Let’s do something different today. Something wild. Something wacky. Something that has nothing to do with the fact that I have writer’s block. Nope. Nothing at all.
Yay!
Today is all about comments. It’s all about what you need.
What’s your ish, baby? What do you need help with the most? Is your hair too oily? Is your skin too dry? Do you have alien babies popping out of your stomach?
Whatever your problem is, today I’m going to help you solve it. I will tap into my vast supply of brain information, scour all my books, search Google like a Tour de France cyclist on steroids. All day long, I will be in the comments, waiting for your questions.
Please, feel free to ask anything you’d like. While I’d love to get natural beauty solution questions or inquiries about home remedies, I’m not opposed to giving you love life advice or a quote on car insurance. I’m going to stay away from advice on how to get rid of bodies, though. Been there, done that. Threw away the T-shirt.
The best questions (i.e. the questions I know the answers to and can expand on later) will be featured in future blog posts on Crunchy Betty.
If that’s not encouragement to ask me about a vaginal itch problem, I don’t know what is.
Okay. Ready? Set.
Go!
Store-Bought Dry Shampoo? No! Crunch On This Instead
I realize I am a gazillion years late for ask Betty day, but I’ve been on vacation and just want to say that I highly approve of this feature and I will stick to conventional hemorrhoid treatment until next time.
Oh, I’ve been meaning to ask you this for days.
When I got married last year, the cosmetic counter that did my glam make-up spritzed me with a spray that made my normally-oily skin that is very hard on foundation look dewy and lovely.
They wanted $38 for this little 3 ounce bottle of magic tonic.
I will not pay $38 an ounce for anything where the first ingredient is “water.”
Have you any suggestions for something I could make on my own, oh wise madame?
I need more info. I want to create something like this.
What was the brand? The name of the product? Anything? Did they spritz before or after the foundation? What kind of foundation did they use, too? That might make a difference in the outcome.
In the meantime, before I get all Dr. Evil (or Doolittle or some other brand-name doctor) on the stuff, do a honey mask before you put on your foundation.
I mean, do it and wash it off before you put on your foundation.
Just honey on clean skin. For 15 minutes. Wash. Blot the water off. Then foundation.
Here’s the product:
http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/spp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT177&PRODUCT_ID=388
(which on the website is only $20. which is better than 38, but still way too much.)
What is a ped-egg? I have a… friend too with dreadful summer feet.
Okay. So. A Ped-Egg is basically a grater for your feet. Seriously. It’s a grater. And it grates off your skin.
Ped-Egg is a brand, but there are other companies who make something like it. I happen to have the Revlon alternative Scary Foot Grater (my name).
It doesn’t hurt at all. Oddly. But here’s the gross part: It collects your skin in a little scoopy bowl thing on the other side of the grater, and you have to empty it every so often (or, for my feet, every six grates). You throw away your dead skin. It’s weird.
But it works really, really well.
Questions and answers! This is fun! Let’s talk rosacea. You know. When your skin gets all red from burst blood vessels and you look like total shit and you try Eucerin Redness Relief and it does jack. Help me, Crunchy Betty!
ps – thank you so much for visiting the other day!
Hola, Chalupa! I just did some scouring, and I found many, many different masks and things you could try (http://www.total-health-care.com/home-remedies/rosacea.htm), but the most promising idea came from some medical studies done recently. Apparently green tea (cream) was scientifically shown to help control rosacea, as was licorice. Given that, perhaps you could brew a strong “tea” of licorice root and green tea, strain it, and apply it directly to the affected areas. Or, for a dose of soothing goodness, add the “tea” to some finely ground oatmeal and make a paste-like mask to apply.
Let me know how that works out for you! (Reminder – I am not a physician and I’m NOT giving medical advice … so, yeah. Do it, as you do everything, at your own discretion.)
Mwah!
I’ve been using this amazing cucumber toner I bought in India – its gone – any suggestions for a replacement
Yep! Make your own cucumber toner! I actually blogged about an apple cucumber toner here: http://crunchybetty.com/?p=583 but you can leave out the apple and mint if you’d like. Just blend and juice a cucumber and add the “cucumber water” to a cup or so of witch hazel. Keep it in the fridge. It’ll extend shelf life, and it’ll make a really great refresher.
Those Indians have some amazing homemade beauty recipes. I made a mask with garbanzo bean flour once, at the behest of an Indian beauty blog I read. It was lovely … until I realized my skin was sensitive to garbanzo beans. Either way, I incorporate turmeric (which came from the recipe, too) into other things I make now, and LOVE it.
Thanks for the question, Jamie!
My questions will likely be akin to asking for the meaning of life, but here goes:
1. What can I use on my fingernails to help strengthen them? And what’s up with these nasty cuticles?
2. My baby boy helped Mama pack on the baby weight. What fights cellulite?
3. I’ve spent too many nights with make up on my face. Pores are frighteningly large. Help!
4. Whatcha got for spider veins?
Okay. One by one, if I can. Whew! These could all be entire blog posts. Thanks for the ideas!
1. It’s going to be less about what you put ON the fingernails and more about what you put in your body. For stronger fingernails, try fish oil (I recommend cold-pressed cod liver oil. Sounds gross, but I can totally tell a difference in my nails and hair when I take it, in addition to my moods and my overall feeling of well-being). I’ve also heard that taking a tablespoon of blackstrap molasses a day helps hair and nails. BUT – I just found a remedy that goes like this: Dip your fingernails in colorless iodine once a week. However, I don’t know what the safety is in that, so I’d hold off for a while. I’ll get back to you. 🙂
2. Cellulite hates coffee! Make a scrub out of freshly ground coffee and oil (olive, sweet almond, or grapeseed) three times a week. I’m JUST starting to do this regularly, and I’ve noticed some tightening. I just use the grounds from the pot I make in the morning – not as strong as unbrewed coffee, but it’s a great way to reuse!
3. Don’t freak out, but I really suggest the oil cleansing method. Use it to take off makeup, and use it when you don’t wear make up. Use it every day for at least two weeks – you’ll see a total difference, and you might not want to go back. Here’s my blog about it: http://crunchybetty.com/?p=94 And Jessica from http://adventureswiththreegirls recently blogged about how awesome it’s been for her skin, too!
4. I’ve got jack for spider veins right now. Combing through my steel-trap mind, I seem to remember hearing that there’s not a lot you can do for them once you’ve got ’em. But walking, stretching, and otherwise finding ways to keep your circulation in tip-top shape will keep them from getting worse. If I find out more, I’ll holler atcha!
Thanks for the questions, lovey dove.
A crunchy good night to you!
I’ve learned so much. Pinky. Who knew?
What a great post idea! I’m definitely going to try the coconut/jojoba oil idea you gave me yesterday for dry ends, but beyond that, my hair is the polar opposite of yours… dry and frizzy on really bad days. I can’t go a day without commercial hair products to rescue it from fluffiness. And brushing it is out of the question. Crunchy Betty… please help put some crunch in my scrunch!
Also, if you know why our little fingers are called “pinkies” that would be really cool. I don’t know about yours, but mine are the same color as the rest of my fingers. And while you’re at it, why does my bottle of balsamic vinegar now sport a label that says it contains lead??? That one freaks me out more than the pinkie issue.
Dear Mind o’ Tomatoes:
Trivia first. Beauty second. (I love these trivia questions, btw. I’m learning so much. And here I thought I knew everything…)
Apparently, according to World Wide Words, “pinky” was first a Scottish word that meant something akin to “little finger” and is believed to have first originated with “pink eye” – the condition in which your eye closes and swells a little (and coincidentally turns pink), which makes it small. It also turns out, the word “pink” as a color first came to be with a flower that is aptly named Pink.
From now on, I am calling all children “pinkies.” Adorable.
Your vinegar? Ugh. This answer I found here: http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/01/18/why-is-there-lead-in-my-balsamic-vinegar/
There’s debate as to why there’s lead in balsamic, but the gist seems to be that it’s naturally occurring lead in the ground that’s soaked up by the grapes. That article asks a poignant question, though: Does that mean there’s lead in my wine?
I shudder at the thought. Cry, really.
Lastly, your hair: Don’t wash your hair every day. That strips the oils. Once a week, try an overnight hair “mask” of coconut oil. And once a week, rinse your hair with a combination of 3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar and 3 cups water.
Let me know how that goes for you!
In pinky-toe crunch!
Crunchy Betty
Thanks for all the tips and info today! Except for the one about lead in my wine. That one really broke me down bad. I’m SURE there’s no lead in Sonoma County wines (or Aussie wines either). In fact, yes, I’m getting a definite positive vibe about that. Do I sound convinced? Good! Just don’t ask me to “pinkie swear” on it…
This is so timely!!!! I just asked twitter what the difference was between soft tacos and burritos. Far as I can tell it’s just one more fold. Can you help me Crunchy Betty?
Ms. Mango Cabbage Slaw,
This was a stumper. I had to access three various methods of research for this one.
First, I asked my son. “Son,” I said, “what do you think the difference is between a burrito and a soft taco?”
“Mom,” the 13-year-old giant replied, “I’m busy. Playing a game. See? See me playing? I’m busy.”
Not to be deterred, I pressed the issue. “Seriously, kid. What do you think it is?”
“Make me some and we’ll find out.” He said. As if.
Next, I relied on memory. According to that, soft tacos were what my mother used to make when she couldn’t think of anything else to have for dinner. Burritos are what I buy at Chipotle when I can’t think of anything else to have for dinner.
Now, if that doesn’t answer your question, perhaps the internet will. According to the in-depth research I found while clicking on the first link that came up in Google:
A burrito is typically only made with flour tortillas. It also traditionally has more ingredients (including beans) in it. And a soft taco can be made with either flour or corn tortillas.
Frankly, I’m with you. The only difference is the fold. In fact, I am declaring that as the only difference as of this moment.
Internet, you may now link to this answer as the only correct one.
In Chipotle-loving crunch (even if it’s soft crunch)!
Crunchy Betty
Can I jump in????
A taco – a REAL one, is a bit of grilled meat, onion and cilantro folded inside two thin corn tortillas. Meant to be eaten while walking away from the taco truck on teh way to the beer truck.
Burritos are made with mongo flour tortillas, are swaddled like a baby, and have mound o’ stuff piled on top (besides the innards which can chosist of various meats, beans and cheeses. The “stuff” can be tomatoes, lettuce, cheese sauce, sour cream…. you ge the picture.
I hope this helps, even tho my name isnt Crunchy Betty…. 😉
Dear Crunchy Betty,
I have a friend and she never wears shoes. She spends her days barefoot and will sometimes wear flip flops, but only when she has to. My…uh…her feet are really crusty and though she uses a ped-egg sometimes, they still look like they are growing their own soles. Any suggestions? Other than wearing a nice pair of shoes, cause that’s just crazy talk.
This same friend swims in salt water or chlorine daily and her entire hair care routine consists of shampooing it and brushing it. It’s not in bad shape, but just looks drab and lifeless.
Any help for this friend would be very much appreciated!
Thank you much,
Lula Lola, friend of the homely
Dearest Unhomely LuLo,
We must have the same “friend.” Good news for her, though – I recently read an article in Whole Living Magazine that said it’s healthier for your feet to go sans shoes. That doesn’t solve the cracking heel issues, though. Unfortunately.
My “friend” uses her ped-egg sporadically. But what I … okay, I admit it, I have disgustingly cracked feet sometimes … found the most helpful is using a salt scrub once or twice a week. Mix 1/2 c. of sea salt (not rock-sized, but regular) with 1/2 c. olive oil, sweet almond oil, or coconut oil – or mix all three. Settle yourself with your feet over the tub and scrub each heel for 5 minutes. Rinse the salt off (but leave the oil on) and don some socks for a few hours afterward. This is especially helpful right after the ped-egg treatment.
As for the chloriney/salty hair, here are a couple of ideas: Wet your hair before you get in the pool/ocean. Then send me a plane ticket to join you at the beach. After you’ve done that, put a quarter-sized glob of coconut oil in your palms and rub it until it thins some. Then spread evenly throughout your hair. This should help keep the hair from soaking up the chlorine/salt.
When it comes time to shampoo, add a little baking soda to your palm and then the shampoo. Rub it around a little to mix it, and shampoo as normal. This should help clean all the ickies off your hair.
Voila!
Mwah,
Crunchy Betty
I love coconut oil and it’s never occured to me to use it on my hair! I will pass this along to my friend!
I wish you were here at the beach, we would have such good times!
I do a salt scrub sometimes with brown sugar on my feet, but have neglected them for too long this time.
I think this will work wonders for my poor friend! Thank you so much!
You should recommend to her a pair of Vibram Five Fingers. They’ve gotten great reviews from people all over the internet. Your friend can go into REI or some other sporting goods store to try them on and see if she likes them. They’ve been said to develop muscles that wearing shoes fails to use. Here’s a link: http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/