Advertise Your Availability. Photo courtesy of Laid Off Need a Job
Here's a novel idea -- instead of working for your jewelry, make your jewelry work for you. It could even help you land your next job!
The Laid Off Need a Job wristband, much like a medical-alert bracelet, puts it all out there. The accessory was conceived by the once-unemployed Stephanie Aucoin and her designer friend Barbara Bourn.
Their alternative idea was a T-shirt. We're so relieved they didn't go that route, 'cause we just don't see how that would've worked with our pencil skirt and kitten heel interview outfit!
So, ditch your resume for a day and wear this "I can start tomorrow" accessory out and about (Stephanie did, and it got her a gig).
"They're a hit at pink-slip parties," Barbara told StyleList. And, since you're probably strapped for cash, you won't have to shell out much: They cost just $3 each. Maybe after your Laid Off Need a Job bracelet has done its job, you can afford to spring for some real bling.
99 Cent Beauty
Cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize your skin for just pennies when you follow these beauty recipes. (Not a DIY type? We've got the best store buys too.)
Hand and Foot Sugar Scrub
Ingredients: 2 tbsp light olive oil (not extra-virgin, which gets sticky) or grapeseed oil;
2 tbsp granulated sugar
Rub this mixture onto hands and feet, focusing on calloused areas. Rinse under warm water and pat dry. Voila! Fabulously silky-smooth skin.
Store-bought alternative: Best in Glow Body Smoothing Sugar Scrub, $16
Source: Liz Earle, founder of Naturally Active Skincare Liz Earle
Total Beauty
Lavender Bath
Ingredients: 1 cup dried lavender; 2 cups oatmeal; 1/2 cup baking soda
Grind ingredients in a food processor into a smooth, fine powder. Store in a clean, airtight container. To use, pour 1/2 cup into your bath as you fill the tub for a soothing end-ofthe-day treat. (Makes 3 1/2 cups.)
Store-bought alternative: Aveeno Stress Relief Foaming Bath, $7.39, Best in Glow Body Smoothing Sugar Scrub, $16
Source: Janice Cox
Total Beauty
Cucumber-Honey Toner
Ingredients: 1 medium cucumber; 2 tsp honey
Peel and cut up cucumber, then puree pieces in a blender. Line a sieve with cheesecloth and set the sieve over a bowl. Pour the cucumber puree through the sieve and let it stand for 15 minutes. Pour the juice from the bowl into a clean bottle and add honey.
To use, shake bottle and saturate a cotton pad with the lotion. Sweep over face, neck and chest morning and night, and let dry. Store covered in refrigerator for up to a week. Makes about 1/2 cup.
Store-bought alternative:
Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner, $15
Source: National Honey Board
Total Beauty
Green Tea Toner
Ingredients: 4 tsp loose green tea leaf (cut open tea bags if you don't have loose leaves); 1 cup mineral water
Boil the water and steep tea for at least 10 minutes to make concentrated tea. Wait for tea to cool, then pour it into a small spray bottle and refrigerate. Spray toner directly on clean skin and pat it in, or apply it with a cotton ball. Follow with moisturizer. To soothe acne on normal to oily skin types, add 1/2 cup of witch hazel and 2 tsp lemon juice.
Store-bought alternative: Aubrey Organics Green Tea and Gingko Facial Toner, $9.28.
Source: Sharnell's Skincare & Beauty
Total Beauty
Tropical Eye Cream
Ingredients: 2 tbsp grated cocoa butter (find at health food stores); 3 tbsp coconut oil
Mix ingredients in an heat-proof container. Melt in microwave or in a water bath. Pour the melted mixture into a small clean container and allow it to cool completely. To use, apply nightly under your eyes. Makes 3 oz.
Store-bought alternative: Alchimie Forever Superpulse, $69.
Source: Janice Cox
Total Beauty
All-Purpose Olive Oil Moisturizer
Ingredients: 1/4 tsp baking soda; 1/2 cup distilled water; 1 tbsp vitamin E oil; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp avocado oil; 1/2 tsp wheat germ oil; 1 tsp liquid lecithin; 1 tbsp grated beeswax
Dissolve baking soda in the water in a glass measuring cup; set aside. Mix together oils, lecithin and beeswax in another glass cup. Place the cup of oil mixture in a pan of water (about one to two inches of water), making a water bath. Heat on medium until beeswax melts, about eight to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. When wax is melted, bring the cup of soda-water mixture almost to boiling in the microwave.
Remove the oil mixture from the bath and slowly add it to the water solution, stirring briskly. Pour lotion into a clean jar with a lid. Let lotion cool completely (it will thicken), then massage all over body and/or face.
Store-bought alternative:
Kiss My Face Olive & Aloe Moisturizer, $10.99.
Source: Janice Cox
Total Beauty
Skin Firming Clay Mask
Ingredients: 1 tbsp filtered water, prepared green tea (for anti-aging benefits) or milk (for sensitive/dry skin); 2 tbsp fine clay powder
Add water and green tea or milk to a small bowl. Gradually add fine clay powder to the liquid, stirring to prevent clumps, until you get a smooth paste. Apply a thick layer of the paste to clean, dry skin, avoiding the eyes and lips. Relax and for 10 to 12 minutes while it dries. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. Follow with toner and moisturizer.
Store-bought alternative: Aveda Deep Cleansing Herbal Clay Masque, $19.
Source: wholeliving.com
Total Beauty
Get 5 more great natural beauty recipes at TotalBeauty.com.
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