Avocado

September 28, 2009 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , , ,

avoFor centuries, ancient Mayan, Aztec, and Incan beauties knew the avocado is also a wonderful beauty aid, rich in beneficial oils that rejuvenate the skin, reduce eye puffiness, heal frazzled hair, and much, much more.

Like many other ingredients in skin care, avocados come in more than just its regular fruit form. Avocado oil is especially beneficial to the skin. A natural moisturizer, avocado oil is perfect for skin that has been damaged by the sun or suffers from age spots and scarring. Filled with plant steroids, avocado oil works within the skin to smooth, soften and promote a lasting moisturizing effect. In anti-aging, avocado oil has been clinically shown to aid in the increase of collagen in the skin, creating a plumper, suppler, more youthful-looking complexion for those with mature skin. Its ideal emollient properties also make avocado oil easily absorbable in skin tissue and can be very beneficial not just to those with mature skin types, but skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and those with dry, itchy skin.

Avocados are perishable, so be sure to use these formulas as soon as you make them. When buying avocados, look for organically-grown firm fruit with a slight “give” to the flesh. To use, cut the avocado in half lengthwise and remove the pit. Cover the unused half with plastic wrap and refrigerate.

Here are different recipes to try to our hair, face/skin, hands.

Hair

1. Deep Luxurious Conditioning

Mayonnaise (real not miracle whip)

½ ripe avocado

In a small bowl, mash ripe avocado and mix thoroughly with ½ cup of mayonnaise. Gently massage into clean damp hair. Leave on for about 20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.

2. Strengthening mask

1 egg

8 tablespoons of olive oil (extra virgin)

1 ripe avocado

1/3 cup of plain yogurt

favorite shampoo and conditioner

Beat egg well. Combine frothy egg mixture with olive oil, avocado, yogurt. Massage into dry hair. Leave for about 20-25 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water (too warm and you’ll end up with “hair ala scrambled egg”. Shampoo and condition as usual.

3. Just the yolk please

1 egg yolk mixed well with a mashed ripe avocado.

Combine mixture and apply to damp clean hair. Extremely moisturizing and feels really good.

4. Avocado/ Castor oil Mask

8 tablespoons of Castor oil mixed well with a ripe avocado. Apply to dry hair for 15-20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and shampoo and condition as usual.

5. Coconut/ Avocado Combo

4 ounces Coconut Milk mixed with ripe avocado. Apply to damp clean hair and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with luke warm water.

Eyes

Aztec Miracle for Puffy Eyes
This works so well it’s almost scary. Just slice a peeled avocado half into quarter-inch crescent-shapes. Lie down with a few slices under each eye and rest for around 20 minutes. You’ll love the results!

Face

Face Mask
Just mash half an avocado and spread evenly on your clean face. Allow to remain for 15 minutes, then rinse off with warm water. This is best for dry skin types.

Appealing Moisturizer
Turns out we’ve been throwing away (or composting) a valuable part of the avocado!! You can use the inside of the peel as a fabulous humectant and oil-rich moisturizer. Just lightly apply the inside of the peel to your clean face, using gentle upward strokes. You can leave the oil on your face all night or rinse after 15 minutes. Makes a great foundation for your foundation or powder!

Oily-Skin Masque
In a small bowl, thoroughly mash and combine:
1/2 avocado
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 egg white

Apply evenly to a clean face and allow to remain 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water and a cloth. Follow with an astringent, if you like.

Hands

Soft, Smooth Hand Trick
This gently exfoliating scrub will make your hands noticeably softer and smoother.

In a small bowl, mash:
1/4 of a peeled avocado
1 egg white
2 tablespoons oatmeal
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Combine well and apply to your hands. Leave the mixture on for 20 minutes, then rinse in warm water and pat dry.

Source:

http://www.carefair.com/Beauty/Fruit_Basket_for_Beauty_Avocado_3445.html

http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Beauty-of-the-Avocado-Homemade-Beauty-Recipes

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/avocado-kitchen-cupboard-beauty-tips.html

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Cucumber

September 25, 2009 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

For Eyes

It is believed that cucumber helps in reducing swelling around the eyes or the big dark circles under your eyes. This is world-wide treatment which is being used to its maximum extent.  cucumber-slices

Cucumbers are the most wonderful and natural eye pads you can find for yourself.  Just slice the cucumber and put in your eyes for around 20 minutes. The puffiness and the tiredness in your eyes may just leave you, if you do this in a relaxed fashion. These natural eye pads do wonders after a long days work.

For Skin – Mask

If you want a happy skin, then cucumber is the answer. As cucumber and the skin share the same level of hydrogen, it becomes easier for cucumber to mask all the problem areas. It helps in soothing and softening your skin which can get you relaxed in no time.

With so many useful ingredients in cucumber it can help you in treating so many skin problems. It has become part of daily beauty product into face packs, facials, juice and many other things which can affect your skin.

Due to its cooling effect it can be termed as a magic wand for all your skin problems. The cleaning and cleansing property helps your skin tremendously making it soft and supple.

The regular intake of cucumber juice is very useful both internally and externally.

Facial Mask:

Recipe 1:

Blend 4 – 5 leafs of fresh mint.

Peel and deseed the cucumber.

Add mint leaves to the cucumber to make a puree.

Beat egg white and keep it separate, then add this egg white to the cucumber mixture.

Apply this evenly on your face for 20 minutes and then rinse it with water and pat it dry.

Recipe 2: Cucumber and yoghurt mask:
This has always been used to refine and tone the skin. Many cosmetics claim it as a vital ingredient.
Method:
Finely mash and sift 1/4th cucumber and mix it with 2 tablespoonfuls of yoghurt. By making a paste you can apply it on the face for 20-25 minutes.

Recipe 3: If you want something stronger you can try this.
Ingredients:
Juice of 1/4th cucumber
1 egg white
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp vodka
Method:
Mash and liquidize the cucumber, strain the mixture to give you the juice. Beat the egg white and slowly add the lemon and cucumber juices to it. Mix well and use it on your face. If your face is greasy, add the vodka. Apply this mixture on your face for 20-30 minutes and relax with cucumber eye pads on the eyes. Wash off with cold water and gently pat dry.

http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/cucumber_benefits.shtml

http://myblogonbeauty.blogspot.com/2006/09/face-mask-with-cucumber-and-yoghurt.html

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Pineapple

September 25, 2009 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , ,

pineapplePineapples are good skin softeners which cleanse and rejuvenate dull and dry skin. Pineapples contain natural fruit enzymes and acids that also help brighten skin. Here is a great natural skin care recipe you can try with pineapple.

For wrinkles :

Using the core of pineapple, rub it on the face for a few minutes and leave for 10-15 minutes. This is excellent for fine wrinkles.

To whiten skin

Recipe 1:  Mix pineapple, orange and lemon/calamansi juice together and add some wheat flour to it. Apply this paste on the face and neck. Remove it by gently scrubbing with a soft cloth after some time to get fresh and smooth skin. Apply a shielding lotion after the treatment.

Recipe 2:  Coconut-Pineapple Extract

Ingredients : Coconut Milk , Pineapple Juice

Procedure: Make sure products are all natural and not ready to serve. Combine coconut milk and pineapple juice. Mix thoroughly and apply on the face by cotton balls. Leave the mixture on the face for 20 minutes enough to dry on face allowing the extract to absorb on the skin. Wash skin with water and pat dry.

Exfoliating mask

Mash together pineapple ( 2 chunks fresh , cut into 1/2 inch squares), 1/4 ripe papaya and 1/2 teaspoon of honey. Apply to skin and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse with cool water and follow with your favorite moisturizer.

Why This Mask is Good For Your Skin

• Pineapple is an exfoliant and also provides anti-aging benefits by stimulating the function of collagen fibroblast cells.

• Papaya also helps to exfoliate and soften the skin.

• Honey is great for moisturizing,calming and soothing the skin.

http://skincare.about.com/od/spa/a/PapayaPineappleExfoliatingMask.htm http://www.womanjunction.com/topic/facecare/wrinkles/remedies-for-wrinkles/ http://media.skinmdnatural.com/tips.php?include=136997 http://www.wrinkle-free-skin-tips.com/homemade-facial-cleanser.html http://www.enotalone.com/forum/showthread.php?t=193160

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Banana/ Banana Peel

September 24, 2009 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Bananas are loaded with vitamin A and potassium. bananaUsed alone or combined with other natural ingredients, bananas are Mother Nature’s secret to repair and preserve beautiful skin and hair. Bananas have no known substances that cause irritation to the skin

Facial

For best results it is good to steam the face just before applying this natural skin care peel so that the pores are open and the skin is warm and moist.
That way, all the nutrients can be easily absorbed through the layers of skin.
As an alternative, you can just apply a warm face cloth to the skin.

Recipe 1

  • Finely mash 1/4 of a small banana
    into a paste which will yield about 1/8 of a cup
  • Briskly whip one egg white with a whisk until very frothy
  • Slowly add one tablespoon of cornstarch while continuing to whip briskly
  • Beat in the mashed banana until completely incorporated

Apply a thin layer to the face and let set for up to 30 minutes. Rinse completely with warm water.

*Tip: Any unused mixture can be kept refrigerated for up to three days.

Can be done 3 times a week

Skin mask  for dry skin –  Use an overripe banana alone.  The vitamin A will restore a youthful glow while healing damage caused by cracked, dry skin. Leave on the face for 20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

Firming mask – Combine mashed bananas with honey for a great firming mask. Leave on face for 20 minutes and rinse thoroughly. Like bananas, honey is high in potassium and helps clarify the skin while retaining moisture. This plumps the skin, which decreases sagging.

anti-aging facial mask loaded with vitamins A and E –  mash together an avocado and a banana. Leave on skin for 25 minutes and rinse. Skin will be soft and youthful. The vitamin E in avocados combined with the nutrients in bananas fight free radicals and repair damage.

Hair mask – Mash a ripe banana and apply to hair. Wrap in plastic and leave on for 15 minutes before shampooing as usual. This will make dry, brittle hair soft and repair split ends.

Warts removal With Banana Peelbanana

Finished eating banana? Oops don’t throw the peel. It can be used for far more than just to “slip on” or compost in your garden. Banana peels contains lutein, an antioxidant and plenty of potassium, so maybe that is what makes the rubbing of the inside of a banana peel so healing? If you have warts, psoriasis or poison ivy, and have a banana on your kitchen counter top then..

  •  Peel a banana and cut enough of the peel to cover the wart or warts. Cut the peel to extend 1/2 inch over the wart on all sides.
  • Rub the wart with the inside of the remaining peel.
  • Place the small piece of the banana peel over the wart and tape it in place, using medical tape.
  • Leave the banana peel on the wart until it turns black. If the peel falls off before it turns black, replace it.
  • Repeat the process if necessary.

 Source:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4867828_remove-warts-bananas.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_4867523_use-bananas-beautiful-skin-hair.html

http://www.writeblogs.net/2008/12/banana-moisturizer.html

http://www.skincareresourcecenter.com/banana-facial.html

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Basil (Tulsi)

September 24, 2009 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

When most people think of basil, they think of pesto sauce or light leafy greens poking out of their food. It’s true basil’s benefits are obviously more often seen in the world of food, but is this herb effective in the world of skincare too? The answer is definitely, Yes! Basil contains antibacterial compounds that make it a good cleanser, and it has a scent that can soothe your stress and even your sinuses. Here’s how you can use Basil as a beauty aid.

1.  steaming the face to open up the pores – this is to flush out the dirt and toxins, leaving the skin soft and glowing. Also works wonders on acne-prone skin and other blemishes.

Method:

Take some water. Squeeze half a lemon or calamansi  into it. Now add a fistful of Basil leaves, a handful of mint (pudina) leaves and boil it. Remove from heat when it starts emitting steam. Secure your hair with a band, take a thick towel over your head and bend over the vessel with your eyes closed so that your face is fully exposed to the steam emanating from the water. Take the steam this way for around 3-5 minutes. Afterwards you can apply a face pack. If not, splash cold water on your face or gently rub an ice cube wrapped in a hanky to close the pores.

2.  toner  – anyone can enjoy the skin benefits of basil by using a strong tea as a bracing toner. To try it, do the following:

  • Pack a handful of fresh basil, about three tablespoons, into a sturdy mug and pound lightly with a pestle to bruise the leaves and release the oils.
  • Pour in a cup of boiling water, cover the mug, and let the tea steep until it is a clear grass green color, at least twenty minutes.
  • Strain and discard the leaves.
  • For a soft yet non-oily feel, splash your face with the tea just before applying moisturizer. (Don’t dry off.) Your face will appreciate it, especially if the air you live in is polluted.

3.  After Shampoo hair rinse – basil tea is used as an after shampoo hair rinse to help control dandruff. A basil teas rinse does leave the hair silky and the scalp feeling fresh.

  • If your skin and hair lose their luster when you travel, pack up some dried basil and take it will you. Pour about a cup of hot tap water over two teaspoons of dried basil, cover, and let sit overnight for use in the morning.

4. Face mask – just take some fresh basil leaves and put them into a food processor. Once you got a chopped mush of basil leaves, put them into a small bowl and mix it with seasalt and an egg white. Rub onto your face gently. Paying special attention to problem areas with acne or other blemishes you want to get rid of. Leave the mask for only five to seven minutes, and then rinse with a combination of water and basil tea rinse. Your face will look and smell heavenly.

      5. Talcum powder – Rubbing finely powdered Basil leaves on the face like talcum powder makes it glow with beauty

     6.  Aroma – Early in the morning, after your bath, spread a mat in the proximity of a Basil plant and inhale the fragrance of the Basil leaves. Take deep breaths and allow the aroma emanating from the leaves to sink in and pervade your system. This fragrance has a great capacity of purifying the blood and correcting any unfavorable alteration in it. You will feel refreshed and your face will acquire a radiant glow.

Source:

http://myblogonbeauty.blogspot.com/2006/12/tulsi-basil-to-cure-skin-problems.html

http://myblogonbeauty.blogspot.com/2007/10/steaming-face-with-tulsi-basil-leaves.html

http://beyondjane.com/beauty/skin/basil-a-herb-for-skin-care/

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1860101/get_clear_healthy_skin_with_basil.html?cat=69

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