DIY Natural Eye Makeup Remover

We all know how important it is cleanse your face and neck before bedtime. Removing makeup and impurities from our crazy day time routine. One never what’s to wake up with raccoon eyes with without a good reason. Right? Which I remember would often happen in my teenage years.

The eye makeup removers available in the stores are packed with nasty chemicals, plus they are not cheap, so I have a great DIY recipe that I’m sharing with you! The best part is that It’s inexpensive, natural and super simple.

DIY Natural Eye Makeup Remover

Cotton Pads

Organic Coconut Oil

1. Place a small amount of coconut oil on your finger tips.
2. Gentle rub the coconut on your eyelashes, to take off your mascara and eye shadow.
3. Gently wipe your eyes with a damp cotton pad.
4. Enjoy your make free moisturized eyelids and eyelashes.

I hope that you have enjoyed this post and thanks for stopping by.

Do you have any eco-friendly skincare tips to share?

Smiles, Paula

{ Follow Me on Pinterest } Paula Parrish

Witch Hazel and Skincare

Witch hazel is something that I like to keep on hand in my home because it is so versatile.  It is produced from the leaves and bark of the North American Witch Hazel shrub, and it has a long history of being used by American Indians.  Witch hazel is a wonderful botanical extract that is very healing to the skin.

Here are a few natural uses for witch hazel.

Eye Treatment

I keep a bottle of witch hazel chilled in the refrigerator.  When my eyes are feeling tired from reading or staring at the computer screen.  I soak two cotton pads in the chilled witch hazel, lie down, cover both of my eye lids, and relax for 5 minutes.

Facial Cleansing

I like to wet a soft cotton cosmetic round with witch hazel and wipe my face with it to cleanse.  I am always shock on how much dirt is collectioned on the pad after I wipe my face.  Witch hazel has a wonderful ability to clean skin pores and dry up excessive oil without leaving skin too dry.

Acne Treatment

Witch hazel is a amazing acne treatment because it is strong astringent and has antioxidant properties.  Simply apply witch hazel directly on your to the acne affected skin twice a day using a cotton ball or pad.

Sunburn Remedy

Apply witch hazel to a washcloth and gently pat on your sunburned skin. Witch hazel will help soothe the burn and prevent peeling.

Cold Sore Treatment

Witch Hazel can be applied on a cold sore when you feel it coming on most times this will prevent it from becoming a blister, or speed up healing.

Treats Bug Bites

Witch hazel has anti-itch and anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it ideal to treating bug bites.  Apply the witch hazel with a cotton ball, then dab directly on the bite.

Heals Cuts

Witch hazel can be a substitute for hydrogen peroxide, neosporin, or rubbing alcohol when it comes to cleaning out a cut. Pour some witch hazel over the cut or sore and allow it to dry, apply a bandage and you’re set.

Witch hazel is inexpensive and natural product that is good to keep on hand.
I hope that this post has help become aware of other practical uses for witch hazel?

Smiles, Paula

{ Follow Me on Pinterest } Paula Parrish

DIY Pink Clay Body Scrub

As many of you know I am obsessed with making homemade bath and beauty products.  One of my latest passions is working with natural clays.  I have been experimenting with french green clay, pink clay and bentonite clay.  I love using clays on my skin because of their super purifying qualities.  Natural clays draw out excess dirt from deep down in the skin plus they tighten and revitalize the skin.  Here is a recipe for my DIY Pink Clay Body Scrub.  Whip up this spa treatment at home and enjoy in the shower.  To use simply by  rubbing it all over your body in a circular motion and rinse with warm water.

This body scrub is suitable for all skin types from normal, sensitive and mature skin.  Caution!  This body scrub has the ability to revitalize your skin, promotes essence, firmness, elasticity, and many have a smoothing effect.  This homemade scrub is also wonderful to increase your circulation and repair sun damaged skin.

Pink clay is rich in minerals, iron, and trace elements that act in improving elasticity, decreasing sagging and the appearance of ageing.  If your scrub is a bit runny in consistency, feel free to add more sugar to thicken your scrub as desired.  I sometimes add dried and crushed rose petals or lavender buds.

I love the feeling of this body scrub because it is super foaming and bubbly with the castile liquid soap added.  It leaves my skin feeling super clean, soft and firm.

I hope you enjoy this blog post, thank you for checking it out.

Smiles, Paula

{ Follow Me on Pinterest } Paula Parrish

Lemonade Body Scrub

Lemonade is just one of those things that signifies summertime.  During the hot summer months I often find myself reaching for a tall ice cold glass of lemonade.  While sipping on my lemonade, I started thinking about how to make a Lemonade Body Scrub.  A perfect lemony coconut body scrub for the summertime.  The ideal treatment to keep our skin in awesome condition for the beach and pool.  As I am writing this post the “Lemonade, Crunchy Ice” song keeps popping into my head over and over again.

Lemonade, crunchy ice.

Beat it once, beat it twice.

Lemonade, crunchy ice.

Beat it once, beat it twice.

Turn around, touch the ground, FREEZE.

No denying it, I am a Mom. ;o)

Lemonade Body Scrub Recipe

Ingredients:

¼ Cup of Sugar

¼ Cup of Salt

2 Tablespoons of Coconut Oil

1 Tablespoon of Honey

1 Tablespoon of Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice

1 Tablespoon of Fresh Lemon Peel

A Few Drops of Lemon Essential Oil

½ Tablespoon of Calendula Petal Powder

Directions:

In a small bowl mix up the honey, lemon juice, lemon peel, essential oil and calendula petal powder.  Once the first ingredients are completely combined toss in the sugar and salt, and mix well.

How To Use:

Gently Massage a quarter size amount of this homemade scrub into different areas of your body in the circular motion.  Rinse well with warm water.  Repeat this treatment once a week.

The calendula flower has orange and yellow petals. Sometimes it is referred to as marigold.  I added the calendula petal powder to this scrub as a natural yellow colorant, and because it is wonderful for the skin.  Calendula petals are wonderful for stimulating collagen production, hydrating skin, and reducing the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles.

I hope that you give this scrub a try, and enjoy the delicate summery scent.  This lemony scrub is sure to reveal your skin's true radiance.
Smiles, Paula

{ Follow Me On Pinterest  } Paula Parrish

Knock Off Calamine Lotion

Summertime will soon be upon us, Woo Who.  To me summer begins when the school year ends, and summer vacation starts.  According to the calendar the official start of summer is around June 20th.  Anywho?  Who doesn’t love summertime!  Filled with trips to the beach, sunny skies, lazy days, vacations, water fun, warm weather, and memories.

I have put together a list of Summertime must-haves.  First up, a big floppy beach hat, a maxi dress, a fun pair of sunglasses, water toys, natural bug spray, sunblock, and of course calamine lotion.  Well before you dart off to the store here is a recipe for my knock off calamine lotion.

Knock Off Calamine Lotion Recipe

Ingredients:

¼ Cup of Zinc Oxide

4 Teaspoons of Bentonite Clay

4 Teaspoons of Baking Soda

¼ Cup of Distilled Water

½ Teaspoon of Vegetable Glycerin

3 Drops of Lavender Essential Oil

2 Drops of Peppermint Essential Oil

1 Drop of Tea Tree Essential Oil

Pink Food Coloring (optional)

Directions:

Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until smooth.  Store in a small jar with a tight fitting lid.

I will be taking this with me when I go visit my Mom and Dad at their lake house in Kentucky this July.

What are your summertime plans?

Smiles, Paula

{ Follow Me On Pinterest  } Paula Parrish

DIY Bubbly Bath Salts

The holidays are quickly approaching, and I love giving homemade gifts.

How about whipping up some amazing Bubbly Bath Salts.

They make perfect holidays gifts.

Package this Bubbly Bath Salt in fun containers,

along with a washcloth, and tie with a ribbon.

This do it yourself recipe combines the fun of a bubble bath

with the relaxing muscle power of bath salts.

DIY Bubbly Bath Salts

Ingredients:
6 Cups of Kosher Salt
¾ Cup of Liquid Soap
1 Tablespoon of Sweet Almond Oil
1 to 2 Drops of Jasmine Essential Oil
3 to 4 Drops of Food Coloring (optional)
Instructions:
Stir the soap, oils, and food coloring together.  Evenly pour over the salt, and stir until the salt is evenly coated.  Spread bath salt out in a thin layer on a cookie sheet covered with wax paper, and allow it to air dry overnight.  Pack into a glass container of your choice.
Directions:
To use, pour ¼ cup of the salt under running water while drawing a bath. Relax in the tub and enjoy!
Tips:

• Bathing with bath salts stimulates circulation, and hydrates your skin.
• Use mini jars, create a fun pack of three bath salts in different scents.
• Bath salts can open your pores to purify your skin, cleansing away dirt, sweat, and unwanted toxins.
• Enjoy the full benefits of the aromatherapy powers of essential oils.
• Make some lavender bath salt to relax and ease nervous tension.

Thank you to all of you that have taken the time

to stop by my little piece of the internet.

I hope that you enjoyed your visit and will stop back by often.

Remember, I would love to hear from you, so leave me a comment below.

Smiles, Paula

{ Follow Me on Pinterest } Paula Parrish

September's Giveaway Winner

I love fall.  Today is the 1st,

and that lovely month of October is officially upon us,

we can’t wait to pull out those cozy sweaters,

enjoy some yummy pumpkin pie,

and take long walks around my neighborhood.

In celebrating the mark of a new month,

it is time to announce last month’s blog giveaway winner.

You won a bottle of my Revitalizing Facial Toner

and my Shea Butter Facial Lotion

for naturally beautiful skin.

Congratulations Sue!

Thank you to everyone who entered!

If you didn't win this one, no worries there are

plenty more monthly giveaways to come.

Smiles, Paula

DIY Good Morning Facial Cleanser

This gentle natural cleanser exfoliates and soothes, and firms the skin.

Using this homemade cleanser is the perfect way

to say “Good Morning” to the world.

Made with three simple household ingredients, and easy to mix up.

DIY Good Morning Facial Cleanser
Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons of Whole Organic Oats
2 Tablespoons of Powdered Soy Milk or Cow’s Milk
1 Tablespoon of Organic Sweet Almond Oil or Organic Olive Oil
Instructions:
Hand crush whole oats or grind in a coffee grinder. Combine all three ingredients in a small bowl, and mix well.
Application:
Place a small amount in the palm of your hand, mix with tap water until desired consistency. Then simply rub it on your face in a circular motion.  Leave on your face for about five to ten minutes, or until dry.  Rinse off with soft cloth and warm water.
Storage:
Store in a tight sealed container in the refrigerator for a few days.
Tips:

• Oatmeal is the gentlest way to cleanse your face.
• Oatmeal is inexpensive and a very effective cleanser.
• Natural oats soften the skin, making it super duper silky smooth.
• Milk is a treasure of many vital nutrients, which benefit your skin.
• Milk helps hydrate, alleviate redness, and prevents irritated skin.

Thanks to everyone for stopping by and reading my blog.

I love sharing my knowledge of green skincare,

and random chronicles of my life.

If you are not already following along, don't forget to "join my blog".

You will find the button on my sidebar at the top right.....See it?

Click on it and follow along.

I love seeing that I have new followers!

;o)

Smiles, Paula

{ Follow Me on Pinterest } Paula Parrish

DIY Spicy Men’s Cologne

For a while now I have been on the lookout for a cologne for my hubby.  I just was not pleased with the cologne that I found in the store, plus I have concerns about the ingredients. I am a true believer in the emotional and well being benefits of essential oils.  Plus I avoid products with artificial {man made} fragrance at all cost.  I love to smell my hubby with this light, natural, spicy and manly scent.

DIY Spicy Men’s Cologne
Ingredients:
1 Cup of Plain Vodka
1 Cup of Witch Hazel
1 Tablespoon of Vegetable Glycerin
Blend a drop or two of each of the following Essential Oils;
Rosemary
Peppermint
Cinnamon
Clove
Orange
Lemon
Spearmint
Instructions:
Combine all of the ingredients and vigorously shake in a mason jar with lid.  Wha-La done.
How to Use:
Dab a small amount behind each ear every morning, or as desired.
Storage:
Store in a small bottle with a tight fitting lid, use within six months.
Tips:

• I love to dab a small amount of organic extract behind my ears as a natural perfume.
• A woodsy or citrusy aroma which will retains its scent for hours without becoming too powerful, and is perfect for men to use as a cologne.
• Vodka is a wonderful carrier oil.  Use high quality 80 to 100 proof vodka is virtually odorless, making it a good choice for an essential oil carrier in homemade natural perfumes.
• Sandalwood essential oil alone makes a awesome men’s cologne. Add about 10 drops to the vodka, witch hazel and vegetable glycerin mixer.

I hope that you enjoy my easy homemade recipes to make your own natural and organic skincare products.
Smiles, Paula

DIY Cold Cream Recipe

Thinking about all of the options to use on my face for skin care?  Wondering if maybe it was easier for generations past, when there were only fewer opportunities to be pampered {no facials or spas}, but also fewer products and lotions.  Do you remember Cold Cream?  It was cold cream to take off makeup, cold cream to moisturize, cold cream to wear overnight on your face with hair curlers, and you would be a 50's or 60’s stereotype housewife.  My grandmother Lela was no exception, she loved her cold cream. She continued using it into and beyond her 70s.  I must say her face always looked truly amazing soft, supple, and youthful.  So what's in cold cream?  It's a blend of fats and oils, and it usually includes some type of scent.  Cold cream is wonderful for soothing dry skin.
DIY Cold Cream
Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons of Organic Sunflower Oil
1 Cup of Pure Vegetable Shortening {no lard}
½ Teaspoon of Lavender Essential Oil

Directions:
Mix all of the ingredients together with a hand mixer. Store in a container with a tight fitting lid.

How to Use:
To remove makeup, spread a thin layer on your face, allow it to sit for a moment, and then wipe off with a soft cloth. Cold cream can also be left on overnight; for example, rub it into your face before bed, washing it off in the morning.  It can also be used to treat dry skin spots, rub into feet, elbows, or hands.
Storage:
Cold cream keeps best at room temperature in a tight sealed container.
Tips:

• The oils in cold creams can leave skin feeling greasy. People with oily skin may want to take a pass on cold cream.
• Cold cream is the ultimate all in one cleanser, makeup remover, and moisturizer.
• Cold cream is very easy and inexpensive to make at home.
• People with very dry skin, or who suffer from extremely dry flaky patches.  Cold cream can be a absolution God sent.
• For this skin care recipe ingredients search for the highest quality products and use organic ingredients whenever possible.

If you make up a batch of this cold cream?  I would love to hear from you, and just what you think of the recipe.
Thanks for stopping by visiting.
Smiles, Paula