Eggs are E(gg)xcellent

So I know eggs aren’t for everyone but, for those of you that have them in your kitchen, let me tell you why they’re one of my favorite skincare DIY ingredients.

Eggs are packed full of nutrients and vitamins which make them greatly beneficial for all skin types. They contain high concentrations of protein, collagen, amino acids, and vitamins which hydrate, soften, tighten, and firm the skin's elasticity. It’s no wonder they’re a perfect-main ingredient for so many skin recipes. You will see the difference right away after using the egg white alone! Upon application, the face is immediately glowing with glee and looks almost like a mid-life facelift. Just be careful when applying to not let them run in your eyes or mouth. Here are a few of my go-to’s that I recommend to friends and clients. Enjoy!

Dry Skin Egg Mask:

This mask is great for when your skin is feeling a bit dry or dehydrated, even oily skin can benefit. Use a full egg for extra dry skin.

Procedure: Take one egg and separate from yolk (unless you want to use the full egg), and put in a bowl. Add in a scoop of avocado, mash, and mix well. Use a very ripe avocado (or one that’s on its way out) for blending. Apply to the face and neck and leave on for 10-20 minutes. Rinse with water and follow with your regular skincare regimen. Store remaining ingredients in the refrigerator for up to one week. This mask can be applied 2-3 times a week.

Ingredients/Tools:

1 Egg White (full egg for extra dry skin)
1 Tbsp. Avocado
Bowl
Fork

Oily or Acne Skin Egg Mask: Egg whites are great for tightening the pores and lemon works well for a deep cleanse.

Ingredients/Tools:

1 Egg White
1½ Tsp. Fresh Lemon Juice
Bowl
Fork

Procedure: Separate the egg white from the yolk (or keep depending on your skin). Add the measured fresh lemon juice and blend well. Apply to face or affected areas for 10-15 minutes. Rinse well and follow with a gentle skincare regimen. Store the remaining ingredients in the refrigerator for up to one week. This mask can be applied 1-2 times a week.

Glowing and Hydrating Egg Mask: Using these ingredients will help to cleanse, exfoliate, brighten, hydrate and increase circulation in the skin.

Ingredients/Tools:

1 Egg White (leave yolk for extra moisture)

1 Tbsp. Honey

Plain Yogurt

½ Tsp. Cinnamon*

-OR-

Ingredients/Tools:

1 Egg White (leave yolk for extra moisture)
1 Tbsp. Honey
½ Tsp. Cinnamon*

Procedure: Separate egg white from the yolk (or keep depending on your skin), placing the egg into a bowl. Add your chosen recipe of ingredients and mix well. Apply mask all over the face, leaving on skin for 10-20 minutes. Rinse well with warm water and splash with cold. Follow with your gentle skincare regimen. Store remaining ingredients in the refrigerator for up to one week. This mask can be applied 2-3 times a week.

*If too sensitive to cinnamon, replace with lemon or apple cider vinegar.

Roses are Red...

Although most of us love roses because of their beauty, scent and symbolic value, some of us love them for entirely other reasons. You may or may not know this but, roses have many nourishing components for your skin. So, when all the joy is gone from receiving a dozen and two, why not repurpose those petals instead of trashing them? Well, I can, and so can you, it's really not all that complicated. I’ll get to the how-to's in just a moment, but first here are some facts about our flowered friends.

Roses contain a high concentration of Vitamins C & E which help calm and soothe the skin. These vitamins provide active anti-inflammatory properties and anti-bacterial components which deeply cleanse, moisturize, brighten, and protect the skin against environmental pollutants. That’s what makes them such a great cleanser, oil, mask, bath, or spray. That’s also what makes them the key ingredient in many skincare treatments and beauty products. It’s no coincidence that you find rosehip oil and rose water tonic at your local pharmacy. But why spend a fortune when their properties can be repurposed at home for free? It’s time to put those roses to good use:

Rose Petal Hydrating Mask:

6-8 Rose Petals
3-4 Tbsp Distilled Water
2 Tsp Honey
1 Tsp Plain Yogurt (optional)

Procedure: Soak rose petals for 30 minutes to 60 minutes; the longer they soak, the more nutrients will be extracted. Mix and mash petals in a bowl. Add honey and yogurt to the soaked petals and water. Apply all over skin in a gentle circular motion. Allow to sit for 20 minutes.

Rose Petal Hydrating/Moisturizing Scrub:

8-10 Rose Petals
3-4 Tbsp Distilled Water
1 Tbsp Coconut Oil or Almond Oil Or Avocado Oil
1/2 Tbsp Sugar

Procedure: Soak rose petals for 30 minutes to 60 minutes; the longer they soak, the more nutrients will be extracted. Mix and mash petals in a bowl with water. Choose an oil and add the preferred amount to the water and petals. If using coconut oil, be sure to warm and liquefy for better blending results. Finally, add sugar for exfoliation. Mix all ingredients into a relatively even consistency. Apply all over skin in a gentle circular motion. Allow to sit for 20 minutes, rinse very well if using coconut oil.

Rose Water Cleanser:

7-10 Rose Petals
3-4 Tbsp Distilled Water
2 Tbsp Honey
1-2 Tsp Milk (optional)

Procedure: Soak rose petals in distilled water for about 2 hours. Crush and mix petals in water, then stir in honey (and milk). Rub all over the skin in circular motion for 15-20 minutes and rinse with cool water.

Brightening Rose Face Mask:

8-10 Rose Petals
3-4 Tbsp Distilled Water
1 Tbsp Honey
½ Tbsp Turmeric

Procedure: Soak rose petals for 30 minutes to 60 minutes; the longer they soak, the more nutrients will be extracted. Crush petals in a bowl of water, add honey and turmeric. Mix until you have a smooth paste. Apply all over the face. Allow to sit for 15 minutes and rinse with warm water, followed by cool.

Cuckoo for CocoNUTS!

Coconut oil, that delicious dry drupe - what is it? That’s actually what it is, a dry drupe. But for the rest of us everyday people, it’s kind of a mixture of fruits, nuts, and seeds. Yes! This fabulous edible is a superfood that works wonders internally and externally. From curing infections to taking makeup off, this stuff needs to make its way into your life. I cook, clean (myself), eat and moisturize with it. It’s truly one of the most multifaceted fruits I know of.

Now, let’s get into why I wrote this post. First, not only does coconut oil work on your insides as I mentioned, it’s also amazingly amazing for your skin. The medium-chain fatty acids found in the nut contain antioxidants and antimicrobial properties that balance the fungal sources which cause many skin conditions. This makes it an ideal fighter of acne, eczema, dandruff, burns, dermatitis, and psoriasis. Coconut oil can also aid in reducing inflammation, healing wounds, and moisturizing skin by holding in hydration. I personally keep a little pot of it in my pocketbook as a chapstick or hand moisturizer for on-the-go.

Second, coconut oil is very handy for removing stubborn-eye makeup. It also leaves the eye area nice and soft. It can also be used on the body as a daily moisturizer. It feels and smells great while warding off germs. Here are a few easy and beneficial recipes for your skin:

Coconut Oil Face Scrub: This is a great way to clean, hydrate and exfoliate those dead skin cells. Mix coconut oil and raw sugar in a bowl. Once mixed, apply to your face with your hands and rub in a circular motion. The oil will liquefy with the warmth of your skin. Do this for 2-3 minutes and rinse. The oil may leave a little residue but you’ll feel the benefits right away. Feel free to do your daily/nightly skincare regiment after rinsing.

Ingredients:

1-2 Tablespoon of Virgin-Unfiltered Coconut Oil
1 Teaspoon of Raw or Brown Sugar

CocoNOT Anymore Pimple Pack: Here is a good, on-the-spot acne or blackhead treatment. Simply mix the coconut oil with baking soda and apply to problematic or congested areas. Rub in a circular motion and let sit for 5-10 minutes. Rinse and gently towel dry. Use your daily, but preferably sensitive, skincare regiment after.

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon of Coconut Oil
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda

COCO Glow Go Hydrating Mask: With this powerful skin care combo you will get your daily does of anti-oxidants, detoxifying the skin all while adding a glow of radiance. Mix ingredients in a bowl, you may have to warm up the coconut oil if its not mixing easily (pop in microwave or stove top for about 5-10 seconds). Apply all over your face and let sit for about 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water and continue with your skincare regiment. Now grab your green tea, coconut oil, lemon juice and honey if you’re ready!

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon of Coconut Oil -
½ a Green Tea bag OR 1 Tablespoon of loose Green Tea Leaves
2 Tablespoons of Honey-
2 Tablespoons of Lemon Juice

Makeup Remover, Lip Balm, Moisturizer:

Ingredients:

Virgin- Unfiltered Coconut Oil
Cotton Pads
Small Container

Daily Use: Use coconut oil directly on areas that need hydration: lips, under eye area, body, etc. As mentioned, I reuse little jars and pots for travel. I throw one in my bag so I have on hand daily or when traveling. If using for makeup cleanser, simply rub into your hands and apply in a gentle, circular motion. Use cotton or a gentle cloth to remove any unwanted makeup. Repeat and rinse until clean.

So in a coconut shell, I love this stuff. Coconut oil is, like seriously, a lady’s best friend! I’ve only mentioned a few but the list of benefits goes on and on. Those mentioned were the ones that I think hold a ton of practical and useful info for us gals. Why run to the doctor every time we have an “issue”, and why run to the salon every time we have a split end? These are just a handful of great ways to do it yourself, save a few bucks, and of course sound really smart next time you have that compelling conversation over cocktails with the crew. Read below for even more benefits of our tropical friend:

Hair Care. Coconut oil is also a great remedy for dandruff because of its super-rich hydrating properties. So, midwinter when everything is super dry, you should pretty much bathe in it and rub it into your roots. You can also add some of your favorite-natural oils to enhance the scent and you’ll have yourself a new conditioner.

Pulling. Pulling coconut oil between your birds (aka teeth) will brighten your smile and help with gum disease and tooth decay. Aggressively swish in your mouth 3x a week for about 20 minutes to help pull out the nasty bacteria in your mouth. This will also help your immune system.

Weight Loss. Great skin and a skinny waist? Say what!? Remember those fatty acids mentioned earlier? Well, those fatty acids also improve thyroid function, help lower resting heart rate, and assist your body in burning fat for energy. Coconut oil also helps in breaking down fats and mimics how your body reacts when you fast. It can also help in building muscle! Who knew?