The Natural Beauty Workshop

Save Big on Natural Jojoba & Blueberry Seed Oil!

For a limited time, From Nature With Love is offering generous discounts on two of our favorite ingredients! 

Blueberry Seed Oil is a true pleasure to work with.  It's delightfully light texture makes it great for hair care, facial, care, and massage, but it can be used in many different kinds of formulations.  Blueberry Seed Oil is also packed with antioxidants and essential fatty acids.  Try using Blueberry Seed Oil in our Fruit & Vegetable Hair Oil recipe. 

Natural Jojoba is a classic ingredient, and an essential addition to any natural skin or hair care pantry.  Though it behaves more like an oil, Jojoba is actually a liquid wax with a composition that is remarkably similar to human sebum, a natural liquid produced by our skin and hair that helps to moisture and protect us.  Jojoba makes a great addition to skin and hair care products, but is also a useful ingredient for lip balm, perfume oils, and massage blends.  We use Jojoba quite a bit on The Natural Beauty Workshop.  Here are some recipes that include Jojoba:

• Red Apple Scrub
• Jojoba Salt Scrubs
• Organic Body Oil

Visit our Sales & Specials page to view products and sale pricing!

The Beauty By the Batch Artsan Directory

Having trouble finding a particular handmade beauty or skin care product?  Looking to find new artisans to purchase things like candles, mineral makeup, or even green home care products from?  Then check out The Artisan Directory at Beauty By the Batch.  The Artisan Directory makes it easy for shoppers to find just about anything they may need.  And because the Directory only features products that are made "by the batch", you can be sure to find something special.  

You can browse artisans by specialty and product range, or in alphabetical order.  While you are visiting Beauty By the Batch, make sure the stop by the Personal Care Article Section.  Beauty By the Batch features informational articles on a wide range of subjects, including baby care, aromatherapy, hair care, and more. 

We've Been Added to Alltop!

We're very excited to have the Natural Beauty Workshop added to Alltop.com, one of the most comprehensive blog catalogs on the web.  Not only does Alltop bring together the best of the best when it comes to the blogosphere, it organizes its content very well, making it a breeze to find great blogs that are writing about the topics you love.  Thanks for the add, Alltop!

Want to get your blog featured on Alltop? Check out their submissions page for details!

Grape Seed Oil

The benefits of Grape Seed Oil are no secret. Jam packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and nutritive minerals, these little seeds offer a bevvy of goodness.  What is less well known is the variety of Grape Seed Oils that are available for use in cosmetics, hair care, and skin care. Standard Grape Seed Oil is available in both Conventional and Organic varieties.  Both of these standard Grape Seed Oils offer a light, moisturizing texture that is great for revitalizing dry skin or hair.

In addition to Standard Grape Seed Oils, there are two specialty Oils that are worth considering.  Both our Riesling and Chardonnay Grape Seed Oils are cold pressed, an extraction method that results in one of the highest quality Grape Seed Oils possible. Rich in antioxidants, phytonutrients, and essential fatty acids, these light, nutritive Oils make an excellent addition to high end massage oils, creams, or body lotions.

Be My Valentine?

Who doesn't heart hearts?  What lady doesn't adore roses, bouquets, and boxes of delicate chocolate truffles?  I certainly do, and it looks like the members of our Natural Beauty Workshop Flickr Photo Group do as well.  Here is a taste of the lovely things we have posted in the group pool.  We'll post another set on Valentine's Day.  If you'd like to be included in our second Valentine's Day set, add your Valentine's themed project photos to The Natural Beauty Workshop's Flickr Photo Group before Valentine's Day!

Sweetheart Soaps by Soap Scentsations


Rosebud by Drachenzuber - Seifenmanufaktur


Cinnamon Lip Balm by A Breath of French Air

Safflower Oil

Photo by John Moore

While driving through farm country nowadays you might begin to notice countless fields of tiny, red and yellow flowers.  These are Safflower, and they are the source of what has quickly become one of the most popular oils for use in skin care and in food.  Safflower Oil is packed with Linoleic Acid, making it very moisturizing and nutritious for the skin.  It has a light texture, and is virtually odorless, making it a very versatile ingredient which can be used to make lotions, soaps, conditioners, massage products, or practically any type of formula you can imagine.  

Strawberry Seed Oil

Behold the Strawberry, one of nature's most delicious creations.  Rich in Vitamin C, and ever so tasty, these little red berries boast one of the most popular scents and flavors used in baking, skin care, and home fragrance, but did you know that Strawberry Seeds contained a bounty of beneficial attributes as well?  It's true!  Those itty bitty seeds contain huge amounts of antioxidants, tocopherol, and essential fatty acids.  When cold pressed, they yield a clear golden oil that is excellent for use in skin care.  Strawberry Seed Oil can be used in facials, specialty soaps, lotions, creams, and serums.  It is a great addition to anti-aging formulas, scrubs massage oils, or dry skin treatments.  Like most Berry Seed Oils, Strawberry Seed Oil has a delightfully light texture and a slightly sweet and acidic aroma. 

Pairing Strawberry Seed Oil with other ingredients couldn't be more fun.  Try using it along with Pink Kaolin Clay, Neroli Hydrosol, and Whole Milk Powder to create a sweet Strawberry Facial Mask.  Making a Salt Scrub?  Why not combine Strawberry Seed Oil with another light Oil such as Fractionated Coconut before adding it to some Bolivian Pink Salt and Dried Strawberry Seeds?  Top off any of your Strawberry inspired creations with a dash of our yummy Strawberry Fragrance Oil to make them totally irresistable.  Do you have any favorite recipes inspired by the Strawberry?  Share them with us in the comments below.

Bora White Sand & Tahitian Volcanic Black Sand

Photo by Claudia Meyers

Natural Sands from the Pacific Islands makes an exotic, and intensely exfoliating addition to hand, foot, and body scrubs.  These ethically harvested beach sands are collected under strict guidelines to ensure sustainability, and are sanitized for safe use in skin care products.  Though these Sands do make excellent exfoliants, they can be a little intense.  Keep this in mind when formulating. 

These Sands come in two varieties, Bora White Sand, and Tahitian Black Sand.  Bora White Sand is composed primarily of crushed coral or calcium carbonate.  It has a bright, white color, which adds a soft, lovely appearance to scrubs, soaps, and other exfoliating products.  Tahitian Black Sand is formed by volcanic lava, and has a gorgeous black color.

New Year's Day

New Year's Day is the perfect time to refresh yourself.  Your mind, body, or spirit can benefit from taking a little time for personal replenishment.  Here are some great ideas for celebrating the new year with self improvement in mind:

Spa Day
Whether you treat yourself to an afternoon at a professional spa, or pamper yourself at home with a handmade spa routine, a Spa Day is sure to hit the spot.  Facials, hair treatments, pedicures, manicures, and massage can enhance your spirits as well as your body.

Meditation
Taking a little time for meditation on the New Year is a wonderful way to relax, reflect, and center yourself.  The New Year is a great time to consider the past, plan for the future, and relish the present.  Centering yourself through meditation can help to prepare you for these challenges by providing a clear mind, and a calm emotional state.

Bubble Bath
Never underestimate the power of this classic indulgence.  A simple bubble bath can be just the thing to put you in a great mood for the New Year.  Try enhancing your trip to the tub with Aromatherapy Oils, or skin soothing additives such as Oat Flour or Kaolin Clay.

What will you do to celebrate the new year?  Let us know in the comments below!

Cupuacu Butter

Another unique gift from the forests of Brazil, Cupuacu Butter contains a very beneficial variety of components.  It is rich in essential fatty acids which gives it the ability to restore elasticity and texture to the skin.  The rich, moisturizing abilities of Cupuacu are helpful to dermatitis and eczema, as well as other skin conditions.  Scientists believe that Cupuacu Butter can even help to protect the skin from harmful UV-A and UV-B rays.  When added to skin care products, Cupuacu can help to stabilize emulsions, and absorb moisture.  This is unique for a vegetable butter, and makes Cupuacu a very special addition to formulations such as lotions, creams, body butters, or lip balms.  To make this exotic ingredient even more irresistable, the creamy texture and mild aroma of Cupuacu make it a pleasure to work with. Like Shea or Cocoa, it can be used directly on the skin for intense moisture and conditioning.

Visions of Sugar Plums

I don't know about you, but one of my favorite things about the holidays is the presence of delicious treats everywhere I look.  Cookies, candies, and sweets are a weakness of mine, so to keep myself under control I love to load up on soaps and bath and body goodies that remind me of the tasty treats that I adore. The following photos were collected from The Natural Beauty Workshop's Flickr Photo Pool. 

Chocolate Soaps by MorganStreet

Sugar Scrub Cubes by ABreathofFrenchAir

Ginger Babies by SoapScentsations

CP Cupcakes by DutchKnitting

Bath Cupcake by Drachenzuber - Seifenmanufaktur

CP Soap Cupcake by HintofEden

Cupcakes für Bad und Dusche by Nati1912

We love seeing your creations!  If you have photos to share, please join us at The Natural Beauty Workshop Flickr Photo Pool.

Tropical Dream Foot Scrub

This tropical scented Salt Scrub is made with an intensive exfoliant, Bora Bora White Sand.  This exotic, white sand is actually composed of calcium carbonite, or coral.  It adds super scrubbing power to this recipe.  Monoi De Tahiti and Papaya Oils help to moisturize and condition dry feet, leaving your skin smooth, soft, and smelling delightful.

Ingredients
1/ 8 cup Bora Bora White Sand
1/8 cup Sea Salt, Fine
1/2 oz Monoi De Tahiti
1/2 oz Papaya Oil
1/4 teaspoon Tahitian Gardenia Fragrance Oil
1/4 teaspoon Papaya Milk Fragrance Oil

Directions
Mix Bora Bora White Sand and Sea Salt together in a medium sized mixing bowl.  Add the Oils next, and mix well.  If necessary, gently warm the Monoi De Tahiti in a hot water bath, double boiler, or microwave.  When the other ingredients have been mixed, stir in the Fragrance Oils.

Packaging & Usage
This scrub is too intense for all-over use.  Instead, use this super powered scrub on feet and other tough body parts.  The scrub can be packaged in PET Jars to show off its lovely color, and should be used within one to two weeks of creation.

Brazil Nut Oil

 You've surely seen loads of these tiny brown nuts sitting on coffee tables over the years, but did you know that the oil contained in Brazil Nuts is ideal for use in cosmetics?  Brazil Nut Oil is surprisingly light in texture and aroma, yet is extremely nourishing and moisturizing.  Brazil Nut Oil contains a high amount of Selenium, a powerful antioxidant, making this oil quite stable, and excellent for inclusion in skin care products.  This feather light nut oil hydrates and replenishes dry skin and hair so well, that is often recommended for inclusion in problematic skin formulations.  Brazil Nut Oil is great for treating psoriasis, eczema, chronic dry skin, and other skin conditions.  It's quick absorption makes it perfect for use in lotions, skin creams, and hair conditioners as well.

*Photo by Ed Seymour

Bath Tub Fairy Dust

Dazzle your favorite fairy fan with a jar of sparkling, scented, Bath Tub Fairy Dust.  These simple Bath Salts look stunning when packaged in our Round Bail Jars.  Grab a corresponding ribbon, a little tinsel, and a wooden scoop and you have a gift fit for a Fairy Queen.  These four easy recipes can made individually or layered.  Packaged in smaller jars, they make great sets.

Pink Fairy
1 Cup Epsom Salt
1 Cup Bolivian Pink Salt, Fine
1/2 Teaspoon Silver Sparkle Mica
2 Drops Bergamot Essential Oil
2 Drops Geranium Essential Oil
1 Drop Rose Absolute or 2 Drops Rose Essential Oil

Blue Fairy
1 Cup Epsom Salt
1 Cup Dead Sea Salt, Fine
1 Pinch Cobalt Mica
1/2 Teaspoon Silver Sparkle Mica
5 - 6 Drops Lavender Essential Oil

Green Fairy
1 Cup Epsom Salt
1 Cup Dead Sea Salt, Fine
1/2 Teaspoon Silver Sparkle Mica
1 - 3 Pinches Avocado Mica
2 Drops Petitgrain Essential Oil
2 Drops Mandarin Essential Oil
2 Drops Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

White Fairy
1 Cup Epsom Salt
1 Cup Dead Sea Salt, Fine
1/2 Teaspoon Silver Sparkle Mica
3 Drops Yuzu Essential Oil
3 Drops Vanilla Absolute

Note: To make these Salts a little more affordable, try using Fragrance Oils in place of Essential Oils.

Handmade Holiday Projects

The Holidays are a great time to get crafty.  If you create handmade skin care products, soaps, or bath goodies, you probably have a pretty good stash of supplies that can make all kinds of amazing holiday projects.  You would be surprised at the many uses some of the ingredients in your skin care stash may have. 

Crystal Snowflakes by Martha Stewart

These beautiful crystalline snowflakes are made using pipe cleaners and borax.  I discovered this adorable craft project while visting one of my favorite craft blogs, Wee Wonderfuls.  A photo of a snowflake she made is featured above.  You can find complete directions here, at MarthaStewart.com.

Simmering Potpourri by Meadowsweet Days

Dive into your herb stash to create a simmering pot of fragrant holiday potpourri!  This simple method encourages you to use what you have on hand to create an intensely fragrant pot of holiday cheer.  You can also create great gifts by packaging simmering potpourri ingredients with a quick set of instructions.  Check out this easy recipe at the blog, Meadowsweet Days. 

Beeswax Tea Lights by AromaTalk

Wendy, at the AromaTalk Blog shows you how to create simple, beeswax candles.  Tea lights are a great way to try out candle making for the first time.  Because they are so small and handy, you can give them as gifts or stash them at home with the knowledge that they will surely be put to good use. 

Last December The Essential Herbal Blog featured a huge list of holiday craft projects this year, all of which use herbs or other natural materials.  Check out the links below to see all of the inspiring projects that Tina featured on her blog:

• Bath Salts & Memory Boxes
• Vanilla Bean Crafts
• Edibles: Deviled Mixed Nuts, Cinnamon Tea, & Almond Bark
• Simmering Potpourri
• Spritzes & Powders
• Chai Tea & Sugarplums
• Tea Blends & Gel Air Fresheners
• Sachets & Eye Pillows
• Incense Papers
• Herb Kit & Lip Balm
• Pomanders, Potpourri, & Spicy Ornaments
• Herb Vinegars & Oils
• Massage Oils
• Sweet Treats & Facial Gifts
• Tub Tea
• Spice Necklace