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... After a long winter of drying heat and frigid air on our faces and hands it's time to spend a little time on ourselves to restore our skin in order to get ready for the spring/summer fashions and those ever so darling sandals and toe rings. Sure, we all know that beauty comes from within -- but from within your refrigerator? Here, beauty experts share their secret formulas for a more beautiful you. The bonus: These recipes can be made with items found in your fridge and cabinets. Make some of these the night before so that you can be ready for your "beauty day". Don't forget the sweet smelling candles , soft music, and thick thirsty towel to wrap yourself in afterward while you do your manicure.
I recommend a day like this for all of us women at least once a month. Make sure you have a tall glass of ice water with a wedge of your favorite fruit in it to keep you hydrated during your spa treatment. A big salad with lots of fresh veggies- helps to keep the insides cleansed out as well so you feel even more exceptional.
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Save money by making your own spa treatments at home.
Here are some recipes and tips from Michelle Naylor, volunteer for the American Cancer Society's Look Good...Feel Better program:
Avocado Facial mask
Avocados make a moisturizing mask that's nourishing for dry or sun-exposed skin.
1 avocado, peeled and seeded
2 tsp. sweet almond oil or virgin olive oil
1. Mash avocado and add oil.
2. Apply mixture to face and leave on 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with towel.
Salt Glow
Salt scrubs are among my favorite home spa treatments. This one leaves your skin soft and glowing.
1/4 cup coarse salt (sea salt or kosher salt)
2 Tbsp. virgin olive oil
3-4 Tbsp. lemon juice
1. Mix salt and oil.
2. Add lemon juice.
3. Massage into skin while you shower.
4. Rinse, pat dry and apply a natural moisturizer.
Gentle Oatmeal Mask
This is a good face mask for oily skin. The recipe makes enough for one treatment and should be applied as soon as it's mixed.
1 Tbsp. honey (runny)
1 egg yolk
4 Tbsp. fine oatmeal
1. Mix honey and egg yolk together in a small bowl.
2. Slowly stir in enough oatmeal to make a soft paste.
3. Smooth mask across face and neck and keep on for 15 minutes.
4. Rinse off with lukewarm water and pat dry with towel.
Eye Brighteners
Place a slice of cucumber over each eye. Lie back and relax for 15 minutes while cucumber tones and soothes skin around the eyes.
Take two tea bags and make tea. Gently squeeze out the brewed tea bag and let cool. Place one slightly damp bag over each eye. Chamomile is good for tired eyes, while Indian tea (such as Darjeeling), an astringent, will firm the skin.
Happy Hand Exfoliant
Say good-bye to dry, cracked hands. Even if your gloves haven't been doing their job this winter, this easy-to-make exfoliant will slough off all those dead skin cells. Plus, it cleanses and moisturizes, leaving hands soft and smooth.
Ingredients:
1 ounce ground almonds
1 teaspoon clear honey
2 teaspoons walnut or sunflower oil
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Directions:
Mix all ingredients together into a thick paste.
Rub a heaping teaspoon all over the hands for two to three minutes and rinse off. Use whenever your hands need some extra TLC.
From Natural Superwoman by food consultant Rosamond Richardson
Peach-and-Honey Mask
This revitalizing peach and honey mask is almost good enough to eat. But what you'll really love about it is how it leaves your skin feeling soft and supple.
Ingredients:
1 large peach or nectarine, skinned
3 teaspoons honey
A pinch of lecithin powder or 2 tablespoons yogurt
Directions:
Mash the peach and honey together, add a little lecithin powder or 2 tablespoons yogurt until you have a workable paste. Pat evenly over your face and neck and around the eyes. Lie back and relax for about 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water, pat dry, then tone and moisturize as you normally would.
From the California Tree Fruit Agreement
Apple-Pectin Toner
Apples have been used in beauty products for centuries. And thanks to a high concentration of vitamins A and C and potassium, when applied as a facial toner, apple pectin can sooth and refresh all skin types. Please note: If you have especially dry or sensitive skin, reduce the amount of witch hazel in the toner.
Ingredients:
1 apple, cut up with peel, seeds removed
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup witch hazel
Directions:
Place the cut-up apple in a small saucepan with the water. Bring to a boil and remove from the heat.
Allow the mixture to cool completely, then strain out the apple chunks. Stir in the witch hazel and pour into a clean container.
To use, spray or apply to skin using a clean cotton ball.
From Natural Beauty for All Seasons by Janice Cox
Eve's Apple Rinse
If you think your hair is starting to lose its shine, try whipping up a batch of this hair-clarifying rinse. It will help restore your scalp's pH level and get rid of buildup from hairsprays and gels. Please note: If you have a really dry or sensitive scalp or hair, use half the amount of apple cider vinegar.
Ingredients:
1 large apple, peeled and cut into small pieces
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 cups water
Directions:
Mix together all ingredients in a blender or food processor set on "high."
Pour the mixture through a strainer into a clean container, discarding all solids.
To use, pour over your hair after shampooing as a final rinse.
Massage through your hair and rinse thoroughly with cool water.
Oily-Hair Conditioning Treatment
If you've got a problem with oil, here's a super-simple recipe to get the shine you want without the grease you hate.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 avocado, crushed
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
Directions:
Mix all ingredients together.
Apply mixture to dry hair, applying only to the hair shaft and avoiding the scalp. Leave on for 20 minutes, then massage through to the scalp and leave on for 5 more minutes.
Rinse completely in very warm water for at least 2 minutes.
Shampoo hair twice with a deep-cleansing shampoo. Any excess mixture can be stored in a glass jar in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Courtesy Robert Hallowell, celebrity hairstylist
Wake-Up Call Facial
Avocado and yogurt enrich and soften; honey moisturizes and smooths; lemon juice tones and refreshes.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons ripe avocado
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon plain yogurt
Directions:
Mash ingredients together in a bowl and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Then apply to just-cleansed face and lie down for 10 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water; gently pat dry.
From Natural Superwoman by food consultant Rosamond Richardson
Cooling-Cucumber Deep-Cleansing Facial Mask
Cucumber and mint are natural re-fresheners; oats and bran exfoliate; buttermilk, yogurt and cream cleanse and soften; lemon juice tones and refreshes.
Ingredients:
1 cup oats
1 tablespoon wheat bran
2 tablespoons buttermilk
2 tablespoons whipping cream
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon plain yogurt
1 teaspoon fresh mint leaves
1/2 medium cucumber, cut into small pieces
Directions:
Place oats and wheat bran in a blender; grind to a fine powder. Add remaining ingredients. Mix until consistency is smooth. Apply to just-cleansed face and leave on for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
Courtesy of Archive Cosmetics
Mane-Moisturizing Yogurt and Egg Treatment
Yogurt cleans and softens; egg yolk adds shine; honey moisturizes and smooths.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon honey
Directions:
Shampoo your hair; towel-dry. Mix ingredients together. Rub into hair and cover with a shower cap. Leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse, then shampoo thoroughly.
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How to Whiten Yellow Nails
Most likely, your nails have been stained by this winter's dark polishes. Brighten up yellow spots by bleaching them in a DIY solution:
- Mix 1 tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide with 2 1/2 tablespoons of baking soda in a small plastic bowl.
- Use a cotton swab to press some of the pastelike mixture firmly under the tip of each nail as well as over the top of the nail, covering all the nails on one hand.
- Let mixture remain in place for about three minutes before rinsing with warm water.
- Gently buff the nail surfaces.
` `` `` HERE ARE SOME REALLY GOOD SOAKING RECIPES FOR A LONG HOT SOAK````````````````````````````
Coughs and Colds Bath Soak
Mix together in a steamy hot bath 3 drops of pine, 2 drops of Te tree and 2 drops of lemon essential oil.
De-Stress and Unwind Soak
Mix the following to a steamy hot bath 3 drops of chamomile, 3 drops of geranium and 2 drops of patchouli essential oil.
Energizing Bath Soak
Mix together in a steamy hot bath 3 drops of eucalyptus, 2 drops juniper and 3 drops of rosemary essential oil.
Energizing Winter Soak
Mix the following to a steamy hot bath 3 drops of eucalyptus, 2 drops of mint and 3 drops of clary sage essential oil.
Exhilarating Bath Soak
Mix together in a steamy hot bath 4 drops of rosemary, 4 drops of thyme and 2 drops of mint essential oil.
Feeling under the weather Bath
Mix together in a steamy hot bath 3 drops of lavender, 3 drops of eucalyptus and 2 drops of tea tree essential oil.
Genral Aches and Pains Bath Soak
Mix together in a hot steamy bath 3 drops of clary sage, 3 drops of thyme and 4 drops eucalyptus essential.
Hot Summers Day Soak
Mix the following to a steamy hot bath 4 drops of neroli, 2 drops of geranium and 4 drops of lavender essential oil.
Indian Summer Soak
Mix the following to a steamy hot bath 2 drops of pine, 4 drops mandarin and and 4 drops of geranium essential oil.
Invigorating Bath Soak
Mix together in a steamy hot bath 4 drops of basil and 4 drops of thyme essential oil.
Lady of Leisure Bath
Mix the following to a steamy hot bath 3 drops of sandalwood, 3 drops of ylang-ylang and 3 drops of jasmine essential oil.
Moisturizing Bath Soak
Mix together in a hot steamy bath 2 drops of jasmine, 4 drops of rose and 4 drops of chamomile essential oil.
Refreshing Bath Soak
Mix together in a steamy hot bath 4 drops of petitgrain and 4 drops of ylang-ylang essential oil.
Refreshing Summer Soak
Mix the following to a steamy hot bath 2 drops of basil, 2 drops of junoper and 2 drops of patchouli essential oil.
Rejuvenating Winter Bath
Mix the following to a steamy hot bath 3 drops of bergamot, 3 drops of petitgrain and 2 drops of lemon essential oils.
Relaxing Bath
Mix the following to a steamy hot bath 5 drops of lavender and 5 drops of rose essential oil.
Relaxing Bath
Mix the following to a steamy hot bath 2 drops of chamomile, 2 drops of lemon and 3 drops of pine essential oil.
Relaxing Soak
Mix the following to a steamy hot bath 3 drops of jasmine, 3 drops of rose and 4 drops of neroli essential oil.
Relaxing Winter Soak
Mix the following to a steamy hot bath 2 drops of ginger, 2 drops of frankincense and 4 drops of patchouli essential oil.
Relief From Aches and Pains
Mix together in a hot steamy bath 2 drops of ginger, 4 drops of rosemary and 3 drops of marjoram essential oil.
Skin soothing Bath
Mix together in a steamy hot bath 5 drops of chamomile and 5 drops of lavender essential oil.
Soothing Foot bath
Mix together in a basin of warm water 5 drops of clary sage essential oil.
Stimulating Foot bath
Mix together in a basin of warm water 4 drops of cedarwood and 4 drops of citronella essential oil.
Sweat Feet Foot Soak
Mix together in a basin of warm water 4 drops of citronella and 4 drops of bergamot essential oil.
Treat Your Man
Mix the following to a steamy hot bath 2 drops of basil, 3 drops of sandalwood and 4 drops of frankincense essential oil.
Uplifting Bath
Mix the following to a steamy hot bath 4 drops of eucalyptus and 5 drops of patchouli essential oil.
Uplifting Bath Soak
Mix together in a steamy hot bath 2 drops of eucalyptus, 2 drops of basil and 2 drops of Clary sage essential oil.
Uplifting Summer Bath
Mix the following to a steamy hot bath 3 drops of rosemary, 3 drops of lemon and 3 drops of eucalyptus essential oil.
Winter Warmer
Mix the following to a steamy hot bath 3 drops of ylang
May you find some of these helpful with your relaxing day !!!!!!!!!!!!!
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