Category: 2. Skin

3 all-natural winter skin care recipes

December 1st, 2011 · Bambino Steps (Kimberly) ·

I am so pleased to announce that today is the launch of the winter edition of Sparrow Magazine. This edition features an article written by yours truly; I am so honored to be a contributor to this wonderful online community. Please pop over to their site to read my article: 3 All-Natural Winter Skin Care Recipes. I feature the following skin-soothing winter recipes:

Moisturizing Lip Balm

Gentle Sugar Scrub

and Hydrating Crème.

Make a double or triple batch this holiday season and save some for you, and gift the rest to others.

Happy Reading!

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the perfect body lotion

September 13th, 2011 · Bambino Steps (Kimberly) ·

For nearly a year now I’ve been making my own body lotion. I have tried several recipes, created several of my own, and recently tried a recipe which I adore. Currently I am head over heels for Rosemary Gladstar’s Perfect Lotion recipe found in her resourceful book, Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health: 175 Teas, Tonics, Oils, Salves, Tinctures, and Other Natural Remedies for the Entire Family. The ingredient list is somewhat on the long side, but the pay-off is worth any fuss.

So why make your own body lotion? It’s cheap, ensures it’s entirely non-toxic, reduces packaging waste, and best of all, it’s fun to make. Tie a bow around the jar and you have yourself a fantastic gift.

This batch has a lovely, light scent by way of essential oils: just three drops rosemary, two peppermint and one drop lavender. This combo is my go-to scent, though next time I’ll use a combination of grapefruit and rose absolute, my current favorite for homemade baby wipes. As the weather cools down I plan to whip up a batch of my cream which kept our skin hydrated all winter. I’m super excited to share this recipe with you in the coming months.

What homemade body care products have you made? Or what are your favorite store-bought products?

PS – I recently created a new category to house these types of posts, entitled Beautify. Also, the comment button is now located at the bottom of each post. Let me know how you like the changes. Happy browsing!

PPS – I posted a final update on my nephew Eliah for those of you who have been following along. These past 11 days have been so very difficult for my family, and we thank you so much for the well wishes sent our way.

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make: silky aftershave

August 5th, 2011 · Bambino Steps (Kimberly) ·

To go along with the moisturizing shaving lotion, I made a silky aftershave for my husband. He liked this a lot more than the suds, and said he wanted to drink it. I think that means it’s awesome.

Silky Aftershave

Adapted from Basics for the Home: Simple Solutions for Less Toxic Living.

  • 4 oz. witch hazel extract
  • 2 oz. vodka
  • 1 oz. vegetable glycerin
  • 7 drops peppermint essential oil
  • 7 drops eucalyptus essential oil
  • 1/2 oz. aloe vera gel (add 1/2 oz. more if skin is dry)

Combine all ingredients together in a glass jar, shake, and splash over skin. I plan to change up the essential oils, as the seasons change. Whenever possible I keep concoctions in either amber or cobalt apothecary-style glass, to keep the contents protected from light. Keeps for a year or more at room temperature, and might I add,

makes a great gift.

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moisturizing shaving lotion

August 3rd, 2011 · Bambino Steps (Kimberly) ·


During my third trimester I read that one should stock their freezer with food, so that cooking won’t become a burden during those sleep-deprived early months. Seeing as how Portland broke records for heat that summer, the only thing I was able to do in the kitchen was open the refrigerator and let the cold air envelope my pregnant belly. I found solace in the air conditioned big box stores and instead stocked up on ridiculous amounts of toiletries. What does this have to do with shaving cream? Because last week we finally ran out of our last can of shaving cream, and I was stoked to whip up a diy version.

This literally whipped up in less than 30 minutes, including a quick shave in the tub. These luscious suds left my legs smooth and silky, protected them from nicks, and left no need for moisturizer afterwards. After the suds mellow down, it turns into this wonderful shaving lotion (as depicted in first photo), that suds up nicely, but not too over-the-top.

Moisturizing Shaving Suds

Adapted from recipes found in Better Basics for the Home: Simple Solutions for Less Toxic Living and Readymade*.

  • 1 oz. olive oil
  • 1 oz. coconut oil
  • 1 oz. beeswax
  • 4 oz. water (room temperature)
  • 2 oz. liquid castille soap (I use Dr. Bronner’s Baby Mild)
  • 1 oz. vegetable glycerin
  • 1 tsp. borax
  • 1/3 tsp. grapefruit seed extract (or substitute either tea tree oil or vitamin E)
  • 10 drops rosemary essential oil
  • 8 drops peppermint essential oil
  • 3 drops lavender essential oil

Melt the oils and wax over a double boiler over medium heat. Combine the water, liquid soap, glycerin and borax in a small bowl, stir to dissolve and slowly pour into the melted oils, using a hand mixer to whip until frothy. Drizzle in the grapefruit seed extract (or tea tree oil or vitamin e) and add the essential oils, stir and pour into a shower-friendly container until the suds settle down. Now get silky!

Update: Once the suds settled down I transferred the mixture into one a super shower friendly bottle.

My husband used this and requested something richer and creamier for his needs, though indicated that “this doesn’t suck as much as that other stuff,” referring to the store-bought hippy shaving soap he’d been using. So I’ll make something richer and creamier for him and report back.

*Did you know that Readymade is no longer? Sad day. I’m still savoring the last issue.

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homemade deodorant (that actually works)

July 5th, 2011 · Bambino Steps (Kimberly) ·

About a month ago I made a batch of deodorant to get us through the hot summer months. It works amazingly well. Seriously. My husband echoed that this morning even, “I can’t believe this works so well!” Which is how I remembered that I had snapped a photo of the jar, but never blogged about it. I do that a lot. I used Amy’s recipe, which she shares for free on her website, and also includes in her beauty booklet (which I adore).

In lieu of cornstarch I used arrowroot powder, mainly because I’m avoiding grains in my diet, among other things. For me, the diet doesn’t just stop with food, it continues on to anything that comes into contact with my body, including skin care. Hardcore, I know, but a necessary part of the healing process. This deodorant whipped up in about 7 minutes, including prep and clean-up, and will last us a long time, and will save us moola in the long run. While it does contain essential oils, the smell dissipates really quickly, so it’s not one of those pseudo “perfume deodorants” that simply mask odor. I went on an hour long bike ride yesterday in 80+ degree weather, unshowered, and this kept me fresh.

Bambino Step: If making your own freaks you out, try to make the switch to a natural, mainly toxin-free deodorant (found in health food stores, or most stores carry Tom’s of Maine) instead. Not all brands work for all people, so it might take some trial and error before you find your match. I make my own deodorant because I never had luck finding a natural deodorant that did the job well. Also, it’s cheap, fun to make, keeps packaging out of the landfill, and it replaces a skin care item that typically contains toxins. If you’d like to make your own but don’t want to purchase all the ingredients that go along with this particular recipe, there are lots of other (free) recipes around the Web. For instance, try using Kat’s method: dab coconut oil under your pits and dust with baking soda. Voila – freshness.

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