What do you do to feel beautiful?
 

What do you do to make yourself feel beautiful, sexy or special? Does anyone have a special regimen or homemade beauty recipes they would like to share? When ever I start a new way of life or when I am feeling down I go on a "beauty campaign". I start with the body. First I get rid of all the dead skin on my feet, I then exfoliate the entire body with a home made olive oil and Epsom salt paste [in the shower] (this gives you great skin). While I do this I am also giving my hair a hot oil treatment (with olive oil of course). After my "spa bath" I slather on the Vaseline (if you can't tolerate it use your best lotion), I then put saran wrap around my feet and plastic gloves (the surgical kind w/out talc) on my hands, then I pluck stray hairs (I'm a hairy girl), give my self some type of face mask (and remove) , blow dry my hair, paint my nails, put on a nice perfume, get in bed with 3 of my favorite fashion mags and fall to sleep. I sleep all night with a smile on my face. My skin feels so good and I smell yummy. Oh you must have nice and crisp sheets on your bed for the full effect :)
So... some might say what does this have to do with low carbing? Well, for many of us food is/was a past time and we now need to do other things to feel good. I would like to hear what others are doing. Really, I just want to steal your beauty secrets :daze:

I don't do beauty regimens, though I love soaking in the tub for an hour with either bubble bath or a splash of my favorite cologne--very sensual!

The most beautiful I feel is, oddly perhaps, when I'm at the gym, hoisting large amounts of weight. I'm in a Tshirt and gray sweat shorts, sweating, my hair trying to come out of its clip. I'm sure my face is red, etc....but I feel beautiful and powerful and competent. And fairly regularly, men come over to talk with me, so I must be vibing it out, too!

I don't have any special routine. Seems to me that when I'm feeling good about myself I project a positive image and I think that I look better.

~Razzel
That is how my sister is. She can get so psyched from working out. She calls the flustered red face "the glow", and you are right men love women who are doing something for themselves.

~pegm
You are correct. When you feel good about yourself it does help you to project a positive self image, but there are little things that we all do to help with that ex. some people read to broaden their mind, some people exercise, and some people if I get what you are saying just roll out of bed and don't need to do anything for themselves to feel better? I guess I'm jealous :p

I'm kinda low maintenance girl when it comes to doing the beauty regimen stuff - and I don't want to take time in the tub (not to mention I don't like our tub). It's like pulling teeth just to get me to exfoliate and moisturize my face when it gets dry - and since I've been drinking more, it doesn't get as dry :)

I like the way I feel just after exercising - tired, but satisfied.

I also feel the best about my outside when I've done something internal, such as writing something, creating something new at work, doing a piece of artwork, singing, or helping someone else with a problem.

Sh'ra

Pampering Me
 

I'm a HUGE fan of pampering myself and I have several things I do, but the number one thing is pedicures. It feels wonderful and keeps my feet looking good too. I think part of it for me is that it's my little secret and I revel in knowing that my feet look great! Had my December pedicure and had her paint my toes alternating red and green. There will be a house full of kids where I'm going for Christmas and I know my toes will be a big hit with the girlies.

Second to that is a hot tub with a pot of herbal tea, incense burning, candles and some relaxing music. I have been known to be there a couple of hours reading and relaxing and enjoying. Makes me feel like a princess to do it...beautiful and spoiled.

Marlaine

Candles and Bath
 

Oh, I love taking a bath with the lights out and only candles in the bathroom. It is so nice and a special treat, although I do it all the time,,,,I have now figured there is no other way.

Cindy

I like your replies. Good ideas!

That says it all Marlaine. Those special little things that we do just for us.

After I had been low-carbing for awhile and lost weight I did start to take more of an interest in how I looked....So after I shower now I rub on some scented cream which makes my skin soft. I have one night a week where I do my nails which I keep quite long. And nothing makes me feel sexier than getting ready for a night out and slipping on a cute little dress!!! hehehe

GEcolon... LOVE your beauty routine. I am going to do the Olive Oil and Epsom Salt.. sounds ravishing.. although.. I am not a big fan of petroleum based products like vaseline... I can substitute my own aloe lotion... sounds yummy...

I have also found, since losing weight and inches.. that I feel sexier.. and wanting to make myself look nice.. :D

Love this WOE... I will weigh in today.. and see my progress..

Ramona

Love the Pedicure idea also --- great!!! I think I will treat myself in the new year.. and have my tooties.. massaged and dressed up... :p

Ramona

My Beauty Theraphy
 

Once a week, I give myself a spa at home, usually right after a good workout.......I give myself a facial, dye my roots if needed, LOL (getting lot's of grey hair these past few years), shave my legs, and other body parts, LOL, manicure, pedicure and plucked my eyebrows, lotion my whole body (very dry in the house right now).......and the best part is I soaked in a hot bath for 1hour with real lavender that I have collected from my garden, candles, herb tea, and a good carb book or gardening book to read, its so relaxing and so warm......... and the best, best of all is that the ol’ man gives me a nice back message later.......what a wonderful feeling! Sleep like a log on my theraphy days ;)

Oh yes, I love colognes, scents, candles, herbal oils!!!!!! My dresser is full of it!

Take care everyone! :wave:

Working out.

After a good exercise, I am totally "aware" of every move I make, and every muscle in my body.

It's then that I feel "svelt" in my "cougar-like" frame.

LC-- know what you mean--even after power yoga, I can feel every muscle moving, like it's toned and .......svelte,like you said. Then I look in the mirror...... ;) .

Chrissy, aren't those lavender flowers great?? I've even made soap out of them. When I run out of my own flowers from the garden, I go to the health food store-- they have a container full of them, you buy by the oz. And if you soak them in oil, (probably olive or an oil w/ a 'smell' wouldn't work here--try almond oil) it sort of infuses w/ the smell. Take the blossoms out, and refridgerate so the oil doesn't get rancid. Great!My skin's very dry-- I could just soak in oil in the wintertime. It IS a little better since LC-ing though. :D
YB

Great thread!

Since I started lo-carbing, I've really become aware of my posture (think it's because of the weightloss). I have a sedentary job and I now make a point of stretching regularly to relieve tension in my shoulder blades and neck.

I check myself regularly in mirrors in malls, to make sure I am walking well. I'm observing people's postures too, to notice common mistakes people make.

I also believe in new hairstyles, re-vamping, for a new look! It's a great moral boost. ;) A bit of color, hi-lites, etc.

I've started doing weekly face masks, manicures and pedicures.

zellie

Wow a bath with lavender oil! Ohhhh I can't wait to try it along with the candles, incense and a glass of white wine. This is true pampering. I can't wait until I can get to the point of looking forward to exercising like the rest of you. Back to the lavender I love this scent! My grand mom used to bathe me with the flowers when I was little (to calm me down). When ever I smell it I feel so relaxed. Johnson's now has a baby powder that contains lavender and I love it.

Oh thanks for the tip Yogabuff, I love lavender, I've been gardening for many years, I have 22 acreas of land and my garden is full of flowers, roses, herbs, fruits and veggies in the growing season. I love gardening so much I just can't wait till Spring. LOL

Anyways, yes, I have made Lavender and many other herbs in soap, candles, oils, aromatherapy, sachet, potpourri, dry flower arrangements, crafts such as wreaths......don't tell anyone, but I'm a witch! LOL

My future plan is to convert the old barn into a craft shop and make my crafts in there and display them and give them away to my friends and familys and sell them to the locals......its a big barn, so its going to take some time to fix it up.

Aromatheraphy is the art of using essential oils to enhance our moods, sharpen our minds and awaken our physical selves. By breathing in fragrances suspended in the air around you, the leaves, bark, root and flower scents that are in the essential oils begin to soothe the soul, awaken the mind, and arouse the sensual self, thus making aromatheraphy the art of creation.

Each essential oil has it’s own unique effect on the mind, while each unique blend of essential oils create a range of experiences, depending on how they are blended together. For example, Peppermint Oil by itself is invigorating, refreshing, and stimulating, while Rosemary Oil alone is rejuvenating, strengthening, and uplifting, combine the two, add some Lavender , which by itself is balancing, refreshing, and soothing. 1 drop of Peppermint Oil, 2 drops each of Rosemary and Lavender and you'll have a refreshing bath! And if you really want to be romantic, roses are wonderful too!

Oh, yes, I got my weekly massage yesterday, and the hubby said my fat rolls are gone from my back!!!!!!!!!! whooowhooo got to take my measurements on the 21st to see how many inches I lost.

Take care everyone! :wave:

You go girl
 

LCSponge, you sweet little sexy thing you!!!! LOL ;)

Boy Razzle!! You're making me long for the gym again!!!
I can't afford to do anything right now but I'm tossing the idea around about whether to (in future) buy another membership or buy this WEIDER home gym I've been checking out. Working out at home has the definite time advantages.
And Cindy--- thats right up my alley!! I fill a hot bath, candles, and some relaxing music and just soak...... then I glide around the house in my long silky nightgown and feel like a queen!!
I always sleep better after that too.
Ellie :wave:

Bubble Bath by Candlelight
 

Like Wangeci....I also do the bubble bath and candle thing..It is sooo relaxing. Afterwards I "primp".....starting with my toes up to my eyebrows. Then I like to put on something silky. ;)

makeup
 

I actually got the courage to try makeup after losing my first 25lbs, I like being an artist with my face. It makes me feel like "Hey I'm proud of who I am!" :)

I agree, I love playing the role of an artist colouring and enhancing my face. If I'm having a day where I feel that my body is looking particularly bad, I take the time to do a careful make-up application. It's very satisfying to know that at least one part of my body is looking the best it can and it makes me feel better about at least one aspect of my appearance. After doing a good make-up job, there's always the hope that my face is looking so stunning that my body will be overlooked :)

Mags - how bad can your body be at 115 lbs?????? I'm jealous.

Anyway, I've begun buying bras and panties at Victoria's Secret - in cool colors other than just boring white or beige....so even though the rest of the world doesn't know what I have on under my clothes, I feel sexy knowing there's some hot looking lingerie under there!

I used to do the tub thing all the time, but we just recently bought a hot tub, so instead of doing the bath tub, I do that - usually buck nekkid with my husband late at night (fortunately we live in a somewhat secluded area) - and a lot of times when he's out of town I'll do it all by myself....now that the snow has started falling though, I find it difficult to make the "jump" from house to tub - I just want to curl up under my electric blanket!

Ohhh, I want to go do my beauty regimen now that I've read all these posts, but it's not in my plans tonight! :D The bath, the candles, the, the, the...Calgon, Take Me Away!!! ;)

Okay, now to get serious... One thing I wanted to share is that using a half cup of Epsom salts along with Johnson & Johnson Soothing Vapor Bath for Colds is WONDERFUL! I clip and file my toenails first, then soak for 10-15 minutes and then exfoliate with olive oil and salt. Push back cuticles, buff and shine nails, then moisturize. Voila! Gorgeous feet! :cool:

The way I exfoliate my hands during my manicure is with olive oil and sugar (less abrasive than salt). Then I moisturize by covering the oil-soaked skin with a cream, wrap my hands in plastic wrap and relax for 10 minutes with them wrapped up in my heating pad. Ahhhh! Any of you that try this will LOVE it! (You can also give your hands a mask using any of your face mask products if you have them.)

I did this every week for a long time, but I have gotten away from it. Thank you so much for putting these thoughts back into my head. I will want to start doing this again because I feel like when I do, I am very "in tune" with myself and my body. Just what I need to get serious about taking care of myself by losing this weight! :)

I usually don't go for elaborate beauty treatments, but at Thanksgiving, as a present to myself, I got some red highlights put into my hair. When I first met my husband, I had red hair and he loves it! So, now he thinks I'm even more gorgeous! ;)

Elihnig

Not only is this an amazing idea for your hands, but what a great way to harmlessly use up all that white sugar at this time of year :D

My Xmas present to me. I'm going to buy some lavender goodies , some really pretty scented candles, a genie lamp incense holder, some powdered milk, a heating pad, a bath pillow, big terry cloth (white or light pink) robe, a good book (fiction). I may even treat my self to a brisk walk. Problem is that I will also have to buy a lock for my new stuff. If I don't then by my next bath everything will be gone. . When ever I buy new shampoo's etc. Everyone (DH and kids) decides they want softer hair/skin too. I love everyone's ideas - very uplifting.

The hands thing sounds great! My hands are so dry this time of year - which I'm surprised at, given all the water I'm drinking! But I'll have to give those things a try - right before my hot bath with scented oil and candles....feeling sexy tonight - had a wonderful party last night and now that the headache is finally going away...LOL - too much wine! :daze:

Have a very Merry Christmas everyone!

I strut...
 

I turn on the supermodel that lives beneath the 23 pounds I have to lose.

I increase the heel hight on my shoes for the day - I wear sheer stockings instead of tights and walk as if I own the runway. I'm tall anyway and my long legs compensate for my stumpy linebacker rectangular upper body.

With the high heels the muscles in my legs are flexed most of the day, so the amount of time in the gym really stands out. I also put on some lipstick and go for the pouty dont you want to kiss me look instead of my normal cherry flavored chap stick. Lately these little things have been causing quite a stir. :wiggle: