Fragrantly Beautiful

How Real Women Stay Beautiful

How Real Women Stay Beautiful

I DO’s & I DON’Ts:

By Carol B. OngAre you serious?!"

After years of fantasizing about the perfect proposal, this is the answer most women blurt out when finally asked for their hand in marriage. This is the same reply I gave my editor when she invited me to write a beauty column. I am no expert on beauty, far from it. I am a real woman who, on bad days, doesn’t even bother to fix her hair. Yet I am so in love with world of beauty, skincare and pampering I would stay up all night (one beauty don’t that I do) researching what makes a certain beauty ingredient work. So if you’re interested in a real woman’s point of view on beauty, read on.

Beauty and Fitness. I find this phrase redundant because one can’t really be beautiful if they are not of sound mind and body. Case in point, if the devil gives you the choice to look like Monica Bellucci but you will have halitosis, will you accept the deal?

You have to be fit to be beautiful. So in this issue, I interviewed real women on what they do (and equally as important, what they don’t do) to stay fit and fabulous. Here are their answers:
I do watch my sugar intake. Is your tummy round and bulging no matter no much you’ve exercised, had diets, or prayed to God you’ll be good if only you’ll lose the belly in time for your wedding? It’s a sign you have too much stored sugar. Sugar is not necessarily sweet. Sugar is carbohydrates, and those you don’t burn squat in your tummy and start a little community. Opt for complex carbohydrates like brown rice and whole wheat bread. Don’t banish carbs completely, you’ll get crankier than an 80 year old virgin.

I don’t eat chips and salty food. A friend of mine shared that when a dress she wants to wear is a tad tight, she stays away from chips and anything salty for at least three days prior to the event. Salt makes your body bloat.

I do take antioxidants. When you expose iron to the elements, rust forms quickly. Basically that’s what free radicals such as pollution, smoking, and poor diet does to you. It speeds up the body’s aging process. Antioxidants fight free radicals and keep you shiny and new longer. Vitamins A,C,E and grapeseed extract are some antioxidants that make skin glow. But be careful not to overdose, too much vitamins A and E are toxic.

I don’t take sleep for granted. All brides I spoke with gave this advice: sleep early every night, at least one month before your wedding. Your body repairs itself during REM and you’ll not only look better, you’ll feel happier.

I do take a complete physical check up. With so much work to do and so little time, this is one of the things most couples neglect. It’s important to know each other’s health status. Knowing will help you take care of each other better, and anticipate the health issues of your future kids.
I don’t forget to visit the dentist. Beam a 100,000 Megawatt smile on your wedding day, have oral prophylaxis done to remove plaque build up. Make sure bad teeth are fixed. Tooth cavity is a source of halitosis, something you wouldn’t want to have on your honeymoon.

I do cardio exercises three times a week. Consult with your fitness instructor what cardio exercises are best for you. Cardio is one of the faster ways to slim down, it also improves blood circulation that gives you a great after glow. Your stamina also increases, what you do with it is up to you.

I don’t skip stretching. Do this and risk serious injuries. Stretching also tones your muscles. Try yoga or pilates to complement your workout. These stretching exercises make you look longer, leaner and taller.

I do put on sunblock. Sunblock is the real fountain of youth. Apply at least SPF 15 whenever you’re outdoors, even if it’s cloudy. UV rays damage skin and make you age faster. Don’t forget to put on your hands too, they say you can tell a woman’s real age by the state of her hands. Well, let’s keep them guessing!

I don’t stop drinking water. Do you know that moisturizers don’t actually moisturize? Technically they act as a barrier to trap moisture in. So drink tons of water (uh, soda and sugary juices don’t count) and moisturize. Speaking of moisturizers, try Jergen’s Soft Shimmer lotion when going to a party. It hugs you with a thin sheet of gold and hides imperfections.
I do eat veggies. My friend recently had a harvest of organic veggies so for one week I was munching on salad. That week I got a lot of compliments on how good I look yet they can’t pinpoint what changed. (Is it my two front teeth and floppy ears perhaps?) A caveat: french fries and potato chips don’t count. When potato is subjected to high heat and oil, it transforms from something healthy to gremlims that cling to your thighs.

I don’t skip breakfast. Studies have proven that skipping breakfast makes you feel empty and sluggish all day so you tend to nibble more. Eating breakfast makes you feel full and more alert throughout the day. What law of nature governs this? The same one that turns a 2oz chocolate bar into 2 pounds of cellulite. Try Vita-wQuaker if you’re in a rush. Just add water and ta-dah! You get fiber, protein, and calcium.

I do laugh a lot. Laughing is my personal anti-aging secret. Surround yourself with people who make you laugh and you’ll feel beautiful instantly.

I don’t sweat the small stuff. If you fuss over every little detail, you’ll never enjoy the scenery. If something doesn’t go exactly as planned, don’t fret immediately. It won’t do anything except give you unnecessary wrinkles. Take a moment to assess how important the issue is when you’re 80. If it’s not, let go and let live. This is easier said that done. But then again, who says being beautiful is effortless?

posted by Cheryl Levesque @ 3:51 PM