DIY Delights
These homemade beauty products are quick, easy and effective. The best part? You probably have some of the ingredients in your kitchen already.
Body scrub
Olive oil
Brown sugar
Aromatherapy/essential oil
Slowly pour up to 50ml of olive oil into 100ml of sugar. Mix as you pour until you get the consistency you’re looking for. (You may not need the whole 50ml.) Mix in up to 20 drops of aromatherapy oil. Again, choose a fragrance you like. Citrus scents work well for a body scrub or go for something warming and comforting, like sandalwood.
If you decant the scrub into an airtight mason jar, it should last for a few weeks.
Face mask
Honey
Ripe avocado
Olive oil
Finely ground almonds (optional)
This face mask is a gentle exfoliator and very moisturising. It doesn’t keep, so use it as soon as you’ve made it.
Mash a quarter of an avocado and mix it with 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of finely ground almonds. Smooth it onto your face and relax for 20 minutes before washing it off.
Hair mask
Banana
Avocado
Olive oil
This is ideal for using up an overripe banana that’s languishing in the fruit bowl.
Mash the banana with half an avocado until there are no lumps. Mix in 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
Work the mask through your hair, avoiding the roots. Cover with a shower cap. Wash out within 30 minutes, before the hair mask starts to dry.
Body oil
Carrier oil
Aromatherapy/essential oil
Vitamin E oil
A carrier oil moisturises your skin and ‘carries’ any extra ingredients, such as aromatherapy oils. Sweet almond oil is an excellent choice for your carrier oil, as it’s rich in antioxidants, very hydrating and easy for your skin to absorb. You can also use jojoba, avocado, sesame seed, and even extra virgin olive oil.
For the aromatherapy oil, the main thing is to choose a scent you like. Lavender, calendula and jasmine are good for dry, itchy or sensitive skin, while lemon, patchouli and bergamot can help balance oily skin.
Vitamin E oil is optional, but it’s an excellent antioxidant and will help your homemade body oil stay fresh for longer.
Mix 50ml of your chosen carrier oil with up to 1 ml (16-20 drops) of aromatherapy oil and ¼ ml (4-5 drops) of Vitamin E oil. Pour into a clean, dry bottle and keep away from direct sunlight. Ideally, use a coloured glass bottle, which will help to protect the oil from light.
Your body oil should stay fresh for at least six months, so you could make a few batches to give as Christmas gifts.
Never use undiluted essential oils on your skin, as they can cause irritation. Some essential oils aren’t suitable for use during pregnancy, so do check the bottle.
“Natural beauty, straight from your kitchen”