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Natural Beauty
Recipes

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C HAPTER 1

Natural Skin
Care Recipes

The skin is the largest organ in the body

and it absorbs much of what it comes
into contact with. Many lotions, per-
fumes, and skin care products contain
toxic chemicals that pass into the body.
Avoid the chemicals and give your skin
the best care with natural homemade
skin care products (and you’ll save some
money too!)
S ECTION 1 This recipe can be adjusted to make any quantity that you’d
like. I made with 1 part=1/2 cup so I used 1/2 cup of coconut
Lotion Bar Recipes oil, 1/2 cup beeswax and 1/4 cup each of shea butter and co-
coa butter. I added about 50 drops of lavender essential oil
and set them in silicon baking cups. The recipe I used made
exactly 6 lotion bars.

How to Make:

Combine all ingredients (except essential oils if using) in a

pint size or larger glass jar with a lid and gently place in a
small saucepan with 2 inches of water in it.

Turn the burner on and bring water to a boil. Stir ingredients

constantly or shake inside the jar until they are melted and
smooth:

Remove from heat and add the essential oils. Gently stir by
hand until essential oils are incorporated.
B ASIC L OTION B AR I NGREDIENTS Carefully pour into molds or whatever you will be allowing the
lotion bars to harden in. I used silicon baking cups, though
• 1 part Coconut Oil
any mold would work.
• 1 part Shea Butter or Cocoa Butter
Allow the lotion bars to cool completely before attempting to
• 1 part Beeswax pop out of molds. These could be made in different shaped
molds for different occasions and make great gifts.
• Optional: 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil to extend shelf
life and preserve How to Use:

• Optional: Essential oils or natural fragrance oils Rub on dry skin with the same motion that you would a bar of
soap in the shower. The heat of your skin will melt a tiny

2
amount of the lotion bar and it will smooth onto your skin How to Make:
leaving it hydrated and moisturized.
Combine all ingredients (except essential oils if using) in a
pint size or larger glass jar with a lid and gently place in a
small saucepan with 2 inches of water in it.

Turn the burner on and bring water to a boil. Stir ingredients

constantly or shake inside the jar until they are melted and
smooth:

Remove from heat and add the essential oils. Gently stir by
hand until essential oils are incorporated.

S UNSCREEN L OTION B AR R ECIPE Carefully pour into molds or whatever you will be allowing the
lotion bars to harden in. I used silicon baking cups, though
• 1/2 cup Coconut Oil any mold would work.
• 1/2 cup Shea Butter or Cocoa Butter
Allow the lotion bars to cool completely before attempting to
• 1/2 cup Beeswax pop out of molds.

• 2 tablespoons (or more) of Zinc Oxide Powder How to Use:

(available online or in many stores on the diaper
Depending on how much zinc oxide is used, these will have an
aisle, just make sure it is pure zinc oxide)
SPF of about 15-20, though since they are a natural product
• Optional: 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil to extend shelf and not emulsified with chemicals, test your sun tolerance
life and preserve with them slowly to make sure you don’t burn. If you don’t
need sunscreen everyday, consider just using the basic lotion
• Optional: Essential oils or natural fragrance oils bars which are naturally an SPF of 5-6 and which are ex-
or a dash of pure vanilla extract for scent tremely nourishing for the skin. The basic lotion bars will pro-
tect the skin but still allow some Vitamin D production.

3
 What To Do:
This version has an extra step that the original Lotion Bars didn’t have.
To save money on essential oils, we actually infuse the herbs into the
coconut oil.

Using a double boiler or glass bowl on top of a small saucepan, heat

about 1 inch of water (in bottom pan) until starting to boil. Place the
dried rosemary, cloves, thyme, cinnamon, catnip and mint in the top
part of the double boiler and add the coconut oil (can also use almond,
olive or other oil but you will need to add more beeswax later on to get
B UG -O FF L OTION B AR R ECIPE the bars to firm.

• 1 cup coconut oil Cover the bowl or top part of the double boiler and keep the water at
medium/high temperature for at least 30 minutes or until oil has
• 1/2 cup Shea Butter or cocoa butter or mix adopted a darker color and smells strongly of rosemary. Alternately,
you can fill a crock pot about half full with water, put the coconut oil
• 1/2 cup beeswax + 2 tablespoons and herbs in a glass mason jar with a tight lid, cover and keep on low-
est setting for several days to make an even stronger infused oil.
• 1/4 cup fresh or dried rosemary leaves
Then, strain the dried herbs out of the oil using a small mesh strainer
• 1 teaspoon dried whole cloves or cheesecloth and pour the oil back into the double boiler. The oil will
• 2 tablespoons dried or fresh thyme probably be reduced by almost half and you should have about 1/2 cup
of the infused oil. If you have more, save it for next time!
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder
Add the butter(s) and beeswax to the double boiler and stir until all
• 1/4 cup dried catnip leaf have melted. Remove from heat, add the Vitamin E oil and any other
essential oils and pour into molds. Leave in the molds until completely
• 1 (or more) tablespoons of mint leaf (optional but set (overnight is best) or you can speed up the process by placing in the
adds great scent) fridge.

• optional: 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil to preserve. To use: Rub the bars on exposed areas of DRY skin to protect against
mosquitos and insects. If you are pregnant, check to make sure any
• Essential Oils (optional but good): Bug off herbs you use are safe for pregnancy and omit the ones that aren’t.

4
Other Lotion Bar Variations: Lotion Bar Gift Ideas:

• Infuse the oil with calendula for a few weeks before making the bars • Give a mom-to be some basic lotion bars to help prevent stretch
to give the skin extra nourishment marks and bonus- she can use the lotion bars on baby too.

• Infuse the oil with dried ginger root and mint before making the bars • Give the outdoor bars to your favorite outdoorsman, hunter, or
for relief of sore muscles. You could even infuse with some arnica camper.
flowers (external use only!) for even more relief.
• The ginger and mint bars are popular among athletes.
• Add some pure vanilla extract and a pinch of very finely ground cof-
fee for an invigorating morning lotion bar. • The calendula bars make great gifts for moms and sisters.

• Infuse the oil with chamomile flowers before making the bars for a • The chamomile lotion bars are a great gift for new baby.
wonderful lotion bar for babies and children.

• Combine the bug off bar and sunscreen bar recipes to make an out-
I wrap the lotion bars in a cellophane bag and tie with a ribbon to give
door bar perfect for hiking and outdoor sports.
as a gift. I’ve even made gift baskets with several different variations
• Add some natural coconut fragrance or extract for a beach bar with and some of the other recipes in this book and given as baby shower
an SPF of 5-6 that smells tropical. gifts, wedding gifts, birthday gifts and mother’s day gifts.

5
S ECTION 2 How to Make Lotion:

Smooth Lotion Recipe

1.
Combine ingredients in a pint sized or larger glass
jar. I have a mason jar that I keep just for making lotions and
lotion bars, or you can even reuse a glass jar from pickles, ol-
ives or other foods.

2.
Fill a medium saucepan with a couple inches of wa-
ter and place over medium heat.

3.
Put a lid on the jar loosely and place in the pan with
the water.

I NGREDIENTS :
4.
As the water heats, the ingredients in the jar will
start to melt. Shake or stir occasionally to incorporate. When
1/2 cup almond or olive oil (can infuse with herbs all ingredients are completely melted, pour into whatever jar
first if desired) or tin you will use for storage. Small mason jars (8 ounce) are
great for this. It will not pump well in a lotion pump!
1/4 cup coconut oil

5.
Use as you would regular lotion. This has a longer
1/4 cup beeswax
shelf life than some homemade lotion recipes since all ingredi-
Optional: 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil ents are already shelf stable and not water is added. Use
within 6 months for best moisturizing benefits.
Optional: 2 tablespoons Shea Butter or Cocoa
Butter Note: A little goes a long way! This lotion is incredibly nour-
ishing and is also great for diaper rash on baby, for eczema
Optional: Essential Oils, Vanilla Extract or other
and for preventing stretch marks!
natural extracts to suit your preference

6
S ECTION 3 How to Make:

Deodorant Recipe Combine coconut oil, shea (or other) butter, and beeswax in a
glass jar and place in a saucepan with 1 inch of water in it.

Turn the burner on and bring water to a boil. Stir ingredients

constantly until they are melted and smooth:

Remove from heat and add the vitamin E oil, baking soda, ar-
rowroot powder, probiotics, and essential oils. Make sure the
mixture is not hot to the touch (warm is ok) so that the heat
doesn’t kill the probiotics.

Gently stir by hand until all ingredients are incorporated.

If you will be making these into bars, pour into muffin tins or
other molds while still liquid. If you will be putting into an old
B ASIC D EODORANT B AR I NGREDIENTS deodorant container to use like stick deodorant, let the mix-
ture harden for about 15-20 minutes at room temperature to
1/2 cup coconut oil
harden and when it is about the consistency of peanut butter,
1/2 cup Shea Butter, Cocoa butter or mango use a spoon to scoop into the deodorant tube and pack down
butter (or a mix of all three equal to 1 part) to fill. Then, leave the cap off overnight to completely harden
before using.
1/2 cup + 1 tsp beeswax
How to Use:
optional: Vitamin E oil to preserve. I added 1 tsp
vitamin E oil for this recipe) Use as you would regular deodorant though only a very small
amount is needed. Natural perspiration should decrease the
3 tablespoons baking soda (Omit this if you have
longer you use it. If you get a rash, it is likely from the baking
sensitive skin and just use extra arrowroot)
soda.
1/2 cup organic arrowroot powder

7
S ECTION 4 Here are a few of my favorite combinations:

Homemade Sugar Scrubs •

Pumpkin Pie Scrub: 1 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 cup co-
conut oil, 1/2 tsp vitamin E oil and 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spices
(or just 1/2 tsp cinnamon)

•
Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub: 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2
cup almond oil, 1/2 tsp Vitamin E oil and 1 tsp real vanilla ex-
tract

•
Lemon Hand Scrub (for after washing dishes): 1 cup
white sugar, 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/2 tsp vitamin E oil, 15-20
drops (or more) of lemon or orange essential oil

•
Vanilla Lavender Relaxing Facial Scrub: 1 cup
white sugar, 1/2 cup almond oil, 1/2 tsp Vitamin E oil, 1/2 tsp
real vanilla extract and 15 drops lavender essential oil
S UGAR S CRUB I NGREDIENTS
These last on the counter for up to 2 months (or more) and
You can make endless variations but here is the smell good enough to eat… Actually, they are good enough to
basic framework to start with: eat, but don’t… sugar is bad for your intestines!
2 parts sugar (regular white or brown sugar work
great)
1 part oil (almond, olive and coconut are great)
Add 1/2 tsp Vitamin E oil (or the gel from a few
capsules), add other optional ingredients.
Sound simple? It is!

8
S ECTION 5 Switching from regular skin care products to natural versions
is one of the tougher natural living steps to take.
Natural Skin Care Regimen It’s hard to break free of the age defying, wrinkle reversing,
acne preventing claims of conventional products and switch to
a natural option, even though the natural options are often
cheaper and work better!

Here are some of my favorite natural skin-care recipes to help

you make the switch more easily!

Natural Face Wash

I’ve been using the oil cleansing method for a couple of years,
and I’d still highly recommend it, but I’ve recently switched to
a faster, easier and even cheaper option: Microfiber. My favor-
ite company makes a natural body cloth with silver wound
into the thread so it is completely antibacterial. It takes off
makeup, food (kids faces, not mine!), dirt, etc. without any
soap at all (which is great since soap strips the natural oils in
I NCLUDED the skin). It is also completely safe to use on babies and kids
(which would be especially helpful for any kids with eczema)
• Natural Face Wash and the cheapest/most environmentally friendly. (These are
• Homemade Make-Up Remover my favorite)

• Basic Lotions and Moisturizers You can also use pure, organic Liquid Castille soap in water to
naturally cleanse the face. A few drops on a wash cloth or in a
• Gentle Exfoliators sink full of water will naturally clean your face.
• Natural Anti-Aging Remedies
• Supplements for Skin
9
Natural Make-Up Remover Natural Anti-Aging

Microfiber actually works great for this too and removes even There are a ton of anti-aging products available but the best
mascara without soap or oils. options are the ones you take internally since collagen must
be produced internally and can’t absorb through the skin.
Plain olive or coconut oil will also remove mascara (even wa-
terproof) and will remove other make-up as well but isn’t as To promote natural collagen production, I use coconut oil as a
ideal if you have oily skin. moisturizer and take Gelatin, Fermented Cod Liver Oil/Butter
Blend and Vitamin C to support natural Collagen production
For oily skin- Liquid Castille soap in water will remove
internally.
makeup without adding oils to the skin or stripping the natu-
ral ones. Supplements for Skin Care

Lotions and Moisturizers I’m firmly convinced that what you put into your body is just
as important, if not more so, than what you put on it when it
For most people, pure coconut oil is all that is needed for mois-
comes to skin health. I used to have terrible acne and since
turizing the face. It is naturally full of collagen supporting
changing my diet and supplements, I don’t break out at all
lauric acid and is easily absorbed by the skin. Even for oily
and my past scars have healed. The supplements that seemed
and acne prone skin, coconut oil’s natural anti-bacterial prop-
to have made the biggest difference in skin health for me are:
erties make it a great option.
•
Fermented Cod Liver Oil- for the Vitamins A, D and K,
Natural Exfoliators Omega-3s and Antioxidants, all which are great for the skin.
A sugar/oil scrub is great for most skin types when extra exfo- •
Gelatin – Which is a pre-cursor for collagen and has
liation is needed. Just mix equal parts oil (coconut, olive, etc) made my hair, skin and nails noticeably stronger and
and sugar (white or brown) and use as a whole body exfolia- smoother (great for cellulite too).
tor.
•
Magnesium- An anti-inflammatory and lacking in many
For more oily skin, plain baking soda can be used to exfoliate people’s diets. Topical Magnesium Oil seems to be the most
skin and remove blackheads or dirt. effective for skin health.

10
S ECTION 6 Natural Foundation

Homemade Makeup Recipes Homemade Option: At the recommendation of a friend who

had used cocoa powder for natural bronzer, I started experi-
menting with natural foundation options, and came up with a
recipe similar to a mineral make-up, though lighter, and
smoother…

I start with a base of arrowroot powder (can also use corn-

starch, but arrowroot works better) and then slowly add in co-
coa powder and finely ground cinnamon powder until you get
a shade close to your skin tone. You can then store in a jar or
old powder container and use a brush to apply. It took me a
few tries of mixing to get the color correct for my skin tone,
M AKE Y OUR O WN :
but most days, a quick brush of this is all I need.
• Natural Foundation If you want to make it a more solid base so that only a little
• Bronzer/Blush sticks to the brush, use a few drops of essential oil or vodka to
mix with the powder and push down in a compact. This will
• Eyeliner/Eyeshadow make it hard like a regular compact.
• Mascara I’ve thought about adding this combination to some home-
made lotion to make a liquid foundation but haven’t tried it
yet.

Commercial Options:If making makeup isn’t your thing but

you still want some natural options, there are a few good
choices. No commercial choice is as natural as the homemade
option, but they are a tremendous improvement over any con-
ventional options! Dr. Haushcka Translucent Foundation is
the most natural liquid foundation I’ve found and my skin re-
11
acted well to it. I really like Nvey Eco Liquid Foundation as For eye-liner, I either use a tiny bit of cocoa powder mixed
well. I’ve also used Nvey Creme Foundation which is thicker with coconut oil, or a tiny dab or activated charcoal on a
and is a great concealer or under-eye cover. slightly damp brush. Be careful not to get either one in the
eye. I store the eye shadow in an old powdered eye shadow
For powdered foundation, my favorite so far is Aubrey Organ-
container and apply with my finger or a very slightly damp
ics Silken Earth which doesn’t have titanium dioxide like
brush.
many of the mineral make-ups and which has almost com-
pletely natural ingredients. To make a smoother eyeliner, I mix equal parts of coconut oil
and cocoa butter (about 1/2 ounce of each) and add about 1/2
Natural Bronzer/Blush tsp of activated charcoal to make a black eyeliner that is
Homemade Option: Similar to above, natural bronzer and thicker. You can also do this with cocoa powder for a brown
blush can be easily made with a base of arrowroot and by add- hue.
ing more cocoa powder and cinnamon to get a darker shade. Commercial Options: Nvey Eco Powdered Eyeliner is the best
I’ve also tried powdering dried beet root (in the dehydrator) I’ve used so far and is almost completely natural.
or dried hibiscus flowers to add a pink tone which works well
as long as you can very finely powder them. Store in a shaker Natural Mascara
make-up container or an old compact.
Homemade Option: I don’t wear mascara most days, but
Commercial Options: For natural blush, I love Aubrey Organic when I want a natural option, it is an easy one to make. In a
Silken Blush or Nvey Eco Powdered Blush. small bowl, I just mix a few drops of Aloe Vera Gel from Moun-
tain Rose Herbs, a couple drops of Vitamin E oil, and a pinch
Natural Eye Liner and Shadow of activated charcoal (not very precise… I know). I mix it up as
Homemade Options: Always be careful when using any prod- I use it, though you could also make and store in an old mas-
ucts, even natural ones, near the eyes. I mix up several colors cara container or in a small jar and just clean the mascara
of eye shadow using cocoa powder (brown shades) Spirulina wand between uses. I brush it on with a clean mascara brush,
(green shades) and arrowroot (light shades). My favorite is or even a used Bass Toothbrush from OraWellness.
just cocoa powder with a tiny bit of arrowroot mixed in for Commercial Options: The two natural ones I’ve tried and love
smoothness. are Nvey Eco Mascara and Organic Wear Natural.

12
S ECTION 7 Foaming Shave Soap Recipe

Natural Shaving Options This is the shave soap I use most often in
the shower because it is easy, inexpen-
sive and works great. Some men may
find it harsh on the face due to the high
liquid castille content.

Ingredients:

•
1/4 cup Natural Aloe Vera Gel (not juice!)

•
1/4 cup Liquid Castille Soap

•
1 TBSP Olive or Almond Oil

•
1/4 cup warm Distilled Water (or lavender infused)
N ATURAL S HAVE S OAP R ECIPES :

•
Vitamin E or Grapefruit Seed Extract (to preserve)
• Foaming Shave Soap

•
Essential Oils for Fragrance (optional)
• Homemade Shaving Cream

•
8 ounce or larger Foaming Soap Bottle
• Bar Shave Soap Recipe
• Shaving Options for Men How To Make It:

1.
Mix ingredients in foamer bottle and shake gently
until mixed.

2.
Shake well before each use.

This recipe will last a couple of months (I use up within about

2 months, so I don’t know beyond that).

13
 Shave Cream Recipe
4.
Transfer to jar or container to store

I don’t use this recipe as often, and

5.
Check while it is cooling to make sure it doesn’t
more in the winter for extra mois- start to separate. If it does, shake or mix well to re-
turizing, but it makes a rich, incorporate.
creamy lather and works really

6.
Lasts up to two months (not sure about longer)
well. This one is also better for
men’s faces, as it is more gentle than the above recipe.

Ingredients: Natural Bar Shave Soap Recipe

•
1/4 cup olive, almond or coconut oil If you don’t happen to have all these
extra ingredients on hand, this is an

•
2-3 TBSP Shea Butter or Cocoa Butter
easy way to modify a regular bar

•
1/4 cup Aloe Gel or Honey soap to make it more shave-friendly.
It is a little time consuming, but

•
1 TBSP Kaolin clay or white cosmetic clay (optional)
these bar soaps last a long time and

•
2 tsp baking soda are great for making shave mugs if
the men in your life happen to use shave mugs and brushes.

•
1/4 cup Liquid Castille Soap
Ingredients:

•
Vitamin E or GSE (to preserve)

•
1 bar of natural, handcrafted soap (store bought
To Make: regular soaps don’t work!)These are my favorite, but I’m bi-
ased since I make them

1.
Melt the oil and shea/cocoa butter in a double
boiler until just melted.
•
1 TBSP olive or almond oil or aloe vera gel

2.
Remove from heat and add other ingredients
•
1-2 TBSP white clay, french clay, kaolin, or cosmetic
clay

3.
Whisk or blend well for several minutes

14
How to Make It: A Real Shaving Kit

1.
Grate soap, then on low heat, melt down with oil or My husband’s opinion and the general consensus on the Art of
aloe vera. It will take a while, so be patient and stir often. Manliness forums is that to get a real shave (if you are going
to shave, which was a controversial topic over there) a man

2.
Once melted, stir in the cosmetic clay (this makes a
must use an old fashioned safety razor or straight razor and
richer lather and is great for the skin)
preferably a brush and mug soap rather than an aerosol can

3.
Pour into molds (I use cardboard) or old mugs and type shaving cream.
let set for several days until it re-hardens. Will last months
There are even brush and mug sets with stainless steel brush
and will cure more over time, making it longer lasting.
handle and safety razor. Fortunately, these “old-fashioned”
shaving options actually save money in the long run (no expen-
sive razor heads to buy) and are MUCH better for the skin
when used with natural shaving cream.

The Shave Soap

If your man is open to natural shaving, there are several great

recipes for homemade shaving soap that you can make at
home and that are 100% natural and organic.

If you aren’t up for DIY shave soap, there are actually some de-
I’ve been making my husband’s shave soap, after shave and fa- cent and really inexpensive store bought options. Col. Conk
cial rinse for years because he has such thick hair that regular seems to be the most popular and is relatively natural (much
products didn’t work and just irritated his skin. He also more so than typical shaving creams according to the EWG da-
switched to an old fashioned razor and a brush shaving set a tabase). There are multiple scent options available, depending
few years ago and he loves it. upon personal preference.

Ladies, if you’ve been looking for a unique and usable gift for
your husband, boyfriend or dad, a real shaving kit with some
homemade products is a great option!

15
The Aftershave

Alcohol based after shaves can be problematic for the same

reason you aren’t supposed to use rubbing alcohol on new
piercings: it kills healing skin and slows healing. There are
some wonderful nourishing options for after shave skin care
for men…

• Homemade Lotion Bars are extremely nourishing and con-

tain ingredients that will naturally prevent aging and encour-
age healing. Some other great options are:

• Rosemary Oil which is naturally antibacterial and has a

great woodsy scent.

• Shea Butter by itself is also an excellent after shave lotion

and has a manly scent.

• Coconut oil works by itself too and will discourage breakouts

from shaving (is there anything it won’t do?!)

• Apple Cider Vinegar also works great by itself or infused

with cinnamon sticks, cloves and bay leaves (if you can han-
dle the smell)

16
C HAPTER 2

Homemade
Hair Care
Recipes

Hair can be naturally beautiful without

the need for harsh chemicals and deter-
gents to strip its natural oils each day.
Make your own hair care products from
Shampoo to Dry Shampoo to Hair Spray
to save money and save your hair!
S ECTION 1 How to Make Natural Shampoo:

Homemade Shampoo 1.
Combine all ingredients in an old shampoo bottle or jar
of some kind (pump soap dispensers and even foaming dis-
pensers work well for this. If you use a foaming dispenser, add
1/4 cup of distilled water)

2.
Shake well to mix.

3.
Keep in shower for up to a month.

4.
Shake before each use.

5.
Use about a teaspoon every time you shampoo.

6.
If you use a foaming dispenser, it also makes a great shav-
ing cream- just dilute with 1/4 cup distilled water!
I NGREDIENTS

1/4 cup coconut milk (homemade)

1/3 cup Liquid Castille Soap (like Dr. Bronners)
1/2 of a teaspoon (or several capsules) of Vitamin
E oil (optional)
20 drops of Essential Oils of choice (I’ve used
peppermint, lavender, rosemary and orange or
combinations of those)
For dry hair: add 1/2 tsp olive or almond oil
(optional)

18
S ECTION 2 Dry shampoos have been all the rage among some of my
friends lately, and I can understand why… A product that
DIY Dry Shampoo makes your hair look clean when it hasn’t been washed is a tre-
mendous help, especially for those of us with little ones who
are lucky if we get to use the bathroom alone, much less
shower every day…

Dry shampoos are also great if you’re switching to “no-poo” or

homemade natural shampoo, which will often leave your hair
oily for the first week or so while your scalp adjusts to not hav-
ing its natural oils stripped each day. Personally, I have natu-
rally oily hair even when I don’t strip the oils, so I am a huge
fan of dry shampoo. (On the upside, relatives with the same
naturally oily hair haven’t started going gray until their 60s or
70s, so I have that going for me…)

The basic idea of a dry shampoo (or wet-dry shampoo) is to

B ASIC I NGREDIENTS put an oil absorbing substance (like arrowroot or cornstarch)
on the oily parts of your hair to absorb the oil and leave it look-
1. Arrowroot Powder ing clean. This is also very helpful if you’ll be styling hair and
need it to hold.
2. Cocoa Powder
A wet-dry shampoo uses the same concept, but puts the oil ab-
3. Essential Oils
sorbing substance in a quickly evaporating liquid like vodka or
rubbing alcohol (or Rum if you like to smell like a pirate…)

Commercial dry shampoos can be pricey and contain things

like “isobutane, butane and propane.” Make your own instead!
You’ll not only save money since homemade versions are
about 95% cheaper, but you won’t be putting explosive chemi-
cals on your hair…
19
On my hair, I use a light powder (arrowroot) since I’m blonde, What to do: Mix the cocoa powder, arrowroot/cornstarch and
but for dark hair, cocoa powder mixed with arrowroot works essential oils (if using). Store in a small jar or old powder con-
better (plus you get to smell like chocolate! win-win!) tainer and apply with the make-up brush. Comb through hair
and style as usual.
Here are the official “recipes” that can be customized to your
hair type: DIY Wet/Dry Spray Shampoo

DIY Dry Shampoo for Light Hair •

1 cup warm water

•
1/4 cup Arrowroot or cornstarch •
1/4 cup arrowroot or cornstarch

•
an old make-up brush (optional) •
1/4 cup vodka, rubbing alcohol or witch hazel

•
5 drops of essential oils (optional) •
essential oils or a spritz of your favorite perfume to scent

What to do: Put the drops of essential oil into the arrowroot or What to do: Mix all ingredients in a small spray bottle and
cornstarch and mix with a spoon. Store the mix in a small jar shake well. Shake before each use and spray on roots or oily
or old powder container. Apply with an old make-up brush to parts of hair. Let dry and style as usual.
the roots or oily parts of your hair. Applying with the brush is
Bonus Tips
optional, but it removes the need to comb through as much
and is better for styled hair. If you don’t use the brush, comb Arrowroot or cornstarch can also be used as a mineral veil or
the powder through your hair and style as usual. finishing powder for homemade makeup or as an oil absorb-
ing powder on the skin. I keep a mason jar filled with arrow-
DIY Dry Shampoo for Dark Hair
root on my counter and use as a dry shampoo in my hair and

•
2 tablespoons cocoa powder to set my makeup.

•
2 tablespoons arrowroot or corn starch If you have dark hair but don’t want to use cocoa powder in
your hair, just use plain arrowroot and apply before going to

•
5 drops of essential oils (optional) bed the night before or at least 2 hours in advance so that it

•
an old makeup brush to apply (optional) has time to absorb and you won’t get the fake-gray-looks-like-
a-wig look.

20
S ECTION 3 NOTE: Can also use strong Chamomile Tea as the base if you
want to lighten hair, or black tea as the base if you want to
DIY Beach Waves darken hair, but you will need to keep in the fridge.

Texturizing Spray How to Make:

Get a spray bottle that holds at least 10 ounces. I used a glass

bottle made from an old apple cider vinegar bottle and a regu-
lar spray top. I also tripled the recipe to accommodate the size
of my bottle. Put the hot water (or tea) in the spray bottle and
add the epsom salts, sea salt (optional), aloe vera, conditioner,
scent (optional) and lemon juice/vodka (if using). Put the cap
on the bottle and shake for 1-2 minutes or until epsom salts
and sea salt are dissolved. Store in the fridge if using lemon
juice or tea base, or at room temperature if you aren’t. Will
last 3-4 months or longer.

To Use:
I NGREDIENTS :
1 cup of hot water (not boiling) Spray on damp hair and scrunch with a towel to dry for loose
beach waves.
2 tablespoons epsom salts

1/2 tsp Himalayan or Sea Salt (optional -adds stiffness) Spray on dry hair and on roots for volume and texture without
the waves.
1 teaspoon aloe vera gel (I get it here)

1/2 tsp conditioner or a few drops of almond oil or jajoba oil

optional: a few drops of essential oils or a spritz of your

favorite perfume for scent- Lavender and citrus are great options

optional: 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 1 teaspoon vodka or

alcohol- if you want to lighten hair (the lemon juice lightens and

21
S ECTION 4 These are natural colors and as such will create natural hues
on your hair. They will not create artificial colors like hot pink,
Herbal Hair Color Options completely platinum blonde, or jet black (ok, so that isn’t a
fake color, I just haven’t figured out how to do it…) The
blonde/light recipes will actually permanently lighten hair
since they naturally bleach it but the red and dark hues will
leave a temporary tint for a few weeks (depending on how of-
ten you wash it). The sun will help set all the hues.

Also, I haven’t tried these on dyed/chemically treated hair, so

I don’t know how it reacts with those types of hair! Not sure
why you’d want to use herbal hair dyes? Read the ingredients
and then get back to me!

Herbs for Light Hair

I’ve tried several basic herbal variations including:

•
Pure, strong Chamomile Tea (brewed with 1/2 cup herbs
H ERBS C AN H ELP Y OU C OLOR Y OUR H AIR : per 2 cups water) and sprayed or poured on hair and left on
for several hours. Sitting in the sun during this time will en-
1. Lighter/Blonde hance the lightening effect.
2. Add Red Hues •
Fresh squeezed lemon juice, sprayed and brushed
3. Brown/Chestnut through hair and left on for several hours (in the sun) will also
produce natural highlights.
4. Dark Brown/Black
•
A chamomile tea rinse at the end of each shower (leave
5. Grey Coverage in hair!) will produce smooth, silky hair and naturally lighter
hair over time.

22
For a stronger and faster effect, I’ve used the following recipe. Herbs for Red Hair
It has left my hair very blonde, easy to work with and not
yellowy/brassy at all. These will create a red/dark strawberry blonde tint in lighter
hair and an auburn tint in darker hair. The effects are cumula-
Ingredients: tive, so extended use over time will create a more vibrant red.
The easiest thing is to make it part of your hair care routine if
•
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
you want continual red hair.
•
2 cups of strong chamomile tea
Ingredients:
•
1/2 cup strong calendula tea (optional and will produce
•
2 cups of water
more golden tones)
•
1/2 cup of calendula flowers or fresh marigold petals
What to do:
from your garden
Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle or other small bottle.
•
2 tablespoons (or more for more red hues) of hibiscus
Shake well before each use. Spray or pour into hair and brush
petals (also available from Mountain Rose Herbs)
through to get even. This works best when applied to hair di-
rectly before sun exposure and left in for 1-2 hours before be- What to do: Boil the water and simmer with the calendula/
ing rinsed out. Can be used several times a week until desired marigold and hibiscus for at least half an hour. Strain off the
color is reached. flowers and store in the fridge. Use as a final hair rinse at the
end of each shower. Dry hair in the sun if possible. Repeat
You can also use this as a rinse at the end of a shower (and
daily until desired shade is maintained and then every few
then lightly rinse with water) though it will take longer to have
days to maintain.
an effect. This will not have an overnight dramatic effect,
though when I’ve put it in my hair before gardening in the sun Faster Way:
for a few hours I definitely noticed a difference.
If you want faster and more permanent results, you can use
Henna Hair Color from Mountain Rose Herbs. This is the only
brand I can vouch for the quality of, and the results are very
dramatic. They have a lot of color variations with red hues
(and darker ones) and the results last for several months (or

23
longer if you wash your hair less often). They won’t com- brush into hair about an hour before showering each day, then
pletely cover grey hair, but will darken it. Don’t use on chemi- shampoo as normal. Can also use as a rinse and leave on at
cally treated hair or test on a small section before using on the the end of each shower. Repeat until desired color is reached.
whole head! It has a cumulative effect and you probably won’t notice much
difference the first few days. The herbs in this mix are also
Herbs for Brown Hair great for getting rid of dandruff and for increasing hair
It is easiest to darken hair that is already light brown or growth…
darker, though these colors will even darken blonde tones. Al- Herbs for Dark Brown Hair or Black Hair
ways test on a small part of hair before using on the whole
head, especially on chemically treated hair. Used as a rinse, If you have very light hair, it will be difficult to get really dark
these will also darken grey hair over time. The more they are hues with just herbs, though with enough patience, it can be
used, the darker the results. For faster, dramatic effect, use a done. I’ve listed herbs that work, and you can use any combi-
Henna Color Like Black, Dark Brown or Mahogany. For a nation. As always, test on a small section of hair before using.
slower or more gentle tone, use these herbs:
•
For very dark hair, put 1/4 cup of Black Walnut Powder
Ingredients: in a tea bag or cheesecloth bag and steep in 3 cups of water in
a quart mason jar for at least 6 hours or overnight. Use as a

•
1/4 cup Nettle Leaf
rinse in the shower for hair and dry in the sun if possible. This

•
1/4 cup Rosemary Leaf will create VERY DARK hair, especially if you have dry or
color treated hair. It will also provide the darkest coverage for

•
1/4 cup Sage Leaf grey hair. Repeat daily or as needed to darken and maintain
dark shade.

•
2.5 cups of water
•
Use strong brewed black tea as a final rinse to darken
What to do:
any color hair. This is also nourishing for the hair and will pro-
Simmer the herbs with water in a small pan for at least 30 vide a temporary darkening effect on most hair types. Repeat
minutes or until water is very dark. Remove from heat and as necessary to get desired shade and sun-dry if possible.
when cool, strain herbs out, making sure all small pieces are
With any of these herbal hair colors, make sure to test on a
removed (I use cheesecloth). Store mix in the fridge. Spray or
small part of your hair first!
24
C HAPTER 3

Natural Options
for Healthy Teeth

Even your mouth can benefit from home-

made options. In fact, there are often
more chemicals used in toothpastes than
any other toiletry products and these
chemicals can be absorbed through the
mouth. Find out how to get whiter teeth,
healthier gums and even improve cavities
with natural options....
S ECTION 1 [Note: To keep things simple, I just use a teaspoon or table-
spoon as the “part” in the recipe. Depending on the size batch
Remineralizing Toothpaste I'm making, so the above recipe would read 5 TBSP calcium

DIY Recipe powder, 2 TBSP Baking Soda, etc]

How To Make Natural Remineralizing Toothpaste

1. Mix all powdered ingredients (CalMag/Calcium, Baking

Soda, Xylitol) well in a bowl.

3. Add Coconut Oil one part at a time until you get desired con-
sistency.

4. Add any optional ingredients, including Essential Oils for

flavor (my favorite is Peppermint Orange with 25 drops of
each)

5. Store in small container like 1/2 pint glass jar. To use, ei-
ther dip clean toothbrush into it, or use Popsicle stick or
spoon to put on toothbrush. You could also store in a plastic
bag with a corner cut off to be able to squeeze like toothpaste,
but haven’t tried it yet.

I NGREDIENTS :

5 parts Calcium Carbonate or Calcium Magnesium Powder

2 parts Baking Soda

3 parts xylitol or more to taste. Optional, but recommended.

3-5 parts coconut oil to get desired texture

Optional ingredients: Essential oils for flavor (mint, cinnamon

and orange are all good), 10 drops Grapefruit Seed Extract,
Myrrh and Trace Minerals
26
S ECTION 2 Why Tooth Powder?

Remineralizing Tooth The main ingredient in this tooth powder is Bentonite Clay,
which I’ve recently become a huge fan of. Not only does it
Powder Recipe bind to and draw out heavy metals and toxins (a huge plus for
the mouth!), but it is alkaline and full of minerals.

It can be taken internally to help with toxin removal so it is

safe for use in the mouth and it contains calcium, magnesium
and silica which are nourishing for the teeth! According to
Mountain Rose Herbs:

“Bentonite is very unusual in the fact that once it becomes hy-

drated, the electrical and molecular components of the clay
rapidly change and produce an “electrical charge”. Its highest
I NGREDIENTS : power lies in the ability to absorb toxins, impurities, heavy
metals and other internal contaminants. Bentonite clay’s struc-
4 Tablespoons Bentonite Clay
ture assists it in attracting and soaking up poisons on its exte-
3 Tablespoons Calcium Magnesium Powder rior wall and then slowly drawing them into the interior cen-
ter of the clay where it is held in a sort of repository.
1 Tablespoon Baking Soda (optional)
To state it another way…

2 Tablespoons Powdered Mint Leaf (optional, or
“Bentonite is a swelling clay. When it becomes mixed with wa-
can use essential oil)- Powder in blender, food ter it rapidly swells open like a highly porous sponge. From
processor or coffee grinder. here the toxins are drawn into the sponge through electrical
1 tablespoon Cinnamon Powder attraction and once there, they are bound.“

1 teaspoon of Cloves Powder It is also extremely gentle and has a milder taste for kids. I
also use Bentonite Clay for facial masks, healing poultices and
1 Tablespoon (or more to taste) Xylitol Powder when drying hair naturally to keep color on.
Essential oils for taste
27
The other ingredients are supportive of the mouth as well: How to Make Tooth Powder:

•
Baking soda is alkaline and contains minerals. It Mix the ingredients in a bowl or pint size mason jar and store
also helps remove stains. in a small glass jar with a lid. We actually have a separate
small glass jar for each family member since we dip our tooth-

•
Calcium magnesium powder provides extra calcium
brushes in it. Mix with a spoon or shake to incorporate ingredi-
and magnesium to provide minerals and whiten.
ents. This recipe makes about 3/4 cup of tooth powder which

•
Cloves powder is naturally antibacterial and gives a lasts us for months. You can adjust the recipe up or down
great taste. (Use teaspoons instead of tablespoons for smaller amounts).

•
Cinnamon is also antibacterial, tastes great and This will last indefinitely on the counter since there are no liq-
helps discourage bacterial growth in the mouth. uid ingredients and all of the ingredients naturally discourage
bacterial growth. You can customize the powder to your taste

•
Mint tastes great and is soothing to the gums. and all of the herbal ingredients are optional. Bentonite or bak-
ing soda would actually work alone or together as a tooth pow-

•
Xylitol- completely optional and adds sweetness.
der, this one just tastes great. You could also add more cloves,
mint and cinnamon for an even more concentrated powder.

How to Use:

Wet the toothbrush (I use a Bass brush from OraWellness

since it is super gentle on the gums and cleans better) and dip
into the powder. I also add a few drops of OraWellness Brush-
ing Blend. Brush using the Bass Brushing Technique until
teeth are clean. Rinse with cool water. Can be used daily (or
multiple times daily) and is fine for adults and kids.

28
S ECTION 3 Charcoal on Teeth?

Whiten Teeth Naturally The times that I’d recommended charcoal for use in food poi-
soning or other digestive issues, I always cautioned people to
mix with water and swallow quickly so that it wouldn’t stain
their teeth. Then, a holistic dentist I know mentioned that it is
very effective at whitening teeth… huh?

Since the powder stains everything, I had always worried that

it would do the same to my teeth.

I did some research and found out that even though it tempo-
rarily makes the mouth look extremely black it has the same
effect as it does when ingested: it pulls toxins from the mouth
and removes stains. (Fair warning: when you open your
mouth, it is completely black and rather scary looking! Right
W HAT TO D O : after I did this the first time I was intensely worried that it
1. Dip a clean, wet toothbrush into powdered would stain my teeth!)

ACTIVATED charcoal. Lean over the container To my surprise, all of the black washes away and it makes
or charcoal and quickly put the charcoal your teeth feel extremely clean and smooth. After a few uses,
covered toothbrush in the mouth (this is to my teeth were noticeably whiter too!
protect your sink). Brush in small, gentle
Further research I’ve done on this showed that activated char-
circles for 2 minutes, spit carefully and rinse coal can actually be helpful in changing the pH and health of
really well. Your mouth will feel amazingly the mouth, and as such is effective in preventing cavities and
clean…. your sink, not so much! Use as often as killing the bad bacteria present in tooth decay and gingivitis.
needed. For this reason, I now suggest and use it as part of my reminer-
alizing protocol for teeth, along with my remineralizing tooth-
paste.

29
C HAPTER 4

Natural Baby
and Child
Care Recipes

If the toxic chemicals in toiletries can be

harmful to adults, imagine what they do
to babies and kids. Most babies are born
with over 200 chemicals in their cord
blood and are exposed to thousands
more throughout childhood. Minimize
their exposure by making these natural
and safe alternatives!
S ECTION 1 How to Make Natural Diaper Cream

Natural Diaper Cream Heat a couple inches of water over medium high heat in a dou-
ble boiler or small sauce pan. Melt the coconut oil in a glass
bowl or glass jar above the boiling water. Add the calendula
and chamomile flowers and keep the heat going on low/
medium for at least an hour or until coconut oil has started to
turn yellow and smells of chamomile and calendula. Make
sure to check the water level often and make sure it hasn’t got-
ten too hot or evaporated off.

Carefully strain the flowers out, reserving as much of the coco-

nut oil as possible. A fine mesh metal strainer is best for this,
or a cheesecloth will work, though you’ll lose more of the coco-
nut oil. Make sure all visible pieces of the flower have been re-
moved.
I NGREDIENTS :
Using a small immersion blender or even a fork to mash, mix
1/2 cup coconut oil the infused coconut oil with the shea butter and arrowroot or
zinc oxide if using until it forms a thick paste. I actually have a
1 tablespoon calendula flowers small food processor I use for this mixture (and not for food)
1 tablespoon chamomile flowers and when mixed in a food processor it makes an airy, velvety
cream.
1/4 cup Shea Butter
Store in a small glass jar and apply as needed. Use a liner with
optional: 1 tsp arrowroot or zinc oxide powder or cloth diapers. This is much more concentrated and effective
more to thicken if needed- these will add than store-bought versions and a little goes a really long way!
additional drying power for really bad rashes It can also be used for adult yeast infections or for healing of
the perineum postpartum.

31
Why These Ingredients?

I chose each of these ingredients for a specific purpose. Coco-

nut oil is very effective on its own for treating rash, as it is
anti-fungal and very soothing to skin.

Calendula has antibacterial properties and speeds skin heal-

ing while Chamomile has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-
inflammatory and anti-parasitic properties and is especially
helpful for diaper rashes.

Shea Butter, besides making the skin incredibly soft, has anti-
fungal and yeast-killing properties when raw. It is high in Vita-
mins A and E and helps promote collagen production in the
skin. It is naturally anti-inflammatory and has an SPF of 6. It
also helps prevent and get rid of stretch marks.

Cloth Diaper Safe?

Commercial diaper cream should never be used with cloth dia-

pers since the fish oil in it will leave a fishy smell no matter
how much you wash the diapers. It will also void any warranty
on the cloth diapers. After much research and some trial and
error, I finally created a diaper cream that is cloth diaper safe
and that works as well as the medicated versions.

It can be used directly with cloth diapers if you don’t mind

stripping the diapers after using them, but I prefer just to line
the diaper with a piece of an old t-shirt when I’m using diaper
cream to avoid the extra laundry hassle.

32
S ECTION 2 Vitamin Rich Baby Oil

Homemade Baby Oil Regular baby oil is petroleum based and packed with artificial
fragrances! You can always use plain coconut oil, but making
an infused oil adds some vitamins and speeds skin healing.

What to Do:

There are two ways to make this recipe.

Fast way: You can infuse over heat: “Heat a couple inches of
water over medium high heat in a double boiler or small sauce
pan. Melt the oil in a glass bowl or double boiler top above the
boiling water. Add the calendula and chamomile flowers and
keep the heat going on low/medium for at least an hour or un-
til oil has started to turn yellow and smells of chamomile and
calendula. Make sure to check the water level often and make
I NGREDIENTS sure it hasn’t gotten too hot or evaporated off.” and then just
strain the flowers out and use as regular baby oil.
1 cup of organic olive or apricot kernel oil (softer
scent and great for sensitive skin) Slower but more concentrated way: Put the calendula
and chamomile in a glass jar and pour the oil over it. Put a
2 tablespoons calendula flowers
tight-fitting lid on. Keep in a cool, dark place and shake daily
2 tablespoons chamomile flowers for 6-8 weeks to make a gorgeous light-orange oil that is great
for baby or adult skin. It is soothing on eczema or skin irrita-
tion and calming to baby.

33
S ECTION 3 Soothing Baby Powder

All-Natural Baby Powder Some regular baby powder contain talc, which is closely re-
lated to asbestos and has been linked to various cancers.
Please don’t put it on your baby’s tender tushie! There are
natural alternatives that are incredibly easy to make and work
better without the side of cancer.

How to Make:

Powder the chamomile or calendula if using. Mix with the ar-

rowroot powder and store in a glass jar or sugar shaker for
easy use. Use as you would regular baby powder.

W HAT YOU NEED :

1/2 cup arrowroot powder

1 tsp chamomile or calendula flowers, powdered in
the blender or food processor
optional: Powdered sugar shaker or spice
container to store.

34
S ECTION 4 How to Make Homemade Natural Baby Wipes

Homemade Baby Wipes 1. Cut the roll of paper towels in half using a sharp knife

2. If using a plastic shoe box or old wipe container, accordion

fold the wipes into the container. If using a Rubbermaid #6
container (I highly recommend), place the wipes, cut side
down in container.

3. In bowl or quart size jar mix the water, aloe, witch hazel,
castille soap, GSE/Vitamin E and stir.

4. Add essential oils if desired and stir

W HAT YOU NEED : 5. Pour over paper towels in container and let absorb- this
1 roll of heavy duty paper towels Note: I use Bounty for wipes- takes about 5-10 minutes.
cheap paper towels do not work!
6. Flip the container over to make sure wipes are well soaked.
Rubbermaid #6 or #8 container or any container that will hold
1/2 a roll of paper towels 7. If using Rubbermaid container, pull the cardboard roll out
1 3/4 cups boiled water (or distilled)-cooled but still warm – (can from the inside This should also pull the innermost wipe out
just use regular water if you use them in less than a week like we and start them for you.
do)
8. Use as you would regular wipes, and smile, knowing you
1 Tablespoon of pure aloe vera gel
are not causing your beautiful child any future health prob-
1 Tablespoon of pure Witch Hazel Extract lems!
1 Tablespoons of Liquid Castille Soap

Note: If your child has extremely sensitive skin, you may need
10 drops Grapefruit Seed Extract or 2 capsules of Vitamin E
to leave out the essential oils or use calendula or chamomile.
(optional)

Essential Oils of choice (optional- I use 6 drops each of orange

and lavender)

35
Thanks for reading!
I hope you enjoyed these natural beauty recipes and that they will be help-
ful to you in switching to more natural options in your own life. I know
from personal experience that making your own products can save money
while avoiding the chemicals and harmful ingredients in conventional prod-
ucts and I hope my recipes will be useful to you!

Warmly

Katie

“The Wellness Mama”

©2012 WellnessMama.com
All Rights Reserved. May not be reproduced in any way without express written permission.
xxxvi