I am SO excited to launch this 3-part Homemade Beauty Series inspired by the book Homemade Beauty by makeup artist and beauty lover, Annie Strole! Annie’s recipes are all-natural and DIY, and she recently came by to take us through the easy breezy process of crafting your own beauty products right from your very own kitchen. As someone who is not exactly Martha Stewart with the crafts or Julie Child with the cooking, I was amazed at how effortless, not to mention good-for-you, it all was. Plus, the benefits of the ingredients and the results of the treatments we concocted from scratch were immediate. #IMPRESSIVE

OH and also everything smells and feels like a dream so it’s kind of sensory heaven.

I’m thinking (and you may be thinking) PERF for Valentine’s Day. To make with or for your love or to make for yourself with love. (Or to give to friends, family or perfect strangers. No matter the recipients, they will adore you for it.)

Let’s get started with a quickie Q&A with Annie on the background of Homemade Beauty.

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Today’s recipe is the Oatmeal-Chocolate Exfoliating Face Treatment. We called on intern Jess to help us demo and test it. It was not a hard sell :)

THE BENEFITS

This face treatment combines the powerful antioxidants of coca with the soothing, exfoliating capabilities of oatmeal.

THE RECIPE

• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons yogurt
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon oatmeal powder (Note: You can grind rolled oats in a food processor to create powder.)

Stir all ingredients in a bowl, blending thoroughly. Quickly spread the mask evenly over face, as this recipe tens to harden a bit. Leave on for 20 minutes and rinse thoroughly with warm water. 

THE VERDICT

We were honestly amazed by how instant and visible the results were. We meaning me + Jess. Annie obviously created the treatment and included it as 1 of 150 recipes in her book, so she knew the deal and expected the wow factor. But Jess and I oohed and aaahed and TOOK LIKE A MILLION PICTURES.

After the oatmeal chocoloate treatment dried on Jess’ skin, it pulled oil from her T-zone which was very visible. And after rinsing it off, her skin was fresh, dewy, glowy perfection.

NOTE, this one smells and looks so good, you’ll actually want to eat it. But once you see the results you’ll realize not only should you not, you CANNOT because it’s too good to waste.

Filing this one under Success.

For more deliciousness, check back for the two remaining recipes in our Homemade Beauty Series. And obvi, buy Annie’s book to try them all!!

XOLC

Note: This post is not sponsored. All thoughts are unbiased and my own. All photos are property of DIVAlicious. 

Lauren Cosenza is the creator and editor-in-chief of DIVAlicious, a trusted beauty/fashion expert, an on-camera personality and spokesperson, a leading NYC-based professional makeup artist, a published contributor and writer, a brand consultant, a product junkie and an insatiable style seeker.

Serving up style with a side of attitude, DIVAlicious gives women (and men) the confidence and permission to be fabulous. The site is filled with must-have products, pro tips and tricks, how-to DIY tutorials, makeovers, style inspiration and insider access.