10 Simple All Natural Beauty Tips

10 Super Simple All Natural Beauty Tips

The world would have us believe that there are no simpleand inexpensive natural beauty tips and tricks. What makes me say that? Well, did you know that the beauty industry is a nearly $300 BILLION dollar empire? And that the average woman spends about $15,00 on just makeup in her lifetime! (source) And according to a UK survey, women will spend well over a year of their life applying that makeup. (source) Ouch. That, of course, says nothing of the toxic chemicals so commonly found (with almost zero regulation) in beauty products. Yep. Seems like the world is telling us that we need to spend lots of time, lots of money, and risk our health to be beautiful. Don’t believe it. For starters, let’s get real about the idea of beauty. To me it’s about unmasking the real person, not covering it up. And there are lots of simple ways to thank your body, feel more beautiful, and not have to pay an arm and a leg for it. Here are just 10. They are easy. They are all natural. And yet, still luxurious. Enjoy.




1. Banana and Egg Hair Treatment

Looking for a little more shine in your hair? Simply mix one egg and a mashed up banana. Apply it as a thick paste to your hair and leave it on for 10 – 30 minutes. Wash it our doing your usual hair washing ritual (if you usually use a store-bought conditioner you’ll probably only need to condition the ends). And voila! Super simple, and all natural, beauty tip.

2. Moisturizing Nail Treatment

Soak your nails in olive oil for five minutes. And then sit back and admire your pretty hands.

3. Simple Honey Face Mask

Raw honey is naturally anti-bacterial and a super quick way to get soft, beautiful skin. Once a week use a tablespoon or so of raw honey (not the processed stuff parading as honey) and gently warm it by rubbing your fingertips together. Spread on your face. Leave on for 5 – 10 minutes and then use warm water to gently rinse it off and pat dry. Then bask in the glow of your honey-awesomeness. This raw honey is awesome, by the way.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar Clarifying Shampoo

For those who are using commercial shampoos: To help eliminate any build up in your hair, mix ¼ cup organic apple cider vinegar (like this) with 1 cup water. Follow with your usual conditioner.

5. Elbow and Knee Exfoliate and Skin Brightener

Cut an orange in half and rub it on your elbows and knees. Helps soften those rough patches. And it smells good. (Rinse off the sticky mess when you are done.)

6. Gentle Body Scrub

Mix a 2 to 1 ratio of olive oil and sea salt to make a quick and effective body scrub. This helps get rid of dead skin cells creating softer, more glowing skin. And this natural beauty tip is much cheaper that expensive store bought body scrubs.

7. Easy Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment

Want super soft, hydrated hair? This is one of my favorite all natural beauty tips. Use melted coconut oil as a deep conditioning hair and scalp treatment. Massage coconut oil into your scalp and then work it through your hair. Leave it on for a couple of hours and then wash it out using shampoo (no need to condition unless you have really long hair and then maybe just the ends.) Note: For you no ‘poo-ers keep in mind that coconut oil will saturate your hair with awesome goodness… that can be really hard to get out with just baking soda and *some* natural shampoos. You may want to try just a little coconut oil on a little section of hair and see if you can get it out before you do this. Otherwise you might have really greasy (but soft!) hair for a few washes. NOT that I’m speaking from personal experience of anything (*cough*).

8. Simple Toxic-Free Shaving Cream

Use coconut oil on your legs as a natural replacement for your shaving cream. Talk about a simple, natural beauty tip.
9. All Natural Black Head Removal

Place 4 or 5 drops of raw honey on an open lemon wedge. Then rub the lemon on your face for a minute, emphasizing any trouble areas. Leave the mixture on for 5 minutes and rinse with cold water. (Keep in mind that citrus can make your skin photosensitive so it’s best to do this before bed rather than before going outside).

10. Dry Brushing for Better Skin

Dry brushing is a simple detoxification process for your body. It stimulates a number of organs through a gently massage. It also helps the lymphatic system, eliminates dead skin coatings, strengthens the immune system, can eliminate cellulite, stimulates the hormones, and can help tighten skin through better circulation. Best of all, it’s cheap and easy. Learn more about dry brushing and how to do it here. Here’s a great skin brush to get you started! 

By:    Robin Konie

Bumble and Bumble Surf Infusion: Like Surf Spray But Better

Photo: Yahoo Beauty

Growing up near the water, I’ve always loved the way my hair looks after a day at the beach. The salty scent, the texture — I wanted it to linger forever and dreaded washing it out of my hair. I spent summers in middle school filling up a spray bottle in the ocean so I could mist it into my hair whenever I pleased. (I also filled another bottle with lemon juice in an attempt to achieve natural highlights from the sun, but that disaster story can be saved for another time.) When Bumble and Bumble launched their Surf Spray ($27) in 2001, I finally had a true, awesome replication of beach hair — complete with seaweed and kelp extracts.  The salt-infused mist could help me simulate spent-the-day-in-the-ocean textured strands even when landlocked in Manhattan!

So imagine my delight when Bumble just launched a new version: Surf Infusion ($29). Unlike the original, which has a more matte, gritty finish, this salty spray is mixed with ingredients like coconut, mango seed, passion fruit, and palm oils for soft conditioned waves with a sheen. The tropical scent is intoxicating (I’m a sucker for anything that smells like sunscreen or umbrella drinks) and the cool, tousled, wind-blown look it gives my hair is one I haven’t been able to replicate using any other product. Even real ocean water.

            By :           Joanna Douglas

5 Wedding Beauty Tips From the Founder of Style Me Pretty

Abby Larson, the founder of Style Me Pretty. (Photo: Abby Larson)

Wedding beauty isn’t only a one-night affair. Your hair and makeup choices will live on in your photos (and now on social media) for everlasting posterity. No pressure or anything. If the choices are stressing you out, Abby Larson, founder and editor of the popular wedding blog Style Me Pretty (which also happens to house portfolios of potential makeup artists in its “Little Black Book” section), offers five beauty tips to get you down the aisle.

Now’s not the time to try that drastic makeover. “The only trend that brides should really follow word for word is this: The most beautiful brides look like the very best version of themselves on the day of,” Larson says. “Don’t force a new style or play with on and off again trends on a day where being you is so very important.”

When it comes to your hair, let loose. “Effortless is the name of the game right now when it comes to wedding day hair,” Larson says. Though your look may have been thought through and practiced to perfection, the result should look nonchalantly carefree. “Beachy waves, messy braids and buns, wispy fall away pieces all reign queen right now,” Larson says.

Put in the prep work. Now’s not the time to procrastinate. “To really make your skin look flawless and full of light, get into a solid skin regimen months prior to the big day,” Larson recommends. “Book regular facials, use a reliable skin care program and clean up your diet. Your skin (and your photos) will thank you for it on the big day!”

Smoke and mirrors is a good thing. For a dash of aisle drama, Larson suggests a smokey eye. “But go for soft, not-so-harsh tones like caramel, nude, blush-y pink, bronze and chocolate so that the result is more romantic and timeless,” she cautions.

Pay lip service. “Just like your skin, lips can be tended to in the months prior,” Larson says. “They should be entirely kissable on your big day. Use a gentle lip exfoliant and a good moisturizer to prep your lips for a perfectly smooch-worthy pout.”

 by: Larson

How to Do Your Own Wedding Makeup

For the royal wedding, Duchess Kate Middleton did her own makeup(Photo: Instagram)

1. Look for visual inspiration: Whether you scour Pinterest or go through a stack of bridal magazines, it helps to have a picture of how you want your makeup to look. Search for models with similar skin tone and hair color to have a truer idea of how different colors will look on you.

2. Think timeless and stick to your style: You will be looking back on these pictures for decades to come, which is why I recommend going with a look that’s timeless. Trying to pull off the latest makeup trend (like contouring) will only end up looking dated in the future.

3. Learn how: Many makeup counters provide makeup applications for a small fee or for free. Since words like “pretty” or “sophisticated” mean different things to different people, it is better to bring along your inspiration pictures as a reference. The makeup artist can show you how to apply the products, give you a chart, and then you can purchase the products you like the best.

4. Do an at home test run at home: You always want to do a practice run or two before the big day. You’ ‘ll see what’s difficult, what works, and what you would rather skip. Don’t forget to take pictures in daylight and after dark, to see how the makeup looks on camera.

5. Avoid self- tanner: It seems like a good idea to add a little extra glow, but self- tanner or spray- tanning can easily turn you an unnatural shade. Plus, once you do it, it’s impossible to take off. Better to go with a little bronzer on chest, neck, forehead, and cheekbones — wherever the sun would naturally hit.

6. Have an emergency kit: Have solutions on hand for whatever beauty or fashion emergencies you might have. Inlclude clear nail polish, Q-tips, eye makeup remover, eye drops, wardrobe tape, and safety pins.

7. Don’t tweeze your brows yourself: A few months before, find a good eyebrow groomer and have your brows done. Have them done again a week before the event, but don’t try to do them yourself. It is too easy to get carried away and over- tweeze.

8. Use long-wear makeup: Keep touchups to a minimum by investing in makeup that has staying power. You can find long-lasting versions of all your makeup, from foundation and concealer to eye shadow and liner to lipstick.

9. Choose makeup with a yellow undertone: Yellow toned foundation or tinted moisturizer a must. It’s the only way your foundation will look like skin when you are photographed.

10. Set foundation and concealer with powder: A light dusting of sheer powder in a color that matches your skin tone will set foundation and concealer. Your makeup will last longer and the powder will help control shine. Use blotting papers to calm down shine for the rest of the night.

11. Waterproof mascara is a must: Getting teary-eyed on your wedding day is a big possibility, so avoid streaking mascara with a waterproof version.

12. Layer two blushes : To create a pretty glow that lasts, try layering your blush. Go with a natural shade of blush on cheekbones. Then add a pop of brighter color, either a powder or cream blush, on top. This will keep your cheeks flushed for longer than if you just went with one color.

13. Make your lipstick last: Kissing your new husband, kissing your guests, sipping champagne—your lipstick will get a lot of wear. Make it last longer by layering lipstick, followed by pencil in the exact shade as your lipcolor.

                            By :     Bobbi Brown

11 Ways to Look Gorgeous on Your Wedding Day

Model Hannah Davis in a bridal-Inspired look by Bobbi Brown. (Photo: Ondrea Barbe/Courtesy of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics)

On your wedding day, you want to look amazing, but you don’t want to have to think about your makeup. Here are my 11 best bridal makeup tips:

1. Do a test run: Whether you are doing makeup yourself or working with a makeup artist, make sure to do a practice run first. Take pictures in daylight and after dark, to see how the makeup looks on camera. If you love it in person and on film, recreate it on the day of.
2. Amp up your color: Because you are wearing white, you want to make sure your lips and cheek color is a little bit brighter and stronger than your everyday look. Neutral, beige, or pale lipstick can look faded against white, especially in photographs. Pink, rose, and plum tones are all beautiful lip colors against white.
3. Look like yourself: Your wedding day isn’t the day to try a totally new look. If your makeup is too high maintenance, or will require too many touchups, save it for another night. The goal with wedding day makeup is to feel pretty, confident, and comfortable.
4. Prep skin carefully: Avoid placing face oil, rich eye cream, or serum on your skin, because your foundation and concealer will fade faster. Instead, prep skin with a good, fast-absorbing moisturizer. Avoid one with SPF, just this one day, because some sunscreens can leave a whitish cast on skin. If you have an outdoor wedding, and want to avoid a sunburn look for foundation that contains SPF.
5. Set foundation and concealer with powder: A light dusting of sheer powder in a color that matches your skin tone is a must for setting foundation and concealer. Your makeup will last longer and the powder will help control shine. Note that you shouldn’t keep layering powder on all night, it will end up looking heavy, instead use blotting papers to calm down shine.
6. Choose long-wear makeup: Keep touchups to a minimum by investing in makeup that has staying power. Look for formulas labeled “all-day,” “long-wear,” “12-hour,” etc.  You can find long-lasting versions of all your makeup from foundation and concealer to eye shadow and liner to lipstick. For eye shadow, look for cream versions that leave a dry finish and are easy to blend.
7. Waterproof mascara is a must: Getting teary-eyed on your wedding day is a big possibility, so avoid streaking mascara by going with a waterproof version.
8. Choose softer eye shadow colors: A very dark, smoky eye can often look too severe paired with a wedding dress. Instead, go for light to medium shades. You can still do a smoky eye, but with subtler shades like light browns or gray tones.
9. Liner is key: Black liner will help open up and define your eye. Especially for pictures, liner will help highlight your eyes.
10. Layer blush: To create a pretty glow that lasts, try layering your blush. Go with a natural shade of blush on cheekbones. Then add a pop of brighter color, either a powder or cream blush, on top. This will keep your cheeks flushed for longer than if you just went with one color.
11. Make your lipstick last: Kissing your new husband, kissing your guests, sipping champagne—your lipstick will get a lot of wear. Make it last longer by layering lipstick, followed by pencil in the exact shade as your lipcolor.                 
12.   :Bobbi Brown

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