Category: Beauty & Bath

If you’re a 90’s baby like me, you probably grew up loving the big colorful candles you can buy at the mall. They smell amazing, right? But, unfortunately, in recent years a lot of information has come out about artificial fragrances used in most commercially made candles being toxic to our health. Making your own beeswax candle at home using only essential oils to create the fragrance is really easy and much better for us to have lit around our family.

Beeswax Candle with Two Ingredients:

• Beeswax

• Essential Oils

That is it! How is easy, right? You might not have beeswax readily available but don’t fret, you can buy a bag on amazon HERE and have it at your door in two days or less. 

To be honest, this beeswax candle recipe does require using a lot of essential oils which can be a bit pricey, especially depending on the brand you use. It would be more cost-effective to put a few drops of your essential oils into a diffuser, however, this candle does put off a beautiful aroma and lasts a while depending on how often you light it. I usually light my candles once a day for an hour or two and this 4oz candle lasts about 3-4 weeks.

Essential Oil Combinations for Candles:

Sweet Orange

This recipe uses a sweet orange essential oil, which is my absolute favorite. This scent is great for any time of year. In the summer it makes me feel like I’m on a tropical vacation but in the winter It creates a cozy and warm feeling in the house. 

Citronella

Citronella is the best oil to use in the summer, especially if you live in the south and deal with a crazy amount of mosquitos like me. It is one of the best natural mosquito detergents there is, I also like to have one of these candles going during the summer whether it is next to our grill outside while I’m cooking or just in the house to keep them away. 

Lavender

Almost everyone loves the scent of lavender and lavender essential oil has so many uses and benefits. Check out my blog post on the Uses and Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil to learn more. 

Eucalyptus + Balsam Fir 

This scent combination is great for a cozy winter day. The smell of fir trees with the sweet hint of eucalyptus makes for the perfect relaxing environment.

Holiday Season Blend

Of course, this particular blend by plant therapy is amazing for Christmas time. Looking to get in the Christmas spirit, and relax by the tree with a fire going? Use this oil in your candle! The blend consists of cinnamon and clove oils however there are tons of different Christmas combinations you could make on your own.

Beeswax Candle vs. Soy Wax Candle

Beeswax is a safe non-toxic option to use when it comes to making candles. Although it is a little bit tricky to deal with (I’ll explain later), there are no added chemicals or artificial ingredients. When choosing a pre-made wax like soy, there is often paraffin in the wax. Paraffin wax can be derived from petroleum, oil shale, or coal. When you think about it, that is not something we should be inhaling when our candles are going. To make your candles the least toxic It is best to use organic pure beeswax with essential oils as the fragrance.

How to Make a Beeswax Candle

What You Need:

• 100% Beeswax, I like this one
• Essential Oil of Choice
• Candle Container
• Utensil to Stir
• Candle Wick
• Dried Flowers (Optional)

Directions:

1. You will want to start with an old tin container, like one leftover from canned beans or maybe an old coffee tin. This is because beeswax can be nearly impossible to wash out of a bowl since it dries quickly and is very hard when solid. It is also important to use a stirring utensil that you do not care about, I use an old wooden knife that I have dedicated to beeswax candle making. 
2. Prepare your candle container by adding a wick to the middle of the container. Have your essential oil bottle close by and ready to use.
3. Fill a small to medium size pot with water approximately 1/3 of the way up, bringing the water to a boil. 
4. Once the water is boiling, add your beeswax into the tin container. Set the tin container inside the boiling water. The tin will get hot so be sure to use oven-mitts or something similar to protect your hands. 
5. Consistently stir the beeswax using whatever utensil you chose. The beeswax should melt in about 5-7 minutes. Once the beeswax has melted it is important to work quickly since it does dry fast. 
6. Pour the melted beeswax into an empty candle container of your choosing. Quickly add in 30-50 drops of whatever essential oil you have chosen. The more drops you add the more fragrant your candle will be. 
7. If you are choosing to use dried flowers as I do, now is the time to add them. Be sure you have crushed the dried flowers to almost a powder so they don’t cause a large flame when coming in contact with the fire. Simply sprinkle the dried flowers on top of the beeswax before it has melted.
8. When the essential oil has been added be sure not to touch the candle anymore until it dries, the essential oil will sink and move around throughout the beeswax before drying, spreading the fragrance around. 
9. The candle should be dry in about an hour or two depending on the temperature inside your home. You can put the candle in your fridge to speed up the process however the wax might sink in or crack if you do this so I suggest leaving it out on the counter to dry.
10. Once the beeswax candle has set completely you can trim your wick down and light the candle! Enjoy!

Want More DIY Recipes? Check These Out!

• Homemade Diaper Rash Cream
• Anti-Aging Green Tea Eye Cream
• Lavender Rose Bath Soak Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links, I may receive commissions for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. 

I recently shared my homemade shampoo bar recipe on the blog, you can check that out here, so now is the perfect time to share my favorite coconut milk conditioner recipe. This recipe is simple and the perfect pairing to use after the homemade shampoo bar.

If you’re like me, conditioner is a must in my haircare routine. I have thick, wavy, and coarse hair that gets tangled very easily if I don’t use any conditioner which is why I created this coconut milk conditioner recipe. With most of the recipes I make, it comes from a need. Usually, that need is to find a natural alternative to most products on the market which is exactly what happened with this recipe as well.

Many conditioners have tons of ingredients, most of which I can’t pronounce, and even the ones that claim to be natural are not always natural. My coconut milk conditioner recipe is truly natural, you know every ingredient going into it, and it works on my thick hair! 

Natural Ingredients Used in this Recipe:

Coconut Milk

Castile Soap

Sweet Almond Oil

Essential Oils

Coconut Milk for Hair:

Usually, you see coconut oil used in a wide variety of skincare and haircare products, but you don’t see coconut milk as an ingredient too often. That’s usually because it is only shelf-stable for about a month or two and most store-bought products are meant to last years on a shelf, hence the immense list of unpronounceable ingredients.

Coconut milk, like its counterpart coconut oil, has many benefits for hair. One of the main benefits of using a coconut-based product is the lauric acid found in coconuts. According to this article, “This long-chain/medium-chain fatty acid is known for its ability to penetrate hair easily and help strengthen the cuticle.”

Another benefit to using coconut milk in haircare products like this coconut milk conditioner recipe is less dandruff. Coconut milk is very moisturizing to the scalp and hair. Dandruff is typically derived from a dry scalp and using many products that include chemicals can contribute to drying out the scalp even more. The moisturizing properties in coconut milk are essential to stopping dandruff from a dry scalp. 

Castile Soap for Hair:

Castile soap is not a normal ingredient found in a homemade conditioner recipe because it is usually used in shampoo, like my homemade shampoo bar recipe, however, using soap after any oil-based products is important. Most shampoo, homemade or not, has oil in it. Oil-based products are great for moisturizing however they can leave the hair greasy, therefore finishing up your haircare routine with a conditioner that has soap in it can take away any oily residue leftover from shampoo. 

Sweet Almond Oil for Hair:

Almond oil is great for leaving hair feeling soft. According to this article, “Almond oil is an emollient, meaning it can fill in gaps in your hair at a cellular level. That makes your hair feel smoother to the touch. Using almond oil on your hair gives it a softer texture over time. Once almond oil is incorporated into your hair care routine, you may also notice that your hair is easier to comb through and style.”

The great benefit to using almond oil in hair care products is that it is not a temporary fix to dry hair, it works at a deeper level to repair and create smooth hair indefinitely. 

Essential Oils for Hair:

Essential oils are great for so many things, including hair care products. Different oils hold so many different benefits to the hair. In this particle coconut milk conditioner recipe, I used lavender essential oil to pair nicely with my homemade shampoo bar that also uses lavender essential oils however, that is not necessary at all. The possibilities are close to endless when it comes to what oils can be used in this recipe. 

Single Essential Oils for Hair:

Rosemary

Tea Tree

Lemongrass

Thyme

Lavender

Peppermint

Ylang Ylang

Cedarwood

Geranium

Essential Oil Blends for Women’s Hair:

Geranium

Tea Tree

Lavender

Essential Oil Blends for Men’s Hair:

Cedarwood

Lemongrass

Thyme

How to Make Coconut Milk Conditioner:

What you Need:

• 1 Can Full-Fat Coconut Milk (see notes)
• 1/4 Cup Liquid Unscented Castile Soap
• 1 Tsp Sweet Almond Oil (see notes)
• 20 Drops of Essential Oil, I used lavender. 

Directions:

• If your can of coconut milk is in the fridge, take it out and allow it to come to room temperature. Once at room temperature, shake your can of coconut milk really well to ensure it is somewhat mixed.
• Add the entire can of coconut milk to a mixing bowl along with the rest of the ingredients.
• Once all ingredients have been added to the bowl, whisk vigorously until everything is mixed together and there are no clumps of coconut milk.
• Pour this into a container and set it in your shower. This will last 1-2 months in the shower, just make sure to check periodically to make sure there is no mold since coconut milk is technically a food product. 

Notes:

• It is important to use full-fat coconut milk in order to get a thick conditioner. If you were to use regular coconut milk that comes in a half-gallon contained at the store the mixture will be pure liquid and nearly impossible to use. 
• I prefer sweet almond oil due to its benefits for hair however there are many other oils that can be used in place of this. A few great oils for hair are argan oil and jojoba oil.

Check out more of my homemade Beauty & Bath recipes here:

Shampoo Bar Recipe

Homemade Diaper Rash Cream

DIY Essential Oil Gifts

This post may contain affiliate links, I may receive commissions for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. 

Activated charcoal has different uses and can provide benefits to the body in many ways. This charcoal face mask DIY is great for cleansing the skin, unclogging pores, and making your skin feel smooth. Most charcoal face mask DIY recipes include bentonite clay however that might not be something you typically have on hand. I created this recipe with simple ingredients I already had in my home, making it easy for everyone to make on their own. 

this mask is made with:

• Activated Charcoal Powder
• Aloe Vera ( I use this, but you can also use the fresh gel from an aloe vera plant)
• Raw Honey
• Essential Oils (optional)
• Vitamin E Oil

Benefits of Activated Charcoal on Skin:

A great benefit to using activated charcoal on your skin, like in this charcoal face mask DIY, is that it is an exfoliating ingredient however, it does not strip the face of its natural oils.

Charcoal is well known for being deeply cleansing and removing blackheads, this is great for anyone who deals with acne on their face.

You might notice your skin feeling a little tight after using this mask, that is because activated charcoal, when used on the skin, can have detoxifying and purifying effects, causing the skin to tighten.

Benefits of Aloe Vera for the Face:

Aloe Vera is packed full of vitamins and nutrients that are beneficial to our skin including vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene. This combination of vitamins is great for fighting skin aging.

Anti-inflammatory is another great benefit of aloe vera, this is especially helpful to those who deal with acne. Red and inflamed pimples are common when you have acne, the anti-inflammatory properties present with the aloe vera in this charcoal face mask can help reduce that redness and inflammation. 

Benefits of Honey for Skin:

Honey is commonly consumed in meals and not typically associated with skincare products however, honey is extremely beneficial to the skin. According to this article, “honey contains antioxidants, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties, along with moisturizing properties, it helps to deeply penetrate the skin, soften the skin layers and work to remove impurities from pores including dirt that causes blackheads.” 

Soft Skin Essential Oil:

For this charcoal face mask DIY, I used an essential oil blend from the brand Plant Therapy, called “soft skin”. I’m sure you can guess by the name why I used this blend because it is filled with essential oils that help create soft skin! You can purchase that particular blend right here. Although, If you do not want to use that specific blend, here is a list of some essential oils known to make skin soft:

Essential Oils for Soft Skin:

• Frankincense 
• Lavender
• Copaiba
• Tea Tree
• Geranium
• Sweet Orange
• Rose
• Ylang Ylang 

Using essential oils in this recipe is optional, if you do use essential oils, be sure to follow the recipe exactly to ensure the oils are diluted properly. 

Benefits of Vitamin E Oil for Skin:

Vitamin E oil is very moisturizing for the skin, if you deal with dry flaky skin, adding vitamin E oil to skincare products can be of tremendous help in moisturizing the dry skin. 

How to use a Charcoal Face Mask

Start by washing your face with water and drying the skin completely. Apply the face mask using a clean makeup brush or your fingers. Once applied, keep it on for 15-20 minutes.

The skin on your face might start to feel tight, this is totally normal and means the mask is working! 

The charcoal face mask might seem a bit runny, but that’s okay. It should firm up once applied to the skin, just be sure not to wear any nice clothes while using this mask as it may drip at first.

IMPORTANT! Rinse off the charcoal face mask with whatever facial soap you use. Charcoal is black and can stick if not rinsed off with soap.  

Store this in an airtight container, keeping it in the fridge. This should last for approximately 2 uses. Disregard the mask after a week in the fridge and make a new one if you want to use it again, with fresh ingredients like honey and aloe vera it is best to not keep it for longer than a week to avoid bacteria growth. 

What you need:

• 2 Tablespoons Aloe Vera, I use this (see notes)
• 1 Tablespoon Raw Honey (see notes)
• 1/2 teaspoon Vitamin E Oil
• 1/2 Teaspoon Activated Charcoal Powder
• 4 drops Soft Skin Essential Oil (I use this)

How to make a Charcoal Face Mask 

• Mix all of the ingredients until the mixture is smooth. 
• Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Notes:

• If you have an aloe vera plant in your home, you could simply open up a leaf, scoop out the aloe vera gel and use that. If it is too sticky just blend the gel until its a smooth consistency.
• The honey does not have to be raw however, raw honey has much more micronutrients and antioxidants that are beneficial to the skin.

Checkout this video tutorial on how to make the charcoal face mask DIY

https://naturalrootedhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/blog-charcoal-face-mask-1.mp4

Want more skincare and beauty recipes? Check these out!

• Green Tea Body Scrub Recipe
• Homemade Lavender Body Scrub
• Roll-On Essential Oil Perfume Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links, I may receive commissions for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.