fresh face masks!

Getting together with your girlfriends and having a spa day is delightful, however, as many of us know, it's not always possible........so, here's a few FRESH at-home-spa-facial recipes that are easy, affordable and simply scrumptious!

First, before you ever apply a face mask, you need to steam your skin. This helps to soften the skin, loosen debris and open the pores.

We recommend a tea steam. Take your favorite tea (we use loose leaf jasmine & green tea) but you can cut open any bag of your tea of choice and put in large bowl. You could use a metal pot, but beware that metal heats up and be careful not to burn yourself. Next cover the tea liberally with very hot (almost boiling water.) You want steam to be coming off the top of the water. Let the tea steep for about 2 minutes. Next tie your hair back (if its long) and drape a large bath towel over your head to create a tent. Steam your face for about 2 minutes.
Now you're ready for the mask.

You can make your mask in advance and store in a covered container in the refrigerator. The mask should be used within 48 hours.

Who wouldn't love to slather chocolate on their face? :) This chocolate face mask is simple and so much fun, you'll love it!

Chocolate has all sorts of anti-aging properties, yogurt contains lactic acid, which deep cleans and refines the skin, honey is a natural humectant (meaning it attracts & retains water) and has anti-bacterial properties and lastly, oatmeal is a powerful skin soother.




Chocolate Cuppycake Fresh Face Mask

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 tablespoons plain yogurt
1 tablespoon honey
3 teaspoons ground oats

Mix all ingredients and apply to the face. Leave on for about 15 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water.
Enjoy!

Some other face masks that you may enjoy, based on skin type:

Dry Skin~

Ingredients:

1/2 finely grated carrot
1 avocado, mashed
2 tablespoons almond oil *if you have a nut allergy, you can substitute olive oil

Oily Skin~

Ingredients:

1 apple, peeled, cored & finely grated
1 egg white
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Combination Skin~

1/2 banana, mashed
2 tablespoons plain yogurt
1/3 cucumber, peeled & grated

Mix all ingredients and apply to the face. Let all the goodness work its magic and after 15 minutes, rinse with lukewarm water.

These easy, at home facials can be performed bi-weekly and are deliciously good for your skin!

peace~love~and a little spaaaaahh,