When I was younger one of the most defining gifts I can remember receiving was when my mother bought me Kevin Aucoin’s beauty bible, Making Faces. I’m not sure why she did it, especially when taking me to a Clinique counter at the local mall would have been much more effective in improving my makeup skills. However, as I began to turn the pages I was instantly hooked, and thus began my love affair with all things beauty. One of my favorite parts from the book was a DIY recipe for a honey and yogurt mask that I would make at least once a week at home. That was my first real foray into the world of skincare.
Now that I am older, my regime has become more complex and, as much as it pains me to say it, expensive. Sometimes I like to go back to simpler times and make my own treatments at home. What I’ve discovered over the years is that so many of our most coveted beauty aids are easily found in our cupboards. Including:
- Lemons: These guys are power houses when it comes to brightening up the skin. Rich in acidity, they are particularly good at removing dirt and build up without stripping the skin of its natural oil balance.
- Cinnamon: These little sticks aren’t just good for spicing up your cookies. They are packed with antibacterial properties, which makes it good at clearing up acne as well as stimulating blood flow in the skin leading to a fuller looking complexion.
- Coffee: We all know that it is essential for your morning routine but this pantry pick-me-up is also a great wake-up for your skin. The caffeine in coffee is good at reducing puffiness and inflammation. It also is a great exfoliant for dry skin.
- Olive Oil: This smooth beauty player is a one stop wonder. Packed with anti-aging antioxidants and hydrating properties, it can be used for hair, skin, and nails to add moister and shine.
- Honey: This final ingredient is the sweetest of all kitchen staples. Full of antibacterials and antioxidants, it is particularly good at reducing acne, lightning dark circles, moisturizing the skin, and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.
So without further ado. Check out some of my favorites uses for these skincare heavy hitters.
Chocolate Coffee Mask
Ingredients:
1/4 cup ground coffee beans (you can grind your own or buy pre-ground)
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup of whole milk or unsweetened almond milk
1 tbsp of honey
Directions:
In a bowl, mix the finely ground coffee beans, cocoa powder, and honey into a paste. Add in the milk, stir until blended. For a thicker paste, use less milk. Apply to skin and let dry (up to 20 minutes). Wash off and store any extras in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Coffee Sugar Scrub
Ingredients:
1 cup ground coffee
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tbsp fresh ground cinnamon (you can use pre ground cinnamon but fresh is better)
Directions:
Blend all of these ingredients together in a bowl and store in an airtight container. Mason jars work best and look nice if displaying for later use. Massage scrub into clean, damp skin; rinse with warm water and pat dry with towel.
Cinnamon Honey Facial Cleanser
Ingredients:
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Directions:
Blend all of these ingredients together in a bowl until throughly combined. Massage paste gently in circular motions on a damp face. Let sit for about a minute. Then wash off with warm water.
Lemon Honey Egg Mask
Ingredients:
1 lemon, zested
1/2 tsp honey
2 egg whites
Directions:
Place all ingredients in a deep bowl. Whisk until foamy, 1-2 minutes. (I have found it is best to use a electric mixer but you can use a fork). Using your fingers or a small brush, spread foam mixture over your entire face, avoiding the eye area. Try spread it on as thickly as possible without it dripping. Leave the mask on for 20 minutes, or until completely dry and feels tight. Rinse the mask off with warm water, using a washcloth to gently wipe any residue.
Lemon Sugar Scrub
Ingredients:
1 to 2 lemons, zested and juiced
1/2 cup of olive oil
1 cup of sugar
Directions:
First mix the olive oil and sugar together. Once the sugar gets coated by the oil, zest and juice 1 to 2 lemons (depending on size) into the mixture until throughly combined. Seal in an airtight container to store. To use massage into clean, damp skin; rinse with warm water and pat dry with towel.
I hope you enjoyed this post. I adore these recipes and believe you will too. Thank you for continuing on this journey with me and if you have any questions on fashion, beauty, or entertaining troubles that you would like answered leave them down in the comments below.
xx
The Everyday Editor
All photos by: Jessie Ajluni (The Everyday Editor)
theeverydayeditor.com 