~ Home Made Beauty Treats ~
Let's Face It Gals! We live in a world today where spending money for our own personal beauty products are just plain hard to justify. Someone needs braces, someone needs a new pair of cleats for soccer practice, the washing machine is clanking out it's last breath, the electric bill is twice as much as you expected because your pubescent son has definitely decided that a minimum of three baths a day is a "must do" in order to capture the attention of the equally pubescent girls in his class, your daughter can not possibly carry the same handbag three weeks in a row because my gosh! what would her girlfriends think, and so on and so on it goes ... the drain on our already over stretched budget just boggles the mind.
Now; you know I am there with you experiencing like minded types of budget draining situations in my own household and because of that I have discovered more than a few little tricks along the way to help maintain our ~youthful appearance~ without blowing the bank or taking a second mortgage out on the house.
Earlier I had given you some wonderful ~and simple~ beauty products that you can make at home for a fraction of the price and dare I say? probably much better for your skin. If you didn't catch that post then back up a few pages and look for it. You'll be glad you did.
Well dolls; here's a few more that you can add to your collection. All, of course, done with the intent to Be thrifty, Be wise and Be beautiful!
~ Lavender and Chamomile Eye Pillow ~
Making Eye Pillows
* Shopping List:
Soft fabric, such as silk or satin
White rice
Lavender essential oil
Chamomile essential oil
Eyedropper
Funnel
Needle (if no sewing machine)
Thread
Pins
The pillow's soft fabric soothes your skin, the lavender helps you relax and the chamomile can ease you into a peaceful slumber.
Step 1: Shop for Supplies:
For a luxurious pillow, opt for soft, cool fabric like silk or satin. You won't need much; about a half a yard can make six or seven pillows.
Lavender and chamomile essential oils are used to help reduce stress, aid relaxation and relieve insomnia.
You can find them at most health food stores. You'll only need a couple drops, so a small bottle of each scent should be enough for several pillows.
Step 2: Start Mixing:
In a small bowl, combine 4 drops lavender and 4 drops chamomile essential oil with 2/3 cup rice, which will give your pillow a little weight. Set the mixture aside and let the oils soak into the rice while you start your next step.
Step 3: Simple Sewing:
Place two 4x7 inch fabric rectangles on top of one another, so that the right sides are facing each other and the fabric looks inside out. Secure with pins placed about 1/4 inch from the edge. With a needle and thread, sew around the edges, removing the pins as you go and leaving a two-inch opening on one side. This project is easy to do by hand, but you can use a sewing machine if you have one.
Step 4: Fill and Finish:
Turn the fabric right side out. Using a funnel, carefully pour your rice and oil mixture into the two-inch hole. Fold the edges of the opening inward and sew them shut. You can use your pillow to help you get a relaxing spa feeling without leaving your home.
~ Luscious Lip Balm ~
Making Lip Balms
* Shopping List:
Almond oil
Beeswax
Honey
Eyedropper
Essential oils of your choice
Small containers with lids
Glass measuring cup
Medium-sized pot
This moisturizing lip balm is fun to use and easy to make. The beeswax helps protect your lips while the essential oils let you customize your scent.
Step 1: Shop for Materials:
Gather your lip balm supplies. Essential oils give your balm its fragrance. Try lavender for a soothing aroma or peppermint for an uplifting one. Any scent will work, so you can choose your favorite!
You'll want to pick up almond oil, to dilute the concentrated essential oil and honey, which has antibacterial properties that can help soothe chapped lips. You'll also need beeswax, to give your balm its consistency and help seal in moisture. You can easily find it at your local craft store, which is also a good place to look for small, lidded containers to hold your finished product.
Step 2: Melt and Mix:
Combine 1-ounce beeswax with 1/2 cup almond oil in a glass-measuring cup. You may want to use an old or inexpensive cup, as the wax and oil can be hard to clean out. Place the cup in a pan half-filled with water and heat on your stovetop until the wax is melted. You can also melt the mixture in a slow cooker, but be sure to use a liner to protect the inside.
Step 3: Stir and Pour:
When the wax is liquid, remove it from the heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon honey and 3-5 drops essential oils. Pour the balm into your containers and it will harden as it cools. If it appears to be getting too hard, add a bit more almond or essential oil to loosen the mixture.
This same recipe can also be used to make solid perfume. Just add ten to fifteen more drops of essential oil to strengthen the scent. To use your new fragrance, simply dab a little on your finger and apply to pulse points, such as your neck or the inside of your wrists.
~ Bath Oils ~
Making Bath Oils
The basic principle in making bath oils is to select essential oils for their properties and fragrance, then add them to 4 tablespoons of base carrier oil.
The easiest base oils to use in your homemade bath oils are the light base oils such as Castor Oil, Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil or even simple Sunflower Oil.
Pour your base oil into a dark or clear glass bottle or jar. If using a clear glass jar you will need to protect the oils from waning by storing the finished oils in a dark place, a bathroom cupboard is perfect for this.
Add about 20 drops of your chosen essential oils then cover and shake well.
Leave the homemade bath oil to blend and mature for about 2 weeks before using.
How To Use Your Bath Oils
Simply add 1 tablespoon of scented oil to the bath and swish around to disburse. Once in the bath use a sponge to massage the oil into the skin.
Adding oils to a bath really doesn't need to be completed, you can start by adding a single essential oil to your bath water.
Essential oils normally last about 2 years if kept in a cool dark place and you literally only need a few drops so they are very cost effective.
I've listed below those that I would recommend to use as the best singular all rounders that can be used and enjoyed at any time of the year.
Calming Bath Oil
Almond oil
Lavender essential oil
Chamomile essential oil
Vanilla essential oil
Eyedropper
Small bottles with lids
For a soothing soak, add 1-2 teaspoons of this scented oil to your bath water. The hot water helps release the relaxing aromas while the almond oil nourishes dry skin.
Step 1: Gather your Materials:
This project uses many of the same supplies as the Luscious Lip Balm, so it's easy to make them both together.
Step 2: Quick Mix:
For a relaxing blend, combine 1/2 cup almond oil with 12 drops lavender, 10 drops chamomile and 6 drops vanilla essential oils. Pour the mix into bottles and shake well.
These scent mixes are just the starting point. Try experimenting with different essential oils to create your own unique fragrance. Have fun with your friends and create bath oils, lip balms and eye pillows with your favorite aromas. You can use them to pamper yourself or give as gifts!
Happiness Oil
This homemade bath oil leaves you feeling warm and happy inside!
4 tablespoons of base carrier oil combined with:
10 drops Sandalwood
5 drops Jasmine
5 drops Rose
5 drops Bergamot
Sensuous Oil
This bath oil has a wonderfully rich and floral fragrance. A simple combination that will leave you feeling very calm and relaxed.
4 tablespoons of base carrier oil combined with:
20 drops Jasmine
8 drops Orange
Revitalizing Oil
All of the essential oils in this recipe have been chosen to help relieve stress and depression. This uplifting oil will defiantly to put a spring back in your step.
4 tablespoons of base carrier oil combined with:
12 drops Geranium
6 drops Sandalwood
6 drops Lemon
2 drops Clary Sage
Alcohol Based Bath Oil
Adding a small amount of spirits will help to distribute the oil in the bath more evenly. You will need to combine;
3 fl oz (100ml) Castor Oil
4 tablespoons vodka or brandy
10 drops essential oil(s) of your choice.
As with the other bath oil recipes, pour into a dark or clear glass jar or bottle (protecting the oils from day light if using clear glass) shake well and leave to mature for 2 weeks. Add 2 tablespoons to each bath and swish it about.
Shampoo Based Bath Oil
Baby shampoo is another very efficient carrier of oils, again helping the oils to disburse quickly and evenly in water.
4 fl oz (125ml) base oil (Almond Oil or Sunflower Oil)
4 tablespoons mild baby shampoo (I personally like Johnson's & Johnson's but a store brand like Equate works just as well)
10 drops essential oil(s) of your choice
Pour the base oil into a glass bottle or jar, add the shampoo and give it a good shake.
Add the essential oil, shake again then leave to mature for 2 weeks, not forgetting to protect the oils from daylight. Add 2 tablespoons to each bath and swish it about.
Tips!
Before adding any oils to the bath make sure you close the bathroom door so that you can keep as much of the scent in the room as possible.
Add the oils drop by drop and don't be tempted to add more, working on the theory that adding twice as much will get rid of dry skin or a bout of melancholy/anxiety quicker doesn't work and may just end up irritating the skin.
On average you will need about 10 drops per bath, but with some of the stronger smelling oils you will only need 5 drops. Stronger smelling oils include; eucalyptus, peppermint, bay, basil, lime, lemon, thyme, rosemary.
~ 10 Best Bath Oils ~
in my humble opinion
Bergamot for depression - 5 drops
Chamomile for insomnia or itchy skin - 7 drops
Frankincense for sedative, calming and mood sweetening - 8 drops
Geranium for relaxing yet uplifting and energizing - 10 drops
Jasmine or Honeysuckle for apathy, stress or fatigue - 8 drops
Lavender positive, soothing and relaxing - 10 drops
Neroli for hypnotic with antidepressant properties - 8 drops
Patchouli for energizing and invigorating - 5 drops
Rose for happiness and pleasure very romantic - 10 drops
Sandalwood for sensual and mellowing a good aphrodisiac - 8 drops