Five ways to spoil yourself

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Remember the days of visiting the hairdresser (without bouncing bub on your lap or racing home to put out the washing), going to get your nails done (what nails you ask?) or heaven forbid, visit the day spa?

Sometimes, fitting a shower in before 11am can feel like the biggest accomplishment of the day! So, instead of trying to find those spare hours to pop up to the salon or shops, try these quick and easy at-home beauty regimes.

1. Soften your hair with a mask

There are some amazing beauty products on the market these days, some of which are targeted to time-savers. Try a leave-in miracle treatment that you can apply to your hair straight after a wash and towel-dry. Alternatively, find a serum that you can run through your strands and leave in over-night for a glossy morning feel.

If you hair is particularly course and brittle and you haven’t time to run to the shops, then try a home-remedy: mix together an avocado, egg yolk, tablespoon of coconut oil and tablespoon of olive oil. Leave the mixture on your hair for an hour before you shampoo and condition as normal.

2. Plump up those lips

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If you have young kids who love craft, then this is the perfect at-home beauty remedy for you – make your own lip balm! You can use ingredients from your kitchen cupboard to fend off dry lips and plump them up with moisture. An easy regime? Massage your dry and flaky lip skin with a gentle mix of honey and sugar. The sugar will exfoliate your lips whilst the honey moisturizes them.

3. Transform your nails

How long has it been since you have paid any attention to your nails, and given them some good love? Follow these quick daily tricks and within a week, you’ll notice the difference:
• Mix some cocoa butter and macadamia oil for a super-moisturising recipe for your hands and nails.
• Before you paint your nails, apply some vinegar: the colour and polish will last for longer, and stains will be removed.
• Got 5 minutes in front of the telly? Soak your fingers in a bowl of hot water and lemon.

4. Get glowing skin

Tiredness and stress can take its toll on our skin. Combat this with some simple habits. Each morning and night after cleaning your face, run some tea tree and rose water oils on your skin. The tea tree has wonderful cleaning products, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory for the skin, reducing redness and puffiness. Rose water sooths and cools the skin.

For your body, treat yourself to a 20-minute bath after the kids have gone to sleep. An herbal bath will relax the mind and body. Sage especially will soothe your irritated skin whilst soaking up excess oil that may be causing your pores to clog.

5. The Eyes have it

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Your eyes are the windows to your soul – so make sure they’re sparkling. Dark circles are a common feature of everyday life when you’re as busy as most. Help these by doing a massage with almond oil for 15 minutes before going to bed. If you have slightly more time (to close your eyes that is), lay cool, sliced cucumber over your eyes for 20 minutes to reduce puffiness. When you remove them, follow up by applying either mint juice or honey under your eyes with your index finger. Both have wonderful healing and youth products for the sensitive skin beneath your peepers.