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Fri Feb 23, 2007 6:37 pm |
4 Tasty Beauty Recipes You Can Cook Up at Home
Thursday, September 7, 2006
Spa treatments like manicures and facials can help you de-stress and rid your mind of tension…until you see your bill, that is! Though splurging on a luxurious treatment is fun once in a while, most women can’t afford to indulge all the time. But who says that you have to go to a spa to spoil yourself? You can re-create a relaxing, stress-relieving environment in the privacy of your own home. Whether you spend time in quiet reflection or invite your girlfriends over for a home spa party, you can pamper yourself with many of the items that are already in your kitchen cabinets. Read on for the best home beauty recipes, and take the quiz to find out if you could use a makeover…
Fabulous Feet
If you’re addicted to jewel-toned nail polish in deep colors like red and burgundy, we don’t blame you. The only problem is that these darker colors can stain your nails an unsightly yellow, making it difficult to apply a lighter polish. To prevent embarrassing stains, remove polish every two weeks and always use a base coat. Yellow already? Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice into a bowl. Rubbing the juice over your nails will lighten the discoloration.
If Beauty is only Skin Deep…
…you’d better learn how to take care of your skin! Europeans have been taking advantage of the hydrating properties of honey for centuries. There are many health and beauty products that contain honey including lotions, shower gels and moisturizers.
• For a relaxing, sleep-inducing bath that will leave your skin soft and sweet-smelling, combine two ounces of honey with five drops of lavender oil. Add this mixture to your bathwater, light some candles and prepare to drift away into dreamland.
• Soothe irritated skin with yogurt. Rub in this cold, creamy food on problem areas to help with rashes and sunburn. If you have any left over, pick up a spoon and dig in!
You’re in Good Hands
Dry Fingernails
If you have dry fingernails that are prone to cracking and splitting, no amount of polish will hide the problem. To strengthen your fingernails and soften rough cuticles, soak your nails in a mixture of lemon juice and lukewarm olive oil before you go to bed. Sleep with cotton gloves on, which will allow your nails to absorb the oil overnight.
Lemon Honey Sugar Scrub from Make Your Cosmetics
This scrub will simultaneously exfoliate and moisturize your hands, and the lemon oil will give off an invigorating and refreshing scent.
Ingredients:
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon honey
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon sugar
2 drops lemon essential oil
Beat the egg yolk in a bowl, then add the honey and oil. Stir well. Add the sugar and stir well. Lastly, mix in the lemon oil. Massage onto clean damp hands. Don’t forget to massage your nail beds and in between your fingers. Relax, and rinse off after about five minutes.
Let Your Hair Down
If you use a lot hair products like hair-spray or waxes, your hair can fall flat from the product build-up. To reclaim your voluminous locks, try a clarifying shampoo and use once a week. But to save money, simply mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a dollop of your regular shampoo and cleanse as usual. Gunk be gone!
For soft, shiny hair that catches the light, beat two eggs with a tablespoon of milk. Apply the mixture to your hair and rinse after 5-7 minutes.
For dry hair, try this hydrating mask from Fat-Free Kitchen.
Ingredients:
1 mashed banana
1 beaten egg
¼ cup honey
3 tablespoons milk
5 tablespoons olive oil
Mix all of the ingredients together and massage into your hair. Leave it on for 15 minutes, then rinse off. To really pamper yourself, relax in a warm bath while you wait for the mixture to soak in.
Olive oil will moisturize your hair, but to really nourish your hair from the inside out, check out these everyday foods that will help your strands grow out shiny and strong.
Put Your Best Face Forward
Many commercial face products use harsh chemical ingredients that can damage your skin. If you want natural beauty from natural ingredients, forgo the store-bought creams and make your own home beauty recipes.
Under-eye puffiness
If you skimped on sleep the night before, don’t let your skin show it. To de-puff under-eye bags, try these remedies:
• Cut up a cucumber and place the slices over your eyes. Cover with a cool, damp washcloth and relax for 10 minutes.
• Apply damp, ice-cold tea bags to your eyes for a few minutes. For this to work, the tea bags need to be caffeinated. If all you have is decaf, put some frozen peas or blueberries in a plastic sandwich bag.
• Wrap grated potato in two small squares of cheesecloth. Place the sacks under your eyes and rest for 10 minutes to reduce swelling.
Chocolate Moisturizing Mask
From body washes to rich lotions, chocolate beauty products are everywhere. This hydrating mask from Spa Index works well for normal skin. It will satisfy your chocolate craving, without the calories.
Ingredients:
1/3 cup cocoa
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 teaspoons cottage cheese
¼ cup honey
3 teaspoons oatmeal
Mix all the ingredients together and rub onto your face. Lie back for ten minutes, then rinse with warm water. This mask will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth.
Kiwi Face Cleanser
Packed with nourishing and moisturizing ingredients, Spa Index’s citrusy-fresh cleanser works well on normal to dry skin. Buy two kiwis, one for your face and one for your dessert!
Ingredients:
1 kiwi fruit
2 tablespoons plain yogurt
1 tablespoon orange water
1 tablespoon apricot or almond oil
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon finely ground almonds
2 drops of citrus essential oil, such as orange
Use a food processor to purée the kiwi until liquid. During processing, add yogurt, orange water, almond or apricot oil, and ground almonds. Process until thick and cream like. Add essential oil and stir to mix. To apply, massage gently over neck, face and the top of your breasts to cleanse. Rinse well. Makes one application.
By using the ingredients that you already have at home, you can create everything from masks to shampoos to lotions for natural beauty. Light candles, put on your favorite music and create a home spa where you can truly relax and get beautiful at the same time. Take time to indulge and pamper yourself with luxurious ingredients and you’ll feel like a goddess. And go ahead, eat the leftovers! |
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Sat Feb 24, 2007 8:16 am |
Mmmmmmmmm great recipes. Thanks |
_________________ Global Butterfly & Certified Aromatherapist/Holisitc Therapist with a passion for travel and natural health. |
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Sat Feb 24, 2007 8:55 am |
Ooh, I like the sound of the chocolate mask - yum!! |
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Sat Feb 24, 2007 9:42 am |
Um... how do I keep from licking them off? |
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Mon Feb 26, 2007 4:50 pm |
alibabka wrote: |
Um... how do I keep from licking them off? |
I think you can lick them off. It's probably good for your health, too. |
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