Gem and Jo's DIY Body Scrub

We have been on a bit of a coconut oil kick lately, You might have seen our DIY hair mask post where we used coconut oil to make our hair lovely and shiny, but we also love using this magical stuff to make our very own body scrub. Body scrubs can be super expensive some times but this scrub can be made using ingredients you can find in your local supermarket for super cheap. So lets jump right in and we'll show you guys how to scrub your way to super soft and silky skin.

What you'll need:

1.Coconut Oil 

2.Sugar

3.Lemon Juice

4.A container to store the scrub

5.Measuring spoons and cups

How to make it:

1.

Add three table spoons of coconut oil to the plastic container. 

The coconut oil acts as both a skin softener and a moisturizer.  

2.

Add Two table spoons of lemon juice to the mixture. The lemon juice acts as a weak chemical exfoliator and will also help to soften the skin. 

3.

Add a cup of sugar to the mixture. We use sugar here as opposed to salt as salt can be drying on the skin and we want incredibly moisturized goddess like skin. Sugar helps to moisturize your skin and acts as a physical exfoliator to remove dead skin cells and all the kind of icky stuff that we don't want clogging up our pores!

4.

 

Place the lid on your container, and in the wise words of OutKast, shake it like a Polaroid picture, (or if you're old fashioned you can just give it a good stir). And voila, there you have it, your very own, incredible smelling, Body scrub. Go forth and be silky soft and moisturized!

How we use it :

We like to use this scrub about once a week in the shower. We love using this before shaving to give us marvelously smooth, soft and silky legs. We don't however recommend using this wondrous mixture before self tanning, as the oil in it can react with tanners and you could end up looking like you've painted army camouflage all over your body... not good (unless of course you are going for that look, in which case more power to you, we don't judge here!).  Also if you do have particularly sensitive skin we recommend, like with all things, to try it out on a small patch of skin before tackling your whole body, (we don't think you'll have a problem with it but precautions people, precautions!). Just use this lovely stuff on wet skin, wash it off with shower gel and marvel at your velvety soft skin. 

Thanks for reading, we hope that you'll enjoy this scrub and if you do try it out be sure to let us know what you think. 

Until next time

 

Gem and Jo's DIY Hair Masks

After a hectic couple of days and dying our hair numerous times this year (Take a look at our Hair dye post Here) we decided that a hair mask would be perfect to relax and rejuvenate our hair!

While we were in college this week one of our friends sat down to have lunch with us and we could not believe how good her hair looked! It was fabulous and flowy and pretty and we wanted that for our hair too!! Definitely some hair jealously! We asked her what she used and how it looked so good and all she said was "coconut oil". We've used coconut oil before but for some reason we never thought to try it out in our hair. So after we finished work the both of us ran to Tescos and picked up some unrefined coconut oil for just €2! 

                                      

So we were told to heat about 2 tablespoons each in the microwave until it's melted and then wait a little while until it's not hot enough to melt your head or face off. When it's cooled, spread it all over your hair and all the way down to your ends massaging it in gently. The you wrap it up into a bun (you can use a shower cap or plastic bag of you want) and go about your Saturday business, which for us was watching reruns of Friends.

                           

It looks gross in your hair and unfortunately doesn't smell like coconut at all, which is very sad! However it works miracles! It really leaves hair super soft and healthy! We left it in our hair for 2 hours and then washed our hair a couple of times with our chosen shampoo until the greasiness was gone. 

Gem used: 

Jo used: 

If you want even more goodness for your hair add an egg to the hot oil and mix it all up! The egg is a good source of protein for your hair. (hair is actually 91% protein so the more the better!)

Thanks for reading guys!

Let us know if you guys have any DIY hair masks or a favourite brand in the comments! 

Until next time, 

Gem and Jo's Summer Scents.

We love smelling nice, I mean who doesn't? So we decided to share with you what smelly things we have been loving this past summer.

Jo's Summer Scents:

Victoria's Secrets Aqua Kiss Body Mist - €12.00

Victoria's Secret Love Spell body mist - €12.00 

Zara Limited edition eau de toilette

M&S Essential Extracts Coconut Milk Shower gel 

Ted Baker Body Scrub 

Gem's Summer Scents:

Christina Aguilera Perfume and Body Lotion €25.99

Get it from Boots 

Imperial Leather Skinkind in Raspberry and Lime Blossom. 

Get it in Tesco for €1.29

Armani Code Perfume €52.00

Get it in Boots

Soap and Glory Mist You Madly Body Spray. €7.61

Get it from Soap and Glory

Yankee Candle Summer Scoop Tealights. €6.99

See the whole Summer Scoop range Here

Gem and Jo Take On Iced Green Tea

So while Jo was off sunning herself in Gran Canaria, she picked up some Horniman's Green Tea. Now to be honest the reason she bought it was because it was called Hornimans, which made her giggle, and because of our recent obsession with green tea! (Check out our post about that obsession Here). 

After working up the courage to try this Te Verde, which is pineapple and coconut flavour, here's our opinions on Horniman's products. 

                                 

First off, this isn't like your ordinary green teas, this is made with cold water (or agua fría as it says on the packet). You're supposed to leave the tea bag in 250ml of cold water for 5 minutes (We used Tesco Irish Spring water! Find it Here for just 69c!). 

At first it doesn't look like it's going to blend very well but after a few seconds the sweet smell of pineapple is apparent! Yum! 

                                         

After waiting 5 excruciating minutes with the smell of pineapple and coconut in the air teasing us, we finally tasted it. 

It is like an explosion of beautiful, delicious awesomeness! No, seriously, this stuff is amazing and it really pains us that Jo only brought one bag back! 15 tea bags isn't enough!!! We will have to ration it out until we find a way back to Gran Canaria!! 

This is what it looks like when you first put the tea bag in!

Check out Horniman's website Here
If you have ever tried Horniman's Te Verde or know where it can be bought in Ireland, let us know in the comments and we will be eternally grateful!

Thanks for reading!

Until Next Time!