Welcome to another installment of Bionic Beauty Homemade with Joycey Couture!

What do you get when you wash your hair everyday in the midst of winter? You guessed it- dry hair!
In my quest to find a solution, I came across this recipe. Time for show and tell!

Has the winter months wreaked havoc on your hair? Try this DIY cucumber hair drench!

Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• 1 eggshell’s worth of olive oil>
• 1 quarter of a peeled cucumber

Directions:

Blend the egg, olive oil and peeled cucumber together in a large bowl and spread it evenly through your hair. Leave the mixture on for at least 10 minutes and rinse thoroughly. For the best results, use this treatment monthly.
Also great during those beach and pool filled months we call summer.

Oo la la!

Stay Bionic,

Welcome to another installment of Bionic Beauty Homemade with Joycey Couture!

Looking for a way to maintain a radiant, healthy glow in the midst of winter? With no need to measure a thing, try this simple recipe!

Want skin as soft as this baby? Try this DIY Oat and Honey Facial Cream!

Ingredients:

• Oats
• Honey
• Yogurt (Plain)
• Ground Almonds

Directions:

Mix some of your oats and a few spoonfuls of honey together, sprinkling in additional oats to thicken the texture. Then add yogurt and the ground almonds. Continue to stir until creamy. Gently apply the mixture to your face and leave on for 5-10 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water.

Hello gorgeous!

Stay Bionic,

Welcome to another installment of Bionic Beauty Homemade with Joycey Couture!

Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s day- if there is only one thing in the world that is a certainty in life it’s that we all have chocolate in the house this time of year.

Once regarded as bad for our health, research has proven that dark chocolate is healthy- and not just to eat. The compounds found in chocolate can actually benefit the skin.

Time to melt down that left over Christmas candy!

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tbsp cream, plain yogurt, or sour cream
• 3 tsp oats

Sooth your skin throughout the candy season with this scrumptious chocolate face mask!

Directions:

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Apply the mixture to your clean, dry skin and leave on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.

Enjoy!

Stay Bionic,

Welcome to another installment of Bionic Beauty Homemade with Joycey Couture!

Dancing snowmen? Flying reindeer? Talk about a season full of myths! As it turns out however, there is at least one thing we can trust to come this winter- welcome to my face, dry skin.

Time to thaw out those chilly weather blues by winterizing your skin with this new recipe that I’ve come to love. Peppermint when used as an infusion is much gentler than peppermint essential oil, while cucumber soothes and feeds the skin with silica.

Ingredients ~

• 1/2 of a fresh medium cucumber
• 5 ounces (150 ml) filtered tap/mineral water
• 1 packet peppermint tea
• 2 oz (60 ml) aloe vera juice
• 2 drops vitamin E oil
• 1 oz (30 ml) carrot juice (optional)

Sooth your skin this winter with a homemade Cucumber, Peppermint and Aloe face mask!

Directions ~

First, puree the cucumber using a blender. Next, prepare the peppermint tea using filtered water and allow it to steep for 3 minutes. Then combine with the rest of the ingredients and shake well.

The peppermint, when used as an infusion in this blend, is much gentler than peppermint essential oil, while cucumber will help sooth and feed your skin silica.

When the mixture is ready, you can either rub it on your skin or even add it to your bath water.

Storage ~
Refrigerate the mixture [and keep it away from your beverages for obvious reasons! ] and it will stay good for at least 3 days. You can even toss it in your freezer for a quick skin reviving treatment through the summer months.

Stay Bionic,

Welcome to another installment of Bionic Beauty Homemade with Joycey Couture!

With the temperatures dropping, there really isn’t much more enjoyable that I can think of than a relaxing bath. Why not try this simply, festive bath salt recipe that will help boost your mood and reduce fatigue?

Perfect for the holly-daze... A DIY Peppermint Bath Salts recipe will melt your worries away!

Ingredients ~

• 1/2 cup Epsom salt
• 1/4 teaspoon peppermint oil *
• 1 drop red food color (optional)

The magical creation ~

First grind the salt into a fine powder and pour into mixing bowl. (Hint: A coffee grinder or a mortar and pestle work wonderfully for this!) Then simply add the remaining ingredients.  Stir well and let it dry overnight.  Store your new bath salts in a sealed jar.  Makes 4 ounces.

To use ~
Add 1 tablespoon to bath water and enjoy!

* Why chose Peppermint besides it’s obvious delicious scent? Peppermint oil, originally from Europe, is often referred to as the “world’s oldest medicine.”  As hard as it is to imagine, the world has been using the oil for almost ten thousand years!  Such uses range broadly from removing ticks to soothing the common stuffy nose. This recipe also makes a wonderful gift for your loved ones!!

Stay Bionic,

Welcome to another installment of Bionic Beauty Homemade with Joycey Couture!

This week’s DIY beauty recipe is multi-functional and super easy to make. This sea salt beachy hair spray conditions your hair, refreshes it with a light scent, and you can use it for a styling product! Simply spray it in your hair, twist your hair gently into tendrils, let them hang that way until you’re ready to leave the house (or car), then lightly comb through with your fingers – instant beachy, bed-head waves!

Create your own Beachy Sea Salt hair styling and conditioning spray!

What you’ll need…

• A 6-8 ounce spritzer/spray bottle (I save my empties from previous spray-in conditioners or hair sprays)
• Plain water (distilled, tap, spring, whatever)
• Very fine grain sea salt (find it in the spice aisle at your local grocery store)
• Spray leave-in conditioner (I love Paul Mitchell’s Awapuhi Moisture Mist and L’Oreal EverPure’s UV Protect Spray!)
• 2-5 drops of pure Coconut Oil

Creating your own beachy spray…

1. Fill your spritz bottle 2/3 full with water.
2. Add one teaspoon sea salt and shake well. Keep on shaking until all the salt is dissolved.
3. Pour in about 3/4 of an inch to 1 inch of Leave-in Spray Conditioner (Use less if you have normal hair or the full inch if you have dry hair.)
4. Add 2-5 drops of Coconut Oil (You can vary this amount depending on your scent preference.)
5. Shake it up and spray away! Be sure to shake the bottle each time before applying.

Like options? Don’t miss another way to make your own hair Sea Salt Spray!

Stay Bionic,

Welcome to another installment of Bionic Beauty Homemade with Joycey Couture!

With Fall upon us, and winter quickly approaching, I’ve been grasping for my lip balm like mad woman! Dry air, wind, and cold temperatures all play a factor in drawing moisture away from the body, and lips are often the first to show signs of dryness.

Make your own lip glosses for holiday presents with these recipes

Want to try whipping up a lip balm or two? Why not! Besides, they also make perfect and inexpensive stocking stuffers.

Basic instructions~
First and foremost, you’ll need containers for your lip balms. You can buy them at most drug, dollar, and craft stores- or just look online! Another tip is to save those tiny mineral makeup sample jars- they work perfectly.

Next, decide your melting method. There are a few options here- you can use hot water or a double boiler, but I’ve found the microwave to be the easiest. Just be sure to keep an eye on things, use small increments of time in the microwave, and only heat to the melting point.

Time to pick your flavor!
With the holidays just around the corner, I thought I’d share a few recipes that seemed fitting. ‘Tis the season!

Cranberry Lip Gloss Recipe
Ingredients~

• Sweet Almond Oil
• Cranberries
• Honey

Mixing instructions~
Microwave one tablespoon of your Sweet Almond Oil, 10 fresh cranberries and 1 teaspoon of honey until mixture starts to boil. Then, gently crush the berries and stir it all very well. Strain the liquid through a fine sieve to remove any solids, then pour the mixture into the containers and let it cool completely before using.

Candy Melt Lip Gloss Recipe

Mix up your own candy-flavored lip gloss!

Ingredients~

• Paraffin wax
• Coconut Oil
• Petroleum Jelly
• Candy melt
• Plastic zip bag

Mixing instructions~
Add 1/4 teaspoon of grated paraffin wax, 1 teaspoon Coconut Oil, 1 teaspoon Vaseline and 1 candy melt to a plastic zip bag. Place the bag in a bowl of hot water until all of the ingredients have melted. Knead the bag a bit to mix the liquids together, then simply snip off a corner of the bag and pour the mixture into the containers. Let cool until set before using.

Don’t forget, these ingredients and varieties are jumping-off points to get your creativity flowing. Pick flavors and oils you love!

After a few weeks hiatus, I’m back with another installment of Bionic Beauty Homemade with Joycey Couture!

Shoo fly, don’t bother me with this homemade, and all-natural, Bug Repellent spray!
After spending two long summers in muggy Charleston, I’ve come to cherish my insect repellents – at least the ones that have held their own against the mighty strength of the Southern bugs!

Joycey Couture gives you an easy way to make your own all natural bug repellent!

I’ll be honest, this do-it-yourself recipe isn’t the simplest due to the amount of ingredients, but it was quite fun creating the mixture and then realizing it actually works. And works well! It also smells great, and is safe for 2-legged kids and 4-legged fur-kids (i.e. your pets) to use. I know Jami has some mixed up especially for her Amazing Woo!

There are specific essential oils that will need to be bought for the recipe to work for you. You can find these essential oils at your local natural food market or on Amazon: $3.98 for 10ml of Peppermint Oil, $2.95 for 10ml of pure Eucalyptus Oil, and $3.15 for 10ml of Citronella 100% Pure Essential Oil.

As most of you have probably heard- eucalyptus and citronella have natural bug repelling quality; peppermint is also known for its bug-off properties. Peppermint has proven to be very effective against mosquitoes and other winged critters. And bonus- it’s smells delicious!
See ya later bug bites! You can buzz off!

Gather your ingredients…

• 1/8 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/8 cup rubbing alcohol or (yes, I’m going there) plain vodka. Just be sure to not use any fruit flavored vodkas!
• 1/8 cup distilled water or reverse osmosis (RO) water
• 25 drops eucalyptus essential oil (about 1/4 teaspoon)
• 25 drops citronella essential oil (about 1/4 teaspoon)
• 50 drops peppermint essential oil (about 1/2 teaspoon)
• Small spray bottle

Mix ‘em up directions…
Pour everything into the spray bottle and shake well. Make sure to shake it up before each use.

Stay Bionic,


P.S. Not up to making your own natural insect repellent? Stay tuned to Bionic Beauty! On Tuesday, November 16 I’ll be posting a review of an all-natural bug spray that’s super affordable!

Welcome to another installment of Bionic Beauty Homemade with Joycey Couture!

An apple a day could help you keep the dermatologist away! Apples are known for doing wonders for your skin. In all honesty, they are believed to have such amazing properties that they could make your skin nearly flawless.

Refresh, tone, and soften your skin with this DIY Apple Face Mask recipe!

Apples contain Calcium, Iron and Vitamin A; and provide natural antibacterial, antioxidant, astringent and toning properties for your skin. As an added bonus, the iron in apples add a natural flush, giving your cheeks a healthy glow. Sounds good, right? I thought so…

Give this face mask a whirl and your skin will not only feel refreshed and nourished, but also a little softer and a little smoother.

Gather your ingredients~

• 1/2 of an apple - or - 1 tablespoon Applesauce (regular flavor and unsweetened is best)
• 1 tablespoon Wheat Germ (most regular groceries carry this now either by the cereal aisle or the legumes and beans – if not, you’ll find it at your local natural food store)

Make it and wear it~
Purée the apple in a blender or add applesauce to a small bowl. Mix well while adding in the wheat germ gradually to form a paste.

For best results, apply the mixture to a well washed, lightly scrubbed, and steamed face. Then allow the mask to set for 10-15 minutes. If you have sensitive skin, start with a shorter time span to be super safe (fruit and citrus acids can irritate some people’s skin). Also don’t forget due to the iron in apples, your cheeks may be a bit more pink than usual… this is a completely normal!

While you’re waiting, eat the rest of that applesauce or apple to boost your body from the inside!

Rinse with lukewarm water and moisturize.

Feel free to share your ideas on other uses for apples in our beauty routines, or ideas for variations of this recipe, in the comments section below!

Stay Bionic,

Welcome to another installment of Bionic Beauty Homemade with Joycey Couture!

Whether you enjoy your coffee black or with cream and sugar… what do you do with the leftover grounds?
If your answer is the trash- step back and close that lid. It’s time to take that coffee goodness to your shower and mix up your own all-natural Coffee Body Scrub!

• 3 Tablespoons used coffee grounds (Caffeinated coffee works best for the extra benefits I’ll go over below…)
• 1 Tablespoon salt (optional – table salt is fine, or use a fine grade sea salt)

How you make it~
Brew a fresh pot of coffee and enjoy a cup or two.  Within 20 minutes or so of brewing (to avoid oxidation), mix the damp grounds and salt in a small bowl.

How you use it~
Scrub mixture over entire body while in the shower.  Rinse well, and moisturize.

Why you should use it~

• Caffeine extract (derived from coffee) is used in numerous beauty, cosmetic and skin care products; as well as vitamin supplements.
• Caffeine has been found to constrict blood vessels underneath the skin- which can help you by improving cellulite, under eye circles, and even conditions such as rosacea.
• Another added plus!  The caffeine scent not only wakes your senses, but it will also detoxify your skin naturally of any odors while exfoliating dead skin cells.  The detoxing effects stem from coffee’s natural anti-oxidants which help battle the effects of oxidants and pollution on your skin.

Have you tried any DIY homemade beauty recipes that included coffee as an ingredient?

Stay Bionic,