Homemade Beauty Products [View all]

[cali]

I make my own facial scrubs, masks, moisturizers, shampoo and conditioner. It's easy, fun and cheap. Most of it is stuff from the pantry and now in almost-summer, from the garden. If you want to really get into it, a few base products, like fullers earth, carrier oils (other than olive) and bar castile soap, are a good investment.

Here's the summer non-drying toner I just made. I put it into a spritz bottle for hot, sweaty days:

(sorry, it's none too precise, but I make this stuff much as I cook- freehand, so to speak.

3 cups or so good water
herbs and flower petals- I used sweet cicely leaves,lavender, mint, rosemary, rose petals, violets, chamomile and tarragon.
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (I don't like it to smell too vinegary)
1/4 cup witch hazel
1 tbs olive oil
several drops of lavender (or other) essential oil (optional)

Bring water to a boil. Put washed herbs and flowers into a large container- I use a sturdy glass 1/2 gallon pitcher.
Let steep until luke warm.

strain (I use a largeish fine conical mesh strainer, but if you don't have one fine enough, use cheesecloth) Add remaining ingredients. Using funnel, pour into bottle, cap and shake well. I put the stuff into a small club soda bottle to use in the bathroom and into a spray bottle for use outside in the garden.