"Life's A Beach" - DIY Body Scrubs

Are you enjoying all these fun beachy ideas?  I sure am!

Today, I'd like you to meet my bloggy friend Carrie from My Favorite Finds.

You may remember me mentioning her before; she was sweet enough to feature my ribbon lampshade project on her blog, and she made her own girly version of it for her daughter's bedroom.  Carrie has many interests, like cooking, scrapbooking, trying new foods, organizing, bargain-hunting, and telling others about Jesus.  I love this line from her blog bio:  

 "My life is fabulous-because everything I have is a blessing from God." 

Amen, sister!

I'm excited about what Carrie has to share with us today, a DIY body scrub!  So, please give her a warm Artsy Mama welcome and enjoy the project.....

***********************************

Hello!  My name is Carrie, and I blog at My Favorite Finds.  I am married to my best friend, and my high school sweetheart.  We have three children-a set of 8 year old twin boys and a 21 month old daughter.  I started my blog to share my favorite ideas, recipes, and organization finds.  I am so excited and privileged to be guest posting here on One Artsy Mama today.  I'll be sharing some recipes for homemade body scrubs, using ingredients you already have at home. 

Basically, you need "carrier oil", like EVOO (the light, cold pressed kind), mineral oil, or sweet almond oil.  I've used all three, and I don't favor one over any others.  It's ok to substitute oils for each other, and to substitute sugar for salt or vice versa.  You need an exfoliant, and I use sugar or sea salt, and a scent.  In the recipes below, I use Lavender essential oils, peppermint extract, and orange extract.  Vanilla and honey can be used, also.  I use an old small Ball canning jar, and I hot glue the ring to the lid so they stay together.  I've also purchased glass jars at Michael's that have a rubber seal around the lid, so it stays on tightly.  Either way you choose to store it or give it as a gift, you can't really go wrong. 

Lavender Vanilla Salt Scrub*1/2 c mineral oil
*1/2 c sea salt (I added about 1/8 c more because I like my scrub a little more grainy)
*1 t vanilla extract
*15 drops Lavender essential oil (I bought some at The Body Shop)

1.  Mix the sea salt and mineral oil together until all the salt is incorporated.
2.  Add the vanilla extract and essential oils.  Stir them into the salt/oil mixture until they are thoroughly incorporated.
3.  Add a few drops of blue food coloring to pretty it up.  So far, I haven't had any trouble with the food coloring staining my skin or my shower.
4.  Store in an airtight container.  Use 2-3 times a week in the shower.
Note: DON'T use salt scrub AFTER you shave your legs.  If you do so, your skin will burn-like you've rubbed salt into a wound :).  However, if you use scrub before shaving, you'll get a closer shave. 

Brown Sugar and Honey Body Scrub*1/3 c Mineral Oil
*1 C Brown Sugar
*2 T Honey

Mix all the ingredients together very thoroughly.  This scrub will be much thicker than the salt scrub above.  I can tell you, my skin is literally glowing and beautiful after using this scrub.  Use it 2-3 times a week, and make sure you rinse off really well.  As a note, it will make your shower floor a bit sticky.  Just make sure you rinse it well.

Peppermint Foot Scrub*1 c sugar
*1/3 c Mineral Oil
*1/2 t Peppermint Extract
*10-12 drops of Lavender Essential Oil (optional)
*Drop of green food coloring 

1.  Mix the sugar and mineral oil together.
2.  Add the Peppermint Extract, Essential Oil (optional), and the food coloring.  Mix until the food coloring is completely incorporated. 

Orange Vanilla Sugar Scrub
*1/2 t orange extract
*1/3 c sweet almond oil
*1 c sugar
*1/2 t vanilla extract

1.  Mix the sugar and almond oil together. 
2.  Add the orange and vanilla extracts and stir until they are incorporated. 

Thanks, Carrie, for sharing these great "recipes" with us!  I'm thinking the peppermint foot scrub is first on my list!  If you liked the ideas, be sure to stop by My Favorite Finds and let Carrie know.  Hope you all are having a great week.  Join us tomorrow for another fun summer idea!