beauty secrets Archives - The Beauty Gypsy

Garlic for Nails: The Dominican Beauty Secret

May 17, 2013 By anubha 7 Comments

Of all the worries that one can have in this crazy world, I now have to stress about my nails – which my manicurist says are very weak and fragile. So, my nails now need some serious attention. My nails! Seriously!

Anyway, what needs to be done, has to be done! I was telling my dilemma to a friend from the Dominican Republic and she spilt the beans about this traditional beauty treatment that all her countrywomen swear by to make nails stronger: Add a little bit of fresh, chopped garlic to a bottle of clear nail polish and let sit for a week; then polish your nails with this concoction.

She actually had a bottle on hand and insisted on applying it for me, despite my phobia of chasing people away with the garlicky smell. Know what? The smell actually disappeared in just 10 minutes. And my nails haven’t chipped once since I applied this “polish” 5 days ago – which is truly a rarity! I now have a pod of garlic marinating in OPI’s Natural Nail Base Coat. Will report back on the long term results soon.

In the meantime, tell me what’s your go-to nail remedy? And how often do you actually give your nails some serious love and care?

Filed Under: Beauty, Classic, Nails Tagged With: Beauty, beauty secrets, benefits of garlic, Dominican Republic, Garlic, garlic beauty recipe, garlic for nails, garlic nail recipe, garlic recipe, Hands, how to make nails stronger, Manicure, Nail Care, Nail Polish, Nails, repair nail, uses of garlic

Gypsy Beauty: Secrets to looking mystical, exotic and bohemian-glam

April 25, 2013 By anubha 10 Comments

Long, glossy and carefree hair, skin that glows like smooth marble touched with warm gold, exotic kohl-lined eyes that seem to peer into your very soul, a haunting fragrance that wafts around like the most mystical incense… gypsy women are some of the most beautiful in the world, aren’t they? Are they born beautiful? Many are, yes, but not all. And for those who are not, here are some closely held beauty secrets that will transform the plainest of Janes into magnificent beauties who can tempt and trap with a flutter of their eye lashes.

Dry hair? Warm some olive oil and apply it to your tresses, using cotton balls. Go slowly all over the head, working in the oil right to the ends. Then dip a towel in hot water, wring it out, and wrap it around your hair. When the towel has cooled, reheat it and wrap it around again. Keep your hair under wraps for an hour, then shampoo thoroughly.

To keep the complexion clear, wash your face with dew every morning. Gypsies of centuries past also used rain water but in these days of acid rain, I wouldn’t advice going down this route.

A gypsy skin freshener is made up of one part malt vinegar (apple cider vinegar will do) to eight parts of water. This can also do double duty as a great hair rinse.

Looking for that supple, pore-less, alabaster-like complexion that seems to glow from inside? Try this 19th century Romani beauty recipe: Mix one egg with one tablespoon each of honey and milk. Beat together and apply the pack to face and neck. Leave it on for 15 minutes, then wash off with warm water followed by cold water.

Blend equal parts olive oil, rose water and powdered oatmeal and apply this concoction on your face. Wash off after 20 minutes for skin that glows like silvery marble in moonlight.

Sage tea can bring back the hair’s natural colour when it is starting to grey. Prepare a strong concoction by boiling loose sage leaves in water, let it cool and apply all over your hair. Repeat once a week.

Looking for something more enchanted? Take a lock of your hair and bury it at the foot of a willow tree. This is said to promote luxuriant growth, making the hair glossy and smooth.

Bring out that moon-phase watch – cutting tresses at New Moon will make them grow rapidly and richly. On the other hand, if you cut your hair during the waning cycle, it will grow very slowly.

Yes, you can make your hair grow faster – by never brushing it in artificial light. Gypsy women will either do it in the daylight or sit outside by the light of the moon.

And it’s not just about the women: men seeking luxuriant hair should regularly apply a tea made from wild cherry bark. A strong mixture worked into the scalp over a period of time is said to grow hair on a bald man.

So there you have it: gypsy beauty. What do you think? Corny or glam? Which of these enchanted potions will you be trying?

Filed Under: Beauty, Eyes, Hair, Men, Oils, Organic, Skincare, Spa Tagged With: Beauty, beauty gypsy, beauty secrets, bohemian, gipsy, gypsy, gypsy beauty, hippie, hippy, the gypsies, the gypsy

Beauty & the Nut: Magic of Almonds

January 26, 2013 By anubha 10 Comments

You will find thousands of old wives’ tales about the beauty benefits of almonds. I have, personally, grown up on almonds soaked overnight, then made into almond paste by rubbing them on the sides of a terracotta pot. This paste could be eaten, applied on the skin or mixed into milk for a nightcap. Usually, we did all three things in the course of a single day. For a reason. And the reason is that these almond-based recipes have persevered for thousands of years because they actually do work – a fact that science has also proven time and again.

To begin with, almonds are tremendously rich in calcium and minerals, which make them extremely nourishing. Almond oil and paste literally ‘feed’ the skin, smoothening and softening it without leaving a greasy residue. Plus, they contain hefty doses of mono-unsaturated fat, which helps lower the bad cholesterol (LDL). Even the brown peel of this nut is considered valuable as it possesses anti-oxidant properties… eating almonds with the peel is, therefore, far more nutritious than peeled almonds, though the latter may be much yummier!

Today, hardly any of us has time to make almond paste the ancient way. However, this ancient belief in almonds is something we can easily adapt to modern lifestyles. Here are some ways in which you can make these delicious nuts work for you:

Pure almond oil is a great moisturiser. Buy a small bottle and simply alternate with your regular night cream.

Eating almonds on an empty stomach helps the body to absorb their calcium, leading to strong and glossy nails.

To make a potent deep cleansing face mask, soak half a cup of almonds overnight and next morning rub them on a clear, rough surface moistened with a little water. This will create a creamy paste that should be applied on the face and left to dry thoroughly (you can add a pinch of saffron to the paste for an added glow). When it is dry, rub in gentle circular motions with damp fingertips. This will not only remove all the dirt and dry skin but also leave you soft and sweet smelling.

To strengthen hair and prevent slit ends, massage almond oil directly into the scalp and strands; leave it for about 20 minutes then wash. Your hair will emerge looking shiny, silky and healthy.

Filed Under: Ayurveda, Beauty, Health, Oils, Organic, Skincare, Spa Tagged With: Almond, almond beauty, almond beauty recipes, almond paste, almond skincare, almonds, almonds benefits, almonds health, Beauty, beauty secrets, benefits of almonds, Hair, natural beauty, Skincare

15 Beauty Secrets That Will Rock Your World!

January 20, 2013 By anubha 4 Comments

From Brazil to Scandinavia, the best beauty secrets are found in the kitchen. And they are often more effective than pricey lotions and potions, which is why they have lived on for thousands of years. So, I’ve scoped out some of the top natural beauty recipes from across the world for your benefit – each one tried, tested and timeless. But first put that passport! You don’t have to travel any farther than your local market to start reaping the benefits.

Thailand

Thai women have sworn by the detoxification powers of lemongrass since centuries – no wonder they have such beautiful skin. To make a potent detox drink, chop up a handful of lemongrass and add some crushed ginger, basil and jasmine. Boil all this in a litre of water for about 10 minutes, then cool the liquid. Once it’s cooled, add the juice of half a lemon and sip through the day.

Philippines

Women here have a simple beauty recipe to make their hair glossy: break an aloe leaf in half and massage the juice into your scalp. Let it sit for 15-30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

Japan

To get glowing body skin, Japanese women take a sake bath. The brew’s high level of Kojic acid exfoliates and helps lighten age spots and other discolouration. It’s a simple beauty recipe to replicate: just add four six-ounce glasses of any kind of sake to your bath water.

Tahiti

Monoi oil – extracted from coconuts and infused with tiare, frangipani and vanilla flowers – allows Tahitian women to maintain their lovely skin despite the intense heat and daily exposure to salt water. They coat their strands with this fragrant oil to prevent hair damage and massage it into the skin to retain moisture and elasticity while protecting against environmental assault.

Turkey

Daisy flowers make for an excellent highlight booster, especially for blond or light brown hair. Boil one cup of daisies in two cups of water for five minutes. Let the liquid cool, remove the daisies, pour the water over your hair and let it air-dry. No need to rinse out.

Israel

Swimming in the Dead Sea helps your body rid itself of toxins and cures skin diseases. To get these benefits at home, use this potent beauty recipe: mix together ¼ cup sea salt, 1 pinch seaweed powder, ½ cup almond or olive oil and 10-15 drops lavender oil. Apply to skin and gently exfoliate, using circular motions.

Greece

Greek women rinse their hair with rosemary water to deep cleanse and remove buildup. Boil fresh rosemary in water, let it cool completely, strain out the rosemary and pour the water over your hair. Result: shiny, bouncy locks.

Italy

The sun in southern Italy is very strong and drying for hair. To prevent damage and boost shine, Italian women use this beauty recipe: combine 1 cup of whole milk yogurt with 1 teaspoon olive oil. Then apply the mixture to washed hair, let it sit for 5 minutes and rinse with cool water. Yogurt is full of natural proteins that transform even the most damaged hair into glossy, sexy locks.

France

Grape-seed extract contains powerful antioxidants and is regularly used by French women to keep their skin beautiful and ageless. And no, grapes cannot compare in antioxidant potency to grape-seed extract – you would have to eat 1.5 pounds of table grapes to receive the benefits you would get from 50 mg of grape-seed extract.

Scandinavia

Scandinavian women have amazing skin. And their beauty recipe has to be the simplest ever: not only do they drink plenty of mineral water, it’s also used as a face wash. Minerals help condition and hydrate the skin, while the cool, fresh splash of moisture rinses off impurities and helps reduce redness and swelling. The key is that it needs to be icy cold and you should indulge in at least 20 splashes to wake up the skin.

United Kingdom

Soaking in a hot mustard bath is a traditional English remedy for tight, achy muscles. Think it’s weird? Mustard has healing compounds that draw out toxins, improve circulation, relax tight muscles and speed up the healing of damaged tissues. To make a mustard bath, mix 2 cups epsom salts, ¼ cup baking soda and ¼ cup dry mustard powder. Add this healing mix to hot running water; soak for 20 minutes, then rinse.

Australia

Dandruff? Do like the Aussies and add a few drops of tea tree oil to your shampoo. No more white flakes!

Chile

Chilean women credit the antioxidant powers of red grapes for their luminous skin. They mash up a handful of the fruit and add 2 tablespoons of white flour. This paste is applied to the face and left on for 10 minutes before washing off. It instantly rejuvenates tired or fatigued skin and imparts an amazing glow.

Jamaica

The Jamaican beauty recipe combines a pinch of baking soda with enough water to make a paste. Dab this on a pimple; as the paste dries and hardens, it will suck dirt and oil out of your pores.

Brazil

To ease the sting of sunburn, pile oatmeal flakes onto a large piece of gauze bandage, twist it up like a sack, and tie it around the tap of your bathtub. Let cool water flow through the bag and bathe in it for at least 20 minutes to soak up the cereal’s anti-inflammatory goodness.

What’s your secret natural beauty recipe? Do share!

Filed Under: Beauty, Bodycare, Classic, Detox, Flowers, Fruits, Hair, Oils, Organic, Skincare, Spa, Spices, Sun Protection, Wellness Tagged With: beauty mask recipe, beauty recipe, Beauty Recipes, beauty recipes from around the world, beauty secrets, beauty secrets from around the world, home beauty recipe, homemade beauty recipes, homemade beauty tips, homemade recipe beauty, Mustard, natural beauty recipe, recipe for beauty, Recipes From Around The World, Secret Beauty

9 Celebrity Beauty Problems

January 17, 2013 By anubha Leave a Comment

Killer acne, horridly frizzy hair, insufferably dry skin… it’s somehow consoling to know that the world’s most gorgeous celebrities have the same crazy beauty problems that plague us mere mortals. So, what do stars like Lauren Conrad, Tyra Banks, and Kim Kardashian do when they have a bad hair day or breakout? Why, Tweet and Instagram it for all of their followers to see, of course. And the lovely Sharon Tanenbaum over at Daily Glow has combed through the zillions of social media feeds to bring us an enlightening snapshot of how the haute half lives. I, for one, am completely inspired by Victoria Beckham’s solution to the beauty fallout of a sleepless night. Mammoth bag, here I come!