Releasing Facial Toxins

Facial Steaming

Make-up, eating chocolate, dirty fingers or even just regular sweat are all major factors to dirty blocked pores. We all try our best to wash off most of the thick make up with wipes or chemicals but yet we are not properly cleaning out the bacteria from our skin. 

Facial steaming is a simple and effective way of opening the sensitive pores and flushing out the dead cells. Steaming is also an easy at home DIY procedure just in a matter of 5-10 minutes. If you are one that is prone to break outs or acne, this weekly maintenance will prevent any build up of dirt or bacteria. 

There are other benefits from using heat on the face such as stimulating blood circulation and releasing sweat allowing to wash away any more toxins from the system. 

SIMPLE PROCEDURE:

• Prepare your skin by washing off the make up or moisturiser from the pores and tie all the hair back from the face. 
• Boil the water and pour into a medium bowl. You will require a towel to cover your head and bowl, keeping in the steam. 
• Lean over the bowl with the towel over your head for 5 - 7 minutes.
• Lightly wash off the sweat and softly pat dry your face. 
• Moisturising after steaming will keep the skin hydrated. 

*Keeping in mind, 5-7 minutes is enough time exposed to heat before the skin will dry out. Another handy tip is to hold your face approximately 12cm away from the water. Being too close can harm sensitive skin and can scald the surface of the skin. 

You may want spice it up with some fragrance. By adding in essential oils such as lavender, sandalwood or eucalyptus. The additional oils don't add any benefits for the skin but allows for better relaxation as you inhale the steam. 

This simple beauty tip helps the skin during competition season with wearing the heavy stage make-up after a few days or weeks. Try it at home after a big day of rehearsals. Happy Dancing Xx 

Simple and Chic

Simple and Chic

Going out for dinner, a date or seeing the ballet? 

This look is a perfect for any occasion. 

The Winged Eyeliner 

Using a black liquid liner, gently draw a line across your lash line starting from the top inner corner of your eye toward the outer corner of your eye, then continue to extend the line out to where you want the wing to finish.

Make sure you follow the natural shape of your eye as close to the root of your eye lashes as possible. The firmer you press the brush, the thicker the line will be.

After you have applied the eyeliner to both eyes, compare the liner on each eye making sure they are even. It may take a little practice to get them both even. So if they aren't even, simply take a cotton tip and lightly drag along the line to make it symmetrical to the other eye.

Don’t forget to add a little mascara!!

Lining your Lips

The key to achieving any bold lip is to hydrate your lips. Cracked and peeling lips will make your lipstick blotchy, which we don’t want!

Outlining your lips will keep the colour from running, make it last longer and also make your lips look fuller. 

Your lip liner should be the same or similar colour to your lipstick. Apply it to the edges of your lips following your natural lip line, then continue to fill in the rest of the lip. If you want your lips to appear a little bigger simply extend the line just slightly outside of your natural lip line.

The Lippy

To get perfect lips use a lip brush, you will have much more control over where the lipstick goes. (especially cause red is a tricky colour)

Start in the middle of your lip and move out to the corners. Then, take a tissue and dab it between your lips. When the excess has been removed, reapply for maximum colour. (this will help it last longer as well) 

Colour those cheeks

Add a little bit of blush onto your cheek bones preferably a natural looking colour.

You can dress this look up or down. For a cute, casual look wear a simple summer dress and your favorite flats. Or if you’re going to a really fancy restaurant or to see the ballet, wear a elegant gown and matching heels of course!

Have fun and good luck ! xx

Green Tea

It's time to talk tea...

So as you are probably aware there are many different types of teas and most of them benefit your body in some way or another. 

Did you know that Green tea was used in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine to control bleeding and heal wounds, aid digestion, improve heart and mental health and regulate body temperature, pretty cool huh.

Peppermint Tea was a popular "folk medicine" simply because it was reported to work so quickly and effectively in relieving a variety of disorders like headaches, sinus problems, upset tummy and menstrual cramps. I always make sure I have a packet in the kitchen pantry.

When ever i have an exam or performance coming up I usually am pretty stressed and have trouble sleeping so out comes the Camomile Tea as it has a mild sedative effects, is treasured for its ability to relieve insomnia and encourage a good night's sleep, free of nightmares. If you've been having sleepless or restless nights, a hot cup of camomile tea before bedtime may be just what you need to sleep soundly through the night. Chamomile tea can help to ease anxiety and depression, too! 

Cough Cough... feeling a twitch and a tingle in your through Lemon and Ginger Tea please! as dancers we don't have time to get sick, so whenever I feel a little under the weather i just whip out the lemon and ginger (I usually add a teaspoon of honey too) and carry on with my grande jete's. 

Happy brewing!! ;)

Relaaaxxx....

Sometimes in our busy lives, we forget to step back and take a break. 

This is especially true for dancers. There is school all day, then straight to dancing, then home to do homework and then its bed time. For many of us, this happens 5 days a week, plus rehearsals on Saturdays. We have very little time to take for ourselves to relax and recoup.  It is so important for your body to take time out to relieve strain on both our body and mind. We can see and feel the effect on our body but often we forget about how tired our mind can get from running around all day, every day. School is mentally draining with its facts and figures and this is due here and that has to be done by that date, And it’s the same in your dance classes. Remember tummy in, posture up, pull your thighs up, hold your head high, pointe your feet, turn out your legs. I’m already overwhelmed and I haven’t even mentioned remembering the routines.

Every now and again, it’s a good idea to take 10 or 15 minutes out (try at least 3 times this week) and without any interruptions, simply relax. Here are a few ideas to get you started: 

•  Read a book
•  Take a bath, light some candles even (get parents’ permission for lighting candles)
• Sit in a tree/swing/seat outdoors and listen to some happy, feel-good music
• Are you artistic? Paint a picture
• Are words your medium, write a story.
• Journaling is always a good idea, even if you don’t particularly enjoy writing. I write lists in my journal of everything that is annoying me, overwhelming me, or just simply stuck in my head. You can draw pictures in your journal. You can buy a wreck-it journal  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lTwgEylMpo)
• Rent a movie (or a series if your timetable will allow the time). Go to the movies, with someone you don’t always see every day.
• Give yourselves a mani (maybe pedi, depending on school and dancing constraints). Though manicures don’t always have to involve nail polish. If nail polish is a no-go, work on your cuticles, hand massage and shaping of your nails instead with maybe a clear coat of nail polish. Youtube is a great place for ideas.

Tell us what you enjoying doing to relax!

Dancer's Tips and Tricks: The Perfect Bun

The Perfect  Bun

The Bun Enhancer is a great tool to use to quickly and easily throw your hair up into a bun. It only takes 6 steps and is very similar to the Bun Doughnut. Instead of wasting time fiddling with pins and bun covers, the Bun Enhancer does the job and is extremely versatile (Look for the steps down below!) Want a clean smooth bun for your ballet classes, simply twist the Enhancer tighter. Need a loose stylish bun for that Jazz routine or night out with the girl? Leave the twisting looser.

Step 1: Pull your hair back securely into a pony tail, at the height you want your bun to sit

Step 2: Open the gap in the Bun Enhancer and pull your hair through and close the gap tightly.

Step 3: Lift both ends of the enhancer and slide it through your hair until it reaches the end (but don’t pull to far or you’ll pull it off!)

Step 4: When it’s at the end of your hair, hold both ends, and twist it downwards until you reach your scalp

Step 5: Twist the ends of the Bun Enhancer into a round shape, adjusting as you need.

Step 6: Even the distribution of your hair around the Enhancer until you can’t see the Enhancer and you are happy with how it looks. Bobby pin if there are loose strands.

You now have a fabulous bun that can be modified for all different occasions! Try braiding part of your hair and pulling it into a side bun for a shabby chic look or pull up high on the head for a more sleek appearance. Most importantly, chuck it in your dance bag for those days when there doesn’t seem to be enough time to do your hair before class!

(The Bun Enhancers are available from Showtime in Blonde and Brown)

Here an awesome video to help if you’re having any troubles!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-1H6vYzgqs