Style: WET Locks

So what if the "wet" hair look is somewhat unkempt, the style if effortless chic, laid-back, and sexy. The high shine wet look is iconic of what summer is meant to represent laze a fair days, and broken ACU's. My love affair with summer is and always will be a 90's inspired flirtation with grunge. In my mind summer is the International Date Line Hotel, in Tonga. The hotel built in another lifetime is slowly slipping into a state of disrepair. Summer is the state of disrepair where days are endless and nights forgotten. Summer is hot, humid, and wet. Why not embrace summer with the wet hair look seen on the runways. 

The look is ridiculously easy to replicate, even with out being a total grease ball. To get look apply gently rub a dime sized amount of coconut oil or argon oil on your hands and work into the hair.

 For a NYC version apply the oil close to your part and gently work the oil mid way down your hair. 

For a sporty version, apply the oil to the scalp and pull your hair up into a high bun or pony tail. 

   

For a morning after or I spent the night on the beach look apply the oil to the ends of your hair. You may want to double up product for this look. 

Beauty: Tighten UP

An uncanny amount of high end anti-cellulite skin creams credit a mix of "antioxidant" rich coffee beans as their secret ingredient for tightening up and temporarily erasing the signs of cellulite. The natural diuretic properties of caffeine help to stimulate circulation in the body, while simultaneously helping to flush out junk.

This tightening anti cellulite scrub is a great exfoliant that combines the moisturizing benefits of coconut oil,  the muscle relief of seas salt, and the skin tightening perks of caffeine.

Massage the scrub on your body, really working it in. The massage action is actually what helps the most for reducing the appearance of cellulite. If you use this scrub regularly in combination with a healthy diet and exercise you should see results pretty quick!

Java Body Scrub

1 cup fresh ground coffee

1/2 cup dark brown sugar

1/2 cup sea salt

2/3 cup coconut oil
(I was introduced to Tropical Traditions by my friend at Sparkles and Spinach. I like tropical tradition's because it is has a much richer and creamier consistency than other coconut oils I have used).

Mix the ingredients together until thoroughly combined. 

Apply liberally and enjoy! 

Beautiful Body: Coconut Scrub

Coconut oil is a beauty blessing. The edible oil is not only great for cooking, but works beauty miracles. I give my self a coconut oil hair mask weekly. I use coconut oil as a make-up remover; and I use it to make a moisture rich exfoliating sugar scrub. 

Coconut oil is great for those with dry skin. The fat in the coconut oil is great for reducing the appearance of wrinkles. In audition coconut oil can help with annoying skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. Coconut oil is often a star ingredient in a lot of expensive skin creams. Fortunately; you save money by making your own Coconut Sugar Scrub. 

Coconut Oil can be bought at health food stores, or found online. 

 Coconut Sugar Scrub

Ingredients:

1 coconut oil

2 cups sugar

Essential lemon Oil

Preparation

Mix one cup extra virgin coconut oil with 2 cup organic sugar.

 (choose a sugar that is relatively fine, and not to coarse.)

To energize your sugar scrub and a few drops of lemon or grapefruit oil.

 Mix the ingredients well; until the sugar, oil, and essential oil is all mixed together.

Store in a mason jar, or empty beauty container.

Enjoy your skin, silky smooth!

Economical Beauty: DIY Make-up Remover

Make-up remover is the one beauty product that I constantly loose, forget, or spill. I hate spending money on the product because it inevitably vanishes to the land of displaced personal hygiene products. I'm sure my many lost make-up removers are fornicating somewhere hot with those careless run-away tooth brushes.  

If you, like me, wear mascara on a daily basis make-up remover is a crucial to prevent the dreaded "raccoon look." Old mascara can linger on lashes for days if not removed. Old make-up products if left on the skin to long can breed nasty bacteria and be the culprit of eye-infections. 

Make-up remover can be made easily at home, at a fraction of a price.

Refreshing Make-Up Remover:

In a small mixing bowl combine:

2 tbsp aloe vera gel

1/2 tbsp coconut oil

1 tbsp olive oil

Stir together, until smooth. Transfer the mixture to a small re-usable container. Dip a q-tip, or cotton swap in your home-made make-up remover and wipe away old and smudged make-up. 

(Before and After)

Beauty Benefits:

Aloe Vera Gel, can purchased at most health food stores for nearly nothing ($1.99 at GNC). Aloe has a natural cooling property that helps refresh the eye by reducing puffiness.

Coconut Oil has a rich conditioning benefit, (great for hair!). The oil will provide extra vitamin e, and will absorb quickly into your skin.

Olive Oil, has the ability to magically break down waterproof mascara. The oil is high in omega fats, and when applied directly to the skin the oil can help even skin tone/texture. To prevent any greasy-fealing choose extra virgin olive oil. 

Beauty: Coconut Oil Hair Rescue

Coconut Oil, is a beauty super supplement. The rich oil is not only great for cooking; but when applied directly to skin, hair, or nails the oil penetrates deep into the hair and skin cuticles to provide a rich moisture. Coconut oil is an amazing product that helps recover dry damaged hair. Coconut oil can be found at most grocery stores. Buy the big size. It may seem pricey, but you will get a ton of use out it. 

I like to do a hair mask, at least once a week. I sped a lot of time outdoors, breathing in the fresh mountain air. Fresh air is good for my soul, but not always as kind to my hair (or skin). Winter weather wreaks havoc on my locks; as does the changing seasons.  To fight weather damaged hair, I make a coconut oil rescue hair mask. 

Coconut Oil Hair Rescue Mask:

-1/4 cup Coconut Oil

-1 tbsp molasses

-1 tbsp honey

- a few drops of peppermint or eucalyptus essential oils

Both honey and molasses are both humectants; which means that they naturally attract and hold onto water molecules. The honey and the molasses when applied to the scalp helps hair retain moisture; which aids hair in achieving a healthy bounce. 

Eucalyptus and peppermint oils, both have a calming effect. They are favored essential oils for the treatment of head aches. Adding a few drops of each or either will give you that zen feeling.

In a small bowl combine all the ingredients. Apply to hair, before you plan on showering. I usually like to mask my hair right after a workout. Once you have the mask applies, cover it with a shower cap, or re-use a plastic bag to wrap hair up. Let the mask sit for 15-20 minutes. 

Love, your beautiful hair!

Beauty: Antioxidants, the future of youth!

The list of celebrities who have seemed to found the fountain of youth is endless. Like a scene is "Death Becomes Her," Celebs and savvy women alike are keeping quiet about their anti aging secrets. Many, starlets, have endless cocktails of facial rejuvenation products. While it may not be economically feasible for the average lady in lust for teenage skin there are certain key ingredients that are proven to enhance skin complexion, elasticity, and radiance. Love your self, and celebrate your beauty with a youth enhancing at home facial. After all, the secret for age-less skin, is self love, and regular facials. 

Home Made Antioxidant Mask:

10 blueberries

1 half of a lemon, fresh squeezed

1 tbsp soy/dairy yogurt

1 tbsp arrowroot powder

In a small bowl, microwave the blueberries until super juicy and leaky. Squeeze in the lemon juice, and the yogurt. Mix until well combined. Gently dust in the arrow root powder, and stir until smooth. 

Transfer the mix into a storage container/jar and let the mask sit for at least 20 minutes. The arrowroot is a starch so it helps to bond the mask. 

Gently apply the mask liberally to your face. I like to apply masks with a foundation brush. Let the mask soak on your skin for 25 minutes, before rinsing off with a warm face cloth. 

Benefits of the Mask: 

Blueberries:

When applied in a mask form to skin, help protect and repair element damaged skin. Blueberries are rich in anti-oxidants which help fight free radicals, preventing signs of aging.   

Lemons:

 The citrus acid in the lemon is a natural exfoliant, and the vitamin C helps remove blackheads while brightening skin.

Soy/Yogurt: 

The  yogurts pro biotic properties help sooth skin irritation, and is antibacterial. If you are using soy yogurt the soy has added skin benefits due to natural occurring phytoestrogens which help in the regeneration of skin cells.The calcium in the yogurt helps combat dry skin. 

 Arrowroot Powder:

 The starch adds just a splash of potassium, to help fight fluid retention (great for puffy eyes) and folate which helps naturally tighten skin.

Enjoy, your  beautiful, fresh, and youthful skin.