Ways To Get A Good Night's Sleep September 01 2013

Sleep... Something I definitely want more of and many of you too!  Sleep is essential to our well being, bodies and yes you've guessed it, our skins!  It's whilst we sleep our bodies are busy repairing and regenerating.

Studies have shown if we don't get enough sleep on a regular basis it can impact on our immune systems. Lots of things can effect our sleep patterns, stress, life changes and travel. I am still yet to understand how one of my friends is happy with 5 to 6 hours a night while in an ideal world I would love 10!  It seems what we each need varies greatly but research suggests 6 to 8 hours of sleep is essential.

Apparently it's important to have a fixed wake up time... This is because your body starts to prepare for waking up an hour before you actually do, I know you're probably thinking like me... Do Saturdays and Sundays have to be included?! Again apparently so!! Having a quiet, dark and cool room is also important as are shifting out the tv and computer.  Making sure you are sleepy and ready for bed will help you drift off quickly.

Ensuring these steps should help you have a great nights sleep, and allow you to wake up feeling refreshed and glowing. 

Wedding Planning Help June 10 2013

Planning your 'Big Day?'

I know a few that are and as a therapist many clients ask how they can get their themselves in the best shape so that they can look and feel extra special on their Wedding Day.  Once you have set the date you can then set yourself a ' TO DO' list.  These are great for just about everything but never more than now!  I recommend that 6 months prior is a good time to look at your skin, body and health issues.  Take a moment to really look at your skin and establish your skin type/condition/s.  Once you have done this, check out products that will suit and work for you.  But is not the only answer!!  If you find this hard speak to your therapist who should be happy to assist you and guide you on the correct regime.

One of my earlier blogs touched on diet, and this is really important.  Aim for a well balanced diet, full of fibre - think fruits, vegetables, oats, brown rice, beans nuts and seeds.  Water - for hydration and good digestive health.  Cut back on saturated fats, alcohol and sugars - all these put added stress on your liver and can result in unbalanced skin.  Oily skin types are often caused by hormonal imbalances, so to help balance these choose foods high in phytoestrogens, such as soya, beans, peas and chickpeas.  Dry skins usually lack essential fats, so avoid a very low fat diet and add a serving of omegas to your daily diet - a good way todo this is to sprinkle flaxseed onto your cereal.  If your prone to breakouts, zinc and vitamin A are the two key nutrients for you.  These immunity-boosters will help to repair skin cells.  You can find zinc in shellfish, green leafy vegetables and whole grains.  Vitamin A can be found in carrots, sweet potatoes and butternut squash.  Flushed skins and rosacea can be a nuisance and real concern for some, but by cutting out caffeine, spicy foods, alcohol, chocolate and cheese can often really help.

Now your skin is on the road to perfection, most brides dream of getting body beautiful and again 6 months before wedding is a great time to start.  If you need to lose a few pounds access your diet and see where improvements can be made, a dietician can help if your clueless and want a healthy diet and not just a quick weight loss plan.  Look into your exercise routine, do you have one? What do you enjoy doing? Getting active is a great way to have fun and see results, grab your bridesmaid/s along and get fit.

Finally right before the day itself, look at booking yourself into your favourite salon/spa for a days pampering, again bring mums and bridesmaids along.  Most salons/spas offer great packages to accommodate bridal parties.  Think about what you want, some brides are happy with nails and make-up, others want tans, eyelash extensions, waxing, facials... The list is endless.  My advice is to discuss your treatment requirements with your therapist and make a plan!  Remember lots of brides have monthly facials for a few months before to really see fab results.  It's all up to the individual, but this day is special and so are you...  Happy planning.

Expert Beauty Tips March 19 2013

• Remember... Not to use too much moisturiser as it can make your foundation slip.  A great idea is to blot your skin prior to applying foundation to ensure a long lasting finish.
  
  
• Quick glow required?  A great tip of an all over healthy glow is to mix a drop of your summer foundation with your regular moisturiser and instantly you will look and feel healthier.  Great not only for your face, but all over!
  
  
• Brush your way beautiful... Dry body brushing is one of the cheapest and best ways to enhance your skin.  When done 2-3 times a week, prior to shower/bath on dry (not damp) skin, it provides a gentle internal massage, which speeds up the elimination of toxins, while topically leaving you with super soft, glowing skin.  Get your brush ASAP!
  
  
• Just out the shower/bath, quick pat yourself dry and smother on your favourite body product.  Whether it is a serum, gel, cream, butter or oil, they all will work and penetrate better on damp skins, leaving you seriously hydrated and smooth.
  
  
• Very important, always remember to use your skincare products on your neck and décolleté, as these areas show signs of ageing too and are often missed out in our daily routines.  Treat these areas the same as your face, and any excess of product left over - quick rub on the backs of your hands, these again are another area often neglected!