D.I.Y Cucumber/Aloe Toner

I like to call this toner, the rescuer…with calming ingredients such as cucumber and healing agent aloe vera gel…you can’t go wrong and your skin will be at peaceJ …works well for all skin types. Cucumber is great for soothing and softening skin because it has the same pH as healthy skin. If you’ve had a long night out—eating and drinking [soda's or alcohol] plus lack of shut eye…this recipe will be your beauty hero.

What you'll Need:

• 1/2 cucumber with peel, chopped
• 3 tablespoons witch hazel
• 2 tablespoons distilled water
• 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel

What you're gonna do:

Put all of the ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheese cloth to remove all of the solids, then pour the toner into a clean bottle with a tight-fitting lid. Store this toner in the refrigerator for a longer shelf life—it should last for a few weeks.

To use, apply the toner to clean face using a clean cotton ball.

Have a great day!
Shelly

Global Beauty Secrets part 2

Enjoy the benefits of the world's best beauty secrets at the fraction of the cost of department store prices...AND get the same benefits without the chemicals!

Sage is widely used by the Native Indians of North America and has helped with a bunch of conditions. Another cool thing this  plant  does...it helps control bodily oil secretion thus, helps with oily skin.
Here is a recipe that will tantalize your senses and body...
                              
                            Aromatic sage bath

What you'll need;

•  cheesecloth or muslin
•  1 cup of oatmeal
•  2 tablespoons of fresh or dried sage
•  a piece of string.

Cut a square piece of cheesecloth and put the oatmeal and sage leaves in the middle. Tie it tight with a string, and hang the bag under the tap while you run a warm bath. Then detach the bag from the tap, and float it in the tub as you soak for about 20 minutes.

South Africa

To fight irritated and inflamed skin, women in South Africa steep a cup of rooibos, a tea leaf that is native to the area and contains zinc and alpha hydroxy acid.

Allow it to cool, and then topically apply the liquid to the skin with a cotton ball. The tannins in the tea soothe and relieve discomfort.

 

Europe – Sea Kelp

The women of Scotland have been tied to the sea and the secret of the deep, this beauty trick is now being used across the world and does more than just help with your scalp, it can do wonders for your skin [tightner, detoxer] What you'll need;

• 1 tablespoon of kelp powder 
•  2 cups of warm water

What to do;
Mix kelp powder and warm water together--and massage into your scalp for two minutes. Then rinse.

It doesn't take much time or money to beautify yourself!
Have fun!
Shelly

Global Beauty Secrets

Living a green life comes very easy for women around the globe--in fact their daily beauty rituals consist of herbs, teas, clays and more!

These ancient beauty secrets from around the world are sure to make you look and feel fabulous.

The Amazon

In the Amazon, women have been known to have great skin and hair. Their secret? Brazil nuts. The Amazonians use the oil from the nut to condition their hair and protect and moisturize their skin. You can find the oil on the web, try www.Vitacost.com.

Egypt

This anti-aging serum is 'ancient old' but will make you look NEW!

Fenugreek Youth Serum:
1 tsp of dried fenugreek seeds
1/4 cup of sweet almond oil
Crush the seeds lightly with a mortar and pestle and add them to the oil. Allow the seeds to soak for 30 minutes. Strain the seeds from the oil. Gently massage the oil into your skin, while thinking “youthful” thoughts.

Chamomile dates back to Ancient Egypt. Women would crush the petals of the flower to beautify and protect their skin.

Chamomile Recipe to Depuff Eyes:
2 thin potato slices
Chamomile tea (loose or bag)
Aloe vera gel
Soak potato slices in tea and remove to dip into aloe vera gel. Leave on for 20 minutes.

Enjoy!
Shelly

DIY Shiny Hair potion

If you've got dull hair that could use some brighter days...here is a recipe your gonna love. I use this a bunch. Now for those skeptics out there who would rather not use vinegar, water is just fine. However the shelf life changes and is only good for about a week.

What you'll Need:
Rosemary. Rinse

2 cups of cider vinegar
1 cup chopped Rosemary

How to Make:
* Place 1 cup of chopped Rosemary in a glass jar.
* Cover with 2 cups of vinegar.
* Allow mixture to steep in a tightly closed jar or bottle in the refrigerator or in a dark, cool place for two weeks.
*Strain steeped vinegar from herbs through cheesecloth or a coffee filter into a fresh, clean bottle.
* Refrigerate for 6 months.

How to use: dilute 1 tablespoon of the rosemary vinegar in 1 cup of water. After shampooing use the rosemary rinse as your final phase,you can Rinse it out with fresh water or, for extra conditioning, leave it in and towel dry hair. The vinegar scent will disappear as your hair dries.

Have a Shiny hair day:)
Shelly

Instant Natural Facelift

Skin Power Coffee Mask

 Believe it or not some of the most effective beautifying treatments are located no further than your pantry. Here is a tip I’d like to share from my skin care recipe box that will help you achieve a healthy glow and get you on the go!

*When choosing your coffee grounds, go with fresh organic blends. The organic blends have natural oils in them that will help to get your skin clean.

Need A Lift? Coffee…yes coffee can perk up a tired soul; however it can give an instant facelift when used on your skin!
What you’ll need:
¼ cup dry coffee
¼ tsp. lemon juice
1 tsp yogurt (not fat free or low fat)

Preparation; Mix together to make a paste then use a foundation brush to apply to face and neck using upward strokes, wait 10-15 minutes and rinse with warm water.
Tone up, moisturize (don't forget your sunscreen) and you are ready for the day!
Enjoy:)

Beautiful Younger Looking Hands

Beautiful Hands…Our hands take a lot of abuse, whether it’s from sun damage or chemicals that are used for cleaning. One thing is for sure, your hands need some TLC and here are a couple of secrets to get your hands looking more youthful.

• Exfoliate with a simple brown sugar scrub (1 cup) made with equal parts of sunflower oil and then, before bed, mix avocado oil and primrose oil in equal parts, apply a few drops to hands, cover with gloves, and go to sleep.

 • After you wash your hands, make sure you apply a lotion that has a sunscreen in it. Keep lotion near every sink, that way you won’t forget to apply—remember the sun ages your skin and your hands are constantly exposed to the sun, walking or driving. *Remember...Don't forget to apply sunscreen even when its cool outside, the sun does not discriminate by climate*

Also...a manicure with a pop of color draws attention to your nails and AWAY from wrinkles and age spots. One of my favorite brand of nail polish is by Spa Rituals [http://www.sparitual.com/] so many colors to choose from and you won't choke [by smell] when applying. Go for a pretty bright pink or a daring red.

Cheap Makeup Bags

Recently I found myself without enough makeup bags when I was in Nashville [business trip]..I know it sounds silly with the plural on 'bag', no?

However I like to be somewhat organized and have my brushes separate from my cosmetics. Plus I also like to have my lipglosses in a mini-bag and eyemakeup (eye lash curler etc) in small mesh bag. So..I decided to go cheap ...by using a kids pencil bag for my brushes. Why not? I was already there buying some more school supplies and it was on sale at Target for $1.98.

I did find some cute ones at Forever 21 as well, I can't believe I never shopped in there before! I guess I thought there was an age requirement--involved ...having to be under 21 and checking ID when you purchase something LOL.

Have a GREAT day!