5 Beauty Products to Stop Buying and Start Making at Home

Hygiene is an important topic to anyone.

Nothing creates more conversation, either, then getting a group of ladies together and asking “What shampoo do you use?”; “Oh, you smell nice! Bath and Body works?”

The beauty industry certainly has a major role in our media, and in our daily lives. Why, if you don’t use the right toothpaste, or deodorant, or your hair doesn’t have that bounce and shine, you’ll never find love…

The amount of money spent to keep up a certain standard of beauty is astounding to me. A friend of mine once confessed that she spent well over $200 a month on hair care, makeup, and various lotions, perfumes, and body sprays.

Wow..$200 a month!! Let’s see if we can’t get that down a bit shall we? Never mind the chemicals that are in the products, and the waste the containers create!

Here’s my top 5 beauty products to stop buying and start making at home:

TOOTHPASTE

With all the conflicting reports on fluoride, I would much rather my family and I stay away from it. It’s super simple to make your own, too. All it takes is a few simple ingredients to keep your mouth “minty fresh” and clean.
Simply take:

• 6 T. coconut oil
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 15 drops peppermint oil or mint extract
• 10 drops orange oil (totally optional)
• 1 packet stevia (or 2-3 drops liquid stevia)

Mix together and store in a tightly covered jar. We use a spoon to dip some out, and then place it on our brushes for use. We have been using this for over 5 years now, and my children have NEVER had a single cavity! Plus, the added benefit of not having to worry about recycling the packaging is nice.

TIPuse a spoon to scoop a bit of this out and then place it on your brush. This will keep it all nice and “sanitary” for those who can’t stomach the thought of everyone’s toothbrush in the same tub.

DEODORANT

• 6 T. virgin coconut oil (this has anti bacterial properties, so you don’t want the more highly processed stuff)
• 1/4 cup arrowroot powder (or you can also use cornstarch)
• 1/2 cup redmond clay
• 4 T. beeswax
• 2 T. shea butter
• 20-30 drops tea tree oil

*optional-additional fragrances like lavender, mint, lemongrass…my hubby just doesn’t like smelling like a “girl”

Slightly melt the coconut oil with the beeswax. I use a glass measuring jar in a pot of boiling water. Add the clay and mix. Add the arrowroot powder and mix well.

Add the tea tree oil, and mix in. Viola! You have deodorant! To use, we allow it to harden in a small container, then “break it out” so that each person has their own little “stick”.

You can also use an old deodorant container and refill it. The shea butter will keep it nice and hard, even in the summer time.

LOTION

Make your own hard lotion bars by simply melting

• 1 cup of tallow
• 1 cup of coconut oil
• 1/2 cup beeswax.

In a heat-proof container, add the oils and beeswax. I put my glass measuring cup in a pot of boiling water. Heat on medium high heat until all the oil is melted.

Pour the hot liquid in a muffin pan and allow to cool completely. “pop” them out and store in the fridge during the hot summers. To use, simply rub anywhere on your body. Your body heat will help soften and “melt” the lotion on your skin

SHAMPOO

This may take a bit getting used to, but your hair WILL adjust and not create as much oil. I promise!

It works on my baby fine hair and I love it! My hubby used to have a dry scalp, especially in the winter time, but with this shampoo, he no longer has that issue.

• ½ cup water
• ½ cup castille soap
• 1 tsp peppermint essential oil
• 1 tsp rosemary oil
• ¼ tsp almond oil

Instructions

Pour all ingredients into a bottle, and gently swish to mix. Use 5-6 squirts each time. To condition I use another spray bottle with 1 cup water and 1 cup apple cider vinegar. Spritz 2-3 times and rinse well.

HAIR SPRAY

Oh, to be alcohol free in your hair but still have amazing hold! Would you believe it possible with only 2 ingredients? Yup, it’s true!!

You need…are you ready for this???

• 1 cup of water, warmed to nearly boiling
• 1/8 cup of sugar

Melt the sugar completely in the warm water, and place in a spray bottle. You can add essential oils like lavender to this if you want, but I just use it plain like it is. This isn’t a strong hold hair spray, more like “flexible hold”.