Category: Beauty

s lip colours go, coral is made for springtime. It’s light, bright and can be worn from day to night seamlessly, perfect for everything from the office to Sunday brunches. It’s all about how you rock the trend. It’s also one of those rare colours that suits every skin tone and hair colour – it’s a shade that brightens and adds a punch without drawing too much attention. That’s why we’ve dedicated this post to guiding you through the key ways to nail spring’s coral lip colours. From moisturising balms to intense stains, we’ve found the best springtime coral colours and dissected the ways to rock them. We promise, after this you’ll be set to go, whatever the occasion.

Find Your Perfect Shade

Finding the perfect coral shade is the first step to nailing the look. If you’re fair-skinned, opt for a shade that has pinky undertones to lighten your complexion. Those who are darker skinned can dare to go bold with an orange-hued stain. For blondes, we’d recommend anything more nude. Brunettes, you can be a little bolder with a red undertone in your coral lipstick of choice. Here are some of our favourite coral lipsticks to get you started.

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Coral Britannia

This is a gorgeous shade for blondes, or for a daytime look. It’s soft and subtle but will add a definite pop, plus this is a moisturising lipstick, great for lips in need of a little TLC after winter.

Bobbi Brown Sheer Lip Color Limited Edition

Bobbi Brown’s intensely pigmented lipsticks never fail to pack a punch. This is a great shade for evening. Just add a little mascara to dewy skin and you’re ready to go.

Chanel, Rouge Coco Shine in Flirt

For a little luxury, try Chanel’s decadent lipstick. It’s a creamy texture and the colour is long-lasting – guaranteed to give you a perfect coral pout all day.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick Kiss Me Coral

For an affordable pop of colour, Revlon’s Kiss Me Coral lipstick ticks all the right boxes. With orange undertones, this is a great shade for those with sallow skin and brunettes.

NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss, Nude Peach Coral

NYX are fast becoming our go-to beauty brand. This delicious lip gloss adds texture for a punchy, glossy look. The colour is light – perfect for daytime.

2.Preparation Is Key

After a long winter, lips can be dry and cracked, and that’s before you apply anything to them. Most lipsticks are moisture-intense these days, but it still helps if your lips are in top-notch condition before you apply a lipstick to avoid any flakiness or cracking. First, use a dry toothbrush to gently exfoliate dead skin by brushing in soft, circular motions. Afterwards, apply vaseline or a lip balm to deeply moisturise lips daily. Your lips will thank you when they hold that coral colour perfectly.

3.Match Your Look

With a strong lip, you have to take your outfit colour choices in to consideration. Keep it really simple with neutrals and nudes. Thankfully, this summer’s trends are perfect for the coral lip look. Try wearing this season’s favourite colour, white, with a coral shade for instant spring cool.

Denim is another perfect partner for coral – from stone washes to dark denim hues, you can wear your coral lip look with pride with these blues.

Teal is also a gorgeous colour to rock with coral – it’ll bring put the colour even more on your lips.

Colours to avoid? Reds and pinks can clash with your coral colours, so avoid them at all costs. The more neutral toned, the better.

4.Pare It Back

As for the rest of your make-up look. the joy of the coral lip is that it does all the talking. You don’t need a smoky eye or a lot of contouring. Keep skin fresh and dewy with a light foundation, dust a little blusher over cheeks and add mascara for a fresh, spring beauty look. If you’re taking the look to night time, use a little eyeliner to enhance your eyes and a lip liner to solidify the lip look. Voila!

Age is a funny thing. It can sneak up on you when you least expect it and even though you may feel young at heart and youthful, it doesn’t mean the exterior matches those sentiments. So, what can you do if you are starting to notice the signs of ageing and it’s making you feel self-conscious? How can you turn back the hands of time and reduce the signs of ageing? Here are some ways you can look up to 10 years younger, ranging from simple steps to more in-depth procedures.

Get a New Hairstyle and Colour

Sometimes, it’s as simple as changing up your look and getting a new hairstyle and colour. It may be that your current style is ageing you and doesn’t complement your style. A new haircut will put a pep in your step and modernise your look immediately. Be sure to book an appointment with an experienced stylist who can make recommendations on what will suit you best.

Change Up Your Makeup Application

Makeup can also help you to appear younger; it’s all about choosing the right products and the application itself. As women age, the ‘less is more’ approach tends to work best. Heavy layers and thick products can sit in lines and wrinkles, emphasising them more. Opt for lightweight natural-looking products that highlight your features instead. As for the colours to choose from, soft neutral shades will help you to look fresh and youthful.

Start Using a Facial Massager

There are all kinds of beauty gadgets and tools that are nothing more than a gimmick, and then there are those that work. A facial massager falls into the category of tools that can work. When you massage your face, you will be increasing the blood flow, which then prompts a heightened level of oxygen in your facial tissue. This helps to improve elasticity and add lift to the jawline. It also helps to sculpt cheekbones and even helps eliminate puffiness.

Embrace Vitamin C

There are plenty of hero products out there that can combat the signs of ageing, but one that you don’t want to skim over is vitamin C. A vitamin C serum can do absolute wonders for your skin by brightening, tightening and even re-texturizing it.

Consider a Neck Lift

One of the most telling signs of age is in the neck. People often treat the skin on their face well using skincare products that protect from sun damage, target the early signs of ageing and ensure you have proper hydration. However, the neck doesn’t always get the same attention. Before you know it, you can have wrinkles and sagging skin which is a tell-tale sign of age.

Neck lift surgery is something that the Bella Vou clinic offers its patients, and this procedure works to lift and smooth out the neck area, making you appear more youthful. But how much does a neck lift cost? The neck lift cost will vary, so it’s best to schedule a free consultation to get personalised information.

All of these steps can help you to address the signs of ageing and take 10 years off your face.

When it comes to getting a hair transplant, many people still shy away from the topic or even feel embarrassed about getting it done, but this should definitely not be the case. There are many benefits that come with getting a hair transplant as not only does it do wonders for your appearance, but it can also give you a much-needed confidence boost. If you have recently been considering getting a hair transplant within the UK, here are some of the fantastic benefits of getting it done.

Improved appearance

One of the biggest benefits of getting a hair transplant is that it greatly improves your appearance. Many people are self-conscious when it comes to their balding or thinning hair and look for ways to improve it. Visiting a hair transplant clinic to get a hair transplant will greatly improve your hair and your overall appearance. The UK or even London based hair transplant clinic will fill in those balding or thinner areas of your hair with hair that will grow naturally, helping your hair to look and feel better. This will help at improving your overall appearance and will leave you feeling more confident in yourself and your appearance.

Does away with balding

As previously mentioned, many people are self-conscious or even embarrassed when it comes to their balding or thinning hair. Hair transplants are extremely effective at filling in any bald patches that you may have and can make your thin hair look thicker and stronger. Getting a hair transplant will also prevent balding or thinning from occurring in those areas on your head again in the future. This is because once the hair transplant is complete, the affected areas will never have hair that will fall out, meaning you won’t have any more bald patches or a receding hairline.

Low maintenance

Luckily, there is very little maintenance and upkeep involved once you have got your new hair transplant. This is a fantastic benefit and will save you a lot of time and effort when looking after your hair. Hair transplants require little maintenance, as the transplanted hair literally works like regular hair. This means that you will not have to use any special chemicals or shampoos to maintain the hair density and condition and can treat it as you would your regular hair.

Permanent remedy

When it comes to getting a hair transplant, you will have faith knowing that it is permanent and will last you forever. Although other hair treatments that use topical or even holistic methods can offer great help with hair thinning issues, they are usually only semi-permanent. Whereas not only is a hair transplant more effective, but it is also a more reliable and permanent solution to balding and hair thinning.

In conclusion, there are a number of fantastic benefits that come with getting a hair transplant. So, if you have been considering getting one done now is the time to do so.

To have good dental health, it’s essential to take care of your teeth. While regular brushing and flossing are important, it’s also recommended that you should visit your dentist regularly. The dentist will examine your mouth to check out for any dental problems and potentially developing issues and prevent them from worsening in the future. It’s therefore essential to choose the best dentist to be assured of the best services that’ll promote good oral health. Below are some key factors to consider when choosing a private or NHS dentist:

1.Reputation

A good dentist will always have a good reputation within a particular area. One example would be Wales and its capital. Looking for a reliable NHS Dentist in Cardiff is easy if you are doing your research. To know how reputable a dentist is, you can search online for reliable information. First, the past experiences of previous clients will give you a hint of how the dentist services are in general. While searching for this, if you come across too many negative comments, there are high chances that you might also not be satisfied. On the other hand, too many positive reviews signify that the dentist provides good dental services. Therefore, you should not stop here, ask for some contact information of some of their happy clients, and hear from them.

2.Academic credentials

Be sure to select a dentist with the relevant academic credentials. Don’t just listen to what the dentist is saying about his credentials. Go ahead and ask for proof of the certificates to ensure his or her educational background matches with the profession.

3.Area of specialization

Dentistry is a general field that involves many dental specialties. It’s therefore essential to ensure that you choose a dentist in the right specialty to get the right services. Some dentistry specialties are general dentistry, orthodontist, periodontist, oral surgery, endodontist, and aesthetic dentistry. Choosing a dentist in the wrong specialty is very dangerous and can result in other costly oral problems.

4.Experience

This factor can never be underestimated when finding a good dentist. The number of years the dentist has been in operation is key. An experienced dentist knows how to undertake all dental procedures without hesitation, unlike an inexperienced one. Choosing an inexperienced dentist, especially for sensitive dental problems, can even worsen and be costly to adjust to the required levels.

5.Provides various treatment options

It’s essential to select a dentist offering a wide range of dental treatments. This means that it’s easy to get more than one dental solution without having to spend time and money looking for the same service from a different provider.

6.Ask for references

When you ask for references from your family members or friends, you’re likely to spend less time looking for a dentist. This is because you’ll get first-hand information from someone with experience working with that dentist. You’ll also know other important things like the total costs involved, flexibility, hours of operation, and general customer service experience.

7.License

You should only choose a dentist who is licensed by the regulatory authority to operate in the profession. Licensed dentists usually work under some laws to prevent medical negligence. This way, you’ll be sure you’re dealing with someone keen when providing dental treatments to prevent injuries.

In conclusion, these are some top things to consider when choosing a private or NHS dentist. Others include expertise, comfort and cost of services.

Collagen is our skin’s building block – it’s the most plentiful protein in your body – making up approximately 30% of all the proteins you have. It’s in your muscles, tendons, bones, organs and blood vessels as well as in your skin – it’s essentially the ‘glue’ that holds everything together.

Whilst it has many important bodily functions, the role it plays in skin health and in slowing the ageing process of your skin is significant – it strengthens and improves the integrity of your skin, it provides structure and firmness, it improves moisture and dryness levels and in combination with another skin protein called elastin – it helps maintains skin elasticity and plumpness.

As your skin cells become less active as you age, the collagen network that provides skin firmness and structure breaks down. Your skin becomes dehydrated and thinner, while lines, wrinkles and deep furrows start to appear. Whilst you can’t measure the levels of collagen in your body, you can tell when levels are starting to drop as you’ll start to see the development of these wrinkles and the onset of crepey skin when you look in the mirror – this a completely natural part of the ageing process – but there are things you can do to increase the level of collagen to help you keep your skin in tip top condition as you age.

So, what are the benefits of taking collagen supplements to aid skin health?

Collagen supplementation is the only way to absorb collagen directly, although there are foods you can consume which will help your body create more collagen (which we’ll come on to later in the article) unless you are consuming them by the bucket load you are probably not getting enough through diet alone and once you hit 25 you start to break down more collagen than your body makes – that’s why you can start to see fine lines and wrinkles from this age onwards.

It’s also noted that a high proportion of those over 50 are failing to reach the recommended intake for many of the nutrients which are responsible for helping your body with collagen production and for healthy hair, skin and even nails too, therefore a good supplement is a convenient way to reap the benefits of this protein powerhouse as you age.

One brand highly recommended is the Prime Fifty “Beauty from Inner Health” formula as it has been formulated to nourish and protect your skin, hair & nails from within – using an advanced age-specific multi-nutrient formulation which comprises the most essential vitamins, minerals, natural extracts and other scientifically researched ingredients such as bioperine, evening primrose oil, copper, zinc, vitamin C and bamboo extract in addition to bio marine collagen peptides – a highly absorbable bio-available form of hydrolysed collagen peptides, researched over many years as a front line skin health nutrient.

Collagen consumption can help to increase skin elasticity and support your body’s skin repair process and encourage your body to form new collagen. It can increase skin hydration and smoothness and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Studies have also shown that by regularly taking hydrolysed collagen it can improve overall skin health and combat the effects of ageing. This form of collagen is best as your gut immediately absorbs it and sends it directly to your skin through your bloodstream.

However, it’s not just a beauty product – collagen has multiple functions in the body and by taking a collagen supplement you can also support the health of your bones, decrease joint pain (which is good news if you work out) and improve flexibility.

What foods can help with collagen production?

It’s pretty much just animal skin and bones that actually contain collagen itself – hence why bone broth – one of the most on trend of health food elixirs at the moment – is popular. However, this is no good is you are a veggie or just don’t fancy downing a beefy beverage every day.

What you can do is eat foods that boost collagen – these foods don’t contain collagen but can deliver nutrients that your body use to make it. Foods that may help your body create more collagen include wild salmon, cod, tuna, eggs, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, garlic, avocado and leafy greens such as kale and spinach.

An even better way of getting collagen in an even purer form is to use hydrolysed collagen sourced from fish…..This way the collagen molecules are far better absorbed than collagen itself and will be a better way of absorbing that much needed extra collagen.

Now more than ever, it’s important that we give ourselves the TLC that we need to feel beautiful and confident in our own skin. These tips will help you to feel rejuvenated, refreshed, and ready to take on the world.

Admire yourself

Head over to the mirror and tell yourself which parts of your body you love. Smile at yourself and say aloud the things that you admire about you. It could be your eyes, your hair, your freckles, whatever part of you makes you feel thankful. You are incredible, powerful, and unique. There’s only one you, so instead of having judgemental thoughts, holding grudges against yourself, or self-sabotaging, try being kinder to you. Do this at the start and end of each day.

Treat yourself

Treating yourself little and often goes a long way to making yourself feel good. Remember to reward yourself too. Got that promotion at work? Treat yourself to a new outfit! Aced your driving test? Go for a celebratory meal with your friends.

No matter how big or small your achievement, you should be proud and love yourself for it. Sometimes getting your hair and makeup done can increase your confidence and completely change your outlook on the day. Even if you’re feeling down, your favourite snacks and a movie can help provide the right amount of comfort also. It’s good to find the right balance and knowing when treats are the way forward.

Pamper yourself

Make time for your self-care routine. Simple things such as moisturising daily, taking time to exercise, drinking enough water, meditating, or reading a book can boost your mood and help you see positive results within your lifestyle.

Some people like to include a pamper session in their self-care routine on special occasions, so might visit a spa or resort once a month. If you’re looking for a more expensive routine, you could try some at home spa techniques.

Care for yourself

Changes to your lifestyle or appearance, no matter how big or how small, can often give us a new lease of life and that much craved boost in confidence. Whether it’s trying a daring new hairstyle, or finally getting the cosmetic surgery that you’ve been planning for a while, these changes can help us to feel comfortable in our skin and give us the energy to do things we might have once not dared to try.

Make sure that whatever it is you’re doing, you’re doing it for your own reasons and because it will benefit you. Remember, there are no standards that you have to adhere to and you are beautiful just the way you are.

You probably think you’re drinking enough water, but chances are you’re not, and drinking enough water is essential for healthy skin.

Try monitoring your intake of water – just water, not coffee, alcohol, juice, tea, or soft drink – and see if you’re getting the two litres most people need.

If you are, five gold stars for you! If not, read on to find out why proper hydration should be part of your skincare routine.

Water and you

The human body is 50-75% water, and it’s essential to keep us healthy. You could survive for weeks without food, but only about 3 days without waster.

Water helps keep your blood flowing, which transports nutrients and oxygen throughout your body. It regulates body temperature, keeps joints cushioned, muscles working, lungs breathing, and organs protected. Even your bones contain water!

Water is constantly leaving your body, through exhaled air, sweat, and urine., The average adult loses 2.5- 3 litres of water every day, and even more in hot weather, when you’re exercising, or when you work in an air-conditioned environment.

An hour of gardening, sweaty exercise, or chasing after the kids can bump your daily water loss up by a couple of cups. Flying is particularly dehydrating. You can lose around 1.5 litres of water during a 3-hour flight.

What happens when you don’t get enough water?

Dehydration hinders your body’s ability to regulate temperature, makes your brain foggy, increases your heart rate, and makes you feel dizzy. Over time, dehydration also affects your skin, giving it a dry, crinkly ‘crepe paper’ look.

Not drinking enough water also increases your risk of kidney stones and urinary tract infections.

To cope with inadequate water intake, your brain tells your kidneys to save water like crazy. So when you do finally get around to drinking water, you’ll retain fluid, which means a puffy face that hides your cheekbones.

The only thing that will turn off the fluid retention reaction is drinking enough water. So even if you’re feeling squishy and puffy, keep on sipping. Your kidneys will soon get things back to normal.

How much water is enough?

Men should drink about 2.5 litres of water per day (10 cups), and women around 2 litres (8 cups). That’s assuming you’re an average weight though. If you want to get more precise, calculate your daily intake: you’ll need about 35 millilitres for every kilogram of body weight.

Drinking enough water needs to become a habit, like cleaning your teeth and eating healthy meals. The easiest strategy is to drink a tall 400ml glass of water with every meal and snack.

If you have three meals and two snacks a day, you’ll hit the mark with water consumption. If water gets too bland for you, herbal teas and other non-caffeinated beverages can also count towards your goal.

Can you have too much of a good thing?

Drinking too little water is a problem for most of us, but some people get carried away and drink too much water. When this happens, there’s a risk of sodium depletion and the dilution of essential electrolytes in the bloodstream.

Symptoms of excess water consumption can include anxiety, headaches, muscle twitching, and weakness. You may also experience low blood pressure, a racing heart, nausea, and cold clammy skin.

So there’s a strong case for sticking to your two litres a day, with a bonus couple of glasses if you’ve been hiking, biking, running or flying.

What about coffee and alcohol?

It’s easy to trick yourself into thinking anything your drinking counts towards your hydration goals, but it’s not so. Alcohol and caffeine act as diuretics, which actually flush water from your body by increasing urination. That means you need to drink even more water to compensate for the loss they incur.

For every mojito or cheeky sauvignon you enjoy, you need another glass of water to offset the negative effects of imbibing. Always ask the waiter for a glass of water when you order your tipple, and be sure to wash down your morning coffee (or three) with a big glass of water.

Is all water created equal?

Tap water

Good old Kiwi tap water is generally safe to drink, however, if you’re on rural tank water a filter may be a good idea to screen out nasties like the parasite Giardia. A reputable water filter company will give you the low-down on what the filter removes and what it leaves in.

Some urban dwellers like to filter their tap water, to remove the chlorine taste. The easy way to do this is to boil your drinking water and keep it in the fridge.

Remember to run your water filter for 30 seconds or so when it hasn’t been used for more than a of hours. This helps to ensure you don’t drink water that’s been sitting around too long. Once the chlorine has been removed from the water, it’s susceptible to invasion by bacteria and other microorganisms.

Bottled water

Bottled water may bring mountain streams and waterfalls to mind, but the reality is usually something less inspiring. A lot of bottled water comes from the same place tap water does – municipal water facilities. It’s usually filtered, purified or distilled with minerals added or subtracted for taste.

If you want water from underground wells, keep an eye out for words like ‘spring’, ‘artesian’, or ‘mineral’ on the label. To be called mineral or spring water, the water must come from an underground source.

Sparkling water is any kind of water that has been carbonated with CO2. If the label just reads ‘sparkling water’ without giving a place of origin, you can assume it’s from a tap.

Can skincare products help?

Skincare products won’t help your body stay hydrated, but they can help you halt and start to reverse any damage dehydration has done to your skin.

Winter is when your skin needs some help in looking after itself. The harsh weather can make your skin listless and dull, but you can change that with these simple tips.

Chapped lips are perhaps the first sign that winter is coming. Very soon, your skin goes dry, and looks dull and lifeless. The lack of hydration is often the biggest culprit when it comes to winter skin. Here is how you can keep your skin glowing and radiant all through the cold season.

Don’t stash away your SPF sunscreen

The most common mistake we make is putting away our sunscreens in winter. It is true that you can’t see the sun in winter on most days, but while UVB rays are a bit lower, UVA continues to remain steady. UV rays affect skin and increase ageing as much in winter as it does in summer. Using a sunscreen with a high UVA rating all through the year is a good idea. UVB rays help in stimulating the production of Vitamin D. Since this drops in winter, you can supplement with vitamin D3 tablets.

If you go skiing, a day in the pow can leave you very, very burned. Wear a high SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, and reapply sunscreen after lunch.

Book yourself a professional treatment

If you have been wanting to get yourself professional treatment like a peel or laser resurfacing but hesitated in the summer, then this is a good time to do it. In summer, exposure to heat and the sun before or after a procedure can result in hyper-pigmentation or inflammation of the skin. Winter and autumn reduces the chances of this significantly.

Work double time to stay hydrated

Skin naturally becomes drier during the cold season. It is important to stay hydrated in winters, particularly because it’s easy to forget to drink water. You don’t really feel thirsty that often in the cold. This is the season where a switch from coffee (which dehydrates) to green tea (loaded with anti-oxidants) can make a huge difference to your skin. In winter, if your skin feels tight after a cleanser and you feel the need for a moisturiser, you may need to switch to a gentler cleanser that makes your skin feel soft. These changes for the inside of your body and for the outside can work wonders.

Get a facial

Skin tends to get dull in winter and the best way to combat that is to get a professional facial done once a month. Your skin needs about 30 days to go through a full life cycle of skin cell growth. A mild peel or an exfoliating facial is what you should choose. Regular facials ensure your skin absorbs moisturisers better, and looks more radiant with all the dead skin sloughed off.

Prevent lick eczema

Have you noticed how sometimes your lips seem exceptionally cracked and sore in the winter? This is called lick eczema, which tends to occur when you unknowingly lick your lips to make them feel moist. Always use a high quality lip ointment, particularly before you eat foods like tomatoes, which can irritate chapped lips. If you are spending time out in the snow, you also run chances of getting sunburnt. Using a Zinc Oxide based sunscreen will keep the harmful effects of UV rays away from your lips and your face.

Eating healthy is also important

Don’t burden the digestive system during the winter season as what you eat will reflect on your skin as well. Stay away from fried and heavy foods. These tend to sit heavily on the stomach and can exacerbate existing skin issues. To prevent this from happening, do make it a point to eat clean, fresh food that is light and nourishing. The benefits will be reaped by your skin.

Hydrate at bath time

Bath time is when you pamper your skin. It is a time you can spend relaxing and wind down the effect of stress hormones that can damage your skin. It is also a great time to hydrate skin. Use bath oils that are suitable to your skin type while you are bathing. These can hydrate your skin and my help to reduce itching from ailments like eczema or psoriasis.

Through the winter season, it is important that you work on adapting your skincare rituals to its needs during each season. Winters especially require extra attention and it is important that your products work on protecting your skin. Dryness is the usual fallout of winter and hydration. Work on it from both on the inside of your body with good food; and on the outside with the right mix of deeply moisturising products to give your skin the support it needs.

It’s chilly outside so you’ve wrapped up warm from head to toe. Your indoor heating is also cranked up to combat the cold weather outside. Does this sound like you? These contrasting temperatures can really play havoc with our skin and hair during the winter months.

With a bit of love and attention, your skin and hair can stay at their best even during the challenging winter months. Read on to discover the top ways in which you can stay radiant during the cold season.

Exfoliate regularly

As obvious as this one sounds, it’s always worth paying attention the fundamentals of skincare. Dead skin cells prevent moisture from hydrating and soothing your skin. A good exfoliator will help to remove any dead skin cells that could be acting as a barrier between your skin and moisture. Moisturiser works better after exfoliating, so it’s always a good idea to exfoliate, whatever the weather.

Invest in a good moisturiser

If your moisturiser alone still isn’t providing enough hydration during winter, it might be time to invest in a new one. Some over-the-counter moisturisers contain petroleum-based ingredients that could be drying out your skin. Instead, invest in an oil-based moisturiser for a radiant winter glow.

Exercise at least three times a week

Regular exercise has endless benefits for your skin, so it’s worth keeping up with a good regime, even when the temperatures drop and it’s harder to get motivated. Working out helps to expel dirt and oil from your skin. As exercise also increases your blood flow, it benefits your skin in the sense that it releases toxins and nourishes your skin cells.

Studies have even shown that those of us who work out regularly see positive effects on or skins thickness and elasticity – helping us look younger for longer. So why not dust off your trainers, put on your running leggings, and head outside for a jog this winter? But don’t forget to exfoliate and moisturise afterwards!

If you’re feeling extra tired during the winter months, it can be beneficial to take an iron supplement to help regulate your energy levels. Vitabiotics Feroglobin range is specifically formulated with Folate and Vitamin B12, which contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Taking an iron supplement will contribute towards normal energy levels, which will help you to workout when it’s cold and dark outside.

Stay hydrated

Drinking lots of water and staying hydrated really works wonders for your skin. We often don’t drink as much water during the winter months compared to summer. It can be tempting to opt for dehydrating beverages, such as a hot cup of coffee, to keep you warm, but staying hydrated in winter is essential for good skin health.

It’s recommended that adults drink up to 2 litres of water a day. If you’re struggling to increase your water intake, try eating more fruits and veggies high in water content, such as apples, tomatoes, carrots and cucumber.

Opt for a skin hydration treatment

A good skin detox could help to provide your dehydrated skin with much needed moisture. Skin hydration treatments reduce the sensation of tightness, and improve the appearance of dehydration lines, caused by the cold, winter weather. After your professional treatment, take home a hydrating mask to maintain your new-found radiant skin throughout winter.

Take good care of your hair

Does your hair seem to dry out in winter, too? It might seem like an obvious one, but wearing a hat will keep your hair protected from the cold, dry air during the winter months.

Your hair will also benefit from cutting down on heat-styling as much as possible. Instead of your usual heat-infused blow dry, let your hair dry naturally as often as you can. And when you are using heat to style your hair, invest in a good heat-protectant spray for a little added protection – and a more radiant glow!

And there you have it, six simple ways in which you can stay radiant during the dark winter months. Don’t worry, summer is just around the corner!

Caring for your leg health during every stage of your life can be a simple part of your daily routine, and it will make a big difference to whether your legs are in good condition both inside and outside. The inner health of your legs is something to particularly focus on, while the external appearance of your legs may be more immediately obvious and concerning. Varicose veins, for example, may look unsightly, but the deeper effects may be more worrying, such as potential blood clots or deep vein thrombosis.

Ageing and Pregnancy

During some life stages such as ageing and pregnancy, the appearance of your legs will change naturally, and particular risks will become greater. For instance, the baby and the placenta grow larger during pregnancy, which puts increasing pressure on the pelvis. As a result, this puts extra pressure on the veins that run through the legs and hips, causing varicose veins to potentially develop and the legs to swell. Leg swelling is a common pregnancy complaint, as many women do not like how looks, as well as the discomfort that it causes.

With ageing, the skin on the legs can become thinner, and the veins are also more likely to become varicose. This is because the vein walls become weaker and less flexible with age, and are more likely to have problems with the small valves inside them.

Even though these changes come with normal life stages, maintaining good skincare and taking good care of your legs can help to prevent any issues from developing. While exercise and skincare might seem focused on aesthetics, they can help to prevent more serious vein issues from forming.

Exercise

Getting regular exercise is the first step towards taking care of your vascular system generally and ensuring that your legs look good. Exercise helps to improve circulation, which allows the veins to function more efficiently and stop blood clots or varicose veins from developing. Increased circulation also improves the appearance of skin, as blood brings more oxygen and nutrients to skin cells.

Particular exercises are good for improving the look of your legs, as well as your leg health, including jogging and walking, bicycling, yoga, and step-climbing or calf-flexors. Improving muscle tone in your legs can help them to look better, and performing exercise that focuses on the legs will ensure that blood flow is good throughout your extremities. However, take care to take regular breaks, and elevate your legs from time to time. Exercise is good for your veins, but staying on your feet for too long can cause blood to pool towards the feet, exacerbating varicose vein formation.

If you are pregnant or elderly, walking and yoga may be the best choices for leg exercises, as well as aqua-jogging. These exercises are all low-impact and can be performed even if you struggle to do other, more strenuous exercises.

Professional Vein Care

Finally, consider whether you need professional skincare or vein care to help keep your legs in top condition. You may need to visit a varicose vein clinic, and the best approach is of course to visit only those who have high-quality surgeons. There are numerous different varicose vein treatments available, and most are becoming minimally-invasive. Varicose vein or cosmetic skincare appointments are typically outpatient procedures, taking only a few hours for the surgery to be performed.

Taking good care of your legs, including getting regular exercise and looking into professional skincare, is vitally important, not just for how your legs look, but to prevent anything sinister from happening beneath the skin.