Beautify Your Skin with Rice
This simple, easily harvested plant can work wonders on your hair and skin. Try these at-home recipes from Philip B, a botanical hairstylist in Los Angeles.
Photography By Mark Lund
Oatmeal, Rice, and Coconut Bath -Yields 3 cups (enough for 2 baths)
1 cup oats
1 cup brown rice
1 teaspoon coconut extract
2 tablespoons loose black tea or the tea from 5 black tea bags
1 cup powdered milk
1. Combine ingredients in bowl and divide mixture evenly, storing half in covered container for future use. 2. Place the remaining mixture into an 8-by-8-inch cheesecloth square; tie into pouch. 3. Run bath with very hot water; submerge pouch in water, squeezing a few times to fully hydrate ingredients. 4. When water has cooled to a comfortable temperature, slip into bath; leave pouch in water if desired. 5. Remain in bath at least 20 minutes for hydrating and moisturizing benefits.
Pumpkin and Brown Rice Hand-Softening Pack - Yields 2 cups
1/2 cup brown rice
1 cup warm water
1/2 cucumber, chopped
1/4 cup pumpkin (fresh or canned)
2 tablespoons coconut milk 1.
In bowl, combine rice and warm water; stir until all ingredients are moistened. Let sit 1 hour. 2. Pour rice and water mixture through coffee filter or paper towel, saving water and discarding rice solids. 3. In blender, mix cucumber, pumpkin, and coconut milk on Medium speed for 30 seconds. 4. Add rice water to blender; mix on Medium 15 seconds more. 5. Apply mixture liberally over hands and cover hands with plastic wrap or gloves. Leave on 15 minutes. 6. Remove covering and rinse with warm water. 7. Cover and refrigerate unused mixture immediately for up to 4 days.
To learn about how rice can restore luster to your hair and skin, read "Rice to Riches" in our March 2007 issue.
