‘Where There Is No Cosmetic Counter’ A Guide To Making Your Own Makeup

Millions of dollars each year are spent on beauty products for the hair and skin. Crafty readers of Survivor Jane’s new book can save tons of cash by following the directions to make cosmetics and hair care products at home with natural and not synthetic ingredients.

Survivor Jane, perhaps the most renowned female prepper of 2013, just released her first book – Where There is No Cosmetic Counter – How not to look like a Zombie-Even After the End of the World as You Know It. The book is filled with natural, homemade recipes for everything from face wash to conditioner that will leave your hair feeling silky and luxurious. Survivor Jane’s book boasts a multitude of recipes comprised of natural ingredients sure to please many off grid enthusiasts, preppers, organic dining fans, or homesteading family.

Jane began living a self-reliant preparedness lifestyle just a several years ago after a car jacking and the economic downturn changed her perspective on the importance of living a self-reliant existence. Unable to find the woman-focused preparedness resources she sought, she spend many hours studying, researching, and learning sustainable skills which could aid females specifically and created her own website, the viral #preppertalk hashtag, and now a comprehensive book of hints, tips, and step-by-step instructions.

An excerpt from Where There is No Cosmetic Counter:

“When I realized that the high-priced designer perfume I had worn for years was simply made up of 78 to 95 percent of specially denatured ethyl alcohol (whatever the heck that is) and essential oils, it kind of took the glamour out of it for me real quick (not to mention the thought of all that money spent!) Armed with knowledge, I began to make my own face washes, moisturizers, and soon moved on to shampoo and conditioner. I was like a mad scientist – experimenting with this and dabbling with that – only I wasn’t mad I was actually happy. I’m not talking about mixing up chemicals, I was using items I had at the ready.”

What is the focus of Where There is No Cosmetic Counter – How not to look like a Zombie-Even After the End of the World as You Know It and your vision for the book?

Survivor Jane: The products that most women use, cosmetics and grooming-aids, I don’t think has really be addressed by anyone. Most women at least wear lip gloss and mascara each day, others a full-face of makeup. I am a “what if” person. And wondered, what would happen when your makeup runs out and you can no longer buy it? I scoured the internet in search of alternatives to just about everything womanly; foundations, eye shadows, lipsticks, hair spray, waxing, shampoo, facial peels, lotions, washes and I can go on and on. My focus was on how to make these products using items in our pantry and gardens. I’m not sure about most of the readers by I am not a natural beauty in the morning – and in fact I’m sure most of us look a little like a zombie. My book is to show women that there are even options to looking and feeling good – even after the end of the world as we know it. And think of the great morale booster it would make! Where There is No Cosmetic Counter is sold on Amazon in paperback and kindle.

What do you hope women will take away from the book?

Survivor Jane: My hope is that women will realize that prepping is not about giving up, it’s about planning ahead. And this goes for everyone not just women. With a little planning if, or when the proverbial ‘poo’ ever hits the fan we can all be more prepared for what evet comes our way.

What do you hope prepper husbands/boyfriends take away from the book?

Survivor Jane: This book represents yet another outreach to bring more preparedness awareness to women. Men for some reason or another have a hard time getting the women in their lives onboard with prepping. I’d like the book to represent the pink side of prepping. To show women that prepping is not all about camo, guns and underground bunkers. It’s about planning – which by the way – is what women do best.

The book has many great resources for non-preppers who are concerned with using only natural products on their skin and in their home. What would be the one or two items most readers will be surprised they could make themselves?

Survivor Jane: The book is full of surprises! But to name a few, I would say making your own hair spray and waxing gel to shave your legs. Who doesn’t want to have their hair stay in place? And, we all love silkly smooth legs! I have taken the body as a whole and tried to include head to toe remedies (literally) from shiny hair to treating nail conditions, and so much more

What advice would you give to men who want to engage their wives, daughters, girlfriends, mothers, or sisters more in their preparedness plan?

Survivor Jane: I have this question come up a lot by men. What I tell them is men and women think, act and talk differently. A woman’s priorities are different than a man’s. So, it could very well be the man’s approach to how he discusses preparedness with the women in his life. For instance, if a man begins his conversation with the need to have lots of food, an underground bunker, a closet full of fatigues, and an arsenal of weapons, this sounds dark and frightening to most woman. A lot of these items are foreign to women. Men on the other hand were raised as boy scouts, hunters or were in the military, so they understand them better. If, the man took an approach, like say, using current events as a jumping off point and then discuss the world that we live in and specific risks to the area they live it, the conversation would be little less frightening and understandable.

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