cheap wedding inspiration

Skin Sins and Kitchen Cabinet Saviors

Some times I look at my skin and just sigh. What am I doing wrong? I drink a lot of water. Sure I’m still weaning myself off the junk (and by “the junk” I mean diet coke); but I wash twice a day and moisturize as much. I take vitamins. I take EFAs. Hell, I even exfoliate! What’s a gal gotta do for a darling, dewy ‘dermis?

A couple of weeks ago, I had a makeup trial from a woman with skin you wouldn’t believe. She is dewy, radiant, positively luminous, and she specializes in skin care. I mean, she’s so healthy looking, you kinda want to lick her to see if she tastes like kale; and she’s so adorable, you want to put her in a baby-bjorn and carry her around (but that’s another story). Her background is in cosmetic dermatology, but she’s moving toward a holistic approach. She also happens to be dating Mr. Murad’s son, so you know sister’s got an ‘in’ with the best of the best.

She saw right away that my skin is stressed. My pH balance was off, she claimed. When I told her I was using Neutrogena acne wash, she went white as a ghost. Apparently, the little bumpies on my forehead weren’t zits from too much oil, they were a reaction to a too-harsh cleanser!

I’ve always loved to pamper myself with good skin care products, but for the past year or so, we’ve been buying the bargain-basement, bottom of the barrel drugstore brands to save money for the wedding. Now that we’re almost there, I found myself cursing that move, because my skin was looking less like a glowing bride and more like a greying cadaver.

My skincare friend sent me off with some samples from a line called Epicuren, which is touted for its natural, green approach and an enzyme protein complex, which apparently encourages skin to self-rejuvenate. While this line is a little more expensive ($35-$80), I have to say I was floored by the results. The bumps were gone, my skin shined like a babies bum. One could rationalize its purchase, if one was looking for a reason to do so – word on the street is each bottle lasts around 6 months…

But if your beauty budget is straight up maxed out, how about DIY skincare/beauty? You can repurpose household items to skip the middleman and keep it natural – saving dollars and mother earth. Happy skin and a happy earth? The hippie in me is doing a happy dance.

Try these easy tips next time you’re craving a little broke-ass pampering:

• Buy a tub of organic coconut oil from the natural foods store, and use it as a smoothing, hydrating hair mask – liquefy enough to saturate hair, wrap in cling wrap, and let it soak in for 30-45 minutes. Wash out, but be careful – It makes for a slippery bathtub floor. I found a 10 oz. tub for $2.99 at Whole Foods, yo! Its also great for cooking, healing and moisturizing skin, and as a vitamin supplement.

• Mix 1 tsp natural yogurt with 1 tbsp soft honey (2 tsp if you’re dry), massage into skin and leave for 15 minutes. Wash with warm water. For oily skin, add a few drops of lemon/lime juice. The best part? Licking your fingers afterward.

• Feeling flakey? Mix roughly 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water to create a paste, and massage it into your face, body, or both. This is great way to gently exfoliate, that works even on the most sensitive of skins. Add a few drops of lemon juice to bump up the alpha-hydroxic qualities of the scrub, or a few drops of essential oil to soothe and aromatherapize. (what, its a word!)

• Soak it out. Put 1-3 cups whole oats in a muslin bag or old pantyhose, and let “steep” in bathwater with you. Add a few drops of lavender oil or some fresh herbs from your garden for an extra zen buzz. This is great for soothing a sunburn or itchy, dry skin.

I have found all of these things to be as luxurious and effective as store-brands (if not moreso). The only trouble I find with those recipes is that they might make you hungry, they’re that natural. There’s tons more homemade beauty solutions and recipes lurking around the internets, so go get you some! Your skin, your pocketbook and the environment will be showing you the love in return.

Have you ever made your own beauty product? Care to share the recipe?