VIV Says: Blog

We firmly believe in beauty recipes that have been handed down through generations, especially when they produce natural skin-care products that are economical — and that sound delicious. Return to Beauty: Old-World Recipes for Great Radiant Skin (Atria, 2009) from skin-care expert Narine Nikogosian contains formulas for moisturizers, toners, eye creams and face masks made from simple, fresh ingredients such as avocado, egg, yogurt, olive oil, mango and orange. Nikogosian — whose celebrity clients include Charlize Theron, Ellen DeGeneres and Alfre Woodard — also divulges some of her family’s beauty secrets. In Nikogosian’s native Armenia, her grandmother ate a single piece of bread from her World War II daily rations — but used the accompanying pat of butter as moisturizer.

The first section of the book includes recipes for every season for varying skin types: oily, normal-to-oily, dry and normal-to-dry. During fall, for example, dry skin might require the Pumpkin Happy Face Mask or the Tangerine Dream Moisturizer. The second part of the book provides fun recipes based on astrological signs — we discovered that pampering our face with a Simply Strawberries Face Mask will help us with our Libra balance and harmony. The third section of the book is full of simple, quick resolutions for beauty issues such as tired eyes, fine lines, dry or damaged hair and chapped hands.

Following is a recipe for a fall moisturizer, rich in antioxidants for dry skin. Remember that when ingredients are fresh, the product’s shelf life is short, so it’s best to stick to the quantity provided in the instructions.

Tangerine Dream Moisturizer
¼ tangerine, peel and pith removed
1 tablespoon sour cream
½ teaspoon flour
1 teaspoon rose oil (available in drugstores and health-food stores)

In blender, combine tangerine, sour cream, flour and oil. Mix well. Apply this to your face every morning and evening after cleansing.

We love that most of these skin-care items can be made with ingredients found in almost any kitchen — especially after taking a look at the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Reviews. Do you have any beauty recipes handed down by members of your family that you’d like to share?

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