Let’s face the facts, we are college students and the majority of us are in debt, not to mention we have limited excess cash. Although we may be broke, at least most of us, we should still look and feel good. Do you know there are alternatives other than purchasing expensive beauty products? Better yet, they are available right in the pantry.

Michelle Weilandt, a hair stylist from Chicago, IL who is currently attending beauty school in Chicago have some tips on her own too. She herself had used items from the pantry to make her own beauty products.

Beauty tips from top to toe, Pantry Style.

Your crowning glory

Avocado is famous for its healthy features and you can use it as a hair mask.

Our hair is usually exposed to harsh chemicals and heat from the sun, hair dryer and curlers and it ends up becoming dry and coarse. All you need is an avocado and 1 tablespoon of safflower oil.

1. Mash the avocado with the oil

2. Apply on hair after shampooing your hair

3. Massage the mixture into your scalp and wet hair

4. Cover with plastic wrap for 10 minutes

5. Rinse

Your hair will be soft and stay nourished with this.

Other than that, you could also opt to use baking powder and vinegar rinse to wash your hair according to Michelle. It would make your hair feel and look a million times healthier. It also adds a lot of shine to it.

Besides that, Michelle also recommended hot oil treatment, as it would smoothen the hair. I had personally rubbed olive oil into my hair and wrapped my hair with a warm towel (sometimes I would use a hair dryer and blow dry my hair for 10 minutes with low heat) and rinse it afterwards. The effect is amazing, my hair became really soft and shiny.

For porcelain like face

Facial masks can be expensive to use but we still want a moisturized and exfoliated face. Full-fat yogurt and oatmeal can have the same effect as some fancy facial masks.

1. Prepare ½ cup of the yogurt and oatmeal

2. Mix them and leave on the mask on face for 10 to 15 minutes

You could carry out this routine three times a week and not overdo it.

For silky smooth skin

Silky smooth skin is something we crave for, with this ever changing weather, our skin becomes dryer and dryer. Fret not, milk could do the trick.

1. Pour 1 quart of milk into your hot bath

2. Soak in it for about 20 minutes (not too long or you will be all pruny)

Do this at least 2 times a week and your skin will be soft as silk.

For that beautiful tanned look

If you wanted to have a tanned look and getting a bronzer could possibly break your bank, you could also make some on your own. According to Michelle, you could use cinnamon and cocoa powder together to make a bronzer and it works the same and she had not experienced any irritation from that!

For smelly feet

Lets face the fact here, walking and wearing socks all the time are bound to make our feet smell. Try some tea to take care of the problem.

1. Brew and cool any black tea

2. Soak your feet in it for 30 minutes

By doing so you can remove any smell and sooth your skin. Exfoliate your skin after soaking your feet for that extra softness.

Hopefully all these tips would make you look great and feel great without breaking the bank!