Women have used beauty products for ages. Now, with our technology and research, we have access to all sorts of products. However, these products are often laden with harsh chemicals and can cause irritation. Moreover, a lot of these products are costly, and it often feels as though you are paying more for the packaging than for the quality of the product. Let us go back to nature and see what it offers us. You may be surprised by how much you save and even by how much better you look!
Cleansers
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup honey
Mix and store in jar. Massage into face and rinse with warm water. The olive oil will remove your makeup and the honey will help cleanse your skin. Follow with a toner and moisturizer. Use an exfoliant 1-3 times a week, depending on your skin type.
Toners
Brightening Balancing Toner
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 cup green tea
Mix together and store in the fridge. The antioxidants in the green tea will brighten your skin over time and the apple cider vinegar will balance your skinfs PH.
Rosemary Astringent
1/2 cup witch hazel
10 drops tea tree oil
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup rosemary tea
Mix and store in your fridge. Pour onto cotton pad and wipe face. The rosemary and tea tree oil will help clarify your skin and the apple cider vinegar will restore your skin’s PH balance.
Exfoliants
5 tbsp baking soda
5 tbsp honey
Blend and put on face. Gently scrub and wash off after 1 minute. Make sure to follow up with a toner and a moisturizer.
Masks
Oatmeal and Honey Mask
1/2 cup cooked, ground oatmeal
2 tbsp honey
Mix two together and slather on face. Leave on for 30 minutes and rinse off. The oatmeal is soothing, and the honey is nourishing and is great for sensitive or acne afflicted skin. Use once or twice a week.
Moisturizing Facial Treatment
1 egg yolk
1 Vitamin E capsule
1/4 cup yogurt
Beat the egg yolk, break open the vitamin E capsule and stir it in. Mix in the yogurt and apply to face and neck. Leave on for 20-30 minutes and wash off. The lactic acid in the yogurt gently exfoliates, and the egg yolk and vitamin E will provide intense moisturization. Use once or twice a week.
Fresh Apples and Honey Mask
1/2 grated apple
3 tbsp honey
Mix together and apply to face for 20-30 minutes. This is refreshing for oily or troubled complexions. Use once or twice a week.
Fruity Mask
1/2 papaya
2 tbsp honey
5 strawberries
Put in blender and apply to face for 20 minutes. The strawberries naturally have salicylic acid and papayas have papain, which help speed up the exfoliation process. Use once or twice a week.
Moisturizer
1/2 cup aloe vera gel
5 drops lavender essential oil (or essential oil of your choice)
3 tbsp jojoba oil or coconut oil
Store in a jar in the fridge. The aloe will soothe your skin and even out your skin tone, and the jojoba oil (or coconut oil) will not clog your pores. Great for all skin types.
Shiny Hair Tonic
1 tbsp Honey
1/8 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup water
Mix together and run through hair after shampoo. Adds shine and restores the PH balance of your hair.
1 cup olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
3 tbsp
Heat up olive oil for 45 seconds, stir in lemon juice and honey and work into hair. Leave in for as long as you can (ideally, one hour or more; even overnight) and then rinse out. Hair may be oily, so you can shampoo it out if youfd like.
Bath Powder
1 cup powdered milk
1 cup dried lavender flowers
1/2 cup oatmeal
Put all in a nylon stocking and tie together. Put in bath and use to scrub body. The lactic acid in the milk exfoliates and the oatmeal soothes. The scent of the lavender will calm you after a long day and has a soporific effect.
Spicey Bath Powder
2 tablespoons ginger, cinnamon, cloves, cayenne pepper or nutmeg
1 cup baking soda
The spices will heat up your body and also have a stimulating effect on you.
Bath Salt:
2 cups Epsom salts
1 cup baking soda
Put in jar and use whenever. This mixture will help alleviate sore muscles.
Body Exfoliant
Brown Sugar Scrub
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup olive oil
Mix together and rub all over body for an invigorating scrub.
See? Luxurious, right? These ingredients are natural and good for you, and are easily accessible. Who wants to shell out money for commercial products when nature has given us such beautiful gifts?
