Beauty around the world! That's the "core" of this week's post. From Japan, to England, to Ethiopia, beauty is a vital part of a woman's existence. In America, we have access to the most amazing products. Whether it's organic creams, chemical fillers, or rare fruit-based skin treatments, we have as many choices as we do people! But step outside your country and you'll find the most intriguing and beneficial skin rituals! For women with PCOS, sometimes achieving our most magnificent beauty is a lot harder because we have so many things to address. But I'm here to tell you that, if you're willing, you can change your life with the new, amazing you! So, pack your suitcase, grab your passport and sunshades, and get on board with me as I "take" you around the world to discover some of the greatest beauty secrets you'll ever know!
Japan--Japanese women are known for having smooth, clear skin and silky, lustrous hair. For centuries, they created secret recipes to make themselves beautiful. There was a class of women in Japan, known as Geisha, and they were trained from early ages to become living works of art by exuding grace, beauty, and charm in literally every movement of their bodies! From the fabric of their robes to the skin on their faces, everything about Geisha and other Japanese women were smooth and flawless. One of the most common (and interesting) ingredients routinely used to achieve their beauty was nightingale droppings. (Yes, as in nightingale, the bird). The droppings are first sterilized by using a UV light, then is dried into a powder. Next, it is mixed with water and made into a paste. When this paste is left on the skin for a few minutes, then rinsed. it smooths and lightens the skin. It's a natural "bleaching" agent! Many Japanese actors and American celebrities have fallen in love with this product. Other natural wonders in Japanese beauty is Japanese Camellia Seed Oil and is used to make hair sleek and healthy. Rice bran and Japanese seaweed are also commonly used on skin and hair.
Nigeria--In this proud and culturally rich country, natural is better. In fact, it's everything. It's not commonly known that Nigeria has more natural resources than any other country. From oil to palm seeds, they make good used of everything the earth provides. Even their beauty! And it all starts with a good soap...Black Soap, that is. It's called Black Soap because it's color. Yes, it's color really is black! But it can be used on ALL races, and brings great benefits. Nigerian's make different variations of this soap, but the common ingredients are shea butter, palm kernel oil, olive oil, plantain skins, essential oil, and purified water. This soap is especially good for women with PCOS because it helps even out blotchiness and dark skin pigmentation. It's ingredients also create a smoothness in skin, not the taut or dry feeling that's left behind after cleansing with most soaps. Also, many Nigerian women find that gently "washing" their face with oil, then wiping with a moist cloth is the best way to clean skin while still preserving it's elasticity and natural glow and moisture!
England---Talk about the bold and the beautiful! British beauty secrets mostly resembles those of America, though some of them take a slightly more interesting approach. One ritual that emerged in my research, was steaming the face in herb water. This is done by simply filling a bowl with boiling water, throwing in the desired herbs, and leaning your face over it. This helps open the pores and remove impurities to reveal a more youthful, radiant glow. British women also believe that milk is possibly the best beauty product, but not applied topically. Just drinking a couple cups of good old-fashioned milk is what they do maintain their beauty because they believed it is one of the most complete "foods" out there as it contains a perfect balance of protein, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, and essential fats. Milk does the body AND the skin a lot of good!
Remember that when you know better, you FEEL better! Know that being a woman is a gift and a beautiful thing. There's so much available to us, and not just around us, but around the world! Boosting your confidence and trying something new is what you want to focus on. PCOS doesn't have to rule you, and it doesn't have to be your primary focus. Reversing it, getting healthy, loving your life and loving your self is what deserves your precious attention. Part of loving yourself is learning what thrills you and amazes you. What amazes me is how, no matter where we are in the world, every woman has one thing in common; we're soft, feminine, treasured, nurturers, and have beauty in us that could bring the most savage world conqueror to his knees!
And remember, our passport to beauty hasn't expired yet! Next week, we "travel" to more exotic places to discover what makes them beautiful. Also, a few of my own tried-and-true recipes for skin masks, skin toners, hair strengtheners, and even dessert!
*Please note that I am not a psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist or trained counselor. I am not qualified to give out any emotional advice. I am a woman with PCOS, who is sharing my personal experiences in this blog and I ask you to consult a professional.
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