Tag Archive for: Skin + Beauty

Enliven and preserve your eternal inner goddess! I lived for quite a few years over in Nepal and India, and the women of all ages there have long, dark, gorgeous, healthy hair. They didn’t use hair dyes as much as they like to use natural plant based henna- the stuff of belly dancers and burgeoning goddesses!

I found one that’s already ready to go from the company called Lush which makes natural, mostly packaging free cosmetics that I adore and often try to reproduce at home. Here they sell a ready-made block of nutritive henna with cocoa butter and coffee. This does not chemically damage your hair. Henna can be a bit drying, and it’s a long-lasting color deposit. It can not lift your existing color, but pretty good for tinting any stray, pesky greys (not that any of my readers or I have any greys of course!)

lush henna

It is pretty simple to use. Each block offers 6 coloring squares, use 1 for each coloring.

Tools:

You will need a bowl, spoon, boiling water, gloves and a plastic head wrap.

Directions:

Use a knife and cut one square.

Boil about 1 cup of water and place henna brick in a bowl.

I add 1 T of hair oil to add more moisture.

Cover the henna with hot water and stir with a spoon until it forms a thick cake like batter. Let cool.

Then, with a gloved hand spread henna onto hair, henna is great for root touchups!

Next, place a cap on and leave henna for two hours.

Then rinse all henna out with gloved hand in warm water.

Use a light sulfate free shampoo and then condition. Rinse. Style as usual.

 

 

Every week I use color depositing conditioners to keep hair toned and… lush!

Remember: Do not use home or salon color over hair that has been hennaed, as there can be damage.

For more info: https://www.lushusa.com/stories/article_how-to-use-henna-hair-dye.html

angles on bare skin

The natural almond and lavender soap-free facial cleanser is one of the best selling products at Lush. It can be quite costly though, it’s about $16 for a small 3.5oz. jar and you can easily make a similar replica at home yourself for a fraction of the cost. Once you have the ingredients you can make it again and again with the same supplies and I don’t recommend doubling the ingredients because this makes enough for about one to three months.

It’s an all natural almond based gentle exfoliant cleanser, that has clay, vegetable glycerin and essential oils. You can also use it as a detoxifying mask and leave it on to pull out toxins for about 10 minutes and let it dry then wash office you would any other clay mask. The way that this is mostly used is that you take a small pea sized amount your hands and add some warm water and press into your palm to form an almond milk-like cleanser, that can be used every day, it’s like an edible almond treat for your skin!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CTsm4P5vw05/

How to Make One Month’s Supply

This replica recipe my approximation and very similar to Angels on Bare Skin™
Natural Almond Facial Cleanser Recipe

lush cleanser

Ingredients:

1/4 cup of ground raw, Organic Almonds, ground semi fine, retaining some texture

3 T. of Bentonite or Kaolin Clay

1 T. Vegetable Glycerin

1 T. Honey

1 tsp. Apple Cider Vinegar

1/4 tsp. Rose Water

1T. Lavender Flowers or Purple Russian Sage Flowers Dried

6 drops of Lavender Essential Oil

6 drops of Rose Essential Oil

2 T. water (+/-)

Directions:

Place all ingredients except water in a bowl and mix well.

Add water and mix with a spoon into a thick, dry paste.

Roll into a ball, and form a tube shape.

Roll formed tube into dried flowers.

Store in an airtight covered container, to prevent mold, or refrigerate if you live in a warmer climate.

Use a pea sized amount with water to clean face, daily, rinse.

 

angels on bare skin diy

Lush's Angels on Bare Skin Replica DIY Natural Almond Facial Cleanser Recipe

The natural almond and lavender soap-free facial cleanser is one of the best selling products at Lush. It can be quite costly though it's about $16 for a small jar and you can easily make a similar replica at home yourself for a fraction of the cost. Once you have the ingredients you can make it again and again with the same supplies and I don't recommend doubling the ingredients because this makes enough for about one to three months.It's an all natural almond based gentle exfoliant cleanser, that has clay, vegetable glycerin and essential oils. You can also use it as a detoxifying mask and leave it on to pull out toxins for about 10 minutes and let it dry then wash off as you would any other clay mask. The way that this is mostly used is that you take a small pea sized amount your hands and add some warm water and press into your palm to form an almond milk-like cleanser, that can be used every day, it's like an edible almond treat for your skin!

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 cup of ground raw Organic Almonds, ground semi fine, retaining some texture
  • 3 T. of Bentonite or Kaolin Clay
  • 1 T. Vegetable Glycerin
  • 1/4 tsp. Rose Water
  • 1 T. Lavender Flowers or Purple Russian Sage Flowers Dried
  • 1 T. honey
  • 6 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
  • 6 drops of Rose Essential Oil
  • 2 T. water +/-

Instructions
 

  • Place all ingredients except water in a bowl and mix well.
  • Add water and mix with a spoon into a thick, dry paste.
  • Roll into a ball, and form a tube shape.
  • Roll formed tube into dried flowers.
  • Store in a covered container.
  • Use a pea sized amount with water to clean face, daily, rinse.

Homemade Spearmint Tooth Powder

This easy to make home tooth powder makes my teeth feel very clean, white and polished! This is a modified recipe from my first peppermint tooth powder with the addition now of bentonite clay and xylitol. I love to continually perfect new recipes and the previous tooth powder cleaned well, but tended to be very salty and gritty. This this one now, is very minty and sweet and I look forward to brushing. Take all ingredients and blend them until the power is very fine, like flour and there should be little risk to enamel or gums. This recipe if used 1x a week, should last about 1/2 a year! Store in a glass container or covered container.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 c. Bentonite Clay (1 part)
• 1/2 c. Baking Soda (1 part)
• 1/4 c. Himalayan Sea Salt (1/2 part)
• 2 T Xylitol, Stevia or Monkfruit Sugar
• 2 tsp. of Spearmint Essential Oil

Directions:

Take all ingredients and blend in a blender until very, very fine, stir and blend again. Make sure that the sea salt is no longer course, it should look like course flour.

When you use it, first pour a little Hydrogen Peroxide onto your toothbrush to wet, then dip in powder and brush, brush the tongue too.

Use 1x/week as a polish and antibacterial cleanse to compliment regular daily paste brushing.

toothpowder 1

Homemade Spearmint Tooth Powder

This easy to make home tooth powder makes my teeth feel very clean, white and polished! This is a modified recipe from my first peppermint tooth powder with the addition now of bentonite clay and xylitol. I love to continually perfect new recipes and the previous tooth powder clean well, but tended to be very salty and gritty. This this one now, is very minty and sweet and I look forward to brushing. Take all ingredients and blend them until the power is very fine, like flour and there should be little risk to enamel or gums. This recipe if used 1x a week, should last about 1/2 a year! Store in a glass container or covered container.

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 c. Bentonite Clay 1 part
  • 1/2 c. Baking Soda 1 part
  • 1/4 c. Himalayan Sea Salt 1/2 part
  • 2 T Xylitol Stevia or Monkfruit Sugar
  • 2 tsp. of Spearmint Essential Oil

Instructions
 

  • Take all ingredients and blend in a blender until very, very fine, stir and blend again. Make sure that the sea salt is no longer course, it should look like course flour.
  • When you use it, first pour a little Hydrogen Peroxide onto your toothbrush to wet, then dip in powder and brush, brush the tongue too.
  • Use 1x/week as a polish and antibacterial cleanse to compliment regular daily paste brushing.

 

Homemade Peppermint Tooth Powder with Baking Soda and Sea Salt

This recipe was given to me by my healthful, mountain yogi friend who uses it every day. I have read that brushing with sea salt and tooth powders can damage enamel, but I found a way to use this amazing cleaning recipe safely. Take all ingredients and blend them until the power is very fine, like flour and there should be little risk to enamel or gums. I use this 1x a week rather than every day as a special cleansing paste. Some recipes call for 1 part bentonite clay powder, but this works really well without that. This recipe if used 1x a week, should last about 1/2 a year! Store in a glass container or covered container.

Ingredients:

1/2 c. Baking Soda (1 part)
1/4 c. Himalayan Sea Salt (1/2 part)
50-75 Drops of Essential Oils like: Peppermint, Spearmint, Clove, Tea-tree, Eucalyptus or Cinnamon, blends are ok!

Directions:

Take all ingredients and blend in a blender until very, very fine, stir and blend again. Make sure that the sea salt is no longer course, it should look like course flour.

When you use it, first pour a little Hydrogen Peroxide onto your toothbrush to wet, then dip in powder and brush, brush the tongue too.

Use 1x/week as a polish and antibacterial cleanse to compliment regular daily paste brushing.

 

 

An intimate photo of my teeth after the tooth powder cleanse, quite shiny and white- Proof that it works!

IMG 4055

Homemade Peppermint Tooth Powder with Baking Soda and Sea Salt

This recipe was given to me by my healthful, mountain yogi friend who uses it every day. I have read that brushing with sea salt and tooth powders can damage enamel, but I found a way to use this amazing cleaning recipe safely. Take all ingredients and blend them until the power is very fine, like flour and there should be little risk to enamel or gums. I use this 1x a week rather than every day as a special cleansing paste. Some recipes call for 1 part bentonite clay powder, but this works really well without that. This recipe if used 1x a week, should last about 1/2 a year! Store in a glass container or covered container.

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 c. Baking Soda 1 part
  • 1/4 c. Himalayan Sea Salt 1/2 part
  • 50-75 Drops of Essential Oils like: Peppermint Spearmint, Clove, Tea-tree, Eucalyptus or Cinnamon, blends are ok!

Instructions
 

  • Take all ingredients and blend in a blender until very, very fine, stir and blend again. Make sure that the sea salt is no longer course, it should look like course flour.
  • When you use it, first pour a little Hydrogen Peroxide onto your toothbrush to wet, then dip in powder and brush, brush the tongue too.
  • Use 1x/week as a polish and antibacterial cleanse to compliment regular daily paste brushing.

 

 

 

thieves

The History of Thieves Oil

In times of plague, pandemic and now Covid, humans have relied on powerful essential oils to utilize their anti-bacterial qualities. The historic folklore of this famous Thieves remedy is quite intriguing. The use of thieves oil dates back to the year 1413, at the time, the notorious Bubonic Plague was devastating a large portion of France. The black plague spread like wild fire among the citizens, and the doctors equally. It seemed impossible to be in the area without contracting it, and in the time, the illness resulted in an ultimate, gruesome death. Contracting this illness, very similar to our current pandemic, resulted in severe influenza symptoms with a bacteria infecting the blood system, ending in death.
In this time, however, four burglars were captured and accused of stealing from the ill and dying. The thieves never contracted the plague, despite the close contact with the Black Death victims. During this time, the offenses of theft were punishable by burning alive. The judge was so intrigued by how the thieves had stayed immune to this dreadful disease, that he told them if they shared their secret he’d spare them of their dire fate. The thieves told the judge their secret: they wore a perfume prepared with an essential oil and spice recipe that whenever applied to their hands, temples, ears, feet & a mask over their mouths, kept them safe from infection. They blended cloves, lemon, cinnamon, lavender, and rosemary and applied the mix to their body and a mask that they wore over their own mouth. The judge stayed true to his word. The men weren’t burned alive, but instead they were hanged for their crimes. The Black Death Doctors later adopted this formula, and wore a pointed mask, filled with these spices and oils that looked like a beak. This was the inception of the name for medical “quackery.”
I however, happen to appreciate this powerful formula, and stand by it’s amazing scent and antibacterial properties. Today, I made my own at home “Thieves” essential oil blend and made a diluted powerful non-toxic antibacterial home spray cleanser too, the home smells like lemon, clove and eucalyptus. This is amazingly spicy, like to have a home filled with chai tea, much more appealing than citronella bug spray, and does repel bugs too! A few drops of this blend can be put in an atomizer or warm vapo bath to help to open up respiration and detoxify your home. It’s very powerful though so make sure to… Dilute! Dilute! I was able to make about 20 ounces of it and it’s really strong with an apricot carrier oil for under $30. One bottle of Young Living Thieves if you can get it as it sells out now, is about $45 for 1 ounce.

The Alchemy of Making Oils

In the tradition of wild-crafting essential oils, inspired by pagans and Steinerian schools of thought as exemplified with Dr. Hauschka, the oils are best if wild-crafted. These oils I use are 100% pure essential oils, but not wildcrafted or organic, they are moderately priced and good for cleaning. Some alchemists are sensitive to the “energy” of crafting oils, even going to far as to place the oils back outside to absorb the essences from moonlight. We wont go that far since we are just blending ready made oils. However, I like to have the kitchen very clean before, play some heartwarming music and set my intention to heal as I’m blending these. Yes we too can be modern day, energy sensitive alchemists, that help to heal our world, starting right at home!

Ingredients:

1 oz. Pure Clove Oil
1 oz. Pure Rosemary Oil
1 oz. Pure Cinnamon Oil
.5 oz. Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
16 oz Apricot Oil (Any neutral base carrier oil)

Tools:

bottles to replace oil
funnel
pot or plastic bowl to stir
metal stirring spoon
2 bpa free plastic or glass spray bottles

Directions:

Pour all oils into a pan and stir until well blended
Use a funnel liquid pouring container and re-pour into bottles
To use as a cleaner, pour .5oz into a spray bottle, add 2T of castile soap and shake, shake every time before use as the oil will separate
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D.I.Y. Thieves Essential Oil and Cleaner

The Alchemy of Making Oils
In the tradition of wild-crafting essential oils, inspired by pagans and Steinerian schools of thought as exemplified with Dr. Hauschka, the oils are best if wild-crafted. These oils I use are 100% pure essential oils, but not wildcrafted or organic, they are moderately priced and good for cleaning. Some alchemists are sensitive to the "energy" of crafting oils, even going to far as to place the oils back outside to absorb the essences from moonlight. We wont go that far since we are just blending ready made oils. However, I like to have the kitchen very clean before, play some heartwarming music and set my intentional to heal as I'm blending these. Yes we too can be modern day, energy sensitive alchemists, that help to heal our world, starting right at home!

Equipment

  • bottles to replace oil
  • funnel
  • pot or plastic bowl to stir
  • metal stirring spoon
  • 2 bpa free plastic or glass spray bottles

Ingredients
  

  • 1 oz. Pure Clove Oil
  • 1 oz. Pure Rosemary Oil
  • 1 oz. Pure Cinnamon Oil
  • .5 oz. Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
  • 16 oz. Apricot Oil Any neutral base carrier oil

Instructions
 

  • Pour all oils into a pan and stir until well blended
  • Use a funnel liquid pouring container and re-pour into bottles
  • To use as a cleaner, pour .5oz into a spray bottle, add 2T of castile soap and shake, shake every time before use as the oil will separate

I was amazed to discover the very best natural face cream and now use it every.single.day. I would say it’s no less than the fountain of youth. I was taught how to make this by my flower-child neighbor who uses only the best organic and well sourced ingredients that she buys in bulk from various homemade beauty care and natural cosmetics suppliers. I know it might seem tedious to have to craft your own face cream, but it is well worth it. If you make a batch which lasts for an entire year, you can store it in the refrigerator. I swear by this, I have used the best face care products known to man like Dr. Hauschka and Evan Healy, but this is truly incomparable. It is the perfect weight and smells like citrus and vanilla. Let us know in the comments if you try this and how it feels on your skin and if indeed, all of your wrinkles magically disappear forever!

COCOA BUTTER CREAMY LOTION FOR FACE AND BODY

This nongreasy, deeply moisturizing and hydrating cream doubles as a fabulous after-sun cream. It leaves skin very soft and silky with a light, velvety “orangesicle” scent.

7 tablespoons soybean, almond, apricot kernel, or macadamia nut base oil

2 tablespoons beeswax

2 tablespoons coconut base oil (extra-virgin, unrefined)

3 tablespoon cocoa butter

1 teaspoon anhydrous lanolin

9 tablespoons distilled water

2 teaspoons vegetable glycerin

1/2 teaspoon borax x 30

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

20 drops sweet orange essential oil drops tangerine or sweet orange essential oil

20 drops vanilla essential oil

Recommended for: normal, dry, dehydrated, sensitive, sunburned, windburned, mature, or environmentally damaged skin (especially for dehydrated oily and combination skin in cooler, less humid seasons)

USE: Daily

PREP TIME: 1 hour approximate! 20 to 30 minutes, plus 30 minutes to set up and cool

BLENDING TOOLS: blender; long-handled, slender spatula

STORE IN:  glass or plastic jars or squeeze bottle (if storage area is very warm)

YIELD: approximately 1-1/3 cups

HEAT: In a small saucepan over low heat or in a double boiler, warm the base oils, beeswax, coco butter, and lanolin, until the cocoa butter and beeswax are just melted. In another pan, warm the water and vegetable glycerin, add the borax, and stir until the borax is incorporated.

COOL: Remove both pans from heat and allow their contents to cool almost to body temperature until the oils/wax/butter/lanolin mixture just begins to thicken and becomes slightly opaque. It will be like a soft, loose salve. This will take 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the oils/wax/butter.

BLEND: Immediately pour oil/wax/lanolin/butter mixture into into the blender, scraping the sides of the saucepan to remove every and remove every last trace. Place the lid on the blender and remove the lids plastic piece. Turn the blender on medium and slowly drizzle the water/Glycerin/Borax mixture through the center of the lid into the vortex of swirling fats below. Closely watch what happens: almost immediately, the lotion will begin to thicken. Blend for 5 to 10 seconds more. turn off the blender and check the consistency. It should have a smooth texture. If the mixtures are not combining properly, turn off the blender and give the lotion a few manual stirs with a spatula to free up the blender blades. Then replace the lid and blend on medium for another 5 to 10 seconds. Repeat process as needed.

Turn off the blender and add the essential oils, stirring a few times to mix them in, then blend completely on medium another 5 to 10 seconds, until the lotion is smooth and pale yellow

Note: If the temperature of your kitchen is above 76°F. the lotion will maintain a softer consistency. (Coconut oil turns from solid to liquid at 76°F.) If the temperature is below 76°F. the lotion will be firmer more like  a cream.

PACKAGE AND COOL: Pour the finished lotion into storage container(s). Lightly cover each container with a paper towel and allow the lotion to cool for 30 minutes before capping. If you notice after a few hours or days, that water begins to separate from the lotion, don’t worry. The mixture can separate if the fat temperature and water temperature are not relatively equal and cool enough when the two portions are blended. Keep trying — crafting perfect lotions is an art form!

No refrigeration of this product is required if it’s used within 30 days. If stored in the refrigerator, please use it within 3 to 6 months. (You may notice a change in the formula’s texture if it’s stored in the refrigerator, but this won’t affect the quality of the product.)

APPLICATION TIPS: Use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon to cover the entire face, throat, and décolleté and more as necessary for the body.

pexels dana tentis 725998

Homemade Cocoa Butter Face Cream

Recommended for: normal, dry, dehydrated, sensitive, sunburned, windburned, mature, or environmentally damaged skin (especially for dehydrated oily and combination skin in cooler, less humid seasons)
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 1 hour

Equipment

  • BLENDING TOOLS: blender; long-handled, slender spatula

Ingredients
  

  • 7 tablespoons soybean, almond, apricot kernel, or macadamia nut base oil
  • 2 tablespoons beeswax
  • 2 tablespoons coconut base oil extra-virgin. unrefined
  • 3 tablespoon cocoa butter
  • 1 teaspoon anhydrous lanolin
  • 9 tablespoons distilled water
  • 2 teaspoons vegetable glycerin
  • 1/2 teaspoon borax x 30
  • 20 drops drops sweet orange essential oil drops tangerine or sweet orange essential oil
  • 20 drops drops vanilla essential oil
  • 1 teaspoon teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions
 

  • USE: Daily
    PREP TIME: 1 hour approximate!, 20 to 30 minutes, plus 30 minutes to set up and cool
    STORE IN:  glass or plastic jars or squeeze bottle (if storage area is very warm)
    YIELD: approximately 1-1/3 cups
    HEAT: In a small saucepan over low heat or in a double boiler, warm the base oils, beeswax, coco butter, and lanolin, until the cocoa butter and beeswax are just melted. In another pan, warm the water and vegetable glycerin, add the borax, and stir until the borax is incorporated.
    COOL: Remove both pans from heat and allow their contents to cool almost to body temperature until the oils/wax/butter/lanolin mixture just begins to thicken and becomes slightly opaque. It will he like a soft, loose salve. This will take 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the oils/wax/butter/
    BLEND: Immediately pour oil/wax/lanolin/butter mixture into into the blender, scraping the sides of the saucepan to remove every and remove every last trace. Place the lid on the blender and remove the lids plastic piece. Turn the blender on medium and slowly drizzle the water/Glycerin/Borax mixture through the center of the lid into the vortex of swirling fats below. Closely watch what happens: almost immediately, the lotion will begin to thicken. Blend for 5 to 10 seconds more. turn off the blender and check the consistency. It should have a smooth texture. If the mixtures are not combining properly, turn off the blender and give the lotion a few manual stirs with a spatula to free up the blender blades. Then replace the lid and blend on medium for another 5 to 10 seconds. Repeat process as needed.
    Turn off the blender and add the essential oils, stirring a few times to mix them in, then blend completely on medium another 5 to 10 seconds, until the lotion is smooth and pale yellow
    Note: If the temperature of your kitchen is above 76°F. the lotion will maintain a softer consistency. (Coconut oil turns from solid to liquid at 76°F.) If the temperature is below 76°F. the lotion will be firmer more like  a cream.
    PACKAGE AND COOL: Pour the finished lotion into storage container(s). Lightly cover each container with a paper towel and allow the lotion to cool for 30 minutes before capping. If you notice after a few hours or days, that water begins to separate from the lotion, don't worry. The mixture can separate if the fat temperature and water temperature are not relatively equal and cool enough when the two portions are blended. Keep trying — crafting perfect lotions is an art form!
    No refrigeration of this product is required if it's used within 30 days. If stored in the refrigerator, please use it within 3 to 6 months. (You may notice a change in the formula's texture if it's stored in the refrigerator, but this won't affect the quality of the product.)
    APPLICATION TIPS: Use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon to cover the entire face, throat, and décolleté and more as necessary for the body.
Keyword cocoa butter face cream, homemade face cream

 

Photo by Dana Tentis from Pexels