I love today’s episode in which I show Ashley all the fabulous but cheap kitchen foods you can actually use as beauty products. Most of these items are probably in your kitchen already and when compared to what you’d pay for beauty products at the store, well, you can save a bundle. The products are natural, don’t have added scent, and I personally use all of these products in my daily beauty routine so I know they absolutely work.
BEAUTY PRODUCTS FROM YOUR KITCHEN –
* Apple Cider Vinegar:
When using apple cider vinegar on your body you want to make sure you use a raw, unfiltered, organic version. My favorite is Bragg Organic (Raw – Unfiltered) Apple Cider Vinegar which you can find at the grocery store or any health food store.
Apple cider vinegar helps regulate the pH of your skin. To make a toner, mix 2 parts vinegar with 1 part filtered water in a container. Shake before each use. Apply with a cotton ball after you wash your face and before you apply moisturizer. The scent can be a bit overwhelming at first but it will totally dissipate in a minute or so. When storing, you want to keep it out of direct sun.
Here’s a few more ways you can use apple cider vinegar in your beauty routine (and around the house.)
* Olive Oil:
Olive oil is one of my very favorite kitchen items I use every single day in my beauty regimen, in so many ways. Two of my favorite ways to use it are as a makeup remover and for shaving. I use it every night to remove my makeup, simply pouring a bit on my fingers and gently applying to my face. This works great on mascara too, dissolving every bit. Then I rinse my face off using a wet washcloth. Smooth and clean skin! As a shaving cream, apply to wet skin and then shave. It moisturizes, gives you a clean shave, and your legs will look fabulous. For added moisture, apply some olive oil over damp skin, after you shower or bathe.
(I will say, if you shave when you bathe, I’d rinse the razor in a cup of water versus rinsing it in the tub. Otherwise you’ll have some olive oil gunk in the tub.)
And here’s more ways you can use olive oil on your skin, hair, and nails…
https://www.719woman.com/health-and-beauty/olive-oil-face-and-body-uses/
* BAKING SODA OR COCOA POWDER –
Washing your hair every single day is not good for your hair. If you have oily hair, washing too often can actually rev up your oil glands and make your hair more greasy. If you have dry hair, well, washing it too much can dry it out even more. A great way to keep your hair fresh without washing it is to use a dry shampoo or you can do it for pennies by using baking soda or unsweetened cocoa powder.
My hair changes color from time to time and even when it’s a lot darker, I use the baking soda. But if you prefer, for brunettes, you can use the unsweetened cocoa powder. Simply sprinkle a bit on your scalp or onto your fingertips and massage in. It instantly absorbs oil, gets rid of any odors, and adds body. Simple!
* CORNSTARCH –
Cornstarch is an excellent alternative to face powder. Apply it lightly over makeup (or on bare face) and it will help absorb oil and help your makeup stay in place. This can be a bit drying for those who already have dry skin so use sparingly. Really works well for those with oily skin.
I have a friend who tends to sweat on the inside of her upper thighs and she swears a light brushing of the cornstarch on her thighs helps keep them dry and from chafing.
* BANANAS –
I use my really ripe bananas as a moisturizing mask that makes your skin feel incredible. Just mash it up and apply to your face (I also use it on my neck.) Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes and then rinse off. Your skin will be so soft and it smells good too.
* COFFEE GROUNDS –
Two ways I use my old coffee grounds are for my roots and to add a hint of color to my arms and legs.
I use the coffee grounds (when my hair is brown, it can and does frequently change,) as a super quick and easy way to touch-up my roots when I don’t want to color it, or to just add some vibrancy to my overall hair color. For a quick root touch-up for brunettes, gently rub the used coffee grounds over them and let sit for 5 to 15 minutes and then rinse out. For added color and shine to brown hair, steep coffee grounds in 2 cups of hot water. Once cool, add to a spray bottle, squirt over hair, let sit for about 15 minutes and then rinse.
To extend a tan, add a cup of water to old coffee grounds and bring to a boil. Let boil for a couple of seconds and remove from heat. Once cool, add to a spray bottle. In the shower, spray whatever you want to “tan” up slightly. Let sit for 5 to 20 minutes and rinse. (I did this every single day for a week and really noticed a difference.)
Here’s a few more ways to use old coffee grounds, including a picture of my hair before and after using them…
https://www.719woman.com/home-and-garden/uses-for-used-coffee-grounds-green-cheap/
OATMEAL & DRIED ROSEMARY –
For a relaxing, soothing, nutrient-rich bath soak, rosemary and oatmeal is a perfect combination. The rosemary will rejuvenate your skin while producing an uplifting aroma while the oatmeal will help soften, lock in moisture and soothe itchy skin.
I just add oatmeal and some dried rosemary to a food processor or blender and grind it up. You can add it as is to your bath or put some in a mesh bag and add it to your bath water (or tie it under the tap of the tub so as the water comes out, it runs through the bag.)
I make big batches of this several times a year just to add to birthday and holiday gifts for my friends. It looks pretty in a clear glass jar with a lid on it too.
CRUSTLESS MUSHROOM & SPINACH QUICHE –
I never imagined a crustless quiche would actually taste good but this does. Not just good, but delicious in fact. Even though we didn’t actually take a bite on the video, after the shoot, it was seriously scarfed down by everyone! Feel free to experiment with the vegetables, substituting any other dark leafy green in place of the spinach and peppers, broccoli, zucchini, or any other produce you enjoy in place of the mushrooms.
* I baked this in a glass Pyrex pie plate but think next time I make it, I’ll use a metal plate instead so I can pop it under the broiler to brown up a bit more. It tastes wonderful as is but I would prefer more color…it’s just one of those things for me personally.
Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 45 minutes Serves: 4 to 6 for approx. $6.25
Ingredients:
8 ounces white button mushrooms, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
non-stick spray
10 ounces fresh spinach (or frozen)
4 large eggs
1 cup milk (I almost always use 2% but feel free to use whole)
4 ounces feta cheese
Kosher salt and fresh black pepper
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. If using frozen spinach, defrost and drain.
Spray skillet with non-stick cooking spray. Heat skillet on medium-high. Place cleaned and sliced mushrooms in skillet. Add garlic and saute 5 to 7 minutes until all the moisture (from mushrooms) is absorbed. Season with salt and pepper.
Spray a pie dish with cooking spray. Spread spinach (fresh or defrosted and drained) on bottom of pie pan. Add mushroom mixture. Add half of the feta, crumbling as you go.
In medium bowl whisk eggs until fairly smooth. Add milk and a pinch of salt and pepper, whisk. Pour into pie pan.
Sprinkle the remaining feta, crumbling as you go, over the egg mixture. Place pie dish on baking sheet and put in preheated oven. Bake till golden brown on top and center is solid, about 45 minutes. (If your egg mixture is done but not brown enough on the top, you can place it under the broiler for another minute or so.
Slice and serve.
MIMOSA –
The proportion of sparkling wine and champagne is totally up to you when making a mimosa. Most recipes call for 2 parts orange juice to 1 part sparkling wine but we actually prefer it with 1 part juice and 2 parts sparkling wine. Simply pour your juice into a champagne flute, add the amount of sparkling wine you want and garnish with an orange wheel or twist if desired.
I like to use Freixenet Cordon Negro when making mimosas which costs about $11.
* All the props and dishes, including the placemats and napkins were purchased at Discover Goodwill. The glass containers I use for all the natural beauty products cost 29 to 39 cents. The champagne flutes were 99 cents each and the Pyrex glass pie plate was $2.99. I always check out items I need/want at Goodwill and if for some reason I can’t find what I’m looking for, I’ll hit the Dollar Tree. I mean seriously, why pay more than a dollar or so for items like the glass containers?