Someone (paraphrasing Theodore Roosevelt — do I get bonus points here?) once said: “Nothing worth having ever comes easy.”
Oh, brown sugar, how come ya make me look so good?
With respect, I must disagree. Some of the most amazing discoveries I’ve ever made were right under my nose, there for the picking. Better, these discoveries actually worked. Ready for some really cool, easy and inexpensive beauty finds? Read on.
And to the family of the insightful Mr. Roosevelt: Don’t worry, I’m still a fan.
Pretty Feet Sugar Scrub
This scrub will make your feet feel amaaaaazing. Sugar is a gentle exfoliant; honey adds suppleness and is a humectant (it draws moisture from the air to the skin). Enjoy this gentle scrub up to twice a week.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 c. brown sugar
- 1 tbsp. honey
- 1 tsp. lavender or honey essential oil
Directions:
Combine ingredients in a bowl; stir well. Apply to feet about a tablespoon at a time; scrub the area gently, paying special attention to the heels. Wipe off gently when done and add your favorite foot cream if desired.
Olive Oil Deep Conditioner for Hair
Although the hair can’t technically be “repaired” (a split is a split is a split), olive oil can add an amazing suppleness and sheen. It also provides protection against further damage. Eggs provide protein, giving the hair shaft strength.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of your favorite essential oil, for fragrance
- 1 egg yolk
Directions:
Warm olive oil in microwave for 20 seconds MAXIMUM (be careful – check the temperature before applying; if the oil is hot rather than warm, you’ll wind up with scrambled eggs!). Beat the egg yolk with a fork and add to the olive oil. Add the essential oil last. Apply the mixture to your hair and wrap in a towel to keep it warm. Keep the mixture on your hair for 20 minutes. Wash out with your favorite shampoo.
Super Strawberry Tooth Whitener
Believe it or not, strawberry is a centuries-old recipe for whitening/bleaching. It was a popular face lightener for women in the 19th century. Strawberry works to lighten tooth stains, too. Here’s how to do it.
Ingredients:
- one very ripe (soft) strawberry
- 1 tsp. baking soda
Directions:
Mash the strawberry well with a fork. Add the baking soda and blend well. You will have a crumbly paste. Place the paste on your toothbrush and brush all outer surfaces of your teeth for 2 minutes. Rinse.
Bright Eyes Dark Circle Remedy
There are many natural ingredients – such as lemon – that can lighten the skin. But these don’t necessarily address the underlying cause of dark circles (usually, enlarged capillaries under the skin) and may be irritating to the eyes. The solution? A potato! Potatoes provide a gentle bleaching action while cooling and soothing so that the blood vessels under the eyes are less visible.
Ingredients:
- one small raw white potato
- cotton pads
Directions:
Grate the potato into a bowl. Press with a fork to extract the juice from the potato. Dip cotton pads into the juice and lie back with the wet pads on your closed eyelids for 20 minutes. Do not rinse off. Apply makeup as usual.
Enjoy, gorgeous!
Sources:
Mom's Beauty Tips 