forever young naturally beauty

Forever Young Naturally Beauty

231. Nontoxic Manicure Nasty nail polish
Three ingredients found in many nail polishes are suspected to be harmful to the human body. The reproductive toxin DBP (dibutyl phthalate), banned since 2004 in products sold in the European Union, still features in most US formulations. Formaldehyde is “reasonably anticipated” to be a human carcinogen states the US National Toxicology program, and toluene adversely affects the nervous system. All three are on California’s list of chemicals considered cancer-causing.
232. Nontoxic Manicure Nonchip French manicure
Shape nails using an emery board, then soak fingertips in warmed full-fat milk for 10 minutes. Dry well. Rub a drop of rosehip oil into each nail. Ease back cuticles with an orange stick tipped with cotton to reveal the half moons. Clean beneath the nails with another cotton tipped orange stick to whiten the tips. Let nails absorb any remaining oil for 10 minutes then gently buff the nail with a fine pumice stone or fine-textured buffer, working in one direction only. Finally, rub the nail with a little beeswax on a chamois until it is pink and shiny.
233. Nontoxic Manicure Milk and oil hand bath
Milk is a natural exfoliator; frankincense oil suits mature skin.
  • 2 cups full-fat milk, warmed
  • 2 drops essential oil of frankincense
    Place the milk in a wide bowl, drop in the essential oil, and soak hands for 5 minutes.
  • 234. Nontoxic Manicure Deep cleansing nail soak
    This may help to lighten and soften yellowing nails.
  • juice of half a lemon
  • 1 tsp avocado oil
  • 1 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 drops essential oil of neroli
    Add the lemon juice to a bowl of warm water. Stir in the oils until amalgamated well. Soak the hands for 10–15 minutes.
  • 235. Nontoxic Manicure Hand scrub
    Sugar dissolves in liquid, making it a gentle exfoliator.
  • ½ cup full-fat milk, warmed
  • ½ cup raw sugar
    Pour the milk little by little into the sugar until you have a mixture with a grainy consistency. Massage into the hands. Plunge hands into a hand bath to rinse.
  • 236. Nontoxic Manicure Age spot treatment oil
    All these oils are recommended for sun-damaged skin.
  • 1 tbsp grapeseed oil
  • 1 tsp each rosehip and wheatgerm oils
  • 4 drops essential oil of carrot seed
  • 1 drop essential oil of lemon (omit for sensitive skin and before exposing skin to sun)
    Combine the oils in a clean dark glass bottle. Lid and store in a cool, dark place. Shake before use, then massage into the hands.
  • 237. Nontoxic Manicure Age spot reduction mask
    Use this mask once a week to soften your skin and leave it feeling more youthful.
  • 2 tbsp kaolin
  • 1 tbsp aloe vera gel
  • 2 tbsp cider vinegar
  • 2 drops essential oil of carrot seed
  • 1 drop essential oil of neroli
    Put the kaolin in a large bowl and mix in the aloe gel and enough vinegar to form a smooth paste. Drop in the essential oils. Massage over the hands, relax for 10 minutes while the mask dries, then rinse off by plunging hands into a hand bath.
  • 238. Nontoxic Manicure Energizing hand massage
    Warm a little oil between your palms by rubbing them together. Supporting your left palm with your right fingers, circle the middle of the palm with your thumb. Gradually widen the circle to cover the palm. Turn the left hand over, add more oil, and slide your thumb from the base of the fingers toward the wrist, working along each channel. Work the left thumb and fingers from base to tip, using your right thumb and index finger like a corkscrew along the length of each digit. Briefly squeeze at the tip as you pull your fingers away. Repeat the massage on the other hand.
    239. Nontoxic Manicure Softening oil for brittle nails
    This recipe is effective for toenails as well as fingernails.
  • 1 tbsp (colorless) sesame oil
  • 1 tsp each macadamia, avocado, and wheatgerm oils
  • 2 drops each essential oils of sandalwood and frankincense
    Combine the oils in a clean dark glass bottle. Lid and store in a cool, dark place. Shake before use, then massage into hands and nails.
  • 240. Nontoxic Manicure Off the shelf care
    Burt’s Bees Shea Butter Hand Repair Crème protects hands prone to chapping, roughness, and premature aging with oils and botanical extracts effective at combating wrinkles and age spots.