15 Easy DIY Natural Beauty Hacks
Interested in ditching the commercial products for something a little more natural? Try out some of these easy DIY beauty recipes with ingredients you can easily buy in your local supermarket. The health of my skin and hair have benefitted hugely since I switched to making and using my own products at home, plus it saves waste and is a lot of fun!
1. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR HAIR RINSE
Apple cider vinegar is an amazing product to remove build up of product from your hair, leaving it luscious and shiny.
Add 1-2 tbsp apple cider vinegar to a jar or container and take in the shower with you. Wet your hair and fill the rest of the jar with water from the shower. Pour the mix over your head (be careful not to get in your eyes) and massage into scalp gently with fingers. This can be used as a conditioning rinse after washing your hair with shampoo, or as an acid rinse alone if doing no poo. Leave in as a leave-in conditioner, or rinse out with water.
2. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR SKIN TONER
Apple cider vinegar's anti-septic and antibacterial properties work really well with acne or eczema. It also balances the pH of your skin and helps with signs of ageing.
Adjust the amount of water to apple cider vinegar depending on your skin type. For sensitive skin, 1 part acv, 4 parts water. For normal/dry skin, 1 part acv, 2 parts water. For oily skin, 1 part acv, 1 part water. If unsure, experiment by doing a patch test first.
Simply mix into an old recycled container or spray bottle, shake together and use as a toner!
TOP TIP!
Add in a couple of drops of your favourite essential oil to tone down the strong vinegar scent.
3. COCONUT OIL MOISTURISER
Coconut oil is one of the best multipurpose items on this list. It is antibacterial, moisturising and smells absolutely delicious.
Simply rub some on your body for moisturised and super soft skin.
4. COCONUT OIL DEODORANT
It may sound crazy, but coconut oil's antibacterial properties actually stop the stink and will leave your underarms feeling soft and supple. Simply rub a small amount on your underarms as a natural replacement for the commercial aluminium and chemical-laden deodorants you find in the shops.
5. COCONUT OIL LIP GLOSS
One of my favourite uses of coconut oil is as a lip gloss. Whack some on your lips when they're feeling dry, or as the final step in your makeup routine, to leave them feeling moisturised and deliciously glossy.
6. SEA SALT SPRAY
Sea salt works amazingly to achieve that beachy wavy hair look.
Simply add 1-2 tbsp of sea salt into 1 cup of warm water. Give it a good stir, and allow it to cool down. Once it has completely cooled and dissolved, add five drops of your favourite essential oil. Pour into a recycled spray bottle, shake it up and spritz on your hair when dry or wet. Scrunch with your hands to give it texture and wave.
7. ALOE VERA MOISTURISER
Aloe vera is a beautiful plant to have in your home, and can be used as a multipurpose natural beauty product. If you have oily skin, and are afraid of using oils, then aloe vera could be the way to go. Rub a small amount of gel onto your face after cleansing in replacement of moisturiser.
8. ALOE VERA SPRAY
Fill up about 1-2 tbsp of aloe vera gel into a recycled bottle, top up with water and add in approximately 5-10 drops of your favourite essential oil.
Use as a refreshing spray on your face, or as a toner in your day-to-day skincare routine. It can also be used as a texturising hairspray for definition and shine.
9. LEMON UNDERARM LIGHTENER
Lemons are not only delicious in a glass of water, or squeezed on top of your food, but they are so good for your skin. They are amazing at treating acne, the vitamin C and citric acid help to brighten your hair and your skin, while they boost and restore elasticity and kill bacteria.
The juice of lemons has actually got skin lightening and bleaching properties, so make sure to be careful. Please do not put lemon on your skin and then go out into the sunshine, as this can result in serious damage to your skin or lead to hyperpigmentation.
As I have very dark thick hair, my underarms tend to look a little dark after shaving. I therefore like to rub a little lemon on them to lighten this area. Just cut a lemon in half, rub onto your underarm gently and wash off with water.
10. LEMON FACE RINSE
Rejuvenate your skin and restore its elasticity by diluting lemon juice with water and applying to the affected areas of acne, age spots or redness.
Simply juice half of a lemon, dilute generously with water and massage gently onto skin with your fingertips or a flannel. Make sure to rinse off thoroughly and not go out into direct sunlight.
11. TURMERIC FACE MASK
Turmeric has been used for centuries for its healing and cosmetic benefits. Its anti-inflammatory antioxidant properties help to rejuvenate your skin and show off its glow.
Make a brightening and cleansing mask with oats and turmeric. Blend half a cup of oats with 1 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder. Mix in 2 tbsp of oil (jojoba oil works great). Then add in water bit by bit until you get a spreadable consistency. Smooth a thin layer over your face, let sit for 10 minutes and then wash off thoroughly. As turmeric stains, it is best to do this in the shower (and not before going out to an important event) as it can create quite the mess in the sink!
12. TURMERIC FOOT SOAK
You can also make a moisturising foot soak out of turmeric.
Mix 3 tsp of turmeric powder with 1 tbsp of coconut oil (don't use a bowl or plate you love as it stained and ruined one of mine). Once mixed into a paste, you can then apply it to your feet. Focus on the drier areas, like the heels of your feet. Let sit for twenty to thirty minutes, and then wash off. Again, turmeric will stain, so make sure to do this in the bath, or put some kind of protective layer under your feet. Don't go walking around on the nice white carpets afterwards. Just be careful!
13. ARGAN OIL SCRUB
Argan oil is another one of my favourite oils as it is so multipurpose and moisturising.
For an exfoliating scrub, mix 2 tbsp of argan oil with 1 tbsp brown sugar. Gentle massage onto your skin for a moisturising and regenerating exfoliator. Try doing this in the shower as it can be a bit messy!
14. ARGAN HAIR OIL
If you have longer, wavy or curly hair, argan oil works beautifully as a de-frizzer and moisturiser for your hair. I like to use just a few drops (a little goes a long way!), starting at the ends of my hair, working my way up. It will tame fly-aways and leave your hair looking and feeling gorgeous.
15. AVOCADO FACE MASK
The avocado's natural oils will penetrate your skin, leaving it soft and beautifully moisturised. This is a recipe from my ebook, and is basically guacamole for your face.
You'll need 1 avocado, and the juice of half a lemon. Mash it all together, making sure to mash the avocado really thoroughly (or blend it!). Spread it all over your face for a hydrating and brightening face mask. This is a great one to do with friends, as you will look like a crazy green monster haha! And make sure to eat any of the leftovers!
