Here are a few homemade beauty recipes to help you steer clear of those chemical-loaded cosmetics.

Face mask

EGG WHITE

Egg white works wonders on your skin. It helps tighten pores and improves skin elasticity. Separate the egg white from the yolk. Evenly apply the white of the egg on your face, and wash off after 10 minutes or as you feel your skin tighten.

MULTANI MITTI

Why spend hundreds of rupees on a purifying clay mask when the age-old Indian clay powder, multani mitti, will just cost you Rs 30 or less, and is as natural as it gets. If you have oily skin, mix multani mitti and rosewater to a paste-like consistency and prepare a mask. If you have dry skin, use milk or curd.

BANANA+HONEY+LIME

Hydrate your skin with this mask. Mash half a banana, a teaspoon of honey and a few drops of lime. Apply on face, leave for 10-15 minutes and wash off.

Say goodbye to pimples, naturally!

GARLIC

Take one clove of garlic. Slice it and apply the juice on your pimple. Let it dry and wash it off after half an hour. This works well in case of an occasional pimple or two.  It is likely to cause mild irritation.

NEEM LEAVES+TURMERIC

Wash and grind a cup of neem leaves with a few teaspoons of water, and add a pinch of turmeric. Store this in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Once a week, evenly apply the paste onto your face and wash it off the next morning. Neem and turmeric both have antibacterial properties, and also help control oil secretion.

SANDALWOOD PASTE

You can either get yourself a sandalwood stick or powder. Use rosewater to make a paste and apply a thin coat on your face. Leave it on overnight and rinse with warm water. Sandalwood too is known to have antibacterial properties. It also regulates oil secretion.

Hair care

Homemade shampoo

EGG+LIME+OLIVE OIL+SHIKAKAI

Make your own shampoo with these ingredients: 1 whole egg, 1 tsp. of olive oil/coconut oil/almond oil, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, 3 teaspoons of soapnut (shikakai) powder, ½ cup green tea.  Put all the ingredients in a mixie and blend well. Pour the mixture into an air-tight container and store in refrigerator. This will last you for a month.

GREEN TEA+HONEY+BAKING SODA

Take 1 cup of green tea, add a teaspoon of honey and baking soda. Baking soda helps scrub away all the dirt and grime in your hair. Honey and green tea will condition it to give you long lustrous locks.

Homemade lip-balm

ALOE VERA+VITAMIN-E OIL

While home-grown aloe vera would be ideal, you could also buy aloe vera gel off the shelf. Take 2 teaspoons of aloe vera gel, and ½ a teaspoon of vitamin-E oil (buy a strip of vitamin-E capsules from a nearby pharmacy). Mix it well with a spoon and pour into a clean container. Use this to keep your lips hydrated.

Homemade lip colour

BEETROOT

Well, all you’ll get is shades of red. Finely grind half a beetroot and pour into a container and refrigerate it. If you want bright red, apply it as it is. If not, pour some onto your palm and dilute it with a few drops of water. Before you leave, apply an even coat onto your lips using a cotton bud. Top it up with a coat of Vaseline. This will give your lips added colour naturally.

Homemade lip gloss

HONEY

This one is super simple. After applying a tint of colour, coat your lips with honey. Honey adds instant shine and gloss to your lips. However, ensure you don’t lick it.

Homemade hair mask

EGG WHITE

Egg white can nourish your hair and give it shine and vitality. Use an egg beater and mix 2 egg whites. Apply onto your hair and scalp, and leave it on for a couple of hours. Rinse it off in cold water and shampoo your hair as usual.

CURD+LIME

Mix the juice of half lime in a cup of curd. Apply it evenly onto your hair, using a brush. Leave it in for an hour, and rinse with a mild shampoo.

Home remedies for shiny, soft hair

LEFTOVER BEER

Have some left over beer? Flat beer makes for an excellent hair conditioner. Leave an open bottle of beer for a day. Wash your hair with a mild shampoo and follow it up with that beer for a final rinse. The result: soft, shiny hair!

LEMON

Add the juice of one lime in a mug of water and use it for your last rinse.

Please exercise precaution while using any these home remedies. Avoid using any of these products if you’re allergic to it.

BDST: 1702 HRS, Nov-08, 2014