Get Salty

With a body scrub that is! I haven't done one of these in a while, so why not now? With crazy and hectic lives, who always has the time and money to always go to a day spa. (In my dreams!) Some days spas and destination spas charge as much as $150 for a body scrub. I know, I was one of them. Exfoliating the skin is important to keep the skin healthy and happy. When the dead, dry skin cells have been sloughed away, the skin more readily accepts and retains moisture, a key component to overall skin health. You can make this recipe for less than $10! Hurry, you know you want to write this down!


Ingredients and Tools
•2 cups sea salt, kosher salt, or white sugar. Salt will be slightly more abrasive than sugar.
•1 cup sweet almond oil. Grape seed and olive oil are also excellent choices for oils.
•10-30 drops of cosmetic-grade and/or high quality essential oils of your choice. Lavender is suitable for most skin types.
•A covered, plastic container for mixing and storage.

Making the Scrub
Combine the salt or sugar with the oil. Then, begin adding essential oils drop by drop. The scent should be present, but not overwhelming. Always make sure that the essential oils are skin-care quality, to aid in the prevention of skin irritation. Oils with stimulating properties, such as peppermint or spearmint, should be avoided, as they may irritate the more sensitive areas of the body.



Directions For Using An Exfoliating Body Scrub At Home (I'm sure you know this anyway, but I'm just throwing it out there!)
1.Step into a dry shower or bathtub. Do not turn on any water.
2.Beginning with one or two tablespoons of homemade exfoliating scrub, apply the scrub to one area of the body at a time. Start with the feet and legs and work upward, adding more of the body scrub as needed.
3.Keep in mind that sensitive areas, like under the arms or the inner thigh, need only a light amount of pressure, whereas rougher areas such as the bottom of the feet and ankles can withstand a more firm pressure.
4.Turn on the water and shower (or bath) and rinse the body completely, ensuring that the homemade body scrub has been thoroughly washed away.
5.Turn off the water and pat the skin dry. Rubbing can irritate the freshly exfoliating skin. Patting the skin dry is a gentler, softer way to remove the water without removing the oils that have been added to the skin.
6.If skin feels as though it needs more hydration, apply a favorite body moisturizer. Because the skin is recently exfoliated, body moisturizers without fragrance are preferable.

This recipe yields approximately three to five full body exfoliation sessions at home. Remember that oil can go rancid over time, and without preservatives, the body scrub should be used within one month. For best results, a weekly or bi-weekly body exfoliation is the recommended usage. Furthermore, this body scrub recipe is too abrasive for the face and should be used on the body only.

Do Your Bags Hang Low??

Do they wobble to and fro? Okay, thank God I can't tie them in a knot, but I'm sure they will be down to my knees someday. Some days, I just wake and think I need an IV of coffee. Maybe there just isn't enough coffee for me in this world. Hmm...



So, the esthetician in me wanted to write a post about everyones baggage. I know it's no fun. And who wants to rely on the needle to fix your problem? UGGGGG!! and OUCH! If you are like me, you may be a little puffy around the eyes, so I wanted to give everyone some quick at home tips you can do to try and help alleviate some of it.



1) Cucumbers: Have you ever seen the relaxing spa ads where cucumbers are placed on the eyes? This actually works. Cucumbers are a well-known remedy for puffy eyes, and this home remedy is still considered one of the most effective ways to make tired eyes appear awake and bright. Cucumbers have a high water content, and an ice-cold cucumber can greatly reduce under eye swelling. Cut cold cucumbers into thick slices. Find a place to relax, put your head back, and unwind with a slice over each eye for about ten minutes, or until the cucumber becomes warm. You can just pretend you are in a spa. 2) Hemorrhoid Cream: Yes, that's right. You may have heard of this one before, but I swear by this one. I use it at night around the bottom and tops of the lids and have noticed a massive difference. If I need to explain hemorrhoid cream, you may want to google it. It is completely safe and not harmful at all. Just make sure you get cream and not gel.3) Like a Virgin Cream: Have you ever been to one of those toy parties before? They sell a cream in a little tube that is like heaven...for you eyes I mean. I wouldn't know about what it's actually used for! If your eyes are excessively baggy or puffy, you may want to try this. I have known people who have seen massive results in just 3 days! (It tightens things...wink, wink)

4) Strawberries: strawberries naturally contain alpha-hydroxy, and this naturally occurring ingredient is great for making skin smoother and younger looking. Alpha-hydroxy is found in many expensive facial creams, but you can get the benefits without the expense by using this home remedy for reducing under eye puffiness. To reduce under eye puffiness and make tired eyes appear brighter, remove the tops from large, fresh, refrigerated strawberries, and slice them about 1/8 of an inch thick. While relaxing with your head back, place the cold strawberry slices under your eyes, and allow them to remain there for several minutes. After removing the strawberries, wash and moisturize your face as usual.

5) Milk: Milk does the body good, right? Well, it's also great for your skin! Cold milk tastes great with a big slice of rich chocolate cake, but cold milk is also great for tired, puffy eyes. If you're looking exceptionally tired these days, try a milk treatment that will soothe and relax your eyes. Pour ice cold milk into a shallow bowl, and toss in a couple of large cotton balls. Find a place to lie down, place a towel beneath your head, and with eyes tightly closed, place milk-soaked cotton balls over your eyes. After ten or fifteen minutes, wash, dry, and moisturize your face as usual.

6) Ahhh Coffee: Dip a cotton pad in brewed espresso (or any extra strong coffee) and press it beneath your eyes. It will eliminate all the darkness and puff. This works because caffeine is a vasoconstrictor which means that is shrinks blood vessels and minimizes dark circles. Its diuretic effect also helps reduce swelling. Some eye creams have this as an ingredient because of it.

7) Tea: Traditionally, people have used black tea bags or green tea bags. These teas contain tannins, a natural astringent which constricts blood vessels and pulls the skin taut. However, some sources recommend using herbal teas. Herbal teas that do not contain tannins may not constrict blood vessels or reduce swelling, but they can soothe redness and irritation, reducing inflammation. (Just don't do like I did and use a raspberry tea. My face was pink for several hours and of course we had plans!)