With the busy summer months behind us, it’s normal to want to stay in for some much needed rest & relaxation, making it the perfect time of year to practice self-care. When temperatures start to drop, our bodies immediately fall into energy saving mode, and the comfy couch we haven’t been paying much attention to starts calling our names. A day at the spa may be the perfect remedy for the cool, grey weather.
Don’t worry, there’s no need to spend a lot of money to give your hair & skin a rejuvenating glow. A restful weekend with some TV time, a hot bath, and some homemade body care products may be all you need to feel revitalized, and ready to take on the cold weather ahead. Opt for all-natural ingredients you can find in your kitchen and save yourself an expensive trip to the beauty salon. Here are our favourite homemade face, body & hair beauty recipes:
Face
The very first step to a good skincare treatment starts with your favourite cleanser. Once your face is squeaky clean, it’s time to exfoliate. Since our face is always exposed, our pores tend to get a little dirty—clogged with dust, pollution & sebum (oil our skin produces). Your skin is the largest organ on your body and it does a great job at regenerating itself, which means without even knowing it, you always have a layer of dead skin cells laying on the surface.
In order for our skin to properly absorb moisturizing creams and masks, we need a good exfoliant to slough off that layer of dirt & dry skin. To accomplish that without irritation, it’s a good idea to use a scrub with smaller, delicate granules & nourishing, soothing ingredients that will maintain your skin’s pH levels. The option below is our favourite and works for all skin types:
Scrub—all skin types
Ingredients:
• 1/2 cup honey (use a raw, organic honey if you have it)
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 5 drops lemon essential oil (optional)
Instructions:
• Mix the honey, baking soda, and cinnamon until they form a thick paste.
• Add the essential oil and mix well.
• Wet your face with warm water.
• Apply the mixture to your face, rubbing in small circles.
• Rinse off with hot water.
• Store in a container with a tight lid.
Masks
Masks are a great way to nourish your skin after it’s been exfoliated. Since the skin on our face tends to be a little more sensitive, it’s important to use products that contain non-abrasive ingredients. Make sure to follow up with your favourite moisturizer for positively radiant skin. Decide what your skin needs and opt for one of the two options below:
For calming & hydrating dry/sensitive skin
Ingredients:
• Aloe vera gel (from a plant if you have it)
• Cucumber
Instructions:
• Cut ½ a cucumber into slices.
• Place slices in a blender and mix until watery.
• Add 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel and blend until smooth.
• For best results, massage the paste evenly onto your face.
• Once dry—should take about 30 minutes—rinse off the mask with cool water.
• Pat your skin dry with a soft towel.
For oily skin
Ingredients:
• Banana
• Organic honey
• Fresh-squeezed lemon juice (optional)
Instructions:
• Mash 1 fully ripe banana in a mixing bowl.
• Add 2 tablespoons of organic honey and mix thoroughly.
• Stir in 1 teaspoon of fresh-squeezed lemon juice (optional).
• Then massage the mask onto your skin.
• Leave it on your face for 20 minutes for maximum impact.
Body
To exfoliate the body, it’s recommended to use a product that contains bigger granules and heavier moisturizers. For best results wash with your favourite body wash or soap using a loofah before applying the scrub. Make sure to wash the tub or shower after use since most scrubs will leave surfaces extremely slippery, which can be a hazardous. Especially when it comes to this recipe:
Ingredients:
• ¼ – ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup coconut oil
• A few drops of your favourite essential oil (I like lavender for its calming effect)
Instructions:
• Combine the ingredients until you get a coarse paste. Do not heat the oil as this might cause the sugar to melt.
• Use your fingers to gently massage the mixture, in a circular motion.
• Take 5-10 minutes to gently massage and exfoliate your body, spending 1-2 minutes on each part.
• Rinse the mixture off with lukewarm water.
• Follow with your favourite body cream or butter.
• Repeat 2-3 times a week for soft, glowing skin.
Hair
Now that every inch of your skin feels like a little piece of heaven, we can move on to hair care. Whether you have dry, brittle hair, an oily scalp, or build-up from using an exorbitant amount of dry shampoo and hairspray day after day, assess what your hair needs and go for it. For best results, wash your hair before applying the mask for smooth, silky locks.
For dry hair:
Ingredients:
• One ripe banana
• 1/2 an avocado
• 1 tbsp coconut Oil
Instructions:
• Mix ingredients in a small bowl.
• Start at the ends and make your way to the scalp.
• Leave on for 15 minutes.
• Rinse thoroughly.
For oily hair or to remove build-up:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions:
- Mix ingredients in a small bowl.
- Start applying the mixture to your scalp and work your way to the ends.
- Leave on for 10 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Follow with a light conditioner on the ends.
- Don’t do this more than once per week, since it can dry out your hair.
What are your favourite DYI beauty recipes?
