Sheeba Singh

Alright ladies, this one is for you. With recession under full swing and our pockets- or wallets rattling with quarters- it is hard to keep up with the beauty regimen we know we need (despite what ‘they’ say). Getting that misunderstanding out of the way, here is another: you can have glowing skin and amazing hair under 10$!!!! And sometimes, under $5!!!

I know what you are thinking… “Pffft! I have tried everything! Nothing works.” Well there is an upside to everything I will write about. It is stuff that I have tried myself and know it works. And at times, advice coming down generations- and I have been fortunate enough to see the effects over the long haul. Now, I also know I am no Oprah. But we all start somewhere. If I know something that I feel can be of use to my fellow beautiful sisters- then why keep all the secrets to myself?! Life is short- so lets share all that we know.

Also, I have sensitive/oily combination skin. (Basically: its oily in the forehead and nose and oily to normal in the cheeks and sensitive insofar that it reacts to chemicals and what not..)

Now here is the good news.. Most of these solutions and treatments are edible. You make them yourself, so you know you cant go wrong. Dont worry too much about the proportions- just listen to your gut. Women have great intuitions

Baby Oil

A cheap buy, but a must for every girl to have. It is quick drying and non greasy, so no matter what kind of skin you have- it will work. Having been made for baby skin, it wont react on sensitive skin.

Its uses

Face Scrub: Take some baby oil in your palm (or bowl, if you intend on using it as a body scrub). Add generous amount of sugar. You can also add salt if you please, only thing being that the salt might sting if you have any abrasions on your skin. Scrub this mixture on your face and neck for about 10 minutes. Make sure not to apply too much pressure as the sugar granules tend to be pretty hard and you dont want to hurt your skin. Avoiding the eye area, continue soft circular motions. Once you feel that the salt/sugar is starting to absorb a bit- or about 5-10 minutes have passed wash your face with cold water. Hot water will dry out your face. After this, use your regular face wash and moisturizer.

You can even just use this on your hands/feet or even body. I do this on my hands every couple of weeks and rub the sugar on my nails and around my cuticles. Quickest manicure ever! And your hands- smoother than a baby’s butt! No joke

Shaving: Skip the regular shave gel. Try rubbing some baby oil on your legs and running our razor over those legs. Pat your legs dry and moisturize– feel em!

Olive Oil

An amazing choice in salads and pasta going into your body. And just as good going on. Like baby oil, it isnt greasy, doesnt have a pungent smell and leaves you feeling great.

Hair Mask: So a few years ago, I went to a salon and got my hair dyed. The guy bleached it blonde and left me in tears. Having had smooth hair my whole life, I was left with coarse hair that did nothing but break or fall out. Not only that, but the guy tried to sell me some $100 hair mask so I could ‘fix my hair.’

And you’re right, I said “screw that!” After I got myself together and got home, I turned my good ol’ kitchen cabinet and what I know. And after a few weeks/months- my hair was gorgeous- thick and full of volume. How?

Take some olive oil, and heat it in the microwave for about 30 seconds. You dont want it to be hot, because you are applying this to your scalp. Take a cotton ball and dab the olive oil in your roots. You can throw the rest on the lengths of your hair.

On the side, boil some water. Dip a small towel (preferably one that wont fall off your head or feel too heavy or burdensome on your neck) in the water once you have taken it off the stove and allowed it to cool down a bit. You still want it hot though otherwise its kind of pointless. Squeeze the excess water out of the towel such that none is dripping and wrap it around your hair. Leave it on for atleast 15 mins and wash your hair with your normal shampoo. You can skip the conditioner as Olive Oil is a natural conditioner. But if you are unwilling to- use a smaller portion.

Try to maintain this once or twice a month- or whenever convenient

Milk

Yep. Most of you have it. All of you know what it is. Great for your health. Awesomeness for your bones, and amazing for your skin. Washing your face with cold milk is great for your skin. Acts as a natural scrub and rejuvenates your skin.

Want to be environmentally friendly? Skip the suds in the bath. Throw in a few cups of milk in your bath with either some honey or glycerin with some rose petals. Soak, and make sure to rinse yourself off with cold/warm water before stepping out of the bath smelling.. Milky . Your skin will feel silky smooth- and you will feel like a goddess.

Used as far back as Cleopatra- its a sure shot!

More?…. Well.. Good things come in small proportions dah-ling! So.. Keep coming back. And leave your feedback. Lets all share our experience and the bittersweetness that makes it worth doing so