Very Simple Avocado Face Mask!

The At-Home Facial Cocktail for Softer, More Hydrated Skin

 

Young woman wearing a facial mask holding a slice of avocado

What You’ll Need:

  • 1 California Avocado (California avocados are the type of choice because of their high oil content)
  • 1/4 cup of plain yogurt

According to Shalini Vadhera, celebrity make-up artist and author of Passport to Beauty, the avocado should be smashed first, then the yogurt added. Once mixed, brush the mask on your face, and allow to chill for about twenty minutes.

Why it works: Avocados have been known for their hydrating properties in moisturizers from some time, as cited in a 1995 study in Archives of Dermatological Research.  There is also a limited amount of evidence suggesting that avocados may improve the skin’s defensive functions, as published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science.

Why yogurt works well comes down to the milk in the product, which contains lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid.  Although the preferred alpha hydroxy acid is usually glycolic acid (because glycolic acid increases the thickness and firmness of the skin over time, while lactic acid does not), lactic acid is able to hydrate the skin extremely well.

Lemon-Brown Sugar Body Scrub

Lately I’ve been trying to wean myself off store bought moisturisers and beauty products (makeup excluded, my love for MAC is undying). They just contain so many chemicals. There must be a better way! When I go into organic and whole food stores, it is just so expensive that I realistically couldn’t afford to switch my food, body products, hair products and cleaning products to organic brands. There are some sneaky ways to save and still expose yourself to less harmful chemicals!

Let’s start with an exfoliating body scrub! This lemon one sounds a REAL treat!

Body scrubs, applied in the shower, have multiple benefits, according to Sharon Mathieu, vice president of development and holistic advisor for Soothe Your Senses, a Mandeville, Louisiana-based company that manufactures all-natural, essential oil-based aromatherapy bath and body products.

Commercial body scrubs sell for about $15 to $25 a jar. This scrub makes a great gift for birthdays, holidays and other special occasions.

A body scrub cleans and exfoliates the skin, improves blood circulation and helps remove toxins, says Mathieu, a massage therapist and aromatherapist who also owns and operates the company’s day spa, where she practices therapeutic massage, Reiki, acupressure, prenatal massage, chakra balancing, Qi Qong and reflexology.

“This is traditionally a spa treatment that is finding its way to showers across the country,” she tells OrganicAuthority.com.

Ingredients
1/4 cup coarse brown sugar (to gently exfoliate without drying)
1 cup grapeseed oil (to moisturize)
1/4 cup grated lemon peel (to invigorate your senses)

Directions
1. Mix together all ingredients.
2. Gently rub on your body in a circular motion. Concentrate on rough areas like elbows, knees and heels.
3. Rinse with water.

Benefits of Body Scrubs:
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Cut Down Your Blow Drying Time!

I saw this awesome blog post on Lauren Conrads website The Beauty Department. Such good tips! Almost a little TOO good if you ask me..

Here are my favorite summer time styling secrets for blowing out your hair in this hot-hot-heat:

*During the summer months, open the window while you blow dry. If there’s no “new air” circulating, it can literally double your blow dry time. If it’s really humid outside, turn the air conditioning on while you blow dry instead. Don’t trap yourself in a teeny tiny bathroom with no air. Your blow out will take forever.

*Do your best to blow dry during the cooler part of the day– early morning, or late at night.

*Half way through your blow out, turn on the cold air setting and cool everything down. This will lower the temperature of your scalp and helps avoid trapping heat+ moisture near your scalp (which is what makes your hair frizz right back up)!



*If your hair always tends to frizz up after blow drying, coil it in a low, tight bun and let it set while you finish getting ready. Right before you head out, let the bun down + put a small amount of anti-frizz serum or argan oil through the ends.

*The key to blow drying on a hot day is getting it done quickly. You just want to hurry up and get it over with! If you have straight or wavy hair, keep brushing your hair with a flat/paddle brush while you’re blow drying. Water gets trapped between the hairs which is what keeps it wet. The quicker you separate the hairs and get air between them, the faster your hair will dry.

*My last hot weather blow drying tip: always finish your summer time blow drying by using cold air for a full 2 minutes. It will make a huge difference.

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‘No Makeup’ Makeup Tutorial!

One of you girls linked to this awesome tutorial on twitter yesterday and I just had to share it here! This is the first time I’ve heard of Lisa Eldridge and she is amazing!
How to do the ‘No Makeup’ makeup look..




Banish Bags, Wrinkles and Dark Circles

My self esteem took a blow on Saturday night when I was going into a club and the bouncer didn’t ask me for ID.

It wouldn’t be THAT bad if he didn’t then proceed to ask my 25 year old male friend for ID! So this makes me wonder if I look older than 25? How old do I look? I’m freaking out over here girls!

So obviously I’ve decided to take better care of my skin and tonight coated my face with a collagen mask and did my dry brushing for three times as long!

Here’s an article I found about under eye wrinkles and bags. If you girls know any tips, post them in the comments section below!

Do you take time to lavish a little TLC on your eyes? They’re the focal point of your face and help to give it its own special beauty. Tired, baggy eyes can add years to your age, while sparkling eyes can brighten your face and create the illusion of youth. To show them off to their best advantage, it’s vital to care for the delicate area around them, so here’s our guide on how to age-proof your eyes with fabulous treatments and clever tips.

BANISH BAGS
As you get older, the septum around your eyeball socket, which holds the eye in place, can become weaker. This can cause pouches as outer layers of fat inside the socket sink forward. These ‘true bags’ can only be removed by surgery, and the new technique is to reposition the fat cells, rather than remove them, to prevent a ‘hollowed’ look.

Puffiness that comes and goes is usually caused by fluid retention and is often more noticeable in the mornings as fluid builds up while you sleep. It can also be worse if you have allergies or are pre-menstrual. Try sleeping on your back, with your head raised on pillows to aid drainage. Avoid using oily products around the eyes, and eating salty or spicy foods.

Tips

Try using a cooling eye mask.
The caffeine in tea works as a diuretic. Put two wet tea bags in the fridge overnight, then place them over your eyes for as long as you can in the morning.
Promote fluid drainage by using your middle fingers to tap gently from the inner corners of the eyes along the lower orbital bone, out along the temples, down in front of the ear lobe, and down the neck to shoulder level.

Perfect Potions
Light gels or lotions are best for puffy eyes. Keep them in the fridge for added effect.

Optical illusion
To draw attention away from bags, use an eyelash curler to make eyes appear bigger. Apply mascara to the upper lashes only. If you’re prone to itchy eyes or allergies, stick to fragrance-free brands such as Almay and Clinique.

SMOOTH WRINKLES
The skin around the eyes is incredibly fragile, with very few oil glands, making it prone to dehydration. Tiny muscles keep the area working constantly as we express ourselves, giving rise to wrinkles. Smoking and sun are also enemies here.

Tips
Choose an eye cream with sunscreen for daytime use. Every night, apply a quality night eye cream packed with anti-ageing, nourishing and hydrating ingredients.
When removing make-up, drench the cotton pad with remover and dab gently rather than dragging across the eye.

Optical illusion
Avoid creamy or shimmery eye shadows that may seep into your fine lines and accentuate them. Less is more when it comes to crinkly eyelids.

DIMINISH DARK SHADOWS
Dark shadows under the eyes are often caused by excess pigment, which tends to be hereditary and more common in people with olive skin tones. Medical conditions such as renal and thyroid problems can also cause dark circles, as can fatigue. When you’re tired, you become dehydrated more easily, making skin look thinner and circles more prominent.

Tips
Get plenty of sleep and drink lots of water.
Choose a cream with gentle lightening botanicals such as bisabolol and bearberry, plus capillary-strengtheners such as vitamin K and arnica.
See your doctor to check that dark circles aren’t due to an underlying medical problem.

Quick fix
A great under-eye concealer can work wonders on dark circles. Avoid dry formulas as they can accentuate fine lines.

Optical illusion
Gently pat on some eye cream before applying a light coat of foundation with a sponge. Apply a liquid concealer with a fine brush to the inner corners of your eye and gently blend outwards with your fingertip. Use a soft brush to sweep up excess concealer.

Save $100 on Anti-Aging Solution

BROW BEATERS
Brows should be shaped to flatteringly frame the eye area, but don’t be tempted to over-pluck. If in doubt, consult a salon professional, then maintain the shape yourself. As a general rule of thumb, the brow should start above the inner corner of your eye, and if you draw a diagonal line from your nose past the outer corner of your eye, that’s where it should end. The arch should be directly above the outer edge of the iris. Brows can easily be tinted to match your hair or complexion. Tame unruly brows with a brow gel, which conditions brows while holding them in place and adding shine.

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How To Get Lauren Conrad’s Hair

Lauren Conrad has launched her own beauty blog called The Beauty Department. I found this video really helpful! Does anybody else watch youtube tutorials on hair and makeup?