Latina Beauty

Olives and their related products (oil, pulp, leaf extract) have been used as skin treatments for more than 4,000 years by Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Phoenician beauties. These ancient beauties used olive oil to cleanse and moisturize skin and hair.  Talk about a classic!

Among it’s many benefits, olive oil makes skin look softer and feel more pliable.  It restores a natural, healthy glow to a dull complexion, giving skin that radiance that many Mediterranean bellezas possess. But most importantly, it is packed with antioxidants that helps combat premature skin-aging.

To incorporate olive oil into your beauty routine, here are some products que me encantan.

L’Occitane Olive Tree Organic Moisturizing Face Mask gives face a massive dose of long-lasting hydration without a greasy residue.  This Ecocert mask combines the benefits of olives in its various forms–leaf extract, oil and water–to create a pampering treat for the skin.  It sells for $36 and you can find it at L’Occitane stores nationwide or here.

The Body Shop Olive Body Butter is a treat for the skin during the dryer, colder months.  It feels luxuriously rich going on the skin but dries quickly and without leaving the skin greasy or sticky but best of all, it leaves skin feeling moisturized todo el día.  In addition to Community Trade olive oil, this body mantequilla also contains  Community Trade shea butter and cocoa butter.  It sells for $20 at The Body Shop stores nationwide or here.

Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Sheen Nourishing Spray adds luxurious shine to your melena and helps with the frizzies without build up.  Spray on before blow-drying hair or setting it into rollers for a silky look.  It’s sold at drugstores nationwide for about $4.89.

And if you want to opt for do-it-yourself beauty, here are some treatment ideas to try at home.  Before you try these keep in mind that 1. a little oil goes a long way, 2. oil on the face is probably better left-off to those with dry skin 3. extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) is the purest and contains the highest concentration of antioxidants.

• Turn dry, winter skin into oh-so-suave silk by mix brown sugar with a couple of tablespoons of EVOO to make a paste.  Scrub through the whole body, rinse and pat dry, leaving a thin layer of water on the body.
• To seal in moisture on the skin, massage a small amount of EVOO  all over the body and let it dry before putting on clothes.
• Heal ragged cuticles and brittle nails by soaking them for 15-20 mins on a small bowl with warm EVOO.
• Create an anti-aging mask for your pretty face and give skin a shot of buenos-para-ti antioxidants by mixing an egg yolk with a bit of honey and olive oil.  Apply the mixture on the face and leave for 15-20 minutes and then rinse with warm water.
• Condition a dry scalp by applying a mix of equal parts EVOO and honey on the scalp and wrapping a warm towel or shower cap on the head.  Shampoo after 20 mins and condition as usual.