Happy New Year to you all!

Over the Christmas holidays I was busy making homemade gifts for my friends and family as a way to incorporate more of the zero-waste methods I’ve been learning about (and I was a little low on funds this year…).

So, I went about collecting and making all the essentials needed to make the ultimate pamper pack! Once I’d made all the individual gifts, I labelled them, wrote up instructions for each, then placed them in a cute little wooden box (that could be reused for something else later!), then sent it on its way (with love).

Each and every item is completely natural and full of wonderful health benefits to give your body the love it deserves <3

Fun fact: Our skin is the largest organ in our body, and absorbs 60% – 80% of what it comes into contact with.

This is why it’s so important to use natural ingredients that are non-toxic.

DIY Pamper Gift Pack

Here are a few homemade gift ideas to put in your pamper pack to gift to a friend, family member, or even just to spoil yourself with a spa day at home!

Bath Bombs

These quick, easy and inexpensive DIY bath bombs are very similar to any Lush Bath Bomb but 1/3 of the price! They’re also made with all-natural ingredients, so you can pamper yourself knowing you’re adding benefits to your body, not toxic chemicals.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup corn starch
• 1/4 cup citric acid
• 1/4 cup Epsom salts
• 1 1/2 tsp water
• 1 1/2 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp lavender essential oil

To make:

1. In a bowl combine all the dry ingredients together and whisk to remove clumps.
2. In another bowl stir the wet ingredients together, then slowly pour the liquid mixture into the dry, adding a tiny bit at a time and stirring to combine. If the mixture fizzes, you may be adding the wet mixture in too fast, so slow it down and only add in tiny amounts at a time. By the end it should stick together fairly easily.
3. Now add it to your moulds! I used a regular cupcake tin, but if you want to use a bath bomb mould, there are some great selections online. It’s best to over-fill the moulds a little to make sure it’s filled out. Press down on the mixture gently once full to pack it down.
4. Leave to set overnight (or for a minimum of 8 hours) and in the morning, they’ll be ready! Be sure to keep your bath bombs in a dry, safe place (you don’t want them getting wet). Use one per bath and enjoy the fizz!

Lavender & Rosemary Bath Salts

A long soak in a herbal bath is just the perfect way to relax.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Epsom salts
• 1 cup sea salt
• 30-40 drops essential oils (I use a combination of lavender, rosemary and frankincense)

Optional:

• 3 tsp dried herbs or botanicals (I use dried rosemary and lavender)

To make:

1. Combine all the ingredients in a jar, put the lid on and shake well to combine.
2. Add 1/2 cup of bath salts per bath to warm running water.

Activated Charcoal Facial Scrub

Applying a cleansing scrub to your skin once or twice a week can do wonders for skin. Activated charcoal has been found to draw out toxins and impurities from the body, due to its porous surface helping it to bind to toxins.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 tsp of activated charcoal powder
• 2-3 drops lavender essential oil

To make:

1. Combine the sugar and activated charcoal in a bowl or storage jar, whisking together to incorporate.
2. Add the oil and stir to combine. The sugar and charcoal should look like wet, black sand. Keep stored in an airtight glass jar until ready to use.
3. Apply a small amount of the scrub to the palm of your hand, then gently massage it over a clean face for 30 seconds or so.
4. Rinse away with a warm washcloth (preferably one that isn’t white, as the charcoal may stain it). Be careful not to over-exfoliate skin, as this can lead to dry skin and break-outs. Once or twice a week is plenty.
5. After exfoliating, use a face oil as a moisturiser (like jojoba oil).

Note: When you introduce water into a product without a preservative you can risk introducing bacteria, so I recommend using a spoon to scoop this scrub from the jar (water on hands = water in the jar). Do not use metal utensils when working with charcoal, wood is much better.

Tea Tree Clay Mask

Tea tree oil is a wonderful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, and when applied (diluted) onto skin, it may help with acne. As we’re using tea tree in this face mask today, it shouldn’t dry out skin as it’s been diluted with other ingredients, so won’t be as potent.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 tbsp bentonite clay
• 1/2 tbsp water
• 1/2 tbsp ground oats
• 4 drops tea tree essential oil

To make:

1. To grind oats, place oats in a blender or food processor and pulse until oats reach a flour-like consistency. Combine the bentonite clay and oats in a small bowl ( do not use metal utensils or bowl when working with bentonite clay).
2. Add in just enough water to make a paste, then add in the tea tree oil and stir to combine.
3. Apply to face (be careful of eyes) and leave on for 10-15 minutes. Gently rinse away with warm water and a washcloth.

Coffee Body Scrub

A wonderful natural exfoliant that leaves skin feeling soft and smooth.

Instructions:

• 1/2 cup organic ground coffee
• 1/2 cup organic sugar
• 1/4 cup organic coconut oil

To make:

1. Melt the coconut oil and allow it to cool (but not solidify). Next, mix all the ingredients together an airtight glass jar, and apply to skin, gently massaging it around whole body (may want to stand in bath tub to catch scrub remnants).
2. Use 1-2 times per week or daily.

As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor before trying or using any new products. It’s important to check with a doctor before taking this or any new product, especially if taking any other medicine or supplement or if pregnant or nursing. Be sure to check ingredients to make sure there is no risk of an allergic reaction.

Have you ever made homemade gifts before? What were some of the things you made? Share below.

Lots of love,

🖤 Vanessa

Sources:

Dang, Aja. (July 1, 2016). DIY | Easy Bath Bomb Recipe | 100% Natural Ingredients. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/a-p2d2hcH2g

Laura. Simple Bath Bomb Recipe. Our Oily House. Retrieved from https://www.ouroilyhouse.com/simple-bath-bomb-recipe/

Jabs, Betsy. Learn How to Make Herbal Bath Salts at Home. DIY Natural. Retrieved from https://www.diynatural.com/how-to-make-bath-salts/

Goodwin, Melissa. (Updated: October 26, 2020). Budget DIY Spa Gift Basket Ideas For Women. Frugal and Thriving. Retrieved from https://www.frugalandthriving.com.au/budget-diy-spa-gift-basket-ideas-for-women/

Marr, Kristin. Activated Charcoal Exfoliating Facial Scrub. Live Simply. Retrieved from https://livesimply.me/2016/06/23/activated-charcoal-exfoliating-facial-scrub/

Jennifer. (January 25, 2021). How to Make Lavender Rosemary Bath Salts. Town & Country Living. Retrieved from https://town-n-country-living.com/make-lavender-rosemary-bath-salts.html

Marr, Kristin. 3 Simple & Quick Homemade Clay Mask Recipes. Live Simply. Retrieved from https://livesimply.me/2014/07/10/3-simple-quick-homemade-clay-mask-recipes/

Tiffany. (March 13, 2019). DIY Charcoal Mask For Radiant Skin (Only 4 Ingredients). Coconut Mama. Retrieved from https://thecoconutmama.com/charcoal-mask/

Coffee Body Scrub with Coconut Oil. Coconut Mama. Retrieved from https://thecoconutmama.com/coffee-body-scrub/

Konstantinovsky, Michelle. (May 8, 2019). 15 Best Face Masks for Acne-Prone Skin. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/face-mask-for-acne#5-diy-recipes

Wells, Katie. (December 8, 2018). Vanilla Latte Sugar Scrub Recipe. Wellness Mama. Retrieved from https://wellnessmama.com/13144/vanilla-latte-sugar-scrub/

Habeck, Holly. (Updated: February 11, 2021). Coconut Oil Coffee Scrub — The Best DIY Cellulite Trick. Holly Habeck. Retrieved from https://hollyhabeck.com/2016/05/18/coconut-oil-coffee-scrub/