Belinda's Favorite DIY Products
Happy Earth Day!
April has been our month to try some new sustainable practices at home, so I thought I would share my favorite household DIY recipes, mainly beauty regimens and plant care. All the ingredients should be easily accessible at a nearby store, or you can check if your local refill station is currently doing pickup or delivery during this time. All of these recipes & tips have been tried and true by yours truly!
BEAUTY REGIMENS
FACE WASH
1/4 cup castille soap
1/4 cup raw honey
2 tbsp sunflower seed or grapeseed oil (or non-comedogenic oil of choice - I’ve recently been using squalane oil I was gifted)
1/2 cup distilled or boiled water
optional: 3 drops black seed oil or tea tree oil to treat acne
* Mix in a bottle with a pump. Shake well before each use. A little bit goes a long way and this face wash should last several weeks!
TONER
3 parts witch hazel
1 part rose water
* Mix in a small bottle. You can spray this directly onto your face or apply with a reusable cotton pad. I like to use this twice a day - before applying makeup in the morning and in the evening between washing my face and moisturizing.
CLARIFYING HAIR CONDITIONER
1 part apple cider vinegar
1 part water
* Mix in a small spray bottle. After shampooing, spray liberally at the roots and let sit for a few minutes. Rinse thoroughly - it shouldn’t leave a smell!
DEEP CONDITIONING HAIR MASK
1 - 2 tbsp of gently melted organic coconut oil
1 - 2 tbsp of raw honey
1 raw egg
1 tsp of cinnamon powder
* Mix until well blended. Apply on damp hair in sections, starting at the ends. To get everything coated evenly, I typically use a wide-tooth comb to brush through after applying. Let sit for 1 - 2 hours then rinse thoroughly. I recommend using this hair mask once a month or as needed. FYI this mask smells DELICIOUS!
Our local refill station - Sustain LA in Highland Park
DIY clarifying hair conditioner
TIPS FOR HOUSEPLANTS
Propagating our swiss cheese monstera
Honing your green thumb? Try these nifty tips to make those babies thrive!
Have a problem with root rot? Sprinkling cinnamon on your plant’s soil or watering with a cooled cinnamon tea can fight fungal infections and disease. This is great for seedlings since their soil needs to be consistently damp for germination.
You know that water you toss after rinsing your rice? Try soaking your orchid roots in rice water for an extra boost. We recommend soaking for an hour once a week to replace regular watering. Make sure to let everything drain before placing back in its original pot.
Struggling with pests? Treat them with a homemade spray of 1 quart of water + 1 tsp neem oil + a few drops of dish soap. Shake well before spraying on leaves (don’t forget the undersides!), stems, and soil. You’ll have to make this before use because neem oil breaks down in a few hours when exposed to sunlight. The best time to apply is early evening to prevent sunburn on delicate plants. Reapply every 1 - 2 weeks until pests clear up!
Do your plants need a little bit of fertiilzer? Some our favorite household items turned plant food include organic coffee grounds, leftover tea, diluted molasses, epsom salt, and egg shells.
And if you live somewhere rainy, the most nutritious way to hydrate houseplants is rainwater! When the forecast looks a little gloomy, just set out a few buckets, watering cans, tupperware, or whatever vessels you can get your hands on, and collect away.
If you end up trying any of these recipes and tips, let us know what you think! We’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback.
xoxo,
Belinda