10 DIY Beauty Products For Redheads
Having particularly sensitive skin, natural redheads need to take care of their porcelain shell more than people with other hair shades. Of course, sunscreen is one of those all-important methods, but there are additional ways to protect your paleness and red hair.
And, cleverly, a lot of these methods can be achieved using products found in your home.
Here are 10 homemade beauty products suitable for natural redheads and their sensitive skin…
1. Honey
Honey is an ancient healer packed with antibacterial properties, vitamins, amino acids and hydrogen peroxide, known for its acne-fighting, anti-aging, complexion-boosting and pore-opening powers.
Dab honey straight on to zits, mix with olive oil to form a face mask, or combine two parts honey with one part baking soda for a DIY facial exfoliator.
Top tip: organic honey is the best kind, as there won’t be any chemicals in there.
2. Epsom salt
Just because redheads are pale doesn’t been our skin can’t be bright and healthy-looking. Aside from curing aches and pains, soaking in an Epsom salt is also said to brighten your complexion.
While sitting in your warm bath, your skin absorbs the Epsom salt’s magnesium and sulphate, while toxins and excess fluids are removed at the same time, giving your skin a healthy glow.
Top tip: mix with olive oil or honey to make a facial exfoliator (don’t scrub too hard though, and avoid your eyes!)
3. Avocados
Ahh, avocados, how we love thee. Avocados are super-rich in nutrients, including antioxidants, skin-plumping omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin C for firmness, vitamin E for anti-aging, plus monosaturated fatty acids for moisturising.
Vitamin E is key in the repairing process of skin cells, and is also said to reduce the effects of UVA and UVB radiation from sun exposure, too, which can only be good news if you’ve gone slightly pinki in the sunshine (we hope you haven’t)!
All of these factors are beneficial for in your salad, but if you don’t fancy chomping on the green stuff, a fully or overly ripe avocado can be mashed up and applied as a face mask, or better yet, beat dry skin by placing the leftover avocado skins on your elbows and knees for 15 minutes.
4. Avocados (again)
Your ginger hair could benefit from some of avocados’ super nutrients, too.
Mix one avocado with one tablespoon of honey and two tablespoons of olive oil. Apply to your hair and leave to absorb for 20 minutes. Thoroughly rinse and shampoo as normal.
For a variation that adds a clarifying element, blend the avocado with one tablespoon each of lemon juice, aloe vera gel, and sea salt.
5. Olive oil
Your eye area is particularly delicate, so your make-up removal process is crucial so that the skin around your eyes isn’t unnecessarily damaged and to avoid fine lines.
Pure olive oil on some cotton wool removes eye make-up (even waterproof mascara) without needing you to scrub away. It will even moisturise the skin at the same time.
6. Yoghurt
Eating yoghurt that’s past its expiration date isn’t an appetising idea, so instead of throwing it away, turn it into a face mask instead.
If the yoghurt is only a few days old, try mixing it with honey and cucumber for a refreshing face mask that will tone pores and sooth any redness.
Simply apply to your face and allow to sink in for five minutes then rinse with cool water.
7. Beetroot
To create your own natural lip stain, mix beetroot juice with some olive oil. Blend the two ingredients together to make a perfect lip colour with a glossy finish.
8. Coconut oil
Coconut oil is the biggest thing in natural beauty right now. Putting itself forward as the saviour of cleansing, moisturising and make-up removal, this magical product contains luaric acid, which is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory.
Apply melted coconut oil directly to your hair and comb through (holding it in your hand will melt sufficiently). Wrap up your hair out of your face for 30-60 minutes and shampoo to rinse. This deep conditioning treatment will help to repair split ends, moisturise your scalp, and add a healthy glow to your hair.
Fun fact: Coconut oil is also great for fighting dandruff and hair loss, too. Win, win, win, win, win.
9. Sugar and water
This is going to sound bizarre, but mixing sugar and water makes a fantastic alcohol-free hair spray.
Not only is it cheap, but it’s also easy to make. Take a cup of boiling water and dissolve four teaspoons of sugar in it. Once cool, decant the mixture into a misting bottle, and you’re away. Your hair will smell sweet as sugar, too.
10. Coffee
Coffee is said to reduce the appearance of cellulite and varicose veins.
To make a coffee body scrub, mix coffee grounds (instant coffee will work, too) with sugar or salt, and olive oil. Gently caress the mixture in circular motions on your body then rinse in the shower.
Follow with a rich moisturiser and your skin will feel refreshed and revitalised.