STOP THE (MARCH) MADNESS: 5 Beauty Blunders to Banish This Spring PLUS Quick Fixes and Expert Picks!

Spring is a time of awakening... rebirth... and BANISHING THOSE BAD BEAUTY HABITS!  Make this the month you stop the (MARCH) madness and start avoiding these classic blunders.  Read on for our list of the 5 biggest makeup mistakes a girl can make, and our expert advice and product recommendations for changing those habits for good.  Get a jump on gorgeous this spring... With a little help from your friends at Cosmetique!


BEAUTY BLUNDER #1 :  Applying your makeup with dirty brushes...

Photo Courtesy of Japonesque.com

WHY THIS IS "POSITIVELY MAD":  Using dirty brushes to apply makeup means you're transferring bacteria, dirt and pore-clogging oils onto your skin every time you use them!  This can cause acne, dullness and premature aging of the skin.  It's also bad for your brushes!

QUICK FIX:  Use a gentle hair shampoo to lather up brushes once a week.  Be sure to massage bristles from base to tip, and rinse thoroughly.  Reshape brushes and allow to dry flat on a clean paper towel.  Don't you just feel better?

EXPERT PICK:  Try Garden Botanika Fresh Mint Shampoo for a refreshing scent and luxe lather that conditions as it cleanses.

BEAUTY BLUNDER #2:  Poorly-blended foundation...

Photo Courtesy of Isabellagucci.com

WHY THIS IS "POSITIVELY MAD":  Poorly-blended foundation sets the stage for poorly-applied makeup!  Just as an artist begins with a perfectly primed canvas, applying your foundation like a pro will ensure an even, smooth surface on which to perform your magic.  


QUICK FIX:  For expertly-blended foundation with no streaks, caking or mask-like lines at the jaw, ear and forehead, choose a natural-looking, semi-sheer foundation with a brush applicator.  The lightweight formula and brush application allow for perfectly-natural, perfectly-YOU coverage, with no tell-tale lines or streaking.  Tap a damp sponge over foundation after application to blend and remove any excess product.  Step back and take a look in the mirror... OMG!  It's Complexion Perfection!!!


EXPERT PICK :  Too Faced Magic Wand Foundation has a built-in brush and delivers light-diffusing, skin-perfecting coverage for perfectly natural-looking skin!

BEAUTY BLUNDER #3:  Skipping the eyelash curler...

Photo Courtesy of Health-beauty-tips.org

WHY THIS IS "POSITIVELY MAD":  Uncurled lashes appear shorter and make your eyes look smaller and less awake.  Curled lashes look longer and fuller, and give eyes a well-rested, alert appearance.  Because curled lashes allow more light into the eye area, eyes appear brighter and sparklier!  What girl can say no to that?!?!


QUICK FIX:  Use a high-quality, stainless steel eyelash curler with a no-stick silicone pad to curl lashes at the base, mid-way point,  and tips for eye-opening lashes that look ultra-long and flirty!  Be sure to follow with mascara for maximum impact.

EXPERT PICK:  Japonesque Power Curl Eyelash Curler creates dramatic, uniform curl with no sticking, clumping or pinching.  

BEAUTY BLUNDER #4:  Too-Nude Lips...

Photo Courtesy of Prettyobsessed.com

WHY THIS IS "POSITIVELY MAD":  While rich, warm nudes can lend subtle sophistication to an otherwise edgy, smoky eye;  too-nude, too-light lips can sap skin of vital color and make the complexion look sallow and ashy.

QUICK FIX:  Banish lackluster lips and embrace this season's hottest trend!  A shade which flatters many women AND is appropriate for all ages, coral is THE color for lips this spring.  A moisturizing, color-rich lipstick formula ensures high-impact, lip-loving pigments that last and last.  Be sure to choose a shade appropriate for your skin tone.  Fairer-skinned gals should stick with pinkish hues while those with deeper skin tones can experiment with bolder, warmer shades.

EXPERT PICK:  For a stay-true, stay-put lip color in a universally-flattering shade of this season's hottest hue, try Sistina Lipcolor Perfetta in Mandarino Coral. 

BEAUTY BLUNDER #5:  Heading to bed without washing your face...

Photo Courtesy of Collegecures.com

WHY THIS IS "POSITIVELY MAD":  Leaving makeup, dirt and oil on your face while you sleep clogs pores and creates a breeding ground for germs and bacteria which can exacerbate acne conditions, cause eye infections, and leave skin looking dull.  What's more, by not cleansing skin properly before bed, you allow the free radicals from the day to sit on skin overnight, potentially contributing to cell damage and premature aging.

QUICK FIX:  First remove eye makeup and lip products using a makeup remover designed especially for those delicate areas.  Now, using circular motions, massage a gentle cleansing gel onto wet skin for 30-60 seconds to remove makeup and impurities without drying your complexion.  Be sure to rinse cleanser off thoroughly with water and pat dry.

EXPERT PICK(S):  Beat hard-to-remove eye and lip colors with Arabella Stuart Makeup Remover for Lids, Lashes and Lips.  Follow with Princess Livia Gentle Cleansing Gel with Bee Pollen to unclog pores, and remove excess oil and impurities.  

   

There you have it ladies, our expert tips and recommendations to help you banish beauty blunders for good.  Don't forget to check out the rest of our blog @ http://www.cosmetiqueblog.com/, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter(@CosmetiqueUS) for all sorts of tips, tricks, trends and more! 

5 HOT Spa Treatments You Can Do At Home

The most popular spa treatments can rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit and make you look and feel like a whole new you.  "BUT, what if regular spa visits don't fit into my schedule and budget?" you ask.  To that I say: "NO PROBLEM!"   We're running down 5 of the HOTTEST spa treatments, and showing you how to achieve spa-quality results in your very own home.  ARE YOU WITH ME?

The Treatment:  Spa Manicure/Pedicure

Photo Courtesy of Freespiritskincare.com

The Basics: A spa mani/pedi is the cornerstone to any good beauty routine.  Research has shown that one of the first things people notice about you is your hands!  The professional treatment includes a warm soapy soak for hands and feet, exfoliation, nail and cuticle grooming, skin conditioning and polish, of course!


Do it at home:  If you're a penny-saving gal on the go (like the rest of us) you can get salon results at home!  Simply soak feet and hands in a warm soapy bath and use an exfoliating foot scrub (very gently on hands, more vigorously on feet) to remove dull, dry skin.  While hands and feet are still damp, gently push back cuticles (don't clip them!) and apply a rich conditioning cream like Madeleine Mono Hand and Cuticle Repair Cream to both feet and hands.  File nails to your desired shape with a nail file.  Before polishing, be sure to use either rubbing alcohol or polish remover with a cotton pad to clean nails (if you don't, polish will peel sooner).  Follow with the nail polish of your choice.  I like Jean-Michelle Laque Luisant Nail Enamel because it dries to a brilliant shine and comes in so many awesome colors! 

The Treatment:  Anti-Aging Facial

Photo Courtesy of Godonyc.com

The Basics: A professional anti-aging facial typically includes a mild exfoliation, deep hydration and a firming treatment for face and eyes.

Get it at home:  Murad Resurgence Renewal Home Facial Kit includes everything you need to begin your journey towards younger-looking skin!  Advanced collagen building technology boosts elasticity and resilience to reduce the appearance of medium to deep wrinkles while gentle exfoliators clear skin of dullness and stimulate cellular turnover.  Luxurious, lasting hydration helps to restore suppleness, texture and tone.  This do-it-yourself miracle-in-a-box also comes with Murad's Firming and Hydrating Eye Gel Mask to lift and plump your delicate eye area while reducing signs of under-eye damage.  Begin with well-cleansed skin.  Click here to view our fabulous selection of cleansers!  I also like to follow this restorative treatment with a rich moisturizer to help lock in all that fabulous hydration!  

The Treatment:  Hydrating Body Wrap

Photo Courtesy of Hawaiianexperiencespa.com

The Basics:  This ultra-relaxing spa treat typically includes a nice, warm shower followed by an ultra-hydrating cream or oil applied to the body.  Once applied, the spa technician/esthetician will wrap the client in a cellophane or plastic wrap to lock in the hydrating effects.  Once "wrapped," you will lay down and relax in a warm steamy room while the moisture penetrates skin with the help of the wrap and steam.  Afterwards, they have you take a quick rinse in a cool shower and send you on your way!


Get it at home:  Before you begin... Grab an extra large garbage bag (the lawn and garden ones are best because they're HUGE), and cut the seam off of the bottom. Next, cut up one side so you are left with a large, flat plastic sheet.  Bring this into the bathroom with you along with a large cushy blanket or comforter.  Now, jump into a warm shower for about 5 minutes.  Be sure to keep your bathroom door closed to create a spa-like "steam room."  While skin is still damp, liberally apply a rich, hydrating body cream like Garden Botanika Pomegranate Wine Body Butter, to your entire body - don't forget hands and feet, ladies!  After laying your blanket or comforter on the floor for warmth and comfort, center your pre-cut plastic sheet over the blanket.  Now, lay down in the middle and wrap the plastic sheet over your body AVOIDING YOUR FACE AND NECK!  Pull the blanket up around you, too, over the plastic sheet.  Relax in your little "cocoon" for 20 minutes.  When done, gently unwrap yourself and take a quick rinse in a cool shower, patting - not rubbing yourself dry.  Et Voila!  You are a beautiful, glowing butterfly!

The Treatment:  Exfoliating Body Glow

Photo Courtesy of Evaspa.com

The Basics:  A quick warm shower is followed by an exfoliating body scrub applied to your entire body.  The spa professional will then massage the scrub over your entire body to remove dull skin.  This treatment is usually followed by a quick, cool shower.  You will see fresher, newer skin exposed immediately!  Even better results can be achieved by getting this done regularly.


Get it at home:  Hop into a warm shower and wet your entire body.  Turn off the shower, but stay in there!  Apply a generous amount of an exfoliating body scrub like Garden Botanika Fresh Mint Whipped Body Buffer to every inch of skin - avoiding face and neck.  I especially like this scrub because of it's natural exfoliants (Colloidal Oatmeal and Walnut Shell Powder), and its invigorating, minty scent.  Bonus?  This stuff DOES NOT leave an oily film on your skin OR in your shower!  Massage your entire body using light to medium pressure and circular motions.  You should do this for 5-10 minutes.  If you have sensitive skin, use very gentle pressure and shorten the duration of your massage.  Now that you're a big, scrubby mess, turn the shower on (use lukewarm to cool water as it's better for your skin), and rinse the scrub thoroughly.  Follow your exfoliation by gently patting yourself dry with a towel.  Finish by applying your favorite body lotion! 

The Treatment:  Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment

Photo Courtesy of Wellsphere.com

The Basics:  A salon professional will wet hair and apply a deep conditioning treatment root to tip.  They then wrap the hair with cellophane and apply light heat to help the conditioning treatment penetrate the hair shaft.  Now, you sit for 10-15 minutes.  When done, the professional will thoroughly rinse the hair and send you packing!


Get it at home:  Wet hair throughly in your shower or sink.  GENTLY, wring any excess moisture from the hair and blot with a bath towel.  Now, apply a rich conditioner like H20 Plus Marine Collagen Conditioner which contains marine botanicals and amino acids to increase volume, luster and manageability, from roots to tips.  Gather hair on top of your head and cover with cellophane, avoiding your face, then wrap with a towel.  Use your blow dryer on low to warm the whole thing up a bit.  Relax for 15, then rinse completely and enjoy your shiny, lustrous locks!

There they are folks - with fool-proof, DIY instructions.  Get relaxed and glowing just in time for spring with a little help from your friends at Cosmetique.  Enjoy!

Hot Beauty Tips for Falling Temps

The minute the temperature begins to drop, my entire beauty regime needs an overhaul.  Who would ever think that a few degrees could make such a big difference in your skin and hair?  Of course, this is only the beginning... 

Pretty soon winter will be upon us, which only makes the need for this new beauty regimen greater.  The colder it gets, the worse my skin feels and looks, and the more out-of-control my hair becomes.  I know what a pain it is to change your entire routine, so I put together a list of minor adjustments you can make that will make a major difference this season.

1.  Switch to a creamy facial cleanser.  Gels, soaps and scrubs can strip skin of essential moisture.  As it gets colder out, it's more important than ever to protect your skin's delicate moisture barrier.  Creamy cleansers are typically less drying than others which make them a good cold weather choice.  H20 Plus Sea Pure Creamy Facial Cleanser is a great one to try.

 
2.  Try a moisturizing mask.  A good moisturizing mask can restore some of the moisture your skin has lost due to colder temps.  Using a mask 1-2 times a week can be a lifesaver for dry skin sufferers.  I like Energie Vitale Masque Hydratant Peau Radiante.

3.  Use a humidifier.  As soon as the temperature drops, the moisture levels follow suit.  A humidifier can help to replace much-needed moisture in the air.  This will make a big difference in how your hair and skin look and feel.

4.  Turn down the heat.  The higher you set your heat, the more it robs the air of precious moisture.  Of course, you don't want to be freezing all the time, but particularly when you're sleeping, try to turn the heat down a few degrees and use an extra blanket. 

5.  Moisturize in the shower while still damp.  As soon as you're done showering, very lightly pat dry and moisturize damp skin immediately.  A moisturizer is most useful for preventing moisture loss, so if you can start with hydrated, damp skin, you'll get more out of your body lotion.  Try Diandra Re-Plenish Skin Softening Body Lotion.

6.  Watch your shower temperature.  Super-hot water will strip your skin of much needed moisture and can further irritate already-dry skin.  As unpleasant as it may sound, try taking a lukewarm shower instead.  Save your skin! 

7.  Avoid products with high alcohol content.  Speaking of moisture-strippers, alcohol is one of the biggest culprits.  When it evaporates, it feels cool and soothing, and it takes all the moisture with it!  During fall and winter, be sure to look for products with low or no alcohol content.  That goes for hair products too!

8.  Minimize blow-drying.  Yes, it's true. Blow-drying is, in fact, drying.  It's drying to your hair and your skin, so do it as little as possible, particularly in the fall and winter.  Save it for special occasions if you can! 

9.  Be sure to protect lips.  Lips can really take a beating when the weather gets cold, so be sure to protect them from the elements with a hydrating lip balm.  Try Jean-Michelle Hydratante a Levres. 

10.  Don't ignore your feet.  Even though they're in shoes and socks all the time, your feet still need love.  The cold weather takes its toll on them too!  Pamper and nourish them by applying a foot treatment cream just before bed and sleeping in socks.  This really gives the product time to work its magic.  I love Garden Botanika High Intensity Foot Treatment.

Sometimes making small changes here and there can make a world of difference!  Try these tips and let us know your thoughts.  Enjoy your autumn 'cause winter's a-comin'!





Beauty Editor's Pick of the Week: H20 Plus Sea Pure Natural Bodycare Gift Set

If you're looking for a great gift, or an inexpensive, easy way to jump-start your mid-summer body care routine, you need look no further than the H20 Plus Sea Pure Natural Body Care Gift Set...


The "Big Picture:"

A $50 value for only $35! This luxurious collection of natural body treatments deeply condition and revitalize with nourishing sea lavender, rich shea butter and replenishing sunflower seed oil. The sensory-soothing formulas are also enriched with pure, exfoliating sea salt and skin-smoothing olive and coconut oils. This awesome set includes H20 Plus Sea Pure Cleansing Body Oil, H20 Plus Sea Pure Reviving Body Buffer, H20 Plus Sea Pure Replenishing Body Cream and a Natural Bamboo Bath Mitt.



The Details:

H20 Plus Sea Pure Cleansing Body Oil - Shower your body in pure moisture with this 97 percent natural, lightly foaming oil. Infused with a calming, aromatic essence, this gently cleansing formula nourishes the skin with renewing sea lavender, silky shea butter and pure sunflower seed oil.

H20 Plus Sea Pure Reviving Body Buffer - Recommended by Marie Claire, Self and Fitness Magazine! Bare beautifully renewed skin with this 100 percent natural, sensory-soothing body buffer. Pure sea salt gently polishes the surface to reveal an effortless glow as revitalizing sea lavender, sunflower and olive oils smooth and replenish.

H20 Plus Sea Pure Replenishing Body Cream - Step into supremely silky skin with this 100 percent natural, purely indulgent body cream. Enriched with nourishing sea lavender, conditioning shea butter and emollient sunflower oil, this sensory-soothing formula melts into the skin, leaving it lusciously smooth.
 
H20 Plus Natural Bamboo Bath Mitt - This natural bath mitt helps you take exfoliation to a whole new level! 
 

This set is a great deal, and makes the perfect gift for someone special...maybe you!  Cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize your way to gorgeous skin with these nature-based bath products from H20 Plus.  And...they're cruelty-free!

5 Easy Steps to Gorgeous Hands

Photo courtesy of realsimple.com

Ladies, your hands are the first thing to show your age.  You know that, right?  The days of spending hundreds of dollars attending to your face and completely ignoring your hands are over, right?  It's time to start paying attention to those paws!  Your hands, like the rest of your body, require exfoliation, cleansing, nourishment and protection to remain in good health.  Fortunately, there are 5 easy things you can do now to maintain the health and beauty of your hands...and here they are!

1. Don't forget the sunscreen. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS apply sunscreen before going outside, especially to your hands. This step is crucial to keeping hands looking their beautiful best and preventing age spots. For long-lasting, waterproof protection, try Murad Waterproof Sunblock SPF 30. This is a great product for both face and body!

2.  Start using a scrub on your hands.  You cannot beat the exfoliating power of a good scrub!  Exfoliating removes dead skin cells to uncover softer, fresher skin.  This important step also aids in absorption of other skin care products like lotions and creams.  You will want to apply approximately 1 teaspoon of a good body scrub to wet hands and massage thoroughly for about 1 minute before rinsing.  Garden Botanika Heart Sugar Scrub is a great one to try as it uses gentle sugar to exfoliate while primrose oil hydrates and restores radiance.

3.  Moisturize hands frequently, particularly after washing.  An effective hand cream or lotion should be applied several times a day to avoid dryness and keep hands looking healthy.  It is of the utmost importance that you ALWAYS moisturize your hands IMMEDIATELY after washing them (while they are still damp.)  This helps offset the drying effects of your soap while locking in essential moisture.  I like Jean-Michelle Creme Protecteur Pour Les Mains - Hand Creme.  It works wonders and smells like a dream!

4.  Give your hands a nighttime treatment.  For extra pampering and rejuvenation, use a hand treatment cream at night and then slip on a pair of gloves.  This trick gives the cream time to penetrate for maximum benefit.  Try Garden Botanika High Intensity Hand Treatment with clean, cotton gloves.

5.  Protect your hands.  Always wear gloves when cleaning, gardening, doing the dishes or coloring your hair.  This quick and easy step protects hands from a host of damaging elements and irritants.  When possible, apply moisturizer prior to putting on gloves. 

Follow these 5 easy steps and enjoy beautiful, well-preserved hands for years to come.  It only takes a few minutes a day, and your hands will love you forever!

Top 10 Tips for the Perfect Exfoliation

Photo Courtesy of therealisticcook.com

Oh, to have perfect, smooth skin...must be nice, huh?  While we can't all have perfect skin over every inch of our bodies, there are a number of things we can do to improve the tone and texture of our body skin.  One of the most (if not THE most) important steps you can take towards achieving the skin of your dreams, is to exfoliate.  This process removes dead cells from the skin's surface, uncovering fresh, smooth skin.  Removing this layer of dead cells also allows for better penetration of your other skin care products.  Bottom line:  If you're not doing it, you should be....And to get you started, I've compiled a list of 10 fantastic tips sure to make exfoliating a breeze!  Here they are:


1. Apply exfoliating scrub to wet skin for best results, particularly if your skin is sensitive.




2. Use approximately 3 tablespoons of scrub for your body. My current favorite:
Garden Botanika Fresh Mint Whipped Body Buffer.

3. Always exfoliate from the top of your body down, starting with the shoulders. Be sure to use a separate, gentle exfoliator for your delicate facial skin. I like H20 Plus Sea Pure Gentle Refining Polish.

4. Pay extra attention to areas with thicker skin like elbows, knees, and heels which can be especially rough.



5. Massage your entire body with the scrub using circular motions for the most thorough exfoliation.



6. Always exfoliate thoroughly before shaving as dead skin can clog and dull your razor.



7. Don’t forget your feet! Sometimes these require a little extra effort, but it's so worth it!



8. Rinse thoroughly when finished. You’re not only rinsing off the scrub, you’re rinsing off all that dead skin with it!



9. When you get out of the shower, pat dry – do not rub.  You want your skin to still be a bit damp for this next step...



10. Apply a rich moisturizer to seal in all the moisture your skin just soaked up from the shower. Plus, moisturizers are most effective when applied to fresh, new skin. Try Zents Lotion in Water or any of their other great scents for soothing moisture and an amazingly fresh scent!

5 Easy Ways to Get Gorgeous for Summer!

I could NOT be any more excited that summer is here! It is absolutely, hands-down, my favorite time of the year and I’ve been looking forward to it since LAST summer! Now, it’s time to forget about covering up with sweaters and jeans, and time to start thinking about baring it all in sundresses, shorts and bathing suits…Yikes! There are some simple, easy ways to prepare yourself for less clothing and more fun…and they’re all right here! Read on for tips on how to get gorgeous, and stay gorgeous all summer long…

Step 1

Time to slough off that dead winter skin and get ready to get your glow on! The first step is a nice thorough body exfoliation which should be repeated approximately twice a week. H20 Plus Sea Pure Reviving Body Buffer provides a great exfoliation with sea salt, while conditioning the skin with lavender and olive oil. Rub this 100% natural scrub gently in a circular motion over your entire body for glowing summer skin!

Step 2

Moisturize! You should moisturize regardless of season but the thought of showing more skin seems to make this step all the more compelling…For fast-absorbing, summery-smelling hydration, try Zents Sun Lotion. It is packed full of skin-conditioning ingredients like Shea Butter, Green Tea and Chamomile, and smells like summer itself, with notes of Vanilla, Sweet Orange, Pink Grapefruit and Sandalwood.


Step 3

This is the MOST important step for health reasons…You must wear sunscreen all over! There are a lot of options, but here are a few of my favorites….

If you need a little help in the bronzing department, try Murad Firming Bronzer SPF 15 for Face and Body. This amazing lotion provides sun protection, firming power and gentle bronzing for a HEALTHY summer glow.

For extra protection, you may want to try Murad Waterproof Sunblock SPF 30 if you’re active, or Murad Oil-Free Sunblock SPF 30 if you’re oily or acne-prone.

And don’t forget your lips! The skin on your lips is very sensitive and should be protected from the elements. Try Murad Energizing Pomegranate Lip Therapy SPF 15 for shiny, healthy summer lips.


Step 4

Shave up! I’m not gonna lie, I may have skipped a shave here and there over the winter. It’s hard to get motivated when you’re wearing long pants everyday, but those days are over! It’s shaving season and I have one excellent multi-tasking tip for you. Try using hair conditioner as your “shaving cream.” It provides excellent slip for the razor and contains ingredients that are just as good for your skin as they are for your hair! I like Garden Botanika Fresh Mint Conditioner for summer because of its conditioning properties and its awesome, chilly scent.


Step 5

It’s time for a pedicure. This is another one of those beauty rituals that may have gotten tossed to the wayside over the winter. Now that it’s sandal season, we need to get those feet under control. After you’ve exfoliated them in the shower with your scrub, you need an ultra-intensive moisturizer created especially for your feet. Garden Botanika High Intensity Foot Treatment cools, stimulates, and hydrates overworked feet. Gentle exfoliating fruit acids soften callouses, polish rough heels and remove dry skin. Hydrating Glycerin and Panthenol moisturize for perfect summer-ready feet.

Don’t forget the polish! Summer provides an excellent opportunity to experiment with bold colors on your toes. My favorite is Jean-Michelle Laque Luisant Nail Enamel in Moulin Rouge. It’s a beautiful red, PERFECT for summer toes!

Photo Courtesy of Sheknows.com

The Beauty of Baths

How long has it been since you’ve taken a nice, long, hot bath? Did you light some candles…flip on the smooth jazz and completely relax? As it turns out, taking baths is not simply an exercise in total self-indulgence. Taking baths regularly can actually have some health benefits as well. It also does amazing things for your skin!

The use of water for its curative powers is called hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy dates back to ancient Rome, Greece and Egypt. Cleopatra was said to have maintained her beautiful skin by taking milk baths every day, and there may actually be some science behind the effectiveness of this practice.
Photo courtesy of thedailygreen.com
 According to The Mayo Clinic, “Heat therapy increases blood circulation, which can aid healing of damaged tissues. Heat also allows tissues to stretch more easily, resulting in less stiffness, greater flexibility and less pain. To use heat therapy, take a warm bath…”

In addition to just taking a good old-fashioned soak in the tub, there are many easy-to-find ingredients you can add to increase the benefits of your bath and make it more fun!


-Epsom Salts (magnesium sulfate) (1-2 Cups per bath)

These miracle salts are said to have many benefits and uses and are inexpensive and easy to procure. Soaking in an Epsom Salt bath can soothe sore muscles, draw toxins from the body, regulate your nervous system, reduce swelling, and soften skin.


-Apple Cider Vinegar- (1 cup per bath)

A vinegar bath is good for sore muscles, and itchy dry skin. Vinegar is particularly good for dry skin because dry skin is often a sign of alkalinity. Vinegar restores natural pH balance to the skin.


-Baking Soda-(1/2 small box per bath)

Bathing in Baking Soda neutralizes skin irritations such as sunburn, windburn, poison ivy and athlete’s foot. It also eases muscle tension, softens the skin, and it deodorizes too!


-Milk-(2-4 cups per bath)

While milk baths are helpful for hydrating dry skin, the real magic of milk baths comes from Lactic Acid which is a gentle natural exfoliant.


-Oatmeal- (also called colloidal baths) (1/3 cup finely ground oats)

Oatmeal must be finely ground to be used in the bath. A blender or coffee grinder will work for this. Colloidal baths serve to reduce inflammation, and soothe and protect the skin.


-Oils-(2-3 tablespoons per bath)

Adding oils to your bath can have powerful moisturizing effects. The most commonly used bath oils are sweet almond oil, sesame oil, avocado oil and olive oil. Most vegetable and nut oils can be used for bathing.


-Green Tea-(8-10 tea bags per bath)

What a wonder Green Tea is! Soaking in it provides almost as many benefits as drinking it. For starters, it’s a powerful source of antioxidants which help to prevent cell damage. It also soothes skin, draws toxins from pores, neutralizes sunburn, reduces inflammation, relieves athlete’s foot, and can even help prevent bedsores and skin disease.



Bath Cautions:
Very hot baths can be harmful for people with certain health conditions including pregnancy and may actually dry the skin. Bath water should always feel comfortably warm, not hot.  There are many health conditions and medications for which baths are contraindicated.  Be aware that bath additives may cause allergic reactions and a patch test should always be performed before use. Please consult with your physician before taking a bath if you have any health concerns or are taking any prescription or over-the-counter medications.