Customer Reviews

Do It Gorgeously: How to Make Less Toxic, Less Expensive, and More Beautiful Products

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Definitely my favorite of the Gorgeously Green books!! I get so tired of what I like to call "Organic Conspicuous Consumption" - the "I'm so Green because all 538 of my yoga outfits are made from organic cotton" school of thought, and I love the idea that our grandmothers and great-grandmothers were green without even trying to be. On the other hand, I struggle as much as the next person with sacrifice and self-denial. I'm definitely very into using all sorts of eye creams and anti-aging things on my face - it's my biggest beauty expenditure. Well, I've already made a few of the beauty products, and I'm totally in love! Do you have any idea how much money I'm going to save this year?!

Aside from the Beauty Product recipes, my other favorite part is the 5 Uses for Common Household Items - having them grouped like that makes so much sense, as far as actually incorporating them into your life.

I'll admit that as I leaf through the book, I occasionally get DIY Fatigue (I can't make EVERYTHING homemade!!!"), but then I remind myself that even focusing on one or two of the chapters (for me it's beauty and cleaning supplies) can make a big difference...

Wonderfully fun and inspiring!

Length:: 2:25 Mins

I just got the book, the day before yesterday and have already made two beautiful non toxic skin care products that I LOVE. I never thought that I could "DO IT", but it is so easy you wont believe it. I made the AHA skin mask and the hand sanitizer in minutes for pennies. I think I would call this book SAVE IT Gorgeously as I think I will save so much money and many trips to the store. getting out my needle and thread to try some of the other ideas. SUPER CRAFTY this one. easy read, very fun. cool video too.!

I can't get enough of this book. It is so accessible and easy to follow, that things I used to think were too intimidating, I can accomplish easily. I have already made the facial scrub, eye serum and some of the cleaning products and I have to say- they work just as well as the expensive stuff (maybe better). Aside from the cost, I feel so much better knowing how much research Sophie Uliano has done so that I know that everything is natural (and when it's not she explains that as well).

With stories coming out every day about the dangers in the daily products we use (even the ultra-expensive ones),this book is a must-have resource.

I loved the first book by Gorgeously Green, but was disappointed with this new one. The DIY stuff is more complicated then I wanted. I thought it was mostly about making your own make up and cleaning supplies. This goes into sewing and fixing stuff around the house. If I had seen the book in a store first, I would have never bought it.

I bought this book a month ago for the skin care recipes. The other chapters have great information too.

I have been trying various homemade recipes in order to get away from the high cost and to have more control over what goes on my skin in addition to better quality ingredients. But although the recipes I found where wonderful, most of what I found were made of ingredients that require you to make it every day. Or take a lot of steps to make. Or were not suitable for me.

This book has a lot of recipes that are simple. The lotions are wonderful and there are enough for every skin type. Uliano provides encourages you to customize them to suit. They keep in the fridge from weeks to months depending on the ingredients. Going to the fridge every time is hardly a problem considing the problems with the preservative used.

The only criticism is that the instructions dont say whether you need fresh or dry flowers for the infusions. I have been using dry or pre made rose or lavender water. I am using the kindle version and some times it would be more helpful to use the index but there are no links.

The point is made that there is an initial investment. I have fount that the amount you use is small enough that it is definitely economical in a relatively short period of time. The essential oils will keep for years.

I absolutely love this book. Not only was it engaging, it was eye-opening. The best part about "Do It Gorgeously: How to..." is that it gives the reader excellent reasons, as well as motivation, to want to be more "green". Uliano uses facts to support reasons to avoid certain things, but I found one or two blanket statements on something being bad that left me asking, "Why is that so bad?" Overall, she gives the reader excellent reasons on the "whys" of things such as:

- the reason to avoid scary, chemical cocktails found in frequently-used beauty products
- the surprising unhealthiness of the carpet under our feet
- the possible toxicity of some home furniture

Living up to the title, the author gives readers alternatives to replace "bad" items with something greener and healthier, many of which can be created at home with easy-to-access tools and ingredients. Better yet, the recipes are simple! The only downside is that some ingredients (ex. virgin coconut oil, ascorbic acid powder) aren't available at your neighborhood grocery store. Fortunately, many of those items are available at health food stores and, if not, the author includes a great set of listings on where to easily find them online.

IMPORTANT: The recipes are not only for beauty products, although a very generous amount is included in the first part of the book. Rather, the book runs the gamut, including baby products, paint, anti-aging creme and an easily-constructed book shelf. Uliano frequently offers relevant anecdotes about whichever topic is being covered; a few include warnings on what NOT to do, thanks to the author's trial-and-error.

I purchased the Kindle version. All of the drawings, patterns, and recipes were included and visually clear, but I feel it would have been better to have purchased it in paperback form. I have found it easier to follow recipes and diagrams via book. This is just a personal preference, though; readers can probably just as easily follow the recipes in their Kindle form, too.

Uliano's website ([...]www.gorgeouslygreen.com) is a fantastic supplement to the book; it includes more recipes and how-to videos with links to the specialty items she refers to in her books.

If you want a comprehensive crash course on what small steps can be taken toward being healthier, while making this world a smidge better, this is the perfect book for you.

I bought this book because I am crazed finding beauty products that are paraben-free, don't clog my pores, don't break the bank, and don't contain enough packaging to ship mercury. Needless to say, the book totally delivers. I am addicted to the pomegranate eye serum and the vitamin c serum. And I can re-use my containers! The cleaning info is great - and great that it's all in one place and it's a practical amount of information (I really don't need an encyclopedia to keep the house clean). But what surprised me that I love are those t-shirt yoga pants. Actually great pjs. I love love love re-using old clothes for something other than cleaning rags.

If you are at all environmentally conscious already you may know SOME of the stuff in the book, but it really does go to that next level with the beauty products, the remedies, and some of the diy projects that modern life sort of forgot. I agree with the previous review that you shouldn't try to do it all at once, but this is a fun summer book - pick a project a month and give it a try.

Length:: 2:25 Mins

I saw this book online and decided to try it out. It's a real bargain as I can save more than the cost of the book, by making the products inside. luxurious face creams and scrubs. Easy to read, easier to make. I found this video online that tells about it.

I really like DIY projects and I can get down with the idea that using products that have as few chemicals as possible is a good idea. This book has several sections broken down into beauty, kids stuff, home and garden, food and a few others. It has great information on canning your own food and making your own condiments (which taste so much better than store bought) and of course beauty products. One thing you must keep in mind, all of her recipes for beauty require essential oils and some of them are a bit pricey. I started out with ordering enough essential oils for 2 beauty recipes I wanted to try and I will add more as I try each recipe. One good thing about the essential oils is that they last a VERY long time so I think it's worth it. She also includes a list of resources like websites to order your bottles, oils and other useful things you will find in her recipes. While there isn't a huge variety of recipes, it's a great starter book that includes thorough resources. I wish she had more variety, but it's a good starter. I also found absolutely no use for 2 of the chapters dealing with children DIY and a section on making your own clothing, yoga pants, laundry bag, etc.

Update 7/2/11

I've made about 4 concoctions from the SIY Skin section. I like all of them that I have tried, however start up costs are expensive. Over time it's cheaper and healthier (if you care about cutting down on chemicals). As for the facial cleansers, it feels like I'm rubbing very thick lotion on my skin and it feels like it never rinses off. I'm used to Neutrogena facial products that lather and then rise off leaving you with a squeeky clean feeling. This wasn't like that, but after I dried off and moisturized I found it to be very softening and nice. Just something to get used to.

DO IT GORGEOUSLY comes from the author of The Gorgeously Green Diet and Gorgeously Green, continuing her discussion on how to add beauty and style to daily life without polluting the environment. It comes from an environmentalist who says you can do both - and who provides affordable ideas on self-sufficiency based on green projects and recipes ranging from making your own natural sunscreen to making organic teething biscuits.