Let's talk DIY beauty

Looking at the clutter on my dresser — add to that the memory of the countless bottles, tubes, pots and jars of makeup, skincare and styling products that had graced its glass top — there used to be a time when I was new to the whole thing. As a teenager who used to be so shy about using a tube of lipstick, too much of a tomboy to bother with my hair and too caught up with friends and activities to really sit down and explore the world of beauty, I now find myself writing about a few of my beauty experiences to share with you folks.

My journey was initially driven by skin issues. Starting out on something foreign, especially without anyone to guide me, was a bit difficult thus had required a bit of research and experimentation. I have to admit that I wasn’t a daredevil. When it came to beauty-related things, I’m a little conservative. What I do remember doing, apart from using my mom’s makeup and such, was a bit of the do-it-yourself (DIY) beauty stuff. However, since I really didn’t want to step out of the house looking all silly, I had earned to do things with moderation.

Armed with the desire to find a way to address my beauty concerns, I had stumbled upon a few DIY beauty tips that didn’t require me to spend too much money, and I was even free to try them out in the comfort of my own home.

From placing sliced cucumbers on each eye to freezing tea bags, another useful thing I discovered was brewing a mix of chamomile and fresh mint tea, pour it into an ice-cube tray then freeze it. Pop a cube out then wrap in a thin (clean!) cloth and sweep over your face. This can invigorate the complexion or de-puff the eye area.

Peel and mash a papaya (its natural enzymes will munch through dead skin) then add a dash of lemon juice for a natural astringent and a quarter teaspoon of baking powder to smooth and exfoliate the skin. This will brighten the complexion.

Here’s when things get a bit complicated. I recommend this for folks who are a little more experienced and know their way around the kitchen more since the ingredients in this concoction plus the preparation will require confidence. Blend three tablespoons of oat in a coffee grinder and give it an antioxidant kick by adding a quarter teaspoon of turmeric powder (a bright yellow aromatic powder obtained from the rhizome of a plant of the ginger family), a quarter teaspoon of ginger powder and a quarter teaspoon of green tea powder. Drizzle in enough water to make a thick paste and add a half teaspoon of flax oil. Apply the mixture to cleansed skin and leave for 10 minutes then buff off with a clean thin cloth (make sure not to stress out your skin). This will leave the skin radiant.

I had obsessed about my feet at one time so I had devoted hours on research and actual execution of feet skincare. Note that foot scrub and the foot spa weren’t widely offered in salons when I was younger and if they were, I wouldn’t think of spending my savings on the said service. Stir together two tablespoons of light olive oil with two tablespoons of granulated sugar. Rub this emollient mixture into the feet, focusing on any hardened callused areas. Rinse under warm running water and pat dry. Fabulously silky smooth skin.

When I started getting manicures and pedicures, I discovered that the problem of discolored nails goes with the territory. I also discovered last year that nail salons offer to address this for a hefty price of P100.00 on top of the mani-pedi rates. Dear me. Good thing there’s something we can all do to brighten up nail beds at home. Prepare a bowl filled with warm water and the juice of a whole lemon. All you need to do is soak your nails in the concoction for at least 15 minutes (depending on the level of discoloration) and you’ll see vast improvement, not to mention, it’ll save you a buck or two.

Ah, hair. One of my many obsessions of late. With all the available hair treatments nowadays, it’s great to arm yourselves with something that will help keep your mane healthy. For a nourishing and restorative hair mask, whisk together a few tablespoons of olive oil, an egg yolk and a couple of splashes of rum. Apply the mixture to wet hair -- it smells delicious like cake mix -- and wrap with a warm towel. Shampoo out after 30 minutes to reveal hair with a rich, hydrated luster. You can also try the simple route of soaking your hair in olive oil or virgin coconut oil for half an hour and try not to run a brush or comb while it’s still wet. This will save you from getting all those hot or cold oil and hair spa treatments that just might cost you thousands.

If you’re too wary to use chemicals on your hair but would still love to keep your styled hair in place or would want to go for the sexy tousled hair look, I’ve got a suggestion for a homemade hairspray. Dissolve a teaspoon of sugar with a teaspoon of sea salt in hot water. Pour this into a plastic spray bottle then let it cool. You can now use it generously or sparingly (at your discretion) as you style your hair. It’s got that great hold.

These suggestions aren’t much but they offer nothing short of that much-promised beauty miracle today. Do let me know if you get around to giving them a go. I’d love to hear about your individual D.I.Y. beauty experiences!

(Photos courtesy of Vook.com)