wax temp for face

DIY SEAWEED & CUCUMBER FACE MASK

Face masks are a fun and effective way to pamper your skin, and this Seaweed and Cucumber Face Mask is packed with skin-loving ingredients that work for a variety of skin types. The mask is made by emulsifying oils with water and adding a blend of dry ingredients like sea clay and spirulina powder.

The oils used in this mask were selected for their light texture and nourishing properties. Cucumber seed oil is a fantastic moisturizer that absorbs quickly into the skin, while the seaweed extract is infused in fractionated coconut oil, which is also light and hydrating. Together, they leave your skin feeling refreshed, moisturized, and non-greasy.

This seaweed extract is part of the new Seascape Collection, which includes an array of fragrance oils, exfoliants, powders, and more.

The combination of kaolin clay and sea clay creates a thick yet spreadable texture that isn’t overly drying, making this mask perfect for normal to combination skin. If you have dry skin, you can reduce the amount of clay, similar to the DIY Lavender Clay Face Mask, while those with oily skin might benefit from increasing the clay content, as shown in the DIY Sea Clay Mask.

Spirulina powder adds both color and skin benefits, packed with vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants. Its deep green hue gives the mask a beautiful color, though keep in mind that spirulina does have a fishy odor, which the ginger essential oil in this recipe helps to mask.

Substitutions & Notes:

  • Polawax Emulsifying Wax is used here for a smooth, reliable emulsion. You can substitute it with a generic emulsifying wax, though this recipe wasn’t tested with it.
  • Oils: Avocado and cucumber seed oils are chosen for their lightweight, hydrating qualities, but you can substitute other liquid oils that absorb easily into the skin. Altering the oil amount will affect the texture of the mask.
  • Preservative: Since this recipe contains water and is essentially a lotion, a preservative like Optiphen is necessary to prevent mold and bacteria. Alternatives like Phenonip will also work.
  • Clay: Adjust the amount of clay based on your skin type. More clay is better for oily skin, and less is ideal for dry skin, though this will make the product thinner.
  • Clay Variety: You can swap clays based on your preferences. Different clays absorb differently, which will affect the mask’s feel on the skin.
  • Fragrance & Essential Oils: If you have sensitive skin, it’s best to omit these, as they may cause irritation.
  • Seaweed Extract: Feel free to replace with a different extract of your choice.

What You’ll Need:

Four 8 oz. Bail Jars 
21.4 oz. Distilled Water
1 oz. Cucumber Seed Oil
1.3 oz. Avocado Oil
1 oz. Polawax Emulsifying Wax
0.8 oz. BTMS-50 Conditioning Emulsifier
5 oz. Kaolin Clay
2 oz. Sea Clay
0.4 oz. Spirulina Powder
3 mL Ginger Essential Oil
0.5 oz. Seaweed Extract
0.2 oz. Optiphen

Equipment Preparation:

Before beginning, ensure all equipment is disinfected to keep your mask free from germs and bacteria. Prepare a 5% bleach water solution and dip all utensils—mixing containers, stick blender, spoons, and spatulas—allowing them to air dry completely before use.

Instructions:

Step 1: In a medium-sized container, measure out:

  • 5 ounces of kaolin clay
  • 2 ounces of sea clay
  • 0.4 ounces of spirulina powder

Mix the clays and spirulina powder thoroughly until fully combined.

Step 2: In a heat-safe container, combine the following ingredients:

  • 1.3 ounces of avocado oil
  • 1 ounce of cucumber seed oil
  • 0.8 ounces of BTMS-50
  • 1 ounce of Polawax

Heat the container in the microwave in 30-60 second bursts, stirring in between, until the waxes are fully melted. Be cautious when removing the container, as it will be very hot. Once melted, set the container aside.

Step 3: In a separate large container, heat 21.4 ounces of distilled water in the microwave (or on the stovetop) until it reaches about 160-170°F. If some water evaporates, remeasure and add more distilled water as needed to ensure you have the correct amount.

Step 4: Once the water has reached the correct temperature, check the temperatures of both the water and the oil-wax mixture. Both should be around 160°F. If the oil and wax mixture has cooled, reheat it in the microwave. Next, submerge the stick blender into the water and burp it to release any air bubbles.

Pour the oil and wax mixture into the hot water, using a spatula to scrape out every bit. Start pulsing the stick blender. As the ingredients begin to emulsify, the mixture will turn a milky white. Continue pulsing and stirring for about a minute to fully combine.

Step 5: Gradually add heaping spoonfuls of the clay mixture to the emulsified water and oil blend. Use the stick blender to pulse and blend until the clay is fully incorporated and the mixture reaches a smooth, thick consistency. Continue blending until the mask is well-combined and free of lumps.

Step 6: Continue stick blending the mixture for about 1-2 minutes, ensuring it stays smooth and well-incorporated. Use a spatula to scrape down any clay that may have stuck to the sides of the bowl.

Check the temperature of the mixture. Once it has cooled to about 130-140°F, add the following ingredients:

  • 0.2 ounces of Optiphen preservative
  • 3 mL of ginger essential oil
  • 0.5 ounces of seaweed extract

Stick blend again, remembering to burp the stick blender to release any air bubbles. Continue blending until all the ingredients are fully combined.

Step 7: Carefully pour the finished mixture into your bail jars or preferred containers. Tap the jars gently on the counter to help release any air bubbles. Alternatively, you can spritz the surface with alcohol to further eliminate bubbles.

Leave the lids off and allow the containers to cool for several hours to prevent condensation from forming inside the jars. Once fully cooled, you can secure the lids.

Once fully cooled, the mixture will have a thick, lotion-like texture. To use, apply a medium layer of the mask to clean, dry skin, avoiding the immediate eye area. Allow the mask to sit for at least 15 minutes to allow the ingredients to work their magic.

After 15 minutes, rinse off the mask with warm water. There’s no need to wash your face afterward, but you can do so if you prefer. Enjoy the refreshed, hydrated feel of your skin!

CONCLUSION

This DIY Seaweed & Cucumber Face Mask is a nourishing and effective way to pamper your skin with natural ingredients. The combination of sea clay, kaolin clay, spirulina powder, and hydrating oils leaves your skin feeling refreshed, smooth, and deeply moisturized. With customizable options to suit different skin types and simple, straightforward steps, this mask is a great addition to your skincare routine. Enjoy the process of making it yourself and the glowing results afterward!

42 FLATTERING SHORT HAIRSTYLES FOR LONG FACES IN 2024

The goal for every face shape is to achieve a more balanced, oval look. For those with long faces, the key is to create the illusion of width. Explore these short hairstyles designed to enhance and flatter longer faces perfectly.

SHORT BOB WITH LONG SIDE-SWEPT FRINGE

This short hairstyle showcases a long, disconnected section on one side paired with a sweeping, long fringe.

SHORT PIXIE WITH BANGS

This pixie cut features longer front layers that function as a fringe, covering the forehead and creating the illusion of a shorter, wider face.

LONG TOP + SHORT SIDES

This haircut has short sides with layered longer pieces on top that cascade over the shorter sides, adding movement and an edgy vibe.

UNDONE TEXTURE

This look is perfect for those who crave an edgier, tousled style and appreciate textured hair. It’s a sassy yet highly stylish cut that makes a bold statement.

EDGY YET PROFESSIONAL

I would describe this look as both edgy and professional. After she chose to embrace her natural gray, we opted for a style that adds a touch of fun while remaining polished.

SHORT ROUNDED CUT WITH SIDE BANGS FOR OVER 60

Pushing hair away from the face helps to open it up and prevents it from appearing narrower. This hairstyle not only creates volume on the sides of the face, making it look wider, but also features a fringe that covers the forehead, contributing to a shorter and wider appearance. Additionally, it’s an excellent choice for women over 60, as it can help conceal wrinkles.

LAYERED & TEXTURED

This look is full of movement and highly versatile, allowing it to be worn forward or styled to either side. With plenty of hair and natural waves, I layered it extensively and added texture to reduce bulk. It can be worn sleek and smooth or with her natural wave for a more relaxed feel.

TAILORED BOB

This tailored bob features strategic color placement and is known for its clean, sleek appearance. I love how it accentuates her features with its precise cutting and thoughtful coloring. Keeping the length above her shoulders draws attention upward, creating the illusion of a shorter face. A side part further enhances the balance of her overall look.

MODERN & EDGY

This haircut is modern and edgy, perfect for a woman who feels her hair is overshadowing her style. I transformed her long, abundant locks into a short, sassy cut that’s both manageable and versatile, ready to rock any occasion with confidence.

GRADUATED TEXTURIZED A-LINE BOB

This look features a graduated, textured A-line bob. I enjoy creating this style because it combines a sassy, professional edge with the versatility to be dressed up or down. It’s a technically challenging haircut that allows me to highlight and enhance a client’s natural beauty and features.

SHORT CHOPPY THIN CUT

A short, choppy cut is a flattering choice that adds balance to the face. The framing and layering help reduce the appearance of length, creating a more balanced look.

SHORT HAIR WITH FRINGE AND LAYERS

Here’s another super short hairstyle that complements a long face shape, thanks to the fringe. The layering in this cut enhances the roundness of the head, giving the face a rounder appearance. The curved perimeter also contributes to a softer, more rounded face shape.

CLASSIC TEXTURED INVERTED BOB

This haircut is a textured, short inverted bob. I’ve added an edgy twist to this classic cut by removing excess weight and texturizing it. I love this style for its versatility—it can be adapted in various ways to highlight your personal style.

HAIRSTYLE WITH TEXTURE

Adding texture, especially with ends that point outward, helps make a hairstyle more flattering for longer face shapes.

UPDATED A-LINE

I would describe this look as a modern take on the classic short A-line bob. I love the angled transition from back to front and the textured interior layers. The bangs add a fresh, youthful touch to the style.

SHORT HAIRSTYLE WITH VOLUME AND FRINGE

The side part, fringe, and volume on the sides of the face all contribute to making this hairstyle particularly flattering for longer face shapes.

SHORT HAIRSTYLE WITH CURLS

The glamorous curls on this bob add significant volume to the sides of the face, making it an ideal short cut for a longer face shape.

SHORT BOB HAIRSTYLE WITH VOLUME

This bob features more volume on the sides than on top, and its silhouette helps create a rounder appearance for the face.

SHORT ASYMMETRICAL BOB HAIRSTYLE

This very short asymmetric bob is flattering for elongated face shapes, thanks to the fringe that covers the forehead. The horizontal coverage helps make the face appear shorter and wider.

SHORT HAIR WITH SWEPT FRINGE AND PINK ENDS

Here’s another hairstyle that suits longer face shapes, with curled-up ends adding volume. The side part and fringe further contribute to making the face look shorter and wider.

NECK-LENGTH TEXTURED CUT WITH FRINGE

Adding texture to your hair creates width and helps it expand. This hairstyle works best for longer face shapes with medium-textured and medium-density hair.

NATURAL WAVY HAIRSTYLE WITH TEXTURE

Naturally wavy texture can also enhance the width of the sides of the face, making it appear broader.

SHORT WITH CHOPPY FRINGE

This hairstyle falls just below the chin and above the shoulders, featuring a full and choppy fringe.

SHORT WITH LONG FRINGE AND CURLS

A long fringe combined with curls makes this hairstyle especially flattering for a long face shape.

VERSATILE UNDERCUT PIXIE

This versatile undercut pixie is easy to style in various ways, from sleek to textured. The longer, angled fringe flatters her face shape and draws attention to her eyes. The overall look complements her skin tone and personality.

VERSATILE BOB

 This versatile bob offers a variety of styling options. It can be worn sleek and straight or textured with a bit of curl or product. The fringe can be parted to the side for a modern look or straight down the middle for a 70s vibe. With just one cut, you can achieve four different styles.

SHORT HAIRSTYLE WITH FLIP

Flipping hair outward adds width, making this hairstyle ideal for long face shapes with medium-textured and medium-density hair.

TRIANGULAR BOB

This triangular bob features a slight angle forward with minimal layering and plenty of texture for a relaxed look. What I love most about this style is its effortlessly messy vibe, low maintenance, and versatility, making it suitable for a variety of lifestyles and ages.

CHIC FRENCH-INSPIRED BOB

I love this haircut for its versatility. Whether you want a textured or sleek look, this chic French-inspired bob can be styled to match. It’s a super low-maintenance cut that works well with all hair textures, so feel free to experiment with various finishing products.

INDUSTRIAL AND EDGY

I’d describe this look as industrial and edgy, inspired by steel and rust. We applied a styling cream to damp hair for hold and body. This style works well for finer hair or medium textures with a natural curl. After blow-drying smooth, we used a heat protectant spray and added curls, piecing them out with a medium-hold putty to achieve a great natural texture. It’s super easy and perfect for a quick, stylish look!

CARE FREE

This look has a carefree vibe, with the bangs adding a playful touch to the bluntness of the bob. Given the short length of the bob that frames the jaw, we opted for lighter bangs that don’t fully cover the forehead. The angled bangs create a triangle on her brow, which helps to maintain the elongated appearance of her face.

VERSATILE PIXIE HAIRCUT

This pixie haircut features a shaved undercut with short-to-long layers throughout, while maintaining length in the fringe. My favorite aspect of this cut is its ease and versatility in styling. It’s perfect for clients who want to highlight their jawline, neck, and cheekbones. The shaved section makes it very low maintenance, yet the longer fringe adds a feminine touch.

ASYMMETRICAL A-LINE

I’d describe this look as highly versatile, suitable for both daytime and nighttime with minimal maintenance. It’s an A-line bob with an asymmetrical cut, allowing the fuller side to be styled straight, curly, wavy, flipped out, or pieced into an edgy look. The version I created is more of a glamorous evening style, perfect for pairing with statement earrings and dressing up. I used a Sutra Beauty infrared flat iron for the curls and Kevin Murphy styling products to enhance fullness and shine. My favorite aspect of this look is its timeless quality.

CLASSIC & CLEAN FOR OVER 40

I love how classic and clean this look is. The side-swept long bang softens her features and helps balance the length of a long face. For those with a long face, this is a great way to break up the length. Chin-length hair also adds a rounder appearance to the face.

BADASS BLONDE

I’d describe this as a badass blonde look because it perfectly captures her style in this picture. What I love most about it is the versatility in styling. With the length on top, she can go for a sleek, straight look, a bold, lifted style, or add some edgy, curly texture.

SLEEK YET EDGY

This style is a quintessential bob, defined by clean lines and precise angles. It maintains a sleek appearance with a touch of edge. What I love most about the bob is its timeless quality; it’s a true fashion staple that instantly conveys confidence and femininity.

BLUNT BOB WITH PRECISE BANGS

This blunt, chin-length bob with straight, precise bangs is a timeless look. What I love most about it is that it remains stylish and on-trend due to its clean, contemporary lines combined with a classic shape.

SHORT SLEEK BOB WITH FRINGE

The horizontal fringe of this bob highlights the eyes and covers the forehead, creating the illusion of a shorter and wider face.

PHYLLIS

The longer side of this cut adds width to a narrow face, while the shorter side contours closely to create a rounder silhouette. The fringe covers the forehead, contributing to a shorter and wider appearance.

SARAH

This sleek neck-length bob is ideal for long face shapes, offering a sophisticated style that softens features. The subtle layers and inward curve enhance natural volume, giving the hair a fuller appearance. The blend of natural gray and silver highlights adds a modern, elegant touch, perfect for women who embrace graceful aging with ease of styling. Ideal for everyday wear, this hairstyle is low-maintenance and well-suited for a busy lifestyle.

FUN & SASSY

I love this look for its fun and sassy vibe, offering plenty of styling possibilities. This client has been growing out her hair from a short pixie cut, proving that the growing-out phase can be an exciting opportunity to experiment with styles you might not have tried before. This style is perfect for someone in the process of growing their hair, as it allows the top layers to catch up with the perimeter length. It’s also a quick style for straight hair—just a power dry and some wax will add direction and texture. However, if your hair is wavy, this length might require more daily styling to achieve the same effect.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, finding the right hairstyle for an elongated face can be a challenge, but there are countless flattering options to choose from. The key is to find a style that balances your facial features and complements your personal style.

Whether you prefer a pixie cut, a bob, or a lob, there are many short hairstyles that can help to visually shorten your face and enhance your natural beauty. By experimenting with different styles and techniques, you can find the perfect short hairstyle to flatter your elongated face and make you feel confident and beautiful.