The beauty prescription: Why others see you as 20 per cent more attractive than you think you are



Beauty and mind medics Dr Debra Luftman and Dr Eva Ritvo have been best friends and medical practitioners for more than 25 years.



During this time, they've seen hundreds of women with every kind of beauty concern - from fat thighs and acne to poor body image and low self-esteem.

Now, the two friends have pooled their combined expertise. The result is The Beauty Prescription - The Complete Formula For Looking And Feeling Beautiful (£13.99, McGraw-Hill). This new book is the ultimate mind-body guide offering a mix of practical inner and outer beauty advice.

'As a dermatologist, I see clients with more obvious external aesthetic beauty issues,' says Dr Debra, who is based in Beverly Hills.

Summer beauty: Follow the beauty prescription to feel great

'Perhaps they're worried about acne, or other skin problems such as sun damage or eczema. Or they want to do something about their saddle-bags, cellulite or lines around their eyes. Dr Eva deals with various psychological issues.

'We came up with the idea of a 'beauty prescription' five years ago while on holiday in Jamaica.



We were talking about how so many of our clients had problems with poor body image and self-esteem. We were just coming at them from different angles.

'The women I saw were looking for solutions through external, physical treatments - creams, laser surgery or liposuction. Dr Eva's clients in South Beach, Florida, were seeking psychological advice.



But, essentially, they all felt the same - that they weren't good enough.

'We realised then that between us we had the knowhow to come up with the perfect beauty prescription to help women feel and look more beautiful, from the inside and out.'

So, what's so new about wanting to look more beautiful? Surely, that's an ongoing battle for most women. 'There's no doubt that if you feel more beautiful, this can help you to get more out of life,' says Dr Debra. 'Just think how you feel when you know you look good.

'You're more likely to walk into an interview or a party with your head held high. You feel much more confident than you would when you've got greasy hair and no make-up. When you feel happy about the way you are, people can sense this and respond to you more positively.

'But the key here is how you feel. True beauty isn't about being physically perfect: it's about maximising your beauty potential. When you do this, people will subconsciously want to treat you better.'

One of the main messages in the Beauty Prescription is that your physical attributes are only part of what makes you attractive.

Research shows that others see you as 20 per cent more attractive than you think you are. That's because, when you look in the mirror, you're simply judging yourself on looks. All you can see is your reflection - but none of the personality.

Of course, it's important to make the best of what you've got,' says Dr Debra. 'But, there's so much more to beauty than looks alone.

'A great figure, shiny hair and lovely skin may turn heads and get you noticed, but it takes more than that to be attractive.

'Beauty is also about the way you move, speak and express yourself. It's about good health, warmth, spontaneity and charisma.'

Dr Debra and Dr Eva believe anyone can learn how to feel and look more beautiful.

'The Beauty Prescription isn't just a guide to show you how to make yourself more physically perfect,' says Dr Debra. 'It's also a guide to help you develop your inner beauty.'

So, if you feel you could do with an overhaul, here are their top tips on how to become more beautiful inside and out.





THE BEAUTY-BRAIN LOOP

At the core of Dr Debra and Dr Eva's advice is the Beauty-Brain Loop.

'This is a psychological tool that takes into account four main areas - Inner Beauty, Health, Outer Beauty and Environment,' says psychiatrist Dr Eva.

'All of these are inter-related. Each stage affects all the others. Everything you do shapes how you feel and how attractive you are. So, how you feel is how you look. Also, how you think is how you feel.'

Inner Beauty is to do with mental and emotional well-being, self-esteem, self-awareness and self-confidence.

Health is part of the loop to do with taking care of your body and physical health through nutrition, exercise, sleep and leading a healthy lifestyle.

Outer Beauty is to do with maintaining your external looks - skin, nails, hair and make-up.

Environment is to do with the feedback you get from your surroundings: home, work, relationships and friendships.

So, how does the principle of the Beauty-Brain Loop work?

'It's about keeping all areas of the loop flowing,' says Dr Debra. 'For example, when someone pays you a compliment and says you look really beautiful today, you actually start to feel more beautiful.

The more beautiful you feel, the more you want to maintain that feel-good state. So, you start to look after yourself more, perhaps by exercising, eating better or paying attention to your skincare and make-up.

'In turn, the better you feel and look, the more positive the response you get from your environment. Your friends tell you how great you look, people are more attracted to you and you feel confident.

'But, just as the Beauty-Brain Loop can be a positive circle, when one area isn't working, this can also set up a cycle of negativity.'





INNER BEAUTY

Want to be more beautiful instantly? Then the quickest thing you can do is to change your mindset. Working on your inner beauty - how you feel inside - will enhance your overall attraction to others. Dr Eva recommends the following tactics:

• SURROUND YOURSELF WITH BEAUTY: This has a calming effect on the mind.

• PRACTISE RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS: Do something for others - this will make you feel better about yourself.

• SET ACHIEVABLE GOALS: When we accomplish things, this is a source of self-esteem.

• HAVE A LAUGH: Go to comedy clubs, read humorous books, see funny friends.

• GIVE TO OTHERS: Try voluntary work.

• LOVE AND BE LOVED: Appreciate and make the most of all your relationships.

• BE AFFIRMATIVE: Replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Tell yourself regularly: 'I am beautiful. I am smart. I deserve to be happy.' You'll be surprised how this can lift your mood.

Attraction:Others will see you as 20 per cent more attractive

HEALTH



If you're not healthy, it's difficult to be physically attractive. These are the five keys ways to maintain good health:

• EXERCISE: Work out 30 to 60 minutes every day.

• NUTRITION: Eat a varied, balanced diet.

• SLEEP: If you scrimp on this, your looks and health will suffer.

• STRESS MANAGEMENT: Stress causes the body to release an excess of the chemicals adrenaline and cortisol. These can have an adverse effect on the way you feel and look. For example, many skin problems such as acne or eczema, have a tendency to flare up with stress.

• HEALTH CARE: Make sure you have regular medical checks.



OUTER BEAUTY





• CONSULT A MAKE-UP ARTIST: Learn what shades, texture and tools are best for your face shape, skin type and age. Don't necessarily head to the make-up counter of your local department store. Talk to a make-up artist who isn't affiliated to a cosmetics company. Ask your local beauty salon for recommendations.

• DAILY SKINCARE: For healthy skin, follow a daily skincare routine that includes cleansing, toning and moisturising. During the summer, apply sunscreen before you go out (minimum SPF 15). Use exfoliators and masks once or twice a week.

• TAKE CARE OF YOUR COSMETICS. Make-up can be a haven for bacteria, so make sure you replace products regularly.

• BE CAREFUL WITH COSMECEUTICALS: These are cosmetics with additives, such as vitamins or alpha hydroxy acids that have effects similar to pharmaceutical products. If you are not sure how to use these, always consult a dermatologist.

• PRACTISE AND LEARN: Read books and magazines, talk to make-up artists and try new techniques.

• CONSULT A DERMATOLOGIST: Don't suffer in silence if you have a skin problem such as acne, allergies, eczema and psoriasis. Ask your GP to refer you to a dermatologist.

• KEEP HANDS BEAUTIFUL: Have regular manicures in a salon or at home.

• HAIR: Get it cut, coloured and styled.

• TEETH: Have regular dental check-ups.

• MAKE A LIST OF YOUR TOP THREE COSMETIC PRIORITIES: For example, fat reduction, skin improvement, wrinkle reduction, acne treatment, teeth bleaching, hair colouring. Work out a budget and timeline for achieving your goals. Speak to an expert and get an honest assessment of the risk, benefits and costs.

• QUICK BEAUTY BOOSTERS: Enhance your smile: Tooth whitening or veneers can create dramatic results and make you feel more confident.

• Dress up - especially if you're feeling low. The worse you feel, the more important it is to make yourself feel better.

• Avoid pro-inflammatory foods that increase cortisol levels. Cut out alcohol, caffeine, sugars and simple starches.

• Find something you feel passionate about. The joy will show on your face.





ENVIRONMENT



'YOUR self-esteem, the way you dress, the way you look and act all affect how the environment reacts to you,' says Dr Debra. 'If you're constantly stressed, people will form a negative opinion.

'Social approval lifts your confidence and prompts you to look after yourself. So, the feedback you get from others is important.'

• SOCIAL LIFE: Spend time with people who make you feel good.

• TOXIC RELATIONSHIPS: Avoid them - they will drag you down.

• LITTLE THINGS MATTER: Even something as simple as putting a vase of flowers on your desk can make you feel good.