Weird and Wacky Beauty Facts
Turns out your beauty routine can be helped by thinking way outside the box. We chatted with the experts to find out what strange beauty myths are actually true!
1. Milk & Honey Bath
Lactic acid, found in milk, is a natural skin-softener, said Darrell McCurtain, a therapist at the Golden Door Spa. If filling an entire tub feels too indulgent, try using a small basin to soak feet or hands, or add a few cups to your bath water. Throw in a few teaspoons of honey to capture its anti-bacterial effect.
2. Red Wine
We cheered the news that red wine is good for our health, and McCurtain told us it’s fab for your skin, too! “The antioxidants and polyphenols found in wine are good for softening skin, and they’re easily absorbed through it as well.” Similar to the milk bath, fill your whole tub if you’re feeling luxe (or lush), or try in smaller doses like a foot or hand soak.
3. Lettuce & Spinach
Fight wrinkles and keep hair and nails healthy by fortifying your diet with lots of silicone-rich foods, suggests beauty nutritionist Paula Simpson. Smart buys include Romaine lettuce, spinach, cucumber, bell pepper, and tomatoes (including the skin).
4. Green Tea Bags
Chilled, already-steeped green tea bags are an easy way to fight puffy circles in the morning. Ranson recommends steeping two and letting them sit in the fridge for at least 20 minutes. The coolness will feel amazing, and the brew’s caffeine will help increase micro-circulation.
5. Caffeine
Espresso shot before your next run, anyone? An American College of Sports Medicine study found that consuming caffeine such as coffee, iced tea, or soda (diet!) can help increase physical performance during your workout. “Drink a caffeinated beverage before your workout!” suggested Dr. Elizabeth Applegate, a professor at UC Davis.
6. Lemons
Lemon juice combined with tea is an easy fix for oily hair. “The lemon works as a great astringent but doesn’t ruin the pH balance of the hair and scalp,” explains TRESemmé celebrity stylist Jeanie Syfu. Do half lemon juice, half black tea and rinse through clean hair.
7. Olive Oil
“If you have untamable curly locks, try mixing a dime-sized amount of olive oil in with your regular styling cream. You’ll get smooth texture and unbeatable shine,” said DuWop’s National Training Manager, Jason Garner.
8. Avocados
This guac-like concoction works wonders on your hair, too. Hershberger’s recipe calls for mashing up one to two avocados (depending on how much hair you’ve got), working through your hair, and letting sit for 10 minutes before rinsing.
9. Apple Cider Vinegar
After spending time as a celebrity makeup artist, Shaw’s learned a thing or two about relaxing. Her easiest recommendation? Taking a bath with a few cups of apple cider vinegar to detox and de-stress.
10. Baking Soda
Polish-free nails look prettiest when clean—Ginsberg’s trick is sprinkling baking soda on a lemon wedge and rubbing it on nails for a fresh white look.