At Home Facial (Herbal and Easy)

I used to give classes on herbs and more accurately, doing things with them. Recently I went searching for my PowerPoint presentations with the classes on them but they seem to go the way of socks, Lego pieces, and the last bite of chocolate~ disappearing without a trace. Before I totally lose my memory which has become completely unreliable ever since having children (my memory has been replaced by a  ‘momery’ which prioritizes where hats and rhomework are and completely lets the long-term go) I thought I better write down, again, some of the information in a follow the steps kind of pattern. So, below is one way to give yourself a facial in the privacy of your own home, with ingredients that you handpick. One word of caution, if you have never had a facial before it does get rid of the top layers of skin and pulls out impurities, therefore if you have any blemishes about to bloom, a facial will generally take them to volcano phase fast. But then they are gone and the rest of your skin looks so silkily gorgeous that no one will notice anyway. OK, so,
Step 1: Use a facial scrub. If you don’t have a scrub (you should use one at least once a week, but twice is better) then you can use sugar. Aestheticians will surely disagree, b/c it is best to use smaller particles for scrubbing~ sugar is too big for constant use, but if you have nothing else then it will do.

Lani took this of the papaya

Step 2: Scoop out the meat of a papaya and stir it up. Apply to your skin for about 3 minutes, then take off with a washcloth. This is a chemical peel. Seriously. Look it up.

Long arm-Lani (right) took this zombie-ish pic.

Step 3:Use a green clay mask. You can buy dry french green clay from any health food store or massage store. I get mine in the bulk section of Zenith Supplies in Seattle, but I have also found it in the herbal bulk section of Whole Foods. There are ready-made masks too, but I am just going to write out the barest, most simple ingredients. Into the green mask I blend in some oat powder and rose petals that have been through a food processor or coffee grinder (depending on how much I am making.) This makes the clay a bit softening and not quite so drying, but you certainly don’t have to do that. You can add yogurt (plain kind) or an egg or a drop of essential oil to the mask if you like. Wait for the mask to dry (it will be obvious, but about 10-15 minutes) then go to
Step 4: Boil water and put it into a big, wide bowl. Add a drop of essential oil or a tea bag (such as chamomile or green tea) if you wish, then steam your face by leaning over the bowl with a towel to trap the air. This can be intense so do not stay longer than is comfortable. Only do it for a minute or two even if it is comfortable.
Step 5: Add cool water to the steamed water and use it and a washcloth to take off the mask. Use upward, outward, circular motions starting under the chin.
By now your face is glowing and in top form. If you wish, you can add moisturizer, or a bit of olive oil if it feels too dry. But honestly, it will probably just feel perfect.