DIY Beauty

Sometimes you don't have the time (or extra pounds) to schedule a professional spa facial, but you can give yourself a DIY treatment at home in only 30 minutes. We talked to Elemis International Trainer Emer Gillen to get a step-by-step guide to doing a high-quality minifacial from your bathroom. So, pull out the classical music, your fluffiest bath robe, and aromatherapy candles; it's time to head to the bathroom to treat yourself. You'll learn the right way to give yourself a face massage, along with Gillen's secret to getting rid of tired eyes when you keep reading.

Like it or not, bikini season is around the corner, and that can mean red bumps around the bikini line after waxing or shaving. Before you head to the store for relief, take a look inside your medicine cabinets and pantries. We've gathered together some of the more unconventional remedies that can be applied post-hair removal. Find out these DIY treatments after the jump.

With all the new makeup launches, it's pretty clear that turquoise nail varnish is the must-have shade for Spring and Summer. Not only does this blue-green colour pop against Springtime pastels, but also, it looks even cooler set against a golden sparkle.

For this mermaid-inspired look, I used the teal-hued Paul & Joe Nail Enamel in Caribbean (£10), along with the gold-glittered Deborah Lippmann Boom Boom Pow (£13
.11). Start off with a base coat like Butter London Nail Foundation (£15), and then swipe on two coats of the turquoise varnish. Next, dab the gold glitter polish on the base of the nail to create a gradient effect. Once you have your desired look, seal everything with a top coat like Essie Good to Go (£8.99) for fast-drying shine. Even if you're not soaking up some sun at the beach, one glance at your nails will take you there.

For even more nail art and polish trends, be sure to check out our ultimate nail guide!

Thandie Newton is of the natural look persuasion when it comes to makeup, and now she's revealed she's taken that aesthetic into her own DIY beauty recipes. It's unsurprising that the face of Olay has revealed that she made her first foray into skincare with Oil of Ulay beauty fluid. However, what did surprise me was the British actress' stash of vegetable-based cosmetics. Thandie, who's turning 40 this year, told the Telegraph:

"As I got older I became aware I wanted a natural approach; I wanted to find side routes through beauty. I stuck to the motto 'If I can't eat it or squirt it on my toast, I won't use it'. I now make my own bronzer by mixing a few drops of olive oil with some beetroot juice and a scattering of turmeric. Beetroot also works as a great rouge, and I use argan oil as a hair conditioner. My handbag is like a vegetable stall."

She added: "While I'd love to say I use potato juice as a fragrance, I think I'll stop at neroli essential oil." What do you think of Thandie's beetroot blush?

When it comes to luxe-looking homemade holiday gifts, few are as pretty, or as inexpensive and easy to make, as tub teas. Not only do tub teas look lovely in a jar, but the tea and flowers inside are soothing, packed with antioxidants, and beautifully scented. Plus, you can create a blend that suits the tastes of whoever your recipient might be. So to see how you can make these at home without breaking a sweat, get the full breakdown.

Here's a simple way to breathe new life into old jewelry. All you need is a fabric headband in the color of your choice and a vintage (or vintage-inspired) brooch. For this particular version, we pinned a retro-style brooch to a black satin wraparound headband. Aside from this being an easy way to dress up your look, the best part is that the style is not permanent: remove the brooch and affix it to a jacket, scarf, or anything else that needs a little lift. Then hit up the consignment store for its new replacement.

Sure, lipstick gift sets and prepackaged holiday soaps are lovely, but a handmade gift always feels extra-special. There isn't anyone on this planet who doesn't like to relax, so treat your loved one to some serious chill-out time with custom-blended scented bath salts. To see just how easy these bath-time presents are to make, just keep reading.