Antioxidant Beauty Bytes
“When you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other.” - Chinese Proverb
As important as it is to nourish your body, inside, with antioxidant-rich recipes for glowing skin, it is equally as significant in terms of the development of your inner beauty to care for yourself by indulging your body, outside, with antioxidant beauty “recipes” for glowing skin.
There is beauty that deserves to be recognized in your mind and in your heart and in your soul. Connect with your authentic, inner self, and the beauty that exists within each part of you will become grand, your consciousness of your beauty will expand in all directions, touching all those around you. You will radiate beauty for others to experience, and realize that you are indeed a far more beautiful person than you may have dreamed you are.
Indulge your beautiful self with the following beauty “recipes” for glowing skin! These beauty “bytes” offer helpful tips and secrets for being your most beautiful self. You deserve it!
Luscious Locks
Naturally squeezed grapefruit juice added to extra virgin olive oil can act as a hair-moisturizing and cleansing mask. The oil reinvigorates a dry scalp, and seals split-ends. Meanwhile, the juice of the grapefruit adds a pleasant aroma, and functions as a cleansing agent to purify your luscious locks. Squeeze one whole pink grapefruit in a juicer and remove the seeds. Add two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, and distribute evenly over hair and scalp. Shampoo as usual, following the hair “mask”.
Silky Milk
Add milk to your bath, for smoother skin all over your body. Before there were sophisticated lotions, women of royalty or aristocracy would bath in milk for the smoothing benefits it had for their oh-so-delicate skin. So, treat yourself like a queen, and add a splash of milk to your bath. About 1 cup will do, or use two for ultimate luxury!
Citrus Circulation
Use the rind of an orange, and rub the textured side of the orange peel against your thighs and buttocks to increase circulation. I recommend taking a shower promptly afterward, not only to remove any orange rind residue, but because the steam and heat of the shower will continue to increase circulation. Proper circulation can help reduce the appearance of unsightly veins on the legs. Fight fire with fire! Use an orange peel to fight the orange-peel appearance.
Honey Moisturizer
Honey is a natural moisturizer for the skin. Honey ingredients in bubble bath, from Laura Mercier’s cosmetic and skin-care product, is a delightful way to moisturize your body. Her line offers several different choices, all with honey: Almond Coconut Mild Honey Bath, Clementine Honey Bath, Crème Brulee Honey Bath, or Tarte au Cirton HoneyBath. Simultaneously moisturize you skin and relax your mind.
Pretty Peepers
Placing warm tea bags over your closed eyes can do more than just de-puff. The tea bag actually draws toxins away from your eyes. So, if your eyes are irritated from an eyelash or mascara, soothe your eyes and your soul with a relaxing tea detox.
Perfect Pores
If your facialist is out of town, fear not! Boil water in a pot over the stove, and allow the steam to rise to your face. The heat and the moisture will open your skin’s pores, and release oxidants and toxins. When you feel as though your face has a sheath of wetness covering it, immediately cleanse with cool water to rinse away the toxins you have sweated out, and seal your pores. This is a cleansing, natural way to release your skin of undesirable toxins. It’s your at-home facial, complemented by an ingestion of antioxidant-rich vegetables.
Superior Shaving
Olive oil makes a wonderfully skin-softening shaving cream. The silky sensation of this homemade shaving cream is also hydrating, so rub an extra amount over your knees and the heels on your feet.
Sun Soothing
After a day at the beach enjoying the sun’s warm rays (with sunscreen, of course!) squeeze a handful of red seedless grapes into a small bowl. Use a fork to smash the grapes, enough to squeeze the juice out, and then splash the “antioxidant juice” onto your face. It will soothe your skin from your recent sun exposure. Always follow your sun-grape beauty recipe by cleansing your face afterward.
Toning Tomato
Tomatoes have more nutritional value once they have been cooked, so using a tomato paste has more benefits than a raw tomato. Mix together ¼ cup of low sodium tomato paste, a teaspoon of olive oil, and apple-cider vinegar until you have a smooth paste. Use as a neck and facial mask. Leave on for 15 minutes and then rinse of gently with warm water. Splash some refreshing cold water on your face to close your pores.
