DIY at Home Self Care

During quarantine, I experimented with different haircuts, colored hair, and different make-up styles. The cost of testing out new looks on yourself is having dead/damaged hair, a choppy haircut, or acne ridden skin from cheap foundations and powders. During that time, I also didn’t have much money to buy good skin care or hair masks. To help myself out, I started to become more creative with organic products that I already had laying around the house, and that are guaranteed to not have any sulfates, parabens, and other harsh ingredients.  

One major thing I struggled with was dry, damaged, weak hair from constantly using box-bleach-dye from my local Walgreens. An ingredient by itself that gave my hair a complete 180 is coconut oil! Besides hair care, coconut oil is a great make-up remover that doesn’t strip your skin from its natural oils and is a body moisturizer. As seen in later recipes, coconut oil is a mutual ingredient used widely while combined with more products. 

As for facial products, face masks are a nice and easy way to wind down after a long day. Personally, my skin is a combination of dry and oily, sensitive, and uneven, so one at-home face mask that worked wonders for me is a “matcha-mask.” The only ingredients used are matcha powder and hot water. Matcha powder can be found at any local supermarket or store.  

To a small bowl, I add two tsp of matcha powder and two tsp of hot water, (a 1:1 ratio). After adding the ingredients to the bowl, whisk for about five minutes, until it gets to a pasty consistency. Then apply evenly on clean, freshly washed skin, and, preferably, leave the mask on for 10 minutes. When the 10 minutes are up, wash the mask off with warm water. I, personally, like to go over my skin with micellar water or toner afterwards, to pick up any matcha residue.  

Another one of my favorites that made my skin glow is a turmeric face mask! This mask can also be used anywhere else besides the face- to help with other areas struggling with acne. While making the mask, there were a few trials and errors, but after a few uses, I already started seeing results of more glow-ier and clearer skin. 

This recipe varies in measurements and ratios of turmeric powder depending on different skin shades. For example, my skin is very, very pale and has pink undertones, so I use 1/3 teaspoon of turmeric- or else I’ll turn into an orange. On the other hand, if your skin is more yellow-toned or has a darker complexion, 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder would work perfectly. Next, I use ½ teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon of raw honey (I personally love to use locally made organic raw honey), and ½ teaspoon of yogurt. Lastly, mix all ingredients in a small bowl, then apply evenly on the skin and wait for 10-15 minutes to wash the product off. After doing this mask, I also like to use micellar cleansing water or a face toner to take off any access product.  

Usually, I love to use just coconut oil for a pre-shampoo hair mask, but when I have the time and energy, I like to spice it up a little. After using this mask, my hair appears more alive, shinier- very noticeable improvement all around. This treatment works on all hair types (type 1 hair- type 4c hair). I compare it to a keratin treatment, which varies to $80-$150 at hair salons.  

To a bowl, I usually add ½ cup of coconut oil, microwave or heat it up until it's at a liquid consistency. To the same bowl, add ½ tablespoon of organic raw honey, 1 egg white, and a splash of apple cider vinegar. Mix it all together then brush and section your hair to apply it evenly. This step is optional, but I usually wrap my hair in a plastic bag, then I let the mask sit for 15- 20 minutes. After the timer is up, rinse your hair, then go on with shampoo and conditioner (and any other hair products you use daily after that).