Kallos

BEAUTY — Kallos: The ancient Greek

beauty secrets

You can still use today at home! The secrets of ancient Greek grooming included regular exercise, the use of essential oils, and even natural decoloration. — BY FILIA MITROMARA

It is true that beauty in antiquity was considered one of the main virtues of women and had developed a strong relationship between mathematics and beauty. The ancient Greeks, having at their disposal only natural products, discovered beneficial properties in some of the strangest ingredients. With imagination they created the most beneficial beauty recipes for the skin. Some of them can even be easily applied today!

Cosmetics like kosmetikos The word cosmetics is actually a Greek word, kosmetikos, meaning the awareness of harmony, organisation and tranquillity. The word kosmetikos originated in the 17th century, so these beauty rituals have been around at least that long.

Almond oil Almond oil for hair growth Ancient Greek women used almond oil on the hair as well as on their skin. Use of almond oil in ancient Greece symbolized hope and patience. Almond oil is known to provide utmost hydration. This quality is due to the presence of palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids. Almond oil also serves to be a good source of vitamin E and K. It reduces hair fall and provides strength right from the hair roots. DIY: Before bath, apply almond oil in your hair, leave in for 20 minutes and then take a shower.

Honey Mask Numerous varieties of honey are produced in Greek beehives, but none of them are more renowned around the world than thyme honey. Honey, due to polysaccharides, attracts and absorbs the water molecules from the surrounding environment, acting like a sponge. In addition to its hydro-retentive properties, honey has been clinically proven to accelerate the biosynthesis and maturation of collagen fibers, so it improves skin elasticity and roughness and provides a velvety texture. Furthermore, thyme honey has a high content of vitamins, amino acids, and flavonoids, so it provides antioxidant protection and nourishes dry skin areas. One of the most common Grecian mask preparations is to mix olive oil and honey. Honey is one of the most naturally antibacterial ingredients while olive oil is super healing. DIY: Before your bath, place 1/4 cup of honey in a short jar or bowl (adding a small amount of warm water to the honey to make the honey more spreadable). Mix 1/4 [cup] extra-virgin olive oil in with the honey. Apply with a clean paintbrush or makeup brush to your face. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes, and remove with a washcloth.

Salt Scrub Ancient Greeks used Mediterranean Sea salt mixed with olive oil to scrub and exfoliate their dry, sun-exposed bodies. DIY: Mix equal parts Epsom salt and olive oil and rub on your elbows and body parts while you soak in the bath. Let the mixture remain in your tea bath soak to provide extra detoxifying and soothing properties.

Blonde hair symbolized beauty. The men in particular seem to have devised natural methods of decoloration, using vinegar, lemon juice and saffron to look like the blonde Achilles and other famous heroes of Greek mythology.

Yogurt for peel Yogurt is a natural form of lactic acid, so it’s a natural AHA peel. Ancient Greeks used one of their most common foods, yogurt, to dissolve dead skin and tighten the pores. However, yogurt is part of daily routine. For hundreds of years, it’s been the most well-known remedy that Greek mothers and grandmothers turn to for sunburn relief. DIY: Add a tablespoon of olive oil to every four tablespoons of Greek yogurt and apply it onto the face for 10 minutes. Your skin may tingle; these are the natural AHAs at work. Remove with a warm washcloth.

4 Herbal bath Ancient Greeks used dried flowers and herbs in their baths. It helped to detoxify the skin, mind, and muscles. DIY: At home, grab your unused tea bags sitting in the back of your cupboard and throw them in a warm, steamy bath. Take a 20-minute soak. The tea will energize your cells. Look for green tea; it’s a great antioxidant.

Olive Oil Ancient Greeks used their native olive tree for everything, including to hydrate and moisturize skin and hair. Olive oil was called liquid gold by Homer, and it had an almost mythical status in ancient Greece. Ancient women of Crete used it for their hair, face, and body as it’s a natural source of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants. It nourishes skin deeply while also locking in moisture, preventing transepidermal water loss and restoring elasticity to maintain youthful skin that is instantly hydrated, refreshed, and softened. DIY: Put a small amount of olive oil into your hand and lightly press it onto your face,» instructs Hewett. «Olive is full of omega acids and tocopherols that heal and nourish the skin. Pomegranate The pomegranate has been used throughout history as a symbol of humanity’s most fundamental beliefs and desires, including life and death, rebirth and eternal life, fertility and marriage, abundance and prosperity. Homer refers to the pomegranate breaking, a tradition that has survived until today due to the fruit’s association with life, fertility, passion, and power. The pomegranate’s extract is a rich source of tannins; anthocyanins; vitamins A, C, and E; and minerals. It contains three times the antioxidant properties of red wine or green tea, so it’s effective in combating the free radicals that cause premature aging of skin cells. It also has significant astringent properties due to its tannins content. As a result, it tightens the pores and strengthens the skin epidermis, thus being ideal for oily and combination skin. DIY: Just mix pomegranate extract with oil and apply in your hands at night.

ESSENTIAL SKINCARE TIPS

Follow the below tips to attain a completely healthy skin such as those of Greek women:

Eat healthy and nutritious meals. A Mediterranean diet promotes good skin health.

Follow a 3-meals-a-day habit. Breakfast and lunch should be light while dinner should be the largest meal of the day.

Go for a walk after dinner daily. This helps in digestion.

Include fruits such as pears, figs and apples in your daily diet.

Follow a skin care regime that involves cleansing, exfoliating, toning and moisturizing.

STYLE

ALISAHNE RESORT COLLECTIONS

COLOURFUL, BOLD AND ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS, THE COLLECTIONS OF SOFIA KARAGIANNI BURST WITH CREATIVE ENERGY, CONFIDENCE, EROTICISM AND HARMONY.

Instagram: @alisahne_official_page www.alisahne.com

Alisahne is the trace left by the touch of the sea and the “made in Greece” brand definitely leaves its traces on those women who love beautiful and quality clothing.

Drawing on her strong management background, seven years ago she launched ALISAHNE Resort Collections thereby realising a long-standing dream. “Energized by the magic of the Greek summer, the sea, the sun, the sand, the special feeling of the thin layer of salt on the skin during a lovely beach ramble, I felt an imperative urge to express myself. Named after the salt dust, Alisahne celebrates the versatile nature of women, both seductive and pure, strong and tender alike”, Sofia asserts. Her collections are paying homage to the female figure and aura. “Swimwear is the perfect outfit for the hot months, while at the same time, with the right combination, can also work in all sorts of circumstances, on different social occasions".