Summer rules
Even though the sun is out, a bit more effort at home will keep you looking in top shape
IF YOU want to look gorgeous in the sweltering temperatures there are some quick and basic grooming tips to keep in mind to ensure you don’t look dried out and sun shrivelled!
During our hot summers, hair, skin and feet become much drier than usual and can easily look neglected. However it is quite easy to prevent this with some simple procedures.
FEET
WHETHER you have regular pedicures or not, heels and cuticles always seem to get really dry and rough looking very quickly in the summer. It is surprisingly easy to keep feet looking pretty even if you don’t have the time (or the budget!) for the necessary twice monthly pedicures. The simple procedure of scrubbing the heels with a hard skin scraper type tool every day or two at the end of your shower and then applying generous amounts of a good body or foot cream all over feet, including the toenails and cuticles, will perform minor miracles. If cuticles are very tatty looking then an initial pedicure at a salon will be necessary to kick start your home care enthusiasm. Buy some cuticle remover and push back your cuticles regularly to keep them looking neat. Simply soak feet for ten minutes, apply to cuticles and push back very gently using an orange wood stick. Rinse off, cut and file toenails then polish with an easy to use colour such as clear or a pale translucent slightly glimmering shade.
HAIR
IF YOU have chemically treated or coloured hair, avoid the eventual development of dry, faded and straw like appearance by applying an oil therapy or hair mask treatment once a week. Good hairdressers will advise on the best product for you or you can find some good oil treatments at Metro supermarkets or good pharmacies. Another tip for dry hair is to apply leave in conditioner and tie your hair in a knot or bun or wear a hat or headscarf.
For a really nourishing treatment, give your hair an essential oil treatment. You need half an espresso cup of almond, peach kernel, avocado or olive oil mixed with just three drops of either chamomile, lavender, rose, patchouli, sandalwood or rosemary essential oils. Avoid rosemary if you have high blood pressure and if you are pregnant use only a drop of lavender or neroli after the third month of pregnancy. Apply to dry hair and leave for half hour or longer if desired then shampoo and condition as normal. Do not use olive oil if you have blond highlights or dyed blond hair in case it gives a green hue to your hair.
SKIN
YOU CAN use the same oil bases with various essential oils on face or body to nourish skin that is dry from too much sun or swimming. If you are sunburnt though it may be best to apply special cooling and soothing products or high grade Aloe Vera gel for three or four days and then apply your oil mixture to really feed the skin. Never apply essential oils to skin if you are going out in the sun the same day and avoid the citrus oils, especially bergamot, if in the sun the next day. Use the more soothing or nourishing oils rather than the stimulating oils. Good ones for dehydrated or sensitive skin are chamomile, rose, lavender, patchouli, jasmine or neroli. Always mix with a base oil before applying to skin and use only about five drops to half a small coffee cup of base. Avoid applying near eyes. I find that when I apply this to my sun-parched face, neck, shoulders or feet and cuticles at bedtime, I wake up with skin which is smooth, nourished and soft.
As far as face care is concerned, by all means have facials or use face packs if you wish, but avoid over stimulating treatments as the skin becomes more receptive to the sun and you could develop brown patches or stains (called chloasma). The combination of strong sun, excessive heat and strong or very stimulating products renders the skin very vulnerable to sun damage or pigmentation. Therefore wait until after September to have treatments such as deep peeling, glycolic acid, fruit acid, retinol, crystal therapy or galvanic current.
For home care, again avoid products with glycolic or fruit acids or anything that is very stimulating or stings. If you use face masks, stick to the milder type of moisturising, soothing, freshening or firming rather than the very deep cleansing clay, tingly type or heat producing masks. If you have a very oily or blackhead covered nose and you really need to use clay based masks here and possibly on the T-zone area, then do so but avoid applying to the drier cheek area during the summer months.
If you have any queries about products or treatments or need any advice concerning above article you can contact Ilia on: 99 548338.
