Stand Your Grounds

Keeping your used coffee grounds to apply to your skin might sound a little bit disgusting but trust me when I tell you that one woman's trash is another woman's exfoliating and rejuvenating treasure. The caffeine in coffee is a super skin tightening agent and also helps perk up tired skin. There are many ways you can use coffee grounds for beauty and we'll be talking about a few of them today.

The simplest way to use used grounds is to apply them directly to your skin without any other additives. You want to only use cool grounds, because you don't want to burn your skin. You can simple grab a handful and work over your skin in small circular movements. This will slough off dead skin cells and perk up the skin.

If you want a more moisturizing exfoliant you can add oil, like olive oil, to the grounds and apply to your skin in the small circular movements. If that's not enough exfoliation you can even throw in some brown or white sugar or even salt. Adding salt to the scrub will add a detoxifying effect. I have only ever used coffee grounds as a body scrub but I have often read about people using it on their faces as well.

Coffee also acts as an antibacterial and will help to minimize sagging and puffiness. It will tighten your skin temporarily, so this scrub is especially great before a first date or a special event. It also helps minimize redness.

You can even make a face mask using coffee grounds by mixing them with yogurt or honey. Coffee is also widely used as a treatment for puffy, tired eyes. Wrap a small amount of grounds in a paper towel or tissue and get it slightly damp before placing over your eyes for about 20 minutes. It will decrease dark circle and heavy baggage. If you have darker hair you can add coffee grounds to your shampoo to help get rid of build-up, increase shine, and add a little tint.

Tub Full of Tea

I like to indulge myself, and one way I spoil myself is by taking a bath every night before hopping under the sheets to sleep. There is nothing more relaxing and soothing than a warm bath, besides a warm bath filled with skin nurturing goodness that is. This super simple recipe for bath tea uses only 3 ingredients that are perfect for pampering your skin.




What you need:
Green tea (if you have loose green tea you'll want to use about 2 tablespoons, and if you're using bagged tea you'll need the contents of 2 bags)
1 cup of oatmeal
½ cup powdered milk

Combine the ingredients together and toss them into a food processor to create a fine powder so you don't make a mess of your tub. Once you have a powder you're set to fill the tub and steep your tub tea. If you're still worried about plugging your drain or making a big mess you can put your mixture into a little mesh bag, muslin, or even use cheesecloth to make your own little tea bag.

Green tea is full of antioxidants that help skin by protecting against free radicals and inflammation. Green tea works hard to prevent aging and has also been linked to protecting skin for cancer. Oatmeal is great for soothing itchy skin and powdered milk works to exfoliate and hydrate. It's great for any time of the year – summer when your skin is dehydrated or burnt and winter when your skin is itchy and scaly.

Soak in the tub for as long as you like and when you get out your skin will be so silky soft and smooth that you'll want to make this a nightly ritual!

Talk About It - Pomega5 Healing Cream

At the beginning of this yucky, frigid, and snowy season my skin was not happy about the lack of warmth and sunshine. It was dry, flaky, and irritable. Luckily for me, I found Pomega5's Healing Cream, an intense cream designed specifically for dry, damaged, and problematic skin. Despite its hefty price tag, ($85 for 1.7 oz) it's a lifesaver for chapped winter skin. I think it will even be great for sun-scorched skin in the summer, since it is very healing.


This cream is perfect for dry, sensitive skin because it's extremely nourishing and gentle at the same time. Once applied to the skin, it forms a protective barrier trapping much needed moisture inside and keeping free radicals, dirt, pollution and germs out. It's like wearing a suit of armor on your face. I think it is great for both day (it works really well under makeup and acts like a primer) and night, although I think it is especially excellent at repairing skin while the body is at rest. It also happens to smell really delicious.

It is formulated with a ton of good for your skin ingredients like jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, calendula, carrot seed oil, aloe vera, shea butter, pomegranate seed oil, grape seed oil, vitamin e, and numerous other healthy oils and natural ingredients. All of these great things combine to make a super skin cream that heals and protects, which is why it is aptly named Healing Cream. It is deeply moisturizing but doesn't feel heavy, greasy, or sticky.

It comes in an airless pump so the product stays fresh and germ free. Keep in mind that it is very rich it might not be the best for oily skinned guys and gals. Pomega5 makes a Green Tea Mattifying Moisturizer that would probably be better-suited for oily skin.

It's been wonderful on my sensitive face as well as my irritable back. I have been applying a thin layer of this cream onto my back after getting out of the shower every day to help heal and make my skin feel less itchy and sore (my illness has created some skin issues back there).

If you're interested in learning more about this product or other Pomega5 products you can find them online at www.pomega5.com.

Winter Balm

Winter can be harsh on the skin depending on the climate in your region. It's especially cold and dry where I live in Southern Oregon. We usually have a lot of snow in the colder seasons but this year it's been really dry and particularly rough on my skin, and especially on my lips.

I'm obsessed with lip balms, creams and treatments but sometimes commercial products just don't get the job done. If you're having a hard time with dry, flaky lips then try this DIY recipe.




What you need:
1 tablespoon of beeswax
5 tablespoons of your favorite skin friendly oil (I like olive and jojoba for lips)
1 teaspoon of liquid vegetable glycerin
(Optional – a few drops of essential oil (I like peppermint best) for scent and flavor or honey for extra healing properties.)

The first step involves using a double boiler (a bowl placed in a pan filled with hot water) to melt the beeswax and the oil together. Once it's combined and fully liquid remove from the heat and add the glycerin and essential oil if you so desire. Make sure to blend all of the ingredients thoroughly and evenly.

Once it's all mixed it is time to pour the liquid balm into a container like a small jar or tin. I buy small plastic twist top jars at Wal-Mart in the travel beauty section – they cost .97 cents for 2. Be careful not to spill the mixture because it's still hot and can burn you. Let it sit until it's completely cool and solid.

I hope this helps revive and rejuvenate your tired winter lips!

Lip Lovin' Scrub

Towards the beginning of my blog I posted a lip scrub recipe (Luxurious Lip Scrub) which proved to be very popular. I'm back today with another lip scrub recipe and I hope you enjoy it just as much as the last! This scrub has the same basic base as the last but has powdered milk which aids in exfoliation due to the lactic acid it contains. Oatmeal is the final ingredient and is a gentle yet effective sloughing agent. After using this scrub your lips will feel healthy and look super soft and supple.

 What you need:

1 tablespoon of olive oil

1 teaspoon of honey

½ tablespoon of powdered milk

1 tablespoon of oatmeal

Mix all of the ingredients together into a bowl and apply to lips using your fingers. Massage the mixture on to your lips for at least 30 seconds and let it sit for a couple of minutes. This mixture is highly moisturizing while also exfoliating. Leaving this on your lips after massaging will ensure that your lips drink in extra moisture. Rinse off and apply a rich lip balm to lock in your new found hydration.

Bath Butter

Dry skin can be a real bummer and hot baths can be a major source of scales and flakes even though bathing in the winter is a must for most of us. In order to combat the negative side effects taking a bath can cause it's important to add a moisturizing agent into the water. There are many companies who sell a lotion or a butter for the bath, but today I'm going to teach you how to make your very own bath butter at a fraction of the price.




What you need:
½ cup of cocoa butter
¼ cup of coconut oil
1 teaspoon of jojoba, sweet almond, or olive oil
(Optional – A few drops of the essential oil of your choice)
The first step is to melt the cocoa butter and coconut oil in a double boiler (which is a special pan that can easily be substituted with a glass bowl in a large pot of boiling water). Once the solids are melted and in liquid form it's time to remove from the heat and add the jojoba, sweet almond, or olive oil and the scent you choose. Stir it to combine the ingredients for about 5 minutes or until it starts to cool. You can then pour the mixture into a jar or other container and leave on the counter undisturbed to finish cooling.

Once it's set up you can spoon it out and drop it into your warm bath water. It will melt and moisturize your skin while you soak. You'll want to keep your container somewhere cool and dark so it doesn't melt. You can also use this as a body butter if you desire by massaging it into damp, warm skin and allowing it to melt.

Gift idea – pour it into molds (once it's dry you can remove it and wrap it in cellophane) or gift tins and make small individual bath melts.

Basic Brushes

If you wear makeup having the proper tools can make all the difference in the way you wear and apply your cosmetics. Makeup brushes are really important things to have at your fingertips but there are a lot of options out there. One of my readers (and good friend!) asked me what kinds of brushes she should have so I decided to do this brush guide. This is just my opinion on what basic brushes a girl should have. Keep in mind there are a lot of different brush sizes, brands, bristles, shapes and handles out there. The one thing I always look out for is cruelty free brushes.



Okay, let's get started. If you wear liquid foundation, cream foundation, or tinted moisturizer investing in a standard foundation brush is a good idea. It's a lot less messy than using your fingers and provides a more opaque base. If you want a sheerer look, you can dampen the brush first. I find foundation brushes a lot easier to use than sponges although all foundations are different so some may work better with fingers or other application tools. There are a lot of different foundation brushes but I really enjoy the standard, slightly pointed brush.

A big fluffy powder brush is essential for applying setting powder. I tend to think that the fluffier the better for powder as it will provide a lighter, more natural type of finish than a more dense brush would. It's also great for giving your face a very light dusting of bronzer to perk up the skin a bit.

For mineral or powder foundation, I like to use a more dense brush. It picks up more product so it provides more coverage. My favorite is not very large, and the bristles aren't packed as tightly as others but it is much more dense than the fluffy brush I mentioned. It's perfect for evening out the complexion.

If you like to have a slight flush on your cheeks then having a smaller blush brush is a great idea. I have various blush brushes but my favorite is a smaller slightly tapered blush brush. It's great for giving the right amount of color each time and it is easier to put the color right where I want.

Another brush I reach for daily is my angled blush brush. I use this brush for applying my contour (or darker, matte bronzer) to the hollows of my cheekbones. You can also use this brush to apply blush or highlighter (although I like to use a spare eyeshadow blending brush for my highlight).



Speaking of an eyeshadow blending brush – this may be the most important brush you can own if you wear eye shadow. Blending is your best friend! Nobody wants harsh, unnatural shadow swept across their lids. You can also use a fluffy blending brush to apply a wash of color all over the lid or to apply highlighter.

Next up is a flat eyeshadow brush. These brushes are used for applying shadow to the lid or packing on color. They pick up more color and lay down the shadow in a more precise way than the blending brush does.

The last must have eyeshadow brush is an angled brush. Angled brushes are used for applying shadow, cream, or gel to the upper or lower lash line. You can also use this brush to fill in your brows.

What is your favorite type or brand of brush?

Intensely Moisturizing Eye Treatment

I had a reader request for another eye cream/gel/serum recipe so here I am to share this amazing recipe with you today! If you have dry under eyes or are concerned with fine lines and wrinkles this will be perfect for you. In my opinion everyone should moisturize the skin under their eyes regardless of their age because the eyes are usually the first area to show signs of aging. Prevention is key!



What you need:
2 teaspoons of avocado oil
4 to 5 drops of jojoba oil
2 drops of carrot seed oil
2 vitamin e capsules

All you need to do to make this amazing eye serum is blend all of the oils together in a small container and apply directly to the under eyes. The oils are a bit heavy and give off of a shiny look so it's best to apply this only at night before bed. I really like to apply this while my skin is still a bit damp because I feel like it really locks the moisture in. Keep in mind you only need a very small amount per eye. These ingredients are very concentrated so a little goes a long way.

Talk About It - (seed) Body Care

I'm so lucky to have found the perfect winter hand treatment and now I'm here to share it with you. Before the company so kindly sent me these products to try, my hands were looking more like old, cracked, dried out leather than healthy looking 24 year old mitts. I live in a very cold and harsh climate during the winter and my hands are always the ones who pay the price.

(seed) body care was started by a husband and wife team who discovered the dangers lurking in everyday products while trying to start a family. Detoxing their household and personal care routines meant getting rid of anything with questionable chemicals listed in the ingredients. As many of you know, the road to a greener and healthier life can often times be confusing, so they embarked on a journey to find new brands, some of which they liked and others they did not. Using his love for wine they started developing a line of products made with natural byproducts of the winemaking process. (seed) was born after a microbiologist confirmed the benefits of grape seeds.

(seed) Therapeutic Hand Scrub and Healthy Hand Cream have made a huge difference in the health of my hands and they are 100% natural and highly effective. In fact, I've never found a better scrub or cream for my skin. Their products are all paraben, gluten, dairy, phthalate, and cruelty free. They also never use artificial colors or fragrance, which means their products are completely safe and healthy.

 
Their Therapeutic Hand Scrub is a superb gentle exfoliator that helps get rid of dead skin cells while prepping the skin for hydration. Since the scrub has Grape seed oil and Shea butter it also helps condition the skin. It also contains coconut oil, apricot seed powder, grape seed powder, safflower oil, aloe vera, soybean oil, and pink grapefruit. The grapefruit gives it a very light, inoffensive citrus scent. You can use this scrub on wet or dry skin, but I prefer to use it on damp hands. It leaves hands feeling softer and smoother while looking brighter right away. It never irritates skin and is the perfect first step in maintaining healthy hands. I use this twice a week.

(seed) Healthy Hand Cream has an amazing ingredient list featuring Grape seed oil, vitamin E, Sunflower seed oil, Jojoba oil, Shea butter, coconut oil and other natural ingredients. They are high in essential fatty acids and antioxidants. I'm very picky when it comes to lotions and creams and this cream intensely moisturizes without feeling greasy, it's truly wonderful. My skin drinks it in almost instantly and lasts for hours and hours. I especially love to put it on at bedtime because I wake up with soft, younger looking hands. It's very soothing and makes my hands feel instantaneously better and keeps them nourished all day. I have the Simply Fragrance Free version but they also offer this formula in Invigorating Citrus and Relaxing Lavender. A small amount of this hand cream goes a very long way.

(seed) products can be found at Whole Foods, Harris Teeter, Wegmans, Hannaford, Drugstore.com, Kinney Drugs and http://seed.alice.com. You can learn more online at http://seedbodycare.com.

(FTC: These products were so generously provided to me for review consideration by the company. I am not being compensated to write this review. All thought and opinions, as always, are my own and honest.)

All About Oils

I talk about oils for beauty use a lot and I swear by them but I've never really gone into detail about the differences and best uses for each type. I figured today would be the perfect day to do just that!

Jojoba Oil is the one that I have used the longest. I absolutely love this golden, odorless oil (which is actually a liquid wax) and I think it's the perfect addition to any beauty pantry. Jojoba oil is the closest thing to skins own sebum so it doesn't aggravate, irritate, or clog our pores. It makes a wonderful addition to any homemade beauty product but it's also great on its own! It's non-allergenic, non-comedogenic, and it works great on any skin type including sensitive. I highly recommend Jojoba oil for those of you with really oily skin since it helps regulate sebum production by breaking down the sebum plugs in pores. It helps plump up the skin and helps rejuvenate. It also has a very long and stable shelf life. It is completely safe and can be used full strength, unlike some other oils which must be diluted prior to applying to the skin.

Grape Seed Oil is my new favorite carrier oil. Much like Jojoba oil it is very light, odorless, and quickly absorbed into the skin. It works well for any skin types but since it's slightly astringent it's best for normal to oily skin types. It does work well for me though and I'm more on the dry/sensitive side of the spectrum. It's chock full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids. It helps battle acne, wrinkles, and damaged skin. It can be used at full strength as well.

Olive Oil is a really great skin conditioner. It does have a bit of a heavy feel on the skin as it's a very thick oil but it is outrageously hydrating. It does have a scent, like olives. It is high in Oleic acid and is good for helping to regenerate cells. Olive oil attracts moisture to the skin so it is very hydrating and smoothing. It allows the skin to breathe while creating a protective, moisturizing barrier. It acts as an emollient and relives dryness and guards against damage. It can work for all skin types but is very heavy so nighttime only use is recommended and those with very oily or acne prone skin may want to skip this oil. A

vocado Oil is one of the most moisturizing and easily absorbed oils out there. It's perfect for dry, damaged, and/or aging skin. It's very soothing and smoothing. It goes deep into the layers of skin to help heal and rejuvenate. It actually helps reduce damage from sun exposure and scarring. It also increases the level of collagen produced. It does not have a non-greasy feel though. It is very thick and heavy so it is best suited for night use. This oil should be mixed with an oil like Jojoba to dilute it.

Sweet Almond Oil is perfect for all skin types, non-greasy, easily absorbed and very moisturizing. It's really great for skin that is dry, inflamed, and/or itchy. It works well to help combat the symptoms of eczema and psoriasis.

Extra Virgin Coconut Oil is a solid oil that is especially helpful for dry, itchy, and sensitive skin. It's great for burns, bug bites and other skin conditions. It is non-comedogenic, easily absorbed, and non-greasy. It is wonderful in hair products as well as lip. It helps the skin plump up and look more supple.

Hempseed Oil is gaining popularity because of its richness and skin healing properties. It is especially good for dry and mature skin, although I have never tried this since I have an allergy to hemp. It resembles skin's natural lipids and is high is essential fatty acids. It is easily absorbed, non-greasy, and extremely moisturizing. It is a super wrinkle reducer. It can be used at full strength.

Apricot Kernel Oil is perfect for mature skin because it helps fight fine lines and wrinkles. It's easily absorbed by the skin even though it has a very rich feel to it. It also works well on sensitive and dry skin types.

Macadamia Nut Oil is a lot like Jojoba oil because it is similar to human sebum. It helps to protect and lubricate the skin in the same way sebum would. It absorbs quickly and helps regenerate the skin. It's great for dry and damaged skin.

Hazelnut Oil is particularly good for oily, acne prone skin types. It is a light, non-greasy oil with astringent properties that helps tighten and tone skin. It has a very high level of essential fatty acids. It helps stimulate circulation and cell regeneration. This should be diluted to use on the skin.

Sunflower Oil is perfect for all skin types. It's light, non-greasy and packed full of vitamins A, D, and E. It is easily absorbed by the skin and provides more nutrition that most oils.

Rosehip Seed Oil has a scent but it works really well on normal to dry and mature skin as well as scarring. It has vitamin C and A which helps reduce signs of aging by speeding up cell regeneration. This oil does not work with acne prone or oily skin. It should only be used as an additive.

There are many other oils out there but these are some of the most popular. I'm also a huge fan of argan oil but I'll be doing a separate post on it in the future. Leave me a comment telling me which oil is your favorite. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Who Am I?

Hello there, beautiful! I just realized that I've been blogging for almost a year now (woo-hoo!) and I still feel as though I haven't really introduced myself to you. You've caught small little glimpses into who I am here and there, but you don't really know me yet. I'm here today to change that! Let's start with the basics. I'm 24 for a couple of more months (I'll be turning 25 in April). I'm a very simple person who sees the good in everything and everyone. I'm childlike and sometimes I'm very easily distracted. I believe in the power of kindness and compassion. I also believe that nothing matters more in life than family. My family consists of my parents, my two dogs, and my cat – all 5 of them mean the world to me. I'm lucky to have parents who are also my best friends.

Two years ago I got sick and my life completely changed. When I first became ill, I could never have guessed that getting sick would have changed my life in so many positive ways. Despite having bad days, being sick has given me so many new opportunities and I'm thankful for that. I'm closer than ever to my family, I know exactly who I am and what I want out of life, and I'm doing something that I'm passionate about (blogging). Sometimes good things come of really bad things. The worst part about getting sick was that I had to give up my dreams, (hopefully not forever), so I started Beautiful Basics to give myself something to look forward to doing every day.

I can honestly say that creating and maintaining Beautiful Basics has been one of the best things to ever happen to me. I've been writing ever since I can remember and have written more short stories and attempted novels than I care to mention. I even went to college for journalism. Now I'm using my skills to write about another passion of mine, beauty. Writing Beautiful Basics brings me more joy than you can probably even imagine. It has given me purpose and I've gotten to try so many new amazing products because of it. I've also made new friends!

This blog sort of took on a life of its own and led me down the path of being green. When I started this page it was just supposed to be an outlet to share some of my favorite do-it-yourself recipes and has since turned into so much more. I believe that everything happens for a reason and I accept each and every challenge that comes my way.

I'm so glad that you're here and I hope you stick around for years to come because I know there are so many amazing things in store for us.

DIY Body Butter

Butter for your body is a wonderful treat for your skin all year round. Moisturizing is essential and body butter is lavish and perfect for fighting the inevitable dry winter flakes. There are a million companies who make and sell body butter, some natural and some not. Why buy it when you can make your own? Today I'm sharing an incredibly simple recipe for making your very own body butter.


What you need:
¼ cup of cocoa or shea butter
2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
2 teaspoons of jojoba oil or grape seed oil (which is my new favorite!)
1 teaspoon of sweet almond oil
If you want a fragrant body butter you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil or extract. I prefer my body butter without any added scent though.

You'll want to take all of the oils first of all and melt them together on a very low temperature setting. If you melt them too quickly the heat will change their properties so low and slow wins this race. Once melted together, remove from the heat and mix in the aloe vera gel. Pour your mixture into a jar or container and use when your skin needs a little pampering. Keep in mind that it can harden in cold and melt in heat so store accordingly.