How to Utilise Your Ice Cube Tray To Make Beauty Products and Snacks

The longer I spend at home, the more creative I am becoming in an attempt to keep busy. Self-care days are definitely getting longer! I’ve been researching how to make natural beauty alternatives at home, and discovered there was a bit of a pattern… most products you can make with ingredients you might already have, but best of all you can whip up these ideas thanks to your ice cube tray. I’ve had my Samsung appliance for just over two years, and my trays are built into my freezer. I wish I knew these recipes a lot sooner, it’s taken spending more time at home to discover these fun recipes. 

I’ve not only been experimenting with skincare additions, but also snacks and a revolutionary way to keep my iced coffee less watery. This is a big deal for me as coffee is a big part of my day. So read on for four ways to utilise your ice cube tray.

1. Body Scrub

Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Brown Sugar, Essential Oil, Soap

Method: Melt coconut oil and mix in brown sugar. Add a dash of oil for scent (lavender is great for relaxation) and grate quarter bar of soap. Spoon into your ice cube tray and freeze. Once frozen, you can remove the individual body scrubs and they will melt onto your skin when used a warm shower. They remove dead skin skills and leave your skin soft and nourished.

2. Flavoured Coffee Cubes

Ingredients: French Pressed/Moka Pot Coffee, Coconut Syrup (or alternative)

Method: Pour coffee and syrup into your ice cube tray and freeze.

Iced lattes can become quite diluted adding ice, so fill your glass with milk and add these coffee cubes instead! This way your coffee is just as strong. 

Alcoholic version for cocktails:

Fill half the ice cube tray with hot coffee adding in coffee liqueur. Let that freeze and then fill the remaining half with single cream. Place 2 into a Martini glass and add Vodka.

3. Aloe Vera Cubes for Sunburn

Ingredients: Brewed Green Tea, Fresh Aloe Vera

Method: Brew a pot of green tea and pour into your ice cube tray. Cut Aloe Vera from a plant and scoop the gel from the stems into the trays. Freeze and apply to sunburn when needed.

Both Aloe Vera and Green tea have soothing properties. The natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatories in green tea can work to take down the angry eruption caused by UV damage. They also come in handy on a hot day at home to cool yourself down, and additionally great to sweep over your face to reduce puffiness.

4. Melted Chocolate Bites

Ingredients: Cooking Chocolate, Fresh Blueberries, Peanut Butter

Method: Melt your chocolate in a bowl over a pan of hot water. Spoon into your ice cube tray adding in blueberries or other fruit. Swap fruit for peanut butter if you're after something a little more sweet. Freeze and enjoy!

So there you have it, less conventional ways to utilise your freezer, which one is your favourite? I have some videos on my Instagram stories making these recipes which are live for 24 hours.

Article in partnership with Samsung Home Appliances 

Photography and creative direction by yours truly

7 Body Oils To Know

Lets talk body oils. It’s a product I’ve started using religiously the last few months. I have tried and tested a fair few over December and January and have experimented in both cold and hot climates. I have to admit, the first product I used to apply post shower was moisturiser but now it’s oil. Plus it has so many uses, from protecting your skin from dryness, to a massage oil post exercise, bath oil, razor burn protection and a great preventative to insect bites as they hate the feeling of oil on your skin. Depending on my mood or how I want my skin to feel, there are a few favourites I want to share with you. 

The Luxury Oil 

My go to has to be Tata Harper Revitalizing Body Oil. It’s a little pricey, but you can definitely feel it has a luxe touch and the consistency is a little heavier than some but it’s fast absorbing. It’s a great product to use in the morning after your shower and you’ll benefit from the moisture all day. The scent is beautiful! 

The Night Out Oil 

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse is a multi usage oil. The scent smells like a luxury perfume so it’s my go to for a nice dinner or date night. It features top notes of Orange Blossom, heart notes of Rose and Lily, and Vanilla base notes. This oil can be used as a body, hair and face oil - try blending with your foundation to give your skin that extra boost. The packaging is definitely one to show off on the bathroom shelf.

The Bath Oil 

Espa Bath Oil Collection is perfect for a gift or if you are a frequent traveller as each bottle is the perfect companion at 15ml. It showcases six bath oils - Fitness, Restorative, Soothing, Energising, Detoxifying and Resistance. I also add Epsom Bath Salts if my muscles needed extra healing and repair from the gym. 

The All Round Oil 

Whenever I have a hair appointment at my Aveda salon, they also start with a scalp massage. I’m always drawn to the scents and such a fan of the Beautifying Oil. It contains jojoba oil and a blend of essences, including rosemary and bergamot. Perfect for dry skin and can be used in the bath, on dry skin, for body and calming scalp massage. 

The Anti-Stress/Night Time Oil 

There’s nothing better than a nice warm bath in the colder months. I was exercising around 5 times a week and having long days at my laptop just before Christmas, so a bath was necessary a few nights a week before bed. The three oils I would recommend to help you drift into a relaxing sleep would be The White Company Sleep Relax Oil, Mauli Surrender Vata Oil, and Neom Perfect Night Sleep Oil. Scents with Lavender, Ylang Ylang and chamomile really help me relax and switch off from screen time. I found it helped soothe aching bones and joints while clarifying the mind for a greater sense of wellbeing and calm. Plus, it felt so nice to wake up feeling refreshed and inhaling in the same scents in the morning. 

I’ve linked all oils below, would love to hear if you have any favourites!