The thought of making your own natural beauty products can be intimidating. However, once you get the hang of it, it’s not only easy, but it can also be fun. Learning the base ingredients gives you the foundation for experimenting with different blends and customizing your makeup kit.
Here are some of the best homemade DIY natural beauty recipes to add to your repertoire.
Natural Mascara
The last thing you want from a mascara is a product that does more harm than good. By creating a natural mascara, you reduce the risk of harmful materials coming in contact with your eyes. You can also add nutrients that promote growth and thickness in your eyelashes.
For natural mascara, which is first among our natural beauty recipes, you will need:
- 1 tsp aloe vera
- 3 drops argan oil
- 1/4 tsp activated charcoal
Mix these ingredients and transfer them to a small jar or clean mascara container. You can get disposable mascara brushes or clean one between uses for an eco-friendly option.
DIY Soap
Soap is one of the first things you should swap out when trying to create a natural beauty routine. Store-bought soaps often have surfactants, and chemicals added that ultimately do more harm than good. If you do choose to buy soap, look for natural options like African Black Soap.
To make soap, you will need:
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup argan oil
- 1/4 cup almond oil
- 1/2 cup of lye
- 1 cup of cold water
- 10 drops of your favorite essential oil blend
To make soap, you’ll need protective gloves and eyewear. Lye is caustic until it’s processed. Protect your workspace and be careful.
Slowly pour the lye into the water, stirring as you go. Beware of fumes during this process. Once the mixture clears, let it sit while you move onto the next step.
Blend your four oils and heat in a double boiler or microwave until they reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Your lye should be cooled to this point as well. Once they both drop to around 100 degrees, you can mix the lye and oils. Stir vigorously for ten minutes until the blend looks like pudding.
Place the mixture in a tray and cool for 48 hours. Cut into blocks and store wrapped in wax paper until use.
Homemade Face Moisturizer
After you cleanse and exfoliate your face, you should always reintroduce moisture. Creating a homemade face moisturizer is the best way to hydrate your skin in a safe, natural way.
Many of the face moisturizers on store shelves have fragrances and preservatives that can be irritating to the skin. Additionally, water is the first ingredient on the list for many of these commercial products. Why pay for watered-down lotion when you can make your own, highly-concentrated natural blend for a fraction of the cost?
For this recipe, you will need:
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup almond oil
- 1/8 cup beeswax pellets
- 1/4 tsp vitamin E oil
- 8 drops of your favorite essential oil
Place all the ingredients in a double boiler and heat until melted. Stir throughout the process and don’t allow the ingredients to boil. When melted together, remove the pan and put it in an ice bath. Add the essential oil and whisk as the product cools. This moisturizer can be stored in a glass jar in a cool, dark place.
Custom Lipstick
The lipstick you buy on store shelves often has parabens, artificial colors, paraffin, and sometimes even heavy metals. By making your own custom lipstick, you’re not only controlling what you put in proximity to your mouth, but you can experiment and name custom color blends!
For this last recipe, you will need:
- 2 tsp beeswax beads
- 2 tsp shea butter
- 2 tsp coconut oil
- ¼ tsp natural color
When it comes to natural color, you have a lot of options. Using hibiscus or beetroot works for creating shades of pink. Cocoa powder, coffee, and cinnamon add a touch of brown. You can also purchase natural dyes (just be sure they’re chemical and additive-free) if you’re not feeling up to the task of making your own. When using natural dyes, a little goes a long way.
Add the beeswax beads, shea butter, and oil to a double boiler and melt without reaching the boiling point. Remove from heat and add your dye, mixing vigorously. Transfer to empty lipstick containers using a funnel or dropper leaving the room at the top for expansion and put in the fridge to cool. Store in a cool place to prevent melting.
For some extra customization, add a few drops of peppermint oil for a plumping effect or bentonite clay for a matte look.
Go Natural
Making simple natural beauty swaps is an excellent gift to yourself, the environment, and your loved ones. Experiment with different concoctions and replace your store-bought beauty products with ones of your own making.
