My nails have been so brittle, thin and peel a bit. When I get a manicure & pedicure they look lovely BUT I wanted a bit more length again. I’m not into press on nails, faux nails 💅 or gel nails but they do look good on most women.
So I had CVS monies. You know the money $ you earn from shopping there. I cruised down the dietary supplements and vitamin aisles. I picked up a bottle of the CVS Health brand for Hair, Skin & Nails. 80 assorted gummies in fruit flavors. Not too sweet and a serving is 2 a day.
I’ve been on them a half a month and I’m in love ❤️!
My nails are stronger, longer, not peeling, healthier looking and I’m happier too!
So to keep the self care rolling I’m doing my bi-monthly at home nail treatment too!
All you need is:
1 1/2 Tbs. of Jojoba
3 drops of tea tree or lavender essential oil
Pour both in a small glass bowl. Both have anti-bacterial properties.
Then I like to put on cotton gloves I only use for hand treatments. I leave on for 20 minutes or overnight is even better.
Your nails are hydrated and your cuticles will look so much better. You can do this treatment to your feet too. Just rub it in like above too. But do your nails, heels and soles of your feet too!
*If you need to add more Jojoba add it.
But if you are allergic or do not like one of the above oils…Please skip my tip!
I hope you’ll try my professional recommendation. Your nails, hair and nails will look better!
I am doing a Galentine’s Day (Valentine’s Day) Workshop at IKEA in sunny Jacksonville Florida 🌴 only problem is it’s NOT so sunny. It’s been storming and it’s 90% chance of rain ☔️ today. I hope the ladies come out and play with me and not let rain get in the way.
So excited to do a Workshop at IKEA ❤️
If you’re looking for a fun DIY gift 🎁 I like to give as gifts … you’re in luck. My workshop is all about self-care and made with love.
SPA in a Jar
Here’s what you will need to make this gift:
❤️1 medium or large glass jar with a lid and a large neck so you can fill it. Decorative ribbon and other touches to embellish it. Greenery and faux or even fresh cut flowers work too. This gives it a natural and pretty touch.
❤️Things you might want to use to fill your very own SPA in Jar are:
A headband,washcloth or eco friendly washable facial rounds,sheet masks, eye gel masks.
❤️ How about some bubble bath,epsom salts,shower gel,hand lotion, a body lotion and a luxurious soap and bath sponge.
❤️ Crystals, incense, sage,Palo Santo or a mini book.
❤️ A bottle of Prosecco, mini liquor, small beer can, (optional)
❤️ A small box of candy. An apple 🍎 as an apple a day keeps the doctor away.
Or you can create a mix of store bought and hand-made DIY recipes. Please note IF you are allergic to any of my recipe ingredients please do not try them.
Kiss Me Lip 👄 Polish
1 jar organic coconut oil
1 packet of sugar left in your purse from last coffee shop stop or 1/4 cup brown or white sugar. It all depends how many jars you want to make. Note: both sugars will work too.
Mix the two together with a spoon or spatula and place in a small microwave safe bowl. Warm the polish 5 seconds to melt a bit and stir again. Be careful. It will be hot. Let cool a bit.
Place mixture into a small glass or plastic jar of your choice. If you want a bigger batch double the recipe. Add a pretty lip stickers or custom label you make and it’s all set. Men and women love ❤️ thus recipe. Including my husband.
Kissable lips in minutes! This is a unisex recipe guys love it too!
❤️ Chamomile Flower Facial Steam Bath
Chamomile dried flowers- a small handful will do.
A pot of water 💦
This recipe is so easy and so gratifying. Your skin will love you back by the way it looks and feels. A relaxing detox facial steam!
Place some dried chamomile flowers in a bag and give it to the person you are gifting to. Add instructions with it. All they do is warm water to a light boil. .
Place the flowers in the water. Place a small towel over your head like a tent. Do NOT put your face in the hot water. You are simply allowing the steam to RISE up to your face. Do this for 3 or 5 minutes. If you have high blood pressure or a skin condition like Rosacea or acne please do not use this facial steam recipe.
Rose 🌹 Eye Mask
Cooling cucumbers 🥒 are refreshing and certainly you can still use them. They work! However, I love this simple aromatic eye mask. Asian Royalty and in many other times in history used them to look younger and refresh their eyes. Did you ever really feel a petal from the rose? It’s so soft and lovely to the touch. It’s known for its skin softening and feel good properties.
Pick me up … for the eyes.
1 fresh Rose rinsed please.
Rinse rose gently in water
Tear off one of the rose petals for an aromatic relaxing treat. They add a touch of moisture for your eye area.
Eyelid pillows are great but I love this nature based eye treatment.
Chill out & rest with a rose petal eye mask!
Laying down close the eyes. Place a rose 🌹 petal on each eyelid and rest the eyes. Listen to some relaxing music. Leave on your closed eyelids at least 6-10 minutes. That’s it!
I hope you enjoy these recipes! Please note…Store bought self-care products are great for your jar. However there’s nothing like a handmade and homemade creation.
Made with LOVE. ❤️
Oops! Forgot to post to my blog before I left. Update despite the rain I had an awesome crowd, workshop and morning at IKEA! Went crazy shopping in the stores food market. Had one of their awesome pretzels with their yummy dipping sauce and drove away smiling all day!
I was looking for a refreshing recipe and felt in the mood for mint. So I went to my personal recipe box for food, beauty and fun. I made a yummy cool Mint Julep drink with fresh mint. I also prepared a fresh facial steam.
Mint Juleps … are so 🍃 refreshing!
I wanted to detox my pores a bit and give them a breather from makeup, pollution and more.
What you will need for this recipe:
1 bunch of fresh peppermint or spearmint leaves
1 gallon bottle of water poured into a pasta pot (pretend you’re making pasta)
1 glass Pyrex like bowl
Bring water to a boil and allow it to cool a bit. Pour this water into a bowl.
Crush up some great mint in your hands to let the aromatics come out.
Place the leaves on top of the water.
Place a tea towel over your head allowing your face to be uncovered.
Keeping a safe distance allow the steam 💦 to reach your face.
You’ll start to notice a bit of moisture to your facial skin and feel like you’ve been “working out”. That’s good!
Your pores are getting a workout,dead skin will slough off a bit and your your skin will love you for it all.
You can enjoy this facial steam once a week. I like to do it for at least 10 mins. until the water cools to lukewarm and your face is glows & dewy.
*
Do not put your pretty face in the steamy water. Just near it and allow the steam to rise and meet your face.
I know we are all under pressure to manage our TO DO list this month. Wether holiday shopping or simply doing what you need to get done. We need energy. And not sugary things. Sip your fruit and veggies.
So I wanted to share one of my many smoothie recipes that I enjoy with you.
What you will need for this recipe:
1 cup of frozen pineapple
3 handfuls of fresh spinach
1 frozen banana
1 cup of coconut water
A few pieces of fresh mint leaves
1 squeeze of fresh lemon
1/2 cup of water (optional)
Place all your liquids in the blender. Add your green 🍃 leafy veggies, blend for at least 25-30 seconds. Lastly add fruit and herbs. Blend until smooth.
Pour into a tall glass and enjoy. It is even more delicious when you share it with those you ❤️ love!
I like to play with this creamy refreshing recipe! If you don’t have one fruit or veggie substitute with another. It’s so much fun and better than buying them. Do it yourself and know what’s in it!
I’ve always loved guacamole. And learning about a NEW D.I.Y. face mask makes me want to visit The Lodge at Woodloch. Spa in Hailey PA. Even more!
I love ❤️ to travel and explore. And spas and beauty stores are at the top of my TO Do list.
I recently read an article in my fave magazine just for industry PROfessionals in America Spa magazine.
I can’t wait to try this recipe after I fly home to Florida after guest speaking at the International Esthetics Cosmetics and SPA Conference show here in Chicago.
DIY Avocado Cooler Face Mask
Ingredients needed:
1 fresh avocado
1 carrot, cooked and mashed
1/2 cup of heavy cream
1 egg,beaten
3 tablespoons of honey
Directions:
Blend all ingredients in a blender or food processor and apply to a cleansed face. Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes , then rinse with warm water.
This recipe is by: Amanda Clabaugh, treatments manager at the Spa.
Look forward to trying this natural fave mask and maybe making an avocado smoothie or avocado dip and enjoy a refreshing drink too.
I love natural beauty recipes that are simple, quick and easy. Don’t you?
Have fun in the kitchen and whip up some face and body care. I featured these recipes on TV 📺 yesterday on River City Live on http://www.News4Jax.com
Check out the video clip.
FYI
If you are allergic to any other the ingredients below. Please skip that ingredient. If you have very sensitive skin do a patch test on your inner wrist.
I have super sensitive skin. I do not have any problems with any of these delightful DIY treats. 😍
Coconut 🥥 milk by the can is so softening and gives you a healthier sheen. Use it before you shampoo and then pour a cup on your ends and rub a comb through your hair. Leave on at least 15 minutes.
Women from exotic countries love this hair trick!
Canned Coconut milk or coconut oil both work!
Hi 🍯 Honey! Face Mask Recipe
Local honey makes a skin softening and soothing face mask for women or men. Yes, it’s a bit messy and you might want to eat it and lick 😋 the leftovers. but it is a quick wonderful mask. Apply on clean face and leave on at least 10 minutes. I also like to do this mask on my neck.
A little honey goes a long way!
Rice 🍚 Water Face Mask for uneven skin tone
Raw White rice for your skin? Yes, please! Oats for your bath? Why not?
Milk & Oat Bath Body Recipe
Fill a bathtub with warm water. Place a sachet (muslin or organza bag both work)
Filled with a cup or two of raw oats and some powdered milk.
* You can substitute the powdered milk for a small bottle of water.
Soak your cares away, dry skin and itchy skin away! Soak in the bath until the water 💦 cools. Your skin will feel amazing.
Nail & Cuticle Hand Bath
All you need is some olive 🫒 oil, avocado 🥑 oil or other favorite oil. I like to soak my hands in this oil bath. Do this for at least 10 minutes.
* Rub the extra oil on your toe nails and feet.
Instant mani & pedi fix !
End these spa like treats from your kitchen with a martini 🍸 or a glass of bubbly Prosecco or champagne 🍾
My husband likes to join in on the pampering self care fun too!
Lately I’ve noticed women’s hands and feet. While waiting on lines, while grabbing a bite to eat or my clients at my beauty cottage.
Your hands go through sun 🌞 and environmental stressors not to mention using home cleaning products and hand sanitizer. Not just your face. So, they are dry and thirsty for attention.
Hand Mask to the rescue!
Some of you who read my blog may know by now how much I ❤️ to make pretty potions!
So here’s one for you!
One of the mask DIY recipes I like to do is right out of the kitchen. Not a product from a store shelf. This mask gently moisturizes and is applied to the top of the hands.
Easy as 1,2,3.
1 tablespoon of oats
1 teaspoon of lemon juice
1 tablespoon of olive oil
Mix all of the above. Add water as needed. The mask will be like a paste consistency.
Apply the mask mixture to your hands with a face mask brush or a clean pastry brush.
Leave on at least 15 minutes.
Rub your hands together another minute.
Rinse well with in the sink with a washcloth.
If you have any left over. Save it for another time. Don’t save more than a couple of days. There are no preservatives.
Follow with your favorite hand or body lotion.
You’ll have happy,softer, brighter skin on your hands.
