The Beauty Column: DIY Beauty Guide
As much as we beauty addicts like a good old skincare splurge, there’s nothing like a bit of a DIY dupe. The process of making something in the comfort of your own home which you can slather on your face for free is somewhat satisfying. For a fraction of the price you can sit back, relax and pamper yourself to perfection.
Most of the ingredients needed should be lurking in your kitchen cupboards but a quick supermarket dash will do the trick if not.
1. Avocado Face Mask
It might sound odd smearing food all over your face but this is one food worth getting your hands dirty for. Avocado isn’t only incredibly good for you; it’s also renowned for its healing properties. It deeply nourishes and hydrates the skin without causing irritation and is especially beneficial for dry and dehydrated skin. Scoop out the pulp and mash it into a fine paste. Apply it to your skin and leave it for around 10 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
2. Lip Scrub
Trying to secure the perfect pout with different lip scrubs can be quite the challenge. It can also be a little harsh on the purse strings, so why not grab three household basics and make your own. You’ll need olive oil, sugar and honey and to start off, you need to mix a tablespoon of sugar, half a tablespoon of olive oil and a dribble of honey to bind the mixture together. If you want to make things a little tastier you can add peppermint extract, vanilla extract or lemon juice accordingly. Anything works.
3. Hair Mask
Coconut oil is a hair saviour – even the gorgeous Blake Lively swears by it. Grab a jar of extra virgin coconut oil and apply generously to your hair before rinsing after a few minutes for some serious shine. If you’ve got ingredients left over from your lip scrub, mix four tablespoons of honey with six tablespoons of olive oil, slather it on your hair, cover it with a plastic bag and leave in your locks for 15-30 minutes. Forget trawling the aisles of Boots to bag the perfect pack, bite the bullet and do it yourself.
DIY doesn’t have to be associated with bodge jobs and wonky shelves, it can mean indulging in some serious you time and going back to basics. If you really want to treat yourself, a glass of rose will give your budget beauty regime a touch of luxury. So take a Friday night to yourself, slap on that face mask, scrub those lips and be utterly selfish.
You can find more from Nicole on her blog www.lifeofatraineejournalist.com.