What girl doesn’t LOVE chocolate? I am a chocoholic shopaholic. And since eating too much chocolate has never been good for me I needed to think of a better way to keep the sweet stuff in my life.
I came up with this yummy chocolate honey mask that I absolutely LOVE. It’s my go to mask because I always have the ingredients on hand, and did I mention that I LOVE chocolateJ
Also chocolate has a very high antioxidant content which helps prevent any further cell damage brought on by too much unprotected sun exposure and other harmful toxins. Chocolate can also improve the skins appearance by increasing blood flow, increasing hydration, and decreasing skin roughness. The honey is a natural preservative and skin firmer, Vitamin E is typically placed in skin care products to help keep the skin from the appearance of aging.
That all by its little self is enough for me to be THRILLED, not to mention how yummy it smells, and how silky my face feels afterwards.
Now if you Google chocolate mask you will probably find other chocolate masks that may be a better fit for you, I defiantly suggest you experiment and figure out which ingredients you love best. Here is my list of ingredients:
2 tablespoons of dark chocolate
7 pierced vitamin E capsules
1 tablespoon of powdered milk
1 tablespoon of honey
1 tablespoon of water
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You could use cocoa powder if you want to instead of the dark chocolate, but the antioxidants are higher in the dark chocolate. I just buy a large dark chocolate bar and keep it in the freezer until I need to use it. Typically one bar will last a month and I only pay $2 a bar. All other ingredients usually last about two months. Which makes this not only a very natural face mask, but a thrifty one too.
Put the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and do 10 second intervals mixing the chocolate until the chocolate is nice thick and creamy.
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| The consistency should be thick and creamy at this point |
Next add the tablespoon of water to the powdered milk and mix well, then add the milk to the chocolate and mix that up real well. It will be significantly thinner.
Next pierce the vitamin E capsules if you have not already done so, and squeeze the oil into the chocolate mix.
Add the honey and mix well.
Add the mask to a clean dry face and leave on for 15-20 min.
*The thinner you apply the mask the easier it will be to take off
Follow up with your favorite moisturizer.
Sit back, put your feet up, and enjoy the wonderful aroma of chocolate without all those extra calories.
p.s. Do not forget to add some to the back of your hands also, the hands show age quicker than the face does.
Enjoy!!
Coconut Oil
p.s. Do not forget to add some to the back of your hands also, the hands show age quicker than the face does.
Enjoy!!
Coconut Oil
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Coconut oil has been used for so many things. People all over really seem to love this stuff. It seems to be good for EVERYTHING!!! (Even though I would love to better understand how it helps a person loose weight) A couple of things I like to use it for is skin care, and hair care.
Coconut oil is used as an ingredient in a lot of hair care products, and body products because of its moisturizing benefits. It's used in many anti dandruff shampoos because it moisturizers the scalp and keeps the scalp from flaking, and itching.
I like to buy my coconut oil from Walmart because it's 100% coconut oil, there aren't any added ingredients, and at only $10 a jar it's pretty thrifty, especially when you think of all the different ways to use it. My Coconut oil will last for about a month or more depending on if Mr. Fireman uses it too :)
To use as a scalp treatment just melt it over boiling water ( don't microwave) until its melted but not too hot, then massage into the scalp making your way down to the ends of your hair. Once you're through with this just wrap your hair in a towel and leave on for 30 min or longer. Wash hair twice making sure all oil is out, condition, then dry hair as usual. You will find that not only does your scalp feel good but your hair will feel silky soft.
To use as a body moisturizer and face moisturizer just add a little to your hands and apply to face and body. This is best done at night after a nice bath or shower because the oil is kinda heavy. If you want, and for added benefits, you could add your favorite essential oil mixed into the coconut oil before applying to the body.
*Don't forget to apply some to your hands and cuticles, remember your hands see age faster then your face does*
So this is what I use coconut oil for, but there are a ton more ideas on the Internet,
Cheapest Facial Ever!!
Ask anyone who is adamant about taking care to treat their skin with good facial products and they will tell you how expensive it can be. When I was working for a day spa in FT. Worth a while back we did extensive research on different products that we would potentially use on our guest's. Let me just say those products were extremely expensive, and chalk full of ingredients I did not want used on my skin.
Cheapest Facial Ever!!
Ask anyone who is adamant about taking care to treat their skin with good facial products and they will tell you how expensive it can be. When I was working for a day spa in FT. Worth a while back we did extensive research on different products that we would potentially use on our guest's. Let me just say those products were extremely expensive, and chalk full of ingredients I did not want used on my skin.
One of my favorite expensive skin care brands is called Dermalogica. I love that stuff so much, everything they use in their products is all natural, but unfortunately I don't like the hefty price tag that comes along with it. One of my favorite products that they have is their Daily Microfoliant, and at $50 for 2.5oz, it's too expensive for me.
What I have learned to do is take simple ingredients found in my pantry, and use them for my skin care products. I love doing research on different ways to clean my face or moisturizer it with clean, natural, and simple ingredients.
So here is a simple list of ingredients I use on my face to save me money.
*Also I encourage you to do your own research and find some homemade facials that best suit you.*
Cleanser- 1 table spoon of dry milk, 1 table spoon of water, and 1 table spoon of honey,
the milk hydrates, soothes, and moisturizers, while the honey is a natural astringent that contains natural antibacterial properties.
You could use a couple drops of tea tree oil if you would like, which is great for people with acne.
If you would rather make this without using dairy, coconut milk is also a great choice. I personally like to use dry milk because one box keeps for a long time.
Face scrub- this is a simple one, just baking soda and plain ole water. All you’re doing here is getting old dead skin off so new skin can show through, and give a healthy glow. Easy peasy.
Toner- there are so many different homemade toners to try, my favorite so far is just brewing chamomile mint tea, letting it cool and then filling a spritzer that you get at any store with the tea and spitzing the tea all over the face and décolleté.
This is wonderful to make in the summer, just keep the bottle in the fridge and use for a few days, very refreshing!!
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| I know this picture don't really go, I just loved how happy it made me feel :) |
Night time moisturizer- Coconut oil mixed with three pierced vitamin E capsules is all you need for a great night time moisturizer.
This is my favorite because I like to get creative using homemade moisturizers. Unfortunately all of my suggestions are quite heavy and should probably not be used if you plan on going anywhere, unless you like the oily look.
Face mask- I love my homemade chocolate face mask, but I also like to mash up a banana, or avocado and apply to the face and back of hands. Both of these fruits have really good moisturizing benefits.
Most of these ingredients you will find already in your pantry making this a very thrifty way to take good care of your skin, and it's all natural so you don't have to worry at all about what other chemicals are going into your skin.
So these are just a few of my favorite ingredients, I have a few more but that will be another post another day :) Do you enjoy making your own skincare products or do you have a favorite brand that you cant tug yourself away from???
what are some ways you use coconut oil?
Homemade Vanilla and Lemon Hand Scrub
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Homemade Vanilla and Lemon Hand Scrub
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I absolutely love the smell of lemon and vanilla together. Especially in the summer time. So I decided to make up a sweet little hand scrub that is very nourishing to dry hands. If done once daily you will see a big improvement in the way your Hands feel, and the way they look.
All the ingredients are found in most households, and the great thing about this hand scrub is that it's so cheap and easy to just make up a batch that will last you a week, as opposed to buying a very pricy hand scrub that is chalk full of ingredients you really shouldn't be putting on your body.
Ingredients:
Two broken capsules of vitamin E
1 tablespoon of coconut oil
1 cup of olive oil
1 cup of sugar
1 cap full of vanilla extract
1/2 of a juiced lemon
Mix the ingredients together and put in an air tight jar. Keep it up to one week. Something I like to do is keep it next to the kitchen sink so that I'm reminded to do my hands every time I wash the dishes.
What a very easy and inexpensive way to keep your hands exfoliated and looking younger. J
Avocado Face Mask
Avocado Face Mask
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While on the 100 day vegan challenge I have been eating a ton of avocados, and since here lately they have been on sale I've been buying even more than I can eat. So what do I do with all those left over avocados??? I make a face mask. Avocados have vitamins C, and K. And more than any other fruit avocados have the highest amount of vitamin E than any other fruit according to Live Strong.
Something I didn't know about avocados is that avocados contain sterolins which help produce more skin collagen and reduce the incidence of age spots. Avocados are also moisturizing, and hydrating to the skin.
Hallelujah!!! This is just what my dry skin needs. :)
To make an avocado face mask just mash 1/2 the avocado in a bowl (save the rest for later)
1 tablespoon of olive oil, (optional)
7 broken capsules of vitamin E
Mix well and smear on a clean dry face, neck, and décolleté. Leave on for 10-15 min rinse off with warm water and follow up with a good moisturizer.
Easy peasy pudding pop!!
*this mask is very messy so don't wear good clothes, or just do this mask right before getting into the shower*
Don't forget if you have any leftover you could also do a great hand or foot facial.
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DIY Bronzer/Foundation
People who know me best know that I have a great love for any type of skin care product including makeup. Unfortunately it has been a while since I have allowed myself to wear any makeup other than the occasional use of mascara and lip gloss. The reason you ask? Well because, after doing much research back when I worked for a day spa, I found that the chemicals that are used in many skin care products are really harmful for the skin and in some cases may increase the aging process. Since then I have done my best to make sure that nothing goes on my face unless it is natural and light feeling.
I have wanted to buy the Bare Essentials brand for a long time, but its so hard for me to pay so much money on something that don't seem like a huge necessity
But because of the New Year I have decided that maybe its not such a bad thing to start putting myself second (God first) for a change. Just a little bit. Still, I cant afford to spend that much money on foundation, and since I DIY my own skin care regimen then perhaps I can DIY my makeup as well.
So I searched on Pinterest and found some really good recipes to make your own bronzer and foundation using just a few ingredients that are found in most of our kitchens. The one I will share with you good people today is the face bronzer/foundation. This bronzer is so light and airy on the skin I didn't feel like I was wearing anything at all. I also need to point out that I slept with the makeup on overnight to see if I would have any negative reaction and since my skin is pretty sensitive I figured I would, but there was no reaction at all.
the ingredients are simple,
corn starch, cocoa powder, and cinnamon
I didn't measure anything just eyeballed it until I came to a color that I liked and that would match my skin well.
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For a liquid foundation I used the same ingredients but added the powder mixture to a little bit of my daytime face moisturizer. Even though the powder mixture looks really dark it actually matched my skin tone really well. Also I want to add that because there are no artificial chemicals the product does not stay on as long as other store bought foundations or powders.
I was a bit weary about the cinnamon going on my very sensitive face but like I mentioned above I had no negative reaction at all. In fact I think my skin looked even better and healthier when I woke up. :) Here is a neat little article about the benefits of cinnamon applied topically.
Now for a before and after.
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| Before without makeup (my eyeliner is tattooed) and after with the DIY makeup, lip gloss, and some mascara. I know it's a bad before and after, but seriously it does cover well, try it and see for yourself :) Oh and please excuse my bad unplucked eyebrows, I know, I'm starting to look like Burt. |
Next up homemade lip gloss :)
