Super Simple DIY Beauty Under $15

Super Simple DIY Beauty Under $15

Many of us are only just discovering that the best products we need to include in our skincare regime don't need to be expensive or even designed to be a beauty product. Items primarily for food are taking the leap out of our pantries and into our bathroom cabinets and according to Coconut Guru Brynley King, 'feeding" your skin can both be inexpensive and revolutionary.

'Native Pacific Islanders are well known for their beautiful, glowing and flawless complexions. Common skin problems like wrinkles; dehydration and sun damage seem to pass them by even though as a community, they spend many hours outside in the harsh elements. But unlike most of us in the western world who spend billions of dollars each year on the latest skincare products designed to manage and prevent these problems, Pacific Islanders have just one, inexpensive and fully sustainable secret ingredient – coconut oil.

The unique properties found in the coconut oil in particular are extremely beneficial to your skin and hair as they help to heal, protect, nourish and revitalize – without any nasty additives.

Just one jar of coconut oil can make a whole plethora of beauty products that will benefit not only your skin and hair but your wallet as well, as each recipe costs less than $15 to make. Here are Brynley's favourites.

Face mask
For a super nourishing, not to mention delicious facemask that will leave your skin feeling soft, supple and hydrated combine 50mls virgin coconut oil, 1 ripe avocado and 2 tsp. good quality honey until you have a paste consistency before chilling the mixture in the fridge for half an hour.  Apply a thick layer to your face and leave on for about 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

Foot cream
Make an invigorating whipped foot cream that your feet will soothe tired, dry feet by combining 1 cup virgin coconut oil, 1 tsp. vitamin E oil and a dash of peppermint oil with an electric hand mixer or bench top mixer. The coconut oil moisturises as the peppermint cools and the Vitamin E helps to heal and protect.

Hair treatment
If you want smooth, silky, glossy, shampoo advertisement-worthy hair combine 1 tbsp. of honey and 4 tbsp. of virgin coconut oil heated on the stovetop until just melted. Wait for the mixture to cool before applying to scalp, hair lengths and ends then massage gently and allow absorption for 20 minutes. Wash hair with a mild shampoo then condition for instant hair repair and hydration. For a more intense treatment apply coconut oil to hair before bed and wake up to tangle-free, super hydrated and extra shiny locks.

Exfoliator
Coffee and coconut oil is essentially a match made in heaven when it comes to banishing the dreaded cellulite. Mix equal parts of ground coffee with virgin coconut oil and rub into cellulite areas for a few minutes before rinsing off in the shower. Doing this on a daily basis will help to improve circulation, reduce water retention and tighten the tissues while moisturising the skin all at the same time. 

For more coconut oil tips grab your copy of -Going Coconuts' plus Banaban Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil at www.naturepacific.com

No one knows the benefits of coconuts more so than Australia's very own -coconut guru' Brynley King – author of cookbook Going Coconuts that is based on the fundamental principals of eating clean and living green – the healthier experience using Banaban Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.

Brynley has spent her life travelling the world with her mother and Banaban step-father, visiting myriad coconut plantations throughout Asia and the Pacific and learning first hand about coconut products; how this simple fruit was used hundreds of years ago by her extended Banaban family, and can be incorporated into life today in the western world.

A self-confessed coconut addict, her travels have also seen her visit international and government funded coconut research centres, world food exhibitions and assisted in Rabi Island based aid projects, sharing her knowledge on the benefits coconuts can have on our lives. Brynley is now on her way to becoming an unstoppable force in the cooking, beauty and health industries.