What’s the point of a beautiful body if your face looks and feels like sandpaper? Here are ways to get your face as beautiful as the rest of your body.
AESTHETIC ASSISTANCE
As their results are almost immediate, microdermabrasion and peels are popular with celebrities just before big movie premieres or award ceremonies. Microdermabrasion can temporarily lighten scars and even out skin tone, while a medical peel exfoliates and renews dull skin for a more radiant complexion, says Dr Kelvin Chua, medical director and aesthetic physician at Skinlab Medical Spa. These treatments should be done about four days before the event.
If you’d rather do it in the comfort of your home, the Ole Henriksen micro/mini peel system ($168) – a favourite of Hollywood actress Charlize Theron – is a three-step treatment that’s designed to renew skin naturally. Almond Polish emulates the benefi ts of microdermabrasion while Lemon Strip mimics the benefi ts of an acid peel. Chamomile Comfort soothes the skin after the fi rst two active treatment steps. Applied once a week, the kit gives you about eight to 10 treatments.
Dr Alvin Wong, medical director and aesthetic physician at SKN Mediaesthetics, says that for a more defi ned jawline, to slim the face or sharpen the chin, you need Botox injections for the masseter muscles at the side of the face and jawline. Ideally, this should be done two weeks before the event, as that’s how long it takes for the full effects of Botox jabs to be seen. It also allows for the swelling to subside completely.
GOODBYE TURKEY,HELLO GAZELLE
Treat the lines on your neck with L’Oreal Paris Dermo-Expertise Revitalift Pro Contouring System ($34.90). First, give your neck a good massage with the dermo-stimulation tool, which tones and stimulates skin. Then smoothe on the potent anti-wrinkle serum to soften skin and stimulate collagen production. Immediately after application, skin feels more taut, and wrinkles should smoothen in an hour.
All those late dinners and bedtime snacks haven’t done your waistline any favours, and your body isn’t quite ready for that fi gure-hugging gown. These quick-fi x tips could help you melt away the kilos within a fortnight.
PUT DOWN THE WINE GLASS
If knocking back a drink or two is part of your weekly modus operandi, nix the alcohol for the two weeks leading up to your big event. Crossfi t trainer Reehana Shihab says alcohol is considered empty calories as it provides little nutritional value and chalks up more calories per gram compared to carbohydrates and protein. It’s also said to increase hunger pangs and make you eat more.
INTENSIFY YOUR CARDIO
Switch from long, low-intensity bouts of cardio to short bursts, says Reehana. “Very brief and very hard interval training is amazingly effective at achieving superior fat loss,” she says.
It can be as simple as sprinting between two lampposts, with a short jog thrown in before you go at it again. “Increasing the intensity of your workout will put stress on the body, which can boost bone density and muscle mass, increase fat reduction and improve cardiovascular health,” adds Reehana.
Cycling and running can also increase the microvascular circulation of skin and leave you with a nice glow, says Dr Wong. However, you should give swimming a miss during this period as it increases your appetite more than any other cardiovascular activity.
SLIP ON SOME UNDERWEAR
But not just any underwear, mind you. To get your posterior perkier while going about your daily routine, try Biotherm Shape Laser Bottom Re-sculptor kit ($105). Comprising a bottom-lifting gel-cream and a re-shaping panty, it promises fi rmer and smoother skin in 10 days, and narrower hips and a perkier bottom in 21 days when used together.
For all-day slimming action, the panty has fat-burning microcapsules that diffuse into the skin as you traipse around. The panty is guaranteed for 30 washings.
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