Narine Nikogosian - Return to Beauty: Old-World Recipes for Great Radiant Skin

RETURN
TO
BEAUTY

OLD-WORLD RECIPES FOR GREAT RADIANT SKIN NARINE NIKOGOSIAN PHOTOGRAPHS BY JUSTIN LEE WHEELER This publication contains the opinions and ideas of its author. It is intended to provide helpful and informative material on the subjects addressed in the publication. It is sold with the understanding that the author and publisher are not engaged in rendering medical, health, or any other kind of personal professional services in the book. The reader should consult his or her medical, health, or other competent professional before adopting any of the suggestions in this book or drawing inferences from it. The author and publisher specifically disclaim all responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this book. A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
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1-866-248-3049 or visit our website at www.simonspeakers.com. Designed by Nancy Singer Manufactured in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Nikogosian, Narine.
Return to beauty: old-world recipes for great radiant skin / Narine Nikogosian.
p. cm.
1. I. I.

Title.
RL87.N55 2009
646.72dc22 2009998147 ISBN 978-1-4391-2606-6
ISBN 978-1-4391-6817-2 (ebook) RETURN
TO
BEAUTY This book is dedicated to you, the reader. May it take you home to your own beauty; you will find it in your heart.

WINTERSPRINGSUMMERFALL SKIN CARE The truth about real beauty is that its up to each person to bring it out from withinby the words we think and use, the foods we eat, and how we take care of the world around us. I grew up in Armenia, where fresh fruit and vegetable stands overflowed on every cornerripe with delicious scents and brilliant colors. In Armenia, we didnt just eat the fruit, we used the fruiteven to create skin care products. Today, beauty is a $50 billion-a-year industry.

The modern woman uses products that can be expensive and, worse, often contain toxins. For example, a top-selling skin care line currently on the market that can be purchased at any grocery store in the country contains (according to the Environmental Working Group) an ingredient so toxic that it has been banned in Canada and by the European Union. How does this make you beautiful? The use of fresh foods to create a healthy beauty regimen has thrived since ancient times. Cleopatra took milk baths. I hail from a long line of women seriously interested in skin care. During World War II, the Russian government gave each citizen a daily ration of one piece of bread and a pat of butter.

That was all the people had to eat for an entire day. My grandmother ate the bread but spread the butter on her face as a moisturizer. Thats old-world wisdom. Thats a determined woman! Old-world wisdom for skin care offers different recipes depending upon each persons skin type. For instance, if you have very dry skin, in the winter your moisturizer would be completely different from that of a woman with oily skin. A woman with oily skin can add lemon juice to almost any recipe; however, a woman with dry skin needs soothing foods like avocados to stay hydrated.

I began to learn the secrets to having beautiful, healthy skin when I was a little girl. I would beg to go with my grandmother and mother to the local salon where they received their facials. Watching the beautiful aestheticians hands dance across my mothers face, I would memorize the movements to practice later in front of the mirror in my room back at home. I started experimenting with whatever foods were in our kitchen (vegetables, fruits, grains, and dairy), creating various concoctions that I would try on my own face. Some recipes were successful; others felt like glue. As I grew older, I experimented with my new knowledge, adding to it my love of astrology.

I created recipes based upon the various needs of each sun sign. I then invited my friends over to try my treatments. Through trial and error, I became successful at treating all different types of skin conditions. I cant wait to go to work each morning. Im the luckiest woman in the world. A NOTE TO THE READER

To create the happiest and most successful journey for you, this book has been broken down into three main sections: Seasons, Sun Signs, and Simple Solutions.

The first section, Seasons, contains recipes for each skin type for every season. These recipes should be used as your daily skin care regimen throughout the year. The recipes in the second section, Sun Signs, are intended to be playful and enhance your overall experience. For common concerns, please refer to the Simple Solutions section. There you will find quick remedies for everything from dark under-eye circles and pimples to brittle nails and split ends. In the fourth section, youll find recipes to follow if youre pregnant.

These recipes focus on remedies for the unique challenges youre faced with during this happy time. When you cant afford a professional facial or your day calendar is full, Ive provided some beauty secrets with easy-to-follow steps in the section How to Give Yourself a Facial. Last, for the man in your life, turn to the No Frills for Men pages. There you will find basic skin care recipes that even he will want to follow. I have tried to take into account budgetary concerns as well as busy daily schedules. Most recipes are easy to make and require only ten minutes of preparation.

If you dont own a food processor, use a blender. If you dont own a blender, use a mixer. If you dont own a mixer, use a potato masher. (Remember how my grandmother used the butter on her face during World War IIbe creative!) If you cant afford organic, be sure to purchase fresh ingredients. If something is out of season in the region where you live, buy fresh-frozen fruit with no added sugars. You will notice that many of my recipes contain one of these three ingredients: honey, eggs, or dairy.

These healing foods make a creamy base for any cleanser or moisturizer. When heating honey or milk, remember that you want to warm it only slightly to mix it with other ingredients. Always test for temperature before using any recipe on your skin. Most recipes are to be made the day that you intend to use them. Please remember that there are no preservatives in fresh foods, so if you double a recipe, it may not last. Always refrigerate leftovers in a clean plastic container.

Before using a recipe on your face, dab a small amount on your wrist. If your skin has an adverse reaction, discontinue usage. There are plenty of other recipes to try. Find the ones that make you feel, and look, your best. Thank you for allowing me to share my skin care passion with you.

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