Be Pantry Pretty for Pennies

Watching your pennies? Are you allergic to some of the cosmetic products on the market? Here are some concoctions made with simple ingredients right from your kitchen, courtesy of nature.

Brighten up your dark hair color with the addition of one tablespoon of strong coffee to your conditioner; apply and leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse well. Redheads try this recipe of 1 cup of steeped cranberry tea, let it cool and pour over your hair. Let it stay on for about 15 minutes, then rinse. Blondes can follow the same directions but with chamomile tea to give a bright luster. Fresh lemon juice diluted in distilled water (half and half) will also produce a sunny shine.

For all hair colors that need some shine, mash half a banana, and a half of an avocado together with a few drops of jojoba oil. Apply this mask on all strands of your hair, paying close attention to the ends and let it stay on for approximately 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water and towel dry, applying a bit more of the oil to the ends. The salons charge a big buck for this treatment, of course under a different name.

Allergic to lip colors? Take a small piece of a beet and apply it not only on your lips, but also on your cheeks for an excellent blusher To remove dark spots from face and body rub the inside rind, (the pulp and juice) of a lemon over the area, let it dry, do not rinse off. For a refreshing mask to tighten and clean the pores mix an oatmeal paste in the palm of your hand and smooth it over the face and neck. When dry, rinse with tepid water and follow with splashes of cool distilled water.

White and brighten your teeth with the inside of orange rinds (the white inner skin). Just rub over the teeth after brushing. It not only whitens but also leaves a pleasant taste. The same with strawberries: rub the pulp over the teeth and gums and leave on for a few seconds then rinse out. This also leaves a fresh taste on the palate. For alluring eye-shadow blueberries and grapes are excellent.

The tomato pulp mask is great for blackheads and whiteheads as well as blocking oily skin and shrinking large pores. Just apply the inside pulp and let dry, then rinse off with tepid water, pat dry with a terry cloth towel and apply witch hazel as an after toner.

You can look good without the commercial products just try a few things yourself and experiment with fruits, vegetables and natural grains, found right in your kitchen. Or write me for more natural make-up and skin-care ideas. Pantry pretty skin care and cosmetics may take a bit longer to take effect, but the money (and environment) saved is certainly worth the time.

Be Pantry Pretty for Pennies by Betty Guy-Willis. Betty is a columnist/author, motivational speaker and beauty consultant, specializing in anti-aging and age subtracting. You may write her at P.O. Box 10713 Beverly Hills, CA 90213 Please include a stamped/self-addressed envelope.

Photo: Style O Sight