- The biggest problem faced in making cosmetic products at home is shelf life. They do have to be made more often as they tend to spoil after a certain amount of time, but the quality of the product and the knowledge you are using only the best ingredients far outweighs the small inconvenience.
- The trick is to make them in small quantities, or just enough to last until you know you will need to replace them. Another simple point to remember is do not use your fingers! Use a small spatula or plastic knife or similar sterile utensil to lift out a small amount at a time when using the product.
- By themselves, oils and waxes will remain stable. It is the introduction of the herbal infusion, or aloe gel, or unsterilized water that presents the problem of mold and bacteria. It is also possible to make or purchase extracts of the herbs you wish to include and use those in your products, rather than an infusion.
- ALWAYS BOIL THE WATER AND STERILIZE YOUR CONTAINERS (since boiling water will destroy/melt some plastic containers, use alcohol to sterilize these).
- There are two natural preservatives which can stabilize your product. Tincture of Benzoin is available through your local pharmacy and has been used for a long time commercially. Gum benzoin, from which the tincture is made, is a gum resin from Asia. It is applied at the rate of 1 drop per ouce of product. Becoming more popular each year is grapefruit seed extract, available through herb supply outlets, and is applied at the same rate. Also known for its preservative qualities is vitamin E. It won't take the place of the benzoin tincture or grapefruit seed extract, but 200 to 400 I.U. per ounce of product will not only help out with longevity, it's also good for the skin.
- When adding aloe to your product, be aware fresh aloe gel from a houseplant will develop mold quickly. It is better to purchase food grade aloe gel which has already been stabilized.
- When a recipe calls for glycerin - it always means vegetable glycerin. At no time should you use any other type. It is always to be food grade vegetable glycerin.
- Oils commonly used in cosmetic preparations are sweet almond, olive, safflower, peanut, corn, wheat germ, jojoba, and small amounts of vitamin E oil. Vitamin E can be purchased in gel caps which can then be pierced and the contents squeezed out. In the following recipes the ingredient lecithin refers to liquid lecithin. All lanolin used is anhydrous lanolin. Lanolin comes in liquid and anhydrous (water removed) forms.
- One other ingredient you will require is beeswax. It melts at 148ºF, but the process goes more quickly if you first grate it. A hand held rotary grater with the large holes for grating makes short work of this.
- Other tools which you will need are a blender, or mini food processor, or similar item which is capable of making mayonnaise, since the process of combining oils and water is similar. You will also need a stainless steel or enamel double boiler. It is absolutely essential to melt the waxes and oils in the top portion of the double boiler over hot water in the bottom pan.
Glycerin & Rosewater Skin Lotion
Long known for its soothing properties, this is the easiest of the skin lotions to prepare. For a trial size, combine one ounce of rosewater with one ounce of vegetable glycerin. A 2-oz flip-top bottle makes a handy dispenser.
Face Masks
Two ingredients serve as a base for masks: powdered oatmeal and powdered almond. Both can be produced at home by powdering oatmeal or almonds in a coffee grinder.
One other choice that bears mention is plain yogurt. It makes a refreshing mask when combined with oatmeal and a little lemon juice.
Brewer's yeast can also be used.To make a mask, add distilled water, a few drops at a time, to a tablespoon or two of the oatmeal or almond powder until you have a paste.
Honey and oatmeal masks can be applied once a week to revive the skin by getting rid of the dead skin cells which tend to give one that chalky, just embalmed appearance.
Skin Creams
- Melt waxes, fats, liquid lecithin, cocoa butter (if used), and honey (if used) in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Make sure all is blended well and then remove from heat. Allow to cool about a minute. To this add the vitamin E if it is used. Make sure all is well combined.
- In a mixer bowl or blender, add the water, glycerin and herb extract (if using), the tincture of Benzoin or grapefruit seed extract, and a few drops of essential oil if desired.
- While blender or mixer is operating, slowly drizzle the warm melted oils and waxes into the water mixture. It will become thick. The longer you blend, the fluffier it will become. It will appear to be a little 'loose' at this point, but will continue to harden as it comes to room temperature. Pour into a suitable jar and allow to sit on the counter for 20 to 30 minutes, then cap and store in the refrigerator.
1/3 cup coconut oil
1/8 cup sweet almond oil
1/8 cup vegetable glycerin
2/3 cup rosewater (or sterile water)1 tbsp liquid lecithin
1/4 oz. grated beeswax
9 drops tincture of benzoin
Follow directions as given in Procedure above. Shelf life is about one month.
Aloe Moisturizing Hand Cream
This cream is designed for work-worn hands in need of soothing repair
1/4 cup rosewater
12 drops herbal extract (if desired)
1 tbsp aloe gel
1/8 cup sweet almond oil
1/2 tbsp peanut oil
1 tsp cocoa butter1/2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp anhydrous lanolin
1/2 tbsp liquid lecithin
1/8 oz. grated beeswax
400 I.U. vitamin E
6 drops tincture of Benzoin
Melt waxes, oils, cocoa butter, lanolin and lecithin and allow to cool a bit as per procedure (above). Place aloe gel in blender and whip for a bit. Add rosewater to aloe and blend.
Stir tincture of benzoin (or grapeseed extract, if desired) and vitamin E into the warm oils. With blender running, slowly drizzle the oils into the aloe-water mix. Put up into suitable containers and store in refrigerator. Shelf life is about one month.
Hand Lotion
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/3 cup sweet almond oil
3 oz. vegetable glycerin1/2 tbsp liquid lecithin
1/8 oz grated beeswax
8 drops tincture of benzoin
Melt wax and oils in top of double boiler. Place glycerin in bottom of bowl or blender. Turn on machine and begin to drizzle the oil mix into the glycerin per procedure (above).
FACE and HAND CREAM
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tbsp coconut oil
a walnut-sized piece of cocoa butter
1/2 tbsp liquid lecithin
1/8 oz bees wax1200 IU vitamin E
1/3 cup boiled water
1/2 tbsp vegetable glycerin
Combine oils, fats, and waxes in top of double boiler. Melt over hot water. Remove from heat and add vitamin E. Combine 1/3 cup boiled water with vegetable glycerin. Drizzle melted oils and fats into water/glycerin mixture while your beater/blender/mixer is working. See Procedure for making cream above.
Rich Face and Hand Cream
1/4 cup rosewater
12 drops herbal extract
1/2 tbsp vegetable glycerin
1/8 cup sweet almond oil
1/2 tbsp coconut oil
1/2 tbsp peanut oil1/4 tsp anhydrous lanolin
1/2 tbsp liquid lecithin
1 tsp cocoa butter (5 grams)
1/8 oz. grated beeswax
400 I.U. vitamin E
Add glycerin and extract (if used) to rosewater and blend. While blender is running, drizzle in the combined melted waxes and oils to which the vitamin E has been added (see procedure above). When well blended, transfer to a suitable container. Cover and refrigerate. Shelf life is about one month unless tincture of benzoin or grapefruit seed extract is used.
An easy variation (and richer for aged and thirsty skin) is to make it without the herbal tea or extract. Simply combine 1/3 cup sterile (boiled) water and 1/2 tbsp vegetable glycerin. Melt the oils, waxes and butters and proceed as per instructions. Use the following ingredients (makes a smaller batch which will last about 3 weeks to 1 month in the refrigerator): 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/2 tbsp coconut oil, 1/2 tbsp cocoa butter, 1/2 tbsp lecithin, 1/8 oz beeswax, 1200 IU Vitamin E.
Non-Petroleum Jelly
A softer or firmer gel can be made by changing the amount of beeswax used. Try the recipe as written, then decide if it suits or if you would like to change the next batch to a different consistency. For a softer gel, use 1 oz. of beeswax. For a firmer gel, use 1½ oz. of beeswax. For a very soft gel - more like an ointment in consistency - use 1/2 oz of beeswax.Combine 1¼ oz. grated beeswax and 3/4 cup sweet almond oil (or olive oil) in the top of a double boiler. With water in the lower pan at a simmer, thoroughly melt ingredients together. Remove from heat and pour into suitable container(s).
Lip Gloss
1)This is a good way to use up those colors of lipstick you aren't very fond of. It is also possible to create new colors by mixing small amounts of differing colors. Keep a record of what you use and how much in case it turns out to be a really good color. You can control the hardness of the product by using less or more beeswax according to preference. If it doesn't turn out quite right, simply toss the experiment back into the top of the double boiler and melt it down again, then add a little more of whatever you need.
2)1 Tbsp non-petroleum jelly
lipstick the size of a small pea
1/2 tsp grated beeswax
In the top of a double boiler, over barely simmering water, melt beeswax and jelly together till both are well combined. Add the piece of lipstick. Continue to add small amounts (if necessary) until the desired color is reached. Pour into a small lip balm tub or tube and allow to set up (see resources for obtaining hard-to-find herbalware). You can also improve the healing quality of this by adding the contents of one 400 IU capsule of vitamin E.
Even Easier Lip Gloss
Follow directions as for Lip Gloss (above) and combine:
1/2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tbsp sweet almond oil
pea-size piece of lipstick color
1 tsp grated beeswax
200 I.U. vitamin E
NOTE: The difference between these two products is a matter of consistency and which one you prefer.
Massage Oils
Sweet almond blends with just about any essential fragrance oil, although hazelnut is preferred as a base for essential oils of wood such as sandalwood or rosewood. Can add your favourite essence.
Fragrance Gel
1/8 oz. grated beeswax
1/2 tbsp non-petroleum jelly
3 to whatever drops of essential or fragrance oil is desired
NOTE: If you wish to avoid the natural fragrance of beeswax, you can simply combine non- petroleum jelly and the essential oils by melting the jelly first and adding the essential oils when it has cooled slightly.
In the top of a double boiler, over barely simmering water, melt the beeswax and jelly. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly, then begin adding the drops of oil while stirring well. When the fragrance suits you, pour into a small suitable container (lip balm tubs are a good size) and allow to harden.
Other natural Beauty Recipes
- Body Scrub
- Simply use chickpea flour mixed with a little coconut or olive oil and use in place of soap on the body. Alternatively, grind 1/2 cup organic short grain brown rice in blender with 1/2 cup of water and use as a body scrub - it is effective at smoothing away dead skin cells, If you require extra moisturising, add a few drops of almond, coconut or olive oil to the scrub. To preserve, add a few drops of grapefruit seed extract and store in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Alternative for soap
- 2 tablepsoons vegetable glycerine, 2 tablespoons cornflour,1 teaspoon chamomile infusion, 2 teaspoons each finely ground oats and rice. Heat the glycerine over a bowl of hot water. Slowly add the cornflour, stirring constantly to make a paste.
- Remove from heat and slowly add the chamomile infusion, stirring all the time. Stir in the oats and rice. Store in a jar and use in the same way as liquid soap. Stores for 2 months.
- Control unwanted Grey hair
- Make a strong 'tea' of Sage and a bit of Rosemary, strain it and refrigerate, before washing hair, spray on the base of the grey patches of hair, can also massage in. Leave for 5 - ten minutes and then wash as usual.
- To make a strong rosemary & sage tea use equal amounts of rosemary & sage to 1 cup of water, combine ingredients and steep for 10 minutes, strain and use liquid for the colourant. Must be repeated daily for a few weeks before you notice any changes.
For Beautiful Feet
- Soften your feet by soaking them in a bathtub, bucket or basin with warm water and Epsom Salt for at least 10 to 15 minutes. The salt will help to smooth your feet, giving them a relaxed and refreshed feel.
- Cinnamon Foot Bath
1 cup Lemon Juice, Cinnamon (for smell), 2 tablespoons organic coconut or olive oil, 1/4 cup milk, and water you can make a wash that leaves skin refreshed and fragrant (the amount of water does not matter). If you do not like the cinnamon fragrance, replace with another spice, essential oil, or flower petals such as roses. - After you make it, you can put it in a tub were you can soak your feet or body
- Lavender Foot Bath
- 5 fragrant fresh roses, 10 fresh rosemary sprigs,10 fresh lavender sprigs, 10 drops lavender oil, 2 lbs Epsom salt. Remove petals from fresh roses, rosemary leaves & lavender blossoms from sprigs. Place epsom salts in nonmetallic bowl, and stir in lavender oil. Top with rose petals, rosemary, and lavender. Mix gently and pour into a jar. Add a few teaspoons to warm water for a fragrant foot bath.
This slowly increases circulation to cold feet
1 tablespoon rosehips (substitute a rosehip teabag if necessary),
1 tablespoon dried hibiscus (substitute a hibiscus teabag if necessary),
1 teaspoon cloves,1 teaspoon juniper berries, 3 crushed bay leaves, 1 tablespoon orange peel
3 drops ginger essential oil
Place all the ingredients into a muslin bag and gently stir into a bowl of boiling water.
When the liquid has cooled to the right temperature, soak your feet for at least ten minutes.
Foot Scrub
1/4 cup ground oatmeal, 1/4 cup cornmeal, 1 tablespoon celtic sea salt,
2 drops peppermint or lemon essential oil. Pure water to mix.
Combine dry ingredients with enough water to make a creamy gritty consistency.
Stir in the essential oils.
Spend a few minutes massaging the scrub into feet, then rinse and dry thoroughly.
Foot powder
Mix 1 Cup Cornstarch, 1 Tablespoon Baking Soda in a jar with a tight fitting lid.
Add 15 drops of your favourite essential oils.
Shake well and use as required
Spa Treatment
After showering, the Epsom Salt Council recommends massaging handfuls of Epsom Salt over wet skin to exfoliate the body. “It's the same treatment many upscale spas use, without the upscale price!”
For a tranquil soak:
1)Honey has a calming effect and combined with pure essential oil of Lavender it's a wonderfully soothing bath treatment.
2oz. Honey and 5 drops Lavender oil. Combine in a jar. Use 1 -2 Tablespoons per bath.
Fill your bathtub with water at a comfortable temperature that you enjoy. As you’re filling the tub, add two cups of Epsom Salt to the water. Soak for at least 12 minutes, three times a week for best results. Can add a few drops of eucalyptus oil for an invigorating aroma.
All too often, we neglect our hands as part of our skin care regime. As with the face, your hands and nails need exfoliation to remove dead skin cells and promote circulation.
2)Lemons have been used for hand and nail care for centuries. Lemon Juice and the essential oil of Lemon whitens nails while stimulating healthy growth.
8 oz. spring water
1 Tablespoon Aloe Vera Gel
10 drops Lemon essential oil
Mix together and soak the fingertips in it for 10 minutes.
Rapadura Hand exfoliant
2 tablespoons organic coconut oil
3 tablespoons organic rapadura sugar
Mix into a paste. Rub gently into hands. Rinse well with warm water. Pat dry.
Molasses Nail Soak(softens cuticles and strengthens and conditions nails)
1/4 cup warm water 2 tablespoons molasses Mix the water and molasses together, stirring well. Soak your nails for 15 to minutes and then rinse. For extra conditioning, apply the solution to clean nails with a cotton swab at bedtime, and rinse in the morning. Don't worry. This mixture rinses easily and won't leave your hands sticky.
Milk Hand Mask (can be used on face & body as well)
1/4 cup buttermilk 1/2 cup powdered organic milk or powdered buttermilk Mix the buttermilk and powdered milk to form a smooth paste. Using a small paintbrush or pastry brush, spread an even layer of this mixture over your hands. Leave the mask on until it dries, approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse off with cool water and pat dry. Because milk is high in protein and vitamins, this mask really nourishes the skin, giving it a healthy glow.
Natural Nail Luster (to promote nail growth)
1 tablespoon pure olive oil / organic coconut oil 1/2 tablespoon powdered white clay (also called kaolin, found in health food stores) Mix the olive / coconut oil and clay into a smooth cream. Massage a small amount into your nails and cuticles. Buff gently with a cotton buffing pad.
Home Remedies
Dandruff - Soak 1 tablespoon of fenugreek seeds overnight. Grind into a paste. Apply on hair for an hour and wash off using gram flour paste. Or try using a homemade tonic rinse at the end of your shower (apple cider vinegar, rosemary sprig, green tea, lemon juice). Beets have been found useful in dandruff. Both tops and roots should be boiled in water and this water should be massaged into the scalp with the finger tips every night. White beet is better for this purpose.
Sea Salt Body Glow - Mix 2 parts sea salt or dead sea salt to 1 part baking soda. Blend in enough natural, cold pressed oil such as coconut, grapeseed, or jojoba oil to make a paste. Stand in the shower and scrub your skin gently with it, and then rinse. Aaaah, you'll feel great!
Gentle Make up Remover - Blend equal parts castor oil and olive oil, and slightly less of grapeseed oil. For example, use 1 tablespoon castor and olive oil and 2 teaspoons grapeseed oil. If you are allergic to olive oil, try coconut oil. Apply to your face, remove with a warm cloth and rinse. Can be used to remove eye makeup too!
Gentle Facial Cleanser - Mix a few tablespoons of organic whole milk yogurt with some fresh chamomile tea. Apply to your face and rinse off with a warm facecloth. Will keep in the refrigerator for a few days.
Gentle Facial Toner - Mix a little aloe vera juice with an equal amount of water. Splash on your face after cleansing for a soothing and invigorating toner.
Gentle Facial Exfoliation - Grind ten to twenty almonds to make a fine, smooth almond paste. Now place 2 tablespoons of organic whole milk yogurt into a cut and add enough of the ground almonds to make a smooth paste. Apply to your skin, You can also leave on your face for a few minutes as the yogurt is nourishing and has natural alpha hydroxy acids which will exfoliate your skin.
If you have hyper sensitive skin, use smaller amounts of almond meal or just use the yogurt. Yogurt is one of my favorite natural recipes for skin care because it is gentle for sensitive skin, and it provides cleansing, toning, moisturizing AND also exfoliation for the skin!
Lip Balm
Beeswax
Grapeseed oil (or almond oil, or olive oil, etc)
Melt equal parts beeswax and oil of your choice in a small pan over the stove. Use a small amount (maybe a few tablespoons) of wax and oil. When the mixture is completely melted, pour it into a small glass or tin container. You can optionally add vitamin E at this last step (just after pulling it from the heat). Vitamin E is a natural preservative and excellent for the skin. Let the mixture cool to room temperature and then it is ready to use, be sure that if you want to add vitamin E you do that after you have removed the mixture from the heat for the last time.
Stick Insect Repellent
Ingredients:
1.5 ounces beeswax
1,5 ounces shea butter
1 ounce cocoa butter
2 ounces neem seed oil
15 drops eucalyptus essential oil
30 drops lemon scented tea tree essential oil
30 drops citronella essential oil
Blending Procedure:
Pressed eyeshadow.
You will need 1 tsp. of mica pigment, 1/2 tsp. of powder base and a spray powder binder. Crush the mica pigment to remove any lumps, then mix it in with the powder base in a plastic bowl. Spray the powder binder into the mix, and stir for a few more minutes. Pour the mixture into a plastic container, and use a mini-press (or the back of a spoon) to press and pack the eyeshadow.
Cellulite-fighting body scrub.
This is an exfoliating body scrub that also helps reduce cellulite. You will need a quarter cup of fresh coffee grounds, three quarter cup of brown sugar, a cup of sweet almond oil and two drops of vanilla extract. Place the coffee grounds and brown sugar in a plastic bowl then pour the sweet almond oil on top. Blend these ingredients well; you may even want to use an electric mixer. Stop mixing when you get a nice paste, then add the vanilla extract and stir for a few more minutes. The vanilla will give the scrub a pleasant scent. Store in a glass jar for future use. You can use this scrub all over your body.
shiny lipgloss.
1.5 oz. olive oil,
2.5 oz. jojoba oil,
1 oz. candelilla wax,
2 oz. beeswax,
3.5 oz. shea butter
1 oz. mica mineral pigment in a color of your choice.
Place all of the ingredients except the mica pigment in a glass jar, then place the jar in hot water until all of the ingredients have melted together. Stir and set aside to cool for about a minute. Add the mica pigment and stir well until the color is uniform. Pour the mixture into a lip gloss container and allow to cool completely before us
Shimmery face powder.
You will need a tablespoon of splendid red mica, a tablespoon of bordeaux mica and half a tablespoon of gold fine mica. Grind the mica in a coffee grinder until you have removed all lumps and clumps. Blend all of the ingredients for about a minute until you have achieved uniformity in color. Store the powder in a plastic container for future use. You can use this as an all-over face powder to give your complexion a nice glow or you can use it as blush and eyeshadow.
Home made lotion
Choose a lotion oil base that reflects what you want the lotion to do. Coconut oil is great for soft skin. Almond oil is lightweight and has very little natural smell. You can even use regular canola or vegetable oil to make a homemade lotion. If you intend to scent your lotion with essential oils, choose a lotion oil base with little smell of its own.
Pour one cup of the oil into a pot or microwave safe bowl. Add the tbsp. of emulsifying wax. Beeswax is a good all-natural wax to use. Melt these ingredients together and stir well. Stir in the water until the lotion reaches the consistency you like. Less water will create a homemade cream that is richer and thicker than the lotion.
Make your own Face & Body Cream
Water: You could use rose water, orange flower water or an herbal infusion. I like to include about one third aloe vera gel in this amount.
Oil: Almond oil, grapeseed oil, olive oil (although this has a stronger smell), or combination of almond and grapeseed.
Classic Face & Body Cream
Ingredients:
Water – 3/4 c. total (use a combination of your floral waters and aloe vera)
Oil – 3/4 c. total (use a combination of 1/2oz beeswax, 1/4 c. cocoa butter, and oils above.)
Essential Oils – 5 drops your choice
In a double boiler, heat the oils until melted. The cocoa butter and beeswax will be solid at room temp, so melt them down in the other oils, making sure you have 3/4 c. oil total at the end.
Pour the oils into a blender (or, if you use a stick-blender like me, then into another container). Let the oils cool to room temperature.
Add the drops of essential oil to the oils.
Start the blender – then slowly pour the water in – at some point the blender noise will change and you’ll notice that you have cream! Keep blending to incorporate all of the water. You can do this by hand, but be ready for a workout!
Scoop the cream into sterilized jars. Label the jars (don’t forget to include the date!).
When making creams, lotions and other products where the ingredients must be heated before blending, be sure to add any pure essential oils last. Essential oils are volatile and are destroyed by heat, so if they are added while your mixture is too hot, much of the aroma will burn off. After your blend is completed, allow it to cool for a few minutes, then add essential oils and stir to combine.Refrigerate your cosmetics to give them a longer shelf life. Use a spatula to distribute the body scrub in order to prevent bacteria from your hands to contaminate the product.
Ivy Oil for Cellulite
In dark bottle pour 1/2 l olive oil and soak 20 gr leaves of ivy, around 10 drops of essential oil rosemary and several drops of lemon. The bottle needs to be closed and left for 40 days in hot and dark place. The bottle needs to be shaked once per day.
After that strain the liquid and rub it gently into skin. Apply ivy oil on the skin where cellulite appears, every night to allow oil to affect the skin.
Beeswax
Grapeseed oil (or almond oil, or olive oil, etc)
Melt equal parts beeswax and oil of your choice in a small pan over the stove. Use a small amount (maybe a few tablespoons) of wax and oil. When the mixture is completely melted, pour it into a small glass or tin container. You can optionally add vitamin E at this last step (just after pulling it from the heat). Vitamin E is a natural preservative and excellent for the skin. Let the mixture cool to room temperature and then it is ready to use, be sure that if you want to add vitamin E you do that after you have removed the mixture from the heat for the last time.
Stick Insect Repellent
Ingredients:
1.5 ounces beeswax
1,5 ounces shea butter
1 ounce cocoa butter
2 ounces neem seed oil
15 drops eucalyptus essential oil
30 drops lemon scented tea tree essential oil
30 drops citronella essential oil
Blending Procedure:
- Measure all ingredients except essential oils into a heat proof measuring cup. (I use Pyrex.) Place the cup in a hot water bath until the wax is nearly fully melted. Remove from heat and stir well.
After the wax is fully melted and incorporated into the oils, wait about 5 minutes for the mixture to cool a bit. Then, add the essential oils. Stir again to enxure the mix. - Pour the mixture into lip balm tubes or other stick type dispensers. Label and smooth on before going outside amonst the buggers. Note that the oil/wax mixture may melt in the sun so it''s best to store it in a cooler or other insulated environment -- or be careful opening it in the sun.
Pressed eyeshadow.
You will need 1 tsp. of mica pigment, 1/2 tsp. of powder base and a spray powder binder. Crush the mica pigment to remove any lumps, then mix it in with the powder base in a plastic bowl. Spray the powder binder into the mix, and stir for a few more minutes. Pour the mixture into a plastic container, and use a mini-press (or the back of a spoon) to press and pack the eyeshadow.
Cellulite-fighting body scrub.
This is an exfoliating body scrub that also helps reduce cellulite. You will need a quarter cup of fresh coffee grounds, three quarter cup of brown sugar, a cup of sweet almond oil and two drops of vanilla extract. Place the coffee grounds and brown sugar in a plastic bowl then pour the sweet almond oil on top. Blend these ingredients well; you may even want to use an electric mixer. Stop mixing when you get a nice paste, then add the vanilla extract and stir for a few more minutes. The vanilla will give the scrub a pleasant scent. Store in a glass jar for future use. You can use this scrub all over your body.
shiny lipgloss.
1.5 oz. olive oil,
2.5 oz. jojoba oil,
1 oz. candelilla wax,
2 oz. beeswax,
3.5 oz. shea butter
1 oz. mica mineral pigment in a color of your choice.
Place all of the ingredients except the mica pigment in a glass jar, then place the jar in hot water until all of the ingredients have melted together. Stir and set aside to cool for about a minute. Add the mica pigment and stir well until the color is uniform. Pour the mixture into a lip gloss container and allow to cool completely before us
Shimmery face powder.
You will need a tablespoon of splendid red mica, a tablespoon of bordeaux mica and half a tablespoon of gold fine mica. Grind the mica in a coffee grinder until you have removed all lumps and clumps. Blend all of the ingredients for about a minute until you have achieved uniformity in color. Store the powder in a plastic container for future use. You can use this as an all-over face powder to give your complexion a nice glow or you can use it as blush and eyeshadow.
Home made lotion
Choose a lotion oil base that reflects what you want the lotion to do. Coconut oil is great for soft skin. Almond oil is lightweight and has very little natural smell. You can even use regular canola or vegetable oil to make a homemade lotion. If you intend to scent your lotion with essential oils, choose a lotion oil base with little smell of its own.
Pour one cup of the oil into a pot or microwave safe bowl. Add the tbsp. of emulsifying wax. Beeswax is a good all-natural wax to use. Melt these ingredients together and stir well. Stir in the water until the lotion reaches the consistency you like. Less water will create a homemade cream that is richer and thicker than the lotion.
Make your own Face & Body Cream
Water: You could use rose water, orange flower water or an herbal infusion. I like to include about one third aloe vera gel in this amount.
Oil: Almond oil, grapeseed oil, olive oil (although this has a stronger smell), or combination of almond and grapeseed.
Classic Face & Body Cream
Ingredients:
Water – 3/4 c. total (use a combination of your floral waters and aloe vera)
Oil – 3/4 c. total (use a combination of 1/2oz beeswax, 1/4 c. cocoa butter, and oils above.)
Essential Oils – 5 drops your choice
In a double boiler, heat the oils until melted. The cocoa butter and beeswax will be solid at room temp, so melt them down in the other oils, making sure you have 3/4 c. oil total at the end.
Pour the oils into a blender (or, if you use a stick-blender like me, then into another container). Let the oils cool to room temperature.
Add the drops of essential oil to the oils.
Start the blender – then slowly pour the water in – at some point the blender noise will change and you’ll notice that you have cream! Keep blending to incorporate all of the water. You can do this by hand, but be ready for a workout!
Scoop the cream into sterilized jars. Label the jars (don’t forget to include the date!).
When making creams, lotions and other products where the ingredients must be heated before blending, be sure to add any pure essential oils last. Essential oils are volatile and are destroyed by heat, so if they are added while your mixture is too hot, much of the aroma will burn off. After your blend is completed, allow it to cool for a few minutes, then add essential oils and stir to combine.Refrigerate your cosmetics to give them a longer shelf life. Use a spatula to distribute the body scrub in order to prevent bacteria from your hands to contaminate the product.
Ivy Oil for Cellulite
In dark bottle pour 1/2 l olive oil and soak 20 gr leaves of ivy, around 10 drops of essential oil rosemary and several drops of lemon. The bottle needs to be closed and left for 40 days in hot and dark place. The bottle needs to be shaked once per day.
After that strain the liquid and rub it gently into skin. Apply ivy oil on the skin where cellulite appears, every night to allow oil to affect the skin.
DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals. One final note: many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past, but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.