Shine on!

Get glowing and feel fabulous with these quick and easy natural summer beauty tips

Summer is here and we’re all enjoying the warm weather, sunshine and longer evenings. Here are our top tips for ensuring that your skin, hair and body are in great shape for enjoying the summer season.

Have an extra serving of greens

If your complexion is looking a little lacklustre, give it a boost by upping your intake of leafy greens such as spinach, broccoli and kale. They are also high in beta carotene, a powerful antioxidant that helps to repair and renew skin, giving it a healthy glow. Spinach is also rich in folate which is an essential nutrient for DNA repair and will help to give your skin an extra boost. Make yourself a healthy green salad for lunch or whip up a green juice to top up your intake of greens.

Drink plenty of water

Make sure you increase your water intake during the summer months as we tend to lose a lot more water when the temperature is warmer. Aim to drink around six to eight glasses a day and add in a squeeze of lemon or lime juice if you find the taste to be a bit bland. Dehydration can make skin look dry and wrinkles more prominent so limit caffeine, sugary drinks and alcohol. If you want to enjoy a few summer beverages, match each glass of alcohol with a glass of water to keep dehydration at bay.

Treat your hair

Spending time outdoors in the sunshine can invariably turn luscious locks into lacklustre tresses. A homemade hair treatment can help to restore your hair’s former flair. Coconut oil is a fantastic natural treatment for dry hair – as well as skin. It contains lauric acid, capric acid and vitamin E, all of which help to restructure hair, increase its strength by preventing protein loss and give it a nice shine. Simply take a couple of tablespoons of coconut oil and massage into clean, damp hair, concentrating on the ends, which tend to be drier, and avoiding the scalp, which tends to be healthier. If the coconut oil is solid you will need to warm it up so that it melts. Leave the oil on your hair for around 20 to 30 minutes and, to increase the effectiveness, cover your hair with a shower cap and wrap a towel around your head. Afterwards, shampoo the oil out and notice the difference!

Stock up on berries

Fresh berries such as raspberries, strawberries and blueberries are all fantastic summery fruits to add to your porridge or blend in a smoothie. Blueberries in particular are consistently ranked number one for their antioxidant power among fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants can protect the skin from the damaging and ageing effects of the sun, so make sure you stock up on these juicy treats if you want your skin to glow!

Hydrate your hands

Give your hands and nails a makeover with a homemade sugar scrub, which will help to remove dry skin and leave your hands feeling nourished and hydrated. Simply mix two cups of sugar with one cup of vitamin E-rich olive oil – great for strengthening nails. Rub the mixture all over your hands, leave for 15 minutes and then clean with a warm washcloth. For a natural sheen, forgo the nail varnish and instead buff your nails for a healthy, shiny look. For the best results, only buff your nails in the direction they grow rather than back and forth.

Tuck into some apricots

These tasty summer fruits are rich in the carotenoid beta carotene, which is converted by the body into vitamin A. This UV-protective vitamin helps to nourish the hair, skin and nails, giving you an all-over glow. For other good sources of vitamin A, think of other yellow fruits such as mango and papaya as well as yellow, red and green vegetables, such as spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes and red peppers. In fact you could combine all of these into an exotic salad full of skin-boosting nutrients!

Use some mineral magic

When it comes to summer make-up, bronzer is your best friend. Sweep it over your cheekbones, forehead, chin and down your nose for a sun-kissed glow. Look out for mineral make-up when choosing your bronzer – as well as other cosmetics. Mineral make-up is made from crushed rocks such as mica, titanium dioxide and silica and is free of chemicals and additives which can cause skin irritation. What’s more, it is non-comedogenic, which means that it doesn’t clog pores and may be more suitable for acne-prone skin. It helps to reflect the light and prevents shine, making it a great natural make-up choice for summer. Make sure you invest in a good quality brush, which will give you the best and most even coverage.

Fake it!

For an all-over glow, look for a natural self-tan lotion that is free from chemical nasties such as petrochemicals, parabens, synthetic fragrance and other additives. To achieve a streak-free look, make sure you apply your self-tan lotion to clean, exfoliated skin. Use a loofah or natural skin scrub to scrub your skin whilst in the shower and get rid of any dead skin cells. Make sure you apply the product evenly, paying particular attention to dry areas such as the elbows, knees, wrists and ankles. When you’re done, wash your hands and nails thoroughly, to make sure that no staining occurs. Orange palms are not a good look! To maintain your natural tan, to up every few days.

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