Diy Body Care Gifts Made Simple
Diy Body Care Gifts Made Simple
Diy Body Care Gifts Made Simple
This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be re-sold or given away. If you
would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each
recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author!
Disclaimer And Copyright Information
The information contained in this guide is for informational purposes only. These recipes are based
on my own research and experience, but I am not a trained chemist, aesthetician or product
formulator. If you have any questions about anything I've written, please seek the advice of a
qualified professional. By reading this guide, you agree that myself and my company is not
responsible your results relating to any information presented in this guide.
The material in this guide may include information, products or services by third parties. Third Party
Materials comprise of the products and opinions expressed by their owners. As such, I do not
assume responsibility or liability for any Third Party material or opinions. The publication of such
Third Party Materials does not constitute my guarantee of any information, instruction, opinion,
products or services contained within the Third Party Material. Publication of such Third Party
Material is simply a recommendation and an expression of my own opinion of that material.
No part of this publication shall be reproduced, transmitted, or sold in whole or in part in any form,
without the prior written consent of the author. All trademarks and registered trademarks
appearing in this guide are the property of their respective owners.
Users of this guide are advised to do their own due diligence when it comes to making decisions and
all information, products and services that have been provided should be independently verified by
your own qualified professionals.
Please be mindful of copyright ? the DIY Gifts Made Simple e-book is intellectual property that is
protected by copyright law. They may not be republished or distributed, for financial gain or not,
without written permission of the author (Heather). If you would like permission, please just contact
me and I am happy to give permission on a case-by- case basis. Copyright 2016 Mommypotamus. All
Rights Reserved.
Hi there. I'm Heather, the Mommypotamus. If you read my previous
Welcome!
can't help but tinker until
e-books, DIY Organic Beauty Recipes and DIY Non-Toxic Cleaning Recipes, I've got it figured out.
go ahead and skip to page 4. If you haven't, this is where you read a little What started out as a
about me, so here goes: desperate attempt to
I'm a m om . I have three care products. replace store-bought
beautiful children whom I I'm a h om est eader . Well, products that made me
affectionately call the sort of. My husband, feel bad became a
potami. The story of how Daniel, and I recently passion.
we got our name can be bought some land to And now that I make so
found here. pursue a dream of many of the products our
I'm a r esear ch er . long-term sustainability. family uses, the obvious
Questioning the status We're just getting started, next step was to share my
quo comes naturally to but I've got my boots and favorites with friends and
me, which is why I rely on a hat and more barn family. I hope this e-book
evidence-based research kitties than I can shake a will inspire you to create
to guide my decisions on stick at. beautiful things for
food, natural remedies, I'm a DIYer . Whether it's yourself and for those you
birth and making my own homemade laundry soap, love ? and help you have
cleaning and personal lotion bars, or lip balm, I fun doing it in the process!
APPENDIX
How to Throw a Gift-Making Party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
These are all great questions, so let's take them one at a time.
Solution #1
Pair similar products together. For example, if you decide to make lotion bars, you can
use any leftover cocoa butter, beeswax, and coconut oil to make lip balm. Another
idea is to pair products with slightly more expensive ingredients (like lotion bars) with
products that require inexpensive ingredients, like bath salts. In many cases you can
use the same essential oil to scent them both.
Solution #2
Buy in bulk. Ordering a larger quantity can help you save money on a per-item or per
ounce basis. This is a great opportunity to give to all the special people in your life!
Creating Vintage
Equipment
advertising and labels sections. For this
- Color printer
particular project, I selected this one.
- Paper
- Mod Podge or DIY alternative Step 2: Download an image and do a few
- Scissors test prints, decreasing the scale as needed
- Small paintbrush to get the size you want. For example, I
- Clean container for your gift printed at 250% scale to fit the bottles I
used.
Instructions
Step 3: Once the graphic is the size you
Step 1: Go to The Graphics Fairy to find a
want, cut it out.
vintage design. I personally like the French,
STEP6
Using a damp cloth or paper towel, wipe away the excess glue that has been pushed to the sides of the label.
Leave a thin line just outside the edge of the label to help seal it to the surface. It won't be noticeable once it's dry.
Equipment Instructions
- Strongly brewed black tea Step 1: Go to The Graphics Fairy to find a
- Paper vintage design, or hand write a message
- Printer (optional) on a piece of paper. I personally like the
- Mod podge or DIY alternative on French, advertising and labels sections.
page 12 For this particular project, I selected this
- Small paintbrush one.
- Scissors Step 2: Download an image and do a few
test prints, decreasing the scale as needed
to get the size you want. For example, I
printed at 35% scale with the bottle I used.
(If using a hand-drawn design, skip this
step.)
STEP5
Remove from the liquid and lay it flat on a piece of paper until it is completely dry.
STEP6 STEP7
Using Mod Podge or the DIY version in this
Place the label on the jar and cover it with a
e-book, paint the container on the spot you want
layer of Mod Podge/DIY glue. Using your
to place the label. It's okay if it drips a little ? it
fingers, spread the glue all over the surface.
will clean up with a damp cloth.
STEP8
Using a damp cloth or paper towel, wipe away the excess glue that has been pushed to the
sides of the label. Leave a thin line just outside the edge of the label to help seal it to the
surface. It won't be noticeable once it's dry.
Body CareGifts
Lotion Bars
Luxurious and silky smooth, lotion bars melt slightly when rubbed against the
warmth of your skin, leaving a layer of moisture that softens and protects. They are
perfect both in the dry winter months and as a summertime after-sun soother. Many
people find them especially helpful for dry patches on elbows, knees, feet and
hands.
I keep one in my purse, another one in a soap dish next to the kitchen sink for after I
wash dishes, and a few in my pantry to give away.
Special Equipment
-
Silicone mold, muffin tin or other mold
Instructions
Fill a medium pot with about two inches of water and bring to a boil. Place a smaller
If you are not adding essential oils or vitamin E, pour the liquid directly into your
molds. Allow lotion bars to cool fully before unmolding them. If you want to speed
things up, pop them into the fridge or freezer for ten to twenty minutes.
Rub lotion bars between your hands or on the desired area (elbows, feet, knees,
etc.), then massage into skin as needed. You may want to include this information on
the label if you think it would be helpful.
This lotion bar has a natural white chocolate scent thanks to the cocoa butter.
However, if you'd like to add additional scents, here are a few of my favorites:
- White Chocolate Peppermint - Add sixty to seventy-five drops of peppermint
essential oil ? though I'm not typically a fan of peppermint, this is my absolute
favorite for lotion bars!
- Creamsicle - Add sixty drops of sweet orange essential oil, and thirty drops
vanilla CO2 extract.
- Lavender - Add sixty drops of lavender essential oil, or up to ninety if you
prefer a stronger scent.
Because there is no water in this formula, it is typically shelf stable for at least one
year. Store out of direct sunlight and away from heat ? it will melt!
Silicone soap molds are perfect for lotion bars. If you're using ones that have
intricate designs, here's a tip: Once you've melted and poured your ingredients into
the mold per your recipe instructions, allow the bars to reach room temperature on
You can find links to the mold, tins, sticky labels and done-for-you label templates
used to create the options found on the next page in the DIY Emporium.
The ?100% Hand Made? mold makes about six The basic recipe in this book makes twelve
bars using the recipe in this book. Click here for push-up containers. Click here for links to the
links to the molds, containers, labels and label containers, labels and label templates needed
templates needed for this project. for this project.
I've always been a fan of the classic ?Altoid Box? The recipe from this book makes eight
container. The soap mold used to make the bar in butterfly/dragonfly/ladybug lotion bars, four
the photo yields about three bars using the basic large flower lotion bars, or sixteen small flower
recipe. You can find a link to it along with tins, lotion bars. Click here for links to the molds,
sticky labels and pre-made label templates in the containers, labels and label templates needed for
DIY Emporium. this project.
Lip Balm
This tried-and-true, super easy lip balm recipe moisturizes and protects with
beeswax, natural cocoa butter and coconut oil. While it's very soothing to chapped
lips, it's also light enough to be worn year-round.
Ingredients
Makes approximately six .15 ounce tubes or two 1/2 ounce pots. Click here for links
to lip balm tubes, pots, labels and label templates needed for this project.
Instructions
1. In a double boiler (or a stainless steel bowl set inside a pot of boiling water), melt
cocoa butter/shea butter and beeswax.
2. Add in the coconut oil and stir until thoroughly melted.
3. Remove from heat and ? if you are using them ? stir in essential oils, honey and
vitamin E.
9
Click here for links to tins, labels and label templates needed for this project. Makes
about three tins.
9
Ingredients
- 4 fluid ounces calendula infused oil
- 1/2 ounce by weight beeswax (about 2 tablespoons grated, packed beeswax)
- 25-50 drops essential oil, optional (lavender, frankincense, chamomile and tea
tree are good choices)
9
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup lightly packed brown sugar*
- 1/4 cup sea salt
- 3 tablespoons mild-scented olive oil or almond oil
- 1 tablespoon unscented castile soap
- 30 drops vanilla oleoresin essential oil or 1 tablespoon vanilla extract plus 1
teaspoon almond extract
* Or more if needed, see below for details
Packaging Suggestions
Click here for links to jars, labels and label templates needed for this project.
Suggested Expiration Date
Six months from the date it is produced provided water is not introduced into the
container.
7
31 DIY Gifts Made Simple | Mommypotamus
"Ordinary salt is largely sodium chloride, which is very dehydrating, but mineral
salt, such as Dead Sea salt, is rich in magnesium and calcium, which improve
hydration by strengthening the barrier function of the skin.
An example I give my patients is that when you sit in a non-salt bath, your skin
wrinkles and prunes. But that doesn?t happen in salt water because salt
reproduces an environment in balance with your skin in which your skin doesn?t
leak out moisture.?
In addition to magnesium and calcium, Dead Sea salt also contains minerals like
potassium, zinc, phosphorous, sulfur and manganese ? all of which are necessary for
healthy skin.
9
Ingredients
- 1 cup dead sea salt, finely ground
- 1/4 cup virgin coconut oil
- 30 drops steam distilled* lime essential oil
* It is essential that steam distilled lime essential oil is used because the cold-pressed
variety is phototoxic. If steam distilled lime is not an option, steamed distilled lemon
is a good alternative. Other good scent options are lavender and peppermint
essential oil, although if you use peppermint I recommend reducing the amount to
20-25 drops at the most ? it is very strong!
9
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Store in a clean, airtight jar. If essential oils are
used, it is best to store the scrub in a dark cabinet to prevent oxidation.
9
Packaging Suggestions
For this project, use any of the jars, labels and label templates found in the Bath Salt
& Body Scrub section.
9
Shelf Life
If no essential oil is used the shelf life is over a year, provided water is not introduced
into the container. If essential oils are added, I recommend using it within 3-6
months so that the oils don?t oxidize over time.
Ingredients
- 2 cups epsom salt or magnesium bath
flakes
- Up to 25 drops of essential oil (usually
no more than 20 is needed ? see
below for scent ideas)
To Use
Fill bath with water, add 1 cup bath salt, and swish with your hand until dissolved.
Soak for 20-30 minutes.
Shelf Life
Bath salts will stay good indefinitely, but the fragrance and potency of the essential
oils may fade over time, usually within about three to six months.
Packaging Suggestions
Click here for links to jars, labels and label templates needed for this project.
To Use
Fill bath with water, add 1 cup bath salt, and swish with your hand until dissolved.
Soak for 20-30 minutes.
Shelf Life
Bath salts will stay good indefinitely, but the fragrance and potency of the essential
oils may fade over time, usually within about three to six months.
Packaging Suggestions
Click here and look at the "Bath Salt & Body Scrub Ideas" section for links to jars,
labels and label templates needed for this project. You'll find templates for both the
Suggested Expiration Date
Epsoms salts will stay good indefinitely. However the fragrance and potency of the
essential oils may fade after about 6 months.
Packaging Ideas
For Body Scrubs
& Bath Salts
9
Many of the containers that work well with body scrubs are also ideal for bath salts, so
they're covered together in this section.
When packaging body scrubs I personally prefer to use glass jars, especially when the
contents contain essential oils that can react with plastic. However there is the
potential that they might break in the bath or shower, so when I give body scrubs as a
gift I typically suggest that the recipient grab a handful as they head into the shower
instead of taking the jar with them.
This approach has another benefit: It prevents water ? which can cause the scrub to
spoil ? from being introduced into the container. Here are a few of my favorite
options:
Happy Hippie
- 20 drops patchouli essential oil
- 20 drops sweet orange essential oil
- 1/2 cup rum, vodka or witch hazel
To Make
Mix all ingredients and pour into a glass spray bottle. Store in a cool, dark cabinet.
To Use
Shake before using and apply to clothing or skin.
Packaging Suggestions
Dark amber or cobalt blue glass spray bottles are ideal because they filter out UV light, which
can damage essential oils. Click here for links to the spray bottles, labels and label templates
recommended for this project.
Cold-pressed from the seeds of a wild forest rose found mostly in Chile, rosehip seed
oil has been shown in studies to support skin repair, elasticity and firmness. (source) It
also helps even out skin tone, particularly brown spots, say researchers from the
University of San Marcos. (source) This is probably no surprise to locals in the Chilean
Andes mountains, who have long regarded it as a healing oil.
So what makes rosehip seed oil so exceptional?
The short version: It promotes collagen production, hydrates and plumps skin, helps to
even skin tone and fade brown spots, supports scar healing (including stretch marks),
and soothes eczema and psoriasis.
The long version: It contains trans-retinoic acid, which is a derivative of vitamin A. If
you?re not familiar with the benefits of topical vitamin A for skin, one worth
mentioning is that it stimulates collagen production. (source)
Although synthetic vitamin A (in the form of retinol, retinyl palmitate, etc.) is
sometimes touted as an ?anti-aging miracle worker,? I don?t consider it a good option
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons rosehip seed oil
- 6-12 drops (or a combination of) one of the following essential oils . . .
carrot seed*
sweet fennel*
frankincense serrata
frankincense carteri
frankincense frereana
helichrysum italicum
myrrh
geranium bourbon
neroli
palmarosa
rosewood
Two pre-made blends that would also work beautifully are Anti-Age (which smells
amazing) and Soft Skin by Plant Therapy.
* Avoid this essential oil if pregnant or nursing. For a longer list of essential oils to
avoid during pregnancy/breastfeeding click here, and for a list of oils that are
considered safe for pregnancy/nursing click here.
To Make
Add rosehip seed oil and essential oil drops to a container ? I prefer a measuring cup
because the spout makes it easier to pour. Stir and transfer to a small, clean, airtight
bottle. I use a 1 oz. glass bottle with treatment pump that I recycled, but you can find
similar ones in the DIY Emporium .
This doesn't necessarily have to be you. Your gathered group can take a vote if necessary, but this
role should typically default to the person who is most diplomatic and awesome at organization,
because there can end up being a bit of work involved. (See #5 for more info on leader
responsibilities)
Preferably the friend's house with the most kitchen and prep space, but you'd be surprised how
much you can accomplish even in a tiny kitchen!
3. Pick a recipe (or several recipes)
Decide on which recipes you will use, then double, triple or quadruple them (depending on how
many partygoers you have) so that each person has multiple gifts to take home.
Create a Facebook event for the big day and have this as a general meeting place before the party to
share all of your ideas with each other. For instance, you can easily create a poll for everyone to vote
on which recipes to make at the party. This is a fun and easy way to make sure everyone is on the
same page.
Once the recipes are decided on, it will be the leader 's responsibility to coordinate getting the
ingredients and delegate specific pre-party to-dos, as well as coming up with a game plan for how
it's going to go down on party day. The leader will also need to be prepared to handle the
responsibility of making sure everyone has shared equally in the expense of the gifts.
Make sure you have appropriate equipment ... double boilers (or stainless steel bowls that can be
set inside a pot of boiling water), measuring spoons and cups, etc.
Now's when the fun really begins. Your leader should have a clear game-plan of what needs to done
and when. If you're doing a project that takes awhile to cool (such as lotion bars), it's best to start
with them and then move on to things that can be packed immediately (body scrubs and bath salts,
for example).
I recommend getting all your prep-work done first, and then assembling one recipe at a time. This
cuts down on confusion and helps the process go more smoothly.
Remember that part of what makes this experience awesome and memorable is actually spending
time together and talking! Have a good game plan for tackling each project so you can relax and
enjoy the process together.
Have everyone bring a snack or meal item to munch on while you're working... it is a party after all!