Why You Should Add Coffee into Your Beauty Routine

As NYgals, we are without a doubt fueled by coffee.

We work hard and play even harder with our bustling social lives, hectic careers, and countless side hustles. Busy babes might be happy to hear that their favorite source of caffeine doesn’t just help with our rise and grind, it also benefits our beauty routine!

From head to foot (literally!) coffee is an incredibly affordable ingredient to add to your daily regiment.

Depuff Sleepy Eyes With Homemade Eye Masks

It’s Monday morning and Sunday Funday escalated from brunch with the girls to an all-nighter.  You’re feeling those mere three hours of sleep (and four shots of tequila), but your skin doesn’t have to give it away!  Drag yourself out of bed and brew up some much-needed coffee.  The drink will wake you up a bit, but save a few sips worth for puffy, sleep-deprived eyes.

You can easily create your own DIY undereye masks with a few simple items that are probably laying around your apartment.  All you’ll need is a single cotton round (cut in half) and a bit of leftover joe.

1. Seep the cotton round halves in the coffee and apply to your under eyes.
2. Leave on for five minutes and those undereye bags will be no more.
3. Make sure you moisturize afterward!

Why does this work? Caffeine acts as a diuretic to reduce swelling and puffiness while antioxidants fight the free radicals that cause the skin to age.

Another advantage you’ll love is how inexpensive these eye masks are. Between the coffee and cotton rounds, you’ll be shelling out a fraction of the dough you’d spend at Sephora for a product that claims to give the same results.

Reduce The Appearance of Cellulite

It’s an unfortunate fact that biologically, us ladies are much more likely to experience cellulite than our male counterparts. Luckily, coffee offers a solution!

1. Using freshly ground coffee (it has more antioxidants and caffeine than used coffee grounds) mix 1/4 cup with 3 tablespoons hot water and let the mixture sit for 10 minutes to form a paste.
2. Then, mix in 2 tablespoons of olive or coconut oil to help bind the mixture.
3. Wash problem areas in a warm shower and apply the scrub, massaging in a circular motion for 2-4 minutes.
4. Rinse with warm water to remove leftover grounds, then moisturize if desired.

Why does it work?  The caffeine and antioxidants in coffee are effective at reducing the appearance of cellulite temporarily. As a stimulant, the caffeine dilates blood vessels, which can tone and tighten tissue. It also increases circulation and reduces water retention, both of which can also help smooth the bumpy look of cellulite.

Say Goodbye To Dull Skin

Is your complexion not quite glowing as much as you’d like?  You can remove toxins and deep clean pores with just two ingredients (hint: coffee is one of them).

Fatty acid-rich olive, avocado or coconut oil added to the antioxidant powerhouse of coffee grounds can revive healthy, smooth skin.

1. Mix two tablespoons of either oil with two tablespoons of coffee grounds and gently massage the mix onto your face, avoiding the eye area.
2. Wait 30 seconds and remove with a damp washcloth, making sure to pat any remaining oil into the skin for extra moisture.

Any dry or dull skin flakes will be buffed away while you get to enjoy the invigorating scent of coffee.

Refresh Your Brunette

You can enhance richness in your dark tresses without any damaging chemicals by concocting a simple coffee-based conditioning treatment.

1. Mix one teaspoon (or two, depending on the thickness and length of your hair) of cool coffee grounds into a cup of conditioner and apply to freshly shampooed hair.
2. Let it sit for five minutes, and rinse thoroughly with cool water to seal the hair cuticle.
3. To seal in the tint, rinse with apple cider vinegar. (Keep in mind, this is not recommended for lighter hair colors!)

Trying to grow out your hair? Caffeine also helps stimulate hair follicles while the invigorating texture of the coffee grounds also helps to exfoliate your scalp.

Forgo The Fancy Pedicure

NYgals are used to walking all over,  Whether in trendy trainers or heels that channel Carrie Bradshaw, a lot of wear and tear happens to our feet.

While you may not be able to recreate the flawless polish job your pedicurist does, getting rid of all that nasty, rough skin that comes from walking around all day can easily be achieved at home.

1. Mix a few tablespoons of brewed coffee grounds with equal parts course sugar, and a tablespoon of olive or coconut oil.
2. Rub the wet paste onto the skin.

Not only will your feet feel energized after a long day, but your nail tech will be begging for your callus smoothing secret.