Best Beauty Products From Your Kitchen

Beauty products are just one of those things we don't avoid, if anything we stock up like there's no tomorrow. Sadly in most cases, they either don't work for us,  they've become too much of an investment and we have to cut costs. In either case we find ourselves looking for other remedies for our  hair, skin, or teeth, to fill that void. So I've taken to my kitchen (and medicine cabinet) and have found that sometimes, less is more. I hope you share some of your favorite beauty finds with me in comment section.

Let's start with Skin, we all obsess about our skin, even the simplest of flaws will set us off into a frenzy, So obviously we're always looking for that quick fix to zap that zit, moisturize, or help brighten our dull skin.  Then there's that other aging thing we just hate, lackluster teeth, so a little touch up whitening here and there does us good. And who doesn't want smooth and shiny hair? Here are my favorite beauty must haves that you can find right in your kitchen...

 1. Aspirin, Lemon and Baking Soda

Face Masque and Scrub

Probably the most gentle and efficient exfoliant and acne treatment I've ever tried. Finely crush one aspirin (no coating!) and combine with a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice until thoroughly dissolved. Apply to face in circular motion and let sit for ten minutes. In this time, mix together a teaspoon of baking soda and a tablespoon of warm water in a small dish, drop a couple of cotton balls and let soak. After the ten minutes has passed, wipe the lemon/aspirin mix off your face with the baking soda/water mixture, this buffers the face as well as neutralizing the salicylic acid. 

Perfect For - Brightening Skin, Zapping Zits, & Exfoliating

 2. Lemon and Strawberry

Face Masque & Teeth Whitening

Another skin brightener and zit zapper comes from two of the most common and delightful fruits out there, one for sweetness and one with a pow of tart, turns out together they're great for skin (and teeth - see below). Combine  a half cup of mashed strawberries and a couple tablespoons of fresh lemon juice and apply to face, avoiding the eyes. Let sit for a good 20 minutes, refrain from eating in this time, and rinse with warm water. Add a tablespoon of honey if you please.

Have a little of the above mixture left? Slather (one tablespoon mashed strawberries and one tablespoon lemon juice) on your teeth and let sit for 20-30 minutes, rinse and repeat once a week until you get the desire results, after that limit it to once a month to keep enamel healthy. Also try adding a smidgen of baking soda to speed up the process.

Perfect For - Brightening Skin & Breakouts, and Quick Teeth Whitening

2. Plain Full Fat Yogurt

Apply a thin layer over face, neck and chest and let sit for 20 minutes. Wash off with warm water. Try the same with your hair for smooth & shiny hair. 

Perfect for - Exfoliating, Skin Clarity, Hair Shine and Texture

4. Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

Another great pick for skin clarity, a teaspoon of vinegar and a half teaspoon of water make a great zit zapping toner, apply with cotton ball and leave on overnight. Great for drying up that breakout or helping erase skin discolorations such as acne scars. Also great as a hair rinse (1/2 cup on your hair in the shower). Need to help curb that sweet tooth, cholesterol & weight management? Take a tablespoon shot of vinegar, and chase with water (easier to bare than the 'drink'), it helps cleanse your body of impurities and helps balance your Ph levels - drinking also good for helping acne and other skin problems. Make sure you get raw, organic Apple Cider Vinegar with the "mothers", Bragg's is a good pick.

Perfect for -  Brightening Skin & Zit Zapping, Spot & Scar Fading,  Shiny Hair, Weight loss

 5. Coconut Oil, The Best Darn Beauty Tool Out There

I don't know how I went so many years without slathering this on my face, hair and body but as it turns out Coconut Oil is like a god when it comes to beauty remedies. It can be used as a moisturizer,  absorbing within a minute, and is especially good on acne prone skin, curbing breakouts along with helping out the healing process with it's anti bacterial properties. It's also is a great masque for hair, perfect for stretch marks, dry skin and even prevents tooth decay (also curbing tooth aches, apply 1 tsp. directly to tooth). And that's just the topical uses, eating it helps your immune system, aids with weight loss, cholesterol, and dozens of other ailments. It's a great substitute for shortening, vegetable oil and butter. Always go for unrefined, organic coconut oil, it's only $6 for 32oz at Whole Food, budget friendly and worth it.

Perfect For - Absolutely Everything

Honorable Mentions ...

Honey

Honey has great antibacterial properties so it's great for healing acne, shrinking pores and aids with anti aging. It's also great for hair's shine and texture, and of course that good ol' sore throat. Try a tablespoon of milk or one egg and a tablespoon of honey to shrink pores.

Kale 

I can't even tell you how long I refused to eat Kale, that bitter taste was just something I couldn't even stomach. Gah! Later I found Kale Chips and then finally convinced my self that I really need to eat it, so I decided smoothies were the only way. Turns out, Kale, not so bad, and it's one of the top super foods. Need a major detox? Try a smoothie by blending a cup of Water, Cup Of Kale, One Apple, One Banana and A 1/4 Fresh Lemon Juice - Add Fresh Pineapple or Strawberries for taste if you please...