BEAUTY PREP FOR THE PARTY SEASON

As we emerge weary eyed from winter hibernation, the warm weather that greets us is a clear reminder that party season is upon us. It’s that time of year for bare shoulders and short hemlines, but don’t go revealing that post-winter flakiness just yet. Couturing brings you the top tips for party season beauty prep that will make you the talk of the night.

• GET THAT GLOW
• Wake up your skin with stimulation and exfoliation. Over the counter scrubs help, but you’ll need to bring out the big guns if you want the blood and lymph flow that really enhances the skin’s tone. Before a bath, use a mildly abrasive sponge to buff your face, and use fingertips to pat around your eyes in a circular movement. Then pat the skin dry and apply a mask – the steam from the bath will make it absorb well. After rinsing, apply moisturiser and primer immediately to seal in the warmth and keep skin plump and glowing. Be vigilant with your skincare routine. Cleanse morning and night using a face washer to take off the cleanser. Use a vitamin A cream at night – it repairs the skin – and for the daytime, use a Vitamin C serum for an antioxidant boost. Avoid puffy eyes by making sure you sleep on an elevated pillow. If you lie flat when you sleep, fluid can pool around your eyes and puff them up.
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• SAY NO TO CELLULITE
• Warm balmy nights means your pins will be seeing a lot more of the world this summer. Keep the skin around your thigh area toned by starting a routine in the bathroom: the right bath soak, a great body cream and a rough loofah can work wonders on a body that’s had too many lazy days. Areas noteworthy of special treatment include knees, upper arms, muffin top, hips, thighs and ankles. With regular scrubbing you’ll start to see a difference in the texture and tone of the skin. We love the all-natural coffee scrub FRANK. Another simple way to enhance skin tone is to spritz yourself from head to foot with intermittent blasts of warm and cool water, as this causes an increase in blood flow and circulation.
• EAT WELL
• We’ve all heard it before but I’ll say it again – beauty is always achieved inside first. That congested or sluggish feeling you get when you haven’t been eating from the bottom of the food pyramid will show on the outside. A washed-out complexion, dull eyes and a bloated stomach are just a few of the signs. Avoid this by eating and supplementing to restore your acid-alkaline balance and your energy. Mineral water and oat bran flush impurities through your liver – try sprinkling oat bran on your cereal. Three other system saviours are chia seeds (a rich source of Omega 3 oils that are beneficial to your skin), spirulina (an excellent source of protein and vitamin B12), and symprove (a powerful multi-strain probiotic that works really well to restore acid-alkaline balance). To achieve tone you need to cut out processed and energy-dense foods. Start the day with some quality, low-GI bread with egg, avocado and tomato. Snack on fresh fruit or vegetables, nuts or natural yoghurt through the day, and stick to lean proteins and vegetables for lunch and dinner.  Remember to also keep hydrated. You need to be drinking at least 1.5 to 2 litres of water a day, and even more if you’re exercising. Cut out coffee and opt for green tea or fresh vegetable juice instead.
• SHAPE UP
• Summer is also a great time to get back into your fitness routine. Combine cardio with strength training for a great workout that will tone your bod for party season. Another hot tip is to choose what you’re wearing then sculpt your body around it – for a dress that shows off your legs; squats, lunges and step-ups are great, and running will also tone up your quads and hamstrings. For sleeveless or back-baring dresses; push-ups and tricep dips are excellent.
• SMELL FRESH
• Warm temperatures are notorious for changing your favourite perfume into an overly strong odour. It’s a good idea to switch to a lighter, alcohol-free formulations once the temperature rises.
• TANNING
• If you can help it, always opt for the fake tan. Solariums and sun baking have high health risks that far outweigh the benefits, and we all know looking after our skin will reap the best results. With fake tanning, always remember the golden rules;  exfoliate to remove dead skin cells as it is the key to a streak-free tan, and after you apply your self-tanner (and make sure you’ve covered every single patch of skin), make sure to wash your hands to avoid stained palms. If it’s the first time you’ve tried fake tanning, get it done by a specialist first so that you can avoid any potential disasters, as well as having a pro to answer all your questions before you try it yourself.
• NOURISH YOUR LOCKS
• Protect your hair from sun damage by using a leave-in conditioner or mask, as the sun can’t penetrate through the product as easily. Doing this during the day when you’re out and about will ensure soft and luscious locks at nightfall when it’s time to party. For coloured hair choose deep-conditioning treatments that contain pigment deposits to boost colour, and use once a week.
• NAIL IT
• Traditional manicures generally only last 4 days and for us modern-day busy babes, the occasional wear and tear of everyday life reduces this lifespan even more.  To achieve long-lasting pointers that stand the test of time, try shellac nails – they last about 10 days. After you get them done, use plenty of cuticle oil plus nail hardening varnish during the day to keep your nails healthy, strong and hydrated.
• HAIRLESS WONDER
• Get your eyebrows shaped the day before an event, as perfect brows make all the difference. Couturing loves Brow Theory, where professional threaders give you perfect brows without the pain and damage caused by waxing. If you also want to get some waxing done on your body, exfoliate 24 hours before as this helps remove dead skin and lifts shorter hairs making them easier to grip for a smoother finish.

Images: Getty Images.