It's here, it's here! The day we've been dreaming of for what feels like eons — Downton Abbey premiere day — is finally here! We managed to avoid the spoilers (well, most of us did: Our poor deputy editor Neha, a devoted fan, got the unlucky task of editing the Dan Stevens interview that gave away a major plot point. Serious spoilers in there, people, so do not read unless you're the type who has to know everything early). We trimmed our holiday tree with ornaments featuring pictures of our favorite characters, and we've been quoting the Dowager Countess so much our friends are starting to get concerned. Apparently we're not the only ones excited — British brand Elemis is so stoked they created recipes for four DIY face masks inspired by the show and beauty treatments used by women in the early 1900s. Our favorite of these "Downstairs" treatments is the very appropriately named Victorian Duchess Lavender Facial — we can just see Lady Mary partaking in this pampering treat in her dressing room. To create it, you'll need one cup oatmeal; 1/2 cup dry lavender flowers, stripped of their stalks; 1/2 cup powdered milk; and two teaspoons cornmeal. Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl until thoroughly combined, then massage onto damp skin, let sit for 10-15 minutes, and rinse. The scrub will keep for six months, so you can store the unused excess and whip it out on a weekly basis to maintain your creamy, lady-of-the-manor complexion.
If mixing your own beauty products feels so very common, you can indulge in the brand's luxe Herbal Lavender Repair Mask, which boasts the same purifying and soothing benefits as the DIY treatment, but, you know, without actually having to do any work. In celebration of the new season of Downton, Elemis is offering 25% off any purchase of the featured "Upstairs" products — Herbal Lavender Repair Mask, Papaya Enzyme Peel, Exotic Lime & Ginger Salt Glow, Skin Nourishing Milk Bath — on Time To Spa through the month of January. Just enter code BRITISHBEAUTY at checkout. Finally, during the show, if you tweet @ElemisUSA with the hashtags #BritishBeauty and #Elemis, you'll have the chance to win weekly prizes. See? Told you they were just as excited about this as we were.
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Photo: Via PBS