DIY Tinted Mint Lip Gloss

It is now that time of the year when the cold weather hits, and our lips seem to get dry and chapped. Nobody likes to have rough, dry or chapped lips. So today we are making some homemade lip gloss. Let’s get busy!
Beware!  This lip balm will make your lips super soft, moisturized, and totally kissable, just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Making your own lip gloss may seem really complex, right? Wrong! It is fairly simple and inexpensive to make lip balm at home. It would be complicated if you were adding tons of chemicals like the store bought brands.  My homemade lip gloss is made of all natural ingredients, smells fantastic and is edible.

DIY Tinted Mint Lip Gloss
Ingredients:
1 Tablespoon of Coconut Oil
1 Teaspoon Sweet Almond Oil
1 Tablespoon Cocoa Butter
1 Teaspoon of Beeswax
1/2 Teaspoon of Cocoa Powder
1/2 Teaspoon of Powdered Mineral Makeup
2 Drops of Vitamin E Oil
1-2 Drops Peppermint Essential Oil
Instructions:
Place coconut oil, sweet almond oil, cocoa butter and beeswax in a small microwave safe glass container. Then carefully melt in the microwave.  Using a small spoon or spatula, slowly add the cocoa powder, mineral makeup, and vitamin E oil.  Let the mixture cool for a few minutes, then drop in the peppermint essential oil.  Stir well, and pour into small containers of your choice.
Directions:
Apply with your finger or a small brush on your lips.
Tips:

• Coconut oil is soothing and healing on the lips.
• Cocoa butter and  vitamin E oil can be found at most drugstores or health food stores.
• The peppermint essential oil will give your lips a cooling and refreshing feeling.
• Peppermint is also know to help plump up the lips, so you will look great.
• If you feel that this lip gloss recipe is runny, simply remelt and add more beeswax.

I hope that you enjoy this do it yourself lip gloss recipe.
Smiles, Paula

{ Follow Me On Pinterest  } Paula Parrish

DIY Blueberry Face Mask

I believe in the power of feeding your skin,

just like you feed your body with healthy food.

I have truly found that I have everything I need, it is right

in my own kitchen to help keep my skin beautiful and healthy.

I love blueberries,  I often enjoy them on my oatmeal and yogurt.

Did you know?

Blueberries are packed with powerful antioxidants

that are wonderful for the skin.

Antioxidants target free radicals,

which can wreak havoc on your skin.

By using this fresh blueberry face mask, you’ll improve

your skin tone and prevent signs of aging.

It smells super yummy, when applied to your face.

DIY Blueberry Face Mask

Ingredients:
8 to 10 Blueberries
1 Tablespoon of Plain Yogurt
1 Tablespoon of Lemon Juice
Instructions:
Mash or blend the blueberries, then stir in the yogurt and lemon juice.
Directions:
To use, after cleansing, spread the entire mixture over your face and neck.  Leave on for about 15 minutes, then rinse well with warm water and pat your face dry.
Tips:

• You can use frozen blueberries.
• Blueberries tighten the skin, and reduces lines or wrinkles.
• Blueberries are known to Improve skin tone, texture, lines and give one a younger appearance.

Thanks for following along with me on my journey exploring

wholesome living, nourishing foods,

and natural alternatives to skin care.

The wonderful thing is that all of my DIY recipes

are made for just pennies on the dollar.

Don’t you just love being frugal?

Smiles, Paula


 { Follow Me on Pinterest } Paula Parrish

DIY Fizzie Bath Bombs

I love homemade bath fizzies. There is something magical and captivating about watching it fizz and bubble away down into the bath water. They seem to take on a new life once it hits the water.  They fizz, hiss, and melt, leaving the fantastic smell of essential oils, and at the same time the natural oil leaves your skin smooth, soft and super moisturized. It was a beautiful thing, plus super fun at the same time.

DIY Bath Bomb Recipe
Ingredients:

• 1 cup Citric Acid
• 1 cup Baking Soda
• ½ cup Cornstarch
• ½ cup of Sweet Almond Oil, Olive Oil, or Sunflower Oil
• 5 to 8 Drops of Essential Oil (of your choice)
• Spray Bottle filled with Distilled Water
• Soy Food Coloring (optional)

Instructions:

• In a bowl, place citric acid, baking soda, cornstarch and mix, then add the oil.
• Add your choice of essential oil.
• Mix well with a fork, then with your hands until a soft dough is formed.
• If you find that the mixture is too crumbly, spray with tiny bit of water to moisten.
• Knead into a ball, the consistency should be like soft biscuit dough.
• Press the soft dough into any molds of your choice.

Tips:

• You can add colored epson salt, oatmeal, dried herbs or flowers into the bottom of the molds for an extra special touch. Sprinkle in just before pressing the dough into the mold.
• Silicone baking molds work the best.
• Customize your scent to take full advantage of aromatherapy benefits. Lavender essential oil will bring calm and comfort. Peppermint essential oil increases energy and clears your mind.

I made one batch of eucalyptus fizzies to keep on hand, which is a great choice during allergy season and if anyone is feeling a bit of congestion. I also created a batch of jasmine fizzies with jasmine petals from our yard. Jasmine essential oil is known to have a uplifting effect on the mind and fights depression anxiety and stress.

If you simply don’t have the time, or don’t wish to make this bath bombs at home. I have handmade bath bombs available for purchase on my website.
Natural Garden Soaps Bath Bombs

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and visiting my blog.
Smiles, Paula

DIY Hand Sanitizer

Using hand sanitizer has become super popular these days. Everywhere you look there seems to be a sanitizer dispenser ready to be used. Everyone that I know keeps a small bottle in their car or purse. I love to take a trip to the mall with my daughter Destiny, picking through the endless bottles of fun hand sanitizers at Bath and Body Works. However, store bought sanitizers can be expensive and often contain harsh chemicals. We have decided to make my own hand sanitizer which is more affordable, safe and fun to boot.

To make your own hand sanitizer, you will need to purchase just a few ingredients. All of the ingredients in this mixture are safe and natural. If you are also concerned about the ingredients or just want create delightful glittery colors and scents, you can make your own hand sanitizer. It's extremely simple and super duper fun to create your own customized scents to suit your nose. Let go, grab the ingredients, and make some hand sanitizer!

Hand Sanitizer Recipe

Ingredients:

1 Cup of 100% Aloe Vera Gel
6 Tablespoons of Witch Hazel
2 Tablespoons of Rubbing Alcohol (optional)
1 Drop of Tea Tree Essential Oil
4 to 8 Drops of Jasmine Essential Oil (or scent of your choice)
Pink Glitter (optional)
Soy Based Pink Food Coloring (optional)
Instructions:
Here's what you do... first gather your materials together. Then mix the aloe vera gel, witch hazel, and rubbing alcohol together until well blended. Add 4-8 drops of essential oil to the mixture, and stir well. Just for fun add glitter and food coloring. Pour the finished hand sanitizer into an empty container.
Directions:
Once applied, just rub your hands together until the moisture evaporates and the stickiness vanishes.
Whaa-laa! Done!

Tips:

• Many essential oils like tea tree, lemongrass, lemon, cedarwood, clove, peppermint and lavender have antibacterial properties. Use one of these essential oils to boost the germ fighting power of your sanitizer.
• If you find the consistency to be too thin, add more witch hazel or rubbing alcohol a teaspoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
• Destiny and I love anything that is sparkly; so we love adding a pop of glitter to our hand sanitizers. 
• Recycle old liquid soap or hand sanitizer bottles, and refill them again and again.
• Witch hazel, tea tree oil both have antiseptic and astringent properties which make them great for killing germs.
• If you feel your sanitizer is a bit to sticky, simply add a bit more rubbing alcohol.
• If you would like to avoid use rubbing alcohol, simple omit it from the recipe.
• The aloe vera gel will help soothe skin and keep skin from drying out.

Ooooooo, I love our new hand sanitizers with different intoxicating scents and super fun sparkly colors.
Thanks to all of you for following along with my blog. If you would like to see more DIY recipes stop back by often. If you are not following along, please consider becoming a new follower. It would make me gloriously happy. :o)
Smiles, Paula

{ Follow Me on Pinterest } Paula Parrish

{ Brown Sugar Body Scrub }

When I discovered this body scrub recipe that is so extremely easy and inexpensive to make, I knew that I had to share it with others.  For sometime now I have been sharing it as make-n-takes at Natural Garden Soaps events.  Everyone loves it, so today I decided to share it here on my blog.

This scrub is invigorating and a gentle moisturizing treatment.  Pure brown sugar blended with olive oil results in an entirely natural and stimulating exfoliation.  This fresh scrub with it’s restorative, antibacterial properties of sugar to bring you one of the sweetest home spa experiences ever.  Plus it smells so yummy like a Orange Creamsicle.

Orange Creamsicle

Brown Sugar Body Scrub Recipe
⅔ Cup of Brown Sugar
⅓ Cup of Olive Oil
10 Drops of Vitamin E
5 Drops of Orange Essential Oil
5 Drops of Organic Vanilla Extract
1 Tablespoon Honey, optional for dry skin
Mix olive oil, vitamin e, essential oil and extract in a jar.  Add brown sugar and mix well.

How To Use:

After you’ve washed up in the shower or tub, right before you step out, apply scrub on your skin and rub onto your skin in a circular motion.  It buffs away dead skin cells and leaves a new soft layer of skin.  Once you’ve scrubbed all over, rinse off any excess sugar.  Your left with soft, smooth and moisturized skin.  Can be used daily.  Caution: the oil in the sugar scrub can cause the tub or shower to become slippery.

Tips:

Feel free to substitute any essential oils that you would like to use. You can also use jojoba oil, sweet almond oil or avocado oil as a base if you choose.  The sugar will separate a bit from the oil, but that’s normal, don’t add more, just stir it up a little every time you use it.  This scrubs make great holiday gifts.
What body scrub have you made at home?

Smiles, Paula

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August’s Blog Giveaway!

I am giving away this Handmade Soap Gift Set.

To enter leave a comment on any post during the month of August to WIN this gift set.

Gift set includes a handmade soap bar of your choice,

a super soft crocheted washcloth and a handcrafted soap dish.

Good Luck!

Drawing will be August 31st!
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