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You
don't need to go to an expensive salon to treat yourself
to a wonderful experience. Turn your bathroom into a weekend
spa. Find a good mudmask at the drugstore (or use one of
the recipes below). Draw a full bath and add either Epsom
or bath salt. Shut the door and leave the fan off, so as
to keep the steam as long as possible. Turn off the light
and light a candle if you like. You can even play soft music.
After
the bath apply the mask or one of the facials below. It's
summer and why not take advantage of those gardens aplenty.
If you don't have your own, pick up fruits and vegetables
of beauty from your local farmers market.
Facial
Masks: Apply the mask to a clean face, avoiding the
eye area, and leave on 15-20 minutes. Wash off with warm
water and follow with a cold rinse.
The
following is adapted from The Herb Book, by John
Lust
FACIALS
GOOD FOR DRY SKIN
Apricot Facial Mask: Take fresh or dried apricots,
mash them and mix with olive oil to form a spreadable paste.
Avocado
Facial Mask: Mash an avocado and heat it in a double
boiler until warm. A good dry skin moisturizer, this mask
provides protein and vitamins.
Banana
Facial Mask: Mash bananas with olive oil to form a paste.
FACIALS
GOOD FOR OILY SKIN
Brewers Yeast Facial Mask: Mix into a paste using a
small amount of water. Its abrasive action cleanses pores
and stimulates skin.
Cucumber
Facial: Apply cucumber slices or juice to face (and
hands, if desired). Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes, then
rinse off. Best for oily or normal skin. Is astringent,
cleansing, bleaching (for freckles and discolored skin);
also used for sunburn and rough skin.
Carrot
Facial: Apply carrot shavings with a little lemon juice
to the face. Astringent, provides vitamin A.
Honey
Facial Mask: Massage a small amount of warm honey over
face. Leave on 15 minutes. Good for blemished skin, cleanses
pores and tones skin.
Oatmeal
Facial Mask: Make a paste of dry oatmeal and warm water.
Dry oatmeal rubbed on the skin will remove flaky peeling
skin.
Papaya
Skin Treatment: Fresh mashed papaya applied as a face
mask removes dead flaky skin.
Tomato
Facial: Apply tomato slices or mashed tomato to face.
Leave on 15 minutes. This is a good mask against blackheads.
HAIR
RINSES
Chamomile Rinse for Blondes: Take 1/3 cup of chamomile
flowers and add them to 1 quart of boiling water. Steep
until tepid. Pour repeatedly over the hair. Leave on 15
minutes and then rinse out.
Lemon
Hair Rinse for Blondes: Use the juice of 2 lemons in
an equal amount of warm water. Leave on 15 minutes and sit
in the sun if possible. Rinse out.
Sage
Hair Rinse to Darken Hair: Take 1/3 cup sage leaves
and add them to 1 quart of boiling water. Steep for two
hours then strain. Pour over hair and leave on for half
hour, then rinse out.
Beer
Hair Rinse: Let a can of beer go flat and use as an
after-shampoo rinse. Do not rinse out. Provides body to
the hair. The beer smell goes away by the time your hair
is dry.
OTHER
GOOD THINGS
Wheat Germ Oil Fingernail Treatment: Place fingernails
in warmed oil for 3 to 4 minutes. Wipe off and massage nail.
Strengthens weak and brittle nails.
Egg
White Mask: Used as is or beaten, it tightens and tones
the skin.
After
all those good recipes using fresh fruit and vegetables
on your skin, just imagine how your body would feel if you
ate more of them! Next time you are at the grocery store,
pick out some avocados, papayas, or mangos for your stomach
as well as your face.
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