REVIEW: Lancome Genifique Eye

According to Lancome:

Youth is in your genes. Reactivate it. See visibly younger, brighter eyes in just 7 days. 10 years of Research - 7 International Patents. At the very origin of your skin's youth: your genes. Genes produce specific proteins. With age, their presence diminishes. Today, for every woman, Lancome invents the first eye care that boosts the activity of genes. Discover the skin you were born to have. This unique gel-cream texture leaves the eye contour velvety to the touch. Dark circles and signs of fatigue appear to diminish. The eye are appears fresher and luminous, as if infused with life.

When I first received training on this product (it was a "quasi-training" of sorts - another associate who went to Lancome school was "training" me on it) I was under the impression that it's an eye serum, so you still have to put moisturizer over top. So that it how I was using it. After doing a little bit of research, I learned that even on Lancome's website the instruct you to "pat it over brow bone and under the eye"....but what about the lid? So anyway, I am continuing to use it the way I would a serum - by following it with a moisturizer (in this case, an eye cream).

I have to tell you. I did a personal 7-day challenge and wish I had taken before and after pictures. My under eye circles are visibly brightened since I incorporated the Genifique Eye into my skin-care routine. I only use it once a day under my eye cream (I use Kinerase C6 peptide serum in the mornings, which I'll review another time) and within 7 days I felt like I could get away with not wearing concealer! And I have! It truly does brighten eyes! It didn't brighten them to the point of me NEVER having to wear concealer again... sigh...I only wish! But it did brighten them to the point where I don't feel like I absolutely NEED concealer in order to not look like Uncle Fester.

I have to say, I don't really have wrinkles around my eye area anymore (the Kinerase serum took those away) so I can't comment on Genifique Eye's efficacy in that department, but I can most definitely attest to it's skin brightening abilities!

It's not cheap... at about $80CDN and $59USD (again, what the HECK is up with the price difference when the Loonie is almost at par with the Greenback?!?) for a half ounce. However, I use it only once a day...and just a tiny bit to dampen the eye area. I let it sit for a minute while I serum and moisturize my face and throat, then go back to seal it in with eye cream. A little jar should last you a really long time. If under eye circles are a concern for you, then yes... I highly recommend this product.

So what is it that makes it work? Lancome markets this as a product which will give you the skin you were born with... They spent years and years researching how the skin works - especially after DNA researches released the human genome, it became easier to target exactly what genes are responsible for your skin's behaviour as it relates to aging. As we age, the proteins in our skin cells die off quicker, leaving us with dehydrated/thinning/uneven skin that ages more quickly. Essentially, the ingredients in Genifique (including the serum, the cream serum, and the soon-to-be-released night cream) provide proteins that encourage the existing proteins in our skin to live longer, making them act like they're young again.

The science behind it works! It's a rich treatment for the eye area that brightens. I recommend this for anyone who is looking to boost their current skin care regime with brighter eyes and fewer wrinkles.

REVIEW: Lip Plumpers FREEZE 24/7, Too Faced, DuWop Lip Venom, Fusion Beauty, Benefit Lip Plump, etc

I have in my possession Freeze 24/7 Plump Lips Lip Plumper AND the coloured lip gloss "Ice Sticks" in the gorgeous WindChill shade. I also have DuWop's Lip Venom, Too Faced's Lip Injection, Fusion Beauty's LipFusion (the LipFusion XL, the regular LipFusion, AND a coloured LipFusion), as well as the Benefit Lip Plump, and Neostrata's Anti-Wrinkle Lip Enhancer.

Freeze 24/7's Plump Lips and Ice Sticks:

It really does give you fuller lips! It plumps up your lips and makes them redder, which leads me to question how the folks over at Freeze 24/7 can call it non-irritating. It is OBVIOUSLY irritating the skin on your lips and causing blood to come rushing there. While there are other lip plumping ingredients out there that burn your lips (have you ever tried Lip Injection by Too Faced, or DuWops's Lip Venom? Oh lord...burn baby burn - and not in a good way! OUCH: reviewed below) this one feels cooling and refreshing on the mouth. It doesn't feel burny (is that a word?) nor does it feel numbing...just a cool refreshing feel on the mouth.

The ingredient list contains Palmitoyl Oligopeptide which is a peptide that helps encourage collage production; to me this is probably why they claim that it helps mature lips to appear more youthful. However, collagen production in skin is short-lived if the ingredients don't contain Hyaluronic Acid...

A LITTLE SKIN CARE LESSON:


Hyaluronic Acid and Collagen are both naturally found in your skin. They like to "hold hands" in the skin, so having peptides that encourage Collagen production, but NOT having Hyaluronic Acid just makes no sense...

Hyaluronic Acid is also an amazing hydrator, holding 1000 times its own weight in water - so not only does it hydrate very well, but it also plumps up your skin wherever you may apply it.

Ok, I'm rambling.

END OF LESSON!

While this is a good lip plumper, the effects are temporary. If you have an anti-aging serum that contains Hyaluronic Acid, I would recommend you apply that serum to your lips and surrounding lip area morning and night. The hyaluronic Acid in any skincare you use would make this lip plumper even more effective by making the results more long-term. This is what I do, with my Freeze 24/7 lip plumper AND with my LipFusion (even though the LipFusion already has HA in it - what can I say? I'm thorough)

I like the feeling of this treatment on my lips! Morning and night, after I have cleansed my face and applied my serum and moisturizer (and brushed my teeth), I apply Plump Lips to my lips. Sometimes during the day, I will apply the coloured Freeze 24/7 Ice Stick (which is coloured).

Overall, this is not a bad plumper. The results are short-lived, unless you include a serum/moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid in it. At about $40 per bottle, I expect Hyaluronic Acid as well!

DUWOP's LIPVENOM & TOO FACED's LIP INJECTION:

Ouch. These ones burns. They hurts. They works by irritating the skin on your lips, causing the blood to come rushing, and temporarily increase the volume of your lips. Both are also sticky... I've had my hair get stuck in my lips, and in the process of pulling my hair out I accidentally pulled my lip-glossed-hair-strands over my cheeks. The result? I had swollen and red lines on my cheeks from where it touched my face. SCARY! My verdict? I do not recommend. At about $20 per little bottle, it's not worth it..

BENEFIT'S LIP PLUMP:

This one is just a primer, gals... it is a flesh-tone thick lip treatment that is meant to visually erase your lip line so that you can re-draw your lip line back on as you desire. There is ZERO plumping action with this stuff... And another draw back? Really light skinned gals and dark skinned gals can't use this stuff - it only comes in one "flesh tone" which is a medium-light warm (almost olive) tone, effectively rendering itself useless to at least half of the world's female population...if not more.

NEOSTRATA'S ANTI-WRINKLE LIP ENHANCER:

I think this may be the only Lip Plumper that is actually marketed at the anti-aging crowd. While I did notice a plumper pout, it also reddened my lips and anywhere it was applied. This lip treatment is VERY similar to the Freeze 24/7 lip treatment, except instead of a cooling sensation it was hot... very hot! It has retinol which is also a powerful anti-aging ingredient. Even though this one is clear, it makes your lips red - just like the Freeze 24/7 treatment. With the exception of the burning feeling Neostrata's Anti-Wrinkle Lip Enhancer gives, to me it felt like pretty much the exact same product. In Canada, this lip enhancer is MUCH easier to find than the Freeze 24/7 Plump Lips and Ice Sticks. $36 for a tube, but Neostrata REGULARLY has buy-one-get-one-free packages at Shoppers Drug Mart.

FUSION BEAUTY's LIPFUSION (and LipFusion XL):

I love this one! The technology behind it is pretty darn amazing and the stuff works; both instantly and long term! Collagen molecules are too large to absorb into the skin, so the good folks over at Fusion Beauty have found a tiny marine collagen that is dehydrated into a microsphere. Combined with Hyaluronic Acid (remember my lesson up above?) it absorbs into your skin where it finds your skin's own hydration. The Collagen micromolecule plumps up and the Hyaluronic Acid not only helps it stick around long term, but the HA also amasses more water/hydration which provides both instant and long-term plumpness. This comes in a clear formula and in tinted formulas. The tinted formulas are sooo sheer. I have one of the darker tones of it and it's barely visible on my lips, so don't be afraid of the red or dark brown tones - they are quite lovely on! The clear formula works by itself AND overtop of any lip colour you may be wearing.

It never feels hot, always cool and refreshing. The only downside is that it makes your lips feel dehydrated, so at least once or twice a day you may feel the need to put a good and proper lip balm on your pout to moisturize.

The LipFusion XL is STELLAR! By far the best lip plumper I have ever tried. This one contains double the active ingredients of the original LipFusion. This one is recommended as a night time lip treatment to put on after you cleanse/tone/treat/moisturize and brush your teeth. With every passing morning you will wake up to subtly fuller lips and reduced wrinkles around your mouth.

Unlike ALL the other lip plumpers I have reviewed, this is the only one that DOES NOT make your mouth red. Which means you can apply it outside your lip line with no fear of looking like you just ate a whole bowl of pasta with red sauce. The best part about applying it outside your lip line is that it plumps your pout thoroughly and reduces the tiny vertical lines that are starting to pop up around your mouth.

If you want a lip plumper that works best (one step) try Fusion Beauty's LipFusion XL. While it's not cheap, each bottle lasts for-bloody-ever and gives you honest to goodness RESULTS! The XL is about $55 or so per bottle...so before you take the dive you can always try the clear (original) LipFusion at $38. But I'm telling ya...this stuff works!

REVIEW: BIOTHERM AGE FITNESS ELASTIC

According to Biotherm's website: With age, skin loses its elasticity and natural capacity to regain it's original form: its shape memory. Biotherm invents AGE FITNESS ELASTIC: in one step - 1 bounce-back cream and 1 tensing serum to transform skin leaving it more elastic so that it no longer marks the sign of aging.

When I attended a recent training seminar by Biotherm, they covered the old and the new. The best part about covering the new stuff is that you actually get to understand how it works. The even better part?!? Sending us home with it to try!

I am the "target customer" for this product. In my 30's, with skin juuuuust starting to show it's lack of shape memory. After you smile, does a little crease remain in your naso-labial fold or just outside your mouth? After furrowing your eye-brows, do the tiny little horizontal lines in your forehead remain? Then you are a prime candidate for this product.

I've been using the AGE FITNESS ELASTIC for about 2 weeks now, and I have to tell you - I like it a lot! With one pump, the bottle provides enough of the serum and enough of the moisturizer to cover your face and throat. For those with drier or more dehydrated skin types you may feel the need to let it absorb and then follow with another light moisturizer. Combination/Oilier skin types will love this 2-in-1 treatment all by itself.

Often, people with oilier skin types tend to avoid anti-aging products because of a misconception that they are too rich or too oily for them. This is the PERFECT product for those who are on the oilier side. I think it's because the texture and richness of the cream are "watered down" by the serum. The serum adds the pure essence of what makes it work (as well as the tightening polymers) so those with more dehydrated (like me) or drier skin types should definitely follow up with a dab of their fave re-hydrating or re-moisturizing moisturizer.

In just a few days I noticed a difference in the lines that remain after I have big expressions on my face... my forehead is visibly smoother and the lines near my naso-labial fold (on the outer corners of my lips) have softened a little.

Another positive is the see-through design of the bottle. The serum and cream are in individual, air-tight tubes inside the bottle and you can see the line move up on each as you use them. So there will never be a surprise one morning when *OOPS* you realize you're all out of your favorite cream... and you'll definitely want to re-stock on this as it's running low!

My verdict? Those in the 25-35 category (or older gals with almost no wrinkles) will LOVE this cream/serum combo. Those with oilier/combination skin types will love it even more! Gals with normal to dry/dehydrated skin types who don't mind using multiple products for better anti-aging results will love this one too.

At $44US or $64CDN (hey...why are we getting ripped off in Canada? The USD is almost at par!!) it's reasonably priced. With once a day use, each bottle should last almost 2 months.

Dry Brush away your cellulite?

What is Dry Brushing? Dry Brushing is a method of cleansing, detoxifying and exfoliating the skin using a wooden long-handled brush that has natural bristles. Dry brushing is done before a shower and can take 10-15 minutes to complete. Starting at the feet, you massage your body with the bristles towards your heart. It takes a few minutes to do each leg, followed by a few minutes on the torso, the back, and the arms.

Dry Brushing fanatics swear by it's wonderful cosmetic results, including a reduction/elimination of cellulite and tightening of the skin, while others tout it's amazing ability to eliminate toxins, cleanse lymphatic fluid, improve circulation and help digestion.

Many people forget that the skin is a vital organ in the eliminiation process and that it breathes toxins out of your body, just like your lungs, your bladder and your colon. Using chemically-laden body moisturizers only impede your body's ability to eliminate toxins as you are actually ADDING chemicals to your skin. Moisturizers that are mineral oil based actually prevent your skin from breathing out the toxins, thereby trapping them. Gee, I wonder if that is what actually causes skin cancer?!? Mineral Oil can be hidden by it's many names in an ingredient list. Look for the obvious Mineral Oil, or the less obvious names such as Paraffinum Liquidum, Paraffin, Liquid Petroleum, or Petrolatum.

Dry brushing helps to eliminate dead skin cells and the toxins that are trapped on them. The method of brushing from your feet to your heart encourages circulation and eases the strain on your heart and vascular system. It also acts to massage your internal organs and muscles and encourage your oil-producing glands to moisturize your skin.

To get the most out of your dry-brushing, follow with a warm (not hot or cold) shower using an all natural soap, such as Dr. Bronner's organic and fair trade soap (available at pretty much every health food store in north america). Then turn the temperature of the water up pretty darn warm for a few minutes, then turn it down to cool for a minute before turning all the way down to freezing for a minute. Turning the water hot and cold like this 2 or 3 times will tighten your skin, warm your core, and refresh your body and mind.

Keep in mind, that if you shave your legs, you should do it AFTER the hot/cold shower and after your goosebumps subside.

Between the dry brushing and hot/cold showers, you just may get the closest shave you've ever had!!!

Castor Oil - the unsung hero

Castor Oil, also called Palm of Christ is found in many commercial beauty products, from shampoos, cleansers, to moisturizers.

Castor Oil has the amazing ability to cleanse AND detox AND moisturize.

For many people it is tricky to give up their chemical-laden commercial beauty products. I know it was very hard for me when I first tried an all-natural organic shampoo and conditioner. The shampoo felt like it was stripping my hair, it literally felt like wet straw, and the conditioner felt oily and didn't give me that "slip" and detangling that I'm used to getting from conditioner. But one doesn't have to entirely give up and move to an all-natural shampoo and conditioner. There's a Canadian Company called Live Clean that makes shampoos and conditioners that are paraben and SLS-free, that contain 90% or more ingredients of natural origin, etc etc.

Anyway, whenever my hair feels lackluster I'll add a half-teaspoon or so of Castor Oil to shampoo in the palm of my hand before lathering my hair. It makes the shampoo thick, white and creamy. The end result is shiny soft hair!

Try this sometime! Let me know what you think of your hair!

Adding a little bit of Castor Oil into your all-natural liquid soap will also turn it into a thick white creamy soap that'll moisturize your body as it detoxifies! And though it's creamy, it won't leave behind residue that'll clog your razor (one of my pet peeves)... so it's also an excellent shaving soap!

I also like to mix a little bit of castor oil into my body cream/body oil to moisturize and detox. It is important to take a good thorough shower every day with a natural SLS free soap to remove toxins that accumulate on your skin's surface. ALWAYS avoid moisturizers that utilize Mineral Oil/Paraffin/Petrolatum/Paraffinum Liquidum as an ingredient. It's a "fake" moisturizer that your body can't absorb, that clogs pores, that prevents your skin from breathing, and causes toxins to get stuck in your skin instead of being sweated out.

Home Made Face Mask

This is a mask that is good for EVERYONE, no matter what your skin type.

STRAWBERRY HONEY MASK

5 or 6 strawberries, greens removed
2 tbspns honey
1 teaspoon Olive Oil
Lemon Juice

Mash the Strawberries with a fork and add the honey and olive oil. Drizzle in freshly squeezed Lemon Juice. The oilier your skin, the more lemon juice you can add (up to 1 tablespoon). If you have very dry skin add 1 tablespoon of oatmeal to the mix and let it sit for about a minute or two before applying it to your skin.

Wash your skin thoroughly and gently pat it dry. Apply the mask all over, avoiding your eye area. Let it sit for up to 20 minutes, then rinse off.

The Strawberries are rich in Alpha Hydroxy Acids which helps eliminate dead skin cells and gives you a nice rosey glow.
Honey is a mild anti-microbial AND is a humectant - so it actually increases your skin's water content as it pulls moisture out of the air and into your skin.
Olive oil is a wonderful moisturizer and because it's natural it will not clog your pores.
Lemon juice is loaded with Vitamin C and acids that brighten your skin.
This mask is chock-full of anti-free-radicals as well, so it's a wonderful natural anti-aging mask.

Whenever possible, try to use organic ingredients, but if it's too expensive for you it's still better than the store-brought stuff that's loaded with chemicals.

Try this mask today and give me your feedback!!!

The importance of Water

I went to a beauty "school" a few nights ago to receive training for one of the brands that we sell where I work. It's a great brand, and even though they like to point out that some of their ingredients are natural, and that they have a "natural origin", the reality is that they are still loaded with chemicals such as Propylene Glycol and artificial fragrances. The risks of these chemicals outweighs the benefits of the natural ingredients, so I generally try to avoid them.

Anyway, something the trainer said kind of stuck with me. She said "Why cover up with cosmetics when you can just take really good care of your skin?" Which is truly easier said than done, but it DOES make sense.

Do you thoroughly wash your face every evening? If you use a toner, is it alcohol-free and gentle? Do you have a suitable moisturizer for your skin? Are you using a rich eye-cream every morning and night? These are great starting points for your skin.

But most importantly...do you drink enough water? 4 cups a day is not enough. For good skin you need to be drinking at least 6 cups of filtered water every single day - CONSISTENTLY. It's easy to say you don't feel the need to drink that much when you fill up on multiple coffees, juices, and pops. So other than your morning coffee, try to avoid juices and pops so that you can get your fill of water first.

I know this isn't easy, but what if I told you that if you did this for FOUR DAYS IN A ROW, you would notice a VISIBLE IMPROVEMENT in your skin?!?

Something else I learned at this school...

Water, when you drink it will in:
60 seconds - hit your blood stream
3 minutes - get to your brain
10 minutes - reach your other organs
30 minutes - spread through your entire body.

So the next time you pick up a pop, ask yourself if you want that all over your body in 30 minutes. And reach for the water instead.

Some of my favorite products

Asides from attempting to go as "au naturel" as possible, I do have some favorite products that are really natural. Sometimes, it's just not feasible for me to moisturize my body with Jojoba Oil (like when I'm in a rush...the oil needs a few minutes to absorb) and I NEED an actual moisturizing cream.

When you go natural, it's usually a bit more expensive. But its worth the extra tiny bit of money because the natural products last longer and you're minimizing your risk of disease and cancer, and you're protecting the environment by not using petro-chemical based products.

There is a company called Sigrid Natural Skin Care, it's a local company based out of Ontario (in Toronto when it's cold out). Their creams and butters are so amazingly natural. I even use their body creams on my son! They are a bit pricey, but worth the extra money! http://www.sigridnaturals.com/

Another local company is Green Beaver. Their price-point is surprisingly close to what you'd pay in a drug store for those easily recognizable brands. I had first discovered their face cream as it's completely chemical free. Then I fell in love with their Grapefruit Face Wash. I even tried their acne treatment when my pregnancy hormones left me playing connect-the-dots on my face! I am now addicted to their toothpaste. It tastes really good and is free of Sodium Laureth Sulfate, artificial sweeteners, flavours or colours, and there is no fluoride. (try rinsing with Hydrogen Peroxide afterwards - it's naturally anti-bacterial and naturally brightens your teeth without filling your mouth with artificial colours, flavours, alcohols, etc) http://www.greenbeaver.com/

Avalon Organics is another company I like. You can find their products at drugstores! They have a Vitamin C line of skincare which I really like. The facewash is so great, it removes make-up AND cleanses in one step. The Toner is perfectly light and alcohol free. The moisturizer is so nice and light, but not suitable for drier skin types. Vitamin C naturally brightens your complexion AND encourages collagen production. http://www.avalonorganics.com/?id=86

I am currently head-over-heels in love with my body butter by Alba - the Kukui Nut one. It smells so good, is intensly rich, and isn't expensive at all! Check it out here http://www.albabotanica.com/?id=66&pid=148

LaVanilla is a company that makes natural fragrances and skin care products. I LOVE LOVE LOVE their natural deodorant. It's quite pricey, it's like $22 at Sephora but it's worth it's weight in gold... It is free of Aluminum Chlorohydrate, Propylene Glycol, Petrochemicals, parabens, etc. And it REALLY WORKS! You still sweat (only anti-perspirants with Aluminum Chlorohydrate stop you from sweating, but that's dangerous for your body - it's been linked to breast cancer AND Alzheimers), however the corn starch in it helps to dry you up, the natural fragrances help to cover up any smell, etc. http://www.lavanila.com/Healthy-Deodorant_c_16.html

If you don't want to spend that kind of money on deodorant, then you need The Crystal. A variety of companies manufacture them... it's a crystal clear rock that you use on your underarms (apparantely people with smelly feet problems use them on their feet too). It ONLY works wet, so you have to wet the rock, and then persistenly rub it into your underarms. I use it on my wet skin immediately after I come out of the shower and rub it in each underarm for like 15 seconds. You really want to get this stuff onto your skin. It's literally like a rock, it takes forever to dissolve away...each rock will last A YEAR!!! Don't believe the people who tell you they used it and it didn't work... They didn't use it correctly. Remember, you have to wet the rock, and rub it for like 15 seconds or more. It has anti-bacterial properties, so even though you sweat, you wont get smelly! http://www.thecrystal.com/

I'm sure I'll think of more products to add, so this list will likely be changing in the very near future, but in the meantime these products should get you thinking about how easy it is to switch to more natural products that suit your hectic life-style

Moisturizing your hair and scalp

There is no denying that some of the more natural shampoos and conditioners leave a little something to be desired. Some of them feel really harsh, leaving your hair a tangled, dry mess, while others leave you feeling like an oil slick.

There are some more natural shampoos and conditioners out there (available at your drug store, even) that feel, suds, and rinse out the way the standard chemically stuff does, but is better for YOU and the environment.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a chemical sudsing agent and is found in most cheap shampoos and conditioners (actually, most of the pricey salon brands have this ingredient too). We have been brainwashed to believe that unless there is lather, that it's not getting clean. Well Sodium Laureth Sulfate has been linked to cancer (The EPA in the US even listed it as "a probably carcinogen"), skin irritation, and canker sores (it's in cheap toothpaste). It's also been linked to Whale Infertility - circle of life, people!!!

Okay, I'm getting off topic here.

SLS is dangerous. You definitely want a shampoo that's SLS free. You also want one that's Paraben-free. Fragrance free is good (essential oils are not considered fragrance, and will be listed as essential oils). Giovanni makes some nice shampoos and conditioners (GiovanniCosmetics.com) and so does Live Clean (live-clean.com), but Live Clean has a larger range of shampoos (and hand washes, body lotions, etc).

They are not much more expensive than conventional drug store brands, but are SO much better for you and the environment.

So today's beauty tip is hair-based. Try mixing together 1 egg, 2 tablespoons castor oil, 1 tablespoon glycerin, and 1 tablespoon white vinegar. Give it a good mix and put it in a squeeze bottle. Apply it all over your dry hair the way you would hair colour... cover your shoulders with a towel, it may run! Let it sit for 20 minutes, then wash and condition like you normally would. Ideally, you'd add a little castor oil to your shampoo in the palm of your hand before washing. You'll have amazingly shiny, thick-looking, soft soft hair!

Do you want to go Natural?

Here are some amazing things to keep in your home... feel free to leave a note if I've left anything out!

Baking Soda - the BEST face scrub you've EVER used. It's so cheap, its practically free. (Keep away from eye area). Also great to get your teeth "dentist clean".
Vinegar (the regular white stuff) - Makes your hair super shiny and bouncy, rinse 1part vinegar with 1part water through your hair after your shampoo. Follow with conditioner.
Hydrogen Peroxide - Rinse your mouth after brushing, anti-bacterial AND "bleaching".
Castor Oil - Add a few drops to your shampoo (in the palm of your hand) before washing. Mix together and watch it get thick and rich. Excellent moisturizer! Use it around your eye area and watch your eyelashes grow long and strong!
Olive Oil - Excellent moisturizer. Cheap, even when organic, considering how little you need to moisturize your body. Apply on damp skin after coming out of shower. Mix with other oils and essential oils.
Coconut Oil - My favorite. Rich with Amino Acids. If heaven has a smell, it's Organic Coconut Oil... ;o) Put it on your hair before going to sleep. Wash it out the next day. Prepare to dazzle everyone with your shiny, bouncy hair! Also an intense body moisturizer...a little goes a long way!
Rose Hip Seed Oil (you gotta keep this baby in the fridge) - one of the best anti-aging products there is. It's not cheap (a little 1oz bottle can set you back $10 or more). It spoils, so you gotta keep it in the fridge. I like to use it around the eye and lip area.
Liquid Glycerin - is a humectant. It pulls moisture out of the air and into your skin/hair.
Tea Tree Oil - even though its an oil, it's extremely drying. Use only on very acne-prone skin, or add the tiniest little trace to your moisturizer the week before your period to help prevent hormonal breakouts. Also great for treating backne.
Essential Oils (good basics are Lemon, Peppermint, and Lavender) - can add a beautiful smell to your skin care/hair care and have wonderful benefits. Lavender, for instance, is not only calming, but is mildly anti-bacterial.
Shea Butter - intense moisturizer. Can be used on your face. Non-comedogenic. Has a mild, natural SPF built-in.
Honey - humectant. Pulls moisture out of the air and into your skin/hair. Use it as an ingredient in masks or in your bath.
Beeswax - a better barrier than Petroleum Jelly, but completely natural! Melt beeswax with a little bit of Coconut Oil and Shea Butter for your very own lipbalm, or nightly eye cream.
Oatmeal - moisturizes and calms irritated skin. Powder it and add it to face masks or your bath.

Great "ingredients" that you probably already have:
Yoghurt - exfoliates when used as a mask
Eggs - rich in vitamins and minerals. Use as face masks, hair masks, etc
Milk - soothing and exfoliating, Cleopatra famously added it to her baths
Fruits - such as strawberries are an amazing source of "AHAs" to use in masks