Valentine's Treat: Chocolate Face Mask

It's Valentine's Day which means its time to show your skin some love. Here is a festive face mask to get glowing skin.

Ingredients:

1tbsp Grey Clay

1tbsp Cocoa Powder

1 green tea bag

1 1/2 tbsp Aloe Vera Gel

Optional: 5 drops Calendula Oil

Combine all dry ingredients and apply to face and neck for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water. 

Cocoa and green tea have great antioxidant properties to make your skin feel smooth and revitalized. If you'r struggling with redness due to acne calendula oil will help to reduce this. As with any face mask make sure to tone and moisturize after using this treatment. 

Q&A: Eyelash Troubles

I recently got this question from a reader...
"I've got mascara troubles. My eyelids are monolids so my eyelashes slant down. Even when I curl them, by the end of the day they droop into my eyes/glasses. Also, do you have any makeup recommendations for everyone who wears glasses?"

Yes I do!
First lets address the eyelash issue.
1. Make sure you have clean dry eyelashes. If you have traces of moisturizer or cleanser on them it will make it more difficult for the mascara to stick.
2. Use a metal eyelash curler and use either hot water or a blowdryer to slightly heat it. Check that it's not too hot and begin to curl your lashes starting at the base and working your way to the ends.
3. Try using a sturdy mascara formula, not one that is too slick or that adds additional fibers to the lashes. This will only cause your eyelashes to get heavy with product and fall more quickly. I recommend bareMinerals Flawless Definition Waterproof Mascara, or Kiss Me Mascara (my personal favourite).
4. Never curl you eyelashes after applying mascara, you will break your lashes.

Tip: On days that I don't want to wear mascara or need to refresh the curl I use aloe vera gel and an empty eyebrow brush like a clear mascara.

Makeup: When it comes to wearing glasses it can be hard to find makeup looks that will show through your lenses, without overpowering your features. I recommend focusing on adding dimension to your eyes to make them stand out through your glasses.
Focus on adding deeper colours to the lash line, eyeliner is a great asset! Glasses can often cause shadows under your eyes, to counter this, don't apply eyeliner past the mid-way point of your pupil on your bottom lash line to 'lift' the corners of the eyes instead of dragging them down. Use a subtle highligher on your inner corners, the centre of your eyelid, and and your brow bone- this will also help to counter the dark circles. Use a middle toned eyeshadow across your lid, preferably one with a bit of shimmer. And of course, finish by curling your lashes and adding mascara.

A video tutorial will follow soon!

If you have a question you would like me to feature, comment below or email me at droppingthemask@gmail.com

Ingredient of the Moment: Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is one of the top natural beauty ingredients. It is known for it’s anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, cooling, moisturizing, and soothing properties. Here are some uses for aloe vera that you might not have known about: 

-Use to sooth sunburns and aid in the healing of minor cuts and scrapes.

-Use to calm rashes and skin inflammation such as acne.

-Use as a gentle moisturizer for lips and skin.

-Keep an aloe vera plant in your kitchen and snap off a leaf for those untimely burns.

-Use as a more moisturising alternative to water when making homemade masks and scrubs.

-Try a bit overnight for under eye puffiness. 

-Use as a hair treatment; simply mix with ¼ cup lemon juice, apply to hair in the shower, let sit for 4min and then rinse well.

-Use a dab as eyebrow gel to keep stray hairs in place. 

Aloe Vera plants can be easily grown yourself, simply squeeze the gel from the plant's leaves, but it should also be commercially available from your local drugstore. 

Do It Yourself: Simple Clay Mask

Commercial facial masks can be pricy, and they often contain less than desirable ingredients such as petroleum byproducts, glycol, and parabens.  Instead, try making your own simple clay facial mask to clarify and extract impurities from the skin.

These ingredients should be available at most health food or specialty stores.