Nighttime Beauty
Good Night Beautiful!
A good night’s sleep is an essential part of your beauty regime and will do more for your good looks than the best beauty balm or treatment. Sleep leaves your eyes bright, and your skin glowing. While you sleep, blood continuously replenishes your skin giving it a rosy glow. A well rested complexion is also less prone to breakouts. Nighttime is also a good time to treat your body to some extra conditioning and moisture. Take advantage of the fact that anything you put on your skin, hair and nails won’t smear off or sweat off while you sleep. Here are a few nighttime recipes to try, beautiful dreams!
Lullaby Massage Oil
The scent of lavender and chamomile has been proven as effective for inducing drowsiness as sleep medications, and without any of the harmful side effects. This massage oil is the perfect antidote to even the worst case of insomnia and the almond oil will condition your skin.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon dried chamomile flowers
1 /2 cup sweet almond oil
5 drops essential oil of lavender
Directions:
Place the chamomile flowers in a small saucepan and pour the almond oil over them. Gently warm the oil for a few minutes. Do not boil. Allow the oil to cool, and then strain out the chamomile flowers, add the lavender essential oil and pour into a clean bottle. To use: Massage a small amount into your skin in the evening.
Yield: 4 ounces
Relaxing Lavender Bath
This is the perfect herbal bath to ease your mind and body after a full day. It contains lavender which is a well known relaxant. The oatmeal and baking soda are soothing to dry, sensitive skin. Having a sleep ritual like gentle stretches, reading or a warm bath will help you make the transition from waking to sleeping each night.
Ingredients:
1 cup dried lavender flowers
2 cups oatmeal
1 /2 cup baking soda
Directions:
In a blender or food processor combine all of the ingredients and process until you have a smooth, fine powder. To use: Pour 1 /2 cup into your bath as your fill the tub.
Yield: 28 ounces
Note: You may also substitute dried chamomile for the lavender in this recipe if you desire for sweet dreams.
Eye Rest Pillows
These pretty silk pillows are super simple to make and an effective way to ease eye strain and relax at the end of the day. Flaxseeds can be found at most grocery and natural food stores. If you cannot find silk fabric try using old scarves.
Materials:
2 rectangle pieces of silky material 5 inches by 9 inches
1 cup flaxseeds
1 tablespoon dried lavender
Directions:
Stitch the material together to form a small sack. Fill with the flaxseeds and lavender and stitch the remaining end close. To use: lie down with the pillow over your eyes. You may also cool the pillow by placing it in the refrigerator.
Yield: one pillow
Evening Nail Oil
Massage this rich combination of natural oils onto your nails before going to bed. It will strengthen and condition them. If you do this regularly you will see results in a few short weeks. Nail oil is especially effective for treating dry, cracked nails. Liquid lecithin can be found at your local natural food store.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons liquid lecithin
1 /4 teaspoon vitamin E oil
Directions:
Combine all ingredients and mix well. To use: Dab a small amount on your fingers and rub thoroughly into your nails.
Yield: 1 /2 ounce
Get a Good Night’s Rest
Here are a few tips for getting a good night’s rest and restoring your mind and body.
1. Stick to a sleep schedule, it will keep your biological clock in sync.
2. Eat regularly and at meal times. Avoid late dinners.
3. Exercise at least four times a week and you will sleep better and longer. Avoid workouts close to bedtime.
4. Keep your bedroom temperature on the cool side.
5. Use your bedroom only for sleep.
6. Cut down on coffee, tea, and chocolate in the evening. These all contain caffeine which can interfere with sleep.
7. Practice a sleep ritual like a warm bath, reading or listening to music before going to bed.
---
For more DIY beauty recipes and treatments -- check out Natural Beauty from the Garden and exciting news coming this November I have a new workbook "Beautiful Flowers" that you can pre-order now!
Have a beautiful day,
xoxo Janice