MAKE YOUR OWN BEAUTY MASKS from Odd Dot | review

Note: a review copy of this book was provided to me for review purposes; all opinions are honest and my own. Affiliate links used in this post.

I was a concoctions kid. I was perpetually mixing something up, making conditioner cocktails* in the shower and checking out books from the library about how various herbs were used in medicine and beauty throughout history.
You think I'm joking, but no, I was precisely that much of a nerd.

And for a long, long time, I've been meaning to test out more homemade beauty treatments and find some really good ones to work into my rotation. I love a good pampering sesh, and there's something about measuring and mixing and selecting and seeing every stage that makes the whole thing more soothing.

But, of course, meaning to doesn't mean actually doing. I've got a list a mile long of "meaning to." MAKE YOUR OWN BEAUTY MASKS from Macmillan's new DIY imprint, Odd Dot, features more than 3 dozen diy skincare masks, made from things you likely have very easy access to, if they aren't in your pantry or fridge already. The accessibility of the ingredients as well as the ease of the recipes and simplicity of the book's presentation make DIY seemed totally doable. The recipes generally only have three steps (mix, paste on your face, wait and wash), and just as often, only 3 ingredients (some more, some less, but all manageable). There are also sections on how to prep your skin for masking, and what each ingredient does for you, so you can target specific things.

It also comes with 10 cutesy printed sheet masks, which you can use in combo with many of the masks to help keep everything in place while you go about your important business of watching The Office on Netflix for the seventh time. (No judgment here.) (You can also apply straight to your face, no sheet mask needed.)

MAKE YOUR OWN BEAUTY MASKS is exactly the reminder to myself that I need to mask more consistently and satisfy my inner Concoction Kid. The recipes include some of my favorite ingredients for skincare (honey, pumpkin, yogurt, oats) and more I want to try (papaya, turmeric, blueberries, seaweed), and the mask designs are super cute (and could easily be used with serums and other face masks/creams). I've tried a few of the recipes, including this "Let's Go Avo-Coco-Nuts" mask, which tbh, I should have used a sheet mask with, because coconut oil melts on skin contact, DUH MISTY, and it was slip-sliding all over my face and shirt and bathroom floor.

But the recipes are easy to whip together (this took, like, 45 seconds) and adapt (I made a 1/2 batch because I wanted guacamole, so win win), and the overall design of the set is appealing to seasoned maskers and skincare beginners alike. The book itself is removable from the solidly-designed book-box it comes in, so once you're finished with the sheet masks, or if you just need shelf space, you can pop the slim volume right out and recycle the rest!

I know we're heading into Super Commercialized Buy All The Things time of year, and you're probably already seeing gift guides pop up, but if not, consider this us dipping our toes in: This set would be a GREAT gift for the teenaged Concoction Kid in your own life, or for a fun Girls Night In get-together. Definitely one to consider picking up as a gift or a Treat Yo'Self moment to de-stress this holiday season.


*for my hair, not to drink, DO NOT DRINK CONDITIONER, silly internet

Preview here!

MAKE YOUR OWN BEAUTY MASKS:
38 Simple, All-Natural Recipes for Healthy Skin
Odd Dot; illustrated by Emma Trithart

Make Your Own Beauty Masks: 38 Simple, All-Natural Recipes for Healthy Skin is a glam and gifty book of more than thirty all-natural beauty mask recipes.

Luxuriating! Refreshing! Renewing!

This book has simple and fun recipes that feature wholesome ingredients you can find in your fridge or pantry. Whether you are dry-skinned, oily, or just want refreshing "me-time," find a recipe that best suits your needs. Mix the ingredients together in a blender or a bowl and apply the mask for ten to twenty minutes. You'll finish with gorgeous, fresh skin!

Includes ten sheet masks!