Essential oils makeup-removal kit
Whether you prepare mixtures of essential oils for your own use or as gifts to give away, making them at home is easy—and a great way to provide healing or to strike a pleasing aromatic note.
In order to create your own essential-oil blends, you will need a supply of small, colored, stoppered or roller-top bottles; a plastic eye dropper; measuring cups and spoons; mixing bowls; and a starter collection of essential oils. A useful range includes lemon, orange, grapefruit, clary sage, lavender, rosemary, peppermint, eucalyptus, and tea tree. You will also need a supply of carrier oils—these dilute the strong concentrations of essential oils. Carrier oils include olive, coconut, almond, jojoba—almost any vegetable oil will do. Vodka also works.
GUIDELINES FOR BLENDING
Essential oils makeup-removal kit
One tip for successfully combining essential oils is picking scents that have similar attributes. For instance, stick to the floral family, the citrus family, or the woodsy family. Or blend oils that present a similar character—all calming, all stimulating, all sensual.
Basic Recipe: Add the amount of essential oil indicated in the recipe to a 10 ml bottle, then fill the rest of the bottle with your carrier oil. Below are some options for creating healing mixes and distinctive aromatic blends.
The Go-Getter: Jump-start your motivation—blend 5 drops black pepper, 5 drops lime, 5 drops orange, and 5 drops frankincense with carrier oil. Use on wrists twice daily.
The Itch Beater: Soothe irritated bug bites or inflamed rashes with 12 drops of lavender and 8 drops of peppermint in a carrier oil.
The Perk Me Up: Combine 12 drops of eucalyptus, 8 drops of rosemary, and 6 drops of grapefruit oil in a carrier for an instant energy boost. Apply to temples and wrists.
Fast Heal: Use this on superficial wounds and cuts: combine 7 drops lavender, 7 drops tea tree oil, and 7 drops frankincense oil with a carrier. Or switch out the tea tree for 5 drops peppermint for an effective headache remedy; apply to temples and back of neck.
Allergy Blend: Try this when hay fever season hits. Mix 5 drops lavender, 5 drops lemon, and 5 drops peppermint oil in a carrier. Apply under chin and to back of neck.
The Big Kahuna: This recipe creates a strong dose of healing and calming—10 drops marjoram, 10 drops frankincense, and 10 drops lemongrass oil with a carrier. Apply to wrists.
Pleasing Bouquet: Create a citrus-floral scent by combining 8 drops of ylang-ylang with 8 drops of any two of the following: bergamot orange, geranium, grapefruit, lemon, marjoram, or vetiver oil.
Yearning Hearts: Create a wistful, romantic scent with 8 drops rose oil, 6 drops lime, and 6 drops vetiver oil plus a carrier. Apply to wrists and throat.
Dark Secrets: This one could be dangerous . . . combine 8 drops orange oil, 8 drops ylang-ylang, and 6 drops cedarwood or sandalwood with carrier oil. Apply to all pulse points.
Pure Romance: This scent carries a touch of the exotic: combine 8 drops jasmine, 6 drops clove oil, and 4 drops vanilla extract with your carrier. Place on wrists and throat.
DIY: Creating a Balanced Fragrance
• Top notes: cinnamon, peppermint, lemon, or orange.
• Middle notes: melissa, rosemary, lavender, nutmeg, or tea tree.
• Base notes: clove, jasmine, ginger, and vanilla.
