DIY Beauty

I'll admit it, I'm a totally beauty product junkie.  I get enticed by the pretty packaging, the promise to make my skin glow and my dark circles disappear.  Makeup is like art for your face, it's just so fun!  I realize though, in order to stretch my budget, I have to cut corners somewhere.  The invention of Sephora has made my life extremely expensive and therefore I need to find other ways to save money so I can afford the entire line of Benefit products (come on, those things are FABULOUS!)

I've found a number of homemade beauty tricks that are as good, if not better, than the skincare items you buy.  My favorites so far are:

1.  Baking soda for face exfoliation.  I use this about 3 times a week, no joke!  I sprinkle a few pinches of baking soda into my face wash.  Don't put the baking soda in the bottle, just squeeze some face wash into your hand and add the baking soda to that.  Wash your face as you normally would.  The baking soda is a very mild scrub so it doesn't hurt or tear your skin.  It really helps keep my pores in check! 

2.  Olive Oil.  I've come to learn that I'm allergic to a lot of traditional ingredients used in eye creams.  I discovered that just a little bit of olive oil works wonders as an under eye moisturizer.  It doesn't irritate my skin, and all you need is a little fingertip full.  Just dip your finger tip in a little oil and tap it under your eyes.  I recommend waiting 10-15 min. before applying any makeup as it takes awhile to soak in.  I tend to use this at night instead of the morning.

3.  Body scrub.  One of my co-workers made me a fabulous homemade body scrub for Christmas last year.  She told me the basic recipe is 1 part olive oil to 2 parts white sugar.  Just throw the two ingredients in a Tupperware and shake to mix.  While in the shower exfoliate your damp skin until the sugar dissolves and rinse off.  It doesn't get sticky and it works great to moisturize as well.  Just be careful not to spill a lot in the bottom of the tub or it might be slippery!  Add some vanilla or peppermint oil for a delicious scent!

4.  Lip scrub.  Along my exfoliating trend, I also like to keep my lips nice and smooth.  Mix a pinch of cinnamon with some lip gloss or petroleum jelly and use your finger to rub it on your lips.  Rub your lips together for a few seconds then wipe off with a damp cloth.  This makes your lips nice and soft, and bonus, the cinnamon gives a slight reddish hue to your lips. 

5.  Honey.  My dear friend Carrie suggested a homemade face mask the other day.  Grind up a few tablespoons of oatmeal in a mini food processor (I actually use a coffee grinder) and mix in a little honey and a little milk until it has a spreadable consistency.  Apply to a clean face and leave on for 10 min. or so.  This makes my combination skin feel great.  Apparently honey has tons of healing properties and skin benefits like being antibacterial and helping with acne. 
Now you know the secrets to my semi flawless skin.  Do you have any favorite homemade beauty treatments to share?