Homemade Rose Water Toner

I decided to make my Mom a homemade rose water for her birthday. Personally, I love the stuff and found it to be a really good toner and it smells divine. 

Recently, I was given these beautiful roses and thought they would make excellent rose water. Having never made it before, I wasn't sure how they'd work out verses normal red roses. Which is what most people use but I am a rebel and always tend to go against the grain. :)

To make the Homemade Rosewater:
Ingredients: 

• Roses (as many as you like-I used 12 stems)
• Distilled water (enough to cover the rose petals- I used about 1.5 liters)

1. Remove petals from stems and run them under semi-warm water. You want to remove any leftover residue on the petals. 

2. Add the petals to a large pot of water and top with enough distilled water to cover the petals. Add any more than that and your rose water will become diluted. 

3. Over a medium-low heat bring the water and petals to a simmer and cover. 

4. Let it simmer for 20-30 minutes or until petals have lost their color or are a pale pink (if you use red roses.) For me, mine became a lighter peachy type color an lost all the red accents around the tops of the petals. 

5. Strain the petals to separate the petals from the water. 

6. Discard the petals and place the rose water in a glass jar to store. I used a giant Ball canning jar. 

To make a Homemade Rosewater Face Toner:

• 1 T pure rosewater (recipe above)
• about 4 T of distilled water (or enough to fill your spray bottle)
• 1 2.5 ounce spray bottle

To make:

1. Combine all ingredients in spray bottle and shake.

2. To apply: spray directly on face or spray a cotton pad and wipe face to remove any residue.

Store any extra rosewater in the fridge to help preserve it for a longer time. It keeps for a long time if stored correctly.