[Authentic Beauty] “Hard Working Man’s Hand Cream” & Other Fantastic DIY Father’s Day Gifts
by Mika Botkin
It’s that time of year, where we get to celebrate some of the special men in our lives! If you’re tired of ties and the usual Father’s Day fair, then hopefully this article will help. As a teenager on a budget, I need to find gifts I can make that don’t cost a fortune, but still make my Dad feel good.
For this Father’s Day, pamper the fathers and special men in your life by making them a “Hard Working Man’s Pampering Kit” to help them relax at them end of a long day and a long week. It might seem strange to make natural beauty products for your Dad, but the kit is easy, affordable, practical and the man who receives it, will totally LOVE it.
Prickle-Free Papa’s Natural Shaving Cream
Old Spice may smell nice, but the the chemicals he is putting on are toxic and bad for him. The first item in this kit is…
Ingredients:
2/3 cup coconut oil
2/3 cups of shea butter
4 tablespoons olive, jojoba or sweet almond oil
4 tablespoons liquid castile soap
essential oils of cedarwood, lime and lavender
Directions:
In a small saucepan, melt the shea butter and coconut oil over the lowest heat setting on the stove. Stir occasionally until fully melted. Add olive oil and stir until fully blended. Remove from heat. Transfer mixture to a medium-sized bowl or any size jar and place in the fridge until it’s solid. Remove from fridge and get ready to whip it up. If it’s in a jar you’ll need to transfer it to a medium-sized bowl first. Whip using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Scrape sides down as needed. Whip until fluffy ~ about 3-4 minutes depending on how cold your mixture is – then add castile soap and whip until fully combined. Spoon shaving cream into an airtight container and store in a cool, dry place. I put 10 drops each of the essential oils. Usually it’s about 1-3% dilution.
Hard Working Man’s Hand Cream
Ingredients:
½ cup almond or olive oil (can infuse with herbs first if desired)
¼ cup coconut oil
¼ cup beeswax
Optional: 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
Optional: 2 tablespoons shea butter or cocoa butter
Optional: essential oils
Directions:
1. Combine ingredients in a pint sized or larger glass jar. I have a mason jar that I keep just for making lotions and other homemade natural beauty and personal care products. Fill a medium saucepan with a couple inches of water and place over medium heat. Put a lid on the jar loosely and place in the pan with the water. As the water heats, the ingredients in the jar will start to melt. Shake or stir occasionally to incorporate. When all ingredients are completely melted, pour into whatever jar or tin you will use for storage. Small mason jars (8 ounce) are great for this. Use as you would regular lotion. This has a longer shelf life than some homemade lotion recipes since all ingredients are already shelf stable and no water is added. Use within 6 months for best moisturizing benefits.
Father’s Feel Good Foot Scrub
For the foot scrub, one would use salt instead of if sugar because its softer and more abrasive so it will make rougher skin softer. Sugar scrubs should be used for gentler and more sensitive skin. (To make a pint-sized jar of salt scrub)
Ingredients:
2 cups Epsom salt
1 cup organic extra-virgin coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba or almond oil
10-15 drops of lemon essential oil
10-15 drops of lavender essential oil
Directions:
1. In a large bowl, add salt, oil, lavender essential oils and mix well. Transfer mixture to a pint-sized Mason jar. Cover with lid and decorate with a beautiful label. 🙂
Now even the hardest working men can feel pampered and relaxed without putting toxic chemicals on their skin. I hope you have a great week and I hope that the men in your life feel loved and well-cared for this Father’s Day.
xoxo
-Mika
For more videos, how-to recipes and other Authentic Beauty inspiration you can come visit our Authentic Beauty Facebook page, or check out our line of organic, wild-crafted Authentic Beauty Care products. Proceeds from these beauty care products go to support special needs children! When you order a kit, you’ll probably be able to see (given how “authentically” they were wrapped, folded and packed ;-)) we really have put as much heart, soul and sincerity into this project and so appreciate you helping us get it out to the world!