10 Food-Related Beauty Hacks From Around The World
Before Sephora and department store counters, women around the world kept themselves beautiful on the outside they way they did on the inside: with good, uncomplicated food. Whether you're looking to relax or desperately trying to rid yourself of dull skin, you do not have to go to the spa. There are inexpensive and effective options right in your pantry. Here are 10 food-related beauty hacks from around the world.
Egg Whites (Italy)
Before you scoff at the thought of putting mayonnaise in your hair, know that applying a hair mask of two egg whites (whipped into a frothy mousse) to your hair for 10 minutes will prevent your follicles from drying out and give them a rich, healthy Mediterranean glow. You'll never again wonder what to do with leftover egg whites when you bake recipes that call for yolks only.
Garlic (Dominican Republic)
The process of using garlic to strengthen your nails is long and smelly, but completely worth it (and the odor will eventually lose the olfactory battle to the strong scent of nail polish). Mince garlic and add it to a bottle of clear nail polish, then let it sit for 7 to 10 days. Add to nails for a natural shine that looks excellent on its own.
Ghee (Ethiopia)
We've been told over and over again about the miraculous beauty-enhancing properties of olive oil, but butter? Not so much. The women of Ethiopia beg to differ. The fat in butter leaves hair looking silky. It also makes your locks more obedient: use it to hold in curls or to smooth out frizz for a straight 'do. You'll find ghee at any Indian food store, but if you don't have one near you, you can substitute it with clarified butter, which you can make by melting unsalted butter over low heat and removing the white foam that builds on top with a spoon. Then, strain with a metal sieve and bottle to use in your hair as a two-hour leave-in treatment before shampooing.
Milk (Egypt)
Take some beauty advice from Cleopatra herself. You'll find no shortage of milk-based beauty products at the store, but why go to CVS for a chemical-laced product when you can just visit your pantry instead? Add 3 cups of whole milk (1/2 the amount if using powdered milk) and 1 cup of honey to a warm bath. Soak for 20 minutes then rinse off for moisturized and exfoliated skin.
Potato Slices (Spain)
Whether you're behind on sleep or battle puffy eyes during allergy season, this secret from Spain will make your dark circles disappear. All you need to do is cut round slices of chilled potatoes and place them over your eyes or dark circles for 10 minutes, as you would with cucumbers. If you have sensitive eyes, insulate the potato (sliced or grated) with gauze.
Red Grapes (Chile)
Women from Chile combat tired-looking skin with a 10-minute face mask made from a handful of crushed red grapes and a few tablespoons of flour. Crush grapes into a bowl of flour with the back of a spoon, being sure not to discard the antioxidant-rich skins, for a cooling, summery in-home spa treatment.
Rice Water (China)
What do you do with the leftover water once you have a perfectly cooked cup of rice? Put it on your skin and your hair, according to ancient Chinese herbal medicine. Rice water softens the skins and reduces the size of pores, and it makes hair grow both faster and with an elastic, bouncy quality.
Rosemary (Greece)
Women in Greece make an herbal tea out of rosemary (ultimate hack: use a French press coffee maker) and, after shampooing, rinse their hair with the cooled-down tea. If you don't have fresh rosemary (10 to 15 fresh sprigs for 4 cups of water), use 2 tablespoons of the dry herb or up to 15 drops of rosemary essential oil. Benefits? It helps prevent dry scalp, hair loss, and dandruff and makes your locks shine.
Teaspoons (Mexico)
This is perhaps the easiest and most accessible beauty hack in the world. Women in Mexico (and supermodel Miranda Kerr) use the back of a teaspoon as an eyelash curler and mascara primer. Hold the bowl of the spoon behind your lashes and use your thumb to press the hairs against the spoon for a few seconds. Apply mascara immediately after to preserve the curl.
Turmeric (India)
It is an Indian custom for the family members of a bride to apply a turmeric mask on her face the day before she gets married, ensuring radiant skin for her big day. People with oily skin are encouraged to mix turmeric into yogurt and lemon juice, while people with dry skin should mix turmeric with olive or coconut oil. Be especially careful not to use more than a 1/4 teaspoon, lest you want the complexion of a lion.