Month of Love, Pink Sea Salt Scrub

Month of Love, Pink Sea Salt Scrub

Yep, It's pink and it's salt & it's amazing for scrubbing those dry winter bits off your body! Follow this easy recipe for a DIY scrub using stuff you probably already have in your pantry. 

Ingredients

• 4 oz Pink Himalayan Sea Salt – Fine Grain
• 1 oz fractionated coconut oil
• 1 oz jojoba oil
• 20 drops lavender Essential oil
• 10 drops lemon essential oil

Instructions

1. Combine salt, coconut oil and jojoba oil in a mixing bowl.
2. Mix in essential oils.
3. Store in a 4oz mason jar with lid.

Featured Fall Products -- Illuma Bleaching Serum & Cover FX Mattifying Primer with Anti-Acne Treatment

Featured Fall Products

Illuma Bleaching Serum & Cover FX Mattifying Primer with Anti-Acne Treatment

Recently I started using 2 new products and have fallen in love! As with every product recommendation I'd like to preface this by saying not every skin type will do well with these products. However if you find yourself feeling like they might be great for you, then go for it! 

Illuma Bleaching Serum

Recently I started using this serum to brighten my sun damaged skin (yes, Costa Rica will mess up your porcelain skin no matter how much sunscreen you apply). The ingredients are extremely pure and straightforward. The main progressive ingredient is hydroquinone. It is a powerful melanin bomb. You have to stay out of the sun when using this, but guaranteed there will be bright even skin in your future! 

http://www.imageskincare.com/products/iluma-intense-bleaching-serum 

Cover FX Mattifying Primer with Anti-Acne Treatment

This is a product that I looked at with weary intent. I've never really loved primer. They feel sticky, or too slick, something is usually off about them. Here's one that has skincare ingredients that made me get on board. The salicylic acid prevents and heals blemishes by providing gentle exfoliation to clarify the skin. It works! My skin is seriously benefiting from the beta hydroxy power. Bye bye blackheads. 

http://www.coverfx.com/mattifying-primer-with-anti-acne-treatment.html

Make these Egg-traordinary Masks at home!

The Egg Masks

For a little pampering, head to the refrigerator and grab an egg. 

--If you have dry skin that needs moisturizing, separate the egg and beat the yolk.

--Oily skin takes the egg white, to which a bit of lemon or honey can be added. 

--For normal skin, use the entire egg. 

Apply the beaten egg, relax and wait 30 minutes, then rinse. You’ll love your new fresh face.

Read more: http://www.rd.com/home/9-soothing-facial-masks-from-the-kitchen/#ixzz3c4C3POBX

Luxurious Sugar Scrub

Luxurious Sugar Scrub Recipe

Homemade sugar scrub with natural sugars and oils is great for exfoliating skin naturally.

Ingredients

• ½ cup sugar (white sugar or brown sugar)

• ¼ cup oil (olive or coconut are great)

• Optional: essential oils

Instructions

• Mix all ingredients and store in an air tight jar.

• Use 1 tablespoon as needed in the shower. Scrub skin with the mixture and rinse will. it will leave your skin feeling like silk.

Brightening Turmeric Glow Mask

Brightening Turmeric Glow Mask

Turmeric is a bright yellow spice used in many Indian, Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern dishes, but what many Western don't know is that when combined with yogurt, milk or olive oil, it's also a brilliant face mask. Indian women use it as a skin brightener and it's common practice for Indian brides (and, apparently, their grooms) to smear a turmeric paste made of the powder and sunflower oil on their skin to brighten their complexions for the wedding.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder

• 2 tablespoons flour (to thicken the paste)

• a few drops of honey

• for oily skin: 1/4 cup plain yogurt & few drops of lemon juice

• for dry skin: 2 tbsp coconut oil, sweet almond oil or olive oil (more if you desire)

PREPARATION

Mix the flour and turmeric together.

If you have oily skin: Add lemon juice and stir. Slowly mix in the yogurt until a creamy paste is formed. Use more or less yogurt to your liking.

If you have dry skin: Add the oil slowly and stir until a paste is formed. Add more for more creaminess.

Apply mask to face and neck.

Leave the mask on for 15-20 minutes.

Using a warm, wet washcloth that you don't mind staining (turmeric will stain), rinse off the mask.

Pumpkin Skincare Treats

Pumpkin Skincare Treats

Pumpkins are good for much more than just decorating your stoop this holiday season! In fact, pumpkins are rich in alpha-hydroxy acids, a great exfoliator; loaded with antioxidants, beta-carotene, vitamins A and C; packed with anti-inflammatory benefits and even boast of natural UV protectors – making it the ideal skin care ingredient! So, after carving you pumpkin for decoration, take the inside of the pumpkin and make some DIY face and body treats, with spa like results.

After removing the seeds – which we recommend roasting for a beauty from the inside out treat! Scoop out some of the flesh of the pumpkin and bake or steam it until mashable (or just crack open a can of pumpkin puree, if that’s more your style!). Then, hit the bathroom-made-spa with these recipes designed to exfoliate and moisturize for fresh, smooth and sexy skin ready for dry winter days!

Pumpkin Pie Face Scrub

Mix a few tablespoons of cooked and mashed (or canned) pumpkin with 2 tablespoons of plain, unsweetened yogurt (rich in lactic acid, a great natural exfoliator) and 1 tablespoon of ground almonds and/or oats. Apply the scrub to your face and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the pumpkin and yogurt to start to soften dead skin cells before using your fingers to gently scrub your face in small curricular motions. The dead, dull skin cells will wash away and your face will look fresh and flawless!

Pumpkin Body Mask

Mix 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (fresh or canned),

1/2 cup virgin, cold-pressed coconut oil

(which not only moisturizes, but also helps to exfoliate deal cells and even has anti-bacterial properties) and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (which is antioxidant rich, anti-bacterial and smells delicious!). Apply generously to clean skin (in the shower is neatest!) and massage it into the skin. After 10 minutes, rinse with warm water and pat dry – we think this is a perfect body treat to do while you let a deep conditioning hair mask steep!

Pumpkin Honey Facial Mask

Mix a few tablespoons of pureed pumpkin with 1 whipped egg white (which will help tighten pores and reduce the appearance of fine lines), 1 tablespoon plain yogurt (which will help exfoliate) and 1 tablespoon honey (which is anti-bacterial, great for clearing acne). Apply to entire face, avoiding the eye area, and leave on for 10 minutes before rinsing. The yogurt and pumpkin will encourage cell-turnover and exfoliate, while the honey has anti-bacterial properties to ensure a fresh face for fall!

Cucumbers Aren't Just For Your Eyes... Refreshing Cucumber Mask

Refreshing Cucumber Mask

What makes cucumber good for skin?

The humble cucumber may seem like a simple water-rich vegetable with little nutrients but actually, studies show that fresh cucumber extracts contain many potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients! This makes cucumbers a great kitchen ingredient for a smooth and supple face! This refreshing cooling vegetable contains 95 per cent water and provides important benefits for skin including skin lightening, brightening, hydrating and toning. You can use a cucumber as a toner for oily skin and as a moisturizer for dry skin. 

Ingredients

• 1/2 cucumber

• 1 tablespoon ground oatmeal

• 1 tablespoon honey

Directions 

Puree 1/2 a cucumber in a blender or food processor. Add it into a small mixing bowl. Stir in the rest of the ingrdients well. Using clean fingertips, gently massage the mixture onto your face in a circular motion. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. When the time is up, rinse off the face mask with cold water. Pat dry with a clean towel.

Emily's Favorite New Product -- Mandelic Acid

Emily's Favorite New Product

Recently I started using this serum from Vivant. I apply it with fingers every morning after washing my face. Due to it's acidity it acts as a pH rebalance and a daily exfoliant all in one. I have noticed a more even complexion, less acne, and softer skin. So here's the DL... 

What is Mandelic Acid?

Mandelic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid.  Derived from bitter almonds, it has a number of benefits for the skin.

The molecular structure of mandelic acid is larger than better known alpha hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid and lactic acid.  This means it takes longer to penetrate the skin's surface and is much less irritating. 
Benefits
--Rapidly exfoliates dead skin cells and surface debris from the skin.
--Mandelic acid has antimicrobial/antibacterial properties, making it an excellent choice for all types of acne, including cystic acne.

--Loosens blackheads for easy extraction.

--Cleans and refines pores.
--Refines the tone and texture of the skin, brightens.

--Mandelic acid is excellent for clients with darker skin tones.  It does not cause the unwanted, lighter skin tone changes that you might experience with other AHA's.

--Mandelic acid inhibits the growth of melanin, the cause of brown patches, freckles, uneven skin tone and other sun-related skin care issues.

--Mandelic acid, with continued use, can help repair sun damaged skin.

--Mandelic acid reduces lines and wrinkles without the irritation of other AHA's.
--Mandelic is typically an excellent exfoliator for clients suffering from Rosacea.

 

Passion Fruit Scrub & Mask

A fresh start for your spring cleaning... 

Passion Fruit Facial Scrub

I recommend this scrub to  get soft, supple and radiant skin. Passion fruit is rich in vitamin A and vitamin C, so it is very useful for our total body health and our skin. When you use it as scrub, its tiny seeds acts as exfoliant. You can eat this tasty fruit raw or cooked.

Ingredients:

• Ripe Passion Fruit pulp

• One teaspoon honey

• One teaspoon of oatmeal powder 

• A pinch of turmeric powder 

• Two or three drops of fresh lemon juice.

Instructions:

• Mix all ingredients together in a bowl

• Throughly wash face.

• Now apply scrub to your face with your fingertips, protecting your eyes and gently massage skin in circular motion for 3 minutes

• Leave mixture on your skin for 10 minutes then cleanse off with lukewarm water and follow with your usual skincare routine

Grasshopper Mint Facial Mask

Grasshopper Mint Facial Mask

Ingredients: 

• Small bunch of fresh mint leaves

• 2 tbsp oat flour

• 4 tbsp plain yogurt

How to:

-In a medium bowl, mix four tablespoons of yogurt with two tablespoons of oat flour. 

-Cut some mint leaves to a very fine texture and mix it into the bowl. 

-Apply the mask to your face and let it sit for 15 minutes. 

-Wash off the facial mask with warm water.

Benefits of a Mint-Leaf Mask

1. Mint can help fight against dry skin, leaving it hydrated and vibrant. Use the mint-leaf facial mask recipe above or opt for a cream infused with mint or mint oil. Mint can help maintain the moisture in your skin, leaving it feeling soft.

2. Acne affects people of all ages, but mint can help replace the moisture that is stripped away from frequent face washing and acne treatments. Use the mint-leaf face mask recipe or apply a dab of any mint-based toothpaste to pimples.

3. Blackheads can be easily treated with a mint-leaf solution. Use the mint-leaf recipe or mix three mint leaves with a cup of boiling water to create a toner for the skin. To minimize the look of pores, mint leaves can be applied to the skin.

4. Foot moisturizers are essential to keep your feet and toes smooth and free of tough skin. The mint-leaf mask can also be used on the feet to get rid of cracked or rough skin that may appear on the bottom of your feet or heels. Repeated applications may be necessary.

5. Mint can do wonders to relieve insect bites. Just dab a bit of the mint mask onto insect bites or stings to get a cool sensation and to get rid of that itchiness. The mint also helps to reduce inflammation and promote healing.

DIY Awesome Aloe Vera Mask

Awesome Aloe Vera Mask 

Aloe vera is an amazing plant that may be used for various health and cosmetic goals. Its clear gel-like flesh is included in hair masks and conditioners, treatments for skin and even in natural juices. 

1. Add 1/2 tablespoon of Aloe Vera gel into a small container
2. Add 1 tablespoon of seaweed (kelp powder) into the container.
3. Add 1/2 tablespoon of honey (raw honey works best) into the container.
4. Mix all the ingredients together, and let the mixture sit for 10 minutes.
5. Wash your face with soap and water, and dry it with a towel.
6. Now apply the Aloe Vera mask mixture over your face (be sure to avoid your eyes).
7. Leave the mask on for 15 minutes, and then rinse it off with lukewarm water only (no soap)

. 

How to Make an Orange Chocolate Mask

How to Make an Orange Chocolate Facial Mask

Dark chocolate - better for your skin than you think! Here is how to use dark chocolate on your skin for a delicious facial. If you love chocolate and happen to have some to spare, try this delicious facial.

Orange essential oil is shown to promote the production of collagen as well as increase the blood flow to the skin.

• 2 bars of dark chocolate

• 2/3 cup of milk

• 1 teaspoon of sea salt

• 3 tablespoons brown sugar

• 1 drop orange essential oil

1 Heat nutty dark chocolate in a boiler.3 minutes will work well.

2 Mix sea salt, brown sugar, and 2/3 of a cup milk in a bowl.

3 Remove melted chocolate from heat. Mix melted chocolate with salt/milk mixture.

4 Allow to cool.

5 Mix in 1 drop of orange essential oil.

6 Apply to your face while cool but not hardened. Before the chocolate becomes hard, smear on your face and leave it on until it hardens. Relax lying down while waiting.

7 Wash or chip off with a mild cleanser and warm water.You can add a lotion on afterward.

8 Now you have a clean, as well as chocolaty, face! **Enjoy!**

A La Mode Facial Mask

If you want a side of cream with your pie, try this one... 

Heavy Cream Easy-To-Use Facial Mask

Ingredients :

• Heavy Cream ( Milk Cream )...................... 1 Tablespoon
• Honey ....................................................... 1 Tablespoon
• Baking Soda ............................................. 1 gram

How To :  

Mix the baking soda with the cream until it acquires the consistency of men's shaving foam - Add honey and mix, smooth the skin of face and neck for 20 minutes

This is the quickest mask to prepare it has also the quickest effect, since it contains medium chain fatty acids in the free form, sugars, vitamins (specially vitamin A), minerals and trace elements. It will leave your skin very smooth.

Sugar & Spice Facial Mask

With fall upon us lets celebrate with a sugar and spice mask to take the day away. Here's the easy recipe to fall into relaxation. Honey Face masks are popular because of several skin benefits honey offers. Honey is good for you in both the ways either taken internally or applied topically to the skin. Honey as a basic ingredient in a facial mask furnishes many skin care remedies. Honey helps to cure acne, scars, wounds, wrinkles and even dry skin.  To read more about Honey and the skin go here: http://goo.gl/qGpyOo

Sugar & Spice Facial Mask

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

2 tbsp honey

Mix all together and cover your face. Spices should be enough to bind the honey. Relax for up to 15 minutes, then rinse.

Baking Soda and Orange Facial Mask

Baking Soda & Orange Facial Mask

There’s a lot to love about a treatment that calls for just two ingredients, costs less than 50 cents to make, and banishes oil and blackheads in 20 minutes. The baking soda exfoliates and fights acne while the acid in the orange juice tightens 

pores and the Vitamin C brightens (you can use a different type of citrus juice but you won’t get quite the same effect).

Use 1-2 times/week depending on skin’s sensitivity.

1. Mix 1 tsp. real orange juice with 1 T. baking soda.

2. Spread a thin layer on face, neck and décolletage.

3. Leave on for 20 minutes.

4. Dampen finger tips and scrub mask in circular motions for extra exfoliation. Rinse.

5. Follow with a gentle toner and moisturizer.

NOTES:

The mask will tingle and itch a little so it’s good too have a distraction—paint your nails, watch TV, but whatever you do, don’t talk. As the paste dries, any facial movements will cause it to flake off. Your skin may be pink afterwards, but that will dissipate.

Apple Pie Face & Body Scrub Mask

Apple Pie for your tummy or your face? You decide with this lovely...

APPLE PIE Face & Body Mask

Apples are the best source of iron and are nutritious. They contain 85% of water and they are high in proportions of vitamin A and C and potassium. One of the main benefits of this mask is that it helps exfoliate dead skin cells and allows moisture to penetrate deeper into the skin. 

What you'll need: 

1 tbsp of fresh apple puree or sauce 

2 tbsp of brown sugar

1/8 tsp of cinnamon 

2 tbsp of granulated sugar

Mix all ingredients well and apply scrub on skin in circular motion. You can use fingers or wash cloth, gloves or sponge. Rough spots like elbows, knees and heels are special points which need attention while you are applying the mask.

This Simple Addtion makes a GREAT scrub!

Simple Baking Soda Facial Scrub

Below is a recipe for a traditional facial exfoliator using baking soda. If this is too much, you can just add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to your regular cleanser for a really nice exfoiliation on the cheap!

Items you will need:

1. 
   
2. Measuring spoons
3. Small bowl
4. Baking soda
5. Water
6. Towel
7. Oat flour

Facial Exfoliator

Step 1:

Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of warm water and 2 teaspoons of oat flour in a small bowl to create a natural facial cleanser that also exfoliates.

Step 2:

Rinse your face with warm water. Dip your fingers into the cleanser and apply it to your face and neck using a gentle circular motion. Let the paste dry on your skin for 5 minutes.

Step 3:

Buff away the dried cleanser by moving your fingers in a gentle circular motion. The dried paste exfoliates your skin as you buff it away.

Step 4:

Splash your face thoroughly with warm water to remove any remaining cleanser. Pat your face dry with a clean towel.

May Mask of the Month -- Hawaiian Sugar Scrub

Inspired by my vacation to Maui, I give you the...

Hawaiian Sugar Scrub

1 1/2 cups fine white sugar

1/2 cup fine sea salt

1/2 - 3/4 cup Virgin Coconut Oil (as needed)

1 tblsp. Pineapple Fragrance Oil (optional)

16 oz jar or container

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and add more or less of the Virgin Coconut Oil to your suit your preference.  The mixture may seem dry at first, but wait a few hours and then add more of the coconut oil if necessary.  Scrub should be moist, and not too much of the oil should be floating on top.   You can also make an all sugar or all salt scrub if you prefer one over the other or change the ratio of sugar to salt.

The Virgin Coconut Oil smells just like coconuts, is very light and absorbs nicely in the skin.  We've scented ours with pineapple fragrance oil for a real Hawaiian tropical scent.  This scrub makes a great gift idea!

Use this scrub on any part of your body except the face.  Rub it in with a pair of exfoliating bath gloves.  It will leave you feeling fantastically smooth and the scent will make you feel like your really in the tropics!

April's Mask of the Month: An Egg-citing Facial Mask

An EGG-citing Facial Mask

Yogurt, Oatmeal, Olive oil, Sea Salt Egg Face Mask

(For all skin types)

This ancient and time proven egg face mask exfoliates, scrubs, feeds, moisturizes, soothes and smooths you skin. Basically an all-round mask

What do you need:

• 1 Egg
• 1 tablespoon Plain unflavored Yogurt, with active cultures
• 1 tablespoon of Oatmeal flour
• 1/2 teaspoon of Olive Oil
• 1/4 teaspoon Sea Salt

How to do it:

Whip the egg and add all of the ingredients until you have a smooth and creamy mixture

Spread the egg mask gently and equally with your fingertips on your clean face and neck: keep the eye and mouth area clear

Now lie down, relax and leave the mask on for 15 minutes Then rinse it off with cold water; pat your skin dry with a clean towel

Wear Your Green... Facial Mask!

Wear your Green! 

Green Tea and Fresh Mint Mask

Ingredients

• Green tea
• A tablespoon of rice flour
• A tablespoon of granulated sugar
• Half a tablespoon of lemon juice
• Ground fresh mint

How to make it

1. Make a cup of green tea, with lots of tea. Twice as much loose tea as you’d normally use to drink, or two teabags if you use tea bags.
2. Leave the tea bags in for an hour, and if the tea is still warm (unlikely) chill it in the fridge until it’s cool.
3. Take it out, mix in the rice flour, sugar,lemon juice and fresh mint, pat it onto your face and either use it as a face wash or (better) leave it on for 15 minutes.
4. Wash off and moisturize.

The Benefits:

• Green tea is famously good for problem skin.
• It can help with your acne, but it’s also great at soothing sensitive skin of all kinds.