Magic Chamomile

There are many varieties of this well-known plant. Chamomile is valuable for skin problems, particularly where the skin is dry, itchy, or flaky. Famous for its mild bleaching properties that add golden highlights to fair hair, the herb and the essential oil are both used in beauty preparations.

BEAUTY RECIPES

To unclog the pores and treat blackheads, steam the face with an infusion of chamomile flowers for 10 minutes. Follow with a facial scrub and then moisturize. To relax and revive puffy swollen or tired eyes, lie down for 15 minutes with cold chamomile tea tags placed on each closed eye.

To add shine to fair hair, make an infusion of chamomile flowers with 1 quart (1 litre) of water. Rinse hair thoroughly after shampooing. For a relaxing bath, infuse 4 or 5 handfuls of dried chamomile flowers for 10 minutes. Strain; add to bath.  

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The aboriginal people of Australia have been using the healing power of tea tree for centuries and it is one of Australia’s significant exports. Used in combating infectious organisms, the essential oil is ideal for many skin problems. 

BEAUTY RECIPES

To treat pimples, boils and cold sores, place 1 drop of tea tree oil onto a Q- tip and apply directly to the aggravated area. Or add 1 drop to any face mask or scrub. Alternatively, you can make a facial sauna by adding 2 drops to a bowl of hot water.

To treat dandruff, blend 4 tbsp. (60ml) of jojoba oil with 30 drops of teat tree oil and massage  into the scalp 3 times a week. 

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The faithful potato

The potato is a major source of B vitamins, which help reduce facial oiliness and blackhead formation. To use it, slice raw potato very thinly, or grate or juice it. There is no need to peel the potato.

BEAUTY RECIPES

For an inflamed, pimply complexion, extract the juice from 4 small potatoes (pulp them in a blender) and combine with 1-2 tsp. (5-10g) of finely ground oatmeal to form a paste. Gently rub into the skin for a few minutes, and then leave for 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

To relieve puffy swollen eyes, place a very thin slice of potato on each closed eye. Relax for 15 minutes , then remove the potato and wash off its juice with cool water. You can combine this treatment with a face mask.

To treat sunburn, apply thin slices of potato or a thin layer of grated potato to cool the skin and help reduce inflammation.

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Apple Cider as Protector of the Skin

Katrina Bowden

There are many types of vinegars available, but apple cider vinegar is more suited to skin care. It helps restore the acidity of the skin, which protects it from infection. Cider vinegar softens the skin and is a useful beauty aid for the hair and scalp.

BEAUTY RECIPES

To freshen and hydrate the skin and to remove any remaining dirt, soap, or cleanser, add 1 tsp. (5ml) of cider vinegar to 1 cup (240ml) of water. Mix thoroughly and use as a toner after cleansing the skin. Keep refrigerated in a sealed jar and use within a week.

The natural pH balance of the hair can be upset by piped water and shampoos. Use cider vinegar to help restore the pH balance and the condition of hair. Add 2 tbsp. (30ml) of cider vinegar to 1 quart (1litre) of warm water and use to rinse hair after shampooing.

To relieve dry, itchy skin, add 1 cup (240ml) of cider vinegar to your bathwater. To strengthen weak, brittle nails, soak them for 5 to 10 minutes in enough cider vinegar to cover the nails. Avoid broken skin.     

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Woman to Woman

Avocado as cosmetic aid

Avocado is one of the best natural cosmetic aids. Rich in vitamins A, B, C, and E, together with linoleic acid, lecithin, and natural plant oils, avocados contain many beneficial properties for promoting healthy skin and hair.

Beauty recipes

For dry skin need of rehydration and nourishment, mash enough avocados to make2 tsp., and blend with 1 tsp. of plain, live yoghurt and 1 tsp. of liquid honey. Spread over the face, avoiding the eye area, and leave for 15 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.

To restore chemically damaged hair, mash half a small, ripe avocado and mix with 1 tsp. (5 ml) lemon juice. Apply thoroughly to the hair and cover with plastic wrap. Leave for one hour before washing out with a mild shampoo.

To remove rough skin, rub the insides of the avocado skin over the body. Rinse well and moisturize.

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Woman to Woman

Beauty Powers of Honey

Since ancient times honey has been used for its rejuvenating powers. Rich in minerals and vitamins, it attracts and retains fluids and acts as a moisturizer on the skin. Honey contains an antibacterial agent called inhibane, which promotes healing. Liquid honey is easier to use in beauty recipes than other, thicker honeys, and will help bind other materials to the skin.

BEAUTY RECIPES

To cleanse the skin, combine 1 tbsp. (15ml) of liquid honey and 1 tsp. (5ml) of wheat-germ oil with 3 drops of apricot-kernel oil. Add 1 tsp. (5ml) of flower water and mix well. Smooth over the face and neck and leave for 10 minutes. Wet a face cloth in warm water and wring it out. Gently remove the facial mixture by wiping with the warm facecloth.

To heal sore or dry lips, melt 1 tbsp. (5ml) of liquid honey and stir in 1 tsp. of rose water. Transfer to a small jar and seal. Use as a lip balm.

To soften dry skin on elbows and knees, warm 2 tbsp. (30ml) of honey and rub into the skin. Leave for 20 minutes. Rinse off and pat dry.

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Beauty recipes with eggs

Full of vitamins, protein, iron, and lecithin, eggs are inexpensive and versatile. Egg whites are useful for oily or blemished skin. Yolks make enriching face masks and shampoos. The whole egg can be used for hair conditioners.

BEAUTY RECIPES

For a mask to treat dry skin, stir an egg yolk into 5 drops of wheat-germ oil and 1 tsp. (5ml) of warm honey. Apply to the face and leave for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing and moisturizing.

To treat oily skin, mix an egg white with 5 drops of witch hazel and 1 tsp. (5ml) of lemon juice. Smooth over face and neck. Leave for 10 minutes, then rinse well and moisturize.

For a quick moisturizing treatment for dry hair, whisk 2 eggs into ½ cup (120m) of warm water and massage well into the hair and scalp. Leave for 10 minutes before rinsing.

To condition dry hair, warm 2 tsp. of honey. In a separate bowl, beat 1 egg yolk and add 1 tbsp. (15ml) of cider vinegar. Remove the honey from the heat and slowly combine the two mixtures. Apply to the hair and cover with plastic wrap and then a warm towel. Leave for an hour, then shampoo and rinse. 

The Faithful Cucumber

The skin of the cucumber contains most of the vitamins and minerals, so it is best used unpeeled to the skin. It will break down bacteria, making the complexion less susceptible to acne. Cucumber also contains potassium, silicon, and sulphur, which keep skin cells healthy and help maintain elasticity.

BEAUTY RECIPES

To help sooth tired, irritated, puffy eyes and reduce swelling, lie down and place thin slices of cucumber over the eyelids. An ideal time might be while you are using a face mask. Relax for 15 minutes, and then rinse off with cool water.

To make a toner to close enlarged pores, pulp half a medium-size cucumber (250 g) in a blender. Add 1 tbsp. (15ml) witch hazel and 1 tsp. (5ml) mineral or lavender water.  Strain through a sieve. Pat onto the face and leave for 5 minutes. Rinse off with warm water before moisturizing. This toner will keep for 2 to 3 days if refrigerated.

For an effective astringent for acne, blend half a medium-size cucumber (250 g) and mix with 1 tsp. (5ml) of lemon juice. Smear over the face and leave for 5 minutes before rinsing.

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Carrots and beauty

Carrots are rich in vitamins A, B, C, and beta-carotene. These help keep the skin, hair, and eyes healthy. Carrots suit an oily pimply skin as well as dry skin. Carrot oil, which can be purchased in health food stores, helps reduce scarring.

BEAUTY RECIPES

To heal pimples and boils, or to ease sunburn, grate a medium sized carrot (120 g), add 1 tbsp. plain, live yogurt and mix thoroughly. Chill in the refrigerator for several hours. Smooth onto the skin and leave for 10 minutes. Rinse and pat dry.

To rejuvenate and moisturize the skin, blend 5 drops of pure carrot oil with 1 tsp. (5ml) of carrier oil and massage well into the skin. If acne is present, blend in a few drops of wheat germ oil as well before applying to skin.

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Aloe Vera and Beauty

The Aloe Vera is a perennial with succulent leaves and a spike of yellow and orange flowers.

 Better known as Aloes the plant is native to eastern and southern Africa and grows wild in the tropics and is cultivated worldwide.  The plant has two distinct types of medicinal properties. The clear gel contained in the leaf is a remarkable effective healer of wounds and burns, speeding up the rate of healing and reducing the risk of infection. The liquid from the base of the leaf, yellowish in colour is when dried and in powder form known as ‘bitter aloes’ which is a strong laxative.

It is also widely used in beauty preparations.

Beauty Applications

To treat acne, apply enough aloe Vera juice to cover the affected area. Leave for 10 minutes before rinsing. Apply daily. Skin may become dry, but only initially.

For a marvellous skin tonic, smooth a little fresh juice over the face and leave for 15 minutes before rinsing.

To ease cracked and sore lips, apply aloe juice daily.

To sooth dry sensitive or irritated skin, apply fresh gel directly onto the skin. To help heal any cuts or scratches caused by the razor, apply a little aloe Vera gel after shaving. 

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The beauty attributes of Almond

There are two kinds of almond – sweet and bitter. The bitter variety is never eaten raw, but its essence can be used. The sweet almond can be purchased shelled, unshelled, whole, slivered, flaked, ground, and as an almond paste. The soothing properties of almonds make them very suitable for cosmetic use. Ground almonds are good as a gently abrasive body and facial scrub, and oil is very soothing.

Beauty recipes

For the skin

To make a scrub to remove flaky skin, mix 1 tbsp. (10g) of ground almonds with 1 tbsp. of oatmeal and add enough flower water to make paste.

Gently rub into the face, concentrating on problem areas. Make up larger quantities for a body scrub.

To revitalize dull, pale skin, combine 1 tbsp. (10g) of ground almonds with enough oil to make a smooth paste and apply thoroughly to the face and neck. Gently rub over the skin for a few minutes, and then leave the almond paste in place for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly

For the hair

For dry and damaged hair, combine 2 tbsp. (30 ml) of almond oil and 1 tsp. of liquid honey and beat in 1 egg yolk.

Massage well into the scalp, and then cover the hair with plastic wrap and a warm towel. For best results leave overnight and rinse out with a mild shampoo. For dry skin, massage a few drops of almond oil into the face and neck after cleansing at night. This method is also good for dry, chapped hands.

Engela

Welcome to my Beautiful Body

You are beautiful. Beauty is not just an outer appearance. It. is a complete harmony from within that can be felt and sensed by others from the way you present yourself. If you know you are beautiful and it comes from within other will see it too.

 The beauty that comes from within when you feel good about yourself. The way you carry yourself, head up or down, droopy or sparkling eyes, frown or smile. This all comes from within. How you feel about yourself reflects to others. It will not matter if you have the most fabulous body, beautiful face and shiny hair if you look down when you see people or never smile, you will not come off as beautiful.

Your true inner beauty will shine through no matter what your outer appearance is. You can be beautiful straight out of bed with your hair a mess and no makeup just by the way you feel. Your eyes are the window to your soul. As long as you believe you are beautiful you will portray a natural beauty from within.

This Blog focuses on natural and simple beauty and how to achieve it. You can achieve it by making your own beauty preparations. Homemade preparations are natural, simple and economical to make. You decide on the ingredients you want to use - many of which can be found in the average kitchen. A remarkable number of everyday items, such as yogurt, eggs, and honey, can be put to good use on the skin and hair. Vegetables, fruits, waters and oils all harbour a range of beneficial nutrients.

The condition of your skin changes from day to day. Making your own beauty preparations mean you can easily adapt to daily needs without having to purchase new products.

By means of regular blog posts we will discuss all fruits and vegetables that can be beneficial for body beauty and can be used as main ingredient to beauty remedies.

Here is the first installment!

Bananas

This tropical fruit is full of vitamins and minerals that encourage a healthy skin tone. Bananas can be mashed easily to a paste for use on the skin and hair. With a high vitamin- C content, bananas promote the healing of acne and blemishes. Cut bananas turn brown very quickly but this does not hamper their effectiveness.

Recipes

For dry skin

To rehydrate dry skin, thoroughly mash enough bananas to make 1 tbsp. (20g) Blend with 1 tsp. of liquid honey and smooth all over a cleansed face and neck, avoiding the eye area.

Relax for 20 minutes, and then rinse off with warm water.

For hair

To untangle and nourish dry, frizzy, brittle hair, mash enough bananas to make approximately a ½ cup, depending on the length of your hair. Mix in enough grape seed oil to make a smooth paste.

Apply to the hair and cover with plastic wrap and a warm towel. Leave for one hour.

Wash with a mild shampoo and rinse thoroughly. Can be used as often as once week.

Engela