Soothing Tropical Coconut Eye Cream

Treat the delicate area under your eyes to this soothing tropical scented eye cream!

 

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp. cocoa butter
• 3 tbsp. coconut oil

 

Directions:

• If the cocoa butter is not already grated, go ahead and grate it
• Combine all ingredients in a microwave bowl and heat until melted
• Carefully removed the melted mixture from the microwave and stir well
• Transfer the mixture from the bowl to a container for storage
• Let cool completely before using
• Apply under eyes at night

Soothing Lettuce Cleanser

Treat irritated skin to a soothing and gentle lettuce cleanser!

 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 head lettuce
• 3 1/2 cups water
• 1/4 tsp. benzoin

 

Directions:

• Place the water in a saucepan and add the lettuce
• Bring the water to a boil; once boiling reduce heat to a simmer
• Let simmer for 1 hour
• Remove from heat and let cool
• Once cool, carefully strain the mixture and add the benzoin; mix well
• Transfer the mixture to a container for storage
• Apply to skin and use as you would a cleanser
• Rinse with water

Yummy Orange Citrus and Sugar Lip Scrub

 

Treat your lips to a sweet citrusy scrub that sure to polish dry and chapped lips!

 

Ingredients:

• 3 tsp. sugar
• 4 drops vitamin E oil
• 3 tsp. coconut oil
• Couple drops of orange juice

 

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients; mix well
• Apply mixture to lips and gently massage for a few moments
• Wipe the mixture off and rinse with water
• Follow up with your favorite lip balm

The Lowdown on Sunscreens

Summertime is here!  That means plenty of picnics, pool parties, trips to the beach, and outdoor activities!  It’s important to remember that despite all the fun in the sun that you’re having you still need to take care of your skin and be smart by protecting it from the sun by using a sunscreen each and every time you venture outside.

There are countless different sunscreens available to purchase each with different options so if you are wondering which one is right for you it’s best to first know the basics:

Just like we all have our own preferences when it comes to the types of makeup we like and what it does to our skin, sunscreen is no different.  What works on one persons skin may cause breakouts on another person and so on and so on.  Below is a breakdown of the types of sunscreen you should look for depending on your specific skin type as well as examples of sunscreens that are most suitable for you.

 

Dry Skin

• Creams/lotions with extra hydrating ingredients (aloe and glycerin)
• Steer clear of spray or gel sunscreens that contain aloe (they’ll just dry out your skin that much more)

Try

Murad Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 15

L’Oreal Dermo-Expertise Futur-E SPF 15

 

Oily Skin

• Oil-free sunscreen
• Non-comedogenic sunscreen (won’t clog pores)
• Water or gel based sunscreens are most commonly oil-free

Try

Ocean Potion Anti-Aging Sunblock SPF 50

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 45

 

Acne Prone Skin

• Light and/or oil-free lotions
• Sunscreens that contain the chemicals avobenzone and oxybenzone
• Non-comedogenic sunscreen (won’t clog pores)
• Fragrance free sunscreen

Try

Hawaiian Tropic Oil Free Sensitive Skin Sunscreen SPF 50

Murad Oil-Free Sunblock SPF 30

 

Sensitive Skin

• Paba free sunscreen (this is very common)
• Oil-free sunscreen
• Fragrance free sunscreen
• Chemical free sunscreen
• Hypoallergenic sunscreen
• Mineral based sunscreen

Try

Aveeno Active Naturals Continuous Protection Sunblock Lotion for Face

Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock Lotion SPF 60

 

Active/Outdoor Skin (for those that spend a lot of time being active outdoors; sports/swimming)

• Water-resistant or waterproof sunscreen
• Highest SPF sunscreen available

Try

Coppertone Sport Sunblock Spray SPF 30

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock with Helioplex SPF 70

Relaxing Pumpkin Pedicure Foot Wrap

Treat your feet to this delicious pumpkin foot wrap!

 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. honey

 

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients; mix well
• Apply mixture to clean feet
• Wrap feet with saran wrap
• Let sit for 30 minutes (sit back and relax since you won’t be able to walk around)
• Rinse with water

D.I.Y. Makeup Brush Cleaner

Gently clean dirt and makeup from makeup brushes with this gentle and easy brush cleaning recipe!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm water
• 1/2 cup vinegar

 

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients in a bowl; mix well
• Dip the end of your makeup brushes in the mixture
• Massage the bristles; loosening up makeup and dirt
• Rinse makeup brushes under running water
• Let brushes air dry after reshaping any misshapen brush heads
• Discard mixture after use

Grapefruit Facial Mask

Leave your skin looking and feeling healthy and glowing after using this face mask!

 

Ingredients:

• 4 tbsp. grapefruit juice
• 2 tsp. carrot juice
• 3 tbsp. plain yogurt

 

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients; mix well
• Apply to a clean face (avoid the eye area)
• Let sit for 15 minutes
• Rinse with warm water

Gentle Makeup Brush Cleaner

Clean your makeup brushes of makeup and dirt with this easy recipe!

 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm water
• 1 tbsp. Dawn liquid dish detergent

 

Directions:

• Combine the ingredients in a bowl; mix well
• Dip the end of your makeup brushes in the mixture and gently massage the bristles
• Rinse the makeup brushes under running water
• Let brushes air dry after reshaping any misshapen brush heads
• Dispose of mixture

Victoria’s Secret Perfect Body Perfectly Polished Cucumber Extract Warming Foot Scrub

This was another item I purchased from Victoria’s Secret Semi-Annual sale.  I normally like their beauty products and always like a good foot scrub so I decided to give this one a try.  (The warming part of the name was appealing too!)

I gave it a try in the shower and enjoyed it.

It’s a pink color with small scrubbing and polishing beads in it. It’s more a thick gel-like consistency than a creamy lathery one.  The scrubbing and polishing beads in it are noticeable but are not abrasive.  I usually like a “rougher” exfoliating scrub because I feel like they normally do a better exfoliating job for me.  I would say this is more of a gentle exfoliator yet it gets the job done.

The warming part of the title was alluring to me but I was skeptical of if it would really warm when I used it.  It actually did warm up though as I scrubbed my feet with it.  It’s not a very warm feeling but a mild and gentle pleasant one.

After rinsing off the scrub and drying off my feet felt nice and smooth.  I like it!

 

 

Pros:

• Gently exfoliates
• Nice warming feeling
• A little goes a long way
• Left feet feeling smooth and soft

Cons:

• Not a deep exfoliating scrub

Gentle Herbal Facial Cleanser

Gently cleanse skin with this herbal facial cleanser!

 

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup dried chamomile
• 1/3 cup dried rose petals
• 2/3 oat flour
• water

 

Directions:

• Combine dried chamomile and rose petals and grind until fine
• Combine oat flour with grinded mix; mix well
• Add a tablespoon of water to the mixture at a time; stirring after each tablespoon is added until a creamy paste forms
• Place the mixture in a saucepan over low heat for 5 minutes (this will create a creamier consistency)
• Remove from heat and let mixture cool
• Once cooled, apply the mixture to skin (avoid the eye area)
• Gently massage into skin
• Rinse with warm water