Category: Face

Pumpkin Seed Rosewater Face Mask

We all know how incredibly detoxifying a good clay mask can be. They pull out toxins, reduce oil, help get out blackheads, and even minimize the appearance of pores. With so many types of clay to choose from, I’ve even taken up the art of multi-masking to reap the variety of benefits in one application. The only drawback of clay-based face masks is that they can be incredibly drying. Not so bueno for cold weather skin care.

Autumn is in the air, and with it comes that familiar wind chill that sucks the moisture right out of our faces. Don’t despair. Imagine a clay mask that is as hydrating as it is detoxifying. This pumpkin seed rosewater face mask delivers just that. It has all the detox power of your favorite clay mask, but will leave your skin feeling moisturized. Honey is a natural humectant, while pumpkin seeds are chock full of skin friendly vitamins and minerals like zinc, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C.

Pumpkin Seed Rosewater Face Mask

Ingredients

  • 1/4 c pumpkin seeds
  • 1/3 cup rosewater
  • 1 tablespoon clay
  • 1 tablespoon honey

Directions

  • Combine the pumpkin seeds and rosewater in a lidded container and place in the fridge to soak overnight.
  • The next morning, add the soaked pumpkin seeds and rosewater to a high speed blender along with the honey. Blend until smooth.
  • Transfer to a non-metal dish and stir in the clay using a non-metal utensil.
  • To use, simply smooth the mask over your face in a generous layer, avoiding your eye area.
  • Allow the mask to dry (this mask takes a little bit longer to dry out than others- about 30 minutes)
  • Wash off with warm water and enjoy your new glow!

***this mask must be stored in the fridge and will last over a week there in an airtight container.

Source: Catching Seeds

DIY Clarifying Aloe Rose and Hibiscus Skin Scrub + Mask

Aloe is giving me life lately. All I can say is that I’ve never been more impressed with a natural skin care ingredient than I have with aloe. I’ve been whipping up all kinds of amazing little homemade beauty products using everything from fresh aloe to aloe vera gel, and even aloe vera powder (yes that’s a thing!). Anyway, I’ve been preparing my skin for the cold weather that’s just around the corner. It’s so important to transition your skin care routine with the changing of the seasons, but through it all aloe vera is a mainstay.

This particular scrub/mask recipe unleashes the detoxifying and moisturizing power of aloe vera and pairs it with the detoxifying and toning powers of clay and witch hazel. If that isn’t enough, the addition of hibiscus tea leaves gives this scrub/mask a boost of antioxidants that improves the overall clarity of the skin.  What really takes this recipe over the top is the creamy, mousse-like texture. Like, you really feel all kinds of spa type luxury when you smooth this over your skin. The recipe makes a little bit more than you really need for your face alone, but trust me when I say it won’t go to waste. You’ll want this all over your body!

Aloe Rose and Hibiscus Skin Scrub + MaskALOE ROSE AND HIBISCUS SKIN SCRUB + MASK

ingredients

  • 2 tbsp witch hazel rose petal toner (find it here)
  • red clay (find it here) *for sensitive skin, you may want to try green clay
  • aloe vera juice (find it here)
  • hibiscus tea leaves (find them here)

Directions:

  • Add hibiscus tea leaves to witch hazel and let the hibiscus steep for 1-2 minutes.
  • Mix hibiscus in with clay until fully distributed.
  • Add in aloe vera juice slowly, until the whole mix becomes fluffy and spreadable.
  • Apply to clean skin, exfoliating first is a good idea.
  • For a mask: Apply to skin and leave on for 20-25 minutes.
  • Rinse with warm water and washcloth, tone, and moisturize.
  • For a scrub: Start with clean skin and take a dime sizes amount and scrub in circular motions to cleanse, exfoliate, and detoxify.
  • Rinse with warm water and washcloth, tone, and moisturize

Source: the Free Spirited

This Skin Care Ingredient is an Absolute Game Changer

Let’s jump right back in, shall we? It’s been a while since I’ve talked to you guys and I’ve totally missed you. I had an amazing Summer, though, filled with travel adventures and some much needed rest and relaxation. But I could hardly wait to get back to you and share some of the things I’ve discovered over the past couple of months. I’m a year older, a little bit wiser, and so much more focused. So let’s go!

Remember when french clay, white kaolin, and bentonite mud masks were all the rage? Of course you do. I mean there were so many recipes out there that we even had the opportunity to start multi-masking. I still love all of those, but if you haven’t heard of diatomaceous earth yet, let me be the first to blow your mind. This stuff is so safe, gentle, and versatile that it’s used for everything from natural pet care to organic gardening and meal planning. Say Whaaaat?!!

Diatomeceous earth is a naturally occurring, soft sedimentary rock made from the fossilized remains of tiny aquatic organisms called Diatoms. This soft clay is chock full of trace minerals that have some amazing health benefits. Add a bit to your favorite smoothie, make your own toothpaste, or use it to purify your drinking water. This stuff is no joke! Not only is it safe to consume, but you can also use it topically to make what has quickly become my absolute favorite DIY beauty recipe.

Diatomeceous Earth Facial Cleanser

one teaspoon of food grade diatomeceous earth and enough distilled water to make a paste is all you need for this cleansing face wash. You can even add that teaspoon of D.E. to your favorite facial cleanser to add a little gentle exfoliation to your beauty routine.

Diatomeceous Earth Face Mask

In a small glass bowl, add about 2 tbsp of water and 1 tbsp of diatomaceous earth. Add ½ tsp of coconut oil and 3 drops of tea tree essential oil. Mix well and apply the paste on your face and neck, avoiding the eyes. Allow the mask to dry (2-5 minutes). Follow up with your favorite moisturizer.

Organic Travel Size Toiletries

Did I mention that I’m heading to Europe next week for vacation? Ok, so I probably have mentioned it once or twice. Like when I told you about carry-on only travel, or my meticulous planning of post vacation meals, or like when I’m just so giddy I can’t contain myself.  Yeah well, to be clear, I’m not just bragging, I actually hope that I’m giving you some useful information that you can apply in your own day to day, even if you don’t travel. I always use trips to take the opportunity to test out new skin care products.

There’s something just so darn cute and non-committal about those little travel size packages. Besides, my skin always goes crazy when I’m traveling anyway, so I like to experiment with different products just to see how my travel weary skin will react. If a skin care line can make my travel skin look and feel great, then imagine what it will do on the reg. I’ve probably tested out hundreds of beauty lines using the travel size/ sample size method. You can totally get a feel for the product without having to purchase the larger, more expensive version. Here are a few of my favorites, and by favorites, I mean the ones that I actually bought the full version of after trying them out!

Pai Skin Care

Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser melts away make-up and impurities while nourishing skin with Omega 3 and Vitamins A, B & E. Together, the anti-inflammatory rich BioAffinity Tonic and Calming Day Cream instantly soothe reactive skin and provide the perfect level of hydration to keep skin comfortable and hydrated all day long. This kit even comes with an organic muslin cloth!

Laurel Whole Plant Organics

This travel set comes in a USA-made canvas zip bag that’s perfect for travel or gifting. For oily, problem, or combination skin. The set includes a facial cleanser, facial elixir, balancing serum, almond grain exfoliant, and citrus spice lip treatment.

Odacite

Odacite designed a kit specially for oily skin including 6 products enough for 10 days. All products are freshly made with certified organic ingredients. It includes a cleanser and 2 facial sponges, one mint toner, one day moisturizer, one night serum, one exfoliant, and one eye cream. This travel kit also comes in Mature/Dry skin and Combination skin versions.

DIY Aloe Vera Face Masks for Summer

These DIY aloe vera face masks will revitalize your skin just in time for Summer!

I’m kind of a nerd… not the Star Trek/ Star Wars/ Lord of the Rings variety of nerd… more like the sacred geometry, Fibonacci sequence, Aristotelian kind of nerd. My particular brand of nerd will tell you how beautiful the Aloe Vera plant is, but will take that fact and turn it into a nerdy conversation about the Golden Ratio in nature and cosmic spirals. I won’t take you on that journey in this post, but I do want to share these aloe vera beauty recipes with you. Just remember, you heard it here first, the universe unfolds in a pattern that spirals toward these face masks. It’s science, you guys. Science.

b a n a n a + A l m o n d O i l + A l o e V e r a

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp aloe vera gel
  • 3 tsp almond oil
  • 1 small banana

directions

  • in a small bowl mash your banana
  • add aloe vera gel and stir until well combined
  • mix in almond oil
  • apply this mixture to your face in a thick layer and allow it to dry (about 15-20 minutes)
  • rinse with warm water

c u c u m b e r + r o s e w a t e r + a l o e v e r a

ingredients

  • ½ cucumber
  • 1 tsp rose water
  • 2 tbsp aloe vera gel

directions

  • in a blender, puree the cucumber
  • transfer pureed cucumber to a small bowl
  • add rose water and aloe vera
  • mix well
  • using a small circular motion, apply the mixture to your skin
Image: Kumaravel

s h e a b u t t e r + o l i v e o i l + a l o e v e r a

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp aloe vera gel
  • 2 tbsp shea butter
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

directions

  • in a small bowl, combine your aloe vera gel with olive oil
  • spoon in softened shea butter and mix until well blended
  • apply a generous layer of the mixture to your face
  • allow the mask to set for about 15 minutes
  • rinse your face with warm water
  • you may need to use a soft wash cloth to gently remove any excess mask