* Masks are not just for your face. On a day of pampering, apply a mud firming mask to your arms, breasts, even your derriere. It's preferable to do this after a steamy shower/bath, then stand around and fix your hair, makeup; do whatever will keep you on your feet a few minutes.
* When taking a shower, it's fine to use warm water. But it can be quite beneficial for the quality of your skin to stand under an icy shower for a few moments. Warm water causes blood to rush to the surface of your skin, making it a little more squishy. Cold water forces blood away from the surface, making your skin firm and smooth. Plus, cold water is such a good shock for your system. Just don't do this if you have a sensitive heart!
* Always moisturize your body after a bath or shower. Not moisturizing your skin is like begging for stretch marks and dryness. When skin isn't kept moist and plump. any weight loss or gain will be more likely to show up in the form of stretch marks. Concentrate especially on your breasts, abdomen, elbows, knees, and the rest of your legs. These areas need the extra moisturizer.
* One of the best beauty secrets I heard was in regards to hair: treat your hair like a silk shirt. You wouldn't rip a piece of fine silk with a comb, so why do it to your hair? This isn't always an easy rule to follow, especially if you have thick hair that tangles after EVERY bath. Here are a few tidbits:
1. Use your fingertips, not your nails to massage shampoo into hair.
2. When rinsing, use the shower head and not the bath water you've been marinating in for the past half hour. That
bath water is full of dirt and oils from your body.
3. Allow conditioner to sit on hair for at least 2 minutes. Try to keep it away from your scalp to avoid oily head.
4. Rinse with ice cold water.
5. If possible, sleep on a silk pillowcase. This sounds too luxurious, even to me, but it is great for your hair.
* In our weight-obsessed culture, we receive quite a load of conflicting information. You can lose if you starve, you have to eat six meals a day, you have to work out, you don't have to work out, et cetera. It's especially popular right now to avoid fasting, but I am here to endorse The Fast. For one, one or two days of scanty eating is not going to hurt you. It's great for cleansing your body, giving your organs a rest, and gathering spiritual energy. Why do you think so many religious people fast? It's not a punishment, but rather a beauty ritual.
1. If you have been overeating and find it hard to get back on track, one day of fasting can do wonders. You'll wake up feeling refreshed and lighter.
2. A fast doesn't necessarily mean, don't eat a single calorie. Rather, it means to allow your body to rest. Don't consume food that will tax your system. If you want, you can eat yogurt with honey all day. Or apples (Edgar Cayce recommends an Apple Fast for good health). Or, as one socialite endorses, lay in bed all day and drink vegetable broth. She claims it's marvelous for the body.
3. Do it however you like. Make a day of it. Lie on the couch under a luxurious blanket and drink green tea while wearing a face mask. Spend the day naked in your bedroom, just being lazy. But don't do anything that exhausts you! And if you begin to feel weak or sick, eat something pronto! You cannot lose weight in a day and this is not meant for weight loss!
I hope today's Fab Five has been helpful! Be good to your body!