DIY Cherry Kool Aid Lip Stain

There are some DIYs that I just cannot ignore and when one of my close friends told me that the lip stain she was wearing, which looked absolutely gorgeous, was made from Kool Aid, I could not resist stopping at the grocery store on my way home for a package of Kool Aid and giving this DIY lip stain a try. I absolutely love this DIY cherry Kool Aid lip stain and I hope you will as well.

For this DIY, you will need:
-A small, airtight container with lid (the one I used was either from Michael's or CanWax)
-A carrier oil such as extra virgin olive oil or almond oil (I chose almond oil, however next time I think I will try using olive oil)
-Cherry Kool Aid powder
-Vitamin E Oil (Optional)
-A mixing tool (I used a butter knife)

Start by adding the Kool Aid crystals to your container. I filled my container about 1/4 of the way. Then add your oil. Mix well. You can continue to add oil and Kool Aid powder until you are happy with both the consistency and color. For extra moisture, add a drop of Vitamin E oil.

Apply the lip stain to your lips using a Q-Tip. Store the product covered in a cool and dry place. As with any DIY beauty product, discard upon any signs of change.

In the container my lip stain looked very dark, it really reminded me of the color of cherries and I was worried I may have messed up this DIY and I prepared myself for lips that looked more purple than red. However, as you can see in the picture above, upon application, the dark cherry look fades into the desired shade of red.

Alternatively, you can create an instant DIY cherry Kool Aid lip stain by dipping a wet finger into cherry Kool Aid powder and rubbing it into your lips.

What are you waiting for? Go rock those red lips!

XOXO
LAUREN

DIY Orange Juice and Baking Soda Face Mask

Lately, I have seen this DIY face mask popping up on social media websites such as Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest with many people arguing that this is "their mask", "their invention" or "their idea". Some people have gone as far as to threaten to sue hundreds of bloggers and Pinterest users for "stealing" their now-practically-famous face mask. The truth is, I do not know who invented this DIY face mask and I am not here to try to take credit for the idea. However, I am here to share it with you. 

This DIY face mask requires two ingredients - baking soda and orange juice, and preparation is simple. In a small container (for example, a shot glass or Dixie cup), combine 1tbsp of baking soda and 1tbsp of orange juice and mix. If your mask needs thickening, slowly add more baking soda until you are happy with the consistency.

Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat dry. Next, apply a thin layer of the baking soda and orange juice mask to your face. As with any face mask, avoid your eyes and lips. Let the mask sit for 20 minutes. As the mask dries you may find it tingles or even feels itchy. Do your best to keep your face still (for me, the most difficult part is not talking for 20 minutes) - I like to watch an episode of something on Netflix, write, edit upcoming blog posts, read or browse various social media sites. 

For those of you who don't enjoy face masks or are looking for something that requires less time, the mixture can also be used as a quick scrub to help exfoliate your face.

After the twenty minutes is up, run your fingers under water until damp and then gently scrub the mask in a circular motion for about a minute.

Finally, rinse the mask off. When I rinsed off this DIY face mask for the first time, I let out a horrified shriek when I noticed my bright pink face in the mirror. Fortunately, the pinkness went away. To help, be sure to rinse your face well and follow by applying a gentle toner and moisturizer. 

While some DIY beauty products, including DIY face masks have a shelf life, I recommend using this face mask promptly after preparing it and discarding any leftovers. 

Be sure to let me know your thoughts on this DIY face mask.

XOXO

LAUREN