Simple Living Beauty Ideas

Enjoy Back-To-Basics bath and beauty ideas for healthier living

Natural face cleanser

This is one of the simplest face cleanser ideas you’ll come across, and all you’ll need is a jar of raw honey. Wet face with warm water. Rub a teaspoon of honey into hands then gently massage onto face. Raw honey has natural probiotics, antibacterials and enzymes perfect for skin care.

Eye makeup remover                

If you haven’t given much thought to what chemicals you are exposing the sensitive mucous membrances of your eyes to when using conventional eye make up remover, now’s a good time. Eye make up removers can contain mineral oil, isopropyl palmitate, polyethylene, ceteth-20, trihydroxystearin, sorbic acid, methylparaben, butylparaben, propylparaben, vanillin and titanium dioxide.

What’s more, some eye make up removers can run as high as $30 a bottle, which seems a little pricey. Here’s a solution: olive oil. Yup, a little bit of olive oil dabbed on a cotton ball or cloth will do the trick.

Homemade hand sanitizer

Hand sanitizers can do more harm than good as they kill off even the good bacteria, creating resistant bacteria, and usually contain the chemical triclosan, which has been linked to hormone disruption. They can also create immunological effects. Hand sanitizers also have chemical fragrances, which are absorbed through the skin.

One of the simplest ways to sanitize hands, if you feel you need a hand sanitizer, is with a vinegar spritzer. Pour 5 per cent white vinegar (the kind sold in stores) into a small travel size spray bottle. Vinegar will kill 99 per cent of bacteria. Spray to wet hands and then rub hands until dry. The smell dissipates once it dries. If you prefer to mask the smell, add a few drops of your favourite essential oil.

The No Shampoo Shampoo

This idea will pass the sniff test by your teenagers, but wait until your hair dries. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) offers up a low-cost way to shampoo your hair, without all the chemicals in conventional shampoos. For a totally organic experience try an apple cider vinegar rinse for your hair instead of shampoo.

Because regular shampoo strips away natural oils, when you begin using ACV you may find your hair pumps out more oils, but ACV will balance the pH of your hair. For the first couple of weeks you can use a wash of non-aluminum baking soda and water (about ¼ cup of baking soda to one cup water) to scrub into hair, then rinse with a solution of ACV and water in a 1:2 ratio, respectively. Be sure to buy a good quality ACV.

Homemade deodorant

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is strong enough for a man, but made for an organic woman. Sweating is our body’s way of detoxing, so it’s natural and normal to sweat…and even good for you. ACV neutralizes odors, but doesn’t act as an antiperspirant, which is actually good news.

Some health experts suggest that using antiperspirants is linked to breast cancer because they prevent your body from purging toxins, and instead the toxins find their way into the lymph notes, not to mention the toxicity of aluminum. Mix ACV and water in a spray bottle in a 1:2 ratio, respectively and spray the pits after showering.

Sure, it’s a bit stinky at first, but the smell dissipates when it dries. Tip: if you’ve decided to use ACV as a deodorant you may as well feed two birds with one worm and use the same bottle to squirt in your hair as a shampoo while in the shower.

Age-defying night cream

This DIY cream doesn’t get any easier, or cheaper. An investment of about $8 in a jar of unrefined, extra virgin coconut oil will give you enough night cream for a year. Smooth a small amount over face each night.

To make an eye cream, melt the oil on low heat on the stove, then add about four vitamin E capsules into a quarter cup of coconut oil. To do this, poke a hole into the capsules and drain into oil. Blend well. Use it as an eye makeup remover too.

Homemade hairspray

This do-it-yourself concoction works well with up-dos and styles when you won’t be running fingers through your hair, and it holds well – without the industrial polymers. Boil one cup of water and add four teaspoons of sugar. Stir to dissolve. Cool and pour into a small spray bottle. Add essential oils if desired.