La Glamour — Why Water?
by Andrea Stephens
Why should I drink
eight glasses of water a day, and what’s different about bottled
waters?
Our H2O intake is so vital for our bodies and our beauty,
from our athletic performance to our glowing skin, that we need
to drink around eight glasses to stay hydrated. In most places in
the United States tap water is perfectly fine, and in many places
it supplies fluoride, which is beneficial for teeth. But lots of
people opt for bottled water instead.
Does bottled water need to be spring, artesian or filtered?
Bottom line, it’s about preference and price. Spring
water and artesian water come from natural sources
inside the earth. Mineral water is similar, but this
source has just that—extra minerals. Bottles labeled
purified water are usually filtered tap water.
You can pump up your water with a splash of grape,
strawberry, citrus or raspberry flavoring. Flavored water is good
if regular water is a bore to you. Vitamin waters, though
marketed very well, are not a replacement for a daily
multivitamin and usually contain unnecessary calories from
sugar (not to mention the extra cost).
Is it OK to drink Slim-Fast even if
I’m not on a diet?
Definitely! Slim-Fast is a well-balanced “meal on the go”
that delivers a powerful pack of vitamins and minerals as well as
protein and fiber. This mix of ingredients can sustain your
energy level through even the most boring classes or track
workouts! It’s much better than just a piece of toast for
breakfast or a taco for lunch. Just remember that Slim-Fast can
be a source of excess calories if you drink it in addition to what
you normally eat or drink.
I heard that witch hazel is good for
your skin. What is it, and what does it do?
Witch hazel (weird name, but good stuff) is an herb that’s
distilled and sold in liquid form. It makes for an inexpensive,
natural and great astringent. Astringent? That’s step two in your
daily skin care routine: cleanser, toner or astringent,
moisturizer. It will help tighten your pores and balance your
skin’s pH level. Find it at your local health food or drug
store.
The skin around my nails is the
worst. What can I do?
That skin, officially known as your cuticle, needs you
to give it some TLC. Once or twice a week rub hand lotion
into each cuticle, then push back the softened cuticle with a flat-
edge tool such as Revlon Stainless Steel Nail Groomer. Pushing
back the cuticle helps detach the skin from the nail, thus
preventing cracked or split cuticles. If cuticle skin is very loose,
you may choose to remove it with cuticle trimmers or cuticle
scissors (not the ones from the drawer in your kitchen). Next,
keep a bottle of nail oil on your nightstand and apply it all
around your nails every night.
Beauty Bonus
Need a little insta-glam for the upcoming holidays?
• Apply an ultra-high gloss to
your lips.
• Secure your French twist with
a rhinestone hair clip. (Check Claire’s for a great variety.)
• Slide on a light layer of
L’Oreal high-intensity pigment eye shadow in your favorite
holiday color.
• Spritz your tresses with Shine
On by Biosilk for a nearly tinsel look.
This article appeared in Brio
magazine in November. Copyright © 2007 Andrea Stephens. All rights reserved. International copyright secured.Hey, we'd love to have some feedback from you! If you've got a comment about this article, send it to Brio@briomag.com. Please include your name, age, mailing address and the title of this article.
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