Beauty Tips

The four seasons, spring, summer, autumn and winter, ring in not only changes in temperature but also subtle differences in the way we look and feel. Some people come into their own in the warmer spring and summer months, the sunlight evokes a deep response and they blossom into golden summer people. But others have a less intense response and appear to be marking time until the approach of autumn. It is then that a marked transformation takes place in their approach to personal appearance. These are the winter people who glow in the more chill and sombre atmosphere of colder months.

But what makes us feel at our best at one particular time of year? It may be entirely a question of metabolism or perhaps a deep seated psychological reason but, whichever it is, most of us can recognize and claim for our own one of the four seasons. The important thing is to learn how to use the seasonal changes positively to create a beauty image to reflect your personality.

Start with spring, the traditional time for new beginnings. The days grow longer and the sunshine brings limpid clear colours to the fore. If spring is your best time of year you will most probably be one of the first to translate the spring feeling of adventure into a new hairstyle, a fresh feel for summery fabrics and an overall light hearted approach to life. Now is the. time to check up on your figure, weight and measurements. If you are not satisfied with your findings do something positive. Go on a diet. Give up alcohol. Have a health day once a week or simply have fruit or vegetable juices in place of your usual meal at mid day on two days out of seven.

In by gone days the change of seasons was made all the more dramatic by the ritual celebrations to ensure fertility for summer and a season of ripe fruitfulness for the harvest before winter. Nowadays many of us have a more mundane view of nature and tend to regard the transitions merely as a time to change from heavyweight to lightweight garments. Stop still and take stock. Look a , the colours of spring. The transluscent colours of blossoms pinks, mauves and tangerines and the delicate green tracery of the trees. How can you use these changes in the natural world to reflect the gay carefree release after winter?

The colours you use in the springtime need to reflect the change from the rich glowing ones of the darker months. The very fact that the intensity of sunlight increases causes some colours to recede and others to become predominant. New lipstick, new eye colourings and new nail polish will help to bring about a change in your appearance. In place of boldly bright eye shadow try blending two, or even three, shades of the same colour into your own special theme. Blues, greens, lilacs and, if you are dark eyed, the hazel shades will offer excellent opportunities for experiment. Co ordinate your lipstick and nail polish. They need not be identical, but they should harmonize.

Nails may need a change of shape as well as a change of colour. You could wear them shorter and more rounded at the top for the coming active days of summer. If your nails layer or chip easily after the winter, leave off nail polish for a day or two a week and buff them with a nail cream.

How can your clothes reflect not only the colours and temperature of spring but the increasing exhilaration that one feels on fragile spring evenings? Examine the clothes you have been wearing during the winter and those you had the previous spring. Think of surprising colour combinations and start transforming them.

Some garments may need the hemlines altered. Rather than simply letting down the hem, a novel and imaginative way of lengthening a skirt is to undo the existing hem and make a false one in a contrasting colour and add a matching belt or waistband. Imitation suede on a fine tweed dress can change the look and give a new lease of life to a tired garment. Remove the sleeves of a lightweight winter dress and' replace them with hand knitted crochet ones in a soft yellow, a clear red, or a bright green and link up the colour you choose to a scarf or belt.

Carry this idea of rejuvenating your wardrobe to different kinds of trimming. Examine the possibility of using sequins, fringe, braid or; embroidery; creating a false yoke, a waistcoat effect, shoulder emphasis or skirt panels. You can develop this idea of novel trims to the ornaments you can use to lighten the effect of fabrics. Inexpensive bangles in two colours, or simple wood or coloured beads at the neck do wonders to lift a dress out of a rut. If your watch strap is showing signs of wear then rather than going for the conventional black or brown strap, up date your watch with a colourful strap. Take a look at your shoes and hand bags they too can undergo a colour change with the quick and easy paint on dyes now available.

When you have finished this overhaul turn your attention to your face. Try on your spring clothes and take a look at your hairstyle. There is no better tonic or quicker single way to change your appearance than a trim, cut or colour rinse. Go for a more casual relaxed style than the more tailored look of winter. There are fashions in looks, just as there are in clothes, so study the styles put forward by top stylists before making your choice. If you are on a budget, remember that a good cut is well worth the money because it not only helps the hair to fall into shape but also it means that it can be washed and better styled at home once you have the basic cut and style.

As the spring advances and the trees take on foliage so you will begin to expose your body to the sun and air. Check on problem skin areas backs of thighs, knees and elbows. Start regular treatment with a loofah at bathtime and skinfoods or body lotions to keep the circulation in good condition and prevent the skin from drying.

The arrival of summer is heralded by the flowers blooming in myriad hues and the ever spreading green of the trees. But however much we welcome the radiant colours and strong sunlight, keeping cool in summer can be a problem. Some colours promote a cool feeling green, yellow, shades of turquoise and blues and the sharp, ice pinks are ideal summer choices. Red and orange tones reflect on the skin and suggest warmth. Cool one colour garments are kinder to look at than busy patterned ones. Stripes on a crisp white background look summery and cool.

Constricting clothes are those to avoid, particularly if they fit tightly at the waist, or closely beneath the arms. A dress in a fabric such as chiffon or cotton voile can look and feel delightfully fresh on a summer evening. Long sleeves of the wide 'floating' kind are flattering and cool. Easy care cottons with a man made fibre additive are recommended for daytime warm weather wear.

Hands and feet that become hot and sticky in summer need attention. Keep hands cool by holding the wrists alternately beneath hot and cold running water. Dry, and spray the palms with deodorant. A two minute treatment for hot, tired feet is to use a foot spray on the soles, stroking it between the toes.

The cool way to wear the hair in summer, if it is long, is back from the ears and up from the neck. Tie it with a bright scarf. Have it cut in crisp, short locks on top of the head. Shoulder length hair can look delightful brushed smooth and worn in a sophisticated version of the ponytail. The summer way with short hair is casual and carefree.

Feet and legs are very much on show during the holiday months and need regular care. Remove unwanted hair with depilatories, wax or electrolysis and use moisturizing lotions or creams to keep the skin smooth and soft. Make a weekly pedicure a summer beauty routine. Varnish toe nails in rosy hues to give an attractive and natural pink toed look.

The food you eat plays a big part in the way you feel and look. Include plenty of green vegetables and fresh fruits in your warm weather diet. Try to include one salad meal a day. But remember you still need proteins, so if you cut down on meat dishes, replace them with more eggs, fish and cheese.

The world is roughly divided into two kinds of women sun worshippers and those who cannot wait for cooler days and longer nights. If you come into the second category, autumn will cause your spirits to rise and put a new rhythm in your step and a sparkle in your eyes. The leaves on the trees turn russet and the world is painted in golds, yellows and burnt oranges as the autumn foliage prepares to strip for the dramatic bare effects of winter.

Out go swimsuits and beachwear, sunsuits and cotton dresses, in come 'separates' that can be worn with either woollen or lightweight tops, according to the weather. In come the mix and match range of shirts and skirts and slacks and pinafore dresses which mean that for a moderate outlay you can look as if you had a dozen different outfits.

Take a long look at your skin in a good light. Days out of doors, salt water and sunbathing may have left it with a parched, dry look. Use a moisturizing gelee or foam in your bath. Cleanse with a creamy lotion and be generous with skinfood or nourishing cream at night.

Autumn is the time to think about a change of perfume. Change from the light flowery fragrances that go with the fresh, natural look and outdoor days of summer and look for one that is rather more subtle and individual. Enquire about any new perfumes on the market. Skin reaction changes, so it is worth checking on perfumes you have tried out before. They may smell quite different on you from season to season.

The nostalgia and gradually decreasing light of autumn passes swiftly into the bare branched black and white outlines of winter. Now is the time at which the outside world can provide a stunning foil to the rich colours and fabrics of winter. Winter clothing need never be dull or drab. Winter is the time when your imagination and flair can come into their own. One look backwards at the magni ficence of by gone fashions is proof enough the elegant capes trimmed with velvets or fur, the use to which black and autumn russets were put.

One of the best ways of keeping your spirits from flagging and being overwhelmed by the grey evenings and overcast days is to maintain the reserve of energy and fitness gained in the summer months. Try to take more exercise; to spend more time out of doors, to carry on with some activity you followed in the holiday months such as swimming, tennis or walking. join a yoga class or start simple exercise sessions.

A healthy, glowing look is the keynote to winter beauty. Look as if you are enjoying the crisp cold weather and you will be halfway towards doing so. This means you must be dressed for the part. Wrists, feet, and neck especially should be kept warm. Wear a woolly cap, a fakefur helmet or a scarf to protect the head and ears when the temperature drops and the cold winds of winter begin to blow. Several layers of thinner clothing will give you more protection and conserve body heat better than a single garment.

Sudden changes of temperature are bad for the skin. So do not go out into the cold immediately after washing the face or downing a hot drink or an alcoholic one. Keep your skin nourished and avoid huddling too close to radiators or open fires.

Towards mid winter, stodgy foods, stuffy rooms and heavier make up often make the skin look tired and dull. A cut orange rubbed lightly over a clean face two or three times a week is an easy routine to tone and freshen the skin. A herbal or cucumber face mask used every two or three weeks helps to remove any impurities and clear away blemishes. It also improves the texture of the skin and fines the pores.

If you suffer from cold hands, a thirtysecond shake up every now and again during the day is a good way to get the circulation going. With elbows at your sides, and arms held upwards, shake hands vigorously to and fro, allowing them to hang limp from the wrists.

If cold feet are a problem, do not wear tight shoes; even changing over to thicker stockings with the same size footwear can mean that the feet do not get enough breathing space. Promote the flow of blood to feet by sitting on a chair with your shoes off and your toes pointing towards the floor. Now, with the foot as limp as possible this improves with practice swing it loosely to and fro from the ankle. Draw up the toes and try to arch the underside of the foot to make a 'hens foot'. Release and extend the toes as far out as possible. Repeat three times with each foot.

Warm, vibrant colours help to emphasize the glowing winter look. You will feel warm when you look warm. Do not overlook the clever things that can be done with costume jewellery. Coral, garnet, topaz, deep purple and old gold all have a rich glow about them. Colours we think of as cool, such as turquoise, pale green, or amber, worn at the neck of a dark dress or sweater will lighten and brighten it and effectively soften winter garments.

Whatever the season, if you take the time and trouble to follow the various beauty routines described in this book you will be more than pleased with the results. No woman is perfect but by the same token there is no woman without at least one special feature which she wants to accentuate. In dealing with the figure bit by bit we have set out to tell a woman everything she needs to know about making herself more beautiful.