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Philosophy - $300 Beauty Product Sweepstakes

Hi. For those of you that love skin care and bath and body products, Philosophy has a sweepstakes going until 7/31/10 to win $300 worth of spa products.  Visit Philosophy to enter your chance to win!

They are also offering  - buy two lip shine and get one free! Check it out at Philosophy.com








Hope you will stop by and visit Complete Skin Care Therapy for more great products, skin care recipes and beauty tips and articles.

DIY Homemade Soap for Silky Smooth Skin

Years ago many people made their own soap to save money, thus it was made using lard (usually not recommended for soap making) and uncertain strengths of lye. Homemade soap from years past often resulted in a harsh, smelly soap and more often than not irritated the skin. Compared to soaps of yesteryear, we have come along way in the soap making process and ingredients.

Today it is possible to make exceptional soap right in the comfort of your kitchen. Additionally making your own soap offers so much more benefits to your skin than what you can purchase in the store. Department store fine soaps can often run up to $8 per bar if not more and still lack the proper amount of ingredients that are truly beneficial for your skin. Thus making your own homemade soap with ingredients like cocoa butter, essential oils and herbal infusions, you are sure you are giving your skin the nutrients and moisture it needs. Additionally by selecting your own ingredients you can make your soap specific to your skin type. There are a variety of soap recipes; recipes for problem skin, such as acne and eczema, soaps to exfoliate just by adding some cut up loofah sponge into your recipe, and moisturizing soaps.

If you are considering making your own homemade soap, the glycerin rich Melt and Pour soaps is what I consider the easiest method. Melt and Pour soaps are easy to use, and blends with most fragrances, perfumes or essential oils. Additionally, Melt and Pour soaps are easy to color, pour into molds or cut with cookie cutters.

Another type of soap is Castile soap, which is made from pure olive oil. Pure castile soap has a different feel from what you are probably used to. I have heard some people describe it as smooth and creamy while others indicate that it feels slimy. With that said, most people make their Castile soap with three main ingredients: lye, water and pure olive oil. When and using lye, there are definite precautionary measures to take, such as rubber gloves, eye wear and a good ventilated room. Although this type of soap making may sound intimidating Castile soap is a wonderful soap and offers moisturizing benefits to the skin. Additionally just like the Melt and Pour soaps, you can add essential oils, fragrances and herbal infusions. Castile soap lathers lavishly and does not leave the skin tight like some commercial soap on the market.

Homemade soap is fun to make and is a great gift for any occasion. Additionally it is another way of going green by eliminating store bought packaging from landfills and eliminating the chemicals that are washed down the drain everyday. Additionally, homemade soap makes wonderful gifts! Start now for this years Christmas gifts!

For skin care and soap recipes and supplies visit Complete Skin Care Therapy


Carol Belanger, author of 300+ Skin Care Recipes

The Caffeine Fix for Cellulite

Cellulite is a condition whereas the skin dimples leaving an orange peel appearance of the skin. It is commonly found on the thigh, belly and buttocks and is visibly more common in women than men because of the way women store fat. Furthermore, while weight may play a factor it is not always the case. Other contributors of cellulite are poor diet, water retention and a sedentary lifestyle. That is why even thin people get cellulite. Genetics is also a factor, if you mother had cellulite; chances are you are predisposed to get it too.

Cellulite is caused by a breakdown of the fibers that connect the skin and the layer of fat beneath it. Thus as the fibers of the skin breakdown the fatty deposits (cellulite) protrudes out through the skin.

Searching for creams and lotions to combat cellulite has been ongoing for decades. Recently new anti-cellulite creams have come into the markets that contain caffeine and they have shown actual results. Caffeine in skin care products actually dilates blood vessels thus increasing both the speed and volume of blood flow, reduces water retention which pushes the fat against the skin and provides a more toned and firm appearance.

Massage is an excellent home remedy for ailments and in skin care. A massage improves blood flow and circulation and has a positive effect on breaking down fat cells. This combined with caffeine has shown a significant impact on reducing the appearance of cellulite.

In the United States alone, almost $10 million dollars were spent on anti-cellulite products. A year or so ago, a scientist in Austria invented pantyhose infused with caffeine microcapsules. These panty hose supposedly boost metabolism and burn fat. From what I have heard there was a phenomenal response and they sold 20,000 units in the products first 18 months with less than 6 returns on the product. You can check out these awesome pantyhose at Tightsplease


When you are ready to fight back on cellulite there are a few good products on the market that are caffeine infused or you can make your own coffee scrub. Below are a couple of recipes to get you started on your cellulite treatment.

Cellulite coffee treatment recipe
1 Cup of warm freshly brewed coffee grounds
1 Egg white
1 Tablespoon of olive oil or emu oil

Combine the above ingredients to form a paste. Massage the paste to the cellulite areas of your body in a gentle circular motion then rinse. Apply the paste to the cellulite areas on your body. You can also apply the paste and then wrap the area in Saran Wrap and leave on for 5 to 10 minutes. Massage in and rinse. For best results use three times a week.

Recipe 2
One quarter cup warm used coffee grounds
1 tablespoon olive oil
Mix ingredients to form a paste and using your hands or a loofah mitt massage onto cellulite area then rinse. Repeat a couple of times a week

Recipe 3
Mix coffee grounds with your body wash or body lotion. Let set a few minuets then rinse. Apply daily.

Variations: use freshly ground coffee beans for increased caffeine benefits. For those that do not brew coffee consider instant caffeinated coffee.

If you are worried about coffee grounds going down the drain, place a coffee filter or small drain over the shower drain.

These hose have been shown to reduce fat and the circumference of thighs up to 2cm. They can even help with the dreaded cellulite "orange peel" effect! Check it out, just click on the banner below and under the tab Brands - select Skinkiss


For more skin care recipes and skin care articles, visit Complete Skin Care Therapy

Lip Plumpers - DIY recipe

Vitamin based lip plumpers are just that, they are enriched with vitamins. One example is Cushy Lips, it contains B, and Vitamin E along with other natural ingredients to increase blood flow thus plumping up the lips. Read more about Cushy Lips.

Collagen enhancing lip plumpers increase the collagen in the lips thus producing a fuller lip. These types of treatments are known to be somewhat effective however they take regular use over time for the effects to be seen.

Irritant plumpers contain ingredients that are known to irritate the lip. Thus the skin swells and produces a fuller lip. Below is a homemade recipe to make a lip plumper.

Place two to three tablespoons of petroleum jelly in small container. Take small equal amounts of cayenne pepper and cinnamon powder and add it to the petroleum jelly. Stir gently with toothpick.

Important: always apply this lip plumper on top of a lip balm. Apply with a cotton swab to lips. Never apply to sunburned, dry or cracked lips. Start in small doses with the equal parts of pepper and powder and try it. If there is no burn sensation then it is not strong enough.

Cosmetic plumpers are lip liners that when applied outside of the lip line gives the appearance of fuller lips. Makeup bases are also used so that when lipstick is applied it also gives the appearance of fuller lips. There are also other tips and techniques for cosmetic plumper's such as adding just a touch of gloss in the middle of the bottom lip.

What lip plumping technique or product do you use?

Cushy lips will naturally enhance the look and feel of your lips by stimulating blood flow and nourishing your pout with powerful vitamin E and B. Click on the picture below to read more about this great product.


For more skin care recipes and skin care articles, visit Complete Skin Care Therapy

Antioxidants - Nature's Gift!

We hear about antioxidants everyday and the benefits they provide to your overall health. Additionally, antioxidants get quite a bit of exposure in skin care products. So what are antioxidants and what exactly do they do?

Antioxidants are commonly found in Vitamins A, C, E, and beta carotene. These special chemicals in skin care products assist in skin repair, strengthen blood vessels and protect cells from sun, pollution, wind and other environmental factors known as free radicals.

Although there are many foods available with antioxidants, it is not likely they we consume enough foods that include enough antioxidants. Thus adding antioxidants in our skin care products ensures that we are protecting our skin to the fullest.

Selecting skin care products with antioxidants also aids in the in the production of collagen and elastin. Collagen keeps the skin firm and eleastin adds and maintains elasticity in your skin, thus reducing sagging skin and wrinkles.

Antioxidants are so beneficial to your health and in your skin care products. So if you are in your 20's, antioxidants in your skin care products will protect your skin from free radicals and if you are in your 40's antioxidants can repair damage and protect your skin from further damage. Remember, great looking skin in your 40's starts with a good skin care program in your 20's. You can read that post here.


Green tea is probably the most common skin care ingredient because of its antioxidant properties, so I was inclined to post a Green Tea Toner recipe below. You can read more about green tea at my post entitled Green Tea for Beautiful Skin"


Green Tea Toner
1/2 cup pure spring water or distilled water
2 teaspoons green tea leaves or 1 green tea bag
Bring water to a boil. Pour the water over the leaves or tea bag and steep 2 to 3 minutes. Strain if using tea leaves otherwise just remove tea bag. Keep refrigerated for a refreshing skin toner. After cleansing your face, apply with a cotton ball or pad and do not rinse. Follow with a moisturizer.

Green Tea Face Cream

Green Tea, Aloe Vera and Argireline® restore skin's youthful appearance, fights free radicals that cause pre-mature skin aging. A strong anti-oxidant and skin firming moisturizer.




 
 
 
For more skin care recipes and skin care articles, visit Complete Skin Care Therapy