You cannot just go ahead and make your own cosmetics. If there's something that your skin doesn't agree with you have nobody but yourself to blame. (Everybody's skin is different, and cosmetics is not something you mess around at home with)
Making your own moisturizer, maybe. (so you grow your own aloe vera plant and smear it on your face) No big deal. Make your own mascara? Don't do it!

Store-bought cosmetics have only been around for maybe a couple hundred years... How do you think humans covered their faces and cared for their skin for thousands of years before that...? Wiiiiithhhh nature!!!!!!!

Uh, you just gave the reasons that everybody absolutely make their own cosmetics... you know a lot better about your skin sensitivities than cosmetic/chemical companies that sell your foundation bronzer eyeshadow mascara etc... They put dozens of fixers, binders, and preservatives in the stuff you buy, and making stuff at home involved a few ingredients that you control.

I only use olive oil, for everything. Simple and sustainable, give it a try! To remove makeup, to moisturize.... You name it!

For Many years I have used plain baking soda for soap. My skin is not dry, however, I do also use Organic Coconut Oil for a moisterizer. Thats all and folks are always asking what kind of products I use. They stand with their mouth open when I tell them. Just amazed.
The baking soda I use everyday as an exfolient - straight from the box onto my body and then rinse with water.

Hey Rita,
So, I have used the coconut oil lately too and been very pleased. The baking soda sounds good. I do use a lufa(sorry if thats not the correct spelling). Does the baking soda have any other medicinal properties besides just an exfloient. Thanks. Peace to you and yours.

It is amusing that the editors chose to illustrate this suggestion with a photo of a woman wearing very obvious fake fingernails!

Well, DUHHHH!!! She may be wearing fake hair, contacts, and sneakers.
The article is not about FINGERNAILS!!!
If someone has a way of creating NATURAL fingernails, please post your blog so this person can read it and feel better.

That's not the point. A person wearing fake fingernails and fake other things is not gonna be the kind of person who gives a damn about making and using natural products.

I wear fake nails and use other things but still want to learn how to make and use these things. It's little things at times, maybe working up to oy natural stuff but maybe not! That's everyone's own choice!

Try a little to test for allergies first, then use it for all sorts of things if you're in a dry climate. The best. And you smell yummy. But you may attract Mediterraneans. ;)

For years I have been using homemade products. My skin is highly allergic to a huge variety of lotions,soaps,perfumes,and forget all makeup! Whew! Too many additives,dangerous toxins,dyes .We would all be better off without these products.