The kitchen is a treasure trove of tried and true beauty remedies that won’t break the bank.
Before you head to the chemist for your next beauty fix, why not reach for the fridge or pantry?
Eggs
For super shiny and strong luscious hair, mix together an egg yolk, a tablespoon of olive oil, and a cup of warm water, then apply the mixture to wet hair. Leave it on for at least 10 minutes before rinsing. Continue with your normal shampoo and conditioning routine.
Whip egg whites into a frothy mousse and apply to hair for rich and luscious-looking locks with healthy, hydrated follicles.
Potatoes
It may sound strange, but cold potato slices placed on your eyes for just 15 minutes can reduce any dark circles.
Sugar
Satisfy your sweet tooth through osmosis, and uncover fresh new skin with a homemade sugar exfoliate. Mix sugar into a hydrating base of coconut or olive oil and emulsify in a blender. Beware that large, coarse sugar that can end up irritating the skin and create micro-tears.
You may also want to try adding a little coffee, cucumber, and lavender for extra benefits.
Simply take a balm of your choice onto your finger and dip it into fine sugar. Gently massage the balm and sugar mixture onto your lips; then wipe lips clean with a washcloth. Follow the treatment with a layer of balm for extra moisture.
Oil
Just place a small amount of olive oil on a cotton pad and gently rub away the day’s make-up. It’s cost-effective and won’t strip away your skin’s natural oils.
Yogurt
Yogurt can help to rejuvenate and soften skin; it is especially helpful after sunburns to help calm skin. Plus, it’s antibacterial. Experts report that plain yogurt can also ward off discolouration and premature aging. For this mask, mix one tablespoon honey (try manuka honey if you’ve got it at home), one tablespoon of yogurt, and two tablespoons water. This recipe also calls for crushed rose petals and rose water, which have their own antibacterial properties.
Apple cider vinegar
An antibacterial and antiseptic, the malic acid and natural amino acids in apple cider vinegar help to balance pH levels and calm skin. A mixture of one part vinegar and four parts water makes an excellent toner. You can even dab the vinegar directly on problem areas to help acne, redness, and irritations.
Lemons
The citric acid in lemon juice works as an exfoliant, and it has natural antibacterial qualities to help with acne. Just squeeze fresh lemon juice on to a cotton pad and apply to face before bed.
The acid in lemons is an astringent that can help shrink the size of pores; avocados are hydrating and egg whites can help strengthen skin tissues. Mix one half of an avocado, one egg white, and one teaspoon in a blender, and apply the green face mask for 20 minutes.
So if you’re in the mood for an all-natural pamper session, head to the kitchen now. =)
