healthy hair tips

Hello everyone! I noticed that I haven't posted a DIY hair mask recipe in years, so today I want to share my favourite homemade vegan hair mask .  Check it out... Ingredients: 1 ripe  avocado   � cup of agave syrup 2 tablespoons  olive oil  These natural ingredients will give your hair intense moisture to bring its shine and health back.  The oils in avocado  are easily absorbed by the hair.   Also, agave syrup attracts and locks moisture while  olive oil  moisturises and makes the syrup manageable. Method: Mash a whole overripe avocado into a bowl. Add � cup of agave syrup. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and mix well. Massage the mixture into damp hair and leave it on for 30 minutes. Rinse the mask off completely. You can apply this vegan hair mask as regularly as every week, given that natural ingredients have no adverse side effects.  Related post: DIY: Avocado hair mask (non-vegan) A natural way to cleanse and heal you...

Hello everyone! Let's talk about... bugs.  Warm  spring  weather means that  bugs  and other  pests  come out of hibernation.  As a vegan, I don't want to kill any bugs, but they can be extremely annoying! Of course, many people turn to chemical sprays to get rid of them.  Unfortunately, in addition to having a very unpleasant odour, conventional insect repellents can harm people who have allergies, and even cause health issues, not to mention the harmful effects to the environment. Fortunately, you can repel pests with essential oils .  Here's a recipe for a DIY bug repellent spray ! Ingredients: 2 1/2 teaspoons essential oil/s (list below) 1 tablespoon vodka or rubbing alcohol 1/2 cup  witch hazel 1/2 cup water (or vinegar) 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin (optional) Method: Place essential oils in a glass spray bottle.  Add vodka or alcohol and shake well. Pour in witch hazel and shake to combine. Add 1/...

Hello everyone! If you suffer from dry , flaky , itchy scalp , deep treating with a moisturising oil blend,  once or twice a week, can be just what you need.  All you need are a few ingredients to rub into your scalp, leave on for a little while, and then wash out.  Ingredients: 1 tbsp carrier oil (coconut, almond, argan or jojoba oil) 8 drops of essential oil  Recipe #1 - Use for dry, itchy scalp 2 drops rosemary 2 drops lavender 2 drops tea tree 2 drops cedarwood Recipe #2 - Use for dry, flaky scalp 4 drops lemon 2 drops lavender 2 drops peppermint Recipe # 3 - Anti-fungal blend 4 drops tea tree 2 drops lavender 1 drop geranium 1 drop patchouli Recipe # 4 -  Simple recipe for children over 2 1 tbsp carrier oil 1 drop tea tree 1 drop geranium Method: Mix your carrier oil with the essential oils. Massage the mixture into your scalp. Leave on for at least 15-20 minutes. Wash out with a gentle shampoo. Note:   Anytime you try new essential oils...

Hello everyone! Today I want to share another " beauty secret " with you.  As a matter of fact, I have a confession to make; I haven't used conventional toothpaste in YEARS!  Wait, I do not mean that I don't brush my teeth.  In fact, I brush and floss every day.  I actually make my own natural toothpaste by simple mixing extra virgin organic coconut oil and baking soda.  I use a simple 50/50 mixture . Advantages of using coconut oil and baking soda toothpaste: antibacterial and antifungal whitens and removes stains stops tooth decay no colourants no chemical agents no fluoride easy and cheap to prepare Coconut oil  is a powerful,  natural   antibacterial  and  antifungal .  It kills harmful bacteria  in the mouth, including bacteria that are responsible for  gingivitis .   It's great for the gums and brushing with the oil regularly can  heal and prevent bleeding  gums .   Brushing your tongue...

Hello everyone! Yesterday I posted a recipe for a DIY acne fighting gel and today I want to share another acne fighting beauty recipe with you.   For this DIY you will need two key ingredients; a lemon and a tomato .   Ingredients: 1 ripe tomato 1 tsp lemon juice 1 tsp oatmeal (optional) Lemons are full of AHA�s and BHA�s which remove dead skin cells, fight acne, minimize pores and brighten skin.   Back in November of 2011, I posted an article titled:  Lemons for clear skin ; in which I wrote about the countless benefits of lemons.  Make sure you read it for more information.   Tomatoes have cooling and astringent properties.  They�re also rich in antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin A .  Their acidity helps tame excessive oil production too. Oatmeal helps reduce itching and inflammation and can be used to calm acne, eczema and heal psoriasis . Method: Mash the peeled tomato in a bowl.  Add the lemo...

Hello everyone! I am back again with an amazing DIY recipe for your skin.  You only need two simple ingredients to make your own acne fighting gel;  aloe vera gel and an essential oil with antibacterial properties .   I've been using this concoction on my face for many, many years.  So much so that I had to search this blog because I was sure that I had already told you about it.  As it turns out, I haven't so let's get started... Ingredients: 1 tbsp of  aloe vera gel 6-12 drops of  tea tree oil  or lavender essential oil If you don't like the smell of tea tree oil, lavender essential oil is a good alternative.   The combination of tea tree oil (or lavender) and  Aloe vera gel kills the bacteria that causes acne and has anti-inflammatory properties which soothe the skin. Method: In a bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of Aloe vera gel with 6-12 drops of tea tree oil (or lavender). Store in an amber glass bottle.  U se  a...

Hello everyone! Like I always say; to get gorgeous glowing skin, you can either spend a fortune on exfoliating scrubs, or you can use simple ingredients to make your own.   Here's another simple DIY body scrub recipe that you can easily make at home. Ingredients: 2 � cups raw sugar  4 tbsp vanilla extract  � cup white granulated sugar  � cup almond oil Method: Simply mix the two sugars together in a bowl and then add the almond oil and vanilla extract and you're done! Its simple ingredients and delicate fragrance make this DIY body scrub perfect for people with sensitive skin.  Related posts: DIY: Coconut and lime body scrub DIY: Yummy facial scrub/mask DIY: Simple hand/body scrub DIY: Orange zest body scrub DIY: Peppermint foot scrub DIY: Pumpkin cinnamon body scrub DIY: Anti-cellulite scrub

Hello everyone! A vegan diet contributes towards a youthful appearance and lifestyle and healthy skin are definitely  linked.  However, that doesn't mean that vegans don't need to use anti-ageing products.  Today I want to share the recipe for my favourite anti-ageing vegan mask with you. If you are looking for a really effective mask that delivers immediate results, look no further! Ingredients : 1 tsp organic quinoa flour 1 bag of white tea 1 tbsp mashed banana Quinoa  contains vitamin A, which smooths out the skin and fade dark spots.   It also contains lysine, a key building block in the synthesis of elastin and collagen . White tea  is packed with antioxidants that will help your skin fight the aging factors.   The mashed banana will moisturize and hydrate your tired skin, and the B vitamins will protect it against free radicals.  Additionally, bananas also contain vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, and zinc � all these a...

Hello everyone! If you have been visiting Cosette's Beauty Pantry , you might be aware of my fascination with sugar scrubs .  I will link other sugar scrub recipes at the bottom of this post, if you like, you can check them out! Some of my earlier recipes are not vegan and I cannot use them any longer.  So today, I want to share a vegan-friendly coconut and lime body scrub recipe.  The sweet scent of coconut combined with refreshing lime is reminiscent of a tropical island getaway . To make this coconut and lime body scrub, you will need the following items. Ingredients (to make one cup of scrub) : 1/4 cup coconut oil (melted) 1 cup white sugar 1 tbsp shredded coconut 6-8 drops of lime essential oil Method: Melt coconut oil. Mix in with the sugar, until fully incorporated. Add the coconut and the lime essential oil. Mix together. If you could create your favourite sugar scrub scent, what would it be? Related posts: DIY: Yummy facial scrub/mask DIY: Simple hand/body scru...

Hello everyone! Like I always say; many store-bought beauty products are full of toxins and irritating ingredients .  Thankfully, nature provides effective alternatives for healthy skin that are gentle , cruelty free , vegan , and made with items you probably already have in your  pantry !  Today I want to share one of my favourite beauty recipes with you; a vegan face mask for acne-prone skin! You only need three ingredients, all of which I already used in previous DIY recipes I posted on this blog.  Ingredients: 1 banana (ripe) 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric This face mask recipe with banana, baking soda and turmeric can reduce acne . Here's how it works: Bananas not only act as an astringent which balances oils in the skin, but also nourishes and rejuvenates the skin.   Baking soda pulls out oil and dirt from the pores and turmeric reduces inflammation and provides the skin with anti-microbial and anti-bacterial benefits. For more in...

Hello everyone!  If, like me, you hate the chemical-laden, store-bought deodorants,  y ou can make your own natural deodorant from scratch � in both  solid  and spray form.  Since I�ve already posted a  DIY solid deodorant recipe , I want to share my favourite spray deodorant formula, too.  This one is way easier and quicker to make.  Enjoy! Ingredients: 60 ml (2 fl oz) witch hazel (astringent) 12 drops of essential oil - Choose an oil with antibacterial and anti-fungal properties such as, sweet orange, tea tree, lemongrass, lavender, etc. Method: Pour your ingredients into a spray bottle and screw the top back on.  Shake well before use.  It's super simple to make and it  really does work ! Have you ever tried using a DIY deodorant?  Do you prefer a solid or a spray formula? Have a great day!

Hello everyone! As many of you may already know, I struggled with acne for years.  I have spent a lot of time looking for ways to clear up my acne.   What eventually helped me clear my skin was a clean, vegan diet and using natural, homemade skincare products .   However, I'm still dealing with  acne scars on my face.   Before I became vegan, I used honey and yogurt (like my  DIY: Greek yoghurt, oatmeal and honey facial mask   and my   DIY: Micro-dermabrasion paste )  to help fade acne scars and both ingredients work really well, but now I'm only using   plant-based ingredients .   Today I want to share the  all-natural , vegan facial serum I'm currently using.  If you have any form of hyperpigmentation   on your skin,   you are going to love this DIY ! Ingredients: 1 tbs sweet almond oil  2 drops of lemon essential oil 4 drops of sandalwood essential oil  Sweet almond oil  is a wonderf...

Hello everyone! Today I'm back with another DIY beauty recipe .  There is nothing easier, or cheaper, then making your own DIY scrubs.  I�ve tried quite a few and this orange zest one is my new favourite! Here's the recipe ... Ingredients: 1/2 cup raw cane sugar 1/4 cup sweet almond oil 1/8 cup sea salt 3 drops orange essential oil Orange zest Almond oil is light in texture, and can easily penetrate deep into the skin, softening and removing the dirt and debris accumulated in the skin pores.  This prevents blackheads and acne.  The Vitamin A content in the oil may even help reduce acne flare-ups. Orange   essential   oil  is antiseptic and anti-inflammatory which makes it an ideal ingredient in your   skin routine.  However, this   oil  isn't just for acne-prone   skin .  It's been shown to increase the ability to absorb vitamin C, collagen production, and blood flow, all of which are essential for anti- ageing . Method...

Hello everyone! When you think cranberries , you probably think of cranberry sauce side dishes.   But, what you should be thinking about is skin care!   Rich in antioxidants  and vitamin C , cranberries are considered a  superfood .  Cranberries are also great when applied topically to help ward off wrinkles , reduce redness and prevent signs of skin damage . To bring the benefits of cranberries to your skin, whip up this easy anti-ageing facial mask.  Here's the recipe... Ingredients: 5 cranberries 1 tsp raw honey 3 drops apple cider vinegar a dash freshly ground cinnamon 4 drops Aloe juice Method: Blend the cranberries to a pulp.  Mix in all other ingredients thoroughly.  Apply to face and leave on for 15 minutes.  Rinse thoroughly.  I hope you are enjoying the autumn inspired DIY beauty recipes I've been posting. 

Hello everyone! Today I want to share another  autumn inspired DIY beauty recipe  with you - a honey and fruit face mask.   This face mask nourishes and revitalises dry and tired skin.  It brightens the complexion and I highly recommend it as an anti-ageing  treatment.  Here's the recipe! Ingredients: 2 tbsp honey - Honey is a natural humectant and anti-inflammatory.  1/2 skinned pear - Pear is rich in vitamin C and vitamin K; known anti- ageing  vitamins. 1/2 skinned apple - Apple smooths the skin and refines the pores.  Method: Chop the pear and apple pieces in a food processor.  Add honey and refrigerate for 10 minutes.  Apply on cleansed face and neck for 20-30 minutes. Rinse with warm water. This mask is gentle but very effective.  You can see results immediately after you wash it off.  If you want to try out more  beauty recipes , click  here ! Similar posts: DIY: Pumpkin...

Hello everyone! Autumn is finally here!   I LOVE Autumn - It's my second favourite time of the year (after Christmas).  I love the weather, vegan hot chocolate, cosy sweaters, and of course, Halloween.   Autumn is also the season of pumpkin everything !   Pumpkin is packed with alpha-hydroxy acids that help with cell turnover and rapid exfoliation.  This makes it the perfect ingredient for a DIY scrub .  Here's the recipe!   Ingredients: 1/2 cup pumpkin puree 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 tablespoon jojoba, almond or olive oil 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder Method: Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix well.  Apply to dry skin - Take a warm bath, towel dry, scrub, and then rinse off. This scrub is perfect to brighten skin and get rid of any rough areas on the body.  If you love pumpkin and cinnamon, check out the similar posts linked below! What's your favourite time of the year? Similar posts: DIY: Pumpkin facial mask D...

Hello everyone! Let's talk about acne ! Here are some facts. It may not be a serious threat to health, but it is the most common skin disease experienced by men and women.  It can be seen in different parts of the body - mostly in the face, neck, chest, and back.  Common types of acne are whiteheads, blackheads, pustules, papules, nodules and cysts.  Studies show that acne affects over 50 million Americans.  40% of adolescents and approximately 85% of people between ages 12 and 24 experience at least a minor acne. There are many factors that cause the formation of acne, which varies from one person to another.  One thing is genetics, wherein if many people in the family are prone to having acne that leads to pimples, a person will also have a greater chance of acquiring it.  Another cause can be hormonal changes including pregnancy and menopause.  Menstruation is also one common factor that triggers acne.  Other causes of acne are emotional stres...

Hello everyone! Cracked heels , also known as  heel fissures , are a common foot problem, particularly during the warmer months when people like to wear sandals and flip flops.  Some of the causes of  cracked heels  are dry air, lack of moisture, improper foot care, prolonged standing on hard floors and wearing the wrong types of shoes. There are several ways to  heal cracked heels at home ( read this );  using a good foot scrub is one of them.  So today I want to share a simple,  3-ingredient recipe  for an  all-natural foot scrub .  Check it out! Ingredients: 1/2 cup coconut oil 1 cup sugar 12-15 drops peppermint essential oil Method: Place the coconut oil in a medium sized bowl.  Coconut oil melts at about 24  � C (76  � F) - To melt the oil, simply immerse the bottom of the bowl in hot water for a couple of minutes. Add in the sugar and essential oil and stir until evenly combined. Store i...