OnTap Magazine

BEAUTY AND THE BEER with a bottomless supply of beer on tap and a log re o ering warmth and ambience. And what if that glorious foam caressing your skin was actually a combination of 1000 litres of beer swirling in a handmade royal oak whirlpool. at’s the ingenious way people in the Czech Republic – and now the United States – have seduced people with their beer spas. ese beer spas claim that the hops, brewer’s yeast and malt open the pores, invigorate the skin, stimulate your metabolism and detox the body. Carlsberg says the range it created was inspired by research which showed that while a huge number of men groomed themselves daily and spent a lot of money on products, many of them still ended up using potions and lotions belonging to their girlfriends or wives because there weren’t enough male-friendly options. Since beer’s ingredients are rich in vitamin B and silicium, and perfect for body and hair, Carlsberg bo ns freeze-dried the beer into a powder. A few organic additions later, and they came up with their signature shampoo, conditioner and body lotion range. e Carlsberg products have yet to reach South African shores, but you can always try making your own: HAIR MASK Blend together half a cup of beer (you can drink the rest) and one egg white. e beer should be warm but not so hot that it starts to cook the egg. Wet hair and massage the mixture in, leaving for 20—30 minutes. ere’s no need to add any other products. In fact a study published in the British Journal of Dermatology found that leaving beer on your hair can thicken individual strands and prevent breakage. FACE MASK If you’ve overindulged in beer, you might nd yourself with a morning-after face featuring dull, dehydrated skin. However, beauty bloggers rave about putting the beer straight onto your face to wash the night away. Mix one egg white with half a cup of bottle- conditioned beer and two teaspoons of fresh lime/lemon juice. Apply to your face and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water. It’s believed that the vitamin B in beer can improve acne, the lime brightens your skin while the beer and egg mixture hydrates and improves your skin’s elasticity. BATH SOAK Next time you take a bath (assuming you live in a place where such things are still allowed – sorry Capetonians) replace your usual bubble bath with this natural alternative. Add two tablespoons of coconut oil to the running water, then pour in a bottle of beer. You could also add a cup of Epsom salts for an even more nutrient-filled soak.