June 2011 Tip of the Month

After Sun Relief Gel #1
2 Tbsp. Aloe Vera gel (or roughly the amount extracted from one fresh leaf)
2 Tbsp. brewed Chamomile Tea or Green Tea
3 drops lavender essential oil

Mix lavender, tea and aloe in a clean glass bowl.  Apply with fingers directly on sunburned or mildly irritated skin. Use all of the relief gel because it cannot be stored for later.

Beach Sand Foot Scrub
2 Tablespoons Canola oil
2 Tablespoons dry beach sand
3-5 drops rosemary oil (do not use if pregnant)

The next time you decide to spend the day at the beach, take advantage of the "on location foot treatment."  Brazilians, particularly, are known for scrubbing their entire bodies, particularly the feet, deep into the sand while they relax on the beach. 

When going to the beach, take a small vial of ingredients with you:  2 tablespoons of canola oil (suntan oil works well too), and a small vial of rosemary oil -- or premix and take one vial.

Once at the beach, use an empty container (a soda cup is fine) to mix the ingredients to form a paste.  Massage sand scrub onto your feet and elbows. Rinse off in the foamy waves, pat dry with your beach towel.

Bay Rum Aftershave

1/2 cup vodka
2 Tbs Jamaican rum
2 dried bay leaves
1/4 tsp whole allspice
1 cinnamon stick
zest from a small orange

Mix together all the ingredients and place into a clean jar with a tight fitting lid. Place the jar in a dark, cool place for 2 weeks. After two weeks, strain liquid through several layers of cheesecloth or a coffee filter. Discard solids. Use by splashing on the face after shaving.

May's Tip of the Month

Flowers are beautiful but the pollen they emit just gets everywhere. If you're like most people you'll be snneezing constantly. Well, below we have some remedies to clear your sinus congestion.

Tomato Tea

Ingredients:
Add 1 cup tomato juice
1 tsp chopped fresh garlic
1/2 tsp of hot sauce
1 tsp lemon juice
and a pinch or two of celery salt for flavor.

Heat ingredients and drink hot.

Eucalyptus steam inhalation is recommended by some alternative practitioners for relieving nasal congestion and sinus congestion, usually from colds and flu. It can be done two to four times a day to relieve symptoms. If you're not able to do this, a steamy shower, vaporizer, or facial sauna is an alternative.

Eucalyptus oil (Eucalyptus globulus) is an essential oil which can be found in many health food stores and online. It should not be confused with camphor oil. Eucalyptus oil should not be ingested, applied directly to the skin, or used in excess of suggested amounts.

Ingredients

Kettle

Water

Eucalyptus oil (Eucalyptus globulus)

Sheet or large towel

Large bowl or container

Instructions

1.    Fill the kettle and bring the water to a boil.

2.    Place the bowl on a stable surface, such as a table.

3.    Turn the kettle off and carefully pour approximately four to six cups of water into the bowl.

4.    Add two to three drops of eucalyptus oil to the water.

5.    With your head at approximately arm's length away, cover your head with the towel. Don't bring your face too close to the water.

6.    Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Continue for 10 minutes.

7.    If you start to feel overheated or uncomfortable, remove the sheet.

Honey and Egg Mask

Ingredients:

1 tsp Honey
1 Egg
1/4 tsp Apple cider vinegar
1 drop Lemon essential oil
1 drop Lavender or bergamont essential oil

Instructions:  

Beat the egg yolk or egg white in a small bowl. If you want both the tightening and moisturizing effect, beat the whole egg until it is well combined but not frothy. Hand beating is better than using a mixer or egg-beater. Add 1 tsp. honey and 1/4 tsp. of vinegar. Stir well to combine all ingredients.

Add one drop of lavender essential oil to the mixture for dry skin, one drop of bergamot essential oil for normal to oily skin. Combine well with the egg-honey mixture, making sure the oil is incorporated.

Apply to cleansed face and neck. Leave the facial on for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

March 2011 - Green Cleaning

Furniture Polish Mix
Mix 1 cup lemon juice with 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp water. Lightly apply to furniture using a soft cloth. Let sit for a couple of minutes, then buff.

No-Streak Glass Cleaner
For sparkling mirrors and windows, combine 1/4 cup undiluted white vinegar, 1 tbsp cornstarch, and 1 quart warm water. Divide into spray bottles. For a lint-free shine, wipe dry with a sheet of crumpled newspaper or a coffee filter.

Disinfectant
Mix 1/2 cup of borax powder with 1 gallon of hot water. Add a few drops of fragrant essential oil such as thyme, rosemary, or lavender. Store the mixture in a labeled spray bottle.

Chocolate Bubble Bath-February 2011 Tip of the Month

1 cup of unscented bubble bath
1/3 cup of unsweetened soy milk
3 oz. of grated or powdered dark chocolate

Heat the soy milk and add in the grated or powdered chocolate. Stir well until melted and blended, but do not boil. Allow to cool.  Mix well again just before adding to your bath.

Uniquely Yours Bridal Show January 16, 2011

Come visit our booth at the Uniquely Yours Bridal Showcase at the Norfolk Scope Exhibition Hall. We will have lots of information about our packages and wonderful team that will be taking care of you on your special day.

For more information go to www.uniquelyyoursbridalshowcase.com.

Happy New Year!!! January's Tip of the Month

Champagne Hair Rinse

This is an old French secret for making hair shiny, silky, and healthy. If you have light-colored hair, it brings out the golden lights in it. It will not dry or damage the tresses.

1/2 cup old champagne
1/2 cup hot water


Mix champagne and water
After shampooing and rinsing well, pour the mixture through the hair.
DO NOT rinse again.
You can use a conditioner before using the Champagne Hair Rinse if desired.

The hair is left looking vital and lustrous, with pale champagne highlights.

Thank you

As founders and owners of Natural Elements Spa & Salon, we are truly thankful this holiday as we reflect upon the journey in realizing that 2011 will be the 9^th year for our "Mom & Mom" small business operation.  Most importantly we are humbled, and recognize that we owe all of our success to YOU, our valued and loyal guests. 

From modest beginnings, we have evolved into both a strong, stable company and a leading community partner giving back where there is a need.  Our commitment and dedication to providing our guests with quality Health, Wellness and Beauty services has never been stronger.  We appreciate your loyalty and consider it our privilege to continue to serve you, for YOU have made our success possible.  

Please accept our sincere "THANK YOU" for your continued support and know that we look forward to serving you again soon. 

On behalf of our entire team of Spa and Salon professionals, we wish you and your family a bountiful Holiday.

December's Tip of the Month - Eggnog

Frozen Eggnog & Honey Facial Mask

Recommended for normal - dry skin

1 egg
1/4 cup egg nog
1/8 cup coconut oil, melted (but not hot)
1 tbs. honey

Step 1:  Beat the egg in a small bowl until frothy and well-mixed.  Slowly add the egg nog, liquid coconut oil and honey, beating until your mask is the consistency of mayonnaise.

Step 2:  Take an empty toilet tissue roll and set it on end in a clean bowl.  Spoon mixture into the cardboard toilet paper roll (or consider using an empty deodorant container). Place tube, in the bowl, in the freezer overnight.

Step 3:  To use, peel away just the top 1/4 inch of the cardboard roll and smooth the frozen stick over your face (think of it as a push up pop). Leave your mask on for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse off with warm water.

Return the cream stick covered with plastic wrap and frozen between uses. 

Keeps indefinitely.

November's Tip of the Month-Cranberry

For an at-home spa experience, take advantage of the cranberry season by making your own homemade facial masque. 

Cranberry Concoction
¼ teaspoon Green Clay
1 teaspoon Plain Yogurt
1 tablespoon Honey
¼  cup of cranberries
¼ cup cranberry juice

Directions:  Blend the cranberries to a pulp.  Mix in all other ingredients thoroughly.  Apply to face and leave on for 10-15 minutes.  Rinse thoroughly with a dark colored wash cloth (so you won’t stain a light one).  Tone and moisturize as usual.  If you would like your masque to be thicker you can add more green clay.  What you are left with is a radiant, exfoliated, hydrated, fresh face without spending the $$$ on a professional facial

Add some shine to your lips with this lip gloss recipe

1 tablespoon Almond oil
10 fresh cranberries
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon petroleum jelly (optional - for more shine)

Mix together all ingredients and place in a microwave or heat-resistant container. Heat in the microwave or a water bath until the mixture just begins to boil (1-2 minutes in the microwave). Stir well and gently mash the berries. Let sit for 5 minutes. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve to remove all pieces of cranberry. Stir and allow to cool completely. When cool, spoon into a clean container.

October's Tip of the Month

5 Wonderful ways to use Epsom Salt

Face cleanser: To clean your face at night, mix a half-teaspoon of epsom salt with your regular cleansing cream. Just massage into skin and rinse with cold water.

Homemade skin mask: Apply the mask to damp skin. For normal to oily skin, mix 1 tablespoon of cognac, 1 egg, 1/4 cup of non-fat dry milk, the juice of 1 lemon, and a half-teaspoon of epsom salt. For normal to dry skin, mix 1/4 cup of grated carrot, 1 1/2 teaspoons of mayonnaise and a half-teaspoon of epsom salt.

Skin exfoliator: Massage handfuls of epsom salt over your wet skin, starting with your feet and continuing up towards the face. Have a bath to rinse.

Remove excess oil from hair: Epsom salt soaks up excess oil from hair. Add 9 tablespoons of epsom salt to 1/2 cup of oily hair shampoo. Apply one tablespoon of the liquid to your hair when it is dry; rinse with cold water. Pour lemon juice or organic apple cider vinegar through the hair, leave on for 5-10 minutes, and then rinse.

Hair volumizer: Combine equal parts of deep conditioner and epsom salt. Warm in a pan. Work the warm mixture through your hair and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse.

Welcome to the Zen Room.

We look forward to sharing more about The Natural Elements Spa and Salon family and all the upcoming events we are planning for the fall season. Thank you for your continued support!