Dive into my Bag of DIY Beauty Recipes!

We’ve reached the point in the global lockdown where it’s hard to tell if it’s Thursday or June. ???? If you’ve been feeling stir crazy lately, a great way to break up the monotony is to get out of those sweatpants and dive into my bag of DIY beauty recipes. Especially if you’re on a lot of Zoom work meetings. #WFH

Just because you can’t get to the salon or the spa right now doesn’t mean your beauty routine needs to go into isolation too.

In fact, this in-between time is a great way to try out some new beauty trends. Perhaps, you’ll finally master a cat-eye, or simply pamper your stressed-out self for a little while. 

I’ve put together a whole makeup bag’s worth of DIY beauty recipes that you can indulge in without having to Instacart a ton of ingredients. Yep, these beauty recipes consist of everyday items you can find in your pantry, kitchen, or bathroom!

Let’s dive into my bag of DIY beauty recipes! 

Real Simple Rice Water Toner

Rice is a big beauty ingredient in Asian beauty culture. According to Jamie Ahn, owner of NYC’s Acqua Beauty Bar, a rice face mask is a popular way to deep-clean your skin and remove excess oil. Rice water is also thought to have benefits as a cleanser.  

“Rice water as a skincare ingredient has not been widely researched, but it is said to help smooth rough texture, minimize pores, and encourage a brighter complexion,” says dermatologist Dr. Joel Schlessinger. As it contains many nutrients and antioxidants, such as vitamins B1, C and E, it may also help with acne scarring and fading dark spots. 

Here is a simple beauty recipe to give this gentle facial toner a try. 

INGREDIENTS

• 3 TBS organic rice (Jasmine rice is preferable, but brown rice will work too. Do not use pre-packaged rice like Minute Rice; you don’t want those extra chemicals!)
• ¼ cup purified water

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Put the rice in a strainer and rinse it quickly, just to remove any possible debris.
2. Put rice in a bowl and add enough water to fully submerged the rice by about an inch. You can stick your index finger on the bowl bottom, and the water should be between your first and second knuckle.  
3. Let your rice steep for 2 hours at room temperature. Do not boil or cook it.
4. Strain the rice out of the water, putting the liquid in a jar or lidded container or spray bottle for storage.
5. Apply the rice water onto your face with a cotton ball, like a toner, or spray onto a clean face.

If refrigerated, the rice water toner will last for 7 – 10 days. Just be sure to shake well before each use, especially if you’re using some of these add-ins:

• 1 – 2 teaspoons aloe vera gel (to brighten your skin)
• 5 – 10 drops lavender essential oil (to reduce inflammation. If your skin is sensitive, use a bit less)
• carrier oil – optional (If you have very dry skin, you can add 1 tablespoon of any natural oil  like jojoba, olive, sweet almond, macadamia, avocado etc.)
• matcha green tea powder – optional (You can add ½ – 1 teaspoon of matcha powder if you have acne or uneven complexion, to even further enhance the benefits of rice water for your skin.)

---

Balinese-Inspired Foot Soak

Give your tired toes a break with this DIY beauty recipe inspired by a traditional foot bath from Bali that will relax tense muscles and transport you to a calming tropical oasis with its fragrance.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup of Epsom salt
• An essential oil like Eucalyptus (pain-relieving and deodorizing) or jasmine oil (especially good oil for a positive mental boost)

INSTRUCTIONS

• Fill a basin with warm water. 
• Add the epsom salt and a few drops of each essential oil.
• Soak your feet for 30 to 60 minutes. 
• After you dry off, moisture your feet with coconut oil and put on a fresh pair of socks to lock in the hydration. 
• Repeat twice a week. 

---

Priyanka Chopra Jonas’s Hair Mask

Priyanka Chopra Jonas is a powerful entertainment multi-hyphenate and a former Miss World, so she certainly knows how to make sure she looks her best. But when it comes to her hair, she goes old school and whips up a DIY beauty mask that leaves her tresses shiny and smooth. 

INGREDIENTS

• Plain, full-fat yogurt (which is pH balancing)
• 1 egg (for a protein-packed treatment)
• 1 tsp of honey (to detox your strands)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. You can eye-ball how much yogurt you want but start with 1 cup. 
2. Apply the paste to your scalp, hair, and roots.
3. Leave on for 30 minutes
4. Rinse out with warm water (in the kitchen sink may be best) and baby shampoo.

You can add a little brown sugar to turn this mask into a scalp exfoliator. If your scalp is inflamed, add fresh aloe vera to help soothe your skin. And if you need some extra hydration, a little coconut oil can come to the rescue! 

---

Kourtney Kardashian’s Lip Scrub

I have shared before how great I think The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is; their work helps consumers understand the ingredients in their skincare and makeup products to make more informed decisions about what we put in and on our bodies. 

It turns out that Kourtney Kardashian is also a big fan and uses their smartphone app often, as she navigates her own beauty routine and raises her three children in the spotlight. She even traveled to Capitol Hill on EWG’s behalf in 2018 as part of their #BeautyMadeBetter campaign. 

Check out her simple and effective DIY beauty recipe for a soft and sexy pout. 

INGREDIENTS

• Honey (to bind the mixture and pull out bacteria from your skin)
• Coconut Oil (for moisture and extra detox oomph)
• Organic raw sugar (nature’s exfoliator, and oh so yummy!)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Combine equal parts of honey and coconut oil in a small bowl. 
2. Once that is thoroughly blended, mix in an equal amount of organic raw sugar.
3. Lightly scrub the mixture over your lips with your fingertips.
4. Wipe the mask off with a muslin cloth or a damp washcloth.  

---

Moniqua Plante’s Coconut Oil Coffee Body Scrub

Okay, okay, so I am not a Kardashian and I’m not married to a Jonas brother, but this body scrub will definitely help keep your skin glowing like a permanent A-Lister! 

INGREDIENTS

•  2-3 TBS of organic ground coffee
•  ½ cup of organic whole brown sugar
•  ½ cup organic coconut oil (Do not use melted coconut oil! Make sure it is in solid form; if not, put it in the fridge beforehand.)
•  ½ cup of organic liquid castile soap (I love Dr. Bronner’s brand. If you have sensitive skin, use the baby Castile soap.)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a high speed, powerful blender, mix sugar and coconut oil until they are slightly blended. Make sure you don’t mix for too long or you will melt the coconut oil and break the sugar granules down. You can do this with a fork as well, you’ll just have to put some muscle into it!
2. Scoop this coconut oil/sugar mixture into a stainless steel or aluminum bowl, then put in another bowl that is filled with cold ice water.
3. Whip the scrub with an electric mixer until the scrub is fluffy and creamy.
4. Add the ground coffee and liquid soap until they are just combined.
5. Put the scrub in a mason jar. Will keep for 1-2 months.

If it’s hot in your place, keep it in the fridge. Otherwise, you can leave it at room temperature. You can use this daily or weekly on your bod before you shower, and especially on areas with cellulite. Coffee works wonders! You’ll get about 5-6 uses from one batch.

NOTE:  Wash this scrub down the drain with hot water and a natural cleaner if it leaves your shower too greasy. Cold water will only harden the oil.

—

What’s your favorite DIY beauty recipe? Share it with our community in the Badass Beauty Club on Facebook, and let’s get a second list started!

LOVE + plenty of beauty rest!