Make Your Own Beauty Products!

Wanna pamper yourself without spending one precious penny of your allowance? Turn common household ingredients into fabulous beauty products.

Striped Candy Bath Salts

1 1/2 cups Epsom, kosher or sea salt

1/2 cup baking soda

1 teaspoon mint extract or essential oil

2 drops red food coloring

Combine salt and baking soda, then add mint extract (or any other extract or essential oil) and mix well. Scoop half the mixture into a separate bowl, adding food coloring and mixing until salts are evenly tinted. Spoon equal layers of white and colored salts in a clear glass jar, alternating to form stripes. Add a few heaping tablespoons to tub water for a soothing, scented bath.

Vanilla Sugar Shower Scrub

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup canola, safflower or sunflower oil

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

In a medium bowl, use a spoon to mix all three ingredients until blended, then transfer to a clean plastic or glass container with a lid. To naturally exfoliate and moisturize skin, gently massage onto your body in a circular motion while showering. (Be sure shower stall is slip-free, as oil can make the floor slippery.) Leave on for a few minutes before rinsing with warm water.

Pink Lemonade Lip Gloss

1 tablespoon petroleum jelly

1/4 teaspoon honey

1 teaspoon lemonade mix (or lemon extract)

1 drop red food coloring

Melt petroleum jelly and honey on high in a small microwave-safe bowl, for about a minute. (Careful, it will be hot!) Stir in lemonade mix (or lemon extract) and food coloring until well blended. Pour into an empty lip balm pot and refrigerate about 30 minutes until it gels. Experiment with different colors and flavors of extract and drink mix -- try powdered cocoa or Kool-Aid.

Brown Sugar Oatmeal Mask

1/4 cup oatmeal

1/4 teaspoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon honey

1/8 cup water

In a blender, grind oatmeal to a fine consistency. Pour into a bowl, then add brown sugar, honey and water. Mix well to form a paste. Dampen your face with warm water before applying the mask, avoiding eye area. (It looks gross but will make your skin silky-smooth.) Leave on for 15 to 20 minutes for a refreshing facial before rinsing with cool water. Refrigerate leftover mask mixture in a plastic or glass container with a lid.