Personal Products

[Honeylioness]

Have you ever considered just how much you spend a year on personal hygiene products?

From facial cleansers to mouthwash to soaking solutions for tired feet we not only spend hundreds if not thousands annually but often these items come with excessive and/or non recyclable packaging and an array of unpronounceable ingredients it would take a degree in chemistry to figure out.

While I personally may not be able to give up my Crest Toothpaste I am open to the idea of making my own products where and when ever possible. Not only for the cost savings but also for my own health and well being. After all, I have not heard of anyone getting cancer from oatmeal, avocados or honey lately ... have you?



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Here are a couple of good resource sites for additional recipe ideas:

allnaturalbeauty.us/hbr_mainpage.htm

www.makeyourcosmetics.com

www.liferesearchuniversal.com/grannymain.html

www.oldfashionedhomemaking.com/2008/01/01/frugal-beauty-tips.aspx



Online Sources for Ingredients


www.libertynatural.com/

www.puritan.com/

[Honeylioness]

Aloe Vera Facial Cleanser


Best for: dry skin types
Benefits: cleanses and moisturizes

30ml (1 fl. oz.) aloe vera gel
50ml (1/5 cup) olive oil
30ml (1 fl. oz.) rosewater
4 drops rose essential oil
2 drops grapefruit seed extract

Blend all the ingredients together in a food processor and decant into a small bottle. Ideally, keep in the fridge. Shake before use, as the ingredients may separate. Massage into your face and remove with either a muslin cloth or water.


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Chamomile and Oatmeal facial scrub


Best for: normal to oily skin types
Benefits: calms skin, exfoliates for deep cleansing

1/4 cup chamomile tea (brewed and cooled to room temp)
1/4 cup oatmeal (lightly ground)
2 tbsp honey
2 drops of almond oil

Combine the ingredients. Rub over face and neck gently but still with enough pressure to exfoliate the skin. For deep cleansing, leave the scrub on to create a mask, or simply wash off with warm water and pat dry. Moisturize if desired.

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Avocado Facial


Best for: dry skin types
Benefit: adds intense moisture

1 tbsp ripe avocado, mashed
1 tsp honey
3 drops cider vinegar
A little sesame oil

Mix the first three ingredients and add enough sesame oil to create a spreadable consistency. Smear on with clean hands, leave on for five to 10 minutes, then rinse off with warm water and pat skin dry. If desired, finish off with a light application of rosewater (spritz it on and gently pat it in or apply it with a cotton pad) to tone, then apply moisturizer.


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Honey Lip Scrub


Best for: dry, flaky lips
Benefit: smooths lips

1 tsp of olive oil
1 tsp of honey
2 tsp of white granulated sugar
A dash of lemon juice

Mix these ingredients together to make a sugary paste. Then use your finger or a toothbrush to gently sweep the mixture back and forth on your lips.


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Pineapple Sage Facial Mask


Best for: all skin types
Benefits: calms and hydrates skin, removes dead cells

1/2 cup boiling water
1 tbsp fresh pineapple sage leaves (or any type of sage)
3 tbsp oatmeal
2 tbsp honey
1 egg white

Pour the water over the sage leaves and allow to cool completely. Strain and add the sage liquid to the oatmeal, honey, and egg white. Mix until smooth and creamy. Spread the mixture on clean skin and let sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse well with warm water and pat your skin dry.


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Hand and Foot Sugar Scrub

Best for: all skin types
Benefits: smooths rough skin

2 tbsp light olive oil (not extra-virgin, which can get sticky) or grapeseed oil
2 tbsp granulated sugar

Rub this emollient mixture into hands and feet, focusing on any hardened, calloused areas. Rinse under warm running water and pat dry. Voila! Fabulously silky-smooth skin.


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Lavender Bath


Best for: sensitive skin types
Benefits: calms and hydrates skin

1 cup dried lavender flowers
2 cups oatmeal
1/2 cup baking soda

Place the ingredients inside a food processor or blender. Grind to a smooth, fine powder. The powder should have the consistency of whole-grain flour. Pour into a clean, airtight container or resealable plastic bag. To use, pour 1/2 cup into your bath as you fill the tub for a soothing end-of–the-day treat. (Makes 31/2 cups, enough for seven baths.)


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Skin Firming Clay Mask


Best for: all skin types
Benefits: refines pores, calms and protects skin

1 tbsp filtered water, prepared green tea (for anti-aging benefits) or milk (for sensitive/dry skin)
2 tbsp fine clay powder (Pick the right one for your skin type)

Add water, green tea, or milk to a small bowl. Gradually add fine clay powder to the liquid, stirring to prevent clumps, until you get a smooth paste. (If it's too thick, add a few more drops of liquid. Too thin? Add a little more clay.) Using your fingers or a clean, one-inch paintbrush, apply a thick layer of the paste to clean, dry skin, avoiding the eyes and lips. Relax and be still for 10 to 12 minutes while the mask dries (so the clay doesn't crack and fall off). Rinse with warm water and pat dry. Follow with a natural toner and a light moisturizer to soften and nourish skin throughout the day.


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Cucumber-Honey Toner


Best for: combo skin types
Benefit: reduces puffiness, hydrates skin

1 medium cucumber
2 tsp honey

Peel and cut up cucumber, then puree the pieces in a blender. Line a sieve with cheesecloth and set the sieve over a glass bowl or measuring cup. Pour the cucumber puree through the sieve and let it stand for 15 minutes for the juices to drip into the bowl. Pour the clear juice into a clean bottle and add honey.

To use, shake the bottle and saturate a cotton pad with the lotion. Sweep over face, neck and chest morning and night, and let it air dry (about 3 to 4 minutes). Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Makes about 1/2 cup.

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Green Tea Toner


Best for: all skin types
Benefits: decreases puffiness, tightens pores

4 tsp loose green tea leaf (Tip: Cut open 2 tea bags if you don't have loose leaves)
1 cup boiling mineral water

Boil the water and steep tea bags for at least 10 minutes to make concentrated tea. Wait for the tea to cool, then pour it into a small spritzer bottle and refrigerate. Spray toner directly on clean, just-washed skin and pat it in (or apply it with a clean cotton ball). Follow with moisturizer. (Tip: To soothe acne on normal to oily skin types, add 1/2 cup of witch hazel and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice.)

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Tropical Eye Cream


Best for: dry skin types
Benefits: soothes and conditions skin

2 tbsp grated cocoa butter (check local health food stores or buy online)
3 tbsp coconut oil

Mix ingredients together in an ovenproof container. Heat gently in microwave or in a water bath. Pour the melted mixture into a small clean container and allow it to cool completely. To use, apply nightly under your eyes. Makes 3 oz.

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All Purpose Olive Oil Moisturizer


Best for: all skin types
Benefit: adds all-over moisture

1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup distilled water
1 tbsp vitamin E oil
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp avocado oil
1/2 tsp wheat germ oil
1 tsp liquid lecithin
1 tbsp grated beeswax

Dissolve baking soda in the water in a glass measuring cup and set aside. Mix together oils, lecithin and beeswax in another glass measuring cup. Place the oil mixture in a glass cup in a pan of water (about one to two inches of water), making a water bath. Heat the oil mixture in the water bath over medium heat until the beeswax is melted, about eight to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. When wax is melted, bring the soda-water mixture almost to boiling. (Alternative to stove-top cooking: Put the glass cup with the mixture in the microwave on high for one minute.)

Remove the oil mixture from the water bath. Slowly add the oil mixture to the water solution, stirring briskly. (You can also use a blender.) Pour the lotion in a clean jar with a lid. Wait for the lotion to cool completely (it will thicken), then massage all over body or use as a face moisturizer or eye cream.


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Yogurt Cucumber Parsley Facial Mask

Homemade Spa recipe for a creamy facial mask that leaves your skin soft and refreshed.

Ingredients

* 1 Tbsp. plain yogurt
* 1 Tbsp. cucumber
* 1 Tbsp. parsley

Directions

Puree the cucumber and parsley finely and mix with the yogurt until smooth. Clean your face with a gentle Cleanser. Cover your face with this creamy mask.

This will rejuvenate your skin as it moistens. Leave the mask on for approximately 15-20 minutes for best results. Rinse with water. Follow with your favorite Moisturizer.


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Tips for coping with mild acne and/or redness


Baking Soda Mask to Fight Acne

This is so easy to make and can work wonders if your skin likes it. (Remember, not every cause of acne is the same, so you need to try different remedies and masks until you find the ones that work for you.)

All you need are two ingredients. Baking Soda (NOT baking powder) and water.

Mix a little together in your hands after washing your face with a mild cleanser and apply gently to your skin. Once you've coated your face with the baking soda and water mix, let it sit while you do other things around the house, or relax and read a book.

Rinse the baking soda film off your face and feel how soft and clear it feels. If your skin enjoys this recipe, and your acne improves, then you may try it several times a week to help clear your acne.


Egg White Mask

This is simple and quite frugal. There have been many instances of people reporting excellent results from trying it.

Separate the yolk from the egg whites. Then whip the egg whites until it is nice and frothy. Apply it to your clean face (using clean hands). Leave on for approximately 20 minutes and wash off with warm water.

The result? Tightening of the skin, clearing of red spots.

Possible side effects? If you’re allergic to eggs, of course, avoid this one.



Egg Yolk Mask

Egg Yolks contain Vitamin A which is good for scarring. To attempt this method of acne treatment, whip up an egg yolk, apply it to your skin for 20 minutes. Wash off.

There is some discussion as to whether or not you can catch salmonella from putting egg yolk on your skin. Do a little research before trying this one.


Acne Tonic with Basil


2 to 3 teaspoons dried basil leaves
1 C. boiling water
Steep basil leaves in water for 10 to 20 minutes. Cool, then apply to face with a white cotton ball.
Blackhead Remover Mask
1/2 cup fuller's earth
1 tsp. tincture of benzoin
distilled witch hazel

Combine all ingredients and stir thoroughly. Apply the mask to your skin. Let mask dry and harden - about 30-40 minutes. Soak a small hand towel in warm water and lay it across your face.

When the mask starts to soften up, gently rub it with the towel in a circular motion. Rinse with plenty of warm water.


Sea Salt or Table Salt Mask

Swim in the ocean (or buy sea salt and make a mask). Or just gently wash with salt & water mixed.


Oatmeal Mask

Another kitchen remedy. Blend some oatmeal with water and gently spread it onto your skin. Leave it until it dries (10-15 minutes). This mask is gentle and safe.

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Homemade Tomato Skin Care Beauty Recipes


Tomatoes are one of the best ingredients for your skin (taken internally and used externally). Here is a very informative and helpful article to help you to find ways to use this powerful natural ingredient in your homemade beauty recipes.

Tomato Skin Care Recipes

Tomatoes are of great help for your skin. If you happen to go in the sun and in that span of time you get tanned, there is an easy solution. Prepare cucumber and tomato juice mixture to be applied on the affected areas of your skin. Keep it for 10 minutes; later wash it off with clean water. You will notice the difference.

Anyone can have skin rashes and the main reason for these rashes is silicon deficiency. This problem is overcome by having good amounts of sprouts, tomatoes and other vegetables and fruits.

Make a mixture of honey and tomato juice to be applied on your face and neck. Wash it off after 15 minutes and within minutes you would see a glowing face in front of the mirror.

Another recipe for glowing skin is the mixture of 2 tsp tomato juice and 4 tsp curd. Apply it well on your skin and wash it in 15 minutes to see the difference.

This recipe is for all those people who have oily skins, open pores and blackheads. Tomato has a acidic trait which also contains potassium and vitamin C which helps in cleansing the face. Rub a sliced piece of tomato on your skin and leave it for fifteen minutes. This would help the pores. Later wash it off with water.

For a good complexion spread the pulp of tomato on your face daily. Keep it for 1 hour and then wash it off with warm water. If done regularly the results will be seen.

The tomato lotion helps in shrinking the enlarged pores and this can be made by using tomato juice mixed with 2 or 3 drops of lime juice. Apply this solution on your face and then wash it off for 15 minutes.

A great recipe to remove sunburn can be made by adding 2 tsp tomato juice in 4 tbsp of buttermilk. Apply it all over your skin. Wash it off after keeping it for 1/2 hour.

You can easily make a homemade cleanser by using tomato and milk. Use tomato juice by straining the pulp and mix it with equal parts of milk. Store this in a bottle which can be refrigerated to be used everyday. Apply this on your face and neck by using your fingertips. Keep it for 10 minutes and later wash it with cold water.

[Honeylioness]

Natural Shampoo


* 1 oz. Olive oil
* 1 egg
* 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
* 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar.

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend until well combined. Use like regular shampoo. Discard any leftovers.


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Homemade Conditioner Recipe


* 1 egg yolk
* 1/2 tsp olive oil
* 3/4 cup lukewarm water

Beat the egg yolk until it's thick and white. Add the oil and mix well. Then add the water into the egg mixture and mix well. Massage into clean, damp hair. Rinse with plenty of warm water after about 10 minutes.

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Herbal Vinegar Hair Rinse


* 2 cups of cider vinegar
* 2 oz of lavender buds
* 1 tablespoon of glycerin
* 10 drops of rose geranium essential oil

Heat the vinegar to just below boiling point. Remove from heat and add the lavender buds. Pour the mixture into a jar and allow to age for a week. Strain the lavender out and add the glycerin and rose geranium. Store in the refrigerator.

Take 4 oz of your lavender vinegar and add it to 4 cups of warm water. Use this as your hair rinse.


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Natural Hair Conditioning and Build-Up Removal

Vinegar rinses can do wonders! The acidity from the vinegar helps take away built up gook stuck to the hair such as those nasty forms of silicones found in many shampoos and conditioners today, helps breaks down excess oils, and also helps remove extra glycerin from the hair that can leave hair "waxy" feeling for those that use the more natural approach of soap shampoo bars. It can also actually help condition hair by gently smoothing the hair shaft making it less prone to breakage and giving it a nice shiny appearance

Either apple cider vinegar or white vinegar will do, but many seem to prefer the apple cider. Simply take a clean empty squeeze bottle or cup and dilute with water. After shampooing your hair, evenly distribute this mixture throughout your hair while rubbing it in to make sure all the hair is covered, paying special attention to the areas closer to the scalp. (Be careful not to get any in your eyes- it will sting!) You can leave this on for just a few minutes and then give your hair one more light rinse.

If you still use regular store bought shampoos this regimen can work wonders using vinegar rinses even once every other week, but you can do this as often as necessary. Those that use shampoo bars may use it more often.

As for how much to dilute the vinegar mix, I've seen and tried all sorts of combinations. Some say to only use a tablespoon of vinegar to about one quart of water, and I've seen all the way up to 1 part vinegar and 3 part water mixes recommended. I think it's really dependent on what hair type you have and what your normal hair care regimen consists of. Your best bet is to take into consideration what length your hair is to make sure you have enough liquid to fully saturate your hair and start with a tablespoon or two of vinegar. You could experiment from there until you find what your hair likes best. You can also substitute water for other liquids such as juices, teas, or milks for the added nutritional benefits that it can give to your hair. The sky is the limit- have fun with it! And yes, we know vinegar does stink! However, the smell of the vinegar fades as is dries- usually taking other bad odors with it. Sometimes adding just a few drops of essential oils to your vinegar rinse can help

Another thing you could do is infuse the vinegar with different herbs or spices such as calendula petals, chamomile, lavender buds, rosemary, parsley, rose hips, etc- many times it will help deal with the temporary smell from the vinegar and all the ones I just mentioned are even excellent for encouraging hair growth. To infuse your vinegar, just take a large clean empty jar and fill to about two inches from the top with the herbs, flowers, or spices of your choice. I tend to prefer materials that have already been dried - using fresh herbs or flowers introduces moisture into the mix and could possibly start growing some unwelcomed ickiness into your mix! Then pour your vinegar into the jar approximately to about once inch from the top of the jar- the less air you have in there also discourages mold or other bacterial growth. Considering the acidity of the vinegar this is all highly unlikely, but it's always better to take the safer route! Store your jar in a dark place, preferably a warm spot, for about 4 to 8 weeks. Try to shake up the jar once a day, or at least as often as you can remember. When her time is up you can use anything from a strainer to cheesecloth to strain the herbs or other materials out of your infused vinegar and voilà- it's ready for use!


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Miscellaneous Ideas for Hair Care and Styling


* A few spoonfuls of baking soda added to your shampoo once per week will remove any styling products that have built up in your hair.

* Mayonnaise is a great conditioner that will leave your have soft and shiny. Apply the mayonnaise to dry hair and leave on at least 20 minutes or overnight. Shampoo and rinse well.

* Use lemon juice to create natural highlights in your hair. Apply lemon juice to select strands of hair and go out into the sun. Your hair will have beautiful highlights that cost a fraction of what you would pay in a salon.

* If you color your hair, add a bit of white vinegar to the final rinse water to condition and seal your color, making it last longer.

* Mix raw eggs and apply to damp hair as a conditioner. Leave for 5 - 10 minutes and rinse well.

* If you have thinning hair, soak your hair each day in burdock tea. This will help slow or completely stop hair loss.

[Honeylioness]

Homemade Deodorant Recipe


Many people react strongly to store-bought deodorant. What if you could make it at home, with a simple recipe? Here's how.

Deodorant

4 ounces cornstarch
2 ounces baking soda
1 ounces liquid chlorophyll
2 ounces vodka
2 ounces distilled water
8 ounces beeswax
10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil

Melt wax over very low heat in a double boiler. Mix cornstarch, baking soda, vodka, and distilled water well. Add to the melted beeswax and stir until well combined. Add chlorophyll and essential oils. Pour into mold and let it harden. Store in an airtight container.

[Honeylioness]

Homemade Recipes for Teeth Care[/u]


How can you get healthy teeth, using natural remedies from home?

Mint and Rosemary Mouthwash


2 1/2 cups distilled or mineral water
1 tsp fresh mint leaves
1tsp rosemary leaves
1 tsp anise seeds

Bring the water to a boil. Add herbs and seeds, infuse for 20 minutes. Cool, strain and use as a gargle/mouthwash.


Spearmint Mouthwash


6 ounces water
2 ounces vodka
4 teaspoons liquid glycerine
1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
10-15 drops Spearmint essential oil

Boil water and vodka, add glycerine and aloe vera gel. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. Add spearmint oil, and mix well. Pour into bottle, cap tightly.