Taking my own Hiatus

This will be my last post until mid March.  I'm going to Cancun for a little and going to soak up some sun.  I will be taking some of my peppermint moisturizing lotion just in case I get a burn.  I'll be keeping my eyes and ears open for any new tips that might be of interest to you.  Until that time I hope you find the time to slow down and take a little hiatus of your own!

The beauty power of the POTATO!

Very few people look at a potato as anything other than a food product.  But, the potato can be used in many ways in your beauty routine. 


 -  For puffy and swollen eyes, make a wet compress of 4Tbsp. freshly grated raw potato. Place on the eyes for about 15 minutes, then rinse with cold water.

 -  Raw potato slices laid on sore eyes reduces heat and redness.

 -  To lighten dark circles under your eyes, wrap a grated raw potato in cheesecloth and apply to eyelids for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with warm water.  

 -  To reduce sunburn or frostbite: apply potato or potato juice to the affected area.

 -  To whiten your face or even out the tone: apply blend a raw potato and apply as a mask.  Leave it on for 30 minutes and rinse with warm water.  This will reduce any swelling as well.  **This will slowly remove any tan and/or pigment from your face**  

 -  To reduce swelling: apply a slice of potato to any affected area for 15 minutes. 

 -  Make a facial cleanser: Blend 1/4 cucumber and a small potato for 20 seconds.  Add 1 tsp baking soda, 1 egg  and 1/2 pint yogurt.  Blend until smooth.  Apply to a damp face and rinse with warm water. Store any leftovers in the fridge.

 -  To darken grey hair: boil potato peels in water, strain the water and discard the peels.  After you shampoo use the potato water as a rinse.

Potatoes do have a skin lightening property that will take effect over time.  This is great for reducing redness and dark circles but if you don't want to lighten your skin don't make this part of your regular routine. 

Dandruff Remover

Dandruff is not always easy to deal with.  You buy all these products that 'guarantee' to rid you of your dandruff and it never goes away.  Next time give this a try:


1/2 cup water
1/2 cup white vinegar


Mix together the water and vinegar.  Apply to your hair before you shampoo.  Use the mixture twice a week.

Exfoliating Chocolate Mask

A common theme of Valentines day is chocolate.  Most women love the stuff and can't get enough of it.  I am one of those women.  I love this chocolate mask!  It feels luxurious, it's easy and it's EDIBLE.  So, if some just happens to get on your lips when you put it on, go ahead and lick it off. 

Ingredients:
1/3 cup cocoa
1/4 cup honey
2 Tbs heavy cream
3 tsp oatmeal powder

Mix all of the ingredients together in a small bowl.  Massage the mask onto your face and rinse with warm water after 20 minutes.

If you don't have oatmeal powder that's ok.  Take regular oatmeal and put it in a coffee grinder or food processor until it becomes a powder.  The oatmeal will gently exfoliate your skin.  The honey is a wonderful anti-bacterial agent.  It will work to clean and open your pores.  Your face will feel so soft and clean after using this mask.

You will have leftover mask so put it into a airtight container and store it in the fridge. 

Basil treatment for ACNE

Basil can be used for more than just great dishes!  It is also known for soothing and toning skin.  Keeping this in mind, it is possible to harness those properties for the treatment of your acne.

Here's how:

2 to 3 teaspoons dried basil leaves or a large handful of fresh leaves
1 cup boiling water

Steep the basil leaves in the water for 10-20 minutes. Allow it to cool and apply to your face with a cotton ball.   Store the basil water in the refrigerator.  

Recommended shelf life: 90 days.

Soften those rough dry patches!

Lemon is a powerful beauty aid!  One of it's properties is to soften those dry patches of skin, either on your knees, elbows or anywhere else.  But, those patches will often turn your skin a darker shade than the rest of your body.  This can be a major problem.  Well...lemon can take care of that too.  Gently rub a slice of lemon on your problem spot and let the lemon do its magic.  Remember though, as with many things you may have to repeat this over a period short period of time.

Red, Red Wine...

Here's a recipe that really caught my eye!  It's courtesy of  The Spa at Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in
Asheville, N.C.   It is used to clarify and moisten your skin.

Red Wine and Honey Bath

4 cups of the cheapest red wine you can find

1 cup Honey

Add these to your bath and enjoy!