I feel like I haven’t posted a DIY beauty recipe in such a long time so I figured it was the perfect time! Besides, spring is on it’s way and I tend to experiment with beauty recipes more in the warmer months so I have a feeling I’ll be posting a lot soon.

Anyway, let’s talk about what’s on the agenda for today. I think I’ve probably mentioned to you in the past that I have a problem with breakouts on my back. My spots are so embarrassing and even a little painful. They also always seem to scar, which is super irritating. I’ve been testing different things out and nothing seems to keep them completely at bay but I use dead sea salt in the shower, which helps quite a bit, and then I get out of the shower and use a DIY acne pad.

If you want to make your own DIY cleansing wipes (think Stridex pads, but healthy and natural) keep reading to find out how. 

In a separate bowl, combine the essential oils and witch hazel and make sure the ingredients are incorporated together. Put your cotton rounds in your container and then pour the mixture over the cotton rounds, let it sit and absorb for several minutes. 

You can use your freshly made wipes on your back like I do or on your face! Be sure to test your skin for an allergy to either essential oil before applying though.

If your skin is feeling the harsh effects of the cold winter months, like mine has been, then todays DIY beauty recipe will be perfect for you. The ingredients in the following mask are nourishing, soothing, and super rich so your skin will drink it all in and be left feeling hydrated and healthy.

Chop up the cucumber and avocado, then place all four ingredients into the blender or food processor to create a paste. Once your mixture is thouroughly blended you can massage the mask onto your freshly cleansed face, neck, and chest. Let the mask sit for 20 to 30 minutes before rinsing off with lukewarm water. Follow up with your favorite facial oil or moisturizer.

I don’t know about you but acne really bums me out. I’ve been lucky for the majority of my life and had clear skin but now that I’m in my mid-twenties my skin has been having some serious hormonal acne problems. I have always known about the benefits of using tea tree oil to combat blemishes but I’m just now beginning to experiment.

Even though the recipe I am sharing with you today is super simple, it’s an awesome treat for your skin. If you’re seeing spots this mask will become your new best friend! The following two ingredients combine to create an antibacterial and antiseptic yet hydrating facial mask.

What you need:
1 tablespoon of honey
3-5 drops of tea tree oil (start with the minimal amount and then you can adjust according to your personal preferences)

Once you mix the tea tree oil into the honey just apply evenly on clean skin and let sit for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing off with lukewarm water. If you want to cover your neck and chest you can double the recipe.

You can use this mask several times a week as desired and it should keep pesky pimples at bay. However, this isn’t a miracle mask and it won’t completely heal your skin. In fact, any product promising miracles probably will let you down. This mask will help brighten, refresh, and minimize red and angry blemishes. Remember to spot test before using in case your sensitive to the oil.

Do you have an event coming up that you want to look golden, glowy, and glamorous for? Or maybe you just want to perk up your pale skin with a little color. Instead of using harsh self-tanning products or going out into the sun (or even worse – the tanning beds) try mixing up your very own bronzing powder with simple ingredients you probably have at home.

All you have to do is mix the cocoa powder and cinnamon together until you have the perfect shade for you. Everyone has different skin and different preferences so some of you may want more cocoa in the mix while others may prefer more cinnamon. Once you have the perfect shade, just pour the powder into an old jar or container and apply to your skin where you want a golden glow!

If you want to bronze your body all you need to do it add your powder into enough of your favorite lotion to cover whichever parts of your body you want to bronze. The best part about this is that it’s temporary so as soon as you get home from your event you can hop in the shower and rinse the golden glow down the drain. Make sure to let dry completely before putting on any clothes and don’t get wet while it’s on your skin.

No one can argue about the benefits of using natural ingredients and products but there is one downside that comes to mind, dirtier showers. I don’t know if this happens to everyone or if it’s just what happens in my house but my shower gets coated with an oily residue that’s tough to clean.

My Mom shared this recipe that she uses with me so I thought I should pass it on. It’s easy and healthy!

Combine the baking soda and castile soap together in a bowl, and then add the water and lemon juice. You should need about a tablespoon of each but gauge it based on the consistency, which should be a soft paste. Once you have your paste you can scrub the shower and tub clean. Once you rinse your shower should be sparkling!

Bonus cleaning tip – pour some baking soda into your toilet and then add some vinegar! Of course it’s not magical, you’ll still have to use your muscles and a sponge, but it’s a great cleaning solution.

For a lot of people, myself included, fall and winter tends to lead to dry (or dryer than normal) skin. I always amp up my facial routine during the colder months and use creamier cleanser, thicker moisturizers, and moisture infusing masks and treatments. If you have oily skin, today’s recipe is not for you. If you need a hydrating and nourishing facial mask then look no further! 

Combine the yolk with the carrot and apply the mixture to your face. Massage it into your skin and let it sit for 20-30 minutes before rinsing off with warm water. Make sure to use your favorite moisturizer afterwards to lock in the benefits of the mask.

It’s been a while since I’ve talked about the skin benefits of apple cider vinegar, but if you’ve been with me since the beginning you remember how much I love the magical, amber colored liquid for toning and taming breakouts as well as using to clean nails before a manicure or using it as a rinse for hair. Since I’ve had several readers asking for DIY recipes that are perfect for oily and acne prone skin, I figured now was the perfect time to bust out ACV again.

The three, simple ingredients in this recipe combine to create a nourishing, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial mask so it’s perfect for using on blemished skin. It’s also good for those of us who want to clarify our skin. Be sure to patch test this mask (like all masks, treatments, and scrubs) before applying to your face.

This mask is supposed to be a bit runny so you may need to adjust the ingredients until you have a consistency you’re happy with. Once you have the consistency you desire, apply to a clean face. Let the mask sit for 20-30 minutes before rinsing off with water. Be sure to follow up with your favorite moisturizer!

I absolutely love to exfoliate my skin. It’s my favorite step in taking care of my skin so I love playing around and experimenting with different scrubs. This one features pantry staples including my favorite DIY beauty ingredient, honey, as well as lemon and sugar. It’s super simple and easy to make and use. This scrub comes in handy for people with discolored and uneven skin, dull skin, large pores, or acne.

Any of the aforementioned skin types will benefit from using this scrub, however it’s important to test how your skin reacts to the ingredients, especially since many people have sensitivities to citrus. Lemon juice, as all citrus juice, will make skin sensitive to the sun so be sure to use SPF if you do this during the day; however, I recommend using facial scrubs like this before going to bed so your skin has time to regenerate.

Mix the ingredients together in a bowl and apply to your freshly cleansed face. Massage the mixture gently into your skin for several (2-3) minutes before rinsing off with warm water. Be sure to avoid the delicate eye area. Make sure to follow up with your favorite serum or moisturizer.

It’s that time of year again - time for long, warm, relaxing baths! There is nothing more comforting that hopping into the tub for some me time during the fall, however our skin can get a bit tight, dry, and itchy from the warmth of the water as well as the cold, dry air outside and the high temperatures from indoor heaters.

The next time your skin needs hydrated and soothed try this quick and simple recipe.

What you need:
1/2 cup of rose water
(You can buy rose water or make your own by following my recipe which you can find here) 
1/2 cup of coconut milk

Just pour both ingredients into your tub full of warm water, sit back, and relax for the next half an hour. You skin will thank you!

The coconut milk can leave your tub a bit slippery so be extra careful and wipe down your tub afterwards.

My hands are really dry right now, with the changing of the seasons, so I thought a hand scrub recipe would be appropriate for today’s post! By the way, Happy first week of fall! This scrub stars applesauce, which is a natural exfoliant that contains calcium, iron, and vitamin A. Apples are hard workers when it comes to fighting bacteria, being an antioxidant and an astringent. It also makes a wonderful and nutritious snack for children of all ages.

What you need:
3 tablespoons of natural applesauce
(you can buy some or make your own)
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
1 tablespoon of olive oil

Once you have all of the ingredients together, put them into a small bowl or container and mix thoroughly. Massage into your dry hands in the fashion of washing your hands, before rinsing off with warm water. Your hands will look and feel like they have been pampered by a professional. Oh, this scrub also smells incredibly delicious. You'll love it! It's one of my favorite beauty recipes. Enjoy!

Instead of forking over a ton of cash for pricey lash growth serums just head to your natural health store to pick up some 100% natural and pure Castor oil. Next time you use up a mascara keep the wand and rinse it off using natural soap or shampoo (you can also purchase disposable mascara wands). Dip your mascara wand into some Castor oil every night (and day if you want) and your lashes, or even your brows, will become longer in time and thicker.

Dry shampoo is increasingly popular but I have to say that I have tried a lot of dry shampoos in the past and pretty much hated them all. I recently started experimenting with ingredients to try to make my own dry shampoo powder and I think I hit hair gold! 

After grinding the oatmeal into a fine powder, I combined all three ingredients and ground the mixture again just to ensure everything was mixed and fine enough. Then I poured the powder into an old salt shaker (but you can use whatever you have handy. I think a powdered sugar sifter would be even better!). When your hair needs a little freshening up you can just sprinkle some of the powder onto your roots, massage into scalp, let sit for a minute or two, and then brush out.

If you’re dark haired you shouldn’t worry about having a white or gray ashen residue. I have medium colored hair and don’t have any problem with it being visible. I love using this on days when I need to go out and have little time or just don’t want to wash my hair – admit it, we all have those days!

Try it out and let me know what you think!

It's that time of year again, time to head back to school, and we all know that germs love to lurk in the hallways, linger on desks, and get passed from kid to kid. Thinking about germs can make anyone a little nervous but reaching for the commercial hand sanitizer is not the wisest choice. They are typically full of yucky stuff and smell like pure alcohol… yuck! Step away from the Purell and try making your own sanitizing spray with this easy recipe. 

What you need:
2 ½ tablespoons of lemon witch hazel (Thayers is my favorite!)
1 tablespoon of tea tree oil
25 drops of lavender, lemon, or peppermint essential oils

 Put all of the ingredients into a little plastic spray bottle (that you can find at almost any drugstore/grocery store/beauty supply/dollar store) and you can throw it in your purse, keep it on your desk, or use it anywhere you feel the need to disinfect. You will need to shake it before each use since the ingredients have a tendency to separate. Spray it a few times directly into your hands and rub them together to de-germ. This spray should help stave off those yucky germs that cause illness and it’s perfect for back to school time!

Roses are beautiful, timeless, fragrant and also therapeutic. Rose water has been used and revered for centuries all over the world for so many different purposes. It is said that Cleopatra even used rosewater as part of her daily beauty routine and loved it! It has antibacterial, soothing, antiseptic and healing benefits. It is often used in cosmetics, skincare, hair products, medicine and even for cooking and baking.

Rose water is very effective when it comes to skin infections and problems. It can hydrate dry skin, reduce swelling and redness, purify and tone the skin, and help with blemishes. It can also tame irritated, sensitive skin. You can find rose water available for purchase at any store with a good natural or organic section, but you can make your own at home. It’s so easy, and when you make your own you know for a fact that it is high quality and 100% natural.

You need 1 cup of rose petals (make sure to rinse them well before beginning), packed down in the measuring cup like you would do with flour or brown sugar while baking. Put the petals into a heat resistant bowl and pour two cups of boiling distilled water over them; use just enough to cover them. Steep for half and hour before pouring the rosewater through a strainer into a bottle or jar of your choosing. Your rosewater will be good for about 7 to 10 days in your refrigerator.

You can use your rosewater for:

Toning your face after cleansing
As an aftershave to calm the skin
Spraying on your face to cool and refresh
Adding to your bath to smooth skin
Creating your own natural beauty products

Summer is my favorite season but the harsh sun at high temperatures can lead to greasy skin and hair. In addition to sweaty strands, spending time in salt water or backyard swimming pools can cause hair to need a little extra care and cleansing. If your hair needs a little clarifying, all you need is two common household ingredients to bring your hair back to it’s full potential. 

What you need:
1 teaspoon of Aloe Vera
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
Your daily shampoo

Just add the aloe and lemon juice to your regular shampoo and wash as you normally would. These two extras will help refresh and clarify your locks leaving you with clean, bouncy hair. You can use this all year long to get rid of build up as well.

Bananas are a healthy and nutritious treat eaten by people all over the world. They make a fantastic snack but also have skin beneficial vitamins, minerals, and potassium. Since bananas are so good for the insides and outsides of our bodies there are many different ways in which you can use banana to pamper yourself and today I’ll be sharing one simple recipe featuring the delicious, yellow fruit. This recipe is an easy to make hand and foot treatment for use when your skin could use a little TLC. 

What you need:
1/2 of a ripe banana
1/2 teaspoon of honey 
2 teaspoons of unsalted butter 

Mash the banana and combine with the honey and butter, mix until smooth and creamy. Spread over your hands and feet then cover with socks and gloves. If you can handle it, leave on over night. When you wake up in the morning your hands and feet will be unbelievably soft and smooth!

Want luminous, refreshed, and vibrant skin? Next time you take a bath try adding some citrus to the water. You will need 2 to 3 ripe oranges and 2 lemons (although you can use one or the other if you prefer).

Fill your tub with warm water and squeeze the juice of the oranges and lemons into the water. You can then add the actual oranges and lemons to the water as well. Soak for at least 20 minutes and relax!

Your skin will absorb the Vitamin C that is found in the orange and lemon juices leaving your body looking luminous and rejuvenated! This soak is also great for those of us with pesky body acne. The juice of the oranges and/or lemons acts as an astringent as well as an exfoliant, and helps clear and soften the skin. Please be aware that citrus can cause your skin to be sensitive to the sun for an hour or two after exposure so wear sunscreen if you're going to be out during the day. Enjoy!

There is only one thing that I dislike about summer, and that would be bugs. Where I live there is an abnormal amount of insects of all shapes and sizes. I have gotten used to my white car turning green because of its layer of bugs but I refuse to get used to being attacked and bitten by them. However; I hate the smell and feel of bug spray. Nothing disgusts me more than the scent of traditional bug repellents so I knew that I had to dedicate an entire post to keeping bugs at bay.

Fun fact – Did you know that only female mosquitoes bite us? That is because female mosquitoes need our blood to be able to lay their eggs. Gross, right? Okay, enough science for today.

Not only are mosquito bites incredibly uncomfortable and itchy – they can also transmit diseases like West Nile Virus, Malaria and other harder to pronounce diseases. They have been responsible for the death of more people than all of the worlds wars combined. Malaria infected mosquitoes kill an average of 2 to 3 million people a year and people living in the United States are not immune to contracting mosquito transmitted diseases. This is why it’s so important to protect ourselves from being brunch for these pesky insects.

Here are just a few ideas for keeping bugs away from you:

DIY Mosquito Deterrent – All you need is a small spray bottle, a carrier oil or alcohol that is safe for use on skin (olive oil, witch hazel, vodka, or other cooking oils), and an essential oil. The essential oils that are good for repelling mosquitoes are castor oil, eucalyptus oil, cinnamon oil, and citronella oil. You should mix 1 part oil with 10-20 parts of oil or alcohol. Your mixture should be anywhere between 5 and 10 percent essential oil. (Around 20 drops of oil per 2 tablespoons of oil/alcohol.) Neem oil is also a very effective natural bug repellent.

You can use coconut oil as a bug repellent. You can rub it all over your body like a moisturizer to keep bugs from lunching on you.

Bonus tip – Wearing dark clothing is also helpful!

I hope that you can use some of these ideas to keep yourself safe while the mosquitoes are out in full force this summer. As always, if you have any different bug repellent recipes or tricks please let me know in the comments.

Chocolate is becoming a hot commodity in the spa and beauty industry, especially in the form of facials and body treatments, however these sweet treats for your skin can get a little pricey. Instead of forking over your hard-earned cash each time you want to pamper your skin with cocoa, try making your own mask at home for a fraction of the cost. 

What you need:
1 tablespoon of pure organic cocoa powder
1 tablespoon of kaolin clay
1 tablespoon of honey
½ tablespoon of cream

Mix your dry ingredients in a bowl together before adding the honey and cream. Stir the mixture until it is fully combined and smooth, then apply the mask to clean skin. You want to apply the mask evenly so your entire face is covered. Leave the mask on for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing off with warm water. Make sure to apply your favorite moisturizer after any mask, scrub or treatment.

The ingredients in the mask act to brighten, exfoliate, purify, and soften the skin. When your finished your skin should feel fresh, clean, and rejuvenated. Enjoy!

Today, we are talking chocolate. Whether you are a fan of milk, white or dark you’ll really love this simple, DIY lip balm recipe.

What you need:
1 teaspoon of cocoa butter
½ teaspoon of coconut oil
1-3 Chocolate chips or 1 square of a chocolate bar (you can use any type of chocolate you want)
A few drops of Vitamin E Oil
Optional: A couple drops of vanilla or peppermint oil

Melt the coconut oil and cocoa butter together slowly over a double boiler and then add the chocolate and Vitamin E. Add the essential oil at this point if you would like. Mix everything together and pour into an old lip balm tin or container. Pop into the freezer until it sets. Feel free to apply as often as you like. Keep in mind that the chocolate will add a slight tint to your lips.

One of my favorite things about summer is the fact that good, ripe fruit is so abundant. I consider myself to be a fruit-itarian. I could totally live on nothing but fruit if it was healthy to do so. I have especially been enjoying strawberries lately and I’m actually eating some as I type this. Sadly, I picked up a bad bushel of berries the other day and rather than tossing them I decided to play around with them and see what I could come up with beauty wise.

My Mom suggested we experiment by making some sort of foot scrub since both of our tootsies have not been looking or feeling very soft or lady-like lately. Sandal season often comes with rough, dry, cracked heels and toes so to remedy this we whipped up a batch of this berry scrub, which we also used on our hands.

What you need:
A handful of strawberries (we used about 10 of them for both of us, but depending on the size of your berries you may need more or less)
2 tablespoons of Grapeseed oil (or other skin friendly oil)
1 tablespoons of sea salt
1 tablespoon of raw sugar

Mash the berries with a fork, food processor, or hand blender and then mix the ingredients together in a small bowl forming a paste. Massage the paste onto your skin and gently massage in small, circular motions. I apply onto dry skin but if you would like a gentler exfoliation you can apply the mix onto damp skin. When finished rinse off with warm water and pat dry. Don’t forget to lock in your new silky, smooth skin with your favorite body lotion, cream, or butter!

Oh, and be warned that this is a very messy recipe so I advise you to do this only in your tub, shower, or sink for easy cleanup. It smells really good and makes skin feel great so it is fully worth it! Enjoy!

Don't forget to enter my Summer of Beauty giveaway for a chance to win a prize package worth $95 by clicking HERE.

It is finally getting warm here, which means it is time for shorts, swimsuits, and tank tops. After a winter of being covered up it is time to get my skin ready to see the sun! This moisturizing mask is perfect for hydrating and rejuvenating dry skin all over the body. It also feels great after getting sunburned.

What you need:
1 ripe avocado
2 tablespoons of plain yogurt (Greek or full fat works even better!)
1 tablespoon of cocoa butter
1 teaspoon of baking soda

Mix all of the ingredients together by either mashing them with a fork or pureeing them in a blender or food processor. Apply this mask to your legs, arms, back, chest, and/or anywhere else you need a little TLC. You can apply this on your face as well but it may be too heavy for many skin types because of the cocoa butter. I always recommend doing treatments like this in the bathtub since they can be messy. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes before rinsing.

Once you are finished, your skin should feel like new! Enjoy your silky smooth skin!

The first official day of summer took place during this past weekend, and I couldn’t be any more thrilled than I am at this moment! Summer is my favorite season, hands down. I love lounging by the pool (covered in SPF, of course), wearing cute floral dresses, short shorts, and being able to play in the sunshine all day long. No matter what your reasoning for loving summer may be, I’m sure you agree that there is no better season to keep your look casual, relaxed, and super laid back.

I don’t know how you feel about this, but I can’t stand the thought of straightening my hair when the mercury rises. Going through my standard straightening routine is not my idea of a good time when the temperatures are way above the 80s or 90s. Summer is the perfect time to give our hair a much needed break from styling, so why not embrace loose waves instead?

No hairstyle says summer to me like loose, beachy waves. I absolutely love the look of waves, and I think it’s an extremely flattering style on anyone and everyone. There are numerous companies who produce and sell sea salt or wave spray, but why buy it when you can make it yourself? It’s so easy and if you’re anything like me you like to know exactly what is in your beauty products.

You will need:

• A spray bottle (You can find these almost anywhere and they usually cost $1)
• Distilled Water
• A few teaspoons of sea salt (The more salt you add into your mixture, the more textured your hair will be – so this is all based on personal preference)
• Jojoba oil, olive oil, or even conditioner if you would prefer. This is to counteract the drying effect that the salt can have on your hair.

 

You just need to fill your bottle with the distilled water, leaving enough room to add the salt and oil/conditioner. Remember – the amount of salt depends on how much texture the spray will give your hair but I would suggest using at least 2 teaspoons. After adding the sea salt, you can then put in your light oil. I used jojoba oil, but if you would prefer to use conditioner or another type of oil please feel free to do so. I put in about 5 or 6 small drops.

All you need to do now is shake to mix all of the ingredients together. I told you it was simple! You’ll need to shake the mixture before using it every single time, because the ingredients have a tendency to separate. You can either spray into damp or dry hair and just “scrunch” with your fingers or twist into sections and let dry before taking down. Run your fingers through it to give it a more natural look and you’re all set!

Happy Summer beauties!

 

I love having a sun kissed glow in the warmer months but with all we know about harmful UV rays and skin cancer there is no way that I will lay out to get a tan. I have never found a good commercial (natural or otherwise) self tanner. They all smell awful or leave me looking more like Snooki than Giselle. If you have an event or something you want to look golden and glowy for all you need is a little coffee.

What you need:
1 cup of coffee grounds (your leftovers from this mornings coffee work well!)
2 tablespoons of your favorite skin friendly oil (I like olive oil for body recipes)

Mix the oil and coffee grounds together and massage into your skin. You can use this anywhere but I typically just use it on my arms and legs. I’m a little scared to apply coffee grounds to my face but if you want to you certainly can. I recommend doing this in the bathtub since it is super messy. It also acts as a scrub and can help temporarily tighten the skin and make it appear firmer. Leave the coffee grounds on your skin for 20 minutes and rinse off.

 Now you have an excuse to drink more coffee!

I have dreamed of being a writer since I was a very young girl so I have a natural affinity for the written word. I love books and I love to read. I always have an eye out for natural beauty books and had yet to find one that I absolutely loved until I stumbled upon Nature's Beauty Secrets written by Dawn Gallagher. This book sounded right up my alley so I emailed Dawn who kindly offered to send me a copy and also gave me the opportunity for one of you to win your own copy, (we'll talk more about the giveaway toward the end of this post).

When I received the book, I was pleasantly surprised. Never had I seen such a visually stunning book that is also full of helpful information and natural beauty recipes. It is a fantastic resource for creating your own products or at home spa experience. It also acts as a travel guide to wonderful spas around the world.

Dawn Gallagher is not only an author, (of this book as well as another called Naturally Beautiful: Earth's Secrets and Recipes for Skin, Body, and Spirit), and a natural beauty lover; she also happens to be a fashion model who has been on the cover of more than 300 magazines as well as a television host. Her work in the industry has allowed her to travel the world and learn about the culture, beauty secrets and treatments of many different regions. Visiting local spas during her travels led her to think about beauty in a more holistic way and while not everyone can travel to exotic places, they can prepare the simple natural beauty recipes in this book.

In Nature's Beauty Secrets, you will find dozens of easy to follow, all-natural beauty recipes based on treatments found in spas across the globe in places like Bali, Thailand, Tanzania, India, Spain, and Sri Lanka just to name a few. There are countless wonderful recipes featured in this book that are simple and easily made using many common ingredients found in your kitchen or pantry. There are recipes for the skin, hair, nails, and body. In addition to recipes, she included information on how to care for your skin from the inside out, nutrition tips, proper skin care techniques, and tons of other helpful information.

I have tried a handful of the recipes (including the Fresh-As-A-Peach Moisturizer, Banana-Cucumber Delight Mask, Chocolate Honey Body Mask, and several others), and enjoyed them all. Dawn is absolutely gorgeous so I have no qualms following her beauty advice. I can't wait to work my way through each and every recipe in this book and I know my Mom and I are going to have a ton of fun trying them all.