Your cosmetic cookbook

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Your cosmetic cookbook

Searching for healthy, soft hair and delectably smooth skin? On a budget? Look no further than the fridge…

It might never earn you a Michelin star, but cooking up your own beauty recipes has its own glowing rewards. Mixing products from the pantry gives you complete control over the ingredients in your skincare routine and, while gentle on the purse strings, can feel deliciously indulgent.

A baker’s dozen simple recipes

Homemade haircare

Moisturising olive oil hair mask

for dry/damaged hair
Ingredients  
6 tablespoons olive oil
2 medium eggs
Method   
Combine eggs in bowl, adding olive oil when smooth.
To use  
Apply mixture throughout your hair and cover with a shower cap. Relax for 15 minutes and then rinse hair well in warm water.

Clarifying vinegar rinse

for dull, lank hair
Ingredients  
1 cup vinegar
1 heaped teaspoon dried rosemary
Method
Add the rosemary to the vinegar and allow to stand for a few minutes while you shampoo as usual.
To use
After washing, wring excess water from your hair and pour the vinegar solution through slowly, ensuring you cover all areas. Then rinse and apply your favourite conditioner.
Tip: This treatment should be used fortnightly at most.

The bouncy, glossy beer brew

for all hair types
Ingredients
1 can/ bottle of beer
Method
Pour beer into a cup or jug and allow to go flat at room temperature.
To use
After shampooing as usual, wring excess water from hair and rinse with the flat beer. If your hair is long, try rinsing over a bowl and soaking hair for a few minutes. Rinse hair thoroughly with warm (not hot) water and if your hair is particularly dry, follow with your regular conditioner.

BYO beach waves

for all hair types
Ingredients
1 cup boiling water   
1 tablespoon sea salt
Method
Add salt to boiling water and stir until dissolved. Allow to cool and store in a spray bottle.
To use
Spritz and scrunch into wet or dry hair for that textured, sexy straight-from-the-sea look.

Skin food

Customised honey masks

for all skin types
Ingredients 
1-2 tablespoons manuka honey (all skin types)
1 small peeled and cored green apple (for oily skin)
2 tablespoons soft avocado (dry skin)
1 egg yolk (dry skin)
Method      
Normal skin: Job done!
Oily skin: Grate the apple and add just enough honey to bind it into a thick, sticky paste.
Dry skin: Mash the avocado and add the honey before stirring in the egg yolk to bind the mask: Mix until fairly smooth.
To use
Apply your customised face mask in an upward motion. Simply let it set for 15 minutes, then rinse and wipe with a warm, wet flannel.
Tip: When wearing the pure honey mask, try ‘snapping’ the honey by pressing your fingers into your face and pulling them away in swift movements. Repeat all over your face for a circulation boost.

Yoghurt exfoliant

for all skin types
Ingredients
¼ cup plain natural yoghurt
¼ cup of finely ground walnuts
Method
Bind yoghurt and nuts in a bowl, mixing until just combined.
To use
Moisten your face with tepid water and gently work the mixture across your entire face and down your neck. The yoghurt will help dissolve dead skin cells while the ground walnut mechanically buffs away surface debris.

Gentle milk scrub

for normal, dry or mature skin
Ingredients
1 teaspoon powdered whole milk
1 teaspoon honey
Method  
Gently blend both ingredients in a bowl until smooth and sticky.
To use
Dampen your face with warm water before buffing on the mixture with circular movements. Rinse with warm water, removing any excess with a damp cloth.

Oily skin polish

for young, spot-prone skin
Ingredients  
1 teaspoon powdered skim milk
1 teaspoon honey
2 drops lemon juice
Method
Combine the milk powder and honey until smooth. Then stir through the lemon juice.
To use
Apply the scrub to a wet face and massage gently in small circles. Rinse with warm water, removing any excess with a damp cloth.

Fresh peach mask

for normal skin
Ingredients  
1 large peach
1 teaspoon honey
1 tablespoon oatmeal
Method    
Peel skin from peach and remove the stone. Warm and soften the peach in the microwave and then mash the flesh with a fork. Add the honey and oatmeal bit by bit until the mixture reaches a thick consistency.
To use  
Ensure the mask has cooled before spreading it over skin, avoiding the eye area. Let it sit for 10 minutes and then rinse well with cool water.

Body treats

Smoothing citrus sugar scrub

Ingredients  
½ cup honey
¼ cup orange juice
2 tablespoons lemon juice
4 cups sugar (mix of raw and white)
½ cup olive oil
Optional:
1 tablespoon aloe (to soothe)
1 cup oatmeal (for dry skin)
1 tablespoon of scented body oil (for fragrance)
Method         
Mix as you add each ingredient to a large cooking bowl. Combine until thick but even enough to be scooped with your hand or spoon.
To use
Apply to dry skin before you bathe, buffing all over the body (avoid your neck and face) in a circular massage movement.

Soothing cucumber body lotion

Ingredients   
1 cucumber
2 tablespoons glycerin
¼ cup of tepid chamomile tea
Method         
Peel, seed and chop the cucumber before blitzing it in a food processor until quite liquid. Add the tea to the cucumber and then stir in the glycerin. Allow to cool before bottling and refrigerating.
To use
Apply to slightly moist skin after a shower or bath.

Invigorating body oil

Ingredients   
½ cup olive oil
Small handful of fresh chopped mint leaves
Method         
Mix the mint through the olive oil and bottle in glass (dark/amber preferably). Refrigerate.
To use
Rub into legs, arms and dry areas on feet. If too chilly to apply immediately, warm a little on your windowsill first.

Anti-cellulite caffeine wrap

Ingredients  
1/4 cup used coffee grounds
Approximately 1 tablespoon olive oil
Method
Put the used coffee grounds (they work better if warm) into a mixing bowl and stir through the olive oil. The mix should be somewhat sticky but don’t worry if it’s crumbly.

To use
Stand in the shower recess or on sheets of newspaper (this part can get messy). Apply the mixture to bumpy bits with your hands. Wrap the covered areas with plastic film. After several minutes, remove the plastic and rinse coffee mixture away with warm water.

– Tracey Withers

Trade other DIY beauty ideas and recipes with Bh members in the forum 

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