Our make-up artist friend Ellie Gill has put together a 10 minute facial for us using natural ingredients you’d find in your kitchen – now that’s my kind of beauty treatment. Back in the spring she talked to us about the benefits of a pre wedding massage and mentioned that she encourages her bridal clients to do a 10 minute facial in the lead up to their wedding.

I wanted to hear Ellie’s advice for her 10 minute facial, so she’s put together her tips and suggestions. Over to Ellie…

What’s your natural daily skincare routine?

In today’s busy world it’s so lovely to have a daily skincare routine. I find it so relaxing to just take a few moments to pamper myself and I genuinely believe that natural ingredients are the most beneficial.

I’m sure most of you will have experimented with making face mask as a teen. My friend and I used to coat our faces with lumpy bits of banana and egg when we had sleepovers. I always just thought it was a bit of fun and didn’t pay serious attention to my skin but fifteen years later and I’ve returned to the kitchen for some of my favourite beauty staples.

A simple routine using natural ingredients

Through years of experimentation with various skincare products and a multitude of brands I’ve finally learnt that money doesn’t buy value and often the most expensive, cleverly branded creams and serums cause my skin to flare up.

Within my job as a makeup artist I see so many different faces. Time and time again clients with problematic skin seem to use lots of synthetic products with tons of suspicious ingredients. My clients with the best skin tend to have a more simple routine using natural ingredients.

So lets take it back to basics.

Top natural beauty products for a 10 minute facial

Here are my top natural beauty products that you can find in your kitchen and the 10 minute facial you can perform with them:

1. Cleanse: I personally love cleaning with coconut oil. It is THE BEST at removing every last scrap of makeup. Warm in your hands before massaging all over your face, then remove with a warm flannel.

2. Tone: Apple cider vinegar: Dilute one part apple cider vinegar with two parts water. Shake the bottle and give your skin a quick wipe.

Apple cider vinegar is great at restoring our skins natural PH, combatting excessive oiliness or dryness. It also acts as a gentle exfoliator.

3. Mask: It’s only really necessary to do a face mask once a week.

I have recently started treating my skin to raw organic, honey on it’s own as a luxurious face mask. OK it’s sticky… but it’s worth it. It leaves my skin feeling wonderfully soft every time. Honey is a humectant, which means it naturally attracts and seals in moisture.

I also buy pure, natural clay to use on my oily t-zone. Ok, I doubt you’ll find this one in your kitchen but it’s cheap as chips compared to buying pre-made masks. These are sold as a dry powder which when you add mineral water turn into a paste. Some good ones are Bentonite clay or French green clay for especially oily skin.

4. Moisturiser: I hardly ever use a cream moisturiser. I much prefer facial oil any day. Creams are designed to sit on the surface of the skin whilst oils will sink in.

The act of massaging the face is so incredibly beneficial too.

Massaging your face with oil will help with circulation and lymphatic drainage resulting in a beautiful, glowing complexion.

There are so many different oils you could try including, olive oil, grapeseed oil or avocado oil; the list goes on and on but there is suitable oil for everyone. Have fun and experiment until you find one that works for you.

A big thank you to Ellie Gill for her 10 minute facial – we highly recommend you check her out if you’re looking for natural bridal make-up or pre wedding pampering. She’s one of our TNWC Recommended Suppliers and you’ll find her listed in our Beauty section.

Be sure to check out our other posts around natural bridal beauty, including:

Benefits of pre wedding massage

The importance of a good skincare regime

Skincare products and how to use them

Natural beauty countdown to your wedding

And I particularly love this from-the-heart post Beauty is a feeling: why one bride cancelled her wedding make-up artist.

If you use Pinterest be sure to pin the image below so you can keep this 10 minute facial post easily accessible.

Images: (1) Amy Treasure; (2) Allie Dearie; (3) Sonja Longford; (4) Annie Spratt; (5) Roberta Sorge; (6) Max Lakutin