As promised on my DIY green tea facial exfoliant post, two more DIY facial products. This time a toner and an astringent. I have read that it isn't necessary to use both a toner and an astringent because they basically do the same thing but I have been using both at the same time with no negative effects. I find it amusing that I made three DIY facial products that I had pinned years ago in under 5 minutes total. Since the ACV is smelly, I like to use it at night.

These are so simple and one ingredient each besides water!

What is an astringent? Astringent can help even your skin tone and minimize pores

What is a toner? A product that tightens skin and minimizes the size of pores.

Why I am using the ingredients:
- witch hazel:
- apple cider vinegar: anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties that fight and prevent acne. clears pores to let skin breathe.

Witch Hazel Astringent
Ingredients
- witch hazel: natural product that will decrease the size of pores and helps treat eczema
- water
Directions
- Combine equal parts water and witch hazel in a storage container.
To use
- pour a small amount on a cotton ball/pad and blot around face. Dry with a towel


Apple Cider Vinegar Toner - this will smell!
Ingredients
- apple cider vinegar, with the mother in it
-water
Directions
- Combine 1 part apple cider vinegar to 2 or 3 parts water in a storage container. You can add more or less water based on skin sensitivity.
To use
- pour a small amount on a cotton ball and blot around face. Let face air dry. I've been storing my toner astringent in the fridge and it feels nice and cool when I use it.


Astringent Source, modified
Toner Source
Witch Hazel Reference
Apple Cider Vinegar Reference

I never really settled into a solid face care regime. I blame the face that I have been lucky enough to have pretty healthy skin and only occasional breakouts. I only starting taking off my mascara at night my sophomore year of college. I didn't even get into a routine of doing this every single night until my junior year of college. Then last fall, I decided to buy face wash because I had never used it before but wanted to try it out. Previously my face washing consisted of getting it wet in the shower. I am not telling all of this to brag about my "amazing" skin that is still good despite my improper care, I am sharing this to lay the scene of how badly I was treating it.

Well, with an upcoming wedding, I decided it was time to try my hand at making my own beauty products. I had pinned some "recipes" for these years ago but like many Pinterest pins, they were forgotten. I liked the thought of making products at home because it eliminates a lot of the chemicals in them. Over half of this particular exfoliant is edible. I had gone through all my pinned recipes before selecting this one, mainly because of the easy to find ingredients whereas others were calling for more exotic things like lava clay. I like to use this in the mornings.

Why I am using each ingredient:
-coconut oil: "anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory benefits...an incredible moisturizer, it also helps to reduce bacteria associated with acne, infections, and other skin conditions."
- green tea: "antioxidants present in green tea will give you healthy and glowing skin. It acts as a natural, anti-aging ingredient, preventing wrinkles and blemishes."
- vitamin E oil: "the antioxidant nature along with the skin-lightening properties of vitamin E oil makes it the perfect natural anti-aging solution" Also provides moisturizing properties.
- aloe vera gel: anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial,  natural astringent, and natural anesthetic
- sugar: gritty to gently exfoliate and remove dead skin layers


On Wednesday, I am going to share two more DIY facial products!

Ingredients:
- 4 bags of green tea
- 2/3 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1 1/4 cup sugar, mix to your desired consistency - more sugar = more exfoliation
- 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
- 8 drops vitamin E oil (optional)

Directions:
- Measure out everything and mix it together.

To use:
-Take a small quarter sized amount and scrub on your face. Wash with warm water. The coconut oil will feel oily at first, but your skin will quickly absorb it.

Recipe modified from this Source
Coconut oil references
Aloe vera references
Vitamin E references
Green tea references

I am currently in the midst of peeling from a really bad sunburn as well as in the midst of more cucumbers than I know what to do with. So this should be a perfect way to solve both problems.

What you'll need:

One large cucumber

Two tablespoons mint leaves

Two and a half cups sugar

Four tablespoons olive oil

How to make:

Blend the cucumber and mint leaves into a puree. 

Mix in a bowl with the sugar and olive oil. If you want your scrub to be thicker, add more sugar.

Store in containers in the refrigerator until ready for use.

What I thought of it:
It works pretty well and it's nice and cold so it feels good on a sunburn. Only con is that you will need to clean your shower/tub after use.

Source

I keep a very minimal makeup routine. If I am wearing makeup then I will only be using five products. They are effective and keep my makeup bag clutter free. Here are the five beauty products I can't live without.

1. Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine

I can't remember how I came across this beauty item but I think it was Pinterest. I added it to one of my Amazon wish lists and waited for the price to drop. I wasn't sure how I would like it but when I finally broke down and purchased it for $8 with free shipping, I was immediately glad I did. No regrets. Originally I thought that the normal list price was high at $12 but in retrospect, most lipsticks at drug stores cost anywhere from $7-10 dollars so I wasn't too far off. I was apprehensive to buy this because I wasn't sure how I would like the product. I can say that I love it. It leaves my lips soft and moisturized while giving them a soft tint slightly darker than my normal lip color. It's smells sort of like cotton candy but not too sweet and it looks very natural. This lip butter does not leave your lips feeling sticky like a traditional lip gloss. I think the little jar will last me a long time but I plan to buy more as soon as I start running low.

2. e.l.f. Smudge Pot in Cruisin' Chic

I got this on a gamble and I love it. I will say that I have only seen it in stores once but it is available online. When I run out, I will probably order some a few different color ways. It's another must have for me. It is easy to apply and looks great with my complexion, hair, and eyes. This eye shadow is thick and creamy and it stays on all day long. It's fairly smudge proof if you are one who tends to rub your eyes. I also got an application brush for $1 and so far it has held up great. e.l.f. products are available at Target, Walmart, and a few other places, including the mini mart on my college campus. I always get mine at Walmart because that's where I tend to shop but because I can't get links to the items there but the prices are identical at any store...even the mini market on campus that jacks up all their prices.

3. e.l.f. Triple Tip Waterproof Eyeliner Pen in Coffee

For $2, this eyeliner is a steal. It's way cheaper than most of the other liners I have tried and it is super easy to apply. The tip is very thin which allows me to have more control when applying it. The lines appear thinner and darker than a traditional soft eyeliner pen. This was the first product that really got me hooked on e.l.f.

4. Origins Have a Nice Day Moisture Cream

My dad got me this as a gift a few years ago and I love it. And yes, I am still using the same jar years later. You don't need a lot, just a small dollop of your finger for application on your whole face. It has SPF protection and leaves your face feeling soft and refreshed but not oily like some moisturizers. It is a year round cream suitable for daily use. When I am finished with this cream, I will go on to try another Origins moisturizer cream, They are expensive at $41 and up but I think they are worth every penny. I like the fact that Origins uses organic ingredients and environmentally sustainable practices to create their products. You can also bring previously unrecyclable makeup containers and tubes to an Origins location for them to send to recycle. You can read more about Origins here.

5. Maybelline New York The Falsies Volum Express Mascara

I tend to get my mascara at Krogers because they always send coupons for $2-3 off one Maybelline product. If I didn't like Maybelline then I wouldn't do this but I have found it to work well and it is very affordable, especially with coupons. I like to wait until the mascara I want is already on sale and then use my coupon. I usually end up getting mine for $2-3 between the Kroger's special and mail coupon.

What are beauty essentials that you can't go without?