Scroll down for articles on  Chiropody, Arbonne,  Hand Care, Home Facials, Beautiful Sleep, Your Personal Spa Weekend, and Foot Care Kit.

Arbonne

Pat writes:

Tricia and I have been testing a range of Anti-Aging skin care produced by Arbonne.  This company develops their products in Switzerland, and produces them in the USA.  Arbonne state that their formulas are botanically based and hypoallergenic.  They tell us their products are independently tested on volunteer humans, never animals.  They contain no dyes or chemical fragrances, so we both felt confident in applying these products to our skin.

The range that we tested is called NutriMinC RE9, and consists of a five-step, six-product system for day and night.

We had both been given a test pack of the six products, sealed in little foil sachets, and told that this would be sufficient for 3 days, used morning and evening.  I was a bit sceptical, as the samples were small, but in practise just a tiny amount (petit pois sized) was ample, as the products are so rich.  In fact, my eye crème sample lasted well over a week.

Both of us were impressed with the result.  We are very disciplined at keeping to a cleanse, tone and moisturise routine, and use products that we know are suited to our skin.  This range did not produce a huge, dramatic difference, but there was an improvement in tone and texture.

The smell and feel of this range is luxurious.  Tricia was particularly taken with the Renewing Gelee Crème Hydrating Wash.  She said that the aroma transported her back to an orange grove on the island of Majorca.  We concurred in praising this product for delivering a creamy foam that left our skin clean without leaving a tight, dry feel.

My personal favourite was the Repair Corrective Eye Crème. After using it for 3 days the skin just below my eyes was definitely smoother.

We also tried the RE body care range.  This also has a wonderful smell and feel, and was a pleasure to use.

In our opinion, prices compare favourably with other ‘mid-market’ products.  The current (Sept 08) on-line price for the Hydrating Wash is £24 (in Australia $57).

Arbonne offers a number of other product lines.  These are distributed directly from Arbonne to the consumer in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia. Also, they can be purchased on-line at www.TimelessSolutions.MyArbonne.com.  It is possible to open a personal account via the website, and receive a substantial discount.   There is a 45-day complete satisfaction guarantee.

About Hand Care– Level 1: Neat and Tidy  

Keeping your hands moisturised, and  nails clean and trimmed is a great enhancement to your overall appearance.    This does not take much time, or money – but your hands and nails need regular maintenance.  

When you are drying yourself after a bath or shower, take time to gently push back your cuticles.  You could use the edge of the towel, or an orange wood stick.  Make sure that all your nails are perfectly clean.  If you use a body lotion or cream, massage a bit extra into your hands, taking care to rub some in around each nail, and smooth down the skin on your joints, moving the cream from the tips of your fingers towards your wrists.  

Keep some hand cream by your kitchen sink, and use it regularly.  During the colder months, you might want to carry a small tube of hand cream in your bag, for use during the day.  If you have an office-based job, consider keeping some in your desk drawer, to combat the drying effects of central heating.  

Last thing at night, try using cuticle oil, or a specialist product, and then massage in some good hand cream before turning out the light.  

Take a few minutes every few days to file your nails, to keep them smooth and snag free, and a uniform length.  We’re not saying they should be short or long – that’s up to you – but we do think they should all be more or less the same length.   

If you smoke, be aware of the effect of nicotine stains on your fingers and nails, take extra time to cleanse the hands.  Here’s a tip that we’ve heard of, but not tried personally:  wash the stained area of your fingers with lemon juice, and then rub gently with a pumice stone.  Alternatively, mix the lemon juice with salt and lightly scrub.  Do this about once a week, but make sure that you are not making your skin sore.

All About Hand Care:  Level 2 - Polished Appearance  

When manicuring and varnishing your nails remember to plan ahead.  It will take about half an hour for your nails to be truly dry.  

To go beyond ‘neat and tidy’ hands to polished perfection, give yourself a manicure.  You will need steady hands plus patience, and ideally the following list of items: 

            1. Nail file  

            2. Base Coat (especially advisable for dark colours)  

            3. Varnish  

            4. Top Coat (to enable nail varnish to last longer)  

            5.Quick dry (Optional, and may be part of the top coat.)  

            6. Have an orange wood stick at hand to correct any mistakes with the polish.  

Cover your work surface with something that you can throw away if you have a spill – e.g. yesterday’s newspaper.   

Here are the basic instructions:  

1.       Ensure you have carried out basic maintenance.  Your nails should be clean with cuticles pushed back. Nails should be filed to an even length with no rough edges.

2.       Start by applying a layer of Base Coat.  This will even out nails, and provide a slightly sticky surface so that the polish goes on well.

3.       Roll the nail polish bottle between your hands to mix it up.  A vigorous shaking can create air bubbles that will look like little blisters when you apply the polish.  The finished result will quickly chip or peel.

4.       Wipe any excess polish from the brush on the inside of the bottleneck.  The brush should have just enough polish for one nail.

5.       Apply the polish, starting from the base of the nail stroking towards the top.  Depending on the width of your nail plate, use two or three strokes to cover the nail.  To avoid getting polish on the cuticle, place the brush on the nail about 1/8 of an inch away from the cuticle, then push backwards towards it, stopping just short of the skin.  Then stroke upwards towards the nail tip.

6.       Apply two thin coats of polish, leaving time for the first coat to dry before applying the second.  If you go over the edge of the nail plate, you can use the orange wood stick to take off the extra polish – but be careful not to spoil your other nails in the process.

7.       Wait three minutes before applying Top Coat.

8.       You may wish to apply a quick dry finish, depending on your choice of Top Coat.

9.       Your nails will appear to be dry in a few minutes – but it will be at least 30 minutes before they are truly dry.  

Tools of the Trade: Nail Kit 

It’s easier to keep your nails looking lovely if you have the right tools. 

We list here items to  help you to maintain your hands and nails.

                        

Basic maintenance,

1. Orange wood sticks to clean under the tips of your nails.  These can also be wrapped in cotton wool to gently push back cuticles.  Wind the cotton wool around the stick, like candy floss.  This provides a buffer so that you don’t tear the cuticle.

2. Nail clippers and/or curved scissors.  Can be used to trim long nails, and to cut back any hang nails.  The latter should always be trimmed back. Never attempt to tear them off, as you may make them worse.

3. Nail file.  Try to find one with a fine grain, these give a much smoother finish.

4. Hand cream

5. Cuticle oil (The item shown at the bottom of the page is sold by The Body Shop.  It contains cuticle oil, and the lid can be used to push back your cuticles.  For more information see the 'Reviews' page.)

 You may wish to add a buffer to give your nails a sheen. coarse side to use We recommend that you use a buffer sparingly, to avoid thinning the nail plate.

Also, you could use a tool known as a ‘horse’s hoof’ to push back cuticles.  I use the lid of the Body Shop cuticle oil, as it is the same shape.

 

To polish your nails, add the following to your kit

1. Base coat may be considered optional, but it does make polish last longer.  Also, if you are using a dark colour, it will prevent your nail plate from absorbing colour.  You may wish use a formula to strengthen your nails.

2. Nail varnish

3. Top coat ,again, optional, but it also makes the polish stay on longer.

If you use a ‘quick dry’ formula, it can speed up the process.

4. Nail varnish remover  and cotton wool .  You can purchase cotton pads that are soaked in remover, in a plastic case.  This is very good for travelling.

 

In addition, consider a cuticle remover, particularly if you have fast growing cuticles.  It may be sufficient to simply push your cuticles back with a towel when you are drying yourself after a bath or shower.  We don’t recommend cutting your cuticles.because their purpose is to protect the area between your skin and nails from infection.

 

If you were fanatical about nails, you could buy even more kit. Check out the relevant section next time you visit a large branch of a chemist or drug store. 

 

There is a huge choice of products for specific nail problems. For advice, we suggest having a professional manicure.  Then you can discuss this issue with a trained person.  If you are short of funds, you may live near a college that trains beauty therapists.  Colleges often have training salons, where you can have inexpensive treatments by students under the supervision of fully qualified tutors. 

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Treat yourself to a facial at home

A professional facial can be a lovely experience, but the cost can be prohibitive.  You can achieve an improved appearance to your skin by giving yourself a mini-facial at home, at minimal cost.

       

Kit for a home facial. From left to right: eye make-up remover, cleanser, toner, exfoliating cream, moisturiser and cotton pads - all with a nice soft towel.  Not shown: face mask*.

You can use your normal cleanser, toner and moisturiser.   If possible, try to add a facemask and a gentle exfoliator.  Larger chemists (drug stores) sell a variety of facemask sachets at very low prices.  An exfoliator will cost at least a few pounds, but the tube or jar will contain enough for a good many applications.  Don’t worry if you cannot afford to purchase an exfoliator, as a gentle polish with a face cloth or flannel will go some way towards smoothing your skin.

You may wish to lie down for about 10 minutes when you have applied the facemask, so take some time to prepare for a few minutes of relaxation.  Consider selecting some soothing music.  On a practical note, if you are going to lie on your best sofa, have a large, clean towel ready to place under your head.

Begin by removing any lipstick and/or eye make-up.  As always when removing eye make-up, take care not to drag your skin.  The skin around your eyes is very delicate, with little elasticity compared to the rest of your face.

Continue by thoroughly cleansing your skin using your normal cleanser, and follow this with your usual toner to remove every trace of the cleanser. 

If you have an exfoliator, use it after the toner.  This will slough off any dead skin cells, leaving your face looking more radiant. 

If you do not have any special product for exfoliation, use a clean flannel or muslin cloth that has been soaked in warm water.  Wring out any excess moisture and use the cloth to polish your face.  Try a small, gentle circular motion on your forehead, cheeks and chin. 

Pat your face dry, and apply the facemask as directed. Try soaking a couple of cotton pads in warm water and place these over your eyes.  Alternatively, you may wish to use thin slices of cucumber, particularly soothing in hot weather.

After removing the facemask, apply your normal moisturiser.  Smooth in over your cheeks and forehead, with gentle, upward strokes.  Use your third (ring) finger to gently apply it around your eyes.  A light tapping motion will ensure that you are not stretching the skin. 

For best results, follow your ‘at home facial’ with an early night.  You should notice an improvement in the morning, not just in your face, but your general sense of wellbeing.

* See our Face reviews page: we've included CTM products, facial exfoliators and face masks.

If you would like to try making your own facial cleanser and scrub, we've found a few ideas on from Maddie Ruud - click HERE to view.  Please note - we have not tried any of these.

 

Beautiful Sleep

Pat writes

The phrase ‘beauty sleep’ has been in use for generations.  I doubt that there was ever a serious suggestion that sleep could make anyone more beautiful, but there have been ample scientific studies that demonstrate that lack of sleep has a negative effect on the human body.

It is now widely held that lack of sleep, or repeatedly disturbed sleep results in lack of alertness, mood swings, and negative effects to metabolism.

You have probably read lists of suggestions to aid sleep; these can be divided into 4 categories, listed below.  If you do wish to improve your sleep, why not start on just one category?  You may be able to achieve significant benefits by changing just one thing at a time.

1. Routine.  Not just at bedtime, but developing patterns in the daytime can aid restful sleep.

Ø      Try to exercise every day, during the day or early evening.  This can be as simple as a brisk walk during your lunch break.  Studies have shown that regular exercise appears to increase sleep duration and the depth of the sleep, and these benefits are become more prevalent as people get older. See our ‘Walking’ page for suggestions.

Ø      Develop an evening ‘wind-down’ routine.  Turn off the television, computer, Nintendo DS or other electrical entertainments about an hour before bedtime. Make time to enjoy your facial Cleanse Tone and Moisturise routine.  Put out your clothes for the morning.   Try to get to bed at a regular time, but of course you can still enjoy an occasional late night.

Ø      Try to get up at roughly the same time every morning.  If you have had a bad night, it is tempting to stay in bed, but by getting up you are more likely to sleep the following night.

2.      Good sleeping conditions. (Some of these suggestions will be impossible if you have a baby or young child.)

Ø     Keep your bedroom warm, but not hot.

Ø     Try to make your bedroom as dark as possible.  If you regularly get up in the night, consider child-safe nightlights in the bathroom so that you can avoid turning on a bright light.

Ø     Make sure that your pillow is comfortable; they do wear out after a few years.  Treat yourself to a new one.

Ø     It is possible to buy herbal pillows, or fragrances to enhance sleep.  These smell wonderful, but probably work only when used with other measures, such as a bedtime routine.

3.      Reduce stress and anxiety.  Of course, this is easier said than done, but here are a few tips:

Ø      Make a note of things that you need to do/remember for the next day before you go to bed.  If you tend to wake up in the night full of ideas, keep paper and pencil by your bed.  Although it is not really advisable to start doing things in the night, by writing down ideas you may be able to get back to sleep.

Ø      If you are concerned that you will not wake up in time, set more than one alarm.  If you wake in the night, try to avoid looking at the clock.  The ‘double alarm’ system should reassure you.

Ø      Consider keeping a journal, and make a note of the events of the day before going to bed.  Committing your thoughts to paper may help you to relax.

4.      Snoring.  Last Christmas, Wonderful Husband was given a device to be worn on the wrist while sleeping.  It is designed to give a very mild shock when the wearer snores, and so break the pattern of sleeping.  He tried it for two nights, but discovered that it also delivered a shock when I snored!  That was hardly fair, so he abandoned it.

Snoring can be a serious health hazard, as in severe cases there is a pause in breathing.  In severe cases, it is best to seek medical advice.

In milder cases, it may help to loose weight, or try to avoid sleeping on ones back. 

NB.  If you are suffering from severe and prolonged insomnia, see your doctor for professional advice.

 

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Your Personal Spa Weekend

Would you like to spend a weekend pampering yourself, but don’t want to splash out on  a spa weekend away? Here are a couple of cheaper alternatives. If  you're really busy, pick out just one treat. 

Champneys	Mid-Cost	Careful Squirrel
Facial	Book a facial at a local beauty salon	Treat yourself at home to a special face pack, cleanse, tone and moisturise
Massage	Book a massage at your local beauty salon	Give yourself a hand and foot massage
Exercise classes	Attend an exercise class at your local fitness centre	Go for a walk, run, skip or use your rebounder
Swimming/Jacuzzi	Swim at your local pool	Try out a gym with a swimming pool on a free offer – see Keep Active page – or swim at your local pool
Healthy meals using fresh ingredients	Eat out, choosing a healthy meal – perhaps at a vegetarian or organic food restaurant	Prepare a healthy meal using plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables
Relaxation – reading or sleeping	Treat yourself to a new book or magazine.  Block out an hour or so of reading time (If you have young children and can’t do this in the daytime, turn off the television for the evening, relax and read.)	Visit your library or swop a magazine or book with a friend.  Indulge yourself with an hour of relaxed reading.

 

 

Foot Care Kit

 

The list of items to keep your feet looking lovely is similar to the nail care kit, but with a few additions.

 

Copying your manicure kit, you may choose to use the same tools for your feet:

1. Orange wood sticks to clean under your toe nails.
2. Nail clippers.  We suggest that you use a larger,sturdier pair.  It is important that toenails are clipped straight across, not curved down at the sides.  This will help prevent ingrown toenails.
3. Nail file. Especially important if you wear nylon tights or socks, to prevent rough nails snagging the mesh and creating holes.
4. Cream to soften the skin.  This can be hand cream or body lotion, or there are a number of specially formulated foot creams on the market. 

Consider adding  the following items:

1.      A pumice stone to remove rough skin.  You could also use a foot scrub, which is a cream to which an abrasive material has been added.  The photo shows a Virgin Vie foot scrub that is included on our ‘Reviews’ page.

2.      To buff your toe nails to a shine, or use nail polish, you will probably need a cuticle remover.  The product shown in the photo is by Leighton Denny, and available on-line.

3.      If you wish to use nail polish on your toes, it is helpful to separate them to avoid smudging the polish.  It is possible to buy rubber toe separators, but I have always found these uncomfortable.  I simply fold a paper tissue, and weave it between my toes, as in the photo:

For a guide to giving yourself a pedicure, see http://hubpages.com/hub/Pretty-Feet-Prepare-to-show-them-off

  

 

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