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| Viso di Donna by Aldo Romano, Louis Sclavis and Henri Texir |
Do you like making your own beauty products?
Yes?
Then you're in the right place. I've had this book on my shelf for the longest time, but never found the time to actually make any of the beauty treats in this book - fearing it was too complicated - until now that is!
This post will be showcasing just two of the recipes I "followed" along with my own handmade creations. So, if you're expecting an in-depth review of this book, you will not find it here. Although, I will give you a little synopsis of my thoughts on the book.
*Note since Donna Maria doesn't have her recipes online, I think it's only fair that I won't share the exact quantities/ingredients when showing the two recipes I've followed. If you are interested in making them, you can find out more about her and her book, in the links below*
Donna Maria is passionate about beauty products and her book is jam-packed with information and recipes that will literally make you lick your lips (whipping cream in your face cream honey!). Some areas seemed a bit technical but upon reflection, they are really easy to follow and actually tell you how much the final product will weigh and how to perform certain processes like making an "emulsion" which sounds pretty technical but is actually pretty easy. If you're looking to update your self-care routine, broaden your knowledge on skincare and the benefits of certain ingredients, this is the book for you! I really enjoyed her therapeutic take on the whole process of making your own creams and lotions as well as her kind-hearted nature which seemed to stream from each page. This book is not about following her rules it's about self-exploration and making products to enrich not only your body and mind but, also you're spirit. I'm so thankful my mother gifted this to me and I look forward to creating more and more treats! You can check out her book here on her website and watch her videos on her Youtube channel. Making your own aromatherapeutic products is not as complicated as you might think and, can give you so much joy!
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One of the places I like to buy natural ingredients from is The Soap Kitchen. I've found the ingredients to be great quality and well priced. Shipping is quite pricey and the cost can really add up so, I don't make many orders and the products I do purchase are products I will wholeheartedly use. Everything I've bought from the company has been wonderful and I haven't had any problems, dilemmas or concerns. My order was packed by Terrina and checked by Ruth - Thank you!
The Soap Kitchen Ingredients
Shea Butter
Earthy, fragrant, crumbly and rich are the words I describe this Shea Butter. It has a gorgeous texture and feels nourishing on the skin. I would certainly purchase more of this again.
Monoi De Thaiti Vanilla
This smells so delicious, I'm sad I didn't buy more of this and the other Monoi Oil.
Rose Hydrosol
Light, gentle rose, this is basically rose water. I was planning to use this as a toner or for my hair but, I just might continue using it for the emulsion process.
Lanolin
Obtained from sheep wool, this is a heavy emollient. I bought it to do a few recipes in the book but, also because lanolin is great for the lips (I want to make a super-rich lip night balm - wish me luck). Lanolin is not a great ingredient if you're Vegan or you're allergic. It does have a smell but it's not so bad to me.
Vitamin E (in a carrier oil)
I use this mainly as a preservative. No scent, heavy feel and a little goes a long way.
Apricot Kernel Oil
This has a similar feel to Grapeseed oil in my opinion but feels richer and gives the skin an obvious gleam/sheen. There's no particular scent.
Jojoba Oil
This oil is so heavenly it glows, it's top quality and does wonders for the skin and in the products, you will create. I love it so much!
Grapeseed Oil
I've heard that grapeseed oil is good on oily skin ... I do like to add it with other oils as it gives a "non-oily" dryness to the product. No scent.
Tamuna Oil
It has a strong earthy scent, a strong green hue and makes the skin feel supple.
Avocado Oil
Similar to Tamuna oil Avocado oil this has a strong green hue but it has a bitter scent.
Neroli Essential Oil
Soapy, sweet and floral. Smells great but the toxicology is concerning.
Frankincense Essential Oil
It has a strong peppery scent. Toxicology is concerning.
Amyris Essential Oil
Woody with slight sweetness, reminds me of Cedarwood but not as harsh.
Jasmine Essential Oil (whoops not pictured)
Smells a bit like manure in a flower bed.
Alkanet Root (cut)
Used to color products. This was meant to make the lip balms pinkish but as you'll see below, I'm not sure where something went wrong. This does change the color of your carrier oil to a bright blood red. It's also nourishing to the hair (when added to oil).
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| the result using extra virgin olive oil |
Jojoba Wax aka Jojoba Esteres
Similar to the skins natural lubricant - sebum - this wax does the same wonders as the oil but it actually more similar to sebum than Jojoba Oil. So you can expect the same benefits as the oil but in wax form. I like to add a bit of this in a product to bolster up the benefits for the skin.
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The Two Recipes I Followed (tried to)
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| ... eh, it's supposed to be pink? |
All That Jazmin (lip and nail balm)
The process was pretty simple. Melting all the wax, carrier oils together and then adding the essential oils at the end. I didn't have buckthorn seed oil but, I did have the rest. This was the first recipe I tried and I think it turned out okay. Although I don't like the smell/taste of the balm, it does nicely moisturise my lips and nails.
After all the ingredients were melted, I poured the mixture into 5 lip balm tubes (I purchased the tubes from Ali-express last year) and put them in the fridge to cool down. It didn't take long for the balms to solidify. This balm is very soft and easy to apply to the nails and the lips which are positive. At first, I was a bit disappointed that it wasn't as robust as other balms but the texture is growing on me.
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| Donna Maria Lip Balm (yeah my lips were hella dry! I don't usually have a dry lip problem but, I guess I've been slacking_ |
This lip balm adds a nice sheen and gives comfort to my lips. Apart from smelling like putty (ugh), being too mushy, and tasting not so yummy ... It does soften my lips and provides a good base for lip makeup.
African Hair Tapestry
Out of all the recipes in the book I was most excited to try African Hair Tapestry. Not only does it sound cool but the supposed feedback she received from the ladies at her workshops got me even more excited!
This pomade required making an emulsion, which was pretty simple to do. The texture of the product is nice and even though it's early days I think the hype about this pomade it warranted.
My Own Creations (muahaha!)
Shea-Heaven
Shea-Heaven
I melted Sheabutter, Monoi de Tahiti Coconut oil, Jojoba wax, and Jojoba oil together and blended it. The result was not the whipped texture I had expected (see below). This doesn't have any bits in it which is nice, and it smoothly applies onto the skin. I think I will use this on areas I want to treat e.g. soothe under eyes & lips, tame brows and keep at bay pesky dry elbows. I can't remember the exact quantities of each ingredient but I think it was 10 grams of everything but the Jojoba wax and oil which was 4 grams.
Da "Love" Butter
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| Love - the only cream you'll need (hehe) |
Love (Ingredients)
20 grams Shea Butter
20 grams Monoi de Thaiti Coconut
10 grams Jojoba Oil
20 drops of Neroli essential oil
20 drops of Neroli essential oil
This whipped butter smells delicious, feels gorgeous and really moisturises everywhere it touches. It's soo good! I've used it on my body and as a face cream and currently, it is beating down all the store-bought competition (you can also use it on your hair!). It's like therapy for the skin. For my first second attempt making a whipped butter, I am pretty impressed! (even if I do say so myself). I've tested it out on family members who also reported that they really liked it too. Since I didn't melt the ingredients before whipping them, there are little solids which means the texture isn't as smooth as I'd like but, it's such a treat on the skin! Following on from Donna Maria's mantra (she puts her creations into beautiful jars and gives them loving names) I called this cream "Love" - best applied every day.
Nail Oil
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| Homemade Nail Oil |
Adding a nourishing nail oil to my nail care/routine has really helped me to grow and maintain long nails. For years I tried and tried to grow my nails long but despite having pretty fast growing adequately sturdy nails, I failed to have a free edge. Not anymore!
My journey began when I started to be truly honest with myself, that growing long nails was something I truly wanted and, that I was willing to accept the possible criticism I might receive from others and even from my own previous thoughts on longer nails (unhygienic, vain, etc.). Accepting that desire allowed me to open my mind enough to seek out the knowledge (perhaps I was doing something wrong? perhaps I could learn something? perhaps I too could have long nails?) which finally led me to grow my nails and myself in many other areas of my life. I'm so excited to share my experience and the tips/tricks with you in an e-book I'm currently curating! Don't worry I will do some free posts on the topic, but if you want the complete guide (tee-hee) stay tuned!
To make the nail oil, I loosely followed the Bliss Kiss nail oil recipe you can find online. The nail oil has lasted for about 2 years and it doesn't smell rancid and it's one of the reasons I've been able to have longer nails. Epic Nail Time lists the items here. I'm planning to make a fresh batch soon (hence my order) so it'll be interesting to see how it goes. I really recommend using Jojoba based nail oils, whether you buy them or decided to make up your own version, remember to have fun!
My journey began when I started to be truly honest with myself, that growing long nails was something I truly wanted and, that I was willing to accept the possible criticism I might receive from others and even from my own previous thoughts on longer nails (unhygienic, vain, etc.). Accepting that desire allowed me to open my mind enough to seek out the knowledge (perhaps I was doing something wrong? perhaps I could learn something? perhaps I too could have long nails?) which finally led me to grow my nails and myself in many other areas of my life. I'm so excited to share my experience and the tips/tricks with you in an e-book I'm currently curating! Don't worry I will do some free posts on the topic, but if you want the complete guide (tee-hee) stay tuned!
To make the nail oil, I loosely followed the Bliss Kiss nail oil recipe you can find online. The nail oil has lasted for about 2 years and it doesn't smell rancid and it's one of the reasons I've been able to have longer nails. Epic Nail Time lists the items here. I'm planning to make a fresh batch soon (hence my order) so it'll be interesting to see how it goes. I really recommend using Jojoba based nail oils, whether you buy them or decided to make up your own version, remember to have fun!
Have you made your own products?
What's your favourite ingredient in creams, lotions etc.?
Your comments are always welcomed and appreciated!
I hope you're all safe and well
Stay Blessed
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