How to be Super Kawaii All The Time.

I am often asked what makes a girl Super Kawaii all the time, (well perhaps not in those precise terms) and although I have much to say on the subject, one of the first and foremost things is this; a good grooming routine. Today is about those little things that make a BIG difference.

When it comes to looking you best, there are some days that are harder than others. Days when you're sick, busy, lazy or just plain can't be bothered. But why should you look a fright on these days when with a few simple steps, you can be your gorgeous self all the time. Now I am talking about looking good when there is no makeup on hand to hide all the usual sins. What it comes down to is looking after the basics, and doing it regularly.

Eyebrows
Having great eyebrows can completely change your face, taking you from Ugly Betty to Vera the Vixen in a heart beat. A clean, pronounced arch will open your eyes giving you an instant face lift and lightening your lids. But please, no DIY on this one. The difference between being pampered by an Eyebrow Queen and the DIY job is obvious to everyone but yourself. A great beautician will be able to take the look you are after and make it work with your face shape and bone structure.
How do you find this amazingly talented individual? Get recommendations. If you like someone's eyebrows (or hair for that matter), ask them who does such great work. It may be a little intimidating to ask a stranger this, but what's the worse that could happen? ( She could run screaming from you clutching the beauticians card to her breast screaming, "She's all mine!" you say.)

Exfoliate
Your face AND your body. This doesn't have to be an hours process with masks and serums. It can be as simple as using a exfoliating glove in the shower every other day (one for body and a much softer one for the face). It helps your skin to refresh, helps unclog pores, gets rid of traces of old makeup an gets the circulation going. All in one minute flat.

Moisturize
Once again, not just your face, your whole body. While I use the same moisturizer for my face, neck and décolletage (don't forget these bits, they need just as much care); I use oil, rather than a traditional moisturizer on the rest of my body. I find it goes on and into the skin quicker when I am time poor. My favorite is Palmer's Bath Oil as it smells just like chocolate to me. It will fix crocodile legs in a couple of seconds flat and put a little 'sexy' into your morning.

Sunscreen
Wear it everyday, everywhere. Okay, maybe not on your butt, but any exposed skin. This includes you hands as they see alot of sunshine when you are driving. Either get yourself a moisturiser with SPF 30 in it, or if you prefer use a separate lotion after your moisturizer and before any makeup. The Sun Protection in makeup is minimal, more marketing than protection. So add twenty seconds to your routine for this face, and life, saving step. If that's too much you could always go the hat, veil and gloves routine.

Hands and Feet
While I love polished nails (Navy blue being my current favorite), chips and scraps do nothing to add to your appeal. If you polish chips, take it off. Natural nails are faster for no-fuss grooming and I have a couple of top tips to keep your hands and feet great all the time.

To keep your natural nails white and bright, soak them in a dish of warm water with a few denture tablets. Yes, denture cleaning tablets, purchased very cheaply from your supermarket. The oxygen cleans the nails the same way all those active oxygen washing powders remove stains from your clothes. Trade secret this one.
Keep a pumice file in the shower and give your feet a quick once over before you hit the water. It'll save your feet from looking like satan's cloven-hoofed homie's. And what better way to encourage your sweetheart to rub your weary soles.
I'm sure you've all heard the old moisturizer on the hands then pop them into cotton gloves overnight. If you want to take the therapy up a notch, and get amazingly soft and supple skin by the end of the week, use lanolin instead of hand cream. It doesn't need to be anything fancy, just a regular wool fat ointment from the store, the yellowish stuff the melts when warm. Slather some of that on hands and feet, then cover with cotton gloves and socks respectively. Just try this one for a week and tell me how heavenly they feel now!

Water
Everyone has heard the old, "drink eight glasses of water a day", but do you do it? Did you know that eight glasses is the recommended minimum? I know it can be hard to remember, boring or make you pee like a race horse; but, believe me, this one is magic! I aim to drink about two litres of water a day and my skin has never been better. And as an added bonus, it will help you shed some unwanted kilos / pounds too.
If you hate the taste of water, squeeze a little fresh lemon juice into it, and in winter have your water as caffeine free green tea. Just grab yourself a funky flask for sipping all day long. That way it is easier to keep track of how much you have actually drunk if you have a measured flask.

Given that I seem to have so much to say on this subject, I'll spread these posts out. Actually, now I think of it, I have a lot of tips / opinions (depending how you look at it) on most things. If there's something you'd really like to know, ask away!