A New You.. DIY almost no cost beauty treatments #1...

 

There are so many lovely and luxurious facial and body treatments that you can concoct for next to nothing, to facilitate a New You. You really don't have to spend a lot of money at all.

 

Here are some of my favourites. I learned many of these at my Mothers elbow as a Tween and Teen. She was European and greatly interested in Herbal Remedies at a time when information on those things was a little scarce. She was one clever Mama.

 

Peel Off Mask

 

These are such a gorgeous way of really feeling like you've had a Spa treatment, without going to the Spa. Of course you can buy these as well, but it's so much more fun (and less expensive) to make your own. This is divine in Summer.

 

You'll need:

 

1 sachet of unflavoured gelatin

1/4 cup fresh fruit juice

1/4 cup herbal tea infusion of your choice

 

To make the infusion, steep 2-3 teabags in a flavour that you love (Jasmine Green Tea is my favourite), in 1/4 cup boiling water. Allow to cool.

 

Mix the cooled infusion with your fresh juice. Watermelon, citrus, kiwi fruit, apple, and pear are all good selections. If you do not have a juicer or blender, you can mash things like Watermelon and kiwi fruit, and even soft pears. Strain the pulp through a sieve to obtain the juice, even if you're using a blender or juicer. You want nice liquid juice, not pulp.

 

Add the sachet of gelatin to the combined juice and tea infusion, and stir until it dissolves. Gently heat the mixture on 75% power in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds, until it's clear and thick. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

 

Apply to a clean dry face, with clean fingers or a soft pastry brush (kept for this purpose only), lay back and relax and allow the mask to dry.

 

Once completely dry, lift at the top edges (you may have to use a fingernail to start the edge lifting), and peel gently downwards. Finish with a swipe of Witch Hazel on a cotton ball, or simply a splash of cold water.

 

 

DIY Facial Serum

 

This gorgeous potion probably set me back around $100 for the initial ingredients, but that has made me two years worth of luxurious facial oil....or some for me and some for friends and family. Because any time anyone gets close to me when I've used this, they can't help but inhale and say 'You smell heavenly! Where do I get some of that!'

 

The consistency of this is not oily as such, it's more fluid and silky. It spreads like a dream, massages in swiftly and leaves your skin soft and scented like a warm Spring evening.

 

If you're going to make this one, please make sure you buy real essential oils, not fragrance oils.

 

Store this in a little plastic kitchen container (those little cube shaped ones are ideal), in a cool dark place, and decant into your pretty bottle with an eye dropper for easy use. I use about 1/2 a teaspoon or one eye dropper worth, per application. I use it all over my face, including under the eye, on my neck and my chest and décolletage.

 

My skin looks fresh and plump and I smell lovely, and so will you!

 

Into your small sealable kitchen container or bottle, combine:

 

Four tablespoons each of two cosmetic grade oils... I like Macadamia best, paired with Almond or Apricot Oil

10 drops Vitamin E Oil (available at Pharmacies)

10 drops Neroli Essential Oil

4 drops Jasmine Absolute

 

Decant, using an eye dropper, into a smaller bottle, for daily use if you wish. I keep mine in a little bottle with a glass stopper. It looks just as luxurious as any packaged cosmetic I've owned.

 

I like to use this in the morning after cleansing or washing with home made goats milk soap, allowing the oil to be absorbed for five minutes before applying 100% pure Aloe Vera Gel as a makeup primer.

 

Allow the Aloe Vera Gel to dry completely before applying mineral makeup powder or foundations.

 

Use evenings too, after cleansing or washing with goats milk soap, as a gorgeous night time treat for your skin.

 

This is also absolutely lush as an oil cleanser if you don't have access to goats milk soap. Simply remove a lightly massaged application of oil with a muslin facecloth, and follow up with another lighter application, massaging gently in an upward motion whilst the skin is still warm.

 

Herbal Bath Parcels

 

Into a square of muslin (a Chux cloth will do if you do not have muslin), place the contents of any favourite herbal teabag or two teaspoons of loose herbal tealeaves, plus any other dried aromatics or botanicals you like such as rose petals, rosebuds, dried lavender, chamomile flowers, mint leaves, cinnamon sticks and chopped vanilla pods. Bundle the muslin or cloth up and tie with kitchen string or ribbon. Add to your bath as it's running and enjoy. I do find you need a fairly substantial amount of leaves and botanicals for this to work well, but it's still significantly less expensive than an Aromatics Bath at a Day Spa, which at last check, was $99! Yes! $99 for a bath. Granted you got a fruit smoothie afterwards, and some guaranteed peace and quiet, but that too, can be arranged.

Finally do not underestimate feeding your skin and soul from within. If you feel well, and your body is functioning at optimum levels, then this will be reflected in the way you look. Lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, an occasional treat, and lots of water. In fact, most of us could forgo many expensive beauty treatments, if we just gave up caffeine, alcohol and sugary drinks, and instead, just drank water. I once had to, on medical advice, drink nothing but water for a week, and the difference in the way my skin looked was absolutely astounding! Try it and see!

What's your favourite DIY beauty treatment?

...Mimi...