Have you ever thought about the amount of money that you spend each year to look good? $500? $1000? More? Staggering, isn't it? I, too, have spent hundreds of dollars on appearances. While we all know it's what's on the inside that counts, we also all know how great it feels to look your best. Looking great improves your mood and builds your self-esteem, but it doesn't have to cost a small fortune. Here are some recipes for great facial masks that you can quickly and easily prepare in your own home for a fraction of the cost of most ready-made beauty treatments. All of these masks are made with ingredients that are easily obtained at your local supermarkets, some of them may even be in you kitchen right now. These masks are fast and easy to make and, most importantly, they really do work.

If you have dry skin, try this:

Ingredients:

1 tsp. olive oil

1 egg yolk

1 tsp. honey

oatmeal, ground or you can also use infant oatmeal

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl, using enough oatmeal to make a paste. Smooth the paste all over your face. Leave on for 15 minutes and then rinse with tepid water. Pat dry. The honey locks in moisture from the egg and olive oil, and the oatmeal soothes and softens the skin. Your skin should look and feel softer and smoother and you should notice and nice healthy glow.

If you have normal skin, try this:

Ingredients:

1/4 cup cooked peach

2 strawberries

1/4 cup mashed papaya

1 tsp. honey

Ground or intant oatmeal, enough to form a thin paste

Mash the fruit together and add oatmeal to make a paste. Apply to face and leave on for 10 minutes. The fruit acids will remove dead skin and leave you with a beautiful, hydrated glow. The oatmeal calms the skin.

If you have oily/acne-prone skin, try this: Ingredients:

1/2 apple, cooked to softness and mashed

1 tbsp. honey

ground or intant oatmeal

Combine all ingredients and apply to face. Leave on for 10 minutes and then rinse with tepid water.

The oatmeal soothes irritated skin and absorbs oil. The fruit acid in the apple removes dead skin and clears the pores, and the honey contains anti-microbial properties to cleanse and refine.

Here are some other tips for staying beautiful without spending a fortune:

- Olive oil can be used as a moisturizer for dry skin.

- To reduce the redness of blemishes, cut a slice of potato and apply it to the blemish as you would a compress--you'll be amazed at the difference!

- For an inexpensive astringent, try witch hazel.

- For combination skin, try using two different masks. Use a mask for oily skin on the T-zone and a moisturizing mask on the cheeks and neck.

- Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day--this

cleanses the body and skin, as well as keeping skin hydrated.

And most importantly, always remember that you are a beautiful person--inside and out!