Archive for the ‘Health Pages’ Category

DIY Facial….


2010
07.02

Beauty OK’s Diy Facial

With all the best intentions in the world, you may still never quite find the time to book yourself into your local spa for a facial. Well don’t worry at BeautyOK we understand this only too well, we have put together a DIY Facial with a little guidance from a few experts.

Room Preperation:  (optional, but oh so worth the effort) 

Light some candles (children need to be out of the room for obvious reasons)  load the c.d player with your favourite chill out music (we like dolphin music) or alternatively pick a relxing music channel from the t.v or radio and really create an atmosphere like that of your local spa.

Choose you favourite brand of facial products and begin…..

Step 1: Cleanse

Using any one of our fabulous ranges of facial products, start by removing any make-up from your face, even if you don’t have make-up your skin will still benefit from a cleanse, as unfortunately our faces tend to attract all kinds of dust during the day and you may be surprised at the grime that your face may have on it!

Use a small amount (say a 10p piece size) of your chosen cleansing lotion onto a moist cotton pad (using water to moisten the cotton pad will mean you will use less of your cleansing lotion and also creates a fantastic fresh feeling).  Sweep the pad from the middle edge of your face out towards the outer edge of your face.  Repeat this process until your cotton pads are completely clean.

Step 2: Option 1 -  Steam time….

Add approximately 5ml of your chosen toner to a bowl of steamy hot water, as hot as your hands can bear. Rinse a clean muslin cloth in the mixture, wring out, then lay muslin cloth flat over your face.The heat will  immediately relax your facial muscles, it will also stimulate your skin circulation and improve the absorption of ingredients.

NB:Anyone with a medical skin condition should be cautious about steam treatments, as heat may aggravate the problem. Take a few purifying breaths while the cloth gently cools.

Step 2: Option 2 (Exfoliating)

If you have the extra time you can actually use both options of Step 2, it really depends on the time allowed…

Select your favourite exfoliator and follow the directions as per your chosen product

Step 3: Massage

Before you start this massage process we need to make sure you are fully relaxed so try this technique and see if you can’t rid your body of any tension.

Shrug your shoulders up high and then release, repeat this process a few times until you feel like you are finally relaxing.

Choose you favourite facial oil,  maybe lie back on a comfy bed and apply a thin layer of oil over the face and neck, using light, sweeping movements with the pads of your fingers, work with the facial muscles: from the centre of the face outwards and slightly upwards, arching around the eyes, and upwards on the neck and décolletage.The sensuous stroking movements awaken circulation and give skin a feeling of wellbeing. DO NOT REMOVE THIS OIL

Step 4: Masque & Chill Out

This has to be the best bit!

Choose your favourite facial masque from our fabulous range and over the top of the your oil, that should now be resembling a beautiful sheen, apply your facial masque, by applying the masque over the top of your facial oil, this will make sure your complexion will be given the best boost possible.

Following the instructions of your chosen masque leave for the desired time and relax.

We recommend setting a timer for this step as you may be feeling sleepy at this stage of the facial!

Step 5 : Tone

Using your washed out (from step 1) muslin cloth, gently wash off your masque with cool water.

Take a fresh cotton pad and soak in some water, then using your chosen facial toner use gentle sweeping movements to gently freshen your face.  You can always use 2 hands and 2 cotton pads for this process, 1 for each cheek and pretend you are a professional!

Step 6 : Moisturise

The final step of your facial is to make sure you that you lock in the moisture and with your chosen BeautyOK moisture cream you can do this by placing your cream into the palms of your hands and gently patting the cream onto your skin until you feel you have patted all areas of your face

For best results leave a few hours before applying make-up or better still give your face a day off from your make-up and be “au natural” for the day!.

 

 

 

 

What is Asthma?


2010
04.15

Asthma is a condition whereby a person  may find it harder to breathe in and out normally,  this is because their airways are usually more sensitive, making them narrower and inflamed, although it is still is not thoroughly understood.

In the Uk, (2010) 5.4m people and 1.1m children are receiving treatment for Asthma. Statistics show that within 5 households, there is at least 1 person with asthma.

Asthma can be severe, however in most cases it can be controlled well.

Things that can make you more succeptable to asthma are:

  • You are a smoker
  • You are prone to other conditions like eczema etc.
  • A family member has asthma or another condition
  • You have been exposed regularly to smoke from an early age or been brought up in a smoke environment
  • You were prematurely born

Popular symptoms of asthma:

  • Wheezing and coughing
  • Tight chest
  • Breath shortness

An asthma attack can occur when the lungs cannot get enough air needed to breathe. This could be caused by a number of things such as:

  • Mold
  • Dust mites
  • Passive smoke
  • Pets
  • Strong Fragrances
  • Air pollution
  • Pollen
  • Exercise etc.

At Beauty OK we stock a full range of bath & body products that contain natural fragrances which can help babies, children and adults when dealing with asthma symptoms.

Beauty OK will only ever stock products that are naturally fragranced and they  do not contain any harsh synthetic fragrances, which can sometimes trigger off wheezing in Asthma sufferers.

So for a more relaxing bath, why not visit our site and see for yourself the difference it could make to your breathing…

www.beautyok.co.uk

Why use mineral make-up?


2010
02.24

Reasons to Use Mineral Make-up:

1. Great for People with Sensitive & Acne Prone Skin: Conventional makeup will normally contain various pore clogging oils that can lead to acne breakouts and allergic skin conditions. Mineral makeup on the other hand are non-comedogenic meaning that it will not clog your pores giving your skin room to breath and function.

So if you have sensitive skin, mineral makeup can become very appealing to you. Mineral makeup is free from harsh toxic chemicals and man made preservatives, further limiting the risk of skin outbreaks and allergies. Its natural anti-inflammatory properties helps heal, sooth, and reduce skin redness, which is great for people suffering from troublesome skin conditions like rosacea, eczema, or acne.

Tips – Some mineral makeup brands may use the ingredient ‘bismuth oychloride’ which is a known mineral component that can cause severe redness, pustules, and cystic acne. Stay away from products containing this mineral component if you suffer from allergic skinconditions. Bellapierre Mineral Cosmetics do not contain this ingredient!

2. No nasty harmful toxic chemicals: Mineral makeup is free from preservatives, talc, oil, filler, and dye thus limiting the risk for skin allergies. Mineral Makeup contains naturally occurring pigments from the earth thus eliminating the need for man made chemical colours. Carmine may be used in some mineral products to achieve certain colours.

Tips – Since mineral makeup are inorganic, bacteria cannot live in the makeup and no preservatives are needed. It usually has a very long shelf life. To make sure you do not contaminate the minerals, make sure brushes are cleaned and disinfected regularly.

3. Easy Application for a Flawless glowing coverage: If you are new to using mineral makeup, it may take you a bit of time to master your application skills and finding your matching colour combinations to achieve the flawless glowing finish. But practice makes perfect. Once you discover all the tips and tricks, your daily makeup application ritual will become a quick and easy process, giving you long lasting total coverage for a flawlessly smooth healthy complexion.

Use your imagination and play around to achieve the look you want. The possibilities are endless as it conceals wrinkles and fine lines, corrects imperfections, covers your flaws, highlights your attributes and glamourize your look.

Tips – Get a top quality kabuki brush (it really makes a world of difference)

4 Rich in Nutrients: Many natural minerals behave as antioxidants. These minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, mica, titanium dioxide, zinc and iron oxides are combined to provide your skin with the shimmer as well as the nourishing and replenishing properties to protect and heal your skin.

5. Sun Protection: The key ingredients zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or iron oxide found in mineral makeup provide your skin with a broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection against sun damage and premature aging of the skin.

Sleep Walking


2010
02.22

I know so many people who have children who sleepwalk and its a regular topic of conversation amongst most parents.

When ever I have discussed this with my friends and family, we have always come to the same conclusion

It would  appear that most children that sleep walk seem to do so when they are :

* Overtired

* Anxious about something, – i.e exams

Here are some suggestions of how I personally,my family and friends have dealt with a child Sleepwalking:

* Allow 5 - 10 minutes just before bed to talk to your child and see if there is anything on their mind bothering them.

( I have done this with my children, ever since they were able to talk, it’s a way of making sure I always get the information from their day, after all what child wants to go to bed?, its surprising the stories they start to unfold at this time of the day.)

* Massage with a lavender oil and if possible play relaxing music to really calm the mood, this should help to reduce the symptoms of insomnia, which could in turn lead to overtiredness.  (this has always been a sure way to get my children excited by bedtime, I don’t actually think there has ever been a time that they have refused a massage!)

* Try to get your children use to reading before bedtime and not watching television.  Experts believe this can overstimulate your child’s brain which in turn could lead to insomnia.

Experts differ over whether a sleepwalker should be disturbed or not.  Most experts advise gently guiding the walker back to bed but others have suggested waking them first. 

Personally when either of my children have walked in their sleep, I have simply guided them back to their bed and reassured them everything is ok and then usually spent the rest of the night with one eye open fearing will they walk again, but then thats just a mother’s job I suppose!

 As sleepwalkers have no awareness of what they are doing the main concern is safety.

 Children who regularly sleepwalk maybe should avoid bunk beds.

If Sleep walking persists:

* try to make your childs bedroom a safer place  -

* Switch their glass of water to a plastic tumbler of water, incase they fall as they walk. 

 * Install a stair gate if you feel your child is totally unaware of their actions.

* Lock all windows, but making sure you have immediate access in the event of a fire!

If anyone has any comments they can share, please do let us know

Our sources:

http://www.insomniacs.co.uk/  

Please note this post is not intended to diagnose, cure and is not instead of any medical advice.

Please seek medical advice for more information.

The Dreaded Colic!


2010
02.10

I remember it well, the dinner party with the pram by the side of the dining table, one hand eating my food and the other pushing the pram backwards and forwards!

 It was probaly one of our 1st dinner parties after our son was born and everything was laid out, the guests had arrived, wine had been poured and we were all looking forward to our evening ahead.  Right on cue,  our 6 week old son woke up and started to scream, luckily my friends were understanding and all helped to try and calm him down, this was on a night before I discovered Weleda 3x Chamomilla  Granules. 

The very next day, having spent all night pushing my little son back and forth in his pram, I decided to investigate and to my relief found several homeopathic remedies, I sent away for them and awaited their arrival.

The trial began and the winner was and still is to this day in our opinion, Weleda Chamomilla 3x Granules, they are made from chamomile root and  are a secret that should be shared amongst all us women, especially those who try and conduct a dinner party with a 6 week old baby suffering from colic!

Weleda also have Chamomilla 3x drops, which are advised for babies 6 months and over and are a godsend for teething problems, they also work well on adults too! 

My son is now 4 and well and truly past his colic and teething days, we now enjoy dinner parties again without the pram!

Until next time

Michelle