Health & Beauty: Is Your Skin Spring-Ready?

Spring is here! The sun is shining. It's getting warmer. And, we're slowly shedding the layers of clothes that have been weighing us down. 

But, has the cold, moisture-sapping Winter weather taken a toll on your skin? Leaving it dry and rough to the touch? Here are some tips to Spring-ready your skin as you begin to shed your Winter layers:

• Take warm, not hot, showers and baths. Exposing your skin to hot water for long durations can strip it of its natural oils, leaving it vulnerable to moisture loss and to impurities that can penetrate into your body. So, take warm-water baths and showers to help maintain skin health.
  

• Moisturize right after you step out of the shower or bath. Pat your skin dry and apply moisturizer when your skin is still slightly damp to better lock in moisture. Use chemical-free and fragrance-free products since artificial ingredients can irritate the skin and inflame skin conditions.  

• Limit your intake of caffeine and alcoholic beverages that can dehydrate your body. Drink plenty of water to help your skin stay healthy and allow your body to function properly.

• Exfoliate once a week to rid pore-clogging, dead skin cells and to allow cells to regenerate. Use a body polish, preferably sugar-based and natural scrubs that are gentler on the skin, to let your skin breathe and keep skin soft and supple.

Remember, if you have skin conditions that are persisting or worsening, please consult your medical practitioner.

Now, let's get ready for Spring! 

~ Susan

Naturally Susan's

Everyday Natural Oils for Health and Beauty

In honor of Earth day and recessionary times, I will highlight four readily available natural oils that serve a variety of health and beauty purposes.

Coconut Oil
Any Indian, or in my case Bangladeshi, knows that this oil promotes healthy hair and scalp. Coconut oil also helps to rid the scalp of dandruff (Natural News). Moreover, not only does this lubricant relieve dry and rough skin but it may improve psoriasis and eczema, as well as prevent liver spots and other age related blemishes. It also repairs sun burns and is a great natural tanner. Nurture your body by applying the oil at bedtime or massaging it into your skin before a bath. Possessing antiseptic qualities that help bring temporary relief to the skin, coconut oil can heal, repair and ward off skin problems and infections (Virgin Coconut Oil).

Jojoba Oil
This is a great hair conditioner, especially for protection against dry split ends. Jojoba oil is an ideal beauty product as it is similar to the skin’s natural sebum and therefore readily absorbed (Vitamin Stuff). Use it as an eye make-up remover and eye lash conditioner, and to regularly moisturize dry lips and cuticles(ILoveIndia.com). Jojoba oil also treats acne, both by reducing sebum production and by protecting the skin from harmful bacteria. Try it as a body or massage oil, or apply before shaving for a smooth shave and to prevent razor burn (Acne.org). Jojoba is great for sensitive skin conditions, including psoriasis and eczema (Pioneer Thinking).

Rosemary
Frequently used in aromatherapy and massage to reduce stress, rosemary oil is also excellent for the hair. It prevents premature graying, dandruff and hair loss, softens hair texture, and even thwarts and treats head lice (Green Herbal Remedies). In addition, this non-sticky oil can be used on the face and body for moisturizing as well as for reducing muscle and arthritic joint pains. It also has the ability to heal wounds and regenerate the skin ( The Raw Divas Blog).

Citronella Oil
When on vacation, citronella oil is my bed time non-toxic protection from insects for body and face, as it is safe for all including children and sensitive skin types. Additionally, it may be used as an astringent to help correct oily skin areas. Apply a couple of drops of the oil to a cotton pad and gently wipe off excess oil from the skin before proceeding to your regular facial routine (Citronella-oil.blogspot.com). If this fragrant oil is diluted into a base oil (like Jojoba!) it can provide physical and mental benefits such as alleviating muscle and joint pain, calming nerves, and reducing pressure from migraines and headaches (Suite101.com).

Points to Note:
Oily and sensitive skin types should cautiously consider these tips and everyone should take a spot test. Apply oil on the skin of the inner forearm to safeguard against irritation. Always consult an aromatherapist if in doubt about the use of essential oils.

Home treatments lack the finesse of the spa products from the Etsy NewNewTeam, so if you have no patience for dealing with oily messes, remember to visit our stores.

I’m looking forward to shiny healthy hair, strong nails and seasons of moisturized and bug bite free skin on a beauty budget.

Talita
fairywallah.etsy.com

Super Easy Brown Sugar/Lavender Scrub!

I cook the same way I sew... Recipes and patterns are really just a guideline! This would explain why I am not a chef OR a seamstress ;) I did a lot of research on homemade scrubs a while back when i was thinking of fun bridesmaids gifts. This is the concoction that I came up with. It is so easy to make. I used all organic ingredients where I could, but most of the needed things are already in your kitchen. Your skin will be very smooth and smell like lavender.. ahhhh!


Brown Sugar/Lavender Scrub Ingredients

2 cups brown sugar (I used organic.. it is a bit chunkier)
1 cup sea salt
1/2 cup oil (You can mix olive and canola if you'd like. I used all olive oil and it can smell a bit "salad-y")
1 Tbsp Vitamin E oil
1 Tbsp Lavender essential oil

•••••

mixing bowl
spatula
container for finished scrub. (I used a re-sealable mason jar. It is nice to use for a gift... you can tie a ribbon around it, or design a label for the top if you're feeling ambitious!)

••••••••••••••••••••

1. Combine the brown sugar and sea salt in a bowl.




2. Once these are combined nicely, add the oil. Once those are all mixed together add the Vitamin E oil and Lavender oil.





3. Put your finished scrub into your container and enjoy!







Be careful in the shower because the oil can make the tub a bit slippery.

"Green" Beauty

Here's a quick and easy tip for maintaining a youthful look:
Take off your makeup before you go to bed!

Don't be a bum about this, for it truly can be an easy way to lessen the dreaded wrinkles and crows feet from forming on your face any sooner than they need to.

I know for some it can be a pain to remove makeup, and products out there for the task can be dreadfully wasteful or harmful to the environment. So, I propose a two-step green beauty solution...

1. Use a combination of olive oil and water as a natural oil-based makeup remover.
2. Use wash cloths or makeup removal pads (see image above) that can be washed and reused instead of buying cotton balls and other throw-away removal items.

Think of all the cotton balls you'd save, and how appreciative your skin will be if you take these easy steps to a beautiful you!

~EcoKate

Why Buy Handmade?

While many of us enjoy buying beautiful, hand-crafted goods, we don’t always think of the positive impact our purchases have on our lives and community. In support of our Indie-pendence theme this month, I have 5 reasons to buy handmade.

1. Supports Local Economies
Buying from local businesses (crafters and artists) that are buying their supplies locally, you are putting your money back into the local economy, instead of large conglomerates that funnel their money to a headquarters across the country or across the world.

Skirt by BetterThanJam

2. Builds Community
Supporting local artists allows a flourishing artistic community. It’s not just the local artists that benefit. It invites more galleries and boutiques as well as community artists projects, gardens, murals, arts education, and more.

Painting by ArtByIris photographed in front of the Brooklyn Bridge

3. Better Quality Goods
You know exactly what’s gone into each product and can speak with the crafter about the why and how of making each piece. In addition to the detailed craftsmanship, many handmade goods are made from natural or recycled materials. This and making the products to last for generations instead of years lessens our impact on the natural world.

Veggie Garden Soap Bar by NordeaSoaperie

4. More Beauty in Your Life
Many mundane and practical pieces used in everyday life can be enhanced by using instead beautifully crafted handmade goods. Beauty makes the soul rest easier and smiles more prevalent.

Cloth Napkins by Cakehouse

5. Responsible Buying
No sweatshops, less than minimum wage workers, nor corporate outsourcing. It feels good to be connected to where our goods come from, to know that each piece was made with joy and completed by one or maybe a handful of people.

Robot Card by MamaRobot

Supporting handcrafted goods means we can become responsible for where our money goes and what we bring into our lives: beauty, health, and community.

Friday Night Beauty Tip

Beauty, it is said is "in the eye of the beholder". Living in a culture and working in the fashion industry where external beauty can become an obsession I was pleased to find an anti-fashion designer. “Ma Ke, a chinese designer, abhors assembly lines. The trademark of her majestic line is based on burying the clothes in dirt to allow nature and time to put the finishing touches on her work.” There is a movie debuting at the Toronto film festival about the contrast between mass produced and her garments entitled ‘Useless’. I found her through a short clip on the selvedge website, she speaks about hand made objects containing emotions, emotions of the crafters. This was so poignant I wanted to share, beauty is not only the external of the objects we create but also the quality of our emotions while we create them.**selvedge, is a textile magazine focusing on non traditional forms of textile. It also showcase unique crafters and crafts.

Friday Night Beauty Tip

Since this winter weather will keep many of us indoors with a little extra time, I wanted to share some beauty tips you can do at home. There is nothing better for the skin than natural, preservative free products. And what better than some you can make yourself! One of my favorites is face scrub used every other week (oily skin) or once a month (normal/ combination), it can make any complexion radiant and help promote cell rejuvenation.

The scrub I craft is a dry oatmeal base scrub and an ‘essential’ water that is mixed together before use. I currently make two types, one a rose-lavender blend shown in picture for normal/combination skin and the other a new blend, tea tree-green tea for oily skin. The green tea used I bought in Korea and it was part of the first picking, the aroma is light and herby when mixed with the tea tree 'essential' water, it is by far my favorite. Both will be available at the Brooklyn Home Show.

Following is a recipe made with Chamomille (anti-inflammatory and redness reducer) suited for this killer weather, it takes approx 10 minutes start to finish, try it!

Ingredients:
5 Tablespoons quick cooking oatmeal – grind fine, hand grinding would be best for this amount

1 1/2 Tablespoons Chamomile Tea – try brewing the tea in half a cup for a strong golden color

Mix the two above and let sit together for 2-5 minutes, the mixture will cool and become paste. Once ready take a small amount, what ever two fingers can ‘scoop’ out and use over face and neck. Use circular motion and soft pressure, the oatmeal will be fine enough to do its ‘scrubbing’ without aggressive efforts. Remove by washing with warm water and pat dry. Any left over can be refrigerated up to a week.

Enjoy!!

by Josie
hamsacustomcrafts.etsy.com