Savvy Women

If you want to ensure that your newly-done hairstyle is still shiny and smooth when you get up in a morning, do as the ancient Egyptians did and sleep on a silk pillowcase. This way your hair won’t stick to the pillow as much as it would if you were using cotton bedding.

Always use a powerful hairdryer – you can create your style quickly in far less time. Aim for a hairdryer with 2,000 watts or over – most salons use over 3000 watts.

When using essential oils in the bath, never add them in an undiluted form. Buy a cheap carrier oil and add the recommended number of drops to that. Remember to use an essential oil that has relaxing properties if you are bathing before going to bed and an invigorating one if you want to start the day in top form. The ideal time to apply body lotion is after a bath. It will lock in moisture, and by massaging in the direction of your heart, you will boost your circulation and lymphatic drainage.

Always, always, use a heat protection spray every time you dry your hair. It will help to prevent split ends and keep your hair healthy. If blow drying creates static in your hair, use a small amount of serum once your hair is dry. Sometimes, let your hair dry naturally. A break from the hairdryer does your hair a favor.

We all know we should drink at least six glasses of water daily to benefit our health and skin, but it also helps to fade dark circles under the eyes. Water is also free and useful for giving your pores a steam clean. Fill a bowl with hot water, cover your face with a soaked face cloth, and stand over the bowl for one minute to let the steam do its work.

As you get older you need to use less make-up, not more! It can actually be extremely aging, and too much powder is the biggest culprit. Pat powder on areas of your face that are likely to get oily, such as your nose, chin, and forehead, but  leave it off your cheeks – it will result in a far more natural look.

Don’t forget the skin on your feet if you are going to expose them in summer. The cheap tip here is to rub a lemon over thickened areas of the feet to exfoliate them. Finish off with a rich moisturizing cream or a foot soak in warm water with essential oils.

Finally, never underestimate the beneficial beauty gains that can come from learning a few facial, self-massage tricks. Any massage is beneficial but by buying yourself a basic massage book you can soon learn tips about how to relax the neck, eye, and general facial areas. This will provide both physical and mental benefits, as well producing results which will most likely enhance your complexion more than any expensive cosmetic product ever will.

All the tips outlined here will bring some measure of benefit and won’t cost a fortune, but the biggest beauty tip of all is to be happy. Stress and unhappiness can and do age you far more than any other factor, and it is most noticeable on the face. So pamper yourself, try these tips but most of all smile.