Amrita Singh has an idea for you: invite some frugal-minded friends over and have some frugal-chic fun! These three do-it-yourself beauty supplies are best assembled as a group (with mocktails/cocktails flowing).  



Each guest takes home some cool products that will save them from having to buy stuff at the store. As hostess, you can supply a few things for each "recipe" and then ask your guests to bring the rest of the items to share costs. Enjoy!

MAKE YOUR OWN SOAP JELLIES



These are fun and frivolous and may end up in your teenagers' hands instead of your own.  Either way, they are easy to make and fun to use! This is a great group activity because you'll take home a rainbow of jellies in a variety of scents.

Recipe:

• 1 package unflavoured gelatin powder
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ cup of your favourite body wash
• ¾ cup boiling water
• Food colouring
• Molds (ice cube trays, etc.)
  

Put boiling water into a spouted glass measuring cup. Add gelatin powder. Mix gently until incorporated. Try and avoid frothing the mixture. Add body wash and again, mix gently to incorporate. Add drops of food colour (optional) and the salt and mix one last time. Pour mixture into an ice cube tray or individual molds and place in the fridge. These soap jellies should firm up within four to twelve hours.

Depending on the size of each soap jelly, they should last a couple days in your shower. Keep the rest in the fridge until needed. They lather up really well in the shower.


MAKE YOUR OWN BREATH FRESHENER SPRAY



Breath sprays and breath strips can cost a pretty penny at the store. If you've ever looked at the ingredient list you'll know they're made with a lot of synthetic materials too. You can make your own all-natural breath spray and have tons of fun customizing its flavour. Spritz! Spritz! This is a great group activity because you have to make a fairly big batch and might as well divide up the goodness and share it with others!

Recipe:

• 2 cups boiling water
• Fresh mint
• 1 cinnamon sticks
• 3 star anise pods
• 3 green cardamom pods (split open)
• 1 tsp fennel seeds
• 1 package sweetener
• 1 tablespoon vodka
• 8 drops of spearmint essential oil *
• 5 drops of peppermint essential oil *
  

Pour boiling water into a glass bowl. Break apart four sprigs of fresh mint and put the leaves and stem pieces into the hot water. Add the sweetener and the dry spices to the water and stir. Let things steep for at least 30 minutes. Once water is cool and full of beautiful flavour...strain into a new bowl. Add drops of essential oils, vodka and stir gently. Transfer minty-water into tiny spritz bottles. Store the remaining breath freshener liquid in a container in the fridge. When you're not using your breath freshener spray you can store it in the fridge. 

* You can use any combination of these oils but try not to exceed 15 drops.  Both spearmint and peppermint essential oils are safe to ingest but other scents may not be.


MAKE YOUR OWN DEODORANT (yes, it's true!)



Granted, buying deodorant is not a huge daily expense but if you can make your own with all-natural ingredients and pretty scents...would you? If yes, this is a great recipe for you to try. It works! Over the span of a year you'll save a bunch of money.  

Give your body a week or so to get used to this product. You can increase the quantities of baking soda and cornstarch depending on how much you sweat. This is not an antiperspirant but does minimize sweating when used regularly. This is a great group activity because you have to buy certain ingredients in bulk and they might go to waste otherwise.

Recipe:

• 5 tablespoons of Shea butter (made with cocoa butter) *
• 3 tablespoons of corn starch
• 3 tablespoons of baking soda
• 2 vitamin E capsules
• Variety of essential oils (Ladies can try: peppermint with orange and lemongrass.  Men can try: Juniper with cloves and spearmint.)
  

Add the Shea butter, corn starch and baking soda into a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds, or until butter starts to melt. Mix well to incorporate. Carefully, cut the end of the vitamin E capsule and squeeze contents into butter mixture. Add up to 25 drops of essential oil - play with scents! Mix well. Transfer mixture to small sealable container and place in the fridge until it's firm.

To use your deodorant, scrape a small amount into the palm of your hand. Roll it into a pea-shape ball. Split the ball into two small pieces and rub one half on each armpit. Repeat with the other armpit.

* If you can find Shea butter with Cocoa butter already incorporated it would be ideal. If you can't find a combination then you can buy Shea butter and Cocoa butter separately and use 3 T Shea butter and 2 T Cocoa butter.

You can find out more about Amrita and her frugal tips at www.frugalistafiles.ca.