SKIN!!

First off I should apologise to anyone who's been waiting for me to post.  I have been going a tad bit crazy of the last few weeks.

So, here we go!

Oily Skin

Top 5 tips for oily skin.

1. Cleanse only twice a day, if you cleanse more often it will trigger a panic response.
2. If shine slips through, blotting papers are a great way to fix it.
3. Make sure all of your products, including your make up are oil free.
4. Cut down on fast food.  Although grease doesn't product grease, studies show that iodine from fast food can contribute to blemishes on oily skin.
5. If you get red, painful pimples (don't we all sometimes?) dab a little bit of lavender oil will help reduce inflammation in minutes.

Your 5 key ingredients.

1. Foaming cleanser.
2. Oil-free moisturiser.
3. Clay mask.
4. Blotting papers.
5. Blemish stick.

Make you own cleanser.

Cucumber is a real natural cleanser and has been used for the purpose globally.

You will need.

1. 1tsp Cucumber juice 
2. Milk

Combine together, cleanse face and rinse off.  Your face will feel so refreshed.

If you want something a bit different:

1. 1/4 tsp of lime juice.
2. 1tsp of cucumber juice. 

Again mix together, cleanse face and rinse.

Yogurt is also great for oily skin. Simply cleanse face gently with yogurt, rinse with warm distilled water.  After you can take the juice of a lemon on a cotton ball and gently rub over face.(add mint for a lovely scent)

Oatmeal Scrub.

Combine Oatmeal and yogurt, apply to whole face, gently cleanse, then rinse.

Make your own face Mask

Strawberries had a great astringent properties and will help cleanse oily skin without irritation. 

You will need:

1. 1/2 tsp lemon juice.
2. 1 egg white.
3. 1 tsp honey.
4. 1/2 cup strawberries.

Blend together and apply  mask to cleansed face. Keep on for 10 minutes and then rinse off.

Toner.

Rinse face with Rosewater

I am still trying to find homemade recipes for moisturizer for oily skin.  Once I find some good ones I will post them as well.

Next: Dry Skin.

Natural recipes for great hair.

I've had a few people ask me about the natural ingredients I use for my naturally curly hair.  For those who don't know, I haven't used shampoo on my hair in 2 months and my hair has never looked better.


So here goes.


Lavender has cleaning properties, so this spray can cleanse and deodorize the hair and scalp. It not only makes your hair smell like a Provençal lavender field, but it's also indispensable for cleansing and reviving your curls. 


I use this in between conditionings


Lavender - It - With - Love Spray


2 quarts water
5 drops pure (not synthetic) lavender essential oil


1.  Fill a large pot with water.
2. Cover the pot, bring water to a boil on high heat, then turn the heat down to low and simmer for 1 hour to get rid of impurities. (Check occasionally to ensure water isn't boiling away) 
3. Remove water from heat, add the lavender oil, stir to blend and replace lid.
4. Let the later water steep until cool, then pour into spray bottles.
5. Store extra lavender spray bottle in a cool place.


Lavender spray bottles make lovely gifts for friends, whether they are a curly girl or not. Once you get hooked on the spray, you'll find lots of great uses for it.

• Use it as a room and car deodorizer.
• Spray it on bed linens to help you drift off to sleep (works great for kids)
• Spray it on clothes in the dryer to add a fresh scent.
• Us it to refresh you hair, face, and clothes after cooking or barbecuing.
• Keep it on your travel bag so you can spritz on the plane.

Scrub - Me - The - Right - Way Ex foliating Cleanser.

1 tablespoon of brown sugar or uncooked quinoa

3 tablespoons of  conditioner.

1. Mix together the brown sugar or quinoa and the conditioner, and stir to create a thick paste.
2. Wed your hair in the shower, then put the paste on your fingertips. Starting at the nape of your neck and moving upward, gently massage the paste on your scalp in a circular motion. Linger on any spots that seem tense or itchy.
3. Rinse your hair thoroughly, then condition and style.

Lemon Aid

This moisturising  and neutralizing tonic will remove chlorine and protect hair in hard water regions. It's especially good for dry and damaged locks.

1. Combine the juice of 1 large lemon with your usual amount of conditioner.
2. Apply the lemon - conditioner mixture to hair and rinse.

Next post will be about home-made skin cleanser and moisturising.