Hide That Hangover! Tips For a Fresh Look

The morning after a party, you won't be looking your best. One glance in the mirror, and you'll be praying for a transformation before that business breakfast with the boss or even before for your casual meet-up with pals from the party. 

Perhaps you'll try a couple of anti-headache tablets and a strong coffee, but check the mirror again and that washed-out ghost face will still be there. Here are some simple, cost-free ways to freshen up, tip to toe and inside and out, ready for your day.

1.  Bathe your face and soothe your eyes 

Water can work wonders for looks. Start with a cold splash over those heavy eyes to cool the swollen lids, and over your cheeks to stimulate nerves, tissue and blood flow.  Now treat your face to a steam bath over a basin of hot water. This will open the pores, plumping up and cleansing the skin, while easing your aching head. Soothe eyes with a warm, wet sponge or cotton wool, then take a hot shower, treating hair, neck and shoulders to a luxurious lather and soak. You're looking rosier already!

2.   Inhale fresh air 

Open the window or step outside for some deep breaths of fresh air. Stand tall and inhale from the ribcage, exhaling slowly. 
The oxygen will stimulate mind and body alike, and the exercise will wake your heart and lungs. The effect will be reflected in your eyes, lips, cheeks, voice and demeanour.

3.  Limber up 

However delicate you feel, you'll be better for a little exercise. Stand up on tiptoe, stretching legs, arms, back and head. Feel your facial muscles stretching, and the strengthening pulse in your temples. Jig to your favourite music, or jog round the yard, for extra colour and vigour.

4.  Drink water 

A short night can make you feel dried out and drawn, and a hangover will cause dehydration, so drink plenty of water, with top-ups through the morning, to ease the effect. 
A little moisturiser over face and neck will also help. Take some breakfast – however light – to warm you through and boost your energy. Leave teeth-brushing until afterwards, for extra sparkle.

5.  Let your hair work for you 

Make the most of your freshly washed hair. Comb it up and back as you blow-dry it to let the air through, then sweep it loosely down to your eyes and over your cheeks, if possible. Your rejuvenated locks will draw attention away from remaining hints of hangover, concealing them, too.

6.  Let your clothes help you 

Neat, tasteful clothes will compensate for a pasty face, so choose your outfit carefully. Soft, muted colours will blend with your pallor and set your natural colouring, but avoid drab or neutral shades. Add an eye-catching accessory.

Relax! 

Once you've had a wash, a stretch, breathe, dance and drink (of water), and dressed up smart for the day, you'll be surprised how much better you feel, and if you feel better, you'll look better. Relax and enjoy yourself. At this rate, you'll be the star of your post-party gathering, or the brightest spark in the office!

5 Beauty Tips Every Expecting Mother Should Know

 Pregnancy obviously does several things to your body. As a matter of fact, it can do more than just change your body physically. Pregnancy can affect your mood and even your emotions. It can also change your mind in an instant and even influence the way you feel about yourself.

 However, although there are a lot of things that can happen when you’re pregnant, it still isn’t enough reason to not take care of yourself. In fact, it's actually the time you should double your effort. Here are some of the best ways you can enhance that pregnancy glow:

❖     Check your beauty products.

Pregnancy affects your hormonal balance. As a result, you tend to develop more acne than you were in your pre-pregnancy state. As such, using salicylic acid at this time can be really tempting. Don’t!

The use of salicylic acid during pregnancy, whether applied on your skin or taken in oral form is strongly discouraged. Salicylic acids can cause not just birth defects but miscarriages as well. It can even cause organ and bleeding problems to both you and your baby.

Retinoids, on the same note, can also cause malformations and defects in your child. It won’t matter how short your exposure is or how much you took. The main point is that you should not take risks on such ingredients when you’re pregnant

❖     Choose organic products.

 

There could probably be no safer beauty product for pregnant women to try than organic products. These products do not contain chemical names on their labels and they do not cause severe skin reactions and even irritations.

❖     Take enough rest.

 Getting enough sleep and rest is very important whether you are pregnant or not. This is the time where your body heals and rejuvenates itself from everything it has experienced the entire day. However, aside from your normal sleep requirement, you must also invest on frequent rest periods. You can take breaks in between tasks and just sit down and prop your feet up. Your tired legs will really be thankful for it.

❖     Keep hydrated.

 With a growing baby bump, it can be really hard to keep a certain amount of water in your bladder. You’ll need frequent trips to the toilet.

However, staying hydrated during pregnancy is very important. It can keep pregnancy symptoms at bay and your vital functions on top condition. Water is also vital in your breast milk. You wouldn’t want your child to have too little of it, right?

In more recent news, a study revealed that a pregnant woman needs to have around 10 cups of fluids per day. This already includes your glasses of milk, cups of tea and even your vegetable juices. You must keep in mind, however, being mindful of what you drink and to stay away from sweet and carbonated drinks.

❖     Do your exercise.

Pregnancy is not an excuse to stop all forms of exercise. However, you can still have the option to omit this part.

There a lot of things you need to consider once you decide to continue with your physical routine. You need to take in consideration what type of activity your body can perform and what your doctor allows you to do. Generally speaking, exercise can be helpful in preparing you for both labor and childbirth.

Being pregnant can be a mix of emotions. However, not feeling pretty shouldn’t be one of them. Pregnancy is a celebration of life, right? You should make the most out of it.

        

8 Tricks to Look Younger with Makeup

As we get older, our skin starts to lose its natural glow and plumpness. We tend to dab on more foundation and concealer in order to minimize wrinkles and dark spots. However, an overdone makeup can make you look older than you actually are. Try the below tricks to create a younger look.

1. Moisturize

The key to youthful skin is moisture. The more hydrated your skin, the younger it looks. Be sure to slather on moisturizer before applying makeup. It also helps foundation to glide on more smoothly.

2. Sheer Coverage

Tinted moisturizers or lightweight liquid foundations are the best for wrinkled skin. Unlike pressed powder, which settles into lines and makes skin appear older, a light-reflective liquid foundation gives the illusion of a glowing face.

To apply foundation perfectly, use a damp sponge or a foundation brush to dot a small amount all over the face. Run your sponge under water, squeeze out the water, and put a dab of foundation on the back of your hand. Pick up the foundation with the sponge tip and apply it in dabbing motions on your face.

3. Conceal Lightly

As we age, the skin around our eyes become thinner and look more translucent, making eye circles appear darker. This can make you look tired and add years to your face. If you have dark circles or brown spots, instead of dabbing concealer all over the place, which can give a caked-on look, dot a tiny bit on the inner corners of your eyes then blend outward, and on the spots. This will give you a fresher and younger look.

4. Try Highlighter

To re-create that glow in your twenties, dab a very sheer highlighter on your cheekbones, avoiding the brow bones, the apples of the cheeks, and the lips, as it will make your face look greasy. Highlighter help adds a youthful and pretty dimension to your facial contours.

5. Blush Up

Our skin starts to shrink as we grow older, due to the loss of fatty layer, collagen and elastin.
Emphasizing the apples of your cheeks can help draw attention to the fullness of your face. Choose a neutral rose color blush and apply it along the highest points of your cheekbones – it gives your face a bit of a lift.

6. Glittery Eyes

Soft shimmer color is flattering because it lightens up to the face. Pick a creamy neutral shadow, like champagne or rose gold. Dab it over the lids and inner corners of the eyes to wake up the face.

7. Curl Your Lashes

Curling your eyelashes is an easy thing you can do to make your eyes look bigger, and therefore younger. Apply one or two coats of the blackest black mascara you can find, as it will make the whites of your eyes look clearer and let your eyes stand out. Opt for a lengthening mascara that allows you to coat each lash easily and brighten eyes instantly.

8. Plumped Lips

Lips that are soft and plump can lie about how old you really are. But your lips start to get thinner and lip line fades as you age. The best remedy is to apply lip colors that enhance your natural lip tone. Lookfor a neutral rose color or one that is between your natural lip color and a berry shade. That will add a flattering touch to your pouts. Then top it off with a clear gloss to keep lips full and hydrated.