Easy beauty hacks – 5 great uses for olive oil to improve your skin, hair and nails

Olive oil is great for cooking all kinds of things and it is wonderful when it’s drizzled over a nice green salad. But did you know that it can also be an amazing beauty aid?

Want shinier hair, healthier nails, smoother legs and an easier way to remove that stubborn mascara at the end of the day? The way to get all of this may not be a trip to Sephora to pick up the latest ‘magic’ potions and serums but a trip to your kitchen cabinet instead.

f you want to try out the following beauty hacks a bottle of olive oil picked up at the local supermarket during your weekly shop will do just fine. But just what can humble old olive oil do for you? Here are just five of its near-magical properties:

Shaving: Want legs that really are as silky smooth as the girls in the razor commercials? Then forget fancy shaving creams and use olive oil instead. It is a bit messier, but your legs will never have looked or felt as smooth as they will after you are done!

Eye-Make Up Remover – Instead of paying out a small fortune for specialist eye makeup remover, smooth a little olive oil over you eyes to loosen and remove stubborn mascara and eyeshadow instead. Not only does it remove all traces of eye makeup but it will condition your lashes at the same time.

Tame Frizzy Hair – If you have been spending your money on expensive anti-frizz serums from the store or the salon then, unfortunately, you have actually been wasting your money. A small dab (very small) of olive oil poured into your palm and then distributed evenly all through your hair tames frizzies every bit as well as the store bought stuff and give it that nice shine you are looking for at the same time.

Soothe a Dry, Itchy Scalp – Women have been using olive oil to soothe and heal a dry scalp for centuries, dating all the way back to the Ancient Romans. All you need to do is warm the oil, apply it to your hair, let it soak for 20-30 minutes under a towel and then rinse your hair thoroughly. Not only will the scalp itch be relieved but your hair will have a beautiful, natural new shine to it as well.

Get Great Nails Naturally – In order to get those long, lovely nails you’re lusting after in a natural way, you do need to condition them in the same way as your hair, except obviously not with the same products! Rubbing a little olive oil into your nails between polishes will help repair any damage, soften cuticles and help you grow long strong nails that look and feel great.

Which Olive Oil Should You Buy? 

When you do head out to the grocery store to buy your olive oil you’ll notice there are several ‘type’ options available. Which one is best for you, and not your salad? Here’s a quick look:

• Virgin Olive Oil – The oil used by most cooks on an everyday basis virgin olive oil is also a good, affordable choice for regular beauty use.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – This oil, which is crafted by cold pressing the olives, is the one considered best to consume, but it really isn’t any better for your skin or hair, so spending extra money on it for beauty use – extra virgin olive oil is pricey – probably isn’t worth it.
• Pure Olive Oil – Pure is a bit of a misnomer here. This type of oil is a combination of refined and virgin olive oils, which gives it a higher acid content. This really isn’t a problem when cooking, but it’s not a great choice for beauty use.
• Lampante Oil – Put this one right back on the shelf. This is only to be used as a fuel and is not suitable for cooking or putting on your skin or in your hair.

But the Smell! – Olive oil doesn’t really have a pungent odour, but if making use of it on your skin makes you feel a bit like a french fry, or a dressed salad, you can scent the oil with a few drops of your favourite essential oil before use. Just remember not to cook with it afterwards, unless you like lavender scented food that is.