Skin Care Expert Shares 13 Best Low-Cost Beauty Secrets
Jackson, Wyo. (PRWEB) January 12, 2010
Many New Year's resolutions focus on both beauty and finances - and the good news is maintaining younger looking, healthier skin doesn't have to be expensive, says skin care expert Melanie Simon, co-founder of Beautiful You. Simon, who has boutiques in Montecito, Calif., and Jackson Hole, Wyo., borrows from favorite Hollywood trends, tricks and products she uses herself for the following easy, low-cost tips to better skin:
1. Starting Your Day: Squeeze a lemon half into a glass of warm water and drink each morning before eating or drinking anything else. The natural diuretic will flush your liver and help prevent water retention. Results over an extended period include diminished cellulite, reduction in acne and an overall rejuvenated appearance.
2. Wash with Pure Water: Many affordable water filters are available today, including Simon's favorite, the Wellness filter, which can be installed on your shower head and sink faucet. People often spend plenty on great skin products only to wash them off with chlorinated water. Pure water washing keeps your skin better hydrated without nullifying the effectiveness of your products.
3. Shower from Hot to Cold: Recreate the new day-spa trend of hot and cold plunge pools in your home shower. Simon recommends starting with a hot or warm shower, then turning the water completely cold for 30 seconds. You may repeat the hot-to-cold treatment up to eight times, although repeating it just once is a good start. The quick-change in temperature opens and constricts pores, pushing impurities out and potentially eradicating acne, keeping skin healthy, and creating that after-facial glow. 'Try it right before going out on the town or throwing a dinner party for a free beauty boost,' says Simon.
4. Frownies: 'I suggest wearing them when you are alone or around those who love you, even if you look like you've been in a fight with a roll of packing tape,' says Simon. These natural stick-ons prevent you from frowning much more cheaply than Botox, diminishing the impulse to frown with each use. 'Think of it as expression training,' Simon adds. 'Who wants to frown anyway?'
5. Humidify. "Create a humid climate in your bedroom with a good quality humidifier," Simon says. For an even better fix, add rose essential oil to the humidifier (about 6 drops per gallon). Although the natural skin-enhancing effects of the humidity are temporary, you can do it nightly, says Simon - and be sure to use purified water.
6. Low-impact Sports. High-impact sports stress the body's soft tissues. Simon suggests avoiding excessive high-impact sports. 'Runners should try an elliptical machine for at least some of their training,' she says.
7. The Power of Oxygen. Oxygen is a very important rejuvenator. A popular protocol for cancer treatment and prevention, called the Budwig Diet, includes blending 2/3 cup organic cottage cheese with 6 tablespoons flaxseed oil; frozen berries may be added for flavor. 'This powerful combo delivers oxygen to a cellular level in the body and kicks up energy production in the cells,' says Simon.
8. Mineral Makeup: 'By far, my favorite makeup is mineral makeup,' says Simon. 'I love Jane Iredale. I use their active light concealer, the loose powder a shade lighter than my skin tone, followed by an unshimmery bronzer, and then a matte blush. I top everything off with their D20 spray which is absolutely essential. It's the only mineral make-up that I believe makes you look younger versus older, and it's also a physical sun block that last all day.'
9. Eyebrows: Find someone good in your area for an eyebrow shaping. 'It's amazing what a simple shaped eyebrow can do for your overall appearance,' says Simon.
10. Easy Tooth Bleach: Bleach your teeth by gargling with hydrogen peroxide. Dentists recommend doing it once in a while to kill unwanted bacteria, 'and the side effect is whiter teeth for 79 cents,' Simon says.
11. Stay Hydrated: A dehydrated face looks years older. Many cosmetic companies take a 'before' photo of a dehydrated model, then give her a bunch of water (and of course their miracle product) to take the 'after' picture, reveals Simon, who suggests drinking half your body weight in fluid ounces daily - and an additional eight ounces of water for every eight ounces of caffeinated beverages consumed.
12. Omega 369: New evidence suggests plant omegas are more beneficial to the skin than fish omegas. 'I prefer Barleans Total Omega Vegan Swirl, made with flaxseed and borage oils,' says Simon. 'It actually tastes like a smoothie and doesn't cause any fish breath.'
13. Sleep on Your Back. Side-sleeping eventually creates deep chest and face wrinkles. For an easy solution, take three towels - roll up two the long way and one short - then sleep with a long roll on either side and the short one under the knees to take pressure off the lower back. 'Think of the way you prevent a baby from rolling off the bed,' says Simon. 'Eventually you get used to the new position and won't need to use the towels.' She adds, 'Even if you only make it halfway through the night, you're better off than when you started.'
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