I just want everyone to know how easy it is to make your own shampoo.
Sick and tired of conventional shampoos that are filled with petroleum based fragrance and sodium laurel sulfate that strips my hair, I decided to make my own.
What you will need:
1 16 ox bottle (trya dn old shampoo bottle)
16 oz of castille soap
16 oz of hot water
1-2 tea bags of favorite smelling tea
1 mug and a funnel or small-ish glass pitcher with a spout
Split the castille soap between the original bottle and the empty bottle (this means 8 oz in each bottle for you math whizs out there).
Steep tea bag(s) in hot water in the mug or pitcher for at least 20 minutes covered.
Take out the bag(s) and pour the tea over the castille soap...
Guess what! Thats It!
Easy right?
I used unscented castille soap. Warning, check the bottle because castille soap comes in a variety of scents like tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint and rose. If you like these scents, go for it.
I used Celestial Seasonings' Tension Tamer tea and a few drops each fennel and tea tree essential oils. This made an herbaceous smelling shampoo I am excited to use!
Cost?
I already have th tea and the essential oils so I'm not sure really how to factor those into the mix.
Castille soap from the local co-op was $7.48 after tax. So, really, for organic hand-made shampoo, this was super cheap, costing about the same as 2 bottles of the chemical-laden, cheap stuff from the grocery.
Showing posts with label beauty products. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beauty products. Show all posts
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Sunday, October 17, 2010
5 Ways to Go Organic
I have a new article up on Suite 101 about simple ways to live an organic lifestyle. This article is for those who have been green for some time and for people who are new to organic products and are a little overwhelmed by the whole array of green appliances, organic food and natural products.
I hope that my article, 10 Ways to Go Organic, is helpful, informative and enjoyable. I'd love to hear your comments.
I hope that my article, 10 Ways to Go Organic, is helpful, informative and enjoyable. I'd love to hear your comments.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Monthly Herbal: Tea Tree Oil Uses
My Tea tree Face Wash:
In a spray bottle I mix equal parts water and rubbing alcohol (wich hazel can be used too).
To this I add 8-10 drops pharmaceutical grade tea tree oil.
To use, I shake the bottle then spray a bit on a dry cloth.
I rub the cloth on my face in circular motion to exfoiate the skin.
The wash reduces and prevents acne as well as refreshes me after a day out, at work, or simply when waking up in the morning.
Room Cleanser
I've also read that a mix of Eucalyptus and Tea Tree oil mixed in an oil burner can rid a home of mold.
Mix a few drops of each Eucalyptus and Tea Tree (use pharmaceutical or aromatherapy grade, as always) in the bowl of an oil diffuser.
Add enough water to fill the bowl almost to the top then, light a tea-light candle beneath the bowl.
Place the diffuser in any room with mold.
These oils can also be diffused in a room where someone is sick or to cleans the air in a new house or a room that has been uninhabited for some time.
Essential Energy has a few oil mixes that include Tea Tree oil.
Rejuvenating Blend: boosting the immune system as well as bringing clarity to the mind, this blend is great for an instant pick-me-up or long-term rejuvenation.
2 drops each eucalyptus, tea tree and geranium with 1 drop sage oil in a carrier of primrose oil or grape seed oil for massage or bath.
Traveler's Best Friend Blend: every traveler knows the perils of traveling without a fully equipped medicine kit. This blend is the perfect companion for adventurers, a trusty cure-all for those icky things you pick up on the road towards nirvana.
2 drops each lavender and tea tree with 1 drop each peppermint and basil in a carrier of grape seed or wheatgerm oil for baths.
(Use tea tree as a general topical antiseptic)
In a spray bottle I mix equal parts water and rubbing alcohol (wich hazel can be used too).
To this I add 8-10 drops pharmaceutical grade tea tree oil.
To use, I shake the bottle then spray a bit on a dry cloth.
I rub the cloth on my face in circular motion to exfoiate the skin.
The wash reduces and prevents acne as well as refreshes me after a day out, at work, or simply when waking up in the morning.
Room Cleanser
I've also read that a mix of Eucalyptus and Tea Tree oil mixed in an oil burner can rid a home of mold.
Mix a few drops of each Eucalyptus and Tea Tree (use pharmaceutical or aromatherapy grade, as always) in the bowl of an oil diffuser.
Add enough water to fill the bowl almost to the top then, light a tea-light candle beneath the bowl.
Place the diffuser in any room with mold.
These oils can also be diffused in a room where someone is sick or to cleans the air in a new house or a room that has been uninhabited for some time.
Essential Energy has a few oil mixes that include Tea Tree oil.
Rejuvenating Blend: boosting the immune system as well as bringing clarity to the mind, this blend is great for an instant pick-me-up or long-term rejuvenation.
2 drops each eucalyptus, tea tree and geranium with 1 drop sage oil in a carrier of primrose oil or grape seed oil for massage or bath.
Traveler's Best Friend Blend: every traveler knows the perils of traveling without a fully equipped medicine kit. This blend is the perfect companion for adventurers, a trusty cure-all for those icky things you pick up on the road towards nirvana.
2 drops each lavender and tea tree with 1 drop each peppermint and basil in a carrier of grape seed or wheatgerm oil for baths.
(Use tea tree as a general topical antiseptic)
Monday, July 12, 2010
Herbal Beauty Products
Herbalism isn't all medical and learning where wild plants grow. Most herbalists are female and they like to look pretty just like any other woman.
Herbs and oils can be used to create beuty and bath products. Many bath and body products found at the mall or superstore are filled with chemicals I can't pronounce much less know if they'll harm my sensitive skin or worse. By making my own products, I know what is going into the product and into my body (remember that 80% of what goes on the skin goes into the body).
Luckily enough, I not only found recipes online on how to make everything from lip balm to shampoo but also videos, mostly through Mountain Rose Herbs (where you can find many of the needed ingredients) and Herb Mentor.
Bath Salts
Bath salts are a great way to relax after a hard day. They make your skin feel soft and smooth and often are mixed iwth scented oils that help you relax both mind and body.
To make your own you will need:
A cup each of White Kaolin Cosmetic Clay, Sea Salt, and Dead Sea Salt. A half cup each of Epsom Salts, Borax (be careful that you get borax that has not been mixed with unsafe chemicals like bleach and other toxins), and Baking Soda. 1 teaspoon Lavender Oil (or whatever oil you find most relaxing).
Lip Balm
Everyone has used lip balm and I feel that a natural lip balm is doubly important because not only am I taking in the 80% that seeps into my skin but I also have a tendency to bite my lips so I am also eating whatever I put on them. There are many companies that make natural lip balm but they are also $1+ a tube! In the video below, you can see how to make dozens of tubes in one go which you can store up yourself or share with others in a much more economical way.
To make your own you will need:
2 ounces of Bees Wax, 1 cup of Calendula infused Sweet Almond Oil (or just the almond oil, or the almond oil infused with whatever herb you desire), 1 teaspoon of Anise seed oil (or another essential oil you prefer).
Herbal Shampoo
Herbal Essences smells good and has a memorable commercial but there's nothign truely natural about this product. The perks of making your own shampoo include being able to choose the scents you prefer as well as knowning that all the products are natural.
To make the Herb Mentor shampoo recipe you’ll need:
8 oz distilled water
2 teaspoons of dried rosemary
2 teaspoons of dried rose petals
3 ounces liquid castile soap
3 Tablespoon aloe vera gel
¼ teaspoon of jojoba oil
30 drops of pure rosemary essential oil
This video is not an Herb Mentor Video but one based on the recipe from Rosemary Gladstar. I like this video not only for the pretty music included but because it includes oil combos for oily hair, dry hair, blonde hair, etc.
There are tons of different recipes and way to make your own beauty products online or in books. Just do a simple search on Google or even YouTube to find how-to videos. I have found videos on how to make everything from perfume kits to face and body creams. Most importantly, have fun and be healthy!
Love and Light
Happy Chick
Herbs and oils can be used to create beuty and bath products. Many bath and body products found at the mall or superstore are filled with chemicals I can't pronounce much less know if they'll harm my sensitive skin or worse. By making my own products, I know what is going into the product and into my body (remember that 80% of what goes on the skin goes into the body).
Luckily enough, I not only found recipes online on how to make everything from lip balm to shampoo but also videos, mostly through Mountain Rose Herbs (where you can find many of the needed ingredients) and Herb Mentor.
Bath Salts
Bath salts are a great way to relax after a hard day. They make your skin feel soft and smooth and often are mixed iwth scented oils that help you relax both mind and body.
To make your own you will need:
A cup each of White Kaolin Cosmetic Clay, Sea Salt, and Dead Sea Salt. A half cup each of Epsom Salts, Borax (be careful that you get borax that has not been mixed with unsafe chemicals like bleach and other toxins), and Baking Soda. 1 teaspoon Lavender Oil (or whatever oil you find most relaxing).
Lip Balm
Everyone has used lip balm and I feel that a natural lip balm is doubly important because not only am I taking in the 80% that seeps into my skin but I also have a tendency to bite my lips so I am also eating whatever I put on them. There are many companies that make natural lip balm but they are also $1+ a tube! In the video below, you can see how to make dozens of tubes in one go which you can store up yourself or share with others in a much more economical way.
To make your own you will need:
2 ounces of Bees Wax, 1 cup of Calendula infused Sweet Almond Oil (or just the almond oil, or the almond oil infused with whatever herb you desire), 1 teaspoon of Anise seed oil (or another essential oil you prefer).
Herbal Shampoo
Herbal Essences smells good and has a memorable commercial but there's nothign truely natural about this product. The perks of making your own shampoo include being able to choose the scents you prefer as well as knowning that all the products are natural.
To make the Herb Mentor shampoo recipe you’ll need:
8 oz distilled water
2 teaspoons of dried rosemary
2 teaspoons of dried rose petals
3 ounces liquid castile soap
3 Tablespoon aloe vera gel
¼ teaspoon of jojoba oil
30 drops of pure rosemary essential oil
This video is not an Herb Mentor Video but one based on the recipe from Rosemary Gladstar. I like this video not only for the pretty music included but because it includes oil combos for oily hair, dry hair, blonde hair, etc.
There are tons of different recipes and way to make your own beauty products online or in books. Just do a simple search on Google or even YouTube to find how-to videos. I have found videos on how to make everything from perfume kits to face and body creams. Most importantly, have fun and be healthy!
Love and Light
Happy Chick
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