So in my previous post about natural hair care, I shared how I discovered Morrocco Method, the most awesome hair care company thus far. To be fair, the prices are not meek :) but the…
These shops are all natural, though I always recommend reading the ingredient list and asking questions when you have them. My criteria for choosing these shops is:
They are all natural and list their ingredients.
The companies utilize sustainable, ethical and enlightened business practices.
Here are some favorite, natural places to buy skin, body, and hair care.
MOUNTAIN ROSE HERBS
If you love making your own products or want the highest quality from reputable sources, this is the spot.
You can read my post on MM here to get the background on how I found them and how amazing their products are! MORROCCO METHOD INT’L has provided the world’s finest in wild-crafted, raw, vegan and gluten-free hair care for more than 40 years. Each wild-crafted product is carefully designed to both detoxify and nourish your hair and body. Begin detoxing your hair today and enjoy beautiful, naturally luxurious hair with Morrocco Method products.
Everything you need for clean, vibrant, voluminous, healthy hair is here. For real.
Inspired by the sensual and the natural, Venus in Violet is a handcrafted boutique perfumery and natural oils company. The flagship product Tantrika is a natural perfume oil that is multi-use: use on your hair, nails, skin, and as a gorgeous perfume to attract the sensual.
Bay rum oil is a classic fragrance for men originally made in the west Indies and is used as a cologne, aftershave and skin toner. It is made like a tincture of some very readily available ingredients. There are really 2 distinct products here: an aftershave and an oil.
Both of these products can be used for deodorant purposes. Yes, many potential mates want you to smell like the spicy and natural Earth! Homemade or all natural products are not offensive like chemical products. They have a subtle effect and add to allure rather than knocking people out when you walk by them.
The basic ingredients to make bay rum oil and astringent are the following: rum, leaves and berries of the bay tree (Pimenta racemosa), citrus peels like lime or orange, and spices including cloves and cinnamon. Traditional Bay Rum is made from the leaves of the Caribbean tree Pimenta racemosa. Leaves of the Bay Laurel tree, Laurus nobilis, can be substituted. They have similar properties but of course, not identical. Using a creative combination of these ingredients, you can make your bay rum blend smell how you like.
Bay Leaf Essential Oil Uses
Bay leaf essential oil is used to control dandruff, promote hair growth and stimulate lymph and blood flow. It has a hot nature and so will create a heat sensation when applied. If you tend to be a hot person, err on the lower amount of essential oil added to the oil blend.
All of the ingredients used in bay rum oil and aftershave are grounding yet stimulating. Bay rum makes a great skin toner and will help to prevent razor burn, bumps and break outs of all sorts.
So here go 2 recipes to get you started…
Bay Rum Aftershave
This makes a bracing, astringent aftershave to help prevent razor burn, decrease large pore size and clear acne. It also acts as cologne and can also be used under the pits to freshen up. This is adapted from Rosemary Gladstar’s Family Herbal.
Ingredients:
Bay leaves, fresh if possible Allspice, ground or grated 1 tablespoon Cloves, whole 1 tablespoon Ginger, grated 2 tablespoons Orange or lime peel 1 whole Rum Lime hydrosol (optional) Bay (Pimenta racemosa) essential oil (optional)
Directions:
Fill a 16 ounce jar with bay leaves and add the other spices and citrus. Cover this with rum, shake and allow to steep for 4 weeks.
Strain out the herbs and rebottle the resulting liquid. Lime hydrosol and Essential oil of bay (Pimenta racemosa) can be added, but be sure to add just a few drops of bay and test the smell.
Bay Rum Oil
This is super easy. Basically, mix a carrier oil with essential oil of bay (Pimenta racemosa), shake and use.
Ingredients:
Carrier oil, such as sweet almond or jojoba Bay essential oil (Pimenta racemosa)
Directions:
Get a cool bottle that you will be happy looking at and using regularly. Pour your carrier oil of choice into the bottle, leaving about an inch or two at the top. Then start adding drops of essential oil at a rate of 10 drops per ounce of carrier oil. Cap and shake, then test if the scent is strong enough for you.
When you get it to your liking, cap and it’s ready to use!
A modification of this recipe is to first infuse the carrier oil with bay leaves for a month, strain and then add essential oil.