Winter Wise
Racing against time with pressure cooker jobs, the experts
share do-it-at-home tips to look radiant this season.
The temperature's down a few notches, there's a nip in the
air, and parties are in full swing. Balancing a busy professional, personal
and social life leaves working women with very little time to pamper themselves
and feel beautiful. Beauty experts put together quick fix solutions to conjure
up at home.
Perfect for the woman on the go, it will
keep you looking radiant throughout the season.
SKIN
The winter chill can wreak havoc on the skin, particularly
around the eyes and lips. To start with, switch to a heavier moisturizer if
you have dry skin and check that it does not clog the pores. Sensitive skin
needs particular attention. Use the moisturizer around the eyes and lips before
applying make-up which is drying, despite what cosmetic giants claim. It offers
the added bonus of keeping the make-up in place. The skin under the eyes needs
special care, being prone to wrinkles and fine lines. Simple tips like applying
pure almond oil around the eyes and massaging gently for one minute, using
the ring finger, helps reduce dark circles. Leave it on for 15 minutes and
wipe off with moist cotton wool, for best results. Alternatively, cucumber
juice mixed with potato juice in equal quantities, applied around the eyes
for 15 minutes, at any time of the day, works wonders. La Prairie's Cellular
Revitalizing Eye Gel and Shahnaz Husain's Shamilk lotion are also great options.
But the most important thing you can do for your skin is continue using sun
block. Misty skies don't stop harmful ultraviolet rays from attacking the
skin. If you have a time crunch, use a combination of daily moisturiser and
sun block like Olay Total Effects.
BODY
As summer makes way for foggy mornings and cold wind,
the skin can get rough. The best way to combat it is a combination of exfoliation
and hydration. Take a cup of olive oil or any other vegetable oil that suits
your skin and add coarse seasalt flakes till the oil is full of it. Use this
mixture to scrub off dead skin cells from the neck down in gentle circular
movements, before a bath. As you exfoliate, the oil acts as an emollient to
ensure that skin is protected and hydrated. Switching to a cream based soap
is also a good idea for dry skin. And after a bath, apply body lotion before
powder to keep the skin well moisturised.
FEET
Feet take the brunt of stress and have many pressure points
that connect to the vital nerve centres in the body. A professional reflexology
massage, once a week, works wonders to de-stress, but if you are pressed for
time, give your feet the attention they need at home. Fill a tub with warm
water, dissolve exotic bath crystals in it and pop in 10 to 15 marbles. Immerse
your feet in the water and gently roll your soles on the marbles. The rubbing
sensation stimulates the nerves while the warm crystals relax the feet. Before
going to bed, apply a dab of body lotion and you can hold cracked soles at
bay.
HAIR
There is nothing like a weekly oil massage to keep the
locks lustrous. Add a quarter measure of olive, castor or almond oil to coconut
oil before warming it. Apply it on the scalp and leave it on for at least
half an hour. This gives the hair the nutrition it needs, particularly in
dry weather. Toni & Guy's Refresh It Dry Shampoo is another great option
if you're pressed for time and have to skip the shampoo.
GROOMING
With festivities underway you can get away with dramatic
make up, but keep the brighter shades for the evening. In the office, opt
for a deeper shade of lipstick that will work wonders to cheer up a chilly
day.
