a little Almond Oil can go a long way...

Above oil by Aura Cacia, available at auracacia.com.

It is still freezing in NYC and I am finding that my skin both feels and looks dry by the end of the day. I have always been a big moisture person so I tend to lather up with plenty of lotion in the AM, but the lotion isn't cutting it lately. Now I go straight to the source and use pure Almond Oil. I forget that a lot of the time less is more. Apply after a shower or bath and your skin will not only glow, but feel satisfied all day long. Oh, one tip I have for you, do not get dressed immediately after applying, let your skin soak it in, otherwise your clothing will! Available almost everywhere including your local health food store.

time for a mask...

I want to share one of my favorite homemade masks made from almond butter. Shown in its pure form above, this mask can add a glow to skin and moisture as well. Probably most suitable for dry to normal skin. I use regular organic almond butter that I buy from the super market in place of peanut butter. I take maybe 1-2 tablespoons and mix with some dry oatmeal. This makes a non-abrasive facial scrub. If the consistency is to thick or chunky for you, mix in some honey. Experiment with different options that are suitable for what you prefer. I let the mask sit 15-30 minutes then take off with a wet washcloth and rinse my face thoroughly. That's it, affordable and good for your skin! Let me know what you think...

sweet beauty...

Looking for tips for beautiful skin? Try a sweet, fragrant honey mask. It's a wonderful way to moisturize and hydrate the skin. Honey is a natural humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture. This mask always leaves my skin feeling soft, moisturized and creates a nice glow. Honey can also be added to the avocado mask for extra benefits or to create a smooth consistency.

Spread raw or organic honey over a clean face (be sure to always avoid eye area). Let honey sit for 20-30 minutes. To promote pore cleansing, tap you fingers over your skin in the areas your pores seem to be congested. Doing this creates tiny suctions that help clear clogged pores. Rinse and wipe face off well with warm water.

beauty on the go...

With all the holiday travel that is going on, I thought now would be a good time to post about my favorite express skincare masks by the Greek company Apivita. I love the product line and they seem to have skin and haircare masks for just about every need. Apivita express products are available in single dose, travel-friendly packaging which allows you to mix and match different creams and masks to create your own personal skin "diet". These are small enough to throw in your purse and perfect to add onto any gift! A few of my tried and true favorites are the firming face mask with grape, the age management face mask with green tea and the eye zone mask with ginkgo biloba. I am very interested in trying the instant lifting mask with red wine...Click here to order online, also available at CO Bigelows in NYC.


All images from Apivita.com.

time for a mask...

This avocado mask is moisturizing, affordable and quick to prepare. Avocado provides a rich source of vitamin A,C,D,E and has more potassium than a banana. Avocado oil is regularly used in skin and hair products because of this rich nutrients.
For the Mask: Mash 1/2 organic avocado, I find 1/4 avocado is enough unless your going to put on a hair mask as well. Apply a thick layer to your face and neck and let sit for at least 15 minutes. Rinse well with warm water.
Sometimes I mix a little organic honey in as well to make more of a smooth consistency. Afterwards your skin will feel fresh, young and replenished...take advantage of what your kitchen has to offer! For those of you who do not want avocado in your hair here is a good solution by Burt's Bees.

time for a mask...

I love this very affordable organic strawberry yogurt face mask, it hydrates and brightens the face while gently exfoliating the skin with natural fruit and lactic acids. This mask is a good option for people with sensitive skin because it exfoliates so gently. What I love is how hydrated my skin feels afterwards, I don't feel like I need to apply any moisturizer.

To do: Apply any organic ( face strawberry yogurt such as Stoneyfield Farms or Brown Cow) over your face and neck area, let sit for 15-30 minutes, remove with warm towel then rinse throughly. Amazing soft hydrated skin!

water...and yes, more water

Bottom line, water makes up 60-65% of our body weight and is needed for everything; without water of bodies cannot function efficiently. Our emotional, metal and physical health is often affected when we do not drink enough water.
Drinking 8-10 8oz glasses of water a day has a stunning effect on the skin, relieving the body of toxins and helping flush out debris therefore helping the skin reach its optimum glow.

Most importantly, remember to drink before you're thirsty. These SIGG bottles are great for keeping nearby and saving on plastic bottle waste.