DIY | Beauty and Fashion Tech

Combining money management and thinking ‘green,’ you can replace several beauty products that can certainly drain any pocketbook with natural items that you either already have around your house or that you can easily make. Save money, protect the environment and still look great!

You’ve chosen your outfit for the Big Date tonight. You start getting ready, and then you find that you are out of your favorite hair conditioner. You don’t have time to get dressed, start the car, buzz down to the store, find the product, pay for it, return home and get back in the shower. on’Dt cancel your date. There’s hope. Just grab a robe and head to the kitchen.

Vegetable oil—preferably either sunflower or saffron oil of the organic
variety—can not only leave your hair shiny and soft, it can also better remove the micro germs and bacteria that can cause the skin on your scalp to dry out, called dandruff, by the way, some types of hair loss and scalp irritation.

The key is to use just enough oil and not overdo it. Take a small amount of vegetable oil and rub gently into the scalp with your finger tips. Comb through all the strands in your hair to evenly distribute the oil from scalp to end, then wrap your hair in a moist towel and leave it for at least an hour, longer if possible. Then shampoo
your hair as usual. Really.

It’s not recommended, however, that you use kitchen oil that is not vegetable-based. Lard, for example, contains elements that can be difficult to wash away and can leave your hair drab and heavy. The fat content in the oil you choose should be minimal for this reason. The essence of organic coconut oil is best, but if you just happened to use the last of your year’s supply just the other day, use an organic vegetable oil in its place. Your hair will look terrific, and you just saved a bundle.

Other inexpensive extra-deep conditioning possibilities include a homemade recipe of mayonnaise, eggs, honey or avocado. Or a shot of vodka—on your hair, not in your stomach. Add the vodka to your favorite conditioner, add just a few drops of your best-loved essential oil, spread evenly in your hair and leave for about 20 minutes before rinsing well. The alcohol will adjust the pH level of your hair and close the cuticles while the oil, of course, will leave your hair with a great-looking shine.

If your hair becomes extremely dry in summer heat, and you get fed up with the frizzes, you can calm those for a while simply by redirecting a smidgen of hand lotion. After you use the lotion to soften your hands, don’t wash the rest away yet. Instead, pass your hands over your hair, and the lotion will help control your dried ends that wave to everything and everyone, despite your strictest instructions to the contrary.

If you are worried how this will affect your hair in the long term, simply use a clarifying shampoo weekly; it’s a good idea anyway to remove built-up shampoo and conditioner that can weigh down your hair and make it look dull.

The author of this post is Holly Adams of Coupon Croc, visit us to save on all your favorite green and eco friendly purchases with an Argos discount code.

My first brush with real dark chocolate was a fine 70% cocoa organic dark chocolate bar from the island of Grenada in the Caribbean. In Grenada a locally owned sustainable business has cranked out the most phenomenal organic chocolate and cocoa butter for about 10 years now. There the rich brown cocoa is derived from the large yellow oblong cacao pods that dangle naughtily from bushes in defiance of gravity. The cocoa nibs are plucked from harvested cacao pods to be processed into cocoa powder for chocolate bars and cocoa butter for skin care. At the first nibble of this heavenly flavor, I wasn’t fully aware of the mighty health benefits of chocolate. I knew the Mayans sometime drank cocoa ceremoniously in place of blood in religious rituals–taking hot chocolate to another level. I’ve long heard rumors of chocolate as a potent aphrodisiac and it natural ability to bring on a state of euphoria. But what really are the health benefits of chocolate?

First, cocoa is labeled a “super fruit” for its extreme supply of antioxidants that slow the pace of free radicals from pollutants, food additives, pesticides and herbicides in non-organic foods. In powder form, a serving of cocoa packs more antioxidants than pomegranate, blueberries, or cranberries. Two teaspoons of cocoa powder have more antioxidants than 4 cups of green tea–pretty impressive. Then we find that the compound flavanol is found in larger quantities than the popular health-touted acai berries.

Flavanols are essential for maintaining firm, smooth hydrated skin that is naturally protected against sun damage. The National Health Institute has conducted research that found 20 grams of chocolate a day (half a bar) over a 12 week period boosts skin’s ability to fend off damage from sun exposure. Flavanol repairs skin cells as it promotes blood circulation, so that 20 gram daily dose of cocoa can make a difference in achieving healthier skin.

Cocoa butter, that delectable skin hydrator, visibly reduces the appearance of stretch marks and blemishes rapidly. If you suffer from overly dry skin, add some drops of your favorite essential oil like sweet orange or sandalwood. Then lather on some of this yummy stuff for the ultimate moisturizing experience that diminishes the crocodile scales on skin. Another plus is that your jar of cocoa butter has a shelf life of four years so you don’t have to worry “if it’s still good.” The theobromine in your wonder bar is what brings on the euphoric state as it increases blood flow that gives the appearance of glowing more youthful skin. As an oil extract, cocoa polyphenols have the capacity to inhibit the production of fat cells, is anti-diabetic, balances cholesterol levels and minimizes gout. And yes, the compound phenylethlamine present is responsible for charging that libido, aptly titling chocolate an aphrodisiac, so don’t be shy melt some on that tongue.

Whether you’re satisfying a late night sweet tooth or in need of deeply penetrating moisturizer rich in nutrients for healthy skin, cocoa is that optimal choice that puts you on a pathway to overall well being. While you’re at it try this:

Mayan Cocoa Mask

1 cup of organic cocoa powder

1 Tsp. organic honey

½ cup of organic goat’s milk

Heat the milk on stove top (do not boil) stirring in the cocoa powder as it heats. Add honey to warm mixture until it’s rather smooth (add more milk if needed). Be sure to clean your face with a gentle cleanser before applying this mask. It’s a warm sweet smelling mask that can sit for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with luke warm water and marvel at the beautiful results on your skin.

Joanna Vargas is a graduate from the University of Chicago and is a celebrity facialist well known for her unique facials and skincare treatments. She has been written about in Vogue, Allure and many other magazines. She is also the inventor and retailer of a full body LED light therapy bed and her own skin care products will be available soon.