Finally this summer I’m a waitress! I work at one of the most gorgeous lodge/resorts in Maine and it’s the most fun I’ve had in a while. But I’m also learning to adapt to smelling like the kitchen when I get back from each shift. Most irritating of all is the lobster smell -especially when it’s under your nails. If you’re on the eating end of the lobster plate, here are some tips to walking away smelling fresh.

Tip number one: I don’t advise getting lobster during a date. It’s right up there with any pasta and red sauce. Use your head.

Tip number two: Order a glass of water with two lemons with your meal. Pluck the lemons out right away and set them on the side. Once you’ve finished your lobster and used the wet towelette, dig your nails into the lemon slices. The lemon both cleanses and neutralizes the smell and nails are the hardest place to clean lobster guts from.  

Tip number three: If you’re brave enough to order something strange from the kitchen, ask for some vinegar and a few slices of lemon. Squeeze some lemon juice into the vinegar and dip your napkin in it to make your own towelette. I know few people would want to do it, but it’s common to get odd requests like this.

Enjoy your lobster and all the summer seafood!

Why are these important? For skin and hair, color plays a major role in covering imperfections and highlighting your best assets. For example, your under-eye concealer has a yellow tint to counteract the purple-blue color in your sagging, dull skin. Green concealer is used to hide the swollen, red skin around a zit. It’s all just the basics on the color wheel, but applied to your skin, it becomes much more.

I’ve been using silver shampoo for a while now. It’s actually purple but it enhances my blonde hair by canceling out the yellow tones and making it more of a white/silvery blonde. It’s a great product – but there’s only one formula. There’s no moisturizing or volumizing version, so I had to stop using it in the winter.

But in In Style today they showed me the magic of kitchen ingredients for skin and hair. I was delighted to read that adding 1/4 tbsp grape Kool-Aid to 4 tbsp of shampoo produces the same results! Yes, Kool-Aid. I tested it and I’m sold! Not a blonde? Brunettes can use this formula to enhance natural highlights and cancel out any brassiness. Go try it!

It takes an hour or two to work, but it’s worth it if your hair is fried from being styled all the time or just lifeless from the recent fluctuating weather. And this recipe is from this month’s Marie Claire magazine, so you don’t have to trust me.

Ingredients:

2 small avocados

1/2 cup honey

1 egg yolk (use the egg white for this)

2 tbsp olive oil

Leave in for an hour or two and then shower and condition as usual. Your hair will thank you me.

You’re welcome

But it’s also great for your skin! It’s a surprise to me too, but don’t be scared. It’s easy and simple and, depending on your skin type, can make your skin less oily or more moisturized.

Dry Skin

Mix one packet of active dry yeast with enough water to make a paste. Swipe some on your skin and leave on for 5-10 minutes. Done!

Oily Skin

Use one packet of active dry yeast and mix with enough lemon juice to make a paste. Use it as a scrub first and then leave on for 5-10 minutes. Perfect!

Ironically, the rodent who predicts the future said today that spring is around the corner. I don’t know what’s more confusing about Groundhog Day: the fact that we let shadows predict things, or that the men who assist in the ceremony dress like Mr. Peanut? Also, have you ever tried explaining this holiday to a foreigner? Yeah.

Whatever the outcome of today’s rodent forecast, it’s still terribly cold and snowy here – as well as in most of the United States. I am fortunate to have the day off, so it’s time to relax after all the traveling I’ve been doing!

Dry skin is still the topic, since it’s still freezing outside and our skin is still suffering.

Face

Mash one banana and add 1/2 cup of oatmeal. I like to moisten the oatmeal a little first so it is easier to make a mask with. Apply for as long as you can stand and rinse off. I like to do this before bed and skip the lotion I usually use. Instead of benzoyl peroxide (my usual anti-acne treatment) I use the banana peel!

Body

Pack some oatmeal and dry milk in muslin or cheesecloth. Tie it securely and place in hot bath water, sort of like you’re making a big cup of tea. Remember, the lactic acid in milk is a great exfoliant for sensitive skin while the oatmeal is moisturizing and soothing.

Enjoy!

Maine is freezing!

We’ve had a snow day and many of us have avoided going out as much as possible, staying inside to sip hot cocoa and watch movies. Your skin especially will be hurting from the negative temperatures. So take some of that hot cocoa and put it on your face! Here’s how to make the most of the next snow day.

Dry skin mask: Your skin is so dry and frozen that it hates you. Treat it kindly by blending honey and as much cocoa as needed to create a paste and applying it to your face. If your skin needs even more moisture, use olive oil in place of honey.

Hair help: Cocoa is pretty dark and can easily stain, so this is only recommended for those with dark, frizzy hair. Use whole milk (or coconut milk) and mix with cocoa and a bit of oil. Yes this is a little slimy but it is so nourishing! Use it as a conditioner and leave on for 5 minutes.

Now you’re more prepared for the future storms. You’re welcome.

This week I received and email from Glamour’s bloggers with a simple DIY trick that I just had to share. Below are the instructions.

“1. Take 2 whole cucumbers, 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 2 tablespoons olive oil and puree in a blender.

2. Divide the mixture into two plastic baggies. Slide one foot into each bag and massage the cucumber mask all over the foot.

3. Leave your feet in the bags for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

‘The cucumber is extra refreshing and reviving for tired toes, the lemon helps exfoliate, and the olive oil deeply moisturizes for super softness,’ says [Skyy] Hadley, who relies on this recipe to keep feet smooth for up to a week.”

This is such an easy recipe. Instead of plastic bags I would just use a foot bath bucket – I’m not a fan of over-using pastic items.

Make today a relaxing Saturday. Enjoy!

But now it’s a new year and I’m back in full swing… with terribly dry skin on my hands. I’ll be focusing on dry skin issues for a while since they are ever present in the winter. Here’s a super simple way to take care of it!

Peanut butter! Today, after I served the classic apple slices and peanut butter snack to one of the kids I nanny, I had some peanut butter left on my hands after digging out the rest from the bottom of the jar. It worked especially well on my cuticles.

I know, it’s a pretty strong and lingering smell. It’s also pretty oily so be mindful of smearing it all over your face if you’re prone to breakouts. I also suggest using the natural kind because it has a grittier texture for extra exfoliation. It leaves behind a soft, moisturizing barrier for the hands.

Face

Face Scrub: As previously mentioned, be aware that this can exacerbate acne prone skin. I have sensitive skin so I can usually only use a very small amount of this at a time, or dilute it to suit my skin needs. Using natural peanut butter means you can apply it directly to the face and scrub lightly with your finger pads. However, I dilute the peanut butter until it is nearly a liquid and use coffee grinds to make it feel more like a scrub.

Body

Body Scrub: I would only use this if I had some time to myself. I’m not particularly into smelling like a peanut butter sandwich. Mix peanut butter with 1/2 – 1 cup oatmeal for a moisturizing and soothing scrub.

Hands

Hand mask: Use as much or as little peanut butter as desired. Use alone or mix with honey or olive oil for added moisture.

Last night I tried a nutmeg paste as a blackhead remover. And wow. I really thought it was too good to be true, but it worked. And it smelled lovely. And my skin glowed.

So really, this one needs to be tried. BY YOU. Here are some great facials using nutmeg. Enjoy!

For Oily skin:

I made a paste of water and nutmeg until I reached the desired consistency. But it was still difficult to keep the nutmeg on. Instead I probably could have used egg which is pore-constricting and cleansing. You could use it as a scrub first and then leave on.

For Normal skin:

For normal (or delicate skin) I would use whole milk. It’s gently exfoliating and refreshing.

CUE FAMILY PHOTOS!

Why do we get up at the crack of dawn to open gifts? More importantly, why are cameras so readily available at that time? I mean when you’re a kid your parents and loved ones need documentation of the holiday season… but we’re adults now, so leave the camera out of the picture, right?

No. You’re just going to have to look good this year. Because we take pictures to remember the moments (this is what the picture fiends tell me) so we’re going to have to give in. It IS the season of giving after all…

Do these things to look a bit better this year:

Dry Skin

If you have dry skin, chances are your skin is itchy and uncomfortable this time of year. Never fear – nutmeg is the answer. Simply making a paste of nutmeg and water and applying the mixture to the affected areas will ease the itch. This works especially well for those who suffer from eczema.

Oily Skin

If your skin is oily, you probably hate having your picture taken because your face looks so shiny. Grab a little eggnog and pat on your face! The egg makes your pores look smaller (thanks to its tightening effect) and the milk is a natural exfoliant and moisturizer. Leave on for 20 minutes and then rinse.

Oily Hair

We’ve talked about this one before, but it’s worth repeating. If you’ve been styling your hair every day (putting product in, layering serums and leave-in conditioners etc) you’re going to need to give it a good cleanse at some point. 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar mixed with your regular shampoo once a week will rid your hair of product build-up. Even better, shower on Christmas Eve and wake up with shiny, clean hair.

Enjoy planning and shopping and baking and pictures this holiday season. I wish you all a happy December!