Melting Pot Beauty Taking You Beyond the Beauty Boundaries
Growing up in northern California, I am no stranger to the words natural and organic. I never realized it then but I lived on a mini farm with fresh grown fruits and vegetables, a chicken coop, a goat, pigs, rabbits, ducks and even a pet iguana. I can’t say that was normal in my neighborhood but it was normal for me. Even though I ingested organic foods, my daily hair and skin routine was everything but.
Anytime I made a trip to a natural food store I would see, “Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap”. It had been around for ages but I had no desire to use it because it wasn’t advertised in Seventeen magazine (my teenage bible). Although late to the game, I have finally embraced this ‘magic soap’ into my daily life and thought I should share some of its many beauty uses.
1. Body Wash: Try Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Pure-Castile Soap to cool down your body during the hot summer. Apply with your hands, a washcloth or a loofah. Your skin will feel squeaky-clean! Be sure to moisturize as I find it does leave my skin a bit dry afterwards. (Sensitive skin types should try the Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Baby Mild Castile Soap.)
2. Face Wash: I prefer using the Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Baby Mild Castile Soap for my face. Dilute by mixing 1 part soap to 2 parts of water into an old soap pump and voila!
3. Shampoo: For curly girls I would only suggest using this as a once a month deep cleansing. It will really help remove product build-up however you will need to use a good conditioner afterwards. I still dilute the soap by using half soap and half water so it doesn’t completely strip my hair. Try the rose, lavender and almond scents.
4. Brush Cleaner: One of my favorite ways to clean my makeup brushes! The oils from this soap really deep clean my brushes, especially the lip, foundation and eye-liner brushes. Rinse brushes and then in a small bowl, add soap and a dash of water. Place your brushes in the soap (bristles down and not above the ferrule) and swirl them around until they are saturated in the soap mix. Take each individual brush, swirl in your hand, rinse then dry either flat or downwards.
5. Beauty Blender: Try the Dr. Bronner’s Castile Bar Soaps for your Beauty Blender! Simply submerge your BB in water until it fully expands, then squeeze out the excess water. Let your castile bar soap get wet then gently rub your beauty blender back and forth into the soap. Rinse clean and watch those foundations stains disappear! (Bonus Tip: This is also an easy way to clean your brushes!)
6. Shaving: Apply directly to wet skin and shave. Simple as that!
7. Bath Gel: Although this will not be a sudsy bath, you will still benefit. Try Dr. Bronner’s Rose and Lavender scents for a luxurious, calming, aromatherapy filled bath.
8. Facial Steam: In a large pot, boil water then distribute into a bowl. Add a tablespoon or more of Dr. Bronner’s Eucalyptus Pure-Castile Soap to the bowl. Drape a large towel over your head then place your head 8-10 inches above the bowl. Let the steam open up your pores and clear any congestion!
9. Foot soak: If your dogs are barking, pamper them by adding a couple tablespoons of the Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Pure-Castile Soap into a large bowl of hot water. Soak those puppies and feel the pain melt away!
For more tips on the many ways you can use Dr. Bronner’s soaps visit www.drbronner.com. I use my own measurements but if you’d like guidelines visit Lisa Bronner’s Dilutions Cheat Sheet to help you with any measurements. www.lisa.drbronner.com.
