To mothers everywhere...

Today, many countries celebrate Mother’s Day around the world with varying traditions.  On this day I would like to wish all the loving mothers everywhere a very Happy Mother's Day!

The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness. 
- Honoré de Balzac

The phrase "working mother" is redundant.  - Jane Sellman

One good mother is worth a hundred schoolmasters. - George Herbert

All women become like their mothers.  That is their tragedy.  No man does.  That's his.  - Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest, 1895

Love your mother, the most beautiful person on this earth.  Our best critic yet our strongest supporter. - Author Unknown

Check out last year's Mother's Day post: Mother's day at-home spa experience!

XOXO
Euphrasie85

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Tips for strong and healthy nails

Hello everyone!

Check out this list of things you can do to maintain strong and healthy fingernails. 

P.S. - If you want more detailed information, check out the related posts linked at the end of this post! 

• Stop biting and picking your nails.
• When filing, always file in a single direction.  Never saw back and forth!
• Make sure you’re using the right file; you don't want to use a grit that's too high for your nails.
• Use an acetone free nail polish remover, acetone will dry out your nails.
• Give your cuticles a much needed massage.  Use cuticle oil or olive oil to massage your cuticles and nails after you have removed polish.
• Let your nails breath!  Try to give your nails a break from nail polish, at least for 24hrs once a week.  This will also help keep that dreaded yellow stain at bay. 
• Buff once every couple of weeks.

• If your nails are extra brittle and prone to breakage keep them short and use a nail strengthener consistently! 
• Wear rubber gloves when using household cleaners to provide a barrier of protection against harmful chemicals.
• Apply sunscreen before going under a UV light.  You can never be too safe!
• Smooth away dryness with a moisturising hand cream.
• Always keep a nail file handy for emergencies.
• Never use your nails as a tool to peel or scratch anything off.
• And last but not least, maintaining a healthy, balanced diet will also result in stronger nails.

For more details check out the related posts below!

XOXO

Euphrasie85

Related posts:

Tips for healthy cuticles

STOP nail biting!

Make them shine...with a nail buffer!

Make your nail polish last longer

DIY: Natural nail strengthener

Three methods to whiten yellow nails

Photo from here.

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DIY: Blotting sheets

Hello everyone!

Most of us deal with oily skin at one point or another, especially during the warmer months.  The most common way that people get rid of oil on their faces is by applying more product but this results in a "cakey face"!

A much better way of get rid of oil on your skin, without messing up your make-up is by blotting - using a paper-like material to soak up the oil on your face.

You can buy your blotting sheets, or you could also make your own for a much cheaper price.  Here’s how…

 
You will need:

• Wrapping tissue paper - a type of thin, translucent paper used for wrapping presents and cushioning fragile items.
• Scissors

Method:

1. Find some wrapping tissue paper!  Even if you do not have old wrapping tissue on hand, buying a pack will be cheaper than buying the actual oil blotting sheets.
2. You could either, fold the paper/s in half and cut along that line.  Repeat this process as many times as you see fit.  Store the sheets in a small envelop.  Or you could also cut the paper into circles and store the sheets in an empty loose powder case.
3. Blot away! I find that these work just as well as any store brand I tried. 

Note:

Some people suggest using toilet seat covers as blotting paper.  That is a good idea only if you intend to buy a pack of toilet seat covers.  NEVER use those found at public restrooms.  Besides having contact with a lot of people’s hands, the cover dispenser is constantly sprayed by the toilet water (whenever the toilet is flushed).  Yuck!

Let me know if you try this DIY!

XOXO

Euphrasie85

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DIY: Simple hand/body scrub

Hello everyone!

This is a recipe for a simple DIY scrub with few ingredients.  This scrub will remove dead skin cells and leave you with soft, touchable skin.  Scrubbing off the top layer of dry skin is the quickest way to soften the skin and take years off your hands.  Use on hands and feet, or whole body.

Ingredients:

White/Brown sugar or Salt

Olive oil

Water

Method:

1. Mix half a cup of sugar or salt, 3 tablespoons of olive oil and 3 tablespoons of water in a bowl until fully blended.
2. Apply mixture to your skin and rub in a circular motion.
3. Rinse with water until you can no longer feel the grains of sugar/salt.
4. Towel dry and apply a moisturising lotion.

Tips:

• If you use sugar, you can even use it after shaving as the sugar doesn't sting like salt does.
• Use on elbows and knees as well to reveal smoother skin.

Have an awesome weekend!

XOXO

Euphrasie85

Similar post:

DIY: Yummy facial scrub/mask

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DIY: Spinach mask

Hello everyone!

When it comes to healthy skin, you should try to stay away from chemicals and artificial colours, which unfortunately are found in most cosmetics.

Spinach is packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, manganese, zinc and selenium.

The vitamins and antioxidants in the spinach mask will strengthen your skin.  Spinach provides oxygen to the blood cells; this will improve your circulation, giving your skin a nice healthy glow.

This spinach mask is gentle enough to be used on sensitive skin.

Ingredients:

• 4-5 spinach leaves
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon almond oil (optional)  Almond oil is rich in vitamins A, B, and E and can help reduce dark eye circles.

Method:

1. Wash the spinach leaves carefully; let them dry before putting them in the blender.
2. Put all the spinach in the blender and blend until the consistency is mostly smoothed.
3. Add a tablespoon of olive oil into the honey and mix them together.  If your honey is too thick, add just a small amount of hot water and mix together to get a runny consistency.
4. Add the honey and olive oil mixture to  the spinach, and blend them together for a few seconds.
5. Apply the mask to dry skin.  Let it sit for 20 minutes, then wash it off  and pat dry.

You can refrigerate the mixture for up to 3 days.  Don’t keep it longer than that.

Try out this mask and let me know whether it works for you too.

XOXO

Euphrasie85

Click here for more DIY beauty recipes!

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How to clean hair styling (hot) tools

Hello everyone!

Build up on your curling or flat irons can occur from styling products and oils in your hair.  Not only is it bad for your hot tools, it can cause snags that can pull and break hair and cause split ends.  Clean tools last longer and work more efficiently.  Follow these simple steps to clean away the build up and maintain a clean hot tool.

You will need:

• A soft cloth
• Cotton balls
• Water
• Mild soap cleanser
• Rubbing alcohol (optional)

Cleaning steps:

1. Turn off and unplug your hot tool.  Never immerse any electric tool in water plugged or unplugged.
2. Prepare a small bowl of warm soapy water (a drop or two of liquid soap).
3. Dip the edge of a cotton ball in the soapy water solution and rub the plates or surfaces in a circular motion.  Use caution not to burn your hands.
4. Wipe the tools clean with a clean, soft cloth.
5. If you do not want to use soap, moisten a soft cloth with rubbing alcohol.
6. Rub the cloth over the surface.
7. Follow this with a cloth moistened with water.
8. Allow the iron to dry completely before plugging it back in to use.

Tips:

• Before applying any cleaning product, ensure that it is safe for your particular curling or flat iron material.
• For daily maintenance, wipe the iron down with a cloth moistened with water after each use.  You could also use a wet wipe.

Hope you find this helpful!

XOXO

Euphrasie85

Photo from here.

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