After a year of lockdowns, furloughs and face masks we are all in need of a pamper this festive season. Over this Christmas period, we all have a little more time at home so why not try making your Christmas presents this year? If you want to give a loved one something personal this year, these 5 DIY beauty and wellness gifts would be perfect and won’t break the bank.
This is the perfect gift for the avid fake-tanner that we all know or just for someone that enjoys a good self-care session. The oil, coffee and sugar work together to remove fake tan residue and prep the skin by leaving it smooth and free of any dead skin cells. As well as increasing the blood flow to the skin, coffee has antioxidant qualities which protects the skin from sun damage. The added spices make this gift extra festive, not failing to leave you smelling like a PSL! The coffee is great for
1 cup olive/ almond oil (add until you reach desired consistency)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 brown sugar
1/2 ground coffee
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cocoa powder
For this spicy scrub you simply need to add all the dry ingredients together and mix in until they are all combined. Then add your oil and stir until a paste forms. Add more or less oil depending on the consistency that you want. Once made, pour into an old jam jar or something similar and customise with some festive ribbon and a little tag to add a personal touch.
2. All-Natural Hairspray
I was definitely skeptical about this recipe at first, however after some trying and testing I was pleasantly surprised. This natural hairspray is so much kinder to your hair and costs just pence to make- there really is no downside to giving this a go. Here’s how:
1/2 cup of boiled water
2 tsp sugar
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Simply dissolve the sugar in the boiled water and add the vanilla extract. Leave to cool and then pour into a spray bottle or an old hairspray bottle. And that’s it! Decorate your spray bottle or design your own label to complete the gift.
3. Golden Soothing Face Mask
In this ‘new norm’, face coverings are part of our daily lives and whilst they keep us safe and healthy on the inside, the same can’t be said for our skin. They are the culprits for the dreaded ‘Mask-ne’ can leave our skin feeling dry and irritated. Enter: this DIY face mask. This pot of golden goodness would be the perfect gift using ingredients you will probably already have in your cupboard!
3 tbsp turmeric
3 tbsp honey
2 or 3 tbsp yoghurt (or until the desired consistency)
1 tbsp blended oats
Squeeze of lemon juice
Mix all the dry ingredients together and then add the honey and lemon juice. Then add the yoghurt until you have reached the right consistency and add to your pot of choice! The turmeric in the mask has great antioxidant benefits and the yoghurt works to hydrate the skin leaving it refreshed and soothed.
4. Dullness Destroyer Hair Mask
For hair that has lost its shine and volume, this DIY hair mask is the answer! The key ingredient here is the apple cider vinegar, it enhances glossiness in the hair so when combined with the rich goodness of the coconut oil your hair will be thriving.
6 tbsp raw, unrefined coconut oil
6 tbsp apple cider vinegar
6 tbsp honey
3 tbsp cinnamon
Combine all these together and add to an old jar or pot. Perhaps make a label with directions of use to make your gift look extra professional! To get optimum results, this mask should be applied on damp hair from roots to ends and left on for 30 mins before shampooing out.
5. DIY Sleep Saver Pack
Sleep is your body’s time to heal, rejuvenate and energise. A good sleep routine is one of the best ways to keep your mental health in check and your motivation high, hence why this DIY sleep enhancing gift set would be such a thoughtful gift. This may take a few more ingredients and a little more time than the previous recipes but would be perfect for anyone with a busy lifestyle who finds it hard to switch- off. The pack includes: A card of yoga poses to try, a homemade oil diffuser and a homemade sleep balm.
Yoga card: There are hundreds of images of yoga poses and stretches online which would be perfect for this at-home yoga card. Select around 5-8 images of positions and paste them onto a document. This will be a useful guide for anyone who wants to try yoga and will also be excellent at helping them wind down before bed.
Oil diffuser: You will need; a small vase or bottle, bamboo skewers or diffuser reeds, 1/4 cup baby oil, 20 drops of essential oils of your choice (lavender and chamomile are proven to aid sleep and relaxation) and 3 tbsp vodka. Add all of these ingredients into your vase and place the reeds into the oil.
Sleep balm: You will need; 1 cup coconut oil, 1/2 cup beeswax pellets, 6 drops lavender essential oil, 6 drops chamomile essential oil. Melt the coconut oil and the beeswax together and then add the oils. Pour into container of your choice and leave to cool.