5 Free Natural Beauty Hacks That Won't Cost The World

It's too easy to become obsessed with beauty products. There are so many lovely ones out there and I also really enjoy discovering new ones and having fun with them. Before you know it, your wallet can be a few hundred dollars lighter, just getting "a few" new things. It's nice to remember, that there is a lot you can do for your skin and beauty routine that won't cost anything.

Here are a few super efficient beauty tips & tricks, that I use. The best thing is, that they are pretty much free.

1. Dry Skin Brushing
Especially now in Winter I love to start my day like this. All you need is a natural bristle body brush. That's it! So, it's not exactly 100% free, but as good as, compared to other products or treatments delivering the same result.
Read my full instructions for Dry Skin Brushing here.

2. Oil Cleansing with a microfiber washcloth
Again, the initial investment is the cloth, which you can get at pretty much any pharmacy, drugstore or well stocked supermarket. There is also this very lovely glove by Jane Iredale, if you still want to be fancy. Pick your face oil according to skin type and my advice here. Then follow the simple steps below
-Always apply your product (balm or oil) onto the DRY skin first.
-Massage the oil or balm in circular motions with your fingertips. This will help circulation but also dissolve any makeup or grime from the day. If you are wearing eye makeup also gently massage the eye area and lashes.
-Wring out your cloth in warm water and gently wipe away the oil and makeup.
You might have to repeat this step a few times, until you feel clean.
-Use a toner and moisturize your skin. Have a good nights beauty sleep. :)
Oil cleansing is definitely recommended for night time but some people prefer doing it morning and night. Experiment with what works best for your skin.

3. Meditating
Just as important as our beauty routines are our thoughts and beliefs.
We all know that stress can cause breakouts and other problematic skin conditions, therefore it is super important to take time out for little self love rituals along the way.
Take a deep breath and take my advice: You can not afford NOT to do this.
Meditation will change your life for the better. Taking only a few minutes a day. It is the quick fix you have been waiting for. The benefits are even scientifically proven,just in case you are skeptic.
Meditation is probably the easiest and most amazing way to prevent stress from manifesting in your body.
If you have trouble quieting your mind it can be a good idea to exercise prior to meditation.
This is a great way to release tension first so that you can really relax during your quiet time.
Another perfect time is first thing in the morning when you get out of bed.
Meditation truly improves your stress related skin issues and overall helps to find your true and positive self image.
Read more about it here:  Holistic Bridal Beauty Prep: Hack for Happiness & Radiance
And believe me, I know it's not easy to change habits and integrate new ones into an already busy life.
But it is so worth it. You can try joining in a class or do some online guided meditations. There are so many different forms.
I practice Kundalini Yoga and Meditation as taught by Yogi Bhajan, which seems to be the one working best for me.

4. Oil Pulling
Have you tried oil pulling? I know it's not for everyone, but it does really make a great difference to your overall health, teeth and gums and even to your skin. Traditionally it's done with Sesame Oil, but I find the taste a little bit too much in the morning. That's why I use coconut oil.
Always use raw, organic good quality oil. All you have to do is put a spoonful in your mouth right after you get up, before you do anything else. You then swish the oil around for 20min, like a mouthwash. Do not swallow it. After that time you spit it all out, scrape your tongue with a tongue scraper or separate toothbrush. The you brush your teeth as usual. Most people experience a stronger immune system, whiter teeth, healthy gums and clearer skin.

5. Drinking lot's of water
It always surprises me how many clients complain about, dry, dehydrated skin and fine lines.
Yet when I ask them about their diet and fluid intake it almost always turns out that they don't drink enough water, they drink too much caffeine, have too much salt in their diet and drink alcohol regularly. I use a water filter at home, as our tap water here contains a lot of chlorine, as well as added fluoride and the pipes in this old house, aren't great either. I drink filtered water all day long. In the cold season, I also include a lot of caffeine free organic herbal teas, like peppermint, chamomile or spicy chai. Drinking enough water makes such a difference to your skin and it doesn't even cost anything.Unless you want to invest in a good water filter for your home and a nice glass or stainless steel bottle to carry around. You won't ever see me without my bottle :)