LisaLise - Natural Skin Care

Going Native vs The Luxury Factor

2012-02-29T09:00:00.001+01:00

I admit I'm a slave to luxury. But I am also a fan of going native (read: back to the basics – green, natural, plant-based, free of unnecessary additives – you get the idea).

Problem is, these 2 don't often mix.

Take honey for instance.

No Sweat - Potassium Alum

2012-02-27T09:00:00.001+01:00

Welcome to the third in this mini-series about deodorants and what makes them tick. Now that you know all about what exciting things go on in armpits and are familiar with the basic makeup of a deodorant (if not, find links below), we're going to start focusing on the different active ingredients – the ones that make a deodorant do what it is supposed to to de-odorize!

Coily-Kinky-Curly - Lolas Feedback on Batch 2

2012-02-25T09:00:00.000+01:00

Welcome to the continuation of the coily-kinky-curly case! I'm very excited!! After receiving batch 2, Lola tried both the Leave-in Curl-Loving Conditioner and Knot-busting serum base in a variety of ways. Her feedback was ALL GOOD NEWS!

Here's the best part: Lola said "The leave-in fought frizz like nothing I've ever used!!"

Are we just a bit ecstatic?!

Hair Care Tips You (Maybe) Never Knew: 6

2012-02-22T09:00:00.000+01:00

Do you have a minute? It's all you need to carry out the sixth hair care tip from my wise and savvy hairdresser. We're battling baldness and thinning hair today – his number one area of expertise. Best of all – you already have everything you need on hand to carry out this tip! (There's a pun in there that you'll get in a minute)

How To Make a Rhassoul Cleansing Bar

2012-02-19T09:00:00.000+01:00

My latest cleansing bar is this cocoa butter and rhassoul clay combo (looks a bit like cookie dough with chocolate chunks, don't you think?).

Rhassoul (also known as Moroccan soap clay or ghassoul clay), is hands down the most fabulous all-natural, soap-free cleanser for face and hair I have ever worked with. The clay functions beautifully as a face mask, hair mask, shampoo and body wash, and is tolerated by even the most sensitive skins and scalps. It simply had to be incorporated it into a cleansing bar – great for hair and face!

Make-up: Making a Lip Plumping Pencil Kit

2012-02-16T09:00:00.000+01:00

Not long ago, I read a great tip on how to make your lips look plumper with make-up. I had already been planning on doing a lip pencil, but now I had occasion to do 2. Here's how I made my own do-it-with-make-up-lip-plumping kit the other day.

Hair Care Tips You (Maybe) Never Knew: 5

2012-02-15T09:00:00.000+01:00

Welcome to the fifth in this series of hair care tips. Today we're looking at an easy, super quick (and inexpensive) hair conditioner that takes only a teensy bit of practice to get just right.

Earache? Put Garlic in Your Ear

2012-02-14T09:00:00.001+01:00

Sometimes, it makes perfect sense to do something that sounds a little strange – like putting garlic in your ear. I just learned this from a lovely lady named Fiona.

Fiona has put garlic in her ears for years because it works wonders every time she gets an earache. I asked her if I could share her method with you. She agreed.

Lipstick and Lurking Lead

2012-02-12T09:00:00.000+01:00

"I just discovered a Facebook page called “There’s lead in your lipstick”. Maybe I should start one called “There’s even more lead in your drinking water”."

Although this may sound like a flippant statement, author Robert Tisserand has a valid point. He's putting perspective on an issue that has spiraled out of control.

No Sweat - The Basic Makeup of Deodorant

2012-02-10T09:00:00.505+01:00

Welcome to the second in this series about deodorants and their ingredients. In this post, we're going to look at the basic make-up of a deodorant. Even though there is a wide variety of types (stick, roll-on, cream, gel, aerosol), a deodorant consists pretty much of a base, texturizers, active ingredients, and a few 'extras'. Let's examine each part.

Hair Care Tips You (Maybe) Never Knew: 4

2012-02-07T09:00:00.000+01:00

Here's the fourth in this series of hair care tips bestowed upon me by my wise and experienced hairdresser. Long before it even thought about becoming trendy, he would expound on how beneficial this is for the scalp and hair...

How to Make a Cornflower and Clay Cleansing Bar

2012-02-05T09:00:00.000+01:00

Even though this looks like some sort of frozen berry yoghurt dessert, it is indeed a face cleansing bar. The outrageously purple color is due to the violet clay I used – even though there is no such thing as violet clay. (It's actually white clay with added color and there's a link to the supplier below).

This bar is VERY soft, so you will definitely want to store it in the fridge. On the other hand, it goes on like a dream, cleanses and moisturizes beautifully, and looks good enough to eat – even while it's on your face.

Eye Serum Giveaway - 2 Extra Winners!

2012-02-03T09:00:00.001+01:00

The giveaway bug has bitten me. Two additional names from the original comments posted on this giveaway have been selected.

Ha! Bet you didn't expect that one!

I'll dispense with the suspense and get straight to the 2 extra winners.

Congratulations to Noaa and Sarah Withers.

Please send your mailing address to (lise@lisalise.com) so I can get your prize in the mail to you!

Yay!

Have a great weekend!

Hair Care Tips You (Maybe) Never Knew: 3

2012-02-02T09:00:00.000+01:00

Here's the third in this series of hair care tips designed to keep your mane bouncy, healthy, and fab-looking. Today we're taking a look at one of the normal, everyday practices that encourages dry, brittle, haystack hair.

Giveaway Winners - Comfort Zone Eye Serum

2012-01-31T09:00:00.000+01:00

Thanks to all of you lovely and wonderful ladies who wanted to try this eye serum and give me feedback. Every time I do a giveaway, I wish I could let everyone win. One day, I promise I will surprise you and do just that!

This time, however, there were 3 winners that needed to be found. As per usual, my unbiased and completely neutral husband was asked to pick the winning names.

No Sweat - How Does Deodorant Work?

2012-01-28T09:00:00.000+01:00

Welcome to the beginning of a new mini-series – all about deodorant.

Yay! (I hear you thinking)

As we examine what exactly goes on in armpits (and in the products we apply to them), we'll meet such fascinating ingredients as potassium alum, aluminum chlorhydrate, aluminum zirconium, farnesol and triethyl citrate. I promise not all of these are as scary as they may sound. As a matter of fact, I'm betting you may find yourself falling for one or 2 of them before we're done.

Hair Care Tips You (Maybe) Never Knew: 2

2012-01-25T09:00:00.000+01:00

Are you ready for the second in this series of hair-and-scalp loving tips? As the illustration above (hopefully) indicates, these tips are good for ALL hair types: straight, wavy, curly, koily, kinky, dry, greasy, thinning, heavy, dandruffy, sensitive, dyed, straightened, bleached, permed, impossible, frizzy, spongy, crunchy and all other manner of head hair.

Comfort Zone Eye Serum - Giveaway!

2012-01-23T09:00:00.000+01:00

This is a sample size of my latest product for the eye area – Comfort Zone Eye Serum. Ever since batch one (in October of last year), I've been working on perfecting the texture. I'm pretty close to being perfectly happy with it now. My regular testers have given me nothing but thumbs up on this serum from the get-go, so the extra texture-tweaking has been all my own doing (I admit it: I'm a tweak-freak).

Today's giveaway is all my own doing as well.

Pressing Eye Shadow With Powder-Pressing Power Tools

2012-01-21T09:00:00.000+01:00

Now that you've been introduced to the the joys of visiting the hardware store for powder-pressing power tools, let's see how the first batch of pressed eyeshadow turned out using them.

Four Hands are Better than Two
For the initial test run of this equipment, I was accompanied by a lovely family member. It normally takes me about 2 hours to produce 4 pans of color. Pictured above is the result of 2 hours of work: 3 times as much product! (plus an extra, loose-powder shimmer-blush pot)

Here are a few snaps of our powder-pressing party.

A New Name

2012-01-20T09:00:00.000+01:00

I bought a custom domain name for this blog. Instead of the long, laborious and non-explanatory url it had, the name is now short, sweet, easy to remember, and logical: LisaLiseBlog.com

Yay!

According to the folks in charge of technical things, the transition should be seamless for anyone who is following this blog or has bookmarked any page. However, if you have experienced or do experience any wonkiness, please do drop a comment and I'll see what I can do about it (read: pass it on to tech geeks who know how to deal with these kinds of things)

Tottle Trauma – Chapter 847 of The Ongoing Container Quest

2012-01-19T09:00:00.000+01:00

One of the downsides of not being a multi-million-dollar company that can afford having specially designed containers made for every product is, well – not having specially designed containers for every product. (the 'not being a multi-million-dollar' part deserves a mention as well).

Hair Care Tips You (Maybe) Never Knew: 1

2012-01-17T09:00:00.000+01:00

I've used the same hairdresser forever. He has a lifetime of experience studying the chemistry of hair, treating hair loss, and understanding the care and feeding of the hair and scalp – and after all these years, he's still passionate about his work (how many people can say that?). Every hair care tip he has ever given me has made a positive difference to my hair and scalp, so I've decided it's time I shared his wisdom with you.

How To Make a Rose & White Clay Cleansing Bar

2012-01-14T09:00:00.000+01:00

This cleansing bar is a great all-round face cleanser with white clay (ideal for all skin types) and rose (for it's fabulous scent and skin-loving qualities). We're getting a little fancy with the butters in this one – prepare for a soft and sensuous texture with extra moisturizing action!

This recipe is enough for 1 bar of 100gr (3,5 oz).

Preservatives in Cosmetics - Who Needs Them?

2012-01-11T11:05:00.000+01:00

When I started doing my own cosmetics, I chose to work solely with plant-based ingredients, focusing on organic, planet-friendly raw materials. Back then, 'green' and 'natural' skin care was a niche area. Times have (happily) changed and a 'green consciousness' has gained momentum with more ladies (and gents) actively looking for natural solutions to their skin and hair care.

And that's great – except when it's not.

Find out why at this guest posting at Beaut-e online.

Pressing Powder Make-up - Let's Get Serious About Hardware

2012-01-10T09:00:00.000+01:00

During a leisurely weekend brunch, I happened to mention to my husband how much I enjoyed making my own pressed eyeshadow, but that the actual pressing procedure was not just difficult, but prohibitively arduous. He asked to see how I made it (that's the kind of guy he is).

Coily Kinky Curly - The Case Continues

2012-01-07T09:00:00.000+01:00

I'm very excited! Pictured is batch 2 of the products Lola and I are working on for the cKc (Coily-Kinky-Curly) hair care series. What you see here is a work in progress, so neither the packaging nor the logo are finalized. (As for the logo, we've gotten some great input from you wonderful readers and will be taking all suggestions under consideration when we start getting serious about the design). Meantime...

How To Make a Basic Cleansing Bar

2012-01-04T09:00:00.000+01:00

Are you ready to try something new this year? It may not look all that sexy, but wait til you discover what this plain-looking bar can do for your face and neck. If your skin usually feels taut after washing, then get ready for a completely different facial cleansing experience. Here's an extra little bonus: it's seriously inexpensive! Read on to learn how to make your own all natural, soap-free cleansing bar in 5 super-easy steps.

Happy 2012

2012-01-01T20:09:00.000+01:00

Happy New Year to you! I've got all kinds of exciting things planned and am looking forward to telling you about:
- How to make perfect pressed eyeshadow
- How a trip to the hardware store can be as fun as shopping for new clothes
- How to make (more) cleansing bars
- How deodorant works

Stay tuned!

Plans for The New Year

2011-12-31T09:00:00.000+01:00

Here's what I plan to do next year:

Have a good one.

I hope you you do too.
Now, go celebrate (and go easy on the candy).

The Dark North

2011-12-27T09:00:00.000+01:00

It's the dead of winter and the middle of the Christmas holidays here in Scandinavia. Anyone that doesn't have a job in a hospital, police station or other important service is off work right now. And so am I – almost.

While we prepare for the New Year, I thought I'd give you a peek at something that can be observed in dark, northerly skies (Norwegian, Swedish, or Alaskan) – the Northern Lights. They are also known as Aurora Borealis and were named in 1621 after the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, and the Greek name for the north wind, Boreas (I knew you would be curious, so I figured I'd add this little tidbit of info).

What does any of this have to do with skin care? Zipola. I just thought you'd like a pretty picture to look at while I work on some new blog posts. Now, go relax with your family.

Merry Holiday

2011-12-24T09:00:00.000+01:00

This has been a whirlwind month with too many things to do and not enough time to do them all (sound familiar?)

A whirlwind tree is therefore my holiday greeting to you – wonderful readers of this blog. Thank you for your input, questions and inspiration!

Whatever you may or may not celebrate, I hope you have a good holiday season with time to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends.

Cheers.

Make-up: Making Mascara From Urtegaarden

2011-12-22T09:00:00.000+01:00

This summer, a family member told me she hadn't used mascara for years because 'every brand she had ever tried bothered her'. I knew exactly what she meant and told her I made my own from Urtegaardens mascara starter kit. By chance, I had just done up a batch for myself and gave her one of 'mine' to try. Later, when Christmas wish lists were circulating, she had added 'LisaLise mascara' to her wish list.

The Emulsifier Twin Mix-up

2011-12-19T09:00:00.000+01:00

I wouldn't have done this if I were working on a product for a customer, but this was a personal use product and I was feeling adventurous. Instead of throwing out the batch after discovering my mistake, I decided to see what happens when you get the oil-loving V-E emulsifier mixed up with the water-loving M-F emulsifier.

V-E and M-F - The Emulsifier Twins

2011-12-16T09:00:00.000+01:00

To claim that any cream is 100% organic is not true, and it's most often because of the emulsifiers. I have as yet to see a 'properly organic' emulsifier. Properly organic? Well, there are a couple of 'officially qualified organic' emulsifiers on the market that I have been using for years, but they still aren't 'properly organic'.

Curious? Then please join me on a trip into the world of 'almost organic' and meet the most reliable twins I have ever worked with.

Coily Kinky Curly - How's This Logo?

2011-12-14T09:00:00.000+01:00

Lola and I are fooling around with a few ideas for our Coily Kinky Curly hair products. We really should have a Coily Kinky Curly logo, don't you think?

I suggested using the first letter of each word, but somehow, this reminds me of something I've seen before...

What do you think?

The Coily Kinky Curly Case
Stay tuned for the exciting adventures of the dazzling duo that dared to take on the scurge of the single strand knot and forge new paths into natural hair care.... whoosh!

Coily Kinky Curly - A New Concoction!

2011-12-12T09:00:00.001+01:00

Here is a sneak peek at a serum Lola and I are working on. It shall hopefully help bust (or at the very least alleviate) the single strand knot problem that plagues many coily-kinky-curly haired ladies.

Using The French Clay Cleansing Bar

2011-12-10T09:00:00.000+01:00

Welcome to the follow-up on the French Clay Cleansing Bar for face and hair. I have been using the bar for about 10 days as I write this. Here's what I've learned so far...

How to Make a French Clay Cleansing Bar

2011-12-08T09:00:00.000+01:00

This is not my idea to begin with. It is 100% inspired by Lola (my partner in a combined-effort quest for the perfect tress-taming products for curly-kinky-coily hair).

I've been playing around with ideas for lotion bars and a couple of other 'solid' products for a while now, so when Lola posted a recipe for a bentonite butter bar (link below), I was immediately inspired to try a version with lavender.

Marvelous Manuka - Part 2

2011-12-05T09:00:00.000+01:00

Now that you know piles of things about manuka honey on the sciency-nerdy side (link to part one below) and know what manuka honey has to offer in the way of wound healing, let's take a look at what manuka honey can do on – and in – your face!

The Coily-Kinky-Curly Case - Lolas Initial Feedback

2011-12-03T09:00:00.000+01:00

The Coily-Kinky-Curly hair care case study is in full operation, but we are forced to deal with distance as Lola and I are on either side of the big pond. Nevertheless, nothing shall stop us from our quest!

Marvelous Manuka – Part 1

2011-12-01T09:00:00.000+01:00

Using honey to treat wounds is nothing new. Honey accelerates healing and is a known bacteria buster with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that are well documented. Topical application of honey is also an effective and inexpensive beauty treatment that cleanses, moisturizes and balances the skin.

With all those fabulous properties, you wouldn't think it could get any better – but it can. There is one honey that surpasses all the others in spades. In some respects, Manuka honey is a bit of a medical marvel.

Water-Dispersable Oil - No Kidding

2011-11-28T09:00:00.000+01:00

This just sounds all wrong – water-dispersable sweet almond oil. Excuse me? Oil doesn't dissolve in water! Anyone who ever tried mixing a plain oil and vinegar dressing knows this – the oil beads up, swirls around, then floats to the top and sits there, glistening defiantly.

Unless...

There is an ingredient that can be added to transform oil into a water dispersable substance. The cool part is, it doesn't change the look, smell, feel or behavior of the oil – until you add water and see it rinse away as a milky-white liquid (leaving no oily residue). And if you've been reading this blog for a while, you aren't even a complete stranger to what this ingredient is.

Yikes! You Tell Me!

2011-11-26T09:00:00.001+01:00

I need your help. There are a gazillion things going on right now and my to-do list is as long as my arm. Seriously, that long.

If you have ever met me, you know the length of my arms is enough to make any basketball player envious, and long-sleeved-shirt salespeople run away in fright. (like I said – long list).

Kind and wonderful readers of this blog (that would be you) – please help me prioritize my notes!

I've put up a little poll on the right. If you would be so kind as to tick off the things you are most interested in reading about on this blog, I shall organize myself, these notes and my upcoming posts accordingly.

THANK YOU!

Making Infused Oil With Juniper Berries - Part 2

2011-11-24T09:00:00.000+01:00

Not long ago (ok, ages ago) I started to infuse some sweet almond oil with fresh organic juniper berries. After the obligatory 4-6 weeks of turning the bottles every day (and doing the occasional nose test to ensure all was progressing in a proper manner), I pulled out my equipment to strain the oil, and then realized there was no cheesecloth.

Scytonemin - Why You are Going to Love it

2011-11-21T09:00:00.000+01:00

Hot off the press! Scytonemin is on the scene! It's fresh – it's exciting! Get ready to love it! In the hopefully near future, you are going to be looking for it – even demanding it – in your skin care products.

Are you ready? Are you with me? Good, because scytonemin is, in fact, a product of bacteria.

Elles Review - Personal Blend Face Oil

2011-11-19T09:00:00.000+01:00

If you have been following this blog the past week, you may have noticed an addition to the page (hint: it's the winners badge on the right). LisaLise was chosen as a beaut-e biz winner! Yay!

Because of this, I have had the great pleasure of meeting and working with Elle Mason, the savvy and incredibly charming founder of beaut-e online – a brand new online community for organic, hand-crafted and natural beauty products (my kind of place to be sure!)

It's much easier to write about something you are familiar with, so as part of the give-away prize for one lucky beaut-e competition participant, I made a Personal Blend Face Oil for Elle to try.

I'm hoping you're curious to find out what she thought about the ordering process and how the product works for her. If you are, please visit the beaut-e blog and read Elles review.

Now, excuse me while I dance jauntily around the room in merriment for a week or so.

Rice Bran Oil - Magnificent Multi-Tasking Magic

2011-11-18T09:00:00.002+01:00

The more I research plants and what they have to offer in the way of skin (and health) care, the more amazed I am at what nature provides. Sometimes, the most magical discoveries are made on the most common ingredients. Todays plant is so common most people don't give it a second thought. It is utterly unfair, because oil made from rice bran has star quality that deserves a spot in the limelight.

LisaLise on the Front Page

2011-11-16T09:00:00.000+01:00

I'm all agog. I never ever thought I'd make the front page of anything, but here I am: headlining the Health section on the front page of the November 15, 2011 edition of The Last Hurdle. The article links to this blog.

A bit giddy are we? Thanks to beaut-e online for making this happen!!

Visit The Last Hurdle here.

I'm Tickled Pink – So You Get a Discount!

2011-11-15T09:00:00.000+01:00

I'm tickled pink about being a beaut-e biz winner! Celebration is in order!

Love To Be Loved!

2011-11-14T09:00:00.000+01:00

How can you not blush when you see a write-up like this?
I am so thrilled to be part of Beauteonline's wonderful concept and to have participated in their beautition (beauty competition) this past week!

Eyebrow Pencils - Mistakes and Leftovers

2011-11-12T09:00:00.000+01:00

Recently, I put together a selection of 3 different colored eyebrow pencils for my itchy eyebrow buddy. Because I always have a hard time throwing out the bits of leftover 'pencil mixture', an extra pencil will often be filled. This is actually not a good idea – at all – but in the world of making make-up, I seem to have an incredibly slow learning curve.

Melt-in Body Frappé - A New Body Butter is Born

2011-11-09T09:00:00.000+01:00

Through much of the Summer and Fall, I have been exploring mixing cocoa butter with different oils, and trying numerous production techniques and temperatures in search of the simplest, most basic whipped body butter. Butter has gotten under my skin (literally!) – I can't stop thinking about new combinations with different butters, oils and scents. Ideas for formulas have been swirling around in my mind for weeks. The other day, one of them ended up at my fingertips in the form of this new concoction – immediately dubbed Melt-in Body Frappé.

LisaLise Giveaway at Beauteonline

2011-11-07T09:00:00.000+01:00

Shhhh - hardly anyone knows this....yet. How would you like to win a personally blended face & body oil, made by me – especially for YOU?

LisaLise at The Beauty Shortlist

2011-11-06T23:35:00.002+01:00

I'm guestblogging today at The Beauty Shortlist with a couple of skincare tips.
Check it out!

Whatever Lola Wants...

2011-11-04T09:00:00.001+01:00

Hopefully, Lola gets!

Lola Zabeth has a passion for natural hair care. She blogs about it at LolasGreenHair. I have become completely addicted to reading her blog, and am learning all kinds of things about the trials and tribulations of caring for super-curly hair. My goodness there are a lot of things to deal with (read: battle) when you have coily or kinky hair.

Itchy Eyebrows and Iron Oxides

2011-11-01T09:00:00.000+01:00

I've started doing make-up for others... kind of.. not really. There have been a couple of urgent requests that I haven't been able to say no to. One is my itchy eyebrow buddy (how can one say no to a bud?). We're working on perfecting the color and function of her eyebrow pencils. She wants a real-dark-grey-almost-black color. Check. As for the function: the pencils I made earlier worked great, but after a few months, an occasional itchiness snuck into the picture. A conundrum to be sure, but I'm not one to take these things lying down.

The Catalog Made Me Do it!

2011-10-30T19:09:00.000+01:00

Not too long ago, a catalog from one of my fave ingredients suppliers arrived in the mail.

Uh oh. That's downright dangerous.

Hydrosol Mix of the Week - Juniper, Lemon and Sage

2011-10-27T09:00:00.000+02:00

This is a rather unusual combination that I wouldn't have expected much from. To tell the truth, this combo came about because I had one hydrosol that needed finishing and another with only a splash left in the bottle. The third was juniper. I hadn't yet tried mixing anything with juniper – ever. There was only one thing to do: throw caution to the wind and give it a whirl. I learned something new.

Kreativ Blogger Award - YAY!

2011-10-26T09:00:00.001+02:00

Check it out guys – I've been bestowed with an AWARD!!!
How cool is it that!?

Kreativ Blogger Award
I was presented with this prestigious award by a wonderful and creative lady who does super-natural hair magic: LolasGreenHair.

Why is Being in Charge More Important Than Getting the Facts Right?

2011-10-24T09:00:00.000+02:00

I recently had a bit of a 'run in' with a person of authority here in Denmark. They were misinforming the public about parabens. I was completely taken aback by their responses to my communications. (Read this posting for details)

The Protest Sign is Back
Now, I'm not looking to make enemies – I'm just interested in the facts – so I have purposefully not mentioned the person or organization by name. I haven't even revealed if the person is male or female.

But here's the thing: I have more to tell that may well include this person and this organization. And, because it is a bit tedious to continually refer to them as 'that organization with that person who misinformed the public in that article', I've been trying to find a fitting and more condensed name.

I found one.

Custom Shampoo - Take 2

2011-10-22T09:00:00.000+02:00

I've been working on a custom shampoo for a couple of weeks. Texture has been my main challenge (as usual). The product works great, but batch 1 was just too darn runny for my liking.

Ph Testing Cosmetics Products - A Few Tips

2011-10-19T09:00:00.000+02:00

Every time I try a new formula, tweak an existing formula, or replace even a single ingredient with something from a different supplier, I will whip out my trusty PH test strips and do a PH test of the product.

Beaute Online Update

2011-10-17T13:40:00.000+02:00

My product wasn't picked for the Beauteonline competition first time around, BUT.. stay tuned because there are exciting things coming up..... can't say anything else here.. yet..

LisaLise in The Beauteonline Twitter Competition

2011-10-16T12:44:00.001+02:00

Are you on twitter? I've just entered this twitter competition at Beauteonline. If they pick my product as the chosen prize, you will have a chance to win this:

Juniper - The Purifying Essential Oil

2011-10-14T09:00:00.000+02:00

In almost every scenario, common juniper (INCI: Juniperus communis) isn't really a center-stage kind of thing. In gardening, it's usually a background plant (unless you're into Japanese gardening). In cooking, juniper berries are the kind spice you don't really know what to do with, and for skin and hair care, juniper is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. Nonetheless, juniper is the star of today's posting, and for 2 reasons:
1. I have recently experienced juniper hydrosol for the first time
2. I have recently received a generous bag of fresh organic juniper berries that prompted all kinds of fun with juniper

How To Jam Pack Skin Care Products With Good Stuff

2011-10-11T09:00:00.000+02:00

Good Stuff Checklist for Skin Care Products
1. Replace water with organic hydrosol
2. Use organic plant-based oils and fats
3. Replace glycerine with glycerine-based plant extracts
4. Use neutral, skin-friendly emulsifiers
5. Use safe, tested, and approved preservatives

Wash Your Hair Backwards

2011-10-08T09:00:00.000+02:00

The title conjures up all sorts of strange images, doesn't it? I actually read this a while back on Beautyspace. Anette had the opportunity to visit with Austrian born Founder of Aveda, Horst Rechelbacher. His recommendation: wash your hair backwards.

Custom Shampoo, Coming Right Up - Almost

2011-10-05T09:00:00.000+02:00

A recent order for a custom shampoo has me fiddling around with surfactants and working on texture – again. The customer has been using the Plain & Simple Herbal Shampoo and requested a version with some 'conditioning action' added to it. She also wanted to try a new scent, so I suggested basing it on geranium. Voilá! Except not quite...

When The Packaging Inspires The Contents

2011-10-03T09:00:00.110+02:00

These mini-roll-on bottles caught my eye not too long ago, so I ordered a couple – just to see if they were anything that might prove useful. For years, finding new containers would get me so excited I would create a new formula for the bottle/jar/spray dispenser before actually seeing it. And on too many occasions, it would be a disappointment to discover the overall look was too bulky/dainty/opaque/clear for the product I had in mind, or the dispensing system just didn't suit the texture of the product I wanted to fill it with.

Making Infused Oil With Juniper Berries

2011-09-30T09:00:00.028+02:00

This is the first time I've tried making an infused oil for topical use. The world is coming together in this little jar. Organic juniper berries from Estonia, organic sweet almond oil from Germany, the infusion process in Denmark, and the inspiration from the USA. Because it is my first try, it will be a relatively small amount.

How To Make Whipped Body Butter

2011-09-27T09:00:00.068+02:00

Playing with cocoa butter and different oils to find the lightest, airiest whipped body butter has been great fun, and all of you wonderful ladies who tested and provided feedback during this 'butter' series can take a bow. Thank you! You all deserve applause! But, on this – my one year blog-a-versary day – I have some news.

I recently had a shocking realization....

Thanks to You, it's Already Been a Year!

2011-09-26T09:00:00.076+02:00

Tomorrow I have been blogging for a year. A whole year!!
During this past year, I have met a lot of wonderful, talented, and interesting people who have helped to enrich, educate, enlighten, and inspire me! And, for that, please allow me to thank you.

Feedback From Winners of The Body Butter Giveaway

2011-09-24T09:00:00.149+02:00

Thanks to the winners of the Batch 3 Whipped Bare Basic Body Butter Giveaway for sending me your feedback. I've compiled the answers (along with the feedback from my regular testers) and here are your comments:

Eyeshadows by LiisK

2011-09-22T09:00:00.000+02:00

There's only one thing cooler than doing your own eyeshadows, and that's having someone do them personally for you. Look what I got in the mail the other day – made for me by LiisK (color connoisseur and make-up wiz). I never realized what it was like to be on the receiving end of personalized cosmetics – it feels really great!!

10 Uses For Body Butter - The Multifunctional Skin Solution

2011-09-20T09:00:00.003+02:00

Exploring the properties of cocoa butter with different oils to make whipped body butter has been fun! I've had some great feedback from you guys, and I've also had a couple of questions. The most notable one: what is body butter good for? My immediate answer: almost everything having to do with skin care – be it face, hands, feet or body!

What Rikke Made - Cream With Zing

2011-09-17T09:00:00.006+02:00

See those 'sticks' in the picture above? They add zing to things. It doesn't take a lot of them either. Just a few will add a refreshing, cool bit of zing that can be felt immediately. I've never worked with them before, but Rikke has.

Not Quite The Horses Mouth

2011-09-16T01:20:00.000+02:00

I just got an email from the preservatives expert that answered my questions about ethylparaben and methylparaben in this posting.

I have a correction.

Dealing With Misinformed People in Higher Authority

2011-09-14T09:00:00.041+02:00

I love being right. I love it when I know I'm right about something and can point to evidence and other factual things to back up exactly how right I am. It's incredibly satisfying. (Hey, who doesn't love being right?)

On the other hand, I get incredibly frustrated when I run into a person of higher authority (and we're talking top-of-the-chain-in-a-government-funded-informational-institution-that-services-the-entire-country-of-Denmark kind of higher authority) that publicly presents – as fact – something I happen to know is

JUST

PLAIN

WRONG

Soap for Sensitive Skin – The Joys of JOIK

2011-09-12T09:00:00.015+02:00

I just fell in love with bar soap. 'Yeah, so?' (I hear you thinking). I suppose it doesn't sound like much, unless perhaps you happen to know that I haven't used any products other than my own for yonks (or, as North Americans say, ages). A recent mishap with a commercially made bar of soap with a less than fortunate outcome had me completely convinced to never ever use bar soap again – EVER – until...

Getting by on Oil and Hydrosol

2011-09-09T11:08:00.002+02:00

It's been unusually hectic around here this summer. After our offices were flooded on July 2, we've been cleaning up and sorting out non-stop while working from very temporary quarters. It's a hodge-podge existence. Energy level: low

Shea Butter - The Natural Skin Healer

2011-09-07T09:00:00.001+02:00

Shea Butter (INCI: Butyrospermum parkii) is a creamy, velvety-smooth skin and hair soother that deserves a bit of spotlight space, because it's a bit of a star in more ways than one.

Discount Solution - Tropical Luxury Body Scrub

2011-09-04T09:00:00.000+02:00

This is a quick and simple body scrub that will not only exfoliate, but nourish and moisturize your skin, leaving it supple, delicately soft and feeling like you have just come from a tropical spa treatment where exotic butterflies land on your hand in admiration of the softness of your skin (and you will have, except it will be your own super luxurious at-home spa treatment).

2 Minute Honey Mask Feedback

2011-09-01T09:00:00.005+02:00

I've gotten hooked. I'm hooked on honey. Not to eat, mind you – although I am a fan of that too – but applying it to the face and neck and leaving it there for a bit.

Skin Lightening Ingredients - Commercial Products

2011-08-29T09:00:00.034+02:00

Welcome to the third and final post in this mini-series on skin lightening ingredients.

Bare Basic Body Butter Batch 3 Giveaway Winners

2011-08-26T09:00:00.087+02:00

Thanks to everyone who participated in this body butter giveaway. Here are the butters – all ready to go and each equipped with a secret code sticker on the bottom (for an explanation of the secret code, please see the original post).

Jasmine – The Masculine Essential Oil

2011-08-23T09:00:00.094+02:00

Where Rose is referred to as the most feminine of flowers (and essential oils), I have seen Jasmine categorized as the most masculine of flowers (and essential oils).

Thistle Oil - The Omega 6 and 3 Powerhouse

2011-08-20T09:00:00.004+02:00

Thistle (INCI: Carthamus tinctorius) has a history of multiple uses. The flowers have been used to make textile dyes since ancient Egypt, providing colors that range from deep yellows and oranges to rich reds. For the same reason, the flowers are popularly used as an inexpensive replacement for saffron in cooking. Also known as safflower, sallflower, beni and chimichanga (of all things!), this rather common plant has quite a bit to offer in the way of skin care.

Whipped Body Butter - Batch 3 Giveaway

2011-08-17T09:00:00.207+02:00

Are you ready for the next whipped freebie butter giveaway? Good, because I've finally found a name for this product: Bare Basic Body Butter (seriously, would anything else really do?). Thanks to everyone who commented on or took the poll about which body butter scent they preferred (I promise to get back to that). For this giveaway (with a total of 10 winners), there are a couple of developments...

Skin Lightening Ingredients - Plants

2011-08-14T09:00:00.017+02:00

Welcome to the second installment in this mini-series about skin lightening ingredients. Today we're going to look at the cocktail of herbal extracts in the product that started this series (Lighten Up Herbal Skin Lightener).

The Skinny on How Much Our Skin Absorbs

2011-08-11T09:00:00.169+02:00

There have been several statements in the media and on the net about how much our skin absorbs. I've read numerous claims that our skin works 'like a sponge' and 'absorbs up to 60% of what is applied to it'. The people making these claims even cite scientific studies to back their statements up. The problem is, the cited studies are being misquoted, misunderstood, and taken completely out of context.

Aloe Vera Eye Solution

2011-08-08T09:00:00.003+02:00

I'm a huge fan of Aloe Vera and its many benefits to the skin – soothing, calming, reparative, gentle, and safe enough for sensitive skin – it's really perfect for an eye cream.

Narrowleaf Plantain - The Natural Collagen Stimulant

2011-08-05T09:00:00.000+02:00

Narrowleaf Plantain (INCI: Plantago Lanceolata) is a veritable powerhouse of goodies – and not just for skin care. Because of its makeup, this plant has all sorts of beneficial properties that make it equally useful for internal use. I'm still getting to know it, but so far, it's proving to be a very positive aquaintance. Let's look at some of the magic it can do for skin.

Hydrosol Skin Mist Giveaway Winners

2011-08-02T09:00:00.083+02:00

Thanks to everyone who chose to participate in this little hydrosol giveaway! To choose the winners, everyones comment was printed out, folded and placed in a fitting receptacle. Here is the fitting receptacle (a straw hat with – a rose) and the names – printed, folded, waiting to be placed in the hat and picked.

Discount Solution - Two Minute Honey Mask

2011-07-31T09:00:00.020+02:00

Here's a super simple and super effective cleansing, detoxifying and softening face mask that is quick, easy and inexpensive. It's even ideal for daily use. Matter of fact, if you try this every day for a week, I'm betting you will see and feel a noticable difference – whether you have problem, dry, oily, mature or sensitive skin (almost sounds like a miracle cure for everything, doesn't it?). Here's the coolest part: you only need one ingredient: raw honey!

Pure Natural Toxins

2011-07-28T09:00:00.000+02:00

Pretty Poisonous

Nature often surpasses anything we humans can conceptualize. A friend told me recently that there is an all-natural, relatively innocent-looking plant so full of toxic chemicals that it will cause extreme skin reactions, photosensivity for life and put you in the hospital if you so much as touch the sap from it. Was she kidding? I checked. She was absolutely right. Heracleum mantegazzianum is a downright dangerous slice of nature.

LisaLise on BeautySpace

2011-07-26T09:00:00.038+02:00

I'm all smiles. I'll bet you can guess why.

Hydrosol Skin Mist Giveaway

2011-07-24T09:00:00.236+02:00

I just love it when people ask me about ingredients. Anette at BeautySpace asked me about hydrosols not too long ago and this inspired me to do a little hydrosol skin mist giveaway before we get to the next giveaway batch of freebie body butter. (it must be giveaway season!)

Have You Ever Tried a Hydrosol?
If not, here's your chance. I'm giving away 5 purse-sized samples of the Real Deal – the Queen of Skin Care – 100% pure organic rose hydrosol. Read on to learn about hydrosol (cuz it's really cool stuff that you want to know), then drop a comment below to enter.

Whipped Freebie Butter - Feedback on Batch 2

2011-07-21T09:00:00.039+02:00

Here's an update on the Whipped Freebie Butter Batch 2 Giveaway that took place in the beginning of June. Also, I'd love your input before the next batch and giveaway takes place.
Read more »

Clay Mask Kit

2011-07-18T09:00:00.004+02:00

A family member had a birthday recently. She had a specific wish for a 'LisaLise face mask kit'. I didn't really make have to make anything – just buy the necessary bits and pieces and put them all together in a pretty package.

Are Parabens a Lost Cause?

2011-07-15T09:00:00.004+02:00

Parabens have been in the doghouse for too long. It's not fair. I almost feel like carrying a protest sign around, except there's nowhere to carry it .. well, maybe right here. I fully realize I am going against the tide of the times and spouting a wildly unpopular idea but seriously – can we put some facts on the table and a bring out a little thing called common sense for just a teensy, brief moment, please??