Beautify Yourself at Home

HANNAH TRAN FINDS HOMEMADE BEAUTY TREATMENTS THAT ACTUALLY WORK

January is the time of festive comedown and enforced sobriety. If you are reluctantly emerging out of the chocolate and mulled wine-induced fog of Christmas, terrible New Year’s Eve memories and a mysteriously depleted bank balance, here are some homemade beauty treatments to soothe the soul and wallet.

Face Masks: Relaxing and nourishing, there are a huge number of different face masks you can whip up at home to fit with your skin type.
For dry skin, make a serving of porridge with oatmeal – water is fine, but milk is more moisturising. Mix in a teaspoon or so of honey, add water if it’s too thick, then apply to the face and leave for 10 minutes. Rinse with cool water.
For skin that’s become red and sensitive over winter, add half a teaspoon each of cinnamon and nutmeg to around a quarter cup of honey. Wait for 15 minutes and then wash off with warm water.
For oily skin, mash up a banana and add a couple of teaspoons of honey. After 10 to 15 minutes, wash off.

Sugar scrubs: These are great for exfoliating and super easy to make.
Just mix olive or coconut oil with brown sugar until you’ve reached a nice consistency, and add some essential oils if you feel fancy. Just massage it on while you’re in the shower, rinse off, and feel acomplished.

Hair treatments: Give your hair a treat! Washing hair in beer, beaten eggs, or apple cider vinegar are all ways to give your hair extra body and shine – just be careful to rinse thoroughly and wash with cold water so you don’t cook the eggs!

Facial oils: Just a drop or two of oils like jojoba, coconut or argan massaged into the skin before normal moisturiser is great for dry skin that’s been battered by storms and central heating. They’re available in health stores, and a lot cheaper than getting a luxury serum from the beauty aisle.