DIY Organic Eye Makeup Remover

I’ve been having a blast this past month finding replacements for every day things I buy and use at home. My month long challenge of slowly ridding our house of nasty chemicals began several weeks ago.

My first item to replace was my face lotion. I created a Recipe for Facial Moisturizer. I moved on to replacing my dishwasher detergent-DIY Organic Dishwasher Detergent, face wash–Cheap, Organic Face Wash  and finally last week I shared several DIY Household Green Cleaner recipes.

I am concocting my own household replacements with little more than what I have on hand or what I can find at the organic market.

But the replacements must meet or exceed three important expectations for this frugal gal:
1. It must be easy to replace-no beakers or science lab experiments. Thank you.
2. It must be just as good or better than the current product I’m using and,
3. It must cost the same or less than the current product I’m using.

photo source unknown

If the product I create passes the final test-me using it for over two plus weeks to make sure it does its job-then I’ll be sharing it with you. I will break down the cost for you, provide you the recipe and give you my honest opinion of the final product.

Today, I’ll be sharing a tested and loved recipe for Eye Makeup Remover.

This recipe only requires two ingredients. And, it ends up costing $1.13 for 3.5 oz.

I have very delicate skin, and my eyes irritate pretty easily. I was skeptical making my own remover, but was pleased with the simple results.

Here’s all that you’ll need to make your very own Eye Makeup Remover:

(This recipe will make 3.5 oz of remover)
4 TBS Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 TBS Organic Sweet Almond Oil
Container

Use a funnel if needed and measure the 4 TBS of Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Next, add the 3 TBS of Sweet Almond Oil. Cap tightly and shake.

Squeeze out a little onto a pure cotton ball and gently wipe across your eyes to remove makeup.

I always wash my face first with my Cheap, Organic Face Wash before removing my eye makeup. This softens up the eyeliner and mascara, which will remove easier and it helps to avoid tugging at the delicate skin around my eyes.

It only takes a little of the Eye Makeup remover to go a long ways.

This recipe was very simple to make and super cheap. There’s no going back for this gal.

Here’s the financial breakdown of this Eye Makeup Remover Recipe (know that 1 oz = 2 TBS):

Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil is $5 for 16 oz (or $.31 per oz). For this recipe, we needed 2 oz (or 4 TBS)=$.61.
The Sweet Almond Oil is $5.75 for 16 oz (or $.35/oz). For this recipe, we needed 1.5 oz (or 3 TBS)=$.52.

To make 3.5 oz of Eye Makeup Remover the total cost was=$1.13

(This recipe is replacing my 2 oz Physician’s Formula eye makeup remover which is $5.50.)

Linking up to this and other parties:
The Thrifty Home

Spring is Here! Winter is gone. But which is better?

Biceps and I have argued for years about what season of year is the best. He’s partial to the Fall-light jackets are necessary, trees are turning yellows/reds/oranges and the beverage of choice is coffee.

I personally love the Spring time.

But, I’ll be honest-the biggest reason that I love the Spring is that it means my birthday is right around the corner.

I will be making my case as to why Spring is the “Superior Season”. I would like for you to judge the facts, and see if you don’t come to the same awesome conclusion.

Besides my birthday (which I may need to remind you that you only have 59 shopping days left),I love the reminder that we once were dead and now we are alive in Him-seen as the naked trees bud, the brown and prickly grass turns green and soft, and the dormant flowers are in bloom.

But, on a less philosophical note, I also know this time of year means the lovely and delicious Cadbury Easter Eggs will be placed strategically at every cash register in America. Yum.

But, I digress.

When the weather starts getting warmer, the neighbors venture outside, shielding their eyes from something we haven’t seen in months-the sun.

One of my favorite neighbors will sit out back with her precious little white dogs and read for hours.

I know that there is always some out there to talk to, share gardening tips with or chat over Bicep’s latest adventure in firefighting.

Doors and windows are left open, giving the breeze full reign. Shorts are dusted off and legs are shaved. The garden will be planted soon-which promises a harvest and a physical measure of hard work.
The neighborhood is alive with strollers, bikes, dog walkers and runners. There is life, shared life, as we smile at each other, catch up on the other and enjoy the sun.

I think I have made my case. In my opinion-Spring wins the “Superior Season Contest”. But Biceps says the jury is still out.

A Big, Fat Iranian Wedding (times two)

I have the coolest writing gig-I get paid to write a bi-monthly column called ‘Together in Tulsa’ for the regional paper, ‘This Land Press’. I’ve been doing this for two years now and loving it. And if this information is new to you, now you know.

I find unique couples in the Oklahoma area, interview them, design a photo set for them and then ‘kapow!’-photograph them. (Most of the photos are bizarre-or different-as my Dad would say.)

And, after my article has been edited for the millionth time (you know who you are, Mark…), it is printed in the physical newspaper first, and then put online a couple of weeks later.

This is my latest couple-Nick Doctor and Mana Tahaie.

The couple had planned to originally tie the knot at the justice of the peace. But, Iranian mothers don’t take “no” for an answer. Soon the couple had two weddings back to back, a house to close on and a speeding ticket to get out of-in a matter of two days.

Read more about Nick Doctor and Mana Tahaie here.

Plethora of Cans, Ideas and Your help

Dear Readers:

I am a minimalist by nature; the garbage can and the goodwill drop-off locations are my dearest friends. I often get into trouble for throwing something that we needed away.

That said, I am beginning to do something I swore I would never do. I am “saving up” for a project. What that project is, I don’t know. But, by golly, I am saving this stuff up for it.

These Wasabi Pea cans are just too good to throw in the recycle bin. And with each passing week, one more can is added to my stash.

Since all of you are a bunch of crazy creative nutjobs-just like me, I need your creative input on my multiplying can collection.

I have already made lanterns-Can You? I can, I CAN!. I am not opposed to making more of these, if I have a purpose for them. I know I can do the obvious luminary, too.

The cans are 7″ in heigth-tall and skinny (just like I like ’em).

They are about 3″ in diamter.

And they have a plastic lid that snaps on very tightly.

So, here’s your assignment, creative ladies:

Before I am featured on the show “Hoarders”, what do I do with these cans? Your input is much appreciated.