Many brands and products of cosmetics claim to be have the best ingredients, break-through technology or a budget price. Today, we are going to "kick it old school" with ancient beauty recipes, new fixes with staple household items, discuss product saving tips and open your eyes to the world of all-natural cosmetics. Whats more, the price of aquiring the ingredients is less than you would pay in one visit to your favorite nail salon.

Most women have some or all of these ingredients in the home already. If not, the approximate cost to buy ALL ingredients in their regular packaging would be around $45.00 USD but would yield many more recipe batches.

Blender or food processor- These simple recipes and tips are user-friendly and non-time comsuming. I did not include any messy preparation recipes.

Essential oils- $$$ and time we do not want to spend.

Expensive or rare ingredients- Again, money and time.

Food items that are gooey or otherwise smell terrible.- You will be able to find many recipes on other sites using eggs and mayonaisse if you want to get messy.

Cheese cloth - Who has this? If you are a culinary expert, I apologize for not including tips that include cheesecloth. I am with everyone else in saying, "What is Cheesecloth?"

Big checkbook- All ingredients needed for these fast and easy recipes are in most kitchens already. If not, you can pick up these inexpensive items on your next trip to Albertson's.

Harsh chemicals- The recipes listed are all-natural and do not contain harsh or smelly chemicals.

Beauty expertise- No need to phone your BFF unless you want her to come over and beautify with you. You do not need special knowledge or another pair of hands to help execute these beauty tips.

Water- Tap water is okay, bottled is better. (Free or $1.59/gallon distilled)

Plain yogurt- Just a small tub (32 oz. Dannon $2.79, but you only need a little)

Fruits and Veggies- Lemons, Oranges, Avocado, Cucumber, Grapefruit, Potatoes, a Fig. ($0.50 cents - $1.50 each. Avocados are about $2 each)

Arm and Hammer Baking Soda- Use a fresh box. The one you have open in the back of your icebox has absorbed food smells. Blah! ($2)

Herbal tea- preferably peppermint (Grab a couple from your barista at the coffee shop, she will charge you pennies if she charges you at all. A box of herbal tea is around $7 but you get 50 bags)

Regular-Caffeinated Coffee- ($7 for a huge can)

Table Salt and Table Sugar- just the everyday stuff (Long forgotten expense)

Oatmeal- plain ($5 for a giant tub)

Petroleum jelly- a.k.a. Vaseline ($3)

Baby powder ($2)

Olive Oil (Extra-Virgin) ($7)

Hydrogen Peroxide- ($0.60 cents)

The prices listed are average in the Midwest (USA). The prices in your area may be higher or lower. Small amounts of these products are needed, so maybe you could borrow from a neighbor if you do not have one or two items here. The prices are for the entire package if you were to go to the store to purchase them. If you want to buy, you will have plenty, plenty, plenty left over for future beauty days.

Severely Chapped Lips

Apply petroleum jelly liberally to lips before bedtime, repeat every night until lips are healed. Apply Carmex frequently during the day time hours.

Lip Exfoliating

Add sugar to petroleum jelly on your lips. Purse and rub lips together or use finger to scrub away dead skin cells. Repeat a couple of times per week.

Exfoliators

Add the juice of one grapefruit to 4 Tbsp. uncooked oatmeal. Mix until thick. Apply to face avoiding the sensitive eye areas. Relax for 20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

Moisturizing Mask

Mash an avocado halve and apply to face avoiding sensitive eye areas. Leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Moisturizers

Mix 1 cup of plain yogurt, 1 Tbsp. Orange Juice (from a halved orange) and 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice (from a halved lemon). Squeeze fruit over cupped hand to catch the pulp and seeds. Allow a few minutes for moisturizer to seep into skin, then rinse.

Another to try: Mix 1 Tbsp plain yogurt with 1 Tbsp pure honey (no sugar). Be sure to rinse thoroughly.

Toothpaste

My aunt brushes her teeth with plain Arm and Hammer baking soda intermittantly with regular flouride toothpaste. She has a beautiful smile. Switch off days.

Mouthwash

Swish hydrogen peroxide in your mouth in place of mouthwash. The peroxide will kill germs and leave your mouth feeling clean. Be sure not to swallow hydrogen peroxide.

Puffy eyes and Dark Circles

Place thin slices of cucumber, potato or a halved fig over closed eyes. Lie down and relax for 20 minutes.

Used peppermint herbal tea bags over eyes will yield the same results. (Drinking the peppermint tea will nix bad breath)

Exfoliater

Mix 3 Tbsp. of regular- caffeinated coffee grounds (used) with 1 Tbsp. salt. Use as an exfoliating scrub while showering. Rinse off thoroughly then wash skin with your regular soap.

Another Idea: Combine Extra-Virgin Olive Oil with regular sugar. Use as an exfoliating scrub in the shower. Rinse.

Do not forget to rinse off scrubs/soaps well and moisturize your entire body using a heavy body cream after showering. Lotion can be used but you will need to apply more of it.

Moisturizer

Use Extra-Virgin Olive Oil as a heavy moisturizer for extra-dry elbows and feet. Rinse.

Yellow toenails and Athlete's Foot

Ever realize you probably forget to thoroughly dry your feet and toenails after a shower? Take an extra 5 seconds to dry your feet well to prevent foot fungus.

Soak peds for 15 minutes in a 1:1 ratio of warm water and cider vinegar. Repeat once a day until fungus has cleared.

Remember to wear slip on, water proof sandals while in any community shower.

A new way to think about the bathroom drawer filled to the brim with a $100 of cosmetics, don't you think? I consistantly use most of the tips listed here. Granted, it is much easier to spend the $5 on a facial mask or $8 on daily moisturizer, but if you are willing to put a little effort into all-natural beauty you will save some cash too. Remember to use sunscreen!

Do you have a "Can't live without" beauty secret or tip? Please share!