Easy Bronzing Face Powder DIY for Summer
To make a bronzing face powder which will finish your summer #nomakeup looks with a soft glow + a little bit of color here's what you'll need:
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How to Make A DIY Face Mask!
Do you love the idea of mixing up your own face masks with our DIY products to treat the ever changing needs of your skin but aren't quite sure where to start?
This is the post for you, my friend!
The bad news, there are so many options it can seem a bit overwhelming at first.
The good news, despite all of the options, it's pretty much impossible to mess this up as it's all really, really good for your skin!
First things first, to make a mask, you'll need to have our exfoliating daily cleanser + masque on hand. This will be your base. It's an all-purpose cleanser and mask combo that was designed to balance all skin types. It works great all by itself mixed with plain water, but if you want to play with DIY mask recipes to treat whatever is going on with your skin at the moment, you can add any of our mask add ins, carrier oils, serums, hydrosols, toner, or, something from your kitchen!
So to make up your own mask, you'll just need to decide what your skin needs and start mixing.
Let's start with the dry ingredients.
Would you like...
Extra deep cleansing?
Choose activated charcoal and/or pink kaolin clay.
Moisture?
Choose sandalwood and/or aloe vera powder.
More exfoliation?
Choose rosehip seed powder.
Repair and/or reduce redness and/or fight acne?
Matcha.
You can choose just one add-in or several. Or, if you want to get really fancy, you can try mask contouring - which means you'll mix up different masks for different areas of your face. I have never done this because I am lazy. Also, my face is pretty well balanced, due to the fact that I use such excellent products. ;)
How much to use:
Start with about a tablespoon of the powder cleanser base, then about 1/4 teaspoon of any of the add ins is plenty. Real talk, I have literally never measured a mask. I sprinkle them in my hands over the sink, and if I accidentally dump out to much... oh well!
It's that simple.
That being said,
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Some of the add ins, like charcoal, matcha, and pink kaolin clay, will be difficult to rinse off if you use too much. In the case that you end up with black or green or pink left on your face after rinsing off your mask, you'll want to follow with an oil cleanse to get everything off.
And, fyi - a little bit of aloe vera powder goes a very long way - you'll notice that just a tiny bit makes your mask a lot thicker and more gel like, which is a great way to beef up the texture.
If you are a neat freak, or someone who likes to be exact, get a little bowl to mix and measure in, and, you can also stir and apply your mask with a (clean) makeup brush if you want to be really fancy! (This would also come in handy if you want to try mask contouring, or so I'd imagine...)
Then what?
If you want more moisture, you can add a carrier oil, facial oil, or serum. You can add a couple drops, or a full dropper (or two.) 3-5 drops is plenty, and works to thicken your mask a bit and keep it hydrated (and activated) longer, where as a full dropper is more like doing an oil cleanse.
Just pick any oil you like, whatever works well for your skin. Or go without!
Totally up to you!
Okay, so then what?
Mix in your liquid!
Water is always a classic.
If you have oily skin, and/or are fighting breakouts, toning mist works great.
If you want more hydration (and gentle exfoliation,) coconut milk or coconut water is awesome.
Hydrosols are... hydrating (and soothing.)
You could also brew a cup of green, chamomile, or jasmine tea. (LET IT COOL BEFORE YOU PUT IT ON YOUR FACE!!!)
And,
if you'd like to add your own essential oils, I'd recommend no more than 3 drops, tops.
Tea tree, frankincense, and lavender are pretty foolproof eos to begin experimenting with!
How much liquid to add:
It really depends on how thick you want your mask to be.
First, wet your face with your free hand.
Then -
Start very small.
Very, very small.
I don't have an exact amount, because it really depends on how much powder you're working with and what consistency you'd like your mask to be.
I typically stand over the sink and just sprinkle a few drops of water at a time into the powder with my fingertips until it's the consistency I want it to be. Keep in mind that the more water you add, the runnier and messier it will be.
More water = Less exfoliation
Less water = More exfoliation
It may take a couple of tries to get the hang of mixing it up just the way you like it, but don't fret. You can always add more powder if you use too much water. If you're worried about it, just grab a bowl from the kitchen!
How to apply:
Whether or not you've added extra exfoliants, your mask will already be gently polishing, due to the stone ground rice flour in the powder cleanser. If you do want to exfoliate, gently massage the mask into your skin using small, circular motions, concentrating the action on any spots you wish to de-flake.
If you don't want to exfoliate and are trying to be very gentle with your skin, use a clean makeup brush to spread the mask on evenly over your skin. Or, just wipe it on very gently on with your fingers.
How long to wait:
These masks will dry fairly quickly, and the kaolin clay pretty much stops doing it's job (which is gently drawing out impurities from your pores) once it's dry.
So, if you're in a hurry, just leave it on about 5 minutes until it dries. I'm a big fan of letting it dry while I brush and floss my teeth at night.
If you'd like to leave it on longer to soak up all of the goodness of whatever it is you've added and to keep the clay activated longer, you'll have to keep your mask moist.
Ways to keep your mask activated longer:
1. Spritz periodically with toning mist or a hydrosol. 2. Add more facial oil or serum during the mixing stage. 3. Lay a damp washcloth over your face whilst wearing the mask. 4. Wear the mask in the shower or while taking a warm bath and allow the steam from the water to keep your mask from drying out.
You can leave it on for 20-30 minutes.
How to take it off:
You can remove your mask however you like!
I typically just splash my face with water under the sink.
If you want extra exfoliation, you can give your face another gentle scrub at this point.
If you don't want extra exfoliation, you can wipe your mask off with a damp washcloth.
If you're having trouble getting everything off, do an oil cleanse.
You will probably want to finish your charcoal mask with an oil cleanse anyway, as it really helps to loosen up the gunk in your pores that the activated charcoal has attached itself to. I know it seems counterintuitive to apply oil to oily or acne prone skin, but you've gotta trust me here. It works.
See this blog post for an oil cleanse how-to.
Then what?
Don't forget to follow with toner or hydrosol and a moisturizer!
I love rubbing toning mist (or hydrosol) over my face with a cotton ball after a mask, just to make sure I got all of the leftover product off.
And I also recommend applying a facial oil or serum to your skin while it's still a bit damp from the toner to lock in the hydration.
And that's it! You've just given yourself a DIY facial, and I promise you, you'll be happy with the results when you wake up in the morning.
But I have so many more questions... help!
Duuuude, calm down.
I'm serious about this stuff being impossible to mess up.
If you're not sure which add-in to try, read the descriptions and buy a sample!
A $4 sample of one of the powder add-ins will provide you with at least 3-4 masks, which is plenty to tell whether or not you're going to like the results, and I'm pretty sure you will.
If you're bugging about about information overload, perhaps DIY isn't for you. No big deal!
I've got a new Green tea + Aloe mask that's all ready to go, so all you have to do is add water and apply.
And I will be releasing more pre-mixed masks throughout the next year, so keep an eye on the monthly beauty boxes for the latest release!
I'll also be posting more exact recipes to follow soon, but in the meantime check these out:
Of course, if you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask!
Happy mixing.
-XO-
4 hard truths everyone needs to understand about skincare
Fun fact: I NEVER intended to have a skincare brand. I'm not sure what happened here - I really wanted to have a fragrance business! Now, I've got a ton of perfume and matching body care items that are just taking up space in my studio while I'm scrambling to make enough cleanser, toner, and facial oil every week because I can't keep it in stock. I actually got into making skincare by accident. I'm not a scientist or a dermatologist or an esthetician or an aromatherapist. I'm just a curious consumer (i.e. I will literally stand in the middle of the store with my phone and look up the ingredients I don't recognize on every single product that I'm considering buying,) who got tired of seeing products that sounded good but were actually mostly made up of water, fillers, and preservatives. The more I learned about natural ingredients, the more I thought... "Hmm... wouldn't it be more effective to use ingredients that didn't need their natural texture modified, or a ton of preservatives to keep them from spoiling?" Then one day, after learning about some old folk skincare remedies that used the same ingredients as my deodorant, (I already had them on hand and figured, why not?) I experimented with my first facial care recipe - a powder cleanser - and I noticed a HUGE positive difference in my skin immediately. I haven't washed my face with anything else since. After getting some good feedback from family and friends, and about a million experiments later, I also had a toner and a facial oil. Then an acne spot treatment and an eye serum! Today, my products are the only things I ever put on my face, and I feel like my skin has never looked better. Whoops?!
It seems like a lot of natural beauty brands are on a mission to rid the world of potentially toxic, harmful ingredients, and I think that's great. I think we absolutely should be questioning and getting familiar with everything we put on our bodies. But, that's not really my mission with Twinkle Apothecary. My decision to work with natural ingredients really just comes out of a desire to get back to nature and simplicity. As a vegan, I need to know that all of my ingredients are cruelty free and not tested on animals, so when I start to look at lab created substances, that gets a bit more hairy. It's easier to skip it and work with what I know. I'm also just obsessed with plants. I think they're totally magical and joyful and lovely. They make my body feel good when I eat them, and they make my skin feel good when I apply their extracts to my body. There may be some amazingly effective synthetic ingredients out there, but I'm perfectly happy with what I've got. Finally! For the first time in my life, (I'm 34, btw) I feel empowered when it comes to my skin. I know how to make myself look and feel good, and I know how to treat my own skin when issues arise, which leads me to the whole point of this article. More than anything, I want my customers to feel empowered by their skincare choices. It's why I created my DIY line! Because if I can figure this stuff out, so can you.
I get SO MANY questions about skincare every single day, and despite my lack of technical knowledge I try to answer them as best I can, but the more I think about it, the more I realize that there's a big portion of the equation we're missing out on when we talk about taking care of our faces. Unfortunately I'm afraid it's not what people who are shopping for skincare want to hear, but here it is anyway - my 4 (hard, inconvenient) skincare truths I wish more people understood:
1. There are no shortcuts, no miracle products, and no overnight cures.
We are being fed bold-faced lies by cosmetic companies every single day. Don't buy into that crap you're hearing on television commercials! There is nothing you can put on your skin that will "cure" it overnight, unless we're talking injecting your wrinkles with fillers and botox. Botox totally works. But, even that's not permanent. Skincare is a lifelong process. You're never going to be "done." Every day, your skin is a reflection of the products you put on it (or not,) your diet, how much sleep you got, how well hydrated you are, your menstrual cycle... It fluctuates, just like the rest of your body! If you want to glow, or at least learn to love your skin, you've gotta buckle up for the long haul. It takes discipline to stick to a routine. I realize that probably sounds like not a lot of fun to most of you, but it can totally be fun! I love my skincare routine! It feels like I'm treating myself every time I go in my bathroom, and I get to like what I see in the mirror too - which is kind of why you're here reading this, right?
2. You cannot compare yourself to celebrities.
I guarantee you, anyone even remotely related to Hollywood that you're following on Instagram (or seeing on these lie-filled television commercials) is getting botox. Unless they have openly discussed their stance on cosmetic procedures and have said that they aren't doing it, just assume that they're getting a TON of shit done. If a woman in her late 20s, 30s, 40s doesn't have any lines on her face, it's because she is getting injections every 6-8 weeks. It's not natural you guys. I don't care how healthy they appear to be - wrinkles happen to everyone eventually. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with getting botox - you do you - but, just please don't look at their faces and assume that there must be something wrong with yours, ok? We live in a patriarchal society that is trying to convince us that we are only as worthy as we are young and sexually attractive to men, which is of course, total BS. Don't feed that effed up machine. Learn to love yourself. Know your worth outside of your appearance. And also, PHOTOSHOP. Assume that everything is photoshopped.
3. It's more than about what you put ON your skin.
SO much more. I say this all the time (see #1) but I will keep repeating it until I feel like people are actually hearing me. Your skin is a reflection of your diet, your water intake, your caffeine intake, your alcohol intake, your supplements and medicines... your exercise routine... how clean your pillow case is... the bacteria on your hands and your phone... I can go on and on... and it's for better or for worse. If you're having chronic skin issues, you could be low-key allergic to something you're eating everyday and you won't find out what until you do an elimination diet. (This is where doctors come in handy, because they're trained to diagnose diseases. I am SO not!) For me, I know that a vegan diet is best for my digestion and skin, but sometimes I eat too many peppers and tomatoes and carrots and it makes my already pinkish skin even more red. Lately I've found that avoiding alcohol, getting more sleep, and meditating to reduce my stress has made a HUGE difference. For you, it could really be anything! I don't know! I don't know your life! I can tell you everything about about my products and why you should buy them, but I can't refill your water bottle for you. Or make you eat a big salad for lunch. Or force you go to bed an hour earlier every night. That's all on you. You've got to figure out what works for your life.
4. Perfection does not exist.
Again, I say this all the time, but I'm also soooo guilty of beating myself up over not being perfect. (Like, trying to run a skincare and wellness business over here with a giant pimple on our neck, are we now?? YOU FAILURE!) I realize it sounds ridiculous once I write it out like that, but I know we're all doing this to ourselves in one way or another and it needs to stop. I get so many emails from people like "HELP! My skin is such a wreck, I've tried everything and I don't know what to do!" And then I see you guys in person or on social media, and I'm thinking... "Um... what?? She's so gorgeous!"
We have to stop scrutinizing every single pore. We have to learn to accept that our skin is going to fluctuate. We have to try our best to take good care of our whole selves everyday and not sweat the small stuff. We have to understand that celebrities get pimples and wrinkles too - they've just got very expensive entourages of dermatologists and makeup artists and photoshop experts to cover that shit up! Banish the thought of having "perfect" skin from your mind. Focus on literally anything else. Do not waste time chasing down every new product that promises perfection. You've got better things to do. Take good care of yourself, yes, but don't stop yourself from living a full life and indulging every once in a while, because your face is never going to be perfect anyway! Also, don't be afraid to have your picture taken when you feel like you're having a "bad skin day." That's what filters are for, am I right?
Oy...
It would be so great if I could come up with a line of products that transformed your skin from the outside in, but I'm afraid that's just not the way it works! Sometimes I worry that my business is doomed because I refuse to sell people lies and indulge in fear based marketing tactics. And because I'm not a scientist (not that people what to hear about science either) I have no way to back my product claims up with facts. I don't have any kind of budget for lab tests or clinical trials. You just have to try it for yourself and see - maybe it will work for you, maybe it won't! Either way, I feel a lot better having gotten all of this off of my chest and I hope that you appreciate my honesty. Haha. Also, I do hope that I've inspired you to rethink your approach to taking care of your face (not to mention your whole body and mind) just a little bit...
I have kind of a crazy idea that I'm toying with for the month of August. I'd like to write a daily skincare diary on my personal blog, complete with notes about my diet and lifestyle choices and makeup-free selfies. I feel like it might be a bit boring and difficult for me to keep up with, but considering all of the questions I get about skincare, I think you guys might be into it. I think it also might be interesting to document how my own skin fluctuates on a monthly basis... see if I can prove my point here maybe... in an unscientific way, sure, but I think the proof will be in the pudding. Or, the pictures...
Okay, let's do it! You are more than welcome to join me over there to see how it goes, and I will post a recap here too at the end of the month.
I'll get things started with this lovely, un-retouched, makeup free picture of myself that I snapped just now sitting at my desk in my pjs:
(Yes, that is a Spice Girl poster behind me... and, yes, I am wearing my "I'm With Her" HRC campaign T-Shirt again... sobs... GIRL POWER WUT UP?!)
Let me know your thoughts! (You always do anyway... lol... jk... love you guys!)
-XO-
How To Make Natural Deodorant Work For You
So you want to switch to a natural deodorant (YAY) but you can't find anything that works (BOO.)
And you're tired of being smelly and spending money on stuff that doesn't really do anything.
I get it. I really, really do.
Cheer up, buttercup. Things are about to get so much better for you and your pits.
You CAN make this natural deodorant thing work. I can help.
First of all, let's go back to basics and talk about the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant.
A deodorant is meant to block/stop body odor, where as an antiperspirant is meant to stop you from actually sweating.
And unfortunately, there aren't really any natural antiperspirants.
So if you're trying to keep it natural, you're looking for a deodorant.
Which means when you are wearing a deodorant, you WILL STILL SWEAT WHEN YOU GET HOT. Because sweat is how your body cools itself down when it gets overheated to prevent you from dying. (And despite what everyone on the internet says, sweat's main purpose is not to "detox" your body. That job belongs your kidneys, liver, and colon.)
However, a good deodorant will stop you from smelling when you get sweaty, up to a certain point. Body odor happens when the sweat mingles with bacteria on your skin, and bacteria thrives in moist, warm conditions -
so at a certain point, you're going to have to take a shower, change your shirt, or at least wash your underarms. (If you aren't able to get in the shower, I recommend "washing" your underarms with a few spritzes of toner.)
Sorry to burst your dirty little bubble there...
But while I'm at it -
The reason why your underarms get so stinky is because the glands under your arms produce a thicker kind of sweat than those your forehead or back, and that thicker sweat provides even more nutrients for bacteria. Basically, the hotter you get, the more bacteria are going to show up to get in on that sweaty action, and the more you will stink.
I know, it's really gross.
So what do you do about it?
I mean, there's no magic, miracle formula. All you can really do is try to control the bacteria.
Obviously, I'm not a scientist, but I believe that my deodorant works so well because it absorbs moisture to keep you dry which keeps bacteria at bay, and because the essential oils that I use in my fragrances are naturally anti-bacterial.
Also... let's talk baking soda.
It's kind of complicated, and you can spend hours reading weirdo conflicting theories about it on the internet, but the bottom line is that it is effective at neutralizing bad odors, but some people are sensitive to it and it can cause a rash. From what I understand, (like I said, I'm not a scientist,) baking soda is an amphoteric substance, which means that it will react against a substance that is either very alkaline or very acidic. Sweat is acidic, so the baking soda fights to neutralize it or make it more alkaline.
You won't really know if you have a baking soda sensitivity until you try it, and I'll tell you that it doesn't take much baking soda to A) be effective at controlling odor, or, B) cause an uncomfortable, stinging, bumpy situation under your arms.
Personally, I like to only use baking soda when I know I really need it. Like when I'm working out, or if it's hot outside, or if I know I'm going to be in a stressful situation where I might get nervous.
Of course, this could literally be everyday, (especially if you're a nervous driver like myself) but if just hanging out at home, or if it's wintertime, I go with baking soda free.
Which brings me to the whole point of this blog...
Making natural deodorant work for YOU.
If you're committed to making it work, you can find a way.
You're the boss.
Don't forget that the deodorant works for you!
So, if you're seriously struggling with this deodorant thing, take back control of the situation right this second. Don't you let it get the best of you!
Don't let it see you sweat!
(Sorry... I'll stop now.)
(Sorry... I'll stop now.)
Here is your plan of action:
1. Get used to feeling sweaty when you get hot.
I think this is the main reason why people give up on natural deodorant and say it doesn't work. It feels so unnatural to feel wet under your arms, which is funny, because it's a totally natural bodily function!
I love my deodorant because it absorbs moisture and makes your underarms feel really silky and dry. However, if you get hot and sweaty, you do have to reapply to get that nice dry feeling back. Sorry, but them's the facts!
2. Try baking soda, but have a backup on hand.
This is the reason that I sell $10 1 oz unscented deodorants. So that you can have your main deodorant in the fancy scent in your preferred formula, but alternate it with the other formula as needed. If baking soda normally works just fine for you, but you suddenly get irritated (this happens to me sometimes when I get really overheated, and my personal unscientific theory is that the baking soda chemical reaction is working overtime in an attempt to neutralize the situation) you can switch to baking soda free for a day or two until it calms down.
And vice versa - if you normally have good results with baking soda free but you are staring a new fitness class or have to give a big presentation, you might want to have a baking soda formula on clutch for emergency sweat situations.
You can also order the deodorant duo and get one of each in your favorite scent at a discount.
3. Layer with alternative products.
In my shop, I offer himalayan salt crystals, but I've also had good luck with layering natural deodorant with the rock crystal brand that they sell at most natural grocery stores. You wet it down, rub it on your armpits (newsflash, the salt may not feel great if you just shaved but it goes away and the deodorant mositurizes/soothes) and once it's all dry, add the deodorant on top. Again, I don't know how it works exactly, but I can tell you from personal experience that the salt is super effective at neutralizing odor.
There's also body powder.
Yes, it's super old school, and you may not think you have any room for an extra product in your life, but it really is so great at absorbing moisture, which keeps bacteria from multiplying. Even if you don't want to powder your pits, you've GOT to try it in your shoes and/or gym bag!
(My personal favorite way to use it is to sprinkle it on my bedsheets in the summer!)
4. DIY
So, perhaps right now you're thinking, "Stefanie, this is all well and good, but I don't actually have money to buy this stuff you're recommending!"
No worries!
I'm now going to share with you my DIY deodorant recipe that started it all.
It's simple, cheap, effective, requires no special ingredients, equipment, or any skill whatsoever beyond stirring. I bet that you if you're reading this blog, you've got all of this stuff on hand, but even if you don't, it's all very inexpensive.
Here's what you need:
Virgin coconut oil, a thickening agent, (you can use tapioca, arrowroot, or cornstarch interchangeably - I initially used tapioca starch because I had a box in my cupboard that was about to expire!) baking soda, (totally optional) an empty wide mouth jar, and essential oils, (whatever you like, they pretty much all have antibacterial properties) I'm going to be really basic here and use tea tree and lavender.
A. Start with a clean, dry jar.
This is essential. You're going to be dipping your fingers in this (please wash them first) and rubbing them into a bacteria prone place on your body. Sanitize this jar in the dishwasher if you can, or wipe it down with some rubbing alcohol or vinegar and let it dry completely. Water breeds bacteria, so dry packaging/equipment is key when you're DIYing.
Here, I've washed out an old beauty butter jar, which holds about 2 oz, or 1/4 cup.
B. Put about 2 1/2 tablespoons of coconut oil in the jar.
Obviously, adjust the amount depending on the size of the jar you're using. 1/4 cup is 4 tablespoons, so I wanted to almost fill it up here while leaving enough room to add ingredients and stir without spilling. (As you can see, I'm pretty messy.)
C. Stir in your thickening agent.
Add a half tablespoon at a time of whatever you're using (I'm using tapioca here) until it forms a paste with a consistency to your liking. I ended up using 3 & 1/2 tablespoons.
D. Add baking soda (TOTALLY OPTIONAL!)
I'd recommend starting without baking soda and seeing how that works for you. But if you need more effective odor control, start with a teaspoon of baking soda. (A little really does go a long way, and if you add to much it will not be comfortable, so start small!) I wouldn't go over 2 tablespoons for a 1/4 cup jar.
E. Stir in 10-20 drops of essential oils.
Here I'm using 5 drops of tea tree oil and 12 drops of lavender.
Again, a little goes a long way. I definitely would NOT go over 20 drops.
F. Apply!
And enjoy your silky smooth stink free pits at the low low price of nothing, because I know you already had all of these ingredients on hand. This also makes a lovely sweat/odor blocking foot cream, which is how I'll be using it, since I'm pretty happy with my deodorant situation right now. ;)
And finally, it's time to
6. Get bodi-posi
Guys. I honestly think so much of making a natural deodorant work for you has to do with self confidence, and getting to know and accept your body.
You are a human. You're sweating because your body is functioning properly.
Do you need to detox?
I don't know! Do you have really unhealthy habits? Are you eating crap that makes you feel bad? I'd personally love to see you make long-term lifestyle changes that you can actually maintain instead of going for a temporary fix.
Chances are, you're totally healthy and fine and you just need to get used to feeling sweat under your arms when you get hot.
(Although the mom in me does think that we could all stand to drink more water.)
Bottom line: everyone sweats (hopefully!) and everyone gets stinky sometimes.
Over time, you'll find out what works for you, but you have to commit to trying or you'll never find out!
I didn't say this was an easy journey, did I?
'Cause it totally wasn't for me.
But I'm really glad that I made the switch, because now I get to feel really good about everything that I put on my body.
Best of luck to you!
-XO-
What the heck is a hydrosol?
Hydrosol...
Sounds like something that needs replaced every 5,000 miles to keep your car engine running smoothly, no?
Don't worry, it's not nearly that complicated.
It's just flower water.
I know...
It's called a hydrosol, because it's a product of HYDRO-distillation. They can also be called hydrolates, herbal distillates, herbal waters, and essential waters. Oh, and floral waters. Why so many names? I HAVE NO IDEA! It's very confusing! Confusing labeling for a very simple product.
Basically, a hydrosol is a by-product (or co-product) of the essential oil distillation process.
When the plants are hydro or steam distilled, their essential oils float to the top, then the rest of the water run off that's collected (which will contain a small amount of the essential oil as well as all of the therapeutic botanical extracts from the plant) is the hydrosol!
With a hydrosol, you get many of the benefits of the plant's essential oils, but at a much lower dilution that's safe to apply directly to your skin.
Sometimes, people will use the term "floral water" to refer to a blend of essential oils in water, which is not the same thing as a hydrosol, although a blend of essential oils in water (with witch hazel, like our toning mist) can be quite lovely and beneficial too!
Anyway...
Now that you know what a hydrosol is, here's what you do with it:
1. Skin Care
Our lavender and rose hydrosols are wonderful hydrating and balancing toners! They act as humectants, which means that they help prevent moisture loss. They also have natural antibacterial properties and are great for treating acne. Lavender is great for soothing skin, and rose is said to be an anti-aging powerhouse.
You can mix them with the powder cleanser + masque instead of tap water, or just mist your face after cleansing!
I love to mist my face with rose water right before I apply my facial oil before bed...
And lavender hydrosol seriously calms itchy skin in a flash!
2. Perfume and Aromatherapy
Obviously, they smell amazing, but I'm also always amazed by how long the scent lingers on my skin. They smell fresh and natural, and slightly different (more... plant-y? like fresh from the garden) than the essential oils. Spray them on your body or clothing/linens for a perfume and aromatherapy alternative! (They're safe for kiddos too!)
3. Anything else you can think of!
Add it to the bath, freshen up your car, spray it on your pillow before bed, balance your chakras, soothe bug bites, banish monsters from under your kid's bed... these are lovely to have on hand for just about any reason.
What's your favorite way to use hydrosols?
(Mine is skincare, most definitely!)
-XO-
A rosy, glowy DIY facial
I know it's been a while since I've shared a skincare diary with you guys...
Every week I intend to write down what I do to my face but then I realize that by about Tuesday afternoon I've completely forgotten to keep track!
To compromise, I'll share this lovely facial masque recipe that I enjoyed last week.
I call it my rosy, glowy facial, because it's pink, full of roses, and makes my skin G L O W !!!
Here's what you need:
1. Cleanser + Masque $10/$30 Honestly, this simple, exfoliating, skin-brightening, healing cleanser is probably my favorite product that I make. It has completely changed my face, and I don't think I could ever wash my face with regular soap or liquid foaming cleansers again.
2. Pink Kaolin Clay Add-in $6 French pink kaolin clay is actually a combination of red and white kaolin clay. It's a step up from the white kaolin clay that's already in my cleanser in terms of pulling impurities from your pores, but it's more gentle than red kaolin clay. I use this when I want a good, deep clean but don't want to fuss with a charcoal masque. Also, there's just something about it - (the pink color perhaps?) that makes my skin look so radiant and glowy!
3. Rose Hydrosol $14 I've been loving my rose hydrosol lately. It's hydrating, smells amazing, balances your skin's oil production... I mean, why use regular water on your face when you can use water that comes out of roses?!
4. Facial Oil $12/$35 Because it's absolutely chock full of amazing goodness for your skin. It's cleansing, anti-inflammatory, healing, helps even skin tone... it's my powerhouse do it all serum!
Bonus if you want to be really fancy:
5. Sandalwood Powder Add-in $16 This isn't necessary to get all of the benefits of this mask, but it is so, so lovely and totally worth the cost. Sandalwood powder has antiseptic properties that help heal/stop breakouts, and it also has moisturizing/antiaging benefits. Plus, it smells like sandalwood and makes you feel so luxurious! My favorite!
What to do:
1. Remove your makeup. Always start a masque on a clean face. I highly recommend doing a quick oil cleanse first.
2. Wet your face with water. (Or, if you want to be really fancy, rose hydrosol.)
3. Sprinkle about a tablespoon of cleanser into the palm of your hand.
4. On top of that, sprinkle about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of the pink kaolin clay (and optional sandalwood powder.) Note that these measurements are approximate. If you follow my instagram stories, you can probably tell that I just eyeball it while standing over my bathroom sink. If you're uptight about that stuff, feel free to get out measuring spoons and mix this up in a little bowl!
5. Add 3-5 drops of facial oil to the powder mixture.
6. Use your free hand to turn on the sink and sprinkle a bit of water onto the powder oil mixture to make a paste. Go slowly by adding a few drops at a time. You want to make something that you can spread onto your face easily that isn't too runny. It may take you a couple of tries to find the consistency that you like!
7. Let it sit on your face for as long as you like. I like to wait a few minutes then...
8. Mist on rose hydrosol to keep the mask moist so it can stay on longer! The thing about clay masks is that once the clay dries, it's kind of done working. So if you really want your skin to get a good, luxurious facial, you'll want to keep it from drying out too quickly. Or, you can keep it short and sweet and rinse it off as soon as it dries. Up to you!
9. Rinse it off with warm water. If you're having trouble getting it off, use a warm, damp washcloth to gently wipe it away.
10. Tone with rose hydrosol or toning mist. You'll want to make sure to clear your pores of any excess clay. Spritz the hydrosol (or toning mist if you have it on hand) onto a cotton ball and wipe it all over your face. You'll see why this is a necessary step when you look at the cotton ball.
11. Moisturize with facial oil. I like to move quickly - while my face is still damp from the toner/hydrosol, I massage 3-4 drops of facial oil all over my face and neck. Doing this while your skin is still damp helps lock in that lovely hydrating hydrosol.
12. Follow with your usual nighttime routine. For me, that typically means a layer of beauty butter all over my face and eyes, and lip balm. I pretty much always do facials at night, because it seems weird to me to do all of that work and then go put on makeup or expose my skin to environmental pollution. Plus, I love to wake up to baby soft, glowing skin! If you want to do this in the morning, I highly recommend following with facial balm for a protective barrier before you put on makeup or head outside!
I mean... can you believe you're just $42 from radiant, healthy skin?
I love DIY beauty!
Let me know what you think!
-XO-
Charcoal Mask DIY
If you have oily, easily congested skin that's prone to clogged pores and breakouts, you will LOVE this simple DIY facial!
Here's what you need:
1. powdered cleanser + masque ($10/$30)
2. DIY activated charcoal powder ($6)
3. makeup remover + cleansing oil ($30) (and yes, you CAN put this oil on your face, I P R O M I S E !!!)
4. toning mist ($8/$25)
5. a clean washcloth and cotton balls/rounds
STEP 1: Wet your face with warm water
STEP 2: pour about a tablespoon of cleanser into your hand, and add a bit of charcoal powder. (About half a cap - a little goes a looooong way!)
It should look about like this:
STEP 3: Mix with water
Use your free hand to turn on the sink and sprinkle a bit of water onto the mixture until it forms a paste (mix with you fingers as you go and add water slowly so it doesn't get too runny!)
STEP 4: Massage it onto your face in circular motions
(Avoid your eyes and mouth, obviously.)
STEP 5: Let it dry
It doesn't take long. You can let it sit for about 5-10 minutes... up to you!
(Bonus points if you can sneak up on your significant other and scare the bejeezus out of them...)
STEP 6: Rinse and Oil Cleanse
Begin rinsing this off by splashing warm water on your face, per usual. You'll notice that it doesn't want to come off. The charcoal likes to attach itself to the gunk in your pores, which is somewhat gross, but also kind of cool, right?
You'll want to do an oil cleanse to get it all off:
Massage a dropper full of the cleansing oil into your damp skin (AGAIN, YOU SO CAN PUT OIL ON YOUR FACE, TRUST ME!!!)* while running hot water in the sink.
Take your wash cloth and hold it under the running faucet to get it nice and hot (don't burn yourself!)
Place the damp, hot washcloth over your face for about 30 seconds to 1 minute for a quick steam.
Use the cloth to gently wipe the oil (and excess charcoal) off of your face.
STEP 7: Toner
You'll notice that there's still a bit of charcoal on your face.
So, take your toning mist and give your face a good spritz. Then, spray down a cotton ball/pad and rub it over your skin until the charcoal comes off!
STEP 8: Moisturize
Yes, you will want to moisturize after you finish this.
Take about 4 drops of the cleansing oil and massage them into your skin.
You can follow with facial balm, beauty butter, or whatever night cream/day cream you prefer. But please don't put junk on your face guys, totally defeats the purpose - let me know if you need help deciphering ingredient labels! (If you are acne prone, I recommend my facial balm, because the matcha powder has antibacterial properties that are great for keeping breakouts at bay!)
*I know a lot of people with oily skin are afraid to put oil on their face. But once you try it, you'll find that it actually helps to balance oil production. (Beware though, not all oils are created equal! I formulated my cleansing oil with oily skin types in mind - jojoba and watermelon seed oil are two of my favorites for oily skin!)
And that's it!
So simple, right?!
FYI, you may or may not see results immediately. The first time I tried this, I was skeptical, and I assumed that charcoal was just another trendy skincare ingredient that didn't really do much. That night I examined my pores before bed, and they looked about the same to me. But the next morning, I was amazed by how much clearer and smoother my face looked! Now, I make sure to do this once or twice a week, and I've noticed way less breakouts and the blackheads on my nose are disappearing, which is nothing short of a miracle, am I right?!
If you add this to your weekly skincare regimen, and make sure you're not using other products that clog your pores, your skin will be soooo happy!
Try it and let me know what you think!
Oh, and for those of you with oily skin, I've created a bundle just for you. It contains everything you need to get started caring for your skin for just $64. (Full retail value is $71!)
Just scroll to the bottom of this post to order!
-XO-
Easy Lip Scrub DIY
One of the things that I LOVE about DIY beauty is that you don't have to buy a lot of useless products. Whenever someone asks me if I make a lip scrub, my answer is, A) You need to buy my lip balm cause it actually works, then B) Just make a scrub yourself!
It's so easy!
Seriously.
Pick any exfoliant, mix it with oil, and rub it on your lips.
Boom.
Done.
Lately I've been loving rosehip seed powder as my go to scrub. In the event that my lips get chapped, (pretty rare because I apply lip balm diligently but occasionally it does happen) I sprinkle about 1/2 a capfull into my palm, mix it with a couple of drops of facial oil or a smidge of coconut oil, rub it on my lips, rinse it off, (if it gets in your mouth just spit it out) and apply lip balm right away to condition and lock in the moisture.
The key is to apply the lip balm immediately, even if you're about to wash your face.
The plant based waxes in the balm will create a waterproof barrier that will keep your lips hydrated as you wash your face and finish up your skincare routine.
Then re-apply the lip balm again when you're finished with your face. And keep reapplying it as often as necessary until your lips aren't chapped anymore!
See?
So ridiculously easy, and no extra beauty products required!
You could even do this with things you have on hand in the kitchen. Any oil will do - olive, grapeseed, almond...
And sugar makes an excellent lip scrub too, although I think it's a little too harsh to use on your whole face. I prefer the rosehip powder because it's more gentle and you get all of the therapeutic benefits of rosehip. (That's vitamins A and C and essential fatty acids in case you were wondering...)
So are you ready to DIY your lips to greatness before V-Day?
Don't forget to apply that lip balm!
-XO-
Matcha Mask DIY
Finally - I'm getting to share one of my favorite (and ridiculously easy) skincare routines with you today!
You're going to LOVE it.
BEHOLD:
The Matcha Mask!
Ok, first of all... let's talk about matcha.
If you're not familiar, matcha powder is a finely ground whole green tea leaf that has been sipped in ceremonial Japanese and Chinese tea ceremonies for centuries. It's an acquired, grassy taste, which I personally happen to love. It's known for being a superfood that's full of antioxidants and for giving a caffeine boost without the buzz and crash of a cup of coffee.
It's also super beneficial when applied to your skin topically!
Matcha is...
full of powerful antioxidants - specifically, polyphenols called "catechins" that can help reverse free-radical damage.
It's anti-aging,
anti-inflammatory,
and has anti-bacterial properties, which means that it's a great way to support both acne prone skin AND aging complexions.
If you're concerned about breakouts, fine lines, reducing redness/irritation, and evening out skin tone, this is a mask you'll want to try ASAP.
Here's how:
1. Start with a clean face. If you're wearing makeup, I recommend doing an oil-cleanse to take everything off. Massage our makeup remover + cleansing oil into dry skin while running hot water over a clean washcloth. Place the hot washcloth over your face for a minute to give your skin a quick steam. Gently wipe off all of the oil (and dirt and makeup) with a washcloth. Wet down your face with water, then...
2. Mix your mask. Sprinkle about 1/2 a cap full of matcha powder into the palm of your hand. Then add about a tablespoon of our powder cleanser + masque. (This can also be done in a bowl if that's easier for you!) Use your free hand to turn on the sink and wet your fingers. Sprinkle water into the hand with the powder and mix with your fingers until the powder + water forms a paste. The consistency is up to you. If you don't want a lot of exfoliation, use more water. If you need a good scrub, use less water.
3. Massage it onto your face. Hopefully you know how to do that. No worries if you get messy!
4. Leave it on for a bit. This will dry fairly quickly. But you can leave it on as long as you like. (I'd go for 5-15 minutes.)
5. Rinse it off with warm water. You can gently wipe this off with a warm, damp washcloth, or, just splash your face until it's clean. Head's up though, your face is not really going to be clean right away. You're going to look at bit like the wicked witch of the west until the next step...
6. Another oil cleanse. Go back to step one and repeat. This should remove most of the green, while hydrating your skin too! To make sure it's all gone...
7. Tone. I like to spritz my face with toner and apply it to a cotton ball. Rub the cotton ball over your face to remove the last traces of matcha powder. Then, while your skin is still damp...
8. Moisturize. Use 3-5 drops of your favorite facial oil, then eye cream + night cream/day cream (I use my beauty butter for all of that.)
And that's it!
A simple little facial that will make you g l o w.
You could even fancy this up if you wanted to, by adding a tiny bit of aloe powder, or a few drops of facial oil... but it works so wonderfully on it's own that this is my go-to routine. I personally do this about every other week, whenever I feel like my face needs some extra TLC.
I'm so excited for you to try it - let me know what you think!
-XO-
Shop our facial care collection here:
Stefanie's Skincare Diary: Part 1
Hello, it's me, Stefanie - owner & creator of Twinkle Apothecary!
Welcome to my website, my brand, my blog, my life.
This is part 1 of a new blog series where I take you through a week in my life from a skincare perspective.
I get TONS of questions about how to use my products, and since I basically made all of my facial care items for my own personal use, I thought it'd be fun (albeit a slightly embarrassing amount of internet overshare) to show you all exactly how I do use them.
Before I begin, let me just say, that
although natural products and skincare has always been an interest of mine, I never, ever, in a million years dreamed that I would end up with my own beauty brand. To be honest, I have mixed feelings about it. I think that the mainstream beauty industry is pretty gross, actually. When I turn on the TV or flip through a magazine, I feel like I'm being bombarded with p r o d u c t s. Each of them a special little miracle that's going to make my life better because it's going to get me one step closer to perfection.
Clearly, perfect skin and hair = perfect life, didn't you know?
GROSS.
I'm so over it. Perfect isn't real. It does not exist.
You know what I want my customers to feel?
Comfortable.
I want you to feel comfortable in your own skin and with your own body, how ever it looks in this moment. Because this moment belongs to you, and you should be making the most of it... not worrying about how you look. (Or what you're going to look like after your next facial, or what you're going to look like when your 40, or what you'd look like if you bought that amazing sounding miracle cream you just read about in a magazine...)
I do want you to feel free to take care of yourself - mind, body, and spirit - so that you can live your best life.
Your skin is always changing, and it's a constant reflection of your life. How much sleep are you getting? (Not much over here...)
Are you exercising? Eating healthy foods? Drinking too much coffee and wine? (Guilty!)
Are you drinking enough water?
Do you see where I'm going with this?
It's not about products, you guys.
That being said, I do think that whatever you're putting on your skin should be as clean and wholesome as possible. It just doesn't make sense to have a healthy, whole foods based diet and then slather a bunch of petroleum jelly on your face, you know?
Okay, I'll stop rambling and get on with it!
I hope this gives you a bit of inspiration on how to create your own self care/beauty routines and fit them into your own life.
I also posted a link of all of the products mentioned at the bottom of this post if you want to check them out for yourself!
SUNDAY, JANUARY 1
Morning
Happy new year!!
Definitely passed out in my makeup last night, oops! I rarely wear anything on my face, but last night I was wearing Mineral Fusion's BB cream. I don't think too much damage was done, but my face does seem a bit more dry than usual.
I'm staying at my boyfriends house, but I always bring my travel skincare set, my makeup remover + cleansing oil, eye serum, and acne spot treatment.
I run hot water over a washcloth while I massage the cleansing oil into my skin. Then I go for the eyes. When the water is good and hot I heat up the wash cloth, wring out excess water, and lay it on my face for a minute. Once it's good and steamy, I use the washcloth to wipe all of the oil and makeup. Then I rub some eye serum under my eyes, and acne spot treatment over my trouble spots - jawline, chin - trying to stay on top of those hormonal breakouts and stop them before they start!
And that's it!
Usually I would use toner and more facial oil, but I was feeling lazy and wine hungover.
I leave my face bare today.
Night
Back home: I'm feeling like a good, luxurious facial would be a nice way to start the year, and also I have a sample of rose otto essential oil that I've been wanting test on my face - it's supposed to have amazing anti-aging and skin healing properties.
I mix my powder cleanser with a bit of sandalwood powder and water, and leave a masque on while trying to read and relax and not think about work (haha.) The smell is heaven. I rinse it off, apply toner with a cotton ball, and add a drop of the rose essential oil to my usual 4-5 drops of facial oil. Oops - one drop is definitely more than enough! If I were to add this to a serum, there would probably only be a few drops in the entire bottle. The scent of the rose is a bit overpowering, (and I LOVE rose, so that's saying something) but maybe it's making some magic happen?
I lightly massage a bit of beauty butter into my under eye area and up into my brow bone.
Bed time!
MONDAY, JANUARY 2ND
Morning
Okay, yeah, there was definitely a bit of magic in that rose oil and sandalwood powder. My skin feels super soft, looks smooth, and seems a bit brighter. Nice!
Technically, it's a holiday, but I've got lots I want to do, so I roll out of bed and get straight to work!
At some point in the mid-morning (or afternoon?) I spritz and little toner on my face, pat it dry, and massage a couple of drops of facial oil into my skin. Then eye serum.
No makeup today.
Evening
I've just taken a hot yoga class, and while I wait for my shower water to heat up, I mix my powder cleanser with water and give my face a quick (gentle) scrub. I rinse it off in the shower. Then toner and facial oil.
Night
Before bed I massage a bit of beauty butter all over my face.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 3RD
Morning
Toner, a few drops of cleansing oil as a serum, then eye serum.
Bare face all day (again - I work from home in my pjs y'all... typically covered in tapioca flour.)
Evening
After a treadmill workout (ugh - PS I do NOT run - I walk at an incline.)
I hop in the shower and just rinse my face with warm water.
After the shower I spritz with toner, pat dry, and apply a few drops of facial oil.
Night
I mix my powder cleanser with water and leave it on as a masque while I brush my teeth. Then toner, facial oil, and beauty butter.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4TH
Morning
My typical routine before pre-school drop off
no makeup (like, ever, apparently... haha)
Afternoon
Post hot yoga: I rinse my face well with warm water in the shower, then apply toner with a cotton ball, facial oil, and eye serum
While in the shower and pondering how I can answer everyone's questions about how to use my products, I get the idea to start a skincare diary blog. Wait... do I even remember what I've done so far this week? Yes! Perfect. Let's snap a selfie to commemorate the occasion:
So here is my bare, unretouched, far from perfect 33 year old face, fresh out of the shower post yoga.
Now might be a good time to address another FAQ about my products: "Will your facial oil turn my face orange?"
The answer is yes, a little bit, but only for a moment.
As you can see here, my face is a little bit golden, because I had just applied facial oil a few moments prior. I'm not turning permanently orange. I'm just letting my skin soak up that lovely wildcrafted chilean rosehip oil. If I were to put on a little makeup (or my translucent face powder) any orange-ness would disappear completely. But I kind of like the extra glow!
Anyway...
Night
I do a coconut milk masque and let it sit while I put away my laundry. Just living the life of luxury over here! But really though, it makes my skin sooooo soft and bright. Must remember to do this more often!
Follow with toner, facial oil, and beauty butter as an eye cream.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5TH
Morning
(No makeup today either)
Afternoon
I rinse my face well with warm water in the shower, follow with toner, facial oil, and eye serum.
Evening
Same shower routine as afternoon, after my hot pilates class.
Night
I mix a little aloe powder into my cleanser and do a quick masque, just for fun.
Follow with toner, facial oil, and beauty butter as an eye cream.
(Apparently I'm on a major masque kick this week! Trying to focus on taking care of myself now that the craziness of the holiday season is behind me I guess...)
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6TH
Morning
It SNOWED last night, and my kiddo is dying to get out and play.
Instead of my normal routine, I just apply copious amounts of beauty butter to my face before getting out in the snow. The temperature is in the teens. I lasted a full 30 minutes.
(I MISS LA!)
Afternoon
Rinse my face well with warm water in the shower, then toner, facial oil, eye serum, and beauty butter.
And guess what? I actually put on a little makeup.
(Because I'm going to visit my boyfriend again, yay! He lives in Tulsa, about two hours away.)
Here's what I look like with a little translucent mattifying powder, blush pink lip tint on my cheeks and lips, and mascara.
(I use Pacifica dream big mascara, and I think it's awesome.)
I also look stressed because I'm running way late (lots of orders to ship today, hooray!) and I'm terrified drive two hours in the snow. Clearly I am crazy in love. Or maybe just crazy?
Night
I wash my face with my powder cleanser, follow with a spritz of toner, facial oil, and beauty butter as an eye cream.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7TH
Morning/Afternoon
After sleeping in, I wake up and wash my face again with my powder cleanser and rinse it off while I'm in the shower. I don't normally wash my face in the mornings, but I was in the mood for a little scrub today. I always follow with toner, facial oil, and eye serum - have you noticed?
I think I put on a little bit of my blush pink lip + cheek tint in the car on the way to a movie...
Evening
I put on makeup! BB cream, eyeliner, and all. Berry lip + cheek tint on my lips. So fancy!
Night
I use my makeup remover + oil cleanser with a warm washcloth to remove my makeup, followed with toner and facial oil.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8TH
Morning
My skin seems a little dry - maybe I had too much wine last night? Or was it the BB cream?
I use my powder cleanser to scrub off the flakiness around my nose, and rinse it off in the shower. Follow with toner, facial oil, eye serum, and beauty butter all over to combat the dryness.
Translucent mattifying powder, mascara, and lip + cheek tint today for brunch and the museum!
Night
Back home! I add a little activated charcoal powder to my masque tonight. Then I follow with my oil cleanser to remove any dark residue. Then toner, facial oil, and beauty butter as an eye cream. The next morning my skin is sooooooooo soft and clear.
I'm a bit tired from the weekend, and suddenly a fighting cold, (or allergies?) but ready to get to back to work!
So, that's it! Things you may have noticed:
1) I rarely wash my face, and never ever use soap. It's necessary on the body of course, but I think it's totally pointless on my face. I happen to think that my powder cleanser is EVERYTHING - even on my combination, acne prone skin.
2) I experiment a lot and don't really have a set routine - I don't necessarily recommend adding a different ingredient to your masque every night - simple is better! I test things out often because it's my job to know the effects of everything I offer.
I do however, recommend leaving yourself open to trying new things, and being flexible enough to break from a strict routine. Like I said, your skin is always changing, so how you care for it might need to change from time to time too. I love that my products are customizable and multi-tasking, and that there are so many different ways to use them. You just have to find what works for you. I hope this helps!
I'll share more diaries like this in the future so you can see how it evolves. I might even consider doing a much shorter version of this every week...
What do you guys think?!
-XO-
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