My Favourite Beauty Secrets!

For thousands of years, beauty secrets have been passed down from one generation to the next. In fact, we still use some of these fabulous remedies - So I thought, why not talk to friends and other women and find some beauty secrets we all can benefit from?Facial masks should be an integral part of every woman's beauty regime. Not only do they replenish our skin, but they force us, in an unobtrusive way, to take time for ourselves and relax; after all, it's impossible to get much of anything done with a layer of creamy goodness slathered over your face, and cucumbers over your eye!.
But why get dressed up and go out to a salon, when you can get the same benefits, and remain comfortable in your own space?
The answer is: there is no reason.

Below I've included recipes for my favourite at-home face masks. Each provides unique benefits, but all are quick and easy to blend up at home, with ingredients you use every day. Hey, you can even make yourself a smoothie while you're at it!

Nourish: Banana-Avocado MaskIngredients:
· 1/2 over-ripe banana
· 1/2 over-ripe avocado
· 2 Tbsp unflavoured full-fat yogurt
· 1 Tsp olive oil

Instructions:

Mash banana and avocado, combine with other ingredients, and mix well. Apply liberally to face and neck. Leave on for 20 to 30 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Exfoliate: Tomato-Lemon MaskIngredients:· 1 over-ripe tomato
· 1 Tsp lemon juice
· 1 Tsp instant oatmealInstructions:
Put all ingredients in blender, puree until smooth. Apply to face, let soak 20 minutes, rinse with warm water.

Tighten: Peach Mask
Ingredients:
· 1 ripe peach
· 1 egg white
· 1 Tsp unflavoured full-fat yogurtInstructions:
Peel and pit the peach. Blend together with egg white and yogurt until smooth. Pat gently onto face. Leave on 30 minutes. Rinse with cool water.

Smooth: Honey-Almond MaskIngredients:
· 1 Tbsp honey
· 1 egg yolk
· 1/2 tsp almond oil
· 1 tbsp yogurt
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients together until well blended. Apply layer to face, leave on 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, gently wipe residue with a damp cloth.

Refresh: Cucumber-Parsley Mask
Ingredients:· 1 Tbsp unflavoured full-fat yogurt
· 1 Tbsp chopped cucumber
· 1 Tbsp fresh parsleyInstructions:Puree cucumber and parsley until smooth. Add yogurt and mix well. Apply mixture to skin, let sit 15-20 minutes. Rinse with cool water.

Reduce Oil: Yeast-Yogurt MaskIngredients:· 1 Tsp brewer's yeast
· 2 Tbsp unflavoured full-fat yogurtInstructions:Mix enough yogurt into the yeast to make a thin paste. Pat gently onto oily areas and allow to dry. Leave on no longer than 20 minutes. Rinse first with warm water, then cold. Blot dry.

Moisturize: Chocolate MaskIngredients:· 1 Tbsp cocoa powder
· 1 Tbsp heavy cream
· 1 Tsp cottage cheese
· 4 Tsp honey
· 1 Tsp oatmealInstructions:Mix all ingredients in blender. Smooth onto face. Let sit 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
"Our God smiles at you... did you know that? His face shines upon you! He delights in you!Isn't that remarkable? The Lord of Glory is the Lifter of your head so when you look up...there He is... smiling down on you!What amazing grace!"