Do you ever wonder how your hair stylist is able to give your hair such volume and bounce, while you can never achieve the same effect at home? You might have the right hair products, and know every blow-drying tip in the book, but the secret to hairstyling lies in the brush. Without the right brush, your hairstyle will be nearly impossible to perfect. Furthermore, you might be actively harming your hair with a subpar brush. Below is a field guide to PIN Salon’s top three brushes. We’ve broken each brush entry down with a physical description and a purpose so you can find the right brush to fit your hair needs.
Di Prima Brush: Round brush for volume and shine
These luxurious, long-lasting round brushes are created in Spain, and are a must-have for hairstylists all over the world. The Di Prima Brush is the perfect combination of high-quality boar and synthetic bristles. The boar bristles bring out noticeable shine in hair, while the synthetic bristles activate volume. Another deluxe feature of the Di Prima Brush is the cork handle, which doesn’t catch the hair when you roll it over the brush as you blow dry. The final feature we love in the Di Prima is the solid wood body that protects hair from getting overheated, much unlike a plastic version. The Di Prima brush is an essential tool for those who round brush their hair on a regular basis, and for everyone who is pining for voluminous, high-shine hair. The Di Prima Brush is available for purchase at PIN Salon in three sizes (s/m/l).
Olivia Garden Ceramic Round Brush: Round brush to create a hot roller effect
The Olivia Garden Brush is another one of our favorite round brushes. The brush is enhanced with Tourmaline Ion Technology, has a smooth plastic handle, and is endowed with the best synthetic bristles on the market. These bristles are responsible for hydrating the hair cuticle, adding shine, and repelling static. The difference between this round brush and the Di Prima round brush is that the Olivia Garden has only synthetic bristles. If used regularly for a long period of time, the synthetic bristles can cause damage to the hair. One of our favorite features of the Olivia Garden is its ceramic body, which gives you an even distribution of heat while blow-drying, and thus protects hair better. This round brush is ideal for creating a hot roller effect, because the shape of the tool allows you to heat each section of hair from both sides simultaneously. The Olivia Garden Ceramic Round Brush is well suited to those who want to create unmatched body, and long-lasting hairstyles with their brush, or for those who simply want more control of the brush while blow-drying. The Olivia Garden brush will soon be available for purchase at PIN Salon.
Wet Brush: Flat brush to easily detangle wet or dry hair
Everyone with long to medium hair should have the Wet Brush in their beauty arsenal. Regardless of hair type, the Wet Brush works wonders on tangled hair. Most breakage in hair occurs when you brush through knots. This brush, however, will help you avoid this issue completely and detangles hair with ease. Use it on yourself with wet or dry hair, or on your kids to quell those inevitable tangled-hair-meltdowns. The Wet Brush is available for purchase at PIN Salon.
My beauty advice for Valentine’s Day is not unlike my New Year’s Eve beauty advice – keep it as natural-looking as possible, and only emphasize one element of the face at the time. My addendum to this holiday is to do your makeup with the morning after in mind. Nothing is less sexy than looking like an old Hollywood screen siren during date night dinner, and then appearing to be a completely different person the morning after when your liquid eyeliner is crumbling off your eyelids, and your skin is irritated beyond repair because you didn’t wash your face properly the night before. To avoid this dilemma, I suggest using only a few, key products (that you already have in your repertoire) for a healthy, feminine, and luminous look. These colors and products will fade softly and look pretty even when smudged a bit. Steer clear of foundation, liquid eyeliner, sticky lip glosses, anything with glitter, and lipstick that won’t stay put.
Face
Get the look: Facial moisturizer (let it soak in for 30 min) + brown-based blush under the cheek bones + golden brown eye shadow at the crease of the eye + waterproof mascara + colorless lipbalm
Get the look: Brown based blush under the cheekbones + purpley brown eyeshadow on the eyelid + eyeliner at the outer corner of the eye + waterproof mascara + lip stain
Get the look: White eyeshadow on eyelids + golden brown eyeshadow on eyelid creases + rosy pink shadow on cheekbones + chapstick
Get the look: Pink eyeshadow on eyelids + rosy pink blush on cheeks + coral-based lipgloss
Lips
Get the look: Lip liner will become your new best friend if you’ll let it. Lip liner stays in place much better than lipstick, and last longer!
Get the look: High impact lips are even more impactful on a blank slate. Let the lips do the heavy lifting, use no other color on your face, except for maybe some white eyeshadow at the inner corner of your eyes to make them appear more open.
Get the look: Dark lips, be it raspberry or burgundy, can look a little goth. Balance out the dark glamour of a dark lip with luminous, highly moisturized skin – no blush required.
Eyes
Get the look: Play it cool. Even if you LOVE Valentine’s Day and all things pink, don’t go for the brightest pink or red, pick the more muted tone – I promise you’ll look ten times chicer.
Get the look: Don’t get me wrong, I love a nice winged cat eye with black liquid eyeliner. That being said, I think this is a more romantic look, and will wear much better over the course of the evening. A brown pencil eyeliner in a tone that complements your skin tone is a must-have.
Nails
Get the look: Pink or red nail polish is SO expected for Valentine’s Day – as is something moody like black. Metallic nails are a good choice for both the happy and melancholic, they will look good with every outfit and Valentine’s Day outlook.
Get the look: My moody Valentine’s Day nail choice would not be black (so 2008), but matte gray.
Get the look: If you want something more classic than metallic or matte gray, definitely go with a nude nail polish that complements your skin tone. If you don’t already have a go-to color, compare the color of the polish to the color of your natural nail – you’re looking for as close to a match as possible.
Valentine’s Day is an ode to three of my favorite things Aphrodite, Greek goddess of love and beauty, all things pink, and thoughtful presents – be it chocolate, roses, or a nice piece of jewelry. Whether you’re treating yourself to a few things this month, or expecting them from a certain someone, here’s a list of the five most luxurious beauty buys I’m currently eyeing. It’s safe to say that you’ll love these beautiful things long after February concludes.
This is a cult beauty tool, as necessary as the eyelash curler. The little sponge helps you blend your makeup so you are streak- and crease-free. Since it’s pink, I thought there’d be no better time to suggest it than this month.
One of my greatest pet peeves is people thinking their fashion designer perfume is high quality. It is not. Dolce & Gabbana are not famous perfumers, they are clothing designers, and should stick to just that. Do yourself a favor this Valentine’s day and invest in a high quality, synthetic-free fragrance. I love the Histoires de Parfums line because they are inspired by historical characters such as George Sand and Mata Hari and smell amazing without inducing a headache. (A more robust line up of great perfumes is to come later this month).
I’ve tried a lot of body moisturizers and this is by far my favorite. It has an otherworldly floral scent, goes on like butter, and has you feeling baby soft afterwards.
I’ll admit I’m daring when it comes to outfits, but makeup – that’s a different story. I’m intimidated by bold lip color in particular, so I often stick with neutral glosses in seashell pink and golden shades. Part of the reason why bold lipstick can be intimidating is because you love it in the tube, but when you put it on, your skin color gives way to an unflattering pallor, and your lips are so bright they seem to jump off your face. The reason for this beauty phenomenon is that this color doesn’t compliment your skin tone, nor does it reflect your natural lip color. While many guides exist trying to direct you towards the right lipstick color based on the strict categories of flesh color – fair, olive, dark, etc. – I find these confusing and largely unhelpful. Many people find themselves stuck in between two categories and thus don’t know which shade to choose. If you’re faced with this dilemma, here are my two go-to tricks for choosing a flattering lipstick shade.
Trick 1 for Neutral Lipstick: While at Harper’s Bazaar, I learned that to pick the right nude nail polish, you must compare it to the natural color of your nails. My nails for instance have a mauve-y undertone, so the nude polishes I opt for are not based in yellow or pink, they have a slight purple undertone. I think this same trick can be used to pick your go-to nude lipstick. Hold a color up to your lips and see if it resembles your natural lip color – darker or lighter, sheer or pigmented, it doesn’t matter, as long as it’s in the same color family.
Trick 2 for Bold Lipstick: On the other hand, to pick a non-neutral lipstick, you need to work off of your skin tone. To do this, identify your undertone – is it pink (cool) or yellow (warm)? Look on the underside of your wrist: if your veins are blue, you’ve got a cool pink undertone, if your veins are green, you’ve got a warm yellow undertone. See both blue and green veins? Then you’ve got both pink and yellow tones, meaning you have a neutral skin tone and can go either way. Once you’ve decided which undertone you have, now you can pick a lipstick color.
Warm lipstick for yellow skin undertones, those with medium, golden, or tan skin: Choose a color with a warm orange, yellow, or golden base, think coral, earthy pinks, rusty red, plum, berry.
Cool lipstick for pink skin undertones, those with fair or dark skin: Choose a color with a cool blue, purple, or silver base, hot pink, rose pink, cherry red, raspberry, mauve.
Lipstick Queen, Endless Summer SPF 15 in Perfect Wave.
Last month, perusing my Facebook feed, I was stopped mid-scroll by this New York Magazine article headline: “All My Trash Fits in a Single Mason Jar.” While we live in a country in which the average person produces 4.4 pounds of trash per day, this was no click-bait voodoo, but a legitimate, and important exposé. Lauren Singer is a 23-year-old New Yorker who in the last two years has produced so little un-recyclable waste that it all fits into one mason jar. Inspired by a particular incidence during her time at NYU, Lauren vowed to herself to live a trash-free existence in 2012. Read on to learn how she gradually made this change, and how you, too, can make small, but significant changes to positively impact the environment.
Courtesy NY Magazine
Twyla Shelmire: What inspired you to practice a “light footprint” lifestyle?
Lauren Singer: Everything started around 2012 when I was an Environmental Studies major at NYU. I was in my senior culminating course for my major, which every environmental studies major has to take, and there was a girl in my class who everyday would bring in plastic bags and a plastic container of food and a plastic water bottle. I would watch her every class throw all of this into the garbage. I would get so frustrated, because here we were, we’re in the Environmental Studies unit, about to graduate knowing about sustainability, and she was making all of this trash! One day I was particularly upset after watching her do this, and I went home to make dinner, and I opened my fridge and saw that I had so much plastic in my fridge. Literally everything that was in there was in a package in one way or another, and I felt like such a hypocrite, thinking oh how bad are you, when I was just as bad. So I decided in that moment to stop using plastic. And it wasn’t just a one time decision, it is a gradual process, I had to learn how to find alternatives for things that were already packaged in plastic like deodorant and toothpaste, so I had to start to research those kinds of things. As I was researching, I came across a blog called the Zero Waste Home by a woman named Bea Johnson out in California, and she lives a totally waste-less life with her husband and two kids. So I thought if a family of four can do it, I can do it. So yeah, over two years and no trash!
TS: What was the hardest change you had to make?
LS: There wasn’t a hard change, but there definitely was a learning curve for me. For instance, I didn’t know how to make toothpaste, I didn’t know how to make deodorant, so I had to try out a lot of recipes. It’s a lot of trial and error. It’s definitely typical to get frustrated, but now that I have everything that I use, and I know all of the recipes that I like it’s super easy.
TS: How long would you say the transition period into a trash-free lifestyle was?
LS: I feel like I’m still in a transition period, I never believe that I am done – we can always be better.
TS: What are some necessities to live trash-free?
LS: I like to have organic cotton produce bags to go to the market, a mason jar, a stainless steel straw if you’re going to get something like iced coffee, I like to have a stainless steel container to bring lunch really easily, a washcloth instead of paper towels or napkins. There are so many different alternatives, and I list them all on my website. There isn’t like one thing, you acquire them over time.
TS: Can you list a few immediate changes that anyone could make today to cut down on the amount of trash in landfills?
LS: I have three things that I like to suggest, and these are for anyone, not just for someone who wants to live a zero waste lifestyle. The first is look into your garbage can and see what your garbage is because you can’t solve a problem until you know what the problem is. So the first is doing an audit on your trash. For me it was a lot of food packaging, plastic packaging, and organic food waste, like orange peels and stuff like that. So I learned how to reduce the amount of packaging, like buy in bulk, and I learned to compost. By doing those two little things, I eliminated all of that trash that I was producing. So that’s the first one, look in the trash, see what it is, and then learn how you can reduce it. The second one is changing things in your everyday life, small things – instead of getting a plastic bag at the supermarket, you can get a reusable one. Instead of buying a plastic water bottle, you can bring a glass one. Instead of getting a paper cup at the coffee shop, you can bring a mason jar or a reusable to-go cup. So just little things that make a big difference. The third one would actually be the DIY, so learning how to make your own toothpaste and moisturizer.
TS: Do you make all of your own beauty products?
LS: I do.
TS: What are some of your favorite DIY beauty recipes?
LS: My favorite DIY recipe is for toothpaste, it only takes me 30 seconds to combine and it’s three ingredients. For deodorant, I use coconut oil, arrow root powder, baking soda, lavender oil, and tea tree oil.
TS: Does practicing a light footprint effect the kind of clothing you can buy?
LS: Yes, I shop exclusively secondhand.
TS: How can you minimize the amount of trash produced by pets?
LS: If you have a backyard, there is absolutely no need to pick up your dog’s poop with a plastic bag, you can compost it or bury it. And as far as food goes, there are a lot of places that you can buy in bulk or in larger containers as opposed to buying little bags in dog food. You’ll also save money by buying larger bulk size containers of dog food.
TS: At this day in age, everyone is always wanting the latest and greatest in electronics – which all end up in a landfill once they are replaced. What’s your advice on electronics and the recycling programs in place?
LS: More than recycling, I’d say just try to take good care of your electronics. I think people treat their electronics not that well because you can always get a new one. But by not throwing it everywhere and taking precautions you won’t have to get a new one. And before you recycle it, try to do something like sell it on eBay or Craigslist to try to get some reuse out of it. Because recycling it takes a lot of energy and resources.
Courtesy The Simply Co.
TS: Tell me a bit about the detergent you’re making and The Simply Co.!
LS: My detergent is a recipe that I’ve been using since I began this lifestyle. It has three ingredients, baking soda, washing soda, and castile soap, it’s really effective and you hardly need any at all to get your clothes clean. And I like it because imagining chemical manufacturers and cleaning product manufacturers don’t have to tell you what’s in the product they’re selling you, so a company could easily say it’s a green cleaning product when they are really filled with dangerous things, and I don’t think that’s fair to the environment or to the consumer. And so I wanted to start a company that gives the consumer the ability, and what I believe is right, to have a choice to choose what they are putting on their body, in their home, and eventually into the environment.
TS: Do you see yourself adding other product offerings to The Simply Co.?
LS: I hope to have a whole line of cleaning products. So that’s definitely a goal of mine – the options are limitless, we’ll see what happens!
TS: Lastly, would you encourage people to practice a no-trash lifestyle if they aren’t morally invested?
LS: I don’t encourage people to do it if they aren’t morally invested. It takes time and effort to change any habit, even if it has nothing to do with the environment. I would never suggest to anyone to live the way I live unless they’re invested in it. But if they are invested in it, it’s a really simple process when you do it – it’s baby steps, little by little. Transition one thing out at a time, do one thing per day, or one thing per week. It’s saved me a lot of time and money, buying in bulk, buying unpackaged foods, buying clothing second hand is a lot cheaper than new things or packaged things. Generally I’m happier, I feel like the byproduct of living this lifestyle is worth the transition period.
Want to go blonder without risking breakage and compromising the integrity of your hair? In the past, when hair was chemically, thermally, or mechanically treated, i.e. with highlights or a curling iron, bonds within each hair strand were weakened and broken leaving you with irreversible breakage and thinning. But now, we have a miracle product to solve this issue.
Olaplex is a two-component product that is the newest color service upgrade at PIN Salon. Created by two PhDs in Chemistry, Olaplex does the impossible and actually reattaches the bonds broken in the hair during and after undergoing chemical services. In technical terms, Olaplex reconnects broken disulfide sulfur bonds within each strand of hair.
The addition of Olaplex to your color service, be it highlights, gloss, or base color, will leave your color-treated hair even stronger than it was before, and will help your color last longer. When the hair is compromised leading up to an appointment or when a color transformation is planned for the next appointment, PIN Salon recommends an Olaplex treatment a couple of times, the days before, when possible. Even if you just use it once, the strengthening and protecting effects of Olaplex are permanent.
Adding Olaplex to your color service is easy. Bond Multiplier No.1 is added in with your color to mix with highlights, balayage, or high lift color. And then, Bond Perfector No.2 is put on after your color is rinsed out in order to eliminate breakage with future color services. If your still not convinced, keep in mind that Olaplex is free of sulfates, silicone, phthalates, DEA, aldehydes, and never tested on animals.
So go ahead – be daring with your color! Olaplex will be right behind you to insure that your hair is stronger, healthier, and more vibrant with each coloring.
This weekend, to prepare for a black-tie event, I tried out Dallas’ latest on demand beauty service, Blownaway. Blownaway was launched just this July, and is the love child of instant gratification and the Drybar/Blushington experience. Using mobile technology similar to transportation game-changer Uber, Blownaway instantly delivers blowouts, updos, professionally done makeup, and spray tans straight to your door.
Scheduling an appointment is easy. Download the Blownaway app from iTunes, and from there, you can shuffle through several blowout, makeup, and spray tan looks. A blowout and makeup can be done in the same sitting, each service taking only 45 minutes. It is suggested that the spray tan be completed separately, not only because it requires a different stylist, but because it should be finished two days before an event so the color has time to mellow out.
Things you should know before scheduling your first appointment? Blownaway asks that you book at least two hours in advance, and have your hair freshly washed before the stylist arrives if you are scheduling a blowdry. Also, for girls who are sensitive to certain product ingredients, or simply want to stick with an eco-friendly beauty product regimen, this request can be entered into the “notes” section upon mobile scheduling so your stylist can prepare accordingly.
For my Blownaway appointment, I booked two days in advance, and the same stylist was scheduled to do both my hair and makeup. Immediately after booking, I got a confirmation text with the stylist’s name, and 10 minutes before the appointment, the stylist confirmed once more. The entire booking experience was professional and painless.
Bianca, my Blownaway stylist, was incredibly prompt and upbeat. Most stylists come from a Drybar background, and become certified Blownaway stylists after background checks, an intense interview process, and comprehensive training. Bianca listened to all of my needs and suggestions regarding hair and makeup, and was both confident and easygoing.
One huge perk about Bianca’s blowout was that she knew exactly how to manage my thick, coarse hair. With her own hair as thick and long as a Disney princess’, she used the perfect technique and products on my hair to make the blowout last for over three days. Her number one tip for creating the perfect blowout at home is to rough-dry the hair 85% before going back through with a round brush. This allows you to save both time and energy.
Blownaway is quickly becoming every Dallas girl’s beauty go-to, whether it is to prep for a major business meeting, a wedding, or date night. A Blownaway tip from us to you? Great discount rates are available for party and group orders, meaning that Blownaway is an ideal and fun solution for bachelorette parties, or just a glam evening in with girlfriends. While services for one are best booked on your mobile phone, book services for a party online.
So you’ve made those New Year resolutions, but are you sticking to them? If you’ve vowed to do something along the lines of “get healthy,” or “lose weight,” this year, keep in mind that ingesting good food is part of that commitment. While many think that going to the gym a few days a week is enough to reach your health and fitness goals for the year, in most cases, that’s not going to make much of a difference if that’s all your doing. Instead of spinning your wheels at the gym and getting nowhere, look critically at what you are putting in your body – it is an easier (and faster) way feel better internally, and in turn, look better externally.
If the state of your health has you feeling overwhelmed, one of the best ways to get back on nutritional track is through drinking organic, cold-pressed juice. As it turns out, juice is the best way to get your recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables. When ingesting fruits and veggies in the form of juice, your body doesn’t have to work as hard to break down the bulky material component. Thus, you can quickly absorb the juice’s natural vitamins, phytonutrients, and enzymes. As for other amazing benefits of drinking fresh-pressed juice regularly? Expect weight loss, reduced unhealthy food cravings, a clear complexion, and increased energy.
Intrigued? Head over to our juice bar of choice – The GEM – located in Preston Center at 6030 Luther Lane. Not only do we love their glam tagline, “diamonds on the inside,” but everything on their menu, from the juice to the salad, is downright delicious. The GEM was opened in (YEAR) by health-conscious Dallasites, and juice alchemists, Mary Kathryn Bass and Leslie Needleman. Bass and Needleman are committed to crafting recipes that are not only highly nutritional, but approachable and tasty, too. At The GEM, juicing is more than a passing trend, but the key to leading a healthy, happy life. Head over to The GEM today, open from 7:30 am to 2:30pm Monday through Saturday, for a fresh juice, a filling smoothie, or to sign up for a toxin-eradicating juice cleanse. We don’t know about you, but The GEM keeps us feeling bright and shiny even when it’s cold and dreary out.
From the Menu: DFW Beauty Guide’s Top 5 Picks
Green Glow Juice, kale, cucumber, lemon, apple ginger (6.5/8)
Golden Glow Juice, fresh tumeric, lemon, orange, agave, fresh ginger, cardamom, Himalayan sea salt, filtered water (5)
Peridot Lemonade, cucumber, lemon, agave, filtered water (5)
This Sunday, the Cowboys play the Packers in hopes of getting one step closer to Superbowl glory. However, even when the tension runs high at my house as the ‘boys fight it out, I can’t help but notice the expert hair flips happening on the sidelines. My friend Danielle Marie is a third year on the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders team, which is undoubtedly the cutest, most talented squad in the NFL. In our interview she shares a useful DIY beauty recipe, secrets for getting Texas-sized hair, and tips for getting fit in the New Year.
TS:On a daily basis, what is your beauty routine to keep your hair, skin, and nails in tip-top condition?
DM: My daily routine is pretty simple. If I don’t have to put on a full face of make up or put heat on my hair with curling irons and whatnot, I won’t. You need to let your skin breathe and give your hair a break sometimes. However to care for my dry, damaged ends that were caused by excessive heat, I use Kérastase Cristalliste Cristal Dual Sculpt serum. Just use 1 pump and apply it to the ends of your hair to add shine – it smells amazing, too!
TS:Do you do have any DIY beauty recipes you’d like to share?
DM: I love anything DIY! My favorite DIY beauty recipe of all time is my homemade makeup brush cleaner. This is so easy to make and so important to do in order to keep your brushes clean and your face fresh. The recipe uses distilled water, lemon witch hazel, grapefruit essential oil, and 1 tbs of your favorite hair conditioner. The witch hazel cleans and disinfects your brushes and your face, the conditioner softens the brushes, and the essential oil makes it smell awesome! I loved this brush cleaner so much, I made a bunch of it and put it in little spray bottles to give to some of my teammates to try.
TS:What is your number one beauty splurge?
DM: My number one beauty splurge is definitely getting as much sleep as I can. Between working a full-time job, maintaining a hectic schedule with DCC, and being a good mommy to my little French bulldog named Lulu, rest and relaxation is a MUST! During the work week if I have no rehearsal I will probably be in bed by 9pm.
TS:On game day what is your beauty routine? Do you do your own hair and makeup?
DM: On game days we all do our own hair and makeup. Everyone has their own routine when it comes to getting “game day ready.” We’ve all got our hot tools on, blowdryers blowing, hair spray flowing, and makeup everywhere. Since our game day is usually a 9-10 hour day, my beauty routine along with the rest of my teammates consists of A LOT of reapplying makeup and re-curling hair.
TS:What is the secret to getting that DCC-approved volume in your hair? Are there any beauty tips you picked up from DCC vets?
DM: I use rollers when trying to get big Texas-sized volume. I curl my hair normally and then quickly roll it up and pin it in my Velcro rollers while it’s hot. When I’m done, I’ll spray some hairspray and let it sit in the rollers for a while. Once I take the rollers out my hair is bouncy and voluminous. If you want to go for extra volume, tease your hair at the root when you take it out of the rollers. Va-voom!
TS:In season, do you do anything fitness-wise other than practicing the dance routines for the game? When the season ends, how do you stay in shape?
DM: Although free time is limited during the season, I try to make time to workout when I can. I am a runner and I enjoy running outside and getting some fresh air. I also LOVE boxing. I have been taking boxing classes for a few years now and it is such a great work out. I guess you can say I love cardio! On occasion I enjoy a hot bikram yoga class too. When offseason comes around, I have more time to switch my routine up and fit all of these activities into my schedule.
TS:Lastly, do you have any advice for people who are trying to get back into a healthy routine after becoming lazy during the holidays?
DM: We all splurge a little bit during the holidays, it’s understandable! It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when trying to get back in shape, but don’t let it get the best of you. What works for me is setting small goals for myself each week. One week, I will focus on my diet and eating as clean as I can. The next week, I will focus on exercise and make it a priority to work out a few times a week. Remember a little goes a long way – start with small, achievable goals and stay with it!
Over the years, I have struggled to find a face wash that thoroughly cleaned my skin without leaving it feeling dry and tight. In an attempt to both save money and support cruelty-free products, I found that skincare products using kitchen ingredients actually yield the best results. Things found in your kitchen – anything from baking soda to avocados – can be used in your daily skin care routine. The best part about trying things from your kitchen? Not only are you avoiding harsh cosmetic chemicals, but you can also sample face washes, exfoliating scrubs, shampoos, and hair masks for no extra cost outside of your grocery bill.
Below are three different recipes for face washes using ingredients probably sitting in your kitchen right now. The ones I have chosen worked for my sensitive and extremely picky skin, however you might have to adjust the recipes slightly to fit your needs. The recipes range in preparation time, and number of ingredients. In my experience, the following washes left my skin feeling bright, fresh and moisturized without using any sort of moisturizer afterwards. That being said, keep in mind that the texture of these washes (i.e. raw honey) will not feel like a generic, soapy wash when being applied to the skin. Lastly, regardless of which DIY wash you try, remember that your results are directly dependent on the quality of ingredients you use.
1. Coconut Oil Face Scrub: This scrub is good for clearing up acne, and for people who have combination skin. For those who are interested in converting from mainstream face washes, this will obviously resemble the feeling of an exfoliator, however it will not foam or create bubbles. After using this scrub, your face will be left with a thin layer of coconut oil that will continue moisturizing your face throughout the day. As a note, if you plan on washing your face then applying makeup straight afterwards, this may not be the wash for you. Therefore, consider using this scrub at night before bed. The following recipe makes a large batch of the scrub that will last for several months.
Items Needed:
Wide-mouth Mason Jars, or another similar container you can hold and seal the mixture in for storing
1.5lbs of Organic Turbanado Raw Cane Sugar (larger granules)
2 cup of smaller grain sugar (such as brown sugar)
7-10 oz of medium-high heat coconut oil
Optional: tea tree essential oil*
Directions:
To turn the coconut oil from a solid into a liquid (see last week’s benefits of Coconut Oil post): Fill a large bowl with hot water and place the opened jar of coconut oil in the middle with the surrounding water going about half way up. Let the oil sit until clear and almost all melted.
Fill a bowl with the sugar mixture and pour the jar of oil in. Stir together.
To Apply:
Wet your face with a warm cloth
Scoop out a nickel size portion of the scrub. If you have acne and want the additional clearing effects from essential oils, put two drops of tea tree essential oil in your daily scoop of scrub. High quality tea tree is astringent and good for cleaning.*
Apply the scrub to the skin until the sugar has dissolved.
Rinse your face with warm water, massaging the oil into your face as you rinse.
Pat dry with a clean towel.
Repeat 1-2 times daily. For those with dryer skin, using this scrub once at night will be sufficient.
Information provided by Michelle Bardwell, Registered Aromatherapist. I only use essential oils from her practice and skin care line, Flower Road Natural Therapies. Essential oils purchased at Whole Foods or other general outlets are diluted and NOT of high quality. As for tea tree, be careful not to get it near your eyes, and test the oil on your arm before applying it to your face to make sure you do not have an adverse reaction. If you have dry, sensitive skin, either avoid using tea tree in your scrub, or just use one drop. In the original recipe for the coconut oil scrub, the author added the essential oil to the whole batch of scrub upon making it. While this will give you the aroma of the essential oil you use, it will not have ANY healing or cleaning effect on your skin once you actually apply it to your face.
2. Foaming Honey Face Wash: For those who are hesitant about switching from a mainstream wash to a kitchen-ingredients-only wash, this one is for you. While it is extremely simple, and gentle on the skin, it will foam and act like a “normal” face wash. This wash will make you feel like your face has been thoroughly washed, but with mild, moisturizing ingredients.
Items needed:
Clean bottle with pump, you can also make your own with a mason jar and a pump
3 tablespoons of raw, local honey
½ cup vegetable glycerin
2 tablespoons liquid castile soap (Dr. Bronner’s is my favorite)
Directions:
Mix ingredients together in desired container
To Apply:
Apply to face in a circular motion and massage into face for at least 30 seconds before rinsing with warm water
Pat face dry with clean towel
3. Sensitive Skin Honey Wash: For people with extremely sensitive skin, the less ingredients the better. This honey wash can be used two times a day and is extremely moisturizing. It is best for those with dry skin (who should avoid both exfoliators and castile soap), and those experiencing a breakout. If you’re going to use honey to wash your face, be sure to purchase a high quality, raw honey. Although washing your face with honey may sound like a sticky situation, if done right, it is easy to put on, easy to take off, and leaves your skin super soft and even-textured.
Items needed:
A jar of raw, local honey. I suggest buying a jar just for your bathroom so you don’t have to shuffle the same jar back and forth to the kitchen.
Optional: To tone your skin afterwards, you’ll need apple cider vinegar and a sealable container of your choice
Directions:
The honey will not need any mixing, you can use it directly from the jar
To make the toner, combine ½ a cup of water with 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a container of your choice
To Apply:
Wet your face with warm water – in order to successfully apply honey afterwards, this part is crucial
Apply a quarter-size of honey to your face. You can either scoop it out the jar with clean fingers or a spoon.
Massage honey into your skin in circular motions avoiding the eyes for at least a minute
For best results, you can let a thin layer of honey sit on your skin for 10 minutes – this will heighten the moisturizing effect
Splash your face with warm water to get the honey off, or rub it off with a wet washrag. Be sure to rinse your forearms too – when I use this wash, honey often drips down to my elbows without me noticing. As long as the honey on your face doesn’t dry during this process, you will not experience stickiness at all.
Pat your skin dry with a clean towel
For extra soft, clean skin, apply the apple cider vinegar toner afterwards. Simply pour a little bit on a cotton ball and dab it onto your skin, avoiding any dry patches.
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