Better With Age: 10 Beauty Tips from Around the World
Our planet is a giant, wonderfully diverse place. From country-specific garb (Japanese kimonos, Korean hanboks, Hawaiian grass skirts, Egyptian gallibayas, Indian saris and Dutch clogs) to tasty food (Italian pastas, German sausages, Thai soups and Irish meatpies) to cultural traditions, learning about -- and appreciating -- the world is an easy thing to do.In addition to meals and clothes and practices, cultures from around the world can also teach us a thing or two about beauty. After all, most women -- no matter their geographical location -- like to look and feel beautiful. Many of today's beauty practices were adopted and adapted from years past and are now commonplace (eyeliner, hair dye, lipstick).
Pictured at top left, from left to right: Hollywood Beauty Olive Oil ($2.79), Crabtree & Evelyn Avocado, Olive & Basil Skin Nourishing Body Butter ($104.99), Tatcha Polished: Deep Rice Enzyme Powder ($65), Out of Africa 100$ Pure and Unrefined Shea Butter ($15.99), The Body Shop Tea Tree 4-Piece Facial Skin-Care Kit ($29).
Now, without further ado, enjoy these 10 beauty tips from around the world.
Costa Rica: Orange Juice
Fresh orange juice is tasty, no doubt, but Costa Rican women also use it as an anti-redness agent. Simply combine equal parts orange juice (preferably fresh) and water and swab across affected areas. Let it set for two to five minutes before rinsing. Also consider adding a dash of baking soda to the mix to reduce redness and bumps on elbows, knees and armpits.
Australia: Tea Tree Oil
Women down under also have a hair trick up their sleeves. They mix a drop of tea tree oil with their regular shampoo to help nix dandruff.Italy: Olive Oil
Italy is one of the world's biggest olive oil manufacturers, so it makes sense that they employ this useful oil in myriad ways. Do like the Italians and rub olive oil onto your lips for extra conditioning and shine.West Africa: Shea Butter
Shea butter is a common ingredient in moisturizers these days, but its popularity stems from West Africa. Shea butter protects skin from free radicals and even prevents wrinkles.India: Coconut Oil
Coconut oil smells amazing, but a heavenly scent isn't all it offers. Indian women massage coconut oil into their scalp for shiny, lustrous hair.South America: Avocado
This green fruit with a wacky shell is beloved by South Americans for more than just its taste. The meaty part is high in fat and vitamin E and is used as a hair conditioning treatment. The peels can also be rubbed on the face as an exfoliant.Brazil: Sand
It's only natural that Brazilian women, who spend many of their days lounging around on the beach, use sand to their advantage. They say they rub wet sand on their bodies to stimulate the skin, exfoliate and get rid of cellulite.France: Lemon Juice
Rich nail polish colors such as red, orange or black often leave nail yellow-looking after the polish has been removed. To combat this, French women soak their fingers in lemon juice diluted with warm water. It acts as an effective, natural bleaching agent.China: Rice
Because it's rich in antioxidants, rice water acts as an excellent facial cleanser. In addition to cleaning your skin, it'll also help prevent premature aging. For DIY rice water, combine chinese rice with distilled or bottled water for 10 minutes. Strain, then apply to your face for 10 minutes.Sweden: Dry Saunas
The Swedes must deal with frigid temps throughout the year. In an effort to stay warmer, many Swedish women have dry saunas in their homes. In addition to helping them stay toasty, dry saunas improve complexions by speeding up circulation and hydrating the skin. Pictured below are Sauna Dome Germanium Stone 360 Surround of FIR FAR Infrared Dry Heat ($1048) and Sauna Dome Total 360° Surround Infrared Dry Heat ($319).
