DIY beauty
Turn your bathroom into a spa with these four easy-to-make treatments
SUMMER HAIR REVIVER
Prep time 5 minutes, makes enough for 1 soak
Salt, sun and chlorine can all take their toll on your locks. Apply this mask fortnightly over summer to add back shine and softness.
Part One: Process ½ avocado and 1 small banana until smooth. Add 1 teaspoon rice bran syrup and 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; process until combined. Spoon into a small bowl. Spread mask over hair. Pile hair on top of your head and wrap your hair in shower cap. Leave for 15 minutes for mixture to soak in. Rinse well.
Part Two: Fill a jug with 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar and warm water; pour through hair to remove any excess mask.
RECOVERY BATH SALT
Prep time 5 minutes, makes enough for 1 bath
Combine 2 cups Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) and 2 tablespoons bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) in a bowl. Add 4 drops of rosemary or lavender essential oil. You can also use fresh sprigs of rosemary or lavender. To use, fill a bath tub with warm-hot water. Add Epsom salt mix; stir with your hands to dissolve crystals. Soak in the bath for 15 minutes. To increase the benefits of soak, use a body brush to open up the skin’s pores. Avoid swallowing water as the high magnesium content has a laxative effect. Not suitable for children or pregnant women.
BROWN SUGAR SCRUB
Prep time 10 minutes, makes 1 cup
Place a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of boiling water; take off the heat. Add 2 tablespoons coconut oil, 2 tablespoons rice bran oil and 1 tablespoon rice malt syrup; stir until ingredients are combined. Remove bowl from pan; stand until cool to the touch. Stir in ½ cup each brown sugar and white (granulated) sugar. You can stop there, or to fortify the scrub, add 1 vitamin E oil capsule, 1 teaspoon jojoba oil and 5 drops lavender essential oil (or other favourite essential oil). Spoon into a jar. To use, remove desired amount of scrub from jar with a spoon before stepping into the shower. Massage scrub onto wet skin in a circular motion. Rinse off.
PEPPERMINT FOOT SOAK
Prep time 5 minutes, makes enough for 1 soak
Place ½ cup epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) and 4 drops of peppermint essential oil in a large bowl of warm water. Soak your feet in the water for 20 minutes. You can use a pumice stone to work away any dead skin. Dry your feet well then moisturise with a rich moisturiser. Not suitable for pregnant women. Tip: Pumice stones are made from a light-weight hardened lava foam. They are available from chemists.