It’s really easy to neglect the face in the winter and rely on make-up to cover-up flaws, dullness and dryness of the skin. During the winter, all I am in the mood to do is hibernate, even my social life takes a backseat. Now that I know Valentine’s day is creeping up, and that my boyfriend wants to do something with me, I am forced to start making an effort at proper skin maintenance during these cold dark months of the year. How does one rejuvenate mind, body and spirit during this time? A vacation would be great, only my trip to Florida last month was a total disaster in terms of weather. I got no sun at all during a week of uncommon rain and cold in what is supposed to be “the sunshine state”. So now back in freezing Toronto, I have to work at being fresh faced when I am actually far from.
This is where facials and face masks come into play. I recently discovered the skin loving ingredient kaolin clay. Kaolin is a white powder with which you can do many things. It has a smoothing, absorbing effect when used in cosmetics, similar to talc, but it is all natural. Make a DIY face powder with it, add it to your dry shampoo…use it to tone your skin in a mask. For an easy face mask, I decided to use half a banana mashed with yogurt, then add a dash of honey, olive oil, and vitamin e oil. Thicken with a couple of tablespoons of kaolin. Better than Lush fresh face masks? Definitely, it’s more gentle, and much more affordable.
At Home Facials:
Doing facials at home is great. I find it much more convenient than going to a pricey spa. It’s pretty easy, but it’s better to do this when no one is around or looking, cuz it looks kind of weird doing it in process. But your face will thank you.
1. Cleanse your face with a mild face cleanser and exfoliate. (I use a homemade face scrub with equal parts honey, olive oil, and sugar!)
2. Steam your face gently. Boil about an inch of water in a pot over the stove. Remove from heat once it boils. Add some essential oils, or flower waters to the hot water. Carefully put the pot on a table and lower your face just above it to receive the steam. Keep it there for around ten minutes to open your pores and let out impurities and deep down dirt. Rinse off with warm water/a gentle cleanser again.
3. Apply your face mask thickly and evenly, avoiding your eyes. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes. Give it more time if needed.
3. Rinse with warm water. Pat with a warm, wet face cloth.
4. Tone your face with a bit of rosewater/toner on a cotton swab.
5. Moisturize with your favourite face cream.
It seems like a lot of work, but your skin will thank you. You will have smaller pores the next day, a more even skin tone, and a better glow to your winter ravaged skin!
Dreamy Reveries: a journal of make-up and fashion 