Coffee and rose petals body peeling

I have bought those dried rose petals some time ago and they have been patiently waiting in the jar to be put finally into use. They are great way of perfuming and adding the colour to your DIY beauty face masks or body scrubs. Best would be hand picked in your own garden. I got mines from the garden centre, here in London and they are quite aromatic and crisp, good enough for grinding into powder. 

  

Here comes the challenge. If you are a one happy owner of the electric herb grinder, you are done with it, otherwise a regular pestle and mortar would do, although it won’t be very fine, which is still ok.

  

Start by mixing together 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds and about the double amount of granulated sugar. I found the caster variety too small granules and melting too fast after adding the carrier oil like almond oil. Last come essential oils, just 1-2 drops of Rose absolute and optionally, just one drop of neroli dilution.

 

I like the pinky hues. Can’t wait to use it!

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Bit of DIY flaxseed hair gel

My hair needs a bit of styling, something which weights it down otherwise it goes frizzy. I couldn’t find anything commercial so decided to make my own one. It is deadly easy and requires very little. Golden or brown seeds. The plant on its own has beautiful blue flowers.

Botanical illustration from Wikipedia

Flaxseed or linseed is a crop like rapeseed grown for the oil production. Blue linseed and yellow rapeseed flowers in the fields. Flaxseed oil is rich in omega fats essential for a healthy diet. You should keep it in a fridge after opening and use it to drizzle over salads or any cooked vegetables and don’t heat it up as it loses its all good stuff.

To make a natural hair gel you will need 2 spoons of flaxseeds and a cup of water. Cover the seeds with water and bring it to boil. Then gently simmer for 15min, stirring from time to time. It will get thicker and a bit glue like. Take it off the hob and pass through a sieve. It’s a glutenous gel like brownish substance. Now you can add essential oil of your choice, think lemon for blondes, and maybe rosemary for darker shades, marigold for redheads. Mix it up and leave it to cool down, best left for about 12 hours to settle. Ready made  gel should be kept in a close container in the fridge up to 1 week long. After then make a fresh badge. You can experiment with essential oils or add sth extra like a bit of aloe vera juice.

In styling, best used for still damp hair after washing up. Alternatively, next day to refresh the look put some on the hair endings.

Making lip balm in pictures

You will need

10 g beeswax
10 g shea butter
10 g cocoa butter
2 teaspoons almond oil
1 teaspoon vitamin E
5 drops orange essential oil
5 drops cinnamon essential oil

Melt beeswax in a double boiler. Add Shea and cocoa butter. Stir in almond oil and vitamin E. Take it off the hob then add 5-10 drops of the essential oils. Pour into clean containers and leave it to set. Apply liberally to your lips, especially before going outside. Keep it handy in your pocket and your handbag, so you never run out!