beauty

Summer means a zillion skin issues. Like we cool our bodies by eating yogurt, we can use it to cool off our sunburned skin as well…

Every single morning for the past nearly 11 years I have treated myself to one of Ayurveda's oldest secrets for health and longevity. With herbs and warm oil in hand I rub my entire body down with a gentle massage which has helped me to retain elastic skin and a vibrant body. Abhyanga is the Ayurvedic term given to describe warm oil self-massage (often with herbs) and it is simply heavenly.

Raw dairy, sprouted bread, cooked vegetables and organ meats might not seem like trending cuisines, but traditionally prepared foods are making a comeback, in part thanks to knowledgeable researchers and scientists. Catherine Shanahan, M.D., is one such researcher.

Anyone who knows me knows I love a good face mask. Face masks are great because they feel super luxurious (even if they make you look silly) and give your skin a treat. Even if you have a terrible skincare routine, a facial mask is super simple to slip into your week. Just apply it to your face after a busy day and let it work its magic. I love how you can do other things while your face mask is on, too (like watch TV, read a good book, or do your nails). It adds to the luxurious feeling of it.

So let’s begin with what ubtans are.  Long before the soap factories were born, ubtans were used to cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize the skin, as well as give it long-term protection from the elements.

We all know how important cleansing and exfoliating the face is, especially after a long day. That said, did you know it becomes harder for our skin to naturally rid itself of dead skin cells as we age? Instead of turning to expensive, high-end exfoliators (which probably contain drying, harmful chemicals, by the way), here are 4 natural ways to exfoliate your skin. These will not only be better for your skin, but also save you a buck. In fact, most of them are probably already in your pantry. I recommend experimenting with each one to discover which you like best.

I cannot stress the importance of cleansers enough. Why? Because, after a long day, it's so important to take your makeup off before bed. If you don't, you'll only clog your pores and encourage the creation of zits. It's also important to wash your face first thing in the morning too. That said, did you know you could craft your own, all-natural facial cleanser? While this one does contain honey (which certainly isn't vegan), it is full of ingredients that are great at not only removing makeup but reducing pimples.

I'm disgusted with most conventional deodorants: They contain harmful ingredients like aluminum and parabens! Not to mention antiperspirants aren't healthy either: Anything that inhibits your body's natural sweating ability is dangerous. What's the solution? Making your own homemade deodorant!

I must confess, I pay very little attention to my feet. Unless they start hurting, I tend to take them for granted. That shouldn't be the case though, considering they get me everywhere I need to go and work perfectly fine. That's why I've decided to spoil them every once and a while. Want to know how? A DIY foot soak, that's how!

Not sure about you, but I have a fascination with bath bombs. Ever since bath bombs became really big, I've been hooked. Here's the only problem: store-bought bath bombs still contain some synthetics (and they can be a little pricy). There are lesser-known brands that sell all-natural bath bombs (without the synthetics), but crafting your own is the best bet. Why? Because you have complete control of what you put in them. Now, if you're more of a bubble bath type of person, no worries. I got you covered there, too.