DIY Cellulite Massage

It started with my New Year's resolution and of course you all know what that is - to be fit. And if you are a girl like me trying to lose the holiday weight while preparing for the summer, things can blow out of proportion. Match it up with picture perfect Hollywood celebrities, any girl even with the knowledge of self-tanners and photoshop would worship any way that can rid them of cellulites. Yes, that's right. Cellulites. My mortal enemy no. 1 (for now). 

I've read up a lot of articles in the internet about cellulite; how it can removed, how it's possible, how it's not possible, how it can be done naturally, how it can be done topically, how to hide it. But among which that I found very attractive to try is the slimming massage, which is said to remove cellulite when you have it done regularly. 

If you are here then you already have knowledge about what cellulites are. But for the sake of clarity I shall explain it anyway. Or better yet show you. 

Image from: http://purelyfitness.com/cellulite-busting-exercises

So cellulites are the dimples that come out when you press your thighs in such a way. But it is not limited to that. It can come out even if you are not pressing it, which is much worse.  

In essence, cellulites are fat deposits. I don't know if you can really get rid of it because they also say that it's genetic. But if you can minimize it then I think it's worth the effort. 

When you search the internet about eliminating cellulite naturally, you'll find lots of diet tips, thigh exercises and coffee ground rub or orange home remedies. I don't think there is but one solution to it so might as well try it all. 

I'm not one to diet. And I bake too! So diet, I'm sorry. 

Photo from: http://www.twofatchickxlosingweight.com/2012/03/its-not-you-its-me/

So to battle it out with my cellulites in this battle royale, I fight with two weapons; deadly thigh exercise and with DIY cellulite massage. 

I found this link in the Internet as I was doing my due diligence.

Among everything I've watched, this was the most no-brainer of all. It's French though but it doesn't matter as long as you can see the strokes. I don't use any slimming oil. I used just aloe vera lotion, coconut baby oil and sunflower oil interchangeably. My favorite is Human Nature's Sunflower Oil.

I find it fun because when I press myself, I feel the water retained in my thighs. You'll know what I mean when you try this. And there is this burst-pop feeling. It's like popping bubble wrap but in a less pronounced way. And sometimes I lose track of time because not only is it relaxing but I have fun popping myself. Ha ha!

I asked my Physical Therapist friend if slimming massages are effective. She said bluntly that it doesn't do what it's supposed to do. What it does though is that it helps in blood circulation. And if you have exercised prior to the massage, it will help break the lactic acid formed that causes body aches. So in effect, massages will make the pain bearable so you can exercise the next day.

But what she said next was even more interesting. She said slimming massages can be slimming for the person who does the massage. I am 120 lbs and with my weight, self-massage of 30 minutes can burn me 114.31 calories. (Check yours here.) Now that's an incentive I'm willing to take! Two birds with one stone!

I don't know if this self slimming/cellulite massage works but here's an observation from me. I've been doing this for a month now and the bubble wrap pop effect is not as bad as when I started and with the thigh exercises I've been doing, I feel better about myself. I feel like I am more connected to myself more than ever. (But that's the cheesy part).

In the end, there is only one thing we can agree on and that's massages are love no matter the source. So have massages done or do it yourself!

DIY Blackhead Removal

I don't know about you but I hate pain. And blackhead pricking sounds like a trip to the doctor with the dreaded needle to me. For years, I have tried to look for the best way to get rid of what my mom loves to call "herd of blackheads" found in my nose. I kind of wish they paid rental fees. Yes, it's that bad. And I am way over puberty to have this much. 

I have done my research on the matter. Though it is true that outside forces like pollution, dirt and everything else that can get into your pores are pretty much to blame for such an outbreak, there are still other factors to consider. It can also be caused by oily skin. And this is pretty much the reason why you shouldn't put too much moisturizer in blackhead infested areas like for example, your nose. That is, if you are oily. 

Another observation I had made is that blackheads are like grass. Pull them up and sooner or later they are back in the game, stealthily if you ask me. And so I knew that there was no cure or a weapon for annihilating for this. It's something that I should live with. As they say, men and children complain, women deal with it. 

So I have tried everything from blackhead scrubs to nose strips of foreign languages I don't understand. I've tried Body Shop's Tea Tree Oil Scrub. I love it because it makes my face feel smooth but... it has nothing against my blackheads - they take a lot after me. As for the nose strips, it has nothing against my blackheads' powerful defenses. But I have come to understand that as long as you keep searching for answers, you will find one soon enough. And I have found my answer, one depressing day.

An acquaintance did a facial demo of her kit on me and you can imagine my amazement when not only did the kit give my face a non-surgical facelift but also pulled out my blackheads! I was so amazed that I thought it was a miracle... SMOOTH NOSE SURFACE! I knew I got to have it.

I bought this facial kit after just one try. 

It's so simple to use. You just mix 1 tsp. of powder and 1 tsp. of the activator and brush upwards. To remove the blackheads, you  apply one ply tissue cut in half and brush mixture again on top of it. Then chill out for 30 minutes. I do this while watching TV, usually when I catch cartoons or my favorite reality shows on E! After 30 minutes, you just pull the tissue like you would with a nose strip and wash your face with water. I don't suggest anything too funny because the mask will harden and I hope you can imagine just what I mean. Really, it's a no-brainer.

The good thing about it is there are no restrictions after. Unlike with pricking, you can't wet your face for a few hours much like when you wax your legs. And can I say that how can you go out if your face looked like it had a bout with Pacman. After this DIY facial, you can put on your heels, hit the town and flaunt your 5-year younger and blackhead free face!

But just a disclaimer, it won't remove 100% of your blackheads. One thing is for sure though, it removes much more when I went under the pricking before. This I can definitely attest.

Well, I'm not complaining. Been using it since August last year once a week and I still think it's awesome (just as long as you are not allergic to eggs). At 25 uses per kit, it lasts me a good 6 months. If you ask me, that's good value for money that makes me feel like a million dollars!

Want the step-by-step instructions? Click HERE.