Ah, avocado: the glorious fruit that us, ladies, cannot get enough of. Say the word "avocado" and we are there. Avocado in salads, avocado on toast and, of course, the holy grail of all dips: guacamole.
I mean, guac is basically the sole reason to even step inside Chipotle, and we all know it.
Avocados are hardworking multi-taskers. In addition to being delicious, they also provide some serious benefits in the beauty department.
Because avocados are full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, it's not hard to find excuses to eat them.
It should come as no surprise, then, that avocados offer nutrients for our inner and outer health, as they are common ingredients in many beauty products.
But, you don't need to make a Sephora run to take advantage of all the delicious fruits have to offer. In fact, look no further than your own kitchen.
Here are six ways to use raw avocados straight from your kitchen shelf to improve your beauty game:
1. Make your own avocado hair mask.
When it comes to hair, there are many old wives' tales about what might make your locks soft and shiny. And, avocados are the king of hair softeners.
There are many recipes out there for DIY avocado masks. Some contain other ingredients, like olive oil and lemon, others suggest blending in honey.
If you're the kind of person who worries about how her hair smells, add a few drops of jasmine or lavender for a lovely scent.
2. Use avocado oil as sunscreen.
If you're worried about chemicals from drugstore sunscreens, think about creating your own natural sun protection using avocado oil.
Avocado oil by itself only provides up to 15 SPF, but you can mix it with other oils to create a stronger ointment.
By mixing avocado oil with other ingredients, you can create a sunblock that contains a higher protection. This recipe calls for coconut, sesame, avocado and carrot seed oils, as well as shea butter and aloe vera gel.
3. Turn guacamole into body lotion.
The vitamins in avocados are great for achieving softer skin, and the texture of avocados translates perfectly to a lotion.
You can simply mash an avocado until it reaches a creamy consistency, then spread it over your skin. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing it off.
If you're feeling crafty, try this recipe for a more advanced concoction. You'll need a cooked, mashed carrot, honey, one egg and heavy cream in addition to your avocado.
4. Smear that avocado right on your face.
Ladies, who's with me? Sometimes, there's nothing more refreshing than a good, old face mask; nothing feels quite as good as peeling off that layer and then washing your newly-fresh skin.
Avocados are often the top ingredient in the face masks you find in beauty or drug stores, and for good reason. Vitamins A, E, B and K are all found in avocados and they can do wonders for the skin on your face.
There are dozens of options when it comes to a DIY avocado face mask. Try mixing that awesome green stuff with banana and egg yolk or honey and yogurt. Use a brush or your fingers to apply it and let it sit on your skin for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing.
5. Put down the ChapStick and make your own lip scrub.
In addition to being a sunscreen substitute, avocado oil also lends itself to working as a lip scrub.
If you combine avocado oil with sugar, you'll find yourself holding a perfect product for softer and healthier lips.
A bonus idea: Purchase small tins and make mini lip scrubs for all your girlfriends. These could make great holiday or bridesmaid gift (so long as no one is tempted to eat them).
