Beauty

BEAUTY COOKBOOK

By Nawaz Nabi

We have gone back to basics. For beautifying advice I give you some of my favourite homespun recipes.

TIRED-EYE SOOTHER: Brew a mix of chamomile and fresh mint tea pour into an ice cube tray and freeze. When you need to invigorate the complexion or de-puff the eye area, pop a cube out, wrap in a muslin cloth and a sleep over face.

ORAGANIC LIPSTAIN: Crush your favourite berries and rub the juice on to your lips (the darker the fruit, the better the staying power).Top with a slick of lip balm for an authentic lipstain complete with antioxidants.

MIRACULOUS MASK: Blend three tablespoons of oats in a coffee grinder and five coriander seeds as an antioxidant, ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder, ¼ teaspoon of ginger powder and ¼ teaspoon of green tea powder. Drizzle in enough water to make a thick paste and add ½ teaspoon of flax oil. Apply the mixture to cleansed skin and leave for 10 minutes, then buff off with a muslin cloth. It leaves skin radiant.

HAIR GLOSS: This recipe for nourishing and restorative hair mask has been passed through my family for three generations, whisk together a few tablespoons of olive oil, an egg yolk and couple of splashes of brandy. Apply the mixture to wet hair- it smells delicious, like cake mix- and wrap in a warm towel. Shampoo out for 30 minutes to reveal hair with a rich, hydrated luster.

THROAT REVIVER: If you have a cough, fill a ceramic or glass bowl with a thinly diced large carrot, then add two full tablespoons of brown sugar. Leave overnight, and in the morning you have delicious smoothing syrup.

WINTER FEET TREAT: It is that time of year when feet need softening up. Stir together two tablespoons of light olive oil (not extra-virgin as this is too sticky) with two tablespoons of granulated sugar. Rub this emollient mixture into the feet, focusing on any hardened, callused areas .Rinse under warm running water and pat dry. Voila! Fabulously silky-smooth skin.

FACE PEEL: Peel and mash a papaya - its natural enzymes will munch through dead skin- add a dash of lemon juice for a natural astringent and ¼  teaspoon of baking powder to smooth and exfoliate. It will brighten the complexion.

D.I.Y. HAIRSPRAY: Dissolve a teaspoon of sugar with a teaspoon of sea salt in hot water, and then pour into a plastic spray bottle. When cool, distribute through the hair whenever you want a sexy tousled look, with great hold.

MANICURE MARVEL: Soak discolored nails in a bowl filled with warm water and the juice of a whole lemon. It will seriously brighten up the nails beds.