I love a bit of pampering and in the past I had a pretty serious high end beauty product addiction. I loved SpaceNK and on my first trip to New York my suitcase came pack filled with stuff from Korres and Sephora. On the second trip it was full of food which tells you something about my shift in priorities!
I do still love that pampering (although it is one of the things that slips when I get busy or stressed!) but the big change for me has been a move away from the more expensive, and sometimes chemical packed products to natural alternatives as I mentioned in this post a few weeks ago. I now also recognise the impact of a good diet on my skin, something that was certainly missing when I was spending my pennies on high tech creams and potions.
Sometimes you do only get what you pay for, but I think it’s a case of experimenting to see where your money is best spent. For me, I’ve found that my basic skin care can all be natural kitchen products then the money I save there can be invested in a few good quality natural and organic bought products. Here’s what I’m currently using on a day to day basis:
- Olive oil for make up removal (on an evening)
- Apple cider vinegar for toning
- Coconut oil for face moisturising (on an evening)
- A foam face wash from Green People (in the morning)
- Daily moisturiser from Green People (in the morning)
- A face scrub from Green People (used every 2-3 days)
- Home made sugar scrub for my body (once a week)
- Home made avocado or honey face masks (once a week) – my Feed Your Face version
- Yes to Cucumbers Shampoo and Conditioner (every other day)
- Dr Organic Aloe Vera Toothpaste
- Aveda Brilliant Damage Control Spray (when I blow dry)
- Dr Organic roll on deodorant
- Organic Argan oil body cream – when that runs out it will be some boob and bump oil or maybe just coconut / olive oil.
I break down that basic olive oil, ACV and coconut oil routine in this post as well as this vlog. I’m gradually moving my make up to natural and organic products as well. One conventional product I still use is Batisse Dry Shampoo, I’ve tried the version from Lush, but it ends up everywhere so if anyone has any recommendations let me know!
I wanted to share with you my current fave skin scrub ‘recipe’. It really is simple and works better than more expensive products I’ve tried.
Lemon Olive Oil Sugar Scrub
Just mix 1 cup of granulated sugar (caster if you prefer it to have a finer texture) with 1/2 – 2/3rd cup of olive oil and about 20 drops of lemon essential oil. I store mine in a jar in the bathroom. The lemon scent works really well with the olive oil, perfect for the summer. Give it a try!
I have a natural skin care and home Pinterest board for more ideas. What is your beauty / self care routine like these days? Do you have any fave natural solutions? Link me up!
Definitely trying that scrub! I’ve been using oils (usually jojoba or sweet almond) as well as ACV on a daily basis for a while now – honestly I think it’s done wonders for my skin! I also love how economical they end up being. One thing I want to check out is that spray for damage control – I wash my hair with castille soap and ACV but blow drying (and sometimes straightening) must be wrecking it!
I could probably find something a bit more natural (and cheap!) for the spray, I’ve been finding my hairs a bit dry, I need to start trying a hair oil I think!
This is definitely something I need to look into more, I try and buy the more natural products but often they are out of my price range or unavailable (hello Argentina) so making your own sounds a great idea! Can see an avocado face mask happening this weekend ;)
Enjoy the face mask! My problem is that is tastes good so I end up eating some of it from the bowl ;-)
Oh wow this is cool! So natural. Love the sound of the lemon scrub. Lemon is just a lovely smell as well. Never thought to use olive oil as a make up remover. Must remember that one!
It’s seriously the best make up remover ever, I was bought some Liz Earle stuff for Christmas which was good but I’ve gone back to the oil again and it works so much better!
Im loving the idea of using natural products for skin care (and to treat ailments too), I think they work wonders in comparison to expensive products. Ive used nut oils on the ends of my hair after conditioning before when its been drier than usual and absolutely swear by it – Im loving the idea of that lemon scrub!
I have some hair oil I really need to try as a treatment, I bet nut oils smell really good too!
The only products i use that arent natural are toothpaste and batiste dry shampoo. My mam asked me the other day what i was wearing, as in perfume, and it was batiste! Made me laugh.
Haha! It does have quite a nice smell, I’m glad you’ve said that as I don’t usually wear perfume either so at least when I have that on I know I should smell half decent ;-)
cocoa powder mixed with bicarb and cornflour on dark hair is a cheap alternative to dry shampoo. Use it before bed. Just google DIY dry shampoo.
Thanks I will definitely have a try of that, I saw a similar recipe for a face powder too!
I love that batiste dry shampoo- I did try a powder one but it didn’t really brush out, so I had to dab it on and it was much harder to use (think I got it from Sainsbury’s). Bought a new scent the other day (cherries) but I also love the tropical one :)
Love the sound of the lemon scrub, I much prefer sugar scrubs to salt ones. I bought a gorgeous lime one ages ago and it is still going strong, but once I finish it I will have to have a try at making my own.
I would really like a more natural deodorant but I have not found one yet- I tried a Jason one but it never dried, but then I don’t like roll one ones, I like the stick ones.
Yeah salt ones are so harsh! I spent a while trying to find a decent deodorant, I’ll have to have a look and see if Dr Organic do a stick one as there roll on one is good.
That scrub sounds dab Laura – great, cheap ingredients too. I’m looking towards more natural products at the moment, I think it is the more sustainable and healthy way to go (for both my wallet, face and the environment!)
LOVE it ! home made beauty products are so easy to make – no need to spend millions just open your kitchen cupboard. I love a good scrub too . I think i am always posting a new recipe for one , its amazing how many things you can scrub yourself soft with!
The lemon body scrub looks great, and so simple to make by the sound of it. I’m rubbish at getting into any sort of routine with my skin. I rarely wear makeup in the week – only if I go out with friends at the weekend, but have a tough time removing it afterwards or remembering to remove it. :(
I think I might want to eat that skin rub haha. I am definitely going to give it a go though. For my face, not to eat.
Oh that sounds lovely, definitely going to try making my own.