11 Beauty Uses for Lemons

You'll want to load up on the citrus after you read this

By Aly Walansky for Daily Makeover

You might love lemonade and lemon chicken, but your skin and hair love lemons even more—they have an amazing range of beauty benefits. Here are some great uses for the sunny yellow fruit:

Clarifying moisturizer: Mix a few drops of coconut water with a few drops of lemon juice. The coconut will hydrate your skin, and lemon will clear and brighten it.

Elbow and knee bleacher: "If your elbows and knees appear dark, simply rub them with half of a lemon," says Patrice Coleman, owner of DaBlot Beauty. "It's like magic!"

Blackhead treatment: It may sound too good to be true, but because lemons are antibacterial, they can help treat acne. Just slice a lemon, and squeeze the juice on your face. Your blackheads will start to fade before you know it.

Cleansing wipes: "I like to mix a couple drops of lemon and tea tree essential oil in about 6 ounces of distilled water. I recommend it as a toner or for use with cotton pads as a cleansing wipe for problematic skin," says Becky Sturm, founder of StormSister Spatique.

Teeth whitener: Mix baking soda and lemon juice, and apply it to your teeth with a clean Q-tip. Then, use your toothbrush to scrub your teeth and rinse. It's way cheaper than going to your dentist's office.

Canker sore treatment: Sturn also uses a few drops of the lemon essential oil on her canker sores to help them heal faster.

Skin brightener: Lemons are rich in vitamin C and citric acid, so they can help brighten and lighten your skin when used over time. Vitamin C is a great antioxidant for neutralizing free radicals and boosting collagen production, says Marina Peredo, M.D., a dermatologist. That means it can help lighten age spots, dark spots, or a fake tan gone wrong. Remember to wear SPF when using lemon juice on your skin, though, since the citrus fruit can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays.

Shine eliminator: Lemon is great for reducing excess oil.

Lip exfoliator: Put a little lemon juice on your lips before bedtime, and wash it off in the morning to help remove dead skin cells and dried skin. One caveat: "Obviously, if you already have severely chapped lips that have any cuts, do not try this," says Gary Goldfaden, M.D., a dermatologist.

Nail strengthener: Have you been getting too many gel manicures? Make a mixture of your favorite cooking oil (try olive oil) with lemon juice, and soak your nails. This is a good practice if your nails are dry and brittle, but it's also a great way to help fix nails that have yellowed.

Hair Lightener: Score dye-free DIY highlights with lemon juice. Apply it before you expose your hair to sunlight to score a sun-kissed color. The lemon juice can also help treat a dry scalp and dandruff, so apply it liberally.

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5 Beauty Benefits of Vitamin C

Pass the oranges!

By Natasha Burton for Beauty High

Time and time again, we hear experts sing the praises of vitamin C. Why is it so incredibly essential? Well, Rianna Loving, founder of organic skincare brand ORGO Beauty, says the nutrient is responsible for creating and maintaining collagen—the "glue that holds the body together." Specifically, this antioxidant strengthens blood vessels and gives skin its elasticity and strength.

However, vitamin C is water-soluble. Meaning: Your body doesn't store or accumulate it. That's why daily intake is highly important, says Loving. Not convinced? See how a daily dose of vitamin C can improve your hair, nails, and skin:

It Promotes Hair Health
Vitamin C is one of the most effective nutrients to help grow and strengthen hair, says Loving. To give your locks a vital dose of vitamin C, blend a partially-boiled sweet potato, a half-cup of gooseberries, three strawberries, and half a small red bell pepper until you get a creamy smooth mixture. Then apply it to your scalp and hair. Leave the mask on for 15 to 25 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water.

It Makes You Look (And Feel) More Energized
In your diet, vitamin C plays a vital role in iron absorption—and iron contributes to your overall beauty and wellbeing, says Elisa Zied, author of Younger Next Week: Your Ultimate Rx to Reverse the Clock, Boost Energy and Look and Feel Younger in 7 Days. "When you deplete your iron stores, you can develop anemia and experience fatigue and weakness," she says. "That certainly won't help you look and feel vibrant or energized."

It Promotes Nail Growth
"Vitamin C helps maintain the integrity of our nails by strengthening our skin, connective tissue, bones, and blood vessel walls," says Loving.

It Helps Prevent Hangnails
Because vitamin C strengthens nails and helps them grow, it can also prevent hangnails. Ingesting vitamin C is the best route for optimal nail health, so be sure to eat citrus fruits often.

It Wards Off Signs of Aging
A 2007 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that middle-aged women who consumed more vitamin C from food sources appeared to have fewer wrinkles and less skin dryness. Experts suggest that vitamin C might delay the signs of aging due to free radical damage.

For a vitamin C-rich facemask, blend one kiwi and a half-cup of papaya, and apply the mixture to your face. After 15 to 20 minutes, wash it off with cold water.

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Overhaul Your Beauty Routine with Small Changes For 7 Weeks

In just 7 weeks, your beauty look will be entirely refreshed

There's no denying the desire to hit the refresh button during this time of year—especially if you live in a part of the country where the weather is bleak. "Winter can make us feel like even our best assets are dull," says Vivian Diller, Ph.D., author of Face It: What Women Really Feel as Their Looks Change and What to Do About It. Thankfully, "little tweaks can help you look—and feel—more attractive and invigorated." To that end, we've mapped out two months' worth of quick updates that are sure to banish your beauty blues. Enjoy!

Week 1 Glow Getters

Claire Benoist

Go for gold. For an Instagram-like radiance in real life, apply a gilded liquid luminizer all over your face with a fluffy brush, says Tim Quinn, celebrity makeup artist for Giorgio Armani Beauty. Put one pump in the palm of your hand, run the brush through it, and then swirl all over your skin. Try: Stila All Over Shimmer Liquid Luminizer in Kitten Shimmer ($20, sephora.com).

Blush up. Bluebased blush shades (like berry) counteract the sallowness of winter skin, and where you apply it can make all the difference. "Blend it on the apples of your cheeks for a fresh-faced look," says Sarah Lucero, Stila celebrity makeup artist. Try: Revlon Cream Blush in Flushed ($13 at drugstores). Feeling puffy? Choose a terra-cotta shade and wear it higher on the cheekbones for a sculpting effect.

Week 2 Mani Makeovers

Claire Benoist

Bling out your nails. New highly condensed sparkly formulas make your nails look as if they're encrusted with gems, says Michelle Saunders, a manicurist in Los Angeles. Since the first place your brush touches will get the heaviest deposit of sparkle, start closest to your cuticle, then sweep toward your tips for a more diffused look. Try: Essie in Lots Of Lux ($8.50, essie.com).

Nude and improved. Try a more of-the-moment neutral like lavender or muted blue, says Jin Soon Choi, a manicurist in New York City. They're flattering to ashy winter skin, she says. Try: YSL La Laque Couture in Beige Gallery ($25, yslbeautyus.com), a nude with lavender-gray undertones.

Week 3 Style Updates

Claire Benoist

Bulk up your bun. "Buns are getting bigger," says Mark Townsend, a celebrity stylist for Dove. To give yours more oomph, pull hair into a ponytail and braid it. Then muss the braid before wrapping it loosely around the elastic. "It gives the illusion of a fuller bun—and the loops from the braid create a cool, messy effect," he says.

Dress up your pony. "Ponytails are really polished and sleek right now," says Tommy Buckett, celebrity stylist for Garnier Fructis. Simply create a center or low side part and make a pony at the nape of your neck. Run a flatiron over the tail, then swipe an argan oil—infused treatment down the length, he says. Try: Giovanni Brazilian Keratin & Argan Oil Ultra-Sleek Touch-Up Hair Towelette ($7 for 10, giovannicosmetics.com).

Week 4 Pout Pleasers

Claire Benoist

Care for your kisser. Lip balms might keep lips smooth during winter months, but they don't deliver long-lasting color. Get the best of both worlds with new lipsticks that are packed with water-binding hyaluronic acid, oils, and other moisturizers. Try: Dior Rouge Dior lipstick ($34, dior.com) and Giorgio Armani Rouge Ecstasy CC Lipstick ($34, giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com).

Go off-season. Summery lip hues like coral or fuchsia offer an unexpected pop of brightness in the dead of winter, says makeup artist Kara Yoshimoto Bua. Apply it to the middle of your lips and blend it out. "It brings light into the center of your face," she says. Try: L'Oreal Paris Infallible Le Rouge Lipstick in Fearless Fuchsia ($10, at drugstores).

Week 5 New Eye-deas

Claire Benoist

Add twinkle. Line the inside rim of your inner corners with a metallic colored pencil. "It rounds out the eyes, making them look bigger and brighter," says Yoshimoto Bua. If you have brown eyes, use a metallic blue. Try: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Abyss ($19, urbandecay.com). Pair green eyes with purple liner. Try: NYX Slide On Pencil in Pretty Violet ($8, nyxcosmetics.com). For blue eyes, go for a shimmering green. Try: M.A.C Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Forever Green ($16, maccosmetics.com).

Raise your brows. To beef up your brows, use concealer. Choose one that's lighter than your skin tone and smooth it on above and below your brows, from arch to tail. "The light-reflecting quality makes brows appear lifted and fuller," says Quinn. Try: Marc Jacobs Beauty Remedy Concealer Pen ($39, sephora.com).

Week 6 Dye Do-Overs

Claire Benoist

Gloss over your ombre. Tone down the light-to-dark color trend by applying an at-home, color-depositing glaze that's close to your root color for half the suggested time every three weeks, says Sharon Dorram, a colorist in New York City. The idea is not to take out all the highlights, she says, but to bridge the gap between roots and tips while creating a richer, shinier shade. Try: John Frieda Luminous Color Glaze in Brilliant Brunette ($10, at drugstores).

Punch up your blonde. Raise a glass and pour some bubbly over your damp hair and rinse after 10 minutes, says Kyle White, a colorist at Oscar Blandi Salon in New York City. "The effervescence in champagne gives hair volume, and the golden hue enhances blonde tones," he says. Follow with a deep-conditioning treatment.

Week 7 Body Boosters

Claire Benoist

Smooth move: Switch to a body wash that contains mega-hydrating, fatty acid–packed coconut oil, says Debra Jaliman, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City and author of Skin Rules. Try: SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Body Wash ($10, target.com). Or make your own by adding coconut or any natural oil (like olive or jojoba) to your favorite body cleanser, she says.

Tackle tough spots. Glycolic acid is not just for your face. Every day, swipe elbows and the back of your hands, heels, and ankles with a glycolic-soaked pad. "Not only will it eliminate any dead-skin buildup, but it will also help skin retain moisture," says Jaliman. Try: Cane & Austin Retexturizing Body Pads with 10 percent glycolic acid ($70, dermstore.com).