Archive for December 2008

Condition and Moisturize Your Body

Body Conditioning Remedies

  • If your skin has been overexposed to cold, wind or sun, cold Mayonnaise can help sooth it. Leave on as long as you can stand it, then wipe clean. Follow by washing it off. Keep away from eye area and never sleep with any type of deep moisture treatment around eye area. Some of the oil may seep into the eye itself and may cause allergic reactions, and even blurred vision. You can also apply Mayonnaise on hair that needs extra moisture. Apply all over hair and scalp, and wrap in a towel or plastic wrap. Leave in for about 30 minutes, depending on your level of dryness.
  • Olive Oil and Hempseed Oil are great skin conditioners. You can also apply all over hair and scalp. Avoid the eye area when applying any moisture to the face, unless it is a specific moisturizer for the eyes area. Use this as a 30- minute treatment and wipe off. Follow with your usual cleansing regiment. You can get Hempseed Oil at an affordable price by going to www.hempsisters.com
  • For added smoothness, apply some pure dairy cream all over face. Follow with your regular cleansing regiment.
  • For mature or dry skin, try some unscented Baby Oil mixed in with your foundation. Baby Oil is light and has been tested for known allergens. Again, only apply moisturizer on the eye area that’s meant for the eye area. Your make-up will stay on longer throughout the day if you put a dab of the oil all over your face (excluding eye area) after washing your face.
  • Another treat is Baby Lotion. They have so many to choose from now. I like the fragrance free, naturally made organic lotion. I use it all over body and face. It leaves a fresh scent and gives just enough moisture.
  • For heavy- duty face conditioning, mash up an avocado and apply all over face. Leave on for as long as you’d like and wipe clean. Follow with your daily cleansing.
  • Honey also makes a great conditioning mask for the face. Mix in some powdered milk for extra smoothness.
  • If you live in an area with hard water, try some Baking Soda in your bath. Not only will it soften the water, but will do the same for your skin, not to mention… it deodorizes the tub at the same time! For extra soothing comfort and softening, mix in a little Epsom Salt. It works great on healing minor cuts as well as soothes achy muscles. For really pure Baking Soda, try Bob’s Red Mill Baking Soda. www.bobsredmill.com
  • Rub the inside of a banana peel or avocado all over dry body parts, especially elbows and knees. Leave on for 30 minutes. Wash clean.
  • Add Baby Oil and Milk for added moisturizing and smoothing benefits during your bath.

  • Add a dab of Baby Lotion to your hair in your last rinse after shampooing. You’ll add lots of shine if your hair is dull or dry. A dab of the oil will also help your curls last longer after setting.
  • Avocado smoothed all over your hair and left in for 30 minutes before your final rinse will add lots of body to your hair. Burt’s Bees Extra Volume Shampoo adds tons of body and deep cleans oilier scalps. www.burtsbees.com
  • For an instant blast of moisture before applying your make-up or freshening up your face while you’re out, fill a small spray bottle with mineral water. You can actually buy these at department stores, but you’ll pay a lot more. Evian Water makes a moisture spray for on the go. www.Evian.com Spray it directly over make-up for a quick pick-me-up during the day.
Share

Posted in Home Remedies, Women | Tags: , , , , ,

Remove Body Stains and Odors

PERSONAL CARE – body stains and odors

Here are some helpful tips that I found really truly work…

To remove set in fruit stains on skin, try rubbing and rinsing with pure lemon juice. The concentrated bottled kind works just as well – just use less of it.

Baking soda and lemon or grapefruit juice works as well. To remove the smell, rub your hands together with a sea salt paste made with water.

And last but not least, you can always use white distilled vinegar. I’ve never tried Apple Cider Vinegar, but I’m sure it should work just as well.

Any type of permanent marker should easily come off with a natural hairspray. Simply spray, rub hands and wash off with mild soap and water. I’ve also tried this method on household surfaces (test a small area first) and it seems to work just as well. Some of those products sold to remove stains from furniture can be quite toxic and dangerous to children and pets.

When in need of a facial exfoliating wash, simply sprinkle some cornmeal into the lather and massage gently into the skin. You can also use this method as a body scrub. I’ve tried this using salt, but it tends to leave my skin irritated and dried out. The salt might work better on a tougher, oilier skin. Avoid scrubbing your face and body daily. This should be done no more than once a week, and less for drier more sensitive skin.

I find that cornstarch baby powder makes an awesome face powder to set your make-up base with. Do not use baby powders containing talc, as this is harmful to the lungs. Cornstarch powder leaves your skin smooth and soft, fills in the wrinkles and doesn’t over dry. That was one of my mom’s make up secrets. Compared to cosmetic setting powders, it’s really, really cheap and much better for you. I get the cornstarch baby powder sold at whole food stores or stores that carry totally natural facial products.

Baking Soda is also excellent for removing tough grime on hands and under finger- nails, as well as deodorizing hands.

Whenever you can afford to, try purchasing cosmetic products that are naturally organic. Over 20 percent of the chemicals found in personal care products, not only seep into the skin but hurts our environment as well, by getting into our major water systems, which in turn, ends up in our drinking water. Try using products right out of your kitchen pantry for facial care such as, oatmeal, honey and white vinegar.

Share

Posted in Home Remedies | Tags: , , , , , ,

Holiday Money Saving Tips

Winter Holiday Money Saving Tips

Home made snow – beat together a solution of water and your choice of natural powdered soap flakes. You can find this product in your laundry isle, but to make it even better, buy powdered natural soap flakes from your local health food market…especially if little ones are involved in the application of the home made snow. I did this last year at my son’s school and I was really surprised at how beautiful the project came out.

Anyway, you can hand mix this recipe but an electric mixer is better and quicker. The consistency seems to come out smoother and easier to apply on the tree. Mix until the solution is thick, followed by spooning on ends of tree branches. You can cover most of the branches if you’d like more of a white tree effect. You’ll be really surprised how great it works, and actually ends up being lots cheaper, and you get larger amounts for less money investment.

Here are a few ways to make your Christmas trees last a little longer.

One way to make sure you’re buying a really fresh tree that in turn will last longer anyway, is to rub the base and feel for moisture content. If it feels really ooey and gooey, you’re buying a really fresh tree.

Extending the color life of the needles can be achieved by trimming the base of your tree and putting it in a bucket of cold water (just the bottom part of the tree) with any cup of sweet substance mixed into the water. I prefer organic brown sugar but you can use maple syrup, regular sugar or even honey. No fake sugar products.

Keep in mind, before going to pick out your tree, that certain varieties last longer and stay greener than others. Spruce and Scotch Pine are some of the best.

Homemade gift tags – use your unwanted cards with pretty pictures printed on them and cut out in squares. Fill the blank side out like you would a store bought gift tag.

If you have a newspaper subscription, save the paper to be used as wrapping paper. Use the funnies for kids and apply your homemade tags… free of charge and readily available. Anything to keep you away from the crowds is worth it.

Hoping your Holidays are inexpensive and creative. Later,g

Share

Posted in Frugality, Household Solutions | Tags: , , , ,
Categories

Powered by WordPress and WordPress Theme created with Artisteer.