DIY Vegan Skincare

From Handcrafted Soap and Cosmetic Guild (HSCG) blog:  Creating an Emulsion

An emulsion is comprised of little droplets of one phase surrounded by another. A stable emulsion will make a good lotion or cream. Most formulas require- a secondary emulsifier to create stable emulsions that won’t separate over time. When you use PhytoMulse Line of products you will not need a secondary emulsifier.
Lotions and Creams have 3 components:

• Water
• Oil
• Emulsifying Agent which allows them to combine.

Most formulations have Phases (Oil Phase, Water Phase, Final Phase/Cooling Phase):

• The “Oil Phase” includes all the oil-soluble ingredients.
• The “Water Phase” includes all the water- soluble ingredients
• Final phase” consists of all the ingredients you would add after the emulsion has cooled to 50º C or less.

Basic Guidelines when making an emulsion:

• Emulsifiers 5-8%of the formula
• Oils 12-20% of the formula
• Water, Additives, and Botanicals to up to 70-90%.
• Formula always should equal 100%

Formulas with less emulsifier and more water are generally lotions. Higher levels of oils and emulsifiers and less water are generally creams.

For beginners, we recommend you use a minimum of ingredients until you know how you would like your formula to be. Any botanicals, actives, Fragrances, Essential Oils, are mixed in last when your lotion or cream has cooled.

Phase 1: In main beaker, charge water and begin propeller mixing. A vortex should form. Add Phytofuse Renew™ into the vortex and stir until completely dispersed. Add Glycerin and FSS Pisum Sativum Peptide individually, allowing complete dispersion between additions. Heat to 82° C and mix until uniform.

Phase 2: In a separate beaker, charge Mineral Oil and being propeller mixing. A vortex should form. Add PhytoMulse™ Cetyl Alcohol and AcquaSeal® Coconut individually, allowing complete dispersion between additions. Heat to 80° C and mix until uniform. Add Phase II to Phase I, continue mixing until homogenous.

Phase 3: Begin cooling to below 35° C. Add Leucidal0 Liquid SF and AMTicide® Coconut until complete dispersion. Check pH and adjust to 4.5 - 5.0 with Citric Acid {50%) or NaOH (25%).

From Vegan Beauty Review blog by Sunny

DIY 2-Ingredient Moisturizer

• 1/4 cup raw shea butter
• 4 tsp sweet almond oil
• essential oils (optional)

Shea butter is rich in vitamins A, E & F as well as essential fatty acids and the nutrients necessary for collagen production. It also has natural SPF 6.

Sweet almond oil is rich in Vitamin E & D, oleic and linoleic acids, and minerals such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium. It’s noncomedogenic (won’t clog pores), non-greasy, and mega moisturizing.

Simply melt your shea butter in microwave or double boiler, stir in your oil, and pour mixture into a glass jar (I used an old baby food jar to keep things eco).

DIY Lotion Bars

What you’ll need:

• 3 tbsp. candelilla wax
• 3 tbsp. cocoa butter -OR shea butter, mango butter, or kokum butter
• 3 tbsp. shea butter -OR cocoa butter, mango butter, or kokum butter
• 5 tbsp. avocado oil
• your favorite essential oils (I used 60 drops of lavender)
• silicon mold of choice (you can use cupcake liners, too)

Try to use organic ingredients if possible.

This recipe makes 6 small lotion bars.

Directions:

1. In a double boiler or microwave, melt your wax and cocoa butter.
2. Add your shea butter and avocado oil to the mix and allow everything to melt completely.
3. Remove from heat and add your essential oils. Be sure to stir them in well.
4. Pour mixture into your silicone molds and let cool until solid (wait at least an hour)
5. Carefully pop them out of the mold and enjoy!You can use any of these butters: cocoa butter, mango butter, or kokum butter.


These make excellent gifts, too. Just plop ’em in a tin, add a fancy ribbon or bow, and abadda-bing, badda-boom! Prezzie!

DIY Pumpkin Body Moisturizer

What you’ll need:

1/2 cup canned pumpkin (naturally loaded with exfoliating enzymes and vitamin A)
1/2 cup coconut oil (moisture-rich with lots of essential fatty acids)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (anti-microbial and delicious-smelling!)

1. Mix all the ingredients together until you have a super smooth consistency.
2. Apply the mixture as you would lotion.
3. Leave on for about 10-15 minutes
4. Rinse and dry.

Keep any leftover moisturizer in your fridge—it should keep for a couple of weeks.

Pumpkin Pie Scrub

• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin (pureed)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Combine ingredients in a plastic bowl and mix together. Apply to body and scrub gently using circular motions. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. Feel free to eat the leftovers.

You can also put this pumpkin pie scrub in a reusable jar, decorate it all Christmas-style, and then gift it!

DIY Pumpkin Face Mask

Pumpkins are rich in antioxidants like beta-carotine, zinc, vitamins A & C, and natural alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), which leave your skin healthy and soft. That’s why I’m obsessed with this simple DIY vegan pumpkin face mask. It’s super cheap and easy to make, and your skin will be sooooo grateful for this seasonal, healthy concoction!

What you’ll need:

• 2 tablespoons of canned pumpkin (puréed)
• 1 tablespoon of soy yogurt or ¼ teaspoon of soymilk

Optional additional ingredients:

• ½ teaspoon of brown sugar (helps exfoliate) or
• ¼ teaspoon cranberry juice (helps keeps skin from looking dull) or
• ½ teaspoon oatmeal (if you’d like a thicker mask; oatmeal is great for dry skin)

Directions
Mix all of your ingredients together and then gently apply to your face (avoiding the eye area). Kick it for about 10-15 minutes (feel free to paint your toe nails while you wait). Rinse with warm water, and then moisturize with your favorite lotion.

Voila! You’re done! Enjoy your beautiful, glowing skin!

DIY Pumpkin Oatmeal Face Mask

Woohoo! Pumpkins are rich in antioxidants like as vitamins A, C, and E, and oatmeal helps fight acne and soothes finicky skin. This mask beautifully suits the season and will leave your skin feeling ah-ah-ah-MAZING!

What you’ll need:

• 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin purée
• 1 teaspoon jojoba oil (you can sub this for sweet almond oil or any of your fave face-friendly oils)
• 1 tablespoon of plain oatmeal (best if run through a blender of coffee grinder for finer texture)
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (this is optional, but it definitely kicks this autumnal mask up a notch)

Combine ingredients in a bowl and mix together. Apply to face and leave on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.

DIY Sunscreen

Did you know that there are tons of nut, fruit, and veggie oils that have naturally occurring SPF? Check it!

Natural Oils with SPF

• Red raspberry seed oil – SPF between 30-50 (protects agains UVA, UVB, and UVC rays!)
• Carrot seed oil – SPF 35-40
• Wheat germ oil – SPF 20
• Avocado oil – SPF 15
• Hazelnut oil – SPF 15
• Coconut oil – SPF 8-10
• Soybean oil – SPF 10
• Olive oil – SPF 8
• Macadamia oil – SPF 6
• Almond oil – SPF 5
• Jojoba oil – SPF 4
• Rice bran oil – SPF 4
• 
  
• What you’ll need:
• • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup shea butter
  • 1/8 avocado oil
  • 2 tbsp candelilla wax
  • 1 tsp. red raspberry seed oil
  • 1 tsp. carrot seed oil
  • Essential oils (optional)
  • 
    
  Using a microwave or double boiler, melt your candelilla wax and shea butter. Once fully melted, add your coconut oil and avocado oil (while still heated in double broiler).
  Remove from heat and place in fridge for 30 mins. Add in your red raspberry seed oil, carrot seed oil, and essential oil(s), and whip with a hand mixer until fluffy. Store your sunscreen in the fridge to extend its shelf life (6 months to a year). 

DIY Rose Water Toner

Take advantage of your garden and make your very own refreshing, floral, rosey face mist. Rose water is awesome because it  smells uh-mazing, and it’s great for dry, sensitive skin.

What you’ll need:

• 1 cup of rose petals (rinsed)
• 2 cups of filtered water
• A spray bottle

Place your rose petals in a pot or metal bowl. Pour 2 cups of boiling filtered water over them and cover with a lid. You’ll wanna let your rose petals soak for a good 3-4 hours. Then use a strainer to add your beautiful-smelling rose water to a spray bottle, and voilà! Use your toner after washing your face and before moisturizing. Feel free to store your toner in the the fridge for up to a week

DIY vegan lippies

Per the Handcrafted Soap and Cosmetic Guild (HSCG) . . . 

The first two things you will need to do are:

Choose your container

Depending on what you plan to do with the finished product, you can really use almost anything to hold your lip balm. If you plan to add lip balm to your product line or give as a gift to friends, family, or potential customers, you will want to purchase tubes (they come in white, clear or a variety of colors) or tins or glass/plastic jars.  Most of these containers can be found at your favorite handcrafted supplier or by doing a simple Internet search. If you are a self-proclaimed lip balm addict (like myself) and you will be keeping your goods, you can easily use small containers purchased at local craft stores, kitchen goods stores or even the nearest dollar store. Whatever container you decide on, you’ll want to be sure it securely seals closed and is not too big to grab on the go and stash in your pocket.

Choose your ingredients

Like any handcrafted beauty/body product, making lip balm is a creative work of art that you can make with as few as two or three ingredients, or you can get very creative and add several ingredients to increase conditioning or to add flavor or color to your masterpiece. Let’s take a look at some of the potential ingredients you could choose from and what they would add to the perfect lip balm.

Tried and true, coconut oil is a perfect base oil to use for your lip balm. Coconut oil has many great qualities, first being its firmness. In addition, coconut oil naturally contains Vitamin E, and has a superior moisture-retaining capacity, which adds to coconut oil’s ability to prevent cracking of the skin.

Next, let’s try some beeswax.  Much like coconut oil, beeswax is naturally a protectant. Bees produce wax naturally to line their honeycombs to protect where baby bees grow and honey is stored. When used in lip balm, beeswax protects the lips from environmental damage (such as drying and cracking) and helps hold in moisture; all while not clogging pores. Beeswax also contains Vitamin A and is a humectant – a water attractor -- aiding with keeping your lips hydrated.  Most importantly, you will want to use beeswax for its hardening quality to pull it all together.

You will definitely want to use at least one of the above ingredients to help your lip balm solidify.  In addition, the following ingredients are also popular choices:

Body Butter: Not a necessity, but if you have some on hand, you can’t go wrong adding a dash of cocoa butter, mango butter or shea butter. Any of the three will provide ultra moisture to your lip balm.

Various oils: Using Jojoba oil or Sweet Almond oil; these are are two very popular oils to use in lip balm because they are super nourishing!

Vitamin E:  A couple drops of Vitamin E added to your lip balm can go a long way. Vitamin E is an antioxidant and also a nutrient for your skin that can potentially limit the environmental damage to your skin.  You can purchase Vitamin E in capsule form at the pharmacy and simply puncture a couple of capsules to use in your recipe.

Essential oils: These are completely optional, but adding essential oils in your lip balm will add a pleasant smell and give you the opportunity to personalize your product.

Cosmetic recipes from Vegan Beauty Review blog by Sunny

DIY Vegan Lipstick

3/4 tsp. candelilla wax

1 tsp. shea or cocoa butter
1 tsp. jojoba, sweet almond, coconut, or olive oil
1–3 tsp. beet root powder or red mica (the amount depends on how intense you want the color to be)
A couple of drops peppermint essential oil
Lip balm tubes or small tins

• Using a microwave or double boiler, heat the wax, butter, and oil in a glass bowl until the wax and butter have completely melted.
• Remove from the heat and add the beet root powder and essential oil.
• Immediately pour the mixture into lip balm tubes or tins.
• Refrigerate until cool.

DIY Ultimate Vegan Lip Balm

Over the years I’ve had to streamline and eliminate some products so I can handle things best and give 110% to what I am doing. On that list of products once loved and eventually nixed was my fabulous vegan lip balm. I tend to use my unrefined shea butter now, or straight mango butter, but a good tube of lip balm can’t be beat, especially if it is tinted. I mixed up a couple of beautiful lip-safe mineral pigment blends.

Ratio: (given so you can play with the recipe and make smaller batches – try tbsp instead of cups for a smaller qty)

• 3 parts butters
• 2 parts wax
• 4 parts oil

Tinted Vegan Lip Balm
makes 2 1/4 cups, i.e 18oz, i.e. lots of lip balm!

• 1/4 cup unrefined shea butter
• 1/2 cup fair trade cocoa butter
• 1/4 cup candelilla wax
• 1/4 cup carnuba wax
• 1 cup jojoba oil
• 1/2 tsp vitamin e oil (soy)
• * 90-180 drops essential oil or organic flavor oil
• * 3/4 tsp mineral pigment

Your measurements should be of the melted material so use a heat resistant measuring cup to measure and heat. Many recipes call for a double boiler but because I like to use the same container for heating and measuring I use the microwave in 30 second bursts and remove when there are no solid pieces remaining. I like to melt my waxes first, then my butters and then add my oil. When you add your oil it may cause it to solidify a bit so just pop it back in the micro for a few more rounds of 30 seconds. Test the consistency on your hand (this is crazy hot! Don’t burn yourself, I stir with a chopstick then let it cool a bit on the end and put a dab on the back of my hand to see if the consistency is what I am going for).

If it is too thick/waxy, add more oil, too thin, add more butter. Play around with the oils and butters you use – cocoa is harder than shea, jojoba is a liquid wax so provides a more shelf-stable product and is great for your lips. Castor oil would have a wonderful consistency that might lead to longer wear while apricot kernel or sweet almond would be light and readily absorbed. Once you have the consistency you like start adding your organic flavor oils and essential oils.

We split our batch into two at this point so we could have two colors/flavors. Be sure you are using high quality oils! Never ever ever use a “essence” “perfume” “fragrance” or anything of the like. Organic extracts are great for scents that can’t be obtained as essential oils. If you are using extracts be sure they are in an oil base rather than alcohol as alcohol will not mix with your lip balm, it will just bead up and be yucky. Be careful with citrus, mints, anise, cinnamon, and clove as these are wonderful but powerful oils. Test as you go to see if it is too warming or cooling and play around. Also, if you wouldn’t eat it from your garden or spice cabinet do not use the essential oil in something that goes on your lips – i.e. no mugwort lip balm!

Variation oil combos -Tropical Bliss:

• 90 tangerine essential oil
• 30 coconut organic extract

Variation -Peppermint Kiss:

• 60 peppermint essential oil
• 60 spearmint essential oil
• 60 vanilla organic extract

You can add in some mineral pigment as long as you know it is safe for lips. Just because it is a mineral doesn’t mean you can use it without caution. Lead is a mineral, my dearies, you don’t want that on your lips! :c) Micas and iron oxides are your best bet. Mary mixed up two beautiful mica blends for our use!  A coppery, sun-kissed blend and a shimmery wine tint, both beautiful. Just stir them in gently until the color is distributed throughout. If things start to solidify put them back in the micro for 30 seconds but use a lid once the essential oils are in to avoid them volatilizing too much.

Now you can pour! Tubes and a little pouring tray can be found online and are very helpful to do many at once but you can just as easily use empty candy tins, small jars, etc. For the trays and tubes just pop them in securely and begin pouring. Don’t worry about getting it on the tray or even spilling over (as long as you are working on a very clean surface, of course!) as you can just scrape off the cooled excess, remelt, and pour again. Once cooled thoroughly scrape off the top, wiggle and twist to get the lip balm out (I find this is easier in the thin tubes), wipe off or scrape off the top for an even and clean surface and put on the lid! You’ve just made magical home made vegan lip balm. :c)  Any excess can be poured into a Tupperware and kept for your next batch.

DIY Vegan Lip Balm

Recipe 1 Ingredients:

2 oz. hemp seed oil, avocado oil or almond oil
1 oz. virgin coconut oil
1.2 oz candelilla wax
1/4 tsp. rosemary extract
few drops of vitamin E oil
few drops of an essential oil for that perfect scent (peppermint, orange, lemon, grapefruit, rose, vanilla, etc.)

Melt the candelilla wax in a pan over low heat (but don’t let it boil). Once melted add the remaining ingredients except for the essential oil. Heat through and transfer to a heat safe container with a pour spout. Add essential oil and then stir well and pour immediately into lip balm tubes. Top off the lip balm (but not with your hands). Let it cool and enjoy. This recipe makes about 5 ounces of lip balm – enough to share with all of your gal pals.

Recipe 2 for my vegan lip balm-a-holics, Creamy Cocoa Lip Balm:

4 oz. extra virgin olive oil
3 oz. candelilla wax
1/2 vitamin E capsule
1/2 tsp. cocoa powder

Follow the same directions as mentioned above and ta-da!

DIY Lipgloss, 2 recipes

DIY Chocolate Lip Gloss

• 1.5 Tbsp. cocoa butter
• 1/2 Tbsp. cocoa powder
• 1 Vitamin E capsule
• A few drops of Stevia
• For some extra umph: a few drops of peppermint oil or vanilla extract (totally optional)

Melt the cocoa butter in a pyrex cup. Stir in the cocoa powder until it’s well blended. Add the Vitamin E capsule and Stevia and give it a final stir before pouring your homemade lip gloss into a new or used lip gloss pot. Allow it to chill in the fridge for a couple hours and enjoy! It should last for at least a year. And you can definitely add vegetable color like beet powder for a pretty tint. 

DIY Mint Chocolate Lip Gloss 

• 1 tsp coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon sweet almond oil
• 1 teaspoon cocoa butter
• 3 drops vitamin E oil
• 2-3 drops peppermint essential oil

Melt the cocoa butter, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, and vitamin E oil together by setting them in a glass bowl on top of a pot of steaming water. When everything has melted, remove from heat and then stir in the peppermint essential oil. Now that the mixture is nice and smooth, pour the lip gloss into a small container and allow it to fully cool (if you’re impatient like I am, you can plop it in the fridge).

Lip glossaholics, get ready to  make the most bomb (aka mega moisturizing, sweet-smelling, vegan, and cruelty-free) mint chocolate-y lip buttah evah! It’s easy and cheap to whip up, and your lips are gonna love you for it! 

Variation 1: DIY Lip Plumper 

• Pure cinnamon essential oil (or cinnamon leaf oil)
• Clear lip gloss (or you can totes use 2-3 tablespoons of almond or jojoba oil instead)

Mix ~10 drops of cinnamon essential oil with your lip gloss in its container (again, feel free to mix this with nourishing almond or jojoba oil instead). Mix it super well, though!

Variation 2: DIY Ultimate Lip Plumper

 Let’s face it, not all of us are blessed with naturally super plump lips like Angelina Jolie or Kim Kardashian. So, we gotta step up our game when it comes to getting them looking nice and kissable!

There are a lot of lip plumpers out there to buy, but if you ain’t into spending your hard earned cash on products like this, then girl, do I have some good news for you.

You can pretty much make your own DIY lip plumper from home that is almost as effective as any you could buy in stores!

If you think about it, the purpose of a plumper is to increase the swelling in your lips, which is definitely something we can achieve through a simple recipe as opposed to spending way too much on any over-the-counter product.

So what are we waiting for, let’s get down to business! Believe it or not, plumpers are incredibly easy to make and best of all, they’re ridiculously cheap! You’ll just need the following ingredients first before I take you through the process of mixing them together.

Here’s What You’ll Need

1. Cinnamon oil & clove Oil (or any essential oil which is going to act as an irritant causing your lips to swell in the process)
2. Cayenne pepper – kinda obvious what this ingredient is going to do when you consider the skin on our lips are half as thick as anywhere else on our face. Cayenne pepper is going to help irritate your skin, causing inflammation in the process. I mean how else do you think we’re going to get our lips to swell? 
3. Your fave vegan lip balm (in a tube, not a tub) – now this ingredient is just going to be the base and will make up the majority of the remedy.
4. Vitamin E Oil – such as important part of this plumper as it will help to add back the moisture you’ll be losing from the other ingredients, PLUS as an added bonus will help improve the shelf life of the product.

Let’s Start Cooking!

Okay so to do this, you’re just going to need to half fill a small pot with water and place a one litre pyrex measuring container inside the pot of water, which I should add needs to be sitting on your stove of course!

Now all you need to do is follow these steps before your lip plumper is ready for action:

Step 1: Turn the heat on to about the medium temperature of your stove. The water inside the pot is going to be doing all the cooking so give it a chance to heat up, not to a level where it is boiling, but instead just a nice little simmer will do the job.

Step 2: We’re now going to grab our tube of lip balm and remove it completely before throwing directly into the pyrex measure container. Make sure you hang onto the empty tube as we’re going to use that shortly to store our plumper.

Step 3: Once the lip balm is fully melted, add in about half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper and stir the mixture around with a butter knife or whatever you find that won’t absorb too much of the remedy.

Step 4: Take the measuring container off the heat and pour into the mixture about a teaspoon of each of the cinnamon and clove oil, stirring all the while.

Step 5: Next throw in a couple of drops of Vitamin E.

Step 6: Take your empty lip balm tube and make sure the plastic column in the middle that holds the plumper together is completely down into the tube. Now all you need to do is literally pour the mixture directly into the empty tube all the way to the top.

Guess what? You’re done!!

Just wait around 20 minutes to an hour for the mixture to dry before using it on your lips and remember this is a super potent lip plumper so it’s going to burn! If you find it too much to handle, try decreasing the amount of essential oils and cayenne pepper until you find a happy medium!

Happy plumping!

DIY Lip Scrub

What you’ll need:

• 2 tsp of brown sugar
• 1 tsp of jojoba oil (you can add more if you like it a lil’ slimier)
• 1/4 tsp of vanilla extract
• 2 drops of peppermint oil (for tinglies)

Mix all of your ingredients together in a bowl. Then use a finger or toothbrush to apply the recipe and gently scrub in a circular motion for 10 seconds. Rinse your lips with warm water and pat dry. Lube it up with your favorite vegan lip balm. Store the leftover scrub in a small jar for late-ah. Enjoy!

female sex oil

from unnamed source

Evening Primrose oil is a natural uterine stimulant. I have found that it works wonders if you insert one soft gel capsule into your vagina about 30 minutes to an hour before sexual activity. It increases sensitivity and heightens arousal. WARNING: If you are pregnant or are attempting to get pregnant DO NOT use evening primrose oil. While it is not dangerous, it can cause miscarriage. It is often used by women who go past term and want to induce labor. It is also fantastic for acne, rosacea, PMS, diabetic nerve damage, and menopause.

from Ingredients to Die For blog Natural Oils with known Aphrodisiac Properties

In the world of Aromatherapy there are many valuable essential oils that are used to affect a definite impact on different systems, within the body.  These essential oils, are the life blood of the plant, and are created, and used, by the plant to achieve very specific goals, necessary for the plant to survive, and thrive, in it's environment.  If it is in close proximity to the sun it will create the chemicals necessary to help it absorb those powerful UV rays, and re-emit them as heat, to avoid being damaged (injured).  If it requires UV rays, to thrive (as do citrus fruits) they will create the chemical that attracts these powerful rays, in order to thrive (ripen).  This list goes on, and on.  Plants are amazing in what they can do, through the development of chemicals, to help themselves.  In Aromatherapy, we capitolize on those chemicals, and their activity, by utilizing them in all manner of applications, and products, to benefit our own ability to thrive, in our own environment.

Though there are many uses, for these chemicals, from detoxing, to fighting respiratory ailments, to calming you before an interview or test, to stimulating you to stay awake during a long drive ... this page is about Aphrodisiacs.  There are several plants that create chemicals that attract, and seduce.  The tobacco plant, being over run by the worms, creates a chemical that attracts the moth that eats the worms ... how amazing is that!?   There are several essential oils (CO2 extracts, and absolutes, being included here for simplicity of this topic though they are not the same) that we can use to attract the opposite sex.  They can be very powerful, even intoxicating, on our phsyche, and physical state. 

Those that are well known for their aphrodisiac activity are:

• Ambrette Seed CO2
• Cardamom Essential Oil / CO2
• Carnation Absolute
• Clary Sage (to be used with caution)
• Coriander CO2
• Davana Essential Oil (to be used with caution)
• Ginger CO2
• Jasmine Absolute / CO2
• Neroli Essential Oil / Absolute
• Nutmeg Essential Oil (not to be used with pregnancy)
• Patchouli Dark, and Patchouli Light, Essential Oil
• Rock Rose (Labdanum) Essential Oil
• Rosewood Essential Oil
• Sandalwood Essential Oil
• Vanilla Absolute / CO2
• Ylang Ylang First, and Extra, Essential Oil / Absolute

Pick, and choose, from these oils, complimenting their fragrance with small amounts of other oils, to build your favorite sensual blend, spray your linens, or the air, with your love potion ... dim the lights ... start the soft music ... and you'll go a lot further at creating that perfect, romantic, evening than you would with a fragrance candle burning in the background.

Vanilla Long touted as an aphrodisiac, the scent of vanilla can cause arousal and stimulation in both men and women. Nagel says that vanilla may be “soft, almost sweet, but it has a strong, intense, and animalistic facet.” As an added bonus, according to Dr. Warren: “Vanilla produces the feeling of happiness universally around the world. Of all the materials that go in fragrances, vanilla is the most liked globally.”

Jasmine According to Dr. Warren, jasmine is the most sensual of all the notes. What makes it unique is that it is a sweet floral note that also has an animalistic characteristic thanks to the presence of indole. What’s indole you ask? It’s an aromatic compound that also happens to be found in human nether regions. Kinky little flower, isn’t it? According to Nagel, jasmine exudes “an optimistic solar scent, but with a sensual facet.” Imagine the bubbly girl next door by day, temptress by night.

Peppermint Aaccording to Nagel, it’s an overall “energizing scent, with fresh and fusing notes that release feelings of excitement.” Scientific studies have also repeatedly shown that the smell of peppermint has a positive effect on mental stimulation, alertness, and physiological arousal. Dr. Warren agrees that “peppermint is a fragrance that really stimulates and opens all the senses with a secondary effect of making people feel happy.” As far as we’re concerned, these are all good things when it comes to spending time with a mate.

These are the ingredients of Zestra products:

What are Zestra^® Essential Arousal Oils^™ingredients?

Zestra’s unique, patented blend of botanical oils and extracts create deep pleasurable sensations. The botanical ingredients in Zestra include:

PA-free Borage Seed Oil, 

Evening Primrose Oil, 

Angelica Extract, 

Coleus Forskholii Extract, 

Theobromine, 

and the Anti-Oxidants, ascorbyl polmitate/Vitamin C and 

tocopheral/Vitamin E. 

Zestra’s botanical ingredients work together to safely and effectively enhance female sexual pleasure, sensation, sensitivity and satisfaction.

How does Zestra work?

Zestra is clinically proven to increase desire, arousal and satisfaction in 70% of women. It works by heightening a woman’s sense of touch – for deep, pleasurable sensations, sexual satisfaction and fulfillment. After applying Zestra to the clitoris and labia, the effects – the Zestra Rush™ – begin for most women within 3 to 5 minutes and last for up to 45 minutes.

How does Zestra compare to other products on the market?

Zestra is hormone-free and topically applied. It is the only product documented to increase a woman’s feelings of desire and arousal in a published peer-reviewed medical journal.

What are the ingredients in Zestra Glide?

Zestra Glide is paraben free and contains only the following ingredients:

• Purified Water
• Natural Vegetable Glycerine
• Hydroxyethylcellulose
• Xanthan Gum
• Sodium Citrate
• Aloe Vera Leaf Extract
• Citric Acid
• Potassium Sorbate
• Vitamin E

Does Zestra Glide contain polyquaternium-15?

Zestra Glide does not contain polyquaternium-15, a chemical that has a formaldehyde-releasing compound, found in some other lubricants and personal care products.

What is the pH of Zestra Glide?

The pH of Zestra Glide is within the normal vaginal pH range of 3.8-4.5. Because of this, Zestra Glide will not interfere with your delicate vaginal pH stability.

Will Zestra Glide stain?

Zestra Glide will not stain your sheets or clothing and because it’s water-based, Zestra Glide washes off easily with just soap and warm water.

Can Zestra Glide be used in conjunction with Zestra Essential Arousal Oils?

Yes. Zestra Glide was designed to be the perfect accompaniment to our flagship product Zestra Essential Arousal Oils. If using together, be sure to apply Zestra Essential Arousal Oil first, wait 3-5 minutes for it to take effect and then apply Zestra Glide for even more sexual comfort and enjoyment.

So to make my own vegan, cruelty-free, nontoxic, and zero waste version that is where I will start.

In addition Province Apothecrary Sex Oil ingredients are 100% Cruelty-Free and Vegan:

 | Fractionated Coconut Oil, 

Sunflower Seed Oil*, 

Evening Primrose Oil*, 

GMO-free Vitamin E and 

Rosemary Leaf Extract. | 

*Certified Organic Ingredients.

Our Sex Oil is free from: Alcohol (drying + irritating), Glycerin (drying + irritating), parabens (endocrine disruptor, mimics estrogen), petroleum products (irritating + suffocating to the skin), harsh preservatives (cellular mutator + irritating to the skin) and synthetic fragrances or colour.

IT Warming Arousal Oil Ingredients (contains no No L-Arginine | No Parabens):

Avocado oil, 

Macadamia oil, 

Velvet bean oil infused, 

Cinnamon essential oil, 

Vitamin E, 

Ginkgo Biloba essential oil, 

Kava oil infused, 

Silica,  -makes me break out

Rosemary essential oil, 

Clove essential oil, 

Ginger essential oil.

IT Cooling Arousal Oil ingredients (contains no No L-Arginine | No Parabens):

Avocado oil, 

Macadamia oil, 

Velvet bean oil infused, 

Ginkgo Biloba essential oil, 

Vitamin E, 

Silica, -makes me break out

Kava oil infused, 

Cinnamon essential oil, 

Rosemary essential oil, 

Peppermint essential oil, 

Spearmint essential oil, 

Ginger essential oil.

Vigorelle Personal Lubricant to increase female libido:

L-Arginine HCI is an amino acid that works to increase micro-circulation by opening up blood vessels at the site of the application.

Gingko Biloba Increases moisture retention in the upper layers of the skin, and soothes irritation. A natural anti-biotic and cleanser rich in bioflavinoids.

Wild Yam - Rhizoma Dioscorea Villosae Also called Mexican Wild Yam or Colic Root, this valuable plant has become very well known in the last few years for its remarkable abilities to stimulate and balance human hormone production.

Damiana Leaf - Folium Turneraceae The most amazing use of this herb from the sub tropics is for individuals with chronic loss of sexual power.

Suma Root - Radix Pfaffiae Paniculatae Suma root is the perfect ideal of balance and endurance.

Peppermint Leaf - Folium Menthae Piperitae In addition to peppermint's many other great health qualities , it is used as a delivery agent to help the absorption of other substances through cell membranes.

Vitamin A, C & E Complex Hyaluronic Acid Aloe Vera Gel This category provides the nutrients for healthy regeneration of tissue and additionally acts as powerful antioxidants to ensure maximum circulation throughout the body.

Pipe dreams

I like to fantasize about owning a vegan and cruelty-free, green, and low to zero waste shop.  It would look like an old fashioned drugstore, like in the Andy Griffith Show.   I'd sell toiletry items and miscellaneous things in bulk.  There would be a little food counter similar to Subways but all vegan raw food and smoothies in addition to breads for sandwiches, I would name it GIFT HIPPY and the food counter would be named Refreshments.

Then I also fantasize about starting my own online and printed magazine of local items, local fashion designers, artists, architects,  and artisans, etc.  I'd employ arty photographers and young writers to write articles, for the magazine as well as models of every shape and age to model the makeup from my store and local fashion designers. The design aesthetic would change but be very fashion forward. I'd call the magazine CHOICE or Ethics.

So encompassing all of my interests. Have local artisans sell their home crafted cosmetics where I would demand they use all recyclable packaging, as well as any good brands that I can find that have good ethics.

That would take so much time and effort but it would be fun.

For the Refreshments bar the menu would be served in stainless steel takeaway containers that may be purchased or returned for money back.  Maybe a membership would be required.

*signature steamed vegetables: new potatoes, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and pea pods.
*signature vegetarian chili (mixed beans and veggies in tomato base)
*daily soup including: corn chowder, tomato, vegetable, stew, dal, split pea.
*signature salad: iceberg wedge with french dressing.
*daily salad including:  Caesar, Asian, potato salad, green goddess, Greek, cabbage wedge with cream dressing, spinach and strawberry, Waldorf.
*signature sub: CLT cheez, iceberg, tomato, avocado or mayo on baguette.
*build your own sub:  cheez, iceberg, spinach, tomato, sliced olives, pepercinis, sliced green peppers, sliced red peppers, sliced red onion, shredded carrot, hummus, avocado, mayo, mustard, oil and vinegar, salt and pepper.
*signature pizza: pine kernels, red onion, baby capers, black olives, sultanas.
*build your own pizza (stone baked crust, tomato sauce): pine kernels, red onion, baby capers, black olives, sultanas, pineapple, green pepper, red pepper, vegan mozzarella.
*dessert of the day: fresh berries and vegan cream, lemon curd with aqua faba meringe pie, melon balls, pumpkin pie, chocolate mousse made only of chocolate and water.
*signature smoothie (spinach, kale, frozen mango, frozen pineapple, banana, avocado, ginger, fresh lemon)
*smoothie of the day: mango with chili and lime,  berry, pina colada, chocolate, chocolate peanut butter banana, cranberry truffle.

Thats all for now.

Walkers Drugstore on the Andy Griffith Show

Candy

Favorite sweets per holiday:

New Years Eve - Champagne  and Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
Valentine's Day - Cinnamon Hearts and SweeTarts

St Patrick's Day - Pixie Stix
Easter - Jelly Bellies and Marshmallow Peeps

May Day - Lemonheads

Cinco de Mayo - Margarita
Memorial Day - Root Beer float
Independence Day - Fresh Watermelon
Labor Day -Candy Cigarettes
Halloween -Peanut Butter Cups and Take Five
Thanksgiving - Pumpkin Pie and homemade Butterbeer
Christmas - Candy Canes and Chocolate Cherry Cordials