Non-Toxic DIY Drain Cleaner!

Ever use those drain cleaners that aren't supposed to touch your skin?

Or they burn your nose with a level of intensity that it makes your eyes water?

I have too.

They work well but they're not exactly family friendly...

With my first baby on the way I'm happy to find new ways to clean and not worry if any harm is being done to me or my unborn child. Not to mention after the baby is born and begins to grow and explore.

Here's a cheap non-toxic DIY drain cleaner I JUST learned about and it seems to work really well!

Baking soda & white vinegar.

(Your non-toxic DIY drain cleaner system!)

Seriously. That's it!

Here's what you do:

1. Sprinkle a healthy amount of baking soda down the desired drain or drains.

2. Pour your white vinegar down and listen for the "fizz" effect.

3. Quickly block the drain and let set for 30 min.

4. Run hot, hot water for 30 seconds down drain after plug has been removed.

5. And you're finished! Should be done weekly :)

Simple, easy and it doesn't hurt your skin or your nose.

(Unless you have an allergy to either. Then use gloves.)

Have a great day!

Shannon <3

DIY Coconut Oil Hair Treatment!

Greetings!!

I was thinking over some things I've tried for my hair that worked and were really easy and the coconut oil is my latest. Now yes it's oil and people can be leery of it but it needs to be seen as more of a friend vs foe. It's all about learning what type is best for you, problem solved. 

Aside from finding one for your skin type there is a super easy thing you can do for your hair as an overnight treatment. This is amazing for people who color their hair or have REALLY dry hair and need a boost of protection. 

Coconut oil is insanely hydrating and brings life back to your hair, esp after a color job.
i.e.
I let my sister play around with Manic Panic bleach and color on the most under layer of my hair for this cool peek-a-boo look. Yeah, their bleach is crap but we had fun. :)

(Not me, but you get the idea of what bleach does... Strips the hair!)

My sister told me to do an over night treatment on the bleached portion before we added color so I wouldn't end up with fried hair. Smart sister! (She's also one who does research on the whole hair side of things like I do skin ;) So I took her advice and decided to try the coconut oil...

The list of uses for this remarkable product is so vast I won't bother to keep you here prattling them off!
Just know, if you get an unbleached, organic brand from Whole Foods you should be safe.
I bought their store brand for my first try and so far so good.

What you'll need:

A head wrap or towel to protect your bedding/pillow

Clean spoon

pony tail holder and bobby pins

Coconut Oil

After your day has ended and you've washed your face, you are probably ready to call it a night...
This will only take a moment I promise!

1. Get your coconut oil and a clean spoon from the kitchen

2. Once in the bathroom and if desired a towel on your shoulders, scoop out enough to fit in the palm of your hand, but not so much you can rub your hands together w/out loosing half of it.
(You don't want a TON in your hair!)

3. Start working your way through your hair and avoid going directly to the skin, you don't want an oily face when waking up.

4. Use a pony tail holder to place hair on top of your head overnight.
(And bobby pins if you small strays with a layered haircut)

5. Place towel on pillow and go to sleep!

6. Shampoo as normal the next day.
(I usually lather-rinse-repeat. And used a liiiiittle conditioner on my ends out of sheer habit haha)

7. Try to see if you can go a day or two with shampooing as to let this treatment fully indulge your lovely locks! (I usually try to stay away from styling products for this so I don't have to wash my hair...)

(Add this list of foods to your diet for an extra "pow!" in your daily hair care routine...)

This saved my hair after that bleach and once again became super soft and manageable!

Enjoy,
Shannon <3

Please come visit me on my facebook page and click "Like" to follow more tips and tricks for skin, body and all over health at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shannon-P-Aesthetician-Professional-Makeup-Artist/135714456464011

Thanks!

Deeper Nightly DIY Facial Cleanse!!

Good Morning!

I'm feeling really disconnected from my goofy pregnancy congestion this morning so if this sounds fuzzy, please forgive. ;)

I've been toying around with a better/deeper nightly facial cleanse since I've gotten pregnant and want to help this pregnancy acne clear up faster than what it was when it first kicked in. And this is not just for acne, it's for a cleaner face at night in general.

Doing some research and crossing my fingers I've tried various methods...

Some made me feel sick due to smell or made my skin irritated due to hormones being kinda crazy. After trial and error I think I'm finally onto something great!

Taking various ideas off youtube, trusted websites and my own personal experiences I've come up with  a satisfying nightly routine that I won't likely be changing any time soon.

During the day our skin is reacting to our hormones, stress levels, environment, makeup, food, water/liquid intake etc. All of this is on out skin at the end of the day. Kinda gross huh? 

Chances are we aren't getting it all off at night like we thought.

Double the yuck. 

Even the best cleanser can leave residue behind, sad to say.

But that doesn't make it an evil product!

Not by a long shot.

It just might need a little help at the end of the day...

What you'll need:

Cold pressed, extra virgin olive oil

Dickinson's witch hazel

A small plastic or glass bottle w/lid

Cotton balls or cotton rounds

Your cleanser

Sea Breeze astringent (or favorite toner)

1. Mix equal parts of your olive oil and witch hazel in your little bottle.

Shake well before each use and store in a cool place.

(The finished product will look like a childhood science experiment :)

2. Squirt out onto cotton ball/round and apply to face.

Using upward and outward motion this will start to melt the makeup and gunk right off your face!

You will most likely go through several cotton balls but it's worth it.

**Yes, it's safe to use on eye makeup. 

3. After this step you may feel oily which is okay because you'll be taking some witch hazel alone on a cotton ball and going back over your face to clean up anything extra. This acts as a cooling effect and feels wonderful after a long day!

4. Get your cleanser and cleanse as usual. Circular motions up and out, rinsing with warm water.

(Never hot!) 

5. Pat your face dry and grab another cotton ball.

Apply your favorite toner, some more witch hazel or my personal choice, Sea Breeze astringent.

This will show if any residue was left behind and really set the pores up for a good night's rest!

6. Apply any serums or cremes and get ready for bed.

You're done!

Yes, there are 6 steps but after you have everything you need and you do it a couple times it goes by quickly. I actually spend less time getting ready for bed now because of this.

My skin feels cleaner, it's brighter, clearer (from my pregnancy breakouts), and less oily come morning!

** Not every skin type can use an astringent every day. So plan accordingly. 

This is truly the best night care system I've had yet!!

Enjoy.

Blessings,

Shannon <3