What on earth is dry body brushing and why you should do it

Dry body brushing is a beauty treatment that everyone should be doing regularly, but few even know what it is. One of the problems I had for a long time was knowing if I was doing it correctly, and making the effort to do it on a regular basis, but what exactly is it?

Using a stiff bristled brush created specifically created for the task, you brush your dry skin. Usually undertaken before a shower or another treatment to enhance the effects, it should be done on a daily basis for the best results.

So why should I do it?

There are a wide range of benefits from dry brushing your body, not just for beauty reasons but health too. I found after doing it on a daily basis that the look of my skin improved dramatically, it was no longer dull and had a much more healthy appearance, and my cellulite dimples were less noticeable. Here are some common benefits:

• Improving the appearance of cellulite.
• Helping the lymphatic system to drain toxins from the body.
• Excellent exfoliation.
• Encourages blood circulation.
• Awakens your skin.
• Helps to tone muscles.
• Enhance the effects of any lotions applied afterwards.

What is a dry body brush?

You can get dry body brushes with natural or synthetic bristles, Natural bristles are preferable as they are gentler on your body and are less likely to irritate your skin. You can get them with either a short or long handles, depending on your flexibility a long handled one could help you reach body parts you couldn't with a short handle.

Dry Body Brush available from The Body Shop

How do I properly dry brush my body?

The process can take as long as you like, but generally you can get it done in under five minutes. Firstly you'll have to nude up and be completely dry, just before you go for a shower is the ideal time to dry brush your body. Start by using the brush on the soles of your feet in a small circular motion, then use long sweeping strokes up your entire legs and body. It is proper technique to always stroke towards your heart. Finish off by brushing along your arms from wrist to shoulder, it's advisable not to brush your chest. Afterwards jump in the shower to clean off all the removed dead skin cells. After your shower dry yourself off briskly before applying any moisturisers of cellulite creams.
Ideally you should do it everyday for around five minutes, if you do it less often it's not a bad idea to turn up the time taken to around 10. If you are using the method to decrease cellulite then you'll want to focus on your problem areas for five to 10 minutes each day with great dedication.

Do you dry body brush? What benefits have you found?

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Loving this week! House of Fraser

Continuing my love of online shopping I have a place for you all to check out, House of Fraser is a UK based online department store with a huge range. Not just clothing but home wares and beauty too!
With a classy and massive selection of garments and accessories for you to check out -including Birdette Favourites such as Lipsy and Therapy!- it is an awesome place to go when you're hunting for a wedding outfit, something for work or especially the upcoming horse racing season.

Madden Girl Looop MG Dressy Sandals

This season I have to admit, I'm torn between shoes. Do I keep wearing the comfy platforms and wedges I have been? Or do I welcome the elegant and gorgeous stilettos creeping in this season? As you all have no doubt guessed I am a massive fan of the sparkly shoe and I simply can't pass up these glittery Steve Madden heels! How good are they going to look peeking out from under some printed trousers? Don't forget to polish your nails!

Untold Printed Shift Dress

Printed shift dresses are perfect when you are going for the perfect balance of classy and playful, and I think this one ticks all the boxes for a perfect wedding or Spring racing dress. The gorgeous colours will illuminate a light tan and look amazing with a wide range of accessories. You could go all out of the current trend and clash your prints or make the dress the complete statement with some simple silver jewels and an envelope clutch. Perfect to show off gorgeous long legs and amazing shoes too!

Motel Sleeveless tie Dye Bodycon Dress

Staying on the Printed Dress trend I also found this gorgeous all in one dress. This dress is a life saving staple as the pattern is so eye catching that it does all of the talking, just coordinate your bag and shoes and you're out the door in record time.

Vivienne Westwood Dome Cross Body Bag

And lastly, I think my heart just stopped. It has been a dream of mine for a verrrrry long time to own a piece of Vivienne Westwood. So much so that when I spotted this bag in classic black leather and a long cross body strap, I actually went to see how much room I had on my credit card. Bad Birdette! But how can I resist? Such a classic I know I'd have it for years!

This has been a sponsored post.

How to Hair: Gorgeous summer waves

I'm really in a summer mood. Here in Brisbane the weather has been beyond wonderful and already reminding us that summer is just around the corner. I love how hair and makeup becomes much more natural and relaxed, so here's is how I do a loose beachy look for my hair.

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Step one: Put some oomph in freshly washed hair by blow drying it upside down with a texturising sea salt spray, comb the product through with a wide tooth comb and then use fingers alone while drying hair, as a brush will smooth hair out too much. This step alone may give you the look you're after but if not ...

Step two: Take a curling iron and curl random sections of your hair by wrapping pieces around the tong and not using the clamp. You do not want clamp marks for this look.

Step three: Just to groom and finish off, pull apart the curls lightly by combing your fingers through, then use a little more salt spray and pull hair out a bit to piece it up.

Quick tip: To glam this look up a little for the evening I like to put a side part in and wear it over my shoulder like Miranda Kerr has here.

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How do you wear your hair in the summer? Let me know in the comments!

Link Love: 9 September 2012

DIY Elastic Hair Ties: A cute DIY by Reese Kristal on how to make those cute hair ties that have been popping up in stores lately. Cute gift idea!

10 Shapes for your Eyeshadow: A great page for anyone that needs a helping hand understanding eyeshadow application.

Pimp an Old Tee: Five Cute ideas to take some of the old and boring shirts you might have lying about your wardrobe, I especially like the screen print idea.

L'Oreal Nude Magique BB Cream Review

As previously mentioned, I'm a fan of BB creams, they were originally created as a topical layer of protection for patients who had skin issues, but over time were snaffled by the beauty industry for use by everyday women.
I thought I would try the new product from L'Oreal, I dabble in their products from time to time but find they're usually not a range I go for, but I spotted the range on sale and thought there's no time like the present!
It comes in two shades, but as the product is quite translucent they will cover a wide range of skin-tones, I went for the lighter one and it gave me a slightly darker glow, which will be great for spring and summer! Coverage is really light, I could only tell I was wearing it because I was looking for it but my skin did appear to have more even tone after application.
One thing I found interesting was the texture, when you squeeze a little onto your fingers for application it has an almost grainy feel to it that disappears when you apply it to your face, (After some more research I found out that these are the colour capsules that tint the moisturiser upon application.) The texture is also quite runny despite this. Also I give marks for the great packaging, the tiny little nozzle makes it easy to control how much you use without exposing the unused product to air.
I like to use it on its own on the weekends, the SPF is not quite as strong as I would like it to be though, but it's the sort of product you can throw in your bag for extra applications during the day which helps to nullify the issue.