1. MEXICO: GELATIN HAIR MASK

Close your eyes and imagine what Mexican hair looks like. You’re most probably visualizing dark, shiny, frizz free hair. That’s because the Mexicans have been rocking that look for ages. And they get it with a gelatin hair mask.

The Secret Recipe = 1 tbsp unflavoured gelatin + 1 cup water + 1 tsp apple cider vinegar.

The method:
Heat the water and gelatin in a pan and keep stirring to prevent lumps.
When it starts steaming, take it off the stove and let a cool down till it’s warm. Then add the vinegar. It’s ready.

The application:
Massage this gel-like mixture into your hair after your shampoo, while your hair is still wet. Let it sit for about 10-30 minutes before rinsing. You can now proudly sport glossy, frizz-free tresses!

 

2. IRAN: ROSEWATER

The lovely ladies from Iran maintain their rosy complexion with none other than rosewater. Rosewater is brimming with the goodness of Vitamin A and E and when used as a toner, it clears, soothes, hydrates and softens skin. The best part, it works its magic on all skin types.

But that’s not where it ends. The Iranians also use rosewater as a final rinse after they shampoo their hair. The rosewater conditions the hair, adds shine, and leaves behind an amazing scent.

The Secret Recipe = 1 cup of rose petals (firmly packed) + 1 cup of water.

The method: Place the rose petals in a bowl. Pour boiling water over the rose petals. Cover and let it steep for 30 minutes. Strain and store it in a bottle. Refrigerate it immediately. It will last for a week.

The application:
1. Toner: Just drench a cotton pad with rosewater and dab all over your skin.
2. After-shampoo rinse: Pour half a cup as the final rinse after you’ve washed your hair.

 

3. BRAZIL: CARROT JUICE

Ever wondered how the Brazilians always manage to get that perfect tan? It not just by sun tanning. It’s by drinking raw, unprocessed carrot juice before they head to the beach! How???

Carrots have truckloads of beta-carotene (that gives them the orange colour). This beta-carotene also gives skin a slight bronze glow when had regularly and enhances the tan. What’s more, beta-carotene is also a great anti-aging and anti-acne ingredient, and it even protects against sun damage!

To get this gorgeous goddess tan, just drink a glass of carrot juice daily, for at least 2 weeks before getting tanned. Remember not to go overboard. Otherwise your skin will get an orangey tinge. Yikes! This isn’t dangerous, it just means you’ve gone too far.

The Secret Recipe = 4 Carrots + Juicer.

4. CHINA: RICE WATER

Trust the Chinese to come up with the most genius use of rice.
A well-kept Chinese beauty secret is to use rice water as a skin toner. Rice water is literally brimming with vitamins and anti-oxidants that hydrate and brighten skin, reduce discolourations and prevent aging. Amazing!

Secret Recipe = Rice + water.

The method: Soak unpolished rice in a bowl of water for 20 minutes. Then stir so the water gets all milky. Strain out the rice and store the water in the refrigerator for no more than 3 days.

The application: Soak a cotton pad with the rice water and pat all over your face after cleansing.

 

5. GERMANY: THE BEER RINSE

The Germans really love their beer. And so does their hair!

The proteins from the malt and hops repair damaged hair and add tons of volume, while the sugars in beer tighten the hair’s cuticles, making it super shiny. I think it’s time to celebrate…with some beer!

Secret Recipe = ½ pint of beer.

The application: After you shampoo and condition your hair, rinse it with beer. Pour it all the way from your scalp to your tips. Wrap your hair in a towel for 30-45 minutes. Then just wash it off with plain water.

 

6. RUSSIA: COFFEE SCRUB

In the Banya – the famous Russian saunas, women rub wet coffee grounds as a body scrub. While they are enjoying their steam, they massage the grounds into their damp skin to exfoliate all the dull, dry, flaky skin.

This is also an awesome way to fight cellulite as caffeine is known to reduce cellulite and firm up the skin, leaving it super smooth, with a delicious glow.

Secret Recipe = Ground coffee.

The method: Buy good quality organic ground coffee. You can also grind the coffee beans yourself if you prefer. Just make sure the grind is not too coarse.
Do NOT use instant coffee.

The application: Take a hot steamy shower to open up your pores. Then rub the ground coffee all over your body in firm, circular motion. It’s messy but totally worth it!

 

7. JAPAN: CAMELLIA OIL.

The Japanese have been cooking with Camellia oil for over a thousand years. Until they discovered it’s other magical properties. Centuries ago, in Izu Oshima, an island of Japan, it was noticed that the women harvesting the camellia oil had beautiful, youthful and radiant skin, and long, thick hair – and that was because they used the oil on their skin and hair.

After this discovery, the earliest adopters of Camellia Oil were none other than the Geisha. They used it to remove their heavy makeup and to cleanse their skin. Unlike soap and water, which dries skin, camellia oil made their skin super smooth, with an unmatched glow. Ever since, women all over Japan started using it too. And their skin is testament to the benefits of this wonder oil.

Camellia oil is a powerhouse of Palmistic and Omega-6 Linoleic fatty acids, Vitamin E, as well as numerous anti-aging polyphenol antioxidants.

What makes it so amazing is that it’s helps retain and enhance skin’s natural moisture, it’s non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores), helps reduce acne scars and stretch marks, soothes sun burns and prevents aging! It doesn’t get better than this.

Secret Recipe = Camellia oil

The application: Rub a small amount in your palms, and pat all over your face and neck till absorbed.

 

8. GREECE: ROSEMARY TEA RINSE.

For centuries, Greek women have been brewing this beauty secret – rosemary tea – for shiny, voluminous hair.
But you don’t have to drink it. You have to rinse your hair with it.

Rosemary tea deep cleans your hair, removes product buildup, stimulates the scalp and improves hair growth.

Secret Recipe = Fresh rosemary leaves + 1 cup of water

The method: Just boil fresh rosemary in water, let it cool, and strain out the rosemary.

The application: Pour the cooled tea all over your hair after shampooing.