It’s wonderful to look forward to Christmas again, a time when (hopefully!) we can meet up with friends and family and celebrate being together and having fun. No more depending on Zoom and Google Meet, we are planning on a good old fashioned in-person meet up!
And of course, you’ll want to look and feel your best at this festive time. There’s no better way to approach the holiday season than feeling fully prepared, relaxed and looking refreshed.
So, in expectation of being able to revel with the relatives and have a bash with your buddies, Dr Teresa has put together some special festive top tips to ensure you sparkle this Christmas
Dr Teresa’s Top Tips to Looking Good
1) How to make your skin glow
Don’t risk a skin outbreak on the big day! If you enjoy getting glammed up for the pre-Christmas celebrations and are maybe prone to falling into bed without – the ultimate of all beauty sins – removing your make-up, your skin will likely start to look dull and you could even suffer with a few breakouts and blackheads.
Use a gentle exfoliator a couple of times a week to remove dead skin and unclog pores, and ideally use a cleansing and toning face wash every morning.
The better the condition of your skin, the better the base for your make-up, meaning you can create a smooth, flawless complexion for every occasion.
Hydrate – you know the score! Set yourself a goal over December to drink at least 1 litre of water a day. Top tip: if the thought of cold water on a winter’s morning freezes you to the core, then warm it up, add a slice of lemon or try herbal teas.
If you feel that your face needs a refresh then Dr Teresa offers a wide range of customised skincare products, each designed to target a particular problem area and type of skin so you could get a head start on keeping your skin in good condition. Find out more about Dr Teresa’s recommended skin care range here.
2) How to look fresh every morning
Let’s face it, it’s a great season for a party! If you foresee a lack of sleep on the horizon with a few late nights, then take a look at Profhilo treatment. It’s a great way to ‘cheat’ tired looking skin.
This revolutionary new treatment is often referred to as the ‘injectable moisturiser’. Unlike dermal fillers, these micro injections are aimed at creating a hydrated, plumped look rather than restructuring the shape of the face.
A great treatment that will keep you looking fresh throughout the festive season! Find out more about Profhilo here.
3) How to knock 5 years off your age
Some people do feel the pressure of having to look their best at Christmas and we’ve all been there with that wish of wanting to knock five or ten years off our age!
Dr Teresa’s facial aesthetic mantra is fairly unique in that she specialises in a 100% ‘natural look’. This is perfect if you are considering facial aesthetic treatments to give your confidence a boost – but don’t want to risk the ‘trout-pout’ or a face that appears frozen.
When you book a consultation, Dr Teresa will talk you through all the different treatments, explaining the results and what you can expect. From wrinkle relaxers to reduce the lines on the forehead or around the eyes, to dermal fillers to gently re-frame the face, there are a range of options that will lift and freshen with a totally natural look.
4) How to have a great smile
Are you one of those people that don’t like to show their teeth in a photo? Do you have chipped teeth or just feel that they have lost their brightness?
First of all, the most simple and effective thing to do before heading out is to give your teeth a good clean with a whitening toothpaste. You’ll feel fresher in an instant and give your teeth an added shine. Add to that a splash of bold lipstick, such as hot red or dark berry as this will bring out the brightness of your teeth.
If you feel that your teeth could do with a professional makeover then as a qualified dentist with over 30 years’ experience, Dr Teresa can provide expert advice on cosmetic dental services.
For example, cosmetic bonding can fill in chips in just one session. At home whitening kits can brighten up your smile within a few days. If you are self-conscious about the old-fashioned black fillings then they can be replace by natural looking fillings.
Find out more about Dr Teresa’s cosmetic dentistry in Milton Keynes here.
5) How to give your hair extra bounce
Book your hair appointment now! Add in a touch of colour or tint to make you feel fabulous. Treat yourself once a year to the products that your hairdresser recommends to give your hair that ‘in-salon’ feeling.
As we get older we find that our hair gets thinner, loses volume and is easily damaged. Some top tips for looking after hair include:
· Use heat appliances less often and use a heat protector spray
· Wash only twice a week
· Hair is made of protein strands – eat nutrient rich foods regularly.
Dr Teresa’s Top Tips for Feeling Good
1) I’ve got nothing to wear!
Yes, we’ve all said that at some point in our lives! So this year, be prepared!
We all have the staple pieces in your wardrobe – the perfect black trousers, the little black dress. Treat yourself now to a couple of ‘statement’ pieces, one or two new items that will go with your existing clothes. This will instantly brighten up an old look and it’s an easy way to feel as though you have a completely different outfit.
2) Boosting your Seasonal Glow
It’s not just Strictly dancers that have the right to a winter tan – it’s easily available to all of us. Treat yourself to a fake tan, either applying gradually at home or if you can cope with the strip to the paper pants, head to your local beauty salon. A healthy tanned glow means you don’t have to rely on make up as much and it allows arms and legs to be displayed with confidence!
3) Make up top up
We all know how nice it is to treat ourselves to new makeup. It doesn’t need to be much – a new lipstick (see earlier tips about a darker lipstick to highlight brighter teeth) or perhaps a sparkly highlighter or blush to highlight the cheekbones.
Top tips for highlighter:
· Apply it delicately on the edge of your nose and on the top of your cheekbones for a chic look.
· There are plenty of different highlighting makeup products out there – from powders to sticks. You just need to choose the one that suits you best.
4) Bath time
There’s nothing better than a bit of ‘me time’. Take an hour out for yourself and ease your tired muscles with a steaming bath. For a full spa experience place a hot muslin cloth over the face and breathe in to clear the head and pores. Plus use a body brush to get your circulation going and scrub off any dead skin cells.
5) Get a manicure
When it comes to your hands, your manicure should be impeccable. Avoid glittery glazes – it’s not a chic look, especially after a certain age. Pick classic colours that are effectively eye-catching like red, burgundy (a colour to match your new lipstick). Tip: Do your nails the night before to let dry and avoid any last-minute mishaps.
6) Get the Girls Out!
We rarely think about it, but your neckline can also be highlighted. If you have invested in a V-neck dress, do not hesitate to apply a little highlighting powder to the hollow of your chest.
If you have reached the age where you are self-conscious about how your neckline is ageing, then Profhilo can help again as it can be used not only on the face but also on the neck and cleavage area.
After injection, Profhilo disperses quickly beneath the skin and after your two treatments you can expect to see intense hydration. It makes the skin glow, fine lines can disappear, and you’ll notice smoother, tighter skin. Courses of two treatments can be repeated every six months as needed to maintain the results. Find out more about Profhilo for neck and cleavage here.
7) Revitalise with fresh air
Make a pre-new year resolution to get out in the fresh air for a brisk walk as often as you can. A good walk burns calories, strengthens the heart, eases joint pain, boost your immune function, tones your legs and improves your mood. All these things are guaranteed to give your face a rosy glow and invigorate your body into feeling better.
Walk with a friend, your dog or simply on your own, listening to motivating music or a podcast – BBC Sounds is a brilliant app for all of the above!
Dr Teresa wishes you a wonderful winter and Christmas – here’s to great wellbeing choices and positive changes to help you live your best life!
