Photographed by Mike Garten, Styled by Ali Nardi.Some beauty products are best straight from the department store counter. Others, though, are better from your kitchen counter. It's true: Many of the ingredients you need to whip up effective, luxurious skin care are right in front of you. That's the fundamental belief behind our latest collaboration with small-batch skin-care brand Mullein & Sparrow, in which we'll be rolling out a series of DIY recipes created just for you by the brand's founder, herbalist and holistic aesthetician, Anit Hora.
Boots: Stylish on the outside, kind of smelly on the inside. Not to be autumn killjoys, but our feet just don't breathe in Dr. Martens like they do in Birkenstocks. Surely we're not the only ones suffering from this inevitable downside of wearing our favorite booties every day. This time around, though, we're armed with a fix that's sure to stop unwanted foot stink before it even begins. The best part? It's as easy to make as it is to use.
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You'll need:
1/2 cup arrowroot powder
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup baking soda
1 tbsp crushed mint leaves
10-15 drops peppermint or spearmint essential oil
5 drops lemon essential oil
Mix the powders in a bowl and slowly add the essential oils. Crush the mint leaves and add those, too. The finer you crush them, the softer your powder will be. Mix everything thoroughly until you have an even consistency, and store it in a jar with a sifter top so you can dispense it easily.
Sprinkle this mixture liberally over your feet whenever you feel like you need it. As our expert explains, cornstarch and arrowroot will absorb moisture. Cornstarch also prevents odor, while baking soda helps get rid of existing smells. The mint leaves and the oils are super refreshing and they'll also help reduce any itchiness or inflammation you might be experiencing.
So, you can officially go ahead and stuff your feet into wool socks and clunky shoes without worrying about offending your roommate later. Stay tuned for more original DIY skin-care recipes, and let us know if there's anything you want us to show you how to whip up at home.
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