BEAUTY & SKINCARE: Sugar As An Exfoliator

I once blogged about using baking soda to treat acne and blackheads. It's something I can say has really worked for me. I use it about four times a week before going to bed at night. In case you missed the post, here's the link- http://osinop95.blogspot.com/2013/12/skin-care-baking-soda-face-mask.html


Today's post is on a DIY sugar exfoliator. I did it for the first time today and I like it. Here is a step by step guide gotten from wikiHow; http://www.wikihow.com/Exfoliate-Your-Face.


1. If you have long hair then pull all of your hair away from your face and secure it with a hair tie. If you have bangs then you may need a head band to hold them back away from your face as well.

2. Wet a clean wash cloth or rag under hot water and then place it on your entire face for 1-2 minutes to open your pores

3. After you've opened your pores, clean your face with any kind of face wash so that you will be exfoliating a clean face.

4. Now you need to make your exfoliating scrub. Pour 3 tablespoons of regular white sugar into a small bowl. Add one tablespoon of water into the bowl with the sugar.

5. Mix the water and sugar together with your finger or some other kind of utensil (your finger works as well) until it is a slightly thick paste.

6. Use your finger or put the paste onto a rag and begin gently rubbing it on your face. Gently rub the paste in circular motions over your entire face to get rid of all dead skin. Continue to do this until you feel you have exfoliated every inch of skin on your face.

7. Rinse the scrub off of your face with lukewarm water and splash face with cold water to close pores. Make sure you get all of the scrub off otherwise your face will be sticky from the sugar.

8. After you've removed all of the exfoliating scrub from your face gently pat dry your face with a clean towel.

BEAUTY & SKIN CARE: Baking Soda Face Mask

Yes, you read right. The title does say baking soda face mask. I know it sounds crazy to you. Trust me, it sounded crazy to me the first time. Basically, baking soda can be used both for pimples and blackhead removal. In the comfort of your own home, you can make this cheap and easy face mask.

STEP BY STEP GUIDE: BAKING SODA FOR PIMPLES

1. Clean. Make sure to clean your skin with a gentle cleanser or face wash
2.Pour 8 teaspoons of baking soda in a cup.
3. Water. Pour in half as much water into the cup.
4.Stir. If mixture is too watery, add more baking soda. If mixture is too dry, add more water. The mixture has to be soft and creamy-- not too dry or not too watery.
5.Apply. Once you have your creamy paste, apply it on your pimples.
6.Wait. Leave the paste on the pimples for 15 minutes or until paste dries.
7.Rinse. Now you can rinse off the hardened paste.
8.Do this process twice a week until pimples disappear. 

Site: http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Pimples-with-Baking-Soda

STEP BY STEP GUIDE: BAKING SODA FOR BLACKHEAD REMOVAL

1.Get some baking soda.

2.Add very little water to it, maybe one or two teaspoons.

3.Mix together.

4.Apply on the affected area.

5.Wait till it dries out.

6.Wash off.

7.Apply again. Keep this routine up regularly to banish the blackheads over time.

Site: http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Blackheads-(Baking-Soda-and-Water-Method)

NOTE: Baking soda can be drying to the skin so be sure to moisturise face after use.

FOOD: Cupcakes!

Hello good people :) Today I'd like to share with you a recipe I got off the internet on how to make cupcakes. Trust me, it's super easy and they come out absolutely delicious. I've made them a gazillion times and you have my word for it. Your days of running to the store are over. Now you can make your own batch of these pastry delights in the comfort of your own home. The following are what you'll need:

• 3 cups of all purpose flour
• 1 and a 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon of salt
• 12 tablespoons ( 1 and a 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 and a 1/2 cups of sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 and a 1/4 cups milk

(You could add raisins to the mix)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 30 minutes at 180 degrees.