Purchase or pick fresh mint leaves to start making your mask. Avoid dried leaves, which may not have the same benefits as fresh leaves and also may burn your skin because they are concentrated.  Find about 50 good-sized leaves, or the equivalent of ¼ cup of leaves.  Buy mint leaves either as a plant at a local store or pre-picked and packaged at a grocery or produce store. You can also grow your own mint from the garden to make your mask. Check the leaves to make sure they are not wilted, browning, or have any insects on them. This can help ensure that you get the most benefits from the mask. Gently wash or wipe off the leaves you've purchased and then dry them. This can minimize the risk that you get pesticides or other chemicals or dirt on your skin.  Be sure to not douse or oversaturate the leaves with water to prevent any of the anti-microbial properties from leeching out. Wiping the leaves with a damp towel can clean the leaves without oversaturating them. Dab the leaves to dry them. Once the leaves are clean and dry, grind or chop them into a paste. This helps release the chemicals that can help get rid of your acne and makes it easier to apply to your face.  Use a blender, mortar and pestle, or even a simple knife to grind your leaves. Make a thick-ish paste that you can apply alone or mix with a soothing or healing product. You can use your mint leaves alone as a mask or mix them with another ingredient. This can help boost the anti-acne properties of the mint or provide other benefits such as controlling inflammation or moisturizing your skin. Some possible combinations you can use include:  Mix ½ mashed and de-seeded cucumber with the mint leaves, which can cool your skin and soothe inflammation.  Add one to two tablespoons of plain yogurt to soothe and moisturize your skin.  Combine mint with one egg white to help further unblock pores.  Mix the mint leaves, 2 tablespoons milk powder, ½ tablespoon of honey and ¼ cucumber to soothe and moisturize your skin and boost the anti-bacterial properties of the mint.

Summary: Gather fresh mint leaves. Clean and dry the leaves. Grind or chop the mint leaves. Mix ingredients for a mask.


Snail mail might feel old-fashioned, but it’s a uniquely sweet way of communication with your partner. They’ll be surprised and touched that you took the time to write them a real letter. Texts and phone calls are wonderful, but they’ll treasure your letters for a long time. In your letter, talk about how much you love them and how they make you feel. Describe the future you see for your relationship and how excited you are to have that with them. Just because you’re not in the same place doesn’t mean you can’t have date nights! Plan to video chat at the same time and do something together, like eating a nice dinner or playing a game. This is a special way to reconnect and spend time together outside of your usual phone calls. Create a private Instagram or Pinterest account just for the two of you to share. Post things that remind you of each other, from your everyday life, photos of both of you together, or even a countdown to the next time you’ll see each other. This gives you another way to connect with each other and express your love when you’re not together. In a long-distance relationship, it’s good to plan ahead and always know when you’ll see each other next, even if it won’t be for a few months. This gives you both something to look forward to and prevents you from going too long without seeing each other.  When you do visit, take advantage of the time together! You can do fun activities in each other’s towns, but make sure to take time to be alone and reconnect, too. Don’t put too much pressure on yourselves to have a perfect visit. Don’t feel bad if you get into an argument, or if one of you needs to work or study while you’re together. Be flexible and understanding with each other. Sending intimate pictures to your partner can help them feel loved and desired, which is important in a long-distance relationship. It’s important to remember, though, that you shouldn’t send pictures unless both of you are OK with it. It might be awkward to talk about, but being honest about what you want or don’t want can make your relationship better in the long run.  You could say, for example, “I miss seeing your body. Do you want to send me a couple pictures? It’s OK to say no if you don’t feel comfortable with it.” Make sure you have established trust in your relationship before sending any private pictures. on special days. If you can’t be together on your anniversary, birthday, or Valentine’s Day, sending your significant other a thoughtful care package is a great way to make them feel special from afar. You can include things like non-perishable foods, books, small gifts, and other little presents you know they’ll love. If you want, you can give the care package a theme. A Valentine’s Day care package, for example, could be full of candy, chocolate, and stuffed animals, as well as a love letter and a picture of the two of you. Sending your partner cute pictures of the two of you can remind them of the times you’ve spent together, which can make it a little easier to be apart. You can send them a few pictures randomly, on your phone or via email, as a quick, sweet surprise. You can also get the pictures printed and framed to send to them as a gift or even make a collage of special times you’ve had together.

Summary: Send a love letter. Set up long-distance dates to make time for each other. Make private social media accounts just for sharing things with each other. Plan to visit each other when you can. Send intimate pictures if you both feel comfortable with it. Send them a care package Send them pictures or collages of both of you together.


Heat the water in the base compartment of the pan. Wait for the wax to slowly melt. Add more if you wish–-the more dye added, the deeper the color will appear. Add either a few drops of essential oil or wax perfume. Pour the melted wax into the molds. Leave to set slightly. Cut into 5cm/2 inch lengths. Push each wick into the center of the setting wax. The wax will shrink a bit as it sets; if you think it needs a bit more, feel free to add a little more melted wax as a top-up.  Fill a shallow bowl with water. Float the candles on top. Add a few flat-headed flowers in between the floating candles for a prettier look. Light the candles when needed. Place the display in the middle of a table or somewhere else where a glowing decorative element is needed.
Summary: Drop the paraffin wax into the double boiler or bain marie. Add a little amount of wax dye disc to the melting wax. Add the scent. Remove the top pan from the heat. Cut the wick. Top up with more wax if needed. Let set. Use the candles as follows: