How to Make Sugar Cube Scrubs

These cute little cubes offer all of the benefits of a moisturising sugar scrub without the oily mess. Each one is a perfect single use solid scrub. Just take one out and take it with you into the shower. Perfect for the pool or the gym, or a weekend away. No mess or fuss. You’ll love the light creamy lather while exfoliating and smoothing. You can add extra exfoliants too if you wish when you make your own.

To use just take one cube into the shower or tub with you (you really should leave the remaining cubes in a jar, out of the water area), and knead with a little water in the palm of your hand, and rub over your skin, paying special attention to any rough spots. The pure cane sugar gently exfoliates, the all-natural soap base gently cleanses, and the sweet almond oil restores moisture – all in one easy step.

Includes: Soap, Scrub, Moisturiser

Where to buy your ingredients

Let’s start with the easy stuff – sugar. This recipe uses regular supermarket white cane granulated sugar that you would add to your coffee. Easy. You can substitute other sugars to suit your own recipes.

The oils. Your local health food store will probably stock these oils in small bottles. You can use any of the listed oils or a combination. It can be rather expensive to buy them that way, but if you are only making small amounts for yourself rather than for sale, this is easiest. If these are not available, you could always try substituting a good quality virgin olive oil from the supermarket or health food shop too.

Soap base. You can buy the white Melt and Pour soap base from Rustic Escentuals.

Fragrance. Rustic Escentuals carries a fabulous range of fragrances. Just be sure to pick one which is bath and body safe. The choice of fragrance is entirely up to you – go wild!

Colour really is optional; these scrubs will work just the same without it. You should not use food colouring as this is not designed for use on the skin and can stain. If you have a mineral powder eye shadow, you can add a little of this to give your scrubs some colour. Any of the range of gel soap colorants from Rustic Essentuals will work beautifully.

The Instructions

1. First get to hand everything that you will need from the list below. It’s important to have everything ready to hand because the scrub can set up quite quickly and catch you out if you are not prepared.

Materials:
Add and weigh scales
Glass bowl or jug
Spoon
Mold, ice cube mold, soap or chocolate mold, plastic tub

Ingredients:
6oz Granulated cane sugar
2oz Sweet Almond Oil / Grapeseed Oil / Avocado Oil
3oz White melt and pour soap base
Colouring, liquid or powder (optional)
Fragrance oil or essential oil of your choice
Other exfoliant of your choice i.e. poppy seeds, 1 tsp approx (optional)

2. Add your bowl or jug to your scale, set it to zero. Cut up your white melt and pour soap into rough equal sized cubes. Add them to the bowl until your scale reads 3oz.

3. Transfer the jug to the microwave and melt the soap until every cube is just about melted – around 20 seconds for my microwave, yours may vary. Stir to ensure everything is melted. Careful not to boil the soap!

4. Remove jug from the microwave and stir the soap.

5. Add your fragrance oil or essential oil of your choice. If using fragrance oil designed for soaping, I add around 2 ml of fragrance. Add fragrance a little at a time until you get the level you are looking for. Stir until combined.

6. Add your liquid or powdered colouring. Add it a very little at a time. You can always add more but cannot take it out if you have added too much. Stir until combined.

7. Return the jug to the scale, set to zero. Add in your liquid oil slowly. You can add a single oil or you can blend several oils until you have added a total of 2oz in weight. Stir to combine.

8. If you are adding any additional exfoliants, like poppy seeds, add these now and stir in.

9. Get your mold ready close by.

10. Return your jug to the scale, set to zero and add 6oz of granulated cane sugar.

Now work quickly!

11. Stir, stir, stir quickly until the sugar is fully combined. Then quickly pour into the mold before it sets up. Scrape around the jug to get every last bit.

12. Now do the washing up while you wait for the scrub to completely set. Leave it to set at room temperature for 1 hour.

13. Once set, push on the back of your mold or twist to release the block. If you used an ice cube mold, your scrub is ready. If you made a big block, use a heavy knife to cut into bite size pieces, you choose how big or small you like them.

14. Package in a pretty box, jar or bag and label, decorate and give to the lucky recipient of your hard work. Congratulations.

( Source: http://library.rusticescentuals.com/)

Get rid of cellulite with this home-made remedy

Almost every other woman has cellulite.

Cellulite consists of fats, toxins, and water, which gather under the skin creating lumps that resemble orange peels.

In this article we will present some awesome tricks that will help you get rid of these annoying lumps on your thighs. Cellulite’s number one enemy is caffeine. It reduces deposits and supplies the skin with antioxidants, but only if it‘s applied externally. It has been proven that if you use caffeine this way (it’s necessary to rub) and on a regular basis, it will reduce the appearance of cellulite. Caffeine is especially efficient over the long-term.

Ingredients needed:

– 6 cups of coconut oil

– 1 cup of coarse ground coffee

– 3 tablespoons of sea salt

Preparation:

Mix the coffee and salt in a big container that can be tightly closed. If the coconut oil is in a firm state, melt it in the microwave before you add it to the coffee and salt. Then, stir the mixture well and tightly close the container you are using.

Use:

To get the best possible results, before showering, massage your body with a dry brush to stimulate circulation. Gently massage all of the affected areas with circular motions.

Apply the peel while you are in the shower. Don’t forget to gently massage while applying. Circular motions are recommended.

Repeat this procedure on a daily basis to get the best possible results.

(Source: http://www.healthyfoodstar.com/)

Grandma's Skin Care: Kitchen Cosmetic Recipes 

Hair Color
To give your hair a rich Burgundy Tint use Henna (mehendi) powder once a week regularly.
Take 200gm of Henna and one cup of Amla and Tea water. Mix together and leave it in an Iron vessel overnight.
Apply it to your hair the next day, leave on for at least two hours and then wash off.
When dry, apply some Brahmi Amla hair oil. This will help darken your hair in three to four applications. Weekends are the best idle time to give yourself a new look and get appreciative looks on Mondays!!

Thick Shining & Dandruff free Hair
Make a homemade nourishing conditioner pack of dry Fenugreek paste, Shikakai powder, Amla Powder, Reetha powder, dried and powdered Lemon leaves, mixed with two Eggs.
Apply this paste onto hair and scalp and leave it on for about 30 minutes. Wash off with a mild shampoo.

Dry Hair?
Start oiling your thin and dry hair with almond oil mixed with coconut oil atleast twice a week.After massaging it into your scalp and hair, apply juice of two lemons and steam your hair for about seven- eight minutes.

Dry Rough n Wavy Hair Treatment!
Massage your hair with warm Almond Oil
Apply 5 tablespoons of honey on the scalp and hair, followed by turban therapy. You will a noticeable difference as soon as you shampoo your hair after an hour later.
Regular oiling and conditioning will make your hair soft and manageable.

Treatment for Dry Hair!
Massage hair with a quarter cup of full cream milk mixed with 2 teaspoon honey. Leave on for 20-25 minutes and wash off.

Tangled Hair Treatment
Apply five tablespoons of honey on tangled hair. Leave on for five-ten minutes and then, Wash off.

Oily Hair Remedy
Regularly wash hair with Fuller's earth (Multani Mitti). This will not only reduce the oil, but the hair will feel much cleaner and full-bodied as well.
Difference can be seen after two-three applications.

Frizzy Hair!
To treat and condition frizzy hair,add a tablepsoon of Honey to a litre of Water and,use it as an after-shampoo rinse.


Blemishes On Face?
Grate an apple and apply it as a face mask daily for a week. Blemishes shall fade away naturally!

Soft & Clear Skin
Take a Papaya and rub all over skin.
This has cleansing enzymes which will leave skin soft and squeaky clean.

Healthy Glowing Youthful Skin

Massage your face, daily, with a combination of fresh cream, lemon juice and honey.
Then do a five-minute scrub of powdered almonds, walnuts and honey mixed with a little fresh cream milk.

Clean and Clear Skin
Take 30-40 Neem leaves and boil in one litre of water until the liquid turns to half. Drink three-four tablespoons of this syrup daily.

Glowing Skin!
Take 1/2 tablspoon of turmeric powder, 5 tablespoons of sandalwood powder, 1 tablespoon of almond oil and mix with milk.
Apply on face, neck and the back. Let it dry for 15-20 minutes and wash off.

Get yourself a Glowing Skin
Take one teaspoon Chiraunji powder, one teaspoon Rose Petal paste and Milk. Scrub gently into the skin. Wash off with cold water and watch it glow!

Home-made Lip Gloss
Mix one teaspoon Glycerine with half teaspoon Almond Oil. Glide over your lips for a natural shine!

Face Pack
Take white flour, mix crushed peppermints and lemon juice. Blend them together. Let it set for about an hour, so it will get thick. Spread a layer on your face that not too thin and not too thick. Let that set for 10 minutes, then wash your face with warm water.
After that wet a peice of cloth, that is a little bigger than your face, with cold water. Put it on your face for 1 minute. Then pat your face dry for outrageous skin!

Chlorine Problem?
To get chlorine out of your hair, mix baking soda with your shampoo and apply to hair.

Satin Smooth Skin!
When you have a Mango, do not throw the peels. Powder the peels. Add 1 teaspoon milk powder and rub all over.
Wash off after 5 minutes for a satin finish!

Itchy Scalp!
Boil a handful of 'Neem' leaves in a litre of water and use as an after-shampoo rinse. This also works as an antiseptic. 

Beet and cinnamon for luscious lips
With the use of cinnamon and Shea butter, thin lips can be plump-up. Just mix Shea butter and a bit of cinnamon then rub it on the lips. Leave it for some minute before washing off; this will help stimulate blood flow in the lips for a beautiful, luscious and gorgeous looking skin. For additional lips colour, apply a slice of beetroot on your lips for a lipstick effect. This will make you look adorable that can compliments all types of skin tone.

Recipes for Homemade Moisturizers

Recipes for Homemade Moisturizers

Moisturizing Oils: 
Olive Oil 
Soybean Oil 
Sesame Oil 
Coconut Oil 
Castor Oil 
Almond Oil 
Grapeseed Oil 
Lightly apply to warm, moist skin.

Healthy Glow Moisturizer 
Juice of 1 lime 
1/4 cup milk, boiled 
2 tablespoons good quality olive oil 
Mix well and refrigerate after use

Super Soft Moisturizer 
1 teaspoon honey 
1 tablespoon coconut oil 
1 teaspoon lemon juice 
Mix together well 
Refrigerate any unused mixture for several days.

Dark Circle Night Creme 
1/4 cup peeled potato 
1 tablespoon green tea leaves 
1 teaspoon sesame oil 
Process until smooth in food processor 
Apply thin layer under eyes before bed. Refrigerate unused mixture.

Wrinkle Eradicator 
5 grapes 
2 teaspoons citrus juice; lemon, lime or orange 
1 tablespoon castor oil 
Combine until smooth in food processor. Refrigerate any leftover mixture for up to one week. 

Anti-Aging Moisturizer 
1 small cucumber, peeled and seeded 
Juice from 1 lime 
2 tablespoons almond or olive oil 
Combine ingredients in food processor until very smooth. Refrigerate unused mixture for up to 3 days.

Balancing Moisturizer 
1/2 cup of yogurt- homemade is best 
1 tablespoon orange juice 
1 tablespoon lemon juice Mix together thoroughly

Hydrating Moisturizer 
1/4 cup cooked oatmeal 
2 tablespoons of honey 
1 tablespoon aloe vera gel expressed from one large leaf 
Mix well

Softening Face Cream 
1/4 cup dried nonfat milk 
2 tablespoons of olive oil 
1 tablespoon rose petals 
Mix well together in food processor

Soothing Lotion
1 overly ripe peach, peeled and mashed 
1/4 cup cream 
1 tablespoon cornstarch 
Mix well then strain through a sieve

Rich Protein Moisturizer
egg yolk 
1/4 cup milk 
1 tablespoon grapeseed oil 
Mix thoroughly

Dry Skin Mask :
tablespoon of buttermilk. or yogurt 
1 egg yolk 
1/8 cup finely diced rose petals 
1/4 cup cooked oatmeal 
Mix together thoroughly.The buttermilk or yogurt gently exfoliates and cleanses while the egg yolk, honey and oatmeal moisturizes and re-hydrates the skin.

DIET FOR YOUR HAIR
Long and beautiful hair has always been symbolic of a woman’s beauty. Every woman aspires for long, thick hair. But to flaunt a beautiful mane, a lot of regular hair care is required. Hair cannot be made beautiful by beauty aid alone. It requires a well balanced and nutritive diet too. Here are a few simple yet useful tips on appropriate diets for your hair: • If you want beautiful long hair, you will have to pay attention to your diet. The food you consume has a direct bearing on the health of your hair. The fresh items in the food certainly stimulate faster and healthy growth of hair. • If you are one of those who take in a nutritive diet and consume plenty of water, there is no need for you to take in any additional vitamins. Your fibrous foods can include fruits and salads. Stay away from soups and juices. • A balanced diet should include proteins, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and fats. Absence of even one of these could cause damage to the hair. Your hair turning grey is the first signs that your diet lacks proteins. Inadequacy of vitamin A makes hair dry and rough. Lack of vitamin C results in retarding your hair growth. • Vitamin B lends shine to the hair and increases their density. Make sure that your diet contains all these essential nutrients. Listed below are few salad recipes you could use which could prove beneficial for hair growth. Seasonal Fruit SaladTake some seasonal fruits like watermelon, sweet melon, papaya, pomegranate, pineapple, banana and cherries. Cut their pulp into small pieces. Remove seeds. Sprinkle black salt and eat chilled. Beetroot-Potato SaladCut beetroot, cucumber, boiled potato, paneer (cottage cheese) and tomato into small pieces. Mix them with grated cabbage. Add fresh lemon juice, salt and pepper to one’s taste and serve. Germinated SaladSoak some pulses like moong (yellow lentil) and black gram overnight. When germinated, add tomato, small bits of onion, coriander leaves, lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste.
A RECIPE FOR STRONG, BEAUTIFUL HAIR
Even though natural texture and the rate at which your hair grows cannot be changed by what you eat, you can improve the way it looks and feels by switching over to a nutritious, well balanced, protein rich diet.  NORMAL HAIR Eat: Low fat fish, chicken, pulses like dals and sprouts.  DRY HAIRIncrease intake of low cholesterol, polyunsaturated oils such as margarine, sunflower oil, fruits and foods rich in Vitamin B. Eat: Foods rich in vitamin B, raw vegetables, pulses, wholemeal bread, brown rice, liver, bananas, nuts and oily fish. A supplement of Vitamin E capsules will also help. Avoid: Salty and fatty cheeses.  OILY HAIR This condition stems from over secretion of the sebaceous glands. Eat: Lots of green leafy vegetables, salads, fresh fruits, yoghurt, baked and grilled dishes. Avoid: Fried and greasy foods, milk products and red meat.  MIXED-CONDITION HAIR Eat: Plenty of vegetables and fresh fruits. Avoid: Butter, cheese and deep fried foods.  DULL HAIR Eat: Foods rich in minerals - green vegetables, nuts, lentils, wholegrain cereals, shrimps, oily fish and milk.  HAIR WITH DANDRUFF/FLAKY SCALP Eat: Fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and vitamin A rich foods. Avoid: Dairy products, spicy food, piping hot food and animal fat.  FOR SHINY TRESSES Does your hair look unhealthy and lack luster? • Start using conditioners regularly. • It is Important that you also rinse off the conditioner thoroughly after wash. • A easy way to get the shine back in your hair is to use tea-water as a rinse or use a mug or two of water to which you’ve added juice of half a lemon/or a table spoon of cooking white vinegar as a final rinse. • You will feel the difference.
MAKE YOUR OWN ROSE CONDITIONER
It helps to use a hair conditioner regularly. And while you look for the best brand to buy, you could try this one at home. Soak half a cup of rose petals in hot water for some time. Take half a mashed banana (full if you have long tresses), one table-spoon honey, and a tablespoon of coconut/olive oil. Blend all the four ingredients tin a blender. Massage well into your hair and scalp, and leave the conditioner on for about half an hour. If you can wrap a warm towel around your head the conditioner will have a better effect. Make sure that you wash off conditioner thoroughly with shampoo.
AMLA - THE BEST MEDICINE FOR HAIR.
Regular massage of fresh amla mashed to a paste will do wonders. The application of this paste will improve the colour of hair (delay the process of greying), prevent your hair from falling and moreover has a cooling effect on the entire system.

Source : tip nut.com

Homemade Hair Masks & Conditioning Wraps

If hair is dry or damaged, here are a few recipes to try that will 
both nourish and bring it to a healthy shine.
These are made with natural ingredients and most are likely in 
your pantry already. 
The hot oil remedies at the bottom of the page work best if a 
warmed towel is wrapped around the head after treatment is applied, 
here’s how to prepare them:

• Preheat oven to 200°F.
• Lightly spray both sides of a towel with water. 
• Fold and arrange them in a large paper bag (or roll in aluminum foil).
• Place bag (closed) on a baking sheet then put in the oven on the middle rack.
• Turn off heat and they should be ready to use in about 10 minutes or so.
• Crockpot Method: Generously mist them with water, roll up then arrange in a pre-heated crockpot (medium temperature). Cover and leave for about 20 mins, reducing to low after 10.

Use them only when they’re cool enough to handle.

Hair Mask Recipes

Almond

1/4 cup of honey
1 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 TBS almond extract

• Mix first two items in a blender for 5 mins then add the other items 
• Blend for another 5mins. 
• Keep refrigerated in a sealed glass jar until ready to use.

Avocado (to help repair split ends)

1 mashed avocado
2 drops lavender Essential Oil

• Apply to ends and leave for 30 minutes. Rinse off (no shampoo).

Lemon Yogurt

2 TBS lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
1 egg yolk
1 tsp yogurt (plain)

• Rinse off after 20 minutes.

Banana

1 ripe banana
1 cup hot water
1/4 cup dried chamomile
1 TBS coconut oil
1 TBS honey

• Use a blender to combine then apply. Rinse well after 20 minutes.

Egg & Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 egg yolk
1 TBS plain yogurt
1 TBS Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• Wash off after 25 minutes.

Ideal for deep conditioning and so simple to do you can skip the salon 
and whip them up yourself. Here’s how…

Directions:

• Warm ingredients in a small glass jar placed in a bowl of hot water, 
• Combine thoroughly.
• Apply evenly from roots to ends, massage into scalp then cover head with plastic wrap (or bag) and then a hot towel.
• When towel has cooled, remove 
• Cover with another one that has been warmed.
• Wait at least 30 mins or up to two hours.
• Wash hair well with shampoo and condition as usual (optional).

Recipes

 

Featuring a wonderful post from Tipnut.com 

DIY Body Sugaring Recipes For Removing Hair

Centuries ago in ancient Egypt, Cleopatra and her handmaidens discovered a secret beauty treatment that magically and painlessly got rid of unwanted hair…and this recipe was lost for years until recently discovered. At least that’s what the television infomercial declared years ago when I first became aware of body sugaring.

I pulled out my credit card, ordered my tub, gave it a try and found that a) it wasn’t painless like the infomercial stated and b) it was pretty pricey considering I could go to the salon and have a professional take care of the mess for just a few bucks more. I never placed another order.

Over the years I’ve discovered a few homemade versions that do just as good a job as that pricey tub cost me, and they cost only pennies to make! Now we’re talking ;).

If you’re wondering what this is, it’s epilation that’s very similar to waxing, a sugary mixture is heated then cooled and applied to the area of the body that you want to get rid of hair. Strips of fabric are pressed over top then ripped off. If it works, the fabric is now covered with hair. If it doesn’t completely get it all, just reapply and rip again.

Since the paste can grab and pull the hair out deep at its roots, the new growth is slower to appear than if shaved (which just removes growth at the surface). Skin is left soft and smooth and there’s not much mess (especially when compared to waxing) since the mixture is water soluble and washes off easily.

If you’d like to give this a try, here are three different ways to make it plus directions for application (and ripping). Good luck!

Supplies Needed:

• Candy thermometer (to measure temperature while mixture is heating)
• 1″ strips of cotton fabric (about 8″ to 10″ in length)
• Wooden popsicle sticks or spatula

Before getting started: Wash well with soap and water, removing all traces of oil, makeup, deodorant and dirt. Pat dry.

Ingredients: (Two different recipes, choose one)

• #1: 2 cups sugar, 1/4 cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed), 1/4 cup water
• #2: 1 cup sugar, 1 cup honey, juice from one half lemon (freshly squeezed)

Heating Directions:

• Combine ingredients in a heavy saucepan and turn on the heat to medium. Once it starts boiling, reduce heat to low and cook until the mixture reaches 250°F (stir often so it doesn’t boil over) then take off heat. If a thicker paste is preferred, just heat to 245°F.
• Let it sit until it’s warm then pour into a glass canning jar. Continue to let it cool till it’s at room temperature. Careful! This will cause serious burns if it’s not cooled down properly before applying.

Microwave Version:

• 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup honey, juice from one half lemon (freshly squeezed)
• Directions: Combine items in a large glass bowl then heat in the microwave for two minutes, stopping every 20 to 30 seconds to stir. Once it’s finished cooking, allow to cool down a bit before pouring into a glass canning jar and letting it rest till it’s at room temperature. Source: cbc.ca.

How To Apply:

• Lightly dust the surface with cornstarch and rub it in. Lightly is key, this will help protect the skin a bit so the paste doesn’t stick to it as much (helping lessen the pain).
• Using the popsicle sticks, slather on a thin layer in the direction of the growth then cover with cotton strips (do in batches of 3 or 4 until the entire area is covered). Rub the fabric a few times firmly (in the direction of the growth).
• Let it sit for about a minute then pull skin tight with one hand and rip each strip off quickly with the other (in the opposite direction of the growth). Reapply as needed (can reheat if it gets too cool).

That’s it! Does it hurt? Yes, I think it does but I’m a bit of a wimp ;). Over time with more treatments you do get de-sensitized to it a bit.

Tips:

• Hair should be at least 1/4″ so the mix/paste has something to really grab onto.
• Hand wash the strips in warm soapy water, dry and reuse them again and again. Muslin or diaper flannel work well.
• Careful to avoid growths such as skin tags, warts and moles. Also avoid applying on top of stretch marks, abrasions, scrapes or cuts, scar tissue, delicate area around the eyes, rashes and varicose veins.
• Seal any leftovers in the jar and refrigerate to use later (simply reheat).
• If paste is too hard to work with, add a spoonful of water and reheat in the microwave for a minute or so until it’s hot. Stir then allow to cool as above.

Beauty from old-fashioned home remedies

Many of today's top spa treatments take their cues from old-fashioned home remedies, and there's science to back up the ingredients' effectiveness. Take a look at our favorites.

The best beauty fixes come from the most surprising places. Beer for your hair, anyone?

Many of today's top spa treatments take their cues from old-fashioned home remedies, and there's science to back up the ingredients' effectiveness. Take a look at our favorites.

Oatmeal

Soothing and anti-inflammatory, oatmeal contains beta glucan, a soluble fiber that creates a thin, moisture-retaining film on the surface of the skin. Place a handful of whole oats in a clean washcloth and use a rubber band to secure it. Next, immerse it in a sinkful of warm water and squeeze the bag four or five times. Once the water is cloudy, splash it on your face and then air-dry. (If you must towel dry, pat as gently as possible)

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil's abundant fatty acids help balance skin's moisture levels, and the antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E protect skin from further damage. Combine equal parts avocado oil and evening-primrose oil (which supports collagen synthesis with its gamma linoleic acid) in a sealable bottle and shake to blend. Massage five or six drops into clean skin, and then cover your face with a warm washcloth for a minute to help the oils sink in.

Walnuts

Rich in oil, walnuts make for extra-gentle sloughing. Blend 1/4 cup shelled walnuts, 1/2 cup olive oil (for extra emollients), and a tablespoon of honey (to seal moisture into your skin) in a food processor set on a slow speed, creating a fine-particle scrub. Standing in the shower (if you're scrubbing your feet) or over a sink (if it's for your hands), work the mixture thoroughly over your skin for a couple of minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Oranges

The fruit acid loosens dead skin cells. Cut a fresh orange in half and squeeze the juice of one half into a bowl. Add 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 cup olive oil and then blend into a moisture-rich scrub. Next, rub the exposed side of the other half of the orange over knees, elbows, heels, and any other dry spots. Last, rub in the sugar mixture to slough off dead skin. Rinse with warm water and pat skin dry.

Milk

The lactic acid in milk serves as a gentle skin exfoliant, while its natural fat content acts as a body moisturizer. Add a gallon of whole milk to a tubful of warm water and soak. It's a great alternative to sugar and salt scrubs, which may be too abrasive for people who suffer from eczema, psoriasis, or sensitive skin. If you prefer a fragranced bath, add 10 to 20 drops of an essential oil, such as lavender.

Eggs

Eggs' high protein content helps improve hair's resilience and luster. Whisk together 1 egg, 2 tablespoons coconut oil (rich in moisturizing fats), and 2 tablespoons sesame oil. Apply the mixture to dry hair and wrap a hot, moist towel around your head. Relax for 5 to 10 minutes. Without wetting hair first, work in a handful of shampoo, then rinse and condition your hair.

Apple-Cider Vinegar

The high acidity of apple-cider vinegar makes skin inhospitable to blemish-causing bacteria. Place a handful of parsley (a skin-clarifying herb) into a French press and cover it with 1/2 cup of boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes, then plunge and let the liquid cool. Transfer to a spray bottle along with a splash of vinegar and four drops of tea tree oil (an antiseptic), shake well, and spritz on a freshly cleansed face. Store the spray bottle in the fridge.

Beer

Yeast and hops help to swell the hair shaft and plump the cuticle, adding volume. The acidity of the beer helps remove built-up product residue. In the shower, after you've shampooed, pour a bottle of beer over your hair. Rinse briefly with fresh water (the idea is to avoid the Eau de Barfly effect while retaining the beer's body-boosting benefits). A rich beer with a high yeast content works best. (Read: No light beer.)

Sour Cream

This thick dairy product makes a moisturizing mask and gentle exfoliant, since its lactic acid (an alpha-hydroxy acid) helps speed cell turnover, brightening dull complexions. Natural fats restore skin's moisture.
Using your fingers, smooth 1 to 2 tablespoons of cool, full-fat sour cream in a thin layer over your clean face and neck, avoiding the eye and lip areas. Wait 7 to 10 minutes, then remove the mask with a wet washcloth. Splash skin with warm water and pat dry.

Chamomile Tea

Use this soothing beverage to make a calming compress. A natural anti-inflammatory, chamomile reduces redness and puffiness around the eyes. It also soothes irritated complexions.
Soak a clean washcloth in cool chamomile tea steeped to a golden yellow and apply to the skin as a compress. (To treat puffy eyes only, roll the washcloth to create an eye pillow.) Rest the compress on your skin for at least 10 minutes before rinsing and drying.

Almond Oil

This nut oil makes a great hand moisturizer. With a light texture and loads of vitamin E, almond oil quickly penetrates dry skin and protects hands and nails from environmental damage.
Rub 1 teaspoon of oil into hands and cuticles. Wrap each hand in a small towel, and allow the oil to penetrate for at least 5 minutes. Wipe the excess oil off hands, but don't rinse them; any remaining oil will be absorbed over the next few minutes. Follow with a rich hand cream.

Kiwi

The high vitamin C levels in kiwi fight free-radical damage and even out skin texture. When scrubbed on the face, the seeds act as tiny exfoliators, leaving skin smooth.
Peel and slice a ripe kiwi, then mash the flesh thoroughly with a fork. With circular motions, work the kiwi paste onto a damp, clean complexion, avoiding the eye and lip areas. After 30 to 60 seconds of scrubbing, rinse skin with warm water and pat dry.

Olive Oil

Rich in vitamin E and fatty acids, olive oil is a Mediterranean-inspired favorite for moisturizing brittle and overstyled hair.
Before showering, comb several tablespoons of "light" olive oil (it will say so on the label) through hair, working from roots to ends. Cover hair with a shower cap. After showering for 5 to 7 minutes, remove the cap. Shampoo, rinse, and condition as usual. Hair will feel super soft.

DIY “Miracle” Night Cream

Ingredients:

1/2 tsp beeswax

1 tsp coconut oil

2 tbs almond oil

1/2 tsp of shea butter (or you can just use more coconut oil)

1 tsp vitamin e oil

1/4 cup aloe vera gel

1 tsp honey (Try to get some local honey if possible)

1/2 tsp bentonite clay

5-10 drops lemon essential oil

*You can double the recipe

Directions: In a double boiler, sauce crock pot, or microwave safe dish place first 4 ingredients and heat slowly until melted. Pour into a blender and let cool.  In a separate bowl, mix together aloe vera gel, vitamin E oil, lemon essential oil, and honey. Once the beeswax oil mixture has completely cooled and become almost the texture of lip balm, mix it with a spoon a little to break it up, and add the aloe mixture into the blender. Blend until well combined. Place back in a non-metal bowl and add 1/2 tsp bentonite clay, and stir with a non-metal utensil. DO NOT LET IT COME INTO CONTACT WITH METAL! You get the point :). Place cream in a glass or plastic container and store in cool dry place.

I’ve been using this cream for a little while now and I love the way it feels on my skin. I can see a difference in my skin! Brighter,  hydrated, and the puffy eyes/dark circles have decreased a ton. Plus, you know exactly what ingredients are going in and you don’t have to worry about harmful chemicals. I feel like a say this every time I do a DIY skin care recipe! It’s true though!