Ever wondered why DIY spa gifts are stealing the spotlight? π Let’s spill the tea (or bath salts) on why making your pampering goodies is the coolest thing ever!
- DIY spa gifts let you be the artist. From picking scents to creating textures, it’s all about your personal touch. Your gifts, your style!
- DIY spa gifts bring nature into your self-care routine. Think soothing essential oils, pure plants, and wholesome goodness for your skin and soul.
- DIY lets you go eco-friendly. Choose sustainable packaging, cut down on waste, and gift with a happy planet vibe!
5 DIY SPA GIFT IDEAS
This year, let’s add a personal touch to our presents with DIY spa gifts. From soothing bath salts to bath oil, from bath chocolate to luxurious massage candles, these creations will not only pamper your loved ones but also show them the care you put into their well-being:
GRAPEFRUIT AND LAVANDER BATH SALT
Most DIY recipes suggest merely mixing sea salt with essential oils and herbs and transferring it into a jar. There’s nothing wrong with that approach, except that this kind of salt has a short shelf life: salt crystals absorb moisture from the air, causing clumping, and the salt gradually transforms into a lump that’s hard to extract from the jar. The essential oils oxidize with time, diminishing the scent.
I propose you to make a more professional version of this product: in addition to sea salt, we’ll add vegetable oil, which nourishes the skin and protects the product from clumping, and an emulsifier to dissolve the oil in the water (we don’t want an oily residue on the bathtub), and an antioxidant β Vitamin E β to protect our essential oils from oxidation.
Ingredients:
- 200 g of sea salt
- 20 g of liquid vegetable oil (fractionated coconut oil or sweet almond oil)
- 5 g of Polyglyceryl-4-Oleate (this magic ingredient ensures your oils and salts dance together harmoniously, giving you a consistent, spa-worthy experience)
- 1 g of Lavender essential oil
- 0.6 g of Grapefruit essential oil
- 0.4 g of Vitamin E (an antioxidant)
Check the video above for a step-by-step tutorial π Transfer your blend into a chic, airtight container. Mason jars or decorative glass jars work wonders. Your bath salt deserves a fancy home!
How to Use:
- Scoop a generous handful into your warm bath.
- Let the salts dissolve as the aroma envelops you.
- Kick back, relax, and let the day’s stress melt away.
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INVIGORATING BATH & SHOWER OIL
This luxurious oil gently cleanses the skin – it becomes cleansing milk upon contact with water. It’s easy to wash off, leaving the skin moisturized and smooth. It’s a delightful product that’s very simple to make yourself!
You’ll need four types of components:
- A base vegetable oil or a mix of different oils
- An emulsifier that will bond the oil with water (I use Poliglyceril-4 Oleate, a nature-derived component approved for use in organic cosmetics. Instead, you can also use Polysorbate 80, which is much easier to find on different websites)
- Essential oils for scent
- And an antioxidant (Vitamin E)
The recipe:
- 75 g of base oil (opt for light oils with good spreadability, like Sweet almond oil or Fractionated coconut oil)
- 5 g of Coco Silicone (INCI name: Coco-caprylate)
- 3 g of Buriti oil (for color)
- 15 g of green emulsifier Polyglyceryl-4-Oleate
- 0,8 g of Grapefruit essential oil
- 0,3 g of Pine essential oil
- 0,2 g of Ginger essential oil
- 0,2 g of Vitamine E
Methode: check the video above for a step-by-step tutorial π
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HEAVENLY BATH CHOCOLATE
This is my all-time favorite gift – solid bars made from natural oils dissolve in water, filling your bath with a delightful aroma and caring for your skin π And it looks great in a gift box, very Christmasy. Don’t forget to put the label “NOT A FOOD!” as it can be easily mistaken for real chocolate!
- 57 g of cocoa butter
- 3 g of Soybean wax
- 15 g of Shea butter
- 10 g of Coconut butter
- 15 g of Polyglyceryl-4-Oleate
- 0,5 g of aromatic cocoa extract (or fragrance oil of choice)
- 0,5 g of Vitamine E
This chocolate will remain solid at a room temperature 22-25 C / 70-75 F, if you live in a hotter climate, you will need to adjust my recipe and try one (or all) of the following:
- Replace coconut butter with mango or shea butter (which has a higher melting point)
- Add 1-2 g of Cetearyl alcohol
- Replace half of the shea butter with cocoa butter
Methode: check the video above for a step-by-step tutorial π
Just add a few candies to the hot bathtub water and enjoy!
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PILLOW MIST
Pillow mist is perhaps the simplest recipe in my video. You’ll need only three components: distilled water, alcohol, and essential oils.
I’ll share the recipe for my favorite essential oil blend with you, but feel free to experiment and use any other essential oils you prefer.
The recipe:
- 74 g of distilled water
- 25 g of 96% ethanol (you can also use isopropyl alcohol)
- 1 g of essential oils of choice
My blend:
- 0,2 g of Estragone essential oil
- 0,l g of Petitgrain essential oil
- 0,3 g of Lavender essential oil
- 0,3 g of Roman camomile essential oil
- 0,1 g of Vetiver essential oil
Creating a calming pillow spray is a delightful DIY project! Here are some of the best essential oils for a soothing and sleep-inducing blend:
- Lavender:
- Known for its relaxing properties.
- Promotes a sense of tranquility and eases stress.
- Chamomile:
- Has mild sedative effects.
- Calms the nervous system and induces relaxation.
- Bergamot:
- Uplifting, relieves tension.
- The citrusy scent adds a refreshing note.
- Ylang-Ylang:
- Balances emotions and induces calmness.
- Has a sweet, floral aroma.
- Cedarwood:
- Grounding and comforting.
- Enhances a sense of security and peace.
- Frankincense:
- Calms the mind and encourages deep breathing.
- Elevates the mood.
- Patchouli:
- Earthy and grounding.
- Helps to relax and unwind.
- Sweet Orange:
- Uplifting and mood-enhancing.
- Adds a sweet, citrusy aroma.
- Vetiver:
- Deep, smoky scent.
- Known for its calming and stabilizing effects.
- Roman Chamomile:
- Similar to chamomile but with a sweeter fragrance.
- Known to alleviate stress and anxiety.
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MASSAGE CANDLE
A massage candle is made from natural wax with a very low melting point and natural oils. Light the candle, let it burn briefly to melt the oils and wax, put out the fire, and then apply the warm mixture to your skin. This mixture is an excellent massage oil, while the shea butter and vegetable wax moisturize and nourish your skin!
You can use any jar for a massage candle as a container, but I like to pour it into milk jugs (I found them at a flea market), which look beautiful. They’re convenient for pouring the warm mixture onto the skin.
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The recipe:
- 39 g of Soybean wax
- 10 g of Shea butter
- 1 g of essential oils of choice
My blend for relaxing “good night” massage candle:
- 0,5 g of lavender EO
- 0,3 g of camomile EO
- 0,1 of sage EO
- 0,1 g of vetiver EO
IMPORTANT: The mixture can become very hot, so after putting out the fire, wait a few minutes, then gently test the mixture’s temperature with your finger. Oils and soy wax melt quickly, but if the candle burns for a long time and you don’t test the temperature before pouring it onto the skin, you risk getting burned!
Methode: check the video above for a step-by-step tutorial π
Crafting spa gifts is not just a hobby; it’s a vibe. Dive into the world of self-care, creativity, and oh-so-gorgeous handmade goodness. Treat yourself or surprise your pals β because who needs store-bought when you can DIY your way to bliss? π
Create, indulge, and spread the love π