It seems like I have more products in my cabinets than Walgreens has on their shelves. Can you relate? I always find myself trying the latest and greatest thing that’s advertised, and my bank account is dwindling by the moment. It seems that all these products do the same thing. Why not take what’s in your refrigerator and kitchen cabinets and start using it for your own good?
Demario Mitchell, owner of the Museum Walk Barbershop in Chicago, uses all-natural products with his clients. He strongly believes that our bodies are temples and should receive the highest quality ingredients. If you look at the labels of your favorite products, you’ll see a lot of funny-sounding ingredients. “Rio,” as his clients call him, says that you will recognize every ingredient that he uses in his products.
Ashley Gray, founder and creator of Lady Gray's Butters, started her business in her very own kitchen. The financial implications of always finding the latest and greatest propelled her to entrepreneurship.
“I realized just how much of a financial investment I was making weekly for the new thing. Natural hair is big business and in a lot of cases, it wasn't even benefiting Black women.
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Gray, a sufferer of eczema, also started making skin and hair products due to her condition. She stated that a lot of the products that she was using before were potentially harmful.
“I wanted to be conscious of how the products impacted my skin. I have eczema, so I'm conscious of how alcohol, (which is in many products) impacts that. Also, if I'm completely unfamiliar with an ingredient, chances are my body is probably not missing it. I've always loved hair and skin products. It just made sense to make one that could be customized for each person. Our bodies aren't the same, therefore how to take care of them has to be unique too.”
READ: 10 Natural Swap Outs For Your Beauty Regimen
Take a lesson from these two beauty alchemists and try your hand at these natural and inexpensive recipes for toothpaste, deodorant and shaving cream.
Peppermint Toothpaste
Ingredients/Materials
- Baking soda
- Peppermint extract or peppermint essential oil
- Filtered water
- Bowl
- Measuring cups
- Mixing spoon
- Medium-sized bowl
- Fine sea salt (Optional)
Directions
Mix together 2/3 cup of baking soda, 1 tsp fine sea salt (optional), and 1-2 tsp of peppermint extract (or 10-15 drops of peppermint essential oil). Pour in the water gradually, be sure to stir the mixture after each addition of water. You want to be conscious of your desired consistency. It should start to feel and look like regular toothpaste.
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You can change up this recipe a lot. Some might not like the saltiness of the concoction, so you can take out the fine sea salt if it’s a problem. Any flavorful essential oil such as cinnamon, mint, and caraway can also be used.
Coconut Oil Deodorant
Ingredients/Materials
- Coconut oil
- Baking soda
- Arrowroot or organic cornstarch
- Essential oils (Egyptian musk, kush Oil or spearmint)
- Medium-sized bowl
- Mixing spoon
Directions
Mix 1/4 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup of arrowroot together in a medium-sized bowl. Combine this mixture with 6 tablespoons of coconut oil. Add 10-15 drops of essential oils in your desired scent into the mixture. You now have deodorant. Store this in a small container or old deodorant container for later use.
RELATED: DIY: All-Natural Recipe To Treat Ingrown Hairs
Shaving Cream
Ingredients/Materials
- Oil (olive, grape seed, almond, etc.)
- Honey
- Liquid castile soap
- Essential oils (peppermint, spearmint or any other flavor that you like)
- Medium-sized bowl
- Whisk
Directions
Combine 1/2 cup of oil, 1/4 cup of honey and 1/4 cup of liquid castile soap and 10-15 drops of essential oil in a bowl and whisk until they have emulsified. Store the cream in a pump or squeeze bottle.
