Frugal Fridays: You can thank us later

Introducing Frugal Fridays!!!

It's Friday the 16th, we are smack in the middle of September... and guess what, we are BROKE y'all! I'm talking Aloe Blacc - I Need a Dollar, broke. This happens every month; we blow our spending money frivolously on fabulous finds (I regret nothing), wine and dine like money ain't a thing, splurge on pricey beauty products and before you know it, we find ourselves staring bitterly and solemnly into our empty lamb skin pocketbooks.

But you know us, we are two resourceful sisters; and we would love to share our money saving tips and tricks with you! Today is the first of many FRUGAL FRIDAYS to come! There is always hope for the fabulously and frugally inclined. If there is a low cost and effective beauty remedy out there, a clothes store that is running a sale, or a superb meal that is on the cheap and tasty: we shall rant and rave about it this, and every (other) Friday.

Let's get things started shall we?

As staunch believers of the miraculous powers of natures good gifts, we try as much as we can to infuse natural remedies into our hair and skin care regimens. This counterbalances our mutual affiliation with store bought products that promise the very same amazing results. More often than not, the latter remedy is on the higher end of the money spending spectrum. In the end... we find ourselves asking, "was it worth it?"

For our first installment, let's talk skin.

The Mission: An effective cleansing mask for clogged skin that has the added advantage of healing properties.

The Contenders: Queen Helene's Mint Julep Mask VS. Homemade Honey + Cinnamon Mask

Kshs 560 for 226.8gms

What it claims

Mint Julep Masque is the original natural home treatment developed by a dermatologist that helps dry up acne pimples, rinse away blackheads and shrink enlarged pores.

Simply apply Mint Julep Masque to your clean face and neck. Within minutes it firms and hardens, drawing out impurities from your pores. After the masque is removed, your skin will feel clean, refreshed and smooth.

Even for individuals who are fortunately free of skin problems, Mint Julep Masque is a refreshing facial treatment that helps relaxed tired muscles and ease tension lines on the face and neck.

Ingredients

Water, Kaolin, Bentonite (CI 77004), Glycerin, Zinc Oxide, Propylene Glycol, Sulfur, Chromium Oxide Green (CI#77288), Fragrance (Parfum), Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben

Source

Honey Kshs 115 for 250gms , Cinnamon Kshs 62 for 50gms

Cinnamon

Cinnamon's antioxidant properties are responsible for its ability to speed wound healing, and credits it with anti-inflammatory properties as well. Cinnamon is used in treating acne to get rid of bacteria in clogged skin pores which can exacerbate acne by causing inflammation, which in turn causes redness, irritation and swelling. It works by reducing inflammation and killing bacteria causing acne... i.e. it can stop spots on their tracks.

Honey

Honey is a humectant and thus it has the ability draw fluid and infection from the open sores and or spots. It does this with its high sugar content combined with its ability to create an air-tight blanket over the wound. Its acidic pH and enzymes containing hydrogen peroxide kill off any bacteria while also accelerating the healing process.

Source

These are big claims from everyday household items!

To make the honey and cinnamon mask, mix 1 teaspoon of honey with half a teaspoon of cinnamon. The mixture should be thick and not too runny. Apply the mixture on freshly cleansed skin and leave on for 15mins. Cinnamon can slightly irritate skin so expect some tingling..if the tingling turns into burning however, stop what you are doing and rinse your face immediately with cold water.

Results

Upon trying both masks on different weeks. They both do the same thing with the only benefit of the honey and cinnamon being that the honey and cinnamon exfoliates your face as you wash it off and the mask is extremely moisturising compared to the mint julep which can be a bit drying.

Both masks do the same job of shrinking pores and killing bacteria, however, the honey and cinnamon works to exfoliate and moisturise as well. If you cannot afford the Kshs 560 for the mint julep mask raid your kitchen for honey and cinnamon and use that on your face.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to catch up with us next week for another money saving tip.

Enjoy the weekend.

x