How to Make Your Own Beauty Products

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How to Make Your Own Beauty Products Overview

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Making your own beauty products can save you money and allow you to pamper yourself in a new way. See more personal hygiene pictures.

нTired of spending mнoney on cosmetic products that just aren't quite right? Interested in personal products made from natural ingredients? Looking for a new way to pamper yourself?

Consider making your own beauty and hygiene products using some of our easy recipes.

In this article, we provide instructions for making your own hair, facial, skin, hand, and nail care products, as well as common hygiene products like deodorant and after-shave. You can customize the recipes by using scents of your choice. You could even make your own, unique line of products that exactly meets your tastes, with ingredients available in the grocery store and pharmacy.

We'll get started on the next page by showing you how to make your own hair care products.

How to Make Your Own Hair Care Products

Treat your hair to some special care and save money at the same time with these easy recipes for shampoos, conditioners, bleaches, and dressings. You can even treat dandruff with one of the recipes. All of these products use ingredients you can find in your local pharmacy and grocery store.

Bronze Henna Shampoo

Henna, a centuries-old favorite, won't damage your hair the way dye or bleach can. To give a bronze or reddish cast to dark hair, try this gentle henna shampoo.

Equipment:

Measuring cup
Saucepan
Measuring spoons
Mixing spoon
Pint container with cap
Funnel
Coffee filter
Sharp knife

Ingredients:

Water
Powdered henna
Borax
Liquid laundry bluing
Castile soap

Yield: About 1/2 pint

Pour 1 cup of water into a small saucepan and bring it to a boil. Remove it from the heat and add 1 teaspoon of powdered henna, 1/4 teaspoon of borax, and 1/4 teaspoon of liquid laundry bluing. Stir the mixture and strain it into a pint container through a funnel lined with a clean coffee filter. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan.

Cut a small, hand-size cake of castile soap into quarters with a sharp knife. Cut one quarter of the soap into shavings, and add the shavings to the mixture. Heat the mixture over a low flame until the soap dissolves, and strain it again into the pint container. Cover it tightly.

Protein Shampoo

Mix this high-protein shampoo fresh whenever you need it -- it does the job at least as well as store-boughts.

Equipment:

Small mixing bowl
Electric mixer or egg beater
Measuring cup
Measuring spoons
Mixing spoon

Ingredients:

Egg white
Water
Gelatin
Ammonia
Cologne
Rubbing alcohol

Yield: Enough for one shampoo

In a small mixing bowl, beat the white of an egg until frothy with an electric mixer or egg beater. Soften 1 packet of gelatin in 1/4 cup of warm water and add the mixture to the egg white; mix well. Add 3 tablespoons of ammonia and mix thoroughly. Add a few drops of your favorite cologne to mask the ammonia. Finally, add 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol and mix thoroughly.

Shampoo the mixture thoroughly into your hair; only one application is necessary. Rinse your hair thoroughly and apply a standard conditioning rinse as directed.

Cream Shampoo

For a natural, gentle, effective shampoo, mix this simple cream formula.

Equipment:

Measuring cup
Saucepan
Mixing spoons
Quart jar with cover

Ingredients:

Water
Soap flakes
Glycerin
Borax
Perfume

Yield: About 1 quart

Measure 2 cups of water into a saucepan and heat it. Add 1 cup of soap flakes to the hot water and stir to dissolve. Remove the pan from the heat and add 11/2 cups of glycerin and 3/4 cup of borax; if desired, add a few drops of your favorite perfume. Stir the mixture thoroughly. Pour it into a quart jar and cover it; let it cool completely before using.

Dandruff Treatment

Troubled by dandruff? This dandruff treatment should work wonders.

Equipment:

Measuring cup
Small saucepan
Measuring spoons
Mixing spoon
Small jar with cover

Ingredients:

Mineral oil
Anhydrous lanolin (Buy lanolin at a pharmacy.)
Tincture of iodine

Yield: About 6 ounces

Measure 1/2 cup of mineral oil into a small saucepan and warm it over a low flame. Empty a 1-ounce tube of anhydrous lanolin into the warm oil and add 2 teaspoons tincture of iodine; stir to blend thoroughly and remove from the heat. Pour the warm mixture into a small jar and cover it tightly.

Massage the lotion into the scalp daily.

Liquid Hair Bleach

This gentle liquid hair bleach is easy to mix and use.

Equipment:

Measuring cup
Small saucepan
Eyedropper
Mixing spoon
Bowl

Ingredients:

Vegetable oil
Hydrogen peroxide (3 percent solution)
Ammonia

Yield: Enough for one application

Measure 1/4 cup of vegetable oil into a small saucepan, and heat it gently over low heat until it's warm. Remove from the heat. Add 1/4 cup of 3 percent solution hydrogen peroxide and 20 drops of ammonia; stir to blend. Pour the bleach into a bowl.

To use the bleach, swab the mixture into the hair with absorbent cotton. Leave it on the hair for about 20 minutes; rinse thoroughly and shampoo.

Hair Dressing

To keep unruly hair in place, try this lightly scented conditioning dressing.

Equipment:

Double boiler
Measuring spoons
Small saucepan
Measuring cup
Mixing spoon
Small jar with cover

Ingredients:

Beeswax
Castor oil
Anhydrous lanolin
Vegetable oil
Oil of bergamot

Note: Buy beeswax, lanolin, and oil of bergamot at a pharmacy.

Yield: About 3/4 cup

In the top of a double boiler, slowly melt 1/2 ounce of beeswax, about 1 tablespoon. In a small saucepan, heat 1/4 cup of castor oil, 1/4 cup of anhydrous lanolin, and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil; stir to blend the oils. Add the melted beeswax to the oils and stir well; then add 2 teaspoons of oil of bergamot and stir again. Pour the mixture into a clean jar and let cool.

To use the dressing, place a small dab on one palm and rub your palms together to spread it; run your hands through your hair to distribute the dressing evenly. Use only a little; more than a dab will make your hair greasy.

Scented Setting Cream

Make this cream to help your hair hold a style longer.

Equipment:

Measuring cup
Mixing bowl
Mixing spoon
Measuring spoons
Small jar with cover

Ingredients:

Powdered karaya gum (Buy karaya gum at a pharmacy.)
Rubbing alcohol
Perfume or cologne
Borax

Yield: Enough for one application

Measure 1/2 cup of powdered karaya gum into a mixing bowl. Add just enough rubbing alcohol to give the mixture the consistency of thick, heavy syrup; mix well until the mixture is free of lumps. Add 1 or 2 drops of perfume or cologne and mix thoroughly.

To mix enough lotion for future use, double the ingredients and add 2 teaspoons of borax as a preservative. Spoon the mixture into a small jar and cover it tightly.

Use the cream as you would a commercial preparation.

Quantity Waving Lotion

Add some spring to your curls with this gentle lotion.

Equipment:

Measuring cup
Mixing bowl
Measuring spoons
Mixing spoon
Pint jar with cover

Ingredients:

Rose water
Tragacanth gum
Glycerin

Note: Buy the ingredients at a pharmacy.

Yield: 1 pint

Measure 2 cups of rose water into a mixing bowl and add 2 tablespoons of tragacanth gum and 2 tablespoons of glycerin. Mix the ingredients thoroughly. Pour the lotion into a pint jar and cover it tightly.

Use the lotion as you would a commercial preparation.

You can also make your own facial care products, and can tailor them to your own skin type and needs. See the next page of this article to learn how to make your own facial masks, lip creams, and skin whiteners.

For more information on making your own beauty products, try the following links:

Home Remedies for Oily Skin: In this article, you will learn how to change your diet and beauty routine to combat oily skin and acne.
Home Remedies for Oily Hair: Here you will find some simple solutions you can try at home to combat oily hair.
Home Remedies for Dry Hair: Dry hair can result from a number of factors including the shampoo youТre using and heredity. In this article, you will learn how to relieve dry hair at home.

How to Make Your Own Facial Care Products

нPut your best face forward with these natural facial care products you can make yourself. For some of the recipes, you'll already have all the ingredients in your kitchen. For others, you can find everything at the grocery store or your pharmacy.

нNatural Facial Masks

To restore moisture and deep-cleanse your face, use a facial mask regularly. These home-blended masks are designed for the three common skin types.

Normal-Skin Mask: Use this mask for normal or combination skin types.

Equipment:

Small bowl
Wire whisk
Measuring spoons

Ingredients:

Egg
Honey
Brewers' yeast or cider vinegar

Yield: Enough for one application

Beat an egg in a small bowl, using a wire whisk to blend yolk and white thoroughly. Add 1 teaspoon of honey and 1/4 teaspoon of brewers' yeast -- or, if you don't have brewers' yeast, 1 tablespoon of cider vinegar. Whisk again to blend. Apply the mask to your face, being careful not to get it in your eyes or on your hair. Let it dry for about 20 minutes, and then rinse it off thoroughly with warm water. Splash your face with cool water and blot it dry.

Dry-Skin Mask: Enjoy the scent of this natural mask while moisturizing your skin.

Equipment:

Paring knife
Blender
Measuring spoons

Ingredients:

Banana
Honey

Yield: Enough for one application

Wash a banana thoroughly. Slice the banana and half of its peel into the container of a blender; add 1 tablespoon of honey and blend to a liquid. Apply the mask to your face, being careful not to get it in your eyes or on your hair. Let it dry for about 20 minutes, and then rinse it off thoroughly with warm water. Splash your face with cool water and blot it dry.

Oily-Skin Mask: Get a deep cleansing with this fresh, natural mask recipe.

Equipment:

Paring knife
Blender
Measuring spoons

Ingredients:

Cucumber
Yogurt

Yield: Enough for one application

Wash a cucumber thoroughly. If the cucumber skin is waxed, remove it; if possible, however, leave the cucumber unpeeled. Slice the cucumber into the container of a blender; add 1 tablespoon of plain unsweetened yogurt and blend to a liquid. Apply the mask to your face, being careful not to get it in your eyes or on your hair. Let it dry for about 20 minutes, and then rinse it off thoroughly with warm water. Splash your face with cool water and blot it dry.

Clay Facial Mask

To absorb dirt, oil, and impurities from your skin, mix this soothing clay.

Equipment:

Measuring spoons
Double boiler
Mixing spoon
Measuring cup

Ingredients:

Beeswax
Anhydrous lanolin
Borax
Rose water or water
Fuller's earth

Note: Buy the ingredients at a pharmacy.

Yield: Enough for one application

Measure 1/4 ounce of beeswax -- about 11/2 teaspoons -- into the top of a double boiler; add 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) of anhydrous lanolin. Stir to blend. Measure 1/2 cup of rose water or plain water; add 1 tablespoon of borax and stir to dissolve. Slowly pour the borax-water mixture into the melted wax and lanolin, stirring constantly until the water is completely absorbed. Remove the mixture from the heat.

Add 1/2 pound of fuller's earth to the blended wax and water, stirring to a smooth paste. Let the mixture cool before using it.

Apply the facial pack liberally to your skin, being careful not to get it in your eyes or on your hair. Let it dry completely, about 1/2 hour, and rinse with warm water to remove all traces of the clay. Finally, splash your face with cool water and blot it dry.

Skin Softener

Many beauty experts recommend cucumbers as an effective skin softener and nourisher. This softener is especially good for oily skin.

Equipment:

Sharp knife
Blender
Spatula
Saucepan
Measuring cup
Mixing spoon
Two quart jars with covers
Funnel
Coffee filter

Ingredients:

Fresh cucumbers
Rubbing alcohol
Benzoic acid (Buy benzoic acid at a pharmacy.)

Yield: About 21/2 to 3 cups

Thinly peel 2 or 3 large cucumbers and cut them into small pieces; place in a blender and puree to a fine pulp. Turn the pulp into a saucepan and heat to boiling; let cool. Stir in 1 pint of rubbing alcohol and 1/4 cup of benzoic acid; this keeps the cucumber juice from spoiling. Stir to mix thoroughly.

Pour the mixture into a quart jar and cover it tightly; refrigerate it for 2 weeks. Strain it into a clean jar through a funnel lined with a coffee filter; cover tightly. Apply to skin as desired.

Lip Cream

If you spend a lot of time outside, you've probably suffered from dry, chapped lips due to cold, sun, or wind. This simple cream both soothes and heals.

Equipment:

Measuring spoons
Double boiler
Mixing spoon
Small jar with cover

Ingredients:

Beeswax
Castor oil
Anhydrous lanolin
Spirits of camphor

Note: Buy the ingredients at a pharmacy.

Yield: About 21/2 ounces

Melt 1 ounce -- about 2 tablespoons -- of beeswax in a double boiler; add 2 tablespoons of castor oil and 1 tablespoon of anhydrous lanolin, and stir thoroughly. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool. When cool, add 1 teaspoon of spirits of camphor and mix thoroughly. Spoon the mixture into a small jar and cover it tightly.

Apply the cream to the lips as needed.

Skin Whiteners

Honest-to-goodness freckles are a permanent fixture, but discolorations and dark spots are easy to remove.

Lemon-Vinegar Skin Whitener: This recipe is simple super to make and to use.

Equipment:

Sharp knife
Blender
Measuring cup
Two quart jars with covers
Funnel
Coffee filter

Ingredients:

Lemons
Wine vinegar
Rubbing alcohol
Water
Perfume

Yield: About 11/2 pints

Cut 2 or 3 lemons into small pieces. Liquefy the pieces of lemon in a blender. Add a pint of inexpensive wine vinegar, 1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol, and 1/2 cup of water, and blend for a few seconds.

Pour the mixture into a quart jar and cover; refrigerate it for 3 days. Add a few drops of your favorite perfume until the mixture smells good to you. Strain the mixture into another quart jar through a funnel lined with a clean coffee filter, and cover it tightly.

To use the skin whitener, spread it between two pieces of muslin. Set this poultice on your skin for as long as convenient, preferably overnight.

Natural Face Bleach: This bleach is good for repeated use and gentle enough for the delicate skin on your face.

Equipment:

Measuring cup
Mixing bowl
Mixing spoon
Measuring spoons
Pint jar with cover

Ingredients:

Colloidal oatmeal
Hydrogen peroxide (3 percent solution)
Lemon juice
Tincture of benzoin

Yield: About 11/2 cups

Measure 1/4 cup of colloidal oatmeal into a mixing bowl. Add 1/2 cup of 3 percent solution hydrogen peroxide and stir well; be sure the peroxide is fresh and at full strength. Add 1/2 cup of lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoon of tincture of benzoin to the mixture. Stir to blend the ingredients thoroughly. Pour the mixture into a pint jar and cover it tightly.

Apply the bleach weekly; let it dry before rinsing.

If you specifically want to focus on preventing, eliminating, and hiding wrinkles, see the next page for some non-surgical solutions.

For more information on making your own beauty products, try the following links:

Home Remedies for Oily Skin: In this article, you will learn how to change your diet and beauty routine to combat oily skin and acne.
Home Remedies for Oily Hair: Here you will find some simple solutions you can try at home to combat oily hair.
Home Remedies for Dry Hair: Dry hair can result from a number of factors including the shampoo youТre using and heredity. In this article, you will learn how to relieve dry hair at home.

How to Get Rid of Wrinkles

Wrinkles are a result of aging, and most of us would like to get rid of them, but a surgical face-lift is pretty drastic. Short of surgery, there are some other ways to help eliminate and hide wrinkles.

Prevention

Wrinkles are caused by loss of flexibility in the collagen fibers, the mesh-like cells that give skin its form and shape. As we age, the collagen fibers lose their ability to withstand normal facial motions; at the same time, we lose facial fat. The result is wrinkles.

If you work to eliminate wrinkles before they form, you have a good chance of staving them off. Don't drink alcohol in excessive amounts; it robs your body of moisture. Don't smoke. Avoid excessive sun, and protect your face with sun-blocking creams and lotions. Restore moisture to your skin by splashing your face with cool water, giving yourself a facial, drinking lots of water and juice, and using plenty of moisturizers.

Exercise

If you already have wrinkles, you can take steps to hide and eliminate wrinkles. Exercise at least once a day to firm your skin and muscles; thoroughly moisturize your face and neck before you exercise.

To correct a droopy chin, a weak jaw, or a wrinkled neck, place the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth as far back as it will go; your chin, jaw, throat, and neck will tighten automatically. Repeat several times.

To firm your chin, neck, and throat, stretch your chin up high and thrust it forward, hard; at the same time, pull your head back as far as you can. Repeat this forward and backward motion several times. For a firming exercise you can do anywhere, turn your head to the left, touch your chin to your shoulder, turn your head back to center, and repeat the process to the right. Repeat several times.

To help eliminate a double chin, point your chin toward the ceiling. With your mouth closed, stick out your lower jaw as far as possible until you can feel the tendons in your neck stretch. Hold this position for a slow count of 10; repeat three times. This exercise also smooths out neck wrinkles and strengthens a weak jaw.

Face Creams and Masks

Many products claim to remove wrinkles, and many of them actually work for some people. Albumin or collagen protein creams or lotions contain collagen, the albuminoid substance that gives skin its shape. Creams and lotions that contain collagen act to fatten up and reshape cells that have lost elasticity. They can and do help smooth wrinkles, but they do not cause a drastic improvement. For a less expensive treatment, apply fresh egg white to your face; because it's rich in albumin, it will contract the skin and temporarily improve disfiguring lines. Let the egg white dry for about 20 minutes, rinse it off with warm water, and then splash your face with cool water.

Facial masks -- commercial or homemade -- that contain collagen or albumin are also effective; these include egg-based or milk masks and many other natural masks. Use the masks regularly, as directed.

Hormone creams contain estrogen, progesterone, or steroids. These creams are very controversial, but many claim fantastic results. If you want to try a hormone cream, use it as directed for a month or two -- don't expect overnight results. If you see no results, stop using the cream. If you do see an improvement after a month or two, stop using the cream for two or three months to see what happens. After this time, if you want to use it again, go ahead; follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Instant Face-Lift

Tools:

Mirror
Scissors
Needle

Materials:

Isometric beauty band, or gauze or adhesive tape
Thin elastic tape
Thread
Cosmetic adhesive

Time: 5 minutes to 1/2 hour

At least two products available provide an instant facelift. One is an isometric beauty band to lift and smooth sagging facial skin; this is a handy version of a standard theatrical makeup trick, and can be purchased from most cosmetic supply houses. The second is called an instant face-lift; buy it at any shop that sells theatrical makeup, or make your own.

The instant face-lift consists of two bands over your head, to lift the skin of our cheeks, chin, and jaw. These two bands are the ear lift and the chin lift.

To make the ear lift, cut two 1-inch-long triangles of gauze. Sew one end of an 8-inch piece of thin elastic tape to one corner of each piece. Using a cosmetic adhesive, glue a piece of gauze close to your hairline and directly in front of one ear with the elastic strip aimed at the top of your head; repeat to attach the other piece of gauze in front of your other ear. Pull the elastic strips up and tie them tightly together at the back of your head.

To make the chin lift, cut triangles of gauze and sew elastic strips to them as above. Attach one triangle just below and behind each earlobe. Pull the strips up, tighten them, and tie them.

Two elastic strips, one in front of the ears
and one over the jaw, lift sagging skin
to smooth out wrinkles.

Cut off excess elastic. Arrange your hair to cover both the gauze wedges and the strips of elastic.

For the best results with an instant face-lift, you must use a cosmetic adhesive -- ask a theatrical makeup supplier or a cosmetologist. Or try cutting the triangles out of adhesive tape instead of gauze. Practice as necessary to achieve the results you want.

Wrinkle Cream

Wrinkle creams are expensive, and the more elegant, the higher the price. This recipe is a little unusual, but it works.

Equipment:

Small dish
Measuring spoons
Measuring cup
Mixing spoon
Double boiler
Electric mixer
Clean jar with cover

Ingredients:

Alum
Orange flower water
Gelatin
Glycerin
Anhydrous lanolin
Spirits of camphor
Tincture of benzoin

Note: Buy the ingredients at a pharmacy.

Yield: About 11/2 cups

In a small dish, dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of alum in 2 teaspoons of orange flower water; add 1 teaspoon of gelatin and soak until the gelatin is softened. Add 1/4 cup of glycerin and pour into the top of a double boiler; heat over low heat until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Add 8 ounces of lanolin to the mixture and stir it together slowly. Add 1/4 teaspoon of spirits of camphor and 1/4 teaspoon of tincture of benzoin; stir to blend. Remove from heat. Beat the warm mixture with an electric mixer at medium speed until the cream is cool and fluffy. Spoon into a clean jar and cover tightly.

Apply to the skin at night; massage the cream in well for 5 to 10 minutes.

In addition to treating wrinkles, you can provide extra nourishment and pampering for your skin that will make it look healthier. See the next page to learn how to make additional skin creams, toners, and facial hair bleaches.

For more information on making your own beauty products, try the following links:

Home Remedies for Oily Skin: In this article, you will learn how to change your diet and beauty routine to combat oily skin and acne.
Home Remedies for Oily Hair: Here you will find some simple solutions you can try at home to combat oily hair.
Home Remedies for Dry Hair: Dry hair can result from a number of factors including the shampoo youТre using and heredity. In this article, you will learn how to relieve dry hair at home.

How to Make Your Own Skin Care Products

There's no need to spend lots of money on manufactured skin care products. Check out these easy and gentle recipes for facial hair bleach, a skin food cream, and a tissue-toning cream.

Facial Hair Bleach

This effective cream hair bleach is both inexpensive and easy to prepare.

Equipment:

Measuring spoons
Mixing bowl
Mixing spoon

Ingredients:

Hydrogen peroxide (3 percent solution)
Ammonia
White henna

Yield: Enough for one application

Measure 2 tablespoons of 3 percent solution hydrogen peroxide into a mixing bowl; make sure the peroxide is fresh and at full strength. Add 10 drops of ammonia and stir in enough white henna to produce a smooth paste, not too thick or too runny.

Apply the bleach to the hair and leave it on for about 15 minutes, or until the desired shade is achieved. Rinse off the bleach thoroughly. Complete the treatment by washing thoroughly.

Skin Food Cream

If you want to replenish your skin's beneficial oils and supply it with nutrients, there's no need to buy expensive cosmetics. This gentle cream is as rich as they come.

Equipment:

Measuring spoons
Double boiler
Mixing spoon
Measuring cup
Mixing bowl
Wire whisk or egg beater
Small jar with cover

Ingredients:

Beeswax
Coconut oil
Anhydrous lanolin
Almond oil or heavy mineral oil
Tincture of benzoin
Orange flower water

Note: Buy the ingredients at a pharmacy.

Yield: About 51/2 ounces

Melt 1/2 ounce -- about 1 tablespoon -- of beeswax in a double boiler; add 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of anhydrous lanolin, and stir to blend thoroughly. Stir in 2 ounces (1/4 cup) of almond oil or heavy mineral oil, 2 or 3 drops of tincture of benzoin, and 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of orange flower water.

Caution: Almond oil vapors are toxic.

Pour the mixture into a mixing bowl and beat it with a wire whisk or an egg beater until it's creamy. Spoon the cream into a small jar and cover it tightly.

To use, rub the cream into the skin and massage vigorously.

Tissue-Toning Cream

Tissue-toning creams add moisture to dry skin and improve its texture. This cream preparation is easy and inexpensive to make.

Equipment:

Double boiler
Measuring cup
Measuring spoons
Two small saucepans
Mixing spoon
Pint jar with cover

Ingredients:

Beeswax
Anhydrous lanolin
Almond oil or heavy mineral oil
Witch hazel
Rose water
Borax

Note: You can buy these ingredients at a pharmacy.

Yield: About 10 ounces

Melt 1 ounce of beeswax -- about 2 tablespoons -- in the top of a double boiler; add 1/4 cup (2 ounces) of anhydrous lanolin. Warm 5 ounces of almond oil or heavy mineral oil in a small saucepan and add it to the lanolin-and-wax mixture; stir to blend.

Caution: Almond oil vapors are toxic.

In another small pan, heat 2 tablespoons of witch hazel and 2 tablespoons of rose water; dissolve a pinch of borax in this solution. Add to the lanolin-and-wax mixture and mix thoroughly. Pour the mixture into a pint jar and cover it tightly.

Apply the cream sparingly and rub it into your skin gently.

Don't forget your hands and feet when you're pampering yourself. See the next page to learn how to make your own hand and nail care products using easy instructions and ingredients available at the grocery and pharmacy.

For more information on making your own beauty products, try the following links:

Home Remedies for Oily Skin: In this article, you will learn how to change your diet and beauty routine to combat oily skin and acne.
Home Remedies for Oily Hair: Here you will find some simple solutions you can try at home to combat oily hair.
Home Remedies for Dry Hair: Dry hair can result from a number of factors including the shampoo youТre using and heredity. In this article, you will learn how to relieve dry hair at home.

How to Make Your Own Hand and Nail Care Products

Keeping your hands beautiful can take lots of work. But you don't necessarily needн to invest in a supply of manufactured cosmetics. Instead, you can make your own products at home and get beautiful results.

Fingernail Hardener

Nails, like hair, often need conditioning. Use this simple nail hardener recipe to keep your nails from splitting or cracking.

Equipment:

Measuring cup
Measuring spoons
Mixing spoon
Small jar with cover

Ingredients:

Water
Witch hazel
Glycerin
Green food coloring
Alum

Yield: About 1/2 cup

To 1/4 cup of water in a measuring cup, add 1/4 cup of witch hazel, 2 tablespoons of glycerin, and a drop of green food coloring -- the coloring is just for identification. Add 2 teaspoons of alum and stir to mix well. Pour into a small jar and cover tightly.

Apply the solution nightly for several nights; dip your nails into the solution and let them dry. Repeat as necessary until your nails are hard, as desired. If you wear nail polish, remove the polish and don't reapply it until your nails have hardened as desired.

Heavy-Duty Hand Lotion

For winter-cracked hands, try this lotion. Glycerin and rose water are a classic combination, and this version has the added benefit of witch hazel.

Equipment:

Mixing bowl
Measuring cup
Measuring spoons
Mixing spoon
Small jar with cover

Ingredients:

Glycerin
Bay rum
Witch hazel
Rose water

Note: Buy the ingredients at a pharmacy.

Yield: About 1/2 cup

Measure 1/4 cup of glycerin into a mixing bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of bay rum, 2 tablespoons of witch hazel, and 2 tablespoons of rose water; stir the mixture thoroughly. Pour into a small jar and cover tightly.

Shake the lotion thoroughly before using.

Nail Bleach

Blotchy or mottled fingernails aren't pretty, but they're easily dealt with. Mix this fragrant lotion to correct the problem.

Equipment:

Measuring spoons
Measuring cup
Funnel
8-ounce bottle with cap

Ingredients:

Glycerin
Hydrogen peroxide (3 percent solution)
Orange flower water

Note: Buy glycerin and orange flower water at a pharmacy.

Yield: 8 ounces

Measure 2 tablespoons of glycerin and 5 ounces -- 5/8 cup -- of 3 percent solution hydrogen peroxide into an 8-ounce bottle; fill the bottle with orange flower water. Cap the bottle and shake it well.

To use the bleach, soak your nails in this mixture for about 15 minutes. Repeat as needed.

Nail Softener

If your nails are too tough to cut or shape, try this effective softener.

Equipment:

Double boiler
Measuring spoons
Mixing spoon
Small jar with cover

Ingredients:

Hydrous lanolin (containing water)
Soap flakes
Glycerin
Vegetable oil
Perfume or cologne

Note: Buy lanolin at a pharmacy.

Yield: About 3 ounces

Empty a 2-ounce tube of hydrous lanolin into the top of a double boiler and melt the lanolin over low heat. Add 1 tablespoon of soap flakes, 2 teaspoons of glycerin, and 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil; stir well. If desired, add a few drops of your favorite perfume or cologne.

Remove the mixture from the heat and stir to dissolve the soap flakes. Pour the mixture into a small jar and cover it tightly.

Apply the softener to the nails daily, until the nails are as soft as desired.

Nail Whitener

There's no need to go out and buy expensive nail whiteners; it's easy to make your own:

Equipment:

Double boiler
Measuring spoons
Mixing spoon
Small jar with cover

Ingredients:

Hydrous lanolin (containing water)
Zinc oxide powder
Talcum powder
Almond oil or heavy mineral oil
Glycerin

Note: Buy the ingredients at a pharmacy.

Yield: About 41/2 ounces

Empty a 2-ounce tube of hydrous lanolin into the top of a double boiler and melt the lanolin over low heat. Add 2 tablespoons of zinc oxide powder and 2 tablespoons of talcum powder and stir the mixture to form a smooth, creamy paste. Then add 1/4 teaspoon of glycerin and 1 tablespoon of almond oil or heavy mineral oil, mixing them thoroughly into the paste.

Caution: Almond oil vapors are toxic.

Transfer the paste to a small jar and cover it tightly.

To use the whitener, apply the paste under the nails with an orange stick.

To complete your suite of homemade beauty products, see the next page for instructions on making your own hygiene products like deodorant and toothpaste.

For more information on making your own beauty products, try the following links:

Home Remedies for Oily Skin: In this article, you will learn how to change your diet and beauty routine to combat oily skin and acne.
Home Remedies for Oily Hair: Here you will find some simple solutions you can try at home to combat oily hair.
Home Remedies for Dry Hair: Dry hair can result from a number of factors including the shampoo youТre using and heredity. In this article, you will learn how to relieve dry hair at home.

How to Make Your Own Hygiene Products

The array of hygiene products available for purchase is enormous -- almost overwhelming. You can avoid the related costs and take pleasure in customizing your own products if you make them yourself. This page describes how to make your own deodorant, tooth paste, skin balm, after-shave, and foot bath.

Powder Deodorant

There are two types of preparations sold as deodorants -- those that reduce the flow of perspiration, and those that eliminate the odor. This inexpensive powder does both.

Equipment:

Measuring cup
Mixing bowl
Mixing spoon
Measuring spoons
Shaker container

Ingredients:

Baking soda
Boric acid
Zinc oxide powder (Buy zinc oxide powder at a pharmacy.)
Talcum powder
Perfume as desired

Yield: About 3/4 cup

Combine 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1/4 cup of boric acid; then add 2 tablespoons of zinc oxide powder and 2 tablespoons of talcum powder. Mix well. If desired, add a few drops of perfume and mix thoroughly. Pour the thoroughly mixed powder into an empty shaker container and tighten the lid.

Toothpasteн

Tired of the taste of your toothpaste? This peppermint-flavored version is both easily made and economical.

Equipment:

Measuring cup
Mixing bowl
Mixing spoon
Small jar with cover

Ingredients:

Precipitated chalk
Soap flakes
Glycerin
Liquid saccharin
Peppermint extract

Note: Buy chalk and glycerin at a pharmacy.

Yield: About 4 ounces

Measure 1/4 cup of precipitated chalk and 1/4 cup of soap flakes into a mixing bowl. Add enough glycerin to form a thick paste. Add a few drops of liquid saccharin and a few drops of peppermint extract; stir to blend well. Blend the ingredients thoroughly to a smooth paste. Transfer the paste to a small jar and cover tightly.

Healing Skin Balm

This simple balm is ideal for chapped hands or windburned skin.

Equipment:

Measuring cup
Double boiler
Measuring spoons
Mixing spoon
Small jar with cover

Ingredients:

Water
Powdered laundry starch
Glycerin
Bay rum
Cologne

Yield: About 1/2 cup

Measure 1/4 cup of cold water into the top of a double boiler; add 2 tablespoons of powdered laundry starch and 1/4 cup of glycerin and mix well. Heat over low heat, stirring continually, until slightly thickened; be careful not to let the mixture lump. Let cool slightly; then add 2 teaspoons of bay rum and 3 to 4 drops of your favorite cologne. Pour the mixture into a small jar and cover it tightly. Apply as needed.

After-Shave Lotion

There's an amazing array of aftershaves available, and most of them are expensive. This one, besides being cheap and easy to make, is an excellent preparation for closing the pores.

Equipment:

Large mixing bowl
Measuring spoons
Mixing spoon
Measuring cup
Gallon jar with lid
Funnel
Coffee filter

Ingredients:

Boric acid
Glycerin
Rubbing alcohol
Witch hazel
Water
Cologne as desired

Yield: 1 gallon

Measure 1 tablespoonful of boric acid into a large mixing bowl and add 1/2 cup of glycerin; mix thoroughly, being careful to get all the lumps out. Stirring constantly, add 1 pint of rubbing alcohol and 1 pint of witch hazel. Let stand 1 hour.

Pour the mixture into a clean gallon jar through a funnel lined with a clean coffee filter; add water to the jar to fill it completely. If desired, add a few drops of your favorite cologne.

Foot Bath

Mix this foot bath to relieve tired, aching feet in short order.

Equipment:

Measuring cup
Mixing bowl
Mixing spoon
2-pound coffee can or large jar with cover

Ingredients:

Alum
Borax
Epsom salts
Colloidal oatmeal

Note: Buy the ingredients at a pharmacy.

Yield: About 11/2 to 2 pounds

Measure 1/4 cup of alum, 1/8 cup of borax, and 1 cup of Epsom salts into a mixing bowl; mix the ingredients thoroughly. Add 1 cup of colloidal oatmeal and mix well again. Pour the mixture into a clean, 2-pound coffee can or a large jar, and cover it tightly.

To use the preparation, stir 1/2 tablespoon of this mixture into a basin of warm water.

For more information on making your own beauty products, try the following links:

Home Remedies for Oily Skin: In this article, you will learn how to change your diet and beauty routine to combat oily skin and acne.
Home Remedies for Oily Hair: Here you will find some simple solutions you can try at home to combat oily hair.
Home Remedies for Dry Hair: Dry hair can result from a number of factors including the shampoo youТre using and heredity. In this article, you will learn how to relieve dry hair at home.