Milk of Magnesia as a Makeup Primer

Why would anyone want to use a makeup primer?  Well, it helps your makeup go on smoother, lends staying power, absorbs oil, and can even help even out blemishes or uneven spots on your face.  Some are really expensive and some are midrange.  However, the least expensive and one of the best may very well be in your medicine cabinet.  It doesn't even have to be name brand, as generic works just as well.  Milk of magnesia (MOM) makes an excellent makeup primer and one small bottle can last for ages. 

I always dilute MOM slightly by applying it with a wet cotton ball.  The way you will use it depends on your skin type.  If you have dry skin, you will want to apply a moisturizer with sunscreen first and then apply the MOM over the top.  If you have oily skin, like me, you may want to apply it all over, and if you have oily skin in certain spots, you might want to just use it for those places.  

Apply the MOM then allow to dry.  If you have white splotches, just use the dampened cotton ball to swipe a little away.  Make sure your face is dry, then apply your foundation and makeup as usual.  I even carefully apply it to my eyelids, as it makes a great base/primer for eye shadow.

I tend to have oily skin.  Oftentimes, if I don't wear some type of oil absorbing something or other, my makeup will have practically faded away by the end of the day.  I use the MOM for makeup staying power.  

How often to use this is up to you.  Some people have said it has actually helped their complexion by absorbing oil and smoothing skin tone.  I have also seen some people say that if they use this and wear it for a very long time it can cause breakouts, so try it to see how it works for you.  

My personal experience has been that it provides an excellent base for makeup, allowing it to go on smoother.  It's helped my oily skin problem, and my makeup has been fresh and pretty at the end of the day.  It's easy to obtain, inexpensive, and it can help provide flawless makeup application. 

Easy Deep Conditioner for Hair

Olive oil is known for its benefits as a food substance because it is flavorful and is known to help lower cholesterol.  It is also terrific as a topical application for skin and hair.  I love making this easy conditioner recipe listed below and using it a couple of times a week for a deep conditioning hair treatment.

Olive oil is biologically closest to sebum, which is the oil naturally produced by our bodies.  Why don't we just leave the natural oils there?  Well, that sounds great, but unfortunately sweat, bacteria, and skin cells tend to collect in the oils present on our body, so it's necessary for us to take a shower or bath, grab our favorite soap, and get squeaky clean.  Unfortunately, soap tends to strip those natural oils and can sometimes leave us with overly dry skin or hair.  That's where conditioners and lotions come in.

This is another beauty tip that was given to me by my brother.  Use this 2-3 times a week (or less, depending on your hair).  Keep it in the shower for easy use, and make sure that you blow dry your hair afterwards to help the conditioner "set."  Otherwise, you may seem to have an oily residue on your hair. 

OLIVE OIL DEEP CONDITIONER:

1 bottle of inexpensive conditioner, your choice

1 teaspoon of olive oil per 8 oz. of conditioner

(Example:  If your bottle is 12 oz., you will need 1-1/2 teaspoons of olive oil.  If it is 16 oz., you will need 2 teaspoons of olive oil, and so on.)

Open the conditioner and squirt out just enough to give you some "shaking room" in the bottle.  Add the olive oil, and shake for 1 minute. Store the conditioner in the shower or wherever you wash your hair.  Apply liberally to freshly shampooed hair and allow to sit for 2-3 minutes.  Try to keep away from scalp.  Rinse well, then blow dry.  Blow drying is a MUST in order for the conditioner to set. 

That's it!  This conditioner will leave your hair silky smooth and well conditioned without spending a ton of money!