More DIY stuff: Fix Those Winter...errr, Fall Blues!

Hello, darlings! Really quickly! I had the lovely, talented, sweet Lauren over at The Perfect Pear help me out with a new design for this blog! She was willing to help, and I couldn't be more thankful for the amazing job that she did. This is exactly what I had hoped for, even if I couldn't really put it into words for her; she still managed to get it. She really helped me out, and I am beyond happy with the results. Does your blog need a makeover? Visit her design page: right here. You will not be disappointed. Now, of course, some things here are still under construction. If you find a broken link or anything that is funky and shouldn't be like it is right now, please email me at branilaine@gmail.com and let me know! Thank you & enjoy!

I got tons of positive feedback when I posted the DIY Face Masks a few days ago. I am so thrilled that you all loved the idea so much. I am in a really great mood because...guess what! I FINALLY got the job that I have been wanting the most, and just a job period! I have been so bored, besides the blogging world--that yes, I have actually been ready to get back to work since the car accident. I will share with you all what the job is later. Let's just say--I'm thrilled! Anyway, with that being said, I have taken it upon myself to do some drastic things with this blog (that are coming in the near future). Also, my best friend Amanda over at Wible Bible (Funny) and I will be starting a fashion & beauty blog that we are tag-teaming. I really believe it's going to be a hit, with her writing skills and eye for fashion and my love for everything beauty-related. I will keep y'all posted, of course, when "Friends Take the Catwalk" is ready for viewing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                (Me, in need of some hair masks, for sure!)

 

 

Without further ado... (I cannot take credit for most of these treatments. I will post only one treatment today that is "mine" and that will be located at the bottom) please take a looksie at the following rescue missions that are from the site Beat the Dry Winter Blues. Anyone that knows me knows that I will never take credit where credit is not due.

 

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HAIR TREATMENTS:

Here are several homemade hair masks that can rescue dull, dry strands. You can do most of them once a week for repair and maintenance. With each, my suggestion is to comb the tangles from your hair prior to application. Then after applying the treatment, use a wide toothed comb to evenly spread the mixture throughout your hair. Also, keep in mind that most of the masks can cause quite a mess. Wear something to protect your clothing and cover with a shower cap or plastic cling wrap. It will also be further beneficial to wrap your hair in a warm towel or use a hair dryer on a low heat setting to deeply penetrate your locks. (Note from Brani Laine: the low heat setting with your blow dryer does WONDERS with hair masks). Oh, and you may want to coincide the weekly treatments with the days you clean your tub – the oil in the masks will leave a slippery residue in your tub or sink.

The Olive Oil Basic: Massage a well-mixed paste of 5 T of olive oil and 2 and/or use a wide-toothed comb to spread evenly. Cover hair with a shower cap for 15-20 minutes, then rinse well. Shampoo as usual.

The Sweet Life: Mix 1/3 c honey, 3 T olive oil and 1 egg yolk. Apply to hair, cover with shower cap and leave on for 30 minutes. Rinse and shampoo as usual.

Sweet and Sour: Mix 1 T olive oil, 2 T honey and 1 T apple cider vinegar and massage into the hair and scalp. Cover with a cap for 1 hour then rinse and shampoo as usual.

Land of Milk and Honey: Massage a paste of 2 ripened mashed bananas, 2 T honey and ½ c milk on to hair. Cover with a cap for 20 minutes, rinse and shampoo as usual.

Heal It Now: Apply a thick paste of 1 T oatmeal, 1 T milk and 1 T almond oil to hair. Cover with a shower cap for 20 min, rinse then shampoo as usual.

 

The Shining: Massage into hair a thoroughly mixed paste of 2 ripened mashed bananas, 3 T mayonnaise and 1 T olive oil. Cover with a cap for 30 minutes then rinse and shampoo as usual.

Strawberry Fields Forever: Mash 8-10 medium strawberries and mix with 1 T mayonnaise. Apply to hair, cover with a shower cap for 30 minutes, rinse and shampoo as usual.

Almond Joy Power Punch: Add a few drops of almond oil to 1 ripened mashed banana. Massage into hair, cover and leave in for 15 minutes. Rinse with soda water, then shampoo as usual.

The Green Frizz Tamer: Mix together 1 ripened mashed avocado, 1 T honey and 2 T olive oil. Apply creamy paste to hair, cover and leave for 30 minutes. Rinse and shampoo as usual.

The Exotic Super Fruit Plus: Add ½ c plain yogurt to 1 (seeded) pureed papaya. Apply and cover. After 30 minutes rinse and shampoo as usual.

Dry No More: Apply a well-blended mixture of ½ c mayonnaise and 2 T honey to hair. Cover for 30 minutes, then rinse and shampoo as usual.

 

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So, that's a bunch of options, right? I am sure you will find one that best suits you or that pops out at you and says "try me!" Okay, now time for the DIY that I have been using since I was in middle school, maybe even younger. Yes, I started the beauty loving thing at a very young age. There are DIY scrubs like this that many people use, and I did not know this until I read it in some magazine, but this is my version and I swear on the Bible that I have been using it since I was younger. DO NOT USE THIS right before you are about to head out somewhere. It takes time for the product to wear off a bit!

 

What you will need:

Olive oil

Sugar (regular ol' sugar)

Small tupperware container (enough to hold a can of soup)

 

Why is that it? Because this is the easiest and most affordable DIY scrub you will ever use, most likely.

 

What you will do:

Take the tupperware container, make sure it is ALL cleaned out and dried. Pour in 7-8 tablespoons of sugar. Pour in (judge this on your own, please; it will vary per person & you might need more or less) 6-7 tablespoons of olive oil. Mix together well. It should look similar to this (which is the batch I just made):

 

 

 

Now for the best part--get in the bath tub (or shower...but I prefer a relaxing bath) and take the scrub (with your hands) and rub it ALL over your legs, arms, and whole body. Keep out of private areas! Yes, it will be oily and you will think "Is it supposed to feel this yucky?" The answer is yes. Once you let it sit for 10 minutes, rinse it all off, and when you're out of the bath or shower, dry off! Use the towel to rub off as much as you possibly can. You will still feel a bit oily, so don't sit on any furniture or anything you wouldn't want to possibly get a spot on. Sitting on your towel would be the best choice. After the oily feeling starts to go away, your legs and body will still feel soft (maybe you will have a man touching those legs of yours later? He will love the softness!), but the best part of all is that you exfoliated like a pro! WARNING: PLEASE, PLEASE BE CAREFUL getting out of the shower/tub after using this exfoliating scrub because it is oily and can be very slippery! Also, warn anyone that will be showering/bathing after you. Clean out the tub as best you can! One time my boyfriend almost slipped after I did this DIY scrub. Lesson learned. Enjoy, and please do not hesitate to let me know how any (especially my own) DIY "product" worked for you! Comments are right below. ;)