Here in The States, we’ve got our beauty counters and Botox, but women around the world know how to harness the power of their natural surroundings and understand the power of the mind-body connection in achieving ageless beauty. Whip up some of their timeless secrets in your own kitchen.
When you visit a fancy spa, they often have some unusual offerings on the menu. They’ll wrap you in seaweed, cover you in hot stones, steam you and scrub you until you end up with glowing skin. Many cultures have their very own treasured beauty secrets. They’ve passed them down for centuries.
Ayurvedic scalp massage
Indian women are famous for their thick, silky, lustrous hair. One time-honored practice in India is Ayurvedic therapy, which is a mind-body therapy. Ayurvedic scalp massage has a wealth of benefits which include stress relief, nerve stimulation and improved circulation. Let’s not forget that it’s also great for your hair. In a traditional treatment, the hair is saturated with several different warm oils including coconut oil and sesame oil. It’s a beast washing out all that oil, but it leaves the scalp nourished, helps with dandruff and strengthens hair from the root.
DIY: Hot oil treatments are great for your hair. Oil seals in moisture and packs a ton of vitamins and nutrients. Try a mix of coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, castor oil, sesame oil and any other hair-healthy oils that you favor. Use just enough to cover your hair thoroughly. Heat them up in the microwave and leave them in the hair under a shower cap on a lazy afternoon. Wash them out and see if your hair isn’t silkier than it’s ever been.
Volcanic ash clay treatment
If you’ve ever had the luxury of visiting a spa on an island with an active volcano, you may have been offered one of their volcanic spa treatments. Ischia, an Italian island in the Bay of Naples, has radioactive thermal pools which do wonders for rheumatism and post-surgery healing. Volcanic ash is rich in minerals and has a strong negative electric charge to draw out impurities and detoxify the skin.
DIY: Volcanic ash clay, also called sodium bentonite clay, can be easily found in the strangest of places… kitty litter. Yes. That stuff the kitty poos in. Michelle Phan swears by the stuff for a great face mask. Just mix unscented litter in some water, heat in the microwave, and spread it on the face for 10-15 minutes.
Green tea refresher
Green tea is not only a great stimulating beverage, but it’s rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory. Asian cultures traditionally use it for medicinal purposes.
DIY Idea
For a quick, easy fix for puffy eyes, chill a cup of brewed green tea. Dip cotton balls in the brew, and place them on your eyes for 10 minutes. You can also mist your face with strained tea from a spray bottle to refresh skin.
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