Sound strange? So does cleansing your face with oil, but it turns out that they are both natural and effective ways to cleanse skin naturally.
For this method, raw honey must be used. Raw honey has natural anti-bacterial properties and contains enzymes and probiotics that are good for skin. This method can be especially good for acne-prone skin as it doesn’t stop moisture from the skin but does reduce oils and bacteria. (Acne is usually in internal problem though, so it is important to look at diet too!)
Honey is gentler than soaps, which strip the skin of beneficial oils, and it gently nourishes skin. I know a local vet who has even used raw honey to speed skin healing on animals as it helps reduce bacteria and speed healing while protecting the skin from outside disturbances. This idea appears to have some scientific backing, as there are now medical grade ointments (like this one) that use honey for wound and burn healing in humans.
What to Use
I’ve personally tried two different types of honey for facial cleansing:
Manuka Honey
Raw Organic Honey
Both seem to work really well. Manuka honey is considered more cleansing and antibacterial (and has health benefits when used internally) but from what I found, either one works great for skin care (and raw honey is cheaper).
A friend of mine also recommended adding a tiny bit of vitamin C powder (which is also great for skin) and some essential oils for extra anti-bacterial and acne fighting power. Personally, I mix a few drops of lavender and frankincense oils in to the honey I keep in my bathroom.
I also still use the Oil Cleansing Method daily and I use honey for a second wash if needed. Typically, I wash my face at night with the oil cleansing method since it also removes makeup, and wash my face in the morning with the honey method if I use it. I keep a small jar and spoon of honey on my bathroom counter for this purpose….
How to Do it:
Wet face with warm water. Place a small amount of honey in your hands (Usually less than a teaspoon is plenty) and rub your hands together.
Massage in to skin in a circular motion to get all areas of the skin.
Optional: Leave on for 5-10 minutes for deep pore cleansing.
Wash off with warm water and pat dry.
Enjoy the soft skin!
Have you ever washed your face with an unusual ingredient? Share below in the comments!
Friday, February 21, 2014
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Seven Natural Gift Ideas for Valentine's Day
Homemade Chocolate:
If you are going to do the chocolate thing, why not make some gourmet chocolate that is actually good for you?
This is my favorite homemade recipe made with cocoa butter and raw honey. You can also top with a bit of sea salt for a salted version ,or add a drop of food grade peppermint essential oil for a mint flavor.
This recipe also works really well for making chocolate covered strawberries (or other fruit) or as a magic shell topping for homemade ice cream.
A Creative Date:
I share my 7 top favorite unusual date ideas in this post, but anything that gets you out of the house and breaks up the norm can be fun. In the long run, it will be the creative dates and the time spent together that they remember, not the expensive gifts or dates!
Maca:
For a long time, if we gave store bought gifts at all, they were practical ones that we needed anyway.
Maca is a root (herb) that supports healthy hormone health. It has often been used for hormone balance, to increase libido, to help with infertility, etc. It also is great for boosting energy levels and it is one of the supplements that I take often.
Due to its libido-boosting properties, Maca can make a great Valentine’s day gift idea for men or women. This is the one I use.
Beeswax Candles:
Candles are often given as a gift, but many candles contain harmful chemicals that are released in to the air of your home:
“Regular paraffin candles are petroleum derived and can release chemicals like benzene, toluene, soot and other chemicals into the air. These types of candles do more harm than good for indoor air quality and should be avoided.
Pure Beeswax Candles on the other hand burn with almost no smoke or scent and clean the air by releasing negative ions into the air. These negative ions can bind with toxins and help remove them from the air.
Beeswax candles are often especially helpful for those with asthma or allergies and they are effective at removing common allergens like dust and dander from the air. Beeswax candles also burn more slowly than paraffin candles so they last much longer.
I personally only use beeswax candles in our house. We buy them by the case and our favorites are:
Tea-light beeswax candles
Votive size beeswax candles“
Beeswax candles are a great alternative as they provide the relaxing benefits of a candle as well as air-cleaning benefits.
Lotion Bars:
Lotion bars are a great gift idea for Valentine’s Day. They are completely natural and can be customized for men or women. This winter especially, it has been really cold at our house and any time we’ve started to get dry skin, I turn to the lotion bars.
They are easy to use (apply to dry skin) and less messy than regular lotion. They can also be made in silicon molds in any shape, so you could create a bouquet of lotion bar flowers (with a mold like this one) or stick with a simple bar for guys (like this one).
Salt Lamp:
Another favorite are salt lamps clean the air and create a relaxing orange glow. We use them to purify the air and in hallways at night so kids can see if they have to go to the bathroom (we keep rooms dark).
Salt lamps are also a unique and novel gift that can be useful all year instead of pretty for a day. This is the one we have.
Time Together:
Our go-to gift for most events… uninterrupted time together. With kids, this often just means time watching a movie, but we also make an effort to do activities together when we can.
Do you celebrate Valentine’s day? What are you doing this year?
If you are going to do the chocolate thing, why not make some gourmet chocolate that is actually good for you?
This is my favorite homemade recipe made with cocoa butter and raw honey. You can also top with a bit of sea salt for a salted version ,or add a drop of food grade peppermint essential oil for a mint flavor.
This recipe also works really well for making chocolate covered strawberries (or other fruit) or as a magic shell topping for homemade ice cream.
A Creative Date:
I share my 7 top favorite unusual date ideas in this post, but anything that gets you out of the house and breaks up the norm can be fun. In the long run, it will be the creative dates and the time spent together that they remember, not the expensive gifts or dates!
Maca:
For a long time, if we gave store bought gifts at all, they were practical ones that we needed anyway.
Maca is a root (herb) that supports healthy hormone health. It has often been used for hormone balance, to increase libido, to help with infertility, etc. It also is great for boosting energy levels and it is one of the supplements that I take often.
Due to its libido-boosting properties, Maca can make a great Valentine’s day gift idea for men or women. This is the one I use.
Beeswax Candles:
Candles are often given as a gift, but many candles contain harmful chemicals that are released in to the air of your home:
“Regular paraffin candles are petroleum derived and can release chemicals like benzene, toluene, soot and other chemicals into the air. These types of candles do more harm than good for indoor air quality and should be avoided.
Pure Beeswax Candles on the other hand burn with almost no smoke or scent and clean the air by releasing negative ions into the air. These negative ions can bind with toxins and help remove them from the air.
Beeswax candles are often especially helpful for those with asthma or allergies and they are effective at removing common allergens like dust and dander from the air. Beeswax candles also burn more slowly than paraffin candles so they last much longer.
I personally only use beeswax candles in our house. We buy them by the case and our favorites are:
Tea-light beeswax candles
Votive size beeswax candles“
Beeswax candles are a great alternative as they provide the relaxing benefits of a candle as well as air-cleaning benefits.
Lotion Bars:
Lotion bars are a great gift idea for Valentine’s Day. They are completely natural and can be customized for men or women. This winter especially, it has been really cold at our house and any time we’ve started to get dry skin, I turn to the lotion bars.
They are easy to use (apply to dry skin) and less messy than regular lotion. They can also be made in silicon molds in any shape, so you could create a bouquet of lotion bar flowers (with a mold like this one) or stick with a simple bar for guys (like this one).
Salt Lamp:
Another favorite are salt lamps clean the air and create a relaxing orange glow. We use them to purify the air and in hallways at night so kids can see if they have to go to the bathroom (we keep rooms dark).
Salt lamps are also a unique and novel gift that can be useful all year instead of pretty for a day. This is the one we have.
Time Together:
Our go-to gift for most events… uninterrupted time together. With kids, this often just means time watching a movie, but we also make an effort to do activities together when we can.
Do you celebrate Valentine’s day? What are you doing this year?
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Homemade Healthy Fruit Snacks
We are big fans of Gelatin at our house and we use it in a lot of different ways. These homemade fruit snacks and homemade marshmallows are the kid-favorites in our house, and I can feel good about giving it to them since it is a source of protein and vitamins.
Just like the chewable vitamins recipe, different vitamins can be added to these to make them even more nutritious. The kombucha adds nutrients as well, making these fruit snacks even healthier.
There are really endless ways this recipe could be adapted, and I’ve included our favorite below. If you experiment with different flavors or combinations, please share them below!
These can be made by pouring in to an oiled container or silicon molds. The molds we have are: assorted geometric shapes, dinosaur molds, bugs and flowers and hearts. The recipe fills about 4-5 of these molds, or a medium baking dish (oiled). If you use a baking dish, just cut the fruit snacks once they gel. If you use the molds, stick them in the fridge to harden and in the freezer for 5 minutes before popping them out to make them come out easier.
Homemade Fruit Snacks
Healthy Homemade Fruit Snacks Recipe Homemade Fruit Snacks
Print
Healthy homemade fruit snacks packed with nutrients from gelatin, fruit, kombucha (optional) and juice.
Author: Wellness Mama
Recipe type: Snack
Ingredients
1 cup water (divided)
½ cup (8 tablespoons) gelatin powder
¼ cup honey or maple syrup (optional and to taste)
1 cup kombucha or fruit juice (Here’s how to make Kombucha)
1 cup pureed fruit (strawberries and other berries are our favorite – applesauce will also work) The easiest method I’ve found is to defrost frozen berries and puree them with a blender or immersion blender
Instructions
Note: It is important to have all ingredients ready before beginning as you’ll need to work quickly once you start.
Puree fruit to create a puree the consistency of applesauce or a little thinner. For us, defrosted frozen berries pureed in a blender or food processor work perfectly. Set aside one cup of pureed fruit.
Set aside one cup of kombucha or fruit juice. We prefer homemade kombucha flavored with strawberries for this recipe. (Here is how to make kombucha)
Boil ½ cup water.
Place ½ cup cool water in a medium sized bowl or quart size mason jar.
Add ½ cup gelatin powder and stir quickly to create a paste.
Quickly add the ½ cup boiling water and stir again briskly.
This should form a thick but stirable liquid.
Add the honey or maple syrup and stir.
Add the kombucha/juice and pureed fruit and stir well. You can stir with a spoon or whisk, or use an immersion blender to make it really easy.
Very quickly pour the mixture in to molds or a greased glass baking dish or other greased dish and allow to cool in fridge for 2-3 hours.
Store in fridge in an airtight container for 1-2 weeks.
Enjoy!
Just like the chewable vitamins recipe, different vitamins can be added to these to make them even more nutritious. The kombucha adds nutrients as well, making these fruit snacks even healthier.
There are really endless ways this recipe could be adapted, and I’ve included our favorite below. If you experiment with different flavors or combinations, please share them below!
These can be made by pouring in to an oiled container or silicon molds. The molds we have are: assorted geometric shapes, dinosaur molds, bugs and flowers and hearts. The recipe fills about 4-5 of these molds, or a medium baking dish (oiled). If you use a baking dish, just cut the fruit snacks once they gel. If you use the molds, stick them in the fridge to harden and in the freezer for 5 minutes before popping them out to make them come out easier.
Homemade Fruit Snacks
Healthy Homemade Fruit Snacks Recipe Homemade Fruit Snacks
Healthy homemade fruit snacks packed with nutrients from gelatin, fruit, kombucha (optional) and juice.
Author: Wellness Mama
Recipe type: Snack
Ingredients
1 cup water (divided)
½ cup (8 tablespoons) gelatin powder
¼ cup honey or maple syrup (optional and to taste)
1 cup kombucha or fruit juice (Here’s how to make Kombucha)
1 cup pureed fruit (strawberries and other berries are our favorite – applesauce will also work) The easiest method I’ve found is to defrost frozen berries and puree them with a blender or immersion blender
Instructions
Note: It is important to have all ingredients ready before beginning as you’ll need to work quickly once you start.
Puree fruit to create a puree the consistency of applesauce or a little thinner. For us, defrosted frozen berries pureed in a blender or food processor work perfectly. Set aside one cup of pureed fruit.
Set aside one cup of kombucha or fruit juice. We prefer homemade kombucha flavored with strawberries for this recipe. (Here is how to make kombucha)
Boil ½ cup water.
Place ½ cup cool water in a medium sized bowl or quart size mason jar.
Add ½ cup gelatin powder and stir quickly to create a paste.
Quickly add the ½ cup boiling water and stir again briskly.
This should form a thick but stirable liquid.
Add the honey or maple syrup and stir.
Add the kombucha/juice and pureed fruit and stir well. You can stir with a spoon or whisk, or use an immersion blender to make it really easy.
Very quickly pour the mixture in to molds or a greased glass baking dish or other greased dish and allow to cool in fridge for 2-3 hours.
Store in fridge in an airtight container for 1-2 weeks.
Enjoy!
Sunday, January 19, 2014
21 Uses for Epson Salt
We use epsom salt (affiliate) a lot at our house. It is a good source of magnesium (here’s why we love magnesium) and has dozens of household uses. Here are our favorites:
As a relaxing Magnesium Bath Soak – Add at least 1 cup of epsom salt to a warm bath and soak for 20 minutes.
Splinter Removal- Soak in concentrated epsom salt water to pull out a splinter.
Magnesium Foot Scrub- Make a homemade magnesium scrub (recipe here) for a boost of magnesium and super soft skin.
Better Vegetables- Add a tablespoon of epsom salt to the soil below a tomato plant to boost growth.
Facial Wash- Add a pinch of epsom salt to your usual face cleaner (or to your oil cleansing routine) for a skin exfoliating magnesium boost.
Tile/Grout Cleaner- Mix equal parts of liquid dish soap and epsom salts and use to scrub tile and grout. Rinse well for a streak free shine.
Body Aches- Add 2 cups of epsom salt to a warm bath and soak for at least 20 minutes to help relieve muscle sprains and for a transdermal magnesium boost.
Homemade Sea Salt Spray- Make your own sea salt spray to add texture and volume to hair- recipe here.
Water House Plants- Help house plants grow by adding a couple tablespoons of epsom salt to the water when you water them.
Volumizing Hair Mask- Combine equal parts of conditioner and epsom salt and leave on hair for 20 minutes. Rinse well and let air dry for thicker hair.
Foot Soak- For a concentrated magnesium boost, add 1 cup of epsom salt to a hot foot soak and soak for 20 minutes.
Get rid of slugs- Have slugs in your garden or on your patio? Sprinkle epsom salt to deter them.
Making Magnesium Lotion- Using magnesium flakes is a better option, but in a pinch, you can use epsom salt to make homemade magnesium oil (recipe here).
Laxative- For occasional constipation, a teaspoon of epsom salt dissolved in water can help. Check with a doctor first.
Beautiful Roses- Add a tablespoon a week to the soil around rose bushes before watering for faster growth.
Soil Prep- Before planting, we add a few bags of epsom salt to the soil in the garden and water in to help replenish soil magnesium levels.
Headache relief- There is evidence that soaking in a soothing epsom salt bath may help relieve headache.
Smooth skin- Mix 1/2 cup epsom salt with 1/4 cup olive oil and scrub skin in the shower for healthy and smooth skin.
Itchy Skin or Bug Bites- Dissolve a tablespoon of epsom salt in to 1/2 cup of water and cool. Spritz on itchy skin or apply a wet compress to help relieve itching.
Minor Sunburn Relief- Use the same ratio in the itchy skin relief above and spritz on to minor sunburns to help soothe them.
Help Kids Sleep Better- Add a cup to kids’ bath water before bed to help them sleep peacefully.
As a relaxing Magnesium Bath Soak – Add at least 1 cup of epsom salt to a warm bath and soak for 20 minutes.
Splinter Removal- Soak in concentrated epsom salt water to pull out a splinter.
Magnesium Foot Scrub- Make a homemade magnesium scrub (recipe here) for a boost of magnesium and super soft skin.
Better Vegetables- Add a tablespoon of epsom salt to the soil below a tomato plant to boost growth.
Facial Wash- Add a pinch of epsom salt to your usual face cleaner (or to your oil cleansing routine) for a skin exfoliating magnesium boost.
Tile/Grout Cleaner- Mix equal parts of liquid dish soap and epsom salts and use to scrub tile and grout. Rinse well for a streak free shine.
Body Aches- Add 2 cups of epsom salt to a warm bath and soak for at least 20 minutes to help relieve muscle sprains and for a transdermal magnesium boost.
Homemade Sea Salt Spray- Make your own sea salt spray to add texture and volume to hair- recipe here.
Water House Plants- Help house plants grow by adding a couple tablespoons of epsom salt to the water when you water them.
Volumizing Hair Mask- Combine equal parts of conditioner and epsom salt and leave on hair for 20 minutes. Rinse well and let air dry for thicker hair.
Foot Soak- For a concentrated magnesium boost, add 1 cup of epsom salt to a hot foot soak and soak for 20 minutes.
Get rid of slugs- Have slugs in your garden or on your patio? Sprinkle epsom salt to deter them.
Making Magnesium Lotion- Using magnesium flakes is a better option, but in a pinch, you can use epsom salt to make homemade magnesium oil (recipe here).
Laxative- For occasional constipation, a teaspoon of epsom salt dissolved in water can help. Check with a doctor first.
Beautiful Roses- Add a tablespoon a week to the soil around rose bushes before watering for faster growth.
Soil Prep- Before planting, we add a few bags of epsom salt to the soil in the garden and water in to help replenish soil magnesium levels.
Headache relief- There is evidence that soaking in a soothing epsom salt bath may help relieve headache.
Smooth skin- Mix 1/2 cup epsom salt with 1/4 cup olive oil and scrub skin in the shower for healthy and smooth skin.
Itchy Skin or Bug Bites- Dissolve a tablespoon of epsom salt in to 1/2 cup of water and cool. Spritz on itchy skin or apply a wet compress to help relieve itching.
Minor Sunburn Relief- Use the same ratio in the itchy skin relief above and spritz on to minor sunburns to help soothe them.
Help Kids Sleep Better- Add a cup to kids’ bath water before bed to help them sleep peacefully.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Vaniila Latte Sugar Scrub
I love the smell of coffee and but do not like drinking coffee turns out, coffee can have benefits when used externally!
Coffee scrubs can be beneficial in reducing cellulite as well. The massage and exfoliation benefits skin by stimulating blood/lymph flow and the caffeine in the coffee has a tightening effect. Pinterest is speckled with accounts of coffee scrubs and wraps working for reducing cellulite and loose skin.
This sugar scrub combines some of my favorite natural beauty ingredients:
Coconut Oil – For naturally nourishing skin
Castor Oil – A naturally astringent oil that is great for skin tone (I also use it in my facial cleansing regimen… and by regimen, I mean super-simple one-step process that leaves skin feeling amazing)
Coffee- The caffeine has a tightening and stimulating affect on skin and it is often used in anti-aging products
Sugar- Bad inside the body but great on the outside as it naturally exfoliates
Vanilla – Because it smells good
This simple scrub smells like a vanilla latte (thus the name) and leaves skin silky. It smells and looks sophisticated, but is incredibly simple and inexpensive to make.
A simple sugar scrub recipe with coffee,coconut oil, castor oil and sugar. It leaves skin soft, healthy and energized.
Ingredients
½ cup finely ground coffee
½ cup organic sugar
2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
2 Tablespoons Castor Oil
½ teaspoons natural Vanilla Extract
Instructions
Place the coffee and sugar in a medium size bowl.
Add the vanilla and mix well.
Add the oils and stir with a fork or the back of a spoon until well mixed and moistened.
Store in an air-tight container and use as desired for soft skin. Especially good on legs for helping with cellulite.
Enjoy!
Coffee scrubs can be beneficial in reducing cellulite as well. The massage and exfoliation benefits skin by stimulating blood/lymph flow and the caffeine in the coffee has a tightening effect. Pinterest is speckled with accounts of coffee scrubs and wraps working for reducing cellulite and loose skin.
This sugar scrub combines some of my favorite natural beauty ingredients:
Coconut Oil – For naturally nourishing skin
Castor Oil – A naturally astringent oil that is great for skin tone (I also use it in my facial cleansing regimen… and by regimen, I mean super-simple one-step process that leaves skin feeling amazing)
Coffee- The caffeine has a tightening and stimulating affect on skin and it is often used in anti-aging products
Sugar- Bad inside the body but great on the outside as it naturally exfoliates
Vanilla – Because it smells good
This simple scrub smells like a vanilla latte (thus the name) and leaves skin silky. It smells and looks sophisticated, but is incredibly simple and inexpensive to make.
A simple sugar scrub recipe with coffee,coconut oil, castor oil and sugar. It leaves skin soft, healthy and energized.
Ingredients
½ cup finely ground coffee
½ cup organic sugar
2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
2 Tablespoons Castor Oil
½ teaspoons natural Vanilla Extract
Instructions
Place the coffee and sugar in a medium size bowl.
Add the vanilla and mix well.
Add the oils and stir with a fork or the back of a spoon until well mixed and moistened.
Store in an air-tight container and use as desired for soft skin. Especially good on legs for helping with cellulite.
Enjoy!
Hair Detangling Spray
To make this detangling spray, I use distilled water, marshmallow root, conditioner and essential oils with optional other herbs. Any conditioner will work, but I prefer a natural one, especially for kids. Natural conditioner are more expensive, but with as little as you need for this recipe, one bottle lasts over a year for all three of my daughters.
The top natural brands that I’ve tried that smell good, work well and don’t have harmful ingredients are:
Shea Moisture Organic Restorative Conditioner (I love all of their products and we use this cream all the time too)
Max Green Alchemy Scalp Rescue Conditioner (more earthy/tea tree scent but organic and works really well)
EO Sulfate Free Coconut and Hibiscus Conditioner (least expensive and smells excellent)
Acure Organics Moroccan Argan Oil Conditioner (light and fresh scent)
In the picture, I used a glass spray bottle I got during a Zulily sale, but I’ve also used this spray bottle from amazon and the sprayer actually works better for this.
Here’s what to do:
Hair Detangling Spray
Natural Hair Detangling Spray Natural Inexpensive and Easy to Make DIY Hair Detangling Spray
Print
Simple homemade herb-infused detangling spray that saves money and works wonderfully.
Author: Wellness Mama
Recipe type: Beauty
Ingredients
12 ounce or larger spray bottle
1.5 cups distilled water
3 tablespoons marshmallow root
2 tablespoons conditioner of choice (see above)
10+ drops of essential oil of choice (completely optional)
Instructions
Boil water and marshmallow root in a small pan.
Reduce heat and let simmer for 20-30 minutes.
Let cool slightly and strain through a cheesecloth or very thin wire strainer.
While still warm, pour in to bottle add conditioner and essential oils (if using) and shake until mixed.
Store for up to 2 months (this is as long as I’ve tested).
The top natural brands that I’ve tried that smell good, work well and don’t have harmful ingredients are:
Shea Moisture Organic Restorative Conditioner (I love all of their products and we use this cream all the time too)
Max Green Alchemy Scalp Rescue Conditioner (more earthy/tea tree scent but organic and works really well)
EO Sulfate Free Coconut and Hibiscus Conditioner (least expensive and smells excellent)
Acure Organics Moroccan Argan Oil Conditioner (light and fresh scent)
In the picture, I used a glass spray bottle I got during a Zulily sale, but I’ve also used this spray bottle from amazon and the sprayer actually works better for this.
Here’s what to do:
Hair Detangling Spray
Natural Hair Detangling Spray Natural Inexpensive and Easy to Make DIY Hair Detangling Spray
Simple homemade herb-infused detangling spray that saves money and works wonderfully.
Author: Wellness Mama
Recipe type: Beauty
Ingredients
12 ounce or larger spray bottle
1.5 cups distilled water
3 tablespoons marshmallow root
2 tablespoons conditioner of choice (see above)
10+ drops of essential oil of choice (completely optional)
Instructions
Boil water and marshmallow root in a small pan.
Reduce heat and let simmer for 20-30 minutes.
Let cool slightly and strain through a cheesecloth or very thin wire strainer.
While still warm, pour in to bottle add conditioner and essential oils (if using) and shake until mixed.
Store for up to 2 months (this is as long as I’ve tested).
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Natural Make- Up Recipes
With proper skin care, the skin will be naturally healthy and you won’t even need to wear makeup most of the time. Most days, I skip the makeup altogether, but when I do wear it, these are the recipes I use:
Cosmetics are a major source of exposure to toxins for many people, and making your own cosmetics and adopting a natural skin care routine for your skin type can go a long way toward reducing this exposure.
Homemade cosmetics are easier than you would expect to make yourself and herbal ingredients are actually good for the skin and don’t expose the body to a bevy of toxins.
Homemade Blush Ingredients:
Arrowroot Powder
organic Cocoa Powder
Hibiscus Powder
How to Make Blush:
As with any homemade make-up recipe, the amounts vary by person. You’ll have to experiment with quantities of each ingredient to find the shade that works for you. I always start with a base of about 1/2 tsp of arrowroot and darken as needed, testing on my inner arm as I go.
When you get your desired shade, store in a small jar or old makeup shaker and use as needed.
Natural Foundation
Homemade Option: At the recommendation of a friend who had used cocoa powder for natural bronzer, I started experimenting with natural foundation options, and came up with a recipe similar to a mineral make-up, though lighter, and smoother…
I start with a base of arrowroot powder (can also use cornstarch, but arrowroot works better) and then slowly add in cocoa powder and finely ground cinnamon powder until you get a shade close to your skin tone. You can then store in a jar or old powder container and use a brush to apply. It took me a few tries of mixing to get the color correct for my skin tone, but most days, a quick brush of this is all I need.
If you want to make it a more solid base so that only a little sticks to the brush, use a few drops of essential oil or vodka to mix with the powder and push down in a compact. This will make it hard like a regular compact.
I’ve thought about adding this combination to some homemade lotion to make a liquid foundation but haven’t tried it yet.
Commercial Options: If making makeup isn’t your thing but you still want some natural options, there are a few good choices. No commercial choice is as natural as the homemade option, but they are a tremendous improvement over any conventional options!
Natural Eye Liner and Shadow
Homemade Options:Always be careful when using any products, even natural ones, near the eyes. I mix up several colors of eye shadow using cocoa powder (brown shades) Spirulina (green shades) and arrowroot (light shades). My favorite is just cocoa powder with a tiny bit of arrowroot mixed in for smoothness.
For eye-liner, I either use a tiny bit of cocoa powder mixed with coconut oil, or a tiny dab or activated charcoal on a slightly damp brush. Be careful not to get either one in the eye. I store the eye shadow in an old powdered eye shadow container and apply with my finger or a very slightly damp brush.
To make a smoother eyeliner, I mix equal parts of coconut oil and cocoa butter (about 1/2 ounce of each) and add about 1/2 tsp of activated charcoal to make a black eyeliner that is thicker. You can also do this with cocoa powder for a brown hue.
Homemade Makeup Recipes
Katie - Wellness Mama 204 Comments
homemade makeup recipes natural Homemade Makeup Recipes
I get a lot of questions about natural makeup options, and this was definitely one of the tougher things for me to find natural alternatives for. In college, I practically collected makeup, and had endless tubes and compacts of makeup that never even got half used.
While there are some good natural alternatives that you can buy (see list below), the cheapest, easiest and most natural way is to just make your own, and you might have all of the ingredients in your kitchen already!
Natural Skin Care
What you do to your skin before you use makeup is just as important as the makeup you use and there are some great natural options for skin care.
Personally, I’m a microfiber convert, and only use microfiber products with natural silver fibers (antibacterial) for washing my face and for make-up removal. This is truly the most natural option you can use, since you don’t even need soap (and microfiber is great for baby too… no chemicals to irritate skin!).
For deeper cleansing and moisturizing, I’ve also use the oil cleansing method, which leaves skin very soft and smooth. You can also use a natural sugar scrub (equal parts sugar and natural oil) or natural microdermabrasion (baking soda) to make skin look younger.
With proper skin care, the skin will be naturally healthy and you won’t even need to wear makeup most of the time. Most days, I skip the makeup altogether, but when I do wear it, these are the recipes I use:
Natural Foundation
Homemade Option: At the recommendation of a friend who had used cocoa powder for natural bronzer, I started experimenting with natural foundation options, and came up with a recipe similar to a mineral make-up, though lighter, and smoother…
I start with a base of arrowroot powder (can also use cornstarch, but arrowroot works better) and then slowly add in cocoa powder and finely ground cinnamon powder until you get a shade close to your skin tone. You can then store in a jar or old powder container and use a brush to apply. It took me a few tries of mixing to get the color correct for my skin tone, but most days, a quick brush of this is all I need.
If you want to make it a more solid base so that only a little sticks to the brush, use a few drops of essential oil or vodka to mix with the powder and push down in a compact. This will make it hard like a regular compact.
I’ve thought about adding this combination to some homemade lotion to make a liquid foundation but haven’t tried it yet.
Commercial Options: If making makeup isn’t your thing but you still want some natural options, there are a few good choices. No commercial choice is as natural as the homemade option, but they are a tremendous improvement over any conventional options! Dr. Haushcka Translucent Foundation is the most natural liquid foundation I’ve found and my skin reacted well to it. I also loved Nvey Eco Liquid Foundation. I’ve also used Nvey Creme Foundation which is thicker and is mainly great as a concealer or under-eye cover.
For powdered foundation, my favorite one I’ve tried is Aubrey Organics Silken Earth which doesn’t have titanium dioxide like many of the mineral make-ups and which has almost completely natural ingredients.
Natural Bronzer/Blush
Homemade Option: Similar to above, natural bronzer and blush can be easily made with a base of arrowroot and by adding more cocoa powder and cinnamon to get a darker shade. I’ve also tried powdering dried beet root (in the dehydrator) or dried hibiscus flowers to add a pink tone which works well as long as you can very finely powder them. Store in a shaker make-up container or an old compact.
Commercial Options: For natural blush, I love Aubrey Organic Silken Blush or Nvey Eco Powdered Blush.
Natural Eye Liner and Shadow
Homemade Options:Always be careful when using any products, even natural ones, near the eyes. I mix up several colors of eye shadow using cocoa powder (brown shades) Spirulina (green shades) and arrowroot (light shades). My favorite is just cocoa powder with a tiny bit of arrowroot mixed in for smoothness.
For eye-liner, I either use a tiny bit of cocoa powder mixed with coconut oil, or a tiny dab or activated charcoal on a slightly damp brush. Be careful not to get either one in the eye. I store the eye shadow in an old powdered eye shadow container and apply with my finger or a very slightly damp brush.
To make a smoother eyeliner, I mix equal parts of coconut oil and cocoa butter (about 1/2 ounce of each) and add about 1/2 tsp of activated charcoal to make a black eyeliner that is thicker. You can also do this with cocoa powder for a brown hue.
Commercial Options: Nvey Eco Powdered Eyeliner is the best I’ve used so far and is almost completely natural.
Natural Mascara
Homemade Option: I don’t wear mascara most days, but when I want a natural option, it is an easy one to make. In a small bowl, I just mix a few drops of Aloe Vera Gel from Mountain Rose Herbs, a couple drops of Vitamin E oil, and a pinch of activated charcoal (not very precise… I know). I mix it up as I use it, though you could also make and store in an old mascara container or in a small jar and just clean the mascara wand between uses. I brush it on with a clean mascara brush, or even a used Bass Toothbrush from OraWellness.
Supplements for Skin Care
I’m firmly convinced that what you put into your body is just as important, if not more so, than what you put on it when it comes to skin health. I used to have terrible acne and since changing my diet and supplements, I don’t break out at all and my past scars have healed. The supplements that seemed to have made the biggest difference in skin health for me are:
Fermented Cod Liver Oil- for the Vitamins A, D and K, Omega-3s and Antioxidants, all which are great for the skin.
Gelatin – Which is a pre-cursor for collagen and has made my hair, skin and nails noticeably stronger and smoother (great for cellulite too).
Magnesium- An anti-inflammatory and lacking in many people’s diets. Topical Magnesium Oil seems to be the most effective for skin health.
Cosmetics are a major source of exposure to toxins for many people, and making your own cosmetics and adopting a natural skin care routine for your skin type can go a long way toward reducing this exposure.
Homemade cosmetics are easier than you would expect to make yourself and herbal ingredients are actually good for the skin and don’t expose the body to a bevy of toxins.
Homemade Blush Ingredients:
Arrowroot Powder
organic Cocoa Powder
Hibiscus Powder
How to Make Blush:
As with any homemade make-up recipe, the amounts vary by person. You’ll have to experiment with quantities of each ingredient to find the shade that works for you. I always start with a base of about 1/2 tsp of arrowroot and darken as needed, testing on my inner arm as I go.
When you get your desired shade, store in a small jar or old makeup shaker and use as needed.
Natural Foundation
Homemade Option: At the recommendation of a friend who had used cocoa powder for natural bronzer, I started experimenting with natural foundation options, and came up with a recipe similar to a mineral make-up, though lighter, and smoother…
I start with a base of arrowroot powder (can also use cornstarch, but arrowroot works better) and then slowly add in cocoa powder and finely ground cinnamon powder until you get a shade close to your skin tone. You can then store in a jar or old powder container and use a brush to apply. It took me a few tries of mixing to get the color correct for my skin tone, but most days, a quick brush of this is all I need.
If you want to make it a more solid base so that only a little sticks to the brush, use a few drops of essential oil or vodka to mix with the powder and push down in a compact. This will make it hard like a regular compact.
I’ve thought about adding this combination to some homemade lotion to make a liquid foundation but haven’t tried it yet.
Commercial Options: If making makeup isn’t your thing but you still want some natural options, there are a few good choices. No commercial choice is as natural as the homemade option, but they are a tremendous improvement over any conventional options!
Natural Eye Liner and Shadow
Homemade Options:Always be careful when using any products, even natural ones, near the eyes. I mix up several colors of eye shadow using cocoa powder (brown shades) Spirulina (green shades) and arrowroot (light shades). My favorite is just cocoa powder with a tiny bit of arrowroot mixed in for smoothness.
For eye-liner, I either use a tiny bit of cocoa powder mixed with coconut oil, or a tiny dab or activated charcoal on a slightly damp brush. Be careful not to get either one in the eye. I store the eye shadow in an old powdered eye shadow container and apply with my finger or a very slightly damp brush.
To make a smoother eyeliner, I mix equal parts of coconut oil and cocoa butter (about 1/2 ounce of each) and add about 1/2 tsp of activated charcoal to make a black eyeliner that is thicker. You can also do this with cocoa powder for a brown hue.
Homemade Makeup Recipes
Katie - Wellness Mama 204 Comments
homemade makeup recipes natural Homemade Makeup Recipes
I get a lot of questions about natural makeup options, and this was definitely one of the tougher things for me to find natural alternatives for. In college, I practically collected makeup, and had endless tubes and compacts of makeup that never even got half used.
While there are some good natural alternatives that you can buy (see list below), the cheapest, easiest and most natural way is to just make your own, and you might have all of the ingredients in your kitchen already!
Natural Skin Care
What you do to your skin before you use makeup is just as important as the makeup you use and there are some great natural options for skin care.
Personally, I’m a microfiber convert, and only use microfiber products with natural silver fibers (antibacterial) for washing my face and for make-up removal. This is truly the most natural option you can use, since you don’t even need soap (and microfiber is great for baby too… no chemicals to irritate skin!).
For deeper cleansing and moisturizing, I’ve also use the oil cleansing method, which leaves skin very soft and smooth. You can also use a natural sugar scrub (equal parts sugar and natural oil) or natural microdermabrasion (baking soda) to make skin look younger.
With proper skin care, the skin will be naturally healthy and you won’t even need to wear makeup most of the time. Most days, I skip the makeup altogether, but when I do wear it, these are the recipes I use:
Natural Foundation
Homemade Option: At the recommendation of a friend who had used cocoa powder for natural bronzer, I started experimenting with natural foundation options, and came up with a recipe similar to a mineral make-up, though lighter, and smoother…
I start with a base of arrowroot powder (can also use cornstarch, but arrowroot works better) and then slowly add in cocoa powder and finely ground cinnamon powder until you get a shade close to your skin tone. You can then store in a jar or old powder container and use a brush to apply. It took me a few tries of mixing to get the color correct for my skin tone, but most days, a quick brush of this is all I need.
If you want to make it a more solid base so that only a little sticks to the brush, use a few drops of essential oil or vodka to mix with the powder and push down in a compact. This will make it hard like a regular compact.
I’ve thought about adding this combination to some homemade lotion to make a liquid foundation but haven’t tried it yet.
Commercial Options: If making makeup isn’t your thing but you still want some natural options, there are a few good choices. No commercial choice is as natural as the homemade option, but they are a tremendous improvement over any conventional options! Dr. Haushcka Translucent Foundation is the most natural liquid foundation I’ve found and my skin reacted well to it. I also loved Nvey Eco Liquid Foundation. I’ve also used Nvey Creme Foundation which is thicker and is mainly great as a concealer or under-eye cover.
For powdered foundation, my favorite one I’ve tried is Aubrey Organics Silken Earth which doesn’t have titanium dioxide like many of the mineral make-ups and which has almost completely natural ingredients.
Natural Bronzer/Blush
Homemade Option: Similar to above, natural bronzer and blush can be easily made with a base of arrowroot and by adding more cocoa powder and cinnamon to get a darker shade. I’ve also tried powdering dried beet root (in the dehydrator) or dried hibiscus flowers to add a pink tone which works well as long as you can very finely powder them. Store in a shaker make-up container or an old compact.
Commercial Options: For natural blush, I love Aubrey Organic Silken Blush or Nvey Eco Powdered Blush.
Natural Eye Liner and Shadow
Homemade Options:Always be careful when using any products, even natural ones, near the eyes. I mix up several colors of eye shadow using cocoa powder (brown shades) Spirulina (green shades) and arrowroot (light shades). My favorite is just cocoa powder with a tiny bit of arrowroot mixed in for smoothness.
For eye-liner, I either use a tiny bit of cocoa powder mixed with coconut oil, or a tiny dab or activated charcoal on a slightly damp brush. Be careful not to get either one in the eye. I store the eye shadow in an old powdered eye shadow container and apply with my finger or a very slightly damp brush.
To make a smoother eyeliner, I mix equal parts of coconut oil and cocoa butter (about 1/2 ounce of each) and add about 1/2 tsp of activated charcoal to make a black eyeliner that is thicker. You can also do this with cocoa powder for a brown hue.
Commercial Options: Nvey Eco Powdered Eyeliner is the best I’ve used so far and is almost completely natural.
Natural Mascara
Homemade Option: I don’t wear mascara most days, but when I want a natural option, it is an easy one to make. In a small bowl, I just mix a few drops of Aloe Vera Gel from Mountain Rose Herbs, a couple drops of Vitamin E oil, and a pinch of activated charcoal (not very precise… I know). I mix it up as I use it, though you could also make and store in an old mascara container or in a small jar and just clean the mascara wand between uses. I brush it on with a clean mascara brush, or even a used Bass Toothbrush from OraWellness.
Supplements for Skin Care
I’m firmly convinced that what you put into your body is just as important, if not more so, than what you put on it when it comes to skin health. I used to have terrible acne and since changing my diet and supplements, I don’t break out at all and my past scars have healed. The supplements that seemed to have made the biggest difference in skin health for me are:
Fermented Cod Liver Oil- for the Vitamins A, D and K, Omega-3s and Antioxidants, all which are great for the skin.
Gelatin – Which is a pre-cursor for collagen and has made my hair, skin and nails noticeably stronger and smoother (great for cellulite too).
Magnesium- An anti-inflammatory and lacking in many people’s diets. Topical Magnesium Oil seems to be the most effective for skin health.
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