200 Tips, Techniques, and Recipes for Natural Beauty

November 1, 2014

Does a rejuvenating argan oil and rose facial balm sound tempting? Or a happy hibiscus and cinnamon red hair rinse? Beautifully photographed and designed, Buck's guide will entice readers to turn their kitchens into beauty labs. An herbalist, aromatherapist, and blogger at freshpickedbeauty.com, the author displays her expertise in the text's attention to detail. For example, essential oil charts specify each ingredient's botanical name, extraction method, pricing, shelf life, benefits, and more. There is also a comprehensive index. A large array of recipes addresses the needs of all skin and hair types, and the focus on techniques provides context for best practices. While many ingredients are available widely (e.g., teas, baking soda, coconut oil), those such as essential oils, clays, and waxes require specialty stores or online shopping. Buck covers nearly any question a reader might have. For instance, the section on lip care discusses balms, glosses, and scrubs, as well as vegan alternatives to beeswax and container selections for finished products. VERDICT Especially suited to people seeking natural options for beauty products who are interested in experimenting with advanced and fresh methods.--Meagan Storey, Virginia Beach

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