There is no better time than now to try DIY beauty. We’re all spending more time at home and looking for new things to try. Besides baking vegan treats I have been trying a few new homemade beauty products at home.

I love DIY products for many reasons. They’re cheaper than buying products since I already have the ingredients in my home, so I don’t have to pay additional costs for packaging, delivery, etc. Homemade products are low-to-zero waste. I normally store my DIY products in recycled jars or containers. They’re also fun to make! I enjoy the process of mixing and measuring ingredients. It’s like a fun beauty experiment.

Whether you’re looking for a new, fun and sustainable hobby or running low on beauty products you can try out these five simple DIY beauty recipes:

1. Honey Face Mask
   It wasn’t until 2019 when I had the worst acne of my life, when I sought out a simple mask to help remove acne scars. Many holisitc skincare blogs had recommended honey and turmeric, so I tried the mask for three weeks in a row. I was pleasantly surprised (and relieved) by the results. My skin felt softer, my skin was glowing and most of my scars had faded.
   The Recipe: ¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder and 3 tablespoons of organic honey.
   Mix until a paste forms. Apply evenly on face and neck and leave on for 10 minutes.
   
2. Cinnamon Spot Treatment
   I have had a few breakouts since lockdown started. The breakouts were mostly caused by stress, hormones and bad eating habits. This spot treatment works like magic. It does tingle a little at first but it gets rid of the nasty pimple in minutes.
   The Recipe: Pinch of cinnamon and ½ teaspoon of lemon juice.
   Mix cinnamon and lemon together then apply directly onto spot. Leave on for 15 minutes.
   
3. Lip scrub
   I have never bought a lip scrub before because this sweet lip scrub is so easy to make. My lips always feel plump and soft. I scrub my lips once a week. I also use it to remove lipstick or lipgloss as coconut oil is a natural makeup remover.
   The Recipe: 1 tablespoon coconut oil, ½ tablespoon of sugar (brown or white – depends on what you have) and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.
   Combine all ingredients in a bowl or container. Use your finger or toothbrush to scrub your lips. Rinse off with water then moisturise your lips with lip balm.
   
4. Hot Oil Hair Treatment
   Oiling my hair has become an essential part of my haircare routine, especially now that winter is fast approaching. This hot oil treatments keeps my hair hydrated without making it flat and it promotes growth!
   The Recipe: 1 cup coconut oil, ½ tablespoon castor oil and ½ tablespoon of Amla oil.
   Mix oils together in a bowl. Heat the treatment in a microwave for 20 seconds. You can also place your bowl in a sink and fill the sink with hot water until it surrounds just the bottom of the bowl (don’t get any water into the bowl). Wait until the treatment is warm and ready. Section your hair and apply the oil treatment from root to ends. Tie up your hair and cover it with a shower cap. Leave on for 30 minutes then wash and style as you normally do!
   
5. Body scrub
   Physical exfoliation is my favourite part of my self-care routine. This body scrub removes dead skin and leaves my skin feeling softer than before. Pink Himalayan Salt and olive oil are the two base ingredients. I listed two optional essential oils to add to the scrub. Lavender oil is great to use when you need a relaxing exfoliant whilst peppermint oil is more energising and is better to use in the morning.
   The Recipe: 1 cup Pink Himalayan Salt, , ½ cup olive oil , 3 – 5 drops of lavender or peppermint essential oil.
   Mix ingredients together in a bowl or container. Use your preferred sponge or brush to exfoliate your skin. Rinse off with water.

I hope you like these DIY products. Remember that not every product will suit every skin type or hair type. I can safely say that every product on the list is safe for dry and sensitive skin, and the oil treatment works well for curly hair.

Have fun!

-Kayla

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