Nail-Strengthening Solution

Nail-Strengthening Solution

Makes 20-30 applications

2 teaspoons castor oil

• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon wheat germ oil

Pour all ingredients into a sealable bottle. Before each use, shake well.

Rub a small amount of the mixture onto your nails. Leave on for 3-5 minutes.

Wipe off with a cotton pad.

Summer masks

Revitalizing Mask
Makes 1 application


•1/2 cup chopped cucumber
•1/2 cup chopped avocado
•1 egg white
•2 teapoons powdered milk


Combine all of the ingredients in a blender until they form a smooth paste. Apply the mask to your face and neck using circular upward movements.


Leave the mask on for 30 minutes, or until dry. Rinse your face and neck with warm water and finish with a cold-water rinse. You can even refrigerate the mask 30mins in advance before using it.


Spa Peach Firming Mask
Makes 1 application


•1 ripe peach, peeled and stoned
•1 egg white


Whip peach and egg white together in a blender till smooth. Gently pat mixture over face.
Leave on for 30 minutes. Rinse off with cool water.

Stir the mixture and apply to any areas of the body you wish to exfoliate. Massage into the skin for a few minutes, then shower off. Pat your skin dry.

Tightening/Toning Lemon Egg-White Mask

Makes 1 application


•Juice from 1/2 lemon (strained)
•1 egg white


Beat together the egg white and lemon juice for 3 minutes.
Apply directly to your face, avoiding the eyes.
Leave on for 30 minutes.
Rinse off with warm water.

Effective Dry Skin Treatment

Makes 1 application

•2 tablespoons real mayonnaise

•1 teaspoon baby oil

Combine both ingredients. Smooth onto face, neck, rough elbows and knees, or anywhere else you feel might benefit from it.

Leave for 20 minutes. Rinse off thoroughly with tepid water.

Natural Beauty Recipes

Taken from: http://www.realbeauty.com/skin-makeup/solutions/ten-easy-recipes-for-diy-natural-beauty-products

10 Easy Recipes for DIY Natural Beauty Products

Effective Dry Skin Treatment

Makes 1 application
•2 tablespoons real mayonnaise
•1 teaspoon baby oil
Combine both ingredients. Smooth onto face, neck, rough elbows and knees, or anywhere else you feel might benefit from it.
Leave for 20 minutes. Rinse off thoroughly with tepid water.

Invigorating and Revitalizing Avocado Hair Treatment

Makes 1 application
•1 medium avocado — peeled and stoned
•2 tablespoons honey
Mash together the ingredients in a small bowl. Massage into hair.
Leave for 20-30 minutes. Wash hair as usual.

Tightening/Toning Lemon Egg-White Mask

Makes 1 application
•Juice from 1/2 lemon (strained)
•1 egg white
Beat together the egg white and lemon juice for 3 minutes. Apply directly to your face, avoiding the eyes.
Leave on for 30 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

Nail-Strengthening Solution

Makes 20-30 applications
•2 teaspoons castor oil
•2 teaspoons salt
•1 teaspoon wheat germ oil
Pour all ingredients into a sealable bottle. Before each use, shake well.
Rub a small amount of the mixture onto your nails. Leave on for 3-5 minutes. Wipe off with a cotton pad.

Honey Lip Balm

Makes 100 applications
•2 tablespoons olive oil
•1/2 teaspoon honey
•3/4 teaspoon beeswax, grated
•1/2 teaspoon pure cocoa butter
•Flavored oil of your choice
•1 vitamin E capsule
In a small saucepan, heat oil, honey, wax, and butter over a low heat until just melted. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 2-3 minutes.
Stir in flavoring and contents of vitamin E capsule. Pour into containers of your choice.

The Ultimate Body Scrub

Makes multiple applications
•1 cup coarse sea salt
•1/2 cup baby oil
Stir the ingredients together in a bowl and put into a screw-top jar. Leave for 24 hours.
Stir the mixture and apply to any areas of the body you wish to exfoliate. Massage into the skin for a few minutes, then shower off. Pat your skin dry.

Revitalizing Mask

Makes 1 application
•1/2 cup chopped cucumber
•1/2 cup chopped avocado
•1 egg white
•2 teapoons powdered milk
Combine all of the ingredients in a blender until they form a smooth paste. Apply the mask to your face and neck using circular upward movements.
Leave the mask on for 30 minutes, or until dry. Rinse your face and neck with warm water and finish with a cold-water rinse.
This mask will keep up to 30 minutes in the refrigerator if you need to prepare it slightly in advance.

Immediate Luxurious Hand Softening and Conditioning Treatment

Makes 1 treatment
•1/4 cup coarse brown sugar
•Baby oil to make into a paste
Mix together. Using a hand-washing motion, apply the mixture to the hands.
Continue the washing motion for a minute, then rinse off with warm water and pat dry.

Spa Peach Firming Mask

Makes 1 application
•1 ripe peach, peeled and stoned
•1 egg white
Whip peach and egg white together in a blender till smooth. Gently pat mixture over face.
Leave on for 30 minutes. Rinse off with cool water.

Photo Credit: Dimitri Vervitsiotis / Getty

 End of Day Foot Spa

•1/2 cup Epsom salts
•Essential oils of your choice
Fill either a foot bath or your bathtub to ankle height with warm water. Dissolve Epsom salts in the warm water and add the essential oil of your choice, either the relaxing oils of lavender, rosewood, patchouli, and sandalwood, etc., or the uplifting oils of lemongrass, eucalyptus, etc.
Soak for 10-15 minutes. Pat dry and moisturize.

Natural Way of Looking Beautiful

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Note: all copyrights belongs to Marie Claire online magazine.

Pumpkin Face Mask

Pumpkin is rich in zinc, which helps purify oily, blemished complexions. Pumpkin enzymes also work to gently exfoliate the skin without any abrasive particles.

INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons raw pumpkin, finely grated
1 egg white
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon tomato juice or 1/2 teaspoon tomato puree

METHOD
Combine all ingredients in a bowl, stir well or blend using a stick blender.

APPLICATION
Apply the mask in a thick layer all over the cleansed face, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 10-15 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water.

STORAGE
This mask cannot be stored and should be used on the day of preparation.

Source: Green Beauty Recipes: Easy Homemade Recipes to Make Your Own Organic and Natural Skincare, Hair Care and Body Care Products (Petite Marie Books, 2010)

Photo Credit: iStock

Apple Hair Mask

To revive dry, dull hair, all you need is one big apple (you can also use two or three medium-sized apples, depending on your hair length). This mask solves dry-scalp problems such as itchiness and flakes. For best results, choose only fresh apples without any dents or flaws.
INGREDIENTS
1-2 large or 3-4 medium apples
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon corn flour

METHOD
Peel, core, and grate the apples. Combine the grated apple with remaining ingredients and stir well.

APPLICATION
Spread the mixture over dry, unwashed hair and leave on for 20-30 minutes. You can cover your hair with a shower cap or a PVC-free food film and then wrap it with a towel. Rinse the mask off with tepid water and follow with a mild shampoo if desired.

STORAGE
This mask cannot be stored and must be used on the day of preparation.

Source: Vegan Beauty Recipes: Plant-Based, Animal-Free Natural Skincare, Hair Care, and Body Care Products Prepared by You at Home (Petite Marie Books, 2010).

Photo Credit: Masterfile

Brightening Butternut Squash Enzyme Mask

This great mask works like a scrub to exfoliate without being abrasive to your skin. Butternut squash is high in vitamins A and C and zinc, and can brighten, heal, and protect your skin from free radicals, all while gently dissolving dead skin cells.
INGREDIENTS
1 egg
1 cup cooked butternut squash
Optional Ingredients
Papaya
Honey
Apple cider or cranberry juice (whichever you have handy)

METHOD
Adding an egg to the mask helps bind the ingredients together, as well as nourishing and lifting the skin. Whisk together about 1/2 cup of the squash and the egg (feel free to use pumpkin, either fresh or canned, for this recipe!). How to customize your mask: For more exfoliation: Add 2/3 cup fresh mashed papaya. The additional enzymes will dissolve dead skin on the spot, leaving you fresh and glowing. For dry skin: Add a tablespoon of honey, which acts as a humectant, drawing moisture into the skin. For oily skin: Mix in a tablespoon of apple cider or cranberry juice for a toning astringent effect.

APPLICATION
Slather the mixture on your face in a fairly thick layer. Avoid the eye area. You'll feel some light tingling as the enzymes gently exfoliate the top layer of skin. Leave the mask on for 10-20 minutes and rinse off with warm water and a washcloth.

STORAGE
This mask cannot be stored and should be used on the day of preparation.

Source: Eric Sakas, celebrity makeup artist and founder of Vapour Cosmetics.

Photo Credit: iStock

Farmers' Market Mint Berry Toner

Here's a toner that will not only tighten your pores with the help of mint, which is a natural cleanser with antibacterial properties, but will also be a luscious treat for your nose, with the infusion of raspberries. The berries also add the beneficial antioxidants A and C into the mix. Good for all skin types.
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup chopped mint leaves (or two organic mint tea bags)
1/4 cup whole raspberries (any variety, rinsed)
3 cups water

METHOD
Combine water and mint/tea in a small saucepan. Once the liquid comes to a boil, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and add the raspberries. Let the mixture simmer for about another four minutes — just until you will smell the strong aroma of raspberries releasing (you don't want to overcook the berries and have them lose their shape). Remove from heat and allow to cool. Strain the liquid into a container.
APPLICATION
Use a cotton pad or ball to tone your face liberally after washing, using upward strokes.

STORAGE
Will keep for two weeks, refrigerated.
*Important note: Even simple food-based recipes can irritate sensitive skin types, so try a coin-sized patch test on the intended area first.

Pedicure Kits

Here are items that you need to create your own pedicure kit.

Pedicure Kit

Nail Clippers 
Buy an expensive nail clipper that is suited for your thickness of your toe nails. Preferably you maintain having two different clippers for your feet and hand.

Nail Scissors
Nail scissors can be used to cut your nail into proper shape before you file your nail.

Cuticle Clipper
Another important instrument is a cuticle clipper, which can be used to get rid of the hangnails or rugged cuticle. Start it slowly and be sure not to cut off the cuticles too much.

Orange Stick
An orange stick is used to gently push back the cuticles after the leg has been soaked. Wrap cotton on to the stick before you attempt it on cuticles as it can harm the cuticles if not used with care. 

Nail File
Get the two-sided one as you can use either of the sides when necessary.

Nail Brush
Use a nailbrush to remove the dirt and debris in and around the nail part. Choose the ones with hard bristles or with nail boar. They work better at getting red of the dirt than their softer counterparts.

Bowl
Try getting a big bowl large and deep enough to fill in your feet with a bowl of water.

Nail Polish Remover
Get those with acetone free based nail polish or with vitamin E. Sally Hansen nail removers are great.

Cotton Balls
Cotton balls are needed for everything from cleaning the nail polish to wrapping around the orange stick.

Cuticle Oil And Pedicure Cream
You can get yourself a cuticle cream that can be applied on your cuticles by gently massaging it on to your cuticles.

Nail Polishes
Choose the colors that you like. Try getting them from Sally Hansen or OPI for great looking polish nails.

Clear Nail Polish/Nail Strengthener
This gives a glossy effect to your toes and helps to keep the nail polish intact for longer period. It will also give a neat, polished look to your nails.

Toe Separators
Use for separating your toes to ensure that your toes are not interrupting you when you are working on single toe.

Cracked Heels - How To

To have nice feet without all the horrible cracks especially at your heels, do the following steps religiously and you will be rewarded with crack free feet

• 1. Before you go to bed, wash your feet thoroughly. 
  2. Apply an intense moisturizing lotion or petroleum jelly all over your feet. Vegetable oil is also very good for healing cracked feet.
  3. Massage each feet for a few minutes before wearing a pair of socks. The socks helps to lock in the moisturize which will leave your feet feeling soft and sweet smelling in the morning. 
  4. Wash your feet by either soaking your feet in lukewarm water - if you have the time. Else wash it off with a pumice stone to get rid of all the dead skin.
  5. Don't forget to put on some more deep hydrating moisturizer before you take off to work.