Mas

Dear Denise:

The holiday season is here and that means most of my extra money will have to go to gifts for everyone else, except me! With all the hustle and bustle, I am going to need a break and relax. Plus, I need to look good for those family gatherings. Can you give me some tips on how I can freshen up my face without spending moola?

Is there any way I can give myself a facial at home? Is there something I can do at home for relaxation?

Signed

In need of a beauty day

Dear In need:

I know both you and I aren’t going to get much sleep since we’ll be busy shopping for all 500 of our cousins, tias, uncles and the neighbors across the street — not to mention arguing with our kids over why we can’t buy them all the items listed in the Toys R Us Christmas special. So I’ve got just the right holiday treatment for you, and it will cost you no more than $10.

Yes, there is a Santa. Her name is Denise.

The gift? It’s a home facial. I’ll call it the Más facial.

This facial is something to help with relaxation and keep those pores  cleaned out.

First, you need to gather a few things:

• Facial scrub

• Facial cleanser

• Moisturizer, especially one with an antioxidant, according to the skin type.

• Mask, according to skin type, or oatmeal. Cook oatmeal, let it cool and place on your face for an oatmeal mask. Don’t use oatmeal if you are allergic to it.

I recommend using whatever scrub, cleanser and moisturizer you’re used to.

Next: 

• Main ingredients — four tea bags:

1. Manzanilla (chamomile) for calming.

2. Arnica if you need skin healing or have areas with scars.

3. Lemon grass (exfoliator) for oily skin only.

4. Siete Azahares (Seven Blossoms) or Tila (Lenden Flowers) for stress and relaxation.

Now for the steps:

1. Put the four tea bags in separate pots and boil. Do not put all the teas together to save yourself from washing dishes. Let’s do it right the first time. If you have oily skin type, then boil the lemon grass. If you don’t have dry skin, skip the lemon grass.

2. Pull hair back in a chongo. Can’t have your hair dripping in the cream!

3. Apply cleanser and rinse with lukewarm water.

4. Get a dry bath towel and put it over your head like a hood.

5. Pour the Manzanilla into a mixing bowl and place on a counter.

6. Lean over the bowl so the steam can steam your face. But don’t lean so close that you’ll burn yourself with the hot tea. You have to be close enough to feel the steam.

7. Once the steam is gone, apply your scrub.

8. Use your Manzanilla water to gently rinse off the scrub. Again, make sure it’s warm, not hot.

9. Then apply the mask you chose for your skin.

10. If you have any areas you want to treat for scarring, you can take the Arnica tea water and soak a cotton pad with the tea water and apply to areas of skin that you want to treat.

11. Now make yourself a cup of tea with the Siete Azahares (Seven Blossoms) or Tila (Lenden Flowers) to de-stress and relax.

12. Use the Manzanilla tea bags and apply to eye area for calming and soothing. Let the bags sit for 10 to 15  minutes.

13. Take off tea bags.

14. Remove tea bags and rinse face with lukewarm water to cool water to remove mask and any remaining residue.

Now the facial is complete.

Some more advice:

Don’t apply any make-up for 6 to 8 hours after the facial.

Sabes algo?

Your question made me think of about other Latinos and Latinas who might be interested in home facials. So  I am going to hook you up with a Christmas gift — with support from my husband and Más:

Through the month of December, La Bonita will offer the tea bags and the holiday recipe card for the Más facial — from Denise and Más — for free for the first 300 people who show up at the La Bonita Holiday Store at 1813 East California, where you get your local fresh masa.

To qualify, bring in a copy of this Más issue and you will receive one recipe card and your choice of three of the teas for the facial. One gift per person.

If you’re not among the first 300, these ingredients cost about 79 cents per package (6 count) and can be purchased at the La Bonita Holiday Store. Yes, we’re talking less than a dollar to get a facial. Girl, I know how to take care of you!

And to keep my husband and his attorneys happy (he owns La Bonita so you know my tortillas are good!), I must add this note: These herbs are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.

Good luck, have fun and don’t try to get any masa in your tea!

Just in time for Christmas,

Denise