-Armani Sheela G
Cosmetics and toiletries are expensive so make your own!
The products we buy are cocktails of chemicals. Parabens and phthalates, which are potentially carcinogenic, are found in all the manner of toiletries and cosmetics. We absorb substances through our skin, so it makes sense to make those substances as natural as possible.
Face
Honey, raw egg and oatmeal mixed together makes a lovely face mask. If you’re having trouble with the spots and blemishes add a drop of tea tree oil for it antiseptic properties-but be cautions when using oils as they are very strong and can cause irritation if you use too much.
Natural yoghurt makes a good cleanser for all skin types, and jojoba oil makes a great moisturizer. Make a gentle facial scrub by mixing ground almonds, rose water, a couple of drops of rose oil and few fresh finely chopped petals.
Here’s an idea for you…
Make your own bath bombs. Mix together: 1/4th cup baking soda, 1 tablespoon ascorbic acid, 1 tablespoon of borax powder (both from the chemist), and 2 tablespoons of icing sugar. Add 2 tablespoons of sweet almond oil, together wit fragranced oil or herbs from your garden. Press the mixture firmly into moulds- cheap flexible rubber ice cube moulds are ideal. After a couple of hours these can be turned out onto waxed paper to dry for a few days. Store the ‘bombs’ in a closed container. To use them, drop them into your bath water.
Hair:
Chamomile is well known as a rinse for bringing out highlights in light textured hair. Just make a strong ‘tea’ and use it as a last rinse after washing your hair. Rhubarb stems can be boiled and the liquor used to lighten hair. Wash your hair and comb through the liquid made by boiling a pint of water with two sticks of chopped rhubarb until it turns to mush, then straining it. Leave it in for half an hour and then rinse.
Sage ‘tea’ can be used as a final rinse for dark hair, and 1 teaspoon of cider vinegar added to final rinsing water is good for making any shade of hair silky. Raw eggs whisked in a jug make a strange but effective conditioner for supple, shiny hair- just don’t’ rinse with hot water or you’ll end up covered in scrambled egg….
Bodies
Ground rock salt or sugar make wonderful an invigorating body and foot scrubs. Add olive oil and a few drops of essential oil and a few fresh chopped herb leaves such as mint or lemon verbena. Just scrub and rinse for baby soft skin!
Baths
Simmer a handful of herbs or flowers in water for about 15 minutes. Leave the liquid to cool and sieve it before adding it to your bath.
Defining idea
“I’m tired of all this nonsense about beauty being only skin-deep. That’s deep enough. What do you want, an adorable pancreas?”
-Jean Kerr
