How To Get Perfect Skin From Eating Great Food

Yes, it's true - yippee! Eating is good for you, and it's also good for your skin. Eating is not all about how fat we are all becoming and cutting down things we enjoy. It's true you have to choose the right foods, but as well as enjoying a great and varied diet, you can give your skin a beauty treatment from the inside out. Here are the best of the super foods which can feed, not just body and soul, but also your skin from within.

Get Your Oats

Yes breakfast is the most important meal of the day - particularly because it's pretty easy to incorporate some oats into your diet by either making up some porridge (easy-peasy in the microwave with some semi-skimmed milk or water, and honey), or by indulging in a yummy bowl of muesli. If this sounds boring to you, add some banana or berries for a natural sweet treat. Oats are high in calcium, potassium, magnesium and the skin important vitamin - Vitamin E.

Avocado Heaven

Yummy avocados are packed with potassium, antioxidants and "good" fats and are a heavy-weight champion in the fight against wrinkles. Have one at lunch with some lemon juice squeezed over or make up your own guacamole.

Anyone For Soup?

Not any old soup - that of the watercress variety! Watercress is gorgeous and peppery in salads and is full of Vitamin A and C. It works as a natural antibiotic helping to heal and improve the health of your skin.

Strawberry Surprise

Yes it's a surprise that something so good to eat is so good for you! They are high in iron and cleanse your system which will brighten your skin. Eat them ripe and red, add some natural yogurt and make them into a yummy desert for an after dinner treat.

Melons at Mealtimes

Ever wondered why melons have often been included in starter courses - it's because they give your constitution a boost. They are brilliant at detoxing your body and of course your skin.

Choose Blueberries

Blueberries are oh-so-good for the skin as they help the body to manufacture collagen (which is the glue for our skin cells) and which keeps our skin supple and smooth, i.e. looking young. Blueberries are also full of antioxidants which fight off those free radicals which lead to cell damage and premature aging caused by exposure to sunlight and toxins. What brave little berries.

Craving Carrots?

They may not be your favourite veggie, but carrots can be yummy eaten as baby carrots gently steamed, or raw grated into salads and sandwiches. And when you know that carrots are a mega source of beta-carotene which the body converts to Vitamin A which protects us from dry skin, and that they are also lots of antioxidants which prevent premature aging I am sure you will be heading to the greengrocer for a bunch of the orange veggies.

You Must Be (Brazil) Nuts

A great and handy food for snacking on - Brazil nuts are a great source of selenium which may help acne sufferers, and also improve skin elasticity. Selenium also neutralises those free radicals which damage our skin. Over and above all this, Selenium is great for your hair and nails. Brazil nuts also contain zinc which helps dry skin, eczema and psoriasis. Go nuts on your morning snack break with these little beauties.

Happy eating and happy skin. 

The Best Makeup Tips Ever From The Hollywood Makeup Artists

Have you ever wondered how the makeup artists create the perfect looks for the stars when they have to appear on the red carpet - how do they look so perfect - and stay that way all evening too? What exactly do their makeup artists have in their makeup kits and what techniques are they using? Well here are a few of their tips and secrets shared with us - read on for some goodies ...

Eyes

• Although you may have applied a base makeup, apply a neutral colour eyeshadow to your eyelid and blend towards your brow before applying your chosen colour of eyeshadow as this will create an even base and help build up your colour evenly.
• Use a good quality eye-cream which will keep the skin around your eyes hydrated as it is dehydration that causes fine lines which can be accentuated by makeup. Only use a small amount, about the size of a grain of rice and apply this by patting in a semi-circular motion underneath your eye.
• Eyelash curlers are a must if you are not going to apply false lashes - they are the key to opening up the eye. Find ones that fit neatly over your eyelid and let you get to the root of your lashes with the curler which avoids breakage.

Lips

• Exfoliate any dry skin off your lips before applying lipstick to stop lips looking rough and lined. Use either your toothbrush with toothpaste or add some sugar granules for extra exfoliation power to smooth your lips.
• Matte lipsticks are the latest trend, but you might find them drying. Before applying smooth some lip balm over your newly exfoliated lips - your lipstick will stay matte, but your lips will feel moisturised.
• To get a matte effect with a normal lipstick apply as normal, and then place a tissue over your lips. Brush loose powder through the tissue, this will set the lipstick and give a velvety matte effect.
• Create a Bardot look by applying your foundation over your lips as well as your face.

Skin

• Eliminate shine by using blotting papers rather than powder which can become uneven and clog your pores particularly in a hot environment.
• Ensure that at the end of the night you are cleansing all the makeup and inpurities from your skin - check this out by wiping your face with a white towel or flannel when you have finished cleansing.
• Sculpt your face with your blusher rather than just applying to the apples of your cheeks. Use it along your cheekbones, up towards your temples and blend above the creases of your eyelids for a natural, glowing effect.

Tips On How To Protect And Nourish Your Skin Against The Winter Cold

The last few months have seen some of the coldest weather across the country for decades, and many of us have been suffering from chapped lips and dry skin on our faces and hands. As it looks like the cold snap is due to continue for a good few weeks yet, we thought it would be a good time for some hints on how to protect yourself if you are out and about in the cold and wind and how you can treat your skin kindly to help it recover if you have been bitten by Jack Frost. Even celebrities like SJP need to keep themselves protected from the snow and cold in New York.

Here are a few facts about the cold weather's effect on your skin:

• Cold temperatures slow down the blood circulation to your face, so it can look pale and dull, and have a rough texture.
• Your skin has a protective layer of oils known as the "acid mantle", which is reduced in the cold weather as your oil glands become less active. In addition, cold winds and dry, heated or air-conditioned atmospheres drain even more moisture from your skin, which can be extremely damaging, particularly  for those over age 30 when moisture levels in your skin begin to decrease naturally anyway.
• The drying effects of cold weather can be multiplied by up to fourteen times when the air itself is dry and up to ten times in high winds.
• Skiiing is a fantastic holiday and great exercise, but it will give your face a tough time as at high altitudes the lack of oxygen increases the skin's sensitivity to cold and the sun's ultraviolet rays, which are magnified by the snow, will also dehydrate and age your skin.

So what can we do to help our skin out when it's vulnerable to these conditions? Here are some remedies and treatments to soothe and re-hydrate your skin if it has been suffering from the cold.

• It's tempting to exfoliate your skin if it feels dry and rough, however, go carefully, as scrubbing with an abrasive facial scrub will irritate and make your skin sore and even cracked. Avoid foaming cleansers that contain SLS (sodium laureth sulfate) as these can destroy the skin’s natural barrier function, leading to increased sensitivity, dryness and inflammation. Look for a very gentle exfoliator or facial wash and ideally one with natural ingredients such as natural oils which will cleanse your face gently.
• Moisturising adds lustre to your skin, and you should use the richest moisturiser your skin can stand. Again look for natural moisturising ingredients such as shea butter, borage oil and glycerin which are kinder to your skin than some "anti-wrinkle" creams which can contain strong ingredients which will irritate and sting your skin if it is feeling sensitive.
• Even if you usually don't bother, this is the time to invest in a night-cream for your face, as this will allow your skin to soak up lots of lovely moisturising ingredients whilst your skin is most receptive, giving your skin a luscious glow in the morning.
• Don't forget your hands at this time, even if you wear gloves, it's surprising how the cold can dry out the skin on your hands and fingers. Look for a rich hand cream, it doesn't need to be a premier brand - we look for reliable brands such as Neutrogena or Jergens. At night-time, before falling asleep, you can even apply a cream to your hands such as E45 cream which can be too greasy for daytime, but which is a lovely treat for your skin overnight.
• As for the rest of your body, remember to keep gently exfoliating with a body puff or exfoliating wash and then treat your skin from neck down with an application of baby oil whilst your skin is still wet, locking in lots of lovely moisture.
• If you are going on a winter skiing holiday, remember to apply lots of high factor suncream (preferably factor 30+) to your face and hands to keep your skin protected from the UV rays and to prevent premature aging.

Ten Top Tips On How To Wake Up Beautiful Every Day

We've all heard the term that we need to get enough "beauty sleep". But what does it actually mean, and how do we get the best out of the sleep time we have. In fact, can good quality sleep actually improve our looks?

Research into "beauty sleep" has shown that a few minutes extra sleep in the morning (you are ideally looking for eight hours sleep each night), can lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which is fantastic as raised levels of this hormone will accelerate the aging process.

If you are looking for a glowing complexion like that of Liv Tyler's or Cate Blanchett's then you do need to get enough, good quality sleep. Steer clear of vigorous exercise, starchy foods and alcohol before bedtime and your skin cells will have a chance to repair. Good sleep means lots of the human growth hormone will be released which is also called the youth hormone as it has anti-aging effects.

Here Are Ten Great Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Your Beauty Sleep

• Sleep on your back - not only does this save you from getting a crinkly chest, but sleeping on your front will also put a lot of pressure on your face, causing puffiness. Dermatologists can also tell the favourite side for a person to sleep on as they will have more wrinkles on that side of their face! Sleeping on our backs suddenly seems like a good idea.
• Wash your face thoroughly before sleep with a relaxing cleanser until your complexion is squeaky clean. Dirt and toxins left on your skin are just accelerating the aging of your skin.
• Make the most of the repairing and remoisturising process that happens overnight, and slather on a good quality, dry skin replenishing cream such as Eucerin Dry Skin Replenishing Face Cream.
• Get those romantic pillows propped up around you at bedtime - keeping your head slightly raised encourages blood flow and lymph glands to drain which means less puffiness in the morning. Another great way to avoid puffiness is to avoid alcohol!
• Before applying your repairing face cream for the night apply a small amount of self-tanning cream to your face and neck - you will wake up with a healthy glow, which is a nice surprise and creates an instant good mood on a cold, wintry morning.
• Avoid carbs when making your evening meal (bread, potatoes, pasta) and go for a light meal of proteins and salad. Too many carbs in the evening can lead to a less defined and doughy complexion.
• If you want to keep your hair silky smooth for the next day, slip on a silk pillowcase or tie up your hair in a silky scarf as this keeps hair from frizzing and knotting overnight.
• Another tip to create a fantastic hair-do overnight is to gather your hair together and twist it round and round, holding it in place on top of your head with a scrunchie. This will transform into a cascade of waves and curls with lots of body next day.
• If you are washing your hair in the morning, give your hair a pre-treatment overnight with a rich hair masque to replenish its natural beauty.
• Finally, you can get a little help from the inside by taking a slow release B-complex vitamin before going to bed. Slowly released B vitamins can promote energy and glow from the inside, helping you to wake up feeling more energised.

Beauty Tips For The Festive Party Season

The weeks leading up to the Festive Season are some of the busiest in the social calendar for many of us - and its fabulous, we see friends that we haven't seen all year, socialise with our work colleagues and party with family and best friends. I tdoes lots for our heart and soul - but it can also ravage our looks and particularly our skin. With excesses of food and alcohol and lack of sleep and rest, our bodies can suffer and so can our faces. Here are some of the causes of lackluster looks and some great tips to ensure you sparkle and glow throughout the party season.

Dull And Flaky Skin Caused By Poor Cleansing

Yes, its easy to preach that you must cleanse, tone and moisturise twice a day - but when you totter in during the early hours of the morning with the dreaded work-day alarm looming not too many hours away - who can really be bothered to do this. But waking up the next day with skin still smothered in blotchy foundation and mascara is not pleasant and more importantly this will cause dry patches and clogged pores. The simple solution to this is to keep some facial cleansing wipes handy - even by your bedside or next to your toothbrush. Even the most tired or tipsy of us can manage a facial wipe - you can give your face an extra cleanse or even use a gentle facial scrub in the morning to remove any bits you have missed.

Shadows And Bags Under Your Eyes

Excess alcohol can cause eye bags and shadows - as can lack of sleep. Once you are up and about in the morning fluids will begin to move around your body which can help to reduce bags, as can massaging and tapping in gently a soothing eye cream. Its also useful to have one of the caffeine enriched moisturising roll-ons for around the eye to sooth and refresh the area.

Spots And Blemishes Appearing On Normally FlawlessSkin

I particularly notice that I will get spots or blemishes in my t-zone area at times of excessive partying. A combination of rich foods, alcohol, lack of "good" sleep and burning the candle at both ends results in an immune system that doesn't work as well as normally. Try taking a Vitamin C supplement or eating foods rich in Vitamin C such as papaya, mango, peppers, strawberries, oranges and chillies as this vitamin is top-notch for your skin's health.

Pale and Dull Skin On Arms And Shoulders

At this time of year, unless you've been lucky enough to take a winter-sun break, its probably quite a few months since you saw some sunshine. If you feel a little pale and dull and you are wearing a strappy or strapless party dress, don't panic and definitely don't head for a sunbed. Try exfoliating your skin with a good body scrub and then applying an instant bronzer - try one such as Lancome Flash Bronzer Shimmering Instant Body Tan which I can recommend. There are also some amazing sparkling body powders which have a great shimmering golden effect.

Dry and Cracked Lips

Dry and cracked lips can be caused by dehydration (again too much alcohol!), but also some long-lasting lipsticks can be extremely drying and the combination of the two can lead to dry, crinkly and sore lips - not very attractive under the mistletoe. Look for long-lasting lipsticks which also contain moisturisers or a built in finishing gloss. A good tip is to keep a small tin of Vaseline with your cleansing wipes and before you dive under the duvet apply a good amount to your lips last thing at night. This will soak in and moisturise during the night and your lips will be plumped and smooth by morning.