Homemade Beauty Treats

Do you love going to Spa but can’t afford to go there as often as you want?

I have good tips for you... you can now enjoy that relaxing experience in spa at your home because I will give you four fabulous recipes that put pricey spa product to shame.

SOFT HAIR MASK

¼ cup mashed papaya

¼ cup mashed banana

¼ cup mashed ripe avocado

6 drops tea tree essential oil

6 drops lavender essential oil

2 vitamin E capsule

1 tbsp. whole milk

1 tsp. honey

Blend all ingredients together. Massage generous amount into hair and scalp and leave for five minutes, then rinse thoroughly to remove all residue.

Recipe’s rationale: The fruits in this mask all contain natural enzymes that help soften the hair and are packed with vitamins to nourish the scalp. Honey and milk help moisturize and soothe stressed scalp and tea tree deodorizes.

FRUIT YOGURT CLEANSER

1/8 of a small apple

3 strawberries

2 ½ tbsp of plain yogurt

½ tsp. honey

½ tsp. extra virgin olive oil

Combine the ingredients in blender for about 30 seconds. Store the cleanser in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and it will last you four days.

To use, scoop out a tablespoon of cleanser and massage onto dry skin, avoiding the eye area. Rinse with warm water and pat skin dry.

Recipe’s rationale:

Apples and strawberries are natural astringents and are packed with vitamin C which dissolves facial grease and dirt. The enzymes from the yogurt help restore the skin’s proper pH balance, and honey is a natural humectant, absorbing moisture into the skin.

LEMON PEPPERMINT SOAK

2cups warm distilled water (below 40 degrees Celsius)

2 vitamin E capsules

2 tbsp. fresh mint leaves

Juice from ½ of lemon or four pieces calamansi

6 drops tea tree oil

½ tsp. olive oil

½ tsp. olive oil (or your favorite massage oil)

Combine all ingredients and blend for about 30 seconds. Soak tired, overworked feet and hands for 15 minute and rinse with warm water. Condition your skin by massaging with a few drops of scented oil.

Recipe’s rationale:

Lemon and tea tree are natural antiseptics that help eliminate germs and deodorize. Lemon’s acidic nature helps soften dead skin cells so this soak is perfect to use before a manicure or pedicure. Fresh mint leaves freshen up the skin and will take away weariness, while the oils condition the skin, locking in absorbed moisture.

VOLUME RINSE

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

1 cup beer

20 drops of tea tree oil

20 drops of chamomile oil

20 drops lavender oil

¼ cup juice from soaked “gugo” (or aloe Vera)

½ tbsp. jojoba oil

Combine ingredients. After shampooing and rinsing, pour the rinse over wet hair and massage. Rinse out with plenty of warm water.

Recipe’s rationale: This helps relax frizz and improve shine. Vinegar strips away chemical build up from hair products. It doesn’t smell good so essential oils are a must.

I suggest you do this during weekends, so that you get to enjoy the fresh products beneficial properties and relaxing scents for a long period of time... One more thing; while you’re playing chemist in the kitchen, take note not to heat the ingredients to higher than 40 degrees Celsius as not denature the vitamins.

So have fun!

6 BEAUTY TRAPS

Love make ups? That’s cool, but do avoid these beauty traps…

Clownish concealer

The best concealer shade is one step lighter than your skin tone, or the same shade as your skin. If you go too light, you’ll end up with funny white circles under you eyes (most obvious in photos). Don’t forget to blend, blend, and blend!

Streaky blush

Avoid applying orange blush from cheek to jaw; it’s great for fashion shows but looks dated for everyday wear. Opt for sandy pink blush (this shade goes well with most skin tones) and dab onto the apples of your cheeks-nowhere else.

Too much sparkle

Go easy on the shimmer-choose only a few “strategic” places to apply it, such as on the brow bone, tops of cheekbones, lips and shoulders.( like JLo in this picture I think she had too much shimmer in her face.)

Severe eyeliner

Dark eyeliner over and under eyes

(think Gwyneth Paltrow’s character in the Royal Tenenbaums) appears way harsh. Switch to using a brown or taupe pencil or shadow for a softer effect.

Standout lip liner

Unless you’re doing it on purpose (say for a school play), always match lip liner to your lip color. Fill in the lips, and then blend with a brush.

Anorexic arches

Easy on the tweezers! Over-plucked eyebrows can make you look cranky even when you’re having a good day. What’s more, sparse brows can make you look more mature.

So that’s it… I hope these tips could help all the girls out there who are just starting to put make up. Good luck and I promise to give you more beauty tips next time.

THE RIGHT FOUNDATION FOR YOU

Finding the right foundation is a never ending concern of most women. When looking for the right foundation, always put the product on before buying it. The shade of the foundation when tried on the hand will have a different effect when applied on the face. The right way is apply the product an inch up from your jaw line down to your neck. If the product blends well in this part of your face, then that’s the shade for you. If it’s too white and does not “disappear” on your skin, then get a few more shades close to your skin tone and line them up on the side of your face down to your neck and choose the right color of your skin. Of course, you want the color of your face to match the color of your neck.

Tips for choosing a foundation for your skin type:

If you have oily skin, then it is best to use a dual finish powder instead of liquid oil-based formulations. This way, every time you go to the powder room to retouch your face, you will find it easier to add the powder where the oil from your face has removed the product. If you have oily skin, the key is retouching, Oil removes make up so you will have to keep on removing the oil first by dabbing with an oil blotter or facial tissue before reapplying the powder. This way, it will be easier to maintain your makeup look all throughout day or night if the product accumulates on the certain areas such as on the side of your nose, simply blend it with your fingers and dab the oil before reapplying the powder foundation.

If you have dry skin, using liquid foundation is your best bet. Simply apply the foundation using your fingers on your entire face and make sure to blend it into the skin. Remember, you are creating a nice clean smooth base for your make up so blend the foundation well into your skin. Next step is to set the liquid foundation with loose powder, the loose powder will “hold” the liquid product on your face. After setting the liquid foundation with loose powder, then you are ready to complete your natural look by simply grooming your eyebrows. Curling your lashes before applying your mascara then applying your blush and finishing your look with a lip color.

The simpler and more natural you apply your make up, the better. You cannot go wrong with an understated look. Now, all you need is to practice. When you have perfected this natural look, then the rest will be a piece of cake. Why? Simply because any makeup look start with a clean, perfect base. So once you have perfected your foundation, then rest will follow. Start it simple and clean and then slowly add more color if you want to emphasize your eyes or lips. It will always take practice to perfect any look you want to create. Just remember that in any look, it will always start with a good foundation. So girls what are you waiting for? Go to the mall and find the right foundation for you. Happy Shopping!