by Marie | Dec 2, 2021 | Candlelight, Hair Masks & Balms
Today’s Candlelight Rich Hair Mask is a decadent, rich emulsion designed to moisturize and condition the hair. I thought it was a brilliant fit for our indulgent Candlelight theme. I incorporated feedback I’ve received on previous hair mask formulations from Bees with drier hair types and worked with a curly-haired friend to develop and test this formulation. It features a large, rich oil phase and some wonderful moisturizing ingredients. How you’ll want to use this formulation will depend a lot on your particular hair type, but more on that later!
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by Marie | Aug 26, 2021 | Bee Better, Eye Makeup
It’s been almost five years since my first book, Make it Up: The Essential Guide to DIY Makeup and Skin Care, was released (!). I’m still really proud of it, but today I want to share an update to the eyeshadow formulation that I think is a pretty big upgrade. It’s part Bee-Bettering, part expansion. We’re making one small ingredient swap to the base and then updating the making process so you can make lots of different colours more easily (and in more reasonable batch sizes). I’ve also worked out exactly what you need to do to press the shadow so you can easily make yourself a beautiful pressed palette 😍 Let’s dive in!
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by Marie | Jan 7, 2021 | Body & Massage Oils, Projects with Videos
Today’s formulation was inspired by Glossier’s “Body Hero Dry-Touch Oil Mist”—I saw it on their website and loved the idea of an oil mist, remembering reading on Lotion Crafter that fractionated coconut oil is “light enough to spray through a pump sprayer”. That got the formulation wheels in my brain turning 😊 There are almost no overlapping ingredients between this formulation and the Glossier product, save for the fractionated coconut oil (or caprylic/capric triglycerides) and the tocopherol, so it’s definitely more “inspired by” than “duping”, but I love it. It’s an ultra-light, softly fragrant oil that mists beautifully over the skin. Massage it in after towelling dry post-shower or bath, and you’ll be rewarded with soft, moisturized, lightly perfumed skin without any greasiness. Perfection!
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by Marie | Dec 28, 2020 | Beards & Mustaches, Projects with Videos
Today I’m sharing my last formulation of 2020—a Midwinter Conditioning Beard Balm. Beard balms are usually made up of carrier oils thickened with some sort of wax to create a firm balm. This formulation features argan oil, jojoba oil, and a small amount of beeswax—plus something a bit different for extra softness and all-around loveliness. The finished beard balm has an indulgently rich, almost ointment-y consistency and leaves beards feeling softer and more manageable. Let’s dive in!
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by Marie | Oct 5, 2020 | Facial Serums & Balms, Projects with Videos, Very Crunchy
Today we’re blending up an all-natural, lightweight oil serum that is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory goodness. Starring exotic açaí berry oil and featherweight Neossance® Hemisqualane, you can easily mix up this serum in just a few minutes—just weigh, cap, shake, and you’re done!
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by Marie | Sep 28, 2020 | Facial Cleansers, Other 2020 Favourites, Projects with Videos
Today we’re squishing up a creamy off-white Gentle Clay Facial Cleansing Bar, starring velvety white kaolin clay and a gentle surfactant blend that kicks off dense, rich lather. You don’t need any heat or even a mould to make these—just a bowl, a dust mask, and a pair of gloves! We’ll smoosh and squish seven ingredients together, shape that dough as desired, and leave it to age. And that’s it! Gentle Clay Facial Cleansing Bar, here we come.
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