Stay radiant during winter time

Summer time is great! Your skin feels supple and alive. But as winter approaches, your skin can easily become dry and start feeling itchy.

You must take care of your skin during winter season in order for it to look glamorous and attractive. The cold months may be pleasant for many of us, but at the same time it demands a special type of pampering for this outer layer of our bodies, which tends to become dry and crack during winter time.

Therefore going the extra mile to pamper the skin with moisturisers and emollients is imperative.

TIPS FOR SKIN CARE IN WINTER

1. Moisturise your skin generously. Replace your water-based products with creams. And besides facial skin, also apply cream to your hands, elbows and feet. Look out for vitamin E enriched products. This will prevent itchiness and loss of water content from the skin.

2. “The top layer of skin cells are either dead or old and can easily make your skin look dull,” says Doctor Norman. Exfoliating gets rid of the dead skin cells and reveals newer, healthier-looking skin.

3. Avoid prolonged baths, hot showers and the use of harsh soaps. These will take away the natural moisture from your skin.

4. Winter sun can still damage your skin. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face and hands (if they are exposed) about 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply frequently if you stay outdoors for an extended time.

5. Don’t lick… your lips. If you do, you’ll only chap your lips even further. Keep a lip balm in your purse and apply it when you’re tempted!

Mask yourself

NATURAL HOME REMEDY FOR DRY SKIN

Avocado/Honey Mask

To make this ultra hydrating mask, mash a ripe avocado into a creamy pulp and stir in a tablespoon of organic honey. Massage the mask onto your face using your fingertips and allow it to set for 15 minutes. Rinse away with warm water and repeat weekly for best results.

These winter tips are not only excellent for keeping your skin glowing through the cold months, but will also be beneficial for whatever season you are entering.

And remember to always keep hydrated – drink plenty of water!!!

Fundamental Foundation

A worldwide study done by Estee Lauder showed that 8 out of 10 women wear the wrong shade of foundation. Furthermore, the majority of these women use the same shade all year round…

It is important to understand what foundation is supposed to be used for, in order for you to make the right decision. It is not for adding colour, but to enhance your natural beauty by reducing, not concealing, the appearance of fine lines and blemishes, evening out your skin tone. To get that warm, young looking face rather use highlighters and bronzers on a well prepared surface -perfect foundation!

Foundation

How to choose the best foundation?

1. The colour must match your skin 100%, test it on your face as the skin tone on the rest of your body differ slightly. Remember that a lighter colour will make you look like a ghost and a darker colour will age you. It is therefore important to have different foundations during different seasons as your skin colour changes.

2. Choose the right product for firstly your skin type and secondly your lifestyle.

• Powder foundation: It is fast and easy to apply and is there for a great favourite across the board. Unfortunately it is only the oilier skin types that benefit from this foundation. The powder is oil-absorbent and provides a matte appearance that compliments oily skin, but takes away from the dryer more mature skin types.

Useful tip: as most powder foundations on the market make you look flat and matte, leaving a gray or orange cast to the skin look for products that have a percentage of titanium dioxide and/or zinc in them. Also look to see that any harmful ingredients have been removed.

• Tinted moisturizer: A mixture of moisturizer and light foundation. Equally easy and fast to apply, this foundation is used to even out skin tone on clear, blemish free skin. Suitable for most skin types. It is my favorite!

• BB Creams: It is a multi-tasking product combining your moisturizer, primer, foundation and sunscreen all in one. The reality, it’s a fancy form of tinted moisturizer and would work for the same client base. Really great for a fast pace life style!

• Liquid foundation: Offering the best cover this base is widely misused. As mentioned before foundation should be used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and blemishes, not to conceal it. Best suited for dry and/or mature skin, it offers more hydration and nutrients.

Useful tip: Taking up more time to apply, focus on blending! It is very easy to end up with a “mask” look when using a liquid foundation. My advice is to start applying under the eye and around the nose and work your way outwards without re-applying. This way the foundation starts to thin out around the jaw, leaving you with a natural look.

At the end of the day you must pass the “self-test”. If you look at your skin in direct sunlight it must not shimmer, not be blotchy and most importantly have an even, one-tone appearance.

Good luck and put your best face forward!

Beauty Myths Busted

Today we are busting some of the most widely spread beauty myths.

Beauty Myths

Myth 1: Your skin will age just like your mom’s…

Fact: Even though the genetics form both your parents play a role in how you will age, it is your lifestyle choices and health that has the biggest impact. You can be blessed with the best genetics, but if you don’t look after your skin from a young age, it will show.

Myth 2: Getting a base tan will prevent you from getting sunburned…

Fact: Any colour darker than your natural skin tone indicates that your skin has been damaged – burned. Even though a base tan will improve the burning sensation, it does not prevent the damage done to your skin. The bad news for you sun lovers is that no tan is the best tan.

Myth 3: SPF tells you how much protection you are getting from the sun…

Fact: SPF is only part of the equation. Looking at damaging UV light it gets separated into two parts: UVA and UVB. SPF only shows the protection level against UVB as it was believed that only UVB is harmful to the skin. Today we know better and it is thus wise to use a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, or to couple your sunscreen with an antioxidant to maximize protection.

Myth 4: I can fall asleep with my make-up on, no stress…

Fact: All cosmetic products used to provide colour and illusion leave a toxic film on the skin. Wearing make-up for long periods of time will cause irritation, inflammation, dehydration and clog up pores. Sleeping with your make-up on not only results in the irritation, inflammation etc. but also prevents your skin from healing itself as it has no time to rest and breathe.

Myth 5: Eating chocolates and oily food can cause pimples

Fact: Pimples are mainly caused by the change of hormones. The higher your hormone levels, the more likely it is you’ll get pimples. The reason why we associate the bad eating habits with pimples is because the high hormone levels causing the pimples are the same hormone levels that cause cravings.

Myth 6: You shouldn’t mix different skin-care products

Fact: As therapists we prefer that you use the same product range purely because they are designed to complement each other, giving you the best possible results. The fact of the matter is that you can mix any product ranges as long as you choose the right products to accomplish the right results. Have a look at the ingredients and you should be safe.

Scalp Massages

Even though massages are commonly found all over the world, we can say with certainty that the Scalp massage (Indian Head Massage) found its origin in India. There they have practiced and perfected scalp massaging for over 5000 years as part of a holistic medicine source. Today it is well known in all parts of the world.

Scalp Massaging

Here is why we love it so much:

The extreme sense of relaxation is not just in your head, so to speak. When massaging the scalp, it increases the production of chemicals, including endorphins and serotonin, the feel good hormones that in turn puts you in a better mood, reduces stress and induces relaxation.

The massage also stimulates the nerves and the blood vessels beneath the skin, calming the muscle tension. Combine this with temporal massaging and some good pressure on the base of the scalp and there you have the perfect, long lasting remedy for tension headaches.

It is not just good for relieving tension, though. It is also great for the general health of your scalp and hair. The increased blood flow from the massage in turn makes sure that the skin is healthy as it gets enough oxygen flow. Anybody struggling with dandruff will also benefit from this as the massage movements, combined with grape seed/ coconut oil, removes the dandruff leaving the scalp clean and well nourished. Add all of the above together and you will most definitely get fast growing healthy hair.

Make the most of the time you have available and indulge in a scalp massage the next time you pass by the African Health Spa at Elephant Plains.

Hot Stones or Wooden Dumbbells

We have two great massages on our African Health Spa menu that both include an added factor, which brings a whole different dimension to the massage. I would like to call it an “upgrade”. Let me explain in a little more detail what each one is abbout and how it is different to the other massages.

Our Hot Stone Massage: Here we bring in hot lava stones. The reason we use lava stones and not any other ordinary stones are because lava stones keep their heat for so much longer. It is this heat from the stones that relaxes not only your muscles, but also you as the client. Once the muscles are relaxed they can easily be manipulated without much effort or pain and it is for this reason that we prescribe a Hot Stone Massage. Now, this does not mean that you can’t just book it purely for self indulgence. You don’t always need a reason for upgrading your massage and the heat is a true RELAXATION factor for those who might need it.

Hot Stone Massage

Our Heart of Africa Massage: This treatment is proudly South African ! We use shaped wooden dumbells that perfectly fits into all the areas where nots tend to hide. As the added heat factor mentioned in the treatment above is lacking, this is the perfect massage for those who are not affraid of some deep, firm, well deserved pressure when it comes to taking care of all your muscle aches and pains. Specially suited for men or anyone who prefers more pressure. Please note that pressure can be adjusted according to personal preference, so that each and every one can enjoy a uniquely South African massage.

Wooden Dumbbells

I would recommend both massages to any clients struggling with muscle tension, or who would just like to spoil themselves with an “upgraded” massage.

Enjoy your next pampering session at the African Health Spa!