Quick-Fix D.I.Y. Beauty Recipes

Raid your kitchen and follow Laurel Tan's at-home pampering treatments for skin and hair.

Three steps before you begin:1 Preparation is key to a stress-free treatment-making session, so lay out ingredients and tools beforehand 2 Sterilise jars before use and always store treatments that contain perishable ingredients in the refrigerator 3 Don't keep your natural beauty treats longer than one or two days.


'FAT' DAYS
'Slimming' wrap When you need to squeeze into your 'thin' clothes, try this quick 'slimming' treatment - a temporary fast fix used in beauty salons!

How it works Jojoba oil emulsifies fats, grapefruit and lemon grass detoxify, and orange cleanses. The cling film keeps the oils from evaporating and encourages perspiration. This wrap helps shape your waist quickly (note, the effect is temporary).

You'll need Make up a bottle of lemongrass blend as follows. Combine the following essential oil with 60ml jojoba oil:

• 5 drops lemongrass oil
• 10 drops grapefruit oil
• 3 drops orange oil

What to do After a shower, massage the lemongrass blend into your waist and tummy, then wrap these areas with cling film. Leave overnight.


IRRITATED SKIN
Goddess body scrub This recipe uses oatmeal, which is famous for its anti-inflammatory, anti-itch and skin-soothing properties.

How it works Almonds, which act as a natural emollient and exfoliant, are ideal for irritated, tired and dry skin - especially when combined with oatmeal. Avacados contain nourishing vitamins A, D and E.

You'll need

• 1/2 cup almonds
  
• 1 cup dry oatmeal
  
• 1 ripe avocado, peeled and mashed
  

What to do Chop almonds and combine with the oatmeal. Add the avocado to the oatmeal and almond mixture, then rub onto skin with a mitt. Rinse with warm water, towel off, and moisturise as usual Tip The avocado seed can be rubbed into sore muscles as a soothing treat!


TIRED, PUFFY EYES
Cool-as-cucumber eye mask Wonderful as a quick pick-me-up, these thin green slices really do help relieve puffiness and eye fatigue.

How it works Cucumbers have a high salt content. The salt helps draw excess water from the tissue surrounding your eyes, reducing puffiness. The refreshing cucumber juice helps tone and firm skin around the eyes.

You'll need

• Sliced cucumbers
  
• Bowl of ice
  

What to do Allow cucumber slices to cool on the ice for a few minutes. Place a slice over each eyelid and leave for 10 to 15 minutes.


ROUGH HANDS
Banana butter hand mask Treat your hardworking hands to this nourishing mask that conditions and forms a 'glove-like' protective barrier against moisture loss.

How it works The vitamins and minerals found in bananas and butter make this the perfect mask for dry, chapped hands.

You'll need

• 1 ripe banana
  
• 1 tablespoon butter
  

What to do Mash both ingredients together, then rub the mixture into your hands. Leave for 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.


DRY, CRACKED FEET
Strawberry foot scrub Try this simple, vitamin-enriched exfoliant for your neglected tootsies!

How it works Fresh fruit and nourishing oils are pure, potent sources of vitamins and antioxidants. Ripe berries contain vitamin C and salicylic acid, which helps to slough off dead skin.

You'll need

• 8 strawberries, lightly mashed
  
• 3 tablespoons kosher salt
  
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

What to do Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Massage mixture into feet, rinse, and dry off. Note Overblending may leave you with a runny, watery scrub.


DRY SKIN
Avocado and honey face pack An ultra-welcoming treat for thirsty, dehydrated skin!

How it works Protein-packed avocado hydrates the skin, thanks to its high levels of fatty acids. Honey, a poweful antioxidant, acts as a humectant, helping the skin retain moisture.

You'll need

• 1 ripe avocado
  
• 2 teaspoons plain yoghurt
  
• 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
  

What to do Mash all ingredients into a paste. Chill for 30 minutes. Apply the cold mixture to your face for 10 minutes Gently rinse off with cool water and pat dry with a clean towel.


WEAK, LANK HAIR
Banana hair mask Restore shine and health to your hair!

How it works The vitamin A and potassium in bananas do wonders for lifeless hair.

You'll need

• 1 banana
  
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
  

What to do Mash banana till smooth. Add mayonnaise and oil, blend till creamy. Apply mask to hair, wrap hair with cling film and leave for 15 to 30 minutes. Shampoo and condition.


YELLOWING NAILS
Nail whitening treat Condition your cuticles and clarify your nails at the same time!

How it works Olive oil is effective in treating brittle nails, while lemon juice is a good bleaching agent.

You'll need

• 1/4 cup olive oil, warmed
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  

What to do Soak nails in the oil for a few minutes. Massage each nail, then shape using an emery board. Blot off excess oil. Rub juice into nails to whiten them.


OILY SKIN
Lemon astringent This zesty, lemon-rich toner will leave your skin feeling fresh and clean.

How it works Lemon juice is packed with vitamin C. Witch hazel, which is great for toning and cleansing oily skin, is the base ingredient in many health and beauty products

You'll need

• 1/2 cup witch hazel
  
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
  

What to do Mix the witch hazel and lemon juice and store in a plastic or glass container. Apply to face and neck with a clean cotton ball. For an added kick, chill before using.



Extracted from FEMALE Magazine