Bath and Body

[_Cheshire_]

Sugared Vanilla Body Scrub

I swear by it, it's something I just threw together last night. You will need:

1 small bowl
About 2? cups of sugar (Preferably brown, but I used white anyway)
Vanilla extract (I used imitation vanilla flavoring, available at your local walmart for 99 cents!)
Olive oil
Coffee (Optional, I didn't use it then but it gives you that extra exfoliation and caffeine is good for decreasing cellulite. Use a small bag of millstone flavoured coffee, something that matches the Vanilla theme like Kahlua. Or if you don't feel like going anywhere, plain old coffee will do)
A spoon or popsicle stick to mix and apply.

Put the sugar in the bowl, add enough extract to turn it brown and leave a small layer over the top. Give it a minute to absorb before adding more. Add a splash or two of olive oil (I'm a HUGE fan of it, I use it in mydaily baths), now add a few tablespoons of coffee. I'm very vague, I know. But you have to learn to "play by ear", it's the best way to get the maximum results. Stir it up, make sure you get all of that sugar off of the bottom of the bowl. If your mixture is too thin, add more sugar or coffee. If it's too thick or you smell more olive oil than vanilla, add more extract. It has to be liquid enough to smooth onto your skin, if it's too thick after a few rubs the sugar will start falling onto the floor.

So the best way to avoid a messy bathroom is to get in the buff inside of your shower. Well, apply it onto your face in front of a mirror first, make sure you SCRUB! Don't rub your face off, but make sure you're getting those dead skin cells to go away.

You have to apply this to your body before you bathe or shower, especially if you added coffee. You need a few minutes to let the caffeine absorb into your skin, and water weakens the formula. Start wherever you like, from the feet up or the other way around, scrub the trouble spots really well because it does wonders for feet or dry elbows. After you're confident that you're done scrubbing, and you feel that you look like a pig due to the pinkness of your skin, stand around for a minute before you turn the shower on.

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Okay now you can shower, lol. Pat dry with a towel. If your skin feels a little too oily from the olive oil, make sure you PAT it off the best you can with a towel. Once your skin dries it goes away, it's something all olive oil fans go through to obtain the knowledge of how much to use.

My skin felt like a baby's last night, and it still does. I'd probably recommend this two times a week, but everyone is different so study your skin and how it reacts to different treatments. People with sensitive, delicate skin like myself can't be doing that on a daily basis, whilst there are people out there that feel they HAVE to do it everyday.

Some common sense warnings before I wrap this up: Shave the day BEFORE you exfoliate, your skin will be irritated from the scrub during the duration of your showertime that day and shaving will give you a very unplesant "OWIE!!!" sensation.

Wait until your skin is completely dry, give it some time before you put on your lotions. Personally after this treatment, I don't think lotion is necessary because it leaves the skin so soft already.

If anybody tries this, let me know how it turned out! Any problems or questions arise, don't forget to ask.

Happy scrubbing!

[Moon_Stone]

Ooh, that sounds wonderful, Cheshire~ I'll have to give it a try.

Thank you! :28:

[[RedWolf]]

WOW, just tried the sugared vanilla body scrub and I feeeeeeeel Marvelous!
Thank you, Cheshire!

I am trying some of the mask next - just gotta get some more ingredients! (ran out of eggs yesterday LOL)

Have a Blessed Week!

RW

[dandilion heart]

Wow!! this is incredable!!! thank you so much for sharing!

take care pampering sisters and brothers

[Leo*Moon]

Cheshire,

This is a kickass thread! Awesome info!
One of my friends decided to go all-natural with her shampoo so I'm sure she will be happy to see some recipes. I suffer from terrible dandruff. Do you have any more recipes for dandruff control or relief?

Blessings,
Leo

[Twisted_Pixie]

You could try some rosemary & Clary Sage Essential oil in ur shampoo... dont use too much but give that a go =)

[Leo*Moon]

You could try some rosemary & Clary Sage Essential oil in ur shampoo... dont use too much but give that a go =)

oooo I have both of those. I will give that a try asap!

Thanks!
Leo