Featuring Natural Beauty author Janice Cox
I recently learned about Janice Cox and her amazing recipes for DIY home beauty. Janice has a blog called Natural Beauty at Home, where she provides amazing recipes for natural self-care. Below are three of my favorites!
Bubbling Bath Tablets Here are the ingredients and her instructions for her homemade bath tablets:
4 cups baking soda
1 cup citric acid powder
2 Tablespoons cream of tartar
1/4 cup cocoa butter or shea butter
1 /4 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup castile soap (I used liquid but you could try grated)
1 Tablespoon vegetable glycerin
1/8 teaspoon essential oil of lavender or favorite blend (optional)
In a large mixing bowl, mix together 3 cups of the baking soda, the citric acid powder and cream of tartar. (If you are using dry castile soap add this now too) Set aside. In a heat resistant container Mix together the cocoa butter, coconut oil, soap and glycerin. Over low heat in a water bath (pan of water) gently heat the mixture until the butter is melted and everything is well mixed. Slowly add the melted oil mixture to the dry mixture in small amounts (about a fourth at a time) and stir well to combine. The mixture will foam and bubble but keep stirring. When all of the oil is combined, stir the mixture well and add the last of the baking soda as needed until you have a smooth mixture almost like cookie dough. This make take several minutes for the mixture to cool and calm down. With a cookie scoop, scoop small balls of dough onto a cookie sheet with some parchment or wax paper. You can also press the dough into a mold. Let the bath tablets harden for a day or two. To use: Simply drop one or two tablets into a warm bath and enjoy.
I love this recipe and was drawn to it initially because Janice was talking about lavender, one of my favorite flowers. Lavender is so relaxing and helps to relieve stress and is amazing when used in a warm bath.
For more information and some beautiful pictures, you can see the post Bubbling Bath Tablets. Janice also has a recipe for Basic Bath Bombs.
Cleansing Coffee Mask
Ingredients and instructions for Janice's Cleansing Coffee Mask:
2 Tablespoons finely ground coffee
2 Tablespoons plain yogurt or sour cream
1 /2 teaspoon honey
Plain yogurt and sour cream is a natural source of lactic and alpha hydroxy acid which is a natural exfoliator. Helping to clear your complexion of dead skin cells and surface impurities. Combined with ground coffee this mask can be used by all skin types and will get your skin super clean.
Mix together all ingredients and stir well. Spread on clean skin in the morning and let sit for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat your skin dry. Follow up with your favorite daily moisturizer. Yield: 1 ounce, 1 treatment
I was really drawn to this one because I have had trouble with acne from wearing masks. I have resorted at times to using Clearasil, which has been very effective but is not necessarily the most natural solution. I love this alternative, and like Janice, I love coffee!
For more information, you can see her post, Coffee for a Clear Complexion.
Perfect Hair Conditioner
Janice's ingredients and instructions for Perfect Hair Conditioner:
1 tsp almond oil
1 tsp avocado oil
1 tsp olive oil
1 egg yolk
1 T honey
1 T fresh lemon juice
In a bowl or blender mix all ingredients until light and creamy. To use: Massage into your hair and scalp. Wrap your hair in a towel or plastic wrap and leave on for 15 minutes. Shampoo your hair as usual and rinse well. Yield: 2 ounces
I haven't tried this one but it is on my list! I have been dealing with some dry scalp issues and since I color my hair, I need extra conditioning.
To see her original post, you can go to Easy to Make All Natural Beauty Products.
In addition to sharing amazing recipes on her blog, Janice has several books available. You can check them out on her website and use the code "beauty" for a 20% discount! Or you can follow this Amazon link and order her book Natural Beauty for All Seasons. (Note, this one is an affiliate link.)
If you decide to try any of these amazing recipes, I would love to hear from you!!