In need of a fresh looking face fast?! I have just the solution for you! Simply grind 1-2 chilled cucumbers (depending on size) in a blender so that you get a watery paste. Then apply to your face for about 30 minutes. This mask is great for your skin and will leave you with a super fresh and radiant feeling! It also helps to prevent acne! Don’t you just love 2-in-1’s!!
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Here at BeautyLeeBar.com, I believe that beauty begins from the inside out. I try to be mindful of what is going into my body to ensure that I stay strong and healthy, because, to me, that is beautiful. I’ve also never been the one to shy away from trying a new detox or testing out a buzz-worthy health trend. That brings me to today’s topic. You’ve seen me rave about the benefits of refreshing lemon water, lime water, cucumbers, cherries, honey and now I’m adding rose water to the list of infused sips on my radar.
While I’ve used rose petals on certain things in the past, putting them in water is my new favorite way to reap the benefits of the fragrant blooms. Trust me when I say that rose water is so much more than a flavorful way to stay hydrated. By applying rose water to your skin or drinking it the old-fashioned way, you are benefiting your complexion as well as ingesting essential vitamins. Since this all sounded too good to be true, I did a little research to see why I should be adding rose water to both my diets and beauty regimens, stat. Keep scrolling to see what I learned as well as a simple at-home recipe to make this concoction yourself…
Your skin’s new BFF.
By adding rose water to your daily skincare regimen, you are doing so much more than keeping your face hydrated (which is also a pretty big bonus!). Rose water can help your skin maintain its pH balance by controlling excess oil production while keeping it supple and moisturized. Rose water is also known for its soothing elements which reduce redness and irritation linked to skin conditions such as eczema, acne, and dermatitis. Rose water contains antibacterial and antifungal properties, allowing your skin to better heal scars and other wounds.
I don’t know about you, but I’m always looking for natural remedies to improve my complexion. By applying rose water to your skin, you are cleansing, toning and even reducing fine lines and wrinkles. That sounds like a win-win to me! There are a few ways that you can incorporate rose water into your routine. Start your day by using rose water as a toner after washing your face by evenly distributing it with a cotton ball. You can even purchase a spray bottle and lightly mist your face throughout the day, with or without a full face of makeup. A little spritz here and there can be rejuvenating!
Why you should be drinking rose water.
In addition to adding this fragrant concoction into your beauty routine, consuming rose water also poses multiple benefits. Rose water contains vitamins A, C, E and B and contains anti-inflammatory qualities. It is also said that rose water can help reduce stress and moodiness (something we can all benefit from at some point or another, right?). If you’re looking for a fragrant and healthy way to stay hydrated, opt for a bottle of rose water the next time you’re at your local health food store. But like any health food fad, it’s always a good idea to ask your doctor if you have questions or concerns.
How to make it at home.
If you are interested in making rose water right in the comfort of your own home, you’re in luck! Making your own batch of fresh rose water is simpler than you think and I have a recipe to prove it.
Here’s what you’ll need:
1. 5-7 stems of organic pink roses
2. water
3. large pot
Instructions:
1. Begin by plucking the rose petals off of each stem and rinsing them thoroughly under warm water. It is important to note that you use organic roses, rather than the kind that you can just pick up at any grocery store. It’s best to steer clear of any harmful pesticides and any other chemicals that could have been used on the stems.
2. Place the rose petals into a large pot and pour just enough water in to cover all of the petals.
3. Boil the water and rose petals over medium-high heat. Once the water is boiling, cover the combination and reduce heat to a simmer.
4. Let the petals simmer for 30 minutes or until they begin to lose their vibrant color.
5. Remove the petals from the water with a strainer.
6. You now have your very own homemade rose water! Be sure to refrigerate or store your rose water in a cool place. Your homemade batch should last between 1 and 4 weeks.
And there you have it! I’ve been intrigued by this trend and hope you all will try it too! And, now I’m convinced that my beauty regimen can’t live without it.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
**FTC: This post is not sponsored. No monetary compensation was received for this post, however, products were sent to me. Opinions are 100% my own, of course.
This is a topic I’ve been wanting to talk about for a while and with recent events in my life, I feel it’s wildly appropriate to touch base on now. I’ve struggled with standing up for myself a few times in my life. It’s strange because I absolutely know my worth, I know what I offer up to people and what I expect to be offered up in return, but still, I sometimes silence myself than make my truth known. I’m one hundred percent a people pleaser, sometimes to a fault, but I don’t think being that way is always a bad thing! Obviously, if you let people walk all over you and never speak up, then you should probably make a few changes, but if you’re putting peoples emotions in consideration and accommodating them, then wanting to please doesn’t have to be a bad thing.
I’ve always been the type to speak my mind and be honest, but sometimes in order to avoid conflict, I’ll stay quiet which over time leads to me carrying so much resentment in. The feeling of resentment drives me sick and can truly be sometimes scary to me. I’ve learned in my twenty-one years that honesty… is the best policy… No matter how uncomfy or scary it may be, holding your feelings in leads to resentment, then frustration with yourself or others, then self-sabotage and the horrifying list literally goes on and on.
I’ve been speaking to my mom about this recently and it shocks me how often we as humans decide to put our feelings aside just to avoid conflict. Trust me, I don’t like conflict and confrontation as much as the next woman but I’ve come to notice how detrimental it can be to the relationship with yourself and others if it’s avoided. A few weeks ago, for example, I was getting breakfast at Dunkin Donuts before heading into work, the woman completely gave me the wrong change and refused to fix it. She tried to say I didn’t give her exact change but it showed I did, I even had the receipt, the manager had to get involve and fix it. The young woman wasn’t nice, she had an attitude from the jump and treated me like I was the dumb one instead of admitting she made a mistake which happens. Yes, that time I spoke up but sometimes I catch myself being quiet. I don’t care if you’re family, friends or a stranger – I will always speak up no matter what.
As women, we’ve been told that demanding things makes us bossy and annoying so therefore we have to politely ask and hope for the best. NO!!! Demanding doesn’t have to be a bad action if you’re doing it with decisive instruction and polite manners!
Basically, I’m just trying to urge you to be unapologetic for what you want for yourself. If what you want is fair and you’re approaching it in a kind way. You don’t need to apologize for standing your ground or not settling for anything less than what you want, ESPECIALLY if you’re a woman. Don’t let a power trip get to your head but you have every single right to ask for and receive the things you want. We have far too many people trying to silence women and men of all different ages and color, so let’s not succumb to that absurd and prehistoric way of behavior anymore!
Lemon and water are a match made in heaven… I’ve started drinking it every day and feel more energized than ever. After learning about the slew of health benefits associated with drinking water and freshly squeezed lemon juice, I decided to make it a part of my daily diet. Lemons are packed with natural vitamins and minerals that are key to your inner and outer beauty regime as well as your general health.
Here are three reasons why you should pair hot water with lemons ladies:
1. It’s a natural energizer! It hydrates and oxygenates the body so it feels revitalized and refreshed.
2. It’s cleansing. According to NaturalNews.com, the citric acid in lemons helps maximize enzyme function, which stimulates the liver and aids in detoxification.
3. It aids in digestion. Not only will this killer combination relieve indigestion, but it will also help flush you out.
XO Lee
P.S. For those of you asking, I usually drink about 12-16 oz of cold water with 1/2 a lemon’s juice. But hot water is great too! It really depends on how I’m feeling that day…
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