Lavender Pillow Spray

Join OFPL on Facebook @galluplibrary on Saturday, February 6th at 1:00 p.m. to make DIY self-care products. Ingredient list and written instructions provided below:

Lavender Pillow Spray

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 Tbsp. witch hazel
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 4 Tbsp. lavender hydrosol
• Distilled water
• Glass jar with lid
• Funnel
• Two – 2 oz. spray bottles

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Add witch hazel and essential oil to large jar and shake to combine.
  2. Add hydrosol to mixture.
  3. Shake.
  4. Separate evenly between the two spray bottles.
  5. Top off with distilled water.
  6. Shake before each use.

All Self-Care Episodes are available after the livestream on YouTube, @galluplibrary.

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information. 

DIY Stress Relief Ball

Busy day working or taking care of the family? Join us on OFPL’s Facebook or YouTube, @galluplibrary on Monday, February 1st at 12:00 p.m. to make DIY self-care products.

Ingredient list is available below:

DIY Stress Relief Ball

INGREDIENTS:

• Balloons
• Corn starch
• Water
• Water bottle
• Food coloring (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Mix a cup of water with two cups of cornstarch. Stir until goopy. You should feel resistance when stirring quickly, and no resistance when stirring slowly. This is because the oobleck mixture is a non-newtonian fluid and turns solid when pressure or force is applied.
2. Pour the oobleck mixture into the water bottle.
3. Attach the opening of the balloon to the top of the water bottle. Flip over and squeeze the contents into the balloon until full.
4. Taking care not to let any air bubbles get into the balloon, take the balloon off and tie it in a knot.
5. Take another balloon and cut the end off. Wrap this over the filled balloon to cover up the knot and add more durability.

ALTERNATIVE Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

• Materials
• Mesh
• Balloon
• School Glue
• Detergent
• Pigment
• Twine

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Mix school glue and pigment together.
2. Add in detergent and mix until thick slime consistency.
3. Use a funnel or cut up water bottle to add slime into balloon
4. Cut out mesh and wrap around balloon.

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.

Self-Care Saturday

Join us on OFPL’s Facebook @galluplibrary on Saturday, January 23rd at 1:00 p.m. to make Honey & Cinnamon Lip Scrub DIY self-care product.

The ingredient list is available below.

Honey & Cinnamon Lip Scrub

Instructions:
• 1/4 cup brown sugar 
• 1 Tbsp. coconut oil
• 1 Tbsp. raw unfiltered honey
• 1 tsp. cinnamon powder

Instructions:
1. Combine ingredients in a small bowl 
2. Using a wooden spoon, mix everything well. 
3. Transfer to a small glass jar with a lid.

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.

VISIT YOUTUBE, @GALLUPLIBRARY, FOR ALL
SELF-CARE EPISODES.

Self-Care Saturday

Join us on Facebook LIVE @galluplibrary on Saturday, January 9th at 1:00 p.m. to make All-Natural Mascara DIY self-care product.

The ingredient list is available below:

All-Natural Mascara

Ingredients: 

• 1 tsp Coconut Oil
• 1 tsp Shea Butter
• 1.5 tsp Beeswax
• 2 tsp Jojoba Oil
• 2 Capsules Activated Charcoal
• 2 drops Vitamin E Oil

Instructions:

1. In a double boiler, melt the first 4 ingredients
2. Once melted remove from heat and add in the charcoal and Vitamin E
3. Cut small corner off plastic bag and use it like a cake decorator to pipe it into the empty mascara tube
4. Apply your homemade mascara as you would your regular mascara.

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.

VISIT YOUTUBE, @GALLUPLIBRARY, FOR ALL
SELF-CARE EPISODES.

Self-Care Saturday

Join us on OFPL’s Facebook @galluplibrary on Saturday, December 19th at 1:00 p.m. to make Peppermint Lip Balm DIY self-care product.

The ingredient list is available below.

Peppermint Lip Balm

Ingredients:
• 1 Tbsp. beeswax
• 1 Tbsp. extra virgin coconut oil
• 1 Tbsp. shea butter
• 1 Tbsp. beef tallow
• 2 drops peppermint essential oil
• empty lip balm tube

Instructions:
1. Heat and mix all ingredients well.
2. Pour into an appropriate container.
3. Let cool.
4. Enjoy!

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.

VISIT YOUTUBE, @GALLUPLIBRARY, FOR ALL
SELF-CARE EPISODES.

Self-Care Saturday

Join OFPL Live on Facebook, @galluplibrary on Saturday, October 24th at 1:00 p.m. to make DIY cosmetics with inexpensive ingredients. You can find the majority of ingredients at local stores like Wal-Mart, Albertsons, & La Montana Co-Op.

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.

Each ingredient list is available below:

Avocado Face Mask

Ingredients:
• 1/2 med-large avocado
• 1–2 tsp. raw, local honey
Optional: 2 tbsp. rolled oats

Instructions:
1. Combine all ingredients together in a small bowl.
2. Wash your face with a cleanser, dry, and then apply the mask liberally to the face and neck.
3. Let sit on your face for 20 minutes.
4. Wash the mask off your face and follow-up with your typical skincare routine.

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.

Whipped Body Lotion

Ingredients:
• 1/2 c. organic shea butter
• 3 Tbsp. organic coconut oil room temperature
• 1 Tbsp. vitamin E, Jojoba or Argan oil
• 5–6 drops food grade essential oil I suggest lavender, lemon or Frankincense
Optional: 2 Tbsp. witch hazel

Instructions:
1. Combine everything with a handheld mixer until light and fluffy.
2. Store in an airtight, glass container.

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.

Caffeine Eye Serum

Ingredients:
• 1/4 c. ground organic coffee
• 1/3 c. sweet almond oil
• 2 Tbsp. castor oil
• Dropper bottle
• Cheesecloth or nut milk bag

Instructions:
1. Combine the sweet almond oil and the coffee in a glass jar.
2. Cover with a lid and let sit on the counter for a week to infuse.
3. Using your cheesecloth or nut milk bag (that’s what I used), strain the infused oil into a bowl, you might have some small coffee residue that gets through and that’s just fine.
4. Add the castor oil to the bowl and stir to combine.
5. Using a small funnel, pour the oil into your dropper bottle.

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.

Creative Corner – Halloween Lanterns

Create your own art using various materials found around your home! These courses are geared towards individuals 15 years of age and older. Supply kits are available at OFPL on a first-come, first-serve basis and can be requested below:

REQUEST A SUPPLY KIT HERE

Tune in on Monday, October 12th at 4:00 p.m. for a demonstration on creating spooky and terrifying halloween lanterns scenes.

Project Ideas:

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information. 

Self-Care Saturday

Join OFPL Live on Facebook, @galluplibrary on Saturday, October 10th at 1:00 p.m. to make DIY cosmetics with inexpensive ingredients. You can find the majority of ingredients at local stores like Wal-Mart, Albertsons, & La Montana Co-Op.

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.

Each ingredient list is available below:

Homemade Rosewater & Face Toner

Ingredients:
Homemade Rosewater:
• 7 Organic Roses
• 1.5 L Distilled water (enough to cover the rose petals)

Homemade Rosewater Face Toner:
• 1 Tbsp. Pure Rosewater
• 4 Tbsp. Distilled Water (or enough to fill your spray bottle)
• 1 – 2.5 oz. spray bottle

Instructions:
Homemade Rosewater:
1. Remove petals from stems and run them under luke-warm water to remove any leftover residue.
2. Add petals to a large pot and top with enough distilled water to just cover (no more or you’ll dilute your rosewater).
3. Over medium-low heat bring the water to a simmer and cover.
4. Let simmer for 20-30 minutes or until petals have lost their color and are pale pink.
5. Strain the mixture to separate the petals from the water.
6. Discard petals and place water in a glass jar to store.

Benefits of Rosewater?
• Helps balance the pH of the skin
• Soothes skin irritation
• Reduces redness (has anti-inflammatory properties!)
• May reduce fine lines and wrinkles

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.

Stress Relief Tea

Ingredients:
• 2 tsp holy basil
• 1 tsp lemon balm
• 1 tsp chamomile
• 1/2 tsp lavender
• 1/2 tsp eleuthero root

*All ingredients need to be dried out.

Instructions:
1. Combine all ingredients in a mason jar or cup.
2. Top with hot water.
3. Place a plate or top onto mason jar and let infuse for 20 minutes.
4. Remove plate and filter tea through strainer or cheesecloth.
5. Add honey or sweetener if desired.
6. Sip and enjoy!

Chamomile – Chamomile is a relaxing nervine that helps encourage restful sleep. Better sleep = decreased stress.
Lavender – like chamomile, lavender is a relaxing nervine that helps encourage better sleep. In addition, multiple clinical trials have shown that lavender decreases anxiety and perception of pain (source).
Lemon balm – As an antispasmodic carminative, lemon balm is useful when stress or anxiety affects digestion (i.e. IBS) because it acts on both the digestive and nervous systems.
Holy Basil – also known as Tulsi, this adaptogenic herb works with your nervous system to bring it into balance. It also has a relaxing and uplifting quality, acting as a mildly relaxing nervine which makes it a great option for those with anxiety and depression.
Eleuthero – known as the “work hard, play hard” herb, this adaptogenic powerhouse can help balance the nervous systems of those known to work a little too much and play a little too hard. It helps boost physical and mental stamina and endurance as well as promoting a healthy immune system.

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.

Gingerbread Sugar Scrub

Ingredients:
• 1 c. brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
• 1/4 c. coconut oil, solid
• 1 tbsp. molasses
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp. ground cloves

Instructions:
1. Combine brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger and cloves in a large bowl.
2. Top with coconut oil and molasses
3. Using the back of a fork mash the wet ingredients into the dry to make a crumbly mixture. Depending on how solid the coconut oil is, you may need to use your hands.
4. Place scrub into a mason jar with a secure lid. Will last for several months in a cool location

To use:
1. On wet or dry skin, apply scrub liberally all over the body.
2. Scrub into skin to remove dead skin cells.
3. Wash off completely.

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.

Self-Care Saturdays

Join OFPL Live on Facebook @galluplibrary on Saturday, August 15th and 29th at 12:00 p.m. to make your DIY cosmetics from items around your home. Each ingredient list is available below:

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.

Saturday, August 15th

Honey Lip Scrub
  • 2 tsps. Sugar
  • 1 tsp. Honey
  • 1 tsp. Coconut Oil
  1. Mix everything together in a small bowl until you have a paste.
  2. Apply to lips with fingertips and massage into your lips to gently slough off dry, dead skin cells.
  3. You’ll be tempted to eat the mixture – it tastes pretty darn good!
  4. Rinse with warm water and follow with lip balm.
  5. Keep any extra in a small container.
Sage & Blackberry Sugar Scrub
  • 11/2 cups White Sugar
  • 2 Tbsps. & 2 tsps. Coconut Oil
  • 4 to 6 large Sage Leaves
  • 1/4 cup Blackberries
  1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor and process on high until smooth.
  2. Put in glass jar with snug fitting lid
  3. Store at room temperature for up to 1 week
  4. To use, wet skin, gently scrub with sugar scrub, and rinse with warm water. Pat dry.

Saturday, August 29th

Lavender Bath Bombs
  • 2 oz Baking Soda
  • 1 oz Epsom Salt
  • 1 oz Corn Starch
  • 1 oz Citric Acid
  • 4 tsp. Coconut Oil
  • 1 tsp. water
  • Optional: dried flowers, herbs, food coloring, biodegradable glitter or essential oils

Okay, so you do have to buy some accessories for this process such as something to mold the bath bomb with and if you’re not big into canning and preserves you may not have citric acid laying around. But not to fear, it’s all worth it if you love a good tub! Mix the wet and dry ingredients separately. Then slower (spoonful by spoonful) mix the wet and dry ingredients together until you end up with a sand-like consistency. Pack the mixture into the mold and leave overnight to dry.

Rosemary & Peppermint Foot Scrub
  • 3 tsp. Kosher salt
  • 1 tsp. table salt
  • 1 tsp. coconut oil
  • 1 ½ tsp. olive oil
  • 3 drops peppermint oil
  • 1/2 tsp rosemary

Toss everything in a cup, and stir together. If it’s too dry, add a bit more oil. If it’s too wet, add more salt.

Self-Care Mondays

Back by popular demand!

Enjoy an afternoon of pampering as we make DIY cosmetics such as body scrubs, face masks, and more. Join us at the Main Library on:

  • Monday, March 2nd at 5:30 p.m.
  • Monday, March 16th at 5:30 p.m.
  • Monday, March 30th at 5:30 p.m.

to make your DIY cosmetics. *All supplies provided.

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.