Must haves...

My beauty arsenal is pretty simple. My mantra? Get in and get out. No longer are the days of hanging out in the bathroom for a 15 step beauty routine. I want stuff that works, and that works well. I've tried just about everything out there. Okay, maybe that's a bit extreme, but I have invested in my fair share of fan-favorites and I'm happy to say that, for the time being, I'm very content and pleased with what sits in my cupboard. Here are my can't-live-withouts. Most of them are super accessible and affordable. One or 2 you might need to find online, but it's well worth the effort, trust me.

1. Derma E Glycolic Facial Cleanser with Marine Extract. I love this stuff more than....well, more than any other cleanser I've EVER used (and that's big, homies). A little goes a long, and I mean LONG way. It leaves your skin super smooth and even and never tight. It's pretty much the cat's meow in my opinion. I found mine at Meijer for roughly around $13.

2.  Purpose Dual Treatment Moisture Lotion with SPF 15. First of all, I never leave the house without an SPF on. Since I have fairly oily skin which has become increasingly so during this pregnancy I LOVE that this moisturizer is lightweight, never greasy and smells...I don't know...just clean. Again, I found this at Meijer for about $9 (a B-A-R-G-A-I-N) in my opinion.

3.  Tea Tree Oil. I cannot live without this goodie. I use it every night  without fail. I mix a dab in with my moisturizer in the morning. As horrible as it smells (sorry Gabe) I LOVE it. Being pregnant pretty much eliminates an entire list of beauty products that you can no longer use so I had to get a little creative. I found a great article on the benefits of tea tree oil. One of the main reasons that I use it currently is for acne, or more for warding it off. Because I can't use any traditional acne treatments, I turn to this natural remedy and, let me tell you, I will never use anything again. I'm a convert for life. (Not to mention I use this in a myriad of DIY, green cleaning products around the house). I'm pretty sure that you can find this almost anywhere. I believe that I found mine at Wal-Mart for a minimal $3.

4. Nutiva Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil. I love the smell of coconut so this was a real winner for me. I believe that I first discovered this gem over at Fresh Mommy quite a while back where she talked about using this oil for a body moisturizer. I'm always up for trying something new so I ordered some and I've been impressed ever since. My first encounter was while I was pregnant with Ethan. I had tried Bio Oil and the tried-and-true Palmer's and wasn't really impressed with either. And then I slathered this on the bump and I instantly fell head over heels. You literally only have to use a dime sized amount of this stuff to cover a pretty large area (and trust me, I know a thing or two about large areas these days...hee hee). And bonus, there's a million and one things you can do coconut oil (besides cook with it). Check out Fresh Mommy for a great video on how to concoct a simple, moisturizing hair mask with your Nutiva.

5. For an occasional mask, I use the Queen Helen Mint Julip Mask. I'm pretty sure that this green wonder has been around forever and there's good reason. It's wonderful. Normally a lover of masks in the evening, I've actually found that I enjoy putting this on in the morning. Since it's very minty, it's a nice wake-up in the morning. I like to put it on and then jump in the shower to let the steam help the mask work it's magic. You can find this at many drug stores, beauty supply stores and online. I found mine at Sallys and paid all of about $4 for it.

6. And last is a homemade citrus scrub. I found this recipe on Paula Deen's website and it works great (not to mention that it smells like summer in a glass jar). I keep it next to the tub and, when I'm feeling like relaxing (which is next to never), I scrub away. It leaves your skin impeccably smooth and smelling like an orange grove.

And that's it. What I love most is that my entire "beauty routine" (if you can really even call it that) takes me less than 2 minutes. I'll always be a skin-care fanatic, I just appreciate and take care of it a lot quicker than I used to.

Put your pretty pants on

Ok gals, it's time for us to learn how to get pretty.

Let me start by saying that I wish I were more "girly", whatever that means. I rarely paint my nails and when I do it narrowly escapes my obsession with trying to peel off my polish in one piece (odd, I know). I can't remember when the last time I painted my toe nails was or when I shaved my legs for that matter. (Okay, that last one's a lie, but it was last week...................EEEEEK). I suck at doing my hair, hence my coveted ponytail holders and black stretchy headband things that are ALWAYS on my wrist, ready at a moments notice to destroy any lame attempt I may have made at a "do". I'm not a big makeup wearer. It's hit or miss if I put any on (though, trust me, I do look better with it). 

I am attempting more of an effort to get prettied-up, especially in this dull-dreary, no sunshine weather we've been experiencing.  I need a little pick-me-up and thought I'd share my pretty discoveries. Not only are these  fantastic homemade scrubs and other lovelies just the ticket, they would look adorable in your bathroom. Bonus. Bath "stuff" that doubles as decoration ? Well, count me in

This pretty scrub is from Deliciously Organized

Delicious Scrub Recipe

1 cup organic cane sugar

1/3 cup celtic sea salt

1/2 cup organic coconut oil

2-3 tablespoons almond oil

1 tablespoon Vitamin E

Lavender Essential Oil

 Doesn't this look good enough to eat? (Maybe a little gritty though, eh?)

And I love these bath fizzies from Martha Stewart

Tools and Materials
1/2 cup citric acid
1 cup baking soda
3/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup organic cane sugar
About 6 drops food coloring
10 to 15 drops essential oil(s)
Special equipment: 2-ounce travel-size spray bottle, plastic pipette, silicone ice-cube tray, storage jars

Directions
1. Stir together citric acid, baking soda, and cornstarch in a glass measuring cup. 

2. Pass mixture through a fine sieve or a flour sifter into a mixing bowl. Stir in sugar. 

3. Fill spray bottle with water, and add food coloring. Spritz mixture lightly (it should become damp but not fizzy) until you can pack mixture with your hands. 

4. Using pipette, add oil, 1 drop at a time, until strength of scent is to your liking. Using a metal spoon or your hands, mix ingredients until color is even throughout (mixture will begin to dry out; when this happens, spritz until packable again). 

5. Spoon into ice-cube tray, pressing firmly. Let dry at room temperature overnight. Pop out of tray gently. Transfer to jars.

I love how lemon-y this looks. Again, I want to eat it ! 

Citrus Salt Body Scrub (thank you Paula Deen)

1/2 cup sea salt
1/2 cup sweet almond oil
(can substitute light olive oil or vegetable oil)
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon orange zest

Directions

In a medium dry bowl, combine all ingredients making sure to not let any water touch them as it will dissolve the salt. Pour mixture into an airtight container and store in a cool dry place.

To use: Just before showering, swirl ingredients together with your fingertips to mix. Clean body completely and just before exiting shower, apply Citrus Salt Body Scrub to body in a firm circular scrubbing motion with hands or a soft washcloth. Rinse off the mixture and pat body dry with a clean towel.

And here's another one from Paula Deen, a Honey Almond Bath Soap

Ingredients 

1 cup sweet almond oil (you may substitute a light olive oil)
1/2 cup Savannah Bee Company honey (you may substitute any local or organic honey)
1/2 cup liquid hand soap
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions

In a medium bowl, add the oil and slowly stir in the remaining ingredients until fully incorporated. Pour mixture through a funnel into a clean plastic bottle with a squeeze top. Be sure to shake gently before using. Squeeze desired amount under running water into a bathtub. Step in and enjoy a silky luxurious bath that will moisturize your skin while you soak.

I don't know about you, but I think I've just been inspired to want to grab my razor, shave my legs and soak in an Almond Honey bath. Enjoy homies!


P.S.I have an upcoming post on a Hand Made Christmas and I think that some of these would make perfect gifts