DIY Beauty? Help!

WeAreGhosts

Faust7 wrote: »

Thank you WeAreGhosts! How is the texture of the oat-banana mask?

Not too yucky. Just feels a bit weird at first. I start with a thin layer and then add more if it sticks ok

shandyclover

I love my pampering sessions as much as any girl but as a matter of principal, I try not to spend too much on beauty products (20 years abroad doing humanitarian aid work will do that to you). I've found some cupboard essentials work just as well.

Baking soda makes an amazing and very effective face scrub, it sounds harsh, but it does actually work. without upsetting your skin, something to do with the ph level etc.

Most of the girls in my house have adopted the 'oil cleansing method' and saved a huge amount as well as sorted quite a few skin issues.

Coconut oil makes a great hair mask, face mask, make up remover, all over body moisturizer.

I buy the castor oil, almond oil and coconut oil cheaply from ethnic stores, also a catering size tub of baking soda.

Like DomRavioli said, just go down a level. I am presently using premium skin products because they were given to me as gifts, but otherwise I usually buy Aldi's own day/night cream, or buy from Superdrug when its on offer. I especially like the naturally radiant range. Honestly the posh stuff I am using now is no better or more effective.

Keep an eye on poundshops, sometime they sell off old stock of expensive products when packaging changes. Last year I got a whole range of organic skin care from the US, when I googled the brand the prices were more than 10 times what I paid.

I am very much for making beauty stuff with what I have in the house rather than investing in expensive ingredients that I often don't get time to use. Michelle Phan, has quite a lot of beauty treatments with everyday kitchen cupboard type stuff, my daughters quite often have their friends over and use her youtube videos for pampering sessions with much hilarity - I've posted the youtube link to the face masks below, but there is oodles to explore -

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=michelle+phan+diy+face+mask

Lily_maroon

Hi! I encourage you to go for it, such an awesome plan! You will DEFINITELY feel the difference in your budget and even more so - your health. :A

For years I have not applied shop bought moisturisers, body creams or butters and I am so happy! Took me a while to get in the habit etc but so worth it and now actually saves time.

The thing that got me started was that I started reading the labels of shop bought cosmetics - offputting to say the least! Considering that all that goes into my bloodstream as well, just like food really......

Body moisturiser: I have a mix of extra virgin olive oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil (anything I'd also put in my mouth!) in a nice glass bottle in my bathroom cabinet to apply after the shower. In the beginning the smell put me off as you sort of smell of cooking. But over the years I assembled a nice collection of essential oils (Holland & Barrett, amazon) which give lovely scents. Jasmine or Vanilla are great by themselves, add in something earthy like Cedarwood or Rosewood or even Black Pepper (anti-ageing apparently!) and mandarin for a fruity note. Also I put quite a few drops (close to 20 overall on about 250ml of oil) they last me a couple of years on the shelf!

Body butter: I feel my legs and hands sometimes getting dry in the winter especially when the oil is just not enough. I just ordered a joblot of Cocoa butter off amazon which I expect to last a year (1kg for £9.99) ! Gently heat it in a pot (doesn't take long at all), Stir in at least the same quantity of runny oil (to make it possible to apply later before it hardens back into a block) and your essential oils. Pour in jar and leave to cool before applying.

Note: In the beginning you will likely find that the oil doesn't absorb very well and be careful - you might ruin a couple of clothes with oil stains in the process (btw - if anyone has a tip on getting them out that would be great!! BUT - my theory is just that your skin takes a while to adjust to the new treatment. It doesn't take longer than 5min, if that, for my skin to feel completely oil free. Just bear with it.

Facial cleanser: I probably would not admit this to people who actually know me but this is what I'm using for my evening cleanse (in the morning just warm water) and have been using for years and am not going back: Finely blended instant oats with skimmed (almost fat-free) milk powder. Mix together in equal parts and under the shower just dilute with some warm water for an extra gentle facial cleanser. Again, there is an adjustment period where you might get spots but now my face looks better than ever.

Final tip - Rosewater from an Indian store. They sell half a litre or so for .99p. It tones the skin, great after shave, conditions your hair.

Have fun!!! :j

Faust7

Thanks a lot Lily_maroon! I have tried using olive oil mixed with sugar as a body scrub before but felt like it took ages to absorb... I'll definitely try oats for my face since so many people seem to recommend it!

xMonsoonx

I use Sweet Almond Oil to remove makeup - because its liquid at room temperature I find it easier to use than coconut oil - and always clean and massage the make up and oil off with my 25p tesco value face flannel - I have about 10 so I can have a clean one every time I wash my face.

Fallen-Angel

I make my own deodorant.

6 tbsp of coconut oil
4 tbsp of cornflour (can use arrowroot)
4 tbsp of baking soda
Couple of drops of essential oil of choice (optional).

Mix cornflour and baking soda together, mash in coconut oil until combined then add oil and mix.

Works better than any deodorant I've ever bought and you only need a small amount.

triple_choc_chip

Another vote for coconut oil, I use it as a body moisturiser and night cream.

Try honey as an exfolient, smear it over your skin and gently pat. It will become cloudy as it collects the dead skin cells and you rinse it off easily with warm water. More gentle than using a granular exfoliant.

For a softening hand treatment, pour salt into your dry palm with liquid soap and massage well before rinsing. You can also use sugar which is more scatchy but good for removing fruit stains on the skin.

A compress of oatmeal and coffee granules soothes eczema and psoriasis, or these ingredients can be added to a bath.

Faust7

Thanks Fallen-Angel, does it work as an anti-perspirant as well? As in, do you sweat less when you apply the homemade deodorant?

kadison

Get some cold pressed coconut oil, you can use that for so many things!

Fallen-Angel

Yes it does Faust7. I was at the gym last night and it held up perfectly - just everywhere else that was sweating