DIY Homemade Lavender and Rose Bath Bombs

My whole family love bath bombs!  They are a wonderful way to relax in the tub after a long day of work, school, cooking, or running around the house (that’s more of my activity, not my kids…in case you wonder!) If you haven’t tried them yet, I highly recommend that you give them a try. 




The first time we tried them was during our family vacation.   We simply purchased a bag from the drug store while we were supposed to pick up a few bottled water for our hotel stay.  Boy oh boy, we were addicted to them right the way!    It’s smells wonderful, fun to use with the fizzing and make bath time so much more relaxing and enjoyable!  The only down side of the store bought bath bombs?  They could be quite expensive!



That’s one of the main reason why I’m making my own now!  Besides saving money, I can also tailor these bath bombs to my own preferences of scents and ingredients!



There are a few must-have ingredients and I’ll explained to you why.  First item on the list is baking soda. 

Baking Soda:

In addition to complementing the citrus acid, baking soda is also the key to create the fizzing reaction.  Kids went crazy (crazily happy and excited, I should add) when the fizzing started!   Which introduced to the second ingredient, citric acid.
(Get yours here: https://goo.gl/U4cAyF)


Citrus Acid:

Another requirement to generate the fizzing reaction is the citrus acid.  I usually get it online and I’ll list the link below for your convenience.  It’s so much fun to watch and feel the fizz in the tub!  I feel like I’m bathing in a tub of champagne!  The Citrus Acid also acts as a natural preservative.
(Get yours here: https://goo.gl/8wbV1a)






Another ingredient for the recipe is corn starch. 

Corn Starch:

It yields a silky and smooth texture that you don’t get from other ingredients.  It also helps absorb the extra liquid in the bath bombs.  You can substitute with arrow root powder as well.  I usually have both in the kitchen as thicken agents in my cooking.
(Get your Corn Starch here: https://goo.gl/oXvfCo) 
(Get your Arrow Root Starch here: https://goo.gl/V7U379)


Epsom salt:

You can also use sea salt, or a mix of both as well.  It provides the minerals for your skin and help you relax and de-stressed! 
(Get your Epsom Salt here: https://goo.gl/b3XhjQ)
(Get your Sea Salt here: https://goo.gl/9cdcXX)






Essential Oil and Coconut Oil:

Essential oil and coconut oil are also needed in this bath bomb recipe.  They help hydrate your skin and keep your skin feeling silky smooth and soft!  You can also use avocado oil or almond oil if you like them better.
(Get your Lavender Essential Oil here: https://goo.gl/viW48P)
(Get your Rose Essential Oil here: https://goo.gl/TvcbYJ)







Witch Hazel Toner:

Last but not least, the witch hazel toner (you can use other alcohol-free toner as well).  If you don’t have it, water work just fine.  You do need the moisture in the mixture so that the bath bomb can come together for shaping.  The toner is also good for your skin and since I already have it available, it is what I used.  
(Get yours here: https://goo.gl/L3iV2b)




Dried Lavender and Dried Rose Petals:

Besides looking gorgeous and adding a bit of natural colors to the bath bombs, they also add wonderful natural floral aromas into the bath bombs.
(Get your dried lavender here: https://goo.gl/nF3Koc)(Get your dried Rose tea buds here: https://goo.gl/qMpZrf)


Soap Coloring:

The soap coloring is pretty much optional.  I think they make the bath bomb look more fancy and perfect if you’re giving them as homemade gifts.  But please only use soap coloring and not food coloring.  You don’t want the bath bombs to stain your skin nor the bath tubs!
(Get yours here: https://goo.gl/uCL6Vo)







That’s pretty much it!  I hope you’ll give this recipe a try and make some of these gorgeous bath bombs at home soon!  I’m sure you’ll love them! Please watch the video tutorial on the step by step instructions.  They are so much fun and so easy to make as well!



Tools and Ingredients Used:
Baking Soda (Click here for more information)
Citrus Acid (Click here for more information)
Corn Starch (Click here for more information)
Arrow Root powder (Click here for more information)
Lavender Epsom Salt (Click here for more information)
Sea Salt (Click here for more information)
Lavender Essential oil (Click here for more information)
Rose Essential Oil (Click here for more information)
Soap coloring (Click here for more information)
Witch Hazel (Click here for more information)
Bath Bomb Mold (Click here for more information)
Dried Lavender (Click here for more information)
Dried Rose Tea Buds (Click here for more information)
Small Spray Bottles (Click here for more information)
Small Funnel (Click here for more information)
Wilton Icing Flowers (Click here for more information)
Rose Shaped Silicone Mold (Click here for more information)




Disclosure: uTry.it is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

How to Make Brown Sugar Lip Scrub

California is in a serious drought lately.  Unfortunately, so are my lips!  I couldn’t believe I traveled to the desert (Las Vegas) without bringing my lip balm.  To add to that, a few nights of staying at the hotel room with constant air conditioning only made things worse.  Plus, I simply forgot to stay hydrated with all the busy activities going on.  So, when I got home and back to my normal routine, I realized my lips were all cracked up and super dry (see picture below)!  No fun at all!



Fortunately, this homemade Brown Sugar Lip Scrub is super easy to make and I already have both ingredients handy in my pantry!  Yup, there are only 2 ingredients in this recipe and it works wonder on my super dry lips!



All you need to do is mix equal parts of brown sugar and coconut oil together.  I use about 2 tablespoons each.  Simply mash them up in a clean bowl with a fork;  and you’ve got your lip scrub ready to use!  I stored mine in small containers for easy access.   You can store the remaining in a cool dry place for future use.




When ready to use, wash and dry your hands.  Take a small amount of the Brown Sugar Lip Scrub and gently rub it on your lips.  Massage with finger tips for about 30 seconds.  Then, you can use a clean cloth or tissue to wipe your lips clean.  Hm….and it tastes great too!  It’s totally safe if you “accidentally” swallow a little of the scrub.  Since my lips were so dry, I used the lip scrub once in the morning and once at night to speed up the process. 




This picture below is taken after 2 usages only.  Can you see the improvement on my lips already?  No more cracked surface!  It’s totally amazing to see the results, don’t you agree?!



I’m happy to report that my lips are back to normal now.  Since then, I continue to use the lip scrub once or twice a week, just to keep the skin on my lips healthy and shiny. 



So, whether you have dry lips or not, this Brown Sugar Lip Scrub is wonderful to have around the house.  I don’t know about you, but I do want to keep my lips kissable and beautiful!



One more look at the “Before and After” picture below just to compared.  My lips were back to normal after just 2 days using the lip scrub.  So amazing!

How To Make Homemade Hot Oil Hair Treatment

I love the cooler temperature of Autumn, but not so much the dry weather.  Unfortunately, they go hand in hand.  Not only my skin gets dry easily in Fall, but also my hair.  Especially with the area towards the ends of my hair.  It sometimes gets so dry and fuzzy, which is not too much fun to deal with.  On the other hand, my scalp gets pretty oily on a daily basis.  That makes me feel uncomfortable not to shampoo my hair everyday.  But isn't more washing will dry out the ends of my hair even more?  That sounds like a snowball effect!  Do you have the same issue?  Well, this Homemade Hot Oil Hair Treatment might be the solution for you, too.  It helps to balance out the oil and moisture in our hair.  It’s super simple to prepare and only requires a few ingredients.
 


For this Homemade Hot Oil Hair Treatment, I did a little research on the internet to gather some useful information for you, such as the benefits of different types of oils, herbs, and essential oil (don't you think the internet is the greatest invention, besides my hot oil?)  Also, I summarized the information of when and how to use the hot oil treatment and some other general information.  Besides that, some are the tips that I learn from using this hot oil myself.

First of all, hot oil hair treatment is for all hair types.   The key is to customize it to suit your needs and your hair type.  Therefore, choosing the right ingredients for your hair type is important.  You can use a single type of oil, or a blend of a few, depending on your needs.  Here are some basics oil you can choose from and their benefits.  

Olive Oil: It conditions hair and improves elasticity.
Jojoba Oil: It’s best for oily hair. The jojoba oil is like our own natural skin and hair oils.  It will leave your hair soft and light, without weighing it down.
Avocado Oil: It is the the most moisturizing oils. Great for dry and frizzy hair.
Almond Oil: It relieves dry scalp, controls hair loss and smooth cuticle of strands
Rosemary Oil: It relieves dry scalp, stimulates follicles and slows premature hair loss.
Coconut Oil: It adds shines and soften your hair! Coconut oil is great for all hair types. It also helps in reduce dandruff.
Castor Oil: It helps strengthen the hair.  Perfect for fine hair that breaks easily.  However, castor oil might leave your hair dryer. So, use sparingly in the blend. It might be best is your hair is the oily type.
Sesame Oil: It is great for all hair type and adds shines to your hair. It also helps slow down hair loss, great to treat thinning hair.




Besides oils, I also love to infuse herbs in my Hot Oil Hair Treatments.  Here’s a list of what your hair might need to improve on and the types of herbs that you can choose.

Hair strengthening:  Use chamomile, horsetail, or arnica.
Hair Clarifying: Use rosemary, parsley, sage, or nutmeg.
Hair moisturizing: Use chamomile, lavender, dried rose petals, or aloe.
Stimulating hair growth: Use Peppermint, parsley, horsetail, sage, chamomile, ginger, or cinnamon.

If you don’t have the fresh or dried herbs on hand, you can substitute with essential oils as well.  Here’s what I use in my hot oil blend (see picture below).  I used Almond Oil, Avocado Oil, Jojoba Oil, Olive Oil, infused with fresh rosemary and a few drops of peppermint essential oil.   This hot oil blends balanced out the natural oil and moisture in my hair, clarify the hair, and stimulate growth.  I love the fragrant from the fresh rosemary and refreshing peppermint essential oil.



Here’s how I prepare my Hot Oil Hair Treatment (see picture below).  In a medium saucepan, heat a few inches of water on high until boiling. Then, reduce to low heat and keep water on a simmer. Measure* and place all ingredients (except the peppermint essential oil) in a heat proof bowl and place over the pot of simmering water.  Let the oil heat up slowly and infuse for 30 minutes.  When it's done, add the essential oil.

*Measurement details are in the recipe below.



In this particular recipe, I made enough oil for 2 treatments. That way, I don’t have to do the above prep work again. Saving time and energy, smart, huh? Check the recipe below for details in how to store and reheat the oil treatment.  I think this would make a wonderful hostess’ gift too, don’t you think?  I hope you’ll bookmark this recipe and save it for the holidays.  The homemade gift-giving season will arrive sooner than you think!



Here comes the fun part on how to apply this Hot Oil Hair Treatment.  I recommend you to cover your shoulder with a towel, or wear a t-shirt that you don’t care about.  Because the oil stains could be hard to wash out.   Just a side note, my natural hair color is black and I haven’t color my hair for over a year already.  Those brown color you see on the ends of my layered hair were from previous coloring + dryness.  Boy, the ends of my hair was so dry it’s not even funny!  I felt like combing hay every single morning!




Anyway, let’s get started!  Place the hot oil in a small bowl, around 2-3 tablespoons for medium length hair.  Dip your fingertips into the oil and gently massage the oil from scalp to end.  Take your time, relax and enjoy the process.





When all the oil is used, cover the hair with a shower cap. At this point, you can also add a damp and hot towel over the shower cap for better result. Leave it on for 30 minutes.  This would be the perfect opportunity to catch up on your TV soap, reading a novel, eating afternoon snacks, or do whatever that makes you happy!  Then, get into the shower and shampoo your hair. I usually shampoo twice after this hot oil treatment. Repeat oil treatment every 2 to 4 weeks. 




Pretty easy, right?  Ready to see the before and after picture?  I’m sure you do and I was so amazed by the result.  Keep in mind, this before and after picture was taken after only 1 use of the hot oil treatment.  And I will definitely continue with it and keep you posted on my hair’s condition after a while.




Taa-Daa…..here’s the close up!  My friends! 

See how the dry and probably damaged ends on my hair improved after the treatment?  My hair was so soft to the touch that I can’t stop touching my hair afterwards.  I wish I can let you feel the difference in texture of my hair after the treatment.






Now, you can probably see why I wanted to continue with this treatment, can't you?  Don't you think the result is amazing?  I hope you’ll give this Homemade Hot Oil Hair Treatment a try.  This homemade version is way more economical than getting a hot oil treatment in the salon and you can do it in the comfort of your own home.  What a bonus!  Best of all, you can blend the oil that’s tailored to your own needs.  Do you think you’ll give this a try?  I certainly hope so.




P.S.: I purchased most of the oil and essential oil from a local health store.  You can also get them online if you can’t find them in store.  Click on each ingredient below for your reference to purchase online:

Peppermint Essential Oil
Almond Oil
Avocado Oil
Jojoba Oil
Olive Oil
Small Air Tight Glass Jar



Health and General Disclaimer:
No information, ingredient or product mentioned on this site is meant to diagnose, treat or replace professional medical advice.  They are my experience, my journey, and my opinions.  Please consult with your doctor before using any of the ingredients or products mentioned here. 

Holiday Shopping and Promotion from Fekkai

I can’t believe there are less than ten days before Christmas! It’s been busy and hectic for me in the last couple of weeks. With holiday shopping, baking orders, activities with kids, etc. I hardly get some time to rest and relax.

So the big question is. Are you almost done with your Holiday shopping? I guess I’m 80% done, but I still got a few online orders that I’ve placed and still waiting for them to arrive. If you are “still in progress” on your Holiday shopping, or have someone who has everything and you’re not too sure of what to get them, I have a great news for you and some suggestions.


 


Fekkai is having a wonderful Holiday Promotion. You’ll receive 10% off your total order and a complimentary exclusive holiday headband with $50 purchase (while supplies last) Use Promo Code: HEADBAND (please see picture below). Here’s the link to their site if you need more information.


 

 


Isn’t the headband gorgeous? I’m sure that it would be a nice hair accessory when you attend your holiday party. ;) Or, it could be a wonderful stocking stuffer as well.

According to their website, Frédéric Fekkai collection was developed to meet the particular needs of different hair types.  In addition to providing exceptional professional results, Fekkai’s products feature luxurious textures and invigorating scents. The hair care line is divided into regimen “families”, including: Advanced Care, Color Care, Curl Care Glossing, Repair, Styling and Styling Tools. Before his products are marketed to the public, Frédéric and his staff personally test every formula in his world-renowned Frédéric Fekkai Salon to ensure the highest quality and performance.

That gorgeous headband and the discount definitely made my purchasing decision a lot easier. I hope you’ll give their products a try as well.

Stay tuned for a Holiday Cocktail recipe on my next post. Until then, Happy Shopping.