Ok Marsh, you’ve officially launched your blog. EEEKKKKK!!!! I’m putting my whole self out there. What have I done? Well I’m in it now. Too late to back down. Topics, topics, think of topics. I NEED A GLASS OF WINE.
So I pulled out a bottle I had purchased a week before from one of my favourite wine suppliers…more on that in the future…and poured a glass. Now, I really shouldn’t have, as I had prosecco for my Dad’s birthday on Thursday and a 2012 pinot noir at a friend’s house on Saturday. But I was home and had been eyeing some blue cheese and pepper jelly, so grabbed my crackers and wine and took in the rest of the Sex in the City marathon…AGAIN.
The cheese finished, but the wine still had a ways to go. Two glasses are enough for tonight…but I’m now bored. I mean, I had already taken in the marathon last week. This is when things got DIFFERENT.
So I was looking at my second glass of wine for inspiration. I decided to take the glass with me up to my room to finish enjoying it whilst I carry out my Sunday night pamper routine. THEN IT HITS ME!!!
Hmmmm, I wonder. If I could drink it, it could go on my body…what about a red wine facial? YESSSSS!!!! Let’s try it!!!!
So I soaked a cotton ball in the remainder of my wine and started applying it to my face (after washing it of course), basically thinking to use it like a toner. I left it on my face for about 15-20 minutes and then decided that whilst I was waiting, I would do some research as to whether this is a “done” thing.
WELLLLLL, why didn’t anybody tell me this before? I got some great information, and I have to share it with you.
Firstly, maybe there isn’t a fountain of youth, but rather a bottle of youth….unless there’s a red wine fountain somewhere, then that would just seal the deal. It seems that red wine may just be the secret to younger looking skin.
“A glass a day keeps the doctor away?”
Whilst drinking a glass a day is great for the body internally, as it can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke because the tannins present in it protect against heart disease, while resveratrol is responsible for a healthy heart and helps to remove the chemicals responsible for blood clots, it is actually good for the face as well.
Aging Skin
Red wine is packed with antioxidants like flavonoid, resveratrol and tannin. Tannin is that brownish bitter-tasting organic substance consisting of gallic acid, which comes from fermented grapes. It is one of the components that adds bitterness, complexity and astringency to the wine. These antioxidents in the wine can help to fight aging by restoring collagen and elastic fibers. Red wine actually gives a boost to sagging skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Acne Prone Skin
Because of its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, applying red wine topically on the face helps to clear pores, fight acne and prevent future breakouts.
Naturally Beautiful Skin
Red wine can help transform a dull complexion and give the glow you’ve always wanted as it contains polyphenols, which are the nutrients we get through certain plant-based foods and contain antioxidants.
Red Wine Facials
Soak a cotton ball with red wine, (don’t worry, I’m sure you can give up one sip) and apply to the face and neck in an upward motion. Alternatively, you could put 1-2oz in a small spray bottle, spray the face and neck and gently rub in an upward motion. Leave on for 15-20 minutes and wash off with clean water. Pat your face dry and admire your beauty.
Another good one which I will try tonight is to add 2 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt to 1 teaspoon of honey and 1-2oz of red wine and mix together. You can add 2 teaspoons of oatmeal, if you want to give the facial some texture, and would work as a great scrub before washing off. Leave on for 15-20 minutes and rinse off, first with warm water then a splash of ice cold water, which closes the pores.
“If I go missing, please put my face on wine bottles so my friends would know.”
WHO KNEW? And if you knew, why didn’t you tell me? It’s now Saturday morning, almost a week since I’ve started doing these facial wine applications. I’ll admit, I’ve never really had problems with my face since my teenage years. But as I’m approaching 50, I’ve noticed a few changes. The fine lines on my forehead and laugh lines, the beginning of wrinkles, the complexity of my skin…all things that I expect as I age. However, I do try to take care of my skin as much as I can. I can honestly say, that within ONE WEEK I have noticed a change in the complexity and elasticity of the skin on my face, and MOST IMPORTANTLY my laugh lines seem to have diminished slightly. I admit it could be mind over matter….but hey…I feel great about my face and myself. I’ll be doing the wine, yogurt, honey combination tonight, to end the week, but I do see myself making these wine facials, part of my routine. Everyday? I’m not sure…gotta have something to drink. Then again, I could sacrifice a glass a week for my beauty hahaaaaaaaa.
Cheers!!!
GRAPES AND GLASSES 