The Natural Beauty Workshop

Camellia, and other Tea Based Skin Care Ingredients

2010-07-26T08:43:00-04:00

There's nothing quite like a hot cup of Tea. It's soothing, tasty, and so good for you. Packed with antioxidants, Tea Leaves of any color or variety can have a healthful impact on your body, inside and out. Tea Seed Oil, commonly called Camellia Oil, is a beneficial skin care ingredient and is as esthetically pleasing as a familiar cup of afternoon tea. Camellia Oil has a light texture, a mild color and aroma, and is highly moisturizing. It makes an excellent base oil for facial creams, body scrubs, massage or body oils, or almost any skin care formulation you could desire. We are proud to offer both a conventional and organic variety of Camellia Oil at From Nature With Love.

Green Tea Leaves can also be used in skin care products. The dried, powdered leaves are a great addition to facial masks, gentle scrubbing cleansers, or soaps. For lotions, creams, or toners, try using Green Tea Leaf Powdered Extract. This water soluble extract can be used in almost any formulation where Green Tea benefits are desired. Green Tea Extract is a smart addition to hair care products as well as skin care formulas. Try adding it to your next shampoo, conditioner, or hair rinse recipe.

Tomato Seed Oil

2010-07-22T08:47:00-04:00

Did you know that tomato seeds are packed with a substance that helps fight free radicals, and the signs of aging? What is this magical chemical, you ask? Why it is none other than Lycopene. Lycopene is found in many red fruits and vegetables, including watermelons, papaya, and carrots. However, tomatoes contain an especially high amount of Lycopene, making their seeds ripe for the picking when it comes to natural skin and hair care.

Tomato Seed Oil is one of the newest additions to our ever growing line of natural Carrier Oils. It stands out from the crowd with a deep orange hue, and a bold aroma. Tomato Seed Oil has a tangy scent that is immediately recognizable as tomato. Though it is unlikely to carry through in complex formulations, such as soaps, Tomato Seed Oil's aroma can be enjoyed in simple recipes such as massage oils, hair serums, or even lip balms. Try blending Tomato Seed Oil with Essential Oils to create a truly unique scent. Some Essential Oils that may blend well with Tomato Seed Oil would be Petitgrain, Vetiver, Orange, Basil, Ginger, Dill, or Grapefruit.

In addition to Lycopene, Tomato Seed Oil contains a wealth of fatty acids, vitamins, nutrients, carotenes, and phytosterols that are quite beneficial to the skin and hair. Try adding Tomato Seed Oil to facial creams, hair conditioners, shampoo bars, soaps, or scrubs. Tomato Seed Oil would be particularly helpful in anti-aging and mature skin formulations.

Tomato Seed Oil is brand new to From Nature With Love! Have you had a chance to work with it yet? If so, please share your experiences with us in the comments below. We would love to hear about them!

Essential Oil Blends for Natural Deodorants

2010-07-20T08:43:00-04:00

Previously, we posted a really popular article on Making Your Own Natural Deodorants. Making your own deodorant may seem sort of mysterious, or daunting, but it's actually a very simple process. Deodorants can be made in several varieties too. Cream Deodorants are smooth, spreadable mixtures, similar to oil based body butters. Solid Deodorants can be poured right into our Stick Tube Deodorant Containers to create your classic rub-on deodorant. Spray Deodorants are also surprisingly simple to make. Once you select a base recipe, the next step is to create a blend of Essential Oils to use in your deodorant. You can choose a blend to serve a purpose, or just because you like its scent. Here are some basic blends that you can use for your next batch of Natural Deodorant.

Herbalicious

2 parts Mandarin
1 part Basil
2 parts Chamomile

Pretty in Pink

1 part Nerolina
1 part Vanilla
2 parts Jasmine
2 parts Chamomile

Mountain Man

1 part Tea Tree
1 part Pine
1 part Juniper
2 parts Mandarin
1 part Myrrh

Paisley Queen

2 parts Geranium
1 part Nerolina
1 part Lemongrass
1 part Patchouli

Mr. Sandman

2 parts Sandalwood
2 parts Vanilla
1 part Cypress
1 part Frankincense

African American Hair Care Recipes

2010-07-15T09:26:00-04:00

Jenni asked:

Are there any hair recipes for African American coarse hair? Conditioner, mask, etc.?

Hi Jenni. We do offer several hair care recipes that should work well on African American hair. Check out our Hair Care Recipes section to view our complete selection. My favorites for conditioning hair are the Jasmine Acai Berry Pomade and the Ayurvedic Hair Cream. For more DIY natural hair care recipes, check out the Homemade Hair Recipes Section on MotownGirl.com. The site offers several easy recipes for African American Hair care, using many ingredients carried by From Nature With Love! If you're looking to purchase finished products, check out the artisans included in the Ethnic Hair Care Section on Beauty by the Batch. You'll find a great selection of hand crafted hair care products listed in each shop.

Making Natural Dog Shampoos & Pet Care Products

2010-07-13T09:42:00-04:00

While you are whipping up handmade skin care goodies for yourself, why not take some time to treat your best friend to something special as well? Doggies don't know it, but they can benefit greatly from going natural when it comes to their grooming. Commercial dog shampoos and powders are often packed with artificial ingredients such as detergents and fragrances. These ingredients can irritate sensitive skin, causing dandruff, scratching, or even hair loss. To learn more about natural pet care, check out this article from Beauty by the Batch.

Natural ingredients, such as Carrier Oils, Essential Oils, or Vegetable Butters can be used to create Liquid Dog Shampoos, Dog Shampoo Bars, and Skin Care Serums, Salves, or Balms. When choosing natural ingredients for pet care products make sure that the ingredients are dog safe. Just like food, certain ingredients that are safe for humans can be extremely harmful, or even deadly to dogs. If you are uncertain about the safety of a particular ingredient, be sure to check with your dog's veterinarian before using it. It is especially important to keep this in mind when using Essential Oils. Dogs can be very sensitive to these ingredients, and since their bodies are smaller, and work differently from humans, their tolerance levels can be much lower than humans. Be sure to dilute any Essential Oils very well when adding them to a dog care product. In case you were wondering, recipes created for dogs should NEVER be used on cats. Dogs and cats have very different systems. An ingredient that is safe for a dog could be deadly if used on a cat.

Carrier Oils

Sweet Almond Oil - This is a very versatile ingredient to have on hand for pet care. It is a light, yet moisturizing oil that can be used for almost any application that calls for a Carrier Oil.

Olive Oil - Olive Oil is highly moisturizing, and is often fed to dogs as a dietary supplement in order to increase the shine, and decrease the shedding of their coats. It makes an excellent shampoo base either in liquid or bar form.

Neem Oil - This pungent oil is great for dog care. That is, if you don't mind the aroma. Neem has healing properties that can help with hot spots, and minor skin irritations. Due to its bitter flavor, most dogs won't try to lick Neem off after it is applied. However, some dogs might just find it to be delicious! You never do know.

Vegetable Butters

Cupuacu Butter - This healing, moisturizing butter from the Amazon boasts superior conditioning and restorative properties. It has a soft, spreadable texture, and a mild, fruity aroma. Cupuacu Butter is ideal for salves and balms, but can also be used to make solid shampoo bars and other pet products.

Kokum Butter - Kokum is a hard textured Butter often used for human foot care products. Its ability to heal and sooth callused feet makes it ideal for paw pad ointments and cleansers.

Shea Butter - Just as in human skin and hair care, Shea Butter can be used to create a variety of formulations. Its moisturizing properties make it a great ingredient for shampoo bars, salves, balms, or just about any formula.

Essential Oils

Before using any Essential Oil in a pet care recipe, double check with your vet to make sure it will be safe for your pet. Just like people, health needs and limitations can vary from dog to dog. These are some basic suggestions for pet care recipes, but they should always be double checked with your vet before use.

Lavender - Great for use in shampoos, Lavender has a knack for soothing minor skin irritations and itchiness. As an added bonus, most bugs don't care for the scent of lavender. Lavender can also be used in skin soothing balms or salves.

Chamomile - Chamomile has natural anti-inflammatory properties, making it great for shampoos meant for dogs with sensitive skin. Chamomile can also be used in soothing rubs or balms to help alleviate mild skin irritations or itching.

Peppermint - A great natural insect repellent, Peppermint can also help increase your dog's circulation, making it a great shampoo for a dog with arthritis or sore joints.

Niaouli - A close relative to Tea Tree, Niaouli is a little more gentle on the skin, making it a better choice for dog care. Niaouli has strong antiseptic and antibacterial properties, making it an excellent ingredient for healing salves and balms. Niaouli also repels insects, making it a nice addition to natural dog shampoos.

How to Make a Simple Liquid Dog Shampoo

Combine 16 ounces of Organic Liquid Castile with 10 - 20 ml of your chosen Essential Oils. (For example, try equal parts of the Essential Oils mentioned above.) Mix well and transfer to a bottle.

How to Make a Simple Healing Balm

Combine 1 ounce of Beeswax, 1/2 ounce of Kokum Butter, and 1/2 ounce of Cupuacu Butter in a double boiler. Heat the Butters and Wax gently until they are fully melted. Add 1/2 ounce of Neem Oil and 1/2 ounce of Olive Oil and stir well to combine. Remove the mixture from heat and add 1 - 5 ml of your chosen Essential Oils. (For example, try adding equal parts of the Lavender, Chamomile, and Niaouli Essential Oils.) Stir the mixture well, then carefully pour it into containers. Allow the containers to cool completely before handling them.

Copaiba Balsam Oil

2010-07-08T10:35:00-04:00

The Copaiba Tree, native to South America and Brazil's Amazonian Basin, yields a special resin or balsam that has been used as a natural medicine for generations. Copaiba Balsam has a soft, earthy aroma, a dark yellow-brown color, and a surprisingly fluid texture. It resembles a Carrier Oil in nature, and can be used in place of a Carrier Oil in most simple formulations, including lotions, creams, balms, or serums. Copaiba Balsam is possesses several medicinal properties including strong antibacterial, antiseptic, antiviral, germicidal, and fungicidal agents, making it an excellent ingredient for natural salves or serums. These properties also make it excellent for the treatment of many skin and scalp conditions including dandruff, psoriasis, certain types of eczema, and acne. Copaiba Balsam is also a great conditioner for both the hair and the skin. Try adding Copaiba Balsam to shampoo bars or conditioners to improve shine and texture. Copaiba Balsam can also act as a scent fixative in perfumes and toiletries.

Have you worked with Copaiba Balsam yet? If so, please share your experiences in the comments below. How did you use Copaiba Balsam, and in what type of formula?

Save Up to 50% Off on Select Ingredients at FromNatureWithLove.com!

2010-07-05T09:21:00-04:00

Great savings going on now at FromNatureWithLove.com! Stop by our Sales & Specials Page to view our current sale prices and sizes.

Cupuacu Butter

2010-07-02T09:36:00-04:00

Another in our line of exciting new Amazonian Ingredients, Cupuacu Butter offers an amazing spread of beneficial properties. Cupuacu Butter contains high levels of essential fatty acids and sterols, allowing it to improve skin's texture and elasticity. It is also extremely moisturizing, boasting a water absorption rate higher than even Lanolin Anhydrous. This wonderful ingredient can be used in moisturizing skin formulations, such as lotions, creams, lip balms, or body butters. It also makes an excellent super-fatting agent in handmade soaps. Cupuacu Butter can add moisture and shine to the hair when added to conditioners or shampoo bars.

Our Refined Cupuacu Butter is cold pressed, yielding a high quality, consistent ingredient that contains high proportions of its natural actives. Its rich, creamy texture has a similar slip to Cocoa Butter, but is noticeably softer and more spreadable. Cupuacu Butter has a creamy golden color and a mild characteristic aroma that is slightly tart. It's natural aroma blends beautifully with citrus or floral Essential Oils, but fades readily in complex formulations.

Have you worked with Cupuacu Butter yet? If so, please share your experiences with us using the comments below. What have you used this ingredient for, and how did it work out for you?

Rose & Mimosa Solid Perfume

2010-06-30T11:01:09-04:00

This all natural, vegan, perfume is made from only three ingredients: Mimosa Floral Wax, Clear Jojoba, and Organic Rose Damnascena CO2 Extract. This is a pretty luxurious recipe, as it is made with mostly precious ingredients. You can create a more economic version of this recipe by swapping the CO2 out for something less expensive. Natural options include our Rose Essential Oil, Rose Absolute, or Rose Attar. You can make the recipe even less costly by using a Rose Fragrance Oil in place of the CO2. If you do choose to use a Fragrance Oil, be sure to use a little more than the recipe calls for, as the scent will not be as strong.

Rose & Mimosa Solid Perfumes

Ingredients

1/8 ounce Mimosa Floral Wax
1/2 ounce Jojoba, Clear
5 - 10 Drops Organic Rose Damnascena CO2 Extract

Directions
In a double boiler, gently melt the Floral Wax and Jojoba Oil together. When the Floral Wax has melted completely, remove the mixture from the heat and allow it to cool for a few moments. Add the CO2 Extract and stir well before pouring the mixture into containers. Allow the containers to cool and harden completely before handling them.

Usage & Packaging
Dab a small amount of perfume onto your neck, behind your ears, on your wrists, or wherever you'd like to enjoy a touch of floral fragrance. These tiny perfumes can be packaged in numerous ways. Since they pack a strong scent in a small volume, I would suggest using small containers. Our Crystal Jars, or Pink Mini Lip Balm Pots would be good choices. We packaged ours in our 1/4 ounce Slider Tins for this project. You can download free, printable labels here to make your tins extra pretty: Download MimosaRosePerfumeSheet

Please note that the label print out includes two different ingredient listings, one that uses CO2 Extract, and one that uses Fragrance Oil. Make sure you pick the right label when you decorate your tin.

Sleepover Party Edition Body Care Craft Kits

2010-06-23T08:53:00-04:00

We're please to introduce our brand new line of Body Care Craft Kits, the Sleepover Party Editions! These special Body Care Craft Kits each make six portions of handmade skin care product that can be created and enjoyed at your next slumber party. Combine any of these new kits to throw a special sleepover spa party for your guests!

Strawberry Slushy Scrub Kit - This scrumptious smelling scrub is made with sweet sugar, and naturally moisturizing fruit and vegetable oils. White Sugar and dried Strawberry Seeds gently exfoliate your hands and feet, while Coconut Oil, Watermelon Seed Oil, and real Strawberry Seed Oil condition the skin with a bounty of essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins. Paprika and Beet Root add a touch of natural color to the mix, making this scrub extra fun to make and use. This recipe is made fresh to order and should be used as soon as it is mixed up. The kit makes enough for six slumber party guests to scrub their hands and feet until they are soft, smooth, and strawberry pink! The scrub is meant to be enjoyed at the party, eliminating the need for excess packaging.

Shimmering Thai Coconut Bed Time Powde r Kit - Add a touch of scent and silky softness to your bed sheets, and your body, using this Shimmering Thai Coconut Bed Time Powder. This handmade powder is lightly scented with sweet Thai Coconut, and shimmers with sparkling Silver Mica. The easy to make recipe yields six containers of shimmering powder that your guests can take home after the party. Enjoy this body powder after invigorating the skin with our Sleepover Party Edition Strawberry Slushy Scrub. Then sprinkle lightly in your sleeping bags to enjoy the sweet aroma while you slumber. Apply the powder to your feet before putting on your clean socks to make your feet feel extra smooth and silky. The Shimmering Thai Coconut Bed Time Powder Kit contains enough ingredients to make six containers of sweetly scented, soft, shimmering powder for your body and bed sheets.

Raspberry Vanilla Facial Oil Kit - Packed with skin loving natural ingredients, Raspberry Vanilla Facial Oil is a moisturizing bed time treat for your skin. Red Raspberry Seed Oil, Rosehip Seed Oil, and Vitamin E 400 Oil are naturally high in antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and nutritive vitamins that help to repair and condition the skin. Jojoba, a natural liquid wax, mimics your skin's natural protective barrier, to help keep your skin smooth, supple, and happy. A sweet touch of Vanilla Fragrance Oil makes it a soothing treat before bed time. This kit makes six bottles of Raspberry Vanilla Facial Oil; perfect for your slumber party guests to take home after the sleepover has ended. The Raspberry Vanilla Facial Oil Kit contains enough ingredients to make six bottles of nutrient-rich, moisturizing facial oil.

White Chocolate Facial Kit - This gentle facial mask is made with White Kaolin Clay to gently cleanse the skin without stripping it of its moisture. Oat Flour soothes the skin with its natural anti-inflammatory properties. Real Cocoa Powder and our decadent White Chocolate Fragrance Oil complete this yummy facial with a sweet scent, and a smooth, chocolaty color. This recipe is made fresh to order, and should be used as soon as it is mixed up. The kit makes enough for six facials, perfect for a slumber party! This facial kit is meant to be enjoyed at the party, eliminating the need for packaging.

Purchase our Sleepover Party Edition Body Care Craft Kits individually, or visit this page to order 3 or more Kits to save 5%. Looking for our classic line of Body Care Craft Kits? We are still proud to offer over a dozen different Body Care Craft Kits at From Nature With Love. Check them out here!

Pretty in Pink

2010-06-21T11:52:59-04:00

This month, I picked a selection of pretty pink projects from The Natural Beauty Workshop's Flickr Photo Group. These gorgeous photos were added to the pool by some of our very talented group members. Thank you, contributors, for continuing to share your gorgeous work with us!

Twilight Butter by SugarSugarScrub

Rosa Mosqueta by EnJabonArte Guatemala

Rose Soap by Morgan Street

Slice of Passion by Calencir

Snow Apple Shea Butter Lip Balm by FamiliarLover

Crema de Coco by Nevenka

French Lavender Soap by Naiad Soap Arts

Hot Couture Goat's Milk & Olive Oil Soap by Mea Culpa Body and Bath

Acai Berry Sugar Scrub Cubes by Anita's Sweet Treats & Crafts

If you'd like to join the fun, visit The Natural Beauty Workshop's Flickr Photo Group today. It's totally free to join Flickr and the group. Add your favorite handmade bath & body photos the group through Flickr, and it may be featured on an upcoming blog post.

The Rub: A Guide to Home Massage

2010-06-17T08:45:00-04:00

When it comes to home massage it usually takes two to tango. This creates a wonderful opportunity for closeness and quality time, whether your partner is a spouse, a significant other, or your child. A gentle loving touch can help to bring you closer together while promoting comfort, health, and relaxation. For some tips on home massage, check out Beauty by the Batch's article, Tips For Gentle Home Massage. You can learn even more by picking up a book on the subject. Check out the Book Store at From Nature With Love for some great books on massage.

When you are ready to try your hand at massage, you'll need a good massage oil to use during your session. You can choose a simple Carrier Oil, or create a special blend using one of The Natural Beauty Workshop's many Massage Recipes. We've highlighted some of our top picks for each below.

Carrier Oils for Massage

Massage Recipes from The Natural Beauty Workshop

Watermelon Sherbet Scrub

2010-06-15T09:31:00-04:00

This creamy, multi colored salt scrub is scented with our yummy Watermelon Candy Fragrance Oil. Made with creamy Shealoe Butter, and ultra fine Dendritic Salt, this unique scrub will have you buffed, polished, and smelling as sweet as can be.

Watermelon Sherbet Scrub

Makes about 16 ounces

Ingredients

8 ounces Shealoe Butter
2 cups Dendritic Salt
1/4 ounce Watermelon Candy Fragrance Oil
2 .15 cc scoops of FDA Red Mica*
2 .15 cc scoops of FDA Green Mica*

*Please note: These colorants may bleed or fade over time. For a more reliable color, try using Chromium Oxide Green or Avocado Mica for the green section and Rouge Flambe Mica or Pink Glimmer Mica for the red section.

Directions

Start by mixing the Dendritic Salt, Fragrance Oil, and Shealoe Butter together in a large mixing bowl. The Shealoe Butter should be soft enough to mix at room temperature, but if it is too firm, try warming it gently by submerging the sealed container in a hot water bath for several minutes. When the first three ingredients are mixed thoroughly, separate the mixture into four equal portions. Place two portions into a separate mixing bowl and add the FDA Red Mica, mixing well to fully disperse the colorant. Next, put one portion in another bowl and add the FDA Green Mica. Leave the last portion of scrub white. (Tip: If you like, you can add a little extra Mica for a bolder color. Just don't add too much, or the color could end up dyeing your skin while using the scrub.) Now that your scrub is colored, you can scoop it into your containers. Start by adding the green scrub, then the white, then the pink. You'll want to fill 1/4 of the jar with green scrub, 1/4 with white scrub, and 1/2 with pink. It helps to tap the mixture down in between each layer.

Packaging

For this recipe, we used four 4 ounce PET Jars with White Lids. You can split the scrub into smaller or larger portions by using another sized jar. Your scrubs will look extra cute if you use our free printable labels. Download them here: Download WatermelonSherbScrubLabelsSheet You can attach the labels to the jars directly, or punch a small hole in them to use them as tags.

Shampoo Bar Ingredients

2010-06-07T12:46:16-04:00

Shampoo Bars are often made very similarly to bar soaps. In fact, formulating a soap bar that includes ingredients that are beneficial to the hair is a great way to invent your own shampoo bar recipe. From Nature With Love carries an extensive variety of ingredients that can be helpful to hair. Try creating a cold process, hot process, or hand milled soap recipe using some of the following ingredients. Click on each link to learn more about the individual ingredients, and what they can be used for in hair care.

Vegetable Butters

Vegetable Oils

Essential Oils & CO2 Extracts

Herbs

Powdered Extracts

Other Ingredients

Why are shampoo bars worth the effort? Check out Beauty by the Batch's recent article on Shampoo Bars to find out more. Shampoo Bars: Cleanse Your Hair Naturally and Inexpensively.

What ingredients do you like to include in your Shampoo Bars? Please let us know in the comment below.

Getting Scrubby: A Guide to Using Natural Exfoliants

2010-06-02T12:27:30-04:00

Exfoliation is an important part of skin care. Both your body's skin, and the delicate skin on your face needs to be buffed now and then to keep dull, dead skin cells under control. Picking the right exfoliant for your recipe is the key factor in creating a recipe that you and your skin will adore.

The following list breaks down our most popular exfoliating ingredients into categories by their strength. For facials, try using an Ultra Mild or Mild Exfoliant. As usual, too much of a good thing can yield bad results. Even medium strength exfoliants can damage delicate facial skin. Instead of blasting your skin with a strong exfoliant, try using a Mild or Ultra Mild Exfoliant regularly.

For body scrubs, you have a huge variety of options at your disposal. You can use any of the Ultra Mild, Mild, or Medium Exfoliants in any combination to create body polishes, scrubs, or body masks.

Strong Exfoliants should be reserved for your most tough areas. They are great for foot scrubs, or for heavy duty hand scrubs. Handle Strong Exfoliants with care. They pack a serious punch!

Ultra Mild Exfoliants These exfoliants use natural lactic or fruit acids to loosen dead skin cells without scrubbing, giving your skin the gentlest possible exfoliation. These ingredients can be used in body masks, but are most often used in facials.

Whole Milk Powder
Buttermilk Powder
Yogurt Powder
Coconut Milk Powder
Fresh Strawberry or Mixed Berry Puree

Mild Exfoliants These exfoliants are used to gently scrub the skin, without harsh abrasion. These ingredients can be used to exfoliate the body in the stlye of a traditional ubtan. They are also ideal for facial scrubs.

Medium Exfoliants These ingredients are ideal for body scrubs. They pack plenty of exfoliating power, but are mild enough to be used all over your body. However, they are a little too strong for your face, or other very delicate areas.

Strong Exfoliants These extra strength exfoliants should be reserved for especially tough areas, like the feet. They are too rough for most areas of the body, and are far too rough for the face. Also keep in mind that several of these ingredients don't dissolve, and can cause issues with some plumbing systems.

Introducing Our New Exfoliant Samplers We are pleased to announce the addition of three new Samplers to our product line, all of which focus on exfoliants! Use these Samplers to check out a variety of exfoliants for your different types of scrubs, cleansers, and exfoliating soaps.