Hydrating and Nourishing D.I.Y. Egg White Facial Mask

All of the vitamins and healthy fats in this 3 ingredient face mask are just what you need to combat dry skin.  Your skin will be left looking and feeling soft, smooth and healthy.

 

What you need:

• 1 egg white
• 1/2 ripe avocado
• 1 tsp. greek yogurt (plain)

What you do:

• Mash the avocado in a bowl until you get a creamy and lump-free paste-like consistency
• Add the remaining ingredients and mix well until you have a creamy paste
• Apply the mixture to a clean face and let it sit for 15 minutes
• Rinse the mixture off with warm water and follow up with a moisturizer

 

Recipe adapted from (original recipe at): HealthMunsta

Picture from: WallStreetInsanity

Healthy Smoothie for Glowing Skin

Give your skin a healthy and natural glow with this green smoothie that is packed with lots of minerals and vitamins!

 

What you need:

• 1 c. kale
• 1 c. spinach
• 1 pear
• 1 orange
• 1 banana
• 1 c. seedless grapes
• 1 c. ice
• 1 c. coconut water
• 1 tsp. chia seeds

What you do:

• Remove the core and seeds from the pear and peel and pit the orange; add them to your blender
• Add the remaining ingredients to your blender and blend all until smooth
• Enjoy your smoothie immediately

 

Recipe adapted from (original recipe from): Womenio

Picture from: OrganicAuthority

Hydrating and Acne Fighting Mango Smoothie

This smoothie has many beneficial ingredients in it that will do wonders for your body, both inside and out.  It also has a sweet and tropical flavor to it (thanks to the mango) that makes drinking it enjoyable as well as beneficial.  This smoothie works to improve the health of your skin as well as to prevent acne breakouts and is suitable for any and all skin types.

Don’t let the fish oil ingredient turn you away, the other ingredients mask any flavor of it and fish oil provides your body with A LOT of benefits.  Fish oil can improve the look and health of your skin and aids in reducing redness or blotchy patches on your skin.  The benefits don’t stop there either.   Fish oil can strengthen hair and leave it looking healthier and shinier and also aids in reducing dandruff and dry scalps.  (I can speak from experience that fish oil really does do wonders for your hair.  I started taking fish oil gummy vitamins a couple of months ago and noticed my hair growing faster and looking much shinier and healthier.)  So, if it can provide you with better skin and hair, why not add a splash of it into your smoothie?

What you need:

• 4 ice cubes
• 1/2 c. yogurt (plain only)
• 1/2 c. mango (fresh or frozen)
• 1 tbsp. fish oil
• 1/2 c. orange juice
• 1 mint leaf

What you do:

• If your using a fresh mango, cut the mango into chunks and place in a blender
• Add all remaining ingredients and blend until smooth
• Transfer to a glass and enjoy immediately

Comments:

• Depending on whether or not you use fresh or frozen mango, you may need to add a couple extra ice cubes to your blender for a cooler smoother
• You can always add more mint leaves to the mixture if you want a mintier taste (I tend to like to add a couple more and always enjoy the taste of fresh mint)

 

Recipe adapted from (and original recipe found at): Womenio

Picture from:  BestRecipes

D.I.Y. Strawberry, Cream and Honey Facial Mask for Extra Dry Skin

For those who are suffering with extremely dry and/or flaky skin (thank you, Winter) this recipe is a must try!  The three simple ingredients in this recipe are all great at nourishing and hydrating skin on their own and the combination of the three is sure to combat dry and flaky skin. (And on that note, this recipe, the ingredients and that picture really make me crave strawberry shortcake right now…..)

What you need:

• 6 ripe strawberries
• 1 1/2 tbsp. honey
• 1 tbsp. heavy cream

What you do:

• Cut the green tops off of the strawberries and cut the strawberries in half.  Place the berries in a bowl and mash them using a fork until you have a pulp-like consistency
• Add the remaining ingredients and mix well until a creamy paste forms
• Apply the mixture to a clean face and let it sit for 15-20 minutes
• Rinse with cool water and follow up with a moisturizer

Comments:

• This mask can be a little drippy so make sure you wear an old shirt and put a towel down where you’re applying the mask

 

Recipe adapted from (and original recipe at): SheSaidBeauty

Picture from: MyRecipes

Hydrating and Nourishing D.I.Y. Egg Yolk Facial Mask

Soothe, hydrate and nourish skin with this easy to make recipe that will leave your skin feeling and looking soft and smooth!

What you need:

• 1 egg yolk
• 1/4 ripe avocado
• 1 tbsp. greek yogurt (plain)

What you do:

• In a bowl, add the avocado and gently mash with a fork until a smooth paste forms
• Add the remaining ingredients to the mashed avocado and mix well until a creamy paste forms
• Apply the mixture to a clean face and let it sit for 15 minutes or until it has dried
• Rinse the mask with warm water and follow up with a moisturizer

 

Recipe adapted from (and original recipe) found at: HealthMunsta

Picture from: ITalkToFood

D.I.Y. Raspberry, Honey & Oats Healing Facial Mask

This delicious facial mask will do wonders for your skin with just 3 simple ingredients!  The raspberries (which are bursting with Vitamin C) work to fight signs of aging (wrinkles and fine lines) as well as maintaining skins natural glow.  The honey (which is packed with antioxidants) works to moisturize skin while fighting off germs that can lead to acne.  Lastly (but not least), the oats do the job of soaking up any impurities that may have been clogging up your pores.

So, if you have 15 to 20 minutes and these 3 ingredients you have time to treat your face to this healing facial mask!

What you need:

• 14 ripe red raspberries
• 1/4 c. honey
• 1/4 c. rolled oats

What you do:

• Place the raspberries in a bowl and mash them with a fork until they form a liquid pulp-like consistency
• Add the remaining ingredients to the mashed raspberries and mix until all ingredients are blended and you have a paste like consistency (if your mixture is too runny/wet add more oats and if your mixture is too dry add more honey)
• Apply the mixture to a clean face and let it sit for 10 minutes
• Rinse the mixture off with warm water and follow up with a moisturizer

 

Recipe adapted (and original recipe) from: DIYFashion 

Picture from: OhSheGlows

Exfoliating D.I.Y. Strawberry Sugar Body Scrub

Another day, another strawberry d.i.y. recipe (I told you guys I was on a strawberry kick lately.)  This recipe is for a full body sugar scrub that will leave your skin looking healthy and glowing with soft skin.  Strawberries have a lot of beneficial nutrients within them that can do wonders for your body.  Here’s a few examples:

• Vitamin C which acts as a protector to skin and also works to prevent acne and pimples from popping up
• Salicylic Acid which works to destroy free radicals and prevent premature aging as well as lightning and fading acne scars and blemishes
• Ellagic Acid which is an antioxidant that heals damaged skin and provides skin with a youthful glow
• Folate which works to regenerate cells as well as produce new ones

So, a couple of minutes to whip up this recipe and then treat your body and your skin to the benefits of strawberries!

What you need:

• 4 ripe strawberries
• 3 tbsp. oil (olive or coconut)
• 1/2 c. sugar

What you do:

• Cut the greens off the tops of the strawberries.  In a bowl, gently mash the strawberries with a fork until they form a pulp like paste
• Add the sugar to the mashed strawberries and mix well; then add the oil last
• Mix all ingredients until well blended and a paste like consistency forms (if your mixture is too runny/moist, add some more sugar.  If your mixture seems too gritty/dry add a little more oil)
• In the shower or tub, apply the mixture to your body and gently massage into skin for a few minutes.  Then rinse well with warm water.
• Follow up with your favorite lotion

Comments:

• Use caution in the shower or tub when using this scrub (or any).  The oils in this scrub can cause the floors to become very slippery and slick which can be dangerous.  It’s best to put a rubber bath mat or towel down and use caution as well.
• Be sure to thoroughly rinse all remains of the scrub out of your shower and tub when finished to avoid any stains/marks from the strawberries

 

Picture found at MyPantryShelf

Berry Beauty Smoothie for Beautiful Skin

This delicious smoothie is packed full of Vitamin C and other antioxidants…all which do wonders for beauty and body!

What you need:

• ¼ cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
• ¼ cup raspberries (fresh or frozen)
• ¼ cup strawberries (fresh or frozen)
• ¼ cup kale (or spinach)
• 1 cup coconut water (or water)

 What to do:

• Place all ingredients in a blender
• Process until smooth
• Enjoy immediately

Comments:

• If using fresh berries, you may want  to add a couple of ice cubes for a cooler smoothie
• For those of you who aren’t a big fan of “greens” you can substitute spinach in place of kale because it offers a blander/more subtle taste yet still offers a lot of great benefits
• The original recipe calls for water, I substitute water with coconut water because of the many health/beauty benefits it offers

 

Recipe adapted from (and original recipe) found at: http://www.youbeauty.com/nutrition/galleries/smoothie-recipes#11

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Extra Strength Alpha Beta Face Peel

Ok, so it’s been a little too long since I’ve taken the time to do some beauty product reviews.  (I’m not really sure why it’s taken me so long either because I certainly haven’t stopped using beauty products….at all!)  Regardless, here comes one and hopefully more to follow in the near future.

I have always wanted to have a chemical peel done but can never actually bring myself to have one done because I don’t want to deal with the downtime of having a red, flaky, peeling face for a couple of days afterwards and the thought of them kind of freaks me out…just a little.  My skin can be very temperamental…I have periods where it’s great and periods where it’s anything but great.  I also tend to have acne spots that last long after the pimple is gone (I guess it’s an annoying and pesky way of reminding me of what used to be there.)  So, when I stumbled upon these little facial wipes I was definitely tempted to try them being that they aren’t as invasive as an actual chemical peel and have no downtime.

These wipes are available in two different strengths, regular and extra strength.  I dove right into the extra strength wipes and didn’t even try the regular strength ones because I was dead-set on getting results and thought that the extra strength ones stood a better chance at giving me my desired results.  If you have sensitive skin, I would highly suggest starting out with the regular strength wipes first.

Another great thing about these wipes is that they are available in different quantities which is great for someone who is just looking to try them out.  These treatment wipes are available in the following quantities: 5, 30 or 60.  Packs of 5 retail for $15.00, packs of 30 retail for $82.00 and packs of 60 retail for $145.00.  (For my first time using them, I obviously went for the 5 pack.) They also have them available in a package deal called the “14 Day Challenge with Ferulic Acid + Retinol Brightening Solution” which retails for $45.00. (This is also a great deal, which I’ve also purchased….more than once.)

We’ll start with the 5 pack, which is what I tried first.  Each treatment consists of two conjoined pouches which each contain a wipe (so two wipes per treatment).  Wipe 1 is to be used first (but I’m sure that is obvious to everyone) on a clean face.  You simply rub your skin in circular motions until the wipe is no longer moist.  Then you wait two minutes before using wipe 2.  After the two minutes are up, use wipe 2 the same way that you used wipe 1.   That’s it.  It’s quick and easy but I will say that I did (and still do) notice a burning sensation when using wipe 1 so be aware of that and don’t be surprised if you notice it too.

I noticed a subtle glow to my skin immediately after using these but really noticed it after using them for a couple of days consecutively.  I noticed an even better glow after trying the 14 day challenge treatment with the brightening solution.  The 14 day challenge works the exact same way as the 5 pack of pads does except there are enough treatment packs for 14 days and there is the brightening serum.  The brightening serum is applied after you use both wipes and I think that this serum is really beneficial and just gives your skin that much more of a healthy glow.

I will say though that I would not do this treatment after doing a face mask of any kind prior (speaking from experience.)  It could have been something in the face mask I did prior to using this treatment or my face could have just been feeling sensitive but it was not a pleasant experience!  The burning sensation was a lot worse than ever before and my face was left looking patchy and red….so don’t follow in my footsteps there!

Overall, I like this product and like the results.  My skin always looks like it has a nice natural glow after doing these treatments and it also helps reduce my acne spots in a significant way.  (I notice the most dramatic results and lighter/faded acne spots after using these for multiple consecutive days.)

What I like:

• Gives skin a natural glow
• Reduces and fades acne spots
• Evens out skin tone
• Noticeable results….quickly

What I don’t like:

• Burning sensation
• Results seem to fade if this isn’t used on a regular basis

DIY Delicious Oatmeal Coconut Cookie Scrub

Treat your skin to this delicious body scrub that will exfoliate skin and leave it glowing (and not to mention, smelling delicious!)

What You Need:

• 1 cup oatmeal
• 3 tbsp. brown sugar
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• 6 tbsp. coconut oil

What You Do:

• Combine all ingredients (oil last) in a bowl and mix well
• Use immediately or transfer mixture to an airtight container or jar for storage
• When ready to use, apply and gently massage into skin for a few moments and rinse well with water