[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he beauty industry is full of wonderful, innovative products. There are creations for hiding dark undereye circles, lip exfoliation and large pore treatments. Women all over the world use these products daily, and spend a great deal of time perfecting their use. But one area that has been slightly ignored in the cosmetics world is hand care. Many of us may make regular trips to the nail salon, but the love often ends there – leaving several inches of skin untended. Your hands are one of the first things that people will notice when you are out and about – after all, you need them to carry your drink at the company Christmas party, shake hands with a client and hug old friends. Here are some suggestions for making a hands-on impression.
Accessorizing
Jewelry is the icing on the cake for any ensemble. No matter what color, mood or style you might be going for, there is the perfect necklace or earring pair to complement it. Many women spend almost as much time on choosing jewelry as they do an outfit. It is important to consider the tone of the metal used – for instance what is white gold going to do for the overall impression made by my little black dress? The same is true for completing the look with what you put on your hands. Choose rings and bracelets that will be noticeable but not overpowering – especially if you have small hands. You should also try to avoid overdoing it, so pick just one or two pieces that will speak for themselves.
Protection
Human hands go through a lot of abuse. We place them in chemicals, expose them to extreme temperatures and neglect to apply sunscreen to them. And unfortunately, these habits will cause your skin to age faster than they should. They can get dried out by soaps and household cleaning products, so it is recommended that rubber or vinyl gloves are worn any time that you expect to come into contact with anything that could damage your skin’s health. Similarly, being in the sun, the wind or the cold will create dryness and spots to occur – so if you will be spending time outdoors, you should wear warm gloves in the winter and remember to slather on the sunscreen when warming or gardening gloves are not worn.
Special Treatment
If you like to make a day of your beauty routine, try applying a mask to your hands after that refreshing facial seaweed treatment – then sit back and relax with some music or your favorite television show. Like face masks, treatments for the hands are available for just about any skin care requirement. If you have noticed a lack of elasticity in your skin, go for a collagen-based product. If you are excessively dry, there are some creamy and deeply moisturizing concoctions that will increase skin’s moisture. For maintenance, get into the habit of working cream into your hands after every wash – and any time that you feel particularly dehydrated. Keep a tube in your purse, at your desk and in the bathroom so that they are always within easy reach.
Exercise
You might have a routine for working on the tone of your legs, flattening your stomach or lengthening your arms – but have you ever given your hand muscles a workout? Hands are made of skin, bone – and muscle. If those muscles are not used enough, or if you have recently lost weight, you may need to give them some extra attention. Invest in some squeezable fitness balls that will fit into your hand easily. You can keep them near your chair or at your work desk and spend a few minutes a day using them when you are sitting idle. Your hands will get stronger and more toned, and you won’t need to break a sweat. Before you know it, you will be looking for reasons to show off your beautifully cared for hands!
