creamy lavender body wash

Note: This post was previously published here as a part of my freelance work. 

Making your own soap is surprisingly easy, and a very satisfying thing to do. I like making this blend and having it on hand anytime my skin feels like it needs some extra love. You can substitute any essential oil that you’d like, but I happen to like lavender for the soothing nature that it provides.

You’ll Need:

1/4 Cup Dr. Bronners Pure Castile Soap - Lavender

1/2 Cup Softened Coconut Oil

3 Tbs. Sweet Almond Oil

15 Drops Lavender Essential Oil

Kitchen Hand Mixer

Bowl

       Glass Container

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to a bowl and whisk together using the hand mixer until creamy.

2. Store in glass container and use as needed.

3. Easy as that!

everyday minerals: collection 2

Collection Two:

This time, I was inspired by Japanese design. I played around with soft fuzzy shapes and shadows that reflect the image of cherry blossoms. I left the overall aesthetic simple. I wanted a feeling of purity.

everyday minerals: collection 1

I just started doing freelance product shots, and have been enjoying the process. Styling the image is a tug and pull between negative & positive space.  Having entire control over the image, you can really seek to achieve balance in creative ways. 

For me, this particular series was all about making the make-up feel romantic, natural, and soft. The collection is Everyday Minerals' color corrector series, all made with a jojoba oil base, and all natural ingredients. I wanted the attitude of the shots to reflect the ethos.

It was a fun artistic experience to take a product and translate it into a photograph. How do you make the photos evoke something? It's a fun game to play around with. I'm all about bringing the inanimate to life. 

the miracles of honey

Note: This post was previously published here as a part of my freelance work. 

Honey. What a sweet sweet elixir. Its uses date all the way back to ancient times, and we’ve only begun to tap into it’s magical powers. From the skin to the immune system, it can work wondrous effects on the human body. For today, I want to address its benefits for a glowing complexion. Behold, your quick guide to honey skincare…

Wash

Raw honey makes an amazing face wash. It has anti-bacterial properties and is chock full of probiotics and enzymes that are beneficial for the skin. It acts gently, wiping away bacteria and oil while leaving the skin hydrated. Its way of stripping away the bad and leaving the good makes it especially great for acne prone skin. 

Keep a small jar of raw honey along with a spoon in the bathroom for easy access. When you go to use, lightly wet the face with warm water and then massage on about a little less than a teaspoon. If you want it’s antibacterial properties to really work in on those pores, leave it for 5-10 minutes before rinsing away. 

Prevent

To give your skin a little pick-me-up, mix up a face mask with honey, yogurt, and flax meal. Smear it across your face, and let it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing off. They honey will work into those pores, treating blackheads, excess oil, and acne, while the yogurt and flax help to slough off the top layer of dead skin. Afterward you’ll notice skin that is plump with moisture and a dewy glow. What’s better than that?

Treat

Raw honey is well respected for its healing properties. It is both anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory all in one go. Even modern day medicine touts it’s effectiveness. For cuts and burns, one of the best things you can do is to apply raw honey. Even better, pick up raw Manuka honey which is harvested from bee’s pollinating Manuka flowers, otherwise known as tea tree. Slather it on your wound and dress it appropriately to heal skin fast. If you really must pop those pimples, mix up some raw honey and tea tree oil to apply directly following. I find that this works wonders at healing the puncture, but also at preventing it from growing back into another embarrassing white head.

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There you have it! Raw honey, great skin’s best kept secret.