Peppermint Scented Solid Perfume

Specifically created for someone who loves peppermint, this is a peppermint-scented solid perfume.  To use, apply a small amount to pulse points with your fingertip.  This product is easy to carry with you and will not leak!  These can be poured into any small container with a lid, including lockets or other wearable jewelry.

If you are in the United States, I hope you have an excellent Thanksgiving!  Try to do some creating between eating and shopping!  

Body Shimmer

With the holidays quickly approaching, how about making yourself a little cream that moisturizes and adds a bit of shimmer to the skin?

While I made this purple one for someone special who likes this color, you could make this in a variety of colors to suit the occasion.  This is a super simple, two ingredient recipe.  It is safe for the eye and lip area, too!  You can apply as thick or as thin as you want, depending on the color and shimmer you want.

Pirate-Blend Aftershave.

This rum infused aftershave looks good enough to drink!  Containing rum, bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, orange zest, and other piratey goodness, this is actually a great antiseptic aftershave.  Splash it on after you shave to clean the skin and close up those pores.  Any newly shaven Blackbeard* will love it's spicy fragrance.

*Blackbeard the Pirate, of course... 

Aftershave!

This aftershave was wonderful because it uses oils, which means it did not have to sit in a cool, dark place for weeks awaiting test trials to begin.  This is a rosemary, patchouli, grapefruit blend.  It is very earthy, but with a light citrus top note.  To apply, simply splash on after shaving.  Let dry.

Cranberries

Check out my article on the HERS Magazine blog!

This article contains two original recipes I created for using left-over cranberries!

Aftershave

The blog this week will feature two various versions of Aftershave.  While you are watching for them, take a few minutes to review the post I put on the book's Facebook and Google+ pages in August about why you should use aftershave as part of your normal skincare routine.  From those pages:

I have been in the test kitchen working on a couple different aftershave recipes. If you are not already using aftershave, there are at least three reasons you may want to considering adding this product to your shaving routine. 

First, aftershave should have antiseptic properties. After shaving, an aftershave will help keep your skin germ free. This is important because after you have raked a razor across your delicate skin, your skin will be open and vulnerable to germs.

Next, look for a product that closes your pores to help keep out dirt and oil. Find one that will not clog your pores to help prevent breakouts.

Finally, you want an aftershave to soothe your skin. It should help heal and moisturize the skin. If you can, find one that contains an ingredient that acts as a humectant. That means the ingredient draws/attracts moisture from the air and helps the skin retain that moisture, keeping the skin hydrated throughout the day.

You can find aftershave as a liquid/splash, cream, balm, or salve depending on what you prefer. If you are sensitive to scents, there are a variety of fragrance-free products out there, or make your own like I do!

Pumpkin Mani/Pedi Wrap

Here is a quick recipe for the next time you give yourself a manicure or pedicure (or both.)  Mix together pumpkin, an egg, honey, and yogurt and apply to your hands/arms and/or feet/legs.  If doing a manicure, you may need help with this next step!  Take plastic wrap and cover the mixture, but not too tightly.  You do not want to cut off circulation.  Plastic bags/gloves might work for you, too.  Allow the mixture covered in plastic wrap to remain on the area for up to 15 minutes.  After the time has passed, remove the plastic and rinse well.  Apply a lotion and you are ready to go.  

The pumpkin helps heal and smooth rough, cracked, and dry skin and promotes new cell production.  The egg firms the skin and reduces redness while soothing skin irritations.  The honey moisturizes, helps unclog pores, and contains antibacterial and antioxidant properties.  The yogurt removes dead skin and hydrates the skin.  

HERS Magazine

I am super excited to have a blog post featured on the HERS Magazine website.  Check it out here.  Be sure to share it with your friends and comment on it!

Autumn Face Mask- Great for those with acne, oily skin, or those with concerns about aging skin

I whipped up this face mask because I had some left over apples and pears that I needed to use up.  In addition to these fruits, I added ground oats, lemon juice, olive oil, and soybean oil.  I had reasons for choosing each of these ingredients, besides the season and the need to use up the fruit:

Apples contain antioxidants that speed cell regeneration.  Used topically, this fruit helps brighten skin, smooth fine lines and soothe skin irritations.  The vitamins in apples combat acne and acne causing bacteria while the glycolic acid helps exfoliate the skin and clear pores.  

Pears naturally exfoliate the skin and help the skin to retain moisture while firming the skin, evening skin tone, and minimizing the appearance of fine lines.  The enzymes found in pears help speed up cell production.

Oats help to treat acne by removing bacteria and excess skin oils.  Oats are used to moisturize the skin and to heal and soothe dry, itchy, and otherwise irritated skin.  Used in skin care products, oats help even skin tone and naturally cleanses the skin, removing dirt.  

Lemon juice diminishes scars and age spots while evening out skin tone.  This juice helps to heal acne and gently exfoliates the skin.  

Olive oil provides long lasting moisture for the skin.  It is said to protect against and help heal sun damaged skin.  Use of olive oil keeps the skin soft and supple.  

Soybean oil reduces blotchiness and discoloration while moisturizing the skin.  It helps reduce the appearance of fine lines while stimulating collagen.  Soybean oil is naturally rich in Vitamin E, which helps the skin maintain elasticity, prevent premature aging, and promote healing.  

To use, apply the mask to the face and allow to remain on the skin 15-20 minutes.  Rinse off well and moisturize the skin as usual.  

Been a long week?

How about starting the weekend off on the right foot?  Get a drink then relax and pamper yourself with this Margarita Salt Scrub (left) and Margarita Body Butter (right).

Good times will definitely be had by you.  

Pumpkin Hair Conditioner

I love, love, love pumpkin.  As I have mentioned in recent posts, pumpkin is great for the skin especially dry, cracked, and/or aging skin, but pumpkin also has lots of moisturizing effects for your hair!

Pumpkin is great for moisturizing dry or damaged hair and the potassium found in pumpkins promotes hair growth.

I also added:

Yogurt- Yogurt contains lactic acid which stimulates blood circulation, encouraging hair growth.  The proteins found in yogurt also strengthen the hair strands.

Soybean oil- Soybean oil promotes hair growth while adding strength and shine.

Honey-  This ingredient attracts moisture and nourishes the hair follicles, which encourages hair growth.

Ingredients ready to be mixed.

After you mix the ingredients together, apply to hair and let sit 3-5 minutes.  Rinse thoroughly.  You can use this conditioner immediately after shampooing or on dry hair.  

Ready for application