The best advice you'll ever get
Exclusive top-to-toe, inside-and-out tips on how to look and feel better
Skin
- Blast with cold water: A daily cold shower is great for toning the skin. This also boosts the immune system, says Dr Ian Drysdale, principal of the British College of Osteopathic Medicine, who has been taking cold showers for 55 years. He suggests: Ease yourself in with a 30-second blast to different body parts at the end of your shower.
- "Run a rolling pin up and down your legs," says celebrity beauty therapist Janet Ginnings (who looks after the beauty needs of Sadie Frost, Elle Macpherson and Caprice). "My mother taught me to do this to break down and disperse excess water."
Teeth
Use an electric toothbrush, advises Dr Teresa Day, clinical director of Appledore Dental Clinic (www.appledore.co.uk). It removes more plaque and causes less damage: A manual brush used with a poor technique can cause gum recession and abrasion cavities in the teeth along the gum line, which can be extremely sensitive and difficult to fill.
- Drink smoothies and fruit juice through a straw to prevent the fruit sugar coming in contact with teeth, Dr Day adds.
- Never start the day with hot water and lemon, because it's highly corrosive for your teeth, warns Dr Mervyn Druian of The London Centre for Cosmetic Surgery. Peppermint tea is a good alternative, as it helps increase the tooth's enamel strength to resist the acids produced by the bacteria in your mouth.
Hair
- Banish frizz and smooth your locks by switching to a silk pillowcase, advises Elliott Bassila, the creative director at Nicky Clarke. Sleeping on silk can also prevent split ends and lock in the hair's natural oils, leaving your mane looking luscious.
- Set your style, says Paul Falltrick, owner of Paul Falltrick hairdressing. When using any heated hair tool, remember that when the hair is hot, it is mouldable and when it's cold, it fixes in place. So when you have achieved your perfect look, blast cold air on the root area in a circular motion to secure your style and add impressive volume.
- Comb through your hair after you have applied conditioner, says Denise McAdam, British celebrity hairdresser and creator of the McAdam range for Tesco in the UK. It makes all the difference, yet many women don't bother: Your hair will rinse better, blow-dry quicker and gleam because the cuticles are smoothened.
- Keep coloured hair protected from the sun with a headscarf or hat, specialist colour-care hair products and hair protectors with UV guard to prevent fading.
Eyes
All contact lenses should be removed before sleeping (yes, even new-generation silicone hydrogel lenses), for cleaning and allowing oxygen to reach the cells in the eyes, warns Dr Iain Anderson, chairman of the Eyecare Trust in the UK (www.eyecaretrust.org.uk). Sleeping with lenses on increases the risk of eye infections, keratitis (inflammation of the cornea) and corneal abrasions, he adds.
Face
- Boost your complexion and increase circulation in seconds, says Candice Gardner of the International Dermal Institute. With your index, middle and ring fingers of both hands, lightly drum all over your face. This helps drain toxins and reduce puffiness.
- Clean your face and neck prior to every single application of sunscreen, recommends leading facialist Yvonne Martine. It will take less than a minute and will remove old product, sweat and sebum, which can clog pores and cause future breakouts. On the beach? Use baby wipes, as these don't contain alcohol.
- Switch to mineral cosmetics. They are non-comodegenic (non-acne-causing) and will not block your pores or create breakouts, explains make-up artist Hana Sutherland. And they'll save you time because they are many products in one.
Arms
Tricep dips are the key to toned arms, says fitness expert Joanna Hall. Sit on the stairs and put your hands behind you on the step above. Your fingers should face forwards and your feet should rest on the floor. Now straighten your arms, lifting your bottom off the step and keeping your knees bent. Repeat 15 times.
Feet
- Once a week, use a salt scrub (olive oil and sea salt) to prevent hard skin build-up and cracked heels, then buff feet with a foot file until super smooth.
- Let your feet stretch and breathe by walking barefoot around the house whenever possible, advises podiatrist Michael O'Neill. And if you suffer from foot problems, invest in a decent pair of running trainers, rather than wearing slippers.
Bones
Do 12-16 squats just before you go to bed. Pretending to sit in an imaginary chair is particularly beneficial for your hips, which are especially prone to fracture.
Swap cola for water: Heavy cola drinkers have up to 5.4 per cent lower bone density because the phosphoric acid contained in carbonated drinks affects the absorption of calcium. Yet, your body absorbs calcium just as well from mineral water as it does from milk, found a study in Osteoporosis International.
Stomach
Target abs by getting up from chairs without using your hands, says Judith Wills, author of Your Diet Questions Answered.
Sit on a wobble cushion (an inflatable cushion that creates an unstable seat) every day, says Helena Greenwood, a member of the British Osteopathic Association. Take it to work and use it at your desk or during your lunch hour or sit on it while eating an evening meal or watching TV. It stimulates your core muscles, tones your tummy, helps with balance and means you are doing your body good even when you're stationary.
A healthy gut is a precondition of beautiful skin, glossy hair and a flat stomach, says dietitian Pierre Pallardy, author of Gut Instinct. A key measure is to cut back on sugar, as it triggers excessive intestinal fermentation and leads to cellulite.
Eat more slowly: Food-bolters are more likely to overeat, say scientists from Imperial College London.
Back
Most of the time, it is bad posture that is responsible for round shoulders, double chins, fat bellies, flat bottoms and knock-knees. Dominic Cheetham of Sloane Square Chiropractors advises: Take the wall test. Stand with your back to a wall, with your bottom, your shoulders and the back of your head touching the wall for perfect posture. If not, adjust your position.
Switch to posture-saving messenger-style bags that can be worn across the body or the back. Your handbag should always weigh less than 8 per cent of your body weight, Cheetham warns.
