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    Woman Home Your Best You 4th Edition 2023

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    ΑΡΙΣΤΟΤΕΛΗΣ ΓΕΩΡΓΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ

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    I) OM REAL WOMEN ON MAKING THEIR DREAMS A REALITY! FROM THE MAKERS OF REDISCOVER YOUR MAGIC FEEL-GOOD HOLIDAYS GREENER HOME HACKS FLATTERING FASHION ways to have MORE FUN! RADIANCE- BOOSTING KBE the besl version of you 2 a a Edition Z MAKE-UP TRICKS EASY VEGAN MEALS WORK OUT FROM HOME VOSTRO LO) RR NU KU he OY LOR COD lel aXOTT) na ( 2a i) COMTI DITA ONG KG TN RORY a CE of positive thinking lake care of dow TUCO CL Xe MLA COT LCCeLLL [onc VOUr COTC TOSS LRG MANOEL CCUR ORL plant-based dict aromatherapy walking laking a Life give your body an mot haira greener home Ner{ecl founda how to slay sh I ACERS OK YC LL love your workout 12 ways lo pul welcome to ‘© are often told that our best years are in our youth. A time when our skin was unwrinkled with life's worries, when our biggest concern was just ‘growing up’. But is that really rue? ‘As we age and mature, we become far more comfortable in ‘our own skin, we pursue deeper and genuinely profound relationships, and ultimately we make wonderful memories along the way. In this brand new woman&home bookazine, you'l find out why your golden years are actually still ahead of you. Embrace your Ife’s journey so far and Cultivate your best qualities — afterall, i's what makes you the fantastically Unique person you are. We've got plenty of practical advice to help you lve a truly happy and healthy life, You'l also discover how to make the most of your body, whether that's ‘experimenting with a new fitness routine, finding the cosmetics, skincare and haircare products that are perfect for you, or tying out a new clothing style. you need even more inspiration, meet real women with words of wisdom to share on everything from romance to phobias. I's all here. Welcome to Your Best You! 4 L FUTURE Your Bi JO MINDIULNESS MASTE: SS Teach yourself basic meditations ‘and find inner peace 1 THE POILER OF POSTHITE THINKING Find out what you can achieve wath ‘conedo atte HOW TOSED STRON How to handle ie wien t becomes abit verwhelning IS SEXY P50 Discover the secrets to keeping your sex drive live and well Bennsrouse MORE FUN Putthe wonder of cldhod bback into your life 2h FICE YOUR FEARS Conquer your fearful demons {and defeat those pesky phobias 26 SOURCES OF SUPPORT Who can you reach out to? 28 UNPICYOUR EMOTIONS Understanding our feelings can help free us from their control SELF-IELP BOOKS ‘Six books to start you off on your Journey of seitompassion I ot 3 FLOIVER POWER Find out how fragrances ean affect your eneray, endurance, lemotions and memory St FULL BODY MOT 36 @ cone sua Sk YOURPERFECT: FOUNDATION @zrpnest0 Treat yourself to these beauty buys to rejuvenate your body y BEST ILAIR EVER ) SO BESTIURETER e oes YOUR BEST HEALTH YOUR SILIPE " " , OLRTED 68 LOVE YOUR TTORKOUT Discover the best ways to cress, Hate exercise, but want to get ft? Find the workouts that work for you ‘no matter your shape 71 G SURPRISING, 16 CONFIDENCE BOOSTING E-ISHION BENEFITS OF TALKING Walking might seem ‘easy, butit Readers show us their favourite has so many unsung benefits cotanensacoty aia @ moxnocrrrom THOME Sculpt your body from the comfort ff your living room TONE YOUR CORE Get those core muscles working and train your pelvic floor too! 80 INTIMATE CARE GUIDE Discover the best products to care [ ong Explore the skincare products that emphasise your natural radiance 32 YOUR PERFECT SCENT Find the fragrance that brings out 70 those sensual pheromones Match your skin tone exactly, and learn what kind of foundation coverage works best for your face YOUR LOOK Switch up your makeup routine with these easy sulty techniques Sh CHOLESTE! nT ANOIYOUR LEVELS Learn about how Come impacts your body 86 THE SL 88 a 92 sleeping. Here's how you can Improve your night-time routine ISYOUR HEART: ILIPPY? Why good cardiac health is crucial to a ong life MIDLIF MAG UM ‘Ate you getting enough of this, lesser-known mineral? BOOST YOUR BACTERIL Wy probiates and prebiotes area great adcition to your cet Ss FIBRE ON THE MENC This vital vitamin does much ‘more than keeping you regular TIE ALTHY STOR CUPBOARD SECRETS Think tins aren't good for you? ‘Think again. Here are some of ‘the cans your kitchen needs 96 ADOPT A PLANT BASED DIET Put more veggie and vegan delights on your meal planner 9S) TEGAN DINNERS MADE EASY Vegan weeknight meats the whole family can savour 102 MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS Fungus can be fun ~ and healthy 103 THE IRON FILE Bones, blood and brain power = make sure you're getting ‘enough iron o% & 9 OUR BEST. @ pre ns roresn Meet womanghome readers whase wildest dreams really came true HO HOW REAL IT OMEN GET BODY CONFIDENT: Dare to bare? Top tips on feeling Confident in sexy swimwear FEELGOOD HOLID DS Take yourself to your happy place and explore these upliting trios 120 LEARNING HOLID DS Try a new activity in a new setting, lr find somewhere to get started fon that project you've been putting off @ F101 creexen HOME: How your furniture choices can reduce your carbon footprint 128 GREEN MADE EASY Hacks to make your home eco-friendly 129 [ROM THE SOOT YOU ft oF \sr S Kick off your shoes and relax with these calming scents 16 10) MINDFULNESS MASTERCLASS ‘Teach yourself basic meditations and find inner peace POWER OF POSITIVE TIINNING Find out what you can achieve with a“can-do' atttude How to tackle lfe when it overwhelms you L SEXY. APSO The secrets to keeping the fire of lust alive and well 23 PALS TONE MORE FUN Put the wonder of childhood back into your life Is TICE YOUR FEARS ‘Conquer your fearful demons ‘and defeat those pesky phobias 26 SOURCES OF s (6 HON TOSED STRONG ~ 30 3 SUPPORT ‘Who can you reach out to when you need support? CNPICH YOUR EMOTIONS Understanding our feelings can help tree us from their control SELF-HELP BOOKS Sx books to start you off on your journey of self-compassion FLOIVER POIER Find out how fragrances can affect your energy, endurance, ‘emotions and memory C It's time to step back and start being as kind to yourself as you are to the important people in your life — it's good for your mental health, says Faith Hill OUR EXPERTS VIDYAMALA BURCH is the co-founder of the UK mindfulness organisation Breathworks, and co- B author of Minduiness for Women (Patkus}. MARY CONROY is the ‘author of Simplify Your Life, a guide to appiving ‘minimalism to various aspects of your Ife (610.99, Hey House UK}. DR DANNY PENMAN is co-author of Minaftness: A Practical Guide to Finding Peace na Frantic World (Piatkus), and The Art of Breathing (HorperColins). VEX KING isthe author Cf Good Vibes, Good! Lite: How SelFLove is the Key to Unk Your Greatness (£12.99, Hay House UK), | ‘mindfulness’ these Gnesi ito foryou? inthis tin special we explore how you Can improve both your mental and physica heath with usta change in pee Lets start wih mental health. Are you someone who prides yours a looking afer others? As women, we then puree effort nt beng kind tothe people around us because See ero fal Vie se tar good about thernseNes, nour ee eee tee ted gente end provide care and atecton Yet how often do you ofr Kindness to yoursel? How frequent do you scan Yar ban read, yoursall ts veek,ortel yourse tat you re loved anc evrning wil be OK? Being kind to yourself not only provides a sense of security, it also tenables you to give to others from a place of inner confidence and trust. SLOIV DOWN Research hias proven that the ancient practice of minafulness increases your inner wellbeing by helping you to slow ‘down, it calms the parts of your brain ‘that create stress, and bullds the parts, that lif your mood, “Mindfulness can help you let {90 of the belief that you must do everything! says Vidyamala Burch. "The sense of calm and stillness that mindfulness brings about helps you develop an Inner compass where YOU are in charge of your life, rather than feeling ike a helpless victim of circumstances. Iisa way of escaping, the surface chaos of yourlife and entering a calm stliness undemeath’ AS A FRIEND Friendships are essential to our ‘wellbeing for many reasons, not least because friends help us feel good about ourselves in both uplifting and hard! times. When we see friends beating themselves up over something, ‘we offer words of kindness and support, we provide space for them to share, Show that love to yourse “Make sure the voice in your head Is always kind to you! says Vex King. “Youll encounter many people in fe ‘who are willing to put you down, but you shouldn't be one of them’ %* DO IT If you begin to notice that the things ‘you say to yourself are ‘mean and negative, ask yourself how you would to your best friend if they were feeling this een yourself. ‘Change your inner # /_ STOP TRYING TO PLEASE EVERYONE its not selfish to put yourself before ‘others. Perhaps people have come to expect to0 much of your time and energy, and you've falen into the trap of tying to deliver on thele every expectation “We do a lot of things in order to be accepted, but if we want todo wel in life anc maintain our peace, we have to be alte selfish? says Vex. ‘We'll ble to satisfy absolutely Brno cvecn erat Soo kt youre ote Sapsusie hoy coin tne Sas toryoutoae comming relaxing just for you, like lounging inanebe pean ns creative hobby, journaling or even Setting et our etree. “You have a lot of energy to give, butyeu must eve a fat Shay oryura cae Yer CONGRATULATE YOURSELT prec aeae you live your life’ explains Dr Danny Penman, achievements, big or small, and reminding yourself that you are ‘exactly where you are meant to be. BE SELI SUSTAINING £ possible to spend a whole day oing errands that drain you, which Can lead to feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. While there are many things that you may have to do, such as taking care (of your family and home, find time to ‘engage in activities that sustain you {and help you feel nourished. The key isto priortise meaningful, pleasurable activities that are energising and really give your Ife meaning, says Vidyamala. % DOT ‘List all the things in life that sustain you and give you pleasure and joy? advises ‘Vidyamala. ‘Next write down all the things that drain you. Be honest? ‘What needs to happen in order for you to devote more time to your ‘sustainers’? If you can’t drop some of your ‘drainers’, work on how can, you reduce their impact on your happiness. “+ Falth Hillis a life coach and NLP master practitioner. Her online private coaching programmes can be found on the website sparkescapes.com SITTUCH OFF Toking time out from your usual stresses isa great way to release ‘some pressure on yourself and enjoy mesime, “Reading @ book or watching a film can be a passport toa diferent ‘world says Mary Conroy. ‘Rereading ‘an olé favourite can be as comforting as ' vf Your Best You THINK yourself well With training your brain scientifically proven to boost your health, Faye M Smith explores the physical benefits of mindfulness. longer be dismissed as just a trend. “The reason mindfulness has gained popularity is the growing research proving its effectiveness,’ says lead neuroscientist Sally Sheldon from brain training app Peak. Brain Imaging studies show changes in those who practice mindfulness after only a few weeks,’ she adds. This research has come at a time when we're more aware than ever ‘about the importance of our wellbeing, ‘Ws no coincidence that there's been @ ‘correlation between the UK's burnout ‘cases and popularity of minafuiness; says Sally. ‘An alternative treatment that we can take into our own hands is ‘an attractive option’ A survey by Public Heath England found 12 milion Brits are being prescribed drugs they may become reliant on, for issues such {as depression, insomnia and pain ‘Which, combined with mental health issues stemming from Covid-19, means ‘alternative cures are highly sought afte. "We're all looking for drugfree alternatives for our health and healing’ says Dr Shauna Shapiro, author of Rewire Your Mind: Discover the Science and Practice of Minctulness (£12.99, Aster). ‘Research shows mindfulness can increase HOWTO BE MINDFUL Mindfulness is often confused with meditation, but learning to bbe more present and aware of your surroundings and body can be done In many different ways, depending ‘on your environment and needs. Our exercises (below) explore multiple ways to feel healthier. BOOST YOUR IMMUNITY Mindfulness meditation ‘can help your body bulld defences against infection. "A review found it resulted ina ise in the number of CD4 cals, which are involved in sending signals to other calls to destroy infections, says Sally. ‘TRY IT Go fora walk, and take notice of the sensation of your feet hitting the ground and the way your muscles feel. Skin flare-ups can have an impact on our wellbeing, with over 40% of those with psoriasis saying they regularly experience disrupted sleep. ‘Reducing stress can help itchy ‘ C CILM SKIN CONDITIONS CURB YOUR APPETITE Eating mindfully means you're likely to engage more senses, such as taste, and therefore, less Ike to binge. "A 2014 study found positive correlations between mindfulness and a reduction in obesity-related eating behaviours; says Sally. itencourages you to be more susceptible to hunger cues! TRY IT Add five minutes to the ‘time you take to eat your main meat, increasing by five minutes ‘each week. Within a month, you'll be taking 20 minutes longer, which isthe time it ‘takes your brain to receive the message that you're full. q —7f fo | AD RECOVERY FROM CINCER Mindfulness is growing in popularity in areas of cancer management; says Sally “While not being @ cure, a study into the efficacy of Mindfuiness-Based Siress Reduction (MBSR) on women found that patients had a better coping capacity It can help people become more aware of thelr thoughts, which helps to process complex emotional burdens: TRY IT ‘Slowing your breathing ‘can regulate your heartbeat and help disengage your mind says ‘Sally. ‘Breathe in for four seconds, hold for seven, breathe out for ‘eight. Repeat as many times ‘you lke until your heart rate has noticeably slowed q REDUCE PIIN ‘Samy 1m bay ecn combines focusing on your breathing and (lng your mance soe Baty le down: nd mate your feos eo eae MINDFULNESS MASTERCLASS a EASE STRESS ‘ace you partof the 31%" ‘of Bits who feel stressed every day? Mincfulness reduces activity inthe partof the brain called amygdala, which is central to switching on your stress response’ says Sally. This means itcan help reduce such stress ‘and, consequently, related condltions, such as insomnia TRY IT ‘Sit quietly, let your mind and body settle, and bring a slight smile to your mouth, says Dr Shapiro. ‘A smile sends a biochemical message to our nervous systems that t's safe to relax the fight ight freeze response. Allow the smile to move tp to the eyes. Let your body relax '5% more and bring an attitude of kindness and curiosity to whatever ‘you're noticing? A new platform for mental wellness ‘Mindbox is the first 24-hour instant-access, ‘online therapy centre. Co-founded by TV presenter and hypnotherapist Anna Richardson, you can gain instant, unlimited access to over 40 techniques ‘and activities (including mindfulness) to help you manage feelings of stress and anxiety. YOUR BE: POSTTIVE: THINKING Could changing the way you think have a beneficial effect on your health? Faye M Smith and Jenny Stallard inform us = earaaeeremering Research by the American College Cee emg ree ee Breen) ee eee! Be ee eed aon neat us ee eee engage Se certified health coach Suzy Gl behaviours around diet and exercise, "We can lear to be positive and eet eae ee! Dae See eee ea INT EST IN NEI MEMORIES According to psychologists at San Francisco State University experiences make us happier than new objects, because the excitement ‘of buying something new fades faster than memories. Poskive reminiscence is a way of revisiting pleasurable experiences’ explains Miriam. For Instance, recreate a holiday meal. The smell and taste can evoke memories, {and stimulate the happy hormone, dopamine, bringing those feelings right back? PUTYOUR TIME TOGOOD USE Researchers at the London School of Economics found that, compared with someone who ever volunteers, your odds of feeling ‘very happy’ rise by 16% ifyou doit every ‘week. Putting your talents to good use will make you fee! fullled’ says Suzy, PINCH YOURSELF POSITIVE. Neuroctinguistic programming (NLP) Is based on the theory that by tweaking ‘your physical actions, you can change ‘what happens in your brain. One technique is anchoring - you visualise ‘yourself at your most confident, then link this feeling to an action, such as pinching your thumb and forefinger together. Next ime you need to feel confident, do the same pinch to get back to that positive mental state. THIN. QUICK TRICK Give yourself just 30 seconds to run through alist ofall the things you love thinking reall fast is Accept, breathe, choose Tuna negative thought into postive one with the ABC Inethod rom eaderhip mentor Clare Sena ‘TAteurT Ty notices te negate evant ot wl-ght back ** BREATHE Three deep, ‘sighing’ (make a sigh noise) breaths in through the teat od ou brought mou Tt sors tree your pervaur oso ad Yourbny goer bce ns cin ste Gnd eur! pr ~Fewooeetncone poste tng sour nat ror Be 3 Jpecicespombond ee momen ath smoton et goes at ‘There are 34 known effects of er reer Pe tera Se td Per ua temebea hatin Cot pers te oe na ere eee nen Seer cl rather than a loss. Yes, we're ee ere Ce ere et settle. Ask yourself what are the eer eer proven to boost your mood, found Princeton University researchers. TRACK YOUR EMOTIONS "Keeping e gratitude journal is a powerful way to boost happiness; says Suzy. Keep a notepad by your bed and, before you fall asleep, jot down five things from that day that you're grateful for PARE YOUR FEELINGS Simple steps, such as smiling, standing up straight and using positive affirmations such 2s "look ‘great today’ can actually change your inner dialogue to be more positive overtime. SLEEP IVELL A study by A. Vogel found that getting a g00d night's sleep boosts happiness by 10%, Make sure Prete? ean Pete eee Perera orice aca Peer confident now than in their 2 you'r tired at bectime by walking ‘outdoors in the day — this optimises your light exposure, walle walking triggers the release of naturally ‘occurring feel-good hormones. CHECK GUT HEALTH ‘The gut can affect low mood: says health psychologist Dr Meg Arroll Keep yours healthy with a probiotic. “Studies looking at the effect of probiotics on depression found that within eight weeks mood was Improved! says Dr Arrol. Try Zenflore, £29.99, precisionblotics.com CLEAR CLUTTER: Research by Princeton University Neuroscience Institute found that too ‘much clutter makes it hard to focus. “Simplify the way you fun your life, so ‘that you can be present to the joys when they happen; says ‘Miciam. Have a clear-out, donate to charity, or sell Unwanted items online. CHLINGE PERCEPTION Positive emotions help you see different options avaliable to you. For example, you could think of ‘exercise as a drag, or instead you ‘could think of itas something that comes with a ton of benefits says careers coach Gill Hasson. Talking therapies can also help you to see things from a new perspective. Speak to your GP to be referred to services avaliable in your area. Pen er) Pete erect ni) fallibilty, we berate ourselves for our oni ene ee} er net ee yas Poe es eee ee ad Pe Serotec ALICE OLINS is a female- Cee) eee ereen ToT) Poot a Coe ea Nee eo A written 14 books, including ees ary ete uel Poa een Peet ee) Meaning Therapy cena BE YOURSELF “Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourset’ So sald fashion icon Coco Chanel. Comparing ourselves to others i ike being squeezed by an insidious snake unt we are paralysed, agonising over what other people think of us. Rob Moore warns thatitcan be an endless and empty pursuit to never feel good enough, or believe that we haven't done enough. Yet without that feeling, ‘we would rest on our laurels and nothing would grow. We can still be kind to ourselves and improve, says Dr Paul Wong ~ they are not incompatil. °* BOTT Set regular, incremental goals and challenges for yourself, says Moore. Make them a stretch but achievable, and pursue them with as much enthusiasm as you can. Once you hit your goa, big or ® RECOGNISE IMPOSTER SYNDROME No one is immune from Imposter syndrome and self-doubt an actor stepping onto the stage, ‘a newiy appointed director of an ‘small, then celebrate. Corganisation, mums and dads trying to navigate the minefield of parenthood. C PRACTISE SDING'NO Tohave a great career ‘and find your own ‘space in the workplace, ‘you have to be able to say no' to distractions, minutiae and politics. Avoid being pulled in all directions. Champion your strengths, skis and passions. DOT Try saying "Yes, but not now, suggests Moore, or ‘Can we book a time to discuss this?” Avoid ‘overloading yourself by asking what ‘existing tasks you could drop in order to it this new task in, and clarify the priorities, Set boundaries by being honest about what you can and can’t ‘fulfil, and very realistic about time frames and deadlines. Start to feel ‘comfortable being assertive and ‘gently build your confidence. Cc BUILD YOUR RESILIENCE e Being vulnerable is not the same as being weak, says Dr Wong, itis part of being human. We fear tusting the wrong person, making the wrong decision, falling and getting hurt. Facing our fears and taking risks bullds our resilience and makes us stronger for the challenges ahead. %® DOIT Change from a mindset of avoiding painful emotions to one ‘of embracing and overcoming them, encourages Dr Wong. Accept that taking knocks is an inevitable part of life. Look around your friends - reflect on their emotional ‘setbacks and recognise how they've come through stronger and more resilient. We fear we don't deserve our postion eRVOT for that everything wall come crashing ff LETYOUR «down around us, Moore believes that INNER TOICE. te 22r's there to keep us in balance, civen and motivated towards growth TIELP and progress. The key is not to be ‘hore’ that persistent consumed or overwhelmed by it. You sremin whispering in your ears again, are not where and who you are today sepping your confidence. Oris? simply by luck or chance. i's time to Could tbe a motwvating force rather recognise your own value. than a controling one? That inner DO IT Be a wartior and fight off ettical voice derives from our survival imposter syndrome by using it as a instinct, explains Moore, keeping us free for good. Olins recommends safe by reminding us of our imitations writing down a list of your personal orpast mistakes. Alice Olin says and professional wins over the problems aise when the volume is too past six to 12 months. Keep high andits presence too constant. __adding to the lst over the weeks. Recognise this voice asa feeling, ‘Train your brain away from the rather than as fact,and putitback ints default negatives, and towards the box when itceates too many doubts. _pesitives. DOT When you hear that negative inner voice, accept that Kmeybemerctonpeenatece DCI vulnerable the challenges it presents by is nol the same if you want to join seminaraat ee OS being weak Ree tere il is part of Soapeten eres = being human’ tee’ CONFRONT. ACKNOI LEDGE. b AND THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX J When the ground beneath you doesn't feel solid i's time to find creative solutions that lead to growth and change. Acknowledge those vulnerabilities, and channel their energy to power you forward, DOT Olins says comfort isn't key to achievement. If you're feeling nervous before a meeting, remind yourself that’s a natural result of the fight or flight hormone adrenaline. Harness ite power, breathe deeply and smile. Remember everyone in the room is rooting for a good result. ‘Seek out mentors and allies who genuinely want to support you. HOW TOTEEL If worries about your body image are putting you off your stride, Tracey Cox's inspiring advice from her new book, ee SS TORU ole your confidence and show you how to rediscover your sensuality, from lockdown to beyond TTOMEN ARE THEIR OWN ILARSHEST CRITICS TIME TO STOP BEATING OURSELL ES UP This nwt women tld me whan Tasted how thy fol abou tht bodies poet 80 ratte, gene kangaroo pouch afer navn ny ounse! Shee menepousn tan seen ve beau of oer ate goatee “Thovert eh snyancs res chern andy boos wet ava sich mais My sand neve gore me anyaatene dunt pe aeorase ternal nny mina but once there It wasn't going away! “ime? wndtave herar bing bron cance tm yng anys {Stott ry bey andy hoa anda net on ek foe oscar Ts cone exautg. craig vate wan curtis ont suming most wene bug wi oervnok en iat fasted pes tae rary tow net oppatg trate tet eons eve stent megnicent marie et ithe nora boo win cache fang nd ome int wl you rte Yours? onyou ai buy? Even pay soe Vino wuld youre? A fece vanno wines because yuhvert 50 LOU LAY TCRMRUIMELORGE tretsinestomnonng.absient LR mn i Mints e poet beta yous MARR sot ur uN ony NOTE HATMME osrcoso erento dona 4 Mayer wae eo The Helen Mirren factor SEN AFTER 5O CILINGE YOUR MINDSET, NOT YOUR BOD) Dieting and exercise won't help your body image. The reason is that ‘our body perception has litle todo with what size we actually are. You can be extra small and still feel fat and unattractive. So, f changing your body won't work, what does? ‘The top three winners are: HAVING SEX Thankfully, not all women have negative body images. Here {are some very positive comments responding to research ‘My body confidence is actually better than ever. | took up yoga at 50. 1am flexible, strong and slim. I feel esirable and sexy, even if my breasts dosti sag” 11m 49 but | stil fe! beautiful, and why wouldn't ? There's only one of me: ‘My husband made snide remarks ‘about how fat Fd become. The reason {started the aa was because this man loved every part of me. 'm the same ‘weight but fee cifferent about myselt! Having sex really does improve body Image. All the women who were seit crtcal about their bodies had another thing in common ~ they weren't having sex, even ifthey were in a relationship, Allthe women who were kind about their bodies were not only having sex, ‘but they reported having good sex. Enjoyable sexual experiences make us feel better about our bodies. I's a win-win scenario the better you feel about your body, the better sexi, which In tur helps feed a better body image. BEING GREAT IN BED Improving sexual skills wil do far more for your selfimage than going on a diet. Women who know they are sexually competent rarely experience body consciousness while they're having sex — even if they o out of the bedroom. ‘TAKING EXERCISE Exercise will help reconnect you to your sexual self—it ccan increase sexual desire, even in women with a fow libido, not least because it results in a better cltoral blood flow. Ifyou hate the gym, get ‘out for a walk of do a class at home. Your sex life will thank you, YOUR BEST SELF EXPECT A FLICKER, NOT A FIRE Some people fee! desire as a huge, raging fire in their lower belly but, for most, I's more a flicker than a flame. you're waiting forthe fire and think anything else Isn't rue arousal, you might be waiting an awfully long time ifyou're In a long-term relationship. Most of us experience high-intensity arousal at the start of relationships, when we're young. It's rare to fee! continual, powerful, potent passion for someone you've been with for along time and are faithful to I's just not how humans are programmed, The flicker Is the flame. Accept it and ‘work with it INITIATE SEX TO FEEL MORE SEXUALLY POWERFUL The person who Initiates sex more often is seen as the ‘sexy person’ Being the ‘sexy person’, in turn, makes you fee! sexy. Shifting power ~ changing {rom being the person who waits to be asked for sex to the person who Is demanding sex ~is an effective way to shake a sleeping libido awake, ‘TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR AROUSING YOURSELF it's not ur partner's job to arouse Us, is our own, This might mean fantasising to get in the mood or during sex. It might mean putting fon some music that takes you back to when you were young and up for tall the time. It might mean ‘warming up’ with your vibrator before you slip under the. sheets (even better, stil holding Ip, tight mean reading or ‘watching erotica. Ifyou like porn, explore it together. That way it feeds your erotic connection, rather than separates it gO CLLR TU MG a Kae T ay to shake a sleeping ORCL THDS TOTINE BACK CONTROL No one is born hating thelr body or being ashamed of their sexual self. Here's how to start turning it round: by simply saying, ‘Thanks for your opinion. Then take yourself off somewhere where you can be alone ‘and wirite down exactly how the comment made you feel. You might be able to distance youre from I. Take yourself off social media if it upsets you. Who really feels, great about themselves ater looking through Instagram? Think about the other things your partner says that you don't like hearing. Then, when ‘you're calm, tellthem you need to have a serious talk. Say, ‘When you sald X, this is how I felt” Then keep going, f you feel you've got through tothem, drop it If there's a repeat after that and you'd lke to give them a second chance, issue a warning, (One more and you'll walk. Then do It Ifyou can't for the kids’ sake or for financial reasons, get a trusted person to intervene and help them see sense, or alternatively seek help from a relationship counsellor. you have a friend who Fidicules your body, etch them. You should come back from seeing friends feeling good about yourself, not miserable, Iyour partner criticises your body, do a check before you explode. If you're pretty sure anyone would take offence, cut the conversation off at the knees HOWTO CREATE NEAR PERFECT CONDITIONS FOR SEX ce allhave brakes and Ifyou know stress Is a big factor for accelerators when it comes ‘making you avoid sex, work out how to sex. Accelerators are things that to decrease it If you're worried your turn us on to the idea of having sex, children will hear, use babysitters, brakes are things that turn us off Your friends and family to glve you both accelerators might include feeling time alone, or go away for the odd more ike sex when you're aboutto weekend, Be as detailed and specific ovulate, seeing your partner naked, wth your ideas as possible. being ina place you'd ike tohave sex Alot of our ‘os’ have nothing to or having a fantasy. 60 with sex. Tied? Get more sleep, Brakes are thingsike the risk of Stressed? Find release by crying, unwanted pregnancy fear of catching an shouting, running, fixing the problem. STI. svess, abad body image, ears over Feeling insecure in your relationship? frgasm or not being sexually competent. Let your partner know how you feel So, you need to turn off these and get help if you need it Assume brakes to feel sexual desire. Here's you'll hit problems. Anticipate barriers how you ean, ‘and come up with contingency plans Also try this... something is not making you happy, toss it ut. Like your too- small underwear or that dress or pair of jeans that make you fee! gulty because you never did drop a size to fit Into them. Buy clothes that are the right, size and feel comfortable to wear, Have self-compassion. What would you say to a best fiend Who was constantly putting herself down? You'd tellherto stop, and give her compliments. Do it to yourself. Be your own bestfriend, not your worst eric ‘Write down every compliment anyone gives you about how ‘you look — everything from "Your eyebrows look great’ to "You look fantastic in that dress’ Keep ‘adding to the lst and look at it when yyou'te feeling anxious. YOUR BEST SELF SLL ON TOP Uk research looked atthe positions women wh had lowe body confidence chose to have sex in, The most favoured (40%) was the missionary poston. And the poston that made women least secure about their bocies? Woman ontop Wile only 30% of women regulary orgasm through intercourse (without ext citoral stimulation), lot of women who do get there do by being 0 top and in contro. Missionary is one of the least female-encly sex postions because adding extra mulation sn easy and is penis isn angled towares the front vaginal wall Low body confidence makes women choose 2 position that’s almost auaranteed not to make them argasm and ignore te position that's most likely 0, Lose-ose. STOP THINKING BAD THINGS ABOUT YOUR BODY DURING SEX +: FOCUS ON HOW YOU'RE FEELING Sox's about what's happening on the inside, not the ‘outside. Focus inwards, not outwards. +: LOOK AT YOUR PARTNER, NOT YOUR BODY Look into their eyes - i's sexy. Look at thelr body, not yours. Don’t fool yourself ‘You have to want to feel sexy to feel “ETALK You don't have to ‘sexy. You may be pretending you're trying talk dirty ~ uniess you ‘everythingin the hope that twill work. want to. Just say lke When, really, you're trying to prove that that, "That feels great; ‘nothing will work to help you. That's a “God, you look hot’, Moan, ‘groan, compliment. You're ‘waste of time. f you seriously don’t want to bbe sexual any more, then shift your efforts in the moment when you're Into making sure your Ife, and your talking, not worrying about partner's, if youhave one, how you look. {shappy sexctree. +.GET ACTIVE Move around. Take ‘control. Do something to them, don't Just lie back and let them do things to you. The more active and involved “ANTASISE Iflooking at your has to get paranoid, Ina postive role. Lose yoursetfin it. partner doesn't work, close your eyes you are in sex, the less time your brain and escape into a fantasy that casts you FEELING DESIRED BEATS ORGASM BR ences women's soma! satisfaction increases when they know their partner is attracted to them. This means two things. Fist, your partner needs to know how important itis to tell you ~ regularly ~ that they find you sexy and attractive. Not ‘You look nice, dear’ but You look hot Second, when they say , you need tobelieve them, Unless you believe you're sexy and attractive, what they say won't make a aifference. pen act by Tracey Cox (£12.99, Murdoch oks}, out now. with Christabel Smith FLIP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE It's amazing how liberating it Is totry anew physical challenge. Whether its bungee-jumping or zorbing roling around in the human equivalent of @ hamster ba, all you need Is the ability to laugh at yourself! outdooractvtiesco.uk (() TRA PROoRessive DINNER PARTY Enlist two sets, aed of friends who lve close by. Dress to impress for cocktails and canapés in one house, then up tals for ‘a main course in another and dessert in the third, Arriving at new venues creates a sense of anticipation, no one gets bogged down cooking all day — and you'll have a hoot. ‘TRAVEL THE WORLD FROM HOME Instead of a traditional DP d00k club, pick a country, read a novel/guide about it, then compare notes over themed food and drink (dressing-up is optiona, ‘TRY A SCHOOL/COLLEGE REUNION Connecting with old friends is easy, thanks to the Internet. And you just know sharing schoolday memories wil give you lots of chuckles and a warm glow. WIG IT There's something are ©P avout sipping on a wig that's totally unlike your own halt Transform from a brunette into a pixie-crop blonde — and spring a surprise on your partner or friends. Laughter guaranteed. WAYS TO AZPUT MORE 1i1 in your life Rediscover your inner child with adrenaline highs, convivial get-togethers and belly laughs Music taps into the same part of the brain as food and sex, and releases the feel-good neurochemical dopamine, So stream a Spotty playlist and get dancing. jem TEAM UP FOR A CHALLENGE You only have to watch kids doing an obstacle course to remind yourself how much fun they are, Create your own in the garden or group together for an i's A Knockout session (we-are-e-knockout.co.uk}. Want a cerebral challenge? Try The Crystal Maze Live Experience {the-crystalmaze.com) or check Trip ‘Advisor for the best Escape Room near you. ( ) PUMP UP THE VOLUME! G0 TO THE coasT The smell of the seaside is caused by dimethy! sulphide gas ~ and getting 2 lungful at the beach will boost yyour mood. That's because sea air is full of negative hydrogen fons. that can balance levels of your happy hormone serotonin, So run barefoot in the sand! fou dontncedtobe he nox Katee Jeni oon a choke heck outyour opto atthe soul seSionat Rock cet ‘ChanNeL YOUR TEEN | ()seirestoe youmostejyedos0 teetge tnd dk eter tng ouce suring ce osha Sitrend ort etn ena Sumput rence honey |e Ore Geocaching is the grown-up version of a treasure hunt, where you use GPS to find geocaches (waterproof boxes containing quirky treasures, a logbook, pen and paper) In ocations as near or far as you want Great exercise and good oid: fashioned fun (gagb.org.uk). () SETUP AsoFA comepy NIGHT Think ofall the times and you've laughed out loud at the telly, make alist, then indulge yourself in a retro chucklefest, Courtesy of iPlayer and Netix. From flms like Raising Arizono, Bridesmaids ‘and Best in Show to classic series like Fowity Towers, Only Fools and Horses, The Orfice and Ab Fab, or try a newbie lke bittersweet After Life. LACK YOUR “EARS! Sear es a fear of fying stop you phobias have been caused by a Poet from booking a sunshine shocking or traumatic event, which een er ry break? Do you hate getting has developed into an aversion to eS rs behind the wheel, so anything associated with the memory. Rue therefore haven't seen friends for For some people, the origins ofwhy Maa eS MSE ages? You're not alone. Areportby __weare phobic is ess clear says eee Sens ‘YouGov found that 55% of Brits havea psychotherapist Toby Ingham eee phobia, with 48% of us avoiding RCE CIEE driver before, the physical and certain places because oft ‘Phobias the particular experience, allwe know is une taut nay ‘area type of fear, but are irrational or that we may have been left withthe menopause could make driving ‘extreme, where the potential danger _ residual sense of fear or phobia’ Corpora ‘of aceriain situation or objectis ; i Per cao exaggerated! says DrMark Winwood, §— ME TO CILINGE. erin director of psychological services for However it started, i's important to Cae AXA PPP Healthcare. ‘The thought __ remember that fears a natural CURE IT Start with small trips ‘can be paralysing? response to a threat to survival ~ i's Ben ey there to protect us. ‘f we can think ert) Wl : ene | ciscover what it is about driving ITLAT MANE SU s them as a positive, motivating force, that actually creates the fear! SUSCEPTIBLE? says Dr Winwood. “The first step is says Loma Cordwell from So why do some of us get affected by identifying what our fears are and the (emesis Ua SSUCh anxieties? ‘We're actually only function of them, The more we can Se ein born with two fears ~ the fear of Understand them, we can stop them (often partners, it destroys falling anc! loud noises’ says Dr from limiting us. We can then stop our [EE Ce eeaere og Winwood. ‘Al others ae learned? fears disabling us, and fee! Pores nes Known as a "learned response" empowered. Here's how, LON FEAR OF FLYING KS “VY CONFIDENCE, | | known as aerophobia, it affects IAS KNOCKED" | | Zens ttontiting spout Par external factors that are DOULLA. beyond your control, such as bed MANOLAS, turbulence, bad weather or peer 46,15 FROM an engineering fauit’ says Dr ) LONDON Winwood. ‘People with PE te a Fd always taken aerophobia are acutely See reat oy in diving | | aware that ithe piane " since passing my test at 18. encounters trouble they are Lead However, two years ago Iwas helpless: Peer involved in a ear accident that > CURE I Reknowledge it ae changed that. was on a main = seeking out alternative Da ol road when another driver went methods of travel only reinforces Ly into the back of me and sadly the phobia’ says Dr Winwood. ° 7 wrote off my beloved Mini Cooper. | | ‘Anxiety thrives off ‘what if?” rd Coincidentally, around the same | | catastrophic thoughts, so we can help time, had been ciagnosed with | | evereome this by brushing up en the IMS, s0 my mental focus end facts.Research how aplanefiesand 1.) (7? ()I° TTEIGIITS: physical wellbeing was being thecauescftubuenee woyormon EAR OF HEIGHTS tested when I drove, bt What to expect. That can help give you "radr't wanted itto hold me ‘feeling of greater control over the ik. back. nity | id tink the ‘Online flight simulators can also be accident would affect me too helpful and many aifines offer special ‘much but, for some reason, ‘courses. Alternatively, therapists can alo maybe because of everything ‘nuggest breathing techniques to help going on atthe time, my Yyoustay calm: Try the Headspace app a confidence was knocked. {fre0,i05, Android) ~ the easytofoliow | Sao Lucky, could commute to work | | breathing exercises canbe downloaded | aay t and meet fiends using public land used when you're offline. ir transport, so avoiding diving was “Acrophobia is rooted ino fear that we'l relatively easy. However, when lose control says Dr Winwood: ts got a new job, which cequied me Sere, natural to feel nervous from an tae company cas GL% of British Seas rete” greeny ekg, worried, s0 I booked a refresher . reeping ey fom dngero aa Course wan Red aving schoo. | | CUdLttlds Ad mil Mtey Tre os onesoutionay recess Wy tends count understand , + cUnsT'souty exposing youre wivinecceatoastroesicence || scared Of The Carls, ‘onmmart ches cting ovr rcccnamerfeteties || decording fo aeerwron were weet tft ke Gon ; + Sipertnce dey involving stp ne or ecinsica eerie Bensons for Beds’ Pascecepanon coontive behavioural therapy (CBT) could help Instructor was So supportive, | remember him saying, ‘Doulla train your brain into thinking of you can drive" in such a heights as a perceived threat that you're in control of! matter-oFfact way that restored my sel-belet. = ; , It took me two two-hour FEAR OF SPIDERS sessions to get back to “acachnaphobia may link to our eatlest experience of spotting signs of where I was before. I now danger, of surprise attack, of infection and disease: says Toby. i's drive every day for work partly to do with the sense that there is suddenly something there that and feel extremely safe wasn invited ‘CURE IT ‘For some people it's very hard to relax when you know a spider isin the room, particulary it suddenly disappears’ says behind the wheel Refresher courses are ‘Toby. ‘But gradually exposing yourself to spiders can take the shock ‘available from RED ‘value away. Take deep breaths, concentrate on calming yourself and driving school, remember the spider is very small compared to you. There are apps, reddrivingschool.com ‘for example, Arachnophobia Free (£6.99, 10S), which create a virtual Hi way of learning to relax when it comes to spiders! YOUR BEST SELF Planning a project? With the right support you'll be able to achieve your goals, says Marina Gask Pay Peete en i eet eee ge eee Se Saat See eed pierre tert Creo ad Set es Cee eed Ce eset era eer aS EOI coe beeieapenainail ee a perevenrheteyiheatest SE aL ee ee SOURCES OF SUPPORT Cc CREATE AN ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP TSEC Create your own by bringing 2 group of 0s who are all or witing a novel You then meet of month to discuss your goals and set monthly ommitted to running @ marathon tar intable motivates you to meet those targets. To finc out how to start your own, goto leaninorgicircles USE SOCLIL MEDI Ste reer ee) Cee eee interest or cause through a social De Cad ’ Cee eet as Ce eens ays Gilbert eee Eo eeeee teas interact, but engaging with people helps you Penney aees Ten NETIVORRING ‘ ) eaeu 1 fareerncctarras learning to scuba dive, there are always Soe oy Cee ee (ee ee en See ee ee eee eee eet ee eee en reet) ca ee eee eee oe ene Sree ee ete ett eed en ena platforms. Be prepared to try a few to find the See eet YOUR BEST SE! all have times when we struggle to prioritise our ‘emotional needs and it can leave us physically ‘and emotionally exhausted, unable to sleep well and feeling irtable. Its what trauma expert Dr Eric Gentry calls ‘compassion fatigue’ - a sign ‘that our internal emotional backpack is overflowing because we're struggling to prioritise our own ‘emotional needs. The level of compassion fatigue a person experiences changes from ‘one day to the next. Even very healthy people with optimal ifefwork balance and self-care strategies can ‘experience it when they're overloaded. Life events such as more intentional if. > me FLOWER POWER: alk into the lobby of consultant afancy hotel and you Alexandra will immediately be Lees. ‘Being in ‘overwhelmed by an contact with Indulgent fragrance and stunning nature by blooms. This sensory experience, arranging flowers, which has been used for decades, is tending to plants a trick to make you feel welcomed and enjoying their ‘and pampered. changing form, colour and texture wil Known as ‘scentscaping’ the right have a positive effect on our eneray fragrance has an effect on our ‘and health’ energy, endurance, emotions and This means that when you pick up memory. And now researchers your blooms, consider the colour of confirm that as smell is connected tothe leaves and petals. ‘The colour of all receptors throughout the body, _a flower or plant can have an equally the right scent combined with the stimulating or calming effect on your right visual stimulation can speed up own eneray’ says Alexandra. recovery after iliness, improve Ready to try for yourself? Read on. digestion and help you breathe. "Nature has a positive qi energy; FIND OUT MORE about says life coach and feng shui Alexandra visit wuweiwisdem.com SCENTSCAPING AT IIOME “Scent can often infuse a whole room, s0 you don't necessarily need ‘to see or be near the flower or plant ‘to benefit from it says Alexandra. But to heighten your sensory experience, try the following: °* Position any flowers or plants ‘where they are more visible or closer to where you sit + Spend five minutes siting quietly focusing your attention on the flowers or plant and minafully enjoying their scent, colours ‘and form. + When flowers start to decay, dispose of them with love and gratitude. The eneray ofthe plant CF flower wil no longer be beneficial’ explains Alexandra, “This is why the use of cried (or antcial flowers is also iscouraged in feng shui I YOUR BEST LOOK # FULL BODY MOT Treat yourself to these beauty buys to rejuvenate your body 36 BESTILIRETER 42 S Every day's a good hair day with these tips and tricks YOUR SILIPE YOURTED Discover the best ways to dress, no matter your shape 16 BOOST. Readers show us some of thelr favourite confidence-boosting, feel-good outfits 30 J2 GLOIVING SKIN Explore the skincare products that ‘emphasise your natural radiance YOUR PERFECT SCENT Find the fragrance that brings out those sensual pheromones YOUR PERFECT FOUND TION Match yur skin tone exot, ond leem what kind of foundation coverage works best for your face TLPD. TO YOUR LOOW ‘Switch up your makeup routine with these easy, sultry techniques YOUR BEST LOOK CLALIT ‘At around this time of year all that’ let of your summer tan are the speckled signs of too much UV exposure on your face, neck, shoulders and hands. ‘Good news: winter isthe perfect time to bitz dark patches, also known as hyperpigmentation The best way to treat superficial sun damage is to use ‘8 combination of IPL {intense pulsed light) ‘and home products, says aesthetic doctor David Jack. For lighter skin types, Dr Jack recommends fone or two sessions of Lumecca IPL, the most powerful IPL. treatment, then, 2 week later, follow up with Dr. David Jack Yellow Face Paint Peel Pigmentation, Enema £139, spacenk. usu €9M, a gentle peel that can be used at home to treat and brighten residual pigmentation patches. He also recommends using @ vitamin C serum in the morning and retinol product at night over a period of months. ‘Darker skin types with deep pigmentation and sun damage need to be treated more cautiously and IPL Is not generally sultable’ advises Drdack. "I would use the ‘Obagi-c Rx system, an at-home prescription skincare system that reduces pigmentation’ Do wear SPF 50 every day, year-round, to prevent pigmentation. We love Eucerin Pigment Control Sun Fluid SPF 50, £20, 11s) Tuomi those beauty bugbears. From skin to less than eStats we've spoken Boh tnNoy della} and have you covered! By Sophie Cullerr Research shows that acne on your back is. caused by the same factors that make it erupt on your face. ‘Regardless of location, oil and dead skin cells can block the pores ‘and lead to bacterial overgrowth and Inflammation’ says Dr Sejal Shah, founder of ‘SmarterSkin Dermatology. ‘Other Contributing factors include hormones, diet, skin and hair products that can clog the pores, sweat, and some medications” Treat s as you would facial acne. Use topical skincare products lke daily benzoy| peroxide washes such as Verso Acne Deep Cleanse (€35)! advises Dr Jack, Combine these with 2 retinol cream like La Reche-Pesay Redermic [R] Retinol Treatment, £32 If selftreatments don't work, 00k into in in-linic options. Dr Jack offers @ specific bacne treatment that Includes extractions and superficial ‘chemical peels. He recommends having this every three weeks. For more severe cases, a treatment called Theraclear uses IPL with a wavelength of ight that destroys the bacteria that causes acne, Sixto eight treatments are usually required, VERSO PERMANENT HAIR REMOVAL Fed up shaving or waxing legs, underarms and bikin ine? ‘There's a more permanent method of home hair removal. IPL Is, an extremely effective, straightforward process and, although you can get It done in a clinic, its much more cost-effective to Invest in a device you can use at home, zapping unwanted hair Using pulses of light IPL doesn't use laser, but a spectrum of light {and wavelengths that reduce hair growth over a period of time. Its not a quick fix — you need to use the device once a week for 12 weeks to make sure you catch all the hairs in the growth cycle. BBut by the time warmer days come around again, you'll have smooth, hairless skin. I's not sultable for everyone, though. It ‘works best on dark hair on fair skin, and many devices won't be sultable if your skin and hair are both dark in colour (check the brand's skin and hair charts). Ty Braun Silk, Expert Pro 5, ‘£865. I's big outlay, but it promises to be the fastest IPL on the ‘market with permanent hale reduction in ust four weeks or your money back (under a 100-day guarantee). TOENAIL TREATMENTS ee Baeicmicnm conse iidn't be a case of ‘out of Fe rics FOOT PEELS ‘These are best applied during the inter months when you won't be baring alin sandals, as they make your feet shed skin like a snake! Foot peels and exfoliating socks are such ‘an easy way to transform a build up of hard skin, Simply pop on a Patchology PoshPeel Pedicure foot ‘mask, £48, sit back and let the ‘exfoliating acid get to work at removing your dead, dry skin Don't ‘expect instant results, though. twill I, £6.99, which has al properties and helps be around five days before the peeling process starts. We ‘suggest wearing socks for the first couple of days of. peeling, otherwise things RGR stret It ‘ight. Try also going 2 to give nails a break and them to breathe. ‘Do regular at RescueRXxs- home treatments’ says Krisztina Van Der Boom, owner of DryBy Salon. ‘To can get quite messy DOSE I oxi rita Keep cuticles and nails hydrated and t ~butrtiabe worn Ree yatiesteestay s'SeaitS2ere in good condition, soak nem ino i when, atenvards Your sree religous and use €ND RescueRXx feet are left fully hydrated, Daily Keratin Treatment (£45.80) for > soft and supple. better nails in just a week’ AMELIORATE TRANSFORMING Peers aweviorae: CLICKEN SKIN SORTED Keratosis pars also known as ‘chicken skin’ is a ‘common condition that causes patches of rough- [Sov LOIGN feeling bumps to appear on the skin. t occurs when EEE —_ our body produces excessive amounts of keratin. cowmage* Gentle chemical peels, such as salicylic acid, retinols or lactic acid, can help to smooth problem areas, as, can skincare products containing similar ingredients. For simple, at-home formulas with proven results, tty Amelicrate Smoothing Body Exteliant, £17.50, paired with Ameliorate Transforming Body Lotion, £22.50, as 80% of sufferers, have reported an improvement in skin texture within four weeks, whilst 90% fet their skin was much smoother. TT ER YOUR BI J AURAL W Discover some of the most effective ingredients for keeping your hair intr) LUN) how and why they work, and how best to prepare them. Words Bee Ginger SS PEPPERMINT: TIERBAL HEROES : + ONIONS: bee YOUR BEST LOOK Everyone's hair gets a little damaged and dull from time to time, whether this is due to cold and dry air n the winter cor chlorinated pools, salty seawater and intense sunshine in the summer. Your hair goes through a lot! Instead of heading to the hairdressers for a costly ‘treatment, try a homemade ‘one using an everyday kitchen staple. Many of us start the day with a nice cup of tea, and itturns out that your hair can benefit from ‘a morning brew as well. Black tea isa fantastic way to revitalize your locks to give them optimum shine. Start by making a pot of black tea and enjoying your morning cup. Allow the rest of the pot to ‘cool. Once cooled, pour the tea over your halr (best done ‘over the bath or sink) and allow Itto infuse for ten minutes. ‘Then rinse off and enjoy your shiny hair INSEE NI IVES SPLIT ENDS AND FRIZZ, Seen ‘Split ends can be problematic, causing your hair to =F ser Sea) a rte Tee re otra efing ‘superfoods that can double-up as hair heroes to control boosh tie ond sos topper tapers COCONUT OIL bender, mix together two ripe Use it as a hair mask by liberally apply bananas and 125ml (4.2floz) coconut some coconutollto towel-cried har mi. Cover your hair and scalp in the (when the hair's cuticles are stil open), mask, leave on for 30 minutes before working the ol from the midlengths all rinsing wel the way down to the ends. Once youre done wrap your hairin a warm towel 1o ae . ‘maximize the body heat fom your NM OCIDOS head, which further helps to open up Another fabulous de-fizzer of tangled the cuticles and allow the nourishing _‘tresses, avocados boast an amazing Coconut clo penetrate. Leave on for combination of nutrients that smooth half an hour, rinse and condition your and tame unruly hair Bursting with hairas you normally would. Fine hair _vitamins A and E, biotin, essential faty vill iso benefit from ighterolls, such _ acids and antioxidants, this superfood ‘as avocado or ove, as coconut can _—_can be applied every other week to weigh lighter strands down, save your hair from a frizzy nightmare. ae ‘You can mash an avocado by itself and BININIS ‘apply itirectly to your hair, or combine Rich in potassium and packed with __itwith an egg yolk, 2thsp of plain nutrients, bananas can help add life 0 yogurt or even 2 thsp of mayonnaise, ‘our dull and dry tresses. They also _allof which are amazing hydrating contain a mineral called silica, which ingredients, Leave on your combination ‘ids your body in synthesizing collage, for 15 minutes then rinse well. You can, thus making your hair not only ‘also add a spoon of honey to the mix stronger but aso thicker. Try tina Asa natural humectant, honey attracts ‘mask to moisturse your halt and also and locks in moisture, combating your relieve a cry and itchy scalp. Usinga dehydration demons. OILY TLR AND PRODUCTI ‘We all suffer from greasy hair from time to time, elther through an overuse of hair products or for reasons such as stress, hormonal medication or menstruation. Greasy hair occurs as a result of excessive sebum production, ‘Sebum is an oll produced by glands in the skin, and itis what keeps our hair and scalp naturally moisturised. A build-up of oll leaves our hair looking lank and dull and stops it smelling fresh. These excess olls can also cause skin Irritation to your scalp. 17K hair with the minture after shampooing. Try a shampoo with tea tree ol to Leave on for 15 minutes and rinse off benefit from its antiinflammatory with cold water: Repeat weekly properties, or one with seaweed : : extract, which will work to remove PPLE CID, NEG ‘excess oil from the scalp. ‘Another cupboard hero if you need to get going n the morning s apple cider , vinegar. Tis will give you super shiny, VIONS friaz-free hair and a clean scalp in no Lemons are another handy tool inthe time. The vinegar balances the scalp's fight to keep your scalp and hair clean. natural pH, preventing the build-up of Not only do they absorb excess oll but hair product and helping to maintain a they also clear up dandruff thanks to the proper ol balance. Best of al, the hydroxy acid they contain, leaving you mixture you need Is super simple to with citrus-scented, fresh, clean hair. make: Just pour 125mi(4.2flo2) apple This simple lemon and aloe rinse for olly cider vinegar in a jug and add the same hair will make your hair softer and amount of warm water, then pour it ensure your scalp is free from product over your hai. Leave for ten minutes build-up and oll. The lemon juice acts as before rinsing thoroughly. Another tip is ‘an astringent, which wil help to control to make sure you clean your brush the production of sebum, andthe aloe regularly. as a build-up of product, dust ‘vera repairs your scalp and promotes and bacteria on its surface will transfer hale growth, Add1tsp of lemon juice to onto lean hal, making it look greasy. ‘a cup of warm water along with 2 tsp of Try soaking your brush ina bowl of aloe vera gel. Mixwell andirinse your warm water and cider vinegar DIY dry shampoo eee Eee Stay) Better Take control \‘ 7 of your life eee) around you with acer) mer Coc) Eee to make positive Crea Naru) wellbeing eater RTC al Sloe eeagcrs you buy direct from us not available anywhere Beautiful E a ‘outages eae ae INSPIRING READS FOR A HAPPIER YOU From travel and food to mindfulness and fitness, discover motivational books to enrich and enhance your life Peete 00) a ec a Cd Tos all tastes and fies YOUR SHAPE VOU WAY: J petite or curvy, we've Lol flattering outfits on the high street / Tailoring and fitted styles ‘wil later your shape best, as does wearing your shirt with a French ‘tuck (halfin, half out) to ‘emphasise your waist. Opt for jeans cropped atthe ankle, To censure the best length, always choose a petite fit. YOUR SHAPE YOUR WAY LALLITOMEN Sherrie, 43, is Bft 1 and lives in Manchester. She's a registered nutritional therapist at rootcausemedicalclinies.com ‘Aclassic riding boot Istimeless and worth Investing in. Show ‘off your long legs by pairing them with ‘skinny jeans. Pick clothing that has been specially designed for tal frames because the torsos, hemiines and cuff lengths. _are all scaled up to suit your longer proportions. YOUR BEST LOOK Balance out your top by ‘choosing items that don't tallor in on your bottom half. Wide-leg trousers and Actine skirts work well Getting professionally ‘measured and fitted for ‘bra transforms your sihouette and can ‘make you up to one ‘dress size smaller. CELEBRATE YOUR CURVES Sandra, 59, wears a size 16-18. She lives in London and isa practice ‘manager at an opticians. |The wide lapels ofthis ‘cropped jacket will help balance a bigger bottom half. you preferalonger coat, picka belted style to define your middle. Picka bag size that's in proportion to your body and draws attention to your best bits. YOUR BEST LOOK FON DOC y a Helen Prior, 83, and Jenny neutrals for bold brights. A fitandflare dress with a flity fullcircle skirts a ‘great option for disguising hips and thighs, while a ipped hem gives a flowing, lengthening effect, Vibrant, graphic prints ‘are an easy way to freshen up your look for summer ‘Achieve the perfect hourglass sithouette with a sweeping V-neckiine, nippechin waist and voluminous skit I IDENCE ngs ¢ ‘ CONFIDENCE BOOSTING FASHION Friends Julie Wells, 53, and Michele Lee, 48, earn their stripes with a modern take ona timeless trend. + Liven up a monochrome outfit with contrasting colour ++ Go all outin an on-vend ‘two-piece, The head-to-toe print wil ereate the illusion of length and soften curves. + Use a tie belt to draw In floaty fabric, adding definition to your waist af\ ) . | —_.. ; | ~ YOUR BEST LOOK Stop a jumpsuit from ‘overpowering your body by choosing a fabric that drapes ‘and moulds to your shape Dor't shy away from ‘wearing colours - bold shades will help you stand out for all the Fight reasons For shoes, rethink snakeskin for summer with a pastel coloured update. ‘onfident about. Universally flattering, while frothy frills add a really feminine touch, Make the most of a plunging necktine with a pair of ., showstopper earrings. a. = CONFIDENCE BOOSTING FASHION Cold-shoulder sleeves are an easy way to cover he tricky upper arm area. For petites, a jumpsuit will combine the fit of your favourite pair of trousers with added interest on top, Functional as well as, fashionable, pockets will give your look a laid-back feel YOUR BEST LOOK kine . S VLC festh SOLVED Fiona McKim reveals the troubleshooting ingredients to trust DRYNESS dehydration in disguise. Dry is @ skin type that naturally lacks oil but dehydrated skin lacks water, which can happen to anyone. Ifyou've suddenly noticed tightness or your skin, drinking your make-up, you may be parched. Hyaluronic acid (HA)is the top hydrator, especially in products with several weights to hold water at various layers ofthe skin. No7 Laboratories Hydrating Skin Paste, ‘£48, and Avon Anti-Wrinkle Plumping Concentrate, £15, both pack in three HA weights. If you're Naturally oily but dehydrated, LOceitane Immortelle Precious Essential Water, £19.50, has HA and rosewater ina light texture. Face ols can juice up dry skin, just make sure it's non-comedogenic (not pore clogging) ike Garden Of Wisdom 100% Pure Squalane Oil, £10. ‘Aurelia Balance & Glow Day Oil, £38, Is gorgeously fragrant and ‘dry’ enough to use under make-up. If you're cry and dehydrated, Deeléor Antidote, £49, combines HA with essential ols to hold moisture and weter in something called ‘urban grey’, which looks exactly ike it sounds, except t isnt limited to city dwellers. Pollution particles are everywhere, even inside our homes. They can be 20 times smaller than pores so infitrate skin with ease, generating unstable molecules called {ree radicals that bounce around stealing electrons from healthy skin cells. This results in oxidative damage, causing duliness, uneven tone and rough texture. We can't change the atmosphere around us, but antioxidant skincare can scavenge free radicals to stop damage ints tracks. Look for serums with at least 10% Lascorbic acid, @ powerful form of vitamin C, like La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10, ‘£38, and apply to clean skin. If you'te very sensitive try gentler vitamin E, like ‘Superdrug Vitamin E Serum, £4.49, Vitamins C and E work well together, teach scavenging any leftover free radicals. Vichy Liftactiv Vitamin Brightening Skin Corrector, £28, combines 15% vitamin C, vitamin E and hydrating hyaluronic acid DULLNESS ‘Skin experts have identiied ~ ‘The numbe of illuminating hincare produc is up 22° ince 2018S - DECLEOR axtioTe C Most of us have this to some degree. tends to show up RF strinite-2s oestrogen | rectcton stows down, causing melanin ~ a dark pigment your skin + | ‘releases to shied itself from sun {damage ~ to appear as brown or ‘greyish spots. Start by exfoliating twice ‘a week to remove old hyper-pigmented cells on your skin's surface. Liquid cexoliants lke lactic and glycolic acid ‘are more effective and less abrasive than old-school scrubs. Ty Beauty Pie Dr Glycolic Pore-Purifying Glow Toner, £30, which combines 9.2%

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