Enjoy soft lips with this simple lanolin lip balm recipe. It’s perfect for the harsh winter when dry lips need extra moisture. And bonus: it’s easy to make, better than commercial lip balms, and 100% natural! 

I’ve been making lip balm for over 11 years. I love this homemade lip balm recipe, honey lip balm, and shea butter lip balm. But when I want something extra moisturizing for chapped lips, lanolin is a great way to do that and always provides immediate relief.

Today, I’ll show you how to use lanolin to make a beautiful balm. 

Key Takeaways

• Best Ingredients – To make this recipe, you’ll need beeswax, shea butter (or mango butter or cocoa butter), oil of choice (like olive oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, coconut oil), and lanolin. 
• Minimal Equipment – You’ll need lip balm tubes or metal tins, a small saucepan, a heat-safe bowl, and a stovetop. 
• How Much This Recipe Makes – This recipe makes 4 ounces of lip balm. You can divide this between four 1-ounce lip balm containers or make one 4-ounce jar. 
• Flavor Options – Personalize this natural lip balm recipe by adding your favorite essential oils, like peppermint or lavender essential oil. 
• Shelf Life – Homemade lip balm lasts for up to 12 months!
• Great Gift – Like my other lip balm recipes, the finished product is a great gift. 

Before You Get Started: What You’ll Need

You’ll also find the full recipe, instructions, and links for my favorite ingredient brands in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons shea butter – provides the critical moisturizing relief my lips crave in the drier months. Rich in fatty acids, vitamin E, and ultra-moisturizing properties. Alternatively, cocoa butter (hydrating and rich in vitamin E, chocolatey scent) or mango butter (rich in fatty acids, ultra-moisturizing) are great substitutes. 
• 2 tablespoons carrier oil – nourishes and provides extra moisture for the skin. My favorite oil options are sweet almond, olive, sunflower, avocado, jojoba, and coconut oil. 
• 2-3 teaspoons beeswax pellets – the glue that holds the oil and body butter together and creates a solid product. The wax also provides a protective barrier to the skin and may also help to soothe the skin.
• 1/2 teaspoon liquid lanolin – This natural ingredient is extracted from sheep’s wool. It protects the skin’s natural barrier and locks in moisture. Lanolin may also be substituted with vitamin E oil. 
• 5-10 drops of essential oils (optional) – peppermint or lavender are great choices for lip balm. The essential oil adds a lovely scent and flavor.

Equipment

• Small saucepan – creates a double boiler by adding water to the saucepan and placing a heat-safe bowl on top to protect the oil and butter from burning. 
• Small or medium heat-safe bowl or tall measuring cup (glass or metal)- to create a double boiler and melt the ingredients. I’ve found that a glass measuring cup that can sit in the small saucepan (above) works best as it has a spout for pouring the melted wax into lip balm tubes. Other options include a glass bowl or metal mixing bowl; however, they are more challenging to use if you’re making lip balm tubes, as they need a spout for pouring. 
• Lip balm containers – This recipe will make four 1-ounce tubes or tins or one 4-ounce jar. You’re welcome to use tins, tubes, or cosmetic jars for this recipe. 

How to Make Lanolin Lip Balm: Step-by-Step Guide

• Step 1 Combine Shea Butter & Beeswax – Combine the shea butter and beeswax in a glass bowl.
• Step 2 Melt Ingredients – Place the glass bowl on top of a saucepan partially filled with water over medium heat. Heat until the beeswax melts, stirring occasionally.
• Step 3 Add Oil, Lanolin, and Essential Oil – Turn off the heat and remove the bowl from the pot. Add the carrier oil, lanolin, and essential oil.
• Step 4 Pour – Place a towel on a surface, then place the lip balm container on the towel (this will protect your surface). Pour the mixture into lip balm containers and sit for a few minutes until formed. The lip balm will set as the mixture cools, so working quickly during this step is essential. 

Application Tip: Apply as needed to the lips. May be used daily and multiple times a day. I love to use this lip scrub once a week during the winter as well.

How Long Will This Lip Balm Last? 

Homemade lip balm will last about 12 months—store at temperature. 

How Much Lip Balm Does This Recipe Make?

This recipe makes 4 ounces of the final product. Divide the lip balm between four 1-oz small jars or tubes, two 2-oz tins or small jars, or one larger 4-ounce tin. 

How to Make Moisturizing Vegan Lip Balm 

To make this basic lip balm vegan, you must substitute two animal-based ingredients: beeswax and lanolin. 

• Beeswax Substitute: Instead, use a plant-based wax, like soy wax, carnauba wax, or candelilla. 
• Lanolin Substitute: Instead, vitamin E oil. 

What to Avoid Doing

• Don’t Use “Hot” Essential Oils – Some essential oils can irritate the skin and cause the skin to feel an uncomfortable burning sensation. Avoid “hot oils” such as cinnamon, clove, oregano, thyme, and lemongrass.
• Citrus Oils – ​ Citrus oils, like sweet orange or lemon essential oil, are photosensitive and can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Skip these oils if you’ll be in the sun a lot.
• Don’t Add the Essential Oils When Melting The Ingredients – Essential oils quickly evaporate when exposed to high temperatures. Wait until the ingredients have melted and are away from the heat source before adding the essential oil. 

Print

Lanolin Lip Balm

Enjoy soft lips with this simple lanolin lip balm recipe. It's perfect for the harsh winter when dry lips need extra moisture. Makes 4 ounces.

Course DIY

Cuisine Beauty, Body

Keyword lanolin lip balm

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 4 ounces

Author Kristin Marr

Cost $3 for 4 ounces

Equipment

• 1 small saucepan
• 1 Small or medium heat-safe bowl or tall measuring cup (glass or metal) I like this option for easy pouring
• lip balm containers lip balm tubes or metal tins (1-ounce size is ideal)

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons shea butter or mango butter or cocoa butter
• 2 teaspoons beeswax pellets
• 2 tablespoons carrier oil such as: olive oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, or coconut oil
• 1/2 teaspoon liquid lanolin or vitamin E oil
• 10 drops peppermint essential oil or your favorite essential oil

Instructions

• Combine Shea Butter & Beeswax – Combine the shea butter and beeswax in a glass bowl.
• Melt Ingredients – Place the glass bowl on top of a saucepan partially filled with water over medium heat. Heat until the beeswax melts, stirring occasionally.
• Step 3 Add Oil, Lanolin, and Essential Oil – Turn off the heat and remove the bowl from the pot. Add the carrier oil, lanolin, and essential oil.
• Step 4 Pour – Place a towel on a surface, then place the lip balm container on the towel (this will protect your surface). Pour the mixture into lip balm containers and sit for a few minutes until formed. The lip balm will set as the mixture cools, so working quickly during this step is essential. 

How to Use:

• Apply as needed to the lips. May be used daily and multiple times a day. I love to use this lip scrub once a week during the winter as well.

Video

Notes

How Much Lip Balm Does This Recipe Make? This recipe makes 4 ounces of the final product. Divide the lip balm between four 1-oz small jars or tubes, two 2-oz tins or small jars, or one larger 4-ounce tin. 

How Long Does This Recipe Make? Store at room temperature for up to 12 months.

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DIY Shea Butter Lip Balm Recipe

The post Moisturizing Lanolin Lip Balm Recipe appeared first on Live Simply.

Here’s how to make a moisturizing shea butter lip balm for dry lips in just a few minutes using 3 organic ingredients: shea butter (of course), oil, and wax! And add essential oil (optional) for a delicious scent.

I’ve been making this simple recipe for over 11 years now, and I love how it feels on my lips. In this blog, I’m outlining the exact steps to make this easy lip balm with shea butter. 

Key Takeaways

• Simple Ingredients – You’ll need shea butter, carrier oil, and beeswax to make this recipe. 
•  Equipment – You’ll also need lip balm tins or tubes to store lip balm, a saucepan, a heat-safe bowl, and a stovetop. 
•  Vegan Lip Balm Option – You can make this recipe vegan by swapping the beeswax for a plant-based wax.
•  How Much This Recipe Makes – This recipe makes 7-8 lip balm tubes/tins.  
•  Adding Essential Oils – Add your favorite essential for a scent, like lavender essential oil or peppermint essential oil. 
•  Shelf Life – Keep the lip balm for up to 12 months! 

Before you get started: What You’ll Need

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons shea butter- provides the moisturizing relief my lips crave in the drier fall and winter months.
•  2 tablespoons carrier oil – nourishes and moisturizes the skin. My favorite oil options: sweet almond oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, and virgin coconut oil. 
•  2-3 teaspoons beeswax pellets – the glue that holds the oil and shea butter together and creates a solid product. Beeswax, a natural ingredient thanks to hard-working bees, provides a protective barrier to the skin and may help soothe it.

Equipment  

• small sauce pan –used to create a double boiler with a bowl to melt the ingredients. 
• medium heat-safe bowl – this can be glass or metal and should be large enough to rest on the saucepan to melt the ingredients. I’ve found that a glass measuring cup that sits in the saucepan (and the water added to the saucepan) works best as it has a spout for pouring the melted wax into lip balm tubes. 
• lip balm containers – Either lip balm tubes or metal tins. This recipe makes 7-8 regular-sized tubes (or 4 ounces).

How to Make Lip Balm: Step By Step Guide

• Step 1 Combine Ingredients – Place the shea butter, oil of your choice, and wax in a glass bowl.
•  Step 2 Melt Ingredients – Place the glass bowl on top of a saucepan partially filled with water over medium heat (this creates a double boiler). Heat until the wax melts, along with the butter, stirring occasionally.
•  Step 3 Remove Ingredients From Heat – Remove the bowl from the pot and the heat. Add the essential oil drops of choice (if using). 
•  Step 4 Pour Into Lip Balm Containers – Place a disposable plate or paper towel under the containers you’ll be using to prevent wax from dripping onto your countertop. Use an oven mitt to pour the mixture into lip balm containers (tubes or cases), and allow the balm to sit for a few minutes until formed. It’s ready to use once set (firm). 

Application Tip: Apply as needed to the lips. May be used daily and multiple times a day. I love to use this lip scrub once a week during the winter as well.

Shelf Life: How Long Will It Last? 

Homemade lip balm will last for the life of the ingredients, about 6-12 months, stored at room temperature.

How Much Does This Recipe Make? 

This recipe makes 4 ounces of lip balm or about 7-8 standard-size lip balm tubes.

How to Make Vegan Lip Balm 

Shea butter and carrier oil are naturally vegan, so the only ingredient you’ll need to change is the beeswax. A plant-based wax, like soy wax, carnauba wax, or candelilla, is a great substitute.

Should I use unrefined shea butter or refined shea butter?

The choice is yours. This all depends on your preference as both are great options.  

• Unrefined Shea Butter – This type of shea butter contains all its natural nutrients, so it’s considered the best option. It has a strong, earthy scent and cream color. 
• Refined Shea Butter – Due to the refining process, some of its natural nutrients are removed, making it odorless and white. 

5 More DIY Recipes With Shea Butter

• Custom Lip Balm – Use any body butter of choice or oil to make this natural lip balm recipe.
• Honey Lip Balm – Use honey, shea butter, and beeswax to make an ultra-hydrating lip balm.
• Lotion Bars – Moisturizing lotion in a solid bar, made with shea butter and beeswax.
• Body Butter – This luxurious lotion is made with shea butter and oil and moisturizes the whole body.
• Face Moisturizer – Combine shea butter and oil to make an all-natural face moisturizer.

Print

DIY Shea Butter Lip Balm

A hydrating and moisturizing lip balm made with just 3 ingredients: shea butter, carrier oil of choice, and beeswax. Use refined or unrefined shea butter.

Course How To

Cuisine Body

Keyword DIY shea butter lip balm recipe, shea butter lip balm, shea butter lip balm recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 4 ounces; 7-8 lip balm tubes

Author Kristin Marr

Cost $.60 per tube

Equipment

• 1 small saucepan
• 1 Small or medium heat-safe bowl or tall measuring cup (glass or metal) I like this option for easy pouring
• lip balm containers lip balm tubes or metal tins (this recipe makes 7-8 tubes)

Ingredients

• 2 TB shea butter (24g)
• 2 TB carrier oil such as: olive oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, or coconut oil
• 2-3 tsp beeswax pellets 7g-10g or vegan wax (see notes above in recipe)
• 5 drops essential oil of choice (optional) like lavender or peppermint

Instructions

• Place the shea butter, oil, and beeswax pellets in a small or medium heat-safe bowl or tall measuring cup. 
• Place the glass bowl on top (or sitting inside) of a saucepan partially filled with water (about 1/4 way full) over medium heat (this creates a double boiler to protect the fragile ingredients from burning).
• Heat until the wax and shea butter melts, stirring occasionally. While doing this, place a disposable plate or paper towel under the lip balm containers to prevent wax from dripping onto your countertop later.
• Remove the bowl from the saucepan and place it on an oven mitt or towel. Add the essential oil drops of choice (if using). 
• Use an oven mitt to pour the liquid mixture into lip balm containers (tubes or tins). Allow the balm to rest for a few minutes until formed and solid. It’s ready to use once set (firm). 

How to Use:

• Apply as needed to the lips. May be used daily and multiple times a day. I love to use this lip scrub once a week during the winter as well.

Notes

Shelf Life: Store at room temperature for up 12 months.

How much does this recipe make? This recipe makes 4 ounces or 7-8 regular-sized tubes.

Refined vs. Unrefined Shea Butter

• Unrefined Shea Butter – This type of shea butter contains all its natural nutrients, so it’s considered the best option. It has a strong, earthy scent and cream color.
• Refined Shea Butter – Due to the refining process, some of its natural nutrients are removed, making it odorless and white.

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DIY Shea Butter Lip Balm Recipe

The post DIY Shea Butter Lip Balm Recipe appeared first on Live Simply.

Say goodbye to chapped lips with this DIY lip balm recipe. It’s natural, easy to make, and saves money.

I’ve been making lip balm for over 11 years, particularly during winter, when dry lips are inevitable. Today, I’m sharing my soothing, hydrating recipe with simple ingredients: beeswax, shea butter, and oil. 

This blog outlines the steps to make my favorite easy homemade lip balm recipe.

Key Takeaways

• Natural Ingredients – To make the best lip balm, you’ll need a few natural ingredients (easy to find online): beeswax, shea butter (or use mango butter or cocoa butter), and oil of choice (like olive oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, coconut oil). 
• Minimal Equipment – You’ll also need lip balm tubes, metal tins, a saucepan, a heat-safe bowl, and a stovetop. 
• Cost – My recipe makes 7-8 lip balm tubes, costing just $0.60 a tube- enough to last all winter or share as a great gift! 
• Flavor Options – Personalize the lip balm by adding your favorite essential oils, like peppermint or lavender essential oil. 
• Shelf Life – Homemade lip balm lasts for up to 12 months!

Before you get started: What You’ll Need

You’ll also find the full recipe, instructions, and links for my favorite ingredient brands in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of body butter – provides much of the moisturizing relief my lips crave in the drier months. Choose one of these options for the body butter: cocoa butter (hydrating and rich in vitamin E, chocolatey scent), shea butter (rich in fatty acids, vitamin E, ultra-moisturizing), or mango butter (rich in fatty acids, ultra-moisturizing).
• 2 tablespoons carrier oil – nourishes and moisturizes the skin. My favorite oil options are sweet almond, olive, sunflower, avocado, jojoba, and coconut oil. 
• 2-3 teaspoons beeswax pellets – the glue that holds the oil and body butter together and creates a solid product. The wax also provides a protective moisture barrier to the skin and may also help to soothe the skin.
• 5 drops essential oil (optional) – peppermint or lavender are personal favorites. The essential oil adds a lovely scent.

Equipment

• Small saucepan – used to create a double boiler by adding water to the saucepan and placing a heat-safe bowl on top. This method protects the fragile ingredients from burning.
• Small or medium heat-safe bowl or tall measuring cup (glass or metal)- to melt the ingredients. I’ve found that a glass measuring cup that can sit in the small saucepan (above) works best as it has a spout for pouring the melted wax into lip balm tubes. Other options include a glass or metal mixing bowl; however, they are more challenging to use if you’re making lip balm tubes, as they don’t have a spout for pouring. 
• Lip balm containers – Either lip balm tubes or metal tins. This recipe makes 7-8 regular-sized tubes (or 4 ounces).

How to Make Lip Balm: Step By Step Guide

• Step 1 Combine Ingredients – Place the body butter, oil, and beeswax pellets in a small or medium heat-safe bowl or tall measuring cup. 
• Step 2 Melt Ingredients – Place the glass bowl on top (or sitting inside) of a saucepan partially filled with water (about 1/4 way full) over medium heat (this creates a double boiler to protect the fragile ingredients from burning). Heat until the wax and butter melts, stirring occasionally. While doing this, place a disposable plate or paper towel under the lip balm containers to prevent wax from dripping onto your countertop when you reach step 4.
• Step 3 Remove Ingredients From Heat – Remove the bowl from the saucepan and place it on an oven mitt or towel. Add the essential oil drops of choice (if using). 
• Step 4 Pour Into Lip Balm Containers –  Use an oven mitt to pour the liquid mixture into lip balm containers (tubes or tins). Allow the balm to rest for a few minutes until formed and solid. It’s ready to use once set (firm). 

Application Tip: Apply as needed to the lips. May be used daily and multiple times a day. I love to use this lip scrub once a week during the winter as well.

How Long Will This Kind of Lip Balm last? 

Homemade lip balm will last for the life of the ingredients, about 12 months—store at temperature. 

How Much Lip Balm Does This Recipe Make? 

This recipe makes 4 ounces, or about 7-8 standard-size lip balm tubes. 

How to Make Vegan Lip Balm

To make this basic recipe vegan, you must substitute beeswax for plant-based wax, like soy wax, carnauba wax, or candelilla. 

The other ingredients used are all plant-based.

 What to Avoid Doing

• Don’t Use “Hot” Essential Oils – Some essential oils can irritate the skin and cause the skin to feel an uncomfortable burning sensation. Avoid “hot oils” such as cinnamon, clove, oregano, thyme, and lemongrass.
• Citrus Oils – ​ Citrus oils, like sweet orange essential oil or lemon essential oil, are photosensitive and can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Skip these oils if you’ll be in the sun a lot.
• Don’t Add the Essential Oils When Melting The Ingredients – Essential oils quickly evaporate when exposed to high temperatures. Wait until the ingredients have melted and are away from the heat source before adding the essential oil. 

How to Prevent Natural Lip Balm Recipe Problems

• Grainy Lip Balm – Lip balm made with shea butter can (on some occasions) turn gritty or grainy. While the lip balm is still usable, the final product can feel funny on your lips when applied. To prevent a grainy texture:

1. Cool in Fridge – Place the lip balm in the fridge to cool after pouring it into your tins or tubes. 
2. Slow Melt – If you find this issue still occurs, next time, melt the shea butter first over low heat in the glass bowl (double boiler set up) before adding the other ingredients for 15-20 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and proceed with the steps. This slower, longer melt can also help reduce the grainy texture issue.

• ​Lip Balm is Too Hard or Soft – Too much wax, and you’ll end up with a very hard lip balm; too little wax, and you’ll get a very soft lip balm. If this issue occurs, next time, add more wax if the lip balm is too soft for your liking. Add more oil if the lip balm is too hard for your liking. Either way, the lip balm is still usable but can be tweaked as desired next time. 

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How to Make DIY Lip Balm (3 Ingredients!)

This recipe is a great basic recipe that you can easily customize. It nourishes and soothes dry, chapped lips with moisturizing body butter, oil, and wax.

Course How To

Cuisine Body

Keyword beeswax lip balm recipe, DIY lip balm, homemade lip balm, how to make lip balm

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 4 ounces; 7-8 lip balm tubes

Author Kristin Marr

Cost $.60 per tube

Equipment

• 1 small saucepan
• 1 Small or medium heat-safe bowl or tall measuring cup (glass or metal) I like this option for easy pouring
• lip balm containers lip balm tubes or metal tins (this recipe makes 7-8 tubes)

Ingredients

• 2 TB body butter such as: shea butter (24g), mango butter (24g), or cocoa butter (16g)
• 2 TB carrier oil such as: olive oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, or coconut oil
• 2-3 tsp beeswax pellets 7g-10g or vegan wax (see notes above in recipe)
• 5 drops essential oil of choice (optional)

Instructions

• Place the body butter, oil, and beeswax pellets in a small or medium heat-safe bowl or tall measuring cup. 
• Place the glass bowl on top (or sitting inside) of a saucepan partially filled with water (about 1/4 way full) over medium heat (this creates a double boiler to protect the fragile ingredients from burning).
• Heat until the wax and butter melts, stirring occasionally. While doing this, place a disposable plate or paper towel under the lip balm containers to prevent wax from dripping onto your countertop later.
• Remove the bowl from the saucepan and place it on an oven mitt or towel. Add the essential oil drops of choice (if using). 
• Use an oven mitt to pour the liquid mixture into lip balm containers (tubes or tins). Allow the balm to rest for a few minutes until formed and solid. It’s ready to use once set (firm). 

How to Use:

• Apply as needed to the lips. May be used daily and multiple times a day. I love to use this lip scrub once a week during the winter as well.

Notes

Shelf Life: Store at room temperature for up 12 months.

How much does this recipe make? This recipe makes 4 ounces or 7-8 regular-sized tubes.

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DIY Shea Butter Lip Balm Recipe

The post How to Make DIY Lip Balm (3 Ingredient Recipe) appeared first on Live Simply.

Natural Perfume Basics

There are three ways to make a natural perfume.

• Spray Perfume: The first option is to make a perfume by diluting an essential oil (or oils) in distilled water and alcohol. Spray the perfume on your neck and wrists. Learn how to make this perfume. 
• Roll-On Perfume: Another option is to use a roller bottle and dilute an essential oil (or oils) in a carrier oil. Roll the perfume on your wrists and neck. Learn how to make this perfume. This is an alcohol-free way to make homemade perfume. 
• Solid Perfume: The third option is to use a carrier oil, beeswax, and essential oil (or oils) to make a solid perfume. This is also an alcohol-free way to make homemade perfume. This article is all about how to make solid perfume. 

Carrying a liquid oil in your purse can be quite messy, so a solid perfume is the way to go. Before I share my solid perfume recipe, let’s talk about each of the essential ingredients needed.

How to Make Solid Perfume with Essential Oils

Main Ingredient: Carrier Oil

Oil is the main ingredient used to make solid perfume. The oils used in do-it-yourself skincare recipes are typically referred to as carrier oils, although I usually call them nourishing carrier oils. Carrier oils dilute and “carry” essential oils safely on the skin. Essential oils should not be used directly on the skin without dilution. This is why you need a carrier oil.  

The carrier oil used to make an essential oil perfume is completely up to you. Grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, or jojoba oil are my top picks for making perfume. Virgin coconut oil may also be used, but it will impart a coconut scent on the final product.

Main Ingredient: Beeswax

Beeswax takes the carrier oil from a liquid to a solid state. Beeswax also acts as a barrier, which helps an essential oil perfume last a longer when it’s applied to the skin.

Main Ingredient: Essential Oil

Making your own natural perfume fragrance can be as easy or as complex as you’d like it to be. There are three ways to achieve a naturally-scented perfume with essential oils.

What essential oils are good for perfume?

Fragrance Option 1: Use a Single Essential Oil

To keep things simple, a single essential oil (like lavender essential oil) may be used to create a “one-and-done” perfume. This is an easy way to make a fragranced perfume at home. 

Fragrance Option 2: Use Pre-Blended Essential Oils

Another simple, “one-and-done” scent option is to add a pre-made blend of essential oils to your own perfume, like: Tranquil (bergamot, patchouli, blood orange, ylang ylang, grapefruit), Love Vanilla (vanilla, ylang-ylang), Blues Buster (tangerine, geranium, grapefruit), or Spring Blossoms (neroli, sweet orange, Lime). A blend of individual essential oils, pre-mixed by the essential oil company, takes all the guess work out of creating a complex natural fragrance for perfume.

Fragrance Option 3: Blend Essential Oils to Make Your Own Scent 

Individual oils may be combined to create your own perfume fragrance. To do this, you’ll need to understand the basics of blending essential oils.

How to blend essential oils for perfume…

Essential oils are divided into three main categories, based on their unique scent profile: Base Notes, Middle Notes, and Top Notes.

• Base Notes (scents are uplifting, very sharp, and slow to evaporate): cedarwood, frankincense, ginger (to Middle), jasmine (to Middle), patchouli, sandalwood, vanilla, vetiver, ylang ylang (to Middle).
• Middle Notes (scents last a couple of hours, supportive): bay, cardamom, geranium, fir balsam, geranium, ginger (to Base), helichrysum, jasmine (to Base), lavender (to Top), lemongrass, palmarosa, orange (to Top), rosemary, ylang ylang (to Base).
• Top Notes (introduce the perfume, quick to evaporate, uplifting): bergamot, clary sage (to Middle), eucalyptus, grapefruit, juniper, lemon, lime, neroli, orange (to Middle), palmarosa, peppermint, pine, tangerine, verbena.

To make your custom perfume fragrance, experiment with just a few essential oils (3-6 individual oils– preferably a good mix of Base, Middle, and Top Notes). Add two drops of a Base Note to a small amount of carrier oil, smell the oil and evaluate which Middle Note (from your oil choices) will best accompany the scent. Add two drops of the desired Middle Note, and then repeat the smell test. Finally, add a drop at a time of the desired Top Note, taking time to swirl the mixture and conduct a smell test before adding new drops. If you’d like to go back and add more of the Base Note or Middle Note, now is the time to experiment. Creating a custom scent is all about trial and error, so have fun with the process and take notes.

The essential oil (or oils) used to create your perfume will depend on your scent preferences as well as the mood you want to create. Once you know which scent you’ll be using, it’s time to make your solid perfume. Below, you’ll find my basic recipe for creating a custom perfume.

How do you make fragrance essential oil last longer?

To make a fragrance essential oil last longer, apply the perfume to areas of your skin that heat up, such as: the arm crease at the elbow, behind the ears, or your wrists. As the day goes on, your body heat will trigger the oils and you will have a longer-lasting scent. Beeswax, used to make solid perfume, also acts as a barrier and helps an essential oil perfume last a longer when it’s applied to the skin.

Keep in mind, a natural perfume, made with essential oils, will never have the staying power like those made with toxic chemicals, like phthalates. You may need to apply this perfume a couple of times a day (learn more about the toxicity of fragrance).

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How to Make Solid Perfume with Essential Oils

Solid perfumes do not contain alcohol and they are healthier than regular perfumes. Creating a solid perfume doesn’t have to be difficult. With just a few simple and natural ingredients you can make your own solid perfume with essential oils. Use this recipe as a base, adding your own custom scent. See the article above for information about blending essential oils.

Course DIY

Cuisine Body

Keyword Solid Perfume

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 1 2-ounce jar

Author Kristin Marr

Equipment

• small bowl
• medium saucepan
• small tin or you could use a recycled mint container

Ingredients

• 1 TB carrier oil (14.5g)
• 2 tsp beeswax pellets (6g)
• 35-40 drops essential oil of choice: single essential oil, a blend of individual oils, or a pre-made blend (see article above for suggestions.

Instructions

• Place a glass bowl (or glass measuring cup that's heat-safe, like this) on top of a saucepan partially filled with water over medium heat (this creates a DIY double boiler and keeps the wax and oil away from the direct heat). Place the oil and beeswax in the glass bowl, and allow the beeswax to fully melt (about 4-5 minutes). 
  
• Carefully remove the bowl from the heat source, and stir the liquid. 
• Pour the liquid into a storage container. I use a 2-ounce tin container or recycled mint/candy tin.
• Once the liquid begins to cool (just a minute or two), add the essential oil(s) of choice. Gently stir the essential oils into the oil. Place the lid on the container to keep the essential oils from evaporating. 
• Allow the perfume to solidify (just a few minutes) before use. Keep in mind, as the perfume matures, the fragrance will intensify. 

To Apply the Perfume:

• Rub a clean finger across the top of the solid perfume. Apply the perfume to your wrists, neck, etc.. Repeat as needed. The perfume will keep for 6-12 months, depending on the carrier oil used (grapeseed: 6 months; sweet almond and jojoba: 12 months).  

Video

More DIY Recipes to Try

• How to Make a Simple 3-Ingredient Lip Balm
• Best Natural Face Cleansers and Face Wash
• Homemade Foundation Powder
• DIY Homemade Perfume (Spray or Roll-On)
• DIY Lavender-Rosemary Candles

The post How to Make Solid Perfume with Essential Oils appeared first on Live Simply.

You guys, today is a big day. A day many of you have been waiting for. It’s time for another homemade lotion recipe.

We’ve already made homemade lip balm and body butter, and today we’re making a silky smooth lotion.

First, a little background story…

A few years ago, I started thinking about making the switch from a laundry-list-of-toxic-ingredients that I’d used to clean my home and care for the outside of body. My family had already been enjoying “real food” for a few years at that point.

Now, let me pause here, and go down a bit of a “rabbit trail.”

There’s an idea going around, which I first believed when making the cleaning and bodycare switch, that chemicals are bad. Friend, I would suggest just the opposite. When I talk about making the switch from toxic products to “more natural” products, I’m not talking about banning chemicals from our homes, because that’s impossible! Everything from baking soda to water has a chemical composition, and we certainly know those ingredients aren’t toxic.

When I talk about making the switch, I’m talking about choosing or making products that aren’t made with highly questionable/toxic ingredients. If you’re curious about some of the questionable/toxic ingredients used to make many of the beauty and cleaning products in the US, many of which are banned in Europe due to health concerns, I recommend checking out the Environmental Working Group’s Database. On the EWG site, you can check out overall safety ratings for products and brands, as well as individual ingredients.

Just remember, my natural living goal is to source or make safer products, not eliminate chemicals. Because that would mean having to eliminate my beloved baking soda, water, and vinegar, too.

Okay, back to the lotion story ;)…

My switch to more natural products started with bodycare items, particularly foundation powder and moisturizer.

I had read about coconut oil being a miracle product, so I switched out my store-bought moisturizer for coconut oil. Within a few months, it was clear that my skin didn’t think coconut oil was a miracle product. After much research, I determined that coconut oil just wasn’t something that I could use every day as a moisturizer.

Side note, I still use coconut oil for DIYs, so I’m not saying coconut oil is bad news. Rather, I’m just suggesting that everyone is different, and so the products we love and use will vary, too. My skin tolerates coconut oil in deodorant, and as an occasional post-shave moisturizer.

At that point, I decided to create a homemade lotion that would be shelf-table, and could be used in place of the coconut oil. After lots of trial and error, I developed a homemade lotion, which technically is a body butter, that’s thick and luxurious. My skin loved the change from 100% coconut oil to this new product. And here’s where my backstory meets today’s DIY lotion recipe…

I shared that lotion/body butter recipe two years ago on Live Simply. Since that time, I know many of you have tried that recipe, and love it! I also know, based on comments and emails, that many of you would like a creamier/less thick lotion that has more of a store-bought consistency.

Today, I’m excited to share with you a new lotion recipe that’s soft, creamy, and even “pumpable.” Before I share the recipe, let’s chat about a few things to keep in mind…

1. This recipe is “pumpable.” This means the lotion is smooth and liquid enough to be used in a pump bottle. My ultra-moisturizing lotion/body butter is very thick, which means you have to store it in a jar (it won’t pump). While you can store this lotion in a pump bottle, cleaning the “straw” (what is that little thing at the base of the pump called?) is tricky, because well, you’re dealing with lotion.

If you use a pump bottle, know that you may need to replace the pump and straw if you can’t thoroughly clean them out before making a new batch of lotion. Alternatively, this lotion could also be stored in a bottle or jar, and then poured on your hand, or spooned out. I personally go with the jar (other than for photos here), since I store this in the fridge.

2. This lotion does require a number of ingredients, and is a bit of process to make. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the idea of making one more thing, let me encourage you…

You don’t have to make lotion to use “cleaner” bodycare products. It’s perfectly okay to purchase pre-made lotion.

Yep, that probably sounds contradictory for a homemade lotion chat. Here’s the thing, simple living isn’t about “doing it all.” In fact, if you’re “doing it all” you’re probably not living simply. It’s okay to say, “You know what, I’m going to make a homemade dinner for my family, and purchase a ‘cleaner’ lotion from the store.” I personally don’t make lotion the majority of the time because I have to prioritize other tasks and I know my health food store sells some decent lotion options.

If you’re going to purchase lotion, I highly recommend checking out the EWG. I personally like Every Day Shea brand.

With that being said, today’s recipe is for the folks who want to make a silky smooth lotion at home.

5 More DIY Recipes With Shea Butter

• Shea Butter Lip Balm – Use shea butter and oil to make this natural lip balm recipe.
• Honey Lip Balm – Use honey, shea butter, and beeswax to make an ultra-hydrating lip balm.
• Lotion Bars – Moisturizing lotion in a solid bar, made with shea butter and beeswax.
• Body Butter – This luxurious lotion is made with shea butter and oil and moisturizes the whole body.
• Face Moisturizer – Combine shea butter and oil to make an all-natural face moisturizer.

Print

Silky Smooth Homemade Lotion

A silky smooth homemade lotion. 

Course DIY

Cuisine Body

Keyword Lotion

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 16 ounces

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup sweet almond oil 157 grams
• 3 TB refined mango butter 40 grams
• 2 TB cocoa butter 14 grams
• 1 TB beeswax pellets 8 grams, or finely chopped beeswax
• 1 tsp vitamin E oil
• 43 drops lavender essential oil or orange essential oil, can be reduced to 20 for young children
• 1 cup distilled water or a floral hydrosol – rose lavender or calendula all work well – must be room temperature or lotion is more likely to separate, 220 grams, the hydrosol is my preference

Instructions

• Make sure that your blender or immersion blender (you can use either one–I prefer an immersion blender because it’s easier to clean), bowl and all utensils are very clean when you make this. If they’re not fully sanitized, then your lotion can grow bacteria or mold. Clean everything with hot soapy water, then swab with rubbing alcohol or vinegar, and let air dry.
• In a heat safe glass bowl, combine the sweet almond oil, mango butter, cocoa butter, and beeswax.
• Place the glass bowl on top of a saucepan partially filled with water, over medium heat. This creates a type of double boiler. Stir occasionally until everything is melted and combined.
• Allow the oil mixture to cool for a few minutes before pouring it into your blender (if using a table-top blender). Let this mixture cool until it’s room temperature. It should look creamy, thick and opaque, but don’t let it get solid. Optional: You can place the blender in the fridge for about 35 minutes to speed up the process.
• Add the vitamin E oil and essential oil to the cooled oil mixture. If you’re using a table-top blender, blend the mixture with the lid on for a few seconds. If you’re using an immersion blender, place the stick in the bottom of the mixture (in a high-rimmed bowl), and blend for a few seconds, pulsing up and down at the bottom a few times.
• If you’re using a table-top blender, take the lid off of your blender, or just the top part of the lid if you have that option on your blender. With your distilled water or hydrosol in the glass measuring cup, slowly pour it into the oil mixture in a very thin drizzle while the blender is on medium/low. If you’re using an immersion blender, with the blender on and at the bottom of the jar, slowly pour the distilled water or hydrosol into the oil, pulsing the immersion blender up and down at the bottom just a few times.
• If you’re using a table-top blender, slowly increase the blender to medium speed and blend the lotion for 30 seconds more. If you’re using an immersion blender, continue to blend, pulsing the immersion blender up and down, for about 30 seconds more.
• Immediately pour the lotion into a jar and store away from light and heat. 

Notes

Water Note: Using water, without a preservative, shortens the life-span of products significantly, so it’s always best to use water-based products for short-term use. This recipe provided makes a lot of lotion, so I cut the amounts provided here in half. I think the halved recipe is the perfect amount since I’m the only person using on a daily basis. I also store my lotion in the fridge since I don’t add a preservative. The lotion isn’t “pumpable” when it’s stored in the fridge (I keep mine in a jar), but it’s still just as lovely. Click here for my product-making safety tips.  

Preservative: If you’d like to add a preservative, Leucidal Complete is my recommendation (this is very affordable, if you’re going to make lotion on a regular basis). You can read more about how to use it (amount needed) and how it works, here. 

I’ve found that the best way to clean the utensils and jars after making this lotion is to use my Sal Suds dish soap and hot water.

If you’re using cocoa butter wafers, you’ll need 12 butter wafers to equal the 14 grams/2 tablespoons.

More Skincare Recipes

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DIY honey lip balm Recipe (Just 4 Ingredients)

DIY Dry Shampoo Recipe (For Everyone)

13 Best Non Toxic Shampoo & Conditioners (All Hair Types)

DIY Shea Butter Lip Balm Recipe

The post Silky Smooth Homemade Lotion appeared first on Live Simply.

Thirty something years of pure clumsiness–which has resulted in hundreds of stained garments, an unfathomable amount of broken dishes and glasses, and even a giant gash in the bottom of my foot one year at summer camp and a trip the ER for stitches–leads me to believe that being accident-prone is just as natural to me as my hair color and fair skin. Being clumsy and a regular participant in accidents is just, well, me!

When Piper was born six years ago, I held my breath at the thought of my clumsy nature being passed on to him. I’m happy to report that Piper has learned to crawl, walk, run, ride a bike, and help with the dishes with only a few accidents in his little lifetime. Be thankful, Piper, you didn’t inherit your mama’s clumsy genes.

Now, Londyn on the other hand…

Londyn definitely inherited my clumsiness. In fact, in the last four years of her life, she’s already broken a tooth from running around with Piper and falling on our tile floor. She’s also become close acquaintances with way too many walls and tables.

I was kind of joking about “clumsiness being an inherited gene” a few years ago, but after doing life with Londyn the last four years, I wonder if we are predisposed to being clumsy. Maybe it’s more of a fine motor skill that some of us never fully develop, or maybe some of us are just prone to being a bit more unstable with our hands and feet? Is this getting a bit too deep? Maybe even a bit philosophical?

Yea, maybe so.

Let’s talk about TLC, because we clumsy folks definitely need all the tender loving care we can get!

A couple of years ago, I shared my go-to boo boo cream/salve. That salve is what I turn to when an accident happens and one of us (raises hand) needs some extra tender loving care, alongside lots of hugs and kisses. I absolutely love that salve, which is why a jar can always be found in my medicine cabinet.

That cream/salve relies on a number of ingredients, including dried herbs: calendula and lavender. So if you’re new to do-it-yourself projects, that recipe can feel a bit overwhelming. Today’s recipe simplifies the original homemade boo-boo cream with only four ingredients. Let’s take a look at each ingredient:

Virgin Coconut Oil: Coconut oil may help repair the skin and fight infections and inflammation (thanks to the lauric acid). In one study, minor wounds that were treated with coconut oil healed faster than patients not treated with virgin coconut oil.  You don’t need a special kind of coconut oil to make this cream/salve. Just pull out the virgin coconut oil from your pantry, and you’re ready to create a boo-boo cream/salve.

Beeswax: Beeswax is added to this recipe to take a (sometimes) liquid oil to a firm state, but it also adds a few benefits beyond the consistency factor. Beeswax, a natural ingredient thanks to hard-working bees, provides a protective barrier to the skin, and may also help to soothe the skin.

Essential Oils: Two essential oils are added to this cream/salve, lavender and tea tree essential oil, for their soothing and antibacterial properties.

Rest assured moms and fellow clumsy friends, this little jar has your knees, arms, or whatever else may need a little extra TLC, covered in the simplest way possible. Just in case ;)….

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4-Ingredient Boo-Boo Cream

Rest assured moms and fellow clumsy friends, this little jar has your knees, arms, or whatever else may need a little extra TLC, covered in the simplest way possible. Just in case ;)….

Course How To

Cuisine Body

Keyword Boo-Boo Cream

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 4 oz

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup coconut oil 54 g, this is the same stuff used for cooking
• 2 tsp beeswax pellets or chopped beeswax, 5 g
• 25 drops lavender essential oil based on 2% dilution--see note under "Ingredient Notes"
• 25 drops tea tree essential oil based on 2% dilution--see note under "Ingredient Notes"

Instructions

• In a glass bowl, combine coconut oil and beeswax.
• Place the glass bowl on top of a saucepan partially filled with water over medium heat. Heat until the beeswax is melted, stirring occasionally.
• Turn off the heat and carefully remove the bowl to a heat-safe surface. Allow the oil and beeswax mixture to cool for a few minutes before stirring in the essential oils.
• After adding the oils, immediately pour the mixture into a glass container and cap it to prevent the essential oils from evaporating.
• Store the cream away from light and extreme heat. This cream should last for at least six months.

Video

Ingredient Notes

If you’re concerned about using a 2% dilution on young kids, reduce the amount of essential oil in half to a 1% dilution, or even a .5% dilution.

Since making this cream/salve, I’ve used this on burns and minor scrapes. As always, please consult a medical professional about serious injuries. And always do your own research before using any products or ingredients.

I used Plant Therapy’s Lavender and Tea Tree Essential Oils to make the cream/salve, which are available through their website and Amazon. For essential oils, I personally use Aura Cacia and/or Plant Therapy.

The post How to Make a 4-Ingredient Boo-Boo Cream appeared first on Live Simply.

Today’s recipe should probably be labeled, “Accidental Makeup Remover Balm.” There are a couple of good reasons for the “accidental” label:

1. This recipe was originally intended to serve as a boo-boo cream. The kind of cream that’s applied to accident-related ouchies.
2. The idea of using this recipe as a makeup remover was an accidental discovery.

Behind the public photos and recipes on the blog, I live a double life. Don’t worry, this is a good kind of double life. I’m not a spokesperson for McDonald’s or anything crazy like that, lol. Behind the scenes, I work on freelance photography, recipe development, and video projects for companies in the natural world. Most of these projects don’t have my name attached to them, so you’d never know the photographer or recipe developer was little ol’ me.

And this brings me to accidental reason number one…

Last year, one of my freelance jobs required making an ouchie cream video. The recipe was incredibly simple: jojoba oil, beeswax, and a few drops of kid-friendly boo-boo essential oil blend. The recipe made a ton of ouchie cream, which meant that I was left with a giant tub of cream sitting in my medicine cabinet. A huge perk to being a recipe developer.

PS: When it comes to food jobs, it pays to be my neighbor ;).

Now, about accidental reason number two…

The ouchie cream from that video job sat in my medicine cabinet for a few months. It was used from time to time when a child fell, and I didn’t have any of my homemade boo-boo cream available.

A few months ago, as I washed my face and removed my makeup before falling into bed, I opened my medicine cabinet and suddenly had a multi-purpose revelation, I wonder if this ouchie cream would work to remove makeup, particularly my stubborn mascara?

I grabbed a cotton ball, stroked it against the thick ouchie cream, and gently wiped my right eye. I pulled the cotton ball away from my eye to examine the results. There on the cotton ball sat my hard-to-remove-with-facial-cleanser mascara. That night, I decided to finish using the last few drops of my liquid makeup remover over the next few days, and start using the ouchie cream as my nightly eye makeup remover.

Here I am, a few months later, writing a do-it-yourself post for making 2-ingredient makeup remover.

This makeup remover is like a balm since the ingredients are comforting and soothing. Makeup Remover Balm sounds like a professional title versus Accidental Makeup Remover. The “accidental” secret is safe between you and me, and the rest of the internet now.

Before making this super easy, long-lasting makeup remover balm, let’s take a look at the ingredients:

Jojoba Oil: Jojoba oil is actually a cold-pressed, liquid wax versus an oil. Jojoba oil is held in high-esteem in the natural beauty world because it mimics the oils that our bodies naturally produce. I’ve used jojoba oil as a moisturizer over the years in my face wash, facial cleanser, liquid makeup remover, shea butter lotion, wood furniture polish, and now this makeup remover balm. This usage chart from Dessert Essence includes severals practical ways to use jojoba oil. Some people may find that jojoba oil is too heavy, so I’ve included other oil options at the bottom of the recipe (below).

Beeswax: Beeswax is mainly added to this recipe to take a liquid oil to a firm state. The beeswax also adds a few benefits beyond the consistency factor. Beeswax, a natural ingredient thanks to hard-working bees, provides a protective barrier to the skin without clogging pores, and may also help to soothe the skin. Beeswax is the ingredient that takes this makeup remover from an oil to a balm.

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2-Ingredient Makeup Remover Balm

This makeup remover is like a balm since the ingredients are comforting and soothing.

Course How To

Cuisine Beauty

Keyword Makeup Remover Balm

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 1 /4 cup

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup jojoba oil
• 1 TB beeswax pellets

Instructions

• Add the oil and beeswax pellets to a double boiler, or you can use a glass or metal bowl set over a pot of boiling water (as seen in my photo). Once the beeswax melts, pour the makeup remover balm into a storage container (with a lid). Allow the makeup remover to set and cool before use. Store the sealed makeup remover in a cool, dark place for several months.
• To Use: Using a cotton ball, scoop out a small amount of makeup remover. A little bit goes a very long way, so you don't need a ton of makeup remover to get the job done. Gently wipe off makeup using the cotton ball. Follow-up with a facial cleanser. My facial cleanser and Clarisonic Mia do a great job at removing powder and/or liquid foundation, so I really don't need the makeup remover for anything other than my mascara.

Video

Notes

The “where to buy” links provide links to the actual products I use. As always, I recommend shopping around online and at local stores for the best prices and products you love.

Oil Note:

I prefer jojoba oil in this recipe, but I’m sure you could also experiment with other oils, like olive oil, apricot kernel oil, grapeseed oil, and almond oil. You could also try a mixture of two different oils if the jojoba oil is too heavy.

You could also use oil as-is to remove makeup, without adding beeswax. I really prefer the thick consistency of this balm over straight-up liquid oil. I’ve also found it’s much easier for oil to accidentally drip into my eye (OUCH!) when using oil from a bottle.

I’ve thought about experimenting in the future with adding aloe vera or rose water to this makeup remover, but that experiment is for another day and time.

The post 2-Ingredient Makeup Remover Balm appeared first on Live Simply.

A new chapter unfolded in our family’s life storybook this week…

My baby, Piper, started Kindergarten (pictures to come).

I’m not sure if this makes me a “bad” mom, but I didn’t even cry. I totally expected the tears to come, but they just never showed up. I can honestly say that I’m excited for Piper and this new chapter. Maybe I’m in a bit of a honeymoon phase? I’m sure the excitement of waking up at 5am to make breakfast, shower, and load everyone in the car will fade in a few months, and I’ll be writing about the much anticipated Christmas break. For now, I’m 100% embracing the Montessori Kindergarten life with open arms.

Piper has only been in school for three days now. Yes, a short time–like I said, the honeymoon phase. Despite only being a kindergarten mom for three days, I have already learned two valuable lessons:

1.  Coffee gives me superpowers!

I literally dream about the first sip of my morning coffee the moment I lay my head on the pillow the night before. I’m not a huge morning person, so I’ve been pushing myself over the last year to wake up early to get work done by noon. And while I love/hate waking up super early, I usually don’t have to be a functioning person by 7am–functioning enough to socialize with my kids, fellow moms, and a teacher. Coffee gives me superpowers. Trust me, the world is a better place when I have a mug of coffee topped with grass-fed cream.

2. My car is basically a bathroom/powder room in disguise.

As I mentioned above, mornings aren’t really “my thing.” School mornings mean I must shower, feed everyone a healthy breakfast, make sure the lunchbox is packed (although I’m trying to get everything packed the night before), dress the kids, and somehow remember to brush my teeth and make myself presentable.

By the first school morning, I had already discovered the reason my mom kept things like lotion, mascara, and deodorant in the car when I was kid. I now have a nice little bag sitting in my glove box with a few of my essentials. You’re welcome, fellow kindergarten moms. The world is just a better place with a bit of deodorant and coffee at 7am.

PS: I’m not driving and applying mascara or deodorant. Don’t worry, my friend! I park my car and apply the essentials super fast before anyone sees me.

A few months ago, I had a lighbulb DIY moment: On-the-Go Lotion. It’s almost like my brain was thinking in advance about getting ready in the morning for school.

Homemade lotion is super easy to make, but it can be a messy product when it comes to traveling. Beeswax was just the addition my basic homemade lotion recipe needed to make it more portable and purse-friendly. Of course, creating a travel lotion also meant a portable container was a must. I thought about glass jars, but who wants a glass jar rumbling about in an already over-stuffed purse? Talk about a hazard! Purchasing tins specifically created for DIYs also came to mind. And that’s when it came to me…mint/candy tins!

Before our real food days, Altoid mints were my favorite treat. In all honesty, I treated them less like a treat and more like a daily snack. While I may no longer enjoy the mints, the mint tins proved to be the perfect home for my on-the-go lotion–they are easy to open, won’t break (hello, glass), and can even be decorated.

If don’t want to walk around with an Altoid mint tin in your bag, I completely understand! Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods both sell organic candy in metal tins. I decided to go the processed food route and purchase the Altoid mint tin since Target sells two-packs for $3, dump the candy, and wash and reuse the tin.

Today’s homemade lotion recipe is the perfect way to take our homemade hippie ways on-the-go. This lotion is super easy to make requiring only three ingredients and about ten minutes of time! If you’ve made homemade cosmetic products in the past you probably own all three ingredients needed to make this portable moisturizing lotion. And if you’re new to homemade products, rest assured the ingredients called for in this recipe can be used to make multiple other products, such as: lip balm (shea butter and beeswax), deodorant (shea butter and beeswax), boo-boo cream (beeswax), make up remover (nourishing oil), face wash (nourishing oil) and even candles.

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Easy Homemade On-the-Go Lotion Bars

Homemade lotion is super easy to make, but it can be a messy product when it comes to traveling. 

Course Homemade

Cuisine Body

Keyword Lotion Bars

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 7 minutes minutes

Total Time 12 minutes minutes

Servings 2 1.76 candy tins

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup shea butter
• 2 TB jojoba oil or grapeseed
• 3 TB beeswax pellets
• 10 drops lavender essential oil or Ylang Ylang, or Bergamot are wonderful in this recipe.), optional

Instructions

• In a double boiler, over medium-high heat, place the shea butter, nourishing oil, and beeswax. Bring the water underneath to a boil. The ingredients will melt, stir every few minutes to help the melting process. This process takes about 5-7 minutes.
• Once melted, remove the bowl from the heat. If you plan to use an essential oil, add the drops now and stir. Pour the liquid into two traveling tins (my tins hold 1.76oz). Remember, there are two holes in the back of the candy tins, so fill the lotion just to the holes to prevent a huge mess! Store the lotion at room temperature for up to 12 months.

Notes

The “where to buy” links provide links to the actual products I use. As always, I recommend shopping around online and at local stores for the best prices and products you love. Find my favorite DIY ingredients and tools, here.

*Decrease the beeswax to 2 tablespoons for a softer lotion.

More DIYS You May Like:

DIY Soothing Lotion Bars

Homemade Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (without Coconut Oil)

Homemade Foundation Powder

The post Easy Homemade On-the-Go Lotion appeared first on Live Simply.

“This is perfect! Yes!”

That was my reaction last weekend after discovering an army of aggressive ants attacking my right leg while exiting the soccer field. Dustin and the kids turned around, everyone was ready to go home after a hot morning at soccer practice, but my reaction couldn’t be ignored. I quickly brushed off the remaining ants coming in for a full-skin invasion, and immediately looked up at Dustin, “I can’t believe it! This is perfect timing.”

“You really have to watch where you’re walking. Are you okay?” Dustin replied.

I could tell by his reaction that he thought I was upset, “Yes, I’m good. Actually, I’m semi-allergic to ants, red ones I believe. These are black ants. The good news is I can finally work on developing a homemade anti-itch cream. You know, a calamine-like lotion without a million nasty ingredients.”

Dustin looked at me with a “you’re crazy” glare in his eyes, but responded with the least likely to end up on the couch response, “Great, so you’re okay?”

PS: I don’t make him sleep on the couch. Totally joking about that one. We have a chicken coop…

Immediately upon arriving home, the work of creating an effective homemade anti-itch cream began. I tried several formulas, all while fervently itching my battle wounds (it’s a good things I keep DIY recipes simple). I began mixing bentonite clay (to draw out any nasties from the bites and heal my skin), baking soda (to neutralize acid and soothe itching), witch hazel (to reduce pain and itching), and coconut oil (hey, I was making some raw brownies, so…).

My first two creations were anything but desirable. The coconut melted on my warm skin, and soon bentonite clay was being tracked throughout our house. Good thing we’re in the middle of a giant construction zone/kitchen remodel.  The second creation wasn’t much better. Reducing the coconut oil created an unpleasant dry powder.

The third attempt resulted in sweet success. The addition of shea butter, one of my favorite DIY ingredients, helped the anti-itch solution stick to my warm skin and, working with the other key ingredients, reduced my painful itching.  Not only did the third cream-based solution reduce my itching, it also appeared to help clear my bites and reduce their size. My discovery was so exciting, I made multiple batches to share with family and friends–“Oh, okay. Thank you for another mason jar.” They’ll get me someday.

Homemade anti-itch cream takes just a few minutes to make and only requires simple, natural ingredients you can actually pronounce. Because each ingredient is shelf-stable, the cream can be made in advance, so it’s ready to be used the moment a bug or plant attacks.

Before we part ways today, I think it’s only appropriate to give credit where credit and inspiration are due. Thank you flesh-eating ant colony, I owe this DIY to you!

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Homemade Anti-Itch Cream

Homemade anti-itch cream takes just a few minutes to make and only requires simple, natural ingredients you can actually pronounce. 

Course DIY

Cuisine Body

Keyword Anti-Itch Cream

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Servings 1 -4 ounce jar

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 3 TB shea butter
• 1 TB coconut oil A different nourishing skin oil (olive oil, jojoba, etc.) may be used, if needed.
• 1 TB dried calendula Calendula is often sold in the bulk spice section at many health food stores.
• 1 TB beeswax pellets
• 2 TB baking soda
• 2 TB bentonite clay
• 2 tsp witch hazel
• 10 drops peppermint essential oil
• 5 drops tea tree essential oil

Instructions

• In a double broiler (or a pot filled a quarter of the way full with water and a heat-safe bowl over the top), melt the coconut oil. Add the dried calendula. Place a lid over the top of the double broiler. Over medium heat, infuse the herbs in the oil for 30 minutes.
• Separate the herbs from the oil by straining the oil through a fine mesh sieve. Discard the calendula (or compost in a garden). Wipe the double broiler to remove any leftover herbs. Return the infused oil to the double broiler. Bring the heat back to medium-high (enough to get the water underneath boiling). Add the shea butter and beeswax to the infused oil, and stir until melted.
• Remove the pan bowl from the heat. Add the baking soda and benonite clay to the liquid, and stir until the mixture resemble mud (really, mud!). Add the witch hazel and essential oils, stirring to combine.
• Pour the cream into a jar (this recipe will make enough to fill a 4-ounce jar). Within minutes the cream will solidify into a spreadable lotion.

*Dried calendula is optional in this recipe. Calendula is infused into the oil for a healing addition; however, a perfectly good anti-itch cream may be created without this herb.

PS: If you’re wondering what’s up with the yellow dye on my left hand, I juiced turmeric the morning of this photoshoot.

The post Homemade Anti-Itch Cream appeared first on Live Simply.

True friends care about the way you smell, which is why I’m writing today– I care about you! 

For many years, I was hesitant to stray away from commercial deodorant (think: Dove and Secret). My hesitation was rooted in two main issues: my physical address and a deep commitment to avoid body odor at all costs. When you put the two together–Florida and body odor– the results are far from lovely.

A couple of years ago, as I sat on my living room couch nursing my second child, my new mama alarm sounded. Now, this alarm wasn’t of the panic variety. More like a good alarm that triggers great change.

I had known for many years that most commercial deodorants were loaded with less than ideal ingredients, particularly formulas with aluminum, but due to the two factors we talked about earlier, I was hesitant to try alternative choices. My thinking changed as I sat staring into the blue eyes of my nursing baby. I thought about the number of times Londyn nursed a day (too many to count…she was quite the milk drinker) and the deodorant that was applied close to my breasts, and therefore, my nursing babe. Change had to be made!

Research commenced. I knew a natural, effective deodorant must exist, and making my own was definitely out of the question at the moment. After much research, I discovered a brand called Primal Pit Paste.  The ingredients were super clean and the deodorant was produced in Tampa (AKA: a Florida deodorant!). I purchased my first bottle of lavender deodorant and instantly fell in love. For over two years now I’ve been faithfully purchasing Primal Pit Paste from my local health food store or online.

Since my first natural deodorant purchase, I’ve learned how to make many (not all, but many) homemade products. After my latest jar of deodorant ran out, I decided to take a look at the ingredient list before tossing the bottle in the trash: shea butter, coconut oil, beeswax, baking soda, arrowroot powder, lavender, vitamin E oil. The “I can do it” spirit burned within my body as I read each ingredient. Because I make lotion, toothpaste, and bake muffins/bread, I already owned every single ingredient needed to make a copycat of my favorite natural deodorant.

The thought of conquering an activity I once deemed impossible was such a huge celebration (once the recipe was perfected) that I couldn’t just stop with one jar. Oh no, I created deodorant for family, friends, and neighbors. Yea, don’t make your neighbors deodorant; they will think you’re crazy!

“True friends care about the way you smell, which is why I’m writing today– I care about you!” Drumroll….

And now for the homemade recipe that says, “I want you to smell amazing, naturally. I love you!”

Print

DIY Homemade Deodorant with Lavender

DIY deodorant that makes you smell nice!

Course DIY

Cuisine Body

Keyword Homemade Deodorant

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 4 ounce jar

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup shea butter
• 2 TB coconut oil same oil used for cooking
• 3 TB beeswax pellets
• 3 TB baking soda
• 2 TB arrowroot flour starch
• 20 drops lavender essential oil
• 10 drops tea tree essential oil Substitute additional lavender in place of the tea tree, if desired.

Instructions

• In a double broiler (or a bowl placed over a pot filled 1/4 way full with water), over medium-high heat, bring the water (underneath the bowl) to a slight boil.
• Add the shea butter and coconut oil to the top bowl. Once the shea butter and coconut oil melt, add the the beeswax and stir frequently until all the ingredients are liquid. Remove the bowl from the heat.
• Quickly add the baking soda and arrowroot powder/flour. Stir the baking soda and arrowroot into the liquid ingredients. Add the essential oils, stirring to combine all the ingredients.
• Pour the deodorant into a 4-ounce Mason jar. The deodorant will solidify as it cools.

Notes

To Use: Scoop a small amount of deodorant from the jar and apply to your armpits. I avoid using this deodorant after shaving due to the baking soda. I opt to shave at night so I can use my deodorant in the morning.

The “where to buy” links provide links to the actual products I use. As always, I recommend shopping around online and at local stores for the best prices and products you love. Find my favorite DIY ingredients and tools, here.

Adapted from Primal Pit Paste.

Baking Soda Note: I’ve been using a baking soda deodorant (Primal Pit Paste) for over two years without any issue. My homemade copycat recipe also includes this ingredient. If you’re concerned about irritation, replace the baking soda with additional arrowroot powder/flour. I personally need the extra “protection” baking soda provides thanks to my extra sweaty and stinky genes and the Florida heat.

More DIYs You May Like:

DIY Homemade Bug Spray

DIY Honey Face Wash

DIY Homemade Peppermint Lip Balm

The post DIY Homemade Deodorant with Lavender appeared first on Live Simply.

This may sound silly coming from a girl that’s been living in what’s considered spring weather, for 90% of you, for over 6 months now (Florida… what can I say?), but I’m going to say it…

The warmer months have finally arrived. Woohoo!

Even this Florida gal is feeling the change in the seasons. In Florida this means tourists are visiting the beaches, my garden is starting to flourish, and the kids are requesting to spend hours outside each day.

No matter where you live, or what the entrance of spring may look like, I think most of us are finally feeling the need to break out the shorts and flip-flops and bask in the sun. And that’s exactly why I’m here today, to help you enjoy the sun during these warmer months.

This sudden urge to break-free from our houses and spend hours upon hours outside is not always welcomed by our skin, at least not mine.

My fair skin doesn’t enjoy the same enthusiasm for long hours in the sun as much as I’d like, so precautions must be taken. This usually means a good sun hat, a nice layer of protective clothing, some homemade sunscreen, and plenty of H20. I’m quite the bathing beauty at the beach. “Um lady, it’s summer time, not winter!” My children have also inherited my shade-lovin’ skin, so they get to enjoy the same extra precautionary measures.

Despite even the best precautionary measures, there are times when our skin gets a bit too much sun and some TLC is needed. My go-to natural remedy is usually aloe vera since its cooling properties soothe and comfort. This year I decided to think ahead and plan for the warmer months of beaches and parks and create a soothing lotion that won’t leave my skin all slimy (yea, I’m talking about you Mrs. Aloe Vera), but will still provide a soothing relief for those times when the skin needs some TLC.

Let me introduce you to my new little spring/summer friends: DIY Soothing Lotion Bars. Say “hi” little guys.

DIY Soothing Lotion Bars are super easy to make, requiring just a few natural ingredients which you probably already own if you’re into making homemade products. Each ingredient is specifically blended together to provide the skin with ultimate soothing comfort. Even if your skin never gets to the point of needing TLC because you tan rather than fry, these bars can be used anytime you’d like. They don’t need to be reserved just for those times of TLC skincare. These bars are easy to carry in a purse and make lovely “I hope you have a soothing summer” gifts.

Let’s take a look at a just three of the many soothing ingredients in these lotion bars:

• Calendula: This well-respected healing herb works to reduce the damage from extra sun exposure and soothe irritated skin with its anti-inflammatory properties. I also use this herb to make homemade boo-boo cream.
• Chamomile: Yep, this is the same stuff I drink at night before reading my favorite book. Chamomile contains flavonoids which help to protect the skin from free radicals and damage from the sun. The soothing herb is sometimes used to help conditions such as: rashes and acne.
• Lavender Essential Oil: This healing essential oil helps soothe the skin and speed up the healing process with its anti-inflammatory properties.

To get you started with this simple spring/summer project, I’ve teamed up with Plant Therapy to show you exactly how to make your own DIY Soothing Lotion Bars.

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DIY Soothing Lotion Bars

DIY Soothing Lotion Bars are super easy to make, requiring just a few natural ingredients which you probably already own if you’re into making homemade products.

Course DIY, Homemade

Cuisine Beauty, Body

Keyword Lotion Bars

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Cooling Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 10 Bars

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup coconut oil regular ol' virgin coconut oil used for cooking
• 2 TB Plant Therapy's Jojoba Oil
• 1 TB dried calendula
• 1 TB dried chamomile or 1-2 pure chamomile tea bags
• 1/4 cup shea butter
• 1/2 cup beeswax pellets
• 25 drops Plant Therapy's Lavender Essential Oil
• 1 silicone mold or silicone muffin cups

Instructions

• In a double boiler (or a pot filled a quarter of the way full with water and a heat-safe bowl over the top), melt the coconut oil and jojoba oil (already in liquid form) together. Once melted, add the dried herbs: calendula and chamomile. Place a lid over the top of the double boiler. Over medium heat, infuse the herbs in the oils for 30 minutes. By the end of this time the oil should change color from a light yellow to a dark yellow/orange.
• Separate the herbs from the oil by straining the oil through a fine mesh sieve. Discard the herbs (or compost in a garden). Wipe the double boiler to remove any leftover herbs. Then return the oil to the double boiler. Bring the heat back to medium-high (enough to get the water underneath boiling). Add the shea butter and beeswax to the infused oil, and stir until melted.
• You'll need to work quickly during this next step:
• Turn off the heat and remove the liquid lotion from the heat. Add the lavender oil. Immediately pour the liquid lotion into the mold(s). There's no need to grease the mold(s) before adding the lotion. The lotion bars will require 10-30 minutes to fully set, depending on the temperature in your workspace. Remove the bars from the mold and store in an air-tight container until needed.

Video

Don’t forget to make extra lotion bars for family and friends, or your child’s teacher. These bars are the perfect warm weather gift! DIY Soothing Lotion Bars are safe to use on children.

Disclosure: This post was written as a collaboration with Plant Therapy.  As a blogger, I’m privileged to partner with companies making a difference in the natural and real food world.  I only partner with companies and products I 100% love and believe in. I’m not an affiliate for Plant Therapy; I simply enjoy their oils

 More DIYs You May Like:

How to Make DIY Healing Boo-Boo Cream

DIY Milk and Honey Body Wash

Essential Oils 101: 22 Important Questions and Answers

The post DIY Soothing Lotion Bars appeared first on Live Simply.

The week before New Years, I spent my evenings snuggled next to our Christmas tree, sipping the BEST homemade hot chocolate and reflecting on 2014. The coziness of the tree and warm mug brought out my reflective side. I thought about the good, the bad,  and the “What-in-the-world-was-I-thinking?” moments.

With 2014 penned in my teal polka dot notebook, I planned for 2015.

I’m not a huge planner when it comes to a new year. I have learned after many years of disappointment that it’s best to create a small list of doable actions each year versus plan an entire 12 months with lofty, unachievable goals. Actions become habits, and calculated habits (the good kind of habits) create amazing lifestyle changes.

One of my actions for 2015 is to bring you more videos. Hip-hip-hooray!

My desire in making videos this year is to bring you a visual guide for how to make DIYs, recipes, and more. Personally, I learn best when I see something in action, and I believe many of you are the exact same way. So, today, as part of my 2015 action plan, I’m bringing you a new video for one of my favorite DIY recipes here at Live Simply: Homemade Vapor Rub (find the original recipe post here).

Vapor rub is one of the easiest DIYs you can make at home, but the ease of this recipe isn’t always communicated via a written blogpost. It’s easy to read through a list of written instructions and feel completely and utterly overwhelmed. As the video demonstrates, homemade vapor rub is anything but overwhelming. My homemade vapor rub recipe also requires very few ingredients. Each pronounceable ingredient comes together to create an effective homemade remedy for winter sniffles or an afternoon headache (Seriously, give it a try!).

Enough chatting from me, I’ll let the video explain the simplicity of how to make homemade vapor rub…

Print

How to Make Homemade Vapor Rub

homemade vapor rub is anything but overwhelming. My homemade vapor rub recipe also requires very few ingredients. Each pronounceable ingredient comes together to create an effective homemade remedy for winter sniffles or an afternoon headache (Seriously, give it a try!).

Course DIY

Cuisine Body

Keyword Vapor Rub

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 4 oz

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 5 TB coconut oil
• 2 TB cocoa butter
• 1 1/2 TB beeswax pellets
• 20 drops eucalyptus essential oil for children use Eucaylptus Radiata or Eucaplytus Citriodora
• 5 drops peppermint essential oil
• 5 drops lavender essential oil
• 5 drops rosemary essential oil
• 5 drops tea tree essential oil

Instructions

• In a saucepan*, over low heat, add the coconut oil and cocoa butter. Melt.
• Once melted, add the beeswax. Melt.
• Remove the pan from the heat. Allow the mixture to cool for 5 minutes.
• After 5 minutes, add the eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender, rosemary, and tea tree oils to the coconut oil mixture. Combine with a spoon.
• Pour the mixture into a glass jar. I use a mason jar. This recipe will make one 4 oz. jar of vapor rub. As the mixture cools the liquid will solidify, making it a creamy, spreadable rub.

Notes

*I used a double-broiler in the video. You can learn more about a double-broiler and my DIY essentials, here. Homemade vapor rub will keep at room temperature for 12 months.

I purchase a bulk-size bag of beeswax from Mountain Rose Herb. I’ve also purchased beeswax pellets on Amazon (smaller bags), and enjoyed the product. A local beekeeper in our area just started selling beeswax bars, so if you have connections with a beekeeper in your area, ask about purchasing beeswax.

As always, please do your own research when it comes to using essential oils, particularly on young children. Using eucalyptus on young children may slow respiration in some children. Also, peppermint and rosemary essential oil aren’t recommended for young children. Here’s a handy post (as mentioned above) about kid ages and essential oil use.

The post How to Make Homemade Vapor Rub: Video Tutorial appeared first on Live Simply.