I adore beauty DIY projects so you can imagine how excited I was when discovered Karly Goins’ recipe for a seriously sweet fall facial, an Oh Sugar Pie Honey Bunch Facial that is… 

Below are Karly’s directions. Give it a try and let me know how it goes!

This facial is mildly exfoliating (can be made more abrasive with more sugar), anti-bacterial and moisturizing! It is smooth and creamy, and can be warmed up in the microwave for cold dry skin in the winter (This does however melt the sugar so it becomes an even creamier mix.) All you need are a couple basic kitchen staples and it's as easy as that!

What you will need…

• 1 cup of brown sugar
• 1/2 cup of honey
• 1 tbsp. of milk (the higher the fat percentage, the better)

How to make it…

1. Pour sugar into a bowl, slowly stirring in the honey, and add quantity of milk desired (the more milk the looser the consistency).
2. Pat mixture onto skin (avoiding eye area, it makes eyelashes sticky and the sugar is harsh on delicate skin). Leave on for 10-20 minutes (whatever you like best and have time for) this mask will not dry on your skin or become tight or hard, it will stay moist and sticky, I suggest wearing an old t-shirt while wearing this in case of any "sticky situations."
3. Rinse the mixture off with lukewarm water; you may use a wash cloth or facial cleansing brush to assist you if you like, but make sure to clean extra well around your hairline or some of the honey might dry in hard sticky clumps. Eew no thank you!
4. I also like to soak cotton pads/rounds in some of the same type of milk I added into the mixture, I put on some relaxing music, and lay on m bed for 5 minutes with the pads/rounds layer on my face! The lactic acid from the milk will help to slough away dead skin, while the fats & proteins in the milk help to strengthen and plump the skin.
5. Then rinse, apply moisturizer (don't forget to put one on that has SPF if you're going out in the sun after this facial!), Look at yourself in the mirror and SMILE! You are beautiful, and now you're soft, glowy, clean skin is a little bit more beautiful too!

Thanks for sharing this great DIY with us Karly!

Are you going to give Karly’s fall facial a try?

XO Lauren

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Baby it’s cold outside… Winter is a wonderful time of year, but the chapped lips that come with it are not so great. While lip balms may provide temporarily relief, it’s better to get to the root of the problem: Your lips are thirsty!

First off, you should always be consuming an average of two to three liters of water each day. Dehydration can cause excessive lip dryness. And no one needs a case of granny lips. This may come as a surprise, but it’s particularly important to increase your water intake during the winter. Wintertime conditions are actually tougher on your skin than summer. Who knew?

In addition to consuming enough water, one of the best ways to directly hydrate your pout is by pressing cold, sliced up cucumber onto your lips for a few minutes. According to Whole Living Daily and Home Remedies, cucumber has many healing properties that help heal, relieve dryness and reduce irritation.

Next time your lips are cracked or chapped, look to your veggie drawer!

Have an alternative kitchen remedy? Share your suggestions in the comments below. I’ll feature my favorite tips in a follow up post.

XO Lauren

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Photo: How Stuff Works
Sources: Home Remedies, Whole Living Daily

I hope you enjoyed my skincare routine post. For me, facials are an important part to maintaining a healthy complexion. I typically get a professional facial every other month. While professional facials will cost you a pretty penny, there are plenty of spa-worthy products on the market that are perfect for giving yourself an inexpensive at-home facial.

Here’s how you can give yourself a lovely at-home facial in just 5 easy steps:

What you will need…

• gentle facial cleanser
• exfoliating scrub
• washcloth
• face mask (clay-based for oily skin, cream or gel mask for dry skin)
• face moisturizer

Instructions

1. Clean. Remove all makeup and then wash your face, neck and ears with a good facial cleanser.
2. Exfoliate. Using your fingers gently rub an exfoliating facial scrub in small circular motions all over your face. Make sure you focus on areas around your nose and forehead. If certain areas of your face are oilier than others, give that section an extra scrub. Go the extra mile and do a lip scrub too! Click here for my DIY lip scrub recipe.
3. Steam. There are a few ways to steam your face (over the stove, using a steamer), but the safest way is to do the washcloth trick. Fill your sink with warm water and soak a washcloth in it. Ring out the towel and then press it to your face. Repeat this 2 to 3 times.
4. Mask. If you have oily skin, use a clay mask. For dry skin, I suggest using a hydrating cream or gel mask. Depending on the mask, leave it on for the suggested amount of time and then rinse completely. (DIY Alert: Making your own mask is very easy. An orange and yogurt mask is especially simple. Mix 1 tablespoon of plain Greek yogurt with the juice of about one fourth of an orange. Spread the mixture evenly over your face and rinse after 5 to 10 minutes.)
5. Hydrate. Last by not least, moisturize! Smooth a nice, thick moisturizer over your face and neck.

Is your skincare routine working for you? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below (especially if you have any fun DIY face mask recipes). I will compile the best suggestions to share in a follow up post.

XO Lauren

P.S. Click here for a great recipe on how to make your own citrus infused facial refresher.

Photo: weheartit

Splish splash! One of the nicest things you can do for yourself is just relax. I’ve been traveling this week and always need a minute of down time when I get home. Taking a milk bath is one of the oldest tricks in the book. In fact, it’s claimed to be a favorite of Cleopatra + Queen Elizabeth… and we all know how glamourous they were! Milk baths are amazing for a few of reasons. First, milk contains lactic acids + alpha hydroxy acids. These break-up the “glue” that keeps dead skin on your body. Soaking in a milk bath followed by a quick rinse in the shower can eliminate a lot of dead skin with very little effort. Second, it contains vitamins A + D which are skin softening. And last but not least, you can switch it up and use any kind- soy milk, oat milk, almond milk, or goats milk which are all beneficial to your skin’s health in different ways.

It’s easy to create your own version of this ancient favorite. Here’s my favorite…

Pour one half gallon of Vitamin D milk into your drawn bath water. Fill a fabric satchel or pouch with chamomile tea and lavender pieces and tie it up tight. Let that soak with water. It’s like a big tea bag. Last, for an amazing fragrance, float a couple of gardenias on the surface. The steam will bring out the scent. You can add bubbles if you want. But most important, relax + enjoy.

XO Lauren

Source: TheBeautyDepartment.com

I hope that everyone had a fun and safe holiday weekend! And if your weekend was anything like mine, then you spent plenty of time in the sunshine. While those early summer days are oh-so-enjoyable, they can sometimes leave you with an unwanted souvenir… a sunburn! I was able to avoid the burn this time around (mostly because the majority of my time was spent hiding under a giant floppy hat + umbrella while reapplying sunscreen hourly), but for the less protected, I’ve provided some suggestions for after the damage has been done:

Here are a few tips on how to deal with those less than desirable sunburns…

• Take Vitamin E to reduce inflammation from your sunburn.
• Drink lots of water to stay hydrated.
• Eat foods high in vitamin c (citrus fruits, strawberries, spinach), beta-carotene (chili peppers, kale, carrots), vitamin E (nuts, olives) or flax seed oil.
• Sliced cucumbers or cold wet tea bags help soothe and extract the sting.
• Take a cool shower.
• Avoid using any harsh soaps + perfumes on sunburned area.
• Keep skin moisturized. Try using a lotion with shea butter or palm oils for extra moisture.

Here are my favorite Kitchen Beautician remedies for a mild sunburn…

• Mix lavender oil and water together in a small spray bottle and keep it in your refrigerator. Mist your skin throughout the day to soothe the burn.
• Aloe vera can relive the pain of a sunburn. Try filling an ice tray with aloe vera and freezing it. Rub the frozen cubes onto the burn area.
• Mix baking soda into your bath and soak for about 15 minutes. Let skin air dry instead of drying off with a towel.
• Witch hazel has been known to reduce inflammation. It can be applied to a burn with a cotton ball or added to a bath.

Do you have any extra tips for soothing a sunburn?

XO Lauren

via TheBeautyDepartment.com