Homemade Beauty Products

[cali]

I make my own facial scrubs, masks, moisturizers, shampoo and conditioner. It's easy, fun and cheap. Most of it is stuff from the pantry and now in almost-summer, from the garden. If you want to really get into it, a few base products, like fullers earth, carrier oils (other than olive) and bar castile soap, are a good investment.

Here's the summer non-drying toner I just made. I put it into a spritz bottle for hot, sweaty days:

(sorry, it's none too precise, but I make this stuff much as I cook- freehand, so to speak.

3 cups or so good water
herbs and flower petals- I used sweet cicely leaves,lavender, mint, rosemary, rose petals, violets, chamomile and tarragon.
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (I don't like it to smell too vinegary)
1/4 cup witch hazel
1 tbs olive oil
several drops of lavender (or other) essential oil (optional)

Bring water to a boil. Put washed herbs and flowers into a large container- I use a sturdy glass 1/2 gallon pitcher.
Let steep until luke warm.

strain (I use a largeish fine conical mesh strainer, but if you don't have one fine enough, use cheesecloth) Add remaining ingredients. Using funnel, pour into bottle, cap and shake well. I put the stuff into a small club soda bottle to use in the bathroom and into a spray bottle for use outside in the garden.

[Squinch]

1. What are your shampoo and conditioner recipes? I can't find one that I like.

Mostly I like to do these things because I don't like all the plastic packaging.

[cali]

2. for shampoo:

steep herbs and flowers (I get mine from my garden, but you could used dry and things like chamomile tea bags) in 1/2 c. boiling water for fifteen minute. Strain when cool, squeezing all the liquid out of the plant material. Add 1/3 c. liquid castile soap (I use Dr. Bronner's Lavender), 1/4 cup organic coconut milk- or make your own, 1 tsp olive oil or sweet almond oil or castor oil, a few drops essential oil of your choice.

For conditioner: I use apple cider vinegar- 1 part to 4 parts water, 1 egg yolk and rosemary oil which I make- all whisked together. Keeps well in the fridge.

[Squinch]

3. Thank you! I'm going to try these. I'll let you know how it goes.

[Curmudgeoness]

4. Ah, I love spritz in the summer!

That sounds definitely worth the effort to make it.

I only moisturize with a half/half mix of water and glycerine, which is about as easy as I can get. Luckily, I don't need it all summer but only when it cools off.

[Jovi-Balani]

5. Oh i love home made stuff!

Will try this!