Bleaching Hair Removal

Bleaching is very effective if you want to conceal a fine down of hair on face or arms. Warning: only use a bleach cream product specifically formulated for use on the face. Household bleach is not suitable. Does a patch test on the inside of your lower arm and leave it for an hour to make sure that there is no irritation before you apply bleach to your face. Follow manufacture’s instructions carefully.

Shaving Hair Removal

Shaving removes hair quite satisfactorily from underarms and legs. You will need to shave regularly, with a shaving cream to avoid soreness. Do not apply antiperspirant to a shaved armpit straight away – it may sting.

Waxing Hair Removal

Waxing can be done at home, but it is best to learn how by having treatment done professionally first, as it is easy to burn yourself with the hot wax. Stripping off the wax is painful, but regrowth will not appear for about three weeks. Wax treatment is suitable for legs and bikini line.

Depilation Hair Removal

Depilation is useful for underarm and leg hair removal. A patch test with the depilatory cream is advisable to avoid soreness. These creams break off the hair shaft just below the skin. Wash thoroughly after use and apply moisturizer.

Electrolysis Hair Removal

Electrolysis is the only way to remove unwanted hair permanently and this must be done by an expert. Each hair is treated individually with a fine needle that has an electric current running through it. It is a lengthy and costly business but often worth it if you have, say, a heavy growth of coarse, dark hair on your upper lip.

Steps for the Perfect Pedicure

1. Wash each foot in turn in warm soapy water.
2. Gently rub the soles and heels with a pumice stone to remove hard skin.
3. Dry the feet thoroughly, especially between the toes.
4. Trim the nails with a nail-clipper or scissors, cutting them straight across. Do not cut down the sides of the nails.
5. Rub petroleum jelly or cuticle cream into the sides and base of the nails with your fingertips.
6. With the blunt end of an orange stick, work at the sides and base of the nails to ease the skin back.
7. Rub the feet and nails all over with hand or body cream.
8. To round off the pedicure, apply a nail polish. First apply a base coat, then two coats of polish, allowing plenty of time to dry in between coats.

Steps for the French Manicure

1. Remove all traces of old polish with oil based remover on cotton wool or a tissue. Do not soak your nails before filing, as this will soften them.
2. File each nail with an emery board by gently stroking from the side to the centre, do not file back and forth.
3. Rub cuticle cream or petroleum jelly into the cuticles and apply moisturizing cream to the nails and hands.
4. Soak your fingernails for five minutes in a small bowl of warmed baby oil.
5. With a soft toothbrush, brush under your nails so that they are completely clean. Rinse your hands in warm water and dry thoroughly.
6. Push your cuticles back with your fingertips.
7. Repeat with an orange stick. Never cut your cuticles.
8. Rinse your hands again in warm water. Your manicure is now complete. If you are going to apply nail polish, wait for five minutes. Remove any traces of excess creams or oils with a nail varnish remover.

Poor nails are sometimes the result of a diet deficient in vitamins, zinc or iron. Or they are the result of neglect or more often the use of nail polish and remover, which can cause dryness and discolouration.

The vitamin A in cod liver oil and carrot juice is good for splitting nails. Fingernails grow faster than toenails and weekly manicure will keep them in good shape.

Make sure not to cut down the sides of the nails too far when trimming them.

Hands Care Tips

Protect your hands from elements whenever you can. Wear gloves in cold weather to prevent chapping and wear rubber gloves against hot water.

Use a sun screen on the backs of your hands in summer.

Use a nailbrush and pumice stone on really dirty hands, bleach away stains with lemon juice and massage round the nails with cuticle cream.

Foot care Tips

Wash your feet every day and put on fresh socks or stockings. Use a pumice stone on hard skin, corns and callouses after a long soak to soften them. Keeping your feet clean and dry will guard against athlete’s foot.

If your feet sweat a lot, rub them with surgical sprit after washing, then dust with talcum powder. Wear socks and shoes made up of non-synthetic materials. Regular visits to a chiropodist will keep your feet in trim and they become a necessity of you have chilblains, bunions or verracas warts.