Keep It Simple Beauty

I know a lot of people who think going to a spa is a luxury instead of a way of maintaining our well-being. They put a negative connotation on “pampering ourselves,” but I see nothing wrong with that. We deserve it because we frequently wear and tear our bodies, so it’s necessary to get a tune-up from time to time. But if you’re concerned about spending tons of money, don’t be. You don’t have to be a big spender because fashion model, TV host and author Dawn Gallagher has traveled around the world, gathered beauty recipes and compiled them into Nature’s Beauty Secrets.

This book includes yummy DIY spa treatments, and many of the ingredients could be found in our own kitchens or local health food stores. We can bring the spa experience into our homes and escape into bliss.

Keep It Simple Beauty spoke with Ms. Gallagher to find out the importance of our well-being and why she was compelled to write this book.

KISB: Why is the “back to basics” philosophy so important for beauty?
DG: The busier and more stressful our lives become, the greater our need for an oasis of calm and well-being. The spa is part of the modern-day self-care regime, right up there with the dentist, doctor and fitness instructor. But few of us have the time or money to drop everything and escape to the tropics or a spa, so I offer a top-to-toe revitalizing program you can do in the comfort of your own home. Nature’s Beauty Secrets offers natural alternatives using healthy ingredients from your own kitchen—such as avocado, banana, olive oil and yogurt—at a fraction of the price. Plus it’s more fun to make your own products. I have collected recipes from spas all over the world and translated them into simple treatments one can do at home. In today’s stressful environment, pampering yourself from head to toe will bring you peace of mind and deep relaxation.

KISB: Did your extensive travels inspire you to write this book?
DG: Yes it did! While traveling I found that what might be considered beautiful in one culture is quite the opposite in another. For example, the Maasai of Kenya believe that true beauty comes from your attitude toward life, rather than your physical appearance. And to a young Aboriginal male in Australia, a seasoned older woman is an object of desire, as she represents wisdom and experience. It was also interesting to me how many of the spas I visited used indigenous ingredients native to the land and incorporated them into their beauty treatments.

Dawn uses rosewater to combat tired, puffy eyes

KISB: You’ve created in-depth imagery of your worldly travels─I felt like I was there right with you. How beneficial is it for our Western culture to experience other cultures’ beauty regimens?
DG: Women of other cultures tend to use more natural ingredients that have been tested over time. I also admire the philosophy of other cultures regarding beauty and health. For example, Asian ideology sees the desire to be beautiful as a natural and admirable pursuit, rather than one associated with vanity. Great beauty is believed to come from the inside as well as the outside, so Asians encourage any treatment that brings about inner peace. I believe that natural substances are best for the face and body. Most women will find these products safe and effective. Equally important, not only do they save our own skin, these natural complexion enhancers also preserve the health of our planet. It’s a simple, self-evident axiom: If something is bad for the planet, it cannot be good for your face.

KISB: Name a few ingredients you couldn’t live without for optimal beauty.
DG: Witch hazel, aloe vera and egg whites.

KISB: Do you believe the natural movement in the beauty industry will continue to expand?
DG: Yes! Today, there is a growing movement of environmentally conscious and well-informed consumers who are thinking about their finances, managing their money, looking for ways to relax and making choices for their future in a new way. They are making choices based on whether or not products and services are earth-friendly, ethically-produced and made, recyclable and energy-efficient. The rapidly growing “going green” movement is here to stay. These consumers look for an organic label on their food, cosmetics, and ways to lower their “carbon footprint.”

KISB: Are there other areas of natural health that you plan on writing about in the future?
DG: I plan on writing more books about natural beauty secrets from around the world.

Nature’s Beauty Secrets is on sale now; click here to order online. It is also available in all major book stores such as Barnes and Noble and Borders Books.