3 Face Masks You Can Make From Your Pantry
Tiana Romkee: esthetician at Massage Envy, Honolulu.
Instagram: glowingupwithti
By: Tiana Romkee
If there’s anything we’ve learned with all of this free time we have at home it’s learning to love your natural self. For me, going natural and focusing more on skin health has been the highlight of this spring.
The one thing I’ve put more effort and energy into is keeping my skin free of makeup and other unnecessary ingredients and adding natural, hydrating and brightening agents to give my skin a much-needed boost of love and care. Here are some ways you can make face masks with everyday items.
MAKING YOUR FACEMASKS
THE ALOE MASK
My favorite mask of all time is one that I use once a week and very easy to make.
First, its going to be very brightening and hydrating but all have antibacterial benefits to help with overall skin health.
1 Fresh aloe vera stalk
1 Tsp. Of organic honey
1Tbsp of turmeric
leave on for 15 minutes
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl until the texture is pasty. It is important to make sure the texture is thick from the turmeric (the aloe vera gel will cause it to slide down your face and be very messy).
Aloe Vera is the number 1 used ingredient in skincare products and for a very good reason; It is super hydrating and antibacterial.
Honey balances bacteria on your skin and also is very hydrating.
Turmeric is a great brightening agent and is great for your overall health!
The turmeric can stain things very easily so cover your surface while making this mask and apply with gloves, remove with wet baby wipes to avoid staining countertops, skins, nails, and towels.
THE OATMEAL MASK
Second, I absolutely LOVE using oatmeal on my skin. Oatmeal is very soothing and calming so I love using this after a day in the sun, waxing/threading my face, or if I use any ingredients that may cause irritation to my skin.
1/4 cup organic oatmeal
1/4 of a banana
1 tsp of honey
Mix ingredients, apply to face and leave on for 30 minutes
These Ingredients are all very soothing and hydrating! I love to do an AHA/BHA peel once a week on my skin because I do tend to have breakouts and this mask is lovely to add directly afterward to help soothe my skin.
HOMEMADE SCRUB
Lastly, I want to share a homemade scrub as opposed to a mask that you let sit for a while. This scrub leaves my skin feeling so clean and smooth. It is important to know that scrubs shouldn’t be used if you have any active breakouts as it will only cause irritation and spread the bacteria around on your skin.
1 tsp baking soda
1tsp coconut oil
Mix together and apply in circular motions for 20 seconds
The baking soda is alkaline and the texture of this can cause irritation if you scrub too hard so please be gentle with your skin! While the coconut oil helps with hydration and keeping the baking soda from causing too much irritation. Remove your makeup and do a light cleanse, apply the scrub and remove. I like to follow up with another light cleanse to ensure all the oil is off of my skin because coconut oil can clog your pores which could lead to breakouts.
HYDRATE HYDRATE HYDRATE
You’ve heard me mention “hydration” many times throughout this article and hydration is key! Keeping your skin balanced and hydrated will help your skin from sagging, looking dull, and possibly help prevent breakouts from happening. So, bust open your pantry and apply a facemask today that will keep you as bright as your smile!
Ever since coming off my hormonal birth control, my monthly pre-period craving has become the world renowned classic, otherwise known as gelato, helado, or ice cream. I’m declaring this a safe space for what I am about to say (or should I say write) next is definitely controversial; Until recently, ice cream was never top of my list. To clarify, I am not a psychopath. If ice cream cake was presented at a birthday party, I would be excited about the upgrade from your standard yellow cake with chocolate frosting. If I found myself in Italy, you bet I was seeking out dulce de leche gelato. My dad routinely ended his night with a generous bowl of some sort of chocolate, coffee, nut combo before falling asleep with his head on my mom’s lap, no later than 9:30pm. It was readily available and normalized as an everyday treat, yet for whatever reason it wasn't my go to. I didn’t have anything against it per say, it just never called to me. Until recently that is. And ever since my hormones came back to their normal selves, I have been a mad woman on the hunt for the best ice cream in Denver.
Yes, yes it may officially be fall but with temperatures hovering in the 80’s all week, I say ice cream season is still in full swing. Also, who doesn’t like ice cream year round? Why should we confine such a delectable dessert to one season?! Plus many places now offer seasonal flavors such as pumpkin chocolate chip. Whatever the weather may be, I hope you enjoy indulging in these woman owned ice cream shops as much as I did.