Tag: homemade

Reset Your Skin Care Routine With These Spring Ready DIY Masks

These DIY face masks are perfect for transitioning your skin care routine from Winter to Spring! Using natural ingredients, you can whip these up in minutes, and customize them even further to suit your skin type. Short on time? You can head over to Brandless and shop their clean skin regimen line. Really, really short on time? Check out the benefits of cleansing grains and pre-mixed masks.

For Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin needs a little extra TLC. These three ingredients have been specially selected for their soothing and calming properties.

  • 2 tablespoon of ground rolled oats
  • 1 tablespoon of organic natural yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon of raw honey

Mix these ingredients into a paste, apply to clean skin and leave on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off, using warm water with gentle circular motions. Pat dry.

Ingredient break down:

  • Rolled oats – Soothing and anti-inflammatory, oats contain saponins which gently exfoliate and cleanse your skin.
  • Yogurt – The AHAs found in yogurt provide gentle exfoliation to the top layer of the skin without causing redness.
  • Honey – Superfood for your skin! Honey has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and healing properties and provides moisture.

for dry skin

Packed with antioxidants and healthy fats, this face mask will help moisturize and nourish dry skin.

  • 1/2 ripe avocado
  • 1/2 ripe banana
  • 1 tablespoon of organic natural yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon of honey

Mash both the avocado and banana together, then add the rest of your ingredients to form a paste. Leave to set for 10 minutes then use warm water when it’s time to wash it off, and lightly pat dry.

Ingredient break down:

  • Avocado – Packed with antioxidants, brightening vitamin C and moisturizing fatty acids to help maintain moisture in the epidermal layer of your skin
  • Banana – Contains amino acids to help maintain skin elasticity
  • Yogurt – AHAs get rid of dead skin cells
  • Honey – Is a natural humectant, meaning it helps to hydrate your skin by locking in moisture

for acne prone skin

  • ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon of honey
  • Juice of ½ Lemon
  • ½ teaspoon of green tea powder (such as matcha)

Mix all ingredients until fully blended together and apply to clean, damp skin. The naturally antibacterial properties of the honey mixed with the anti-inflammatory cinnamon and green tea powder can help calm acne breakouts.

Ingredient break down:

  • Cinnamon – Antimicrobial properties help to prevent bacteria build-up
  • Honey – Antibacterial and moisturizing (as you can tell, honey is a stable in many natural face masks).
  • Lemon – Full of vitamin C, brightens and tightens skin.
  • Green Tea – Filled with antioxidants to help protect your skin from free radicals

Try This— 4 Hot Beverages You Can Enjoy Instead of Coffee

These 4 hot beverages will scratch your coffee itch without all the caffeine. The perfect coffee alternative for anyone that needs some sleep!

The one good thing about the temperatures plummeting the way they did this weekend is that I was able to pull my chunky throw out of retirement, curl up on my couch, and sip on some totally delicious hot beverages. I’m definitely a coffee girl, but with all the talk about self care and the importance of sleep, I know that I shouldn’t indulge my coffee addiction after dark when I’m watching Castle Rock on Hulu. With that in mind, all weekend long I made sure that I never had an oatmeal latte after noon (you have no idea how hard that is to do if you’ve never had one), and when I craved a little something to warm my bones in the evening, I picked one of these delicious drinks instead! You must try this!

Lavender Bedtime Milk

Lavender Bedtime Milk

This recipe checks all the boxes. Not only is it warm, soothing, and delicious, but it will help to wash away the stresses of the day. Get the full recipe here.

Slow Cooker COconut Hot Chocolate

Slow Cooker Coconut Hot Chocolate

Um. Coconut and chocolate. ‘Nuff said, right? I’ve even added Nutella to this decadent, slow cooker recipe and it never, and I do mean never, disappoints. Get the full recipe here.

Pumpkin Spice Matcha Latte

Pumpkin Spice Matcha Latte

I might be the only person in the world that doesn’t really like pumpkin spice lattes, but this delicious twist on the classic makes nonbelievers like me take a second look. Matcha really is the star of this tasty drink. Get the full recipe here.

Chai Hot Chocolate

Chai Hot Chocolate

With only 3 ingredients, this chai hot chocolate is as easy to prepare as it is delicious. Get the full recipe here.

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.

Try This—Homemade Oatmeal Almond Power Bars

These power bars are packed with protein, healthy fats, and carbs giving you a much needed post workout boost, or midday snack. I’ve spent a small fortune on those Kind bars and Quest bars until I finally figured out that I could make these snacks at home with very little effort. Best part: I actually know what’s in them. No guess work, just a simple healthy snack that tastes great and stays fresh in the fridge and the freezer! Winning! You must try this!

Homemade Oatmeal Almond Power Bars

ingredients (makes about 12 bars)

  • 1 cup almonds
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 5 medjool dates
  • ½ cup cacao powder
  • 2 tbsp. boiling water

Directions

  • Place almonds and oats in food processor (I use my trusty Nutribullet) and blend until you have a coarse crumb.
  • Add cacao powder, cranberries, and dates and blend again.
  • Begin adding the boiling water, a little at a time and continue blending, until the mixture becomes well incorporated and forms a ball.
  • Press the dough into a baking tin lined with wax or parchment paper and place in the fridge for 3-4 hours before slicing into bars.
  • For grab and go storage, wrap each bar in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container.

***Because all of the ingredients have a super long shelf life, you can store them on the counter top for several days, in the fridge for several weeks, and in the freezer for up to 6 months. Trust me when I say you’ll eat them all long before you run into any shelf life issues.

***Each bar contains about 200 calories.

Customize It!

This recipe is delicious, but there are so many ways to customize these energy bars. Check out this neat infographic to get you started!

5 Matcha Beauty DIYs—Homemade Green Beauty Recipes + 6 Matcha Infused Products to Shop Now

Fun fact for the kids: In the 1920s and 30s, radium was a popular additive in cosmetics and household products. Yep. That radium. Soap, night cream, face powder, blush, mud masks, and even toothpaste contained radium with the ‘scientifically-based’ promise that these products would give the consumer a youthful glow. I suppose these products actually did deliver on their promise, until of course, you had to have parts of your mouth and lower jaw surgically removed because of radiation poisoning, living out your final, extremely painful days blemish free. Thankfully, today we are experiencing a trend toward clean, green beauty products, and you seriously can’t get much greener than Matcha. The health benefits of Matcha are amazing both internally and externally, and we can all rest assured that no jaws have been removed as a result of its use. So have no fear! Mix these masks up!

5 simple Matcha beauty recipes

1. Matcha + Rose Water + Coconut Oil Mask

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons Matcha
  • ½ teaspoon coconut oil
  • rose water

Directions

Combine melted coconut oil with Matcha in a small bowl. Add drops of rose water until you have a medium-thick paste that’s easy to spread onto your skin. Let it set for 20 minutes and then wipe off with a warm, wet towel.

2. Avocado + Matcha Mask

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon Matcha
  • ¼ of an avocado, mashed
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon honey

Directions

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Apply a thin layer to either your face or body, and gently scrub in a circular motion with your fingertips, making sure to avoid your eyes. Leave for 10 minutes and rinse with a warm cloth.

3. Matcha + Banana + Turmeric Mask

Ingredients

  • ½ of a banana,mashed
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon Matcha
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

Mash your banana in a small bowl, then add your turmeric, matcha, and olive oil. Mix well and then spread onto your face to set for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.

4. Aloe + Matcha Mask

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon Matcha
  • 2 teaspoons Aloe Vera

Directions

Combine your Matcha with Aloe Vera in a small bowl. You can add more or less Aloe Vera depending on what consistency you prefer. Apply to your face, let it set for 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

5. Exfoliating Matcha Scrub

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup coconut oil
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Matcha
  • 1 teaspoon honey

Directions

Combine sugar with Matcha, then add honey and melted coconut oil and stir until everything is mixed well. Store in a sealed mason jar and place in your shower for up to two weeks. After cleansing your skin, gently exfoliate with the scrub and then rinse. Use every other day.

6 Matcha Infused Beauty Products to Shop Now

1. Biodara Coconut Matcha Brightening Mask

2. Fig + Yarrow Matcha Milkbath

3. Urb Apothecary Lavender Matcha Mask

4. Plant Apothecary Matcha Antioxidant  Face Mask

5. Erborian Perfect Morning BB 3-IN-1 Matcha Mask

6. Cocokind Organic Matcha Face Moisturizer

Recipe Source: WendyGould