Homemade Beauty Recipes

Make Your Own Hair Perfume

It is pleasant to perfume the hair after washing it when the hair is half dry. The following ingredients are required to make this fragrant perfume.

• 6 tablespoons powdered charcoal
• 5 tablespoons powders myrrh
• 1 tablespoon powdered benzoin
• 1 tablespoon potassium nitrate
• 2-3 drops oil of bergamot
• 2-3 drops of sandalwood
• mucilage of tragacanth

Mix the powders together and sieve, and then add the oils. Add the potassium nitrate, and then sufficient mucilage of tragacanth to make a stiff paste.

Heat the mixture over a water bath and then make into little cones and dry. Just light one of the cones and let the smoke go into the damp hair.
The smell is highly aromatic and exotic.

Natural Treatments For Problem Hair

Is your hair dry and brittle? Is the color dull and lackluster? Forget expensive commercial products that can do more damage than good to your hair; treat your hair yourself, using all-natural ingredients found in your own kitchen.

DO-IT-YOURSELF CHOLESTEROL TREATMENT

Would you believe that most commercially bought cholesterol hair conditioners contain alcohol� the very thing that dries out hair? Instead, grab a cup full of mayonnaise, some plastic food wrap and throw a couple of towels in the drier on high.

Work the mayonnaise into your hair, starting by massaging it into the scalp and roots. Then draw it through to your ends until your hair is thoroughly coated. Pile the hair on top of your head. Take a couple of feet of saran wrap and wrap it around the top of your head to contain the mayo.

Take a pre-heated towel from the dryer and wrap it around your head over the saran wrap. The heat will aid with deep conditioning. After about 10 minutes, change to another heated towel and leave that on for another 10 minutes.

Remove the towel and plastic wrap and shampoo your hair as usual. Done once a month, this cholesterol treatment will keep your hair soft and shiny.

* Tip: if your hair ends are very damaged from chemical treatment, you can do this once a week. If your scalp is naturally oily, you might want to only add mayo to the hair ends for weekly treatments.

QUICK SOLUTION FOR OILY HAIR

If your scalp is naturally oil, you probably have to shampoo your hair daily to keep it from looking greasy or stringy. If, however, you are running short on time or need a quick lift in the middle of the day, grab a box of cornstarch and a large, clean blush brush.

Pour some cornstarch out onto a dish and dip the brush into it. Then, with a comb, part your hair in the center and brush the cornstarch onto your scalp and roots. Make another part 1/4 to � inch off-center and repeat. Continue this method down one side of your head, then from the center and down the other side.

Go about your business for about 10 minutes while the cornstarch soaks up the excess oils in your hair. Then, take a brush and brush out your hair, ridding it of the cornstarch flakes.

FOR A COLOR ENHANCER:

If your own natural color, or your color treated hair, begins to look drab, all you need are a few ingredients from your garden or local produce store to brighten it up.

Begin by boiling one quart of water. In a piece of doubled cheesecloth, add the following:

• for brunettes� a handful fresh rosemary sprigs (bruise by crumpling in your hand)
• for blondes� a handful of dried chamomile
• for "orange tone" redheads� a chopped-up carrot
• for "berry tone" redheads� a chopped up beet

Tie up the ingredient in the cheesecloth and toss into the boiling water, removing it from heat. Let steep for 10 minutes.

Remove and discard the cheesecloth bag. Shampoo and rinse your hair as usual. Then, pour the warm (not hot) color-enhancing rinse over your hair. As a final rinse, use a quart of cold water. Once a month treatments will keep your hair color vibrant.

BUILD-UP REMOVER

Often the culprits of drab coloring and lackluster hair are all the styling products that we regularly use. They begin to build up and dull the shine and tone of our hair.

Get rid of the build up by mixing 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar with 1 gallon of distilled water. This can be stored in a cabinet or the refrigerator and used every couple of weeks to keep hair squeaky clean. To use it, wet hair with warm water, or shampoo and rinse as usual. Then pour 2 cups over the scalp and let mixture saturate the hair. Finish up with a cold-water rinse.

A Beauty Enhancing Element � Epsom Salt

Affordable, available and easy to use, Epsom Salt provides the beauty-conscious with a wealth of fun and healthy home remedies and beauty treatments.

�In Grandma�s day, Epsom Salt was largely used as a laxative. That�s no longer the case,� says Jim Hill, a member of the Epsom Salt Council. �Epsom Salt, a pure, time-tested mineral compound, is actually Magnesium Sulfate, which absorbs easily through the skin and boasts a whole host of modern-day uses, from beauty to health.�

Epsom Salt occurs naturally, although most of what we buy in the stores has been manufactured. Even still, the Epsom Salt retains its pure, natural and healing characteristics.

To take advantage of the health and beauty related functions of Epsom Salt, the Epsom Salt Council suggests the following tips:

To exfoliate:

Mix together two cups of Epsom Salt and � cup of petroleum jelly. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil for a pleasant fragrance. Apply the mixture to gently scrub away old cells and encourage a healthier-looking complexion.

For a facial:

Mix � teaspoon of Epsom Salt into a deep cleansing cream so you can reap the benefits of this mineral deep inside your skin. Massage the mixture onto your skin and then rinse with cool water. Pat dry.

To accompany a pedicure:

Before you go to the trouble of painting your nails, soften your feet by soaking them in a bathtub or plastic basin with warm water and Epsom Salt for at least 10 to 15 minutes. The salt will help to smoothen your feet, giving them a relaxed and refreshed feel.

Relaxing bath crystals:

Mix two cups of Epsom Salt with a few drops of a delightful fragrance to create a custom bath crystal. To dress up your bath crystals, add a few drops of food coloring or � teaspoon of glycerin. Store the crystals in an airtight container.

Soothing spa treatment:

After showering, the Epsom Salt Council recommends massaging handfuls of Epsom Salt over wet skin to exfoliate the body. �It's the same treatment many upscale spas use, without the upscale price!�

For a tranquil soak:

Fill your bathtub with water at a comfortable temperature that you enjoy. As you�re filling the tub, add two cups of Epsom Salt to the water (if it is a standard-sized bathtub � make adjustments for larger tubs). Soak for at least 12 minutes, three times a week for best results. As an extra treat, the Epsom Salt Council recommends adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil for an invigorating aroma.

Visit www.epsomsaltcouncil.org to learn more about the beneficial uses of Epsom Salt. You�ll learn everything from how to coax out a splinter to a soaking relief for sore and tired muscles.

HAIR COCKTAIL - Hair Recipes

Yes eggs

Lightly beat two eggs mixed with some milk and run throughout your hair. Leave on for 5 minutes, rinse and you'll see a shine instantly. The same can be done for your dog once a month, except just put an egg over their food.

Aspirin for Dandruff

No problem, dissolve 2 aspirins in your dandruff shampoo and watch how it clears up. Use a good moisturizing conditioner afterward.

Hair Cocktail

Splash a little vodka in your shampoo if you have thick or product-build-up hair. Don't use on a regular basis.

Hair Static

This isn't meant to be funny. Use static guard. Use about 7 inches from your hair lightly. Don't over do it.

Greasy Hair

Powder. Most come in hundreds of fragrances, brands, and unscented selections. Put a little at the root of your hair before straying. If it is a serious problem, put the power on heavily for 15 minutes wash completely, condition lightly, and style.

Frizz-Off

Quick fix for curly hair frizz, always the lucky ones. Use a little, did I mention LITTLE bit about the size of a dime and rub in into your hands before applying it to your frizzy ends. Instant results without buying a product at the Salon.

Lemon-Boost

Lemon juice mixed with natural sunlight will lighten any hair. Just make sure you don't go a sour red head.

Sweet Shine

Honey in your tea, snack or applied as a small amount in the hair will give you shine.

Homemade Recipe For Shiny Hair

You can give your hair a great shine and help remove soap build up:

Blondes � Add a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice to your rinse water.

Brunettes and Redheads � Add a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to your rinse water.

Stir 1 teaspoon of honey into 4 cups (1 quart) warm water. After shampooing, pour the mixture through you hair. Do not rinse out. Dry as normal.

Treatment for Dark Under Eye Circles

Grated potatoes can lighten under-eye circles. Potatoes contain an enzyme called catecholase, which is used in cosmetics as a human skin lightener.

Run one spud through your food processor and stuff the raw mash into a piece of cheesecloth.
Apply to the area directly beneath your eye � don't let the potato juice come in contact with the eye itself � and leave for 15 to 20 minutes.

Wipe away the starchy residue

Wrinkle Removal Recipe

Banana is wonderful as an anti-wrinkle treatment.

Mash 1/4 banana until very creamy. Spread all over face and leave for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water followed by a dash of cold.
Gently pat dry.

Paraffin Wax Treatment

The most exclusive spas charge top dollar for this foot-loving paraffin wax treatment.

1. Melt 4 bars of parrafin wax (available at grocery and hardware stores) in the microwave oven.

2. Massgae in a rich moisturizer.

3. Dip one foot into warm paraffin 3 times, pausing between layers to allow them to dry.

4. Wrap each foot with plastic wrap tight enough to make an airtight seal. This will help the moisturizer to penetrate.

5. Let set for twenty minutes.

6. Remove wrap and peel off the wax.

HINT: Also use this treatment on hands.

Cure For Dandruff

Vinegar is poured into the hair, massaged into the scalp, and left to dry for a few minutes. Then the hair is washed.
The process is repeated daily until the dandruff disappears, usually within a few days.

Dark Circles Under Eyes

To lighten dark circles under your eyes, wrap a grated raw potato in cheesecloth and apply to eyelids for 15-20 minutes.
Wipe off the residue and apply an eye cream.

Fruity Lip Gloss

Ingredients:
2 Tbls solid shortening
1 Tbls fruit-flavored powdered drink mix
35 mm film container

Mix shortening & drink mix together in a microwave safe bowl till smooth!
Place in microwave on high for 30 seconds until mix becomes a liquid!
Pour into clean (wash thoroughly before use) film container, or any other small airtight container!
Place mix into fridge for 20-30 minutes or till firm!

Recipe For Beautiful Feet

Everyone wants to have smooth skin and beautiful feet :-)

If you take 1 cup Lemon Juice, Cinnamon (for smell), 2 tablespoons (or less) olive oil, 1/4 cup of milk, and water you can make a wash that leaves skin refreshed and fragrant (the amount of water does not matter).
If you do not like the cinnamon smell you can replace it with another spice, perfume, or flower petals such as roses.
After you make it, you can put it in a tub were you can soak your feet or body.
Next dry your feet or rinse them with water and a MILD soap.

After a few weeks of doing this your skin will be silky smooth.

White Nails

To whiten your nails, try these:

* Use a common whitening toothpaste. Try scrubbing your nails with Pearl Drops, it's just as easy as achieving a pearly white smile and will take away any stains and shine up your nails.

* Soak your nails in water with lemon juice or lemon slices. The lemon acts as an astringent and will strip away stains. Once your hands are dry, you'll only need to put on a couple of coats of a clear topcoat.

Homemade Hair Spray

Chop one lemon (or an orange for dry hair). Place in a pot with 2 cups water. Boil until half of the initial amount remains. Cool, strain, and place in a spray bottle. Store in the refrigerator.

If it is too sticky, add more water. Add one ounce rubbing alcohol as a preservative and then the spray can be stored for up to two weeks unrefrigerated.