As a kid, I heard all about coffee's negative effects on the body. If I had a dime for every time I heard the ol' “coffee stunts your growth” myth, I would have enough to splurge on my very own French press. Better yet, I’d have enough to open an upscale café in the heart of Paris. Très magnifique!
You can understand why there’s nothing more satisfying than the media’s recent praise for the beloved—and wrongly defamed—liquid wake-up call.
First, we have the American Heart Association debunking myths once and for all with its recent findings on coffee’s long-term health benefits. Then, we have studies showing that coffee kickstarts not just our brains but our metabolisms, too.
Now, just when you thought it couldn’t get better, it does, because it turns out coffee can liven you up in more ways than one. You can save your post-morning brew grounds and put them to use with dozens of DIY beauty hacks. And, I bet you had no idea just how underutilized your soggy coffee grounds were.
1. De-puff and brighten under-eye circles
Coffee can make you feel awake—and look it, too. Coffee’s anti-inflammatory properties naturally diminish under-eye puffiness. Plus, the caffeine constricts blood vessels, helping reduce the appearance of dark under-eye veins.
First, let the coffee grounds cool. Then, gently apply below your eyes. Leave for 20 minutes before rinsing off with cold water.
Now no one has to know you stayed up till 2 am plowing through the entire first season of “Stranger Things” on Netflix. That’s between you and Eleven.
2. Exfoliate and rejuvenate your skin
It should come as no surprise that coffee grounds’ grainy texture makes for the ideal natural exfoliant. Plus, it’s rich in antioxidants and smells amazing. Bonus: you can use the same mix for an all-natural foot scrub!
3. Smooth and soften your lips
For those who have yet to experience the magic of lip exfoliation, it’s one of those things you don't know you need until you try it—and once you do, you won't be able to imagine your beauty routine without it. There’s no need to splurge on a fancy Lush lip scrub when you can make one right at home.
Dampen your coffee grounds with a little honey or essential oil. Then, simply rub the scrub onto your lips. Not only are coffee grounds gentler than most sugar scrubs, but the massaging motion increases circulation to your lips (naturally enhancing their color!).
You’ll be thanking yourself when applying lipstick onto baby soft lips the next morning.
4. Minimize the appearance of cellulite
Cellulite is genetic, so coffee can’t be the cure-all for cellulite. What it can do, though, is help reduce the appearance of it.
First, let the coffee grounds cool. Then, add enough water to make a paste, and scrub the problem areas for a couple minutes. Together, the grainy texture and massaging motions will stimulate blood flow and tighten skin.
5. Add shine and gloss to your mane
Not only will coffee add sheen and shine to your ‘do, but thanks to the caffeine, it will also stimulate hair growth.
Rub the coffee grounds into your hair before shampooing or add them to your conditioner and gently massage in. Another option is mixing the grounds with olive oil to make a hair mask (which you’ll need to let sit for 20 to 30 minutes before rinsing).
Whichever you decide, you’ll have lustrous locks in no time.
6. Eliminate dandruff with a scalp treatment
A coffee ground scalp massage sounds weird, I know. But, haven’t all of these beauty hacks? If you ask me, a little unconventionality is worth cleansing your hair of product buildup and dead skin cells.
Before shampooing, spend a few minutes gently massaging the grounds into your scalp. You can even kill two birds with one stone and use the mix from the last step. Just add extra attention to your roots.
It’s as simple as that for no more flakes and no more residue.
7. Enhance hair color with a coffee tint
You’re in luck, brunettes. Turns out coffee is the perfect pick-me-up for your chestnut locks. Add depth to your hair color with a coffee ground hair mask. Mix the grounds into your conditioner (or, just use same concoction from step 5). Then, massage it into your hair and let is sit for at least 5 minutes.
Who’s that dark-haired beauty with a mane as rich as espresso? Oh, wait. That’s you.8. Get glowing, radiant skin with an all-natural face mask
Coffee can perk up your brain and your appearance. The caffeine increases circulation to your face, instantly brightening your complexion. It also boosts the production of collagen—a protein that helps keep skin strong, supple, and smooth.
Just add this to the mounting list of reasons we need our daily caffeine fix.
To make the mask, all you need is a base product: organic plain yogurt, raw honey, or mashed avocado. Mix the base product with finely ground coffee until it forms a smooth paste. Bonus step: add 2 tablespoons of honey if you have dry skin or two tablespoons of lemon juice if you have oily skin.
Apply the mask evenly and let it dry for at least 15 minutes. Then, rinse with cool water, and admire your radiant reflection.
Summer may be over, but you can still achieve that #glow.
9. Rejuvenate your skin with coffee cube
Pour freshly-brewed coffee into an ice tray and keep it in the freezer. Once the cubes have frozen, use one to gently trace around your face, paying special attention to above and below your eyes.
The caffeine will boost circulation and instantly brighten your complexion. Plus, the ice’s cooling effect will reduce any morning puffiness.
Make enough cubes in advance to just grab whenever you need. Maybe even pop a few into your iced coffee to keep it from getting watered down.
10. Treat yourself to some aroma therapy
Studies have shown that the smell of coffee alone can elevate your mood. Maybe it’s the excitement of knowing a cup o' Joe is on its way, but, either way, I won’t dispute the science.
On top of that, coffee also makes for the perfect natural deodorizer. Leave bowls of coffee grounds around your dorm or apartment to mask any lingering odors. Or, better yet, boost your #aesthetic and prop your makeup brushes in coffee beans like these crafty Pinteresters.
You can even incorporate grounds into a homemade soap with this PopSugar recipe, or use them as the base scent for a DIY coffee candle.
Looks like “waking up and smelling the coffee” doesn’t have to mean the worst thing in the world. If you needed another reason to invest in coffee maker, this is it, my friends.
You don’t even have to splurge on sophisticated machinery—coffee grounds form a Keurig K-cup will suffice. So, quit pouring your money down the drain with daily Starbucks to-go, and start saving the big bucks with these resourceful beauty secrets.