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NATURAL BEAUTYINHERITED BEAUTY: SECRETS PASSED DOWN FROM MOTHERS TO DAUGHTHERS
For thousands of years, beauty secrets have been passed down from one
generation to the next. In fact, we still use some of those fabulous remedies
today, such as milk baths (really goat’s milk), a favorite of Cleopatra. Here,
women from around our globe share their best pretty little secrets.
Betty’s secret:
Betty is my mother. When I was younger, she drilled the use of sunscreen and moisturizer into my head along with the “no-frown” policy. My mother would always say if you frown like that, you end up looking like that when you get older. I would practice not frowning and believe it or not, it worked. Look Mom, no Botox!
Angai’s secret:
Angai is originally from South India, and her mother, Swathi, passed a skincare secret that can help all skin types. Grind up green lentils to a powder, then add some ground rice and a little water, enough to make a paste. Leave on to dry and rinse off, gently exfoliating your skin.
Kristen’s secret:
Kristen is from Florida and uses a Scandinavian beauty ritual shared with her by her mother, Kaaren. “When we were kids, body brushing was a necessity before bathing,” she tells me. Body brushing improves circulation and exfoliates your skin. Kristen adds that sometimes they would run outside into the cold (to further the circulation of the skin, etc.) and quickly return to the bathing ritual.
Laura’s secret:
Laura from the UK says her mum has a great complexion and would always tell her to use as little on the face as possible. Cleanse your face and use a good moisturizer, she was told—and that’s all she does today.
Lisa’s secret:
Lisa from Florida cannot believe how young her mother, Zoila, looks, even at 70. Lisa says when they would go on vacation to Costa Rica, her mother would return home with containers of red volcano clay. She would mix it up with some water and use it as a mask, along with Oil of Olay moisturizer or just plain olive oil.
MaryEllen’s secret:
MaryEllen of Rhode Island says her parents could not tell her enough about the use of taking large doses of vitamin C on a daily basis. They believe that it repairs the cells in your body, including the skin cells.
Celia’s secret:
Celia from Puerto Rico, owner of The Main Street Salon and Spa, says the beauty secret her mother told her is still being used today by both women: Take a cleaned-out tuna can and place it on your stove, then pour in some olive oil and a clove of garlic and put on low heat for a few minutes. Soak nails in the can (make sure it’s not too hot!), and you will have strong and healthy nails in no time.
Here is another quick tip from Celia: When you shower and don’t want to get your hair wet, wrap a bandanna around your head and put a shower cap on. The heat of the shower will activate the natural oils in your hair, so no frizz!
Ancient Korean secret:
In Korea, the women would use the starchy, milky water from soaked white rice to wash their faces. The result is lighter-looking skin and a soft, dewy complexion.
Ancient Egyptian secrets:
Fenugreek youth serum is a wonder-potion from ancient Egypt.
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon of dried fenugreek seeds and ¼ cup of sweet almond oil
Preparation: Crush the seeds lightly in a mortar and pestle and add them to the oil. Allow them to soak for 30 minutes. Strain the seeds from the oil. Gently massage the oil into your skin while thinking youthful thoughts.
Chamomile dates back to ancient Egypt, when women would crush the petals of the flower to beautify and protect their skin. Here is a recipe that will de-puff your eyes:
Ingredients: 1 potato, chamomile tea (loose or bag), aloe vera gel
Preparation: Soak 2 potato slices in the tea. Remove and dip into the aloe vera gel before placing on your eyes for 20 minutes.
Ancient Chinese secret:
In Beijing, the empress of China used a jade face-roller on her face, a practice rooted in the basis of reflexology. It helps keep the blood circulating.
Ancient Amazonian secret:
In the Amazon, women have been known to have great skin and hair. Their secret: the Brazil nut. The Amazonians use the oil from the nut to condition their hair and protect and moisturize their skin.
Ancient South African secret:
To fight irritated and inflamed skin, women in South Africa steep a cup of rooibos, a tea leaf that is native to the area and contains zinc and alpha hydroxy acid, allow it to cool, and then topically apply the liquid to the skin with a cotton ball. The tannins in the tea soothe and relieve discomfort.
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Athena 7 This product is packed with 12 organic essential oils with peptides that will give you a face-lift in seven minutes. One application will last 10 hours, and the jar itself may last for three to six months. ($89, www.7minutelift.com) |
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Prana This luxurious serum is infused with antioxidants, vitamins, and genuine German gold flakes that stimulate cell growth and improve texture of the skin while reducing the appearance of wrinkles. ($96, www.pranaspaceuticals.com) |
Both of these products were featured at the 2009 Oscars Celebrity Red Carpet Gift Event—straight from Hollywood to you! Just in time for Mother’s Day.
As we remember the gift of motherhood, I can’t help but be so thankful for my mom and blessed that she passed down more than just beauty secrets. She was responsible for sharing the greatest gift of all, unconditional love!
Shelly serves as an inspirational beauty coach, aesthetician/makeup artist and beauty expert columnist for CBN.com, Beautiful One Magazine, Christian Women Online, Sheer Balance and On Course magazine. She is also the author of Beauty by God: Inside-Out Secrets for Every Woman. Shelly’s career has ranged from subtle face makeovers to painting bold murals on buildings. She is a graduate of the prestigious International Academy. Shelly also holds certifications as a nutritional consultant and herbalist, and she’s a graduate of one of the top makeup schools in the industry, Joe Blasco. Shelly lives in Florida with her husband, Angelo Ballestero, and their two sons.
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