Photo by Jane Choi

From annoying roommates to exhausting classes and internships, the stress of college life can lead to breakouts and frown lines. Considering the high costs of dermatology visits and prescriptions, here are some tried-and-true natural, inexpensive do-it-yourself facial masks to relieve and nurture your skin.

Plain Yogurt Facial Mask

Good for those with sensitive skin, plain yogurt is filled with Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), protein and fat. Together, these ingredients illuminate and brighten your skin while increasing elasticity.

Ingredient: Any plain yogurt from your local market.

1. Cleanse your face.
2. Evenly apply plain yogurt on face.
3. After 10 to 15 minutes, you will notice that the yogurt has dried up. Gently rub your face with a damp washcloth, which will help remove dead skin cells.
4. Wash off the remaining product.

Cucumber Facial Mask

Cucumber moisturizes the skin and also provides Vitamins A, B2 and C. These vitamins weaken brown melanin (the reason for the horrid dark circles) and create a “whitening” effect.

Ingredients: 2/3 of a cucumber, 2 tablespoons of flour, 1 tablespoon of honey

1. Blend all ingredients in a mixer. Flour makes the blend thick enough to stay on the face, and has the added benefit of moisturizing and tightening the skin.
2. Apply product to face for 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Wash your face with cold water, which will tighten pores to make sure the mask has the maximum effect.

Note: If you don’t have a blender, cut the cucumbers into one-inch rounds, dip them into honey and place the pieces on your face. Honey helps hydrate, exfoliate and heal skin. Then follow steps two and three above.

Green Tea Facial Mask

Green tea is a great moisturizer because it contains Vitamin A and tannin, which helps balance oil on the face. This helps relieve acne and soothe skin.

Ingredients: Green tea bags, hot water and cotton swipes

1. Put a green tea bag in hot water.
2. When green tea is brewed, soak cotton swipes in the tea.
3. Clean your face with water and soap.
4. After 15 minutes, gently rinse face.

Additional tip: Save the tea bags in the fridge and apply them directly on puffy eyes the next morning, to reduce under-eye bags.

Tomato Facial Mask

Tomato is great for sensitive skin because of its mild nature. They help deeply cleanse skin and tighten pores.

Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of mashed tomatoes, 1 tablespoon milk, 1 tablespoon flour

1. Wash and mash the tomatoes (this works better if you have a mixer).
2. Add in milk and flour.
3. Apply on cleansed face for 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Wash off the mask with cold water.

Banana Facial Mask

Rich with Vitamin A, bananas are great skin softeners and an ideal facial mask ingredient for those with dry skin.

Ingredients: ½ a banana, ½ an egg yolk, 1 tablespoon Vitamin E skin oil (or baby oil)

1. Mash the banana.
2. Add the yolk and oil, and mix well.
3. Apply on cleansed face for 10-15 minutes.
4. Wash off the mask with cold water.

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Whether at home or in class, I am always staring into the screen of my laptop or phone. Recently, I discovered that I constantly rub my eyes because of increased eye fatigue. Here’s how to cure tired eyes.

1. Rub hands together until they warm up.
2. Lightly cover your eyes by resting palms on top of the eyes.
3. Close your eyes and lightly apply pressure to your brow area for a minute.
4. Massage skin by drawing small circles near the inner corners of your eyes.

When we don’t give our bodies the proper rest it needs, we become fatigued. Here’s how to quickly revitalize a drowsy body.

1. Place all fingers on the top of hairline.
2. While applying light pressure, massage from the center to behind the ears.
3. Repeat 3-5 times.
4. Bring right arms across to left shoulder.
5. Use the left hand to press your right elbow and stretch.
6. Repeat with the left arm on your right shoulder.

Running around campus all day and dancing in heels all night can cause tired, sore feet. Here’s how to put some pep back into your step.

1. Apply lotion to feet.
2. With the thumb and index finger, make circular motions on each heel.
3. With both hands, gently and slowly massage from the toes to the heel.
4. Slide thumb from down upward along the bottom of the foot while applying pressure.

The headache is the most common symptom of stress for most students. Rather than relying on medications that alleviate short-term pain, tackle the problem for good with these easy techniques.

1. Place hands on top of the head.
2. Lightly push and shift fingers across the skull.
3. Press and repeat.
4. With index and thumb, pull the ear lightly backwards.
5. With the same fingers, gently squeeze the ear.
6. Place them on the earlobe and gently pull them downward and release.

Excess stomach acids resulting from increased anxiety and stress can trigger indigestion. Relieve stomachaches in one step.

1. Rub hands in a repeated circular motion on the stomach. The warm energy from your hands will massage your intestines and stomach.

Bonus: Massages not only help relieve stress, but can also improve concentration.

1. Place your third finger next to the nose.
2. Push gently upward until the corner of the inner eyes.
3. Count to five.
4. Rub hands together to warm.
5. Using your index fingers, rest them on the temples and gently press and rub.
6. Move fingers in a counter-clock motion.

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Stay fashionable and green this summer by creating new clothes from what you already have!

SCARF TOP

Update a fashion staple by transforming it into a flirty top.

Materials:

• large square silk scarf (look for ones with borders)
• ribbon
• fray check
• optional: beads
• sewing tools

Cut the square scarf along the diagonal to form two identical triangles. Apply fray check to the cut edges.

Measure two pieces of ribbon as long as the cut edge of the triangles. Fold each ribbon in half lengthwise and iron to create a crease. Place the cut edge of each triangle in the crease of a ribbon. Sew along the top edge of the ribbon, stitching through all three layers.

Lay one triangle on top of the other, with the faces together. Stitch along the legs of the triangles, staying close to the edge. On the left side, stitch about one-third of the way up; this will be the back of the top. On the right side, stitch about two-thirds of the way up; this will be the front of the top.

Cut a length of ribbon long enough to form a halter strap. Sew one end to the back of one of the fabric triangles, attaching it securely at the top corner. If desired, string beads onto the ribbon to add detail. Sew the other end to the back of the other triangle.

Turn inside out and wear with confidence.

DRESS TO SKIRT

Reinvent a great print by reworking a dated dress into a fresh skirt.

Materials:

• large dress (look for great patterns)
• wide (about ¾”) elastic
• safety pin
• sewing tools

Cut off the lower (skirt) part of the dress. If there is a waistband, cut just below it. If not, cut at the desired length plus about two and a half inches.

Lay this piece out flat, smoothing out any gathers, pleating, etc. If necessary, trim or even out the cut edge.

Turn this piece inside out. Fold the top edge over like a cuff – it should measure about two and a half inches.

One-inch down from the fold, stitch around the whole “tube.” Leave about one and a half inches unstitched, creating a gap.

Stitch one-inch below the last stitches, creating parallel rows. Be sure to leave a gap as before.

Measure a length of elastic to fit snugly around your waist. Add one-inch and cut.

Attach a safety pin to the end of the elastic. Insert it into the casing formed between your rows of stitching. Use the safety pin to pull the elastic through.

Overlap the ends of the elastic and sew together. Stitch across the gaps left earlier.

Turn inside out and show off your new summer staple.

ROSETTE HEADBAND

Recycle old t-shirts to create this trendy, feminine hair accessory.

Materials:

• old T-shirts
• narrow elastic
• safety pin

Rosette

Cut off the hem of the T-shirt just above the stitching to form a large strip.

Cut into twelve-inch sections for each rosette.

Sew long stitches across the existing stitching, leaving the ends of the thread loose. Pull these stitches to gather the fabric.

Fold the corner of one end of the strip over. Wrap the gathered strip around this center, securing occasionally with stitches.

At the end of the strip, fold the corner over and stitch the end down.

Headband

Measure and cut a section of the T-shirt hem long enough to fit around your head. Measure and cut a length of an elastic a few inches shorter than this section.

Fold the strip lengthwise at the edge of the existing stitching. Iron to create a crease.

Attach a safety pin to the end of the tube. Push the pin through the tube until the tube is turned right side out.

Attach the safety pin to the end of the elastic. Use it to thread the elastic through the tube. Tie the ends of the elastic together.

Sew the rosettes to the band by stitching completely through the base of the rose and the headband, repeating until secure. Rock this Gossip Girl-inspired look like a real Queen Bee.

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Hong Kong celebrity make-up artist Gary Chung is the make-up director of Portfolio HK School of Professional Make-Up. He has glammed up models for everything from magazine covers to catwalks, and has worked at fashion shows, corporate events and weddings. You can find out more about Gary and his work by visiting http://www.portfoliohk.com/gary.php.

What eye shadow color palette works best on Asian skin tones and why?
Different shades are useful to achieve various looks and functions:

• For de-puffing: shades of bronzes and grays work best for Asian eyes.
• To combat a fatigued look: use shimmery lilacs and silvers to brighten tired, smaller eyes.
• For versatility: browns are usually the most wearable color, but be careful because dark and matte browns can easily make the eye area look dirty and accentuate dark circles, if not applied properly.
• For fun colors: I only use bright blues and greens for editorials and fashion shows and not so much on a daily basis.

What is one of your biggest secrets for Asian make-up application?
My biggest secret for Asian make-up application is using a thin eyeliner. A thick eyeline can make Asian eyes look smaller. To define Asian eyes, I recommend using a super fine-tipped eyeline brush, like Bobbi Brown’s Gel Liner in Ink. It makes a clean, bright line that accentuates eyes nicely.

What is the biggest mistake most Asian girls make when applying make-up?
The biggest mistake I’ve seen is when girls use the wrong shades of concealer. To cover dark circles naturally, one should use a moisturizing product. When using concealer around the eye area, always remember to apply it to the darkest area first, then blend gently to the lash line and slowly outward until the concealer creates a perfect blended emulsion with the foundation. Finally, set it with a loose powder using a soft eyeshadow brush in a pressing motion.

What’s your favorite product dedicated to Asian features?
Japanese-made “liquid” compact; it looks like a compact powder and works like a creamy liquid foundation. It’s easy to use, covers well even without concealer, and usually has high SPF protection.

Any other advice to add?
Using the Japanese-made “eyelid glue” can make droopy and small eyes appear larger and well-rested. Please refer to the video below for further information on this eyelid glue. (Note: the demonstrator speaks in Japanese but the video itself is self-explanatory) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ojj51av3mJU&feature=related

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NOTEBOOKS/SCRAPBOOKS

Write about all the fun times you had with them, draw inane pictures that only they would understand, list inside jokes, write down playlists of music they should listen to – show what makes your relationship with that person special. This is a time-consuming project, so be willing to invest a few hours to make the best notebook possible.

MIXED CD

Create unique playlists that fit their personality as well as your relationship with them. Personalize it further by decorating the CD and making an album cover. Create a funny or meaningful title to give it some extra flair.

CELL PHONE/KEYCHAIN CHARM

It may be a simple idea, but it’s cute and very practical. Materials needed: cell phone charms’ string or keychain. Place to purchase: craft stores. Decorate with: beads, clay figurines, glitter, cardboard, and bits of everything else in between.

BAKED GOODS/FOODS

There is nothing like a homemade meal made from scratch. And who doesn’t love food? If you are in school, baked goods such as cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and seven-layer bars can all be great ideas for love-filled munchies. If you are too busy to cook, prepare a care package filled with their favorite store bought snacks such as candy, chips, and drinks.

NECKLACES/BRACELETS

Make a friendship bracelet or necklace from embroidery thread. This thread can be found at most craft stores and comes in a wide variety of colors for you to pick the perfect shade for anyone. If you don’t know how to make them, simple directions can be found online. So, rev up that search engine!

KNITTING

Keep them warm with mittens, scarves, or hats that you make with them in mind. If you’re not a knitting pro, try asking your mom or grandma. If you have no one to ask, don’t be afraid to explore the internet again! Go easy on yourself and try to stick with simple patterns. Also, you can knit during your downtime while waiting for the subway, reading your book at night, or listening to music.

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