Homemade Lip Balm

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons beeswax pastilles
• 2 tablespoons shea butter
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 30+ drops essential oil

Lip Balm Instructions

1. Melt beeswax, shea butter and coconut oil in a double boiler or small glass bowl over a small pot of boiling water, stirring constantly until melted.
2. Remove pan from heat but keep over the still-hot water to keep the mixture melted.
3. Add essential oils to your preference. I just added peppermint in this recipe. I recommend adding a few drops at a time and testing a tiny amount on your arm to make sure the scent is to your liking.
4. Once you’ve added the essential oils, use the pipette or a dropper to fill the lip balm tubes. This must be done quickly since the mixture will start to harden as soon as it is removed from the heat.
5. Let tubes sit at room temperature for several hours until cooled and completely hardened before capping them.

Notes:
Use an extra teaspoon or two of beeswax if you prefer a thicker and longer-lasting lip balm or slightly less if you prefer a smoother and softer lip balm. Since there are no water based ingredients, you can re-melt and add more of each ingredient during the melting process until you get the exact texture you want. When experimenting, I’ve put a few drops of the melted mixture onto a piece of parchment paper and let harden in the fridge so I could test it before putting the mixture into tubes. Have fun with it! This makes 12-14 tubes.

Getting rid of a pimple!

Blot toothpaste on your zit before bedtime. 

You won't believe the results in the morning!

Get rid of those rough heels!

Replace old beauty products

Cosmetics

Because cosmetic products are used on some very germ-laden areas of our bodies, like around the eyes, nose and mouth, they can breed bacteria. Therefore, they don't have an indefinite shelf-life. The usable life of some common cosmetics are:

- Mascara and liquid eyeliner: three months.

- Cream eye shadows: three to four months.

- Powder shadows: six months if you don't reuse the applicator; three to four when reusing applicators.

- Liquid, cream or powder foundation: one year if regularly applied with a new sponge or puff; six months if applied with fingertips.

- Cream and gel blush: six months.

- Powder blushes: about a year.

Skin-care products

These items can also be susceptible to bacteria growth over time, so if you don't finish a product within a few months, keep an eye on how long you've had it. Discard products like moisturizers, concealers and toners that contain skin nutrients like vitamin C or alpha hydroxy acids after they've been open for about 12 months. Those active ingredients can lose their effectiveness after a year.

Exposure to moisture, air, direct sunlight and extreme temperatures can all affect the ingredients in skin care products, so store them in a cool, dry spot out of direct sunlight. And if a product separates or smells differently than it did when you first opened it, discard it right away.

Shaving products

Old shaving products, like razors and creams, not only become a breeding ground for bacteria, they can also leave your legs looking like you've been through a battle.

Depending on how often you shave, a razor should last a couple of weeks or a little longer. A good rule of thumb is to discard disposable razors when the moisture strip on top wears off. If a blade is visibly rusty, toss it immediately.

Gather up old razors and any leftover shaving products older than a year and trash them.

Super soft legs

Shaving your legs with hair conditioner instead of soap makes them soft and smooth. 

Just apply, shave, and rinse.

Under-eye bags?

The best way to reduce under-eye bags is to apply cool, damp tea bags to the affected area as you relax for several minutes. Tea is an anti-inflammatory and will help reduce fluid buildup. 

Prep your feet for summer!

Listerine : The BEST way to get your feet ready for summer. Sounds crazy but it works! Mix 1/4 cup Listerine (any kind but I like the blue), 1/4 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup of warm water. Soak feet for 10 minutes and when you take them out the dead skin will practically wipe off!

Make your own face toner

Natural Toner - 

Toner is a final layer of beauty products to use after cleaning your skin. It will help you get a fresh look, reduce puffiness, and tighten your pores.

To make your own all-natural version, combine a quarter of a cucumber (no need to peel) with 1 1/2 tablespoons of witch hazel and 1 tablespoon water (distilled if you have it) in a blender. Add a little lemon juice and blend until smooth (which should only take a minute). Push through a mesh tea strainer and throw out the solids. Store the toner in the refrigerator, and when you're ready to use it, dab on your face with a cotton pad or ball. 

It can be used daily and should last a few weeks. Once you try it you'll never go back to store-bought toner.