1st Adorned From Above Blog Hop and Jasmine Natural Face and Body Wash

Welcome to Blast From The Past Saturday.  Every Saturday I will be posting a previously published post, in order to take my weekends off.

Debi

===Originally posted May 29, 2012===

Today is the first week that I am doing a Tuesday Blog Hop, called Adorned From Above Blog Hop 1. The next Monday I will feature some of your great ideas in my post.

Your posts can include:

• anything DIY
• Recipes
• Arts and Crafts
• Book Reviews and Movie Reviews
• Knitting and Crochet Ideas and Patterns
• DIY Cleaning Solutions
• Natural Beauty Product Recipes
• Decorating Ideas
• Thrifting

Bloggers, use the linky tool on the bottom of this post to share your best post. Non-bloggers, feel free to add a comment here with any ideas or thoughts you have.

Please link your posts back to my blog hop. Linking back here helps build our little community by sending your readers to all of the other posts shared.  Just create a text link somewhere in your post back to this blog.

Jasmine Face Wash and Ingredients

Now on to my favorite natural Jasmine Face and Body Wash Recipe.

I started making this face wash in February, and it is a great all purpose face wash.  It even removes makeup.  I was looking for something simple and natural, since I have skin allergies.  I also wanted something that did not have chemicals.  I looked at many recipes, and eventually decided to just make something that would clean my face and still moisturize my skin a little. It also works great as a body wash.

Jasmine Natural Face and Body Wash

Print Screen

8 oz Dr. Bonner's Baby-Mild Castille Soap

8 oz distilled water

1 TB Almond oil

20 drops jasmine fragrance

10 drops geranium essential oil

Put all ingredients in a bowl and whisk together.  Then pour into a pump bottle.

Rinse face with water and then use 1 squirt of face wash and start washing face.   I wash my face for approximately 1 minute, concentrating around my nose, chin, and forehead, then rinse well.

You can use a toner after if you like to close your pores, and then moisturize.  You can use my Anti-Aging Moisturizer.  The link is below.

Natural Anti-Aging Face Cream Link

Natural Shave Soap

 Welcome to Blast From The Past Saturday.  Every Saturday I will be posting a previously published post, in order to take my weekends off.

Debi 

===Originally posted May 16, 2012===

This recipe goes along with the Pre-Shave Oil that I posted May 4, 2012 .  I originally made my son the shave cream that I have made from the Frugal Granola Blog, and that shave cream is great.  I decided that I would try to make shave soap and put it in a mug since he uses a brush to put his shaving cream on his face.  My son, Vince, has been kind enough to show us how great this shave soap works.

Pre-Shave Oil

I looked through many recipes and didn't really find anything that I thought would work, so I decided to experiment.  I knew that I did not want to used glycerin soap, since it does not seem to lather as well in shaving cream, it seems to get gummy ( I found that out the hard way making Jillee's Shave Cream).  So I decided that I was going to use Dr. Bonner's Baby-Mild Pure Castille Soap.  I also wanted to use Coconut Oil since it works well on his face.  I also added some essential oils.  When I write the recipe below, I will give the measurements

Next I tried to melt the soap and the coconut oil on the stove.  That did not work at all.  So I took it out of the pot and put it in the mug to heat in the microwave.  Now here is the tricky part.  You can only put it in the microwave for about 20 seconds at a time.  You must keep a close eye on it, because as I found out, it will boil over and make a huge mess.  It will not look smooth and great in the mug, but it works great, as you will see in the pictures.

Natural Shave Soap Recipe

1 bar Dr. Bonner's Unscented Baby-Mild Pure Castille Soap grated

2 TB coconut butter

2 TB distilled water

5 drops tea tree oil

5 drops bergamot essential oil

3 drops lemon essential oil

Put the soap, coconut oil, and distilled water into a double boiler to start  to heat and melt as best as you can.  It seems to form a ball, and not melt well, which is okay.  Once it is semi soft, take off of the heat, and add the tea tree, the bergamot, and the lemon essential oil mix with a spoon.

Then put into the mug that you are going to use it in.  Then put it in the microwave for about 20 seconds at a time.  Take it out and stir, then put back in.  It will probably take a minute at most.  Push down from the sides of the mug and smooth out in the bottom of the mug, as best as you can.

Let it cool down, and it is ready to use.

Here are pictures of how well this Natural Shave Soap works.

Applying Natural Shave Soap

Finishing Applying Natural Shave Soap

Shaving

Clean Shaven Face

I would love to hear your ideas on this Natural Shave Soap.  Tell me what you think, and what you think can be done better.

Have fun and enjoy,

Debi

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Honey and Beeswax Lip Balm Blast From The Past Saturday

Welcome to Blast From The Past Saturday.  Every Saturday I will be posting a previously published post, in order to take my weekends off.
Debi 

===Originally posted May 9, 2012===

I have been making this lip balm since January.  I absolutely love this stuff.  I have them all over my house, and I have given them to everyone in the office, even the guys.  My son uses it, my husband and daughter uses it.  My friend that I share an office love the stuff and keeps trying to get me to sell it.  I am just happy giving it away.

The ingredients in this balm are simple and wonderful for your lips.  It has honey, which is a natural humectant  (attracts moisture).  It not only moisturizes your lips, but it also helps remove the dead skin.  Somewhere along the way I read that if you put straight honey on your dry, chapped lips at night, all of the dead skin will be gone by morning.  It also has coconut oil a natural emollient, and beeswax which has natural fatty acids and is a thickener.  Very simple and great for your lips, and tastes good enough to eat.

Lip Balm Recipe

1 1/2 tsp coconut oil
1 1/2 tsp raw unfiltered honey
1/4 oz beeswax

Melt all ingredients together over low heat in a small saucepan.  Once melted, remove from heat immediately.  Fill a large bowl with ice and place saucepan in the ice.  Whisk the balm in the pan until it thickens.  Then use a spatula to put it into a small container for lip balm.

Containers can be found at a natural foods store, like a whole foods.  You can also find them online.

Have a great week.
Debi

Frugal Days - Sustainable Ways # 27 link

Live Renewed - Your Green Resources Week 33- Link


Look at how cute this blog is Sassy Site - Friday Free for All 

Pre-Shave Oil Recipe - Blast From The Past Saturdays

Welcome to Blast From The Past Saturday.  Every Saturday I will be posting a previously published post, in order to take my weekends off.

===Originally posted May 4, 2012===

My son has recently started shaving with a straight edge razor.  He said that he got ingrown hairs with the disposable blades.  Well, shaving with a straight edge blade requires a whole set of additional shaving toiletries.

I was trying to think of something personal I could make my son for his birthday, to go with his cards and gifts, and thought about shaving creams.  That was the first time I made the shaving cream from the blog Frugal Granola.  I posted the link to the recipe a few days ago.  We all love this shaving cream.  Then my son came to me about a week later and asked if I could make him Pre-Shave Oil.  It apparently helps the whiskers on a man's face stand up better so he can get a closer shave.

I asked him to bring me his little bottle of Pre-Shave Oil so that I could try to figure out the ingredients.  He brought me the bottle and low and behold, I already had almost everything on hand.  The only thing that I needed was clove oil and pepper oil.  The clove oil was easy to find,  I have still not found pepper oil,  I will probably need to go online to buy that.  Anyway, this is the recipe that I came up with after looking at and smelling his oil.   He uses it everyday and says it works great.  The recipe will follow below the picture.

I am not sure of the cost, but it probably only cost me 15 to 20 cents to make 2 and 1/2 ounces.  To buy this Pre-Shave Oil from The Art of Shaving would cost $22.00 for 2 ounces.  That is amazing,  I just looked it up online.  I can't believe how much that saves.

Pre-Shave Oil Recipe

2 oz. castor oil

1/2 oz olive oil

6 drops sandalwood essential oil

3 drops lavender essential oil

2 drops clove essential oil

Pour in a bottle and shake well.  That's it, a very easy recipe

Have fun, and please leave me any comments or recommendations

Debi

Anti-Aging Face Cream - Blast From The Past Saturdays

New Skin Firming Cream

Welcome to Blast From The Past Saturday.  Every Saturday I will be posting a previously published post, in order to take my weekends off.

Debi

===Originally posted on May 2, 2012===

Sunday was my day to make new moisturizers, shaving creams, face and hand wash, and shaving soap for my son. I love making all of these products.  I make everything with natural ingredients.

It seems like I am allergic to most face moisturizers, perfumes, and many makeups.  I was using a very expensive face cream called Creme De La Mer for a very long time, because it was the one cream that I was not allergic to.  Well because of the downturn in the economy  I did not feel I could spend money on this moisturizer any longer, and needed to try something else.  Again, I tried a new cream, which of course I was allergic to.  I had hives all over my face.  One night I had two friends over and one of them suggested that I make my own moisturizer, I must say I think I looked at her like she was nuts. I have made many things in my lifetime, but face products seemed out of my reach.  Anyway, I looked online for recipes and low and behold there were many recipes to choose from.  Then I bought several books, so that I would understand what different ingredients do, and since that time I have been experimenting with different recipes. 

Today I am going to share the recipe for my newest face cream.  I am loving this stuff.  I have used lots of ingredients that are great for nourishing you skin, and oils that will help these ingredients penetrate your skin to get great results from all of the vitamins and minerals.  The ingredient looks like a lot, but it is fairly easy to make, and they all keep for quite a while.

Skin Firming Cream Recipe

2 TBL rose hip oil

1 TBL sesame oil

1 TBL avocado oil

1 TBL macadamia nut oil

1 TBL almond oil

1 TBL evening primrose oil

2 TBL raw unfiltered honey

1 oz  or 2 TBL beeswax

2 TBL coconut oil

1 TBL cocoa butter

1 tsp lanolin

9 TBL distilled water

2 TBL vegetable glycerin

1/2 tsp borax

2 capsules Marine Greens Sea Algae formula ( opened up and poured out)

5 ml DMAE

2 capsules ubiquinol ( cut open and squeezed into oils ) (you can use COQ10 if you don't have ubiquinol)

1 tsp liquid vitamin C

4 droppers full of vitamin E

2 capsules niacin ( opened and pour out)

1 tsp lecithin

1 dropper liquid B12

8 drops carrot seed essential oil

12 drops jasmine fragrance oil

Put all of the oils, honey, beeswax, coconut oil, cocoa butter, and lanolin in a saucepan and heat over medium heat until everything is melted.  It is important to take the pan off of the heat once everything is melted, so that the potency is not removed from some of the ingredients.  Cool for a few minutes and then add DMAE, oil from ubiquinol, vitamin E, niacin, lecithin, B12, carrot seed essential oil, and jasmine fragrance oil with a whisk and stir well.  I then put ice in a large bowl and put my saucepan in the bowl and whisk all of the ingredients until they are thick, like a salve.  Then put all of these ingredients into a blender.

In another pan add water, glycerin, borax, and Marine Greens and heat on low and stir with a whisk until well blended and borax is dissolved. You can do this while you are melting the oils.  Let this cool off of the burner while you are whisking the ingredients in the other pan.

After you have put the oils in the blender, you will use the hole in the lid to add the liquid from the other pan.  Turn the blender on and slowly start adding the liquid.  You will see the cream begin to thicken immediately.  You will also have to stop and push the cream from the side of the blender, and stir a little.  You may have to make a hole in the middle of the cream so that the liquid can get to the bottom of the blender to mix with the oil.  Keep doing this until all of the liquid has been added. 

This makes a thick cream for your face and neck.  It feels absolutely wonderful. You only use about a pea sized amount two times a day.  It helps with your fine lines, crows feet, and sagging.  I will post pictures in a couple of weeks of the results.  I have already seen a difference.  I took pictures about 10 days ago, and will take more in another 2 weeks to show the  results in before and after shots.

This makes a lot of cream.  I ended up with about 3 four ounce containers of moisturizer. 

I will post the other recipes over the next few days for some of my other homemade items, but for today here is a link to the Homemade Shaving Cream from the blog Frugal Granola.  My whole family loves this stuff.  We use several different essential oils in it.  Either Jasmine for me, or Spearmint and Lavender for all of us, or bergamot and lemon for the guys.

I would love to hear what you have to think about the moisturizer, or any questions you may have.

Have fun creating.

Debi

http://frugalgranola.com/2008/10/works-for-me-wednesday-homemade-shaving-cream

Your Green Resource Week 34 Link

Check out these great links at Frugally Sustainable:

Frugally Sustainable - Week 28

How To Make Eye Moisturizer

Today I'm showing you how to make Eye Moisturizer.  I ran out of eye cream, (ugh!) and decided to make an eye moisturizer (yeah!).  It uses some pretty simple ingredients; jojoba oil, rosehip oil, vitamin E, aloe vera gel, DMAE, and carrot seed essential oil.
You can buy all of these items at a store like Whole Foods or Sprouts.  You can even get them online through Rose Mountain Herbs.

I'm using jojoba oil as a carrier oil, since it is easily absorbed into your skin.  

Rosehip is a great oil with anti-aging benefits.  It penetrates to the lower layers of skin to help increase collagen production.  Rosehip oil also helps fade age spots, restores elastacity, and is high in retinoic acid which helps brighten and firm the skin.

Vitamin E helps firm the skin and also helps fight wrinkles

Aloe Vera Gel is great for hydrating your skin, and is great for sensitive skin around the eye.

Carrot Seed Essential Oil - is great for revitalizing and toning skin and is considered one of the best essential oils for mature skin.  Carrot Seed also assists in removing toxins and water build up in the skin giving it a fresher more firmer appearance.  Which is great for puffiness around your eyes.

DMAE is ideal to help firm and tone throat and facial skin for a more supple look.

How To Make an Eye Moisturizer

Ingredients:

1/2 oz jojoba oil

1/2 tsp aloe vera gel
2 droppers rosehip oil
1/2 dropper vitamin E
6 drops Carrot Seed Essential oil
4 drops DMAE
1 oz amber dropper bottle

Directions:

Whisk all of the ingredients together, and pour into the amber dropper bottle.

To use put a drop on your finger and pat it around your eyes.

Let soak into your skin for a minute then add your makeup as normal.  You can also use this with my Firming Eye Serum.  Put the Firming Eye Serum on first and after that has dried add the eye moisturizer.

Have a great day.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Debi
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Homemade Sunburn Lotion

Today I am sharing my recipe for Homemade Sunburn Lotion.  Last week in Florida, I got a bad sunburn.  I of course stupidly sat outside without sunscreen and this sunburn was a doozy.  Anyway, since I like to try to make my own beauty products, I headed over to the Whole Foods Body near my house and picked up some essential oils and other things that help with sunburns.  This Homemade Sunburn Lotion was better then anything I have ever bought in a store and it was pretty simple to make.  It will also go a long way.  I know some of the ingredients are a little more expensive, but they are worth it.

I made several different kinds, the first one made my forehead peel immediately.  Don't use witch hazel in a sunburn lotion, it will dry your skin out even more.  The version below is the second version I made, and it even turned my sunburn into a tan, and I have not peeled yet and it been about 10 days since I did such a stupid thing.  I don't know why I didn't put sunscreen on, but definitely don't do as I do, do as I say.

Homemade Sunburn Lotion

Ingredients:

2 oz Aloe Vera Gel
1 tsp Herb Pharm Calendula oil
1 tsp Neem Oil
20 drops tea tree oil
1 TB Distilled water

Mix all ingredients with a whisk and pour into a container.  I would normally uses an amber or blue glass container, but unfortunately this whole foods didn't have any, so I had to pick up this plastic one at the dollar store.  Oh well!

Shake well before each use.

Apply to skin wherever needed, whenever needed.  I put it on several times a day, but at least morning and night.

The reason for the ingredients:

Aloe Vera Gel - Is known for its healing properties for the skin.  It's and analgesic, so it helps with pain (my sunburn).  An antipruritic - helps with itching from bites and burns.  It also helps with hydration.

Calendula Oil - Calendula is know for helping to heal wounds and minor infections skin.

Neem Oil - it's and anti inflammatory and an analgesic when applied to the skin.  Great for a sunburns

Tea Tree Oil - antiseptic properties



I used the distilled water to thin it out a little bit and add a little extra hydration for burned and dried out skin.

I hope that you like this Sunburn Lotion.
Have a great week.
Debi
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Firming Eye Serum

I made this Firming Eye Serum and it really works.  I found the instructions for it at Homebody Estraordinaire.  Jenni Modisette, explains all about the ingredients and how they work with your skin.  I will give a little bit of a rundown on the ingredients, but her post will explain a lot more.

This Eye Firming Serum has aloe vera gel, coffee, witch hazel, and cypress essential oil in it.

Aloe Vera - is has anti - inflammatory properties, so it will reduce the inflammation and  puffiness around the eyes.  It can also help improve skin elasticity, which can help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  Aloe is also loaded with antioxidants which will help firm and hydrate your skin.

Coffee - has caffeine which is a diuretic which will help reduce the puffiness around your eyes.  Coffee is also full of antioxidants and which will reduce the redness and dark circles around your eyes.  It will also help to tighten your skin

Witch Hazel -  is a toner and will tighten skin around your eyes and help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Cypress Essential Oil - has astringent, diuretic, and vasoconstricting properties, which will help with tightening, puffiness, redness and dark circles.

Firming Eye Serum

Ingredients:

1 1/2 TB aloe vera gel

1 tsp witch hazel ( I used the Dr. Thayers with aloe vera)

1 tsp strongly brewed coffee ( I used 1 tsp of expresso)

2 drops cypress essential oil

1 1/2 oz bottle (I used 2   3/4 oz bottles}

Directions:

I sterilized everything with rubbing alcohol; bottles, measuring spoons, whisk, and ramekin.

I then mixed all of the ingredients in a ramekin with a whisk and then poured it into the bottles.  I did two bottles, so that I can give one to Charly to try also.

Jenni's directions suggest using this in the morning, and do not put moisturizer over it.  Once it has soaked in you can put on your makeup.

After the first use, I definitely noticed a diminished appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around my eyes.  My skin felt firmer, and tighter.   I don't normally have dark circles or puffiness, so I am waiting for Charly to give it a try, to let me know what she thinks.

If you decide to make this simple Firming Eye Serum, let me know what you think.  I would love to hear from you.

Have a great week.

Debi

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Top 10 Blog Posts - All Time

Today I am sharing another Top 10, it is the Top 10 Blog Posts of All Time.  It has been fun over the last week reviewing what people have found interesting at Adorned From Above.

I hope you don't mind seeing these posts one more time.  I will have new material for you on Thursday.

Top 10 Blog Posts - All Time

1. Natural Coconut Bubble Bath

2. 1st Adorned From Above Blog Hop and Jasmine Natural Face and Body Wash

3. Caramel Apple Cheesecake

4. Natural Swiffer Floor Cleaner and Wood Floor Cleaner

5. Thrift Shop Finds in August Part 2

6. Mia Lace Scarf Pattern

7. Adorned From Above Blog Hop 44

8. White Tulle Christmas Wreath

9. 10 Uses for Hydrogen Peroxide

10. DIY Laundry Detergent

I hope some of these posts are useful to you.  Have a great week.

Debi

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Weekly Post Roundup 1

Today I decided to do a simple post with a Weekly Post Roundup, or for this week there will be several weeks of posts.

Chorizo Empanadas

Pineapple Blood Orange Cocktail

Polka Dot Cake












Coupons for 4/18/13

Wednesday's Adorned 
From Above Blog Hop 48

Simple Charm Tutorial

Patience 1 Timothy 6:11

Beef Empanadas

Blue Pineapple Cocktail

Candied Bacon Wrapped Crackers

Wednesday's Adorned From Above Blog Hop 47

Turquoise Ring Tutorial

Faith and Healing in Matthew 8

Rosary Necklace Tutorial

Churros










I hope that this helps gets you up to date with my posts.  I always love hearing from you.

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