The food items we keep in our kitchen aren’t just good for eating – many of them double up as useful beauty products too! Whether you’ve run out of your usual product, or you’re waiting for the end of the month, utilise what you’ve got in your pantry. Here, some nifty ideas on how to make the most of your leftover foods.
Oils
Olive oil, almond oil and avocado oil are excellent sources of hydration, both for your hair and for your skin. To combat dryness, gently dab a few drops of your chosen oil onto dry skin after cleansing and toning. Struggling with dry and damaged hair? Rub some oil through the dry strands and leave for twenty minutes before shampooing and conditioning.
Mayonnaise
If your hair’s suffered the wrath of heat styling, colouring and environmental damage, treat it with this refrigerator essential. Spread a dollop of mayonnaise through your hair and cover in cling wrap. Leave for twenty minutes before shampooing (be sure to do a good job, or else you’ll be left with a greasy residue) and condition.
Lemon juice
Ever find your nails look yellow after you remove your favourite dark polish? Get them back to their pale pink colour by rubbing a cotton ball soaked in lemon juice over them.
Coffee granules
Cellulite products are filled with caffeine – and so is your favourite morning drink. If you’re struggling with orange peel, put some coffee rounds on the problematic areas, wrap with cling film and leave for 15 minutes. Rinse off, and voilà – a natural cellulite fighter!
Tomato juice / tomato sauce
The acidity found in tomato juice / sauce has the ability to help neutralise the effects of chlorine in one’s hair. After your swim, shampoo your hair and follow by spreading some tomato juice / sauce onto it. Leave for a few minutes before conditioning as usual.
Baking soda
One of the most versatile ingredients in your kitchen, baking soda is often used to minimise the appearance of pimples (mix a little bit with water to form a paste and apply to the bump) and as a teeth whitener (sprinkle a little bit on your toothbrush before brushing.
Surprised at all the possibilities? So were we!
Other articles you may be interested in:
Chocolate beauty recipes
Natural cures for pregnancy pains
What’s in your anti-ageing product
A recipe for radiant skin
Superpower your immune system
15 Responses
Wow those are great tips cant wait to try them because I sure know that I need the dry hair treatment and bicarb is a winner always works with everything. Thumbs up
I love the Baking soda tip, going to try it !
Love love love this article! So many helpful hints! Thank you!
I have discovered that some of the best beauty and health secrets reside right in your pantry!
The lemon juice tip really works! WIll be trying out the others as well, thanks :)