DIY-KitChEn.CupBoArd.BeaUty.SeCrEts.

There is no need to spend tons of $$$ on all beauty products, when you have them right in your home! Here are some cool was you can use things found in your kitchen to help promote beautiful hair, skin and nails.







Apple Cider Vinegar - Used for centuries by many woman for health and beauty, apple cider vinegar is loaded with alpha-hydroxy acids which help to dissolve fatty deposits on the skin and promoting smoother skin. It also helps to regulate the PH(potential hydrogen) of the skin.
1. Clarifying after shampoo rinse: this mix will remove residue buildup on you hair leaving it soft and shiny! - Mix 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar and 4 cups water and use as the last rinse after shampooing.
2. Overnight skin treatment: Pour some apple cider vinegar on a cotton pad and use like a toner over the whole face at night, under you regular skincare routine. You will wake up with less blemishes, more radiant and softer and smoother skin. The natural AHAs in the vinegar will exfoliate the skin. 
3. Spot lightener: place pure apple cider vinegar on age spots and leave overnight. Over time this will work as a natural spot lightener. The natural AHAs in the vinegar will exfoliate and break up the melanin in the spot.
4. Sunburn soother: Heaven forbid you didn't read my post about the importance of sunscreen and you got a sunburn. Apply ice-cold apple cider vinegar on sunburn to prevent blistering. If you want relief from the burn - soak in a bath mixing in 1 cup apple cider vinegar. Soak for 10 minutes.
5. Dandruff fighter: Balance the scalps pH and control your dandruff by mixing 1 part apple cider vinegar to 3 parts warm water. If you want use pure vinegar and apply to scalp. Let sit for at least 5 minutes and then shampoo.

Olive oil - Another used for centuries by woman all over the world, this oil will promote a smooth and radiant complexion, help to maintain the skins elasticity, heal dry, weak nails and soften cuticles, while adding lustrous shine to hair. Olive oil is high in antioxidants such as vitamin E. (did you know? it takes 15 years for a olive tree to bear fruit.)
1. Cuticle softener: Mix in a small bowl warm olive oil with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Soak your nails in this for 5-10 minutes. This softens the cuticles as well as strengthening your nails.
2. Shiny hair: Using warm olive oil, rub into scalp and on hair(start at roots working down to tips). Cover with a shower cap or towel and leave for 20-30 minutes. (you can also sleep with this on the hair and wash out in the morning)
3. Moisture mask: Mix olive oil, honey and an egg yolk. Beat the mix until blended and apply to the face(avoid eye area). Leave for 15 minutes and rinse with warm water.
4. Use olive oil as a body moisturizer. Even though it is an oil it is not sticky and smells so good! If you can, get someone to give you a full body massage, using olive oil.
5. Eye makeup remover: In a fix and don't have eye makeup remover? Use pure olive oil on a cotton pad to take off your makeup. It takes off waterproof makeup too. And plus. It's cheaper then eye makeup remover. And it will condition your lashes.

Honey - Packed full of vitamins, minerals and amino acids, this golden fluid is wonderful for beauty. It contains high vitamin C, a variety of vitamin B such as niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid as well as minerals such as potassium. It is also packed full of antioxidants which fight free radicals and help prevent aging.  It is also antibacterial, antiviral and anti fungal as well very moisturizing. 
1. Hair shine rinse: Mix 1 teaspoon of honey with 4 cups of warm water and rinse hair with it. (Blonde? add juice of 1 lemon)
2. Acne treatment:  To help get rid of bacteria on the skin apply honey on acne over night. This will help to cleanse the pore as well as helping calm down inflammation.
3. Body Scrub: Mix 1/2 cup sugar or salt and 1/2 cup honey. Step into the shower and apply scrub on dry skin. Rinse after massaging scrub in.
4. Moisture Mask - Mix 2 tablespoons honey with 2 teaspoons milk. Smooth over face and throat. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.
5. Smoothing Skin Lotion -Mix 1 teaspoon honey with 1 teaspoon vegetable oil and ¼ teaspoon lemon. Rub into hands, elbows, heels and anywhere that feels dry. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse off with water.

Milk - Milk contains lactic acid which is a gentle exfoliant, and a good source of vitamins A and D, which also nourish the complexion.

1. Dark circles/puffy eyes: soak cotton balls or pads and place on eyes 

2. Moisture Mask: Mix 2 tablespoons honey with 2 teaspoons milk. Smooth over face and throat. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

3. Shower gel:Pour a little honey into the palm of your hand and add some whole milk powder, mixing to form a gel. Use as you would any shower gel. 

Baking soda(bicarbonate of soda: a white soluble compound (NaHCO3)) - 

1. Dry shampoo: If you don't have time to shower and shampoo. Try baking soda as a dry shampoo when your hair is oily. Sprinkle some on your hair, comb through then quickly fluff your hair with a blow dryer.

2. Face exfoliator: Mix a bit of baking soda in with your cleanser and you have a quick exfoliator.

3. Remove product buildup - Mix a bit of baking soda in your shampoo to remove buildup from products such as mousse or hairspray.

4. Foot soak: Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of salt in a  tub of warm water and soak your feet for 15-20 minutes. This will remove any dirt or nastiness on your feet. 

Sake - Sake is also referred to in English as rice wine. However, unlike true wine, in which alcohol is produced by fermenting the sugar naturally present in fruit, sake is made through a brewing process more like that of beer. To make beer or sake, the sugar needed to produce alcohol must first be converted from starch. Sake is rich in Kojic acid which is a by-product of the fermentation process of Japanese sake. It shows some improvement in fading dark pigmented spots on the skin because it inhibits tyrosinase. However, the ingredient is known for its instability in cosmetic formulas. the kojic acids in rice wine (sake) decrease your skin's ability to form the type of melanin found in age spots and freckles. If you put sake on your face or use skincare products containing sake or kojic acid, you'll also find the rice wine keeps moisture in your skin.

1. Skin lightener: Apply Sake on a cotton pad as a toner all over the face before you night cream.

2. Toner: Mix Slices of lemons in an air tight jar with Sake and distilled water. Let this mix sit in the fridge for 3 weeks. To use, put it on a cotton pad and apply like regular toner. This will brighten and remove dead skin on the surface of the skin.

Eggs- Eggs have been used for centuries to tame and moisturize hair, as well as to help tone and moisturize the skin.

1. Anti-acne mask: Whisk 1 egg white till stiff and blend one 1" piece of cucumber in a blender. Mix the two together. and use as a face mask for 15 minutes. Rinse well. This mask will cleanse and purify the skin.

2.  Hair mask: Whisk 3 eggs in a bowl and apply to hair, making sure your hair is coated evenly. Let the eggs dry completely and wash out with regular shampoo. This will leave your hair shiny and soft to the touch.

Lemons- They are packed full of vitamin C.

1. Spot/scar lightener- apply on area of concern with a cotton pad or dilute with a bit of water and use as a toner. 

These are just a few that I could think of. If you know of any others leave a comment with them! Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed. Please FOLLOW! and COMMENT!