Are You Steaming?
I don’t mean steaming mad, although…
I don’t know about you but I am definitely missing some of the special treatments from my favorite practitioners! I could use a hair trim, a pedicure (those foot and leg massages…), a full-body massage to relieve some of the tension, a facial…
You get the point. I don’t spoil myself but I do believe in taking care of myself! Plus, I really enjoy the social interactions and supporting other small businesses. While we aren’t able to go out and do that right now, we can support some small businesses by buying what we can online from the people we know. Check out your friends’ and local practitioners’ offers. If you don’t see anything online, reach out to them. Call or message to see how you can support them during these times. They will definitely appreciate it!
As for taking care of ourselves until we are able to be out and about again, it’s easy enough to do some of the basics at home. We can clip, file, paint our own nails. We might even be brave enough to trim our own hair. (Don’t worry, it’ll grow back and you can get it fixed later.) If we have a partner or loved one who is willing and able, we can swap massages (buy oils from your favorite small business oil rep). You might be surprised at how relaxing it can be.
Facials are another thing we can do at home. I talk a lot about taking care of your body from the inside out, but it's also important to take care of your skin from the OUTSIDE! With a whole food diet, plenty of water, and a little outside love you can have the best skin of your life!
Here’s how to do a good facial steaming.
Steaming detoxes the skin by opening the pores and softening the dirt and debris they hold. It also ramps up perspiration, which helps to rid pores of toxins and buildup. Steaming can also enhance the effects of your skincare. Once pores are cleared and skin is softened, your healthy serums, oils, and moisturizers can more easily penetrate and benefit skin.
Then, of course, there is the radiance factor. A good steam boosts circulation and makes skin look dewy, youthful, and alive. Indulge in this ritual when skin is in need of some extra TLC, sallow, or congested.
Start by thoroughly cleansing your face. Heat 4-6 cups of water to boiling, pour into a large bowl, add a couple of drops of essential oil (tea tree and rosemary are good for acne, rose and jasmine work well on dry or mature skin, and geranium and lavender are best for sensitive skin). Set the bowl on a table with a chair in front of it. Tie your hair back if you need to and have a large towel ready. Sit comfortably in the chair, lean your face over the bowl (not too close--don’t want any burns, just steam). Place the towel over your head and the bowl to allow the steam to rise up onto your face. Keep your face several inches above the surface of the water. Set a timer for 5-10 minutes. Breathe deeply a few times and just relax. Once the timer goes off, you are done! Now go moisturize, relax, and enjoy the feeling of soft skin.
PS For more ideas of simple at home masks you can make with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen, Click Here.
