Last week, we introduced you to The Ultimate Natural Beauty Book on Ecollo. Written by Josephine Fairley, the book teaches just how simple it is to make your own cosmetics (hint: easy enough that the author claims you can do it if you can melt chocolate), and contains over 100 recipes for cleansers, moisturizers, poweders and everything in between.

Jo Fairley believes in knowing every ingredient that we put on our skin, and after learning that women expose themselves to over 200 chemicals before leaving the house in the morning, there is definitely a strong case for taking the DIY approach to beauty products. This week, we'll feature a different recipe from The Ultimate Natural Beauty Book everyday so you can see that creating your cosmetics really is feasible.

Rich Rose Moisturizer 

The perfect, rich-textured, sumptuously scented night-time moisturiser for thirsty skin. If you like, add 10 drops of frankincense essential oil as well as the rose. Frankincense is renowned for its anti-ageing powers.

2 large handfuls of fresh, scented rose petals
50ml (2fl oz) sweet almond oil or extra virgin olive oil
5g (1/4oz) beeswax granules or grated beeswax
1 teaspoon wheatgerm oil
15 drops rose essential oil

Pack the rose petals in a wide-necked glass jar and cover with sweet almond oil. Bruise the petals with a spoon in the jar, to start the maceration process, and seal the jar. Position it where it can absorb sunlight daily (a south-facing windowsill is just perfect), to speed up the infusion process. After 3 weeks, strain off the rose-infused oil.

Heat the beeswax in the sweet almond oil in the top of a double-boiler until melted. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before adding the wheatgerm oil and rose essential oil. Cool for a further 1-2 minutes then pour into a sterilised glass jar to set thoroughly. The mixture will harden, but it emulsifies when you touch it.

TIP: Wheatgerm acts as a natural preservative; you don't need to keep this refrigerated. If you can't find wheatgerm oil, you can pierce wheatgerm capsules, available from natural foodstores, and measure into a teaspoon.

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