THE BEST WAY TO RELAX A HOME FACIAL FOR BOTH OF YOU!

By: Kendall Monroe

If they say that the eyes are the windows to your soul, then your skin is the window to your health. And during the hectic springr season and extra errands, you still need to take of yourself and relax, and the best way to relax is with a home facial!

It's easy to see who takes care of themselves, because their skin has a special glow.  It reflects healthful eating, hydration, and exercise; which is a reflection of someone who cares and is taking time for themselves. Beautiful skin is not only a reflection of their health, but also how they feel about themselves, and how much time they devote to themselves.

Our skin, once you understand its needs, is really quite easy to pamper. It seems cruel how we abuse it: leaving it

This spring, let's devote time for rejuvenation. Let's treat ourselves properly from the inside to the outside. We've concentrated on food intake, begun a walking regime, surrounded ourselves with healthful aromas; now, it's time to pay attention to our skin,our way - simple and easy.

Although facials at salons are wonderfully invigorating, relaxing and completely pampering, not everyone has the time, inclination nor pocketbook. But everyone does have a kitchen. And even the shyest of men won't be embarrassed to spend time in the kitchen for this treat.

For this home facial all you need is a kitchen, a hot plate, a bowl and a few ingredients. We all have common ingredients available to us right now or available at the market or through an on-line grocer. The ingredients are simple and common and readily available in your cupboard or refrigerator.

Some of the facial applications used are filled with chemicals, preserving agents, thickeners, gelling compounds, dyes, fragrances, etc. Surprisingly even some products, which claim to be "natural", aren't natural at all. They are actually laden with preservatives and chemicals and virtually traceless of the "natural" ingredients you thought would be included. So, needless to say, be certain to read the ingredients listed on the container.

Now, let's invigorate and nourish our skin in the most convenient, inexpensive and natural way possible.

Let's begin with clean hands; clean bowls; clean towels; clean stirring utensils, clean working area, etc.

Boil your 4 Qts. water. Place fresh rose petals and rose hips, add your chamomile into the pot. Turn off the flame/heat on your boiling water and let everything steep for about 15-20 minutes.If you do not have fresh chamomile, use the chamomile tea bags; the same applies to the rose petals, use the rose-hip tea bags.

If you're feeling adventurous, within your steeping waters, indulge and create your own mixture; maybe include lavender, rosemary and pine (refer to January 2001's issue on aromatherapy). Be very careful if you use a drop of an essential oil, it may be too strong, as the steam of the towel will open your pores.

After your waters and flowers have steeped, save half of the liquid for later. Put the remainder of the water mixture into a large mixing bowl. This rose-water-soft water will be used throughout our entire facial; in our toner and in our moisturizer. Now, place your Hand Towel into the chamomile/rosewater and let it warm and soak for a minute in the bowl.

Remove the towel from the liquid; BE VERY CAREFUL OF THE TOWEL'S TEMPERATURE. Now, wring it out in a twisting motion; Keep the twist in the towel; Place it gently upon your face, you may want to use a second towel; Repeat; and Repeat again, if you so choose.

Warm facial wraps are very simple and can be done everyday.

Now, believe it or not, we are ready for the facial; the cleanser and wrap were merely a prelude. The basic three elements to a facial are 1) Cleansing the skin; 2) Toning the skin; and 3) Moisturizing the skin.

In addition to these three basic elements of a facial, we will add a facial masque with traditional cucumber wheels over the eyes.

This entire routine is a resort spa classic.

Cleansing:

Ingredients: ½ Cup Rose Water, 1 TBS milk, 1 Egg Yolk (save egg white for moisturizer); 2 TBS Honey; 1/3 Cup Diced Cucumbers, (save two 'wheels' for your eyes); and 1Cup Oats (sensitive skin omit the oats).

Mix all ingredients to make a paste. Spread on your face by rubbing in an upward and circular motion to clean and exfoliate your skin. Now rinse thoroughly.

You may add tomatoes, pureed apples, and citrus to this exfoliating cleanser, but be aware of the acidic properties in them. If you have sensitive skin they may irritate.

If your skin is "normal" you may want to exfoliate once a week; "dry", once a month. Also, you may omit the oatmeal and cleanse more frequently.

After the cleansing, it's time for a facial masque. At this point, you may skip the facial masque and proceed to the Toner, if you'd like.

Facial Masque:

Mix together all except for the cucumber wheels, timer and gauze pads. Spread mixture on your skin, relax and let stand for 15-20 minutes. Place the gauze underneath the cucumber wheels. Then place, gauze first, the cucumber upon each eye. Now relax and set the timer for about 15-20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.

Now we're ready to "tone" our skin.

Toner:

 Mix together. Apply with a cotton ball and gently pat the toner on your face, jaw and neck.

The ultimate spring facial is almost complete. All you need now is to moisturize.

Moisturizer

Whip everything together. Apply with a cottonball and pat the skin; all the skin, face, jaw, neck, etc.

The moisturizer will have a wonderful toning and tightening effect. After this moisturizer alone, you're skin will feel more youthful, fresh and soft.

Now that you know the regime and that the "spa" secrets are within your own kitchen, try not to be a stranger to one or all of the pampering techniques.

As with any skin care application, you will begin to know your skin better and will be able to add, stir and create the perfect mixtures and treatments.

Have fun, take time for yourself, rejuvenate and spring ahead with glowing skin!

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