The whole business of using a face mask can sometimes be time consuming, especially if you’ve even got to make it yourself first! But don’t worry, I’m back with another Lazy Girl’s Guide and five super easy recipes for homemade, natural beauty facials; all of which take less than 5 minutes to prepare.
Face Masks/Packs
Lettuce: This face mask requires some – very low-effort – cooking. Wash around 8 lettuce leaves (enough to cover your face) and cook them in 300ml of milk for about 3 minutes; don’t stir them, they need to be whole. Strain the milk off, and pop the leaves on your face! After about 20 mins, take off the leaves, wipe some of the left-over milk over your face with a cotton pad and pat dry – although the extra milk is optional. Lettuce is great for softening skin, and apparently can help you fall asleep. Plus, you’ll look pretty funny with lettuce leaves stuck on your face!
Tomato: All you need for this one is 1 large, ripe tomato. Slice the tomato into both thin and thick slices, and put them on your face (you’ll be lying down at this point, of course)! The thin slices will help around the lumpy bits, like your nose. Leave the tomato on for about 15 mins, then rinse with warm water and pat your face dry. The acids in tomatoes are brilliant at brightening dull skin and getting rid of blackheads.
Facial Steam
Peppermint and Thyme: The only effort required here is boiling some water! Pop 2 handfuls of fresh mint leaves and 1 teaspoon of fresh thyme leaves into a pan of water, and bring to the boil (you can use dried leaves, but I find fresh works best). When it’s boiling, remove the pan from the heat and pour into a bowl. You can add a couple of drops of peppermint essential oil at this stage, if you want. Hold your head over the bowl, and cover it with a towel to make a sort of tent to trap the steam in. Steaming your face opens your pores and makes you sweat, which helps to remove toxins, dead skin cells and other nasties from your face. Also, mint has great antiseptic qualities!
(Steaming your face before using a face mask may increase it’s effectiveness)
Troubleshooting Your Face
Spots: All you need for this super quick spot treatment is boiling water and an apple. Slice the apple, and then soak a few slices in boiling water until soft. Take it out of the water and wait for it to cool slightly, then apply to the spot for around 20 mins. In my experience, it doesn’t immediately get rid of the spot; but it definitely helps let it know it’s unwelcome, and encourages it on its merry way.
Under-eye Bags: Believe it or not, potato is great at tackling puffiness. Thinly slice a raw potato (but maybe not a whole one) and then place the slices over damp eyes for about 15 mins. Bag-free, and unnatural-chemical-free!
Let me know if you try any of the recipes, I’d love to know what you think!
Panda Eyes xx
*These recipes are adapted from The Ultimate Natural Beauty Book by Josephine Fairly. If you liked them, you can buy the book here – it’s amazing!
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