Monday, January 20, 2014

Organic Beauty with Essential Oil by Rebecca Park Totilo


Organic Beauty with Essential Oil by Rebecca Park Totilo
  • Paperback: 328 pages
  • Publisher: Rebecca at the Well Foundation (January 13, 2013)

Source? the publisher via Premier Virtual Author Book Tours

FTC Disclosure: The publisher provided me a copy of Organic Beauty with Essential Oils in exchange for an honest review.  The review below and the opinions therein are my opinion.

Why? My family and I have been trying to slowly switch over as many products as possible to those that are more natural.  We know they're better for us, they're easy to get, easy to make, and most don't test on animals either.  While Totilo's book is not about the animal testing aspect, I have vowed to find other options other than the big name companies that still test cosmetics on animals.  More natural living is what's best for us, Earth, and our animal friends.  I can't imagine why someone would not want to know more about this.

What Now?

GIVEAWAY!

While I'm trying out more essential oil products from Organic Beauty with Essential Oils, the publisher has allowed me to give away one copy to a reader.  Just post a comment below with your blog address and email.  Also, tell me what experience you have with essential oils and natural beauty products.  


Looking for that perfect all-natural aromatherapy bath product? One that will keep your skin looking great, is appealing to smell, has actual therapeutic benefits, and doesn't break the bank? Well, here it is! Sweep aside all those harmful chemically-based cosmetics and make your own organic bath and body products at home with the magic of potent essential oils!
In this book, you'll find a luxurious array of over 400 Eco-friendly recipes for skin care and hair care such as Exotic Patchouli Massage Oil, Zesty Banana-Lemon Foot Cream and Jasmine Bath Bombsfilled with breathtaking fragrances and soothing, rich organic ingredients satisfying you head to toe.
Designed with the naturalist in mind, each formula draws from essential oils' well-known skin rejuvenating effects, showing you how to best care for your unique skin and hair type using all-natural botanicals. Included you'll find helpful tips and customizable recipes - all with step-by-step instructions - so you can have the confidence knowing which essential oil to use and how much when creating your own body scrub, lip butter, or lotion bar!
Discover how easy it is to make bath treats like fragrant shower gels, dreamy bubble baths, luscious creams and lotions, deep cleansing masks and facials for literally pennies using only a few essential oils and ingredients from your own kitchen with Organic Beauty with Essential Oil.

Golden Lines

The chemical constituents found in essential oils actually work in harmony with your body and have an amazing ability to rejuvenate your skin, unlike synthetics.  Essential oil-based treatments are far more effective than the ones the cosmetic companies churn out. (4)

As a sensual body ritual, women understood that bath oils not only helped to retain their skin's youthful glow but that they reduced cellulite and fat, promoted healing, and relived stress. (54)


What I Liked 

Charts - all throughout Totilo's book, after she discusses a particular process or type of product, she then provides the reader with a chart of basics, amounts, kinds of essential oils, dilution rates, when, for what condition, or what skin type on which to use which oils, etc. 

Backache Relief Bath Oil (58) - as a runner, I'm constantly battling achy muscles and joints.  I knew at first glance that I wanted to try this "recipe."  Eucalyptus makes me feel peaceful no matter what, so mixing it with almond oil and thyme...oh my, thyme...just gave the entire bathroom an incredible smell, not to mention me, and of course how much better I feel afterwards :) 

After Totilo provides the basics, the charts, and recipes of her own, she then provides a very basic template which the reader can customize with her own favorite scents.  Very helpful for us beginners!

I love the little oil bottles and the suggestions for gifts.  These were my favorite pictures :) 

Most of the recipes seem very easy...there are some (soaps, for example) that you do have to cook, but if Bug Off Citronella Soap (108) can naturally keep Mississippi mosquitos off my family this summer, it will be well worth the a little extra prep time.  

Coffee Body Scrub (141) - I made and used this on a cold Saturday morning shower...I'm a coffee lover already, but I wasn't sure about how I would feel smelling like coffee.  Oh. My. Goodness.  I didn't really like coffee...just a crisp, warm, smell...and I was ready to take on the day with silky smooth skin to boot!

The chapter on Lip Balms and Glosses - my girls and I go through tons of this stuff...tons.  Once I started paying attention to what was in the sticks we were using, I was appalled. Can't wait to make lots of these!! 


What I Didn't Like

I'm a very visual person, so I like to see lots of photos and illustrations in cookbooks, how-to's, etc.  


Overall Recommendation

Anybody who's interested in healthier products for body care should spend some time with Totilo's book.  I've only been able to try a few of the product recipes, but I have tons more marked to try next! 

The Author





Other Stops on the Tour

Follow the Tour:
So Many Precious Books Jan 2 Review & Giveaway
Teena in Toronto Jan 3 Review
Daddy Blogger Jan 5 Interview  7 pm pst Google Hangout- Live
Saving for Six Jan 6 Review
Taking Time for Mommy Jan 7 Review
Library of Clean Reads Jan 8 Review
Just Another New Blog Jan 8 Review & Giveaway
Indie Review’s Behind the Scenes Jan 10 Live Radio 7pm
Luxury Reading Jan 13 Review & Giveaway
Daddy Blogger Jan 15 Review
Let’s Talk About Books Jan 16 Review
Deal Sharing Aunt Jan 17 Review (postponed)
Princess Gummy Bear Jan 17 YouTube Video Demo
Peppermint Ph.d Jan 20 Review & Giveaway
Mrs. Mommy Booknerds Jan 21 Review
Beagle Book Space Jan 22 Review
Joy Story Jan 23 Review
I’d Rather Be At the Beach Jan 24 Review & Giveaway
Thoughts In Progress Jan 27 Review & Giveaway
Sincerely Stacie Jan 28 Review
Beauty Is a Sleeping Cat  Jan 29 Review
Sammy The Bookworm Jan 30 Review  & Giveaway
Genuine Jenn Feb 3 Review