Ingredients:
Sweet Almond Oil
Aloe Vera Gel
sâmbătă, 25 ianuarie 2014
MY ALL-IN-ONE “MIRACLE” EYE SERUM
One of the things I really love about making my own health and beauty products (besides knowing exactly what is going into them) is how SIMPLE they really are to make! Today’s post is the perfect example of this! Two ingredients…no measuring needed. You can’t beat that!
HOW TO MAKE SUGAR SCRUB CUBES
I’m a big fan of shower scrubs. They’re fast, easy to make and leave you with a delightful pampered feeling. What I’m not a big fan of? Planning ahead. So it’s usually after I’m showered and getting dressed that I realize, holy mackerel, exfoliation needed, stat!
Love!! You’re now wanting to make your own, right? Here’s what you need:
1/4 cup coconut oil (or other oil of choice)
1 cup of sugar (white or brown)
1/2 cup of unscented soap, shredded
Mixing bowl & spoon
Optional add-ins for scent
Ice cube tray or other mold
DIY Concealing Colour Corrector
The last time I was in Sephora I noticed funny little pots of distinctly non-face coloured goop. That you were supposed to put on your face. It came in a selection of pastels, including minty pink, lavenderish purple, and some sickly looking yellows and oranges. As a designer I figured these were either a) very boring face paints or b) some sort of opposite-colour correcting device type thingy.
diy concealing colour corrector
2 tsp cosmetic powder base
7/32 tsp yellow oxide
Teensy pinch brown oxide
Teensy pinch red oxide
Very, very little green oxide
3g beeswax
2g tamanu oil
2g seabuckthorn oil
3g jojoba oil
1g vitamin E oil
HOMEMADE ROSE MILK BATH
I’m going to let you in on a secret: homemade beauty gifts are beyond easy. Take this rose milk bath, for example. I feel guilty (well, almost) calling it “homemade” when all it requires is putting a few ingredients together in a bowl. Finding a cute bottle for the packaging is the hardest part!
HOMEMADE ROSE MILK BATH
1 1/2 cups powdered milk (full fat if you can find it, otherwise nonfat will work)
1/2 cup Epsom salts
1/4 cup (or more) dried rose petals
Red food coloring
Rose essential oil
Translucent Mineral Veil
I’m super excited to share this recipe with you guys—I devised this because sometimes you just want something light for your skin. You’re going out for the evening and you want a bit of a finish, but nothing that’s going to add any weight to your night. This translucent powder is perfect for that. It adds a bit of real life airbrushing without adding anything else. Brilliant
translucent mineral veil (reallife airbrushing powder)
2 tbsp cornstarch (or arrowroot or wheat starch)
2 tbsp sericite mica
1 tsp silk peptide
1 tsp zeolite clay (or kaolin)
¼ tsp magnesium stearate
20 drops jojoba oil
Red, yellow, and brown oxides; as needed
Strawberry Shimmer Stick
The base of this stick is a great blend of moisturizing oils that absorb quickly. You’ll have a bit of a healthy sheen on your skin, but it won’t be sticky for long. The colour comes form red and blue oxides (just a hint of blue to cool the colour off and drift it towards purplish instead of orangish), with a bit of flash copper mica for a hint of glimmer.
strawberry shimmer stick
4g beeswax
7g capuacu butter
5g cocoa butter
8g grapeseed oil
1g magnesium stearate
1/8 tsp red oxide
Speck blue oxide
1/8 tsp flash copper
½ tsp sericite mica
4 drops peppermint essential oil (optional)
Bronze Shimmer Stick
This shimmer stick is coloured with clay, oxides, and bronze mica. It’s light on the pigment so you can start slow and work your way up, rather than be forced to start over if you accidentally slip. It’s also a great colour for your lips—a warm, bronzey shade, that is just sheer enough to let the natural pink of your lips shine through.
bronze shimmer stick
4g beeswax
7g capuacu butter
5g cocoa butter
8g grapeseed oil
1g magnesium stearate
1/8 tsp bronze mica
¼ tsp fine brown clay (something slightly darker than your skin tone, but not rhassoul, it is too gritty)
¼ tsp multani mitti clay
½ tsp sericite mica
5 drops peppermint essential oil
DIY ROSE WATER TONER
I love the feel of using toner but gave it up ages ago because drugstore versions with alcohol were making my dry skin even worse. This toner feels super pampering on the skin with no dehydrating alcohol.
ROSE WATER TONER
Combine 1/2 cup rose water (you can either make your own or buy it from a health food store) with 1/2 cup witch hazel (make sure it does not have alcohol) and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Stir to combine and transfer to a sealed container. Clean face and remove make-up. Then apply toner with a cotton ball and follow with moisturizer.
Source: http://www.henryhappened.com/diy-rose-water-toner.html
ROSE WATER TONER
Combine 1/2 cup rose water (you can either make your own or buy it from a health food store) with 1/2 cup witch hazel (make sure it does not have alcohol) and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Stir to combine and transfer to a sealed container. Clean face and remove make-up. Then apply toner with a cotton ball and follow with moisturizer.
Source: http://www.henryhappened.com/diy-rose-water-toner.html
GINGER DETOX BATH
First, I started with a detox scrub. Everything I read about detox baths included Epsom salts so I combined that with another detox favorite, ginger, to make a dry scrub. Because according to Dr. Oz (my go-to health source) you can pretty much cure whatever ails you with ginger.
INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon fresh ginger
½ cup of Epsom salt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
COCONUT-LIME SOAP
This soap is made with coconut milk and coconut-lime fragrance oil. With the added chopped coconut and lime zest exfoliant on the edge, these bars smell like summer on a beach. (Just make sure it actually is summer before wearing those flip-flops.)
ORANGE COCONUT WHIPPED BODY BUTTER
The oranges in my backyard were the inspiration behind this recipe. The light, happy scent of orange essential is perfect if you’re in a winter wonderland with springtime temps still months away. I used coconut oil, shea butter, a bit of sweet almond oil and orange essential oil to make this rich body butter. You’ll need to let the coconut oil solidify so if yours is runny just pop it in the fridge for an hour or so.
DIY ROSE + VANILLA BATH BOMBS
The Valentine’s season has begun so we added dried roses and a few drops of vanilla extract. Mix everything together and then form into balls or other shapes. Cookie cutters make great molds for seasonal shapes like hearts. Pack the mixture in, let it sit overnight and remove from the mold. Pop in the bath and watch the kids go nuts at the fizzing (seriously, it’s awesome free entertainment).
Rose & Silk Facial Setting Spray
I absolutely love my translucent airbrushing powder, but sometimes Calgary is so dry (drier than usual, that is) that is can look a bit powdery for my tastes. That’s where this rose & silk facial setting spray comes in. It’s pure luxury, and gives a wonderful boost of moisture to your face after you’ve powdered.
HOMEMADE BLUSHER/BRONZER FOR PENNIES!
Well, it happened again. I forgot to reorder the mineral blush I have been using and now I’m running out! This would normally constitute somewhat of a beauty crisis…but not this time! Even though I was fairly certain it couldn’t really be a suitable substitute to the blush I was buying, I figured it was worth a try. Especially considering how simple and inexpensive it was to make.
CINNAMON BROWN SUGAR SCRUB
Enjoy smelling a bit like pumpkin pie the rest of the day! :) Do you have any fun fall beauty treatments?
PUMPKIN APPLE MASK
I had no idea that pumpkin was so great for your skin. But it has lots of antioxidants and alpha hydroxy acids that gently exfoliate and moisturize at the same time. And apples, the other great fall ingredient, have lots of natural fruit acids that get rid of old skin cells.
DIY PUMPKIN SPICE FACIAL
I remember reading last year about a fancy spa offering a pumpkin spice facial and thinking how divine that sounded. If you can make lip gloss with it, surely pumpkin spice good for the rest of your body too, right? Plus I am always opening cans of pumpkin puree and then wondering what to do with the leftovers. This is a great way to use it up!
Pumpkin Spice Latte Body Scrub
Oh, I have been so excited to share this with you all! Several of my favorite blogs have been sharing their excitement with Fall and the fact that it means the return of the Pumpkin Spice Latte. I, however, don't think it can in any way compare to this Pumpkin Spice Latte body scrub. I don't actually like the taste of coffee. Have I mentioned that? Yeah, I'm weird. I do really love the smell of coffee though, so this body scrub has enabled me to share in everyone else's Pumpkin Spice Latte joy this season.
COLD PROCESS SOAP MAKING FOR BEGINNERS!
The idea of knowing exactly what was going into my most frequently used bath product was definitely appealing, to say the least. I set out on a mission to create a moisturizing, cleansing, fragrant, all natural soap with quality ingredients. It also doesn’t hurt that quality handmade soaps make WONDERFUL gifts!
MOISTURIZING GREEK YOGURT FACE MASK
Greek yogurt has lots of benefits for your body – you should definitely be eating it! It has lots of good probiotics as well as double the protein of regular yogurt and half the sugar. Too bad the television ad campaigns are so bad.
DIY Healing Concealer
I’ve always thought concealer was a great big Catch 22. You start with an angry clogged pore that turns into a zit. So you cover it it up with some fleshy coloured goo (though let’s be honest, you aren’t fooling anyone within 2 meters of you). Said fleshy coloured goo clogs even more pores, and on it goes. A never ending zit parade, probably designed by the makers of concealer so you can never stop buying it.
Coconut Sugar Scrub
I'm a girl. You know, in case you hadn't noticed.
I like girly things. Makeup, dresses, pretty shoes, jewelry and spa treatments. Ok, except I am sort of weird about strangers touching me and it's not often that a spa day is in the monthly budget. But in THEORY - I like spa treatments. I like yummy smelling bath products and lotions and scrubs.
I like girly things. Makeup, dresses, pretty shoes, jewelry and spa treatments. Ok, except I am sort of weird about strangers touching me and it's not often that a spa day is in the monthly budget. But in THEORY - I like spa treatments. I like yummy smelling bath products and lotions and scrubs.
MAKE YOUR OWN SLEEP SALVE FOR “SWEET DREAMS” AND SOFT FEET!
This is very simple salve to make…but it does involve two steps. The first step is to make the DREAM BLEND of essential oils that you will then add to the salve.
Clay Cream Blush
Allow me to start this blog off with a confession. This was supposed to be liquid lipstick when I made it. There. I said it. Unfortunately, it ended up being really… weird… on the lips. Much better suited to the cheeks. And, in the spirit of never throwing something away when it can be re-purposed (into something useful, that is), I now have a lovely recipe for clay cream blush that I think you’ll like.
Simple Eyelash Serum
Castor oil is said to be great for many things, especially hair growth. It’s a thick, sticky oil said to help regrow eyebrows, eyelashes, and all other kinds of hair.
Though it’s thick, it’s not quite thick enough to easily apply to eyelashes. This quick, 4-ingredient serum comes together in a flash, goes on smoothly, and might just help your eyelashes grow. Or something. I haven’t done enough testing to say definitively, but the person that wrote this article would certainly say it will help.
Though it’s thick, it’s not quite thick enough to easily apply to eyelashes. This quick, 4-ingredient serum comes together in a flash, goes on smoothly, and might just help your eyelashes grow. Or something. I haven’t done enough testing to say definitively, but the person that wrote this article would certainly say it will help.
Deluxe Homemade Eye Make-up Remover
I’ve already written about my super easy, incredibly cheap eye make-up remover. It certainly lives up to its name. Ever since I got my hands on some emulsifying wax, however, I’ve wanted to try something else. Something lotion-y and creamy and lovely. This definitely fits the bill.
Homemade Eyeshadow Trio
I recently made some mineral makeup, and then branched out into blush and bronzer. Since all of those things are in the fluffy coloured category, so I figured eyeshadow couldn’t be too far away.
DIY Benefit Eye Bright
As I generally do, I got to thinking about what Eye Bright might be made of. The ingredients proved a bit iffy, as is to be expected with store bought cosmetics (though not altogether terrifying—props, Benefit!). From what I could recognize, it’s basically a paste of titanium dioxide, micas, some petroleum and plant based oils, and a variety of waxes. That sounds very DIY-able indeed.
DIY Eyebrow Filler/Fixative
As I’ve said about a million times, I am pretty low maintenance and I like it that way. When I first made mineral make-up I had no idea what to do with it. I don’t even know why I made it. Now that I have it I sometimes put it on, but I’m not really sure if I’m doing it right. Meh.
Super Gentle Homemade Eye Make-Up Remover
I’ve made a few forays into homemade eye make-up remover. My latest version worked really well, but as it sat on my vanity, the strength of the emulsifying wax slowly increased, and my nice, creamy (but liquid) eye make-up remover gradually turned into something rather too thick and creamy to use easily on the eyes without adding more water (it worked brilliantly for getting face make-up off, though). So, this recipe makes a thinner, definitely liquid remover. It’s just emulsified oil and water, with a bit of glycerin. It works like a charm as long as you’re not wearing waterproof mascara (though I’m beginning to think nothing takes off waterproof mascara except maybe turpentine… which I am not going to test for obvious reasons…).
vineri, 24 ianuarie 2014
Brightlighter
I’m really excited about this one! I know I seem to be saying that a lot these days, but it’s true. I feel like I’ve figured a few great things out over the last few months, and I’m having tons of fun with those discoveries. This little stick is fantastic—it instantly brightens your face and eyes, and it smells like chocolate thanks to the cocoa butter it’s made with. It’s great for quickly pulling yourself together, and since it’s in a tube it’s perfect for throwing in your purse or gym bag.
Fairy Dust Highlighting Powder
One of my only claims to some sort of familiar fame is a distant relation to J.M. Barrie, author of Peter Pan. Cool, eh? I remember telling this story to a classmate in elementary school, only to have him call me a liar and insist that there was no way that Walt Disney was in my family tree. Um… yeah. Anyhow, one of my favourite parts of the Peter Pan story is the addition of fairy dust to the story.
Homemade Shaving Soap
When I first started using shaving cream I thought it was the equivalent of chocolate mousse for my skin, except it smelled like fairy farts and unicorn tears, and was made from clouds and the dreams of small children. It was GREAT. The bottle promised intense moisturization and glide, and was covered in fake little dew drops and swirls in a rather pathetic attempt to convince you that you were shaving your legs in a Swedish spa.
DIY Eye Lash Growth Serum
Today, I have a super easy and fast DIY for you to try at home.
I recently tried a product to grow my eye lashes. It worked but it was terribly expensive at $120.00 for 3ml of product.
Recently, I was looking online for something I could do at home to make my lashes longer and thicker and I found this quick and easy recipe with all organic materials that you can easily find in your local drugstore or you may already have these in your home.
I recently tried a product to grow my eye lashes. It worked but it was terribly expensive at $120.00 for 3ml of product.
Recently, I was looking online for something I could do at home to make my lashes longer and thicker and I found this quick and easy recipe with all organic materials that you can easily find in your local drugstore or you may already have these in your home.
DIY FRESH FACE MIST
Facial mists have been around for a long time, but I never really bought into them until recently. When my daughter and I got our hair and makeup done for her wedding, the makeup artist finished my “look” with a light spray of facial mist. She said it would help prevent the powder from looking cakey. Some beauty pros suggest you apply a light spritz between each layer of makeup product you use.
How to Make Polka-Dot Soap
First off, you’ll make your dot batch of soap. Scent and colour it however you want, keeping in mind that they are only part of the end result. You should definitely colour them so they’ll contrast with the suspending batch… if you don’t, I’m really not sure why you’re even bothering.
Once the first batch has set up (but not hardened fully, maybe 20ish hours after the pour), roll the soap into little balls. You can do a variety of sizes or make them uniform, but keep in mind the size of the bars you’ll be making. I probably made my balls a bit big for these bars—they kind of take over the bar.
Once the first batch has set up (but not hardened fully, maybe 20ish hours after the pour), roll the soap into little balls. You can do a variety of sizes or make them uniform, but keep in mind the size of the bars you’ll be making. I probably made my balls a bit big for these bars—they kind of take over the bar.
DIY baking soda exfoliator
Exfoliating your skin will help prevent acne, refine your complexion, tighten your pores and keep your skin looking radiant and smooth.
Have you ever walked into a Sephora or a drug store and felt totally overwhelmed because there were SO many choices? Skincare shopping can be intimidating. I tend to get all flustered when I am faced with more than three choices, so unless I know EXACTLY what I need to get I avoid these places.
Today I am going to share with you a little secret natural exfoliator that you most likely already own.
Have you ever walked into a Sephora or a drug store and felt totally overwhelmed because there were SO many choices? Skincare shopping can be intimidating. I tend to get all flustered when I am faced with more than three choices, so unless I know EXACTLY what I need to get I avoid these places.
Today I am going to share with you a little secret natural exfoliator that you most likely already own.
DIY green clay mask
If your skin is looking more oily and congested than normal it's time for a green clay detox mask!
Green clay is is an all natural organic material made up of essential minerals and decomposed kelp and seaweed.
It works by absorbing impurities and toxins from your skin as it hardens. It also promotes blood flow and leaves your skin feeling like just had the most amazing facial!
You may be thinking, "That's great... but since you are an esthetican you can get this stuff easily." Let me share a little secret with you...I get mine in bulk at the local natural market! So you can get it too!
Green clay is is an all natural organic material made up of essential minerals and decomposed kelp and seaweed.
It works by absorbing impurities and toxins from your skin as it hardens. It also promotes blood flow and leaves your skin feeling like just had the most amazing facial!
You may be thinking, "That's great... but since you are an esthetican you can get this stuff easily." Let me share a little secret with you...I get mine in bulk at the local natural market! So you can get it too!
Snowdrift Soap
Blue oxides add the blue, and while I added some titanium dioxide for the white, it would appear I didn’t add quite enough. Oh well.
DIY Skin Smoothing Mask
One of my most popular treatments when I was running my own esthetics business was a hydrating chocolate wasabi mask (a professional treatment). It was meant to soften, tone and temporarily reduce wrinkles and everyone loved it! I decided to play around with a few ingredients and make a wonderful DIY version. This mask smells like a cupcake bakery on your face and makes your skin feel so soft and youthful once you have rinsed it off. And if you want to lick the little bowl after you finish applying I will not judge you.
How to Naturally Lighten Sun Spots
Sun spots or hyperpigmentation is very common. Almost all women experience some sort of hyperpigmentation (areas of the skin that is darker than the rest). The most common causes are sun damage, hormonal issues and acne scarring. Athought there is no overnight solution to treating sun spots, there is pleanty of remedies that can help lighten them. Today I am sharing a tried and true natural remedy that if used consistently can help make a difference in those pesky spots.
Why this works:
Apple cider vinegar contains natural alpha hydroxy acids, which are known to help lighten sun and age spots. Lemon juice contains citric acid which can also help lighten darkened areas of the skin.
DIY Natural Lactic Acid Mask
Lactic acid treatments in a spa can be pretty pricey and since not everyone has the time or budget to fit in a facial I am going to share a super easy and cost effective diy version.
Powdered milk is a natural source of lactic acid and when applied to the skin it is very effective in smoothing, toning and tightening the skin. For those of you who have large pores (I do!) this mask is a must! And when paired with apple cider vinegar (another natural alpha hydroxy acid) the results are pretty amazing.
Powdered milk is a natural source of lactic acid and when applied to the skin it is very effective in smoothing, toning and tightening the skin. For those of you who have large pores (I do!) this mask is a must! And when paired with apple cider vinegar (another natural alpha hydroxy acid) the results are pretty amazing.
Instant Dark Circle and Puffy Eye Reliever
No one really needs to know (or notice) if you stayed up a little too late watching Mad Men (guilty), had too much wine, or if you were woken up every other hour to feed a new baby (been there). This week's beauty tip is not only easy to do yourself, it works and gives you results almost instantly.
DIY Spirulina Face Mask
Spirulina, which is a blue green algae is a skin (and body) superfood that can help rejuvenate and repair damaged skin and give you back that healthy glow that you might be currently lacking.
How To Beat a Cold With Oil of Oregano
With the changing of the weather and cold and flu season quickly approaching, I wanted to share a new to me natural remedy called Oil of Oregano. This magical little herb has recently helped ward off several colds that I had coming on in the past few months. And when I say ward off I mean I wake up with a cold or a sore throat, I take a few drops and by the next morning any sign of a cold is gone.
Dirt Soap
A bit of an oxymoron, perhaps, but the idea of a dark, earthy scented bar was quite intriguing. Something to use up all the Ucuuba butter and rhassoul clay I’ve got in my cupboard. Something to remind me of summer and nature and all those things that hide away in the dead of winter, depressing me so.Like spring, gardening, and farmer’s markets, all bundled into a bar of soap. Well, maybe that’s a bit much to put all on one bar of soap, but it’s winter, and I’m bored.
Healing Acne with Garlic
Acne breakouts can be annoying, embarrassing and just plain old inconvenient when they happen. If you have ever experienced acne I am almost positive you had a moment or two where you were willing to try just about anything to make it go away. Everyone responds differently to topical products and remedies and for that reason there is literally hundreds of remedies for one single skin ailment. The key is finding the right combination of ingredients that works for you.
This weeks skin care remedy is a simple yet very effective one and all you need is a garlic clove. Most people associate garlic cloves with cooking but they actually are full of medicinal purposes that you may or may not be aware of.
This weeks skin care remedy is a simple yet very effective one and all you need is a garlic clove. Most people associate garlic cloves with cooking but they actually are full of medicinal purposes that you may or may not be aware of.
Vinolia Soap Re-Creation
It was only a matter of time before my love of Titanic merged with my new soaping hobby. The first class soap on the RMS Titanic was called Vinolia—Vinolia Otto Toilet Soap. The “otto” being for the type of rose, I presume, as the soap is said to have smelled of lemon and rose.The ads say the soap “is perfect for sensitive skins and delicate complexions. Its rich, cleansing lather soothes and softens, and for regular Toiler use there is no soap more delightful.” It retailed for 35¢ a bar in 1912. You can still buy it today, but the formula has changed.
Treating Acne Breakouts With Turmeric
Random acne breakout's can put a real damper on your otherwise good face day. The problem with most over the counter spot acne treatments is that they tend to be very drying, which in turn can irritate your skin.
I have previously mentioned the amazing benefits of turmeric powder for anti-aging as well as adding it to your diet as a super food but today I am going to share a simple way to incorporate it into your skin care regime if you are having breakouts.
Turmeric powder is able to fight acne head on because of its potent anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. It is soothing and non irritating, which makes it the perfect ingredient to help stop those pesky breakouts before they become a real pain in the ass.
All you will need to make an all natural turmeric acne spot treatment is turmeric powder and water!
I have previously mentioned the amazing benefits of turmeric powder for anti-aging as well as adding it to your diet as a super food but today I am going to share a simple way to incorporate it into your skin care regime if you are having breakouts.
Turmeric powder is able to fight acne head on because of its potent anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. It is soothing and non irritating, which makes it the perfect ingredient to help stop those pesky breakouts before they become a real pain in the ass.
All you will need to make an all natural turmeric acne spot treatment is turmeric powder and water!
Grapefruit & Calendula Soap
There’s something about citrus that makes it perfect for morning showers. Bright, happy, clean, and refreshing. Grapefruit is a nice quasi fringe citrus fruit—lemon and lime are so cliché, don’t you think?
