With the winds howling and hurricane Sandy barreling down on us, I decided to make the best out of this nasty weather by whipping up a few DIY beauty remedies straight from my kitchen. Colder temperatures and windy conditions tend to take a toll on my skin and hair, leaving them both dull and dry. But who has the money or TIME to book a spa appointment these days? I know I sure don't! So beat the winter beauty blues with some of these easy abuelita-approved recipes that will help you recapture a soft, glowing complexion and healthy hair right at home, without the sky-high spa prices!
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Image via Johanna Ferreira
Dry dull face: Oatmeal & honey facial mask
Every winter, my tía treats herself to a gentle oatmeal and honey mask once a week to help fight dryness. This deliciously hydrating mask not only sooths and moisturizes skin, but leaves it with a beautifully radiant glow! Add one cup of dry oats and 1/2 a cup of warm water to your blender. Once your oats are nice and thinly ground, pour the mixture into a small bowl and add about 1/4 cup of honey. Mix well and then apply to your face, leaving it on for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Chapped lips: brown sugar scrub
You can tell winter is just around the corner, because the evidence is all over my dry chapped lips! During times like this, I usually head to the kitchen for a nice home-made lip scrub. Simply mix one tablespoon of brown sugar with one tablespoon of olive oil (or until the sugar is moist) and apply a pea size amount to lips rubbing in a circular motion. This will buff off any dead, flaky skin from your lips and leave them super soft and polished!
Dry scalp: Apple cider vinegar rinse
Dry, winter weather can many times result in a dry, flaky scalp and there’s nothing pretty about that! Don’t panic! Apple cider vinegar can quickly rid you of those itchy and irritating flakes in just one application. Pour a cup full of apple cider vinegar in an empty spray bottle and generously spray your scalp. Work it in by massing in a circular motion, then allow it to sit for about 15 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water and shampoo as usual.
Dry skin: Coffee grounds body scrub
Before you decide to throw out all those coffee grounds from your greca or coffee pot, consider using them to make a rich hydrating body scrub. Coffee grounds don’t just make a great exofliate, but its perfect for toning and fighting cellulite (Brazilian women do it all the time). Simply blend your leftover coffee grounds with two tablespoons of coconut oil and apply it in the shower to help condition and soften skin. Rinse off with warm water.
Dry hair: Avocado hair mask
Restore shine and moisture to your strands with a home-made avocado hair mask. Just blend one avocado (make sure it’s ripe) with two tablespoons of olive oil and one tablespoon of honey. Apply it thoroughly from roots to ends and cover with a shower cap for best results. Leave the treatment in for about 30 minutes, depending on your texture and how dry your tresses are. Rinse out with cool water for super shiny and silky hair!
