Make Your Own Beauty Products: 20 Recipes for Beautiful Cheapos

By Jessica Hupp

Women spend millions of dollars a year on overpriced beauty products from the drugstore, but many don’t know that the creams and potions they seek are already in their own homes. It’s true; it’s possible to create simple, cheap beauty products all on your own. These 20 products are made with ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen or bathroom.

  1. Oatmeal face mask: For a mask that leaves your skin feeling soft and you wallet full, try this recipe. Combine 2 tablespoons of whole uncooked oats with 1-2 tablespoons of yogurt. The oats should break down and create a creamy consistency. Spread the mask on your face, then wait for it to dry before removing it.
  2. Scented hand sanitizer: To make hand sanitizer with a custom scent, simply combine rubbing alcohol, aloe vera gel, and a scented oil of your choice. The alcohol and gel should be made of roughly equal parts, but you can adjust according to your own preference.
  3. Eye makeup remover: Blend 1 tablespoon each of castor and olive oils, then add 2 teaspoons of canola oil. This recipe will remove even waterproof mascara and has a shelf life of 6 months.
  4. Pore refiner: Try this simple recipe to get your large pores to shrink. Mix together equal parts table salt and buttermilk until you have a paste, then work the mixture into your pores and remove with warm water.
  5. Coffee scrub: For an invigorating body and facial scrub, enjoy a pot of coffee. Brew a pot, then take the grounds and mix them with a tablespoon of coarse salt. Use the mixture within 20 minutes to experience an energizing shower scrub.
  6. Manicure cream: This cream exfoliates and conditions the delicate skin on your hands. Mix together 3-5 ripe strawberries that have been mashed and strained with 1 tablespoon sugar and canola oil. Rub the solution onto your hands and then rinse it off.
  7. Hair clarifier: Additives in shampoo can dull your hair after years of use. Use this clarifier to get shinier, healthier locks. Mix 1 cup distilled water with ¼ cup cider vinegar, then pour it over your hair and rinse.
  8. Highlighter: To create light highlights in blonde hair, try this recipe. Mix lemon juice, lime juice, and your favorite shampoo together, then put it in your hair and lay out in the sun for 15 to 20 minutes and rinse thoroughly.
  9. Body balm: For a great rough skin balm, look no further than vegetable shortening. Combine it with your favorite essential oil, then melt it down. Before using it, be sure to let it cool down and solidify. This balm works great on elbows, feet, knees, and anywhere else your skin needs extra attention.
  10. Frizz ease: If you have frizzy hair, tame your locks using this solution. Create oatmeal extract by soaking oatmeal in hot water and letting it sit for two days at room temperature, then remove the oatmeal flakes with a cheesecloth. Combine the oatmeal extract with two parts water and one part vinegar, then rinse your hair with the mixture.
  11. Anti-aging cream: Find the fountain of youth in this easy to make cream. Mix together 2 teaspoons plain yogurt, ½ teaspoon honey, ½ teaspoon lemon juice and 3 capsules of vitamin E. Leave the mixture on for 15 minutes, then rinse.
  12. Chlorine hair repair: To keep chlorine damage to your hair at bay, use this recipe. Blend 1 egg, olive oil, and ¼ of a peeled cucumber together. Put it in your hair and leave it in for 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. This treatment can be done monthly as long as you need it.
  13. Acne mask: If you’re experiencing an acne breakout, try this recipe before running for the hills. Mix together equal parts green clay, honey, and yogurt, then add a drop of essential oil. Spread it on your face and leave it on for as long as you like, up to an hour, then rinse thoroughly.
  14. Moisturizing hair mask: To get rid of dry hair and flyaways, try out this recipe straight from the fridge. Combine 1 egg with 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise, blending for a few minutes to create a liquid mixture. Add more mayonnaise if you’ve got long hair. Use a spoon to apply the mix to your hair, then tie it up for at least 15 minutes and rinse.
  15. Body scrub: To create an exfoliating and moisturizing salt scrub, simply combine rough sea salt, your favorite essential oil, and olive oil. Play with ingredient amounts until you have a consistency that you like, then store the mixture in an airtight container.
  16. Astringent: If you want an astringent that will tone your skin without drying it out, try this mixture. Combine witch hazel and distilled water 2:1, then add a little tea tree oil. If you have oily skin, you may want to forego the tea tree oil.
  17. Lip balm: Create your own custom lip balm with this easy recipe. Combine 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon of grated beeswax, and 1 vitamin E capsule, then heat the mixture together. Add peppermint oil for a nice tingling feeling if you like. Allow the mixture to solidify and cool, then enjoy.
  18. Lavender and honey milk bath: This bath provides the ultimate in relaxation. Combine 3 tablespoons lavender powder, 1 ½ cups whole milk, and 1/3 cup honey. This recipe makes enough for two baths, and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
  19. Body spray: For a great scent at a low cost, combine rubbing alcohol and water 2:1, your favorite essential oil for scent, and olive oil for moisture.
  20. Bath bombs: These bath fizzies are fun and easy to make. Combine 1 cup baking soda and ½ cup corn starch in one bowl, then combine ½ cup citric acid, 1 tablespoon distilled water, 1 teaspoon of melted cocoa butter, a few drops of food coloring and essential oil in another bowl, then mix both bowls together, using a food processor if necessary. Put the mixture in a mold, like an ice cube tray, to dry overnight, then drop one in your bath once they’ve hardened.


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