of bad AAs. By creating this balance, it allows for increased blood flow in your skin. Increased blood flow stimulates the enzymes needed to produce structural proteins needed for the formation of collagen and elastin. The regulation of bad AAs also reduces those pro-inflammatory agents.

2. Fish oil can treat or even cure Psoriasis and Eczema

Why: Fish oil provides nourishment to your skin, and the anti-inflammatory agents work in the same way that the medicated creams prescribed by a dermatologist do.

3. Fish oil can improve the health and appearance of your hair, skin, and nails

Why: The Omega 3 fatty acids are crucial for healthy hair, skin and nails. ALA, EPA, and DHA , which just happen to be the 3 main ingredients found in Omega 3, are also the 3 main nutrients needed for healthy, strong, supple hair, skin, and nails.

4. Fish oil can help your hair and nails grow

Why: Healthy strong hair and nails grown much quicker than dry brittle hair and nails. If you’re going for that trendy ultra-long hair look or you have always wanted long healthy nails, Fish oil may just be the answer to your prayers!

There are a few ways you can attain these Omega 3 fatty acids. The simplest way is to take a fish oil supplement. 2 a day should make a world of difference. Another way is to include more items that contain fatty acids into your diet. Halibut, albacore, herring, canola oil, clams, sardines, trout, walnuts and shrimp all contain high amounts of Omega 3 fatty acids.

Now that you’re informed about the benefits of fish oil, go out and get a bottle! This stuff is pretty amazing!

Send your Beauty questions to pamperpa[email protected] and I’ll answer them in my next blog.

Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to stop by tomorrow for another dose o the beauty blog.

-Bethany

Yesterday's razor burn blog made me wonder why anyone would want to shave their bikini line rather than wax, and the only legitimate reason I could come up with is the pain factor.

While waxing is no "walk in the park", neither is red irritated razor burn...

I'm going to tell you about a few products that may change your mind about waxing.

Why you ask?

...Because they make it pain-free!

There are several creams and sprays out there that contain Lidocaine, a topical anesthetic, which can make waxing a much more pleasant experience. 

Just rub or spray one of these products on 20 - 30 minutes before your wax, and relax...

These products can cost anywhere from $7 - $40, but here are a few mid-range ones that I recommend:
- GiGIHONEE Anesthetic Numbing Spray $10.95 
- "No Scream:" Cream $16.00
- Topicaine  $16.50

All of these items can be found on Amazon.com

Another little tip...these products work great for tatoos as well!

Send your beauty questions to pamperp[email protected] and I'll answer them in my next beauty blog.

Don't forget to stop by tomorrow for another dose of the beauty blog!

Thanks,
Bethany

Here's a question from one of my readers:

"My lips are dry, and no matter how much chapstick or vaseline I put on them, I still have dead skin hanging off of them when I wake up in the morning. Do you have any recommendations of what I can use?

Here's what I think you should try:

First...

make a mixture of sugar and oil and keep this near your bathroom sink. When you wake up in the morning with dry skin on your lips, use this to scrub it off. This will give you clean slate to start with.

Normally I would tell you to use petroleum jelly, but I recently discovered a GREAT product! It's called "24 Hour Lip Treatment" and it's made by Sally Hansen. I actually only purchased it because it was on the 75% off rack at CVS and I thought for $2.00 I'd give it a try. Can you tell I'm an impulse shopper? I was pleasantly surprised by the results! 

It hydrates and softens like vaseline, but comes in a tube like chapstick. The product is a solid wax-like stick, which allows you to control how much you're getting (no more goopy vaseline mouth!). It glides over lips and penetrates pretty much immediately. It's colorless and odorless, and provides a great base for your regular lipstick/gloss, or can be worn alone. The best part is that this product actually does improve the condition of your lips all day, not just until it wears off!

Why it works:

It contains soy and Rose oil, which provide deep hydration and Vitamins A & E, which improve the condition of your lips.

The price:

The regular price of this product is between $7 and $8, depending on where you buy it, but it will last a VERY long time.

Where to get it:

I got mine at CVS, but you can get it anywhere where sally hansen products are sold (walmart is probably the cheapest place)

I do still recommend using petroleum jelly on your lips at night, because it will soften any dead skin enough to slough it off in the morning with the sugar scrub. Petroleum Jelly will also pump your lips while you sleep.

Send you beauty questions to pamper[email protected] and I'll answer them in my next blog. 

Thanks for reading and don't forget to stop by tomorrow for another dose of the beauty blog!

Thanks,

Bethany

So have heard of ear stapling?

Celebrities have been doing it for years, but it's only recently that it's become mainstream. Though I’m not sure that I’m convinced, I just have to share it with you guys…

Supposedly, ear stapling is supposed to be a risk-free, diet-free weight loss method. Seems too good to be true? …decide for your self.

The procedure:

A tiny piece of stainless steel is stapled to the cartilage on the inside of the middle of your ear. It’s similar to ear piercing, but slightly more painful.

What it’s supposed to do:

The ear staple is supposed to penetrate the acupuncture pressure point that controls appetite and thirst. Penetrating this pressure point is supposed to tell your brain that your stomach is full, making you eat less. It also is supposed to penetrate the acupuncture point for stress relief, which is a common cause for over eating.

The cost:

Ear Stapling costs around $50 for one ear and $70 for both ears and is reported to last anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months. Ear Stapling Professionals recommend having both ears done, because it is common for one ear to be significantly more effective than the other. Stapling both ears eliminates the chance of choosing the wrong ear. Once the effects wear off, you can get re-stapled.

The risks:

Infection is the biggest risk. To avoid Infection, make sure to keep your staple clean and dry, and keeps your hands off of it! If infection occurs, see your PCP immediately, as cartilage infection can be a very serious problem. Some people also claim that the stapling is so effective that can’t eat at all, and have to have the staple(s) removed.

If you decide to get your ear stapled for weight loss, make sure you are seeing a professional with a medical and/or acupuncture background, preferably both. The procedure is useless if the correct acupuncture point is not penetrated, so without someone who knows what they’re doing, you are wasting your time and money.

Does it really work?

No official scientific research has been done on ear stapling, but the professionals claim that 90% of their clients have at least some weight loss. These Professionals also claim that women can loose 2 - 4 pounds per week and men can loose 4 – 10 pounds per week. Based on other articles I’ve seen, the success rate is closer to 50%, and this with healthy diet and exercise.

I don't know if it's legit or not, but it's defintely worth bringing to your attention. Let me know what your think or if you've had any experience with it.

Send your beauty questions to [email protected] and I'll answer them in my next blog.

Thanks for reading and don't forget to stop by tomorrow for another dose of the beauty blog.

-Bethany

I've had a few people ask me about shaping their eyebrows. Some people are unhappy with their current shape; some don't want to spend $15+ every 2 weeks to have their brows maintained by a professional, and others can't get waxed because they use retin-A or another acne treatment that thins their skin.

No matter what the reason, there are a few things you need to know before tackling your own brows.

I suggest getting your original shape from a professional, and then maintaining the shape on your own with tweezers.

Make sure when you get your eyebrows professionally done, that you are seeing an esthetician. Estheticians specialize in skin care and have more training, experience and interest in skin care services, including waxing. Also, if you cannot get waxed because of medication or skin sensitivities, you can have an esthetician tweeze your brows for you.

As an esthetician (and a picky one at that), I usually do my own waxing, but the only other person I trust with my brows is an esthetician I used to work with at Salon Vivace. She now owns "Spa Nupalle" on Industrial Blvd in Bethel Park. Her name is Justina and she is quick, accurate, virtually painless, and a real sweet heart. If you're looking for someone to go to, this is definitely your girl.

If you're planning to tackle your brows on your own, here are a few tips to help you:

Your eyebrows are a frame for your entire face. When they are shaped properly, they make your eyes look more open and your face look brighter. It is important to make sure you have the correct shape for your face and not a shape you saw and liked on someone else.

You'll want to let your brows go for 3-4 weeks to ensure that you are starting with a full brow

1. Your brows should begin directly above the tear duct on the inside corner of your eye. If your brows are closer together than this, remove the excess hair. If your brows are farther apart then this, you may have to pencil them in using the technique I will describe later.

2. Your brows should end at the outside corner of the eye or very slightly outside that corner. If your brows extended out father than this, remove the excess hair. If your brows do not extend to the outside corner of the eye, you may have to pencil them in.

3. Now that your brows are the correct length, you will want to add the arch. In order to find the correct spot for your arch, hold a pencil at the bottom corner of your nose along the outside of the nostril. Angle this pencil so that is crosses over the pupil when your eyes are looking straight ahead. The spot that the pencil crosses over your eyebrow should be the highest point of your arch. Now create a soft arch using this high point as a guide. If waxing your brows, please be sure to follow the instructions for proper waxing below. If tweezing your brows, remember to take your time and relax.

4. Once you have created your arch, you can use an eyebrow pencil to fill in any bare or uneven spots until the hair grows in. To learn how to correctly pencil in your brows, see the instructions below.

Instructions for waxing your eyebrows properly:

- I recommend using soft wax (the kind that comes with strips) for all facial waxing because I think it is less painful
- Make sure area is clean and dry
- Apply wax in a smooth straight line over hair to be removed. Always apply wax in the direction that the hair grows. If the wax drags or skips, it is either too cool or you are not using enough.
- Apply a muslin strip over the wax, and rub a few times to assure adhesion. 
- Put your pointer finger at the end of the eyebrow, closest to your hairline, and pull skin taught with one hand while removing the strip in the opposite direction of hair growth with the other hand.
- Apply pressure with your free hand to reduce stinging
- Once you have waxed an area, you cannot re-wax the same area again. I there is hair left after you have waxed, remove it with tweezers.
- you can use baby oil to remove any wax left on your skin 
- Apply aloe to relieve stinging or pain.

Instructions for penciling your eyebrows in properly

- Choose an eyebrow pencil that matches your brow color.

- make sure pencil is sharpened, but not pointy. You will want the point to be slightly rounded off

- apply pencil in short stokes (about 1/8 of an inch in length) to look like hair.

Send your Beauty Questions to [email protected] and I'll answer them in my next blog.

Don't forget to stop back on Monday for another dose of the beauty blog!

Thanks, 

Bethany

With the weather we’ve been having none of us want to go outside, so why not give yourself some “me-time” this weekend.

As you know, I’m a DIY kind of girl. When I worked in a spa, I took the opportunity for free and convenient services for granted. I was so used to scheduling a facial on my day off, swaping pedis with the other nail tech’s, squeezing a brow wax in here or there, and getting a haircut or shampoo/style in between clients that I forgot what it was like to have to maintain my own beauty rituals.

Now that I have my own solo spa business, I don’t have people around to take care of me for free anymore, and I’ve been reminded of the burden of daily beauty maintenance. I am NOT willing to pay spa prices for my regular maintenance, which means I have to do it myself. Instead of thinking of it as work, I try to make it enjoyable…

I take a Saturday or Sunday morning/afternoon (depending on my party schedules) once every month or two to devote to beautifying myself. It’s a great treat and I always feel amazing afterwards. I strongly suggest that you try it!

Give yourself a deep conditioning mayonnaise hair treatment, and a “kitchen-cabinet” facial. Then, take a long warm bath, exfoliate and shave. Follow this by applying some natural glow or another self-tanning lotion to give you a little color. Now, give yourself a pedi, wax or tweeze your brows, and give yourself a mani. Finish it all off with a lifetime movie or two in your bathrobe.

I promise you’ll look and feel just as great after this day at the home-spa as you would after a day at the regular spa and you’ll spare yourself the buyer’s remorse.

Once you’re all fresh and beautiful, call your friends and celebrate with a girls night out!

For info on “kitchen cabinet” facials and hair treatments, exfoliating treatments,  hair removal tips, at-home mani’s , and self-pedi’s please refer to the links below from my blog archive, as I’ve written about all of these in the past.

Facials: http://pamperpartiespgh.webs.com/apps/blog/show/2652994-1-22-kitchen-cabinet-remedies-skincare

Hair Treatments: http://pamperpartiespgh.webs.com/apps/blog/show/2646083-1-21-kitchen-cabinet-beauty-remedies-hair

Exfoliating: http://pamperpartiespgh.webs.com/apps/blog/show/2195319-11-25-silky-soft-winter-skin

Hair Removal: http://pamperpartiespgh.webs.com/apps/blog/show/2679781-1-25-hair-removal

Mani's: http://pamperpartiespgh.webs.com/apps/blog/show/2516617-1-6-stop-neglecting-your-hands-

Pedi's: http://pamperpartiespgh.webs.com/apps/blog/show/2895657-2-16-revive-those-neglected-winter-feet-

Send your Beauty questions to pamper[email protected] and I'll answer them in my next blog. 

Don't forget to stop by tomorrow for another dose of the beauty blog!

Thanks, 

Bethany

OK guys....it's not often that I write a blog for you, but I have several guy friends, as well as a brother, so I know some of you are struggling to find the perfect Valentines Day gift for your girl...

Here are some ideas:

1. Lingerie: I know you're thinking, that's not a gift for her, that's a gift for me! ..but honestly, that's the beauty of it! A gift of Lingerie says "I think you're beautiful and you deserve to wear something beautiful", but more importantly, it says "I want you", which is something every girl likes to hear!

2. Jewelry, jewelry, jewelry! Seriously guys, we can't get enough of it! I've heard guys say things like "I'm not getting jewelry, because it's so unoriginal"...trust me, most girls would prefer an unoriginal piece of jewelry to just about anything.

- Here's a super romantic idea that will make her melt: Get a charm bracelet with a single heart charm, and put a little note in the box that says you will add a charm for each valentines day you spend together. Not only does this say that you're planning a future with her (the one thing every girl wants to hear) but you'll never have to come up with another valentines day gift again! (I can't take credit for this idea, my boyfriend did this on our 1st anniversary)

3. Every girl loves flowers! Bring them to the door when you pick her up. It's especially  nice to get them delivered to work...it may be too late for Valentines day, but keep this in mind for her birthday (or the next time you're in trouble)

4. Any romantic gesture will do.

- Try this idea for those of you who don't have much to spend:

Skip the overpriced, over crowded restaurants and opt for a more quiet, romantic evening in... set the table, light candles, and cook dinner (honestly, even if what you make is terrible, she'll love it). Give her a gift from your heart, not your wallet, try a booklet of coupons for things like a massage, a candle light dinner, a movie rental, a dinner at her favorite restaurant, etc... OR a list of things you love about her OR find a poem or quote that expresses your feelings for her online, and frame it. If you're really adventurous, write one. You can get a frame at the dollar store. It doesn't have to cost much. Scatter rose petals (or paper hearts if you can afford roses) on the bed, play soft music and light candles in the bedroom. It doesn't take much money (or even much effort) to create a very romantic atmosphere, and it will earn you serious points. I promise, she will appreciate it, and you'll both have a great time!

I hope this helps...Have a great Valentines Day!

-Bethany

So they say men wait until the last minute, but admit it ladies...so do we!

Valentines Day is on Sunday and you still don't have a gift or even an idea? 

Have no fear, here are some well researched ideas:

1. Lingerie - DUH! Trust me, it may seem like a gift for you, but it's just as much for him. He'll love it! You know what the best part is? since you've waited so long, it'll probably be on sale! 

You don't know what's appropriate for V-day? Here are 3 suggestions:

- obviously anything with hearts on it

- anything that resembles mens-wear... get creative, surprise him in nothing but a tie or a men's dress shirt. It'll be like 2 gifts in one, and he'll have a mental picture to refer back to when he gets dressed for work... talk about a monday morning pick-me-up 

- If you're really adventurous, go for the naughty nurse or french maid costume. It may seem silly to you, but he'll like the role playing, trust me!

2. Naughty games - Go to spencer's they have a ton of choices!

- For the mild, try the love dice or the Dirty Minds game - this is a fav of mine, it's VERY entertaining.

- For those of you who are little more bold, try the body paints, edible undies, or any of the x-rated games.

- For the really adventurous, they have toys and fetish kits galore...there's definitely something for everyone there

3. For the hopeless romantics, try a Saturday Night hotel stay complete with strawberries and champagne, followed by a Sunday Morning horse-drawn carriage ride through station square. To book a ride:

http://www.stationsquare.com/info/horsecarriage.cfm

4. For the penny pinching love birds, How about some printable Love Coupons? Make your own personalized book or print these:

http://honeymoons.about.com/od/valentinesday/ig/Love-Coupons/

Last year I did a 101 things I love about you book for my boyfriend, which I figured he would think was silly, but he really loved it. He STILL has it sitting on his dresser...

5. If you're looking for more practical gifts, watches are always nice. I like to get my guy lounge pants and boxers

I hope this helps! Now get shopping and get creative!

-Bethany

Let me paint a mental picture for you:

You're trapped in a room with a woman who's wearing WAY too much perfume. It starts out with an overbearing and unpleasant odor, then you get a tickle in the back of your throat that you just can't seem to get rid of, and then comes the headache. At this point you want to douse this woman with water and slap her around. She is the enemy!

We've all been there, and it's not a pleasant experience. Please please please do not become this woman.

You are way too fabulous to be the hated "stinky girl".

When it comes to fragrance, a little goes a long way. People should not be able to smell you when you enter a room. Your scent should be reserved for those who are in close contact with you. It should be a subtle, yet pleasant, whiff as you breeze by, not a cloud of doom that follows you around.

We all love to smell pretty, but there's a fine line between just right and too much, and I'm going to help to find it. Just follow these simple rules and you'll be smelling as sweet as a rose (a single rose, not the whole bush):

First, determine what kind of fragrance you're working with:

Perfume: A straight up perfume is more oily that watery. It usually comes with a dropper instead of a spray and can be pretty expensive. Perfumes are about 40% fragrance oil. This is the stuff that makes your grandma wreak...

Eau de Parfum: This is what most of us think of as "perfume" these are normally clear watery liquids, they come in glass bottles with spray caps, and are sold in department stores for about $20 - $60. These are about 20% fragrance oils.

Eau de Toilette: These are your body sprays. They are often colored, they come in plastic bottles with spray caps, and are sold in stores like bath and body works or drug stores for $3 - $15. These are about 5 - 10% fragrance oils, depending on the quality.

If you are using a perfume: 2 drops will do the trick. One on each wrist and then rub onto your neck. These are the zones of your body that release the most pheromones and you can trust that they will spread your scent.

If you are using Eau de Parfum: 3 sprays of this is plenty. One on your wrist and rub them together, and one on each side of the neck.

Both Perfume and Eau de Parfum are seriously potent. Even when you can't smell it anymore, other people can, so resist the urge to reapply.

If you are using Eau do Toilette: 4 - 6 sprays Max. If you spray more that 6 times, I'm coming to confiscate it. I swear! Just because it's body spray doesn't mean you can abuse it. There IS such a thing as too much Coconut Lime Verbena...

Avoid layering scents. If you're going to use the scented body wash and lotion in the morning, you can skip the spray. If you shower and lotion at night, go ahead and lightly spray in the morning

FYI: If you're reading this thinking "I use way more than that and I don't stink", chances are...you do!

You are the one I'm writing this blog for, so PLEASE take my advise!

Send your Beauty Questions to [email protected] and I'll answer them in my next blog.

Thanks,

Bethany