Wellness / Beauty / Inspiration

In this issue:

• ASK THE ABBEY.... Cleansers and wrinkle control.
• NATURAL BEAUTY: Restoring Hair Growth
• FOUNTAIN of YOUTH QUICK TIP: Lip Lines
• SKIN CARE COSMETICS: Nail color for hands and toes over 40.
• WELLNESS: Breathing Technique to Reduce Food Cravings
  

Q1: Does it matter which cleanser I use to clean my face as long as I use good treatment creams?
Q2: Which is better for reducing wrinkles: a smooth but potent cleanser or a more abrasive scuffing cleanser?

A. 1. It matters.
A. 2. Both.
The bottom line is a commitment to the continuous process of exfoliation if you want to achieve skin that is radiant and glowing with minimal lines. A quality cleanser not only removes makeup, excess oil, and environmental dust and dirt, but it also contributes to a gentle removal of dead surface skin cells which dull your skin and increase the appearance of fine lines.
Read on.....

One of the most satisfying products we have offered these last few years was one of our first: the Lazarus Hair Renewal System for restoring volume and health to thinning hair. It was initially based on a blend of essential oils from a study first published in the Archives of Dermatology (1998) in which 44% of those using a synergy of essential oils showed significant hair growth after seven months.

Read on...

Lip lines are a constant source of concern to many of you. Here are a few suggestions to keep them away:

• Erase them with twice daily application of Carrot Repair Serum, Intense Line Relief Serum, or Rosehip Serum. The wrinkle smoothing agents keep your lips soft and moisturized.
• Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated.
• Eat honey. Whether used as a sweetener in drinks, or smeared on toast, honey sticks to your lips and attracts and maintains moisture. Keep a small pot of honey on the counter to apply at frequent intervvals during the day to maintain moisture.
• Apply natural progesterone as found in our Weary Woman Creme. One of our customers has told us that nothing she has ever used has been more effective in smoothing out her lip lines. It is all about balancing hormones. It works!
• The Abbey's lip glosses and creams contain emu oil and lip plumping essential oils and ingredients to promote smoother and fuller lips to reduce drying and line formation.

BONUS: Smooth lips allow lipstick to glide on effortlessly and it is less likely to bleed off your lips into fine lines.

Less is Younger ~~ Keep it Natural
Skin that is losing firmness needs less makeup, not more. Makeup tends to slide into and accentuate even tiny facial furrows. Mineral powders applied with a light hand reflect light and minimize wrinkles and sagging.

Unless you have never lifted a child, carried grocery bags up a flight of steps, shoveled snow, dug a hole to plant a flower, or performed a lick of work in your life, chances are that your hands will show the symptoms of a life well lived. And while your feet do not perform any of the above tasks, they also show the signs of miles walked.
Just as with makeup, 'less is more' is important in the choice of nail color. The most age-defying nail colors are soft, light tones in the currently popular sheer and creamy hues. These shades are sophisticated and yet they draw attention away from veins, brown spots or discolored areas, crepiness, calloused feet, or thickened toenails.

Customize your nail color using any mineral powder

Breathing techniques are showing up with increasing frequency in various areas of health maintenance. Indeed, we have discussed it here. I know, I know. It sounds as if it is one step away from sitting cross-legged on the floor humming a mantra. Well, no less an authority than Andrew Weil (Okay, he is as likely intone a mantra as anyone, but he has so much sense that I trust most of what he advocates.) recommends this "tried-and-true" technique to short-circuit your potato chip cravings as well as diminish their frequency over time. It's easy, quick, and can be done anywhere without drawing undue attention to yourself, so put your skepticism aside and give it a try the next time you feel yourself reaching for the cheesecake.

Read on for the 4-7-8 Solution...