Tag: cucumber

Homemade Cooling Cucumber Mask for Eyes and Face

So my attic is finally raccoon free in fixer upper #1. These things were tough to get rid of and I didn’t get a wink of sleep, y’all, though I did have the chance to drown my sorrow in homemade salad dressing. You win some, you lose some. Meanwhile, back in Brooklyn, I sleep like a baby through all the sirens and various city sounds. Nature sounds,  not so much. Raccoons in the attic = Many sleepless nights, you guys, so I was sooooo looking forward to finally getting a full eight hours. Sigh. Then the heatwave hit. I can usually get away with no air conditioning because of the way these old houses were built. Thick stone walls and tons of windows make for a well ventilated space.

Sadly, not even old school architecture could save me from this last heat snap. The attic stayed uncomfortably hot until dawn and here I was tossing and turning until eventually having to get up and go on just 3 hours of sleep. My tired eyes have been all the proof the world needs of my sleep deprivation. I’m rocking dark circles and puffy eyes like I have a newborn at home. Not cool. Fortunately, it’s cucumber season and cucumber is the holy grail of summer beauty.

I’ve really been giving my eyes some TLC these past few days, and I just have to share this miracle recipe I’ve been using. When you have dark circles and puffiness around your eyes you probably run to get cucumbers or a cold compress, amiright? Why not combine the two?! Ive been whipping up this recipe and storing it in the freezer. Two birds, one stone. The best part about this cooling eye mask is that if you’re acne prone, you can use it as a facial mask too! So what is that, like three birds, one stone? Whatevs. This recipe is truly miraculous.

Homemade Cooling Cucumber Eye Mask

ingredients

  • 1 large cucumber
  • 2 tbsp unrefined coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
  • 8 drops carrot seed essential oil (optional)

Directions

  • In a blender, mix all ingredients together into a creamy consistency
  • transfer mixture to an ice cube tray and freeze
  • to use, take one cucumber ice cube and allow it to thaw (preferably in the fridge so it remains cold)
  • apply it all around your eye (or all over your face if using as a facial mask)
  • let your skin soak up all the goodness for 10-15 minutes
  • rinse off with lukewarm water

 

Source: PaleoMama

Homemade Cucumber and Mint Body Scrub---Spa Days at Home

Homemade Cucumber and Mint Body Scrub—Spa Days at Home

Happy, Happy, Happy Monday, you guys!!! I’m floating on a cloud after the Super Bowl and the Patriots’ amaaaaazing performance. Side Bar: I’m a Giants fan by birth, but a total Patriots fan since high school. Anyway, I’m obvs in a celebratory mood and I don’t know about you, but I like to pamper myself when I’m this happy…also when I’m feeling down…or like pretty much all the time. So yeah. I had to come up with another yummy spa day DIY for you guys.

I’m missing warm weather like crazy, so the other day I made myself a carafe of cucumber water, because it always reminds me of summer in the city. The first time I had cucumber water was back in the day when I used to spend a small fortune going to spas around the city. While you’re in the waiting area, they serve you drinks like mimosas or cucumber water. Fancy fancy. I usually passed on the mimosas and soon discovered that there is no beverage in the world as refreshing as cucumber water, and when you add a sprig or two of mint…Madonn! Anyway, you know how I like to smear food on my skin, right? Well, I was sipping on this cucumber mint water while the Patriots were launching the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history, and I had the overwhelming urge to make the mother of all sugar scrubs. Thug life. You guys, cucumbers are the real deal. This Cucumber Mint Sugar Scrub is everything!

Homemade Cucumber and Mint Body Scrub---Spa Days at Home

Homemade Cucumber and Mint Body Scrub

Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup olive oil (you can use liquid coconut oil, jojoba oil, or any other light oil of your choice)
  • 1/2 of a fresh cucumber
  • 1 fresh mint leaf
  • 8-10 drops peppermint essential oil
  • 4 drops Vitamin E oil

Homemade Cucumber and Mint Body Scrub---Spa Days at Home

Homemade Cucumber and Mint Body Scrub---Spa Days at Home

Homemade Cucumber and Mint Body Scrub---Spa Days at Home

Directions

  • In a blender, puree the cucumber and mint and set aside
  • In a glass bowl, combine the sugar and oil, mixing well
  • add the cucumber puree to your sugar/oil mixture
  • next, add the drops of peppermint essential oil and Vitamin E oil
  • transfer to an airtight glass bottle
  • store it in your fridge for up to a week
  • To use, apply generously and massage your damp skin in circular motions

***you can use a regular mouth mason jar instead of the blender carafe when you puree the cucumber. Your call. The mason jar is just more compact and easier to clean.

Source: Fresh Cucumber and Mint Body Scrub Plus Benefits of Cucumber for the Skin