Our great-grandmothers didn't have today's spas and beauty counters, but they knew a thing or two about keeping hair, skin and hands looking good. The author's granny boiled a jugful of water and squeezed in the juice of a lemon every morning, then drank it throughout the day. She gave this credit for her beautiful skin and hair. Here are a few more tried and trusted tips for beauty treats that avoid harsh chemicals and won't cost the earth.
Bathtime Beauty
One of the simplest skin exfoliants is good old-fashioned sea salt. Mix a handful with a tablespoonful of olive oil and massage it briskly it over your skin, avoiding the face and intimate areas where skin is very delicate, and any cuts or grazes where salt will sting. Work it into rough patches like knees, heels and elbows and pay extra attention to the backs of thighs and arms. Shower thoroughly to remove all residue and dead skin. Those with sensitive skin can use oatmeal instead of salt. Do this once a week and rough, dry areas will soon be replaced with glowing skin.
Hair Conditioning Treats
Take a couple of tablespoonsful of cream, warm it very gently and massage it into your scalp and hair. Wrap in a towel or turban and relax for an hour with your feet up, listening to gentle music, or for maximum benefit leave overnight, then shampoo it out. Your hair will be silky and your scalp soft and nourished by the milk proteins. You can also used gently warmed olive oil or mayonnaise the same way.
Easy Facial Masks
If you have leftover egg whites, beat one until it's fluffy, mix in a tablespoonful of clear honey, and spread over your face and throat. Relax for ten to fifteen minutes with your feet up, maybe with your favourite soft music, then gently rinse with warm water for soft, glowing skin. If you suffer from skin breakouts, mix oatmeal with a little warm water and work gently over your wet face in small circular motions, avoiding the delicate skin under the eyes - it can wrinkle if you drag it. Spend about five minutes massaging the oatmeal over your face, especially the oilier areas round the nose and chin, then rinse thoroughly. The textured oats will help to cleanse the skin gently, and the massage will work in the proteins.
Soft Hands, Elbows, Knees and Heels
Regular gentle exfoliation will help these often-dry areas, but they also need a rich moisture treatment. Get old cotton gloves and socks - or buy some for beauty treatment use - and a few old handkerchiefs or soft tubular bandages Mix olive oil and honey and work into the skin, then cover with socks/gloves or bandages to protect furnishings and lie back on your bed for an hour, or leave overnight before washing off. If your elbows look dingy, cut a lemon in half, squeeze and save the juice for cooking or drinking, and rub half a teaspoon of olive oil or baby oil inside each cut half. Sit with your elbows resting in the lemon halves for half an hour to brighten and soften the skin.
Whole Body Treat
Once a week, put big bath towels in your bed, shower, and cover your whole body with baby oil or olive oil. Shower off next morning.
