5 DIY Facial Masks to Try This Weekend

5 Skin-Loving Homemade Masks You Need To Try

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When my obsession with face masks meets my unhealthy addiction to Pinterest, things get out of control. Let’s take this month for example - this month was all about facial masks. What does that mean? It means that I've tried more than 20 in less than 10 days! 

Why did I do it? To select the best ones for you, of course!

Since the weekend is near, and there is no better time to pamper yourself with a nice at-home beautifying ritual + some red wine & organic dark chocolate, allow me to share with you my favorite DIY face masks. I hope you’ll like them as much as I do!

Ultra-Nourishing Mask for Dry Skin

Full Recipe Here

Why I Love This Mask: It contains everything dry/dehydrated skin needs! Sweet almond oil for a dose of skin-healing vitamins (A, B1, B2, B6, D and E) and minerals (magnesium, calcium, potassium and iron) + jojoba oil , to seal the moisture in, and replenish skin’s protective lipid barrier + raw organic honey, to reduce inflammation and prevent breakouts, and last but not least yogurt to exfoliate gently and reveal radiant, even complexion.

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Soothing Mask for Sensitive/Redness-Prone Skin

Full Recipe Here

Why I Love This Mask: Rich in essential fatty acids and vitamin C, rosehip oil nourishes and strengthens the skin, while tamanu oil boosts regeneration, and soothes inflammations and irritations. When mixed with oats (one of the greatest natural remedies for sensitive skin), this mask turns into a gentle scrub (2 in 1, how cool is that?)

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All-Natural Chocolate Face Mask

Full Recipe Here

Why I Love This Mask: Apart from my endless love for all-things “chocolate”, I love this mask for 3 reasons:

1. It smells super yummy! (added bonus: The smell of chocolate improves your mood & reduces stress)
2. It was my closest experience to a real chocolate spa ritual.
3. Cocoa powder is a potent antioxidant that fights the bad guys (a.k.a. free radicals) off, keeping your skin  fresh, healthy and youthful

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Green Clay & Turmeric Detox Mask

Full Recipe Here

Why I Love This Mask: Recently, I’ve made my greatest discovery for reducing enlarged pores. Green clay! If only I knew about it a few years ago – I wouldn’t have spent fortune on pore perfecting primers and crazy-expensive pore-shrinking treatments.

Back to green clay. It treats impurities, tightens the pores, evens the skin tone and helps balance oil production, without over drying your skin. Tell me you are not impressed? (So, am I!)

Add cinnamon, turmeric and rose water, and you have the perfect healing mixture for those moments when your skin starts “acting out” for no obvious reason. Blemishes, redness, acne – be gone!

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Pineapple & Papaya Exfoliating Mask

Full Recipe Here

Why I Love This Mask: If there is one skin ritual that I swear by, that would be exfoliation. I truly believe that exfoliation has the magical ability to solve (almost) every skin-related problem, and my experience so far has proven it more than once.

When I have more time to pamper my skin (usually, during the weekend), I opt for masks with exfoliating ingredients i.e. natural alternatives of chemical peels. Here, my choice is almost always the same - papaya + pineapple. Both are great sources of natural acids, enzymes and mineral. They gentle remove the dead cells from the skin surface, boost its glow, and prepare it for all of you favorite youth-reactivating lotions and potions.

Note: If you have very sensitive skin, patch test the mask first, as papaya and pineapple might cause irritation. 

What are your favorite homemade face masks? Let us know in in the comments below - we'd love to try them!

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​How Hyaluronic Acid Benefits Your Skin

Quench The Thirst Of Your Skin!

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Recently, Bupa Travel Insurance published a post about skincare tips for travellers, and we are proud to have been one of the featured experts on the matter. For great ideas of keeping your face looking fresh for your entire holiday, be sure to read ‘ Essential Skin Care Tips for Travelling’.

Since plain air is very dry, we all know how important it is to stay hydrated - both from the outside and inside. Before getting on the plane, we always recommend applying a  serum formulated with hyaluronic acid, followed by hydrating cream, to lock the moisture in. This will help you keep your skin glowing and healthy-looking during the whole trip. Drinking plenty of water is also a must, in order to keep your complexion luminous and bright.

Speaking of hyaluronic acid – what do you know about it? Did you know that this remarkable compound has the ability to retain water like no other skin care ingredient on the market? If you want to learn more about hyaluronic acid, stay with us!

What Is Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic acid is a compound made primarily of sugar, and it is found naturally in the connective tissues of your body. Its primary function in the body is to bind with water molecules to help your body retain moisture and to lubricate your joints so that you can move more easily.

How Does Hyaluronic Acid Benefit Your Skin?

Thanks to its remarkable moisture-retaining properties, hyaluronic acid is one of the favorite ingredients of skin care manufacturers - it is used in a wide variety of products, ranging from moisturizers and eye creams, to facial mists and toners.

As we age, our skin's natural ability to retain moisture begins to diminish, so it becomes essential to get the moisture needed in order to retain skin's elasticity and keep it looking supple and youthful. Here is where hyaluronic acid steps in. Not only hyaluronic acid makes your skin look fresh and plump, but it also protects it from free radical damage, which is of high importance when it comes to preventing premature aging.

Apart from moisturizing and slowing the aging process, hyaluronic acid also strengthens skin's outer protective barrier. This is especially important for those who struggle with rosacea, acne and eczema, as their skin tends to be more susceptible to environmental damage.

What’s best about hyaluronic acid is that it occurs naturally in your body; therefore it is perfectly safe for use, regardless of your age and skin type!

Have you ever tried products formulated with hyaluronic acid? Tell us how you find them in the comments below!

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Meet The New Additions To Our Makeup Line

The New Additions To La Mav's Anti-Aging Mineral Makeup Line Are Here

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This spring, we’d like to help your skin “wake up”, and glow like never before. Perfection can be achieved naturally and we are ready to prove it!

Are you excited to meet the newest additions to our certified organic makeup line ? Let’s see what we have for you!

La Mav Organic Bio-Active Primer

We know that perfection starts with a good base. After more than a year of research and development, we are proud to present to you the La Mav Organic Bio-Active Primer .

The new Organic Bio-Active Primer by La Mav provides 24 hours of deep hydration, enhances skin’s natural glow and minimizes pores and fines lines. It facilitates makeup application, whilst promoting cell renewal and improving skin’s elasticity. Its advanced formula combines the power of nature and the advances in skin science, to help you achieve flawless finish, and keep your makeup looking fresh and vibrant all day long.

Order It Here

La Mav Organic BB Cream in Light

You asked, we listened. The new, lighter shade of Australia’s first certified Organic BB Crème is here for all fair-skinned beauties that were eager to get their hands on it.

Perfect for those with fair complexion, our best-selling Organic BB Crème will hydrate, nourish and protect the skin, leaving it smooth, radiant and fresh!

Anti-aging benefits, light formula suitable for the summer season, natural broad spectrum SPF, and a rich cocktail of organic, bio-active ingredients – all this, in one bottle! Must-have for everyone woman that wants the best for her skin!

*The Organic BB Cream is available in two shades

Order It Here

La Mav Organic Bio-Active Concealer

Thanks to its potent youth-activating formula and ultra-creamy texture, La Mav Bio-Active Concealer blends away all imperfections, naturally! Enriched with Vitamin C, Licorice Root Extract and Rosehip Oil, this innovative product not only allows you to achieve perfection with ease, but also protects and rejuvenates the skin. Its buildable coverage makes it ideal for obscuring imperfections and hiding the signs of fatigue and aging.

*The Organic Bio-Active Concealer is available in two shades

Order It Here

Tell us how you like the new products when you have a chance to try them!
We hope you'll like them as much as we do! 

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​Health & Beauty Benefits of Fermented Drinks

Several Good Reasons to Include Fermented Drinks in Your Diet

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Have you heard of Kombucha, Kefir or Kvass? Have you tried any of them? If you have, then you already know that fermented drinks are not just another health trend, but a really rich source of benefits for your body.

For those of you, who want to find out more about these beverages, and why beauty experts and nutritionists swear by them, we’ve prepared a brief overview of the wonderful properties of fermented drinks.

What is fermentation anyway?

In the pre-refrigeration era, people had to use other methods to preserve food and prevent spoilage. After lots of trial and error, they came up with fermentation – a metabolic process in which naturally occurring bacteria feeds on sugar and starch found in the food, and converts them into preservative alcohols and acids. That is how fermented drinks were invented. Whether these people knew it or not, fermented drinks do not only last longer, and enrich one’s diet with new flavours and textures, but they also have many positive effects on how we feel and look.

Image source: Pinterest

The benefits of fermented drinks

Renew gut flora

As you probably know, the balance of ‘good’ vs. ‘bad’ bacteria in your gut is essential for your overall health. Consumption of fermented beverages promotes the creation of probiotic bacteria strains, which helps maintain the balance (or helps restore it, in case it was disrupted). No wonder, nutritionists love to say “If you heal the gut, you heal the body”.

Improve digestion

During fermentation, the microbes in fermented drinks produce certain enzymes that have the ability to break down hard-to-digest foods into more digestible forms. For example, lactose is broken down into glucose and galactose (which can be a lifesaver for lactose-intolerant people), and cellulose into simple sugars.

Boost nutritional intake

Natural fermentation can increase and preserve the levels of nutrients in food, especially vitamin B and omega-3 fatty acids. Some ingredients found in fermented beverages are even believed to destroy anti-nutrients (the compounds that hinder the absorption of nutrients) allowing you to get the best of what you eat.

Image source: Pinterest

Control weight

Scientists believe that good bacteria play an important role in preserving normal body weight. Given that fermented drinks restore the levels of good bacteria in your intestines, and improve metabolism, they can also prevent unintentional weight gain.

Fight acne

It is no secret that skin appearance and good diet are closely related. Latest studies show that the good bacteria that reside in the gastrointestinal tract promote the healing of inflamed skin, hence why indulging on fermented beverages can be a great, alternative way to prevent and treat acne.

Slow down aging

The probiotics naturally found in fermented drinks improve the metabolism and absorption of nutrients/antioxidants found in food. This way, they contribute to the nourishment of the skin on a cellular level, helping it heal from the inside out. Antioxidants, on the other hand, destroy toxins and free radicals that are considered to be the primary culprits for premature aging.

Fermented Drinks To Try

Finally, let’s meet some of these miracle-doers!

Kombucha, known as the ‘Immortal Health Elixir’, originated thousands of years ago, in the Far East. It is made from black tea and sugar, fermented with yeast. Kombucha contains high levels of enzymes, b-vitamins, probiotics, and acetic and lactic acids.

Yoghurt requires no special introduction. It is worth mentioning, however, that the live bacteria that remain in yoghurt after the fermentation process is over, is what makes it so unique and special, in terms of its health benefits.

Kefir is yoghurt’s close relative and probably the most popular homemade milk-based fermented drink. It’s a natural source of probiotics + it is believed to support the immune system.

Kvass is commonly made in Russia from fermented slices of rye bread. It has a rather long fermentation cycle of 3 to 7 days, however, it tastes so amazing that it’s totally worth waiting 7 days.

Boza can be traced all the way back to Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt. Different cereals (wheat, millet or rye) can be mixed with yeast and lactic-acid bacteria to start fermentation.

The list could go on forever, since almost every region in the world has its traditional local fermented drink. The point is – if you haven’t tried any fermented beverage so far, we hope we’ve managed to convince you to give them a go (at least to one). We hope you'll like them, as much as we do!

If you liked this post, let us know by sharing it! Thank you!

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Gluten Free Rainbow Fruit Tart

This past summer we had a lot to celebrate with a number of friends buying homes, getting engaged and getting married. My favorite way to celebrate? Have the gang over for a big boozy brunch and toast with champagne! A few weeks ago one of my favorite couples moved into a new house – that’s...

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Soak Up Sweet Orange Oil’s Health Benefits

What Is Orange Oil?

Orange (Citrus sinensis) belongs to the Rutaceae family. The fruit comes from a small grayish-brown bark tree, which is almost similar to a shrub. Its branches grow to a regular hemisphere shape with oval-shaped foliage that sprouts to at least 3 to 4 inches.

Its flowers are distinguished by its aromatic characteristic, and the circular fruit is rougher and darker in comparison to other varieties of citrus. It is said to be first obtained from a native tree in China, but  has also been cultivated widely in the Mediterranean region, France, North and South America and Portugal.

Orange oil is extensively utilized in aromatherapy as it helps soothe tensed muscles and aids as a mood lifter. It can also be blended with a carrier oil and used as a fragrant lotion or cream or your skin.¹

Uses of Orange Oil

Orange oil is commonly used as an added flavoring to beverages, sweet meats, chocolates, biscuits and confectionery and baked goods. Industrially, it is utilized as a concentrate for room fresheners, deodorants, soaps, body lotions and creams.

I believe that orange oil can provide a lot of benefits to your health. It has anti-inflammatory,² antiseptic,³ antidepressant⁴ and antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.⁵

As a tonic, orange oil can help curb inflammation in the body by reducing pain and irritation. It also has a carminative property that helps expel intestinal gas, which induces chest pains and indigestion, by relaxing the stomach and anal muscles.⁶

Some organic nutritionists believe orange oil may help treat muscular and nervous spasms. In aromatherapy, it aids in relieving anxiety, anger and depression and is beneficial in promoting a healthy wellbeing as it detoxifies your body and boosts your immunity.⁷

Composition of Orange Oil

Orange oil is made of up various chemical properties such as alpha pinene, citronellal, geranial, sabinene, myrcene, limonene, linalool and neral.

The most significant property is the limonene, or D-limonene, which can play an important role in your home by repelling insects. Simply spray or wipe it in different places of your house.

D-limonene extracted from the rind of orange can be used as a cleaning agent both in household and industrial settings. This chemical may also be utilized as a replacement for acetone, toluene, glycol ethers, fluorinated and chlorinated organic agents when used as a straight solvent.⁸

Benefits of Orange Oil

Orange oil is beneficial in improving digestion and relieving constipation. It also was found to inhibit angiogenesis, metastasis and cell death in human colon cancer cells in a study, prompting the researches to say that the oil from blood oranges “may offer great potential for prevention of cancer.”⁹

This essential oil is also good for nourishing dry, irritated and acne-prone skin when mixed with a carrier oil and used as a cream or ointment. It also may be used effectively for a refreshing treatment of calluses on your feet.

The orange promotes a feeling of happiness and warmth when used in aromatherapy. It helps in the elimination of toxins in the body and deals well with digestive problems. It helps in stimulating lymphatic action to promote balance in water processes and results in detoxification of your body.¹⁰

How to Make Orange Oil

The traditional method of extracting essential oil from citrus is known as expression or cold pressing. It is done by soaking the rind of the orange in warm water then pressing against the rind to absorb the essential oil.

The sponge will be then filled with the fluids extracted from the fruit. After that, the sponge will be pressed over a container to collect all the extraction and allow the separation of oil from the juice.¹¹

However, it must be noted that extracting oils through distillation is different from the cold pressing method. Though distillation is a common method of obtaining oils, it has a negative effect on citrus oils. The heat from the steam reduces the citral content of the fresh oil, causing the essential oil to lose its therapeutic quality.¹²

If you’re not familiar with the cold compress method, there is a homemade technique to extract the essential oil from orange:¹³

What You’ll Need

• Orange peels

• Glass jar or container with tight lid

• Vodka or undenatured ethyl alcohol

• Coffee filter or cheese cloth

• Paper towel or cheese cloth

Procedure:

1. Let the orange peels dry naturally in direct sunlight. It will take about two days, depending on the humidity.

2. Cut the orange peels into smaller pieces and place them inside the jar.

3. Pour the vodka or alcohol until the all the peels are covered.

4. Screw the lid of the container tightly and shake it for a couple of minutes.

5. The longer you shake and leave the peels to soak in the vodka, the more oil will be obtained from it.

6. Filter the orange peels by using the coffee filter or cheese cloth.

7. Cover the container with a paper towel or cheese cloth. Let the residue sit inside the container until the alcohol has evaporated and the essential oil has remained.

How Does Orange Oil Work?

Orange oil can be used in various ways. It can be used as massage oil on the different areas of the body.

A few drops of the oil can be added to a warm bath or body wash — but be careful to always use it with a carrier oil, as it can be irritating to the skin, as well as phototoxic, if you use it directly on your skin. If you do use it topically, be sure to stay out of the sun for at least 12 hours.¹⁴

It also works as a great room freshener — just mix it with water in a spray bottle and squirt it lightly into the air. The orange oil is effective when used in vapor therapy as it immensely helps in relieving tension and stress. The fragrant scent helps induce sleep in children, especially at night.

When added in creams or lotions, it stimulates the lymphatic system and helps detoxify your skin. It also serves well as a general skin tonic. The essential oil works great especially when blended with black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, frankincense, sandalwood and vetiver.

Is Orange Oil Safe?

The orange oil is normally safe when used. However, one should avoid sunlight after applying it as it may cause phototoxicity. When consumed in large amounts, orange oil may result in vomiting and nausea. If you are pregnant, epileptic or have other medical problems, I advise you to consult first with a professional aromatherapy practitioner before using it.

Side Effects of Orange Oil

When using the orange oil for therapeutic needs, please dilute it with a base oil or lotion. I don’t recommend using the essential oil in high concentrations as it may cause dermatitis or skin inflammation. Albeit orange oil has many health benefits, I still advise you to consult first with a medical professional before applying it.

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