If you enjoy crafting or happen to be short on cash, you may be considering giving the gift of DIY beauty this holiday season.
Pinterest may make it seem like creating a bath bomb from scratch is easy-peasy, but the truth is that you might run into more hiccups than you hoped for, so before you start stocking up on baking soda and lotion-makings, take a quick gander at our list of do’s and don’ts so that you don’t end using all of your free time up on dud gifts.
Don’t Improvise
So you found a heavenly body butter recipe? Awesome. Many times, these kinds of beauty recipes involve food processors, electric mixers or blenders. Make sure you have the right equipment to get the job done, as it can affect consistency. Nobody wants a jar of chunky shea butter! Also, it might seem like a good idea to add extra ingredients to your blend for a signature scent, but tread lightly here. If this is your first time making something like this, it’s better to stick to the script so that you don’t ruin your batch. For example, you don’t want to add brewed green tea to a coconut oil base because, as it turns out, adding water to an oil based mixture can lead to mold quickly. Not like I know that from experience or anything…
Do Consider Potential Allergies
Typically when making DIY beauty gifts, you’re making them in bulk to give to multiple people. This is a perfect plan, but be aware that you may not know everything about the people on the receiving end of your gifts. For this reason, it’s best to steer clear of nut based products. Nut allergies are fairly common and the easiest option is to simply leave them out. To avoid any concerns, considering adding an ingredient label or card to pair with your gift. Your loved ones and friends will appreciate the information and will have the option of passing it on to someone else if it isn’t safe for them.
Do the Math
In general, DIY gifts are pretty cost effective. But if you are overly ambitious and attempt to make full self-care gift baskets, they could end up costing quite a bit more than a store bought gift that your buds would be equally happy with. Make sure that if your DIY gift is costing you time (it is), it isn’t also costing you too much money.
Don’t Forget About Safety
No matter what you’re making, wear gloves for sanitation and also to protect your hands from an excess of essential oils. When making candles or anything that requires hot liquids, wear long sleeves to prevent the danger of hot wax splashes. Also, if you have cats, make sure to research which essential oils are safe for them. Heating or even diffusing scents that are too strong for them can irritate their breathing and cause issues. At the very least, keep the windows open and put them in a different room.
Do Have Fun
DIY gifts should be fun, so be sure to choose something that you’re excited to create. That way, you can pass on your joy when you give your presents.
If it’s made with love, it’ll be a home run.
