How to Grow Long, Healthy and Strong Hair Fast

Up until last year, I had hair that came to about my shoulders. It was relatively healthy, but it had been in the same style for years and it was time for a change. I thought of getting my hair cut short, but I had done that before and I wanted to try something different. I also wanted to grow my hair long so I could eventually donate it to a charity.

With these goals in mind, I set out to grow my hair long, strong and healthy. I also had a few requirements:

1. I wanted to use only natural products

2. I didn't want to spend a lot of money

3. I wanted the hair growth to happen fast

A tall order, for sure, but I was determined to make it happen. I am happy to report that after about one year, my hair has grown down to the middle of my back, and it is longer (and healthier) than it has ever been!

So how can you grow healthy, long hair quickly and easily?

Step 1: Get a haircut

I know what you're thinking, "But I'm trying to grow it long! Getting a haircut is the opposite of that." I know it seems counter-intuitive, but trust me, it improves the overall health of your hair and will allow you to grow long hair that looks and feels healthy. Think of it this way, if your ends are damaged or split, the damage will eventually travel up the hair shaft, making it break. Broken hair is shorter hair, and split hair is unhealthy and will look (and feel) damaged. Getting your hair ends trimmed will help your hair stay healthy, and will allow you to easily grow it long without having to battle broken hair.

Step 2: Don't over-style

Blow dryers, curling irons, hot rollers, flat irons, bleach, commercial color, perms, teasing brushes - they can all wreak havoc on your tresses. Try to significantly limit, or even eliminate, using these styling elements, and you will quickly notice a difference in the quality of your hair. Likewise, take precautions when swimming by applying conditioner to wet hair before even heading to the pool.

Step 3: Don't comb your hair when it is wet

One of the quickest ways to stretch, break and damage your hair is by dragging a brush through it while it is wet. If your hair tangles easily like mine did when it was wet, try running your fingers through it right out of the shower or bath. Then, either wrap it up in a microfiber towel (preferably not a terry cloth towel), or leave it hanging down to dry undisturbed. The trick here is leaving your hair alone until it is dry. Don't rub hair vigorously with a towel or twist it to wring it. If you need to, you can always gently pat it dry. Once your hair is completely dry, you can brush it without the damage.

Step 4: Switch to a cruelty-free boar's bristle brush

I used to have what I called pyramid hair. I had flat, oily hair at the roots, and a fuzzy poof of hair at the ends, leaving my hair looking like a pyramid. It was awful, and I would spend a lot of time every day slathering on anti-frizz products, washing my hair to get rid of the oils, and trying to style my hair so that it looked more normal. Now my pyramid hair is history! I picked myself up a cruelty-free 100 percent boar's hair brush, and I noticed a huge difference in my hair in only one week!

Boar's bristle brushes smooth the hair cuticle and massage the scalp, leading to healthy hair growth, plenty of shine, smooth hair, and well distributed natural hair oils (sebum). Now my morning routine consists of me waking up and brushing my hair with the boar's hair brush, that's it! No more expensive (and ineffective) products to tame the frizz, I have no frizz to tame. No more scrubbing the oil from my scalp, I simply redistribute the oils to the tips of my hair with my daily brushing. Using the boar's hair brush twice every day has made the biggest difference in my hair, and it is a difference I can both feel and see.

Step 5: Wash hair less often

By now you're probably already thinking, "Ew. No, I have to wash my hair every day." Trust me, I used to wash my hair every day, too, but now I wash my hair only a few times per week. Washing hair every day strips the natural oils from hair, leaving it dry and delicate. By going longer in between washings, you are allowing the hair oils to naturally distribute throughout your hair. This is especially true if you use the boar's hair brush mentioned in Step 4. Worried that hair will be dirty and stinky? No need to worry. My hair always smells fresh and is perfectly clean. When I exercise, if I am in between shampoos, I rinse my hair thoroughly with water to remove any sweat, and I allow the hair to dry naturally. I also use my boar's hair brush to remove pollutants, dirt, and pollens from my hair by brushing thoroughly a few times a day. Yes, there can be an adjustment period, but if you stick with it for a short while, you will notice an amazing difference in your hair.

Step 6: Switch to natural shampoos and conditioners

I used to spend a fortune on shampoos and conditioners that left my hair looking OK - not great, but OK. When I finally made the switch to a natural shampoo and conditioner, I couldn't believe the difference. My hair was shiny, full of body, manageable, smooth and smelled incredible! I have never gone back to the chemical concoctions that I used to use on my hair. If I can't pronounce it, I don't use it on my hair. For me, natural works best, and it allows my hair to kind of self-regulate, as strange as that may sound. My hair now cranks out an appropriate amount of oil, distributed by brushing, and it so silky that I often only need a tiny dollop of conditioner. Whenever I do shampoo, I apply a dime sized amount of conditioner or oil to the ends of my hair only, and my hair is more manageable and healthier than ever. If you can, ditch the chemicals, and switch to more gentle shampoos and conditioners. Some people even choose to go shampoo-free, which I think is very cool, I just haven't given it a try yet!

Step 7: Mind what you eat

A healthy diet means healthy hair. Eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, and other healthy foods will accelerate hair growth, and will help to make your long hair healthy. When I switched my dietary habits a year ago, I noticed a difference in my body immediately. It wasn't until a few months of hair growth had passed that I noticed the great effects my diet had on my hair. Also, add a multivitamin to your daily routine, and make sure that it includes biotin. Great hair starts with great nutrition!

Step 8: Be careful how you style your hair

Tight braids that pull hair, snugly wrapped coiled buns, or root tugging ponytails are all off limits as they can damage hair over time. Instead, opt for loose ponytails, loose French twists, loose buns, and other styles that don't put too much stress on your hair. After all, if you want to grow long, healthy hair, breaking it off during styling will definitely not help. Keep this in mind when you are buying hair accessories, as well. Avoid anything that looks damaging, or could get snagged in your locks.

It may also be a good idea to wear your hair with the ends tucked in as often as possible. There is a theory that not exposing hair ends to the air constantly will keep them from drying out, and will promote faster hair growth. It can't hurt to try it, and the styles are gorgeous.

Step 9: Deep condition

About once a month, treat your hair to a deep conditioning. This can be a homemade deep conditioner or a natural deep conditioner that you purchase. Either way, your hair will thank you for the extra love and moisture!

Step 10: Bedtime for your hair

Never sleep with loose hair. Put it into a loose style before going to bed so it does not become the victim of bedhead friction. If you can't sleep unless your hair is loose, pick yourself up a satin pillowcase to lessen the friction on your hair.

Follow these easy tips, and you'll see longer, healthier, stronger hair in no time. Good luck, and happy hair growing!

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Shaving Vs Waxing: Which Method is Best for Your Legs?

When the weather warms up and summer is about to burst on the scene, clothes tend to get skimpier and skin becomes more visible. Having smooth legs that are free of hairs and stubble is almost a must to get through the season in a fashionable manner. Waxing and shaving are two of the options you have to get rid of the hairs on your legs. Both methods have pros and cons, and learning about these, might help you decide which method is best for your gams.

The Pain Factor Shaving Vs Waxing

Although you can get your legs waxed at a salon, you can also give yourself a wax job right at home. Regardless who does the waxing, expect the experience some pain, because you're pulling a bunch of hairs out at the same time. When the wax is applied to your legs, it adheres to the hairs. A cloth is then used to pull the wax and unwanted hairs off your legs. As for shaving, the process is pretty much painless, unless you don't have a sturdy hand or shave your hairs when your skin is dry

The Duration Shaving Vs Waxing

Even when done at home, waxing takes longer than shaving and tends to be messier. Heating the wax, whether it's rubbing wax strips between your hands or using the microwave, takes time. At a salon, it might take 30 minutes, if not more, to get the job done. Shaving is quick and easily done while taking a shower. Quick touch ups are easy, and unlike a wax job, which requires hair to be at least 1/4-inch long, you don't have to wait for the hair to grow to a certain length.

The Cost Shaving Vs Waxing

The supplies needed to shave your legs will most likely cost under $10. A sharp razor and shaving gel are all you need. A home wax kit can cost about the same amount, but if you have the process done by a professional, you can expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $70, depending on the salon.

The Risks Shaving Vs Waxing

The biggest risk with shaving your legs are the nicks and cuts that might occur when you're in a rush, and the red bumps that might emerge on irritated skin. Taking your time, using a shaving gel, shaving your legs when the hairs are soft and moving the razor in the direction of the hair growth, can ease the process. Waxing can result in ingrown hairs, and because the hairs are removed root and all, the follicle stays open, increasing the risk of an infection/ This is why it's essential to apply antibacterial lotion after waxing hair.

The Results Shaving Vs Waxing

When you shave your legs, you remove just the visible part of the hair. You cut it off at the point where it meets your skin. Waxing, removes the entire hair including the root, which gives a cleaner, smoother appearance. The latter also lasts longer. A wax job can keep your legs free of hair for two to three weeks, while shaving can result in stubble within a few hours of as soon as the next day, depending on how fast your hair grows.

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Best Facial Cleanser and Lotion ... And It's Homemade

I have never grown out of the acne-prone skin I developed in high school. It's not as bad as it was back then, but I still have monthly breakouts that sometimes include very painful pimples across all layers of my skin. During the past two decades, I have experimented with every acne product in the drugstore: the cleansers, the scrubs, the lotions, the creams, the vitamins, the sponges, the soaps and the masks. I have tried multiple brands of each of these products, as well. In college, I even tried that expensive monthly club that charged $40 a month for a little bottle of cleanser and astringent that I could barely stretch over the 30 days. It didn't help, anyway.

So, here I am, with acne that isn't quite that bad, but skin that still breaks out and, worse, has pitted scars to remind me of the skin that plagued me in my teens and early 20s. My adequate drug-store skin regimen included a Buff Puff sponge with Noxema to exfoliate, wash with antibacterial Dial soap, and then moisturize with Cetaphil lotion. But I still wasn't happy with my skin.
 

The Recipes

I use two 2-ounce baby food jars: one for my face cleanser and the other for my homemade moisturizer. The cleanser lasts me about two weeks washing morning and night, and the lotion lasts for weeks. There is at least one night per week, however, that skip my cleanser and go straight for a pure baking soda scrub for a microdermabrasion effect. A regimen of one microdermabrasion a week is helping reduce the appearance of my pitted acne scars. After two months, people have started to notice that my skin is smoother and more even without any prodding from me whatsoever.

Face Cleanser

3 Tbsp ground oatmeal (not instant)

3 Tbsp baking soda

3 Tbsp of honey

3 Tbsp of water

1. Ground up your oatmeal in a blender. I have another container I use to store the unused portion so that, when it's time to make a new batch, my oatmeal is ready to go.

2. Add the oatmeal and the baking soda to the baby food jar.

3. Next, add the water. Put the lid on the jar and shake it vigorously. This helps shrink the mixture down and thin it out enough to mix it with the honey.

4. Add the honey to the jar and shake again. Really shake it so that all of the ingredients mix together well. The solution will likely be thin at first, but will thicken overnight as the oatmeal absorbs the water and honey.

5. When it's time to use the cleanser, you may need to reshake the jar or stir it with your finger first. The thinner the mixture is, the more the ingredients will separate with the heavier baking soda settling on the bottom.

Understanding that this recipe is the one that has been working wonders on my skin, you may require a slight adjustment. For example, one of the recipes I tried included a tablespoon of unrefined coconut oil. This reduced the abrasion of the baking soda and thickened the solution into a paste-like texture. If you find that my recipe is too harsh for your skin, consider reducing the baking soda to 2 tablespoons and add a tablespoon of unrefined coconut oil.

Moisturizing Lotion

2 Tbsp unrefined coconut oil

.5 Tbsp of honey

.5 Tbsp of water

Put everything in a jar and, if your coconut oil is soft enough, just shake the jar until everything is mixed; if not, use your finger to mix it together. It should be creamy when you're done, with a slight brown tint. For your morning moisturizing, use a small amount on the tip of your finger. A little bit of this lotion goes a long way. If you do a pure baking soda scrub at night, use a bit more and really coat your skin to protect it.

Since this lotion is oil-based, be aware that its texture is dependent upon the temperature in the room. If it gets too warm, it will liquify; if it gets too cold, it will be harder. Additionally, keep the lotion in an air-tight jar. The honey in it will crystallize if you leave the lid off. If this happens, simply put some on your finger, run it under water and rub your hands together to smooth it back out.

Pure Baking Soda Scrub

If you have scars that you want to treat, one or two nights per week, wet your face, add about half a tablespoon of baking soda to a damp washcloth, and massage it over your face for about a minute. Thoroughly rinse and put a generous amount of coconut oil over your skin to protect it overnight.

The Research

How did I come to these recipes? Well, first I spent some time researching homemade facial scrubs. I came across a lot of recipes online. Some mixed different combinations of these ingredients with oils, vinegar toners, citrus juices, and other household and food products. As I researched those products, I found that the four ingredients in this recipe had all the properties I needed in a skin-care regimen.

After selecting my ingredients, I experimented with different combinations until I found a texture that gave me that clean-skin feeling without being too abrasive, and there were a few days where I scrubbed off a bit too much skin. It's hard not to get a little zealous about a new scrub, but do start slow or you can do more harm than good, even with these all-natural, homemade recipes.

Let me share a summary of this research with you, including some cautions about using baking soda recipes on your skin as it can affect the pH of your skin.

• Oatmeal is not only a gentle exfoliant, it helps reduce swelling, dryness and itching in skin. Its starches, beta-glucan, saponins and phenols have been shown to not only help problem skin heal, but actually buffer and clean skin.

• Honey is both antiseptic and provides a layer of protection for wounds. It is also a natural preservative for your homemade recipes. It's also a great way to lighten scars, moisturize skin and treat eczema.

• Baking soda is an abrasive that exfoliates the skin. In addition to whitening teeth, baking soda can provide various levels of skin cleansing from light exfoliation to a microdermabrasion-like treatment.

• Unrefined coconut oil is a great natural moisturizer for hair and skin. Various studies suggest that coconut oil is effective at treating some skin conditions and conditioning hair. Remember, a little bit goes a long way.

Balancing the pH

In my research, I encountered some who caution against using baking soda on your skin. After all, some use this chemical to scrub their sinks and toilets. The main objection is that our skin has a natural acidic top layer, or an acid mantel, that protects us from bacteria. Scrubbing this layer away can cause worse breakouts, and do that is especially easy with baking soda, which is a base. The above recipes and skin care regimen works to keep your skin's pH at the right level and maintain a protective layer at all times.

If you find that you're breaking out too much, reduce how vigorously you scrub. I noticed, in the first couple weeks, that I was breaking out after doing my microdermabrasion treatments with baking soda. Of course, I was doing it two consecutive nights. When I cut that down to one night a week, I stopped breaking out. Your skin is unique so you'll need to use a little trial and error to find the right regimen for you, but err on the side of caution.

• Oatmeal pH is about 5.5 (weak acid) - about the same as black coffee or urine

• Honey has an average pH of about 3.9 (moderate acid) - about the same as tomato juice and acid rain

• Baking soda has a pH of about 9 (weak alkaline)

• Water is neutral

Using only the oatmeal and baking soda with water would create a slightly acidic, but close to neutral solution. Adding a bit of honey tips the scale toward the acidic side, which helps fend off bacteria and match the natural pH of your skin, which is about 4.5 to 5.

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Eco-Friendly Living: Uses for Lemon Juice and Lemon Peels

Going Green

Nearly every house has lemon juice or fresh lemons in the kitchen. Sure, you could use them to make lemonade; but sometimes you've got juice leftover, or of course, the rinds. Fortunately, lemon juice and lemon peels can be used as an eco-friendly alternative in several different areas of the home.

Plastic Food Container (such as Tupperware) Stains

Nothing is worse than finding out your new tupperware has a food stain, such as spaghetti. Using half a lemon, squeeze the juice into the container and rub thoroughly. Allow the container to sit for approximately 20 minutes and then rinse thoroughly.

Grease

Anywhere you've got grease, you can use lemon juice to clean: stove tops, pots and pans, even microwaves. Using a lemon half and some salt, rub the grease until gone and then wipe up with a clean towel.

Nothing is worse than finding out your tomato soup lunch tastes like your significant other's reheated bacon from breakfast. To prevent these issues, place lemon rinds into a bowl of water and microwave for 2 to 5 minutes (5 minutes for tougher food build-up.) Wipe away the steamed interior with a towel for a clean, fresh-scented microwave. This works especially well for food that's exploded and crusted onto the microwave's interior.

Ink Stains on Clothing

When applied directly, lemon juice can help remove ink stains. Pour directly onto the stain and wash in cold water.

Beauty Treatments: Age Spots, High Lights and Dry Elbows

If you're familiar with beauty tips that utilize lemon (think, lemon in your hair for natural summer high lights,) then perhaps you've heard of this one: lemon can be used to to lighten age spots. Simply take a small piece of lemon peel and apply it to the affected area. Leave the peel on for up to an hour. (Author's Note: this remedy will not necessarily remove all of the age spot and may not work for everyone.)

Not only that, but lemons can also be used to soften elbows. Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle each half with baking soda. Then, use your elbow as if it were a juicer for several minutes; rinse and dry for softer elbows.

Clothing and Under Arm Stains

Combining equal parts lemon juice and white vinegar in the wash can help remove under arm stains on shirts.

Cat Box Odor

If you're like me, you've got a cat (or two) and you hate the smell of the litter box. Fortunately, a few slices of lemon in a small dish near the litter box can help deodorize the area.

Lemon Juice as a Polish

You can use lemon juice to polish chrome (such as your faucets or pots and pans.) Once you've used the juice up on the chrome, you can use the rind of the lemon (dipped in salt) on copper, brass and stainless steel items, such as pots and pans, faucets or kitchen sinks. Scrub down with the rind and salt mixture, allow to sit for approximately five minutes, rinse with warm water and allow to dry.

Cleaning Your Garbage Disposal

Instead of throwing out the used lemon peels once you've used them for these other issues, you can squeeze one last use out of them: deodorizing your garbage disposal. Just throw the rinds down the drain, run the water and turn on the garbage disposal and voila: your garbage disposal is fresh, clean and lemony-scented.

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Homemade Alpha Hydroxy Acids and Beta Hydroxy Acids Skincare

Do-it-yourself Beauty Products

Acids for skin care are all the rage right now. They are more effective exfoliants than manual exfoliators, as they pose less of a risk for irritating inflamed or sensitive skin. However, skin care products featuring such acids can be pricey sometimes. This doesn't mean that you can't experience their benefits. You can make masks and toners containing these acids right at home for a fraction of the price!

Glycolic acid is a type of alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) which helps exfoliate your skin cells. Glycolic Acid is found in brown sugar, and you can make a great exfoliant by mixing brown sugar and your choice of a skin-friendly oil (such as jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, olive oil, castor oil, almond oil, etc.) and apply as a paste to your face. Leave it on up to 10 minutes and apply warm water to your face. Scrub gently (if you sensitive skin, just wipe it off) and make sure to rinse off completely.

Lactic acid is another type of alpha hydroxy acid that not only exfoliates superficial skin cells but is also used to hydrate and soothe flaky,dry skin. Lactic acid is found in milk and yogurt, and Cleopatra purportedly bathed in milk to keep her skin supple. To utilize this acid, mix powdered skim milk with honey for a mask that soothes and exfoliates simultaneously. Or, you can put milk in a spray bottle filled 3/4 of the way with water, and use it to hydrate your face anytime you need a pick-me-up, the way that Cindy Crawford does when she travels (this is to counter the drying effects of the dehydrating air within the airplane cabin, which can sometimes get drier than the Sahara Desert!) For acne, you can mix lemon juice, cucumber juice and yogurt and put it on as a mask for around 10 minutes. You'll find that your skin is brighter and pinker and more uniform in color.

Citric acid is often used in skin-creams, toners and face cleansers to balance the PH of your skin, and also, works as a natural preservative of the ingredients in the products. Citric acid is found in lemons, oranges and grapefruits. You can use lemon juice in your masks (great when mixed with egg whites) or you can grind the rind of an orange and mix it with oatmeal for a clarifying mask.

Malic Acid is a type of alpha hydroxy acid and is found in apples. If you have never tried apple cider vinegar for your skin, you should try it. It's great for reducing the amount of oil your skin produces and also helps even out your skin tone. You certainly should try organic apple cider vinegar (such as the cult-favorite, Bragg's), as it isn't processed (it still contains the mother-web at the bottom of the bottle).

Tartaric acid is yet another type of alpha hydroxy acid that is found in grapes. Grape masks are great for rejuvenating aging skin and really makes the skin look brighter. Crush a few grapes and leave it on your face for 5-10 minutes. Wash off and make sure to apply a suitable moisturizer for your skin type.

Salicylic Acid (which is found in aspirin, and trace amounts can be found in aloe vera and strawberries) is a type of beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) which penetrates yours pores and gets beneath the sebum and dissolves and exfoliates dead skin cells. My favorite mask to use for my acne-prone skin is a mixture of honey, aloe vera and crushed and dissolved aspirin pills. When applied for 10-20 minutes, it works to exfoliate my skin and helps soothe any painful zits I have. This is great for reducing any cysts you might have, and also helps de-plug any blackheads and clogged pores. Also, you can make a great toner by mixing apple cider vinegar, green tea and a few aspirin pills. Let the pills dissolve, and make sure to use this up within a few days.

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DIY: Whiten Your Teeth Naturally

There are many ways to whiten your teeth naturally. This is good for a lot of us that can't afford the $45.00 whitening strips, or the expensive whitening care your cosmetic dentist might offer. The secret to whitening your teeth is malic acid. I learned in chemistry class that Malic acid acts like an astringent to remove discoloration from your teeth. Strawberries are your cheap cosmetic dentists! This sweet tooth-cleanser removes stains like OxyClean: coffee, red wine, dark sodas and teas. This is a great natural remedy, but you have to make sure not to use it too much because as it removes stains it could also remove your tooth's healthy enamel.

You Need:

1 super ripe strawberry

½ teaspoon of baking soda

Soft toothbrush

Directions to Strawberry Whitening:

Place your rips strawberry in a zip-tight bag, and then squish your strawberry with your hand. If you want you could take a can and gently press down onto the strawberry so that you don't break open the bag. After your strawberry is squished add the baking soda, and mix. When your mixture is nicely mixed, use your soft tooth-brush and spread the mixture on the toothbrush's head. Spread (don't brush) the mixture onto your teeth. Leave the mixture on your teeth for five minutes, then brush thoroughly with toothpaste to remove the bakingsoda/strawberry mixture. Rinse your teeth thoroughly to get all of the mixture out. Then if you have some seeds in your teeth use floss to extract the seeds from your teeth. I said the mixture was not good if you used it a lot. If you want to keep whitening your teeth this way you should do it not more than once a week.

I tried this and my teeth haven't been this white in a long time. The strawberries are very effective. Then again, everyone has different types of teeth structure. If you use it every once a week and your teeth feel sensitive, try once every two weeks, and if that doesn't work add another week until you get comfortable. If your teeth are really sensitive I would not recommend you using baking soda. I tried it with and without baking soda and both ways were effective it just took longer to work when I only used the strawberries. Both ways are effective.

Other Options:

Brush your teeth after each big meal

You can try salt

Put baking soda on your toothbrush

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Natural Tooth Whiteners Will Have You Smiling

Keep Your Teeth Sparkling Without Using Harsh Chemicals

Are you chagrined by your less-than-pearly whites, but concerned about what chemicals and abrasive whitening toothpastes might do to your gums and tooth enamel? Don't worry, mother nature has answers. Whether you prefer to buy prepared natural toothpaste or make your own tooth whitener at home, you can improve your smile without resorting to the use of harsh chemicals.

Know what to expect
Contrary to what ad agents would have us believe, the natural color of human teeth is not snow white. Even the healthiest teeth are slightly yellow or gray. Photos of models and celebrities have been usually touched up or the owners of those blinding white smiles have had porcelain veneers applied. Before you begin a whitening treatment, understand that you may only be able to lighten the color of your teeth by two or three shades. While light tea stains may go without much of a fight, grayness caused by the antibiotic tetracycline may be quite difficult to remove. What's more, if you continue the habits that stained your teeth, you'll have to redo the treatment a few months later.

Natural commercial products
The definition of "natural" is slippery, but whitening toothpastes marketed as natural usually are made only from herbs and minerals. This means no fluoride, aspartame, or other "unnatural chemicals." Be aware, though, that your definition of natural may differ from the manufacture's, so check the ingredients list before you buy. Some herbal pruducts available include:

Jason Natural Cosmetics Powersmile
Powersmile uses bamboo podwer, calcium carbonate, and silica to reverse dullness and discoloration. Another active ingredient, perilla seed, prevents sugars from bonding with minerals and forming tartar. The added peppermint oil leaves the mouth feeling fresh.

Vita-Myr
A unique toothpaste that combines cloves to kill germs, myrrh and folic acid to heal gums, and zinc to slow plaque growth. This herbal product is gentle, but effective enough to remove yellowing caused by plaque.

Nature's Gate Dental Therapy Whitening Gel
The silica, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), pineapple, and bamboo powder in this toothpaste help whiten teeth, while the antiseptic qualities of goldenseal, sage, and licorice extracts keep the mouth clean. The toothpaste's good taste comes from refreshing mint oils and sweet stevia extract.

Kiss My Face Whitening Certified Organic Aloe Vera Toothpaste
This toothpaste whitens teeth with silica and Icelandic moss, and keeps gums in shape with horse chestnut. The soothing aloe vera this toothpaste contains makes it a good choice for those with sensitive gums.

Homemade Tooth whiteners

If you'd rather know exactly what goes into your toothpaste, you can make your own at home. As an added benefit, doing so will
save you some money, too.

Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent and, used daily, can be as effective as chemical whiteners. Make a paste from one teaspoon of lemon juice and one teaspoon of salt and use this every time you brush.

Orange peels and Bay leaves
Powered bay leaves combined with ground orange peel can make an effective whitener. Simply rubbing the inner side of an orange peel over your teeth can also have a whitening effect.

Strawberries
Strawberries contains an enzyme that whitens teeth and can be used in place of toothpaste. You'll have to floss to get rid of the seeds, but the strawberry's taste makes up for that. Mash a large strawberry into a paste and either brush with this.

Hydrogen peroxide
Regularly rinsing your mouth with 3% hydrogen peroxide from the drugstore can also help lighten the color or your teeth. Be warned, though, that many find the taste and the foaming sensation of hydrogen peroxide unpleasant. Also, store-bought peroxide contains chemical stabilizers, so avoid swallowing any.

Keep them white
Strong teeth are stain-resistant teeth. Taking a multi-vitamin and drinking mineral water will help your teeth get the minerals they need to stay in top form. Needless to say, coffee, tea, and smoking will all discolor teeth, so avoiding these will help your teeth stay whiter. Many berries and some vegetables can also leave their mark on your teeth over time, so brush as soon as possible after eating or drinking anything likely to cause stains.

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Natural Skin Care: Homemade Honey Face Wash for Acne Prone Skin

I thought that once I entered my twenties, my fight with acne was over; boy was I wrong. As an adult, I have continued to fight intermittent breakouts that are both frustrating and embarrassing. While there are many companies that cater to the adult acne sufferer, I have found that homemade treatments work just as well for a fraction of the cost. Here are some healthier alternatives to chemical laden acne face washes that use honey and other natural ingredients.

The Bacteria Acne Connection

While bacteria don't specifically cause acne, bacteria can make acne prone skin worse. Natural bacteria that is found on the skin's surface can become trapped in pores and produce chemicals that can irritate skin, causing inflammation and leading to breakouts. In order to fight acne, it is important to kill the bacteria that can hinder your fresh faced look. One of the best natural ways to kill bacteria is by using honey.

Why Honey?

Honey is a great natural way to fight acne breakouts because it has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Honey also has natural antioxidants that help get rid of harmful toxins from your skin. The antibacterial properties found in honey help to kill harmful bacteria that can make acne worse. Unlike over the counter acne face washes which can be harsh, irritating and overly drying to skin, honey is soothing and cleanses while also hydrating.

Tips for Buying Your Ingredients

There are a few tips to follow when you buy ingredients for a honey face wash. Make sure you use raw honey. Raw honey is the most effective at preventing acne as many of honey's antibacterial properties can be lost when it is processed. Manuka honey is all the rage right now and has been shown to be more effective than regular raw honey at fighting bacteria, but any raw honey will work well. Whatever type of honey you decide to use, you always want to make sure you purchase pure ingredients. I buy my honey and other ingredients for homemade beauty treatments at a health food store to ensure the best possible quality.

Here are two homemade honey facial treatments that are gentle enough to be used daily to stop acne in its tracks.

Homemade Honey Face Wash Recipe

To make natural homemade honey face wash for treating acne, mix together 1/4 cup of honey, 1/2 cup of water and two tablespoons of a natural mild soap. Two of my favorites are Dr. Bronner's Baby Mild Liquid Soap and Burt's Bees Baby Bee Shampoo and Wash. Put mixture into a clean bottle with a pour or squeeze spout. To use your homemade face wash, simply massage wash into damp skin. Rinse with warm water, then pat skin dry. Store honey wash in a cool dry place and it will keep for up to two weeks.

Honey Almond Oil Cleansing Mask

Another great homemade honey cleanser for acne prone skin can be made by mixing one tablespoon of almond oil and two tablespoons of honey. To use, apply a light layer to damp skin and massage using a circular motion. Allow mask to sit on skin for twenty minutes before removing with a warm cloth. If your skin is extra oily, add a few drops of lemon juice. Some rosewater added to the honey mixture will help lessen the appearance of scars and smooth skin. Store this mask in the fridge, as almond oil is highly perishable.

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How to Have Great Looking Skin the Natural Way

In todays world, clear and healthy skin however, is often something that is hard to accomplish. Pollutants in the air, foods and beverages we ingest and our own bodies chemical composition are just some of the things that can play a part in how our skin looks. Problem skin can basically be broken down into three areas. Acne, dry skin and oily skin. There are literally thousands of products on the market to help combat these problems, however many of them can be extremely harsh on your skin and many are just simply ineffective. What many people don't realize, is that there are also many natural products that can be used to help you skin that are far more gentle and less damaging.

For Acne

Acne is an inflammatory disorder of the skin. Acne is formed when oil becomes trapped in sebaceous glands. Bacteria then begins to multiply in the follicle causing the skin to become inflamed. Acne is not caused by your pores being dirty, but by over active oil glands. The pores become sticky due to excess oil which allows the bacteria to become trapped inside. Blackheads are also not caused by dirt, but form when sebum combines with skin pigment and plugs the pores. There are many, many factors that can contribute to acne. Hereditary conditions, oily skin, allergies, stress, certain medications, junk food and cosmetics are only some of the causes. There is however, one key factor behind many skin disorders. One of the skins functions is to remove a portion of the bodies waste products by sweating. As toxins escape through the skin, it disrupts the skins balance, and can cause break outs. As you can see, there are numerous reasons why we have break outs, which is why acne can be so difficult to overcome.

There are quite a few natural vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements that can be taken though that can help with acne. Some of the vitamin and mineral supplements are:

Chromium picolinate- Aids in reducing infections in the skin.

Essential Fatty Acids (flaxseed oil, primrose oil, etc.)- Helps keep skin smooth and soft, repairs damaged skin cells and dissolves fatty deposits that block pores.

Vitamin B Complex- Needed for healthy skin tone. Improves blood flow to the surface of the skin.

Zinc- Aids in the healing of tissues and helps prevent scarring.

Colloidal silver- Is a natural antibiotic and disinfectant.

Vitamin A- Strengthens the protective skin tissue.

Vitamin E- An antioxidant that enhances healing.

Some herbal supplements and remedies that can be used for acne are:

Burdock root and Red clover teas- Are strong blood cleansers which aids in having healthy skin.

Green clay powder and Raw Honey- Can be mixed and used as a facial mask. Green clay powder can be found in most health food stores. Mix 1 tsp. green clay powder with 1 tsp. raw honey. Apply to face avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Tea Tree (Melaleuca) oil- A wonderful natural antibiotic and antiseptic for the skin. Add 1 dropperful of tea tree oil to 1/4 cup warm water and apply to face with a clean cotton ball. You can also find soaps that contain tea tree oil. One body wash that works very well for acne is called Body Essence Ultra Moisturizing Tea Tree Oil Body Wash with Olive Oil proteins. This product is available at Wal-Mart and is great to use on your entire body.

Witch Hazel- A wonderful cleanser and astringent for your skin. Helps reduce excess oil and tones the skin. Is extremely mild and non irritating. Apply with a clean cotton ball once or twice daily.

For Dry Skin

The correct balance of oil and moisture is essential to healthy, clear skin. Contrary to the popular phrase "Oil and water don't mix," oil and water work together to keep your skin healthy. Your skin must have enough moisture in the skin cells, but there also has to be the proper amount of oil to prevent excessive evaporation of moisture from the skins top layers. There are actually two different types of dry skin. Simple dry skin and complex dry skin. Simple dry skin comes from an insufficient amount of natural oils. Complex dry skin is lacking in both oil and moisture. Dry skin is often dull looking, scaly and flaky. Complex dry skin is often shown by signs of fine lines, discoloration, enlarged pores, brown spots and sagging skin. Chapping and cracking are also signs of dehydrated and dry skin. Dry skin is most often found on areas of the body that are most exposed to the elements, although in areas where the air is quite dry, it can be a problem on the whole body. It can also be aggravated by environmental factors, chemicals and detergents, poor diet habits and bathing with harsh soaps. Nutritional deficiencies can also cause dry skin.

Some vitamins and minerals that can help with dry skin are:

Primrose oil- Contains linoleic acid, which is an essential fatty acid needed by the skin.

Vitamin A- Strengthens and protects the skin tissues.

Kelp- Supplies balanced minerals and helps to provide a good skin tone.

Vitamin E- Applied topically, can help to minimize wrinkling.

Zinc- Is necessary for the proper functioning of the oil-producing glands of the skin.

Collagen- A cream that can restore a healthy tone to dry and damaged skin.

Some herbal supplements and remedies that can be used for dry skin are:

Aloe Vera- when used topically, Aloe Vera has healing and moisturizing properties.

Calendula, Comfrey and Lavender- Can be made into herbal or floral water mists and sprayed onto the skin to help moisturize and soften skin and sooth irritation. Add a few drops of essential oil to 4-5 ounces of water or make an infusion with fresh leaves and flowers. Use to mist your skin throughout the day.

Other ways to help with dry skin are:

Drink plenty of water to help keep skin well hydrated.

Do not use harsh soaps, cold cream or cleansing cream made from hydrogenated oils.

Use a loofah sponge to improve circulation and remove dead skin cells.

Soak in a warm bath with 2 tablespoons pure olive oil added to the water.

Use a moisturizer after cleansing. Use a liquid moisturizer. Do not use solid or waxy moisturizing creams.

Oily Skin

Oily skin is caused by the bodies sebaceous glands producing more oil than is needed for lubrication of the skin. This can clog pores and cause blemishes. Doctors presumably think that oily skin is mainly heredity, but other factors such as hormone levels and diet can cause excess oil as well. Hot weather and humidity can also stimulate sebaceous glands to produce more oil. Negative aspects of oily skin include break outs, enlarged pores and a constant shiny, greasy appearance. Oily skin however, does have a few positive points. It helps to slow the process of fine lines and wrinkles as well as age spots.

Some vitamins and minerals that can be used for oily skin are:

Flaxseed oil and Primrose oil capsules- Supplies necessary fatty acids.

Vitamin A- Necessary for healing and for building new skin tissue.
 

Vitamin B Complex- Are important for healthy skin tone.
 

Kelp- Supplies balanced minerals that are needed for good skin tone.

Some herbal supplements and remedies that are good for oily skin are:

Aloe Vera- Applied topically, helps to heal skin problems.
 

Burdock root and Chamomile- Help provide essential nutrients to the skin.
 

Witch Hazel- Has astringent properties and helps to tone the skin.

Other ways to help oily skin are:

Keep your skin clean. Use gentle soaps with no artificial additives. Wash 2-3 times daily.

Do not use cleansers or lotions that contain alcohol.

After cleansing, use an oil free moisturizer.

Use a loofah sponge to improve circulation and help remove dead skin cells.

Use a clay mask to help clear away excess oil.

With so many different types of skin problems, it can often be difficult to achieve clear, healthy looking skin. With a little persistence and experimentation though, there is bound to be something out there that will help you. Even if you have combination skin, a mixture of dry and oily skin, it can still be fixed. Simply treat the dry skin for dry skin, and the oily skin for oily skin. Please also note that some of these vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements are meant to be taken orally. I highly recommend that before starting to take any new regimen, you check with your family physician as some natural substances can have adverse affects when mixed with prescription medication. Also, it is always best to take any new supplement under a doctors supervision, as anyone can have an allergic reaction to anything they may ingest. Good luck to all in your quest for clear, beautiful and healthy skin.

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Natural Remedies for Chlorine Damaged Hair

While swimming in the pool may be great for your body, it is horrible for your hair. A few days in the pool can lead to dry, damaged and brittle hair. While you can buy products to help your hair they are often expensive and made out of the same ingredients you can find in your own home. The best cure is prevention, a swimming cap will prevent most damage from occurring. Swimming caps aren't always practical so try adding some olive oil to your hair before swimming, the oil will coat your hair and help prevent the chlorine from penetrating the hair strands. If the damage is already done, this guide will detail 8 natural remedies for fixing your chlorine damaged hair.

1. Eggs
Eggs are full of proteins that can strengthen chlorine damaged hair. Crack and egg or two into a bowl, add a tablespoon of water per egg and whip with a fork. Apply to your hair and let the eggs soak in for fifteen minutes. Then simply rinse out.

2. Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise is made of eggs and oil, both of which are great for your hair. Heat the mayonnaise in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Apply the mixture to your hair and let soak for ten to fifteen minutes.

3. Vinegar

Vinegar not only cleanses your hair, but it conditions it too. Add some vinegar to a spray bottle and spray it onto your hair before shampooing. This will help remove the chlorine from your damaged hair.

4. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has been used for centuries as a natural hair and skin conditioner. It has a low melting point so it will turn from solid to oil in your hands. Apply liberally to your hair and give it time to soak in. Rinse out.

5. Beer

Beer doesn't only taste good, it is great for your hair. Put some in a spray bottle and spray a small amount onto your hair before styling. Don't worry the smell goes away in a few minutes.

6. Olive Oil

Apply a few tablespoons of olive oil to your chlorine damaged hair before styling it. You can also apply the oil to your hair in the shower before shampooing, the heat of the shower will help the oil penetrate your hair.

7. Aspirin

Aspirin can not only help with your headache, it can help remove the green tint chlorine damaged blondes can get. Crush about ten aspirin tablets and add them into a small glass of water. Apply to your hair and let it set in for about ten minutes. Rinse out.

8. Banana and Avocado

Smash together a very ripe banana with a very ripe avocado. Apply it to your hair and as with the other remedies let it set in before rinsing. Both banana and avocado are great for conditioning chlorine damaged dry hair.

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Natural Skincare Regimen for Oily Skin

Skincare Remedies You Can Find in Your Kitchen

Do you struggle with trying to keep your oily skin under control? If your face looks shinier than ever, maybe you are overdoing your skincare regimen in an attempt to dry up the grease. Switching to a gentle, natural routine might be more beneficial in the long run. The last thing you want to do is dry out your face - it will only cause your skin to produce more oil.

Cleanse: Try washing with a natural oil

Washing your face with oil seems like it would do just the opposite of what you want. Oil cleansing is a method of breaking down oil with natural oils to achieve perfectly balanced skin. Read this post on oil cleansing to learn more. On days that you use the oil cleansing method, there is no need to scrub, tone, or hydrate. Another option is to simply use an oil (coconut, for example) as you would a normal cleanser.

Scrub: Mix up a honey and sugar scrub

Mix honey and sugar together to create a scrub in your desired consistency; rub it onto your skin in a circular motion, then rinse. Honey will keep your face from drying out while the sugar exfoliates to remove loose skin cells to prevent clogged pores. Clogged pores cause breakouts, after all - especially with skin that is naturally oily.

Tone: Try a gentle, homemade astringent

Make your own gentle facial toner using ingredients found in your kitchen. Brew a cup of tea and let a packet of green tea steep for about five minutes. Let the tea cool, then apply it to your face with a cotton pad and let dry. Or, mix one part apple cider vinegar with two parts distilled or filtered water. You may need to experiment with the recipe to find what works for you. Let dry and moisturize.

Hydrate: Use a natural moisturizer

Even if you have naturally oily skin, it's a good idea to keep it hydrated; attempting to dry out skin will actually have the reverse effect, and you will produce excess oil to compensate. A small amount of a natural oil will keep your face moisturized. Experiment to find out which type works best for you; I tried coconut oil and found that, even after a couple months, my face felt greasy while using it. Not every product works for everyone, so play around to find what works for you.

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Top 10 Ways to Use Coconut Oil as a Beauty Product

You might already use coconut oil as a healthy fat in your cooking--but did you know it also has many uses as a natural beauty product? To be honest, there are way more than ten ways to use coconut oil as a beauty product. It wasn't easy, but I finally narrowed it down to the top ten.

1. Facial cleanser. I have heard many people swear by coconut oil as a cleanser and makeup remover. Simply massage it into your skin and remove with a damp washcloth. Pamper yourself further by letting it absorb for a few minutes while placing a warm, damp washcloth over your face, then remove the oil with warm water.

2. Moisturizer and body lotion. Coconut oil is a safe and effective, natural body lotion. You can use coconut oil to moisturize virtually any area of the body. I mainly use it as a facial hydrator, but you can use it on dry knees and elbows, hands...even on your lips and as an anti-wrinkle eye cream.

3. Sunscreen. Coconut oil can help filter the sun's harmful rays to keep your skin from burning. Of course, as this solid oil will melt in the sun, it can be somewhat messy to take to the beach, but it is all-natural and doesn't contain the chemicals that are in most commercial sunscreens.

4. Scalp treatment. I haven't personally tried coconut oil in my hair (yet), but in doing some research, I have found that coconut oil can be used either alone or combined with other natural products to treat a dry, itchy scalp and dandruff. Simply massage it in, allow to absorb for twenty minutes and follow up with shampoo and conditioner.

5. Frizz tamer. It can also be used to tame dry, frizzy hair. After shampooing, simply massage the coconut oil into the ends of your hair, let it absorb while you do the rest of your shower tasks and rinse well.

6. Cuticle cream. Who needs fancy cuticle creams when you have a natural alternative at home? As you are rubbing coconut oil into your hands, massage a little extra into your cuticles for pretty nails. You can do the same with your feet and the skin around your toenails.

7. Heel softener. Soften dry, cracked heels with a coconut oil treatment. Simply rub it into your feet before bedtime and put some socks on to keep the oil on your feet (and not the sheets!) then take them off in the morning for soft, summer-ready feet.

8. Deodorant. I haven't used coconut oil as a deodorant yet, but I have found several different ways to do so. The first option is to simply rub it on with your fingers. You can also make a paste using coconut oil and baking soda. Optionally, you could also add your favorite essential oil for a scented deodorant.

9. Shaving cream. Coconut oil may not lather up like commercial shaving cream, but it will soak into your skin, leaving you with smooth, soft legs. While in the shower, make sure to stay out of the stream of water while shaving and rinse the razor often.

10. Oral hygiene. You will find numerous toothpaste recipes that include coconut oil as an ingredient. Personally, I like to use coconut oil for "oil pulling", during which you swish the oil for twenty minutes then rinse with water. It has many health benefits in addition to healthy teeth, but that is an article for another time.

How do you use coconut oil in your beauty regimen?

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Starting a Home Based Mineral Make-Up Business

Taking Advantage of the Mineral Make-up Trend

With the promise of all natural ingredients and flawless skin, mineral makeup is the hottest new makeup fad in over a decade. Women everywhere are flocking to brands from the cheapest drugstore brand all the way up to the more well-known (and more expensive) Bare Minerals. Mineral makeup can not only improve the appearance of your kin,it can improve your bank account, too. Setting up your own home based mineral make-up business is easy and takes very little start-up money.

The first thing you need to start a successful mineral make-up business is a love for the product. If you've used mineral make-up in the past, this probably won't be a problem. Learn everything you can learn about mineral make-up, its ingredients and their effects on the skin. Women everywhere are curious about what minerals can do for their skin, and if you can offer sound, practical answers, your business will be more successful.

Some home based mineral make-up entrepreneurs mix their own cosmetics at home, but many more buy products that are already mixed and labeled for private resale. Products are available in bulk containers for you to transfer to your own containers, or for a little more, you can purchase prepackaged mineral foundations with or without a custom label. The more customization you can do on your own, the larger your profit margin will be. Wholesale mineral make-up can be found from several different companies, including Element 5 Mineral Make-Up and Alternative Make-Up.

To have a successful home based mineral make-up business, you must determine the best way to get your products in the hands of customers. There are many small mineral make-up companies on the Internet. This is a good way to take advantage of repeat sales, but there are so many companies selling this way that it can be hard to carve out your own niche. To truly establish your mineral make-up business, you must meet your customers in person. If there are spas or beauty salons in your area, taking samples to the owner is a good way of getting your products in front of people that are looking for high quality make-up. Another way to build business is by selling mineral make-up through at home parties. If you can learn to apply make-up well, having a model to demonstrate the products will convince skeptics. After establishing a personal customer relationship, a website can make it easy for your customers to re-order products.

You can start your mineral-make-up business for as little as $200, set your own hours and make women feel and look beautiful. It is the perfect home based business for the beauty conscious woman.

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Money Saving Skin Care and Makeup Tips for Old Ladies

Money Saving Skin Care Tips

With the exception of Chinese Shar-Pei puppies, no other creature on earth has more wrinkles than an old lady. Medicare doesn't pick up the tab for Botox or surgical procedures and on Social Security finding money for skin care products to smooth out facial wrinkles can be a problem when you're already eating cat food instead of tuna.

Discovering the secret of no-stitch and product-less reduction of facial wrinkles came about quite by accident on laundry day. Exactly how this money saving skin care tip evolved is a closely guarded secret but the end results of that meticulous research will help you get the same, wonderful results as using a high priced, fancy-mancy collagen concoction and for just pennies a day.

Here's the secret. Stand in front of your bathroom mirror and draw your index finger across your cheek from your nose to your ear, pushing the wrinkles along as you go. When you've gone as far as you can hold your finger tight to your face and with your other hand, take a clothes pin and pin the extra skin to your earlobe. Repeat on the other side of your face. With practice, the results can be amazing. Your saggy skin smooths out as if you've used a $125 an ounce anti-aging product and the best part is that you can paint or decorate clothes pin 'earrings' to match all your favorite outfits. This technique replaces all those bottles and jars you're being told are must-haves in the advertisement section of Hot Old Ladies Magazine.

Money Saving Makeup Tips

The best money saving makeup tip you'll ever find can be downloaded off the internet. If you're not computer literate get one of your grandchildren to take sixty seconds of their valuable time to print you off a full color photograph of the late Tammy Faye Baker. Then take a red magic marker and draw a big circle and slash line on the photo. That way, when you tape the photo to your bathroom mirror you'll remember that Tammy is there to remind you that less is more and she is not an exemplary example of how you should look.

Using less make up, of course, saves lots of money but it's terribly hard for old ladies to do. When you're in the Metamucil stage of life and applying makeup, it seems to disappear on your face like peeing on a sponge only to show up later in day when you're out in public. To avoid this age-related phenomenon remember that layering makeup only looks good on Bozo's girlfriend. Another important tip is to think of your face as coloring book. This will help you stay within your lip and eyebrow lines when applying makeup. Nothing looks worse that ruby red fish lips and penciled-in MacDonald arches over cataract encrusted eyes.

As you can see, saving money on skin care and makeup is easy to do with a little restraint and a clothes pin bag.

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The Best Budget Beauty Products for Oily Skin Under $25

Oily Skin Cleansers, Cosmetics, & Toners for $25 or Less

Having oily skin may be a blessing and a curse. The blessing is, generally speaking, it's slower to show fine lines, wrinkles and discoloration. The curse, on the other hand, is the frequent breakouts, or acne, large pores, and a greasy facial appearance. Makeup doesn't stay on or it fades away, there is the infernal oily shine on your forehead, nose and cheeks, plus the constant washing of the face to get rid of the oiliness are just a few of the problems with oily skin.

Unfortunately, many of the top quality beauty products for oily skin tended to be on the expensive side. That may have been the case, but not anymore. Thanks to the Internet, and some highly informative websites, you can find what you need to fit your budget perfectly.

One online site in particular, Total Beauty, which is trusted by more than seven million women, is the place to go to find out the latest beauty products for any skin type, how-to tips, and reviewed products by other consumers. You can also find beauty products specific to your budgetary needs. For the best budget beauty products for oily skin that are under $25, I have broken it down into cleansers, toners, powders, and other skin care needs necessary for oily skin.

Cleansers

1.) Dove White Beauty Bar - $3 (4.25 oz.): I have oily skin and this is by far the best and most reasonable way to clean oily skin off your face as well as the entire body. This has been my beauty routine for many years now. It moisturizes your skin better than any soap, plus you can use this on any skin type, including oily skin. Initially, this was recommended to me by a dermatologist and I have used it ever since. You can easily purchase this extraordinary bar of soap at any drug or grocery store. Also, go to their website to learn more about other Dove products.

www.dove.us

2.) Dove Deep Moisture Facial Cleansing Cloths - $5.99: Speaking of other Dove products, this removes make-up as well as hydrates the skin. This is gentle enough for all skin types. All you need to do is add water to release the lather that helps lift away make-up, oil and dirt. www.dove.us

Toners

1.) Prescriptives Immediate Matte Skin Conditioning Tonic for Normal/Oily Skin - $18.50: It tones, refreshes, and absorbs excess oil to a matte out shine. This oil-free beauty product helps reduce oil production in the skin by clearing away the oily build-up that can cause blemishes. Also, Prescriptives gently unclogs as well as tighten pores. Simply apply a small amount to a cotton pad, and then pass gently over the cleansed face and neck. www.drugstore.com

2.) Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Toner Normal to Oily/Combination Skin - $15.95: The anti-inflammatory ingredients calm the skin and help reduce redness. It fortifies the skin with potent antioxidants and cell-communicating ingredients to help restore damaged cells. This is excellent for stabilizing and reinforcing the skin's intercellular structure while eliminating dryness or flaking after too many facial cleanings, especially for oily or combination skin. www.paulaschoice.com

Powder/Foundation

1.) Almay Clear Complexion Pressed Powder for Oily Skin - $7.47: This helps cover blemishes, absorb excess oil, and keep away the shine. Almay's pressed powder is infused with meadowseed to purify and clear the skin.

www.almay.com

2.) Maybelline New York Shine Free Oil Control Loose Powder - $5.70: 100% oil-free powder that gives you a fresh, no shine look all day long. To get the best results touch the puff to the powder and shake any excess powder off gently. Then, pat the puff lightly over your face and use puff to whisk away any loose powder. www.maybelline.com

3.) Avon Magix Face Perfector SPF20 - $10: Banishes the oily shine up to 10 hours. Minimizes pores with their patent-pending Optix Light-Diffusing Technology. A magical light, gel-powder colorless formula that makes all skin tones look flawless for invisible coverage and instant perfection. This even reduces the look of fine lines for mature skin. Apply evenly before sun exposure or as needed. www.avon.com

Skin Care

1.) Dove SkinVitalizer - $12.39 (massager & pillows kit): Their first-of-its-kind daily facial cleansing tool with a high-tech advanced method that produces a deep cleaning, massaging, and exfoliating for beautiful healthy skin. You can use it in the shower, bath, or at the sink. May be used for all skin types. www.doveskinvitalizer.com

2.) Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion - $17: A genie in a bottle that provides three wishes: eyeshadow that stays on, vibrant and lasting color, and no creasing. These are very difficult to achieve with oily skin. Simply apply this primer to the eyelids prior to your shadow application. Immediately it dries down virtually invisibly, creating smooth lids that are nicely powdered. www.urbandecay.com

3.) Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets - $4.76: What better way to have beauty on the go. It's softer than paper and instantly blots away excess oil by saying goodbye to the shine. When you use these sheets it leaves no residue or smudging of make-up whatsoever. Use them anytime, anywhere throughout your day.

With these simple steps of cleansing, toning, and applying cosmetic foundation, in addition to any other oily skin care needs, you have all the right products that can be purchased immediately at any store in your area or ordered online if not available. It doesn't have to cost a lot of money anymore for these specific beauty products or be time-consuming to take care of.

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Natural Beauty Treatments: The Ingredients Are in Your Fridge and Cupboards

10 One-Ingredient Natural Beauty Treatments

As women, we spend millions of dollars each year on beauty products. In the process of purchasing the latest and greatest beauty products, we are also putting things on your bodies, which we would not put in our bodies. We could save a bit of money and time of beauty products if we just stopped and looked into the refrigerator for natural beauty treatments. Other added bonuses of natural beauty treatments: these products have no animal testing, and there is a lot less risk of damage to your skin. Following is a list of 1-ingredient natural beauty treatments that will bring out the best in you.

Natural beauty treatment 1

Rich in vitamins and enzymes, the avocado nourishes the body inside and out. The peel especially is the source of essential beatifying oils. Therefore, you can have the avocado on your salad and rub use the peel on your skin. Just massage your face with the inside of the peel and leave on for 15 minutes. You can also rest for 20 minutes with avocado slices under your eyes to relieve puffiness. You can also rub mashed avocado into your skin and rinse after 15 minutes.

Natural beauty treatment 2

The banana is rich in potassium and a great moisturizer for your hair and skin. You can use it alone by mashing the banana and rubbing on your face, neck and hair. Your other option is to add oatmeal to the banana to make an ex-foliating mask or honey for additional softness.

Natural beauty treatment 3

Olive oil can be used as a beauty treatment in many ways. For cuticles and nails, you can soak in it or massage into the cuticles. Use it as a nighttime hand moisturizer under gloves. Dab it on your lips to soften and moisturize. Use it on hair to repair split ends, heal dandruff and make it shiny. Put a few drops of olive oil in the bathtub to moisturize skin. Some people prefer to add essential oils to olive oil to mask the smell.

Natural beauty treatment 4

Egg yolk mask can be used to replenish and tighten skin. Just beat one egg yolk and apply to skin with cotton ball. Rinse your skin after 15 minutes.

Natural beauty treatment 5

Honey is used for oily or blemished skin. Apply it straight from the bottle to your face and neck. Leave it on for 15 minutes and rinse with very warm water. Honey can also be mixed with many other natural ingredients to make and effective mask.

Natural beauty treatment 6

Papaya can be used to remove dead flaky skin. The enzymes in papaya help to dissolve dead and damaged skin cells revealing healthy skin. Mash ½ papayas and apply it to the face. Rinse after 10 minutes.

Natural beauty treatment 7

Witch hazel is just as effective as any expensive as any other astringent. Refill your astringent bottle with witch hazel and you will never notice the difference. Besides, it costs a lot less.

Natural beauty treatment 8

Strawberries should be smashed and used as toothpaste to whiten teeth. It is also used to relieve puffy eyes and remove oil from skin.

Natural beauty treatment 9

Basil leaves can be rubbed on the teeth for whitening. It can also be dried, ground and used as a toothpaste. Basil is also known to have medicinal properties.

Natural beauty treatment 10

Pepto Bismol and Milk of Magnesia, though not naturally occurring, are used to settle and sooth the stomach. These products can be applied to the skin straight from the bottle as a clarifying mask.

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Make Your Own Hair Care Treatments and Shampoo

Have you ever considered going strictly natural? Are you tired of paying for hair care products that have so many different and foreign ingredients that it's beginning to make freak you out? Are you ready to use what God has already provided you with to make your own reliable hair care products? Well if you answered yes to any of these questions than this article is for you.

Often times we put harmful products into our hair because we like and trust the bright colored commercial on television. However, we don't realize that the women that use the products on the commercial didn't just slap the product on their hair; however, they sat down for hours with a professional beautician to make their hair beautiful for the commercial. I cannot count the numerous amount of times that I have seen people try out a new product and then loose a great amount of their hair. Sometimes the products that we may attempt to use can cause allergic reactions due to some foreign ingredient that may be present in the product.

It is time to wake up and realize that the best way to take care of our hair is to use nature's own remedies. That is why I have put together a recipe collection of hair care products that you can easily make at home and for reasonable prices. Not only can you start using these safe products for yourself but you can also share these great recipes with family and friends.

However, if any products, in a given recipe, does cause you to have an allergic reaction please discontinue use or do not use at all.

My Avocado Deep Conditioner

1 small jar of mayonnaise

1/2 avocado

Peel avocado and remove pit. Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl with your hands until it's a consistent pretty green color. Smooth into hair being careful to work it to the ends. Use shower cap or plastic wrap to hold the body heat in. Leave on hair for 20 minutes. For deeper conditioning wrap a hot, damp towel around your head over the plastic, or use a hair dryer set to a low to medium heat setting.

Paradise Conditioner




1 avocado

Coconut milk

Peel and pit avocado. Mash avocado and slowly add coconut milk until smooth and the consistency of hair conditioner. Work through hair to ends. Rinse after 15 minutes and shampoo and rinse.

My Nettle Hair Lotion

1 cup nettle tops

Simmer nettles in three cups of water. Strain. Rub into hair and scalp every other night for soft, shiny hair. Keep refrigerated.

My Dry End Treatment

2 ounces beeswax

8 ounces safflower or vegetable oil

22 ounces distilled water

1/2 ounce Triethanolamine (Triethanolamine is a liquid available at drugstores.)

Mix safflower oil, beeswax and stearic acid. Heat to boiling. At the same time, in another pot, heat distilled water and Triethanolamine. After heating, add the distilled water solution to the oil mixture and stir continuously until the solution has cooled.

To use this concoction, put a small amount on palms, rub hands together, and apply to dry ends, massaging in gently.

Note: Eggs are a great way to condition your hair. Eggs are very good at making your hair shiny also. Here is a brief group of hair products that require the egg.

Simple Cholesterol Hair Treatment

2 egg yolks

1/2-teaspoon shampoo

1-cup warm (not hot) water

Beat all together. Apply to wet hair; massage in hair; leave on for 5-30 minutes and rinse. For deep hair conditioning, put on a shower cap and sit under a hair dryer for up to 45mins and then rinse.

My Egg Shampoo

1 egg

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup your favorite shampoo

1 tsp vegetable oil

Whisk the egg until frothy and then add the remaining ingredients. Pour into an old (clean) shampoo bottle and then store in the refrigerator for obvious reason. Share with the family as "shelf life" is only about two weeks.

Super Egg Cider Shampoo

1 large egg

2 oz mineral water

1 T cider vinegar

Using a wire whisk, whip up all three ingredients until well combined and then massage into the scalp. Rinse with warm water. Because of the egg content, the use of warm water is essential.

I hope that God-willing this article will be very helpful for you. Please consider using natural hair care products in order to maintain a healthy head of hair.

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Natural Recipes to Lighten or Color Your Hair

Dye Your Hair the Natural Way Precautions to Consider Before Using Home Remedies to Color or Lighten Hair

Dark hair is difficult to lighten using home remedies, and home remedies including lemon juice are not recommended for brown, black, or red hair. Darker hair should be professionally lightened to achieve the best results.

Permanents, hair relaxers, dyes, and other chemical treatments can open the hair shafts and make them vulnerable to further damage. If your hair is chemically treated or damaged, seek professional advice and assistance before using any home remedies for coloring or lightening the hair.

If you have sensitive skin or could be allergic to the ingredients in following home remedies, preform a simple allergy test before using them. Place a dab of questionable ingredients on the inside of the elbow or wrist. If several minutes pass without redness or irritation, the ingredients should be safe to use. If ever in doubt, seek another option for lightening or coloring your hair.

Naturally Lightening Dishwater Blonde Hair

Dishwater blonde is a phrase used to describe blonde hair that isn't entirely blonde. Dishwater blonde hair has varying shades of darker and lighter blonde. People who consider their hair dishwater blonde can make their blonde hair evenly blonde and beautifully highlighted with a natural home remedy. This home remedy will make already blonde hair lighter, shinier, and more attractive without the use of strong chemicals, peroxide, or damaging bleach.

Lemon juice is a well-known hair lightener that is natural and effective, but the acid in lemon juice can be very hard on the skin and hair. If you want to lighten dishwater blonde hair with lemon juice, rinse the hair daily with a tablespoon of lemon juice mixed with a gallon of warm water until the desired color is achieved. Although this hair lightening method will take time, it is effective, and it isn't as damaging as full-strength lemon juice or other hair lightening methods.

Natural Home Remedy for Darkening Gray Hair

Gray hair can be very beautiful, but not all people with gray hair embrace their gray hair with love and acceptance. If you have naturally dark hair and gray hair is taking over, consider hiding your gray hair with the following natural home remedy.

Boil two cups of water, and add ½ cup of dried sage. Let this herbal combination steep for seven or eight hours. Apply it to dry hair, and allow your hair to dry before rinsing out this natural homemade dye. Repeat this home remedy for hiding gray hair until you achieve the color and level of coverage you desire. Maintain the color by applying this natural herbal brew once a month.

Naturally Darken Light Hair

The grass always seems to be greener on the other side, and sometimes those with light hair want dark hair. If you have light hair and want to naturally darken it with a home remedy, try natural dye. Coffee and tea contain natural dye. We all know how coffee and tea can stain counter tops and clothing. Strong black coffee or black tea is great for darkening light hair. Simply rinse light hair with strong black coffee or black tea, and repeat this process until the desired color is achieved.

Natural Red Highlights

Natural red highlights are beautiful, and you can give you hair natural red highlights with the following home remedy. Simply brew strong rosehip tea or tea brewed from cloves. After the tea cools, rinse this natural home remedy through your hair. If red highlights aren't apparent enough, repeat this process until the desired color is achieved.

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How to Color Your Hair at Home

Save Some Money & Follow These Tips for Getting Great Color at Home

1. Don't Stray Too Far From Home - Unless you're a professional and already know how to achieve a great shade of color don't try to stray too far from your natural color or else you can risk a hair disaster. If you want a drastic change like going from dark brown to platinum blonde or even from pale blonde to pitch black see a professional.

2. Pick the right shade of color - If you're not sure about what color or even formula to pick from the hundreds of different packages on the shelf, go online to various hair color companies websites like Revlon, Clairol, Dark & Lovely, and Loreal. Their websites will ask you questions about your current shade, hair texture & condition, as well as what look you're trying to achieve so that they can make recommendations about what formula and shade would work best for you. Still confused? Call their haircolor hotline for more help.

3. Get in top condition - Deep condition your hair for every week for a few weeks before you color so that you can get your hair into shape. You color will absorb more evenly when it's not porous.

4. Attain major clarity - While you do have to condtion like a fiend to prepare your hair for coloring, a day or two before it's essential to use a clarifying shampoo to get rid of any product build-up that would prevent the color from really absorbing into your strands.

5. Don't skip out - Even if you're 100% positive that the shade of color you've chosen is going to make you look phenomenal, don't skip the strand test. So many women skip the test out of impatience and wind up with horrible results like brassy, green, or purplish tones. So take the time to apply the color to a few strands in an inconspicuous area to save yourself the time and frustration.

6. Separation is key - In order to achieve the best results possible you can't just pile the color on your hair and hope for the best, you have to separate your head into four equal parts and then section those parts into smaller sections so that you can actually see where you're applying the color and how much you're applying (you want to really coat your strands with the hair color).

7. Be on time - Obviously for great color you have to follow the manufacturer's instructions for how long you should keep the hair color on, and be sure to set a timer so that you don't go over or under your set time.

8. Do damage control - Although you should set a timer, keep in mind that if your hair has already been treated chemically (straightening, perm, or relaxer) or is just damaged it's going to be more porous and your color will process more quickly.

And your roots and ends will also process color differently then the rest of your strands. To prevent crazy looking roots, colorist Veron Charles recommends in Sophisticate's Black Hair that you "Begin color application about one-half inch away from the scalp to begin the process, when those sections have been completely saturated, return to your roots. To combat extra-light or too dark ends in an interview with Glamour Magazine celebrity stylist Kim Vo says, "The ends of your hair are porous, so they can grab more color and wind uplookijng darker than the roots (if you're using dark hair color). Coat them with conditioner and they'll absorb less."

9. Give them the cold shoulder - After your color has processed effectively rinse your hair with cool water then use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner that's formulated for color treated hair. Rinse your hair again with cool water in order to lock in glossy shine.

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Tips for Great at Home Hair Coloring

Save Money and Learn How to Color Your Hair at Home Effectively

Choosing to color your hair at home, especially for the first time, can be quite intimidating, and the color not turning out right has sent many a woman in tears to the hair dresser or salon, where she will pay twice as much to repair the damage caused. However, it doesn't have to be this way!

Coloring your hair at home, using over the counter products, can be successful and save you a lot of money in the long run as long as you follow the instructions on the kit you purchase, and pay attention to these ten tips for making the most of your at home hair coloring process.

At Home Hair Coloring Tip #1

When you first decide to color your hair, you need to pick a hair color that works for you, and therefore, in the beginning, you want to buy several different hair coloring kits to determine which one is the best for you and your hair.

You want to purchase one kit that represents the color you are hoping your hair color will be when finished, and then buy two more kits, one that is one shade darker than you would like and one that is one shade lighter than you would like.

Unless you are planning to process your hair much lighter (such as 'going blonde' from brunette or red), this should be sufficient.

Using a pair of scissors, cut three small strips of hair from behind your neck, where hair is usually the thickest. The strands don't have to be large, but just enough to be able to see how the hair coloring kit will shade the strands. Follow the instructions for each kit, and when finished, dry the hair strands, and this way you can see exactly how the kit will color your hair.

Pick the kit you like the best, and you're good to go. From this point forward, you can choose the same shade and do not have to repeat this process each time. It should be known, if you're hair is very dark or very red, at home blonding kits usually require more than one step, and may not give desired results by using the box kits - the at home hair coloring for blondes really works best on hair that is already light.

At Home Hair Coloring Tip #2

DO NOT shampoo your hair on the day you plan to color it. The best bet is to use a clarifying shampoo the day before you plan to color your hair, to remove excess product and shampoo build up. However, shampooing your hair on the day you color it will make your hair too soft and slick, and the color may not absorb as evenly.

At Home Hair Coloring Tip #3

Apply hair coloring treatment to you DRY hair. Be sure to blow your hair dry or air dry your hair completely before you apply color of any type. As far as I know, there are no hair coloring kits on the market that are applied to wet hair, because this makes it more difficult for the hair coloring product to absorb into the hair shaft.

At Home Hair Coloring Tip #4

After coloring your hair with the hair color product, do NOT use a shampoo on your hair to remove the hair coloring product. Warm (not hot) water should be enough to remove the excess hair color, and harsh soaps or shampoo can actually dim or diminish the color or vibrancy of the color if you wash your hair with shampoo immediately after a color. It's best if at all possible to wait 48 hours before shampooing your hair after you have colored it.

At Home Hair Coloring Tip #5

If you find that the color you used on your hair is a bit too dark, which is pretty common using brunette or black hair coloring kits, you can head to your kitchen sink to correct the problem - my article Dawn Dishwashing Detergent: It's Not Just for Dishes Anymore! talks about the various uses of Dawn other than washing dishes, and this is just one more way Dawn Dishwashing liquid can help you!

Shampoo your hair thoroughly with Dawn Dishwashing liquid, and the muddy darkness left by a dark hair coloring will brighten up and not be quite so muddy. The detergent will dilute the pigment slightly and make your hair look a bit more natural and not so 'freshly colored'.

At Home Hair Coloring Tip #6

Hair coloring stains not only your hair, but clothes, furniture, and most of all, skin. If you are coloring your hair at home, you can place a thin layer of petroleum jelly around the hair line where your hair meets your skin. This will help keep the coloring from bleeding into the skin or staining your face, ears, and neck.

At Home Hair Coloring Tip #7

If you do manage to get hair coloring on your skin, lemon juice or Seabreeze Skin Toner when applied immediately upon noticing the skin stain will help remove the stain or greatly lighten it if the stain is older. Some websites have also indicated white toothpaste scrubbed on the skin stain will remove the color as well. Bleach can usually remove hair coloring stains from most other surfaces once the color has dried.

At Home Hair Coloring Tip #8

Wear gloves when applying hair coloring to your hair. Most hair coloring kits come with plastic gloves attached to the instructions of the kit, but for many women, these are too small for average sized hands. A beauty supply store usually sells varying sizes of the disposable gloves you can use to color your hair, but be careful not to tear them at the thumb and forefinger section, or you can stain your skin while applying.

Medical gloves that fit snugger than the plastic disposable gloves also work well and have a lesser chance of tearing and thus resulting in stains on the skin, but they are a bit more expensive.

At Home Hair Coloring Tip #9

Designate on towel that is your 'hair coloring towel' and drape it around your shoulders to protect your clothing and skin from being stained by the color. Even experts can occasionally drip. If you plan to color your hair regularly, investing a few bucks in a plastic smock might be a wise move.

At Home Hair Coloring Tip #10

If the color does not come out as expected, a word of warning - do NOT recolor your hair again for at least two weeks. While coloring your hair occasionally can actually help improve the health of your hair, doing so too frequently can burn and damage your hair beyond repair. If you simply cannot live with the color you have chosen, your best bet is to visit the salon to repair the color, because they have products that are more effective but less harsh on your hair.

Living for two weeks with a bad hair color is better than living 6 months or longer with damaged and fried hair.

***

Lastly, it is best to have your hair trimmed or cut before you choose to color and not after if you are due for a cut or trim. Hair coloring will appear darker in the areas where hair is damaged, split ends, cracked, broken or weak. If your hair is damaged, the hair color application may not be even or look natural.

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