Pumpkin Pie Beauty

Pumpkin Pie Beauty

Historically the Thanksgiving celebration calls for a variety of pumpkin desserts ranging from pie to puddings, breads and salads.

If you're going to be baking with the bright orange member of the North American squash family, bake some pumpkin pie beauty treats for your skin and hair.

Take the opportunity, if you're baking a pumpkin dessert, to set aside some raw or cooked pumpkin and whip up one of the  beauty treats below:

Pumpkin Pie Hair Smoothie

This hair smoothie will soften distressed hair. It will quench dry scalps and leave tresses soft and shiny.

Ingredients

1 cup of cooked mashed pumpkin

1 whole egg (yolk and white)

3 tablespoons cream

3 tablespoons jojoba, coconut or extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) depending upon your natural hair's type, texture and condition

3 tablespoons organic honey

Clean bowl

Mixing The Pumpkin Pie Hair Smoothie

1.  Using a fork or wooden mixing spoon mix the pumpkin with the egg

2.  Add cream

3.  Blend in oil of your choice

4.  Add organic honey

Mix well so that all of the ingredients are blended completely.

Apply To Scalp And Dry Hair Sections

1. Start with clean towel blotted damp hair which has been completely detangled from ends to roots.

2. Use clean fingers  or a wide tooth hair friendly comb to apply the hair smoothie to scalp and dry sections of hair.

Work in small sections and apply in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction around the head.

3.  Make sure the hair smoothie doesn't drip into the eyes.

4. Once smoothie is applied, wrap hair in a plastic shower cap, plastic wrap or a large towel (pumpkin may stain so only use old towels)

5. Leave on for a minimum of 30 minutes up to several hours depending upon how dry or damaged hair is.

6. Rinse off with lukewarm water.

7. Wet cleanse hair by patting on a very light application of light shampoo, diluted shampoo or conditioner only.  If you prefer, you can experiment with water only.

8. Rinse completely.

9. Apply a rinse out conditioner.

10. Detangle hair while drenched with conditioner.  Work from the ends to the roots.

11. Rinse well and finish with a cool/cold water rinse to seal tresses and add natural shine.

12. Towel blot.

13. Apply leave-in conditioner and/or styling products.

14. Air dry whenever possible.

Pumpkin Deep Hair Conditioner

A member of the squash family, pumpkin contains 100 or more hair, skin and body friendly ingredients.

This orange food is exceptionally high in beta carotene. Beta carotene is known to be super healthy for hair.

Ingredients

1 cup of cooked completely mashed or pureed pumpkin

1/2 cup of plain unflavored yogurt

4 tablespoons of organic honey

Clean bowl

Mixing The Pumpkin Pie Deep Hair Conditioner

1. Using a fork or wooden mixing spoon mix the pumpkin with the yogurt

2. Add the honey

Mix well so that all of the ingredients are blended completely.

Apply To Scalp And Dry Hair Sections

1. Start with clean towel blotted damp hair which has been completely detangled from ends to roots.

2. Use clean fingers  or a wide tooth hair friendly comb to apply the deep hair conditioner to scalp and dry sections of hair.

Work in small sections and apply in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction around the head.

3. Make sure the deep hair conditioner doesn't drip into the eyes.

4. Once deep hair conditioner is applied, wrap hair in a plastic shower cap, plastic wrap or a large towel (pumpkin may stain so only use old towels)

5. Leave on for a minimum of 30 minutes up to several hours depending upon how dry or damaged hair is.

6. Rinse off with lukewarm water.

7.  Wet cleanse hair by patting on a very light application of light shampoo, diluted shampoo or conditioner only.  If you prefer, you can experiment with water only.

8. Rinse completely.

9. Apply a rinse out conditioner.

10. Detangle hair while drenched with conditioner.  Work from the ends to the roots.

11. Rinse well and finish with a cool/cold water rinse to seal tresses and add natural shine.

12. Towel blot.

13. Apply leave-in conditioner and/or styling products.

14. Air dry whenever possible.

Pumpkin Pie Skin Tightener

This facial will tighten sagging or distressed skin while adding natural vibrancy to the skin.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons of egg white (separated from the yolk)

1 teaspoon of powdered milk

1/2 teaspoon of uncooked raw mashed pumpkin

1/4 teaspoon of organic honey

Clean bowl

Mixing The Pumpkin Pie Skin Tightening Mixture

1. Using a fork or wooden mixing spoon lightly whip 2 tablespoons of egg white

2. Add 1 tablespoon of powdered milk to the blended egg whites

3. Blend in 1/4th teaspoon of pumpkin

4. Add 1/2 teaspoon of organic honey

Mix well so that all of the ingredients are blended completely.

Apply Face Mask

1. Start with clean skin.

2. Use clean fingers to apply the face mask in a thick layer all over the face.

3. Be sure to avoid the eyes.

4. Apply a thin film of clean plastic wrap over the pumpkin cutting out a slit for the mouth, nose and eyes.

5. Leave on for 10-15 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water.

Pumpkin Face Mask For Oily Skin*

Pumpkin enzymes also work to gently exfoliate the skin without any abrasive particles.

Pumpkin is rich in zinc, which helps to equalize oily and/or blemished skin conditions:

Ingredients

2 tablespoons of uncooked raw mashed pumpkin

1 egg white (separated from the yolk)

1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon of tomato juice

Mixing The Face Mask Mixture

1.  Combine all of the above ingredients in a clean bowl.

2. Mix well or blend using a blender.

Applying The Face Mask

1. Start with clean skin.

2. Use clean fingers to apply the face mask in a thick layer all over the face.  Be sure to avoid the eyes.

3. Apply a thin film of clean plastic wrap over the pumpkin cutting out a slit for the mouth, nose and eyes.

4. Leave on for 10-15 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water.

Other Pumpkin Beauty Treats

Experts believe pumpkin seeds will help prevent hair from falling out or slow down hair already shedding.

When eating pumpkin seeds to minimize or prevent hair loss, always select organize seeds which are green.

Summary - Pumpkin Pie Beauty

If you're going to be baking with the bright orange member of the North American squash family, bake some pumpkin pie beauty treats for your skin and hair.

* Source: Green Beauty Recipes: Easy Homemade Recipes to Make Your Own Organic and Natural Skincare, Hair Care and Body Care Products (Petite Marie Books, 2010)