DIY: Lavender Body Scrub

Whenever the seasons shift from Winter to Spring I always find myself investing in expensive body scrubs to slough away dead skin. This year however, I'm trying to save some cash.

I'm not usually a very thrifty person, but I've been reading all over Pinterest how to make your own scrubs, and decided to create my own version. In addition to being cost efficient, great smelling, and  easy, making scrubs at home can double as wonderful gifts for friends and family in a pinch!

You'll need: 

 - Jar with lid or seal (I like these)

- Granulated White Cane Sugar (Or brown sugar if you prefer) 

- Olive Oil

- Lavender Essential Oil (feel free to mix it up and use other essential oil scents if you prefer) 

For one jar I suggest: 

- 1 1/2 cups sugar

- 1/4 cup olive oil (I err on the side of less is more)

- 5-10 drops Essential oil

Combine ingredients in a separate bowl and then transfer mixture to mason jar. 

In order to make my batch a little more feminine, I added dried lavender into the mixture. 

*If you want to make a face scrub substitute the olive oil for half the juice of a lemon, don't include the lavender oil and consider using a few drops of Jojoba or Argan oil (See my previous post for details on Argan oil!) for the added benefit of moisturizing. 

10 I love for $10 or less

Here is a list of a few of my favorite products that won't leave you (too) broke: 

1. e.l.f Essential Shimmering Facial Whip in Lilac Petal ($1). I lovee this great, inexpensive, and multipurpose alternative to Benefit Cosmetics High Beam ($26). Dab a little on the inner corners of your eyes, or on your cheekbones for a dewy glow.

2. Burt's Bees Lip Balm Tube ($3). If you haven't already tried Burt's Bees you are missing out. I could not live without this miracle chapstick.

3. My hands are always dry! Without taking L'occitane Lavande hand cream ($10, 1 oz) with me everywhere, I would be lost. So, so lost. 

4. Alba Botanica Hawaiian Shampoo & Conditioners in Plumeria ($9.95). I have a tendency to succumb to hair cleansers that smell amazing. Thankfully though, Alba Botanica also makes an excellent product that is light weight enough to use everyday. Whenever one of my very best friends visits me for a weekend she always picks the Alba in my shower to wash her hair with, and one of the last times I went to the salon, my stylist even asked what the brand was because it smelled so good.

5. Not Your Mother's: Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray ($5.99). Perfect for lazy hair days when you've towel dried but your waves aren't exactly what you were hoping. A quick spritz and you're off to the races looking "beachy"-keen! 

6. NYX cosmetics Super Skinny Marker ($8.99). My favorite alternative to MAC's Penultimate liner ($18.50), and half the cost! 

7. TRESemmé split remedy serum ($4.99). I use this product religiously. I am talking about after every single shower once I realized the amazingness of it. Literally mends ends within the first couple of uses. I had my hair ombréd several times with bleach, and you wouldn't even know it because of this stuff. 

8. Travel size Philosophy Purity Cleanser ($10). I'm cheating a little bit putting this one on here, but I have indulged in this smaller size when I'm on a tighter budget. I simply cannot resist the powerful cleansing action of Purity. Leaves you clean and soft and removes unwanted makeup residue.

9. Neutrogena oil-free eye makeup remover ($6.99). Just as good as anything you can get from a higher end company at a quarter to half the cost. Old faithful. If I had my way I would buy Lancome's Bi-Facil Eye Makeup Remover, but alas it is 28$, and sometimes out of my league. 

10. L'Oreal Voluminous Power Volume Collagen Mascara ($8.99). I have tried what seems like one million mascaras. This one is (so far) my favorite. Great length and volume and I love the wand. Being part Japanese I have very short eyelashes, so this definitely helps! 

What are some of your favorite products under $10?

xo

Siobhan

Argan Oil

Moroccan oil is all the rage right now, (and often referred to as liquid gold) and I was a bit hesitant to buy any products claiming the benefits of the stuff until I found out more. After a lot of research (aka Googling), and suggestions from friends I finally decided to purchase 100% pure Argan oil by Acure Organics ($14.99).

There are a couple of reasons why I really jumped at this option. First, this brand is pure and organic; Secondly the price was right. So far this particular product has been all it claims to be: 5 products in 1. 

I've used it directly on my skin as a nightly moisturizer, and surprisingly it cleared the acne I had. I have added a drop to bottles of conditioner and it has GREATLY reduced the frizziness of my hair. I was extremely skeptical about putting OIL on my face but I gave it a shot and don't regret it even a little. On nights I have forgotten to use it my skin is tight and dull without it, and on mornings I wake up after using it my skin is supple and dewy.

I can't wait to buy more and though the bottle is teeny tiny, a little bit goes a long way. One small drop is all I need for my nightly routine and I'm set.

What products have surprised you lately?

xo 

Siobhan