Many people opt to use natural beauty techniques for a variety of reasons, ranging from budget issues to a preference of natural over commercial products. There are natural alternatives for just about any typical beauty product or need.
Do you have a tendency to get puffy bags around your eyes? Then green tea is the answer! Simply take two green tea bags, soak them in hot water for just a few seconds (long enough to release some tea), then run them under water to cool them. Then, just lie back and place the tea bags over your eyes. Allow them to remain there for 5-10 minutes (this is also a great excuse to have a nice 10 minute break in your day). When you’re done, simply dab your eyes dry with a soft towel. This is a great trick to use if you have allergies which cause your eyes to get red and puffy. This is a great alternative to pricey eye creams and treatments for a variety of reasons, such as price, as well as the risk of any allergic or sensitivity reactions.
Many people have dry hair and a dry scalp. Before you dish out a lot of money on a spa’s hot oil moisture treatment, try this! You can create your own hot oil treatment with olive oil. Just pour some olive oil (anywhere from 2 tablespoons to half a cup or more, depending on your hair length and thickness) into a microwave safe bowl and heat it on medium heat in increments of 20 seconds until it is warm, but not too hot to the touch. Then simply apply the oil generously to your scalp and massage in. You can also use this treatment on the ends of your hair if they have a tendency to be dry and brittle, or you can use the oil on all of your hair. Allow it to remain on your hair for 10-30 minutes, and then shampoo it out. I use this treatment about once a month with great results each time. Just be careful about how long you let it sit on your hair: the longer it sits, the harder it can be to shampoo out.
If you have acne and are looking for a natural alternative to typical benzoyl peroxide based products then look no further than green tea and aloe. Simply steep two green tea bags in 6 oz. of hot water for about 5 minutes then mix it, one tablespoon at a time, into roughly 1/2 to 1 cup of aloe gel. The consistency of the mixture should be thinner than the plain aloe gel, but not too runny. Simply apply this mixture to your face 2-3 times a day (or whenever you like). This is also a great skin soother as well. I mixed this together for myself once and, about 3 or 4 weeks later, my sister commented on how clear my skin looked and asked what I had been using. When I told her, she was shocked. It just goes to show you that, just because something is natural, it doesn’t mean it isn’t as effective as other products. This treatment is great because it holds virtually no allergy risk, unlike benzoyl peroxide products. I am very sensitive to benzoyl peroxide, (I once used a product with a high benzoyl peroxide content, only to wake the next day with my eyes nearly swollen shut) so this treatment is great for me.
All of us have had one of those days where we feel completely exhausted and it shows very clearly in our face. A quick and easy way to invigorate your system, as well as moisturize and refresh your skin is a facial steam. Simply pour 2 cups hot (not boiling!) water into a bowl and add one of the following depending on your mood: Lemon juice if you need a big energy boost; lavender if you want to relax or relieve a headache; peppermint if you need to feel rejuvenated. Just bend your face over the bowl and place a towel over your head to capture the steam. Remain here for 10-20 minutes. It can also be nice to place a neck wrap on your neck to help release tension. I think it goes without saying that this is much cheaper than a trip to the sauna.
Have you ever wanted to bring out the highlights in your hair without risking anything drastic happening to your color? Then chamomile tea is for you! Steep 2 chamomile tea bags in 2 cups of hot water for 5-10 minutes. Then add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to the mixture. Use this as a final rinse on your hair after your normal shampoo routine, but do not rinse it out. This will help to bring out the natural blond and red tones in your hair and help to slightly lighten your hair all over, without being drastic or looking fake. I would do this treatment every summer, because the sunlight helps to speed along the process. By the end of summer, I would have gorgeous light brown, blond and auburn highlights all through my dark brunette hair, all just from using this rinse. This treatment is, obviously, cheaper and easier than a trip to the salon. Plus, you don’t have to worry about anything drying out your hair like bleach and dye can.
