Since we’re focusing on glamour on nzgirl this month it seemed only fitting for our challenges to help you pamper yourself.
TAME
Have nice nails for a month. You don’t need to go crazy at the nail salon, but rather commit some time once a week to file, shape, buff and polish (the bonus is you can do it while you’re watching your favourite TV show). If you use a good base coat and remember to apply a top coat you should be able to get a week’s worth of wear out of your polish (depending on what you get up to!). Don’t forget the icy cold water trick – just dip your nails in it to set the polish super quick, cutting down the time between coats.
Treat your tresses. Our hair takes a battering, what with straighteners, hairdryers and all that other gloop we all insist on firing into it! Whip up this deep conditioning treatment to help make your hair softer and shinier: Melt 3 teaspoons of honey in the microwave and mix with ¼ cup of olive oil in a bowl. Work a small amount at a time through your hair until it’s coated, then cover your hair with a shower cap and chill out with a magazine for 30 minutes. When the time’s up shampoo your hair, making sure you rinse it well.
INTERMEDIATE
Sort your shoes. Is the bottom of your wardrobe littered with the carcasses of long dead footwear? If you have a mid-90s flashback every time you open the door it’s time for a sort out. First go through and get rid of any dated styles you no longer wear (there’s a very slim chance those Spice Girl style platform sneakers will ever be cool again), then make a pile of all your shoes that need fixing (either take them to a cobbler or chuck them). Finally figure out a good storage system so your shoes don’t get scuffed and ruined in your closet and you can easily find what you want.
Give your makeup bag an overhaul. Throw out old products and get rid of all those samples in the wrong colours then figure out a good basic list of essentials and buy anything you’re missing. Consider making a booking into the beauty counter of your fav brand for a makeover – make sure the cost is redeemable on product so can stock up. It also pays to reassess your foundation at this time of the year, you may need to change colour to suit your paler skin.
CHALLENGING
Splurge some cash. Put aside a bit of money each week and book yourself in for a facial or some other spa treatment at the end of the month. Even if you can only afford a brow tidy up its well worth the cash and it’s always good having something nice to look forward to when the weather’s so cold and miserable.
Go out. Since you’ve spent all this time and effort getting yourself looking gorgeous you need to do something with it. Book a glam night into your diary for later in the month. Get your girlfriends together and dust off your prettiest dress then either hit the town or organise a cocktail soiree at home. Or you could go all out and hire a hotel room for a special night with your boy or a fun (and of course glamorous) sleepover with a few close friends.
Gemma
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