The current MCO is here till 12 May and we still have to wait for spas and beauty salons to reopen. So there is only one option left: we have to look after ourselves at home. Have a look at these great tried-and-approved beauty hacks, not just for yourself, but for the whole family. You can use natural ingredients, that will hydrate without the use of harsh chemicals, plus boost your self-esteem and lift your mood.
After learning more about some of the harmful ingredients in our family’s personal care products, I decided to switch for more natural options and I was happily surprised with the results. All these recipes need very simple ingredients, that you will most likely have at home. The results can be stored in a clean glass jar with a tight-fitting lid and kept in a dark and cool place for up to two weeks.
Nails strengthener
Get an old nail polish bottle. You can clean it with some nail polish remover and a piece of newspaper. Once it’s clean, fill the bottle with any vegetable oil you have at home (I use coconut or olive oil) and add five drops of tea tree oil and a few leaves of rosemary. Let the mixture sit for a couple of days. After that, it’s ready to hydrate and naturally strengthen your nails.
Lip balm
This homemade lip balm with only three ingredients not only nourishes, but also heals dry lips. Start by mixing one tablespoon of shea butter or coconut oil with one tablespoon of raw honey and four drops of peppermint or lavender essential oil. Honey draws moisture to the lips and also helps exfoliate them. In case you don’t have essential oils, you can add in a dash of ground cinnamon for a plump up lips effect. I made this lip balm for my daughter and she loved it!
Hand cream for dry hands
This natural hand cream is easy to make and very effective. Blend some oats in a high-speed blender until they turn into a fine powder. In a bowl, mix two tablespoons of the oats powder, a tablespoon of honey and a few drops of olive or coconut oil until it’s lump-free. Apply on your hands and leave it for 10 minutes. Then wash your hands with warm water and you will feel the difference.
Oat is a natural exfoliant, and mixed with honey, it removes the dryness of the hands and hydrates deeply. Apply this hand cream to your hands as often as needed, especially if you’re using a lot of alcohol-based hand sanitiser, which dries out the skin.
Face mask
Avocados are a rich source of vitamin B, vitamin E and amino acids. These essential nutrients will soothe and moisturise your face.
Take a half-ripe avocado and mash it up in a bowl, until it turns lump free. Mix half a cup of plain yoghurt and one teaspoon of honey into the pulp. Stir well until you get a paste and apply the mask onto your face for 20 minutes, then rinse off with cold water.
Aftershave
Men can also benefit from natural beauty recipes. This aftershave recipe will absolutely soothe and refresh their freshly shaved skin. Combine one part of olive oil with three parts pure aloe vera gel and mix well, then add a few drops of your favourite essential oil for fragrance if you’d like. Aloe Vera is very hydrating due to its high water content, and it also has anti-inflammatory properties preventing razor burn.
Hair mask
Don’t let humidity ruin your good hair day! This is the easiest and most effective hydrating hair mask I’ve ever tried. All you need is two cups of coconut milk and mix it with two teaspoons of honey, and a teaspoon of cornflour. Pour it over dry hair in sections, massaging it in to make sure every strand is covered. Keep it on for 30 minutes, and then rinse your hair out as usual. It will de-frizz, hydrate, and make your hair look shiny and healthy.
Body scrub
This very simple body scrub will give you a baby-soft skin. Put one tablespoon of baking soda and one tablespoon of sugar in a bowl. Mix to break all the lumps. Next, add in a tablespoon of coconut, olive oil, or sesame oil. If needed, add in more to make a paste-like consistency. Finally, add in two drops of peppermint essential oil. This is optional. You can use any essential oil of your choice, or just skip it. Now it’s ready to use on the dry areas of your body. I love to use it on my elbows and knees.
Relaxing foot soak
This is an excellent recipe for relaxing after a stressful day. Put two tablespoons of rock salt and one tablespoon of oat flakes in a blender. Mix together until it turns into a fine flour. Add five drops of lavender essential oil and transfer the mixture to a cleaned glass container. Add one tablespoon of the mixture into a bowl with warm water and immerse your feet for about 20 minutes. It works best with a glass of nice wine next to you. Enjoy!
