Self-Care & Wellness
It appears to be a norm for most people to purchase their beauty and health items from drug stores, bigger wholesalers, mall shops, and other businesses. Growing up, I never really questioned the contents of mass consumer products like shampoo, face wash, soap, body scrubs, etc. That is until I took my first AP environmental science course and I started to pay more attention to the labeling on many of these mass produced items.
Many of the beauty products sold in stores have a longer shelf life for an apparent reason: the contents are most likely highly processed and contain preservatives. I am a firm believer in taking care of your skin, body, and hair with natural goodness and I strongly believe that anyone can whip up a nice facial straight from the ingredients in the kitchen!
Let’s start with facial care.
FACE
Winter Face Mask (for dry skin):
•1/2 of a very ripe avocado
•2 tablespoons honey
•1/2 teaspoon coconut oil
•1/2 teaspoon almond oil
•Optional: Cut two slices of cucumber to soothe both eyelids
*Almond oil does wonders for skin care because it is a natural moisturizer with many health benefits.
The best part of this winter facial is that you can eat the other half of the avocado (thank me later).
Strawberry Honey Facial (for oily skin):
•1/4 cup mashed strawberries
•2 tablespoons lemon juice
•1 tablespoon yogurt
•2 tablespoons honey
Strawberries contain salicylic acid (acne treatment), lemon juice removes dead skin cells, and yogurt and honey have antibiotics. Make sure to mash the ingredients up instead of blending them up to ensure you get a hefty and thick face mask to apply.
BODY
Brown Sugar Baby Scrub (exfoliant):
•1 tablespoon coconut oil
•3+ cups of brown sugar
•2 tablespoons honey
•1 tablespoon aloe vera
•1 tablespoon almond oil
•Optional: lilac flowers
Make sure to mash up these ingredients very well so the coconut oil mixes well with the rest of the contents. Add as much brown sugar as you can so that you get a nice and effective body scrub to use! Exfoliation is the key to cultivating silky smooth baby skin.
For me, the most relaxing day includes a homemade facial, hot bath, candles, good reads, smooth jazz, and a nice cup of tea. Next time you are looking to unwind from an exhausting day, try putting on some feel-good music and whipping up a nice face mask plus some hot tea and you’re good to go!
Self-care is undervalued. Sometimes, people may feel limited by their wallets as well but most beauty products can be made at home at a fraction of the price. Not to mention, the added health benefits of using natural goodness like fruit, honey, and essential oils.
Not only will you look better when you practice self-care and get tons of sleep, you will FEEL better too.
Other
DJ Recommendations
Good Reads
Milk & Honey
–Rupi Kaur; $9.16 at Barnes & Nobles
The Love and Lemons Cookbook: An Apple-to-Zucchini Celebration of Impromptu Cooking
–Jeanine Donofrio, $20.83 Hardcover at Barnes & Nobles
Cup of Tea
Harney & Sons, Yellow & Blue: Lavender, Chamomile, & Cornflowers; $5.99 for 20 sachets