Rose Aloe Facial Toner for Sensitive Skin

This toner is so refreshing for sensitive skin
apply with cotton swab after thoroughly washing face

ingredients:

1/2 cup witch hazel
3 tablespoons of rose water
3 table spoons of aloe gel (100% organic or extracted from plant)
5 drops of lavender oil (optional)

very simple natural recipe to fight acne

Around the time I get my period- I always get a few pimples here and there but this recipe cleared up my skin within a day and I have been using it ever since and my skin has been flawless

1 teaspoon of organic jojoba oil
2 drops of lavender essential oil.

Apply to face to remove make up and wash skin
leave on for 30 seconds
then rinse with warm water\
after patting my face dry, I apply more for over night moisturizer\
it is awesome!!!

Body Scrub for smooth skin during dry winter months!! :)

I use this scrub two times a week and it makes my skin so unbelievably soft!!

Ingredients:

1 cup of organic granular sugar (I use sugar in the raw)

2 table spoons of Vitamin E oil

3 tablespoons of Almond Oil

1/2 tablespoon of Coconut Oil (optional)

8 drops of lemon essential oil

I usually put this on my body right before i shower and then wash off and then moisturize :)

Natural Astringent for Sensitive Skin

This astringent is perfect for sensitive skin. Use after you wash your face and prior to applying facial lotion

Ingredients include:

Four tablespoons of rosewater
2 tablespoons of orange flowerwater
2 tablespoons of witch hazel
 (apply with a cotton swab)


This is easy to make, inexpensive, and works wonders!! :)

Stress Relieving Bath Recipe!

I love to take baths to relax.

Here is a simple and effective recipe!
Enjoy  and take a load off!!

1 cup of Epsom Salr
1/2 cup of Baking Soda
3 tablespoons of rose water or rose petals
5 drops of lavender essential oil
5 drops of rosemary essential oil

Soothing remedy for sensitive skin!

My skin is super sensitive..so I did some experimentation to find remedies to help decrease my skins sensitivity. I came up with this simple solution and it has really worked on my skin!

All you need is..

Tomato juice (squeezed from a tomato)
a dash of lime juice (squeezed from a lime)
a dash of lemon juice (squeezed from a lemon)

Apply to a clean face
leave on for 10 minutes
rinse with cool water
pat dry

I repeat this a few times a week - and sometimes I use it as my face wash! It is very refreshing!

Enjoy :)

Great Family Friends Severely Inured in Boston Marathon Explosions

Hi all,
This isn't one of my typical posts. But my friend and her mother were severely injured in the explosions that occurred yesterday. Sydney (18 yrs old) is in recovery from surgery on her leg and her mother has lost both of her legs from the knees down.  Here is a link to their fundraising page and on the page there is a link to an article regarding the incident and some background information about these beautiful and strong women.

Please share!!!!!!!!
http://www.gofundme.com/CelesteandSydney

Super Easy Super Healthy Pomegranate Salsa Recipe!

This recipe is super easy and is so good!! It is the perfect, unique salsa for chips and I also put it over my brown rice dishes or over my chicken! It dresses up and flavors the food wonderfully! Warning: It is very addicting :)! (but that's okay because it's so good for you )

Ingredients
1-2 pomegranates..cut open the pomegrantate to get the seeds (or you can buy the prepackaged seeds at the store)
1/2 red onion
1 habanero pepper ( I didn't use the seeds)
handful or two of cilantro
the juice from 1 lime

Put the ingredients together and enjoy! So good with chips, over rice, and chicken :)

DIY body wash :)

I was sick of using body wash with chemicals in it..I switched to all natural bars of soap but I missed using body wash. This is simple and inexpensive to make!

Ingredients:
1 bar of castille soap (I used unscented)
2-3 tablespoons of glycerin oil (you could use coconut oil as well)

I grated the bar of soap down to shreds. (You could also melt the bar of soap (not completely..but enough to soften it..if you were pressed for time)
Add four cups of purified water and the castille soap to a pot. Bring the water and soap to boil.
Lower the heat and let the soap melt...once it has cooled (stopped bubbling) add the glycerin
Then store and it is ready for use :)
You could add 10 drops of lavender, lemon, or tea tree essential oil if you want!
Enjoy!

Detoxifying water that helps you lose weight!

This water is great for cleansing and shedding those extra stubborn pounds! It tastes great too!

In a pitcher of purified water add:
 2-3 pinches of mint leaves
cucumber slices (use about half a cucumber)
lemon slices (about half a lemon)
1 teaspoon of 100 percent cranberry juice (optional)
bagged green tea (optional)

Enjoy!!! :) makes you feel great and energetic

DIY Deodorant!

I was looking at the back of my store bought deodorant and I could't even pronounce half of the ingredients (which is typically a bad sign) So, I decided to make my very own!

It is very easy and works great!

Ingredients:
Equal parts of
Coconut oil
Corn starch
Baking Soda
Lavender Essential oil (optional)

I used about two teaspoons of each and it made more than enough!

Melt the coconut oil down and mix in with the corn starch and baking soda. Add about 10 drops of Lavender Essential oil!

I stored mine in an old deodorant container

Enjoy :)

Lemon Sugar Dry Skin Scrub

I make this concoction to get rid of dry skin on my feet, hands, knees and elbows!

Ingredients:
3/4 Cup of Granulated sugar
2 tablespoons of coconut or extra virgin olive oil
juice squeezed from half of a lemon

Mix the ingredients together and apply and scrub the areas with dry skin.
Rinse after a few minutes
apply light moisturizer

Do this up to 3 times a week :)

Papaya Avocado Face Mask

Papaya does wonders for the skin. It brightens the skin and renews it because it is packed with vitamin A.
Avocados have anti aging and soothing properties for the skin.
The combination of these two fruits produces amazing results!

Ingredients
3 tablespoons of ripe papaya
1/2 of a ripened avocado
1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, sweet almond oil
1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice (squeezed from a lemon) (optional)
3 drops of lavender essential oil (optional)

Directions:
Pure the ingredients above
Cleanse face thoroughly
Apply mask to clean face for 15-20 mins
Rinse with cool water
pat dry
Apply light moisturizer

Enjoy!

Easy remedies for puffy, tired eyes

Sometimes, my eyes can tell you exactly what I am feeling.. especially if I am tired/haven't had a good night sleep!
Here are some quick, inexpensive ways to get rid of puffy eyes and dark circles.

1. Rose Water
Roses are so soothing to the skin! I buy my rose water at Whole Foods  and it is about eight dollars (it also has many other uses, such as facial toner- but I will post something about that next!)
I just soak a cotton pad with the rose water, and let it sit on my eyes for about 2 minutes. Throughout the day, I will spray my eyes with it or just dab it on there. It sooth and refreshes them! Great Remedy!

2. Aloe Vera Juice/ or gel from an aloe plant

Every one knows about Aloe Vera's wonderful soothing properties when it comes to a sunburn. But did you know that it can sooth irritated eyes as well? Just put a little bit of this under your eyes (apply with finger or cotton swab)  and let it sit on your eyes for about ten minutes. Rinse with cool water.

3. Cucumbers
 This is probably the best known remedy for puffy eyes..but it really works! I either juice a cucumber and apply the juice to my eyes a few times a day or I cut slices and let them sit on my eyes for 10-20 minutes!

Enjoy!

Natural Eye Make Up Remover

Getting all of your eye make up off at night is very important, as it is one of the places in the body where toxins escape. The eye area is delicate and should be treated like so. For my eye make up remover, I use coconut oil as it successfully removes the make up while simultaneously moisturizing the area! (if you don't have coconut oil, you could use sweet almond oil or avocado oil. (I am sure extra virgin olive oil would work as well, but I have never tried it!

Ingredients
about a nickel size of coconut oil for each eye

Directions

Rub gently Do not tug or pull because it will eventually create wrinkles around the eyes) with fingers over the eyelids and lashes and underneath until the make up starts to rub off. (a lot of black will be around your eye as a result..but that's a good thing!)

Rinse off with cold water
pat dry

So easy and good for you!!!

Strawberry face mask

Strawberries are loaded with antioxidants and they are a natural exfoliants.
They are perfect for acne prone and dull skin.  As with any new product on your skin, test it on your hand or neck to make sure you don't have a reaction to it!!

Ingredients:

6-8 fresh strawberries
2 tablespoons of organic honey
1 tablespoon of oil (jojoba,  extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil etc). (optional)
2 drops of lemon essential oil or lemon juice (optional)

Directions:
Apply the mask to a clean face
Mash the strawberries in a bowl until they are smooth.
Stir in the oil, honey, and lemon juice
Apply mixture to the face
Lie down and let the mask sit for 5-8 minutes
Rinse with warm water
follow with toner/moisturizer.

You can store any extra mix in the fridge  for extra use for about a week!

Dull skin? No problem!

Do you need a remedy for a dull complexion? I use this recipe to even my skin tone and enhance my complexion! Its easy and inexpesnive

4 tablespoons of organic plain greek yogurt
1-2 tablespoons of lemon juice squeezed from a lemon

Apply to a clean face
leave on for 15-20 minutes
rinse with water
apply light moisturizer

Detox Cleanse that gets rid of bloating and gives you tons of energy!

I have done this cleanse a few times and it makes me feel GREAT. It gives me so much energy and makes my skin look great. It cleans out your system so that you can rid yourself of weight from bloating.


For each day drink: (add the ingredients together into a jug or something like a jug)
1/2 gallon of purified water
1 tea bag of detox tea or dandelion root tea (I purchase these at whole foods)
2 tablespoons of lemon juice (I squeeze it from an actual lemon)
1 tablespoon of 100% organic cranberry juice

I eat while on this cleanse. I just eat a very clean diet (consisting mostly of fruits and vegetables, whole wheat foods etc).

Cheers to healthy living!

Softest legs ever shaving oil!

So recently, I stopped shaving my legs with shaving cream and decided to make my own recipe!
Before shaving, I mixed these ingredients in a bowl and applied:

1/4 cup of melted coconut oil (but you could use olive oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil for a base)
1 teaspoon of sweet almond oil
1/4 teaspoon of vitamin E oil

After doing this, my legs were so soft and the shave was so smooth!!!

Night time eye cream!

After you wash and tone your face before bed. Apply this night time eye moisturizer.

Directions:

Apply about 1/4 teaspoon of jojoba, coconut, avocado, sweet almond, or extra virgin olive oil around the eye. (Not directly on the eye).  Starting at the outer corner of your eye gently dab the oil on to it, going around the whole eye and ending at the corner you started with. Go around each eye a few times
Take off any any excess oil because you want to leave a light coat of oil.

The anti aging properties of the oils reduce puffiness, lines around the eye, bags under the eyes.

It is awesome! The skin around my eyes looks great!

Incorporate this into your night time routine!

Pore Refining, firming face mask

This mask reduces the appearance of pores and leaves the face feeling firm and youthful!

Ingredients:
egg whites of one medium sized egg
1 teaspoon of corn starch

Mix together until smooth (no bumps at all) paste and apply to face

make sure that after you apply the mask that you lie down for at least twenty minutes. The mask will dry on your face within the first few minutes

Rinse with warm water. (I usually shower after to make sure all of the mask comes off!)

Apply moisturizer

Do this once or twice a week or as desired!

Soft Feet Foot Soak

Foot soak

Ingredients:
Warm water in a basin
1 cup of milk
1 teaspoon of honey
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil
a few pinches of ground cinnamon

Soak for 10-15 minutes. Scrub with a foot brush to rid feet of dead skin cells

Apply moisturizer

Leaves your feet feeling soft and clean!

Soft hands!

Hands can get very dry and cracked especially in the winter.

This is an easy and inexpensive remedy.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon of oil (coconut, jojoba, olive, avocado or almond)
1 tablespoon of baking soda
3 drops of lavender essential oil (optional)

Mix together until it forms a paste.
Apply to dry hands covering everything. don't forget to get in between your fingers!
Rub paste and massage it in
Leave on for about two minutes
Wash with warm water
Apply moisturizer

Invigorating bath salts (great for when you have a cold)

This bath salt recipe is invigorating and is great for when you have a cold!

Ingredients:

1 cup of Epsom Salt
1/4 cup of baking soda
3 tablespoons of sea salt (optional)
5 drops of peppermint essential oil
5 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
3 drops of lemon essential oil

I store mine in a mason jar but any container would work just fine!

You can also add food dye if you want to make them colorful or use them as a gift!

Use about two tablespoons per bath!
Relax and Enjoy

Egg Yolk Hair mask

This hair mask reduces frizz and makes hair shiny, smooth and soft.

Ingredients:
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon of organic honey
1 1/2 tablespoon of carrier oil (coconut, almond, avocado, jojoba, vitamin E, extra virgin olive oil)
2 drops of lavender essential oil (optional)
4 drops of rosemary essential oil (optional)

Directions:
beat the egg yolk, honey and oil together in n a bowl.
Add the essential oils

Apply the mixture to dampened hair and massage it into your scalp and throughout the rest of your hair

Put your hair into a bun on the top of your head and wrap your hair in plastic wrap or a shower cap . Relax for at least twenty minutes

Rinse thoroughly and shampoo and conditioner to make sure all of the mixture is out of your hair.

Lemons lemons and more lemons!

Lemons are so inexpensive and have so many great uses for the skin!

I apply the juice from a lemon onto my skin after washing it. Let it sit on the skin for 5-10 minutes before washing it off. This fades brown spots on your skin, acne scars, and helps reduce break outs. It livens up your skin!!

A few times a week, I also apply organic honey to a lemon slice and rub it onto my clean face. The honey moisturizes while the lemon works to kill bacteria. It is a great combination. I leave it on for 10 minutes and then rinse it off. Follow with moisturizer!

I have had a few surgeries and have some scarring as a result. I apply lemon juice onto my scars has faded them SIGNIFICANTLY!

Whipped body lotion recipe

Whipped Body Lotion

Ingredients:
1 cup of organic extra virgin coconut oil
1 tablespoon almond oil/jojoba oil (optional)
10 drops of lemon essential oil (optional)

I whip this together in a bowl with a whisk. I apply to my whole body after showering and on my hands throughout the day! Leaves your body feeling so soft. Apply a light layer of lotion to the skin because a little bit of this oil goes A LONG WAY!

Natural Pore Minimizing Solutions!

Natural Pore Minimizing Solutions

After I wash my face, I apply aloe from an aloe vera leaf onto my skin. You can buy it at the food store for about $1.00  I cut a little piece of the plant off and open it up and rub the aloe onto my whole face. I let it sit for about 5-8 minutes and then I wash it off. I  apply light layer of moisturizer after because aloe can sometimes be drying to the skin!

Before I apply my make up, I also rub an ice cube all over my face because this helps shrink the appearance of pores.

I also make a pineapple juice and papaya face mask which leaves my skin glowing and my pores look non existent!
  I mash 2 tablespoons of ripe papaya and pour in about a tablespoon of organic pineapple juice (pineapple juice is optional). I also squeeze some juice from a lemon ( about a teaspoon). I mix it together and  I apply this to a clean place every few weeks and leave it on for about 10-15 minutes! Wash it off and then moisturize

Facial Lotion

After I was my face with the Coconut oil face wash. I use toner and then apply a light layer of moisturizer. The face is already really soft because of the face wash but my skin dries out quickly so I apply facial moisturizer after!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup coconut oil
1 tablespoon avocado oil/sweet almond oil or jojoba oil
1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil
5 drops lemon essential oil (optional)
5 drops rosemary essential oil (optional)
5 drops tea tree essential oil (optional)

:)!

Apple Cider Vinegar Facial Toner

If you are looking for a stronger facial toner that works to fight acne and heal brown spots and acne scars on your skin, I would suggest using Apple Cider Vinegar. Definitely buy organic so it has all of the antiseptic enzymes to keep your skin even and clear.

Apple Cider Vinegar always needs to be diluted before applying to the skin. I usually stick with a 50/50 ratio

Ingredients
I/2 cup of apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup of purified water

Apply to a clean face. Do not rinse off. Let it air dry and then apply a light moisturizer. I will be posting the recipe I use for my facial lotion soon. You could apply a light layer of coconut oil after using this toner. This toner has cleared up any dark spots I had on my skin

I also leave some apple cider vinegar in a plastic bottle in my shower. After shampooing my hair, I apply some of the vinegar to my hair and massage it into the scalp. I rinse it out. (you do not need to apply conditioner after this). This balances the pH of your hair and makes it really smooth!

Coconut Oil Face Wash

With any of the recipes on this page- test a small amount on your skin before applying to make sure you don't have a sensitivity to it!

I know it sounds crazy that I am suggesting that you wash your face with oil but it really works! My skin has never looked so good and I have been doing this for a few months now.  The oils I use in this recipe are all organic, contain bacteria killing elements and anti aging properties! Leaving the skin smooth, youthful and vibrant
I also know this sounds like a lot of ingredients and appears to be really expensive. But I only use natural oils and essential oils or fruits and vegetables for my skin and hair and a little bit goes a long way. I have so much money in the long run not buying lotions and face washes that are expensive and full of chemicals!! It is totally worth the investment and they last for a long time!!!!

Ingredients:
1 cup of organic coconut oil (rinse container under hot water or put in microwave for 10 seconds to soften the oil (but do not melt it completely)

1 tablespoon of organic extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon of jojoba oil (optional)

1/2 teaspoon of vitamin e oil (optional)

1 tablespoon of avocado oil or Sweet Almond oil (optional)

5 drops of lemon essential oil (anti aging and rids skin of brown spots) (optional)

5 drops of tea tree essential oil (optional)

3 drops of lavender essential oil (optional)

mix together with a spoon or a whisk

Directions:
Apply about a quarter size amount of this recipe to your face. Massage in gently. Run a washcloth under hot water (as hot as you can tolerate it) Apply the wash class to your entire face and hold it there for 10 -15 seconds. Rinse the washcloth and squeeze out all the oil. Run it under hot water and apply 2 more times. This opens up all of your pores and really works at healing the skin.

I do this once a day and I love it!

Green Smoothie that helps you lose weight and makes you feel great!!

This recipe is just as good for you internally as it is externally. a healthy body also betters your chance of having healthy glowing skin. I make this smoothie every single morning for breakfast! It gives you energy, flushes out your system, and makes for radiant skin!

Recipe:
2 large handfuls of organic baby spinach (I promise you can hardly taste the spinach)
1 banana
1 apple
4 strawberries
1 tangerine/orange
2 tablespoons of organic yogurt (optional)
1/4 cup of water
ice
2 tablespoons of Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (Coconut oil boosts metabolism and burns fat in your body- It is a healthy stabilized fat)

Blend together and enjoy!

I drink a glass of water 20 minutes before drinking this smoothie because it helps your body absorb all of the nutrients in the smoothie!

Witch Hazel Facial Toner

This facial toner leaves my skin feeling refreshed.  My skin is naturally on the dry side so I don't use a lot of witch hazel. If you have oily skin you would use a little bit more of witch hazel when making this facial toner.

Ingredients:
 1 cup of purified water
3 table spoons of witch hazel (for oily skin add 4-5 tablespoons of witch hazel)
 5 drops of Lavender Essential Oil (because of it's anti bacterial and soothing properties) (optional)
3 drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil (because this oil fights breakouts)

Directions:
Apply to face with a clean cotton pad after washing your face. (Make sure your face is clean!)
Moisturize

You could also apply the toner a few times through out the day

:)! I love this stuff!

Apple Cider Vinegar Foot Soak

This foot soak is great for dry, cracked feet!  The apple cider vinegar works to soften the feet and also kills bacteria.

Ingredients:
I cup of Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
1/2 cup of Baking Soda or Epsom Salts
5 drops of Sweet Orange Essential Oil (optional)
5 drops of Lemon Essential Oil (optional)


Fill a basin with warm water
Add the ingredients
Soak feet for ten-fifteen minutes
Remove feet from the water
Moisturize

:)

Exfoliating sugar scrub!

This sugar scrub does wonders for the skin as it gently rids the skin of dead cells and leaves it feeling silky smooth! I use this scrub three times a week! I usually apply it right before I shower or during my shower.

Recipe:

2 cups of sugar (I use cane sugar) Make sure it is granulated.

3 tablespoons of organic coconut oil

1 tablespoon of organic almond oil

1/2 teaspoon of jojoba oil (optional)

10 drops of lemon essential oil (optional) (this oil is very invigorating for the skin)

5 drops of lavender essential oil (optional) (this oil works to sooth the skin)

mix them together

Apply to the body (use a few tablespoons) and rub in gently!
Store it for later use!  ( I store mine in a mason jar)
Enjoy smooth skin!

Body Brushing

Body brushing- I do this ritual every morning before showering but you could do it after showering as well. It only takes about three-five minutes and it is great for the skin and body! This is done on dry skin. The brushing activates glands that work to naturally moisturize your body. It works to remove the top layer of dead  skin that is sitting on your skin and improves the flow of blood and circulation in the body.  I have noticed since I started doing it a few months ago, my legs and arms look like I have been tanning (which I haven't).  It makes for a glowing complexion.  It is even said to reduce the appearance of cellulite!

How to:
Use a body brush ( I bought mine at Kohl's for 10 dollars) and brush your whole entire body besides your chest and your face because these areas are to sensitive for the brush. Brush each part of your body and make sure you brush in the direction towards your hard. Don't skip any body parts! Brush gently at first because it will take your body some time to get used to it! Once you get used to it, you can begin to brush a little harder (but never scrub).

Then just hop in the shower and enjoy all of it's benefits! :)

Coconut Oil Obsession/Coconut oil for hair

Coconut oil is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Honestly. I use extra virgin USDA ORGANIC coconut oil for everything!  It has so many uses and it is not too expensive! (I paid about $25 for 54 FL OZ on amazon) which is an amazing deal!!  You can also find this oil at health food stores (Whole Foods, Trader Joe's etc) he uses for this miracle oil are endless.  The main reason I first started using coconut oil was to tame my wild, curly hair. It makes my hair so soft and reduces frizz significantly!! I then started to explore other uses of this product to reap all of its wonderful benefits. I use it as a dietary supplement,  baking/cooking substitute for butter and oil, I use it as make up remover, face wash, face lotion,for oil pulling, body lotion, shaving cream! I will be sharing all of these recipes with you very soon! but let's start with the basics; using coconut oil for the hair.

For curly hair: I apply about two tablespoons of oil (melted). Coconut oil becomes a solid at room temperature, so I usually run the oil under hot water to melt it prior to use!  I usually apply the oil to my hair anywhere from 1-12 hours before showering. I apply it evenly throughout my hair and massage my scalp with it.  When I wash my hair, I wash it thoroughly with shampoo (try to use sulfate free shampoo if you can) to make sure all of the oil is out and then condition as normal. Dry and style as normal. You can also apply about a dime size of the oil when finished styling through the hair for shine (and great smell)  Your hair will be so soft! (I do this a few times a week).

For straight hair- I would follow the directions about but start with applying one tablespoon of oil instead.  Reason being that straight hair is not as dry as curly hair

Enjoy and let me know how this works out for all of you!!

Hello!

Hi everyone, 

My name is Bianca DiPersio and I have created this blog to share with you all of my natural beauty and health recipes. I became fed up with using products on my skin and hair that were chalk full of chemicals that strip away natural oils and actually cause more harm than good. These recipes and tips have changed my life! I want everyone to learn and try out  these cost efficient and natural remedies!