Beauty Update: Moisture overload

As I mentioned previously I want to make sure my skin will be well looked after for my coming months in Spain considering the quality of water over there is nothing like what we have in NZ and also my skin is exposed a lot more to pollution, dust, sun and every other external element over there! Therefore I had a day of creating 2 moisturisers for both me to take to Spain and also for family members here.

My parents absolutely LOVE an over-night moisturiser I made for them a couple of months ago and asked for a top-up so I decided to use the original recipe I used for them as well as adapt it for both a daily face moisturiser.

I have used essential oils: Sweet Orange & Lemon but you can used whatever essential oils you prefer - This is just what I had in my home and want to use the ingredients before I head off overseas.

So I want to share 2 recipes - Created in exactly the same way but just a slight change in ingredients.

Apricot&Coconut Body Cream:

7 Tbl Apricot Kernal
2 Tbl Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
2 Tbl Vitamin E Oil
2 Tbl Organic Beeswax
1 Tbl Coco butter
2 tsp Pure Lanolin
10 Tbl water
1 tsp Vegetable glycerin
20 Drops Sweet Orange Essential Oil
20 Drops Lemon Essential Oil

Method:

1. In a double boiler place Apricot Kernal, Coconut Oil, Vitamin E, Beeswax, Coco butter and lanolin and melt very gently until the beeswax has JUST melted.
2. At the same time put the water and Vegetable glycerin in a separate pot and heat gently until almost boiling.
3. Take both pots off heat and leave on kitchen bench uncovered for approximately 10 minutes or until the oil mixture has a glazed appearance and is almost like a salve.
4. Place the oil mixture into your food processor and pulse for 30 seconds - It will become thick and yellowish in colour.
5. Slowly add the water mixture to the food processor mixing constantly on a slow speed - It will become beautiful and silky-white.
6. Add the essential oil and mix through.
7. Pour into small jars and leave lids off until completely cool.

I would recommend this moisturiser for the body as it does appear quite thick and buttery, alternatively use an overnight cream.

The main ingredient; base oil - Apricot Kernal is recommended for use around the eyes and face as it contains the ability to tighten then skin and also has a astringent quality.

Almond&Coco Butter Cream:

7 Tbl Almond Oil
2 Tbl Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
1 Tbl Vitamin E Oil
2 Tbl Organic Beeswax
2 Tbl Coco butter
10 Tbl water
1 tsp Vegetable glycerin
20 Drops Sweet Orange Essential Oil
20 Drops Lemon Essential Oil

Same method as above.

Almond Oil has a high fatty acid content and has the ability to penetrate the skin well. I use this moisturiser as my daily face cream in the morning and I opt to use Almond Oil alone at night time before sleeping.

Let me know if you need any help or have any questions about these recipes!

X

Beauty update: Olive&Coconut Body Butter

My big brother is currently visiting from China for a family friends wedding - Plus it is winter there right now so he came to grab a few rays of sun. He works as an explorer for a Chinese mining company in Mongolia so spends much of his time either on the field in the middle of nowhere or running around Bejing at the office. We all know that the pollution levels in a big city like Beijing have to take a massive toll on your skin as well as working on the field in the Mongolian desert you have to deal with things like... extreme cold, living in a tent for weeks, no showers, crappy food and long hours working. Needless to say I quite happily assumed him as one of my patients and set about creating a body butter for him that will protect his skin form the harsh conditions and stop it from drying out constantly.

Ulziit Ovoo Exploration camp - My brother uses the Mongolian
yurt as sleeping accommodation.

I have chosen in this body butter to use extra virgin olive and extra virgin coconut as my base oils as well as use my usual ingredients of coco butter and beeswax. I have also put a decent amount of pure lanolin to this mixture to really fortify the skin during those cold months.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 cup Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
2 Tbl Beeswax
2 Tbl Coco Butter
2 tsp Pure Lanolin
1 cup of water
30 drops sweet orange essential oil

Method:
1. In a double boiler slowly melt together all ingredients minus the water
2. In a separate pot at the same time slowly heat the cup of water till almost boiling
3. Take both pots off heat and let cool for 10 minutes
4. In the food processor scrape out all of the oil combination and pulse for 10 seconds
5. Slowly add the water to the oil mixture keeping the processor at a low speed constantly
6. Once all water is added pulse again for 10 seconds
7. Mix in the essential oil of your choice and pulse again for 5-10 seconds
8. Pour in pots and let cool before sealing.

Enjoy!

Facial steam - What is it really doing?

Since I started my adventure in natural cosmetics and remedies I have been giving myself a facial steam on a weekly basis. At first I didn't really like it and found it hard to relax breathing in this hot air under towel, but now I have learnt to really enjoy it and my skin has definitely seen the benefits.

Steam encourages the pores of the skin to perspire and breathe which allows moisture to seep to deeper layers of your skin. It relaxes muscle tissues, plumps those wrinkles, brings oxygenated blood to the surface of you skin and boosts circulation.

If you are feel like your skin is lacking some shine and glow I would really suggest doing a simple facial steam - I convinced my boyfriend to give it a go yesterday and he absolutely LOVED it.

Do not underestimate the STEAM..

Ingredients:
3 cups water
1/4 cup Apple cider vinegar
Crushed fennel seeds
rosemary
lavender

A little bit of info about the ingredients...
Apple cider vinegar is used in this steam purely for its properties of bringing the skin to its natural pH level and leaves the skin nice and soft. Fennel seeds when used in a steam have hydrating benefits and also smell divine. Lavender for its relaxing aroma and has a natural calming effect on our central nervous system. Rosemary is known to have cell-regenerating properties as well antiseptic properties.

Method:
1. boil the water and vinegar together.
2. Take off heat and add fennel seeds and herbs.
3. Place lid on the pot and leave to brew for 5 minutes
4. Place a large towel over your head and shoulders, creating a tent with the pot underneath
5. Immerse your face in the steam (about 20cm away from water)
6. Stay like this for 10 minutes.
7. Cool your face off with luke warm water and pat dry.
8. Always a great idea to follow this with a face mask.

The face mask I chose after this facial steam was similar to my previous banana concoction which I thought was a great idea after a long weekend in the sun... My skin needed some extra hydration!

Ingredients:
1/2 Banana
2 Tbsp Cream
1 tsp Apricot Kernel Oil

Method:
1. Mix all ingredients together
2. Apply to face and recline as this face mask does not really dry and can drip if you are not careful!
3. Leave on for 20 minutes and then remove with a face cloth.

Happy steaming!

p.s If you have any direct concerns or are unsure whether this would suit your skin type please feel free to contact me and I may be able to suggest something more suitable :)

X

Baby Bump Cream - Coconut and Apricot

I have a very close friend of mine (Sister from another mister) who is expecting her little baby girl to arrive in March.. You may remember I was knitting some bootees a few months back in preparation, you can see that here.

Since I have started making potions for the body I have been thinking over and over about making something that contains Vitamin E oil so that pregnant friends of mine may use this on their bellies during the incubating months.

Here is a recipe I made especially for my lovely Ona - However it is a very basic cream and I think all pregnant ladies would love this :)

This recipe makes approximately 2 small jars full.

Ingredients:

4 Tbl Apricot Kernal Oil
4 Tbl Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
2 Tbl Beeswax
2 Tbl Vitamin E Oil
1 Tbl Cocobutter
1/2 tsp Pure Lanolin
10 Tbl Water
2 tsp Vegetable glycerin
30 Drops Sweet Orange Essential Oil

Method:

1. In a double boiler over a very low temperature melt together the apricot oil, coconut oil, beeswax, vitamin E oil, cocobutter and lanolin. Once the beeswax has completely melted take off heat and leave to cool.
2. At the same time measure out the water and vegetable glycerin into a separate pot and also place on a very low heat and stir till the two ingredients mix together. Take off heat.
3. Now with both pots off the elements, let them cool for approximately 10 minutes. you will notice the oil mixture will start to go a cloudy colour.
4. In a food processor quickly scrap the oil mixture in place the lid on (but remove the centre piece), and set the processor to a slow speed.
5. The oil mix will start to thicken.
6. Slowly pour the vegetable glycerin mix through the whole in the lid and keep the processer on at a low speed.
7. It should all mix together and make a creamy white lotion.
8. Take off speed and add the sweet orange.
9. Mix through and then turn the processor on a slow spin for the last time.
10. Remove and scrap into jars.
11. Let the cream completely cool before placing the lids on.

This is a delicious cream!

Enjoy x

Birthday celebrations

On the 11th of January it was the 25th birthday of fellow wolverine Kimberley !!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIMMY!

On the 11th we went on a fabulous boat cruise around the Auckland Harbor with a bunch of friends who could make it - It was a very eventful evening including ripping out a couple of moves on the disco dance floor.. photos below.

The weekend just passed, we decided to get away and celebrate Kimmys birthday outside of Auckland so we packed our bags & chilli bins and drove up on Friday evening to Kai iwi Lakes. We had a primo spot with a massive house looking over the lake. It was a perfect weekend full of fantastic food, sunshine, kayaking, golf and facials.

The ladies on the holiday were brave enough to try out some of my face masks! Photos and recipes below :)

Facials:

First of all the ladies all cleansed their faces with an almond and sunflower seed mix wetted to a paste with water, they then had a choice of 2 face masks depending on their skin type:

1. Banana smoothie face-mask

Skin type: Normal to dry/dehydrated skin

Ingredients: Buttermilk & Banana

Buttermilk helps to clear and brighten skin as it contains lactic acid which helps remove hyper-pigmented cells. And banana serves as a nourishing and moisturising ingredient, a non-abrasive exfoliant also with skin lightening action. It is good for all skin types especially dry skin :)

1. Deep cleanse mask

Skin type: Oily to normal skin

Ingredients: Almonds (crushed), sunflower seeds (crushed), rolled oats (crushed), almond oil & tomato flesh (seeds and skin removed). 

Almonds are high in emollients and work as a good exfoliant, also works as a gentle bleaching agent to even skin tone. Sunflower seeds are rich in essential fatty acids, emollients and nutrients - makes a good moisturiser and is very gentle, fantastic for exfoliation. Rolled oats are soothing to irritated skin and also makes a gentle abrasive base for the face mask. Almond oil (I use this religiously every day) is high in fatty acids and penetrates the skin well. Lastly tomatoes are high in anti-oxidants and are great on inflamed or blemished skin.

All ingredients used - the mixes can be prepared in advance!

Cleansing with an almond mix

Helping each other apply the mask

The girls relaxing as their masks work magic!

Even Porsche wanted to join in!  

Amazing meal prepared by Jess to top off a perfect day at the lake :)

More good food the next day

Thank you very much ladies! X

Megan's New Years resolution 2013

I am not one to make New Years resolutions only because I don't believe you should wait till the end of the year to make necessary changes that you see fit in your life. But after a conversation with some health conscious friends today I decided I could use the New Year as an excuse... it is always good to try new things - right?

So although I already started changing my lifestyle from about midway through last year I have now made a commitment to better living and taking care of my body the way it deserves!

To support this change I have adapted the 'Seven lifestyle keys' by Stephanie Tourles

1. Daily cleansing

2. Maximal nutrition intake

3. Regular consumption of pure water

4. Regular elimination of internal and external toxic buildup

5. Daily movement

6. Moderate exposure to sunlight

7. Sound sleep.

I truly believe the real beauty comes from knowing and loving your own body inside and out and this can be easily achieved using the 7 steps above.

Wish me luck people!

Let's all be natural this year!

"When you improve appearance, you also boost your morale. And we all function better and are more comfortable when we know we have presented our best to our critical selves and to the world."
-VIRGINIA CASTLETON