Recipes for Beauty

This is one amazing cake. I love the brushes and the loose powder all over the makeup bag and eyeshadow palate!

While I would love to stuff my face with this masterpiece (given it's chocolate on the inside), I'm not sure how my skin would respond to all that sugar. Luckily for us gals who love to be beautiful but also wouldn't pass up a good plateful of yummies, there are loads of things we can find right in our kitchen that can be incorporated into our beauty routine. I'll just have to resist the temptation to snack as I spa.

Honey -- This sticky sweet is a humectant, or a substance that promotes retention of moisture. Humectants can be found in many moisturizing cosmetic treatments, such as conditioners and lotions. So for those with skin on the drier side of the spectrum, honey is a great way to fight the flakiness. Soak a cloth in warm water, ring it out and place on your face for a few minutes to help open your pores. Cover your skin with the honey and leave on for 15 to 30 minutes. Rinse off with warm water, then pat skin with a cold, damp cloth to close pores back up.

Honey & Papaya -- Once again, honey proves to be a great beauty tool for women of all skin types. This lightening mask is made specifically for those who suffer from hyperpigmentation, sun spots or uneven pigment. Start by blending two tablespoons of honey and half a cup of ripe, mashed papaya. Spread it evenly on your face and neck and leave for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water and follow up with a moisturizer.

Raw egg yolk -- Rich in vitamin A, which is commonly found in acne-fighting products, egg yolks are a simple and easy - be it a bit disgusting - DIY face mask. Beat the yolk, spread on a clean face and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Rinse it off with cool water. 

Raw egg white -- Don't throw away the other part of that egg just yet. Egg whites are great full of protein, which will give you a bit of a lift as it dries on your skin. Beat the egg white until frothy and cover the face. Let it dry and then rinse with warm water. 

Banana -- Magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, iodine, folic acid, and vitamins A, B, and E can all be found in a banana. All of these are also very nourishing for your skin, making bananas a very popular all-natural ingredient in DIY face masks that will leave your skin feeling and looking softer. Leave a mashed, overripe banana on your face for about 15 to 30 minutes then rinse with warm water.

Apple cider vinegar --  If you can get past the oder, apple cider vinegar serves as a great toner, and has for centuries. It promotes blood circulation in the small capillaries that irrigate the skin, while also preventing the spread of bacteria, viruses and yeast, which can cause infections. Dilute one part apple cider vinegar with two parts water and use it every morning and night as a cheap cleansing and tightening toner. 

Those are just a few of the homemade DIY beauty tricks that you can pull straight out of your kitchen. What are your favorite beauty recipes?