It's Fall!

This is exciting, as it is my first column on BeautyWalk! I am glad to be a part of this innovative website and happy to share my natural beauty ideas, treatments and recipes with you. Fall is here and in full swing the leaves are changing and the nights are getting cooler - it is the perfect time of year to reassess and revitalize your skin and hair. If you haven't already had your yearly physical exam make that appointment now. An ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure and it will make you feel better. Why worry about your health? Information is a powerful stress reliever!

Natural Hair Care

Your hair takes a beating all summer long from sun, salt, chlorine, and wind. Get a good hair cut or trim and deep condition your hair to replenish lost moisture. My favorite home treatment is honey. Yes, pure honey will do wonders for your luscious locks and is one of the best natural hair conditioners. Simply massage a tablespoon or two of pure honey into damp hair and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes then rinse off with warm water. (It is a bit "sticky" going on but easily rinses out of your hair.)

Sweet Body Treat

This is also the perfect time of year for an all-over body scrub. I like to use sugar to exfoliate my skin and deep cleanse it. Sugar scrubs are popular at many resort spas. They have replaced the salt and oil style scrubs. Sugar is gentler, less dehydrating and can be used by all skin types. When you use a body scrub you are deep cleansing your skin. Clean skin will retain more moisture and look healthier - a definite benefit! I would suggest adding a monthly all over body scrub to your beauty regime.

Here is a simple recipe for a scented sugar scrub from my book, Natural Beauty from the Garden (Henry Holt and Company):

Scented Sugar Scrub

This gentle scrub can be used all over your body to freshen and stimulate your skin. I like to use lavender scented sugar in the morning but feel free to experiment with your own favorite scents. If you are sensitive to scents just use plain sugar as directed. Sugar is gentle enough to use for all skin types and is not as abrasive as it may feel at first since it slowly dissolves as you wash with it. Fill a pretty jar with some sugar scrub and tie up with a pretty bow and give to a special friend who could use a bit of pampering.

Ingredients

1/4 cup dried lavender, dried basil, or vanilla bean split
1 cup granulated sugar

Directions

In a clean, dry, glass jar alternate layers of the sugar and dried herbs. If making the vanilla scrub, insert the vanilla bean into the center of the jar of sugar. Cover with a tight fitting lid or plastic wrap and place in a dry spot for a few weeks. When the sugar is scented to your liking, separate out the herbs or vanilla. Don't worry if the sugar has a bit of the herbs or vanilla left in it - I think this actually looks better and adds to this cleanser's homemade charm. Store your sugar scrub in a clean, dry container with a tight fitting lid. To use: Pour a small amount into the palm of your hand and mix with water or your favorite cleanser. Massage into damp skin and rinse well with warm water.

Yield: 8 ounces

Have a beautiful day!

Janice Cox

Janice Cox has been making her own beauty treatments for over twenty-five years. She is the author of three books on Natural Beauty: Natural Beauty at Home, Natural Beauty for All Seasons, and Natural Beauty from the Garden, all published by Henry Holt and Company in New York. Her books contain over 600 recipes for Body, Bath and Hair Care products.

Janice writes a regular column for Natural Living Today magazine, "Recipe for Beauty." Her recipes and ideas have also appeared in Self, Shape, Fitness, McCall's, Country Living, Organic Gardening, Herb Quarterly, Herb Companion, The Natural Way, Health, Mothering, Fit Pregnancy, New Woman, At Home Mother, American Health, and Natural Way magazines. She has appeared on National television and radio programs discussing Natural Beauty. Mrs. Cox has turned her passion for home beauty into a full time career and has become a nationally recognized expert on Natural Beauty.

She is the mother of two beautiful daughters, Lauren (age 9) and Marie (age 6). Along with keeping her husband and daughters well cared for, she is also involved with Girl Scouts, School activities, Gardening, and Handicrafts. Janice and her family live in Medford, Oregon.

"We are all born with a natural beauty, it is how we choose to use it that makes us truly beautiful."

To learn more about Janice Cox, visit her website at www.janicecox.com.

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