Earthly Bodies & Heavenly Hair: Natural and Healthy Personal Care for Every Body, by Dina Falconi   [Paperback 1997]

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Rave Reviews (19)*

• 1) A HEAVENLY Book

  by Anonymous on May 01 2003
    120+ helpful votes

  This book is AWESOME! It is one of the better books I've read on the subject of natural skin/hair/body care with homemade products.

  It's very informative,very well organized according to sections (Face Care, Body Care, Mouth Care, Hair Care, Healing Salves and Balms)with special attention given to men, women and different life stages. It's very thorogh.

  Dina Falconi provides countless recipes for creams, oils, balms and lotions as well as what those products can do for you and for whom they're most useful (i.e. mature/dry skin etc.)

  Not only are recipes provided, but basic recipes for salves and creams are also provided so you can incorporate oils, butters and waxes that you particularly like. Say you don't want to make a beeswax and canola oil based lip balm (which is one of the recipes) you can flip to the back of the book and learn the proper oil/wax proportions for balms and you can try something else instead.

  Falconi also explains the benefits of certain essential oils, herbs, butters and oils which is also very beneficial to those just beginning to make personal care products.

  A great book!

• 2) Great reference/resource!

  by merrymousies on September 06 2003
    50+ helpful votes

  I've only tried a couple of things from this book but they're terrific. I had been looking for recipes for hand lotion and tis has all sorts. There's not much in here regarding aromatherapy concepts - instead its a book full of recipes and concoctions. Looking forward to trying out the foot cream recipes. I also bought The Essential Oils Book to compliment this one.

• 3) I'd give it ten stars if I could!

  by DNP on June 18 2002
    40+ helpful votes

  Like one of the other reviewers, I have suffered for years from eczema. Reading that the other reviewer's eczema improved after consistent use of the recipes in the book, I decided to purchase it. What a huge improvement! My hands used to get literally raw looking...so ugly it was embarrassing. After only six weeks or so, I have only a small patch of eczema left on one of my fingers but it, too, seems to be improving. Furthermore, this is at the time of year when my hands would normally be worse because I'm an avid gardener and gardening irritates the eczema. I have tried many different kinds of beauty products over the years, but they must have had some common ingredients to which I am sensitive. I can't say how grateful I am for this book!

• 4) limited and repetitive, but still a lovely book

  by echogrrl on September 29 2003
    30+ helpful votes

  In general this book is lovely to look at and read. It promotes a spirit of healthy beauty (of course) and wholeness, which is relaxing to read. There are little drawings of plants scattered throughout and the book is generally well-organized. However, I found the recipes for oily skin fairly limited, especially having made my own concoctions before. For instance, there is no mention (that I've found) of using diluted glycerin as a moisturizer on oily skin, and one recipe even calls for beeswax -- hello, pimples! Another easy recipe that was neglected is to dissolve aspirin in 70% isopropyl alcohol to dot on blemishes (maybe not "herbal based" enough for this book, but it's cheap & effective). There is some repetition in this book where recipes are listed in multiple sections -- that's not necessarily bad, except I already found them limited. Recommended for beginners and those with sensitive, dry skin looking for natural products.

• 5) Truly Natural Skin Care

  by J. Dalton on July 27 2004
    30+ helpful votes

  I own a good number of homemade cosmetics books and many of them list some recipes that have some not-so-natural ingredients, like mineral oil and emulsifing wax. What I like in this book are the truly pure recipes and the amazing variety of them , respecting your age and your needs.And most of the ingredients are very easy to find in the health food store or over the internet.The design remember me of a antique herbal book.It is a very complete book, embracing the arts of herbalism, aromatherapy, natural healing,etc. A must have !!!

• 6) This book is the best thing that's ever happened to my skin!

  by Anonymous on December 29 2000
    30+ helpful votes

  I have struggled with eczema my whole life and just in the last year turned to herbal remedies to help. This book has been unbelievably helpful. Within weeks after using the recipies in this book to make my own natural lotions, shampoos, bath soaks, and cleansers, my eczema (which was at it's worst in many years) began clearing up. After a couple of months, it was almost completely under control. I never realized the extent to which the chemicals in commercial products aggravated my skin.

  Not only has my skin cleared, but I love the relaxing bath soaks! I feel like a new person after soaking for a while with one of Dina Falconi's recipes. I'm also using the knowledge I've gained from this book to create my own customized versions of her recipes. I give this book my highest recommendation. Out of all the books I have purchased, this one is the absolute best!

• 7) The Best of Its Kind

  by M. Alter on August 03 2004
    30+ helpful votes

  This is absolutely, by far, the best natural beauty care book I have found. I have searched extensively and care a great deal about quality, etc. The second best is Rosemary Gladstar's book for natural beauty care. But by far, get this one if you want the highest quality and most complete reference. I LOVE it!!!

• 8) I'm impressed and relieved

  by Anonymous on July 21 2002
    20+ helpful votes

  I've recently gotten into making my own lotions and potions because so much of what is on the market to buy is full of ingredients that are harmful for a body. Some recipes and procedures take more time than others but are so well worth it. I found this book quite by accident but now thank the powers that be for it. The ingredients and methods for mixing and fixing are simple enough for a beginner like me, but indepth enough to let me know why and how it all works. Herbs and oils are explained as well and as extensively as anyone could ask without going into too much detail and added information that I can't and probably won't use. I'd suggest this wonderful and informative book to anyone that in interested in making alternative products for body and hair care. They are truely wonderful. Out of the many books I own on this subject, this is by far the most comprehensive and concise one to have.

• 9) Wonderful value! Easy formulas & source list.

  by Anonymous on November 07 1999
    20+ helpful votes

  As a natural cosmetic hobbyist, I have many books on the subject. This book stands out because of the easy-to-do formulas, the sheer number of formulas, and the explanations of ingredients. I also appreciated the fact that the formulas don't have a lot of ingredients. I found information that I had wondered about for years: the amount of vodka needed to preserve a high water content formula. I appreciated the source list and the layout. The line drawings added a nice touch to the text. I am happy with this purchase!

• 10) one of the best of natural cosmetics

  by Anonymous on March 10 2002
    10+ helpful votes

  The recipes in this book reflect the author's obviously considerable knowledge in herbalism, cosmetic and natural product chemistry and aromatherapy. All the recipes I've tried unerringly result in fabulous, professional-looking products that do what they say they will do. I am also very grateful for the generosity of the herbalists who shared their treasured recipes and health tips in this book. It's good to know that there are so many giving people out there. Even though I already know a fair amount about herbs (for a sort of advanced amateur, that is), I learned quite a bit from reading Ms. Falconi's little herbal at the end of the book (she focuses on the cosmetic applications of herbs) and the resource list is invaluable! I appreciate her efforts and the efforts of all the contributors. This is an important book in my library (and kitchen!)

• 11) Wonderful Book to Buy

  by Anonymous on November 21 2000
    10+ helpful votes

  This is one of the best cosmetics books I ever bought. Theauthor did not hold anything back on how to make wonderful cosmetics.The recipes are easy to follow. You will be working with the bestingredients nature has to offer when making recipes from this book.There is a section at the end of the book giving instructions on basictechniques for making a variety of different formulas. Ingredients inrecipes can be substituted--you can create personalize cosmetics. Imodified recipes and the product turned out wonderful. I especiallylike the face creme recipes. My skin feels healthy and wonderfulusing these cremes. This book focuses on the most important herbs,essential oils, and natural ingredients specifically used for makinghealthy cosmetics. The author shared her knowledge on how to make thebest cosmetics. I'm thankful she wrote this book.

• 12) Very Informative and Straighforward

  by J. Roussin on November 16 2006
    10+ helpful votes

  I love this book, because it is very complete and comprehensive, yet all the recipes are simple and the ingredients are not overly exotic and expensive.
  
  I'm new to making body care products, and this book is teaching me a great deal about all the ingredients and the herbs.

• 13) A life committed to natural beauty

  by Mark D. on February 07 2005
    10+ helpful votes

  Dina Falconi's sincerity to imparting her lifelong knowledge to her readers comes forth very clearly. I have tried out some of the beauty formulations and am pleased with the products, as well as the results. Recommended to all the beauty enthusiasts. A buy that will help you be radiant for a lifetime.

• 14) Beautiful, and enviromentally just

  by J. Adams on May 11 2006
    10+ helpful votes

  
  This book is for those who are seeking a truely natural route to skin care for what-ever reasons.
  
  The context is easy to understand , and there is alot of references to common herbs,essential oils, carrier oils,tinctures , salves , methods, etc...
  
  This book was also in my opinion enlightening on the fact that beauty is not about masking or changing so -called imperfections, but working with nature to create an inner harmony and outer balance;Whitch I felt was liberating.I will no longer watch anti-aging cream commercials with disdain!lol.
  
  I also believe this book is a great introduction to Herbalism , and aromatherapy.I reccomend it to anyone who is interested in living a life closer to nature.
  
  Plus she openly gives out many formulas for men , women, teens, elderly ,and babys. Including facial care , hair care, body care , dental care, for sesitive skin, dry skin, oily skin, normal skin,The only thing I think was left out was The dry and acne -prone skin, she seems to believe that only people with oily skin can get acne,but besides that this book was delightful and I continue to make new formulas by using this book as a reference.

• 15) Mother Nature at its BEST!

  by To Y. M. Evelyn on August 07 2002
    10+ helpful votes

  Great book to have for anyone interested in natural skin care. Dina Falconi is clearly an expert in this area and explains her concoctions well. Some ingredients are either hard to find or just too messy to use but all in all, simple to use. I have been trying some of her recipes and can see the results almost immediately. Chao to cosmetics over the counter... it's so much better to pamper yourself with homemade recipes... at least you know where the stuff you're putting on your skin has been and no more long chemical names.

  Great book, great buy!

• 16) natural remdies

  by Cristina Condurache on January 04 2007
    10+ helpful votes

  The book is well done, has good information about the house manufacturing of high quaality hair care and skin care products.
  I enjoy making my own recipies and I had great success with some acnee problems. The hair rinses that I made are excellent and keep on making and using them. My girlfriends love it too.
  

• 17) Packed with wonderful formulas!

  by Anonymous on August 19 2003
    10+ helpful votes

  I purchased this book about a month ago and still flip through its pages very often. What I love about it is that it has a lot of recipes/formulas for every skin and hair type, including mature and baby skin. The basic ingredients are quite easy to find if you have access to a good herb store, or can be ordered through Internet-based herb stores. I have tried many formulas, including her version of herb and clay scrubs, masks and hair vinegars. Nothing has disappointed me so far, this book is a goldmine for anyone interested in making and using fresh, natural products! Go ahead and have fun!

• 18) Recipes Galore

  by Anonymous on October 28 1999
    10+ helpful votes

  This book is overflowing with recipes and choices. And unlike other natural cosmetics books that give recipes by type, ie. creams, scrubs, ect.., this book lists recipes according to body sections--The Joy of Facial Care; Lip, Mouth and Tooth Care; Beautiful Hair/Healthy Scalp, ect.. whcih I find extremely useful when looking to find a formula for a certain body part.

  Also, this book has chapters entitled "Especially for Men" and "Especially for Teens" two topics that are rarely addressed in other cosmetics books. All-in-all, I believe that "Earthly Bodies" is a well written, I got my moneys worth type of book.

• 19) Good Base recipes and directions...

  by Karin L. Wilcox on March 31 2007
    10+ helpful votes

  I like the base recipes and directions however I find the layout of the book frusterating. I wish that the directions were in each section instead of in their own section in the back of the book. You end up when you are trying something new flipping back and forth between your recipe and the directions. But once you get down the basics its good...some of the recipes are a lil unrealistic as the ingredients are somewhat difficult to find at least in my area but as I said I like that I have a base point to start from with this book its one of the better ones ive found and quite a bit more up to date than alot of the others out there.