Now that summer is in full swing—full of trips to the beach and lazy days spent poolside—let’s talk about your summer beauty regimen. All of that fun in the sun can do some serious damage to your skin and hair.
Don’t miss a beat! Click HERE to become a BELLA Insider!
We’re here to help! Rather than running to the drugstore or the beauty counter to buy the essentials to look your summer best, we have some solutions that are just as fun to make as they are to use.
Honey hair mask. Between the sun, chlorine-filled pools, and salt water, your hair doesn’t stand a chance against all of the plans you’ve made for the season. Give your tresses a little love with a hair mask made with just two ingredients: 1 tablespoon of raw honey and 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
Start by mixing both ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl and heating it up for 30 seconds. Mix and check the temperature. You want the mask to be as hot as you can take it, so keep microwaving until it’s warm enough.
When your mask is ready, wet your hair (but make sure it’s not dripping!) and pour the mask out a little bit at a time. Start this process with the ends of your hair and work your way up your scalp. Once your hair is coated, wrap your hair in a shower cap and relax for about 30 minutes.
When your time is up, rinse and shampoo your hair like usual. No need for conditioner!
Rose water. While roses are beautiful to the eye and a delight to the nose, people rarely consider the amazing things that they can do for skin! Rose water, besides being a classically elegant fragrance, is a gentle astringent that can help with acne and minor skin inflammations. It also works wonders as a fine line and wrinkle reducer. If you don’t have your own rose garden, ProFlowers roses are low cost and come right to your home. You can also try your local grocery store if that’s convenient.
All you need are some fresh roses, a large pot, distilled water, and a fine kitchen strainer.
Start by plucking all of the petals from the roses and rinse the petals in cold water for a few minutes to clean them. Remember: the fresher your roses, the better your results will be!
Next, place the petals in the large pot and pour just enough distilled water to cover the roses—extra water will dilute the final product. Cover the pot and let it simmer until the petals have lost their color. This usually takes about 1 hour. After the water has cooled, strain your rose water using the fine kitchen strainer and pour it into a container.
Some time-tested ways to use your new beauty bestie:
Makeup remover. Say goodbye to expensive cleansers! Put some rose water on a cotton pad and wipe away even the most steadfast of waterproof mascaras.
Aftershave treatment. Since rose water has some anti-inflammatory properties, it is perfect for the painful irritation that can come with shaving. Just apply it to your skin after stepping out of the shower, and you’ll instantly feel better. Hours later, you’ll still be as soft and silky as a rose.
Eye brightener. Rose water kicks redness and discoloration to the curb. Just soak a few cotton pads in rose water and apply to your eyes for five minutes. You’ll fool everyone into thinking you got a solid eight hours the night before.
Want your rose water to last longer? Add a splash of vodka!
Matcha and yogurt mask. Exfoliation is important for natural lightening and brightening, but it can also leave your skin sensitive to the sun. Matcha green tea is full of polyphenols, which will protect your fresh-as-a-baby skin from UV damage. It’s also high in antioxidants, which will also bring some anti-aging goodness to this mask.
The ingredients are nourishing for you inside and out: a spoonful of yogurt, a tablespoon of lemon juice, and a teaspoon of Matcha.
Mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl—that’s it! Apply on your face and neck, avoiding the eye area. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes, and rinse with warm water. If you use this mask 2 or 3 times a week, you should start to see results within the first few weeks.
Fresh ingredients are the best ingredients, and what better way to ensure that than making your products yourself? We hope these beauty tips will help you look and feel your very best! What are some other DIY beauty tips you’ve discovered?
