Top tips to prepare for Summer

Make sure you aren’t looking all hot and bothered this Summer – well, maybe hot! Follow our quick, simple guide to getting ready for Summer with the ultimate make-over. The bright days of summer are on their way! As the temperature rises (we hope), your skin and make-up will react differently to the weather than it does in the winter. Using the same skin and hair care regimen all year long is a big no-no, because your body has different needs as the seasons change. Now is a good time to change your beauty routine and get yourself in tip-top shape for summer activities, sports, and events. By switching to a warm-weather plan, your skin will look radiant and your make-up will have the staying power it needs to keep you beautiful as the weather gets warmer and the days grow longer. Our summer beauty guide will give you many tips & trends for your face, hair, skin and clothing to help you make that adjustment a little bit easier!

Change Your Skin Care Routine
Hot weather means more humidity and your skin will need less moisture than it does in the winter. Switch to a lighter moisturiser to keep your pores clear and you will be less likely to experience blemishes.

A Foot ahead of the rest
Keep your feet in top-notch shape by exfoliating to slough off dry skin and callouses. Moisturise to the max and treat yourself to a pedicure so that you can show off your feet in a pair of strappy sandals.

Drink More Water
Water is the trick to beautiful skin. Your body needs more water in the spring and summer months so it can stay hydrated. Since you’ll perspire more in hot weather, it’s vital that you restore your fluids when exercising, or even if you are simply just out and about in warmer temperatures. Always keep a bottle of water handy so it’s ready to go wherever you are.

Keep Your Tan in Check
A healthy tan is a myth. There is no such thing. Your goal should not be to get a suntan, but to protect your skin against the sun’s dangerous UV rays so you don’t age prematurely. Wear a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 25 on all exposed areas of your body when you’re outdoors. Don’t forget less obvious areas such as your lips, neck and the top of your hands where the sun can wreak havoc over time. A great suntan is associated with health and beauty. Look out for my self tanning tips!

Exercise in Cooler Temperatures
If you have to do your walking or jogging outdoors, then doing it in the morning is beneficial because the temperatures haven’t risen to day-time highs yet. If this means getting up a little earlier, then give it a try. You may find that a little time alone is good way to start the day. Another alternative is to workout indoors, where the temperature is controlled. Whether you do this at home or in a gym, use your own personal towel to keep your skin clean and dry.

Taming those Eyebrows!
Your eyebrows add strength and definition to your face. Well-groomed eyebrows enhance your beauty. You should pluck eyebrows before bedtime so any redness will disappear overnight. In shaping your eyebrows use your facial features. Use a pair of slant edge tweezers, which grip hairs easily. Comb hairs one way and then the other to remove loose hairs. You should pluck hairs between the brows and any stragglers. Never remove the hairs from above your eyebrows. Pluck each hair individually close, to the root. Work in the direction of the growth.
Always avoid over plucking. In defining your eyebrows choose a shade similar to your natural hair colour. When using a pencil you should apply in small, feathered strokes, starting at the inner corner working outwards. Blend the colour with a brush. To tame stray hairs just use hair gel and comb through to neaten.

Foods that will make you glow this summer

Carrots
Maintain the outer layer of the skin to prevent premature aging. What you’ll find is the same as you would get in Retin A.

Cheese
To ensure a happy smile, add a slice or two of hard cheese into your diet. Choose Swiss, Cheddar, or Gouda to block bacteria in the mouth and prevent cavities.

Citrus Fruits
Hold the skin cells together by forming collagen. Collagen cannot be added to the skin topically, which is why fruits and fruit juices are such an important part of the daily diet.

Cranberries
Keep urinary tract lining healthy.

Garlic
Helps combat wrinkles and restores tissue.

Non-Fat Yoghurt
High in calcium, which keeps your smile white and your teeth cavity-free.
Sweet Potatoes
Vitamin A is known to be a remarkable anti-wrinkling agent. Sweet potatoes are full of this important vitamin. The pleasing result is clearer, smoother skin.

Tomatoes
These “love apples” will keep you loving your skin. Tomatoes are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium.

What’s hot for hair?
Hairstyles change with the seasons. The trends for Summer 2006 characterise a variety of styles. Choose practical styles for daytime and a more romantic look for evenings.

Wavy, Textured Hair
Like Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson brings a tousled, feminine look. If your hair is long and thick, this is easy to achieve because textured and shaped hair allows you more control with your hair style. Simply wash your hair, add some mousse and blow-dry on low. Use a curling iron and finger-comb the layers. For piecey chunks, apply styling wax on the ends to separate.

For a Simple, Sleek and Smooth Look
Straight hair can flatter almost anyone. If you have natural waves, use a flat iron to straighten it out section by section. Set the style with hair spray and stay away from rain or heavy humidity.

Short, Choppy Hairstyles
Are for those who want less fuss. Boyish, yet feminine, this is the easiest cut to wash and style. Look for a asymmetrical cut, not a basic bob if you want to keep up with the latest trend for short hair.

Not Just Basic Fringes
You’ll look anything but ordinary with angled fringes. While fringes require more frequent maintenance, they’re great for covering up a long forehead, flaws or lines.

Highlights
Sexy, feminine highlights never go out of style. Summer brings popular multi-tone highlights and lowlights for several shades of colour that adds dimension and reflects the light. A great haircut combined with subtle highlights ensures that you will look classy at special events and in pictures. Trendy and stylish, this summer promises to bring some of the most exciting hairstyles we’ve seen in years. What better time is there to update your tresse