Saturday, September 28, 2013

Recession Concession: DIY Olio Lusso



Unless you live under a rock, you have heard of this luxury facial oil.  It's enjoyed cult status for several years now.  Beauty Wonkette read about this stuff for a couple of years before trying it herself.  You've already heard the story.  Beauty Wonkette is an oily girl and until she learned to stop being an idiot, she was uber reluctant to use anything "oil" on her kisser.  It didn't take long to love this stuff.  It smells delicious and feels even better.  And, if it wasn't $150 an ounce, Beauty Wonkette would slather it all over her body.  But, it IS $150 an ounce.  True, the ounce goes a long way (if you use it on your face, that is).  And, it's a small price to pay for a totally natural face oil so loaded with goodies it acts like a wheat grass shot for the skin. After 40 years as a top stylist and beauty editor, Linda Rodin blended her favorite oils known for their nourishing, refreshing and soothing properties. The result was this luxurious, aromatic oil that feeds & balances skin whether it's dry, greasy or sensitive. It builds radiant, balanced skin, much less prone to breakouts and it makes you smell gorgeously of jasmine. Beauty Wonkette has been known to add a few drops to foundation for a deliciously dewy effect.  Most days, BW goes sans foundation and likes to rub a tiny drop or two (any more leaves behind a greasy residue) on cheekbones and under eyes for a beautiful, fresh glow.

Soooooo WHAT is inside this precious, pricey bottle?  Well, here are the ingredients:

Jasminum officinale (jasmine) oil, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, prunus armeniaca (apricot) kernel oil, simmondsia chinesis (jojoba) seed oil, oenothera biennis (evening primrose) oil, rosa canina fruit oil, arnica montana flower extract, calendula officinalis flower oil, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) flower oil, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, argania spinosa kernel oil


AND here’s what those natural ingredients provide your skin:

Jasmine Oil: Known for its calming effect on the skin and ability to help increase elasticity
Sweet Almond Oil: An excellent emollient infused with vitamins A, B and E as well as minerals and fatty acids
Apricot Seed Oil: Keeps skin supple with oleic and linoleic acids as well as vitamins A and E
Jojoba Oil: The best carrier oil (at least in BW's humble opinion) for all skin types, replete with vitamin E and magic.
Evening Primrose Oil: Can ease swelling/puffiness and increase blood flow
Rose Hip Oil: High in vitamin C and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) which helps smooth fine lines around the eyes and mouth
Arnica Oil: Another great oil for keeping swelling and puffiness at bay; it’s also a natural healing oil for cuts and scrapes
Calendula Oil: Super-moisturizing oil rich in antioxidants that fight free radicals
Neroli Oil: Loaded with vitamin C and minerals to help improve elasticity and circulation, stimulate cell growth and soften the appearance of wrinkles
Sunflower Oil: Rich in fatty acids that moisturize and protect the skin
Argan Oil: Loaded with essential fatty acids and antioxidants that improve skin’s overall vitality

Obviously, some of these are carrier oils and some are essential oils.  The only one that is fabulously expensive is Jasmine.  Beauty Wonkette went to work to try to recreate a comparable mix - one that she CAN slather all over her body :D  She combed the internet, looked at what others had done, and played around.

Here's a recipe you can try at home:

Sunflower 2 tablespoons
Rice bran 1 tablespoon
Sweet almond 2 Tablespoons
Apricot 2 Tablespoons
Jojoba 2 tsp
Argan 1/2 tsp
Camellia 1 tsp
Jasmine e.o 1 /2 tsp
Sweet orange e.o 1/2 tsp
Neroli absolute 3 drops

BW subbed out the Calendula, Evening Primrose, Rose Hip and Arnica because they're a little too rich for her skin, but don't hesitate to play around with variations.  This version is very smooth, and when applied on barely damp skin, it seals in the moisture and makes it soft as silk. It isn't oily when you use just a couple drops warmed in the hands for the entire face and neck. Smells nice too!

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