Archive for the Category »natural regimen «

Jan
19

Creame-on-Face-300x239Do you still remember THIS CATEGORY?, well since one of my New Year’s resolutions is to be able to save more this year and turn into one sensible shopper, I thought of minimizing my vanity purchases and try out more natural beauty regimen which products can be found at home.

Here are a couple of DIY Beauty Regimen which I snagged from Alpha. Thanks Alpha!

ANTI-AGING FACE MASK
This mask will add hydration to your skin, neutralize free radicals responsible for aging, and minimize the appearance of fine lines by boosting collagen and elastin.

Ingredients
1 tsp organic honey (draws and retains moisture)
1 tbsp organic yogurt (skin-nourishing natural fats and lactic acids)
1-5 drops argan oil (rich in Vitamin E, anti-age, reduce inflammation)
Directions
Microwave honey for 10 seconds in a microwave. Mix honey, yogurt, and argan oil in a small bowl. Apply to face, leave on 15 mins and remove with a warm towel.

ORGANIC LIP BALM from Glamology.
It’s easy to do, does not contain toxic ingredients or preservatives, very inexpensive to make, and sure to keeps your lip well moisturized.

Ingredients
2 oz Beeswax
1 oz Organic Coconut Oil (or Olive Oil)
5-10 drop Essential Oil (ex: Peppermint)
Directions
Grate beeswax into a large Pyrex cup and add coconut oil. Fill a large pot with a small amount of water and heat at medium/low. Place Pyrex cup into water and stir to melt fully. Carefully remove cup from water and let cool a minute. Poor into a small glass container and add essential oil and stir. Let cool for an hour or so.

Next DIY Hunt: To find the best acne treatments that can be made in your own home.

Aug
21

olive_oil
The first time I heard of this Oil Cleansing Method was when I was checking my feeds from Google Reader and found THIS ENTRY. It is pretty simple as you will only need these:

- a soft washcloth
- a blend of castor oil and olive oil
- hot water

I had a hard time looking for castor oil and even thought that this kind of oil is being used to tune up cars and other auto accessories, but I was wrong hee hee :) . I researched where to buy it but ended up getting a bottle from DH’s Aunt who always has everything you’ll ever need. Giddily, I did it one weekend and again, the instruction is pretty simple as well:

The Method:
1. Pour the oil into your palm. Rub your hands together to warm the oil and smooth it over your face.
2. Massage the oil into your face. Massage the oil deeply into your pores in a circular motion. Work it into your pores so that blackheads and all that gunk can be dissolved and steamed away. (I love it when I feel little beady, pore-clogging stuff coming out of my pores as I massage the oil, delightfully gross haha!)
3. Once you feel your pores are clean enough, pick up your washcloth and soak it in hot water. The water must be warm enough to open pores and remove the oil.
4. Cover your face with the warm washcloth, and let it stay until it cools.
5. Wipe the oil away and rinse the washcloth well in hot, running water. Repeat steps 4 & 5 for at least 2 more times.

Amazingly, you’ll instantly see how this method can rid off your stubborn black heads! For more information, you can read THIS. I do not recommend it to oily skin because DH who has oily skin, broke out when we did this process together. I have normal-dry skin and got no breakouts.

If you want an easier step but would spare some budget, Shu Uemura really sells out good cleansing oils. Check it out HERE and HERE.
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Aug
07

Tomorrow is the big day. It will be a very long day for me. I feel jittery and nervous that after almost 2 years of not doing make-up professionally, here I am accepting a bridal make-up plus some sponsors/entourage make-up. The more challenging part of it is that I will be part of the wedding too. In short, all eyes will be at the bride and criticisms on how she’ll look tomorrow will be heard by me 1st-hand. Ahh, I really hope I’d be able to enhance her beauty and make an exceptional creation. Anyways, as for my look tomorrow, I am loving my dress which DH got for me. I am just grateful that my friends and I have started our Pull 20/20 a dollar a pound, loser takes all weight loss challenge at least 7 days before the wedding and I still have time to lose weight. I lost 3 lbs since August 1 :) . I hope to be consistent on this. If you ask me, one of the best weight loss tips ever is simply: SELF CONTROL/DISCIPLINE. All food cravings are just in the mind, you’re not really starving, so don’t eat. Oh well, I’d rather not talk too soon as it’s still too early to tell if I’d be able to shed off my targeted 20 lbs. Instead of giving you weight loss tips, here are natural beauty aide tips I got from Dez. Some of which I have already done and vouche at their effectiveness. Have a fabulous weekend!

Olive oil as makeup removerfloral-oliveoil

We all know the benefits of consuming good fats like extra virgin olive oil, but they also work wonders for the skin when applied topically.

Makeup removers and cleansing oils can get pricey, but good ol’ EVOO (as Rachel Ray puts it) wipes away foundation, liquid eyeliner, and even waterproof mascara in a flash.

Olive oil does not clog your pores or irritate your eyes, so it’s completely safe. It also moisturizes the skin, as well as your eyelashes, but be sure to wash your face as you normally would after you use it to remove your makeup.

Simply pour some on a cotton pad and let the olive oil do its magic.

Papaya non-chemical peel

Chemical peels have also been the must-have treatment, especially among those who want to achieve smooth and less wrinkled skin.

papaya

There are many types of chemical solutions used, but needless to say are very harsh as the concentration of acids used is much higher than, say, buying a regular alpha hydroxy acid face mask at the department store. If you’ve tried this treatment, or have seen someone who’s had it, you know what I mean when your face can look quite unsightly for the

next few days. Or you can just think of Samantha from that episode from Sex and the City where her face looked redder than a tomato.

Papaya contains an enzyme that dissolves the top outermost layer of your skin. All you need is a bit of the pulp by scraping the leftover from inside of the peel (after you’ve opened and sliced it), rub it on to a clean face and neck, and

then wait for five to 10 minutes. You may feel a slight tingling as the juice dries, but that just means that the papaya enzymes are working their way to dissolving your dead skin cells.

Remember, if you have sensitive skin, are on Accutane medication, or just recently got sunburned, you may want to do a small patch test first on your skin before doing both the baking soda microdermabrasion and the papaya peel

treatment.

Also avoid too much sun exposure after doing either one, because though they are both relatively safe, your skin’s new layer will be very sensitive to the sun afterward.

Ice cube facial
If you pulled an all-nighter either working overtime or having fun on a Saturday night, you’re likely to wake up with puffy eyes and tired-looking skin in the morning.
Instead of using those gel masks that you freeze overnight and placing it on your face for five minutes, a quicker way to do it is to simply grab a small ice cube from the freezer and gently run it all over your face and carefully under your eyes until it melts.

Your skin instantly feels refreshed and more awake, and the cold ice quickly de-puffs the bags under your eyes.

Sugar and olive oil lip exfoliator

When my lips get really dry, cracked, and start to peel, it feels really uncomfortable and definitely does not look sexy.

I’ve tried all kinds of lip exfoliators, and by far, this simple home remedy works best for me. Mix a small amount of sugar with olive oil to make a paste and rub it on your lips until the dead skin cells have sloughed off.

Just wipe off the sugar to leave a bit of olive oil residue to moisturize your lips and get ready to pucker up!

Baking soda for microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a popular treatment offered at spas or dermatologists to remove the outermost layer of dead skin cells on your face using fine crystals.

Done regularly, it lessens and fades the appearance of scars, age spots, uneven skin tone, fine lines, and even helps treat acne. Well, you can get a safe yet effective alternative to that at home just by mixing one tablespoon of baking soda with one teaspoon of water.

Just very lightly massage it onto your face and throat, rinse, and you’re done.

This literally costs you next to nothing compared to getting a professional treatment, and no appointment is necessary.

Source: HERE
Jul
24

Okay as promised, after sharing a natural beauty regimen, here are the moisturizers, cleansers, toners, facial soap/lotion, and make-up remover that I use depending on the season :) . Care to share yours?

I remember a friend who has wireless alarms/alarm clocks in her vanity dresser. She needs to time herself whenever she applies make-up. Isn’t that cute ;)

Mouse over, complete list in the notes.

FROM RIGHT TO LEFT.

  • Clinique Toner for travel bag
  • Clinique Rinse-Off Eye Make-up Solvent, eye make-up remover
  • Clinique all about eyes. Reduce puffiness, undereye circles etc…
  • Clinique Moisture Surge, very good for extreme weather condition
  • Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
  • Clinique Liquid Facial Soap, Mild
  • Clinique Facial Soap, travel kit size
  • Clinique Moisturizing Lotion, travel kit size
  • Clinique Clarifying Lotion/Toner STEP 2
  • Clinique Moisturizing Lotion
  • Olay Total Effects 7 Signs Serum
  • Regular Olay Moisturizer
  • Olay Total Effects 7 anti-aging moisturizer, one is with  SPF 15
  • Aveeno Skin Brightening  Daily Scrub
  • St. Ives Apricot Invigorating Scrub
Jul
06

winter-skin-care-picturesThey say Genetics contribute a lot to the kind of skin a person has. I agree with this. Fortunately for me, I inherited my mom’s genes which is not acne-prone, although my mom’s skin is way way better than mine.

Speaking of genes, if you are interested to trace your roots, you might want to check out this ancestry dna site and be surprised how far you can go as per your family background is concerned.

Moving on, I found this best 10 Skin Care Tips from THIS SITE and I agree with most of the items here. I’m guilty of #1 and eventhough I am very much aware how much Sun can be damaging to the skin, I am so lazy in terms of applying sunblock.

1. Be religious about sun protection.
2. Support “the girls” at all times, even while you sleep.
3. Consider plastic surgery as a last resort.
4. Do your research if you decide plastic surgery is right for you

5. Stop (or don’t start) smoking.
6. Drink lots of water.
7. Give up caffeine.
8. Exercise!
9. Cut back on stress.
10. Nourish your inner beauty.

(image: swiped from google)

May
31

I am an advocate of anything natural. Call me paranoid but you need to convince me 1 million times before I take a plunge and go for the unnatural. I always think of the side effects of all things unnatural especially when my skin is concerned or my body/health is, in general.

Of course, I use moisturizers, toners, cleansers etc… from drugstores and cosmetics stores but at least weekly or whenever my face needs extensive cleaning because of too much sun exposure and too much make-up usage, I indulge in my favorite natural beauty regimen. That is milk!

What you will need is fresh milk (because I find it light on the skin), make sure it is super chilled or cold, a face cloth and a washed face. Soak the face cloth in the cold milk, dab on your face, concentrate on the nose and cheeks. Leave it for 2-5 minutes until it feels sticky and tight, then you can wash. You can instantly see the radiance and softness of your milk-rejuvenated skin.

Beauty Regimen.

As for exfoliation, here’s an interesting video I snagged from YouTube. Coffee is a common ingredient in many exfoliators of famous spas. Enjoy watching the video and I hope you get something useful out of it. Speaking of useful sites, you might want to visit this long distance moving companies for all your moving needs, a friend was so happy about their service that he wants me to let you know of this site :) .

Mar
01

840604lSince I have been slacking off on beauty posts, here’s  a little something to compensate my broken promises to the meager number of readers of this blog :) .

I find Catherine Zeta Jones gorgeous but not the best face in Hollywood but boy oh boy, her skin and hair are really luscious! You know it’s oh-so-naturally taken care of.

Here are some of her natural beauty regimen which she shared HERE:

‘I rub a mixture of honey and salt all over my body to moisturise and exfoliate,’ she says.

‘You wash it off and your skin is gorgeous. Also, I love to eat an apple after a meal, just to cleanse my teeth – they always look polished afterwards.’

If there aren’t any apples in the fruit bowl, a strawberry will suffice.

‘The juice or pulp of strawberries contains malic acid which serves as an astringent and can lighten surface stains,’ she explains. ‘ Pineapples work the same way.’

‘I do condition my hair with honey and beer.

Dang where is the Em who used to be really vain and would spend weekends resting and catching up with some natural beauty regimen? Yes I used to be like that before and now I barely have time to do my weekly facial mask. Some of my proven natural beauty regimen includes:

  • Coconut oil for the hair/hot-oil version
  • Bathe with milk, fresh milk, at least 2x a month :)
  • Petroleum Jelly loaded feet with socks on for that soft heels while at night’s sleep
  • when washing face, start with lukewarm, then hot and end with very cold, almost chilly water. (for the pores)
  • brush your nails with lemon or anything citrusy


That would be all for now, off to check out these ceiling fans :) .