There's no reason to ever feel as though you can't take care of your hair, skin, and other body parts. Even if you are low on cash, there are plenty of cheap, wonderful products out there that are just as good for you as the high priced stuff. Not to mention the fact that you can make your own treatments.
These are a few quality products I use which are cheap as can be.
1. Queen Helene Cocoa Butter Cream. You can buy a huge jar of this at Sally's Beauty Supply for 5 or so bucks. You get a lot, not to mention the fact that the cream is really thick, so you don't need to use a lot. This product might seem "common" to beauty snobs out there, but it's truly excellent for the skin. It is super moisturizing and doesn't carry a strong scent.
Quick Tip: Slather cocoa butter cream (or any lotion) on while still wet from a warm bath. You will absorb the lotion much better this way.
2. T.N. Dickinson's Witch Hazel. Witch Hazel is much less expensive than most astringents and it is far gentler on sensitive skin. It's also more effective than other types.
Quick Tip: Greasy hair and no time to wash? Put some witch hazel on a cotton ball, then dab at roots. This will get rid of the grease temporarily until you can shampoo.
3. Pond's Cold Cream. Cold Cream not only washes makeup and other grime off your face, but it moisturizes. How can you beat that? It smells great, feels refreshing on your skin, and eliminates an extra step in your skin care routine.
Quick Tip: Rub the rich cream all over your face. Wipe off with a tissue. Then start all over again. This is extra cleansing and moisturizing for your face. I recommend using cold cream as a cleanser in the morning, then using your other cleanser at night. There's really no need to over clean your face in the morning.
4. Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask. With a crisp, mint scent and a satisying tingle, this mask will leave your skin smooth and clean. Perfect for those who can't afford an expensive mask.
Quick Tip: Give yourself a mini facial! Cleanse your face, then exfoliate. After this, press a hot towel into your face for a few minutes, then apply Mint Julep Mask. Leave this on ten minutes, then rinse with cold water. Follow with moisturizer.
5. Silk Elements Mega Cholesterol Conditioning Treatment. This treatment comes in a huge container, but costs only 2 dollars at Sally's Beauty Supply! Be careful, as this is so moisturizing that it can leave hair lank. If you shampoo frequently, dye your hair, or subject hair to heat, use this once a week.
Quick Tip: Run treatment through hair, concentrating on the ends. Wrap a warm, moist towel around head and sit comfortably for 20 minutes. Rinse hair with a cup of apple cider vinegar, then cold water.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Stretch Marks
Contrary to what most people will tell you, stretch marks are not something you have to live with. Sure, you can't totally fade them, but you can drastically reduce their appearance to the point that they are hard to see.
Some people, like yours truly, are more prone to stretch marks than others. I went through a growth spurt in my middle teens which resulted in two very bold, very red stretchmarks on each shoulder. While they are not totally gone, they are not as visible as they used to be.
For one thing, keep your skin super moisturized to avoid getting them in the first place. Stretch marks happen when your skin stretches, so keeping your skin soft and supple will help control them. Once you do have them, continue to moisturize the area in which they are. I HIGHLY recommend Palmer's Cocoa Butter or Queen Helene's Cocoa Butter Cream. These will truly work wonders if you routinely apply them to your stretchmarks, or areas where you want to avoid them.
Next, you can try massaging the stretchmarks with a bristle brush. Nothing too hard, so as not to damage your skin, but something that will stimulate the tissue.
I have heard that Mederma and Dermarest are fantastic products for reducing the appearance of stretchmarks. Some people absolutely swear by them.
You could also try massaging them with Vitamin E. This has fading and healing properties.
If all else fails, buy some dermablend to cover them up when you need to. This is very thick, very good camoflage for blemishes, like stretchmarks, bruises, et cetera.
Some people, like yours truly, are more prone to stretch marks than others. I went through a growth spurt in my middle teens which resulted in two very bold, very red stretchmarks on each shoulder. While they are not totally gone, they are not as visible as they used to be.
For one thing, keep your skin super moisturized to avoid getting them in the first place. Stretch marks happen when your skin stretches, so keeping your skin soft and supple will help control them. Once you do have them, continue to moisturize the area in which they are. I HIGHLY recommend Palmer's Cocoa Butter or Queen Helene's Cocoa Butter Cream. These will truly work wonders if you routinely apply them to your stretchmarks, or areas where you want to avoid them.
Next, you can try massaging the stretchmarks with a bristle brush. Nothing too hard, so as not to damage your skin, but something that will stimulate the tissue.
I have heard that Mederma and Dermarest are fantastic products for reducing the appearance of stretchmarks. Some people absolutely swear by them.
You could also try massaging them with Vitamin E. This has fading and healing properties.
If all else fails, buy some dermablend to cover them up when you need to. This is very thick, very good camoflage for blemishes, like stretchmarks, bruises, et cetera.
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