The 32nd year of my life is officially here. I had a great time celebrating despite the arctic blast, plummeting temperatures down to -15 degrees F. Classic January in Minnesota. As I mentioned on instagram, we’re both a little tougher for living here, and crazy!
After several nice birthday meals and one-on-one time with the most important people in my life, hibernation from the cold set in, a present in itself to be able to relax for two days.
As I was snuggled up on the couch with Grace, thinking about the stage of life that I’m at, I have to admit it kind of feels like I’m in those awkward teenage years again. My mind runs a mile a minute with new ideas and dreams now that I’m my own boss. I wear tights or socks with cats on them several days of week, yet put on my Sunday best if I’m meeting with a client. I find myself reading the Wall Street Journal in the morning, then trying to figure out younger technology, like Snapchat (maybe we can be friends there? my username is heartbeetkitchen).
And similar to the activities of many 8th grade sleepovers, I’m spending a little more time doing girl-y stuff at home that just so happen to be good for my skin, and soul. Manicures, whipping a batch of hand repair cream, and now this Moisturizing DIY Clay Mask.
I had no idea how simple natural masks were to make (just 2 ingredients which you can get from NOW Solutions, my awesome partner + water), as well as how helpful they are in keeping your skin healthy. Essentially, the clay absorbs excess oils, dirt, makeup, bacteria, basically anything you don’t want in your pores. Made from decomposed plant minerals from volcanic action, water activates the european clay powder, and all the nutrients that go along with it, providing cleansing that is great for all skin types. And because of it’s natural texture, you’ll get gentle exfoliation too.
Then you decide what to add to it depending on the skin benefits you’re hoping to gain. In doing some research I found that rose hip oil is a great moisturizer, and my face is definitely feeling the drying effects of the winter air, so I went with that. You can also add a few drops of an essential oil you love to make it smell amazing, like grapefruit, which I find to be rejuvenating and calming.
From there, it’s simply mixing the ingredients together until creamy, slathering it all over your face, and letting it do its thing for 10 minutes. Between the cooling effect of putting it on, then the warm wash cloth to remove it, it’s totally a feel good–treat yourself kind of experience. And it costs about $8 compared to a salon facial which might set you back $60. Win.
Enjoy your spa day at home! And don’t be surprised if you stir up some curiosity with your feline friends while you have the mask on. ;)
This post is sponsored by NOW Foods, who is a great source for high quality, non-gmo products for making all of your natural skin care products. All opinions are my own, and I’m so grateful to work with great brands, and thankful for all of you who support me!
Moisturizing DIY Clay Mask
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tablespoons european clay powder
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cool, filtered water (you don't want it to have any impurities from tap water)
- 5 drops rose hip oil
- 2-3 drops essential oil - grapefruit or lemongrass are my favorites
Directions
- Mix all ingredients together, then paint onto face with your fingers. Let sit for 10 minutes, then gently remove with a warm cloth, and rinse. Finish by applying the skin moisturizer you typically use every day.
I am so remarkably lazy with my skin routine, but I do love the idea of more DIY products and treatments! This is an inspiring push to try them out, Amanda.
One of my goals this year was to be nicer to myself with more at home spa treatments, so this is so well timed! I’m actually having a ‘treat yo’self’ day on Friday, so this is going into my rotations :) p.s. I fully support ALL the cat tights!
Having Spa time at home is so luxurious. I need to do this, STAT! I’ve not tried a clay mask, but I’m curious because my skin is feeling so dry this winter. Happy Birthday my dear! May this be your best year yet!
Amanda! It’s been on my mind to send you a note lately but in the meantime: 1 – your new site design looks ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC, I love it so much! so colourful and vibrant and beautiful. 2 – at home spa recipes like this make me so happy, I love them and keep a gazillion different carrier oils, essential oils, dried flowers, various clays, etc on hand always. I will definitely be making a mask like this to calm myself down one night this week, and 3 – I hope January is off to a wonderful start for you! xoxo
Hi Christine! So good to hear from you – hope all is well. And thank you for the kind words about the site redesign.
It felt so good to take a little slow down and make this mask. My skin felt so refreshed after it. Love how it pulls out some of the natural toxins from the air. xo
I love this so much!!! My daughter is really into DIY beauty treatments right now, so I know we will have fun with this one. Pinning!
that’s awesome! i like her style already. she must have learned from a smart mama. :)
I hope you had an amazing birthday, you lovely lady! I’ve been making my own scrubs for a while but haven’t tried my hand at homemade masks. I’ve got to add this to my list of DIY projects! One of my friends had spa nights when we were in university and she’d always provide homemade beauty things for us to try. So fun! <3
Love this – I use a clay mask just with water, but adding the essential oils is genius. I have to try it out. Love the peaceful photos and I so hope you had an amazing 32nd birthday, darling!! #treatyoself
I am a 60 year old grandma with 4 grand babies ,ages 1-7. One of our favorite things to do on a week end is “girl’s night out / sleepover”. The spare mattress is hauled in front of tv. Pizza. Movies. Spa time is next where we fix each other up; hair, nails, txments and make up. After we’re cleaned up we take pics. Sometimes we need to have crafts to keep us out of trouble earlier in the day. We will try some out and let u know how the fun turns out!
Jody, I loved reading this! I want to be your granddaughter :) So great that you get to spend some quality girl time together. I hope you enjoy the mask!