DISCLAIMER:
Please be aware of any allergies you may have before experimenting with natural recipes for skin care routine. It is recommended that you consult with your doctor or dermatologist to ensure safety before using “Do It Yourself” techniques on this page.
Welcome to DIY facial & Skin Care.
In this period of quarantine confinement we have limited access to spas, beauty salons, hairdressers etc., and most likely when this is all over it may have an adverse effect on the economy, there could be an increase in beauty and skin care products. You can save time and money by practicing the DIY routines.
I have compiled some suggestions for skin care, some made of natural products. I have experimented with most of these skin care techniques, some were introduced to me by my family and friends, some I discovered on my own – They have worked for me over the years and hopefully you will be pleased with the results as I have been. Have fun while making yourself beautiful!
Each month we will have new DIY beauty ideas especially for you.
For the month of August we will begin to focus on skin care
to prepare for the cold months ahead that can be challenging on our skin
AUGUST
August is here and fall is just around the corner. I have always had mixed feeling about the month of August, its the last month for all the summer fun. We are about to say goodbye to all the beautiful experiences, the games, the outings, the picnics, the laughter and it’s not long before we take down our gazebos, pack up the outdoor furniture and we are watering our gardens for the few final weeks. August brings some feelings of sadness akin to being in an airport, about to wave goodbye to our close and dearest friends.
We now look with anticipation to the winter and begin to think about preparing for the holiday seasons ahead so we can put our best face forward. We will start with a DIY Facial.
Image by bridgesward from Pixabay
This is a facial routine I’ve been doing for years when I have a special occasion and time does not permit me to visit a beautician and during the quarantine a DIY facial is a life saver.
- Clean your face thoroughly, preferably washing the face with facial soap and not using creams
- Use astringent to remove any excess make-up
- Apply peel-off face mask and leave for fifteen minutes or until thoroughly dried
- Peel off the mask
- Massage the face using upward motions
- Apply a thick layer of face cream and leave for about two minutes
- Steam the face while massaging the cream on the face (I usually steam for about five minutes)
- Apply a clay mask (at this point you can either use tea-bags or cucumber slices over the eyes)
- lay on a bed and hang your head over the edge of the bed, this assist gravity to pull the skin taunt (I usually stay in this position for about five to ten minutes then change to a reclining position and relax for another ten minutes or until the mask is dried)
- Wash the mask off with warm water or this is the perfect time to sit in the tub for a relaxing soak, while washing off the mask.
- Finally apply warm oil or your favourite moisturizer.
I usually feel relaxed after I pamper myself with this facial.
It’s best to enjoy this when you are at home alone and follow with a glass of your favourite wine.
You can also use this diy avocado recipe mask for your facial routine.
AVOCADO MASK
Pamper your skin by using half of a very ripe avocado and the whites of an egg
Whip until smooth and apply to face for approximately 30 minutes.
Rinse thoroughly and moisturize with baby oil, apricot, or almond oil.
You can also use these oils on your body to preserve skin luster and softness after bathing.
You use the other half of the avocado as a breakfast special.
JULY
July…and we are smack dab in the middle of summer when the gardens are in full bloom and we are enjoying the summer fests to the fullest – We rise with the sunset and retire way after sun down. We want to enjoy every fleeting second.
During the summer and when we are on vacation we opt for simplicity, we prefer hair do’s that is easy to maintain either a short coif or braids is ideal for this glorious time of year.
Photo by Bia Sousa from Pexels
Braiding or twists are beautiful and time saving especially during the summer months or on vacation, you can be as creative as you want with styling and it’s super easy to maintain. Consistently braiding or keeping braids in for longer than six weeks can cause stress to your your hair that can eventually result in hair loss. Massaging the scalp with a hair moisturizer will help strengthen the hair roots and deter hair loss.
Photo by Chrofit the man to call from Pexels
A short coif in the summer is sexy and easy to manage
JUNE
Summer officially begins in the month of June – There are weddings, festivals, fairs. Beaches and amusement parks are opened – We want to look our best however the heat and humidity can be our hair worst enemy. There are some simply DIY hair hacks we can do to keep our crowing glory looking healthy.
Our hair, like our skin changes with age and the weather. Consult with your hair dressers and let them be your guide about the products best suited for your hair type and texture. In between hair dressers or during quarantine there are some DIY routines you can use to maintain your beautiful locks.
Washing your hair is mandatory, however the frequency depends on your hair type. I used to wash my hair once a week, but it started drying out and using coconut or any oil based treatment with the exception of castor or olive oil made it brittle and I experienced dry ends and breakage.
I began experimenting co-washing weekly ie: applying conditioning to my hair, leaving it for about twenty minutes, then washing it out without shampoo while taking a shower. I found that shampoo and deep steam conditioning my hair once a month work best for my hair type and saw a great improvement in my hair texture and growth.
My simple recipe for co-washing:
One tablespoon shea-butter mixed with two teaspoon of castor oil
Heat until the two products are blended – allow to cool
Apply to hair – leave for twenty minutes
Rinse – let hair air or blow dry
You can also use a conditioning cream of your choice
- MAY
Effective make up should enhance not disguise…
Makeup artisan are pure genius at what they do, and I have great respect for their craft.
Your face is your resume’ you can hide any shortcomings you may have with artful clothing but your face is your identification card to the world – Treat it with care – Invest in a good line of makeup especially foundation.
Beautiful healthy skin is the best asset you can have and effective make up should enhance not disguise.
There seems to be the new trend in make up is to transform your looks completely to the extent that it is difficult to recognize the real person under the artful application of makeup.
Personally I believe that less is more, and that enhancing your God given attributes is more flattering than disguising your features to make you look like someone else. Too much makeup can cause breakouts, skin irritation, and premature wrinkles
Keep your makeup brushes, sponges and bags scrupulously clean to prevent breakouts.
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There are excellent skin care products available that will give you healthy glowing skin or if you prefer using natural products available at your grocery or health food store can work just as well.
I am an advocate for using natural product for skin care and for common cold, to aches and pains.
Just a word of caution before going natural verify with your doctor that your acne, skin problems or pains are not caused by a medical condition.
APRIL
CLEANSING THE FACE
April and we are feeling the freedom of Spring.
We have abandoned the heavy winter coats in exchange for a lighter and shorter version,
The boots are gone and we are beginning to live again.
We are putting our best face forward.
Cleansing your face thoroughly once a day is a good practice to prevent pimples and blackheads and keeps the skin smooth and youthful:
- Fill sink or basin with warm water
- Wet face and lather with facial soap in an upward motion
- Continue to wash face moving the skin of your face upwards
- (if you have a very soft brush, facial cleansing pad, or soft cloth, gently stroke the skin upwards)
- Refill sink or basin with warm water and rinse face thoroughly
- (I usually use ten handfuls of water to make sure all residue is rinsed off.
- Rinse with cold running water
- Do not dry your face, let air dry.
- (a cosmetologist advise me letting the face air dry is the best way to retain moisture and delay wrinkles)
- Apply generous amount of moisturizing cream of your choice.
- (My moisturizers of choice is, olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter or non-scented castor oil)
- If you are applying foundation cream, blot face with with soft tissue before applying foundation.
- In the evening, use a night cream.
MARCH
SHIATSU MASSAGE
The best way to start off your facial routine is giving yourself a Shiatsu Massage.
Massages keep the face firm and slows down the aging process.
If you commit to doing a self massage once a week it will help with the circulation and contribute to a glowing complexion.
Use a facial vitamin cream or baby oil and massage the direction of the arrows.
The word Shiatsu derive from Japanese (shi = finger; atsu = pressure)
Exercising and massaging the face helps with the circulation and assists in keeping the face youthful
Photo by Armin Rimoldi from Pexels
Photo by Vie Studio from Pexels
Photo by Suzy Hazelwood from Pexels
Photo by Adrienne Andersen from Pexels
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