How to Make Homemade Beauty Products

Beauty products can cost a small fortune, but here's a secret: You can make many of them yourself, with items from your pantry.

On "The Early Show" Wednesday, Contributor Katie Lee showed how you can make many beauty products at home that leave you feeling gorgeous without breaking the bank.

"Early Show" Recipes Galore

Under-Eye Cucumber Tightening Treatment
Cucumber acts as a cooling agent and reduces puffiness, while the witch hazel and cornstarch tighten, and the aloe vera gel moisturizes. Anyone looking for a more "awake" look will benefit from this treatment!

INGREDIENTS:
1 tablespoon witch hazel
1/2 cucumber, chopped
1/4 cup aloe vera gel
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 cucumber slices

METHOD:
Mix witch hazel, chopped cucumber, and aloe vera in a blender or food processor. Add cornstarch to thicken. Chill in refrigerator for 1 hour. Smooth under eyes (or entire face and neck) and place cucumber slices over eyes. Let sit 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse and pat dry. Follow with moisturizer.

*Can also be used on entire face and neck

Honey Oatmeal Facial
Honey has a high antioxidant level, naturally cleanses the skin, and rejuvenates and nourishes, helping to fight fine lines and wrinkles. Its use in skin care dates back to Cleopatra, who used to apply it to her skin to achieve a deep glow. The oatmeal doubles as an exfoliant and an anti-inflammatory, soothing the skin, while the yogurt naturally moisturizes.

INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup old-fashioned oatmeal
1 tablespoon honey
3 tablespoons plain yogurt

METHOD:
Finely grind the oatmeal in a blender or food processor. In a small bowl, combine the honey and yogurt. Stir in the oatmeal and mix well. Smooth over face and neck. Let sit 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water and follow with moisturizer.

Shiny Hair Rinse
This rinse is great for removing build up of styling products and restoring hair to its natural luster. Apple cider vinegar is rich in alpha-hydroxy acids and will act as a softener to the skin of the scalp as well.

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 quart water

METHOD:
Combine vinegar and water in a pitcher or jar. Shampoo and rinse. Pour mixture onto hair, massaging into hair and scalp. Rinse thoroughly and condition as usual.

Avocado Hair Mask
The natural oils of the avocado combined with the olive oil with help strengthen your hair and make it shinier and will also help repair dry scalp or problems with dandruff. By wearing a shower cap while the mask is on the hair, the body heat created will intensify the results. Avocado contains collagen-building properties as well that help with fine lines and wrinkles, so this can also be smoothed onto the skin.

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 avocado
1/4 cup olive oil

METHOD:
Use a food processor or a fork to mash the avocado to a smooth consistency, free of any big lumps. Stir in oil until well combined. Apply to wet hair, massaging from scalp to ends, and put on a shower cap, tucking hair inside. Let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse, shampoo and condition as usual.

For more beauty products, go to Page 2.

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