Rosewater « SOUTH BY NORTHWEST

As we all know, the zombie apocalypse is inevitable. It’s going to happen, and it won’t be pretty. The only real question is: will you be ready? Having a stockpile of canned goods and a crossbow at the ready is great, but what if you can’t make it to the nearest Sephora before it’s looted? These are the things I think about, guys. When the worst happens, it will be necessary to have some DIY beauty skills in your back pocket to fall back on. Here are five simple concoctions you can make virtually anywhere, whether you’re holed up in a dilapidated barn or you’re squatting in an abandoned prison (fingers crossed).

3 Tropical DIY Body Scrubs via Hello Glow

These delicious-looking tropical body scrubs will be especially handy for those of you who are in Hawaii when the end comes. You’ll have to mash up the fruit by hand instead of using a blender, but man, is it going to feel good to scrub the grit of the apocalypse off of your skin!

DIY Dry Shampoo via Brit + Co

Showers will be a thing of the past, so knowing how to make your own dry shampoo is an essential skill in a post-apocalyptic world. My sister uses a formula similar to this one and she swears by it. There’s also a version of the recipe for light hair.

DIY Rosewater Face Mist via A Beautiful Mess

This lovely rosewater face mist will feel super refreshing after a long day of fighting zombies (or running away from them, depending on your personal style). Plus, it smells so good, you’ll almost forget that society has collapsed.

DIY Avocado & Honey Face Mask via The Everygirl

DIY Avocado, Honey & Yogurt Face Mask via The Everygirl

Staying hydrated is going to be tough post-apocalypse, and finding a good facialist will be pretty much impossible. But if you learn how to whip up this amazing mask made from avocado, honey & yogurt, your skin will thank you. (Plus, the leftovers are edible.) It’s insanely moisturizing and soothing. Apocalypse or not, this is probably my favorite beauty DIY of all time!

DIY Salt Spray for Hair via Almost Makes Perfect

DIY Sea Salt Spray via Almost Makes Perfect

I admit, achieving perfect tousled beachy waves will likely be low on your list of priorities in the wake of a zombie apocalypse. But this sea salt spray is a pretty good dupe for Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray, and will keep you from looking like death warmed over. Until a zombie bites you, that is.

Which beauty DIYs will you rely on during the zombie apocalypse? Also, who else really misses The Walking Dead already?

♥ Mil

P.S. The best DIY lip scrub and a DIY caffeine serum for undereye circles!

When I was in high school, my family hosted a French exchange student for several weeks, and every day she would apply pure rosewater to her face to tone and moisturize. I was impressed. I was deep into my beauty obsession already, but this struck me as such an elegant, ladylike ritual. I was not-so-secretly delighted when our French guest forgot to pack the rosewater bottle at the end of her visit…

Made from rose petals steeped in boiling water, rosewater has been a beauty staple for centuries. In ancient Egypt, it was used to moisturize and tighten the pores (and Cleopatra was rumored to bathe in it); in India, it was traditionally used as perfume. Though rosewater has been a popular ingredient in beauty products for ages, lately it seems to be enjoying a resurgence.

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In its pure, distilled form, rosewater benefits every skin type. It hydrates dry skin, reduces oiliness, and works to reduce signs of aging. It even has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to soothe sensitive or irritated skin – a spritz or two of a rosewater-based facial mist will refresh your face and help maintain your natural pH balance. In the summer, keep a bottle of this in the fridge and mist yourself with it from time to time. It feels fantastic, especially if you’ve gotten a little bit of sunburn!

In addition to all of that awesomeness, rosewater is gentle and soothing enough to be an ideal component of eye makeup remover. It also nourishes the skin with natural antioxidants and vitamins, making it a useful element in facial treatments and serums. Basically, it’s an all-star beauty product. Move over, argan oil!

Have you tried rosewater, either by itself or in other beauty products? Are you a fan?

♥ Mil

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