top beauty workshops on the island where you can make your own signature stuff

Many beauty products we use on daily basis are packed with chemicals that are not just detrimental to our skin but also dangerous to our health. (Seriously, the national food and drug monitoring seems to find more and more harmful stuff in our products each year.)

As such, it is no wonder that many are opting to ditch run-of-the-mill brands in favor of more bespoke and natural-wellness creations. Sensing the increased interest, a number of centers in Bali have started running hands-on workshops teaching how to craft DIY personal care and beauty products from natural ingredients.

Cantika Zest 

Inspired by “the passion of sharing plant wisdom,” Cantika Zest makes all its products from the herbs grown on the premises. The health and beauty center, which consists of three spas—Jasmine, Alami and Zest—in the Ubud area, holds regular one-hour sessions that encompass both a tour of the garden and a practical workshop during which participants learn how to make their own wellness products from ingredients such as ginger, frangipani, cloves, and cinnamon. 

L’Atelier Parfums et Créations 

Many do not realize that Indonesia is one of the world’s biggest suppliers of raw materials used in the production of essential oils. Building on the archipelago’s rich variety of spices, flowers and woods, L’Atelier Parfums et Créations offers visitors the chance to craft their own signature fragrance while learning about Indonesia through its scents. 

Ubud Botany Interactive 

Ubud Botany Interactive offers workshops that teach participants how to transform herbs, leaves, fruit and flowers into natural beauty products such as shampoo, hair conditioner, body scrubs, and sunscreen. The Ubud workshops are run by Dewi, who holds a Bachelor degree in Botany and Agriculture from Udayana University in Denpasar and a Master of Science and Biology specializing in plant biodiversity—so you know she’s legit. The sessions focus specifically on how native plants are utilized in Balinese culture.