Monday 1 August 2016

List of Carrier Oils and Their Benefits

When a recipe has an oil, I give the one I used and sometimes recommend a few more oils.  Sometimes I say that any carrier oil can be used.  A few readers have asked what carrier oils are, so I decided to dedicate an entire post to them.  I just picked up several new oils, so you'll be seeing new oils in the near future. 


You can usually safely substitute one carrier oil for another oil with great results.  Coconut oil is one that doesn't interchange well because it is solid at room temperature.  Otherwise, you can pick the one that meets your needs or based on what you have on hand unless the recipe states otherwise.  Some oils are better used mixed with other oils, such as avocado oil.









What Are Carrier Oils


Carrier oils are vegetable oils made from the seed, nuts, or kernels of plants. You can't apply most essential oils directly to your skin, so you have to dilute them with a carrier oil.  These oils are also used in sugar scrub recipes, lotions, balms, lip balms, and salves. 


Carrier oils shouldn't have a strong smell, except for unrefined coconut oil.  They will have a slight nutty aroma that doesn't affect your final product.  If your oil has a strong odor, it could be rancid.  Discard it and do not use it.


When you're shopping for an oil, make sure you buy cold pressed oil.  Heat can damage the good qualities of the oil, so it's very important to get cold pressed oils.


List of Carrier Oils and Their Benefits


Almond Oil




Almond oil (sweet almond oil) is moisturizing for your skin.  It is very versatile, so it works in many types of recipes.  It's high in vitamins A and E to nourish your skin.  Do not use this oil if you have a nut allergy.


Apricot Kernel Oil




Apricot kernel oil is very gentle, so it's great for sensitive skin or recipes that you make for children.  It's also very versatile, so it's a great substitute for almond oil.  It's often used in lotion recipes and for hot oil treatments.


Avocado Oil




Avocado oil is high in essential fatty acids and fat soluble vitamins.  It's great for sensitive skin or problem skin and eczema.  Avocado is usually combine with other carrier oils and not used alone.


Castor Oil




Castor oil is antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal.  It's often used on irritated skin.  It's usually combined with other oils and not used alone.


Coconut Oil




Coconut oil is one of my favorite oils because of the heavenly smell.  It is also naturally antifungal and antibacterial, so it 's great for lip balms and lotions.  It's solid at room temperature, so it will harden a recipe when added.  It can be combined with other oils so the final result isn't so hard.  Look for unrefined coconut oil, which is the kind that smells like coconut.  Refining may use chemicals to extract more oil, and it also bleaches  and deodorizes the oil.  They may also add sodium hydroxide to extend it's shelf life.


Evening Primrose Oil




Evening primrose oil is used to combat skin dryness and skin irritations.  It's great for the skin and hair and is said to reduce the effects of aging.  It's also great for eczema.


Flax Seed Oil




Flax seed oil is high in vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids.  It's especially great for your hair because it promotes hair growth. 





Grapeseed oil is a dry oil, so it isn't as oily on your skin.  It's used in hair recipes and skin recipes.  It's a natural astringent, so it's great for acne prone or oily skin.

Source:pinterest

Thursday 15 October 2015

Registation still on at radiant makeovers

October registration is still on!!!!

Register today and get 10% off the regular fee on

  Bridal beads | occasional beads | casual beads | Makeovers |(head gear)gele tying|Training |

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COURTESY :
RADIANT MAKEOVERS & RAPSBABE BEADS

Monday 5 October 2015

The blackest eyeliners ever!!


There's nothing more annoying than your top liner fading during the day, or an eyeliner that turns light grey once it dries. No eye liner is perfect but our top 3 picks are close enough, We've tried and tested these long enough to say what we think about them including Pros and Cons. They all dry matte.

We have broken down around 10 eyeliners out there down to ONLY three - a high end, an affordable and one that is available in the Middle East so it's a win win for every one!

These are in no order! 

Benefit Cosmetics- They're Real - Push-up liner















So much to say about this product, It is a GEL, looks like a pen and has a screw on cap which is great because it won't fall off and end up at the bottom of your make-up bag. Love the grip, the fact that it's like a pen makes it so much easier to hold when applying. The end has a twist, you have to twist it to get the product out so you have fresh gel liner each time. In a pot you will notice gel liner dries up quick.
















It has a rubber angled tip, it is a dream when creating your wing, glides on beautifully and you will find your self surprised when you get your liner perfect after using this for the first time. The angled applicator helps precision when placing your wing/flick, gets into the inner corner perfectly.

 Without Flash
With Flash

It's one of the blackest, the formula is great, staying power is 10/10, easy to remove with makeup remover.

CONS:
when you twist for the product to come out you have to apply it at the back of your hand first because there's a clump at the end of the applicator which is the only downside.


Kiko Cosmetics - Lasting Gel Eye Liner















So the packaging says it's a gel but it actually looks more like a thick ink, it has more of a jelly-like consistency, it is SO SO black! You will need a fine point brush to apply this. Kiko is a great affordable brand so you wouldn't be splurging out on this.

Without Flash












With Flash















You can see how black and matte this product is, the formula is great. If you're someone who has trouble with your top liners melting and transferring on to your crease this is the one for you, great for summer, vacation - waterproof so you can have the perfect liner stay put all day.

CONS:
To some people it will be a pro but this liner is VERY tough to remove, it's almost like a tattoo. You will need more than a makeup wipe to remove this stuff! Don't bother rubbing it. If you love your liners to stay put try this but we suggest you use an oil based makeup remover to remove this bad boy. More for a special occasion.

Elizabeth Helen Fluid Eyeliner

















We ALWAYS stock up on this product when we visit the Middle East, the perfect liquid liner. SUPER BLACK Arabic eyeliner which is only available in the Middle East (We haven't searched online so maybe it is available outside the Middle East) Love the formula for everyday eyeliner. It dries matte, good size tube, has a screw on cap that is comfortable to hold when applying on yourself.

















The applicator is a fine brush, easy to glide the very black fluid and to make a cat-eye wing.

Without Flash













With Flash














It's a liquid so it will take a while to dry. Gorgeous rich black colour, looks good in flash photography too!

CONS: The only thing we wish we good change about this product is how it transfers after around 5 hours if you have sweaty eye lids! some people will be okay but if you want to use this without an eyeshadow be sure to use an eye primer and dust some pressed powder on your eye lids before applying this.


We hope you found this post about the BLACKEST EYELINERS out there useful!

Fyza and Sonia xoxo

Friday 18 September 2015

benefits of lemon water

A glass of lemon water to start your day could keep the doctor away…
Why do I say that?
Because according to Hippocrates “All disease begin in the gut” and modern research has been conclusive that an unhealthy gut leads to a myriad of diseases like diabetes and obesity.
Drinking this in the morning helps your gut by stimulating the production of hydrochloric acid, a critical ingredient needed by our stomach to digest and expel waste because it is rich in vitamin C.
And guess what? There are 28 more benefits that I want to share with you.
As recently as a few years ago, I would start my day by drinking a cup of coffee to “wake myself up”.
It was a habit that lasted around 7 years until I replaced coffee with juice this year.
I did not know that too much caffeine can lead to an early death so I had to cut it off my regular diet.
I heard about the benefits of drinking lemon water in the morning through my wife’s friend who was also into juicing, she told us about how good it is for our digestive system so I decided to research on this and found out it had even more benefits so I thought it was proper to share this with you.
I have to admit, I still drink coffee but only on occasion when I’m with friends but it is nowhere near the amount I was drinking before which was about two large cups a day.
Anyway back to the topic…
1. A Post-Workout Drink
If you are tired of spending a fortune on Gatorade, this recipe that includes lemon, lime, water, sea salt, and honey/natural sugar could be a good and more affordable alternative.
One thing people don’t realize when they workout is that their body becomes very acidic after an intense workout. Lemon is a great neutralizer of that high acidity inside your body.
Tip: You can also replenish loss fluids during workouts by drinking lemon water instead of just plain water to improve muscle endurance (particularly for running).
2. Alkalizes the Body
Nutritionists like Gareth Edwards say that has a great alkalizing effect on the body because “minerals in it disassociate to make it alkaline” as it gets absorbed by the body.
Even though lemon is acidic by nature, when it enters the bloodstream, “the alkalizing salts override the presence of acids” during the metabolic processes that happens when it enters the bloodstream.
3. Asthma Treatment
Lemon has been listed in countless home remedies lists as one of the best natural treatments for asthma that’s because it is rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant that fights free radicals which causes smooth muscle contraction and airway constriction, both symptoms of asthma. It also helps clear out mucus from air vessels.
Tip: Don’t just rely on lemon for treatment, if your doctor prescribes an inhaler by all means use it just in case you have asthma attacks. Lemon is only meant to provide you with the dietary supplement you need to fight this condition.
4. Balances Blood Sugar Levels
Lemon is rich in a compound called Bioflavonoids which gives this fruit its yellow color. This same compound also naturally stimulates the production of insulin in our body that in turn balances our blood sugar levels which can help people who have diabetes.
5. Balances pH levels
When our pH level increases it means our body is becoming more acidic which makes it more prone to diseases such as high cholesterol and diabetes. A great way of balancing pH levels is drinking water infused with fresh lemon juice to alkalize the body and lowering acidity levels.
6. Brain Food
This little yellow fruit is rich in potassium which is considered brain food.
7. Caffeine Replacement
Lemon is a natural energy booster, even more so if you add honey to it. I’ve said earlier in this article that I was a chain coffee drinker who gulps down 2 large mugs a day and I’ve replaced it lemon water with no regrets whatsoever.
8. Detoxifies
If you’re haven’t heard about “The Master Cleanse”, this is basically a diet that consists of only drinking lemon water mixed with honey, cayenne pepper or maple syrup for an extended period of time.
This method may not work for everyone but I’d like to point out that this method takes advantage the citric acid present in lemon that will help flush toxins from the colon, gallbladder and liver that otherwise would be absorbed by the body.
A similar effect can be had by drinking this first thing in the morning before any meals.
9. Dissolves Phlegm
Citric acid present in lemon will dissolve phlegm. In addition to that it is rich in antioxidants like Vitamin C and K that help fight off cough and colds.
The traditional concoction involves combining lemon with warm water and honey. Warm water in a way sooths irritation (at the same time is a decongestant) caused by cough. William Sears says that honey is a very effective at dissolving phlegm, more effective than cough syrups.
10. Fights Cancer Cells
Remember about the compound Bioflavonoids I was talking about earlier, it turns out that this also works as an antioxidant that fights cell oxidation and free radical damage which are the main culprits of cancer. Theresa Chung who wrote “The Lemon Juice Diet” went as far as saying that it can help prevent cancer. It also contains pectin that according to Vijaya Kumar have been known to protect the intestines from cancer.
11. Heart Food
Potassium found in lemon is vital for the function of our heart, it does not treat any ailment but it helps in preventing heart related illnesses like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and irregular heartbeat.
12. Helps Hydrate Our Lymphatic System
According to Dr. John Douillard, the lymph system largest circulatory system in our body, twice as large as the arterial system, it is responsible for flushing out waste and toxins out of our system. Keeping it hydrated is important to our overall health.
Actually, water alone is enough to hydrate the lymph system but I added lemon here because it helps in alkalizing thus balancing acidity levels.
13. Helps Treat Constipation
This combo is great as a home remedy for constipation. Water helps lubricate the digestive system and soften stool. Citric acid found in lemon induces bowel movement that will flush out undigested waste from the colon.
14. Helps Treat Scurvy
Scurvy for those who don’t know is a disease that is a direct result of vitamin C deficiency. Sailors are most prone to this disease because of their extended mission trips on sea that often outlast their produce supply. Lemon water is the treatment of choice for this ailment because it is rich in vitamin C. Water is great as masking the sharp flavor thus allowing them to drink this concoction in large amounts.
15. Improves Digestive Health
A cup of warm water before any meal in the morning will help break down waste and flush out to toxins from the gut. That’s because at a molecular level, lemon is similar to your saliva that encourages the liver to produce bile – a fluid needed by our intestines to dispose waste and toxins.
Tip: Warm lemon water should be the first thing that goes in your stomach in the morning, before having breakfast or any other liquid.
16. Improves Eyesight
Being rich in vitamin C also has a positive effect on your eyesight as this will help prevent eye conditions like macular degeneration and cataract.
17. Improves Our Immune System
Lemons is rich in nutrients like bioflavonoids, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, citric acid, folate and pectin that boost our body’s immune system and immobilize free radicals – the cause of most ailments.
18. Increases Metabolism and Promotes Weight Loss
It is a little known fact that drinking 8 glasses of water (8 ounces per glass) each day actually boosts your metabolism or how much your body burns calories by 30%. This is based on a study done by Michael Boschmann of the Franz Volhard Research Center. Lemon adds some flavor to water which will help you drink more plus it has pectin which suppresses appetite.
Tip: Most of the pectin and dietary fiber is found in the white pity part under the skin, make sure to eat this as well.
19. Kills Worms
Parasites like worms thrive in an acidic environment by drinking something bitter like lemon mixed in water helps in flushing them out.
20. Lowers High Blood Pressure
A citrus fruit, like lemon is rich in vitamin C that helps in thinning the blood, in addition to its antioxidant properties. Another mineral found in this fruit that helps lower blood pressure is potassium that flushes out excess sodium.
Tip: if you suffer high blood pressure it is important that you keep yourself hydrated throughout the day because the lack of water tells your body to go into preservation mode which means it will hang on to every last drop of water your body has, the effect of that is thickening of the blood – another cause of high blood pressure.
21. Lowers Stress Levels
One thing that gets depleted when you’re stressed is vitamin C so the next time your stress levels go up, take a break and replenish that lost vitamin C with a cup of warm lemon water.
22. Prevents Bad Breath
It helps two ways here. First by killing the bad-breath-causing bacteria in your mouth and second, by flushing away toxins in your liver that when overworked releases bad smelling substances to the bloodstream, lungs then out the mouth.
23. Radiant Skin
Its antioxidant properties help you get more radiant skin from the inside out by repairing damaged cells, flushing out toxins and killing free radicals that can ruin our skin.