Dimitra Goula knows how to make cosmetics with whatever is available in our kitchen.
Greece is a country that produces beauty elixirs: fruit, vegetables, herbs, nuts, olive oil and seawater. With these pure, natural ingredients you can make your own cosmetics with additional benefits: you can save money and also have better all-round skin health. Most women think that cosmetics are a range of stylish bottles, jars and tubes – all elaborately packaged – on glass displays of extravagant stores and chemists, filled with miraculous scientifically researched, age-old secrets. And in part, this is correct. However, an imaginative beautician, Dimitra Goula, has demonstrated that good cosmetics can also be made from even the most humble of ingredients that we have in our kitchen.
“When I go on holiday, either in the winter or summer, I take very few skincare products with me, because I know that in every corner of our country, I will find everything I need: thyme as an antiseptic, oregano as a toner, olive oil as a sunscreen, and lemon as a softener. I can also do a facial peeling with semolina and honey or a facemask with tea and yoghurt. Dimitra says, it’s as simple as that”. We asked her if these “DIY” beauty recipes can compete with the quality of a shop-bought cosmetic product, and she replied: “Many times the results are the same and even better, while for sure, they are a lot safer for the skin. And with regards to the economical benefit: for many years, I have often seen women who come to my Institute that are under pressure, both financially and psychologically, and who have bought expensive, highly-advertised cosmetics that they believe are essential for revitalising their skin and their youth. I have shown these women how they can make very effective day and night face and eye creams, anti-ageing serum, sunscreen and after sun creams, with pure ingredients”.
Born and raised in Crete, Dimitra Goula studied Science of Aesthetics for the Face and Body, with a specialisation in Personology, at the Schoner Berufsausbildungs Institute in Munich. She then continued her studies at the Aesthetic Cosmetology and Economic Organisation Beauty Institute and Spa at the British Technical Educational Council – Bitec in London, where she was awarded the Higher National Diploma. However, her love for nature led her to take a specialised course on natural cosmetics and the preparation of primary ingredients, at the Institute of Agricultural Research IAR, at the Agricultural University of Athens. And since then, everything has taken its path. She has completed 17 years of valuable experience in applied aesthetics, and she has specialised in natural beauty treatments, studying in depth Botany and Aromatherapy, in conjunction with Classical Aesthetics and Cosmetology. The pinnacle of this accumulation of experience gained throughout this journey, is embodied in the very successful Dimitra Goula Boutique Institute (www.dimitragoula.gr), in the centre of Athens, a personal, creative achievement by Dimitra, which aims to convey her knowledge and passion for modern, natural aesthetics. She recently presented her personalised, fresh natural cosmetic range, “My Handmade Beauty” by Dimitra Goula (it goes without saying, without chemical preservatives, colourings, perfume or excipients). But Dimitra is also a prolific writer. In her first book, which was released in 2008 (“Beauty Elixirs”, Dioptra Publications), one can find countless tips and advice on skin health and beauty, and hundreds of therapies or compounds based on natural ingredients – the fact that it remains a best seller even today, says a great deal. In her second book, “What flavour do your cosmetics have?” which was released in 2012 (Dioptra Publications), Dimitra focuses on cosmetic recipes made with simple ingredients. Consider it as the absolute cooking guide exclusively for your beauty. From this book, Dimitra Goula presents to us her two best creations.
The recipes:
- Face and body mask with chocolate, olive oil and buttermilk. Tightens skin tissue, while leaving the skin feeling velvety and exuding in a chocolate fragrance.
- You will need:
- 7 large couverture chocolate bars
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil
- 7 tablespoons of buttermilk
Directions:
Melt the chocolate in a bain-marie, add the buttermilk and the olive oil and mix well.
Application:
While the mixture is still warm, spread it evenly on the skin. Wrap your body in cling film and relax for 20 minutes, allowing the chocolate mask to work beneficially. Rinse off with a hot shower, without using soap. The quantities can be doubled, according to the surface area that is going to be covered.
Face mask with pomegranate, honey and almonds. Regenerates the skin and is suitable for all skin types.
You will need:
- I teaspoon of pomegranate juice (squeeze the seeds in a piece of cheesecloth to remove the juice)
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- 1 teaspoon of almond flour
Directions:
Mix all of the ingredients together until they form a uniform mixture.
Application:
Spread the mask on your face and neck, avoiding the eye area, and allow it to work for 20 minutes. Rince off with warm water.
