Do you love the idea of giving a beauty basket as a gift, but hate the idea all of those chemicals that go with it? You can be green and still treat your friends, or yourself, to an day of pampering with these do-it-yourself natural homemade beauty gifts.
Home Spa Treatment
Start the spa day with a warm, fragrant bath to soften skin and soothe tired muscles. You can make bath salts from natural ingredients found in your kitchen or at your health food store. Start by mixing equal parts of sea salt and Epsom salt. Add a drop or two of lavender essential oil. Stir well to remove lumps then package in recycled glass jars. Use scraps of fabric or ribbon to decorate the lid.
Exfoliate
You can use some of the same ingredients in different amounts to make a scrub to exfoliate and soften extra dry skin. Start with three cups of Epsom or sea salt (or a mixture of the two) and add one cup of almond, canola or olive oil. Add essential oils for fragrance. Try mixing different oils, such as cinnamon and clove or orange and grapefruit.
Manicure
No beauty treatment is complete without a manicure. Start with a nail care and strengthener cream made from 1 tsp. Olive oil, 1 tsp castor oil and ¼ tsp fresh lemon juice. Rub directly onto nails and let stand for at least five minutes. This mixture will leave nails so shiny and strong you won't need to add polish. If you want to add color to your nails, choose one made from organic ingredients.
Packaging
Choose environmentally friendly packaging for your beauty basket. Repurpose glass jars. Pack the jars in a reusable bag. Or recycle a basket and set the jars into a bed of popcorn. Make the packaging part of the spa theme by wrapping the gift in a thick cotton towel.
