Beauty products can be expensive and maintaining the perfect skin, hair & makeup looks can add up. We’ve compiled a list of easy at home remedies to keep you up to date with all the latest trends without breaking your bank!
SKIN
Can’t make it to the spa? Try at home facials with ingredients found in your very own refrigerator! Below are some fun recipes to keep your skin healthy, radiant & luminous.
Brighten: To brighten skin, cut a slice of ripe papaya and remove the seeds and pulp. Rub the inside of the papaya peel on your cleansed face, focusing on lines around the mouth and eyes, crow’s feet, thinning temples, neck and hands. Let it dry for 15 to 20 minutes and then rinse with water. This mask can be done twice a week. “The enzymes in papaya exfoliate, repair sun damage, diminish age spots and smooth skin. Your skin will look brighter, with a more polished finish,” says author Louisa Macan-Graves.
Exfoliate: Combine 1 tsp honey and 1 tsp olive oil. Separately, prepare a packet of plain oatmeal, using less water than called for so it forms a thick paste. Next, add the honey and olive oil mixture to the cooked oatmeal. Apply as a scrub, gently rubbing it in small circles over your skin, avoiding the eye area. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry. This mask can be done twice weekly. “The oatmeal in this scrub exfoliates, while the honey and olive oil moisturize,” says Elda Argenti, owner of the Plantogen skincare line.
Cleanse: “Believe it or not, I love to cleanse with oil,” says Argenti. For this facial, she combines 1 tbsp plain Greek yogurt with 2 tsp olive oil and 1/2 tsp lemon oil (not to be confused with lemon juice; lemon oil is an essential oil that can be found at health food stores). The mixture should be a little bit runny but not easily poured out. Massage it over skin, then immediately wipe it off with a washcloth soaked in tepid water. This can be done daily. “You want to use good-quality oil and you’ll be surprised at how clean your skin will feel,” says Argenti. “
(All recipes found on http://shine.yahoo.com/green/8-do-it-yourself-home-facials-1344029.html)
HAIR
Suffer from oily hair and can’t afford dry shampoo? An old-school and simple trick to keep your locks shiny but prevent build-up of grease is to sprinkle Johnson’s baby powder on your roots to soak up the oil.
BONUS: An alternative for shaving cream is conditioner! It softens the hair, makes it easier to shave, and keeps your legs super smooth and silky.
MAKEUP
Can’t afford a lavish brush set from a high-end makeup brand? Eco-tools offers several bamboo brush sets that are not only gentle, and hold loads of color, but that top makeup artists swear by! These brushes retail from $8-$20, and are available online and at most major pharmacies such as Duane Reade, CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid.
By Elizabette Quezada for LifeStyleHer
LifeStyleHer is geared toward empowering women to have a positive outlook on all aspects of life. Styling lives from the inside out, founder, Mashonda Tifrere aims to educate and enrich the mind, body, and soul of all women. LifeStyleHer covers a variety of topics including; fashion, beauty, health & wellness, relationships, travel & food, and arts & entertainment. LifeStyleHer gives women an outlet to experience personal gratitude on a universal level. FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @LIFESTYLEHER
