Emergency rescue plan
It’s Christmas morning, you are feeling a little haggard, quite weak and you look like death warmed up. Lack of beauty sleep is taking its heavy toll; the evidence is written all over your face: pale and dull looking skin, dark circles under the eyes and very puffy eyelids. Aaaaargh!
No need to weep, it will only make things worse. So, pull yourself together, take a deep breath and activate the contingency plan to cover up the signs of sleep deprivation and make yourself Christmas-presentable with a few quick but incredibly effective tricks.
Step 1
Put the kettle on and make a mega mug of lemon and ginger tea with the peel of ½ an organic lemon and 1 cm fresh grated ginger or ¼ teaspoon powdered ginger. While you savour this potion, make a pot of green tea (or black if you don’t have green). When your tea is ready, drink it and put the teabags in the deep-freezer.
Step 2
Take a hot shower. Turn the dial to hot: you need lots of steam. While you are luxuriating in this sauna-like shower, reenergize your body and face by exfoliating with Caster sugar. These circular little massages stimulate the blood flow and give you a healthy glow. Rinse off and finish with an icy-cold blast that'll shock your system and make you want to scream. If you can resist the urge, try to do it quietly, unless you want to wake Raymond and the whole house up. Start this torture from your feet up and don’t forget your face. There is nothing like cold water to iron out a few lines and creases.
Step 3
Have a quick and clever facial. Take a pretty cup and mix half a yogurt with a teaspoon of honey and a tablespoon of grape juice or red wine. Spread a thin layer on your face and neck, avoiding the eye area.
Step 4
Grab the tea bags from the freezer. Lie down, put your feet up, close your eyes and stick the tea bags on your eyelids. Tea has a slightly astringent quality and it is packed with antioxidants and caffeine, so it will de-puff your poor lids and tighten the under-eye area. Relax for 10 minutes, do some deep breathing or meditate before rinsing this fabulous face-pack off with warm water.
Step 5
Rub a couple of ice cubes over your face and neck. You should have a gorgeous, natural glow by now and your skin should be bright and tight.
Step 6
Prepare a super smoothie packed with powerful antioxidants for a seriously radiant skin:
In your best blender, throw ½ cucumber, peeled, 4 carrots peeled, 1 orange, halved and peeled, 2 cm fresh ginger or ½ teaspoon powdered ginger, ½ lemon juice, all preferably organic. Mix at top speed, pour into 2 glasses: one for you, to drink immediately and one for Raymond – he will need it too.
Step 7
Complete the amazing beautification routine with your favourite makeup. Don’t forget a flattering bright and cheerful lipstick for that effortlessly beautiful look. Check your work in the mirror and smile to welcome back the lovely fresh-faced you.
Aren’t these hacks borderline genius?
If you want more, try Le Dictionnaire à tout faire
