Dry skin magic.....body oils

Body oil is a skin care product that is generally recommended as treatment or prevention of extremely dry skin.  It provides dry skin with a shine and luster.

  Good body oils contain only natural ingredients.  The best way to ensure the products are natural is to make them yourself.  Usually you can do it at home at a fraction of the cost.  You can also use this product as a shaving cream. 

Basic body oil

Ingredients

• Vitamin E

• Jojoba oil

• Almond oil

• Distilled water

• Sweet orange essential oil
• Vanilla essential oil
• Neroli essential oil
• Lemon essential oil

• Bergamot essential oil

     Buy all the ingredients from a whole foods store.  Almond oil, distilled water and Vitamin E are available even in supermarkets.  Essential oils can be purchased in a few places.  I know that there are some essential oils for sale in my bulk barn store.  You can also look at stores that sell makeup ingredients.  If you are unable to find these ingredients in your area stores, they are available for purchase online.

     Combine 10 drops of each essential oil in a glass bottle and allow to mellow for at least two to three days.  This will enhance the individual fragrances, making the find finished body oil more aromatic.

     Add 4 ounces of distilled water, 3 ounces sweet almond oil, 2 ounces of jojoba oil and a tsp. of Vitamin E to the glass bottle containing the oils.  Gently shake the bottle to blend the ingredients.

     Pour a few drops of the body oil into your palm.  Rub your palms together and apply the lotion anywhere on your body that you need extra moisturizing.  Store in a cool dry place.  Refrigeration does prolong the shelf life of your body oil.

Below is a link to a site that has multiple recipes as well she pairs her oils with body powder for gifts.  Do check out her site it is very informative.

Crunchy Betty

Do you use body oils?  Have you ever consider or made any homemade body oils?  If so please feel free to share your recipes and let us know which is your favorite body oil scent?

Save big with homemade eye shadows!!!

Ok, this one gets me all caught up again LOL.  This writing daily for a month is not as easy as some may think.  I am looking forward to showing you all the projects I have been working on during this month. 

Back to today's topic.  Cream Eye shadow

First recipe:

Find a small container for your cream shadow.  This could be an old contact lens case or a small container with a lid.

Scrap the color of eye shadow you want to use into the container.  Use something flat to do this such as tweezers, a butter knife, your fingernail. 

Add a small amount of a binder such as lotion or petroleum jelly.  The binder is what will ultimately make your eye shadow creamy and able to stick to your eye lids. 

Here are a few things to consider:

• Add less than you need of the binder at first - remember its easy to add more later then take things out of the mix.

• Use lotion, if you want to add a bit of sparkle to plain eye-shadow, try using shimmery lotion

• Or use, Vaseline.

Mix the eye shadow with your finger or a cotton swab.  It should start turning to a creamy consistency.  Keep mixing and try to break down all of the large clumps. 

Store in a container with lid.

Tips:

• Buy cheap eye shadow to use as your base color at the dollar store

• Place a small dab of your new eye  shadow on your wrist to check for a reaction.  If you are ok, apply to your eye lid.

Second Recipe:

You need:

• Some lipsticks ( if this is your first time making this you may want to use a lipstick that you don't use anymore

• Some empty cosmetic jars
• Vaseline Petroleum jelly
• A butter knife

• Candle or stove for heat

• Some spoons (one small and one bigger)

Cut the lipstick you want to use with a knife in a desired amount, and place it on the big spoon.

Add some Vaseline.

Do not mix the products yet, because it will be sticky and create a mess.

Light the candle or turn on the stove.

Place the big spoon above the candle, and wait until the products melt.

Stir with the small spoon until its all mixed together.

Pour the mixture into the jar.

You might want to leave it open for about 10 minutes and then put it in the fridge for about 30 minutes.

All done!

Tips:

• You can add any color you like because we all have that lipsticks that are too dark, too bright, too pink etc, so you can mix them with others colors to make your own shade.

• Can be used on lips, eyelids, and even cheeks.

• Add an eye shadow base to help prevent the product from creasing.

Recipe for eye shadow base:

• Moisturizer (preferably intended for eyes)

• Liquid foundation in your skin shade or lighter

• A container with lid. Such as empty blush containers.  Please try and sterilize the container before use.

• Something to combine the ingredients such as tweezers or butter knife

In a bowl combine cream of your choice (perhaps three times what you would use for your face).

Add the liquid foundation.  The ration of powder and cream should be approximately 1:3.  The cream allows faster absorption of powder.

Mix ingredients with your tweezers.  This dilutes the powder that will be applied to the eyelid, gathering in the folds within 30 minutes.

Please date your jar as the product has approximately a month shelf life.

I recently purchased some of the new 24 hour Tattoo stuff and I love it, but I am eager to make tons of eye shadows so they are customized to the look that I am going for.  We all know how expensive our makeup is… and this gives us another opportunity to use those colors, in our compacts, that we never use, and with them create unique shades to our hearts content.

Let me know what is your favorite cream shadow color?  Have you ever tried to make this at home?  What price do you usually pay for this product?

Bath Cookies (not edible!) LOL

I think that I will be making these to go into some gift baskets I am making for Christmas.  I know that the girls will love these and I hope that you will too.

Chocolate Chip Bath Cookie

2 cups of sea salt or rock salt

1/2 cup baking soda

1/2 cup cornstarch

2 tbsp. almond oil

1 tsp. vitamin E oil

1-2 eggs

6 drops essential oil

This recipe makes 10-12 cookies depending on size.

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.  Cut the cookies out with cookie cutters or flatten balls to form a cook shape.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.  Allow to cool.

Use 1-2 per bath by adding them to running water.  Sprinkle with chocolate sprinkles or chips.

If you wrap these in air tight packaging or seal them in an air tight container, these cookies will last for several months maybe longer.

Chocolate Lavender Bath Cookies

2 ounces cocoa butter

2 ounces extra virgin olive oil

1 cup oatmeal, fine

1/4 cup whole milk powder

1/4 cup hot chocolate mix

3/4 cup Epsom salt

1 cup cornstarch

1 cup baking soda

1/2 cup citric acid

1 tsp. lavender essential oil

Warm the cocoa butter and extra virgin olive oil in a hot water bath until completely melted.  Remove the cocoa butter and oil from the heat, allowing it to cool slightly, but not to harden.

Next, line a small baking sheet with waxed paper and set it aside. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the oatmeal, whole milk powder, hot chocolate mix, cornstarch and Epsom salt.  Stir the ingredients well, making sure to break up any clumps in the powder.  You may want to grind the oatmeal in a blender or food processor to achieve a fine consistency. 

In a second mixing bowl, combine the baking soda and citric acid.  Make sure to work out clumps in mixture.  Combine the bowls of dry ingredients and mix well.  Add the lavender oil to the melted cocoa butter and olive oil.  Pour the liquid mix into the dry ingredients. 

Begin stirring and kneading the mixture immediately.  You must work quickly at this point to get the cookies formed and placed onto the baking sheet.  Using your hands, form tablespoon sized balls of the mixture.  Place the balls onto the baking sheet then press them down gently, flattening the top. 

They should be similar in shape to a gingersnap or sugar cookie.  Continue shaping cookies with the remaining mixture.  All the cookies to harden for a full 24 hours before attempting to remove them from the baking sheet. 

After 24 hours the cookies should be hard enough to be handled and packaged.

These should be stored in a tightly sealed bag or container.  Moisture or humidity can cause the cookies to fizz or "flower" prematurely.  They look adorable in Cello bags or 1/2 lb. tin tie bags.

To use these cookies, simply drop one or two into a warm bath.  They will fizz and bubble, filling the bath with the delightful aroma of lavender and chocolate.

Rainbow Sprinkle Bath Cookies

20-30 drops FD&C Yellow #5

3/4 cup Epsom salt

1 cup fine oatmeal

1/4 cup whole milk powder

1/4 cup honey granules

1 cup cornstarch

1 cup baking soda

1/2 cup citric acid

2 ounces mango butter

2 ounces organic virgin coconut cream oil

1/2 ounce Easter cookie fragrance oil

1/2 tsp. assorted or solid colored jojoba wax beads

(The last two ingredients contain synthetic components can be left out if desired.  Natural herbs can be used to top the cookies, and vanilla absolute can be used to scent them.  Leaving out the FD&C dye will only alter the color slightly, so a substitute isn't necessary.)

Line a large baking sheet with wax paper or plastic wrap and set it aside.  Pour Epsom salt into a large mixing bowl and color generously with the FD&XC Yellow dye.  You'll need about 20-30 drops to dye the salt a bright yellow.  Mix the salt thoroughly to make sure that it is evenly dyed. 

Next, add the whole milk powder, cornstarch and oatmeal, breaking up any clumps in the powders.  Add the honey granules next. 

In a small heat proof container gently melt the mango butter and organic virgin coconut oil.  You can either use a double boiler or a microwave to do this. 

If you use a microwave, be sure to melt the oils in short 20 - 30 second bursts.  Be careful not to overheat and damage the oils.  When the oils are melted, allow them to cool for a few moments before adding the Easter cookie fragrance oil to them.

Next, add the baking soda and citric acid to the large mixing bowl.  Mix the powders thoroughly then add them melted oils mixture, stirring constantly.  After the oils and powders are mixed, wipe the mixing spoon clean and continue to knead the dough with your hands.  This will make sure that all the ingredients are completely mixed. 

Using your hands, form small round balls out of the dough.  Drop them onto the baking sheet and press them with your hands to form cookie shapes.  Continue until all of the dough is used. 

This recipe will yield about 2 dozen 2 inch cookies.  Allow the cookies to dry and harden for several hours before attempting to move or package them.  They will harden completely when left overnight in a cool, dry place.

Package in small cello bags, using a ribbon to tie close the bag. 

To use, simply drop one or two into a warm bath. 

Hope you enjoy these.  If You decide to make them please come back and let us know which one is your favorite.

Hand Lotions

I know that the 25th is technically over for me, but I had a busy busy day, and so much is swirling around in my head, I have been unable to sleep..  So I thought I would come in and post today's yesterday's post.   Hopefully I will be able to find some time to tell you about my day that I just had.  But I will probably do that tomorrow on a post of its own.

Anyway, a lot of us need hand lotion, people who often use the bacterial pump at hospitals, doctor's offices etc.; the elderly, the young, the germaphobes and the list could go on and on.  But the one ingredient that seams to be in most of those solutions is alcohol, which can smell very strong.  Our hands are drying out and using a quick and easy lather of lotion will have your hands nice and soft like a baby's bum.

Here are a few recipes to try out.    

Easy Lotion

1 1/4 cup hot water

1/4 cup emulsifying wax (don't use beeswax)

1/4 cup olive oil

24-36 drops of essential oil

In a Pyrex/glass measuring glass, combine the olive oil and emulsifying wax and microwave on high for 1 minutes until it is all melted.  The temperature should read about 155 degrees.

While that is heating up , add the essential oil into the melted wax/olive oil mixture.  Then pour hot water into the mixture and watch it turn a milky white.  At this point the temperature is about 125 degrees.  Pour the hot lotion into a wide mouth pint jar and let it cool overnight.  The next morning you'll have a fresh jar of homemade natural hand lotion.

Oooops.  I fell asleep writing this post the other night and its been super busy since.  Sorry about that everyone.

Herbal Moisturizing Cream 1

1 ounce vitamin E oil

4 ounces sweet almond oil

1 ounce beeswax

1 ounce jojoba oil

1 ounce coconut oil

1 tsp. oil of calendula

1/8 tsp. oil of chamomile

1/8 tsp. oil of rose geranium

Combine the vitamin E and sweet almond oils in a nonreactive saucepan.  Heat over low heat (do NOT boil).  Gradually add the beeswax, stirring constantly.  Add the jojoba oil, a little at a time, and stir until well blended.  Slowly stir in the coconut oil.

Remove the saucepan from the heat.  Add the calendula, chamomile, and rose geranium oils, stirring the mixture until it is smooth.

When the mixture has cooled, pour into colored glass jars and seal them tightly.  Keep refrigerated

.

Herbal Moisturizing Cream 2

*makes 2 cups*

*to add a fragrance to this, use essential oils of your choice, the following were recommended scents.  A few drops of rose, jasmine, or lotus oil, and for men the sandalwood or mint*

1 cup fresh rosemary leaves

1 1/2 cup fresh comfrey leaves

3/4 cup fresh lavender or patchouli leaves

1/2 cup olive oil

16 ounces anhydrous lanolin

Aloe vera gel (optional)

With a mortar and pestle, bruise the herbs with a small amount of olive oil.  In a nonreactive saucepan over low heat, melt the lanolin with the remaining olive oil.  Remove the pan from the heat.  Let the mixture cool for 5 to 10 minutes, then stir in the herbs and aloe vera gel.  (Heat breaks down the allantoin in the comfrey, a substance that promotes new cell growth, and destroys the healing properties in aloe vera.

Strain the mixture through cheesecloth and pour it immediately into heat-resistant jars.  Thick blue, green or brown glass jars protect the mixture from light and make attractive gifts.  Store in the refrigerator.

What are your favorite scents used in hand cream?  Have you ever attempted to make a homemade version?

Various Bath Recipes

The recipes I am going to show you came from somewhere online, but I am not sure of the original source.  I apologize for not saving this information.

4 cups of red wine

1 cup of honey

Add to bath. 

Coconut Bath Soak

1 cup Oatmeal

1 cup Brown Rice

1 tsp. Coconut Extract

Contents of 5 black tea bags

1 cup Powdered Milk

Cheesecloth

Mix ingredients in a bowl, then cut in half.  Cut two 8 inch squares of cheesecloth and pour half of the mixture into each square.  Tie at the top with pretty string and or ribbon. 

To use:  Toss one pouch into the bath under running water.  And now enjoy.

Lavender Bath

2 tbsp. lavender flowers

3 tbsp. bay leaves

4 tbsp. fine oatmeal

4 tbsp. bran

4 cups distilled water

Blend oatmeal in a blender or food processor until finely ground.  Mix all ingredients.  Simmer, covered, for one hour.  Strain; cool.  Add to bath.

Detox Bath

1/3 cup Epsom salts

1/3 cup Sea Salt

1/3 cup Baking Soda

2 1/2 tsp. Ground Ginger

1 cup Apple Cider Vinegar

Combine all of the dry ingredients in a bowl.  Draw a bath with water as hot as you can stand it.  Add bowl of dry ingredients and vinegar.  Stir well.

Soak in tub for 30 + minutes.

I hope you enjoy these lovely recipes and they encourage you to relax and give your self some TLC after your busy home-making days.  If you have a favorite bath recipe please let us know!  Do you use bath solutions often?

Thanks for stopping by, 

To Bronze or Not to Bronze.... that is the question

Today we are going to be making some  Contour bronzers.  A lot of people are still risking their health by using tanning beds, and sitting in the sun for that golden glow.  I admit myself that tanned people look great, but at what cost?

If you are one of those people, I am not judging you but after getting skin cancer 2 years ago, from playing in the sun when I was a kid, it sure did open my eyes.  As an adult I do not go in the sun due to being able to get sunstroke within 5-10 minutes.  This is why we guess that the cancer was from childhood.

The first recipe I am going to tell you about is another 'untried' recipe.  It does state that you need to have a light hand when applying this powder.  You may also want to blend it with the tip of your finger to even out the powder.

These are the ingredients but please note what each does:

• Cinnamon - adds glow

• Nutmeg - adds a sun kissed brown
• Cocoa Powder - adds depth and darkness
• Cornstarch or Powdered Sugar - lightens
• An empty compact or small jar with lid
• Essential oil (lavender, rose, or rosemary would work) - keeps it together

The oil will help it thicken it.  For tone/color you will have to experiment with the powders till you get one that matches your skin tone.  This makes this recipe a bit more difficult but it will help that you get a custom color rather than a set recipe that wont match your skin well.

Here are the estimations to get you started.

1 tbsp. cinnamon powder

1 tsp. cocoa powder

1 tsp. nutmeg powder

2 tsp. cornstarch

15 drops of rose, lavender, or rosemary essential oil

Mix well in small bowl, making sure to break up any clumps with your fingers.  Place powder in clean empty compact or jar and tamp down well with back of spoon. 

Apply lightly as you would a contour powder.

If you are light skinned you may wish to try the following recipe.

2 tbsp. cinnamon powder

3 tsp. cornstarch (adjust to preferred color)

Mix together and adjust as necessary.  Add a few drops of oil (lavender or rose is best). 

Body and Face Bronzer

2 tbsp. beeswax

4 tbsp. jojoba oil

1 tbsp. evening primrose oil

8 tbsp. distilled water

14 tbsp. phenonip preservative (clear liquid used extensively in cosmetics for adding shelf life)

3 tbsp. emulsifying wax - needed to allow water and oils to blend

Mica powder

Melt the beeswax, emulsifying wax, jojoba and primrose oils together without boiling.  Add the water and then the preservative phenonip.  Allow mixture to cool thoroughly. 

Add the mica very gradually to achieve the desired shade and tone and mix thoroughly.  Don’t rush or you will end up with a bronzer much darker than you can use. 

****Mica powder is a natural mineral in its crushed and purified form.  It is used extensively as a make-up ingredient.  Your first try may not be exactly the result you want but a little practice and you will produce perfect results.   If you cannot find mica locally it is available online****

Pamper Your Feet!

Wow I have had an unpleasant few days.  Due to my fibromyalgia, I

often get my sleep time all messed up.  On Friday night I ended up laying down to watch TV and fell asleep at approximately 7pm.  Now let me tell you that I get up several times during the night.  I get up and grab a drink, trip to the bathroom and then slip back into bed.  Well that night, I got up 2-3 times I cannot remember exactly.  But long story short I slept most of that time till about 11 am.  Which has now completely messed up my sleeping habits… hence why I am posting this after 3:30 am.

I am hoping that my clock re-adjusts itself soon cause this is just crazy lol.  I was able to get half of my bedroom clean today.  I also have been working diligently to get information for my Home Management course I will be doing next year with the Mental Health Association.

Needless to say it was a semi-productive day.  So without further ado.  Today we will be focusing on a bit of TLC for your tired feet.   We need these feet of ours, so let's make sure that we treat them lovingly.

The first recipe that we are going to discuss is excellent for this time of year and is the reason that I added foot scrubs to the subjects of the month.

Pumpkin Sugared Foot Scrub

1/4 cup cooked or canned Pumpkin puree

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tbsp. of almond oil (you can use olive oil or jojoba oil instead)

1 tbsp. ground coffee beans

Lemon juice squeezed from 1/2 lemon

Mix all the ingredients in a big bowl, then scrub away at your feet.  Make sure to scrub extra on your heels as you embark on the dry winter months ahead.  Rinse off the scrub with warm water and pat dry.  You can use this in the shower as well if you have some of the mixture left over.  This may also be stored in a glass jar in the fridge for a couple of days.

Benefits of this scrub as follows:

Pumpkin - natural enzymes for exfoliating

Brown Sugar - also exfoliator

Almond Oil - softens skin, hydrates cuticles and strengthens nails

Caffeine - improves blood circulation and smells wonderful

Lemon - is a natural preservative

Peppermint Foot Scrub

10 tsp. grape seed oil

3 drops eucalyptus oil

4 drops rosemary oil

2 drops peppermint oil

4 tbsp. dark brown sugar

Combine all ingredients.  Store in a small glass jar and warm up the oil before apply to feet, but make sure you do not burn yourself.  A great recipe for Christmas time.

Here is another recipe.

3 tbsp. sugar

3 lemons or limes crushed

1 tbsp. sweet almond oil, lime oil or any combination or odor you love the smell of (for me, vanilla is my favorite)

10-15 mint leaves cut up

1/4 cup baking soda

Crush lemon or lime well till the remains are a course pulp.  Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.  Massage the scrub all over your feet and work in well.  Rinse off with warm water or a washcloth.  Apply favorite lotion.

Do you pamper your feet on a regular basis?  I know that I often forget to take care of mine.  I am a barefoot person so I always have rough feet.  But in the last few years, the winters have been pretty rough (literally LOL).  I am looking forward to making the pumpkin scrub as we carve our pumpkins this week.

Do you have a favorite foot scrub?  Have you attempted or mastered a great homemade scrub that you use?  I would love to know of your recipes or favorite commercial foot scrubs and your reasons for preferring that recipe/product.

Thanks for stopping by,

Fabulous Facial Scrubs You Make Yourself

It is very important to cleanse your face every day , but it is also important to use facial scrubs at least once a week to help your skin get purified (such as acne and blackheads).  This is called exfoliating, and also rids your face from dead skin cells.  It also encourages your skin to look refreshed.

There is also a belief that it can help tighten your skin and possibly improve your wrinkles or lines.  Did you know that if you do not exfoliate it can actually make your pores look bigger than normal?

The recipes below are not only cost effective but made with natural ingredients.  There are also scrubs that do different things for your skin.

If you haven’t used a face scrub before here is the steps in the process.

• Tie hair back
• Wash face

• To open pores, steam face over hot water or press a warm cloth to your skin for a few minutes

• After preparing your scrub, apply to your face and neck if desired.  Please avoid your eye area

• Optionally you can use a loofah, sponge, brush to maximize the exfoliation

• Rinse off with warm water

• All done!

The first recipe I am going to share with you is to brighten and soften your skin.

Rose Almond Face Scrub

1 tsp. rosewater

1/2 tsp. almond flour or finely ground almonds

Mix into paste and apply.

The next scrub helps smooth, tone and hydrate.

Oatmeal Scrub

1 tbsp. ground oatmeal (do not use instant)

1/2 tsp. lemon juice

2 tsp. yoghurt

Mix into paste and apply.

A finely textured, delicious smelling scrub.  Can also be used as a mask.

Banana Scrub

2 tsp. mashed banana

2 tsp. rolled oats

1 tsp. milk

1 tsp. honey

Mix and apply.

Our next recipe is perfect for fall!

Pumpkin, Sugar, and Spice Scrub

1/2 cup cooked or canned pumpkin, pureed

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

Blend in a bowl, and apply to face and body if you wish.

This recipe soothes and heals your skin in harsh winter months to help clean and moisturize.  This is good for up to 30 days.  Apply twice a week if you have oily skin.  Can also be applied to heels and feet for an at home pedicure!

Sweet Honey 

3 tbsp. Extra virgin olive oil

2 tbsp. Organic honey/regular honey

1/2 cup Organic/regular sugar

Measuring utensils

1 Chopstick or stirring stick

1 clean container

Add EEVO to container

Add honey * NOTE* Adding in this order will help you to get all the honey out of the measuring cup so you are not wasting any

Add sugar

Stir well with stir stick.

I hope that you will find a great scrub recipe here that is perfect for you.  I am going to be trying the Banana Scrub this week!  What are your favorite store bought face scrubs?  Have you ever made your own and if so please share your experience and favorite recipes.

Thanks for stopping by.

Kylara

Lotion Bars

Moving right along on our journey of homemade goodies, today we will focus on some nice lotion bars for you.  It is a wonderful and easy do it yourself gift for Christmas or birthdays. 

If your not aware of what a lotion bar is (to be honest, I have never heard of them myself till I started researching my 31 Days projects.  Basically it is what the name describes, they are solid at room temperature but once held in your hand it will begin to soften, which then allows you to rub it on your dry areas, such as hands, elbows, feet etc.

They are convenient and small, you can place them in a tin and carry one around in your purse.  Finding small tins to place these in is a fun adventure also.  I am going to be doing the flea market circuit till I find the perfect container for them.

Recipe 1:

4.5 ounces beeswax

4 ounces shea butter

4 ounces coconut oil

Combine the pre-measured ingredients into a double boiler.  Melt, stir well and  pour into molds.  You can use a turkey baster to fill the molds with melted lotions.  You can also use muffin tins or cupcake pans even.

Allow lotion to dry/cool completely before popping out of the mold.  To make it easier, you can place them in the freezer for 30 minutes and then remove them.

Recipe 2:

This is almost the same as the above recipe except a few additional ingredients.

1/2 cup coconut oil

1/2 cup Shea or Cocoa Butter

2/3 cup Beeswax Pastilles or grated Beeswax

1 tsp Vitamin E oil

Essential Oils of choice for scent

Combine ingredients in a quart size or larger glass mason jar.  Fill saucepan with a couple of inches of water, and place on medium heat.  Put lid on jar to prevent water from getting in as this will ruin the bars.

Bring water to a simmer and stir or shake the contents of the jar until completely melted.  This should take about ten minutes.  Quickly pour into whatever molds you are using.  It is recommended that silicone muffin cups or molds are used because of their ease of use cleaning.  But regular ones will work also.  You could use small jelly size jars for portable bars (purse, luggage, gift).  This recipe will make about 6 lotion bars.

Leave in molds for at least 4 hours or overnight and carefully pop out the bars. 

These recipes can also be customized specifically for you. 

• Add 20-30 drops of your favorite essential oil or any combo of these of your choice

• Add 10 drops of peppermint essential oil and 1/2 tsp of powdered ginger to be used on sore muscles

• Add 1/2 cup organic arrowroot powder and a tbsp. baking soda to make a natural deodorant

I love how customizable these are.  I am not a person who likes any type of floral scent, and adore baking smells.  Vanilla is my favorite b y far, but anything that smells like I have been baking all day is perfect!! 

Thanks for Stopping By,

Kylara

Today Let's Talk About Makeup Remover

I know that if you haven't researched this yourself you might think that I am crazy.  But one of the best natural makeup removers is olive oil.  The oil's molecules are too large to be absorbed in your skin, so please don’t let that stop you from trying this.

Place a small amount of olive oil in a spray bottle.  Spray a cotton ball with the olive oil and then watch the makeup  melt off.  It also has added benefits in nourishing the skin.  It contains lots of antioxidants like Vitamin E and Vitamin K.  Olive oil also contains Squalene which is in a lot of moisturizers, besides also being present in our own bodies and in all plants and animal life.

Now just wash your face.  If you would like to do so naturally read below.

Grab a box of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda, and pour some in your hand and wet it.  Scrub your face, rinse well, and your skin will feel amazing.

Recommended for oily skin, dry skin (use olive oil first, this softens flakey skin and make it lift with ease.

If you have a breakout you should exfoliate with the baking soda or at least exfoliate the breakout area.  It also helps to heal blackheads.

Have you tried any similar methods for makeup removers?  Let us know what you think of this and any other homemade removers.

Homemade Body Spray

I'm sorry for the late post, I have been feeling really bad lately so I will try and catch up as soon as possible.  I thank all the readers for understanding.

Today is about body spray.  I know that I love food or spice smells.  I have received as a gift for the last few years, a vanilla body spray from Avon.  I adore the smell.  Below we will find some easy do it yourself sprays. 

The first recipe is made to fit an 8 ounce container. 

5 ounces distilled water

2 ounces vodka, perfumer's alcohol or witch hazel

1/2 ounce Polysorbate 20 (fragrance modifier)

1-2 tsp. fragrance oil or essential oil

1/2 tsp. liquid glycerin (helps retain scent)

Use 5 ounces of water at first to start, and then top it off at the end with more distilled water.

Measure and combine all ingredients in a pump spray bottle and shake.

The mixture will be cloudy at first and may even foam a little but will gradually clear as the solution comes together.

*You may purchase polysorbate 20, glycerin, and perfumer's alcohol at the same store where you can purchase fragrances and essential oils.

Orange Blossom Body Spray

1 ounce filtered water

60-90 drops of orange essential oil (less or more to your liking)

1/2 tsp. vegetable glycerine

Mix ingredients together in a  small spray bottle and shake well.  Always shake before using.

I hope that you will experiment with oils and come up with your own 'signature' scent. 

Do you use body sprays and what are your favorite scents.  Have you made your own body spray before?

Hand Cream

I know with winter coming, one of the products we like to have in the house, is hand cream.  It is used not only on our hands, but all the dry spots, the elbows, and feet.  There are a lot of hand cream recipes out there, but I picked a few for you all to try out.

The first one is a great versatile recipe.  You will be able to change the essential oil to a fragrance you enjoy.

Homemade Lavender Hand Cream

This recipe will product approximately 3/4's of a cup or 6 oz.

1/3 cup sweet almond oil

2 tbsp. coconut oil

2 tbsp. olive oil

3 tbsp. grated beeswax (about 1-1 1/2 oz.)

30-35 drops of lavender essential oil (or one of your preference)

1. Combine the oils in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat until warm, which should be about 5 minutes.  Remove from heat and add the grated beeswax, stirring until the wax is completely melted.
2. Refrigerate for 5-10 minutes to start the oils cooling, then stir in the essential oil (30 drops for less scent, 35 for more).

3. At this point, the cream can be poured into a container (or two containers if desired) to cool completely.

NOTE: Since this method doesn’t use water, there is no need to use a blender or proce3ssor and you wont have to worry about the cream separating.  It will be softer in warmer weather and harder in cooler, but still be spreadable either way.  It can be stored at room temperature (storing in the refrigerator will result in a stiffer cream).

Variations:

• For a thinner consistency to use with a pump, use only 2 tbsp. beeswax.

• For a thicker, salve-like consistency, use up to 4 tbsp. beeswax

• Replace lavender with the essential oil of your choice like lemon, orange, or another floral scent.

• Since a little goes a long way, this can be packaged in small tins to give as gifts.

Easy Hand Cream

16 oz. baby lotion

8 oz. Vaseline

8 oz. Vitamin E Cream

Mix with electric mixer till it resembles icing, and then put in containers.

Done!

Gardener's Hand Cream (a little goes a long way, will make approximately 1 years supply)

4 tbsp. coconut oil

4 tbsp. grated beeswax

8 tbsp. almond oil ( you can use lavender infused almond oil)

4 capsules Vitamin E oil

25 drops lavender essential oil

10 drops tea tree oil

6 drops spearmint oil

1. Add all ingredients except the essential oils into a glass measuring cup.  Set measuring cup inside a larger bowl and pour boiling water between the dishes and stir until everything melts together.  You may need to replace the boiling water a couple of times.

2. After the beeswax has melted completely, remove the measuring cup from the hot water and add the essential oils to your hand cream mixture.

3. Pour into an air-tight container and cool to harden. Refrigerate cream to speed up the process.

Apply as needed to rough, dry, itchy, or sunburned skin. 

I am eager to try these out.  If you have made homemade hand cream and have a different recipe you use, perhaps you could share it below in comments.  If you try these, I would love for you to come back and let me know how you like it and your preferences.

Thanks for stopping by,

Kylara