Page 82 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 12

MY AFRIKA

entering your home, apply several baking soda absorbs odour-causing 18. Unscented lotion/beard
drops of straight, undiluted pep- moisture, and the tea tree oil neu- oil/face oil and essential oils are a
permint essential oil to cotton balls tralizes unpleasant odours and helps match made in heaven. There are
and place them where you suspect kill bacteria. endless options available for mixing
the critters are entering your home. your favourite scents with any un-
They do not like the smell and this Beauty & Skincare scented lotions
simple solution will usually keep
them from entering. 16. I have just resumed the 19. Add one or two drops of
practice of taking long baths for geranium oil to your favourite face
11. There’s nothing like crawl- self-care. Simply add 2–3 drops cream to promote tighter, firmer
ing into a lovely smelling bed at of your preferred essential oil to 1 skin. Geranium essential oil can also
the end of a long day. To bring a tablespoon of a carrier oil and mix helps slough off dead skin cells for
spa-like calm to your own bed, fill a with Epsom salts. Then, release the brighter skin. You glow girl!
clean, empty spray bottle with a cup worries of the day while you let the
of water and add a few drops of an detoxing bath salts and the alluring 20. Use rosemary essential
essential oil. Lavender is a proven aroma of essential oils lure you into oil to help promote healthy hair
soother, but be wary of citrusy a state of relaxation. For your bath, growth. You can add some drops
scents; they are invigorating and you can either run a small diffuser of the oil into your shampoo bottle
might keep you up! in the bathroom, or put a few drops for convenience or add a few drops
of essential oils on the floor and/ of rosemary oil to a tablespoon
12. An essential oil that packs or walls of the shower or onto your of your favourite carrier oil, then
a punch? You’ll find tea tree oil in a washrag or loofah to intensify the apply the mixture to your scalp after
lot of green cleaners for a reason. smell. Just make sure to avoid using shampooing. Let it sit for a few
Mix one teaspoon of the essential cinnamon, cassia, oregano, winter- minutes, then rinse.
oil with a cup of distilled water in green and lemongrass in baths with
a spray bottle, spritz over the tile in essential oils as they might irritate 21. Use essential oils like frank-
your shower, and let it dry. Don’t sensitive skin. incense (also referred to as ‘King of
rinse and it will help fight mold and Oils’) to make an effective anti-aging
mildew. 17. Mix 1 cup (about 250mls) serum for a fraction of the cost of
carrier oil with 30-60 drops essential the store-bought ones!
13. You can also add several oil. Use as a body oil/moisturizer
drops of your favourite essential after a shower or add to a bath. Scents & Smells
oil to 1 part water and 1-part white The carrier oil (in the bath) will also
vinegar for an all-purpose cleaner make your skin feel super soft when 22. Be your own perfumier -
to clean and disinfect your home or you get out of the tub. An added make your unique signature natural
space. bonus! (Note: extra caution should scent! Nothing as indulgent or inti-
be taken as oils can make the bath mate as making your own bespoke
14. Use several drops of lemon tub/bathroom floor very slippery). fragrance. My personal faves for
essential oil on a rag to remove this: sweet orange, bergamot, rose
permanent marker from surfaces geranium, lemongrass and
around the house. You may need to vanilla.
apply a little pressure while rubbing
out the mark. As always, it’s a good 23. Lol…did any of
idea to test a small, inconspicuous you add a perfume scent to
area first. a love letter maybe to de-
note how sweet your young
15. You can use tea tree oil to love was….oooh my, high
eliminate odours from smelly shoes! school memories! Moving
Take a spare sock and put a handful on swiftly, you can use
of baking soda, then add 5 drops essential oils to scent your
of tea tree essential oil. Tie the sock letters or cards for an extra
off with a rubber band and place it special touch!
into a smelly shoe overnight. The

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