Juniper oil is also an excellent treatment for promoting circulation,dissolving fat and decreasing cellulite.
Get ready to leg it
Get pins you can show off in time for the holiday season. Celebrity personal trainer Nicki Waterman reveals her secrets.
WE MAY not want to admit it but women will always notice a great pair of pins. Whether they belong to Jennifer Aniston or your best friend, lovely legs will never go unnoticed.
And women are five times more likely to worry about what other women think of their bodies than men, according to a survey by Lancaster.
So with nearly 45 per cent of females confessing that they're actually sneaking a peek at other women from behind their sunglasses to see how they shape up in a bikini, you don't want to put your legs on show before they're at their optimum best.
"We can get legs in tip-top condition in just four weeks, so you can show them off with confidence this summer," says GMTV's celebrity trainer Nicki Waterman.
NICKI'S TOP TIPS
* BRUSH IT OFF "Every expert I've ever spoken to recommends body brushing as an excellent cellulite buster," says Nicki.
"It'll slough away pore-clogging dead skin cells - they prevent toxin elimination through your skin - and get your blood pumping, supplying skin cells with a fresh, cleansing dose of oxygen."
* GET FRESH If you can face it, Nicki recommends finishing your morning shower with a burst of cold water.
"The cold water stimulates your system and kick-starts your circulation first thing in the morning."
* OPT FOR OILS Try essential oils to stimulate the skin -cypress, juniper, lemon, orange, bergamot and lavender are all known for their circulationboosting properties.
Juniper oil is also an excellent treatment for promoting circulation, dissolving fat and decreasing cellulite.
* SACK THE SALT "Too much salt is bad for your legs. It causes water retention, which leaves your legs feeling heavy and sluggish," she says.
"Reducing your salt intake will decrease fluid and toxin excesses in the body, which are associated with swollen ankles and cellulite."
* STRIKE A POSE "Legs that are not actually fat can sometimes look heavy because of poor circulation. Pay close attention to the way you sit. Avoid sitting - especially with your legs crossed - or standing for long periods of time, as this can lead to circulation problems."
* SHAVE Ensuring your legs are fuzz-free will make you feel more confident about your pins.
* GET PHYSICAL It may be hard to get motivated, but exercise has lots of short-term advantages. Even a short 10-minute jog around the block or 30-minutes of brisk walking on the high street can make a difference.
"Going for a run will bring colour to your cheeks, while the exertion will rev up your metabolism and calorie expenditure, and leave your leg muscles looking toned and defined - for a while."
* FAKE IT A gleam cream will hide blemishes - or go one step further and fake a tan to make legs appear slimmer and more shapely.
Juniperus communis (Family, Cupressaceae)
Tones and stimulates. an antiseptic and astringent oil for bath and massage where there is cellulite. Restores psychic purity. Fresh woody aroma. Has a cleansing effect on the body, used in many masculine perfumes, after shaves and colognes, and has a calming effect on the emotions. Reputed to strengthen the immune system. {And don't forget the Gin!} Warning Juniper should not be used when pregnant.
Source: flowers, Yugoslavia production method: steam distillation aromatherapy class: energizing aroma type: coniferous skin type: blemished traditional use: astringent, skin detoxifier, deodorant, soothing agent blends well with: elemi, cypress, clary sage, lavandin Safety Information: FLAMMABLE
Main constituents:- Pinene, myrcene, borneol, camphene, thugene, termenic alcohol.
Grapefruit Oil helps decrease appetite and balance emotional extremes andcan be used as a natural air freshener with disinfecting properties.According to a 2005 Japanese study, the scent of grapefruit oil, andparticularly its primary component limonene, affects autonomic nerves,enhances lipolysis through a histaminergic response, and reduces appetiteand body weight.
Grapefruit Oil (citrus paradisi) has great benefits for the immune system,it helps with skin problems, and can be used for muscle stiffness, waterretention and for the nervous system.Grapefruit oil can be used in blended massage oil or diluted in the bath toassist with cellulite, colds and flu, lack of energy, jet lag, musclefatigue, overweight, headaches, moodiness and mental and physical tiredness.
