I Tried It! ~ Homemade Face Powder Foundation

As soon as I saw the Homemade Face Powder Foundation on My Merry Messy Life, I knew I wanted to try it! Sara promised that it was all natural and easy, and she was right!
I mixed some up on less than five minutes, and tried it out.

Like Sara, I am fair-skinned, so I used cornstarch and a little cinnamon.I found that I only needed 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the 2 Tablespoons of cornstarch. I didn't add an essential oil, only because I don't have any at the moment. I think I am going to be adding one that is nourishing to dry skin. My skin is combination, but I think the powder itself will help with the areas that tend to get a little oily after being out and about in the heat all day. Sara says that Palmarosa is hydrating, so I may try that!
Click here to go to Sara's post, see how you can make your own powder foundation for any skin tone, and to choose the best essential oil for your skin!

Click here to see which super parties I link up to!

Oatmeal Almond Scrub

I love using natural cleansers and beauty products. I have been using an Oatmeal Almond scrub for years now and it always leaves my skin feeling soft and clean.

This scrub can be used on your face, as well as your entire body. It is seriously good enough to eat!
It is really easy to make, too!

Oatmeal Almond Scrub
What You Need:
Almonds
Oats
vitamin E gels (optional)
honey (optional)

What You Do:

1. Grind the almonds in a food processor until it resembles a fine powder, but not quit long enough to turn it into almond butter.
2. Grind the oats in a food processor until it is a fine powder.
3. Combine a ratio of two parts oat powder to one part almond powder in a tight fitting container.
4. Store it in a cool, dry place.

How to use your base scrub:
When you are ready to use it, you can take a tablespoon (or more) and add a little water to make a thin paste. Rub it onto your skin and let it sit a couple of minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

Optional:
If you want a more nourishing scrub, you can mix a tablespoon or two of the base scrub with water, the contents of a vitamin E gel, and/or a teaspoon of honey. Leave it on your skin an extra minute or two, then rinse thoroughly with warm water.

Benefits:
Oats: Skin Cleanser, Exfoliant, Soothing Skin Relief, Softens and Nourishes Skin
Almonds: Exfoliant, Soothing Skin Relief, Softens and Nourishes Skin
Vitamin E: Antioxidant, Nourishes Skin
Honey:  Moisturizes, Antibacterial Properties, Treats Acne, Skin Cleanser, Hydrates Skin

I like to make up a batch of the base scrub and keep it on hand. When I am ready to use it, I will pour some into a small bowl and add the other ingredients or just use it with water alone. I follow up this skin treatment by massaging a little bit of coconut oil or 100% cocoa butter into my skin. I Love, love, love how soft and nourished it leaves my skin feeling.

What natural cleansers do you like to use?

Frugal Uses For Baking Soda

***This is an old post moved here from my old blog.*** 

    Let's Talk Baking Soda!

    Baking soda is not just for baking! It is very inexpensive and very versatile, as well. Here are some things you can do with baking soda:





Photo courtesy of
Arm & Hammer Website

• Refresh your carpets. Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda onto your carpet and let it sit for about 15 minutes, then vacuum it up.
• Clean surfaces. Sprinkle baking soda onto counters and stove tops, then wipe with a damp sponge, then rinse.
• Remove Grease spills. Sprinkle the grease spill with baking soda, then wipe with a warm, damp cloth.
• Remove Scuff Marks from floors. Use baking soda and a damp cloth to rub away scuff marks.
• Clean crayon off of walls. Use a damp sponge and baking soda to scrub away crayon marks on walls.
• Clean showers and tubs. Use baking soda, warm water, and a sponge or scrub brush to clean showers and tubs.
• Enhance your laundry detergent. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your laundry with the detergent to leave your clothes fresher and cleaner.
• Pre-treat laundry grease stains. Use a paste made from baking soda and water to pre-treat grease stains.
• Clean your oven. Sprinkle baking soda over your oven, spray it with water, then let it sit overnight. The next day, scrub and wipe out the baking soda with a damp sponge.
• Clean fresh fruits and vegetables. Scrub with baking soda and rinse with water.
• Put out fires. Keep baking soda in reach in the kitchen to quickly extinguish grease or electrical fires.
• Deodorize. Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of your garbage can, diaper pail, laundry hamper, or pet litter box with each change.
• Brighten your teeth. Sprinkle a little bit of baking soda on your toothbrush every time you brush for whiter teeth.
• Facial or body scrub. Make a paste of baking soda and water to use as a gentle facial or body scrub.
• Bath soak. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your bath for a skin softening, soothing soak.
• Foot soak. Add a few tablespoons of baking soda to a tub of warm water for a relaxing foot soak.
• Bug bites and stings. Make a paste of baking soda and water and apply it to bug bites and stings to take away the itch and sting.

     Click here to go to the Arm & Hammer Saving Center for coupons.

    What other frugal uses do you have for baking soda?

Coconut Oil... How Do I Love Thee....

Let me count the ways!
Yes.
It's true.
I have fallen in love coconut oil.
I have read so many different things about it form so many different sites and blogs online that I can't keep track of them all!
I can tell you all some of the wonderful ways I have used coconut oil though.

It all began a few weeks ago...