What mum really wants this mother’s day!

Mothers all across Australia are preparing themselves for the joy that is mother’s day on Sunday. Like many of those mother’s I am packing my little ones off to school with their $5 each for the school mothers day stall and keeping my fingers crossed that they don’t choose some hideous plastic earrings or a tea  cozy (Bless their little hearts).

Anyway, it got me thinking about what mother’s might really want this mothers day….  World peace, an end to poverty and a pollution free environment are all on my wish list but probably best to stick to something closer to home! So, without further ado, here is my wish list for mother’s day 2009!

1) A Good Hair Day.

Hair can make or break your look. It is one of the first places to miss-behave when you are feeling run down and is one of the most time consuming parts of many a beauty regime.  Hair is made from a protein called Keratin that get’s lubricated by  sebaceous glands (Sweat) which sit to each side of the hair follicle. The colour of our hair is determined by cells (melanocytes)  right at the very base of the hair ( in the epithelial cells) – as these age our hair greys! You can blame  your hair type on your mother (and father) as it is passed on through the genes with all hair fitting into one of three ethnic groups- Asian, African or Caucasian. These groups play a large part in how your hair grows and whether it is poker straight, kinky or curly!

While we can’t change our genetics, we can play around with our hair colour, shape and condition.  Once our hair has poked through the skin it is dead, therefore it is essential that we look after our locks as any damage done can’t really be repaired (although some products can help to stick down and re-order the cuticle).   To ensure hair stays in tip top condition try the following:

Seek advice from (or best still go to) a hairdresser when colouring your hair.  The product that you used in your teens may not work for you in your thirties as when we age our hair can become drier due to a decrease in activity from the sebaceous glands. In addition, our skin and hair colour changes as we get older so a total colour change or a new tone may do the trick.

If you just want to tame the mane you have a good cut works wonders. To keep that freshly cut hair in tiptop condition we recommend looking out for the following ingredients which will usually be highlighted on the label claims.

Silicones: For increased Shine, reduce static and increase gloss Silicones offer some excellent benefits. They come in all shapes and sizes and most are designed not to build up in the hair (unlike when silicones were first introduced.

Proteins and Amino Acids: The hair is made from Keratin which is a protein. Adding more protein sounds good and in some cases may help to stick down a damaged cuticle (to improve the appearance of split ends).  They are often touted as strengtheners for the hair and as long as they can stick, this may well be true.

UV Protection: If you are going to go to the effort to colour your hair, it is worth protecting it from the elements. UV radiation from the sun can play havoc with your dye  – Red’s are particularly susceptible to breaking down so make sure you either wear a hat or use products which contain sun block.

2) A Brilliant Smile.

Forget the chocolates, what mum really wants is a bright set of pearly whites. If you can’t afford to make the dentist your new best friend then why not give some of the home remedies a try.   You wouldn’t be seen dead in Hollywood without a brighter than bright smile so why should the school canteen be any different!  Teeth whiteners usually use a mild peroxide solution to bleach the enamel on the tooth, restoring it to its former glory. The products that you can buy for home use are a lot milder than those that a dentist would use but can still give good results. Just make sure that you follow the instructions as peroxide can burn the gums when used incorrectly. In addition to that you can look out for toothpastes with silica or sodium bicarbonate added to give the teeth that extra polish.

3) Kissable Lips.

With winter setting in here in the land of Oz our lips are in need of some extra protection.  Windburn,  the dryness of air conditioning and being run down can leave our soft, pink lips looking like sandpaper and prone to cold sores. Why? Well, the lips have a very thin top layer (Stratum corneum) which is easily disrupted.  The lips also have little to no melanin so have no natural sun protection leaving them fully exposed to UV rays.  They are also one part of the body that is always exposed to the elements unless you take up the latest fashion of face masks to avoid the latest killer flu!

With lip balms now available in a variety of flavors and finishes (glossy, mat, lightly coloured) make sure you add one to your wish list .   If you are prone to cold sores be sure to stock up on cold sore cream before the season takes hold – when you feel the tingle that is the virus becoming active.  Ingredients to look out for? Well, we really recommend a lip balm with good UV protection for those lucky mummies who will be spending lots of time in the great outdoors.  For mum’s with a penchant for all things “green”  we recommend the balms from Badger which are USDA certified and contain a variety of yummy natural flavors.

Whatever you are doing this mother’s day we hope that you have a beautiful one!

Amanda