Health and Beauty - February 2009
There is a certain level of grooming and maintenance that is vital for good health and a polished appearance. The word grooming conjures up images of Doris Day, kid skin handbags and matching powder blue gloves. Halcyon days that on the surface seemed bliss but beneath lay a bubbling cauldron of women desperate to get out, stand tall and be counted. The feminist movement made sure that women did get the freedom they desired, but is it always so desirable to be so capable? Yes, we can have it all, but should we feel bad about not wanting it all, all the time?
Bringing up baby and bringing home the bacon is a juggling act not to be taken lightly. Sometimes there are days when the simple times seem so appealing, not least because of the lack of pressure to succeed at everything and not having to keep all the balls in the air all the time. Being a good homemaker was good enough.
I am not for a moment saying that you should be by the door at 6 p.m. to greet your partner, hair brushed and lipstick freshly applied with a martini in your hand like a Stepford wife. Unless you want to?
Being groomed and fresh is still as relevant today if not more so as we rush from activity to job to school run and back again. The time we have for ourselves is often limited and so having a routine that is simple and fast is a priority.
The very basics of hygiene and good grooming include a daily bath or shower. You can use both of these activities to include body brushing – yes, you’ve all heard of it and thought about doing it and still have yet to buy the brush. Well, good news Ladies, you can brush your body from the toes up, using long flowing strokes and circular motions to aid circulation, improve skin tone and encourage exfoliation, with a dry flannel. Wash the flannel and let it dry naturally so it has a rough surface and hey presto it becomes a body brush. So no excuses left, start doing it now, you’ll soon see the benefits. Wash the flannel every few days. Body brushing must be done on dry skin so remember to do it before you step into the shower. A few times each week use a good salt scrub especially on your feet and the backs of your arms. With both things, gently does it – you are not trying to scrub out a damn spot. Apply a body lotion, while the skin is still damp, using the same long sweeping motions as in body brushing. This will also have the effect of improving your skin tone. By applying to damp skin you are trapping in the moisture making your efforts doubly productive.
Brush your teeth twice a day. Use mouthwash and floss. If you want to really look after your teeth, try and fit in brushing after lunch as well. The problems with teeth and gums accelerate as you age. A world of products opens up to you, as trying to buy toothpaste becomes a science. Flossing is boring but is a front line defence against gum disease. Make it a priority.
Keep your hair clean. Shampooing twice is not always necessary despite what the bottle says. We all use too much product. Not only that, but we apply it in exactly the same place each time, resulting in build up in those areas. To stop this habit, measure roughly a teaspoon of shampoo into your cupped hands and move your hands over the surface of your hair before massaging it in. Shiny hair is vital to a well-groomed look.
Clothes should be fresh and clean with underclothes changed every day. After you have showered change all clothes that have been in contact with your skin. Bacteria feed on skin that has been shed. This very skin is clinging to the insides of your clothes so it’s not a very good idea to put the same clothes back on.
Underwear should not need to be adjusted in public. Once your underwear is on it should do its job and not move around. If you need to tweak at your bra during the day then it’s not fitting you properly. Have a professional fitting – it will be time well spent. Underpinings are so important. Think of it as hidden armour. All the bras you have hanging around at the back of the drawer ‘just in case’ should be thrown away. All underwear has a life span with the degradation of elastic meaning it is no longer supporting you in the way it did when you bought it even as little as 6 months ago.
Make up should be appropriate to the occasion. Less is more during the day and at business functions. Save the dramatic eyes and red, red lips for the evening.
Perfume should leave a lingering trail not a fall out that leaves people gasping for breath. The old ‘spray, delay and walk away’ really does work. Spray your perfume in the air, wait a second and then walk through it for a delightful hint that clings to your clothes. Combine this with a light spray on pulse points and you are good to go.
Keep your hands and nails clean and manicured. A buffed nail is better than one with the remnants of polish clinging to it. Buffing can be done while doing other things like reading or watching TV so keep a buffer in your handbag and one close to the remote.
If you are wearing open toed shoes or sandals your pedicure should be immaculate. Next month we will be focussing on feet.
Shoes should be in good repair and polished if needs be.
Handbags should not be treated as catch all’s. Regularly muck your bag out and only carry what is important. Not only will this cut down on the time you spend rooting through your bag for your keys but will also have the health benefit of not putting strain on your shoulder and lower back.
When all of these points are under control you can focus on more important things. You are your own Ambassador and how you appear is the proverbial book and cover situation. Be a leather bound gold edged first edition not a copy of a trashy magazine.
Happy trails, readers, happy trails
First published February 2009 By the Dart
