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The Beauty of Honey. Hollywood has the buzz on beauty and it's honey. From skin care to hair care, some of the world's most notorious beauties used honey. Cleopatra, ritualistically bathed in milk and honey; and Queen Anne of England kept her legendary mane lustrous and strong with a mixture of honey and oils. Today, several Hollywood trendsetters use honey as part of their regular beauty treatments.
Why Honey? Honey is nature's moisturizer. It is a humectant, which means it helps to attract and retain moisture. Honey also acts as an anti-irritant, making it suitable for sensitive skin. Many of today's manufactured beauty products, such as creams, cleansers and shampoos use honey.
Homemade Beauty. It doesn't take a celebrity-sized salary to get glowing skin. Save money and create spa-like, honey-based beauty products at home. Because honey contains naturally occurring enzymes, vitamins and minerals, 100% pure honey is best for skin. Be sure to look at the label to ensure your honey is all natural.
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LAVENDER HONEY MILK BATH
3 tablespoons dried lavender flowers*
1-1/2 cups whole milk, cream or combination
1/3 cup ALFALFA honey
Process lavender flowers in a blender until they become a powder, turning off the blender and scraping down the sides as necessary. Whisk together lavender powder, milk and honey in a glass bow, then pour into a jar. Before each use, shake the jar and pour half of the mixture into the bath. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Makes enough for 2 baths.
* Dried lavender flowers can be found in the spice section of gourmet and specialty stores.
(Alfalfa honey is light and less fragrant allowing the relaxing scent of the lavendar to come through)
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SWEETHEARTS' CHOCOLATE HONEY SCRUB
6 Tbsp. unsweetened chocolate, grated (Can be substituted with dry cocoa powder.)
2 cups WILDFLOWER honey
2 cups kosher salt
1/2 cup grapeseed oil
In rubber mixing bowl, combine wildflower honey and grapeseed oil. Stir in chocolate and salt mixing completely. Consistency should be grainy and thick. Apply scrub to skin and gently massage all over the body. Remove with warm damp towels or rinse in shower.
Makes 2 treatments.
(Wildflower honey is perfectly suited for this dark, rich scrub since it's one of our darkest honeys)
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CUCUMBER-HONEY TONER
1 medium cucumber, peeled and cut into pieces
2 teaspoons ALFALFA honey
Puree cucumber in a blender. Line a sieve with cheesecloth and set the sieve over a glass bowl or measuring cup. Pour the cucumber puree through the sieve and let it stand for 15 minutes for the juices to drip into the bowl. Pour the clear juice into a clean bottle and add eucalyptus honey.
To use, shake the bottle and saturate a cotton pad with the lotion. Sweep over face, neck and chest morning and night, and let it air dry (about 3 to 4 minutes). Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Makes about 1/2 cup.
(Delicate Alfalfa honey is a great compliment to the soothing scent of cucumber)
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HONEY-ALMOND SCRUB
8 whole unblanched almonds
2 tablespoons rolled oats, uncooked
1 tablespoon ORANGE BLOSSOM honey
2 teaspoons yogurt, sour cream or lightly beaten egg white
Process almonds and oats in a blender until they are finely ground. In a small bowl, mix ground almonds and oats, orange blossom honey and yogurt until blended. Pat scrub on face and neck; leave it on for up to 10 minutes for extra softening. Wet your hands and massage gently to exfoliate. Rinse off.
Makes enough for 1 scrub.
(Orange Blossom honey will add a hint of citrus to this all natural exfoliating scrub)
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HONEY-KISSED LIP BALM
1 cup sweet almond oil*
1/2 cup beeswax**
2 tablespoons EUCALYPTUS honey
Place almond oil and beeswax in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute or until mixture melts. Whisk honey into beeswax mixture; stir well. Set aside to cool completely. When cool, pour into small containers with lids. Apply to lips as a moisturizer or on top of lipstick for extra shine.
Makes about 1-1/2 cups.
*Sweet almond oil can be found at natural food stores.
**Beeswax can be purchased at craft and beekeeping stores, or at our Dutch Gold Honey facility.
(Eucalyptus honey is a great choice for lip balm
since real eucalyptus is used is many commercial lip products)
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ALOHA HONEY HAWAIIAN FACIAL
2 tablespoons green tea
1/2 ripe papaya (mango may be substituted)
1/2 cup fresh pineapple, diced
2 tablespoons GOLDEN honey
Steep green tea in boiling water. Set aside to cool. Peel papaya wedge and remove seeds. In blender or food processor, blend papaya and pineapple until pureed. Pour into glass bowl and combine eucalyptus honey and green tea. Mix well. Apply to face with fan brush or finger tips. Recline and rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove completely with tepid water and soft facial cloth. Store in covered container in refrigerator for up to one week.
Makes 2 treatments.
(Golden honey combines well with these golden fruits to create a fresh, invigorating facial)
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FOAMING VANILLA HONEY BATH
1 cup sweet almond oil (light olive or sesame oil may be substituted)
1/2 cup TUPELO honey
1/2 cup unscented liquid soap
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Measure the oil into a medium bowl, then carefully stir in remaining ingredients until mixture is fully blended. Pour into a clean plastic bottle with a tight-fitting stopper or lid. Shake gently before using.
Swirl desired amount into the bathtub under running water - then step in and descend into a warm, silky escape.
Makes 4 baths.
(Tupelo pairs well with a foaming honey bath and will never crystallize between uses)
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HONEY HAIR CONDITIONER
1/2 cup BLUEBERRY honey
1/4 cup olive oil, use 2 tablespoons for normal hair
Mix blueberry honey and olive oil. Work a small amount at a time through hair until coated. Cover hair with shower cap; leave on 30 minutes; remove shower cap; shampoo well and rinse. Dry as normal.
Makes 1 treatment.
(The sweet and earthy components of Blueberry honey are perfect for silky, shiny hair)
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HARVEST PUMPKIN EXFOLIATING MASK
1 teaspoon green tea, brewed
2 teaspoons pineapple, diced
4 tablespoons WILDFLOWER honey
2 teaspoons aloe vera gel
1/2 teaspoon sunflower oil (olive or canola oil may be substituted)
4 teaspoons cornmeal
6 drops frankincense essential oil (optional)
4 drops cinnamon extract (optional)
Steep green tea in boiling water. Set aside to cool. In blender or food processor puree pineapple and place in medium-sized mixing bowl. Add pumpkin, eucalyptus honey and aloe. Mix well. Stir in sunflower oil, green tea and cornmeal. Reserve remaining green tea for another use. Add frankincense and cinnamon. Stir. Apply small amount of pumpkin mask to cheeks, forehead, chin and neck. Massage in circular motions gently buffing skin. Repeat. Apply more product as needed. Leave a thing layer of pumpkin mask on face and neck for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse with tepid or cool water and pat dry with soft towel. Follow with appropriate moisturizer. Store remaining mask covered in refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Makes 4 treatments.
(The boldness of Wildflower honey is a perfect compliment for a Fall inpsired facial to help your skin prepare for colder climates)
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~ All recipes and photos provided by the National Honey Board ~ |
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