PLAYING WITH FOOD - IN A GOOD WAY!

Taking a look at the products laying on my bathroom counter, I realize that I cannot even pronounce half the ingredients listed on the labels. If I don’t know what I’m putting on my face, how healthy can it really be? They seem to be riddled with chemicals and have a tendency to dry out my sensitive skin. Plus, all these products sure take a toll on my wallet. It isn’t worth it, especially for preteens and teens my age, who want to experiment and try new  beauty products, which can be damaging to our skin. 

So with my innate curiosity, I did some research and found some beauty products that I could make in my own kitchen. They were natural, cheap and I knew exactly where it came from. After using these natural products for some time, I actually prefer the effects of the natural products  as opposed to the store bought. Here are some tips and tricks for natural beauty products as well as how they can help you get softer skin, kill acne, and luscious hair! 

(Hey moms! These are also great tips for you!)

1. HONEY
It’s sticky. And a mess.  But… I tried it anyways, and it showed immediate results for clearing up my acne

☆ Pure honey mask:

Microwave the honey until it is slightly warm and smooth enough to apply to your face (about 20-30 seconds). Rub on your face in circular motions for about 10 minutes. You can wait longer, but be careful, because the honey might start to drip.

☆ Hair mask:
Mix two tablespoons of honey with a tablespoon of olive oil. Massage into hair and leave for 30 minutes. It may take a couple rinses to get out of your hair, but by the end it should feel softer and thicker.

2.CINNAMON

☆Lip Plumper:
Since cinnamon does stimulate blood movement, it works as an excellent lip plumper. If you want a puffier pout, mix a teaspoon of cinnamon with your favorite lip balm or Vaseline. If you want to be able to lick off your lips at the end, you can mix it with 2 teaspoons of olive oil instead.

☆Hair mask:
This helps the scalp with blood flow and lets the hair roots get oxygen and nutrients. Mix a tablespoon of warm olive oil with a teaspoon of cinnamon, and massage onto scalp. Let sit for 5-10 minutes and rinse.

3.GREEN TEA

☆Puffy eyes:
Soak two green tea bags in ice cold water, and then place each one under or on your closed eye for 5 minutes. This will cool and de-puff your eyes. Get dark shadows when you are tired? Try this to look more awake and perky.

☆Toner:
After you are done yoga or waking up in the morning, spray this on your face and body to become refreshed and soothe your skin. Put cold green tea in a spray bottle (keep refrigerated for best results).

4.LEMONS

☆Hair highlight:
If you want natural highlights, apply lemon juice to hair and let sit for 20-30 minutes depending on how light you want your hair to go. Be careful though, as lemon juice can be damaging if used excessively.

☆Lip exfoliation:
Apply lemon juice on your lips to get rid of dead skin. Be careful because it may sting if you have cuts or chapped lips.

All of these are natural beauty products that are easy and fast to make. You can find these ingredients in your own kitchen and they are all safe. And they’re all edible!
I’ve personally tried them all, and they all prove to be effective treatments. Plus, they are a lot of fun. I hope you will try some of these recipes, and make your own! Mix ingredients and try to make new recipes that help you! Have fun!

Share any of your results or new concoctions with us below!

-Arden