After testing some of the fabulous recipes on pg.37 of
COSMOPOLITAN's March issue, we've found five more of the most delicious DIY spa treatments for you to test. Just try and avoid eating the ingredients before you begin applying them.
FACE
Banana and Honey Mask
• 1/2 mashed banana
• 1/4 cup oatmeal, cooked with milk
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tablespoon honey
How: Okay, so covering your face with egg does not sound pleasant, but this mask will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth. After you've mixed the ingredients together, apply to your face using slow, circular motions. Paint your nails or water your indoor plants while you let the mask do its job for 15 minutes. Once the time is up, rinse off with lukewarm water.
Why: This mask is suitable for all skin types, says Sue Dolan from the
Skin Resource Centre. Oatmeal cleanses and heals the skin and is packed with nourishing vitamins and minerals, she says. Bananas are high in vitamin A, eggs contain the softening properties of lecithin and honey helps to protect the skin's natural acid layer, explains Dolan.
Strawberry and Buttermilk Facial
• 5 strawberries
• 3 teaspoons honey
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
How: Unlike covering your face with egg, strawberries seem like a much more appealing option. After you've finished pureeing them, add the honey and buttermilk to your mixture. Blend the ingredients together and after applying, leave on your face for 20-30 minutes, according
Craftbits.com. Sounds delicious…
Why: Strawberries help prevent oily skin and leave your face glowing and feeling fresh.
HAIR
Avocado Hair Mask
• 1 small ripe avocado
• 1 tablespoon yoghurt
• 1/2 tablespoon honey
How: Mash the avocado and mix with the honey and yoghurt into a creamy paste. Separate your hair into sections to ensure you cover your entire head, advises Priya Chauhan from
The Green Diva. 'Leave it on for 30 minutes – preferably with an old shower cap on to maximise penetration by keeping heat in.' After you've carefully rinsed your hair, shampoo and condition as you normally would.
Why: The healthy fats found in avocados can revitalise your hair if it's lacking its natural, glossy shine. And when we say shine, we don't mean grease. Avocado is easy to wash out, says Chauhan. And don't worry about smelling like the green fruit because it doesn't leave an after-scent.
BODY
Pumpkin Body Butter
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree, preferably organic
• 1/2 cup solids from a can of coconut milk
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
How: Blend the ingredients together and, using gentle, circular motions, apply the mixture to your entire body. Make sure you've showered beforehand, as the skin needs to be clean before you begin the process, says
Cait Johnson, author of
Witch In The Kitchen: Magical Cooking For All Seasons (Inner Traditions Bear & Company). After 10 minutes, rinse your body off with warm water.
Why: This simple skin recipe may sound odd (pumpkins?), but according to Johnson, 'Pumpkin puree has enzymes and antioxidants that offer results similar to gentle alpha-hydroxy action: It removes dead dull cells, while its beta-carotene-rich antioxidants nourish your skin.' As for the coconuts and cinnamon? 'Coconut solids are a lovely, natural moisturiser, and ground cinnamon is stimulating and antibacterial,' says Johnson.
Mango Scrub
• 1 mango
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 tablespoons full-cream milk
How: Mix ingredients together until you're left with a smooth, creamy batter. Rub the body butter over your entire body. Wash yourself off with warm water at first, before moving on to a lukewarm rinse-off.
Why: According to Danielle Sims of
SelfGrowth.com, a mango scrub will leave your skin feeling soft and super smooth.