Saturday 24 October 2015

Fresh Face Cleansing Balm



This year we designed a new Face Cleansing Balm called Fresh Face. This new cleansing balm is made from the best ingredients for your skin and is 100% all natural. This new product is made from, Bees Wax, Shea Butter, Witch Hazel, Sunflower Oil, Olive Oil, Lemon Essential Oil & Lavender 40/42 Essential Oil.

Our Fresh Face Cleaning Balm will remove all makeup even water proof makeup, daily dirt and grim and is a great moisturizer for you skin. It will leave your skin clean & fresh.
This new Face Cleansing Balm works so well we decided to make a second product called Fresh Face II for sensitive skin

Beeswax: is a natural emulsifier that infuses skin creams with the delicate rich scent of honey while sealing in moisture. It covers skin with a light, imperceptible protective layer that allows the skin to breath. Added to skin creams, beeswax creates the bridge between oil and water allowing the two to mix flawlessly. Not only does beeswax allow oil and water to mix, it adds healing, soothing and deep moisturizing properties to skin creams.

Shea Butte: Moisturizing: The concentration of natural vitamins and fatty acids in Shea butter makes it incredibly nourishing and moisturizing for skin. It is often used to remedy dry skin and to help protect the skin's natural oils.

Sunflower Oil: retains moisture, and in preventing the skin from drying out, it helps to keep wrinkles at bay and the skin looking youthful and vibrantly healthy right from birth. It is extremely powerful at keeping away bacteria and maintaining youthful skin.

Olive Oil: contains three major antioxidants: vitamin E, polyphenols, and phytosterols. Antioxidants, when topically applied, may help protect the skin from premature skin aging. Vitamin E partly accounts for the anti-aging benefits of olive oil because it helps restore skin smoothness and protects against ultraviolet light. Hydroxytyrosol, a rather rare compound found in olive oil, also prevents free radical damage to the skin.

Lemon oil has a fresh, clean scent that activates the body and the mind. The oil has many different properties, one of the most important being its ability to activate the white corpuscles that defend the body against any infection. For colds and fatigue, use five to seven drops of lemon oil in your vaporizer to clear your lungs and energize your mind.

In addition to its medicinal properties, lemon oil is nourishing for skin and hair alike. Lemon oil is not only good for oily skin, but it can also smooth and rejuvenate any cracked or dry areas. For oil prone skin, mix 10-15 drops lemon oil with two ounces of jojoba cream to keep your skin clear. Tired of the hard calluses, corns, and/or bunions making your feet hard, crusty, and sore? Try rubbing a few drops of lemon oil on to the bottoms of your feet every night and before you know it, you'll have soft, moisturized skin! Many men and women struggle with oily hair, which can be alleviated with the help of lemon oil. Add four drops to wet hands and apply to freshly washed hair before rinsing. Not only does lemon oil reduce your need to shampoo frequently, which can cause further damage to your hair, but it also leaves your locks with a nice shine!

Witch Hazel: Since witch hazel is usually used to treat existing skin conditions, people often forget that it is also good at refreshing and rejuvenating regular, healthy skin. For example, applying some organic witch hazel oil to our face can help seal in moisture and refine the pores.(6) Aside from improving our looks and providing anti-aging benefits, using witch hazel in this way can also guard us from environmental pollutants and other external toxins that are responsible for so many skin problems in the first place.

Lavender Essential Oil: The health benefits of lavender essential oil include its ability to eliminate nervous tension, relieve pain, disinfect the scalp and skin, enhance blood circulation and treat respiratory problems. The Latin name of lavender is Lavare, which means "to wash", due to its aroma which has a particularly clean aroma.

If you have not tried our Fresh Face Cleansing Balm it's about time you did. Your going to love it.

 

Thursday 9 April 2015

Diana Lee Cosmetics Face Masks



Face masks are one of my favourite skin care products.  They’re easy to apply, fun to use and are great at delivering results. My favourite thing about applying a good face mask is the feeling of tightened and toned skin after a single use!

Should everyone use a face mask? Absolutely! Face masks are the perfect skin care treatment to help you with your skin care concerns.  The right face mask can help hydrate skin, remove excess oils and help improve the appearance of your pores.  They’re also an excellent way to help pull out impurities. Another advantage of wearing a face mask: the feeling of being pampered like you’re at a spa from the comfort of your own home!


Every healthy skin care regimen includes daily-use and weekly-use products. You can use a face mask once a week, or you can use it more then that depending on your skin and your skin care concerns. Both men and women can benefit significantly from using a mask and here’s why.

If you have purchased one of our fantastic face masks from Diana Lee Cosmetics, like the Blueberry Delight, Strawberry Shake remember that they were fresh made when you ordered it and should be kept in the fridge. You can take it out about 20 minutes before using just to warm it up a bit. Remember they only last about two weeks. Or the Chocolate Mud Pie Face Mask. It does not need to be refrigerated and will last up to about a month and a half.

5 reasons to apply a face mask right now

 

Relaxation

Face masks don’t just offer results that improve the overall appearance of your skin, they can also be quite therapeutic. When they’re infused with aromatic essential oils like mint and rosemary, a face mask can lift your spirit by stimulating your senses. Using a face mask should be treated as a luxury.  Set aside a bit of “me” time when you decide to give yourself a mask. Draw a hot bath, light some candles and let the magic of the mask begin to work. You’ll be drawn into a wonderful sensorial experience that will not only relax the mind and spirit but will also leave you with fabulous looking skin.

Deep cleansing

Sure, cleansing each day helps to clean your skin by removing dirt, oil, makeup and impurities from the surface of the skin. But did you know that proper masking takes the cleansing process to a whole new level? Only a good facial mask can help to draw out impurities that hide beneath the top layers of the epidermis. Some people say that their skin goes through a “detoxing” when they use a mask because they actually notice the changes in the skin while this is happening. Masks are incredible at providing this deeper cleansing process that leads to an improvement in the appearance of pores that you can see and feel. Who doesn’t love that?

Unclog pores

Masking with a product that contains Bentonite clay or Calamine Powder helps to remove dirt and absorb excess oils. It’ll also help to remove the build-up of dead skin cells that accumulate on our skin.   When you remove all the debris from the surface of your skin, it’ll help to unclog pores too. We all know that clogged pores are nothing but trouble! Yucky stuff gets trapped in our pores and gets pushed deep down into the pore where bacteria can develop. Once that bacteria starts to grow, it’s all over for our skin because we will soon get a blemish, a flurry of breakouts or even one giant pimple that will wreak havoc on our life for several days. Regular face masks help to keep our skin surface clean and our pores unclogged. This is an excellent reason to use your face mask right now!

Glowing skin

Masks, especially ones with tingly mint in the formulation, can help stimulate blood circulation. The process of the mask drying on your skin and beginning to harden, along with the removal of the mask causes an expansion in the blood vessels of your skin. This ensures an overall improvement in skin tone. You’ll be left with softer-feeling and smoother-looking skin, and you’ll also notice a radiant glow and more refreshed appearance.  So relax, feel the tingle, breathe in the minty aroma and wait for your skin transformation!

Helps your overall regimen

Masking helps all of your other skin care products work more efficiently. If you want your day lotions, serums and night time products to be absorbed by your skin quicker and deeper, then a face mask is a must. By masking on a regular basis, you can ensure that your toning, hydrating and protecting products will all perform better, providing you with the results you’re looking to achieve at a much faster pace.

Apply a face mask in 5 simple steps


Step 1: Be prepared to make a mess.  If you’re going to apply a facemask while relaxing in the tub, you don’t have to worry about making a mess. You can cover your face, neck and throat and just relax. If you don’t have time for a bath, then take the time to pull back your hair so it’s not near your face.  Be sure to wear clothing that you don’t mind getting messy. Chances are, you’ll make a bit of a mess when you use a mask.  But, hey, that’s the fun of it all!

Step 2: I always recommend starting with a freshly cleansed face. Use your daily cleanser to remove all of the surface dirt, oils and makeup before you apply your mask. This will help to ensure that you receive all of the benefits your face mask was designed to deliver.

Step 3: Pat dry your face do not apply the mask to a wet face as the mask might not work as it should when your face is wet.  Remember it’s called a face mask for a reason. You should look like you’re wearing a mask when you put it on. Never rub the mask directly into your skin. It should be applied like frosting on a cupcake. Be sure to avoid the eye area, keep your nostrils clear and extend the mask from your face, down your neck and throat. Nothing worse than a young looking face and an old wrinkly neck ,right?  I always treat my neck as an extension of my face.

Step 4:  Just wait! You can use this 10  to 15 minutes or if using a store bought product red the directions. Now relax, style your hair, check your email…whatever you want. Just be conscientious of the time and follow the directions. If the directions read leave on for up to 15 minutes, then that’s what you need to do. Just don’t leave your face mask on for 20 or 30 minutes. Be sure to follow them exactly.

Step 5:  It’s time to remove the mask. Masks are designed to adhere to your skin. You don’t want to be too rough when removing it. Use plenty of water and a wash cloth to gently wash away the mask. Pat, don’t rub, your skin dry with a towel. It doesn’t get any easier then that when it comes to using mask.


Extra! Top tips two for a happy face mask experience


Beauty tip 1: Before applying your face mask, dab a small amount of eye gel or eye cream around the eyes.  This will help to protect this very delicate area from dehydration.

Beauty tip 2:  When your face mask mask has dried and it’s time to come off, simply place a warm, wet washcloth over your face and hold it onto your skin for a few seconds. Repeat this a few times to help loosen up and dissolve the face mask from your skin. this tip will make the rinsing off process much easier and gentler for your skin.
***
Everyone should introduce masking into their skin care regimen, if they haven’t done so already. For just a few (relaxing) minutes a day, your skin will go through a noticeable transformation that you can see and feel. You may look silly doing it, which makes it all the more fun!

I would love to hear any masking tips you may have. Please leave them for me in the comments section below. And remember, there’s no time like the present to kick your skin care routine up a notch by introducing a face mask!

Benefits of Cocoa Butter



Cocoa butter is one of my most favourite ingredients; I love using it because it smells so good, and because it has so many great benefits for the skin. This is one of the indredients used in our Mosturizing Creams.

What is cocoa butter & how is it produced?
Cocoa butter comes from the cocoa bean which is found inside the cocoa pod which grows on from the cacao tree. Cacao pods are also where we get cocoa from to make chocolate – that’s why good-quality cocoa butter has a wonderful chocolate-y scent.

To produce the cocoa butter, these seeds must be fermented in banana leaves, dried, roasted and pressed, releasing the vegetable fat we know as cocoa butter.

Alternatively, the beans can be cold-processed. Cold-pressed cocoa butter is made by pressing the whole bean thus retaining vital antioxidants. This cold-pressing process uses only the heat from the friction caused when pressing the bean which helps protect the antioxidants.

How does cocoa butter benefit the skin?
Because of its natural make-up and its nutrient and fatty acid content, cocoa butter is amazing for dry skin and can actually penetrate further than the top layer of the skin, meaning it moisturises deep-down and really nourishes the skin.
  • Antioxidant action
Free-radicals are small molecules formed during the body’s metabolism when energy is generated from glucose in every cell in your body. They are also formed by exposure to pollutants such as car fumes, pesticides, and tobacco smoke.

These free-radicals destroy cells, and when these are skin cells you begin to age. Your skin wrinkles and dries up, and you begin to take on the look of somebody years older than you are. They do this through a process known as oxidation (a good way to think of it is to consider how iron rusts when it oxidises), and antioxidants can prevent it. They neutralize the free-radicals, and prevent your skin cells from being destroyed.

Cocoa butter contains a number of different antioxidants which can kill-off a wide range of different free-radicals. In fact, cocoa butter contains a much higher antioxidant concentration then even blueberries and other super foods.
  • Stretch mark reduction
Cocoa butter is widely noted to help reduce stretch marks. This is most likely due to its nutrient and anti-oxidant content, as we’ve seen above.
There are no guarantees, but many women claim that regular use of cocoa butter was what kept their stretch marks away.
  • Other benefits
1. Cocoa butter is high in fatty acids, meaning it can penetrate deep-down into the skin and hydrate from within.
2. Cocoa butter can also be helpful for many skin problems like eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, and skin irritation.

Shea Butter Skin Benefits



There has been a lot of talk on Shea butter, and what it can and can’t do. One of the main questions is does Shea butter clog pores? This question will be debated here, as well as other helpful information regarding Shea butter and its many benefits for the skin.

What is Shea butter?

Shea butter comes from the large brown seed of the fruits found on the Shea tree AKA the Karite tree. The Karite tree (Shea tree) grows in West Africa. It is phenomenal for the skin as a moisturizer. Read on to see how to use it!

Does Shea butter clog pores?

Many people are on the fence with whether Shea butter does or doesn’t clog pores. Many people actually use Shea butter as an acne treatment to lessen acne. Therefore, Shea butter actually has beneficial qualities to oily skin, not undesirable ones. Shea butter is a hardy substance, but it is by no means pore clogging and acne inducing. If you use Shea butter in moderation and lightly moisturize your face with it, you will see that Shea butter is actually beneficial to your skin.  Shea butter can be especially helpful for acne because it absorbs into the skin and provides moisture without further clogging pores. So, does Shea butter clog pores? The verdict sways into the direct of no.

Can Shea butter be used for acne?

Shea butter for acne can be used in this way:
You can begin by washing your face with a cleanser, and then by applying a thin coat of raw (pure) Shea butter to your skin. Only apply the Shea butter to your skin using a sponge, not your hands. Using your hands to touch your skin is one of the causes of acne because it transfers unwanted bacteria to delicate facial skin. Using a clean sponge will eliminate this problem. You can only apply it to the areas that are prone to breakouts if desired. Do not touch your face while the Shea butter is soothing and healing your skin. Dermatologists recommend leaving this on for about 8 hours before rinsing it off. If you are sleeping with the Shea butter on your skin, them make sure it is at least partially absorbed so you do not get it on your bed sheets.
Shea butter for acne is beneficial and not harmful because it has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

How do I store Shea Butter?

There is no need to refrigerate Shea butter. After two or three years it will lose some of its effectiveness as it breaks down, but before that it is one of the best low maintenance multi-purpose products around! Store it in a dry, mild temperature place (Not extreme hot or cold areas).

Shea butter for anti aging? Is there a such thing?

Yes! Shea butter for anti aging is one of the best remedies around for dry, aging skin. Shea butter is a wonder for damaged skin and it helps prevent premature wrinkles and lines. The vitamins in Shea butter rejuvenate the skin and helps soften it. 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. This natural sun screen factor makes it just that much better for anti aging and skin protection! Don’t substitute it for regular sun screen just yet, because regular sun screen has been proven to protect you from skin cancer, Shea butter has not.

Shea Butter Skin Benefits

Here are some of the benefits of Shea Butter for the skin:
• Reducing acne
• Absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue
• Helps restore elasticity to skin
• Daily skin moisturizer (face and body)
• Dry skin relief
• Dry scalp
• Skin rash- including diaper rash
• Skin peeling, after tanning
• Blemishes and wrinkles
• Itching skin due to dryness
• Sunburn
• Shaving cream to reduce razor irritation
• Small skin wounds
• Skin cracks
• Soften tough skin on feet (especially heels)
• Stretch mark prevention during pregnancy
• Minor burns
• Eczema
• Sun and wind protection
• Even skin tone
• Reduce blemishes and scarring
• Eliminating scalp irritation from dryness or chemical processing
• Preventing bumps after shaving

Shea butter is a complete moisturizer and will nourish your skin to a deep level. It contains vitamin A and E. These vitamins help maintain the skin and keep it clear and healthy. Which is why when it come to the question of does Shea butter clog pores, the answer is no. It only benefits it, and improves it!