The Pagan Heart
Spoil Me...Please Recipes

September-October 2005 Issue
   

Spoil Me...Please Recipes
By Callum Mostyn

   

Samhain Skin Care

Winter nears and with it dry, aging skin, tightness, and flaky itchy patches. What a wonderful thing to look forward to. Not really - and so this issue I am focusing upon more enriching, soothing, moisturising treatments. Things that will help your skin resist the negative effects of winter so that you can relax and enjoy all the fun.
   

Overnight Hand and Foot Replenishment

With the drying effects of winter, and the constant washing many parents end up doing, hands and nails suffer. Add to that the horrid things we do to our feet - synthetics in socks, artificial inners in shoes - and I bet your fingers and toes are dying for some attention:

  • 1 fluid ounce of oil - sweet almond is good, but olive oil works too
  • 4 drops of peppermint oil, 4 drops of tea tree oil, and 4 drops of pine or spruce oil
  • 5 drops of wheat germ oil if you have it

Pour all the oils into a bottle and seal. Shake thoroughly to blend. Wet your hands and feet in warm water, shake off the excess, and then pour a teaspoon of oil into your palm. Rub it all over your hands and feet (and elbows and knees if you feel inclined). After rubbing it in thoroughly, use a rough washer to remove the excess oil - and give a brisk, stimulating massage to the skin at the same time. Pull on some cotton socks and gloves (if you have them) and relax for at least 1/2 an hour. Or go to bed (in which case, don't rub off the excess with the washer)! Your skin will love you if you do this every couple of days.

Coffee Facial

Coffee is not usually what we turn to to clean our skin - a stimulating brew that perks you up, yes, but deep clean your pores and firm your skin? You'd be suprised at what coffee grounds can do for you. Try this once a week:

  • 1/4 cup coffee grounds
  • 1 egg white

Mix the ingredients together and then massage into face and neck (avoiding eyes and lips). Allow it to dry - 15-20 minutes and then rinse and moisturise.

Salt Soak Bath

Soaking in a hot bath helps draw toxins to the surface of the skin where the water then washes them away. It also relaxes the muscles - which is why it leaves you feeling so enervated. It's important when taking a soak to remember a few things. Always have plenty of room temperature water or warm herbal tea to drink as the heat makes you sweat a lot and you need to replace the lost water. Soak for over 20 minutes - anything less and it will dry your skin. Taking that extra time allows your skin to begin taking in moisture and fully benefit from whatever you've added to the water. In this case, we're talking salts:

  • 1 cup sea salts
  • 2 cups baking soda
  • 1 cup Epsom salts
  • 2 tbsp glycerin per bath
  • 3 drops of essential oil per bath - rose, lavender, ylang ylang, and sandalwood are all good choices

In a bowl stir the salts and baking soda until well-blended. Store in an airtight jar indefinately. To use, add 1/4 cup while the bath is filling and then add 2 tablespoons of glycerin and the essential oils just before you turn off the tap.

After-Shower Body Toner

Even though we rinse off in the shower soap residue remains. The soap unbalances the Ph of the skin and this is one of the causes of skin break-down in harsh weather. To help counteract this, mix 1/4 cup of white vinegar with 1/4 cup of water. Soak a washer in this and wipe down your skin, quickly rinse under water without rubbing, and step out of the shower.

Sensual and Relaxing Bath Salt from Callum's Herbaria

  • 2 cups Epsom salts
  • 35 drops Ylang-Ylang essential oil
  • 6 tbsp powdered whole milk

Mix the powdered milk thoroughly through the salts, then add the oil a few drops at a time, blending thoroughly. Store in an air-tight jar and use 1/4-1/2 cup in the bath.

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2004-2007
Catherine M and The Pagan Heart - All Rights Reserved Recipes

September-October 2005 Issue
   

Spoil Me...Please Recipes
By Callum Mostyn

   

Samhain Skin Care

Winter nears and with it dry, aging skin, tightness, and flaky itchy patches. What a wonderful thing to look forward to. Not really - and so this issue I am focusing upon more enriching, soothing, moisturising treatments. Things that will help your skin resist the negative effects of winter so that you can relax and enjoy all the fun.
   

Overnight Hand and Foot Replenishment

With the drying effects of winter, and the constant washing many parents end up doing, hands and nails suffer. Add to that the horrid things we do to our feet - synthetics in socks, artificial inners in shoes - and I bet your fingers and toes are dying for some attention:

  • 1 fluid ounce of oil - sweet almond is good, but olive oil works too
  • 4 drops of peppermint oil, 4 drops of tea tree oil, and 4 drops of pine or spruce oil
  • 5 drops of wheat germ oil if you have it

Pour all the oils into a bottle and seal. Shake thoroughly to blend. Wet your hands and feet in warm water, shake off the excess, and then pour a teaspoon of oil into your palm. Rub it all over your hands and feet (and elbows and knees if you feel inclined). After rubbing it in thoroughly, use a rough washer to remove the excess oil - and give a brisk, stimulating massage to the skin at the same time. Pull on some cotton socks and gloves (if you have them) and relax for at least 1/2 an hour. Or go to bed (in which case, don't rub off the excess with the washer)! Your skin will love you if you do this every couple of days.

Coffee Facial

Coffee is not usually what we turn to to clean our skin - a stimulating brew that perks you up, yes, but deep clean your pores and firm your skin? You'd be suprised at what coffee grounds can do for you. Try this once a week:

  • 1/4 cup coffee grounds
  • 1 egg white

Mix the ingredients together and then massage into face and neck (avoiding eyes and lips). Allow it to dry - 15-20 minutes and then rinse and moisturise.

Salt Soak Bath

Soaking in a hot bath helps draw toxins to the surface of the skin where the water then washes them away. It also relaxes the muscles - which is why it leaves you feeling so enervated. It's important when taking a soak to remember a few things. Always have plenty of room temperature water or warm herbal tea to drink as the heat makes you sweat a lot and you need to replace the lost water. Soak for over 20 minutes - anything less and it will dry your skin. Taking that extra time allows your skin to begin taking in moisture and fully benefit from whatever you've added to the water. In this case, we're talking salts:

  • 1 cup sea salts
  • 2 cups baking soda
  • 1 cup Epsom salts
  • 2 tbsp glycerin per bath
  • 3 drops of essential oil per bath - rose, lavender, ylang ylang, and sandalwood are all good choices

In a bowl stir the salts and baking soda until well-blended. Store in an airtight jar indefinately. To use, add 1/4 cup while the bath is filling and then add 2 tablespoons of glycerin and the essential oils just before you turn off the tap.

After-Shower Body Toner

Even though we rinse off in the shower soap residue remains. The soap unbalances the Ph of the skin and this is one of the causes of skin break-down in harsh weather. To help counteract this, mix 1/4 cup of white vinegar with 1/4 cup of water. Soak a washer in this and wipe down your skin, quickly rinse under water without rubbing, and step out of the shower.

Return to the Index of articles for Spoil Me...Please   

Main Index of Articles   


Magazine Archive Page