Papaya Seeds

You know those black slimy seeds in the middle of the papaya? Those things you usually scoop out and throw away with a frown on your face because they remind you of fish eggs? Well, next time you cut open a papaya, consider keeping those fish egg-looking seeds and putting them to good use...say, in an awesome face mask...or in a healthy smoothie.


I often will use papaya in face masks as it is a natural exfoliator for skin. This fruit is full of enzymes which are great for the digestive system as well as for brightening your complexion and help improve dull skin. I always wondered, though, as I threw away all those seeds...what if they are just as powerful as the surrounding fruit, and I'm wasting a bunch of a good thing? So I did some research...


It turns out that papaya seeds have incredibly strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects on our digestive system AND on our skin. Hence, this simply, yet incredibly effective, healing face mask...

Papaya Seed Face Mask:

Papaya seeds from one papaya

4 chunks of the papaya fruit

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup plain yogurt

Directions:

Blend all ingredient in blender until smooth (the papaya seeds will remain a little grainy). Apply to face in circular motions to stimulate circulation. Once your face is covered in the mask, let it dry for 20 minutes. Remove with cool water in circular motions.

Disclaimer: The first time I used a mask with papaya seeds, my face stung a little. It wasn't too bad, but it was enough for me to experiment to make the perfect papaya seed face mask. The yogurt and honey really balance out the potency of the papaya seeds. The yogurt especially is soothing in case you have sensitive skin like me and react to the papaya seeds.

Skin Benefits:

Papaya Seeds: Papaya seeds have intense detoxifying properties. They are also antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. When you rub the ground papaya seeds into your skin, it will give you that extra exfoliating factors to really brighten your skin. When taken internally, papaya seeds can help with liver detoxification, help prevent and treat food poisoning, and is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory in the gut. Studies have also shown evidence that papaya seeds can help treat E coli, Salmonella, Staph and other dangerous bacterial infections. Unfortunately, the seeds are not very tasty, so if you are thinking of using them in a smoothie--beware, the taste might be too much to handle.

Papaya Fruit: The fruit of the papaya contains antioxidants and vitamin A. The papain in papaya is naturally exfoliating and helps to remove dead skin cells. Because of this, papaya also helps fade scars and blemishes, as well as unclog pores and prevent breakouts.

Honey: Raw, unrefined, uncooked honey is one of the most convenient and effective natural ingredients you can use for your skin. Honey is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. It moisturizes, brightens and softens skin giving it an otherworldly glow. The list of benefits raw honey has on skin is a mile long so I won't list everything here, but, I can tell you that for the past two months I have been washing my face with raw honey every morning and my skin has never looked better. I use raw, uncooked Manuka honey from Trader Joes. Manuka honey has more antibacterial properties than most other honey because it is made by bees who pollinate tea tree flowers. You can get it online here.

Yogurt: For face masks I use regular, Trader Joes Greek Style Plain Yogurt. I don't use non-fat and I don't use European style (it's too runny). Using yogurt with regular fat content is a lot better for your skin than non-fat yogurt. Let me just go ahead and list just some of the ingredients in yogurt that are great for skin: zinc, lactic acid, calcium and B vitamins. Zinc is anti-inflammatory, has mild astringent properties and helps to regulate oil which are all great for acneic or inflamed skin. Lactic acid is a natural exfoliant. It smooths rough skin and helps hydrate skin. It also helps prevent premature aging and discoloration. The calcium helps facilitate cell turnover. B vitamins helps skin to glow.

DIY Simple Cucumber & Aloe Toner & Toning Mist

Simple Cucumber & Aloe Toner

The great thing about this simple and quick recipe is that you can either use it as a toner by pouring it on a cotton ball and sweeping it directly on your face, or you can use it as a toning mist and put it in a spray bottle to use as a quick skin refresher on a hot summer day.

Recipe:

1 cucumber

1 aloe leaf

5 drops of peppermint essential oil or 8 fresh peppermint leaves (optional)

Directions:

In a blender (I use my bullet) blend together one whole cucumber, one aloe vera leaf and the fresh peppermint leaves if you are using them. If you do not own an aloe vera plant, you can substitute this with some 100% aloe vera gel or juice from the store--just make sure it is 100% aloe vera. I always use a leaf because I have copious amounts of aloe--it is (in my opinion) the most useful plant to have handy. 

If you are going to put the whole aloe leaf in the blender, remember to wash the outside skin (same with the cucumber). Or, you can always open up the aloe by cutting the leaf and scooping out the middle. I usually don't do this simply because it's messy and, since I know where my aloe came from, I know the skin is safe. I also use fresh peppermint because I grow that as well. Make sure to wash the leaves so that they are free of dirt.

Once all the ingredients are well-blended, take a funnel, bottle or jar and some cheesecloth or a coffee filter and strain the mixture into the bottle or jar.

Now, if you are planning on using this as a toner, you can bottle it up and put it in the fridge to sweep over your face morning and/or night.

If you are planning on using this recipe as a refreshing face mist, then you will need to let the aloe and cucumber sit in the bottle for about 30-60 minutes, or until the thicker solids settle to the bottom, and then strain it through a cheesecloth or coffee filter again, this time into a spray bottle.

If you only strain the mixture once, chances are it will clog up your spray bottle. (Trust me, I know from experience!)

Once the mixture has been strained you can add 5 drops of peppermint oil (if you want and have not already used fresh peppermint leaves). This will add to the cooling effect of the cucumber and aloe.

Last step is to store your toner in the refrigerator! Keeping it in the fridge will ensure that it is always cool when you want to use it, and it will extend the shelf life of the toner.

This is the ultimate hot summer refreshing toner. The cucumber and aloe are both soothing, hydrating and cooling. The peppermint is cooling and refreshing, and keeping it in the fridge ensures that it will always be nice and cold, providing some relief on one of the 100 degree California (or wherever you are) days.

Skin Benefits:

Cucumber: Cucumbers contain antioxidants, silica, sulfur, ascorbic acid--all which are beneficial for skin. Cucumbers have the ability to fade scars and hyper-pigmentation, reduce swelling, inflammation and redness, sooth a sunburn, tighten pores, refine your complexion, improve skin texture and moisturize all at the same time.

Aloe Vera: Aloe vera, we all know, is moisturizing and sooths irritated skin which is why it's used in all those after-sun and sunburn relief products you see. That's not all it's good for though. Aloe vera also treats acne and is anti-aging. Aloe stimulates cell growth, promotes healing and is a mild antibacterial which makes it great for acne and blemish-prone skin. It's also great for oily skin helping to moisturize without an oily residue. As for it's anti-aging properties, aloe leaves contain a plethora of antioxidants including, beta carotene and vitamins C and E which help improve skin's firmness. Aloe contains tons of nutrients including vitamins, minerals, enzymes, sugars, anthraquinones or phenolic compounds, lignin, saponins, sterols, amino acids and salicylic acid. Crazy right? Have I convinced you to go out and get your own aloe plant yet?

Peppermint and Peppermint EO: Peppermint strengthens skin tissue, banishes oil (great for a hot summer day), and soothes skin. Ever seen a sun burn relief product in the store that is "aloe vera with menthe"? Yep, the menthe is mint. It's an incredible anti-inflammatory which calms the skin and can be used for anything from acne to bug bites. Mint is a natural astringent and source for salicylic acid which prevents pores from clogging and also helps to dry up pimples. You can get the peppermint essential oil brand that I buy here.

DIY Detox Face and Body Mask

This face mask can be slightly drying but it great for pulling out deep-rooted impurities, getting rid of blackheads, drying out pimples and smoothing your skin. The batch I make is rather large since I usually use this as a whole-body mask. I will slather it on my face, back and chest all at once. You can cut the recipe down a little if you just want to use it for your face.

Ingredients:

3 Tbl Bentonite clay
4 capsules of Activated Charcoal
2 tsp Sandalwood Powder
5 drops of Vetiver essential oil (optional)
5 drop of Sandalwood essential oil (optional)

Directions:

Mix together clay and sandalwood powder. Carefully break open the Activated Charcoal capsules and mix with the clay and sandalwood powder. Slowly stir in water until it has reached your desired consistency. (I make mine pretty thick but if you want it to be a bit more gentle on your skin you can add water so that the mixture is a little thin.) Then add the essential oils and mix in. The essential oils are an added bonus but not a must. Then spread the mixture on your face and let it dry!

For a stronger mask: Substitute water for raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar. This will double the mask's detoxifying power but be careful! This mask can also really irritate skin and make it more inflamed if you have breakouts.

Side  note: You will feel the mask pulling at your skin as it dries and it may also feel a little itchy. This is completely normal. It is also normal for your skin to be somewhat red and blotchy after you rinse this mask off. Don't worry. It will soon subside. Remember, not all masks are right for everyones skin type. If something doesn't feel right, go with your gut and remove the mask.

Sometimes, for the sake of time, I will quickly whip up a modified version of this mask with just the Bentonite clay and the Activated Charcoal and mix it with some water.

Bentonite Clay: I spoke about Bentonite clay in this post. It is 100% natural calcium bentonite clay and is incredibly detoxifying. It has an amazing ability to pull impurities from the skin. It also increases circulation to the skin. More blood flow means more healing when it comes to blemishes.

Activated Charcoal: This wonder ingredient has the ability to attach itself to dirt and oil in pores which leaves your skin refined and smooth. It's kind of the "it" ingredient in skin care right now but you don't need to buy an expensive face wash with activated charcoal when you can go right to the source--and it's not even expensive!

Sandalwood Powder: Sandalwood has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and astringent properties making it ideal for people with blemish or acne-prone skin. Sandalwood powder is also great for fading scars. This has long been a highly revered ingredient for skin by people in India. You can find more face masks using sandalwood powder here and here.

Vetiver essential oil: This is one of my favorite essential oils. It's a powerful antiseptic and helps stimulate circulation to the skin and it has long been used to treat all types of skin conditions. I have found that, for me, it is one of the most effective essential oils to use as a spot treatment for breakouts. You can find one resource for all things vetiver oil here.

Sandalwood essential oil: Similar to it's powdered form, sandalwood essential oil is a powerful astringent with toning, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties. Unlike it's powdered form, sandalwood essential oil is highly moisturizing. Using it in this mask balances out the drying effect of the sandalwood powder.

The Kombucha Blast Power Breakfast

This recipe, like the last kombucha recipe I posted, was invented by my father.

If you are not keen on the taste of kombucha, but want to reap its health benefits, then this recipe is definitely for you.

Ingredients:

handful of spinach

3-4 thin slices of cucumber

3-4 slices of banana

2 slices of apple

1 handful of walnut pieces

1 handful of almond slices

1 teaspoon of ground flax seed OR ground chia seeds

1 handful of blueberries

1 handful of blackberries OR raspberries

4 oz of kombucha (whatever flavor you prefer)

Blend all ingredients until liquified and then enjoy!

This recipe is a great, super healthy kick-start to your day. If you have to run off to work in the mornings (like I do!) I would recommend blending all the ingredients together and then pouring it into a water bottle and refridgerating it overnight. Then you can just grab it and go the next day! The nuts and flax/chia seeds provide tons of protein, fiber and fatty acids while the kombucha, spinach and fruit provide wonderful yummy anti-oxidants good for your over-all health (and of course, my biggest concern...your skin!!!!). Yay for getting summer-ready!

I hope you all enjoy this recipe. If you end up doing a different version of this recipe that you like please share it with us all. We always love suggestions.

Green Tea

Some time ago The Beauty Gypsy did a post on the many health benefits of green tea.

Today she addressed how green tea can be used topically to help with skin ailments. You can check out her post here.

Green tea to beautify skin? I have lots of that . . . I'm in!

You can find more topical recipes here. And also read about some interesting, and perhaps contradictory (but very practical) information on using green tea topically, here from the Acne Einstein.

I have been breaking out so badly lately and I am definitely going to be trying this. Hopefully it will help my poor, inflamed skin from the rapidly changing (and very unpredictable) weather!

I also came across this pretty interesting post from August Skin. There's a "right" way to wash your face? Who knew?? Perhaps this could also help my current skin woes, let's hope . . .Check it out here.

Happy brewing.

Quick Tips: Enlarged Pores

Hey all! I'm so sorry I have not posted in forever. I have been completely swamped with school and work. Craziness! Here are more "quick tips" for those last-minute emergencies.

Are you looking in the mirror thinking, really? Why do my pores have to be the most clogged they have been in ages today of all days? Here are some quick fixes.

 

·         Tip 1: Exfoliate, Exfoliate (as far in advance as possible...)

o    SCRUB for a full minute with...

§  Baking Soda

§  Cornmeal (Warning: very abrasive!)

§  Sugar or Brown Sugar

§  Epsom salt

§  TIP: You can mix fresh lemon juice, tea tree oil, or lavendar essential oil with any of these scrubs for added benefits.

·         Tip 2:

o    Use toner, you can find my DIY toner here.

o    Use Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

§  Just pour on a cotton ball and rub all over your face, let dry, then moisturize.

·         Mask 1:

o    Egg Whites

§  Egg whites tighten pores and draw out impurities. Just whip up some egg whites and apply all over your face and let dry before you rinse it off.

§  TIP: To get an even deeper pore cleansing, add a few drop of tea tree oil to your egg whites before you apply to your face.

 

 

 

Something else that may really help is to dry brush your face. I'm sure you have heard of dry brushing for your body, but this can also really help cell turnover and exfoliation for your face as well.

 

Dry brushing is when you take a dry stiff-bristle brush and brush your whole body, in long upward strokes to help with detoxification and circulation. Dry brushing can help with cellulite and ripples in the skin. You always want to brush towards your heart. Once the skin is wet it is more sensitive and doing this while in the shower can possibly cause damage to the skin.

 

For the face, instead of a brush, I use an exfoliating glove like the one below. I rub it over my face in small circular motions.

 



 

TIP: You can also use this glove instead of a brush for dry brushing all over the body--it is a great exfoliator. I use it on my back and shoulders as well as my face. You can find these gloves at most drug stores. I found this one at a grocery store.  

Quick Remedies: Breakouts

I will be doing a series of these "quick tips" to remedy different skin issues in a pinch. This week we are talking about breakouts and acne.

If you have any skin "issues" that you want me to talk about, comment below. I will do one on dry skin and also one on enlarged/clogged pores.

Party tonight? Wedding in 48...or maybe worse...24 hours?

I'm not going to lie and say there's a miracle cure, but these tips will definitely help!

Acne:

So you got a sudden breakout right before a big event? This tends to happen when you are stressed out about something. Stress hormones trigger breakouts! So, number one, try to relax. Can't do that? Ok here are some masks that you won't even have to leave your house to do (for risk of going into public with that massive pimple, maybe?). No time going to the store, because, after all, who has that kind of time in a crisis like this?

• Mask 1:
• One egg white
• Ten asprin pills
• 1 tsp baking soda
• Whip egg whites together with a fork.
• Add baking soda and whip in with egg whites.
• If the asprin pills are coated, then one by one hold each pill under warm water and gently rub between your fingers until you can feel the slimy coating has mostly come off and the gritty asprin underneath is starting to be exposed.
• Drop each one into the egg white and baking soda mixture and crush with the fork and whip together.
• If the asprin you are using is uncoated, then hold all ten pills in the palm of your hand and run them under warm water for only about five seconds to start to break them apart so they are easy to mix in with the egg whites and baking soda.
• Crush/mix/whip asprin in with egg whites and baking soda.
• Smooth the mixture over you face and let sit for 20-30 mintues, then rinse off.
• TIP: This mixture is difficult to get off your skin. I suggest using a really mild soap before applying the mask, and then using a more gritty or abrasive face scrub to remove the mask.
• TIP: Depending on the egg you use, you may have more egg white or less egg white. Adjust the baking soda amount accordingly. Does it seem like you need more? Add a little more. The consistency should be pasty but not thick.

 Why??
Asprin naturally contains salicylic acid which kills pimples. Asprin can also greatly reduce inflammation and redness. It helps to apply asprin to painful pimples.
Egg whites have great healing abilities. They nourish, calm and also tighten the skin, restoring balace to blemishes.
Baking soda gives your skin a deep clean and gently exfoliates which can restore that natural glow to your skin.



• Mask 2 (A spot treatment, for when you just have that one pesky/sore/inflamed pimple):
• Three asprin pills
• Two drops of Tea Tree Oil (OPTIONAL)
• 1/8 tsp Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (also OPTIONAL...I explain below)
• If the asprin pills are coated, then one by one hold each pill under warm water and gently rub between your fingers until you can feel the slimy coating has mostly come off and the gritty asprin underneath is starting to be exposed.
• If the asprin you are using is uncoated, then quickly run each pill under warm water for only about two seconds to start to break them apart so they are easy to crush.
• Add the raw apple cider vinegar.
• Add the tea tree oil (optional).
• Apply paste onto the pimple and leave on for as long as you can.
• TIP: Sometimes all you have is asprin. Don't have the apple cider vinegar or the tea tree oil? No problem. Just warm the asprin up and crush them with warm water to make a paste and apply that to your pimple.
• TIP: Don't have tea tree oil, but happen to have lavendar essential oil? Use the lavendar essential oil instead.
• TIP: If you have a night before the event, sleep with the asprin paste on the pimple.

Why??

Asprin naturally contains salicylic acid which kills and dries up pimples. Asprin also greatly reduces redness and inflammation. It also helps if you have a particularly painful pimple.

Raw Apple Cider Vinegar has great healing properties and also kills bacteria. It contains alpha hydroxy acid which can heal blemishes quickly.

Tea Tree Oil is anti-bacterial and a great spot treatment used alone as well.

Lavendar calms and soothes irritated and blemished skin.





DIY Toner, for beautiful skin of course...

Beautiful skin is healthy skin, and this toner is healthy for your skin.

I love expensive skin-clearing/skin beautifying products just as much as the next girl, but I won't spend the money on an expensive toner that claims to work wonders because I can make my own that works just as many wonders as the expensive stuff does.

 I know because I have been using this toner for a while now and can definitely vouch for its awesome awesome skin results. Best part is that it costs close to nothing (especially compared to those so-called miracle toners I walk past in Sephora..yikes! $75? No thanks).

The ingredients for this toner all together cost around $20. Best part though? You can make tons and tons of batches. So one bottle of toner ends up costing you less than a dollar.

This toner smooths, brightens and clears your skin. I used it on my shoulders when they started to break out (which they always do in the winter!) and I saw huge results in the clarity of my skin in about four days. It works way better than the drying over-the-counter creams and even better, it doesn't bleach my clothes like the store bought topical acne medication.

This stuff works, but one warning is that your significant other or roommate might not appreciate the smell...it has apple cider vinegar in it which has a really strong and not so great smell to it. But if you can tough out the smell, it will definitely be worth it.

Also, if you put it on before you go to bed, the smell will wear off by morning.

Ingredients:

1oz bottle

3 drops lavendar essential oil

8 drops tea tree oil

raw apple cider vinegar

witch hazel

hydrogen peroxide (optional)

four drops lemon juice (optional)

**Note: I used a one-ounce bottle. If you are using a container that is larger, just follow the recipe but double or triple it depending on the size container you are using.**

First I put about three or four drops of the lavendar.

Lavendar essential oil has soothing properties and helps calm blemished skin. It also helps to dull the harsh smell of the apple cider vinegar.

Second I put around 8-10 drops of tea tree oil.

Tea tree oil is an anti-bacterial and is good for clearing up blemishes and giving the skin a good deep-cleansing to get the grime out of those pores.

Third, I put about a cap full of hydogen peroxide (this ends up being about 12 drops all together). You don't have to do this step. It isn't necessary and it's a great toner without the hydrogen peroxide. The reason why I put it in is because it is an antiseptic and also helps lighten sun spots and scars and it also is very effective at drying out pimples (which is why it is used in almost all over-the-counter topical acne medication).

Some pople say it's good for acne, but some people say it wreaks havoc on your skin. It can be too drying for people with skin that has a tendency to be dry and flaky already. Don't use it if you have dry or really sensitive skin.

Next is another optional step. I put about four or five drops of fresh lemon juice in with my toner. Lemon juice has a lot of enzymes in it so it helps to lighten acne scars and also brighten skin.

If you are obsessed with being tan, don't use the lemon juice...or the hydrogen peroxide for that matter. Both of these ingredients will probably take away, or at least significantly lighten your tan.

If you want to use the lemon juice, I would suggest making a small amount of toner at a time since it is a food and doesn't have a really long shelf life. If you are making a big batch, skip the lemon juice. You don't want your toner to go bad before you are finished using it.

(Ignore the fact that the bottle is full in this picture...I took the picture with the lemon next to the bottle after I was finished making the toner.)

Next, I fill the bottle 3/4 of the way full with raw apple cider vinegar.

Make sure it says on the apple cider vinegar that it is raw, organic and unfiltered. Refined and pastuerized apple cider vinegar will not work the same.

Raw apple cider vinegar is fermented and is loaded with so many great skin benefits. It helps the pH balance of your skin. It is filled with alpha hydroxy acid which helps with flaky or dry patches on skin, heals blemishes, and lightens age spots and sun spots. 

People also claim that apple cider helps increase circulation to the skin. This is a claim that I am not 100% sure about, but if it is true, then that's awesome too! It is great to have around because it really works well as just a spot treatment if you have a pimple.

People also drink raw apple cider vinegar to help clear up their blemishes from the inside out.

(You can see here with a 1oz bottle about where I fill it to with the apple cider vinegar.)

The last step is filling the bottle the rest of the way full with witch hazel.

Witch hazel is a disinfectant, an astringent and it contains antioxidants.

It is mild, so it doesn't dry out skin, but it is effective at cleansing and minimizing pores. It tones your skin while fighting acne-causing bacteria at the same freakin' time.

Try it out and see how it works for your skin!



DIY Matte Lipstick

Let's talk LIPS!

SO what do you do if you are on a budget and you are obsessed with matte lipstick, or you just already found your perfect red shade, you just wish it came in matte as well? Well then hopefully this video below will solve all of your problems!

Oh and something else that's great, mattifying your lipstick also makes it last much longer. It's perfect if you are going into a situation where you probably won't be able to re-apply for a while.

 

Before you watch the video, please excuse the rampant mess and dissgusting walls...I know I know, it's gross, I'm so sorry, please just ignore it! Enjoy (-:

 

 

 

ELF High Definition Powder here.

Revlon Just Bitten Lip Balm/Stain in Sweatheart here.

 

If you want to make your own lip plump you can look at my post on DIY Lip Plump here.

No time to make your own lip plump?

I also use Salley Hansen Vita-C Lip Plump which you can get here. I got it at Walgreens for $4.

 

Also, if you made your own Mineral Veil/Face Powder from my post here, you can also use that to mattify your lipstick.

 

In my matte post I talked about the NARS Lip Pencil in Cruella. This is a great blue-red and looks especially nice against light skin. NARS also has other great matte colors in this same lip pencil. You can check them out here. Below is a picture of the NARS in Cruella.

 

I know I know, I'm sooo white.

 

 

I also love love love Tarte's LipSurgence because it's like the Revlon Just Bitten. It is a lip stain and a balm in one AND it's MATTE--at the same time!! SOO awesome!

 BUT the Revlon Just Bitten Balm/Stain is around $7 while the Tarte stains are more pricey like the NARS, both being around $24. You can check out Tarte here. WARNING: You will be tempted to buy all of the colors!

 





DIY Matte Nailpolish

 

 

Ingredients:

1) One bottle of clear nailpolish (.45 fl oz/13.3 ml)

(I used NYC Long Wearing Nail Enamel #271 topcoat--cheap, only $.85 at Target!)

2) 3 1/2 tsps of cornstarch

 

 

 

As you can see, I made a mess. It is impossible not to! So, learn from my lesson and don't do it on the carpet like me, although, I have to admit, doing it on the carpet was a stupid thing to do in the first place.

 

The results were not what I expected, and I would recommend shelling out the bucks and buying a matte topcoat instead of trying to make one. Here is the one I usually use.

 

 

 

It turns out that the cornstarch clumps and balls up in the nailpolish as you add it in, so each time you add a little bit, you have to stir it around really well with the nailpolish brush.

 

After a little while the cornstarch will settle to the bottom so you have to shake it up.

 

The mattifying effect works alright after you add enough cornstarch. The cornstarch also makes your nailpolish dry a lot faster. So I guess you are kind of killing two birds with one stone.

 

 If you want to make your own quick-dry top coat that still has a shine to it, add only one tsp of cornstarch to your clear nailpolish.

 

 

 

The color I used to start out: Sinful Colors in Innocent (#944).

 

I was trying to take pictures of before and after, but it is really hard to see the mattifying effect. The picture at the top is an after picture if you want to look and try to compare. You can tell that the polish doesn't shine as much in the first picture as it does in the pictures directly above. 

 

Bottom line, if you are looking to quickly mattify...or dry...your nails, the answer is yes, cornstarch works, after much effort and work, and the best thing is that if you have an old clear nailpolish lying around and some cornstarch in the cabinet, and you are pinched for time, it is a lot cheaper and quicker than going to the store to buy a matte topcoat.

 

One other aside is that people also enjoy adding broken eyeshadow to their nailpolish to change the color slightly and also to give it a more matte color, or just dull the shine a little or add some sparkle. I have not tried this but maybe I will experiment and post about it later. If you have experimented with this I am sure we would all like to hear! Or if you do experiment with adding eyeshadow, let us know how it goes!

 

On another note, in my Matte post, I talked a little bit about ManGlaze. I LOVE this matte nailpolish and wish I could buy every single color, but it is kind of pricey. Here is a picture of the color "Fatty's Got More Blood". I swear that is the official name of the nailpolish, I couldn't make this shit up. It's a good vampire red and the matte finish gives it an edge.

 

 

This is only one coat. It becomes much a much deeper red as you add layers.

 

ManGlaze

"Fatty's Got More Blood"

 

I will be posting again about DIY matte lipstick! Check back soon (-:

 



 

 



DIY Concealer Updated

Hey all, so I have updated the DIY Concealer/Foundation post. I was finally able to upload all of the pictures. You can check it out here.

I will be doing a DIY matte lipstick post as well as a DIY matte nailpolish post to follow up on my "Matte" post which you can check out here.

Happy Friday!!

Until next time, here is a photo I took on Mount Diablo last weekend.

Toilet Seat Covers

 

Want a weird tip?

 

Oily face? Sweaty from dancing in a club or from being smashed between bodies in a crowded bar?

 

In a pinch...or even not in a pinch...use the smooth side of a toilet seat cover to wipe you face clean.

 

 

 

Oil blotting papers are usually not that expensive, but are honestly just not necessary to spend your money on. I have found that using toilet seat covers to blot the oil from my face sometimes works even better than some oil blotting papers that I have bought from the store or cosmetic companies.

 

Toilet seat covers absorb the oil from you skin, erasing shine and leaving you with a nice matte finish without taking off your makeup.

 

There are two sides to the toilet seat cover. One is more papery, and one is much smoother and feels like waxed paper. Use the waxed, smooth side.

 

This has definitely saved me a few times!

Really, anywhere you are, you are almost definitely going to be able to find a bathroom which almost always has a toilet seat cover in it.

Just one less thing you have to carry around with you in your purse--although, you could steal a few seat covers and fold them nicely or rip them into squares and keep them with you in a little baggy or something.

I know it's weird, but it's free! And who really cares? They are free, sanitary and they get the job done. Sounds awesome to me!

 

Because you can find them anywhere and everywhere you will never be without any options if you have oily skin or you are stuck rushing across campus on a hot day in spring or summer. Sounds great to me, you are covered at school, work, a restaurant, in a bar, on a date...

Not convinced? Here are some that I like, but I have to say, they cost more than toilet seat covers since they are not free, and they work just about the same!

 

I hope you find this useful!

Happy Friday

 



Some Smell-Good Tips

As of right now, my favorite fragrances are...

Miss Dior Cherie by Christian Dior

and

Burberry Brit

Some Tips to Smell Wonderful All Day Long (or All Night Long...)

1) Emanate from your tresses:

Try spraying your favorite perfume onto your hair brush, and then simply brush your hair. The perfume will stick to the natural oils on your scalp and in your hair, making the scent last long into the day or night and surrounding you with a waft of fragrance wherever you go.

2) Use Vaseline:

Take a small amount of Vaseline (petroleum jelly--any brand will do) and rub a small amount onto your wrists and behind your ears, or the back of your neck. Spray the frgrance on top of the vaseline. The fragrance will stick to your skin longer and also smell stronger because it is sitting on top of the vaseline instead of sinking into your skin. You could also use fragrance-free moisturizer if you prefer, but lotion will sink into the skin much faster than petroleum jelly by itself.

Did you know...

Women have traditionally applied perfume to the neck and inside of the wrists because these are places where blood vessels are very close to the surface of the skin. As blood pumps through the veins, these places generate more heat which releases the scent of the perfume.

Do you have any perfume tips? Any favorite fragrances lately? Share with us all and we will be forever grateful!

DIY Herbal Concealer: Part 2 of 2



Your very own, home-made, cruelty-free, herbal concealer/foundation. For background information on these ingredients, refer to this post.

 

Concealer Formula:

1/4 rounded tsp of Organic CINNAMON

1/8 tsp rounded WHITE WILLOW BARK Powder

1/8 rounded tsp ROSEHIP Powder

1/8 rounded tsp WITCH HAZEL Powder

1/8 flattened tsp BURDOCK ROOT Powder

1/8 flattened tsp MARSHMALLOW ROOT Powder

1/4 rounded tsp MICA (translucent)

1/4 rounded tsp KAOLIN Powder

1/2 rounded tsp ARROWROOT Powder

 

 

Be careful with some of these herbs because they can give you a tone that you do not want. Marshmallow root powder can give your concealer/foundation a slightly sallow tinge if you use too much of it. Willow Bark can give a slightly grey tint if you use too much of it, and rosehips powder can easily overpower the concoction and give it too much of an orange color if too much is added.

 

These colors, used together in the right amount, work very well. You can also use these colored herbs to modify the color of your concealer. If you have yellow undertones to your complexion, then the marshmallow root's yellowish tint is great for you. I have pink undertones in my complexion, which is why I used mostly cinnamon to overpower the color of my concealer.
 

 

Make sure to really grind these ingredients into a fine powder. It is easy to miss some of those cinnamon grains--these will not blend if you do not really grind the ingredients into each other. I use a mortar and pestle which can be found here. 

 

I used the arrowroot powder to lighten the formula until it was the right light pink/beige for my skin. You may not have super light skin like me. If this is the case, you may either want to use more of the other colored herbs, or simply less arrowroot powder, but as an added ingredient, arrowroot powder is good for your skin and works really well at absorbing oil.

 

 

Mixing Stage

 

 

 

Containers for your DIY concealer/foundation can be found here but I would suggest just using an empty container from old makeup if you have one lying around.

 

Finished Product

If you would like to refer back to how to do DIY at-home Mineral Veil, refer to this post.

I hope you all give this a try and I hope it goes well!

Here is a picture of my bunny Lola and I...just for the heck of it (-:

 

**This post has been updated with pictures, sorry for the delay!**

 

DIY Concealer/Foundation DUO: PART 1 of 2

 

So this is part 1 of a 2-part post. I wanted to do this in two parts because there is too much information to pack in to one post. It would be overwhelming.

 

I like to make my own powdered concealer (you could also use it as a foundation though) because...

1. I know that it is a cruelty-free product, since I made it 

2. It is a lot cheaper than a lot of pricey concealer but just as good as say, BareMinerals and

3. I can use only natural ingredients that are great for my skin and that make my skin look fabulous

 

 

For this first part, I just want to intrduce the ingredients that I use for this project. But know that as I tell you about each ingredient and why I use it, you are also welcome to not use whatever ingredients you feel you do not need for your skin. I have tailored my formula around what benefits I think my skin is in need of. Your skin may very well have other needs, or not all the needs of my skin.

 

All these ingredients are herbs and I usually get them from Mountain Rose Herbs because they are organic and safe and they have a lot of fair trade options. You can visit their website here.

Here goes the list:

 

1. Witch Hazel Bark powder: Witch hazel that you can find at drugstores (liquid form) is extracted from the bark and twigs. Witch hazel is anti-inflammatory and helps with vericose veins and can also help tighten pores. Can be found here.

 



 

    2. White Willow Bark powder: White willow bark naturally contais salicylic acid which we know is found is almost all acne treatment products. It is anti-inflammatory and helps to reduce swelling and relieve sensitivity. Can be found here.

 

 

 

    3. Rose Hips powder: Rose hips naturally contain a lot of vitamin C. It hydrates the skin rather than drying it out and is contains antioxidants. It is good for anti-aging properties as well. Can be found here.

 

 

 

    4. Marshmallow Root powder: This root is anti-inflammatory and an antibiotic which is why it is used a lot on localized skin problems, like boils, burns and sores. It helps in healing wounds and irritations. I have found a website that lists a lot of the benefits of marshmallow root which you can check out here. You can find marshmallow root here.

 









 

 

    5. Burdock Root powder: Please visit this website here for awesome information on burdock root. This herb is great for detoxification and purification of the skin. I is used a lot to treat chronix skin problems and also, like rose hip powder, contains tons of vitamin C which is a great anti-oxidant and anti-againg vitamin for the skin. Can be found here.

 

 

 



     6. Cinnamon: Yes, I know, quite unusual...if you do not feel comfortable putting cinnamon on your face, no one is making you, but this is a great, natural way to get the right color for your DIY concealer. Cinnamon can bring blood and oxygen to the skin surface which can help with blood flow. This helps with acne and healing. BUT cinnamon can also be drying and irritating. My skin is very sensitive, but I do not use enough of it in my concealer formula to irritate my skin or to dry it out. Chances are, if it doesn't irritate my skin, it probably won't irritate yours--but there is always that chance, so I suggest spot-testing this concealer before you use it all over your face. You can get cinnamon at any grocery store. Use organic cinnamon only on your skin. This is the one that I use:

 

 

 

 

For these last three products, you can also reference my post on DIY mineral veil here.

 

    7. Arrowroot Powder: This starch can be found at any health food store, even many regular grocery stores carry this product. Arrowroot powder nourishes and moisturizes the skin while absorbing oil. Most powder products on the market use modified cornstarch. Arrowroot powder essetially has the same effects but it is even better for your skin and is really great for sensitive skin. I also use this as a base in my DIY mineral veil powder.

 



 

    8. Kaolin: Kaolin is a product that is used in a lot of makeup products. It has really great covering ability and also absorbs oil. It's real main purpose for me is that it helps to clear up break outs and also sooths irritated, blemished skin. It also refines pores. You can get a bag of kaolin here.



 

 

    9. Mica: Mica powder is a texterizer and helps to aid in making the powder adhere to your face while also not irritating your skin. It also helps the different ingredient adhere to each other. It prolongs the staying power of the powder. There are tons of color options when it comes to buying mica. For face makeup, buy the translucent powder. You can get mica powder here.

 

 

 

So there you have all of the ingredients. Check back in about a day or so. I will be posting the exact formula for the concealer that I use. Remember, though, that I have really light skin. Your formula may vary from mine according to your skin color. I will explain more about how to experiment with color in my next post. All the best!