Beauty Tricks To Steal From Women Around The World
If there’s one thing all women have in common, it’s the desire for glowing skin, shiny hair and beautiful nails. But the part of the world a person hails from has a major impact on how she goes about her beauty regimen. That’s why we’re obsessed with finding out how French girls … Dominican girls … Chinese girls get gorgeous—their distinctive influences and unique product picks are a source of endless fascination and envy. Here, eight hacks from beauty junkies across the globe, sure to get you looking and feeling amazing—and worldly to boot.
International Beauty
Spanish women bring out subtle natural highlights in brunette hair by rinsing it with cranberry juice. Try this at home by mixing equal parts pure cranberry juice and water and pouring it onto shampooed hair in the shower. Spend a day in the sun before washing it out, and you'll notice more vibrancy and dimension.
Ethiopian women use clarified butter (also referred to as ghee) to maintain soft, shiny hair. It works similar to the beloved coconut oil, helping hydrate and sealing in moisture. Apply and let it sit for 20 minutes. Be sure to wash it out really well to avoid greasy-looking locks.
French women definitely know the secret to perfectly smooth, radiant skin—milk. Lactic acid works as a gentle exfoliator. Just pour two to three cups of whole milk into your tub (and if you're feeling fancy, add some honey) and let the bath do its job. Bring on the glow.
Women in Australia have been using tea-tree oil for years to ditch dandruff. Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties instantly relieve a dry, flaky scalp. Try it at home by adding a few drops to your shampoo routine.
In the DR, women are all about strong, beautiful nails. Here's a strategy you probably haven't heard before: Thinly slice a garlic clove and add to a bottle of clear nail polish. Let the mixture soak for 10 days, then apply to nails. Garlic has antibacterial properties that help strengthen and prevent splitting and peeling. Disclaimer: Your hands will smell for a couple of hours.
Scandinavian women keep it simple with one genius ingredient: water. To get rid of puffiness and firm the skin, splash your face with ice water for a couple of minutes once or twice a day. You'll notice results in no time.
Costa Ricans deep-clean their pores and firm the skin by mixing up a toner of orange or lemon. Stir together equal parts freshly squeezed citrus and water, and apply to your face with a cotton round. Let it sit five minutes, then rinse. The natural enzymes in the fruit will work just as well as (or better than) an expensive toner.
The women of Poland know how to keep hair strong and shiny. Because egg yolks are packed with protein and nutrients, using them as a 15-minute hair mask will strengthen stressed tresses. Mix with a few drops of olive oil and lemon juice and apply weekly.
Ever wondered how Chinese women achieve such soft, supple complexions? The answer: green tea powder. Hydrate your skin at home by mixing green tea powder with brewed white tea to create a paste. Apply weekly and let sit for 15 minutes.
