A naturopathic expert specializing in natural cosmetology, Sara Duménil launched the Formule beauté brand in France in 2016, with a mission to make homemade cosmetics accessible to everyone. Sara is dedicated to offering a solution for those who seek healthier alternatives to conventional skincare products and aspire to create their own natural skincare formulations. Through this book, Sara aims to provide a diverse collection of straightforward and efficient recipes, using minimal ingredients. Her aim is to harmonize the practice of creating homemade cosmetics with the demands of our hectic lifestyles. Sara lives in a small city outside Paris, France.
BOOKLIST (American Library Association) for Handmade Spa: Natural Cosmetics, and Natural Soaps These two titles from the Handmade Spa series, focusing on eco-friendly recipes to make at home, are beginner ready and divided into three, easy-to-work-through sections. With beautiful photography of both processes and finished products, each book begins with an introductory chapter on definitions, ingredients, needed equipment, and safety practices. Both books include recipes for face, body, hair care, hygiene, and general well-being items and accessibly explain the organic ingredients used on a chemical level. Reader-crafters will find fun, inspiring, and creative alternatives to harsh soaps and beauty products. French skincare company founder Duménil guides readers in making their own cosmetics. First, she goes over skin types and basic cosmetic textures, including emulsion, gel, balm, lotion, and treatment oil. Then come the recipes, which contain notes on length of time needed to make, if they are good for all skin types and suitable for children, how long finished products will keep, how to use the finished product, intended benefits, such as cleansing or moisturizing, and tips for customizing with essential oils. Recipes for hydrating detox masks, nourishing lip balm, cleansing lotion, and roll-on deodorant are well explained and approachable. In Natural Soaps, Soapmaker Boué educates readers on the process of making beautiful and environmentally safe soaps. She first explains how soaps are made and what equipment is required before delving into recipes for soaps using almond milk, honey, beeswax, spirulina, and marigolds (for baby). Recipes are straightforward, include information on each soap's best uses and the skin type it benefits and note product suitability for children and pregnant women. Step-by- step photos are vibrant, beautiful, and helpful. — Nataya Culler BOOKLIST Young Adult: Skin care and earth-friendly products are a hot commodity for teens; these titles pointthem in the right direction.