The secret life of Jojoba oil

Jojoba oil, a secret 007 agent that presents itself as "oil" but really is a secret multitasker,the moment we hear oil our automatic reaction is to RUN!

Fear not beautiful people, Jojoba oil is the secret oil that has so many wonderful uses I wish I could just roll in a bath full of it!

Here is the "down low" on this fabulous oil:

For centuries, Native Americans of the great Southwest have extracted this oil from the seeds of the desert jojoba shrub to treat wounds and moisturize skin and hair. Many of jojoba’s beneficial properties come from the fact that it matches the molecular structure of hair and skin sebum. As a result, it can quickly penetrate your skin and scalp without leaving an oily residue.

In beauty school my teacher always had a giant bottle of Jojoba oil and when it came time to perform any exercise such as facials, hair treatments, and nail care the first thing she would reach for was that giant bottle of Jojoba.

I'm not going to lie, I suffered from very bad cystic acne for about 3-4 years and in my eyes "oil" was the devil and I shuttered at the very thought of putting it anywhere near my face or hair for the fear that my situation would get worse.... I was WRONG.

I like to think of my face as a bank, the natural oil produced by your face is taken away when you wash your face and you need to replace the same amount of oil you washed away so your skin does not attempt to compensate for the oil lost, thus creating what we all fear... a horrible "OIL SLICK" and clogged pores (big sad face).

So through trial and error along with a few staple products throughout the years I have conquered my battle and still to this day always keep  a bottle of Jojoba oil in my cabinet for everyday use.

Here are some example you can use this 007 Secret Agent Oil:

1. Eye and Face Makeup Remover

Add a few drops of jojoba oil to fingers or to a cotton ball and wipe over eyes and face. Rinse off with water and follow with regular cleanser.

2. Facial Cleanser and Moisturizer

To cleanse normal to dry skin, apply with a few drops on fingers or cotton ball. Remove with water. Pat a few more drops on to damp skin for a lasting moisture treatment.

3. Body Moisturizer

Apply immediately after shower or bath, while skin is still damp It seals in moisture, leaving skin soft and smooth.

4. Massage and Bath Oil

Great for a massage therapist or for use at home. Perfect for sensitive skin. Add a few drops to your bath to leave skin moisturized, soft, and smooth.

5. Foot and Hand Softener

Use alone or add a few drops to your regular moisturizer. For an intense foot treatment, apply oil, wrap in gauze and put on socks. Leave on for at least one hour. Feet will be beautifully soft
and smooth.

6. Hair and Scalp Massage

Add a few drops to hands. Massage into scalp to relieve dryness.

7. Deep Conditioning Treatment for Hair

Pour a quarter-sized amount of oil into hands. Smooth over damp hair, applying most of oil to ends. Leave on for 5-10 minutes. Shampoo out and style as usual. To help mend split ends, rub one or two drops into your hand and then apply to ends of your hair. Apply while hair is still damp to help smooth frizzies.

8. Lip Conditioner

Apply to finger and smooth onto lips. Works great as an overnight treatment.

9. Cuticle Oil

Apply a few drops to rough, dry cuticles at least once per day.

10. Shaving Prep and Aftershave

Apply to beard or desired area beneath your shaving product. Helps prevent razor burn and leaves skin smooth and soft. Apply directly after shaving to effectively soothe and moisturize skin.

Jojoba oil has been so good to me over the years and I whole heartily believe it has been one of the reasons my face has come back from something very horrible that no one should have to go through. I have also given Jojoba as a gift to my family members such as my grandmother because she has chronic dry skin all over her body and have her using this along with a second moisturiser to help keep her skin hydrated
If you have any questions or just curious about this special oil please do research on it, there is plenty of information on the Internet and YouTube videos with tips and tricks plus raving reviews.

Happy Hump Day Ladies!
XoXoXo

Tis the season... to Strawberry it up!

Pampering your skin with this seasons delicious fruit has never been easier, with a few key ingredients and about 30 minutes your skin will be smiling.

The ever so delicious fruit 

Fact:

Strawberries contain salicylic acid that rids the skin of dead cells, makes your skin pores smaller and your face look brighter and shinier. They gently refresh and exfoliate the skin, remove impurities, and reduce redness and swelling, which is wonderful for a cleansing and skin softening facial mask.

DIY Strawberry Yogurt Mask 

You will need: 

• 3 to 4 ripe strawberries
• 1/2 cup full fat plain yogurt
• small mixing bowl
• pot to boil water
• small face towel to pat face dry
• large towel to use during steam
• medium bowl
• 1 chamomile tea bag

Instructions:

1. Boil water and pour into medium bowl and let chamomile tea bag steep for about 3 minutes.
2. Cut the tops of strawberries of and cut into small slices. In small bowl use fork to smash strawberries into a mush like paste.
3. Add 1/2 cup full fat yogurt to small bowl and mix thoroughly. There should be small chunks of strawberries present in the mixture. (place mixture in the fridge to keep cool while you steam)
4. Place your face above the bowl of steam and use large towel to cover your head. Steam for about 5 minutes. **caution not to get too close to the steam or you might burn your skin**
5. Once you have steamed your face, pat dry with small face towel and use fingers to smooth the mask onto your face taking caution of eyes, nose, and mouth.
6. Let sit for about 15-20 minutes (this is a perfect time to lay down and relax)
7. Use luke warm water to wash your face using circular motions to help exfoliate and get the blood flowing in the skin.
8. Pat dry and apply favorite moisturiser
9. Look in the mirror and enjoy!

There is nothing like a little EVOO....

I don't know about you, but I love my flip flops!
Between all the dancing, dry hands, and beach hoping my skin has been on the NOT so Soft side. My hands are finally starting to sprout up with callus from all the pole work (so NOT complaining.. lol) and my knees and elbows and feet are starting to show all the floor work I'm doing.

So, naturally I needed to find a solution and its right in our kitchens.

Brown Sugar

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Simple. Easy. Effective- You all know that how I like things to be

Here is my recipe for some gentle yet effective exfoliation:

*this recipe makes enough to exfoliate your entire body*
*this can be a bit messy, highly recommended to be done in the shower*

1/4 cup of EVOO
1/2 cup of brown sugar

• Mix both ingredients in a bowl to create a scrub/paste
• Make a nice steamy shower and apply paste with hands while lightly rubbing in a circular motion
• leave on for a minute or two to soak up into skin
• wash off either with hands or a small washcloth if you prefer. (Some don't like the slight oil feeling left behind so you do have the option to wipe off residue with small cloth)
• Pat skin dry with towel, and Whaaala... soft, smooth, glowing skin for pennies on the dollar
• ENJOY

I have used this recipe many times and this simple recipe is very effective on all parts of the skin.

The Frizzz Pot, I think NOT!

Did your hair poof up like a blow fish this past weekend with all the humidity and tropical weather we had? Normally, I would say "I sure did" but not this time.

The HoTT trend with Moroccan and Argan oil is still in high demand, and I am on the same bandwagon except there are about 50 various brands of oil to choose from. Luckily, Ive tried about 45 of them... seriously. (this is where having your hair lisc comes in handy)

Ladies, I would like you  to meet : Rusk Deep Shine Oil

WHAT IS IT? Deepshine® Oil is a marine mineral-enriched argan oil treatment that smooths the cuticle, eliminates frizz, and improves elasticity and hydration, leaving hair soft, silky and manageable.

WHO IS IT FOR? Deepshine® Oil is perfect for all hair types.

WHAT DOES IT DO? Deepshine® Oil smooths the cuticle, eliminates frizz, and imparts incredible shine and condition.

HOW DO YOU USE IT? For styling, thermal protection and frizz control, apply a small amount to damp hair and style. For finishing, apply a few drops to dry hair as needed.

I honestly think the BEST part of this oil is you can add 2-3 drops into your color to help seal in the color and get amazing shine with an added conditioning treatment.

I tend to use about 4-5 drops when humidity strikes or I wake up looking like this..

No one should have to walk around battling the even demon of Frizz, its just not fair!
I really love this oil because its so versatile, you can use with damp or dry hair.. add to your color, Ive even added 1-2 drops into my shampoo for extra TLC.

Simple. Easy. Effective- That's how I like my products to work

So if you battle the frizz demon I would suggest to give this a try, even if you don't.. I would say  still give this a try, the results are phenomenal.