If you’re missing a luxury facial or the ability to stock up on your favourite beauty products, it doesn’t mean your skin needs to suffer. We’ve put together some at-home beauty hacks you can easily DIY with products you’ve probably got sitting in the pantry. Pop the kettle on, find your favourite herbal tea and treat yourself to a mini spa day without having to leaving your own home.
As with anything new, test the home-made products on a small patch of skin to ensure it doesn’t cause a reaction, especially if you have sensitive skin or allergies. Dermatologists and skin care specialists recommend using an exfoliating facial scrub only a couple of times per week, and a mask once or twice, so even with all of this extra time on our hands, be careful not to overdo it.
DIY Deep Cleanse and Face Mask
Deep Cleanse Facial – 15 mins
- 1 teaspoon of Argan oil or Olive oil
- 3 drops of lavender essential oil
If you’re used to wearing make-up every day, an upside to working from home is that you probably don’t need to spend time in the bathroom each day blending your foundation. Use the extra time you have to pamper your face with a simple skincare routine.
Using oils to cleanse your skin is effective because the oil breaks down any make-up residue and extracts dirt from your pores.
This one is super easy: combine about a teaspoon of either Argan oil or Olive oil with a few drops of lavender scented essential oil. Argan oil is rich in Vitamin E and helps to boost collagen. Olive oil is also high in Vitamin E, and Vitamin A, both of which have anti-aging benefits.
Massage the cleanser into your skin – close your eyes and give yourself a facial massage. Lavender scents are said to also reduce stress, so take a few deep breaths and relax while it works its magic. Use a warm face washer to remove the cleanser, and if you’re still seeing any leftover make-up residue, repeat.
Once completely cleansed, finish off with your chosen moisturiser to feel hydrated and refreshed. If you want to make a bulk batch for future use, it can be stored in an air-tight jar away from sunlight.
Dark Chocolate Face Mask
Dark Chocolate Face Mask – 30 mins
- 5 squares 70% dark chocolate, melted
- ¼ cup of pure honey
- 2 teaspoons ground oats
- 1 tablespoon plain Greek yoghurt
Level up your routine once a week with a really easy face mask that will help keep your skin hydrated, especially coming into the colder months, and smells like a delicious dessert.
You’ll need: 5 squares of melted dark chocolate (70% cocoa and above), ¼ cup of pure, organic honey, 2 teaspoons of ground oats and a tablespoon of plain Greek yoghurt.
Mix it all together until it forms a smooth paste, then massage into your face. Leave for about 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
Scrumptious Full Body Scrub
Full Body Scrub – 30 mins
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup of coffee grounds (fresh or used)
- ¼ cup coconut oil
If you ever needed a reason to have that second cup of coffee, leftover coffee grounds can be used to give yourself an exfoliating scrub which will leave your entire bod glowing.
Coffee grounds are a great exfoliant because of their vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and caffeine, which helps tighten skin, reduce cellulite and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Make mine a double shot!
Here’s what you’ll need: ½ cup of brown sugar, ½ cup of coffee grounds (fresh or used are fine), and ¼ cup coconut oil.
Combine, then get naked and scrub! Rinse off in the shower (be warned, it could get a bit messy!) and moisturise.
Use a recycled jar to store the leftover mixture, store in a cool place and use twice a week.
Avo Go at This Hair Mask
Avocado Hair Mask – 15 mins
- ½ avocado, mashed
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
Instead of smashing it on your toast, use a ripe avocado to give your hair a birthday. Avo is packed full of nutrients, vitamins and acids that are ideal ingredients to nourish our hair, keep hair follicles hydrated and enhance healthy growth.
The recipe is simple, half a mashed-up avocado, two teaspoons of olive oil and two teaspoons of honey.
Mix together and apply to damp hair for 15-30 minutes, then shower and shampoo as normal. Get a good lather going to make sure there’s no leftover oily residue.
At-Home Treat for the Hands and Feet
Hands and Feet Treat – 15 minutes
Hands
- 2 tablespoon oats
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon milk
Feet
- ¼ cup sea salt
- 3 lime slices
- 6 mint leaves
- bowl of warm water
If you want the works and feel like pampering yourself from head to toe, don’t neglect your hands and feet.
Here’s the recipe for happy hands: Two tablespoons of oats, one tablespoon of honey, ½ cup of water and a tablespoon of milk.
Mix the oats and water on the stove and bring to a boil until the water evaporates.
Mix the oats, milk and honey to form a paste, then scrub your hands, leaving the mixture on for 15 minutes.
While you’re sitting there, reminisce about cocktails with the girls by soaking your feet in a zesty, minty fresh mojito-inspired foot bath.
You’ll need ¼ cup of sea salt, three slices of lime and 6 mint leaves. Soak for 15 minutes, then rinse and moisturise both hands and feet.
Enjoy these simple and easy and with limited prep time for each, your whole body will feel refreshed and revitalised in just two hours – and you’ll smell good enough to eat!
