Lockdown has totally transformed my beauty and self care routines. It seems like forever ago when I went to get my nails done or went to the shops for the newest MAC, Urban Decay, or Benefit products. My girls have been going down their own beauty and self care routes over the last few weeks and got me to join in, and in all honesty it was more fun than I had anticipated! Talking about the natural nails, albeit for a short while, the natural hair, less make up (apart from mascara… I CANNOT go without mascara), and deciding who gets to my Amazon app first, meant spending some quality time together, one of the benefits of lockdown.
Embracing Natural Hair
Natural Hair minus chemicals is so much healthier and definitely the way forward and I’m so glad under my numerous wigs I have natural healthy hair. Love the options too; flat iron natural hair, use a hair doughnut, clip on a ponytail, clip on a bang fringe, cornrow hair and change wigs daily using different lengths, colour and styles. Who wouldn’t love these choices?
Instant At-Home Facelift
Egg Whites I’m sure you’ve heard of the egg white solution! Egg whites have lots of protein to support the collagen. They’re also a natural astringent to create firmer skin. Full of lipids, which help to lift the skin physically – they act as nature’s Botox! Whisk 1-2 egg whites, creating a foamy texture. Place the whites all over the face and next and leave for 20 minutes. My mum used to use dried oats and a little brown sugar with egg white – seriously – there’s something to be said about natural remedies
Aloe Vera Yes, the hype about Aloe Vera is true. And even though you can get over the counter aloe, the very best way is to grow it in your home. Use the gel directly on your neck and face, leaving it to soak in for about 20 minutes. Use lukewarm water to rinse off the gel. There’s no need to use a moisturizing cream afterward since the aloe vera gel is a natural moisturizer.
Lemon We all know that lemon brightens but did you know it’s also an excellent option for tightening and firming up the sagging skin? It instantly keeps the skin cells protected, allowing them to fight against all signs of aging. You can use the lemon juice directly on the skin. Cotton balls and some lemon juice make a perfect cleanser or toner. Just be careful and be sure to use sunscreen as lemon juice makes your skin more susceptible to sun damage.
Cucumber You’ve all seen the cucumbers over the eyes trick right? This lovely veg greatly reduces puffiness and swelling. It also does this for the skin! Just chop up a couple of slices of cucumber and rub them in circles on your skin.
Honey will work alone to keep the skin toned, cleaner, and healthier. There are also hydrating and sagging skin benefits. The honey will work with the collagen to keep production up and the skin firm. Add a touch of honey to some olive oil and use as a facemask. You won’t be sorry.
Cinnamon Cinnamon works directly on the collagen in your skin. It helps accelerate the production of collagen so that your skin tightens quickly. You can add cinnamon to some olive oil for easy application.
Strawberries contain alpha hydroxyl acids. These are used in most store-bought products to reduce the signs of aging and completely cleanse the pores. Why get a chemical option when you can use strawberries on your face instead?Mix some mashed strawberries with yogurt and honey for the best results on your skin.
Coconut Oil You know how I love my coconut oil! It’s one of those ingredients that has multiple benefits, and one of those is to hydrate and support the supple skin. Well, the hydrated skin produces more collagen daily and maintains flexibility and elasticity. And the oil will kill off bacteria and reduce redness and puffiness.
Green Tea is magical! It has antioxidants and repairs cell damage. Use the cooled, used tea bags. Mix with honey and lemon juice and apply directly to the skin. The alternative, place the tea bags over your eggs and allow the cooling benefits reduce eye puffiness.
Makeup-Free?
On its simplest level, all you have to do is wash your face, dry off, and just not put on foundation afterwards. But if you’re anything like me and you’re used to wearing foundation every single blasted day, it’s super difficult to just give up the idea that you have flawless skin.
Here are some things you can do to ensure that your skin looks the best it possibly can, with or without external assistance from your favorite foundation.
Vitamins IN!
No matter how dedicated you are to your daily skincare routine, clear, healthy, radiant skin actually begins from within. In fact, there are some foods that are especially good for your skin.
Eat a minimum of five portions of fruit and vegetables every day.
Eat enough vitamin C.
Stock up on selenium – fish, shellfish, eggs, wheatgerm, tomatoes and broccoli.
Eat enough vitamin E – almonds, avocado, hazelnuts, pine nuts and sunflower and corn oils.
Healthy fat – avocados, oily fish, nuts and seeds.
Omega -3s in oily fish and plant sources such as linseed and their oil, chia seeds, walnuts and rapeseed oil.
Drink WATER!
With just the right amount of intake of water, you won’t be needing a blush to makes your cheeks glow pink or a lip-gloss to make your lips look rosy. Not only does water keep your skin hydrated, this life-saving drink eventually affects every organ system of your body, right from the muscular to the digestive. To function properly and to avoid dehydration, the body requires between one and seven litres of water every day. Water is the key to enhancing your beauty and to prolonging your youthful look. Consuming an adequate amount of water everyday gives you fresh, soft and glowing skin. It helps maintain the optimal body temperature, keeping the skin moist. It hydrates and replenishes the skin tissues leading to an increase in the skin’s elasticity. This helps delay the signs of ageing such as wrinkles, dark circles or fine lines.
Homemade Moisturiser for Natural Lockdown beauty.
During this time, is it possible to embrace our natural skin? We’ve all heard someone apparently flawless say… “Oh, I NEVER wear foundation, just moisturiser.” Is it true? Can this really work? I’m here to say YES it can! On its simplest level, all you have to do is wash your face, dry off, and just not put on foundation afterwards. But if you’re anything like me and you’re used to wearing foundation every single blasted day, it’s super difficult to just give up the idea that you have flawless skin.
Natural is “in”. You know that incredible feeling you get when you wash all your makeup off at the end of the day? You could have that feeling all the time if you went makeup free. Try it. Your skin feels so much better.
Ingredients Vegan, Gluten free Oils & Vinegars 1/2 cup Coconut oil 6 drops Lavender essential oil 1 tsp Vitamin e oil
All of these natural options will help you emerge from quarantine looking more beautiful than ever!
I’d love to see your results – let’s talk about it on Facebook,Twitter, and Instagram!
