Renowned beauty expert Shahnaz Husain shares her ideas on how to keep your face sparkling and spotless
by using these natural ingredients from your kitchen:
􀀗 Facial Cleansing:
1. Almonds (Badaam): Pour hot water on the almonds and allow them to soak till the skin comes off. Dry
them and grind them into a powder. Keep this in a jar. Daily add a little milk to some of the powder and use
the paste to cleanse the face by rubbing the skin gently with it. Almond powder can also be added to face
packs.
2. Cabbage: Cabbage is rich in vitamins and minerals. Boil cabbage in enough water. Cool the liquid and use it to wash the face.
􀀗 Hands : Sugar and lemon juice can be rubbed on the hands to soften the skin and cleanse it.
􀀗 Elbows And Knees :Lemon: Take two lemon halves and rub them on the elbows and knees. It cleanses the skin and lightens skin colour over a period of time. However, this remedy should not be used on facial skin.
􀀗 Gums : Baking powder: Take a little baking powder and rub on the teeth. This helps to whiten and cleanse the gums.
􀀗 For homemade overnight cream :Add five drops of almond oil to one egg white and mix with a tbsp of honey and refrigerate. Massage a small amount every night into your skin.

A Natural Skin Bleach
• If you don’t have pimples or sensitive skin try this. Use the watery layer you find on yogurt/curd and take about a teaspoon of it.
• Add a couple of drops of lemon. Apply this mixture evenly all over your face. Leave on for as long as you can (for half an hour minimum to even leaving it overnight). This acts as natural bleach.
• If you want to get rid of a suntan, use this mask overnight after a long day under the sun. You will not have any tan the next morning!

Sandalwood & Rosewater Sunscreen
• This cooling herb has medicinal properties that help heal without leaving behind any scars. What’s more, sandalwood is a natural sunscreen and protects the skin against heat and radiation. No, you don’t need to you walk around with a sandalwood mask on your face all day!
• But by applying a mask at least once or twice a week, you help your skin become sun-resilient.
Sandalwood may be expensive, but remember that a small piece of sandalwood can last for years.
• Try to get the rarer Rakta Chandan or red sandalwood. This reddish variety (unlike the common yellowish variety) has the best properties of the wood minus the fragrance.
• Pour some water (rose water preferably) into a mortar and then rub the sandalwood stick till you get a paste of medium consistency. Apply and leave on skin till dry and wash off gently with lukewarm water.

Full Of Soya Beans!
• This is a good facemask for undernourished skin. Just take about a quarter cup of Soya beans or whole
lentils (masoor dal) and soak it over night in water.
• The next morning remove the shells that will now come off easily. Grind the beans together with fresh
milk and add a few drops of almond oil to the paste.
• Apply the face pack evenly over your face and wash off after half an hour. You will be pleased with the quick pace in which the colour will come back to your skin and how nourished and supple they become.

Face Masks For Oily Skin
• An apple mask works wonders for oily skins: Skin and grate apple, add corn starch, mix well and apply on
face and neck area.
• Slice cucumber into long thin slices, place on cheeks, chin and forehead. Wash off after 15 minutes.
• Yeast easily dislodges dirt and grime from pores. Make a paste of yeast and water, apply to face and wash off after 15 minutes.
• Tomatoes and lime is all it takes to say bye-bye to that over-worked oil factory look. Since both are acidic, they help curb excessive oiliness on the epidermis. Mix tomato and lemon juice and massage it (in circular
motions) into the skin. This will not only help in removing the excessive oiliness, but the skin will also feel taut and nourished, repeat every alternate days for best results

Facial Masks For Dry Skin
• Mash apricots, and mix with warm olive oil to form a paste. Apply on your face and leave on for 10 minutes, then wash off.
• Mix 1 egg yolk with 1tbsp. of olive oil and few drops of lemon to the consistency of mayonnaise. Brush it on your face and neck. Rinse off once dry.
• For dry skin, use this regularly. Mix the yolk of one egg, two spoonfuls of orange juice, a few drops of sweet almond oil and half a spoon of lemon juice. Mix well, beat and apply. Keep it for half an hour before washing off.

Facial Masks For Normal Skin• Lettuce leaves are best home remedies for normal skin. Dip two large lettuce leaves in olive oil and sprinkle on them a few drops of lemon juice. Place them on both sides of your face, and then cover them with a paper towel dipped in mineral water.
• Wipe your face with a cotton ball soaked in warm milk, then rinse with boiled warm water.

Winter Tips
• Make a paste by adding maida (wheat flour) to milk and rub it well on your face. When the paste dries up, wash it off. The dirt and dust will come out along with the maida paste leaving the skin soft.
• Make a paste of ground mustard seeds with either milk or water. Apply this paste on face and neck and leave on for ten minutes. Wash off with cold water.
• Mix water and vinegar in equal quantity and apply on face with a cotton swab. On dry skin, use cold cream and massage.
• For normal skin, mix the yolk of one egg, with two spoonfuls of rosewater and one spoonful of honey and preserve. Use it once a week. It is especially useful in the winter, to keep skin soft and glowing.

A Fruity Punch For A Glowing Face• All it takes is a few season fruit to restore that perfect glow on your face. Here are a few time-tested remedies that are absolutely hassles free. As a bonus we even share secrets to pearly whites! Blend equal quantities of strawberries, pear, grapes, apples and orange in a blender. Apply a thin film of honey on face and apply this deliciously good fruit mask. Let it stand for 30 minutes and rinse off with warm water.
Powder orange peels and blend in curds. Apply on scarred or pigmented areas and wash off after 15 minutes with cold water.
• Strawberries/papayas/ mangoes have great cleansing properties. Whisk in some amount with curds or
sour cream and apply on face and neck. Leave on for a few minutes and rinse off with cold water to reveal a glowing, tender you.

Shahnaz Husain’s Face Masks
• According to beauty professional Shahnaz Husain, the best body care products can be found on your kitchen shelves! Here are some natural face masks recommended by her.
• Eggs For All Skin Types: Eggs can have a tightening effect and also help to nourish the skin.Beat a raw egg and apply it on the face, like a mask. Rinse off with water after 20 minutes.

For Oily Skin:
• To one-tablespoon honey add 15 drops of orange juice, one-tablespoon
• Fuller’s Earth (multani mitti) and one tablespoon rose water. Mix together and apply on the face. Wash off after 15 minutes.
• Mix egg white and honey and apply like a mask.
For Dry Skin
• Mix together one-tablespoon cornflakes with almond oil or milk and grind into a paste. Apply on the face and wash off after 15 minutes.
• Take a little cream of milk (malai) and apply. Rinse off after 20 minutes.

Fighter Banana!
• Mash 1/4 banana until very creamy.
• Spread all over face and leave for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water followed by a dash of
cold. Gently pat dry.

Green Thompson Seedless Grapes!
• Note, grape is a regular ingredient of most expensive wrinkle creams.
• Slice a grape in half and gently crush it on your face and neck.
• Make sure that you get the "crows feet" and the lines around your mouth.
• Leave it on for twenty minutes or so and rinse with tepid water and pat dry.

Apricot Kernel Oil
• This is a natural oil from apricot pits.
• An emollient similar in composition to almond oil, it has a softening effect on the skin and helps to erasestretch marks and wrinkles.

Honey, Honey!
• Take the white of an egg, beat it, mix in it three teaspoonfuls of oat powder, one spoonful of honey and apply on the face.

Egg Whites• Egg white is believed to be an excellent treatment in maintaining the tightness of your skin.
• Scoop out the remaining sticky egg white after using the egg and apply on your face and neck.
• Leave it on for about 15 minutes to half an hour. The more regularly you do this the better will be your chances of keeping wrinkles away.

An Age Defying Face Mask!
• Add alum to a beaten egg and apply to face and neck.
• When dry wash off with warm water and apply a thin layer of honey. Leave on for 5 minutes, rinse and pat dry.

Potato Power• To lighten dark circles under your eyes, wrap a grated raw potato in cheesecloth and apply to eyelids for 15-20 minutes. Wipe off residue and apply an eye cream.
• Slices of raw potato (chilled if you like it better) are an excellent treatment for under eye circles. Just place the potato slices on your lids and relax for 15 minutes to half-an-hour. To make sure that you use this treatment everyday, make it a routine every night when you go to bed. No need to wake up to chuck those slices after use. Keep a cup next to your bedside on which you can place these so that you throw them away only the next morning. But do remember that you need enough good sleep and you also need to give your eyes enough rest to avoid dark circles. If you over-work your eyes you may find it difficult to get rid of dark
circle.

Almond Oil Face Wash
• Almond oil is high in vitamin E content and is very effective for dark circles and even excessively dry skin.
• To make an excellent face wash, powder the almonds and mix with fresh cream or cold milk.
• Apply this mixture on your dark circles and even rest of the face and neck, leave on for five minutes and wash well with cold water.
• You will feel fresh and smooth after this face wash.

Fenugreek
• Powdered fenugreek and milk are said to tackle dark circles.
• Apply a paste of fenugreek mixed in milk on dark circles in the night.
• Wash off in the morning, and watch dark circles vanish for good.

For Cracked Heels & Dull Feet
• For cracked feet you could heat up some Coconut oil, add some wax into it and after cooling apply it onto your heels.
• Another solution is to melt paraffin wax and mix it well with little mustard oil. Apply on the affected area of your heels. Wash it off in the morning. Do this for 10 or 15 days and see the difference.
• A foot pack of Fullers’ earth (Multani mitti) and curd is ideal to breathe life in dull and cracked feet. Apply
the mask on the feet, let it dry and wash off to leave back soft, silky feet.
• Massage your hands and feet with something natural like olive oil.
• Rubbing soles with malai rids it of cracks and blemishes. Wash off with soap and warm water.

Itchy Feet?
• If your feet are itching, then apply some lemon juice and vinegar.
• Try massaging some onion juice between the toes. This will relieve itching and athlete’s foot.

Nail Strengtheners
• Massage nails with warm olive oil thrice a week to strengthen them.
• Rub nails into lemon peels to reduce yellowness and help keep them shiny and smooth.
• Store a mixture of two tablespoons’ vodka with one tablespoon of lemon juice. Rub the solution into nails and cuticles daily.
• To get rid of dry nail cuticles during winter use a special manicure. For this you will need the juice of two slices of fresh pineapple and two table-spoons of vodka. Dip your nails in this mixture and rub them gently.
If done regularly, your nails will be absolutely healthy and soft.
• One-teaspoon Brewer’s yeast added to one glass of fresh fruit juice strengthens the nails.
• Mix almond oil and honey in equal parts and massage into the nails and cuticles.
• For dry nails, warm any vegetable oil and soak fingers in it for ten minutes. Wipe off with a moist towel.
• One-teaspoon Brewer’s yeast added to one glass of fresh fruit juice strengthens the nails.

Hand Care
• If manicuring is not done regularly, especially during winter, your hands tend to get dry and rough. To overcome this, mash two ripe bananas; mix with the juice of one lime and some husk of oat. Apply this mixture on both the hands. When dry, scrub gently and wash with plain water. Your hands will become assoft as a lotus flower.
• Take four teaspoon almond oil and mix one tablespoon rose water. Add half-teaspoon tincture benzoin, drop by drop. Mix together. Apply this on the hands. Wear loose cotton socks on the hands and leave on the preparation all night. Rinse off with plain water next morning.
• For stains on the hands, take lemon peel and rub on the stains.
• Take fresh orange peels, pierce them with a fork. Rub the peels on the hands to brighten them.

Apples For Soft Elbows
Fresh mashed apples have a toning and astringent effect on the skin. They are especially good for sensitive or fair skins. Here’s how you can make your own apple skin care cream that can soften rough areas of your elbows, knees and heals. Mash one fourth of an apple and mix it with a teaspoon of honey and few drops of glycerine. Make a smooth paste and apply on the affected areas. Leave it on for 15 minutes and wash with luke warm water

SCRUBS & TONERS
Baking Soda Scrub
• Baking soda too makes for an invigorating facial scrub.
• Cleanse face with mild soap and water and slough off blackheads and other debris with a paste of 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water.
• Rinse to reveal a clear, zits-free face!

Almonds & Lemon
• Grind 2 almonds and mix with one portion of lemon juice and a bit of honey.
• Use this scrub to get rid of persistent blackheads and hard-to-dislodge dirt.

An Oatmeal Scrub
• Oatmeal soothes the skin, works as delicate abrasive, gets rid of impurities and works well for oily skin
• All you need is: 18 inches of fine muslin cloth & 300gms of oatmeal.
• Sew four or five small rectangular bags about 2 inches by 3 inches out of muslin.
• Leave one end of each bag open, fill each of the bags with oatmeal, and then sew it closed.
• In the bath, hold a bag under the tap of the running water. Allow the water to run through the bag, gradually soaking it. The oatmeal will mix with the water as it flows into the tub or bucket, softening the water. As you use the bag to scrub you'll be removing the impurities.

Homemade Skin Toner• All you need is honey, milk and lemon.
• Just take a teaspoon each of honey and milk, and add a few drops of lemon into it and mix well.
• Wash your face clean and follow with a massage of this solution for a couple of minutes.
• Wash off with cold water or milk. Now just feel the difference.

Overnight Cream
• An overnight cream is the most essential ingredient in skin care. You can make some really great and effective overnight cream at home.
• Mix a tablespoon of honey with one egg white to which five drops of almond oil have been added. Refrigerate the mix.
• Massage a thin film of this mix into the skin every night to reveal a new radiant you!

FOR BLACKHEADS
Who says you need to buy a cream to get rid of blackheads! Here’s how you can say goodbye to them by relying on some basic ingredients from your kitchen.

Curds, Lemon & Husk
Mix sour curd (yogurt), a few drops of lemon juice and wheat husk. Apply and keep for 10-15 minutes. Scrub
well before washing off the mix. Do this regularly to get rid of blackheads.

Herbal Steam
• Steams are an ideal and easy way of deep cleansing your skin. This is essential especially for the skin ailments prone (pimples, blackheads, etc.). This is because what a steam essentially does is open up pores and brings dirt and body toxins to the surface.
• While steaming your face over a pot of boiling hot water and covering over with a thick towel is good
enough (for 10 minutes), a herbal steam does wonders to your skin because of their soothing, healing and
nourishing properties.
• So you can add one of these to the steam water: a bay leaf, some fennel grains, rose petals, sandalwood or lavender oil, orange peel, clove, cinnamon, a eucalyptus leaf. You will be surprised how relaxed and refreshed you will feel after the steam.
• If you have dry skin, steam not more than once in a fortnight. For oily and normal skin, steaming once a
week is good. Do note that steaming more often than this could lead to drier skin in the long run.

Make Your Own Scrub!
• Baking soda too makes for an invigorating facial scrub.
• Cleanse face with a face wash and water.
• Slough off blackheads and other debris with a paste of 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water.
• Rinse to reveal a clear, zits-free face!

Carrots Face Mask
• Apply a paste of boiled carrots to the face.
• Let it stand and wash off after 20 minutes to reveal blemish-free clear skin.

Honey- A Great Skin Food
• Apply some on your skin and wash off with plain water after 20 minutes.
• Honey enhances the skin's moisture-retaining capacity, making it soft and supple.
• Adding a few drops of citrus juice to the honey will also enhance the quality of your skin.

Almonds ‘n’ Honey
Grind 2 almonds and mix with one portion of lemon juice and a bit of honey. Use this scrub to get rid of persistent blackheads and hard-to-dislodge dirt.

FOR WHITEHEADS
Juice It Up
• A combination of carrot, tomato and orange juice works well for whiteheads as well as other skin ailments.
Rose & Glycerin
• Sieve lemon juice through a cloth adding 5 gm rose petals and 5 gm glycerin to it. Blend well and store in a bottle. Before going to bed, rub in the lotion on the face. The curative properties of lime and rose are known to tackle whiteheads while glycerin makes the skin smooth and supple.

According to beauty professional Shahnaz Husain, the best body care products can be found on your kitchen shelves! Here are some natural face masks recommended by her...

Eggs For All Skin Types
• Eggs can have a tightening effect and also help to nourish the skin.
• Beat a raw egg and apply it on the face, like a mask.
• Rinse off with water after 20 minutes.

For Oily Skin
• To one-tablespoon honey add 15 drops of orange juice, one-tablespoon Fuller's Earth (multani mitti) and
one tablespoon rose water. Mix together and apply on the face. Wash off after 15 minutes.
• Mix egg white and honey and apply like a mask.

For Dry Skin
• Mix together one-tablespoon cornflakes with almond oil or milk and grind into a paste. Apply on the face
and wash off after 15 minutes.
• Take a little cream of milk (malai) and apply. Rinse off after 20 minutes.
Note: Honey is a powerful natural humectant, i.e. it attracts moisture to the skin.

Avocado is also known as Alligator Pear originated in southern Mexico. It has become a useful ingredient for our daily skin care routine. It is rich in fat as well as protein. These fats are monounsaturated which is good for a healthy heart. The provision of vitamin E in avocado helps the heart to remain fit. It is also known to supply 60% more potassium in comparison to banana.

It is also rich in fiber, foliate (folic acid), vitamin B6, iron, copper and magnesium. Other than applying avocado on your skin, consuming it in salad form can also be beneficial for your skin. avocado contains vitamins like A, D, and E which has penetrating qualities to improve your skin. avocado oil is also very useful for skin care. The oil is useful to remove any sun damage or age spots. It also softens the skin and provides a moisturizing effect and can do wonders on damaged, undernourished and dehydrated skin.

Simple Recipes for skin Care

PUFFED EYES
Cut avocado into slices and place it under each eye and relax with it for next 20 minutes. The changes would be remarkable.

EYE CREAM
Make an eye cream by mixing 5 drops of almond oil in 3 ripe slices of avocado. Blend this mixture and dab it around your eyes. Keep it for five minutes then rinse.

Another method of making the eye cream is by using 1/4 cup avocado oil with 1/4 cup aloe vera gel. You could also use apricot kernel, grape seed or sesame oil.

FACIAL MASK
This facial mask is useful for dry skin. Mash half avocado and apply it leisurely on your face. Keep it for 15 minutes and then rinse it off with warm water.

Make a paste of ½ ripe avocado mixed with 1 tsp vegetable oil. Apply this paste on a washed and clean face. Leave it for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse it with warm water. This masque is very good for dry skin.

SMOOTH AND BEAUTIFUL HANDS
Make a paste by mixing 1/4 peeled & smashed avocado, 1 egg white, 2 tbsp. oatmeal and 1 tsp lemon juice. Apply this paste on your hand and leave it for 20 minutes. Rinse it with warm water and pat it dry. You would be thrilled by the results by using it regularly.

FACIAL SCRUB
You would need 2 tbsp. flax seeds, 1/2 mashed banana and 1/2 avocado peel. Use a small bowl to mix flax seeds and banana. Scoop the banana and flax seed by using avocado peel. Massage this scoop on your face in circular motion, slowly and gently. Rinse it with warm water.

Natural Therapy For Headaches 

In about 5 mins, your headache will go..
The nose has a left and a right side. We use both to inhale and exhale. Actually they are different. You'll be able to feel the difference.

The right side represents the sun. The left side represents the moon.
During a headache, try to close your right nose and use your left nose to breathe.
In about 5 mins, your headache will go.

If you feel tired, just reverse, close your left nose and breathe through your right nose. After a while, you will feel your mind is refreshed.
Right side belongs to 'hot', so it gets heated up easily. Left side belongs to 'cold'.
Most females breathe with their left noses, so they get "cooled off" faster.

Most of the guys breathe with their right noses, they get worked up.
Do you notice, the moment you awake, which side breathes better?
Left or right ?
If left is better, you will feel tired. So, close your left nose and use your right nose for breathing. You will feel refreshed quickly.
Do you suffer from continual headaches?
Try out this breathing therapy.
Close your right nose and breathe through your left nose. Your headaches will be gone. Continued the exercise for one month.

Why not give it a try.....a natural therapy without medication.

HAIR MASKS

PROTEIN MASK 

If your hair is damaged, dry and lifeless due to overuse of hair products, constant exposure to heat or things like chlorinated pool water, there’s often no need to seek relief in expensive, designer shampoos – simply raid your kitchen cupboards for a whole range of barnet-revitalising ingredients, from avocados to eggs.

If the stresses and strains of washing, straightening and styling are a like workout for your hair, then this remedy is a protein shake. The proteins, fats and enzymes found in eggs have a powerful moisturising effect on hair, especially when combined with nourishing jojoba – and honey serves as both a deliciously-sweet antimicrobial and a means to keep your hair as moist and elastic as possible.

Directions:

1. Beat one medium-sized egg with 10 drops of Jojoba Base Oil

2. Add two tablespoons of 100% Organic Mountain Honey

3. Carefully coat your hair with the mixture, starting at the roots and moving out to the tips

4. Leave for about 40 minutes to fully benefit from the moisturising effects of the egg and jojoba

5. Wash off with a gentle shampoo and conditioner. Be careful to keep the shower temperature low – you don’t want the eggs scrambling in your locks!

Vitamin E moistening Oil 

If you’re plagued by dry, damaged hair or tormented by split ends, this revitalising remedy could revolutionise your hair care regime. Taking advantage of two of our most nourishing oils, it helps moisturise and add elasticity to hair from root to tip, reducing split ends and maximising scalp health, body and shine.

Directions:

1. Mix a tablespoon each of Essential Organic Raw Virgin Coconut Oil and Vitamin E Base Oil

2. Warm the resulting mixture gently to reduce viscosity. A microwave or very low flame will do the trick, but the oil should be comfortable to touch

3. Apply the warm oil to your hair, taking time to ensure each strand is coated

4. Wrap your hair with a towel to protect your bedding and leave oil overnight

5. Wash out oil in the morning using shampoo and conditioner as normal

Banana Mask

If your bananas are getting to that stage where they are more brown than yellow, you could always whip up a loaf of banana bread – or you could nourish your hair, moisturise your scalp and repair split ends, all in one go!

Cultures throughout Europe and Asia have used rosewater gastronomically and medicinally for millennia. Like many herbal preparations, it features heavily in the ancient Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda – but also has ceremonial applications in Islam, Hinduism, and the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Importantly, both rosewater and banana are fantastic emollients. This means that they moisturise, soften and add elasticity to hair – just the thing for taming split ends and dry, straw-like hair.

Directions:

1. Mash one ripe banana – the riper, the better

2. Add six drops of Lemon Essential Oil to the banana mash

3. Combine the resultant mixture with 50ml of Rosewater and stir well

4. Work the mixture into your scalp, taking care to cover each and every hair to the tip

5. For best effects, leave the mixture for an hour

6. Wash out with shampoo as usual

Anti- Ageing

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Aging is not just how you look – there's a whole aging process occurring in your body. On the one hand, it's an important process that everyone is going to undergo. On the other hand, outside factors can significantly speed the process of aging, especially on your skin.

As the skin ages, the layers of tissue and cells that form that firm, clear, youthful skin begin to thin. This contributes to the sagging, wrinkled, more translucent skin of old age. It can also affect healing and display other kinds of damage, like age spots.

While this process is going to occur to some extent in every person, there are factors that will speed it up, including:

 •Sun damage

•Toxic products

•Dry skin

You may also find that heavy stress levels make you age prematurely, as well. By changing the way we take care of our skin, we can actually affect the aging process itself.

 4 Essential Oils For Ageless Skin that Help Reverse Time

While good DIY body care products make a major difference in nourishing and protecting your skin from the effects of aging, there are a few very specific essential oils that work well in skin treatments and anti-aging formulations.

Use these essential oils in your normal body care products or as specific anti-aging oils to complement efforts to improve skin health and slow the aging process.

 Helichrysum

Though helichrysum is also named immortelle for its long-lasting blooms, the name bodes well for its ability to combat aging and turn back time. True to expectations, helichrysum essential oil is widely used in skincare preparations, usually for anti-aging purposes.

The benefits of helichrysum essential oil are said to occur at a cellular level, restoring the cell structures that spread and thin with age. It's a precious and usually pricey oil, but worth it to find and enjoy genuine helichrysum.

Application: Because of the price, helichrysum is best added as an ingredient within a cream or formula, usually for small applications like the face or a small scar. 

Rosemary

We know rosemary to be a good choice for skincare and hair health, but for anti-aging ability we can sneak some extra benefits from rosemary essential oil.

A study in 2007 took rosemary and lavender oils and tested its effects via inhalation. After simply breathing in the oil, participants were found to have lowered cortisol levels and better free radical scavenging antioxidant levels. (2)

What does that mean for skin? Free radical damage is a big part of the appearance of aging, and stress – manifested in high cortisol levels – can exacerbate it.

Application: It seems that simply smelling the oil can have anti-aging effects! Diffuse, use via personal inhalers, or add to topical treatments.

Geranium

The delicacy of floral oils can be misleading – they are strong and effective in so many different situations! Geranium essential oil, specifically rose geranium, is another of the essential oils for ageless skin that finds its way into skincare to combat aging.

 One good indication of geranium's anti-aging abilities is that it's anti-inflammatory. Tested in the lab for its efficacy against swelling, rose geranium was confirmed as a strong enough anti-inflammatory compound that pharmaceutical companies are digging to be able to exploit.

Keeping inflammation at bay helps to keep skin strong and resilient even while moving into the golden years.

Application: Include geranium essential oil in daily use DIY skin care products.

Lavender

Another anti-inflammatory oil, lavender essential oil is a go-to for safe and restorative skin treatments. In fact, lavender is an excellent example of whole body health, affecting the aging process from direct skin treatments to indirect calming benefits that ultimately impact skin health.

Whether topical for healing and rejuvenation, ingested and diffused for anxiety and stress (that ultimately damages health and skin), or inhaled with rosemary for stress and antioxidants, lavender is always a good choice.

Application: Keep lavender on hand as an addition to most DIY applications and uses. Its versatility is hardly matched – you'll be glad you invested in a good lavender oil!

 How to Take Care of Aging Skin

 Since time can't be avoided entirely, we'll all deal with aging skin at some point. Caring for our skin well is an important part of aging gracefully. Remember to:

 •Avoid excessive sun exposure

•Use a non-toxic sunscreen

•Use natural body care products

•Stay hydrated

•Moisturize regularly

•Minimize stress

•Minimize external toxin exposure

It's also important to manage other health conditions that may contribute to problems with the skin. Diabetes, obesity, circulatory issues, inflammatory illness, and stress are all major contributors to skin damage and poor aging.

Take care of yourself – mind and body – to make the most of your DIY skin care products!

Anti-Aging Essential Oil DIY

You can add skin-healing essential oils to any DIY skincare product, maximizing the antioxidant and rejuvenating effects. But for a simple essential oil blend to moisturize the skin, start with a healing carrier oil.

Jojoba is one of the most renowned oils for anti-aging, restorative effects. In a 2013 review, researchers summarized that “jojoba has anti-inflammatory effect[s] and it can be used on a variety of skin conditions including skin infections, skin aging, as well as wound healing.”

Combine about 3-5% essential oil ratio with your carrier oil of choice. Try any combination of oils like:

•Helichrysum

•Neroli

•Lavender

•Rosemary

•Yarrow

•Ylang Ylang

•Frankincense

 •Melissa

 •Geranium

 Experiment with your favorite fragrances and blends to create a one of a kind essential oil application with an anti-aging, pampering result.

Preventing Dark Spots

Dark spots are very often mistaken as ageing spots; however, these can occur at an early age and can also lead to a larger problem that is known as pigmentation. So what happens to the skin? How do these dark patches or spots begin?

Brown patches are very often triggered off in pregnant women and are also caused by hormonal changes in the body and exposure to the sun. In the lower layers of the epidermis there is a pigment called melanin that gives the skin its colour and also protects it from the rays of the sun. When the skin is exposed to the sun, the production of melanin increases. Once it is produced, melanin matures and moves to the upper layers of the epidermis. In some cases, this transfer of melanin gets blocked and there is no pigmentation. On the other hand, the transfer is sometimes accelerated resulting in pigmentation and dark skin or dark spots.

In fair skins, the pigment gets gradually destroyed as it moves upwards towards the uppermost layer of the epidermis. As melanin is a dark pigment, the skin’s surface acquires a dark colour – the more the melanin the darker the skin.

So to sum up the causes of dark spots and pigmentation, exposure to sun without protection, hormonal changes, vitamin deficiencies, some sort of reaction from certain medication, lack of sleep and excessive stress and pregnancy are responsible.
 

So how do we reduce and prevent the possibility of dark spots from appearing? Can we reduce the stress and improve our lifestyles by focusing on sleep, exercise and diets? This is the only remedy for a glowing and clear complexion. Then we can move onto the natural remedies that can be used to reduce spots and lighten skin that is plagued by pigmentation.

Moisturising the skin is very important and should be done as a daily routine. The combination of wheatgerm oil and almond oil - approximately 2 drops of each applied on the skin and left on will also help.

I have often seen the combination of 2tsp of honey mixed with lemon juice works wonders when massaged into the skin daily. Not only does it bleach the skin but also proves to be a powerful natural moisturiser

Alpha hydroxy acids prove to reduce dark spots and pigmentation and it is an extract from fruits. Paw paw or papaya pulp massaged on the skin daily helps reduce pigmentation and dark spots. It contains powerful cleansing enzymes that clarify the skin.

I have also created a wonderful de-pigmentation scrub which when used regularly helps improve the skin condition very effectively. Here goes –

100gm powdered almonds
50gm oats
4 tsp lemon peel powder
1 tsp fresh lemon rind
2 Tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp sandalwood powder
Method:
1. Mix all the dry ingredients and store in a jar.
2. Take a tsp and add fresh full fat milk and mix well. Apply onto the skin and leave for 10 minutes. When dry, dab with milk and scrub off in slow rotating movements and wash off with cold water.

The 3-Day Detox Diet Plan:

Before you kick off your 3-day detoxification program, make sure that you keep the below outlined points in your mind. This will help you to make the most out of the diet.

1. Make sure you drink at least 8 Oz of water in the morning. The water should be warm. Add freshly squeezed lemon juice to it to ensure your body gets Vitamin C, which will help to spur the production of digestive juices.
2. Along with the consumption of fresh fruit juices, such as apple, orange and pineapple, make sure that you also drink at least 8 glasses of water throughout the day.
3. Consume foods that are rich in fiber, such as whole wheat bread and buckwheat. In addition, make sure you consume three servings of fresh fruits and green leafy veggies.
4. During the 3-day detoxification process, it is necessary to flush out your kidneys and liver. Drink dandelion or chamomile tea. Drinking fresh fruit and veggie juices can also help.
5. Be sure to exercise regularly during the 3 days of detox. This can be in the form of jogging, brisk walking, or aerobics.
6. Sleep is important, so ensure about 8 hours of sleep every night. If possible, take a short nap of 30 minutes in the afternoon.
7. During the 3-day detox, do away with consuming meats and refined foods. You should be looking to consume fresh fruits, veggies, natural yogurt, seeds, brown rice and fish.
8. There are different diet plans for 3-day detox, but most will advocate eating fibre-rich and organic foods.

Here is a diet plan you can follow during the 3-day detox.

• Breakfast: Have a small bowl of porridge along with a few berries and a sprinkling of ground linseed.
• Mid-Morning Snack: Eat 10 almonds and one small apple or pear.
• Lunch: Eat one cup of beans cooked with onion and garlic, a small serving of quinoa or brown rice and a bowl of salad.
• Afternoon Snack: Consume carrot sticks, celery, and sliced pepper by themselves or with 2 tablespoons of hummus.
• Dinner: Eat a small portion of tofu, salmon, or organic lean chicken with steamed green veggies and 2 tablespoons roasted sesame seeds.

You also can consume baked potato, tuna, natural yoghurt, tomatoes, guacamole, oatcakes, and cucumber. While fried foods can be avoided, you are allowed to indulge in a small quantity of these delights, shallow fried in olive oil.

The 7-Day Detox Diet Plan:

The 7-day detox follows the same plan as the 3-day detox, but stretches for a week. Just like the 3-day detox, the emphasis is on eating natural foods to cleanse the body of toxins and eliminate the free radicals. In addition, you should be looking to consume a lot of water to flush out the toxins. Here too you should start your morning with a warm glass of water with lemon juice to get your digestive juices going. Make sure you drink this before you have your breakfast.

It is not too difficult to follow a nutritious and healthy detox diet plan. Here are some tips to get you started:

Day 1:

While the emphasis is on fruit, stay away from bananas during the 7 days.

• Start your morning with a smoothie, but avoid dairy and soy milk.
• You can have natural yoghurt though.
• Take two fruits and make a smoothie with a scoop of natural yoghurt.
• Have salad for lunch, but do not use dressing.
• Dinner is where you can unleash your creativity. Have canned fish, as long as it is preserved in water.
• You can enjoy tuna and a baked potato for dinner. Add a squeeze of lemon juice to zest up the flavors of tuna.

Day 2 to Day 4:

• Have porridge, fruit or smoothie for breakfast.
• For lunch, you can have baked or boiled potato to get some energy along with a bowl of fresh veggie salad.
• You can use dressing that is prepared using just 1 teaspoon olive oil.
• On the second day, stay away from banana.
• You can have stir-fried veggies for lunch or dinner.
• On day 4, you need to get your potassium levels up, so consume a banana and drink some skimmed milk.
• You can eat up to 8 bananas.

Day 5 to Day 6:

• This is where you introduce tomatoes and onion into your diet along with smoothies, salads, and canned fish.
• By the fifth day, you would notice weight loss and also find that you feel better.
• Eat steamed veggies for lunch and dinner along with steamed fish.
• You can also consume vegetable soup and guacamole with carrots and celery sticks.

Day 7:

• This is the last day of your detox and you will be thrilled to get back to normal diet.
• Indulge in as much of fresh fruits, veggies, and vegetable juices as you want.
• You may feel a little weak due to lack of carbohydrates, but you will feel fit.
• You can include brown rice in your diet to add a dose of carbohydrates.
• However, if you want to lose weight at the end of the detox program, avoid the rice.

Foods to Avoid During Detox:

There are certain food items that are a strict no-no while you are on the detox diet. Check out right here:

• Red meat
• Turkey
• Sausages, burgers, bacon and pate
• Eggs
• Cream
• Cheese
• Butter and margarine
• Salted nuts and savoury snacks
• Chocolates
• Sugar
• Alcohol
• Processed and refined foods
• Readymade frozen foods
• Tea
• Coffee
• Sodas
• Mayonnaise
• Pickles
• Ready-made salad dressing

Most detox diet plans are quite easy and simple to follow, as you will not be eating anything elaborate during your detoxification. After your detox, you will feel healthier, energetic and leaner. And, you will be set to tackle the rigors of your life once more.
Source: stylecraze

MIRACLE DRINK TO REDUCE DIABETES

Here’s the recipe of his favorite juice:

INGREDIENTS:

• 5 bananas
• 2 apples
• 2 kiwis
• A handful of kale

METHOD OF PREPARATION:

It is very simple to prepare, all you have to do is to put all the ingredients in a bowl and then pour half a liter of water over them.

USE:

You need to drink half a liter of this miraculous beverage in the morning, and the rest throughout the whole day.

MORE TIPS:

If you decide to follow this diet, you should eat fresh fruits, fruit salads all the time. You should also consume tuna because its use is recommended for the high amounts of vitamin B12, which is essential for the body.
You won’t feel hungry because your brain will know that the stomach is full.
Source: humannhealth

Its my ONLY daughters Bday!

Happy Birthday Ips, cause you are my treasure :)

Love you to the moon and back

3 Simple & Quick Homemade Clay Mask Recipes

Last time we hung out we played with lemons, oats, and honey.  Not only did we play with our food, we also smothered the ingredients all over our faces.  List-breaking to the max. Today, we’re going a step further with three mud-slinging, food-playing masks that deep-clean, moisturize, and stop those blemishes from ever coming back.
Each mask uses bentonite clay as the main ingredient. You may remember this clay from my favorite make-up bag essential, homemade foundation powder. I also use this clay to make my family’s homemade toothpaste. That’s some versatile clay!
Bentonite clay pulls toxins, chemicals, and even heavy metals. The clay also helps provide oxygen to cells and has an alkalizing effect. Bentonite clay is rich in beneficial minerals such as: magnesium, silica, and calcium. When mixed together with healing and antibacterial ingredients, the clay creates a mask that can safely and effectively be used for maintaining healthy skin.

Before we play, let’s take a look at a few other ingredients:
Yogurt: helps exfoliate skin and tighten pores with naturally-occurring lactic acid. Yogurt also contains anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties to help keep blemishes far away.
Honey: with antibacterial and antioxidant properties, honey is perfect for achieving that “glow” while fighting acne and nourishing aging skin. Honey also naturally opens pores.
Oats: contains anti-inflammatory properties and saponins, a cleansing agent, making oats perfect for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Tea Tree Essential Oil: Known for its antiseptic properties, tea tree essential oil has been used for everything from treating acne to dandruff.
Ready to play? Me too!

Acne-Fighting Tea Tree Mask

Ingredients

• 1 TB bentonite clay
• 1-2 TB water (Clean tap water is fine for short-term use. Use distilled or boiled and cooled water for long-term use.)
• 1 TB ground oats
• 4 drops tea tree essential oil

Instructions

Combine the bentonite clay and oats in a small bowl. (Please do not use a metal utensil or bowl when working with bentonite clay.)  Add in enough water to make a spreadable paste. Add 4 drops of tea tree oil and stir. Apply to the face for 10-15 minutes. To remove the mask, wash your face with warm water and a washcloth.
*Note: To grind oats, place desired amount of oats in a spice grinder, blender, or food processor. Pulse oats until coarse and flour-like.

Soothing Yogurt Mask

Ingredients

• 1 TB bentonite clay (where to buy)
• 1 TB plain yogurt (homemade)

Instructions

Combine the bentonite clay and yogurt. (Please do not use a metal utensil or bowl when working with bentonite clay.) Apply to the face for 10-15 minutes.  To remove the mask, wash your face with warm water and a washcloth.

Acne-Fighting Honey Mask

 Ingredients

• 1 TB bentonite clay
• 1 TB water
• 1 TB raw honey

 Instructions

Combine the bentonite clay, honey, and water. (Please do not use a metal utensil or bowl when working with bentonite clay.) Apply to the face for 10-15 minutes.  To remove the mask, wash your face with warm water and a washcloth.

Source : http://livesimply.me/2014/07/10/3-simple-quick-homemade-clay-mask-recipes/