Hey girl, hey!
Today I have an awesome guest post to present to you from the creator of the Health and Beauty Blog, LaDawn Kaye. Ms. LaDawn writes about old school cures in a modern day world... and let me tell ya, this lady definitely knows a thing or two (or ten) when it comes to natural alternatives for health and beauty... all while staying within budget.
So without further ado GFBers, let's give a warm 'hey girl, hey' to Ms. LaDawn as she enlightens us on 5 essential beauty products we may not have already known we had...
Let's chat!
The beauty aisles in any grocery or drug store are stocked full of impressive looking jars that promise you the moon, the stars, and everything in-between, but in addition to costing a pretty penny, they include tons of ingredients that you probably can’t pronounce and are hazardous to your health.... and at the end of the day they may not even work. I have a rule of thumb that I’ve tried to live by for the past few years: If I can’t put it in me, then I probably shouldn’t put it on me. Loosely translated... our skin is our biggest organ in which we can actually ingest things as well as expel things (have you ever smelled curry or alcohol leaching from someone’s pores), so we should probably be way more careful with what we put on our skin.Whether I’m putting on a topical for pain relief or looking for a toner to tighten my pores, I’m always reading the labels. While I was on the search for all natural cures for everyday ailments like sinus infections, athlete’s foot, and diaper rash... I was pleasantly surprised that some of the same products that I was using for health purposes could also be used for vanity purposes. And the added bonus of not having to purchase another product and find another spot for an already tight bathroom counter made these double duty darlings a win/win for me. The following are some of the products that I have on hand at all times in my kitchen because they serve so many different functions... and not only are they inexpensive but they WORK! I'm sure you could find most, if not every single one of these products already in your home. This is definitely not an exhaustive list of the products I use, but if you’re trying to take a step in the direction of improving your fiscal as well as overall health, these products are good for both your body and your budget.
Apple Cider Vinegar.
I’ll bet you didn’t know that one of the best things you can do for your hair is to incorporate apple cider vinegar rinses into your hair routine. I personally only use Braggs ACV because it has the “Mother” (the stuff that settles at the bottom and makes it cloudy). I like to use this rinse before washing, if I have a lot of product build up or between shampooing and conditioning if my hair is fairly “gunk free”. Depending on how much hair you have, you can use anywhere from 8 to 12 oz. of warm water. I like to use 3 parts water to 1 part ACV. Not only is it a natural conditioner, but there are enzymes in the acid of ACV which kill the bacteria that causes dandruff. When used regularly, ACV keeps your hair soft, shiny, and flake free.
Aloe.
Most people are familiar with the anti-inflammatory properties of aloe which makes it an instant go-to for minor household burns, but what most people don’t know is that it also kills the bacteria which causes acne... making it equally beneficial for maintaining blemish free skin. If you don’t have the plant growing in or around your home, you can purchase aloe vera gel almost anywhere for easy application.
Honey.
Honey is one of my favorites because, fun fact, it is the only food known to man that does not spoil... it crystallizes, so you never need worry about losing money with this one. Even the honey found in Egyptian tombs today is still safe to ingest. I could go on for quite a while about this one product, but for the purpose of this post I’ll focus on scrubs and exfoliation. So whether you’re using oatmeal, baking soda, or brown sugar for your homemade scrub to use on your face or feet chances are the recipe calls for these products to be blended with honey. Honey moisturizes and hydrates skin with an added bonus of having a slight bleaching effect so that if you have old scars, and you use this on a regular basis, you’ll see those scars gradually beginning to fade. Talk about more bang for your buck, girlfriend!
Garlic.
This one shocked me, too. I’m accustomed to using garlic internally for flavoring in my Italian dishes and also for its antibiotic properties during illness, but what I didn’t know was that if you mix a little minced garlic with warm olive oil and soak your nails for a few minutes... it will make then rock hard! I know this to be fact because I tried it. Now as with most things, moderation is key. I was so overjoyed to finally have naturally strong nails that I began soaking for far too long and made my nails sore, so use this remedy with caution.
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.
I saved the very best for last!
People who know me, know that I consider this one “my precious”. If I had to spend my last dollar for one product to cover it all, it would be spent on extra virgin coconut oil. This is truly one stop shopping.
I use EVCO as a moisturizer when my hair is dry. I use it as a lotion all over when I’m just stepping out of the bath. It has anti-fungal, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-parasitic, and anti-inflammatory properties... meaning that stubborn athlete’s foot patch that just won’t go away will be taken care of while you’re moisturizing your skin to keep it soft and hydrated. I’ve also used it for diaper rash, hemorrhoids, and to make my own vaginal suppositories for yeast infections.
In addition to these external uses, I use it internally when I have sinus infections or viruses. I just take a tablespoon of the oil and chase it with 6 to 8 oz. of orange juice.
I also use it in place of butter. It’s a lot healthier, has tons of health benefits, and makes a pretty mean grilled cheese sandwich!
So there you have it, ladies!
These products cover all of your beauty needs from head to toe for a fraction of the price. So as you run out of the drug store products that are laden with chemicals, why not gradually begin to incorporate some products from your kitchen to replace them?
Trust me, you’ll be glad you did!
About LaDawn
I’m LaDawn Kaye, also know as everyone’s favorite auntie! I’m the one you call when you have something that doesn’t feel quite right and you either don’t have the money or the time to get to a doctor. Most of the time I can direct you to something in your kitchen and if I can’t tell you off the top of my head, I know where to go to find the answer. ~ For more posts like this, follow me at www.ladawnkaye.com. ~
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