DIY: Green tea and tea tree oil toner

I'm running out of my Michael Todd True Organics Lemon Toner and I don't really want to repurchase this time round. Not because it's not good, it's quite excellent actually and I'm finishing my third bottle now, but because I want to make my own toner with as few ingredients as possible. I'm also trying to make my own because toners can be expensive - I use so much at any one time because I'm using a cotton pad and it doesn't feel like I'm pouring out a lot. Hence, I need to make my own toner that's both effective and economical at the same time.

I scoured Googleland and I decided to go with this green tea and tea tree oil concoction. I have already used it for a week and it has been amazing. The only downside is I need to make a fresh batch every week - you can't keep it longer for 7 days!

Products used:

• Small spray bottle or normal bottle 
• Green tea
• 100% pure tea tree oil 

I got my spray bottle from Daiso, green tea from NTUC Fairprice and I bought the 100% pure tea tree oil from iherb.com. It will best to use 100% pure tea tree oil; the 10% - 15% mixtures won't work as well. If you have sensitive skin or you have never used tea tree oil on your face before, please PLEASE do a skin patch test first - I have a colleague who's allergic to tea tree oil and she found out the wrong way. 

Steps:

• Brew your green tea NOT in boiling water. The water needs to be 70°C - 80°C. Excessive heat will "kill" the green tea. 
• Pour around 50ml of green tea into the spray bottle and drink the rest hehe. 
• Place the spray bottle in the fridge and wait for it to cool down. 
• When the green tea has cooled down, add in 4 drops of tea tree oil. Since we are using the 100% tea tree oil, we don't need so much in one bottle. My general rule: 2 drops per 25ml. 
• Mix, mix, mix and leave it in the fridge. 
• Use whenever needed! 

Remember to throw it out after 7 days and make a brand new batch. I always note down the date of manufacture (wah like factory haha) on a label and stick it on the bottle. That way I know when I need to redo another batch! I just made a new batch today so here's a photo! Finally can use my pretty stickers from Taobao HAHA. 

Exciting times indeed! 

Quick Review: Hoyu Beautylabo Whip Hair Color (Candy Pink)

I started dying my hair since secondary 3 and I have never stopped. I still remember dying my hair a bright colour during the holidays only to be informed by my math teacher that we're going back to school for a remedial lesson. I bought a black temporary hair dye spray and my awesome friends helped me spray my hair back to black at the void deck. HAHA MEMORIES~~ 10 years ago already wtf. 

I love using "whipped" hair dye because of how much neater and tidier the hair dying process is, and most of the time, the colour payoff is better than normal hair dyes. 

Currently, I'm loving the Hoyu Beautylabo Whip Hair Color. I have tried a few colours and my latest favourite is the Candy Pink one.  

Pros

• Very easy preparation. 
• Provided gloves are of great quality - not those filmsy plastic bag kind but a rubber medical kind
• Effortless application
• Minimal dripping (remember don't apply too much!)
• Not drying at all. My hair actually felt more conditioned after I used the hair dye.
• The colour doesn't run after the first wash. This is very impressive. I hate it when I sleep with wet hair after removing hair dye, then I wake up with a different coloured pillow. 
• Excellent colour payoff. Definitely not candy pink, but definitely a change from my previous hair colour. 

Cons

• Very, very, very, very strong chemical smell
• My hair colour didn't turn out to be any hue of "candy pink" leh, but ok still chio colour

Overall: I'm loving this hair dye and will definitely try more colours! Silky Ash, Silky Ash, yes I'm feeling Silky Ash.

Have a good weekend guys! :D