A big thank you to everyone who attended our first DIY Beauty Workshop with our own Jenna Jensen and Kobi Collins. We had a great turn-out with 18 participants. Apologies to everyone who missed out, we will run another workshop soon! Here is is a bit of a look into some of the topics that were discussed and we are also sharing some of the recipes. We now have shea butter in-store and will expand further on our DIY Beauty range over the next few months.
Our skin is our largest orga
n
Being the barrier of protection to the outside world our skin needs food, care and nourishment from the inside and out. From the outside the topical application of products can have an extreme effect on the skin whether it is friend or foe. Many commercial products are laden with alcohol, chemicals and mineral oils which are all dead and drying products which cause more adverse effects than good, but they are cheap and inexpensive fillers, so are used a lot. Let’s pave the way to simple natural beauty.
The Basics
Base Oils are Jojoba (similar to the skins natural sebum consistency = readily absorbed), Coconut (excellent make up remover, anti-bacterial, slight spf 8. Caution: it can block pores when used on its own), Macadamia (high oil content, softening), Rosehip (antiaging, antioxidant, scar and wrinkle reduction), Sweet Almond (softening, moisturising, soothing), Hemp oil (high omega content, great for treating acne), Grapeseed oil (antioxidant, non greasy), White tea (camellia – antioxidant, light weight).
Top Essential Oils to try for gorgeous skin & hair (frankincense, lavender, rosemary, sandalwood, ylang-ylang, rose geranium, lemon, cedarwood), awakening, refreshing, clear mind (peppermint, rosemary, sweet orange, eucalyptus, lemon), perfume (ylang-ylang, jasmine, frankincense, cedarwood, geranium, grapefruit, cinnamon, patchouli, sandalwood, vanilla), happiness, relaxing, stress (lavender, frankincense, chamomile, sweet orange).
Never apply essential oils directly to your skin, always dilute them. Recommended rates for topical body oils are 5-10% dilution to a base oil and for your face 2% dilution.
Recipes for beauty basics
Removing makeup
Oil removes oil. Remove your makeup using your cleansing oil by massaging it gently and evenly around your eyes. Use a damp facial towel to remove residues. A simple mix of apple cider vinegar and water 1:10 passed over the face with a small cloth or homemade face pads will help to reduce oil and makeup residue on the skin, close the pores and feed and protect the natural bacteria.
Antioxidant chocolate mask
- 60% Cacao powder – antioxidant
- 25% – Honey or almond oil – soothing, antimicrobial. Creates paste.
- 13% – Rose petals, powdered – soothing, softening
- 2% – Cinnamon powder – activation and cellular stimulation
*this mask will not dry. Leave on for 10-20 minutes and enjoy. All ingredients are available at the Co-Op.
- 70% Shea Butter
- 30% Oil of choice – sunflower, jojoba, macadamia, almond
- 2-5% Essential Oil combination – we like frankincense
Melt shea butter over low heat using ban-marie before adding oils. Pour into a jar and let cool.
Kobi Collins and Jenna Jensen are both passionate about living a healthy and low waste lifestyle. Kobi is a naturopath and Jenna is a hairstylist who supports and promotes sustainable, non-toxic and natural hairdressing practices. Both have a vast knowledge of essential oils and the dos and don’ts of natural skin care.
*All photos by the talented Erika Degoute