There are multitudes of uses for honey, and not just in the kitchen.There are multitudes of uses for honey, and not just in the kitchen.

I take a quick look around my bathroom and can immediately see about €1,000 just sitting there. Not in cash, sadly, but in bottles, potions, creams, soaps, beauty hardware (such as hair straighteners or eye-lash curlers), gels and, of course, make-up.

Thinking about it from the money point of view, my beauty regime suddenly seems maddening. I start hurling questions at myself: what on earth do I need with a top-quality foot exfoliator? When was the last time I actually used that foot spa? And what, in heaven’s name, was I thinking when I bought that expensive foundation two-shades-too-dark because I was convinced that, this year, I would get a tan? (I have never had a tan, ever).

Annoyingly, most of the must-have cosmetics that I have purchased have lain in packaging for months (dare I say years?). They were sampled in excitement, and then discarded when it became clear that they weren’t the magic elixir of beauty that they promised to be on the box. I was clearly falling for the commercial hype, just like everyone else.

With that in mind, I decided to put a stop to the purchasing madness. With the internet as my friend, I made the choice to simplify things, clean out my beauty supplies box (ok, room), and switch to cheaper, and ideally homemade, alternatives.

So where did I begin?

Instantly I thought about my hair and the hard work it had ahead of it throughout the summer months. On the hunt for a good de-frizzing and softening treatment (which can cost hundreds of euro at a salon), I discovered that honey is ideal for hair-dehydration and sun overexposure, because it is a natural humectant, which means its locks in moisture.

And it appeared that it is relatively easy to make the most of what honey has to offer. So, next time you wash your hair, simply massage a small cup of honey into your scalp and let it sit for 20 minutes or so, just as you would with a conditioning mask. To boost the softening properties further, add a tablespoon of olive oil or some mashed avocado, and remember to do this at least once a month.

Moving on from honey, it seems that good old baking soda should be another budget buy to consider part of your regime. For instance, it can be mixed into your favourite cleanser to act as an exfoliator (which means you don’t have to purchase an extra scrub), or can even be a good tooth-whitener when added to your normal toothpaste.

To get rid of blackheads, drizzle some honey on halfa lemon and rubover your face

Next, battling a spot on my chin that I would really rather have popped off, I hunt for alternatives to the myriad products I have collected over the years (some over the counter, others clinical). Luckily I am driven in the direction of something much cheaper than all that, and surprisingly seasonal: strawberries. So, if you’ve got a spot of bother, bust it with a berry. Simply blend a handful of strawberries with some natural yoghurt and spread on your face; the mix will work wonders thanks to the natural salicylic acid contained in the strawberries. And to follow that, brew some green tea. Once cooled, dab on to a cotton pad and use instead of an anti-acne toner.

For an all-over body scrub, mix three parts ground coffee with one part brown sugar, and a little olive oil. This incredible concoction will exfoliate your skin, fight cellulite (thanks to the coffee) and even get rid of any red bumps on the back of your arms.

And, once your skin is beautifully clean, complete your regime with a home-made moisturiser-come-sunscreen. To make it, combine one tablespoon carrot seed oil (which has an SPF of around 40) with one tablespoon coconut oil and one tablespoon beeswax, then add your favourite essential oil to give it a sweet smell. Do bear in mind that, while this sunscreen is effective, you will need to reapply it if you are out in the sun for more than a couple of hours.

Finally, I found a revitalising tip that would normally cost the equivalent of a trip to the spa. As part of your normal shower, simply switch the water to cold for the last few seconds, then switch back to hot for a minute or so and then back to cold. The change in temperatures will really get the blood flowing and give your skin that coveted glow and unbeatable allure.

Quick tips

Can’t afford an expensive eye cream? Worry not! Sliced potatoes, placed on closed eyes, will reduce puffiness in much the same way.

Got dry skin on your hands or feet? Massage them with some mashed ripe banana or avocado.

To get rid of blackheads, drizzle some honey on half a lemon and rub over your face (and especially blackhead prone areas like your chin or nose). Leave the mix on for five minutes then rinse your face with water. You’ll instantly notice a difference.

Want a beach-ready leg scrub? Combine two parts sugar with one part olive oil and scrub.

Don’t want to splash out on expensive bug spray, but don’t want unsightly, itchy bites either? Switch to peppermint oil – it’s cheap and it smells much better than most of the shop-bought stuff.

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