Do you really want to pay in excess of $50 for a face cream or the latest miracle anti-wrinkle cure? Even though the quantity of the product is stated on the box it’s always a disappointment when you realise the outer box is 3 times the size of the jar and then the jar has a bottom so thick you only get a fraction of it filled with actual product. Not only that, we really have no idea of what is in the cream itself. Labels of chemicals with unpronounceable names … just what on earth is it all about? So whether you are looking to save some cash or return to a more natural beauty routine your humble kitchen cupboard may well hold a store of goodies you should be using on your face and body instead of eating it. And they're eco-friendly.
Here are a few ideas:
Check out makeyourcosmetics.com for the recipe for an exfoliating and moisturizing blend of used (! ?) ground coffee bean, olive oil and milk. It’s very good for hands and feet. Not good if you don’t like the smell of coffee though.
Suitable for all skin types, this mask is made by simply mixing together 2 egg whites with 2 tablespoons of yoghurt. Make sure you use plain yoghurt – imagine how you’d look with extra fruity strawberry on your face? Leave on for a few minutes then rinse off.
With night creams being amongst the most expensive of our creams it’s good to know there are some that are easily made at home. The recipe for olive oil night cream has a few ingredients and is easy to make but too long for here so just stick Natasha Levitan in your search engine and away you go. She’s also got a host of other ideas.
Do you want nice red lips but hate cloying lipsticks? Heat 3 tablespoons of liquid glycerine with 45g grated beetroot over a pan of boiling water for 15 minutes then strain into a bottle with screw cap. You’ve now got an homage to the lip and cheek stain made by Benefit (cult beauty brand).
If you want to effectively tackle dry hair you need a jar of mayonnaise. Not the lite version and if you can buy one that claims to be “natural” or organic, so much the better. Slather it on your hair and leave for up to half an hour before rinsing. It’s not as daft as it may sound – mayo is, after all, made from eggs and olive oil.
The next time you’re going to have a long soak in the tub try this as a skin softener. Cut one leg off a pair of panty hose and pour in some porridge oats. Add some drops of your favourite essential oil. Tie up the leg and hang over the tap so the water runs through the oats as it fills the bath. You can also add some honey (make sure you do this over the bath otherwise it will make a real mess!)
There’s nothing worse than a persistent itch. For this remedy you will need to have some aloe vera gel which I don’t imagine is in everyone’s kitchen but this works as efficaciously on the dog as it does on you. Peel a banana and eat it. Wait – there’s more. Scrape the skin until you denude it of banana and put the scrapings in a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel and 1 teaspoon of milk. Mix until smooth then apply to affected area.
I just had to share this one with you even though it’s not a food and I certainly don’t advocate eating it but you can make a great face mask by mixing a few spoons of cat litter (yep, cat litter!) with some water and a few drops of your favourite essential oil. Apply it to your face, leave for 15 minutes then rinse off. Apparently, kitty litter contains the same clays as $100 facial spas.
I think I win the prize for finding the most unusual beauty treatment – unless of course you know otherwise.
Top Photo Credit: ✈l e xbu