If you’ve been down the natural living rabbit hole for a while you know that there are hidden chemicals lurking in just about every conventional personal care product out there. From soaps, to lotions, to makeup – and everything in between. Some of these substances are linked to hormone disruption, allergic reactions, skin reactions, and worse – cancer and chronic disease.

These chemicals are either inhaled or worse, absorbed through the skin – the largest organ in our body.  From the time a substance hits our skin, WITHIN SECONDS, it’s absorbed into our bloodstream and carried to every cell in our body. Over time, these chemicals accumulate in our body, and we become literal toxic dumping grounds.

In fact, in 2005, the Environmental Working Group published a combination of two studies that found 287 toxins detected in the umbilical cord blood of newborn babies. Of these 287 chemicals, 217 were neurotoxins, and 208 are known to damage growth development or cause birth defects. (source)

How scary is that? 

There’s a golden rule in the natural living world and it goes something like this: 

If you can’t put it IN your mouth, you shouldn’t put it ON your body. (Tweet this out!)

In other words, if it’s not safe enough to EAT, it has no business being sprayed or slathered all over your body. 

Make sense? 

In my quest to eliminate toxic chemicals from my life, makeup is one area that I’ve struggled with. I don’t wear a lot of it; really I don’t. But once in a while, if I’m leaving the house for somewhere other than the grocery store or playground, it feels good to give my face a little extra lovin’ and at least make it LOOK like I’ve got my s*** together. The three items that are musts from my makeup drawer:

1. Mascara
2. Blush or bronzer
3. Loose powder

Unfortunately, truly toxin-free cosmetics ain’t cheap. This is a brand that I use when I just don’t have it in me to DIY. I am human, after all. 

So what’s a quasi-makeup-wearing crunchy gal to do? DIY makeup, that’s what.

DIY powder foundation was the easiest nut to crack so after a bit of experimentation, I cracked the code to smooth-as-silk, skin nourishing, 100% natural, and most importantly, INEXPENSIVE loose powder. And as any hard core crunchy girl would do, I abided by the Golden Rule and used ingredients from my pantry to create this concoction, including:

• Arrowroot
• Cinnamon
• Cacao Powder
• Nutmeg

You could literally EAT this DIY makeup and be just fine. Can Clinique say that? I doubt it. 

Now, I am may be totally biased, but this DIY powder foundation is waaaay better than any (natural or toxic) other on the market. 

Why? 

Therapeutic-grade essential oils, that’s why.

I’ve added two super skin-nourishing essential oils to this DIY makeup mix, that not only make it smell even more amazing (Hello? McFly – it already smells like chocolate and cinnamon!), but also truly replenish and support the skin. The players: Lavender and Frankincense. Check it:

Benefits of Lavender for Skin Health

Lavender has been referred to as the “Swiss Army Knife” of essential oils. For good reason. It literally does it all. But for purposes of this awesome homemade loose powder recipe, it glows (literally and figuratively). 

Toning: Lavender tones and firms your skin as it boosts circulation, which results in an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrition to the skin cells. This helps to keep cells healthy and boost the renewal process.

Detoxifying: Unless you live in a bubble, environmental toxins and other pollutants that our skin is exposed to on a daily basis are unavoidable. Lavender contains powerful antioxidants that can fight against the harmful effects of pollutants on the skin.

Benefits of Frankincense for Skin Health

Frankincense was valued more than gold in ancient times – for good reason. Besides being amazing for overall wellness, when it comes to skin health, it tones and tightens skin, supports the regeneration of healthy cells while also keeping existing cells and tissues healthy, and supports the skin’s natural response to aging. 

Making it even more amazeballs, I estimate that once you’ve purchased your container, your refills will cost you about .63 cents – and .24 cents if you omit the essential oils (but why WOULD you do such a silly thing?). 

Can I get an amen? 

Now the thing to remember is this…not all essential oils are created equal. Many that you get in the health food store or Amazon could potentially be cut with synthetics – which is why the prices vary so greatly. This not only sucks because you THINK you’re getting something super awesome (and you’re not), BUT it can also be really dangerous. I’ve heard horror stories (including a very close friend of mine) of people having reactions to essential oils purchased from “reputable” sources. 

Like my food, I want to know exactly where my oils are coming from – especially since I’m using them on my children, on my body, and for therapeutic purposes – not just to make my dish soap smell nice. This is the only brand of essential oils that I trust and use with my family. The bonus – I get them at wholesale – a whopping 24% off! 

And the good news?

This month only, because I want you to save a ton of money with your DIY makeup, I’m offering a HARD TO RESIST promotion when you become a wholesale customer with Young Living and purchase a Premium Starter Kit. You can start saving like me, AND become well-equipped to start DIY’ing your makeup and other personal care products like the boss you are. Learn more here. 

IN SEPTEMBER ONLY, enroll as a wholesale customer with with ME (Young Living member ID #1916533) and purchase a Premium Starter Kit and you’ll get the following goodies FOR FREE:

1. A reference book (valued at $30) to help you to learn how to use your oils safely and effectively.
2. A beautiful diffuser necklace (valued at $25) that you can wear everyday and enjoy the intoxicating aroma of your oils wherever you go! This is what it looks like. Pretty, right?
3. A 2-ounce sample of Thieves (SUPER CONCENTRATED) Household Cleaner. There is NOTHING this cleaner can’t do. This sample will make up to SIX 30 ounce bottles of germ-killing, non-toxic household cleaner. And it smells AMAZING! This is the easiest and most cost-effective first step to begin to eliminate toxic chemicals from your home. 
4. A sample bottle of Orange Essential Oil. This is one of my FAVORITES outside of the Premium Starter Kit, and a perfect scent for fall! 

These freebies are valued at over $75!

Get started on your oily journey and by enrolling as a wholesale customer and purchasing your Premium Starter Kit here. 

And now for the DIY Powder Foundation Recipe… 

Now it’s your turn. What toxic personal care products have you swapped out for DIY versions? Please leave a comment below – I’d LOVE to hear! 

P.S., If you’re local to the Southeastern Massachusetts area, JOIN ME for Natural Skin Care Beauty School, where you’ll be pampered (who couldn’t use a little pampering?!), and – more importantly – learn how to CLEAN UP your beauty regimen with 100% natural beauty and skin care products.

Space is SUPER limited – register HERE NOW.