Recipes for Relaxation

Butter up with an Avocado Mask

• Great for a moisture-infusing mask
• Mash 1 ripe avocado in a bowl mix in 1 Tbsp each of yogurt and honey. Smooth over skin and leave it on for 20 minutes, then gently wipe off with a damp cloth.

Basic Breathing Exercises

• Breathing exercises are an easy-and-quick way to regroup and relax.
• Lie back in a comfortable place, close your eyes and imagine a cherished peaceful setting – a cottage by the lake or a quiet river.
• Inhale deeply, filling your lungs to a slow count of 10. Wait, holding your breath for a second, and exhale to the same slow count of 10. Repeat.

Kick-up-your-Heels Foot Treatment

• A great way to relax after running errands.
• Fill a basin with 1 Tbsp of baking soda and a few drops of bath oil. Soak for 20 minutes and scrub off dead skin with 2 parts sugar and 1 part olive oil mixed together.
• Rinse and treat your feet to your favorite lotion, making sure to put extra around the cuticles.  If you have time, apply your favorite nail polish.

Herbal-Tea Hand Soak

• The same soothing herbs that warm you in winter work wonders on your skin in summer.
• Steep a handful of loose-leaf chamomile tea in a basin add 1 Tbsp of essential oil (choose one that will complement with your brew), and soak your hands to your wrists for 10 minutes. Pat dry and lather with hand lotion.

Cure for Dark Elbows and Knees

A common reason for the knees becoming dark is excessive kneeling. When it comes to elbows, discoloration occurs as a result of too much friction. At the workplace, our elbows tend to constantly graze against the arms of our chairs and tables, causing darkening.  Another reason is that the knees and elbows are where the maximum amount of sweat, dust and grime get accumulated along with a buildup of dead skin cells. Lack of proper skin care can also add to the problem. The knees and elbows need as much moisturizer as the face and other parts of the body; most of the time these areas are ignored resulting in a high percentage of dead skin.

Lemon juice is quite effective in lightening knees and elbows at home as it has bleaching properties. Simply apply lemon juice to the affected areas and leave on for at least 30 minutes then wash off. Applying lemon juice daily while using pumice stone will give results in about 3 weeks.

Types of Exfoliates

• Scrub the knees and elbows daily in the shower with gentle pumice stone, moving it in a circular motion; you will start to see lighter knees and elbows in a short time.
• Squeeze the juice out of two quarter wedges of a lemon, add salt then scrub into your affected areas gently, to remove the dead skin. Then take the lemon wedges and lean your elbows on them (one elbow on each). Rest this way for about 10 minutes. Do this daily until the dark patches disappear.
• Mix fresh lemon juice and baking soda to make a thick paste, apply to dry elbows. Gently rub in to exfoliate the skin and leave it on for about 15 minutes before washing.
• You can make an excellent exfoliate at home using chickpea flour and yogurt. Massage the mixture to the affected areas. Using this method will give a glow to your knees and elbows.
• Mix 1 tsp. coconut oil with half tsp. of lemon or lime juice, soak a towel in hot water & scrub firmly.
• Make a paste of chickpea flour and lemon juice and apply on elbows and knees, leave on for 10-15 minutes then wash off.
• It is very important to moisturize after using any of the above scrubs to remove dead skin from your elbows and knees. Here are some natural moisturizers that will help to lighten the elbows and knees.

Moisturizers

• Right after shower, massage mustard oil on the elbows and knees and rinse off with warm water.
• Honey is also a great moisturizer, if using it; leave it on for 30 minutes before washing it off.
• Application of aloe vera gel regularly on affected areas is also known to be quite helpful.
• Before bed time, use olive oil to massage these areas cover the areas with a sock that has its toe part cut out to avoid the oil from rubbing off.
• Moisturize your elbows & knees at least 2 – 3 times a day. Do not allow these areas to become dry at all.
• Do not leave the house without applying sunscreen to your elbows and knees at least SPF 20 is recommended.

To get ahead in the world, we must sometimes elbow our way, why not make sure that our elbows are well cared for.

5 Habits for Flawless Skin - The Why and The How

 

Sophia Loren once said “Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical.”  What this means is that feeling good about yourself is the connection between beauty and self-image. The more comfortable you are in your own skin, the more beautiful you are.  To hve the utter most confidence in the way we look requires some work.  The following 5 habits will help to give you flawless skin that we all want so you can officially be comfortable in your skin and finally make that connection between your beauty and self-image:

1.  Always wash your face before going to bed...NO EXCUSES!

• Why: Going to bed with a full face of makeup can lead to clogged pores, pimples and inflammation.
• How: The cleansing process only takes a minute. Using a cleanser and lukewarm water, wash your face in circular motions and pat dry. A quick alternative is to keep gentle cleansing cloths on hand to wipe away grime before you hit the sack.

2.  Take care of your skin, even while you sleep!

• Why: Night is the ideal time to use cream or serums that restore moisture and prevent and treat signs of aging. During the day, UV rays, wind and pollution can damage skin, but as you rest, skin cells are renewed.
• How: Make sure to check for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, protective antioxidents and anti-aging peptide properties. Apply the serum to your face and neck, avoid the eye area unless it is specified that it is safe to use around the eyes.

3.  Exfoliate at least once a week!

• Why: Removing dead skin cells not only reveals fresher, more radiant skin, it also prevents clogged pores...which ultimately helps reduce the likelihood of breakouts!
• How: If you have sensitive or dry skin, exfoliate once a week...Otherwise go for at least 2-3 times a week.  You can exfoliate after washing or simply by using an exfoliating cleanser.

4.  Give extra TLC to your eye area!

• Why: The eye area needs extra hydration to stay healthy so your regular face moisturizer may not cut it. Skin under the eye is extra delicate, so using an eye-specific retinol and antioxidant concoction minimizes the chances of irritation.
• How: Pick a formula or serum that addresses your specific concerns. Make sure your under eye cream is tailored to your needs.  Apply in the morning and night after you moisturize, using your ring finger (this finger provides the least amount of pressure under the eyes).

5.  Protect your face from the sun regardless of the time of year it is!

• Why: Minimal exposure to UV rays can cause damage to your skin -- even if your are just sitting by a window!  This can add up over time and lead to freckles, brown spots, uneven skin tone, and reduce natural collagen and elastin in the skin.
• How: Choose a moisturizer that provides an SPF of 15 - 30. Using an SPF of more than 30 can cause reverse effects!  Try to find a moisturizer that also provides tons of vitamins like A, C, and E along with green white tea and idebenone - this will help combat free-radical damage.

Now that you have the information for flawless skin, go forth and beautify yourself!

Fixing Damaged and Brittle Hair

With all the abuse we inflict on our hair on a daily basis with blow drying, straightening, curling, not to mention the products we use every day, are we really that surprised when our hair does not behave itself? Most remedies that we read about only offer a temporary solution. Here is one that will fix your hair with regular use of this remedy. Although this is a bit elaborate, if it fixes the problem from its root, why not try it out.

Ingredients:

Virgin Olive Oil               1 Cup
Almond Oil                     1/4 Cup
Mustard Oil                    1/4 Cup
Coconut Oil                    1/4 Cup
Castor Oil                       1/4 Cup
Fenugreek Seeds            1 Cup

Method:

   1. Mix the oils and the seeds in a see-through bottle and leave it in the sun for 8 hours (does not have to be all in one day).
   2. Apply the oil in the hair and leave it on for 1 hour.
   3. Wet a towel, heat it in the microwave, and wrap it on your head a few times, for a hot oil treatment.
   4. Wash and condition your hair like you normally would, the last rinse must be with cold water.  Recommended shampoo/conditioner Biolage Hydratherapie with deep conditioner (leave conditioner in for 5 minutes).

Note: I got this remedy from my facial specialist who used to work for a dermatologist. She has done wonders for my skin.

Here is to hair that wows everyone that sees it!