Let’s get beauty this party started!
’Tis the season to be gorgeous and it’s easy if you know how – Friday reveals all the beauty tricks and treatments for instant results in the lead-up to the festivities
The secret to becoming the belle of the ball? Simple – be prepared. A little groundwork a fortnight ahead can pay dividends in slimmed hips and bright eyes come party night. But whether you’ve got two weeks or two minutes to pretty up your act, there are plenty of tips and tricks that can get you looking your best. So follow our ultimate party countdown to become a soiree sensation…
TWOWEEKS BEFORE
TWEAK YOUR DIET
If you want to look slimmer and more toned, it’s about cutting out processed and energydense foods. Low-GI or high-protein diets give the fastest results – try low-GI bread with egg, avocado and tomato for breakfast, snack on fresh fruit or vegetables, nuts or natural yogurt through the day, and stick to lean proteins and vegetables for lunch and dinner – something like sashimi, chicken salad with walnuts or tuna with lentils are perfect main meals.
SWAP SALT FOR SUPPLEMENTS
Lowering your salt intake will reduce puffiness in the face and body, helping to reduce bags under the eyes. Steer clear of processed foods and avoid adding any extra salt to your meals – a sprinkling of fresh herbs will provide extra flavour, as well as a boost of vitamins. Now is the time to stock up on supplements too – omega-rich oils like flax and fish oils can really impart a fresh, dewy glow to the skin, while helping it become stronger to cope with the ravages of partying. And drinking at least 1.5 litres of water a day will help your skin look clearer.
COMBINE CARDIO AND STRENGTH TRAINING
“If you’re looking to drop some weight before your partying schedule kicks in, you’ll need a couple of weeks as a bare minimum,” says exercise scientist Damien Kelly.
“Aim for three strength circuits a week on alternate days, with cardio in between. You should be doing 45 to 60 minutes for lower-intensity cardio – higher intensity can be done in under 30 minutes.”
Personal trainer Justin Gelbrand, also known as The Model Whisperer, says that running is essential to get in shape in a short period of time. “I make all my models run. Victoria’s Secret models Miranda Kerr, Kate Upton and Angela Linvall run between 3km and 5km three times a week, and 2.5km four times a week in the run-up to a show. There’s no place for flabbiness when you’re
YOU GLOW, GIRL!
For skin that glows in a major way, now is the time to hit the salon for a hitech treatment or two. Ultherapy is the only skin rejuvenation procedure that uses ultrasound imaging, which has been scientifically proven to yield highly effective results, and is a great alternative to chemical peels and laser skin resurfacing. Low levels of heat energy are placed at a precise depth beneath your skin, causing the dermis to react by producing more collagen to enhance skin support, smooth out wrinkles and produce tighter new skin cells. A gradual tightening procedure that continues for up to six months, the natural lifting effect on the skin tissues can last for up to three years. Available at Rebecca Treston@Euromed. For further details, phone 04 394 5422.
GET TOUGH ON YOUR MUFFIN TOP
We’re all for a bit of cheating when it comes to an emergency slim-down scenario – and party season is the perfect time to get serious about your silhouette with the help of the latest body-blitzing technologies.
With no down-time, no discomfort and no need for anaesthesia, Ultrasound Cavitation – nicknamed ‘Fat Melt’ – is a non-surgical treatment that uses targeted ultrasound technology to break up fat cells and sculpt the body for visible results on problem areas such as the thighs and stomach – with impressive inch loss from the very first session. At Eternel Clinic, call 04 344 0008.
ONE WEEK BEFORE HIT THE HAIRDRESSERS
Get your hair cut and coloured seven days before the partying starts. “This will allow the cut and colour to settle in and you’ll have time to get used to any new layers or colours against your skin tone,” says Salon Ink’s Kelly Cyndrowski.
“You’ll also be able to play around with the style you’d like to go with on the day of the event.”
GET LIFTED
A favourite of Demi Moore, Courtney Cox and Anna Friel, Revital Radio Frequency can be used on both the face and body to tone and tighten the skin, and offers amazing, instant results. Non-invasive and virtually pain-free, the treatment works by stimulating the production of collagen and rejuvenating existing collagen in the body, improving skin texture, tone and appearance, increasing blood circulation and shrinking the skin, which together provide a lifting and tightening effect.
Brilliant for targeting lax skin on the chin, neck, underneath and above the eyes to provide what can only described as an instant face lift, Radio Frequency can also help to eliminate cellulite and reduce the appearance of stretch marks – and effects can last for up to two years. Available at Rebecca Treston@Euromed. For further details, phone 04 394 5422.
BLITZ THAT CELLULITE Hoping to wear something short, but bothered by your bumpy thighs? Velasmooth Pro is a non-invasive, body-sculpting, anti-cellulite treatment that uses a combination of gentle light and radio frequencies (RF) with mechanical rollers to blast cellulite into oblivion.
Six sessions are recommended for best results, depending on the extent of your cellulite, but if you’re racing against the clock to fit into your LBD, twice weekly sessions of this hi-tech helper boast impressive results. For further details call Eternel Clinic on 04 344 0008. THREE DAYS BEFORE GET SCRUBBING
A fake tan not only conceals skin flaws, but makes you look instantly more svelte and glowing. If you plan to be a bronzed goddess, the key to success is preparation. Three days before your big party (and the day before you slap on your self-tanner) exfoliate all over with a fine, grainy scrub (not a salt- or sugar-based one, which will stop the formulation from sticking to your skin) concentrating on knees, elbows and heels to get rid of dead skin that will make the colour patchy. Apply a rich moisturiser afterwards (preferably the night before you plan to tan) to allow the product to sink in and minimise streaks.