one month before the wedding

DIY TURMERIC & LEMON BRIGHTENING FACE MASK

With the colder months fast approaching, I thought it would be fun to kick off a beauty series to keep our skin glowing and hydrated all winter long. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing my favorite DIY face masks, scrubs, winter skincare tips, and more! For a glimpse into my daily routine, check out my Natural Vegan Skincare Routine.

Wouldn’t it be nice to keep that summer glow all year round? This DIY mask is not only brightening but also perfect for acne-prone skin (or any skin type!) while giving you a healthy, radiant complexion.

Now, a quick disclaimer: the vegan police might be after me for this one… While I don’t consume honey, I’ve always appreciated its medicinal properties for the skin, especially Manuka honey, which has endless healing benefits. I actually picked up a bottle of Manuka honey from Trader Joe’s over the summer without thinking much of it. But then I started feeling guilty, since vegans typically avoid honey. There’s a lot of debate within the vegan community about this, which I dive deeper into in my post about Plant-Based vs. Vegan. If you’re concerned, you can always swap out the honey for agave nectar to get that same sticky consistency!

Normally, I wouldn’t purchase products with honey, but I had this small bottle lying around, and instead of letting it go to waste, I’ve decided to use it for beauty purposes, like in this Brightening Turmeric DIY Face Mask.

A fun fact: Manuka honey comes from New Zealand, where bees feed on the nectar of the Tea Tree Plant. It’s the perfect addition to this mask for an extra glow boost!

THIS POTENT MANUKA HONEY IS ESPECIALLY GREAT FOR:

  • Healing acne and scarring
  • Fighting skin infections
  • Cleaning pores while naturally exfoliating
  • Helping skin retain moisture
  • Rejuvenating radiance and softness

NOT TO MENTION ITS:

  • Anti-bacterial properties
  • Anti-inflammatory effects
  • Anti-fungal qualities
  • High in antioxidants to protect the skin

What makes it even more special is its thicker consistency compared to regular honey, with a cloudy appearance. After soaking up some of this healing Manuka honey, my skin feels totally moisturized, balanced, and soft—it’s magical!

I’m no honey expert (I picked mine up from Trader Joe’s), but I know that higher-quality Manuka honey products are out there, like this one from Manuka Doctor, which has a higher UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) score, indicating more potency. You can really feel the difference with a higher UMF—it’s like a supercharged version of regular honey!

The next essential ingredient for this DIY face mask is turmeric – a true wonder spice, and not just for your curry recipes! This vibrant, golden powder is incredibly beautifying. I was inspired to include it in this mask from my Golden Glow Elixir Juice, which you all seemed to love as much as I did (plus, it’s great for boosting immunity during the winter months!).

Turmeric has been used for centuries in beauty rituals, especially by Indian brides who use turmeric body scrubs and masks before their weddings to achieve that head-to-toe glow. The spice is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which help to brighten and even out skin tone, while also giving you a luminous, radiant complexion. It’s like liquid gold for your skin!

BENEFITS OF TURMERIC:

Turmeric is a powerhouse when it comes to skincare, offering a range of benefits:

  • Reduces redness
  • Treats breakouts
  • Helps with age spots
  • Reduces scarring and hyperpigmentation
  • Helps to heal psoriasis and eczema
  • Brightens and tones
  • Anti-inflammatory properties

While fresh turmeric would be even better for this mask, I only had ground turmeric on hand, which still works wonders. Just a heads-up—turmeric is known to stain, so be sure to wear a shirt you don’t mind getting a little messy and dry your face with a dark towel. The turmeric will leave a slight yellow tint on your skin, but don’t worry! I usually wash my face with my regular sulfur soap once or twice after the mask, and the yellow tint disappears with no problem. Just a little heads-up to ensure you’re prepared!

Next up is fresh lemon juice! Lemon is packed with vitamin C, which is essential for brightening and evening out your skin tone. It’s also anti-bacterial, making it especially helpful for breakouts, while acting as a natural exfoliant to give your skin that healthy radiance. Lemon is also known to help fade acne scars over time, making it a great addition to this mask. Don’t worry though—this mask won’t sting like lemon juice sometimes does on its own! It actually feels soothing and balancing on the skin.

The final ingredient is oats, which are incredibly moisturizing, exfoliating, and softening. I blended my oats a bit in the food processor to make them finer, but you can also use oat flour if that’s easier. Just a heads-up, the mask can get a little messy depending on how finely ground your oats are, so be sure to apply it over the sink to make cleanup easier. The oats will help lock in moisture while gently sloughing off dead skin, leaving you with smooth, soft skin.

CONCLUSION

And there you have it—this Brightening Turmeric DIY Face Mask is the perfect way to keep your skin glowing and healthy throughout the colder months! With the power of Manuka honey, turmeric, fresh lemon juice, and oats, this mask works wonders to brighten, exfoliate, and heal your skin, all while leaving it soft, smooth, and balanced.

Whether you’re dealing with breakouts, acne scars, or just want to keep your skin glowing, this mask has got you covered. Plus, it’s natural, vegan (with the option to substitute for agave), and perfect for anyone looking for a simple yet effective skincare routine.

So, put on your favorite old shirt, get ready for a little mess, and treat your skin to some much-needed love and nourishment. Your skin will thank you, and you’ll be glowing all season long!

Let me know how you like it!

CELEBRITY COUPLES WITH SURPRISINGLY LARGE AGE GAPS

Over the years, many celebrities have shown that age is just a number when it comes to finding true love.

Take Katharine McPhee and David Foster as an example. Us Weekly confirmed in July 2018 that Foster proposed to McPhee, who is 34 years younger, after two years of dating. The couple tied the knot in July 2019.

McPhee has embraced their age gap with humor. “I’ll be the hottest step-grandma,” she tweeted in September 2018, referring to Foster’s grandchildren.

However, she has also spoken about the challenges that come with their generational difference. “I was very concerned with what people would think,” the American Idol alum admitted during a March 2021 episode of Dr. Berlin’s Informed Pregnancy Podcast, adding, “I’m not trying to avoid the obvious. We have a huge age difference.”

Scroll down to discover the age gaps between some of your favorite celebrity couples!

Alexandra Daddario and Andrew Form: 17 Years

The White Lotus actress and the producer tied the knot in June 2022 after getting engaged in August 2021. The couple were first linked in 2020, following Form’s split from his wife, Jordana Brewster, after 13 years of marriage. Daddario, who is 17 years younger than Form, said “I do” in a beautiful ceremony in New Orleans.

Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson: 48 Years

Belichick and Hudson reportedly met in 2021, but they kept their romance private until going public three years later.

Lucy Hale and Skeet Ulrich: 20 Years

A source told Us in March 2021 that, despite the significant age gap, the duo “connect over their shared interests,” and it doesn’t bother them. “They are both kind and have a funny, but dark sense of humor,” the insider added. However, the pair split in April 2021.

Steven Tyler and Aimee Preston: 40 years

The Aerosmith frontman and his former personal assistant went public with their romance in February 2016 at Elton John’s AIDS Foundation Oscars watch party. Tyler and Preston are frequently seen packing on the PDA, including posing together on the red carpet at the Hollywood Beauty Awards in February 2019.

Marc Anthony and Nadia Ferreira: 30 Years

The pair were first linked in early 2022, and former Miss Paraguay confirmed their relationship in March of that year. Just a few weeks later, Ferreira announced their engagement via her Instagram Story in May 2022.

Josh Duhamel and Audra Mari: 21 Years

The actor was first spotted with the former Miss World America in May 2019 after his split from Fergie. The couple started stepping out together more that December after Duhamel and the singer finalized their divorce. The couple got engaged in January 2022.

Florence Pugh and Zach Braff: 20 Years

The couple first sparked dating rumors in April 2019, shortly after Pugh starred in Braff’s short film, In the Time It Takes to Get There, earlier that year. They confirmed their romance in December 2019, and in the years that followed, the Oscar nominee defended her relationship against criticism over their age difference. “I have the right to hang out and be with and go out with anyone I want to,” Pugh told Elle UK in June 2020. “I’ve always found this part of what people do really bizarre. I’m an actor because I like acting and I don’t mind people watching my stuff, but people have no right to educate me on my private life.”

The Black Widow star announced in August 2022 that the duo had quietly parted ways several months earlier.

John Mellencamp and Marianelly Agosto: 27 Years

The “Jack and Diane” singer is 27 years older than the skincare expert. Us exclusively revealed their romance in November 2022.

Scott Disick and Amelia Gray Hamlin: 18 Years

Since being first linked in October 2020, the pair have frequently defended their age difference. “People can embrace themselves however they feel fit for them at that moment in time,” Amelia wrote via her Instagram Story in December 2020. “People grow. People learn to love themselves more and more.” However, they called it quits in September 2021.

Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson: 13 Years

After connecting when Kardashian made her Saturday Night Live hosting debut in October 2021, the couple took their romance public a month later. The Skims founder has frequently expressed how “content” she is with their low-key date nights. “It feels good just to know that we have this connection and we have our little bubble of a relationship world that not a lot of people know about,” she told Hoda Kotb in April 2022.

“Everyone in Kim’s family absolutely adores Pete and loves him for Kim. He fits in so well with her life and with her family,” a source exclusively told Us one month later, noting that the couple “are even happier” after making their romance red carpet official in late April 2022. “Kim has also helped Pete grow up in a big way and think about his future and business.”

However, Us confirmed in August 2022 that the pair had split after less than a year together.

Billie Eilish and Jesse Rutherford

The singers appeared to confirm their relationship in October 2022 when they were spotted kissing outside an L.A. restaurant. Eilish is 11 years younger than The Neighbourhood frontman.

That same month, the “Bad Guy” singer and Rutherford playfully acknowledged their age difference with their Halloween costumes, dressing as a baby and an old man.

However, less than a year later, the couple called it quits. “We can confirm Billie and Jesse did split amicably and remain good friends,” Eilish’s rep told Us in May 2023. “All cheating rumors are false. Both are currently single.”

Marques Houston and Miya Dickey: 20 Years

In June 2020, the Sister, Sister alum fired back at trolls who criticized him for being double his fiancée’s age. At the time, he was 38 and she was 19. “Miya and I didn’t start dating until she was an adult,” he clarified via Instagram.

Scott Disick and Rebecca Donaldson: 11 Years

The Talentless founder was first spotted with the Scottish model in early April 2022, and they seemed to confirm their romance a few days later when she attended the premiere of Hulu’s The Kardashians on his arm. “So far, it’s going well. He’s very attracted to her,” a source told Us exclusively in April 2022. “Him introducing her to the family and having her at the Kardashian premiere meant a lot to him. It’s still a new relationship, and he’s taking it day by day.”

However, the pair’s whirlwind romance fizzled by June 2022, according to a source at the time.

Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra Jonas: 10 Years

After reaching out to the Quantico alum via Twitter in September 2016, the pair quietly began dating in early 2018, with Us confirming their relationship in May of that year. A source shared at the time that Jonas, who is 10 years younger than Chopra Jonas, “loves women who are mature like him, which usually means he dates a little outside of his age bracket.” The singer popped the question just two months later, and the couple tied the knot in two separate ceremonies in India in December 2018. They welcomed their first child, a baby girl named Malti Marie, via surrogate in January 2022.

Russell Crowe and Britney Theriot

The Gladiator star is 27 years older than the Broken City actress. The couple, romantically linked since November 2020, went public with their relationship in October 2022 by posing together on the red carpet at the Italy premiere of Crowe’s movie Poker Face.

John Stamos and Caitlin McHugh: 23 Years

After meeting on the set of Law & Order: SVU in 2016, Stamos popped the question during a trip to Disneyland in October 2017. Us confirmed that they were expecting their first child two months before their wedding in February 2018, and McHugh gave birth to their son, Billy, in April of that year. “Sometimes I have to pinch myself and ask what I did to deserve such a beautiful family. The word gratitude is hardly enough, but I am grateful!” the Full House alum wrote on Instagram in October 2021.

Madonna and Ahlamalik Williams: 36 Years

The Queen of Pop is 36 years older than her backup dancer beau, with whom she started dating in 2018. “Love has no age,” his father, Drue Williams, told TMZ in December 2019. “My son is livin’ la vida loca, and I’m just happy for him.”

conclusion

In conclusion, age differences in celebrity relationships often spark curiosity and discussion, but many couples prove that love transcends age. From Katharine McPhee and David Foster to Madonna and her backup dancer, these pairs have navigated public scrutiny with confidence, sharing their experiences and defending their choices. While some relationships have flourished over the years, others have come to an end, illustrating the complexities of romance in the spotlight. Ultimately, these stories remind us that love can take many forms, regardless of age.