Maple Holistics Spa Day and Giveaway!

**These products were sent to me for review by Maple Holistics.  Reviews are entirely my own personal opinion**

Yesterday was a bad day.

First, Benjamin didn't nap once due to us getting a new roof.  This meant roofers were stomping around, pounding in nails and yelling at each other the whole morning and afternoon AND early evening.  This made for a cranky baby.  Second, I didn't have a chance to have a shower and/or bath the whole day which made for a cranky Christina.  Third, I woke up to two pimples on my chin.

There you have it.  A yucky day all around.  After Allan got home, dinner was eaten, baby was bathed and put down for bed, I handed the baby monitor to him and said "I'm having a Maple Holistics Spa Day".

Seriously, I am SO HAPPY I did.

The Shampoo and Conditioner were so relaxing.  They are limited edition products called "Winter Blend" and they seriously smell like candy canes.  The best part of these products is they make your scalp tingle and give it a nice cooling sensation.  The products are created with a blend of 5 different mint varieties as well as a laundry list of gorgeous therapeutic products (green tea, sea buckthorn and hibiscus to name a few).  My hair was clean and my scalp was tingly and I felt so much more relaxed after using them.  (Quick thing to note, because they are sulfate free you will not get the same lather you do with other shampoos.  I don't use sulfate products personally, so this is something I'm already used to.)

As you all know, I'm a sucker for a good skin mask.  Before opening the mask, I thought it was a scrub BUT was very pleasantly surprised to see it was a mud mask!  I have had mud masks in Thailand and Bali and this one reminded me of one I had during my travels.  I was instantly drawn in by the gorgeous lavender smell.  Seriously, so relaxing and luxurious.  The mask went on super smoothly and hardened within a matter of minutes.

I removed the mask after a few minutes and my skin was SO SMOOTH.  Seriously, I feel like a whole new person.  It's been a long time since I've said this but I will actually be buying this product again once I'm out.  It is seriously fantastic.

Now to the good part - GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

Maple Holistics (and EduMuch) wants to send one of my readers a set of their own Winter Blend Shampoo and Conditioner.  To enter the giveaway, you must live in the USA (or have an address to ship your items to in the US) AND answer this one question - What is your favorite way to relax?

Check out this link too!  http://www.mapleholistics.com/free-products/

    

DIY Beauty Fridays: The Blueberry Face Mask

Who, honestly, doesn't love blueberries right?

I'm the girl who'll buy a carton of blueberries for the sole purpose of putting them in my freezer and eating them once they're frozen solid. (Yummy, frozen blueberries.) Not only are they tasty little bobbles but they're jam packed with some fantastic health benefits for both your body and your skin. Blueberries are loaded with vitamin C, E and many other skin friendly nutrients but, most of all, they have the highest antioxidant capacity of any fruit. These little berries are also known to reduce inflammation and have an antiseptic effect. Needless to say, there isn't a better fruit to use in a facial mask.

Blueberry Facial Mask

2/3 cup blueberries
2/3 cup plain yogurt (I always use plain greek gods brand yogurt)
2/3 cup honey (pure)
1 tsp. oatmeal

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend thoroughly. Once done, pour mask into a reusable container (which you must store in the fridge between uses) and apply to face with either fingertips or cotton pads. Leave on for 15 minutes and, once dry, remove with a warm cloth.

Ladies, your skin will feel amazing after using this mask. Not only will your skin be more smooth but the redness or problem areas will seem to have disappeared completely.

**Note: I made a mask without using oatmeal this time around. I didn't have any in the house and didn't feel like running out to grab some. The mask still turned out well!**

Ciao