Patricia della Giovampaola

Facial Massage...

2012-02-20T07:55:00.003-08:00

Dear readers:

As you've been asking me, I requested my dermatologist, Norma, to write something about facial massage. Here goes...

"A massage is a systematic method that sums up a series of movements, frictions and pressures that allows us to obtain benefits and several effects on the muscles, as also a better blood flow and oxygenation.

The cosmetological massage is primarily preventive and hygienic. Its aim is to preserve the elasticity, tone and firmness of the skin and must be professionally executed."

You can reach Norma, and get her products, at her phone: 4 807-6165.

Thank you for all your messages!

We'll try to keep on answering your doubts!

Yoga Tip N°5...

2011-12-15T07:37:00.002-08:00

Following our series, we'll complete the Supta Padhagustasana (Tip N°3) with one of its variations:

1. Take both stripes of the belt with your right hand and open your leg to the right, towards the floor.

2. Your left leg should be pushing towards the floor and the wall, helping you to keep the pose.

3. Breathe in, and when breathing out, stretch the inner sides of both legs towards your feet while contracting the outer sides towards your butt, thus allowing the circulation of the energy.

To maintain the equilibrium of the hips, you can place a folded blanket under the thigh of the leg with which you are working.

Keep the pose for 1 minute. Then move your leg back towards the ceiling and repeat with your other leg.

With this variation you'll be working out your legs completely, giving relief to the tensions of the hips and preventing hernias.

Thank you Sonia!

Yoga Tip N°4...

2011-10-27T10:28:00.000-07:00

Here's Tip N°4...

"With this and the tips to come, I will be sharing with you a series of postures that you can practice daily.

So, after Viparita Karani (Tip N°1), you should do a Half Loto against the wall:

- Remove the bolster, lay your butt against the floor and bend your right leg, placing your heel over your tigh, near the knee of your left leg (you might need to move a bit away from the wall so that all your back is laid against the floor).

- Push your knees away and your butt against the wall so as to align your hip. Keep the posture throughout 10 breathings and then repeat with the other leg.

This posture, at first sight easy, is fundamental to keep your hips opened and strech your knees and heels. Essentially all asanas imply the movement of the hips. The opening of the hips allow the increase of strength and range of movement inside and around the articulation. With a strong and stable hip, your spine can grow and elongate!"

Yoga Tip N°3

2011-08-01T06:22:00.000-07:00

I give you another tip from Sonia, my Yoga professor...

"This posture is calles Supta Padangusthasana...

It's great when you have lumbar pains because it works on that area, relieving the compression. As you lay on you back you can stretch the back of your muscles without pushing on your vertebrae. Having your back against the floor helps keep all your column straight.

1. Lay on your back as shown in the photo (or with your left feet against a wall). If you feel pressure on your neck, use a pillow under it.

2. Relax your hands over your abdomen, with your arms and shoulders loose. Adjust the belt to the require tension, so you can stretch your leg while feeling your lumbar area correctly rested on the floor.

3. This posture allows the elongation of all the muscles in the back of your right leg, using breathing as a mechanism to relax those areas under work. Slowly increase the flection of your ankle, pointing the heel towards the ceiling and your toes towards your chest. Keep the posture from 1 to 3 minutes.

Benefits:

- Elongates hips, knees and ankles.

- Strengthens the knees

- Relieves lumbar pains and sciatica

- Helps with PMS pains."

A gift...

2011-07-01T06:51:00.000-07:00

Norma, my dermatologist, asked me to give you this "gift" from her. Here goes...

"Do you want to have a beautiful skin, luminous and soft and see it happen in no time?

For me, the most important step has to do with facial hygiene, which must be done every day, when getting up and going to bed, minimum!

You must cover all your face and neck with a cleansing lotion and let it work for a couple of minutes. Then remove it with a cotton towel soaked in warm water (warm to cold...). If necessary, repeat twice. This way, you drag (instead of rubbing) all leftovers of creams, make-up and dead cells on the skin. Then rinse with cold water and use a tonic to activate blood flow. I assure you that you'll notice huge changes in the color of your skin and in the oxygenation this will produce. Then, of course, you must use a cream or lotion according to your skin needs."

Put it into practice!

Yoga Tip N°2

2011-06-13T06:50:00.000-07:00

Here's a new tip from Sonia...

"I give you today this pose that's a classic when returning home from an interesting but exhausting journey... It's called Supta Baddha Konasana. You must sit in front of a bolster and tie a belt from your sacrum to your feet, going through your thighs. Lie down leaving a gap between the bolster and your hips (so you can rest your first ribs) and place a neck rest under your head.

Relax your arms close to your body (palms up), your chest, shoulders, stomach and groin. Rest like this for 3 to 5 minutes, breathing softly but deeply.

This pose is perfect to relax your nervous system. It generates a deep breathing which unleashes an energy flow towards your pelvic area, increasing the vitality of your digestive and sexual organs."

For inquiries, contact Sonia at:
www.kerala.com.ar
4 781-6383

Yoga Tip N°1

2011-05-31T06:30:00.000-07:00

As you already know, Yoga is essential in my life. I've been taking clases for many years now with the same teacher, Sonia Khoury, who's a genius. I want to share with you a bit of her knowledge, so I asked her to write for us, from time to time, some Yoga Tips for this section of our blog. Here's the very first one...

"When I've had a long day, with lots of physical work and little mental rest, it's hard for me to reach the evening feeling fresh and relaxed. So I do this Yoga pose that brings back my vitality and spirit to enjoy what's left of my day.

This variation of Viparita Karani is simple and easy to do: you just need a bolster (or a couple of blankets) and a wall. You must try to lay down having your butt as close to the wall as possible and, if you can, also your legs. Relax your neck and throat, your stomach and eyes, directing your vision towards your heart.

This pose is good to reduce water retention in feet and ankles, improve blood flow in arms and legs, relax your neck and face and calm the mind from stress."

Thank you, Sonia!

Kerala - Estudio de Yoga

Olazábal 1562

Ca. Fed.

www.kerala.com.ar

The smile...

2011-04-19T15:26:00.000-07:00

I know I've already posted an entry on the importance of dental health. Brushing, flossing and using mouthwash are all necessary steps that we should put into practice at home everyday.

However, from time to time, we must always consult a professional for deeper cleansing treatments or more precise methods of whitening. They can also give us advices on the new plastic procedures that can help us achieve a perfect smile.

As there have been lots of improvements lately on this matter, I asked my dentist, Dr. Darío Toucedo, to tell us about this new developments and how they can help us.

Doctor, can we achieve the perfect smile?

"Our teeth and smile work as our personal card, fundamental both in our daily and professional life. They both speak of our health and of the importance we give to personal grooming. Nowadays there are different techniques to achieve a perfect smile. Combined, these methods can result in beautiful outcomes that also benefit the patient in its overall health: cavity-free teeth, correct bites and healthy gums.

The choice of treatment is decided after a careful analysis of the patient's dental health. This is essential and must be requested. There are no quick miracles. According to that diagnosis, a treatment is arranged with the patient. Solutions are not immediate and we must be conscious of this. But the sacrifice is worth while.

Some treatments combine, for example, handmade caps with porcelain crowns. Caps change the shape and color of the tooth without wearing it out. Thanks to the latests improvements on this matter, these caps look no different than our natural dental pieces.

Sometimes, however, prior to all these, a complete dental make-over is suggested through braces. When so, the new transparent porcelain brackets make the treatment less invasive to the patient. However, of course, there are no magical solutions. Patience and confidence in your dentist is required, knowing that the final result will strengthen your self-steem and personality."

Thank you, Doctor!

And don't forget to smile...

Facials: which, when, how and why...

2011-04-19T06:15:00.000-07:00

As you already know, I'm a fan of facials. But there are so many options available and with such diverse benefits that I understand it can be difficult to pick one. That's why I asked my dermatologist, Norma Palkovska, to tell us something about them...

"The day has arrived: you have a stupendous party! But in your face the tracks of a stressful week. What can you do to feel like a Queen?

As we dermatologist always say, first you must clean your face and neck with a cleansing milk, removing it with mild water, and then apply a toner appropriate to your skin type, which can have ginseng, ivy or chamomile, linden or mallow, because these are the best to relax and clear the face. Then comes the time to apply the facial, which can have, for example, tensing results. You must apply it from the neck upwards and then, from the nose to each side, reaching your ears and each of your temples, away from your eyes. Instant lifting effect. There are also cold facials, based on gels (these are the most common ones), others based on collagen or hyaluronic acid, fit for all skin types.

Facials have a great quantity of nutrients and active ingredients. Some can be applied and left on, to absorb all of their benefits. It's best to apply them when laying in bed, with our legs lifted on pillows, so that they are higher than our head, with cotton pads on our eyes, soaked in toner or cold tea, soft music and happy thoughts. No doubt you'll end up feeling like a true Queen..."

Thank you Norma! Any questions, you can reach her at 4 807-6165.

As for myself, I love moisturizing facials, as those from Rilastil. I use them before applying my make-up and after taking a shower... I try to have facials every day, to achieve better results.

There are also plenty of home-made recipes that you can try, with products and things we have at home and that can be used to refresh, hydrate or de-compress your face. You just have to do some research!!

Yoo experience...

2011-01-11T14:00:00.000-08:00

Being it a cloudy day, I went to the Spa Yoo, at the new Yoo building in Punta del Este, to have what's been proposed to me as the Yoo experience...

Quite intrigued, I only asked how much it would take (more or less three hours) and made a reservation. I love spas, I've visited many and do enjoy them. At the Yoo I was welcomed by Elizabeth and Laura, two excellent therapists that, throughout 50 minutes, made me a four-hands-massage (Thai method...). In total sync, they were able to relax the muscles on my legs and back, so stressed due to sports and towering heels!!! The scented essential oils, the ability of their hands and their talents as masseuses were fantastic!

Then, to stay relax, I was invited to a bath tub full of bubbles and rose petals...

A little sleepy, I asked for a cold shower to wake up...

From there I was taken to get a special facial with Givenchy products... also, a luxury. Laura cleansed my face with a purifying milk and then worked with Peel It Soft for a light peel to remove dead cells and dirt accumulated on the skin with all the sunblock I've been using these past days.

Then she used a radio-frequency BMA (Bio Molecular Activation) machine, which looks like a huge pen and feels warm. It is used to activate the cells from within, leaving the face enlightened.

To wrap it up, she applied to me the Black for Light Mask, which I've already knew and had used before, and which intensifies the luminosity of the entire treatment. Some drops of No Surgetics Pasti Sculpt and I was ready for the final stage of the Yoo experience: manicure and pedicure.

A true sybaritic experience... even if I have not tried the "Gold Treatment," which promises to leave golden sparkles all over your face...!!

Answers...

2011-01-06T12:13:00.000-08:00

1. To tone legs and arms, it's important to exercise frequently (I will never get tired of repeating this!) and avoid the sun, which among other damages, loosens the skin... You can use creams to help tone the skin. I like Body Excellence, by Chanel.... But beware... Don't expect miracles from a cream...

2. To keep my diet in spite of the busy social life of Punta del Este I try to have my meals more or less at the same hours every day. And try not to get tempted in parties and dinners...

As you may know, when I have an important party, I have dinner at home, before leaving. And if I'm invited to a seated dinner, I have a late afternoon tea so as not to arrive dying of hunger.

Each one has its methods...

Hair in summer...

2010-12-25T11:21:00.000-08:00

Summer is here, and with it the pool, the sea, the sand, the heat and the sun, lots of sun... This is why I wanted to share with you some tips to take care of your hair this time around, in which it will be exposed to dryness and neglect. Sea water alters its static charge and elastic properties, making it fragile and breakable. Ultraviolet rays cause the same damage as a chemical dye. And the chlorine in pools de-oxides, dries and weakens it.

As almost all women are conscious of this, many well-known brands offer products to protect out hair in Summer: sprays, shampoos with SPF, special creams, etc. You can see the ads everywhere!

As for me, I'll tell you what I do. First of all, I try not to wet my hair in the sea or pool... a little bit because I'm phobic and then because I'm aware of the damage.

When I know I'll be washing my hair in the afternoon, I put on a good oil, such as Leonor Greyl's Huile de Palme (which I have already recommended a couple of times) or the lavender oil by Christophe Robin, who not only is my colorist, but also my friend and advisor in these subjects...

By the end of the day, I do a good shampoo and wear Kérastase's Masquintense, which is my favorite product in the world!!! It leaves my hair wonderful and scented...

With this tips, I get through Summer with no complications...

Exfoliation...

2010-12-09T09:39:00.000-08:00

Summer is getting near and will officially kick out soon. So it's now, more than ever, the time to prepare our skin to expose itself to the sun, the air and the outdoors.

One of the main measures to adopt is exfoliation or scrubbing, also known as gommage in French. You know me so you are aware, because I'm always recommending products, that I'm a fan of gommages and I go for luxury brands and also homemade preparations, such as those with coarse salt and olive oil.

I asked Myriam Jerusalmi, in charge of the Spa at the Yoo Punta del Este, to tell us why it's so important to exfoliate from time to time...

"Exfoliation is essential to eliminate toxins and dead cells deposited in the outer surfaces of the dermis. Removing dead cells is key because if not they form a barrier that does not allow the absorption of the products and creams that we use daily. And this, in summer, is basic, specially because we use lots of sun-blocks and moisturizing post-solar lotions. Exfoliation must be done on our body and face. At the Yoo Spa we use gommages based on honey and lemon or mineral salts, always depending on the skin type of your client.

When finishing the scrubbing routine, it is important to nourish the skin, for it is now when you'll have it in the best situation to receive all kinds of treatments. In your face you must follow the steps we all know: cleansing milk, toning lotion and hydrating cream.

At the Spa we offer Givenchy products, which have great experience in the area and are a guarantee of excellent quality."

Thank you Myriam! And not to lose time... everyone, to exfoliate!

SPA YOO Punta del Este...

2010-11-27T06:32:00.000-08:00

Dear readers!
I wanted to let you know that for a few months the SPA at the Yoo Punta del Este will be collaborating with our blog. In fact, a couple of weeks ago I went to have a look and even had some pictures taken. It's fantastic. The Spa will use, for their treatments, Givenchy products, which makes it the first Spa to use the brand in South-America. I asked the specialists to give us tips and details to publish the coming weeks in this section. For the time being, I give you the list of services, amenities and treatments offered by the Spa, in case any of you visits Punta del Este shortly. You can see them by clicking here. It's worth while!

Send in your questions to the specialists, so they can give us key answers!

As years go by...

2010-11-10T11:22:00.000-08:00

As you loved Norma's previous post, I asked her now to write something dedicated to every age...

"WHEN YOU ARE 20... At this age we feel we have natural beauty and youth and that both will last forever. We are far from worrying about aging, but we can adopt some healthy habits and be constant about the future of our skin. It's the time to begin a healthy routine, applying good products, such as a cleansing lotion, a toner and then a soft moisturizer.

WHEN YOU ARE 30... Here we give our first steps towards adulthood, and we feel the very first symptoms of time. Light expression lines appear and our skin loses some of its luminosity. We need protection against sun-aging and it's time to look for deeper hydration and creams with ingredients that promote the synthesis of collagen to recover the cellular cycle.

WHEN YOU ARE 40... This is a busy period in life, family and work, trying to keep things under control. Our skin is not as tense as it used to be, so we must search for products that stimulate the synthesis of collagen and improve the firmness of the skin. It is also important to look for products that revitalize cellular energy and that are rich in vitamins.

WHEN YOU ARE 50... This is the age of maturity. You know what you are worth and what you want and how to get it. Wrinkles, flaccidity and change in color appear as a result of the loss of estrogens due to menopause. You need efficient products conceived to promote epidermic and dermic regeneration and skin defenses against environmental aggression. Creams must be capable hydrating and nourishing deeply, in combination with special serums.

WHEN YOU ARE 60... The golden age. Maturity gives us a new perspective of life, with more indulgence to climate change. We don't want to look older than we feel. Our body no longer produces estrogen, so our skin is thinner and expression lines are by now permanent on our face. It is important to hydrate, repair, regenerate and strengthen the skin. Products with rich textures and specific ingredient for this stage are required."

So much knowledge, Norma!! Thanks a lot!!!

A luminous skin...

2010-11-01T09:53:00.000-07:00

I asked my long-time dermatologist, Norma Palkovska (the only person allowed to touch my face!!), to tell us how to achieve a luminous, healthy and firm skin. This is what she wrote for our blog...

"The skin is the largest organ on the human body and it's responsible for the 5% of our total weight. On our skin we register symptoms of pain, touch, heat and cold, pushing our organism to produce the answer required. It is also where we reveal our feelings and emotions, such as anguish, embarrassment (flush), fear (paleness) and anxiety (sweating). The epidermis, which is the outer layer, is a tissue in constant renovation and through mitosis, the cells divide, migrate, change and die in approximately a month.

One of the reasons why our skin ages is the strengthening of the intercellular membrane, through which is produced the exchange of oxygen and fluids between the surface and the inner layers, so necessary for the lives of cells. Without this exchange, the cell loses its vitality and its capacity to renew itself, thus achieving a faded aura. With functions so different, demanding and permanent, and requirement from the outside and the inside, attention given to our skin must be important. Nothing better then than bio-reactivaiting massages, which activate the blood flow to the skin and muscles and stimulate the elimination of organic disposal. Cells and their functions get revitalized and are left in an optimal condition to take advantage of the benefits of the various cosmetic products to be used later. In this way we prevent and improve the look of wrinkles, spots and expression lines. Our skin will look more luminous, healthy and firm."

Thank you Norma! I hope this is useful for you all...

Comments...

2010-07-19T07:26:00.000-07:00

Thank you, dear readers, for all your comments in the post about perfumes!!!

They were so interesting and educational!

Do go on, please!

As for heels... the only way to bear them is to use them just a couple of hours, without abusing.

And then rest your calves by stretching them, at night. During the rest of the time, wear snickers or flats... That's my advice... good luck!

Perfumes, perfumes...

2010-07-16T06:37:00.000-07:00

They can be your greatest joy or the worst if picked wrongly and without minding your personality, skin and body.
Throughout my life I've only used three perfumes, each one almost during a decade...
Arpege by Lanvin, Shalimar by Guerlain and now I remain loyal to Chanel N°5, which, for a year now, I've been blending, to enhance it, with Ambre Russe de Parfums de l'Empire. I love using everything with a same scent: deodorant, body lotion... everything with Chanel N°5. If we use different scents, they will mix and your perfume will lose its charm and charisma.
As you can see, I love antique perfumes, mostly of which were created during the 20s and 30s, or even earlier, because I believe they are the best, the true "grand cru" of scents.
La Maison Guerlain created masterpieces such as Jicky (born on 1889), Mitsouki, L'Heure Bleu, Vol de Nuit, Parfum de Champs.
I do not like their newer creations... every time I go to Guerlain's boutique on Champs-Elyseés, I always stop by the first floor where they exhibit all the original bottles, mostly done with Baccarat crystal, of the perfumes they no longer produce... It's worth going just to see l'Eau de Cologne Imperial... a pleasure to sore eyes!!
Guerlain also made exquisite fragrances for men: Vetiver, L'Habit Rouge and Mouchoir de Monsieur. A perfume for men that I find irresistible is Knize Ten, made in 1925 in Vienne by Joseph Knize, the most important tailor in town, who used to sew the costumes of the Emperors till they existed... It's a fragrance that reminds you of the smell of leather, patchouli, lemon, clove...
I'm definitely not into today's perfumes... I don't like Thierry Mugler's Angel, which is a selling hit, nor the last creations by Dior, Gaultier, YSL or those you can find in Duty Free shops. I do like those by Parisian Perfumer Francois Malle and those made by Estée Lauder during the 70s.
Finally, do remember that perfumes have their own life when paired with your skin and can change substantially...

About foundations...

2010-06-08T11:05:00.000-07:00

I asked my friend Gervasio Larrivey (he no longer needs an introduction...) to share with us some tips on foundations... Here's what he wrote for our blog...

Foundations or fond de teint are no longer used to just correct your skin tone. Thanks to new technologies, cosmetic brands have been working on them so that they can also be used as moisturizers, anti-age treatments and, what's most important for me, sun blocks.

There are foundations of many types and textures. Ahead a brief analysis on the most common ones and some tricks to avoid mistakes when applying them or choosing the correct shade.

TINTED MOISTURIZING CREAMS: they provide hydration rather than concealment and usually have high SPFs, which make them ideal for more natural looks. They should be applied with your fingers to blend them properly. Not useful for those who need to conceal skin spots or marks.

MOUSSE FOUNDATIONS: ideal for teen or very young oily skins, because they dry quickly and have a mate finish. They must be applied with your fingers. Should be avoided on older skins because, as they usually contain powder, can create a stiff effect.

LIQUID OR FLUID FOUNDATIONS: these are the most popular and used ones, ideal for all skin types according to their characteristics - mate for oily skins, moisturizing for dry skins, anti-age for older skins, etc. They act as light concealers and can be applied with your fingers, sponges or brushes.

CREAMY FOUNDATIONS: because of their high concealing power, they are ideal for skins that need to hide imperfections or spots. They are also good for those skins needing hydration because of their hydrating oils. Can be applied with your fingers, sponges or brushes, but always blending them properly to your skin.

COMPACT OR POWDER FOUNDATIONS: ideal for young skins, because they act as base, or to give a finishing touch to the whole make-up. Apply them with a sponge to achieve more coverage or with a brush for a natural look. Not useful for mature or dry skins because the excess of powder will highlight expression marks.

TO BEAR IN MIND:

- When choosing a foundation shade, try it on your jawbone and blend it towards your neck and face. The color that works better on those two areas is the one. Never try them on your hand because the tone on that part of your body is different from your face's.

- Foundations should be applied from the center of your face towards the sides and then down to your neck so it won't look as an unnatural mask.

- To fixate your make-up, it's best to use volatile powders, pressing on the areas to seal. Avoid excesses because that would bring forward expression lines.

- Use a toning or bronzing compact powder to give shape to your features and a blush to give color to your cheeks. My favorite are the peach-y tones because they provide a natural light to the face.

- When finishing applying your make-up, spraying a hydrating mist or thermal water will help fixate the foundation and remove excess powder to achieve a natural look.

My favorite foundations are: Guerlain's Parure Aqua and Parure Extreme because of their fluid texture, easy application and natural effect, providing hydration the first one and a long-lasting water-resistant look the second one.

If I need to conceal I go for Kryolan Ultrafoundation or Dermacolor.

As for powder foundation, I love Guerlain's Compact Parure because of the lighting effect provided by its pearl micro-particles.

I hope you find these tips useful and put them into practice.

Oh! And here goes Gervasio's web-site:

www.gervasiolarrivey.com.ar

As usual, thank you so much Gervasio!!

Self-massage

2010-05-17T11:45:00.000-07:00

There are times when we look in the mirror and we don't like what we see...

We are tired, maybe we had a bad night sleep or slept just a few hours...Not enough. If that's so, the best you can do is give your face a self-massage. Thanks to a couple of movements and maneuvers we can bring oxygen to our skin and see immediate results.

First of all, remember that these movements must go always upright and never downright.

Begin by rubbing 10 times your ears with your palms to re-energize your head. Then, with some moisturizing lotion, massage with 4 of your fingers from your chin to your eyes, more or less 6 times.

Keep pressing with the tips of your fingers, moving from your nose to your ears, concentrating on your cheeks, and repeat 10 times.

To achieve a more serene and calm attitude, pinch your forehead, without lifting your skin, from the middle to your temples, and repeat 10 times also.

And finally, do not forget your eyes, because it's around them that tiredness is more visible. Always with the tip of your fingers, press around your eyes, from the bottom to the eyebrows, but avoid touching your eyelids. Then press from the inside (near your nose) towards the outside 6 times and repeat another 6 times but the other way around.

It's best to practice these little massages in the morning and then drink a glass of hot water to bring equilibrium to your vital energy and eliminate toxins.

Eyebrows...

2010-04-24T14:37:00.000-07:00

I've asked my make-up guru, Gervasio Larrivey, to give us some tips to take care and do our eyebrows and here they are...

Gervasio says:

Eyebrows are definitely one of the most important features in our face. They frame our look and build our expressions.

Along time and fashion trends, they've been having a larger or smaller role: they went from being totally imperceptible during the 20s and 30s to being completely exaggerated during the 40s, 50s and 80s.

Nowadays you should go for a natural but yet defined look. Here some tips to have them always impeccable:

- Avoid waxing. Although its a fast method, the skin of our eyelid is very sensitive and among the first to reveal aging. If we are constantly exposing it to hard pulls by waxing, we'll be facing fallen eyelids in the future.

- The best way to define and tidy your eyebrows definitely involves tweezers. There are a lot of options to choose from. My favorites are those with flat diagonal tips. They are precise and great for working in detail.

- If you have hairy eyebrows, it's best to define them slowly, avoiding abrupt changes that could change the features of your face. Begin by cleaning the space between both eyebrows and slowly continue giving shape.

- If you have a round or oval face, it's best to give them a more angular shape: this was popular during the 40s and 50s and it was called "dove wing," because of its outline, fuller in its origin, with a bend in its peak and growing thinner towards the end.

- On the contrary, square, rectangular or triangular faces should go for less rigid shapes.

- There are brow pencils and liners (eye pencils). Brow pencils have harder leads. If we define eyebrows with eye pencils, they will look grotesque. Brow pencils define without exaggerating.

- Personally I prefer using compact shadows. This is how I work: first I tidy them with tweezers, then I comb them with a clear gel for eyebrows and finally, with a shaped (bended) brush and the chosen shadow, I fill where necessary and blend towards the end.

- Be it with pencil or shadow, avoid black. No matter how dark your hair is, eyebrows should always be a hue lighter. If not, they'll be rough on your features.

- My favorite colors are ashy browns, reds and chocolates, always mate.

- Black should be used only in theaters, runway shows or special fashion shoots, where it is common to play with exaggeration.

I hope they are useful for you and put them into practice.

Sleep...

2010-04-17T12:02:00.000-07:00

If you want to stay healthy, there's nothing as getting good night sleeps...

Dinning frugally will help you fall asleep more easily. Your aim should always be 8-hours-a-night! That's the minimum amount required for our body to restore itself from a long day, avoid stress and protect your immune system. A restful sleep will make you look your best, bring light to your skin and remove dark spots from under your eyes. When your body does not relaxes, it will present a tendency to accumulate fat and burning them will become a hard task. A good night sleep will help maintain your weight or even burn it, because when deprived from sleep we produce more appetite hormones...

More and more scientific studies have been proving the link between sleep disorders and mental illnesses. Disruptions during sleep increases the amount of hormones related to stress, which generates anxiety during the day and troubles to process and react to emotional stimulus. If we are in a mood or anxious, we eat more, we mistreat those around us and will be far from looking and feeling our best.

I'm kind of a Cinderella-type: I try to get back home as early as possible and go to bed before 1 a.m., because I do enjoy early day-starts. So, if I can sleep more than 8 hours, still better for me!

A nice smile can get you (almost) anything...

2010-04-10T13:05:00.000-07:00

A nice smile is sooo important... It brings light to our face and speaks of us. Impeccable teeth confirm that we dedicate time to personal grooming and that we lead a healthy life. Our mouth and gums reflect multiple health disorders, even cardiac problems. The shape, size and color of our teeth evolve with time and many of these changes are hard to notice. This is why an appointment with your dentist is a must every now and then. With professional cleaning, at least every 6 months, you can reduce the risk of gingivitis (gums are responsible for tooth attachment), cavities and dental plaque. And if you don't have them perfectly aligned, you should wear braces to correct them. It is uncomfortable, I know, but it's worth it. You can even have clear braces which is a more cosmetic alternative and pass almost unnoticed. Nothing to do with what braces used to be! I used them when I was a girl of 6 or 7 years old and then again during my teens.

At home, my cleaning routine includes brushing my teeth three times-a-day, that is, after every important meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and flossing before going to bed. If I feel something bothering or what might be a caries, I run to my dentist!

It is true also that it's not enough to just brush your teeth to have them pearly white. You must avoid all those things containing tannin, such as coffee, tea, red wine, blueberries and cigarettes. If yours are already yellow, there are plenty of professional techniques to whiten them. Do not trust magical solutions, for they usually harm the natural enamel of the teeth, making them porous. I whiten them constantly and brush them with a special product to achieve longer effects. A white smile is worth more than any lifting or anti-wrinkle treatment and it makes any woman look beautiful.

Please remember that these healthy habits and cares should always be put into practice for ourselves only, to feel good about ourselves and because of the joy and confidence we feel when we look good. If we do not take care of ourselves, we send the message that we care little about our persona. And if this is so... how are others going to respect us?

Tips for your hair...

2010-04-04T07:22:00.000-07:00

My mother used to say that a stylish woman knows how to fix herself at home. So I know how to do hair, my hands or feet. I can even do an emergency brushing! I often go to the hairdresser's, but I wash my head at home. After having tried a lot of methods, I've finally found a series of products that work great for me and I travel with them wherever I go. Anyway, I'm still open to new discoveries and I'm never afraid to try the latest in store. I wash my hair while on the shower (many recommend to wash it separately, to be able to control water temperature more freely, as it should not be too hot nor too cold) and I never apply shampoo directly on my scalp: I blend it with some water on a bowl. I apply it twice and then I use plenty of conditioner but only on the tips!!! Once out from the tub, I use a Hydrating Mist by Acqua, which I buy on the US, or Kerastase's Oleo-Relax Slim, and I blow it myself or run to the salon. When I travel, I always pack my electric curlers.

With time, coloring and dye, our hair becomes dry and thin, it loses its ability to retain nutrients and therefore less resistant to outdoor aggression. This is why it is important to invest in good, strengthening products. The best treatment for our hair is given by its natural secretions, so after many weeks of brushing, I try to give it a rest spending some days without washing it. I tie it in a ponytail or a bun and forget about it!

Every once in a while to fix extreme damage, as that of Summer and sun, I use a hair cream bath. I have it done at the salon or apply it at home, on a quiet night, massaging right to the ends, and I sleep all night with it, covering my pillow with a towel.

Coloring and highlights, that I have them done at the salon. I like natural looks, that remain true to your own color, slightly highlighting them. Please say no to extreme bleaching or brutal dyes, such as fire-reds or white blonds.

My hair grows-up a lot, I believe due to the many vitamins and amino-acids I take. That's why I have it cut once a month... and as for my fringe, my very-famous fringe I've been having since forever, I trim it every week.

I like natural easy hairstyles. Slightly loose buns or chignons are young and so stylish for our everyday-life... specially now, that there's no enough time to spend at the salon!

Tips to improve your make-up...

2010-03-25T06:59:00.000-07:00

I asked Gervasio Larrivey, the only person I allow to do my make-up, and one of the best artists I know, to give us some tips to improve our make-up and enhance it.

Here they are...

These are the products you should invest in: foundation, corrector, powder and mascara. Here are some tips to bear in mind when choosing these products...

- The color of your foundation must be chosen by applying a drop on your jawbone, spreading it then to your neck and face. Pick the one that best suits your skin. Never buy it after applying it on your hand, because our face color is different from that of our hand.

- Correctors must be one or two hues lighter than the color of your foundation, and they can be fluid or creamy depending on the intensity of the zone to illuminate. If the circles under your eyes are very dark, chose an orange color to avoid the entire zone to look grey.

- Powder is used to fixate and blend your foundation. I prefer loose powder as sealer and pressed powder for detailing. Excess in use will expose expression lines.

- Bronzers and tanning powders will give color to your face. Apply them with a brush on your cheeks and move towards your jawbone, temple and nose.

- For a natural look when using blush, apply it to your cheek when smiling and blend it towards the cheekbone. A peach tone works well with most skin types: it enhances brunettes and will avoid redness on pale ones.

- Brown mascara creates a natural effect for day. Black mascara is perfect to define your eyes at night. Use waterproof mascara only on special occasions, because it tends to weaken your lashes.

- When picking eye-shadows, neutral, golden and bronze colors are great for everyday life. Black can be used as eyeliner and it will give depth to your eyes. Semi-matte shadows work well for under your eyebrows.

- Use an ivory pencil liner for the inside of your eye. It gives light and enlarges your look. Black pencil defines and creates a sexier effect.

- Liquid liners are recommended for those used to them (Rosella is a master!!). To avoid accidents, pencils are a safer choice.

- For lipstick to last longer, draw the outline and then fill the lip with the same liner. On top apply your lipstick. Avoid excess in gloss.

Thank you Gervasio!!!

Pedicure and Manicure

2010-03-19T08:53:00.000-07:00

Taking care of your hands and feet is one of the best ways to make a good first impression. Nails say a lot about us, they speak of our health (dryness, white spots... there's an explanation to each one of these issues) and of the time we dedicate to self grooming. Nowadays, having a manicure and a pedicure is a very accessible luxury and there are spas and beauty salons all over the major cities.

I like my nails lightly squared and kind of short. I do not use dark colors on my hands, that's why I always paint them with pink or beige nail polish. Against the rules, I don't paint my hands' nails the same color as my feet's. In fact, for my feet I prefer really dark shades, such as black, deep blue, violet or dark red. I like the way these colors look with sandals. And, dark polishes last more than lighter hues which tend to yellow with time. This is way I have my nails done once a week.

As treatment and prevention, I use a lot of cream. Sometimes, at night, I massage my feet with cream before going to bed and, if I really want to moisture them, I sleep with cotton socks. Once in a while you can exfoliate them with a mild scrub during your bath.

To avoid wrinkles and spots on my hands (nothing gives away your age as your hands!) I use hydrating creams with high SPF. I take care of them as if they were part of my face, because there's no surgery to fix years of neglect.

More tips for our skin...

2010-03-11T18:48:00.000-08:00

So let's refocus on our skin... specially now, that summer's over...

I do have a friendly relationship with the Sun. I am not one of those extremist that avoid it completely hiding under the shade, nor do I enjoy exposing myself during the dangerous hours of daytime. With all that's been said about this, sunbathing without precaution would put our health in jeopardy and ignoring that would be a lousy attitude, no matter how lovely we might feel with a tan. Although there are different skin types, skin cancer, permanent spots and premature aging are real dangers to us all.

On the other hand, recent investigations are talking about the benefits of Vitamin D, also known as the "solar vitamin:" a pro-hormone that strengthens our immune system, helps prevent breast cancer, diminishes the risk of developing diabetes, protects the bones and that's just the beginning! More and more scientists and dermatologists are starting to recommend 15-minute-long sunbaths, three or four times a week, always with protection and during the safe hours to activate the absorption of Vitamin D. During the year, a short outdoor walk will do. And during summer holidays, the perfect combo reads as follows: a little sunbathing (with protection!) during the morning or late afternoon (never between 12 pm and 5 pm) with the use of self-tanners to achieve the desired hue. There are so many brands and varieties that's all a matter of trying till you find the one that best suits you. But never, ever, say yes to solar beds!

However, I must say that a fair and luminous skin is not achieved only with creams or expensive treatments. Our diet is extremely important. As I told you on previous posts, smoking, alcohol and salt conspire against the health of your skin, so it is essential that they should be banned from our lives! In fact, to probe such a connection between our skin and our diet, Nicolas Perricone designed the "Salmon Diet," which if practiced during 3 days only, as it is rich in Omega 3 and 6, can leave your skin totally renovated and illuminated.

Hydration is extremely important too and it has to do with the water given by the blood stream to our skin, together with oxygen and nutrients. You must drink plenty of not-contaminated, sodium-free water. Water helps us eliminate toxins. avoids dehydration and acts as a transport to nutrients. Creams and other external emulsions help fix water on our skin, avoiding evaporation while providing elasticity.
If you are disciplined and constant and start taking care of your skin at an early age, then there won't be any need for surgeries. Think of it as an investment. Surgeries won't be able to fix what we have neglected over the years. Barney Kenet, a dermatologist from New York, once told me that surgeries just move wrinkles from on place to another. A good lifting goes unnoticed: it would rejuvenate and renovate our face without changing its features. Today's methods seek less invasive techniques as botox, laser or LED.
But then again, no matter how expensive the technique could be, nothing will be successful if you don't complement it with a good diet, a complete work-out routine and deep self-consciousness.

Exercise - Part II: Virtues of Yoga

2010-03-04T15:49:00.000-08:00

We've covered already the importance of working out.

Now, I'd like to say that there is no exercise that gives such a harmonious aura to a woman than Yoga. It is the best way to be conscious of our postures and the intimate connection between our brain and the different members of our body. It helps us align our muscles and walk better, allowing our feet to contact the ground correctly, thus becoming a solid base to all our body.

Fifteen years ago I was in a car accident with my father (I do not drive) and two of my cervical vertebrae were badly shaken. Due to this, for a long time I became a helpless victim of headaches and true migraines anywhere, everywhere...

In January 1997 an American friend of mine took me to a test class at New York's Yogazone, located on 56th st, between Lexington and Park Ave. By that time I knew little about this millenary discipline from India and less about its benefits. But I soon became interested and motivated by the amazing relaxation of my tense muscles, back in Buenos Aires, I found a school and took classes 2 to 3 times a week. After a couple of months, my migraines magically disappeared... I've even found an out-of-this-world teacher: Sonia Khouri, thanks to who, in the past 10 years, I've never became bored in her unique classes!

I still find virtues in Yoga: not only I get to develop more energy against health problems, but I have simply learned how to breath correctly, using not just part of my lungs, but their entire capacity and, thanks to this, I even sleep better...

I've learned how to find moments of peace when in stress without running to the gym or leaving home... it's enough for me to find a quiet spot, lift my legs in an L against the wall and breath... As easy as it sounds...

Yoga is a valuable source to get rid of tensions and bring oxygen to the tissues of our body by inhaling and exhaling. There are different kinds of Yoga: some concentrate on our postures, others on our minds or on the way we breathe. But all of them cherish the intimate connection between our body and our brain. This is why it is important to find the version that suits you best. I will never get tired of speaking about its benefits and how it can improve your lifestyle... how it can reduce your stress to transform you into a more centered and elegant woman...

Or have you ever seen an hysterical that looks glamorous?

Exercise

2010-02-25T04:49:00.000-08:00

As important as being disciplined with your diet is, without a doubt, doing exercise!

I remember my childhood and I cannot believe I'm writing this! More or less till my twenties, the word sports was enough to send a chill down my spine! I spent most of my school years trying to exaggerate a really-mild-blow in my heart to skip gym classes or to convince our family doctor to produce prescriptions that would allow me to avoid all physical activity...

Now that so many years have gone by, I find it hard not to exercise every day. I even dedicate to it 3 hours-a-day sometimes! I do it all: gym, walks, yoga. What made me change my mind? Mainly discovering that nothing can revert the passing of time as physical training, as moving, as sweating, as knowing your muscles and having confidence in them. Training is an essential fuel to feel good about ourselves.

Not moving is possibly one of the worst habits and one of the unhealthiest too. A woman or a man that's always still is doomed to age fast. And this just to not mention the worst consequences as overweight and high blood pressure, among others...

Many tell me that they have no time to exercise and, with their full-time jobs and kids and house chores, training is seen as some kind of luxury... But that's false! Exercise is, above all, an important prevention precaution to look after our health and beauty. This is why I believe it is a must to find time to work-out. Thirty minutes is enough to maintain your weight. With more than thirty minutes of exercise you start burning calories. Whenever I travel to the US and due to the time difference I go the the gym at the craziest hours, I'm always surprised to find newyorkers already there, even if it is 6 in the morning, training, sweating, with enough time to head to the office as they finish.

Exercise pumps up your self-steem, burns calories, prepares us to face an activity-full day and helps us release serotonin, the "good-humor hormone," which is essential to our brain and to regulate our moods. A work-out routine makes us be and feel good about ourselves, and this reflects in your body and is visible to others.

Address of the Ayurveda store in Buenos Aires.

2010-02-23T04:58:00.000-08:00

As I've received many inquiries from you, here goes the address of the Ayurveda store in Belgrano where I find almost every product I need...

Sabores y Secretos de la India
Ciudad de La Paz 1739
Capital Federal

You can also check out the site: http://www.mapi.com/

My daily five little meals...

2010-02-19T11:59:00.000-08:00

As I promised, here are my daily five meals...

As soon as I wake up, around 8 in the morning, I take a spoonful of Chyawanaprash, which is a defense booster and an Ayurvedic medicine. And to remove toxins, I drink a glass of hot water with grated ginger and the juice of half a lemon. As I am Vata with an ascendance in Pitta, I have a tendency to coldness, so this is why I must always drink hot water with my meals: I switch between ginger tea, fennel tea or green tea. I also take a combo of vitamins: C, Omega 3, Zinc, and every once in a while, B12. In this first breakfast, I also eat 10 skinless almonds, a kiwi (rich in vitamin C) and a bowl of strawberries, blueberries and Goji berries. Goji berries (great antioxidants) are usually sold dehydrated, so before eating them, you must water and strain them.

According to Ayurveda, fruits, because of their sugar component, are quick energizers but must be taken separately from other meals (specially bread and meat). Having fruits as desserts is not a habit recomended by Ayurveda.

An hour later I usually have another cup of tea and two slices of wheat salt-free bread with ghee (clarified butter) and a vanilla-flavored soy jelly. It must be said: Argentina, together with the US, is one of the few countries where it's very easy to find Ayurveda-approved products. I travel with my jelly everywhere and, fortunately, I've never had any trouble in airports.

As for ghee, Ayurveda recommends it for almost everything: cooking, seasoning, even for massages. Ayurvedic massages are great to strengthen the immune system and to prevent cell-agying.

For lunch, I alternate between skinless and salt-free grilled chicken, grilled or boiled salmon, soy burgers and salmon or white fish sashimi. I eat these with various salads, containing sometimes algae, avocado, raw endives, cashew nuts and olive oil. I also love squash purée and grilled skinless tomatoes, which are rich in lycopene, and so act as great antioxidants.

Ayurveda does not favors the intake of dairy products next to meals, so as dessert I usually take a soy-based cream, sweetened with steevia, which is a natural sweetener with less calories than sugar. When I'm in Europe I also buy sugar-free soy yoghurts. My Ayurvedic nutritionist recommended that I should try to have apple or prune compote, but I always prefer my other desserts!

During the afternoon, I drink a cup of fennel tea and a slice of any of these two cakes that I have them cooked at home: sponge cake done with ghee, whole flour and steevia or a simple tart with soy or sweet potato marmalade. I also eat any sweet diet cookie because, around 5 pm, glucose in blood lowers and something sweet is a perfect energy booster.

One of the basic Ayurvedic principles is EAT EARLY, if possible before sunset so we can go to bed after having digested our dinner. I eat around 8 pm and I usually take simple meals... No meat, of course, because they delay digestion and... I've been a vegetarian since childhood, remember?

So, for dinner, I prefer soy burgers or whole pasta or basmati rice with grilled vegetables or avocado salad with grilled squash seeds.

Of course, by now you must be wondering how on earth I follow my diet plan with the many events and parties I attend to. Very simple: I eat at home before going out. Some might find it rude, but it works for me. I know very well what I can eat and what I can not, so, given the case, I separate from my dish the unwanted ingredients. My friends know I do this and don't judge me for it... in fact, they usually prepare meals they are certain I'd like.

It is very important to be disciplined and learn to chose and know the products we intake, what they are made of and what consequences they'll have on our organism. You must make a habit of reading labels and always choose natural, home-made meals, using seasonal fruits and vegetables. I know it is always easier to prepare something with the first things we find in our freezer or to order take-out, specially after a long day. But if you are methodic and only buy healthy products, preparing healthy meals takes almost no time. Memorize some quick recipes that could also be enjoyed by the rest of your family!

You won't regret it.

Ayurveda

2010-02-12T17:35:00.000-08:00

As I told you on my previous post, food is a key issue to me.

I've never actually been on a diet (mainly because I've always had good metabolism and an extra help from genetics), but I am very disciplined and organized when it comes to eating. I have completely removed from my diet all saturated fats (as red meat and dairy products) and fried meals that stimulate the increase of toxins in the liver, which is the organ responsible for the removal of germs and bacteria from blood cells. I prefer food rich in antioxidants, vitamin C and minerals, such as tomatoes, kiwis, lemons, papayas, and avocado, which is a true "cleaner" of our organism. And a drink plenty of water, natural or hot, with green tea or grated ginger.

As part of my interest in Yoga, I started practicing Ayurveda, which is an antique medical system from India. In Sanskrit, the word Ayurveda consists of the words ayus, meaning life and veda, meaning related to knowledge or science. It is not only an alternative type of medicine: it is in fact a complete lifestyle system that helps prevent and cure diseases, preserve health and promote longevity.

As it takes body, mind and soul as a whole, Ayurveda helps us to stay in good health and seek cure through medicines from natural origin. To achieve this, it considers our diet and lifestyle, for our health cannot be separated from what we eat, what we do and what we think. Each treatment is developed entirely sur messure, according to our needs and inquiries. This is why you may read as much as you want about it, but you must always have an appointment with an Ayurvedic doctor. Right now, at the UBA (Buenos Aires' University)'s Medical and Pharmaceutical Schools you can find masters degrees on Ayurvedic Medicine, so it's becoming a lot easier to find good professionals.

According to Ayurveda, our organism is made of three regulatory principles, known as Doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. This three elements rule all our organism. When they are in balance, we enjoy good health. If they are not, our body suffers from diseases. The way this principles are balanced in us is determined at conception and it's what produces our particular way of being.

I had my appointment with an Ayurvedic doctor in 2001. I was asked hundreds of questions in order to obtain my personal unique combination of Doshas: I am Vata with an ascendance in Pitta. During my interview I was able to tell which were my usual pains and diseases and with all the data gathered, I was given a diet and pattern of healthy habits to incorporate daily.

Since then I've been feeling so much better! I have stopped being cold all the time (my feet and hands usually felt like ice!) and having stomachaches when nervous. I've even been feeling less tired. Ayurveda made me more resistant. In fact, I don't think I've caught a fever since then!

Since that first appointment, I've have introduced certain changes in my diet, according to some new needs, as for example, chicken meat which has many nutrients of its own, unobtainable through any other source.

This way I've been able to create an Ayurvedic diet plan à la Patricia, with some changes I incorporate from time to time.

I always have 5 meals-a-day...

I promise to tell you more about them on my next post!

Alcohol, caffeine... and other enemies to beauty.

2010-02-07T09:39:00.000-08:00

We have already talked about smoking... But there are other issues to fight and put behind.

Let's see.

Alcohol. How awful is to see a woman that drinks too much! How her features, her face, her whole beauty vanishes under the abuse of drinks!

I don't want to sound moralist, but there are so many mistaken concepts on social behavior that I wish to clear a few out: since when drinking and smoking is a synonym of fun? Why do we have to hide behind the smoke of a cigarette or a drink to have no inhibitions at a party? Are insecurities that strong? I have smoked and I have drunk champagne and all, but I have realized that those habits can turn into addictions and I've fought hard to avoid them, learning to know myself through years of therapy.

Caffeine. Caffeine can be found in coffee, tea, soft drinks and beverages as Coke and chocolate. It is a central nervous system stimulant and thus it affects our inner balance and vital energy. If you get to have a good night sleep and an organized lifestyle, caffeine is no longer necessary to stay alert.

Salt. One of the reasons why we women suffer from cellulite, overweight due to water retention and swollen eyes in the morning is well known by all of us and it's called SALT. On a lunch in Paris, actress Jacqueline Bisset once confessed to me that when she had to play an older role, she just ate with abundant salt the night before.

Salt is everywhere: on vegetables, meat, sea produce, industrial food, bread and of course, any meal you order at a restaurant. But, what is salt? Basically it is a dietary mineral composed of sodium chloride which is responsible for regulating water balance in the body. In great amounts it becomes risky to our health, generating renal, metabolic and cardiac diseases. Its presence on food has two reasons: seasoning and preservation.

I've become an expert on the subject. World Health Organization recommends a daily intake of no more than 6 grs, so it is important to regulate the amount of salt we voluntarily add to meals.

I always prepare my meals with no salt although that might mean less flavor. I've learned to replace it with some drops of lemon juice, basil leaves, mint or parsley. In fact, I do not miss it at all and I get to enjoy the real taste of food.

As you can see, diet is a key issue for me. I've been a vegetarian for as long as I can remember. My mother used to play tricks on me to conceal bits of meat in my meals... As an adult I've learned to accept chicken meat and continue to avoid the intake of red meat...

I'll tell you more about this... you'll see...

Bye, bye cigarrettes...!

2010-02-03T08:35:00.000-08:00

I will never get tired of fighting against cigarettes... and I used to be a smoker.

However, I've always been a guilty smoker: I've always felt lousy about my habit. I smoked, with some gaps in between, for 12 years. But one day, on June 5th 1995 (I shall never forget that date!) my guilt became stronger than the pleasure, self control and attitude I thought I had with a cigarette on my hand and said goodbye. I do admit that it was tremendously difficult, but my will to quit it was stronger. And I did it.

Let's say things the way they are: nothing ages and wrinkles the skin, ruins your teeth and dries your hair (not to mention how it affects our organism) than a cigarette! Nicotine makes it strongly addictive and absolutely cancerous, and although everyone knows this, I get to see more women smoking all the time! In fact, statistics say that we women smoke more than men.

Sorry to disappoint: smoking's no longer cool, girls.

So I insist, it is important to leave behind an addiction that takes everything away and gives little in return. There are many ways to do so and it's never late to try. Hypnosis, patches, books, therapy, laser... even chewing-gums can help. Choose the method of your convenience and be strong. If it becomes too hard, you can always ask a pro for help.

And do not be afraid of the extra weight you might gain in the process. Anxiety is difficult to control but the worst lasts a few months. Visiting a nutritionist can be of help. A balanced diet, exercise and yoga can help you cope with those extra kilos so that you can free your mind.

Remember that if you quit, bad breath will be a thing of the past. your skin will look brighter and the benefits for your health, infinite! It's a tough war and I do know it to be, but it's worth defeating it.

Another motivation: I once read on a magazine that if you saved the money spent on cigarettes, you could buy plenty of stuff: jeans, make-up, books, accessories, VIP passes to concerts or theaters...

You'll be amazed to see how much money we dedicate to such a mean habit.

Go for it!

Tips for your face...

2010-02-01T09:44:00.000-08:00

When considering taking care of your face, it's important to learn a simple routine with easy steps to practice every day!

Mine is very easy: as I wake up, I clean my face with a cleansing milk and a toner, and then I use a hydrating face cream (always with sunblock, no matter if it's winter and cloudy outside!) plus an eye-contour. Over both creams I apply my make-up, but only if I have to go out... if not, I prefer to stay as naturally as possible...

I recommend that you use some kind of moisturizer on your neck and cleavage also, with creams rich in different nutrients. In any case, I try to go for natural and hypoallergenic products, and I'm not into particular brands, I prefer knowing what they are made of... Any lotion or cream containing Vitamin A, E, allantoin and neuropeptides will hydrate your skin and prevent premature aging.

I do not believe in expensive creams... A great dermatologist in New York once told me that expensive creams were the result of good marketing.

Before going to bed I repeat my ritual with the cleanser and toner to remove the day-long dirt and the remains of my make-up... I NEVER go to sleep with my make-up on!

At night I use a Vitamin C serum or a cream with peptide or hyaluronic acid. I try to change them every three months.

I must confess that I am a huge fan of masks and facials. They invigorate your skin, renovate blood circulation and help make-up look better on you! All brands have their own masks. It's a matter of trying till you find the right for you...

A key place in my face care is occupied by my cosmetologist Norma Palkoska... She is a massage genius and thanks to her deep cleaning technics I see face-liftings far far away...

Pay attention to your arms!

2010-01-31T11:36:00.000-08:00

Nothing ages worse than your arms if you neglect them. It's a fact. And there's no turning back once you've reached the point of "no return"! There's still no successful surgeries: scars cross most of your inner arm and look long and scary...

What to do then?

First, you must identify the causes that ruin your arms...

1) Sun exposure, which is responsible for the fall of the skin covering the biceps. This is why you should wear maximum protection always (as if they were part of your face) and reduce exposure to small periods only.

2) The lack of exercise, of course. Work out with weights and machine specially designed to train triceps (that's what falls first and shakes when moving your arms), biceps and shoulders. And it's not enough with once in a while: three-times a week minimum! Suffer a bit for a just cause...

3) Eating too much sugar, because they promote the appearance of wrinkles. Eat plenty of proteins, such as egg whites (simply boiled or in omelettes), chicken breasts and fish.

Before going to bed, use a toning cream and spread it all along your arm.

Everything can be achieved through hard work, patience and perseverance...