Many natural and/or organic beauty products are priced a little higher than traditional products so I’m always on the lookout for healthy, affordable products that I can try out and share with you. One of you actually asked me if I had ever tried Nourish products so I hopped online, checked out their website, and was happy to see reasonably priced bath and body products formulated with healthy ingredients.

Nourish was originally founded over a decade ago and became the first beauty company to ever work with the United States Department of Agriculture which led to the launch of the world’s first USDA-certified organic skincare collection in 2003. All Nourish products are not only natural and organic, but also made in the US and are cruelty and gluten free. Many of their products are also vegan. All of the packaging they use is made with at least 25% post-consumer recycled content and is recyclable.

Their product line is comprised of Organic Body Butter, Organic Body Lotion, Organic Body Wash, Organic Deodorant, Organic Hand Wash, and an Exfoliating Body Polish. These formulas come in several scents like Almond Vanilla, Fresh Fig, Lavender Mint, Wild Berries, and Pure Unscented.

I selected the Pure Unscented Body Lotion and Wild Berries Body Wash to try out. Before I get into the actual formulations I want to quickly mention how lovely the packaging is. I absolutely love the pretty images on the bottles!

Okay, first up is the Pure Unscented Organic Body Lotion. If you have been with me for a while then you know how I’m always looking for good unscented lotions. While this lotion is not my ultimate favorite or Holy Grail unscented lotion I do like it. It’s a thin formula so I feel like it would be the perfect summer moisturizer, although it does work as a light day lotion during the winter. My skin is extra dry right now so it’s not as thick or as heavy as I would like it to be for my arms and legs but I’m enjoying it on my hands since I can’t stand thick, sticky creams on my hands. It does have a bit of a fragrance but it’s nothing obtrusive or offensive, just light and a bit herbal. The only truly negative thing I have to say about this lotion is that upon application is has a heavy alcohol scent. It goes away once the lotion sinks in but it throws me off a bit. Overall, it’s a nice, light lotion that comes in an 8 fl oz tube for $9.99.
 

The Wild Berries Organic Body Wash is very, very lightly scented with natural berry fragrance from strawberries, currants, and raspberries. If you like heavily perfumed body wash then you might want to skip this one, but I love how light the smell is. With ingredients like Aloe Vera, Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Sunflower and Seasame Seed Oils, Coconut Milk and Vitamin E the formula is very hydrating. It comes in a very generous 10 fl oz bottle and rings in at $9.99.

You can learn more about the company and their products by visiting their website. You can also check them out on Facebook!

There is only one thing that I dislike about summer, and that would be bugs. Where I live there is an abnormal amount of insects of all shapes and sizes. I have gotten used to my white car turning green because of its layer of bugs but I refuse to get used to being attacked and bitten by them. However; I hate the smell and feel of bug spray. Nothing disgusts me more than the scent of traditional bug repellents so I knew that I had to dedicate an entire post to keeping bugs at bay.

Fun fact – Did you know that only female mosquitoes bite us? That is because female mosquitoes need our blood to be able to lay their eggs. Gross, right? Okay, enough science for today.

Not only are mosquito bites incredibly uncomfortable and itchy – they can also transmit diseases like West Nile Virus, Malaria and other harder to pronounce diseases. They have been responsible for the death of more people than all of the worlds wars combined. Malaria infected mosquitoes kill an average of 2 to 3 million people a year and people living in the United States are not immune to contracting mosquito transmitted diseases. This is why it’s so important to protect ourselves from being brunch for these pesky insects.

Here are just a few ideas for keeping bugs away from you:

DIY Mosquito Deterrent – All you need is a small spray bottle, a carrier oil or alcohol that is safe for use on skin (olive oil, witch hazel, vodka, or other cooking oils), and an essential oil. The essential oils that are good for repelling mosquitoes are castor oil, eucalyptus oil, cinnamon oil, and citronella oil. You should mix 1 part oil with 10-20 parts of oil or alcohol. Your mixture should be anywhere between 5 and 10 percent essential oil. (Around 20 drops of oil per 2 tablespoons of oil/alcohol.) Neem oil is also a very effective natural bug repellent.

You can use coconut oil as a bug repellent. You can rub it all over your body like a moisturizer to keep bugs from lunching on you.

Bonus tip – Wearing dark clothing is also helpful!

I hope that you can use some of these ideas to keep yourself safe while the mosquitoes are out in full force this summer. As always, if you have any different bug repellent recipes or tricks please let me know in the comments.

Taking a bath might seem more like a fall and winter time treat but nothing soothes a soul or sun kissed skin like a tub full of warm water and skin softening ingredients. This bath time recipe is perfect for any time of the year regardless of sunshine or snow. Milk is a wonder of the natural world and when it comes to skin care nothing is more luxurious or easy to use. Since it is rich in lactic acid, a type of alpha hydroxy, it is exfoliating and moisturizing which leads to clean, clear, smooth skin.

In combination with the Epsom salts this recipe creates a detoxifying effect. The baking soda helps neutralize the Epsom salts and the lavender makes it perfect for a before bedtime soak.

 What you need:
1 cup of powdered milk
½ cup of Epsom salts
1 tablespoon of baking soda
Optional - Lavender essential oil (a few drops will do)

Combine all of the ingredients and add to a tub full of warm water. Lay back, relax, and enjoy your “me time”. Once you’re finished bathing, make sure to lock in your new found moisture with your favorite body lotion or oil.

Let’s continue with the strawberry trend from the other day with a recipe for a strawberry body scrub that is delectable and perfect for pampering yourself or a loved one with. It’s so simple and easy to make and use.

What you need:
10 big, ripe strawberries
2 tablespoons of your favorite skin friendly oil (I really like olive and grape seed for body scrubs)
1 teaspoon of sea salt
1 teaspoon of brown sugar


Blend the strawberries and oil together to make a liquid but keep in mind that it’s okay if there are still some chunks of berry left. It doesn’t need to be totally liquefied. Pour into a bowl and add the sea salt and brown sugar. I really love to use both sea salt and brown sugar when making a scrub because the different sized granules are really effective at sloughing off dead skin cells.

I always use scrubs on damp skin, but everyone is different. I especially love this one for my hands and feet but it works great on arms and legs too. If you have any of your mixture left you can store it in an airtight container for about a week.

Have a great weekend!

Since we’ve talked about how skin can get dry and flaky when the seasons change from warm to frigid, I figured we should talk DIY Pumpkin Moisturizing Body Treatment. In addition to being delicious when baked in a pie, pumpkin is really beneficial for your skin! It’s got tons of enzymes and antioxidants that nourish skin and help get rid of dead skin cells.

What you need:
½ cup of pumpkin puree
½ cup of coconut oil (for moisturizing)
½ teaspoon of cinnamon (this acts as an anti-bacterial)

Take all of the ingredients and mix together until smooth in a jar or an old body butter or lotion container. I always keep old packaging so I can make and store new beauty products in them. Apply the mixture to clean skin and massage to work in. Let the treatment sit for at least 10 minutes then rinse with warm water and pat dry.

If you have any mixture left it should last for about 3-5 days before you need to toss it.

This will leave your skin feeling smooth, soft and hydrated with the added benefit of smelling like a delicious pumpkin treat. Enjoy, and have a wonderful weekend!

Melons are full of water and nutrients, which make a perfect treat for your skin. Now is the perfect time to try making this do-it-yourself body scrub that stars cantaloupe. Okay, before you get nervous at the sight of the word cantaloupe just remember that the melons in your local grocery store right now are not part of the recall. If you see it in your produce department, it is safe to use.

Cantaloupes are vitamin rich, especially in vitamin A, which is vital for skin and cells. It is also full of body beneficial antioxidants which help fight free radicals, which in turn help your skin look younger, healthier, and more vibrant.

What you need:

• ¼ cantaloupe
• ½ cup oatmeal

(If you want to make a facial scrub using these ingredients, just mix in less oatmeal. You’ll want only a couple of tablespoons, for less exfoliation.)

Make sure the cantaloupe is seeded and then mash with a fork until there are no big chunks remaining. You can also use a hand blender, a regular blender, or a food processor for this step. You will also need to chop the oats in the food processor, because they need to be a finer texture. Mix the ingredients together until you are happy with the consistency.

Apply to your body and rub in small, circular motions. Rinse with warm water until the mixture is gone, and apply your favorite moisturizer to slighty damp skin afterwards. I suggest doing this in the bathtub or shower since it can get pretty messy. I hope you enjoy this scrub recipe! See you tomorrow!

My Mom and I were in the kitchen the other day whipping up a batch of corn bread and discovered an amazing exfoliant – Cornmeal! I already loved cornmeal because I’m a big fan of fresh, hot cornbread straight out of the over but now I love it for its ability to get rid of dead skin cells as well.

It’s cheap and it’s easy, so why not give it a try? Just take some cornmeal and mix in a small amount of water (or oil like coconut, jojoba, or olive if you have very dry skin) at a time until you get a paste-like consistency. You can use it on your hands, feet or the rest of your body.

Go check your pantry and try this out! Let me know what you think, and if you have any other beauty uses for cornmeal leave me a comment. Make sure to come back and check out tomorrow's post because I'll be launching a brand new giveaway! See you then!

In the Summer (and Spring, and some of Fall), I am a die-hard flip flop fanatic. I love being able to let my toes be free and allow them to see the sun and breathe the fresh air. However my feet get really rough and tough during these months of exposure to the elements. Using a foot scrub regularly is the best way to keep your feet feeling footsie friendly, so today I have a great DIY foot scrub recipe to share with you.

You will need:

• 1 cup of salt (table or Epsom)
• 1/3 cup oil of your choice (olive, almond, jojoba)
• 1 tablespoon of castile soap (which is a great DIY beauty staple!)
• Peppermint oil (you can use anywhere between 1-6 drops, or none at all, depending on your preferences)

It’s a good idea to soak your feet in warm/hot water before doing this scrub because the water will soften your feet and make them more susceptible to the benefits of the scrub. You can even throw some salt into the water for added effect. Soaking for 10-15 minutes will be sufficient. After soaking, massage the mixture onto your feet, scrubbing to get all of the dead skin off. Rinse them when you’re finished and that’s it! Your feet have now been pampered and are ready to take on the day!

If you want to learn how to use coconut oil for beauty purposes and enter for a chance to win your very own quart of coconut oil - keep reading!

Coconut oil is a lot like butter in the aspect that it is solid when cold and liquid when heated. This property makes it extremely versatile! It has so many different purposes, from being one of the most heart-healthy cooking oils to moisturizing and replenishing skin, it’s truly amazing and I’m absolutely in love with it.

A wonderful company called Tropical Traditions (http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/) was kind enough to send me a quart of their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil and I have been using it nonstop since it arrived. All of the coconuts they use are fresh and used within 24-48 hours of being picked. They don’t use any chemicals and everything is certified organic by the USDA. They hand produce their coconut oil, as opposed to using heavy machinery and they don’t mass produce any of it. This oil is made in small batches by coconut farming families who have been making coconut oil for centuries.

Want to know how you can use coconut oil for beauty purposes? Continue reading to find out.

Hair – Coconut oil provides your hair with the nutrients and protein that it craves, making it an excellent hair product. You can use it in several different ways on your hair.

• Scalp Treatment - You can melt coconut oil so it’s in a liquid state and apply it to your scalp as a treatment. It can help with itching or flaking. It’s also very moisturizing and leaves your hair shiny. You can put the oil in a bowl and put the bowl into some warm water. It melts very quickly. Massaging your scalp with coconut oil regularly will keep it happy and healthy. Tip – Don’t apply this the night before a big event as it can temporarily make your hair a bit greasy looking. 
• Leave In Conditioner – This is my favorite! After I get out of the shower, I take some coconut oil, while it is still solid and rub it between my hands to warm it up, and then apply it to my wet hair. I only apply it to the length of my hair, because I tend to get greasy in the roots. It makes my hair so soft and shiny! It also smells really great!

Skin – Coconut oil is so moisturizing, and it’s effective for all skin types. Oily, dry, acne prone, or those suffering with skin conditions like eczema – you’ll love using coconut oil!

• Hand cream - I like to smother my hands and feet with it after a bath or shower and apply mittens and socks. It heals my cracked, dry feet and hands leaving them soft and smooth! It also works well to soothe and smooth even the most ragged cuticles.
• Eye cream – I’m very picky about eye creams and I have yet to find one that I really, really love. I have very dry under eyes though, so lately I’ve been applying coconut oil to the area. It’s so hydrating and does not irritate or bother my eyes at all.
• Body moisturizer – Try using it all over, instead of your regular bottle of lotion. It’s wonderful. I don’t know what else to say about this other than its so moisturizing!
• Eye makeup remover – I’ve been using this to take off my stubborn waterproof eyeliner and mascara every night. I just take a small amount in my fingers and rub, very gently, across my eye area. It gets every last bit of makeup off without irritating my skin. It also leaves my skin very moisturized.

Anti-itch cream – Bug bites have you feeling itchy? Just apply some coconut oil to the affected area. It will soothe the bite and ease that itchy feeling. I’ve also read that it can be used as a mosquito repellent, but I have yet to try that. If you know more about that, please share in the comments section. I’m very curious about it since I hate the smell and feel of traditional bug sprays!

Lip balm – Coconut oil makes the most amazing lip moisturizer. I’ve been using this a lot lately and my lips are so smooth. It tastes good too! I highly suggest this to anyone who hates dry, chapped lips. And, don’t we all hate that?

Since a little coconut oil can go a very long way a jar will last you a very long time. It’s a great investment, in my opinion, and a must have in my house. Like I said earlier you can also use it to cook with so if you’re interested in using it in your cooking, check out this website that has tons of recipes - http://www.freecoconutrecipes.com

Tropical Traditions makes the best coconut oil I have tried. It smells amazing and is an absolutely wonderful product. It’s perfect for all of my beauty needs and for cooking and eating as well. It’s so different than the other brands I’ve tried in the sense that it’s much tastier, less greasy, and better smelling.

GIVEAWAY

Tropical Traditions was kind enough to provide an extra quart of their coconut oil to give to one of you! All you have to do to be entered to win is:

•  Subscribe to this blog if you’re not already (It’s easy, and you don’t even have to be a member of the OnSugar community)
• Subscribe to the Tropical Traditions e-mail Newsletter here - http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/subscribe_for_special_sales.cfm
• Once you have subscribed to both of the above just leave me a comment with your e-mail address. If you win I'll e-mail you directly to get your shipping information. I'll give your info to the company and they will ship you the coconut oil.

Also, if you are under the age of 18 you will need parental consent so I can ask for your shipping information.

If you want 3 Extra Entries: 

• Follow Beautiful Basics on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Beautiful-Basics/187455117967630
• Follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/TropTraditions
• Follow Beautiful Basics on Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/BeautifulBblog

Just leave a comment (If you are on my main blog page, just click on the title of the blog and it will take you to a new page where you can comment) on this post with your e-mail address and let me know if you signed up for the Twitter or Facebook extras with your Twitter username. This contest will end on July 1st, 2011 at noon PST. I will then randomly select a winner using random.org and contact them via e-mail.

Good luck to everyone! I hope you enjoy using coconut oil as much as I do! See you all on Wednesday!

Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.