ALL ABOUT WORLD: November 2011

Nov 27, 2011

NASA's Mars mission is a go!|18 Photos

Curiosity blasts off for Martian rendezvous

In this photo provided by NASA, NASA administrator Charles Bolden monitors the countdown of the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity, on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011, at the ULA launch control center at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. (AP Photo/NASA, Paul E. Alers)

NASA begins its voyage to Mars with the launch of car-sized rover Curiosity. The mission will pioneer precision landing technology and a sky-crane touchdown scheduled to place Curiosity near the foot of a mountain inside Gale Crater on Aug. 6, 2012.

In photo: A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover lifts off from Launch Complex 41at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral.

n this 2011 artist's rendering provided by NASA/JPL-Caltech, a 'sky crane' lowers the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover onto the surface of Mars. The mobile robot is designed to investigate Mars' past or present ability to sustain microbial life. (AP Photo/NASA/JPL-Caltech)

In this 2011 artist's rendering provided by NASA/JPL-Caltech, the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover examines a rock on Mars with a set of tools at the end of its arm, which extends about 2 meters (7 feet). The mobile robot is designed to investigate Mars' past or present ability to sustain microbial life. (AP Photo/NASA/JPL-Caltech)

French President Nicolas Sarkozy, center, stands next to the to a Mars Curiosity Rover vehicle as he visits the French National Space Agency in Toulouse, western France, Tuesday, Nov 22, 2011. The French National Space Agency, CNRS(Centre National d'Etudes Spaciales), is commemorating his 50 anniversary. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, Pool)

In this photo provided by NASA, The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with the NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover rolls out to Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., Friday, Nov. 25, 2011

The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with the NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity stands ready for its launch at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Friday, Nov. 25, 2011.

Backdropped by the Atlantic Ocean, the 197-foot-tall United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rolls toward the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida Friday Nov. 25, 2011. Atop the rocket is NASA's Mars Science Laboratory rover nicknamed Curiosity enclosed in its payload fairing. Liftoff is planned during a launch window which extends from 10:02 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. EST on Saturday Nov. 26. Curiosity, has 10 science instruments designed to search for signs of life, including methane, and will help determine if the gas is from a biological or geological source.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover lifts off from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) and Curiosity rover lifts off.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) and Curiosity rover lifts off.

Photographers track an Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover after liftoff from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011.

Lift off at the Launch Complex 41at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover lifts off.

NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover lifts off from Launch Complex 41at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover lifts off.

The rocket will deliver a science laboratory to Mars to study potential habitable environments on the planet. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Source: India Syndicate
Photos: AP

Nov 24, 2011

Sachin Tendulkar|Run machines in world cricket

sachin

Statistics:

Category	Matches	Runs	Highes	Average	100s	50s
Overall	637	33197	248*	49.48	99	157

Top 10 Best iPhone 4S Covers|New

Buying the latest iPhone 4S can be a hefty investment when experiencing the latest mobile technologies that Apple has to offer. Despite of the price, however, people do not mind spending much as such purchases their tech craving, with features and the latest apps, and even a personal assistant that talks and responds to the owner’s command in processing certain functions within their device. It can only be fair that a costly gadget would be protected by covers that offer both protection and personality. Check this list of the 10 best iPhone 4S covers for this year.

1 Trendy Denim Case

This is another cute and cool selection if you are wearing jeans and loving it. This case comes in different varieties of plain blue jeans with buttons on the lower rear side of the phone for a simple skin. But if you really like to have that jeans look, even with seams, then a water wash classic would be just so darling.

2 Michael Kors Wallet Clutch

The iPhone 4S is not just for guys, but also for the ladies. With the Michael Kors Wallet Clutch, they turn their gadget into a posh and stylish fashion item that can be suitable for any dinner date or night outs with lovers or girlfriends. It is made from premium Nappa leather, and it also comes with credit card sleeves inside.

3 Twelve South BookBook

Care to carry a book in your bag or pocket? Whether you may be a bookworm that loves the sight of an old looking leather bookcase or you would just like to fool others thinking that you are reading an old book, the Twelve South BookBook can be your choice of a vintage cover for your iPhone. Hey, it even comes with pockets for your credit cards and a wallet-sized picture

. 4. Grovemade Bamboo Case

When you are getting sick of plastic, polymers, and rubber, then perhaps having your iPhone in elegant and natural bamboo could give you a nice fix of change every once in a while. Grovemade will not only let you choose your own designs, but you may also add an additional $10 for your customized bamboo art, giving it a personal touch that can be as unique as it could be.

5. Case Mate Creatures

Are you an animal lover perhaps, or an individual that likes cute things? If you may be one or both of these types of persons, then you will surely love your new iPhone 4S even more when you cover it with Case Mate Creatures. You can choose between a penguin, clownfish, an owl, a panda, and a monkey. The material is made of silicone, which means it would never slip from your grip.

6. Boxwave Keyboard Buddy Case

Did you ever wish that you could have an iPhone 4S that has a side sliding full QWERTY keyboard that can satisfy your typing frenzy? We may not see any type of it coming out in the future, but thanks to the Boxwave Keyboard Buddy Case, you no longer have to check info leaks about the latest iPhone projects. This case comes with a separate charger so that the keyboard uses its own power supply where it can stay up for 45 days after charging it full.

7 Incipio Offgrid Backup Battery Case

Aside from protection on the sides and back part of your phone, the Incipio Offgrid Backup Battery Case can also extend your battery life with two different variants; the 1450mAh and the 17mAh. It may provide a few extra millimeters on the phone, but this can be a perfect lifesaver in case you need to use it in emergencies. The $59.99 and $69.99 respective price is really worth spending.

8 MiSuny iPower 4

Who says that you cannot go green with a different touch of baby blue, cream, pink, and black? When you want to go green while using your iPhone 4S, while sparing you some additional battery boost for your internet, music, games, and social networking, then the MiSuny iPower 4 is your perfect buddy. It has a built-in solar charger and a back solar panel that can deliver a full 2400mAh charge for your device

. 9 Mophie Juice Pack Plus

Mophie has created one of those cases that can give some extra power juice to your iPhone, even a spare 2000mAh of additional fun. But what gives this accessory a plus? For all audiophiles out there, the Pack Plus also comes with richer fuller sound as the inner design is made to enhance speaker sound output, making it a virtual speaker box that can give that extra thump.

10 Amphibian Waterproof Case

If you really love your iPhone 4S and you want to be close to you, almost all the time, then purchasing an Amphibian Waterproof Case becomes a necessity. This case is perfect for those who love to stay in the beach or spend days near the pool as your phone can take pictures underwater for as deep as 3 meters. Not so bad eh?

Top 10 Gifts for Teens,Gift for Teenager,Christmas Gift for Teens

Top 10 Best Christmas Gifts for Teens

Teens also deserve some gifts this holiday season, giving regard to their effort in doing well in school or being just good kids overall. You may have some ideas in mind, but if you want to give what can be best for their interest, then looking on this list can make you hit one or two stuffs that they would really love to die for

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1. Books

Since the Twilight Saga is over and so with Harry Potter, teens, especially bookworm guys and witty ladies, are still into looking for a good read that can engage them with exciting and romantic plots, characters, and scenarios. You can choose a good book online, while relying on some reviews. You can give them a real book that they can hold, or just purchase an eBook that can be downloaded on their readers or mobile phones and computers.

2 . Clothes

Autumn and winter fashion is being eyed by most teens, especially female ones, in thinking of looking trendy while enjoying the yuletide season. They may be into Google in search of some fantastic items, clothes, shoes, bags, and other stuff, but they would really appreciate it if they would not have to shell out so much money for the things they want. Know what they really like and buy it for them. They will be too excited to even wait for the day when they would want to strut their stuff.

3 Watches

Timepieces, over time, have looked trendier, cooler, and even more adaptable in the mood, feel, and personality of the individual who wears it. We are no longer just talking about watches that are made of metals or classic leather straps, although the purpose of the gift is apparent. There are now varying styles to choose from, with prices ranging from dirt cheap to way expensive.

4 Pets

What can be a better gift than an additional responsibility in the form of pets? You can select pets in a large variety of groups. Dogs and cats are very common but is a classic in this category. However, to make things even more enjoyable for them, making them start from the beginning, particularly giving them a puppy, kitty, a fingerling, or something small should engage them in taking care of their pet buddies even more.

5. Digital Camera

With most teens being too attached with their online social networking life, whether it may be guys or gals, having a digital camera for the holidays can make them capture more photos than ever, and loving every second of using it. They can upload these photos to their Facebook pages or have their collections stored in a digital photo frame in the house.

6 Gift Cards

If you really cannot decide on what you should give to them, then one great suggestion is to make them decide for themselves, making them feel that they can have any gift for their own, as long as it fits on the price on the gift card. They can buy any item they want at their own pace and budget.

7 . Earphones

Audiophiles and not-so-passionate music lovers are now into the hype of getting their own sets of earphones in enjoying their favorite tracks either from their mobile phones or from mp3 players. Aside from Skull Candy headphones, other tasty selections include stereo Bluetooth headphones, and a rocking set of earphones from Beats by Dr. Dre, Heartbeats by Lady Gaga, or Justbeats by Justin Bieber. This accessory is perfect for those who have hoodies or for those who just want to spend some quality time with their preferred songs.

8 Video Games

We may be talking about consoles like Nintendo Wii, Playstation 3, or XBox 360, or handhelds like Nintendo 3DS or PSVita. But whatever unit you purchase, what really matters are the games that you will purchase. This year, most teens would like to explore new music and tunes while playing Guitar Hero World Tour or Rock Band 2. Male teens may still prefer playing some RPGs or Sports Games, which available all year long.

9 Cellular Phones

Android, Windows, iOS, and BlackBerry OS; these are the best three options to begin with. From there, you may plan of getting new cellphone plans from telecoms where phones, calling minutes, and data plans are included. You may give some of the most anticipated devices for the holidays in 2011, or even the most coveted once being released recently, such as the Motorola Droid RAZR, Samsung Galaxy Nexus, HTC Rezound, Nokia Lumia 800, LG Optimus 3D, BlackBerry Torch 9810, and the iPhone 4S.

10 Computers

Desktops and laptops, who will not want this kind of gift this holiday season? After all, this is one equipment that is now considered as a necessity these days as it does not only cater for games, music, and social networking, but it also shoulders burdensome tasks like doing research, book reports, or term papers. A few suggestions that come into mind, just in case you do have the money are the Apple iMac 2011 Spring Edition, MacBook Air Summer 2011 Edition, Toshiba Portege R835-P70, Dell Inspiron 14z, and the Samsung Series 7.

The 10 Best Weight-Loss Tips Ever|Health

Dieting sucks and never seems to work long-term anyway. These easy habits will slim you down.

young couple running on the beach

Losing pounds doesn't have to be torture (we're looking at you, cayenne-pepper cleanse). Adopt at least three of these behaviors — they're simple to integrate into your day-to-day routine, and all are enthusiastically backed by nutritionists — and you'll be thinner and healthier in days. (Plus, the weight will stay off.)

1. SNACK, BUT SMARTLY

Grazing between meals used to be on the weight-loss hit list. But nutritionists now know that it's better to satisfy a craving with healthy grub than ignore it and risk a junk-food binge later. The best picks are filling, protein-packed snacks, such as one stick of string cheese, a tablespoon of peanut butter on a piece of fruit, or a medium-size bowl of edamame.

2. TURN OFF THE TV

Dining while viewing can make you take in 40 percent more calories than usual, reports a new study. And texting, driving, or any other distracting activity during a meal can also result in your eating too much. Instead, make each meal something you put on a plate and sit down to, even if you're eating solo.

3. STEP ON THE SCALE DAILY

If your regular weight increases several days in a row, it's a red flag letting you know you need to cut back a little or beef up your workouts slightly.

4. SCULPT THREE TIMES A WEEK

Doing 5 minutes each of push-ups, lunges, and squats (in 30-second intervals) will help build and maintain muscle mass. The more muscle you have, the higher your metabolism will be, so you'll torch more calories as you go about your day.

5. REACH FOR YOUR CELL

Next time your mind gets stuck on a certain food, call a friend and redirect your brain by asking how her day's going. Research shows that cravings only last about 5 minutes, so by the time you hang up, the urge to devour junk will have subsided.

6. EAT A BIG, BALANCED BREAKFAST

An a.m. meal made up mostly of carbs and protein with some fat keeps blood-sugar levels steady and hunger pangs away so you're not susceptible to pigging out come lunch, studies show. Opt for something satisfying for your stomach and taste buds — like egg whites and turkey bacon with whole-wheat toast.

7. WATCH THE BOOZE

One innocent-looking margarita or cosmopolitan can rack up hundreds of calories that do nothing to quench your appetite. Treat yourself just on the weekends and cut back somewhere else or stick to a glass of wine, light beer, or vodka and soda — three drinks that each have about 100 calories per serving.

8. HAVE FRUIT TWICE A DAY

Fruit has no fat and is mostly water, so it'll fill you up while leaving less room on your plate (and in your stomach) for high-cal fare. Don't freak about fruit's carb count — we're talking the good kind of carbohydrates that contain lots of healthy fiber.

9. STAY ASLEEP LONGER

Getting to bed just 30 minutes earlier and waking up 30 minutes later than you normally do can help you make better food choices, researchers report. Also, when you're well-rested, you're less prone to snacking out of fatigue or stress.

10. VISUALIZE YOURSELF THIN

When you feel your willpower breaking, conjure up a mental picture of yourself when you looked and felt slim. The visual motivation keeps you focused on your goal weight and reminds you that it is attainable, since you've achieved it before.

SOURCES: NUTRITION AND WEIGHT-REDUCTION SPECIALIST JANA KLAUER, MD, AUTHOR OF THE PARK AVENUE NUTRITIONIST'S PLAN; NATALIE ROSENSOCK, RD; CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER JASON WALSH

Nov 23, 2011

iOS 5: The Top 10 New Features

The new iOS 5 will go live October 12. It brings revamped notifications and more than 200 new features for your iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. These are the top ten, and then some more.

Some of these features you already had in your iPhone or iPad. They just came in third-party apps.

If you used apps like the must-have WhatsApp, which allows you to message in an extremely easy way with all kinds of phones for free, you already were enjoying something like iMessage (even while iMessage adds important services, like device-wide conversation synchronization). If you had the awesome Instapaper, you already had some of the features of the new Safari. Or if you had something like Remember the Milk, you already had a great reminders service.

However, there are features that weren't available before; either because they are completely new or because they are system-wide. And there are real jewels too.

Things that may sound silly, like using the volume + button as a shutter in the Camera app. Or more important stuff, like well thought Notifications and the ability to run your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad without having a PC. Your iDevices are now completely autonomous.

All these features put iOS on par again with some of the features that you could already find in Android, Palm or Windows Phone 7. Some of their implementations, surpass those platforms. But even while none of these new features are extraordinary per se, all of them together are quite

impressive.

1. Notifications

The first big feature is notifications. At last, Apple will get rid of the annoying popups that break your flow. And with "annoying popups" I really meant "stupid dumb boxes that makes me want to smash my f*cking iPhone against the wall when I'm playing a game or chatting with strangers in the night".

They have replaced those with a new app called Notification Center. It's very similar to Mobile Notifier, the iOS notification app—which makes sense, since Apple hired its developer a while back. It not only includes app notification, but mini-widgets that show live information from apps like Weather and apps.

The notifications extend to the lock screen too, so you can see more stuff right away without unlocking your phone. Sliding your finger on it will automatically lead you to the app that generated that notification.

Notifications are clearly and by far the best part of iOS5—particularly coming from the stone age pop-up mess of previous versions. Everyone on staff who's used iOS5 is in love, and the upgrade is the must have feature.

2. iMessage

Another new useful feature, which will hurt Blackberry and the telecommunications companies wanting to sell you stupid SMS and MMS contracts: Apple has implemented a new messaging system called iMessage.

It works between all iOS 5 devices, allowing you to leave conversations on your iPhone and continue them in your iPad (again, I will not be surprised to see this integrated into Lion at a later date). It comes with delivery notification as well. However, unlike WhatsApp, it doesn't work with other non-iOS devices. Maybe Apple thinks your Android and Blackberry friends are not worth talking to for free.

3. New Camera app and photos

The new Camera up gets two of the most-requested features in the history of iOS. The first is a shortcut in the lock screen to access the camera right away, so you don't have to unlock and then click on the Camera icon, which often makes you lose the moment.

The other one, which is something we have whined about endlessly, is using one of the volume button as the shutter button. Just press + and that's it: CLICK! This is a very welcome addition.

The new app also includes basic photo editing. It includes quick enhance—which basically sharpens your image, making shadows and highlights more detailed, and correct color automagically. It also include red eye reduction and cropping, both welcome additions to those who don't have the Camera Plus already.

4. Newsstand

Apple has built a virtual newsstand right onto iOS 5, very similar to the iBooks app but exclusively for magazines and periodicals. It looks like a cross

between iBooks and a folder view, actually.

5. Twitter integration everywhere

iOS 5 will have Twitter integration everywhere. Apps like camera will be able to directly post the image to Twitter. The YouTube App, Safari or even Maps will support direct sharing in Twitter. It also adds a new Twitter address field to your Contacts application.

6. A new Safari

Safari has been revamped with new features. Reader will allow you to reformat a site on the fly, taking out ads and reformatting text so it looks better on your iPad or iPhone screen.

This feature flows into Reading List, which is a way to save those pages for later offline viewing, keeping them synchronized between all your iOS devices and Lion. Presumably via iCloud.

Apple's web browser also adds tabs in this version. Your open pages will line up right below your address bar. According to Apple, switching between pages is "lightning fast," so perhaps they have made some magic with the memory management to reduce the reload of pages in older devices

7. New Reminders app

The new Reminders app makes it easy to make to-do lists. The interface is very simple and it's synchronized between iOS 5 devices and your Mac OS X desktop or notebook.

The really cool thing about Reminders is that it's location aware. Imagine you add that you need to buy milk, but then you forget about it. When you pass by the grocery store, the app will tell you that you need to buy milk.

8. New Mail app

Mail includes a barrage of enhancements

• Rich Text Formatting, which will allow you to annoy the hell out of everyone bolding every sentence in your mails.
• Indentation control, which allows you to control the level of indentation of your quotes from other messages.
• Draggable email addresses, which allows to drag and drop email addresses into to, cc and bcc fields.
• Message flagging to call your attention over a particular mail later.
• Swipe to Inbox, which makes it very easy to access the list of message in portrait mode on the iPad, instead of clicking on a button for a weird pop-up dialog.

9. No PC required

At long last, the most important feature of them all: You will not need iTunes and PC anymore to use your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad. Apple has caught up with Android and Windows Phone 7. The new iOS 5 will allow you to set up your new device easily: Turn your new gadget on and a Welcome screen will appear. All software updates will happen over the air.

All the applications will now be completely autonomous. You will not have to go to iCal or some other desktop app to create a calendar, for example. There is no need for a desktop or laptop anymore, for anything.

10. New Game Center

The have enhanced Game Center too. Unfortunately, they have not renewed its awful casino interface, which looks as dated as always. But they have added much needed concepts from Xbox Live and other gaming systems:

• Achievement points.
• Access friends of friends, so you can compare and play with a wider range of people.
• Photos in your profile, so you can flirt with other nerds pretending to be women online.
• Game discovery, to play with whoever wants to play with you at any given time.
• Game downloads within Game Center.
• Support for turn-based games like Words for Friends and Scrabble.

All the others

• Cards: Lets you create digital cards directly from your iPod Touch or iPhone and send them to your contacts
• Dictionary everywhere: This is something that many people have asked for because they like it in the iBooks app. Now, every application will have Dictionary built-in.
• iTunes synchronization over Wi-Fi
• Advanced gestures: It will allow you to pass from app to app on the iPad by using a simple swipe gesture, without having to use the home button. This was a feature has been in testing for a long time and, trust me, once you try it you will not be able to live without it

Top Ten Beauty Products in Your Kitchen|Food

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How many times have you been swayed by one luxurious-sounding ingredient in a personal care product? Perhaps pineapple enzymes, organic olive oil, sea salt… I only recently began asking myself, “why not go straight to the source?” If those ingredients are so good for my skin, why purchase something that is 99% filler and only 1% good stuff?

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You may be surprised to find that your kitchen is chock full of secret beauty ingredients that are simple to use and as good as, if not better than, the store bought version!

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So many homemade beauty recipes involve multiple ingredients, many of which can be hard to source. It often seems easier to buy the ready-made products off the shelf. But nothing could be simpler than grabbing one basic ingredient from your kitchen and using it in a completely new way.

1 Olive Oil: Eye Make-Up Remover

Keep a small jar in your medicine cabinet. Dab a little onto a damp cotton ball and watch your eye makeup melt right off. It also moisturizes the delicate skin around your eyes and nourishes your lashes. And it doesn’t sting.

2 Coconut Oil: Moisturizer and Stretch Mark Cream

I used coconut oil on my belly throughout my pregnancy and have nary a stretch mark to show for it. It’s also excellent on hands and feet, especially with cotton gloves or socks worn overnight.

3 Salt and Sugar: Hand and Foot Exfoliator

Salt and sugar are too strong for the delicate skin on your face, but make an excellent scrub for hardworking hands and feet. Mix a little with some olive oil or honey and keep a jar handy for a quick treatment

4 Honey: Skin and
Stored in a squeeze bottle in your shower, honey makes a wonderful, moisture-rich conditioner. Its humectant properties draw moisture into your hair. And far from being a sticky mess it rinses out easily and leaves hair soft.

5 Eggs: Protein Hair Mask

Eggs are high in protein and make an excellent mask for damaged hair. Whip up the eggs a bit, adding a tablespoon or two of olive oil and spread onto damp hair. You may want to mix it in a blender to completely emulsify the oil. Spread it onto your hair, wrap it in a warm towel, relax for ten to twenty minutes while it works its magic, then shampoo as you normally would. A once a week treatment will help protect oft-styled hair.

6 Milk: Skin Softener

Cleopatra was rumored to bathe in milk for its beauty-enhancing properties. If you don’t have a whole tub full of milk to bathe in, simply patting some onto your face, letting it dry and then rinsing it off with warm water will give you noticeably softer skin.

7 Lemon Juice: Nail Whitener

My mom was always dipping her fingers in a little basin of lemon juice to remove the stains that would accrue from a day of cooking and cleaning.

8 Vinegar: Shiny Hair Rinse

1 tablespoon in a cup of water will give you a great hair rinse that removes product buildup and makes your hair shaft smother, resulting in shinier hair. You can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for a pleasant scent.

9 Avocado: Nourishing Skin Mask

Face masks containing avocado line grocery store shelves. Simply mashing up an avocado and letting it sit on your face will give you all the nutrients and moisture, plus enzymes, but minus weird fillers and chemicals. Mixing it in the blender with a little water or olive oil will give you an easier-to-spread consistency.

10 Cornmeal: Facial Exfoliator

You can mix fine to medium ground cornmeal into a base of honey, oil, yogurt or mashed fruit for a gentle, but effective facial scrub that can be used on a daily basis.

In addition to the cost-saving benefit of using ingredients you already have in place of personal care products, there is the peace of mind that comes from knowing exactly what you’re putting on your skin. You’ll likely find that these “products” work even better than their store-bought counterparts and leave your skin and hair feeling more nourished and balanced.