Have you ever been to one of those expensive spas where they cover you in mud? Well, how about a little DIY? No – I’m not suggesting you should go outside with the garden hose and start rolling around in the backyard with your dog. Be a little more picky with your choice of soil. Please.

Auromere is an Ayurvedic, cruelty-free company that makes some awesome natural products. I tried their Ayurvedic Mud Bath recently. It comes in powder form and you can mix it with a little water and use as either a face and/or body mask (letting it dry before scrubbing off) or in place of soap (mix with water, scrub-a-dub, and rinse). It’s a bit messy in the tub – I’d recommend using it in the shower or as a facial mask.

This Ayurvedic recipe combines 12 herbs and 4 types of clay all noted for their purifying and rejuvenating effects on the skin. It’s also packed with skin-nourishing minerals. Naturally draws out toxins and impurities, exfoliates and nourishes the skin. Leaves skin silky soft and smooth.

Jen

Fruits are a treat by Mother Nature. They have a positive effect within our bodies when consumed as well as a nourishing effect on our skin when applied. A fruit facial mask is a simple, quick and inexpensive way of rejuvenating and hydrating your face. Besides being natural, homemade fruit facial masks are free from chemicals, perfumes, preservatives and other artificial supplements because you make them at home! Treat your skin with a moisturizing homemade fruit facial mask and protect your skin during the dry winter season.

Zesty Lemon Facial Mask

Lemon is rich in Vitamin C and is believed to be a naturally nourishing for our skin. Not only does it have the capacity of unclogging and tightening pores, lemon also helps in fading away age spots, freckles and acne scars leaving behind gorgeously soft and bright skin.

To Prepare: Mix together 2 tablespoons of flour, lemon juice and egg whites. Apply mixture to your freshly washed face. Leave the mask on for at least 20 minutes before washing it off with lukewarm water. Apply a moisturizer after washing off the mask.

Sweet Kiwi Facial Mask

Kiwi is rich in Vitamin A, E, C and citric acid making it helpful in the deep moisturizing of your skin and also increases your blood circulation. Kiwi also deep cleans your skin, washing off excessive oils and tightening pores. Nothing can be better than kiwi juice for your skin.

To Prepare: All you will need is 1 egg yolk, 1 tablespoon of kiwi juice and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Mix the ingredients well and apply the mask to your face. Leave the mask on your face for about 10 to 15 minutes before wiping it off with a damp washcloth.

Tangy Tangerine Facial Mask

Tangerine works well with treating dry and flaky skin. Containing potential ingredients such as vitamin C, B, folate, magnesium, beta-carotene and potassium, tangerine helps in rejuvenating and hydrating your skin.

To Prepare: Hydrating your skin with tangerine is very simple and inexpensive. You need tangerine juice and an egg yolk. Mix these ingredients well and apply evenly on your facial skin. Leave the mask on your skin for about 30 minutes before washing it off with cold water. Find your skin flawlessly hydrated skin once the mask is washed off.

Banana Rose Facial Mask

Banana is a fruit rich zinc, iron, magnesium, potassium vitamin A, B and E. Banana works best as an anti-aging agent.

To prepare: Mix together a mashed banana, two tablespoons of oat flour and one table spoon of rose water. Blend all the ingredients well and apply on your face and your neck. After about 15 to 20 minutes wipe off the mask with a damp washcloth and then wash off any remaining mask with lukewarm water.

Not only are homemade fruit facial masks rich in vitamins, they are also pure, chemical-free, inexpensive and effective. Have fun making them at home and let Mother Nature take care of your skin.

About The Author: Kate is a blogger by profession. She loves writing, shopping and traveling. Recently she used Wella Hair Color to give her hair a new look. These days she is busy writing an article on Casio Watches for her blog styleguru.com.

Spa de Soleil Review by Moxie, Staff Writer

I was excited to try two of the samples that were sent to My Beauty Bunny for review: Hydra Mar Facial Foaming Cleanser and Hydra Mar Eye Cream Anti-Aging.

Spa de Soleil is based in Los Angeles, California, and their Home Spa Collection launched in 2007 as a way to have all their products available to everyone, not just, as in the past, to spas, salons and high-end beauty retailers. Spa De Soleil has a great interest in the fight against environmental stress, and the affects it has on skin-aging.

The first product, Hydra Mar Facial Foaming Cleanser Anti-aging, contains minerals from the dead sea, and comes packaged in a 6 oz. flip top packaging, which I liked. I didn’t have any trouble getting just the amount I needed out of the tube.

Easy to use! Apply a small amount to dry skin with fingertips, massage into skin using circular motion and add water to fingertips. Work through again. Rinse well with lukewarm water and pat dry. I only used this at night, as it is recommended.

This Anti-Aging Formula is advertised as an “intensive deep pore cleanser that does not dry the skin.” I totally agree. I found that this Leaping-Bunny Certified, hypoallergenic, cleanser was extremely gentle to my skin. It was really put to the test, as I live in the Boston, MA area. I began testing this in the fall, and as the weather changed to, literally, freezing temperatures in December, my skin stayed very soft. Excellent product, and highly recommended.

The next product I tested was the Hydra Mar Eye Cream Anti-aging. This comes packaged in a 2 oz. jar, and that’s the only aspect of the product that I, personally, did not like. I’m not a fan of sticking my fingers into jars. However, that has nothing to do with the quality of the Eye Cream, which I loved. I found the mineral-enriched formula to be extremely soothing. The cream uses natural ingredients to help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. It was very cooling, and, used twice daily after cleansing, would help to reduce any morning puffiness you may experience. It is also a great base before applying any makeup underneath your eyes as it’s extremely moisturizing.

The anti-aging eye cream is for all skin types, and I had no issues using it. Highly recommend.

Moxie

Guest post by Courtney Leiva

Now that the holiday season of over eating and overindulgence is finally over, you are probably starting to see the effects those holiday cookies and that extra glass of champagne have had on your skin. However, if you are looking to beat the post-holiday acne blues, investing in an effective cleanser just might be your perfect beauty New Year’s resolution.

Vegan, organic, and always cruelty free, Suki Face’s Creamy Foaming Cleanser is a perfect addition to your skincare regimen as it is rich in antioxidants and is enriched with other natural ingredients such as acai and jojoba oils. Before buying a full sized bottle, I recommend purchasing a small travel size version at your local Whole Foods store for an unbeatable price of $9.

After all those holiday parties, my skin deserved a much needed break, so I couldn’t turn this one down. Although the travel size isn’t very large, one pump of cleanser goes a very long way. After two days of use, my skin felt much cleaner and the acne impurities that I was trying to draw out finally came out on surface level.

Although this cleanser is great for a skin-deep clean feel, it might leave your skin a little dry especially in the winter months. Be sure to pair this product with a good moisturizer and you should be good to go. However, if you are looking to draw out impurities, fight free radicals, and have clearer and more manageable skin; this is definitely a New Year beauty purchase worth making.

Courtney

Guest post by Courtney Leiva – An aspiring beauty journalist, Courtney grew up idolizing beauty icons like Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly. She has been featured in a wide variety of online magazines and newspapers such as Patch.com,  Love Twenty, Feather Magazine, Super Glam News, Jersey Girls Magazine, and How to Be a Redhead.com. She has also recently been named the Beauty Editor on LoveTwenty.com. When she’s not writing, she is a proud vegetarian, animal lover, and a die-hard beauty enthusiast! Check out her pet site HelpingPawsNJ or connect with her on Twitter @CourtneyLeiva.

Healthy skin really does start from within. Whether you’re a super healthy eater or a junk food junkie, if your body doesn’t get the vitamins and minerals it needs, your skin will show it. I recently tried SKINamins by Cosmedix from DermStore.com. SKINamins claim to increase blood circulation, prevent blotches, fight against free radicals and promote healthy skin renewal.

I noticed improved skin texture and fewer breakouts while I was using the product (for one month), but my skin got angry and started breaking out when I stopped using it. Having worked at a health food store while in high school and college, and being a supplement junkie, I can tell you that the ingredients here are good – not just for your skin but also for hair, nails and overall health. (Zinc is my number one recommended supplement for breakouts.)

Just be careful that you’re not overdoing it – check your other multivitamins and supplements to be sure you’re balanced (for example, taking too much zinc can lower your absorption – and increase your need for – copper, which can affect your immune system). Some of the herbs included are diuretics that help your kidneys to eliminate toxins, but may increase your need to drink water (which you should be doing anyway).

Supplement Facts: Vitamin A 10,000 Iu, Biotin 300 Mcg, Vitamin C 100 Mg, Vitamin E 50 Iu, Selenium 100 Mcg, Vitamin B1 12 Mg, Vitamin B2 20 Mg, Vitamin B6 14 Mg, Vitamin B12 60 Mcg, Niacinamide 30 Mg, Folic Acid 400 Mcg, Zinc 30 Mg, CoEnzyme Q10 5 Mg, Green Tea Extract 50% Polyphenols 50 Mg, White Tea Extract 40% Polyphenols 50 Mg, Horsetail Extract 7% Silica 170 Mg, Alpha Lipoic Acid 50 Mg, Grape Seed Extract 95% Proanthocyanidins 10 Mg.

Proprietary Blend (318 Mg): Burdock (Root), Bamboo Gum (Bambusa Vulgaris) (Stem), Alfalfa Juice Powder, Kelp, Witch Hazel, Ginger (Root), Carrot Juice Powder, Ionic Mineral Extract (Plant), Foti, Rose Hips, Wild Cherry, Aloe 200:1 Extract, Marigold, Dandelion (Root).

DermStore has a PETA certified cruelty free section! Just click on the drop down menu called “Types of Products” and then choose “PETA” to see the list of brands and products.

SKINamins are $24 for 60 capsules (a one month supply) at DermStore.com. NOTE: the capsules are made from gelatin, so not veg or vegan friendly.

Jen