Saving money : Beat the Credit Crunch : Money saving

Did you know that you can start saving money and beat the credit crunch just by making your own cosmetics?

Fed up with the cost of cosmetics?

Fed up with sky high prices, 'cos you're worth it'?

Fed up with the standard stuff that doesn't quite suit you?

Fed up with throwing hard earned money away?

You need your very own body shop.

Why not save some money and try your hand at making your own cosmetics. It's relatively easy, safe and very individual. When you consider that a typical 'organic' shampoo with lavender is £14.95 for a 250ml bottle (Daily Mail - 01062009), you will save a fortune.

These traditional (and often secret) recipes have the advantage of being chemical free and in most instances, the ingredients have suitable substitutes if you don't have the one listed or there are other recipes so you can mostly, mix and match.

It's time to get back to the traditional ways of beauty and with a little effort and our tips and ideas, cut down on the chemicals and save a small fortune on:-

Shampoos Hair conditioners Hair rinses Setting Lotions Hair lightners and dyes Dandruff treatments Tired eyes soothers Eye puffiness reducers Eye make-up removers Toothpastes Teeth whiteners Breath fresheners Breath fresheners pastilles Lip gloss Cleansing milks Cleansing creams Face masks Facial scrubs Facial cleansers Wrinkles assistants Freckles reducers Moisturising creams Moisturising lotions Body scrubs Foot scrubs

Soap substitutes Bubble bath oils Deodorants Suntan oils Sunburn lotions Hand creams Hand barrier creams Hand stain removers Finger nail strengtheners Tired feet soothers Foot rough skin removers Fragrances - floral waters Eau de Colognes Skin cleansers Skin fresheners Astringent lotions nourishing creams Complexion soaps Bath soaps Bath salts Bath vinegars Depilatory creams Herbal teas Bath vinegars and much more

With over 100 beauty and cosmetics recipes for:-
shampoos, conditioners, after shampoo hair rinses, dandruff treatments, hair dyes and colourants, setting lotions, face, wrinkles, freckles and age spots, eyes, mouth, lips and teeth, body, hands and feet and numerous beauty tips and hints, you can now tailor your own personal natural beauty make-over.

The golden rule is, be creative and experimental but initially, make small quantities until you're sure the end result suits you and even then don't make too much because without the harsh chemicals and preservatives used in commercial products, they'll last about a month in the fridge.

Most of the ingredients you'll use are already in the average home and if you're really keen, why not plant a herb garden (or use pots and window boxes) for cooking and beauty.

The cosmetic ingredients used:

alcohol (or vodka), almond oil, alum powder, arrowroot powder, avocado oil
basil, beer, beeswax, borax, buttermilk
castor oil, catmint, chamomile flowers, cider vinegar, cocoa butter, coltsfoot columbine, comfrey, cornflowers, cucumber
eggs, elderflower
fennel, fuller's earth powder
henna, herbal vinegar, honey, horsetail
kaolin powder
lanolin, lavender, lemon, lemon verbena, lime, limeflower
marigold, mint
nasturtium, natural yoghurt, nettles
oatmeal, oil of lemons, oil of rosemary, olive oil, orange flower, orange juice, orrisroot powder
parsley, peppermint oil, potato, privet leaves
quince
rhubarb, rosemary leaves
sage, sea salt, soapwort root, sodium sesquicarbonate, southernwood, strawberries, sugar
tea, thyme
vegetable oils, vodka (or alcohol)
walnuts and skins, witch hazel, white wine
yarrow

The cosmetic equipment used:

rubber gloves
1 teaspoon, 1 tablespoon, 1 dessertspoon
1 fork
1 palette knife (or knife with flexible blade)
1 eyedropper
1 fine sieve
1 whisk or blender
1 pestle and mortar (or bowl and spoon)
1 plastic bowl-scraper
1 small wooden spoon
1 1/2 pint mug or cup
1 measuring jug
1 pyrex bowl
1 enamel double-saucepan (or a pan and 2nd pyrex bowl that will fit into it)
a good selection of containers (small screw-top jars, tubs and bottles)
self-adhesive labels

Note: don't use aluminium or non-stick pans or utensils when making cosmetics - it could be dangerous

Begin by defining your skin and hair type then adjust the recipes to suit the individual you.

Sensitive
Skin, finely textured and sometimes with reddish patches, tends to react to perfumed cosmetics. Cleanse with a light cream or milk and tone with a herbal infusion. Moisturise on dry areas only. Use a mild face mask occasionally, followed by a light moisturiser.

Dry
Skin is tightly drawn over bones and is often flaky. Use rich cleansing creams followed by toning herbal infusions, and moisturise with rich nourishing creams. Improve condition with oils. Use a good moisturising face mask once a week, followed by a rich nourishing cream.

Oily
Often shiny and prone to blackheads or spots. May need cleansing several times a day with soap or lotion followed by an astringent. Use a drying mask once a week and wash with a mild astringent lotion afterwards.

Normal
Skin feels smooth, is finely textured and soft. Cleanse with lotions or light creams or milk. Tone with a mild freshener such as rosewater and use a light moisturiser; have a weekly face mask followed by a light moisturiser.

There's never been a better time to start your very own body shop, tailor-made to your individual needs, dump the chemicals and save a fortune.