Do-It-Yourself Beauty, articles, fashion+beauty

Do-It-Yourself Beauty

By Myreille Simard published February 20, 2007

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Article Content: 1. Do-It-Yourself Beauty

Most of us spend small fortunes on beauty treatments and creams each year, but you’d be surprised to discover how some of the simple foods lying around the house can work miracles on your skin! Why not take advantage of what nature has to offer to help you look your best? Here are a few homemade beauty treatments that are definitely worth trying out;

For Your Face

Moisturizing cucumber mask

A cucumber mask is so easy to whip up that you’ll never spend another penny on one. Throw one peeled cucumber, a teaspoon of 35% cream and a beaten egg white into the blender—until the mix reaches creamy consistency. Apply it to your face, wait 20 minutes, then rinse it off. The mask will give your face a healthy glow and plenty of moisture.

Tightening egg white mask

Use an egg white mask to tighten your skin’s pores: you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the results. Simply beat an egg-white until it reaches a foamy consistency, apply to your face and let it sit for about 10 minutes before you rinse it off.

Clarifying apple juice toner (for oily skin)

Mix together ¼ cup of apple juice, 2 drops of rubbing alcohol and ¼ cup of spring water. Apply to your skin after cleansing it first.

Note: you can keep the toner in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Mint (for oily skin) or rose (for dry skin) makeup remover

Boil about 15 leaves (mint if your skin is oily, rose if your skin is dry) in ½ liter of water. Set the mix aside for 15 minutes, and then strain. Once it has cooled, add 2 tablespoons of powdered milk to the mix. Pour into a bottle and shake well before using.

Note: you can keep the remover in the fridge for up to one week.

For Your Hair

Salt shampoo (for dull-looking hair)
To add shine to your hair, add a handful of salt to your regular shampoo.

Avocado hair mask (for dry, damaged hair)

An avocado hair mask will give your hair a deep moisturizing treatment. Smash half an avocado until it reaches puree consistency. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and one egg yolk. Spread evenly onto your hair and massage vigorously. Keep it in your hair for about 5 minutes, and then rinse it out.

Yogurt or olive oil treatment (for split ends)

To repair split ends, heat up a small quantity of olive oil and apply it to the tips of your strands. Wrap your hair in a warm towel and let it sit for 5 minutes. Without rinsing it out, follow with your regular shampoo. A bit of yogurt (preferably unflavoured) on your tips can also work miracles.

For Your Hands & Nails

Banana hand balm (for dry skin)
This balm is great to moisturize dry hands caused by the harsh winter. Smash a banana until it reaches puree consistency and mix in one tablespoon of butter. Spread onto your hands and slip on a pair of cotton gloves for a few minutes. Rinse well.

Lemon juice nail whitener

Whitening your nails is easy! Here’s how to do it: squeeze out the juice of a whole lemon into a bowl. Let your nails soak in it for 5 minutes. Make sure to rinse your hands off well. You can do this regularly to keep your nails their whitest.

For Your Feet

Lettuce foot soak

Here is a really simple recipe that will restore youth to feet that are often neglected. Add 8 leaves of green lettuce to about 4 liters of lukewarm water. Let your feet soak in the mix for about 10 minutes.

For Your Eyes

Tea eraser for dark under eye circles

Tossed and turned all night? Feeling tired? Cold tea bags can work miracles on puffy eyes and dark under eye circles. Keep them on for at least 20 minutes.

Tags: St:Article, Sy:2007, Sa:Myreille Simard

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yeomad
February 20, 2007 at 7:13 pm

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Thanx for the tips, I always welcome beauty tips that don't cost an arm and a leg! Please publish more, I am sure others will agree!
- epiphany
  March 3, 2008 at 6:18 pm
  
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  I agree w U!
smud1970
February 21, 2007 at 7:43 am

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I would love some ideas for tightening the skin around my eyes - the excess skin on the lids and under the eyes.

thanks!
- rebecca_w16
  May 8, 2007 at 6:39 pm
  
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  Just letting you know that Mary Kay has a firming eye cream that works great for this plus it reduces dark circles and fights ageing. Check it out on my website www.marykay.ca/rwattton
klhay
October 16, 2007 at 9:04 pm

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this is great i put cucumbers on my eyes when they get soar and tired it works really good . so i will have to try some of these recipes
pumapatty
October 21, 2007 at 10:07 am

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Thanks for the ideas... have to try all these.... Especially for the dark eye circles
KellyM
February 28, 2008 at 12:03 pm

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thanks for the tips good old home remedies are the best and very affordable
klhay
February 28, 2008 at 10:50 pm

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yes these are good tips , i use the cucumber on the eyes and i like the feel of them on the eyes
epiphany
March 3, 2008 at 6:20 pm

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This site gets batter everyday!!
cmtaylor
April 26, 2010 at 1:03 pm

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shirt tales hanging out of blazer not so professional I would see it tucked in or with a shorter top..and I really like the the casual chic!!