Make your moments enjoyable
from Head to Toe!
Homemade Facial Scrubs and Masks by Rachel Paxton
Facials
Make a paste from a little oatmeal and water. Apply to face and allow to dry. Gently wipe off with a damp washcloth.
Mash 1/2 banana and add 1-tablespoon honey and 2 tablespoons sour cream. Apply to face and let set for about 10 minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp washcloth.
Two tablespoons of cornmeal mixed with enough water to make a thick paste makes a great inexpensive facial mask. Gently apply to face and wash off.
In a food processor or blender, combine 1/2 cucumber, 1-tablespoon yogurt, a few strawberries, and 1-teaspoon honey. Apply to face and allow to dry. Gently wipe off with a damp washcloth.
Grind 1-tablespoon almonds into a fine meal in a blender or food processor. Mix almond meal together with 1-tablespoon honey and 1 egg white. Apply to face and let set for about 15 minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp washcloth.
To loosen blackheads, combine equal parts baking soda and water in your hand and rub gently on your skin for 2 to 3 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
Mash half of an avocado and apply to entire face. Let set for about 20 minutes and then gently wipe off with a damp washcloth.
Soak 1 cup-dried apricots in water until softened. Puree in blender or food processor with 2 tablespoons skim milk powder. Apply to face and let set about 15 minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp washcloth.
Puree 1/2 peeled, sliced cucumber in a blender or food processor and add 1-tablespoon yogurt. Apply to face and let set about 20 minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp washcloth.
Crush a handful of strawberries and mix well with 1-teaspoon honey. Apply to face and let set for about 15 minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp washcloth.
Mix 1 1/2 teaspoons honey, the juice from 1/2 of a lemon, and 1 small carton plain yogurt. Stir in 1 whipped egg white. Apply to face and let set about 15 minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp washcloth.
We all need to set aside some time to pamper ourselves, whether to reflect on events in our lives or to escape with the latest romance novel. It's important to energize us by allowing a little self-nurturing at least once a week.
The following recipes, combined with your favorite book or magazine, a nice cup of herbal tea and a few scented candles will assure you an evening of rejuvenation!
Herbal Bath
Combine together:
4 cups of dried lemon verbena
2 cups of dried thyme
1 cup of peppermint
1/2 cup of Epson salt
Mix together ingredients. Place 1/4 cup or so in cheese cloth or muslin, tie with string or rubber band and add to your bath. This has a great energizing scent.
Cucumber Mask
You will need:
1 small cucumber
Chamomile and green tea, a brewed cup of each
1 packet unflavored gelatin
1 ounce aloe vera gel
Peel the cucumber and puree in blender until smooth. Strain the puree through a sieve and reserve the juice. Take 2 ounces (1/4 cup) each of your chamomile and green tea and place in a pan. (Be sure to sip the leftover while preparing recipe). Add unflavored gelatin and aloe vera gel heating until gelatin is dissolved. Add cucumber juice to the mixture and set in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or so. Apply to the face and let dry. Peel off if the skin is normal or rinse off if the skin is sunburned or extra sensitive.
Pedicures
It’s sometimes difficult to break away to sit an hour in the salon while you get a professional pedicure, so why not treat yourself to one at home? The following easy step-by-step process is a great way to begin your in-home pedicure practice, and a great way to take a moment to do something special just for you!
· Fill a foot basin with fairly hot water that is not scalding, but at a temperature soothing to your feet
· You may add some lavender or peppermint oil to create a nice, relaxing aromatic steam, and soak your feet for about 5 minutes
· Using scrubbing salts or sugar, exfoliate your feet thoroughly, and then re-soak for another 5 minutes
· Take a mild detergent, and wash your feet to remove any excess salts or sugars
· Pat your feet dry, and clip your toenails, if needed, straight across
· File your toenails to be straight on the sides and rounded at the corners to prevent in growing
· Take a mild oil, such as mineral or olive oil, and rub it on the cuticles as well as on your toenails
· With an orange stick, gently press your cuticles back toward your nail beds
· You may wash your feet again, or massage a cream moisturizer into the skin of your feet and nails
· Using nail polish remover, gently sweep your toenails clean to prepare them for painting
· Bunch tissue between your toes, or apply foam toe-separators
· Paint your nails first with a base coat, and then apply paint
· Let them dry, and voila!