Today I thought I'd focus on roses. No idea why, really, but I've noticed that there are an abudance of beauty recipes out there that involve roses in one way or another, so I thought I'd compile them for you in one easy place!

After all, did you know that...

Roses are naturally astringent and help to cleanse the skin, removing surface dirt and oils. Or that in order to make rosewater, you can boil rose petals in distilled water?

Rose Oil and Honey Face Mask

Rejuvenate and replenish your skin. Sweet almond oil, which is light and easily absorbed, softens and nourishes skin. Honey as natural humectant, moisturizes, leaving even tired skin incredibly smooth.

2 T Honey
2 T Sweet Almond oil
5 drops essential oil of Rose
1 drop Vitamin E oil
Mix honey, sweet almond oil and essential oil of rose.

Massage onto clean face and neck with fingertips. Relax for 15 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water. Gently pat dry to reveal a fresh, soft complexion.

Sumptuous Rose Bath

1 Cup Rose Petals OR
1/2 Cup Rose Water (found in health food stores)
1/2 Cup Coconut Milk

To Make: Draw a warm bath. Add the Rose petals (or any type of pesticide-free edible flower) or Rose Water and Coconut Milk.

To Use: Slip in tub and relax for 10-15 minutes. Rinse, tone, then moisturize.

Dry Skin Homemade Lotion

3/4 cup of almond oil
1/3 cup of coconut oil or cocoa butter
1 teaspoon lanolin
1/2 oz grated beeswax
2/3 cup rosewater
1/3 cup aloe vera gel
1 to 2 drops rose oil
1 vitamin E capsule
Directions

Melt almond oil, coconut oil, lanolin and beeswax over low heat. Mix well and let cool.

Mix rosewater, aloe vera gel and rose oil. Add the contents of the vitamin E capsule. Whip this mixture into the beeswax mixture until well blended. Store in a jar with a tight lid.

Almond Rosewater Body Lotion

1/4 cup rosewater
1/4 cup glycerine
2 tbs. witch hazel
1 tbs. almond oil

Mix together rosewater and glycerine. Add witch hazel and almond oil. Stir completely to dissolve. Pour into a pretty bottle!

Rose Mask for Combination Skin

Soak 5 rose petals and soak in water and then crush them. Add 2 Tbsp rosewater, 1 Tbsp yogurt and 1 Tbsp honey (heat in a microwave for a few second to melt it) and mix well.

Cream Deodorant

Cream Deodorant
1/2 ounce cocoa butter
1/2 ounce beeswax
1 Tbsp glycerine
1 Tbsp rosewater

Melt cocoa butter and beeswax slowly in the top of a double boiler. Remove from heat, add glycerine and rosewater. Add several drops of one or more of the following deodorizing esssential oils: calendula, coriander, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, rosemary, sage, or thyme. Stir before use if cream seperates.

"No-Sweat" Tea

The following herbs, when brewed and drunk as a tea are reported to reduce perspiration within 2 hours of use with its effects lasting several days:

4 cups boiling water
1 teaspoon dried hops
1 teaspoon stinging nettle
1 teaspoon fresh cut rose petals
1 teaspoon fresh or dried strawberry leaves
1 teaspoon fresh walnut leaves
3 tablespoons of dried sage leaves

Combine all ingredients, cover and steep for an hour. Strain and sweeten with honey if desired.

Queen of Hungary Water

This water can be used as an astringent, aftershave, deodorant, hair and skin tonic and even as an inhaled headache remedy.

1 part roses
1 part lavender
1 part rosemary
1 part sage
1 part orange peel
1 part lemon peel
2 parts mint

To 2 ounces apple cider vinegar, add 2 ounces of the above herbal formula. Put in an air-tight glass jar, let steep for about 2 weeks. Strain and add 1 1/2 cups pure distilled rosewater. Pour into a decorative, air tight decanter and use daily.

Rose Water & Glycerine Astringent

1/2 pint olive oil
1 ounce rose water
a few drops of glycerin
1 ounce vodka

Rose Petal Steam Facial

1 pot fresh water
1 handful rose petals

Boil the water, then remove from heat and toss in the rose petals. Steep 5 minutes, so rose oils diffuse into water. Lean over pot at least 10 inches from surface and drape towel over head. Close eyes; steam 5 minutes with breaks as needed. Rinse with cool water, then pat dry.

Rosewater Recipe

1 C. rose petals
1/2 C. rubbing alcohol
1 1/2 C. water

Simmer rose petals in water for 10 minutes. Strain. Preserve with alcohol or just refrigerate without preserving. Store up to 1 week in the refrigerator.

Royal Rose Toner

1 tablespoon dried rose petals
1 cup white wine vinegar
1/2 cup rosewater

Mix together the rose petals and vinegar and let sit for 2 weeks. Strain well and stir in the rosewater. Pour into a bottle. Spray on or apply to skin with a clean cotton ball.

And since roses are said to banish melancholy, I hope these recipes help to wash the blues away for you!