Kitchen Beautician
Beauty treatments have always been one of my jams. My Mom taught me how to properly file my nails, the benefits of emery boards over metal nail files and the miracles of a good base coat. Then there were the home hair relaxer kits she used to apply while I sat at the kitchen table. Don't judge us, we weren't 'woke' yet!
As time went on, I followed my girlfriends to salons for manicures, pedicures and professional hair treatments. I was 30 when I realized that I preferred to take care of my beautifying on my own. (If only I'd known this earlier! Oh, the money I would have saved.....I don't have the heart to do the math, so I'll just move on. Heavy sigh).
In theory I loved the idea of getting pampered, it made me feel fancy. I wanted to emulate my late Aunt and Grandma Lessie (both ladies had the same name, they were not the same person, no need to call Dr. Phil!). My Aunt and Grandma had standing appointments at local hair and nail salons. They were always so put together and that was fascinated me.
Once I was old enough to have my own standing appointments I realized that my expectation didn't match my reality. Many salons weren't as invested in the health of my nails and hair as I was, and then there is the expense of it all. (Oops, I said I was I moving on from that didn't I?) Make no mistake, I am not saying that there is anything wrong with going to salons when it's time for beauty duty. I love a good massage and I'm absolutely addicted eyelash extensions. I'm all about self-care.
I'm just acknowledging that doing my primping at home was therapeutic for me. Over time I've acquired tools, skills and knowledge to achieve the looks I desired. I remember my product junkie phase; I wanted to try EVERYTHING. Buying new nail polish and makeup brands, coupled with hair care products ate up a large chunk of my discretionary income. I derived a complicated pleasure from purchasing expensive products. I had to reel myself in before I became a perfectly coiffed and manicured homeless woman.
These days I've come full circle. My first beauty lessons were in the kitchen and now most of my beauty nights begin there. Being a Kitchen Beautician is much easier because of Social Media. My feeds are flooded with ancient beauty treatments. West African Shea Butter and Neem Oil, Gua Sha and Jade Rolling from China, Nori face masks from Japan, Saffron from India and washing hair with rice water from Korea.
All of these practices appeal to me, I just love the idea of doing something women have been doing for hundreds of years. However, I do my homework before following a trend. Anyone can write an article or post a video and pass off the information as fact, especially if the end game is getting people to buy something. I whole-heartedly believe that many of the routines I read about have been practiced for generations, but I ask myself a few questions before pulling out my debit card:
1. Do I know all the facts? 2. Do I have access to the same products used by the women in that part of the world? 3. Can I afford the products? Will the routine work with my lifestyle?
In order to avoid being overwhelmed, I stick with simple treatments that call for natural ingredients I've researched and are easy to acquire. I introduce one new product or practice at a time and keep records on the results. Did it dry me out, break me out or cause any damage? Bumpy, blotchy and bald is not a look I'm going for.
Mountain Rose Herbs is a favorite source of mine, shipping isn't fast but I haven't had a problem with quality. I also buy from Trader Joe's and my local Farmer's Market. Right now I have Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil and Camellia Seed Oil handy. I also like Bentonite and Rhassoul clay for hair washes and face masks.
I'd love to know what every oil does and which ones work better with which, but I live a life that doesn't always allow me to spend countless hours dedicated solely to beauty. When time, knowledge and money are limited, I opt for store bought products from the Shea Moisture and Camille Rose Naturals lines. I also like Curlmix because they offer the best of both worlds. I can purchase pre-made items, as well as a boxed kit that gives me a recipe, a container, instructions and all of the ingredients. I know exactly what what I'm using because I get to make the product myself. All of the research and measuring has been done for me. They even offer a full list of ingredients commonly used in their products, which is a wonderful starting point for learning about natural hair care.
I could geek out all day over the homemade and store bought products I love to use, but I don't want to be a bore. For now, I'll end with one no brainer recipe.
It's a lip scrub. These cold temperatures can wreak havoc on a girl's pout. The permanent solution is to drink more water, but in the meantime this recipe rivals a very popular but pricey product on the market right now. It's not ground breaking, and I didn't invent it, but I have used it and I love it.
The recipe is from blog.freepeople.com.
Turbinado Sugar Lip Scrub
1/4 Cup Raw Turbinado Sugar - 1 Tsp Jojoba Oil - 2 Tsp Apricot Oil - 7 drops Rose Essential Oil - 1 Tsp Raw Honey - Glass container
Melt the honey at low heat either in a double boiler or inside a glass bowl placed inside a pot with water. Once honey is melted combine all ingredients together and mix. Once everything is mixed, transfer into a glass container.
**Brown sugar can also be used as an alternative to the Turbinado Sugar.
To Use: Dab a little on lips and move gently in a circular motion to massage away dry skin. Rinse and dab lips dry. Add a little additional Jojoba oil to extremely chapped lips. (And drink more water!)
Each ingredient has its own benefit. Sugar is the most delicious gentle abrasive agent on the planet. Jojoba oil acts a barrier to keep moisture in, Apricot Oil helps soothe and heal damaged skin, Rose Essential Oil not only smells amazing, but acts as a moisturizer and helps with inflammation. Finally, Honey acts as a natural humectant, retaining and drawing in moisture.
Voila. Kissable Lips.
