Happy Tuesday Nature Lovers!

Any Game of Thrones Fans out there still recovering from the end of the show? Any thoughts??

Sigh

I spent a good amount of time this weekend chasing toddlers, soothing newborns, driving with my pre-teen and making batches of make-up & skin care products since I was about out of everything I use and love.

I ran out of mascara months ago and didn’t feel like making more (idunnolazymovedin) so I bought a cheap dollar store tube, used it, felt guilty, got over the guilty feelings, used it some more, got less lazy, then made a fresh new batch of my DIY version. It will probably last me the rest of the year. probably last me more than that.

** on that note I should probably invest in at least a decent quality back up mascara so the next time lazy moves in I won’t be running the the dumb ole dollar store for a quick tube of ick **

I DO love my DIY mascara, I did use a different oil base this time so I will report back later if this version acts the same, better, worse,  and at the same time I am reminded that it ISN’T waterproof but it IS actually good for me, my eyelashes, my eyes, my body, the environment.. you get it.

so…be lazy, suffer guilt, (if you are me) and use crap that is waterproof ish

or

make my own and rock it.

yeah. DIY

One of the biggest items on my list was another batch of my whipped after shave cream. ( need a better name for this)  so name aside, its delicious, smells amaaazing  & divine; imagine coffee/florals and lime…also imagine that it smells amazing so it doesn’t matter that those 3 ingredients do not conjure up anything you can wrap your brain around but trust me it works)

I also made a little sample of a hibiscus facial scrub a couple of weeks ago by mixing a bit of this delicious whipped cream with some hibiscus infused oil I was playing with.  Being that I was determined to use up every last drop, it was still gritty with the Hibiscus powder and coffee so, naturally, it lent itself to being a great SCRUB.

** I learned not that long ago (thank you Alex) that Hibiscus is called the “Botox Plant” so you know THAT got my attention.  **

I did a bunch of reading, and digging out my herb books.  What I am finding is really making me happy.  I know several woman who get botox treatments and being the weenie that I am, I just run for the hills.  Yet, admittedly, I long for that smooth wrinkle -free skin, especially between my eyes.  I squint all the time so I have a nice little groove now.

thank you 40’s.

Therefore if Hibiscus can help smooth that out, then lets get crackin’!

I do have a little happy hibiscus plant growing in a pot in my front yard, so being that it is organically grown and flowering like crazy, I decided to begin harvesting these petals along with the rose and camellia petals I now collect.  I have a pretty nice collection of dried/and dry-ing petals now.

Hibiscus tea is another way to infuse the healing, nourishing and skin loving properties into and onto our bodies, so I added together Hibiscus AND Rose, to make a batch of tea for a few products this week.

Into a glass mister I added this tea, a few drops of jasmine essential oil and vitamin E for some delicious soul nourishing mist.

So first thing in the morning after a face wash and quick exfoliation,  I apply my freshly made “botox” Hibiscis – Coffee scrub to my forehead especially, cheeks (okay my whole face and neck) and let that sit while I meditate and let the coffee brew.

15-20 m later …  I love to take a hot washcloth and wash it all off.

Now with glowing skin I use my Hibiscus – Rose Mist and generously apply to my face and neck (probably hair, floor, walls and counter because it is heaven)

Being well hydrated, I like to seal it all in with either my face serum now infused with hibiscus powder and go start my day.

You can also make this tea blend into a toner.  With the same tea I add in a tsp of my calendula infused witch hazel and apply to my freshly washed face ( I also do this at night) with a cotton ball.

Rich in Anti-oxidents this blend helps ward off those menacing free-radicals,  and can reduce skin inflammation.

If  you want to really kick it up a notch and reap the age defying properties of Hibiscus, mash a couple of fresh petals (only if they are organically grown) with a mortar and pestle, adding in a few drops of sweet almond or maybe carrot seed oil, find a light oil you love, and then make a mask out of the freshly mashed petals.   The naturally occurring Alpha Hydroxy Acids in the flowers do wonders to keeping aging skin looking firm and youthful.

Hibiscus is reported to be a wonderful for hair health and prolonging gray hair (SWEET)

Want a luxurious bath?  Float a few fresh hibiscus flowers and a sprinkling of rose petals in with your warm water.  A glass of wine, music, candles… and you have yourself some A+ self time to soak away stress, aches and pains and simply just allow yourself some quality quiet time.  (Sometimes I work on articles or read my schoolbooks.   Sort of not the same effect but who doesn’t love working in a warm tub of floral bliss?)

I love the Hibiscus-Rose Combination for hair and skin. I feel its a 1-2 kick to slowing the signs of aging and tired skin.  It is also WONDERFUL, BEAUTIFUL, and a great way to take what you grow and expand its uses beyond cut flowers in a pretty jar.

The next thing you can bet I am going to try is to pulse dried hibiscus petals to see if the natural pigments will make a decent natural eye-shadow!

Speaking of all natural plant makeup, a while back I harvested some camellia Japonica (camellias) and I just made some wonderful apricot colored eye-shadow in plain, and  one with a light shimmer;  it makes a great eye shadow,  or light bronzer (for us fair-er types).

 

So there you have it flower fans!  A fresh new bouquet of uses for flowers now including HIBISCUS!  If you grow any (ORGANICALLY, we don’t want any chemicals on your skin or in your body please) or can find an organic source of dried or even FRESH hibiscus flowers try adding this to your hair and skin care routine.  I believe you will find it so rewarding.

Side note:

** I know I focus on natural beauty and simple, chemical-free body products, but Hibiscus is ALSO a wonderful antioxidant, may help lower blood pressure, blood fat levels, boost liver health, helps fight bacteria, assist with weight loss and more.  I always like to remind you to enjoy a cup of TEA along with any topical uses.  I am a firm believer in Holistic practices which, in simple terms means the whole body health.  The healthier we keep our bodies AND minds the happier we will feel.  That simply equates to a happy exterior as well as glowing healthy skin and hair.

What a wonderful world we live in.

♥

The content on this blog is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. I am not a medical professional and the information contained on this blog should not be used to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease or health illness. Please consult with a qualified health care professional before acting on any information presented here. Any statements or claims about the possible health benefits conferred by any foods, supplements, essential oils, or lifestyle changes have not been evaluated by medical professional or the Food & Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information provided herein is for educational purposes only.