Fresh and Instant Pineapple and Yoghurt Smoothie Clay Mask (pictured above)
Feel free to raid the fridge – to make a simple, fresh face mask. The thick consistency of Greek yoghurt, which helps both to tighten pores and smooth fine lines, is particularly suited to a mask. Pineapple is excellent as a skin-brightening and exfoliating ingredient owing to the bromelain enzyme found in the fruit. However, it is very powerful and not recommended for sensitive skin.
Makes approx. 100g (3½oz)
INGREDIENTS
5 x 2.5-cm (1-inch) fresh pineapple chunks
2 tbsp Greek yoghurt
2 tbsp aloe vera juice
kaolin (white clay), to required consistency*
* Try substituting kaolin with coconut flour or, for drier skin, oat flour.
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT
knife
chopping board
kitchen blender
spatula
SAFE STORAGE
Make and use fresh. Keeps for up to 3 days when stored in the fridge.
HOW TO APPLY
It will smell deliciously of pineapple, but don’t be tempted to drink the mask! Use immediately. Apply to clean skin, avoiding the eyes, and leave for only a few minutes, removing the mixture as soon as the skin feels tight or sensitised; 3–5 minutes will be enough for most normal to oily skins. Rinse off with plenty of warm water and pat skin dry. Any remaining mixture can be stored in the fridge, but should be used within a few days.
Step 1
Peel and chop the pineapple into 2.5-cm (1-inch) chunks. Don’t worry too much about the precise size of the chunks, but make sure you chop off any tough core.
Step 2
Place the pineapple, Greek yoghurt and aloe vera juice in a blender and blitz until smooth. Using a spatula, transfer the mixture into a small bowl.
Step 3
Add the kaolin to make a smooth, semi-thick consistency, stirring with a stainless steel teaspoon. The mask will be a soft yellow colour and resemble a smoothie.
Linseed Anti-Frizz Styling Gel
Based on nourishing linseeds, this fast-drying styling gel moisturises hair and defines curls without stiffness or crunchiness. Very simple to create and using only a couple of inexpensive store-cupboard ingredients, it’s a recipe that deserves to be tried out by anyone with hard-to-tame wavy or curly hair.
Makes approx. 500ml (17fl oz)
INGREDIENTS
2 tbsp linseeds (flaxseeds)
500ml (17fl oz) spring water
optional: 20 drops grapefruit seed extract (as a preservative) per 100ml (3½fl oz)
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT
thermometer
sieve (sifter)
large jug
SAFE STORAGE
If you do not add a preservative, make and use fresh. Keeps for up to 3 days when stored in the fridge. Otherwise, store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Keeps for up to 3 months.
HOW TO APPLY
After shampooing, apply the gel to damp hair and either leave to dry naturally or blow-dry hair using a diffuser. Tip! You can also dilute the gel to use as a sprayable version, in which case you will need to ensure that you add additional preservative to the larger volume of liquid.
Step 1
Weigh out the linseeds (flaxseeds), and measure the water into a jug. Pour the linseeds and water into a pan, and heat to 70–80°C (158–176°F).
Step 2
Simmer for about 30 minutes. The mixture will thicken and gain an increasingly gel-like consistency the longer you leave it, but this varies depending on the seeds’ freshness.
Step 3
Pour the mixture into a sieve (sifter) and allow the gel to drip into a bowl, leaving behind the linseed husks. You can use a spoon.
Step 4
If you plan to keep the gel for further use, weigh the sieved gel and add preservative (as per the Ingredients list). Pour into a sterilised, airtight jar, and label as usual.
Nail Buffer
We would all love to have beautiful nails. Our hands are always on show, and we want them to look good. A shiny, smooth nail plate with healthy cuticles is the goal, especially if you find manicures hard to maintain or aren’t a fan of nail varnish. This simple recipe can be made in a single jug, yet it’s a real treat for the hands. You will be amazed at how polished and glossy your nails look after a few applications, so make sure you use the buffer regularly. We have suggested using tin oxide as the scrub ingredient; it can be obtained from pottery suppliers, but finely powdered pumice works equally well and can be sourced from online suppliers of cosmetic ingredients.
Makes approx. 50g (1¾oz)
INGREDIENTS
28ml (5½ tsp) sweet almond oil
2g (½ tsp) shea butter
5g (1 tsp) beeswax white BP
15g (½oz) tin oxide or very finely ground pumice
3 drops rosemary essential oil
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT
No special equipment required.
SAFE STORAGE
Store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Keeps for up to 12 months.
Step 1
Weigh all the ingredients except the tin oxide and rosemary oil into a heatproof jug. Place the jug in a pan of simmering water and heat until the beeswax is completely molten.
Step 2
Remove the jug from the heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly, but not so much that it solidifies. Once cooled, add the tin oxide and rosemary oil, and stir thoroughly to mix.
Step 3
Pour the mixture into small sterilised, airtight pots or tins. Label with the date and ingredients used. The recipe should make several small pots – enough for you and some friends.
HOW TO APPLY
Using a cotton wool ball, massage a pea-sized amount of product firmly over the nails and cuticles, working all around the nail edges. Buff off the excess with clean cotton wool and repeat until you achieve the desired shine. Work under the nail and around the cuticle with an orange stick or cotton bud to remove any dirt and stains.
Wash your hands to remove excess buffer
Text and images from Handmade Beauty by Juliette Goggin and Abi Righton (Jacqui Small) $39.99, photography by Amanda Heywood available now in all good bookstores and online.
