The Most Important Beauty Tool You Have... For (Almost) Free! (Part 2)

The other day I discussed the importance of sleep in your plan for vintage glamour.  There are very few things that are so important to your beauty and health as a lack of sleep.  However, another extremely important factor, is water.

Probably a cocktail, but let's pretend it's water.

Now, for most of us in the first world countries are able to get water pretty readily.  We use it regularly without even thinking of it.  We take hour long showers or luxurious bubble baths; we brush our teeth, wash our faces, and dampen our hair to achieve our perfect styles.

But do we drink enough?  The old adage, drink 8 glasses of water a day, is a little misleading.  8 glasses should be 8 cups (250ml) which equals to be 2 litres of water a day.  A more accuate equation for how much water you should drink a day should be:

Your Body Weight divided by 2 = How many oz of water you should drink a day.
150lbs divided by 2 = 75 oz. of water a day

8 oz. of water is a cup.  So 75 oz. of water is actually 9 and 1/3 cups of water.  Based on that equation, you are better able to determine how much water you should be consuming in the run of a day.

Water does all kinds of wonderful things to your health and radiance.  Water helps to:

1.  Make you look younger.
2.  Make your eyes clear and sparkly.
3.  Improve circulation, thereby decreasing the likelihood of sallow skin.
4.  Refresh and repair your skin cells from the harshness of makeup and daily chemical interactions.
5.  The quickest and most natural moisturizer available.
6.  Help with weight loss (and *ahem* regularity).
7.  Reduces dark circles under your eyes.
8.  Decreases bad breath.

Water is not free; most of us pay a water bill for our homes to have access to the clean, pure water our cities provide for us.  But given that you not only need it but benefit so much from it, I'd consider it a bargain.  

The Most Important Beauty Tool You Have... For Free! (Part 1)

You might not believe me when I tell you that the two most important tools in your glamourous arsenol are not only readily available at your perfectly polished fingertips, but also completely and totally free for the taking.  Who would've thought it'd be just this easy to stay young, radiant and healthy this simply?  The fact is, most of us ignore these two amazing tools to the point of neglect, and we pay the price with sallow skin, breakouts, bags under our eyes, brittle nails and dull lifeless hair.

Instead, let's look deeper into these two delightful tools and see the various ways that they can help us keep our vintage glamour at it's finest.  So what are these two glorious beauty tools, you ask?

Peter Tripp (Source:  Google)

1.  Sleep.  Your body needs sleep.  You cannot do without it.  You might not think it's that important, especially if you're a fiesty young doll who enjoys going out to swing clubs til late in the evenings, but don't fool yourself honey!  Lack of sleep can have serious consequences on your health, both physically, mentally and emotionally.

In 1959, Peter Tripp, a radio personality for WMGM in New York City, stayed up for a 201 hour (more than 8 days) wakathon in support of the March of Dimes.  During that time, he worked on the radio the entire time he was awake.  A noble and honorable feat, to be sure.  But the ramifications of this stunt were longstanding -- during the event, Peter heard voices, became paranoid, and had hallucinations.  Peter suffered great psychological issues following this feat, including believing himself to be an imposter of himself for a long time following the stunt.  His marriage suffered due to great personality changes and he and his wife divorced.

Now of course, Peter's example is of the extreme -- it's not likely that you'll go through an 8 day stint of wakefulness.  Regardless, a lack of sleep can lead to various problems over time, including constant yawning, drowsiness, and lack of concentration.  It can also cause mood swings and irritability -- and no one looks good with a scowl on her face!

Sourpuss!  (Source:  Google)

Getting enough sleep every day will allow you to avoid the following issues:

• weight gain (because we so needed another factor to contribute to that!)
• fine lines
• wrinkles
• dark circles
• the breakdown of collagen
• no time for your skin and cells to repair themselves

So how do you go about getting enough sleep?

Don't go by that standard "8 hours a day" rule, because frankly, that's not true.  We need various amounts of sleep at different stages of our lives, based on age, activity level, and state of health.  Your best bet is to go to bed when your body is tired and to wake up naturally when your body wakes itself.  Of course this might not be possible if you have young children or a job that requires shift work.  But if you have a fairly regular schedule, try following your body's natural rhythm and following it's cues.  When you start yawning and rubbing your eyes, it's time to head to bed.

Try to avoid caffeine and sugar.  This is a good rule of thumb anyway, but of course caffeine keeps you awake and sugar gives you a false sense of energy.  By cutting both as much or completely out of your diet, you will give yourself a better chance of giving yourself and your mind a chance to rest.

Set up a bedtime routine.  Once you figure out your natural rhythm, develop a routine for yourself to start quietly winding down.  Turn off the television and computer; settle down in bed with a warm cup of chamomile and a good book (I'm working through The Great Gatsby right now in preperation for seeing the  movie).  Journalling, meditation, soft music, and deep breathing are all excellent relaxation techniques.

Close your eyes.  It's no good to spend all this time working on trying to sleep if you spend the whole time lying in the dark starring at the ceiling, imaging everything you have to do tomorrow, the bills you have to pay, what kind of cookies you're going to make for the potluck after your husband's jazz concert next week. Give it all up -- close your eyes, clear your mind, and patiently wait -- sleep will come.

(Look for The Second Most Important Beauty Tool You Have... For Free!  Soon)

Welcome to Penny Pinching Pinup!

If you've found this blog, you're likely a lover of all things vintage.  And you've certainly come to the right place!  I too have a great passion for the gorgeous styles, the femininity, the sweet and delicate nature with a delightful whisp of sexuality underneath.

If you've found this blog, however, you're likely also a tightwad, a cheapskate and a skinflint.  Oooooh, did I touch a nerve?  Not likely -- people who like to save money rarely shy away from the stigmas attached to it.  But like the veritable women we regard so highly from our past, we hate to waste money on something of little or poor value.  

Stunning, yes!  Worth $500?  Not to me!

I would love to have a closet full of perfectly preserved vintage gowns, perfectly polished retro shoes, and glorious vintage jewelry.  I would love to find myself a completely restored 1950s ranch house with a delightful old black and white television playing I Love Lucy and a curvy old-time radio to hear the Adventures of Sam Spade, Detective.  I would be delighted to hire a stylist to curl my hair in beautiful pin curls and painting my lips in stunning rouge daily.  

Unfortunately, things are not in line for that to be, and they likely never will be so.  And I'm okay with that!  Instead, I am more inclined to find vintage patterns and secondhand shoes.  I'm delighted to figure out how to borrow copies of my favorite old time shows and radio programs online or at my local library.  And I am thrilled to finally figure out how to create my own perfect pin curls and make my own lipstick.

Find a copy of  a similar pattern!  Why not make it yourself?

And here's where I'll share them!  You won't find me promoting $100 makeup creams, or $2000 Chanel suits.  There are lots of other fine and beautiful vintage ladies who are happy ot share the secrets as to how to obtain those treasures.  And oh how I wish we could all have them all.  But instead, I would rather spend my time and effort figuring out how to make my own cold creams, the best way to do a Victory Roll, or find retro patterns and make my own gorgeous gowns.  

Or have someone talented make it for you!

Can't make your own?  Let others make it for you!  There are wonderful artisans, seamstresses, shoemakers and beauticians who have the ability to make almost anything you need in the same style as bygone days, but like the women of those days, you will be supporting your local communities and friends!

So if you're a Penny Pinching Pinup like me, please feel free to join me!  Make it yourself, find it cheaper and  be your gorgeous vintage self on your own!