Edge Fitness Club members are a can’t-stop-won’t-stop type of crowd. When we’re not at the gym, we’re still looking for ways to live our best lives. One way to do it? Try a quick, easy beauty trick. When you need a little mood boost, or feel like experimenting with something new, grab an idea from this list. You can tackle most of these with products you already have at home. Another bonus: You don’t need to put your gym gear on — stay in your PJ's!
1. Make your own sugar scrub.
If your skin is feeling rough or dry, take a break to exfoliate. Use sugar — it’s a natural source of glycolic acid, which encourages cell turnover. Mix together one cup of granulated sugar (white or brown), ½ cup olive oil or coconut oil, and a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Your shower will be instantly more relaxing. Got leftovers? Keep your scrub in a mason jar.
2. Put on a sheet mask and meditate.
Double down on rejuvenation: Apply a sheet mask and take a moment to meditate. You’ll nourish your skin and calm your mind. Don’t have a stash of sheet masks? Just put a drop of essential oil into your usual facial moisturizer and enjoy the aromatherapy benefits. If you’re new to meditation, you can ease into it by simply sitting still for two minutes and counting your breaths.
3. Cue up the coconut oil.
Have some in your kitchen cabinet? Add it to your bathroom cabinet. Coconut oil is great as a facial cleanser because it has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, plus lots of antioxidants that soothe and moisturize. You’ll see an instant glowing effect.
4. Purge your makeup drawer.
File this one under: necessary business. Makeup, like food, expires if you let it sit around too long — especially if it’s been opened. As a general rule, mascara is good for 3-6 months, liquid foundation is good for 12 months and lipstick for 12-18 months. So if you have a little time on your hands, comb through your makeup collection and get rid of old stuff so you won’t harm your skin.
5. Enhance your bath.
Make your “me” time matter even more by adding beneficial ingredients to your bath. Epsom salts are known to ease tension and stress (they also contain magnesium, which softens your skin). Oatmeal soothes itchy or irritated skin, while milk may help eczema flareups. Some people are even going so far as to take flower baths (check out #flowerbaths on Instagram). Some flowers, like calendula, have physical benefits, like decreasing inflammation.
6. Ease your eyes with green tea.
We know that drinking tea — especially antioxidant-rich varieties like green and oolong — have health benefits. But on the eyes, they have nice effects, too. Pop some black or green tea bags in the freezer. When they’re cold, cover your eyes with them to potentially reduce the appearance of dark circles and ease puffiness.
7. Do some manicure hacks.
Here’s a trip for speeding up nail-polish drying time. When you’re done applying your polish, dip your hands in a bowl of ice water. It helps set the polish. Or, use nonstick cooking spray (hold it about six inches away from your nails). It has the added benefit of moisturizing your cuticles.
8. Become a fragrance mixologist.
Time to dabble. If you have a few bottles of perfume on your dresser, try layering the scents on top of each other to get a new fragrance. Or, start with scented moisturizer when you get out of the shower and layer a perfume on top.
9. Thicken your lashes with baby powder.
It’s true. Here’s what to do: Tap some baby powder into a jar then dip a Q-tip into it. Cover your lashes with a light layer of the powder (they’ll look a little ashy). Then apply your mascara to darken them and you’ll be surprised at how much lusher and fuller they look.
10. Plump your lips with cinnamon.
With a little Vaseline and cinnamon powder, you can get a fuller-looking pout. Mix the two ingredients together and apply them to your lips with a Q-tip. After a few minutes, remove and put on your regular lip balm. Mwah!
