Cosmetics purchased from the store can take a healthy bite out of anyone’s budget. We thought it would be fun to share some of the beauty secrets we have found that are easy, pocket-book friendly, and come right from your own home!
Shiny Hair Solutions
By Kate Hanley, Natural Solutions
Dry, chemically treated, or environmentally damaged hair calls for some extra-special love. Try this do-it-yourself treatment once a month, and you’ll be impressed by the results: shiny, thick, and luxurious hair. Adjust ingredient amount depending on hair length.
2 egg yolks
1 tablespoon walnut oil
2 drops essential oil of choice, such as lemon, jasmine, rose, or rosemary
In a small bowl, beat the egg yolks with the walnut oil and essential oils. Massage the mixture through your hair and scalp. Cover with a shower cap, plastic bag, or warm towel, then leave on up to an hour, if possible. To remove treatment, rinse well with warm water and then use a sulfate-free shampoo followed by a conditioner.
Sweet and Spicy Sugar Body Scrub
Recommended for all skin types except those with acne (use with care on sensitive and environmentally damaged skin).
1 cup organic brown sugar
1 cup white granulated sugar
¾ cup almond, soybeans, hazelnut, or macadamia nut base oil
2 teaspoons cinnamon, powdered
2 teaspoons ginger, powdered
2 teaspoons nutmeg, powdered
40 drops cardamom essential oil
In a medium-sized bowl, combine all ingredients except the essential oil. Using a whisk, blend ingredients thoroughly, making sure to break up any lumps of brown sugar or spice. Add the essential oil drop by drop, blending after each addition.
Spoon into a storage container with a tight-fitting lid.
Massage approximately ¼ to ½ cup of scrub onto pre-moistened skin using circular motions. Rinse.
Puffy Eyes
Raw potato slices will help tighten baggy, puffy eyes. All you need is a potato and a knife or slicer!
1. Slice 1/4 potato to fit over your eyes.
2. Cut 2 slices or, if you prefer, 5 to 10 very thin slices, several for each eye. Either method works.
To Use:
1. Spritz eye area with water.
2. Lying down, place the potato slices on your eyelids and leave in place for at least 10 minutes for best results.
Apple cider vinegar Remedies
From Care2
Science tells us that Apple Cider promotes blood circulation in the small blood capillaries that irrigate the skin. It is also antiseptic, combating yeasts, viruses and bacteria that can cause infection.
Apple cider vinegar is rich in alpha-hydroxy acids, helping to dissolve fatty deposits on the skin’s surface and reducing scaly conditions, promoting a softer, smoother appearance. This miracle fluid also regulates the pH of the skin.
1. Hair rinse: Apple cider vinegar gets rid of residue build-up on hair, leaving it soft and shiny. Mix 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar with 1 quart water and use as a final rinse after shampooing.
2. Stain remover: If your hands are stained from chopping berries, dab some straight apple cider vinegar on the stains and they’ll disappear like magic.
3. Tired, swollen hands or feet: Rub a little apple cider vinegar on tired, sore, or swollen hands or feet and feel the soothing difference.
4. Overnight facial: Get rid of blemishes and make your skin more youthful by patting apple cider vinegar on your face before bed. You’ll have softer, smoother skin in the morning!
5. Sunburn bath: If you’ve been singed by the sun, find soothing relief by adding a cupful of apple cider vinegar to your bath and soaking for 10 minutes.
6. Topical skin burns: Apply ice-cold apple cider vinegar to prevent blistering.
7. Lightening age spots: Dab areas with straight apple cider vinegar and leave on overnight.
8. Dandruff fighter: Mix 1 part apple cider vinegar to 3 parts warm water to balance scalp pH and control dandruff. You can also apply undiluted vinegar to the scalp. Allow it to penetrate, then shampoo with a mild shampoo.
