Ok, hands in the air; who doesn’t get a little fright when they look in the mirror upon rolling out of bed these days…? Surely not just me?
Having a demanding job, a toddler who still wakes up three times a night and an overly dependent relationship with coffee are not exactly a recipe for a glowing complexion.
But despite being knee-deep in parenthood, career and what is possibly the most hectic days of my life, I am still me. Meaning I still care (maybe a little too) deeply about looking (and feeling) my most beautiful, gorgeous and glowing best. I mean; don’t we all?!
I am a firm believer in that feeling good makes me better. At work, at home, in general. It makes me feel better equipped for whatever the world throws at me.
The thing is; my hectic life and crazy days leave little time (and disposable cash!) leftover for hi-tech facials and luxurious spa weekends.
But if you are in my shoes, fear not. We have rounded up some clever, affordable and oh-so-easy to do beauty hacks that will have us all looking younger, healthier and more beautiful in no time – no matter how crazy our days are.
Gorgeous in flash? Here you go:
1. Up your sleep game
There is no getting around this one. The cells in our skin renew themselves when we sleep, meaning if you skimp on your Z’s, your face will soon start to show it.
A lack of sleep causes the skin to look pale and tired because the circulation has been impaired. And, also, make a note of the fact that sleep deprivation is known to causes stress, which can aggravate many skin conditions, including acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
Try getting to bed before midnight, as many experts claim the sleep you get early on in the night is of better quality. Turn your bedroom into a haven for sleep by investing in some crisp, new bed linens, eliminate all gadgets and use products on your skin designed for night time. These will contain active ingredients designed to work as your skin restores itself, and will see you waking up glowing and gorgeous.
2. Be religious about cleansing
At night, your body (and skin!) is in repair mode, fighting hard to rejuvenate itself after the day’s wear and tear. Before going to bed, make sure you cleanse your face properly to remove make-up, oil, dirt and bacteria sitting on your skin. This will prepare your skin for your night-time products, designed to help your skin do what it does best at night.
After cleansing, exfoliating, and toning, apply a serum with anti-aging properties under your moisturizer.
2. Skip the straws
This one might sound a little crazy, but there is actually some science behind it, claiming that if you sip your beverage through a straw often enough, it will cause wrinkles to form around your mouth that no amount of anti-wrinkle potions are going to be able to get rid of. Note: Smoking does the same thing, so quit if you can.
4. Eat (good) fats
Very few of us consume enough essential fatty acids, which as well as helping our brains to function more smoothly are considered vital to keep skin-cell-membranes in good health and therefore stop the skin from getting too dry. Avocados, oily fish, coconut oil; they will literally moisten your skin from the inside out and help you get your glow on, mamas.
5. Get a humidifier for your bedroom
These are great, especially for the winter months when the cold air outside combined with the artificial hot air inside your house can make your skin sensitive and dry. Turning the humidifier on at night will help prevent moisture loss in your skin.
Also, drink plenty of water. It won’t hydrate your skin directly, but it will improve the way your insides work and good gut health is soon reflected in glowing skin.
6. Be sun smart
A large percentage of the visible signs of aging (wrinkles, age spots, you name it) result from the cumulative effect of ultraviolet rays on the skin, over time. Meaning; much you like looking less pale, the sun is also our No. 1 enemy when it comes to aging. Wear sunscreen and you’ll keep these wrinkles at bay.
And super-size your sunnies. The skin around our eyes is very thin, and needs protecting from sunshine as much as possible.
8. Sleep on your back
The best way to sleep is on your back as your face will not touch the pillow, meaning no creases will be made. Many experts also recommend having your pillows propped up slightly, as this will help to reduce under-eye puffiness by allowing fluid to drain from your face.
9. Use a silk pillowcase
Silk, as opposed to cotton, does not suck moisture from your skin while you sleep, helping to keep your face plump and dewy. It also provides some extra slip, preventing wrinkle formation and hair breakage.
10. Have more sex
Say what? Yes, ladies, this one is indeed true, as studies have actually found that couples who get down to business frequently can look up to 10 years younger than the average adult who has sex less often. How? Well, much like exercise, sex releases “happy” hormones, as well as getting your heart and blood pumping, which gives you that coveted natural flush.
On top of this, researchers at Royal Edinburgh Hospital in Scotland have found that the hormones released during regular sex, like testosterone and estrogen, keeps the body looking young. For us ladies, estrogen has also been shown to give us soft skin and shiny hair.
How’s that for beauty hacks, ladies?
Clarins. It’s all about you.
