DIY - Green Tea Facial Scrub

Green Tea

I've always been a green tea obsessor for the longest time, and recently found out about the many benefits that it provides. It has many wonderful properties and can truly be called the elixir of health.  Can you think of any other food or drink that provides anti-oxidants to remove free radicals, prevent cancers, burn fat, and even prevent tooth decay? Since it can do this when you drink it, it makes you wonder what it can do to your skin!

Green tea has been used as medicine in China for over 4,000 years. Although 75% of Chinese men are smokers, the risk of cancer is reduced by nearly 67%.

This scrub will help soften, smooth, and detoxify your skin. The sugar will help exfoliate it, making it more radiant and speed up cell turnover. Since sugar produces glycolic acid, a type of alphy hydroxy acid (AHA), it is a natural exfoliant. Green tea contains a lot of antioxidants, which will prevent free radicals and detoxify your skin. It will protect, repair, and improve your skin from its soothing and firming effects.

Let's gather our ingredients for our scrub now, shall we?

• Green tea (loose leaves or a tea bag)
• Sugar
• Boiling water
• Optional: honey/baby oil (moisturize), lemon (cleanse/brighten), yogurt (soothe)

Time to make our scrub

1. Steep your green tea in boiling water, but not a full cup because we want it to be as saturated as possible. One third of a cup is fine.
2. Steep until the water is very saturated in green tea, and until it is lukewarm.
3. Scoop out 2 tbsp of sugar into a bowl. Then, using the same spoon, use it to put in 1 tbsp of the green tea onto the sugar.
4. Swirl the sugar and green tea mixture slowly, but not too much or the sugar will dissolve. We want to keep the sandy texture for exfoliating.
5. Next, scoop out one more tbsp of sugar, and swirl.
6. Lastly, you can use any of the optional ingredients to enhance your scrub.

Make your skin happy!

1.  Use this scrub as you would with any other, but it's a good idea to use a cotton pad to apply onto your face first.
2. When doing so, don't rub harshly, pressure isn't needed.
3. After applying it, use your fingers and move it in circular motions without any pressure to exfoliate.
4. Rinse, and now your skin will feel smooth and look fresher.

I hope you will enjoy using this scrub, remember that the best accessory anyone can have, is confidence and a smile : )

Acne won't go away?

I was looking up a way to banish acne, and I found this to be the most promising and thorough answer there was. Of course, what you consume will affect you more than any skin product, but sometimes, we don't have the best of habits.
*writes note to self*


I did not write any of this, but I thought it would be helping to me, and to anyone to read this because I think this information should be considered.

Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman N.D.
"What is your skin trying to tell you? Often the skin is a metaphor for deeper issues and a way for your body to send up a red flag to warn you that all is not well underneath. When our skin is unhealthy it is usually a reflection of the internal state of our bodies, and is often a sign of poor elimination of toxins and waste products. Most of us are embarrassed by skin problems such as rashes, rosacea, boils or acne, especially in places where others can see our imperfections. The skin is the body's first line of defense against the environment. It has to deal with the effects of weather, sun , cold, heat, dryness, humidity, scrapes, bumps, soaps, detergents, chemicals, perspiration and dirt of all kinds. It is a wonder that our skin stays healthy most of the time! We can help our skin deal with this onslaught by optimizing our general health and by protecting our skin from harsh environmental exposure. Western medicine generally treats skin eruptions with either antibiotics, cortisone, or antifungal preparations. These medicines may alleviate the skin problem temporarily, or occasionally for good, but do not address the source of the problem. Putting a lid on skin symptoms without getting to the root of the imbalance may even result in suppression, that means the imbalance may be driven deeper causing more serious health problems later without ever strengthening the underlying vital force of the person. Fortunately, naturopathic medicine offers a wide vareity of effective treatments for skin problems."

Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman N.D.
"Your skin is a reflection of how well your body is eliminating the toxins that build up on a daily basis. Chronic skin conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis stem from a combination of genetic factors, immune stress, dietary deficiencies or sensitivities, and the accumulation of toxins in the body. For our skin to be radiant and clear, it is very important that the other organs of elimination (kidneys, liver, lungs, and colon) are cleansing the body effectively. If not, the skin will be overtaxed, pores will become clogged, and eruptions of one sort or another will result. Here are a number of steps you can take to improve your body's overall elimination wtih specific emphasis on your skin." 

Detoxification is a normal body process of eliminating or neutralizing toxins through the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph and skin. Juice Fasting is the world's most ancient and natural healing mechanism. Fasting triggers a truly wondrous cleansing process that reaches right down to each and every cell and tissue in the body. 

Learn more about Therapeutic Fasting and Detoxification - Colon Cleansing is the main step. Must remove the toxins from the colon, so the toxins dont get in the blood and cause illness and disease. 

Natural Cures

1. Fruits and Vegetables for Acne: Carrot & spinach, celery & watercress, grapefruit juices are all useful to combat acne. 
2. Unwholesome Foods: Acne, a prevalent problem among teen-aged boys would not be possible in our society if our foods were wholesome. A most sad and disgusting sight is the pus-filled pimples due to inner toxicity --- wastes trying desperately to escape through the face. This condition often turns a gentle face in the blossom of youth into a waste dump of pimples, pus and subsequent pock marks which can be prevented. The tons of acne medications and prescriptions sold annually act only on the effect of the harmful food, and not the cause of the disease, malnutrition. The traditional teenage meal, a grease burger, french fries and a milk shake or cola simply does not provide enough nourishment for anyone, let alone a boy going through puberty to adulthood. Our highly processed foods are devoid of hormones found in fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds. Must do a colon cleanse to rid of all the toxins in the body, which eventually get into the blood and cause acne and all other diseases.
3. Cabbage: Apply a lotion of freshly prepared cabbage juice preceded, if desired, by the application of leaves. The eating of cabbage leaves or juice is also helpful. 
4. Lemon Juice: Skin problems such as acne... will often respond to a treatment of lemon juice. For blackheads rub lemon juice over them each night. 
5. Black Walnut: Externally, Black Walnut is nearly a miracle worker in cases of ...acne, dandruff, boils, itch, shingles, ringworm--we could go on, but you can see that you can use Black Walnut whenever a skin disorder appears! The tincture is an excellent first-aid remedy for wounds.

(source: Yahoo answers)

Grad Photo Makeup - A little favour

Before

After

A natural look for grad pictures. It's still you, but enhanced :)
I did this for my friend who already had clear skin. In pictures, it doesn't show a significant difference, but because of the lighting, it does not reveal shadows and her freckles. Since she had natural blush, I decided to leave it so it is as natural as it can be. 

Products used:

• Physician's Formula - Mineral Corrector (Translucent)
• bareMinerals foundation (W13) and mineral veil
• Urban Decay Primer Potion
• MAC eyeshadow - Chill
• Grey & silver eyeshadow 
• Kiss Me Heroine Mascara
• Gosh "Touch Up" concealer (1)
• Kiss My Face "Sheer Organic Shimmer" (Ruby)
• Kiss My Face "Sheer Organic Shine" (Ruby)

Peter Thomas Roth - Lips To Die For (Pink Bombshell)

Description: “Protect and maintain soft, supple, sexy and kissable lips with this invigorating daily lip conditioner.”

Review: Okay, seriously, I just love this lip balm so much. I wanted to just post a picture of this and say “holy crap, best lip balm ever!”, but then I wanted to be consistent and decided to write a proper review instead.

My mom also got this PTR product from a retailer, but I think this is sold for $20 CAN.

Once the lip balm is applied, your lips will feel much more supple, smoother, and softer. It is a really nice, light fragrance. I don’t know how to describe it, but it’s like a minty citrus fragrance. Your lips will also be treated to a soothing tingly sensation provided by menthol in the product (my favourite lip balms often contain menthol). The slight pink in the lip balm will give your lips a natural rosy glow, or can be used to enhance lip colour. 

Quality of product: Great product. Contains aloe, Vitamin E, mango & shea butter, all very moisturizing and nourishing for the delicate skin on the lips. Lasts for a very long time.

Quality of packaging: This lip balm comes in one of those little pots where you have to unscrew the lid to use the product. Although not many people are usually fond with the idea of dipping their finger in the pot to use the lip balm, I’m pretty satisfied with it. The quantity is larger than if it was in stick form, and if you’re worried about hygiene, use hand sanitizer. 

{ Overall }

Pros:

• extremely moisturizing
• cooling sensation
• high quantity of product
• enhances lip colour
• refreshing fragrance

Cons:

• packaging may not please everyone
• expensive
  

Rating:

Peter Thomas Roth - Beta Hydroxy Acid 2% Acne Wash

Description: “This gentle yet effective oil-free acne wash deep cleans without over drying. Helps eliminate the breakout cycle while it removes excess oil, makeup, and bacteria. Soothes and conditions the skin, leaving it “squeaky” clean, oil, and residue-free.” 

Review: I’m not exactly sure how much my mom bought it for (since she’s an esthetician, she bought it for retail price) but on sephora.com, it is priced at $35 CAN. 

It comes in a clear, liquidy gel form and foams up. It worked really well for me when I used it the first time, and I’m almost finished my second bottle (one bottle lasts for months). It really did keep my acne down and the gel is great for those with oily skin. However, it does dry up your skin because of the salicylic acid (2%) so always remember your moisturizer!

You only need to use about a dime sized amount and it will lather up nicely.

I’m not sure why though, but after a long time of using it, it doesn’t seem as effective as before. I do switch cleansers/exfoliators after a number of months though so my skin won’t be “too used to it”. It is recommended to change/rotate your cleansers once in a while. 

Quality of product: Peter Thomas Roth products are usually very high quality and very effective. Salicylic acid is proven to reduce and prevent acne, and this cleanser is formulated with the highest concentration of salicylic acid. It is oil-free, fragrance-free, dye-free, alcohol-free, and is animal cruelty free. 

Quality of packaging: This cleanser comes in a clear plastic bottle with one of those pop-up caps. Very durable bottle, though not recommended for travelling because of the size. 

{ Overall }

Pros:

• contains 2% salicylic acid
• great for oily skin
• lathers easily
• exfoliates
• oil/fragrance/dye/alcohol-free
• one bottle lasts for long period

Cons: 

• may be too drying
• expensive

Rating:4/5