DIY Nourishing Hair Masque

DIY Hair Mask!

Today I finally tried out a DIY Hair Mask recipe I’ve been wanting to do for a while.  The initial recipe called for an avocado, coconut milk, and olive oil.  However, I had a hunch that coconut oil would actually be better for my hair.

I did some research here,  here, and here and decided to switch the olive oil to coconut oil.  I only used half of an avocado, and just kind of eyeballed it for the coconut milk & oil.  I definitely used more than 3 tsp of oil – probably more like 7 tsp.  After warming the coconut milk & oil on the stovetop, I added the 1/2 avocado and used an immersion blender to combine everything.  The result was a beautiful bright green, creamy concoction!  I was very pleased with the consistency.  It was not too soupy, and very easy to apply.

That said – I would definitely recommend applying the mixture over the edge of the bathtub, just to be on the safe side.

After piling my hair on top of my head and catching up on some light reading for about 30 minutes, I proceeded with my normal shower routine and washed my hair as usual.

When I dried my hair I noticed my hair was A LOT softer than normal!  Fantastic!  Even today, after the second washing, my hair still feels very soft.

BOTTOM LINE:  Fabulous mask, very easy to make and use, smells great, and good results!  I wish the softness would last a bit longer, but maybe that will come with time.  Definitely going to do it again!

Hold the Chemicals, Bring on the Needles (NYT Article)

Fabulous article from the New York Times on facial acupuncture:

By Nora Isaacs

Published: December 13, 2007

Excerpt:

“JANE BECKER, a composer and solo pianist, celebrated her 50th birthday at the dermatologist, paying $1,500 for shots of Restylane and Botox. But three months later, their wrinkle-smoothing effects wore off. So, she turned to a less-artificial youth tonic: facial acupuncture….

…Whether it is called facial rejuvenation, acupuncture face-lift or cosmetic acupuncture, the aim is to tackle wrinkles, muscle tension that may be causing unsightly lines, as well as systematic issues standing between you and glowing skin. Just as with traditional needling, putting needles on acupuncture points stimulates the body’s natural energies, called qi, but with added benefits…

Many cosmetic acupuncturists pride themselves on their holistic service. “The way I look at it, your health is reflected in your skin,” said Anita Lee, a licensed acupuncturist who has a private practice that specializes in women’s health in Manhattan. Because acupuncture facials improve circulation and unblock stuck energy, Ms. Lee said, “they help people heal from the inside out…

…Ms. Becker, too, has come to think of her acupuncture facials as a kind of preventive medicine. “If I have any stress on my kidneys, liver and spleen, it shows up on my face,” she said. “Keeping my systems healthy is a win-win all around….”

Click here for the full story:   http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/13/fashion/13SKIN.html?_r=1

DIY Anti-Aging Sugar Scrub

I just recently whipped up this fabulous little scrub for a friend’s Birthday.  It was so much fun to make!  I wanted to make it a little finer than the ones I usually make.  With the powdered sugar playing the main role in this scrub, I think it is gentle enough to use on the face!  And the smell is absolutely amazing…

RECIPE
Granulated sugar
Powdered sugar
Finely ground coffee
Brown sugar
Powdered cacao
Coconut oil
Jojoba oil
Olive oil

Essential oils: palmarosa, rosewood, geranium, spikenard, carrot seed, benzoin, ceaderwood.

Amounts for each ingredient are variable depending on the texture, consistency, and aroma you desire.