The Great Pumpkin

As I flipped through the pages of EcoBeauty the other day, I couldn't wait to try one recipe in particular: the Pumpkin Pie Mask. Given the timing—and the fact that I already had a can of organic pumpkin puree in my pantry—it seemed only appropriate to debut my DIY beauty experiment with this mask.

Pumpkin, by the way, is a skin-care powerhouse: According to EcoBeauty authors Lauren Cox and Janice Cox, it contains antioxidants, has exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids, and even helps skin retain moisture. Here's the good-enough-to-eat recipe:

PUMPKIN PIE MASK

1/4 cup pumpkin puree

2 tablespoons vanilla yogurt or sour cream

1 tablespoon honey

Mix together ingredients to form a smooth paste. After cleansing skin, apply about 1 tablespoon of the mask on your face, avoiding eyes and mouth (um, why? It's edible! But maybe your lips don't need exfoliating antioxidants). Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Use as often as needed—about once a week, or every other week if your skin is dry or sensitive. Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Maybe it was just the specific brands I used, but my mask's consistency was less of a paste and more of a liquid. Still, I love the way it made my skin look and feel. I recommend following the treatment with a good moisturizer. I also recommend cutting the recipe in half: Even though I used more than 1 tablespoon on my face, I still have enough left over that I probably won't use it all up in two weeks. But I'll certainly try. This one's a keeper.

DIY Beauty

I'm not usually the do-it-yourself type. I dread putting together IKEA furniture, have never refinished anything in my life, and greatly offended my husband once when I suggested that we hire a handyman to install a pot rack in our kitchen.

But when it comes to DIY beauty, I'm all for getting my hands dirty in an effort to get my skin clean. Making your own beauty products can be easy, inexpensive, and—more importantly—an effective way to care for your skin. Why pay for a pricey, preservative-filled face mask when you can whip up your own using ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen?

Two books have become DIY beauty favorites of mine, thanks to their great recipes, pretty pictures and can-do enthusiasm: EcoBeauty by Lauren Cox with Janice Cox, and Naturally Beautiful by Dawn Gallagher. EcoBeauty emphasizes the fun of DIY beauty—in fact, the book's subtitle is "Scrubs, Rubs, Masks, and Bath Bombs for You and Your Friends"—while Naturally Beautiful, with its subtitle of "earth's secrets and recipes for skin, body, and spirit" takes a more New Age approach to DIY beauty. Both are available online.

I'll be posting about my own experiences trying the various recipes from these books. In the meantime, let me know if you have a favorite DIY beauty recipe to share.

We've Got a Winner...

Thanks to everyone who entered the Softlips PURE giveaway! I've picked (and alerted) the lucky winner. I hope the rest of you keep reading Pretty Natural—I'd love to get your comments and suggestions for future blog posts and product reviews. And keep an eye out for more natural-goodie giveaways!

Freebie Alert! Softlips PURE

I've blogged before about my love of lip balm, so I'm happy to help spread the news about the new additions to the Softlips PURE line of lip conditioners. The balms are USDA-certified organic (that's the gold standard, friends) and are available in four yummy new flavors:

• Acai Berry
• Chai Tea
• Papaya
• Peppermint

My favorite is Peppermint—it has a light, natural flavor and a nice tingle when you put in on your lips. Acai Berry is a close second (not that I know what an actual acai berry tastes like.) I'm even a fan of the products on Facebook.

I love the fact that these lip balms are USDA-certified organic. I love the fact that the tubes are slim enough to fit in the pocket of your tightest skinny jeans. And I love the fact that one of you dear readers can win a set of the four new flavors! Here's how:

• Sign up to follow Pretty Natural (if you don't already!)
• Become a fan of Softlips on Facebook
• Leave a comment on this post telling me why your lips need some TLC (include your email address so I can reach you if you win)
• I'll pick my favorite response and let the nice people at Softlips know who gets the goods.

Good luck!