Exfoliating D.I.Y. Strawberry Sugar Body Scrub

Another day, another strawberry d.i.y. recipe (I told you guys I was on a strawberry kick lately.)  This recipe is for a full body sugar scrub that will leave your skin looking healthy and glowing with soft skin.  Strawberries have a lot of beneficial nutrients within them that can do wonders for your body.  Here’s a few examples:

• Vitamin C which acts as a protector to skin and also works to prevent acne and pimples from popping up
• Salicylic Acid which works to destroy free radicals and prevent premature aging as well as lightning and fading acne scars and blemishes
• Ellagic Acid which is an antioxidant that heals damaged skin and provides skin with a youthful glow
• Folate which works to regenerate cells as well as produce new ones

So, a couple of minutes to whip up this recipe and then treat your body and your skin to the benefits of strawberries!

What you need:

• 4 ripe strawberries
• 3 tbsp. oil (olive or coconut)
• 1/2 c. sugar

What you do:

• Cut the greens off the tops of the strawberries.  In a bowl, gently mash the strawberries with a fork until they form a pulp like paste
• Add the sugar to the mashed strawberries and mix well; then add the oil last
• Mix all ingredients until well blended and a paste like consistency forms (if your mixture is too runny/moist, add some more sugar.  If your mixture seems too gritty/dry add a little more oil)
• In the shower or tub, apply the mixture to your body and gently massage into skin for a few minutes.  Then rinse well with warm water.
• Follow up with your favorite lotion

Comments:

• Use caution in the shower or tub when using this scrub (or any).  The oils in this scrub can cause the floors to become very slippery and slick which can be dangerous.  It’s best to put a rubber bath mat or towel down and use caution as well.
• Be sure to thoroughly rinse all remains of the scrub out of your shower and tub when finished to avoid any stains/marks from the strawberries

 

Picture found at MyPantryShelf

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.

Soothing Lettuce Cleanser

Treat irritated skin to a soothing and gentle lettuce cleanser!

 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 head lettuce
• 3 1/2 cups water
• 1/4 tsp. benzoin

 

Directions:

• Place the water in a saucepan and add the lettuce
• Bring the water to a boil; once boiling reduce heat to a simmer
• Let simmer for 1 hour
• Remove from heat and let cool
• Once cool, carefully strain the mixture and add the benzoin; mix well
• Transfer the mixture to a container for storage
• Apply to skin and use as you would a cleanser
• Rinse with water

Victoria’s Secret Perfect Body Perfectly Polished Cucumber Extract Warming Foot Scrub

This was another item I purchased from Victoria’s Secret Semi-Annual sale.  I normally like their beauty products and always like a good foot scrub so I decided to give this one a try.  (The warming part of the name was appealing too!)

I gave it a try in the shower and enjoyed it.

It’s a pink color with small scrubbing and polishing beads in it. It’s more a thick gel-like consistency than a creamy lathery one.  The scrubbing and polishing beads in it are noticeable but are not abrasive.  I usually like a “rougher” exfoliating scrub because I feel like they normally do a better exfoliating job for me.  I would say this is more of a gentle exfoliator yet it gets the job done.

The warming part of the title was alluring to me but I was skeptical of if it would really warm when I used it.  It actually did warm up though as I scrubbed my feet with it.  It’s not a very warm feeling but a mild and gentle pleasant one.

After rinsing off the scrub and drying off my feet felt nice and smooth.  I like it!

 

 

Pros:

• Gently exfoliates
• Nice warming feeling
• A little goes a long way
• Left feet feeling smooth and soft

Cons:

• Not a deep exfoliating scrub

Victoria’s Secret Perfect Body All Aglow Pink Sugar Massaging Body Bar

I purchased this massaging body bar from Victoria’s Secret during their semi-annual clearance sale (along with a boatload of other stuff from there).

I tried it out today and I like it.  It didn’t blow me away (yet I didn’t think it would) but it also didn’t let me down.  It’s one of those things that I enjoy but don’t feel like I have to have it and wouldn’t feel the need to quick order another one once this one ran out.

It’s gentle on skin and provided me with a soft later.  The massaging nubs were gentle too and felt good on my skin.  I didn’t find the scent to be very strong or even very present.  It was very faint (which some people may really like) but I prefer a little bit of a stronger scent.  (I’m normally a big fan of a lot of V.S. scents so I figured this one would be no different.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a bad scent, I just wish there was more of a scent).

The only other downside to this is I wish it had some kind of handle on the backside of it.  There’s no handle on it and the only thing you can do is grip it in your hands and we all know that soap is slippery when wet so you really need to hold on to it tight.  (I know I am going to drop this thing plenty of times……)

 

Pros:

• Gentle
• Nubs feel good on skin

Cons:

• Not scented enough for me
• No handle/slippery/going to drop it

Tips for Applying Sunless Tanner

The Basic Rule of Sunless Tanner (whether you’re using gels, lotions or sprays)

Never go more than 2 shades darker than your natural skin color (otherwise you’ll end up looking cheap, fake, orange and like an oompa loompa…none of which are attractive)

 

The Proper Way to Apply Sunless Tanners

Exfoliate.  This step is very important yet a lot of people skip over it.  Exfoliating helps ensure an even and smooth application.  Exfoliating scrubs away any dry and dead skin which is important in achieving a flawless application.  Dry areas (such as elbows and knees) absorb the tanner more than other areas therefore, those dry areas end up looking darker.  You want to exfoliate everywhere but you want to exfoliate the most in those rough and dry areas.  Also, when exfoliating, don’t use an exfoliator that is very oily or greasy.  These types of exfoliators leave behind a greasy/oily residue which repels tanner.  The best exfoliating method to use in this case is plain sugar (or plain sugar mixed with a tablespoon of water).  You can apply this standing in the shower without the water running because the dry exfoliation method actually does a better job exfoliating than doing it under the running shower water.

Shave or Wax.  You should shave or wax prior to applying sunless tanner.  If you wait until after applying the sunless tanner to do either of these, you’re going to mess it up.  (And I don’t mean 5 minutes later….later in the day, later that night, etc.)  Shaving and waxing will actually lift up some of your tanner and will leave you looking uneven and/or blotchy.

Dry Yourself.  Make sure your body is completely dry before applying any sunless tanner.  Also, do not apply lotion prior to applying sunless tanner except on dry and rough areas (such as elbows and knees).

Protect your Nails.  Prior to applying sunless tanner, you should apply a little bit of Vaseline to your nails and toe nails.  If you don’t, the sunless tanner can stain nails or get around the nail beds and cuticles leaving you with dirty looking nails (which no one should ever want).  This is also important in protecting your manicure and pedicure.  If you want to avoid this all together, slap on a pair of latex gloves and you won’t need to worry about getting orange hands or nails.  (But you’ll still have to protect your toenails).

Top to Bottom.  The proper way to apply sunless tanner is from the top of your body to the bottom of your body, not bottom to top.  (You can dilute your self tanner for those rough and dry areas by mixing it with some lotion too…if you aren’t using the spray sunless tanner.)

Clean Up.  After you’ve applied your sunless tanner, take a damp washcloth and gently buff those rough and dry areas (such as the elbows and knees).  This will help them from ending up darker than other areas of your body.  It’s also very important to carefully wash your hands after applying sunless tanner.  If you don’t you will end up with orange palms and markings between your fingers.  But be very careful when washing them because if you take your hands and dive them into running water you’ll most likely end up splashing further up your arms.  It’s not a bad idea to exfoliate your hands after applying sunless tanner either….this just ensures you really got it all.

Let it Dry.  Let the sunless tanner dry completely.  Do not try to throw on clothes immediately after applying the sunless tanner or you will end up staining your clothes or messing up your tan (or both).

 

The Quick Version

• Exfoliate
• Shave or wax
• Dry yourself completely (no lotion except on dry areas such as elbows and knees)
• Apply Vaseline to nails or slap on a pair of latex gloves
• Apply from top to bottom (do your face separately if you are using a special facial sunless tanner)
• Buff rough and dry spots with a damp washcloth after applying sunless tanner
• Wash/Exfoliate hands (very carefully) after you are completely done applying sunless tanner
• Let it dry

D.I.Y. Bath Fizzies

Make your own bath fizzies at home….perfect for gifts!

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups baking soda
• 1 cup citric acid
• 2 cups cornstarch
• 6 drops food coloring
• 6 drops essential oil (whichever you prefer)

Directions:

• Combine all the ingredients (except the food coloring); break up any chunks
• Pour 1 cup of the powdered mixture (from above) in a bowl
• Fill spritzer bottles with water and 6 drops each with food coloring
• Spritz the powder mixture with the colored mix; stir after each spritz
• Spritz until the consistency has become tightly packed or has begun to mold together
• Add the essential oils to the mixture; mix
• Transfer the mixture into small molds (whichever shapes/styles you prefer)
• Let set for 2 hours; carefully and gently remove from the molds
• (Do this process for each different color fizzy you decide to make or do everything at once if using only one color)

D.I.Y. Moisturizing Body Exfoliator Scrub

Rub away dead and dry skin with this moisturizing body exfoliator that will leave skin looking and feeling radiant and smooth!

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe banana
• 4 large strawberries
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1/2 cup sugar

Directions:

• Mash the fruit together using a fork until smooth
• Stir in the remaining ingredients; mix until smooth
• Apply and massage into skin for a few minutes
• Rinse with water
• Follow up with your favorite moisturizer

Honey and Avocado Nail Scrub

Nourish and cleanse nails with this easy to make nail scrub!

 

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. honey
• 1 tbsp. avocado oil
• 1 egg yolk
• 3 drops apple cider vinegar
• Pinch of salt

 

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients; mix well
• Massage into nails and cuticles
• Let sit for 10-15 minutes
• Rinse with warm water

Coconut Milk and Ginger Body Scrub Recipe

Slough off dry and dead skin with this Asian inspired body scrub which will leave you with radiant and glowing skin!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup ground rice (can be grinded in a blender)
• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tbsp. ground ginger

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients; mix to form a paste
• Apply to skin and gently massage into skin for a few minutes
• Rinse with water