Ways to bag the guy of your dreams

Having trouble finding Mr Right? You’re not alone. As women are from Venus and men are from Mars, how on this earth do we go about attracting the man of our dreams? Single ladies, don’t go on a date until you’ve read these 10 tips on getting the man you want:

How to attract him 1: Know who and what you want

The first step to getting the man of your dreams is knowing who and what you want. If you already know this, move on to step two. If not, it’s important to identify exactly what you want to get out of a relationship to make it less like searching for a needle in a haystack. Think of your goals in life and try to find someone who can accompany you in what you’d like to do. For example, if your life dream is to travel around the world testing wine in different countries don’t waste your time on the T-total guy who is scared stiff of air travel.

How to get the man of your dreams 2: Get a date

Once you’ve taken a shine to one special gentleman, it’s time to get a date with him. Strike up a conversation and he’ll be much easier to approach in the future. If there’s an attraction between you both he will hopefully invite you on a date but, if he doesn’t, don’t be afraid to make the first move. Ask if he’d like a game of pool or to go out for lunch one day; by making casual advances you don’t run the risk of coming on too strong.

How to get the man of your dreams 3: Be yourself

When you’re getting to know your love interest, make sure you are 100 per cent yourself and not changing your personality just to fit in with him. Don’t give in to the temptation of thinking you need to act like someone else just to impress him; you want him to fall for you, not a carbon copy of Angelina Jolie or your best friend who you think has a great personality. Be yourself – you are unique and interesting in your own way.

How to get the man of your dreams 4: Be interesting

Where do you work? What do you do in your spare time? These are common questions to be asked on a date and they’re really straightforward but your brain can come up with some pretty strange stuff when you’re under pressure. Before your date, think of interesting ways to answer these questions and have a few little questions up your sleeve to ask him if the conversation starts to lull. Being prepared will make you a lot less awkward and a whole lot more interesting.

How to get the man of your dreams 5: Don’t give too much away

A little intrigue goes a long way when it comes to bagging the man of your dreams so it’s important to speak to him confidently without giving too much away. Go ahead and tell him some interesting things about yourself, but don’t bombard him with information; you don’t want to come across as self-centred or boring. The excitement of discovering everything about each other should be a journey and you want to leave him eager to learn more about you in the future.
First impressions have a habit of sticking so how you dress on your first date is important. As many first date horror stories centre around buttons popping off and chicken fillets falling out, wearing a brand new outfit might not be a good idea. If you are planning on wearing something new, test it out first by wearing it to the shop or your friend’s house. Make sure your date outfit gives off the first impression you’re hoping for and is appropriate for the weather, the occasion, and your style and personality.

How to get the man of your dreams 7: Be relaxed

It’s important to be as calm and relaxed as possible when you’re on your date because a nervous attitude can lead to clumsiness, which leads to panic, which leads to more panic, and it’s a continuous cycle. Make sure you review what you already know about the person before the date so you can ask further questions if you get stuck for things to say. Adding a touch of humour always goes a long way in setting a relaxed tone.

How to get the man of your dreams 8: Be positive

If you walk into a date feeling negative, the chances are it won’t go well. No matter how self conscious or worried you feel, act like you know what you’re doing and you’re happy with your life as it is. If your date gets the impression that you’re down in the dumps and the only thing that can cheer you up is him, there’s a good chance he won’t want to be around you again. Radiate positivity and you’re destined for a second date.

How to get the man of your dreams 9: Watch how much you’re drinking

If you’re meeting at a bar or restaurant drinks will probably be involved and, when you’re feeling nervous, it’s easy to chug the wine back like there’s no tomorrow. Whatever you do, please don’t do this. Excessive alcohol on a first date is a recipe for disaster and you risk leaving the first impression that you’re a party girl who dances on tables, falls over steps, and rounds of the night with a sick session. This is not the right way to go about bagging your dream man.

How to get the man of your dreams 10: Enjoy

Once you’ve been on a few dates, you’ll eventually start feeling more relaxed around your love interest. Now is the time to enjoy each other’s company and live for the moment. If you’ve found the right man, you’ll know about it. Make the most of the quality time you have together before you have children! Enjoy!

Girls, 5 ways to make him want you

How can you make him want you? Does strutting around in red shoes and some killer lipstick really get his attention? This is your guide to getting noticed by the guy you want – follow these tips and he won’t be able to resist your charms:

Get a life

No one likes someone who is too available. The key to making that cute guy want you is to get your own life outside of work or your other responsibilities. You should take up an extra class, start a project or volunteer; anything that makes your life fuller. This way, you’ll stop spending so much time thinking about that man-shaped hole in your life. Plus you’ll have lots of interesting things to talk about and you’ll be happier – and happiness is the best beauty product. 

Don’t play games

Although you don’t want to show that you are blatantly, head-over-heels, madly and truly in love with the guy you like, don’t play too many games. He needs to know that you like him so give him some handy signs. Touch him unexpectedly – not in a creepy, stationary cupboard grope, but when you talk to him, touch his arm lightly. Eye contact is also hugely important when it comes to sending him the right message. Make sure you meet his eyes when talking to him and catch his gaze on the odd occasion, smiling seductively as you do so. 

Who are you?

The harsh truth is this: if you don’t love yourself, why should anyone else? Although lots of people will love you even if you don’t, your relationships will be much healthier and far more stable if you do. Try to work out what is stopping you from being confident, and then try to overcome these issues. If you have low body confidence taking up a sport is a good idea because it will make you think about your body differently. If you feel too shy, then push your boundaries by doing something new or something independently. Giving yourself some TLC is one of the best ways to get a guy and it will improve ever other area of your life too.   

Makeover your face

If you want to be noticed by the man you’ve been daydreaming about then take a look in the mirror. According to research, the structure of your face will indicate to guys how fertile and therefore how attractive you are. They cite that big eyes are a big bonus. If you’re looking in the mirror now and think your eyes are microscopic, don’t panic. What mother-nature has not given us, beauty products have. You can make your eyes stand out by wearing a moisturising eye cream, curling your eyelashes and wearing white eye shadow or an eye brightener product. 

Is honesty the best policy?

According to Stephen Emlen, a researcher from Cornell University, honesty may not be the best policy if you’ve cheated on your past man.  Emlen conducted a study that asked people to rate attributes in terms of how desirable they found each trait. Apparently fidelity, along with good parenting and devotion, came out on top. So if you have cheated in the past, maybe it would be best to conceal the fact for a little while. Or if you have never cheated, drop into the conversation how much you value fidelity.

How to avoid jet lag

Humankind’s success in conquering flight has not come without cost, that of the dreaded jet lag. Anyone who is able to be in one location the other side of the world and then pass through several times zones to the other side will inevitably experience some difficulty in getting their body back to their normal routine. So, how do you avoid jet lag?

Almost everyone who travels by air, from passengers to pilots, is affected by jet lag. Jet lag disrupts our natural rhythms, confusing the ‘body clock’, which regulates the usual waking and sleeping hours.
Jet lag may affect physical and mental performance and the symptoms include fatigue, insomnia, disorientation, headaches, light-headedness and more. Medical evidence also shows that jet lag makes travellers more susceptible to illness such as colds, flu, and stomach upsets.
Jet lag can be especially bad if you fly from west to east, because it is more difficult for your body to adjust to ‘losing time’ when you journey east than to ‘gaining time’ when you fly from east to west.
Whatever steps are taken by the flyer, none will entirely eliminate jet lag. Jet lag is an individual thing which affects different people in different ways.
The following are realbuzz.com’s top 10 tips to help you minimise the effects of jet lag:

• Start changing your sleeping pattern a few days before you leave so that it more closely resembles time zone at your destination. Adjusting your bedtime by an hour a day will lessen the effects of jet lag.

• Get enough rest in the days prior to your trip. Too many people start off tired before they have even begun, which just exaggerates the effect of any jet lag.
• Reset your watch at the beginning of your flight so that you start to think in terms of your new time zone.
• Drink plenty of fluid during and after the flight. Planes are notoriously dry and cause dehydration, and the common wisdom is that dehydration is a leading cause of jet lag. This advice also includes avoiding alcohol.
• If it is night-time at your destination, then sleep on the plane. Conversely, try to stay awake during the flight if it is daytime at your destination.

• Exercise as much as you can on the flight while you’re awake. Stretch your arms and legs and walk up and down the aisles to stimulate good circulation, which will help lessen the impact of jet lag later.

• Learn from past experience on how your body has coped with a particular trip. Find the system that best works for you.
• Avoid taking sleeping pills as they can in fact just make the jet lag worse.
• Upon arrival, resist the temptation to flake out and have a nap. Napping reinforces the old body clock time, not the new one.
• In some instances, jet lag may not bother people when they are away, but only when they return. In that case, all the same advice above should be applied in the same way as when the trip first began.

ow not to gain weight over the holidays

Many of us think of weight gain as an inevitable result of the festive season. However, you can still enjoy the holidays without piling on the pounds. Here are our top 10 tips on how not to gain weight.

Opt for short bursts of exercise

The holidays are notoriously busy and trying to maintain your usual fitness routine during this period can be extremely difficult. Consequently, many of us end up abandoning exercise entirely as the thought of trying to squeeze in our usual workouts is too off-putting. To maintain fitness levels on a busy schedule, try swapping your longer workouts for shorter, more intense bursts of exercise. These will help to maintain your fitness and waistline throughout the holiday season while not taking up too much of your time.

Relax

Although Christmas is generally an exciting time, it can also be a source of stress for many. Not only can this impact on your enjoyment of the festive season, it can also wreak havoc on your waistline. Stress can interfere with the balance of good bacteria in the gut, leading to bloating, and research also suggests that stress can lead to increased storage of fat around the middle. Avoid Christmas weight gain and have a calmer, stress-free Christmas by employing some relaxation techniques over the festive season, such as deep breathing, meditation or the use of calming essential oils.

Get involved in the festivities

You might think that burning kilojoules is all about sweating it out in the gym or heading out for hour-long runs; however, there are many fun, festive ways to work off your favourite treats without it seeming like hard work. Hoisting yourself into the attic and carrying down heavy boxes full of baubles and ornaments, lugging heavy shopping bags around the high street, kissing under the mistletoe and wrapping Christmas gifts can all burn off kilojoules and help you to avoid weight gain over the holidays.

Load up on fruit and veg

While ‘festive food’ is often thought of in terms of indulgent and kilojoule-rich treats such as roast potatoes, Christmas pudding and chocolate, there are many healthier treats around to indulge on instead over the festive season. To help keep off those extra pounds and stay trim and healthy into the New Year, try swapping chocolate for dried fruit such as dates and snacking on nuts and roasted chestnuts, which are rich in healthy fats that can aid weight loss. Also, fill up on nutritious, seasonal vegetables with your meal and reduce your portions of less healthy foods.

Cut out alcohol

Alcohol is one of the biggest weight gain culprits for many over the holiday season, with its ability to add hundreds of kilojoules on to your daily intake but offering next to no nutritional value. To avoid weight gain, try to reduce your intake of alcohol over the festive season. When out in bars and at parties try to avoid drinking in ‘rounds’, as this can encourage you to drink more than you normally would, and alternate alcoholic drinks with soft drinks. Also, opt for spirits such as gin or vodka with low-kilojoule mixers such as soda water with a slice of lime.

Watch your portion size when eating out

Restaurant portion sizes tend to be significantly larger today than they have ever been before and also significantly larger than the average person requires, meaning that frequently dining out over the festive season can easily add up to some serious weight gain. While we’re not suggesting you shouldn’t eat out at all over the holidays (where’s the fun in that?) you can still indulge without gaining weight by watching your portion sizes and stopping eating at the first signs of fullness. Remember that it is not essential to finish everything that is on your plate!

Many of us are accustomed to eating on the go or while chatting with family and friends, particularly over the festive season. However, taking more time over your meals and focusing on what you are eating could make a big difference to your weight. Your body generally takes a minimum of 20 minutes to register feelings of fullness, so by eating more slowly, chewing your food and paying attention to signs of fullness, you will most likely feel compelled to eat less. Research results published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that those who chewed each mouthful 40 times ate nearly 12 per cent fewer kilojoules than those who chewed just 15 times.

Get the family involved

Exercise can sometimes seem like a chore, but it doesn’t have to detract from the festive atmosphere of the holidays. Rather than heading out for a solitary workout, get the family involved and make getting active more fun. You could organise a sports afternoon, play some fitness video games, or head out for a walk followed by a healthy picnic. Fun fitness games and family activities can be an enjoyable way to work some exercise into your family time and help keep off those excess pounds.

Get enough sleep

Many of us lack sleep over the party season; however, getting enough sleep can actually help you to keep off those festive pounds. Researchers at the University of Chicago have found that not getting enough sleep affects our appetite-regulating hormones, meaning that we feel hungrier the next day and are also more likely to crave kilojoule-rich, high-carbohydrate foods. In fact, a study by Columbia University found that when people are sleep-deprived they eat almost 300 kilojoules more a day than when they have had adequate rest. To help reduce your cravings over the holidays, make sure you are getting a minimum of seven hours of sleep a night.

Have breakfast

While those watching their weight can be tempted to skip breakfast to cut kilojoules, a rumbling tummy can make you more likely to indulge on unhealthier foods later on and mean that you are more likely eat larger portions for Christmas dinner or pick on leftovers throughout the day. To help cut cravings throughout the day, opt for a nutritious, filling and low-GI breakfast first thing, which will slowly release energy throughout the morning. Good choices include porridge with berries, fruit and natural yoghurt, or wholegrain toast with scrambled eggs.

How to pull at a wedding

When the ivory coloured wedding invite thumps through your letter box you know that it is time to start creating your plan of action and figuring out how to pull at this wedding. Although most people assume that pulling at a wedding is easy, there are some tricky obstacles to overcome and getting organised early is essential if you are going to prove your pulling prowess. Here we

show you who to talk to, what you should say and how you should act so that you can find a gorgeous guy or girl to pull.

How to pull at a wedding: Don’t be aloof

You may have heard your mates chatting about their pulling tactics now and again and you’ll all have one friend who claims that they pull every single time because they act hard to get. Yet if you listen to the research it would seem that your friend is a liar. Research suggests that people who seem available get more action, so don’t play hard to get when you’re trying to get with that guy or girl at the wedding. Instead be open, friendly and approach people. The days where girls swooned over Darcy-like characters are over. The same goes for you girls, no one can look pretty when they’re trying to act nonchalant and mysterious; chances are you’ll probably just look confused.

How to pull at a wedding: Mingle

If you remember just one thing in life, it should be this: mingle. When you arrive at the wedding don’t gawk at the bridesmaids or giggle as the groomsmen pass by you. Instead use the time before the ceremony to mingle. Introduce yourself and if you’re not much of a conversationalist remember that everyone at the wedding knows either the groom or the bride. Use this common ground to start up conversations. Once you’ve mingled you will seem really popular at the wedding reception, which is a trait both men and women find attractive.

How to pull at a wedding: Target

Once you’ve mingled with a lot of different people you’ll be able to judge who you want to pull. Before you make the approach be sure you know that they are single and that you definitely want to pull them. Realistically, you need to be certain about these things because if you try to pull them and the mission fails you can’t try to pull too many other hotties. Ideally, you’ll pull first time round (at least with these tips you will), but if your first pulling target bails, you should try once or twice more; any more than this and you’ll look sad and desperate in front of your friends and your family.

How to pull at a wedding: Be private

Weddings are romantic occasions and we all expect to see one or two late-night kisses on the dance floor, but bear in mind that the person you want to pull may be embarrassed to get with you in front of their grandma or dad. To make sure they’re comfortable and able to get with you, create opportunities for them. You could ask them to cool off and step outside for a little while, or go for a walk if the wedding reception venue has good grounds. If you create these little moments you can also share more about yourself. Being intimate and opening up about who you are will increase your chances of pulling because the guy or girl you like will feel closer to you.

How to pull at a wedding: Don’t wear too much make-up

When you want to look your best it can be easy to pile on the make-up, but most men find girls who are caked in foundation and look like a not-too-distant cousin of an oompa lumpa unattractive. To achieve a natural look curl your lashes and wear brown mascara if you are fair skinned. Swap heavy foundation for a primer or a BB cream, but make sure you apply a light powder to make your skin matte and to stop any shine in photos. To create some natural definition without using too much bronzer, contour by applying a light brown or beige line up your cheekbones. Rub this line into your skin to give yourself killer cheekbones.

How to pull at a wedding: Don’t drink heavily

Do you find the staggering drunk look hot? Nope, thought not. Although being drunk can be fun, it doesn’t bode well for pulling at a wedding and with the open bar it can be tempting to drink way too much. To make sure you stay relatively sober, sip on some fruity mocktails or water between drinks. You should also make sure you eat a big helping of the wedding dinner or buffet. Foods that will help you stay sober are those that break down slowly, such as oily fish and liver-detoxifying vegetables like broccoli. You should also stick to one type of alcohol and buy drinks that are difficult to drink lots of, like rich wines or heavy beers.

How to deal with stress

Stress is an inevitable part of life and so you’ll never be able to avoid stress completely. The best way to cope with stress is to learn how to deal with it and here are 10 ways to do just that ...

Some stress can be good, and we can all thrive under a certain amount of it — so our goal should not be to eliminate stress completely, but to learn how to manage it and how to use it to our advantage.
Just as there are many sources of stress, there are also many ways of dealing with it — all of which work around changing the sources of stress and/or changing your reaction to it. Here are realbuzz.com's  top tips on how to deal with stress:

Change how you react to stress

One simple solution would be to say ‘stop stressing!’ to yourself — which, if you say it out loud, will stop your train of thought when you’re stressing too much. Of course, it’s not always easy to stop stressing, as stress is an instinctive reaction — and some stressors will be out of our control. The best way to deal with stress is to make a conscious decision to change your reaction to it when stress occurs. So, when you begin to feel stressed about a particular problem, say ‘stop stressing!’ to yourself and try to put the problem into perspective.

Recognise when you’re feeling stressed

Look for the warning signs of stress. Symptoms include tension, exhaustion, loss of or increased appetite, sleeplessness or oversleeping, headaches, and crying, among others. Compulsive behaviour and ‘escaping from problems’ through the use of alcohol or drugs are also often indications of stress. Recognising the signs of stress should set your alarm bells ringing so that you can start to apply some of the techniques for coping.

Avoid situations that make you stressed

Of course, avoiding events or things that lead to stress is not always possible — or even beneficial — but it can sometimes be a good idea. If you find that you always become stressed in certain situations, then it might be good to stay away from stressors where possible. For example, if you get stressed about queuing in supermarkets and traffic jams, then why not get someone else to queue or do the driving occasionally?

Don't worry about things you can't control

Some things can drive you up the wall so much that you’ll feel like you’re about to explode, but the actual stressors causing you to feel this way may be out of your control. Why freak out just because the weather’s not good or there’s a problem at work that you can’t avoid? If you accept a situation that you can’t control then it will be more bearable for everyone concerned — yourself included!

Work to resolve conflicts

Unresolved conflict with other people is an unnecessary source of stress. Try to resolve conflicts whenever possible rather than wasting energy worrying about them. Even if you try but you’re unable to resolve it, then at least you have tried — which will mean you’ll worry a lot less by knowing that you’ve done everything you could possibly do.

Use stress to your advantage

A little stress can be used to help drive you on to achieve something. Sometimes you’ll need an adrenalin rush to focus the mind and ready yourself for something. For example, think of a person about to do a parachute jump for the first time: if they don’t get an adrenalin rush, then they’re unlikely to go through with the jump. So, stress can be used to your advantage — provided that you don’t allow it to overpower you.

Share your problems

Talking about a problem with a partner or friend may make all the difference to your stress levels. Bottling up things often makes them feel worse than they actually are — which can make you get things out of perspective. Talking about a problem can eliminate or reduce your worry about it — so the saying ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’ is very true.

Have a good cry

There is a tendency among people (especially men) to try to suppress their tears because they fear they will be seen as weak — but crying is actually a great way to relieve tension. Frequently you’ll hear people saying ‘go on, have a good cry — it’ll do you some good’. These people already have the wisdom of knowing the benefits of letting out all those pent-up emotions.
Find a hobby — in other words, throw yourself into an activity so you can escape from your worries for a while. Anything from reading a good book to doing spot of gardening can take your mind off things — and the more frequently you do it, the greater the benefits will be. Hobbies can provide a good bit of escapism without having to resort to other methods of escapism such as alcohol or drugs.

Maintain a balance in life

Getting a good balance in your life goes a long way to minimising your stress levels. If you’re doing far too many hours in work, and/or bringing your work home with you, then the chances are that your home life is suffering as a result. And if you’re stressing about work, then you’re probably also stressing about those things at home that are being neglected. So, always make sure your ‘time off’ really is time off!

Ask for and accept help

If you feel like you’re drowning under the weight of people’s expectations, then enlist some help. Whatever the source of the help — whether it’s your friends, family or work colleagues — there’s no shame in actually asking for or accepting it. Some people are just too stubborn for their own good to accept help, even when in reality they really need some. If the extent of your stress is huge, then it might be a good idea to seek some professional help by talking to your doctor — which you shouldn’t feel embarrassed about, as many people will need to do this.

Set realistic goals

Don’t overload yourself in the workplace and at home by setting unrealistic goals. Nobody is a superhuman being capable of taking endless jobs on board and constantly balancing them all. If a situation is becoming far too stressful and unmanageable, then cut back on what you’re doing in that situation. Always ask yourself: can some of the tasks I’m doing be delegated out to others to lighten my load? All too frequently people have too high expectations of themselves and then are too afraid to back out of them — but if you just deal with the priorities and delegate other tasks when appropriate, then you’ll be less likely to become overly stressed.

Welcome change as a challenge

Adjusting to a significant change in our lives can sometimes be extremely stressful. Moving home or changing your job, for example, can be the most stressful things that you do in your life — but if you see them as positive challenges rather than a negative changes, then any stress that accompanies the changes will be less likely to affect you.

Take control

See if there is something you can change or control in a stressful situation. Doing nothing won’t alleviate your stress, whereas if you’re decisive and take on a problem in the short-term then you’ll be able to alleviate your stress in the long-term. Stress can be reduced if you’re willing to be bold and do something about it.

Learn how to make yourself relaxed

Meditation and breathing exercises have been proven to be very effective in controlling stress. Practise clearing your mind of disturbing thoughts, as this will mean you’ll be less likely to dwell on them. Take a break for a few moments at frequent intervals during the day, so that you have opportunities to relax and clear your head.

Get enough sleep

This is often easier said than done, but getting a good amount of sleep is an important factor in your ability to cope with stress, as a lack of rest will simply aggravate your worries. If possible, maintain regular sleep patterns by getting the same amount of sleep every night. Different people need different amounts of sleep — but as long as you’re getting at least six hours sleep a night, you should be able to stay healthy and be less stressed.

Work off stress

Exercising regularly is a good way to deal with stress because it is a healthy way to relieve your pent-up energy and tension and rid yourself of excess adrenalin. Exercising releases endorphins in the body which make you feel good — plus if you exercise your body will be in a better shape, which will add to your overall self-esteem. The type of exercise activity need not be overly taxing — a brisk walk or a spot of gardening may be sufficient, for example — although more challenging forms of exercise such as swimming, cycling and jogging will give you even greater benefits.

Avoid self-medication or escapism

Alcohol and drugs can mask stress, and as tempting as they are as coping mechanisms, they won’t ultimately help you to deal with your problems. Also, a bad hangover is unlikely to help you confront your problems the next day! If you do resort to such methods of coping, then they may well become habits in the long run — and habits which will be hard to break.

How to look good the morning after the night before

How to wake up picture perfect

As the birds begin to sing, or the traffic rumbles below, your eyes snap open; but you’re not sure about where you are exactly. Then as you pull off the sheets you turn over to find a gorgeous guy sleeping soundly next you. At that moment, you catch sight of yourself in the mirror and there’s no easy way to say it: you look

hideous. Your make-up from last night has smeared down your face and there are drool marks on your chin. To make sure you look good the next time you wake up next to a cute guy read these top tips.

How to look good the morning after the night before: Go waterproof

Although you may go to bed looking gorgeous and glam, come the morning that smoky eye make-up will make you look like you’re auditioning for a part in Corpse Bride 2. As you’re getting ready the night before bear in mind what the future may hold for you and remember you may be waking up next to a hot man when the sun rises. Use waterproof mascara and eyeliner when you get ready and this should help you stay looking good throughout those passionate, night time sessions and the deep, post-sex sleep. Or to avoid the mess of mascara all together you could always book an appointment for an eyelash tint.

How to look good the morning after the night before: Get the jelly

Who knew what a small tub of Vaseline could do? If you want to look good the morning after the night before you need to carry some at all times. Firstly, as you sneak into the bathroom use Vaseline to smooth and freshen up your eyebrows. Then if you’re make-up is difficult to remove and you have no alternative, use tissue paper and Vaseline to take off any excess mascara or foundation. Finally, you can use your petroleum jelly on your lashes to thicken them up and give yourself a dewy, bare-faced beauty look.

How to look good the morning after the night before: Make do

The problem with pulling without planning is that you wake up without your back-up products; no dry shampoo, no moisturiser and no daytime make-up. So, to cope with the unplanned pull you need to make do with household items you would never normally use in your beauty regime. For example, if you wake up with a greasy hairdo pat plain flour into your roots and comb, or if you don’t have a comb, shake the flour out of your locks. This should degrease your hair and give it some volume. Although it won’t be your best hair day ever, you’ll look presentable.

How to look good the morning after the night before: Be kissable

Chances are the morning after the night before is going to result in a few smooches. To make sure you’re kissable swill some toothpaste in your mouth using some water. You can also use baking soda as a replacement for toothpaste if for some weird reason there is none in the guy’s apartment. To get soft, kissable lips mix a little sugar with lemon and rub the paste onto your lips in circles. They’ll be super soft and leave your date wanting more.

How to look good the morning after the night before: Smile

So what if you don’t have your make-up kit? You can still look picture perfect. Studies have found that people who smiled more were considered more attractive, so flash those teeth girls. If you feel shy about your not-so-fresh mouth then there are a few foods that you can munch on to give you fresh, clean breath. Try a dollop of yogurt for breakfast as researchers have found that yogurt reduces hydrogen sulphide, which makes your breath smell bad. It also reduces bacteria in your mouth. Other useful foods to nibble on are apples, carrots and berries.

How to look good the morning after the night before: Get the hair do

Getting good hair is not easy when you’re playing away from home. Depending on your hair type there are a few little tricks you can use to get trendy tresses the morning after the night before. If you have long hair you can plait it and if you don’t have a hair tie, get creative and use a piece of fabric or even something like dental floss as a tie. Then, when you wake up untie your hair and you’ll have great looking waves. If you have shorter hair make sure you carry a hair bridge with you to build a fab beehive n the morning, or some bobby pins to sculpt some style into your bed hair.

How to gain weight healthily

Getting to a healthy weight can be problematic for some people. Our eight tips on how to gain weight can help you boost your weight and achieve that healthy weight balance safely.

We appreciate that while many people long to lose weight, for those who are underweight due to genetics or illness, getting to a healthy weight can be difficult. While there is nothing wrong with being naturally slim,
being seriously underweight can affect the immune system, cause fragile bones and result in lack of energy. Boost your health and get to a healthy weight by checking out these tips for gaining weight safely.

Visit your doctor if you have weight loss concerns

If you have suddenly lost a lot of weight, the first thing you should do is visit your doctor to try to identify the cause of this weight loss. Not only can your doctor help assess if and how much weight you need to gain, they can also check out if there are any medical reasons behind your weight loss. Alternatively, if you feel you may be suffering from an eating disorder, your doctor can help prescribe treatment for this.

Increase your kilojoule intake gradually

Just as with weight loss diets, many people expect instant results when trying to gain weight. However, it is better for your digestive system and body to gain weight gradually and in a healthy way. Set small, achievable weight gain goals such as adding an extra hundred calories on to each meal or one snack a day between meals, and gradually increase this as your body gets used to the change.

Keep exercising while gaining weight

Continuing with an exercise regime while trying to gain weight may seem counterproductive. However, it is important for your heart health to continue to stay active, and this will also help your body to gain weight evenly and build up muscle rather than fat. For the best results, opt primarily for exercises that build muscle such as weight lifting, alongside light cardio activities such as walking. Also remember to up your kilojoule intake to compensate for those burned off.

Opt for more calories rather than more fat

When trying to gain weight it can be tempting to binge on fatty foods such as ice cream and chocolate. However, even slim people are susceptible to conditions such as heart disease which can be brought on by an unhealthy diet. Rather than stocking up on fatty foods and empty kilojoules, try to increase your intake of nutrient-dense foods and get your calories through a balanced diet of carbs, protein and a small amount of fat.

Choose good fats over 'bad' saturated fats

While it is advisable to restrict your intake of 'bad' saturated fats even when gaining weight, good fats are a vital part of a healthy, balanced diet. Try to increase your intake of foods rich in healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which will help to keep your heart healthy as well as helping you to gain weight. Good sources of these include avocado, nuts, seeds and oily fish.

Sneak in extra calories to meals

If you struggle to eat larger portion sizes at mealtimes, you can easily sneak a few extra calories into your meal without noticeably increasing its size. Try adding high-calorie nuts and seeds to cereals and salads to increase their kilojoule content, or grate some cheese on to your evening meal. Also, make sure you are buying the most kilojoule-rich version of your regular products, as different varieties of cereals, rice and bread, for example, contain different amounts of kilojoules.

Snack between meals to increase kilojoule intake

When trying to gain weight it can be difficult to eat the required amount of kilojoules in just three meals a day. Therefore, it is important to keep some healthy, high kilojoule snacks to hand for snacking on throughout the day. Some good snacks to try include nuts, dried fruit, bananas or oatcakes with peanut butter. Alternatively, opt for some liquid kilojoules between meals in the form of juices, smoothies or milk.

Keep a food diary and monitor food intake

While it may seem as though you are eating a vast amount of kilojoules at first, you may not actually be eating as much as you think. To help get a clearer idea of your eating habits, try keeping a food diary for a couple of weeks where you write down everything you have eaten each day as well as the number of kilojoules consumed. By getting it all down on paper, you may find that you are actually eating fewer kilojoules than you think, and it may also help you to identify where you can add in more and therefore gain more weight.

How to ditch your make-up and still look hot

We all envy that girl who can pull off the bare faced look; that natural beauty who steps out of the door with shiny, bright eyes and long, glossy locks. But you are that girl. You are that natural beauty and you can ditch your make-up and look great bare faced. Check out these tips to find out how you can get the confidence to ditch your make-up and still look hot.

How to ditch your make-up and still look hot: Smile like a superstar

Other than the odd pap shot superstars smile... a lot. Why? It turns out that smiling makes you more beautiful. Research has found that being able to genuinely smile could be better than splurging thousands on the best make-up on the market. In studies, scientists found that those people who smiled more were considered more attractive. Plus psychology advisor Art Markman, PhD says that “People who smile are often friendlier, have a better sense of humor and are more socially engaging”.

How to ditch your make-up and still look hot: Get the eyebrows

All the queens of natural beauty know that eyebrows make a huge different to your face and if you get the right brows you can instantly look hot. If you have a long face and would like to make it look shorter choose a flat brow shape. If you have a round face then choose a brow shape with a high arch and if you have a heart shaped face, choose brows that balance your face by creating a soft curved arch.

How to ditch your make-up and still look hot: Yoga 

Limber up and slide into your sun salutation and the downward dog ladies because yoga makes us all look like goddesses. There are loads of benefits to yoga but one of the less publicised perks to doing the locust is that yoga stimulates blood flow and promotes fresh looking skin. It also helps you build a strong core, which in turn will stop you from using your hands to prop up your head when you sit down. This is great because leaning on your hands is bad for your skin and can age you.

How to ditch your make-up and still look hot: Never commit the cardinal sin

The ultimate rule for those bound by the laws of natural beauty is that you must always, always cleanse and tone with good quality products. Even if a pack of lions have escaped from the zoo and are making their way down your street, you must tone and cleanse before making a hasty exit out of the bathroom window. Trust us, cleansing and toning your skin twice a day will help you have the confidence to head out bare faced. Choose a cream cleanser if you have dry skin, a lotion for normal skin and a gel for oily skin. Rosewater also acts as a great natural toner.

How to ditch your make-up and still look hot: Wear red

A study by Rochester psychologists has revealed something that we girls have been suspicious of for a while – guys can be primitive beings. If you want to ditch your make-up and still make men’s heads turn as you walk down the street you should spruce up your wardrobe with a few red items. In the study men found women who wore red more attractive and wanted to treat them to more expensive dates.

How to ditch your make-up and still look hot: Block out the sun

Sometimes there can be nothing better than stretching out in the sun and soaking up some warm rays and getting a good dose of vitamin D but, beware, the sun has ulterior motives. The sun’s UVA and UVB rays can harm your skin, ageing you and damaging your pretty face. So, to combat these harmful rays use a natural or organic sunblock. If you are prone to breakouts use a sunblock that is oil-free and non-comedogenic. Also wear sunglasses that protect your eyes too.

How to ditch your make-up and still look hot: Get great posture

Bad posture means bad news for your look. If you slouch, slump and hunch stop. Not only does it make you look less attractive, it causes all sorts of problems for your spine, knees, shoulders and hips. To get better posture stretch out your chest muscles and strengthen your back muscles. Try out the reverse fly and the dumbbell row. When you are out and about you should also pull your shoulders back and adopt the looking over the wall stance – keeping your head up as if you’re looking over a wall.

How to ditch your make-up and still look hot: Get the mindset

If you want to ditch your make-up and still look hot you have to get the right mindset. Focus on being happy, fulfilled and confident. If you manage to achieve these qualities your beauty will shine through and you will instantly look younger, prettier and more attractive without any make-up, surgery or other nastiness. Beauty should also never be a priority. It is a part of life, but it should not be allowed to dominate over more important aspects. Enjoy yourself and you’ll soon feel like a million dollars.