A clearer complexion, lighter lines and tauter skin tone may be only a few daily stretches and deeper breathes away, Emma Bangay discovers.
I’ve seen it all; hope in a jar and a promise in a potion, but for me, the ultimate beauty secret is health. My skin sings, my eyes blaze and my smile is unstoppable after a run or a yoga session. And it seems, I’m not alone explains Varney Magill, founder of NUALA Retreats, Bali, where yoga and diet are combined to revitalize and detoxify the body and skin from within. ‘Any type of exercise helps flush toxins from the body and what we are left with is a youthful, radiant complexion,’ she tells me. ‘The skin glows as the circulation delivers fresh oxygen and positive energy to each and every cell of our bodies.’
Detoxing Skin:
Without movement toxins build up in the lymph system and become stagnant, leading to all kinds of health issues. ‘To keep the body functioning at optimum health, we need to keep moving and stretching, helping the body to rid itself of toxins that build up. When we move our bodies, lymphatic fluid is forced to flow and flush toxins. To release these toxins, we sweat through the pores of the skin,’ explains Varney.
Skin Tone:
The breathing involved in exercise – and activities such as yoga in particular – can actually act as an anti-ager too, notes Varney. She explains that when we focus on our breathing – and nothing else, – we automatically relax the muscles of the face and body, releasing tense expressions – which solidify lines over time. ‘This ultimately smooths those tension-filled expressions we make every day without even realizing it!’ she enthuses.
Want an extra boost in beautiful, line free skin? Get it upside-down. ‘The Headstand Yoga pose reduces wrinkles and improves skin tone and is known as a natural anti-wrinkle mask. It is said that if you practice five minutes of Headstand every day, your face will be wrinkle free!’ she says. Don’t jump out of your chair just yet though, best to learn the pose from an instructor before trying this one at home.
Skin Clarity:
When it comes to detoxification, the skin is known as the ‘third kidney’, explains Varney. ‘Toxins and dirt store up in the pores of the skin and need to be released to keep the skin clear and smooth. The skin is the body’s largest organ and to keep it active and clean, you need to sweat.’
As yoga teacher and leading makeup artist, Karen Bicchierai adds, the process of heating up and cooling down is spreading the beauty love beyond the face. ‘Think about a beauty salon using a steaming machine to clean the skin,’ she notes. ‘A hot yoga class is doing this to your whole body!’
The Extras:
The Eyes
‘Someone once said to me ‘you can always tell a Bikram yogi by the clarity in their eyes’ and it has always stuck in my mind,’ says the Go-To girl – for Ash Hart – as makeup artist and yoga practitioner. ‘People that have a regular yoga practice keep their insides clean, so the whites of their eyes are always bright.’ Another very simple thing that yoga does is exercise the eyes, she explains. ‘Each posture instructs you where to look and keeps the muscles of the eyes healthy.’
The Smile
Karen works with models on a daily basis, and teaches classes just as often. For her, the most beautiful people are those who are in tune with their bodies, taking time out for movement and stillness in equal measure. ‘I think living a life of yogic movement and inner stillness leads to an absolute inner glow and happiness,’ she says. “I have seen it with many of my friends who practice yoga regularly. It brings joy to your face and an uplifting energy to your presence. Take Ash for example, she is always smiling! And I think that is due a lot to the way she lives her life and nurtures herself and those around her.’
‘You cannot buy beauty like that at a cosmetics counter,’ Karen continues. ‘That smile is genuine. It’s inbuilt. Innate. And I think people like Ash just go to show that yoga is an internal health benefit with incredible aesthetic results within personal beauty.’
Can’t get to a class?
That’s fine. Just get your faux post-workout glow with these:
Fake: Brighter Eyes: Highlighters will always bring a little brightness to the eye, says Karen. Use a little highlighter in the corners of the eyes and add white eyeliner on the inside.
Fake: Even Skin Tone – Using a tinted moisturizer on the uneven skin tones will help, and never forget the chest area, urges Karen. ‘A temporary tan product can even out the body skin tone and also give it a glow too,’ she says. ‘I always mix it half and half with moisturizer to help with an even application.’
Fake: A rosy flushed cheek
Apply a red coloured stain or blush to the back of your hand. Smudge with your finger so there is minimal product on your finger and dab to the apples of your cheeks. ‘I also add the same colour, very lightly to the lips,’ says Karen.
