Best Hair Products for Damaged Hair

Don't wash your hair too often.  Don't use a hair dryer.  Don't use a flat iron.  Don't use hair ties.  It seems like everything you do damages your hair.  For me, I can skip the hair dryer most of the time, but I can't skip my flat iron.  I also dye my hair and have highlights, so it does show signs of damage.

You can't repair damaged hair, but you can use products to make your hair look better.  Here are my best hair products for damaged hair, and I'll give you some great DIY recipes too!

How to Make Rose Water

Valentine's Day has come and gone, but the scent of fresh roses will last much longer with this rose water recipe.  Rose water is used in many DIY beauty recipes for its anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties.  Commercially produced rose water is made from the hydrosol that is left after distilling the essential oil from the rose petals.  Some recipes call for you to make a crude still at home, but I made mine a much easier way.  Keep reading after the recipe for some great ways to use your homemade rose water.  

5 Easy Manicures That You Can Do Yourself

Did you watch the Oscars last night?  Even though I haven't seen most of the movies, it's still fun to watch the awards and look at the stars.  My daughter loves community theater, so she loves to dress up to watch the awards shows.  With two older brothers, she wants to be as girly as she can.  She was begging to do our nails, so I came up with five easy manicures that we could do ourselves.  I wish I were a nail artist, but I need a little bit of help.  That's why I love Q-Tips Precision Tips because they are tapered at the end so I can easily fix my mistakes, and I used them for each manicure that we tried yesterday.

How to Use Foundation Makeup

Foundation makeup can be tricky stuff.  When applied correctly, you'll have a flawless foundation upon which to apply your makeup.  When not applied correctly, you risk looking like a clown.  What's a girl to do?

If you find foundation perplexing, then keep reading.  I'll tell you how to choose the right formula and shade and how to apply it.

Dry Skin Body Butter Recipe Young Living Melrose Oil

Disclaimer: The information in this post has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

In addition, I received a sample oil in exchange for my recipe. All opinions are my own. Links in this post may be affiliate links, which means that I earn a small commission from sales.

I've made a lot of different types of lotions, but I have to say that body butters are my favorites to use. They take a few extra minutes to make because you have to whip them, but it's so worth it.  They are light and fluffy, but they deliver a lot of moisture to your skin.  I use this one on my hands almost every night, and it works great on my feet too.

Melrose Essential Oil 

Information and Uses

• Contains melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil), naouli (melaleuca quinquenervia), rosemary, and clove
• provides a protective barrier against skin challenges
• can help dispel odors when diffused

To Use

• Diffuse in a diffuser specifically made for essential oils
• Mix with a carrier oil like jojoba oil to soothe skin
• Apply topically on skin to combat challenges

Dry Skin Body Butter With Young Living Melrose Essential Oil

My skin is terribly dry in the winter.  My cuticles get so dry that they crack and bleed.  I constantly itch until I have scabs on my arms and legs.  I need some serious moisture, and I needed something that would heal my skin while it protects it.  That's why I decided to use make this dry skin body butter with Melrose from Young Living.  

What You Need

• 1 cup organic coconut oil
• 1/4 cup carrier oil (I used almond oil, but jojoba oil would work great too)
• 10 drops Melrose essential oil
• Double boiler
• Mixer
• Wide mouth jar

Directions

1. Melt coconut oil in a double boiler and add your oil.  
2. Place the melted oils in the fridge until they start to harden.  This is very important because melted oils will not whip.  I place the melted oils in my mixer bowl and put the whole thing in the fridge.  Getting the bowl cold really seems to help.
3. Add the essential oil.
4. When the oils are semi-solid, whip them using a stand mixer or a hand mixer.  I use my whisk attachment.  Whip until it's light and creamy.  
5. Spoon in to a wide mouth jar. 

This whips up beautifully!

If you fall in love with essential oils and are interested in purchasing the Premium Starter Kit, contact Dory at HealthierOilTheThyme@gmail.com and make sure to mention my blog as a referral!

Tinted Lip Balm Recipe with Beet Juice Powder

This post is sponsored by PINES.  As always, all opinions are my own.  

When PINES contacted me to use their beet juice powder in a recipe, I knew exactly what I wanted to make: a naturally tinted lip balm.  I try to stay away from dyes in my food and in my bath products.  The beet juice powder gave my lip balm a gorgeous purple-red color safely and naturally.

I'll be honest, the beet juice powder gave me a bit of trouble, so I had to change my recipe a few times.  You see, the powder is water soluble, but the base of the lip balm is oil based.  The first time I made this, the powder turned in to little globs and wouldn't incorporate.  Then I got creative.  Keep reading to see how I got the powder to mix with the oils.

Links in this post may be affiliate links, which means that I earn a small commission from sales.  

Tinted Lip Balm Recipe with Beet Juice Powder

10 Ways to Lose Weight Without Trying

Until this year, I felt like I was constantly on a diet.  Lose weight, gain it back.  Lose it again, gain it back again.  This year, I resolve to stop dieting.  No, I didn't meet my goal weight.  I decided to make changes in my eating habits and lifestyle to help burn more calories while I consume fewer calories.  

None of these changes will bring me down to my goal weight by themselves,  but when combined, they will help me get healthy and lose weight.

Why I Volunteer #WomensLives

This is not a sponsored post, but I was asked to write it for BlogHer, She Knows Media, and Public Radio International.  Two weeks ago, I was asked to write a post about women's lives. A few ideas swirled around in my head, but none seemed right until last weekend.

One Day App Now Available for Droid #OneDay4Android

Today's discussion is sponsored by One Day Kids.  As always, all opinions are my own.

Last month, I introduced you to my assistant, Dakota.  I showed off an adorable video that I made with the new free app called One Day.  At the time, it was only available for iPhones.  A few of my readers were disappointed that they couldn't download it for Android devices.

Well, I have great news!  The Android version of the app was released February 2!    The Canadian version will be available soon, so keep checking!

We've been having a lot of fun with the app.  My daughter really likes the interviews, but my boys had a different idea.  They like to interview the dogs and cats.  My younger son is the interviewer, and my older son does the voices for the animals.  It's hilarious!  

You can read my review on the One Day app in my earlier post, and there's a $150 VISA gift card giveaway that ends soon.

Want to make your own videos?  Get it for iPhone and Android.  

Natural Skin Care Products - Which ingredients are best?

Natural skin care products are all the rage right now, but do you know what to look for?  What's the difference between coconut oil and olive oil?  If you have oily skin, can you use an oil?  If you like making your own beauty products, do you know the best oils to use for your skin type?  Wonder no more, my friends.  Here's a list of several natural skin care ingredients and their uses.  

Links in this post may be affiliate links, which means that I earn a small commission from sales. 

Ingredients in Natural Skin Care Products