SWEET FACIALS OF SUMMER

Whether home is in Papete, Mexico City,
Gatineau or Sydney, a facial picnic
with friends will always be fun.

How delicious it is to reach summer! You can almost feel the taste of the sun on your tongue and its sent on your skin. Skin is such a fascinating organ, the largest of your body, sensitive to what is going on inside the body as well as outside, and a great communicator between the two. This summer give it a facial it will remember for a long time.

Ayurveda and aromatherapy for beauty

Taking care of the skin with ayurveda and aromatherapy is a delight, especially

at this time of year because we can use fresh ingredients from the garden or the market to clean it, scrub it gently, moisten it, tone it and of course decorate it. Summer is also the time to collect fresh plants that can be used in making skin care products for the other seasons.

Herbs--with their multi-dimensional fragrances--are great for facials because they not only share their beautiful healing properties with you, but because they uplift the mind and emotions as you breathe. You can create a full-day celebration with girlfriends and family members. Collect the perfect plants for your concoctions in the morning after the dew has evaporated, enjoy some of them over lunch then, in the afternoon, use them to make your skin tingle and glow.

Vegetable vendors such as this one are found everywhere
in Kannur. Check your organic market for local treasures.

Once you know the basics of ayurveda to assess your skin and choose ingredients accordingly, you can start experimenting far and wide.

For example, I was India recently for rejuvenating treatments and a member of our group asked me for a facial. I did not have a lot of my products with me but there were great yellow cucumbers, bananas, limes and coconuts wherever I went.

Rose water and yogourt were also easily available as well as various spices in the hotel's kitchen. No treatment room? We used the outdoors dining room table as a massage table, protected from the sun but caressed by the sounds of the ocean a few feet away.

Cascais, Portugal, offers miles of beaches
to enjoy a facial. 

Of course, what grows in your area is different from Kannur, India, and the beach may be by a river or lake rather than by an ocean but the principles are the same. You chose a great location (preferably in the shade), get tantalizing herbs, veggies and flowers at the (organic) market or in your garden, you combine them, applying on self or others, rinse and VOILÀ! You had a great time, feel relaxed, your skin is happy, you didn’t put any damaging chemicals in your body and you barely spent anything. Oh, and bring your cell phone or camera.

FACIAL MASK RECIPE FOR TEENS AND WOMEN

For a party of 4

¼ cup of fresh herb leaves (remove the stems)

Mint, coriander, basil or fennel leaves work well for most people.

4 tbsp of organic plane yogurt OR fresh coconut milk

¼ tsp of maple syrup or honey

1 pinch or turmeric powder

¼ tsp of oil (almond for any skin type, grapeseed for Kapha oily skin; avocado for Vata dry skin, or coconut for sensitive skin)

Optional:

¼ tsp of floral water (rose, lavender, orange blossom)

1 or 2 drops of lavender, rose or other flower essential oil if you have any.

Make a purée with all the ingredients and apply generously over your face. Check other parts of your body that ask for it too (don’t block the creativity of your skin’s requests) and see what happens.

Make sure you don't burn
while you're enjoying your facial.

Before you start, apply natural/organic sunscreen on your body, except your face. You don’t have any? Mix a bit of sesame oil with an organic baby rash cream that contains zinc. Why? Because zinc is essential for sun protection.

To get pampered, get more cool recipes, learn more about beauty with ayurveda and aromatherapy, or sign up for the monthly newsletter, contact info@facetograce.com. Visit http://facetograce/blogspot.com and https://www.facebook.com/facetograce?ref=hl.