Persian Beauty Secrets
Since ancient times certain ingredients have been known to help beautify women and their skin. One of my most favorite ingredients is the delicate strands of saffron. Since I was a child I have been in awe of this precious spice. I have seen how it can make a simple rice dish go from a staple to a culinary sensation. The unusual flavor and beautiful golden red color comes from the Crocus flower. It is said that it takes 4,500 Crocus flowers to make up one ounce of saffron. Saffron has incredible healing properties that also are found in Ayurvedic traditions. It can remedy menstrual cramps, and help men with fertility issues. Saffron can alleviate depression, stress and has been known to be an aphrodisiac. For the skin using topically can help with dryness, discoloration, dullness and acne.
In Part 1 I focused on some unusual Persian beauty tips but this post is a fairly easy mask to make and find. This mask truly leaves your skin illuminated and glowing. Using yogurt (rich in zinc and b vitamins) which is a natural lactic acid, and combining it with enzyme rich honey will allow the saffron threads to really penetrate the skin. Honey is a natural humectant and will keep the skin supple and soft. Saffron can be found at all stores that specialize in Iranian items. It can also be found on line here.
How to choose real saffron: The best quality saffron is expensive but worth the cost. The truest brands are from Iran and also Spain. You can tell the quality by the potent and distinct scent.
Recipe for Saffron Mask
1/2 Cup organic yogurt (I prefer goat or sheep)
3 TBS raw honey
1 Tbs Saffron threads
Simply mix the yogurt, honey and saffron until it is a pale golden hue. Then brush onto the skin. Leave on for 15 to 20 minutes and rinse with luke warm water.
Another variation is to add a few drops of lemon, a pinch of sugar and a few drops of coconut oil. Mix all of those with the above and let sit for 10 minutes before applying.
Tip #2: Nourishing Eye Makeup Remover ~ Eye Lash & Brow Enhancer
Grooming your brows, the natural way:
How about a natural eye makeup remover that can also enhance eyelash and eyebrow growth? Back in early 2015 I posted about how castor oil can nourish our hair growth. What a novel idea, to create lustrous brows and lashes without using harsh chemicals, or even worse those toxic lashes growing products which shall remain nameless. Besides the fact that continuous use of those lash growing brands eventually change the color of your eyes (that should be enough reason), they contain Phenoxyethanol, a preservative. It is a known eye irritant, and it depresses the central nervous system. It’s also been banned in some places. Some of those brands second ingredient is benzalkonium chloride, which is also a preservative that causes eye irritation and respiratory problems. I don’t know about you but I wouldn’t want those hazardous ingredients near my eyes.
Making your own eye makeup remover and lash enhancer is so simple and cost effective. Here are the benefits of these oils that can be used.
~ Castor oil is a fatty vegetable oil full of omega 6 fatty acids. Has been used for centuries to create hair growth. It’s easily absorbed into the hair shafts. Comprised of vitamin E, minerals, proteins and antibacterial properties. Apart from that they are also rich in triglyceride variant of fatty acids.
~ Sweet Almond oil is naturally anti-inflammatory, so it reduces puffy bags under the eyes and dark circles. It’s a good source of vitamin K, which reduces discoloration under the eyes.
It contains palmatic acid and retinol, which moisturize delicate under-eye skin, leaving it soft and smooth. It provides the monounsaturated fats and vitamin E your skin needs to remain youthful, supple, and radiant.
As a natural emollient, almond oil balances the skin’s water content, preventing dryness.
It helps to lighten the dark spots and removes the dark veins appearance to clear dark circles.
~ Vitamin E is a natural preservative and helps nourish the skin cells.
Recipe for the Castor Oil Serum
1 Tbs Organic Castor Oil
5 Tsp Sweet Almond oil
3 Tsp Vitamin e oil
Mix in a small bowl and use a new eye lash wand to place serum on lashes and brows. Best in the evening before sleep. Can also use as a makeup remover when made in larger batches. Just place a q-tip in the serum or a cotton ball and gently wipe away makeup.
Articles by: Shiva Rose