BY AVERY HERODES
GRANDMA’S BEAUTY REMEDIES
Timeless beauty secrets for naturally glowing skin and hair all year long, straight from my family’s vault. Have you ever wondered what the trick is to achieving that year-long radiance, even without a trip to the Mediterranean Sea? Here’s a hint: the secret can’t be bought at Sephora or Ulta. The secret, believe it or not, is found at your local grocery store or already within the cabinets in your home. Home remedies for healthy, luminous hair and skin are as simple as a bottle of olive oil or a few dazzling lemons. Growing up living with my Italian grandmother, she taught me all the amazing tricks of the trade for how she uses these beautiful, robust ingredients, not only in her mouthwatering cooking, but all aspects of her beauty routine as well!
Olive Oil This miracle oil is undoubtedly the center of Italian cuisine but olive oil is also extremely versatile: ask any Italian woman, not just my grandma who buys it by the bucketload, and you’ll know that it’s also the center of home beauty remedies. Olive oil contains three incredible antioxidants: vitamin E, polyphenols, and phytosterols, as well as a potent anti-aging compound, squalene. The powerful combination of these ingredients not only fights premature aging, but promotes smooth, moisturized skin. Put a few drops onto your face for the ultimate moisturizing serum, or mix some olive oil with mashed strawberries for a hydrating, brightening face
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mask full of Vitamin C and rich antioxidants. Not in the mood for skincare? The uses for olive oil extend far beyond that. Lather it into the ends of your hair, like my grandmother, as well as the stunning Italian actress Sophia Loren. After rinsing it out, you’re left with strong, shiny, movie star hair. One of my favorite memories as a child is sitting in my grandma’s house in our robes, with our hair lathered in olive oil, and sipping on some tea, while her lemon cake is baking in the oven. Whatever you choose to do with olive oil, just always remember to keep a bottle for your kitchen counter and a bottle for your vanity!
BEAUTY AND WELLNESS
