Stumbling into Sustainability-DIY Beauty
- Liz Bristow
- Jul 2
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
DIY Beauty: Because Sometimes Your Pantry Is a Better Option Than Shopping
Do It Yourself Beauty/Skin Care/Self-Care has always been a thing…but over the course of time, the reasons for it being a “thing” have vastly changed. Once upon a time, you couldn't just stroll into Sephora, swipe your debit card, and walk out with a 9-step skincare routine that would make JLo proud. Some of us still can’t (or won’t, because grown up budgets are goals!), but we’ll get to that. Once, making your own stuff—cleansers, moisturizers, exfoliants, or just soothing spa vibes—wasn’t an aesthetic choice, it was survival. Now? It’s the beauty equivalent to the cool kids table in the lunchroom.
So, why did we (society, as a broad generalization) start DIYing again? And now that we're seeing growth in the handmade trend, what are some of the best potions, concoctions, and sugar-salt-save me from stress scrubs to make ourselves? Let’s embark on a little journey of discovery that helps us become better stewards of the planet—and maybe even of our own questionable decision-making skills.
Once Upon a History of Beauty
The beauty industry really began to boom with the rise of Hollywood in the 1920s and 1930s. Back then, stars on the Silver Screen dazzled us, and suddenly, everyone wanted lips like Clara Bow and “Bette Davis Eyes”. In the ‘50s, it was all about Marilyn Monroe’s beauty mark (the Monroe piercing is real). Thus began the rise of inferiority complexes and the mass marketing of “magic” creams that would turn your face from “meh” to “movie star” faster than you could say “technicolor.” At least that’s what industry marketers would like you to believe.
Spoiler alert: it was mostly petroleum jelly in a fancy jar.
In the ‘60s and ‘70s, things got groovier. Mod fashion, hippie vibes, and disco fever brought glitter, pastels, and experimental looks that would make a Crayola box feel underdressed. The ‘80s arrived like a can of Aqua Net to the face—big hair, bold eyeshadow, and colored mascara (black lashes are so mainstream).
Then came the ‘90s. Luxury brands exploded. Sephora landed like the mothership for beauty lovers. Bath & Body Works convinced us we needed seventeen different shower gels labeled with fruit names that never grow in the wild. And with it came the quest to look like magazine covers, TV characters, and (eventually) curated Instagram feeds.
But, something has changed. More people started questioning their overflowing vanities. "Why am I spending all this money? What is this doing to my skin, my scalp, and my bank account? And who even uses under-eye serum every, single day?!”
Thus began the Back to Basics movement (see what I did there? ). A surprising number of us started raiding our pantries for beauty ingredients, not just snacks—and it’s not just because we forgot to grocery shop, although, let’s be honest, sometimes it’s both. Side note, if anyone has an excellent recipe for red licorice lip gloss, I’m all ears.
My First DIY: A Cautionary Tale of Scrub Life
My toe-dip moment into DIY beauty was as simple as good old-fashioned budget panic. Once upon a time, I stood in a store holding a $20 face scrub and had a tiny internal meltdown. Did I want to glow? Yes. Did I want to justify this purchase to my checking account? Absolutely not.
I remembered that I had seen sugar, salt, and coffee grounds in scrubs before—and what do you know? I had all those in my pantry. So I dumped some pantry goods into my generic face wash and hoped for the best.
Scientific? No. Sensible? Eh. Satisfying? Surprisingly, yes. It sparked something. Even when money got less tight, I kept doing it because it felt oddly empowering.
Why DIY Is More Than a Budget Hack
Sure, saving money is great, but there are other, more mature and responsible (not that I pretend to be either) reasons to go DIY:
Ingredient control. You actually know what you’re putting on your face. No more playing “guess that chemical” during your morning routine.
Health reasons. Studies have shown some common beauty ingredients act as endocrine disruptors or immune system suppressants. Yay science! Boo suspicious parabens.
Animal welfare. Many people are switching to cruelty-free practices because no eyeliner is worth animal testing. (Except maybe that eyeliner…but still, no.)
Environmental impact. Making your own products means fewer plastic bottles, packaging, and waste. Mother Earth is becoming proud of the children she is raising.
Confessions of a Beauty Maximalist
Now, before you assume I’m a DIY purist, let me confess: I was also a beauty industry hype-beast. I’ve dropped a paycheck at Sephora and left feeling both fabulous and slightly broke. I followed influencers, watched PR hauls like I had nothing better to do, and developed an irrational need for every product that promised me “glow.” Turns out, just drinking enough water will also accomplish that.
Yes, I had a good job. Yes, I could technically “treat myself.” But there’s a difference between one fancy lipstick and 12 limited-edition palettes that all look vaguely similar and never leave your drawer. That wasn’t self-care—it was consumerism dressed in vanity.
The Bottom Line (And the Bottom of the Jar)
What’s fascinating is that any reason for going DIY—be it budget, health, ethics, or just wanting to smell like a mocha vanilla latte without breaking the bank—leads to a more sustainable, intentional way of living. It’s one of those rare win-win situations where your skin, your wallet, and the planet can all thank you at once. This blog could go on forever as there are so many things you can make for yourself and so many different ways; pick one thing and try it, and then feel free to fall down the rabbit hole, I sure did.
Whether you're in it for the glow-up, the low-waste lifestyle, or just because you love the feeling of mixing lemon juice and honey like a potion-making wizard, welcome to the club. It’s pretty here. And it smells like (insert your favorite scent) and moral superiority.
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