Wednesday, October 27, 2010

* Rejuvinate Your Lips for Fall *

LIPSTICKS THAT LOVE YOU
Yes, lipstick is what you wear when you want to get fancy. But nourishing formulas have every- day appeal, moisturizing and protecting your mouth’s delicate skin. Look for ones infused with antioxidants and natural emollients, such as vitamin E, coconut oil, beeswax, and argan oil.

To keep lips soft and healthy, Anne Marie Fine, N.M.D., naturopathic physician and skin specialist , suggests focusing your efforts at night. “If you use balm under lipstick, the color slides right off”, says Fine. Before bed, slick on a rich slave-and twice weekly, use a lip scrub first. In the morning, you’ll wake to a smooth, lipstick ready pout.

For a soft glow,” use a fingertip to gently spread on one thin coat, then blot,” recommends makeup artist Jody Cohen, creator of Cosmoholic Cosmetics. Avoid working too much pigment into the corners of your mouth, so your lipstick wears off gracefully.

By Katherine Bowers
Whole Living Magazine

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

* GET READY FOR FALL WITH A PUMPKIN FACIAL! *

Get your skin ready for fall with one of Mother Nature’s most beneficial products, the pumpkin!

Pumpkin makes an excellent face mask ingredient for all skin types, especially environmentally damaged or sensitive skin. High in Vitamin A (skin healing), C (anti-oxidant) and Zinc, the pumpkin soothes, moisturizes and acts as a carrier, assisting the other mask ingredients to absorb deeper into the skin and intensifying the results.

Pumpkin Pie Face Mask

Ingredients
2 teaspoons cooked or canned pumpkin, pureed (see above for benefits)
one-half teaspoon honey (humectant, regenerative)
one-quarter teaspoon milk (or soymilk)(alpha hydroxyl acid, enzymes digest skin cells)

Optional Ingredients

For Dry Skin
one-quarter teaspoon heavy whipping cream (moisturizing; alpha hydroxy acid)
-or-
one-half teaspoon brown sugar (exfoliates, moisturizes, alpha hydroxyl acid)

For Oily Skin
one-quarter teaspoon apple cider (tonic action promotes skin circulation; alpha hydroxyl acid; regulates pH).
-or-
one-quarter teaspoon cranberry juice (high in antioxidants critically important to the utilization of essential fatty acids to maintain balanced, nourished skin.

Directions

Combine the ingredients for your facemask. Mix gently and apply to your face avoiding the eye area. Rest and relax for 10-15 minutes while your pumpkin pie facemask gently exfoliates, nourishes and conditions your face. Rinse with warm water and apply the appropriate moisturizer for your skin type.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

* Herbal Hair Rinse *

Before serums and masques were available to treat dry and damaged hair, women all over the world turned to their gardens for natural solutions. Try to following recipe on your hair for an amazing, healthy sheen!

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup herbs of your choice
3 cups water (preferably rainwater)
2 tbsp. apple cidar vinegar


*SUGGESTED HERBS*
Calendula: Soothes the scalp and conditions the hair; good for red highlights.
Horsetail: Contains selenium and silicon, which help promote scalp circulation and have been used to treat hair loss, dandruff, and brittleness. (Chop the plant material into 1-inch pieces)

Lavender: Calms and soothes the scalp. (Use either fresh or dried).

Nettle: Prevent dandruff, increases scalp circulation, and has been used to treat hair loss. (use dried nettle because when it's fresh it's very irritating to the skin).

Peppermint: Boosts scalp circulation and energizes senses.

Rosemary: Adds body, heals damaged hair, stimulates the scalp, and treat dandruff, will darken hair slightly.

Rose: Adds delicate scent and alleviated itchiness.

Sage: Slows hair loss; adds highlights to dark hair.

Friday, October 15, 2010

* Home Aromatic Body Brushing & Facial *


Body brushing is a health enhancing practice that only takes about 5 minutes before you shower. It works by stimulating the sebaceous glands, which encourage the natural moisturizing of your skin. It removes the top layer of dead cells, leaving skin that is polished and silky. Below is our pick for best homemade organic body brushing recipe, Enjoy!


* Body Brushing Recipe *

1 drop of ginger

4 drops of petigrain

5 drops of rosewood


After skin brushing, add a small amount of lavender floral water to a dry green clay mask of your choosing for one application.


* A Facial Mask Recipe *

½ ounce of green clay mask of your choosing

lavender floral water to mix

1 drop of lime

1 drop of lemon

1 drop of grapefruit

2 drops of rosemary

1 drop of peppermint

Allow this to set for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing off

Thursday, October 14, 2010

* BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL NAILS *

Bling, it seems, can never go out of style; it simply moves its focus to a new part of the body. For this season, it has landed on the toes with the process called Bling it on Pedi. This pedicure uses 500 or more carefully applied Swarovski crystals to create custom designs. A one-hour application can last a month, but can cost as much as five times that of the standard pedicure. Whether you are looking for animal prints, holiday hues or even logo art, any of these options can be had for the right price.

No matter what your personality or wardrobe demands from your nails in 2010, there is a color and finish that can fit your style. Whether you want length, bold muted or simply shine, the options this spring are too fun to miss.


-Seventeen Magazine

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

* Papaya Power! The Secret Natural Ingrediant *

Pick this tropical fruit to smooth your skin, get rid of bloating, and help sinus problems.

Flat-belly Food

Ward off bloat by eating papaya for dessert. Papain, the main enzyme in papaya, is an ace at breaking down fiber, which can cause gas if it’s not digested well, says Maoshing Ni, PhD, who practices traditional Chinese medicine and is the author of Secrets of Self-healing.

Sinus Saver

Want to ease the symptoms of chronic sinusitis? Make papaya a staple in your fruit salads. Bromelain, an enzyme in papaya, can reduce mucus and inflammation, according to a German study.


Skin Brightener

Papaya’s fruit acids and protein-dissolving enzymes remove dead skin cells and even out skin discoloration. Get a glowing complexion using this gentle exfoliating treatment, from Stephanie Tourles, author of Organic Body Care Recipes: Extract 1 tablespoon papaya juice my mashing a peeled slice with a spoon and straining the pulp. Soak up the juice with a cotton ball, and apply to face, throat, and décolletage. Wait 10 minutes, then rinse with cool water.

Bone Strengthener

Papaya is a sweet way to improve your bone health. It contains folate, a B vitamin that can help prevent osteoporosis-related bone fractures. Just add this delish smoothie to your diet: Blend 1 cup fat-free milk, ¼ of a peeled papaya, ½ cup blueberries, and ½ tablespoon honey. Drink up!
One cup of papaya has just 55 calories.

By Susan Hall

Monday, October 11, 2010

* Golden Door Spa at The Boulders *

Carefree, Arizona


Discover the renowned Golden Door Spa at the extraordinary Boulders Resort just north of Scottsdale. The high Sonoran Desert edition of the Golden Door Spa, in Escondido, California, founded as America’s premier destination spa and a portal to rejuvenation. Spa guests find inner wellness and pampering through massage, refreshing cuisine, and personal service behind the golden doors of Boulders’ 33,00 square foot sanctuary. In the revitalizing west wing, The Spa Café, fitness center, movement and yoga studio all enjoy sweeping views of the magnificent boulders. In the serenity of the east wing are 24 treatment rooms, the Spa Boutique and full-service salon. Outdoor adventures that re-energize the body and soul also await spa guests on 1,300 acres of desert landscape. Luxurious private casitas and one to five bedroom Pueblo Villas are individually shaped into natural terrain amidst the dramatic rock outcroppings.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Are Your Hands Making You Look Older?

Skin on your hands can become discolored, with uneven, dull texture that is more revealing of age than wrinkles. The culprits: natural aging (skin gets thinner over time) and photoaging (sun exposure causes age spots). Here’s how to get back that youthful glow!

Every Day: Apply lotion with SPF to protect skin from the sun. Stash a lotion, which contains soothing aloe extracts—in your bag for touchups.

At Night: Three times a week at bedtime, pamper your hands with these three easy steps.
* Step 1: Exfoliate. Use a salt-based scrub to remove dull skin.
* Step 2: Spot-treat. What works for your face will work for your hands too. Dab on a facial brightening cream to fade dark spots.
* Step 3: Moisturize. Apply a lotion rich in vitamins A, C, and E, to restore and nourish skin overnight.