Gift giving is getting very expensive today with finances being so tight.  These are some great ideas that you can make at home for friends and family.  Get your children involved or have a Party as you make these wonderful gifts.  Everyone enjoys saving money and making things to give.  Here are few Facial recipes that you can make at home.  Enjoy!

1 apricot - organic is best
2 tablespoons ground oatmeal
1 drop rose essential oil 

Pit the apricot and mash it up in a bowl.

Add the oatmeal and blend well, then

add the rose essential oil.

Spread this paste all over your face,

scrubbing gently around the nose and chin.

If there's any leftover in the bowl,

treat your hands to a hand mask!

Leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse well

with warm water. Gently pat skin dry with a towel.

Makes just under 1 ounce .75 oz. of jojoba oil 8 drops tea tree essential oil 6 drops bergamot essential oil* 4 drops lavender essential oil

Notes: This is an excellent recipe for clearing up acne.

Special Precaution: *Do not go out in the sun with this blend on since bergamotis a phototoxic oil. There is a special version of bergamot that you can get called "bergaptene free" that eliminates the phototoxic properties of the oil.

Directions: Mix the above oils to a clean bottle or jar. Shake the container gently before each use. Apply this oil to the face every evening, about one half hour before bed. The oil blend works best with massage. When massaging, rub the oil into the face, being careful to work around any cystic acne (massaging cystic acne may make it worse). To treat this type of acne, massage the oil in a circular motion around the pimple. This will increase blood circulation to the area and help to flush out the toxins. For daytime use, these essential oils can also be mixed into a base of plain, unscented skin creme (not lotion). Eucerin works particularly well. Continue use of the oil even after the skin has cleared up - adding a few drops of carrot oil to the original blend can help reduce spotting caused by previous breakouts

Fruits contains natural hydroxy acids (AHA) that make your skin 

smooth and soft while cleansing it deeply. AHAs are an important 

ingredient in many skin creams and moisturizers because they help 

exfoliate the skin. Increased exfoliation, or renewal of the skin 

cells, gives skin a younger, more vibrant look. But exfoliation 

can also cause skin irritation, so honey's natural moisturizing 

ability makes it a perfect accompaniment to AHA products.

1/4 Mango

1/2 tsp. Lemon, 

Grapefruit or Orange Juice

2 drops of Lemon Essential Oil           

Puree the mango in a blender and mix it in a bowl with the juice 

of your choice. Add the essential oil. Apply on the entire face 

and leaveit on for at least 10/15 minutes. Rinse well with tepid 

or warm water. ***DO NOT go into direct sunlight after applying 

this mask. Citrus, like any Vitamin C treatment, are skin sensitive 

and can cause pigmentation when in contact with sunlight. It is 

best advised to use this mask at night.

1 cup apple cider vinegar 5 tablespoons rose petals 4 tablespoons sage leaves 3 tablespoons lavender blossoms 2 tablespoons rosemary 3/4 cup rosewater

Heat the vinegar and pour it over the herbs. Place the mixture in a

quart jar and cap it with a non metal lid. Shake daily for ten days.

Strain and add the rose water

1 cup of lemongrass 

8 cups of boiling water 

1/2cup white clay 

1 tablespoon of peppermint extract (optional)

Steep the lemongrass in water for 20 min. cool, then stain. Place clay in shallow container. Mix in enough lemongrass liquid to become paste-like. Apply mask to clean face allow it to dry. Rinse with warm then cool water. Left-overs can be frozen or refrigerated.

1)

Basic Scrub:  

1/4 C rolled oats 

1/4 C powdered milk (buttermilk or goats milk works great) 

1 TBSP plain or sea salt  

Extras added to above: 

1TBSP cornmeal (for extra exfoliation) 

1TBSP rose petal powder 

1TSP neem powder (for problem skin) 

Put all ingredients in food processor and process until fine. Add fragrance/essential oils drop by drop while processing.  To Use: place TBSP amount in palm and wet (water/hydrosol/floral water) until paste-like. Gently, massage into skin and rinse well.  Note: I use this on my skin daily and modify as needed. Other additives could be: powdered lemon or orange peel, powdered lavender buds, etc.

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2)

Sea Salt 1/8 cup  

Oatmeal (the kind you get in the grocery store is fine)

1/2 cup  Unscented Shower & Bath Gel 2 oz. 

Bergamot essential oil 10 drops  

Lemon essential oil 15 drops  

Ylang Ylang essential oil 5 drops

Notes: This is a gentle facial scrub that I mixed especially for oily skin although it would work fine for any skin type. The scent is a nice pick-me-up in the morning too. It made my skin smooth and soft so I decided to use it as a body I'll admit, as a body scrub its a little messy, but if you rinse well you won't walk out of the shower with oatmeal behind your ears like I did. Other essential oils can be substituted in this mix for other skin types or scents.

Directions: To make the Facial Scrub mix all Ingredients in a nonbreakable container, you will want to cut up your Oatmeal first in a blender or something of that nature so the pieces are not so big. If you need more of an exfolliant effect add some Whole Poppy Seeds 

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3)

Friday Night Facial 

A once a week facial is a wonderful treat for your skin. I have a very simple regimen for Friday nights before bed. It's not as exciting as my Friday nights were when I was younger, but my skin sure appreciates it more!

The Steps: 

Cleanse: Use a gentle, non-soap cleanser such as oatmeal or a mild soap like Rinse well and pat skin dry witha clean towel. Steam: I use my recipe for Herbal Steam for Oily Skin, but use whatever recipe appeals to you. Mask: Try Rosey Glow Facial Mask from Fairies' Kiss for a great clay mask! Moisturize: I regret to say that facial moisturizers are the one product where I don't use handmade. My skin is too oily and every handmade lotion I've tried has been too heavy, leaving my skin feeling greasy. So, I use a moisturizer by Neutrogena with salicylic acid. I do highly recommend the Prime Time Facial Oil at MakeYourCosmetics.com, though. I love it for under my ey

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4)

Green Clay Mask

 Tablespoon Green Clay 1/2 - 1 Tablespoon Water (enough to make a thin paste)  Apply to face and allow to dry then gently wash off

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5)

Honey, Vinegar and Almond Mask

Use this mask for facial toning and softening. Great for very dry skin.  2tbls. honey 1/4tsp.vinegar 1/2sweet almond oil  

Heat honey until honey is soft and pliable. Add oil and vinegar. Mix well until you have a smooth consistency. When it is cool enough, apply to face. Leave on for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water