Beauty Blog

I may have mentioned that I indulged in a ‘girls day’ this past week with my dear old mom…not only was I ecstatic to get some new beauty products, but I also was treated to a facial! Facials truly are a fantastic experience and they are something I’ve never been able to justify spending money on, but I have gotten a few in my lifetime and they are worth every penny. Now lucky for me, I didn’t have to spend a cent on this last one–we’ll just say it was a little gift. Facials don’t really come cheap. Now, if you’re running down a spa menu, facials may actually come up under the most affordable of options next to a basic salt or sugar scrub. Not that I’m a beauty spa regular, but I have had my share of blissful pampering days and somehow the prices that come along with have never seemed to leave my mind.

You can probably go out, to a decent day spa, and get a facial for around $60-$100 bucks. Of course they can always get more expensive, but the point is to stay economical right? Not bragging at all, but I’ve had facials in a slew of different places and its usually when I’ve been on vacation. Hotel spas in Mexico, Hawaii, Phoenix, and of course here in Los Angeles have made the roster. My favorite? Phoenix believe it or not. This woman had been doing skin for over 30 years and read the condition of mine immediately. Roseacea was the diagnosis–something I’ve made a mediocre attempt to get under control. As much as I’d love to travel to Phoenix on a regular basis or even frequent my little LA spa for weekly visits–I simply cannot afford it. Stubborn to get what I want on the budget I’m allotted, I will make the extra effort to do my own at home facials and make them feel as luxurious as possible. A smart idea is to start with something that will clear the pores. A deep cleaning is what they need. The special thing about facials is that there is a skin expert gently removing all white and black head blemishes. I wouldn’t try this at home. It requires special tools that I personally don’t feel advanced enough to use, so instead I’ll opt for hot water and a washcloth. Be sure to exfoliate well with a nice scrub prior to getting into the pores. There’s been a mask I always eyeball in the Whole Foods beauty section and I may finally break down to buy if for my new DIY facial.

Collective Wellbeing Hot Pore Scrub with active charcoal $18, collectivewellbeing.com

This should kill two birds with one stone. Skin should now be clean and smooth (looking well-buffed) so tone with something moisturizing. Whatever you do, make sure it doesn’t have alcohol in it (this will sting like no other on freshly buffed skin.) Witch Hazel will probably do the trick.

Dickinson’s Witch Hazel $5.99, walgreens.com

Next step should be a cooling mask…

The Face Shop Wash Off Yogurt Mask $5.99, walgreens.com

This is amazing! It’s sold as a 4-pack, and looks like yogurt you’d buy at the supermarket!

Once you’ve masked, tone again and moisturize while skin still feels dewey and damp. For extra luxury once you’ve got the mask on, put a cold washcloth over your face or some cucumber slices over the eyes.

Shop for more facial masks, witch hazel and facial scrub.

Part of the fun of indulging in beauty products is actually using them…and I can’t think of a more fun beauty product than face masks!  I like to have what I call “Shag” nights every once in a while with the gals where we sit around in pj’s, apply face masks, drink beer and watch one of my all time favorite films…”Shag”.

These are good times.  The last time I had one though, the girls and I tried out an all natural face mask that came in a powder form you mixed with water.  It was clay of some sort, and the results weren’t pretty.  Making the mixture in the palms of our hands made a huge mess and I was left with little crumbs of clay face mask on my hardwood floors.  Then after we all washed it off, our faces were itchy and burning!  Needless to say, I never used that stuff again!  I haven’t masked at all for a while actually and felt now that I’ll be able to sun my face in the warm weather, it would probably be a good idea to cleanse my pores with a good face mask.

I don’t think Loreal makes any eco-friendly facial masks yet…I’m sure they will one day, but in the meantime there are a couple of great choices that will keep your face and your conscience clear.  Korres, a Greek, Athen’s based company are purveyors of homeopathic remedies and natural products for the skin.  Korres has created the Wild Rose Mask ($27), made with wild rose oil, a natural source of vitamin C.  The mask has a brightening effect and will instantly repair fine lines and imperfections, and it will leave your face smelling of flowers.

Juice Beauty is another green company that is successful in making eco-friendly beauty products.  If you tend to have dry skin or your in need of some extra moisture in the warmer months, try the Green Apple Hydration Mask ($31)–made with certified organic apple, lemon, and grape juices.

If you really want to get adventurous, you and your girlfriends can make your own face masks at home from natural ingredients. Some good combinations include: avocado, honey, and brown sugar–bananna, oatmeal and honey–and honey, oatmeal, and avocado. The oatmeal and sugar are going to be the exfoliators, and the rest will serve as moisturizing elements. Choose your mixture, mash up, and apply to a clean face. Let sit for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water. You may also tone and moisturize as you normally would.

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Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more facial masks.
Discounts on Juice Beauty products and Korres products.