Home made Beauty recipes

Coffee

 

This aromatic bean contains Magnesium and Vitamin E. It's properties include antioxidant, antibacterial, exfoliating, and stimulating.

 Invigorating Coffee Scrub 

• 3 T Coffee grounds (organic-caffeinated)
• 1 T Salt (optional)

To Make:  Brew a fresh pot of coffee. Enjoy a cup, if you like. Put grounds (and salt) in a small bowl. Use grounds within 20 minutes of brewing before oxidation occurs.

To Use:  Scrub mixture over entire body while in the shower. Rinse. Tone. Moisturize.

Cucumber

Cucumis sativus

A vegetable used for it's cooling and astringent properties.  Try a couple of slices for your tired eyes.

Cucumber- Honey Toner

• 1 medium Cucumber, peeled and cut up into pieces
• 2 tsp. Honey

Puree cucumber in a blender. Line a sieve with cheesecloth and set the sieve over a glass bowl or measuring cup. Pour the cucumber puree through the sieve and let it stand for 15 minutes for the juices to drip into the bowl. Pour the clear juice into a clean bottle and add honey.2G9FEQK3K4QE

To use, shake the bottle and saturate a cotton pad with the lotion. Sweep over face, neck and chest morning and night, and let it air dry (about 3 to 4 minutes). Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Makes about 1/2 cup

Cucumber Hair Drench

If you swim in a chlorinated pool for exercise on a regular basis, the same damage you've noticed happening to your skin and bathing suit, is happening to your hair, as well. Try this treatment at home to keep chlorine damage to a minimum.

• 1 egg
• 1 eggshell's worth of olive oil
• 1 quarter of a peeled cucumber

 Blend the egg, olive oil and  peeled cucumber. Spread evenly through your hair, leave on for 10 minutes, then thoroughly rinse. For the best results year-round, continue this treatment monthly.

Avocado

Persea americana

Rich in vitamins A, D, E, potassium, sulfur and chlorine, this fruit is used in facial and hair packs and is deep penetrating.

 

Avocado Carrot Cream Mask

This mask combines avocados, which are rich in Vitamin E, with carrots, which are high in beta-carotene and antioxidants, and cream, which is high in calcium and protein.  These ingredients will rebuild skin collagen, improve tone and texture, and fade age spots.

• 1 avocado, mashed
• 1 carrot, cooked and mashed
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 egg, beaten
• 3 tablespoons honey

Combine all ingredients in a bowl until smooth.  Spread gently over your face and neck, and leave in place 10-15 minutes.  Rinse with cool water and follow with your favorite toner.

 
 Kiwi

Actinidia Chinesis

This fruit is high in vitamin C and has enzymatic and detergency properties making it helpful for skin and hair preparations.

 Kiwi Facial Cleanser (for dry or oily skin)

• 1 kiwi fruit
• 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon orange water
• 1 tablespoon apricot or almond oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon finely ground almonds
• 2 drops orange (or your favorite citrus) essential oil
   

     Puree the kiwi fruit in a food processor until liquid. During processing, add yogurt, orange water, almond or apricot oil, and ground almonds. Process until thick and cream like.  Add essential and stir to mix. To apply, massage gently over neck, face and décolleté to cleanse. Rinse well.  Makes one application.

Thyme

Thymus vulgaris 

This herb is used for its toning, refreshing and disinfectant properties

Thyme and Fennel Seed Cleanser (for normal skin)

Fennel has been used throughout history as an aid to digestion or as a slight diuretic. As an infusion, fennel seeds can be gently cleansing and toning for the skin, and they can help reduce puffiness and superficial irritation. Thyme, which is used in antiseptic preparations, is a good astringent. Because this cleanser is very gentle, it can be used each morning. Dab it on your face and neck with a cotton ball, and rinse.

• 2 sprigs fresh thyme, crumbled (or 1/2 T dried Thyme)
• 2 teaspoons fennel seeds, crushed
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• Juice of Half Lemon

     Mix the thyme and fennel seed in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Add lemon juice and steep for 15 minutes. Strain the infusion and store the liquid in a jar, in the refrigerator.

Pumpkin

Cucurbita popo L.

A member of the Gourd family, pumpkins are high in vitamin C for all-around tissue building and healing.

Spa Index Papaya Pumpkin Facial

If you have visited spas and resorts in exotic locales such as the Pacific Rim, Bali, Hawaii, and Tahiti, you've probably seen a facialist select and mash fresh fruit in front of you for a fresh-on-the spot enzyme mask. It's easy to recreate this mask at home -- we've found a Balinese mask for you which will leave your face fresh and glowing.

• 2/3 cup fresh papaya, mashed
• 15 oz. can pure pumpkin
• 1 egg, beaten

1. Prepare the mask. Cut the papaya in half and scoop out the seeds. Scoop out the papaya fruit and mash it well to eliminate lumps in the mask. Beat the egg until it is frothy. Combine that with the papaya. Add the pumpkin to the egg/papaya mixture and whip together. You can also mix the ingredients in the blender or a food processor for an extra smooth mask.

2. Prepare your face. Wash with your daily cleanser and remove all residual makeup on your skin. Rinse with warm water. It's very important to have clean skin to ensure you get maximum benefits from the facial.

3. Apply the Mask. Cover your entire face, being careful to avoid the immediate eye area. If you have sensitive skin, test the mixture on your hand before spreading it on your face. You'll feel some tingling as the enzymes in the pumpkin go to work immediately -- gently exfoliating your top layer of skin. It works like a scrub without being abrasive to your skin. Leave the mask on for 10 minutes.

4. Rinse Off Mask. After you've relaxed for ten minutes it's time to rinse. The mask is fairly thick -- head for the kitchen sink.

5. Apply Toner & Moisturizer.

Posted in: