coconut oil

relaxing body balm

hi crunchies!

tonight let’s go over a super simple but effective DIY for a silky, relaxing, nighttime body balm.

this recipe only includes 3 ingredients and does not require heat. and guys – IT SMELLS SO GOOD. it’s a complex yet light floral scent, but does not linger long on the skin.

swoon-worthy. you need this waiting for you on your bedside table.

as this is anhydrous, feel free to store it at room temperature in an air-tight container. use 30 minutes to right before your bed time (on feet and body), and let the wonderful aroma help you unwind from the day. i also love this because you wake up with silky smooth skin and feet!

please note the links provided are for your benefit only. they are not affiliate links nor do i benefit in any way – the companies are unaware of this post 🙂

INGREDIENTS:

4 ounces monoi de tahiti oil
- this is coconut oil with macerated gardenias, so do not apply to face
- the source linked is the only one i can find that properly macerates the gardenias. please let me know if you find another!
2 mL cape chamomile (or german chamomile)
- prized and touted as the rare and ultimate relaxant EO, as reflected in the steeper price
- not related to german chamomile; not a suitable substitute, but you could try lavender EO
4 dropper fulls of this magnesium oil
- magnesium can help promote deeper sleep and muscle relaxation. however, check out a post i did here on the science of it.

HOW TO:

blend monoi de tahiti oil, chamomile EO, and magnesium until well incorporated in a small bowl
transfer to UV-blocking, airtight container
store at room temperature
use before bed

sweetdreams. xo, alexraye

Monoi Butter | Organic Monoi de Tahiti Body Butter - Nature in Bottle

coconut oil hair mask removal – no-poo friendly!

crunchy confession: i have deeply missed my coconut oil masks. being a water-only washer, they were completely out of the question. even though i might not ‘need’ them because my hair gets conditioned with natural scalp oils, i really missed them. i think it’s really soothing to massage oil all over your scalp and have your hair smell like real coconuts 🙂

crunchy ideas: i decided to tie my sections of my hair into different ponytails and try to wash the coconut oil out without a low-poo or castile soap. was i nervous? who me?? pshh.. yes. but maybe that was because i decided to do this at 10pm the night before i had to be in the office. not smart on my part, my friends. not smart.

so what did i use? why? what happened?

well… let’s just say i have a no-poo friendly way of washing out coconut oil hair masks. crunchies REJOICE! .

all-natural coconut oil mask remover - no shampoo & no conditioner!

Continue reading coconut oil hair mask removal – no-poo friendly!

razor bump remedy

one of my guy friends always got some sort of razor bumps when he shaved. naturally, i felt the need to help him with a little hippie magic 😉

this is great for both guys and gals, and all your need-to-be-shaved parts.

all-natural razor bump remedy

this is a 3-step process, but it’s so worth it! and it’ll make your skin/his skin smooth as a baby’s butt!

what can you use this for:

any areas you get razor bumps
exfoliation
post-shaving moisturizer

WHAT YOU NEED

salt (finely ground)
emu oil
coconut oil
aloe
witch hazel (alcohol-free)
EOs – optional, to make it smell more “manly” or more “feminine” (but use very little!). you can use certain EOs for certain purposes as well (for example, tea tree oil for breakouts, and lavender for antibacterial/antifungal goodness)

* pre-shave exfoliant – mix 3 parts fine salt with 1 part coconut oil (however much you need to cover the area you’ll need it for). the salt acts as an exfoliant, helping to reduce ingrown hairs and razor bumps, and the coconut oil soothes, heals, and moisturizes skin, while providing some antibacterial action for the razor bumps.
* shaving oil – plain ol’ emu oil. it soothes and heals skin with its abundance of vitamin e and fatty acids. it helps with scarring, redness, and inflammation. and of course, it moisturizes.
* post-shaving moisturizer and healer – mix 2 parts aloe to 1 part witch hazel. dab over areas prone to razor bumps. these 2 ingredients will heal your skin and reduce irritation.

STEP 1 : before you shave

apply exfoliant to damp skin and rub in circular motions for 2 minutes. don’t press down on your skin too firmly
gently wipe off with a warm, wet washcloth until it’s completely rinsed off

STEP 2 : for shaving

apply emu oil to damp skin and rub in circular motions for 30 seconds
shave as normal
wipe excess oil (if any) off with a warm, wet washcloth

STEP 3 : after you shave

dab moisturizer/healer mix onto the freshly shaved area/s with a cotton ball.
allow to air dry
this can be used 1 to 3 times a day, as needed.

DONE! so easy and effective!

last note – if you’re using razors, make sure that they are sharp and clean. you don’t want any jagged or dull blades. those will cause hairs to not be properly shaved, and can push them back into the skin, causing more razor bumps and ingrown hairs!

what do you think? are you gonna try it for yourself or make some for the men in your life? 🙂

hippie stamp Sig

uncle harry’s – product review!

when a reader asked about uncle harry’s products, they immediately caught my eye. they claimed their shampoo contained a mix of apple cider vinegar AND castile soap. in the same bottle. mixed… hold up!

castile soap is nothing but saponified oils… vinegar UNsaponifies these, taking away the cleaning power, and making it look curdled. so naturally, i was so confused.

i emailed them inquiring about the mix and wondered if there was any curdling going on. the reps quickly got back to me, assured there was no curdling AND offered to send me samples.

YES please, of course!!! and they sent me a really nice package of samples! i was pleasantly surprised! i got to try their soapless wash, their shampoo, and their hair oil. hence this product review! and as always, my reviews are ALWAYS honest, at all expenses 🙂

uncle harrys

about uncle harry’s:

taken from their website – “Uncle Harry’s Natural Products is a family run adventure in innovation, dedicated to making earth-friendly products at people-friendly prices. We are extremely proud to offer some of the cleanest and most affordable body care products available. All of our formulations are hand-made using only the finest quality botanicals, including local, organic, and sustainable raw materials… For the past 20 years we have built a reputation for integrity and outstanding value, while maintaining our roots in family, traditional healing, and Earth-consciousness.”

and now…. the products!!

soapless shampoo:

remember the soap nuts i mentioned briefly awhile back for use in no-poo alternatives? well, here’s a soapless shampoo that has them! cool, huh?

i tried this product on the ends of my hair to not upset my water-only routine. it wasn’t drying on my hair at all!

and the 2 best parts – it can be used in hard water (YAY!), and it can double as your body wash!

ingredients: soap nut powder (sapindus mukorossi), reverse osmosis water, grapefruit seed extract, essential oils of eucalyptus, orange, rosemary, and tea tree

shampoo (both aromatherapy and organic):

as with the soapless shampoo, i tried these on the ends of my hair. they lathered up nicely for an organic shampoo and smelled very hippie-like (not in a bad way, haha). i’m strictly a floral scented person, but they weren’t bad!! i did like the lavender aromatherapy shampoo smell. and the smell didn’t linger in my hair barely at all after it was dry.

i didn’t notice a film on my hair after using it (as expected from the vinegar/castile mix), and am still very perplexed about this…. must be magic. i also didn’t get to try this in hard water, but i will very safely assume it will leave a film on your hair if you have hard water (because it’s a castile soap). if you have hard water, go for the soapless shampoo 🙂

as with the soapless shampoo, you can definitely use this shampoo as a body wash!!

ingredients: organic african black soap, organic castile soap, organic apple cider vinegar, reverse osmosis water, organic jojoba oil, organic lemon, lavender, rosemary, and tea tree essential oils.

herbal coconut oil:

this is a hardcore moisturizer! it smells like an all-natural store (if you can think of that unique smell), and a little of it goes a LONG way! it’ll add a great punch of shine, too!

ingredients: organic coconut oil, organic hemp oil, sage, burdock, nettles, lavender, lemon, tea tree, rosemary, geranium oil
(i’m assuming they at least partially used fractionated coconut oil since mine didn’t solidify up too much in the cold. or maybe the amount didn’t affect it.)

——–

i hope you guys get to try uncle harry’s! it’ll be gentler on your hair and skin, compared to other castile soaps that aren’t mixed with herbs and oils. i’d normally advise a diluted acidic rinse still if you use the organic or aromatherapy shampoos, to ensure the ph of your hair is in the range it should be in after using the castile shampoos, but there’s acv in them already. you should be good to go! just remember if you notice more tangling than normal, or a “film” on your hair, reach for your acidic rinse and use it a couple times after shampooing.

has anyone tried this brand? what do you think??

THANK YOU to uncle harry’s for the great samples!! the shampoos are currently being used by my mom, who i’m sure will be the next biggest fan! she’s been searching high and low for the perfect organic shampoo for her, and i think these are perfect!

hippie stamp Sig

just getting started? here are my CRUNCHY MUST-HAVES!

2021 edit: i no longer subscribe to or support the “all-natural” label. more here.

this post is going to be so fun!

i get quite a few readers that reach out to me knowing they want to start, but don’t know where. i felt the same exact way when i switched! i read anything i could get my hands on about natural living solutions and soaked it up like a sponge.

for all y’all that want to ditch the chemicals (and let’s be honest…save tons of money…), but are overwhelmed by everything you can do (completely understandable!), this post is for YOU!

going crunchy (all-natural, homesteader, etc.) is incredibly liberating and yet very daunting. it’s a complete life-changing experience and it’s easy to get lost along the switch to a more natural lifestyle.

so what DO you do?! and with what?!

good news is, you can do pretty much anything you like to & tailor it to your specific needs! bad news is, you have SO many options that it’s easy to get bogged down.

no matter which routines you choose, i’ve picked these 5 products (and some honorable mentions) that will ease your transition and that can be used for multiple things. they’ll all be a fantastic starting point for your new crunchy lifestyle!!
AND i want ALL of you crunchies to leave your “crunchy must-haves” in the comments!! i told ya this would be fun!

here we go!

don't know how to start your crunchy life? look no further than here!

castile soap (either liquid or bar) – this will be your ultimate cleaner. you can dilute it and use it for body wash, shampoo, laundry detergent, all-purpose household cleaner, and even put it in your homemade toothpaste! its uses are plentiful!
baking soda – you can use this as an all-purpose cleaner (toilets, dishes, countertops, drains, clothes, etc), skin and face exfoliation, to relieve heartburn and skin irritations (even poison ivy), in your homemade deodorant, overall odor absorber (including carpet cleaner), cockroach and ant repellant, dry shampoo, etc.
coconut oil – this stuff is my holy grail. i use it for lotion, shaving cream, deep conditioner, eye cream for wrinkles and dark circles, in my smoothies and meals, and in my toothpaste. i always have 2 jars on hand – one opened and being used, and one waiting for me. you want the unrefined (virgin, undeodorized) version!
essential oils – EOs are little liquid miracles. they can be used for anything and everything from helping rid infections to just plain ol making things smell great. you should use EOs with lots of caution, and with a plentiful amount of research under your belt. see this beginner’s guide to EOs for a quick learning blip.
apple cider vinegar – this can be used as a facial toner, acne spot treatment, hair “conditioner”, all-purpose household cleaner, deodorant, wart treatment, sunburn relief, in water for a drink or on a salad to balance your body internally and cleanse your lymph nodes and flush out candida (ladies!), fabric softener, fruit cleansing bath, etc. you want the raw, unfiltered kind!

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

bentonite clay – you can use this on your hair & skin, and as an internal/external detox. i even put it in my toothpaste!
aloe – you can use this on your skin, hair, and even consume it. it’s wonderous! i love it in my morning glass of water and as a hair conditioner.
raw honey – again, you can use this on your skin, hair, and consume it! i LOVE it as an acne spot treatment and deeeep conditioner. you can literally wash your face with honey, too!
arrowroot powder/corn starch (non-GMO) – i use this stuff for dry shampoo, make-up, and deodorant. a little goes a long way for multiple uses!
sea salt – you can use this for cleaning, body scrubs, etc. you can mix it with coconut oil and EOs for a fantastic body scrub that’s completely unique to you!

and of course, always have an abundance of glass jars for all your concoctions!! ❤

WELCOME TO THE CRUNCHY COMMUNITY!! ❤
need to buy anything? check out my resources page for trusted companies and brands!

(fellow crunchies– WHAT ARE YOUR CRUNCHY MUST-HAVES??)

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DIY no-‘poo alternative shampoos & conditioners

2021 edit: i no longer subscribe to or support the “all-natural” label. more here.

as we know, no-‘poo can be pretty difficult to master. i did “no-‘poo week” in hopes i’d help a lot of people. but there’s still one huge thing i wanted to address & publish…

diy natural shampoos and conditioners

for some people, baking soda/acv isn’t the route to go. neither is castile soap. but what do you do when those no-‘poo methods don’t work for your hair, but you don’t wanna go low-‘poo?

try these homemade alternatives i’ve gathered up! these do require more time, but you should be washing your hair much less, so no big deal, right? 🙂

as with any no-‘poo/low-‘poo method, there is a transition period when you first switch from regular shampoo/conditioner. and with these following recipes, using hair products is not advised since there’s nothing in these mixes that will clean the products back out of your hair.

also, these methods won’t lather (unless you add soapwort). that doesn’t mean it’s not getting your hair clean!
also also, these mixes are okay for both hard and soft water.

lastly, these ingredients can be found at your local organic store and local health food store. call & check! if not, there’s always online!

shampoo

lemon shampoo

mix 1/3 cup lemon juice with 2/3 cup water for oily hair OR 1/4 cup lemon juice with 1 cup water for normal hair
*you can add 1 tbsp acv for those with dry hair
put into container and use as shampoo
this might lighten hair over time if you’re in the sun a lot

hibiscus shampoo

place either 2 fresh or 2 dried hibiscus flower petals and leaves into small blender
add 1/2 cup water
blend into paste
use as regular shampoo
*you can also use powdered hibiscus for homemade blush/eyeshadow!

powdered shikakai shampoo (for sensitive scalps, hair growth, and hair root strengthening)

in a sauce pan, mix 1 tbsp shikakai powder, 1 tbsp amla powder and 1 tbsp reetha powder into 1 1/2 cups water
heat till almost boiling, and turn the heat to low
let simmer for 10-15 minutes
strain and use the liquid as shampoo

soapwort shampoo

chop 1 1/2 tbsp dried soapwort
bring 2 cups water to a boil
add soapwort to boiling water, and stir a couple minutes
cover and let simmer for a 1/2 hour
strain, put in container, and use as regular shampoo
*this WILL be sudsy! (for those that miss bubbles!)

fuller’s earth shampoo

mix enough fuller’s earth with water to make a watery paste
apply mix to hair and rub on scalp as you would regular shampoo
rinse very, very well

castile shampoo mixes- a gentler castile method (use distilled water)

mix 1 part liquid castile soap to 8-10 parts distilled water (or even diluted further if you can)
mix with: aloe vera; raw honey; argan oil; jojoba oil; avocado oil; coconut milk; vitamin e oil; a few drops of various essential oils; etc.
keep in container and use as regular shampoo

*tea shampoo (for added color & gray coverage)

for added color and gray coverage benefits, use tea instead of water in ANY of the shampoo mixes that have water
black teawill help darken hair over time (3-5 bags steeped for 1 hour)
chamomile tea will help lighten hair over time (3-5 bags steeped for 1 hour)
red or rooibus tea will help add red to hair (3-5 bags steeped for 1 hour)
add 1 tbsp sage (or equal parts if you’re goin hardcore coverage) to help cover grays
…remember to strain before you add to your mixes 😉

shikakai & soapnut shampoo

here’s a great tutorial on it. & she claims it takes out oil treatments from your hair too. that’d be great! … if anyone wants to test that claim and get back to us here at AE, more power to ya!

you can add steeped mint leaves and/or various essential oils to ANY of these mixes

**if you want a sudsy lather, steep soapwort and add it to any shampoo mix (soapwort instructions above)

conditioner

these conditioners are geared towards no-‘poo-ers. these will rinse out with your regular no-‘poo routine 🙂

coconut oil (dry, damaged hair… but it’s golden for everyone)

mix 1/3 cup warm water with 1/2 teaspoon melted organic unrefined coconut oil
you can add a few drops of any essential oil- lavender, orange, rose, etc. mmm!
keep in container and use as regular conditioner (shake each time)

raw honey

mix 1 teaspoon raw, organic honey into 2 cups very warm water (not hot) until honey is thoroughly dissolved
put into container and use as you would a regular conditioner

avocado oil (frizzy hair)

mix 1/2 cup warm water with 1/2 teaspoon avocado oil
put into container and use as regular conditioner (shake each time)

vitamin e oil

mix 1/2 cup warm water with 1/2 teaspoon vitamin e oil
put into container and use as regular conditioner (shake each time)

sweet almond oil

mix 1/2 cup warm water with 1/2 teaspoon sweet almond oil
put into container and use as regular conditioner (shake each time)

coconut milk

apply as much coconut milk as needed to cover the length of your hair (if you choose to use canned, make sure there are no added sugars or preservatives. you don’t want a sticky mess in your hair)
use as regular conditioner
the best coconut milk is homemade. no sugar, no preservatives, etc. and the best part? you can drink it! so delicious & healthy! yay!
– i’m not sure what i did wrong with this one, but it left my hair dull and limp. i know it’s supposed to be amazing! i’ll try it again someday

other deep conditioners

*obviously water and oil don’t mix. shake mix vigorously before applying. the water is there to help to keep the oil from “sticking” in no-‘poo hair, but will still give hair moisture.

2-in-1

only 1 mix needed for these bad boys!

eggs

whip up a couple egg YOLKS
use as shampoo, let sit 10-15 minutes, and rinse well!
*there is a such thing as too much protein in your hair! please don’t use this more than once a week. and even that is still too much for some people’s hair. you’ll know you have too much protein in your hair when it starts to break/snap easily. sounds counter-intuitive, but it’s true! that being said, eggs are GREAT for hair. don’t let the protein thing scare ya off

aloe

use as much pure, organic aloe vera juice or gel as you need to cover all your hair from roots to ends
let sit a 10-15 minutes (shave/bathe?) and rinse well!

cucumber/lemon

blend 1 peeled cucumber and 1 peeled/de-seeded lemon in a blender
use mix as shampoo

coconut milk/aloe combo

see my recipe here

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please keep in mind some of these shampoos/2in1’s will expire quickly. use common sense 😉 i suggest making only what you need, and keeping extras in the fridge! the conditioners listed do NOT need to be kept in the fridge.

any shampoo/conditioners YOU love? let’s hear it!

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coconut oil hair mask

2021 edit: i no longer subscribe to or support the “all-natural” label. more here.

since i’m no-‘poo, my hair can get dry easily if i don’t remember to put argan oil on after i wash it. also, winter is NOT friendly to hair. at all. here’s a simple and AMAZING way to get super, SUPER shiny and soft hair.

coconut oil hair mask

and the best part? it’s organic/natural and only one ingredient! coconut oil. such a miracle oil! i’m obsessed with it, seriously.

WHAT YOU NEED

2-5 tablespoons of coconut oil (depending on the thickness, length and dryness of your hair)
comb
plastic wrap/shower cap/soft t-shirt

1. melt a few tablespoons of coconut oil in the microwave (i used 3 tablespoons and microwaved it for 20 second intervals, stirring between. adjust amount of oil according to your hair’s thickness, length and dryness) (**i melt mine in the microwave because i use so much. i realize it melts when you touch it. it’s just easier for me than continuously melting chunks in my hands:) )

2*. let it cool down some if you chose to microwave it!

3. apply that messy oil! …depending on what you’re using this for, you may only want to put it on the ends of your hair or everywhere but your scalp, orrrr ALLLLLL over (i did all over this time. it’s messier, but my hair feels and looks incredible. try it!

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4. gently comb/brush your hair to evenly distribute the oil all over your hair

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5. wrap your hair up in a shower cap/plastic wrap and leave it in 45-60 minutes OR leave it in overnight. you can put put your hair in a braid or bun then wrap it in a soft t-shirt and sleep in it (i highly suggest this way! it maximizes your results)

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6. when time’s up, take your hair down and wash, wash, wash. it took me three washes (but i don’t use store-bought shampoo) to get all the oil out. with regular shampoo, twice should do it.

7.*condition your hair after you wash it if you want, but i’m tellin ya, you won’t need it 🙂

repeat this mask every one to two weeks

VOILA, happy, healthy hair!! look at the shine! i wish you could feel how soft it is.

coco hair

IMPORTANT>> no-‘poo-ers: the baking soda/ACV routine will NOT take coconut oil out of your hair! please don’t even try. you can use this mask and take it out with a castile soap (i use dr. bronner’s, diluted half and half with distilled water.. followed by an acv rinse) OR grab a low-poo and wash it out. the low-poo will be MUCH gentler on your hair, and wont’t require an ACV rinse after. try to go that route if you can.
also, instead of doing a full-on CO mask, you can do a quick conditioner after you wash with 1/2 teaspoon melted coconut oil mixed in a cup of warm, distilled water. just put that on the ends of your hair after you shower, then rinse 🙂 you can also try wetting your hair before you apply the mask next time. this will help tremendously in getting it back out!
if you’re sitting with oil in your hair and no alternatives, and if you’re okay with using a shampoo this ONE time to get it out, use a cheap shampoo (think $1 shampoos) and completely keep it away from your scalp. make sure NONE of the ingredients end in -xane, -zane, -cone, or -conol, as these will coat your hair in silicones and you’ll have to start the no-‘poo process all over again. no one wants to do that again!

ps – there are no-‘poo friendly ways to deep condition! check them out here!

and to everyone else (shampoo users…): if you’re still having trouble getting it out, either wet your hair before you do this mask OR switch to a lighter oil like jojoba or apricot kernel.

i get asked this a LOT, so here’s the deal: UNREFINED vs REFINED COCONUT OIL:

refined CO has been through bleaching & high heat processes and also can sometimes have lye added to it or be hydrogenated, making it a trans fat. while it might make your hair feel softer, you’re not actually giving your hair anywhere the same benefits you would from unrefined. & you definitely do NOT want to eat that one!
unrefined is the purest form with the most health benefits (and the kind that can be eaten!). your hair will thank you!

i think this about covers it all 🙂

homemade deodorant

homemade all-natural deodorant (that really works)
2021 edit: i no longer subscribe to or support the “all-natural” label. more here.

in yet another attempt to be more “green” and natural in my every day routine, i have switched to homemade deodorant. i’ve waited quite some time to actually post this because i wanted to be 110% sure i knew EXACTLY what i’d be getting you guys into if you decide to switch. (see the 4 week update at the bottom of this post!)

i’ve already gone no-‘poo, no lotion, no hair products of any kind, and now i’m ditching the breast cancer-linked aluminum and all-around nasty, chemical-y junk in store-bought deodorant. this stuff WORKS, people! i wouldn’t lead you astray! i swear by my own armpits IT WORKS. give it a try! give it a good few weeks long try, because your body will need to adjust!!! 🙂

for this recipe, i’ve scoured pinterest and other blogs, and this seems to be the best combo for ME. if you don’t sweat as much, don’t put so much baking soda in. if you still smell, dab a cottonball with raw apple cider vinegar and swipe each pit a couple times before applying…. it’s all about finding what works for YOUR body and getting rid of those darn chemicals!

1. old deodorant container OR wide-mouth jar (i started with the jar and didn’t like the deo touching my fingers, so i put it in an old deo stick. i will say that during the winter the stick would be okay, but if your home/apartment/whatever is warm, or if you’re making this in the spring/summer, please keep it in a jar. mine was just chillin on the bathroom counter and melted everywhere as i took a hot shower once. egh!)
2. 5 tablespoons organic coconut oil. i used the non-deodorized version and it smells heavenly!
3. 1/4 cup cornstarch (update: i’ve added about a spoonful more to this mix now)
4. 1/4 cup baking soda (if you’re sensitive to baking soda, substitute with bentonite clay, or use a different homemade deo)
5. **essential oils of your choice, if you want to add any. i added arabian rose and LOVE it!
6. bowl & spoon, to mix

1. mix all ingredients together in a bowl… keep at it till it’s allll smooth and turns into a thick, dry-ish paste
2. put in in your container. voila!

1. either scoop a dab from your jar, or get a couple clicks/turns out of your stick
2. apply like regular deo 🙂
3. *give it anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks before you make any permanent choices. i know that’s a super long time, and the adjustment period might have you smelling a little funkier than usual, but your body will adjust to taking care of itself after a few weeks. i promise! i’ve been doing this for about a month now and i don’t want to go back to regular store deo. you’ll see improvements after the first couple weeks, and hopefully that’ll be enough motivation to keep it goin 🙂

UPDATE (5/3/2013):

i think my body has fully adjusted, so it took me 4 weeks. i’ve read it took others 6-8 weeks, so i chalk it up to being completely chemical-less in my beauty routine and eating healthier.
but as of this past week, i barely smell bad at allllllll anymore. and i only put this on when i wake up in the morning, and after my showers if i need it.
i did add more cornstarch (about a spoonful) and it’s made a great difference in the sweating. i don’t notice nearly as much sweat as i normally had with store deodorant.

i’ve also switched to keeping mine in a small, screw-top jar. it’s getting warmer out and the coconut oil leaked out of my old deo container. i actually think i prefer it in the jar!

UPDATE (7/2/2013):

if you’re sensitive to baking soda, or allergic to coconut, HERE are some other all-natural deodorants you can make (spray and/or roll-ons). check ’em out!

lemme know if you guys try this or any version of homemade deo! i’d love to hear about it!