This is not a subject I would generally dive into. However, I really feel like I must. For most people, I would assume , applying deoderant is a daily function , just like showering, brushing your teeth, doing your makeup, etc... You don't really think about it , you just do it, its part of your daily routine. Well for me, and I don't think I am alone, deoderant is somewhat of a preoccupation. Face it, no one wants to stink, and well, some of us may feel we smell more than others. I, for one, think I am one of those "smelly" people, weather it is actually true, or just a perception of mine, it bothers me. I, in the past 30 years, have tried every deoderant on the grocery store shelves at one time or another and still am not happy. ( The exception is Certian Dry. It works, but its it's expensive and gives me a rash). I have resigned myself to using Suave. Now, there is nothing wrong with Suave, with coupons I get it for like 40 cents. You can't beat that. It works as good as the rest. However, I still have to apply it twice a day not to be stinky, ( even more in the hot summer ) , and deal with the heavy scent (though Suave's scents are nice) . It's frustrating and sort of gives me a complex. After reading hundreds of posts and articles I have come to realize that baking soda and cornstarch deoderant has a huge following. It has almost a 100% satisfaction rate. Honestly, I thought it was unbelievable and just for those "crazy green, modern day hippies", until I tried it myself. I mixed 1 teaspoon of baking soda to 2 teaspoons of cornstarch. This should last me least a week ( I am way-y-y heavy handed), and I did it at such a small amount as a trial basis because I honestly didn't think it would work. I mixed it well and put in in a ornate antique ceramic makeup jar that was my grandmothers because, A. I wanted to disguise it and, B. It looked pretty on my vanity. You can put it in anything you want , a jar, a tupperware container, as long as its sealed. After showering and while I was in my towel and my armpits were damp, but not soaking wet, I dusted quite a large amount on using an old fluffy makeup brush. I applied it just like I was powdering my face. You could use your fingers to apply if you don't have a brush, I just thought the brush was quicker, more sanitary, and more uniform in application. Now, this IS messy. Its like any other powder, it kind of goes everywhere if your not slow and presise in application (which I am not). Being skeptical I put a ton on and had quite a bit of transfer on my shirt when I got dressed. (Again, apply it directly after showering, before you get dressed). I was shocked that I could remove the residue on my shirt with a damp cloth. Normally, if I would have gotten regular deoderant stains on my clothes I would have had to change. I AM AMAZED. Its 10+ hours and I have zero sweat and ZERO odor. I am 100% "stink" free. I smell NOTHING. And I mean 100% NOTHING. When I use traditional deoderant I smell something at at least hour 4 (if I am lucky- most of the time its hour 2). Usually its a combination of the deoderant and "stink". Never, ever, ever have I been able to go this long an smell nothing. Truly, my mind is blown, and that is the only reason I am doing this post. I have found most comercial deoderants are heavily scented to mask the "stink" smell. The unscented versions, even those for men, simply don't mask b.o. . I don't want to smell -period and I really don't want to smell my deodrant. If I want to smell I use my perfume, (thats why I have perfume ) not my deoderant. The only draw back to this deoderant recipe is that the baking soda may cause a rash on some people. That is why I made such a small batch. Most posts I have read that complain of a rash is after a week or so. If you try this and experience any rash, itchyness or discomfort, up the cornstarch by one, whatever- your- equal -measurement, is to the baking soda, until you find the perfect recipe for you. I personally do not see myself going back to commercial deoderant - ever, and this is only after one day. Trust me I am such a skeptic! This cost me pennies, does not stain my clothes, leaves me 100% dry, and is truly unscented. What is not to like ? If you don't like it no harm, no foul - go to the store and buy a stick of Secret or Suave or Dove or whatever.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
HOMEMADE RED LIP TINT
I happen to love red lips, however, red lipstick can be high maintenance and look, well, high maintenance and made up . I have been on a homemade kick lately. With that said, I have been researching online for homemade makeup alternatives and have seen plenty of posts about using kool-aid as a lip stain. Honestly, I was like "What, no way! A perfect red lip for less than 25 cents that lasts all day! Your crazy!" It's to good to be true. Well, sort of . Let me explain. Most posts call for you to simply open a pack of red kool-aid (I use the Tropical Punch flavor as it gives me the best red color), wet a q-tip or your finger (beware it will stain your finger if you do this) and rub it on your lips, let dry, dust off leftover crystals and go. Simple, right. Well, yes, but there is a terrible downside. First, unsweetened kool-aid in the little packs taste not so good, its bitter, and it BURNS, yes, it burns your lips. Well, at least it burns mine, and it burns something awful. Sorry, I don't like burning lips. On top of that, its so messy. So being as stubborn as I am, I was determined to make this work, and save me a small fortune in red lipstick (although I do love my red lipstick and have no problem spending a few dollars on it). There are plenty other posts online about making a kool-aid lip balm by using a pack of kool-aid added to a tub of melted vaseline and viola! Lip balm. Hmmmm, I'm thinking about combining this idea, Ohhhh yeah, this may just work. Here we go, 1 tablespoon of vaseline (petroleum jelly) I get the generic at the dollar store for a dollar, its all the same for this. 1 full packet of tropical punch kool-aid ( I use tropical punch because it gives me the best true red, you can try whatever you like. Mind you, the finished product is not the same shade as what it turns out as on your lips. To know the true color of the kool-aid "lipstick" , add a drop of water to a bit of the plain kool-aid. When the kool-aid meshes with the water, that gives you the true shade.) ( 1 packet of unsweetened kool-aid equals 1 1/4 teaspoons just in case you were wondering. Yes, I actually measured. Sorry , I am kind of O.C.D.) 1/2 teaspoon of sugar (this is optional but trust me, kool-aid unsweetened tastes awful and again, it BURNS! The bit of sugar is more than worth it) tooth picks small glass bowl little container for finished tint- I used old Smiths Rosebud Salve tin I had saved because I liked the tin, but any old lipgloss pot, lipstick tube, chapstick tube, or old eye cream pot would work. If you don't have one of these go to the dollar store, any tiny container would work. Fact is, I may make lip balm for my nieces next Christmas and the dollar store has a 10 pack of small "tupperware" containers for a dollar. They have both round and square. They are slightly bigger than a standard lipgloss pot but for the price I don't care. Lets get to it!
Melt vaseline in a glass container, in the microwave, for 2 minutes. It will not look melted. Stir with a toothpick (trust me, tooth picks make much eaiser clean up because you just throw the tooth pick away) the vaseline will melt when stirred. Next, add the sugar slowly and stir, stir, stir. Again, optional, but I won't make it without it. Then, VERY SLOWY add the kool-aid and stir, stir, stir. If you add the kool-aid too quickly you will get "clumps" that WILL NOT MELT and you have to throw it all away. Slow is the key. If the vaseline starts to set back up, put back in microwave for 20 seconds. Pull out and stir, stir, stir. Put back in for another 20 seconds if needed and----- Stir, stir, stir. Then stir some more and more and more. Pour into your container of choice and put in fridge for about an hour or let set up at room temp. over night. To use- apply to DAMP lips with a BRUSH. If your lips are bone dry you won't get any color (the kool-aid needs "water" to form color) and if you use your fingers it will stain- badly, again, this is a stain. I actually use a $1 E.L.F. essentials concealer brush, that I got at Kmart as my lipbrush. I was shocked by the color I got. It was a bright, yet natural red, but still red, realy red shade that actually looked as good as my red lipstick, just more "real". I am trying to perfect this recipe because it came out very, very gritty. (that is why I am enforcing the whole stir, stir, stir thing.) I have to lick and rub my lips together to melt the grit and give it full color. However, it is much, much more gentle and user friendly than using straight kool-aid as a stain. I don't think I stirred enough during my " I-got-it- almost-right" batch because I got impatient. I wasted 7 packs of kool-aid and a half a tub of vaseline trying to get this recipe down. Its still not perfect but if you want a cheap, yet, better alternative to the plain kool-aid lip tint seen on Pinterest or other posts try this. I will use this daily all summer long. ( I wear red lipstick every single day) Its great for my less formal functions , like B-B-Q's, boating or motorcyle rides, when my full on red lipstick looks a little out of place. To be honest, I don't know yet if this is going to be a permanent replacement for my regular red lipstick and some of you may say "Oh girl, your nuts!! I'm just gonna spend the $ for my lipstick cuz' this ain't worth the trouble". But, if you want something long lasting, a bit more natural, and dirt cheap (com'on its pennies compared to at least $2.00- $5.00 for a decent cheap drugstore red lipstick), it may be worth the try. It can be a bit messy and the kool aid can stain everything. I recomend putting newspaper or a plastic bag down on your work area. Plus to wash the vaseline out of your glass container is a greasy mess. Nevertheless, I am very pleased with the finished product when it 's all said and done.
