If I were really really really rich, I would probably go to the spa like it was my job. My skin would be so freaking radiant it would blind people, and I would never have dry/oily/uneven skin ever again. In the meantime, I thought I would throw together some useful at home beauty secrets that cost a lot less than these fancy spa treatments, but may work just as well.
Nails
Cure yellow nails: Run a freshly cut lemon over your nails to help fade the yellow or mix 1 teaspoon lemon juice with 2 tablespoons water and soak for 15 minutes. Follow up with a moisturizing nail cream or oil so the acidity doesn’t dry them out.
Between manicures: Rubbing oil on your nails can make cuticles look better and help protect nails from breaking due to a lack of moisture. Between manicures this will reduce the incidence chipping, cracking, and splitting.
Body
Make a body scrub: Mix together 1/2 cup raw sugar with 1/4 cup of light oil and use it in the shower as an exfoliating body scrub. This could make the shower a little slippery so please don’t fall and kill yourself for the sake of smooth skin.
Make deodorant last: Put it on at night before bedtime―when you body temperature is lower―so your skin can absorb the formula better (and you won’t forget to put it on when you’re rushing out the door in the am).
Use bar soap: You get a lot more use out of bars than from liquid soap, plus they are already less expensive. If you don’t think you’re getting the exfoliation factor, use your loofa for a once over after you’ve washed yourself clean.
Face
Mask for dry skin: Mash 1/2 ripe banana or avocado and spread on clean skin. Let it sit for 15 minutes and rinse well.
Mask for acne: Honey is a powerful antioxidant with antibacterial properties, making it perfect for healing acne-prone or dry skin. Spread it on clean skin and let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
Moisture treatment: Pop open a vitamin E oil capsule and blend into your face under your moisturizer every night – especially on the thin skin under the eyes. You may feel a little greasy, but the corrective powers of this vitamin make it worthwhile.
Reduce Redness: Smooth a layer of Pepto-Bismol on your face like a mask, and rinse off after it dries. It works like a salicylic acid to tighten your skin and reduce redness.
Collagen boosting mask: Mash 1 cooked carrot with 1 avocado, then add 1/2 cup heavy cream and blend. Apply the cream to your face and neck, leave it on for 15 minutes and rinse with cool water. The beta-carotene in the carrot, the vitamin E in the avocado, and the calcium in the heavy cream combine to boost collagen levels, lighten age spots, and improve overall skin tone. Do this once a week for a month and your face will glow.
Depuff eyes: Use cold water to rinse your face in the morning to wake up your face. If you have extra puffy eyes, steep two chamomile tea bags in warm water at night and place them in the refrigerator to cool. In the morning, squeeze excess fluid from tea bags and place them over your eyes for 5 minutes.
Makeup remover: Use a dab of vaseline or baby oil/no tears baby shampoo. Both work wonders.
Hair
Clarifying shampoo: Mix 2 teaspoons baking soda with 1 cup water and use as a final rinse after shampooing to get rid of extra buildup and add volume to limp hair.
Deep conditioner: Coconut oil is a great deep hair conditioner. You can leave it in overnight or condition with a heat cap if you are pressed for time. It provides shine and penetrates your hair to help make it stronger.
Dry shampoo: Sprinkle some baby powder in your hair between washings to keep it from getting weighed down. It works just like those pricey sprays.
Add shine: An apple-cider vinegar ($1.29 at the grocery store) rinse works like clarifying shampoo and leaves your hair with great shine.
I bet the top spa’s out there are using these very formulas and then charging you ridiculous amounts of money. Give some of these tips a try and you can save money while beautifying in the comfort of your own flannel kitten pajamas.
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