A Life of Style: Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Plant

Good Morning Fabulous Ones!!!! Happy Thursday =)

Today is Tea Tree Thursday.

For the past month my face has been acting out. In addition to the monthly visitor breakouts (ugh!), I have had a couple of out of nowhere eruptions that have truly annoyed me. None of my standard products were working so I visited my local health food store to pick up some natural products. Having run out of my Body Shop tea tree oil cleanser which I swore was the *bee's knees and have used for quite some time, I decided to try Dr. Bronner's Magic Pure Castile Tea Tree Liquid Soap.

The first time I washed my face with this soap I was pretty blown away. My skin was super clean. Honestly it was the first time I actually felt a cleanser working. After I cleansed, I dabbed pure tea tree oil on a cotton pad and applied to the mini Mount St. Helens. Within a week I was all clear. I don't think any of my old stand by skin care products have ever worked this well. These products are now a part of my daily skin care starting line up. *grinning ear to ear*

Tea tree oil not only saved my skin, it proved to be a real gem while I was sick. Last week I came down with an awful sinus infection - severe headache, terribly congested, post nasal drip, and intense pressure. I was having such a hard time sleeping due to my nasal passages being completely closed. My humidifier was working overtime and not providing a lot of relief...until I added a few drops of tea tree oil. Soon after, I was able to breathe through my nose and sleep a lot better.

Gotta love that tea tree oil =)

Before I sign off, I want to share the ingredients for the Body Shop tea tree oil facial cleanser and Dr. Bronner's. I've been reading product labels a lot more and doing way more research than I ever have before I purchase certain items now.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Facial Wash:
Water (Solvent/Diluent), Glycerin (Humectant), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (Surfactant), Cocamidopropyl Betaine (Surfactant), PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate (Viscosity Modifier), Polysorbate 20 (Emulsifier), Alcohol Denat. (Solvent/Diluent), Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil (Natural Additive), Phenoxyethanol (Preservative), Benzyl Alcohol (Preservative), Allantoin (Skin Soothing Agent), Polyquaternium-10 (Hair Conditioner), Sodium Salicylate (Preservative), Limonene (Fragrance Ingredient), Citric Acid (pH Adjuster), Yellow 5 (Colour), Blue 1 (Colour).

Dr. Bronner's 18-in-1 Hemp Tea Tree Pure-Castile Soap:
Water, Saponfied Organic Coconut Oil*, Saponified Organic Olive Oil*, Organic Glycerin, Organic Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil, Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Melaleuca Altenafolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Tocopherol (*Certified Fair Trade by IMO)

*Bee's Knees

Dr. Bronner's 18-in-1 Hemp Tea Tree Pure-Castile Soap

Desert Essence Organic Tea Tree Oil

A Life of Style: VIP Access for Victoria's Secret PINK NATION

Victoria’s Secret PINK is launching “PINK Nation”, an exclusive club where members receive free gifts, exclusive offers, special access and the inside scoop on everything PINK.

**For some reason the link is not working here. Please copy and past the following URL in a new window: www.vspink.com/pinknation**

The website hasn’t nationally launched but there's VIP access for A Life of Style readers. From now until March 10th, everyone who joins PINK Nation will receive a FREE tote (no purchase required) and $10 off a $35 purchase. This offer will not be available once the site goes national. So sign up now!!!!

A Life of Style: Mineral Makeup

So far Bare Minerals makeup has been the only mineral makeup I've bought but I'm always open to other brands.

Perhaps one or two of these 18 will be my next purchase ;)

Readers' Choice: Top 18 Mineral Makeup Products

These reviews tell which foundations and powders are best in their class

From powders to liquids, these mineral makeup formulas were voted most impressive (and least irritating) by TotalBeauty.com users. Find the perfect match for your skin -- and your budget. See products

No. 18: Joppa Minerals Morning Dew Foundation, $16

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8.2*

Why it's great: "It doesn't make me itch and it stays in place all day long..."

No. 17: Mary Kay Mineral Powder Foundation, $18

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8.2*

Why it's great: "It is easy to apply, it blends in with my skin, it stays all day, and it looks natural..."

No. 16: Arbonne About Face Mineral Powder Foundation, $34

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8.2*

Why it's great: "I have some issues with acne scars and this covers [them] right up. There's a good selection of colors as well so you're sure to find your color..."

Want to see what's #1? Click here!

Beauty Breakthroughs...

10 Best Beauty Breakthroughs

These products have changed the way we color our hair, erase wrinkles, zap brown spots and more

Thousands of beauty products debut each year so it takes something special for a product to stand out from the crowd. These are the goods we think deserve a prime spot on your bathroom counter. So without further ado... See breakthroughs

A Life of Style: First Lady in Curls & Kai Milla

First Lady Michelle Obama looked stunning last night at an In Performance at the White House event honoring the legendary Stevie Wonder.




Mrs. Obama wore a silk emerald green dress by designer
Kai Milla, Stevie Wonder's wife.



The dress...gorgeous.

The hair...fabulous.

The makeup...flawless.

The shoes...too cute!!!!


























Stevie Wonder, In Performance at the White House



Kai Milla



pics courtesy of Getty Images

A Life of Style: Park 52 The First Lady Martini

Park 52 is a very chic and hip restaurant in Hyde Park, the neighborhood President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama lived before the White House became their new home. And yours truly is a Hyde Park resident as well.

I've enjoyed every dining experience at Park 52. If you're ever in the area check it out. The food is amazing and the desserts are worth cheating on your diet ;)

A couple of weeks ago, my friend celebrated her birthday at Park 52. There were two new drinks on the menu, The Commander in Chief and The First Lady martini.

I ordered the First Lady and here's the recipe so you can try it at home:

* 1 1/2 ounce of Stoli Raspberry Vodka
* 2/3 ounce Triple Sec
* 1 ounce White Cranberry Juice

Shake well and serve in a chilled martini glass...Cheers!!!!



www.park52chicago.com

A Life of Style: Farewell Domino Magazine

My blogging buddy, Jamie texted me a few weeks ago with the sad news that Domino magazine was ceasing publication. I was too upset! I love this magazine and got so many great ideas from the articles and pictures over the years. Darn this economy! Not one industry is safe from layoffs and cut backs. Hopefully the Domino staffers will be able to find positions within other Condé Nast publications.

Well I guess I'll head over to Amazon.com and order, Domino: The Book of Decorating: A room-by-room guide to creating a home that makes you happy

March 2009 Domino cover picture courtesy of www.dominomag.com

A Life of Style: Sally Hansen Lip Inflation EXTREME

Hello Beautiful People! This week at Walgreens, Sally Hansen lip products are 40% off. I clipped two $1.50 Sally Hansen coupons last month and I've been waiting to use them.


I decided to try the Lip Inflation Extreme in Clear and Sheer Bare. They rang up $5.09 and with my coupons they were $3.59!!! Whoo-hoo!!! Love it when I save a little money =)




My thoughts...
Very tingly, not Lip Venom tingly but tingly, lol! Very cinnamon-y flavor. My pucker was a lot fuller and it was a nice amount of natural looking fullness - not exactly Angelina Jolie but definitely not Lisa Rinna (Ugh! Lol!)


I tried the clear on its own and over another gloss. It worked great both ways. I paired Sheer Bare with my MAC lip pencil in Chestnut today and that was a winner too.

This is a great drugstore lip plumper that delivers.

According to the Sally Hansen website the special ingredients are:
Hydro-Collagen Complex with Marine Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid capture and retain moisture contributing to the immediate dramatic effect.

A Life of Style: Jewelry

This post is dedicated to a good friend who has her heart set on a very expensive 1 carat diamond pendant necklace which even on sale is totally out of her budget. She's prepared to go on a diet of Ramen Noodles and cereal in order to afford the necklace. Her goal is to make it her signature accessory. As crazy as the economy is, luxury purchases should be placed on the back burner until things turn around.

In an attempt to save my friend from a college undergrad diet, I found a few classic alternatives that are a little more wallet friendly:

QVC Diamonique 14k Gold 1ct Princess Cut Solitaire - $53.25

Return to Tiffany Round Tag Pendant in Sterling Silver - $100

Overstock 10k White Gold Diamond Double-heart Necklace - $89.99

2009 Predictions: The Beauty Edition

The products and treatments that will take the beauty world by storm

Thousands of beauty products debut each year, so it takes something special for a product to stand out from the crowd. These are the 10 breakthroughs in the industry we think deserve a prime spot on your bathroom counter. So without further ado... See products

How to Avoid Makeup Meltdown

Pro tips on keeping a fresh face - all day long

Making makeup last all day doesn't have to be a high-maintenance hassle. Follow these tips from pro makeup artists Charlie Green and Molly Stern and your look, whether natural or dramatic, won't melt away before you finish showing it off. See tips

A Life of Style: Physicians Formula Organic Wear Mascara

Last Thursday I went to CVS (I'm such the drugstore junkie). Several of the sales associates were unpacking crates of new products in the makeup aisle. I must admit I got very excited and wanted to see what they were putting out but I didn't want to be underfoot so I went down another aisle. The Physicians Formula Organic Wear display caught my eye. The mascara just leaped into my hand - honest it did!!!

The package boasts:

• 100% Free of Harsh Chemicals


• 100% Free of Synthetic Preservatives


• 100% Free of Parabens


• 100% Free of Genetically Modified Organisms


• 100% Free of Synthetic Colors


• 100% Free Synthetic Fragrances


• 100% Cruelty Free


• No clumping or flaking


• 5x Lash Boosting - Lengthens, Volumizes, and Defines

The mascara had me at free of harsh chemicals. My eyes tend to be somewhat sensitive and certain mascaras cause them to water and sting. So was Physicians Formula Organic Wear Mascara in Ultra Black worth my $9.99 + 10.25% sales tax? Was the volume all that and then some?

YES & YES!!

Now when I opened the mascara I noticed a somewhat faint earthy smell, kind of like fresh cut grass. They really took it all the way there with the green thing, lol. Don't worry, the scent doesn't linger at all. The volume I got was very impressive and if I had better digi cam skills I could show you. All the pics I took were kinda odd looking. I'll get the self portrait thing down sooner or later. But I digress, I've been wearing this mascara everyday since I got it and it's great. It really delivers what it states on the package and the organic cred is a big plus.

**For more information click here

Joe's Jeans Loves A Life of Style

Happy Valentine's Day from Joe's Jeans!!!!

Buy a pair of jeans for yourself and get 50% off a pair for your Valentine.

**Use the code "JoeLovesstyle" at checkout**

Hurry this offer ends February 23rd, so go shop! Click here>> Joe's Jeans

Luxe vs. Less Skin Care

Find out what products to splurge on and when to save your hard-earned dollars

You don't have to spend half your paycheck on skincare products to stay wrinkle and pimple-free. That said, slathering household condiments on your face to avoid paying for the good stuff isn't a smart idea either. We'll show you which bargain products really work and when you should kick in some extra cash. See products