Top 5 DIY Round Up Musts with Sensational Party Idea Included

We did all the work so you don’t have to…

How many times do we hear ourselves say, "I want clearer skin?" "Smaller Pores?" "A youthful glow?" "Even skin tone?" You get the point.

We ask ourselves how we can achieve these things, which products to buy, and then we go searching. Usually this results in one of two things - we see the prices and cringe or we're overwhelmed with the selection choices and either choose on a whim or throw our hands up all together.

Truth is, although there are many great products out there that are well worth the cost (such as, A Girl's Gotta Spa! products *cough cough*), we can also easily concoct some of the very best skin care products right from our own kitchen with little effort.

DIY products allow for dollars saved, knowledge gained, ease of experimenting to see what works best for us, and best of all allows us the control of knowing exactly what ingredients are in our self-made products.

Of course it’s best to follow the guidance and wisdom of those who have went before us on these ventures, so below is a short round up of 5 of the best DIY skin care articles written by us here at AGGS over the years to start you on your way and condense your search!

DIY Facial Peels

Read this article if you are looking for DIY on:

• Restoring hydration
• Evening out dark spots
• Addressing fine lines and wrinkles
• Soothing skin irritation and reducing swelling

This article lays out three simple, but effective skin peels, as well as a concise and accurate description of what skin peels are and why they are a useful part of our skin care regime.

DIY Honey Apple Cider Vinegar Sugar Scrub

Read this article if your looking to combat:

• Redness
• Dullness
• Oily Skin

This article gives the how-to on creating a fabulously surreal sugar scrub that is especially great for the winter months or for those in dry air conditions.

There are so many great honeys out there and even different sugars that we would love to hear your input and experience on what you chose and how it worked!

DIY Pumpkin Spice Latte Face Scrub

Read this article if your looking for DIY on:

• GLOW

This is where we learn that Pumpkin Spice Latte is for more than just sipping during the holiday season, and don’t be mistaken and start dumping a cup of it on your face. No, no, no we are talking about how to make a DIY SCRUB that will help you get your GLOW on!

And really who doesn’t want that all year round? Mmmm, take a read to find out what all the talk is about. No need for throwing shade when all we really wanna do is glllloooooow! Sparkle sparkle.

Winter Skin Care DIY

Read this article if you want hair to heel DIY recipes on saying buh-bye to the winter woes of dry this and that body foes like:

• Dry Skin
• Dry Hair
• Static Hair
• Chapped lips
• Rough Elbows
• Cracked and shotty heels

This article is fruitfully filled with SEVEN skin and hair product recipes for masks, scrubs, AND moisturizers that include such ingredients as chocolate and coconut to vanilla and figs. A MUST READ!

DIY Acne Treatments

Read this article if you want DIY treatments for:

• ACNE

Yup, I put it in caps because we all know what a PIA acne is, that it’s difficult to treat, and often not so light on the purse strings.

Take a visual gander to gain insightful tips and guidance with trialing some at-home remedies that may make all the difference in the world when trying to abolish the age ol’ blemish.

Please always remember to read directions carefully and follow instructions, but most of all HAVE FUN and tell us ALL about it!

PARTY IDEA NOTE: Invite the girls over and put these recipes out with a selection of ingredients laid out on the counter and have a literal party where each guest gets to make their own beauty product.

• Awesome social event ✔️
• Great for conversation starters and exchanging ideas ✔️
• Beauty and self-care/love inspired ✔️
• Party favor/gift included without you having to make them ✔️

Take pictures and let us know how it goes, we LOVE hearing from you!!!

Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Don't forget to check out our cruelty free beauty products!

Lately I have been somewhat obsessed with bananas.  Being insanely busy for the past two months has reintroduced me to how versatile bananas can be.

In the morning I blend them with almond milk, blueberries and medjool dates for a simple, quick and super filling smoothie or will slice them and add to my muesli or coconut milk yogurt.

When I'm really rushed for time I have a banana with a few almonds for a filling, yet healthy snack.  Little did I know that in addition to being filling and convenient, bananas also have amazing benefits for skin, hair and my overall health and well-being.

The health benefits of bananas are seemingly endless. They contain flavonoids and poly-phenolics, such as lutein, zeaxanthin, beta and alpha carotenes, acting as free radical-destroying antioxidants. 

They also are also high vitamin C, most known for its infection-fighting properties. Just one banana contains 467 mg of potassium, which is important for controlling heart rate and blood pressure.  The vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) in bananas provides around 28% of what is needed daily to help prevent anemia and coronary artery disease.  

The fiber content of bananas helps keep the digestive system regulated, while magnesium helps to strengthen bones and protect the heart.  Manganese is needed to activate antioxidant enzyme and one banana supplies an adequate amount of copper to keep up the production of red blood cells. 

Bananas have been used to settle upset stomachs (including morning sickness), reduce stress, ease heartburn pain, relieve constipation, soothe PMS symptoms, cure warts, and stimulate brain power.

In addition to the health benefits, the beautifying benefits of bananas are countless. They contain significant amounts of vitamin C and B6, which is vital in maintaining the integrity and elasticity of the skin. 

In addition, the large amount of antioxidants and manganese present in banana protect the body from damage caused by  free radicals which lead to premature aging of the skin.  A banana has about 75% water by weight and thus helps to hydrate your skin and prevent it from drying and peeling.  The potassium in a banana helps to draws out excess fluid from under the skin and reduces swelling immediately, which makes it ideal for reducing puffy eyes. 

The potassium, natural oils, carbohydrates and vitamins in bananas helps to soften hair and protect hair’s natural elasticity preventing split ends and breakage. Banana also creates manageability, shine, growth and controls dandruff.  Bananas can be incorporated into facial and hair masks, face and body scrubs and applied to the eye area to battle puffy eyes.

For a moisturizing facial mask: Mash one banana to the consistency of baby food (or you can blend it to make it thinner) Add one teaspoon of natural honey and mix Apply to your face Allow it to sit for about 10 minutes and then rinse off with tepid water Optional: Add lemon if you have acne or yogurt for oily skin.

For a moisturizing hair mask: Puree 1-3 ripe bananas (amount of bananas depends on the length/thickness of your hair) Add 1-3 tablespoons of honey (same as above depending on length/thickness of your hair) 2 teaspoons of coconut oil Blend all ingredients and apply to your hair Leave on for 30-60 minutes (the longer the better) and rinse, shampoo and condition hair as you normally would.

Since they are available year round, bananas may not only the perfect food, but also the ultimate beauty product! 

From your head to your toes, winter conditions are no fun for your skin. Not only does dry skin look unhealthy, it can be really uncomfortable, too. Did you know that everything you need to save your skin from winter is as close as your pantry or refrigerator? Below are some excellent DIY skin care recipes from Dr. Susan Stuart a board certified dermatologist from La Jolla, California. Avocado Mask An avocado mask is perfect for dry skin that may become very irritated in the winter. It is easy to make: mash the flesh of avocado with a fork, add a touch of extra-virgin olive oil, and apply this smooth, fragrant mixture onto your face. “This nourishing mask will supply your skin with a whole range of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and softening agents to fight winter dryness,” says Dr. Stuart. We've also included avocado in our DIY Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment and DIY Avocado Hair & Face Mask. Avocado Oil can be found in A Girl's Gotta Spa! Energizing Citrus Salt Scrub, too. Sweet Almond Body Scrub Almonds are packed full of nutrients like vitamin E, magnesium, and healthy monounsaturated fats. These compounds make them nourishing to your body inside and out. Try this recipe to exfoliate and moisturize your skin. -1 cup brown sugar -1/2 cup almond oil -2 tsp honey -1 tsp pure vanilla extract Mix all ingredients together in a shatter-proof bowl. In the shower or tub, massage the scrub into your skin in circular motions (after washing your skin with soap), concentrating on rough or dry areas of the skin. Rinse with warm water, allowing the residual layer of almond oil to remain on the skin. Pat dry. Chocolate Face Mask Once regarded as a bane to our health, new research has shown that dark chocolate is healthy—and not just to eat. Compounds found in chocolate can actually benefit the skin when applied topically. -1/3 cup cocoa powder -1/4 cup honey -2 Tbsp cream or plain yogurt or sour cream -3 tsp oats (old-fashioned or quick-cooking) Place all ingredients into a blender, and blend until smooth. Apply to clean, dry skin and leave on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Pat dry. (I still eat a lot of dark chocolate, though.) Apple Vinegar Foot Soak -1 part apple vinegar -2 parts water Mix ingredients and soak for 30 minutes for hydrating new-like feet. Don't worry about the smell, as it will do wonders for cracked, rough, smelly feet! Static hair - Coconut oil Rub a small amount of coconut oil between the palms of your hand and lightly pat down the top of your head. "Just the tiny bit of moisture will tame fly-aways and hydrate tresses without leaving hair greasy looking," says Dr. Stuart. Rough elbows and heels -Fresh figs -Hardened coconut oil (optional if you choose to make a more aggressive scrub). -Sugar Take ripe figs and mash or blend then in a bowl. Add coconut oil. This mixture will gently exfoliate, as the fig seeds will lightly clean and remove dead skin. According to Dr. Stuart, "Coconut oil is highly nutritious and moisturizing. Make sure the coconut oil is not melted. Place in fridge if you have to solidify, because if you are like me and prefer more exfoliation, add some sugar to this and create a dry scrub. Once this touches your skin, the coconut oil and sugar will melt." Apply while you're in the bath tub or shower and be careful as it may cause a slippery surface. Vanilla Lip Scrub -2 parts sugar -1 part olive oil -vanilla extract to taste This scrub will get rid of rough, dead skin on and around the lips. No one wants chapped lips where you can see the lines under your lip color, so this scrub is perfect! Also see our DIY Lip Scrub recipe. Loved these DIY skin care recipes? Please share them on Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!