How to Mix Essential Oils With Carrier Oils

Whether you're new to using essential oils or you've had some experience, it's very important to know how to mix essential oils with carrier oils.  Essential oils have to be diluted with a carrier oil before you apply them directly to your skin or you could have a reaction.  Essential oils are highly concentrated, and diluting them with carrier oils also helps them last longer.  Some essential oils can be quite expensive, but since you're only using a few drops with each use, they can last for many, many uses.  Some websites may tell you to apply a drop or two directly to the skin, but this should only be done if you are an oil expert because it can cause sensitization.

13 New Uses for Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo is my new BFF.  When I started dyeing my naturally dark brown hair blonde with bright red streaks, I had to stop washing it daily or my red would fade away.  I try to go three days without washing, unless I work out.  But by the ends of day 2, my hair is a hot mess.  Enter the dry shampoo.  Just a few quick sprays, and I can go another day, saving my bright red highlights.  This also helps me cut down on flat iron damage because I use it every three days instead of daily or every two days.  If you're new to dry shampoo, I'll cover what it is and how to use it.  But if you already know the wonders of this miracle product, then skin to the bottom for some new uses for dry shampoo that you might not know about yet.

Zap Occasional Acne With ZAPZYT

This post has been sponsored by the PRIMP Network.  All opinions are my own.

After my teen years, my skin cleared up and I've had a fairly good complexion since then.  I was fortunate that I didn't have bad acne like a few of my friends did.  In my 20s, I still had the occasional breakout where I'd get several blemishes at a time.  They'd clear up, then I'd get a few more.  They were always easy to get rid of and only lasted a few days.  Now that I'm in my 30s, I have blemishes every 4 to 6 weeks, but they are more stubborn and like to hang out longer.  Friends, it is no fun battling acne and fine lines!  My blemishes now tend to be larger and can even be painful, so I always treat them at the first sign to get rid of them.  Since my skin is combination and can even get a little of the dry side, I don't want to use zit removal products all the time because I don't need them and they can dry out my skin.  I like ZAPZYT because it's for occasional acne, so I use it only when I need to and use my regular skin care routine when I don't need it.

Michael Todd Soniclear Petite Review

When Michael Todd asked me to be an ambassador this year, this was the one product that I was dying to try.  I had previously used an off brand cleansing brush, and it quickly got send to the box in the closet never to be seen again.  I've heard wonderful things about the Soniclear Elite and the Soniclear Petite, and I wanted to see what all of the fuss was about.  Michael Todd sent me the Soniclear Petite last month, and I love it.  I've used it twice a day since the day I got it.  Keep reading for my Michael Todd Soniclear Petite review.  

Vera Bradley Coloring Book Giveaway

I remember spending hours coloring as a kid.  I would fill a coloring book and move on to the next one, never wanting to get rid of the one that I already had filled in.  When I had kids, I would sit at the table and color with them.  Now my kids are getting too old to color, but I still enjoy it.  My daughter will sit and color with me, but she's traded her character coloring books for my more sophisticated coloring books.  We both love these Vera Bradley coloring books, and I'm sure you will too.  Keep reading to learn more and enter to win a set of your own.

Vera Bradley and their publisher recently sent me the Paisley Pattern and Floral Pattern coloring books to review and giveaway.  Both books are made with the iconic Vera Bradley patterns, but you can choose the colors.  

In the front of the book, you'll find tips to help you get started.  Honestly, I just dove in with some gel pens and colored pencils.  

I have a few other coloring books, and what stood out to me with these is that the paper is nice and thick.  I really liked how my gel pens didn't bleed on to the back of the page.

Along with the patterns, some pages have quotes.  Some quotes take up two pages, which is nice because I plan to frame them.  

At the back of the book, there are tags and notes to color to give to friends.  I thought this was a really cute touch.

Dakota and I are really enjoying our new coloring books.  Hopefully, I'll get a chance to frame some of the prints for my office.  

Vera Bradley is also giving away a set of their coloring books to one lucky reader!  Contest for US residents 18 years old and older.  Good luck!

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New and Old Favorites From Paula's Choice

This post has been sponsored by the PRIMP Network.  All opinions are my own.

It's been almost a year and a half since I was introduced to Paula's Choice and their custom skin care line.  Let me tell you, it was a sad, sad day when I ran out of that skin care set.  I had to order more and a few more products to try.  My skin is fairly good, but I do have large pores and some fine lines that are causing me some concern.  I started with the Resist Anti-Aging line because it  targets both of my skin concerns.  I ordered a few more products the next time and found some new favorites, and Paula's Choice sent me three new products to try that are quickly becoming my new favorites.

Alana Mitchell Skincare Giveaway Ends 3/29

I've got another great giveaway for my readers today!  Alana Mitchell recently sent me their Quick Comeback Masque and their 4-in-1 Cleansing Pod, and they are giving away one of each to one lucky reader.  Alana Mitchell was a new brand to me, but I'm really glad I got to try it.  Keep reading to learn more about the products and enter the giveaway.

Alana Mitchell Quick Comeback Masque

The Quick Comeback Masque is a powerful mask in a little bottle.  I've never used a masque quite like it before.  It comes in one container, it has two sections.  You push a button to release the liquid in the top, where it goes to the bottom to create a liquid masque.  Once you've prepared it, you apply it like a regular masque and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing.

Alana Mitchell 4-in-1 Cleansing Pod

The Cleansing Pod is great for combination or oily skin.  It's a small pod that expands under water to double its size.  It has a textured surface to exfoliate your skin while it cleanses and the clay detoxes your skin.  Let sit on your face for 10 minutes for best results.

Alana Mitchell Skincare Giveaway

One of my lucky readers will win both the Comeback Masque and the 4-in-1 Cleansing Pod!  Contest is limited to persons in the United States 18 years or older.  Void where prohibited by law.  Good luck!

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DIY Charcoal Face Mask Recipe

One of my favorite natural beauty ingredients is charcoal.  It's inexpensive, and it is so, so wonderful for your skin.  I love using it for a DIY charcoal face mask because it unclogs pores like nothing else can.  Activated charcoal draws dirt, chemicals, bacteria, and other icky gunk to the surface of your skin.  If you remember skin care 101, these are the things that get in to your pores and cause pimples and blackheads.  Using a charcoal mask once a week can do wonders to improve your complexion, even fighting those stubborn blackheads on your nose.   Since charcoal pulls debris from your pores, it can actually make pores look smaller.  Since charcoal can also help speed up the healing process, it can also help heal existing blemishes.  Considering this natural product can both treat and prevent acne, it's no wonder it's found in so many beauty products!

Saint Patrick's Day Fashion and Beauty

Saint Patrick's Day is a fun holiday.  My kids set up Leprechaun traps, and they use my jewelry to try to catch one.  They haven't been able to catch one yet, but they do get some small toys in exchange for their efforts.  The sneaky leprechaun comes in and turns our milk green, and once he even turned the toilet green!  I will admit that although I am Irish—with the temper to prove it!—that I have never been to a Saint Patrick's Day party.  I had my babies young, before I was legal to drink.  I don't drink much anyway.  But I do dress up in green for the day, even if I'm not going anywhere because it's just fun.  Whether you're going to work, to a party, or just going to the grocery store here are some cute St. Patrick's Day fashion and beauty items for you.

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

Our weather has been crazy here in Ohio.  Last week, it was 74 degrees one day and 47 with flurries the next day!  Those few days we had in the 60s and 70s made me have spring fever really bad, and now I can't wait until summer.  I'm very much a person who associates smells with memories, so I made this yummy smelling coconut salt scrub recipe for the delicious scent of summer.  My skin needs some serious exfoliation after so many months of dry air, and this was just what I needed.  I used it on my arms, legs, and feet.  My feet get so dry in the winter, but this perked my skin right back up so I could wear my beloved flip flops again.  I used salt in this recipe because my skin really needed a good exfoliation.  If you're not sure if you should use sugar or salt in a body scrub, be you can read more about salt scrubs vs sugar scrubs here.  I didn't make this with sugar, but I don't see why it wouldn't work.  You may need less oil or more sugar, but it should still work the same.

Coconut Salt Scrub Recipe

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

You'll Need:

• 1.5 cups of coconut oil
• 1 cup sea salt or Epsom salt
• 1/2 cup vitamin E oil or sweet almond oil

  Directions

  
  
  The basic recipe to make a coconut salt scrub is to use 2 cups of oil and 1 cup of salt.  I chose to use a combination of sea salt and Epsom salt because I wanted the abrasiveness of the sea salt and the magnesium from the Epsom salt.  
  
  
  You could use all coconut oil, but I used some vitamin E oil to thin the coconut oil a little bit.  I also wanted some extra vitamin E because my feet were really dry and starting to get callouses.  This is personal preference.  You can use just about any carrier oil that you have on hand.  
  
  
  Just mix the oils and salts together and stir well.  Since the coconut oil has such a wonderful smell, you don't need to add any essential oils or fragrance oils.  You could add a few drops of pineapple fragrance oil for a pina colada inspired salt scrub if you want to.  
  
  
  To use, scoop out about 2 tablespoons to 1/4 of a cup and rub in circles all over your dry areas.  Rinse well.  You can do this before you shower if you don't like the oily feel afterwards, but be careful because it can make your shower slippery.  I like to use it in the shower and let the oil really soak in to soften my skin.  

Learn how to make 30 different body scrubs in my ebook, Body Scrubs!

If you like this coconut salt scrub recipe, then you'll love these:

Salt Scrub Vs Sugar Scrub: Which is Better?

Grapefruit Sugar Scrub Recipe

If you like this recipe, be sure to follow me on Pinterest for more DIY beauty recipes!

Managing Pain Naturally with Curamin® + Sore Muscle Bath Salt Recipe

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. All opinions are mine alone. #StopPainNow #CollectiveBias

About seven years ago, I started experiencing extreme muscle and joint pain.  At the time, I had three kids, two of which were preschoolers.  By the time I put them to bed, I was in so much pain that I couldn't even sleep.  I went to the doctor and got tests done.  I had a lot of inflammation in my body, and I was eventually diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.  The doctor gave me prescription pain medications, but I couldn't take them with my kids being so little.  I took anti-inflammatory medications, but they upset my stomach.  I started researching natural ways to relieve my pain, which is when I found Curamin® Stop Pain Now.  Keep reading for more information about Curamin® and my sore muscle bath salt recipe.