We live in a fast-paced, stressful world. The demands of work, family, and society, in general, leave us precious little time to practice the fine art of self-care. The best part of these inexpensive beauty hacks is this–you’ll find most of the ingredients right in your pantry or medicine cabinet!
Self-care has never been more important. Indeed, children and adults alike need to learn the basics of self-care and make time for it in order to reduce stress, improve mental health, and to see a marked improvement in physical health as well.
Benefits of indulging in some beauty hacks for a little self-care
Making time for your beauty regimen and adding some simple self-care steps will benefit you in many ways. For instance:
1. It will improve your physical health
While pampering and beauty hacks might not be able to give the type of physical benefits that diet and exercise might, what pampering does do is trigger a relaxation response. A reduction in stress will reduce your risk of developing chronic health conditions, illness, and disease. Any activity that reduces stress is well worth any time spent doing it, so take some extra time for yourself as a means of staying healthier.
2. It will improve your mental health
Taking care of yourself sends a message to others that you deserve to have some of the finer things in life; as others begin to accept your new habit of prioritizing yourself from time to time, you’ll find it easier to incorporate activities into your regular schedule that make you feel good.
When you are living in a body that looks good and feels good, you feel happier and more peaceful. You can give to and serve others without depleting your own energy sources, and you’ll enhance the lives of those around you.
3. You’ll be a better caregiver
People who chronically neglect their own needs are in danger of developing feelings of frustration, anger, depression, and resentment. They may experience burnout, and they will be unable to care for themselves and others. A little time for self-care each day will fill up the reservoir once more, and make it possible to care for others.
Make time for these inexpensive beauty hacks
While a lengthy head-to-toe spa session might be in order from time to time, most of us do not have the time or the money to devote to such a level of care. Not to fret, there are a number of very effective and surprisingly inexpensive beauty hacks that you can implement at home that make you look and feel as if you’ve been to the best artisan spa. Follow these tips for simple, inexpensive beauty hacks at home that will make you feel fabulous!
1.Chocolate face mask
Who knew that a few simple pantry items could be combined so symbiotically to form a dynamic face mask that reduces fine lines and wrinkles, eliminates acne breakouts, and evens out pigmentation?
The chocolate face mask is simple to prepare, delicious to behold, and it does everything as promised. Follow these directions, and you’ll have beautiful, radiant skin in no time:
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 Tbsp cream
- 2 tsp honey
- 1/4 cup milk
Simply mix all the ingredients together until they have formed a thick paste. Apply evenly to your skin and let dry. Rinse off with water and pat dry; get ready to uncover more youthful, glowing, delicious skin.
2. Homemade sugar scrub
No matter what climate you live in, you are bound to experience dry, flaky, irritated skin from time to time. Whether it’s on your hands, your feet, your elbows, and knees, or on your face, this homemade sugar scrub is easy to prepare, and it will make any skin you apply it to feel like silk. Feel free to add some luxurious essential oils for added sensory stimulation; this is one of our favorite inexpensive beauty hacks to have on hand for those moments when you can indulge in a little extra self-care between loads of dishes and laundry. To prepare homemade sugar scrub, follow these directions:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup organic coconut oil
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- citrus zest or your one of your favorite essential oils for scent
- 1 tsp vitamin E oil
Combine all ingredients and blend thoroughly; store in glass jars or other airtight containers to keep it fresh. Simply rub on the area that you desire to have smoother, softer skin, and rinse off with warm water.
3. Peppermint lip plump
You can create that desirable plump pout by adding a few drops of peppermint essential oil to your favorite lip gloss. The peppermint helps to stimulate the circulation underneath the skin and create a plumping effect. Peppermint oil has long been used in homeopathic therapies to also relieve headache and neck pain, ease digestion, and could even play a role in a revitalizing foot soak at the end of a long day. Simply add a few drops to an Epsom salt soak, and feel the magic happen.
4. Homemade teeth whitening using coconut oil or baking soda
Is your smile less than radiant these days? One of the most effective, inexpensive beauty hacks to uncover your radiant smile, all you need to do is swish with 2 Tbsp of melted coconut oil in your mouth to remove unsightly stains. Want to take whitening to the next level? Mix baking soda and water into a paste and brush with this a couple of times weekly for your brightest and whitest smile.
5. Glossy hair rinse—with ACV
Apparently, weight loss and a reduction in inflammation aren’t the only claims that apple cider vinegar can make when it comes to improving your health and quality of life. Simply mix a 1:3 ration of ACV to water and scrub through your hair as you would with shampoo; leave on a few extra minutes for a shine that is out of this world. The tart solution will rid your hair and scalp of nasty buildup and uncover beautiful strands that gleam in the sunlight once more.
6. Deep conditioner with coconut oil
Coconut oil does it again; this time, it works its magic on your hair. If you tend to have dry or frizzy hair, simply smooth on coconut oil and run in from scalp to tip; leave on for twenty minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Your hair will be softer and more manageable than ever before.
7. Foam roller massage
Don’t have time for a chiropractic adjustment or a pricey massage? A well-placed foam roller will do the trick. Known in the fitness world to reduce tension and work out those post-workout muscle knots, they can do the same for you if you find yourself with some extra tension that needs releasing. Check out this wonderful website tutorial on how to gain some of the same benefits of massage at home using nothing but a foam roller, a pool noodle, and a therapy ball. Get ready to feel more relaxed!
8. Get the matte look
Love the look of your makeup when you leave the spa, but you don’t have to constantly refresh and re-apply? Use a brush to lightly dust corn starch over freshly applied lipstick for an all-day, show-stopping look. Your makeup will last for hours, leaving you more time to focus on important things, like getting together with the girls for lunch.
9. DIY body wrap
Don’t we just love those pampering body wraps that help us detoxify and improve the look of our skin? You can get the same look at home, using some simple pantry items that you most likely have on hand. Get ready to look and feel great with just a small commitment:
Ingredients
- Body lotion containing seaweed, kelp, or mud
- Clear plastic wrap
- Bandage wrap
Apply lotion to the desired area on the skin. Cover it as tightly as you can with plastic wrap. Cover the area snugly with the bandage wrap; leave on for 15-30 minutes for detoxifying and cellulite reducing results.
10. The perfect cuppa
Nothing quite rounds out your perfect spa experience like the perfect cuppa tea. Nutritionists and spa specialists alike agree that inner self-care is just as important as what you do to your outer self as well. Drinking tea has been known to have several health and beauty benefits. Sip on a favorite cup of one of the following teas and take advantage of one of the easiest and inexpensive beauty hacks that you can implement into your spa routine:
- Green tea–fights pollution and oxidative damage inside and outside
- Rose tea–helps you to age gracefully
- Hibiscus tea—brings back that youthful glow
- Matcha tea–improves circulation
- Calendula tea—has moisturizing properties
- Horsetail tea–promotes collagen production
- Dandelion tea–promotes gut health and reduces inflammation
- Chamomile tea–effective in reducing chronic skin conditions
- Licorice tea–protects against sun damage
- Nettle tea–reduces toxins
- Burdock root tea–facilitates deep cleansing
- Peppermint tea–eliminates oil production
- Rosehips tea—promotes cellular renewal
Bottoms up!
Prioritize yourself, and enjoy these inexpensive beauty hacks straight out of your pantry
Taking a few precious minutes for yourself each day will improve almost every aspect of your life. You’ll look better, you’ll feel better, and you’ll be able to step out and take over your corner of the world. Enjoy the extra pampering, and keep your little inexpensive beauty hacks and spa secrets to yourself!