Whether you are looking for Copaiba (pronounced CO-PIE-E-BUH) or Ylang Ylang (pronounced EELANG EELANG), using the correct pronunciation for your favorite essential oils is important for navigating the wellness world. This guide will help you master those tricky names, as well as understand essential terms like “EO,” “carrier oil,” and “neat oil application,” to help you on your way to talking like an essential oil pro.

Check out this video to learn how to pronounce the unusual names of five popular essential oils.

Identifying essential oils is a big step, but it’s only part of the essential oil conversation. This essential oil terminology guide will help you take the guesswork out of essential oil lingo, so you can best incorporate essential oils into your lifestyle.

Carrier Oils

Since some oils—particularly hot oils—are sometimes a little too strong when applied directly to the skin, many EO users dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil to help reduce the risk of a reaction during topical application. For example, our V-6 Vegetable Oil Complex, which includes a blend of coconut, sesame seed, grape, sweet almond, wheat germ, sunflower seed, and olive oils, is ideal for diluting oils for sensitive skin.

For more information on finding a carrier oil that works best for you, check out our carrier oil blog post.

Cold Pressed

This technique of extracting essential oils is specifically used for citrus and fatty oils. During this process, a heavy weight is placed on top of the plant material, such as orange or lemon peels, and the pressure of the weight presses the natural oils out of the plant materials.

Diffuse

Diffusion is one of the most popular ways to use essential oils, because it quickly fills a room with your favorite aroma. Our popular YL diffuser uses an ultrasonic plate to quietly disperse water and essential oil particles into the air. Check out our diffusers here.

Dilution

Dilution means to combine an essential oil with a carrier oil. Although oils like Wintergreen, Peppermint, and other hot oils offer a variety of wellness benefits, they should be diluted before they are applied topically in order to avoid a skin reaction. Dilution is especially important when using essential oils with kids and babies. Click here for a kids and babies dilution guide.

Essential Oils or “EO”

You know you’ve arrived when you can stand alone as an acronym. Within the essential oil community, the term “essential oil” is often abbreviated to EO. It’s simple but sometimes confusing to those who are new to the scene.

Hot Oils

Some popular oils such as Cinnamon Bark and Clove have a warming or “hot” oil sensation when they’re applied topically. Other examples of hot oils and blends include Oregano, Thyme, Exodus II™, and Thieves®. We recommend using a patch test procedure prior to your first use to see how it feels on your skin. To perform a patch test, apply 1–2 drops of essential oil to a patch of skin such as the forearm. Observe that area of skin over the course of 1–2 hours for any noticeable reaction; however, reactions occur usually within 5–10 minutes. If you experience a hot or burning sensation or develop a rash, you should avoid using the oil without dilution. Dilute the oil with V-6 Vegetable Oil Complex or another carrier oil and perform another patch test until you find the dilution ratio that’s right for you.

NLBS

NLBS is an abbreviation for Northern Lights Black Spruce essential oil, which is brought to you from the Young Living Northern Lights Farm and Distillery in British Columbia. NLBS offers a woodsy, calming aroma that enhances meditation practices and improves the appearance of dry skin. It’s popular in the YL community.

Neat Oil

The process of applying essential oil “neat” doesn’t refer to being tidy. Instead, “neat” means to apply an essential oil to your skin undiluted. Oils like Lavender, Tea Tree, or Sacred Sandalwood can be applied neat, with no need for a carrier oil.

Photosensitive Oils

A compound called furocoumarin, which is found mainly in citrus oils, greatly increases UV sensitivity. We call these oils “photosensitive.” Before applying an oil topically and stepping out into the sun, check for photosensitive warnings on the label. You can find more information about this and other summer safety tips on our photosensitive blog post.

Steam Distillation

Steam distillation is an effective way to process oils from delicate plant sources such as Lavender or Ylang Ylang. During distillation, a water bath is placed over a heat source with the plant suspended over the water. As the water heats, it creates steam that rises through the plant material. That steam, now heavy with essential oil molecules, moves into a condensing coil, where we separate the essential oils from the water. For more information, watch this video.

Do you want more tips for using essential oils? Check out these helpful posts about interesting ways to use essential oils!

What oil pronunciation surprised you?

Let us know in the comments below!

Article source: https://www.youngliving.com/blog/say-what-become-a-pro-at-essential-oils-lingo/

Work hard, play hard—but don’t forget to relax! A hot bath brimming with bubbles can transform any day into a delightful one. Whether baths are essential to your routine or an occasional indulgence, you are going to love these bubble bars.

Learn how to make them!

Yield: 6-8 bubble bars

Time: About 30 minutes

Ingredients:

1 cup baking soda, plus some extra

1 cup sodium lauryl sulfoacetate (SLSA)*

1/3 cup corn starch

1/3 cup cream of tartar

1/3 cup vegetable glycerin

1 tablespoon coconut oil

1 tablespoon water

20-30 drops essential oil—try our fun suggestions below!

Natural soap dye or food coloring

Wax paper

*What is sodium lauryl sulfoacetate (SLSA)? Not to be confused with sodium lauryl sulfate, SLSA is naturally derived from coconut and palm oils. In this recipe, SLSA’s job is to make lots of bubbly foam.

Instructions:

1. Measure out all dry ingredients, and strain them through a fine mesh strainer to get rid of any clumps. Mix together with your hands.

YL Tip: We wore gloves to keep our hands clean and our manis on point.

2. In a separate bowl, measure out all wet ingredients, including your essential oils. Mix together.

3. Combine wet and dry ingredients. Mix with your hands until you form a dough with a somewhat crumbly texture.

4. Separate the dough into two bowls, and add natural soap dye or food coloring. Mix well by kneading with your hands until the color is fully incorporated. This may take a few minutes.

5. Put one piece of colored dough onto a sheet of wax paper sprinkled with baking soda. Using a rolling pin, flatten the dough into a rectangle shape about ½ inch thick, pressing together any cracks in the dough with your fingers.

6. Place the second piece of colored dough on top of the first, and use a rolling pin to flatten the dough to the same rectangular size as the first. The result is the two pieces layered on top of each other.

7. Using your wax paper, slowly begin to turn the dough over on itself to roll it up. Gently press any cracks together when they form, keeping the roll intact as much as possible. Keep rolling until you have a cylinder.

YL Tip: If your roll is cracking a lot, drizzle a tiny amount of vegetable glycerin on cracking spots to help them stick.

8. Squeeze the ends in to make the roll tight.

9. Cut the roll into slices that are 1-2 inches thick.

10. For best results, let the bubble bars dry for at least 72 hours before use.

To Use:

As you fill your tub, break up the bar under the faucet. The flow of the water will work with the bubble bar to create big, fluffy bubbles!

YL Tip: The swirl design is fun, but there are lots of other ideas out there. You can use cookie cutters to make cool shapes, layer colors on top of each other for a neat stripe effect, or use a mold to get a fancy, store-bought look.

Bubble bar essential oil combos:

Daydream

6 drops Inspiration™ essential oil blend

8 drops Lemon essential oil **

6 drops Pine essential oil

6 drops Tea Tree essential oil

Bubbles a-Bloomin’

12 drops Sacred Mountain™ essential oil blend

6 drops Lavender essential oil

6 drops Geranium essential oil

Do Not Disturb

10 drops Peace Calming II™ essential oil blend

8 drops Cypress essential oil

7 drops Cedarwood essential oil

Spa Treatment

15 drops Eucalyptus Radiata essential oil

11 drops Peppermint essential oil

Home Sweet Home

7 drops Thieves® essential oil blend

7 drops Orange essential oil **

5 drops Frankincense essential oil

4 drops Rosemary essential oil

While you decompress in a bubble bath, use our DIY shaving cream to get your legs the silkiest. Learn more about leading a life of comfort and relaxation with our 9 most luxurious essential oils.

How do you like to relax in the bath?

Tell us in the comments!

** Avoid direct sunlight or UV rays for up to 12 hours after applying product directly to skin.

Article source: https://www.youngliving.com/blog/diy-bubble-bars-with-essential-oils/

Some men live to conquer Mount Everest and wrestle polar bears, and some would rather roll down hills and make balloon animals with the kids. Whatever your day job or hobbies, this DIY men’s cologne will help you find the fragrance that captures the best version of yourself, whether that be Indiana Jones or James Bond.

Making cologne from essential oils doesn’t take an ancient discovery or a complicated heist. All you need is your favorite manly oils and a few basic supplies, listed below.

Before you get started, let’s take a look at the notes that make up a cologne.

Top notes quickly evaporate as they make initial impressions and are usually the first things you smell.

Examples: Lime, Bergamot, Juniper

Middle notes follow quickly after the top notes, tend to be mellow, and create the core of the scent.

Examples: Valor, Pine, Cypress, Stress Away

Base notes are the lingering scents that ground and complement the other notes and are what you smell at the end of the day.

Examples: Cedarwood, Sacred Sandalwood, Patchouli

Supplies:

• Empty 5-ml essential oil bottle
• V-6^™ Vegetable Oil Complex
• AromaGlide Roller Fitment
• One of our essential oil blends below or a custom mix you love
• Custom labels (below)
• Transparent tape

Instructions:

1. Combine oils in the empty bottle until your essential oil blend is balanced. Aim for 30-45 drops of oil in total.

2. Once you like how the blend smells, fill the rest of the bottle with V-6.

3. Insert the roller fitment and put the cap on.

4. Print your custom label (click here to print)

5. Wrap the label around the bottle and secure with transparent tape.

6. Apply your DIY cologne to your neck and wrists.

7. Smell amazing.

Scents to Try:

Whether you want to smell like an adventurer traveling the open seas or a dapper undercover agent, we have the blend for you!

Swaggering Pirate

For a deep and spicy scent, this rich combination adds just enough mystery.

15 drops Bergamot essential oil

8 drops Patchouli essential oil

5 drops Valor essential oil

5 drops Cedarwood essential oil

International Spy

Experience a spicy kind of clean with just a hint of sweet—perfect for all undercover operations.

10 drops Sacred Sandalwood essential oil

6 drops Stress Away^™ essential oil blend

6 drops Black Pepper essential oil

5 drops Vetiver essential oil

5 drops Cedarwood essential oil

Want more manly ideas? Check out Young Living’s Shutran^™ line, which includes shaving and grooming products featuring natural ingredients and essential oils—formulated just for men. The Shutran blend adds hints of Lemon and Lavender to Idaho Blue Spruce and Northern Lights Black Spruce, then brings in Ylang Ylang and Hinoki to round out for the ideal scent appealing to both men and women. Use it in your DIY men’s cologne or check out these other products.

Ready to learn more essentials for him? Check out “The Essential Man: 3 Awesome Oil Life Hacks” and “Essential Oils (and More!) for Your Inner Athlete.”

What other manly essential oil blends have you tried?

Let us know in the comments below!

Article source: https://www.youngliving.com/blog/diy-mens-cologne/

Maybe you’ve mastered cooking with Vitality^™ oils or are a pro at using essential oils in your skin care routine, but did you know you can find Young Living essential oil uses for every hour of the day? We’ve created a sun up to sun down essential oil guide that gets you through the day the YL way!

Your bed is a warm oasis, but you can see the sun streaming through your window. Push back your sheets’ cozy embrace and start your day on an energizing foot by diffusing 2 drops Lemon, 2 drops Citrus Fresh^™, and 2 drops Peppermint.

YL tip: Add a few drops of oil to your Desert Mist^™ Diffuser the night before so you can power on the stimulating scent first thing in the morning.

Now that you’ve conquered the temptation to sleep in, hit the ground running! Dilute R.C.^® essential oil blend with equal parts V-6^™ before your HIIT class, or opt for a more tranquil sweat session by rubbing Myrrh on your chest before yoga practice.

Wash up after your workout with a spa-like shower. Add several drops of Eucalyptus Radiata to a damp washcloth that sits just outside the fall of water for invigorating, aromatic steam. Take your shampoo and conditioner to the next level by adding 10 drops of Cedarwood and Rosemary straight into the bottle to promote healthy-looking hair.

Once you’ve toweled off, a drop or two of Lavender applied topically can help reduce the appearance of blemishes and support aging skin. If you’re so inclined, accentuate your natural beauty with a sweep of blush, a few coats of mascara, and an application of eye-catching lipstick!

You’ve already hit an amazing stride by working out and getting ready! Keep the momentum going with EO-infused fuel that will help you crush your to-do list. Send your kids to school with a kiss and KidScents^® MightyVites™. Now take care of yourself by jump-starting work hours with NingXia Nitro® without worrying about caffeine jitters.

Wow—what a day already! Take a breather during your lunch break to unwind. Skip soda that will result in a sugar crash and instead add 2 drops of Lemon Vitality^™ to icy water for a refreshing punch of flavor. Close your eyes for a minute or read a book while eating to take your mind off the stress of the day! Once you’re feeling rejuvenated, apply Deep Relief^™ Roll-On to your neck and shoulders before jumping back into the bustle of the day.

And by run errands, we mean go online! Did you notice during the kids’ bath time last night that you’re running low on KidScents Shampoo? Prepping the house for weekend guests with Purification^® essential oil blend? Looking for a car diffuser to combat your kids’ hockey bag smell? Ready to make the jump to a plant-based laundry soap with Thieves^®? Head to YoungLiving.com to find even more goodies on your shopping list—and maybe diffuse some Brain Power^™ for a clarifying scent while you try not to forget any of the essentials.

It’s 3 p.m., the afternoon slump has arrived, and your craving for chocolate is at an all-time high! Reach for Chocolate-Coated Slique^® Bars and take a couple of deep breaths to stay focused on the task at hand. Keep your goals in mind and add Inspiration^™ essential oil blend to your diffuser for an uplifting aroma while you power through those long afternoon hours.

Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent, CEO, or student making your way through college, you’ve made it. It’s 5 o’clock and the best part of the day has arrived: dinner! Make a bountiful pasta dish with Oregano Vitality^™, Basil Vitality^™, and the barest hint of Black Pepper Vitality^™. Trust us: the whole family or your invited guests will think you went to cooking school!

Kick your feet up; it’s time to relax! Take a much-deserved bath with Lavender Calming Bath Bombs^™. Once you’ve dried off with your fluffiest towel, massage Tranquil^™ Roll-On onto the back of your neck and let its soothing scent give you some bedtime serenity. Thirty minutes before saying hello once again to the cozy embrace of your sheets, take SleepEssence^™ to support a full night’s rest the natural way.

Is that enough uses for essential oils? No? We didn’t think so! Get even more ideas for your nighttime routine, a balanced life, and a powerhouse day.

What oil is essential to making it through your day? Head to the comments below to let us know!

Article source: https://www.youngliving.com/blog/sun-up-to-sun-down-30-ways-to-use-essential-oils-throughout-your-day/

With a crisp, earthy scent and proven cleansing properties, Melaleuca alternifolia, also known as Tea Tree essential oil, is not only one of Young Living’s most popular essential oils but is also one of the most versatile! Native to Australia, Tea Tree essential oil uses are popular for skin care, overall cleansing, and more. Whether you want healthier-looking skin and hair, or you want a clean and fragrant home, Tea Tree essential oil is a useful must-have.

Moldy and musky odors lurk in dark spaces. Using cleaners and laundry solutions infused with Tea Tree oil will help banish bad odors and leave your house smelling clean and fresh from top to bottom.

1. No need to air your dirty laundry. Instead, freshen it up by adding 2-3 drops of Tea Tree oil to your favorite liquid laundry detergent for extra odor-fighting power.

2. For extra freshness, apply a few drops of Tea Tree oil directly on wool dryer balls to add a refreshing scent to clothes, sheets, and towels.

3. Are you worried about harmful chemicals and harsh additives in your household cleaners? Try making your own by adding 6 drops of Tea Tree essential oil, 4 drops of Lemon essential oil, ½ cup vinegar, and 3 tablespoons of baking soda to a glass spray bottle, then fill to the top with water. Shake to combine ingredients. Voila! This is a great all-purpose cleaner for everything from countertops to door knobs.

4. To tackle those tough sink and shower stains, make your own scrub by mixing one cup of baking soda, ¼ cup of liquid soap, and 10 drops of Tea Tree oil. To tackle stains, grab a washcloth or scrub brush and work it! Store the mixture in a jar.

5. Prepare for a relaxing, good night’s sleep with a homemade linen refresher. Just add 10 drops of Tea Tree oil to a 3-ounce glass spray bottle filled with water. Spray directly onto sheets, towels, and other materials for a bright scent. Sweet dreams!

6. Care for your furry friends with our Tea Tree essential oil-infused Animal Scents® Ointment.

7. If downward dog is making your yoga mat smell like the bottom of a cage, it’s time to give your yoga practice a boost with a good cleansing! Mix 1 cup of water, ¼ cup of witch hazel, 10 drops of Tea Tree oil and 10 drops of Lavender oil in a spray bottle. Spray down your mat after each session to maintain the clean, calming aroma.

8. Diffusing Tea Tree oil will help freshen your favorite gathering spot and keep it smelling crisp and pleasant all day. This is one of the most commonly used oils for eliminating musky odors.

Diffuse one of our popular oil blends infused with Tea Tree oil, like Purification or Melrose, or use the diffuser blend below to feel like you’ve stepped into the woods without ever leaving your home:

The days of sacrificing softness for clean skin are over! By using Tea Tree oil-infused products, you can cleanse and moisturize at the same time! Here are some reasons why Tea Tree oil is an essential addition to your skin care routine.

9. As a natural remedy for body odor, use Tea Tree oil as a natural deodorant by applying 2 drops directly to your underarms after showering to stave off body odor. Be sure to wait about 10 minutes after getting out of the shower, especially if you just shaved, so that your pores can close before applying the oil.

10. Add a few drops to your favorite Young Living moisturizer or face cream.

11. Tea Tree oil reduces the appearance of blemishes and helps maintain healthy-looking skin. Just apply 1-2 drops to a cotton ball and rub directly on your face.

12. Soothe dry skin with our ClaraDerm Spray, which is formulated with Tea Tree oil, as well as Lavender, Frankincense, and other oils to relieve occasional skin irritation.

13. Apply Tea Tree oil to fingernails and toenails to help maintain the appearance of healthy nails. For a relaxing at-home spa treatment, soak your feet in a tub of warm water with a few drops of Tea Tree oil. Trust us! Your aching digits will dig it.

14. Add Tea Tree oil to your homemade soap recipes to benefit from the oil’s cleansing properties.

If maintaining healthy-looking hair has you scratching your head for solutions, the search is over! Here are three suggestions to support the appearance of healthy hair.

15. Add 2-3 drops of Tea Tree oil to your favorite shampoo a few times a week to help maintain a healthy-looking scalp.

16. This recipe for DIY dry shampoo infused with Tea Tree oil eliminates odors and absorbs grease so you can extend that blowout for another day.

17. Create an oil mask by mixing 4 drops of Tea Tree oil with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Apply the mixture to your hair, gently comb through, and let it sit for up to an hour. Then, wash and style your hair as usual.

You can learn more about Tea Tree essential oil with our infographic.  Are you wondering which other essential oils you won’t want to live without? Read this blog to see which ones you are missing.

Which tips are you most excited to try?

Tell us in the comments!

Article source: https://www.youngliving.com/blog/17-reasons-you-need-tea-tree-oil-in-your-life/

With DIY beauty recipes trending like crazy, the dozens of carrier oil options can get overwhelming. When it comes to hair masks, is it better to use shea butter or olive oil? If you want to use an oil that’s odorless, which one will get the job done? How about the most moisturizing carrier oil possible—is that jojoba oil or cocoa butter?

Now that you know what carrier oil you need today, bookmark this blog post on getting to know your carrier oils for future reference. You’ll also want to ensure that you’ve properly diluted your essential oils in DIY recipes, especially when kiddos are involved.

Did we lead you to your carrier oil soul mate?

Let us know in the comments!

Article source: https://www.youngliving.com/blog/quiz-which-carrier-oil-is-right-for-you/

Northern Lights Black Spruce essential oil offers a surprisingly sweet and reliably refreshing aroma. It’s like the friendly, northern cousin of other popular natural essential oils: Sandalwood, Frankincense, and Copaiba. Born and raised on the Northern Lights Farm in British Columbia, this Canadian essential oil is robust and complex, from the first whiff of warm, sweet wood to the deeper, smokier undertones that linger like the scent of a late-night campfire. Here are 10 wonderful ways to use this rich and woodsy oil blend to fill your home with the crisp refreshment of the deep Canadian woods.

Topically

Known to many in the Young Living family as simply NLBS, Northern Lights Black Spruce is a pure essential oil that offers a rich, invigorating scent. You’ll want to wear it all day—and you can with these topical tips!

1. Wear this calm and serene scent as a charming cologne or layer it with Lavender or Neroli for a perfumed pick-me-up.

2. Dilute with V-6™ or another carrier oil and apply to the bottoms of your feet, spine, and the base of your neck to infuse your evening with the tranquil aroma of nature.

3. Add a few drops to your favorite lotion or face cream to boost moisture as you dream about adventure in the Canadian Rockies.

4. Combine a few drops of Northern Lights Black Spruce with a complementary aroma like Cedarwood or Lavender for a massage oil reminiscent of a woodland spa.

In Your Diffuser

Take off to the Canadian forest by diffusing this serene scent in your home, car, or office.

5. Diffuse during quiet moments alone to bring the feeling of wide open spaces to your meditation practice.

6. Try our diffuser blend for a crisp, deep, woodsy smell:

Northern Nights

5 drops Northern Lights Black Spruce

3 drops Cardamom

2 drops Lemon

7. Fill your car diffuser with NLBS before your commute or carpooling duty for its restful aroma.

8. Try a Young Living essential oil blend featuring this complex scent such as Shutran™,  R.C.™, or Harmony™.

In Your Beard and Hair

The moisturizing properties of NLBS make it a great addition to your beard oil or hair serum.

9. Capture its refreshing scent in a beard oil by adding a few drops of Northern Lights Black Spruce and Copaiba to a lightweight carrier oil. Check out our beard-taming tips for even more ideas!

10. Add a few drops to your conditioner to bring the sensation of cool mountain breezes to your morning shower.

Are you ready to branch out to even more woodsy aromas? Check out 8 Practical Tips for Using Oregano, 6 Reasons to Love R.C.™ Essential Oil, and How to Use Young Living’s 3 Eucalyptus Essential Oils.

What’s your favorite way to use Northern Lights Black Spruce essential oil?

Tell us in the comments!

Article source: https://www.youngliving.com/blog/10-ways-to-use-northern-lights-black-spruce/

Think essential oils are just for aromatic or topical purposes? Think again! With Young Living’s Vitality™ essential oil line,* you can go from home cook to culinary artist with easy, elevated dishes! Create mouth-watering recipes that’ll have your family and guests coming back for seconds!

Tips to get started

A small amount of essential oil can make a huge impact on flavor in any dish. Keep in mind the following tips when using essential oils in your recipes:

• Essential oils can be great substitutes for fresh herbs, citrus zest and juice, and spices such as oregano, lime juice, or ground clove.
• Essential oils are potent. We recommend using only 1-2 drops at first, or even the toothpick method when cooking with essential oils: Stick a toothpick through the oil dropper to absorb the oil, then swirl the toothpick through wet ingredients. Give it a taste and gradually add more flavor to your liking.
• Knowledge is key to a successful recipe. Always read the essential oil label before creating your tasty dishes.

Cook smart in the kitchen

Cooking restaurant-quality dishes can be time-consuming and expensive—but it doesn’t have to be that way! Spend less time in the kitchen and enjoy your flavorful meal using Vitality essential oils and these helpful tips:

• Replace hard-to-find ingredients with a Vitality oil. For example, instead of buying coriander from the spice section, use Coriander Vitality™ essential oil.
• Get the most bang for your buck. You need only small amounts of Vitality essential oils in your recipes, so you can recreate or concoct dozens of new dishes from the same bottle!
• Spend less time cooking and more time savoring every bite. Cut down your prep time, including washing, chopping, and slicing ingredients, and add oils instead.
• Savor the fresh flavor with each essential oil use. Have you ever made a dish that calls for a single sprig of rosemary, but grocery stores only sell fresh herbs in bulk? Dried herbs and spices quickly go stale, while Vitality oils retain their powerful flavor.

10 simple ways to use Vitality oils

Ditch the hours spent Pinterest-ing eventual recipe fails and go with these delicious dishes. These vibrant, flavorful recipes will leave your taste buds tingling!

1. Turn lemonade from a summer staple to a gourmet beverage by adding Lavender Vitality™ to your ice-cold pitcher.
2. Start your day the healthy way with a few drops of JuvaCleanse® Vitality™ in your green smoothie.
3. Feeling French cuisine under a moonlit night? Experiment with meat marinades using Tarragon Vitality™.
4. Cozy up by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa flavored with a hint of Nutmeg Vitality™ or Cinnamon Bark Vitality™. For a relaxing evening, try our Lavender hot chocolate recipe.
5. Spice up your store-bought pasta sauce with Basil Vitality™ or Thyme Vitality™ essential oil for an extra zest.
6. Indulge in our guilt-free Peppermint brownie recipe for the whole family to enjoy.
7. Sweeten up your day with a few drops of Grapefruit Vitality™ in your water.
8. Infuse Chinese dishes with the fresh, bold flavor of Ginger Vitality™.
9. Experience a burst of flavor with Orange Vitality™ in your pancake or waffle batter.
10. Cool off your palate with the zest of Citrus Fresh™ Vitality™ in your plain yogurt.

Explore our vast range of Vitality essential oils!

Now that you’re familiar with Vitality essential oils, try our pizza recipe and other holiday recipes on the blog.

*Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult a health professional prior to use. Not intended for use with infants.

What are your favorite tips for using Vitality essential oils in your food and drinks?

Share with us in the comments so we can try them!

Article source: https://www.youngliving.com/blog/spice-up-your-cooking-with-essential-oils/

Antony and Cleopatra, Kermit and Miss Piggy, peanut butter and chocolate—when two soul mates find each other, history remembers. Think of your ideal match while you take our quiz below. We’ll help you find an essential oil love that will last for all time!

We’re quiz obsessed! Want more? Find the diffuser blend to match your mood; then take our quiz to find out which essential oil you should use today!

Tell us: Which essential oil was your soul mate?

Share ways you’ll invite it into your life in the comments below.

Article source: https://www.youngliving.com/blog/quiz-find-your-essential-oil-soul-mate/

Your expert contour and glowing cheekbones are thanks to top-quality makeup, dozens of YouTube tutorials, and beautiful makeup brushes. But did you know that your brushes can become a breeding ground for bacteria? Take a deep breath and brush off that bacteria stress, because we’re here to teach you how to clean your makeup brushes. With this makeup brush cleaner made of simple household ingredients and a few quick steps, your brushes will be cleaner in a snap.

So get to it and clean your brushes!

How to make your DIY makeup brush cleaner

Ingredients

• 1 cup witch hazel
• 4 teaspoons liquid castile soap
• 5 drops Lavender essential oil
• 5 drops Tea Tree essential oil

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Store in a glass bottle.

How to clean your makeup brushes

1. Pour half of the makeup brush cleaner into a cup.
2. Wet the bristles of the makeup brush by holding the brush vertically, bristles down, under running water.
3. Once the bristles are wet, dip them in the cleaning solution.
4. Using a textured surface, scrub the brush in a circular motion.
5. Repeat steps 3-5 three or four times or until makeup is completely out of the brush.
6. Rinse the brush until there are no more bubbles or soap in the bristles.
7. Gently squeeze excess water out of the brush and lay it flat to dry.
8. Discard used cleaner and use the other half of the unused cleaner next week!

YL tips and tricks

• While cleaning and drying your brushes, keep them as vertical as possible, with the bristles facing down. If water seeps into the handle of the brush, it can loosen the glue and cause the bristles to fall out.
• For applicators you use for makeup with a higher concentration of oil—such as gel eyeliner, lipstick, and lip gloss—add 1 teaspoon of olive oil. This will help clean the product out of your brushes, because oil cleans oil.
• Wash your brushes once a week to prolong their life and keep that bacteria buildup off your face.

Now that you’ve found the ultimate makeup brush cleaner, you’re ready to apply your eyeliner like a pro; or maybe you need to relax in a bath after all your hard work cleaning. You choose!

Know of any other ways to keep your makeup brushes clean?

Share the details in the comments below!

Article source: https://www.youngliving.com/blog/diy-makeup-brush-cleaner/