Make Your Own Shampoo and Conditioner

From an article on www.Care2.com

By Elizabeth Seward, Planet Green

Oh, shampoo and conditioner. They keep our hair clean and smelling great. While we all love being clean, shampoos and conditioners aren’t totally innocent products. Most of them are filled with chemicals that aren’t any good for our planet. Since they get washed down our drains, these are important things to think about! On top of that, the containers they come in are typically plastic. Sure, we can always recycle plastic, but isn’t it better to reduce the production of plastic in the areas that we can? I think so.

The answer? Try making your own shampoo and conditioner! You’ll save money and use more natural ingredients. And isn’t it better to know exactly what you’re using on your body?

Here’s a basic recipe for shampoo. Feel free to alter the recipe to make it work the best for your hair type.

You need:
1 empty bottle
3 cups of soap flakes (which you can get almost anywhere)
Water
Essential Oil of Lavender
Essential Oil of Rosemary

Directions:
Mix the soap flakes with the water and then add 4 drops of each oil.

For conditioner, the ingredients are probably already in your house.

You need:
1 empty bottle
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon of baby oil
Water

Directions:
Mix the above ingredients together and you’re good to go!

This post was inspired by Hollywood Green

I haven't tried the above recipes but they do look interesting. Way back in my younger days I did try beer as a rinse and mayo to condition. More recently I have used vinegar as a rinse. Have you used any other home-based products on your hair?

Wordless Wednesday

Everyone has a bad hair day!

Top Ten Favorite Links of Pamper U

Hey, my hubby says I spend way too much time on the computer. Little does he know that I love reading other people's blogs. I've come away with inspiration, great recipes, beauty tips, craft ideas, decorating ideas,homemaking tips and ideas for my own blog articles.

So I thought I'd pass along some of my favorites:

http://www.bakerella.com/ a fabulous site if you love really cute baking ideas such as cake pops

http://www.cinnamonandeverythingnice.blogspot.com/ how to make the perfect pie crust (even with her help I don't think there's any hope for me!)

http://www.bitemebaker.blogspot.com/ a thirteen-year-old's blog. She's a creative baker.

http://www.hostessblog.com/ simple chic fall decorating ideas

http://www.partiesandholidays.blogspot.com/ loads of gift ideas

David J. Pollay's blog http://ow.ly/wnw great inspirational reads

http://www.naughtysecretaryclub.blogspot.com/ I'd check it out just becuz the name is fun. This blog is too!

http://www.lollishops.blogspot.com/ fun items

http://www.happynews.com/ Sometimes you just need some happy news!

Jerry shouldn't complain about my time on the computer. This week he's had a great rice/black bean dish, a pan of fantastic Nanaimo bars and I found an easy Halloween costume idea for him. Although if he figured out how much fun blogs are to read, I might never get a turn on the computer again!

What are some of your favorite blogs?

Halloween Nail Art

I found my black nail polish from last year's Halloween. Not too creative--just slap on the black. I was looking for a little more pizzazz and came across Bella Sugar's website. Bella Sugar has posted a fun guide to Halloween nail polishes! Also included are other cute things like decals. I love the candy corn idea. Now if I can just get Jerry to paint my right hand...


Check out: http://www.bellasugar.com/5390380 for Halloween nail ideas. Let us know if you decide to try one and how it turns out.

Fragrance Fun Facts

When you are shopping for a new fragrance, sniffing many of them can be sensory overload. To prevent this,breathe into a lightly worn t-shirt between inhales. Your own scent will help neutralize the air.

When spritzing a fragrance on focus on your pulse points and let the liquid soak into the skin. Don't rub the fragrance in. This can break down the fragrance's formula which in turn can alter the smell. I didn't know this but the skin behind your ear doesn't hold scent very well at all. I am guilty of spray my perfume there, but no more!

Store your fragrance away from light and heat. These can change your perfume's color and aroma. Keep your bottles in a cool area away from windows, not in your steamy bathroom.

Another important tip: while you may just love the perfume you wear, others might not. Go easy on the amount you use! Your perfume shouldn't outlast your presence.

What's your favorite scent to wear?

A Treat for Your Feet

Someone asked...why do we use kaolin clay in our products?
White Kaolin Clay is found in virtually all powdered and dry cosmetics and most wet cosmetics. Its natural absorbent properties makes it essential in hygiene products and is often found in soaps, scrubs, poultices, deodorants, facial powders and masks. It is the mildest of all clays and is suitable to add to products created for people with sensitive skin. It helps stimulate circulation to the skin while gently exfoliating and cleansing it. It does not draw oils from the skin, so it can also be used on dry skin types without negative results.

Kaolin Clay is high in calcium, silica, zinc and magnesium, which are beneficial for oily, blemished skin. The clay's mildly drying and disinfectant properties help heal existing blemishes and inflammations, while preventing new ones from forming.

Now comes the fun part! You get to decide where you want to use it! You can apply it to your face like a typical clay mask OR you can apply it to your feet! My feet!? Yep, your feet! Why? Multiple reasons actually; clay is drawing, meaning that it is going to pull impurities from the skin. Got feet that don't smell so sweet? Do you take your shoes off and think “omg is that MY feet!?” This will help!

The feet are one of the places on the body that will absorb essential oils the quickest. Lavender essential oil is well known for its calming properties. Add 1 drop or two of lavender to 1-2 T. of the clay (& liquid) to make a mask. As the clay is detoxing your skin, the lavender essential oil will be absorbed and work its magic to calm/soothe the nerves, making this a relaxing ritual.
Let the clay dry for 5-10 minutes and then rinse off with warm water. Your feet will feel a pulling and tightening sensation.
(This mask can also be applied to the back or chest area where there may be problem skin.)

TIP: Mix 1/2 cup sugar & 1/4 cup of honey in a small bowl. Add 1 squirt of liquid hand/body soap (the amount you would use to wash your hands). Mix well. Wet your feet, scoop some of your sugar mix onto your fingertips and rub in small circles on your feet. This will not only help to remove the clay mask a bit quicker, but it will also exfoliate and soften your feet while rinsing clean!

So in addition to using our clay for a wonderful facial mask you can also use it for a sweet treat for your feet! Gathered From The Garden's White Clay is $8.00 for 4 oz. You can add yogurt, honey or milk to make it more moisturizing or just add water. Very simple!

Pumpkin's Not Just For Pie

Pumpkin makes a great pie or jack-o-lantern but it's also good for your skin. It contains antioxidants that can help keep you looking young. Here's a recipe for a fun face and body mask.

Mix Together

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

1/4cup bentonite clay or kaolin clay

1 T. honey

2 T. water

1 T. Almond Oil

2 tsp.cinnamon

Apply to your face or anywhere else you'd like to smooth. Leave on for about 10 minutes than rinse. The clay will draw out impurities, almond oil moisturizes,cinnamon improves circulation (and smells great) and honey is good for replenishing collagen.

Just remember to put it on your face/body, not eat it! Do you have any favorite pumpkin recipes (ones that you can eat too!) you'd like to share?