skincare

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.

Okay, so perfume is great and all, but am I the only one who sneezes around artificial perfume? (That is, perfume scented with fragrance, instead of essential oils?) I doubt it: That’s why I would much rather DIY my own perfume. I really like solid perfumes instead of the ones you spray because they tend to be easier to transport and aren’t as obnoxious (come on, the ones you spray get everywhere).

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!

Everyone's face is different. But did you know that moisturizers and facial serums aren't just for dry skin types? Technically, everyone should be using moisturizers and facial serums. Why? Because they help give your skin extra hydration, elasticity, and glow. The only qualm I have with most of the moisturizers and facial serums out there is the list of ingredients and the price tags on them. Either they're too pricey, too iffy, or both!

This Christmas, I made my mom and my best friend a gift from my heart: A DIY body scrub and matching body lotion! They absolutely loved the gift and could not stop talking about how soft and smooth their skin was after using the scrub and lotion. So guess what? Today, I'm going to share the recipe for both with you. Trust me when I say, if you create these, you might be tempted not to share them. I have a whole stash of the body lotion in my room just for me! I couldn't bear to part with it.

Did you know 'vegan' can also apply to beauty products (not just your diet)? You might have seen a skincare product labeled 'vegan' or 'cruelty-free' while out shopping. Sadly, a lot of people get confused about this. Want to know what each label really means?  No worries: It's actually pretty simple to understand. Here, I explain what each term means and why they're certainly not the same thing.

Chapped, dry lips? I get it. Winter has a knack for drying skin out, especially lips. Lips are ultra sensitive to everything, so it makes sense that they get hit the hardest by cold, dry weather. That said, your lips can still get dry or chapped in the warmer months too! To keep them in the best condition, I recommend making a lip scrub and lip balm for them. Making your own won’t only be rewarding and fun, but cheaper, too. (Not to mention you’ll know what’s in them.)  Most of the things you’ll need to make each one can be bought in any grocery or health food store.