Good Old Homespun Beauty Tips

Wow some great stuff, FloraM. and Tinctureall!

Well, I started making my own deodorant several months ago and wanted to test it in different conditions before sharing. So far it survived both the gym and 100+ (30+ Celsius) degrees heat.

Store-bought deo and especially antiperspirant is not a good idea if one has a history of breast problems, and even if one doesn't, why risk?

Anyway. What is needed is baking soda, cornstarch, cocoa butter and a terpene-rich essential oil (tea tree, lavender). Mix 1/4 cup soda with 1/4 cup starch. Add several drops of the oil. It's also good to squeeze a couple Vitamin E capsules in. Then add the cocoa butter until the consistency looks like the goo in the picture. You can also add a little oil of your liking to perfume it (NOT clove or cinnamon of course) but I find that the combo of cocoa and lavender smells good on its own.
This goo will solidify considerably within 36-48 hours, so it's best to put it in an empty stick deodorant container.

CC sounds good, How long would this stay fresh since you are not using a preserative?

Apparently the tea tree oil is supposed to keep it fresh for quite some time.I've had mine for three months now and so far no signs of going bad. I do keep it in the fridge though.

A little addendum: those with very sensitive skin should tweak the ratio of soda to starch, approx 2/3 starch + 1/3 baking soda.

I can vouch for the olive oil scalp treatment! I haven't tried the brandy trick, though -- will do soon as I get some brandy!

Coconut oil is also good for your hair as a deep treatment or a leave-in, but you need to work out just how much you need for your hair length and texture because too much can make your hair look dirty. I am now combining oils with some store-bought leave-in treatments for my hair and I like the results very much!

Coconut oil is one of nature's miracles. It even cures rashes.

I use aloe vera gel as a daytime moisturizer.

Jojoba oil is wonderful for removing eye makeup.

I also use it on my face. It doesn't clog pores like coconut oil can.

I use Jojoba oil too.

Speaking of oils, one of the weirdest and most effective pieces of advice I had been given during my battle with acne as a teenager, was to use warm olive oil as a nightly treatment. The oil was to be warmed on a steam bath until I could barely immerse my finger in it and then I would dab a cotton ball in it and apply it all over my freshly washed and dried face in a makeup-removing-like motion. Apparently it doesn't clog the pores either and also heals the acne. It actually did work.

One other thing I did at that time was a weekly facial mask made of finely ground oatmeal with enough lukewarm water to make it into a spreadable paste, and half a clove of squished garlic. It was quite smelly though, so I only did it when I could stay home all day.

By the way, if anyone has pore-diminishing tricks down your sleeve, bring'em on!

I love using natural oils on my face at night. I've experimented with quite a few-jojoba, coconut,grapeseed, and almond. I've found almond to be the most beneficial when used in moderation as a light serum. Coconut works best as a hair conditioner, jojoba for removing makeup and grapeseed as a moisturizer for my body.Vitamin C crystals when mixed with yogurt make an excellent night mask, also. You can also make your own home-made serum.