MANILA, Philippines -- There’s nothing like a special formal occasion with glamorous guests expected to attend to force a woman to scrutinize herself from head to toe and beef up on her beauty regimen.
My tall, model-slim childhood best friend is getting married next month, and she has appointed me bridesmaid. She is very pretty so outshining her is something I won’t even attempt, so I just aim not to suffer too much in comparison.
The other three bridesmaids are equally stunning just to add to the pressure bearing down on me. For those in the same boat, I have written down the regimen that has helped improve my appearance a lot.
Puffy eyes
The moment I hit my mid-30s, cucumbers stopped working for me, and I have since been more and more prone to swollen eyes that look horrid in photos.
Certain eye creams actually give eyelids a slight lift to offset slightly hooded upper lids due to age and shrink eye bags caused by fluid retention.
My tried-and-tested treatments since late last year for puffiness, slight dark circles and lids that are beginning to droop: Clarins Advanced Extra-Firming Eye Contour Cream; Guerlain Orchidee Imperiale Eye and Lip Cream; Origins Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Eye Serum; Clinique All About Eyes Rich; and The Face Shop The Skin Nutritious Effect Eye Cream.
These were my lifesavers during PMS pig-outs and allergy season. They also prevent and eliminate fine lines and crows feet.
Smooth, even-toned skin
Glutathione won’t actually make you that much whiter than your original baby skin, but its antioxidant properties will register first on your skin’s texture. So you will not look like Michael Jackson as everyone fears, even if you take it for 10 years straight.
You may not be that much whiter at first, but your skin will be even-toned and silky from head to toe.
Since the treatment repairs skin from the inside, you will recover faster from a tan. Those who go under the sun often without SPF protection will tan evenly and not in uneven patches. One will only get noticeably whiter when you overdose, but since the body needs glutathione in large doses, it will take some time because it takes effect.
Glutathione taken orally is difficult to absorb in the system as most of it dissolves in the intestinal tract so you absorb less than half.
For better absorption for speeding up whitening, the best solution is the IV GLG— it’s a needle and syringe with liquid glutathione that is slowly injected on your vein then flushed with distilled water to get every last drop. The going rate is P5,600, VAT-inclusive, at Belo, which uses vitamin C as a flush to boost the whitening power.
It stings even more, though, because vitamin C is thick, but three to five sessions will already make you a half to full shade lighter in foundation color. Those with lower sting tolerance may opt for distilled water flush like that of Godiva Skin Station and Blooming Center. Results will show after six to nine sessions, which become cheaper per session. A package includes 10-15 sessions, and one comes in twice or thrice weekly for the first three weeks.
Gluta Snow Liquid Glutathione (P60) at Watson’s and SM grocery is incorporated into isotonic water so it is absorbed into the body. It’s great for the liver and kidneys; it detoxes your intestines by flushing out backlog.
Even the most constipated of people will use the bathroom a minimum of six times a day for the first two weeks with one bottle a day.
Downside: I could not leave my house for a month as stomach would literally quiver and high sodium content left me bloated at times.
Research by Harvard Graduate Dr. Theodore Hersh shows that Glutathione is better absorbed through the gums so Natasha has brought in the chewable form (P1,995 for 30 pieces of Natasha Spa Thione Complex, 500 mg). Melt the grape-flavored lozenge between the inner cheeks and teeth so it will be absorbed through the gums so as to be distributed to the rest of the body and not break down in the intestinal tract.
Upsides: it tastes good and is painless.
Weight control
Having neither the time or funds to join a gym, I had to do something to shed the pounds I packed from being house-bound with gout.
I clipped a step counter/pedometer (P200) on my waist band and aimed for 12,500 steps daily for weight loss. I strap it on the moment I get off bed in the morning and check how many steps I have totaled before I sleep at night.
Walking in the rain on incline surfaces was tricky so I would recommend Crocs Mary Janes (P1,875) for traction, arch support and comfort. There will be no foot odor or sweating and you can even walk over mossy surfaces so 10,000 steps will be a breeze.
The downside: Not pretty.
E-mail the author at kinnysalas@yahoo.com
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I found this follow-up at Inquirer (July 6,2007), re: Glutathione
Improved formula
Remember Gluta Snow whitening water? It is Glutathione in liquid form incorporated into isotonic water, which is best absorbed by the body for the benefit of the kidneys, liver and immune system. The water contains antioxidant precursors that boosts glutathione levels in our body like alpha lipoic acid and vitamins C and E.
The first formula was great on my skin, making it instantly silkier in only a week’s time, and with visible lightening after a month. The only drawback was the strong laxative effect on the user.
Gluta Snow now has a new formula that has the same effect on skin but with a much gentler laxative effect, so you are, in fact, detoxed without the discomfort and can go on with your job and daily errands. Now you can take the maximum amount of two bottles a day to speed up the whitening results.
Available at all Watson’s and SM grocery stores at P62.50 per 500-ml bottle. Tip: Drink it during a workout or sports activity to keep you hydrated and to fight off free radicals released by exercise.
Call 0918-6768440.
E-mail the author at kinnysalas@yahoo.com
