Beauty & Fashion 

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Make your own facial mask

With all the wonderful cosmetic masks available these days, you'll never want for an exotic concoction to 'feed your face'. But why not give yourself one of the simplest, quickest DIY beauty treats and create your own?

You may not think your kitchen is particularly well stocked, but chances are you have enough ingredients on hand to make a fabulous face mask. The only equipment you'll need is a mixing bowl, a fork, a wooden spoon and a few fresh ingredients. A blender or food processor will also be helpful if you want to save preparation time, but it isn't essential.

Below are some basic masks for different skin types, but feel free to use your imagination when making your own. The advantage of homemade masks, of course, is that because they use fresh ingredients, they're free of additives and preservatives. You can even make yours 100 per cent organic if you choose. Enjoy these facial indulgences, which will help moisturise and exfoliate skin, leaving it with a healthy glow:

Nourishing face mask for dry skin
You will need:

• 2 oz/60g ripe avocado flesh
• 1 oz/25g orange juice
• 1 tsp/5g pure acacia honey
• 1 tsp/5g molasses
• 5 drops chamomile essential oil

Put all the ingredients in a blender, or mash by hand in a bowl. Add extra orange juice if the mixture is too thick. Use your fingers to spread the mask over your face and neck and leave it on for at least 30 minutes, preferably longer, before removing. Use a warm flannel to rinse off the mask - this will help gently exfoliate skin as well as clean your face. This mask will keep for a day or two in the fridge if you don't use it all.

Honey face mask for sensitive skin
Warm a small pot of honey in a double boiler, then test a small amount on your hand to make sure it's not too hot. When warm, apply the honey generously over your entire face. Leave the mask on for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm, then cool water.

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