Unleash the Beautifying Power of Lemons

Add some lemon juice to your hair to revive the blond in your hair. This is natural and will refresh your hair at the same time

I have recently acquired a new found love for lemons. I guess you can say it ranks up there with my obsession with Shea Butter and Argan Oil.  I am totally fascinated with all things natural. And as of recently, I find myself taking to the internet — researching recipes, tips and DIY tricks for all things beauty. My kitchen has officially become my beauty lab.

What started my quest to loving lemons, was when I spent my birthday in the sun (it was one of the hottest days of the year to be exact). My face got seriously burnt. However, it wasn’t to extensive, so I didn’t experience any burning or peeling — just uneven skin shade (pet peeve). I found an amazing recipe for an at-home facial which includes 1 lemon, raw honey (for super moisture) and brown sugar (for exfoliating). Let’s just say — I am extremely happy with the results. But now — I am left with an extreme obsession with lemons.

Dab some lemon juice (1/2 cut lemon) on your blemish a few times a day to see quick results.

Imagine my excitement when I got word that Limoneira Company — the world’s largest provider of lemons in North America has launched a marketing campaign, to help beauty mavens to “Unleash the Power of Lemons.” This campaign connects leading beauty, health, food and beverage, lifestyle and cleaning experts — all contributing their expertise on the essentially innovative benefits of lemons.

The local leaders we’ve paired with are the movers and shakers in their industries and they’re experts in using lemons in a variety of creative, useful and fun ways.” — John Chamberlain, Limoneira’s Director of Marketing

But my favorite is the chic tips from the beauty experts, who happen to reign from L.A, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Miami, Texas, Japan, Manila, China and Canada. Here are some great ways to add lemon to your beauty regimen:

•  Celebrity stylist and guru of Yamaguchi salons says he applies Feng Shui principles  to beauty techniques. Lemons are used in the Lemon Cooler Pedicure at the salon at the Four Seasons in Westlake Village.

In a large bowl, add 3 cups of lemon juice, 6 cups of water, 3 tbsp of cinnamon powder and 1 cup of milk. Stir/whisk. Soak feet for 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water. Do this once per week for soft feet.

• This expert can be seen stunning in New York Magazine, Marie Claire, Shape and the NY Daily News — Shizuka Bernstein recommends combining 3/4 cup of olive oil, 1/2 cup of honey and 3 tablespoons of lemon juice for anti-dull and damage-free tresses. After shampooing hair, comb lemon juice mixture through hair, then cover with a plastic cap for a half hour. Shampoo, then rinse thoroughly. You will be amazed at the shine!
• Kristin Akins, professional and passionate dedicated skin therapist and owner of Pelle Sans Salon in Chicago says that drawing on the natural elements and knowledge of medical esthetics helps her to find the perfect treatment for clients. This includes softening of cuticles with lemons.

Mix 2 tsp. of lemon juice, 1 tsp. (raw) honey and 1/2 cup of warm water in a bowl. Soak fingertips in the mixture for 5-10  minutes. Rinse, dry and push back cuticles.

• Christine Dychiao is best known for her blog Manila Fashion Observer. She is also a retail consultant and full-time family maven. Dychiao loves easy and natural beauty tips (as do I *wink*) and suggests applying equal parts of lemon juice and (raw) honey to the face and neck for radiant skin. Leave on for 10 minutes then rinse with cold water. Lemons contain alpha hydroxy acids which are highly valued in beauty products.
• Beauty and skincare expert, Dr. Chiaki Kawashima is a graduate of Tokyo Medical University, and a member of the Japanese Dermatology Association, the Japanese Cosmetic Science Association and more. Her Azabu Skin Clinic specializes in natural rejuvenation and creating beautiful skin. Kawashima offers a simply natural exfoliation technique: rub a cut lemon dipped in a 1/2 teaspoon of sugar over your face for a few minutes. Doing this weekly will remove dead skin cells and helps keep your complexion fresh.
• Paula Valdes Avila, owner of one of the finest hotels in the world, the 32-room Tierra Atacama Hotel and Spa. This oasis in the rugged Chilean outback. She’s a devotee of aromatherapy and recommends combining 1 part lemon essential oil with 10 parts jojoba oil to revitalize complexion.
  
• Miami Skin Boutique and Spa owner, Elizabeth Canier is highly sought for her suggestions for beautiful, glowing skin. She is familiar with the fact that lemons contain a number of natural properties which enhance hair and skin, such as citric acis — often used in skin-creams, toners and face cleansers to balance the pH of skin.
• Founder of Cocoon Urban Day Spa, Sarah Redmond — in the heart of San Francisco — is European trained with an internationally recognized degree specializing in skin care. She recommends: “Smooth and Clean Skin Rub — mix 3 almonds, the zest of 1 lemon, 1 tsp of lemon juice and 1 tsp of honey in a food processor or clean coffee grinder. Massage mixture into face, leave on for 3 minutes and rinse thoroughly with warm water.
• Norma Garza, founder of Norma’s Touch Skin Specialty Spa helps Houstonians achieve glowing complexion by combining nature with science. She says, to control oily skin combine 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp vodka, 1 tbsp distilled water and 1 tsp of witch hazel. Apply mixture with cotton ball to skin then rinse. This oily skin treatment keeps in the fridge for up to a week.

Dandruff Treatment: mix a few tbsp of fresh lemon juice w/ 1/2 cup olive oil and rub gently onto scalp. Let sit for 15 minutes then rinse, shampoo and condition.

Dissolve Blackheads: Rub lemon juice over the areas affected right before you go to bed. Rinse your face with cool water when you wake up. Repeat every night until blackheads are dissolved and gone.

Acne (mild to moderate): mix 3 tbsp of lemon juice with 2 tbsp of Manuka Honey (unprocessed honey) and apply to affected area. Let sit for 5 minutes and rinse well with cool water. Repeat daily for best results.

Dry Elbows: place a few drops of baby oil into two lemon halves. Stick elbows in the lemon, tape/tie into place and leave for up to 30 minutes.

Remove Freckles: blanch and grind almonds and mix with white of egg and lemon juice mixed. Spread on the face and wash after 20 minutes.

Chapped Lips: mix a tsp each of cream, lemon juice and honey and rub on lips. Use for a week and kiss those chapped lips goodbye.”