Beauty bar - July 2007

Well ... let's get started

Let's take this opportunity to break out of the conventional debate on what makes beauty. You know .. things like the distance between the eyes and their distance from the mouth plus the shape of the nose. If we look at beauty as radiance, obvious wellbeing, resilient strong body and mind, sound physical and mental health then we are looking at beauty for life.

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As we build a dialogue with you through this column we hope it encourages to you to ask more and more questions about what you are doing to support your unique beauty, dispels some myths, guides you to some simple ways to support your health. But let's not forget the fun side too - we will inform you on the latest in makeup, the luxurious treatments and products that are just fab, cutting edge research in wellness and products.

We will also share with you real life make-overs - our 12 week challenges: no quick fixes this is slow food for body and soul.

Six important questions for you:

1. Why do you visit a day spa/beauty salon? Are your looking for an hour of escape or the basics or a quick fix? Simply put, a good spa partners you to be beautiful. It is about advice, support and a partnership to well-being and results.
   
   
2. When you look at your face and body what are the words that come to your mind? We can tend to measure ourselves by image here and set up an unhealthy future for ourselves.
   
   
3. How healthy are you? What information is your assessment based on? Our involvement with cancer awareness charities tells us you should have your skin looked at by a specialist or qualified GP and scrutinized regularly for any changes (many a change has been noticed by a masseur). Regular pap smears and breast examinations too.
   
   
4. What do you understand about the relationship between nutrition and appearance of the skin? Maybe not so obvious until you are older.
   
   
5. What exercise do you do and how often? It doesn't have to be frenetic: we are not all made for the gym - try walking at least 3 times per week. It seems people who try a variety of exercise per week are the healthiest.
   
   
6. Does the work you do (paid and unpaid) give you great joy? Does it also give you unbearable stress? There is a lot of discussion about happiness. You have a better chance of being happy when you can find it in this very moment.

Eight important things that we can all benefit from knowing and doing, irrespective of your answers above:

1. Regular massage, reflexology and acupuncture by a very well-trained professional have an important positive influence on blood pressure, depression, body pain minimization, circulation, ability to sleep.
   
   
2. Home care is best supported by in salon treatments with professional strength products and well-educated therapist advice and vice versa.
   
   
3. The best nutrition is biased towards in season leafy greens, omega rich ocean fresh (not farmed) fish, wholegrains and in-season fruits and draws from all of these. Try to make sure at least 20% of what you eat is raw.
   
   
4. Smoking, excessive and regular alcohol consumption, little irregular exercise, late nights and poor eating habits will eventually win out in the battle with even the best products and treatments money can buy.
   
   
5. Laughter really is medicine. It is "brain massage" and we know the brain runs everything. Great for lowering blood pressure, stimulating metabolism, lessening the impact of depression or avoiding depression.
   
   
6. Your skin is your largest and most vulnerable organ - after all it is on the outside! Protect it with a quality sunscreen.

We look forward to exploring all of these ideas with you in our column. Let's end on a practical not: a warm drink recipe for this cold and flue season

Honey Ginger Lemon: Good at the beginning of a cold or the flu, particularly when you have a sore throat and/or cough. This, my favorite remedy, is soothing and has a warming effect. As you know lemon is abundant in vitamin C, which enhances the immune system and has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. Ginger helps in enhancing circulation, lowering body temperature and is good for the digestion. Honey provides the body with anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties and yields quick energy.

Recipe: Grate a 1-1.5cm piece of ginger and put in a cup. Add 1-2 tsp honey. Pour in 1 cup of boiling water. Add fresh lemon juice (1/2 - 1 lemon) and mix. Sip before bed or whenever you feel like it. Take a thermos to the office or make it up for the team!

Talk soon

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Outshine Salon and Day Spas are dedicated to non surgical best results utilising the latest products and technologies, and will create an individual and effective program for you.

Karen & Penny Outshine Salon and Day Spa w www.outshine.com.au James Street Fortitude Valley 3252 2882 Market Complex West End 3846 0062