No matter how bad things are, or how tight our budget is our appearances should never reflect a tough life. This year is predicted to be one of the most difficult years financially, and we'll be definitely feeling it in our pockets.

But ladies, we have to remain on top of our glamour glory, this time we can achieve the fabulous look at home. Take a break from the spa and all those cosmetic products and check your cupboards and refrigerators as we embark on our beauty-in-the-kitchen mission to achieve flawless skin.

You will be amazed how you can use those fruits, vegetables and oils to achieve naturally glowing skin. Remember, flawless skin is always in.

Below are some recipes that will give you a jump-start on the road to achieving glowing skin.

Facial masks

Avocado Carrot and Cream Mask:

1 avocado, mashed

1 carrot, cooked and mashed

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 egg, beaten

3 tbsps honey

Combine all ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Spread gently over your face and neck, and leave in place 10-15 minutes. Rinse with cold water.

Avocados are rich in vitamin E, carrots are high in beta-carotene and antioxidants and heavy cream is high in calcium and protein. All these combined will help to rebuild skin collagen, improve tone and texture, and fade age spots.

Sweet potato

2-4 ounces cooked mashed sweet potatoes

1 tbsp oats (oatmeal)

1tbsp honey

1tsp olive oil

pinch of nutmeg

squirt of lemon juice

Directions:

Combine the ingredients to form a thick paste. Adjust the ingredients if needed, add more oats to make it thicker or add more liquid to thin it out. Apply mixture to a clean face and neck, and leave on for about five minutes. Use tissue to gently remove the bulk of it, then rinse with warm water, followed by a cold water rinse, gently pat skin dry.

Sweet potatoes are a significant source of vitamin A and beta-carotene. Both aid in the production of new skin cells, helping to keep skin soft, smooth and resilient.

Banana mask for dry and irritated skin:

1/2 banana, mashed well

1/2 cup yoghurt

2 tbsp ground oats

1tbsp honey

1 egg white, whipped

1/4 tsp lemon

pinch of nutmeg

Directions: Gently fold ingredients together and apply over clean face and neck. Leave on for 5-10 minutes and then rinse with lukewarm water, followed by a cool water rinse, gently pat dry.

Face and body exfoliation

Oatmeal facial scrub

1/2 cup uncooked oats (for finer scrub you can blend into powder)

1 tbsp honey

Apply liberally on to face

Cornmeal

Make a paste with cornmeal and water and apply to face or body, then rinse. This is a great way to smooth your arms and legs as well as your face.

Exfoliation for Sensitive/Dry Skin

Combine 2 tablespoons each of cornmeal, oatmeal, and wheat germ. Simply add enough water to a tablespoon or so of the mixture to make a paste. Apply to face, massaging gently, then rinse. Mixture may be kept in a sealed container for future use.

Tone

Cucumber Honey Toner

1 medium cucumber, peeled and cut into pieces

2 tsps honey

Purée cucumber in a blender. Pour the purée in a bowl through a sieve and let it stand for 15 minutes. Pour the clear juice into a clean bottle and add honey.

Shake bottle well and saturate a cotton pad with the mixture. Sweep over face, neck and chest morning and night, and let it air-dry (about 3 to 4 minutes). Store bottle in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Sugar Scrub

Mix 3 or 4 spoonfuls of olive oil with sugar for a scrub, which can be used all over your body, leaving your skin as soft as a baby's.

Additional sources:

www.natural-living-for-women.com

http://www.thesite.org/healthandwellbeing/appearance/skincare/diybeauty

http://www.beauty-soap-and-bubbles.com

http://www.allnaturalbeauty.com