Do It Yourself...

It's been awhile since I've posted at-home recipes for beauty products... I just stumbled upon a fantastic site that has recipes for anything and everything you could possibly dream of making at home.


One reason why making your own beauty products is so awesome is that you know EXACTLY what is in your product!

Here are a few of my favorites (all of these recipes come courtesy of www.makeyourowncosmetics.com):



Avocado Hair Creme

This is a great conditioner for dry hair.

Yield: 1 application for long hair
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Price Category: 1
Difficulty Level: 1
Shelf Life: None, keep refrigerated

Ingredients:
1 very ripe avocado
2 tablespoons plain yogurt

Blending Procedure:

1. Using a small food processor, process the avocado and yogurt until smooth. To use, apply to damp hair and comb through to the ends. Massage the scalp too if it's dry.

2. To remove, use your hands to squeeze as much of the mixture out into a trash receptacle or plastic bag as you can and discard. This will minimize sink clogs. Once you have removed as much as possible, rinse and shampoo and style as usual.


Fresh Cucumber Vitamin Clay Mask

A great clay mask for oily skin, for use after cleansing and before application of facial toner.

Yield: 3/4 cup (enough for several facial/neck applications)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Price Category: 2
Difficulty Level: 1
Shelf Life: None, keep refrigerated

Ingredients:
1/2 cup green clay
1/4 cup aloe vera juice
1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin
1 teaspoon Vitamin E
3 teaspoons cucumber hydrosol
1/2 teaspoon ascorbyl palmitate (Vitamin C Esters)
1/2 teaspoon niacinamide (Vitamin B3)

Blending Procedure:

1. Combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly. To use, apply immediately to clean skin. Allow to dry thoroughly and then remove by rinsing with warm water. Follow with Fresh Cucumber Toner and moisturizer of choice.


Citrus Ginger Body Oil

This is a mixture of oil and water so it's even better than a lotion since it contains only goodies that your skin will drink in. It's also better than body oil alone, which it sometimes difficult to massage into the skin unless it is damp from bathing. It's rich and delicious and the only emulsifier is you!

Yield: 8 ounces
Prep Time: Approx. 10 minutes
Price Category: 1
Difficulty Level: 1
Shelf Life: 3 months

Ingredients:
2 ounces sweet almond oil
1 ounce jojoba oil
1 ounce liquid shea butter
1 ounce meadowfoam seed oil
1 teaspoon Vitamin E
3 ounces distilled water
20 drops ginger essential oil
30 drops lemon essential oil
10 drops lime essential oil
10 drops bergamot essential oil
20 drops sweet orange essential oil

Blending Procedure:

1. Combine the essential oils in a small glass vial and allow them to mellow for a few weeks. (This step is optional but will enhance the aroma of the finished product.)

2. Place all ingredients in an 8 ounce flip top plastic bottle or a glass bottle. You can use either but since plastic slowly absorbs essential oils glass is a better choice. On the other hand, it''s easier to dispense the product using a flip top plastic bottle that you can squeeze.

3. Label and store in a dark place in the bathroom, away from direct sunlight. To use, simply shake well to emulsify the ingredients, then apply to your skin. Feel how smooth and silky it is! You may need to rest a bit before putting on your clothes so you don''t stain them with the oils, but the feel of your skin after using this product makes it worth the wait. Enjoy!


Easy Bath Bombs

An easy and fun recipe to make those wonderful fizzy things that effervesce in the tub! This recipe is a "quick make" so you don't need fancy molds or spritzer bottles.

Yield: 2 large bath bombs
Prep Time: 10 Mins
Price Category: 1
Difficulty Level: 1
Shelf Life: Indefinite

Ingredients:
1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup corn starch
1/2 cup citric acid
1 tablespoon distilled water
1 teaspoon melted cocoa butter
3-4 drops food coloring
3-4 drops fragrance or essential oil of choice

Blending Procedure:

1. Mix all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Make a "well" in the middle of the ingredients. Set aside.

2. In a separate container, combine the wet ingredients together. Pour them into the well of dry ingredients.

3. Mix everything together well using a large spoon, then pour the mixture into a food processor to remove all of the lumps and distribute the color evenly.

4. Once mixed, pack the mixture tightly into large plastic molds, each large enough to hold half of the mixture (or just use one big plastic mold of any shape that will hold the mixture). I find that the easiest way to get the product out of the molds without breakage is to line the molds with a bit of cooking spray first. They tend to break up less this way.

5. Leave them in a dry place overnight and once they've hardened, they're ready to go!!


Simple Lip Balm

This is a nice simple lip balm recipe for people who don't want to spend hours making lip balm. It is simple and good!

Yield: approx. 1/4 ounce
Prep Time: 10 mins
Price Category: 1
Difficulty Level: 1
Shelf Life: 3 months

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon grated beeswax
1 vitamin E capsule (400 mg)


Sweet Eye Make Up Remover

This is a great natural eye makeup remover. Easy to make and easy to use.

Yield: about 3/4 ounce
Prep Time: a few minutes
Price Category: 1
Difficulty Level: 1
Shelf Life: 6 months

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon castor oil
1 tablespoon light olive oil
2 teaspoons canola oil

Blending Procedure:

1. Blend the above ingredients together and store in a tightly sealed bottle.

2. Apply with soft tissue or cottonball to remove makeup around the eyes.

Blending Procedure:

1. Place grated beeswax (or beeswax beads) into a heat proof cup. Add olive oil and liquid from the vitamin E capsule.

2. Place the heat proof cup into a hot water bath until the beeswax is nearly melted. Remove from heat.

3. Pour into suitable screw top or other lip balm containers. Allow to solidify and cool before using.

4. Enjoy and tell your friends!

Like these recipes? Have a favorite of your own? Let us know! Post a comment!