From brisk walking to sleeping on silk sheets and avoiding hairdryers, the health and beauty experts at Pink Cloud Beauty Co reveal their best tips for repairing and maintaining hair, skin and nail health now that summer is nearly over
An unhealthy lifestyle not only effects the way your body works on the inside – eventually, your bad habits will start to show in your appearance too. Dull complexions, dry hair and brittle nails are all tell-tale signs that you’re in need of some TLC, and this can easily be achieved by making a few tweaks in your day-to-day life, whether you’ve tied the knot or the big day is fast approaching…
1. Get your hair trimmed regularly
It may sound counterproductive, but in order for your hair to grow, you need to keep on top of regular trims. Getting rid of damaged, broken hair and nasty split ends promotes healthy hair growth and keeps your locks in good condition.
2. Turn the heat down
Hairdryers, curling wands, tongs, heated rollers, straighteners – they’re our best friends. But all that excessive heat can take its toll on our treasured tresses, so try and give your hair a few days off from electricals by having fun with braids, ponytails or buns. This also means you can have an extra half hour in bed in the morning, too!
3. Protect your skin and hair from sun and heat damage
Sunscreen in one of the single most effective ways to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, so make sure you’re using moisturisers, primers and foundations that contain SPF to help protect against sun damage and premature aging. Use heat protection sprays and serums when styling your hair, and don’t forget about your nails – cleaning dishes in hot, soapy water can weaken your nails, so wear gloves!
4. Drink plenty of water
Water makes up 60% of our bodies – every cell, tissue and organ in our body needs it to function effectively. It’s recommended we drink eight glasses of water a day to stay hydrated and flush out toxins – you’ll see the results in your hair, skin and nails in no time.
5. Relax and de-stress
Stress and anxiety can bring about unwelcome changes to our bodies, from hair loss to acne. Removing these stresses is easier said than done, but simply taking time to wind down and relax does wonders for both our outer appearance and our minds. Consider regular exercise, meditation or just a bit of ‘you’ time.
6. Stay away from the cigarettes
We all know about the horrible illnesses smoking can lead to, but smoking cigarettes also prematurely ages the skin, makes hair brittle, stains teeth and discolours fingernails. So kick the habit – it’s bound to make you feel and look better in the long run.
7. Get enough sleep
You only have to look in the mirror to see the effects of a bad night’s sleep – red eyes, dark circles and a dull complexion. Getting the recommended 7-9 hours sleep each night will not only leave you feeling fully refreshed, but while you’re in the land of nod, your skin cells will be working hard to build fresh, healthy, new cells too. Also, remember that bedtime is for sleeping – put your phone down, turn your TV off, lock your tablet away and get yourself some proper beauty sleep!
8. Use a silk pillowcase
Sleep on a silk pillowcase; the material is much easier on your hair and skin because it causes less friction. Silk glides easily so gone are the days of waking up with creases on your face and a bird’s nest on your head!
9. Clean your face properly before bed
Forgetting to take your make up off before bed can lead to break outs, sore eyes, cysts, blocked pores and eye irritation to name just a few problems. So, remember to cleanse, tone and moisturise – and make the process part of your daily routine!
10. Exercise
Love it or loathe it, exercise is essential to keep up looking and feeling our best. Whether you’re training for a marathon or simply taking the dog for a brisk walk, a healthy circulation will increase blood flow to your face, scalp and nails beds to keep you looking healthy and radiant.
11. Stop biting those nails
Biting and chewing your nails and the skin around them not only causes unsightly damage – it also weakens your nails and damages the skin around them, increasing the risk of infection. It can be a tough habit to break, but you’ll be so glad you did.
