You are what you eat, so here is my inner beauty guide

Everyone nowadays is so worried and so concerned about what we eat. We are constantly reminded that “you are what you eat” and “your food is your fuel”. Here are just a few good foods, which we should consume.

Oily Fish

Oily fish is an excellent source of omega 3. We all hear about omega 3, but what does it do? Easy, it helps fight against disease. It also helps improve the texture of our skin and hair. To summarise, we all need it in our diet and for those vegetarians out there, make sure you boost your intake by taking omega 3 supplements daily.

Green Tea

The green tea crazy is here and staying. Unlike many “fads”, green tea is proven to be extremely detoxifying, aids the digestive system and stimulates our metabolism. It contains less caffeine than black tea leaving you feeling more naturally upbeat and less toxic. I personally believe that drinking green tea is also very good to maintain clear skin. How many Chinese ladies do you see with bad skin? Yes, there are many more factors to consider, but green tea is definitely a strong contribution. Asian ladies who have westernised themselves often suffer with skin and hair complaints. This brings me back to the saying “you are what you eat”.

Avocados

Your grandmother would have been told that avocados are nothing but pockets of fat. This is not true. We have now discovered that avocado is actually a “good fat” not like we were previously lead to believe. They are rich in antioxidants and aid in slowing down the body’s ageing process. We have also since discovered that avocados help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. If you eat a lot of avocado, you may notice an increase in the oil content of your hair and skin. If so, you may reduce your intake, but don’t forget, naturally oily skin ages better than dry skin. There is one benefit to having oily skin!

Oats

Porridge kept us all warm before school on a winter morning. Even poor old Oliver relied on his porridge in the morning, so much to ask for “more”. However, did you know porridge could do more than keep you warm and fill you up? It is believed to lower cholesterol, blood pressure and may reduce the risk of colon cancer.

Spinach

Popeye was always strong and despite his pipe smoking, had a good heart. Eating your leafy green vegetables will help boost your intake of vitamins A, C, magnesium and folic acid. These are thought to help fight off cancer as well as lower the risk of heart disease and strokes. You will also notice an improvement in your skin if consuming your recommended dose of spinach. Due to the presence of magnesium you help reduce your risk of bone disease and or osteoporosis.

Garlic

Although not always socially acceptable, garlic plays an important role in your diet. It helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure, not to mention keep the vampires away! Odourless garlic tablets are available from all good health food stores and pharmacies.

Carrots

You will always remember you mother at the dinner table encouraging you to eat your carrots. She may have been exaggerating when she told you will go blind if you don’t eat your carrots, but she there was some truth in what she was saying. Carrots contain beta-carotene, which is the pigment that forms vitamin A. Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant, which also helps promote healthy eyes. So it may not prevent you from going blind, but it may help promote healthy eyes. Moral of the story, mother is always right!

Mangoes

This is a seasonal fruit so when it’s available we should take advantage of its goodness. Mangoes contain beta-carotene, vitamin C and E and are said to boost the immune system. They regulate the thyroid and aid the digestive system. Furthermore, Mangoes are said to boost memory and help minimise the chances of developing Alzheimers disease.

Orange Juice

Oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C and flavonoids, which are powerful antioxidants. They help lower blood pressure and thus prevent future clogged arteries.

Kiwi Fruit

Did you know that kiwi fruit is also an excellent source of vitamin C. So if your not a fan of oranges or perhaps fancy something with a little more zang opt for a kiwi fruit and get your necessary source of vitamin C.

Have you ever wondered if that mascara you bought last year will still be okay to use?

Is it a wise move to use what’s left of last year’s sun protection this year?

• Each product must display a use by date, like with foods. 
• When purchasing products, always check that you have enough time to use it up before it’s past its use by date.
• Don’t leave your make up sit in a hot humid area, as this will rapidly decrease its shelf life.

Keep lids on at all times, even when you are dashing out the door in a hurry. 
Ensure make up and other products don’t dry out or get contaminated. 
Dirty make up brushes are a major cause of contamination. Keep this in mind next time you have your make up applied or tested on you in the department or make up store. Don’t be shy to ask them how they clean their brushes in between clients etc. to help prevent cross contamination. 



We all have our favourite perfume, but as they say variety is the spice of life. I like to have a few different perfumes but notice that throughout they yes they change in colour, scent and sometimes even consistency. Some appear thicker with time. Floral scents are past their best after about eighteen months. Where as light citrus based perfumes start to deteriorate in as little as six months.

Nail polish can last for years as most brands contain formaldehyde, which preserves them.

Always keep them in a cool place and ensure the lit is replaced firmly at all times. 

In general hair care lasts twelve months. If out of date you will notice shampoos will not lather up properly. Hair masks tend to become stickier than normal and begin to harden when they are past their use by date. 
With lip-glosses, I tend to opt for squeezy tubes rather than wand applicators, as it is more hygienic and less likely to become contaminated.

Most lip-glosses will last for up to twenty-four months. Lipsticks last between twelve and twenty-four month. Store your lippies in the fridge to help preserve them. 

Eye shadows last for up to two years. Their smell changes dramatically when they are ready to be thrown out. 
This is an important one, mascara! Make sure you use your mascara within four months, and if you don’t, as much as it kills you, throw it out!

Read more: Beauty product shelf life

Everybody is talking about getting active, making time for exercise in our life and getting healthy.

We are told that we should exercise for thirty minutes every day in order to keep active and lead a healthier lifestyle. Many of us cringe at the idea of this.

I hear you saying “that’s alright if you don’t have young kids” or “my career comes first” or generally a simple “I just don’t have the time”. 

What a load of rubbish! Thirty minutes a day exercise every day does not have to be a five kilometer run or lunging full force at a complete (and generally overpriced) equipped gym. Find something different to do each day, anything, as long as it gets your heart rate up and you at least break a little sweat. 



This can be the usual walking the dog, taking the kids to the pool for a few lengths, brisk walking with your next door neighbour in the evenings etc. or it can be something a little less obvious. 

Get out of your gym gear and into your old clothes you wouldn’t be seen dead in past the front door and kick off your shoes. Put some upbeat music which YOU enjoy and start scrubbing.

Yes, housework is an excellent form of exercise. Cleaning the windows or washing the dishes for half an hour burns an average of one hundred and forty four calories. Dusting burns an average of one hundred and twenty calories, while doing the grocery shopping alone burns an average of one hundred and ninety calories!

Now I wonder if regular retail therapy qualifies.. Possibly not. Ironing clothes burns a whopping hundred and ninety calories, and that’s just in half an hour. I’m sure you have at least that a day to tackle. If you want to be really harsh on yourself, turn up the central heating and sweat a little extra. Think of it as Bikram style housework. Don't forget, with all exercise drink plenty of water before, during and after your workout.



If housework isn’t really your thing and you prefer to be outside breathing in the lovely fresh air ( which is clearly better for you anyway) play with the kids. Running around playing with the kids in the garden for half an hour burns approximately one hundred and ninety five calories. Now that’s Childs play.  

Instead of sending the kids to the shop for bread and milk, get off your possibly slightly expanded bottom and briskly walk to the shop yourself.

Furthermore walk back with shopping in each hand. Try to balance the weight of the bags so you carry an even amount in both hands. 

So as wonderful as lavish gyms and fitness regimes are, they often are not always at hand for everyone but that pile of ironing certainly is. Following the thirty minutes, every day plan will help you lead a healthier lifestyle. You will look good and feel great!

If you are one of those “last minute” who tends to over sleep in the mornings, rushing from the gym to do the food shopping or simply feel like not layering on the make-up some days, here are a few tips as to how you can instantly look “fabulous darling”.

1. Big sunnies. Can not only hide tired eyes but can instantly create a sense of mystery to your face. Putting on a pair of oversized Paris Hilton style sunnies is a great way to go from drab to fab.

2. Accesorise accesorise accesorise!!! Bright coloured beads, a few bangles around your wrist and a cute belt to break up an outfit can make you suddenly feel “made up”.

3. Swap your flats for heels. This automatically gives you better posture and you are less likely to slouch (far more ladylike). However this is not recommended for every day, as it can lead to back problems. So perhaps just the days where you need a little “umph” in your life.

4. If your hair feels like you have dipped your head in the chip pan, scrape it back into a tight high pony tail. Scrunch the ends with a dollop of moose to create more texture. Above all, don’t leave it hanging around your face, other than encouraging bacteria to spread, it’s just not pretty.

5. Pop on a bit of lippy. Lip gloss or lipstick can automatically add colour to your face, lifting your overall colour tone. Be daring with a dramatic blood red, or keep it simply and pretty with a clear to pale pink lip gloss.

Read more: 10 Top ways to go from drab to FAB!