There's a reason why my friends call me the MacGyver of beauty. The other night, we were dining <em>al fresco</em> when a band of crazed mosquitos let loose upon our ankles. Curiously, I'd just been sent <a href="http://www.lotusaroma.com/english/index.php" target="_blank">Lotus Aroma's Nature Lover Trio</a> of essential oils, and just happened to have them in my car. Each pack contains a 15 mL bottle of citronella oil (which repels bugs), lavender oil (which soothes stings) and tea tree oil (which disinfects). What better time than the present to give them a go?<!--more-->

Since we were dealing the problems of bite prevention <em>and</em> itch relief, the four of us rubbed a few drops of all three oils over our legs. Result: we sent the suckers packing, and the desire to scratch eased up. Another bonus: the oils are totally safe and chemical-free. (You've heard about the <a href="http://www.alive.com/1864a5a2.php?subject_bread_cramb=605" target="_blank">harmful side effects of DEET</a>, haven't you?)

So while my friends used to laugh at me because my purse is usually one big <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Dressup" target="_blank">Tickle Trunk</a> of beauty products, they're not laughing now. Ha!

<strong>Lotus Aroma Nature Lover Trio</strong> | <a href="http://www.lotusaroma.com/english/index.php" target="_blank">lotusaroma.com</a>

Available at major pharmacies and specialty stores across Canada.
<p class="alert"><strong>GET A FREE SELF-TANNER! </strong>I'm giving away 50 (yes, FIFTY!) <a href="http://www.lorealparis.ca/_en/_ca/products/product-sheet.aspx?code=Sk9_12#tab:profits" target="_blank">L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Luminous Bronzers</a> (read more about them <a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/2009/07/19/its-a-mega-giveaway-win-one-of-50-loreal-paris-sublime-bronze-luminous-bronzers/" target="_blank">here</a>). All you have to do is <strong>sign up for BeautyEditor.ca's </strong><a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/feedburner.google.com');" href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=BeautyEditor&amp;amp;loc=en_US" target="_blank"><strong>email newletter</strong></a><strong> or </strong><a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/feed" target="_blank"><strong>RSS feed</strong></a> (if you're not already a subscriber), and then <strong>enter your name and email address</strong> in the box below. (If you’re reading this post in a reader, click <a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/2009/07/19/its-a-mega-giveaway-win-one-of-50-loreal-paris-sublime-bronze-luminous-bronzers/" target="_blank">here</a> to see the box.)</p>

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This giveaway is open to Canadian residents only and runs until <strong>August 31st<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> at midnight</span></strong>. One entry per email address.