DIY Vitamin C Serum

With age comes wisdom and wrinkles. Wisdom I welcome, wrinkles... that's another story. Whether you have wrinkles or not now is the perfect time to incorporate something into your regimen to repair or prevent them. 

The benefits of using a vitamin C serum far exceed wrinkle busting. Vitamin C increases cellular turnover and production of collagen. Collagen is the key substance that keeps our skin looking young, fresh and tight. It also helps to heal acne scars and brighten skin. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant so it fights free radicals that damage our skin cells. 

Sure you can buy Vitamin C serums on the market but they can be quite expensive. Vitamin C serums also oxidize quite rapidly so the longer the shelf life, the less potent the serum is. Because of this I prefer to make my own vitamin C serums.

I make a fresh serum every week and here is my formula / recipe.

What you will need:

• L-Ascorbic Acid Powder, you can find this at your local health food store or online here
• 100% pure Vegetable Glycerine, you can find at your local health food store
• Distilled Water
• Dark colored glass bottle / serum bottle, preferable with a dropper

Directions:

• In a small glass mixing bowl add 1tsp of L-Ascorbic Acid Powder, 1tsp of distilled water and 1tsp of vegetable glycerine
• Mix till L-Ascorbic powder is completely dissolved
• Pour serum into glass bottle and keep in a cool dry place
• I use my serum every evening, when I'm not lazy. :)
• To use wash and/or exfoliate as you normally would, then apply serum, then apply your moisturizer

Tips:

• Make a fresh batch every week
• Vitamin C serum works optimally when combined with Vitamin E so I use Rosehip oil right after I use my serum (Rosehip oil is very high in Vitamin E) 
• Don't forget to consume vitamin C-  oranges, tomatoes, red bell peppers, lemons, etc

** Please be advised Information provided on this site is for educational use only, and is not intended as medical advice. Every attempt has been made for accuracy, but none is guaranteed. If you have any serious health concerns, you should always check with your health care practitioner. **

Let's Blossom!!!

Lovely Things

This picture makes me nostalgic and reminds me of the simplicity of life. I love their cute dresses too. :)



Kelp noodles. Get on it!!! They are serving me well on my 70% raw eating.

The décor in this home is so lovely and shabby chic.



The expression of the sun kissing my face on my morning run walk.



The depths of color in a peacock's feather. God is beautiful!!!

Let's Blossom!!!

Orchid Frock

It is so rare that my outfit is not mainly composed of vintage. I mean every single day I wear mostly vintage... that's how much I like vintage. Once in a while it happens though... where's the vintage. At least the clutch is vintage. :) I picked up this dress a few years ago at F21. The color and the neckline drew me in. This dress reminds me of an orchid and orchids are my favorite flowers.

Dress - old F21, Shoes - Ivanka Trump, Clutch - Vintage

Photos by - Chai Studio

Let's Blossom!!!

Lace Leather

I love the juxtaposition of soft and hard. Lace paired with leather is unexpected but makes for a wonderful combination. It is like love... sometimes you fall in love with the unexpected and it makes for a beautiful unity. They say opposites attract...

 Dress - Vintage Thrifted * Jacket - TJ Maxx * Boots - Cole Haan * Clutch - Vintage

Photos by - Chai Studio

Let's Blossom!!!

Cyber Monday Sale

The sale ends at midnight!!! You snooze, you lose. Get it while it's on sale!!!

www.ruvarashe.etsy.com

Enter code RVB20 at checkout to get 20% off!!!

Let's Blossom!!!

Indego Africa Fall Trunk Show

Yesterday I attended a wonderful trunk show for Indego Africa. I always love when fashion can serve a great cause and this was one of those experiences. I could go on and on about the wonderful things that Indego Africa is doing to support women in Rwanda so please check out their website and pick up a thing or two.

This is what I wore to the event...

Let's Blossom!!!

Plaid Shenanigans

Either I really miss my home, Zimbabwe or the fact that I can now walk almost everywhere has me wearing this bag almost everyday. It is quite comfortable, accommodates all my belongings and gives my outfits that boho look that I like. I bought it at the Avondale flea market in Harare, Zimbabwe two years ago and I have worn it more in the past month than ever before. 

Plaid is a great fall print so if I were you I would jump on it. I recently sold this and this in the store and kind of regret listing them. Lol... kidding. Plaid and flannel all in one. You snooze, you lose. More plaid and flannel coming to the boutique soon.

Dress, Boots, Shades - Vintage * Beanie - Target * Bag - Flea Market

Photos by - Chai Studio

Let's Blossom!!!

Radiant Clear Skin

In the name of curiosity I recently put aside my all time favorite facial scrub to try other products however I find myself always returning back to this product. It is natural, inexpensive and you probably have it in your kitchen right now... Sodium Bicarbonate, also known as Baking Soda. I love this stuff!!! 

Baking soda has too many uses to mention, from deodorizer to carpet cleaner to teeth whitener. I use it as a cleanser/facial scrub and I love it. Sometimes I use it alone, sometimes I use it after I cleanse my face, and some people mix the baking soda with their cleanser. Like all things beauty related it all depends on what works for you. Baking soda is a naturally occurring chemical compound and I love that not only is it inexpensive but it is GREEN... environmentally friendly. 

How does it benefit the skin?

• Removes dead skin cells which helps skin to look more radiant
• Removes blackheads and other impurities
• Stimulates blood flow and cell turnover which is great for anti-aging
• Clears dark spots from acne or pimples thereby evening out skin tone

 How to use it?

• Splash water on your face to dampen
• Use wet hands to scoop out a palm size (I tsp) of the baking soda (I keep a little glass jar in my shower caddy) 
• Evenly distribute between two hands by rubbing together and concentrate the baking soda on your palms (this should create a semi paste)
• Use your palm to rub in circular motions all around your face avoiding the eye area. Make sure to get your chin, forehead, around your nose, any areas with dark spot from acne/pimples. The key is to use your palms and to use circular motions.
• Wash off with running water 
• Pat face dry or allow to air dry
• This step is important... moisturize... pat moisturizer on to your face
• I use this baking soda scrub as I see the need. At most I use baking soda 3 times a week. It all depends on your skin type. If your skin is sensitive you may want to adjust the amount of times you use it. 
• I prefer to do it in the shower so when I am done I can allow the water to run down my face and remove all traces of the baking soda.

Let me know if you try it and how it works for you. I always have instantly smoother more radiant skin when I use it. 

** Please be advised Information provided on this site is for educational use only, and is not intended as medical advice. Every attempt has been made for accuracy, but none is guaranteed. If you have any serious health concerns, you should always check with your health care practitioner. **

Let's Blossom!!!

Deep Condition in Style

When I deep condition my hair I typically like to leave it in for at least 6 hours. There is debate on whether it is necessary but I find that it does my hair wonders so that is what I do. It's important to do what works for your own hair as opposed to jumping on every bandwagon. Deep conditioning is important for my hair as I have been protective styling for the past few months and plan to continue till the end of winter. 

I don't use heat when deep conditioning except when I use my steamer. I find that if I wrap my hair/head there is enough body heat generated to get the job done. This also enables me to deep condition on the go and in style. No one would ever know that under my head wrap is a shower cap and hair full of deep conditioner and oils. :)

                 

    

 

Jumpsuit, Speckled Cardigan - Vintage  (similar in RVB soon)* Headwrap - Market in Cape Town, SA

Photos by - Chai Studio

Let's Blossom!!!

It's all over

We are finally done with all the moving... that's what's been keeping me from you. hehehe :) I love our new place and I can't wait to finish decorating.

I posted this on my FB wall the morning of our move because I was is awe yet again of how God orchestrated everything... I thought I would share it on here.

God is so excellent guys. When we submit to Him He orders our footsteps... I mean even the little details. Do you know what it means to have your footsteps ordered by the One who holds the universe in His hands? You go through each day with peace and stability. Come what may... I am established because it is not me but God who is in control. Hallelujah!!! 

 Sweater- Oscar De La Renta* Acid Wash Denim- T J Maxx (similar here)* Purse- Vintage
Photos by - Chai Studio

Let's Blossom!!!