Tonya Zavasta's top beauty tips

This exclusive excerpt is taken from our interview with Tonya Zavasta in the newly released Summer issue of Get Fresh! magazine. We asked Tonya to list her top beauty tips - here they are:

1. A daily raw vegetable juice
Make it fresh and drink it right away. It's so healthy and hydrating. Juicing will make your face glow and your eyes sparkle.

2. Dry skin brushing
Brushing the entire body all over every morning is an invigorating way to start the day.

3. Dry facial brushing
Exfoliation is the most important part of a beauty regimen. We speed up the process of skin rejuvenation when we remove dead skin cells. Exfoliation energizes your face and improves circulation. All of these steps result in a better looking complexion.

4. Hot yoga
Nothing beats it for cleansing the body via sweating, nor for toning and stretching. It effectively works every muscle group in your body.

5. Facial exercises
They take care of the sag of skin and muscle tone due to aging or rapid weight loss, and they improve circulation too.

6. Sunbathe
It's not just for health; it makes you look and feel robust and alive and gives you a golden, healthy glow. All it takes is 20-30 minutes on a sunny day during the morning or late afternoon.

7. Early to bed
We use the term “beauty sleep” for a reason. It keeps you young by promoting melatonin production, and eliminates a haggard and tired appearance. The ideal? Make sure you’re all tucked up by 10pm whenever possible.

8. Go to bed with an empty stomach
It keeps you slim and beautiful. By gradually adjusting your dinner hour earlier and earlier, you can eventually eliminate it. Two raw meals a day is sufficient once your body is cleansed and assimilating properly.

9. Scalp massage
Massage a small amount of pure jojoba oil into your scalp and leave for an hour or two before washing it out. Do it as often as you can and your crown will be transformed.

10. Coconut water conditioner
Apply coconut water all over the scalp and massage into roots. Use some of it on your face as well. Put on a cosmetic cap and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then wash and condition as usual. Your hair will shine and will feel like silk.

11. Castor oil
With your finger, apply castor oil nightly on your eyelashes to make them moist and luxurious. Also put it on your eyebrows. You can use an old toothbrush to massage it in.

12. Head down
Sleep with the leg side of your bed about 1 to 1.5 inches higher than your head side. To do this, you’ll need to raise the footboard on your bed. The best way to do this is by putting something solid under the mattress that will elevate your feet. When your feet and legs are elevated higher than your head you increase blood flow to your head. This helps to keep you looking young.

13. Potato face
Use raw white potato to reduce eye bags and black circles. Place strips of grated potato under your eyes or cut a thin slice of potato and then cut it in half. Put a half slice under each eye and leave it there for 20 minutes. Even better juice one small potato, dip cotton balls into the juice and place on your gently closed eyes for 10-15 minutes. 

14. Practise gratitude
You will radiate a beauty that is beyond compare when you count your blessings, appreciate the many gifts that the raw food lifestyle bestows on you, and cherish each moment of health and happiness.

Read the full interview to find out:

• Why the raw diet makes you more beautiful than any other
• The secret to eating raw and loving it
• The common pitfall to avoid when transitioning
• Exactly what Tonya eats on a daily basis
• The health and beauty benefits of eating dinner early
• Tips for staying raw when travelling
• Aiming for maximum rejuvenation and longevity? This dietary adjustment is more important than any other - and most raw fooders are not doing it.

Read more about what's in our Summer issue and/or purchase it

Comments

[debbie]

Great Tips Tonya! off to elevate the foot of my bed and juice some potatoes!
deb

[Shannsu]

I'm not much for beauty tips, never was. But her description of Bikram yoga got me so curious I actually bought a video demonstrating the technique and plan on trying it out at home (can't find instructors in my remote location).
Wonderful article!

[Patrice]

Great list of beauty tips!

[Jane]

All the tips and are very interesting - I'm going to try.

[Angie B]

Shansu - I'd love to know which video/DVD you bought because I'm looking for one too. They don't really seem to teach Bikram yoga outside of London in the UK...