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November 22, 2011
Ever have an essential oil lying around, but not sure what to do with it or how to use it?
That’s what happened to us here at HL&S. We had some rosehip seed oil, which is high in vitamin C and antioxidant with anti-aging properties, and decided to play with a clay mask. After all, rosehip oil is milder than other essentials like tea tree and lavender as a base, so we went to town making a soothing mask (or cleanser if you rinse it off quickly) for sensitive skin.
Here’s what you do:
1. Mix together 1 tablespoon of Redmond Clay or another similar white mineral clay, 3 teaspoons of rosehip oil, a few drops of lavender oil and a teaspoon of raw honey. This makes enough for about 3-4 applications. We used lavender oil for its astringent properties on oily skin, but feel free to sub for another – sandlewood or grapeseed, for example.
2. Add warm water until the mixture is creamy, and apply to your face after you’ve removed makeup. Massage in a circular motion around your face. Leave on for 15 minutes for deep cleaning or wipe clean with a warm washcloth.
3. To preserve the remaining mixture, add a few drops of lemon (which is also astringent and refreshing). Voila!
- Kayleigh K.
November 1, 2011
 Apple cider vinegar is a beauty miracle for cleansing. The other day we tried a DIY cleanser that we were skeptical about. The reason we were skeptical is that it contained apple cider vinegar. While apple cider vinegar has the fantastic beauty benefit of removing dry and dull skin to fade blemishes, AND removes blackheads, its smell can be a little harsh.
But we were pleasantly surprised when the following recipe did a wonder for the clarity of our skin as cleanser to be used on a daily basis. The other ingredients really tamed the vinegar smell. Let us know how it works for you!
(Use a tablespoon for 1-2 weeks worth of use)
- 1 part honey (moisturizing/antioxidant)
- 1 part almond oil (rich in vitamin E and vitamin D)
- 1 part grapeseed oil (moisturizing/emollient)
- 1 part apple cider vinegar (cleansing/astringent)
October 28, 2011
We love spas, but we LOVE DIY, all-natural beauty remedies.
Last night we tried one aimed at using the astringent properties of some essential oils to zap any pimples forming on our faces.
The ingredients tingled on my face and I could feel it working to clear my skin. When I rinsed it, my skin looked clear as day. And it was baby soft too!
Here’s what you do:
1. Grind 1 cup rolled oats, one half cup almonds (or 1 tbsp of almond oil), 1 tsp of lavender oil and 1 tsp of dried peppermint (or peppermint oil) into a fine powder.
2. Then add in one cup of mineral clay – we used Redmond Clay, which is extracted from mineral-rich volcanic ash in Utah – and 1/2 cup honey. Fun fact: For many generations, Native Americans carried a ball of this mineral-rich clay with them in their packs. They dissolved the clay in water and ingested it with meals. Clay, a product of Mother Earth, was a natural medicine used for fighting many stomach ailments, dysentery and food poisoning. In this case, the clay draws out toxins and impurities on the surface of the skin while the honey cleanses and moisturizes.
3. This makes the substance difficult to mix together, and it will be clumpy. If you want, regrind everything together in a food processor. Put it in a sealed container. When you’re ready to use it, take out a tsp and mix with warm water into a paste. Moisturize into your face and neck. You can rinse it right away as a cleanser, or wait 10 minutes and let it sit as a mask. That’s what I did. You’ll love it!
 Redmond Clay and essential oils are key ingredients to a miracle, all natural facial scrub.
October 11, 2011
Salt and sugar are too strong for the delicate skin on your face, but they make an great scrub for callused hands and feet!
Here’s what you do:
Mix either (we prefer course sea salt or brown raw sugar) with some olive oil and honey, and you have a dual exfoliator/moisturizer, straight from your kitchen.
Invite a girlfriend to join you, give yourself a pedicure and have a blast while you do it!
October 7, 2011
Okay, you probably know all the ways you can use olive oil in the kitchen, but what about for beauty? Olive oil is a mild and antibacterial substance rich in antioxidants.
Here’s the ways we like to use it:
1. Add a few drops to your facial mask. This keeps your skin feeling moisturized even after you wash it off.
2. Soak your nails in a cup of it to strength them.
3. Rub warm olive oil in your palm and gently rub it into your scalp using your fingers.
4. Add a few drops to your bath to moisturize your skin.
The great thing about olive oil is that it’s so versatile you can pretty much sneak it into any beauty treatment and experience a benefit. Plus it is simple and definitely nontoxic!
October 6, 2011
If you’re hoping to try a peel, a lactic acid peel is a good start because 1. it’s all natural and 2. it’s the most mild of “chemical” peels. It helps reduce scars, too. Because Lactic Acid is part of the skins composition, it is more hydrating than other acid peels. But is it safe to do at home? We’ve been doing a little research for you, and the answer is yes, if you properly gauge the strength you need.
We recommend you start at a dilution of 10 percent and work your way up each time. That way, you will get a better idea of how much strength you need to see results (fresher skin, smaller pores, and better pigmentation). You can buy a higher percentage and dilute it with water to start. Choose a formula with 1-4 PH. You can buy lactic acid peels online (make sure they are natural).
Wash your face and wait 15 minutes. Apply the peel for up to five minutes, then rinse with lots of lukewarm water, or use a neutralizer (sodium bicarbonate). Of course, follow the specific instructions of your peel. Let us know how this has worked for you, and the results you saw!!
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