Inspiration: A Thing of Beauty

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
Its lovliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o'er-darkn'd ways
Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits. Such the sun, the moon,
Trees old and young, sprouting a shady boon
For simple sheep; and such are daffodils
With the green world they live in; and clear rills
That for themselves a cooling covert make
'Gainst the hot season; the mid-forest brake,
Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms:
And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven's brink.

A Thing of Beauty by John Keats

DIY pumpkin spiced salt scrub, bath bomb, body scrub

Fall is not about when the leaves change color, but when the coffee shops put out their signature pumpkin spiced everything. Some people avoid this basic Autumn ritual like the plague - but we like to give in to it. The pumpkin spices are bountiful during this time, so why not take advantage and make pumpkin spice a part of your beauty ritual? (And if you have a true aversion to pumpkin, check out these 5 DIY avocado beauty recipes.)

Here are 3 simple spa/bath soaps recipes you can make with ingredients you likely have at home.

[caption id="attachment_3853" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Pumpkin spice scrubs are best sealed in mason jars to keep their potency and freshness[/caption]

Pumpkin Spiced Epsom Salt Scrub

This three-ingredient salt scrub is exfoliating and moisturizing at the same time. If you don't have epsom salt, you can always use sugar and turn this into a sugar scrub.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Epsom salt


• ½ cup of pumpkin puree


• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Directions:

1. Mix the pumpkin puree and Epsom salt together in a bowl until completely combined.


2. Stir in the teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice until blended.


3. If the scrub appears too runny, add more Epsom salt into the mixture until it has a thick, paste-like consistency.


4. Apply the scrub to skin in circular motions and let the mixture stand for one minute before rinsing with warm water.

[caption id="attachment_3854" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Pumpkin spiced bath bombs are adorable! Try this alternative recipe from Elle Sees[/caption]

Pumpkin Spiced Bath Bomb

Ingredients:

• ½ cup baking soda


• ¼ cup corn starch


• ¼ cup citric acid


• ¼ cup Epsom salt


• 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice


• ½ tbsp water


• ¼ tsp essential oil


• ½ tbsp coconut oil, melted


• Orange food coloring


• 2 plastic ornaments or spheres

Directions:

1. Add the dry ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and stir until combined. (Baking soda, corn starch, citric acid, Epsom salt, pumpkin pie spice.)


2. In a separate, smaller bowl, add all the wet ingredients and stir until combined. (Water, essential oil, coconut oil, food coloring.)


3. Slowly, add the wet ingredients to the dry ones, but only a little at a time. Stir between pours to prevent the wet and dry ingredients from reacting or fizzing. (This wouldn’t pose a risk, but you want to save that fizzing for when you drop it into your bath.)


4. Once all of the wet and dry ingredients are mixed together, it should have the consistency of wet sand. If it doesn’t look like it’s sticking, stir in ½ tsp of water at a time until you can press it between your fingers and it holds together.


5. Pack each half of the ornament with the bath bomb mixture. Make sure each half is filled to the top. Then press the two ornament halves together and set aside. Do the same thing with the second ornament.


6. Place both ornaments in the refrigerator overnight.


7. The next day, slowly open each ornament and remove the top and bottom halves.


8. Place in your next bath and enjoy!

[caption id="attachment_3850" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Pumpkin spiced salt scrub (photo courtesy of Consumer Crafts)[/caption]

Pumpkin Spiced Coffee Body Scrub

This body scrub has added coconut oil to moisturize the skin and ground coffee to tighten.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Epsom salt


• 1 cup freshly ground coffee


• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice


• ½ cup coconut oil

Directions:

1. Mix the Epsom salt, coffee grounds, and pumpkin pie spice in a medium bowl, then add the coconut oil and stir thoroughly until you have a paste.


2. Get in the shower, wet your skin and turn off the water.


3. Use the palm of each hand to vigorously scrub your body, from neck to feet, for several minutes.


4. Rinse your body with warm water. Your skin should feel smooth and lifted.

 

These pumpkin spice recipes are adapted from Carmen, a model from TRUE Model Management. Please leave a comment or shoot us a message if you find other adaptations that work better for your skin!