D.I.Y. Beauty

If I was ever asked by one of those weekend supplements for my favourite word in the English language, it would be a toss-up between 'cake' and 'spa' and spa would probably win. The downside of a spa visit, though, is that even if you're not crunched for cash (and lying there thinking: 'Should I really be doing this when the roof needs fixing/moat needs dredging/the school fees are looming'), you're often crunched for time. I've lost count of the times I've lain on a couch to succumb to some pampering, only to fret guiltily about the chunk lost from a busy day, which makes me feel stressed, which in turn well, makes the whole experience less-than-blissful.

One answer, then (on both crunch counts), is to D.I.Y. And you know what? With a little insider knowledge, giving yourself treatments at home can be really effective , and really satisfying! As I say, it's all down to know-how. So: here's the low-down on five at-home treatments, for anyone who's 'stay-cationing', cutting her beauty budget , or who just wants to hone her beauty skills. Enjoy

Give yourself a facial A facial is the perfect way to start any at-home beauty session, because the cleansing action literally sluices away dirt, grime , and, symbolically, cares and stresses. Start by massaging your cleanser into skin for a couple of minutes using quite a lot of pressure, to eliminate tension from the jaw and cheeks; the warmth of your fingers helps the cleanser to penetrate much deeper, boosts circulation and helps lymphatic drainage. I encourage people to exfoliate once a week , even sensitive skins respond to the skin-brightening effects of exfoliation, if you choose the right product. (Remember, though, that a little goes a long way.) Remove the last traces of exfoliator by rinsing or swiping skin with a warm, wet flannel, then pat dry and apply a mask. You don't need a thick layer; skin will absorb all it needs. But to relax the eyes while you're indulging in your face mask, place rosewater-soaked pads over both eyes. Either swipe away the mask when you finish, then swish with water and gently pat skin dry , or just allow a rich formulation to sink in overnight, plumping skin by morning. (You'd want a nourishing mask for this, rather than anything which 'sets' hard.)

Body brush This is particularly effective to help tackle areas of cellulite. Use a long-handled brush (check the fibres aren't too scratchy by rubbing them on the back of your hand), and use long, purposeful strokes , always in the direction of the heart, starting at the feet and working up one leg, then the other leg, then the arms, etc. Pay special attention to thighs, hips and buttocks if cellulite is a problem. Aim for three minutes, all in. (The bonus about body-brushing is that it revs up circulation so you feel like you've been for a bracing walk, even when you haven't.)

Massage your face We carry a lot of tension in the face, so massaging this not only helps banish the tension you've been holding onto, but stimulates circulation, for healthier-looking skin. Using the pads of your fingertips, apply an oil or your usual moisturiser to the following areas in order: forehead, temples, nose, cheeks, chin and ears. Start from the centre of each area and slowly move outward. Then place your index and middle finger between your nose and upper lip and do circular motions around your mouth. Third, place the tips of your index, middle and ring fingers close together on your forehead and rub outwards towards the temples, making circular motions and applying gentle pressure. Repeat the same motions this time from your nose across your cheeks towards your ears. Move down to the hinge of the jaw and massage the jaw area. To finish up, lightly tap your entire face with the index and middle fingers of both hands, moving from centre of the face outward. Soon , trust me , you will feel a glowing relief.

Not forgetting your scalp It's a fact: massaging your body just isn't going to achieve the same effect as the deep, pummelling action of a stranger's hands. Sure, you can rub your own shoulders (thumbs are best). But why not do as Parisienne women do (why do you think they have such thick, glossy, bouncy hair?) and go in for scalp massage , which is oh-so-achievable chez toi? Just as with the face, 'Women store a huge amount of stress in the scalp,' French hair 'guru' Leonor Greyl once told me, explaining that sometimes, the scalp becomes literally immobile , because the scalp muscles are so tense. In turn, that restricts blood and nutrient flow to follicles. What we should all aim for is a scalp that moves easily over the bones of the scalp, she explained. So: use the pads of your fingers to make strong, circular movements; aim to move the scalp, rather than move the fingers. Three to five minutes of massage, three times weekly, can make a vast difference to the gloss factor , and, interestingly, your stress levels, by releasing that stored tension.

And treat feet to some TLC Feet carry us 70,000 miles in a lifetime , yet we rarely reward them for the task. What better than a foot massage? Sit in a comfortable position with your feet resting up on the bed or on a chair. Working on one foot at a time, cup your heel with one hand and with the other make small circular movements starting with each toe. Gradually move down to the ball of your foot and knead this for a few minutes. Then slowly work over your sole and down to your heel. Press the fingers more deeply into the soles of the feet and up the sides, in long, smooth strokes from heel to toe. The perfect massage medium, meanwhile, is anything which can reduce friction and 'drag' on the skin, while helping manipulate skin and muscles more effectively , so a rich body butter is terrific. Don't bother with anything fancy. As my forthcoming book with Sarah Stacey (Beauty Bible Beauty Steals, launching December) reveals, inexpensive body butters rival the expensive ones every time, so just hit your nearest branch of Waitrose or Sainsbury's.

And here's wishing you happy slathering , and the warm, rosy glow that comes from getting gorgeous without straying so much as a metre from the comfort of your own home

Visit Jo Fairley and Sarah Stacey's website www.beautybible.com for a whole host of beauty recommendations and reviews. Their current beauty books The Green Beauty Bible: The Ultimate Guide to Being Naturally Gorgeous and The 21st Century Beauty Bible are both available to buy at all good bookshops and through www.amazon.co.uk