Jan's Useful Tips: #1 - Homemade Pore Declogger

I don't know about you, but I love reading beauty/fashion mags. It's like window shopping for clothes without the crowded mall and the disapproving salesroom attendants. From time to time, these magazines also contain some invaluable DIY tips.

Homemade Pore Declogging Mask:
Ingredients:
-1/2 tsp of unflavored gelatin
-1 tsp of milk

Directions:
1. If you've ever used store bought pore strips, you should know that it helps to have a clean face. Do whatever cleaning ritual you do to help get the gunk in your pores to peep out. (I often have to steam my face and then put on a clay mask to urge my stubborn pores to open and dry excess oil. If this is your route, I do not recommend doing this often and to only do this once a month or so.) I recommend pulling your hair away from your face and pinning any strays back. If needed, wet your hair and then pin or wear a shower cap/wig cap/anything that will get ALL of your hair away from your face. This step is the most crucial and I cannot stress it enough.
2. Combine unflavored gelatin and mix in a small bowl/container/cup/whatever vessel you choose. Stir just enough to saturate most of the gelatin and then microwave mixture for 10 seconds. Take it out and stir a little more thoroughly. Wait until the mixture cools to a comfortable temperature before proceeding.
3. Apply the mixture to sections of your face using your fingers or popsicle stick/tongue depressor/etc. taking special care to not apply to close to eyebrows or eyelids (steer clear of eye area in general). This mixture is very strong and sticky and is capable of pulling out most of your hairs. If you like your eyebrows the way they are or do not like feeling the pain of several of them getting pulled out at once, DO NOT PUT THIS ON YOUR EYEBROWS. If you feel the need to cover your entire face, I recommend doing it in sections and making a new batch after each section because it is difficult to peel off if your entire face is covered at once. This mask takes about 20 minutes to harden.
4. Once the mask hardens and no longer feels tacky on your skin, peel it off gently. If you got some a little too close to your eyes, you may peel gently and slowly or simply soften it with water and wash it off. The same goes for your eyebrows. Rewash or rinse your skin afterwards.

Some notes:
*Do not use this mask as an alternate to hot wax for hair removal. It does not remove all of your hairs but has the capability to.
*If you get skin allergies, I would recommend making a small test batch and applying it on the side of your jaw or the underside of your forearm first. Follow the steps above and wash or rinse the test area. Always wait 24 hours and watch for reactions before proceeding with the rest of your face.
*Use only as needed and do not incorporate into your daily routine.
*The unflavored gelatin can be purchased at any supermarket. Check where boxed flavored gelatins/puddings are. They may be difficult to spot at first but they're there. My box is the brand Knox.

I love using this mask and it's very cheap to make. Those storebought pore strips can get to be so expensive, so if you don't really have that option, this is a much easier one. I hoped you liked this new segment of mine. If any of you have any cool tips, let me know!

Happy Crafting!
-Love, Janneth