Basics for Do It Yourself Face Mask This will help you to design a mask that is your own concoction made from ingredients found right in your kitchen designed by you specifically for your skin care needs. For those who would like to refine and clear pores:

• Aspirin – this is a form of salicylic acid and can be used to treat and prevent breakouts.  Dissolve a few tablets in warm water and mix to create a paste.
• Lemon or lime juice – these natural astringents help close the pores, brighten complexion and fade acne scars or age spots.
• Strawberries, papaya or pineapple – fruits are a natural source of alpha hydroxy acids high in antioxidants.  You can add them to a recipe to exfoliate your skin.
• Egg whites – egg whites tighten the skin and shrink pores. Beat until frothy and apply alone or mix with other ingredients.

Ingredients that help moisturize:

• Egg yolk – is rich in fatty substances that help replenish dehydrated skin.
• Bananas – this creamy texture is full of calcium and vitamins that are great for dry skin.
• Avocado – loaded with fats, proteins and vitamins
• Honey – a powerful antiseptic that hydrates and cleanses the skin. It can also remove impurities from the pores.

Add this for balance and rejuvenation:

• Unflavored yogurt – contains gentle acids that restore natural acid balance

Help with exfoliation:

• Brown sugar – removes dead skin cells
• Coffee grounds – full of antioxidants

If you need to thicken your mask you can add one of these products:

• Powdered milk
• Cornstarch
• Oatmeal

To thin your recipe:

• Dry skin – milk, olive or avocado oils
• Acne or oily skin – buttermilk, almond, jojoba or grapeseed oils
• Apple cider vinegar – restores pH and has antibacterial properties

Now you have the basics to DIY your very own facial masks for those times when you can’t get to your skin care specialist or are low on funds. It is important to do a patch test before using them.  Important:  Apply a small amount behind your ear to test for any possible reaction. Masks can be used 1-2 times a week. How to Wear Bronzer during Winter Months The most important steps are the color you chose and the application.  It’s really simple when you follow these easy steps:

1. Choose a bronzer that is 1-2 shades darker than your natural skin tone
2. Keep the shimmer very soft
3. Be sure that your face, neck and décolletage appear to be closely matched
4. Application:
   • Hit areas that the sun would hit, not all over
   • Top off excess powder before applying color in light, swirling motions
   • Use brushes that are natural-fiber to distribute the pigment evenly
   • Start at the temples, move slightly down the cheekbones, sweep down the jawline and then dust the bridge of the nose
   • Bronzed skin should always be topped with rosy blush on the apples of the cheeks

One-Minute Makeover for an Instant Glow This is a quick fix for a dull complexion.  Rather than caving to the urge to apply a full-coverage foundation try this method that will allow your skin to shine through:

1. Add a small amount of bronzing gel to your moisturizer
2. Add 1 or 2 drops of liquid luminizer to your tinted moisturizer.

This will give you a little luminosity and an allover healthy glow. Sandi’s Skin Care Home Recipes Blackhead remover for sensitive skin

1. Massage face with cleansing cream for 1 minute
2. Boil a large pot of water
3. Pour water into a large bowl, sit with face over the bowl with a thick towel covering your head for 10 minutes
4. Apply a mask appropriate for your skin type: (leave on for 20 minutes)
   • Dry skin – mix 2 egg yolks  with 1 tablespoon of olive oil
   • Acne – whip 1 egg white with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
5. Apply a toner and let skin dry.
6. Massage with a facial lotion
7. Lift excess lotion with a tissue

Finishing Vinegar Rinse to Cleanse and Tighten 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with 2 cups of water. Milk Mask Mix ¼ cup of powdered milk with enough water to make a paste. Coat face and let it dry then rinse with warm water. Banana Mask Mix ½ cup of plain yogurt with 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 mashed, medium banana to make a paste.  Leave on for 20 minutes then rinse with cool water. Mayonnaise Mask Cover face with whole milk mayonnaise; let it set for 20 minutes then rinse with cool water. Pre-Cleanse Acne Toner Crush 3 tablespoons of dried basil leaves, mix into 1 cup of boiling water.  Once cooled strain and pour into a spray bottle to spritz face daily before cleansing. Age Spot Treatment ½ cup of cooked rice mixed with 1 tablespoon of Agave and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Apply to dry hands for 2 minutes using a little pressure. Rinse with warm water Sandi’s Skin Talk Q&A Q: What is best to use for my skin care routine that will help my skin that is oily and acne prone? A: Try pure clay powder for masks; witch hazel or apple cider vinegar for astringents and tea tree oil and lavender essential oil work well for pimples. Q: I am looking for some ingredients I can use for my sensitive skin as a day and night moisturizer. I don’t have money for expensive store brands and want to make my own, can you suggest anything? A: You can use equal parts of any natural oil, such as almond oil, and aloe vera gel as a moisturizer. Q: What is the purpose in using serums and how and when do you put them on? A: Serums add moisture to your skin.  More importantly they add nutrients that are able to penetrate deeper into the layers of skin than moisturizers can due to their smaller molecular structure.  Serums are patted onto the face and also to the neck and décolleté, if preferred. Apply after applying toner and before a moisturizer. A small amount is all that is necessary. Q: My eyes are really puffy. What can I do at home to relieve this ugly look? A: A home remedy you could try is to grate a potato, collect the juice it creates.  Add the juice to damp cotton pads and apply to your eyes after cleansing.  You can leave them on for 15 minutes or 30 for severe cases.  Rinse your with cool water. Q: I was wondering if I have to wear eye cream all of the time. A: Unless the skin is quite different you do not need to, however, it is important that you do use moisturizer in that area that contains an SPF. Eye creams generally do not, and if worn alone it can cause skin aging in that area. Q: What are the side effects of eyelash enhancers? A: Side effects could include any or all of the following:  they might not work, can be very expensive, and some may cause discoloration and irritation to the eyelids. Q: I would like to know about rose water. What’s it for? A: Rose water is an anti-bacterial solution that can be used to cleanse, tone and moisturize skin.  It is often used as a spritz before a moisturizer.  You can easily make your own:

1. Fill a pot with fresh rose petals
2. Cover with distilled water
3. Cover pot and heat on low, leave until it boils
4. Remove from heat leaving the cover on until room temperature
5. Strain petals
6. Pour into sanitized bottle and use whenever you would like a lift

]]>