I feel so conflicted. The very nature of this blog is to review and recommend products I’ve tested in order to save you money and the headache of buying something you probably won’t like. But on the other hand, I don’t want to be a pusher of empty consumerism. It seems so vapid (it’s also pretty uninspiring for me) to talk day after day about how you need to buy more shit you may or may not need to improve the way you look. So in the spirit of a new year (and a cutting back after blowing too much on holiday gifts), I wanted to share my all time favorite DIY beauty treatments using ingredients you already have around the house that work just as well (if not better) than anything you can get at the mall. Enjoy!
Coffee
My DIY Coffee scrub continues to gain popularity every day on Pinterest for good reason. It’s a great solution for dull, dry skin that also improves microcirculation which can lessen the appearance of cellulite. It’s easy to whip up and feels like a spa treatment in your shower. Another bonus is the use of sugar instead of salt so you can use it to get a closer shave on your legs without getting that rashy burn you get from a salt version.
Coconut Oil
I get a two pack of those huge organic Coconut Oil tubs from Costco for around $15 which last about 6 months around here. I keep one in the pantry for cooking and put one upstairs in the hall closet for me and my girls to fill up smaller containers I’ve put in each of our bathrooms to use as a post-shower moisturizer. I also have a little container of it in my shower to use instead of a shave cream which as I’ve mentioned before, is the ultimate for preventing cuts and razor burn. If you’re using it on your skin, whip it up into a creamy butter for extra decadence (check out an easy how-to on that HERE.) You can add essential oils to it for added benefits, or even mix it with some olive oil for an awesome moisturizing hair mask. You can use it for just about anything (99 things actually according to Dr. Oz.)
Apple Cider Vinegar
Remember my magical ACV hair treatment? I need to fill up another bottle and keep it in the shower because it really does work wonders to condition and remove traces of product that makes hair look lifeless. It’s one of the easiest and most effective DIY treatments I’ve found and it will save you big bucks on that clarifying shampoo that you won’t need anymore.
Sugar and Olive Oil
One of my all time favorite treatments for instant results is a quick sugar and olive oil scrub for the hands. Mike’s hands get so dry that they crack and bleed, the dry skin builds like a callous that doesn’t allow moisture to penetrate so even though he’ll use lotion, it doesn’t do any good. I’ll grab the sugar and oil (he would never do it on his own volition) and just like that his hands are returned to normal. Just pour roughly a tablespoon of table sugar into dry hands (as in not wet, not dry like texture-wise) with about the same amount or less of olive oil and then rub, rub, rub paying extra attention to your knuckles and backs of your hands which are the driest areas. Wash well with soap and water then follow with olive or coconut oil (or whatever lotion you like) and marvel at how baby soft your hands feel (and look!) Even your cuticles look better so it’s like an instant mani too. I swear it’s so simple and completely worth the few extra minutes.
Witch Hazel
I use this exact Witch Hazel every single day. As a toner at night that I mix with a drop of this Tea Tree Oil which gives my skin a fresh clean feeling that I love without stripping or harsh ingredients. Of course you can skip the addition of an oil all together and just use the Witch Hazel to make sure all of your makeup is off. You’ll be surprised how dirty that cotton pad can be. I also mix witch hazel with a few drops of essential oils in a mister bottle for a safe air freshener (see tons of recipes HERE), those Glade and Febreze sprays are filled with chemicals I don’t want near my dogs or kids (or myself actually.)
Olive oil
Years ago I met this amazing facialist in L.A who swore that Olive Oil was the only thing she used on her skin (read more about its benefits HERE.) She was in her 60’s and had better skin than most women in their 30’s. She inspired me to buy a little bottle (like THIS) and fill it with an organic extra virgin olive oil to keep in my bathroom to use as a makeup remover and as a moisturizer (it doesn’t cause breakouts or clog pores.) It somehow doesn’t burn my eyes when I massage it into my lids to breakdown shadow and layers of mascara, and it never breaks me out. I like to pat some around my eyes as a pre-serum before using other eye creams, but you can use it solo too. It’s also worth noing that when you use a higher quality oil it doesn’t have that strong scent so you’re not heading into bed smelling like a salad.
Honey and Baking Soda
My easy scrub recipe has also been a favorite on Pinterest because it works so well you probably won’t buy another scrub again after trying it. Baking soda has a thick, gritty quality that sort of sands down the skin without being overly harsh. I mix it with equal parts royal jelly honey (I use THIS one found at Vitamin Cottage) for its many skin benefits.
Check out my Skincare Hacks board for more great DIY beauty ideas.
Coconut oil is the bomb! I love how you can use it for soooooooo many beauty purposes!