Natural home beauty recipes
Win an Elemental Toning Mist and Rose Hip Face Cream to suit your skin type. Value: $85.00.
Just by sharing a natural beauty secret or two with us........... you could win. Make a post on this BLOG (see our 'how to blog' blog if you are not sure, or failing that, email us, and we will put the blog up for you! The winner will be announced in next weeks email tip.
Elemental recommends treating yourself to an Elemental Certified Organic Facial. Run a deep bath and add Elemental's Empress Bath Salts. Wipe face with a warm towel. Mix a teaspoon of an Elemental Mineral Mud Mask to suit your skin type with spring water or Elemental's Essential Splash-In to a smooth paste. Spread evenly onto face and luxuriate in your bath.
Rinse clean. Mist on Toning Mist to suit your skin type and allow to air dry. With light upward strokes apply a Rose Hip Cream to suit your skin type. Feel like a Queen! Visit the Elemental website to see the products for yourself http://www.elemental.com.au/
Rinse clean. Mist on Toning Mist to suit your skin type and allow to air dry. With light upward strokes apply a Rose Hip Cream to suit your skin type. Feel like a Queen! Visit the Elemental website to see the products for yourself http://www.elemental.com.au/
If you want to get down to basics, making your own home treatments can be a cathartic and fun experience. CleanLife Business Development Manager, Shona shares some of her top tips and recipes below;
Shona's Home Day Spa Recipes:
All these recipes are designed to help you feel really good about yourself, to help you relax and to healp your skin glow. Thay have all been tried and tested on me, and although it can get messy - there is something satisfactory about acting like a witch in the kitchen, conjuring up potions and lotions. Mix and match ingredients, experiment with different clays, explore your pantry and pull out ingredients which would make good exfoliants and herbs and spices that will detox and smell good...let your imagination go crazy!
All ingredients should be certified organic (if possible) or out of the back yard!
Before smearing a face mask on, or doing a scrub, always hydrate first.
bath pre body scrub:
3 cups of epsom salts
7 drops of frankinscense oil
5 drops of orange oil
prepare your face with hydration before a mask:
Add to a bowl of steaming water some chammomile flowers and benzoin essential oil. rinse out a face cloth in the steaming water and wash your face three or more times. This helps to open up the pores and relax the face!
It is really important that while you a wearing a face mask - you sit or lie down and do NOTHING until it's dry. Most of the effect of a mask comes from its ability to relax, as much as its ability to cleanse the skin. Never leave a fask mask on any longer than it takes to dry.
Cinnamon Face Mask
This face mask is especially deep cleansing and may be a little too harsh on sensitive skin. It's great for blackheads and excellent for soothing out all those blind bumps and blips. Be careful not to add to much cinnamon or it will sting! If the ingredients seem a little exotic substitutions are in brackets.
2 tbsp pink clay (or normal clay)
tsp himalayan salt (or sea salt)
pinch organic ground cinnamon
tbsp very hot water
tsp honey
3 drops benzoin essential oil (also works well with chamomile)
mix the dry ingredients together
mix the wet ingredients together
Add the dry to the wet and mix really well. The mix should be smooth but not runny.
barley grass face mask
This one is quite scary for anyone coming over for an impromptu cup of tea...It is great for alkalising the skin and tightening.
1 tsp egg white
1 tsp honey
1 tbsp barley grass
1 tbsp clay
pinch salt
mix dry and mix wet and mix together.
toning mask - kiwi
this mask is excellent for cooling and calming the skin after any clay mask. its great for rehydrating too. leave on for 10 minutes.
1 kiwi fruit
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp aloe vera pulp straight from the plant
best ever face oil
this face oil is excellent for all skin types, but only use a little.
It is the perfect finish to the clay mask, wet mask and moisture trio.
Use it immediately after a cleaning off the face mask - the skin is still hydrated so it sinks into the pores. Not recomended for everyday use for those with very oily skin.
The ingredients are initially very expensive, but the oil is so devine and lasts so long that i think it amounts to the same as buying top shelf skin care - except you end up with twice as much.
40ml rosehip oil
40ml jojoba oil
5 drops of rose essential oil
5 drops of neroli essential oil
body scrub for cellulite
not reccomended before bed or for pregnant women - expect a coffee rush!
1 tbsp biobean cafe femininos coffee
1/4 cup biodynamic yoghurt
mix together and scrub all over body.
1 tsp egg white
1 tsp honey
1 tbsp barley grass
1 tbsp clay
pinch salt
mix dry and mix wet and mix together.
toning mask - kiwi
this mask is excellent for cooling and calming the skin after any clay mask. its great for rehydrating too. leave on for 10 minutes.
1 kiwi fruit
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp aloe vera pulp straight from the plant
best ever face oil
this face oil is excellent for all skin types, but only use a little.
It is the perfect finish to the clay mask, wet mask and moisture trio.
Use it immediately after a cleaning off the face mask - the skin is still hydrated so it sinks into the pores. Not recomended for everyday use for those with very oily skin.
The ingredients are initially very expensive, but the oil is so devine and lasts so long that i think it amounts to the same as buying top shelf skin care - except you end up with twice as much.
40ml rosehip oil
40ml jojoba oil
5 drops of rose essential oil
5 drops of neroli essential oil
body scrub for cellulite
not reccomended before bed or for pregnant women - expect a coffee rush!
1 tbsp biobean cafe femininos coffee
1/4 cup biodynamic yoghurt
mix together and scrub all over body.
salt scrub for the body
safe for everyone any time of the day, good for a pick me up.
2 tbsp almond meal
1/4 cup salt
2 tbsp brown sugar
1/4 cup almond or coconut oil
5 drops of grapefruit essential
5 drops of ylang ylang essential oil
5 drops of ceadarwood essential
a great all over body toner is a lemon
scrubbed all over the body, especially after a scrub. it acts like a polish. but beware - this must be done at night before bed as lemon is phototoxic - it enhances the suns effect on the skin.
Otherwise try smothering aloe vera all over your body following a scrub, its quite sticky and messing but really good for stretch marks and scars. You might want to damp it off with a cloth, and don't let anyone taste you - they'll get quite a shock!!!
Shona will be contributing her great wealth of organic knowledge to the BLOG regularly from now on, so keep your eye on this spot!
posted by Gina Cacho | 12:25 AM
4 Comments:
Hi all! If you're in Brisbane, a new, totally organic certified day spa has just opened up in Indooroopilly Shopping Centre. It's called e-spa (I think) and they use Jasmin certified organic skincare, aromatherapy, crystals etc....Gabrielle.
This article was sent in by CleanLife subscriber and organic, raw food chef, Suzanne. Try some of her natural beauty recipes below and let us know what you think!
CONFESSIONS OF A SPA JUNQUIE
By Susanne E. Wilder, CFE
When one has to eat for a living, a foray into a day spa resort serves one well. Even Sydney-sider, Donna Hay, another chef, food stylist, and author takes a break to detox and diet, nourish and replenish. The skin changes, of course, due to weather, diet and overall lifestyle. Although one can create a home day spa there is something about getting away for a reprieve and sanctuary in a purpose designed sybaritic spa. As with people asking me often where is my favourite restaurant, so many students and readers ask which my preferred spa is.
One of my past remarkable jobs was to work as a live-in chef/instructor for Cal-a-Vie, The Palms in Palm Springs and The Oaks in Ojai, California where guests pay 5K a week to get fit and revivified. Other signature skin food formulas come from my travel spa writing for Day Dream Island and Couran Cove spas in Queensland. In Bali I experienced Mandi Lulur, traditionally for brides and in Perth a jasmine rice scrub at the Body Works in Applecross and an enriching exfoliant and facial at a particularly delightful and tasteful spa called 8 Degrees.
This last Day Spa is situated on the 4th level of the Kirin Centre in Mount Pleasant. As soon as I entered I enjoyed breathtaking views over looking Perth city and the Swan River from their relaxation room. As with a finer day spa, anywhere in the world, from 8 Degrees I took home much more than great memories… I benefited by a refreshed spirit, a revitalised body and rejuvenated mind. Hallelujah!
Behind the development of the 8° degrees Day Spa, Australian School of Natural Beauty Spa and Australian School Clinical of Aromatherapy has been an incredibly committed group of people. The dream was first created by Dr Wee, Malcolm Wee and together with Meredith Pullen’s ideas and expertise supported by an outstanding Research and Development team of people.
My treatments there included a facial and massage with a nourishing milk cleanser and D’mask rose hydrosol with fine bamboo polish-exfoliater. The pure C serum comes in an opulent opaque single serve pump to be gently massaged into the face, neck and décolletage afterwards.
Now that I have been the thrilled recipient of these treatments I skin tested a few of these recipes at home. Imagine my delight when I found the Rose Hydrosol is simply rose essence in water not oil and my culinary rose water for Mid-Eastern cooking is the perfect ingredient. See Banana Anti-aging Mash with Rose Hydrosol for use 3 times a week!
After paying “a bit much” for a jasmine body scrub at Body Works, I made up my own from the kitchen cupboard. Any mix of organic brown, jasmine or basmati rice works well. Simply soak rices, covered, in filtered water for 30 minutes. Scoop and scrub rice grains over the body with an exfoliation glove or your own nice hand. For a gentler exfoliation, process the rices to coarse flour.
Back from Bali, I made up my own divorcee lulur paste with rice flour, turmeric, sandalwood and jasmine essence mixed with filtered or distilled water. After letting this aromatic paste dry on my skin it was easily buffed off with a body brush or exfoliation gloves. Hey, we all need nurturing, especially celibate chefs.
The next phase of the Mandi Lulur is to mix plain yoghurt and honey with heavy dashes or cardamom, cinnamon, ginger freshly grated nutmeg and/or cloves to your discretion. Smooth that all over your body and lie on a cool cotton sheet and wrap up.
Do some Hatha Yoga deep breathing and meditation for at least a half an hour and rinse off in tepid shower.
For a deep cleansing scrub created from a pre-bridal week at Couran Cove – this time it was me – try this muesli rub! It must be made fresh each time.
120 ml EA oatmeal and bran
Spices of choice for aromatic bouquet
2 tsp EA sea salt and organic milk
Mix all dry ingredients, then add milk a little at a time until you have a paste that is moist to handle but not too sticky.
Rub into skin by hand or with a body brush. Concentrate on rough areas, heels, elbows, thighs and buttocks. Send white healing light to those areas as you scrub.
HEADLINERS: Pick-me-uppers
Fast & Fresh Face Masques
Whisk up your own facial masque with 1 beaten egg white sprinkled with 1 tsp. Vitamin C powder. Leave on 5 to 15 minutes and then rinse off with tepid water.
Tone up with rose hydrosol.
For an even faster, effective version of food fun, apply mayonnaise to your face (if you like the smell) and go lie down for 10 minutes. Rinse off with tepid to warm not hot water.
Make a face masque from mashed avocado mixed with a little EVO. Relax and rinse off after 15 minutes. This is also splendid for rashes, eczema, soothes sun-burned skin and is traditionally used for sexual problems. Do not ask me how. This time it’s up to your own imagination. But get playful !
To relieve tired eyes, place slices of cook cucumber over the lids or cooled chamomile tea bags (used and squeezed out slightly). Potato slices also work quite well. Rest with them in place for 5-10 minutes with your feet elevated. So perhaps it is also all about relaxing.
Food Favourite Facial Masque:
Combine and mash equal parts mango, avocado paste and papaya. The papain enzyme breaks down the connective and collagenous tissue of protein in tough meat so it’s a nice tingle to the face with the moisturizing emollients of avocado and mango.
2-in-1 Cleanser and Moisturizer
For dry skin
Jojoba oil is the closest oil in nature to the skins own oil produced!
45 ml (3Tbsp) jojoba oil
10 ml (2 tsp) grapeseed oil
3 drops geranium oil
Place all ingredients into a small bottle. Close lid tightly and shake to mix oils.
Apply sparingly with a cotton ball and sooth gently over face to cleanse skin. Massage a final drop into the skin for moisturizing.
Hair Care
Anti-dandruff tonic: Mix 8 fluid oz witch hazel with 2-3 drops rosemary essential oil.
Shampoo and organically condition your hair as usual, then towel dry and spread tonic over your scalp with your fingers, rubbing in well. Try Exilr8 natural skin and hair care at www.exilr8.com.au
To treat dry and damaged ends very simply massage organic avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil into the ends of hair and wrap in a warm towel for 5-10 minutes before shampooing and conditioning as normal. The Good Oil Farm WA 08 92407 5035
Pour a small quantity of flat beer into a spray bottle and squirt lightly over hair to act as an effective styling product. The beer should not smell once it has dried.
Hands and Feet Ideas
Use above cleansing scrub on hands, sea salt mixed with oils and essences of choice or try Witherspoon’s 100% Natural skin treatments at www.witherspoons.com.au
In China the reflexology sessions are quite deep and dramatic; read rough and painful. However, the Chinese make sure their feet are in hot water every eve for at least 15 minutes with essential oils and Epsom salts. Add cider vinegar and a small paste of chilli or mustard powder to clear congestion and bronchitis.
To treat swollen ankles, make up a solution of 30 ml (2 Tbsp) Epsom salts in 1 litre warm water with peppermint oil for at least 10 minutes. Pat dry and massage in foot balm. Elevate feet against wall and above head. Place aromatic eye pillow across lids and relax.
Just for you!
Toss rose petals in your bath, use fragrances and aromatherapy or incense to calm a troubled soul.
Cider vinegar (organic if possible) is made from fermented apple juice and is a rich source of potassium, sodium, iron, phosphorus and magnesium. Add a cupful to your bath to soften skin and restore its natural acid balance.
Cleopatra supposedly took milk baths. All you have to do is add non-fat dry mild and perhaps a can of evaporated milk!
Drink more herbal teas and always more water! Eat low on the food chain, seasonal, local and organic as possible and smile sister smile!
The following tip was sent in by CleanLife subscriber Lee Decker. It sounds delicious!
My natural beauty therapy tip is a tip for smooth skin on your feet. To eliminate rough areas, mix 5 tablespoons of chocolate powder with water to obtain a thick paste. Apply on clean and dry feet and leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes and then wash away.
Lee Decker
These great ideas were sent in by CleanLife subscriber Brenda Sharpe.
Hi Gina, can you add this tip to your natural beauty therapy blog please: A great natural face cleanser is chickpea flour. For oily skin use chickpea flour and water mixed to a paste and massaged into skin. For dry skin mix to a paste with almond oil. Leaves skin scrubbed and smooth! You can leave it as a mask for a few minutes or use it as a polishing scrub, or as a cleanser. Thanks Gina! awesome website as always..PS: bicarb soda is also a great skin polisher, but beware as it can be a little drying..
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