The Mighty Egg!

Dear Reader,

A few days ago, I decided to do blackhead extraction—the proper and painful way, that takes forever and a lot of patience. Of course doing this in conjunction with plucking my eyebrows, I was relieved to be finished poking and prodding of myself.

But then, I woke up the next morning, I washed my face, to felt a pimple just beginning under the surface of my skin. The redness wasn’t there yet, but that tell-a-tale stiffness to the skin—right on the tip of my nose. With the Vampire ball in a week and a half, I knew I needed to do something more than wait around for it to spring up on me. And even though I had already gone through the masochistic routine of removing blackheads, for all my efforts, the pores I had extracted from don’t heal too fast. So, it was time to try something new.

Right before my wedding in August, I’d researched home remedies for facials, but I’d never got around trying most of them. But one stayed in my mind. The egg white mask. Simple, and the benefits—in theory that is—are endless. The egg is chock full of vitamins and minerals, and absent of the chemical ingredients I normally have reactions to. So, why not…I went back to the computer and looked it up.

The egg white mask can be used two different ways, but both methods I chose to take note of start off the same way. (Since I have only done this once myself, I do not endorse these methods, just passing long the bits and pieces of what I’ve read and the endless reviews of experimenters I poured over yesterday)

To start: crack one egg, and separate the yolk from the white into two containers (the articles I read said to throw out the yolk, but DON’T! I researched an idea to use the whole egg, and I’ll get into that later…) Beat the egg white with a fork until very light and frothy.  

***To brighten, tighten pores and induce collagen production. (I did read somewhere that prolonged use of egg white will whiten/lighten the skin. Keep this in mind, should you try to use these methods)

Wash face with your favorite face wash.

Apply egg white to face (and neck if you want) in an even thin layer, avoiding eyes and mouth. Leave on for 15-20 minutes **do not exceed 30 minutes**

Wash face again with face wash to remove residue. Moisturizer is optional, though I didn’t apply any, so I could assess the effect on its own.

Your skin should feel smoother, tighter and your pores less noticeable.

*** Black head extraction method

Cut/tear up tissue paper into squares and/or strips (enough to cover face). Apply egg white to the face (and neck if you want) in an even layer (not necessary thin). Apply tissue paper over this layer, ensuring there is enough egg white to make the tissue stick to the face. Get into the corners of your nose. DO NOT cover your eyes and mouth, and avoid the more sensitive skin around these areas. Sometimes this takes practice. Once you look like a mummy, gently dab more egg white to the tissue, careful not to lift the tissue off your skin. Leave on about 15 minutes, or until the mask is completely dry. Then from the neck/chin upward to your forehead, gently peel the mask from your skin.

Wash face again with face wash to remove tissue and egg residue. Moisturizer is optional, though I didn’t apply any, so I could assess the effect on its own.

Your skin should feel smoother and your pores less noticeable. Some blackheads will be removed, you might even see them on the tissue. Others will be raised to the surface of the skin, making it easier to remove with an extractor, or with the next treatment, should you chose to try this again.

*****

One thing I did not read in any of the articles, is you could try steaming your face first, by placing a hot-wash cloth (not too hot) on your face for 10 minutes before applying the egg white. Or having a hot shower, and allowing the steam to open your pores and pre-soften the dirt for easier extraction or application of other masks and treatments.

Why would egg white work? The components of a drying egg white acts like a suction cup, regardless of which of the above methods you choose. As it dries, it not only infuses your skin with some of the benefits of the vitamins, it draws the dirt, oil, dead skin cells (the first few layer of your dermis) and toxins up to the skin’s surface, and some of it right out of your pores. Though the blackhead extraction method seems to work better as an exfoliation than the brightening method.

Now, after trying to blackhead removal, the pimple on the tip of my nose rose to the surface and reddened overnight. I am not alarmed, as my esthetic training gives me enough understanding of the “life-cycle” of a pimple from the beginning piece of dirt lodging in a pore, to the infection/inflammation to extraction. I have hurried the process by bringing the trapped toxins of the papule (a pimple without a head) closer to the surface. Soon enough the head will form to allow removal, and the healing can begin. This natural treatment, like most treatments will not work overnight. It is not a miracle cure. Nothing is, regardless of what commercial companies want you to believe or the price tag. Patience is needed. Tonight, I am going to try the mask again, and see what happens. Though for others, I don’t recommend this as part of a daily regimen. Egg white could be drying to the skin if used too much. Twice a week should be sufficient.

Also keep in mind pimples, blackheads and whiteheads come from a variety of sources: stress, lack of sleep, touching your face too much, bad diet and lack of exercise. To bring about change to your complexion, watch the stress, stay active, avoid fatty foods and dairy, take multi-vitamins, do not touch your face during the day, and make sure your sheets are frequently cleaned, in addition to developing a routine that is beneficial for your specific skin type.

And now, onto the leftover yolk! I looked this up to find a natural deep conditioner for your hair. Again, I’ve never tried it, and I don’t indorse it. Depending on the length of your hair, you might need one or two egg yolks. Beat the yolk(s) in a bowl. Add one tablespoon cold-pressed organic olive oil (1 tablespoon of baby oil can be substituted, apparently this will also make it smell better than olive oil) Add one cup of warm water to the mixture to make it easier to spread through the hair.

Wash your air with gentle shampoo. With your head tipped back, take half have the egg/oil mixture and pour over your roots. With the second half work into the ends with your hands. Comb through with your fingers (NEVER use a comb or brush on your hair when it’s wet, it causes damage to the weakened follicle. Only use a brush when it’s about 60% dry) Leave on for three minutes, and rinse in cold water.

OR you can apply two straight egg yolks to your hair, put a plastic cap on your hair, leave on for up to 30 minutes. Rinse in cool water.

Now you have used all the egg! Happy experimenting. If you decide to try any of these home treatments, let me know how it turns out J

Kayden

BeautyFriday: Beauty In Clay

Dear Reader,

Today, let’s talk clay!!

The properties of clay are nearly endless, and those benefits will serve you well. There is a specific kind for every skin-type, and used for both body and facial treatments. Spas use these goodies all of the time—and for good reason.

Some clays can be used alone dampened with water to pull toxins from your skin. Sometimes essential oils are used to enhance and add properties to the treatments. Including that of acne and other problem skins.

You can obtain most clays at health food stores, or online.

*** Please remember that not all facial masks and treatment recipes are for every skin type. Read through a recipe and decide if this is the facial mask for you based on your knowledge of your own skin type and problem areas.

*** When working with essential oils, ensure you don’t add more than what is called for. Always check for allergies. Some oils will aggravate some medical conditions and are not good for pregnancy. I highly recommend looking them up before use.

Here are some of the types:

Green clay:

Helps to draw toxins from the skin and can calm inflammations. It is particularly good for acne.

Red clay:

Suitable for dry and sensitive skins.

Pink clay:

Particularly useful for toning dull, tired, or devitalized skin. It also has excellent cleansing properties.

Bentonite clay:

This is a detoxifying agent like a sponge by attracting and absorbing toxins from the face and body—to be used in masks for both

Types of Kaolin Clay

French Clay:

It is effective in absorbing oil and toxins from skin.

Rose Clay:

It consists of iron oxides. It has cleansing properties that help in skin exfoliation and rejuvenating the skin.

White Clay:

Also known as china clay and it is ideal for sensitive skin .White kaolin clay mask does not absorbs oil and hence ideal for people with dry skin. The gentlest of all clays.

Yellow Clay:

It has the same properties as white clay and is ideal for people with sensitive, normal, and dry skin.

Rhassoul Clay:

This clay is found in mountains of the Atlas and widely used in beauty spas. It makes skin smooth and soft.

Fuller's Earth Clay:

It's regular application helps in lightening the skin tone. It also absorbs excessive oil from the skin and hence is ideal for oily skin types

Let’s get on with some excellent ways to use these clays, shall we? There are so many more ways to use them and recipes to create, but this is a brief overview...

Clay Facial Masks

Deep Cleansing Clay Mask

This clay mask recipe is most suitable for oily skin

1 ounce green clay

3 tablespoons distilled water

1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin

1 drop Geranium essential oil

2 drops Grapefruit essential oil

1 drop Juniper essential oil

Soothing Clay Mask

This clay mask recipe is most suitable for dry and sensitive skins. If the facial clay mask dries out too much while it is on you can spray your face with distilled or floral water

1 ounce red or white clay

3 tablespoons rose water

1 teaspoon jojoba

2 drops Chamomile essential oil

2 drop Rose essential oil

Revitalizing Clay Mask

This clay mask recipe is most suitable for dull and tired skins in need of a boost to reclaim that healthy glow

1 ounce pink clay

3 tablespoons orange flower water

1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin

1 drop Neroli essential oil

2 drops Orange essential oil

2 drops Petitgrain essential oil

Method for making Deep Cleansing, Soothing and Revitalizing masks:

Combine the clay and the floral or distilled water in a bowl and mix well until a good thick paste is formed.

Add the remaining ingredients and mix well.

Spread the mixture over a clean, damp face and neck, avoid the eye area.

Relax for 15 minutes, preferably lying down.

Rinse off well with warm water before applying a toner and moisturizer.

Facial Clay Mask for Mature Skin

The oatmeal and avocado oil used in this recipe is perfect for mature skin along with the specially chosen essential oil blend

1 ounce red clay

2 teaspoons finely ground oatmeal

3 tablespoons rosewater

1 teaspoon avocado oil

1 drop Frankincense essential oil

1 drop Neroli essential oil

1 drop Rose essential oil

Method

Combine the clay and oatmeal in a bowl and mix well.

Next add the rosewater and avocado oil and mix again until a good thick paste is formed.

Add the remaining ingredients and mix well.

Spread the mixture over a clean, damp face and neck, avoid the eye area.

Relax for 15 minutes, preferably lying down.

Rinse off well with warm water before applying a toner and moisturizer.

Facial Clay Mask for Acne

Green clay is excellent for drawing out impurities. Combine this with the wonderful healing properties of aloe vera and the combination of essential oils. This facial clay mask for acne is perfect for dealing with those unfortunate break-outs that can occur at the most inconvenient of times!

1 ounce green clay

3 tablespoons aloe vera gel

1 teaspoon orange flower water

2 drops Lavender essential oil

1 drop Orange essential oil

1 drop Ti-tree essential oil

Method

Combine the clay and aloe vera gel in a bowl and mix well.

Next add the orange flower water, mixing in well to form a thick paste.

Finally, add the essential oils and again mix well.

Spread the mixture over a clean, damp face and neck, avoid the eye area.

Relax for 15 minutes, preferably lying down.

Rinse off well with warm water before applying a toner and moisturizer.

BeautyFriday: Dry Skin

Hey Readers,

Today, let’s get a bit into dry skin. A lot of us experience this, and it can be annoying! But there are some ways you can take care of it at home.

*** Please remember that not all facial masks and treatment recipes are for every skin type. Read through a recipe and decide if this is the facial mask for you based on your knowledge of your own skin type and problem areas.

Toner

Rosewater Skin Toner

Rosewater skin toner is a natural toner that freshens and tones your skin, and prepare it nicely for the application of your make-up. Rosewater also helps keep your face moisturized, fresh and balances the pH levels and is perfect for dry to sensitive skin.

Gather fresh rose blossoms.

Be careful to gather fresh rose pedals and never use pedals that have been sprayed with pesticides.

Place the petals in a pan covering them with fresh distilled water and place a heat resistant dish directly over the pedals to make them lay on the bottom of the pan.

Put the pan over a low heat for about 45 minutes to an hour, DO NOT BOIL. As the water heats up you will begin to see drops of rose oil forming on the surface of the water.

Soon the water will begin to have a rosy color to it and feel thick and oily, this means it is ready.

When the pedals have cooled use a tea strainer to strain the liquid and use your fingers to squeeze as much liquid from the pedals as possible. Store in the refrigerator.

Exfoliation

Yogurt Walnut Scrub

Use this on normal or combination skin. The nuts exfoliate old dry skin while the yogurt sooths.

1/4 cup plain yogurt; chilled

1/4 cup walnuts; ground or pulverized

Instructions:

Stir ingredients together. Apply to freshly cleaned face and gently massage.

Miracle Whip Exfoliator

Make sure all your hair is pulled back from your face. Apply a thin layer of the Kraft Miracle Whip all over your face, up to the eyelashes and make sure to also put some on your neck. The smell of it will be unpleasant—but the result worth it.

Leave on for 10 minutes, then massage gently. The dead skin cells on your face will roll off in rubbery little balls. Rinse your skin with tepid water, then cleanse with a toner or cleanser.

Use this everyday for 6-8 weeks, as it will slowly take away the dry, dead skin cells and reveal softer, smoother skin underneath.

Facial masks for dry skin

Autumn Apple Facial Mask

Just because the leaves on the trees are falling down dead, doesn't mean your skin has to. Get rid of those dead skins cells with this mask

Ingredients:

1/4 of an apple

1/2 Teaspoon Half and half

1 Teaspoon honey

1 Tablespoon Oatmeal

Instructions:

Mash with a fork in a small bowl and mix it together well. Then apply it to your face. Leave on for 10 minutes and then rinse off.

Chocolate Facial Mask

This moisturizing mask smells so good you'll be tempted to eat it rather than wear it

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon cocoa powder

1 Tablespoon heavy cream (whipping cream)

1 teaspoon cottage cheese

4 teaspoon honey

1 teaspoon oatmeal

Instructions:

Puree all ingredients in a blender. Apply to freshly cleaned face and leave on for 10 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.

BeautyFridays: Stacey Krug, Independent Sales Consultant

Hey Readers,

Today we have our very own Independent Beauty Consultant with us today, Stacey Krug. She brings us some expert advice, and if you contact her, she can give her more information on a range of products.

Beauty Tip #1

Don’t use any abrasive product on your face. Only use something that feels like silk. Abrasive products may speed up the aging process of your skin.

I have incredible products that will clean, moisturize, heal, and turn back the aging process.

Beauty Tip #2

As we age, our skin losses its effectiveness to slough off old skin cells; leaving us looking older than we actually are. To help combat this problem we need to exfoliate once or twice a week. Remember that you only want to use something that feels like silk on your skin, this includes exfoliating. Abrasive products may speed up the aging process of your skin.

I have an incredible exfoliating product that will renew your skin in just 10 minutes.

Beauty Tip #3

The first signs of aging usually occur around your eyes in the form of small lines and wrinkles. When applying eye products never pull or tug on the skin under or around your eye. Instead use your pinky or ring finger (the weakest fingers) to lightly dab in the product around your eye.

I have two incredible products that will help reduce sagging, puffiness, dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles.

How old you are is your business, how young you look is mine!

Stacey Krug

Independent Sales Consultant

For more information contact me at:

Stacey-Krug@comcast.net

BeautyFriday; Normal Skin

Hey readers,

Hope you’re enjoying RecipeMondays and SneakPeakWednesdays. Now, this is the introduction of BeautyFridays.

Some of you may know that I took courses in becoming esthetician in fact. I attended Blanche MacDonald almost ten years ago. These courses taught me a range of different things from make-up, skin-care and nails. Also, we got into different skin-care lines and aromatherapy. And while I now work in office management and an author—this course was a blast and taught me a lot.

So let’s talk beauty, shall we?

*** Please remember that not all facial masks recipes are for every skin type. Read through a recipe and decide if this is the facial mask for you based on your knowledge of your own skin type and problem areas.

*** When working with essential oils, ensure you don’t add more than what is called for. Always check for allergies. Some oils will aggravate some medical conditions and pregnancy, and I highly recommend looking them up before use.

Normal Skin Treatments:

Method of making homemade facial toners

The toners are all made the same way. Place the rosewater base into a clean glass bottle and add the essential oil of choice. Close the bottle and shake the mixture vigorously to help disperse the oil.

Leave the mixture for at least 36 hours before vigorously shaking it again, and then filtering it through a paper coffee-filter to remove the larger amount of essential oil. Re-bottle the filtered toner and remember to shake it before use to ensure proper distribution of the mixture.

Inclusion of certain ingredients, such as witch-hazel, into a toner mixture adds an astringent quality to it (use for acne), should this be required. Please keep in mind that some individuals find that witch-hazel is too drying for their skin. In that case, rather use the toner with just the rosewater.

Use toners in the morning after cleansing the skin. Also, after using a facial mask, to clean of remnants of the treatment, before the moisturizer.

Toners

Toner for dry to normal skin

100 ml Rosewater

1 drop Chamomile essential oil

1 drop Geranium Oil

Combine, mix and filter all the ingredients as described above.

Toner for oily to normal skin

100 ml Rosewater

1 drop Juniper Berry essential oil

1 drop Rose essential oil

Combine, mix and filter all the ingredients as described above.

Toner for normal to sensitive skin

100 ml weak, brewed chamomile tea

1 drop German Chamomile essential oil

Combine, mix and filter all the ingredients as described above.

Astringent

25 ml witch-hazel

75 ml Rosewater

1 drop Cypress essential oil,

2 drops Sandalwood essential oil

Combine, mix and filter all the ingredients as described above.

Exfoliating Normal Skin

Soothing Strawberry Scrub

Use this on normal or combination skin. The strawberry seeds exfoliate old skin while the yogurt soothes.

1/4 cup plain yogurt; chilled

3-4 strawberries; mashed

Stir ingredients together. Apply to freshly cleaned face and gently massage strawberry mixture to exfoliate. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.

Normal Skin Treatment

Banana, Honey and Yogurt Facial Mask

1/2 banana

2 tablespoons yogurt

1 tablespoon honey

Instructions:

Mash the banana with a fork, and then mix in honey and yogurt. Apply to your face evenly. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with cool water or a soft wash cloth.

Peach Mask

1 ripe peach

1 egg white

1 tsp unflavored full-fat yogurt

Peel and pit the peach. Blend together with egg white and yogurt until smooth. Pat gently onto face. Leave on 30 minutes. Rinse with cool water.

Cleansing Facial Mask

1 tablespoon brewer’s yeast

½ teaspoon non-flavored yogurt

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon orange juice

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 teaspoon carrot juice

Together, blend well, and apply paste. Leave on for 15 minutes and wash off. This mask will suit all skin-types.

Mask for sensitive skin

Butter face mask

Ingredients: 1 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

1 strawberry, mashed

1 inch slice of cucumber, chopped and rubbed through a sieve

Mash the strawberry into fine paste, add cucumber. Beat the butter in a bowl, and then beat in other ingredients. Spread the mixture on the face and leave on for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove it with a wet, warm washcloth. Butter is a good source of vitamin A, so it makes a perfect mask for sensitive, sunburned or damaged skin.