With the impending Nor’easter on its way, I've compiled a useful list of some of my favorite snow day DIY beauty ideas using only household items. If you’re going to be quarantined to the house while Jack Frost wreaks havoc on the Northeast, you may as well look and feel good when it's time to emerge from your snug winter hideaway!
1. Give yourself that Manicure/Pedicure that you had to sacrifice to get your Christmas shopping done on time!
Warm up some water, put it in a bin, add some scented hand soap, or your favorite essential oil, or Epsom salt (there are now scented Epsom salts available at the drugstore that are divine!), and pop your feet in. One foot at a time, add some Vaseline (or olive oil works too, or cuticle oil if you have it!) to your cuticles and gently push them down with the cuticle pusher on your nail clippers (chopsticks or popsicle sticks work too!). Not only does this reduce hangnails, but it also encourages strong, healthy nail growth. Before polishing your nails, be sure to use nail polish remover on your nails to remove the oil. Nail polish will peel off very quickly with any excess oil underneath it. (This should be done even if you don’t add cuticle oil, many people’s natural oils will prevent nail polish from adhering properly and their manicures don’t last long.) Using a buffer on your nails after the remover to scratch up the surface of your nail will also allow the polish to better adhere. Don’t have a nail file handy at home? Use a matchbook! Use the same steps to do your nails.
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2. Having trouble looking “awake”? Liven up your tired and puffy eyes.
Put two spoons in the freezer for 20 minutes, and cup them over your eyes. It is said that the nutrients in cucumbers are miracle cure for puffy or tired eyes, but this isn't exactly true. Cucumbers may help to reduce swelling on your eyes, but that’s because they're cold and wet. A better option in place of cucumbers is using cold green tea bags on your eyes the caffeine can help reduce the appearance of blood vessels and the natural antioxidants will reduce inflammation.
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3. Whiten your teeth without spending lots of time or money!
· 1 tbsp of Baking Soda
· A few drops of Hydrogen Peroxide (enough to make a paste)
· 1 drop of Peppermint Essential Oil (optional but yummy!)
Mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl until a paste is formed. Add enough peroxide to avoid big chunks or specks of baking soda. (If not mixed well it can be abrasive or damaging to your tooth enamel.) The baking soda should dissolve in the peroxide. With your toothbrush, brush paste onto the front of your teeth for about a minute. Rinse with water. Results are subtle, but you can do this once a week!
4. Winter weather making your hair dry and frizzy? Or maybe limp and heavy? Give your hair some homemade TLC.
Coconut oil is a must have for any beauty regimen, it's useful in so many different ways. (You can absolutely incorporate it into your manicure/pedicure routine from above.) Some of my favorite beauty uses for coconut oil are to rub it on dry knees, heels, or elbows, mix it with your moisturizer or use it as a deep conditioner for your hair. Please be mindful of RINSING very well, otherwise your hair will be extremely stringy, flat, and greasy looking. The best part of coconut oil is the delicious scent it leaves behind!
Eliminate product and oil buildup in your hair by rinsing with apple cider vinegar. Dilute one cup of apple cider vinegar with a quart of distilled water. Pour it over your hair and leave it in for 3-5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. The same idea can be done by adding a teaspoon of baking soda to your regular shampoo. This is especially great for swimmers to nix chlorine buildup, which is one of hair’s worst enemies! Don't use either one more than once every two weeks or so or you will strip your hair of essential moisture.
5. Hiding in your cozy house from Jack Frost leaves your skin dull and dehydrated, make yourself a rejuvenating facial mask.
For dry skin,
· One part plain yogurt
· A few drops of raw honey.
Leave on for 15 minutes and rinse thoroughly. (Be sure to use plain yogurt only.) You may do this once a week.
For oily skin,
· 8 Strawberries
· 1 tsp plain yogurt
· 1 egg white
· A few drops of lemon juice
Mash the strawberries with a fork and separately beat the egg white until it becomes foamy. Add the yogurt and the lemon juice and mix to form a smooth paste. Leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly. You may use these masks up to once a week.
After rinsing your face mask, you can use Witch Hazel as a toner. Witch Hazel is a plant based item that many people have in their medicine cabinet, and it works great as a natural toner to follow-up your cleansing routine with. Unlike many other toners that strip moisture from your skin with alcohol, witch hazel is a natural product that can help cleanse your pores of dirt and bacteria. (It’s a great natural alternative for acne-prone skin!)
Good luck and please stay safe and warm, (and of course, beautiful!) during the upcoming frigid winter weather!
As always if you have any questions or concerns about this blog, or any other beauty anxieties, feel free to email me anytime at eclipson6hairstudio@gmail.com or check out my website at www.eclipson6.com
