IT’S HERE!!! IT’S HERE!!! The first of 5, Q & A’s with Mary!

I’m gonna be right up front with y’all. Even though I am doing only hair and brows, at my salon, I have worked with skin issues for many a year. It’s one of my favorite things to do. Having the privilege of controlling, and in some cases, correcting, angry skin, is so rewarding! So, this edition is going to address a skin question. The request actually surprised me a bit, because I am a dyed in the wool, professional product only, kinda gal. But, here we go…

QUESTION #1: Know any good DIY masks for my face?

ANSWER #1: I don’t normally do the DIY when it comes to skin care (most of them tend to go bad if they aren’t used within a couple of days), but, since I am here to serve YOU…Yep! I do. And, since it’s my favorite time of the year, let’s take a look at…

PUMPKINS! They are the king of autumn produce, and it just so happens they are loaded with vitamins A, C, and E (all known to fight wrinkles. Wowsa!) plus heaps of beta-carotene, zinc, potassium, and antioxidants, which can help eliminate redness. Truth be told, that’s probably why we all love pumpkin pie. It gives us that satisfied, happy, calming feeling.

This facial is so refreshing, but expect a bit of a tingle, just the tiniest bit, when you first apply it. Your complexion will be fresh and glowing once you’re done. The concoction smells pretty darn good, too, and it’s entirely edible, so you know it’s good for your skin. As an added bonus, the mask is incredibly easy to make, and you probably already have the ingredients in your kitchen right now! 

Ready for this? Alrighty, then…

INGREDIENTS: (Yields one facial mask)

• 2 Tbsp organic canned pumpkin puree or 1 small pumpkin

• 1/2 tsp organic honey (A local raw honey is best, in my opinion)

• 1/2 tsp milk (I prefer whole milk, verses skim). You can also substitute soy or almond, if you are anti whole milk.

DIRECTIONS:

1: Start with clean skin. Remove all makeup and wash your face with your regular cleanser. NO TONER, PLEASE!!!

2: Combine pumpkin puree, honey, and milk in a small bowl and mix well. If using a fresh pumpkin (or leftovers from a carved jack-o-lantern), scrape the insides and remove the seeds. Beat the gooey insides to a creamy pulp and mix with honey and milk.

3: Apply the mask using your fingers or a medium-sized makeup brush; avoid getting the mixture too close to the eyes. You can also apply to the neck and décolletage, but you’ll probably need to double the ingredients.

4: Allow the mask to set for about 20 minutes.

5: Gently wash off the mask with a warm, damp washcloth (no soap, please) and follow with a moisturizer.

P.S. Milk is a powerhouse of vitamins for good skin including vitamin A. It not only cleanses skin of excess oils and dirt which clog pores to form acne but also contains lactic acid, which fights off microbes that are responsible for it. Because milk is rich in lactic acid, a type of alpha hydroxy acid that helps break down dead cells, it enables skin to regenerate quickly, helping to heal dry, withered skin.

P.P.S. Pumpkin is packed with fruit enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), which increase cell turnover, to brighten and smooth the skin. Pumpkin contains antioxidant Vitamin A and Vitamin C (as noted above) to help soften and soothe the skin and boost collagen production to prevent the signs of aging.

Next question?