I love to save money. Anyone who knows me well, knows that I love to sale shop and use coupons and usually at the same time. 75% off minus an additional 20% and a $5 off coupon -- Yep that's me! Sometimes I go "free" shopping. No, I'm not shoplifting. "Free" shopping is when I have so many coupons that I get the item for free, or pretty darn close! I once came home from Kohl's with a beautiful skirt originally priced at $39. I paid $0.25 for that skirt. That was a happy night.
So what does that have to do with eye makeup remover? Well, in my effort to remove chemicals from even my beauty products, I started purchasing my cleansers and moisturizers at our local Natural Grocers. (I LOVE this store!) One drawback to chemical free living is that it can be pricey especially in the area of beauty and hygiene. Chemical products are much cheaper to make and mass produce than natural ones are and therefore, you end up spending a little bit more for the natural products. I found that my eye makeup remover kept running out very quickly. Too quickly when it was almost $8.00 per bottle. (This is where my thriftiness ties in.)
I decided that it couldn't be that complicated to make and found that I was correct. I came across a recipe online and tried it out. It called for distilled water, castile soap and olive oil. This combination was a little too greasy. So I tried leaving the oil out and that created to much drag and pulling. I had a little bottle of jajoba oil that I had purchased for something else and tried that in place of the olive oil. And viola! It was perfect.
Here is my recipe:
1/2 cup distilled water
1/4 teaspoon liquid castile soap. (I like Doctor Bonner's Baby Mild Liquid Soap)
1/2 teaspoon jajoba oil
Use a funnel to put the ingredients into a small container. Remember to shake before each use. Put a little remover on a cotton ball, eye makeup should come off easily with no scrubbing.
I love this stuff and it costs pennies to make. Here's to being natural, healthy, beautiful and thrifty!
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Soothing Lip Balm
Directions:
First I cut off a small chunk of bee's wax. I melt that, by placing it into a glass bowl and then boiling that bowl in a shallow pan of water. Once it is melted it is much easier to measure. While my bee's wax is melting, I place the shea butter and coconut oil into a small pot on the stove and set it on the lowest setting possible. Shea butter can become very grainy if it is not melted at low temperatures. As soon as my bee's wax is melted and measured, I add that to the pot of melted shea butter and coconut oil.
After all ingredients are combined, I pour them into the containers that I want to keep them in. You can use small glass containers, plastic chap stick tubes or stainless tubes. Normally you can find empty containers at your local health food store (which is also where I found my bee's wax). This time I put mine in stainless tubes. You are going to want to work very fast as the bee's wax hardens fairly quickly. After I have poured the lip balm into the containers, I place them in the refrigerator to harden completely. They will stay solid at room temperature and should go on smoothly.
Soothing Lip Balm - Natural, Healthy, Beautiful!
So what does that have to do with eye makeup remover? Well, in my effort to remove chemicals from even my beauty products, I started purchasing my cleansers and moisturizers at our local Natural Grocers. (I LOVE this store!) One drawback to chemical free living is that it can be pricey especially in the area of beauty and hygiene. Chemical products are much cheaper to make and mass produce than natural ones are and therefore, you end up spending a little bit more for the natural products. I found that my eye makeup remover kept running out very quickly. Too quickly when it was almost $8.00 per bottle. (This is where my thriftiness ties in.)
I decided that it couldn't be that complicated to make and found that I was correct. I came across a recipe online and tried it out. It called for distilled water, castile soap and olive oil. This combination was a little too greasy. So I tried leaving the oil out and that created to much drag and pulling. I had a little bottle of jajoba oil that I had purchased for something else and tried that in place of the olive oil. And viola! It was perfect.
Here is my recipe:
1/2 cup distilled water
1/4 teaspoon liquid castile soap. (I like Doctor Bonner's Baby Mild Liquid Soap)
1/2 teaspoon jajoba oil
Use a funnel to put the ingredients into a small container. Remember to shake before each use. Put a little remover on a cotton ball, eye makeup should come off easily with no scrubbing.
I love this stuff and it costs pennies to make. Here's to being natural, healthy, beautiful and thrifty!
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Soothing Lip Balm
We live in a harsh dry climate, especially in the winter. I am constantly finding myself and my children with dry, chapped lips. With our cold, windy months coming up quickly I decided to whip up a batch of my homemade lip balm. It is so easy and the balm is silky smooth and even a little glossy. It keeps my lips soft and moisturized and is completely chemical free.
Ingredients:
3 teaspoons coconut oil
2 teaspoons shea butter
Directions:
First I cut off a small chunk of bee's wax. I melt that, by placing it into a glass bowl and then boiling that bowl in a shallow pan of water. Once it is melted it is much easier to measure. While my bee's wax is melting, I place the shea butter and coconut oil into a small pot on the stove and set it on the lowest setting possible. Shea butter can become very grainy if it is not melted at low temperatures. As soon as my bee's wax is melted and measured, I add that to the pot of melted shea butter and coconut oil.
After all ingredients are combined, I pour them into the containers that I want to keep them in. You can use small glass containers, plastic chap stick tubes or stainless tubes. Normally you can find empty containers at your local health food store (which is also where I found my bee's wax). This time I put mine in stainless tubes. You are going to want to work very fast as the bee's wax hardens fairly quickly. After I have poured the lip balm into the containers, I place them in the refrigerator to harden completely. They will stay solid at room temperature and should go on smoothly.
Soothing Lip Balm - Natural, Healthy, Beautiful!
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Favorite Beauty Products
Directions:
Homemade Deoderant
Unfortunately, I have not mastered making all of my own beauty products. I have tried to go "poo" free and ended up with a frizzy, straw like mess on my head. I tried making my own shampoo and that wasn't much better. I also tried the oil face wash method which did not work for me. After some severe break outs, my dermatologist suggested that may not be the way to go. Instead of making my own of these products I purchase natural alternatives. What should you look for when purchasing natural products? Actually, it is what should be missing from the ingredients list that you should be aware of.
Parabens - Parabens are used as a preservative in many cosmetic and hygiene products. On the ingredient list they may show up as methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben.
When products containing parabens are used, they absorb into the skin, blood and digestive system. Research has shown that breast cancer tumors often contain intact parabens. Parabens are also known to imitate estrogen and can disturb hormone function. For me, there is enough research available to dissuade the use of products containing parabens.
Propolyne Glycol(PG) - While Propolyne Glycol has not been found to cause cancer it can cause allergic reactions, especially for people with eczema. Three of our four family members (including myself) have eczema. I have noticed since replacing our beauty and hygiene products with PG free options we have very few flair ups of eczema.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate(SLS) - SLS is often found in products that foam, such as: shampoo, soap, toothpaste etc. There is varying research on SLS and its effects. As a harsh chemical detergent it has been found to be a skin irritant. With sensitive skin issues anyways, we have found it better to steer clear of SLS. There are much less harsh options on the market.
Also, I try to avoid artificial fragrances and dyes if at all possible.
As always, I encourage you to do a little research of your own and see what you learn.
With all that information in mind, here are a few of my favorite beauty products.
For myself and my hubby, I love Giovanni Shampoo and Conditioner. My favorite is Tea Tree Triple Treat. It helps with dry scalp and leaves my hair soft and manageable (which really is a feat). It is free of SLS, PG and Parabens. It does have some wonderful natural stuff in it, like: aloe, peppermint oil, tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, and much more.
For my children we just started using Jason All Natural Shampoo. It does not contain SLS, PG or Parabens. It is tear free and has a nice light scent.
I would highly recommend either of these products.
For skin care I really like Neutrogena Naturals. Again, they are free from SLS, PG and Parabens. They are non-comedogenic, meaning they won't clog pores and cause breakouts. My skin is soft and moisturized without being greasy. It has all of the natural ingredients listed on the back and what they are used for. Great product, I hope they don't stop making it anytime soon!
Since I haven't learned to make soap yet, our favorite is Sappo Hill brand soaps. These soaps do not contain any of the ingredients I like to avoid and there are a variety to choose from. Our favorites are oatmeal, aloe, almond and occasionally lavender.
I hope this post gave you some insight into the world of natural beauty and hygiene products. Start checking your ingredient lists when you go to replace products that you have run out of. Research and try out some natural options, you might be surprised by the results! I have found for me that Natural, Healthy and Beautiful go hand in hand.
Tis the season for making lovely gifts to give away! I like to get all of my Christmas gifts taken care of in October and November so that in December we can focus on Christ and spend time with family instead of running around like chickens with our heads cut off at the mall. It requires a little planning, but it is well worth it! A lovely gift to give at Christmas time (or anytime) is Homemade Sugar Scrub. I gave this last year and it was a hit with my girlfriends. It's simple but luxurious and is something most ladies won't spend the money on at the Spa, which makes it a nice gift.
My first recipe came from pinterest and didn't call for olive oil. However once the coconut oil solidified, the sugar scrub was SOLID! So, I tried a new batch using half coconut oil and half olive oil. Problem solved. The texture is perfect and it does not solidify.
Here is the recipe:
Sugar Scrub
Ingredients:
1 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup olive oil
10-15 drops of essential oil (I recommend lavender, vanilla, lemon or peppermint)
Slightly melt coconut oil, blend with olive oil add sugar and make paste.
Put in mason jar. Decorate the lid, add a pretty ribbon, and give away :)
**You can half it or double it depending on what size mason jar you use or how many you want to make**
See, I told ya it was simple! Natural, Healthy, Beautiful ~ Gift Giving!
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Homemade Deoderant
I started using homemade deodorant a couple of years ago after reading about and researching the dangers of traditional store-bought deodorant and antiperspirants. Some toxic ingredients in most antiperspirants are aluminum, which is used to plug sweat glands, and several parabens. Both are estrogenic compounds and can mimic or disrupt the body's natural hormone estrogen. I will leave you to research these ingredients and make an informed decision. For me, the risks did not out weigh the semi-wetness protection I was receiving.
The hunt began for a natural deodorant. I tried Tom's, Alba and some other natural deodorants but by the end of the day I was left feeling pretty sticky and stinky. Nobody wants that! I decided to make my own and even though the first few batches didn't turn out to well, I adapted the recipe until I had a consistency that I liked. My first attempt was clumpy, because I didn't soften the coconut oil. My second batch was to gritty because I used too much baking powder (this batch also irritated my underarm.) Finally, my third batch was smooth, not gritty, and did not burn my underarm. And, it worked!!! To understand why it works so well here is a breakdown of what each of the ingredients do.
Baking Soda, Corn Starch and Arrowroot Powder: absorb sweat and keep underarm dry.
Coconut Oil: holds all the ingredients together and soothes underarm and razor burn.
Tea Tree Oil: is a natural anti-bacterial (bacteria is what causes body odor)
Essential Oil: scent
Homemade Deoderant:
The hunt began for a natural deodorant. I tried Tom's, Alba and some other natural deodorants but by the end of the day I was left feeling pretty sticky and stinky. Nobody wants that! I decided to make my own and even though the first few batches didn't turn out to well, I adapted the recipe until I had a consistency that I liked. My first attempt was clumpy, because I didn't soften the coconut oil. My second batch was to gritty because I used too much baking powder (this batch also irritated my underarm.) Finally, my third batch was smooth, not gritty, and did not burn my underarm. And, it worked!!! To understand why it works so well here is a breakdown of what each of the ingredients do.
Baking Soda, Corn Starch and Arrowroot Powder: absorb sweat and keep underarm dry.
Coconut Oil: holds all the ingredients together and soothes underarm and razor burn.
Tea Tree Oil: is a natural anti-bacterial (bacteria is what causes body odor)
Essential Oil: scent
Homemade Deoderant:
5 tablespoons coconut oil -- softened in a hot
water bath (not melted)
water bath (not melted)
1/8 cup arrowroot powder - available at any natural foods store.
1/8 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup baking soda
Sift the 3 powders together
Several drops of tea tree oil [optional]
Several drops of essential oil of your choice.
(I love lavender myself)
Instructions: soften your coconut oil in a warm water bath. Don't melt it or it won't mix well. Sift together the 3 powders and then dump them into the coconut oil. It will take some mixing to get it smooth.
Now you have a recipe for natural homemade deodorant. I encourage you to give it a try!! Natural, Healthy and Nice Smelling Too!!
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Virgin Coconut Oil has hundreds of fabulous uses and should definitely be something that you keep on hand in your home all the time. I actually have an enormous jar in my kitchen for cooking and a smaller jar in my bathroom cabinet for beauty needs. I will share my top 10 favorite uses of coconut oil along with some recipes links (in red) for a few of my favorite health and beauty products that use coconut oil.
(I love lavender myself)
Instructions: soften your coconut oil in a warm water bath. Don't melt it or it won't mix well. Sift together the 3 powders and then dump them into the coconut oil. It will take some mixing to get it smooth.
Keep mixing! It will smooth out wonderfully if you just keep at it. When it is nice and smooth, I then add my essential oils. I usually do 20 drops of tea tree oil and 10-20 of lavender oil. You can use more or less to your preference. Finally, transfer it to it's storage container.
I like to store mine in a half pint jam jar. It will harden on its own over 24 hours or you can speed the process along and put it in the refrigerator. To use, I just put a tiny amount, less than dime size, on the tip of my finger and rub it in. If you notice some irritation, lessen the amount of baking soda that you use in your recipe. I let it absorb for about 5 minutes before I put my clothes on and I have never had a problem with staining.
Now you have a recipe for natural homemade deodorant. I encourage you to give it a try!! Natural, Healthy and Nice Smelling Too!!
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10 Wonderful Uses for Coconut Oil
1. Cooking: especially at high heat, like frying chicken.
2. Baking: use in place of hydrogenated vegetable oils.
3. Lotion: just rub a small amount into dry skin for soft smoothness.
6. Sugar Scrub: coconut oil is the base of this skin smoothing Sugar Scrub.
7. Natural Vapor Rub: coconut oil and essential oils comprise this natural cough soothing Vapor Rub.
8. Bug Bite Relief: rub a little bit onto mosquito and other insect bites for itch relief (my eight year old insists that nothing works better!)
9. Deep Conditioner: work into washed hair and allow to absorb for at least a half an hour. Wash and condition as usual.
10. Anti-Frizz "Product": rub a tiny amount of coconut oil into hands and then smooth into hair for excellent frizz control.
These are only a very few uses to get you started if you haven't used coconut oil before. I hope you will try it and find the many amazing benefits of this natural wonder!
8. Bug Bite Relief: rub a little bit onto mosquito and other insect bites for itch relief (my eight year old insists that nothing works better!)
9. Deep Conditioner: work into washed hair and allow to absorb for at least a half an hour. Wash and condition as usual.
10. Anti-Frizz "Product": rub a tiny amount of coconut oil into hands and then smooth into hair for excellent frizz control.
These are only a very few uses to get you started if you haven't used coconut oil before. I hope you will try it and find the many amazing benefits of this natural wonder!
Natural, Healthy, Coconut Oil!
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If you live anywhere with harsh, dry weather, you may find your cuticles and the skin around your nails dry, peeling, cracking and splitting. This is especially true in the winter or even in the summer if you tend to garden and have your hands in the dirt a lot. I have blended a few oils together to come up with a cuticle softening oil which really seems to be working to keep the skin all the way around my nails nice and supple.
Ingredients:
2 tsp olive oil
2 tsp jajoba oil
8 drops tea tree essential oil
8 drops lavender essential oil
Directions:
Place in a glass bottle with a dropper. Shake well before each use. I can usually moisturize all of my fingers with about 5 drops of this oil. A little bit goes a long ways! I try to use it each night just before bed for maximum benefit. It even worked on my daughter's persistent hangnails. What a great little oil to help keep hands looking and feeling nice.
I hope that this cuticle softening oil will help heal your skin just as well as it did ours!
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Cuticle Softening Oil
If you live anywhere with harsh, dry weather, you may find your cuticles and the skin around your nails dry, peeling, cracking and splitting. This is especially true in the winter or even in the summer if you tend to garden and have your hands in the dirt a lot. I have blended a few oils together to come up with a cuticle softening oil which really seems to be working to keep the skin all the way around my nails nice and supple.
Ingredients:
2 tsp olive oil
2 tsp jajoba oil
8 drops tea tree essential oil
8 drops lavender essential oil
Directions:
Place in a glass bottle with a dropper. Shake well before each use. I can usually moisturize all of my fingers with about 5 drops of this oil. A little bit goes a long ways! I try to use it each night just before bed for maximum benefit. It even worked on my daughter's persistent hangnails. What a great little oil to help keep hands looking and feeling nice.
I hope that this cuticle softening oil will help heal your skin just as well as it did ours!
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