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From a young age, girls are taught that “Beauty is pain,” and after a run-in with a curling iron at age nine, I won’t argue that. But what our mothers and grandmothers forgot to mention is that beauty is also money — lots of it! You name the body part, and I guarantee there’s a product on the market that promises to tighten, tone, and beautify it. The monetary cost of these products, not to mention the environmental effect, is rather absurd. When I logically consider the amount of money I dedicate to beautifying, it’s hard to justify the expense.
In an effort to pinch a few pennies and save the environment from a few extra plastic bottles, I’ve decided to try a few of these at-home beauty tips. Bonus: using natural ingredients, like those featured here, is much better for your body. So get a little adventurous with me and give a few tricks a try!
Totally Tropical Deep Conditioner
If you have curly or relaxed hair, try this home remedy for dry hair. Melt about a teaspoon of coconut oil in the microwave then run it through your dry hair using your fingers to distribute the oil. Pay special attention to the ends, and avoid putting it directly on the scalp. Leave the coconut oil conditioner in over-night, and shower it out in the morning.
Shiny Hair Cocktail
Add a shot of vodka, yes vodka, to your normal deep conditioner. Stir a few drops of your favorite essential oil and spread through your hair. Let this mixture sit for about 20 minutes and then rinse. The alcohol will lower the pH of your hair, and the oil will add instant shine!
Winter Skin Remedy
Dust the cobwebs off your blender and make yourself a rejuvenating facial mask. Blend together a little cold cream, plain yogurt, honey, aloe vera gel, and avocado. Smooth the mixture onto your face and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse the mask off and enjoy your moisturized and totally refreshed skin!
Get Glowing Mask
Mix one tablespoon of orange juice with 1 tablespoon of baking soda to create a paste. Spread the paste on your face and leave on for 20 minutes — if you feel tingling, that’s good! After 20 minutes, dampen your fingers and scrub the mask in small circles to exfoliate. Rinse your face with warm water and pat dry.
Sugary Body Scrub
Mix together one cup brown sugar, one cup raw oatmeal, and one cup olive oil. Stand in your bath tub (this will be messy!) and apply the scrub on dry skin with your hands. Rub all over your body in slow circles. After a full scrub-down, rinse off in a warm shower.
Razor Burn Cure
Apply one to two drops of honey to wet fingertips and massage into the razor-burned area. Don’t rinse. Pat to dry. The honey will help your skin retain moisture and calm the irritated area.
Nail Saver
If your nail polish addiction has left your nails yellowed, scrub your nails with an old toothbrush, then some whitening toothpaste. Soaking your tips in lemon juice for 5 to 10 minutes will have a similar whitening effect.
Long-Lasting Lip Color
Exfoliate your lips and pat them dry. Grab yourself a packet of Cherry Jell-O and lick your lips. Dip your fingers in to the powder packet and apply to your moist lips. The color will stain your lips giving you long-lasting rouge. Layer a moisturizing red lip gloss or lipstick on top for a perfect pout.
Photo Credit:
SheKnows.com & RedBook.com
