DONNA LEE’S SIMPLE BASE CREAM

Use this recipe as a base for Donna’s basic moisturiser (below).

Ingredients • 16g vegetablebased emulsifying wax • 36ml cold pressed apricot oil • 148ml herbal water extract (see instructions, left) • 4 drops rosemary oleoresin (rosemary oil extract) Equipment • 1 sugar thermometer for checking temperature • 1 stick blender • 1 double boiler • 1 saucepan • pots for cream

Put emulsifying wax and oil in top of double boiler. Add water to base, then the herbal water into another saucepan. Bring both saucepans to a temperature of 65°C. Slowly pour the melted mixture into the water portion while beating with the stick blender continually.

As the mixture cools, it will thicken. Beat until the consistency of whipped cream. Leave overnight. During this time the mixture will thicken much more. Add 4 drops of rosemary oleoresin to extend shelf-life. Makes 200ml of base cream to which other ingredients may be added. Use as a base for creams, body butters and lotions.