To pamper yourself from head to toe, you don’t have to break the bank and fill your bathroom with commercial products. You may have everything you need in your fridge! We present you 13 recipes of homemade cosmetics.
HOMEMADE COSMETIC RECIPES: A TREND TO FOLLOW
For a few years now, homemade products have been making their way into cosmetics. The concept? To offer our skin everything it needs thanks to fresh ingredients. We trade our masks, scrubs and creams from the big brands for mixtures based on natural ingredients made by ourselves from our kitchen.
Face mask, DIY scrub or even homemade makeup remover… Everything is possible. An anti-waste and 100% natural solution that has however some constraints and conservation rules to follow. Because homemade cosmetics do not keep as well as commercial ones, it is advisable to use the preparations immediately after having concocted them.
After washing your hands thoroughly, it is also very important to sterilize the containers and all utensils in boiling water before starting. While oil and butter have a longer shelf life, water-based beauty products can quickly become contaminated with bacteria. The trick? Add natural preservatives to the mix. See you in the kitchen…
HOMEMADE COSMETICS: WHY MAKE THEM YOURSELF?
Because it’s natural : If we had to choose just one reason, it would probably be this one. For the past few years, we have been paying more and more attention to the composition of our favorite beauty products. And unfortunately, these products often leave something to be desired. Making your own cosmetics with natural and organic ingredients seems to be THE solution to stop mistrusting your vanity.
Because it’s inexpensive… Another important argument is that the overall price of the recipe is often much lower than a commercially available product. Better still, an ingredient can be used for several recipes. For example, shea butter can be used in a lip balm as well as in a moisturizer.
Because it’s responsible… By making your own cosmetics, you take care of the environment and limit the waste in your fridge. The “Do It Yourself” is also the insurance of a more ethical consumption by privileging of course fresh and organic products.
Because it’s playful… In our kitchen, alone or accompanied, we play at being a budding chemist. As you would for a cooking recipe, you stir, mix, sprinkle… The little extra? The satisfaction of making a natural and efficient care with our hands!
Because it’s personalized… Who better than us to identify our needs and desires? While all the beauty brands are launching into the personalization of their products, homemade products are the perfect answer to this trend.
MAKE YOUR OWN COSMETICS: EASY TIPS FOR BEGINNERS
To get off to a good start, it’s wise to opt for simple recipes with basic ingredients. The idea? Choose natural foods that can be reused in several different recipes. So we turn to honey, aloe vera, shea butter, coconut or sweet almond oil or even powdered sugar. If homemade food is notorious for being an activity reserved for experts in the kitchen, our different recipes prove the contrary.
1- DRY POINTS CARE
For damaged, split and brittle hair, we know: there is no substitute for a good haircut! But to take care of your damaged ends, tame them, and prevent breakage by protecting them, here’s a simple recipe that has proven itself.
The ingredients I need :
- coconut oil
- aloe vera gel
The preparation:
Nothing could be easier! Take a dab of coconut oil. Its solid texture at room temperature makes it easy to work with. Add one or two pumps of aloe vera gel and spread the mixture between your hands. The heat from your skin will melt the coconut oil, making the mixture creamy.
Applying:
Apply to dry hair, on the lengths and ends only. Be careful not to apply too much, though, as this will weigh your hair down. The bonus? Your hair will be delicately scented with coconut oil.
2- PURIFYING FACE MASK
Irregularities of the complexion, blackheads, pimples… Are your skin imperfections annoying you? Once a week, after a thorough exfoliation, apply this mask to purify your skin and give it a clearer look. Purifying, antibacterial and soothing, it’s the ideal remedy for blemished skin.
Ingredients I need:
- green clay (powder)
- honey
- aloe vera gel
- a little water (or better: a hydrolat)
The preparation:
In a bowl, pour two tablespoons of green clay powder, a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of aloe vera gel. Mix everything together, gradually adding water (or the hydrosol of your choice) until you have a smooth paste.
Applying:
Apply the mask in a thick, even layer to your face, avoiding the fragile eye area. Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes. If your skin is sensitive, use a spray bottle to “rehydrate” the mask regularly to prevent it from drying on your skin.
3-FACE SCRUB
Do you want to remove dead skin cells to get a baby’s skin? When it comes to scrubs, there’s no need to scour the shelves: everything you need is in your kitchen!
The ingredients I need:
- honey
- extra-fine powdered sugar
- sweet almond oil
Preparation:
In a bowl, mix equal parts honey and sweet almond oil. Add one to two teaspoons of extra-fine powdered sugar. Your scrub is ready to use.
Application:
Apply to your face using gentle massaging motions. Focus on the T-zone, and avoid the delicate eye area. Rinse with warm water without rubbing: the water will dissolve the sugar and honey and leave your skin soft and protected by the sweet almond oil.
4- DRY SHAMPOO
To freshen up your roots between shampoos or before going out, nothing beats dry shampoo. But horror: just when you need it, you realize that your bottle is empty! Don’t panic, you can substitute this homemade mix.
The ingredients I need:
- cornstarch
- white clay, if you are a blonde
- rhassoul, if you are a brunette
Application:
Mix equal parts cornstarch and white clay (if you’re a brunette, opt for rhassoul instead to avoid the white effect on your roots). Sprinkle sparingly on your roots, stripe by stripe. For a more precise application, place your mixture in a spice bottle, or apply it with a makeup brush.
Brushing:
After letting the dry shampoo sit for at least 5 minutes, massage your scalp with your fingertips, then thoroughly brush your hair to remove any residue.
5- DULL AND BRITTLE HAIR
Mask for dull and brittle hair. Ideal for those who dream of a shiny hair. In a few minutes, it regains its shine.
Ingredients I need:
- argan or olive oil
- green clay
- an egg
- wine vinegar
Preparation:
For the lengths: apply the oil directly to dry hair.
For the roots: mix 1 egg yolk with a tablespoon of green clay (this prevents excess seborrhea).
Application time:
20 minutes.
Rinsing:
To achieve a satin effect, first make a neutral shampoo mixed with lemon juice. The last rinse is done by diluting 1 glass of wine vinegar in 1 liter of cold water to give even more shine to your hair.
6- FACE MASK FOR DRY SKIN
When skin starts to pull, itch and redden, it’s never very pleasant and it often happens when we face the elements: cold, heat, sea spray and temperature changes between the outside and the overheated or air-conditioned office. To relieve your face, we concoct an avocado mask.
The ingredients I need:
- an avocado (it nourishes, plumps the epidermis and promotes healing).
- lemon juice
- fresh cream
Preparation:
Mash the flesh of the avocado. Mix it with a tablespoon of lemon juice. Add 2 tablespoons of fresh cream and beat until you have a homogeneous mixture.
Setting time:
20 minutes.
Rinsing:
Remove your mask with clear water and then massage your face with a few drops of argan or sweet almond oil for an even softer effect.
7- ASTRINGENT FACE MASK
With fatigue and stress, our skin often lacks radiance. The solution? A blend straight out of our shopping bag!
The ingredients I need:
- 1 egg
- a lemon
Preparation:
Beat a fresh egg white and add a lemon zest to it.
Setting time:
20 minutes.
Rinsing:
Remove the mask with clear, cool water to achieve a lifting effect.
8- DETOX FACE MASK
The skin of our face undergoes many aggressions, in particular because of pollution. It’s a good idea to give it a weekly depurative treatment to erase imperfections and regain a feeling of softness.
The ingredients I need :
- brewer’s yeast
- milk
- honey
- half a yogurt
Preparation:
Mix one teaspoon of brewer’s yeast with one teaspoon of milk. Let the mixture rise for 30 minutes on a radiator. When the mixture has risen, add 1 tablespoon of honey and half a yogurt, then beat it all together.
Application time:
Let it dry for 10 minutes on the face.
Rinsing:
Remove the paste with warm water and dab your face with rose water to tighten pores.
9- DRY HAIR CARE
We love the sea and the sun. Our hair, however, a little less! But don’t panic, here is a home-made recipe to take care of it when you come back from the beach.
The ingredients I need :
- 1 half avocado
- olive or argan oil
- 1 half lemon
- 1 tablespoon of beer
Preparation:
Mash half the avocado. Add olive oil or argan oil. Mix the whole with half a lemon and a tablespoon of beer. Keep mixing until you get a homogeneous paste.
The time of pose:
Leave the treatment on your lengths for 20 minutes (and wrap your hair in a warm towel to help the product penetrate).
Rinsing:
Rinse with a neutral shampoo mixed with lemon.
10- REGENERATING MASK
You’ve had some berries sitting in your fridge for a few days and you thought you’d get rid of them? Stop wasting it! Instead, make a regenerating mask out of them, your face will appreciate it.
The ingredients I need:
- red fruits
- yogurt
- food jelly (for a 100% natural version, agar-agar is perfect)
Preparation:
Mix mixed red fruits with gelling agent. Gorged with water, the latter hydrates and makes the preparation solid.
Application time:
Keep the application on for 30 minutes.
Rinsing:
To soften the mask, pass a plain yogurt over your face, then rinse it off with clear water. Once your skin is clean you can massage with rose water for a soothing and astringent effect.
11- PREPARATION FOR BRITTLE NAILS
Repeated nail polish application can make nails brittle and yellowed. So we say “yes” to a treatment that will make them stronger and more beautiful!
The ingredients I need:
- lemon juice
- bicarbonate
- olive oil or argan oil
Preparation:
Mix the lemon juice with 1 tablespoon of bicarbonate. Heat for 35 seconds in a microwave oven.
The time of pose:
One soak its nails 3 to 4 minutes in the preparation.
Rinsing:
Clean your hands and proceed to model each of your fingers with a few drops of argan or olive oil to rehydrate the skin.
12- SUNBURN REPAIRING CARE
When the skin is extremely sensitized by the sun, it can be painful and need an after-sun treatment. It’s a good thing we have everything we need in our kitchen!
The ingredients I need:
- a tomato
- half a lemon
- olive or argan oil
Preparation:
Place half a tomato on the irradiated areas and leave on. Immediately refreshing effect! Mix the rest of the tomato with half a lemon (including the peel). Add a tablespoon of argan or olive oil.
Usage:
Massage your skin until total penetration. It will be completely repaired after several applications.
13- DRY FOOT CARE
It is possible to have beautiful and soft feet like a baby’s, you just have to give them the necessary care all summer long to avoid cracks, fissures and dehydration!
The ingredients I need :
- fine salt
- olive or argan oil
Preparation:
Mix 2 tablespoons of fine salt with 2 tablespoons of olive or argan oil. Then massage your feet with the mixture insisting on the heels. A home made and very effective scrub!
Rinsing:
Rinse your feet under water and let them soak in warm water with lemon. Massage your feet with a few drops of argan oil for a soft effect guaranteed.
