Queen of the Nile, Cleopatra's Milk Bath

Now I am not sure how much truth there is to this, as it was way before my time but it has been said that Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt loved to take Milk Bathes. If we remember the movie with Elizabeth Taylor playing Cleopatra, there is a scene where she is taking the famous milk bath. History or myth states that it was specifically,  Donkeys milk. I don't know about you, but I can't imagine some poor soul milking donkeys to benefit her skin. What could possibly have been the benefits of it and does it still hold up today?

Since I can't get my hands on donkeys milk (not that I want to) I decided to share information on another type of milk with perhaps not so well known facts. Buttermilk. We know that Buttermilk is used in many foods, especially a family favorite, pancakes. It is an excellent source of potassium, vitamin B12, riboflavin, phosphorus and calcium. Rich in Lactic Acid and low in fat. Many people hear buttermilk and think that it is fatty but so not the case. Buttermilk is the remaining byproduct after making butter, so much of the fat has been removed for butter. It is a probiotic food that contains the type of bacteria which instead of being harmful, has great health benefits. So if you are lactose intolerant or have digestive issues, Buttermilk is a great option for you. I like to mix some in to my kids bottles when their stomachs are acting up. Works great. 

Buttermilk on your skin? Yes, used as a facial mask it softens, brightens and exfoliates the skin to give it a younger appearance. At the same time, the natural acids, work as an astringent. Lactic acid lightens blemishes, dark spots while tightening the sagging skin by boosting collagen. One company that stands out in its use of Buttermilk is Burt's Bees. Many of their lotions contain Buttermilk. 

Want to reap the benefits from this powerful ingredient, Make your own buttermilk Mask or scrub.

Buttermilk Avena Mask

2 Tbsp Buttermilk
2 Tbsp Oatmeal (Finely Ground)
1 tsp Honey

Mix into a paste, let dry on skin and rinse with lukewarm water.
Pat dry and follow with your favorite skin Toner. 

Buttermilk Coconut Scrub
(You want to make this as needed)
4 Tbsp Buttermilk
4 Tbsp Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
1/2 Cup Raw Sugar
Mix in a bowl and off to the shower you go.
Rub scrub all over your body in circles moving upward to exfoliate skin and rinse.

NOTE: If you can manage, let it sit on skin for a bit before rinsing off. So when you jump in shower wet your skin and turn off the water. Apply scrub and shampoo your hair. By the time your ready to rinse your hair,  turn water back on and you can rinse away scrub as well. 

Hope you will make use of this fabulous natural ingredient. I promise that you will love the Buttermilk. You may not want to fill your tub with it but a mask or scrub is absolutely doable. 

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As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

It's the most wonderful time to PEEL!

The holidays maybe the most wonderful time for kids but to us adults, it can be frustrating and time consuming. With all the planning, decorating and shopping one can get overwhelmed. So why not take the focus of the major To Do Lists and give yourself a pampering treat. The holidays are fine but I don't want to look broken down and aged. Who does, right?

With that said, I have taken sometime to give myself a gentle peel, twice in the past two weeks and am recruiting others in my circle. I peeled my husband for the first time ever. For the longest time, I told him "You are like my personal billboard. If you walk around with wrinkled, marked and pimpled skin, what will people think of my skills as an aesthetician?" Nag, Nag, he always refused, but I finally got him to do it. To start him off, I did a very gentle Salicylic peel with one pass. Not sure he could handle anything else. He has oily skin and enlarged pores so to start I thought this would be a great fit. It's still a struggle for him to wear sunscreen so I went easy to start.. He seriously doesn't get the importance of sunscreen. Trust me when I say, he won't leave the house without his Aveda Pomade in his hair, but sunscreen, always forgets. 

In any case, I am in peel mode. Planning to peel my sister in the next coming days. Already gave her a peel at the start of the season. She is brave and a seasoned pro to peels, so I am going full force on her. She will look like a twenty something soon enough. LoL! She looks younger then she is already so shouldn't be to hard. Maybe they will start carding us again M. (Small inside joke. HAHA!)

Now not everyone can afford to go out and get peels every month. If you have minor skin issues, for example small dark spots, fine lines starting to show, you can use items right out your fridge to give you gradual but effective results. 

Prefered brand for me.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR PEEL

Ingredients:

1Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar (Organic is best)

1Tbsp Lemon Juice (Fresh is best)

Tools:

Small Clean bowl

Gauze, fan brush or cotton round (Either will do)

Mix and apply with gauze, fan brush or cotton round, starting from the neck up in a gentle upward and out motion. Avoid getting to close to eyes or using on open cuts, abscessed/ recently popped pimples. It WILL burn. 

Leave on for about 10 minutes. You will feel a tingle on your skin. If you feel pain, remove at once with warm water. If your face still has a "burning" sensation you can use water and baking soda to stop the acid effects. (1 TBSP baking soda to 1 cup Water. Stir and apply.)

It is the holidays, why not drink a cup of Hot Apple Cider while you wait for those ten minutes to pass. The aromas of the Cider will help you forget how stinky the vinegar is too. Always follow with a serum or moisturizer. Do I have to remind you to wear your sunscreen? Wear your sunscreen unless your going to bed of course. 

This should leave skin tight, glowing and will gradually shed within the next few days. You can repeat ever two weeks or until you have achieved the results you are seeking.

However, if you a results now kind of person see your dermatologist or Aesthetician and see what kind of peel they recommend for you.

Happy Peeling and happy holiday prepping.

Please take a moment to comment, Like, Share and Subscribe. Thanks so much for coming by.

As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!