I have never tried making a DIY coffee mask or for that matter heard of one. It did not initially appeal to me to smear coffee grounds all over my face just because countless cups of coffee are consumed each day around the world.

However, because today is International Coffee Day, I decided to take my love for the warm beverage to another level and experiment by incorporating this common household ingredient into my skincare routine.

 

Fun Times with My Daughters

More than anything, I was curious about how the face mask would feel and how my skin would look afterward. I know there are so many passionate coffee drinkers that celebrate their early morning cups of Joe and for that matter anything that has to do with coffee. Using all-natural ingredients is beneficial for anyone’s beauty routine and this is also a fun experience you can share with your grands!

I decided I would make the coffee mask from scratch because, in my family of girls, we had one particular ritual. When my young daughters were sick with a sore throat and had to stay home, I would think of magical ways we could spend time together. One of those ideas included preparing face masks. I taught them how to take care of their skin in unique ways and I highly recommend this project with your grands.

Avocado Face Mask

I will never forget the experience of the avocado mask I made with one of my daughters. As a young mom, I did a few DIY projects that I concocted in my head when the girls were home with me.

It was a Saturday morning. My daughter could not go out to play because she felt sick. I found a magazine with an avocado mask recipe. We had happened to have avocados and olive oil in the kitchen and I thought this would keep my daughter engaged and we could spend mother-daughter time with one another.

We prepared the face mask together. I used one avocado and three tablespoons of olive oil. I remember that I cut the avocado, she scooped it out of its shell and put it in a glass bowl. As I measured the olive oil, she poured it on top of the avocado and then mashed the two together. We put the mixture in the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes

Once the time had passed, we both laughed as she spread the green avocado mask on my face and I spread the mask on her beautiful little face. The recipe suggested leaving the mask on for 15 minutes.

After about five minutes, the phone rang. It was my brother with a problem. We talked and talked; my face got tighter and tighter and my little girl’s face did the same. I wanted to get off the phone, but my brother who was in college needed me and I kept talking and talking until my lips felt paralyzed. Eventually, our call ended. I then gently rinsed my daughter’s face and then my own.

Family Activities Together

That night, my late husband and I had a black-tie event. By this time, my daughter’s face looked like she had the measles! My face was fine. I will never forget her comment as her father and I left the house that night, “Mommy, you look so beautiful. I am so glad the avocado mask hurt my face and not yours.”

One of my favorite foods is avocado and I think it is partially because I always recall what my daughter said to me so many years ago. Here is a more contemporary avocado face mask to try.

I also designed a terrarium with my daughter Jenny. The idea occurred to me when I noticed two large fishbowls in one of my cabinets. I drove to the nursery and bought some tiny plants and figurines. In the two glass fish bowls, Jenny and I mapped out and planted two terrariums: one for her and one for her sister. The plants grew for years, eventually jutting out of the tops of their containers! This is another fun idea to do with grands.

Back To The Coffee Mask

I decided to try more than one coffee mask. My favorite was the Honey Coffee Facial Mask, which is for sensitive skin. The second Coffee and Milk Mask is for those of you whose skin is not as sensitive. I enjoyed both very much.

Honey Coffee Facial Mask

The texture of the coffee grounds exfoliates and the caffeine helps to reduce puffiness. Honey is prized for its antibacterial and moisturizing properties.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp finely-ground Kona coffee beans

A dollop of raw, organic honey

1 tbsp milk

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and then apply with your fingers to your clean face.

Relax for 15 minutes.

Rinse the mask off with warm water as you massage the coffee grounds on your face for extra exfoliation.

Rinse with cool water, pat dry and apply your favorite moisturizer.

Coffee and Milk Mask

This mask contains marvelous properties from the combination of antioxidants, caffeine, vitamins and lactic acid. The mask is equally calming and invigorating. I usually drink my coffee with milk so I thought I would like it on my skin too!

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon of coffee grounds

1 1/2 tablespoons of 2 percent, whole or raw milk

Instructions:

Combine the ingredients in a small bowl and apply to your face for 15 minutes

Rinse with warm water, pat dry and continue with your daily moisturizer

This combo is probably best for those whose skin is not extremely sensitive

Whenever my grands do not want to try something new or when they think something will bore them, I always encourage them to try, try, try! Well darlings, today I had to say that to myself. Now that I’ve done something I wasn’t initially inclined to do, I am glad I did. My curiosity has been satisfied and more importantly, I think and hope I’ve piqued your interest to try one of these homemade masks as part of your beauty routine. Or if you prefer, you can always purchase one.

None of us will ever know unless we try, right? Right!

What are your favorite ways to spend time with your grands? Have you ever tried concocting face masks together in the kitchen? Share any of your stories in the comments below or on Facebook!

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