Dark under eye circles got you down?

Many things are contributing factors when it comes to  the causes and appearance of Dark circles and puffy under eyes including; Genetics, Fluid retention, Lack of sleep, dehydration, Iron deficiency, Stress,  Medications/Drug/Alcohol/ use as well as Smoking…. to the very foods you’re likely consuming.

Dark circles in some people can actually be a sign of toxin build up in the body and sometimes a sign of an allergy to foods, but also possible Kidney and Sinus problems as well.

What may work for one person, may not for another, as varying degrees of darkness/puffiness are a factor as will be skin tones/ethnicity. So I will include a few options, so no matter where you sit on the “dark circle scale” hopefully we can give you a few options to check out!

Let’s start shall we:

Of course we have the ever popular and universal use of Cucumber Slices. Raw potato slices contain potassium and also work well to take away dark circles under the eye.

Secondary to those options are cooled Green tea bags or the use of Rose water.

Cold spoons are also a great quick fix, just be careful they aren’t so cold they stick to the skin!

A few less commonly know options to treat under eye circles; Potato juice, Almond oil, Lemon juices, Crushed Mint and Figs.

Many of our wonderful South Asian clients have shared with us this one…

*Mixtures are approximate*

• 1 tsp tomato juice
• 3-4 drops of lemon juice
• a pinch of turmeric powder
• enough white flour to make a paste

Mash these ingredients together into thick paste and dab it under your eyes. Let sit for 10-15 minutes, then wash away.

Turmeric and pineapple juice is another common mixture we’ve had recommended to us.

For puffy eyes there’s also the ever so popular Preparation H use too (Cream or Gel. NOT Ointment)

Remember that sleep plays a huge role in the appearance of dark circles.  So getting ample rest is one of your best lines of defense in taming those dark circles!

Some other really great ways to minimize dark circles under the eyes are Vitamin E and Vitamin C. Diet plays a very important part in dark circle prevention so remember to include a decent amount of vegetables in your diet too.

Good luck.

If you have an tips you’d like to share that have worked for you, or products you love and swear by, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Whiten those teeth!

We all want a pearly white smile, especially for your bridal photos….After all you’re going to be smiling in about 90% of those pictures!  😉

Crest White strips are widely popular for a quick at home fix to brighten your smile; or a visit to your dentist for treatment.

Here’s a few quick “at home” options for you:

Brushing your teeth with table salt and baking soda.
It helps to brighten and polish the teeth and it’s great for the gum’s and fighting off bacteria and infection!

You can also make a paste using a few drops of lemon juice and a pinch of  baking soda. Apply this to your teeth and massage gently. This helps to both brighten your teeth but also aids in removing stains.

Other handy at home options include; strawberries, orange peels, apple cider vinegar and even charcoal (burn a piece of toast, scrape the burnt layer and mix with your toothpaste!)

Remember that teeth naturally have a yellowish tint because of calcium, essential  for strong tooth enamel. Brushing too hard and using to many acidic items or prolonged use of “whitening products” can and will often begin to eat away the surface. Once your tooth enamel is ruined, it’s permanent. Your teeth can become considerably weaker and much more prone to cavities and sensitivity as well. So as with any items that are being used to alter a color or state of appearance, use moderation in application and your discretion.

Amp your Hair up with Vinegar!

Apple Cider vinegar is a natural way to boost your hairs shine and helps breakdown the buildup caused by shampoos, conditioners and other hair products.

It has a naturally high acid balance which makes it an excellent cleaning agent as well. It helps to restore the hair by breaking down films left over from hair products,  it combats sebum oils and helps bring dull hair back to a shine!

There are many different mixtures you can try out like; Mix one part vinegar with approximately four parts water and soak the hair. Leave on for 15 minutes, allowing the vinegar to penetrate down towards the scalp and roots, rinse away, then wash your hair normally.

Other mixtures can include the combinations of baking soda to Sage oils and other oils for a more pleasant scent.

Remember it is still acidic, so use in moderation as to not dry out the hair…

Vinegar can also be used for at home treatments to help with dandruff and Acne problems too!

Lightening Age Spots

This question came in to us from one of our lovely Mother of the Brides. She was concerned with a few age spots on her hands and shoulder area and asked us for a few tips on possibly covering and/or lightening them to reduce their appearance and presence in her daughters Bridal photos.

Here are a few quick and easy at-home tips you can try out, that for many help to reduce the tones and lighten age spots:

To lighten age spots and sun-damaged skin you can mix the juice of 1 lemon, 1 lime,  approx. 2 tablespoons of honey and around 2 ounces of plain yogurt.

Gently massage mixture on to each spot.  Or you can coat the area and leave sit for about 30 minutes, then wash it off. Use at least once or twice a week. Gradually most individuals will see an improvement as these items have a natural bleaching effect to them.

Another option is that of  a onion juice and apple cider vinegar mixture. Castor oil has also shown to improve the appearance of age spots.

Good luck!

Streaky Tan?

So you wanted that sun kissed glow, but your self-tan didn’t turn out that way?

If you find yourself a little blotchy or streaky after applying a coat of self tanner or returning from a spray tan application, here are some quick fixes…

Baking soda:

Put some baking soda on a wash cloth or loofah, and gentle buff away the stripes using a circular motion.

Lemon:

Lemons or lemon juice also works well for ridding yourself of blotchy patches and/or streaks left from self tanners. You can also add a little sugar with it to create an exfoliate scrub.

Witch hazel:

Witch hazel can also remove self tanner by helping to lighten the skin up a bit.  Pour some onto a cotton ball and dab or rub the cotton ball onto the area(s) needed. Witch hazel is very inexpensive and can be purchased at any drugstore!

Remember, streaky-ness  is primarily caused by uneven application and dry or rough areas on the body… So be sure to exfoliate all areas well where you plan to add that glow!

Yogurt and Curling irons?

Yes, you read that correctly. This post goes out to all the ladies who have ever burnt themselves with their  curling iron or flat iron while trying to achieve those pristine curls for that night out!

If in case you do accidentally burn your forehead (or other areas) when using a curling iron/flat iron,  next time slather some plain yogurt on the wound!

Studies have shown that the coolness of the yogurt will help with any potential swelling of the area burned and will also help to reduce the redness. It can even speed the healing process by combating any excess bacteria’s present.