Summer Body Prep Guide

There are several different methods of hair removal but not all hair removal methods are created equal.

 

Shaving is probably the easiest, cheapest hair removal technique. Despite popular belief shaving does not make the hair grow faster or thicker. If you do choose to shave make sure that use shaving cream, body wash or at least water to help the razor glide over your skin rather than cut or scrape it (click here to check out one of our fav razors).

 

Waxing is an effective way of removing large amounts of hair. It can be painful but your skin will stay smoother for longer as the whole length of hair is removed from the follicle and it has to grow to the skin surface before it becomes noticeable. It’s super important to find a reputable waxing salon that you can trust – the nzgirl team loves Off Wax Brow Bar in Newmarket.

 

Depilatories are creams that contain chemicals called thioglycolate and sodium or calcium hydroxide, which melt the hair away. Depilatories however can irritate the skin, so if your going to use a depilatory test a bit on a small patch of skin 48 hours before hand. Use hydrocortisone after application to help soothe the skin. Also think about giving an epilation a go; the nzgirls gave one a roadtest. Click here for the verdict...

 

Healthy skin in three simple steps: Cleanse, moisturise, and use sun block.Pick a mild cleanser to prevent your skin from drying out. Use a moisturizer that contains glycerol, ceramide, hydroxy acids, and niacinamide. These help the skin stay hydrated by replienishing the skin’s natural oils and help exfoliate dead skin cells. Sun block helps prevent wrinkles, dark spots and skin cancer. Shower – short and warm (not hot) to prevent losing moisture from skin.

 

What you eat can impact on your skin as well as your figure. Exotic produce such as strawberries, grapes, mangoes and avocadoes are a lot cheaper in the warmer months so take advantage and eat up. Now you have no excuse for not eating your five plus a day. Try eating lighter foods in the warmer months. For example, instead of eating a heavy chocolate pudding with ice cream, have a delicious fresh fruit salad served with natural yoghurt. Experiment with salads instead of eating boring old sandwiches. Google salad recipes online for inspiration.

 

I know summer is silly season in NZ, which means many people will be drinking in excess. I know it won’t be easy but try to lay off the booze. If you must drink, drink sensibly – enjoy it, don’t binge on it. Eat sensibly too. Don’t over indulge. Only eat when you’re hungry and stop when you’re almost full. Savour your meals and eat slowly, you’ll feel more satisfied after eating less. Avoid distractions such as TV and the internet. These often draw your attention away from your food and you may end up eating more.

 

Exercise and eating well is an excellent way of getting into shape. If you haven’t exercised before and you are overweight or have any illnesses (e.g. diabetes, asthma), I recommend that you see a doctor to help you get on the right track. If you already have an exercise routine and you’re not seeing any results, then you may need to step your exercise routine up a notch. Make it longer and more intense. If you only do cardio, then you may want to introduce some weight training to your routine.

Weight training can help you gain muscle mass which will help you burn more energy and tone up. If you haven’t done weights before, ask a qualified trainer to help you out.