Do You Look in the Mirror?

What do you see when you look in the mirror? We often see what we want to see when we look in the mirror. For some of us, we see lines that are not there or weird shadows and minute flaws that in fact makes us prefect. Many say it is society that has created a era of women who are chasing after the myth, perfection. But we cannot blame society for all of our ills. Well we can but let's be real. We have to instead weak up and decide what we want. Or better yet, we need to decide which you, you want to be.

Last year, i did just that. I decided to step outside the box and be who i want to be. So i cut my permed hair and started to lock my hair. Now let me tell you,  it was not an easy progress. I turned up at work and everyone did a double take. Basically i had little or no hair. Kids started to laugh and my colleagues looked at me weird but i did not care. I knew what i wanted and society's perception of beauty was not going to stop me. So i walked out proudly and eventually the reactions dissipated. People adjusted and moved on. A year later i am able to make a bun with my hair. I am regularly referred to as Empress, Princess or Queen by members of the public.

I am relating all of this to say,  you must determine for yourself what is beauty and what makes you beautiful. So when you look in the mirror you should see beauty radiating. You should embrace your prefect imprefection. 

How to do a Facial at Home

Last week i was experiencing the Sunday blues; well this week i have decided to combat the blues with a series entitled DIY (Do It Yourself) Sundays.

This series is inspired my own DIY routines that i often do on Sundays. I will share the products i use along with my actual routine. (These products have been purchased with my own money).

  
This Sunday is all about  the DIY Facial!!!! 


First of all, i have normal skin with a oily t-zone. One might say i have a combination skin type.
The products that i use to do my facial are products i have used for about 10 years (you can call my old faithful). However, from time to time i do change or mix and match products. But for the most part, i have stayed true to the St. Ives line. I just absolutely love their products.

Products I used:

1. Clean and Clear Foaming Facial Cleaner
2. Conair Facial Sauna 
   
3. St. Ives Apricot Scrub
4. St. Ives Firming Mask
5. Clean and Clear Astringent
6. St Ives Collagen

Although i have used these products. You do not have to. The products used for a facial may differ from person to person; this will depend upon your skin type and also upon the type of facial you wish to have. 


 Here are the steps i follow when i am doing my facial:

1. cleansing
2. steaming
3. massaging
4. applying a mask
5. toning
6. moisturizing  and facelifting massage

1.Cleansing:
The first step is cleansing. You can apply the cleaner to your damp face and starting at the base of the throat work your way upwards and spread the cleanser. Then in a similar fashion the cleanser will be wiped or washed away. This will remove the oil, grime and makeup. 

2.Steaming: You can stream your face weekly; this suits most skin types. Although once a month is enough for dry and mature skins. Streaming is good because the damp heat opens the pores, encourages sweat to flush out ingrained dirt and brings oxygen-rich blood to renew the skin. 

You may choose to put oil on your skin first, since the heat helps oil penetrate more deeply. But don't leave cleansing oil on, or you'll be drawing dirt back into the skin.

I normally pour the water in my Conair and cover my head with a towel and allow the stream t do its job. If you do not have a Conair don't worry. Pour boiled water in a basin and follow the same procedure. Remember, be careful not to burn yourself.

 3.Exfoliation: The next step is exfoliation or facial scrubbing. This method extracts the dirt particles from the open pores ( pores are opened through steam treatment) and also blackheads and whiteheads are removed.

It is a simple method that whisks away dead cells from the surface of your skin, revealing the plumper, younger looking skin underneath. It also encourages your skin to speed up cell production, which means that the cells that reach the surface are younger and better-looking. 

The result is a brighter, smoother complexion - no matter what your age or skin type.

4. Mask: Few treatments give your skin such a quick lift as a mask. 
A mask uses a powder such as flour or clay to penetrate the pores more deeply. 

It should be left on for 10-15 minutes.To remove the mask, dab it with water (for oily skin) or milk (for dry skin) to soften it, then gently massage and rinse the mix off your skin.

 

  

5.Toning: Remove any residues of the mask and soothe the skin with a splash of cool flower water or, for oily skin, witch hazel and flower water. 

Skin that is very oily or has darker patches can be rubbed with a slice of lemon and left for a few minutes before rinsing off. 

6.Moisturizing: Moisturize the skin with a good massage. You may use cream or oil based moisturizers for the massage or may use a light moisturizer. 







I hope find all of this useful. Please give me your feedback or you an even request a particular DIY routine.

Just wanted to leave you with this thought:

Resource site: www.101beautysalon.com