My apologies for the DIY posts. I’m on a creative buzz lately and I love sharing these ideas with you ladies to try out for yourselves!

This week, I’ll be showing you how to make your own matte nail polish using Alexami’s Mineral Eye Shadows and it’s SO easy…

What You’ll Need:

1. Alexami Mineral Eye Shadow (or another eyeshadow pigment). I’m using the color Blue Green.

2. Clear nail polish

3. Mixing container (I used an old contacts case)

4. Toothpick

How to do it:

1. Pour equal amounts eyeshadow to clear nail polish. (I use about 1/8tsp of each which is still way too much for one hand.

2. Stir with the toothpick until no lumps remain.

3. Apply with an old polish brush (or clean off the one to your clear nail polish)

4. Finish with another top coat of clear polish if you wish and you’re done!

Here’s how mine turned out:

Pretty simple, no?

Try it for yourself and let us know how it goes.

So, in the past few days being stuck inside due to the cold and rain, I got to work on some perfume after finding a guide online. Since it didn’t turn out to be a disaster, I thought I would should you lovely ladies how I did it. Perfumery is an amazing art form that, with practice, you will get better at. This was the first time I have ever tried doing it and I found it very enjoyable.

Image via MyGreatestGiftIdea.com

The main contents of a fragrance are a base oil, alcohol, distilled water and your chosen essential oils. The quantity of each ingredient can be adjusted as you become more aware of how you like to build your fragrance. Experimenting is always important!

What you’ll need:

• 25 drops Essential oil mix
• 15ml Jojoba oil
• Dark glass vial/bottle (I just used an empty E.O. bottle)
• 60ml Vodka (the highest proof you can find within your means)
• 2Tbs Distilled water

Instructions:

1. Firstly, begin by mixing your essential oil mix. For the quantity we’re making today, you’ll want to add about 7 drops of each note (base, middle, top) with 3-4 drops of bridge notes (like vanilla) (so approximately 25 drops in total). Add your base notes first, then middle, top and finally your bridge notes.

Below are some of the more popular essential oils that are easy to come across:

Base Notes: Balsam, Bay, Benzoin, Beeswax, Cassia, Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Clove, Frankincense, Geranium, Ginger, Jasmine, Moss, Myrrh, Neroli, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Rose, Tonkabean, Vanilla

Middle Notes: Anise, Basil, Bay, Caraway, Cardamom, Carnation, Carrot, Chamomile, Clove, Coriander, Cumin, Cypress, Fennel, Geranium, Ginger, Hyacinth, Jasmine, Juniper, Lavender, Lemongrass, Mandarin, Marjoram, Myrtle, Nutmeg, Orchid, Oregano, Oriental rose, Pepper (black), Peppermint, Pine, Pine needle, Rose, Rosemary, Sage, Tarragon, Tea tree, Tobacco leaf, Thyme, Violet flower, Yarrow, Ylang-ylang

Top Notes: Anise, Basil, Bergamot, Cardamom, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Coriander, Cumin, Eucalyptus, Grapefruit, Juniper, Lavender, Lemon, Lemon Orange, Lime, Lotus (Blue), Mandarin, Marigold, Orange, Orange Blossom, Peppermint, Sage, Spearmint, Tangerine

I’d advise to start simple first. My starting mixture was a base of vanilla and sandalwood, a middle of mandarin and top notes of bergamot and I let it sit for 48 hours. It turned out OK but I definitely need to have more of a play around.

2. Into a dark glass vial, add your essential oil mix to 15ml of jojoba oil and shake. Let this mixture sit from 48 hours to 6 weeks, depending on how the scent develops. If you don’t like something about the mix, adjust the mixture slightly.

3. Once your scent is to your liking, add to 60ml of your vodka plus 2Tbs of distilled water. Shake.

4. Filter your mixture through a coffee filter and put it back into it’s dark bottle to avoid sun exposure. Store this in a cool, dark place to increase it’s shelf life.

And that’s all there is to it. It’s a pretty simple process but it’s playing with the science and timing of the whole thing that ends up getting tedious.

Let us know your favorite perfume concoctions!

We all love our mineral powder but there are times in our lives the call to have a good liquid foundation on hand. Well, what if I told you that you could have the best of both worlds and find it in the same makeup product? Today, I’ll be sharing with you how to turn your mineral powder into a liquid foundation! Sound like fun? Then keep reading…

Things You’ll Need:

• Mineral powder of your choice (I used Alexami mineral powder Ivory)
• A face oil (almond, coconut, baobab, jojoba, tamanu) – it depends on your skin type
• A mixing cup
• A small spatula
• Optional: Essential oil (make sure you know the oil is safe on the face first!)

How to:

1. Pour as much powder as you desire into your mixing tub.

2. Add facial oil. Ratio of powder to oil is 2:1. Stir with spatula until no lumps remain. Remember to add more powder or oil depending on the consistency you’d like.

3. Add 2 drops of your chosen essential oil and stir again.

4. Apply mixture to face with a sponge, foundation brush or fingers.

5. Finish it with another layer of dry Alexami mineral powder or with Alexami translucent powder  if desired. Setting powder is especially recommended in humid climates or on oily skin.

6. You’re done!

Below are my results from applying one layer of my new foundation by blotting it on with my sponge. I love the coverage and it gets rid of my unwanted redness. Please excuse my awkward face!

Also note that mine looks quite oily as I used coconut oil. If I had it around, I would have used jojoba as it is more delicate. It’s all about experimenting to find what works best for yourself and your skin.

Hope this inspired you guys to try it out for yourself!

Until next time

Lara

Image via weheartit.com

Hello all!

Well, it’s Thursday and getting to the end of a long and busy week. With all the madness of the Silly Season in full swing, I thought it fitting to give you guys an excuse for some weekend pampering.

I’ve come up with some easy face mask recipes, made with products you will usually find in your cupboard and are both healthy for you and affordable. So, why not take half an hour out of your hectic schedule and give them a try!

Note that you may amend the recipes slightly to allow for desired consistency.

♦ The Blemish Banisher ♦
For Oily or Acne-Prone Skin

Ingredients

• 3 Strawberries
• 1 Tbsp of lemon juice
• 3 Tbsp of honey
• 1/4 Tsp of activated charcoal (optional)
• A few drops of essential oil (optional – tea tree or lavender)

Directions

1. Blend all ingredients together until at desired consistency.
2. Place a warm damp cloth over the face for 2 minutes.
3. Apply mixture evenly with the back of a spoon or a brush, making sure to avoid the eye area and putting focus on the oilier parts of the skin (i.e. the I or T zone).
4. Leave on for 15 to 20 minutes.
5. Wipe face clean with a damp cloth.
6. Spritz face with toner (See Extra Tip below).

♦ Moisture Magic ♦
For Dry Skin

Ingredients

• 1/2 of an avocado
• 1 Tbsp of olive oil (or other nut oil)
• 1/2 of a ripe banana
• A few drops of essential oil (optional – lavender, rose, sandalwood or ylang ylang )

Directions

1. Blend all ingredients together until it is a smooth paste.
2. Apply to face with a brush, the back of a spoon or your fingers.
3. Leave on face for 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
5. Spritz face with toner (See Extra Tip below).

♦ The Summer Soother ♦
Sensitive or Sunburnt Skin

Ingredients

• 1/4 Cup of oats
• 1/4 Cup of natural unsweetened yoghurt
• 1 Tbsp of aloe vera gel
• A few drops of essential oil (optional – lavender, rose or chamomile)

Directions

1. Blend all ingredients together until it is at a desired consistency.
2. Apply to face gently with your fingers, being extra careful over very sensitive areas. Make sure to not rub these areas to hard as this will cause even more sensitivity.
3. Leave on face for 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
5. Spritz face with toner (See Extra Tip below).

♦ Exfoliating Mask ♦
For most skin types (except sensitive skin)

Ingredients

• 1/2 Tbsp of natural sea salt
• 2 Tbsp of natural honey

Directions

1. Mix the ingredients in a small container.
2. Place a warm, damp cloth over the face for 2 minutes.
3. Using your fingers, gently apply mask all over the face in circular motions, allowing the salt crystals to exfoliate the skin.
4. Leave on for 15 minutes.
5. Rinse off with a warm, damp cloth.
6. Spritz face with toner (See Extra Tip below).

♦ Milk ‘n’ Honey ♦
For Normal or Combination Skin

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp of natural unsweetened yoghurt
• 2 Tbsp of natural honey

Directions

1. Blend all ingredients together until it is at a desired consistency.
2. Place a warm, damp cloth over the face for 2 minutes.
3. Apply mixture to face gently with your fingers, the back of a spoon or a brush.
4. Leave on face for 15 to 20 minutes.
5. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
6. Spritz face with toner (See Extra Tip below).

♦ Extra Tip ♦

For a totally relaxing at-home facial experience, put two green tea bags into boiling water then put into the fridge or freezer until they’re cold. Remove the bags and put them over your eyes while your mask is setting to diminish puffiness and soothe the skin.

With the tea formed from the tea bags, put into a spray/misting bottle and put back into the fridge. After you have used your mask, spritz on some green tea as an all natural (and inexpensive) toner and skin refresher.

Enjoy your weekend everyone! And let me know how the face masks go!

Lara