Cosette's Beauty Pantry

Hello everyone! Did you know that pumpkins are not just used for jack-o-lanterns and Thanksgiving pies? Pumpkin makes an excellent facial mask ingredient, for all skin types; it’s incredibly rich in vital antioxidants and vitamins .   Pumpkin is high in vitamin A , vitamin C and Zinc . So, here is a simple recipe for a nourishing, pumpkin facial mask: Ingredients:   ¼ cup of cooked or canned pumpkin      ½  teaspoons honey ( moisturises the skin and provides antiseptic properties)    ¼  teaspoons milk  (moisturises and exfoliates) Optional: For very dry skin : Add ¼ teaspoon heavy whipping cream ( moisturises and exfoliates ). For oily skin : Add a ¼ teaspoon of apple cider (astringent and regulates pH) or cranberry juice (high in antioxidants). Method: Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and use a hand blender to get the right consistency ( purée ) Apply liberally to face and neck   Leave for 15 – 20 minutes   Rinse off with warm water

Hello everyone! Have you ever tried making your own hair masks?  Hair masks help you to  nourish and improve the condition of your hair. One of the most effective hair masks is the avocado mask .  Avocados contain minerals, vitamins and fatty acids that can add shine to your hair.  Of course, you can buy avocado hair masks, but making your own is very easy and inexpensive.  Besides, homemade masks do not include any chemicals and harmful ingredients.  An avocado mask  works as a natural deep conditioner and can help restore shine to dry and damaged hair. This is a simple version of a DIY avocado hair mask with few, yet very effective ingredients.  It’s very quick and easy to prepare. Ingredients: 1 ripe avocado ( ½  for short hair) 1 tablespoon honey 2 tablespoons pure coconut/ almond/olive oil (whichever you prefer) Method: Peel the avocado and remove the pit.          Mash the avocado and make sure it’s free of big chunks. Mix the

Hello everyone! A lot of people use facial creams every morning and night, to maintain healthy skin.  Very often people use a different facial cream for the daytime and for nighttime, these creams are commonly referred to as day creams and night creams. One of the main differences between day creams and night creams is that most day creams contain SPF to protect the skin from UV rays , whereas night creams don’t have such ingredients.   There would be no point in applying a cream containing SPF at night. On the one hand, day cream has active ingredients that protect and replenish the skin throughout the day; while on the other hand, night cream revitalises and restores the skin.  Night creams contain more nutrients and vitamins than day creams; this is because the body absorbs more during the night. Night creams usually contain more emollient, hydrating and moisturising ingredients.  These formulations work fine at night, but they may appear greasy if applied

Hello everyone! Did you know that not only skincare products but also hair care products, can cause acne ( acne cosmetica )?  If you breakout primarily around your hairline and/or forehead, your hair care products could be the cause.  That’s because, greasy or irritating ingredients in sprays, gels, mousses and waxes can clog pores. hair gel Furthermore, your shampoo and conditioner may also cause acne around the hairline and/or forehead.  As I previously told you in Choosing facial cleansers , most shampoos contain Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate .  The percentage varies in different shampoos, but these chemicals are highly comedogenic and are known to cause breakouts in some people.  Besides, silicones like Dimethicone are also comedogenic ingredients commonly found in hair care products, particularly conditioners.  (Read Silicone-based hair care products if you want to know more. shampoo and conditioner So, if you tend to breakout around the

Silicone in hair care products?  Silicone can be found in a great number of shampoos, conditioners, and other hair care products.   Silicone covers the hair with a thin water-proof layer (does not penetrate the hair).  Thus, the hair absorbs less humidity, helps lock in moisture, and it makes your hair look smooth and less frizzy .   So, should you use silicone-based hair care products?  Keep reading to find out the advantages and disadvantages of silicone. Advantages:  It makes your hair look really good, for a while (read the disadvantages). Silicone adds shine and softness and also reduces fizz. Disadvantages: Silicone does not penetrate the hair (its molecules are too large to be absorbed into the hair shaft) .   If you use hair treatment and masks and do not see the results, this is probably why.  Silicone is not water-soluble and you can’t wash it out with regular shampoo.  Ultimately, product build-up will make your hair look dull, flat and di

I am always on the lookout for new skin care products, especially all natural ones.  A couple of years ago I tried 100% pure Australian emu oil for the first time.  So what exactly is emu oil? Emu oil is made from the fat of the second largest bird in the world,   Dromaius novaehollandiae , known as the Australian emu (the ostrich is taller! ). This is the product information of the 100% pure emu oil I use: Australian Aboriginals have long used the oil of the Emu for its anti-inflammatory and rejuvenating powers.  …may help reduce the symptoms of joint inflammation associated with arthritis and provide symptomatic relief of rheumatism. …may also provide relief of muscular aches and pains, PMS, effects of psoriasis on the skin and symptoms of eczema. In addition, application may also aid recovery to damaged skin including burns, blisters, scars, cuts, abrasions, cradle cap, sunburn and nappy rash.   Pure Emu Oil may also be taken internally. Emu oil   is well-kn

Ingrown hair is a condition where the hair curls back or grows sideways into the skin.  Ingrown hair can affect any part of the body, not just areas that are depilated or epilated in any way.  Usually, they are minor irritations that can be painful and can become infected if left untreated. Tips to help you get rid of ingrown hair:   Exfoliate the area.  This will help to remove any dead skin cells, dirt and oils that might be trapping the ingrown hair.  I suggest using an all-natural sugar scrub ! Apply a small amount of acne medication ; ingrown hair is very similar to a blemish. Apply a warm compress for a few minutes to soften the skin and bring the hair to the surface. Use a sterile needle or tweezers to gently tease the hair out of the skin.  The warm compress should have brought the hair to the surface.  If it hasn't,  do not try to remove the hair.   Use a blackhead/ comedone extractor .  The comedone extractor is very simple to use.  Just press the too

What is a tinted moisturiser? A tinted moisturiser is a moisturiser with a hint of colour that can be used in place of foundation for a natural appearance.   Advantages of tinted moisturiser: Undoubtedly, there are some great tinted moisturisers on the market but, maybe you don’t want to spend extra money on a product you won’t use as much.  In that case, it's so easy to make your own with liquid/mineral foundation and moisturiser .  Besides, when making your own tinted moisturiser, you can determine the level of coverage you want/need. Tinted moisturisers give you just a hint of colour that you need to look and feel pulled together without the fuss of a full make-up application.  They are perfect for younger girls who are just starting to wear make-up.  Foundation can be too heavy and make young girls look older. It’s also a great choice for ageing skin ; the added moisture helps to de -emphasise the appearance of wrinkles.  You can read more about

Sugaring vs. Waxing: Aren't  they the same thing?   Both are hair epilating methods.   But when it comes to the pain aspect, the two methods are very different.   Sugaring is also a cheaper, homemade alternative. The sugaring paste is made up of all-natural ingredients like sugar, lemon juice, water and sometimes essential oils.  Most waxes are made mainly of resins and contain artificial fragrances, dyes, chemicals, and preservatives.  Even though you can be allergic to any given ingredient, natural or not, it’s more common for people to be allergic to artificial fragrances and ingredients. Sugaring paste is water-soluble; therefore you can simply wash it off with water. Sugaring will only take away dead skin cells, unlike waxing which also removes live skin cells.  This means that you don’t have to worry about the sugar accidentally removing skin! There are various sugaring recipes; I am going to give you a basic version, one I used myself. Ingredients:

Hello everyone! I have to admit, I’m kind of obsessed with eyebrows.   And I mean eyebrows in general, not just my own.  Some things I notice right away are over-waxed brows, over-tweezed brows, drawn-on brows and unibrows.   Just like a great hairstyle, the right eyebrow shape can and will make a remarkable difference in the way you look. Eyebrow shaping can be done in various ways.  The most popular methods are tweezing, waxing and threading.  I do not suggest waxing your eyebrows (unless you have a unibrow).  With tweezing and threading, you have great control, and can accurately choose the hairs you're removing. Plucking   is the most popular method of eyebrow shaping since it is easy to do and  doesn't  require anybody’s assistance. So, what can you do if you over-plucked your eyebrows? Ideally, you should wait for all of the hair to grow back before you begin plucking.  Leave stray hairs alone to prevent over-plucking again.  But the truth is that doi