Is your beauty regime breaking the bank. Here’s some tips to DIY and save some cash
WE all wish we would spend hours being pampered in the beauty salon. It’s good for morale, keeps stress levels down and, of course, the outcome is a healthy, clear, firmer completion and a well groomed appearance.
Of course there some things which only a professional treatment can achieve such as the ‘non surgical face lift’ type of facials, which involve the use of a micro current to literally lift the contours of the face. A course of this treatment is money well spent as it really works. It will set you back around £220 to £300, then a monthly maintenance session costing £24 to £30.
There are, however, a few things you can do at home which really do make a difference to your overall look; after all it’s the details that count. Tidy cuticles, smooth skin on your arms, legs and body, clear skin and discreet, rather then over zealous, make-up are the basics. They make us feel good and can very easily be achieved at home.
The basis of looking one’s best is looking after the completion of the face. The key here is to make sure your cleanser/facial wash, toner, serum (if you use one) and moistures really do suit your skin and use them everyday. Even if you don’t use upmarket brands using your skin care everyday will keep your face younger and fresher than if you have expensive makes and only bother to use them every few days. This is because giving the face some “attention” daily does more that treat the skin, it keeps the underlying structures of your face and neck toned and stimulated because you are moving the blood and lymph, which slows down as we get older, which contributes to that tired, puffy and slacker look on our face.
Using a facial mask once or twice a week will be time and money well spent. Again it’s not just for your skin it’s for under your face too! Do make sure your products are exactly right for your skin though.
For sluggish looking thighs, bum, tops of arms and tummy:
This may sound basic but many people don’t realise how much good scrubbing does. Scrubbing these areas (or even better the whole body) regularly really does help to keep the body looking younger and legs, bum etc looking much more toned and firm.
As we get older, these areas can develop fat deposits even on slim people. Use one of those quite rough friction mitts if you can find one – I buy mine in the UK, or try the pharmacies here – or use a loofah, massage glove or body brush. And use them all with a non-drying shower gel and water. If your choice is a rough mitt be very careful not to go beserk so you don’t go very red or break the little veins in the skin, especially on the thighs. Scrub or rub in the direction of the heart on legs and arms.
Always start with legs then arms, chest if you want to, then tummy then the back if you’re going to be really disciplined! This way you’re following the correct path of your body’s circulatory system. If you have very high blood pressure or a fairly serious medical problem check with your GP first.
Scrub every day or two then apply any body lotion to dry areas. Keep this up for two weeks and you really will see the difference. As a long term beauty treatment you should carry on doing this every couple of days or so at least. If you wish you can replace the body lotion with a specialised firming and toning lotion for thighs, buttocks, tummy and tops of arms. Of course exercising too would be ideal!
Treat yourself to: Esteé Lauder Body Performance Cream
For spots or pimply areas on things, back or arms:
DO the same as above, gently but regularly. It really helps! Just replace the body lotion with a very light, water-based lotion if the blemishes are due to oily skin on certain areas and a richer one on dry areas. Remember not to be too rough if you have veins on the legs.
For dry, untidy looking cuticles on hands or feet
IF the cuticles are really tatty or stuck to the nail plate treat yourself to a manicure or pedicure first. The secret to having cuticles that look soft and tidy without needing a manicure every single week is simple: oil them. All the time. If you apply a plant oil – olive, jojoba, wheatgerm (too thick on its own) peach kernel, avocado – everyday to cuticles and massage it in a little, then apply some hand or body lotion nightly you will soon see that cuticles won’t get so raggedy, dry or become hangnails, nor will they need manicuring so often. Basically anything really greasy applied to the cuticles at least once a day or, ideally two or three times a day if they one very dry, will perform small miracles. Forget Vaseline or any other petrochemically based product, it won’t work.
Treat yourself to: Creative Solar Oil or Balm, from £2 and £9 respectively contact: 24 824130, email: [email protected].
To grow your nails
IF cuticles are really bad, treat yourself to a manicure. It costs around £10. If your nails aren’t particularly weak, just keeping them varnished with two or three coats of a quality base coat or base coat and colour usually prevents breakage.
First wash hands and deg ease nails using acetone free varnish remover. Apply two or three coats of either a nail strengthening base coat if your nails are soft or weak, or a quality base coat or one or two coats base then nail colour and ideally a layer of top coat.
As soon as any varnish chips off the tips of nails, reapply varnish just to the tips. This usually looks ok if you have just a clear product on the nails. Around once a week remove the whole lot with acetone-free remover and reapply.
The secret here is to never leave even the tips of the nails unvarnished, as that is inevitably the time when you might knock them somewhere and chip off a nail tip.
Try taking multivitamins too, at the discretion of your doctor.
Try Creative Nail “Toughen Up Strentthening Base Coat £9 contact: 25 824130, and Guerlain base coat
Tired, puffy eyes or dark circles
PUT four to six flat cotton pads that have been drenched in cold water, onto a clear saucer and put in the fridge to cool for 10-15 minutes.
Cleanse and tone the face. If desired also do a gentle scrub or peel on the face, avoiding the eye area. Then splash face with lots of cool water to pep up the circulation. Avoid using very cold water.
Dry the face and lie down for 15 minutes or so, with head slightly above foot level. Apply one set of cold wet pads to closed eyes and relax. Change pads for cool ones when the previous ones have warmed up on your eyes. Afterwards dry the eyes and apply a light, non-greasy eye cream or eye gel sparingly and put it around eye area till it is absorbed and do resist applying it near to the eyes which will cause puffiness! Apply moisturiser to face.
Try to do this once a week to refresh eyes and reduce puffiness temporarily.
Try: Estée Laude Stress Relief Eye mask £20 and Advanced Night Repair Eye Cream £29
Face Masks
Mask for dry and sensitive skin
WARM some olive, almond, peach kernel, avocado or jojoba oil (not too hot) and add no more than one or two drips of essential oil of rose (expensive) or chamomile (cheaper but excellent) to the oil. Massage in very gently for one minute, to a cleansed face, being careful not to allow the mixture to go near the eyes, as anything with essential oils in it must not go into the eyes. Leave on skin for 15 to 20 minutes.
Gently tissue then tone off and moisturise.
Treat yourself to: Guinot Masque Hydrallergic £16. contact: 99 548338.
Mask for blemished, oily, but sensitive skin
IF YOU need something to absorb oil and help heal spots and blemishes, but are sensitive and find most commercially available clay masks too harsh or tingly, use kaolin powder clay with 10 to 25 per cent fuller’s earth clay powder mixed to a paste with water. Add one drop of lavender or rose essential oil and mix well. Apply to face or oilier areas only, remembering to avoid the eye area. Allow to dry, then rinse off using warm water. Tone the face using on alcohol-free toner and moisturise.
Treat yourself to: Guinot Beauy Revealer Mask £16. For clays ask your pharmacist or contact: 99 548338.
Mask for oily skin, spots or blackheads:
MIX fullers earth powder with about 30 to 40 per cent kaolin clay powder to a paste with toner or water and add no more than one drop of essential oils of lavender or juniper. Mix well. Apply to face or blemished or oily areas only if oilseed. Remember to avoid eyes. Leave only for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water, tone and moisturise with light moisturiser.
Treat yourself to: Estee Lauder Clear. Difference Deep Pore Purifying Facial £20.
Mask for normal to oil or combination skin:
USE the same clays as above, but use a ratio of 50/50 for the mixture. Application is the some as above.
