D.I.Y. Exfoliating Strawberry Lip Scrub

OK, since I’ve posted a strawberry foot scrub and a strawberry smoothie recipe earlier today I figured why not post another strawberry recipe?  (Besides, I really like strawberries and seem to be on a strawberry kick lately.)  So, here’s a recipe for a super easy to make strawberry lip scrub recipe.  It’s quick and easy to make and does a great job at exfoliating your lips, ridding them of dryness and leaving them looking healthy and moisturized.

What you need:

• 1 small ripe strawberry
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. oil (olive, almond or coconut)

What you do:

• Cut the green top off of the strawberry and cut the strawberry in half and place in a small bowl.  Mash the strawberry using a fork until it is a pulp-like consistency.
• Add the sugar and then the oil to the mixture and mix until a gritty paste forms.  (If the mixture is too moist/runny, add some more sugar to it)
• Apply the mixture to your lips and gently massage for a few moments (pursing your lips together and rubbing works well too)
• Rinse mixture off with a washcloth and some warm water.  Follow up with a moisturizing lip balm/chapstick.

Comments:

• If you have extra mixture leftover, you can store it in a airtight jar but only for a day or two because the strawberry will spoil…this is a mixture better used immediately and made in small batches.

Relaxing & Exfoliating DIY Strawberry Foot Scrub

Flip flop season is right around corner (it may even already be here depending on where you live) and there’s nothing worse then slipping on a pair only to see that your feet aren’t ready for them.  (You know what I mean, dry and rough skin on your heels and toes that looks anything but good.)  So, why not get your feet flip flop ready with this easy to make do-it-yourself foot scrub?

This recipe requires only a couple of ingredients and is super easy to make and leaves your feet looking and feeling relaxed and healthy. The epsom salt works to soften skin and relax feet while the strawberries work to exfoliate and slough away dry and dead skin.  After this scrub….you’ll be flip flop ready!

What you need:

• 1/2 cup epsom salts
• 8 ripe strawberries
• 2 tbsp. olive oil (or coconut oil)

What you do:

• Cut the green tops off of the strawberries and cut them into halves or quarters and place them in a bowl.  Mash the strawberries using a fork until they form into a chunky pulp/paste.
• If your epsom salts consists of a lot of bigger chunks, you’ll want to crush these up (this can be done by placing the salts in a ziploc bag and carefully crushing them on a hard surface using a hammer or rolling pin or any other crush-worthy object you have on hand.)  After crushing the salts (if needed) add them to the bowl with the mashed up strawberries.
• Add the oil last and mix all until a chunky pulp/paste forms and all ingredients are mixed together.
• The easiest place to apply this is over the tub or sink.  If applying elsewhere, I would suggest putting a towel down first to catch any drips.
• Apply the mixture to your feet and gently massage into your skin for a few moments.  Let the mixture sit on your feet for a few minutes so that the mixture has a chance to “sink in” and soften skin and relax your feet.
• Rinse the mixture with warm water and dry your feet.  Follow up with your favorite lotion.

Comments:

• Make sure you clean up the area you applied the mixture in immediately after using it so you are not left with red marks from the strawberry juice.

 

 

 

DIY Delicious Oatmeal Coconut Cookie Scrub

Treat your skin to this delicious body scrub that will exfoliate skin and leave it glowing (and not to mention, smelling delicious!)

What You Need:

• 1 cup oatmeal
• 3 tbsp. brown sugar
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• 6 tbsp. coconut oil

What You Do:

• Combine all ingredients (oil last) in a bowl and mix well
• Use immediately or transfer mixture to an airtight container or jar for storage
• When ready to use, apply and gently massage into skin for a few moments and rinse well with water

DIY Almond and Mandarin Face Scrub

Gently exfoliate and nourish skin with this easy to make at home facial scrub!

What you need:

• 2 tsp. honey
• 4 tsp. almond meal
• 1 – 1 1/2 tsp. mandarin juice

What you do:

• In a bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well
• Apply mixture to face and gently massage into skin for a few minutes
• Rinse thoroughly with water and pat skin dry

DIY Holiday Peppermint Candy Cane Body Scrub

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

Treat your skin to a delicious body scrub with a holiday favorite: candy canes!  This easy to make DIY recipe is quick and affordable and in most cases, you probably already have all or most of the ingredients on hand (and this is a great way to use up any leftover candy canes you have for the holidays)!

What You Need:

• 1/3 cup finely crushed candy canes
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup olive oil (more/less depending on your preference)
• 10-15 drops peppermint essential oil (more/less depending on your preference)

What You Do:

• Start by crushing up the candy canes.  My favorite way to do this is by breaking the candy canes into smaller pieces and placing them in a ziploc bag.  Then I lay the bag on a hard flat surface (such as a counter top) and start crushing with a hammer.  (Use caution though when crushing with a hammer or any object….the candy canes crush easily so there is no need to slam away because you risk damaging the surface your crushing on.)  Once the candy canes look thoroughly crushed, I flip the bag over and do the same to the other side to ensure I didn’t miss any.  You want to crush the candy canes until they are of a fine consistency.  (You don’t want to have any big chunks of candy canes left….they will do you no good and you risk scratching your skin with them if you add them to the scrub mixture so make sure you’ve crushed them well.)

• Pour the finely crushed candy canes into a mixing bowl.  Add the granulated sugar to the mixing bowl and stir.

• Slowly add the olive oil to the mixture in the bowl.  Stir well until the oil has mixed with the crushed candy canes and the sugar and you have a paste like consistency.  (It’s always a good idea to add the olive oil slowly and stir as you add so that you can control the consistency of the scrub.  If you like a drier and more gritty scrub, you can use less than the suggested amount.  f you prefer a smoother scrub, you can always add more olive oil until it has reached the consistency that you like.)

• Lastly, add 10-15 drops of peppermint essential oil to the mixture and stir well.  (You can add more or less of the essential oil depending on how “pepper-minty” you would like your scrub to be.)

• Transfer the mixture into a container for storage and future use.  When you’re ready to use, apply to your body and massage into skin and rinse with water while you’re in the shower.  Your skin will be left feeling refreshed and exfoliated and not to mention, smelling delicious!

D.I.Y. Makeup Brush Cleaner

Gently clean dirt and makeup from makeup brushes with this gentle and easy brush cleaning recipe!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm water
• 1/2 cup vinegar

 

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients in a bowl; mix well
• Dip the end of your makeup brushes in the mixture
• Massage the bristles; loosening up makeup and dirt
• Rinse makeup brushes under running water
• Let brushes air dry after reshaping any misshapen brush heads
• Discard mixture after use

Gentle Makeup Brush Cleaner

Clean your makeup brushes of makeup and dirt with this easy recipe!

 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm water
• 1 tbsp. Dawn liquid dish detergent

 

Directions:

• Combine the ingredients in a bowl; mix well
• Dip the end of your makeup brushes in the mixture and gently massage the bristles
• Rinse the makeup brushes under running water
• Let brushes air dry after reshaping any misshapen brush heads
• Dispose of mixture

Cranberry and Honey Lip Gloss

Create your own sweet and tarty lip gloss!

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. sweet almond oil
• 10 fresh cranberries
• 1 tsp. honey
• 1 vitamin E capsule

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients together in a microwave safe bowl
• Microwave the mixture for a couple of minutes or until the mixture starts to boil
• Remove from heat
• Gently and carefully crush the cranberries in the mixture; mix well
• Let mixture cool for 5-10 minutes
• Strain the mixture
• Once the mixture is completely cool, transfer it to lip gloss pots/containers for storage

Citrus Honey Lip Gloss

Create your own honey citrus lip gloss easily with this D.I.Y. recipe!

Ingredients:

• 8 tsp. sweet almond oil
• 2 tsp. beeswax pellets/beads
• 1 vitamin E capsule
• 1 tsp. honey
• 6 drops citrus flavoring

Directions:

• Melt the beeswax and almond oil over heat; remove from heat
• Add the vitamin E capsule to the heated mixture (break open the capsule); mix well
• Add the remaining ingredients to the mixture; mix well
• Transfer the mixture into lip gloss pots/containers for storage
• Wait to use until fully cool

Lemon and Honey Lip Gloss

Easily make your very own lip gloss!

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp. beeswax pellets
• 1 tsp. honey
• 1 tsp. aloe vera gel
• 1 tsp. lemon extract
• 1 tbsp. vitamin E oil
• 5 drops lemon essential oil

Directions:

• Melt the beeswax over heat while stirring; remove from heat
• Add all remaining ingredients (except essential oil); mix well
• Add the essential oil to the mixture; mix well
• Transfer mixture to lip gloss pot/container for storage
• Do not use until fully cool