Health is something that I don’t often fully appreciate until it’s compromised. I guess that is one perk of not being well; when you get well again you are so grateful for your vitality that you vow to take better care of yourself from then on. With my health being less than optimal these last few months I decided I needed to get myself back on track. I took myself to a naturopathic physician to find a solution. A bunch of tests were taken and a few things were discovered. First discovery, I have borderline hypothyroidism, which I will get more into another day. Second, my cortisol levels are too high, which I am now controlling with magnolia root. Third, I tested in the high range for a few toxic metals; aluminum and lead. High levels of aluminum in the body has been linked to Alzheimer’s. High levels of lead in the body has been linked to nerve disorders, memory and concentration problems and muscle and joint pain. The aluminum is from using aluminum based non stick cookware and the lead is from using store bought makeup. Crazy isn’t it? I have since thrown out all my cookware and replaced it with either stainless steal or cast iron to reduce my aluminum exposure. I started making my own makeup a few months ago but I didn’t replace everything. Now that I have these results back I am newly committed to replacing all of the toxic makeup in my makeup bag. The only makeup that I use is lipstick, concealer, mascara and very occasionally blush/bronzer for a little sparkle. I made my own organic blush from beets and hibiscus a few months ago so I’ve got that covered. Next and arguably most importantly on my list is lipstick. I wear it nearly everyday and the store bought lipsticks contain unnatural dyes filled with lead. Considering the fact that this stuff goes on your lips, it is safe to assume we ingest a bit of it every time we put it on. I’m done poisoning myself. I can give my lips the color I love without sacrificing my health to do it. I measured, melted and mixed some of my favorite natural ingredients and created a really beautiful, deep red lip color with a hint of purple. I’m simply in love and frankly I’m never buying a lipstick again.
‘Wine Tasting in Burgundy’ DIY Lipstick
Ingredients – makes about 2-3 lipsticks depending on size of container. I used .15 ml Chapstick tubes
- 2 grams beeswax (I use a scale here because hard beeswax is easier to measure this way)
- 1 tsp mango butter
- 1 tsp Shea butter
- 1/2 tsp meadow foam seed oil
- 1/2 tsp sweet almond oil
- 1/4 tsp vitamin e
- 3/4 tsp Australian red reef clay
- 1/4 tsp bentonite clay
- 6 drops essential oil (I used Ylang Ylang)
Process
- Melt together butters/oils in a double boiler or in a glass bowl atop a boiling tea kettle
- Take off heat and add in vitamin e
- In another bowl mix together red reef and bentonite clay
- Add melted oils/butters to clays and mix until well combined
- Add in essential oil and pour into tubes
- Let sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes to harden
- Apply to lips
- Leave natural lipstick marks on a lucky lover
The rich burgundy color evoked images of me with a wine stained mouth in the rolling green hills of France; hence the title of the lipstick. If your lip color can transport you all the way to Burgundy, you know you’ve got a winner. 😉 If you like your lip color a little less dramatic, just use a little less red reef clay. Enjoy your gorgeous red lips without sacrificing your health. XO ~ Sam
earthlyradiance 