Grapefruit and Sugar Facial

Bring summer indoors with the fresh citrus scent of grapefruit ! Cleansing, Toning, Moisturizing in an all- in- one recipe for a fresh face facial.

You can't help but feel uplifted with grapefruit's natural happy scent and glow it gives your face.

 

This recipe is almost too easy! We've been using it at my house all month and my teens are seeing a definite improvement in their skin.  My ( more mature ) skin feels SO soft and fresh after using

this simple, yet effective home facial.

Grapefruit is high in vitamin C which is essential in collagen production in the skin. 

Sugar is a natural exfoliate that removes dirt and sebum from the skin, unclogging pores. Giving you a fresh faced glow by removing dead skin cells. Sugar is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) whose natural glycolic acid protects, moisturizes and helps to condition the skin.

I take a cup of sugar, put it in a clean plastic jar, then pour in grapeseed oil, gradually, a tablespoon at a time until you get the desired texture. Some folks like a lot of oil, some less. Your choice.

Then take the juice of 1/2 small grapefruit and begin to add it to your sugar mixture, stirring all the while, stop pouring when you get your desired texture. If too juicy, add more sugar.  You will see some sugar melting.  That's it.  Store covered in frig for a week.

I choose grapeseed oil for my facials because it is a light oil, and is not greasy. It absorbs quickly into your skin and does not clog pores. Easy to find in your grocery store oil aisle.
If you prefer a heavier oil try olive.

Yes, you can use grapefruit juice in place of fresh grapefruit, absolutely.

Don't scrub your face harshly with any facial scrub, just gently massage into your skin in circular movements, and rinse off with cool water, pat dry.

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Frugal Days Sustainable Ways 

Chocolate Lavender Cinnamon soap from Canada

Tamara, a soaping sister from Canada made the most intriguing soap, when I saw it, I immediately loved the shape and had to find out how it was molded!  

Using a quart sized (1 litre) milk carton was all it took!  I love discovering new ways to mold soap with things available right at home. 

When I said intriguing soap, I meant it. Tamara used a skin loving base of oils; coconut, olive and avocado  and  added

the fabulous benefits of chocolate!  Chocolate syrup, chocolate and cocoa powder, along with cinnamon to spice it up.  The final touch: lavender essential oil.  I bet this smells amazing.

A beautiful, natural homemade soap. Thank you Tamara for sharing your lovely creation with us!

Natures Home Spa is branching out..... debut of "Petals to Paper"

Petals to Paper  is a new addition to Natures Home Spa, that I am excited to introduce you to!

Taking fresh or dried flowers, and turning them into keepsakes for you to treasure. A unique way to capture timeless memories.

Here's how it works:  simply send Natures Home Spa (me) your special flowers, or petals from your wedding, bridal shower, baby shower, special anniversary, prom, graduations, you get the picture, flowers of sentimental value.  You only have to send a few for the magic to happen!  

I send you back one of a kind keepsake paper sheets, handmade and embedded with your petals.  

You can make cards, special bookmarks, journal covers, scrapbook pages, matt photos, use in any project that utilizes paper. Possibilities are as vast as your imagination. 

A one of a kind way to make a gift that evokes special memories of a person, or time, or event in which it is associated.     

To give as a gift as a unique memento, or to cherish for yourself.

I'll show you an example:   When Melissa G. from California got married in her sunny west coast backyard, her sister gave her a Tea Party themed bridal shower complete with dozens of roses!   What a great sis! Unable to throw them out after they served their lovely purpose, Melissa dried them out in her attic.  Then sent me a bag full, plus some lovely lavender from her special day.  It doesn't take much.

The transformation is truly lovely to behold!  Something to hold on to and remember a cherished moment of time.

Ok, these are indeed artisan custom made, but are not "custom made" priced.

  To inquire about a custom order send me a message: Natureshomespa@gmail.com

No order too small.

Sheets come in 11 x 8 1/2"   and    8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches

USA handmade, I ship international

See tab PETALS TO PAPER above for more info and photos.

Fresh Papaya Face Masks

It's Papaya time! Summer and papaya just go together. The sweet scent, the bright color, shouts summer's natural goodness !

Papaya is popular in spas around the world and for good reason. Rich in vitamins C and E and 

enzymes (papain and bromelain protein dissolving enzymes found naturally in papaya) that gently exfoliate and help smooth the skin, papaya is a first class natural facial ingredient.

Make your own mask at home and save money.  I've listed a few different ways you can use papaya in a natural face mask. My favorite is just plain papaya!

 How To:  Mask #1

You can make it simple by peeling, de-seeding and cutting up your fresh papaya, and putting it in your blender or food processor until a smooth, paste type consistency.

Apply to face and neck, leave on for 10 -15 mins. It dries fairly quick. Rinse first with warm water then finish with a refreshing cool splash.  You can use a soft wash cloth to take this off or just rinse.

Mask #2

Mix papaya in blender with warmed honey and oatmeal, leave on 10 -15 mins. Rinse.

Mask #3

Mash or blend ripened papaya.

 Add  honey and yogurt to papaya. Blend well.

Options: 

To lighten and brighten skin you can add some lemon juice. Though papaya itself is a natural lightener.

To calm, hydrate, nourish and refresh add homemade rosewater.

Morgan and her papaya love.

Thank You Susan (from Essential Traditions.com) for featuring this post on 
Living Green Tuesdays!
  
This post linked with:

Like a mustard seed blog
A Humble Bumble
Growing Home blog
Watch Out Martha!
Living Green Tuesdays Link up
                                                Gingerly Made: Show and Tell blog hop

Guest contributor Melissa G. on Homemade Rosewater

California Guest bath and beauty crafter Melissa G. has been busy collecting fresh rose petals from her sunny neighborhood. Before they dry up, she wanted to capture some of the natural goodness found in their satiny petals! Ahhhh........ rose water! 

 There is nothing so awesomely pure as homemade rose water. Gathered and steeped without much trouble at all, rosewater makes a name for itself in it's many uses.

photo by Melissa G.

In ancient times there is evidence of the women using it as a rinse to soften their hair.

It is said that Cleopatra used it as an ingredient in her face masks. In your natural made face masks, or clays, just substitute the liquid for rosewater.  It is good for all skin types.

The presence of vitamin C in roses speaks of it's antioxidant property to protect skin cells from damage which makes it great as a refreshing, uplifting face spritz, and natural toner for its soothing qualities and anti-inflammatory properties.

As a cleanser rosewater removes dirt and impurities from the pores leaving the skin hydrated.  Use it in homemade moisturizing lotion.

That said, rose water is pricey............ make it yourself, at home with your own fresh picked beauties!

And, when your lovelies do dry up, you can use them in homemade skin softening bath fizzy bombs as Melissa did.....

photo by Melissa G.

Or bath melt bombs made with natural oils.

Or pour directly into your bath water, and top off with fresh petals.....

An important ingredient in natural skin care, found right in your back yard...

Thanks Melissa !

Enjoy............ Anna

Homemade paper with Roses

Roses grow beautifully here in my part of Arizona, USA. I have 9 varieties in my yard alone!

Organically grown and lovely. I enjoy making everything from rose water to 

soaps and lotions from my roses for my bath and body products.
Even just sprinkling a handful into a running bath.
But.....

Thought I'd share something different today: Homemade Paper with Roses

I made a fresh batch of paper pulp from recycled paper, then added the roses.

You can add any botanical, or thread or fabric even, to make a really nice textured 

homespun looking paper, or a lovely victorian ensemble. 

Great for use in just about any paper project like special announcements, cards,

gift tags, letters. The possibilities are limitless! I've even seen them cut in rounds and made into

coasters for a really cool table setting. 

Milk Bath in a Bar, homemade milk soap

"Cleopatra's Milk Bath" soap:  Cleopatra had it right, milk is fabulous for the skin. Said to be born 69 years before Christ, in Egypt, she took the throne at the age of 18, and is to this day reknown for her beauty regime of milk baths.

The lactic acid in milk is an alpha hydroxy acid, (a natural acid that dissolves the glue that holds dead skin cells together, clogging our pores ).  It deeply and gently cleanses the skin. The dead, dry skin cells are sloughed off, stimulating the cell cycle and promoting new healthy skin cells and collogen.

Skin feels softer, conditioned and smoother after a milk treatment. I had to capture this in a soap bar.
Hence, "Cleopatra's Milk Bath", a milk bath in a bar.

I used goats milk, soy milk, cows milk and coconut water. 

soy milk and beans

Enriched it, (if that's possible) with shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil,

grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, and a healthy dose of olive oil.

Hands down it is my creamiest, most luxurious feeling soap recipe to date.

I've made it scented with Almond Biscotti fragrance from Brmbleberry, truly decadent.

And, I've left it unscented, and natural, just lovely.

For my fellow Soapers: I superfatted it to 6%

Exotic Moroccan Orange Rhassoul Soap

Moroccan Rhassoul clay is mined only in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. It's a natural mineral clay used by Moroccan women for centuries to care for their skin and hair. Softening  and regenerating skin as it removes toxins and dead skin cells it is highly prized in spas throughout the world. 

Exotic Moroccan Orange Rhassoul Soap

Atlas Mountains of Morocco

Rhassoul clay makes a great skin cleanser as it is anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and antiseptic as well! It draws out impurities from deep within our skin as well as excess oils. It helps improve skin clarity, texture, elasticity and firmness. Aids in removing blackheads, whiteheads, as well as reduce dryness and flakiness. Leaves the skin soothed and smoothed! Good to use to improve skin troubled by eczema, psoriasis, acne and rosacea.

You can even wash your face with this natural clay,  1/4 tsp and water mixed and you're good to go.

Rhassoul clay photo found at hildablue.com 

Orange essential oil is well known for it's uplifting sunny disposition! It smiles at us and we smile back!  Who can resist it's fresh, soothing qualities?

Essential oils are absorbed into our bodies through our nose, and the pores in our skin and hair follicles,
where they enter our bloodstream and begin their route through our body. In this soap recipe I used orange oil as an uplifting rejuvenating scent and for it's outstanding natural properties.

It stimulates blood circulation which in turn promotes the production of collagen. Also known to be helpful to sooth dry irritated skin, as well as acne prone skin as it inhibits microbial growth.


In this recipe I paired pure Orange essential oil with Rhassoul clay to make a nourishing, moisturizing, class-act natural soap bar. 

Made with calendula tea for it's liquid phase.... I added Coconut oil, Olive oil, Castor oil and Grapeseed oil infused with Calendula petals .............. a lovely balanced home spa soap,
with a fresh natural orange scent. 

Ahhhhhh ................ Morocco

Bath Fizzy Bombs by Melissa, from sunkist California

Melissa G. has shared another of her homemade natural bath products with us, and I am happy to share it today.

 Bath fizzy bombs are remarkable little treasures to drop into your warm bath and relax as they work at moisturizing and renewing your skin. They fizzle and pop and release their scent creating a 

perfectly lovely natural bath scentsation.  You can make them with or without oil, 

you can make them strong scented or lightly, you can add herbs, rose petals, the 

options are endless! Drop as many into your tub for your desired strength.

Or make one large one for longer fizzy action!

Thanks Melissa for another natural bath and body inspiration!

California Solid Lotion bar by Melissa

Blog reader Melissa from sunny California USA got inspired to make Solid Lotion Bars and was kind enough to send me a photo of her work.  The bar looks so creamy, love the natural

color from the beeswax. 

These all natural solid lotion bars are perfect for summer skin needs. Solid at room temperature, they melt when smoothed across your skin. Absolutely lovely.

Good job Melissa, thanks for sharing with us !