Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Gourmand Indulgence..DIY Tips & Tricks!!

I bet you're thinking this post is all about chocolates, candies & such.. You're right..Well, Kinda! This post is dedicated to indulging your sweet tooth..through your Body!!! Confused? Read On!

I'm one of those girls who loves her chocolates..and strawberries..and cherries..and berries coated in chocolate...Alright, time to get a hold of my cravings..Girls, i've got the most delicious, easy-to-make recipes to pamper yourself(Yayy!).. And without adding an inch.(Double Yayyy)...So DIG IN!!!

         Stressed spelled backwards is desserts.  Coincidence?  I think not! 



For us girls who have to manage work and personal life and look good at the same time, It's time to say goodbye to stress and lose yourselves to the deliciousness of chocolates and berries and spices- head to toe!


                    "Anything is good if it's made of chocolate"  -Jo Brand


10 Sinfully Indulgent Recipes for the Mind &Body

Chocolate Face Masque:


For this chocolate masque, Raid the kitchen & collect these:

  • 2 bars of Dark Chocolate
  • 2/3 cup of Milk
  • Sea Salt
  • 3 Tbsp Brown Sugar



Once you have your loot, here's how you do it:

  • Heat dark chocolate in a double boiler for about 3 minutes
  • Mix sea salt, brown sugar, and 2/3 of a cup milk in a bowl
  • Remove melted chocolate from heat & mix with the salt/milk mixture
  • Allow to cool
  • Apply to face while cool but not hardened
  • Leave on until it hardens
  • Wash off with warm water
  • Moisturize when done


My favorite Chocolate Strawberry Face Masque:

There's nothing better than a homemade strawberry chocolate facial mask to help nourish and rejuvenate the skin while you relax. Between the anti-oxidants in the chocolate & the Vit C in the berries..and the mouthwatering fragrance, there's little not to like about this one..except maybe that you can't eat it :)
  
GRAB: 1 cup of fine Cocoa Powder, 1/4 cup of blended Strawberries, 1 tablespoon Honey & 1 teaspoon of melted Coconut Oil.

WHISK: Put all the above in a mixing bowl & whisk till you get a thick deep chocolaty brown looking facial mask that is smooth and creamy and has the lovely  scent of chocolate strawberries.(YUM!!)
APPLY: Apply onto clean face, Wash off with warm water after 15 minutes..And,Hello!Gorgeous!!

 


Chococino Face Mask:

   
Get the Raw materials: 
  • 4 Tbsp. finely ground espresso or coffee bean (instant coffee will do)
  • 4 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder  
  • 8 Tbsp. dairy product. Choose whole milk, heavy cream, yogurt (must be unflavored!), almond milk or coconut milk. You can use olive or almond oil as well(but half the quantity)
  • 2 Tbsp. honey (for dry skin) or lemon juice (for oily skin)   
And Do What?
  • Mix coffee and cocoa powder in a bowl
  • Add your choice of dairy product & stir till you get a smooth paste
  • Stir in the honey/Lemon juice
  • Apply the paste to clean face and neck-Let it dry
  • Once dry, loosen it with a wet washcloth & wash off with warm water

 

Coffee Scrub:

All you need-

  • 4 tbsp. Coffee
  • 2 tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 4 tbsp. Sugar
  • Peppermint Oil (pure essential oil)
  • Lemon Juice if you don't have peppermint oil
 Get Going-

  • Combine coffee, sugar and the olive oil in a small bowl till the ingredients are completely blended. Add 2 drops of peppermint oil/ lemon juice to the mixture and store in a closed container.
  • Best used in a warm shower.

 

Chocolate Vanilla Lip Scrub:

i was totally in love with the bubblegum lip scrub available at LUSH Cosmetics(My favorite) but it's so expensive that i thought of making my own version of the same.. and Surprise Surprise!! It's almost as good..if not better :)

You Need:
  • Brown Sugar
  • Cocoa Powder
  • Vanilla essence
  • Honey
  • Almond Oil(Optional)
And..Action:
  • Mix Sugar and Cocoa powder in equal amounts
  • Add few drops of vanilla essence to the mixture
  • Add a drop of Honey for it's "humectant" properties
  • Store in a closed container (Under Refrigeration)
  • Use whenever your lips are in need of TLC (Tender Loving Care)


Rosemary & Cranberry Body Polish:

1/2 Cup Sea Salt  
6 drops Pure Essential Rosemary Oil
18 drops of Pure Essential Cranberry Oil
4 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil  

Whisk everything together in a stainless steel bowl. Store in a cool dry place in a closed container. Use in the shower.. When you're feeling indulgent :)

 

Strawberry & Rose Body Polish:

I have been the biggest fan of the Body Shop's Strawberry body polish since the longest time.. So thought of trying to do something similar without burning a hole in my pocket. So,Here goes:

 
1/2 Cup of Sea Salt
6 tbsp of Almond Oil
6 strawberries- thinly sliced 
1/4 cup plain Yogurt
2 tbsp raw Honey
1 tbsp Castor Oil
1 tsp glycerin
5 drops of Rose Essential Oil
5 drops of Rosewood Essential Oil

Procedure-

  • Prepare the strawberries and combine them with the yogurt, glycerin, honey, castor oil in a blender and mix until smooth. Set aside.
  • Pour the sea salt into bowl. Add the almond oil and stir.
  • Add the strawberry mixture to the salt/oil blend. Use a large spoon to mix well to create a beautiful pink body polish with bright spots of red from the strawberries.
  • Add the essential oils last and stir well to mix. Allow your new body polish to stand for about 1/2 hour before getting into the tub and massaging it onto wet skin. Allow the scrub to remain on the skin for about 5 minutes. Then run your warm bath and soak in the Strawberry & Rose Body Polish. Rinse as usual.
  • Voila! Enjoy your incredibly soft and beautiful skin!! 

 

Strawberry Foot Scrub:

With sandal season in full swing, you just can't afford to neglect your feet. Here's how to pamper your feet and flaunt your pretty sandals.


Grab the below-
  • 3-4 small strawberries
  • 2 tbsp of Olive Oil
  • 2 tbsp of Sea Salt OR Brown Sugar
Do this-
  • Blend the strawberries and Olive Oil in your blender
  • Add the sugar/salt just before scrubbing your feet (adding them too soon will dissolve the crystals)
  • Massage the mixture on your feet for 15-20 minutes & rinse well
  • Helllooo Happy Feet 


Soothing Foot Soak:        

  • 1/4 cup of Olive Oil/Coconut Oil
  • 15-20 drops of Essential Oil- I suggest lavender or sweet orange or peppermint (Depending on the effect you want to achieve)
Add the above oils to warm water and soak your feet for 20-25 minutes. The temperature of the water should be as per your preference.NIRVANA!

 

Strawberry Hair Mask:

Strawberries..How i love thee!! From the face, to the body to the foot..and now Hair.

Mash about 10 strawberries with a spoon to form a thick pulp.Add 3 tbsp of honey to this pulp. Apply it to your hair and cover with a shower cap. Rinse after 30 minutes. 

This mask is best for treating frizzy hair.

P.S- You can add an egg yolk to this as well, if you can tolerate the smell of eggs,which i just can't.  



That's it for today.. Hope you have a good time pampering yourself with these recipes.And, while you are at it, light some scented candles,Play a little Beethoven and enjoy the spa-like experience in the comfort of your homes.




Till next time, stay stylish, stay gorgeous.

xoxo!

    
Disclaimer- I LOVE STRAWBERRIES & AM PARTIAL TO THEM..If you do not like strawberries..Well, you are missing something in life, my friend!!!





 
 

5 comments:

  1. Loved the post! very informative :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. You have executed this one so well. I have used chocolate face masks a few times, and can vouch for its effectiveness. Also, sometimes, for pedicure which is one of the better ways to pamper your feet! :)

    P.S. : Did I mention I <3 your blog! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks a ton for your comment.. i love chocolate masks and added with strawberries, it's heavenly!! Glad you like this post. xoxo!

      Delete
  3. What an awesome post...love the suggestions!

    ReplyDelete

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