Why:

Steaming before you apply a mask makes it twice as effective (making you twice as gorgeous!) by helping your skin get rid of dirt and impurities.

How:

Pull hair back and wash your face as normal. Fill the sink with hot water. Drape a towel over your head and lean over the basin for 2-5 minutes. Unless you already own a facial steamer...

Comments: It's hard on the back to bend over the sink for 5 minutes while standing. It might be better at the kitchen table over a basin.

Results: I did this before an egg white mask. My skin definitely felt cleaner and smoother, but I'm not sure if it was the steam or the mask.

 

Anise Steam Treatment {Found in spice sections of the grocery
store or health food stores}

The seed smells a little like liquorice. A brew of crushed seeds and boiling water is used for facial steams to open and medicate the pores. 1 cup of seeds to 4 to 6 cups of boiling water is excellent for rinsing the hair and enhancing it's colour. It cleanses the pores of the scalp at
the same time. Make sure you let the water cool before using it on your scalp. (It seemed like a good thing to mention.)

 

Basil is a spice that many people don't use or don't know about. Aside from cooking with it, it's great for acne that doesn't seem to respond to other products. Use 2 to 3 teaspoons dried basil leaves to 1 cup boiling water. Steam for 10 to 20 minutes. Let it cool and apply this mixture to acne-inflammed skin with a cotton ball.