DIY Beauty: Green Tea Madness!

I'm a major fan of green tea. There are few things better than lounging around in my PJ's with a steamy cup of the delicious stuff next to me, book in hand! Not only is it wonderfully soothing and tasty to drink, it's chock-full of anti-oxidants and disease-fighting goodness. Here's a bit of news that I bet not many of you have heard of: Did you know that if you apply green tee straight to the skin (as opposed to ingesting it) the results are extra beneficial? Well hey, you learn something new every day, don't you?

Because of these benefits, it's not an uncommon sight to see beauty companies adding green tea products to their lines. These products can be expensive and over priced, especially since you can make your very own green tea products in the comfort of your own home.

Here are two fabulous recipes to give a go!

Recipe #1: Green Tea Toning Agent

What's it for?: Increasing elasticity and reducing redness

This is a great recipe to try if you're looking for a toner that provides some hydration. It also boosts skin elasticity and gets rid of blotchy red skin. What you need:

Green tea bag

1/2 cup water

First, soak the green tea in a cup of hot water just like you're making a cup of tea. (Go ahead and brew yourself an extra cup!). Let it brew for 10 minutes.

After the tea has cooled down, pour it into an atomizer or a spray bottle and place in the fridge.

After you finish washing your face with your normal face wash, pat dry with a towel and then apply the green tea as you would a toner.

The tea will last for 3 days!

Recipe #2: Rice Flour and Green Tea Face Mask

What's it for?: Oily and red/blotchy skin

This is an ideal concoction to mix up if your skin is often oily and prone to breaking out. Not only does it reduce/prevent red spots but it is also soothing to your skin and spirit! Gather these items first:

Green tea bag

1/2 cup water

1 tbs. rice flour

First, soak the green tea in a cup of hot water just like you're making a cup of tea. (Go ahead and brew yourself an extra cup!). Let it brew for 10 minutes.

Next, add the rice flour. Stir until you have a smooth and consistent texture. The end product should be a spreadable paste.

Apply the soothing mixture to your skin and let it set for 10-15 minutes. Wash off with warm water and then splash your face with cold water to tighten pores. Gently pat dry.