DIY Starbucks Holiday Sugar Scrubs + Body Butters

I'm back with another set of DIYs that make a fabulous last minute gift (because we've all been guilty of that I bet).

These are always a hit as gifts and they're inspired by this year's Starbucks Holiday drinks menu.

I'm kind of obsessed with that place--even one of the kids I take care calls me Princess Starbucks (fyi we pretend we are princesses that go to princess school and save animals at night).

I hope you love these as much as I do. They look and smell almost like the real thing!

PEPPERMINT MOCHA SUGAR SCRUB

1 c sugar

1/4 c sweet almond oil 

1 tsp peppermint essential oil

1/2 tsp cafe mocha fragrance oil

Sometimes I will add a few coffee grinds to the recipe for an extra scrubby-scrub.

Mix ingredients. Store in an air-tight container. Stir before using.

You can add coloring to make this look like a candy cane, but I like it as it is.

PEPPERMINT BODY BUTTER

1/2 c coconut oil

1/2 c mango oil

1 tsp vitamin E oil

1 tsp peppermint oil (I use a little slightly less than this)

Melt coconut and mango oil and stir. Put in freezer.

Once almost frozen, begin mixing using a hand mixer--it should turn into body butter.

Add the vitamin E and peppermint oil and keep mixing.

Store in a resealable container.

Note: Starbucks uses whipped cream, so you can go for a vanilla scented body butter, but I am keeping with the theme, so that's why mine are scented.

PEPPERMINT SOLID LOTION (see recipe here)

I added a little cocoa and pigment to mine to resemble chocolate shavings.

DIY CARAMEL BRULEE LATTE SUGAR SCRUB

1 c sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla essential oil

1/2 c melted coconut oil

1 tsp powdered milk

1 tsp drops caramel oil 

1/2 tsp coffee fragrance (or I will use french vanilla coffee fragrance oil)

Mix ingredients. Store in an air-tight container. Stir before using.

CARAMEL BRULEE BODY BUTTER

same as first body butter recipe, just change the scent. 

I added bits of the scrub onto to look like the caramel bits.

SNICKERDOODLE HOT COCOA SUGAR SCRUB

1 c sugar

1/2 c Turbinado sugar (or brown sugar) 

1/4 c unsweetened cocoa powder (since this is hot cocoa, but it's optional)

1 c sweet almond oil

15 drops vanilla essential oil

or I use 1 tsp of Snickerdoodles Latte fragrance oil

sprinkle of cinnamon--optional--only if the user doesn't have a reaction to cinnamon

Mix ingredients. Store in airtight container.

SNICKERDOODLE BODY BUTTER

Same recipe as before, just change out the fragrance. I added cinnamon on top of mine for decoration.

For presentation, I scooped some into a clean Starbucks red (holiday) cup but leaving room at the top. Then I took a small plastic cup and added the body butter into it. I placed that on top of the sugar scrub and then swirled the body butter to look more like whipped cream (I usually use a piping bag and tip) and then added decorations on top. To cover it, I used a clear top (like you'd get for a frapp). But I suggest storing these in air tight containers, obviously!

FYI: I prefer using raw sugar, but showed plain white sugar since it is cheaper.

Which of these would you like to make or give?

Extra Elle:
It's been a busy week at work and behind the blog, so not much otherwise has been going on. Looking forward to the weekend, as always!

Neutrogena giveaway with THREE winners!

DIY Pumpkin Spice Latte Sugar Scrub AND Body Butter

I'm an October baby, so pumpkins will forever be a favorite of mine. And yes, I look forward to Starbuck's annual unveiling of its Pumpkin Spice Latte.

I may like the scent more than the taste though, and for those who feel the same (or are fanatics) I thought I'd share these TWO diys today. One of my post popular diys on here is my Pumpkin Spice Latte Sugar Scrub, so I updated it and added in a bonus of my Pumpkin Spice Latte Body Butter.

PSL Sugar Scrub

1 c sugar (I recommend raw)
1/2 c pumpkin puree (I used canned, but freshly pureed sugar/baking pumpkins works too)
1/4 c coconut oil or similar
1 tsp nutmeg (I used pumpkin spice)
Mix ingredients. Store in an air-tight container. Stir before using.
--Feel free to add a spoonful of used ground coffee beans

Since this uses pumpkin puree, I keep it in the fridge for about a week. For those wanting a longer-lasting product, I suggest pumpkin seed oil (I would forgo the coconut oil but add a big drop of vitamin E instead) or ground pumpkin seeds. You can easily get 3-6 months from those.

For presentation, I put the PSL Sugar Scrub in the Starbucks cup and then added the PSL Body Butter on top. If I am giving this as a gift, I really like using plastic dome lids to keep the scrub and the body butter separate. 

PSL Body Butter

1/c coconut oil

pinch of nutmeg or pumpkin spice
--Feel free to add a spoonful of pumpkin seed oil, but cut down the coconut oil amount to about 1/4c

Melt coconut oil in microwave. 

Freeze.

Using a hand mixer, mix the coconut oil until it becomes body butter consistency.

I used a piping bag to add it to the top of my sugar scrub.

Sprinkle with nutmeg or pumpkin spice. 

Sometimes I will add a drop of vanilla to the coconut oil after melting.

Coconut oil is VERY oily, so sometimes I'll use shea butter instead.

Remember, you don't have to put the two diys together. You can make either or both, like I did!

Also, be aware of skin sensitivities to cinnamon.

Doesn't it look like the real thing?

Extra Elle:

Busy weekend of football games, a visit to the Hello Kitty Cafe food truck, and a friend's birthday party. It flew by!

CHECK OUT MORE PUMPKIN RECIPES:

• DIY Pumpkin mask for Stressed Out Skin
• DIY PSL Macaron Bath Bombs

10 Christmas DIY Gifts

Hey you! Now that Thanksgiving is over the holidays have officially started at my house. Have you finished your shopping list? If you haven't, don't worry--I've got you covered! Today I'm sharing 10 of my most-pinned Christmas DIY gifts. These are so easy to make and are just the thing for those last minute gifts (office party, Secret Santa, hostess gift, holiday party, neighbor who just announced you were exchanging gifts, etc.). Just click the title of the DIY you would like to create!

DIY Holiday Pout Plumpers--These are always a hit with the younger set and make cute stocking stuffers, too. Click the title to see recipes for my Candy Cane and Cinnamon Bun lip plumpers.

Gingerbread Sugar Scrub--I get requests for this every fall and for the holidays for gifts. The scent is so nostalgic and makes me think of Christmas. This is one of my most popular!

Snickerdoodle Sugar Scrub--Oh, does this smell amazing! Since it's for the bath, it is great for softening winter skin, and is zero calories! Works for any time of year, so be sure to pin this for later!

DIY Christmas Lotion Bars--These are so unique and are made in cute holiday shapes! The bars become soft when warmed in your hands, thus transforming them into lotion. These would make a cute travel gift.

Candy Cane Sugar Scrub--Smells great and makes for a cute gift presentation. Plus, it's much easier than you think to make! This is another one of my most popular DIYs.

Vanilla Sugar Cookie Body Butter--You'll want to bake a batch of cookies after making this. It smells absolutely delicious and the body butter will make your skin feel so soft and hydrated. This has just a couple of ingredients and uses everyone's favorite: coconut oil.

Starbucks Christmas Drinks Sugar Scrubs--These were my favorite DIY from last year and were a huge hit. How cute are these? They look like the real thing! Click the title to see my Peppermint Mocha Sugar Scrub, Gingerbread Latte Sugar Scrub, and Caramel Brulee Sugar Scrub.

Want more DIY? Click here to see my library of over 100 free DIY ideas.

Giveaways:

• Bare Minerals Brush Set--ends TODAY
• $100 Visa Giftcard Giveaway--end 12-21

10 Fall DIYs

pic source

Hey you! Happy autumn! It's no secret that fall is my favorite season. It really makes me want to get in the kitchen and start making stuff--beauty DIYs that is. I'm sharing a roundup of past recipes that you might have missed. As always these are quick and easy to make. Just click the title of what you'd like to see!

3 Tips to Shake Up Summer

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Starbucks through their partnership with POPSUGAR. While I was compensated by POPSUGAR to write a post about Starbucks, all opinions are my own.

Tired of doing the same thing over and over this summer? It’s time to shake things up with three of my favorite “Shake Up” ideas and beauty tips to make a regular summer day extra fun!

1- Pool

Shake Up: Make your pool the place to be for board games with family or friends. It's a fun change of atmosphere--trust me! I'm currently into playing lots of Mexican Train Dominoes and team trivia games. Don't forget lots of yummy snacks and tasty treats, like the Starbucks Teavana® Shaken Iced Blackberry Mojito Tea Lemonade™. It is my favorite drink right now and is pictured above.

Beauty Tip: Summer is the time to finally learn a cute no-heat hairstyle, like a fishtail braid. And it works for in or out of the pool!

2-Reading

Shake Up: Reading on the couch is a relaxing summer pastime that you can do any time of the year. But since it's summer, why not take that fun outdoors? A hammock can be an affordable way to shake up your summer reading. Tell me, what book is on your must-read list for summer? And since you're outside, a cooling beverage like the Starbucks Teavana® Shaken Iced Black Tea Lemonade™ is a must. It's just not summer for me unless I have Starbucks, am I right?

Beauty Tip: Before you post that #hammockselfie, make sure your toes look cute! Neons or bright colors will look awesome! Nude or white polishes are very in for summer for nails, too. 

3-Movies

Shake Up: Instead of going out to the movies, why not make a memory and watch a movie outdoors? Watching movies under the stars is an annual favorite of mine. If you don't know anyone with a projector, try renting one for the night. Hang up a white sheet as your screen and have blankets and pillows for watching. Pop the popcorn (what are your favorite movie snacks?) and grab a refreshing Starbucks Teavana® Shaken Iced Tea. Since I'm a Georgia girl, it will be the Starbucks Teavana® Shaken Iced Peach Green Tea Lemonade™ (pictured on right). Have you tried these yet? Which flavor is your favorite?

Beauty Tip: Shake up your makeup by rocking a bright lip this summer and toning down the rest of your look. While orange lips are huge right now, a bright coral lip is easier to wear.



How do you Shake Up Summer? 

Check out my summer inspirations on my Pinterest board (and follow me):

For more info. on Starbucks Teavana® Shaken Iced Teas, check out their website here..

Starbucks Beauty Hacks

Sometimes (okay, a lot of the time) life doesn't go as planned. When that happens, you improvise. And that's how I came up with these beauty hacks that have served me well over the years. So if you find yourself in a situation where you need some instant beautification, visit a Starbucks!

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Napkins

• Once inside you'll notice, other than the aroma of coffee, the area where you dress your drink. There are so many goodies here! One of my favorite items here would be the napkins! These are perfect for removing excess oil from your face (a must for summer). Keep Starbucks napkins in your purse, bag, or car for quick touch ups--not just any napkin will do! Go try it!
• The inside of the napkins are great for using the crease as a funnel for nail and craft projects--a must for keeping glitter or small beads at bay.
• I've used the tiniest corner of napkin to repair a nail once.

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Condiments

• The sugar, water, lemons, milk, cream, honey, nutmeg and cocoa can all be used for beauty treatments for skin, face, and hair. For example, sugar and lemon make a great exfoliator for the face or hands. I've mentioned these and other natural Beauty DIYs here.
• Cocoa powder is great for hiding roots, and if you're in dire straits, mix a little with plain chapstick on the inside of a cup lid for an instant creamy shadow. I've also used this as a makeshift bronzer, but this works better for lighter skin tones, as it has a greyish cast. Avoid if allergic, of course.

Food and Beverages

• Take plain, uncooked oatmeal (avoid the toppings) and use as a mask or scrub for face/body and even as dry shampoo. Be sure to thoroughly brush out.
• The yogurt makes a great mask for hair/face, just remove the fruit first.
• Starbucks has fruit, too! Apples, strawberries, and bananas make excellent face/body/skin masks.
• The Cake Pop stick is perfect for mixing, scraping (more on that below), using an an emergency hair stick (this only works on the top layer of my hair, but will work better on shorter, thinner hair), refreshing curled lashes, pushing back cuticles, and for crafting/nail art! Try using the stick for making dots on nails (like in this Evil Eye or this School Spirit Nail art).
• Keep the cucumbers from the Bistro Box and use to depuff eyes--an old tip that works.
• Hot herbal tea is wonderful for opening up the sinuses--use as a mini steam treatment.
• Cooled teas can be used for shiny hair, hair enhancer, relief from sunburn, foot soak, or toner. Let me know in the comments if you'd like more details on which type of tea does what.
• Espresso, once cooled, can enhance brown hair. Leave on at least half an hour before rinsing away.

via my Instagram

Stirrer, Sleeve, Cup, Lid, Bag

• Similar to the Cake Pop stick, the stirrer (I'm talking about the green plastic plug ones, but they have the wooden ones too) works for mixing, scraping, pushing back cuticles, cleaning under nails, and crafting/nail art.
• The sleeve can be used as a guide for winged shadow or liner. Or as a mascara shield.
• The cup is instant storage, mixing cup, and the bottom can be used to trace a circle for crafts. 
• The lid fits perfectly in your hand as an artist's palette--thinking making your own tinted moisturizer or mixing products. It's also for scraping shadow and adding water/setting spray/contact solution to make a more intense shadow.
• I've also used the stick/stirrer to scrape shadow onto the cup lid and then I added clear polish and mixed with the stick/stirrer. Instant nail polish!
• The bag works well to catch fall out from shimmery shadows--a must for the holidays.
• Tear bag into strips and dampen hair with water. Use the strips to wrap around your hair and then knot. Add heat (carefully) or allow to dry naturally. Remove the strips and you'll have curls! 

sleeve as shadow guide + lid & stirrer making polish from shadow

Want more? Try these: 

• DIY Beauty  Hotel Hacks
• DIY Starbucks Fall Body Scrubs
• DIY Starbucks Christmas Sugar Scrubs