healthy hair tips

Hello everyone!   A healthy Halloween ... Is such a thing even possible?  Absolutely!  Below are some ideas, tips and tricks for a healthier Halloween. If you or your children are going trick-or-treating, pay attention to the size of the trick-or-treat bag, and keep it small.  This means no pillowcases!  They can hold way too much candy. Before trick-or-treating, have a healthy meal.  If everyone is full, there will be less chance of eating along the way.  Children should always wait until they get home to eat any of their candy, so that parents can inspect them first. When you�re buying candy to hand out to trick-or-treaters, eliminate temptation by buying candy you don�t like, and buy it at the last minute. Choose non-food items like the ones you�d find in a child�s birthday goodie bag; items like stickers, sidewalk chalk, small packs of crayons, noisemakers or costume jewellery. Walk, instead of driving the car from neighborhood to neighborhood...

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! Do you pay attention to the symbols on your beauty products ?  I certainly do!  It is vital to know the signs used in cosmetic packaging when choosing a product.  Those symbols are meant to inform the customer . Keep reading to find out more about the 12 most common symbols... PAO (Period after opening) The little container with a number is the recommended use-by time after opening the product.  Most of them will be 6 or 12 "m" (months).   Estimated symbol This symbol is used to specify that the product is packed using "average fill system".  This only means you will get "X" amount of product, shown in grams or millilitres. UVA symbol The UVA symbol means that the product contains the minimum recommended level of ultraviolet protection. Leaping Bunny The jumping bunny signifies a product that is cruelty-free.  Both the product and the ingredients will not have been tested on animals.  So always  l...

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! What do t he Duchess of Cambridge, Gwyneth Paltrow, Victoria Beckham and Miranda Kerr all have in common?  Well, supposedly they use rosehip oil to keep their skin smooth. Rosehip oil (or rosehip seed oil) has been recently dubbed a "miracle skincare oil".  Rosehip oil, derived from the rose hip (the fruit left on the stem after the petals have fallen off), is a natural source of essential fatty acids, including omega 3, 6 and 9, as well as a rich source of vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin A and  B-carotene .  This superfine oil is absorbed easily into the skin and won�t leave behind any oily residue. So what are the benefits of using rosehip oil?   It quickly absorbs into the skin, proving  moisture . It can heal scarring  caused by acne. It can help reverse sun   damage . It can provide a protective barrier on the skin,  preventing further moisture loss. It can help fade  pigmentation  and even out ...

Hello everyone! Today I want to tell you a little bit about one of my favourite essential oils ; lavender oil .  Not only does this essential oil smell great and helps you relax , it also has significant benefits for the skin.  This oil hydrates and heals the skin without clogging the pores.  Plus, it helps deal with many skin conditions from acne, excess oil, dryness to ageing.  It also promotes hair growth and healthy scalp.  This particular post is about treating acne with lavender oil .   What is Lavender Oil?     Lavender oil is extracted from the lavender plant.  It grows worldwide in Asia, Europe,  Africa,  Canary Islands, and the Mediterranean.   The uses of lavender oil  are numerous.  It's an all natural oil which works for various skin and hair problems. How to use: Mix 1-4 drops of lavender oil into 1/2-1 tablespoon of base oil (coconut oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, olive oil)....

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! A few years ago I posted a DIY recipe for solid perfume .  In that recipe I used beeswax (back then I was not a vegan), so today I decided to give you a vegan   alternative . Ingredients: 2 tsp  candelilla wax or soy wax  2 tsp sweet almond oil 40-50 drops of your favourite essential oil(s) Note - floral scents are uplifting and romantic, vanilla is warm and sweet, and wood scents can be grounding and calming.   Method: Melt wax and carrier oil in microwave.  Or if you want to double boil, follow the method in this post:   DIY: Solid perfume Add essential oil(s).   While your perfume mix is still liquid, pour it into the tins.  Wait until the mix cools and hardens, before moving the tins or closing the lids. Solid perfumes are easy to package, carry, and re-apply ; also handmade perfumes make wonderful gifts. What other kinds of DIY beauty recipes would you like to see on Cosette's Beauty Pantry ?  

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! It's the end of the year, and you know what that means �  it's time to look back  at the year that was 2016.   In today's post I want to talk about   my 2016 .    For me, this was a year characterised by change...     Twenty-sixteen  was the year in which I became a   vegan .  I've been on a "mostly vegan" diet all my life.  I've never liked meat, eggs or dairy, but I did occasionally eat chicken breast and egg fried rice.  Also, if you read my blog you know that I did use   honey   in my   DIY beauty recipes .  Now I do  not eat or use any animal products.  The reason why I am even mentioning my diet (and lifestyle) on this blog is   because my skin has changed significantly  since I altered my eating habits.   My   acne   went away completely, which is something I was hoping for.  But not only that, my acne ...