Homemade Natural Beauty Products with Olive Oil: Five *Cheap* DIY Recipes

I was speaking to my friend at the gym and overheard a conversation about her conditioner. She's just paid for a house and said she can't afford to splurge on expensive conditioners.

My tips for her included:

• Add some extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) to her cheap conditioner to instantly improve its properties
• Do some hot oil treatments at home with EVOO
• Condition with honey & EVOO

Olive oil is rich in Vitamin E and has many properties including being very moisturising.
The great thing about olive oil is it's affordable, I buy mine from supermarkets and Bertolli Extra-Virgin Olive Oil is usually on offer (which is when I buy a few bottles!). Aim to buy 'Extra Virgin'.

Which brings me to this post, olive oil can be used in so many ways but I will highlight my favourites, which I've tried and tested:

1. CONDITIONER
   Moisturising: Olive Oil + Honey. It doesn't matter if you have any leftover, I usually make enough to last up to 5 applications.
   For protein, add an egg yolk (it's best to add this to one portion because eggs expire).
   Use: Apply to entire length of your hair, cover with a shower cap. Leave in for anything over an hour.
2. HOT OIL TREATMENT/PRE SHAMPOO
   Warm 1/2 a cup of olive oil (don't let it get too hot).
   Use: Apply to hair from root to tip. Cover with a shower cap and sit under a dome dryer.
   Other options - do some housework or hold shower cap in place with a scarf and leave in hair overnight. Wash your hair and enjoy the soft, shiny results.
3. FACE MASK
   2 tbsps olive oil + 2 tbsps Fullers Earth Powder
   Add honey for extra moisture
   Olive Oil + Honey is a great option too
   Use: Wipe face clean and apply mask. Leave for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, then wipe oil residue with warm water and a face cloth. Finish with a cold water rinse.
4. FACE, LIP & BODY SCRUB
   To gently exfoliate your skin and reveal fresh, soft skin, 1 cup of brown sugar and 1/2 to a cup of olive oil (depending on what consistency you want).
   I love using soft brown sugar as it's gentle enough for the face and great for the body.
   Optional: A few drops of an essential oil (eg lavender, peppermint, tea tree.)
   
   
   Use: Apply on clean face & lips and gently massage in small circular motions, it shouldn't hurt. Rinse and wipe off excess oil with warm water and a face cloth. Moisturise.
5. BODY SCRUB
   For your homemade version of those expensive salt scrubs, mix 2 cups of sea salt with 1 cup of olive oil
   Optional: 1 tablespoon of grated lemon zest OR a few drops of lavender essential oil.
   
   
   Use: Apply and massage all over body, focusing on the rougher areas of your skin. Rinse off with warm water and moisturise.

Other uses:

• Olive Oil can also be added to a bottle of conditioner (1 part olive oil to 4-4 parts conditioner) to give extra nourishing properties. 
• Massage into cuticles (finger & toenails)
• As a make up remover, apply a small amount to cotton wool or directly on your face. Massage into skin and wipe off. Repeat until all make up is off, then wipe off excess oil with warm water and a towel. Moisturise.

If you'd like me to post more DIY recipes here, let me know in the comments section :)