5 Minute DIY Gifts
Need some stocking fillers and a little pressed for time? These little DIY wonders are all super fun and easy to make! They only take a few minutes to whip up, and require minimal ingredients and know-how. You can even get the kids involved to make their own gifts for friends.
Lip Gloss Oil
Who doesn’t love a little lip gloss? Keep those lips glossy, moisturised and summer-ready with this easy lip gloss oil.
8.5g castor oil
0.5g Vitamin E oil
Pinch of mica powder, optional
You can go even more simple and omit the cocoa butter, but we love the scent and it adds a touch of viscosity.
Gently melt the cocoa butter and castor oil together, until the butter is fully melted. Stir in the vitamin E oil and mix everything well. If you are using mica powder, add it now and stir well. Decant into the roller bottle.
Notes: cocoa butter granules may start to crystalise in very cold weather, but it's perfect for summer.
Mica is not soluble in oil, but it is dispersible. If you find it settling to the bottom, just give it a quick shake up and it will re-disperse.
Lip Scrub
A little lip scrub to go with that lip gloss? Sign us up for the combo set!
Grapefruit Sugar Scrub
60g castor sugar
5g honey
8 drops grapefruit essential oil
8 drops lemon essential oil
Option: you can substitute the essential oils used for different ones if you prefer.
Combine everything together and decant into a little jar. Yup, as easy as that!
To use: massage into lips for a few minutes. Rinse off and follow up with a moisturiser/lip oil.
Clay Face Mask
Make up a clay powder mixture that requires the user to add in a little water or hydrosol to activate it - it's a fun interactive experience.
Making up a facial clay mask isn’t an exact science and there are no rules to what can be added. These ratios can be a guide:
60-70% clay - use kaolin for sensitive skins or bentonite for more oily skins
30-40% fun additions: oat flour, activated charcoal, powdered botanicals of choice (I used powdered amalaki, baobab, rose petals and orange peel, but try anything you like!), etc
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Spoon into tins or jars and label or decorate it.
To use: scoop out a spoon or two of the clay powder mixture and add just enough water or hydrosol to make it into a nice spreadable paste. Apply to clean skin and leave on for 10 minutes then rinse off and apply moisturiser.
Mini Bath Salts
It doesn’t get any cuter than a mini bottle of bath salts!
50ml clear bottle or you could use a glass jar and wooden scoop, or even a test tube for a funky look
30g / ⅛ c Epsom salts
5-10g Himalayan salts
5g / 1 teaspoon baking soda
5g / 0.5-1 teaspoon of carrier oil such as almond, coconut etc
few drops of essential oil of choice
Combine everything in a bowl until well mixed, then spoon into the clear glass bottle. Decorate with a little ribbon or string and a label for a cute mini gift.
You could double the recipe and make it in a 100ml glass jar for a slightly bigger gift.
Luxury Facial Oil with Rose Petals
No one will believe you made this yourself!
Amazing oils for the face: pomegranate, rosehip, marula, jojoba, argan, etc
1 drop Vitamin E oil
We like combining 3 or more oils together to make a beautiful facial oil blend. Choose at least three oils and combine them together in equal amounts in the bottle. Add in the Vitamin E oil and shake to mix it in, then drop in a couple of rose petals for an ultra luxury look.
Calming Anti Irritation Balm
30g avocado butter
2g allantoin
A few drops chamomile essential oil
Melt the avocado butter and stir in the allantoin. Stick it in the fridge for 15 minutes to solidify a little (don’t let it harden up fully), then stir in the essential oil. You can either decant as is into the tin, or you can whip the butter mixture to make it lighter and fluffier and then spoon into the tin, up to you!
Apply as an after shave, or to any areas of itchiness or irritation.
Hydrosol & HA Spritzer
This is one of my bathroom staples and it's the easiest hack to get your hyaluronic acid in without any fuss. Simply add 3 pipette-fuls of HA to your 50ml hydrosol, pop on a spritzer cap and shake well. Spritz on generously and enjoy the plumping and hydrating effect of the hyaluronic acid!
