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Tip Store: Beauty: Perfumes, Powders and Potions
MOO Sweet Orange and Vanilla Solid Perfume
It's easy to MOO a solid perfume, that you make to suit your taste. This is one of my favourites, with the fragrance of the sweet orange oil beng softened by the vanilla.
Ingredients:
2 tsp grated beeswax
2 tsp carrier oil (I like sweet almond oil, but you can use grape seed, apricot seed, jojoa etc. if you prefer)
15 drops sweet orange essential oil
15 drops vanilla absolute
10 drops sandalwood
Step 1. Melt wax with oils in a heavy based saucepan over a low heat.
Step 2. Remove from heat and add essential oils. Stir to combine.
Step 3. Pour into sterilised perfume containers. Allow to cool until solid and they are ready to use.
You can use tubes or pots for your solid perfume. Both are available from craft shops or online.
Ingredients:
2 tsp grated beeswax
2 tsp carrier oil (I like sweet almond oil, but you can use grape seed, apricot seed, jojoa etc. if you prefer)
15 drops sweet orange essential oil
15 drops vanilla absolute
10 drops sandalwood
Step 1. Melt wax with oils in a heavy based saucepan over a low heat.
Step 2. Remove from heat and add essential oils. Stir to combine.
Step 3. Pour into sterilised perfume containers. Allow to cool until solid and they are ready to use.
You can use tubes or pots for your solid perfume. Both are available from craft shops or online.
31 Days of MOO 2014 - DIY Lip Balm
Winter is on the way, and that means chapped lips. I go through lip balm so quickly in winter. I have them everywhere - on my bedside table, in the bathroom, on my desk, in my handbag, in the car - anywhere I'm likely to be.
Good quality lip balms are expensive. Good quality lip balms are easy to make, right in your own kitchen, and they're not expensive either!
Peppermint lip balm is my favourite, its refreshing and cool, while soothing chapped lips.
Peppermint Lip Balm You will need:
1 tbsp beeswax
1 tbsp shea butter
1 tbsp cocoa butter
2 tbsp coconut oil
5 drops peppermint essential oil
Heat proof bowl or measuring jug (I use a Pyrex measuring jug)
Small clean containers (I re-use miniature jam jars)
Step 1. Put about 3cm of water into the bottom of a small saucepan. Turn the heat on medium.
Step 2. Put all of the ingredients except the peppermint oil into a Pyrex glass measuring cup.
Step 3. Place the measuring cup into the water in the pan, being careful not to get any water into it. Stir slowly until everything is melted, and then turn off the heat.
Step 4. Stir in the 5 drops of peppermint essential oil.
Step 5. Pour into small containers, and allow to cool and set before using.
Notes:
Flavouring isn't essential, but if you choose to not use it your lip balm will taste "waxy" and bland. If peppermint isn't your favourite taste add another flavoured, food safe oil (any that can be used for cake making and decorating are safe to use in your lip balms).
If you are just starting to make your own lip balms, you can buy kits from craft shops, they are also available online. The individual ingredients are also available online or from craft shops.
I bought my first lip balm kit (now I just buy the ingredients as I need them to make more) from Aussie Soap Supplies (www.aussiesoapsupplies.com.au). You can also buy the tubes, jars and other accessories online.
Tip of the Day, 31st March 2014
Good quality lip balms are expensive. Good quality lip balms are easy to make, right in your own kitchen, and they're not expensive either!
Peppermint lip balm is my favourite, its refreshing and cool, while soothing chapped lips.
Peppermint Lip Balm You will need:
1 tbsp beeswax
1 tbsp shea butter
1 tbsp cocoa butter
2 tbsp coconut oil
5 drops peppermint essential oil
Heat proof bowl or measuring jug (I use a Pyrex measuring jug)
Small clean containers (I re-use miniature jam jars)
Step 1. Put about 3cm of water into the bottom of a small saucepan. Turn the heat on medium.
Step 2. Put all of the ingredients except the peppermint oil into a Pyrex glass measuring cup.
Step 3. Place the measuring cup into the water in the pan, being careful not to get any water into it. Stir slowly until everything is melted, and then turn off the heat.
Step 4. Stir in the 5 drops of peppermint essential oil.
Step 5. Pour into small containers, and allow to cool and set before using.
Notes:
Flavouring isn't essential, but if you choose to not use it your lip balm will taste "waxy" and bland. If peppermint isn't your favourite taste add another flavoured, food safe oil (any that can be used for cake making and decorating are safe to use in your lip balms).
If you are just starting to make your own lip balms, you can buy kits from craft shops, they are also available online. The individual ingredients are also available online or from craft shops.
I bought my first lip balm kit (now I just buy the ingredients as I need them to make more) from Aussie Soap Supplies (www.aussiesoapsupplies.com.au). You can also buy the tubes, jars and other accessories online.
Tip of the Day, 31st March 2014
MOO Lip Balms for Beautiful Lips all Year Round
Lip balm is one cosmetic item you want to be absolutely sure is safe to use. After all you put it on your lips, where it's licked and smeared right into your mouth.
Lip balms contain lots of ingredients, many of them almost impossible to pronounce, and yet they are so easy to make (and cheaper than buying them too!).
I use little jam jars my local café saves for me to make little pots of lip balm. You can buy the screw type lipstick tubes from eBay or your local craft shop if you'd rather have it in a tube. The jars are free, re-usable and small enough to fit in a handbag so I've never bothered with the tubes.
You will need:
1 part beeswax
2 parts shea or cocoa butter
2 parts coconut oil
20 drops of essential oil of choice (more or less to your preference, I like peppermint or orange)
Step 1. Put about 3 centimetres of water in the bottom of a small pan and turn on medium heat.
Step 2. Place a small (500ml or smaller) jar in the water, being careful not to get in water inside the jar.
Step 3. Place all ingredients except the essential oils inside the glass jar and slowly melt, making sure not to get any water in jar. I use 2 tablespoons each of shea butter and coconut oil and 1 tablespoons of beeswax. This fills about 12 little single serve jam jars. When all ingredients are melted, stir well and turn off heat, but leave jar in the water to keep warm.
Step 4. Stir in the essential oils.
Step 5. Use a glass dropper to quickly fill the containers. I leave the jar in the water but turn off the heat to keep the ingredients liquid while I do this so the mixture remains liquid enough to drop.
Step 6. The mixture will settle slightly as it cools, so top up the containers after about 2 minutes as they start to harden. This will keep the tops level and prevent a dip in the middle.
Step 7. Let sit without touching overnight or until completely hardened. Store in a cool dry place (they will last for at least a year if stored correctly).
Notes:
Make sure all your equipment is spotlessly clean and sterilise your jars before you start to melt your butters and wax.
Peppermint essential oil makes a cooling and soothing lip balm for summer but use your favourite essential oil.
This lip balm will last for up to a year if they are stored in a cool, dry place, making them ideal to make and give as gifts.
To increase the recipe follow the proportions of 1 part beeswax to 2 parts butter and increase the essential oil accordingly i.e. 2 tablespoons beeswax, 4 tablespoons butter (and you can combine the butters i.e. 2 tablespoons cocoa butter, 2 tablespoons shea butter) and 4 tablespoons coconut oil, up to 40 drops of essential oil.
Tip of the Day, 28th October 2013
Lip balms contain lots of ingredients, many of them almost impossible to pronounce, and yet they are so easy to make (and cheaper than buying them too!).
I use little jam jars my local café saves for me to make little pots of lip balm. You can buy the screw type lipstick tubes from eBay or your local craft shop if you'd rather have it in a tube. The jars are free, re-usable and small enough to fit in a handbag so I've never bothered with the tubes.
You will need:
1 part beeswax
2 parts shea or cocoa butter
2 parts coconut oil
20 drops of essential oil of choice (more or less to your preference, I like peppermint or orange)
Step 1. Put about 3 centimetres of water in the bottom of a small pan and turn on medium heat.
Step 2. Place a small (500ml or smaller) jar in the water, being careful not to get in water inside the jar.
Step 3. Place all ingredients except the essential oils inside the glass jar and slowly melt, making sure not to get any water in jar. I use 2 tablespoons each of shea butter and coconut oil and 1 tablespoons of beeswax. This fills about 12 little single serve jam jars. When all ingredients are melted, stir well and turn off heat, but leave jar in the water to keep warm.
Step 4. Stir in the essential oils.
Step 5. Use a glass dropper to quickly fill the containers. I leave the jar in the water but turn off the heat to keep the ingredients liquid while I do this so the mixture remains liquid enough to drop.
Step 6. The mixture will settle slightly as it cools, so top up the containers after about 2 minutes as they start to harden. This will keep the tops level and prevent a dip in the middle.
Step 7. Let sit without touching overnight or until completely hardened. Store in a cool dry place (they will last for at least a year if stored correctly).
Notes:
Make sure all your equipment is spotlessly clean and sterilise your jars before you start to melt your butters and wax.
Peppermint essential oil makes a cooling and soothing lip balm for summer but use your favourite essential oil.
This lip balm will last for up to a year if they are stored in a cool, dry place, making them ideal to make and give as gifts.
To increase the recipe follow the proportions of 1 part beeswax to 2 parts butter and increase the essential oil accordingly i.e. 2 tablespoons beeswax, 4 tablespoons butter (and you can combine the butters i.e. 2 tablespoons cocoa butter, 2 tablespoons shea butter) and 4 tablespoons coconut oil, up to 40 drops of essential oil.
Tip of the Day, 28th October 2013
Run Out of Talc?
Prise the lid of the empty talc container and fill it with cornflour. Replace the top. The cornflour feels silky smooth on the skin and absorbs the perfume from the talc container.
Contributed by Bev, Carlingford, 18th February 2010
Contributed by Bev, Carlingford, 18th February 2010
Keep Perfume Fresh
Approximate $ Savings: $100 To prevent perfume from going stale store in the refrigerator. This way the perfume is stored in a dark cool place permanently and prevents chemical damage.
Contributed by Dian, Oatley, 17th February 2009
Contributed by Dian, Oatley, 17th February 2009
Mail Order Fragrance Savings
Approximate $ Savings: $50
I always order my medicines and things like children's Panadol, Nurofen, Demazin, cough mixtures through mail order through a company call Pharmacy Direct. This year they sent me a catalogue just before I was going to do my six monthly order in November and I noticed that they also had some really good perfume specials. For my mum for Xmas she wanted Tabu perfume which they had on special for $10 per 60ml bottle which meant I bought her 2 bottles for the price I would normally pay for one and bought a couple of other bottles which I used as presents for other relatives which made a great present without looking cheap. When my order came these bottles were actually 100mls (I don't know if this was a mistake) but made it an even better offer.
Contributed by Michelle, Algester, 11th January 2008
I always order my medicines and things like children's Panadol, Nurofen, Demazin, cough mixtures through mail order through a company call Pharmacy Direct. This year they sent me a catalogue just before I was going to do my six monthly order in November and I noticed that they also had some really good perfume specials. For my mum for Xmas she wanted Tabu perfume which they had on special for $10 per 60ml bottle which meant I bought her 2 bottles for the price I would normally pay for one and bought a couple of other bottles which I used as presents for other relatives which made a great present without looking cheap. When my order came these bottles were actually 100mls (I don't know if this was a mistake) but made it an even better offer.
Contributed by Michelle, Algester, 11th January 2008
Simple and Beautiful Hand and Body Cream
I make lovely hand/body cream that I use for everything - even as a face cleanser! I melt about a teaspoon of beeswax in about 1/2 a cup of olive oil (in a bowl over a pan of simmering water), heat up maybe 1/4 cup of rosewater (the stuff I use for cooking!), then stream the warm rosewater in as if you're making mayonnaise! I have an old whiz stick I use to blend it all up til it turns into a cream, if it starts separating as it cools just give it another blend up. You can add all sorts to this recipe, essential oils, even oatmeal if you want! And if you want the cream thicker, use less water, thinner, more water :) It keeps for ages, I've never had anything untoward happen to any of my creams!
Contributed by Kathleen, Gisborne, 20th September 2008
Contributed by Kathleen, Gisborne, 20th September 2008
Using Every Last Drop
I've found a way to get nearly every last bit of cream or conditioner out of a plastic tube type container. Simply cut the container in half, then scoop out the amount needed by hand. When you have finished using what you want simply insert one half of the cut tube into the other half, so that the ingredients don't dry out and you can do this till the container is depleted, thus not wasting any of the product.
Contributed by Marie, Frankston, June 13th 2006
Contributed by Marie, Frankston, June 13th 2006
strawberrynet.com
For those of you interested in luxury brand cosmetics + perfumes but not willing to pay the price - don't. Try out the products in shops but buy them online on this brilliant website - www.strawberrynet.com, up to 50% or more off price in shops plus free shipping.
Contributed by Brenda, Willetton, 15th July 2007
Contributed by Brenda, Willetton, 15th July 2007
Unique Fragrances
To achieve a long lasting scent I use essential oils from the health food shops or the alternative shops. They also have unique blends to be used for perfume depending on the fragrance you like. Because these are 100% they are equivalent to a eau de parfum and most of the time are a lot cheaper alternatives to perfumes which, if you read the ingredients, often contain a large amount of alcohol. A dot behind the jawbone, over where you feel your pulse, will warm the oil all day emitting the fragrance, (your artery is close to the surface of your skin). Happy fragrance shopping.
Contributed by Narelle, Berserker, 2nd June 2008
Perfume for Special Occasions
Perfumes prices these days are hard to justify paying for with the cost of mortgages, kids etc... so on the occasions that I need to wear an expensive fragrance I walk into Myer or David Jones and ask if they have a sample of the latest fragrance to take home and try. If they want only to just spray it on you the best way to respond is to say " oh no I am currently wearing another perfume" most times they give you two or three samples of the latest perfume and you feel great at no cost.
Contributed by Lou, Vermont, September 18th 2006
Contributed by Lou, Vermont, September 18th 2006
After-Bath Powder
I always use dusting powder after a bath or shower. Years ago it was pointed out to me that there were other chemical ingredients in some talcs that might not be safe. So, I started searching for an alternative. One brand by Crabtree & Evelyn had just talc and fragrance, which was fine, but was very pricey. It was also taking quite a bit of time and effort to find suitable talc locally. I started experimenting and have created my own version of bath talc. I now "make my own" as follows: Sift cornflour into a deep plastic container. Add several squirts of perfume or fragrance. Mix well and seal with tight fitting lid. Allow to stay in covered container about a week, shaking once every day or two. Then transfer to whatever container you use for dusting powder.
Contributed by Leilya, Newcastle
Contributed by Leilya, Newcastle