Ellington

While it's nice to get a facial or a blow-out sometimes, taking care of your skin or hair or nails doesn't always have to be a big deal. Some ingredients you can find in your home have beauty and health benefits. Here are some of them and a few ways you can put them to use.

Coconut oil

While it's a healthy oil to cook with, you can also use coconut oil for home beauty remedies. If you use it for treatments, make sure to choose unrefined organic coconut oil.

Uses—Lotion, an eye makeup remover, shaving cream or a hair mask; you can even use a small amount of it as an anti-frizz treatment.

Deep conditioner: Apply a little bit to your hair, brush the strands and pile your hair into a loose bun. Make sure to put a towel over your pillow or something over your hair while you sleep so you don't get the oil everywhere. When you wake up, shampoo your hair as usual.

Apple cider vinegar

It makes for great sauces, dressings and more, but it's also handy to use in your beauty routine.

Uses—Acne fighter: Wipe a vinegar-filled cotton ball across your skin.

Remove buildup on your hair: Mix one cup of vinegar with one cup of water. After shampooing, pour on your head, massage it in and then let it sit for five minutes before you rinse it out. Use this treatment only once a week, though.

Toner: For oily skin, mix one part vinegar and one part water, apply the solution with a cotton ball, leave it on your skin for two minutes and then rinse it off with cold water. For normal skin, use one part vinegar and two parts water, and for sensitive skin, use one part vinegar and four parts water.

Olive oil

It's versatile in the kitchen, but it also has many uses for beauty and overall well-being.

Uses—Hair mask: Warm a little olive oil in the microwave, massage it on the roots and ends, leave it in for 10 to 20 minutes and then use shampoo to remove.

Lip scrub: Combine one part olive oil with one part coarse sugar, add lemon juice and then rub it on your lips.

Cuticle softener: rub it on the cuticles of your nails.

Eggs

While they have a sullied reputation health-wise, they're great in the beauty department.

Uses—Toning the skin: Whip an egg until it becomes frothy and then apply it to your face and neck. When it's dry, rise it in warm water.

A mask for oily hair: Whip an egg white and apply it through the strands. Leave for 30 minutes and then shampoo your hair.

Firm pores and acne treatment: Separate the egg white from the yolk. Beat the egg white until it's a foam. Apply it to a clean face and let it sit for 20 minutes. After that, rinse it off with warm water.