The Unbearable Lightness of Beauty

When the heat of summer casts her voluptuous spell of brilliant light, we are bathed in golden riches of outstretched solar waves, radiating with an almost ferocious intensity. But what is intrinsically a time of immense cosmic power can be received as an overpowering force— perhaps all this sunshine is too much for some, who prefer the cool and quiet dark of a late midsummer night to conjure their desires. Yet these long days are the peak of vitality, abundance, and celebration. What if, instead of wilting in the heat, we chose to see things from another perspective? Better yet, to feel from a different level, one that allows us to elevate above the clouds, entwine with the flowers, and float between the worlds?

The other “light” of summer is air, mes chérs. Though the elemental reign of fire holds court, it is the wind which carries a luscious breeze through our collective spirit. Air is ruled by Mercury, that charming chatterbox that opens doors … why not let him open our minds right now, weaving a spider’s web of thoughts through our daydreams? Dare to imagine conjuring spun-silk masterpieces, creating the architecture of your wildest desires.

My offerings to you this season are a pink chiffon facial, a

perfumed hair mist, and a whipped cream cocktail—all designed to inspire flights of fancy! I see you twirling, spinning, and dancing with soft delirium, feathery light as the gossamer wings of a creature only you can imagine.

And because day turns to night (as it should), one dazzling star shines here: the fetchingly fragrant, slightly mysterious plumeria. Plumeria, or frangipani, has long been revered as a Venusian flower of love, with an intoxicating scent that seems to effortlessly call forth beauty magic with the ample charms of its regent. Plumeria simply adores your skin! It has a unique ability to bind cells together, providing structure to them, which translates to lifting and firming the skin. It also softens, balances oil, and stimulates the oh-so-important cellular growth, all while soothing and healing a parched, sun-kissed visage. A naturally potent aphrodisiac, plumeria’s perfume also soothes, calms, and reduces stress to aid beauty sleep. When added to the cauldron for hair care, it strengthens follicles, promotes hair growth, hydrates, and provides UV protection.

Concoct and adore these under the precious new moons of summer, on any gentle Sunday, or whenever your secret stories beckon …

Rêve Crémeux Beauty Cocktail

Conjures 2 to 4 cocktails
½ cup fresh plum, chopped
½ cup fresh raspberries
¼ cup coconut milk
Squeeze of tangerine
Champagne or soda water

Pop the raspberries and plum into a high-speed blender, add the coconut milk, and blend until completely smooth and creamy. (Note that vortex-style blenders will always work best with all produce, eliminating the chunky bits and odd particles!) Pour into a cocktail shaker, add a squeeze of tangerine to taste, ice if you like, then shake until blended. Pour into gorgeous cocktail glasses, filling only halfway up. Add the champagne or soda, then top with a dollop of coconut cream. Raise your glass to all good things coming to fruition in these sun-soaked days of summer! This drink is a delight of silky, creamy, whipped delirium infused with a bright fruit flavor that’s both decadent and light. Santé!

Tangerine Fiery and protective tangerine supports collagen production and cellular renewal while bringing forth love and prosperity.

Champagne The “wine of kings” is actually quite the beauty secret—and my personal favorite libation! Loaded with antioxidants, celebratory champagne helps promote even skin tone and cleanses with natural antibacterial powers.

Beauty Witch Secret: Oh yes, it does make a smashing smoothie, too … just omit all things bubbly. You can do wonders with this: Add a cold herbal tea, a banana, a few spoonfuls of cooked quinoa, cacao nibs … the sunny, starry sky is the limit!

Mousseline Rose

Facial

Facial Conjures approximately 3 treatments
1 8-ounce can organic coconut milk, chilled
1 tablespoon rose water
3 tablespoons almond flour, finely ground
3 fresh raspberries

Plan ahead by placing t

refrigerator for about an hour. This will allow the solid cream to separate from the liquid. Spoon the cream into a large bowl, and set aside the liquid for later. In a separate bowl, combine two tablespoons only of the coconut cream with the almond flour and rose water. Drop in the raspberries. Then, using a hand mixer or immersion (or “stick”) blender, pulse until you have a fluffy, whipped consistency. Add more almond flour to reach a desired texture, if needed. Fold in the plumeria, inviting her beauty to your ritual soirée.

Massage in a circular motion onto clean skin to remove the dulling surface layer of cells, then let the masque set for 10 to 20 minutes. Breathe in the sensuous aroma and decadent touch of this blend. Rinse well with cool water, pat dry. Your skin will be glowing and your spirit uplifted!

You can spoon the remainder into an airtight jar and keep refrigerated until you are ready to use.

Coconut Ruled by the moon and water, coconut

heightens your intuition and psychic abilities as it provides beauty fats for supple skin. Its creamy, soft consistency adds sensual richness to your potions.

Rose Though the rose appears delicate, it’s actually one of the oldest symbols of strength. A flower of Venus and sacred to both Freya and Hathor, it’s been revered for its beauty magic, as well as its love, luck, divination, healing, protection, and psychic enhancement abilities. Rose is active yet soothing, targeting fine lines and wrinkles with a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Raspberry Rich in antioxidants and vitamin E, raspberry prevents the destruction of skin cells, wards off premature aging, and helps maintain water balance in skin. It is healing to eczema and psoriasis, and protects against UV damage. Ruled by Venus and water, it brings forth happiness, love, and protection.

Almond Rich in calcium and vitamin E, almond milk is beautifying and strengthening, with added magic of money, luck, and healing. As a very gentle exfoliant, it sloughs away dead skin without irritation. Ruled by air, it gives potions a lightness of energy surrounding the intellect, reminding you to ease up on the kind of worrying that wreaks havoc on your face.

Beauty Witch Secret: If you have any coconut cream or milk left over, enjoy! Splash them into a warm bath, add several drops of plumeria, apply your potions, pour your cocktail … and lose yourself in a spellbound spa!

Plumes Parfumées

Scented Hair Mist Conjures approximately 2 ounces
1½ ounces rose water
3 drops raspberry seed oil
3 drops sweet almond oil
1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
6 drops plumeria essential oil

This is almost too simple! Just combine all ingredients in a glass sprayer bottle—though it must be a pretty one—and blend by shaking vigorously to blend the aloe into the potion. Give it the magic touch with a final clockwise swirl, cap it, and mist your dry or damp hair whenever you like! A light coating is all you need to detangle, hydrate, calm frizz, protect from UV damage, and impart celestial shine. This works well on all hair textures and is light enough for fine hair.

Beauty Witch Secret: This little mystical mist can refresh and illuminate sleepy strands, so do pop one in your bag for whenever you need a lift. Psst: It does double duty as a body mist!

Aloe Known as the “medicine plant,” lunar aloe carries the magic of protection and luck. It contains anti-inflammatory hormones, which have a firming, depuffing effect on the skin.