hippie chick :: summer revival

Summer Skincare :: Part 2

Have you ever stepped outside

and found yourself declaring

out loud

what a perfect day

it is

warm sun

gentle breeze 

when you need it

birds chirping

no bugs bugging

kind of perfection

You may start watering the plants

and pulling a weed here

and there

but

you end up putting the cushions

on the chairs

filling the cooler with ice

and beverages

cranking up the beach music

skimming the pool

while

sipping a berry blue beer

and finding yourself

planning an impromptu

 pool party

because this kind of day

is meant to be

enjoyed.

So I did just that.

Did I apply my sunscreen

first thing in the a.m.?

No

because I'm a big baby who

doesn't like the 

feeling of product

on my skin.

Don't get me wrong 

I use SPF on my face

everyday

I spray myself with

sport strength

before long bouts on the bike

at the courts

by the pool

etc.

but 

I'm not a fan of anything

on my skin

daily

maybe something to do with

Michigan humidity

yeah

let's go with that.

so

at nighttime

I treat myself to

Cocoa Butter Creamy Lotion 

For Face and Body

"this non-greasy, deeply moisturizing

and hydrating cream doubles as an after-sun

cream...it leaves skin 

very soft and silky..."

 Stephanie Tourles
(recipe on-line!)

from her 

Organic Body Care Recipes

book...

and she is right.

Like all recipes
I read through it completely
and began gathering/purchasing/borrowing
the necessary ingredients

Mise en place

(MEEZ ahn plahs)

to put in place

prepared and ready to go

using the rarely used

double boiler

to gently warm the oils, butters, wax

until melted

then combining

with the glycerin mixture

in a food processor

until the magic happens

and a smooth

thick

velvety lotion forms

stirring in

my choice options of 

lavender and vanilla

essential oils

then

storing in little

squat-y

wide-mouthed ball canning jars

for easy access

bedside

with all the other

nighttime essentials

an after shower

skincare

embrace.

Cooking up lotions and potions

all kinds of

good-smelling concoctions 

in my kitchen.

It doesn't get any more

natural than that.