A: A lot of cosmetics and beauty products are pointlessly tested on animals. I'd like to know what they're putting in this stuff that's so potentially harmful that they have to go and test it on bunny rabbits and mice. I don't want to hurt animals just so I can have silky soft skin, and you probably don't either, so here's some stuff you can make yourself and save some money and possibly some animals' lives.
The best resources I've found thus far for homemade beauty products are the book How It All Vegan by Tanya Barnard and Sarah Kramer and a website at http://www.pioneerthinking.com. All of these recipes are from one of these sources.
Here are some general guidelines and random stuff about using plants for beauty concoctions for you to ponder before you get started: avocados and bananas are good for dry skin, cucumbers are good for oily skin, tomatoes are highly acidic and therefore not ideal for sensitive skin, and lemon juice tightens pores and bleaches skin.
Moisturizer: Use plain ol' regular vegetable shortening. Yes, the stuff you use to make cookies and piecrusts. It's cheaper than moisturizer and there's nothing too weird in it, just vegetable oil.
Zit Killer: Use fresh garlic. Peel a clove and smash it. Apply the paste to your zits and let it sit for 15 minutes. Be careful not to get it in your eyes. Rise off with a warm, damp cloth. You may want to do this right before you jump in the shower because it's very smelly.
Deep Conditioner for Frizzy, Curly Hair (Like Mine): Combine 3 tablespoons of deep (animal friendly) conditioner with 3 tablespoons of Epsom Salt. Microwave the mixture for 20 seconds. Work the warm mixture through your hair from scalp to ends and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Promotes body and life in your hair and restores curl to permed hair.
Banana Mask for Dry Skin: Mash together a banana and a small amount of honey (totally optional). Smooth over skin and let it sit for ten minutes. Rinse off with cool water.
Homemade Hair Spray: Chop one lemon (or an orange for dry hair). Place in a pot with 2 cups water. Boil until half of the initial amount remains. Cool, strain, and place in a spray bottle. Store in the refrigerator. If it is too sticky, add more water. Add one ounce rubbing alcohol as a preservative and then the spray can be stored for up to two weeks unrefrigerated.
Face Powder For Pasty White People Like Me: Use a light dusting of cornstarch. Don't go overboard or you'll look like Beetlejuice.
Eye Make-up Remover: I wear a lot of eye make-up usually. I've found that if you rub a little moisturizer (cocoa butter or vegetable shortening or lotion) around your eyes (but not too close to the eye) the make-up comes off easily with a tissue (or toilet paper if you're me). You can also do this to remove make-up from any other part of your face.
Potato Eye Treatment: this helps lighten dark eye circles and tighten the skin. Wrap a raw, grated potato in cheesecloth and place over your closed eyelids for 15-20 minutes. Wipe off residue with a cold, damp cloth and apply an eye cream.
Chickpea Mask for Normal Skin: With a fork or blender mash together 1/4 mashed, cooked chickpeas and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Apply mixture to your face and leave on for 15-20. Rinse with warm water and apply a toner.
