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Welcome to the Apothecary Herbal Skincare & Organic Sugaring, Straight From a Tennessee Homestead Hi, I'm J...

Announcing 4 luxurious natural ingredients for each of you!

Perhaps you have acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, sensitive skin, wrinkle lines, spots and you've tried the prescriptions (yup...chemicals) and over the counter moisturizers? Create a custom blended sugar scrub that tickles your fancy, and all you have to do is pick your preferences and individual skin care needs.

Did you know? Your skin is the largest organ on your body. What you put on your skin gets into your bloodstream in seconds, even faster than food reaches your stomach. Natural beauty products leave out the chemicals and give you many added benefits you can't find in OTC skincare! When you use an exfoliating body scrub, you're not just giving your skin a pleasant-smelling, silky smooth makeover — you're also slathering on vitamins and minerals that benefit your body in major ways.
Not sure what your needs are or what to look for? Do you know what your skin needs are but don’t know what ingredients match with your needs? Take the Skin Care Wish List test Here!

CHOICE #1: Essential Oils

  1. Orange Extracted Oil (Citrus Sinensis): Mild aphrodisiac, relief from inflammation, Antidepressant (men tend to like this scent)
  2. Pure Vanilla Extract (Vanilla planifolia): Antioxidant, anti-aging, is soothing.
  3. Spearmint Oil (Mentha Spicata): Antibacterial properties
  4. Peppermint Oil (Mentha piperita): Antibacterial properties
  5. Safflower Oil (Carthamus tinctorius): Prevents dryness/roughness, removes dirt/oil and is also great for problematic skin.
  6. Eucalyptus Oil (Eucalyptus globulus): anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, decongestant, deodorant, antiseptic, antibacterial, stimulating. (Men tend to like this scent)
  7. Macadamia Nut Oil (Macadamia integrifolia): Topically firms your skin while maintaining a youthful glow.
  8. Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca Alternifolia): antiseptic, antibacterial & antifungal properties, beneficial for treating various skin conditions & ailments including skin blemishes & acne
  9. Lavender Oil (Lavandula Angustifolia): Lavender oil is a wonderful remedy for eczema, has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties and helps in reducing the swelling and redness

CHOICE #2: Sugars

Are known to be Alpha-hydroxy rich, exfoliates, great for problematic skin, Increases cell regeneration, reduces skin pigmentation by forcing melanin out of skin cells, antioxidant
  1. Raw Sugar (Saccharum officinarum L unrefined): Hard Grain
  2. Organic Cane Sugar (Saccharum officinarum L): Medium-Grain
  3. Brown Sugar (Saccharum officinarum with molasses): Finer grain, contains vitamin B. In particular, Nicotinamide, a derivative of Vitamin B3 (Niacin), has been shown to improve the ability of the epidermis, the upper-most layer of the skin, to retain moisture leading to softer, smoother skin with less dryness and flakiness, and a reduction of fine lines

CHOICE #3: Carrier: Oils or Dry

  1. Almond Oil (Prunus dulcis): Antioxidant: can repair sun damage on your skin.
  2. Coconut Oil (Cocos nucifera): Clears Skin, Softens skin, Fights Infection
  3. Grape Seed Oil (Vitis vinifera seed oil): Restoration of Collagen, Skin Balancing, Prevention of Acne and Aging, Wrinkle and Scar Reduction
  4. Sunflower Oil (Helianthus annuus): Creates a protective layer that prevents bacteria from making direct contact with your skin thus it prevents acne. An antioxidant, sunflower oil has anti-inflammatory properties and omega-6 fatty acids as well.
  5. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Olea europaea L.): Rich in antioxidants, it prevents skin aging, the appearance of wrinkles & fine lines; nourishes, rejuvenates & protects the skin. Rich in vitamin E & A, helps prolong youth, hydrates the skin, maintains its elasticity & softness. Also, helps skin cells to regenerate.
  6. Ground by hand Rolled Whole Oatmeal (Avena sativa): Natural cleansers called saponins that can remove dirt and oil from the pores, improves skin tone and texture, relieves itchy/psoriasis, eczema, treats acne, removes dryness. *Note Choice dry additions, shipped as a dry scrub. Add water, milk or yogurt when ready to use.

CHOICE #4: Herbs, Citrus, or Flowers

  1. Mint Leaves (Mentha): Has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, moisturizes and calms dry itchy skin (men tend to like this scent)
  2. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla): helps relieve symptoms of eczema, known to calm red, dry, and irritated skin, natural antioxidant, a natural antiseptic and has antimicrobial properties.
  3. Comfrey (Symphytum): promotes skin repair and soothing skin inflammation.
  4. Bee Balm (Monarda): contains Tannis which keeps skin clear and glowing. Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antioxidant
  5. St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum): Calming effect on irritated skin. Full of powerful flavonoids, it helps protect, soothe, and heal skin, while providing anti-acne and anti-inflammatory benefits. Whether you have oily or dry skin, this herb helps to kill bacteria and calm irritation so your skin looks smoother and healthier. Plus, it helps plump and hydrate skin while restoring elasticity, reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
  6. Dried Nettles (Urtica dioica): has a natural ability to calm and soothe inflammation, which makes is the perfect choice for helping a problematic skin. This plant has been shown to have a number of protective antioxidants that help reduce free radical damage to the skin, providing anti-aging benefits. It’s effective against microorganisms, helping to kill off bacteria and fungi. This makes it effective against acne and as a natural preservative in skin care products. (Men tend to like this scent)
  7. Dried Lavender (Lavandula): Is a Soothing Treatment of problematic skin, wrinkles, an excellent toner and calms itchy skin, “an anti-aging wonder”. It has been shown to have many properties including Anti-allergenic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antibacterial, antispasmodic, balancing, energizing, soothing, healing, toning and stimulating and being effective in treating oily skin as well as acne, dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis.
  8. Thyme (Thymus Vulgare): more effective for treating acne caused by an acne bacterium than standard creams containing benzoyl peroxide—without the irritating side effects. Has an antiseptic and antifungal property that cleanses, heals and soothes inflamed skin. Thyme is often used for deep cleansing. (Men tend to like this scent)
  9. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): kills bacteria, fungi, and viruses on the skin, which make it ideal for using on minor wounds and burns, or on common skin problems. It has been shown to have properties that are cleansing, astringent, toning, moisture retaining, stimulating and soothing effect. Great for dull, lifeless or oily skin, its antibacterial properties help with blackheads (men tend to like this scent)
  10. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis): strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial action. Lemon balm is classified as being calming, soothing, healing and tightening on the skin, whilst also stimulating circulation. It is thought to be great for acne and sunburned skin. Research has found that one of the advantages of skincare application of lemon balm is the ability of two of its compounds, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid, to penetrate through the top layers into the deeper cutaneous layers of the skin and provide protection against UV radiation-induced skin damage (Saija et al., 1999)
  11. Lemon Juice and Zest (Citrus Limon): Antiseptic, Exfoliates, and Blackhead remover.
  12. Orange Juice and Zest (Citrus × sinensis): Antiseptic, Exfoliates, and Blackhead remover.
  13. Lime Juice and Zest (Citrus aurantifolia): Antiseptic, Exfoliates, and Blackhead remover.
  14. Rose Petals (Rosa Bridal Pink) and (R. gallica): Contains tons of Vitamin C, known to help heal sun damaged spots and is also a natural anti-inflammatory agent.
  15. Calendula (Calendula officinalis): A garden plant in the daisy family has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral properties.
  16. Honey (honey, Mel): Antimicrobial, antioxidant, moisturizes.
  17. Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo): Known to be packed with fruit enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), which increase cell turnover, to brighten and smooth the skin. Containing the antioxidants Vitamin A and Vitamin C, pumpkin helps soften and soothe the skin and boost collagen production to prevent the signs of aging.
  18. Aloe (Liliaceae Aloe Vera): Treats blemishes, acne, and other skin problems, softens dead skin cells leaving the skin feeling soft and smooth upon regular use, delays visible signs of aging like fine lines and appearance of wrinkles, relieves itchy skin.
Jenelle says:
Fast shipping, great communication. She answered all of my questions and helped me figure out a sugar scrub recipe that would work well with my eczema. Highly recommend this shop!! :-)
Carmen says:
I loved the sugar scrub sample that I got: the smell was fresh, but not overpowering, the sugar particles did an awesome job and the oils moisturized and softened my skin in a subtle and delicate way. Thank you Jennifer!
Use Instructions: Clean your face using a warm, damp washcloth before using the sugar scrub. While the skin is still wet, massage approximately 2 teaspoons worth of scrub into your hands and massage into your skin using a circular motion. You may add more sugar scrub as you move onto other areas of your body, but make sure to concentrate on rough patches like elbows, knees and feet. Do not apply to areas of broken or infected skin. When done, rinse off using warm water.
Care Instructions: You may store this rose sugar scrub in its original sealed container in your refrigerator for up to six months. Avoid introducing water into the jar, as this will shorten the life of your scrub. For best results, keep the jar in a cool dry place and scoop only the scrub you are about to use in the shower or sink.
Caution: Please do not use (or choose an ingredient of) this product if you are or may be allergic or sensitive to any of the above-listed ingredients. Do not expose skin to sun while sugar scrub is on your skin. Always test a small area first. As with all oil-based bath products, please use caution in the shower as it can cause surfaces to become a bit slippery. Make sure you have a bath mat with good traction.

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Follow Me for Natural Skincare Tips, Herbal Wisdom & Sugaring Know-How

🌿 Follow JBHomemade on Bloglovin’

Natural skincare tips, sugaring tutorials, and handmade wisdom — all in one place.

Bloglovin’ is one of the easiest ways to keep up with your favorite blogs. If you love small-batch skincare, herbal remedies, and old-world beauty rituals like sugaring, you’ll feel right at home here.

✨ What You’ll Find on My Blog

From tutorials and behind-the-scenes apothecary moments to deep dives into plant-based skincare and tales from my Tennessee homestead — this blog is a digital garden rooted in healing, heritage, and handmade care.

Whether you're exploring sugaring as self-care, navigating menopause naturally, or just curious about herbal alchemy, I’ve got something for every earthy soul.

📌 Why Follow on Bloglovin’?

Bloglovin’ lets you:

  • Follow my blog (and others you love)

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  • Keep everything organized in one clean feed

  • Save and revisit your favorite reads anytime

🌱 Two Ways to Stay Connected

1. Follow My Blog Directly: Get updates fresh from the garden, workshop, or spellbook 😉

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2. Explore My Bloglovin’ Profile: Want to know more about my journey from Florida to rural Tennessee? Learn how I became known as the local “witch doctor” — mixing heritage, heart, and healing into every jar I make. 👉

🌸 Let’s Stay Rooted Together

I believe in living slowly, honestly, and naturally — in reconnecting with what our ancestors knew. If you’re drawn to herbal wisdom, kitchen alchemy, sugaring as self-care, or simply want to support a woman-owned small business that grows its own ingredients — I’m so glad you're here.

📬 Want to explore more? Visit for my full collection of handmade offerings.

Thanks for growing with me 🌱 With love and lemon balm, Jen Your Sugar Plum Fairy

 

29 terrific helpful tips for successful bikini sugaring at home

Mastering Bikini Sugaring at Home: 29 Expert Tips for a Smooth, Natural Hair Removal Experience

Mastering Bikini Sugaring at Home: 29 Expert Tips for a Smooth and Natural Hair Removal Experience

Bikini sugaring at home takes a little practice, but it's genuinely one of the gentlest ways to remove hair — no harsh chemicals, no salon bill. As a Certified Master Herbalist who's been doing this for years, I've put together the 29 tips that actually make a difference, from technique to environment. This guide is educational — practical technique and process, nothing explicit.

↓ Jump straight to the 29 tips

Why Sugaring at Home?

I live a 50-minute drive from the nearest salon, and salon sugaring adds up fast across multiple areas. Making my own paste with raw sugar, lemon juice, and water meant I could do it myself, for a fraction of the cost, with full control over what touches my skin.

Setting Up Your Space

Sugaring is temperature-sensitive — your body temperature, the paste's temperature, and room humidity all affect how well it works. A cool, dry room (62–72°F) with a fan running keeps everything workable. Skip the bathroom right after a shower; the humidity there makes the paste stick instead of release.

Keep pure cornstarch or baby powder on hand to absorb moisture and keep skin dry throughout — every sugaring paste order from my shop includes a cornstarch pouch and aloe sample for exactly this reason.

The 29 Tips

  1. Powder Power: Generously apply powder or cornstarch. Keeps skin dry for a smoother, less painful pull.
  2. Start Small: New to sugaring? Start with penny-sized paste balls, especially on delicate areas like the bikini line.
  3. Set the Stage: A cool, dry room (62–72°F) with gentle fan circulation is the ideal setup.
  4. Cool and Dry: Use a personal fan or sit near a vent — your body temperature affects how the paste behaves.
  5. Timing Matters: Avoid sugaring right after a shower, workout, or anytime skin is sweaty or damp.
  6. Mirror, Mirror: A hand-held mirror helps you see what you're doing and work with precision.
  7. Taut and Ready: Hold skin taut with your free hand while applying paste with the other.
  8. Trim Thoughtfully: Trim hair to at least 1/8" — too short and the paste won't grip it.
  9. Progressive Approach: Start with less sensitive areas, then move toward more sensitive zones as you build confidence.
  10. Pattern Insight: Study your hair growth direction. Apply against the grain for the best release.
  11. Exfoliation Edge: Gently exfoliate 48 hours before sugaring — not the day of.
  12. Ball Mastery: Shape paste balls with your palms; over-kneading makes it too sticky to work with.
  13. Precise Application: Flatten paste to about 1/4" thick over small sections, using fingertips or an applicator.
  14. Swift Removal: Remove with a quick, confident motion — pinch an edge or flick with the applicator.
  15. Thoroughness Wins: Work section by section and re-check for any missed hair.
  16. Area Expertise: For a Brazilian, flexibility (and a handheld mirror) make a real difference.
  17. Dryness Priority: Keep reapplying cornstarch as needed to prevent stickiness throughout.
  18. Give It Time: First-timers should budget more time than they expect — it gets faster with practice.
  19. Targeted Focus: Decide your goals for the session before you start, and work one section at a time.
  20. Outer to Inner: Work from outer areas toward the center for the smoothest overall result.
  21. Adapt and Renew: Swap out a paste ball once it's picked up too much hair — a fresh ball works better.
  22. Flexibility Embraced: For a Brazilian especially, being able to move into different positions helps a lot.
  23. Medical Insights: If you're sensitive to pain, ask a doctor about options like a topical numbing spray beforehand.
  24. Holistic Solutions: Some people find plant-based tinctures helpful for pre-sugaring comfort — worth exploring if that's your preference.
  25. Learning Through Visuals: Video really helps for this technique — see the playlist below.

A curated playlist of bikini sugaring tutorials — technique demos from a few different sugarers, so you can see multiple approaches before trying it yourself.

What Makes a Good Sugaring Paste

Jar of raw sugar, a lemon, and a cup of mountain spring water — the three ingredients in organic sugaring paste

Color is actually a good indicator of what's in your paste. Darker paste made with raw organic sugar tends to be thicker; lighter, honey-colored paste made with processed white sugar is softer.

A few years back, I visited a professional sugaring salon during a trip home to South Florida and filmed the session (that's me in the video below — my legs, not my bikini area; I wouldn't film that). Their paste, while still all-natural, used cane sugar and citric acid rather than pure lemon juice, and had a softer, more moldable consistency — closer to what my own paste feels like before it's fully warmed up. It's a great option if you've already got the technique down, but for beginners, a firmer paste (like the traditional lemon-juice recipe) tends to be more forgiving to work with.

Watching a professional sugarer work up close is genuinely one of the best ways to learn the "flick" technique.

Before & After

Done well, sugared skin heals fast — minimal redness, no swelling. Many people notice it makes them feel more confident and comfortable in their own skin, too.

Want to Make Your Own Paste?

If you'd rather DIY it start to finish, here's my step-by-step sugaring paste recipe. Or skip the mess and order mine — made the traditional way, ready to use.

Prefer not to make it yourself? Order directly from JBHomemade.com for 10% less than Etsy (no marketplace fees) — or shop on Etsy if that's easier for you.

Sugaring is a natural extension of a holistic lifestyle — chemical-free, effective, and something you can genuinely master at home with a little practice. Good luck, and enjoy the process.