Grow your own facial

In need of a quick beauty-boost without breaking the bank? We show you how you can give yourself a 100% natural, 100% effective DIY facial after a speedy whiz ‘round the supermarket!

By Beauty Editor Jessica Hopper

The current credit crunch means that penny pinching may have become something of the norm of late and the tightening of those purse strings could extend to our pampering pleasures too. Although a trip to the local spa is a luxury we as beauty junkies couldn't be without, it's also not always possible.

 
But don't fret, because you can still grab yourself a deeply relaxing and indulgent beauty boost using the contents of your supermarket shopping basket, the fruit and veggie patch in your garden and your own two hands. Intrigued? Read on for our expert tips and tricks on growing your own facial...

 

First things first, be sure to get yourself in the mood for a little in-house pampering session. At the spa - you're already in the perfect environment to relax, but at home you might need a little help. "Firstly, prepare your bathroom as if it were a spa," recommends Amanda Lacey, top London facialist. "Light a candle and get prepared, laying out everything you'll need for the facial. You should be doing this in the evening when you are warm and cosy and able to properly relax."

 

Ready? Then get mixing!

 

For dry skin

You'll need:

1 tsp of olive oil

2 tsp honey

1 tsp natural yoghurt

½ cup of oats

 

Why?

Not just yummy - the natural hydrating and antioxidant properties of honey seal moisture into the skin, whilst rejuvenating and cleansing the complexion. Oats are an excellent emollient and exfoliant, whilst natural yoghurt has mild cleansing properties and helps to soften skin. The olive oil should help banish any dullness and give your complexion that gorgeous post-facial glow.

 

How?

Mix and mash all the ingredients together in a small bowl and pop in the fridge to re-cool if need be. Smooth over skin and leave for 15 minutes, then rinse off with a warm wash cloth and pat dry.

 

If you're looking for a simple beauty booster that takes a mere 30 seconds to mix, simply follow skincare and facialist guru Amanda Lacey's at-home remedy...This will make enough for around two or three facial treatments and will last up to two weeks in the fridge.

 

For oily skin

You'll need:

3 strawberries

1 cup of mashed papaya

1 tsp honey

2 slices of cucumber

 

Why?

A fruity beauty treat stacked with vitamins. Super-fruit strawberries contain calicylic acids that are mildly exfoliating and help clean pores. They're also packed with vitamin C and fight free-radical damage. Papaya contains enzymes that are also great for mild exfoliation and improving the texture of your skin, and has oh-so skin-friendly softening and healing properties, while anti-inflammatory cucumber is infamous for its peepers-perfecting qualities, including redness and puffiness reduction.

 

How?

Pop all the ingredients (except the cucumber) in a blender or for a real DIY kick mash together in a small bowl by hand. Spread across the face using your fingers then kick back and add the slices of cucumber to each eye. Blissful. After 30 minutes, rinse with a warm wash cloth.

 

For a quick-fix

You'll need:

1 tbsp natural yoghurt

1 lemon

 

Why?

If you're looking for a simple beauty booster that takes a mere 30 seconds to mix, simply follow skincare and facialist guru Amanda Lacey's at-home remedy. "Use live yogurt from the fridge and imbue it with lemon juice. The yogurt acts as a probiotic and has lactic acid which acts as an exfoliant."

 

How?

"To apply, paint onto the skin," says Amanda, then after 10 minutes, wash off softly with warm water, then, "Squeeze out a hot face cloth and press into face all over. After, with the flat of your palm, press the skin all over to seal the moisture into the skin."

 

DIY facial massage

The ultimate in anti-ageing beauty - and oh-so simple - We're sold! Like exercise for the face - facial massage can firm, smooth and sculpt, while increasing circulation to the skin and therefore creating a healthy, flushed glow and instant radiance. Facialist du jour Vaishaly Patel swears by this technique, and has kindly shared her secrets to the daily DIY facial massage.

 

1 "Begin by using alternate hands to sweep up the neck," explains Vaishaly. "This should always be in an upwards direction - briskly, but gently. Do this two or three times."

 

2 "Using the pads of your fingertips, massage the face with firm, circular movements (this boosts the circulation and lymphatic drainage, while helping to disperse any congestion under the surface of the skin). Start from the chin and jaw line and work upwards."

 

3 "When you reach the eye area, firmly "sweep" your fingers along the brow-bone in one, continuous stroke, moving outwards and then underneath the eye, towards the nose. This won't stretch the skin, as the product will provide the perfect lubrication. Repeat two or three times. As well as being relaxing, this technique will help to drain any fluid build-up, boosting blood flow and feeding oxygen to the eye area."

 

4 "Finish by massaging the forehead, working from the middle of the forehead outwards, towards the temples."

 

So there you have it, the purse-friendly way to get a little beauty boosting in the comfort of your own home. Now go make some ‘me-time', pronto.

 

 

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