Celia M. ~ Living My High Heeled Life: August 2013

In Part 3 of this series we discussed Deep Cleansing Facials, today we are going to explore Scalp, Hand and Foot massage.

You know that great feeling you get when someone washes your hair? Head massage promotes circulation in the scalp and helps to relieve tension and stress, which is all part of taking good care of your body and mind for optimal efficiency of your body's elimination process.

Click on the video above to see how simple and easy it is to do a scalp massage on yourself. A scalp massage with essential oils has the added bonus of helping to regulate hair-oil production (in some people) and improve the condition of your scalp. I would recommend doing this in the evening - or week-end when you do not need to go out.
Here is a treatment that I do once a month (sometimes twice a month).
scalp massage oil recipe that I use:
Mix 1 Tablespoon of a carrier oil* (I use almond oil) and 2 drops of an essential oil for your hair type.
-oily hair - choose from lemon, lavender, tea tree, rosemary
- dry hair - choose from lavender, rosemary
- dandruff prone hair - choose tea tree, juniper, sandalwood
Gently apply to scalp with the pads of your finger tips, being careful not to scratch scalp with finger nails. Let sit on scalp for about 30 minutes.
While the oil is doing it's thing I make a hair smoothie:
In the blender mix 1/2 of a ripe banana, 1/4 of a melon, 1/4 of an avocado, 1 tablespoon olive oil (cold pressed) and 1 tablespoon yogurt (I use plain Greek yogurt).

When 30 minutes have passed rinse off the oil with lukewarm water and towel dry your hair. You are ready to apply the fruit smoothie.

First working the fruit smoothie mixture into the roots of your hair and then coating all the remaining hair. Wrap your hair in a plastic shower cap and let mixture sit for 15 minutes. Rinse hair with warm water, followed by a light shampoo and rinse well again with warm water. Wrap hair in towel to remove excess water and let dry naturally.

Some Scalp Massage Benefits

* Increases circulation in scalp, promoting hair growth

* For some people it may help eliminate depression, stressful or negative emotions

* May help slow down hair loss conditions in some people

* Can help awaken creativity centers in the brain for more enlightened idea processing

* Regular scalp massage has been proven to help in some cases of chronic and migraine head aches. According to the Mayo clinic scalp massage can help relieve tension head aches. Tension is often held around the hair line and base of skull, these are areas where massaging can be greatly beneficial.

with oil:

* Help in preventing and reducing scalp problems such as: dandruff,scalp psoriasis, dead skin flakes.

* Regular massages with the appropriate essential oils will help slow down the process of graying hair.

* Reducing hair fall out (as oil enters at root helping to strength hair)

To help remove blockages and eliminate toxins do these simple techniques on your hands and feet once a week.
Hand Massage:
Mix 1 tablespoon of sea salt (I like to use Himalayan) with 2 tablespoons olive oil (cold pressed) and 2-4 drops of lavender essential oil.
To relax and warm the hands in preparation for the massage, gently stroke the front and back of each hand. Scoop the mixture into your hands and rub them together covering each hand and wrist completely. Leave on for 2 minutes before rinsing with warm water and patting hands dry with a towel.
Next using your thumb (from left hand) stroke from the knuckle of your baby finger down the tendon toward the wrist on your right hand. Repeat for each finger. Using the knuckles of the first two fingers fingers from the left hand - grip each finger one at a time and slide down the finger to the fingertip, pulling in a corkscrew like motion. Repeat three times on each finger and thumb. Use the thumb from the left hand to massage across the palm several times. Repeat the technique on the left hand.
Foot Massage:
Soak your feet in a large bowl filled with warm water for 10 minutes. Gently use a pumice stone to remove dead skin on heels and sides (don't forget the outside of the big toe). Rinse feet in water and pat dry with towel.
Rub some massage oil in your hands and using firm pressure rub your hands all over your right foot and and up the ankle. Follow with small, deep circle massage over the entire top and bottom of foot using your thumbs. Wiggle your toes in tiny circles and then pull each toe with the knuckles of the first two fingers towards the tip.

What are you doing to take care of your scalp, hands and feet?

*This is a great article on carrier oil

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Stay in Step with High Heeled Life ...

image via google ... edits HHL

In Part 2 of this series we discussed Exfoliating the body, today we are going to explore Facials.

images via google ... collage and edits HHL

Most of us are pretty good at washing and moisturizing our face in the morning and evening, but we could be doing more at home to nurture our face between seasonal professional visits to the spa, by incorporating a weekly deep facial cleanse into our skin care routine.

7 Easy Steps to Deep Cleaning Your Face

1. Cleanse your face using your regular face cleansing product. Gently pat your face leaving it a little damp.

2. Fill a large bowl with very hot water and add a couple drops of essential oil (see chart below)

3. Place a towel over your head an lean over bowl with your eyes closed - for about 10 minutes (setting a timer allows you to relax and not worry about checking time). Gently pat your face dry.

4. Apply a warm moist face-cloth over your face for about 30 seconds, leaving the face moisten.

5. Apply a store bought facial mask for your skin type leave on for 10-15 minutes. You may like to try the recipe for Marie Antoinette's honey facial mask found here.

6. Gently remove face mask with a cool wet face cloth. Once mask is completely removed - soak a clean face cloth in very cold water and apply to face. Leave on face for about 1 minute. Gently pat face dry.

7. Apply your facial moisturizer.