The Passionate Olive (13 page)

Olive Oil Foot Massage Remedy #1 “Relaxing Foot Massage”

• Mix in a small bowl
  

2 teaspoons extra virgin or virgin olive oil

3 drops lavender essential oil

1 drop chamomile essential oil, and 1 drop geranium essential oil

• Wash the feet thoroughly and adopt a comfortable position
  
• Rub the mixture all over each foot with a rotating motion
  
• Put on socks after massage to absorb the excess oil
  

For a foot-awakening or revitalization foot massage, use olive oil foot massage remedy #2. The combination of
olive oil with sea salt, fresh peppermint, and lemon zest will make your weary feet stand up and take notice.

Olive Oil Foot Massage Remedy #2 “Reawakening Foot Massage”

• Mix in a small bowl
  

2 teaspoons extra virgin or virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 drop peppermint oil, and

½ teaspoon lemon zest

• Wash the feet thoroughly and adopt a comfortable position
  
• Rub the mixture all over each foot with a rotating motion
  
• Rinse the feet and apply straight olive oil
  
• Put on socks after massage to absorb the excess oil
  

51)
MASSAGE THE BODY

The basic goal of massage is to help the body heal itself and increase health and well-being. Massage improves circulation, increases blood flow, and brings oxygen to body tissues. For an olive oil massage, start with extra virgin or virgin olive oil as your base, then add rosemary oil for relaxation or mint oil for stimulation of muscles.

Olive Oil Massage

• Mix in a small bowl
  

8 ounces extra virgin or virgin olive oil

¼ ounce rosemary oil

or

¼ ounce mint oil

• Rub the mixture all over the body
  

You will find additional massage formulas and techniques in the chapter on Olive Oil and Sensuality.

52)
SOAP YOUR ENTIRE BODY

Olive oil soap is a natural cleansing and moisturizing beauty soap. Because of its emollient and soothing effect, it softens and moisturizes the skin and hair as it cleanses. It is also gentle enough for most types of sensitive skin. Fortunately, there are many commercial olive oil soaps currently available in specialty shops and markets, like the remarkable Savon de Marseille, which, according to a 1688 French law, is made using specific ancient methods and the purest ingredients. Although you can use a lower grade of olive oil, my friends who make their own soap prefer to use extra virgin olive oil in their soap-making efforts. Olive oil is made into soap by the addition of lye; colors, fragrances, and additional moisturizers, such as glycerin, can be added as well. To me, the whole process of soap making seems to be quite complex, with special safety issues surrounding working with lye. I have been told, “If you can cook, you can make soap.” However, I prefer to
buy
my olive oil soap. If you are a soap maker and wish to find out more, check Annotated Selected Websites in the back of the book. I have also included the names of specialty stores where olive oil soap is sold.

53)
REMOVE EYE MAKEUP

Extra virgin olive oil is so pure and nonirritating that you can safely use it around your eyes to remove makeup. You need use only a small amount of extra virgin olive oil for eye makeup removal.

Pour a very small amount of oil onto a clean cotton pad and gently wipe over your eyelashes and eyelids. Or you can pour a small amount in one hand and, with the fingers of your other hand, smooth the oil over your eyes and eyelids. Then use a clean cotton pad or soft tissue to remove all traces of makeup. Not only will all of your eye makeup be completely gone, the delicate skin on your eyelids will be moisturized and glowing.

54)
USE IT AS A FACIAL MASK

Getting ready for a special night out? Want your skin to positively
glow?
A simple face mask made of olive oil and mashed avocados is easy to make and apply, and just wait until you see the final results! Your friends will simply marvel. All you need is extra virgin olive oil and a ripe avocado.

Olive Oil and Avocado Face Mask

• Use ½ cup of extra virgin olive oil
  
• Mash 1 small ripe avocado
  
• Mix together to smooth consistency
  
• Apply to the face
  
• Leave on for 12 minutes
  
• Rinse off and see how great your skin looks
  

I learned another face mask formula from Patrizia, my cooking teacher in Tuscany. Patrizia not only cooks with olive oil, but she also uses it on her face. Her formula substitutes clay (available in health food stores) for the avocado. It is called Mascher di Argilla—face mask of clay.

Face Mask of Clay

• Mix 2 tablespoons fine clay with 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  
• Add enough water to make a smooth consistency
  
• Apply to the face
  
• Leave on for 15 to 20 minutes
  
• Rinse off, dry, and apply moisturizer
  

55)
SOOTHE SENSITIVE SKIN AFTER WAX TREATMENTS

With fashion’s ever more revealing clothing, a bikini wax has become one of life’s inevitable beauty treatments. And although the end result is worth it, this beauty treatment can leave one’s skin red and irritated—our ever-present bottle of extra virgin olive oil to the rescue! Use olive oil to remove excess wax and/or to soothe the area of skin that has been waxed.

To remove excess wax, dab on a little extra virgin olive oil and, using a soft tissue or cotton ball, gently rub the newly waxed area in small circles. To soothe after waxing, pat the affected areas with an olive oil-soaked cotton pad. If your aesthetician is not yet aware of this soothing treatment,
make sure you bring your own flask of olive oil. Let the oil be absorbed by the skin so as not to leave a VOOP (visible olive oil line).

Of course, extra virgin olive oil can be used following other waxing treatments, including the eyebrows, legs, back, and so forth.

56)
SHAVE WITH IT

There are many, many shaving foams, gels, and other types of softening and moisturizing products on the market—for both women and men. Ever stand confused in that aisle at the drugstore? Do not be confused any longer. That’s right, along with all of its other beauty tricks, olive oil can be used to soften one’s beard, or other “hairy parts,” prior to shaving. I think that olive oil is much better overall than other commercially available creams for the skin, and it can soothe accidental nicks during the shaving process. So next time, before you buy another shaving product, try using extra virgin olive oil. Follow the same procedure you would use with a commercial shaving cream. You will experience an amazingly close and smooth shave.

While we’re on the subject of shaving, shaved heads are popular today. If you or a friend happen to be fond of this look, here’s a tip: Use extra virgin olive oil; it will gently lubricate this sensitive area of the body. My personal hairstylist, Michael (voted the number one hairstylist in Los Gatos, California), also teaches shaving classes. Here are his tips for a clean shave of the head … or wherever:

Michael’s Professional Shaving Instructions

• Make sure you clip off hair using a professional groomer or clippers (especially in preparation for shaving of the head or if you have a beard)
  
• Heat the area to be shaved with a damp, hot towel
  
• Lather the area with extra virgin or virgin olive oil and let it sit for a few minutes
  
• Using a disposable razor or a wet/dry electric razor, carefully shave going with the grain of the hair; keep dabbing the area with water
  
• You may wish to reapply the olive oil and very carefully re-shave the area in the opposite direction
  
• Michael suggests taking a shower after shaving—to rinse any nicks
  
• Put a cold towel on the shaved area
  
• Pat dry
  
• Apply a toner or aftershave lotion or balm
  

NOTE:
Michael advises that you use a disposable razor only once, and that if you use a wet/dry electric shaver, make sure to follow the cleaning instructions to inhibit the growth of bacteria
.

If you have an extra special day (or evening) when you want the smoothest and closest shave possible, Michael suggests that you let your beard or head hair grow for two or three days and then follow the professional shaving instructions.

Michael also gives other advice. Before shaving your legs, try the olive oil salt glow formula (
this page
). Exfoliating your legs before shaving makes for a sleek, smooth shave.

57)
REJUVENATE YOUR LIPS

Winter or summer, olive oil can be used as a lip balm to soothe chapped and dry lips. What girl wants to kiss or be kissed with dry lips?! Never one to waste a ripe banana (and how much banana bread can you really eat?), my mother taught me this special formula.

Lip-Rejuvenation Formula

• Use ½ ripe banana and 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  
• Whip together to make a smooth paste
  
• Apply to your lips
  
• Leave on for 20 minutes
  
• Rinse off and see how great your lips look and feel
  

FOR THE HAIR

58)
CONDITION DRY HAIR

Here is yet another amazing beauty recipe (once again from my now-almost-famous cousin Louisa)—this one will make your hair the envy of all of your friends. Olive oil does two things to the hair; it increases its strength as well
as improving its overall flexibility. This is especially important if you regularly use hair dryers and heated rollers—both of which can be very drying to the hair.

Olive Oil Hair Conditioner

• Mix ½ cup virgin olive oil or olive oil with an egg yolk
  
• Add a few drops of lemon juice and mix
  
• Then shampoo your hair with your favorite gentle shampoo and rinse
  
• Apply the mixture of olive oil, egg, and lemon all over your hair
  
• Leave on for 5 minutes
  
• Shampoo your hair again and rinse
  
• Shampoo, once again, to completely remove all residual olive oil and rinse
  

59)
MAKE A WARM-OIL TREATMENT FOR THE HAIR

If your hair is extremely dry and brittle, you may wish to use a warm-oil treatment for an intensive conditioning. Even if your hair is not dry, giving it a warm-oil treatment once every three months will prevent the onset of dryness.

Warm Olive Oil Treatment

• Pour ¼ cup virgin olive oil or olive oil in a blender, then carefully add ¼ cup boiling water (be careful!)
  
• Blend at high speed until the oil and water have emulsified
  
• When the mixture is warm, massage it into your hair
  
• Warm your oiled hair with a hair dryer for a few minutes
  
• Wrap your hair in a thick terry-cloth towel for 15 minutes
  
• Remove the towel and shampoo with a small amount of your favorite shampoo
  
• Rinse and shampoo again to completely remove all residual olive oil
  

The Really Quick Warm Olive Oil Treatment

• Warm ¼ cup of virgin olive oil or olive oil in the microwave
  
• Making sure that the oil is warm, not hot, carefully pour over your head
  
• Massage into the scalp for several minutes and run your fingers through the length of your hair to completely saturate
  
• Then shampoo with a small amount of your favorite shampoo
  
• Rinse and shampoo again to completely remove all residual olive oil
  

You may wish to leave the oil on your hair overnight. If you do, use an older pillowcase while you sleep to protect your bedding; olive oil can stain. See
this page
for some tips on removing olive oil stains.

60)
TREAT DANDRUFF AND HAIR LOSS (WELL, MAYBE)

Much to the dismay of men (and some women), hair loss seems to affect many in the world today. Olive oil may actually
prevent
hair loss. Although there are no guarantees
(everyone is different), I suggest that you give this family formula a try to see if the treatment will work for you. We know it will prevent dandruff (because of olive oil’s effect on dryness) and it may, hopefully, slow or even prevent hair loss. This wasn’t the case for my dear
nonno
Vincenzo, who happened to be as bald as a bocce ball, but he did not have any dandruff.

Dandruff and Hair Loss Prevention

• Massage your scalp with extra virgin olive oil every evening for 8 days leaving the oil in overnight. (This will allow it to work its way completely into the scalp)
  
• Shampoo in the morning to remove all residual olive oil
  

NOTE:
Remember to use an older pillowcase and remember the tips to remove olive oil stains
.

61)
CONTROL FRIZZ AND CREATE SHINE

An annoying problem with overly treated hair is an all-too-common condition known as “the frizzies,” and I’m certain that we have all experienced them at one time or another. To the rescue once again is my favorite potion—olive oil. Just a drop of virgin olive oil applied to wet or dry hair can control frizz and create a truly enviable shine. Remember to put only a very small amount (a drop or two) of virgin olive oil or olive oil in the palm of your hand; then rub your hands together and finger comb through your hair.