Saturday 2 August 2014

8 BEAUTY USES OF BAKING SODA

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Baking soda has been a kitchen staple for generations, but it’s also a major player in the beauty realm. The inexpensive product is amazing for tons of DIY beauty and hair treatments. Here’s how you can put it to use:
Prevent Sweat Stains and Body Odor
Mix baking soda with a little bit of water to turn it into a moist paste, then apply it under your arms for an all-natural deodorant.
Clarify Your Hair
Every now and then, hair needs some relief from product buildup. Add a small amount of baking soda to your shampoo, then use it as you normally would. It will give your products a fresh slate so they can work the way they’re supposed to again.
Whiten Your Teeth
“To make a teeth-whitening solution, mix one tablespoon of baking soda and five drops of hydrogen peroxide in a small container until a consistent paste develops. Add a few drops of water if necessary,” says Dr. Jessica Emery, owner of Sugar Fix Dental Loft Chicago. Apply the solution to your teeth evenly with a toothbrush, and let it sit for five minutes. Then, brush it off with normal toothpaste and rinse thoroughly with water. For best results, repeat this process once a week. “If you’re not satisfied with the results, leave the mixture on for 10 minutes at a time,” says Emery. “No more though, because you may get an uneven application and your teeth may get sensitive.”
Revive Your Cuticles
Have you been getting way too many gel manicures? Are your cuticles looking like they’ve been through a war? Create a paste out of baking soda and warm water, and rub it on your cuticles to soften the skin. If you have enough, you can also treat the rest of your hands.
Exfoliant
Baking soda makes a fabulous, all-natural exfoliant. Just mix a little with some water in your palm and scrub it all over your face. Instant dead skin cell remover. All natural and no chemicals = happy skin!
Blackheads
A teaspoon of baking soda mixed with a cup of distilled water makes an excellent solution for blackheads. “This is what many professional estheticians use (or they buy a pre-made solution which is basically the same) either with steam or with galvanic current prior to extractions. It helps draw out the blackheads and makes extractions come out very easily,” says esthetician Pearl Dworkin.
You can do this at home by first cleansing and then mixing up the solution and holding your head over a basin of hot water with a towel over your head to help concentrate the heat and steam. Extractions should be done gently with fingers wrapped in cotton and gentle pressure.
Detox Bath
Baking soda also makes a great detox bath. Mix it with equal parts sea salt and add your favorite essential oil (lavender or jasmine are very calming.)
Dry Shampoo
If you are out of dry shampoo or are on the run, baking soda can be a great pitch hitter. Sprinkle a dime-size amount (or less, depending on how oily you are) onto your hair. You can always add more, but you don’t want to use too much off the bat. Then, just comb, fluff, and enjoy.


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