Homemade Beauty Help

Having a bad hair day and run out of your favourite rescue remedy? Or just run out of money to buy them? Cosmetics are so expensive nowadays and with all the health warnings about parabens and other chemicals it's hard to know what to put on your skin. So here are a few tried and tested ingredients that you can take from kitchen to bathroom, without torturing yourself or your purse!

Face masks

There are so many different types of face mask you can make from a few basic ingredients found in most kitchens.

Soothing egg white face mask

Take 2 egg whites and 2 tablespoons of plain yoghurt in a small bowl and mix well. Apply to face. Leave on for 10 minutes then rinse well with warm water, using a damp facecloth to finish off. Particularly good during a flare-up, this mask is very plain and will moisturise without aggravating stressed skin.

Yoghurt and oats mask

Add 1 tablespoon of fine-milled oatmeal to 1 tablespoon of natural yoghurt and add half a teaspoon of clear honey. Mix together and apply to face for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water.A calming face mask for all skin types.

Milk of Magnesia

Simply take a bottle of unflavoured Milk of Magnesia and apply to face like a lotion. Leave for 10-15 minutes then rinse well with cool water. An excellent treatment for oily skin and drawing out impurities.

Fruit mask for greasy skin

You will need 2 egg whites, 3 teaspoons of clear honey, a cup of strawberries and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Mix all ingredients well and smooth the resulting paste over the face, leaving for 10 minutes. Rinse well. The lemon and strawberries are naturally astringent, making this a great choice for oily skin.

Classic milk mask for dry skin.

Add a teaspoon of powdered milk, a tablespoon of clear honey, a teaspoon of aloe vera gel and blend well in a small bowl. Add to face and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Milk is so wonderfully moisturising and the aloe will soothe any inflammation.

Brown sugar facial scrub

Simply take a small handful of brown sugar (about a heaped tablespoon) in the palm of your hand and add about a teaspoon of olive oil. Mash into a paste and massage in small circular motions into the face. Rinse well with warm water. Finish off by gently patting dry and moisturising with your usual lotion. Brown sugar is an excellent natural exfoliant which doesn't tear at the skin.

Body scrub

Now your face is sorted, we mustn't neglect the rest of your skin. Millions of pounds are made worldwide with various different types of body scrub and it's crazy, especially when you can make it at home for pence!

You'll need some oil (I prefer almond, but coconut or even plain vegetable oil will work fine) an equal amount of salt (though I would advise sugar if you have sensitive skin, not so abrasive) and a few drops of your favourite essential oil (Rose or lavender for relaxing, lemon to perk you up). Blend the mixture in a bowl, step into the bath or shower and apply it all over the body to dry skin. Massage in big circles up the body, starting at the feet and working up. Once the full body is scrubbed, rinse well with warm water and pat dry gently.

Hair treatments

Are you sick of buying costly hair products that don't deliver what they promise? Try this luscious mask for glossy manageable locks, and clean out the fridge while you're at it!

Seasonal Make-Up Dilemmas Solved

The great thing about the long winter days is that the chilly weather allows you to feel more comfortable in your make-up. No more sliding foundation, sweaty upper lip (SUL), or perspiration mixing with your mascara.

However, winter does bring with it its very own set of make-up dilemmas, like finding a new foundation that suits your paler winter skin, discovering which lipstick shade is hot this season, how to get a glowing complexion sans sun and perhaps the biggest predicament of all - how to inject some glam into a grey winter's day!

Thankfully, working in the beauty industry and having my finger on the pulse of latest trends means I'm privy to the latest make-up products and make-up bag essentials. And this winter it's all about a pop of colour.

The perfect base
Forget a lackluster complexion, this season it's about getting dewy, radiant and glowing skin. Combine a lightweight but nourishing moisturiser with a touch of tinted foundation and illuminiser for a comfortable make-up base.

Farewell fake tan
I hear a gasp! Saying sayonara to your self-tanner doesn't mean a putrid pallor. In fact it makes way for a beautiful fresh rosiness. Choose a rosy, satin-texture blush which screams vintage chic.

Make eyes pop
Adding colour to your winter make-up wardrobe (aka your make-up kit or make-up bag) is easy with Rimmel London Glam' Eyes Eyeshadows. These colourful eye colours add a touch of bright to even the dullest of winter days. The eyeshadow palette contains four eye colour shades and are available in various colour combination quads.

Bold brow how
A burly make-up trend this season is bold eyebrows. Pull back on the plucking and use an eyebrow pencil to emphasis your brow and fill in any bare patches. Strong, bold eyebrows are best teamed with nude, natural make-up.

Kissable lips
Looking for the latest lipstick shade? The beauty news from Europe's hottest catwalks is that soft browns, peaches and pinks are on-trend when it comes to lips this winter.

So when it comes to winter make-up looks, try teaming a radiant complexion with neutral lips and add a pop of colour via your choice of eye shadow shade. But remember make-up trends aren't law. Break free and find your own unique make-up style and wear it with pride.

Your winter make-up bag essentials:http://beautytipsforgirl6290.blogspot.com/

5 Tips to Get Super Shiny Hair

Something that catwalk hair styles and celebrity hairdos have in common is shine. Yet transforming dull, dry hair into sleek, smooth, shiny tresses isn't easy. Unless, of course, you're armed with the expert tips, hair advice and shiny hair products that actually work!

Shine has a lot to do with hair health, which can also include you your own health and wellbeing. So in answer to the question "how to I get shiny hair?" it's not just a matter of trialling numerous shine-booting hair products, you need to take a holistic approach too.

Sounds a bit new age? It needn't. Here are five key tips on achieving shiny hair.

Focus on your diet
Dry hair can be a result of vitamin A and E deficiencies as vitamin A helps generate natural oils in the hair and scalp, while vitamin E contributes to blood circulation, helping with hair growth and boosting moisture. Boost your vitamin A and E intake by snacking on raw nuts and seeds and green leafy vegetables.

Are you getting enough water?
Water is not only great for skin, it's beneficial for hair too. Drinking enough water each day will help prevent dull, dry hair.

Over-heating
If you use a hair dryer or straightener on a daily basis you're likely to be causing heat-damage. Make sure you apply a heat styling protectant product and if possible, forego heat styling a few days a week.

Chemical hair treatments
Colouring and chemical straightening treatments can severely dry your hair. Try to allow your hair time to re-nourish in between treatments and make sure you use products specifically designed to care for coloured hair or chemically straightened hair.

Product build-up
Over styling, over shampooing or using too much conditioner (especially if you don't rinse your hair well enough) can lead to product build-up. This leaves your hair feeling limp and looking lackluster. Try a clarifying shampoo once a week or cut down on the amount of styling product you use. Bed head can be bang on trend after all!

In general, try to remember that your hair does not have super powers. It needs a break just like the rest of us. Care for your hair with a weekly deep conditioning treatment, limit the amount of product and chemicals you put on your hair and try to avoid unnecessary heat styling. If you drink plenty of water and eat a healthy diet rich in essential vitamins and nutrients you should be sporting super shiny hair in no time!

Can the Cause of Oily Facial Skin Be Controlled or Solved?

What causes oily skin? What can be done about it? Can it be controlled? Even cured? Is there a solution for oily facial skin? These are questions that you need the answer to. You'll learn a lot about your skin as you read this article. First, let's look at the purpose of the oil and how it is produced.

What's the Oil Good For?

The oil, referred to as sebum, is produced by the skin's sebaceous glands and serves several purposes. It is composed primarily of fatty acids obtained from the diet. It works to hold moisture in the skin's cells. It provides lubrication, which helps to prevent cuts and scrapes.

Why Do Some People Have Oily Skin While Others Have Dry Skin?

In order for the skin to feel neither oily nor dry, sebum production must be balanced. The difference in people's skin can be seen as an imbalance. An overproduction of sebum causes oiliness. An underproduction causes dryness.

What Causes an Over-Production of Sebum?

There are several different things that can cause the sebaceous glands to produce an excessive amount of oil. The first one is a natural part of growing up.

Hormones produced during puberty stimulate the hair-producing follicles and the sebaceous glands. It is usually during puberty that a person starts to notice an excessively oily feeling. The excessive production of oil contributes to acne, a problem experienced by almost all teenagers.

The stimulation of the follicles and glands can also cause inflammation. When the follicles and glands located within the pores of the skin become swollen, it can lead to a pimple.

When people notice that their skin feels excessively oily, they have a tendency to wash their faces more often. Sometimes, the washing is excessive. Some of the cleansers recommended for oily skin strip away too much sebum. Excessive washing and the use of harsh cleansers can cause a rebound effect, simply stimulating the glands to produce more protective sebum.

What are Some Other Causes of an Oily Feeling?

Living or working in humid environment can cause the skin to feel oily, although the cause is probably not excessive production of sebum. Usually, the cause is increased perspiration due to the warmth of the environment. The perspiration makes the skin look shiny or oily.

Many shampoos, conditioners, bath washes and lotions contain a crude oil derivative called petrolatum or mineral oil. That ingredient will cause a shiny appearance and an oily feeling.

Working in a kitchen or in another oily environment may cause the skin to feel excessively oily, although the oil is from an external source. There is not actually an increased production of sebum.

Is Diet a Factor?

Some people think that eating greasy foods contributes to oily skin. That is unlikely. While some foods may contribute to inflammation, hormonal imbalances and acne, they are not believed to contribute to excessive sebum production. A lack of essential fatty acids in the diet could cause dry skin, because the body would be unable to produce sebum without the fatty acids. But fatty acid deficiency is a rare problem in industrialized societies, seen only in malnourished infants and people with anorexia.

One thing that might happen when you eat greasy foods is that the oil from the foods is transferred to your hands and then to your face. It's similar to what would happen if you worked in an oily environment.

Aloe Vera the Natural Skin Care Wonder

Aloe vera is no new skin care secret. Its use dates back as far as the 4th century B.C. when Greek doctors used it for its healing properties and Cleopatra used it as part of her beauty routine. Egyptians even referred to it as the plant of immortality.

Aloe vera has a number of uses in the skin care industry. It is often added to cosmetic products such as lotions and creams that help with anything from allergies to wrinkles. It is also recommended for the treatment of burns and bruises. Aloe can be used to help with skin irritations such as rashes and insect bites. Many people have even seen benefits of using aloe on tough skin care conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

Why is aloe vera so beneficial to skin care? The plant itself contains five naturally occurring anti-inflammatory agents, nearly 20 amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and enzymes making it a powerful healer. It is also said that it aids in cellular regeneration by increasing circulation and the exchange of oxygen between cells, helping skin to appear more youthful.

When shopping for a skin care product that contains aloe it can become a little confusing as there are many types of aloe vera plants. There are over 350 species to be exact. One of the highest rated species of aloe is the aloe barbadensis miller plant. When checking ingredient labels check for aloe barbadensis as one of the top ingredients.

If you enjoy making your own natural skin care products rather than purchasing them consider growing an aloe plant. They grow well outdoors when planted in full sun, or light shade and shouldn't be planted where there is a chance of freezing due to frost tenderness. Aloe plants can also be grown indoors as long as they are given sufficient light.

A very easy aloe vera skin care recipe to try is this aloe and oats exfoliating scrub below.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon finely ground almonds
1 tablespoon finely ground oats
1 tablesoon of honey

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl stirring well until mixed.
2. Apply to the face and neck using small circular motions
3. Rinse face with warm water and dry