Fresh-Picked Beauty

I perform dry brushing every day before my shower and then follow it up with my Ultra-Moisture Smoothing Body Oil.  Calendula infused coconut oil, sesame oil, cocoa butter and the essential oils of lavender, geranium, clary sage, lemon, patchouli, peppermint, rose, chaste tree and sandalwood provide protective benefits and deep moisture for even the driest skin and help improve skin elasticity.  Wondering what "dry brushing" is? Check out this article (CLICK HERE).

You will need 200 ml of organic sesame oil.

You need 125 ml of melted Calendula infused coconut oil.  Here is the video where I taught how to make it.

You need 75 ml of melted cocoa butter.

 I used 100 drops of Aura Cacia Cool Hottie essential Oil blend. 

I found this adorable oil bottle at Cost Plus World Market for under $5.00.  You simply pour the three oils into your favorite container and drop in the essential oil.  Gently shake to mix well.

To use:  After a shower or bath, massage all over for super soft and beautifully scented skin!




I know I say this a lot, but I really enjoy getting my supplies from Mountain Rose Herbs.  I know that their prices are fair and their products are amazing and of the highest quality.  You can visit them at www.mountainroseherbs.com



This information is for educational purposes only, it is not intended to treat, cure, prevent or, diagnose any disease or condition. Nor is it intended to prescribe in any way. This information is for educational purposes only and may not be complete, nor may its data be accurate.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. I am an affiliate with Mountain Rose Herbs,please review my disclosure page for details. . Avoid use during pregnancy and breastfeeding unless discussed with your physician.

I love the Aura Cacia Essential Solutions essential oil blends!!!!  I have purchased nine of the eleven blends and I use them all the time.  They were developed by Aura Cacia to help you through whatever trials life throws your way.  They cost around $11.00 each for 0.5 ounce bottles.  Here are my favorites......

Chill Pill: Take a deep breath! Orange, peppermint and basil help relieve the mind of its burdens, while lavender, patchouli and chamomile cool off the emotions. I like to add it to my room diffuser. 

Love Potion: The pure essences of flowers have been inextricably linked with love and lovemaking through the ages.  Suggested Uses: Erotic Massage Oil: Combine 7 drops with each drop tbsp of sweet almond oil. Provocative Mist: Combine 18 drops with 1 oz water in a spray mister.

Gray Matter Batter: Peppermint and spearmint penetrate and cool, while lavender and chamomile exercise their calming influence on the anxieties and stresses that cause all kinds of discomfort. Suggested Uses: Temple Massage: Combine 3 drops with 1 tsp grapeseed oil and massage into temples. Smelling Salts: Combine 10 drops with 1 tbsp large-grain salt.

Cool Hottie:  Lavender, geranium, clary sage, and the unique properties of vitex essential oil help simplify life's transitions. Peppermint cools hot flashes, while rose and sandalwood calm and reassure in the face of emotional swings. Suggested Uses: Cool Mist: Combine 18 drops with 1 oz water in a spray mister. Transition Tamer Massage Oil: Combine 7 drops with each tbsp of apricot kernel oil.

Panic Button:  This blend features the oils of rose flowers (rose absolute) and orange flowers (neroli), whose incredible depth and heart-warming radiance have powerful effects on our emotional centers. Suggested Uses: Over It Mist: Combine 18 drops with 1 oz water in a spray diffuser. Inhale and Count To Ten: Overwhelmed? Waft open bottle under nose.


Creative Juice: Inspire and nurture your creativity with this energizing and uplifting blend of citrus, spice, and mint aromas. Suggested Uses: Brew a Brainstorm Meeting Room Mist: Combine 18 drops with 1 oz water in a spray mister. Always Inspired Desktop Diffusion: Place several drops in a desktop diffuser.

Medieval Mix: During the dark ages, physicians and grave robbers alike protected themselves from the Black Death with the aromatic herbs of lavender, thyme, and rosemary. Suggested Uses: Travel Protection Mist: Combine 18 drops with 1 oz water in a spray mister. Room Purification Diffusion: Place 10 drops in a lamp ring diffuser.

Lavender Harvest:  Blended with lavender, lavandin and spike lavender. Tones the body, balances the mind and soothes the spirit.

Mellow Mix: The aromas of lavender, chamomile, and neroli are formidable tools for diffusing (and de-fusing) everyday stress. Suggested Uses: Pulse Point Tension Tamer: Combine 3 drops with 1 tbsp jojoba oil and massage into pulse points. Chronic Tonic Mist: Combine 18 drops with 1 oz water in a spray diffuser.

I really love Aura Cacia essential oil products because they only offer 100% pure, gas chromatography-tested essential oils. No synthetic preservatives, colors or fragrances. As with all essential oils, dilute properly, if pregnant, suffering from a medical condition, or taking medication, consult a health care practitioner before use.  May irritate the skin. Not for internal use. Avoid direct sunlight. Keep out of reach of children.

You can visit Aura Cacia online at www.auracacia.com for more information and to order directly from their website.

This information is for educational purposes only, it is not intended to treat, cure, prevent or, diagnose any disease or condition. Nor is it intended to prescribe in any way. This information is for educational purposes only and may not be complete, nor may its data be accurate.

Have you received the NEW Mountain Rose Herbs catalog yet? If not, you can get one for FREE!!! Just head over to their website and request one!! Click HERE!!!

You can CLICK HERE for their digital catalog!!


20 Recipes including: 

• How to make a great iced Chai latte
• Brandied Honey Mustard
• Cocoa Rooibos Sundae Syrup
• Herbal Comasio
• Mosquito Repellents
• Spicy Quick Pickled Red Onions
• Herbal Mouthwash
• Four Thieves Vinaigrette
• Facial Serum
• Cocoa-Calm Lip Balm
• How to make Herbal Infused Oil
• How to make a Salve
• How to Pamper Your Face
• Herbal Hair Rinses
• Hop Rock Candy

Learn about Decoctions and Infusions and the Tea Blending Triangle.

Learn how Essential Oils are made!!!

Learn about upcoming Herbal Conferences!!

Learn about the Mountain Rose River Project!!

I was cooking a dinner dish that called for a partial can of  rich and creamy coconut milk.  I used the remainder of the coconut milk to make a wonderful hair nourishing mask with some fresh rosemary leaves and Vitamin E Oil.  It takes less than 30 minutes to make this and will give you enough for two hair treatments.

Measure out 150 ml's of Coconut Milk.

Measure out about 5 grams of fresh organic rosemary leaves.

Place the coconut milk and rosemary leaves into a small saucepan. Cover with a lid and simmer on low heat for 25 minutes, stirring frequently as to not burn the coconut milk.

I like to buy my Vitamin E Oil from Mountain Rose Herbs.

Strain the infused coconut milk from the rosemary leaves into a small glass container. Stir in about 3 grams of Vitamin E Oil. 

To use: cleanse your hair as you normally do and towel dry.  Massage in half of the hair mask and comb through your hair.  Place a shower cap on your hair and allow the mask to work its magic for at least 1 hour to overnight.  Rinse your hair with warm water for several minutes and style as usual (you can also cleanse your hair if you need to).  Store the remaining amount of the hair mask in the refrigerator and use within 10 days.

This information is for educational purposes only, it is not intended to treat, cure, prevent or, diagnose any disease or condition. Nor is it intended to prescribe in any way. This information is for educational purposes only and may not be complete, nor may its data be accurate.  I am an affiliate with Mountain Rose Herbs,please review my disclosure page for details. .

I use MOO Cards and Labels for my beauty creations.

I get asked a lot for suggestions for stickers, labels and cards for packaging beauty products.  I thought I would tell you about the MOO cards I use.  MOO.com is an online digital printer that makes MiniCards, Business Cards, Postcards, Stickers, Labels and more.  You can customize all your printed products with your own artwork and images, or choose from the awesome range of MOO Designs.  I love the stickers and labels that I use on my jars and packages when making recipes for gift giving.  The best part, you can get Green Business Cards which are 100% recycled and recyclable 15.5pt card stock.  They are manufactured using wind power and they are AWESOME!!

Here is the front and back of my MOO Green Business Cards.

 I designed the business card above and had them printed on the Green recycled paper.  I love these cards.
  You can also get MOO Business Cards with 16 pt Classic MOO Stock with smooth satin finish and an option of a different image on every card.  You can make MOO Rounded Corner Cards with 5mm rounded corners, 16pt Classic MOO Stock with matte laminate finish or even the MOO LUXE Business Cards printed on 32pt Mohawk Superfine paper.

These are my assortment of MOO Mini Cards.

I love, love, love the MOO Mini Cards! They are half the size of a standard business card and you have the option of a different image on every card. You can upload your own artwork or choose from thousands of MOO designs.

I sewed the green gift bags and attached a MOO Mini Card that says "Handmade".  I plan to put a pot of my homemade hand salve in the bag for holiday gifts.

I used the ready made MOO Designs for these adorable "Handmade" MOO Mini Cards

The MOO Mini Cards arrive in these sturdy boxes for safe keeping.


I ordered some MOO Product Labels for the batch of homemade Olive Oil Hand Salve I crafted for the holidays.  These thick vinyl labels are perfect for my four ounce jars.  You can choose from 3 different shapes and sizes.


MOO.com also makes round and rectangular stickers which are perfect for lip balm tubes, small pots of salve and other packages.

I have a unique URL to share with you from MOO.  This is my Refer A Friend link that I use to tell everyone about MOO.com.  Click HERE to be taken to MOO.com.

You can get creative with your container choice.

Measure out your beeswax.  Beeswax comes in both pastilles and various sized bricks.  You can substitute carnauba wax too.

Place the beeswax in a small glass and heat in a water bath until melted.  Once melted, keep the melted container of beeswax in the hot water but remove from the heat.


Pour your essential oil blend into the melted beeswax.  You will notice that the mixture will immediately start to solidify.  This is why you keep the container in the hot water and gently stir for a few seconds to remelt.


It should only take about 20 seconds to remelt the perfume.


Quickly and carefully, pour the melted perfume into your chosen container.  For best results you should fill to the very top.  Allow to sit undisturbed for about 30 minutes to harden.


Make a pretty label telling what it is, the ingredients and when to use by.  Place on the container and enjoy.


Here are a few of my other favorite essential oil blends for solid perfume.......


Sweet Orange-Patchouli-Ylang Ylang
Lavender-Geranium
Sandalwood-Rosewood-Grapefruit


I know I say this a lot, but I really enjoy getting my supplies from Mountain Rose Herbs.  I know that their prices are fair and their products are amazing and of the highest quality.  You can visit them at www.mountainroseherbs.com

Watch this video I quickly put together on how to make a Quick Calendula Infused Coconut Oil.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend!!!

Cheers!
Shannon Buck

You know that place in the mall that sells all those luscious fresh handmade cosmetics in those little black pots? Well here is my version of their Angels on Bare Skin Fresh Facial Cleanser.  This recipe is very gentle yet effective and is based on a very old recipe from times long ago.  I love the natural healthy glow I get when I use this for an entire week and have noticed a definite improvement and evenness to my skin tone.  Who would have thought that simple ingredients could combine to be so amazing for your skin?!?

Fresh-Picked Beauty's version of Angels On Bare Skin
30 grams ground blanched almonds
20 grams vegetable glycerine
25 grams cosmetic clay
2 grams powdered lavender flowers
25 grams rose water
20 drops lavender essential oil
15 drops benzoin resin
5 drops rose essential oil
5 drops chamomile blue essential oil
2 grams dried lavender flower buds


 Add the ground almonds into a small bowl. 


Drizzle in the vegetable glycerine.



 Sprinkle in the cosmetic clay.  Use Rhassoul Clay if you have very dry skin.


I added in my own little twist to this recipe by adding in  lavender flower powder. You can get this at Mountain Rose Herbs.

My recipe uses rose water in place of regular distilled water.  I love the rosy fragrance this adds.  Just add it into the bowl.

Time to add in the essential oils.  Here is the deal, rose essential oil is super expensive.  Don't fret if you choose not to add it in. The addition of the rose water will be perfect!!


You can find essential oils many different places, like Mountain Rose Herbs.  Just make sure you use high quality natural essential oils.  Do not get confused with synthetic fragrance oils, these are not good for you.


After you have your cleanser all mixed up, roll it out on a sheet of waxed paper.  Sprinkle the dried lavender buds over the top and then roll it up or form it in a small ball.  Place in a lidded container.  Store in the fridge and use within two weeks (this recipe does not contain any preservatives). I like to use this by placing a heaping teaspoon of the cleanser in my hand, add a little bit of warm water to make a paste and massage into my face for a few minutes.  I usually do this right before I hop in the shower.  Enjoy & Green Blessings.
This information is for educational purposes only, it is not intended to treat, cure, prevent or, diagnose any disease or condition. Nor is it intended to prescribe in any way. This information is for educational purposes only and may not be complete, nor may its data be accurate. As with all herbs, do not take internally unless working with a qualified and expert practitioner. Keep away from children.  I am an affiliate with Mountain Rose Herbs, please review my disclosure page for details. Shannon Buck and Fresh-Picked Beauty strongly recommend that you do not rely solely on the information presented on this website and that you always read labels, warnings, and directions before using or consuming any type product. Anything you find on this website still needs more research to establish the potential effectiveness and safety of any ingredient and/or suggestion.  Before you consider using anything you find on this website, you need to consult with a medical professional to help you weigh the pros and cons of using natural ingredients.  You also need to review all the available safety data for each ingredient before you use it.  Herbs and natural ingredients have been used successfully for many years, but as a precaution, I suggest that you consult a naturopathic doctor, licensed herbalist, or holistic health practitioner who is qualified to guide you in the safe use of herbs and natural ingredients. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. I am not in any way Affiliated with Lush  in any way nor do I know their actual recipe for any of their products, I am simply using a list of ingredients and creating my own version.