Charcoal Masks & Facials

Who would have thought that charcoal is actually beneficial to the skin? Well charcoal has properties that draw out toxins from the skin to reveal a fresher more radiant glow.

Todays post will show you a quick & simple way on how to make charcoal mask in the comfort of your homes.

Step 1: wash your face and pat dry.
Step2: mix activated charcoal in a bowl, add some drops of water and mix in a few drops of oil. Try Tea Tree Oil, Almond Oil, Coconut oil or Olive Oil (and a little bit of honey)

Step 3: Rub mixture onto your face and leave on for about 10-15 minutes.

Step 4: Rinse your face with warm water & moisturise.

However, if you do not have the time to whip up a charcoal mask at home, then try ORIGINS Clear Improvement Charcoal Mask.

According to Origin, “When environmental toxins, dirt and debris get under your skin, its waste-filtering system gets jammed, pores get clogged, skin looks cloudy. Activated Charcoal acts like a magnet to draw out deep-dwelling pore-cloggers, White China Clay absorbs environmental toxins, Lecithin dissolves impurities. 

Detoxify your skin with a charcoal mask!

Feel free to leave your questions & comments in the comment section.
xoxo

Moisturisers & Skin Types

Hey lovely people,

It feels good to be back on the blog. its been a hit minute. I have been so busy with mummy duties, my interior design business, and so much more. So it feels great to be able to update my skin care post today.

Because I have left you guys for so long, i want to start with a topic that your skins will thank you for: MOISTURISERS.

I have dealt with this topic in previous posts, but today will be a little bit different from previous posts because I will reveal the best types of moisturisers for different skin types. 

The most important skincare step is ensuring hydration. Adding moisture to the skin helps maintain smoothness, firmness, softness and radiance. 

"Moisturiser is the true fountain of youth" The right moisturiser will enhance the look, feel and health of the skin and can even help eliminate fine lines and wrinkles.

DRY SKIN. This skin type needs a heavier, oil based moisturiser that quickly and easily absorbs into the skin. For dry skin, oils are more effective than creams. you should look out for ingredients such as propylene glycol that keep the skin moist.

NORMAL SKIN. naturally has a healthy moisture balance. if you have a normal skin type, then you should use moisturisers that have light weight oils and water based moisturisers. Look out for ingredients such as acetyl alcohol, or silicone derived ingredients.

OILY & COMBINATION SKIN. Needs oil free, water based moisturisers. Moisturisers should be used sparingly if you have an oil based skin. Look for products formulated to prevent clogged pores labelled "noncomedogenic". Test moisturisers to ensure they leave a matte finish to help minimise shine and large pores.

SENSITIVE SKIN. opt for fragrance & dye free moisturisers that cater to sensitive skin types. Less is more if you have a sensitive skin.

MATURE SKIN. For older skin requires more moisture. Use nourishing oils, dense creams and balms. look for petroleum based moisturisers that contain ingredients such as lactic acid or hydroxy acids, which prevent dryness. 

Particular moisturisers are needed for the eye area because the skin surrounding the eyes have smaller pores and thinner skin and is more sensitive. It is important to keep the eye area as hydrated as possible.

Here are samples of amazing moisturisers that you can try out.

Clinique Moisture Surge Intense great for dry skin

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream great for combination/oily skin

My absolute best Lamer Moisturiser great for Mature Skin/ Normal skin.

Whats your moisturising secret? Pls share your thoughts, ideas & question with us.

xoxo

  

Benefits Of Cold Water Therapy

Washing your body with cold water has magical effects! Cold Water Therapy as some call it, is actually more beneficial to your skin and hair. Cold water does not dry out the skin unlike hot water. Cold water therapy is also great for reducing wrinkles because cold water tones the skin, Leaving it looking younger for a long time.

Here is how the Cold Water Therapy works: Bath your entire body in cold water for 2-4 minutes at the end of your warm shower.

This post will list easy & simple ways of using cold water on your skin/hair that you probably didn't know could be beneficial, so lets begin!

1. Our skin & hair is protected by a layer of natural oil known as SEBUM. Hot water can dry out this oil causing your skin/hair to become weak. On the other hand, a cold refreshing bath not only makes the hair shiny, reduces breakage, it also makes the skin glow healthily. Cold shower therapy is a great anti-ageing secret for achieving firmer skin and a radiant glow.

2. Cold water rinses after the shampoo and conditioning process helps seal in cuticle to prevent split ends. It also balances extremely oily scalp.

3. Cold water rejuvenates the skin: Your pores remain open when you have a hot shower, so to seal or tighten your pores naturally, give your body a cold splash of water. It prevents your skin from clogging and reduces acne blemishes too!

4. For the guys, Cold Water does increase testosterone hormonal levels! I bet you didn't even know this right? lol

So when next you want to take a nice shower, opt for the cold knob. Or better still, after your warm shower, run the cold water over your body for 2-4 minutes.

Till the next post,
xoxo

A Face To The Posts Y'all Been Reading

Hello beautiful people. Its been a while since I shared some skin care tips. I have been away on mommy duties! I am currently nursing my 4 month old baby boy and I am loving it!!

I do miss you guys and hope to start blogging more regularly really soon, but don't worry, I have a whole lot of EXCITING skincare tips because I have been doing a whole lot of research too.

There are new products, technology, home-made skin recipes and loads more and I am ready to share them all. Plus may I add that the blog now has over 600,000 views! Not bad for a little less than a year right? 

Thank you all for visiting this page and thanks for all the emails too. 

I always like to leave you guys with a face to all the posts you have been reading, so here is one above. I just started working out after my delivery and I must say it is so difficult. But I must continue! Will also share my weight loss journey from time to time, so keep refreshing your pages, as I promise more exciting posts...

Meanwhile, do visit my interior design page on www.facebook.com/vivabelladesignsltd for beautiful design ideas, including placing your orders for all your lovely interior needs such as curtains/blinds, furniture pieces, beautiful throw pillows, bedsheets/duvets and loads more. (Business must continue, hehehehehe!!) 

We are based in Lagos, Nigeria and can be reached on 08033272728 for consultations and orders.

For great style and inspiration through positive words,  do check out our lifestyle Facebook page on www.facebook.com/kocobella

Finally, you can find me on twitter @cocomadmozelle

The blogs has loads of simple home remedies for your skin. You think you have seen it all, but trust me there are still loads more to learn, so keep checking out previous posts and don't forget to drop your comments, views or reviews on any post that you like.

So till the next post, please don't forget to love your skin.

xoxo

Product Review: St. Ives Pink Lemon & Mandarin Orange Scrub

St Ives Pink Lemon & Mandarin Orange Scrub is a new addition to the St.ives product. The most popular St. Ives product is probably the apricot scrub. 

This product is a facial scrub that is quite different from the apricot scrub, which, in my opinion is too grainy. 

In comparison, the Pink Lemon & Mandarin Orange Scrub is richer and creamier and isn't as harsh as the apricot scrub. (See actual texture of product in picture above). So this is definitely a great find. Plus its a bright formula that brightens and evens out the skins tone.

P.S. "Brightening is not the same as bleaching. Pls understand that brightening in this context refers to bringing out the radiance in your natural complexion.

Directions & Ingredients of product.

If you do not have the time to whip up one of the home made scrubs found on the blog, this is a great product to use for your exfoliation plus its cheap too.

Also try the St Ives Pink Lemon & Mandarin Orange Body Wash...

Feel free to leave your comments/questions through dropping a comment. 

xoxo

  

New Recipe: Home Made Sea Salt Scrub...

P.S: Sea salt is not the same as cooking salt! 

There are great benefits of using sea salt to exfoliate your skin. One of the biggest benefits is the glow that salt gives to the skin. It is however important to note that there are different grades of salt and using sea salt is the best option for a salt glow!

Sea Salt body scrub is also a great way to exfoliate the skin, which gets rid of dead skin cells. This also reveals clearer, renewed skin. 

Finally, using a scrub is just plain relaxing because the application process includes rubbing, and massaging. 

Extra Tip: Add a bit of lemon for a "brightening" effect.

Tip: Use sweet almond oil/ coconut oil/ grape seed oil or any lighter oil of your choice. 

Pls do not use cooking oil...

Look for dead sea salt, Atlantic Sea Bath Salt or Baleine- These can be found online, a spa or in a skincare shop.

Tip: The scrub should not be too oily to prevent it from being runny.

Recipe: 1/2 cup oil + 1 cup fine sea salt + 5-10 drops of high quality essential oil (this is optional, for those who love a bit of fragrance. Try lemongrass, vanilla or rosemary)

How To: Put salt in a glass container, add oil, mixing thoroughly with a wooden stick or spoon. The mixture should not be too runny. Add oil slowly, adjusting to achieve the right consistency as seen in the picture above. Then gently add drops of any essential oil of your choice.

The Sea Salt Scrub can be stored in a glass-like container (as seen below); and lasts for a long time 

Extra tip: Also a great gift for anyone!

xoxo

Great Product For Acne, Great Price Too!

This is a quick post on a gentle but effective way of dealing with facial acne.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

The #1 dermatologist recommended acne-fighting cleanser-Neutrogena® Oil-Free Acne Wash now comes with an uplifting blast of pink grapefruit! With maximum strength Salicylic Acid acne medicine boosted by MicroClear® technology, Neutrogena® Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Facial Wash powerfully treats and helps prevent breakouts—even blackheads. This unique formula contains 100% naturally derived grapefruit extract plus vitamin C. It eliminates oil and dirt, and rinses clean without over-drying.

• Oil-free
• Non-comedogenic (won't clog pores)
• MicroClear®
• Salicylic Acid

I recommend this product because most acne products can dry out the skin. However this product cleanses effectively without over drying plus its pocket friendly too!

xoxo