4 Simple DIY Beauty Gifts

I recently received a complimentary set of beautiful, deep violet glass jars from Infinity Jars and immediately started scroll through Pinterest for DIY beauty gifts that I could make and share with loved ones with this holiday season (…or just, like… keep for myself).

There is no shortage of recipes out there for masks, scrubs, sprays and balms.  And with such a variety of these beautiful jars to play with, I felt myself getting a bit carried away (I’m sure there’s an aromatherapy antidote for that).  And then I remembered that I’m neither a chemist nor a particularly precise measurer.  So I scrapped my grandest plans (think dried rose petals and edible glitter…) and simplified.  

Here are a few basics that make for easy (and lovely) DIY beauty gifts.

4 Simple DIY Beauty Gifts

Notes: I purchased all the ingredients at my local Whole Foods Market or on Amazon; most are inexpensive and readily available.  I’ve linked to many of these items (some are affiliate links).  The jars and containers were provided by Infinity Jars.  **Please use caution and do a bit of research before using essential oils.  

No one wants a rash for the holidays.

Soothing peppermint lip balm

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp. organic beeswax, grated 
• 1 tsp. organic shea butter
• 10 drops of peppermint essential oil

How to:

1. Melt beeswax and shea butter in a double boiler (I used a Pyrex measuring cup in a saucepan of water), stirring frequently
2. Turn off heat and stir in peppermint essential oil
3. Carefully pour mixture into shallow containers and let sit for several minutes before covering
4. Balm will fully harden within several hours

Trust me when I say, this is a super easy and satisfying project.  The recipe above makes enough balm for two small pots (I used the 5ml glass screw top jars from Infinity Jars) and the balm itself is really moisturizing, but not at all greasy.  

Aromatherapy room + body mist

Ingredients:

• 15 drops of essential oils for each 5ml bottle 
• Distilled water

How to:

• Using your favorite single oil or blend, add 15 drops to your spray bottle (I used the 5ml glass fine mist bottle from Infinity Jars)
• Top with distilled water and gently shake before using

Suggested blends:

• Deck the Halls: 10 drops of citrus, 5 drops of cinnamon leaf
• All is Calm: 10 drops of lavender, 5 drops of chamomile 

I used a clean glass dropper (which I had on hand in my art supply stash, but hadn’t used yet) to add the distilled water to each spray.  And if you don’t have distilled water on hand, rumor has it you can use vodka… 

Lemon eucalyptus exfoliating scrub

Ingredients:

• 1 cup coarse sea salt
• 1/2 cup fractionated coconut oil (or olive oil, or grape seed oil)
• 5 drops of lemon eucalyptus essential oil blend from Aura Cacia

How to:

1. Combine salt and fractionated coconut oil in a bowl
2. Add oil and stir gently before storing in airtight jars

This gentle exfoliating scrub makes such a lovely gift.  The recipe above filled 1 50ml glass wide mouth jar, 1 30 ml glass wide mouth jar (both from Infinity Jars) and two larger jars I had on hand.  

You can easily customize this scrub with your favorite scent, substitute sugar for salt, and either of the oils mentioned above.  I love fractionated coconut oil because it has virtually no scent, but has the same benefits of regular coconut oil.  I use it daily as a moisturizer.

Let the good times roll… roll-on scent

Ingredients:

• 3 drops of essential oil (single or blend) 
• Carrier oil (ex. fractionated coconut oil, grape seed oil)

How to:

1. Add 3 drops of your favorite essential oil to a 5 ml roller applicator bottle
2. Top with carrier oil (being careful to not overfill)

I made two roller bottles using my favorite Rhada Beauty blends, Happy Citrus and Pure Healing.  The glass roller bottles from Infinity Jars were perfect for this, and so easy to fill.  I plan to give one to a friend and keep the other in my handbag for a quick aromatherapy pick-me-up.  You can use whichever scent suits your mood, or customize blends for each family member’s stockings.

It took me less than an hour to make all four of these simple DIY beauty gifts (during baby Nick’s nap time), and I imagine it will take even less the second time around. When I don’t waste 15 minutes saying, “This was so easy!” and twirling around my kitchen. Perhaps you’ll consider treating yourself to one of these gifts?

Special thanks to Infinity Jars for supplying the jars and containers for these beauty gifts.  Every glass bottle sold by Infinity Jars is guaranteed to have an airtight seal and ultra-violet filtering, be scent-proof, and naturally preserve the freshness of its contents.  

Also On Tap for Today:

• Thanksgiving table inspiration from celebrities and Instagram (a.k.a. something to look at when you’ve run out of other procrastination options, and it’s still not safe to watch the news post-election) from Apartment Therapy
• Sign me up for cranberry frosted chocolate cake from Food 52
• Being totally obsessed with how much Grace and baby Nick love holding hands lately

What is your favorite handmade gift to give or receive?