EXFOLIATING COFFEE & ACTIVATED CHARCOAL FACE MASK DIY

Since I am already a huge fan of activated charcoal and all its detoxifying benefits, I thought I’d share one of my favorite ways to use it with you, in a face mask! Both my boyfriend (that’s right, this charcoal face mask works for men too) and I use this mask to get all the guck off our faces that build up both in our pores and on the surface of our skin throughout the week. The addition of coffee and coconut to this charcoal face mask DIY also adds a smell to the mix that awakens the sense and leaves your skin hydrated. Sounds pretty good, right?! If you are curious as to how to make this charcoal face mask DIY at home too, keep reading!

COFFEE AND ACTIVATED CHARCOAL FACE MASK BENEFITS

This all-natural face mask exfoliates, hydrates, and purifies your skin leaving it soft, smooth, and fresh. Activated Charcoal pulls impurities and toxins out of the skin while coffee grinds exfoliate dead skin cells away and coconut oil moisturizes. I recommend leaving this activated charcoal face mask DIY on for about 10-15 minutes before exfoliating and washing it off gently with warm water. For glowing skin, follow with vitamin C serums and your favorite moisturizer! ♥

* Please Note - Some links in this post may be affiliate links *

SHOPPING LIST:

Small Containers - I used 4 oz Glass Jam Jars  
2.5 oz Organic Coffee Grinds (fine) - per jars you want to end up with so (2.5 x # of jars = how much you will need)
1.5 oz Coconut Oil***- per jars you want to end up with
Activated Charcoal - I got capsuled ones and removed the charcoal from the capsules, 1-2 for each 4oz jar
 

*** If you have a problem getting the coconut oil out of the container like I did I recommend using a technique called "sous-vide".  Please note that the container has to be made of glass to do this. To do this, placing the glass jar of coconut oil in a bath of water and heat the water up slowly in order to melt the coconut oil. Use a cloth when removing the glass jar from the bath as it will be hot. Pictures included below!

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DIRECTIONS:

Wash and dry your jars fully

Place the coffee grinds in the food processor (you may have to do this in parts!) , add in your coconut oil and activated charcoal. Blend until well mixed well together.

If you did this in parts transfer food processor contents to a large bowl and repeat coffee, coconut oil, and charcoal mixture until everything is done. Mix large bowl contents together one last time with a whisk. The mask should look black and have a thick grainy consistency!

Scoop out and fill jars! 

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I hope you had as much fun making this easy charcoal face mask DIY as I did! Please let me know your comments below or if you have any special requests!!!!! I would love to hear from you ♥ ♥ ♥

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BRIGHTENING TURMERIC FACE MASK - BENEFITS OF TURMERIC FOR SKIN

I have been trying to find ways to pass the time while in self-isolation and recently came across an amazing brightening face mask with turmeric that I wanted to share with all of you.

TURMERIC BENEFITS FOR SKIN

Turmeric is one of those magical ingredients that can do just about everything! It has spectacular antibacterial properties which are great for anyone who suffers from acne. It also is full of antioxidants which slows down cell damage from aging. It is an anti-inflammatory which means it will help reduce redness and any skin irritation, and lastly, it also makes for a great exfoliate! That is why I wanted to share this face mask with turmeric you so you can take advantage of all the amazing benefits of turmeric for skin right at home!

BEFORE YOU TRY THIS MASK OUT, I just want to warn you that TURMERIC DOES STAIN so be careful not to get it on anything you really care about and make sure to wipe your counter clean quickly to avoid any permanent markings. Also, when you go to remove the mask, I recommend using a dark towel or paper towel with some warm water and a cleanser to help it along.

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INGREDIENTS:

1 Tsp of Turmeric
1 Tsp of Honey
1 Tbsp of Yogurt

DIRECTIONS:

- Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well blended.
- Apply to a clean face and let it sit for 10 minutes before washing it off in a circular exfoliating motion with warm water (you can use a paper towel to help assist with the removal).
- If you need more help you can use a cleanser.
- Follow the removal of the mask with a moisturizer to finish off the treatment.

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I have been trying to find ways to pass the time while in self-isolation and recently came across an amazing brightening turmeric face mask that I wanted to share with all of you. Turmeric is one of those magical ingredients that can do just about everything! It has spectacular antibacterial properties which are great for anyone who suffers from acne. It also is full of antioxidants which slows down cell damage from aging. It is an anti-inflammatory which means it will help reduce redness and any skin irritation, and lastly, it also makes for a great exfoliant! Before you try this mask out thought I just want to warn you that TURMERIC DOES STAIN so be careful not to get it on anything you really care about and make sure to wipe your counter clean quickly to avoid any permanent markings. Also, when you go to remove the mask, I recommend using a paper towel and a cleanser to help it along. INGREDIENTS: 1 Tsp of Turmeric 1 Tsp of Honey 1 Tbsp of Yogurt DIRECTIONS: -Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well blended. -Apply to a clean face and let it sit for 10 minutes before washing it off in a circular exfoliating motion with warm water (you can use a paper towel to help assist with the removal). -If you need more help you can use a cleanser. -Follow the removal of the mask with a moisturizer to finish off the treatment. I hope you enjoyed this little at home spa treatment! If you have any questions feel free to leave them in the comments below! - Soheila : #homesweethome #canadiangirl #selfcare #turmeric #facemask #distillerydistrict #torontoblogger #torontolifestyle #facial #selflove #selflovemovement #torontolife #torontobloggers #facialtreatment #stayathome #wellness #diyskincare #facialtreatment #athomefacials

A post shared by SOHEILA HAKIMI | LIFE + TRAVEL (@isthatsoh) on Apr 9, 2020 at 3:51pm PDT

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I hope you enjoyed learning about turmeric benefits for skin and doing this little at-home spa face mask with turmeric! If you have any questions about turmeric for the skin or this face mask with turmeric feel free to leave them in the comments below!

- Soheila

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PURE + SIMPLE - SPA REVIEW

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Pure + Simple - Eglinton Location (2375 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4P 2C8) Tel: 416.481.2081

Pure + Simple is an all-natural skincare and wellness spa that was recommended to me by a fellow blogger and friend MoVernie on the MOVE. Although I have never been to Pure + Simple before it seems to be a very well known spa and many peoples hidden secret - and now I know why, but the secret is OUT!

Pure + Simple has been helping people achieve beautiful and natural skin since the 2000s’. The owner Jean Eng battled with severe acne almost her whole life and once she started to see her daughter going through the same battle, she decided to do something about it. In the past, harsh ointments and antibiotics prescribed by esthetician and dermatologists left her skin with scares and redness and she knew her daughter and many others were destined for the same fate – but not if she could help it.

Jean went to school to learn about skincare, first as a curiosity, but was soon inspired to open her own natural spa concept and design a line of holistic, chemical free products now known as the beloved Pure + Simple.

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One thing that I love about Pure + Simple is that KNOWLEDGE IS POWER! Every single esthetician is there to help you achieve your skin goals.  On top of their exceptional services they also offer a variety of products – all holistic – from numerous brands, not just their own. The company and the people that work there all share common core values: natural safe skincare always, sustainable business practices and the notion to treat each client as an individual with their own special problems and needs. 

Pure + Simple aims to maximize the experience and comfort of their clients – and they deliver! Through choosing all-natural skincare products they provide some of the best products out there without compromising on services or results. If you are trying to live a healthy lifestyle, are battling with acne or are pregnant you should consider treating yourself to a Pure + Simple facial.

When I went in for my facial last week my lovely esthetician Caitlin shared a multitude of eye opening skincare tips that I had never heard before. As I said before at Pure + Simple knowledge is power which is why they take the time to explain simple skincare tips to help you achieve your skincare goals.

Now I am going to share those tips with you!

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Pure + Simple products recommended to me by my esthetician Caitlin

1) Hydration is good BUT – just because you drink 8 glasses of water doesn’t mean you are going to have beautifully hydrated skin. As a matter of fact, your skin is the last organ on your body to benefit from how much water you drink. That doesn’t mean you should stop drinking water it just means that topical creams that are water-based hydrate your skin directly and are more effective at producing beautifully hydrated skin.

2) Always go from THINNEST TO THICKEST – after cleansing your face before you apply your creams, remember to always apply the thinnest cream to the thickest cream.

3) AVOID THE EYES – face cream and eye creams are two different things. Eye creams are deliberately developed to prevent Milia – white small bumps on the eyelid caused by keratin buildup. Do not worry these small bumps are not dangerous and are not like pimples because there is no pore. They can however be easily removed and Pure + Simple can help you with that.

4) Don’t BOX yourself in – everyone has a different skincare footprint/needs. The majority of people do not fall into one skincare category but actually multiple. There may be areas of oiliness but other areas may be red and in need of hydration. Your skincare regime should reflect your personal needs.

5) Your body produces oils NOT water – when picking the proper skincare products examine weather your skin is red or inflamed. Water based products will help sooth and hydrate your skin. That does not mean oil based products wont, it just means your skincare needs are personal and therefore your products and skincare regime should be personalized to.

6) Do you ingest CHEMICALS? – Then why would you put them on your skin? Anything we put on our skin is absorbed into our bodies’ circulatory system, meaning it can directly contribute or detract our overall health. That is why skincare products that have safe and natural ingredients are essential. Avoid parabens, petrochemicals, silicones, phthalates, sulfates, or synthetic fragrances + dyes.

7) Serums? What are they? – serums, by definition, are skincare products you can apply to your skin after cleansing but before moisturizing with the intent of delivering powerful ingredients directly into the skin. Although serums are suppose to be water based (and therefore more absorbent) there are many serums out there that are oil based.

Today Pure + Simple has 4 locations (one in Waterloo) with one more on the way (Beaches - coming soon).  On top of having 4 brick and mortar locations they also have all their products available online for purchase on the Pure + Simple website. If you feel like coming into a store to ‘try before you buy’ (which I recommend for any first timers) the staff at Pure + Simple will gladly offer you free samples and a free skincare analysis. If natural makeup products are what you are after they can help color match product for you. If you are looking to change your lifestyle and try some natural products and services I definitely recommend Pure + Simple.  I know I’ll be going back soon.

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Couldn't leave without picking up some stocking stuffers!

To learn more about Pure + Simple or to book your next appointment check out their website -> HERE

If you have any questions please feel free to leave them in the comments below!

VALENTINES DAY HOMEMADE BEAUTY PRODUCT GIFT SET

I made this beauty product as part of my homemade Valentines Day gift set. As a girl and maybe a bit of a romantic I always felt a little FOMO (fear of missing out) when it came to Valentines Day. A couple years ago and probably as I was devouring an entire box of heart shaped chocolates,  single me decided to start a little tradition of giving homemade (and inexpensive) beauty products to my friends as a way of showing my love. Who said Valentines Day can only be shared between couples? its not an exclusive club and I want in!!! Every year I change the products and this year I decided to share them with you. I'm going to be listing the products below along with creating separate posts for each recipe so you can make them too. These products are also a great idea if you are looking for gifts to give away to people who are attending baby showers and bridal showers as a thank you.

This year the products were:

Rosehip Hibiscus Tea Bath Salts - smells so good and is great to sooth sore muscles

Rose Petal Sugar Scrub - exfolates your dry skin leaving it soft, smooth and full of moisture

Organic Coffee and Activated Charcoal Face Mask and Exfoliant - purifies and cleans pours pulling toxins out of the skin and leaving the skin feeling hydrated, smooth and fresh.

If you are interested in making these products yourself check out my DIY page for the recipes! I hope you had as much fun making these and giving them away as I did! Please let me know your comments below or if you have any request!!!!! Id love to hear from you ♥ ♥ ♥