Beauty Aids

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Beauty Aids

Quick Fix for Puffy Eyes

Source: Cait Johnson,

www.Care2.com

Time-honored because it works:

 

Slice two thin rounds of cucumber, lie down, and place the cucumber slices

over your eyes. Rest for 15 minutes, then remove cucumber.

 

Two Ways to Reduce Dark Circles Under Eyes

These are great for tightening sagging under-eye skin, too:

 

1. Apply grated cucumber, either alone or mixed with an equal measure of

carrot juice, to area beneath eyes. Allow to stay on for 20 minutes, then

rinse

with cool water.

 

2. Mix grated cucumber with milk and refrigerate 30 minutes, then apply to

under-eye skin and allow to stay on for 20 minutes. Rinse with cool water.

 

Radiant Facial Treatment

Source: Cait Johnson,

www.Care2.com

If your complexion is dull and oily, this easy formula will help you look

glowing and radiant:

 

1 teaspoon grated cucumber

splash of rosewater

 

Apply to face and allow to stay for 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Clear Skin Mask

Source: Cait Johnson,

www.Care2.com

 

If you are occasionally troubled by blemishes, this easy mask will help to

prevent them.

 

Place the following in a blender and blend until smooth:

1/2 cucumber, peeled

1 tablespoon instant nonfat dry milk

1 teaspoon plain yogurt

 

Apply to face and leave on for 20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

Nourishing Cucumber-Avocado Facial Mask

Source: Cait Johnson,

www.Care2.com

 

This magic formula does it all: nourishes, tightens pores, and helps slough

off dead skin cells to reveal fresher skin.

 

Place the following ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth:

1/2 cup coarsely chopped peeled cucumber

1/2 cup coarsely chopped peeled avocado

1 egg white

2 teaspoons powdered milk

 

Refrigerate for 30 minutes, then apply to face and neck. Leave the mask in

place for 30 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Splash cool water on after

that, then gently pat dry.

Cucumber Astringent

Source: Cait Johnson,

www.Care2.com

An easy way to reduce oily shine:

Coarsely chop 1/2 a cucumber, peeled, and place in a blender; blend

until smooth. Apply liberally to face and allow to stay on for 15

minutes. Rinse with cool water and pat face dry.

 

Ayurvedic Oil Massage

Adapted from Perfect Weight by Deepak Chopra, M.D. (Three Rivers Press,

1994).

Ayurvedic oil massage helps strengthen and balance your whole body, improves

circulation and vitality, and rejuvenates your skin.

This massage uses sesame oil, and it is recommended as part of any daily

routine because it rejuvenates and revitalizes the physiology.

It produces a youthful influence for the skin and helps to balance.

1. Start with cold-pressed sesame oil, available from your health food

store. Ideally, the oil should be " cured " before using (by heating slowly to

the

boiling temperature of water, 212 degrees F, and cooling). The oil should be

warmed each time you use it.

2. Use the open part of your hand (rather than your fingertips) to massage

your entire body. In general, use circular motions over rounded areas

(joints,

head) and straight strokes over straight areas (neck, long bones). Apply

moderate pressure over most of your body and light pressure over your

abdomen

and heart.

3. Start with your head. Pour a small amount of oil on your hands and

vigorously massage it into your scalp. With the flat part of your hands, use

circular

strokes to cover your whole head. Spend more time massaging your head than

other parts of your body.

4. Next, massage your face and outer ears, remembering to apply a small

amount of oil as you move from one part of your body to the next. Massage

this area

more gently.

5. Massage the front and back of your neck and the upper part of your spine.

At this point you may want to cover the rest of your body with a thin layer

of oil to give maximum time for the oil to soak in.

6. Vigorously massage your arms, using a circular motion on your shoulders

and elbows and long, back-and-forth strokes on your upper arms and forearms.

7. Now massage your chest and stomach. Use a very gentle, circular motion

over your heart and abdomen. You can start in the lower right part of your

abdomen

and move clockwise, ending up at the lower left part. This gently massages

your intestines.

8. Massage your back and spine. You may have trouble reaching your entire

back.

9. Massage your legs, vigorously, making circular motions over your hips,

knees, and ankles. Use long, straight strokes over your thighs and calves.

10. Finally, massage the bottoms of your feet. As with your head, this

important area of your body deserves more time. Use the palm of your hand to

massage

your soles vigorously.

11. Follow your oil massage with a warm bath or shower, using a mild soap.

Visit Deepak Chopra's website