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Age-Defying DIY Blush with Beets & Lavender Oil
January 3, 2017
Blush, sometimes called rouge, is one of the the most popular makeup products out there. It’s used to redden the cheeks and cheekbone area with the intention of providing a more youthful appearance.
Blush goes way back in history. Initially, anyone who wore blush was thought to have less than desirable ethical behavior. This is when the pinching of the cheeks came into the picture. Regardless, over the centuries from the African Middle Stone Age and even in the Bible, various pigments and foods have been used to create this red tint such as crushed mulberries or strawberries, red beet juice and red amaranth– so natural skin care methods and DIY blush are not as unusual you may think. (1, 2)
However, there are problems with most conventional blush products. Numerous blush products found on the shelf today contain some chemicals, such as ammonium hydroxide. In fact, historically, a lot of make up actually contained arsenic — clearly, something to avoid.
The Environmental Working Group website contains a database of products. From there, you can see many examples that contain ingredients that may cause problems such as endocrine disruption, irritation to the skin, eyes, or lungs, may cause cancer, and organ system toxicity among other hazards. But, making your own DIY blush is easy and contains just a few ingredients. Experiment to get the right shade and texture for you.
How to Make a DIY Blush
There are four types of blush: pressed powder, loose powder, cream based and mineral baked. We are going to make a loose powder DIY blush version today.
Let’s begin with the finely ground beet powder. In a small bowl, place the beet powder and the arrowroot powder, and blend well. Beets are jam-packed with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and anti-aging benefits. While beets are typically eaten, applying them to the skin allows the skin to absorb these health bonuses.
Arrowroot powder is a natural ingredient that helps keep the immune system strong through its vitamin C contents. Additionally, vitamin C is great for the skin by helping to eliminate those annoying brown spots that have formed due to free radical invasion. It also plays a role in collagen synthesis, according to Oregon State University. (3)
Next, add the cinnamon or ginger. Remember, use cinnamon for a darker color and ginger for a lighter color. Start with just a pinch or two and experiment with your skin tone. Like beets, cinnamon contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, it’s a natural antibiotic and contains antimicrobial effects that protects the skin from irritations, acne, rashes, allergic reactions and some infections. Ginger helps fight infection, making it a winner in this recipe. Mix all the dry ingredients until well blended.
Lastly, but definitely not least in this DIY blush recipe, are the essential oils. Add 2 drops each of lavender and frankincense to the bowl and blend one more time. Lavender oil is known to be very relaxing, but did you know that is also restores skin complexion, slows aging and reduces acne? Frankincense provides relaxation too, but it’s also a powerful astringent, helping to reduce blemishes, the appearance of large pores and prevents wrinkles all while tightening the skin.
Now, you can put your new DIY blush into a small container with a tight-fitting lid. When you are ready to use it, apply with a clean blush brush. Remember, if it’s too dark, you can add some ginger and if too light, just add some cinnamon. If you want a bit of shimmer, add a small pinch or two of pure mica powder and mix together with the other ingredients.
Age-Defying DIY Blush with Beets & Lavender Oil
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons beet powder (ground very fine; you can use your coffee grinder to grind it further if needed)
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder
- pinch of ground cinnamon (for darker color) OR ground ginger (for lighter color)
- 2–3 drops lavender essential oil
- 2–3 drops frankincense essential Oil
- pinch of mica powder (optional)
Directions:
- Place all dry ingredients into a small bowl. Make sure they are well blended.
- Add the essentials oils. Blend well.
- For added shimmer, add a pinch of mica.
- Place in a container with a tight-fitting lid.
- To apply, use a blush brush.
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You don’t have to trust corn products if u don’t want to…but we are all entitled to have our own opion so I would appreciate it is u stop saying offensive and rude things about corn products I was actually born and breed on and I find it extremely heart breaking that u say u don’t trust it….please have some respect and consideration for my feelings…I’m going through quite a lot of physical and mental stress as my camel just broke its toe and Ur comments are making it worse…
Also any1 thats reading this can u please help me out and tell me about any therapists that I can go to…coz life is just being awful lately and I haven’t been able to cope
Soo many well meaning n knowledgeable posts. Being well inform is the 1st step to healthy living.
Ty Dr. Axe n all your followers.
oh please, I don’t event think Dr Axe tried and tested this recipe, and I suppose pick it off somewhere.
I have personally tried this recipe and it don’t work.
1) No matter how fine you ground the “dehydrated beetroot” into powder, it will never stay on the face.
2) Essentially, its the pigment from the fruit that gives the color, and not the fiber, it will just fall off the face.
Tried and tested.
Agree. I tried it as well. Doesn’t work or stay on your face.
You are simply amazing!!
So am i
Just made the blush today, it’s beautiful! I made the coconut, lavender shampoo last night, and will be trying that tonight. I am so happy I stumbled onto Dr. Axe’s site. Looking to rid our household of unnecessary chemicals and additives.
Where can you buy beet powder?
You generally can get beet root powder from natural food stores that carry spices in bulk, specialty spice shops, or order it online from one of these type places. Amazon.com carries it too. I got a fairly large jar of it a couple of years ago.
It’s quite versatile for many things, even for coloring cake icing. I think you can use it to dye eggs at Easter time, and for coloring homemade children’s products like slime and modeling dough. I would liquify it first for those uses though. (I detest beets, so I wouldn’t want the fresh ones as mentioned above.) If you are able to finely grind up pure Red Raspberry & Red Hibiscus teas, they could possibly be useful in a cosmetic product made into a cream. I used to use those as a hair rinse. I think my hair is too silver and white for it to adhear now though.
As far as the Arrowroot issue goes, give Yucca Root powder as a substitute, or perhaps potato starch. I found the yucca root in a store similar to “Natural Grocers” here in Colorado called Sprouts. They may have a way to order it online. It’s a thickener like cornstarch. Another option is potato starch.
Substitutes for the Lavender: Copiaba Sandalwood, Geranium, Helichrysum, Jasmine, Damascus Rose, Myrrh, Roman Chamomile, or Cedarwood. I’m sure there are others.
Fractionated coconut oil will not solidify like regular coconut oil. If you use olive oil as a carrier, remember it will solidify in cold temperatures as well, so if you live in the mountains like I do, don’t put those products down your sink. Any oil used for oil pulling should never go into your public sewer system. It needs to go into a closed container, preferably with absorbant material, in case the container bursts. The disposal of the container should be in a way that no animal could get ahold of it, or it won’t create a water source contamination.
Good luck with your cosmetics ladies.
PS, if you have a nut allergy, you might want to stay away from avocado oil in your homemade health and beauty products. I’ve learned that the hard way. Be sure to check for almond and apricot oil too. Although almonds are not technically “tree nuts” botanically, they are an allergen like them, and are related to apricots.
These new food allergies are so annoying!
Take care and Happy New Year!
How do I make beet Powder?
Where would I buy beet powder from I’m in the Uk
Hi ALL…. FYI, I read YEARS AGO, in several places…. To Please, BEWARE OF ARROWROOT!!!
Arrowroot is known for causing spontaneous miscarriages!
Please, always err on the side of caution! So, if you are pregnant or, could be, or planning, or, not using protection… PLEASE SUBSTITUTE something else for Arrowroot, like Non Alluminum Baking Soda…
( I NEVER USE ANY CORN PRODUCTS, OR, , CORN STARCH, because 99% of it now, has toxic GMOS, in it… )
Btw… I always think its a bit reckless, when a ” Healthy/Holistic” Websight, that caters to the Newbie Health Advocates, advocates using something different, like Arrowroot, without a clear disclaimer attached to it.
Apparently, the toxic side effects of Arrowroot, are common knowledge, amongst TRUE, VETERAN, Health advocates…
Dr. Axe and company… PLEASE, BE MORE RESPONSIBLE with your information, given to the public.
Also, If any of you make the ” Bath Bombs” using the recommended Coconut oil?? Please DONT! Coconut oil, should NEVER go down your drain! Not in a bath bomb, or for oil pulling or, for lotioning your body in the shower!!! Coconut oil will harden and congeal, clog up your pipes and plumbing in your house!! It WILL make a MESS of things…Remember, this oil always hardens in cold weather… You wouldnt pour used cooking grease down your drain, or flush it down your toilet, woukd you!??? SAME THING! Please remember that!
Well said Leslie clever intelligent lady. We need more people
Like you from marie
Leslie..I use coconut oil all the time..goodness me is that all you can say is have a whinge about the drains..just pore hot water down your drains. Make a mess indeed!.
Who cares…just get new drains…
Stop making mountains out of mole hills
Coz no1 cares babe
Oh that’s devastating…I will rid my pantry of arrowroot and cornstarch
That’s sad
Yes Leslie babe’s is very intelligent
Hi,
-I would like to get sample of the above ingredients for blush with beets & lavender
-Also looking for solution how to get ride of puffiness under the eye
– I need information how to cure boldness for women caused by stress
Thanks
Warning over lavender after baby develops breasts | Stuff.co.nz
https://i.stuff.co.nz/life-style/well-good/teach-me/66703649/warning-over-lavender-after-baby-develops-breasts
I have read that lavender oil raises estrogen in people, I have had breast cancer, so I thought you might clear this up for me.
Yes…a little 2 year okd girl was growing breasts. .after many tests with no results she read about lavender…the mum was using lavender products on her baby. .when she stopped, the breasts went down
This was actually due to the bpa released into the preparations containing lavender. Essential oils should be stored in glass containers, they leach bpa from plastic, which disrupts hormones
Do we care???
No we don’t
Amazing!Thanks
What is ok to add for a cream blush and not a powder form? Some type of oil??? I am “mature” and creams look much better than powders.
Maybe organic Argan oil? I use straight argan oil as my face moisturizer. Helps with wrinkles, I’ve noticed a significant difference especially around the crows feet area. I have sensitive skin and it does not make me break out either.
I’m “mature” too. I simmer a chopped beet in water til the water gets syrupy. Refrigerate til ready to use and apply coconut oil to my face and then the beet syrup. A little goes a long way. The grandkids put it in their hair for temporary pink highlights.
shea butter
Where does one get beet powder? Or how can you make your own beet powder?
How much is it
Can I use cornstarch in place of arrowroot powder?
No I wouldn’t do that Vishieee
Can I use cornstarch rather thn arrowroot powder?
Personally, I don’t trust any corn products because of the GMO contamination, including “organic” corn. Arrowroot powder is non-toxic but corn starch could have pesticides in addition to the GMO’s.
You don’t have to trust corn products if u don’t want to…but we are all entitled to have our own opion so I would appreciate it is u stop saying offensive and rude things about corn products I was actually born and breed on and I find it extremely heart breaking that u say u don’t trust it….please have some respect and consideration for my feelings…I’m going through quite a lot of physical and mental stress as my camel just broke its toe and Ur comments are making it worse…
Also any1 thats reading this can u please help me out and tell me about any therapists that I can go to…coz life is just being awful lately and I haven’t been able to cope
Ooooo! Doing this today! I was just at a local Beauty Brands sampling their “Pure” brand, plant based, fruit stained blush at $28.00 a pop!
I’m a diy kinda gal, so this is right up my alley!!
Thx Dr Axe! I’m a huge fan and constantly sharing your articles with my many connections on social media!
Diane,
Curious if you tried the blush recipe, and if so, how you liked it?