Turn Your Kitchen Staples Into DIY Beauty Products

making makeup

If there’s anything people who purchase make-up can tell you, it’s that it is a costly hobby. In Australia, women spend up to $3,600 each on beauty products per year[i] – that’s $300 a month! – and with that alarming figure, you might already be wondering how you can start saving some of that money. Luckily, there’s a trend that has taken the world by storm over lockdown, and that is D.I.Y. beauty products. Since people couldn’t go and buy their favourite products, they’ve had to come up with their own alternatives. And, boy, did they! Now, the internet is brimming with D.I.Y. beauty ideas as social media influencers and beauty magazines help fuel this trend, and we’ve gathered together a few of the best recipes to help you save money – and finally use up some of those things at the back of the cupboard!

Are Homemade Beauty Products Safe?

Since you are aware and completely in control of the ingredients used in D.I.Y. products, the majority of them are entirely safe. The natural ingredients that many of the recipe’s use are all proven to have health benefits on the skin and are completely safe to use. That being said, this doesn’t automatically mean that all homemade cosmetics are perfect. Several ingredients should be avoided or used only in small doses because they can cause adverse reactions. These include:

  • Lemon juice
  • Egg whites
  • Cinnamon powder
  • Toothpaste
  • Bicarbonate of soda
  • Coarse sugars
  • Honey
  • Olive Oil
  • Lavender
  • Alcohol
  • Water

Some of these ingredients, such as water, honey and bicarbonate of soda, are okay in minimal doses. Before you follow any recipe, make sure you’ve read the steps, ingredients, and the amounts it calls for. On the whole, homemade beauty products are safe as long as you avoid irritants and anything you know you are allergic to. If you have any side effects while using a homemade creation or after doing so (tingling, itching, acne, flare-ups, etc.), stop using immediately. If symptoms persist, it is best to see a doctor just to be on the safe side.

DIY Beauty Ideas

It might come as a surprise, but the vast majority of items in your cupboards can become an ingredient in a simple cosmetic product. And so easily too! Many of these simple recipes have only one or two steps and provide natural alternatives to beauty products that could set you back quite a few dollars. Don’t be afraid to experiment with them either – many other ingredients have various benefits, and your favourite scents will undoubtedly fit in perfectly.

 

All Skin Types Face Scrub

face scrub

Adaptable and ideal for all skin types (honest!), this face scrub is a God-send for all your skin problems.

You Will Need:

  • An exfoliant – Brown sugar is perfect because it is the softest, however, white sugar is also suitable. Alternatively, you could also use black lave sea salt, though this can be abrasive.
  • An oil – Sunflower, almond, avocado and extra virgin coconut oils are all good.
  • A fruit or vegetable, finely chopped – Though not necessary, fruit and veg such as strawberries, pineapples, or tomatoes can all boost the skin.
  • Muddler or mortar and pestle
  • An airtight container, any size

How To Do It:

  1. First, measure out the exfoliant into the container until it is around ¾ full
  2. Then, add the oil. There should be a 2:1 ratio here, so try and make sure there is twice as much salt or sugar as there is oil.
  3. Stir the exfoliant and oil together until just combined.
  4. Add in the finely chopped fruit or vegetable, if using, and muddle (or gently mash) until just combined.
  5. Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Nourishing Homemade Moisturiser

moisturiser

This one-step moisturizer can save you so much on expensive creams and smells lovely! Avocado oil added to the mix will combat the effects of those with dry skin and leave the skin feeling soft and supple.

You Will Need:

  • ½ cup coconut oil
  • One teaspoon vitamin E oil
  • 6 drops tea tree or roman chamomile essential oil
  • 1 -2 tsp avocado oil (optional)

How To Do It:

  1. In a bowl, combine the coconut oil, vitamin E oil, your chosen essential oil and avocado oil if using. Mix well
  2. Store in an airtight container at room temperature and use just like a regular moisturizer.

 

Natural Deodorant Stone

rock deodorant

This simple recipe hardens in the fridge and becomes a solid ‘stone’ that you can use like a regular roll-on deodorant.

You Will Need:

  • Two tablespoons bicarbonate of soda
  • Two tablespoons cornflour
  • Three tablespoons of virgin coconut oil

How To Do It:

  1. Combine the bicarbonate of soda and cornflour in a small bowl.
  2. Add the coconut oil, and stir until smooth.
  3. Pour into a container, and refrigerate until it is hard, which should take a few hours.
  4. Once hardened, take it out of the container and use like a regular roll-on deodorant. Store in the fridge in an airtight container to keep the solid texture.

Relaxing Oatmeal Face Mask

oats

Oatmeal is a fantastic skin reliever and works wonders on acne and irritated skin. However, too much honey can cause bacteria, so use this mask at maximum once or twice a week, and stop immediately if you get any side effects.

You Will Need:

  • 4 tbsp rolled oats, ground
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • One egg yolk

How To Do It:

  1. Start by blending the ground oats into a coarse powder in a blender or food processer, then add them to a small bowl.
  2. Pour the honey into the oat powder, and mix thoroughly until they come together.
  3. Add the yolk, and mix with the honey and oats to form a paste.
  4. Apply the mixture to your face and allow it to sit for 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with warm water.

Soft Sugar Lip Scrub

lip scrub

Another easy one-step hack, this scrub will exfoliate and moisturize that rough skin on the lips in less than two minutes.

You Will Need:

  • One teaspoon raw honey
  • Two teaspoons brown sugar
  • One teaspoon sunflower oil

How To Do It:

  1. To begin, combine the honey, sugar and oil in a small bowl, and mix well.
  2. When this is done, massage gently into lips, and rinse off with warm water after a minute or two. Follow with lip balm.
  3. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks

Fresh Rosemary and Peppermint Foot Scrub

This simple guide creates enough scrub for one treatment of both feet and will leave them feeling soft and hydrated – not to mention smelling lovely and fresh!

You Will Need:

  • ¼ cup of salt – Maldon is best, but regular sea salt is good too
  • One tablespoon table salt
  • One teaspoon coconut oil
  • Two tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 drops peppermint oil (or any flavour of your choice)
  • ½ teaspoon fresh rosemary

How To Do It:

  1. In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients until they start to form a scrub. Add a little more salt or oil if needed.
  2. Apply to feet for as long as you wish, then rinse off with warm water.

Revitalizing Coconut Oil Hair Mask

coconut oil

A beautiful recipe with completely natural ingredients, this mask will bring the bounce back to your hair in less than an hour. Of course, you may require more of these ingredients to cover all of your hair if it’s long or curly. But, if you make too much, you can store the mixture in an airtight container for up to two weeks, so it’s no worry.

You Will Need:

  • One tablespoon coconut oil
  • One tablespoon raw honey

How To Do It:

  1. In a small saucepan, mix the oil and honey and gently heat up on the stovetop until well combined.
  2. Allow to cool slightly, then apply generously to wet hair. Pay particular attention to the ends of your hair since this is where the most damage occurs.
  3. Throw your hair up and leave the mask in for 30 – 40 minutes.
  4. Then, rinse off with warm water, and follow with your usual shampoo and conditioner.

Take Some ‘Me’ Time

Now you know – you can make your own cosmetics from almost anything you can find in the kitchen! So take some time out of your busy life, whip up one of these reinvigorating face scrubs (and the hair mask while you’re at it!) and give you and your skin some much-needed T.L.C. without any of the money worries.

While you’re here, why not check out our range of online beauty courses for a full, comprehensive education on various beauty subjects? We have all you need to update your specialist knowledge in the beauty industry, from nail technology and manicure courses to facial and massage classes.

Sources

[i] https://www.beautypackaging.com/contents/view_infographics/2021-06-14/how-much-money-does-australia-spend-on-beauty/#:~:text=The%20figures%20are%20still%20shocking,out%20to%20%24300%20a%20month.