4 all-natural beauty recipes for gorgeous, glowing skin and hair

It feels as though the freezing winter will never end, but soon spring will be here — hurray!

However, if the thought of exposing your neglected skin to the elements is enough to give you the shivers all over again, fear not.

Here you will find ideas for completely natural top-to-toe products to rejuvenate and renew dry, dull skin and hair.

Best of all, they don’t contain any of the toxic chemicals which can aggravate conditions such as eczema and dermatitis.

Make sure you source only the highest-quality ingredients for your products, and buy organic wherever possible.

If there are any ingredients you haven’t been in contact with before, you should put a little on the skin on the inside of your wrist or leg and leave it for a few hours; if your skin starts itching, burning or going red, wash it off immediately and avoid using it.

However, if you are testing an essential oil, don’t apply it directly to the skin. Dilute a couple of drops in a quarter of a cup of water and brush a little of that on instead.

Banana, Avocado Oil and Honey Conditioner

Hair can be badly affected during the winter months. Low temperatures, dry air and central heating can leave hair feeling dry and coarse. For a major moisture boost, certain fruits can help to revitalise hair and bring back shine.

Ingredients

• 1 avocado, peeled and de-stoned
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 2 bananas, peeled

Equipment

• Glass mixing bowl
• Wooden spoon
• Whisk
• Knife

Method

1. Place the sliced-up avocado in a bowl with the banana, beat together until it is a paste-like consistency, then add the honey and stir until mixed thoroughly.
2. Apply to freshly shampooed hair, and wrap your hair in a warm, damp towel to obtain the best possible results.
3. Rinse off after 10 to 20 minutes to see softness, shine and manageability restored to your hair.
4. Depending on your hair’s condition, you can either use this once every couple of weeks, or after every shampoo if your hair is very dry and prone to splitting.

Cocoa Butter, Banana and Sugar Facial Scrub

Cold weather and central heating are the bane of your skin and can leave it dull and flaky, especially your face, as it is always exposed.

Treat yourself to this skin-brightening facial scrub to remove dead, dry skin cells and leave skin smooth and glowing.

Ingredients

• Half cup of cocoa butter
• 1 medium banana
• 5 tablespoons of brown sugar

Equipment

• Glass mixing bowl
• Wooden Spoon
• Measuring cup
• Whisk

Method

1. Beat together the banana and cocoa butter until a smooth paste-like consistency is formed.
2. Add the sugar slowly, mixing it in until it is evenly distributed throughout.
3. Massage gently onto the face, concentrating on problem areas, such as the nose and forehead.
4. Rinse with warm water and pat face dry with a soft towel.
5. For an extra moisture boost, this can also be used as a facial mask.
6. Simply massage onto your face and leave on for 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with warm water.

Milk and Manuka Honey Hand Soak

Hands are the hardest working part of your body and the area most often neglect.

Show your hands you love them and enjoy this luxurious milk and manuka honey hand soak.

The fat in the whole milk, along with vitamins A and E, restore the moisture to your skin, and the manuka honey is known for its healing and antibacterial properties.

*Ingredients**

• 3 to 4 cups of whole milk (or enough to completely cover your hands when in a bowl)
• 4 tablespoons of pure manuka honey

Equipment

• Measuring cup
• Tablespoon
• Bowl (large enough to submerge your hands in)
• Microwave or pan to heat milk

Method

1. Heat the milk gently in a pan, stirring continuously, or heat for a minute in the microwave.
2. When warm (test on the inside of your arm to make sure it’s not too hot, as it will just dry your skin even more), add the manuka honey and stir gently until thoroughly mixed.
3. Place in a bowl and submerge your hands in it.
4. Soak for approximately 15 minutes, rinse with warm water and pat dry with a soft towel to reveal baby-smooth skin.

So Silky Vanilla and Shea Butter Body Moisturiser

This aromatic moisturizer combines different oils and butters with the calming and restorative scent of vanilla, and leaves your skin feeling amazingly soft.

It’s quick and easy to make, and you can place it in the fridge for 10 minutes before use on a hot day to give your skin an extra cooling treat!

Shea butter and beeswax can usually be found in your local organic food store.

Don’t forget, the beeswax you buy must be safe for applying to the skin; check the label first to make sure it says it is “safe for cosmetic use.”

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• Grapeseed oil, ¼ cup
• Shea Butter – 2 teaspoons
• Coconut oil – 2 teaspoons
• Beeswax – 1oz (finely grated)

Equipment

• Glass mixing bowl
• Measuring cup
• Scales
• Pan of hot water
• Mixing spoon
• Mason jar (for storage)

Method

1. Place the grapeseed oil, shea butter and grated beeswax into the glass mixing bowl and place over a pan of hot water.
2. Melt the ingredients together over a medium heat, stirring continuously.
3. Remove the bowl from the saucepan and stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
5. When it is cool, decant into a container — mason jars are easy to find and work perfectly.
6. If you want your lotion to have a creamier texture, use a hand beater on it for a few minutes.
7. The mixture may get runny in warm weather; if this happens, simply refrigerate for 10 minutes before use.

It will have the added bonus of feeling luxuriously cool on your skin.

You can either make these tempting recipes in small batches for use on a weekly basis, (apart from the milk and manuka honey hand soak, which is best made fresh every time), or you can use a few drops of an all-natural preservative in your finished products, such as castor or wheat germ oils.

Homemade beauty products also make amazing, inexpensive gifts — you can even make your own small, personalised boxes to put them in.

Just remember, if you intend to give them as gifts, to include the date that you made the product, and a list of ingredients on a pretty printed card or label, in case the recipient has any allergies.

To get started shopping for your supplies, start with some of our participating stores including:

1. Priceline: with up to 7.7% cashback here

2. Coles: If you’re looking to try Coles’ online shopping services for the first time (which might be handy if one of your recipes doesn’t quite work out!), you’ll receive $10 off with this coupon. Valid until 30 August 2015.

3. Bulk Whole Foods: where you’ll receive 8% cashback and right now you can enjoy they have loads of products on sale until 3rd August 2015. Check it out here.

Don’t be afraid to experiment! The best thing about making your own beauty products is that the possibilities are endless!

Now, just in case all your homemade attempts fail, here are a few offers you may like to keep up your sleeve:

1. Aveda’s large range of products are made with essential oils and if you shop with us right here, you can redeem yourself with 8.8% cashback.

2. Alternatively, you may like to trial some of the products from Paula’s Choice where right now you’ll receive 10% off, free delivery PLUS up to 5.6% cashback.

3. Enjoy 6% cashback when you purchase from Alive Skin and Hair via our website here. With a wide range of natural products on offer, your skin and hair will thank you.

With so many alternatives available, you’ll be sure to be glowing, well before spring arrives.