So this last week started out as usual: wash with castile soap, tone with ACV, mask on Friday morning then follow it all up with the beauty fluid moisturizer.  I didn’t double wash this week on Monday like I’d mentioned in last week’s update, but since I wore makeup on Wednesday I did add a nightly wash to the regimen.

I don’t have any pictures this week because not too much has changed with my skin from last week.  Still experienced the drying and stinging with the ACV and still dealing with the “large” pores on my cheeks, but my skin and complexion are both smooth and even so that’s a good thing.

Because I got my order in from Pegasus Soaps Friday afternoon and didn’t wash the light makeup I had on (hey… I was tired as all get out and an evening nap turned into an all night sleep *lol*), I decided to wash my face on Saturday morning using one of my new toners.  I used the chamomile bergamot after my cleansing and I am happy to report there is absosmurfly no stinging.  The toner is cool and gentle on the skin and has a very delightful fragrance to it.  Once the toner dried I did feel a little bit of tightness, which is normal for toner, but I DID NOT have to apply the beauty fluid to combat any dryness!  You read that right, there was no dryness at all, not even on my cheeks!  You know I’m loving this, right?  Now I’m not sure whether to stick with the chamomile bergamot tomorrow or switch to the lavender tea tree to see how it works, but I do know I’ve found a natural toner brand that I’m going to stick with from here on out!  Thank you again, Michelle, for such great product.

Water-wise… Uh… I’m still not reaching my daily goal of 62 oz., but my intake has increased from what it normally is. Because I do not like the “taste” of water I think I will have to invest in those flavour packet thingies in order to get my proper intake in.

So there it is.  Week three down and one more to go.  I’m not sure how long Veronica over at My Natural Me is going to take her updates but since there’s not much further for me to go with mine I’m going to cut with the weekly updates and switch to monthly.  Of course the skin care regimen will go on since I know healthy skin maintenance is ongoing just like with cultivating natural hair.

How are you coming along with your progress?  I’d love to hear your progress by comment here or via Email at amichelle@journeyback2me.com.

Healthy Hair (and skin) Wishes,

Well isn’t that a sight for sore eyes?  No?  Ah well, moving on. *lol*

Picking up where I left off last week, I started using the Kirk’s Fragrance Free Original Coco Castile Soap to wash my face in place of the Dollar General Oil Free Apricot Scrub, and I really like how “clean” it gets my skin.  The only draw back is, it is slightly drying in tandem with the ACV toner, which made it necessary to use the “Beauty Fluid” moisturizer.  No real worries there, though.  Since I only wash my face every other day (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays unless I plan to wear makeup) I did not have to use the moisturizer too much during the week so that’s good.

Difference in between my skin with the castile soap and the apricot scrub?  Well, those dry cheek patches are noticeably smoother now, even in between washes.  I think maybe the scrub was too abrasive on my cheeks to use as often as I did (like duh).  The soap provides a real mild clean and foams really, really well even with our “hard” water ( I use quotes because I wash with warm water, and hot water is a tad bit softer than cold).  The soap also works well with my seaweed mask, which I use on Fridays, giving my skin a good balance of surface and deep cleaning.

Complexion wise I am noticing my skin tone evening out a bit, whereas I had a few discolourations here and there due to past blemishes:

One discovery I made during this week is I have rather “large” pores on my cheeks as compared to pores on other areas of my face, something I never really noticed before (from what I’ve been reading they come with age).  Now I’m not sure if it’s the large pores that are making that area of my face drier than other or visa versa, but I have noticed they are diminished in appearance with regular use my seaweed mask.  Yaaaaaaaay seaweed mask!

As for the ACV toner, while it’s a natural wunderkind with removing an excess cleanser from my face and tightening my pores, it leaves a “too tight” feeling to my skin and actually stings my cheeks horrible.  Also… the smell leaves a lot to be desired.  So in theory, it is an excellent toner but I think I’m going to stop using it after this week.

So there we have week two.  A whole lot more diligent on the regimen, and a slight increase in my water intake although it’s not nearly as much as I should be drinking. *smacks hands with ruler* I ordered two 2 oz. bottles of Lavender Tea Tree and Chamomile Bergamot facial toners from Pegasus Soaps to see if they work better for me than the ACV.  I’m also flirting with the idea of making my own apricot face scrub if I can find the right recipe.  Since I start both work and school next week I more than likely will be up’ing my regimen to twice every other day (once in the morning and once when I come home from class), but I guess that will depend on what I’m actually exposed to during the day.

How are you coming along with your challenge?  If you haven’t started yet it’s not too late to jump in.  A good facial should be a part of every beauty regimen in addition to your hair routine.    If you also have taken up the challenge, or deciding to do so now, I’d love to hear your progress by comment here or via Email at amichelle@journeyback2me.com.

Healthy Hair (and skin) Wishes,

So last Sunday I embarked on a skin care challenge inspired by Veronica of the My Natural Me Beauty Blog, and was whole heartedly excited about getting into the thick of it, the week proved to be a bit too busy so I didn’t get started until Thursday.

On Thursday afternoon I began my regimen with a cleansing scrub using my apricot scrub which left my skin feel ever so luxurious.  Once that was done I applied my kelp mud mask and allowed it to set for a half hour.  Since the directions for the mask instruct me to wait at least an hour before applying toner or moisturizer, I allowed my skin to air dry and set about co-washing my hair.  What’s amazing is, by the time I was done with my hair I found I didn’t need to apply my astringent or moisturizer to complete my facial.  My skin was properly hydrated and exfoliated and my natural oils were popping like Lil Mama’s lip gloss so the dry patches I “complained” about were minimal.  There wasn’t even a cause to apply moisturizer on Friday either, which would be my “off” day per my usual routine anyway.  Unfortunately I didn’t take any pictures of the before or after, but there really wasn’t much difference from the image in my initial challenge entry.

Yesterday morning, because I had a meetup event to attend, I washed with my apricot scrub but left the astringent out of these equation because I didn’t want to dry my skin (I find that the warmer the weather becomes the less I need to use toner, especially since my astringent of choice contains alcohol) but applied very little of the “beauty fluid” since I was planing to wear a bit of make up to the event.  The above picture was yesterday’s results.

NOTE: I do not wear foundation, just a triple shadow, mascara and eyeliner, blush and neutral lipstick.  I also keep my colours on the “earth tone” side.  And while I admit the picture is a bit “fuzzy”  cause my camera sucks, that is the true complexion of my skin. I’ll be sure to try and take “clearer” pictures in future updates.

Now, with the second facial cycle I am finding that whether I use moisturizer or not, the “cleaner” my skin is the more oily it tends to be.  Mind you, it’s not abundantly oily but it is oily enough for me to notice a few “pimple-like” bumps on my forehead and on my cheeks where the dry patches were (which was pointed out to me by a complete stranger who recommended I get  a “liver flush” ).  So more than likely I am going to have to use toner and moisturizer each and every time I cleanse in order to balance the oils out.  However, I no longer want to use my normal astringent, so I’m considering switching to apple cider vinegar for my toning needs from here on out.

When I reconsidered taking the challenge I took a real hard look at the products I’d committed to using.  Although they had all served me well in the past, I grew more interested in using “natural” products for my facial needs.  With that in mind, in addition to my toner switch, I picked up a bar of Kirk’s Fragrance Free Original Coco Castile Soap and will be using it in place of the commercial apricot scrub to see if it balances my oil production.  The routine will be the same: basic cleanse and tone every other day with an added mask once a week.  I’m not exactly sure what I’ll use for moisture, if it becomes necessary to use it with this regimen, but I want to move away from the “beauty fluid” because it contains a few undesirable ingredients (shea and coco butter prove to leave my skin too greasy).  I guess I’ll report more on that in my next update.

Sad to say, my water intake has been rather low this week, which may also account for the increased oils, so that will be tackled more aggressively in the next week.

So there you have it.  My first week of the challenge wasn’t a total wash-out (pun intended) but I do need to be more diligent with caring for my skin, and drinking water as an overall rule.  I might even consider that liver flush thing at some point in the future. *shrug* Whatever keeps the skin and system in the pink, right?

If you also have taken up the challenge, or deciding to do so now, I’d love to hear your progress by comment here or via Email at amichelle@journeyback2me.com.

Healthy Hair (and skin) Wishes,

I’ve covered my skin care regimen here on JB2M before, but in the time since that post was written I’ve switched up my facial products a bit and become woefully slack in my routine.  Fortunately I have been blessed to not show my age (a family blessing I am very proud of) however because I smoke and am closing in on my 40′s my skin is changing, not adhering to my normal routine has taken it’s toll.  Changes I am finding most evident in my skin are larger pores and dry patches on my cheeks close to my nose, where my skin used to be relatively well balanced:

This change could also be attributed to the fact that unlike Detroit, here in Columbus the water ranges from moderate to very hard (depending on where you are) and dries the skin horribly, something I don’t like one bit.  Well just the other day Veronica of the My Natural Me Beauty Blog threw down a skin care challenge on Twitter and I decided to take it up, and restart my skin care regimen.

My routine doesn’t vary too much from May 2008 with the except of less product and less actual facialing.  Whereas I used to use two different sets of cleansers and masks, now I only use one:

Cleanse & Scrub – Dollar General’s Oil Free Apricot Scrub: Apricots contain curative properties that aid with curing certain skin diseases and reversing the effects of sun damage.

Tone & Condition – Pegasus Soap’s By the Sea Mud Mask: Kelp is a dynamic detoxifier, rich in amino acids, carbohydrates and vitamin A.

Tone & Deep Clean – Family Dollar’s Deep Cleansing Astringent (comparable to Sea Breeze): Constricts the pores and removes the last traces of the scrub and mask.

Hydrate & Moisturize – Dollar General’s Sensitive Skin Beauty Lotion (another obvious Oil of Olay knock-off): Counteracts the drying effects of the astringent.

Because I only use the apricot scrub for cleansing I’ve taken my routine down to ever other day as to not overdo it on the exfoliation tip. I also only use the mask one a week (usually on Sunday), but considering I’m relying on commercial products I may kick that up to twice a week.  These will be my staple products, although throughout the challenge I will be looking for more natural alternatives, such as the ones I’ve tried during early In the Mix Friday posts. Another change in my routine will involve trying to drink a whole lot more water than what is “normal” for me, since just like hair, skin benefits greatly from inner hydration,

So there you have it.  I’m locked in and committed.  I’ll be posting updates of my progress every Sunday, and wish everyone who’s taking the challenge along with V and I great results.

Healthy Hair (and skin) Wishes,

I am a serial facial-er.  At the very least, every other day I am in the bathroom cleansing, clarifying and moisturizing my youthful countenance to keep it looking its very best and so that I can combat the effects of my three decade long smoking addiction (see: Smoking Facts).  My regular facial components consist of an apricot scrub, an astringent and a moisturizer, and at least twice a week I expand the ritual to include masking, which helps draw toxins out of the skin.  Up until last month I’d been greatly neglecting the masking part of my regimen because I had yet to find a product I liked.  Lucky for me,  Pegasus Soaps came to the rescue at just the right time.

In case you couldn’t tell from the last review I did for Pegasus Soaps, I have made it a point to become a regular procurer of Michelle Ortiz‘s handiwork.  While I don’t personally know Ms. Ortiz outside of our Plurk sharings, I have come to admire the energy and dedication she puts into creating her products.  So when I discovered she offers By The Sea Mud Mask I had to hurry and cop a container and add it to my skin care routine.

Again, delivery was quick — my product arrived about three days after I placed my order through Michelle’s Artfire store — and came complete with instructions, an ingredients list and a free tube of Peachy Keen Shea Butter Lip Balm (gotta love the freebies, and this was a delightful one).  As soon as I received my package I did the sniff test to make sure this was a product I would want having close to my nose for upwards of five minutes.  I will not lie… the concoction is not pleasantly perfumed, as seaweed/sea kelp carries with it a “beachy” type of odor.  But having grown up around and spent a great amount of time at a beach every summer till I was fourteen I was used to it the aroma.

NOTE: The smell of the mask is not offensive at all but it does take getting used to.  For those who prefer a more “fru-fru” fragrance, Michelle can infuse the mask with a host of essential oils that might be more to your liking.

Next came the application.  After cleansing and clarifying I applied the mask liberally, making sure to keep it away from eyes, nose and mouth (as one should any facial product).  The consistency of the mask is thick, resembling wet sand with a similar texture, and proved extremely easy to distribute.  Now, here is the most fascinating part about the mask, facial-wise: upon contact with my skin I could actually feel the mask working!  Through a mild heating/tingling feeling I could sense the chlorophyll in the sea kelp powder working its detoxing magic.  The sensation was unexpected because while there was a heads up in the accompanying documentation about itching, there was nothing stated about warming.  It wasn’t an unpleasant feeling so I was not worried about it, and as one would suspect it stopped once the mask dried completely.

And now, for the removal.  The last facial mask I’d used was the Queen Helene Mud Pack Masque which worked well for me as far as applying and its intended purpose.  But when it came to removing the product, I had to use several towels (the mask caked the towels and was difficult to  rinse away, leaving behind a stain on the towels as well) and at least three hard working minutes to remove all traces of the product from my face prior to applying astringent.  But with By The Sea Mud Mask, removal was as simple as applying a warm towel compress to my face for a few seconds to loosen, and then gently wiping away.   One towel, one minute.  Easy peasy, like skin care should be.

After removing the mask I used my regular astringent to clarify my skin and remove any parts of the mask that might still remain in my pores, then waited the prerequisite one hour before applying my regular moisturizer.  The results… Smooth, clean and clear skin that glowed as if Sol were in the bathroom with me. *lol* My pores were barely defined and my skin felt “squeaky” clean and baby soft.  Considering sea kelp has a high fatty and amino acid content which work to maintain elasticity and acts as a skin conditioner (respectively), I doubt I even needed to use moisturizer until my next facial.  Imagine that!

Since this was my first experience with the product I had very little expectations of it beyond its designed purpose, so you can imagine my excitement when Michelle mentioned that the product was also good for use in pedicures!  After a vigorous work over with my pumice stone, I generously applied the mud mask to the bottoms and tops of my tootsies and surrounded each with a Saran Wrap covering.  Once thirty minutes had passed ,I effortlessly rinsed the mask away and enjoyed silky soft heels which would normally be as tough as nails thanks to my affinity for running around barefoot.  So a multi-purpose skin mask for $8 for 8 oz. I have barely used yet (a dollar an ounce for natural goodness is that deal)…  Do I really need to broadcast my rating for By The Sea Mud Mask?  I think not, but here goes anyway:

JBTM Rating:

Michelle, you have blessed me with another winner from your collection and further guaranteed yourself a repeat customer, as well as unofficial promoter (ever thought of starting an affiliate program *lol*)  Thank you so much for yet another product gem!

Healthy Hair Wishes,

As I mentioned in a previous post, I love coffee.  Actually, thanks to BF Emeritus, I’m a bit of a coffee snob. *lol* But as much as I like drinking it, I hold an affinity for the bean for another reason… It is a wondrous natural beauty aid for both hair and skin.  Here are a few examples:

Coffee: Kitchen Cupboard Beauty Tips

By Cait Johnson

I absolutely LOVE handcrafted soap and body care products and once entertained possibly taking up the process myself.  Not as a commercial undertaking, of course, but as a way to personally maintain nature based products at home.  But with the supplies being way beyond what my budget could handle at the time, and the method way more time consuming than I was able to devote energy too, I abandoned the idea and remained a consumer of other’s work.  Well one day, as I was minding my own business in Plurk (which is not entirely the truth, because I never mind my own business in there *lol*) I happened to become acquainted with Michelle Oritz, Owner and Head Soap Maker (I made that up) of Pegasus Handmade Soaps.  Needless to say my heart leapt with joy and my spirit did a little dance because of this, although my “ends” weren’t exactly sound enough to become a regular customer of Pegasus’  homemade goodness just then.  But a couple of weeks ago Michelle announced she’d just listed a fresh batch of Mocha Morning Coffee soap in her store (anyone who knows me knows I have an extreme coffee jones — I love the smell, the taste, the versatility of the grounds in beauty treatments), about the same time I was able to procure a bar or two for my very own, and I couldn’t place my order quick enough!

No sooner than I received my package (approximately a week after I placed my order) did I tear into the wrapping in order to view the coffee-dy goodness.  Much to my surprise, in addition to the two bars I’d ordered, Michelle had gifted me a sample size of her Black Raspberry/Vanilla Musk soap, a 1 oz. bottle of her Shea Butter and Aloe Vera lotion, and a shower poof (in my favourite colour of green, I might add).  I instantly fell in love with the raspberry-vanilla soap’s aroma which was like Sweettarts, although not overbearingly so, and while I really liked the smell of the lotion (very clean and crisp) it proved to be a bit too “light” a consistency for me.  BUT, to its credit, the lotion does leave the skin very soft and supple, and is relatively long lasting.  It comes in a variety of fragrances and I highly recommend it as a warm weather moisturizer.

I had the pleasure to sample the Morning Mocha bar within a couple of hours after it arrived in the mail and let me tell ya… It became an instant favourite in my hygiene arsenal.  Although made with actual coffee grounds which work as a wonderful exfoliation agent, the bar itself does not smell like coffee.  Instead, it faintly smells like warm oatmeal cookies and light baby powder.  Working with the poof, the bar lathers lusciously and rinses clean away without leaving the filmy lather behind like most commercial soaps do.  A definite plus.

After my shower I discovered another attribute… this soap is non-drying to the skin!  So much so that I could forgo applying a moisturizer for up to two days after use!   It leaves the skin actually feeling clean, polished and soft to the touch. Suffice it to say, I am wholly infatuated with the Morning Mocha soap, and while I have not used the raspberry-vanilla bar yet, I anticipate much the same experience of wonderful.

Affordably priced for the quality ($3.40 per bar) this soap is longer lasting than most other soaps I have used.  Typically, the soap I use most often (Dial gold) lasts me between four to five showers, but as you can see from the picture below, after about four uses, there is still a significant amount of the Mocha bar left.

Also, unlike the soap I usually use, the Mocha bar actually air dries without leaving that icky, gummy wet soap residue behind!  Yet another reason to love this soap.

So, having said all that — and i’m quite sure this comes as no surprise…

JBTM Rating:

And yes, Morning Mocha Coffee soap come so highly recommended by me, I bought two bars for my BFF for Mother’s Day. *smile*  If you’d like to try it for yourself, Pegasus offers sample sizes via their Etsy and Artfire stores.  But honestly, you may as well get a whole bar for yourself because I guarantee you will love it.

Michelle, I thank you so very much for creating such a wonderful product, and rest assured, you will see many return orders from the likes of me.

Healthy Hair Wishes,

If you have frequented any natural hair care site or Blog I am sure you have seen the praises of this compound, known best for its moisturization benefits.  Being that I recently procured a container for myself:

I figured I’d feature it here to help get the word out to more Napturals who may have wanted to try it yet haven’t taken the leap yet.

I happened up RA Cosmetic‘s brand of shea butter one day while at Ye Olde Shoppe of Beauty, and picked it up on the premise of trying it out in a few recipes I’d discovered online.  For those unfamiliar, shea butter is a natural fat derivative of the Shea/Karite tree, which grows in the savannah belt of West Africa. Used largely in cosmetic and hair care products here in the states, shea butter is also used for cooking in certain parts of of its native continent.  In addition to its moisturizing and culinary properties, shea butter is also good for fading scars and dark spots, treatment of burns and eczema, improving muscle stiffness, and as a sunscreen. Other benefits, as outlined on the Treasured Locks Website, are:

For skin: Shea Butter nourishes the skin with Vitamins A, E and F.  Vitamins A and E help maintain the skin and keep it clear and healthy.  They are particularly helpful for sun damaged skin. They help prevent premature wrinkles and facial lines.  Vitamin F acts as a skin protector and rejuvenator. It soothes rough, dry or chapped skin and helps soften dry or damaged hair.  Also, Shea Butter easily penetrates the skin allowing the skin to breathe and not clogging pores.  Shea Butter has a high level of cinnamic acid, a natural sun screen.  So, it provides some degree of protection from the sun.  Shea Butter is also anti-inflammatory making it useful in treating rheumatism.

For hair: Shea Butter provides moisture to dry or damaged hair from the roots to the very tips, repairing and protecting against weather damage, dryness and brittleness.  It also absorbs quickly and completely into the scalp to rehydrate without clogging pores.  It is particularly beneficial for processed and heat-treated hair.  It is an excellent treatment for dry scalp. It restores luster to damaged hair.

So it is a multi-use product from every source I’d read, but how would it work for me was the question.

I was taking back by the initial appearance of it because I’d assumed it would be whipped and smooth like… well… butter.  But it was all good since I was sure it had to be easy to work with for some many people to use it in homemade products.  Once I got it home I found that like cocoa butter, shea butter comes in a semi-solid consistency that could be easily broken down and melted.  After learning it could be used on its own, however, I decided to forgo the recipe additions for awhile, and my introduction to the emollient turned out to be used in place of lotion after showering.  The effects were almost immediate (ie. softness, silkiness, and a sight glow to the skin) and long lasting (I applied it last night have not had to moisturize again yet), giving soothing relief to the dry, itchy skin that comes with the winter season.  Unlike commercial lotions, the butter didn’t instantly evaporate or become soaked into the skin, leaving it feeling as if I hadn’t applied anything.  Shea butter leaves a thin coating upon the skin, but unlike petroleum based moisturizers or baby oil, it’s not slick, overly greasy, or pore clogging.  It is the perfect moisturizer, especially for women of colour, and while it will take a minute to see the “fading” effects shea butter holds, I can attest to the pain relief qualities it holds too.

In the hair department, I have used pure shea butter on my edges after letting my hair air dry to “tame” them into laying down, but one of my favourite dressings — Carol’s Daughter’s Healthy Hair Butter — contains a good portion of the compound, and I can attest that it does soften the hair and help it maintain moisture.

Since this was just my first experience with shea butter, I thought I’d ask a few of my associates and friends who have used it for some time now, their thoughts on the product, and here is their feedback:

Jordayn offers: I use it on [this] dry skin of mine as of recent.  This winter brought out my severe dry skin.  I tried putting lotion on, I tried baby oil… I tried everything!  But when I tried the Shea., it lasted for me and made my skin a lot better and it was no longer dry.  My lotions were drying out during the day too.

Jacqueline says: I use unrefined shea butter.  It makes my skin super soft and all glowy like. I use it in my hair before washing to soften and after to shine.

Michelle, owner of Pegasus Soaps shares: It works better than anything I [have] ever used.  I like how it makes my skin feel smooth and the appearance of my skin. I also use shea butter in my homemade lotions too.

and Tanya adds: I have never used it on my hair, but I use it for the heels of my feet.  [It's] one of the cheapest, longest lasting products, and it works.

So the general consensus is, this is a product that is well worth the purchase, and offers amazing results for dry skin and healthy hair.  On its own or as a chief ingredient to your homemade and commercial products.  While there are many retailers who offer shea butter,  there a few things one must consider when purchasing it for themselves:

1. Shea butter should only be yellow or a creamy colour, ranging from white to gray or beige.  It should never be green.

2. When considering the type of shea butter to purchase or use, unrefined is best, as if is pure and natural.  Unrefined would be next on the scale because although it has been bleached, it still retains most of its natural components.

3. The longer it has been shelved, the less healing properties remain present, so try to avoid buying “old” shea butter.  If you purchase unrefined shea butter and either  has no odor to it or is rancid smelling, more than likely, it is old and should not be used.

4. When buying commercial products that claim to contain shea butter, READ THE INGREDIENT LIST CAREFULLY!!!  There are many manufacturers looking to make a quick sell based on the shea butter buzz, yet use very little of the compound in their products.  Make sure shea butter is one of the first ingredients listed to ensure you’re getting the most shea butter possible for your benefit.

Need to know more?  Well, a great resource for information on shea butter can be found at the American Shea Butter Institute, including reputable retailers by grade, as well as The Organic Shea Butter Website, which lists the various uses and benefits of using the substance.

Prices for shea butter range according to quantity (I believe my 10 oz. container was close to $4), and can be bought in bulk for both personal and commercial use.

So there you have it!  A veritable cosmetic wonderkind for both hair and skin, that is well worth its weight in natural beauty gold.

Healthy Hair Wishes,

Flattering picture, right? Yeah, I know. *lol* At least once a week this is how you’ll find me… underneath layers of dried English clay, getting my exfoliation and tone on. Of course, this is the third step in a five step process (cleanse, scrub, exfoliate, tone, hydrate), but it’s the easiest to capture in Webcam self portraits. *lol*

I’ve been big on facials for year, but the process has taken more importance since my transition to natural commenced. It seems only right to me that since there will be focus on my hair while I’m taking this journey, the next closest area should be tight and right as well. So right along with my hair regimen, I follow a somewhat strict daily and bi-weekly face routine that keeps my skin in it’s “younger than 34″ looking shape, using the following products:

Once a week, usually on a Sunday, I break out what I call “the heavy artillery” to give my face a good once over using (from right to left):

Cleanse & Scrub – Queen Helene’s Oatmeal ‘n Honey Scrub: The honey granules exfoliate the yucky dead cells, the oatmeal paste soothes and gently cleanses the dermis beneath.

Tone & Condition – Queen Helene’s Mud Masque: Cleans those pores, tightens that newly squeaky clean skin of the face and neck, promotes much welcome blood flow, and relaxes those tired muscles.

Tone & Deep Clean – Family Dollar’s Deep Cleansing Astringent (comparable to Sea Breeze): Constricts the pores and removes the last traces of the masque.

Hydrate & Moisturize – Family Dollar’s Fluid of Beauty (obvious Oil of Olay knock-off): Counteracts the drying effects of the astringent.

As you can see, I take the least expensive route when it comes to my body care items. I used to swear by St. Ives’ Apricot Scrub and Oil of Olay’s Age Defying Daily Cleanser, but when my budget became so tight that copper plated Lincoln was screaming for mercy, I had to stop being such a “brand-whore” and go with the less pricey alternatives. Quite honestly, Queen Helene’s brand of products work just as good, if not better, than the “leading brands”, without me having to sell my soul to keep my supply stocked.

NOTE: And it doesn’t just stop with the skin/face care line. Check out the hair care, footherapy, and batherapy lines as well!

I only use this regimen once a week because my face doesn’t need as intense a cleaning daily. For daily purposes, I rely on these gems:

Cleanse – April Bath & Shower Facial Wash (enriched with Vitamin E and Apricot extract): A gel based cleaners that gently foams away surface dirt

Exfoliate – April Bath & Shower Scrub (enriched with Vitamin E and Green Tea Extract): A cream based scrub with mild granules to cleanse away the dead layer of skin.

Followed up with my astringent and moisturizer, of course.

I procured these items at the local Dollar Tree and have been using them for about a month now. So far they do a good job for daily facial maintenance, and I have no complaints… although several ingredients in both are on the list of ingredients to avoid in hcb products. *shrug* What can I say, I’m a rebel. *lol*

NOTE: For the nature conscious, just about every product I have named contains one or more ingredient from that list, and while I am hyper-vigilant about the associated risks of what I put in and on my body (not counting my nasty cigarette habit *lol*), I so far have had no adverse effects internally or externally. Essentially, the risks so often touted by naturalists are relatively low… unless, of course, you have a proven allergy to the listed ingredients. Then all bets are off.

In addition to these routines, I try to drink at least 32 oz of water a day in order to keep my body hydrated, which in turn is good for keeping the skin hydrated.

As with my hair care products, I do not exclusively recommend any of the listed products (with maybe the exception of Queen Helene, cause they rock *lol*). I’m just showing what works for my skin. In the realm of cost, all the products I use range anywhere from $2.50 and under, making them affordable for any budget.

If commercialized products aren’t your thing, and you’re shaken by the whole “risky ingredient’ business, there are skin care recipes available via the Internet which work just as good, and utilize items you may already have laying around the house (you can find a couple of links to recipe sites in the Journey Resources section).

Whichever route you choose to go, keep in mind that maintaining a routine for daily facial cleansing is as important as your hair care system, using the products that work well for you.

If you have a daily or weekly routine you adhere to, I’d love to hear about it, as well as the products you use and would recommend.

Healthy Hair Wishes,