Manly Shave Cream
Oh, how I love it when my boyfriend runs out of his beloved shave cream. It's like the stars align, the universe sings, and I get to play a little trick on him. "Darling," I say, "how about a homemade pot of shave cream?"
My first attempt was an online recipe find. I gave it a test drive on my legs and let's just say it didn't exactly make my top 10. But, like a DJ remixing a song, I added a few beats of my favorite oils and ingredients. Et voilà! The final mix was a slip-and-slide of slickness, and a moisture fest for the skin.
My boyfriend? He's been lathering up with my version and loving every minute of it. Not to mention, his wallet is having a little celebration. My DIY magic cost less than $10, compared to the $30 price tag on his store-bought, fancy-schmancy boutique brand. So, who's the shaving cream queen now?
Manly Shave Cream
82 grams Sandalwood Hydrosol
10 grams E-Wax
17 grams Boabab Seed Oil (*if your guy is acne prone then Hazelnut Oil is a good choice)
62 grams Aloe Vera Gel
6 grams Xanthan gum
9 grams Bentonite Clay
9 grams Macadamia Oil
15 grams Glycerine
29 grams Witch Hazel
5 grams Grapefruit Seed Extract (natural preservative)
20 drops Vetiver Essential Oil
10 drops Sandalwood Essential Oil
10 drops Bergamot Essential Oil
10 drops Cardamom Essential Oil
In a large glass measuring cup set on a canning jar ring in a pot of simmering water, add the Sandalwood Hydrosol, E-Wax and Boabab Seed Oil. Heat until the E-wax is melted and the liquid has turned white. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temp, stirring occasionally to keep the mixture emulsified. Heat the Aloe Vera Gel to 120 degrees and place in a blender. On low speed, blend in the Xanthan gum and Bentonite Clay until a paste forms. Turn the blender back on low speed and in a slow steady stream add in the Macadamia Oil, the Glycerin and then the Witch Hazel.
Test the temperature of both mixtures and as soon as they cooled to room temperature and are within 5 degrees of each other you are ready to incorporate them together. With the blender on low speed, slowly pour the lotion mixture in the blender. Use a spatula to clean down the sides if needed. As soon as a thick cream forms, add in the Grapefruit Seed Extract and the Essential Oils. Blend for a few seconds to incorporate and you are finished. Transfer product to a sterile jar(s).
I instructed my hubby to use a spatula to remove the desired amount of product that he needs per shave to a small bowl and to use his shave cream brush to apply the product. It is not a good idea to dip the brush directly into the container. Use within 60 days!
Avoid getting products in eyes and nose. As with all essential oils, never use them undiluted. Do not take internally unless working with a qualified and expert practitioner. Keep away from children. If applying an essential oil to your skin always perform a small patch test to an insensitive part of the body (after you have properly diluted the oil in an appropriate carrier.