A Good Hair and Skin Day From Maple Holistics

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Having clear skin and a good hair day can really add to my confidence and put a big smile on my face. So, when Maple Holistics offered me the chance to try a couple of their products that put me in a pampering mood, I was pretty happy about it! 

Candy is Dandy But Dandi Is Cleaner #dandicreations

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I love scented bath products, and there's something even more special about handmade ones.  Each ingredient hand-picked for a particular skin-loving reason, and a touch of unique scent to remind you that this isn't any ordinary experience!

LeliaSea Luxe Lotion

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

A while back, I made an online friend who lives in Israel, and we had a cosmetics swap between us.  Among other things, she sent me a lotion made with Dead Sea Minerals, and it smelled so lovely and fresh.  It's long finished now, but it's still one of my favorite lotions ever.  I didn't think I'd ever find another Dead Sea lotion I liked as much - until now!

Dead Sea Mud Invigorates Me!

Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I've become a great lover of skincare these days, of the lotions and potions, the tools and oils.  But, there's nothing quite as satisfying as applying a great mask.  My current faves are mud masks, with their ability to absorb oils and debris from my pores, and leave my face clean and fresh.  This Pure and Essential Minerals Dead Sea Mud Mask does that, and a little bit more!

Instanatural Solutions for Hair, Body, and Face! #deadseamask

Product provided for review.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I'm back again with some more reviews of what is quickly becoming a favorite brand of mine - InstaNatural.  And I have some of my fave things from them, too - hair stuff, and a masque.. and a strange oil that is pretty unique!

I Know Why Superheroes Wear Masques

Hello, Fireflies!

My name is Nidia, and I am a masque-aholic.

I admit it.  I used to never see the point.  I started off with peeling masques - the gateway masques.  Then, it was the harder stuff, the clay masques.  I'm even experimenting with snail extract masques.  It's a problem.

But they feel SO GOOD!

After trying the original Glam Glow masque (see my initial review HERE), I knew I needed to find a budget-friendly alternative.  I didn't think I was ready for a DIY version, but after seeing Laura's recipe on My Newest Addiction, I did a little research and found another recipe on The Twisted Horn, and some more recommendations on the Amazon.com reviews for the clay.

Here's the recipe I came up with:

Lit From Within's DIY Clay Masque

1/4 cup Bentonite clay
2 Tbs water
2 Tbs Apple Cider Vinegar (organic, with mother)
8 capsules of activated charcoal
1 Tbs coconut oil
goo scraped from 1 leaf of fresh Aloe Vera (about 1 tsp)
3 drops of lavender essential oil
4 drops of clary sage essential oil

Mix it all together in a sandwich baggie, and it's no-mess.  You don't even have to open the charcoal capsules if you don't want to - they dissolve in the Apple Cider Vinegar!

Pro-tip:  Use a synthetic-bristle brush, like a foundation paddle brush, to apply the masques.  You'll get a nice, smooth, even application, and you won't be cleaning the mess out from underneath your fingernails.  

I do like the cooling sensation of the original peppermint and eucalyptus oils, but this version is more calming.  I may add in some peppermint oil next time.  I've applied two masques so far from this batch, and there's probably at least two more.  I'm keeping it in the fridge.

For comparison, I rehydrated my left-over Glam Glow masque and tried it again.  My version is definitely missing the pulsating, tingling feeling that I believe comes from the peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils.  Mine is also missing the leaves and grit, which I don't mind at all.

I mean, what is the deal with the leaves?  It makes me feel like this masque was scooped up from the forest floor, complete with leaves and twigs.

Another supposed dupe for this masque is the Queen Helene Mint Julep mud masque. I love this masque, and it's usually under $4.

I have also found some other fun masques.  This is the Gargamel masque, made from smushed Smurfs:

Ok, not really, but it could be.  It's the Freeman Feeling Beautiful Dead Sea Minerals Facial Anti-Stress Mask.  Say that five times fast.  I don't know if it actually did anything for my skin, but it is relaxing.  And, the hubby and I got a good laugh over my blue hue.

On another home-spa day, I did a hair masque and a face masque at the same time!

I'm wearing a self-heating conditioning cap on my hair, over my Kimble Beauty conditioning hair masque, and a Secret Key Snail Repairing sheet masque on my face.  Witness my first sheet masque.

My head was so warm, and my face was so cool.  Feel the sensation!

What are you favorite masques?  Do you DIY?