Tea Tree Oil-Healing Nectar

I did a post on another one of my favorite oils: grapeseed oil. Tea Tree Oil is another favorite oil of mine; it's not so much as moisturizing as it is healing. It has anti-fungal properties which has been beneficial to me because of my current workout routine. In the Bikram Yoga studio, you are not allowed to wear shoes so I walk barefoot a lot and though I'm sure the studio is clean you just never know. After every class I shower and make sure to put tea tree oil on my feet to kill off any potential fungus that I may have picked up from the studio. Tea Tree Oil can cure skin infections, warts, toe fungus, sinus infection, dandruff, lice, and bad breath,oral candidiasis, gingivitis, plaque, and inflamed gums. It promotes circulation and can stimulate hair growth as well. You should never apply pure tea tree oil to anything as it's too strong. I like to mix it with grapeseed oil because it's light but you can use any other oil of your choosing as long as it's light. Check out some of my mini recipes below! .-_-

Photo by photostock

Skin Infections/Rashes

Mix one tablespoon of grapeseed oil and one teaspoon of Tea Tree Oil. Apply to the infected area. Apply twice a day until the infection/rash has been cured.

Photo by Luigi Diamanti

Toe Fungus

Mix one tablespoon of grapeseed oil and one teaspoon of Tea Tree Oil. Apply to the toe nails and surrounding area. Use as preventative work and treatment. For prevention, apply after every shower. For treatment, apply twice a day morning and evening.

Photo by David Castillo Dominici

Sinus Infection

Add a couple drops of Tea Tree Oil to a small pot of boiling water. Inhale the mist for about 10-15 minutes. Do this daily.

Photo by David Castillo Dominici

Dandruff

Option 1: Apply a few drops of grapeseed oil and a few drops of Tea Tree Oil in bowl. Dip your finger tips into the mix and apply to your scalp. Be generous. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes. Shampoo normally.

Option 2: Add three drops of Tea Tree Oil to every tablespoon of shampoo. Shampoo normally.

Photo by Mindy McGregor

Lice

Option 1: Add 10 drops of Tea Tree Oil to ever 2 ounces of olive oil. Be generous with the mixture all over the hair and scalp. Let it sit for 3 hours. Comb the dead lice and nits with a nit comb that has been sterilized and dipped in warm water and vinegar. Make sure to rinse the comb after each time you come the nits out. Shampoo normally to remove the remainder of the oil

Option 2: Add 25 drops of Tea Tree Oil and 25 drops of lavender essential oil to every 3 ounces of almond oil. Make sure the hair is damp. Using half of the mixture, coat the hair and comb with a regular comb. Add the other half of the mixture directly on the scalp and comb the hair in sections from root to tip starting from the forehead to the back of the neck. Wrap head with a shower cap you don't mind disposing over and let it sit for 2 to 3 hours. Shampoo twice and rinse thoroughly. Comb the hair with a sterilized nit comb dipped in warm water and vinegar. Repeat 7 days later.

Photo by Stuart Miles

Bad breath, 
Oral Candidiasis, Gingivitis, Plaque, and Inflamed Gums

Add 3 drops of Tea Tree Oil to a cup of warm water. Use the mixture as a mouthwash and use three times a day. NEVER swallow this solution. **You can also add a drop of Tea Tree Oil to toothpaste as well when brushing your teeth.

Go get yourself some Tea Tree Oil!!! .-_-

Grapeseed Oil: Nectar From Above

Grapeseed oil is my number one favorite oil. Checkout all the benefits this oil can do for you!

Fun Facts

• Full of antioxidants which help to slow down the aging process
• It helps to stop some of the enzymes that destroy collagen, elastin and other connective tissue
• Packed with vitamin E as it's good for topical use and ingesting
• Natural heat protectant for your hair
• Cholesterol free
• Has linoleic acid and omega-6 acid
• Has one of the lowest levels of saturated fat 
• Helps to clear up acne! It won't clog pores and is great for sensitive skin and oily skin
• Locks in moisture for both skin and hair
• Grapeseed oil is a great undereye "cream" and anti-wrinkle "cream"
• Good for the circulatory system and  helps to reduce varicose veins and spider veins
• Can be used to fry, bake, lubricate a squeaky door, etc. 
• Can be used to remove make up

How I Use Grapeseed Oil

• I use grapeseed oil to moisturize my hands after I wash them with handsoap. While it's still wet I rub it all over my hands and then pat dry. Who needs lotion? 

• Sometimes I store it in the shower and apply it to my wet body. Layering lotion or a body butter afterwards will provide amazing moisture especially in the winter months.

• Oil in the shower can be dangerous so a good alternative is to add about a tablespoon of grapeseed oil to your lotion or body butter (per application) for extra hydration.

• When I'm removing my makeup I slather grapeseed oil on my eyes and wipe away with a soft tissue. Like magic, my heavy eye liner melts away.

• I add grapeseed oil to my leave in conditioner when I detangle my hair when it's wet. I also use it to lubricate my hair when I'm unraveling braids or twists. It adds great shine and softness.

• Because it's a natural heat protectant, I add a little oil before blowdrying and before flat ironing. It's also fabulous at taming flyaways. Check out my post on how I straightened my hair.

• At night, sometimes I seal all of my eye creams and eye serums with a dab of grapeseed oil . When I wake up my eyes seem more perky and definitely hydrated. 

Grapes:  Photo by Dan

Bottle of oil: Photo by m_bartosch

Skin Whitening, Lightening, and Brightening

The concept of skin whitening and brightening can be controversial especially within communities where the complexion is predominantly dark. However, the face is different than the rest of the body. For a woman, there is a lot of damage throughout a lifetime of applying make up, removing makeup, tugging, pulling, excessive wiping, acne, and sun damage. If you look at the inside of your wrist all the way up to the inside of your elbow, this is the complexion your face should be.

So...what's the difference between whitening, lightening, and brightening? Whitening is the process to actually lighten the skin in order to change the actual shade. Lightening is synonymous with whitening. Brightening is the process of not changing the shade of your complexion but making the skin glow through proper hydration, exfoliation, and treatment. What am I trying to do? I am trying to repair the damage which has been done during my careless grade-school years through natural products.

After years of going to the beach with NO sun protection during my childhood, my face is about two shades darker than my neck, decolletage, and the inside of my wrist. Also: I suffered from acne during my teen years and currently suffer from minor breakouts from time to time. I tend to scar very deeply so I still have some scars left. After about a year of using natural products, my face is slowly being restored to what it should be. When the skin is protected from the sun, harsh chemicals, acne, and irritation, it will be naturally bright, supple, firm, and hydrated. I am on a quest to restore my skin and I refuse to accept the damage and just cover it up with make up. Some of the lightening and brightening products I use are listed in my post about clearing up my adult acne. Check it out and let me know what you think.


Photo by Africa

Makeup for My Acne Prone Skin

 Photo by artemisphoto

I am genetically predisposed to acne. I just have wonky pores and I will always have sensitive acne prone skin. I had to find a good makeup foundation and adopt a makeup application that produces minimal irritation, great coverage, sun protection, with preferably anti-aging properties.

Before I apply makeup to my face I thoroughly wash my hands including under my finger nails. I use my fingers to apply makeup because I find it's easier and I get more product this way. Using a sponge never worked for me and I didn't like the fact that it soaked up so much product leaving very little to be applied on my face. When I apply makeup I mix it on the back of my hand. I use two foundations: a BB cream and a another foundation. Mixing it has helped me to make the perfect blend for my complexion. I apply it to my face very gently with my fingers.  Acne prone skin is already irritated and sensitive. An aggressive application that involves pulling, tugging, harsh rubbing, and patting will only irritate the skin more. Being as gentle as possible has helped me to keep the acne at bay. Below are the two foundations I use which I love love love. However, I'm open to using other BB creams if I find another one that catches my eye.

SKIN79 Super+ BB Cream VIP Gold Collection

For those who are not familiar with BB (Blemish Balm) creams they are miracles in a bottle!!! This particular BB cream is 1.33oz and it's a foundation, concealer, SPF protectant, smooths fine lines, evens out skin tone, oxidizes to match skin complexion, moisturizer, and doesn't clog pores. It is so creamy and thick and a little goes a long way. The bottle will last a very long time. There is only one downside to BB creams: they are only available in a few shades and they are all for very fair skin. However, I've turned this downside into an advantage! I'm able to use this product for contouring, highlighting, and as a concealer. I use this BB cream for under my eyes and highlighting certain areas of my face!

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Radiant Firming Makeup

Because BB creams are only available in fair shades, I have to mix it with another foundation to create the perfect color for me. Mixing it with this particular foundation has given me the perfect coverage at an affordable price especially if purchased on amazon. I use a foundation that's about three shades too dark in order to make the mixing process easy. It might sound ridiculous but this is the only process that has given me the perfect shade and coverage. I'm able to use this darker shade for contouring purposes as well! This particular product contains caffeine and other properties that aid in lifting the skin. It also has SPF protection which is a great added bonus!

Product Review: My Beauty Diary-Stawberry Yogurt Mask

My Beauty Diary-Strawberry Yogurt Mask is a high quality mask that smells EXACTLY like Strawberry Yogurt. I was surprised because when I first tried it, I thought for certain I'd probably wake up to fresh acne because it was so moisturizing but I was wrong. During this time of year my skin gets dry but I have to be careful because if I over moisturize my skin I will breakout with horrible acne. This mask satisfied my need for moisture without irritating my acne prone skin.

Photo by Ambro

It comes with a face mask made of cotton which has been soaked in the serum. It's very pliable and you can stretch it to accommodate the shape of your face. After only 30 minutes, this made my skin so incredibly soft but it didn't clog my pores. Once you peel the mask off there will be serum left on your face which will absorb nicely into the skin. There was a little serum left in the bottom of the package so I used it for my neck.

I have very high standards for masks because I think you should be able to see results immediately and this mask delivered! My skin was instantly brighter and instantly more hydrated. I suffer from acne scars and using this mask and other products has helped to lighten those scars. I'm so happy with this product and it has become a staple in my treatment regimen. For more details on my skin regimen click here.

Product Review: Oatmeal Face Wash

Oatmeal is usually something eaten for breakfast or used in baking recipes like oatmeal raisin cookies. However, this amazing grain is also wonderful for your skin. This is what I use as a face wash in the morning as it's gentle, exfoliating, moisturizing, and soothing. It will also make your skin GLOW! The daily gentle exfoliation along with the healing properties it possesses, encourages new skin to form revealing skin that is healthier and brighter!

 

Some Fun Facts!

• It removes and absorbs oil
• The soft paste-like consistency is great for exfoliation
• Contains antioxidants helping to reduce redness and protecting the skin from sun damage. Antioxidants also help reduce the signs of aging and smooths wrinkles.
• Contains 18 amino acids helping the skin to heal blemishes (acne scarring) and rebuild tissue
• It's hypoallergenic so it's safe for sensitive skin
• As a humectant, it helps to retain water meaning it will moisturize your skin without clogging your pores.
• Anti-inflammatory and remedies itching which is great for those who have eczema.
• It's CHEAP!!!

Directions
1. Place 2 tablespoons of oatmeal in a bowl followed by about 1/4 cup of warm water
2. Mix until the oats are soft and a milky liquid is visible.

3. As pictured to the right, apply the milky liquid to the face to soften the skin.
4. Apply the oatmeal all over the face and neck while gently rubbing in a circular motion for about one minute.
5. Thoroughly rinse and be careful to not let any oats drop in your ear. You don't want an ear infection because a piece of oat got stuck in your inner ear.
6. Use a soft towel and blot your face until dry and remove any oats that were left behind.
7. Proceed with your usual skin care. Check out my skin routine for a list of products I use following the oatmeal wash.

Your skin will be significantly brighter, calmer, and softer! Go grab yourself a box of oatmeal -_-