Make it Monday // DIY Makeup Remover with Essential Oils

As you may (or may not) know, I am trying to focus on moving to a cruelty free lifestyle.  (You can read my transition guide here.)  I'm focusing mainly on cleaning & beauty products this year and part of that, I'm realizing, is also going eco friendly.  I decided that I didn't need to be using something like a single use makeup wipe on the daily.  First off, I'm not quite sure what those things are made of.  Secondly, I'm already using some products that I know will treat my skin a little bit better.

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I wear makeup at least 3-4 times a week, often more, so I'm going through these wipes so fast!  Now I imagine the bags and bags of semi-fabric-semi-paper-towel-probably-heavily-plastic wipes that I've personally thrown away.  No more!  Now I use a more sustainable option that is nourishing to my skin.

supplies // fractionated coconut oil (or other carrier oil of your choice), essential oils, container

So, how do you make it?

This DIY couldn't be simpler - combine 5-10 drops of your essential oil of choice & fractionated coconut oil into your container.  The container I show above is only stainless steel on the outside, the inside is coated in plastic.  If you choose to use a citrus oil be sure your entire container is either glass or stainless steel.  The citrus oil can degrade the plastic and cause it to leech the plastic into your oil.

Daily, I use lavender, frankincense, and melaleuca (tea tree oil) for my skin.  The lavender scent is super calming at the end of the day!

And here's how to put it to use!

Use one pump in clean hands and massage into face to dissolve your makeup. It is seriously that easy.  As a note, be careful around sensitive areas - like your eyes.  Since the oil is heavily diluted, I personally haven't had any problems rubbing it around my eyes to remove mascara, etc.  If you'd like more targeted application, use 100% cotton rounds.  I've even heard of people sewing their own reusable rounds out of flannel and fleece to be more sustainable!

After you've massaged the remover over your face to break up the makeup, run a wash cloth under hot water (not too hot!) and place over your face.  Use this guy the same way you'd use your makeup wipe.  You may want to invest in some nice baby washcloths since they are a bit gentler.  Rinse the washcloth in hot water after use to remove the makeup & oil from the cloth.  The best part is you can wash the washcloth with your clothes!  Fractionated coconut oil doesn't stain fabrics - you won't find those horrible little oil stains like from an oily dressing on your clothes.  

You could use other carrier oils but you may find that they aren't that great for skin, for example virgin coconut oil is considered comedogenic (meaning it is known to clog pores).  Fractionated coconut oil is thought to be significantly less comedogenic.  As a person with oily skin who previously used virgin coconut oil on my skin, I can say that fractionated coconut oil has really improved my complexion!  I'm sure the fact that I'm also using lavender, tea tree, and frankincense has helped too!

Essential Oils for the Skin

There are a lot of different essential oils on the market today so I want to make a note here on the quality of oils you should use.  Since our skin is our hugest organ and our skin absorbs what we put on it, it is important to make sure we are using pure essential oils - oils that lack any additives that may decrease the purity or potency of the oil.  The brand I suggest is doTERRA.  This brand provides Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade oils:

"The CPTG process certifies that there are no added fillers, synthetic ingredients, or harmful contaminants in their essential oils that would reduce their efficacy. doTERRA even goes a step further, putting all their products and the packaging through a battery of tests to ensure a long and effective shelf-life. This protocol ensures potency, purity, and consistency batch to batch." (source)

Above is a list of 6 essential oils perfect for use in your DIY makeup remover.  Each of these oils is said promotes healthy skin & a side benefit is the amazing aroma each oil offers.  It truly can make this simple act a mindful, self care ritual!  My skin has evened out and my makeup routine is so simple now - check out my 15 minute routine here.

Essential oils have become an integral part of my everyday life.  You can find the 8 ways I currently use essential oils here and sign up above to get my free ebook on using essential oils for practical & spiritual use!  If you'd like to learn how essential oils can change your mind, body, & spirit shoot me an email, I'd love to chat with you!

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Follow along on Instagram and join the Five Sixteenths | Live Creative Facebook Group for more inspiration.

How do you use essential oils daily?  Are you switching gears with your beauty products this year?

xoxo, Moe

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Fan Fridays: No Trash Lunch

When I think of being eco-friendly, I always thought in the broader sense, tracing lines of sustainability back to companies, etc.  When I see all the eco-friendly or recycled things in shops I think "Well, now how did that get there? oh yeah, it came on a diesel truck wrapped in plastic & stuffed with Styrofoam!" (Don't get me started on Styrofoam...I hate that stuff!)  And I thought who is it to tell me to be sustainable when the companies advertising these items don't seem to be themselves? Well, I've changed my thoughts now.  It's not just about every little thing it's about one little thing. There's nothing wrong with choosing to not support the sustainable efforts that are coming off wrong but there is something wrong with choosing not to be sustainable for yourself, your lifestyle, & your family.  That may sound selfish, but these efforts often improve the home first.  I rarely give into fads just because someone does it or because everyone is doing it or because it's the cool thing to do.  I love the things I love because, well, I find them interesting and it just so happens that I've begun to find the things I can do at home to reduce consumption interesting because I know they will put pennies back in my wallet.
So this school year, I want to do a few things to save myself some money & be a bit more sustainable:

1. I plan on bringing snacks or drinks in my purse that are in reusable containers.  I will not buy cookies/chips/granola individually wrapped nor will I purchase them from vending machines.  I will use my  reusable water bottle instead of purchasing bottled water.
2. I want to say that I will not buy any more coffee from coffee shops, but that may be harder to do.  I do have a coffee cup with a top that I use when I make my own (which is nearly every morning) but do you think they will refill my cup? I don't want to have to buy one of their cups, you know?
3. Thirdly, I will try  to buy only what I need at the grocer.  Usually I am just like, "Hmmmmm...this looks good." and it never gets used.  I don't have much time to prepare fresh foods either, which is horrible.
4. And, this may gross you out, I love the idea of reusable menstrual pads.  They are made of soft cotton fabric on one side, a thick yet slim layer of absorbent material, & backed with a waterproofed material.  I think these are great inventions!

I've compiled a few etsy shops featuring reusable products that are cute & logically useful: 

A big part of being sustainable/eco-friendly, to me, is buying & supporting handmade.  I encourage all you you if you are taking an eco-friendly pledge to either make your own from scraps you already have or buy from small handmade businesses.  It's just nice to support your trade & to support the handmade community.

1. First are these great dryer balls to eliminate the use of dryer sheets in the dryer.  You can find these & other colors in Clean Sypria's etsy shop.
2. Second are the reusable menstrual pads mentioned above.  This gnome one from Punkys Pads' shop is made for heavy flow or overnight.  Searching on etsy, I found ones that range from light to heavy & overnight so you are covered (get it? see what I did there?) 
3. This cute lemon-y snack buddy from Circus Peanuts is perfect for half of a sandwich or a small snack.  This bright pattern will keep you cheery all year round too!
4. This decorative bottle is a re purposed wine bottle painted with non toxic paint & then covered with hand punched (can you believe it?!?!) blue circles.  You can find this gem & a load more in Greencycle Designs shop.
5. Finally is this sandwich bag from OYCreations Too.  This bag is made from pretty fabric & (get this) fused plastic bags as the liner! How cool is that? It is sealed with a strip of velcro so crumbs don't escape.  I love this shop because each item is made by senior citizens from recycled fabrics found at estate sales & thrift stores.

I am in no way claiming that I will be perfect at all of these things but I know that change is what makes it stick so I am giving it more than the good college try...I am going to do it!

If you've taken some steps to improve your eco-friendly efforts please share them.  What have you changed to reduce your consumption?  Thanks for reading!