Body Talk: Tips for romance and looking good

BY KYM DOUGLAS

It’s always the right time of year for romance.  Here’s some fun and interesting tips that won’t cost a bundle.

Secret Agent

Forget the Chanel #5, the Dior and the Jo Malone.  If you really want to turn on your guy bake a pizza or cook a roast in your kitchen. The Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation (yes, it’s real and located in Chicago in case you were wondering) conducted a study in which they tested male arousal responses to 30 different aromas by tracking male organs blood flow. Cheese pizza and roasting meat ranked the highest arousal response in men. Rose and fruity fragrances were the lowest. Is it wrong to rub little pizza on your wrists? Just wondering.

Lip service

As everyone knows, having soft and kissable lips is part and parcel of romance. What many people don’t know is how harmful petroleum-based products can be on your lips. I tried out almost every organic lip product on the market in the last few months and have found that Eco Lips organic lip care products tops my list as the perfect lip balm. Cruelty free, non-GMO and petroleum-free, they are packaged in a convenient small stick form.  Some are even available with an eco-clip so it’s handy during the day or for sports. My personal favorite is their vegan Lemon-Lime Bee-Free 70% Certified Organic Balm. Eco Lips products can be found at Whole Foods in Sherman Oaks. For more information, go to www.Ecolips.com

Winning budget tips

Did you know that an avocado is a winner for shiny hair? It contains natural oils and vitamins, giving your hair a healthy dose of all natural moisture.

Who knew vinegar is great for removing buildup of styling products – the same ones that have also been said to help make your hair shiny?

Two denture tablets in water are great for whitening your fingernails in case you don’t have time to get a manicure before a night out with that special someone. It’s also ideal as a relaxing foot soak and will whiten your toenails as an added benefit.

Vaseline will not only soften any rough knees and elbows, but it can also shine your shoes. No kidding.

Use toupee double stick tape to keep your clothes in place - especially if you’re planning on wearing a revealing low cut top or dress.  Think the likes of Mariah Carey and that infamous J Lo dress a couple years back.

Kym Douglas is the co-author of The Black Book of Hollywood Beauty Secrets, The Black Book of Hollywood Diet Secrets and The Black Book of Hollywood Pregnancy Secrets. She guests on E!, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Fox’s  Good Day LA. Contact her www.kymdouglas.com

More Black Book of Hollywood Diet Secrets

BY KYM DOUGLAS

It’s mid-summer, so what better time to think about ways to keep eating in check while staying fashionably chic for the season.  Here’s some fun tidbits from my book, The Black Book of Hollywood Diet Secrets.

BURGER BONANZA

Gorgeous British export and film star Sienna Miller tells me she has cellulite. I didn’t see it and I still don’t believe it, but Sienna did say that she loves burgers. I’m not sure how she eats her burgers, but here is a little trick a Hollywood nutritionist revealed to help cut calories and, how shall we say…. keep things moving?

This food expert advises her star clients to combine prunes with meat because it cuts the fat by 40 percent and makes you feel fuller. Mix about five small pitted prunes with one pound of meat. Using a  food processor is preferable. This should make four small patties and you won’t even taste the prunes.  Secret Black Book extra: Always throw your bun on the grill for a second – forget the quest for Martha Stewart-esque burn strips, it really burns sugar off the bread.

SNEAKY SLIMMING TRICKS

Here’s a  few super-simple calorie slashers:

1. Chew gum. Sugarless gum gives your mouth a burst of sweet sensation for very few calories. Studies have shown that gum chewing can also help [you] relieve stress, mentally focus on tasks, satisfy a sweet tooth, overcome the urge to eat candy, and help manage hunger pangs.

2. Move the candy jar.   If you have to get up to get a piece of candy, it is not always worth the effort, whereas when the candy is convenient, consumption is higher.

3. Count the empty wrappers. It’s so easy to succumb to fun-size candy that you can lose track of how quickly the calories add up. If you keep the wrappers on your desk, it will remind you of how many you ate and stop after one or two…and if all else fails, exercise!

Kym Douglas is the co-author of The Black Book of Hollywood Beauty Secrets, The Black Book of Hollywood Diet Secrets and The Black Book of Hollywood Pregnancy Secrets. She guests on E!, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Fox’s Good Day LA. www.kymdouglas.com