Beauty, Charm & Style

With the summer in full bloom and farmer’s markets are filled with fresh and crisp fruits and vegetables.  There’s nothing more satisfying than buying the best produce the locals farms have to offer and know my future snacks will be yummy in my tummy.

But not only can you eat the fruit and vegetables, you can use them to make your face clean and clear and beautiful.

1. Try combining the following one teaspoon of plain yogurt and 2-3 tablespoons of fresh squeezed orange juice. Mix it in a bowl until it forms a paste, and then apply it to your face. The Vitamin C found in orange juice can do wonders for your complexion! Apply the mask for 5 minutes before washing it off.
2. Cook a peach until its soft and mash with a fork. Add in tablespoon of local honey and oatmeal (not instant, try the slow cook varierty) until its a thick consistency. Apply to skin. Let sit for 10 minutes and then rinse well with cool water.
3. Or, you can try the cucumber trick – a classic beauty move. Take a cucumber and grate it. Cover it, and place it in your freezer for 5 minutes. Take all but 2 teaspoons of the cucumber and mix it with plain yogurt. Next, take 2 pieces of surgical gauze and soak them in cold water. Take those 2 teaspoons of cucumber you set aside and place them in the centers of the pieces of gauze. Ball the two pieces of gauze into a teabag shape and place them over your eyes, applying the yogurt-cucumber mix to your face as a mask. In fifteen minutes, wash the substance off, and your face will be revitalized!

With these fresh ingredients, I know my face is going to get the most nourishment and sustenance available.  Truly additive free masks, the Orange, Peach or Cucumber mask is a perfect end to a summer weekend.

Bon Appetite!

Air Travel takes a lot out of a girl.  You’re tired, grumpy and always feel less than fabulous. What I have learned with my years of frequent flying is:

1. Don’t try to sneak a large bottle of face toner in a carry on bag – they will catch you and you will get embarrassed.
2. There is no graceful way to run through an airport when late for a plane – inevitably you will look like a character from “Home Alone.”
3. Air travel dehydrates a body faster than running a marathon.

And with dehydration comes a sore throat, scratchy skin, and straw hair.  So I fix my body with a glass of water, I fix my face with a ton of night cream, and I fix my hair with a hydrating hair masque – Alterna TEN Hair Masque.

Alterna 10 Hair Masque

Washing off the stink of travel and the smell of recycled air can be the best part of travel. Home at last, with regular sized bath products and full Caboodle of makeup, I’m back to my regular old self.

I wash my hair as usual, and after a nice rinse, I ring my hair out, turn the water off and towel my locks a little drier.  I take a big heaping handful of the Alterna 10 hair masque and massage into my hair.   Then to make sure no strand is left behind, I take my large toothed comb and run in through my hair.

A three minute wait time, just enough time for a good, clean leg shaving and a quick salt scrub for the feet.  I turn the water back on and rinse my hair.  Ooooh, it feels so soft and smooth.  Wanna feel?

It is important to keep your hair hydrated.  One of the biggest mistakes made in hair care is letting your hair get too dry.  Over washing, too may products  and color treatments all lead to dry damaged hair, which is not attractive and not sexy to run fingers through.  So at least once a week a good hydrating treatment allows hair to maintain it’s glossy look and silky feel.

The Breakdown:

• $55 a jar
• 5.1 fl. Oz.
• For all hair types

Tips:

• For more intense results, wrap hair using a warm, moist towel for 5-10 minutes before rinsing.

“Forgive me Father, for I have sinned, I went to bed with my makeup on.”

“For your penance, promise never to do this again, and revive your faith with Peter Thomas Roth’s Cucumber Gel Masque.”

Peter Tomas Roth Cucumber Gel Masque

Friday night was one hell of a party.  Wearing my new heels and a new frock, I stepped out on the town for an unforgettable evening of drinks, dancing and devilish good times.

12 hours later, my eyes peel open, my head is pounding and I think I may be dying.  I shuffle to my bathroom, splash water on my face, look in the mirror – I’m a train wreck.  Hair disheveled, mascara smudged and my skin, my usually porcelain white skin, looks dull and grey.  Talk about a dingy mug.

After a quick jump in the shower, I begin my regular face routine, wash, eye make-up removal and then I opened up my new jar of Cucumber Gel Masque.  A pure green color with a bit of a jiggle, this stuff smells so yummy that I know it’s going to be good for my face. I spread the gel generously and evenly over my face and I wait.  10 minutes.

While I wait, there are three reasons as to why I like this stuff.

1. The gel doesn’t dry out and crack like most masques, I feel the hydration happening the entire time I wear it.
2. Though the gel is green, the mask is relatively clear.  I can walk around my house and not scare my roommates, mailmen, plumbers or unexpected pizza delivery boys.
3. It’s made for even my super sensitive skin.

10 minutes is up.  I rinse off the masque with cool water, pat my face dry with a clean towel and use my regular eye cream and facial moisturizer. And behold – I have exorcised the demons of last night! And though my previous night’s behavior is not to be condoned, if you find yourself in a similar position, it’s good to know that Peter Thomas Roth’s Cucumber Gel Masque is available to wash away your sins. Hallelujah!

The Breakdown:

• 5.3 oz
• $45.00
• Contains cucumber, papaya, chamomile, pineapple, orange, lemon and bilberry extracts.
• Suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive and irritable.

Tips:

• Keep your gel in the fridge for a cool revitalizing burst in the morning
• Spread this stuff lightly on your face when you hit the gym, it will keep your face calm, cool and clean while you sweat away on the elliptical.
• Safe to use every day or just special occasions.