CHRISTMAS WITH STYLE
Are you a planner or a procrastinator? The planners are not panicking because their holiday shopping was completed in November and all presents have been wrapped and shipped, if necessary. Holiday menus are completed with your choice of the best turkey because you reserved it from your local butcher in November. You’re ready for Christmas. That leaves the procrastinators who are panicking now as they watch the clock tick along at a dizzying pace, reaslising gifts aren’t purchased, menus aren’t set and parties have not been responded. What both of these types have in common is they’ve put so much time and energy into other people, they forgotten about themselves.
That’s where I come in. I have a few tricks to help you survive and look fabulous. No excuses. Follow my advice starting today.
START WITH THE INSIDE
What you put inside your body is what you get out. It doesn’t matter if you’re trying to lose weight or look younger, the same rules apply. Even when you’re short on time, you can make changes that will impact how you look and feel immediately.
Don’t drink: In addition to the unneeded calories, alcohol makes your body feel sluggish and bloated, and your face look puffy and dull.
Don’t eat sweets: Again, they’re wasted calories that contribute to weight-gain and lacklustre skin.
Drink a lot of water: Start every day by drinking two full glasses of water, then make sure you continue throughout the day. Set a timer if that helps you remember. Water is essential for proper body function, including digestion, absorption of critical vitamins and minerals, body temperature, cell renewal, eye function, heart function, sleep and weight loss. And it makes you look better too!
Up your intake of fish: It usually takes three weeks before you notice a big difference in small dietary changes, but it’s worth the effort because your silky hair and glowing skin will thank you. Omega 3, 6 and 9 found in salmon, flaxseeds, pine nuts, almonds, avocados, spinach and more lower cholesterol, regulate metabolism, improve brain function, boost metabolism and much more.
Eat as many greens as possible: Leafy green vegetables are packed with essential vitamins and minerals that help you look good and feel good. They control blood sugar, help you lose weight and boost your immune system.
For more tips, read Cathy’s blog Summer Bodies Are Made in Winter
BOOST WITH THE OUTSIDE
Stop staring at your wrinkles, using increasingly larger amounts of camouflage to hide spots of all sorts, highlighting to distract from your sunken hollows and bronzing to look refreshed—none of which will change anything. Follow my tips.
Start a good skin routine by washing your face every morning and evening, applying serum, then eye cream, then moisturiser. SPF is critical for the day (every day, even cloudy ones). Read more about skincare.
Exfoliate to remove dead skin, then follow with a nourishing mask. Dry, lacklustre skin looks older. If your skin isn’t as glowing as you want, then invest in any of the 5,000 highlighting powders or creams available (you should own at least one anyway).
Depending how quick you are to see Cathy, botox, fillers or peels might be too late, especially if you have never had aesthetic treatments before. However, you can start the New Year with the most fabulous you ever. Plan now.
Fake tan hides a multitude of sins and makes you look more refreshed. The sins are sun spots, scars, stretchmarks and even too much boozing. Even I use fake tan because it hides the stretch marks I have from when I was overweight.
Eyes are the window to the soul, so make sure yours are bright and clear. A good eye cream should be part of your beauty arsenal, but don’t overlook the simplest and fastest way to perk up: ice. We even like dunking our entire face into ice water to give it an instant lift.
On the day of the big party, start with a thorough exfoliation, then follow with a hydrating mask. Gently massage your skin to help it perk up. Rinse off the mask, then apply a thin layer of serum and eye cream. Wait at least 10 minutes for the products to fully absorb before applying make-up. If your party is during the day (even a cloudy day), don’t forget SPF. Read Skincare Myths Debunked to learn more.
FROM THE INSIDE OUT, I HELP PEOPLE LOOK AND FEEL BEAUTIFUL
I blend aesthetic treatments with nutrition and fitness because I know from personal experience that the best results are achieved by treating the entire body, inside and out. I have tricks and tips to erase years from your face and body, make you feel young and vibrant, and make you look slim and defined. Let’s get started.