Homemade Beauty Tips

What woman or man doesn't want softer, smoother skin, a clearer complexion, or shiny hair? During the changing seasons, weather and sun damage can take it's toll. But, you don't have to spend lots of money on treatments or beauty products to keep your skin and hair looking it's best. I have tried many natural and homemade beauty remedies over the years, and have found some to be very beneficial. Many of these natural products have been creeping into conventional products in recent years, when all along, you might have had them right in your cupboard!

Let's start with hair. Now who doesn't want a head of shiny, healthy hair? Good hair is a reflection of one's inner health, and can make anyone look more attractive. First, hair needs to be clean.

This is a trickier objective than you might think, because it is possible to OVERWASH your hair. Hair that has been stripped of it's natural oils due to overwashing, sun and chemical damage, etc., can be prone to breaking off. I would recommend for most people to wash their hair 3 to 4 times per week, approximately every other day. In the winter months, especially for people with very long hair, it might be possible to go another day without washing. This is because the longer hair is, the older and dryer it tends to become. Years of exposure to the harsh everyday elements can dry the hair, leading to breakage.

I have been a long-haired woman most of my life, and have found using a gentle shampoo three or four times per week to be most effective. Also, concentrate shampoo on the roots of hair, as that is where oil buildup occurs.

Brushing the hair helps distribute natural oils from the scalp to the rest of the hair. I recommend a natural bristle brush, usually made from boar hair. They can be found in most drug and grocery stores, but are worth the slight increase in cost from synthetic brushes. They tend to break the hair less often, which means fewer split ends! With fewer split ends, you may only have to go to the hairdresser or barber once every couple of months, which saves you money!