Pure Beauty: Simple Recipes for a Naturally Beautiful Body

This book has a lot of good ideas on how to make different beauty products for the hair, skin, and body.

I'm quite confused by the reviewer who indicated that this book is filled with extremely difficult and time-consuming industrial techniques. I think she may be reviewing an entirely different book! On the contrary, the recipes here are easy, accessible, and suitable for beginners of all ages and skill levels. In fact, the instructions for the vast majority of the recipes are along the lines of, "Combine the ingredients in a prepared container and blend well." The most "complicated" of all the recipes merely involves melting ingredients in a double-boiler or microwave. Many other books with do-it-yourself recipes are challenging; this really is not one of them. As an aromatherapy educator, a natural health and beauty product fanatic, and a make-your-own products junkie, I love this pretty book filled with simple recipes and beautiful treatments. I must have a dozen books on creating natural beauty products at home, but I find myself turning to this one again and again, not only for the variety and simplicity of the recipes but for the gorgeous, pampering results! The book is organized into groups of recipes for the face (masks, toners, moisturizers), body (cleansers, scrubs), hands & feet (creams, balms, nail conditioners), and hair (shampoos, conditioners, herbal rinses). The "face" section also features a wonderful assortment of fun and easy tooth powders, mouthwashes, and lip butters, too. A chapter on getting started introduces ingredients, preparation techniques, and gets the reader comfortable with the highly addictive process of creating all-natural alternatives to chemical-laden and outrageously priced commercial lotions and potions. A glossary defines terms, and a list of resources provides ideas for where to purchase the items called for in the recipes, although this should not be a problem. Most items are very easily found at grocery or natural health stores (spices, herbs, essential oils, oats, sweet almond oil, witch hazel, rose water, and the like). Some of my favorite treats include Almond & Jojoba Lip Butter, Cinnamon & Clove Mouthwash, Sweet Citrus Body Polish, Sandalwood & Lavender Hair Treatment Gel, Lemon & Rosewood Hand Oil, Rose Geranium Bubble Bath, Herbal Bath Sachets, and many, many more. Your skin, hair, and nails will thank you for getting this book.

The book's clear instructions and color photographs are excellent. However, procedures used are extremely time-consuming and require a lot of hands-on work. Basically, they're industrial techniques adapted for home use. Entirely different from making cold process bar soaps. Even for experienced hot process soap makers, at least 3-4 hours are needed to complete the initial phase. In the recipes, you have to be comfortable with using solvents and thickeners. Neutralizing and sequestering agents too. pH control and preservatives can be significant issues as well. Aside from that, you won't find a better consumer-level book on this interesting subject. GREAT book!