Make: DIY Beauty Box {Rosehip & Avocado Anti Ageing Balm, Coconut Oil & Shea Body Butter and Coconut & Avocado Oil Lip Balm}

This would make a perfect Mother’s Day gift! I made two of these boxes as birthday gifts for my Sister and my Mum in Law whose birthdays fell on the same weekend. My homemade beauty products have been a hit with family, my sister had been asking for lip balm, my Mum really wanted a face moisturiser and I had run out of body butter. It was definitely time to make some new body products. This trio is really easy to make, I whipped up everything in an afternoon!

I wanted these products to work hard, every ingredient has been carefully chosen for its therapeutic qualities. I made a cute little fact sheet to go inside each box, so the recipients could read all about the chosen ingredients. I’ve put those descriptions with each product recipe for you. I printed my labels on regular printer paper and stuck them on with clear adhesive book covering. I put everything together in a tissue paper lined box and wrapped with a ribbon.

The ingredients are pretty easy to come by, many can be found in the supermarket or health food store. If you are making all three recipes at once, I’ve put a shopping list with the total amounts needed as an image below. That way you can click and save it you phone for easy shopping. If you want to keep your products vegan, substitute the beeswax for soy, candelilla or carnauba. Beeswax (or alternative) and shea butter can be found in health food stores or online. Vitamin E, rosehip oil and essential oils can be found in a health food store, chemist or some supermarkets. Avocado and coconut oils are found in the supermarket. I get my containers from the local $2 shop or on eBay.

Rosehip & Avocado Anti Ageing Balm

A soothing balm packed with moisturisers and anti-oxidants. Scented with rose geranium, a powerful oil in its own right.

Rosehip oil contains natural retinols and vitamin C which brighten skin & reduce dark spots. Avocado oil nourishes the skin, reduces inflammation and is antioxidant. Shea butter contains vitamins A and E, phenols and antioxidants plus provides nourishment and hydration. Vitamin E oil protects cell walls and prevents damage. Rose geranium essential oil is anti-inflammatory, improves circulation under the skin and aids in cell regeneration.

Note: This is a quite firm balm that needs to be scooped out and warmed in the fingers before applying to the face. If you prefer a creamier texture, reduce beeswax by 25% to 50%.  

• 90g grated or beads of beeswax (or vegan alternative)
• 90g shea butter
• 60ml avocado oil
• 25ml rosehip oil
• 40 drops rose geranium oil
• 3 tsp vitamin E
• Clean popsicle stick or straw

1. Add the beeswax (or alternative) and shea butter to a heat proof container. Heat proof glass or metal is best. If your essential oils aren’t food grade, you won’t want to use this container for food after making the balm.
2. One way to melt the wax is using a double boiler situation like I did. Or you can microwave in 30 sec bursts until just melted. Give everything a stir with a popsicle stick (or straw).
3. Add in the avocado, rosehip and essential oils and the vitamin E, stir well and pour into containers to set. The balm will contract a little as it cools, so you can fill right to the top. Allow your pots to cool and put the lid on.
4. Use fingers to apply the balm to the face (including eye area), neck or even lips.

Coconut Oil & Shea Body Butter

A lush body lotion with loads of moisturising power that’s locked into the skin with pure beeswax. Scented with rose geranium with hints of pachouli and bergamot.

Coconut oil boots collagen and encourages cell regeneration. Shea Butter is naturally rich in vitamins A, E and F. It offers UV protection (it is SPF ~6) and provides the skin with essential fatty acids and the nutrients necessary for collagen production. Patchouli assists with skin healing and scar reduction & bergamot helps balance skin and unclog pores. Rose geranium is anti-inflammatory, assists with skin healing and scar reduction

• 150g coconut oil
• 50g beeswax (or alternative)
• 150g shea butter
• 2 tsp vitamin E
• 75 – 100 drops rose geranium essential oil

1. Melt coconut oil and beeswax (or alternative). Pour into a metal or glass bowl and allow to cool enough to partially solidify
2. Add the shea, vitamin E oil and essential oils and beat with electric beaters or in a stand mixer. Beat for around 10 mins or until it has a fluffy texture, similar to buttercream.
3. Scoop into pretty tins or jars. This recipe filled 4 x 100g tins and will keep for up to 6 months.

Coconut & Avocado Oil Lip Balm

 A smooth lip balm that works well in both the short and long term. Scented with frankincense and peppermint to cool and heal.

Coconut oil forms a lipid layer on the skin that decreases water evaporation and the resultant dryness. Avocado oil is absorbed quickly into the skin for instant hydration and is high in vitamins A, D and E. Vitamin E is anti-inflammatory and antioxidant and acts as a natural preservative. Frankincense soothes and reduces inflammation and helps slough off dry skin by promoting cell regeneration. Peppermint oil plumps lips by increasing circulation and feels cooling and fresh. Pure beeswax seals in moisture.

• 1/4 cup avocado oil
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/3 cup grated or beads of beeswax (or vegan alternative)
• 5 drops vitamin E
• 30 drops peppermint oil
• 20 drops frankincense oil
• Clean popsicle stick or straw

1. Add the coconut oil and beeswax (or alternative) to a heat proof container. Heat proof glass or metal is best. If your essential oils aren’t food grade, you won’t want to use this container for food after making the balm.
2. One way to melt the wax is using a double boiler situation like I did. Or you can microwave in 30 sec bursts until just melted. Give everything a stir with a popsicle stick (or straw).
3. Add in the avocado and essential oils, stir well and pour into containers to set. The balm will contract a little as it cools, so you can fill right to the top. Allow your pots or stick to cool and put the lid on

You know I love a handmade gift and all of these recipes have been a huge hit with the Ask Family. If you are looking for more recipes to try, I have a list below. The bath salts and rosewater mist are both super quick and easy to make (no melting!) and would make lovely gifts too. If you make any of them, I love to see xxx

Other DIY Body Products:

• Solid Lotion Sticks or Bars
• Essential Oil Bath Salts
• Whipped Olive & Shea Body Butter
• Essential Oil Rollerball Perfume
• Headache Balm
• Mint & Rosewater Facial Mist
• Body Polish (Solid Coffee Scrub)