DIY at home beauty treats for new mamas {and everyone else too!}

Hello! Today I’m introducing my first in a series of guest posts by my blogging mates. They’re kindly helping me out while I take a few things off my plate with having the bubba. Nikki from bellaMUMMA is the go-to-girl for anything beauty. Just so you know – you are beautiful just the way you are, but sometimes a treat is super nice. Enjoy. xx

After you have a bub there’s not much time for yourself, let alone time to visit the beauty salon or day spa. Never fear, here’s a selection of easy DIY beauty treatments that you can recreate at home {during nap-time} to make you feel refreshed, revitalized and recharged.

FOR A NO-GLOW COMPLEXION

Get glowing again with this easy at-home facial treatment…
1. Cleanse your face thoroughly before toning with Witchhazel or rosewater (available at chemists) to rebalance the skin.
2. Gently scrub over your face with this gentle hydrating exfoliator: Mix two tablespoons of almond meal with one tablespoon of Manuka honey. Apply to face in small circular motion then remove with warm washers – which you’ve soaked in hot water and lavender oil – to re-freshen the skin.
3. Rinse the washer, lie down and place it over your face for several minutes to awaken skin and cleanse away impurities.
4. Next apply a nourishing mask made up of one small ripe banana, one avocado, half tablespoon of plain yogurt and two drops of vitamin E oil – leave on for 15 minutes before washing off and applying a protective moisturiser.

FOR NEGLECTED BODY SKIN

To rehydrate, flaky skin try this brown sugar body scrub: Mix a cup of brown sugar with a good quality cold pressed oil {eg olive, almond or macadamia} into a paste, then add six drops of sweet orange essential oil. Apply in the shower – while skin is warm – using large circular movements towards the heart. Rinse off to reveal super-soft, heavenly-smelling skin.

FOR OVER-WORKED HANDS AND FEET

Give your hands and feet a little TLC with this at-home manicure/pedicure…

First remove any polish, file nails and apply cuticle remover. Next exfoliate away dead skin with a mixture of lemon juice and rock salt, then rinse with warm water. When drying the hands and feet, use the towel to push back cuticles.
Soak your feet in a bowl of warm water to which you’ve added a few drops of peppermint oil – this has a cooling, stimulating effect – while you massage your hands and cuticles with warm olive oil. Put your hands in plastic bags for five minutes to help the oil penetrate.
Remove your feet from water and rub away any extra-dry skin with a pumice, before rinsing off and drying. Massage in a rich hand cream – to which you can add a few drops of peppermint oil to get your circulation going – before putting on cotton socks. Keep them on for at least 20 minutes for super-soft feet. If you want to apply a polish, wipe over nails with polish remover to remove any -otherwise the polish won’t adhere.

FOR A TIRED BODY

Re-charge your body with this simple in-home hydrotherapy…

Start out your day with a hot steamy shower and just as you are finishing switch the water to cold for about 15 seconds. Repeat the process for two minutes. This hydrotherapy technique will pep up your circulation, boost energy and revitalize your skin.
power-up your shower : Just before taking a shower, sprinkle a few drops of essential oils into the bottom of your shower, close the door, run the hot water and inhale.
♥ For a morning-mood-boost – try a reviving blast of rosemary with a few steadying drops of lavender.
♥ To re-refresh and revitalise – try a few drops each of rose and geranium to gently balance out your energy levels.

FOR SHINE-FREE HAIR

Feed lack-lustre locks this so-easy, shine-making treatment…

Simply beat an egg and apply it to dry hair. {Eggs contain lecithin which moisturises dry hair.} Cover with a plastic shower cap for 15 minutes before shampooing and rinsing off with totally with cold water – this closes the hair shaft and makes the hair extra shiny. You can also stimulate hair growth and promote shine, by adding 15mls of liquid silica {available from health food stores} to your shampoo each time you wash your hair.

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