Frozen Egg & Honey Facial Mask

This homemade facial mask is recommended for dry or sun burned skin. 

Frozen Egg & Honey Facial Mask Ingredients:

1 egg
1/2 cup coconut oil, melted (tepid)
1 tablespoon honey 

Frozen Egg & Honey Facial Mask Method:

1. Beat the egg in a small bowl until frothy and well-mixed. Slowly add the melted coconut oil and honey, beating until your mask is the consistency of mayonnaise.

2. Take an empty toilet tissue roll and set it on end in a clean bowl. Spoon mixture into the cardboard toilet paper roll. Place tube, in the bowl, in the freezer overnight.

3. To use, peel away just the top 1/4 inch of the cardboard roll and smooth the frozen stick over your face (think of it as a push-up pop). Leave your mask on for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse off with warm water.

4. Return the cream stick covered with plastic wrap and frozen between uses.Keeps indefinitely.

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Make your own skin exfoliant and moisturiser

Making your own skin exfoliant and moisturiser is a great way of cutting down the cost of your essentials. I use this recipe wherever I am.

Skin exfoliant and moisturiser ingredients:

Table salt
Olive Oil (original, not virgin)

skin exfoliant and moisturiser

Skin exfoliant and moisturiser method:

In a mug pour add in 4 table spoons of normal table salt. Then pour in olive oil (not virgin) and stir. You want to make sure the oil and salt have bonded so keep adding olive oil until there is no more white salt and you can pick the mixture up without it running through your fingers. When in the shower make sure your skin is damp and the pores have opened due to the warmth of the water. Rub the mixture in circular motions onto your skin firmly but not too hard. 

It's particularly great for those tough areas (elbows, knees and ankles) particularly when you wanting to do a spot of fake tanning. I use this on my face about once a week after a good facial steam. I use two fingers and gently massage the mixture in small circles.  Once rubbed in, wash the mixture off which will dissolve in the shower and your skin will feel silky smooth. I find I don't need to use a moisturiser after this as the olive oil is enough.

The olive oil and salt mixture may sound rather odd but it is something I either take with me on holiday or make wherever I am. If you're making it at home and taking it with you then use a decent plastic container (like a lock n lock) within a sealed sandwich bag to avoid any leakage.

How to remove acne scars

Scars left by acne skin have lost elasticity. Olive oil contains nutrients that help hydration. Mix 3 tablespoons of olive oil with four tablespoons of salt. Apply the mixture on your face and leave it 2 minutes then rinse with warm water. Do this every day for a week then 2 times or 3 times a week for significant results.

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Homemade Cucumber Eye Gel

Puffy eyes are never a good look. Reduce your puffy eyes with this cooling cucumber eye gel, it really does the trick and saves you £££s. Use within a few days, keep refrigerated.

Homemade Cucumber Eye Gel Ingredients:

1/4 large cucumber

1 ounce aloe vera gel 

Homemade Cucumber Eye Gel Method:

1. Puree the cucumber in a blender (Ieave a little pulp), then strain the mixture into a glass bowl until you have at least 2 ounces. Spoon in just a tad of the pulp from the strainer.

2. Add the aloe vera to the cucumber puree in the bowl and mix lightly.

3. Pour into a clean, sterilized container.

4. After cleansing face, stir mixture gently and apply with a cotton ball to under eye area. Avoid the eyeball!

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Chamomile & Oatmeal Facial Scrub

Inflamed facial skin? Want a deep cleanse which is gentle on the skin? Try and make your own Chamomile & Oatmeal Facial Scrub with this recipe.

Benefits of Chamomile & Oatmeal Facial Scrub: calms skin, exfoliates for deep cleansing.For all skin types

Chamomile & Oatmeal Facial Scrub Ingredients:

1/4 cup chamomile tea (brewed and cooled to room temp)
1/4 cup oatmeal (lightly ground)
2 tbsp honey
2 drops of almond oil

Chamomile & Oatmeal Facial Scrub Method:

Combine the ingredients. Rub over face and neck gently but still with enough pressure to exfoliate the skin. For deep cleansing, leave the scrub on to create a mask, or simply wash off with warm water and pat dry. Moisturise if required.

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Homemade Hand & Foot Sugar Scrub

Benefits of Hand & Foot Sugar Scrub: makes unwanted rough skin silky smooth.

Homemade Hand & Foot Sugar Scrub Ingredients:

2 tbsp light olive oil (not extra-virgin) or grapeseed oil
2 tbsp granulated sugar

Homemade Hand & Foot Sugar Scrub Method:

1. Mix all the above ingredients together
2. Rub this emollient mixture into hands and feet, focusing on any hardened, calloused areas.
3. Rinse under warm running water and pat dry. Voila! Fabulously silky-smooth skin.
I find it works better if you soak your hands/feet first.

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Benefits of using a skin toner

There are a number of reasons to use a facial skin toner. I am often complimented on my skin, using a toner is something I don't skimp on. Here are my top 5 benefits for using a facial toner:

1. A deeper cleanse

A toner can help remove any residue left behind by your cleanser, especially if you use a soap based product. If you wear make up they will help remove any leftover make up residue. Many of my girlfriends, when asked, agreed that their skin feels particularly clean and fresh after using a toner. I have a tried a few. It's important to find one that suits your skin type and which gives you that squeaky clean feeling.

2. Reduces the appearance of enlarged pores

This is something that is particular prevalent in my family. The right toner can create a temporary physical improvement in the appearance of your pores. It can encourage your skin to swell out and this makes it look like your pores have shrunk in size.

3. Oil reduction

If you suffer from oily skin and a shiny T-zone, a toner can certainly help to minimize this. A toner, formulated for use on oily skin, acts as an astringent stripping away the excess oil. If you are prone to acne you might like to look for a toner that contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. However, be wary of using a toner with a high alcohol content. Initially it will work well to help control oil production, but over time it can cause the skin to produce more oil to compensate for the drying effect. Witch Hazel and essential oil based toners are typically a better option. I do prefer to make my own green tea skin toner.

4. P.H balancing

There is a wide variety of toners out there. The good news is that this should allow you to achieve the correct P.H balance, no matter what your skin type. A hydrating toner encourages your skin to excrete more oil and a toner aimed at oily skin will encourage the skin to secrete less oil. In this way the correct P.H balance can be reestablished. Hydrating toners also often contain extra ingredients like those aimed at assisting with acne. Why not try making your own skin toner which is certainly a keeper and more natural option.

5. Refreshes the skin

A toner can act as a great pick me up to revive a tired complexion, by somehow releasing tension. Many toners contain energizing essential oils or natural extracts. The act of applying toner also helps encourage blood circulation to the skin on your face, which can bring color back into the face.

Make your own Green Tea Skin Toner

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Homemade Honey Lip Scrub Recipe

Homemade Honey Lip Scrub Recipe

Best for dry and/or flaky lips; great for smoothing those lips

Homemade Honey Lip Scrub Ingredients

1 tsp of olive oil
1 tsp of honey
2 tsp of white granulated sugar
A dash of lemon or lime juice

Instructions

1. Mix the above ingredients together to make a sugary paste. 
2. Use your finger or a toothbrush to gently sweep the mixture back and forth on your lips.

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Homemade Green Tea Skin Toner

Suitable for all skin types
Benefits of Green Tea Skin Toner: decreases puffiness around eyes and tightens pores.

Homemade Green Tea Skin Toner Ingredients: 

4 tsp loose green tea leaf (Tip: Cut open 2 tea bags if you don't have loose leaves)
1 cup boiling mineral water

Homemade Green Tea Skin Toner Method: 

1. Boil the water and steep tea bags for at least 10 minutes to make concentrated tea. 
2. Wait for the tea to cool, then pour it into a small spritzer bottle and refrigerate. 
3. Spray toner directly on clean, just-washed skin and pat it in (or apply it with a clean cotton ball). Follow with moisturizer. 

Top Tip: 

To soothe acne on normal/oily skin types, try adding 1/2 cup of witch hazel and 2 tsp of  fresh lemon juice.

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Homemade Coconut Lavender Shampoo and Conditioner

Coconut and lavender is a beautiful combined summer scent. Hair tends to become more dry over the summer when exposed more to sun. The castile soap used in the
Coconut Lavender Shampoo makes an excellent hair cleanser. The coconut milk and essential oils help to lock the moisture into your hair. They also help to keep you rocks frizz free.

One of the main benefits of making your own beauty products is that you can make them to your preferred scent. Why not experiment with alternative ingredients?. The two ingredients you need to make this shampoo ats, the ingredients can be altered to fit your scent preference, as long as these two stay the same: coconut milk and castile soap. 

Homemade Coconut Lavender Shampoo

Coconut Lavender Shampoo Ingredients:

1/2 cup coconut milk (often found in ethnic food aisle)
2/3 cup castile soap (found in health food stores)
1 tsp vitamin E oil (can use vitamin E, coconut, almond, or olive)
1 tsp coconut oil (found in health food stores)
5 drops lavender essential oil (or try vanilla)

Method:

Use coconut oil in its liquid form. Combine all ingredients in a container with a lid, and shake.

To use:

Shampoo hair as usual. Use 1-2 teaspoons of the homemade coconut lavender shampoo, depending on hair length and thickness. You can keep a batch in your shower for up to one month.

Homemade Coconut Lavender Conditioner

It smells like my summer holidays in France - bliss! You will only need a teeny weeny bit of this conditioner as its super moisturising. Using a little does mean that it will last you a long time. Another bonus is that this makes an awesome moisturising lotion so don't forget to apply some after your shower!

Coconut Lavender Conditioner Ingredients:

1 cup coconut oil (get organic if you can!)

1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
1 teaspoon jojoba oil
5 drops lavender essential oil

Method:

Place all ingredients into a mixing bowl., use a food processor if you have one (8 minutes). Scoop combined ingredients into a clean and dry container.! Coconut oil melts at a medium temperature (a little higher than room temperature) so you may want to store this in the fridge, but you can use this conditioner in liquid form! This may change the type of container you wish to use. This mixture should stay fresh until the coconut oil reaches its expiration date, so keep an eye out for that.

To use:

Apply a teeny weeny amount of conditioner onto wet hair which has been conditioned and thoroughly rinsed. Start at the ends, then move to just behind your ears before working your way down to the ends. Leave in for about 2-5 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly.
What if you used too much? Once your hair is dry, if you find that you had used too much, use some dry shampoo to absorb the excess oil!

Make your own coconut milk:

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