Twists!

Natural Skincare Products I Use

Happy Monday!

I hope you had a nice weekend, over here the British weather decided to give us some sunshine. Of course, a high percentage of people were half naked, over 14 years here and that still amazes me!

I was recently asked what products I use on my face and body, and was reminded again that I didn't have that information documented anywhere.

I was in a chatty mood (when am I not?) so I decided to record a video sharing and explaining this information :)

Products Listed In This Video
Fullers Earth Powder: http://amzn.to/14sxICj & http://amzn.to/YFGntU
Face Oil: Contact Me
Nature's Gate Body Wash: http://amzn.to/16fcYMk & http://tgt.biz/14syAab
Dr Bronners Castille Soap: http://amzn.to/ZqGjRj
Body Butter: Contact Me
Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal: http://amzn.to/ZqGWKK

Do you use any of the products mentioned above?
What products do you use?
Have a great week ahead and there'll be more natural skincare/haircare posts in the future :)

Subscribe On Youtube for more natural beauty videos.

Homemade Natural Beauty Products with Olive Oil: Five *Cheap* DIY Recipes

I was speaking to my friend at the gym and overheard a conversation about her conditioner. She's just paid for a house and said she can't afford to splurge on expensive conditioners.

My tips for her included:

• Add some extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) to her cheap conditioner to instantly improve its properties
• Do some hot oil treatments at home with EVOO
• Condition with honey & EVOO

Olive oil is rich in Vitamin E and has many properties including being very moisturising.
The great thing about olive oil is it's affordable, I buy mine from supermarkets and Bertolli Extra-Virgin Olive Oil is usually on offer (which is when I buy a few bottles!). Aim to buy 'Extra Virgin'.

Which brings me to this post, olive oil can be used in so many ways but I will highlight my favourites, which I've tried and tested:

1. CONDITIONER
   Moisturising: Olive Oil + Honey. It doesn't matter if you have any leftover, I usually make enough to last up to 5 applications.
   For protein, add an egg yolk (it's best to add this to one portion because eggs expire).
   Use: Apply to entire length of your hair, cover with a shower cap. Leave in for anything over an hour.
2. HOT OIL TREATMENT/PRE SHAMPOO
   Warm 1/2 a cup of olive oil (don't let it get too hot).
   Use: Apply to hair from root to tip. Cover with a shower cap and sit under a dome dryer.
   Other options - do some housework or hold shower cap in place with a scarf and leave in hair overnight. Wash your hair and enjoy the soft, shiny results.
3. FACE MASK
   2 tbsps olive oil + 2 tbsps Fullers Earth Powder
   Add honey for extra moisture
   Olive Oil + Honey is a great option too
   Use: Wipe face clean and apply mask. Leave for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, then wipe oil residue with warm water and a face cloth. Finish with a cold water rinse.
4. FACE, LIP & BODY SCRUB
   To gently exfoliate your skin and reveal fresh, soft skin, 1 cup of brown sugar and 1/2 to a cup of olive oil (depending on what consistency you want).
   I love using soft brown sugar as it's gentle enough for the face and great for the body.
   Optional: A few drops of an essential oil (eg lavender, peppermint, tea tree.)
   
   
   Use: Apply on clean face & lips and gently massage in small circular motions, it shouldn't hurt. Rinse and wipe off excess oil with warm water and a face cloth. Moisturise.
5. BODY SCRUB
   For your homemade version of those expensive salt scrubs, mix 2 cups of sea salt with 1 cup of olive oil
   Optional: 1 tablespoon of grated lemon zest OR a few drops of lavender essential oil.
   
   
   Use: Apply and massage all over body, focusing on the rougher areas of your skin. Rinse off with warm water and moisturise.

Other uses:

• Olive Oil can also be added to a bottle of conditioner (1 part olive oil to 4-4 parts conditioner) to give extra nourishing properties. 
• Massage into cuticles (finger & toenails)
• As a make up remover, apply a small amount to cotton wool or directly on your face. Massage into skin and wipe off. Repeat until all make up is off, then wipe off excess oil with warm water and a towel. Moisturise.

If you'd like me to post more DIY recipes here, let me know in the comments section :)

Palm Oil Face Mask

Before you ask, "Palm Oil???", which has been most people's initial reaction, bear in mind there are other cooking oils we use on our skin and hair, including coconut and olive oils.

Palm oil is:

• Rich in Vitamin E
• A natural deep cleanser
• A natural deep moisturiser

It is found in a lot of shampoos and moisturisers.

This mask is made up of:

1. 2 tablespoons of palm oil
2. 2 tablespoons of fullers earth powder/bentonite clay
3. 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar

No water is required. Mix the contents and apply to a clean face - make sure you wipe off excess dirt or makeup before application. Leave for 15-20 minutes.

How Often? 1ce a week.

Watch:

Your skin will feel a little oily after rinsing off the mask, soak a face towel in warm water, squeeze excess water out and wipe. Repeat twice and finish with a cold water rinse. Moisturise and enjoy your skin :)

My skin felt great after this, it's definitely worth a try.

My Weekend...

I *really* treated myself this weekend, unfortunately BUT I'm back on track ;)

Here are a couple of pictures from the last 2 days:

On Saturday, I went to my friend's Thanksgiving dinner, yes we're in London (!!!), and had an amazing time with an amazing assortment of food... YUMM!

I didn't have enough time so I co-washed my hair, applied my leave in conditioner and blow dried my hair. Did two flat twists in front and held the rest of my hair up with a banana clip. Finished with a big flat twist at the back.

I'll put up a tutorial video soon

On Sunday, I went to visit my big-sis-from-another-Mama and this was my dinner, yum!

Look our for some requested posts in the next few weeks.

Have a great week ahead!

Easy Twisted Updo

This took little to no time.

I will definitely record a tutorial soon, I was running late so I couldn't today.



Here's a video of a go to hairstyle of mine:

A Requested Natural Hair Video... *6 Must-Haves*

I hope someone finds this useful:
 


Please let me know any blog/video requests you have :)

 Happy Friday :)

Subscribe to my channels:

• HealthyDury
• NaturallyDury

Oil Cleansing

I first heard about this cleansing method in 2006 when I was all over the internet for haircare tips. I tried it and was happy to see it worked for me. It was also during this time I also learned about using oil as a makeup remover.

This is an all natural method and I haven't used anything branded 'Makeup Remover' since then and my skin's been thankful for it.

The theory behind Oil Cleansing is that oil (applied) binds with oil (from the skin) and impurities and helps with cleansing (ridding the skin of excess oil and impurities).

Will this work on Oily skin?

I believe so.

BUT while I was doing my research, I found that some experts didn't 100% approve of this cleansing method.

BUT BUT(!!!) I know people with oily skin that this works for as well, I'm not trying to dismiss what experts have said but my belief is you should try it at least twice to see how your skin responds to it. My thoughts are:

• The oil cleansing method the experts were not in support of didn't have the final step I include(which I learned about): Cleaning the skin with a warm towel. This helps extract the excess oils from the skin and pores.

Watch the video below and let me know if you have any questions:

Have a nice weekend!

Giveaway :)

To enter, you have to do one or more of the following:

• Subscribe to my YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/NaturallyDury
• Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/adura_o
• Follow my blog

Giveaway closes once I have 50 YouTube subscribers :)

Bargain - Natural deodorants at a decent price!

I know trying to live a healthier, more natural lifestyle can be hard on one's pocket. I faced so many challenges when I started out and always ended up going for the cheaper options. As time went on, I found easier ways to achieve my goals, from making my own products to stocking up on everything during my trips to the US. I still hear these complaints from friends who I'm trying to convince to take the healthier route.

I always buy my natural deodorants (and most of my beauty products while I'm in America because everything works out cheaper...

So imagine my surprise when I walked into Pak (Stroud Green Road, Finsbury Park, London) and found natural deodorants for almost half the price I've seen them for in west end shops (I won't name and shame). This is almost the same price as it is in the US. It's good to know I can get some here too :)

If you still haven't tried natural deodorants, please go to Pak (if you're in London of course) and try them out. I think they were £2.99 compared to the £5.99 I saw in another shop. Now you have no excuse! :)

Natural Deodorants video

I did go on a bit in this video ;) And be warned, there's a picture of my underarm in the video ;)



In addition to the video:

I wrote a review of Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal -->HERE<--

The Crystal deodorant is available in some branches of Boots, Superdrug and Whole Foods.

** GIVEAWAY **

Thanks to Nat Fresh Deo, I have some more things to giveaway... I'll post details on how you can participate.

Fuller's Earth Mask *VIDEO*

If anyone has Windows Movie Maker, stay VERY far away from it! I tried to narrate through the video and got.... nothing! And don't even get me started on the drama of trying to publish this video!!! I need to get another video editor asap!

Anyway, back to the reason for this post, I finally posted a video to go with -->THIS <-- blog post:



I have more videos lined up... I'm going to have to get better at planning and recording my videos so minimum editing is required.

Have a nice week and please let me know if you have any suggestions/requests for videos!