DIY beauty recipes: Victoria’s Secret Angels talk about getting your skin summer-ready

Congratulations world, there’s a whole new batch of Victoria’s Secret Angels out in the universe now. Which means loads more eye candy. And, of course, loads more body envy and general feelings of inadequateness as we shed the layers of our own wardrobe for summer.

But it need not always be so – because not every part of these heavenly bodies is toned and polished in the gym and hi-tech dermatologists offices. Many of their core beauty rituals involve easy kitchen shelf items like coconut water and lemon juice, which are perfectly accessible to us mere mortals as well. So, what are you waiting for?

A coconut a day

Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio and Lily Alridge swear by the revitalising powers of coconut water, ideally drunk fresh once a day. Why does this work? Coconut water is packed with potassium and electrolytes, which not only hydrate the body but also balance all our systems and flush out toxins from the liver. Coconuts are also full of natural beauty fat (the good kind that doesn’t have any cholesterol) and lauric acid, which supports our thyroid. Added bonus: it’s easily digested, thereby giving our metabolism a much-needed boost.

Other good juice options: acai and acerola.

Ice it!

Jasmine Tookes learnt this cool beauty trick from her mom’s dermatologist: You take an ice cube and run it all over your face until it melts away and leaves your pores really tight and your face really firm. She does it right before getting into bed every single night. Candice Swanepoel, on the other hand, splashes ice cold water on her face every morning to de-puff and bring on a healthy glow.

Much-o moisturiser

This is one basic we all tend to skip in summer: Plain and simple moisturiser. However, every single Victoria’s Secret Angel I spoke to reiterated that moisturiser is the key to perfect skin. Especially in summer, says Joan Smalls, when the sun tends to dehydrate our complexion, leaving it vulnerable to premature ageing and blemishes. To skip the greasiness, opt for a water-based product, like Biotherm Aquasource. Or head over to this post, where you can figure out exactly what your skin needs.

Going rose-y

Ieva Laguna grew up with a rose garden and continues to dab homemade rose tea under her eyes every single day. Or you can go the way of Behati Prinsloo, who swears by the complexion regenerating powers of rose water spray.

Oil it up!

Then there’s the ultimate beauty multi-tasker: good old coconut oil. Swanapoel, in fact, slathers it on from head-to-toe, using it as a hair and body moisturizer: “Coconut oil does take a bit more time to wash out but it always leaves my hair seriously shiny and healthy looking!” Aldridge goes a step further, mixing together one part coconut oil and two parts sugar with a spoon, then using the blend as an at-home body scrub. The sugar works as a gentle exfoliator, while coconut oil rehydrates the skin, leaving it soft and smooth. Bonus: it smells amazing.

Lemon ‘n lime

Martha Hunt advocates replacing store bought toners with plain lemon juice. Which makes sense really, since lemons are full of vitamin C, an antioxidant that slows down premature aging, while stimulating collagen and elastin production, thereby reducing the appearance of wrinkles and reversing sun damage. And because Vitamin C is extremely unstable – easily broken down by exposure to air and sunlight – what better way than to have it then squeezed fresh? Note: always use fresh lemon juice, and if your skin is sensitive, dilute with water.

Eggy stuff

All that heat styling can leave hair feeling totally dry and damaged. Hunt remedies that with this homemade hair mask: Add 3-4 tablespoons of rosemary oil to the white of two eggs. Whisk together until well blended and slather through your strands. Leave on for 20 minutes, then wash off with your regular shampoo. The eggs nourish strands with proteins and fats to heal damage and keep them smooth and shiny. Rosemary oil is superb at stimulating hair growth, so this DIY mask will ensure healthy, glossy tresses.

Have you ever tried any of these natural DIYs?