Kitchen Beauty | Isolation Beauty Tips

As much as I love cosmetics (and I do love them oh so much) sometimes I wish that I could be more 'natural' in my approach to what I use. I have researched many companies, many ingredients and the good, the bad and the ugly regarding the process and end results of many of our favourite beauty brands. The problem is, we don't all have the time to continually research. So, what do you do? turn to your kitchen that's what.

I know it might sound daft, boring and dull to some reading this but I can assure you that these tips do work and have all been fully tried, tested and loved by little old me. I am pretty tough when it comes to impressing so I urge you to give these tips a go, you might find that you are equally impressed with the performance, quickness and the savings you will see on your bank balance.

Teeth Whitening

Strawberries! delicious, juicy strawberries are fantastic for whitening your toothy pegs. Simply mash up some of the strawberries (why not use the ones that have become discoloured) mixing optionally with some sodium of bicarb. Dip in your toothbrush and get brushing. How do they whiten your teeth you ask? Strawberries contain malic acid which is a natural bleach which rids your teeth of pesky discolouration.

Eczema/Dry/Sensitive Skin types

I understand how difficult it can be for those who have sensitive skin types, as a mother and wife to sufferers I can hand on my heart promise this really does work and is safe for all including babies. For babies especially take a small amount of fabric, (an old tea towel, cloth, muslin, etc) and place a few teaspoons of oats into the centre of the cloth, now close the cloth securing with an elastic band or some thread so that it looks like an upside-down ghost. When you're running a bath pop this into the bath so that the oats soothing qualities enter your bathwater. (ideally, hang under the hot tap for more oomph). You can also rub this on the affected areas for a more directed approach.

You can use oats also as a face mask and exfoliator. Oats are naturally scrubby and can slough away dead skin cells gently. Oats are a natural anti-inflammatory which is great for fine lines and wrinkles. (Did you know inflammation is a major cause of wrinkles) also and promote healing within the skin cells. If you choose to use as a face mask, you can team the oats again with milk, honey or yoghurt or even mashed avocado or banana.

Get rid of dull facial skin

Egg whites are the way to go, egg whites contain vitamins and minerals, such as selenium and b complex and are packed with proteins that promote red blood cell development and energy distribution. This may sound like a heap of mumbo-jumbo but to explain it in simpler terms egg whites help plump the skin and help to get the blood flowing which heals. We all know plump and healthy skin leads to a more youthful appearance. To use egg whites simply separate an egg keeping only the whites. Mix so that it becomes less stringy (gross but so worth it) and apply with a cotton pad to the face. As it dries it will become very tight and you will be able to peel it off once you're done.

Acne/Pimples

There are a few ways you can give your skin some T.L.C. Firstly honey is a major ingredient that helps your skin in so many ways. Honey is a natural antiseptic, natural antifungal and natural moisturiser. Honey helps to heal and repair so is excellent for acne and pimples. Simply pop a little on the top at night to soothe any redness and help get rid of that nasty spot. Honey also can be used as a face mask and is excellent mixed with full-fat milk or natural yoghurt to soothe, repair and moisturise your face.

Puffy eyes

Want to soothe tired and puffy eyes? tried tea bags and cucumber unsuccessfully? Potatoes help to reduce inflammation making them a great choice in soothing pesky bags. Raw potatoes contain atropine which in small doses does reduce inflammation. Simply pop a couple of slices of potatoes in the freezer to slightly chill them and pop onto the eye area, leaving for about 10 minutes.

Cellulite

Whether you like or dislike coffee it is a fantastic cellulite buster. Coffee, as we all know, contains caffeine which temporarily increases blood flow and speeds up the metabolism. The increased blood flow to your thighs, while using coffee scrub is fab for reducing those fatty deposits. Simply take your ground coffee and use either alone or mix with some Epsom salts (and a teaspoon of olive oil) for an excellent thigh scrub.

Shiny Hair

We all wish we had shiny locks and while some do naturally, the rest of us have to primp and preen our hair to fake that shine. Fake no more. If you have blonde hair I do not recommend this option! fresh cranberries have been used in Spain for years apparently to give women shiny locks. Simply juice or really pulp them down if you don't have a juicer. After washing your hair as normal rinse your hair with the cranberry juice and leave for as long as you can before rinsing with water. I would advise doing this on a Sunday when your lazing about and can walk about with cling film on your head or a towel.

If you have blonde hair then you can opt to do me this second beauty trick which is to rinse the hair with beer! yip beer. There is a protein in the malt and hops within the beer that really nourishes your hair, coating it and protecting the hair shaft, resulting in sleek and glossy locks. Again simply rinse and keep on for as long as possible. Darker hair colours and red hair can also use this tip.

Plump Lips without the sting

I have been using this tip for many years and I'm still shocked at how much some people pay for lip plumping products (that normally fail to impress) when most contain products such as chilli and cinnamon. To get plump lips there are a few ways, you can opt for the super easy method of mixing some oil like olive oil with some ground cinnamon, heating gently to get the cinnamon plumping properties into the oil and then apply to the lips once cooled. (this can be made in large batches) and you can go for the slightly longer but more cost-effective method which is doing the steps above but leave the cinnamon and oil together in a jar in a dark place. The longer you leave it the better as the cinnamon will infuse into the oil.

Once you have your infusion you can melt a teaspoon of wax (soy, beeswax, olive wax, etc) and mix a teaspoon of your oil infusion into the melted wax and decant into a little tub. You can also add a couple of drops of flavouring such as mint and also honey to sweeten. This lip balm mix is really worth it because you can make it in batches and give some to your friends.

Lip stain

Want just bitten kissable lips? try a lip stain made from beetroot juice. Beetroot is a natural stain and is excellent for giving your lips that kissable just bitten tone. Simply swab some on to your lips (why not use cotton but stick to be sure you get it in the right places) and top with some balm for a gorgeous kissable pout. Why not add some to the lip plumping balm mix above for lip plumping tinted balm.

There are so many more wonderful tips and tricks but these ones are my ultimate favourites. If you have a favourite home-grown beauty tip let me know in the comments below.