The recipe for natural beauty
WE ALL know beauty comes from within and it’s worth remembering healthy foods such as fruit and vegetables can also work wonders applied to your skin.
Victoria Beckham says she keeps her complexion youthful with a homemade avocado and apricot mask.
Gwyneth Paltrow also turns to the kitchen cupboard when she wants to pamper her skin, claiming a mixture of honey and olive oil is the secret to her radiance. We are great believers in DIY beauty so here are some of our favourite skin recipes.
FACE FRESHENER
Blend an avocado with fresh apricots then spread the mixture over your skin, avoiding the eye area. This is Victoria Beckham’s tried and tested remedy. She leaves the mixture on overnight and rinses off the next morning but as that can be a bit messy we suggest you leave it on for at least 30 minutes.
The natural fruit acids gently exfoliate dead skin cells and apricots are high in vitamins A and C which will help tighten skin. Avocado contains vitamin E and antioxidants which can improve tone and texture.
We are great believers in DIY beauty so here are some of our favourite skin recipes
SKIN SOOTHER
Apply a couple of tablespoons of honey to your face and leave on for five to 10 minutes before rinsing off. It will moisturise, soothe and help kill blemish‑causing bacteria.
HAIR STRENGTHENER
Mix together one egg yolk and a couple of tablespoons of olive oil.
Apply to damp hair and leave for 30 minutes before washing off. The protein in the yolk will toughen up tresses while the oil will act as a conditioning agent.
WRINKLE SHRINKER
This eye mask works wonders, highlighting the skin under the eyes, especially, before a night out. Crack one egg and divide the white from the yolk. Using cotton wool apply the white to your wrinkles and leave for 15 minutes.
You’ll feel your skin tightening as the egg white hardens. Using lukewarm water gently wash the area, pat dry. You’ll feel camera‑ready for any special night out.
BODY BUFFER
Mix half a cup of sea salt or brown sugar with two or three tablespoons of olive oil to make an inexpensive and very effective body scrub.
MOUTH CLEANER
To whiten and clean teeth, brush with a mashed-up strawberry. They contain natural astringent properties.
Chewing ginger also helps beat bad breath.
FACIAL SCRUB
To refine skin and clear pores mix a little baking soda with your cleanser for a mild exfoliant.
HERBAL HAIR TONIC
To tackle dandruff pour four cups of boiling water over some chopped parsley. Cover and let stand for 30 minutes. Strain and use the liquid as a final rinse after shampooing. Use the same method with rosemary to darken hair or camomile to lighten hair.
HEAVENLY HANDS
To soothe dry cracked hands mix some ground almonds with a teaspoon of clear honey, two teaspoons of sunflower oil and one teaspoon of lemon juice.
Rub the paste over hands for three or four minutes then rinse.
SUPER MOISTURISING FACE MASK
Mash half a papaya (minus seeds), add a beaten egg and mix in mashed pumpkin. Cover your face with the paste, avoiding eyes, and leave for 10 minutes then rinse. Papaya and pumpkin contain enzymes to help smooth and soften skin.