Moisturizing Lip Balm (The only recipe you’ll ever need!)

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Most women spend loads of time on skincare. We use scrubs, lotions, and balms on our legs, feet, hands, face, and other areas. We slather on serums, spray on toners, and apply masks and other products to keep skin looking its best. So how about some pampering for those lips too? I use lip balm every single day to protect and keep my lips smooth and soft. It’s so simple and inexpensive to make your own lip balm. I promise if you try my DIY Moisturizing Lip Balm recipe, you’ll be hooked.

About this Recipe

Your lips are particularly sensitive to moisture loss. This is because the skin of your lips is thin, and they’re exposed to the elements more than other parts of your skin. Coconut oil is an emollient, which is a moisturizer that helps keep the skin moist and protected by trapping moisture in the skin. Other benefits include the antimicrobial effects of coconut oil. This helps prevent infections and excessive inflammation of lips.

Shea Butter

Shea butter is also an emollient that helps lips retain moisture. In addition, it contains vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that can help keep lips looking young and healthy.

Beeswax or Carnauba Wax

Natural wax keeps this balm from being to soft and melty, while also adding a layer of protection for lips.

Essential Oils

You can use any essential oils of your choice in this recipe. However, I would stay away from oils that can cause photosensitivity, such as citrus oils and “hot” oils like cinnamon. Some of my favorites include:

Moisturizing Lip Balm Recipe

This recipe makes a lot of lip balm. It is great for inexpensive gifts or if you want to stock up for the whole family. You can also halve the recipe if you just want to make a few tubes.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons beeswax pellets or carnauba wax if you prefer a vegan option

2 tablespoons organic shea butter

2 tablespoons organic coconut oil

8-12 drops of essential oils, your choice

A dozen lip balm tubes or jars

Instructions

  1. In a small saucepan, melt beeswax or carnauba wax over medium-low heat. Then add shea butter and coconut oil just until melted. 
  2. Remove from heat and stir in desired essential oils.
  3. Carefully pour balm into desired containers. Work quickly, because the mixture hardens as it cools. If you are using tubes, these tiny funnels make the job SO much easier and less messy. If it starts to solidify too soon, you can gently re-heat for a few seconds.
  4. The mixture will shrink down a bit after it cools, so you may top off the tubes after a few minutes of cooling.
  5. Allow to cool completely for a few hours before using.

More Pampering for Your Lips

Check out this simple Sugar Lip Scrub!

Want to learn more about essential oils and natural health and wellness? Come

10 Activities for the Longest Day of the Year

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June 21 is the date of the 2019 Summer Solstice, or the first day of summer according to the astronomical calendar. In the Northern Hemisphere, this is the day with the most hours of sunlight in the year. Historically, this day has been celebrated as the beginning of the summer season as well as the harvest. As such, it is celebrated among many cultures in a variety of ways. Looking for something fun to do for the Solstice? Check out these 10 activities for the longest day of the year.

Traditions of the Solstice

The Summer Solstice is the day that the sun is at both its highest and northernmost points in the sky for the Northern Hemisphere. The word “solstice” comes from Latin solstitium—from sol (Sun) and stitium (standing) because of the way the sun seems to stand still at this highest point for much of the day. What this means is more daylight hours, and many people use this as an excuse to celebrate with parties, festivals, and other activities.

The solstice is linked to fertility, and many cultures consider this the ideal day to fall in love or meet a soulmate. In China, the solstice is a celebration of femininity and yin in contrast to the winter solstice, which focuses on masculinity and yang forces. Likewise, parts of Europe celebrated the Feast of Epona, the goddess of fertility. Native American tribes viewed the solstice as a time to celebrate and revere the sun with festivals and rituals. Ancient Romans celebrated a festival to Vesta, the goddess of the hearth and protector of married women and virginity.

For decades, people from all over the world have gathered at Stonehenge at Summer Solstice to witness and be part of an age-old ritual. At dawn, the central Altar stone aligns with the Slaughter stone, Heel stone and the rising sun to the northeast. This event includes week-long festivals and tours of the historic site.

10 Activities for the Longest Day of the Year

Get Outside

As a celebration of the longest day, it makes sense to spend some time outdoors soaking in some sun. Plan a picnic, hiking excursion, a day at the lake, or just an afternoon basking in the sun or enjoying a garden. Better yet, plan a weekend campout to unplug and reconnect with nature.

Host or Attend a Bonfire

Celebrate the season of fire by inviting some friends for a Solstice bonfire. Be sure to plan for yummy snacks and foods to celebrate summertime. Check out this cool s’more maker!

Visit a Local Farm or Farmer’s Market

Acknowledge the gifts of the harvest by exploring a local market. Bring home some fresh organic produce for a summer salad.

Set Intentions

As with many other astrological days, energetically, the Solstice is an ideal time to review your goals. Spend time reflecting on your plans and set your intentions to focus your mind and spirit on being the best version of yourself. You may also choose to create a Sankalpa for yourself. This is a sacred intention. No matter how far away your dream may seem, remember it all starts with a simple seed. Check out this journal, perfect for recording your dreams and intentions.

Practice Yoga or Meditation

The Summer Solstice is also International Yoga Day. The word yoga comes from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness. Yoga combines physical, mental, and spiritual aspects to practice meditation and transform the body and mind. What better day to get out and practice sun salutations?

Have a Seasonal Scavenger Hunt

Make a list of some signs of summer, gather the kids, and head to a nature preserve, park, or even the backyard. Here are some ideas to get you started:

  • Bee visiting a flower
  • Wildflowers in bloom
  • Grasshopper
  • Baby animals
  • Birds chirping
  • Lightning bugs
  • Spider in a web
  • Frogs
  • Butterfly on a flower
  • Berries growing
  • Seedling plant sprouting
  • Fish in a pond
  • Hummingbird

Eat Some Strawberries

The June full moon is known as the Strawberry Moon because it often signals the peak time to harvest this fruit. Create a recipe with strawberries or just eat them fresh. You could try using strawberries in one of my most popular recipes, Blueberry Bake or make some delicious and healthy Vegan Strawberry Ice Cream!

Have a Sunset Feast

Invite over a few close friends and enjoy some food and fellowship outdoors. Be sure to gather together on a blanket to watch the sunset at the conclusion of the longest day.

Give Back

Get up early and spend some time focusing your thoughts on gratitude. Then find a local shelter, food bank, trash clean up, or other organization and volunteer your time. Serving others is one of the greatest ways to show appreciation and give back.

What are your plans for the Summer Solstice?

Comment below and share your ideas!

Protective Summer Hair Serum

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Summer can be hard on hair. From chlorine and salt water to time in the sun, summer fun may leave you with dry, damaged hair. Try this protective summer hair serum to prevent damage and to help restore natural shine and condition to your hair.

About the Ingredients

Camellia Seed Oil

Japanese Camellia seed oil is cold-pressed from seeds of the wild Camellia japonica flower (called Tsubaki in Japanese). This oil is responsible for the legendary beauty and shine of Japanese women’s hair. It is rich in oleic acid, plant collagen and nourishing vitamins A, D and E, as well as Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids. Oleic acid and collagen smooth and strengthen hair, while the vitamins help repair and restore moisture balance to your locks. Plus, it is rich in antioxidants that protect and reduce damage.

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba is actually not a true oil but a wax ester. As a common microemulsion in many haircare products, jojoba can strengthen hair and prevent breakage and split ends. It may also be helpful in treating dandruff and dry scalp.

Baobab Oil

Baobab oil comes from the African baobab tree (Adansonia digitata). This oil is great for hair because it is relatively non-greasy but absorbs into hair quickly and adds shine and improves elasticity. Uniquely, this oil has relatively equal proportions of saturated to monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats. This is important because the smaller fatty acids penetrate hair readily to add moisture and suppleness, while the polyunsaturated fats remain on the surface of the hair. This forms a protective layer, adds shine, and serves as an excellent detangler.

Castor Oil

Like, jojoba, castor oil is actually a wax. The thicker texture of this oil helps to thoroughly coat hair with a protective layer. It has a high ricinoleic acid content, which some people claim can boost hair regrowth (however, studies on this are lacking).

The Essential Oils

Citronella essential oil nourishes hair follicles and has the added benefit of an aroma that promotes a comfortable outdoor experience. Rosemary encourages healthy hair growth, and peppermint promotes circulation in the scalp and adds a fresh scent and tingly sensation. Lime helps balance the production of sebum and cleanses the scalp. Lime may cause lightening of hair in the sun. Therefore, you may choose to use cedarwood essential oil in lieu of lime if you are concerned about lightening.

Protective Summer Hair Serum Recipe

Ingredients

0.75 oz. camellia seed oil

0.35 oz. jojoba oil

0.25 oz. baobab oil

0.15 oz. castor oil

10 drops citronella essential oil

6 drops rosemary essential oil

4 drops lime essential oil

4 drops peppermint essential oil

Instructions

Combine camellia seed, jojoba, baobab, and castor oil in a 2 ounce dropper bottle, and shake to combine. Next, add essential oils and give it another shake. Allow oils to rest and combine overnight before use.

To Use

Add several drops (depending on the length of your hair) of the serum to the palm of your hand. Massage into hair and scalp before swimming or going in the sun. May also be used as a leave-in treatment after shampooing.

Once again, thank you to my friend Julie for this awesome DIY recipe!

You may also want to try my tried-and-true favorite Essential Hair Tonic!

DIY Smoothing Beard Serum

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The purpose of a beard serum is to soften and condition the course hair of a man’s beard and mustache. It also nourishes the often neglected skin underneath the beard, preventing dandruff. The result is a softer, smoother beard that looks more groomed and skin that is more comfortable. This DIY Smoothing Beard Serum recipe is a collaborative effort of mine and my boyfriend Derick.

Jojoba is actually not a true oil but a wax ester. This makes it perfect for use on the coarse or prickly hair in a man’s beard. Jojoba conditions and softens both the skin and hair of the face. It is non-comedogenic and non-allergenic, so it will not clog pores and shouldn’t cause irritation. Jojoba may also strengthen the hair shaft and clean the hair follicle, which is important if you’re trying to maintain a long beard.

Smoothing Beard Serum Recipe

30 mL jojoba oil

12 drops sacred frankincense essential oil

18 drops Northern lights black spruce essential oil

14 drops cedarwood essential oil

6 drops bergamot essential oil

Combine all ingredients in a glass dropper bottle. Secure the lid and shake gently to incorporate. To use, massage 2-4 drops into clean and dry beard and mustache daily.

Don’t have a beard?

This serum also makes a wonderful conditioning scalp treatment. It encourages hair growth and nourishes the scalp to help remedy dry skin.  

When you’re done making the beard serum for him, why not make something for yourself? Try this great Green Tea Skin Toner!

Essential oils are so versatile, but knowing how to use them is important. Come explore the largest database of essential oil education videos over in