A Japanese Inspired Cleansed Life: Beauty

We are really looking forward to our trip to Japan this summer. It is an amazing opportunity for our family and a great reason for me to learn simple, natural methods used in Japan for beauty, cleaning and healing. The first post in the series explores simple ideas for creating a Japanese inspired natural beauty plan. In addition to the ingredients on the Terrific Twenty list, you will also need the following:

1. Green Tea
2. Rice Water
3. Awesome Sun Protection

Green Tea

Most everyone is aware of the awesome benefits of green tea. Green tea helps to fight the effects of aging, speeds up your metabolism, acts as an antibacterial, etc. You can drink green tea or use it as a topical beauty treatment. I need a break from coconut oil and apple cider vinegar so exploring different substances is most welcome. One of the best benefits of green tea for me has come from the anti inflammatory properties. Most everything seems to make my skin blotchy and red, particularly the endless amount of coffee I enjoy; green tea on the other hand leaves me energized with out the caffeine jitters and red, blotchy skin. In addition to drinking green tea I would suggest checking out the following green tea beauty treatments:

Green Tea Steamer

Steep two bags of green tea in a bowl of water. Place face over bowl while it is steaming. You may want to cover your head with a towel to keep the steam contained.

Green Tea Toner

Steep two bags of green tea in two cups of water and let cool. Use a cotton ball to swipe the face, gently. Face should feel smooth and pores refined.

Green Tea Foot Soak

Empty tea bags into a bowl of warm water and allow feet to soak until you feel rejuvenated.

Green Tea Hair Rinse

Steep 2 bags of green tea in 2-3 cups water. Let cool. Following your regular shampoo and conditioning routine rinse hair with the cooled green tea. I had great results from this one; added a lot of body to my hair. I took a break and put the leftover tea bags on my eyes for ten minutes while my hair dried. One thing I have found with these hair rinses (including the ACV rinse) is that you do not want to use them too often; perhaps once every other week or even once a month. However, everyone is different.

Green Tea Bags for Eyes

Reuse your green tea bags by placing them in the fridge and placing them over your eyes when you have ten spare minutes. Ahhh relaxation.

Rice Water

I read that rice water has long been a beauty secret of the Geisha, so I decided to give it a try. Making rice water is quite easy. After boiling the rice, pour the excess water into a jar. You may have to add filtered water to get the desired consistency: a white cloudy mixture. Keep it in the fridge. Rice water may be used as a toner or face cleanser.

Rice/Coconut Oil Scrub

Although this does not contain rice water, rice can be used to do other great things.

What You Need:

1. 1 TBSP ground rice
2. 2 TBSP melted coconut oil
3. 1 tsp lemon juice
4. 2 drops lavender essential oil

What To Do:

1. Grind the rice. I use a coffee bean grinder.
2. Mix all the ingredients together.
3. Scrub hands and feet with this scrub.
4. Rinse.

Awesome Sun Protection

Protect yourself from the sun! Hats, sunglasses, non toxic sun screen, umbrellas! Just do it!