Beauty at Home

On today's episode I'm going to talk about beauty.  I know, I know.  It's expensive!  Make up, shampoo, conditioner, hair gel, nail salons - it all adds up!

But Heather (you say), how can we make this stuff from nothing?  This is something I'm looking in to.  With my recent foray into the Homemade Beauty Products arena, my girls and I have found some winners I'd like to share.

Today, it's going to be shaving cream.  Shaving Cream?  Yes.  It's true! I made shaving cream at home (that doesn't give our sensitive skin a rash!) and we're in LOVE with this stuff!  All three of my girls (I haven't convinced my hubby to try it yet) are addicted - and so am I.

Can it be made with "nothing?"  Why yes, yes it can!  Here is the recipe I used:

1/3 c shea butter (you could also use cocoa butter)
1/3 c virgin coconut oil
1/4 c jojoba or sweet almond oil (I used canola or olive oil)
10 drops rosemary essential oil
3-5 drops peppermint essential oil

In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the shea butter and coconut oil, stirring until just melted.  Remove from the heat and transfer to a heat safe bowl (I actually just left it in the same pan).  Add in the jojoba oil and the essential oils.  Stir to mix.

Place in refrigerator and chill until solid (a couple of hours).  Remove from the fridge and whip using a hand beater or stand mixer until light and fluffy.  Spoon into a jar and put the lid on.  Keep in a cool, dry place (I've been keeping it in my bathroom on the sink with no adverse effects). Yield: 8 oz

Now I know what you're thinking: who keeps this stuff around the house?  I do.  I admit I changed out a few ingredients, and some I ordered for another purpose.  Essential oils are something I just started keeping around since I'm making some spa products for gifting purposes - as well as for us to keep and use.  Coconut oil is something you can cook with - some people (not me) use it exclusively. I don't have the jojoba or almond oil at my house either - I used canola oil in one batch and olive oil in another batch with fabulous results.  Shea butter I do keep around.  It's AMAZING stuff and I'm pretty excited that I found it in bulk at Bulkapothecary.com for SO MUCH LESS than I've been paying at a local shop.  I use it on my skin as a moisturizer - exclusively.  Your body actually adjusts the amount of oil it secretes as you use it over time.  It's really awesome stuff.  You could try switching out the coconut oil for another solid oil, but I like the fragrance it lends.

It's SO EASY to make.  I quadruple this recipe and it's shelf-stable.  I also use this as a moisturizer after my shower on my legs and arms - I have really dry skin.

Once you're done with your shower though, soak your razor in warm water to get the shaving cream off - and you're all set!  Any razor will do too - you don't need a really expensive one.


I did not, however, come up with this on my own.  Nope, here is the link I discovered on Pinterest that lead us to making our own shaving cream forever!  http://foodformyfamily.com/manic-organic/rosemary-mint-shaving-cream-homemade-gift-ideas