Perhaps you are on vacation from school. You have already been spending too much time in the sun at the pool, driving around with your Jeep top down everyday, or you have been having more outdoor runs lately. As fun and good as these things sound, they have been secretly wreaking havoc on your hair and skin. It’s time to look at a few simple, healthy steps to bring back healthy glowing skin and soft, shiny hair.
1. Make your own argan and peppermint oil element hair protectant.
Curls and waves suffer in a different way than straight hair from too much sun exposure, pool chlorine, sea air, as well as many of the summer hair color chemicals add in to the mix. Make your locks a special hair protector! If your hair is drier than usual, mix one teaspoon of your sunscreen with 2 or 3 drops of argan oil and 12 ounces of water in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray throughout your hair before heading outdoors. This still works if you are planning on putting your hair up in a braid or other protective style. If you have thinner or more brittle hair, add 1/2 teaspoon of macadamia nut or jojoba oil along with a few drops of peppermint oil to your conditioner for a more nourishing treatment to stressed locks.
2. Soothe your scalp with a coconut oil green tea rinse.
Often we take care of our skin with the necessary SPF against UV rays but we forget that our scalp needs coverage, too –especially on warm, sunny days. If you forgot to cover your scalp with a hat or headwrap, it is best to treat your scalp to this remedy: Prepare 2 cups of green tea well steeped and cooled, in a spray bottle. Allow it to soak your scalp for 5-10 minutes then add a quarter size dollop of coconut oil to your scalp but gently massaging it in. Rinse with lukewarm water and follow with your shampoo and conditioner. Use this technique frequently to keep your scalp healthy and well nourished, and, an added plus, your hair will be shiny and healthy too.
3. Create glowing skin with a reviving avocado skin paste.
Give your skin a healthy glow in 2 parts. Part 1: Mix one tablespoon of baking soda and one tablespoon of steeped mint tea with any face cleanser and form a paste. Apply the paste to your face, shoulders, chest, and neck and rub in upward, circular motions. The mixture will aide in reviving a healthy and more youthful glow to skin. Part 2: Mix half of an avocado with 1/2 tablespoon of raw honey, mix well and apply to your face. While waiting for this to set, add some glycerin to your brows and lashes. Condition them gently, then mix a bit of cinnamon with a few drops of almond oil and rub into your lips for an instant lip plumper. Within 10 minutes, you are ready to go. Rinse your face well with cool water and blotting.
4. Refresh your chest with a papaya olive oil sunscreen.
Make fine lines even finer and help the weathered skin on your chest area by carefully gutting a papaya, turning it inside out and soaking it with olive oil then massage it into your chest. Leave it on for about 10 minutes then shower or rinse. Protect your skin by adding sunscreen before you go out for the day.
5. Use sea salt and cacao powder to exfoliate rough patches of skin.
For an amazing bath treat: Mix 1/2 cup Epsom salt, 1/2 cup sea salt and 2 tablespoons of cacao powder and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and add it to your bath. Once you’ve soaked for 10 minutes, add extra coconut oil to your rough skin areas and brush with a loofah to remove dead skill.
6. Brush your skin to ease muscle aches.
A great way to help your circulation and reduce muscle tension is to use a natural, dry bristle body brush. You can find these in your local health food/drugstore. Use the brush before you bath or shower in an upwards motion, working from feet to shoulders. Do this for just a few minutes before your bath or for up to 20 minutes a day to help with aching muscles.
7. Repair your cracked cuticles with coconut and shea butter.
Last but not least, hands and feet. Treat your fingers and toes to an at-home mani-pedi, or, have a pro do it for you. Rub coconut or shea butter into cracked cuticles and rough skin patches. Put a coat of clear, or nude-toned polish on to complete your glow from head to toe.
What are your summer beauty secrets? Do tell!
