Lavender Amber Body Butter

So I'm completely late on this post (originally to be uploaded on 6 August 2009) but here it is. Here's last night's new creation Lavender Amber body butter.
This is a shea butter based butter mixed with jojoba oil, lavender water, vegetable glycerin and a few other natural goodies. It smells wonderful, glides on smoothly and leaves the skin feeling smooth and moisturized.

Sugar Lemon/Lime Facial Scrub

Here's another quick, easy and budget friendly facial scrub. The juice from the lemon/lime refreshes and tones the skin while the sugar acts as a natural alpha hydroxy.

Sugar Lemon/Lime Facial Scrub
Sugar (raw or organic)
Juice of a lemon or lime

Mix the sugar with the juice of a lemon or lime. Start out with a tablespoon of sugar and keep adding until you get the desired consistency you're looking for. You can also add a teaspoon or two of hemp seed or almond oil (or the oil of your choice) this will give your face added moisture. Apply to your face by rubbing in circular motions to exfoliate the skin. Rinse with warm water.

Exfoliation Made Easy

When you notice that your skin is looking dry, dull and ashy it's time to exfoliate. Sugar and salt make great and inexpensive exfoliants. Sugar, salt or a combination of the two with a little bit of carrier and essential oil makes a wonderful exfoliant for removing dead skin. Removing that dull and ashy skin revitalizes and moisturizes new skin, soft skin.

Field & Sea Body Scrub
3 Tbsp Kelp powder
3 Tbsp Oatmeal
3 Tbsp Orange peel, grated
3 Tbsp Sea salt or Demerara sugar
3 drops Grapefruit essential oil
1-1 1/2 cup Sweet Almond oil

Mix all dry ingredients with essential oil in a jar. Add in sweet almond oil and mix until it reaches desirable consistency.

Please note: You can adjust the amounts and ingredients at your own discretion. If you have or a history of high blood pressure then it's recommended that you use sugar instead of salt.

Herbal Infusions

Here are some simple herbal infusions that you can do in your own kitchen. After boiling the infusions for an hour I let them sit in a dark closet or cabinet anywhere from 2-6 weeks. These oil infusions can be used in various hair and body products just be sure you drain the herbs from the oil before using. Please note that you can substitute apple cider vinegar or water (distilled or floral) in place of the oil. Here's a great video on infused herbs.


Here's a recipe for a sage rosemary infusion. Remember you can adjust the amounts to your liking. Also you can grind these herbs into a powder by using a coffee grinder or food processor if so desired.

2 Tbsp Sage
2 Tbsp Rosemary
1 1/2 tsp Burdock Root
1 tsp Nettle
1 tsp Lavender
1 tsp Hibiscus flower powder
1/3 cup Coconut oil
1/3 cup Rice bran oil
1 cup Jojoba oil
1/3 cup Avocado oil

• Makes 8 oz.

Here's a recipe for a lavender mint infusion.
1/2 cup Lavender flower buds
3 Tbsp Mint
1/2 cup Coconut oil
1/2 cup Jojoba oil

• Makes 16 oz

Basil Lemon Facial Tonic For Oily Skin

Oily skin happens when the sebaceous glands are overactive and produce more oil than is necessary. The oil overflows and gives the skin a greasy shine.

Oily skin needs cleansing to prevent the pores from getting clogged. You want to avoid harsh products that will strip your skin of it's natural oil and cause flakiness. You also want to avoid products that will leave your skin feeling taut and dehydrated. They cause the upper layers of the skin to shrink and this restricts the oil flow through the pores, which leads to blockages and breakouts.

When washing your face you want to use hot water as it dissolves the oil better. You want to limit to washing your face two or three times a day. Too much washing will stimulate your skin and produce more oil. If your skin is extremely oily then you might need to wash it three or four times daily. The great advantage of oily skin is that it ages at a slower rate than other skin types.

For the decadent beauty with oily skin here's a quick, easy and budget friendly recipe for a homemade facial tonic/refresher that will help to cut down on the oiliness.

Basil is a natural refresher for the skin where as lemon is a natural astringent that aids in fighting skin blemishes.

Basil Lemon Facial Tonic
Ingredients:
3 tsp Basil leaves, dried
Juice of 1 Lemon
1 c boiling water (you can used distilled or any floral water of your choice)
1 tspGrapefruit Seed Extract (acts as preservative)

Tools:
Small saucepan/pot or glass measuring cup (if microwaving)
Measuring spoons
Mixing spoon
8 oz bottle

Over a medium-high heat bring water to a boil. Add the basil leaves, cover with top and let steep anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes. Add in lemon juice and grapefruit seed extract and mix thoroughly before transferring to desired container.