Filed under: apple juice, beauty, caffeine, cleanse, coffee, Honey, moisturizing, olive oil, refreshing, scrub | Tags: apple, apple juice, cleansing, coffee, firming, honey, moisturizing, olive oil, school, scrub
I wish I were going back to school this fall. I’ll miss Farmington and the people there that I love. But graduating has its perks too, like working full time (if you’re lucky!).
I got lucky and landed a nanny job for two beautiful boys. I’m excited to grow and learn with them – expect many “how to clean up after kids” posts in the future!
But if you’re reading this and going back to school soon, congratulations! Here are a few ideas to get your skin and hair back in order after a long summer. These tricks involve minimum ingredients – ingredients that you should pack with you when you move in.
Honey
Yes, I’ve done honey before. But I have to reiterate what a wonder it is. I always have honey on hand to use as a scrub for hands and face (a little honey, a little raw sugar – done!) as well as an antibacterial. When you’re straightening your hair for the first day and you accidentally burn your face, put honey on it for five minutes while the swelling goes away.
Apple juice
The 100% juice, not the 100% sugar stuff. Freeze the apple juice as individual ice cubes in your mini fridge and use them as a toner in the morning. This is excellent for puffy eyes!
Olive Oil
I buy the smallest bottle I can and keep it with my bottles and cans of face and hair magic. Olive oil can be used to shave with (nick-free and silky skin) as well as soften cuticles and skin (a little oil, a little raw sugar) when the temperatures drop. 
Coffee
Warm, wet coffee grounds are by far the best morning facial. If you’ve been up all night studying and writing papers, not only will the scrub constrict pores and firm skin with its major dose of caffeine, the smell will wake you up instantly.
Of course, there are plenty more tips that take more time and effort, but honey, olive oil, coffee, and apple juice are easy to pack and store and will help you out of many bad hair/skin days. Trust me.
Filed under: caffeine, cellulite, coffee, DIY, Hair-care, organic skin-care, Skin-care, skin-firming | Tags: beauty, coffee, DIY, invigorating, organic skin-care, skin-firming
I am one of the few people I know who can call themselves a morning person. I’m always excited to get out of bed because I can’t wait to have a cup of coffee in the morning.
Pathetic, I know.
But coffee is getting a better rep every day (perhaps because even researchers can’t wait to sip their morning cup) and the good news keeps coming. Another great reason to buy a bag of beans? It does wonders for your skin when applied topically. The caffeine in coffee acts as an “antioxidant, a diuretic and a vasoconstrictor” experts say. Since caffeine is a diuretic and a vasoconstrictor, it can provide relief of puffy eyes and make it look like you’ve gotten all the sleep you need. So brew a cup of beauty and follow these simple recipes for a brighter day.
Body
Cellulite treatment: I suggest placing something on the floor to collect any mess this will inevitably make. Use 1 cup of warm, wet coffee grinds and mix with 1/2 cup of olive oil, mix well and spread all over area. Now for the weird part: wrap plastic wrap around what you’ve applied and leave on for 20 minutes. Do it twice a week for a noticeable difference.
Hair
Espresso rinse for shiny hair: Make the strongest espresso you can and pour the warm brew over dry hair. After twenty minutes, rinse it out and enjoy your shiny hair. NOTE: this recipe is NOT for those with colored hair (read: your hair will go brassy)
Face
Eye-depuffer: put just a little bit of warm, wet coffee grinds in a moist paper towel and place over eyes. Not working? Chill this caffeine pouch in the freezer for five – ten minutes.
Brightening scrub: Mix 1 egg white with 1/2 cup of warm, wet coffee grinds and use as a scrub. Have dry skin? Mix the grinds with olive oil or honey!
