Wait! Before you decide to throw away any of your Thanksgiving leftovers, consider using some of those holiday staples towards your beauty routine. Foods like cranberry, calabaza, and even quinoa are loaded with beauty benefits. Check out a few of these Thanksgiving DIY beauty recipes that will work wonders on your skin and hair and will put some of those leftover foods to good use!
Readmore ¿Qué más? Get a radiant autumn glow with this DIY pumpkin facial mask
Cranberry sauce
Did you know that this Thanksgiving side dish can help ward off wrinkles and prevent any signs of skin damage? Cranberries are rich in antioxidants that provide numerous anti-aging benefits. Reap those benefits with a cranberry facial mask. Simply combine 1/2 cup of cranberry sauce, 1/2 cup of plain yogurt, 1/2 cup of honey, and 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Pour and whisk the ingredients together and then apply to a clean face. Keep the mask on for about 15 to 20 minutes then rinse with lukewarm water.
Avocado
If you’re anything like my Dominican family, you’ll most likely have a few slices of avocado to complement your big Thanksgiving meal. If you happen to have any left over that night (that is before it spoils), try using them to make a hydrating hair mask. Depending on how much you have leftover, combine it in a small bowl with some olive oil and then apply throughout hair (from roots to ends). Leave on for about 30 minutes and for even better results keep a shower cap on to allow the treatment to fully absorb. Rinse, wash and condition as usual.
Quinoa
This popular Peruvian grain is used as a healthy side dish. Quinoa is a natural protein that's rich in magnesium, vitamin A, E, D, and F which all provide excellent anti-aging and moisturizing benefits. For a soft and smooth complexion, create a quinoa mask by combining 6 oz. of plain yogurt, with 1/2 cup of cooked quinoa, 2 drops of Mimosa oil, and 2 egg yolks. Add all the ingredients into a blender and then apply the mask to your face and neck. Leave on for 10 to 20 minutes then rinse out with lukewarm water and finish off with a facial lotion to keep skin smooth and hydrated.
Pumpkin
Chances are you’ll be using pumpkin for at least one of your dishes on Thanksgiving. This ingredient contains loads of antioxidants like vitamin A and C that help nourish your skin and prevent signs of aging. Add two cups of fresh cooked pumpkin puree or canned pumpkin with 1 tablespoon of honey, 2 tablespoons of unflavored Greek Yogurt, and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon, and mix well before applying to your face. Leave it on for about 15 minutes, then remove using a damp wash cloth.
Coconut oil
Planning on cooking up a delicious coconut flan this year? Make sure to store any of the coconut oil that’s leftover for a nice conditioning hair treatment. You can apply it alone or combine it with olive oil for some super hydrating benefits. Apply throughout dry hair and massage onto scalp for about 5 minutes (this encourages hair growth as well). Rinse out and shampoo and condition as usual for smooth and incredibly shiny tresses!
