Shaving Soap Recipe: A Father’s Day DIY

Not all of our DIY endeavors are ideal for the more masculine folks in our lives, which can make Father’s Day a bit tricky for those of us who are inclined to handcraft gifts for every holiday.

Enter Anne-Marie Faiola and her delightfully gender-neutral and Father’s Day-ready Handmade Beauty Box Shaving Soap Recipe.

Shaving soap set itself apart from standard soaps through the addition of bentonite clay. The clay is included to help the, “razor slip and slide smoothly and cleanly along the skin.”

We all know shaving can irritate the skin, so in addition to the smoothing addition of bentonite clay, this recipe (taken from the CreativeLive class, Make Your Own Bath and Beauty Products) includes chamomile extract, which acts as an anti-inflammatory on the skin, and olive oil which contains vitamins A and E.

As Anne-Marie says, “we really do want to leave a beautifully moist skin behind.” The heaviness of olive oil helps us to do exactly that.

Ingredients:

2 lbs foaming bath butter

1 ounce bentonite clay

1 ounce chamomile extract

4 ounce. olive oil

.7 ounce tobacco and bay leaf fragrance oil

Supplies:

Eight 4 ounce bail jars

Sanitized mixing bowl

Hand mixer

Steps:

Whip foaming bath butter in sanitized bowl to soften it.

Scrape down the bowl.

Add olive oil and chamomile extract.

Beat on low to medium speed until homogenized and fluffy

Add bentonite clay and fragrance oil and hand mix to integrate the powder.

Beat until fluffy.

Scoop into cosmetic-grade bail jars and enjoy!

To use: Add 1-2 tablespoons of soft shaving soap to a clean, damp face. Massage into skin until it forms a foamy lather. Using warm water will help soften the follicles for a closer shave. Shave as usual and rinse with warm water.

There is no curing and no dry time. This shaving soap is ready to gift as soon as you finish it and it is kid-friendly, so you can have tiny hands help during the process.

To learn more about making your own bath and beauty products, check out Anne-Marie’s complete class on CreativeLive.

Article contributed By Rachel Gregg

A Hydrating Floral Spray to Calm, Soothe & Rejuvenate Aging Skin

If your face feels like it’s in a constant tug-of-war between dry patches and hot flashes, this one’s for you. My homemade rose water and glycerin facial mist is a sweet little solution that fits perfectly in your handbag, your fridge, or your nightstand. It’s light, hydrating, and oh-so-soothing—especially for dry, sensitive, or mature skin.

No synthetic fragrance, no preservatives you can’t pronounce—just simple ingredients that love your skin back.

Why Rose Water + Glycerin Is a Dream Duo

As we age, our skin’s natural oil and moisture levels start to dip. Add in hormonal shifts, stress, or weather swings, and suddenly your face feels more Sahara than serene. That’s where this mist shines.

Rose water calms redness, tones without drying, and brings gentle hydration
Glycerin is a humectant—it draws water to your skin like a magnet, leaving it soft and dewy
Together, they make a balancing mist that hydrates on the go and layers beautifully under makeup or over your evening serum

DIY Rose Water & Glycerin Mist Recipe

You’ll Need:

½ cup pure rose water (hydrosol preferred)
1 tablespoon vegetable glycerin
1 teaspoon aloe vera gel (optional, for extra cooling)
3–5 drops rose essential oil (optional, for scent and skin benefits)
1 small spray bottle (preferably glass or BPA-free plastic)

How to Make It:

Sanitize your bottle and any tools using boiling water or alcohol.
In a clean bowl, combine the rose water and glycerin.
Add in aloe vera gel and essential oil if using.
Stir well and pour into your spray bottle using a small funnel.
Shake before each use to distribute the ingredients evenly.

How to Use Your Mist

Morning boost: Spritz after cleansing and before moisturizing.
Midday refresh: Keep in the fridge for a cooling spray during hot flashes or makeup meltdown.
Evening ritual: Use after washing your face and before serums to help everything absorb better.

Storage & Shelf Life

If you’re using store-bought hydrosol and clean hands, your spray should last up to 4–6 weeks. If you’re using homemade rose water, keep it in the fridge and use within 2–3 weeks.

I started making this mist when my skin felt like it had its own weather forecast—dry one day, flushed the next. One spray in the middle of a perimenopausal meltdown and I felt like a new woman. I even keep a bottle next to my bed for night sweats!

Optional Add-ins:

Cucumber juice for extra soothing
Green tea for antioxidants
A few drops of lavender for stress relief
Tiny pinch of pink Himalayan salt (acts as a natural preservative)

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