Make do and Mend.....Beauty

If you can get away with going natural then do. Natural hair is so beautiful. You could try lemon juice but be warned this could leave your hair dry and brittle if you use it often. Honey is a better option:

Continuing the Make do and Mend theme this week, today we will look at how we can be beautiful on a budget. During World War 2 clothes were rationed. As clothes were lacking that somewhat sparkle, women resorted to emphasising their hair and makeup to make themselves look more beautiful. Lets see what they did....

                                                Hair
      Conditioner:
Try a tablespoon of olive oil. I know it sounds gross but I have tried this one myself.
-Thoroughly wet your hair,
-Rub 1-2 tablespoons of the oil through your hair massaging into the scalp,
-Wrap your hair in a towel for 20-30 minutes and wash out with a shampoo. (You may need to wash it a couple of times
It gives hair a glossy, healthy shine and gets rid of any unsightly dandruff. Plus the shine will last longer than just 1 wash.
       Lightening natural hair:

      -3/4 cup of honey and 1/2 cup of water,
      -apply to the hair
      - wrap in a plastic wrap, (clingfilm or a shower cap will do)
      - Leave for around 8 hours (so probably overnight is best)
-wash out.
       To darken hair

-I have heared that soaking hair in black tea for 15mins,
-wash out.
- Repeat over the next couple of weeks and you will start to see a difference.

I would not advise these natural ways to lighten and darken hair if your hair is already coloured.
(a vintage styling post will be at a later date)

Skin
     Everyone's skin is different. I personally have very sensitive skin so face wash is the one thing I splash out on once a year and use the salon Dermalogica. But there are some thrifty ways to getting glowing skin if you wish to try them. such combinations as face cream mixed with sugar and also green tea mixed with honey and sugar. Here is a site that gives 4 different combinations for homemade natural facial scubs....

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Basic-Homemade-Facial-Scrub

     Occasionally we all get that dreaded zit. Don't dash to the chemist for those expensive spot creams. A great and of course cheaper alternative is Witch Hazel. Witch Hazel is good for the skin in general as it is a natural astringent. It cleanses and refreshes the skin, gently tones, it does not remove the essential oils in the skin leaving it dry, and temporarily relieves the skin of minor irritations such as cuts, scrapes, insect bites and of

 course zits. Again be careful when using different things on your skin, if you have very sensitive skin like I do.

Makeup

      As makeup ran thin during the war, women resorted to using such things as beetroot as a lipstick, charcoal as eyeliner and charcoal when mixed with a little petroleum jelly used as a mascara. I'm not saying it is a good idea to use these things now especially charcoal on the eye. However, consider what makeup you use. Can you use less so as to make it last? Can you buy cheaper brands?
      To cut down on makeup of course, it is essential that you treat your skin well. Wash your face properly and moisturise regularly.
I have found it beneficial to have 1 day a week when I don't where any makeup. It gives your skin a bit of time to breath.
For some vintage make up tips check out these:
http://glamourdaze.com/category/1940s-makeup

So have a go at trying some natural ways to make your self look beautiful with the make do and mend attitude. Let me know what you think.