| A-list beauty tips inside and out
If it's problem skin getting you down, dimpled bits or just plain lumpy parts depressing you, eating the right foods and getting the right exercise can give you the A-list body you've dreamed of Here are some of the most common complaints and how to tackle them using a diet and exercise plan inspired by celebrities:
On the inside: Tuck into all the lovely fresh fruit and veg in season during summer and make sure you get at least five portions a day. Jen loves Mexican food, particularly guacamole, which is made from avocadoes stuffed full of Vitamin E for beautiful skin, as well as cleansing garlic and lemon. On the outside: Kick-start your circulation by body brushing. Start with a dry brush at your feet and work upwards towards your heart. Regular exfoliation followed by a rich moisturiser will soon leave your skin looking fresh and revitalised. Hollywood top tip: Fake it. Many of us feel healthier and more confident with a tan. The huge range of spray tans or fake tan lotions available today mean there is a shade to suit everyone's skin tone for an instant pick-me-up, guaranteed to make you look healthier and slimmer! A-list aim: Have the toned curves of Halle Berry, who caused Bond fans to choke on their popcorn when she emerged from the sea in her orange bikini in Die Another Day. On the inside: To help beat the bulge, fill up on wholegrains like brown rice and pasta as well as plenty of pulses and grains such as quinoa and lentils. Low-fat and nourishing whole foods like these can stop you reaching for a chocolate bar when sugar levels plummet. Green leafy vegetables and nuts such as almonds will also help build your body's strength by providing lots of calcium, while carrots and eggs have plenty of Vitamin A to help your cells regenerate. On the outside: A small amount of exercise will soon show the benefit on your bumpy bits, making it even more of an incentive to persevere. Here are four of Halle's favourite ways to stay long and lean:
Hollywood top tip: Lead the eye. Draw attention away from the bits you don't like with a glamorous sequinned bikini top if you have a fabulous cleavage, or have a pedicure to draw attention to your pretty feet. If all else fails, slip into a gorgeous kaftan like curvy Catherine Zeta Jones and Jerry Hall. A-list aim: Beyonce's curvy hips and bum make the bootylicious singer stand out in a crowd of stick-thin celebrities. On the inside: Improve circulation and clear toxins by boosting your metabolism - which will give you more energy to exercise too. Eat plenty of protein like beans and lentils, as well as nuts and seeds rich in essential fatty acids. Fresh fruit and vegetables, especially Brussel sprouts, spinach, parsley and cabbage, are great but avoid tea, coffee, soft drinks and sugar. On the outside: Like your thighs, you can see the difference on your behind quickly if you do the right exercises. Beyonce's dancing helps keep her toned and supple, but here are five moves you can do in the privacy of your own home:
Hollywood top tip: Be confident. Men prefer real curvy women to stick-thin model types so make the most of your booty. Short-style bikini bottoms may seem like a safe option but will just draw more attention to your behind so stick to a bright, high-sided shape to emphasise your curves. A-list aim: Jennifer Lopez has a womanly tum to die for - toned and taut but still with a feminine outline. On the inside: If you suffer from bloating, try a probiotic drink each day or live yoghurt which contains healthy bacteria. Dried fruit such as prunes or apricots can tackle constipation and fresh grapefruit also helps burn off fat cells. Hot water and lemon first thing in the morning is great for your digestion, or try peppermint tea instead of your usual cuppa. On the outside: J-Lo knows you don't need to perform hundreds of sit-ups to firm your abs. For the flattest tummy, you only need to do 15 to 20 reps of an exercise which takes a maximum of just ten minutes just two or three times a week. Try a combination of crunches and reverse curls to make sure you tone your stomach muscles from both ends. Any form of regular, cardio exercise will also help you get that super-sexy stomach by shedding the layer of fat covering the muscles. Hollywood top tip: Ditch the booze. Not only does alcohol provide 'empty' calories, which become fat if they're not burnt off, it also irritates the stomach lining and intestines, causing your tummy to swell. If you can't give it up, just try cutting down - it's not called a beer belly for nothing! A-list aim: Jessica Simpson's smooth, dimple-free legs in The Dukes of Hazzard drew admiring glances from men and women alike. On the inside: Experts believe we need to build the skin from the inside out to give us those streamlined thighs we all crave. The key building blocks of the body are amino acids found in beans, wholegrains and seeds, essential fatty acids found in flaxseeds, walnuts and cold water fish, and lecithin found in soya and eggs. When she has to get in shape for a part, Jessica also cuts down on sugar and salt as these are thought to trap fluid in cells, contributing to the dreaded orange-peel effect. On the outside: Massaging body lotion into the backs of your thighs and your bum after a bath or shower can help reduce cellulite by improving circulation. Some specially designed anti-cellulite lotions contain ingredients to improve the skin's elasticity - it won't banish all lumps and bumps but it will make skin smoother. Hollywood top tip: Water. Up your fluid intake - drinking more water (at least eight glasses or two litres a day) will help flush impurities out of your system. And remember, cellulite affects all of us, even skinny girls, so love your shape. |