green tea toner

i'd like to share another natural beauty recipe i've been

using for a few months and feel good about.

green tea skin toner

it's not beautiful to look at so there's a little adjustment when comparing it to the store bought

usuals we see.  but just like a dear friend, i don't even notice her little flaws or if i do, 

i know and appreciate that her virtues far outweigh her foibles.  

Green Tea Toner

4 green tea bags or 1 tablespoon loose leaf green tea

2 teaspoons dried lavender buds

1/2 cup alcohol-free witch hazel (liquid)

Place the green tea and lavender buds in a glass jar and pour the witch hazel over to completely cover the dry ingredients.  Cover and put on a cool, dark shelf for 2 weeks, shaking a few times a week.  

After the two week steeping period, remove the tea bags and strain out the lavender.  If the liquid has reduced to less than 1/2 cup, you can add additional witch hazel.  Store in a covered container.  

Refrigeration feels nice and soothing but isn't necessary.

(recipe from Heather and postroadvintage.com)

since the toner is alcohol free, this recipe is gentle enough for those of us with normal skin.

if you have oily skin, you will particularly enjoy incorporating it into the middle of your 

daily facial cleansing, toning, moisturizing routine.

the witch hazel cleanses and removes excess oil while the green tea and lavender buds soothe and nourish your skin.  gorgeous.

the jar on the right is the freshly made batch of green tea toner i put together this morning.

the jar on the left had steeped for two weeks in the cupboard, so i strained it and is now all ready to use.

during this process, i glanced out the window and just had to share the 

peaceful scene that greeted me............a fresh, calm, nurturing morning.