Deck up right for festive season

Festival time does not just give you a reason to gorge on lip-smacking food or to meet friends and relatives, it's also the time to put your best foot forward as far as makeup is concerned.

Makeover consultant Aashmeen Munjaal suggests how to adjust your makeup style for different festivals to look your best:

Navratra: Shades of yellow and orange are dominant colours during the festival. Bright eye makeup colours like sharp blue with orange and a hint of green will go well with yellow or orange coloured outfits.

Karwa Chauth: Women dress up in saris or lehengas in bright colours and are generally high on glitter quotient during this festival. Opt for eye makeup colours that will match the attire, but stick to matte. A fuchsia lip shade will do well for the look.

Diwali: Try golden makeup for the festival of lights. Colour either your lips or eyes golden!

Christmas: Red is the colour of the winter festival. To keep up the festive spirit, put one red element in your makeup - either red lips or red eyelids. You can even use glitter powder on cheekbones or below brow bone.

If you don't want to go loud with makeup, try the nude look, which works at all times.

Traditional yet natural look: Pale pink lip shades with a hint of pink blusher will help to attain the look.

Anti-ageing cream myths

Looking for the perfect skin cream to prevent ageing? Then don't believe these myths!

The next time you go shopping for skin care products, dispel these myths and shop sensibly...

1. The more expensive, the better!
Women who truly believe that there are miracles hidden in a jar of skin cream also seem to believe that the more expensive the cream, the more they are ensured of a total anti-ageing experience. Recent research, however, shows otherwise in some cases. Affordable creams can be just as good for your skin, but it is important to buy products that address your unique needs. Don't go by the price only, because cheap creams can also cause harm and an expensive cream might not be good for you if your skin can't take the richness of the product.

2. One cream will do everything
This is really wishful thinking because one cream cannot take care of every problem you have. The skin needs different ingredients at different times of the day and it is best to buy product that are made specifically for a time period. A serum is necessary, and so is eye cream, besides your regular night cream. During the day, you will need cream with SPF, so make sure you purchase a product with this ingredient. Buy different products for different times of the day.

3. You will see miracles in an instant
Ah — this is what skin care manufacturers would have you believe, but is just not possible. All a cream will do is delay the ageing process slightly, but age will inevitably creep in to your life, no matter what you do. It is best, therefore, to check out what you need most - do you need help for pigmentation? Is it radiance that you require? Or is your problem that of early wrinkles? Buy a cream that will help you in these specific areas, but remember -- everything takes time. Some creams may take up to three months for any significant improvement to be noticeable on your skin.

4. Buy creams according to the age mentioned on the packaging
Walk into a store and the lady at the counter will immediately ask you how old you are or try and make a guess about your age. She will then offer you products according to your age like those for 30+, 40+ and other creams positioned in various age brackets. This is not the right way to buy a good skin cream. You could have fine lines at the age of 30 if you've been a sun worshipper or a sportsperson. On the other hand, you may have acne at 50. So, don't go by age at all. Buy products according to your skincare needs.

What causes dandruff?

Dandruff, also known as seborrhea, is a common non-contagious condition of skin areas rich in oil glands (the face, scalp, and upper trunk), marked by flaking (overproduction of skin cells) and sometimes redness and itching (inflammation) of the scalp, varying in severity from mild flaking of the scalp to scaly, red patches.

"The normal skin yeast, pityrosporum ovale, lives in oil-rich skin regions and plays a role in this condition. Dandruff may worsen with stress, winter, and infrequent shampooing", says Dr Manjiri Patankar Puranik, founder of Instasculpt.

Dandruff occurs in 15-20% of the population. The problem affects all races. It maybe a bit worse in men, and starts after puberty (although babies have a version called cradle cap). Dandruff peaks around the age of 40 and then may improve. Severe dandruff is frequently seen in people with Parkinson's disease and others with central nervous system problems.

Dr. Manjiri points out the most common causes of dandruff:

-Poor hygiene
-Hormonal imbalance
-Poor diet
-Poor blood circulation
-Blow drying
-Styling products

Dandruff is a superficial fungal infection and can spread by sharing a comb. However, please note that it cannot spread if you simply sit next to a person who suffers from dandruff. Though, you might feel uncomfortable sitting next to a person with flakes on his/her shirt, you'll never get dandruff by merely sitting next to him/her.

10 Ways to reduce hair breakage

Hair breakage is extremely common in both men and women. Unfortunately, many of us do not know how to manage or treat this condition.

Wash your hair only 2-3 times a aeek

Washing your hair every day causes it to dry out and become rough and brittle. So, over washing can make your scalp think that it needs to produce more sebum, causing it to ultimately become oilier, making you think you need to wash it more. So, avoid this cycle by simply washing your hair only 2-3 times a week.

Use aulfate-free shampoos!

Sulfates are a common detergent ingredient, which creates a lot of foam when you wash your body or hair. Unfortunately, it is also extremely drying, resulting in moisture leaching out from your hair cuticle. This drying of the hair shaft makes the hair more prone to breakage. So look for shampoos that are sulfate-free, as they contain much gentler detergents, thereby protecting your hair.

Always use conditioner

Conditioner is vital to keeping your ends smooth and soft. It maintains moisture and strength and adds life to your hair. Whenever you shampoo your hair, always remember to apply conditioner to the ends (but not on the scalp) to get gorgeous strong hair. 
Air-dry your hair

While blow drying your hair is much easier and faster, air-drying is healthier for your hair. Blow dryers release dry heat, causing all the hair's hydration to evaporate. This makes your hair much more sensitive and brittle, causing more hair damage. So air-dry your hair whenever possible.

Avoid all heating hair appliances

Your blow dryer is one thing, but your curling irons, flat irons, crimpers, straighteners and other hair manipulating devices all use heat. These appliances cumulatively cause severe damage to your hair over time. So, try to not use them if you can, but if you can't avoid them, use a heat protecting spray or serum before it to moderate the ill effects. But remember, no heat protectant can preserve your hair a 100% from these appliances' damaging side effects.

Don't perm your hair

Perming is a chemical process that creates curls. Unfortunately, this chemical breaks the protein bonds in the hair, making it damaged and more prone to breakage. So, avoid perms and keep your hair protected from damaging treatments.

Get regular trims

Trimming your hair is highly important to prevent hair breakage. As hair grows, split ends occur and make the hair more sensitive. Trim your hair regularly to keep those split ends away.

Don't wet-comb

Combing your hair when wet is the biggest mistake you can make. When your hair is wet, the hydrogen bonds in the hair are broken. This makes your hair much more prone to breaking, causing hair loss. So, avoid combing your hair or creating tangles when wet to prevent your hair from falling.

Avoid colouring your hair

Colouring your hair requires that you apply peroxide or ammonia to change the pH of the hair, which breaks open the proteins within the hair shaft. This damage makes the hair more brittle, resulting in hair fall. So, avoid colouring your hair with these harsh chemicals and look for natural alternatives.

Remember your coconut oil massage!

For thousands of years, Indians have been using coconut oil to massage their hair and maintain long luscious locks. Gently massage coconut oil into your scalp and apply it to your hair at least twice a week to get lovely strong hair.

Hair care: Silky and shiny hair

Are you always troubled by frizzy hair? If so, fret not. We have found the perfect solution to give you smooth and silky hair, all in the comfort of your home.

Ingredients:

1-teaspoon vinegar1-teaspoon glycerineEggCastor oil

Method:
1. Mix a teaspoon of vinegar and a teaspoon of glycerin.2. Stir this, until it becomes a smooth paste.3. Add the beaten egg to this mixture.4. Mix well and add 2 tablespoons of castor oil.5. When thoroughly mixed, apply the mask on hair.6. Put on a plastic cap and wrap the head with a towel.7. Leave the mask on the hair for 2 hours, and wash it off thoroughly.8. Do this twice a week.

5 Natural tips to prevent hair loss

It's better to use natural products to stop hairfall than to go in for expensive parlour treatments, that may not help the problem.

Try the following easy tips at home and see how effective they are in reducing hair loss!

1. Hot oil treatments: Take any natural oil - olive, coconut, canola - and heat it up so that it is warm, but not too hot. Massage it gently into your scalp. Put on a shower cap and leave it on for an hour, then shampoo your hair.

2. Natural juices: You can rub your scalp with either garlic juice, onion juice or ginger juice. Leave it on overnight and wash it thoroughly in the morning.

3. Get a head massage: Massaging your scalp for a few minutes daily will help stimulate circulation. Good circulation in the scalp keeps hair follicles active. Circulation may be improved through massage by using a few drops of lavender or bay essential oil in an almond or sesame oil base.

4. Antioxidants: Apply warm green tea (two bags brewed in one cup of water) on your scalp and leave this mixture on for an hour and then rinse. Green tea contains antioxidants which prevent hair loss and boost hair growth.

5. Practice meditation: Believe it or not, most of the times, the root cause for hair loss is stress and tension. Meditation can help in reducing that and restore hormonal balance.

3 simple exercises for a flat tummy

Want that enviable washboard ab? Practicing these moves regularly will help you

Don't want to end up injured or exhausted? Don't overdo things on the workout front. Instead, aim for a brisk 20-minute walk every day to burn fat, plus do the following exercises to help tone your abdominal muscles.

Bicycle crunch: Lie down with your back pressed onto the floor. Bring your hands behind your head. Starting with your legs bent at a 45-degree angle, bring the right knee into the chest while straightening out your left leg. At the same time, rotate your top half so your left elbow goes to your right knee, then switch to the other side. Repeat for one minute,three times a day.

The boat: Sit on the floor, with your knees bent and feet flat and tilt back, extending your legs so your body forms a right angle. Pull your abs in to balance. Extend your arms at shoulder height past your knees. Hold for five slow breaths and return to your starting position. Repeat five times a day.

The plank: Lie face down then lift yourself up on to your toes and forearms, with your elbows bent at 90 degrees. Keeping your core muscles -— your stomach and bottom — tight and your legs straight, hold for 10 seconds. Repeat three times a day, gradually building to 40 seconds each.

7 Day flat belly diet plan

"My diet works on the principle that your body's natural state is lean and fit, not sluggish and fat. But processed foods and drinks and excess sugar pollute the body, causing fat to cling to the hips, thighs, bum and tummy. However, as soon as you stop doing the wrong thing, your body responds very quickly, and you'll get lean fast. But you have to believe you can do it. It doesn't matter how often you have failed in the past. What matters now is focusing on what you want and taking action."

Food rules Make these changes to your diet to lose weight and get a flat tummy fast!

1 Cut the C.R.A.P: Avoid the four main food groups that cause fat to cling to our bodies: caffeine, refined sugar, alcohol and processed foods.

2 But allow yourself a weekly cheat meal. Once a week, enjoy an indulgent meal of whatever you fancy, from creamy pasta to a slice of chocolate cake with cream. As ong as you're eating clean, healthy food the rest of the time, an occasional high-fat treat actually speeds up your metabolism.

3 Take fish oil supplements: They burn fat and supply essential fatty acids.

4 Always have breakfast: Eat within one hour of waking up. If you don't have time for a proper breakfast, just grab a piece of fruit and a few nuts.

5 Don't eat after 8pm: Eating a large meal in the evening when your body is slowing down or sleeping is a bad idea for your digestion and weight.

Five food swaps for flat Abs

Bad croissants: Full of fat, sugar and no goodness Milk Most non-organic milk is filled with hormones Standard yoghurt Most are full of sugar Margarine Full of chemicals Beer High sugar and calories

Better wholemeal bread: Fibre is good for digestion Organic milk It's chemical-free Organic yoghurt It's free from pesticides Olive oil spread Full of essential fatty acids Organic cider Less alcohol and calories.

Best spelt bread: No tummy-bloating gluten

Organic almond milk: Doesn't contain lactose that can cause bloating Organic full-fat yoghurt Makes you feel full and is less sugary than low-fat options Organic butter Natural and additive free Good red wine Grape skin contains resveratrol, a great antioxidant

Tummy toning moves

James Duigan says, "Exercise smarter, not harder. So, if you are trying to lose weight, don't go mad with exercise - get more out of less." These moves can help you get a flatter tummy as they reduce levels of stress hormones in the body, which encourage fat around your middle.

Breathing squat

- Go slow and low and repeat 10 times

- Stand with feet shoulder width apart, arms out and parallel to floor

- Inhale through the nose, then lower your bottom down as far as is still comfortable while exhaling l Pause for a few seconds, then inhale as you come up

Energy push Great for digestion - breathe slowly and repeat 20 times

- Take a comfortable stance with feet shoulder width apart, arms in front of you, palms facing down

- Inhale and pull hands back towards your shoulders

- Exhale, pushing your arms back out to starting position Leg tuck Great for lower abs - repeat 10 times

- Lie back, feet on floor, knees bent l Inhale then bring knees into your chest as you exhale

- Inhale again as you return your feet to the floor

Your food plan

Stick to this eating plan for two weeks to start your weight loss. It's best to begin on a weekend, when you have more time to get everything ready. Plus, you won't feel so stressed or rushed, which means you'll be less likely to succumb to a mid-afternoon chocolate bar.

Day 1 Breakfast: Omelette made with three egg whites and filled with 75g chopped mixed peppers and a handful of spinach

Mid-morning snack: 100g chicken with ½ red pepper, sliced

Lunch: One grilled chicken breast, mixed salad leaves, red peppers, green beans and ¼ tbsp olive oil

Mid-afternoon snack: 100g turkey breast with ¼ cucumber, sliced

Dinner: 100g grilled chicken breast with steamed broccoli

Day 2 Breakfast: Baked chicken breast with a handful of stir-fried kale

Mid-morning snack: 100g turkey breast and ½ green pepper, sliced

Lunch: Baked haddock fillet with mixed green salad, with ½ tbsp olive oil

Mid-afternoon snack: 100g turkey breast with 75g steamed broccoli

Dinner: One salmon steak with chopped dill and steamed green beans

Day 3 Breakfast: 100g smoked salmon, plus spinach

Mid-morning snack: 100g chicken breast with ½ yellow pepper, sliced

Lunch: One grilled chicken breast with garden salad and ½ tbsp olive oil

Mid-afternoon snack: 100g turkey slices with ¼ avocado

Dinner: One grilled lamb steak (or two cutlets); steamed broccoli and spinach

5 things to eat to lose weight

Stop worrying about your weight, just eat right. Here are five tips you need to keep in mind.

Have a healthy breakfast
The cardinal rule to any weight loss programme is never to miss breakfast. And oatmeal, a complex carbohydrate is ideal. It is a satisfying breakfast cereal, and compared to any other grain it provides more protein per serving. The fact that it takes longer to digest and hence releases energy slowly makes it perfect because you feel full for longer. Oats also keep blood sugar and insulin levels stable, which helps prevent fat storage. Have it with skimmed milk or yogurt.

Opt for skimmed milk
Milk and its products are rich in calcium and can help keep your bones strong. Skimmed milk, low fat cheese and yogurt helps to break down fat cells.

Bean it
Foods that are high in fibre and are good sources of protein, can help you feel full for a very long time. And that, will help you control unnecessary bingeing. Protein has a very high satiety index and that is why make proteins an essential part of your meals.

Go for the grain
Grains have complex carbohydrates which during digestion release glucose slowly. Jowar, bajra and ragi etc can help in maintaining your blood sugars levels. The fibre and vitamins in them play an important role too.

Snack on nuts through the day
Stay away from fried and salted nuts but you can munch on raw, unsalted ones — almonds, and walnuts. These have essential roughage, protein, fat, minerals and micronutrient.
A handful can keep hunger at bay and provide energy.

Homemade coffee body scrub

With summer approaching and the temperature rising, there are a few things that begin to worry women. As layers of clothing start coming off, here are a few things about your body that signal immediate attention:

1. You have probably been over eating the entire winter to keep warm, and have gained weight around visible areas like stomach, thighs and arms.

2. You have been moisturising your skin daily and that has made you notice the flaking skin your woollens and weather left you with.

3. Once you start exercising to get back in shape your dried up non-elastic skin will definitely develop stretch marks once you begin to lose weight.

While it is easy to exercise regularly and keep a check on the food intake, what we generally struggle with is the rejuvenation of skin, exfoliation and stretch marks. While it is simple to hide them in winter with jackets and sweaters but with the onset of summers, they worry us all. We feel salon and parlour visits is the only solution when in reality the all-in-one cure is available to us all at home.

Recipe: Coffee body scrub (One time use)

Ingredients:

Coconut/ olive / baby oil
Sugar granular (half a cup)
Coffee grains / coffee powder (half a cup)
Semolina or 'Suji' (half a cup)

Instructions:

1. Mix the ingredients together in a bowl.
2. Add oil to the mixture depending on the consistency required.
3. The consistency depends on your skin type - which means - if you have oily skin - you probably want the batter to be coarse while if you have a thin, sensitive or flaky skin - you will require to beat the batter more.

How to use:

1. Make the batter immediately before your bath, to avoid the suji from soaking up the oil and sugar from dissolving.
2. Use the batter before your have soaped and shampooed your self.
3. You can use the batter on your entire body, though keep it away from your eyes.
4. Use generous amounts, rub the batter all over your body, especially over the affected areas as discussed above till the sugar almost dissolves.
5. Leave it on for at least 10 minutes before bathing.
6. You can use the same on your face as well, though don't leave it on and rinse it off immediately with your face wash.
7. Go over the process again if skin doesn't feel supple after rinsing it off.

Frequency:

1. Not more than 3 times a week on alternate days - as your skin needs time to rejuvenate from the vigorous exfoliation and over use can cause open pores causing body acne.

Caution:

1. Try to use warm or room temperature water while bathing; hot water is likely to cease the effect of this batter as it dries the skin quickly.
2. Pat-dry yourself after your bath and avoid rubbing the towel to avoid rashes as this may leave your skin temporarily sensitised.

Not only does this recipe help relax tense muscles after a long day, the results will be visible after the first wash itself and over a period of just 2 to 3 weeks time you will see evidently healthier skin and lesser stretch marks and cellulite dimples!

Homemade Body Scrub

Both sugar and salt scrubs are designed to exfoliate the skin. Massaging them into damp skin removes layers of dirt and dead skin cells and encourages skin to shed at a more rapid rate, typically every 30 days. Exfoliation also leaves behind healthy, glowing, softer skin.

While sugar scrubs are made up of small granules and are better suited to exfoliate sensitive areas like the face, or for gently exfoliating skin with eczema or acne, salt scrubs are more abrasive with larger granules suitable for harsher scrubbing of callused skin like that of the feet, or as an overall body scrub to encourage skin shedding. What’s more, salt contains minerals like magnesium, potassium and calcium, great for skin cell restoration and reducing the signs of aging.

You can buy salt scrubs at varying price points from inexpensive to pricey, or you can experiment with making homemade variations with simple kitchen ingredients. Stored in pretty glass jars, salt scrubs make great gifts, last six months, and can vary in scents and healing properties.

Here are a few homemade salt scrubs to try:

Relaxing Lavender Salt Scrub

Ingredients:

• Pink Himalayan sea salt, or other sea salt varietal (1 cup)
• Nutritive oil like almond, grapeseed, avocado or rosehip oil (½ cup)
• Lavender essential oil (relaxing) or peppermint (energizing), or orange (stimulating), or geranium (mood lifting) 5-10 drops
• Optional: Toss in crushed flower petals or leaves of lavender, peppermint, citrus or geranium for color

Mix all ingredients in clean dry bowl and store in glass jar. Rub into damp skin or spread on loofah and use as all over body scrub weekly.

Oatmeal & Patchouli Sea Salt Scrub

Ingredients:

• Sea salt (2 cups)
• Oatmeal, ground and uncooked (1/2 cup)
• Grapeseed oil (1/2 cup)
• Olive oil (1/2 cup)
• Patchouli essential oil (5-10 drops)

Put salt in a clean, dry bowl, add oils and mix with a spoon. Add drops of patchouli and mix well. Store in glass jar and use as a soothing, relaxing all-over body exfoliant.

Peppermint Foot Scrub

Ingredients:

• Epsom salt (1 cup)
• Sea salt (1 cup)
• Baking Soda (1 cup)
• Peppermint oil (15-20 drops)
• Tea tree oil (1 teaspoon) optional for antibacterial purposes

Pour all ingredients into glass jar and shake to mix. Use weekly to scrub feet and soothe rough heels.

Homemade Face Scrubs and Masks

Here is a list of our 10 favorite homemade face masks and scrubs. These recipes all use basic ingredients that can be found in your pantry!

1. Lemon-Honey Face Scrub

To remove dead skin, retain and provide moisturizing benefits, and brighten your complexion

• 2 tablespoons of honey
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 ½ tablespoons of sugar

Blend ingredients in a bowl, apply to face, and rinse with warm water

2. Salt, Lemon, and Sugar Scrub

To exfoliate and brighten your complexion

• 2 tablespoons of salt
• Juice from half of a lemon
• Add sugar until the mixture is solid but not dry

Blend the ingredients in a bowl and gently massage the mask into skin. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes, and then rinse with water

3. Avocado and Oatmeal Scrub for Oily Skin

To provide moisture, soften and  keep skin looking healthy

• 2 teaspoons of finely ground oatmeal
• 1 teaspoon of avocado
• 1 teaspoon of honey

Blend ingredients in a bowl forming a thick paste. Massage the mask onto damp face in a circular motion, and then rinse with warm water

4. Baking Soda Blackhead Scrub

To eliminate blackheads

• 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon of baking soda
• 2 tablespoons water

Blend the ingredients in a bowl. Massage the mixture onto damp skin, and rinse with warm water

5. Banana and Sugar Face Scrub

To exfoliate and nourish your skin

• 1 ripe, peeled banana
• ¼ cup of granulated sugar
• ¼ cup of dark brown sugar

Mash the banana in a bowl, add the other ingredients blending them into a paste.  Massage the paste onto your face, leave on for 10-15 minutes and then rinse with warm water

6. Egg Yolk, Honey, and Olive Oil Mask

This combination is perfect for dry skin types

• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon of warm honey
• 1 teaspoon of olive oil

Blend the ingredients in a bowl. Massage the mixture onto your skin, leave on for 15 minutes, and rinse with warm water

7. Cucumber and Yogurt Face Mask

This is the perfect mask to revive your skin

• ½ cucumber
• 1 tablespoon of yogurt

Blend the ingredients in a blender, massage mixture onto skin, leave on for 15 minutes and rinse with cool water

8. Orange Juice and Honey Mask

For a healthy glow

• 3 tablespoons of orange juice (no pulp)
• ½ cup of warm honey

Blend the ingredients in a bowl, massage the mixture onto skin, leave on for 30 minutes, and rinse with warm water followed by cold water.

9. Papaya and Honey Mask

For those who have uneven pigment or sunspots

• ½ cup of ripe, mashed papaya
• 2 tablespoons of honey

Blend the ingredients in a bowl, massage the mixture onto skin, leave on for 15-20 minutes, and rinse with warm water

10. Vitamin C Mask

The perfect anti-aging mask

• ½ fresh, peeled, and mashed kiwi fruit
• 2 tablespoons of raw honey
• 2 drops of orange essential oil

Blend the ingredients in a blender, massage the mixture onto skin, leave on for 15-20 minutes and rinse with warm water

Skin care for the working woman

Women can credit the art of multi-tasking to themselves, but sometimes it’s just too much to handle. The work load never reduces and there’s always a war between extra sleep and the early morning jog. With such a hectic schedule we realize you need a few good skin care tips that are easy to follow too. 

• Unless you have oily skin, skip the face wash early morning. Splash your face copiously with water and follow with your usual makeup. 

• Women with oily skin should apply ice over their face before travelling, since this makes it difficult for grime to get deeper into the pores. 

• On days that you have just a few extra minutes to spare, opt for a gentle exfoliation treatment. Eliminating dead cells adds an instant glow to your face. 

• When you have no time to fit in an elaborate night time regime during the week, a serum and eye cream are products you should remain loyal to. Never miss applying them before you go to bed.

• While there’s not enough time to pamper your skin during the week, make up for it over the weekend. Opt for steaming, cleansing treatments, intense exfoliation therapies and good hydration. These are essentials in any skin care routine.

Glossy Lip Balm Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. + 1 heaping Tablespoon Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
• 1.5 tsp vitamin E Essential Oil (You can use the gel caps or the dropper formula)
• 2 oz Cosmetic Grade Beeswax
• Plastic Lip Balm Containers 
• Optional: 25 drops vanilla essential oil or peppermint essential oil (or whatever scent you prefer, just make sure to use an essential oil for fragrance)
• Optional: A slice of your favorite colored lip stick if you’d like to add a slight tint to the balm.

Other Items:

• Sauce pan & metal mason jar lid ring
• wooden Spoon

Step one: The first step is to place your coconut oil, beeswax, and vitamin E oil into a glass measuring cup. The vitamin E will act as a moisturizer and preservative, the coconut oil is our moisturizer, and the beeswax will hold everything together.

Step two: Next, get a pan and fill it about half way with water and bring it to a boil. I also put a metal mason jar lid inside of ours to create a homemade double boiler type contraption. You do not want to place the glass measuring cup right in your pan as it may crack from the heat.

Step three: Once the water is at a slight boil, place your glass measuring cup into the water to melt the oils. After all of the oils are melted together, the beeswax will take the longest, you should have a nice golden liquid.

Adding Fragrance & Flavoring to Your Balm: (Optional)

Do this while your balm is still over the heat so that the cooler oil doesn’t cause your balm to solidify again. Add either a vanilla essential oil or peppermint essential oil scent to it using essential oils. You can also add in flavoring.

• Fragrance: Keep in mind some oils are stronger than others, so you might consider adding a few drops at a time until the scent is to your liking.
• Flavoring: To test the flavor of your balm, you can dab a small amount onto your lips. Keep in mind that the flavors get a bit stronger as the balm solidifies.

Once the balm is scented & flavored to your liking, carefully pour it into your containers and allow to cool fully.