NATURAL LIP CARE...

Hello fabulous naturals!

As the cold weather is fastly approaching.  It's always a great idea to protect our hair, and skin alike.  Along with making some of my favorite hair products, I also love to make lots of my own skin products.  And over the summer found out how much I adore making natural lip balm, this is great for the entire family.  Finding that making these things myself is a sure way of knowing exactly what is included in the skin care my children are using.  Especially, since 2 out of the 5 of my children have very sensitive skin.  The lip balms are especially neat because while making them I use lots of natural butters, which is a joy throughout the family. Another great thing about making your own lip balms in particular is that you can control the amount of gloss if any, you use in your product for myself and my children we are not looking for shine or gloss for our lips , just a very simple recipe to protect our lips and skin from the harsh winter weather.   Below, I will post an article I found speaking a bit about natural lip care, followed by a few recipes That I have made ...and are Great! 

Natural Lip Care

Compared to the rest of our bodies, our lips are unique both for their appearance and their make-up. They have no sweat glands, few sebaceous oil glands and their only protection from the outside world is saliva—which really isn’t all that helpful.

Keep your lips looking and feeling their best with these simple tips.

1.  To exfoliate dry lips, apply a layer of light oil, then gently brush your lips with a warm, wet washcloth or soft toothbrush.
2.  Avoid licking your lips. This actually dries them out more, causing them to chap and crack.
3.  Condition your lips as you sleep by coating them with a layer of lip gloss or natural oil, such as coconut oil, before you go to bed.
4.  If you are susceptible to cold sores, look for products and recipes with peppermint or eucalyptus oil. These natural antimicrobial can help fight cold sores. Also add a few drops of these oils to your favorite lip product recipe.
5.  If you spend a lot of time outdoors, use sunscreen on your lips. Lips can develop skin cancer if not protected from the sun’s harmful rays.




Bee Balm for Lips
Makes 1 ½ ounces

Bees provide a valuable lip balm ingredient—beeswax! This rich balm will soften and protect your lips.

2 tablespoons grated beeswax
1 teaspoon sunflower oil
1 teaspoon apricot kernel oil
1/8 teaspoon vitamin E oil





On a stove or in a microwave, gently heat beeswax and oils until melted; be careful to not overheat. Stir well to combine. Pour into a small, clean container, then cool completely.

 
Fresh Spearmint Lip Gloss
Makes 1/2 ounce
 
Spearmint makes this gloss feel refreshing and soothing on your lips. Also try using other mints, such as orange, pineapple, cinnamon or chocolate mint. If you don’t have fresh mint on hand, substitute dried mint until fresh leaves are available.
 
1 teaspoon fresh mint leaves OR 1/2 teaspoon dried leaves
2 teaspoons almond oil
1 teaspoon grated beeswax
 
Place mint in a container; gently bruise leaves to release essential oils. Pour oil over leaves and let sit for a few days. Strain oil, then add it to beeswax. On a stove or in a microwave, gently heat mixture until wax melts. Stir well and pour into a small, clean container.




Red Clover Lip Gel
Makes 1/2 ounce

Here’s an old folk remedy for dry, chapped lips. You can find red clover blossoms at your natural food store, or possibly in your own garden. Its flowers yield a sweet, honey-like substance that has anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties.

1/2 tablespoon dried red clover flowers OR 1 tablespoon fresh flowers
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon clover honey
1/8 teaspoon vitamin E oil
1/8 teaspoon cornstarch (arrowroot powder may also be used)

In a small pan, bring clover, water and honey to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, then strain liquid. Return liquid to pan and stir in oil and cornstarch, mixing well. Heat mixture until it forms a clear gel (about 1 to 2 minutes). Cool gel completely, stirring occasionally. Spoon into a clean container.




Aloe Vera Lip Gloss
Makes 1/2 ounce

This light lip gloss will protect, shine and moisturize your lips. Aloe Vera gel’s high moisture content is very soothing. If you have an aloe plant, simply split one of the leaves lengthwise and squeeze out some of the clear gel.

1 teaspoon fresh aloe Vera gel
1/2 teaspoon coconut oil
 1/8 teaspoon vitamin E oil

Mix together aloe and oils; stir well. Pour into a small, clean container.

Courtesy of mountain herbs.com

These are super fun to make! I have made them all except the red clover lip gloss. Plan to do so this weekend (god willing).  If you do not have the proper container on hand. I went to my local arts & crafts store and found very small flip top container. Individual Paint holders are perfect!

BTW, STAY TUNED FOR THE FOLLOWING REVIEWS IN A FEW WEEKS ON:

* Jessicurl- weekly deep conditioning treatment
 * Jessicurl too Shea extra moisturizing conditioner
* Hairveda- Almond glaze
* Hairveda- Whipped cream 3 and 1 Ends hydration, leave-in and moisturizer

                                                                       ENJOY!!!