10 Budget Beauty Secrets - 100% Natural

1. MILK & HONEY

Milk and honey sounds like a bedtime drink you give a child and indeed it is a delightful drink. For more than 2,000 years milk and honey have been used for skin care. Egyptian queen, Cleopatra, is said to have taken regular milk baths, and we all know what effect she had on men!

Honey, when applied directly to the skin acts as a humectant, meaning it attracts and holds moisture within the skin. Honey helps reduce wrinkles, keep up the skin's elasticity, heal wounds, reduce inflammation and prevent scarring. Milk when applied to the skin, acts as a moisturizer and also has soothing properties. Together, they can reduce the effects of ageing and keep the skin looking fresh and beautiful.

TRY THIS: Combine equal parts of milk and honey to make a nutrient-rich mask for your face, neck and chest.

2. AVOCADOS

Avocados are rich in vitamins, especially vitamin E, good fatty acids and antioxidants.

The vitamin E in avocado is a potent antioxidant which mops up free radicals and slows down the signs of ageing, while the high fat content makes it an excellent moisturizer. Avocado also has soothing properties - ideal for skin that is easily irritated.

TRY THIS: Make a simple avocado face mask by applying the pulp of half an avocado directly to your skin. Leave on for five minutes (a bit longer for more mature skins), then rinse off with lukewarm water. To fight dry skin, apply an avocado mask once a week.

3. YOGHURT

Natural white yoghurt is a milk product rich in protein, zinc, healthy bacteria and lactic acid.

Helps clear up blemishes, treat fungal infections, tighten pores, and exfoliate and moisturize skin.

TRY THIS: Apply yoghurt evenly on your face and neck and leave it on for 20 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. For a super zesty facial, combine yoghurt with honey or fruits such as strawberries. Avoid sweetened and flavoured varieties of yoghurt as they contain ingredients that can irritate the skin.

4. EGGS

Eggs are rich in protein, choline and lutein, for centuries used to moisture both hair and skin. It might seem a bit strange to have eggs on your hair or face, especially if it is your first time and you find the smell repulsive but the benefits you derive might just convince you to do it again.

Eating an egg a day will help your heart, brain, eyes, skin, nails and hair. What's more, if you replace your starchy breakfast with a protein rich egg, you will feel full for longer - and you will lose weight. Applied topically, the white of an egg helps tighten and tone your skin, while the egg yolk makes a great hair conditioner.

TRY THIS: Make an egg mask by separating the egg white from the yolk. Beat up the egg white a little until it gets foamy, then apply it directly to your skin, avoiding the sensitive eye area. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. For drier skin, mix egg white with equal parts honey and olive oil.

TIP# Use egg yolk to make a rich conditioner for your hair; either use it as is or add a few drops of olive oil to the yolk if your hair is really dry. Leave it on for five minutes and rinse.

5. OATMEAL

Oatmeal is not only a great breakfast cereal, it has a long history of being valued for skin care. Egyptians used oats to beautify their skins as early as 2000 BC.

Oatmeal is a cheap, natural and effective exfoliant which is gentle enough even for sensitive skin. Oats contain polysaccharides, which become gelatinous in water and leave a fine protective film on the skin, preventing dull flaky dryness. Oats are also full of healthy lubricating fats which moisturize your skin and, also, have natural cleansers called saponins that gently remove dirt and oil from the pores.

TRY THIS: To make an oatmeal exfoliating face mask, mix a tablespoon of oat flour with two tablespoons of hot water. Avoiding the eyes, apply to the skin, leave for five minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water. For more benefits add a few drops of honey to the mask.

6. BANANAS

Bananas are a healthy addition to your diet and your skin care regimen. The pulp is good for topical application, but if you really want to get the full benefits of this yummy tropical fruit, eat the banana and use the peel for your skin.

Banana peels are chock-full of antioxidants, lutein, fatty acids, vitamin C, potassium and anti-bacterial properties. The inside of the banana skins used to treat skin blemishes, the effects of sun damage, eczema - even psoriasis. Other skin benefits include reducing inflammation, increasing circulation, boosting collagen production, reducing appearance of wrinkles, preventing new ones from forming.

TRY THIS: Gently rub your clean skin with banana peel. Leave on as long as you can before rinsing your face with lukewarm water.

7. VINEGAR

The use of vinegar - usually combined with variety of plants or essential oils - for cosmetic purposes traced back to the Romans and was fashionable during to 19th Century as vinegar de toilette.

Vinegar is mildly antiseptic, so can prevent the growth of bacteria, viruses and fungi on the skin. It helps restore the natural acidity of the skin, which causes problems such as dryness, itching, flaking and acne. Mixed with onion juice, vinegar may help reduce age spots. For best results, use only top quality cider vinegar.

TRY THIS: Oily skin? Try this easy apple cider toner. Mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider with 2 tablespoons of distilled water. Avoiding the eye area, apply the toner to your face with cotton pad. Rinse with lukewarm.

8. MAYONNAISE

Mayonnaise is perfect in a potato salad but did you know that it has three wonderfully beneficial beauty ingredients? YES: vegetable oil, eggs and vinegar.

With oil and eggs to moisturize, and vinegar to lift off dead skin cells, a mayonnaise mask is a great way to give dry skin a beautiful boost.

TRY THIS: Take half a cup of mayonnaise and place it in a bowl. Allow it to rest for half an hour so it can reach room temperature. Then apply it to your face. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off with lukewarm water.

9. LEMONS

The flesh and zest (skin) of lemons for centuries used to flavour food and drinks - even to bleach and clean household objects. Women who diet swear that drinking lemon water helps them lose weight.

Rich in vitamin C, lemons have powerful grease-cutting and antibacterial properties that make them a perfect acne fighter. The citric acid works as a mild skin peel by removing the outermost layer of the skin and reducing shine, while the bleaching properties help to lighten dark spots on the face and hands.

TRY THIS: Want a toner that will gently remove dead skin cells and show a brighter, smoother complexion? Then try my lemon toner. For ultra-oily skin, cut a lemon in half and gently rub over the oily parts of your face, avoiding the eyes. Rinse off with lukewarm water. For gentler treatment, mix lemon juice with equal parts of distilled water, apply to a cotton pad and dab on your face.

TIP#For an instant straight-from-nature perfume, crush a few freshly picked lemon leaves and place the crushed leaves inside your bra. Wonderful!enzyme

10. PAPAYAS

When explorer Christopher Columbus discovered the papaya on his travels, he described it as "the fruit of the angels." Papayas or paw paws are filled with vitamins, moisturizer and antioxidants, as well as a very special enzyme called papain. Papain has a variety of uses, such as a meat tenderizer, a home remedy for insect bites and a whitener in toothpaste. But it also has amazing skin rejuvenating properties.

Internally, eating papaya will help boost your immune system, protect your eyes from forming cataracts and regulate your digestive system, freeing you from belching and heartburn. Externally, papaya can help reduce wrinkles, protect skin cells from free-radical damage, repair minor wounds and make skin more elastic. Fans of the papaya say even the pips and the back of the tree are beneficial.

TRY THIS: Make a papaya face mask by making a smoothie of papaya pulp and skin (the greener the papaya, the more papain it contains). Gentry smooth it on your face and leave it on for 10 - 15 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water.

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The Best Kind of Shower Filter Fits Your Budget

The best shower filter has a scientifically designed, disposable unit using 2 stage technology. Two stages are necessary in the process to filter out the many chemicals and compounds in tap water and to restore a healthy pH factor. It sounds like a budget buster, but an American manufacturer has made it affordable.

The research necessary to develop high quality water and shower filters is an expensive process. And it is an ongoing process as more decay of natural elements and pharmaceuticals are entering our water supply daily.

American manufacturing plants now have the ability to produce the highest quality water filters at a price that easily fit our budgets. In fact, if you now buy bottled water, you will save money by having an efficient filter on your kitchen tap. You will also help to slow the amount of plastic in landfills.

Shower filters used to be considered a luxury. The cosmetic benefit of removing chlorine before it dries out your hair and skin was a big selling point. Now we know that inhalation of chlorine gas is inevitable while you shower. Chlorine vaporizes in the warm water that leaves your traditional shower head. The bathroom door is usually closed affecting the air quality in the room. Red rimmed, stinging eyes or itchy skin are visible examples.

Shower filter sales have soared as people have realized the health and cosmetic benefit of using a disposable, recyclable filter on a daily basis. The initial cost is under $70. This includes the new massage type shower head plus the filter which will last for 6 months or 10,000 gallons. A single person can use the same filter for about 8 months. By that time, it will be full of nasty stuff and you will be happy to replace it.

Keep a replacement filter in your home and know that it is not a big deal to change to a fresh filter. You do not need to hire a plumber. Simple instructions are included. The replacement filters cost in about $45 and give you great piece of mind.

One positive thing about tougher economic times is that everyone is forced to review their spending habits. It's a chance to consider each expenditure to see if it meets the test of enhancing your health and long term happiness. Clean, healthy water in your home for drinking and bathing is a basic budget item.

The bonus you receive of healthier skin and hair makes the best shower filter budget friendly.

Read a thorough explanation at http://www.best-showerfilter.com/. Author Marie Jones has worked as a teacher, realtor, internet marketer and is a life-long learner. Interests include friends and family, home and design, good food, wellness, as well as new technology.

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What Fun Is a Clothing Budget?

Maybe "fun" isn't quite the right word to describe budgeting for clothing, but it can definitely be rewarding, and make you feel proud of yourself for keeping your purchases to a predetermined, reasonable amount. So, in a way, it's kind of fun.

I have had a budget for about 20 years, and when I took a break for a few years, I gradually started spending too much, and realized that I felt guilty no matter how much or how little I bought! When I started budgeting again, I saw the benefit of keeping track of what I was buying, which made me feel much more in control.

Use a Spreadsheet

My husband and I started a household budget when we were first married, and we used Microsoft Excel, but there are other spreadsheet and budgeting products. Even paper and pen will work, just use what you like.

Save Receipts

I save receipts for everything that I am budgeting for--clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories. I don't include beauty products or appointments, because they aren't as difficult for me to control. Create categories as you see fit. Keep receipts from these categories in your wallet, or designate a basket or bowl in a prominent place at home, which works well if you are budgeting as a couple for your household. This helps to have them handy for returns as well. If you do return something, make sure you credit your spreadsheet.

Record Purchases Once a Week

Choose a time, for example, Sunday evenings, and sit down, gather your receipts, and record the purchases onto your spreadsheet. This will give you your current balance. If you do this, you will always have a number in your head that's available to spend.

Set a Monthly Budget Amount

This is the hard part, and it's different for everyone. Obviously, you need to be able to afford it, but beyond that, try to come up with what you would like to be spending. You can make it quarterly or weekly amounts if you'd like, but monthly seems the right timing for me.

Keeping my clothing purchases within a budget has helped me to shop more intelligently. I shop at a variety of stores, such as Target, Nordstrom Rack, and consignment, as well as traditional clothing stores. Budgeting also helps me make better use of the clothes I have in my closet, by wearing them more often, but mixing them in different ways. I am more careful with what I buy, making sure it is the right fit and color, and that I really love it. It has helped me to be aware of major store's sales and keeping some money available for those sales.

Using a budget allows you to save up for large purchases you otherwise would think are too expensive or you would feel guilty about. As you purchase items, be very sure you want to keep them and wear them. This can take some time and trial and error, so always save receipts and invest the time to return items that you decide you don't like. Also, if something is in good condition, and can't be returned, sell it at a consignment shop and use that money for new clothes.

By putting a little regular time and effort into it, you can control your clothing spending, and feel good about yourself and your wardrobe. Have fun with it!

I can help you be a better clothing shopper, and make the clothes you buy and currently own work better for you. Contact me for personal shopping or other wardrobe consultations at patty@wardrobe-consulting.com or 425-736-5893.

For more information on setting up a budget, and a sample spreadsheet, contact me at patty@wardrobe-consulting.com or 425-736-5893.

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