WEAR THE MASK // Then take it off

Tis the season to consider the mask. The mask we all wear that comes from who knows where. The conditioning, the insecurities, the pressures, the fear - for most of us, the mask makes its way into our lives on many occasions

As best as I can tell we were put here on earth to get past the mask. To break our hearts and minds wide open enough to see past our mask, past the mask of others, and consider the heart. The heart of humanity that on the deepest level truly wants one thing. To be loved. 

And its all got to start somewhere. While Instagram beats the self-care drum hard, there is something to be said for looking in the mirror and loving yourself. Appreciating your look, your face, your uniqueness - for all its flaws and impurities. This may sound all good and simple, but it is actually really hard! Even for the most self-actualized bunch, the nature of our culture is to constantly compare ourselves and lives to that of others. If only we could wear that mask - life would be better or different. 

Symbolically this season we are putting on the mask only to wash it off. After all, a healthy dose of self-care is one of the first steps to getting behind the mask your already wearing. 

Here are our top 5 ways to mask it up! 

1 -  SOLO SOAK // Take a bath. Nice and hot. Slather The Balm on a clean face. Let it sit for 5 minutes + Remove with a warm wash cloth. 

2 - THE BALM + SUGAR // Simply mix a little balm with a little bit of sugar. (Any sugar will work, but we prefer coconut sugar because it is softer). Gently rub and exfoliate t-zone areas (nose + chin) well.  Let sit for 5 minutes + cover face with warm wash cloth and gently remove mask. Your skin will literally glow afterwards.  

3 -  THE BALM + COFFEE // Mix a little balm with a little finely ground coffee (you can use brewed grinds!) Gently rub all over face and upper body. We love to use this one all over our upper arms and don't forget those elbows! Sit back, relax and wait for the glow. Coffee helps bring circulation to your face, reduces puffiness, and is a great source of antioxidants. 

Note: If you have super sensitive skin on your face, this may not be the best choice. 

4 - THE BALM + ACTIVATED CHARCOAL // You know all of those weird strips and things you can put on your face to "pull out" black heads and make your pores smaller. Well, it's no surprise that they are full of many chemicals and toxins that may cause all kinds of irritation. Charcoal is the natural solution. It binds to toxins and dirt that we accumulate throughout the day, and helps clean and clear your complexion on just about every level. Mix 1 tsp balm with 1 tsp charcoal and slather on your face.

5 -  THE BALM + UNDER LUNA RED MOON DUST // Now we are getting fancy. This is absolutely one of our new favorite product finds. Made with wild-crafted red sandalwood powder the look, feel, scent, and everything about this mask is amazing. It also includes hibiscus, rose hips, turmeric and lactic acid for supreme anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties. Simply mix a little bit of power with a touch of The Balm and water. Apply liberally to face and allow to sit for 10-15 minutes.

Enjoy and Happy Halloween!