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5 natural remedies for a good night's sleep

Written by on April 2nd, 2018.      0 comments

Sleep blog Natural sleep remedies

To celebrate the changing of the seasons - and that delicious extra hour in bed as the clocks fall back - here are some of our favourite natural sleep remedies and rituals to recreate at home.
Natural sleep remedies
1. Aromas for sleep
Creating an association between a particular fragrance and bedtime can be an easy shortcut to sleepiness. Here's how you can easily perfume your bedroom:
 
  • Make your own homemade pillow mist to spray before bed. Fill a 60ml amber bottle with distilled water and a few drops of Geogard 221 preservative, plus 10-15 drops of your chosen essential oils. Lavender, vanilla, ylang ylang, bergamot and Roman chamomile are all popular stress-relievers.
  • Scent the whole bathroom in one go by popping a couple of drops of soothing essential oil (mentioned above) in the bottom of the shower tray before having a shower. The steam will fill the bathroom with a calming aroma.
     
  • Light a scented candle (we love NZ maker Crushes' lavender and lemon "Bonne Nuit" candle). The flickery glow of candlelight, and low lighting generally, is known to be soporific.
 
 

Go Native Makers | Lavender Abbey founder Jan Abernethy

Written by on March 25th, 2018.      0 comments

Lavender Abbey

A decision to move to the Wairarapa for a more self-succifient life saw Jan and her partner Stuart found Lavender Abbey, growing lavender for essential oils and beauty products. We asked Jan to share her natural cosmetics journey, including some of the challenges and highlights along the way.
 

Video tutorial | Cocoa butter belly balm

Written by on March 15th, 2018.      0 comments

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These nourishing cocoa butter belly balm sticks are perfect for expectant mums! They're designed for use before, after and during pregnancy, with the gorgeous natural scent of organic cocoa butter...
 

Introducing our new facial serums

Written by on March 13th, 2018.      0 comments

 
Introducing our new pre-blended facial serums, designed to repair and replenish.

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Go Native Makers | Hair, make-up and nail artist Tanya Barlow

Written by on March 12th, 2018.      0 comments

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"There's an incredible freedom and feeling of accomplishment in making my own products" - Auckland-based hair, make-up and nail artist Tanya (aka @HelloTanya) shares her natural cosmetics journey, and the advice she's picked up along the way.


 
 
Hi Tanya! Tell us a bit about yourself – where do you live, and what do you do for a day job?
Hello! My name is Tanya, and I'm a freelance hair, make-up and nail artist! I have a home-based nail salon in Mount Eden where I regularly see nail clients when I'm not doing make up for photoshoots or film/television...
 
 

How to make a balancing cream cleanser

Written by on March 1st, 2018.      0 comments

Cream cleanser
Balancing cream cleanser

Hydrating and balancing while still cleansing, this creamy formulation removes grime and make-up nicely without over-drying. Use with a hot muslin face cloth.
 
 

Meet the team | Go Native founder Elinor McEwan

Written by on January 22nd, 2018.      0 comments

Elinor one

2018 means two new faces at Go Native, so we thought we'd take the opportunity to introduce and (re-introduce) you to the whole team, starting with Go Native founder Elinor McEwan.

My day usually begins with...feeding our two cats to make them happy, and ends with...making sure there’s enough food out for them; they are former strays so get panicky if there is no food in sight, and come and tell me about it!
 

Tingly and effective homemade muscle rub with essential oils

Written by Elinor on January 21st, 2018.      0 comments

Homemade tingly muscle rub

 

There's nothing quite as confronting as a set of stairs or a heavy bag of groceries a day after exercising a bit too hard. This easy, homemade muscle salve cuts right to the chase, penetrating deep into the muscles with a fiery but soothing tingle. 


Ingredients
60g olive oil
15g beeswax
10g eucalyptus blue gum essential oil
5g capsicum oleoresin
5g camphor essential oil
5g cajeput essential oil    

Method
Melt the beeswax and olive oil gently. Add the rest. Stir.
Pour into a container or tube and leave to set.



(Note: Heat gently, only until beeswax is melted. Do not heat in microwave.)

 
 

Green clay mask

Written by Elinor on November 21st, 2017.      0 comments

Green clay mask

Water Phase
160g water
Oil Phase
18g avocado oil
8g emulsifier NF
6g conditioner pellets
Last Phase
35g green clay
1.5g Geogard 221
few drops geranium essential oil
Method
Separately, heat the Oil and Water Phases until the former is melted.
Cool down until both phases are at 65°C.
Pour the Oil Phase into the Water Phase and blend with a stick blender until thick.
Add the Geogard and essential oil. Blend.
Add the green clay and blend.
Spoon into a 200ml pot.
To use: Spread on your face with clean fingers. Wash off after 10 minutes. Great for dry, sensitive skin.







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Botanical cream

Written by Elinor on November 13th, 2017.      0 comments

Botanical cream with rose geranium & ylang ylang

(Makes 200g)
Water Phase
115g water
25g rose hydrosol
25g lemon verbena hydrosol
25g calendula extract
Oil Phase
20g conditioner pellets
15g organic shea butter
10g pracaxi oil
5g argan oil
5g meadowfoam oil
Last Phase
2g Geogard 221
2g rose geranium & ylang ylang essential oils
Method
Heat Water Phase to 65°C.
Heat Oil Phase separately until melted. Cool to 65°C.
Pour Oil Phase into Water Phase and blend until thick and creamy.
Add Last Phase and blend again.
Spoon into pots.
This rich cream has a soft, silky feel and is quick to absorb.









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Velvet cream

Written by Elinor on November 7th, 2017.      0 comments

Velvet cream

Water Phase
160g water
12g hydrolysed wheat protein
Oil Phase
25g organic shea butter
20g conditioner pellets
20g organic coconut oil
12g calendula infused oil
Last Phase
2g Geogard 221
2g lavender essential oil
Method
Heat Water Phase to 65°C.
Heat Oil Phase separately until melted. Cool to 65°C.
Pour Oil Phase into Water Phase and blend until thick and creamy.
Add Last Phase and blend again.
Spoon into pots.
Quick to absorb with a soft, velvety feel.




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Rose clay mask

Written by Elinor on October 16th, 2017.      0 comments

Rose clay mask

Water Phase
160g water
Oil Phase
10g rosehip oil
8g pomegranate oil
8g emulsifier NF
6g conditioner pellets
Last Phase
25g white clay
10g red clay
1.5g Geogard 221
few drops rose fragrance oil
Method
Separately, heat the Oil and Water Phases until the former is melted.
Cool down until both phases are at 65°C.
Pour the Oil Phase into the Water Phase and blend with a stick blender until thick.
Add the Geogard and fragrance oil. Blend.
Add the two clays and blend.
Spoon into a 200ml pot.
To use: Spread on your face with clean fingers. Wash off after 10 minutes. Great for dry, mature skin.









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Lavender moisturiser stick

Written by Elinor on October 3rd, 2017.      0 comments

Lavender moisturiser stick

(fits 1 deodorant tube)

20g organic deodorised cocoa butter

20g white beeswax

20g organic shea butter

20g grape oil

few drops lavender essential oil

Melt the butters and oils gently.

Add the essential oil. Stir.

Pour into a deodorant tube and leave to set.




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Rosemary shaving cream

Written by Elinor on September 27th, 2017.      0 comments

Rosemary shaving cream


Ingredients
40g organic shea butter
30g organic virgin coconut oil
20g kukui oil
5d bergamot essential oil
5g rosemary essential oil

Method
Melt the butters and oils.
Add the essential oils and leave to set.
Whip the solid mixture until it doubles in volume.
Spoon into a 200ml pot.
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Vanilla bath truffles

Written by Elinor on September 12th, 2017.      0 comments

Vanilla bath truffles

This recipe uses the disk moulds.

360g baking soda
180g citric acid
Mix these together and add:
50g macadamia oil
30g organic natural cocoa butter, melted
1/2 tsp vanilla essential oil
Stir well.
Divide the mixture in half. To one half add:
1 tsp bronze satin mica
Mix well.
Press the mixture into the disk moulds in whatever colour combination you fancy.
Put on the lids and leave to set.
When set, they pop out of the moulds really easily.


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