Fresh-Picked Beauty

Back in 2013, I came up with a really awesome and effective all-natural deodorant formula and have been making several batches per year.  I was getting bored with my regular scent of geranium and cedarwood, so I decided to change things up a bit and make a new batch with lavender essential oil and sandalwood essential oil.  Both of these essential oils are great for deodorant and help keep your underarms smelling great.

The thing about natural deodorant is that while it keeps you smelling clean and fresh, it does not stop you from sweating.  When I work out at the gym, I simply reapply it in the locker room and I am good for the rest of the day. Besides, it is healthy to sweat!!

I like to get all my ingredients from Mountain Rose Herbs! You can shop for the necessary ingredients by clicking HERE. 

All Natural Deodorant with Lavender and Sandalwood

20 grams Mountain Rose Herbs Shea Butter (shop for it here)
15 grams Mountain Rose Herbs Mango Butter (shop for it here)
20 grams Baking Soda
20 grams Mountain Rose Herbs Arrowroot Powder (shop for it here)
2 grams Mountain Rose Herbs Kaolin Clay (shop for it here)
1.25 ml of Mountain Rose Herbs Vitamin E Oil (shop for it here)
10 drops Mountain Rose Herbs Lavender Essential Oil (shop for it here)
10 drops Mountain Rose Herbs Sandalwood Essential Oil (shop for it here)

Option #1 You can just use Shea Butter or just use Mango Butter.  You want a total of 35 grams of whichever butter you choose!

Option #2 You can skip the essential oils if you have sensitive skin or use less.

Option #3: Other essential oils that would work well for a deodorant include; Patchouli, Vetiver, Myrrh, Cedarwood, Geranium, Clary Sage, and Tea Tree. You can shop for the best certified organic essential oils at Mountain Rose Herbs. Click HERE to learn more! 


Steps:

1. Add the Shea butter and Mango butter into a small glass measuring cup and place it in a pot with a few inches of simmering water until fully melted. Remove from heat.

2. Mix the baking soda, arrowroot powder and kaolin clay into the melted ingredients.

3. Mix in the Vitamin E oil and the essential oils.

4. Pour the warm mixture into a clean glass storage container. Place in the refrigerator to cool. While cooling, stir the mixture every five minutes to make sure the baking soda does not settle on the bottom and stays suspended evenly throughout the deodorant.

To use: Spread about 1/8 teaspoon on each armpit. Massage in well.

**I have a partnership with Mountain Rose Herbs. All opinions are my own. 

Don't you just hate it when you apply your favorite perfume and it disappears about 30 minutes later? Natural perfumes by their nature don't last as long as synthetic ones simply because natural perfumes are made from natural plant extracts like volatile  essential oils, absolutes and CO2 extracts. Synthetic perfumes are laden with fixatives, binders and lab created heavy fragrance oils.  I have created a very simple skin perfume primer using just two natural ingredients. My Perfume Primer recipe is like an occlusive moisturizer which coats your skin and helps hold onto the aromatic molecules in the perfume so they don't evaporate as quickly.  This is especially helpful if you have dry skin!!!

I have formulated my recipe to be scent free so it will not change the aromatic profile of your favorite perfume!

I chose fractionated coconut oil (caprylic/capric triglyceride) for my carrier oil because it is colorless and odorless. It DOES NOT smell like coconut oil. It is also super light weight and does not leave your skin greasy or oily.


I also used white beeswax which has been naturally bleached by exposing it to sunlight and fresh air. This particular beeswax does not have an odor like yellow beeswax. It also makes a pure white product when mixed with the colorless fractionated coconut oil.


Finally, I chose a large 0.5 ounce lip balm container to hold my perfume primer. This container makes it super easy to swipe a thin layer of perfume primer over my wrists and neck without getting my fingers messy.  It is also portable!

Fresh-Picked Beauty's Perfume Primer
makes 1/2 ounce

2 teaspoons fractionated coconut oil
1 teaspoon white beeswax

Place the ingredients into a small glass measuring cup and place in a pot with a few inches of simmering water. Melt the wax and oil together. Carefully pour the liquid into a 1/2-ounce lip balm container. Allow to harden and place the cap on the top.


My friends tested it out.......I gave five friends a tube of my perfume primer and asked them to try it out for a week and email me their thoughts. Three of my friends use alcohol based conventional synthetic perfumes and two of them use all-natural perfumes. They all agreed that my perfume primer base kept their perfume on the skin longer. The proof is in the pudding!!! I keep a tube of it near my bottles of perfume and also notice it makes my perfume hang around longer. This recipe is a KEEPER!!!

This recipe is for an all-natural lip primer treatments. This smoothing treatment base is meant to be applied lightly before your favorite lipstick.  It will smooth your lips and keep your lipstick from feathering. 

All-Natural Lipstick Primer

1/2 teaspoon Castor Oil
1/2 teaspoon liquid Lanolin
1 teaspoon Mango Butter (shop for it here)
1 teaspoon Jojoba Oil (shop for it here)
2 heaping teaspoons beeswax pastilles (shop for it here)
20 drops Vitamin E Oil (shop for it here)

I get all my natural ingredients from Mountain Rose Herbs. Click here to learn more!

1. Measure out the castor oil, liquid lanolin,  mango butter, Jojoba oil and beeswax into a small glass measuring cup and place in a saucepan containing a few inches of simmering water until the butter and beeswax have fully melted. Remove from heat.

2. Add in the Vitamin E Oil and stir to combine. Pour lip primer into a heat-safe container and allow to fully cool and harden.

To use:Apply a small amount to lips and massage in prior to lipstick application.

This amazing deep conditioner will help protect your hair.  The star ingredient in this smoothing hair treatment is Mountain Rose Herbs Hemp Seed Oil.  This super rich oil contains essential fatty acids and proteins.  It really is one of the most nutritious oils available. I like Mountain Rose Herbs Hemp Seed Oil because it is Certified Organic and one of the boldest beautiful green colors I have ever found! Hemp oil does not have any THC in it.....just in case you were wondering.

This conditioner will increase your hair's manageability and shine! Pick up your ingredients at Mountain Rose Herbs CLICK HERE!

Hemp Oil & Rosemary Hair Conditioner
makes about 5.5 ounces

2 tablespoons  Hemp Seed Oil (shop here)
2 teaspoons  Emulsifying Wax NF (shop here)
1/2 teaspoon Stearic Acid (shop here)
1/2 teaspoon liquid Lecithin (shop here)
1/2 cup distilled water
30 drops Rosemary Essential Oil (shop here)

1. In a heat-safe glass measuring cup, combine the hemp seed oil, emulsifying wax, stearic acid, and liquid lecithin.  Place the measuring cup in a pot containing a few inches of simmering water.

2. In another heat-safe glass measuring cup, add in the distilled water. Place this measuring cup in another pot containing a few inches of simmering water.

3. Heat both mixtures to a temperature of 160 degrees F until the oil and wax have melted together.  Carefully remove both measuring cups from the simmering water.

4. Pour the oil/wax mixture into a mixing bowl and begin mixing with a hand-help mixer set to low.  Blend the water mixture into the oil/wax on low for 1 minute. Bring the speed up to high and continue mixing for five minutes or until the temperature is below 100 degrees F.

5. Add in the rosemary essential oil and mix again on high for a further five minutes. Transfer the mixture to a sanitized, pourable bottle or a recycled, clean conditioner bottle. Store in the refrigeraor and use within 2 weeks.

Make your own remedies! Roll-on some instant aromatherapy! You are going to LOVE these!!!

Make your own aromatherapy remedy blends! All you need are a few 10 ml glass roll-on bottles, pure essential oils and some sunflower seed oil or Jojoba oil.  Make one, a few or all of these blends and roll-on some instant aromatherapy!

Here is a little "inside information" about how I formulated each blend. I knew I wanted to keep the essential oil ratio to just about 5%, so each 10 ml roller-bottle got a total of about 15 drops of essential oils. I filled up the bottle with Jojoba oil just to the neck of the bottle. I chose essential oils based on their unique therapeutic properties. For example, I know that lemon and basil essential oil are great for mental clarity and stimulation, so those are what I chose for my "study" blend. I chose lavender and chamomile essential oil for my "sleep" blend  because those are the oils that therapeutically help you relax and fall sleep.  My "love" blend has essential oils that smell sensual and are known to be aphrodisiac such as neroli, rose and jasmine.



Energy blend: A quick pick me up! Boost your mind and make it through even the most energy-zapping kind of day! I use this every day around 3:00 pm because I have to pick my sweet son up from elementary school and shuttle him around to all his activities! This blend works wonders!

Energy Blend Recipe: 5 drops sweet orange essential oil, 2 drops grapefruit essential oil, 2 drops lemon essential oil, 3 drops peppermint essential oil, 4 drops cardamom essential oil. Add the essential oils into a 10 ml glass perfume roller bottle. Top off with carrier oil (sunflower, fractionated coconut oil or Jojoba oil are good choices). Push the roller-ball part into the bottle, screw on the cap and shake well. To use: roll on to your pulse points like a perfume and inhale deeply.



Love Blend: Set the mood with this exotic sensual blend. This blend has quite a few essential oils and is one of the more expensive ones to make. This is one of my favorite blends and I have made this several times for brides to give away at bridal showers!

Love Blend Recipe: 3 drops tangerine essential oil, 3 drops grapefruit essential oil, 2 drops cardamom essential oil, 3 drops vanilla absolute, 2 drops sandalwood essential oil, 1 drop patchouli essential oil, 1 drop neroli essential oil, 1 drop vetiver essential oil, 1 drop jasmine absolute, 1 drop rose absolute, and 1 drop ylang ylang essential oil. Add the essential oils into a 10 ml glass perfume roller bottle. Top off with carrier oil (sunflower, fractionated coconut oil or Jojoba oil are good choices). Push the roller-ball part into the bottle, screw on the cap and shake well. To use: roll on to your pulse points like a perfume and inhale deeply.



Study Blend: The perfect blend to apply right before and during a long study session. Keep your mind clear and focused. My daughter swears by this during mid-terms and finals!

Study Blend Recipe: 2 drops lavender essential oil, 2 drops lemon essential oil, 2 drops balsam fir essential oil, 2 drops cardamom essential oil, 2 drops sweet basil essential oil, 3 drops rosemary essential oil, 2 drops peppermint essential oil and 2 drops spearmint essential oil. Add the essential oils into a 10 ml glass perfume roller bottle. Top off with carrier oil (sunflower, fractionated coconut oil or Jojoba oil are good choices). Push the roller-ball part into the bottle, screw on the cap and shake well. To use: roll on to your pulse points like a perfume and inhale deeply.



Sleep Blend: A very calming blend that is soothing to a brain that is too frenzied to fall asleep. Quiet your mind and spirit and get your 40 winks in! My husband uses this blend several nights per week!

Sleep Blend Recipe: 6 drops lavender essential oil, 3 drops frankincense essential oil, 3 drops sweet orange essential oil, 3 drops sweet marjoram essential oil, 2 drops yarrow essential oil  and 2 drops hops CO2 extract. Add the essential oils into a 10 ml glass perfume roller bottle. Top off with carrier oil (sunflower, fractionated coconut oil or Jojoba oil are good choices). Push the roller-ball part into the bottle, screw on the cap and shake well. To use: roll on to your pulse points like a perfume and inhale deeply.



Travel Blend: I like to use this blend when I travel to protect my well being and boost my immune system. I apply this blend over my lymph nodes, around my ears, over my chest and on the bottom of my feet and on my palms.

Travel Blend Recipe: 4 drops lavender essential oil, 6 drops tea tree essential oil, 6 drops eucalyptus essential oil, 3 drops lemon essential oil, 3 drops grapefruit essential oil, 2 drops clove essential oil. Add the essential oils into a 10 ml glass perfume roller bottle. Top off with carrier oil (sunflower, fractionated coconut oil or Jojoba oil are good choices). Push the roller-ball part into the bottle, screw on the cap and shake well. To use: roll on to your pulse points like a perfume and inhale deeply.


The best place to purchase essential oils is from Mountain Rose Herbs. Click HERE to learn more and shop!

Essential oils are very potent and need to be used highly diluted. A patch test should be performed before use. I also need to say..."CAUTION: IF PREGNANT, NURSING, SUFFERING FROM ANY MEDICAL CONDITION, OR TAKING MEDICATION, CONSULT A HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER BEFORE MAKING OR USING THESE RECIPES. AVOID EYES AND MUCOUS MEMBRANES. DILUTE PROPERLY. MAY IRRITATE SKIN. NOT FOR INTERNAL USE. AVOID DIRECT SUNLIGHT. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN." Please visit my blog post about Essential Oil Safety HERE. 

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.. Avoid use  unless discussed with your physician. This information is for educational purposes only.  This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease. Green Blessings!!!

Here is a bath soak that smells AMAZING and is the perfect easy-to-make gift for someone special. It is also a great way to use up your recycled glass jars too.

In a large glass bowl, add in 10 grams of dried rose petals.

Add in 20 grams of dried Chamomile flowers.

Add in 20 grams of dried lavender buds.

Add in 20 grams of dried Elder flowers.

Stir well to combine all the flowers.

Add in the following essential oils: 30 drops of Wild Chamomile, 20 drops of Cardamom and 15 drops of Bergamot.  Mix well.  *Works best if you gently stir flowers after every 10 drops of essential oil.

Stir in 40 grams of powdered milk.

Transfer to a glass jar of your choice. Make sure to label your jar and keep the lid on at all times to keep the moisture out.

My favorite way to infuse this blend into the bath is with this large mesh infuser sold by Mountain Rose Herbs.  This fantastic stainless steel infuser is perfect for bath herbs! Measures 3 3/4" diameter and 3 3/8" deep. I use about 1/2  cup of bath soak per bath.  You can even compost the wet herbs after your bath.

Here is a label you can print out and attach to your jar of bath soak.  You can find all the ingredients over at Mountain Rose Herbs. Herbal 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. . Avoid use  unless discussed with your physician especially if you are pregnant, nursing or suffer from any type of health issue.