BEAUTY TIP - YOUR HANDS AFTER GARDENING

After gardening for a few hours, your hands and nails are likely stained and dried out. Wash off the surface dirt with a mild soap, then friction generously with olive oil. Make sure oil goes under the nails too. The dirt lodged more deeply will come off. Then clean around and under the nails. Then friction with freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice and give a quick rub to your nails with Vit. E. Your hands will get back their vitality.

If you have blisters, there's use a lavender, calendula and yarrow maceration. For details, see article on macerations in previous entry.

RECIPE: Massage oil for stiff joints and muscles

Whether you are stiff and sore from biking in the Gatineaus, gardening for hours or simply because of advance of the Vata (fall) season, here is a simple recipe to help ease the discomfort. First, add ¼ cup of Epsom salt to your bath, then prepare the following mix for a deep tissue massage.

Ingredients:

¼ or ½ cup sesame oil

3 drops each of the following essential oils:

vetiver: relieves spasms, is overall calming and stimulates blood circulation

ginger: warming and reduces pain

birch or wintergreen: anti-inflammatory and supports bone function

turmeric: anti-inflammatory and boosts the immune system

And if you tend to retain water, add 3 drops of orange essential oil.

You'll feel great.

24 Oils to the rescue for fall-winter skin care

Unless you are going though puberty, have a Kapha constitution or live in the Southern hemisphere, your skin likely has started feeling dryer than it has over the last months.

"Natural my dear Ms. Watson, it`s Vata season!" And who says Vata, says dry, cold and light. So let`s call carrier oils to the rescue to lubricate the whole body, whether in your food, in massage oil or in skin care products.

SALE AND FALL COURSE CALENDAR

The fall 2011 course calendar is available in the What's New section of http://www.facetograce.com/ and descriptions and details are listed in the Courses page.

Enjoy the Face to Grace end of season sale: 20 % off on the Vata, Pitta and Kapha light moisturizers. Ingredients in these products are listed in the http://www.factograce.com/ Products section. From Sept. 19 to 30. Max. 2 per client as long as stocks last.

BEAUTY TIP FOR SMOKERS

People who smoke often develop large facial pores and vertical wrinkles above the upper lip from their late 30s. Apart from kicking the habit altogether, take vitamine C supplements to compensate for the loss of that vitamine that smoking causes. Using a natural toner every day after cleansing is most beneficial and regular pancha karma treatments of the nose and mouth will help revitalize the blocked or damaged cells.

Drink 1,5 to 2 litres of water per day. This will help clean your whole body, including the skin.

RECIPE - Aromatherapy for water retention

A lot of people, especially Kapha women, tend to have water retention problems. It tends to accumulate on the thighs, hips, buttocks and arms. Many people, as they age also start accumulating water around the ankles and feet. This accumulation is often the result of weak kidneys and makes you feel colder than you should.

Give yourself a vigorous massage with these oils, using a pumping movement among others to stimulate the lymphatic system. Eenjoy the warming, drying, diuretic, aromatic and supportive properties of this treat. Drink a large glass of water after the massage to promote elimation of toxins.

Oil:

¼ cup sesame OR grapeseed oil

Essential oils:

6 drops juniper

3 drops lemon, lime or green mandarin

3 drops clary sage

Mix all the above in a pottery, porcelain or pyrex cup. (avoid plain glass or metal)

Warm up on a coffee warmer. Be mindful that the oil doesn’t get  to hot so you don’t burn yourself.

Can be done everyday or once a week for best results.