Manic Monday! Cuticle Oil...

This is the homemade cosmetic I use the most... unless you count my baking soda deodorant, but I don't really feel like I "make" that! I use this cuticle oil on my fingernails and toenails... especially in the summer! I choose not to polish my nails... I like them buffed and natural! So the first day I could really wear my flip-flops, I decided to make a new batch. The ingredients are as follows:

*1 small container (glass is preferable because it is non-reactive, but a plastic travel shampoo bottle from a hotel would do. I used a syrup bottle from Cracker Barrel!)
* Jojoba or sweet almond oil (about 1 T)
* Tea tree essential oil (4 drops) (anti-fungal)
* Lemon essential oil (4 drops) (whitens nails)
* Vitamin E gel capsules (2 small or 1 large)
* Other essential oils for fragrance as desired, 2-4 drops each. I used Lavender and Rosemary, both of which have antiseptic qualities.

Start by pouring the Jojoba or Sweet Almond oil into your container. Jojoba is heavier in texture and a bit more expensive than the almond oil, but both absorb easily. Add the essential oils as desired. Add your vitamin E oil by puncturing with a pin and squeezing the oil into your container. Put the lid on, shake gently, and your cuticle oil is ready to use! With a container this small, you can use your finger to apply the oil, but a Q-tip works as well. Massage the oil into the nails and cuticles to keep your cuticles smooth and your nails shiny!

Most grocery stores with a natural foods/healthcare section will have sweet almond oil. I bought my almond oil at Whole Foods, but I have seen it at my local Martin's. The Jojoba oil came from Trader Joe's. I buy some of my essential oils from Lavender Fields Farm. The Aura Cacia oils came from Vita Cost, but they are readily available at Whole Foods. I found the prices are much better at Vita Cost, and you can certainly purchase all of these supplies there, although you must pay shipping.

If you try making this, I'd love to hear what you thought about it!

In other news, I have to brag about my kindergartener.... she won an award for "most likely to become an actress." My little drama queen. :)

Also, my husband, father-in-law, and I have almost finished some significant upgrades to our chickens' home! They now have a proper door to their coop and a chicken run! I'll tell you more about it on Thursday!

Have a great week!