Cosette's Beauty Pantry

Hello everyone! Now that all the presents have been opened, the delicious food devoured, and the decorations are starting to come down, you probably think you need a detox. What better way to kick off the new year than by taking care of your skin with a  DIY detox mask ?  Let's make one thing clear: strictly speaking, the holidays and comfort food are not toxic! You do not need to "detox" from them! However, a  detoxifying face mask  is always a good idea! To make this DIY mask, you will need only four simple ingredients! Ingredients: 1 tbsp crushed ripe blueberries. 1 tbsp lemon juice. 1 tbsp cucumber juice.  2 tbsp baking soda. Blueberries  contain antioxidants that protect your body from free radicals. Lemon juice  contains citrus enzymes that brighten the skin. Cucumber juice  has a cooling, soothing, de-puffing and refreshing effect. Baking soda  helps dislodge blackheads; its granules will give you extra exfoliation.  Method:  Combine all ingredients together in a b

Hello everyone! Since today marks the official first day of autumn (fall), I have a special treat for all you DIY beauty lovers . I want to share two new DIY beauty recipes; one for your skin and another for your hair.  All the time spent soaking up rays has undoubtedly affected your skin and hair.  With the help of a few ingredients already in your kitchen, these DIY masks will give you a much-needed boost. Keep scrolling for two (2) DIYs, guaranteed to nurture skin and hair.  Nourishing hair mask I have already posted a  DIY banana hair mask  and a  DIY avocado hair mask  on this blog. I also published a  vegan alternative ! Since post-summer, and post-sun exposure, hair can be especially dry, combining the two for  extra nourishment  is ideal! Ingredients: 1/2 ripe avocado 1 ripe banana (1/2 for short hair) 2 tablespoons  pure coconut/almond/olive oil   (whichever you prefer) Method: Peel the avocado and the banana.      Blend or mix together until it turns creamy. Add the coconu

Hello everyone! A vegan diet contributes towards a youthful appearance and lifestyle and healthy skin are definitely  linked.  However, that doesn't mean that vegans don't need to use anti-ageing products.  Today I want to share the recipe for my favourite anti-ageing vegan mask with you. If you are looking for a really effective mask that delivers immediate results, look no further! Ingredients : 1 tsp organic quinoa flour 1 bag of white tea 1 tbsp mashed banana Quinoa  contains vitamin A, which smooths out the skin and fade dark spots.   It also contains lysine, a key building block in the synthesis of elastin and collagen . White tea  is packed with antioxidants that will help your skin fight the aging factors.   The mashed banana will moisturize and hydrate your tired skin, and the B vitamins will protect it against free radicals.  Additionally, bananas also contain vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, and zinc – all these are amazing for age

Hello everyone! When you think cranberries , you probably think of cranberry sauce side dishes.   But, what you should be thinking about is skincare!   Rich in antioxidants  and vitamin C , cranberries are considered a  superfood .  Cranberries are also great when applied topically to help ward off wrinkles , reduce redness and prevent signs of skin damage . To bring the benefits of cranberries to your skin, whip up this easy anti-ageing facial mask.  Here's the recipe... Ingredients: 5 cranberries 1 tsp raw honey 3 drops apple cider vinegar a dash of freshly ground cinnamon 4 drops of  Aloe juice Method: Blend the cranberries to a pulp.  Mix in all other ingredients thoroughly.  Apply to face and leave on for 15 minutes.  Rinse thoroughly.  I hope you are enjoying the autumn-inspired DIY beauty recipes I've been posting. 

Hello everyone! Today I want to share another  autumn-inspired DIY beauty recipe  with you - a honey and fruit face mask.   This face mask nourishes and revitalises dry and tired skin.  It brightens the complexion and I highly recommend it as an anti-ageing  treatment.  Here's the recipe! Ingredients: 2 tbsp honey - Honey is a natural humectant and anti-inflammatory.  1/2 skinned pear - Pear is rich in vitamin C and vitamin K; well known anti- ageing  vitamins. 1/2 skinned apple - Apple smooths the skin and refines the pores.  Method: Chop the pear and apple pieces in a food processor.  Add honey and refrigerate for 10 minutes.  Apply on cleansed face and neck for 20-30 minutes. Rinse with warm water. This mask is gentle but very effective.  You can see results immediately after you wash it off.  If you want to try out more  beauty recipes , click  here ! Similar posts: DIY: Pumpkin cinnamon body scrub DIY: Pumpkin facial mask DIY: Honey

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial. Hello everyone! I was offered a chance to try the   Jenny Lee Organic Nourishing Green Clay Face Mask   recently, and I was excited to try it out. Jenny Lee salon is a small friendly family run salon based in the heart of Nottinghill  with its own line of beauty products.   All Jenny Lee  clay  masks  are made with organic products  were possible  and  are fresh and  invigorating.  Their range of masks  stimulates,  hydrates, nourishes  and may help the skin to restore its suppleness. Product description: Jenny Lee Organic Nourishing Green Clay Face Mask (sample) A light, soft setting mask to energies dull tired complexions so to reveal a radiant and youthful glow. sample packaging Price:  £9 from the  official website   (50ml) Directions for use: Apply  a thin layer of mask on a clean face and leave on for 10 to 15 minutes.  Then, wash off  completely . This mask can be applied

Hello everyone! Here’s another kitchen “pantry” recipe , your very own home made enzyme peel mask.   There are plenty of different recipes, but this one is my personal favourites .     Why is exfoliation so important?  Dead skin cells, besides leaving behind a dull complexion, can clog your pores, causing breakouts and blackheads . Fruit enzymes are the gentlest type of chemical exfoliation.  Enzyme exfoliation removes dead skin cells by biological action rather than physical abrasion. Unlike scrubs, this peel mask is safe to use on fragile capillaries and sensitive skin . Ingredients (preferably certified organic) : 3 tablespoons of ripe papaya 1 teaspoon of honey 1 teaspoon lime juice Why is a papaya-honey-lime mask a fantastic choice?  Papaya is naturally high in healing enzymes, which means that it literally “eats” dead skin cells.  Lime is known for its skin brightening properties, the citric acid will aid the papaya in the removal of dead cells, whi

Hello everyone! When it comes to healthy skin, you should try to stay away from chemicals and artificial colours , which unfortunately are found in most cosmetics. Spinach is packed with antioxidants,   vitamin C , vitamin E , beta-carotene , manganese , zinc and selenium . The vitamins and antioxidants in the spinach mask will strengthen your skin.  Spinach provides oxygen to the blood cells; this will improve your circulation, giving your skin a nice healthy glow . This spinach mask is gentle enough to be used on sensitive skin. Ingredients: 4-5 spinach leaves 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon e xtra virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon almond oil (optional)  Almond oil is rich in vitamins A, B, and E and can help reduce   dark eye circles . Method: Wash the spinach leaves carefully; let them dry before putting them in the blender. Put all the spinach in the blender and blend until the consistency is mostly smoothed. Add a tablespoon of olive oil into the

Hello everyone! Those who follow me on Twitter or Like the blog’s Facebook page already know that today’s post is another DIY beauty recipe! Do you know how to make a carrot facial mask ?  Carrots are rich in vitamin A and anti-oxidants . Consuming carrots daily will promote healthy hair, bones, fingernails, and vision.  This mask can help prevent wrinkles, balance out oily skin and treat acne. Ingredients: 1 large carrot ½   tbsp. honey ½   tbsp. olive oil Method: Peel one large carrot and steam until tender.   Do not overcook carrots; they will lose their health benefits.   Mash the carrot with a fork or masher until it's a creamy consistency. Mix in ½ a tablespoon of honey (read Honey face for more info. about honey) and ½ a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil.   Olive oil helps nourish and clean the skin at the same time, leaving your skin supple and glowing. If the mixture is too thick, you can add in more extra virgin olive oil or wa

Indulging in a chocolate facial mask is a luxurious experience that can nourish your senses and your skin simultaneously! Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants , vitamins and minerals .   It contains Vitamins A, B-complex, D and E, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium and zinc (promotes cell growth and repairs tissue).  Cocoa is also a rich source of   sulphur ( sulfur) , a necessary mineral for healthy skin.   All this make dark chocolate an excellent ingredient for a facial mask. Ingredients: 2 pieces of dark chocolate bar 2/3 cup of coconut milk (also full of antioxidants and is antibacterial in nature) 1 tablespoon sea salt Method: Melt the dark chocolate. Pour the coconut milk into a small bowl and add the sea salt.  Stir until the salt dissolves. Add the milk and salt to the chocolate and stir thoroughly.   Allow the mixture to cool to a comfortable temperature (not harden). Apply the mask to face and neck and allow it to set for about 20

Hello everyone! Turmeric is renowned for its medicinal properties; it has antiseptic , antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.   For this reason, turmeric can also be used   to fight acne , psoriasis and   blackheads. For centuries in India, a turmeric facial mask was applied to a bride's face before her wedding to make her look radiant and glowing.  T urmeric is also known to slow down the  ageing  process and fight dry skin .    It can also help reduce pigmentation and even out skin tone . Method: Wash your face with a facial cleanser and pat your face dry.   Mix   1/4 teaspoon  of turmeric   powder with   1 teaspoon  of honey (or you could also use coconut oil or plain yoghurt ). Apply a thin layer to the face and leave on for about 20 minutes.    Rinse with warm water.     Apply toner and   moisturiser . This mask will give you a softer, smoother and even skin tone! Tips: Keep in mind that turmeric can stain the skin a

Hello everyone! Tomorrow is mother’s day .  You can go the predictable way and give your mom a gift certificate to a spa, or you can take a unique approach and give her a spa experience in her own home.  Pampering your mom for mother's day is a fabulous and thoughtful gift she'll surely appreciate.   At-home spa ideas: facial relaxing warm bath manicure and/or pedicure (Click here for DIY pedicure tips.) Make sure you set the perfect mood for your mom's at-home spa experience!  You can make it visual with candles, use sound by playing soft music, use scented candles or  aromatherapy oils, and activate taste with relaxing herbal teas. What are the benefits of creating an at-home spa? An at-home spa experience allows you to relax at any time and is very inexpensive.  And sometimes people relax more at home.   You can take the at- home spa experience all the way by making your own beauty treatments. These are some of my favourite recip