“2. Use tomatoes to befriend dirty and oily skin: The natural acids in a tomato loosen dirt from pores. This along with the tomato’s concentration of lycopene, vitamin A and vitamin C make it an excellent treatment for acne and skin cleansing in general. A recommended tomato-based natural product is Burt’s Bees Garden Tomato Complexion Soap or you can make your own tomato face mask.”

When Whole Foods opened the store in Short Pump (Richmond, VA), they actually contacted me!  The Regional Office found me on etsy, and wanted a local body care person.  Not only do they seek out local producers/growers/vendors, the team memebers in the stores are supportive and amazing to work with.  I am not just saying this because I have my products in select Whole Foods, but because I have really enjoyed working with Whole Foods and appreciate their local vendor program.

In honor of local vendor week, last night Whole Foods Market at Fair Lakes, hosted an event Green Your Routine, a do-it-yourself workshop with me, Erika Hollen.

The topic was Green Your Routine– “Get tips on how to simplify your routine, what skin care ingredients are must have, how to create products from your kitchen cupboard, and tips on how to create a spa quality experience on a budget.”  It was a general class so we talked about various brands, not just Jackson Sage, and I mentioned cheap tips (such as using Witch Hazel to Apple Cider Vinegar).  We talked about where to spend the money if you are on a limited budget and why.

And if learning how to Green Your Routine was not enough– then maybe a goodie bag will do the trick!

Samples included full size lip balm from The Merry Hempsters (I got a sample of the Orange flavor and I am loving it), Essence Soap, Brigit True Organics (another local Body Care Company based in Charlottesville), Dr. Hauschka (Although this is everyones favorite natural brand, sadly I can’t use because it has peanut oil in it!), Jackson Sage (Hey that’s me!).

Everyone also received a snazzy handout (that I created) entitled Green Your Routine.  I won’t give you the whole handout, you will have to show up for a class, but, I will give you the DIY Detox Face Mask Recipe with goodies from your kitchen:

1 tsp Honey
5 drops Apple Cider Vinegar
5 drops Olive Oil
1/2 tsp Rice Bran
1/2 tsp Corn Meal
Apply in gentle circular motions, avoid eye area.  Leave on 5-10 minutes.  Wash with warm H2O.

Thank you Fair Lakes Whole Body Department for making this event possible!

Grapefruit & Green Tea Renewing Masque
For All Skin Types
Honey 1 tsp
Adzuki Bean & Rhassoul Microscrub 1 tsp
Grapefruit Juice   1 /2 tsp
Lavender & Green Tea Toner 1 /2 tsp
Rose Hip & Vitamin C Serum 5 drops
Tea Tree & White Willow Bark Serum 5 drops

Directions
Mix ingredients together. (Adjust ingredients for desired thickness.) Cleanse face with Cleanser. Mist face with Hydrating Mist. Leave face damp from Hydrating Mist. Apply masque in a circular motion to face, avoid eyes. Leave on for 5-10 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Post Masque Care
Mist face with Hydrating Mist. Add two drops of Serum to a pea size amount of Skin Cream, apply to face.

Highlights of Additional Ingredients
Shiitake Mushroom Extract (in the Rose Hip & Vitamin C Serum): increase cell turnover, improve firmness and hydration, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Pumpkin Seed Extract (in the Rose Hip & Vitamin C Serum): Smoothes fine lines and wrinkles
Rice Bran (in the Adzuki Bean & Rhassoul Microscrub): A gentle exfoliate that helps to prevent wrinkles, heal blemishes, absorb dirt and balance oils.
Rhassoul Clay (in the Adzuki Bean & Rhassoul Microscrub): Rich in minerals, reduces dryness, improves skin clarity, improves elasticity, and skin texture.
White Willow Bark (in the Tea Tree & White Willow Bark Serum ): anti-inflammatory, clams and soothes skin
Honey: Antibacterial, anti-fungal, increase skin hydration
Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil (in the Rose Hip & Vitamin C Serum): Nourishing and restoring oil. and rich in vitamin E and anti-oxidants.
Helichrysum (in Tea Tree & White Willow Bark Serum ): Antibacterial, and wound healing
Echinacea (Adzuki Bean & Rhassoul Microscrub): anti-inflammatory antioxidant and antiseptic.
Green Tea (in Lavender & Green Tea Toner ): Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral. Helps to protect skin against UV radiation.

Most of us look in the mirror at the end of winter and wish we could find a short cut to a fresh, energized appearance. This simple recipe made with ingredients found right in your kitchen will help spring your dull winter skin back to life leaving it soft and glowing.  So hit the cupboard and transform your kitchen into a spa quality experience.

Bird on Bowl by Tasha McKelvey

Apple Rosemary Masque
For All Skin Types
•Apple Sauce 2 tsp
•Crushed Rosemary 1 tsp
•Cornmeal 1 tsp
•Olive Oil 3 drops
•Honey 1 tsp

Directions
Mix ingredients together. Cleanse face with Cleanser. Mist face with Hydrating Mist. Leave face damp from Hydrating Mist. Apply masque
in a circular motion to face, avoid eyes. Leave on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Post Masque Care
Mist face with Hydrating Mist. Apply Skin Cream.

Highlights of  Ingredients
Apples: Apples contain the alpha-hydroxy acid, malic acid. Alpha-hydroxy acids are known to slough of old tired dead skin cells leaving your skin younger and more radiant, and to stimulate collagen production producing smoother skin. Apples are also rich in antioxidants, Vitamin A and C, to help protect against the signs of environmental damage.
Rosemary: Stimulates circulation, antibacterial, anti-fungal
Honey: Antibacterial, anti-fungal, increase skin hydration
Cornmeal: Gentle Exfoliate
Olive Oil: Nourishing and restoring oil

Kiwi & Pomegranate Masque

For All Skin Types
•Jackson Sage Tea Tree Microscrub 1/2 tsp
•Kiwi & Pomegranate Puree 1/2
tsp
•Jackson Sage Rose & Honey Cleanser 3 pumps
•Jackson Sage Lavender Serum 4 drops
•Honey 1/2 tsp

Directions
Kiwi & Pomegranate Puree
Mix 1 Kiwi and 3 TBS Pomegranate Juice in a Blender. Refrigerate remaining
or add to a smoothie.
Masque
Mix ingredients together. Cleanse face with Rose Cleanser. Mist face with Rose and Aloe Hydrating Mist. Leave face damp from Hydrating Mist. Apply masque in a circular motion to face, avoid eyes. Leave on for 5-10 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
Post Masque Care
Mist face with Rose and Aloe Hydrating Mist. Add two drops of Lavender Serum to a pea size
amount of Lavender Skin Cream, apply to face.

Highlights of Additional Ingredients
* Shiitake Mushroom Extract (in the Rose Serum): increase cell turnover, improve firmness and hydration, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles
* Atlantic Kelp (in the Tea Tree MicroScrub): Helps to remove toxins, and improves skins elasticity
* Licorice Root Extract (in the Rose Cleanser): anti-inflammatory and moisturizer, and brightens and lightens skin
* Rice Bran (in the Tea Tree MicroScrub): A gentle exfoliate that helps to prevent
wrinkles, heal blemishes, absorb dirt and balance oils.

See our live spot on Virginia This Morning on December 12.08.09 between 9-10 am. Where you can see how to make a Lip Balm step by step and hear more about our wonderful vendors!

Lip Balm Recipe by Jackson Sage
Use this simple and fun recipe as gifts, to promote and event or company, or party invites.
This recipe fills 24- .15 oz lip balm tubes.

Step 1: Create Lip Balms

Supplies:

4 fl oz Sweet Almond Oil
4 TBS Beeswax
1- 1.5 tsp of flavoring (Essential oils such as Peppermint, Lime, Lemon, Sweet Orange, Eucalyptus)

Directions:
Add Beeswax and Sweet Almond Oil into a glass measuring cup.

Microwave approximately one minute till beeswax is melted.

Add Flavoring and stir.
Pour into lip balm tubes.

Let cool. If you spill some down the side, let cool and then wipe away.

Where to purchase supplies:
From Nature with Love
SKS Bottles

Step 2: Create Labels

Supplies:

White Full Sheet of Labels (such as Avery 8255
X-acto knife (can use scissors)
Cutting Mat
Label template download. Click here to download.

Directions:
Once lip balms are cool, about an hour, you can add the labels.
Import Label template to word processing program.
Create labels.
Print on highest Quality.
Cute with X-acto knife. Apply to Lip Balm Tubes.

Hints and tips:
Want a firmer lip balm, add more beeswax. Too hard, add more oil.
To test how hard or soft your lip balm will be, after heating oil and beeswax and before poring, place a small amount on a spoon and place in freezer for a few minutes. When it cools you can test the consistency of the mixture.
If oils harden in your mixing jar while pouring into containers, just place back into the microwave for a few more seconds to re-melt.
Mint Essential oils will tingle the lips, less may be more.
Citrus Oils are lighter in scent.

Pumpkins get their rich color from Beta Carotene, a precursor to Vitamin A, making Pumpkins a star free radical scavenger. Free radical scavengers help protect the skin from oxidation which causes skin to become dry and dehydrated. Pumpkin’s natural enzymes unclog pores, remove impurities, and soften skin. Pumpkin Seeds are rich in Fatty Acids that aid in collagen production, while reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

Pumpkin and Apple Masque
For All Skin Types- Dry
Honey 1 tsp
Pumpkin Puree 1 tsp
Lavender Microscrub 1/2 tsp
Apple Juice 1/4 tsp
Rose Serum 5 drops

Directions
Mix ingredients together. Cleanse face with Rose Cleanser. Mist face with Rose and Aloe Hydrating Mist. Leave face damp from Hydrating Mist. Apply masque in a circular motion to face, avoid eyes. Leave on for 5-10 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Post Masque Care
Mist face with Rose and Aloe Hydrating Mist. Add two drops of Rose Serum to a pea size amount of Rose Skin Cream, apply to face.

Highlights of Additional Ingredients
Shiitake Mushroom Extract (in the Tea Tree Serum): increase cell turnover, improve firmness and hydration, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Atlantic Kelp (in the Lavender MicroScrub): Helps to remove toxins, and improves skins elasticity
Pumpkin Seed Extract (in the Rose Serum): Smoothes fine lines and wrinkles
Rice Bran ( in the Lavender MicroScrub): A gentle exfoliate that helps to prevent wrinkles, heal blemishes, absorb dirt and balance oils.

You know fall has arrived when the apples are ready to harvest. Fresh apples make this the perfect time of year to use this beneficial fruit for clearer and smoother skin. Apples contain the alpha-hydroxy acid, malic acid. Alpha-hydroxy acids are known to slough of old tired dead skin cells leaving your skin younger and more radiant, and to stimulate collagen production producing smoother skin. Apples are also rich in antioxidants, Vitamin A and C, to help protect against the signs of environmental damage.

Apple Honey Masque
For All Skin Types
Honey 1 tsp
Apple Sauce 1 tsp
Tea Tree Serum 5 drops
Lavender Scrub 1/2 tsp
Lavender Serum 3 drops

Directions
Mix ingredients together. Cleanse face with Lavender Cleanser. Mist face with Lavender Hydrating Mist. Leave face damp from Hydrating Mist. Apply masque in a circular motion to face, avoid eyes. Leave on for 5-10 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Post Masque Care
Mist face with Lavender Hydrating Mist. Apply Lavender Skin Cream.

Highlights of Additional Ingredients
Willow Bark Extract (in the Tea Tree Serum): Stimulates cell growth, astringent
Honey: Antibacterial, anti-fungal, increase skin hydration
Kaolin Clay (in the Lavender Scrub): Rejuvenates skin, stimulates circulation, and exfoliates and cleanses
Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil ( in the Lavender Serum): Nourishing and restoring oil. and rich in vitamin E and anti-oxidants.

Has summer humidity and sun gotten to your skin. Try this masque that combines Jackson Sage products with fresh veggies and fruits from your garden.

Tomato Masque
Combination- Oliy Skin, spot treatment for breakouts

Tomatoes are rich in Lycopene. What is Lycopene? A small molecule that is rich in antioxidants. Even better tomatoes are rich in other antioxidants– vitamin A and C! Not only that they are naturally acidic, and have cooling and astringent properties.

What does this mean? That tomatoes help get rid excessive oils, help with acne and brighten dull skin.

This recipe uses tomato paste but you can choose, and is recommended, to use pulp your home grown tomatoes.
The measurements are not exact. You will want to form a nice paste that flows easily onto your face.

1 spoonful of Lavender Daily Scrub
1 spoonful of Organic Tomato Paste (or pulp from home grown tomatoes)
1/4 tsp Honey
5 drops Tea Tree Serum
Add Lavender Toner to form a nice flowing paste

Directions
1. Clean face
2. Mist face with Lime Toner
3. Apply Tomato Masque, avoiding eye area, gently in a circular motion
4. Leave masque on for 15 minutes.
5. Remove with a wash cloth and warm water