Beauty tips for career women

Ebony, Sept, 1995

Spice Up Your life With Exercise.

Exercise goes hand in hand with our calorie-cutting regimen. Regular exercise increases your energy and helps you deal with job-related stress; but it also helps increase your body's metabolism rate, thus enabling your body to burn more calories.

Even the busiest working mother can find time in her hectic day to exercise. When the weather is great, take a brisk walk in the morning before work, during your lunch break or after work. When possible, walk to work, or at least part of the way. Try running up and down the steps in your building. You can burn up a lot of calories, and give your cardiovascular system a good workout, by walking (or running) up flight of stairs several times a week.

Some busy women have found it beneficial to buy a treadmill or stairstepper so then, can exercise in the comfort of their homes when time permits. If you don't have such discipline, join a health club and/or get a personal trainer. To whittle down the waistline and tone up the thighs, make a habit of doing leg-lifts and slow stomach crunches while reading or watching television. Some experts advise that you can lose a half pound a week simply by cutting your caloric intake by 200 calories a day and exercising for just a half hour, five days a week. Regular exercise will result in a body of which you can be proud. And when you look good, you feel good and your self-esteem increases. Consequently, you perform better on the job.

Don't Neglect Your Crowning Glory.

Nothing detracts from one's appearance as much as unattractive hair. Experiment to find a hairstyle that is flattering to your facial features and easy to care for. Regularly have your hair professionally styled and trimmed to control split ends. And wash your hair at least once a week. Many women who shampoo infrequently find that their skin problems clear up with more regular hair washings. Those who wear braids should be aware that tightly braided hair can create constant tension on the hair follicles and result in permanent hair loss.

Put Your Best Foot Forward.

Don't ruin your otherwise perfect and professional look with worn-down shoes. Regularly visit a shoe shop and take steps to reduce wear on your shoes when you first buy them by having toes and heels reinforced.

It is also important to take proper care of your feet. While bathing, smooth rough heels and calluses with a pumice stone, and then lavish on rich moisturizers. And beware of high heels and the damage they may cause to your feet. Podiatrists say that high heels and ill-fitting shoes in general aggravate and sometimes even cause foot problems, such as bunions, corns, calluses and ingrown toenails. Wear comfortable shoes when walking long distances and save the high heels for in-office wear and special occasions.

Reduce Stress.

One of the best ways to combat stress in your life is by getting enough sleep. Sleep deprivation leads to signs of aging and causes skin to become ashen and lose its firmness. Wrinkles form more quickly, and dry, chapped lips and dark circles under the eyes may result. Stress also leads to acne flare-ups. Exercise helps reduce stress and sets the stage for a good night's sleep. Organize your life and priorities so that stress is minimized and you get the rest that is needed to make you more productive on your job.