Valentine's Day has always felt different for me, and over time, I've redefined what it means. While I appreciate the sentiment of celebrating love, I've never felt that extravagant gestures like flowers, chocolates, and fancy dinners are the best way to express it-especially since love is the very essence of the day.
A few years ago, I had an eye-opening realisation: true love starts within. If I wanted to share love with others, I first needed to show myself love and care.
Self-care isn't just about pampering yourself, it's about nurturing your body, mind, and soul. When you take time to care for yourself, that love naturally overflows to others in the most meaningful way.
So, I decided to skip the expensive outings and store-bought beauty products and instead focus on creating meaningful experiences for myself and my loved ones.
Not only did I save money, but I also found joy in the intentional choices I made, ensuring everything I did was aligned with how I wanted to feel. Valentine's Day became an opportunity to nurture myself from the inside out, without the pressure to splurge or have someone splurge on me.
It became a day of giving, creating and falling for new natural ingredients. And the best part? By taking the time to care for myself, I could pass on that love to others, sharing these thoughtful experiences and homemade gifts that felt personal and meaningful.
Whether you're celebrating solo or with loved ones, why not make it a day of self-love with easy DIY beauty tips and affordable tricks? Let's get started, by making natural DIY beauty solutions from Head to Toe, for you and your loved ones!
Hair: Nourishing and Repairing
Why not treat you and your loved ones' hair to some love with a DIY hair mask made from natural ingredients? Not only will your hair thank you, but the act of making it yourself allows you to truly connect with your own well-being, making it a perfect way to show yourself and others love this Valentine's Day.
Easy DIY Hair Mask Recipe:
- 60ml Rosemary Hydrosol (has stimulating properties and can help promote healthy hair growth)
- 60ml Cocoa Butter (deeply moisturising and can help smooth and soften the strands)
- 20ml Olive Oil (hydrates and nourishes the hair, making it smoother and more manageable)
- 10 ml Argan Oil (helps reduce frizz and adds shine)
- 30ml Shea Butter (deeply moisturising and can help prevent breakage)
- 10 ml Marine Collagen (strengthens the hair, improves elasticity, and supports overall hair health)
- ½ tsp Geogard 221 (broad-spectrum preservative)
- 200ml container
Method:
- In a double boiler, melt the cocoa butter and shea butter together until completely melted.
- Add the olive oil, argan oil, and rosemary hydrosol, stirring gently to combine.
- Once the mixture has cooled to below 40°C, add the marine collagen and geogard and stir until fully blended.
- Check to make sure the pH is between 4.5 and 5.5.
- Transfer the mask to your 200ml container and store it in a cool, dry place.
The best part of this mask is that you can always adjust the amounts based on your hair's needs. If you have very fine or oily hair, you may want to reduce the shea butter and cocoa butter slightly and increase the rosemary hydrosol for a lighter mask.
This mask provides a deep conditioning treatment that leaves hair smooth and manageable. Plus, it's free of chemicals, so you'll feel good about what you're putting on your hair.
Tip for Valentine's Day: Give yourself a relaxing hair salon moment at home. For best results, use a gentle shampoo to cleanse your hair. This ensures that your hair is free from product buildup or oils that could block the mask from fully absorbing. Apply the mask generously to damp hair, focusing on the ends and leave it on for 20-30 minutes. You can wrap your hair in a warm towel or use a shower cap for extra deep conditioning. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and follow up with a gentle shampoo if necessary. Light a homemade candle, put on some relaxing music, and enjoy the moment of pampering.
Skin: Hydration and Glow for Your Face
Who doesn't want glowing, healthy skin on Valentine's Day? The skin on your face is delicate, so it's important to use products that hydrate and nourish without harmful additives. Gift yourself and your loved ones with a deep cleanse and a radiant glow.
DIY Clay Mask Recipe:
- 2 tablespoons of your Clay of Choice (Sensitive Skin can use Kaolin Clay. Combination Skin can use Bentonite Clay. Oily Skin can use Green Clay. Dry Skin can use Rhassoul Clay. Mature Skin can use Pink Clay. )
- 1 tablespoon aloe vera or hydrosol of choice or apple cider vinegar.
- Optional* A few drops of tea tree (helps with acne) or chamomile (calms the skin)
Method:
- Simply mix the clay with your aloe vera, hydrosol or apple cider vinegar.
- Optional* Add your essential oil.
Apply it to your face (and even your hair if you need a scalp treatment!), and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes. Rinse with warm water and follow up with your favourite moisturiser.
Valentine's Tip: This clay mask will leave you with a radiant, fresh-faced glow, just perfect for Valentine's Day. While the mask works its magic, treat yourself to a movie or a quiet moment with friends. (BTW I say "quiet" because once you start talking, the mask may crack and interrupt your zen!) If you have sensitive skin, don't leave the mask until it is too dry, 5-10 minutes is the sweet spot.
Nail and Cuticle Care: Give Your Hands Some Love
Nails and cuticles often get overlooked, but when they're well-maintained, they can make a huge difference. You don't need to spend a fortune at the nail salon when you can show love by making a nourishing cuticle oil and hand scrub at home.
DIY Cuticle Oil Recipe:
- 1 tsp Jojoba Oil
- 1 tsp Vitamin E Oil
- ½ tsp Avocado Oil
- ½ tsp Apricot Kernel Oil
- Essential oils of your choice
Method:
- Add all ingredients to a roller bottle and shake to combine.
Apply to cuticles 2-3 times a day.
Massage this oil into your cuticles and nails to hydrate and prevent cracking. For an extra treat, try using our DIY Blossom Bliss Massage Scrub (click for the recipe) before applying the cuticle oil and get the additional benefit of keeping your hands soft.
Valentine's Tip: For Valentine's Day specifically, this will instantly give your nails a nice, varnished look while adding moisture to your nail beds. You'll have the perfect hands for holding a glass of your favourite drink and holding the hand of someone you love!
