Rebecca Perry Blog

  

There's not much worse than waking up in the morning looking like a puffer fish, especially if you have an important work meeting or a special day ahead. First, there are a few medical conditions that can cause facial swelling such as hypertension, kidney disease, allergic reaction, trauma, dental problems or even conjunctivitis (pink eye). If there's any question facial puffiness may be a medical issue or you have other symptoms, check in with your doctor right away. When you're sure it's not something medical, and it only happens occasionally, it's most likely attributable to telltale lifestyle factors from not drinking enough water to imbibing too much alcohol, or the occasional lack of sleep. Here's why facial puffiness occurs in the morning and what you can do about it.

Why we wake up puffy

While it's no surprise that after a night of drinking you look puffy in the morning, you may be surprised that a host of other issues can also cause facial puffiness. Sometimes just the pressure of pillow up against face can cause fluid buildup. What's more, allergies or watching a tearjerker the night before can also wreak havoc, as will a super salty meal. Hormonal fluctuations can cause facial puffiness, too (blame pregnancy, menopause or your monthly cycle here). And as we mentioned, knocking back a few margaritas (alcohol plus salt), and not drinking enough water, can be killer for facial flame ups. I once got puffy the night after a wine tasting — either the sheer amount of wine I sampled, or a particular varietal of red wine was the culprit (the nitrates in reds can be particularly Stay Puft-inducing). Plus, a bad night's of sleep or even stress, such as a bout of nighttime anxiety, can lead to morning inflammation. Once you figure out the likely offender, you can take steps to avoid it.

cheap prom dresses

How to treat morning puffy face

Wash in the sink. Instead of washing your face in the warm shower, wash it at the basin using cool or tepid water to quell swelling. It not only feels good, but it can help.

Don't skip your workout. Exercise not only releases feel-good hormones but working up a sweat and replenishing needed water may be enough to reduce puffiness.

Cool it. Try a cooled eye mask for 15 minutes or even a bag of frozen peas in a pinch.

Give it the spa treatment. Sliced cucumbers over the eyes can work wonders for puffiness.

Consider your pillow situation. Elevate the head of your bed or sleep on two pillows at night to decrease gravity's effects.

Sleep on your back. Smooshing your face against the pillow can be to blame.

Make any needed lifestyle changes. Drink less alcohol, more water, eat less salt and get more shuteye.

Remove makeup. Don't sleep with eye makeup on. It can irritate eyes and cause puffiness.

Eat fewer processed foods. Many of these are very high in sodium.

For the most part, facial puffiness can be alleviated or avoided by making simple lifestyle adjustments. Find out your triggers and you'll avoid looking like that marshmallow character.

http://www.graziaprom.co.uk/green-prom-dresses

  

Ladies, take note! A simple daily makeup ritual may promote your self-confidence and even improve your love life, a new study has found.

The ritual consists of facing a mirror, using a favourite fragrance, applying makeup, savouring a candy, taking a deep breath and looking at yourself and smiling, researchers said. Researchers at Fordham University in New York measured how women and their partners reacted after a period of conducting the daily ritual.

The study was conducted on hundreds of women. About 97 per cent of the participants reported a significant positive change in them within the first week of adopting the ritual. For the study, women were asked to keep a journal to record the changes they felt after just four days following the ritual - 71 per cent reported an increased desire for romance, 69 per cent were more open to finding love, 77 per cent felt more outgoing and social, and 74 per cent said they were more likely to flirt.

GraziaProm

About 85 per cent of the women in the study noticed a positive change in how others reacted to them, noting an increase in compliments from their partner or date (65 per cent), and more than half (56 per cent) confirming that others flirted with them more frequently.

By simply performing various actions in a specific order over time, one can truly alter their mood and outlook.

Rituals are unlike habits in that they are highly conscious, sensorial, and symbolically meaningful as they help transform emotional states.

The study conducted in collaboration with US-based cosmetics company Revlon showed that women experienced a positive change after folding the ritual into their daily routines and proves women are empowered to improve their love lives with a simple shift in mindset, the researchers said.

backless prom dresses uk

  

Loving laser

Just a few years ago, in-salon laser hair removal was so expensive that it was usually only the choice of the very rich and very high maintenance. But today the technology has significantly advanced, making it quicker, more effective and less painful. Laser hair removal works by selective photothermolysis –light energy from a laser is transferred into thermal energy in the hair follicle. When the heat is absorbed by the hair's melanin, the follicle is destroyed. This is different, and most experts say better, than IPL (intense pulsed light) because a laser's wavelength is more concentrated – it targets just the hair follicle, not the surrounding area.

Both are effective at reducing hair, but laser use seems to be on the upswing. As the machines become cheaper, laser treatment also has become more accessible. Nicky Shore from Off Wax and Laser has recently invested in several Candela Gentle Max Pro machines, which are not only highly effective, but also make the process less painful thanks to mini blasts of (ultra cold) cryogen spray before each pulse of heat.

Grazia Prom

You'll need about six sessions to see a complete result, so that hair in all its different growth phases can be treated. At Off Wax & Laser prices start at around $99 per 15-minute session (for example, armpits), with discounts for a full course. Sounds pricey – but consider this. According to a study by American Laser Centers, on average, women can save almost $10,000 over a lifetime by choosing laser hair removal on the areas of the body they typically shave. When compared to a lifetime of waxing, the savings are double that amount.

But when it comes to cutting costs, you don't want go super cheap. Laser services are not licenced in New Zealand and anyone can buy a cheap machine from China. If you end up with a disreputable operator you can get burned – literally.

DIY devices

At-home pulsed-light devices are another growth area, as technology improves and becomes more cost-effective. Remington has just launched the i-Light Pro Face & Body, $899, which features an infinity bulb (no replacements ever needed).

This uses the same IPL technology you'll find in salons and promises up to 94 per cent fewer hairs after four treatments.Homedics offers a similar IPL device. While both are still pricey, they're at stores such as Harvey Norman and Farmers, so discounts are often offered.

Hairy and proud

It may not be the most popular choice, but more and more women are renouncing the tyranny of hair removal norms. In the UK, doctors have called for a Brazilian ban because of constant injuries to pubic skin. But equal rights movements could prove even more compelling than health concerns. A protest against punishing beauty standards, the UK's Armpits4August encourages women to take a month off from their excessive grooming routines. Chinese women have also flooded social media with photos flaunting underarm hair, as a part of a protest for women's rights.

plus size prom dresses

  

Blackheads, whiteheads and open big pores are common problems which are normally seen on the nose. These problems lead to skin infections and bacteria build up. With the help of home remedies, getting rid of these three nose problems are easy. Lemon juice, tomato juice and sensitive body scrubs are helpful for the skin and should be used at least once in a week.

Massage these natural ingredients on the nose, for 15 minutes and rinse with rose water or warm water. Before using any of the kitchen ingredients mentioned on the list, it is suggested to do a patch test first. The test will show whether the ingredients suits the skin or not. Before using these kitchen ingredients on the nose, it is necessary to rinse the face first with cold water, as it helps to open the pores. Here are some of the best home remedies to pamper the nose with and get rid of the skin problems. Take a look :

prom dresses online

Tomato - Make a thick pulp out of one tomato. Extract the juice from the pulp and keep aside. The pulp is then massaged on the nose for 15 minutes, in an upward manner. Rinse the pulp from the nose with the tomato juice. When done, pat dry. Repeat this nose care treatment after 2 days to get rid of dry skin on the nose.

Potato - Potato juice is massaged on the nose to lighten the tan. This Fresh juice should be used on the nose three times in a day for 2 days to speed up the results.

Lemon & Honey -To one tablespoon of honey add one tablespoon of lemon juice. Mix both the ingredients to one. Apply the mixture on the nose and let the pack stay on the face for 10 minutes before rinsing the mixture from the nose.

Salt & Sugar - Add one tablespoon of sugar to one tablespoon of salt. Now mix the ingredients to one and gently massage the home remedy directorship on the nose to get rid of blackheads.

Charcoal - Did you know that charcoal is the best solution to get rid of all types of skin problems. One tablespoon of Charcoal powder is mixed to one teaspoon of rose water. This combination is then applied on the nose like a face pack. After 15 minutes peel the coal pack from the face and rinse well with water water.

turquoise prom dresses

  

I love the idea of summer. It's all sun-kissed skin and beach hair, floating across the sand like a happy butterfly, right? Hmm, only if you live in Instagram-land. In real life, it's more like a sun-sensitive face with wet hair matted down in an unflattering manner and no inclination for make-up. But this season I've discovered a few tricks that are helping me look properly glamorous, sand-stuffed-in-cossie-and-carrying-crying-child-across-a-crowded-beach-while-sweating-profusely or not.

It's all about the preparation. That's what happens when you get older, you have to prepare, rather than waking up spontaneously glowing. Here's what worked.

1. Eyebrow prep

I got my brows professionally shaped which took courage because the last time I did it, it was a disaster, but I was recommended to try Amy Jean at Amy Jean Couture and she was brilliant. My brows were somehow miraculously thicker. Good brows frame your face and make everything more polished. I went on holiday up north and for the entire time, it just made me look done. Finished. Complete. Even on the days where sweat threatened to drown me.

short prom dresses

2. Eyelash prep

Sure, eyelash extensions make your lashes longer, who doesn't know that? But what I didn't know was that they give you freedom. I, like 95 per cent of women, don't leave the house without mascara, so it was joyful not to have to put on mascara every day. Pure freedom. And because I wasn't wearing mascara, I didn't have to bother about taking it off at night (more time saved), and didn't wake up with leftover black under my eyes every morning. Bliss! Then every time I swam I had these wonderfully long lashes that made me feel like Sophia Loren. Kind of, not really, but enough for me to feel great. In short, they are the perfect beach accessory because you can get away without make-up - the lashes make you look like you're dolled up, 24-7. I went to Love those Lashes for serious glamour.

3. Skin prep

By this I mean a facial that makes a difference, not just a wishy-washy, relaxing, cleanse-and-slap-a-mask-on job. Not at this age. A proper facial involves some kind of non-invasive treatment that won't leave you red and unrecognisable. Maybe it's an Omnilux, maybe it's microdermabrasion. Personally, I love an Omnilux, it's like falling asleep under a hot sun and when you wake up, you've got smoother skin than you thought possible at this age. Coupled with a Dr Spiller enzyme facial, which is like the peel you have when you don't want a peel, and my skin was ready to go make-up free on holidays. Worth it.

4. Fake tan

If you haven't ridden the fake tan highway because you're scared of looking, well, fake, you have good reason to be. This is dicey business. But I've found a loophole that will guarantee a natural finish. It's organic fake tan. It doesn't work as well as the proper, strong chemical stuff and that's the key! It's a milder colour and less likely to leave you orr-ange, as my daughter says. Bonus: it gives you the even-toned skin of someone in their 20s. Even if that wasn't what you were aiming for, it's kinda nice to know you can fake it there.

backless prom dress

  

Tips and tricks to help you boast lovely lips all day long.

Ever look at celebrities on the red carpet and wonder how they got such a perfect pout? It isn't a miracle - it's just careful application. Here we explain how to get the look at home.

Denise Rabor, an international make-up artist and founder of Wow Beauty, is an advocate of prepping lips to kick things off.

"Keep them nourished and moisturised by using a good lip balm," she told Cover Media, suggesting exfoliating the lips first before hydrating. "Lips are skin! Keep them moisturised from the inside by making sure that you keep hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids."

prom dresses under 100

Courtney Tichman, Director of Make-up Artistry for OCC, supports this. She suggests using a natural product, such as OCC's Lip Prep in Clear available via Love Make-up's website, to keep things smooth. Opting for a product that gives a matte finish will also make a great base for what's to come.

Or take a leaf out of Denise's book and use foundation as an alternative. Once that's done, it's onto applying colour, beginning with framing.

"Use a lip pencil ideally in a similar colour to your lipstick, to line and fill in your lips... this creates a perfect colour base," Denise shares.

Courtney recommends using a professional brush with a small top to apply dots of lipstick at a time to make it go further.

"Start applying the colour with small brush strokes in the centre of your lip first, before gradually working your way out," she adds.

Rub your lips together before turning to more coverage so you can blend the shade evenly. Want to give it extra longevity? Denise's tip is to lightly powder your mouth with a translucent product to help the lippy set, before adding a light coat of colour on top.

backless prom dresses

  

Being a working woman often doesn’t give me enough time to pamper myself, like I used to during my college days. At times, even going to a salon for a mani-pedi becomes difficult. I recently tried a home pedicure kit newly launched by RichFeel. Called Pedi Care, this is a quick way to make your tired feet look beautiful again in a convenient and pocket-friendly way. Here’s my review.

How to use it?

The kit comes with four different tubes, each for different steps in a traditional pedicure. First, I soaked my feet in a bucket filled with lukewarm water with a few drops of foot soak from the kit. After 10 minutes, I wiped them dry and clipped my toenails. I even cleaned off my old nail colour. You can skip this step if you don’t have much time.

Next, I scrubbed my feet to get rid of dead skin cells with the tiny beads present in it. After a few minutes of gently scrubbing them in circular motion, I washed them off and applied the pack given in the kit. This step will help brighten your feet. You need to keep the pack for at least 10 minutes to see results.

short prom dresses

After washing off the pack, I used the last tube with massage cream to moisturise my feet and give them a healthy glow. I also painted my toes with bright red nail polish to make them prettier.

The result

All the products in the kit have natural lemon extracts. Lemon not only adds a fresh, zesty fragrance, it also is a natural bleach that helps remove the layer of tan and lightens your feet. Obviously, don’t expect miraculous change after just one session of pedicure but you won’t be disappointed with the results either.

You can expect salon-like results with this pedicure kit the only exception being, it is DIY. The kit promises to last for at least three pedicures but I think it can be used more times as well. Priced at Rs 300, I think it is a good enough deal as you will spend that much for a single pedicure session if you go to a salon. And doing it at home makes it hygienic too.

Yes, there are a few steps that aren’t a part of this pedicure such as cuticle care and using the pumice stone. You can add these as well but I did not include them and my feet looked fine.

This is a quick way to get happy feet at home. It took me about 30 minutes for the entire pedicure session. And I won’t be doing it again for at least a month.

My verdict

I recommend using this product if you don’t like going or have the time to go to salons.

open back prom dresses

  

Sure, most Allure editors can rock a bold red lip like it's nothing or do a smoky eye with, well, their eyes closed, but I'm not one of them. I've become so dependent on my day-to-day routine of smearing some foundation on, quickly tracing some eyeliner on my upper lids, and hastily brushing on a few mascara swipes that I've become resistant to any kind of makeup change. So when M.A.C. opened up a studio in New York City, I knew it was finally time to learn the right way to do makeup. And who better to teach me?

I arrived at the makeup studio for my lesson and was lead to a private room with bright makeup lights and a private vanity:

GraziaProm

My teacher, M.A.C. artist Ashley Di Sarro, has been working with the company for eight years. She tells me her goal is to make people feel amazing about themselves through makeup. Coincidentally, I'd like to feel amazing about myself through makeup. I tell her specifically that I want to learn how to create a toned-down Kardashian-esque makeup look for everyday life (it does exist!). We decide on a subtly strobed and contoured face, with an "approachable" smoky eye. Here's what I looked like before Di Sarro got to work on me:

long prom dresses

And now, the important tips I learned during my M.A.C. transformation into a (realistic) Kardashian.

1. Always make sure your priming skin-care products are completely blended before putting on makeup. Are you the kind of person who slaps on your serums and primers and immediately puts on your foundation? Yeah, I used to be like that, too. But Di Sarro told me it's crucial to make sure all your priming ingredients are really blended in if you want your makeup to stay in place. Otherwise, certain areas of your face may appear shinier because your serum and moisturizer didn't fully seep into the skin. Di Sarro blended M.A.C. Prep + Prime Essential Oils , Mineralize Charged Water Moisture Eye Cream, and Prep + Prime Natural Radiance Base in Yellow.

2. Only put foundation on where you need it. Guess what? You don't always have to follow all the rules! (Well, at least when it comes to the directions on your foundation bottle.) You should only apply foundation where you need coverage. For example, Di applied Studio Waterwight SPF 30 Foundation on my cheeks and chin but put hardly any on my forehead. She covered up any imperfections with K-Beautiful Face - Prep + Prime Highlighter in Radiant Rose.

3. Do your brow and eye makeup first. This is important because as Di Sarro puts it, your eyebrows "create the mood of the makeup" and form a guideline for your eyes. It's also pretty much a given that when you do your eye makeup something bad is bound to happen. You may accidentally smudge some liquid liner on your cheek or you may have to re-do your cat eye a few (dozen) times, for instance. Do all the eye stuff before you apply blush or lipstick so you don't ruin the makeup you spent 20 minutes working on. For my brows, Di Sarro lightly patted some extra foundation under my brow bone and brushed Pro Longwear Waterproof Brow Set in Bold Brunette through my arches.

4. Tilt your head back when applying detailed eye makeup. I used to think that the only way to apply eyeliner perfectly across my lash line was if I held my eyelid taut. Wrong. You don’t want to pull on your skin or raise your brows because it changes the shape of your eye. It could also deteriorate the elasticity of that skin over time. Di Sarro's tip: Whenever applying makeup to the top area of the eye, tilt your head back. This way you'll have the most control because you can see the entire landscape of your face. Di Sarro pressed on the M.A.C. Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Painterly all over the top of my eyelid, then, with a smaller brush, lined the Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Constructivist along the top part of my eyelid and just below my bottom lid. To make sure I had a record of every product she used, Di Sarro went to work on my face chart, too:

5. Dry your waterline before applying eyeliner. This one is easy. Before applying eyeliner to your waterline, take a Q-tip and rub it along your line to dry it completely. This removes any moisture from your eye or pigment from eye shadow that may have fallen on the area. Di Sarro tightlined mine with M.A.C. Eye Kohl in Costa Riche.

6. Never use a shimmery powder to contour. Di Sarro used a foundation one shade darker than my skin tone to create the illusion of depth under my cheekbones. Anything with iridescence would defeat the purpose, so put down that shimmery bronzer. It isn't doing what you want it to do.

7. Always take a step back from the mirror and look at yourself from further away. This is another simple and easy tip, but one that will save you a lot of time and anguish. You may obsess over a tiny imperfection in your eyeliner when you're thisclose to an ultra-bright, supermagnified mirror. If you find yourself getting frustrated, take a step back (and take a deep breath) and look at yourself from the distance that most people will see you. Chances are, you look fierce, and your tiny little eyeliner blunder is completely unnoticeable.

  

If dandruff is leaving a trail on all your tops, you need to put an end to it with the help of these home remedies. Not only is this problem embarrassing, it also leads to an itchy scalp and hair fall. Here’s how you can nip it in the bud at home.

Home remedy for dandruff #1: Neem

One way to address your dandruff woes is by using a home-made pack containing neem. Celebrity naturopath Dr Nirmala Shetty in her book ‘Beauty At Your Fingertips’ shares an anti-dandruff pack.

You will need:

¼ cup neem juice, coconut milk and beetroot juice

1 tsp coconut oil

Steps:

Mix all the ingredients together and massage the pack into the scalp.

prom dress shops uk

Wash it after 20 minutes with a herbal shampoo and conditioner.

Do this once a week to see results.

Home remedy for dandruff #2: Fenugreek or methi

Fenugreek or methi seeds can also help reduce the occurrence of dandruff. It has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties which help banish the white flakes.

You will need:

2 tbsp fenugreek seeds

1 cup water

1 cup apple cider vinegar

Steps:

Soak methi seeds in water overnight.

Grind them into a paste in the morning.

Add apple cider vinegar to the paste and apply on your scalp.

Leave it for 30 minutes and then wash off with mild shampoo.

This will help relive itchy and dry scalp too.

Home remedy for dandruff #3: Aspirin

Though not a natural remedy, it is definitely a quick way to get rid of dandruff. Aspirin contains salicylates – an active ingredient in most dandruff shampoos that contain salicylic acid.

You will need:

2 aspirin tablets

Shampoo

Steps:

Crush the tablets. Add it to any normal shampoo.

Let it lather and keep it on for 5 minutes.

Wash your hair. If you feel the aspirin powder on your scalp, rinse again with plain shampoo.

Home remedy for dandruff #4: Baking soda

Yes, baking soda can help you get rid of dandruff. It is alkaline in nature and helps eliminate dead skin cells by acting as a mild exfoliant. It also helps in controlling oil secretion on the scalp.

You will need:

2 tsp baking soda

Few drops of water

Steps:

Wash your hair with warm water.

Add a few drops of water in baking soda to form a paste.

Apply it on your scalp and massage it for a few minutes.

Rinse your hair with plain water or shampoo.

Home remedy for dandruff #5: Reetha or soap nuts

An age-old Indian remedy to keep one’s hair long and strong, soap nuts have been traditionally used in combination with shikakai. But its anti-bacterial properties can keep scalp problems at bay too.

You will need:

10-15 soap nuts

1 tbsp Amla powder or juice

2-3 cups of water

Steps:

Soak reetha in water overnight.

In the morning, grind them and boil the powder in water. Strain.

Now add amla juice or powder to it and mix well. Use water to make it a paste if required.

Apply on scalp for 30 minutes and then rinse off with a mild shampoo.

Home remedy for dandruff #6:Lemon

This citrus fruit has abundant vitamin C and is acidic in nature which helps keep dandruff at bay. You can either squeeze out its juice or rub it directly on the scalp.

You will need:

Juice of 4 lemons or raw lemon slices.

Steps:

Rub lemon slices on your scalp and leave for 10-15 minutes.

Rinse with plain water.

Do this once a week to see results.

Home remedy for dandruff #7: Aloe vera gel

Aloe vera gel is effective in keeping dandruff in-check. Apart from its anti-fungal properties, it also is soothing to the scalp and keeps itching at bay.

You will need:

5 tbsp aloe vera gel

Steps:

You can either scoop out gel from aloe plant or use gel sold in drugstores.

Simply massage it on your scalp and let it stay for 30 minutes.

Make sure your hair isn’t oiled.

Wash with plain water or mild shampoo.

People who have dry, frizzy hair can simply do away with washing it off too for a day.

So try these remedies to get rid of dandruff the natural way.

long prom dresses

  

I have goose pimples on my goose pimples and while my teeth aren’t yet chattering, give me another few minutes and they will be.

It’s so cold that not only can I see my breath, I’m pretty sure that if I leaned against one of the walls, I might actually freeze to it - and surely it’s only a matter of time before my lips go blue...

Though it’s hot and muggy outside, I’ve not persuaded my local restaurant to let me seek refuge from the heat in their industrial freezer.

Instead, I’ve come to Snow Paradise at West London’s K Spa, a kind of beauty ice box that, devotees claim, will send the blood coursing round my body and zap any lurking cellulite. It’s one of a handful of such facilities in the UK.

At Lion Quays in Shropshire, Thornton Hall in the Wirral and Butlins in Bognor Regis, you’ll find Snow Caves, while County Durham’s Rockliffe Hall boasts an Igloo.

Here at Snow Paradise it is definitely snowy. The room, about 2m x 2m, which uses “cold-generating compressors” and “the latest technology” to create snow “made exclusively of air and water and containing no chemical additives”, is part of a thermal suite that also includes a steam room, sauna and sanarium (like a sauna but cooler).

“The idea is that these sort of “fire and ice” treatments work to stimulate circulation,” says Daphne Metland, the director of The Good Spa Guide.

Heat causes the blood vessels to dilate, bringing blood to the surface of the skin, while cold temperatures cause contraction of the blood vessels. Alternating between hot and cold boosts the circulation, which, if you believe the hype, has untold benefits for your health and beauty.

http://www.graziaprom.co.uk/long-prom-dresses

“It gets rid of toxins, stimulates your immune system, is excellent for tackling cellulite and is very good for your skin, as it brings blood to the surface, feeding the skin with oxygen and nutrients,” enthuses Lyudmyla Nagirnyak, manager at K Spa. “It’s like the glow you get from exercise, because it boosts circulation in the same way.”

But not everyone is convinced that the whole hot-cold thing is quite so magical. “It definitely improves circulation, but I’m not sure how much solid evidence there is for the other claims,” says Daphne.

Either way, the world has embraced the idea. The Swedes and other Scandi types are known for following their saunas with dips in icy lakes, the Germans are devotees of Kneipping, which involves alternating between hot and cold showers or baths, and sports stars praise cryotherapy - which uses baths of ice, or rooms cooled to minus 135c - for speeding up muscle recovery after training, a big game or competition.

But in the world of spas, this oversized cool box is a bit different.

Indeed, I’ve encountered icy plunge pools and snow fountains, curiously reminiscent of the large ice makers you find on American-style fridges, which churned out handfuls of slushy ice that I rubbed into my shivering flesh after luxuriating in a sauna. I’ve even been to spas in ski resorts where you’re encouraged to nip outside and roll in the snow after boiling in a hot tub. But I’ve never actually stepped into a human-sized freezer before.

“There is no hard and fast protocol,” says Lyudmyla. “You have to listen to your body, but the idea is that you warm up in the sauna, then go into the Snow Paradise, and keep alternating. Some people can stay in there for a few minutes, others only a few seconds.”

I’m determined to tough it out. And, after about seven minutes in the sauna at 88degC, I emerge in just a bikini and towel and step through the first door that forms a sort of airlock between the ice chamber and the rest of the spa. I can feel the temperature drop a bit, but given how warm the spa is, it just feels pleasantly cool. Then, I open the second heavy door and step in. It slams behind me and I have a fleeting panic I’ll get locked in and die of hypothermia. But having checked the door doesn’t have a lock, I relax.

Because it’s not that cold. It doesn’t give me that first genuinely breath-taking, heart-stopping, skin-tingling, oh-my-goodness, wow-now-I-feel-alive moment that I’ve had from plunge pools and snow rolls. It feels, well, just a bit chilly.

Looking around, I see that the walls seem like the side of a mountain after a snowfall, while the ceiling is a sort of metal grid mesh that’s like the sort of thing you’d find in an office.

And what I assume are the cold-generating compressors are cleverly hidden behind rustic-looking wooden slats. It’s terribly atmospheric, but, so far, a little, er, warmer, than I’d anticipated. So much so that, after a couple of minutes, I decide that, despite Lyudmyla’s warning that I had to wear flip-flops otherwise there’s no way I’d be able to tolerate it for more than a few seconds, I slip one of them off and place my foot on the snow-covered ground.

Okay - wow! - now that is cold. I slip the flip-flop back on and decide to get closer to the snow.

I scoop up a handful of the light, fluffy stuff, compact it into a ball and start rubbing it across my arms and legs. It feels so cold it’s almost burning, and that’s when I get the goose pimples, and start to worry about my lips turning blue.

“Anything wet always feels colder on the skin,” says Daphne. “Water conducts heat far better than air, so cold water, or snow, will conduct heat away from the skin far more quickly than cold air.

“In terms of boosting circulation, it doesn’t really matter if you cool yourself more slowly, and it makes it more comfortable for people who don’t like that sudden shock.”

After slathering my limbs with ice, it’s too cold to hang around, so I hotfoot it to the sauna, and feel the warmth as the blood rushes back to my skin. I repeat the sequence a few times, skipping straight to the ice-rubbing bit, although I stop short of rolling around in the snow. By the time I leave, my skin has a rosy glow, and I head out into the sunshine feeling invigorated.

The added bonus is that having languished in an 88degC sauna, the 27degC heat in London feels like a breeze.

http://www.graziaprom.co.uk/chiffon-prom-dresses

You should also see:

http://www.solartechnik123.de/?q=node/148833