DIY Cuticle Oil

I live in Minnesota. This year, we had the COLDEST winter temperatures of all the U.S. States, for the longest period of time. Let's just say, we are just a little ready for flip flops. Just sayin'.

In the winter, I don't bother with taking care of my nails usually, but this winter, I had some serious cracking going on with my nail cuticles. They are sore, raw, cracked, bloody....yeah. They are just painful and ugly.

There are so many cuticle oils out there right now. Using a petrolieum based cuticle oil just bugs me. I would much rather make my own using pure, natural ingredients that not only cost less, but make more and are better for me and the environment. So, that's how I came up with this fabulous DIY Cuticle Oil! I already had most of the ingredients on hand and I just started researching what essential oils are great for softening cuticles and beautifying nails. You can learn a lot from visiting a library, or just Google-ing "essential oils for cuticles."

I carefully researched the properties of each essential oil in this recipe. It's important not to use HOT oils like peppermint. Getting peppermint into your eyes can really sting. So, I chose soothing and healing oils: eucalyptus, grapefruit and lavender.


Eucalyptus is a fabulous antiinfectious and anti-inflammatory. Perfect for use on the hands to soothe sore muscles and fight off painful cracked cuticles.

Grapefruit has a lovely smell and is a very affective mood booster. It's antiseptic properties are perfect for cuticle massages and use on the hands.

 

Lavender is one of the those STAPLE essential oils that you should have in your medicine cabinet! There are SO many uses for lavender oil (don't get me started!). For the purpose of this cuticle oil, I chose to include lavender essential oil because of it's antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. Again, PERFECT for use on nails and cuticles!

Let's get started!

Here is what you'll need:

• 1 oz. glass with dropper from Spark Naturals
• 1 oz of Sweet Almond Oil from Spark Naturals
• 6 drops of Eucalyptus Essential Oil from Spark Naturals
• 4 drops of Grapefruit Essential Oil from Spark Naturals
• 8 drops of Lavender Essential Oil from Spark Naturals

Here's what you'll do:

• Fill the 1 oz. glass bottle with Sweet Almond Oil. 
• Add eucalyptus, grapefruit and lavender to the bottle.
• Replace the dropper top and gently shake.
• You're done! Use as often as desired, but be sure to use at night before bed to allow your cuticles to heal over night!

 

 Order all of your supplies for your cuticle oil from Spark Naturals. Simply click on the item name above to order. 

Or visit, www.sparknaturals.com.

Be sure to use coupon code CURLY when ordering to save 10%!

Doggie Deodorizer with Bergamot Essential Oil

Today wraps up Dog Week at Curly Loves Essential Oils! I think we should go out with the biggest issue with being a pet owner. The stink of our dog's fur! Pew! Especially now that it's Spring time. As soon as the rain hits our dogs' fur...OOFDA! Stink city!

Well, here's a quick fix to the stinky fur issue.

Here's what you'll need:

• 8oz. Spray Bottle from Spark Naturals (I recommend this one because I KNOW it is PET Plastic and safe to use with essential oils)
• Distilled Water
• 12 drops of Bergamot Essential Oil

Here's what you'll do:

• Fill the spray bottle with distilled water.
• Add 12 drops of bergamot essential oil.
• Replace cover of spray bottle and shake gently.
• Spray a thin coating of this formula to your dog 3-4 times a week to keep the stinky dog smell away.

Thanks for joining me this week for Dog Week! I hope you have found the information I've shared useful! Feel free to PIN these blog posts on Pinterest and Facebook.

Click on the product names above!

They are links to their product listing on Spark Naturals website.

Use coupon code CURLY to order the items above

from Spark Naturals.

 

 

Soften Dog Paws with Melaleuca Essential Oil

We are well into Dog Week here at Curly Loves Essential Oils! This post is simple! Let's get to it!

Oh those paw pads! They can be so dry and scratchy! Soothe your pooch's cracked dry paw pads with this SUPER easy treatment!

Here's what you'll need:

• 1 drop Melaleuca Essential Oil 
• That's it....for real. That's it.

Here's what you'll do:

• Each night, drip one drop of melaleuca essential oil onto your finger and rub onto your dog's paw pads. Repeat this step for each foot.
• Repeat nightly until pads are softer.
• DO NOT OVER OIL! It's important to leave some roughness to allow your doggy some comfort when walking on cement and hard surfaces. So be sure to discontinue this regiment once your dog's paw pads are soft...but still a bit rough.

Use coupon code CURLY to save 10% when ordering your oils from Spark Naturals!

 

 

Keep Your Dog's Ears Clean with Lavender Essential Oil

Dog ears....yeah they are cute, but the insides need to be cleaned regularly to prevent infection, smell and discharge. I have found that Lavender Essential Oil does the trick at loosening the wax and soothing inflammation.

Here is what you'll need:

• Several cotton swabs and cotton balls
• A VERY small bowl or container
• 1 tsp. Alcohol-free witch hazel (Thayers! Get it from Amazon or I find mine at Whole Foods)
• 3 drops of Lavender Essential Oil

Here is what you'll do:

• In a very small bowl or container, drip the lavender essential oil and alcohol-free witch hazel.
• Mix gently with a cotton swab. Throw this swab away.
• Take a cotton ball and soak up some of the formula. Lift and fold back your dogs ear and gently wipe and dab the inner area (where you can see the wax).
• DO NOT pick, scratch or dig deep for the wax. This is just to soften the wax and to soothe.
• Repeat daily for 3 days in both ears.
• On the 4 day, repeat the steps above. After completeing the steps, use cotton swabs to gently pull away the wax and dirt build up. Be gentle! Do not pick, scratch or dig deep into the ear!
• Use a clean swab each time you remove build up.

Easy as that! This will not only loosen wax, but it will soothe inflammation or the start of an ear infection. And... it will leave your pets ears smelling lovely! Beats that stinky ear smell!

 

Click on the product names above!

They are links to the products on Spark Naturals.

 

~~*Use coupon code CURLY to save 10%*~~

Dog Tummy Troubles: Peppermint Essential Oil to the Rescue

We continue Dog Week here at Curly Loves Essential Oils by talking about sick pooches. Every now and then, our furry friends come down with some Tummy Troubles. Not long ago, our dog Oscar was having some stomach issues that included vomiting and diarrhea. Not fun! I felt so terrible for the little guy.... not to mention the mess it made. YUCK! I quickly did some research and found out the Peppermint Essential Oil applied topically directly to a dogs stomach in a clockwise motion works wonders! After just 3 treatments, Oscar was on the mend.

Here's what you'll need:

• 1 drop of Peppermint Essential Oil
• 2 drops Fractionated Coconut Oil

Here's what you'll do:

• Lay your dog on his/her back in your lap facing AWAY from you.
• Drip the peppermint essential oil and the fractionated coconut oil onto your hand or two fingers.
• Rub the formula in a clockwise motion on your dogs stomach. Careful to avoid their genitals as Peppermint is a HOT oil.
• Apply every 2-3 hours until symptoms subside.

Easy as that! Here's to healthy pups!

Click on the product names above.

They are links to the products on Spark Naturals.

 

~~*Use coupon code CURLY to save 10%*~~

 

 

Arthritic Dog Treatment with Essential Oils

It's "LOVE YOUR DOG" week here at Curly Loves Essential Oils! I have two doggies named Oscar and Olive...can you guess what breed they are? Wiener Dogs! Here's a picture of them. Aren't they totally adorbs?! Olive is the little peanut on the left and Oscar is the big boy on the right. LOVE THEM!

My first post is dedicated to all the senior doggies out there. It just breaks my heart to see dogs in pain from arthritis. As you may know, arthritis in dogs is just as serious and painful as it is for humans. So why don't we always treat it in dogs? Good question! There's no excuse not to, but sometimes the fear of a high vet bill keeps us from taking our pets in for treatment. Well, I have something that is inexpensive, effective and soothing for your doggy!

Here is what you'll need:

• 4 drops Rosemary Essential Oil
• 2 drops Lavender Essential Oil
• 3 drops Ginger Essential Oil
• 2 TBSP. Fractionated Coconut Oil 

Here's what you'll do:

• In a small bowl, mix the rosemary, lavender, ginger and fractionated coconut oil gently. 
• Poor some of the mixture into your hands and begin GENTLY massaging the affected joints of your dog. Be sure to work through their coat to get to the skin. Cover the whole of the legs, spine and vertebrae. 
• Continue to pour a little bit of the mixture into your hands as you continue to massage your dog's body. Use it all up! :) They love the massage and it will help them so much!

This can get messy, leaving their fur looking greasy and "weird." Don't worry! The formula is good for their skin and OK for them to lick off....which they will do. That's FINE! Let them do it! It will allow the essential oils to get to their digestive system helping to detox them of toxins.


Whip up this formula each night and massage them with it right before bed. Here's to a happy dog!


Take care of your buddies. They love you :)

Click on the product names above! 

They are links to the product listing on Spark Naturals!

~~*Use coupon code CURLY to save 10%*~~

Ouch Spray

Spring has sprung my friends! Time to bust out the bikes and "outside" toys for some fun! We all know kids get a little rusty when it comes to bike riding and running after a long winter of being cooped up in the house, so you better get the Ouch Spray ready.

Kids hate having band-aids and goo rubbed on their boo-boo's, especially when they HURT! That's what makes this formula awesome...it's a SPRAY! No need to touch the ouchie. No more crying, screaming and freaking out!

Here's what you'll need:

• 2oz. glass spray bottle
• 10 drops Frankincense Essential Oil
• 10 drops Lavender Essential Oil
• 10 drops Melaleuca Essential Oil
• Fractionated Coconut Oil

Here's what you'll do:

• Open the glass spray bottle and fill with frankincense, lavender and melaleuca essential oils.
• Fill the remaining space in the glass spray bottle with fractionated coconut oil.
• Replace the cover of the glass spray bottle and shake gently.

Good to go!

Now, anytime someone in your house (yes, even grown-ups) get's an ouchie, whip out the Ouch Spray and you are ready for some serious healing business!

Click on the products above, they are links to the product at Spark Naturals.

Be sure to use coupon code CURLY to save 10%!

Geranium Essential Oil Facial Toner

One of my new favorite essential oils is Geranium! It smells heavenly and it has A TON of healthy benefits, to boot! Not only is it fabulous for aging skin, but it also fades scars and is antibacterial! NICE!

If you are anything like me, you are starting to see some aging going on your face. I'm noticing it on my forehead, cheek bones and the corners of my eyes. Nothing too crazy yet, but enough where I'm starting to notice. I decided to put my Geranium to work and created this lovely facial toner. It's super simple.

Here's what you'll need:

• 2oz. glass spray bottle
• 3 drops Spark Naturals Geranium Essential Oil
• Distilled Water
• Alcohol-Free Spark Naturals Witch Hazel

 Here's what you'll do:

• In the 2oz. glass spray bottle, add the geranium essential oil. Once the essential oil is in the bottle, fill the remaining empty space in the glass spray bottle with 1/2 distilled water and 1/2 alcohol-free witch hazel.
• Put the sprayer back on the spray bottle and gently shake.
• Use each morning before moisturizing and right before bed after cleansing.
• BONUS: I like to store mine in the refrigerator. It feels fabulous when I spray it on my face! 

 Here's a jazzy tutorial for ya too! Click this link if you are on a mobile device and can't see the YouTube Video posted below: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bE6IGmNotY

 ENJOY! Remember, consistency is key with essential oils. Keep using the toner morning and night each day to see the best results over time. :)

Click on the product above...they are links to order your items from Spark Naturals. 

~~*Be sure to use coupon code CURLY to save 10%!*~~ 

What To Do With Empty Essential Oil Bottles

Anyone who uses essential oils regularly knows how PAINFUL it is to throw away an empty essential oil bottle. I just CRINGE, every time I toss an empty bottle into the recycle bin. I think, "there's got to be something I could do with these!" But, until now, I've just let them go...which is REALLY HARD for a do-it-yourself-er.

BEHOLD! An answer to our prayers! An easy way to reuse these little treasures. It's so simple!

First things first.....

Start a collection jar for all of your empty bottles. I picked up this little glass mason jar canister at the Goodwill for $2. Can't beat that.










Next...

Each week, select your choice of essential oils for a detox bath. This week, I picked my empty Spark Naturals Patchouli and my Spark Naturals Peppermint bottles from the empty bottle stash. Scoop 1-2 cups of epsom salt or magnesium flakes into a container that can be covered. Then, use a spoon to pry off the plastic dripper thingy from the essential oil bottle opening (Save the essential oil covers!)




Now, dunk your empty bottles into the epsom salts/magnesium flakes. Cover the container and store in a cool, dark place for 1 week.










One week later....

Fish out your container from your storage spot and remove the empty essential oil bottles from the container. Now draw a hot bath and pour your newly scented epsom salt/magnesium flakes into the running water, along with 1 cup of baking soda and hop in! ENJOY a 40 minute soak to get the most of your detox bath.





Wait just one minute...
Don't throw away those essential oil bottles now that you've used them to make your detox bath...NOPE. Put the covers back on (this is why I told you to save the covers in the first step) and put them back into your empty bottle storage jar. You can use them a few more times in the future for more detox baths like this. OH YEAH! 


Don't have any empty essential oil bottles...

Not a problem! Here is a link to a blog post I put together that will show you how to create your detox bath using essential oils (not the empty bottles).  CLICK HERE to go to the Detox with Magnesium Flakes and Essential Oils Blog Post. 

VERY MANLY Beard Conditioning Formula

Okay Okay, I'm trying here. I know most guys don't care how conditioned their beards are....but, I also know that if you make this for them and tell them how "MANLY" they look with a thick, soft beard, they WILL use this conditioner.

Alright, so I'm one of "those" gals that likes a little facial hair on her man. Unfortunately, my husband has to be clean shaven for work....so I don't get the pleasure of seeing his big soft beard very often. SAD FACE! But every winter, he grows that puppy out for his ice fishing trip. Oh yes! I like it!

For all the ladies out there with men who have super manly mustaches and beards, this one's for you. Make this awesome beard conditioning formula for him (tell him it will make him more MANLY). ENJOY!

Here's what you'll need:

• 1oz. Glass Dropper Bottle
• Sweet Almond Oil
• Jojoba Oil (not available through Spark Naturals yet. Whole Foods, Coops and GNC have it)
• 10 drops Rosemary Essential Oil
• 5 drops Lavender Essential Oil
• 5 drops Thyme Essential Oil
• 10 drops Lemon Essential Oil

Here's what you do:

• In the 1oz. glass dropper bottle, add the rosemary, lavender, thyme and lemon essential oils. 
• In the remaining space in the 1oz. glass dropper bottle, fill with 2/3 Sweet Almond Oil and 1/3 with Jojoba Oil.
• Put the cover back on the 1oz. glass dropper bottle and shake gently for 30 seconds.
• If his beard is growing in: Apply 5 drops of the formula to hands and rub on the beard area once a day. Massage in well and wipe away excess.
• If his beard is grown in already: Apply 5 drops of the formula to hands and rub through the beard hair before taking a shower. Rinse away the conditioner from the beard at the very end of the shower. Towel dry :) 

 That's it pals! Have fun and enjoy looking at that thick, soft, MANLY beard! LUCKY! ;)

Click on all the product names above to order your essential oils, carrier oils and accessories for this manly beard formula.

Use coupon code CURLY to save 10% too :)

Teething Treatment with Roman Chamomile Essential Oil

Look at that face! Now who wouldn't want to keep a baby smiling, even through the terrible pain of teething? Here's a quick home remedy that will help soothe those poor little gums and keep baby calm.

On a cotton swab, add 2 drops of Fractionated Coconut Oil and 1 drop of Spark Naturals Roman Chamomile Essential Oil. Simply swab this on the baby's gums and dispose of the swab when done. Repeat as needed every few hours.

You can also apply 2 drops of Fractionated Coconut Oil to your hand with 2 drops of Spark Naturals Roman Chamomile Essential Oil and massage this mixture on the baby's jaw line for added relief.

That should do it! Simple as that. Be sure to offer a wet frozen wash cloth to baby too. Nothing feels better on sore gums then a nice wet frozen wash cloth. :)

Here are some other all natural teething helpers you may want to try:

• http://www.smartmomjewelry.com/  

 

• http://www.amber-teething-necklace.com/