The Natural Beauty Workshop

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

Crafting for Kids

Tired of filling kids stockings and gift bundles with candy and predictable, store bought toys?  Why not create some fun soaps and bath tub goodies made just for kids?  Simple formulas such as Bath Salts, Melt & Pour Soaps, and Bath Bombs, can easily be tailored to entice kids of all ages.  Bright colors and unexpected scents are the key to tickling a kid's funny bone.  Try some of the following Fragrance Oils to get your little one's attention:

• Apple Candy
• Birthday Cake
• Cantaloupe
• Dandelion
• Dirt
• Dragon's Breath
• Fresh Baked Bread
• Green Grass
• Orange Sherbet
• Pumpkin Pie
• Red Licorice
• Suntan Lotion
• Timber
• Vanilla Frappuccino
• Watermelon Candy

One clever way to utilize a child's sense of smell is to create a "Scrub n' Sniff" set of Mini Soaps, Bath Salts, or Bath Bombs.  Kids will have a blast guessing each scent, then using them in the tub.  The same idea can be used to create a set of fun scented Lip Balms.  Try using some of the following Flavor Oils to create a set of Lip Balms that kids will adore:

• Blueberry Delight
• Bubble Gum
• Caramel Apple
• Red Licorice
• Mango
• Maple
• Milk Chocolate
• Peach
• Tangerine
• Vanilla Pear
• Wild Cherry

What are your favorite recipes to craft for kids?  Share them with us in the comments below.