A budget for beauty products will only stretch so far, so it is good to know that right in the kitchen cupboard, we may already have an enhancer for our hair, our fingernails and our skin. If, for example, you buy ReaLemon lemon juice for its convenience and delicious lemon taste in foods, here are some value-added, bath-and-beauty uses for it as well

Brighten Fingernails: Get your fingernails in shape for the warmer weather, by first, soaking them in ReaLemon lemon juice for 10 minutes, and then brushing them with a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and warm water. Rinse well.

Banish Blackheads: Rub lemon juice over blackheads before going to bed. In the morning, rinse your face with cool water and repeat the process each night until blackheads are gone

Dry Skin Care

For dry skin use a creamy cleanser to melt away dirt. Leave it on your skin before sweeping it away with cotton wool. Splash cold water onto your face to clean and refresh your skin. Use a thick cream moisturiser to seal in as much moisture as possible.

Home remedies for dry skin

1) Make a puree of 1 banana and 1 papaya, peach or avacado. Apply to skin. Leave on for at least 20 minutes then rinse with warm water, followed by a moisturizer of natural margarine or natural vegetable oil.

2) Apply natural mayonnaise, either homemade or from natural foods store. Massage into skin, leave on for 15-20 minutes, rinse thoroughly with warm water.

Highlights consist of selecting small or thick strands of hair that are then lightened at least 2 shades lighter than the rest of your hair. Highlights should compliment your natural or artificial color. You should never go more than 3 shades lighter then the rest of your hair color. The object of highlighting is to give you a sun-kissed look and to bring depth and light to your overall color.

So if you want to achieve salon perfect results at home when you highlight your hair, here's what the pros say:

• Use a clarifying shampoo on your hair at least two days before coloring.
• Never shampoo the day you color.
• Check the expiration date on the package. And once you mix the color, use it right away!
• Toss out the brush that comes in the box and buy flat 1/2 and 1/4 inch acrylic brushes. These brushes, used by artists, are available at art supply stores (they'll give you better control and more natural-looking results)
• Make sure you have on hand a pair of good, tight-fitting latex gloves (the ones that come in the package don't always fit well).
• Start from the back of your head and work forward. By working from back to front, you won't smear the pieces in front by having to reach over them to do the back.
• Apply the highlights only to the top layers of your hair. By leaving the hair underneath alone, you'll create depth and a sun-kissed look that looks completely natural!

Most eyeshadow comes in multi-colored compacts for a reason. Use these colors strategically to enhance your features and draw out the true beauty of your eyes. Your shadow does not have to match your eyes or clothing but if you choose bolder colors, make sure you mix them with some neutral shades for an overall natural look.

1) Apply the lightest or next to lightest shade from the top of your lower lid to just underneath your eyebrow. If you wish, you can apply it to the entire area, from lash line to eyebrows.

2) Apply the medium shade to your eyelid, extending just above the crease.

3) Apply the darkest shade of eyeshadow from the center of your eyelid to the outer corners.

4) For extra highlighting, apply the lightest shade or a very light shade with some color just beneath your brow bone to the outer 2/3, and blending outwards.

5) If you wish to use eyeliner, you can use liquid liner or pencil just above the eyelashes on the upper lid or below the lashes on the lower lid. I prefer to use a pencil just below the lower lashes because it looks more natural.

6) Blend in carefully with a tissue or dry sponge and check in bright light.

Different Types Of Stroke And Pressure:

A Body Scrub gives you a deep pore cleansing from head to toe, removing dead skin cells and leaving your skin soft and glowing.

You get yourself a body scrub with pure honey, almonds, walnuts & milk. Scrubs can also have medical benefits like improving blood & lymphatic drainage.

Adding a fruit like orange or lime to your scrub will be great to take off your tan.

Papayas can be added to your scrub in case you have congested skin.

Mint can be added to your scrub in case of oily skin.

A blend of rose & jasmine added to your scrub can take care of sunburnt skin.

If you ever thought smiling was contagious, you're right. Studies have found that when you see someone smile you suddenly feel happier. But aside from instant bliss, certain smiles - think ultra pearly whites like that of a screen-siren - can induce another reaction: Envy. Thanks to Sephora's proven smile enhancers, like GoSMILE's at home whitening system and our unlimited supply of lip treatments, a movie star smile is possible—for a fraction of the cost. Now that's something to smile about.

1. Remove any old nail polish. To remove the old polish, first moisten cotton with nail polish remover and press over the nail for a few seconds to soften the polish. Then with a firm movement, bring the cotton from the base of the nail to the tip. Repeat this process until all of the polish is gone.

2. Shape the nail, using a file or emery board. File each nail tip from corner to center; do not file in a see-saw motion with the emery board because doing so can cause ridges in the nail and nail splitting.

3. Soak the hands in warm, soapy water for a few minutes to remove dirt. Clean under free edge of nail with orangewood stick.

4. The cuticle is the skin that grows from the finger onto the base of the nail (nail root). We recommend that the cuticle not be pushed back. Leaving the cuticle intact helps to prevent infection of the nail growing tissue.

5. Now apply clear nail polish. There is no reason to waste money on several different kinds of clear polishes such as a ridgefiller, base coat, top coat or nail strengthener. They all do about the same job. After the clear polish dries, apply a color polish of your choice if you wish. Let dry. You may then reapply the clear polish as a top coat. This will help strengthen the nail and prevent chipping of the nail polish.

6. Finally, apply a moisturizing cream or lotion to the hands and cuticles. This will help prevent splitting of the nails.

• Have plenty of neutrals on hand to mix and match.

• Open collar shirts and scoop necks will lengthen a short neck. Add a long necklace.

• Tailored clothes flatter most figures.

• Buy similar styles of the clothes you already own that you think flatter your figure.

• Always carry a safety pin in your purse for emergencies.

• Shoulder pads will help you balance large breasts and wide hips, but keep them slim.

• For a quick fix, if your slacks or slip is too long, roll it up at the waist.

• Break in your shoes before wearing for an entire day or special occasion.

• Use dryer sheets or fabric spray to reduce static cling.

• If you're losing or gaining weight, go to your local thrift store and get some in-between sizes that fit.

• Make sure your pantyhose fit correctly. Tugging on them in public is a no-no.

• Don't be afraid to try anything new.

• Always clean your clothing before you store it.

• Apply your perfume before dressing to prevent staining your clothing.

• If a department store doesn't have your size, ask. Many stores are set up to call their other stores to locate and ship the desired size directly to you.

• Don't bare all. Leave some mystery to your look.

• Fix sticky zippers by rubbing them with some wax or a bar of soap.

• Secure your buttons by dabbing the backs of them with fingernail polish or clear glue. This prevents the stitching from coming loose.

• If you're concerned about clingy clothing, don't buy anything with more than 5% Lycra.

• Leather has a tendency to stretch, so buy your pants one size smaller.

• Don't fret if you see an outfit in a magazine that is too pricey for your budget. You can probably put together the same outfit at stores such as the Gap and Old Navy, at a fraction of the price. Just cut out the picture and take it shopping with you

The answer to "instant hair growth" is that there isn't any.   I am sorry to report that there is just no known magic hair bullet. If you want to go from a short chop to long flowing locks instantly you have limited options.  Your best bet for overnight long hair is to consider hair extensions, long wigs, clip-on braids, tails or other "instant hair".

Yes, there are lots of things that can maximize the potential of your hair growing cycle but it is folly to imagine that you can go to bed one night with chin length hair and the next day wake up with a new inch of growth.

There are some very rare exceptions, but hair on most people is genetically programmed to grow an average maximum of 6 inches a year. 

LIP ACTION. Gently exfoliate your lips
with a face scrub, such as Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant or a soft toothbrush. Buffing away surface dryness and dead skin cells will make your lips smooth and soft. Next, apply a super-hydrating lip balm such as
La Mer Lip Treatment. Keep it handy for reapplication throughout the day and before bed.

KISS-AND-TELL. Applying a light layer of concealer to your lips helps to minimize redness, creating an even canvas for colour (try Stila Cover Up Stick in shades A to J). To define your lips, follow your natural lip line using a neutral-toned lip pencil (try Lancôme Le Lipstick dual-purpose pencil in Ideal). Avoid harsh lines by blending
liner into the lips using your fingertip or a lip brush. To correct uneven lips or to create the illusion of fuller lips, use the pencil just outside your natural lip line.

LIP-SMACKING. For maximum
moisture, avoid matte lipsticks and stick to a creamy formulation instead (try Lorac lipstick in Stiletto). More is actually more when it comes to lip gloss. Use a gloss with a subtle shimmer to make lips look plump and sexy
(try CARGO DailyGloss 30-Pack).

According to makeup guru, Bobbi Brown, "You put blush on, and you look instantly prettier, fresher & less tired." But the fact is blush is also the most commonly misused cosmetic. "Women tend to put too much on," says celeb makeup artist Jeni Lee in April's 'InStyle' magazine. Get step-by-step instructions on how to get the perfect 'flush.'

Here's How:

1.   First choose the color using nature as your guide. What do your cheeks look like after you've been out in the cold or exercising at the gym? For a quick test, pinch your cheeks & wait a second. Another trick is to try to match your lip color. Those are the tones to replicate. For day, choose a lighter color than you would at night, and in winter go for pink shades while in summer opt for peachy, warm hues.

2.   Now that you have the color, choose the right formula for your skin type. Powder is best for oily & combo skin. Cream is great for dry skin. Liquid and gel are great for oily skin. If you like stains -- which are great for well-moisturized skin, not dry skin --be sure & blend them into the skin quickly, they tend to dry very fast.

3.   Apply foundation, eye color & lipstick. Blush should be your last makeup step.

4.   Determine your face shape: are you oval, heart, round, long or square? Knowing this helps you determine where it's best to apply the blush.

5.   Throw out the freebie 'Barbie-size' blush brush that comes with the blush. Use a professional full brush instead (I like MAC's blush brush No. 116), but don't use the same brush you use for your powder.

I'll be posting beuaty tips for you grils!!

Hope you enjoy it!!