can you use hand soap to wash your face

DIY TURMERIC & LEMON BRIGHTENING FACE MASK

With the colder months fast approaching, I thought it would be fun to kick off a beauty series to keep our skin glowing and hydrated all winter long. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing my favorite DIY face masks, scrubs, winter skincare tips, and more! For a glimpse into my daily routine, check out my Natural Vegan Skincare Routine.

Wouldn’t it be nice to keep that summer glow all year round? This DIY mask is not only brightening but also perfect for acne-prone skin (or any skin type!) while giving you a healthy, radiant complexion.

Now, a quick disclaimer: the vegan police might be after me for this one… While I don’t consume honey, I’ve always appreciated its medicinal properties for the skin, especially Manuka honey, which has endless healing benefits. I actually picked up a bottle of Manuka honey from Trader Joe’s over the summer without thinking much of it. But then I started feeling guilty, since vegans typically avoid honey. There’s a lot of debate within the vegan community about this, which I dive deeper into in my post about Plant-Based vs. Vegan. If you’re concerned, you can always swap out the honey for agave nectar to get that same sticky consistency!

Normally, I wouldn’t purchase products with honey, but I had this small bottle lying around, and instead of letting it go to waste, I’ve decided to use it for beauty purposes, like in this Brightening Turmeric DIY Face Mask.

A fun fact: Manuka honey comes from New Zealand, where bees feed on the nectar of the Tea Tree Plant. It’s the perfect addition to this mask for an extra glow boost!

THIS POTENT MANUKA HONEY IS ESPECIALLY GREAT FOR:

  • Healing acne and scarring
  • Fighting skin infections
  • Cleaning pores while naturally exfoliating
  • Helping skin retain moisture
  • Rejuvenating radiance and softness

NOT TO MENTION ITS:

  • Anti-bacterial properties
  • Anti-inflammatory effects
  • Anti-fungal qualities
  • High in antioxidants to protect the skin

What makes it even more special is its thicker consistency compared to regular honey, with a cloudy appearance. After soaking up some of this healing Manuka honey, my skin feels totally moisturized, balanced, and soft—it’s magical!

I’m no honey expert (I picked mine up from Trader Joe’s), but I know that higher-quality Manuka honey products are out there, like this one from Manuka Doctor, which has a higher UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) score, indicating more potency. You can really feel the difference with a higher UMF—it’s like a supercharged version of regular honey!

The next essential ingredient for this DIY face mask is turmeric – a true wonder spice, and not just for your curry recipes! This vibrant, golden powder is incredibly beautifying. I was inspired to include it in this mask from my Golden Glow Elixir Juice, which you all seemed to love as much as I did (plus, it’s great for boosting immunity during the winter months!).

Turmeric has been used for centuries in beauty rituals, especially by Indian brides who use turmeric body scrubs and masks before their weddings to achieve that head-to-toe glow. The spice is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which help to brighten and even out skin tone, while also giving you a luminous, radiant complexion. It’s like liquid gold for your skin!

BENEFITS OF TURMERIC:

Turmeric is a powerhouse when it comes to skincare, offering a range of benefits:

  • Reduces redness
  • Treats breakouts
  • Helps with age spots
  • Reduces scarring and hyperpigmentation
  • Helps to heal psoriasis and eczema
  • Brightens and tones
  • Anti-inflammatory properties

While fresh turmeric would be even better for this mask, I only had ground turmeric on hand, which still works wonders. Just a heads-up—turmeric is known to stain, so be sure to wear a shirt you don’t mind getting a little messy and dry your face with a dark towel. The turmeric will leave a slight yellow tint on your skin, but don’t worry! I usually wash my face with my regular sulfur soap once or twice after the mask, and the yellow tint disappears with no problem. Just a little heads-up to ensure you’re prepared!

Next up is fresh lemon juice! Lemon is packed with vitamin C, which is essential for brightening and evening out your skin tone. It’s also anti-bacterial, making it especially helpful for breakouts, while acting as a natural exfoliant to give your skin that healthy radiance. Lemon is also known to help fade acne scars over time, making it a great addition to this mask. Don’t worry though—this mask won’t sting like lemon juice sometimes does on its own! It actually feels soothing and balancing on the skin.

The final ingredient is oats, which are incredibly moisturizing, exfoliating, and softening. I blended my oats a bit in the food processor to make them finer, but you can also use oat flour if that’s easier. Just a heads-up, the mask can get a little messy depending on how finely ground your oats are, so be sure to apply it over the sink to make cleanup easier. The oats will help lock in moisture while gently sloughing off dead skin, leaving you with smooth, soft skin.

CONCLUSION

And there you have it—this Brightening Turmeric DIY Face Mask is the perfect way to keep your skin glowing and healthy throughout the colder months! With the power of Manuka honey, turmeric, fresh lemon juice, and oats, this mask works wonders to brighten, exfoliate, and heal your skin, all while leaving it soft, smooth, and balanced.

Whether you’re dealing with breakouts, acne scars, or just want to keep your skin glowing, this mask has got you covered. Plus, it’s natural, vegan (with the option to substitute for agave), and perfect for anyone looking for a simple yet effective skincare routine.

So, put on your favorite old shirt, get ready for a little mess, and treat your skin to some much-needed love and nourishment. Your skin will thank you, and you’ll be glowing all season long!

Let me know how you like it!

19 DIY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION GIFT BASKETS YOUR GRAD WILL ADORE

With graduation season quickly approaching, finding the perfect gift for your special graduate can be a fun challenge. A gift basket is a fantastic option! With endless possibilities to personalize, you can fill it with anything from college essentials to indulgent snacks, or even relaxing spa products. It’s a thoughtful and affordable way to make your grad feel extra special.

Whether they’re heading to college, trade school, or starting a new job, a DIY high school graduation gift basket wrapped with care will bring a smile to their face! Plus, what’s not to love about a basket filled with hand-picked goodies just for them? Here are 19 creative and thoughtful DIY high school graduation gift basket ideas to inspire you!

For Coffee Lovers

When you’re in college, noon is practically “early!” That’s why most college students become coffee drinkers (even if they swore they never would). Between early mornings and late-night study sessions, coffee is their best friend. Have some fun with this basket idea by including a bag of coffee (of course), along with a few of their favorite snacks, a cute mug or coffee cup, and anything else you think your coffee-loving grad would adore! It’s the perfect pick-me-up for their busy college life!

Late-Night Snack & Study Basket

A college survival kit like this is sure to bring some laughs to your graduating senior! This basket is packed with everything they’ll need for late-night study sessions and snack breaks. Fill it with their favorite snacks and drinks, along with something personal, like a coffee tumbler. Don’t forget to add a few messages of encouragement to help them stay motivated and ace those tests!

DIY College Survival Kit with FREE Printable Card

If your grad is heading off to college, a survival kit gift basket (complete with an adorable FREE printable card) is guaranteed to put a huge smile on their face! Just picture their reaction when you hand them this thoughtful and fun basket packed with all the essentials they’ll need for college life!

The Tassel Was Worth the Hassle Basket

Here’s a festive basket we absolutely love, and we’re sure your grad will too! You can color-coordinate the basket with your grad’s college colors or create a custom theme. Fill it with whatever you think they’ll love! We especially like the “The Tassel Was Worth the Hassle” cup with gold confetti—it’s the perfect fun touch. This gift will definitely stand out on the gift table!

Tiered Cake for Grads

We absolutely love this fun and creative tiered “cake” design for grads! It’s a clever way to stack all their study supplies, along with college essentials like Ramen noodles and an energy drink for those late-night study sessions. Tie each layer with a colorful wide ribbon and use strong double-sided tape to keep everything in place. It’s both practical and playful—your grad will adore it!

“Take Time for YOU “Personalized Basket

Whether your grad is heading to college, taking a gap year to travel, or starting a new job, life transitions can be stressful. This “Take Time for YOU” personalized basket is a perfect reminder for her to prioritize self-care, no matter how busy life gets. Fill it with things she loves, like lavender bar soap, bath salts, lotion, and body spray. Complete the theme with a matching pillow, loofah, candle, and a beautiful bow. Your grad will absolutely LOVE it!

New Beginnings Basket

New beginnings are always exciting! Whether your grad is off to college or starting a new job, they’re going to need a lot of essentials. Celebrate this exciting new chapter in their life by helping them get prepared! This basket is packed with a thoughtful variety of supplies, from laundry detergent and markers to a stapler and Ramen noodles. The chocolate, ribbon, and sunflower add the perfect finishing touches to make it extra special!

New Apartment Supplies Kit

For grads stepping into apartment life, this New Apartment Supplies gift is the ultimate starter kit they’ll appreciate! From toilet paper and paper towels to cleaning supplies and storage bags, this thoughtful and practical gift has everything they need to settle into their new place. Any apartment-bound grad will love this fun and useful gesture!

 Charming Sentiments

We just LOVE the look of this charming grad basket, filled with sweet messages and heartfelt touches. It’s easily adaptable for both girls and guys, and with a little creativity, you can personalize it with a variety of items that carry warm, meaningful sentiments. This thoughtful basket is sure to make your grad feel extra special!

Shower Caddy Gift Basket

Every college-bound student needs a shower caddy! This practical gift is perfect for both girls and guys. Fill it with essential shower and bath products like shampoo, conditioner, razors, shower gel, a brush, a comb, and more. It’s a thoughtful and useful way to help them get ready for dorm life!

Guys Essentials Basket

This cute container (perfect for desk or bath supplies!) holds a little bit of everything your special guy will need. From shaving cream and razors to body wash and laundry detergent, he’ll put all of these essentials to good use, whether he’s heading off to college or starting out on his own! And of course, we’re sure the Oreo cookies will be a huge hit too!

The Ultimate Grad Candy Basket

Add some fun to your grad’s basket by including a selection of candy bars with witty and clever sayings! Need some inspiration? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Specialty Basket Just for Guys

Don’t be fooled… guys love a bit of pampering just as much as anyone else! This “just for him” basket is a thoughtful way to remind him that a little relaxation goes a long way when life gets busy. Fill it with his favorite personal care items—like Axe body wash, specialty soap, cologne, and shaving cream—along with a soft face towel. He’ll appreciate this personalized basket made just for him!

College Survival Kit with FREE Printable

This is one of the cutest little baskets we found, and what we absolutely love about it is how easy it is to put together—simple enough for even a younger sibling to make! It’s packed with all sorts of college essentials that any grad will appreciate. Use this as inspiration or personalize it with everything your favorite grad will love!

Dollar Store Grad Basket

DIY high school graduation gift baskets don’t have to be expensive! You can create a thoughtful and affordable graduation basket using finds from your local Dollar Store. For under $15, you can fill it with everything from desk supplies and household essentials to snacks, candy, and cute knick-knacks. Add a personal touch by tying it all together with colorful wrapping, tissue paper, or a festive bow for the perfect finishing touch!

Beach-Bound Basket

Got a grad heading to the beach? Whether they’re off to college in sunny California or Florida, or starting a new job on a coastline across the globe, they’ll love this beach-bound basket! Fill it with seashell-shaped soap, a sea breeze candle, a cute sign, and fragrant “ocean-inspired” hand lotion. It’s the perfect way to send them off with a little coastal charm!

Sorority Basket

If you have a daughter or a special grad heading into sorority life, this could be the perfect basket for her! Get creative by filling it with her favorite spa products, sorority logo items, and even a cozy throw like the grey one shown here. Add a personalized sign or any other thoughtful touches, and this is one basket she’ll treasure and never forget!

Off to College Basket

Make your grad’s transition into college fun and exciting with this vibrant “Off to College” gift basket! Fill it with their favorite snacks, dorm essentials, and all the little necessities they’ll need to settle in. From practical items to fun surprises, the sky’s the limit when it comes to customizing this basket to make it special and memorable!

“Time to Put on Your Big Girl Panties” Basket

When it comes to DIY high school graduation gift baskets, this one takes the cake… literally! Your grad will be thrilled with this fun tower of gifts! Packed with everything from notebooks and pens to Ramen and energy drinks, this tower is a perfect collection of college essentials to help them power through exams. You can use any sign you like, but we think this one really says it all!

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