Quick and Easy Homemade Recipes

* Courtesy of Bliss Spa, New York City

This decadent facial mask, ideal for normal skin, will leave your face smooth, soft, and silky. The cream and honey add moisture, and the oatmeal sloughs dead skin cells, perfect for smelling romantic and deliciously edible. Enjoy!

1/3 cup cocoa
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 teaspoons cottage cheese
1/4 cup honey
3 teaspoons oatmeal powder

Mix all ingredients together and smooth onto face. Relax for 10 minutes; then rinse with warm water.

* Courtesy of The Bachelor Gulch Spa at The Ritz-Carlton

Apples are notorious for their nutritional benefits; they’re 85% water and high in potassium and vitamins A and C. Perhaps even more beneficial is the malic acid, an exfoliating enzyme in apples that is useful for removing dead skin cells and surface dirt.

2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon fresh apple puree or apple sauce
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

Mix all ingredients, stirring well. In the bath or shower, apply scrub to skin in a circular motion, using a washcloth, bath gloves, or a loofah sponge. Pay special attention to rough spots like elbows, heels, and knees. Rinse well, and follow with a rich body lotion.
Note: If using on the face, omit granulated sugar. Brown sugar, because it dissolves gently, is a more appropriate choice for the delicate skin of the face.

*Courtesy of the National Honey Board

1 cup sweet almond oil, light olive or sesame oil may be substituted
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup liquid soap
1 Tbs vanilla extract

Measure the oil into a medium bowl, then carefully stir in remaining ingredients until mixture is fully blended. Pour into a clean plastic bottle with a tight-fitting stopper or lid. Shake gently before using. Enough for four large luxurious baths.Swirl desired amount into the bathtub under running water - then step in and descend into a warm, silky escape

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons canned pumpkin filling
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 drop vanilla absolute or vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients together in a small bowl. Stir well

To use, sit on the edge of the tub or by a large pan of water big enough to fit both feet into. Spread a towel under the pan to catch any spills or flying tasty sugar bits! Gently massage Pumpkin Pedicure into calluses and around the cuticles of your nails and all over your feet to smooth away dry skin. Rinse well with warm water and dry lightly. Apply rich moisturizer while feet are still slightly wet. Enjoy!

*Courtesy of Pioneer Thinking

1/2 cup unscented shampoo
3/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt (regular table salt is fine)
15 drops chery fragrance oil

Pour shampoo into a bowl and add water. Stir gently until well mixed. Add salt and stir until mixture thickens. Add cherry fragrance and place in a decorative bottle. If you cant find unscented shampoo, you can use a baby shampoo in its place.

*Courtesy of the National Honey Board

3 T dried Lavender flowers*
1 1/2 cups whole mild, cream, or combination
1/3 cup Honey

Process lavender flowers in a blender until they become a powder, turning off the blender and scraping down the sides as necessary. Whisk together lavender powder, milk and honey in a glass bowl, then pour into a jar. Before each use, shake the jar and pour half of the mixture into the bath. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Makes enough for 2 baths.

*Dried lavender flowers can be found in the spice section of gourmet and specialty stores

*Courtesy of mybeautyrecipes.com

Here is a simple shower gel recipe that you can make at home.

1/2 cup unscented shampoo
1/4 cup water
1 tsp salt
10 drops strawberry extract (essential oil)
5 drops kiwi extract (essential oil)

Combine the first 3 ingredients in a clean bowl. Add the essential oil and stir gently to combine. Store in a clean bottle squirt bottle and use like any shower

1/4 cup of plain yogurt
2 Tbs Honey
1 Medium Banana

Mash all ingredients together with a fork. Smooth onto skin on face and neck. Let sit for 10-15 minutes then rinse.

Very Soothing for dry skin!

author Roya

This is a super easy recipe that my mother uses all the time with left over fruits. It is fresh, refreshing, and inexpenive!

Ingredients:
5 to 6 strawberries
1 peeled kiwi
1/2 cucumber
Blend all ingredients in a blender or small food processor. It should be a thin paste. Since some fresh products are juicier than others, if the mixture is too runny, combine a bit of oatmeal a teaspoon at a time until a paste forms that will stay on your skin without dripping off. You can also add 1 drop of a favorite essential oil if you'd like.

To use, apply liberally to your face and neck area. Gently massage to lightly exfoliate your skin.

Leave the mixture on your skin for 5 to 10 minutes and then rinse well with arm water. Your skin will feel clean and fresh. Since the ingredients are all natural, it is safe for any skin type.

author Nati

This a very good recipe if you have dry skin. You can find the ingredients anywere it and what you have leftover after your mask makes a great fresh sandwich spread

Ingredients:
1/2 avocado, mashed
3-4 tablespoons mayonnaise
1-2 teaspoons lemon juice

Slice and pit the avocado. Sprinkle a bit of lemon juice over the half you won't use and put it in a plastic bag in the refrigerator so you can use it later (within a day). Mash the half for the mask and add mayonnaise. Stir the two ingredients together in a bowl until they make a smooth combination.

Add the lemon juice and stir. If your skin is normal or oily, add more lemon juice for added astringency.

Spread evenly on clean, damp face and leave for about 10-15 minutes. Rinse well with warm water. Tone and moisturize as usual. Make a sandwich by spreading the leftover mask onto two slices of bread. Add sliced cucumbers, onion and tomato, srpouts -- cheese if you wish -- and enjoy!

author HBN President Donna Maria

Blueberry Lemon Face Mask is fun to make and good for most any skin type, especially oily. Blueberries are one of the most popular fruits these days due to a high anti-oxidant content. They are refreshing and smell heavenly (especially mixed with a dash of lemon as they are here). They also taste great, so you can have fun munching as you mix! A great recipe for fun at your next spa-girl party!

Ingredients:
4 tablespoons fresh blueberries
3 teaspoons powdered oats
1 teaspoon finely ground almonds
2 teaspoons distilled water
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 drop lemon essential oil

Nothing could be easier -- put everything except the essential oil into a small food processor and process until combined evenly.

Transfer to a plastic container and add the essential oil. Stir to mix. To use, apply to freshly cleaned skin using upward sweeping motions to spread an even paste over the skin''s surface. For a thick application, use all of it. Or you can save some to treat yourself later in the week (keep refrigerated).

author by Breanne Fry

This easy mask combines the richness of milk and cocoa with the astringent properties of coffee to leave normal to oily skin refreshed and enlivened.

Ingredients:
4 tablespoons very finely ground coffee
4 tablespoons cocoa powder
8 tablespoons whole milk or cream

Mix together the ground coffee and cocoa powder. Add the milk and stir to achieve a pudding like texture.

To use, spread across your clean face and neck, avoiding eye and mouth area. Rest for 15 minutes. Rinse well with warm water.