Containers

 

A list of containers for your DIY products is available here

 

Oils

 

There are different types of oils for you to use in the following recipes:

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• Grape seed and jojoba oils are thin and have very faint aromas

• Sweet almond oil has a medium consistency and a mild aroma

• Vegetable, olive, and canola oils are medium and have little aroma

• Coconut oil is medium and has a very strong, sweet aroma

• Peanut, walnut, and hazelnut oils are thin to medium and have nutty aromas

 

 

For hair

 

Use a vegetable oil of your choice as a deep hair conditioner. Add a few drops of geranium essential oil to the mixture. Geranium oil is said to be antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiseptic.   Massage through dry hair. Wrap a warm towel around your head and keep on for twenty minutes before washing off, starting with shampoo without water to cut through the oil.

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Hot oil treatment

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For a hot oil treatment, gently heat ¼ cup of a pleasant-smelling oil such as olive, coconut, almond, or sesame in a saucepan over low heat until it’s warm but not hot (you don’t want it burning your skin). Massage into damp hair, and cover with a shower cap or towel for 20 minutes before shampooing.

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Dry shampoo

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3 tbs cornflour (cornstarch)

1tbs bicarbonate of soda

1 tbs of cocoa powder (optional, for brown hair)

 

Combine all the ingredients together and use an old makeup brush to apply to your hair.

(source: @wastefreeplanet)

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For Face and Body

 

Salt scrubs (source: www.theclaycure.co.uk/recipes/how-to-make-a-salt-scrub/)

 

First, choose the scrub to match your mood or requirements.

 

Basic salt scrub

 

1 cup (300g) salt

½ cup (118 ml) oil

5-15 drops essential oils (optional)

 

Citrus salt scrub

 

½ cup (118 g) fine sea salt

½ cup (118 ml) oil

1 tsp (2g) citrus zest

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Coconut salt scrub

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2 cups (400 g) coconut oil

1 cup (240 g) Epsom salts

8-10 drops essential oils

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Degreasing salt scrub

 

½ cup (144 g) kosher salt

¾ cup (176 ml) grapeseed oil

3 tablespoons (45 ml) liquid castile soap

12 drops essential oils

 

Coffee salt scrub

 

2 cups (472 g) fine sea salt

½ (27 g) instant coffee

½ cup (100 g) coconut oil

 

Peppermint salt scrub

 

1 cup (240g) Epsom salts

1 cup (191 g) coarse sea salt

1/3 cup (78 ml) grapeseek oil

6 drops peppermint essential oil

4 drops red food colouring

 

There are different salts you can use, including table salt, sea salt, Himalayan salt, Dead Sea salt, or Epsom salt. Choose an oil to mix into the salt. Many oils come in glass bottles or you can refill from an increasing number of health food shops.

 

Add an essential oil that suits your mood. Citrus oils are fresh and energizing; Flower oils like ylang-ylang, rose and geranium are sweet and summery; Peppermint and cinnamon are invigorating oils that are also great for winter scrubs;

Lavender, vanilla, chamomile, and frankincense can be very calming.

 

Wet your skin. Use a spoon for the scrub to avoid getting any bacteria into the mixture. If you use on your face, avoid the eyes and rub in gently. Rinse off with warm water.

 

For normal skin types, use no more than twice a week;

For oily skin, use no more than 2-3 times a week;

For dry skin, only use once a week.

 

DIY body lotion

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All the recipes are best kept in the fridge and if they are stored in a glass jar with a lid that seals them, they should keep for one month.

 

Ingredients:

125gm cocoa butter
1 tsp almond oil
1 tsp vitamin E oil (about 3 capsules)

Glass jar with a lid

Method:

1. Place all ingredients in a glass bowl and gently heat over a saucepan of hot water.

2. Mix slowly and thoroughly until all ingredients are combined.

3. Allow the cream to cool completely before storing in a glass jar with a lid to seal.

 

Source: https://www.harpersbazaar.com.au/beauty/diy-body-lotion-recipes-20090

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For face

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For a face moisturizer, add a few drops of geranium essential oil to sweet almond oil or a vegetable oil of your choice and massage into skin for an intensive moisturizing experience. Alternatively rub coconut oil into hands to warm up, then apply to skin.

 

For a face exfoliator, use coffee granules:

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4 Tablespoons of coconut, olive, or other oil,
6 Tablespoons very finely ground coffee (previously brewed is fine),
a few drops of tea tree oil, geranium oil or preferred essential oil.

Combine all ingredients well and store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.  To use, scoop out a small portion and gently buff in a circular motion on face. This mixture will keep for several weeks (source: onegreenplanet.org)

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or

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¼ cup of fresh coffee grounds,
¼ cup of brown sugar,
add lemon juice to create appropriate consistency.

Leave on skin for a few minutes before cleaning off with damp cloth.

 

For eyes

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Dab cold finely-ground coffee grains around puffy eyes. Gently wipe away.

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Face masks

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Clarifying oat face mask

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Combine 3 teaspoons of ground oats and ¼ teaspoon apple cider in a bowl until a smooth paste forms. Then add ¼ tablespoon lemon juice and ½ tablespoon brown sugar; stir until the mixture is even. Apply to freshly cleansed skin and let sit for five to 10 minutes, allowing ingredients to penetrate top layers of the skin. Then rub in circular motions to exfoliate and increase blood-flow. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry with a towel.

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Depuffing cucumber eye mask

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Take a cold cucumber and grate it over a paper towel on top of a plate. Once you've finished grating, wrap the pieces like a burrito and compress it. Rest your head back and apply onto closed eyes for an instant soothing effect (source: goodhousekeeping.com).

 

 

Body care

 

For a body exfoliator, use coffee granules:

4 Tablespoons of coconut, olive, or other oil,
6 Tablespoons very finely ground coffee (previously brewed is fine),
a few drops of tea tree oil, geranium oil or preferred essential oil.

Combine all ingredients well and store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.  To use, scoop out a small portion and gently buff in a circular motion on face. This mixture will keep for several weeks (source: onegreenplanet.org)

or

¼ cup of fresh coffee grounds,
¼ cup of brown sugar,
add lemon juice to create appropriate consistency.

Leave on for a few minutes before cleaning off with damp cloth.

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Nail care

 

Coconut oil cuticle hydrator

 

Rub a small amount on each fingertip. Leave on for few minutes before massaging and rubbing off.

 

Foot care

 

Add a ratio of ½ cup baking soda for every gallon of warm water in a shallow tub and stir until the powder dissolves. Sit back and relax, soaking feet for about 30 minutes. Rinse away the baking soda and pat feet dry before applying foot cream and slipping on a pair of cotton socks.

 

Cucumber foot treatment

 

In a blender, combine two small cucumbers, the juice of one lemon, and three tablespoons of olive oil. Divide between two large plastic freezer bags, then place your feet inside and secure around your ankles with rubber bands. Sit for 5-10 minutes, then rinse off.

 

Peppermint foot scrub

 

Soothes and exfoliates feet. In a small bowl, add one cup of sugar and begin drizzling in two to three tablespoons of grape-seed, or another neutral oil, until you have a coarse, damp mixture. Stir in five drops of peppermint oil until well blended. Store in a jar and to use, rub a tablespoon or two onto the soles of your feet.

 

The lazy person’s foot moisturizer!

 

Rub down your feet with vegetable oil, then put on some old socks. When you wake up, the oil will be gone and your feet will be super soft.