Last week we printed my reply to a reader who urgently wanted to know what she needed to do to look her absolute best in 36 to 48 hours because an ex-boyfriend was arriving in town and wanted to get together with her.  We went through a shortlist of things NOT to do, things which would probably end up making you look worse, and today we will list the tasks you SHOULD do to become the best possible version of yourself in the short time available.  Please keep in mind that I already did lecture her about the superficiality of wanting to present herself in a good light aesthetically rather than proudly relying on what she has accomplished over the years.  Even though that had to be said, I do realize how, when it comes down to it, that sort of thing pales in comparison to being seen as attractive by someone whose opinion is or was important to you.  Anyway, enough wasting space!  Onto the task sheet:

Task Schedule

Begin 36 hours before face-to-face

Hours 1-3

• Things that need to be planned carefully:

Your food for the next three hours.  You want your choices to be low in fat and sodium, with lots of grains and complex carbs for energy, regularity (anti-bloat) and to keep your spirits high.

Your outfit.  Take all the time you need to look through your closet and see what you've got.  See what needs sewing, cleaning, pressing, etc.

Your exercise. Where will you walk? Who will you walk with? Is she reliable? Do you have a backup plan? What shape are you in? Do you have proper walking shoes?

• To nourish your skin and wash away salt and toxins, drink eight to 10 glasses of water today and tomorrow.  That's a half glass per hour.  This alone can help you lose bloat and even pounds.  Start this waterfest with a large mug of warm water and one to two calamansi squeezed into it.

Hours 4-5

• Shampoo your hair.  After shampooing and rinsing twice, use the most nourishing/repair conditioner you own, leave it on a while.  Or get a hot oil or moisturizing treatment at a salon.

• Pluck your eyebrows as thoroughly but carefully as possible—do it right, use excellent lighting and a magnifying mirror if you need it.

• Take a good look at your hair.  Do you have split ends and need a trim? Maybe lots of white strands so you need coloring (stick to your tried and tested color).  Highlights can lighten the face and hide white so if you've tried them before and they look good, hurry up and get to the salon! The longer time the hair has to get rid of that chemical smell, the better.

Hours 6-9

• When was the last time you exercised? Grab a friend and go for a walk.  A slow, long-distance walk is better than a brisk one, especially if you haven't done this in a while!

• Exfoliate the skin on your face and neck, then the rest of the body.  Use any gentle product you have or make a homemade oatmeal and brown sugar mix.  For the body, pay attention to elbows, knees, and heels. 

Hours 10-13

• If you want to whiten your teeth, either go to a dentist today or make the appointment today for tomorrow morning.  If you don't have the funds, you can either try one of those kits you can do yourself (a good home product which is available here is the Crest Whitestrips), or use a baking soda whitener - from http://wwwessortment.com/all/whitenyourteet_pry.htm.

• Whether you whitened your teeth or not, brush really thorougly after each well.  Don't forget to brush your tongue too and please make sure you floss.

Hours 14-22

• Before bedtime, take a big mug of warm hot water with calamansi.

• Moisturize your hands and feet before you sleep.  Make sure they're very clean and then slather in moisturizer or petroleum jelly, cover with gloves and socks, keep them on all night.

• Put your mobile on silent and get a GOOD NIGHT'S REST of eight hours.  Don't sleep longer because too much sleep can make your eyes look puffy.  And don't get less than seven hours because you might look haggard. Ugh.

Hours 23-27

• Have fruit or oatmeal for breakfast, something energizing and healthy.  Drink your big mug of hot water and calamansi or lemon.  Don't add sugar!

• Exercise again.  It could be a walk, or a mini step class on your stairway.  It should work up a light sweat and be continuous for about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on your capability.

• Have your nails and toenails done—remember that if you're going for the youthful and gorgeous look over the "I'm out to hook a man, you should probably choose delicate pastel polishes over reds, blues or purples.  Please don't even THINK about black.

Hours 28-33

• Steam your face.  You don't have to put anything in the water but if you want to, you can just add calamansi.  Make sure you don't hold your face too directly in the path of the steam because you don't want to look burned and puffy, just fresh and dewy!

• Shampoo before you go, either at home or in a salon, just shampoo and blow-wave or if you have curly hair you might want them to finger-dry it because this looks very pretty and tousled instead of super-fixed—above all, we want him to think that you always look this way!

No matter what you have or haven’t finished with:

Three hours before meeting

Dress up and put your makeup on.  Take your time to do it well.  Put music and scented oils or a candle if you need to calm down.  Don’t use any fancy new tricks you may have seen on someone or read in a magazine.  Go with what has worked for you in the past.

One hour before meeting

Have a light snack so you won’t be starving when you see him.  Something with a little oil is good because if you drink, your stomach will be coated and you won’t get lightheaded or worse, tipsy.

Think about what you may need to bring with you:
• photos of the kids
• money, ATM card
• housekeys if you’re out later than usual and you need to get back in
• umbrella so you don’t get rained on unexpectedly
• makeup that you may need for a quick redo like pressed powder, lipstick and or gloss
• light cologne for spritzing
• comb or small brush
Get to your meeting but don’t be too early.  On the way, relax and B-R-E-A-T-H-E.  Enjoy the fact that you look fabulous!

***

We are holding a Baby Yoga and Yoga for Kids session on Nov. 7, 2 p.m. at Prana Yoga Studio, LRI Bldig, N. Garcia St. (formerly Reposo).  Baby Yoga is for children from three months to two years and Yoga for Kids is from two onwards.  Contact 09179613765 or email yogamoves2009@gmail.com for inquiries and reservations. 

For comments and suggestions, email wellbeing@mb.com.ph.