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. 

Print

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.

More DIY Skincare Recipes

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

DIY Shea Butter Lip Balm Recipe

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

Switching to natural and non-toxic makeup can be overwhelming. There’s so much to think about and making a complete  overhaul of your products can be quite costly. So let’s simplify this… When you’re first making this change, focus on the products you use most often and the ones that remain on your skin the longest.

Foundation and mascara are two of the best places to start as many of us wear these products daily. Swapping out these products for natural, non-toxic options will immediately reduce your exposure to chemicals of known concern.

Knowledge is power, so today we’re going to break down everything you need to know about making the switch to natural mascara. I’ve partnered up with 100% Pure, a natural makeup and body brand, to create this guide.

I’ve been using 100% Pure makeup for years and have come to appreciate the brand as a trusted resource in the natural beauty world. The CEO of 100% Pure, Ric Kostick, is an advocate for transparency and safety in the beauty industry, having just supported the Safer Beauty Bill Package (which calls for reducing unsafe ingredients used to make personal care products and bringing transparency to the industry). This advocacy is reflected in the company’s formulations, products, and consumer education.

Why You Should Ditch Conventional Mascara

If you’re going to make the switch to natural mascara, you must first know why you’re ditching conventional mascara. To do this, let’s take a look at a few of the concerning ingredients used to make mascara…

• Parabens: A family of chemicals used as a preservative in conventional mascara and other cosmetic products. While safety with a preservative is necessary, the problem is parabens are a known endocrine disruptor. Parabens mess with your hormones and raise breast cancer concerns. This is particularly concerning when you take a look at the number of products that contain parabens–talk about overload on the body!
• Propylene Glycerol: A petroleum derived ingredient used in mascara and other products (including brake fluid). The FDA considers this ingredient safe, but it is a known skin irritant and allergen.
• Vitamin A Acetate: A toxic synthetic vitamin A used for moisturizing properties. This ingredient is a known reproductive toxicant, recognized by the FDA.
• Aluminum Powder: A metallic ingredient containing aluminum particles that are used to give mascara its color. A known neurotoxin and allergen.
• Carbon Black: Carbon black can also go by the name acetylene black, thermal black, lamp black, furnace black, pigment black 6 or 7, or channel black. Classified as being potentially toxic to human organs. Carbon Black is no longer authorized to be used in cosmetics, by the FDA, particularly those near the eye area. But this ingredient can still be found in some eye makeup products.

Among the most concerning ingredients used to make mascara are PFAS chemicals, also known as”forever chemicals” as they don’t break down and remain in the environment and people for decades!

According to Harvard, “Most of the waterproof mascara, liquid lipsticks, and foundations tested in a recent study contained high levels of fluorine—suggesting the likely presence of toxic chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs).” Out of 231 makeup products tested, 75% contained these chemicals!

What’s the big deal with PFAS chemicals in mascara and makeup products?

• Used for water (and stain) resistant properties, particularly in “long-lasting” and “water-resistant” formulations
• Linked to health concerns: endocrine disruption, increased cholesterol, weight gain in children and dieting adults, cancers
• Harmful to nearly every human organ
• Damage our water system as they are “forever chemicals” that don’t break down
• Even some “clean beauty” makeup brands use PFAS in their formulations

What is Natural Mascara?

The good news is that you don’t have to settle for these toxic chemicals or ditch mascara all together. Instead, by making the switch to a natural and non-toxic mascara (sometimes referred to as “clean mascara”) you’ll eliminate these toxic chemicals from your daily makeup routine. While there aren’t any regulations behind the word “natural” or “non-toxic” in the makeup world, there are definitely ways to spot a truly natural mascara and avoid harmful toxins.

How to Choose a Natural Mascara

When choosing a natural mascara, the first thing to look for is the absence of the ingredients we talked about above: PFAS, parabens, toxic petrochemicals, etc. A brand who is creating an effective product with safe and non-toxic ingredients should be transparent and proud of not only what’s missing from their formulation but also how their mascara is made and the safety (and testing) of these ingredients and formulations.

That’s what I love about 100% Pure and why they’ve been a one-stop shop for me, for years. I’ve attached a screenshot of the 100% Pure Ultra-Lengthening Mascara ingredient list below (taken from their website) as an example of what a natural mascara ingredient list looks like! Also, you’ll find a glossary detailing every ingredient used in their products online–hello, transparency!

As a consumer, I can look at this list and know exactly what’s used to make 100% Pure mascara: no PFAS, parabens, and other toxins regularly found in conventional mascara. Instead, I see a list of proven-to-be safe ingredients such as cocoa butter, vitamin E, black tea, and natural fruit pigments.

100% Pure also retests their mascara formulas (along with other products like lipsticks, eyeshadows, etc.) to make sure they are bringing the healthiest products to customers, and they disclose this testing to customers! This is what transparency looks like and what we should aim for when selecting natural mascara.

How to choose a natural mascara…

• Look for a fully disclosed ingredient list (the ingredient list doesn’t lie and is your best source for knowing what’s in a product)
• Avoid products using ingredients of known concern
• Buy from a trusted and transparent company who is proudly using proven-to-be-safe ingredients

If you’re ready to switch to natural mascara, 100% Pure has graciously offered a coupon code to Live Simply readers.

My favorite Makeup Products from 100% Pure…

• The Fruit Pigmented Ultra-Lengthening Mascara is my personal choice. This mascara lengthens and separates lashes without clumping, smudging, or flaking. It’s also water resistant, without the toxic chemicals we talked about.
• The Maracjua Oil Mascara is a fruit-pigmented volumizing mascara made from Maracuja oil (from passion fruit) and doesn’t clump or flake.
• Other makeup products I use from 100% Pure: 2nd Skin Foundation (shade 2), Blush (in Berry), Brow Builder (in Soft Brown), Cocoa Butter Matte Lipstick (in Savanna), Eyeshadow Palette (Berry Naked).

See the full makeup look using these products in this Instagram video. 

Have you made the switch to non-toxic mascara? Tell me about your experience.

The post Ultimate Natural Mascara Guide: What to Look For & Avoid appeared first on Live Simply.

Why Clean Your Makeup Brushes?

Most of us wouldn’t think of going to bed without first washing off all the dirt, oils, grime, and makeup from the day. (PS: Here are the best natural face cleansers, in my opinion.)

This same idea should be applied to makeup brushes. Makeup brushes come into direct contact with not only skin but also makeup.

• Makeup brushes can collect dirt, grime, oils, and excess makeup. This may cause the brushes to not perform as well over time.
• Another issue with dirty makeup brushes is the spreading of dirt and oils (that lurk on the brushes) to the skin which can cause breakouts.

Just like with the face, it’s important to give those makeup brushes a good cleanse. This is essential for keeping your skin and brushes healthy.

How Often Should You Clean Your Makeup Brushes

How often you clean your makeup brushes depends on how often you use them and also if your skin is actively breaking out.

• If you wear makeup on a daily basis (or regularly), then washing once a week or twice a month is a good idea. Personally, washing my makeup brushes once a week feels like way too much, so I go with twice a month (and sometimes once a month because #life).
• If you only wear makeup on an occasional basis, you may only need to wash your makeup brushes every so often.
• If your skin is actively breaking out, washing your makeup brushes once a week isn’t a bad idea. In the past, I struggled with hormonal acne after having my babies (well into my 30’s, like many women). During this time, I washed my makeup brushes once a week since the brushes were touching the breakouts on my face and I didn’t want the bacteria lingering on the brushes and potentially spreading and causing new breakouts on my face.

What About Makeup Sponges or Beauty Blenders?

Makeup sponges and beauty blenders are typically used wet, so it can be a breeding ground for bacterial growth. I recommend cleaning sponges and blenders daily, after every use. Using a squirt of castile soap and hot water should be good enough for a daily cleaning.

How to Make a DIY Makeup Brush Cleaner

I originally shared this DIY makeup brush cleaner 6 years ago on Live Simply. I can’t believe it’s been that long! Since that time, this makeup brush cleaner has become one of the most popular recipes on the blog. Turns out we all really need to clean our makeup brushes. This recipe is super easy to make, budget-friendly, and uses easy-to-find ingredients to create an effective makeup brush cleaner that’s gentle and tough at the same time.

Print

DIY Makeup Brush Cleaner

How to make an easy homemade makeup brush cleaner. Non-toxic and natural, this makeup brush cleaner works to remove dirt, grease, and other pore-clogging debris from makeup brushes. Use this makeup brush cleaner once a week or as often as needed.

Course DIY

Cuisine Beauty, Body

Keyword DIY makeup brush cleaner, How to clean makeup brushes, Makeup Brush Cleaner, natural makeup brush cleaner

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 time use cleaner for one or multiple makeup brushes

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup water
• 2 TB witch hazel
• generous squirt castile soap

Instructions

• Mix the ingredients together in a drinking glass or small bowl.
• Add the makeup brushes to the mixture. Swish the brushes back and forth in the mixture and then let them soak for a few minutes.
• The mixture will go from clear to dirty very quickly. After a few minutes, remove the brushes, dump the solution, and rinse the brushes under fresh, clean water.
• Let the brushes rest on a towel to completely dry.

Notes

This makeup brush cleaner is designed to be made once and used for a one-time cleaning. If you want to make the recipe in advance and store it in a jar for multiple uses, see the original recipe.

The Best Makeup Brush Cleaner Ingredients

Witch hazel is an astringent that comes from a plant. It’s a naturally-derived ingredient that has been used for centuries for skin health and to fight off infections. This astringent will help remove foundation and other makeup residue from the brushes. If you don’t have any witch hazel, just use extra water and castile soap instead (I’ve done this many times).

Castile soap is a plant-based soap made from vegetable oils (olive, coconut, palm) and plant oils. It’s very effective at removing dirt and germs and will help loosen the dirt and oils from the makeup brushes. There are many ways to use castile soap.

Both products are easy to find online (via Amazon) or in stores (typically the body or pharmacy department).

Watch How to Clean Makeup Brushes

Break out your makeup brushes this weekend, make this DIY makeup brush cleaner, and enjoy the amazing feel and benefit of using freshly-clean makeup brushes. I think you’ll notice a difference in not only the application of your makeup but also the health of your skin.

The post The Best Way to Clean Makeup Brushes + DIY Recipe appeared first on Live Simply.

I’ve become obsessed with clean, natural, green–whatever you want to call it–beauty products over the past few years. When I refer to “clean” beauty (a term that is popular right now), I’m referring to products made with ingredients that are proven to be safe and effective, whether natural or synthetic . And most importantly, products that are made with ingredients that nourish and benefit the skin.

The term “clean beauty” has zero regulation behind it, so just about any company can claim to be “clean” or “green” or “natural.” It’s up to us, as consumers, to do our homework and not just take this marketing word at face value. The EWG and Think Dirty can be helpful resources when looking at specific products and ingredients. I’ve also found that it’s helpful to get to know companies (ask questions, ask for full disclosure of ingredients and why ingredients are used) and continually support the ones that are 100% transparent. (Check out this post for an example of a correspondence I had recently with a company that claims to be “natural” and “clean” but isn’t transparent–a big warning sign!)

Over the past year, I’ve experimented with a number of “clean beauty” products. I’ve purchased every single product, too, for my own use. These products weren’t gifts from companies or trades for shout-outs or sponsored posts. Just like I demand transparency from beauty companies, I think it’s also important that I’m 100% transparent with you.

Today, let’s talk about the best clean beauty products from 2019. Keep in mind, many of these products have been around for a few years, so these weren’t necessarily new in 2019. These are just the products that I particularly loved in 2019.

Since beauty is a broad category, I’ve divided our chat into two separate categories: skincare and makeup. If you want to talk about hair-care products, head over to this post.

My morning skincare routine…

is quick, simple, and to the point (about 5 minutes). I rinse my face with water (no cleanser needed in the morning), spritz toner, and apply moisturizer. If I wake up early enough, I may apply a mask in the morning, too. This generally happens once or twice a week.

My evening routine…

has more steps/products than the morning routine. In the evening, before bed, I wash my face with a cleanser to remove dirt and makeup and debris from the day, spritz toner, use a serum, and then moisturize.

There can be a bit of price shock with some of these products (okay, most), but here’s the thing. Because these products are so incredibly potent and powerful (we’re not talking about products that consist of mostly water and filler ingredients), a little bit goes a long way. For example, a facial oil can last me 3-4 months since only a few drops are needed. A face mask might last me an entire year.

Facial Cleansers

• OSEA Facial Cleanser: Still my favorite facial cleanser of all time! Gentle and effective and made with lactic acid for a light, daily exfoliation.

Toners 

• Marie Veronique Balancing HypoTonic: I have a hard time spending a lot of money on a toner, so when I do, it better work! According to Marie Veronique (which I 100% agree with because I’ve seen these results with my own skin), “the tonic not only promotes liquid/lipid balances, it also restores and improves overall barrier function.”
• Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator: Josh Rosebrook is all about hydration and this product definitely reflects that. This year, I switched between the HypoTonic toner (above) and this product. I would love to use both simultaneously, but, alas, money doesn’t grow on trees.

Serums

• Marie Veronique Intensive Repair Serum: This serum was originally recommended to me a couple of years ago from an esthetician. I was frustrated by hormonal breakouts and was looking for a product that would help fight against the flare-ups. This product has done just that! I only use this product twice a week. It keeps my pores free from congestion and reduces hormonal breakout occurrences. <–I’m still working on the stress component of hormonal breakouts.
• Josh Rosebrook Hydration Boost Concentrate: This is the best hyaluronic acid serum I’ve tried so far! It’s not sticky (as most are) and a little bit goes a long way! It leaves my skin plump and hydrated, which is important as the skin ages (I just turned 35). I’ve been using this daily after a toner and before applying moisturizer.

Moisturizers

• Marie Veronique Protective Day Oil: I just recently started using this day oil as my morning moisturizer. I’m in love! This oil delivers fatty acids to build and maintain healthy skin on top of UV protection. It’s not greasy so you can wear makeup right after application.
• Marie Veronique Rejuvenating Night Oil: This is the companion to the day oil mentioned above. I use this oil at night as the moisturizer step in my routine. Again, I’m in love! This oil is “excellent for repairing and replenishing barrier function to dehydrated skin.” I have acne-prone, oily skin and learned a couple of years ago that my skin was over-producing oil because it was so dry! Using oil on my skin, as a moisturizer, has completely transformed my skin health.
• True Botanicals Pure Radiance Oil: This is the first oil I ever used on my skin. This is the product that originally converted me over to using oil as a moisturizer. I love this oil and continue to recommend it even though I’m not currently using it (currently using Marie Veronique above).
• Josh Rosebrook Vital Balm Cream: This is a very new purchase for me. I’ve started to use this at night, occasionally, for extra hydration after using the Rejuvenating Night Oil. It’s the first cream moisturizer that I’ve really enjoyed. If you want to try this product and the hyaluronic serum and the toner, I recommend this set (it’s a deal!).

Exfoliators

• Josh Rosebrook Enzyme Exfoliator: “Potent fruit, honey, and herbal enzymes and acids gently slough away dead skin cells…” I use this weekly as both a mask and exfoliator all in one. Exfoliation is important for skin health, but it’s also important not to over-exfoliate or damage the skin in the process. This exfoliator is gentle but also effective.
• Leahlani Honey Love: I ran out of this product mid-year and haven’t purchased a new jar because I’ve been using the Enzyme Exfoliator (above), but once that runs out I’ll rotate back to the Honey Love. I keep my basic skincare the same and love to switch things up by rotating exfoliators and masks from my favorite companies.

Masks 

• MAHALO The Petal Hydrating Mask: My favorite mask of 2019! I bought this mask during a Follain sale because (without a sale) it’s EXPENSIVE! I’m obsessed with this mask. It contains clay and hyaluronic acid and the most pleasant rose scent. It literally leaves my skin with a glow.
• May Lindstrom The Problem Solver: I purchased this product at the beginning of 2019 (again, on sale because it’s expensive). I’ve heard so much about this mask and had to try it. At first, I was seriously disappointed. My skin broke out and I went to Instagram Story to, essentially, complain. But since I spent so much on this mask, and the jar is huge, I kept trying. Since this is a powder that you mix with a liquid, I decided to mix it up with yogurt. That was the answer! Now, I’m in love with this mask (when the dry powder is mixed with yogurt), and just ran out this morning (insert sad face). It’s a great mask for “solving problems,” particularly breakouts and clearing out the skin when pores feel “backed up.”
• Homemade Spirulina Mask: This is a homemade mask (insert budget-friendly high five) that is incredibly easy to make: just honey and spirulina powder. The other recommendations are definitely on the high end of masks, but this mask delivers results without costing a fortune.

Josh Rosebrook Tinted SPF 30 Moisturizer: I’ve been using W3LL People Tinted SPF Moisturizer for a couple years and in 2019 switched over to Josh Rosebrook Tinted SPF Moisturizer. Both are lovely, but I really love the lightweight formula from Josh. I don’t need much coverage these days from a foundation (thankful for the improvement in my skin’s health over the past few years) so this lightweight formula is perfect for every day use.

Ilia True Skin Serum Foundation (in SF2): When I want more coverage for an evening out, this is my go-to foundation. It’s literally a skincare product and foundation in one. Since I only use it occasionally, one bottle has lasted me an entire year!

W3LL People Bio Correct Muti-Action Concealer (in Light): If I need some cover up, whether under my eyes or a blemish, this is my go-to concealer to use on top of foundation (either Josh or Ilia).

W3LL People Bio Brightener Invisible Powder: This is a setting powder that I use on top of my foundation (either option above). It takes away shine and sets the foundation (so it lasts all day) without looking cakey, overdone, or dry.

FitGlow Eye Bright: I love using this stuff under my eyes. It brightens dark circles (hello, mom life) and makes me look more awake and alert.

Honest Beauty Cream Blush (in Rose Pink): My favorite blush and it’s incredibly budget-friendly! I purchase this blush from Target (which has an expanded clean beauty section).

BeautyCounter Eyeshadow (in classic): Okay, I’m not a huge fan of BeautyCounter. Please don’t send all the reps after me. I’ve tried a number of BeautyCounter products and I’m just not impressed. Plus, they aren’t the cleanest green beauty company out there. The reason we’re hearing so much about BeautyCounter these days is because people are motivated by selling, selling, selling ($$$)–it’s an MLM model company. That said, I really love their eyeshadow palettes because the formulas last all day, which is hard to find in the clean beauty world.

Ilia Brow Gel: This gel is a finicky product. It tends to flake if I apply it too heavily, but other than that I really love this product. I just brush out my brows with an extra eyebrow brush after applying to keep the gel from flaking later in the day. I also tried BeautyCounter’s brow gel this year and found it dried out quickly and didn’t last long. I haven’t had these issues with Ilia, so that’s another reason why I love it.

Ilia Colorblock High Impact Lipstick (in Amberlight): If I’m going to wear lipstick, it’s going to be Ilia. This product hydrates and provides long-lasting coverage (in terms of a clean beauty product).

The post Best Clean Beauty Products appeared first on Live Simply.

Suzi is the face behind the popular natural wellness blog, Gurl Gone Green and a licensed esthetician. In today’s podcast episode, Suzi shares what to start with first when making the switch to non-toxic makeup, her favorite makeup products, a 5-minute easy-to-implement natural makeup routine for even the busiest of ladies, budget-friendly natural makeup options, and she answers your questions about skincare and makeup.

Listen Here

You can listen to the podcast episodes here on the blog, iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play.

Leave a Review

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Reviews are critically important for a new podcast. Reviews tell iTunes that people are listening and also helps new people find the podcast. To leave a review, click on the button above and then click “Write a Review” (you’ll have to scroll down to see this option). Also, while you’re over in iTunes, be sure to hit the subscribe button to be notified when new episodes launch.

Show Notes

• 10 Best Green Beauty Swaps Download from Suzi at Gurl Gone Green
• Episode 011: Natural Skincare 101 with Suzi from Gurl Gone Green
• True Skin Serum Foundation (Ilia)
• Root Pretty (Mineral foundation)
• Lily Lolo (Miami Beach Bronzer)
• Juice Beauty (Cream Blush) 
• Honest Beauty (Mascara)
• Hynt Beauty (Eyebrow Define Cream)
• Kosas (Lipstick)
• Clove and Hallow (Lipstick)
• Axiology (Lipstick)
• RMS Beauty (Cover Up)
• Pharmaca Natural Beauty
• Budget vs Splurge Products from a Gurl Gone Green Blogpost
• The Clear Skin Diet (Book)
• Suzi Website: Gurl Gone Green
• Instagram: @gurlgonegreen
• Suzi’s Podcast: The Golden Hour 

Q1: When switching to natural makeup, what would you recommend people start with first?

Q2: Your makeup always looks fantastic, what are your favorite natural makeup products?

Q3: Can you share a five-minute makeup routine, using natural makeup products, that a busy mom can do?

Q4: What are your favorite budget-friendly natural makeup options?

Q5: Would love to know the best way to coverup or get rid of acne scars.

Q6: What are your thoughts on buying a Clarisonic? Good or bad for the skin? How often? What about off brands?

Q7: I’m struggling with eczema. What are some good tips for healing and getting rid of it?

Q8: I struggle with acne. What products should I try using on my skin?

Q9: What your best advice for simplifying the process of making the switch to non-toxic skincare and makeup products? 

The post Podcast 012: Natural Makeup 101 with Suzi from Gurl Gone Green and Your Skincare Questions Answered appeared first on Live Simply.

Today, I’m going to share the products currently sitting in my makeup bag/drawer. These are the products I use every single day, except on days when I skip wearing makeup.

My makeup routine is simple and works well for me. With the products I’m sharing today, I can get ready in under 10 minutes each morning. I call that success. And the products are all made with non-toxic ingredients that I feel confident about applying to my skin. And the best part, besides the products being non-toxic? Many of these products are now found at Target.

This post isn’t sponsored by Target, or in anyway affiliated with Target. That said, Target has taken some impressive steps towards non-toxic skincare in the past year. Have you seen the green beauty section at Target? Very, very well done. My favorite brands from Target, as far as makeup and body-care, include: MeowMeow Tweet (great deodorant, although Primal Pit Paste is my go-to brand), W3LL People (a makeup staple in my makeup routine), and Honest Beauty (I’ve heard the mascara is incredible, but it’s always sold out at my store).

I don’t purchase every makeup product from Target. Some of my favorite brands can’t be found at Target. For now, I’m thankful that non-toxic, clean beauty options are slowly making their way into mainstream stores. This means non-toxic skincare options are easier to find for the general public, making a more natural lifestyle easier to pursue for many people.

In a couple of weeks, I’m going to talk with Suzi from Gurl Gone Green about creating your own non-toxic makeup routine on the podcast. Suzi is an esthetician, mom, and beauty/skincare guru. She will be sharing a ton of different makeup and skincare brands, along with tips and tricks for creating a natural skincare and makeup routine.

Until then, here are the products that I’m currently loving and using. If you’re interested in seeing what my skincare routine currently looks like (along with my favorite skincare products), check out this routine post.

LeahLani Morning Ambrosia Elixir

I use a serum on face each morning before applying any makeup. I’ve found that a serum helps to moisturize my skin and allow makeup to go on smoothly. LeahLani makes my favorite serum products. I use the Ambrosia Elixir in the morning as a makeup primer. Yes, serums are an investment, but they last a while and the impact they’ve made on the appearance and feel of my skin are worth every penny.

W3LL People Bio-Tint Moisturizer

I use this moisturizer daily after using the serum from LeahLani. I even wear this moisturizer during workouts since it contains SPF. I love the lightweight formula and the excellent coverage. The coverage evens out my skin tone without feeling like I have foundation on my face. This moisturizer can go on very orange, so I stick with the lightest shade (Fair). Also, I’ve found that I need to rub the moisturizer between my fingers before applying to ensure even color coverage.

For a special event, like during the holidays or for a date night, I’ll put on Ilia True Serum Foundation. This foundation is absolutely the best around for a full coverage foundation that not only evens skin tone but also nourishes the skin.

This is available at Target, Amazon, and the Detox Market.

FitGlow Concealer

This is my favorite concealer to date. It goes on smooth and light, without drawing attention to wrinkles or fine lines. It also doesn’t look “caked on” which I’ve found to be true with many concealers. FitGlow makes awesome non-toxic makeup products that work so well. I mainly use this product for my eyes and for the unwanted breakout. Despite the lightweight feel, the cream-based concealer offers fantastic coverage. I use color C2.

This is only available online. I purchase this product from FitGlow (online website), The Detox Market, or Amazon.

W3LL People Natural Bio Brightener Invisible Powder

After applying the W3LL People Bio Tint Moisturizer and Un-Cover Up, I go over my face with a light dusting of W3LL People Natural Bio Brightener Invisible Powder. This powder is invisible or translucent, so it just finishes off and locks in the tinted moisturizer and concealer. I’ve found that for a daily look this is all I need. I use a pressed powder brush to apply a small amount of this powder on my face.

This is available at Target, Amazon, and online “health” retailers.

If you’re looking for something with more coverage, my favorite powder is from FitGlow (Vita Set Powder). This powder is on the pricier side, but it lasts forever because a small amount provides fantastic coverage and gives such a wonderfully velvety look to the skin. This powder is available through Amazon Prime or the FitGlow website.

Crunchi Brilliant Bronzer

After using the invisible powder, I use a bronzer brush and the Crunchi Brilliant Bronzer to highlight my face: cheek bone area, along my nose, and at the very top of my forehead. This powder goes a long way, so it lasts forever. I’ve found the powder provides me with a just-right, sun-kissed glow or highlight. After applying the bronzer, I go back over it with my powder brush to blend, blend, blend.

This is only available online, unless you have a store in your area that carries Crunchi.

Honest Beauty Cream Blush

This is an easy-to-find and budget-friendly makeup product because it’s sold at most Target stores and through Amazon Prime. I use my finger to apply this cream blush to my cheeks. It provides a nice dewy look and just enough color to give my cheeks that “pop.”

This is available through Target and Amazon.

EcoBrow All Natural Eyebrow Defining Wax

This is my favorite eyebrow filler to date. A little bit of this product goes a very long way, so the product lasts forever. This product is a wax, so it needs to be applied with a brush. I then use an eyebrow brush to make sure the wax is evenly distributed throughout my eyebrows for a soft, natural look. I use the Penelope shade, which is a dark brown color.

This is only available online.

Update: A few months ago, I decided to try Juice Beauty’s Brow Envy Gel. This product is so easy to use and super forgiving (if you don’t know how to do your eyebrows–like me). This is the product I’m currently using and will continue to use. The only con is the bottle is small and doesn’t last as long as the EcoBrow wax. Both products are fantastic, it just depends on your application preference.

Pacifica Eyeshadow Palette

Pacifica is a brand that can be hit or miss as far as ingredients. I personally like their eye shadow palettes and lip gloss. And the fact that Pacifica is easy to find at Whole Foods, Target, and online is a huge plus. And their products are super affordable. I use a small brush that’s been dampened with water with the dark brown in the Pink Nudes palette as eyeliner on my eyelid and also to provide some definition under my eye. I use the neutral colors in the palette for my actual eyeshadow, applied with a larger brush.

This is available at Whole Foods, Amazon, and online “health” retailers.

W3LL People Natural Expressionist Mascara

W3LL People makes my favorite non-toxic mascara. It just works so well! I would also like to try Honest Beauty Mascara, but it’s always out of stock at my local Target. <–It must be good stuff. I use an eyelash curler first, and then apply several coats of W3LL People Mascara to my lashes.

This is available at Target, Amazon, and The Detox Market.

Another favorite mascara is from Honest Beauty. This, again, is an easy-to-find and budget-friendly option that’s available through Amazon Prime and Target.

Kosas Lipstick 

I don’t wear lipstick on a daily basis, but I do have some on hand for date night and special events. Kosas makes the absolute best lipsticks, in my opinion. The colors are gorgeous and they actually stay on your lips. Plus, they don’t have a funky taste or smell.

Kosas lipsticks are available through The Detox Market and the Kosas website.

That’s it! That’s my almost-daily makeup routine. A routine that’s easy, simple, non-toxic and works for my lifestyle. I would love to hear from you. What does your makeup routine look like? What brands/products do you love using?

The post My Simple Non-Toxic Makeup Routine (Using Non-Toxic, Easy-to-Find Makeup) appeared first on Live Simply.

The first natural makeup remover I used was plain ol’ coconut oil. At the time, I was new to the idea of using natural products on my skin, and coconut oil seemed to be–according to the internet– the answer to my every skincare need. Heck, coconut oil seemed to be the answer to every problem in life. Unfortunately, my skin wasn’t a huge fan of coconut oil.

After the coconut oil experiment, I moved on to a witch hazel blend, which worked very well.

In the spirit of experimentation, I eventually switched over to a new makeup remover option. This time, a balm.

The balm was honestly a mistake. A good mistake.

The balm was initially a boo-boo cream product that was created for a client’s website. With extra jars of perfectly good boo-boo cream (just beeswax, oil, and a bit of essential oil) sitting in my medicine cabinet, I tried using the cream as a makeup remover. Why not? The cream removed my makeup, including eye makeup. Soon, the cream (renamed to a balm) became my favorite makeup remover.

A few months ago, I got the itch to experiment again. This time, I began experimenting with a disposable wipe/facial pad option. The inspiration for this particular makeup remover came from my past experiences and the simple ingredients in my “medicine” cabinet.

I’ve now been using the wipes on a regular basis. After all the craziness of September (Hurricane Irma, evacuation, Alaska), I’ve been enjoying the convenience of simply opening a jar and pulling out a moist, ready-to-use makeup remover wipe.

Now, the question must be asked…

Which makeup remover option is the best?

Well, the answer simply depends on your own preferences, current season of life, and the ingredients you have on hand.

If you’re new to do-it-yourself beauty, and don’t want to purchase multiple ingredients or actually make anything, use 100% oil.

If you love using the oil, but want something that doesn’t drip, try the makeup remover balm.

If you’re looking for something that’s not super oily (although using 100% oil as a makeup remover doesn’t make your skin “oily”), try a witch hazel and oil makeup remover.

And finally, if you’re looking for an easy, ready-to use makeup remover (one that isn’t 100% oil-based), try today’s makeup remover option: Gentle Makeup Remover Wipes.

Print

Gentle Homemade Makeup Remover Wipes

A gentle witch hazel and aloe vera based makeup remover. Add facial pads/wipes to the solution to create a ready-to-use makeup remover option. 

Course DIY

Cuisine Beauty

Keyword Makeup Remover Wipes

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 14 cotton pads

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 2 TB witch hazel I’ve been using Thayer’s Original
• 1 TB aloe vera gel *
• 1 tsp sweet almond oil **
• 1/4 tsp castile soap I’ve been using baby mild

Special Equipment:

• 14 cotton facial pads
• 1 4-ounce jar with a lid***

Instructions

• Add the ingredients to a 4-ounce jar. Gently shake the jar to combine the ingredients.  
• Add the cotton facial pads to the jar, pressing the pads down in the liquid. The pads will absorb most (or all) of the liquid. Place the lid on the jar. Store the jar at room temperature. 

To Use:

• Remove a moistened facial pad from the jar and wipe the face with the pad to remove makeup. I use both sides of the pad. This recipe makes 14 wipes, so the wipes will need to be replaced, and a new solution made, every two weeks. Wash your face with a facial cleanser after using the wipes. 

Notes

*Look for aloe vera gel with minimal ingredients (just aloe and natural preservatives). Fresh aloe would be lovely, but it would greatly reduce the shelf-life of this product. I like Real Aloe (linked above) and Majestic Pure Aloe Vera. 

**Use your favorite nourishing/carrier oil, such as: grapeseed, jojoba, olive oil, etc. I like sweet almond oil. 

***The jar pictured is a 4-ounce Weck Jar. Small mason jars also work well.

The post Gentle Homemade Makeup Remover Wipes (Disposable, Travel-Friendly) appeared first on Live Simply.

This post is long overdue. In fact, it’s years overdue.

Since starting Live Simply, and talking about natural body-care, I’ve received countless requests from reader friends to share my favorite makeup products. But there’s been one issue with this request…

It wasn’t until this year that I actually felt comfortable sharing a peek inside my makeup bag.

See, real food and natural living in 2017, is a journey for most us–including myself. Just a few years ago, I was just beginning the journey of using more natural makeup products.

When I first began this journey, I experimented with do-it-yourself options. I quickly realized that wasn’t a road I wanted to travel down (except for foundation powder). It proved to be too time-consuming, complicated, and expensive. So I turned my attention to finding brands that are making more natural makeup options. Just a few years ago, that was no small feat. Thankfully, today, that task has become much easier.

I’m still on this natural makeup journey (I certainly haven’t “arrived”), but I’m finally at a place where I’m happy with the products and ingredients in my bag.

This is a peek inside my makeup bag. The products highlighted are the very products I love and use on a regular basis. If you’re looking for non-toxic makeup options, I hope today’s tried-and-true makeup recommendations are helpful for you.

I’ve used either the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Database or Think Dirty App to check out all the products in my makeup bag, and all of them score between a 1-3. This means they are considered neutral (a good thing!) or low on the overall hazard scale (a scale ranging from 0-10).

Liquid Foundation

Last year, I started using Beautycounter’s Tint Skin (color: linen).

This year, I decided to try 100% Pure’s 2nd Skin Foundation (color: sand olive). I love the coverage and light feel of this foundation (probably due to the oils used, including squalane oil). The 2nd Skin Foundation is my current foundation.

I also just recently ordered 100% Pure’s Bamboo Blur Tinted Moisturizer (color: white peach). I really like the light and buildable coverage of this product. I’ll probably use this during the warm summer months for daily coverage. It evens out my skin tone and moisturizes my skin. The only downside is it doesn’t hold up well when my face is sweaty. Both Beautycounter and 100% Pure are only available online.

One more foundation (I’ve tried a few)…I also recently tried Crunchi Beautifully Flawless Foundation (color: Natural 2.5). I’ve had a really positive experience with this one, too. It evens out my skin tone and offers amazing coverage. It’s become my go-to foundation now.

Foundation Powder

I’ve been using homemade foundation powder for a number of years now, and still love it.

This past year, I learned about Alima Pure Satin Matte Foundation (color: beige 2). The ingredient list is very short and appropriate, so I ordered a container. I fell in love with the great coverage and how perfectly the color matched my skin. Alima isn’t available in stores (at least I don’t know of any stores), so you have to order online.

Another option I’ve tried and enjoyed is Mineral Fusion Pressed Powder (color: neutral 2), which can be found at most health food stores and Whole Foods, and even Amazon. And one more, Zuzu Luxe Powder Foundation (also found at Whole Foods and on Amazon).

Blush

I currently have a powder and cream blush sitting in my makeup bag.

For the powder, I’m using Pretty Naked II from 100% Pure. This is a set of five different colors that I use for blush, a facial highlighter, and eye shadow.

I ordered the cream blush (Universalist Multi-Stick; color: nude flush) from W3LL People a while back just to try something a bit different. I use this from time to time when I want something for travel. This multi-stick is currently out-of-stock on the W3LL People website, but you can still find it at Target.

Eyeshadow

I use 100% Pure Pretty Naked II (talked about in the blush section) for eyeshadow, too. I love that I only have to purchase one product for a facial highlighter, blush, and eyeshadow. I guess that’s what you’d call simplicity?

Brow Pencil and Eyeliner 

I grew up in the ’80s and ’90s–a time when natural eyebrows weren’t exactly in style. I learned at a young age to tweeze, tweeze, tweeze my eyebrows. Needless to say, my eyebrows need some extra help with looking full and natural (lol, the irony). That’s where a brow pencil comes in handy. I’ve been using the brow pencil from Mineral Fusion (color: dark brown) for years.

Eyeliner isn’t something I use on a daily basis. On a special occasion, I use Pacifica Natural Eye Pencil (color: fringe). I haven’t really spent much time looking for other brand options since I don’t use eyeliner very often. Pacifica is available at most health food stores, Whole Foods, some Targets, and Amazon.

Mascara

A few years ago, I played around with making a homemade mascara and quickly realized that was a horrible idea (hello, smudges!).

Today, there are a few natural makeup brands making fantastic mascara options. My personal favorite is W3LL People (Expressionist Mascara; color: Pro Black), followed by 100% Pure (Fruit Pigmented Ultra Lengthening Mascara; Color: Black Tea). I’ve also heard great things about LILY LOLO Mascara.

Lipstick and Lip balm

There are two items left in my makeup bag: lipstick and lip balm. My favorite lipstick is from W3LL People (Nudist Colorbalm; Color: Nude 7). This lipstick goes on well and the color is very natural.

I make a batch of lip balm once a year (this recipe). I keep the tubes stocked in our medicine cabinet and pull one out whenever I need a lip balm replacement.

That’s everything in my makeup bag. I would love to hear what’s your makeup bag via a comment below.

The post My Makeup Bag: Favorite Natural Products appeared first on Live Simply.

A makeup remover? Really?!

Why do I need such a specialty product in my life? 

Those were the very thoughts rumbling around in my constantly-questioning mind a couple of years ago, after reading a beauty book which suggested that makeup remover is essential in a skincare routine.

Since the book and author were reputable, I decided to add a makeup remover to my nightly skincare routine. At this point, I had already switched over from using a very expensive department store brand to homemade skincare products, so I decided to research simple options to naturally remove makeup.

Within one night of using a makeup remover, coconut oil, I immediately realized that I was wrong. A makeup remover truly is essential to a skincare routine if you’re going to wear makeup, even more natural makeup. Because here’s the dirty truth: A cleanser is meant to cleanse the face, not remove makeup. Which means every single night I was going to bed with a superficially clean face. I thought my face was clean, but the truth was that most of my makeup remained on my face day after day.

I’ve been using a makeup remover ever since that night of revelation, followed by a gentle cleanser. And each night I’m shocked at how much makeup my trusty makeup remover strips away.

Since reading that book (I can’t even remember the title, but clearly the idea of removing makeup before bed really made an impact on me.), I’ve experimented with a few different natural makeup removers, ranging from simple one-ingredient oils to a homemade balm.

Today, let’s talk about each of the makeup removers I’ve tried over the past couple of years. Each person is different, so my goal is to present to you the natural options I’ve loved for removing my makeup, naturally, and then leave the decision up to you for which makeup remover will work best for your schedule, your skin, and your skincare routine.

1. Coconut or Olive Oil

This option only requires one ingredient you probably already have sitting in your real food pantry: oil. The basic idea behind using oil to remove makeup is that oil dissolves oil. Since makeup products are generally made of some oils and waxes, and your face secrets oil, an oil, like coconut or olive oil, removes the makeup from your face.

To use coconut or olive oil to remove makeup, apply a small amount of oil to a cotton ball or facial pad, and then gently wipe the face with the oil-moistened pad. Once your makeup has been removed, wash your face with a cleanser. I’m currently using this cleanser. If you’d like a soapy cleanser, I’ve also used this honey face wash recipe.  

Pros

Easy to find in your pantry. Only one ingredient. Inexpensive. Last forever (until your oil goes bad).

Cons

Coconut oil, as a skincare product, doesn’t agree with everyone’s skin. I’m not sure if this has something to do with genetics (my personal opinion), or the fact that coconut oil has a higher chance of clogging pores than many other oils. Olive oil really doesn’t have a con, in my opinion.

2. Witch Hazel and Nourishing Oil

After using coconut oil for a few months, which didn’t agree with my skin after repeated uses, I switched over to a combination of witch hazel and a nourishing oil, olive oil. Witch hazel is an easy-to-source, natural ingredient that’s also used as an astringent in skincare routines. For this recipe, I recommend using an alcohol-free witch hazel so it doesn’t dry out your skin.

To make this makeup remover, combine 3 tablespoons of alcohol-free witch hazel and 2 tablespoons of nourishing oil (like olive oil). Before each use, shake the bottle. To use this makeup remover, apply a small amount of oil to a cotton ball or facial pad, and then gently wipe the face with the moistened pad. Once your makeup has been removed, wash your face with a cleanser. I’m currently using this cleanser. If you’d like a soapy cleanser, I’ve also used this honey face wash recipe.  

Pros

Lasts a few months. Great for someone who doesn’t want to use 100% oil on their face. Another perk of this recipe is that you can use the basic concept to make reusable face wipes, which are very handy if you travel!

Cons

Since this recipe is very liquid-y, it’s easy to use a bit too much and get some in your eye(s). Not that I know anything about this from experience ;). This is more of a user error than a product con, but it’s definitely worth mentioning. Another con of this recipe is that you need to purchase witch hazel, which isn’t a basic kitchen ingredient. The good news is that witch hazel has many uses, and it lasts a while, so one bottle can be used in multiple ways or kept for an extended period of time.

3. Makeup Remover Balm

This is the makeup remover that I’m currently using, and absolutely adore. Every single makeup remover shared here is a great option for naturally removing makeup, but hands-down this one wins my heart and face. The balm combines the power of an oil, olive oil or jojoba oil for me, and beeswax to create an easy-to-use product.

To make this makeup remover, combine 1/4 cup of jojoba oil (or olive oil) and 1 tablespoon of beeswax. Melt the beeswax into the oil, then pour the mixture into a container, and allow it to cool and harden. To use this makeup remover, apply a small amount of the balm to a cotton ball or facial pad (I scoop a small amount from the jar using the cotton pad), and then gently wipe the face with the balm-moistened pad. Once your makeup has been removed, wash your face with a cleanser. I’m currently using this cleanser. If you’d like a soapy cleanser, I’ve also used this honey face wash recipe.   

Pros

Easy to use. No oil spills (once it’s made). Lasts several months.

Cons

More prep time required than the other makeup remover options. Another con of this recipe is that you need to purchase beeswax, which isn’t a basic kitchen ingredient, but it may be used to create multiple other homemade products, and it lasts forever.

Do you have a favorite way to naturally remove makeup?

The post How to Naturally Remove Makeup: 3 Easy Makeup Remover Options 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.

Print

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.

Confession: I’ve been making a big beauty mistake and didn’t even know it.

Last month, while visiting one of my favorite natural shops (essential oils, herbs, organic makeup–it’s a “crunchy mama” utopia) I overheard the herbalist on duty talking to a fellow customer about breakouts–the little unwanted guests that randomly pop-up on the face. The conversation instantly caught my attention. I quickly and very politely jumped in, “I’m not sure why my skin still breaks out at the most random moments. My diet is super clean, I drink a ton of water and make my own homemade products. Any tips?” The herbalist looked at me and asked a simple, yet skin-changing question, “Do you clean your makeup brushes?”

Lightbulb moment!

I’m embarrassed to admit that I’d never thought about cleaning my makeup brushes. Big mistake.  As it turns out, cleaning makeup brushes is a pretty important task that can prevent bacteria from spreading on the skin.

Bacteria = breakouts.

Breakouts = makeup brush contamination.

Makeup brush contamination = more breakouts.

It’s a nasty cycle.

My search for the ultimate brush cleaner began.

There are a number of store-bought brush cleaner options, and there are also a number of DIY tutorials on Pinterest. Most of the ingredients used in both the store-bought and “homemade” versions are far from natural, in my opinion. I decided to create my own homemade brush cleaner. Take that Pinterest– PS: I still love you! With a few basic ingredients, which I already had on hand for DIY beauty products, I was able to easily whip up a natural solution.

The moment of truth came as I dipped my foundation powder brush into the solution. You guys, the resulting liquid was disgusting–oil, dirt, months worth of makeup! To say that I’m now a brush cleaning advocate is an understatement.  Trust me, just try it once–dip your makeup brush in a few simple ingredients–your beauty routine will forever be changed.

From what I’ve read, most makeup professionals recommend cleaning brushes daily, particularly the ones used for foundation and blush. Daily feels a bit overwhelming and far from “simple,” so I’m practicing a twice a week system. Baby steps! Some cleaning at this point is much better than no cleaning at all. I’m now going on four weeks of this routine. My makeup brushes are incredibly soft and my skin feels clean. Bottom line: Do it! Clean your brushes. ASAP.

My homemade brush cleaner recipe works for any cleaning schedule since it makes enough solution for soaking sessions (my preferred method of cleaning) or daily spraying. Whichever method you choose, go with something that’s doable for you.

Happy Cleaning!

I recently added to this post with a tutorial on how to clean makeup brushes with this DIY recipe. Check out the updated post here. 

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Homemade Natural Makeup Brush Cleaner

My homemade brush cleaner recipe works for any cleaning schedule since it makes enough solution for soaking sessions (my preferred method of cleaning) or daily spraying. Whichever method you choose, go with something that’s doable for you.

Course DIY

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword Makeup Brush Cleaner

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 1/2 cups

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup witch hazel
• 2 tsp baby mild castile soap
• 1 tsp skin-nourishing oil like almond or olive oil, optional
• 1 cup distilled water

Instructions

• In a bottle or mason jar, combine all the ingredients in the order listed (the recipe). Shake the bottle. This solution may be used multiple times to clean brushes. Store the mixture in the fridge.
• Combine as much of the mixture needed in a bowl. Add your makeup brushes to the mixture. I like to swish the brushes back in forth in the mixture and then let them soak for a few minutes. The mixture will go from clear to a dirty makeup mixture quickly. After a few minutes, remove the brushes, dump the solution, and rinse the brushes under the water.
• Let the brushes rest on a towel to dry. Repeat weekly or twice a month to keep your brushes clean.

Video

Notes

If you'd prefer to make just enough for a one-time solution, here's what I recommend:

1/8 cup witch hazel
1/2 tsp baby mild castile soap
1/4 cup distilled water
(optional) 1/4 tsp carrier oil, like grapeseed or olive oil 

When you introduce water into a product without a preservative you always run the risk of introducing bacteria, so use water-based products quickly.

The post Homemade Natural Makeup Brush Cleaner appeared first on Live Simply.

Without coconut oil? 

Kristin, Kristin, Kristin. I thought you were a natural gal- AKA: a lover of all-things coconut oil? A coconut-oil-heals- every-ailment blogger…

Have a boo boo? Coconut oil! 

Frizzy hair? Coconut oil! 

Grumpy kids? Coconut oil! 

A cup of black coffee? Coconut oil! 

Okay, so maybe you aren’t thinking the above thoughts, but I am.

Between Thursday’s super weird granola bar dream confession (#sorry) and today’s random self mumblings, if you’re still here, thank you! You’re such a good friend!

So, back to coconut oil. Or in this recipe, back to not using coconut oil.

Shortly after my first homemade product, foundation powder, I learned about a magical white substance: coconut oil. Of course, I just had to get my hands on a jar. I’ll admit the taste wasn’t pleasing (I’m not a straight-up coconut fan), but I was determined and found ways to incorporate this miracle substance into my family’s diet: smoothies, frying (plantains and chicken), baking, and Bulletproof Coffee. Since we were already eating coconut oil and I was looking for ways to reduce the toxins in our home caused by many traditional store-bought products, I decided to venture into the world of DIY coconut oil recipes.

My first DIY coconut oil recipe was a super simple three-ingredient moisturizer for the face and body. Instant love! The coconut oil moisturizer was easy, cost-effective and worked wonders on my skin within just a few days. I was hooked.

I continued to use my homemade moisturizer for over a year, until I noticed my skin was experiencing grumpy issues. While my skin has always been more on the sensitive side, the moisturizer appeared to escalate its grumpiness. Breakouts and dryness appeared on various parts of my face.

After much research, I learned some skin types don’t respond well to prolonged cosmetic use of coconut oil. My coconut oil moisturizer is a great product (the reason I left it on the blog), and many readers comment on that one recipe about their pleasing skin results, but my skin needed a temporary break.

I decided to try my creative hands at a new DIY moisturizer. My skin immediately thanked me for the change. After a couple of months I decided to post the recipe here on Live Simply. Homemade lotion (without coconut oil) has been live for over a year. The number of comments from readers in need of a product without coconut oil due to allergies or skin issues has confirmed my belief–coconut oil is amazing, but doesn’t solve every ailment for every person.

I think all this coconut oil talk begs the question: Is coconut bad for the skin? 

This is 100% my personal opinion based on my own research and experiences. 

I don’t believe coconut oil is bad for cosmetic use. In fact, I think it’s an amazing product for many people. I also believe coconut oil doesn’t agree with some people’s skin, whether long-term or just short-term.

It’s so important to listen to our skin, which is why I offer recipes that use coconut oil and others that don’t. Everyone is different. I still use coconut oil in some body products, like my homemade deodorant, without any negative side effects. Homemade products allow you to truly listen to your skin’s needs and tailor DIY projects accordingly.

Many homemade makeup removers require the use of coconut oil. In fact, if your skin tolerates coconut oil, using this one ingredient on a cotton ball or facial pad is a simple, inexpensive answer. If your skin needs a break from coconut oil or you have a coconut allergy, this recipe will remove makeup naturally without irritating the skin. Remember, getting to know your skin is always the answer when using natural skincare.

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DIY 2-Ingredient Makeup Remover (Without Coconut Oil)

2-ingredient makeup remover without coconut oil.

Course DIY

Cuisine Beauty, Body

Keyword Makeup Remover

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 /3 cup

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 3 TB witch hazel
• 2 TB jojoba oil or sweet almond, avocado, apricot kernel, olive oil, or fractionated coconut oil (if you want to use coconut oil). I like to use jojoba or olive oil.

Instructions

• Pour both ingredients into a small storage container.
• To Use: Shake the bottle, then apply the makeup remover to a Q-Tip, cotton ball or facial pad. Wipe desired area (mascara, foundation, etc.) with the Q-Tip or ball/pad.

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.

Ingredient Notes

When you introduce water into a product without a preservative you always run the risk of introducing bacteria, so use water-based products quickly.

Witch hazel is a gentle and effective skin cleanser. The nourishing oil helps dissolve oil and cleanse the face. When paired together, the ingredients are gentle on the skin (concealer foundation, powder, and blush) and the eye area (mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow). Use caution around the eye area. Avoid using this recipe in your eye–this can happen when too much solution is applied.

More DIYs You May Like:

DIY Homemade Deodorant with Lavender

7 Money-Saving Recipes Using Castile Soap

DIY Honey Face Wash

The post DIY 2-Ingredient Makeup Remover (Without Coconut Oil) appeared first on Live Simply.