Lazy

It's Saturday, my husband is home,my boys are home and I am hiding out in the office. Sipping tea, eating a muffin. I have so many things to do and I don't know where to get started. My dear husband wants me to work on antifungal concotion for nails. I still have to do the facial wash, as I will be back from maternity leave and I want some of my co workers to try the items out. I still have yet to rework the aloe moisturizer, need to do that asap. I am getting reequests now from people who want to be product testers. So I need to create a list (maybe a seperate blog?) of product testers and the products they tested. Not to mention, preparing to market a thousand one things I have already developed that I want to sell. It's no wonder I want to hide, but they (husband and sons) will find me, they always do. Yikes just remembered, I have to make a new batch of my braid cleanser. No rest for the weary.

Okay, back to work, just promised someone I will work on a volume shampoo.

new idea

Eureka, I finally figured out how to do foaming face washes. So of course, I am like a mad scientist figuring out formulations. I reworked my cucumber and green tea face bar so that it will be a face wash. I might do the same for my strawberry smoothie face bar. But right now, I am thinking carrots (I guess I still have spring on my mind) but who knows. I have so many possibilities. I have found a few mushroom extract brands that I may use, or maybe I will just stick to fruits and vegetables. Oooo, new thought, what about a foaming scrubber? I will have to consider which exfoliant to use but maybe it will work. We will see. If you have any suggestions or requests feel free to comment.

gotta go Baby Miles is calling

Berry juice

I just got great news today. One of my product testers for an anti aging serum I am developing says she thinks I really have something. She is 63, and the wrinkles around her eyes have visibly improved and her skin looks softer. I use it on my self and I appreciate a brighter, more even tone skin. The results occurred within 2 weeks! and that was using it only once a day. I am so excited, I am going to do one more reformulation and see how that goes. With any luck, this will be ready for market in about 2 months.

It's called Berry Juice- formulated to be light but rich in antioxidants. Raspberry Seed oil, Black Berry Seed Oil and Co enzyme Q 10 are the main components. This is a preservative free product.

Spring Break

Tired of the snow yet? I know I am. So much so, I am going to prepare my face and skin for the spring. Yep, I am going to pretend that spring is tomorrow and I am getting myself ready. First I am going to give myself a facial. Starting off with a clay mask made with cucumber peel and aloe. This will lift off the dead skin cells, brighten my face and tighten my pores. The result? Instant youth. Next I am going to use a toner to complete the brightening effect made with cucumber, glycerin and water. Last but not least, I am going to lock in the effects with an oil blend I am working on for anti aging rich in antioxidants.

Oh by the way let's not forget the rest of the body. Taking a rose petal bath will do wonders for my skin and my well being. Hey I might even throw in some lavender as well. I am going layer my moisture today. First,I am going to rub myself down with coconut oil and a few drops of rose essential oil. Next I will follow with a light lotion made with rose water and almond oil. Want to join me?

Here are a few things you can do at home:

1/2 cucumber, sliced (save a couple of slices for your eyes if they are puffy)
1- 2 tablespoons of aloe vera juice or gel
1 tablespoon of honey
1 tablespoon of condensed milk

blend ingredients together using 1 tablespoon of aloe vera juice. The mixture should be semi thick. If too thick you may add another tablespoon of juice. Place this mixture all over the face and allow to sit for 20 min. Place cucumber slices on your eyes and relax. Rinse with lukewarm water and follow with toner and moisturizer.

Toner
you may use a little of the cucumber juice reserved from the above recipe for this one

1 tablespoon of fresh cucumber juice
1 tablespoon of vegetable glycerin
1/2 cup of distilled water

blend all ingredients together. Place a few drops on a cotton ball and rub face in a upward circular motion. Gently pat eyes with cotton ball. Mixture may be stored for one week in the refrigerator

Moisturizer
1 oz Carrier oil of your choice (jojoba, coconut, olive, rice bran, apricot kernel, sweet almond, grapeseed)
1 capsule of vitamin e 400 IU
2-3 drops of rose or lavender essential oil

Shake ingredients together in a clean sterile bottle

Place a few drops on your finger tips and rub onto skin in an upward circular motion

You may use this for after the bath as well, just double or triple your ingredients as needed

Bath

2-4 tablespoons of dried rose petals
1 teaspoon of dried lavender
4 x4 cheese cloth or sterile gauze pad
1 rubber band

lay cheese cloth flat and place ingredients inside. Fold the four corners of the cloth together and secure with rubber band. Throw bag under warm running water in the bath. Allow your self to soak for 20 minutes. Before getting out, rub yourself down with the bag

Winter Skin

So it is about to snow again here in Philly which made me think about today's post. How to protect your skin from this horrible winter weather. Like it or not, cold weather can have a devastating effect on even the best of skins. Add to that conditions like eczema and psoriasis and you have a major disaster. In my case, my hypothyroid condition is the cause of my chronic dry skin and hair. But there is a way to beat the system or at least trick it for a little while.

Your skin is the guard against major infections. Moist supple skin keeps the really nasty bugs out. When you allow your skin to become dry, it makes it hard enough to crack allowing breaks in the skin, breaks in your protection. Not only that, but dry skin is itchy skin, so you find yourself scratching a whole lot more. This scratching can cause further break down. All this can lead to tired looking skin, making you look tired and OLD! (not for me :( )

Well what to do:

Help with your barrier protection. Take lukewarm showers (sorry) Really hot water further dries out the skin by encouraging evaporation (that's the steam) from your epidermis (uppermost layer of skin). That evaporation means water is being lost and water equals moisture. After the shower apply a nice oil. A lot of people recommend baby oil but baby oil is nothing but mineral oil with a scent. Mineral oil can provide temporary smoothness but over time will block the pores of your skin. Besides that it doesn't even provide nourishment to help with the building blocks of skin construction. Instead, use something like extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil. These oils are very nourishing and absorb very quickly into the skin, so no need to worry about greasy clothes. You may also try jojoba oil. Jojoba oil is more like a liquid wax but it mimics our skin natural sebum (oil) production making it a perfect moisturizer.

You may also try using a whipped butter. The most commonly used whipped butter is shea butter. This butter has been used for centuries by Africans for all sorts of skin conditions and has even been proven to provide a light spf. You may buy whipped shea butters from shops and stores like mine or you can make your own:

approx 2 oz raw shea butter
1 oz of vegetable oil like olive oil

A good egg beater

Whip mixture until light and fluffy, be careful splattering may occur in the beginning stages. No melting is necessary

you may also add essential oils for scent: lavender, bergamot, jasmine and rose make lovely scented whipped butters

Moisture Cream

Okay guys, I am really excited. I reformulated my deep moisture cream and tried it last night. This morning I woke up with beautiful soft defined curls. Yea me! Let me tell you what I put in it. Tucuma butter, meadowfoam seed oil, monoi de tahiti, honey, and amino acids. It is really smooth and creamy and little goes a long way. I have to keep testing and of course find some test subjects but this is just great! I may consider even formulating as like a wet set pudding or something like that. Keep your fingers crossed.

Avocado Oil

I use avocado oil for a variety of reasons. It has great nourishing benefits for persons who have dry skin and hair. Avocado oil contains vitamins A, B, C and E, large amounts of vitamin D and potassium, minerals, lecithin and fatty acids. This oil also contains protein great for persons with brittle, dry hair. It is also said to have healing properties. This is a rich hypoallergenic oil where a little goes a long way. Vegan friendly.

Avocado oil can be found in the following products: Indulgence Hair Oil, Asian Silk Body Oil, Indulgence Shampoo Bar, Avocado and Honey Shampoo, Avocado and Honey Conditioner

Hello World

I decided to start blogging for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, I like to share my view on the when, why, what, how and where in the world of hair, skin and more. Also, because I make all of my own skin, hair and baby products people ask me a lot of questions, and this is a way to share that information. Lastly, having a medical and chemistry background, I would like to clear up a few things about how and why things work like they do. Not to get on a soapbox, but it bothers me when the wrong information gets out there.

So a little bit more about myself:

I am a wife and the mother of two boys, Solomon age 3 and Miles age 1 month. I live and work in Philadelphia dealing with children of all ages. I started making my own hair products about 2 1/2 years ago after being disappointed with what I found on the store shelves. My hair stylist actually noticed the difference in my hair and loved it. I gave her a sample, she began using on her clients and thus Natural by Design Cosmetics was born. It is still more of a hobby as medicine is still my first love but I love being able to let my mind roam free and come up with products that work better than the store brands.

I take it seriously, and I am always trying to improve my products. So product testers are always welcome (rules do apply)

so if there is something you want me to explain or if you have an idea for an item you want me to explore let me know.

visit my shop on etsy: www.nbdcosmetics.etsy.com