DIY Beauty Fridays: Coconut Oil and Your Dry Winter Skin

Calgary in the wintertime - SO COLD!!

Since moving from BC to Alberta, my skin has taken a beating.  It's dry, flaky (sometimes) and I even get these little dry patches if I forget to moisturize one day.  It's a huge change to the dampness of the Lower Mainland - I can't get over how dry it is here!

I know that it will take some time to adjust to my new climate here but in the meantime, I am so thankful that coconut oil is readily available.  For those that aren't aware, coconut oil is a miracle in a jar.  Truly - it will save your life!!  (Maybe that's a slight exaggeration but still...)

Here are some of my top, favorite, uses for coconut oil:

1.  Shiny Hair - run a pea-size amount through your wet hair, after shampooing, and your hair will be so shiny and moisturized.

2.  Moisturizer - Dab some coconut oil on your dry spots (or all over to fully moisturize) and your skin will be dewy, full of life and those dry patches will be gone.

3.  Makeup Remover - Put some coconut oil on a cloth or cotton pad and swipe over your face and eyes to remove all your makeup.  Truly, this works wonders.

4.  Toothpaste - Mix some coconut oil with baking soda and brush away.  I've used this a couple times and it does your teeth clean but I miss the minty flavor of my usual toothpaste.

5. Lip Balm - use a bit, similar to a Vaseline, on your lips if they are super dry.  Leave overnight and your lips will feel completely transformed.

What are your favorite uses for coconut oil?  Anything I may have missed from the list?

Happy Friday Glossers.

DIY Facial Oil - Only 3 Ingredients Needed!

So you all know that I typically post DIY beauty tips on Fridays and I also ALWAYS try them before I post.  However, this one was way too good not to post today and I am in the process of making it.

I adore facial oils.  Truly, I don't think there is a better way to keep your skin moisturized and make your skin more supple.  I recommend oils to everyone I know because they actually work and do exactly what they say they are going to.

What I don't like about the oils on the market is the pricetag.  An ounce of facial oil can set you back about $100 and, though  there are some fantastic oils on the market, the investment is just not worth it.  Especially when you can make your own for less than $20.

I found this site today and had to share - check out the post and let me know if you end up making this as well.  I can't wait to hear your results after using your DIY facial oil!

http://www.mrshappyhomemaker.com/diy-face-oil/

   

DIY Beauty Fridays: Homemade Stretch Mark Oil

Photo courtesy of  http://pregnancy.pregnantshop.info/tag/pregnant-belly

Being pregnant has, truly, opened up a whole new world to me.  Things I had never even thought of before are now ever-present in my mind  Of all the strange and new thoughts I have, the most interesting one is about stretch marks,

Now, first, let me begin by saying that stretch marks, when combined with pregnancy are a beautiful thing.  They signify your growing body to accommodate your growing baby and are truly a work of art.  On that note, I can STILL be slightly vain and say that I'd rather not have too many.

And I don't have any yet, which is great however, my body is almost at full capacity and I am moisturizing about 5 times a day.  I believe I owe this lack of stretch marks to a little miracle home remedy I've been using for quite some time.

Homemade Stretch Mark Oil 

1 cup olive oil (EVOO is the best)

1 cup aloe vera gel (not picky on brand but try to find a relatively pure one)

8 vitamin E capsules 

Mix first two ingredients together and, once mixed, pop the vitamin E capsules and drain into mixture.  Mix well.  Store in sealed container, in the fridge, for a nice cool gel.  Apply liberally to stomach, hips and thighs.

Seriously, this stuff is amazing.  I do recommend you try this out as both vitamin E and aloe are great for reducing redness from already existing stretch marks.

Happy Friday ladies!

    

DIY Beauty Fridays: Homemade Bath Salts

Sigh, I miss hot baths more than I can explain.

I know I can still have baths but they have to be lukewarm, warm at best, and I do miss the scalding hot water, sweating away, while the bathroom steams up and I can barely see in front of me.

One thing that hasn't changed, despite the water temperature, is my fascination with bath salts.  I am usually the first to seek out these relaxing bath additions that come in a multitude of scents and textures.  What's even better than being able to buy them is to make your own!!

Homemade Lavender (or any scent) Bath Salts 

3/4 cup Sea Salt
1/4 cup, plus 2 TBSP, Epsom Salts
2 TBSP Baking Soda
A couple drops of your favorite essential oil (Lavender, Rose, etc)
Food coloring if you want to store it and look pretty

Place all the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix together.  Add the essential oil and food coloring (if you'd like) and stir until evenly distributed.  Place contents in a mason jar to store in the bathroom.  Pour into your bathwater and soak to your heart's content!!

Okay, it's Friday and I am so going to go and have a bath now.  Happy Friday ladies!

    

DIY Beauty Fridays: Homemade Lemon and Coconut Oil Face and Body Moisturizer

There is something so refreshing about making your own beauty products.  As of late, I haven't had the same amount of time to do this BUT this recipe is my go-to when I am sitting around, doing nothing AND wanting to create something yummy.

Trust me, you will love this.

Lemon and Coconut Moisturizer

4 TBSP Coconut Oil (solid state only)
Juice of two lemons

Place solid state coconut oil into a bowl and add the juice of the two lemons.  Use a hand mixer to whip the two ingredients together for 5 - 6 minutes.  (Timing is very important).  *Note, if your coconut oil is in liquid form this will not work.  Place the oil in the freezer until it's solid and then take it out and use it right away.*  Once everything has been whipped together, add to a container and store in the fridge.  Use on body and/or face.

THAT'S IT!  How easy is that, right?  You can add anything from lavender to vitamin E oil and even vanilla extract.  I like the lemon scent though.

Try it out and let me know your thoughts!!

    

DIY Beauty Fridays: 8 Home Remedies That Will Banish Dark Circles

Dark circles just won't go away???

Dark circles can creep up at anytime.

Maybe you haven't slept in a few days or maybe it's hereditary.  Either way, those pesky dark circles can make it so your makeup never looks quite right, despite using as much concealer as you possibly can.

Potatoes, cucumber slices or cold tea bags are the most common home remedies as the coolness shocks the skin but they also all contain an ingredient that soothes and calms the eye area.

Check out this handy guide for more home remedies to banish those dark circles.

What are some of your favorite home remedies??  What has been working for you?

   

DIY Beauty Fridays: A Coconut Oil How-To

I have become something of a Pinterest junkie.

I truly had no idea how many great things people are "pinning."  It's still a fairly new concept to me but, man, there are so many cool treasures you can find.

Like today's DIY beauty post, for example.  This amazing how-to guide was found on Pinterest but comes from an interesting site called Health Perch.  Full credit goes to them for posting this amazing guide about coconut oil and all it's uses.

Check this out.  You will be occupied making beauty products for DAYS!!

Happy Friday Ladies!

    

DIY Beauty Fridays: Homemade Relaxing Muscle Oil

I'm sore all the time.  This is truly something I've learned while pregnant.

I mean I am a very active person and work out a lot so sore muscles are not new to me however, being pregnant makes you feel like you have sore muscles without working out.  Seriously, my hips are getting wider, my knees ache in the morning and my back is always throbbing.

I've been told this soreness will pass BUT in the meantime, I need something to help with the achiness.

Homemade Relaxing Muscle Oil

2 cups almond or olive oil
2 TBSP dried coarsely ground ginger
24 drops eucalyptus oil

Place oil and ginger in a slow cooker for about 6 hours.  (if you don't have one, use a saucepan on very low heat).  Turn off heat and let cool.  Strain through a cheese cloth and add in oil once strained.  Use on sore body.  (Store in a cool place).

This is great stuff.  I've used this a few times in my life and it always made me feel. I will definitely be making a batch of this tomorrow.