From fresh aloe vera to the health benefits of a good old stretch, the RUSSH Editors share their tried and tested natural beauty hacks.
Andréa Tchacos
Deputy Editor
A no-brainer perhaps, but my skin is never better than when I’m swimming in the ocean every day. And pre-dermatologist, it’s the only thing that’s ever naturally remedied my acne. I’ve just Googled this phenomenon and discovered that the minerals in seawater – magnesium, zinc, iron, potassium – have anti-inflammatory effects, helping to heal and protect the skin barrier. So there you go.
Gabriela Hidalgo
Senior Designer
I haven’t always been the most responsible when it comes to sun care (we’ve all been there). "I’m replenishing my vitamin D levels" you tell yourself, or, my personal favourite, “It’s overcast today”, only to wake up with patches of red vaguely resembling hand marks from when you lazily slapped on your SPF earlier that day. Having had my fair share of reckless days in the sun (with only two out of five re-applications of SPF done) I’ve found only two things will save you without fail, both recommended by my abuela, both found in the garden and / or kitchen. Firstly, aloe vera and secondly, cold (raw) sliced potatoes.
Gabriela Hidalgo
Senior Designer
I haven’t always been the most responsible when it comes to sun care (we’ve all been there). "I’m replenishing my vitamin D levels" you tell yourself, or, my personal favourite, “It’s overcast today”, only to wake up with patches of red vaguely resembling hand marks from when you lazily slapped on your SPF earlier that day. Having had my fair share of reckless days in the sun (with only two out of five re-applications of SPF done) I’ve found only two things will save you without fail, both recommended by my abuela, both found in the garden and / or kitchen. Firstly, aloe vera and secondly, cold (raw) sliced potatoes.
Victoria Pearson
Content Director
I watched a skincare video once where the subject ran an ice cube over their face after cleansing – I tried it a few times and loved the shock of cold on my skin first thing in the morning, and the way my face seemed to slightly tighten. The actual logistics of remembering an ice cube each morning proved too complicated for me to sustain, but every once in a while it occurs to me and I feel accomplished and refreshed and delighted this has come about due to one cube of frozen water.
Natalie Petrevski
Fashion Editor
When it comes to natural remedies and health hacks, I believe in doing what makes you feel good. There’s no ‘rules’ in my book and everything is fine in moderation. A long coastal walk with my headphones in is a must for my mental health and for aiding sleep. Also a big bowl of pasta (yes pasta, carbs oh my) after a long stressful day leaves me so joyous and content. If my stomach is happy, then I am happy and I have never felt guilty about it.
Natalie Petrevski
Fashion Editor
When it comes to natural remedies and health hacks, I believe in doing what makes you feel good. There’s no ‘rules’ in my book and everything is fine in moderation. A long coastal walk with my headphones in is a must for my mental health and for aiding sleep. Also a big bowl of pasta (yes pasta, carbs oh my) after a long stressful day leaves me so joyous and content. If my stomach is happy, then I am happy and I have never felt guilty about it.
Ella Jane
Production Coordinator
I don’t want to be the person that just talks about drinking water because it is perhaps the most obvious / boring answer in the book, but could I interest you in water that tastes good and legitimately makes your skin look like you’ve had a ton of rest? James Wellness Tonic One does this for me. I add to my first glass of water in the morning and act as though I’m not going to wreak havoc on my body in the following hours. As a pick me up, I douse myself in peppermint essential oil (a couple of drops in my conditioner, moisturiser, and diluted on pulse points - be careful because it is robust and less is more) to perk me up in the AM when my body is rejecting consciousness.
Megan Nolan
Designer & Creative Services Manager
When it comes to beauty I’m all about simplicity, and things which make me feel good. So many of the wrinkles and blemishes I worry about on the daily actually come from stress and lack of sleep. While I’m not going to pretend like I get a solid eight hours of sleep a night, I’ve found that 10 minutes of stretching before I go to sleep helps switch my brain off from the day and makes me feel a little less bad about the gym workout I definitely skipped that afternoon. If the extra sleep isn't working wonders for your skin already then this DIY pink clay mask will surely do the trick.
Megan Nolan
Designer & Creative Services Manager
When it comes to beauty I’m all about simplicity, and things which make me feel good. So many of the wrinkles and blemishes I worry about on the daily actually come from stress and lack of sleep. While I’m not going to pretend like I get a solid eight hours of sleep a night, I’ve found that 10 minutes of stretching before I go to sleep helps switch my brain off from the day and makes me feel a little less bad about the gym workout I definitely skipped that afternoon. If the extra sleep isn't working wonders for your skin already then this DIY pink clay mask will surely do the trick.
Ellen Presbury
Market & Beauty Director
If I was to have one health ‘hack’ it would be having a smoothie for breakfast. Cliché, I know. A big part of it is just ease – I don’t leave myself enough time to eat breakfast at home and reusable smoothie cups from Kmart mean I can eat on my commute. It’s also a way of packing as many vegetables/ powders/ health foods into one meal, giving myself free reign for the rest of the day. I’m a big believer of doing your diet in your own time (unless of course you have actual dietary requirements), because no one wants to hear how you aren’t currently eating bread over lunch. If a smoothie for breakfast means pasta for dinner then so be it.
