Beauty Tips

Get Your Lip Pencil Ready

2009-05-14T20:35:00.003+03:00

Big and beautiful lip crayons are fast turning into a common item in the make-up bags of women around the world. The dry difficult to use lip pencils of the past are now history with the newer products containing things like vitamin E and jojoba oil to nourish the lips. The new pencils come in a range of varieties like water resistant.

Since the newer liners had a wider girth, there was the issue of sharpening them, this was solved with the double port sharpener that had an adaptor which when taken out would help the sharpener to adjust to the width of the liner. The adapter forms a thin casing around the port that it occupies and can conveniently be removed with a fingernail.

There have been other improvements apart from the width. Some companies are offering all in one items to allow for lining and filling with one pencil. This sorts out the color matching problem and saves some money for consumers. The lines between a lip liner and pencil may never have existed but the line between lip pencils and lipsticks may be fading away.

Everybody from fashion glossies to fashionistas are talking about models and movie stars using lip pencils. Everybody from runway models to Hollywood celebrities are seen flaunting a lip liner with a trendy look. The rule to make sure the pencil and lipstick colors blend is being disregarded by make-up artists at fashion shows. This effect may not be seen in office going life but it definitely looks alluring on the runway.

Make-up application trends move quickly and with a host of the beauty magazines on the internet with tutorials, blogs, and product feedback, women can keep up all the new trends with a click of the mouse. Helpful hints and information on lip color shades, the latest trends, and how-to beauty tips, are all available on the internet. You should always be careful when purchasing cosmetic items and check for the ingredients information online you may be allergic to certain ingredients. The make-up industry has kept up with user preferences by manufacturing specialty items such as the Vegan range and the likes that would satisfy the most discerning customer.

If you want realistic information about an item the best place is the user reviews web page on the producer sites. Beauty Products is a very lucrative sector with a huge consumer base so it is not unusual to see customers expressing their opinions and manufacturers heeding to them intently.

Sales of lip liners, lipstick and gloss are expected to stay in strong, in the present economic situation. A lip stick or lip liner is often one of the more affordable cosmetic items of all and most women would definitely allow themselves the liberty of purchasing one even if they have to put their hands deep into their pockets for it.

8 Steps Towards Long and Healthy Hair

2009-05-14T20:32:00.001+03:00

Every woman wants long and healthy hair. We desperately try various shampoos, conditioners and treatments in an effort to prevent hair thinning. However, healthy hair does not start from the outside, it starts from within. There are many ways to stimulate healthy hair growth from within. However, results are slow and minimal. You shouldn't expect to grow twice the volume just by following these steps. What you can expect is a healthier head of hair.

Eat plenty of protein. Foods such as eggs, poultry and fish are excellent sources of protein.
Drink lots of milk. Milk contains many nutrients which are essential for hair growth.
Increase your intake of fruit and vegetables. By consuming fresh produce your body is able to gain essential vitamins and minerals; one of the most important of these is iron.
When taking a shower do not use extremely hot water. Hot water has a tendency to dry the scalp out and remove essential oils.
Massage your scalp in order to improve circulation and increase hair growth. Try at least 10 minutes daily.
Drink plenty of water. Water hydrates the body and improves blood circulation.
Avoid bad habits, such as smoking and alcohol intake. When we drink alcohol our bodies dehydrate greatly and blood circulation slows down.
Exercise regularly. Aerobic exercise gets your heart rate up and gets blood flowing to every organ in your body, including hair.

As you can see, a healthy diet is an important part of healthy hair. A lifestyle that is rich in fresh produce and exercise is not only beneficial for quick weight loss, but for all aspects of health. So whether you are trying to lose weight or simply improve your overall well being, remember that there are numerous herbal remedies which can help you along the way.

Step By Step Makeup Guide

2009-04-25T20:33:00.002+03:00

Many women searches for "how to apply correct makeup", learn step by step applying makeup guide for FREE .

Step1 . Cleansing

Skin cleansing is an important part of skin care routine. Cleansing creams goes deeper into the pores and clean them thoroughly and is an integral part of treatment for multiple chemical sensitivity, pesticide and chemical exposure as well as therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Look for a cleanser that suits your skin type. Check a product label for descriptive terms: Words such as strong and potent indicate a high powered formula good for oilier skins, while words such as gently and mild hint at products suitable for drier complexions.

Liquid and Cream Cleansers

Liquid cleansers are sometimes called cleansing milks, cleansing lotions or gels and have the consistency of thin to moderately thick body lotion. To apply, spread a small amount over dry or damp skin then wipe off with a damp face cloth or rinse off with lukewarm water.

Skin cleansing Tips

Drink 8-12 glass of water a day as this is good for healthy skin.

complexion bars look like soap, but they are actually mild cleansers in bar form. Look for individual formulas targeting oily, normal or dry complexion.

Follow the skin cleansing routine regularly

Sebum production speeds up in the summer which contributes to grimy summer skin. You may want to sneak in an extra daily cleansing during warm weather.

Do not spend money on expensive skin cleansers, because a cleanser is going to be on your skin for only a few seconds before being rinsed away. Save your beauty cash for moisturizers, sunscreens, intensive treatments and other products that will sit on your skin for a while.

Homemade Rose Water Cleansing Cream

Galen, a Greek physician of the 2nd century, made this cleansing cream with the following ingredients:

1 tablespoon beeswax or white paraffin wax
1 tablespoon emulsifying wax
4 tablespoons mineral oil
6 tablespoons rose water t teaspoon borax, and
a few drops of rose oil (perfume)

Melt the waxes and oil together, and at the same time heat the water and borax and make sure that the borax is completely dissolved. Remove both bowls from the heat and pour water into the oiL Continue stirring until a white cream starts to form. Add a few drops of rose oil when the mixture begins to cool. Carry on beating until tbe mixture thickens.

Step2. Applying foundation

Many women avoid wearing foundation because they are scared of an unnatural mask-like effect. The foundation market today is saturated with many types and brands of foundations. Foundation is the cosmetic product that women pay the most attention to. And remember, foundation is one of those products you wear every day, so making the right investment at the beginning will pay off. There are two keys to applying foundation - the first is to choose the perfect foundation shade and the second is to pick the right formulation for your skin.

Choosing foundation type

The reason for applying foundation is to get a smooth and even finish to your skin. Liquid foundation is most commonly used because it is easy to apply. However, compact foundations are excellent alternatives as they give an even finish, which doesn't have to be set with powder.

Types of Foundations

Tinted Moisturizers - These are a a cross between a moisturizer and a foundation, as they will soothe your skin while giving a little coverage. They are ideal for young or clear skins. Unlike other foundations, you can blend tinted moisturizers on with your fingertips.

Liquid Foundations - These suit all but the driest skins. If you have oily skin, look for an oil-free liquid foundation to cover affected areas without aggravating them.

Cream Foundations - These are thick , rich and moisturizing, making them ideal for dry or mature skins. They have a fairy heavy texture, so blend them well into your skin with a damp cosmetic sponge.

Mousse Foundation - Again these are quite moisturizing and ideal for drier skins. To apply, dab a little onto the back of your hand, then dot onto your skin with a sponge.

Compact Foundation - These are all-in-one formulations, which already contain powder. They come in a compact, usually with their own sponge for application.

Stick Foundation - These are the original foundation, dating back to the early days of hollywood. They are best confined for use on badly blemished skin.

HOW TO APPLY FOUNDATION

Foundation is always applied downwards, to minimize the impact of facial hair.

Take out a small blob of foundation on the palm of your hand. As foundation dries up fast, dot foundation section by section on the face.
Start by dotting on the forehead and blend well with a damp sponge on fingers before moving on.
Now do it on your cheeks, then chin, nose and upper neck.

You may dilute the foundation by adding some astringent, toner or even water to make it sheer enough to let your skin show through. It looks more natural if applied like this.

HOW TO BUY FOUNDATION

Test foundation on the inside of the forearm-skin tone is closest to neck colour there, because it's protected from UV damage. Makeup should blend with the skin colour of the neck, not the face. If any doubt then buy one shade lighter than your facial skin tone. Don't make up your mind instantly. It takes about a minute for colour to dry and interact with the chemicals in your skin. The red pigments develop first so it will appear the pinkest at the beginning. Then go to the nearest source of natural light. (Even the most flattering uplift cosmetics hall tends to have colour-distorting fluorescent lighting.) If you have chosen the right colour, it will disappear into the skin.

Step3. Applying concealer

Concealers come in shades to match every skin tone. Choose a makeup concealer that is lightweight yet creamy. A stick concealer provides direct on-the-spot application. A quality concealer is texture-free, virtually invisible and vitamin-enriched. The best concealer will brighten and lighten dark areas, erase spots and even out skin tones.

Quality concealers make skin flaw-free. Most concealers, including under eye concealers, can be used under foundation or on their own. Find a concealer that is water-resistant, fragrance-free and non-comedogenic.

Use Of Under-Eye Concealers:

Concealers are applied to cover dark circles around the eyes, thereby grweatly enhancing the appearance of the face.They are matched to the skin tone and are applied before using the harmony foundation. Concealers come in shades to match every skin tone.

HOW TO APPLY CONCEALERS

1. In applying concealers, using the right makeup techniques is important. Concealers are of a denser composition than regular foundations and are generally available in sticks, tubes, pots, and creams. Concealers can be used to cover blemishes, dark spots, ruddy areas, marks, veins, freckles or under eye circles.

2. Your concealer should be one shade lighter than your foundation (and only in extreme cases should you use a concealer two shades lighter).

3. Using a concealer that is too light or too pink will give the appearance of `owl eyes'. In other words, it will emphasize the dark area instead of concealing it.

4. Apply concealer with a small fine tipped brush for an accurate application. As with any other application, blending is the key.

5. Always set your concealer with a sheer, translucent powder to prevent creasing.

Step4. Applying eye shadow

Eyeshadows are certainly eye catching on the entire face. It is like fun to experiment with eye shadows, eye liners, pencils, paints,and powders but most women just want to know what is right for them. Always choose neutral colours for eyeshadow to subtly enhance your looks, or play with kaleidoscope of different shades to contrast with and dramatize your colouring. For those wishing to make their eyes the focal point of attention, eye shadows, eyebrow gels, eyeliners in the right style can do the trick. Follow below given steps on how to apply eye shadow. If you have brown eyes have a look at the selection of Eye Shadow for Brown Eyes

How to Apply Eyeshadow

1. The first rule when applying eye shadow is to blend it well so there are no harsh edges. Put the very light shade (high lighter) on the space beneath the brows up to the crease of the eye lid.

2. Apply the medium shade on the upper eyelid only. Use a lighter shade under the browbone to highlight the eyes.

3. And the darkest shade on the crease of the eyelid that is the place almost in the middle of the total eye area-above the lashes and beneath the brows. Blend both the colors well.

4. With the tip of a fine brush, apply a little shadow beneath the eyes, along the lower lash line. Smudge it lightly to give your eyes a subtle, glamorous look.

Applying Eyeshadow Tip submitted by Pav

Purple eyeshadows tend to look stunning on brown eyes as does green on hazel eyes, gold on green eyes, and for blue eyes use a blue eyeshadow in a lighter shade than your eye colour.

Eye Shadow Kit and Colour Choice

Your eye shadow kit may contain 3 shadows-a very light shade (vanilla, very pale pink, beige, silver grey etc) which is the high lighter and which gives a light shimmer on the brow bone and highlights it. The box has two more shades of the same color. Light base shadows in pale pink, yellow, cream or beige look good on small eyes; spread over the entire lid with a touch of dark shadow in the outer corners, these accent the eyes.

Apart from colour, there is a choice of forms of the eye shadows. You can choose from pressed powders, pencils, sticks, gels, crayons and creams. Pressed powders are still the most popular form of shadows, because they are the easiest to apply and control. These are available in pearly and matt textures. The effect is not long lasting, but if you apply them with a wet brush, you can get a deeper effect and increase the staying qualities of the colour.

Powder and Cream Eyeshadows

Powder Eyeshadow: This is the most popular type. These come in pressed cakes of powder either with a small brush or a sponge applicator. You can build up their density from barely there to dramatic. Apply using a damp brush or sponge if you want a deep colour for an evening look.

Cream Shadows: These are oil based and come in little pots or compacts. They are applied either with a brush or your fingertips. They are a good choice for dry skins that need extra moisturizing.

Stick Shadows and Liquid Eye Shadow

Wax based, you smooth these onto your eyelids from the stick. Ensure they have a creamy texture before you buy them, so they would not drag at your skin. Usually Liquid eyeshadow come in a slim bottle with a sponge applicator. Look for the cream-to-powder ones that smooth on as a liquid and blend to a velvety powder finish.

Picking Your Eye shadow Colors

Eye shadow colors matched with skin tone, eye color and hair color is what makeup experts recommend and neutral looks good on everyone.
The first step towards applying any eye makeup is to pat some powder onto the eyelids to matte them and keep the powder eye shadow from creasing. If using cream eye shadow, this can be skipped as creams will clump and clog with the dry powder.
Eye shadows need to coordinate with eyes and hair, not than clothes. Browns, lavenders are best for blue-eyed, blonde haired women as well as light brown eyed-ladies. Smoky grays, bronzed pinks and silver toned peaches look good on women with green or black eyes.

Eyeshadows Makeup Tip Suggested by Visitors

Try applying an eyeshadow that matches your skin tone. Apply to the lid all the way up to the eyebrow. Then apply a walnut colored eyeliner on the top lid, then smudge. Put on a dark brown mascara. You will look sophisticated, but very natural.

NEVER wear red eyeshadow if you are a blue-eyed blonde. It seriously makes you look like da devil. Or the American flag which is worse. By Edward

Step5. Applying eye liner

Eyeliner is a great way to flatter all eye shapes and sizes. Eyeliner should be applied after eyeshadow and before your mascara. An eyeliner adds depth and definition to the eyes, making them more dramatic and expressive. The earlier cake type of eye liner has now been somewhat replaced by liquids and pencils. The liquid liners are sold in bottles either with a separate small brush or in an automatic unit with the brush built into the cap. Eyeliner is applied for emphasizing eye shape and accentuating the lash line.

Eye liner comes in two forms - Liquid and pencil eyeliner.

Liquid Eyeliners - These have a fuild consistency and usually come with a brush attached to the cap. However, these are not as easy to apply as the ink-well sponge-tipped variety. To apply liner, look down into your mirror to prevent the liquid smudging. You should stay like this for a few seconds after applying the liner to give it time to dry thoroughly.

Pencil Eyeliner - This is the easiest way to add extra emphasis to your eyes. A pencil should be used to draw a line close to your upper and lower lashes. It is a good idea to sharpen the pencil between uses, not only to ensure you have a fine tip with which to work, but laos to keep it bacteria free. Alternatively look for eyeliner pencils that come with a smudger built in at the other end.

Steps for Applying Eye liner

First apply eye shadow , then move on to apply eyeliner. If you have never applied liner before and feel a bit nervous, try this technique. Sit down at a table in a good light with a mirror. Take your good eyeliner in your hand and rest your elbow on the table to keep your arm and hand steady. You can also give yourself extra support by resting your little finger on your cheek. These are some tips and instructions for applying eyeliner properly.

Choose an eyeliner appropriate for your eye color.
Draw a thin line, try to draw as close to the base of your eyelids as possible. Start from the inside corner of your eye and work your way out.
Tilt your head back slightly and bring your eyes to a half-open state. This creates a good angle for application, while allowing you to see what you're doing.
Experiment with lining the bottom of your eyes the same way for a more dramatic look. When lining your bottom lids, go in the opposite direction: start from the outside corner and work your way in.

Types of Eyeliners and application tips

Pencil eyeliners: offer good consistency and are relatively easy to use. These can be testing by drawing with them on the back of the hand and ensuring that the pencil does not tug at the skin or leave thick globs. For a soft look, the pencil liner applied in a thin line over the natural lash line can be smudged with the fingertip or with a damp makeup brush to give the appearance of a dark shadow.
Liquid eyeliners: Take practice and a steady hand to apply, but are sure to give a smooth, sensuous line to the length of the eye. They are generally limited to the top of the eyelashes, whereas an eye shadow or an eye lining pencil may be used under the lower lashes also. Usually sold in bottles with an application brush, one must allow the liquid eyeliner to dry before opening the eyes to avoid smudging.
Permanent eyeliners: are comparatively more expensive and exclusive options, created through cosmetic surgery by micro pigmentation. This technique adds a defined line to the lid using a handheld device that punctures the skin several times a minute with a very thin needle to push color pigments to the desired position.
Cake eyeliners: are applied with water on the top and bottom of the eyelid. For applying pencil and cake eyeliners, it is important to face a mirror with good lighting overhead and hold the head back while pulling the skin on the eyelids tight. This makes it easier to control the application of the eyeliner.

Eye makeup tips and techniques for Eyeliners

The purpose of an eyeliner is to make eyelashes look thicker and a dark liquid one highlights the shape of the eyes and deepens the look.
Lining under the eyes is recommended only for those with big eyes, as it tends to make the eyes appear smaller.
For using pencil eyeliners, it is best to softly draw a thin line along lashes, next to roots. For a party look, the color can be lightly dotted along the lower lashes and for demure looks, the line be softly smudged with fingertip or a Q-tip.
Wash your eyebrow makeup brushes regularly with makeup remover or a mild gel shampoo.
never apply eyeliner if your eyes are tired or infected
Do not apply thick eyeliner to small or close-set eyes.
Color of the eyeliner should be same as the the color of the mascara.

Step6. Applying eye mascara

Mascara adds a flattering fringe to your eyes - particularly if your lashes are fair. Applying Mascara is the final step in eye makeup. Mascara is applied on the eye lashes to beautify them. Different formulas and application of mascara can enhance your lashes in different ways. To make the eyes alluring, the use of the right eye makeup product using the correct technique is very important. For eye-popping appeal to this focal point of the face, the basic idea is to use complementary colors. Mascara adds volume and length to the lashes and make your eyes appear brighter and more beautiful.

How to Apply Mascara

Are you looking for "how to apply mascara"? Here are some tips for you..

Start by applying mascara to your upper lashes first. Brush them downwards to start with, then brush your lashes upwards from underneath. Use a tiny zig-zag movement to prevent mascara from clogging on your lashes.

Next, use the tip of the mascara wand to brush your lowe lashes, using a gentle side to side technique. Take care to keep your hand steady whilst you are applying the mascara and not to blink while the mascara is still wet. Comb through your lashes with an eyelash comb to remove any excess the wand has left behind.

Tips for applying eye mascara

Select a suitable color. If you have blond or red lashes then go for brown mascara. Darker-lashed women can consider brown for a casual look, and black or brown-black for more pronounced or dramatic lashes.
Before applying mascara curl the lashes to widen the eyes. Prior to your mascara, Curl your lashes with an eyelash curler and apply all other eye makeup.
Begin with the underside of your upper eye lashes and then moving the brush slowly upward toward the tips of your lashes.
Wait for a minute for them to dry, and similarly apply a second coat. Let the first coat dry completely, then apply the second coat. Two thin coats look more natural than one thick coat.
Finally brush with a clean dry brush, to separate the lashes.

Selection of eyeliner shades

For women with blue eyes, eyeliners in brown and rose tones contrast the blue of the eyes, making them appear more vibrant. Green eyes, on the other hand, brighten up with violet shades that give a dramatic look for evenings or stage makeup and look great in photographs. A mocha shade is a subtle, everyday look for all eye colors but especially brown eyes, which also give a smoldering look when green and gold eyeliners are used.
Neutral shades in eyeliners are charcoal, black, and chocolate, good for all eye colors, except those with small eyes would do well to avoid these, as they tend to make eyes appear smaller. Thus, it is preferable to restrict dark eyeliner colors to the crease of the eye and highlight the brow bone with a light shade.
All eye shadows need to complement the eye and hair-color of the person and a bit of powder dusted on the eyelid prepares the eyeliner to set well and intensify the eyes.

How to remove eye mascara

Mascara must be removed very carefully to avoid damaging the delicate skin around the eyes. While removing the mascara from eyes always avoid the colour from going onto the delicate area below the bottom lashes and close your eyes. Roll a cotton bud dipped in a cosmetic cleanser over the lashes, taking the mascara down onto the tissue. Repeat this till all the mascara is gone.

Step7. Applying powder

When it comes to powder, there is quite a variety to choose from. Makeup powder is the one important ingredient that goes into the durable setting given to poised, cosmetic charm and makes for long lasting makeup wear. Makeup powder can help makeup stay in place, give a shine-free, even finish to the eye, cheek, lip or cream products used and also provides a quick touch up-tactic for the skin tone. It is a versatile makeup product that is every photographer's delight and helps to give natural, even-toned look to faces in artificial or natural lighting, highlighting distinctive features and downplaying not so attractive ones.

There are two types of makeup powders:

Loose Powder - Loose powder has a light, airy consistency and is preferred by professional make-up artists because it's less likely to streak on the skin. This type of powder gives your face a very smooth, matt look and lasts longer than pressed powders.
Pressed Powder - Pressed powder is treated under great pressure to create a compact, cake form. Oils are often added to the formula to ensure that the powder sticks together longer, but this can make the product streak on your face

Beauty benefits of makeup powder

Many women like to carry pressed powder for a middle of the afternoon makeup touching up, be it at the office or out in the market. When applying party makeup, experts advise that post blending in of foundation and concealer, the face benefits from a feather-light dusting of a loose layer of makeup powder over the entire face and eyelids.
The application of makeup powder calls for a clean, large, fluffy and rounded makeup brush that helps casually dust loose powder and give a natural, even toned finish to the face.
A brush is a better bet for applying makeup powder as opposed to using a sponge or powder puff as these put too much powder onto the face.
The right way of dusting makeup powder is to touch the full end of the brush into the loose powder, knock off the excess and brush it on using the same up and down motion used for applying foundation.
Makeup powder eliminates the excessive shine to a face and needs to be applied more liberally when combined with the use of a sunscreen, as a thorough application is necessary for adequate sun protection and non-greasy feel.
Makeup powder must always be applied after the foundation and concealer has been finely blended in but before applying eye makeup.
The same shade of makeup powder in a pressed compact is a easy touch up tool for women on the move and a small amount of powder on a cosmetic puff, applied to shiny areas where makeup has thinned, offers great coverage.

Step8. Applying blush

Give your complexion a bloom of colour with this indispensable beauty aid - blush. Apply foundation, eye color and lipstick and then apply blusher as Blush should be your last makeup step. Nothing brings a dull, drowsy face to life faster than a quick sweep of blush. "You put blush on, and you look instantly prettier, fresher and less tired," says makeup guru Bobbi Brown. Decide the color of blush you want to apply on your cheeks. Read useful advice from makeup professional on how to apply blusher.

How to Apply Blush

First choose the color that resembles the natural glow of your cheeks after you exercise.
Determine your face shape: are you oval, heart, round, long or square? Knowing this helps you determine where it's best to apply the blush.
Complete the application of foundation, powder and all eye makeup before applying blush.
Put the blush on your brush, tapping off any excess or put a dab of gel on your fingers.
Look in the mirror and smile
Sweep color in an arc following the line of your cheekbone up from the apple of your cheek to your hairline. Keep color light & blended.
Blend a little blush down your cheek for a little more natural, less dramatic look.

Tips for applying blusher

For a sun-kissed sheen: dab a small bit of bronzer powder on your forehead, chin & nose. Make sure it doesn't look like a stripe.

Make sure to blend makeup into your jawline and hairline so it looks more natural. Also try using a brush instead of those square sponge things or your face will look to cakey.

never mix blusher powder with other makeup creams
a color that is close to or lighter than your lipstick will work best
use apricot shades on pale skin and dusty roses on darker skin
if your skin is oily, a powder brush will last longer
always dip the brush quickly and flick your wrist to stroke the cheek lightly
never apply blusher on the nose for corrective purposes
never apply too much blusher otherwise your face will look as a mask
dab a little shimmery blush on the highest point of your cheekbone nearest your eye to create a more distinct look

Powder Blush

This should be applied over the top of your foundation and face powder. To apply powder blusher, dust over the compact with a large soft brush. If you have taken too much onto your brush, tap the handle on the back of your hand to remove the excess. It is better to waste a little than applying too much!

Cream Blusher

Cream blusher is applied with your fingertips, after foundation, but before face powder. To apply, dab a few dots over your cheeks, from the plump part up towards your cheekbone. Using your fingertips, blend well. Build up the effect gradually, adding more blusher to create just the look you want.

Colour Choice for Blusher

There is always a kaleidoscope of blusher shades to choose from. However, as a general rule, it is best to opt for a shade that tones well with your skin colouring and co-ordinates with the rest of your skin colouring and makeup.

Step9. Applying lipstick

Lipstick has been around for about 5000 years! It is the earliest and quickest way to give your face a focus and create an instant splash of colour. To apply lipstick properly, it is important to have the right tools handy for the best application of lip makeup and get the setting right, in sync with the occasion. The first step is to choose the best shade of lipstick according to the skin tone. Like the colors of rainbow, there are shades of virtually every color when it comes to coloring your lips. With a lighter complexion, the lipstick is used more to subjugate your skin tone. Lighter shades make a fair complexion seems paler and dull. Go for bright colors and avoid light pinks.

How to Apply Lipstick

Ensure your lips are soft and supple by smoothing over moisturizer before you start applying Lipstick.

Prime your lips by smoothing them with foundation, using a makeup sponge so you reach every tiny crevice on the surface.

Dust over the top of the foundation with a light dusting of your usual face powder, to help you rLipstick stay put for longer.

Rest your elbow on a firm surface and carefully dwar an outline using a lip pencil. So it does not drag you skin, it may help to warm it slightly in your palm. Start by defining the cupid's bow on the upper lip. Finish by completing the edges of the outline to the upper lip.

Use a lipbrush to fill in the outline with lipstick, ensuring you reach into every tiny crevice on the surface. Open your mouth to brush the colour into the corners of your lips.

You will help your lipstick last longer if you blot over the surface with a tissue. It will also give an attractive, semi-matte finish to your lips. Reapply to help a longer lasting finish.

Makeup kit essentials for applying lipstick properly

The essential items for applying lipstick properly is having the right shade of lipstick handy with a lip brush, lip base/balm, lip liner and gloss, depending on individual taste.

A lip liner defines the lips and prevents lip color from bleeding, giving it durability. They are available in pencil form and should be matched with the shade of lipstick used.

Gentle brushing around the lips with a soft toothbrush helps to exfoliate dead cells around the mouth area and give a clear, defined shape to the lip line.

Applying a touch of foundation/lip base onto the lips helps lipstick stay on longer and a neutral or lipstick matched liner used to outline the lips after this. The lip liner must be started from the center of the upper lip, drawn into a line towards each corner and follow the edge of the natural lip line.

The color can be filled over the lips with a lip brush in slow, deliberate strokes and lipstick that has a formulation for transfer-resistant color stays for a longer time.

If the lip pencil is chilled in the fridge for a few minutes before application, it glides on smoothly and the outlining of the lips is easier.

Lip conditioners used in lipsticks give it longer staying powder and are ideal for party wear or all daywear too, while keeping the lips moist and nourished for hours.

After the first application is over, the lips must be stretched and the liner repeated lightly again, blotted with a tissue and lip color re-applied with a lip brush for a no-budge, no-smudge, luscious lip wear.

Making the mouth round as an 'o' prevents lip color from spreading onto the teeth.

Liners and gloss are best avoided for a lip that is too full, but just a hint of lacquer brings a glow to the face.

Lipstick Tip Submiited by Visitors

Go over your lipstick with an ice cube for lasting results.

When applying lip gloss, or lipstick, apply lip balm or chapstick first.

To make lips pink take lip balm and brush with softly to your lips.

How to Stay Safe at the Nail Salon

2009-04-25T20:25:00.001+03:00

While the chances you'll get an infection at a nail salon are pretty low, it takes only one to make you wish you were more cautious in selecting a salon. Risks include nail fungus, bacterial infections, plantar's warts and even herpes.

To insure you're safe, make sure your salon follows the following procedures and make sure you know what to watch for.

Don't Get Those Cuticles Cut

Your cuticles naturally protect your nail bed from bacteria. Since that's their purpose, it's
best they be left alone or pushed back with an orange stick with its tip covered in a piece of cotton.

Salon Visits Should Never Be Painful

If your manicure or pedicure hurts, make sure to tell the technician. At no time should the procedure hurt or sting.

Bring Your Own Tools to the Salon

It's a great idea to purchase your own nail tools, both steel instruments (clean them with hydrogen peroxide) and non-metal tools. Files, buffers, nail brushes and orange sticks are made of porous materials, which more easily harbor bacteria. Since wood products can't be sterilized, these tools should be used only once.

Beware These Tools at Your Salon

Don't allow credo blades, razors, callus graters and cuticle cutters to be used during a visit. Again, these can cut skin allowing bacteria to enter.

Look Around for Warning Signs

Glance around the salon. If there is dust, debris or clippings on the floor or caught in corners, that's a warning sign that cleanliness is not of upmost importance.

Also look for the salon's license, which should be posted on the wall along with the technician's licenses.

Check Into Proper Sterilization Techniques

Many salons use UV sterilizers, which look like toaster ovens, to sterilize tools. These won't kill bacteria.

The best way to sterilize tools is with an autoclave or disinfectant labeled "tuberculocidal." Disinfectant is the turquoise-colored water in glasses usually kept at stations. If you're really concerned about sterilization, ask to see the bottle the disinfectant comes in and make sure it's properly labeled.

Still concerned? Get your manis and pedis done a medi-spas, which are overseen by a physician.

Are Footbaths an Infection Risk?

Foot baths in salons are a debatable as a health risk. According to Kevin Winthrop, MD, in a 2002 article on WebMD, you're not likely to get an infection from a footbath because salon technicians clean them after every use.

But some experts state simply cleaning footbaths after every use is not safe enough. They believe debris caught in the mesh catch under the drain can be a health hazard. They suggest salons use plastic liners or Hefty bags in their footbaths.

So what should you watch for? Footbaths should be washed with hot, soapy water and sprayed with a disinfectant after each use, according to an article on nail salon saftey in the December, 2006, issue of Self Magazine.

Really concerned? Bring your own tub liner.

How to Wage a Complaint

If you suspect that your salon is violating your state's laws, you can file a complaint with your state's cosmetology licensing board. Check out NICTesting.org for a list of contacts by state.

How to apply eyeliner without too much trouble

2009-04-11T20:00:00.002+02:00

There is no room for fear or panic when we tell you that this summer’s trend in make-up includes a touch of the magnetic eyeliner.

Don’t bother trying to convince yourselves that using eyeliner is the most efficient and quick way to ruin your make-up, by turning your eyes into blurry smeared drawings, as it is simply not true. Always remember that practice makes perfect, ladies.

The secret of the “tricky” liquid eyeliner lies in the mastering of few techniques that we will graciously share with you just days before the hottest part of the summer.

Proper make-up foundation

You need to give a base coat of foundation and powder for the eye make-up to adhere to. Even if you don’t want to wear foundation, just apply it to your eyes and always use liquid eyeliner after eye shadow application.

The foundation is needed so that it can even the color of the skin around the eyes and create a smooth, oil-free surface for the make-up.

We strongly recommend that before applying the eyeliner, you slightly sweep the lightest shade across the entire area from lash line to brow. For your eyes, select eye shadows in compatible shades – you cannot go wrong with a pretty shade of white, pink, beige or peach, no matter what your skin tone is.

Choosing a brush

Forget about the thick brushes. It takes a professional to handle them properly and even they use them mostly in body art. You will achieve a far more precise and fine eye line, if you use a thin brush.

There is a wide variety of products and brands on the market so you are free to experiment with something new and compact such as liner brush.

Liner brush is an extremely thin and flat brush with thick and short hair span. Its resemblance to the drawing brushes, used by artists, turns make-up application into an easy and somewhat artistic experience.

However, this brush requires a more specific type of eye shadows –those that are long-lasting with a creamy structure and have the effect of the regular liquid liner. These shades come in a variety of nuances and can be found in almost every cosmetic store.

And finally…

Bring your eyes to a half-open state when you apply the liner as this is the only way to prevent the tremor of the eyelid muscle.

You do not need to try and apply the liquid liner all in one long line. It is highly recommended that you follow the Triple Technique, instead of spending half an hour in front of the mirror in timid attempts to sweep the brush across your eye lid.

The Triple Technique consists in painting a few small dashes onto the lash line, the inner, middle and outer corner then going back and connecting them.

If needed, go back and repeat the lines.

If you are trying to achieve the cat eye look – starting at the inner corner of your eye, slowly draw a thin line across your eyelid and extend that line past your lash line.

If you use brush liner to apply all of the abovementioned techniques, you will also achieve a sexy look, but with a far more natural effect.

Regardless of your choice of products, don’t be afraid to experiment in the privacy of your own home.

Acne

2009-04-11T19:56:00.001+02:00

Acne is a skin condition characterized by plugged pores, inflamed pimples and deeper lumps that can appear on the face, neck, chest, back and shoulders. The disorder is most common throughout the teenage years when appearance is of particular importance. Acne is rarely a serious medical condition, but it often causes emotional distress and can be upsetting to the patient.

The reason acne occurs is the sensitivity of the body towards the increased level of the male hormone testosterone, which is present in both males and females. This stimulates the oil (sebaceous) glands of the skin to enlarge and produce and excess amount of sebum (oil) – natural substance, which lubricates and protects the skin.

At the same time, acne occurs when hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells that dissociate from the inside surface of the sebaceous glands. The sebum produced by these glands accumulates with the dead skin cells in the follicle and solidify as a soft plug. This plug may cause the follicle to bulge and produce a whitehead or it may be open to the surface and darken, causing a “blackhead”. The sebum stimulates bacteria, which live on everyone’s skin and generally cause no problems, to multiply and cause surrounding tissues to become inflamed. Inflammation near the skin’s surface produces a pustule; deeper inflammation results in a papule (pimple); deeper blockages and inflammations inside follicles produce lumps beneath the surface of the skin called cysts.

Certain medications, such as oral contraceptives, antibiotics and corticosteroids can aggravate the condition of the acne. For some women, acne can be an indication of the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or hormonal imbalance, which can lead to abnormal menstrual periods, sterility, excess hair-growth and overweight.

How to avoid scaring or other damage to the skin

Don’t pick or squeeze blemishes as this might cause infection or scarring. Cleanse the skin with a soft cotton pad, dipped in herbal infusion or ethereal oils. Touch your skin only if your hands are clean.

PROPHYLACTICS

You can avoid or control acne with good basic skin care and the following self-care techniques:

Wash problem areas with a mild cleansing bar or a gentle lotion that doesn’t dry the skin. Of the many available brands, oil-free, water-based moisturizers are generally a better choice.
Ultraviolet (UV) rays in moderation are good for your skin as they can cure acne. However, keep in mind that during summer it is recommended that you avoid exposure to the sun in the period 10:00AM – 15:00PM.
Carefully choose your skin products – avoid oily or greasy sunscreens, hair-styling products or skin products that contain benzoyl peroxide. Ensure that the products are labeled “noncomedogenic” or “water-based”.
Try to decrease general sweating – don’t stay in places that are too hot and wear fabrics that allow the skin to “breathe”.
Avoid consuming too much salt with your food. Salt causes the cells to loose water, which can aggravate the condition of the acne.
Apply tea tree oil directly on the blemishes on a daily basis. If the oil is too concentrated, you can dissolve it in water.
Keep your hair clean and off your face. Also avoid resting your hands or objects on your face. Some hair products such as hair-gel and hair-spray can be the reason for the condition in specific facial areas (the forehead). Stop using them for a couple of weeks to see how it affects the acne.

TREATMENT

Aromatherapy: Some ethereal oils control the production of sebum. Amongst them are the Cedar Cone oil (not recommended during pregnancy) and the Atlantic White Cedar (should be avoided during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy). Lavender and geranium oils have antiseptic and healing qualities, while those of camomile and bergamot reduce inflammation. Try the following procedures:
Add 2 drops of Cedar Cone and 2 drops of Atlantic White Cedar oil in a glass of water. Apply the mixture on the skin every 2 hours.
Add 2 drops of Juniper oil to a table-spoon of Jojoba or Sweet Almond oil and stir. Apply directly on the problematic skin areas.
Add 2 drops of Bergamot and 2 drops of Atlantic White Cedar to 5 tea-spoons of Jojoba oil. Add the same mixture of oils to a face-cleansing lotion. Apply the oil mixture in the evening and the lotion – in the morning.

ACNE AND DIET

It is proven that acne is not caused by foods. However, it would be wise to keep a diary of the consumed foods throughout the day to determine whether some of them can cause acne.
Some women experience acne if eating chocolate just before their menstrual period.

Generally people who suffer from acne have less vitamin A in their blood, which is why foods rich in vitamin A and ?-Carotin are highly recommended. However, any vitamin intake should be closely monitored by a health care specialist.

HERBAL THERAPY

Mix dried roots from Dandelion, Burdock, Nettle, Yarrow and Echinacea and prepare a potion. Drink 1 glass once or twice a day.
Boil up 2-3 tea-spoons dried basil in a glass of water. Cool the mixture and apply with a cotton pad on clean skin.
Cleanse your skin once a day using a Steam bath: keep your face for about 5-10 minutes covered with a towel and above a bowl filled with hot water. Afterwards dry your skin and apply Rosewater, Black Elder water, Camomile extract or Marigold tea. A good idea is to add a couple of drops of Marigold infusion into the hot water.
Dandelion, Burdock, Yarrow and Echinacea roots cure acne by reducing and eliminating the skin bacteria.

WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL HELP

In case of unresponsive or severe acne or acne that is believed to be a result of an ongoing medical treatment, it is essential that you consult a primary-care physician or a dermatologist.

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Tips to Get a Clear Face - How to Clean the Face to Get Rid of Acne, Pimples and Blemishes

2009-04-08T12:24:00.001+02:00

Due to constant exposure to sunlight and pollution, our skin collects dirt. In order to maintain a healthy and clear face, cleaning our face becomes a necessity. Acne, pimple and blemish are regular problems faced by our skin. They can be a huge source of embarrassment if not treated in proper time.

Generally teenagers face this problem due to fluctuations in hormonal levels and lack of primary hygiene. We mostly see people with an oily skin encounter these problems at a higher rate. Oily membrane easily collects more dust and makes our skin dirty. In order to obtain a clear features , we should have proper diet and drink lots of water . It plays a vital role to clean the face effectively and by removing all the marks and dirt from the appearance.

How To Clean The Face To Get Rid Of Acne, Pimple And Blemish

Cleaning: Washing your skin with gentle, oil and fragrance free cleaner, preferably non-detergent will clean your skin properly. It will remove the entire dust particles from your face . Cleanser that contains benzoil peroxide or salicylic acid can be applied onto an oily skin in order to get the best results. Oil free facials washes can provide you with clear skin and remove acne and pimples.

Treating: You can apply topical acne treatment using creams containing benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid, or salicylic acid over your entire face, not just where blemishes have already erupted. You can also use a drying spot treatment during night in order to clean the face. You can dab oil free moisturizer in your dry areas to clear face

Concealing: After completely cleaning your features , you can conceal your blemishes by using foundation with a small make up brush in your clear face.

Under Eye Cream For Dark Circles - Tips to Pick the Best Eye Cream

2009-04-08T12:21:00.002+02:00

The appearance of dark circles makes us look tired, old and unattractive. They spoil our charm and we look scary. They are mostly caused due to excess alcohol consumption, less sleep or high stress. In order to reduce their appearance, we should apply under eye cream for dark circles.

There can also be genetic problems. They are usually spotted in the family history. It can be treated and concealed by applying under eye creams but due to the accessibility of so many products; it usually becomes confusing to choose the best under eye cream for dark circles.

Tips To Pick The Best Under Eye Cream To Reduce Dark Circles

- Do a bit of research before buying any cream. It is always advisable to learn about the ingredients in the product. Nature based ingredients are mostly suitable for any skin type which treats your marks naturally. They are skin friendly and they lack side effects. You should also know your skin type before opting for best one.

- Usually good products are found in a bigger outlet to reduce dark circles under eyes. You get a lot of options there while you are also assisted by beauty experts.

- You should always avoid using heavy eye cream , as the area under your eyes is very sensitive and these heavy ones may cause allergies. You should use liquid based products such as gels and lotions to reduce dark circles because they are light and easily absorbable by your skin.

- Always consult a doctor for the best skin cream. Sunscreen can be the best under eye cream for dark circles because they provide you a dual protection from wrinkles and other face marks. They reduce dark circles and also keep you protected from the sunlight.

L'Oreal Cleansers - Are There Any Side Effects of L'Oreal Face Cleansers and Skin Care Products?

2009-04-08T12:19:00.000+02:00

If you are looking for a replacement of Estee Lauder Perfectly Clean Foaming Cleanser, L'Oreal cleansers can bring an end to your search. All products are launched in the market after lots of research and development. We can't question their credibility because these are skin friendly and effective. The side effects of L'Oreal face cleansers may vary from person to person.

Products like L'Oreal Skin Genesis Pore Minimizing Gel Cleanser, RevitaLift Radiant Smoothing Cream Cleanser and Deep Purifying Foaming Cream Cleanser are some of the most sought after membrane care products. L'Oreal cleansers hydrate, revitalizes and rejuvenates your skin and provides you a renewed look.

Is There Any Side Effects Of L'Oreal Face Cleansers And Skin Care Products?

- L'Oreal provides a huge array of skin care products. They have creams to treat every aspect of your membrane. They have launched creams for anti aging too. Creams like L'Oreal Daily Treatment Serum Concentrate and L'Oreal Daily Moisturizer Oil Free Lotion have won recognition from Allure Magazine.

- There are no side effects of L'Oreal face cleansers as such but it is always advisable to know your membrane type before buying these products. cleansers may sometimes react indifferently to your covering. It is always beneficial to do a bit of research in the ingredients before choosing the best L'Oreal Cleansers for your covering.

- Buying from a bigger outlet will reduce the chance of purchasing a wrong product for your skin. They have beauty experts who can assist you and guide you while buying your L'Oreal Cleansers .

- Their skin care products react very politely with your covering and lacks side effects. They rejuvenate, revitalizes and renews your membrane. There are also special toiletries available that can give you instant gratification.

Drink Green Tea for a Gorgeous New You

2009-04-03T15:36:00.002+02:00

You probably already knew that drinking green tea has plenty of health benefits—but did you know that it can make you gorgeous, too?

You probably already knew that drinking green tea has plenty of health benefits�but did you know that it can make you gorgeous, too?

Okay, I might be spreading it on a little thick there. The truth is that green tea isn�t going to miraculously turn you from an ugly duckling to a supermodel overnight. But it can do these things:

It helps your gums stay healthy so your teeth don�t fall out.
It prevents cavities and bad breath.
It helps you look young by smoothing out your wrinkles and by reducing damage to your skin from UV rays.
And it helps you lose weight.

Now, lest you think these things aren�t important, think about this: when was the last time you saw an overweight person with black teeth, missing teeth, wrinkles, and bad breath, and thought, �Man, they�re HOT!�

I think I�ve made my point.

It�s all true, though, I�m not making this up. It turns out that humble old green tea can do all kinds of wonderful things for you to help keep you beautiful.

Here are some of the things that green tea researchers have found:

Acids and bacteria in your mouth are the main causes of periodontal disease (soft, bleeding gums). Green tea contains �catechins.� Catechins keep the acids in check and they prevent the bacteria from reproducing. The result: your gums stay nice and healthy and pink, and your teeth stay in.
Cavities and bad breath are caused by the same things (acids and bacteria)... So the catechins in green tea fight cavities and bad breath, as well.
The Vitamin C in green tea helps your gums heal.
Catechins aren�t just for killing bacteria and getting rid of acids. They also reactivate dying skin cells! That makes them very good for smoothing out wrinkles.
Green tea contains anti-oxidants (cancer-fighters) that reduce the damage that the UV light in normal sunlight does to your skin. This slows down the aging process and helps you look younger, longer.
Finally, if you�re like 2/3 of people in �modern� society, you�re concerned about your weight. Well, green tea can help you keep it under control. It�s those darned catechins, again. They help decrease body fat and speed up fat oxidation. Studies also show that the theanine and caffeine in green tea combine to help keep your body from making more body fat.

Of course, you have to use common sense with this. You can�t suck on lollipops all day long and drink a cup of green tea and expect it to protect you from cavities. Likewise, you can�t eat a steady diet of doughnuts and pork products and just drink a cup of green tea and expect to not get fat.

The best way to go is to take care of yourself by eating right, exercising, brushing your teeth... Yada, yada, you�ve heard this all before. But you might want to add a new habit to all of that.

You can start drinking green tea every day. A little green tea drinking session can be your you-time. Your time to relax. Your time to refresh yourself. Not only will it help you stay sane, but it may help you stay beautiful.

Eye Cosmetic Safety

2009-04-03T15:26:00.001+02:00

Before you put on your eye makeup read this article. Important safety information concerning your eye cosmetics.

Do not Share or Swap Your Eye Makeup

Never share your eye makeup or use another�s. The germs in the makeup while not detrimental to the owner may be detrimental to you. Additionally, testers at retail outlets can carry a large amount of germs and bacteria due to a large number of people trying the product. If you just have to sample a cosmetic, always ask for a clean applicator.

Hold still

You may be tempted to apply your makeup while riding in a car, bus, or other type of transportation, but avoid this temptation. A small bump in the road, swerve, or sudden stop can cause you to poke your eye and cause serious damage and/or infection. A slight scratch of the cornea can result in serious eye infections.

Know the Ingredients

All eye cosmetics are required to have their ingredients declared on the label as mandated by the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FLPA). The labeling of cosmetics is vital to the consumer. The labeling helps to identify ingredients so the consumer can compare brands or if there are ingredients that you wish to avoid

All cosmetics are required to be labeled. If it is not then you are not getting the information entitled to you. Do not hesitate to ask the store manager or the manufacturer on why the product is not labeled.

Eye Shadow Colors

The United States strictly regulates the uses of color additives in eye makeup. There are several eye colors are not approved by the FDA for use in the eye area. There is an important alert for cosmetics containing illegal colors at FDA website (www.fda.gov).

Kohl (also known as al-kahl, kajal, or surma) is one color additive that is prohibited in the United States. While this additive is allowed in other countries, it is unapproved for cosmetics use by the FDA. Kohl is known to contain heavy metals such as antimony and lead. The FDA has received reports of kohl leading to lead poisoning in children.

While some cosmetic companies may label their cosmetic with the �kohl�, it is only to indicate the color. If the cosmetic is labeled properly, you can check the FDA lists of approved color additives for use in cosmetics at the FDA website.

In Case of a Bad Reaction

If you do have a bad reaction to a specific eye cosmetic, contact your healthcare provider. In addition, the FDA encourages all consumers to report any adverse reactions from cosmetics to their nearest FDA district office.

To contact your nearest FDA district office, you can find their phone numbers on FDA's Web site. These phone numbers also are included in the U.S. Government listings in the Blue Pages of the phone book under United States Government/Health and Human Services. In addition, you may email them at CAERS@cfsan.fda.gov

Perfumes for all Seasons - How to Match Your Fragrance to Your Mood

2009-03-27T16:28:00.002+02:00

Choosing what perfume to wear can be complicated and confusing. Your fragrance can say a lot about who you are- whether you are a shy romantic or the life of the party. Some women choose a signature sense and wear it regularly, no matter what the occasion or season of the year. Other women prefer to have an assortment of choices in their perfume collection and they choose a particular scent according to their mood, the occasion or just on a whim. There are no hard and fast rules regarding perfumes, but some fragrances are more suitable to particular occasions than others are.

One way to begin the process of choosing a new perfume is to consider the season of the year. Perfumes react to the environment and will behave differently according to the time of year.

Summer Perfumes

• In the hot summer weather, your perfume will evaporate quickly. You can counteract this by choosing a light, airy fragrance and applying it more often. Summertime is perfect for light florals or citrus scents. Stay away from anything too heavy or overpowering in the summertime. Those types of scents are better suited to winter wear.

Winter Wear

• Cold winter air will cause your perfume to react in the opposite manner- it will cling longer and evaporate more slowly. Winter is a perfect time to choose a richer, fuller fragrance. It will develop more slowly and last much longer than the same perfume will when worn on a hot day. Warmer, intimate scents like musk and deep, rich spicy tones are the perfect addition to a winter wardrobe.

Springtime is in the Air

• Spring and autumn are transitional seasons and your perfume should reflect that. In the spring, we are surrounded with reminders of new life bursting forth and perfumes can join in this celebration. Try choosing a light floral or tangy citrus scent to express the joy of this season.

Autumn Aromas

• In the autumn, life begins to settle down and the long, beautiful evenings are a time to reflect and relax. This is the perfect time to begin the transition between the light summer perfumes and the deeper richer aromas of wintertime wear. Perfumes with a light undercurrent of spice or cinnamon are perfect for the fall. You can increase the intensity of the fragrance as the weather turns colder.

Match Your Perfume to the Occasion

You can also match your perfume choice to the occasion. No matter what you are doing, a light scent of a beautiful perfume can enhance the impression you leave with those around you.

In the Office

• For everyday office wear, stick to a sophisticated, yet light scents. Florals and fruity aromas work well, but choose lighter intensities and use a light hand when you apply them. Many people have strong sensitivities and allergies to perfumes and in an office setting; the combination of many different perfumes can lead to headaches or nausea.

Date Night Fragrances

• When it’s time to go out on the town or on that special date, Orientals and woodsy perfumes add an air of mystery and seduction. Speaking of seductive scents, scientists have shown that scents with a base of vanilla, basil or cinnamon have a more seductive draw than heavier musks.

Calming Perfumes

• For those times when you want to relax and stay calm, lavender and vanilla bases bring serenity and tranquility to the forefront of your emotions.

Weddings and Celebrations

• Weddings and other celebratory ceremonies are perfect occasions to wear your favorite florals. Again, however, remember that there will be many women present, all wearing different scents. Go easy on the perfume and reapply a light spritz more often.

Perfumes are a fun way to express yourself and your mood. You can wear your favorites whenever you like, but by considering these tips, you can match your fragrance to the season or the occasion with a little more ease.

Patterns Gone Wild: The Hottest Shorts of 2008

2009-03-25T10:04:00.001+02:00

There was a time when plaid was the last thing in the world you would see on the runway, but ladies, today is not that day. In the summer of 2008, shorts are going plaid, checked and just plain color crazy. From boys designs to girls designs, the color is as important this summer as the cut!

A few of the coolest cuts include:

• The Bermuda – The Bermuda short is both comfortable and flattering. The stripes allow for a thinner look of the leg.

• The Mini-Skirt – Yes, I said it. The mini-skirt is in again this year. The short short provided a lot of lean lines for those with great legs, but they tend to take away from the overall look of the leg. So, the mini-skirt is the best choice for all those Tina Turners out there.

• The Short Short – To go back on what I just said, the short short is still in style this year, but keep it with the youngest of wearers. Young girls can pull of the short shorts with a short sleeved fitted shirt with no problem.

No matter the cut of the bottom, the color is what matters. Plaids are in as are bright colorful designs. The more color you put in the bottom of the outfit the more flair for those beach house rendezvous. Think color, think cut, think style and make a statement this summer with color.

What are Spring 2009 Fashion Trends?

2009-03-25T10:02:00.001+02:00

The true fashionista knows that when you are lining up your next season’s wardrobe to align with the trends, you need to follow suit with what the runways are telling you. True, runway collections are generally shown almost three seasons ahead of time, so it is easy to forget what the designers saw ahead for us last Fall when the Spring collections were shown. Fret not, use this handy guide as a refresher on what Spring trends for 2009 should look like as you begin to prepare your closet space.
Color palettes on the Spring runways were vivid. Think jewel tones with a bit of a push. This Spring’s fashionista is going to be a strong woman and reflect that in her color tones. Go bold with bright blues, fuschia, bold yellows and bright greens. These colors WILL dominate and add instant freshness to your outfit. What a way to climb out of the winter blahs!
When you are thinking garment structure, designs modeling futuristic motifs lead the packs on the runway. Look for eccentric cuts and lines, asymmetric shapes, and toned down metallics. Go metallic by night in matte golds and silvers, and let your bright colors dominate the days.
And if you like the asymmetry trend, you will be happy to know that one is not leaving any time soon. You will find this in tops, dresses, skirts, necklines, and even shoulder lines. The one shoulder dress is sticking around, and you know that is because it reveals just enough to maintain the balance between sexy and elegant. The beautiful thing about the one shoulder is there is NO figure this silhouette does not flatter.
You are also going to see a lot of ethnic influence in Spring 2009 trends. Designers are getting inspired by the exotic destinations they get to visit, so you will see this in bold patterns, animal print, and big floral influences. These are married with a softness and femininity that balances each trend. Designers Diane von Furstenberg, Emanuel Ungaro and Duro Olowu have managed to capture this essence in their collections with a sense of exotic that you simply can not ignore this Spring.
When you are choosing your Spring wardrobe, let this year’s trends be a lesson to you. The Spring fashion trends this year are all about giving up the old and bringing in the new. Any fears you had about trying trends are to be tossed out with your Spring cleaning. Go bold with big bold colors, in cuts and lines that are structured and contemporary. And, don’t be afraid to let a little animal love into your life. What are you waiting for?

Look Good Between Haircuts

2009-03-23T18:26:00.001+02:00

With concerns about busy schedules and tight budgets, getting a professional haircut is not always practical. You can save time and money by giving yourself and family members those touch-up haircuts between visits to the real hairdresser.

Did you ever make paper dolls or cut patterns in paper? It is as easy this to trim hair. A trim is simply cutting off the ends of small lengths of hair. Anyone can trim bangs or hair between hair salon visits. There are just three things you need to know in order to do a professional - looking touch-up between cuts.

First, always use extremely sharp scissors. The type of shears you use is not that important as long as they are razor sharp. To test the sharpness of the shear, hold a piece of thread in one hand and let it dangle in the air. If your scissors can cut through this with ease without pulling the other end to make it taut, then they are probably sharp enough to trim hair.

Second, prepare the hair first by thoroughly combing or brushing out all the snarls and tangles. Thick hair and long hair may need to be wet first. Make sure no hairs are hidden behind the ears or nape of the neck.

Lastly, always remember to cut off less hair than what you want the finished length to be. Hair will shrink after being trimmed, especially if it is wet when you trim it. Curly hair, "cowlicks" (erratic hair growth), and bangs will shrink the most.

If you are trimming short hair, don't be afraid to bend the ears while cutting. Ears are flexible. If you are trimming your own hair, be sure you have a mirror for the front and another for the back. When finished trimming the hair, shave the remaining hair off the back of the neck with a razor or small clippers. Sometimes this simple step is all that is necessary to maintain a well groomed appearance between haircuts.

Top 5 Beauty Myths You Need to Recognize

2009-03-23T18:22:00.002+02:00

There are beauty secrets and then there are beauty myths. It is the beauty myths that fuel the market. Beauty manufacturers will take these myths and play off them in order to trick women into buying a product or service they normally would not buy. Let�s cut out the crap and get down to the myths you no longer need to believe.

Myth 1 � Laser Hair Removal and Fair Haired Maiden
If you have fair hair you may have been told you cannot get laser hair removal. That is simply not the case. Gray hair lacks pigment and thus cannot be lasered, but that means nothing in regards to blonde hair. Blonde hair on every spot of the body can be lasered and effectively with up to a 90% loss of hair! Yeah!

Myth 2 � Leaving the Lemon to Hair Lightning

I read online the other day that rubbing lemon juice on your teeth will make them whiter. Ha! Who wants to rub acid on their teeth enamel? Lemon juice is citric acid and just like any other acid it eats and eats. In this case, the enamel on your teeth. Not a great idea ladies!

Myth 3 � Organic is Only for Food

Not! The skin needs vitamins and nutrients too. If you had to choose between that chemical rich, processed facial cream and one that was created with organic, natural ingredients, which would you choose? Uh, the natural one!

Myth 4 � Fake Nails Kill Real Nails

Ladies, this is not true, plain and simple. The artificial nails used on your fingertips are not what is to blame for nail damage. The glue used to attach the artificial nails to your root nail is not to blame for the damage. So, what is to blame? Your nerves! That�s right, the damage done by artificial nails has nothing to do with the nail itself, but with the removal process. Picking, biting, peeling and eating off those nails causes the damage.

Myth 5 � Cutting Hair Often Makes Hair Grow Faster

Though many women with slower hair growth wish this were true, it is a MYTH! Your hair will naturally go through cycles of growth and cycles of shedding. No matter how many times you cut your hair, it will not grow any faster. But, keep cutting and Britney Spears may give you a call to have lunch with her.

Home Mask For Weak And Dry Hair

2009-03-18T20:43:00.002+02:00

A good remedy for weak and dry hair is the hair mask with lemon juice. You will need: 2 tbsp. castor oil /or almond oil/, 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice and 1 tbsp. honey. Add the honey and the castor oil to the lemon juice. Mix all the ingredients well and apply the mixture generously first to the roots and then to the entire length of the hair.
Wrap your hair

with a towel. Leave the mask on for approximately one and a half hour. Use gentle shampoo and wash your beautiful hair. Do the mask twice to achieve best results - the mask will nourish and hydrate your hair deeply, while making it appear healthier and more shining.

10 things you should avoid when applying make-up!

2009-03-18T19:48:00.002+02:00

Always apply face powder after cr?me. On a dry skin the face powder clogs the pores making them visible. However, on an oily skin powder doesn’t last long.

When choosing a nuance, remember that brighter shades are not face-flattering. Bright colors accentuate wrinkles and signs of tiredness.

Our advice: apply a small amount of foundation in the chin area, which is close to your natural skin tone. Fixate it with a sponge by gently tapping on. Then apply powder in a peach-pink nuance with a big brush.

Don’t restrict the foundation application only to the chin area. This will result in an unnatural effect of a mask.

The trick is to use a damp makeup sponge and apply the foundation starting from the neck and going up. After that tap off excess foundation for fixation and do not apply any powder on top.

Applying eyeliner on the inner rims of the eyes doesn’t make them look bigger. On the contrary - it makes them smaller and less sparkling.

To add depth to the eyes put tiny dots at the base of the eyelashes on both eyelids and then join them up. Ideally the line should always be applied as close to the base of the eyelashes as possible and accentuated with eyeliner.

Don’t apply rouge cr?me after face powder.

This would result in two bright spots on your cheeks. The rule is - after face powder apply only rouge powder.

The nuance of the pencil used for outlining the lips shouldn’t be darker than the lipstick.

The dark line stiffens the face’s sensual expression. Always use a pencil in a nuance that’s close to the lipstick.

Don’t apply shades in a dark nuance on the upper eyelid.

Darker shades make the eyes look sunken. To avoid that always apply beige or pink nuances on the upper lid.

Don’t choose eye shades on the basis of your eye color.

This is the best way to hide the natural color of the eyes.
Only contrasting colors accentuate the true nuance of eyes - if you have blue eyes, choose dark brown nuances; green-eyed women should opt for pink shades.
Brown and black eyes go best with all violet nuances.

Avoid wearing lipstick if you have plum lips.

The best way to accentuate this naturally sensual feature is by applying lipstick in a dark pink tone with a fine brush.

Avoid green shades when your eyes are tired.

Green nuances only make signs of tiredness more visible.
Beige and peach nuances are your best choice here. If you want to make your eyes appear bigger, apply mascara on the upper eye lashes.

Spring beauty tips for 2009

2009-03-18T19:44:00.001+02:00

Finally the cold winter months are over and now is the perfect time to take a good care of your skin. As temperature rises, your skin as well as your hair might get greasy and sticky and that’s why you are required to change your beauty routine, including skin care, hair care and make-up, in order to look amazing and fabulous.

Below you can read about some spring beauty skincare tips that will help you to become gorgeous.

Change your skincare routine

During the warmer months of the year you should change your skincare regimen. Buy a new milder facial cleanser which is appropriate for your skin type and cleanse your face at least two times per day. Look for a milder gel formula that will gently cleanse your face without irritating your skin.

The spring is the perfect time to deeply hydrata your skin. Use a hydrating cream and apply it under your makeup. Buy a hydrating facial mask and use it twice a week. The hydrating mask will strengthen, soothe and balance your skin leaving it refreshed, revived and infused with much-needed moisture. A good hydrating cream or moisturizer will help rehydrate your skin that is parched from the cold weather or the dry indoor heating.

Remember: drink plenty of water.

Being dehydrated can change the appearance of your skin - it may appear flushed, dry and older-looking. The best way to prevent dehydration is to make sure you drinking plenty of water and other fluids every day and to use hydrating face creams or moisturizers daily.

Exfoliate your skin

In order to take a good care of your skin you should exfoliate it regularly with appropriate product. Choose a mild facial exfoliator that will softly eliminate dead, dulling skin cells to reveal a fresh, soft radiant complexion. Exfoliating regularly will gently slough off dead skin cells without damaging or irritating your skin as long as you are using a gentle formula and don’t over exfoliate your skin. Remember: The damage caused by excessive sun exposure is the leading cause of premature aging of the skin.

Protect your skin from the harmful UVA rays

Of all influences that cause premature aging, appearance of dark spots and wrinkles, no single one is as important as the sunlight.It is essential to apply sunscreen liberally over the exposed body areas especially during the spring and summer months. The harmful UV rays are effective throughout the daytime and may cause your skin serious problems. Use a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 and apply it every day under your makeup. Apply the sunscreen generously over your lips, neck and arms too. A good sunscreen will gently moisturize your skin; it will replenish the natural oils caused by exposure to the sun, water and wind, leaving your skin looking healthy.

Step-by-Step Guide on how to apply makeup - Best makeup tricks to make you look at your best

2009-03-14T17:41:00.002+02:00

This is the basics of make-up application. There are many colors and tools to experiment. Find your look and remember, applying make-up is an art which makes you look your best.

Start with a clean face.

Apply the foundation with your fingers or a Q-tip in dots in areas of your face. With a cosmetic sponge, spread the foundation until it is well-blended into the skin. Be sure to check and make sure that you do not have any lines showing underneath the chin area.

Next, you will need to apply concealer to any blemishes or under-eye circles that you may have. You can use a shade lighter than you skin-tone. When applying concealer to the undereye area, pat gently into the skin and do not rub. Using your finger, pat the concealer into the skin on the blemish areas also until you can no longer see the concealer.

Now it is time to set the previous applications by applying translucent face powder. Get out a big, fluffy powder brush and dip it into some loose facial powder. You can then apply the powder over your entire face.

Use a lip pencil to outline the lips and make them stand out. The next step will be to apply lipstick with a lip brush. A lip brush makes the lipstick look professionally applied. If you put the lipstick on first, it will set the scene for applying your other make up.

Apply a neutral color eye shadow over the lid and up to the eyebrow. Next put a lighter shade on the brow bone and blend it in. Use a blending brush to sweep softly over the lid to blend the shadow in well. Next, apply the eye liner. The best way to line the eye be to use an eye pencil and draw a line underneath the lashes. Take a Q-tip or a liner pencil and blend the liner to get a smoky affect. Last of all, pay special attention to your eyelashes. Use an eyelash curler and curl the lashes for a few seconds. This will open up your eyes and make them look more beautiful than ever. At this point, apply a coat of mascara to the upper lashes and then the lower lashes. A second coat may be used but let the first coat dry first.

Blush colour should match the colour of your cheeks after exercise. When selecting colours (particularly foundation) this should be done in daylight to give you the truest picture.

Always blend your make up in well to avoid streaks. Make sure you cleanse your face well before applying any makeup, this ensures an even look all over. Keep brushes clean by washing them in warm water and soap. It is worth investing in a selection of good quality brushes as this will save you time and effort in the long run. Do not use any make up that you have had for over 2 years - it is a false economy and will be hard if not impossible to achieve a natural look.

Combination Skin Care Tips

2009-03-10T20:25:00.001+02:00

Combination skin is one of the hardest skin types to care for and treat. The dreaded �T� zone of facial skin, offers double trouble for those trying to treat both dry and oily skin at the same time. Generally, a �T� zone references the forehead, nose and chin being oily and the cheeks being dry. Those suffering from the taunts of combination skin need to focus a daily skin care regime that addresses both the oily and the dry characteristics.

Facial moisturizers are the easiest choice when planning a facial skin care regime for combination skin. The �T�zone areas can be treated with an oil-free moisturizer. This moisturizer will work a dual function and rehydrate the dry areas of the face as well. Due to the dry aspect of combination skin, moisturizers should be applied multiple times a day, making sure to remove makeup before applying moisturizer.

Cleaning combination skin is a bit harder than moisturizing. The oily section of the face or the �T� zone will need a cleanser strong enough to remove the unwanted extra oil on the face. But, this cleanser will remove too much oil to be used on the dry sections of the face. The solution is easier than you think.

A daily washing regime for combination skin will consist of two cleansers. The first cleanser will be appropriate for dry skin and the second for oily skin. Wash your entire face with the dry skin cleanser first and rinse. Then, wash only the �T' zone with the oily skin care cleanser. This will allow the moisture to remain in the driest parts of the face, while cleansing the oil away from the �T�zone.

Combination skin is often characterized with larger than normal pores, as well. These pores, when not treated properly, remain open after washing and showering and trap dirt and dust when they close. This dirt and dust, over time, will result in blemishes on the face. Using two astringent solution after washing the face or showering will help to close the pores on the face before they have the chance to trap any dirt and dust.

As with the previous method, clean the entire face with a dry skin astringent and follow up on the �T� zone areas with an astringent created for oily skin.

Combination skin requires a combination of methods to retain beauty and evenness. By utilizing a great oil free moisturizer and treating each section of the face for the problem at hand, will result in smooth skin sure to please.

Celebrity Beauty Tip--Pouty Lips

2009-03-10T20:21:00.001+02:00

Pouty lips are a trademark of celebrities and you can guarantee the look is not a natural one. The celebrity beauty trick used to plump the lips for those special night occasions consists of some simple spicy oils and nothing more.

Peppermint or cinnamon oils when applied to the lips causes blood to fill the area. This celebrity beauty tricks works wonders even for those with the thinnest of lips. The effect of the oils will last anywhere from four to six hours and can lend another dimension to your beauty regime.

After applying a small amount of peppermint or cinnamon oil to the lips, line the lips and color with your favorite lipstick as normal. After the effect wears off, simply reapply and head out for your own celebrity night on the town.

Plump lips can be worn either as a daily look or only for those special occasions. Just remember that the look is not one that will last the entire day, so carry a bit of your oil of choice along with you wherever you go in order to freshen the look throughout the day. Celebrities tend to use this beauty trick most often when preparing for that walk down the red carpet.

No longer will you have to try to line your lips fuller in order to achieve a pouty, celebrity look. With a little of these spicy oils, you can be just as sultry and seductive as any red carpet celebrity.

Curing Dry Skin for Summer

2009-03-08T19:49:00.000+02:00

Summer season is well on it's way and we will soon be sporting our shorts and tank tops. Unfortunately tank tops and shorts don't go well with dry and flaky skin. The winter months can be brutal on our skin. Here are a few tips to shed your winter coat of dry skin before the summer sun arrives.

The first step in healing dried skin is to heal from within. Rehydrate your skin from within by replacing omega -3 in your body. Omega-3 is a fatty acid many people are deficient in who watch their fat intake or who do not eat a lot of fish. Omega -3 is also known as fish oils. The Omega-3 available today is not your grandmother's fish oil though. They come in capsules you can take which will not leave you smelling like a salmon. It is also important to rehydrate your skin by increasing your water intake. Water is a natural rehydrator which can help cleanse your body of harmful toxins as well as leave your skin feeling refreshed.

The next step to get rid of your winter skin is to ex foliate the skin. Using a lufa or scrub you can remove your dried winter skin with one of these methods. Once you have removed the dry skin you should next rehydrate the skin from the outside in. Using a moisturizer you can replace the oils in your skin that you have washed away when you showered. After exiting the shower apply moisturizer while the skin is still wet. Do not towel dry simple pat dry.

By following these few simple steps you can have soft supple skin this summer season. Remember to take your Omega-3, ex foliate your skin and keep well hydrated with water for a fresh rejuvenated look. It is also important to use moisturizer especially after washing your hands, as you hands are usually the first area to become dry.

Anytime Home Facials

2009-03-08T16:19:00.001+02:00

You don't have to save the joys of pampering your self on special occasions. We can simply set aside time to pamper, renew and recharge ourselves on regular basis.

Our skin is an honest mirror to our inner health, beauty and well being. Use of natural gentle ingredients such essential oils, cold pressed unscented oils and hydrosols soothe, nourish and radiate a healthy, glowing complexion.

Consider your skin type while making aromatherapy beauty products for beauty regime at home. Facial consists of cleansing, toning and moisturizing. On occasion, you may add a gentle exfoliation and mask for luxurious pampering. Listing down step by step guide for "At Home Facial" with recipes

- Start with cleansing your skin with a gentle cleanser. Give your self a light steam treatment to unclog the pores before facial. Use fingertips to move upwards in circular movements, gently stimulating the skin and removing excess oil and grime. Rinse with warm water and pat excess moisture with a soft towel.

- After cleansing routine, tone the skin to ensure the pH balance. Apply the toner with soft cotton pad. Avoid rubbing and sensitive area around the eye. Saturate the pad and pat it over the face and neck area. Apple cider vinegar is the best toner to ensure optimal pH balance for the skin.

- Now your skin is ready to be moisturized with host of soothing ingredients. To seal the moisture, apply oil using patting motions when the skin is damp from applying the toner. For oily areas, apply once. For dry areas apply twice with an interval of 2-3 minutes between applications. Moisten the skin with water or toner in between applications to seal the moisture.

Home made recipes for cleansing, toning and moisturizing.

- For a rose cream cleanser, combine 1 tbsp sour cream, 1 tsp rose hydrosol and 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil. Stir well and apply to face and neck areas. Note - this cleanser should be used within 2 days.

- Tone up your skin with 1 cup distilled water, 1 tbsp dried green tea leaves, 1tbsp dried chamomile flowers, 1 tbsp rose hydrosol, 1 tbsp Aloe Vera gel and 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar. Heat the distilled water until boiling. Remove from heat and add green tea, chamomile flowers. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes and then strain. Add the remaining ingredients and stir and shake well. Store in clean bottle and use within 3 weeks.

- For aromatic moisturizing oil, combine 3 tbsp each of jojoba and rose hip seed oil, 2 drops each of rose, geranium and palmarose essential oils and 3 drops lavender essential oil. Stir well to combine all the ingredients and store in clear, clean bottle for use.

The Hottest Summer Makeup Looks

2009-03-05T10:10:00.001+02:00

With the months of summer biting at the heels of our feet, things are changing with leaps and bounds. The wardrobe is undergoing a face lift, the shoe closet boots and hikers are being replaced with thongs and flops and the makeup stash in your bathroom is moving out of winter shades and into the warmth of summer.

When choosing makeups this summer quick and easy tips are the ones you are most likely to remember. There are two quick tips that can move that look from frumpy to fabulous.

When your skin has reached that bronze look, put away that lipstick. Lipstick paired with a darker colored face can look too heavy for the light feelings of summer, Instead try a gloss. There is nothing sexier than a shiny lip gloss paired with a fantastic tan.

For the eyes, throw out any mascara that still remains in your bag if it is not waterproof. There is a spontaneity about summer that is unlike any other season. From office to pool, dinner to jacuzzi, your mascara needs to move with you without fail. Mascara that is not waterproof will give you that look of a raccoon that is not “in” this year.

Summer months mean making changes girls and these changes are of the quick and easy form. Save the lipstick for night life and throw out that date mascara that runs and bunches. Invest in a glassy shine lip gloss, stunning. And replace that mascara with a waterproof version to keep you beautiful when you are hot and wet.

Manicure Tips for At Home Manicures

2009-03-05T10:08:00.001+02:00

There is nothing more beautiful than a woman's hand fresh from the salon. A professional manicure can turn even the most damaged of fingers into a work of art. But, manicures are expensive and need to be redone on a regular basis. Professional manicure results are simple to achieve at home with a few manicure secrets.

The cuticles are the first spot a professional manicure stylists will focus on. Hand soaking softens the cuticle and allows the pressing of the cuticle away from the nail. Professional manicurists use that ever so secret bowl of liquid to soften cuticles. At home, the perfect secret liquid is olive oil. Olive oil is not only healthy for the body, but softens the cuticles and strengthens the nails. Two small bowls of olive oil and a 15 minute soak are all that is needed to achieve professional manicure style cuticles at home.

After the cuticles have been cared for, it is time for the look. The classic French manicure is the most popular and at home you can tip your nails for a fraction of the stylist cost. By placing a small tab of every day tape over the nail, leaving the tip exposed, you can paint the tip only without messing the rest of the nail. Pain the tip in a white and remove the tape. After the white dries, paint the entire nail with two coats of clear top coat and you have just received a professional French manicure at home.

The nails are the first thing others see whether we are offering our hand for an introduction or simply holding hands for the first time. Having a professional manicure can take time and cost a lot of money. Using olive oil at home and tipping your own nails in a French style will create the same effect for mere pennies on the dollar.

Natural Beauty For the Natural Woman

2009-03-05T10:07:00.001+02:00

As the world turns to a more natural existence in the middle of urban life, the trend is being seen in the make up world as well. No longer are cosmetics being tested on animals and the heavy appearance of make up is quickly fading out. It is now much more popular to have the make up say that it is all natural and never tested on animals than it has ever been before. The make up application itself has taken a whole new light. You know, being a very light texture and color, rather than the darker and more sultry look of the past.

For years, designers and manufactures tested the safety of a cosmetic product on animals. These animals were forced to wear the cosmetic or ingest the cosmetic. This has recently come under heavy attack by the different animal rights groups, in particular PETA, and has come under quite a bit of question by the consumers. As a result of these questions and pressures, more companies are switching from animal testing, to dermatological testing that does not use animals. This is testing that can be done on the chemical make up of the make up and by sending the product to testing groups that are willing to wear the make up and send in comment cards. This keeps animals out of the equation all together.

In addition to the changes of testing the make up, the changes to the ingredients of make up is also becoming a major selling point for the make up. It is now becoming more common for the make up to be of a natural base, rather than a synthetic base. It is becoming increasingly more popular for the cosmetic products to show enthusiasm regarding their high content of natural minerals, colors, and oils. One such company that has made this their goal is Bert’s Bees cosmetics which uses as close to all natural ingredients possible. Each product that is put out on the market has a percentage on it regarding how much of the product is all natural.

The make up colors and application methods have also gone to the natural side of life. It is becoming more common to see very light, transparent colors on individuals. This shift in color pallet and application methods shows off the nature of the individuals to be more natural, rather than heavy and fake. The idea of showing off one’s true beauty is being seen more often rather than the idea of creating beauty.

Why You Should Use A Night Cream?

2009-03-03T23:15:00.002+02:00

Using and applying a night cream should be an integral part of your skin care routine once you reach 30s. Night creams are specially designed to nourish and improve your skin while you sleep as these creams contain lots of nourishing, moisturizing active ingredients. Night creams or serums are especially beneficial for those past 30 as their skin begins to show the first signs of aging вЂ“ fine lines appear, the skin becomes drier and less elastic, skin begins to look dull and patchy.

Why you should use a night cream?

ItвЂ™s proven that the skinвЂ™s ability to absorb active ingredients peaks at night and skin loses more essential moisture at night вЂ“ thatвЂ™s why you should help your skin restore itself by applying a night cream that will allow your skin to absorb more nourishing, moisturizing and anti-ageing ingredients. Due to the active ingredients these creams contain, they not only nourish and condition the skin, but they also repair damage caused by free radicals, makeup, air pollution, sunвЂ™s rays.

What are the benefits of using and applying night creams?

nourish and revitalize the skin
supply moisture and hydration
sooth and calm the skin
promote even complexion and finer texture
boost collagen and elastin production
improve blood circulation
reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, discolorations
prevent sagging of the skin
make skin soft, smooth and supple
improve the appearance of aging skin
help skin recover faster and restore skinвЂ™s elasticity
stimulate cell renewal

The main difference between a day cream (moisturizer) and a night cream is the ingredients these creams contain. Day creams are lighter in texture and contain ingredients that moisturize and protect the skin from the harmful UVA and UVB rays (with SPF 15 or higher). Night creams contain more nourishing, anti-aging active ingredients that stimulate cell renewal, restore skinвЂ™s elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Night creams are thicker in texture and usually donвЂ™t offer sun protection.

Is Honey Beneficial For The Skin?

2009-03-03T23:10:00.002+02:00

Years ago honey was commonly used as substitute for sugar or a flavor enhancer but during the past 10 years it has become a main ingredient in one of the best skincare products and makeup products. Nowadays honey is widely used as medicine to treat allergies, anemia, fatigue and exhaustion, poor digestion etc. Due to its properties today honey is one of the main ingredients in many moisturizing and nourishing body lotions and makeup products.

Honey contains glucose, fructose, minerals - magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium chlorine, sulphur, iron, copper, zinc, vitamins B1, B2, B5, B3.
Natural honey is very beneficial to the skin as it has the ability to attract water and to nourish the skin deeply. During the last years many of the biggest cosmetic and skincare companies began to use natural honey in many body lotions, facial moisturizers, anti-aging creams and serums, facial masks, cleansers, shower gels due to its ability to retain and attract moisture. Many women prefer to use honey and another natural ingredient for home-facials as it rejuvenates the skin and nourish the skin deeply. Honey is also a natural antiseptic as it contains many antimicrobial agents that kill bacteria immediately.

How To Make Your Skin Glowing In One Day?

2009-03-02T19:24:00.001+02:00

Steam your face
Steaming the face is the best way to thoroughly deep clean your pores. Steaming the face once a week for example is very important to loosen debris that may be embedded into the skin. When steaming the face you widen any clogged pores and soften the skin in order to cleanse more easily the impurities, the traces of makeup, the dust, the sebaceous secretions as well as the dead skin cells.
Boil a pan of water with herbs ( for oily skin you can use thyme, peppermint or lemon; for sensitive and dry skin use chamomile or lime; for normal skin can use rosemary or lavender) and steam your face for approximately 10/ 15 minutes.

Gently exfoliate
Exfoliating your skin gently straight after steaming your face is probably the best way to make your skin glowing again as you will be able to remove debris, makeup that might have been clogged into your pores and most importantly you will remove the dead skin cells that usually leave to dull, patchy complexion. Use a mild exfoliator that suits your skin type and scrub with gentle circular motions, avoiding the eye area. DonвЂ™t exfoliate your skin for more than 2/ 3 minutes, otherwise you can irritate it.

Remember: When you exfoliate your face you remove the dead surface skin cells and the oil that cause pores to plug and lead to problems like blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and acne.

The Perfect Prom Makeup; Useful Tips For Proms

2009-03-02T19:20:00.001+02:00

It’s not a secret how important the prom night is. It’s essential to plan your prom dress, hairstyle and makeup in advance in order to look flawless and amazing. The prom ball is a very awaited occasion and you will have to look gorgeous and feel special, that’s why the prom makeup should be planned and applied very carefully as it should enhance your natural beauty.

FACE MAKEUP TIPS

Primer
Applying a makeup primer prior to the foundation is a must in order to make your make up stay put on for longer and to look like real beauty all night long. A good primer will prepare your skin for the make up application, creating a protective base for longer lasting make up. Apply the primer after moisturizing your skin and before the foundation. You can apply it over the entire face or only to any shiny areas of the face, usually the nose, chin and forehead. A make up primer works especially well for those with oily or combination skin as it reduces the excess shine by absorbing the excess oil on the skin’s surface and make any large pores appear smaller and less visible.

Foundation Tips
It’s essential to have a foundation of high quality that suits your skin tone and skin type in order to look natural. Depending on your skin you should apply the foundation before or after the concealer. Make sure your skin is well-moisturized before applying the foundation - this way the makeup will blend better. Apply a small amount of the foundation to the tip your index finger and dot on the nose, chin, forehead and cheeks. Start blending in an upwards and outwards motions. Blend very carefully, making sure that there are no hard lines or patches, especially along the jaw line.
One very important thing you should always remember is to choose a foundation that perfectly matches your skin tone, especially for such an important occasion like a prom bal. if your skin is clear, free of blackheads, whiteheads and small pimples you can use a tinted moisturizer instead of a foundation.

How To Apply Liquid Eyeliner Flawlessly?

2009-03-02T19:13:00.002+02:00

Applying eyeliner is one of the most preferred ways to emphasize a woman’s eyes. No matter whether you will use liquid eyeliner or pencil eyeliner you can easily define your eyes and create a classy look. Although most of the women prefer to use pencil eyeliner as it is much easier for them, the liquid eyeliner is also a great choice for the rest of the women. Before you decide you buy liquid eyeliner you should know that it can be very difficult to apply it flawlessly at first as it needs a lot of practice and patience

What are the benefits of applying liquid eyeliners

frame and defines the eyes
give a longer lasting line
accentuate the eyes
change the eyes’ shape
fill in sparse lashes
emphasize the lash line
deepen the look
highlight the shape of the eyes

Many of the cosmetic brands offer a wide variety of textures, hues and types which are appropriate for the different needs, weather conditions, shape and color of the eyes. As you know there are: liquid eyeliners /that come with a brush and a tube/, pencil eyeliner, powder eyeliner, mousse eyeliners

2009-03-01T17:43:00.004+02:00

Summer....Summer

2009-03-01T17:39:00.001+02:00

The Hottest Evening Lip Color

2009-02-28T18:34:00.001+02:00

Lip color is one of the most dramatic aspects of a facial makeup regime. The choice of lip color can mute a mood or spice up the most dull of outfits. When evening wear is on the agenda, the rules of lip color change. The wild and adventurous in makeup tips are those that come out at night.

Choosing an evening lip color is more about the image you want to portray than the color you choose. Darker lip liners and colors that are rich and full are perfect additions for a night out on the town. If the evening engagement is more on the formal side, adding a bit of sparkle to the lips is highly acceptable. Evening lip color is all about stepping outside of the normal every day colors normally worn. Evening is the time for letting go of the traditional and trying new and more exciting colors on the lip.

The most popular choice in evening lip color is certainly the many shades of red. That simple black dress is complimented exponentially by a great shade of lip color and red is that shade. The only rule regarding the use of the color red on the lips refers to the natural shape and size of the lip. For those with thinner lips, reds that are lighter and less vibrant will help to make the lips appear more full. On the other hand, for lips that are naturally full, the darker shades of red are a perfect final touch.

Choosing a evening lip color is just as important as choosing the evening wear itself. A great shade of lip color, matched perfectly to lip shape and size, moves the mind, body and evening wear from okay to outrageous.

Oily Skin Means Younger Skin!

2009-02-28T18:32:00.001+02:00

Our skin constantly fights the elements. Harsh heat in the summer and cold, brisk winds in the winter. Skin is our bodies first line of defense against the forces of nature and oily skin is the healthiest skin of them all.

To understand why oily skin means younger skin, we must first look at the true nature of skin health. In order for our skin to retain its natural beauty, it must remain moisturized and hydrated at all times. Hydration becomes difficult for skin when constantly barraged by changing temperatures and humidity levels. In order for skin to stay young, naturally, hydration must come from within.

Oily skin exhibits the highest levels of serum, the skin's natural oils. Serum, in oily skin, is overabundant and often causes a shiny/oily appearance one the skin. For beauty purposes, many people try to control this oiliness, but, in order to keep skin naturally healthy, the hydration provided by these natural oils must be allowed to remain on the skin.

It is the protective nature of serum, that holds in the natural hydration provided by the body. Oily skin tends to stay more hydrated and thus remain looking younger longer.

For those without natural oily skin, moisturizing should be the key factor in your daily skin regime. Hydrating the skin from the outside will never achieve the level of hydration from within, but with a little attention, your skin will stay younger, longer.

While naturally oily skin tends to be more of a faux pas, in the beauty world, for health purposes and younger looking skin, leave the oils on the surface for as long as possible. The more hydration your skin retains, the younger you will look for years to come.

Chlorine and Your Hair: The Best Tips for Keeping Hair Healthy

2009-02-28T18:30:00.001+02:00

Some of the best times of the summer are spent next to the pool. For those women and men who want to take advantage of the cooling waters of the pool, the best bet for keeping hair healthy is to wear a bathing cap. Unfortunately, these caps are some of the silliest looking things in the world, so how do you keep your hair safe when it will be dipped into chlorinated water over and over again? Follow these tips and swim to your heart’s content.

• Water log your hair. Before heading out to the pool, trying soaking your hair in warm water for a few minutes. The more water logged your hair is before getting into the pool, the less chlorinated water will soak into those strands.

• Wash your hair immediately. Immediately after leaving the pool water, you will want to wash your hair. If the chlorine is allowed to dry in the hair, the damage could be more severe. There are certain shampoos that are made with ingredients to absorb chlorine. If you are wondering whether or not your shampoo is specifically designed for chlorine absorption, try looking for sodium thinosulfate on the ingredient label.

• Use a great leave in conditioner. Spraying your hair with a leave in conditioner before taking that first dive can help the hair to fend off the damage of chlorine. The conditioner acts like a shield for the hair and keeps the hair from absorbing as much chlorine as unprotected hair.

The summer months are supposed to be full of summer parties by the pool. Instead of donning that silly bathing cap, try protecting your hair and treating your hair before and after the swim. These tips will help to keep your hair beautiful and shiny all summer long no matter how many hours you spend in the chlorine.

Hair Washing the Right Way

2009-02-28T18:29:00.002+02:00

For as long as shampoo has been marketed, there are three words we all have ignored. Those words are “Lather, Rinse and Repeat!” The majority of people simply believe these words to be instructions on how to use twice as much hair shampoo and thus purchase twice as much product from the store. In all actuality, the instructions are there for a purpose and you are probably using twice as much shampoo as you need to on your one wash pattern.

The key to washing your hair effectively is to wash both your hair and your scalp. The “lather” should only take about a quarter sized dollop of shampoo. This wash is aimed at removing the grime and dirt from the scalp. The second “lather” or “repeat” as the bottle words the step is for cleansing the hair and also should only take about a quarter sized dollop.

So, women all over the world, if you have been washing your hair with only one “lather” and rinse, you are not washing your hair and your scalp. The key to a long, fast growing, and shiny head of hair are a healthy scalp and healthy strands. The shampoo companies are not trying to get you to buy m ore shampoo, as a matter of fact; you are probably using more shampoo on your one wash than the recommended amount for two washings. Get out these and follow those directions ladies and notice how much longer your shampoo lasts and how much healthier your hair looks and feels

Women’s Dress-up Styles for Spring 2008

2009-02-26T13:04:00.002+02:00

Spring is nearly in full bloom and if you’re like the average woman, you’re thinking of all the nice events you’ll be attending, and what you could possibly wear to all of these events. Or you could even be wondering what you’re going to wear to that important semi-formal dance, or to what promises to be a memorable prom night.

But have no fear, the dress-up styles for this spring are very chic and elegant, and will be jaw-dropping even from far. To begin with the basics, halter-tops are always very attractive and will accentuate the blossoming and restoration of spring. You can’t go wrong this season with a bold, brightly coloured halter-top, paired with dark, pin-striped dress pants.

Another thing to keep in mind this spring is not to be afraid to show off your curves with wrap, trapeze and ruffle trim styled dresses. Spring is a time of freedom and renewal, and your wardrobe should symbolize this.

Another big hit among dresses this spring is flowered dresses. Dresses embroidered with flowers on them or with bright, flowery colors will be a big hit this season, and you can always expect to look great wearing these unique dresses.

On a final note, dress colors like green, pink, and red are the rave this season, so keep these colors in mind and don’t forget to accessorize anything and everything with flowers. Follow these tips and you’ll soon be on your way to becoming a head-turning goddess this spring at any formal event.

What The Right Hair Color Can Do For You

2009-02-26T13:01:00.001+02:00

Having your hair colored can add depth and definition to a hairstyle, enhance skin tones, accent eye color", thicken thin hair, soften course hair and adds style support. For example:

- Lighter Shades make a large head, face shapes and features appear smaller. And thinning hair look thicker

- Dark Shades will make a small face & sharp features stand out.

- Two Tone Shading can frame and define the shape of your hairstyle.

- Semi-Permanent Color can turn those few gray hair's in to soft warm highlights.

- High Contrasting strands of can add a dramatic effect.

- Graying hair can come alive with a purple based color shampoo enhancer to remove yellow.

- Strawberry blonde hair color complements green eyes.

- Pale and golden blonde make blue eye's stand out.

-Red and auburn shades give brown, hazel and green eyes glow.

Celebrity Hairstyles

2009-02-26T12:59:00.000+02:00

Ali Landry	Alicia Keys	Alyson Hannigan	Amanda Bynes
Amanda Detmer	Amanda Peet	Amanda Seyfried	Amber Stevens
America Ferrera	Amy Poeller	Amy Smart	Andrea Bowen
Angela Bassett	Angela Kinsey	Angelina Jolie	Anna Faris
AnnaLynne McCord	Anne Hathaway	Anya Monzikova	Ashanti

MUST-HAVES

2009-02-23T18:05:00.005+02:00

5 comouflage cream palette

Four natural shades for concealing under-eye circles or bags, uneven skin tones, scars, and any type of redness such as rosacea. A classic.

7 Corrective Make-up Basis

Seven shades are available to correct 7 types of skin tone. Essential for a
flawless, long-lasting complexion - with or without foundation - and to prepare the skin for make-up application.

Face & Body Liquid Make-up

This complexion with a very natural finish has a long-lasting and water-resistant formula which can also be used on the body. Recommended for normal and dry skin, Face & Body is also suitable for mature and problem skin thanks to its light texture.

Star Powder

Star Powder is a unique powder composed of extremely light and fine pure synthetic mother-of-pearl extracts. It is perfect for intense, ultra-brilliant color.

125 Shades of Eye shadow & Blush

The high concentration in pigments guarantees cover and long-lasting hold. The colors glide on easily and are visible from the first application.

Super Lip Gloss

Super Lip Gloss gives your lips a glamorous ultra-shiny effect. Its slightly colored, glossy gel formula adds volume and provides guaranteed long-lasting hold.

Tips for lips

2009-02-22T20:16:00.004+02:00

shape up your lips
Applying lipliner is not only a great way to define and accentuate the shape of your lips, but also to keep your lipstick from feathering.

1. Begin applyling lipliner at the center of your natural upper lip line to define the bow then work toward the outer corners to complete the line.
2. Start at one corner of your bottom lip then follow your natural lip line all the way to the other corner.

Tip: Choose a lipliner that matches your lipstick or a flesh tone shade for a soft, natural look.

Tip: To get plumper, pinker looking lips, do not touch up by drawing a hard lip line; smudge it so lips look fuller! For a more dramatic fullness, choose a lipstick shade with a hint of frost.

Tip: To avoid lipstick on your teeth, put your index finger in your mouth and then draw it out slowly with your mouth closed. What you see on your finger is what would have ended up on your teeth!

perfecting your pout
1. Apply color onto the center of your lips, blending up and out to the lip line working towards the corners.
2. For longer lasting color, gently blot with tissue, reapply lipstick and blot again.
3. For evening, remember to select a lipstick one or two shades deeper than your daytime color.

Tip: For a creamy effect, apply a lip balm to lips before applying lipstick.

Tip: For a matte effect, apply lipstick then blot gently with tissue.

Tip: For a sheer effect, apply lip balm. Gently dot a small amount of neutral color lipstick across lips, then smooth out.

Tip: For a glossy effect, apply lipstick then finish with a clear or nuetral color gloss coat for a moist, seductive shine. Remember, the more coats you apply, the more shine so turn up the volume!

getting smooth, soft, and supple lips
Tip: For smooth, soft lips, take a clean damp washcloth and gently rub lips for 60 seconds before applying lipstick.

Tip: For touch-ups during the day or night, carry a soft toothbrush in your handbag or makeup kit. Be sure to brush your lips gently.

Tip: Apply a lip balm or conditioner throughout the day to keep lips hydrated and protected from the sun's harmful rays.

Makeup Tips

2009-02-22T20:03:00.004+02:00

master the basics
To prepare a smooth canvas for your makeup, always start off with clean, moisturized skin. You'll find that your makeup glides on and blends more easily.

1. Keep your skin free of buildup by using a gentle cleanser in the morning and at night. When cleansing your face, do so gently in upward motion stokes - do not tug, pull or scrub too hard to prevent irritation.
2. Freshen up your skin with a toner containing ingredients that suit your skin type.
3. Indulge your skin and keep it hydrated with a moisturizer that is compatable with your skin type. Make sure your daytime moisturizer contains SPF to protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays.
4. Treat yourself to an at-home-facial 2 to 3 times a week. Use a mild cleanser, then exfoliate with a gentle scrub that contains exfoliants that are round and non-abrasive.
5. Apply a facial mask after exfoliating. Rinse off thoroughly and get a good night's sleep!

Tip: Even when you're steering clear of the sun, or it appears to be a cloudy day, always be sure your makeup foundation or moisturizer contains SPF 15 or higher.

secret to a natural, flawless look
1. Apply foundation to your cheeks, forehead, and chin using a foundation brush, sponge, or clean fingertips. Blend the foundation all the way to your natural hairline with long, light strokes.
2. Continue blending over the jawline and onto your neck to achieve a natural, seamless look. Check your face and neck in natural light to make sure the foundation is completely blended in all areas.
3. If under-eye circles or red spots remain, do not add more foundation; it can look heavy and cakey. Instead, try a concealer.

Tip: Choose the shade of your foundation carefully. When testing out shades, pick one that matches the tone of your jawline exactly. It helps to use a mirror outdoors to see how shades look in natural light.

Tip: Begin by applying a small amount of foundation then increase amount to achieve the degree of coverage that suits your skin.

Tip: For daytime, mix your foundation with a light SPF moisturizer before applying for a smoother, more sheer application.

hide imperfections
Concealer is more dense than foundation, allowing fuller coverage of trouble spots and hyperpigmentation (red areas). It can be used over foundation or on it own, and has greater staying power. Remember, a little goes a long way!

1. Since the skin under your eyes is more transparent, it tends to look dark, especially at the inner corner near the bridge of the nose. To even out the tone, concealer is a must. Using liquid concealer, gently pat over dark under-eye circles (don't sweep it across the entire area), then blend with your ring finger.
2. To cover trouble spots and imperfections, apply a thicker cream concealer onto the blemish or flaw. Then lightly press with a makeup sponge.

Tip: Choose the shade of your concealer carefully. When testing out shades, pick one that matches your skin tone or one shade lighter. It helps to use a mirror outdoors to see how shades look on your skin in natural light.

Tip: Prepare your skin with a light SPF moisturizer before applying concealer for a smoother application.

getting an all-day flawless finish
A light even dusting of loose powder sets foundation and concealer, giving your face a velvety, more natural finish. It also provides smooth blending for any eye makeup or blush to follow.

1. Dip a puff or powder brush in loose powder. Shake off excess to avoid uneven distribution, then apply powder over entire face and neck.
2. To maintain a flawless finish throughout the day, apply pressed powder using a sponge or clean powder brush.

Tip: Face powder can be used alone, over foundation or over your moisturizer for a natural, sheer, no-shine look.

Tip: For the closest color match, choose a powder shade that is 3 shades lighter than your foundation.

Tip: If you are over the age of 30, avoid powdering under the eyes as it can make fine lines and wrinkles appear more obvious.

Tip: Facial oil-blotting sheets help to remove excess oil and shine without disturbing your makeup. Carry them with you everywhere you go

Food Tips For A Flat Stomach

2009-02-22T16:48:00.003+02:00

We hear all the time about the bad foods and the good foods, but what is a bad food? Well everyone knows that their is the wrong food to eat to achieve a dream belly. Read through my flat stomach tips and learn the differences between bad and good carbs, bad and good sugars, and bad and good fats.

Next time you are working out think about what it is that gives you your energy. You may think oh it's protein or the sugar I consume does it. In reality, carbs are what gives you your long term energy. In order to burn off carbs you need to work out though or if it sits to long it becomes fat. Some good carbs include: fruits and vegetables, whole grains and potatoes. Some bad carbs include: - cookies, cake, pies, sugar-sweetened cereal and white bread. Bad carbs are processed and have the good healthy ingredients stripped out of them. Try substituting the bad carbs for the good ones and you will find yourself healthier and will quickly lose the weight.

Just like good and bad carbs there are also good and bad sugars. Fruits are a great example that is good for you as long as you have it in moderation. Anything such as sweets or candy is categorized as sugar that is bad for you. Avoid eating sweets and grab an apple instead. Maybe try fixing up a fruit salad instead of reaching for that popsicle you were craving, this will help in finding your flat belly success.

Next, let's discuss bad fat and good fat. Everyone needs fat in moderation but avoiding excess fats is key in achieving your dream stomach and weight loss goals. Polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats are the fats that are good for you. They help keep your cholesterol down while supplying the fat that a person needs to survive. Some examples of these fats are nuts, avocado, olive oil and salmon. Avoid saturated fats and transfat at all costs. These are the fats that are going to make you fat! Many times these fats are found in animal meat. Substitute that steak dinner for some lean chicken or fish instead and you will be better off. Avoid pre packaged foods or those fast food chains to steer clear of disgusting transfat.
In order to survive, a human need to consume all three macro-nutrients described in this article (carbs, protein and fat). Humans can however survive and be healthier by avoiding bad carbs, sugars, and fats. America is known for their fat people; why not take the steps to change this reputation the USA has now.
Another interesting article that may help you out is Best Post Workout Meals and Shakes

Use Body Scrub for a Beautiful Body

2009-02-22T16:41:00.002+02:00

If you're looking for the best body wash then a Body Scrub is the sole option as it offers a particularly intensive clean and leaves your skin incredibly fresh and clean.

A body scrub cleans deep into the pores and so removes dust that is deep in the skin that other gels or soaps would not get to and it also cleans much more entirely and so you finish up with softer and fresher skin. A regular routine of giving your body a good scrub, will exfoliate the dead skin and give your skin a polished look. Employ a loaf or maybe a coarse towel with some body wash and give your body a good scrub losing all the deal cells.

Scrubbing your body not only exfoliates the dead skin cells but also helps the skin to absorb moisturizers or body oils better. One of the finest things that may occur when you use bath scrubs is that blood circulation improves thus leading to a sped up formation of a new epidermal layer. Though bath scrubs are very advantageous to the skin surface, one must use scrubs delicately and not break the skin. If this occurs it's best to use some ice straight away and then apply calamine lotion to ease the skin.

If you have sensitive skin, avoid cleaners with perfumes and skip the loaf or any other abrasive sponge. Keep a pumice stone handy and use on the feet daily or weekly depending on the condition of your feet.
Apply a moisturizer,eg Avon Moisture Treatment Body Lotion, Eucerin And Lotion, or Arnlactin Lotion, to damp skin to catch moisture in the skin.

In summer or if you have oily to normal body skin-feel free to take lengthier showers or increase the temperature. You can also shower or bathe 2 times each day. Loaf sponges are satisfactory for exfoliation, but be careful not to make the skin raw or irritated. If you could be a plus-size girl, remember to lift your boobs and any intestinal folds and wash beneath.

Pat your entire body dry with a towel and splatter the body folds with an absorbent powder like Zeasorb AF, which has anti fungal properties. The cotton gloves offer a barrier between your hands and the rubber gloves, which contain ingredients that can trigger an allergic reaction. Try avoiding wearing latex or vinyl gloves for long amounts of time and never wear them overnite. Carry a rich hand cream ( Neutrogena Hand Cream or Avon Hand Cream ) in your purse and apply it plenty of times across the day, particularly in cold weather. If you develop cracks in your fingers, apply a glob of Vaseline to the area many times each day. If they don't heal after some days, then see your dermatologist for medicated ointments.

2009-02-20T13:29:00.003+02:00

When a woman has perfectly shaped brows, she can look put together even without a drop of makeup. This is why brow-shaping should be the one weekly beauty regimen you should never skip.

How to Fill in Sparse Eyebrows

According to makeup experts, including Bobbi Brown in her book, "Beauty," almost every woman needs to fill in her brows as part of her normal beauty routine. Bobbi's claims are backed up by the editors of Allure's "Confessions of a Beauty Editor," who state that makeup artist Dick Page once informed them he'd never seen a model who didn't need her brows filled in.

If. like most women, you were born with sparse brows or simply went too far with the tweezers, there is a fix to filling in your eyebrows. All it takes is a pencil, powder, and an angled brush or a clean mascara brush.

Tip 1: Pick a Pencil and Powder Shade

Pencils and powders tend to stick to skin, not to hair, so if you don't have a lot of hair you'll want to shade in the skin where hair should grow.

Select a soft pencil (hard pencils tend to be too waxy) which is a shade lighter than your brows and a powder which matches the color of brows. If brows are super fair, choose a pencil that's a shade darker than brows.

Tip 2: Prep the Brows

First, comb out brows with a clean mascara wand. Examine brows for any sparse spots.

Tip 3: Fill in With Pencil

Use the pencil to fill in the sparse spots with short, feathery strokes. Apply in the direction of hair growth. The key here is not to create a definite line, but to create the appearance of hair. Be careful not to pencil in the entire brow, which will result in an unnatural look.

Your pencil should be super soft so it goes on with little exertion. But if you have a pencil that's too hard, warm the tip up by rubbing it between your fingers.

Tip 4: Follow With Eyeshadow or Brow Powder

Dip an agled brush or a clean mascara wand in eyeshadow. Brush the powder along the brows. It should stick to the pencil, while also acting to blend in the color perfectly. For more staying powder, dampen the brush slightly before dipping it into color.

Tip 5: Two Colors Instead of One?

You can try two colors when filling in brows: A light powder where brows are thickest and a darker shade for the tail ends.

Tip 6: Set Brows

To keep brows in place, spritz hairspray on your finger and brush onto the brow.

Tip 7: Uh-oh, Overplucked?

If you've overplucked, it will take a few months to a couple years for hair to grow back.

Tip 8: Condition Brows

Conditioning your brows with castor oil is a great way to keep brows healthy and looking great, according to Rami Gafni in the September 2005 issue of Instyle Magazine. Gafni uses a clean mascara wand to apply the castor oil.

Tip 9: The Shape of Brows

Fuller brows are preferable to skinny ones. Have eyebrows shaped by a pro every four weeks. Use a good tweezer (Tweezerman is our hands-down favorite), to clean up the hairline in between visits.

Tip 10: Rogaine Can Help

If your brows don't grow fast enough, consider Women's Rogaine or men's extra-strength Rogaine applied to the sparse areas with a Q-Tip. According to the September, 2006, issue of Allure, experts recommend applying twice a day for four months. But do a test patch first on your inner wrist to make sure you don't get a rash. Check the patch after a day.

Some products we hear great things about:

Revlon Brow Fantasy pencil and gel ($7.50 at any drugstore)
Cover Girl Natural Lash and Brow Mascara (purchase at drugstores)
Sephora eyebrow brush (at any Sephora stores).
MAC brow set (this colored gel is $12 at any MAC counter)
Bobbi Brown Natural Brow Shaper (Bobbi Brown counters at department stores).
DiorShow Brow & Liner Brush (www.dior.com).
Cle de Peau Beaute eyebrow palette ($65 at select department stores)

How To Evening Look: How to Make Up Your Eyes in 8 Steps

2009-02-20T13:23:00.002+02:00

When evening calls for a glamourous look, you want to focus on making your eyes amazing. Here are eight simple steps to making up your eyes for evening.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: 10 minutes

Here's How:

Prep your eyes with concealer Concealer can be used to cover up undereye circles or just the bluish discoloration just under your inner eye. To cover dark undereye circles, apply three dots of concealer under each eye. Start at the inner corner where skin tends to be darkest, then under the pupil and the third on the outer edge. Pat, never rub with your ring finger (this finger tends to have the softest pad) until it disappears.
Apply eye base to your lid Eye base is the secret to keeping your shadow in place for hours. Without properly priming your lid first, your eyeshadow will likely end up a greasy line in your crease.
Apply shadow. It's great to use a three-toned shadow and build from lids to brow. Allowing them to blend into each other like a rainbow is gorgeous, according to celebrity makeup artist Mally Roncal. Start with a light color that almost matches your lid. Sweep the color across the lid and up to your browbone. Follow with a medium color across your lid only. Build on this with a darker color in the crease. Blend the colors well.
Follow with eyeliner Dark eyeshadows work great as eyeliners. Wet a slanted brush, then dip in a dark eyeshadow. Line eyes as close to the upper lashes as possible from the inner corner to the outer corner. Follow with liner on bottom eyes, but only line from the middle of the eye out. Smudge the bottom line with a Q-tip or your finger. You don't want a prominent line. For a smokey eye, use a brush to pat in a dark eyeshadow along the upper lid and below the lid. You don't want a stark line, instead you want to blend it so it's 'smudge-y.'
Brighten your eyes with a highlighter This step involves only the inside part of the eye. With a gold or pink highlighter (white is too bright), draw a v-shaped shape that follows the inner corner of your eye from top to bottom. Blend with your fingers. This will help make eyes 'pop.'
Highlight your brow Take the same highlighter and dab it on your browbone, concentrating on your mid-brow outward. Blend with your finger.
Curl lashes An eyelash curler will make even long lashes look more gorgeous. For added effect, you can heat the curler under a blowdryer for a couple seconds. Test curler before applying to lashes because you could burn yourself.
Apply mascara Place the wand of your mascara brush at the bottom of lashes and wiggle back and forth. Follow with another few sweeps of the wand. Apply to bottom lashes as well.

Makeup Tips

2009-02-20T13:19:00.002+02:00

How to Apply Mascara

15 Mascara Tricks and Tips

Here we share 15 tricks and tips on how to apply mascara correctly. If you suffer from thick, clumply, spider-like lashes, you may be applying mascara incorrectly.

Tip #1: How to apply mascara. Ace your mascara application with a three-step process:
Step 1: Wiggle the wand left to right at the base of lashes. It's the mascara placed near the roots -- not the tips -- that gives the illusion of length.
Step 2: Pull the wand up and through lashes, wiggling as you go.
Step 3: In this final step, close the eye and place the mascara wand on top of lashes at the base and pull through to remove any clumps.
Tip #2: How to use a lash comb. For some, lash combs are simply too fussy. But for some makeup artists, they're a great invention and keep lashes glob-free and perfectly separated.
So how to use? Apply mascara at the lash base. Then wiggle the lash comb through to the tips of your lashes.
Not into the lash comb? Get rid of clumbs without them by removing excess mascara from the wand. Wipe wand on tissue, this eliminates blobs BEFORE you start.
Tip #3: Try a spoolie (a clean mascara wand). Sweep a clean, fresh mascara wand through lashes when they're wet. Don't worry, you don't have to buy them. When you finish a mascara, clean the wand in a capful of eye makeup remover, then wash with soap and dry. Keep it clean by washing it whenever you wash your makeup tools.
Tip #4: Don't shy away from colored mascara. Basic mascara rules are simple: Black works for everyone but can be harsh on blondes. Blondes should opt for brown/black by day and reserve black for night. Blue mascara, however, can brighten blue eyes while purple mascara makes brown eyes pop. The most popular mascara sold in the US is Maybelline Great Lash mascara, a great buy at under $6. The company estimates one tube is sold every 1.6 seconds in the U.S.
Tip #5: Thin, short brushes are best. A thinner brush allows you to get into the corner of eyes. Short brushes give you more control.
Tip #6: Give a few coats to the edges by blinking. Blink onto the brush to give ends an extra coat.
Tip #7: Powder under the eye before applying mascara. Sometimes mascara smudges because it's attracted to oily concealer or eye creams.
Tip #8: Use an eyelash curler Curling lashes gives eyes the appearance of being wider and brighter. Shoot warm air from your blowdryer on the mascara curler for 3-5 seconds to warm it up before curling lashes. Touch it first to make sure it's not too hot. It's a myth that you have to curl lashes before you apply mascara. You can curl lashes after mascara application, just make sure the mascara is dry first. Shu Uemura makes the most popular eyelash curler on the market ($18-$22).
Tip #9: Zig-zag the wand. Zig-zagging the wand back and forth during application helps cut down clumps.
Tip #10: For a dramatic look, apply mascara only to the upper lashes. To make eyes seem wider, apply to the bottom, too. But make sure you give lashes a light touch. Not great at getting those bottom lashes? Try putting a tissue under them before application.
Tip #11: Use a mascara primer. Primers coat lashes and separate them before you apply mascara. Makeup artists swear by mascara primer. I tried it and like it, but because it's an added step, I usually use primer only on special occasion when I spend more time on my makeup.
Tip #12: Want that 2nd coat? Just make sure to do it before the first coat dries, otherwise you'll get clumps.
Tip #13: Do NOT pump wand in and out of the tube. This only introduces air into the tube, which will cause your mascara to dry out sooner than it should.
Tip #14: Another smudge-proof tip -- bend the wand. A top makeup artist once gave his secret to his steady hand: he always bends his wand at a right angle.
Tip #15: Wait five seconds before blinking. You don't want to paint your lids, do you?

More on mascara:

4 Different Mascaras -- Which is For You? When Should I Throw Out Mascara? Quick Tip: How to Get Thicker Lashes with Mascara

New Spring Tips Only For My Dear Members

2009-02-17T20:07:00.002+02:00

Dear members wait for my new SPRING Tips for all of you ....

5 Beauty Dos & 5 Don'ts

2009-02-17T19:53:00.001+02:00

Trends come and trends go and this season you don't want to be caught in public looking like last year (or worse, last ... decade). While we think it's cool to follow some trends, there are some timeless beauty rules that will get you through every season looking classy, no matter what coast you live on (or plain in between).

Beauty Do #1: Goodbye Helmet Head

No matter the trends, the less done your hair looks, the more fresh you'll look. If you curl your hair, brush out the curls ala 50s pinups. If you opt for a bun on the back of the head, set it at the nape of the neck and let it get messy. If you're off to a formal event, spend more time on your makeup and accessories and leave hair loose and sexy. Remember: Fancy, hairsprayed 'dos are terribly matronly and best left to your grandmother's set.

Beauty Do #2: Contrasting eyes and mouth

Nude lips and smokey eyes, red lips and light eyes -- whether you opt to play up the eyes or the mouth, remember they are never to compete for attention. We love red lips and porcelein skin with nude eyes brightened with a bit of mascara. Smokey eyes and nude lips are always a classy look as each season comes up with its own special smokey-lidded look.

Beauty Do #3: Apply sunscreen every day no matter the weather

You've heard this preached enough, but it's true. If you get into the habit of sunscreen application daily, you will thank yourself when you're older and relatively lineless.

Can't bother with too many lotions and potions? Consider a tinted moisturizer with SPF of at least 15. If you can't stand looking pale, brush on a bronzer. At least it doesn't smell like fake tanners.

Beauty Do #4: Layer fragrances and lipsticks

Sophisticated women know how to properly layer fragrances to create their own signature blends. How to do it? Take your favorite scent and layer a new one atop it. Try out several versions until you find your favorite blend.

According to French Elle (via blogger boisdejasmine), the safest way to blend is via citrus notes, which can be layered with floral, woodsy and amber-y fragrances. For more a more detailed discussion and for fragrance suggestions, check out this blog from the Sartorialist. The comments below offer many insights.

You can do the same with lipsticks. Create your own shades with mattes and glosses. If you don't like a shade, don't throw it out, perfect one with other colors in your beauty drawer.

Beauty Do #5: Moisturize after every shower

Skin left unmoisturized will itch, and itching (especially done when you're not paying complete attention) can cause scabs, which in turn can scar. In the shower, make sure you exfoliate your body thoroughly with a loofah. I like wearing those loofah gloves. Then when you get out and dry off, slather on the moisturizer. My favorite? Kiehl's.

Beauty Don't #1: French manis and pedis

Short, round nails are universally preferred over long talons. While we prefer light pearl-colored manis (always classy), dark polishes are uber trendy (though one that we believe won't last many seasons).

For feet, please, skip the French pedicure, which we agree with a reader 'looks like you have fingers on your feet.' Another no-no: Nail art on your fake fingernails, although we find the occasional flower painted on your big toe adorable.

Beauty Don't #2: Layer on the foundation

So many beauty faux pas can be attributed to foundation misuse: Tell-tale lines along the jaw, a mask-like appearance, too-dark colors or raccoon eyes.

To achieve the always classy fresh face, stick to foundation use only on the areas that need it, typically around your eyes, along your your nose and on your cheeks. You don't need foundation on your forehead or even neck. Remember to blend and consider different colors for winter vs. summer, when your skin is naturally lighter.

Beauty Don't #3: Scaly anything

Keep your complexion fresh and vibrant all year long by exfoliating your face weekly. Your body needs exfoliating as well, so invest in scrubs in your bathtub or shower. (We also recommend showering with exfoliating gloves). A quick pumicing on the soles of your feet during every shower will keep feet soft between pedicures. As for lips, try this tip to keep lips from excessive scaling in winter.

Beauty Don't #4: Hair that grows below your breasts

There is such a thing as hair that's too long no matter your face shape. Long hair can weigh your face down and once it grows below your breasts it's just plain tacky.

Beauty Don't #5: Pooh-pooh fake eyelashes

Trust us, celebrities with gorgeous eyes ook that way because they slap on the falsies. There are all sorts of false eyelashes to try these days. Don't want to be too obvious? Try the individual lashes.

20 Beauty Secrets Every Teen Should Know

2009-02-17T19:49:00.001+02:00

"No, I'm not! I'm not a tomboy! I love my makeup! That's not true! I'm not a tomboy!" -- Hilary Duff, Academy Award-winning actress

There's nothing worse than getting advice from older people, we know, we know, but the truth is some advice is worth taking and keeping, especially when it comes to fun beauty tips. We've been reading fashion magazines and testing beauty products for years. In this time, we've read 1000s of beauty tips, tried 1000s of products, but only a few are worth keeping around. So, here we share with you the 20 things we wish we knew when we were teenagers.

1. Skip the foundation If you have acne the first thing you want to do is slather on the thick foundation. Don't. Foundation is for women over 35. Not only will it cover up your natural beauty, but foundation on a teenager looks anything but natural. Instead, cover up blemishes with concealer, then follow with a powder or tinted mosturizer. Tinted moisturizers tend to be lighter than heavy foundations.

2. You pat concealer in, you never rub it in We know this from watching the Tyra Banks show. When applying concealer, put a bit on the pad of your middle finger and pat it in. Never rub. Got acne? Pat the concealer on top of it.

3. Play up your lips or your eyes, never both If you are wearing heavy eye makeup, go for nude lips with just a bit of gloss. Prefer the drama of dark lipstick? Keep face light (stay away from heavy blush) and wear only mascara on your eyes and a light eyeshadow. Don't heavily line your eyes. Play up both and you'll look like a clown.

And never, ever line lips in a darker color than your gloss or lipstick.

4. Less is more Ever notice how some of your friends look best with no makeup at all? No matter your age, too much makeup makes you look worse. If you wear foundation, powder, blush, liner, mascara, eyeshadow, lip liner and gloss on an everyday basis, then you're overdoing it. Tone it down: All you really need is a great mascara, concealer for blemishes and gloss. Add a pop of blush in winter.

5. Natural hair is always hot If you have super dark hair, lighten your look by going a shade darker or getting lighter highlights. Blonde? Try highlights, especially framing the face. We see too many teens lightening their hair several shades and the look can be super-tacky, not super-fabulous. The trick is to let people assume you were born with sun-kissed hair, not that you gave yourself a bad dye job from a bottle. More hair color tips here.

6. Vaseline is your best friend Vaseline is a great, cheap eye makeup remover. It's also great for fixing chapped, scaly lips. Slather on a bunch of Vaseline, then use a toothbrush to massage lips. Wipe the excess off on a tissue. Your lips will be smooth and soft.

7. You can never go wrong with layers Long layers are great for any hair type: Super curly, straight or wavy. It makes thin hair appear thicker, curly hair appear manageable and wavy hair appear just-got-back-from-the-beach sexy. Just make sure you don't get too many layers cut in. Too many short layers is dated.

8. Acne? Get thee to a dermatologist, stat Biggest mistake people with acne make? Not going to a dermatologist. Forget those $150 jeans you covet. Getting rid of those pimples will be the best investment you'll ever make. And the only guaranteed way to do it is with a dermatologist.

9. Spend money on key beauty products Not sure what to splurge on and what to save on? I give you the scoop in this article. See if you should splurge or save on cleansers, mascara, concealer and more.

10. Buying foundation or lipstick? Test it first There are some beauty products you simply must try out at a department store or Sephora before you buy. These include: Foundation, lipstick, blush and powder.

Buy these products in a grocery store and you'll be lucky if you picked the right color for your skin tone. What you can get away with without testing: Mascara, eye liner, most basic eye shadows and lip gloss.

11. When can you skip sunscreen ? Never Here's a trick we wish we knew: The first beauty product you should apply every day is sunscreen, even if it's cloudy or rainy outside. Why? Good habits start young and if you use sunscreen now, you'll have gorgeous skin when you're 50, 60, 70. Remember, the sun's UV rays can penetrate clouds and car windows.

12. Wrapping hair around the barrel creates waves There's nothing cooler than long, layered waves. To get them, wind hair AROUND the barrel of a large curling iron. Reverse direction for each 2-inch section (wind up for one, down for another).

13. Self-tanner will always stink Unfortunately, even the best ones smell. Your best bet is to apply self-tanner a good 24 hours before an important event and take a shower (don't loofah) to wash off any smell. For really big events like a dance or wedding, consider a professional spray tan. These are pricey and don't last long, so make sure to do it a day before the big event.

14. Don't let nails go Not into manicures and pedicures? No worries. Just make sure to keep nails clean and the same length. If you do want to paint them, don't keep the polish on until half of it's chipped away. Also, there's nothing worse than too-long toenails. Keep nails clipped between pedicures! People tend to judge others by the care they put into their hands and feet.

2009-02-17T19:44:00.002+02:00

Where To Find Cheap Online Lingerie

2009-02-13T22:59:00.001+02:00

There is no shortage of lingerie shops online today. Not too long ago, they were scattered in dark corners of alleys and hidden in out-of-the way places. Somehow, the Internet has validated a lot of businesses that would otherwise find themselves skirting society's boundaries. Cheap online lingerie can be found in any corner of the online apparel industry, whether from a specialty shop or a local department store website. Some high-class lingerie companies sell cheap brands online to widen their audience, in addition to gathering profit for their flawed or otherwise unwanted merchandise. To find cheap online lingerie, simply search. Just about every lingerie seller will have bargain bins. They will mark down those styles that have reached public saturation. Lingerie companies can still profit from these by moving their sale to other areas of the country or world. If you buy bargain lingerie online, inspect the picture and description of it carefully as permitted. Make sure that if you are going to buy from a company you're not familiar with, you read the return policy thoroughly. It is likely that your bargain lingerie will be flawed in one way or another. This might be minor design problem. A piece being labeled with the wrong size, or a small tear. The fabric might just be unevenly cut. The advantages of buying lingerie cheaply online can be one of attitude. Some women aren't seductive. They don't feel attractive. They are shy. They may even be body-phobic. Having the choice to buy lingerie online, discreetly, gives them the chance to find some of their innate sexiness. Plus-sized women often feel self-conscious walking through a lingerie shop. They see the thin models and body-baring styles and get scared. But online, they can browse the selection and the price in the comfort of their own homes. And since most lingerie companies ship their merchandise in plain brown boxes, nobody needs to know. This goes the same for men searching for lingerie for that loved one. Many men don't particularly want to go into a Victoria's Secret and walk around. Online lingerie stores allow them to search as much as they want. And if they decide to go for a cheap piece of lingerie, they don't have to see the shop clerk. They don't have to see the accusation. The voice saying: "That's not all you're going to spend on her, is it?" The kinds and styles of cheap online lingerie vary from storefront to storefront. Many of the cheap selections will be made of cotton or polyester, but you may be fortunate and find a real silk set. They may not have the lace or the frills, but they will probably look tasteful and attractive. Lingerie that covers the torso can be inexpensive; styles like the camisole, chemise, or teddy. Invariably, however, you'll be able to find more provocative items. These might include crotch-less panties, g-strings and thongs. Lingerie of all different sizes, colors and styles are scattered about the Internet. All you have to do is look and you can find the cheaper varieties of most lingerie.

How to Get Pretty Lips

2009-02-11T22:56:00.002+02:00

Every woman wants full lips such as those like Angelina Jolie but if you are not born with it, do not despair. There are ways for us to achieve pretty lips with a bit of daily care and lip makeup.

The daily lip care is essential as it sets the foundation for beautiful kissable lips.
To get smooth lips, check out the following steps

1) Always drink lots of water to keep yourself hydrated. This will also help to reduce chapped lips.
2) Scrub your lips gently to remove dry skin for smooth application of lipstick
3) Use a lip balm to moisturize your chapped lips as and when necessary. Buy those with at least SPF15 in them to prevent lip burn.
4) When buying a lipstick, get those with moisturizing ingredients.
5) Apply moisturizer to your lips as a skincare treatment.

Once you have included the above steps in your daily routine, we can now move on to using the techniques to get those pretty lips.

Tip 1
Choosing the right lipstick color is very important. It is definitely not one color for all in the case of lipstick. You will not want to apply a lip color which makes your lips overexposed. If you have fair complexion, natural colors or light shimmer glosses will be a great pick.

Tip 2
If you want fuller lips, dab your lip gloss in the center of your lips. This will give the illusion of fuller lips.

Tip 3
If you feel that your lips are too large, use dark matte colors and avoid lip gloss or shimmer colors to downplay the size of your lips.

With the above few suggestions, you are now on your way to kissable lips!

Click Makeup Celebrity for a wide range of Japanese lipsticks.

Author operates an online store at http://www.makeupcelebrity.com which brings best Japanese comestics and skincare to the world.

Why is Brazilian Hair Straightening So Popular? Is it Just a Fad?

2009-02-11T22:52:00.001+02:00

Why obsesses over what goes on in the present? Why mold yourself to every time a new fad happens to come your way? Surely your life has many more pressing needs that demand your attention. Your personal vanity cannot interfere with each and every one of these demands. If that is the case however, you need to seriously reprioritize. Fashion changes every week, if not every day. Who's to say the toil you put yourself through, the money you spend and the time you invest in a certain look, may be out of style a day later. What it all boils down to then, is what you view your own self as in relation to world around you. The only statement you can ever truly make is a statement of originality. Indeed originality is the very spawning pool for all fashion and trends at any point in time the world over.

Is It Truly Worth The Risk?

Even if you are in complete coherence with the world around you, and feel you must conform to all manner of fashion, is it worth the risk? Would that need for conformity be as pressing if there were potential risks involved? In the case of the Brazilian hair straightening techniques and their variations including the Brazilian Keratin Technique, there are signs that these risks exist. Your hair is not only subject to the singing of a hot iron, there is also the application of a sizable dose of protein based solutions that have known carcinogenic ingredients. The existence of carcinogenic elements immediately makes this procedure hazardous for some including hypochondriacs. There are also studies that have shown the chemicals in these solutions and the subsequent hair care products associated with their upkeep as being harmful for pregnant women and their children.

Originality; the Ethos of Your Persona

If you are severely affected by the trends you see around you then you may find all this talk of originally all too irrelevant. If you are in the business of fashion you may reject the notion all together. But think about it for a moment. Your originality is the hallmark of your entire persona. It is of course, an amalgam of many things, not just the way you look. It is perhaps therefore as important to maintain the integrity of your appearance, as it is to maintain the integrity of your character

Beauty is Never Absolute

There is no absolute in beauty. Why change the natural look in you? For it is what makes you unique to all other people. Each individual is different and unique in their own way. That is what makes human beings such beautiful creatures. We are not creatures whose beauty can be judged in absolutes. We are a species that is seen in relation to one another. We are a sea of faces; each with a façade as unique and special as the story behind them. Why bury your uniqueness under layers of mundane pretence.

I have been in the hair care business for over 10 years. For more information about Brazilian Straightening Treatments visit my website or talk to your local hair care professional.

Choosing the Perfect Hairstyle - Hairstyles Tips

2009-02-10T12:48:00.001+02:00

If your like most women, you are always searching for a new hairstyle either for a special occasion or just for a new look. Are there any guidelines that can help with choosing a hairstyle? Yes there are many, but we will tell you a few here for choosing hairstyles.

First of all you must be honest with yourself! In general you will want to accentuate your best features and minimize your least favorite when choosing a hairstyle. For instance if you have larger forehead than you might want to have bangs, but if you have the most beautiful eyes than you dont want to cover them up with hairstyles with long bangs.

Look at your face shape! Hairstyles for rounder faces would normally be longer, possibly shoulder length, to minimize the width of your face. On the other hand a hairstyle for a longer faces could be shorter with bangs with hair flipped outward to give your face a wider appearence.

No matter what hairstyle you are searching for, the next best advice we can give is look at our many hairstyle galleries or celebrity hairstyles and find pictures of women with similar face shapes and features. Print the pictures of hairstyles and show them to your hairstylist for some expert advice specific for your face shape and desired hairstyle. We have hairstyle galleries for all different lengths including short hairstyles, long hairstyles, medium hairstyles, prom hairstyles, celebrity hairstyles and much more!

White Gold

2009-02-10T12:39:00.002+02:00

White Gold began gaining popularity in the early 1900’s as an alternative to platinum. Platinum was steadily becoming more fashionable, but because of its rarity many could not afford it. Then, during World War II the government put a ban on the use of Platinum for any non-military functions and the demand for White Gold skyrocketed.

The most common alloys added to gold to produce white gold are nickel, palladium and silver. Most white gold jewelry is also given an electroplated rhodium coating to intensify brightness.

Throughout this process, white gold retains many of the benefits of gold. It won’t tarnish and due to the metals added, it is stronger than its yellow counterpart.

Recently, palladium has replaced nickel as the common alloy in white gold. It seems that a small percent of the population-approximately 12-15%-has an allergic reaction to nickel causing skin irritation and rashes. It is now required by law that jewelry pieces containing nickel be labeled “nickel-containing.”

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_gold
http://www.gold.org/jewellery/technology/colours/white.html
http://www.govmint.com/knowledgebase/PreciousMetals.aspx

What Would a Fashion Model's Diet Plan be

2009-02-10T12:32:00.002+02:00

Have you ever wondered how the so-called super models manage to get in such good shape and stay trim, even after having a family?

Fashion models depend on their slim figures for their livelihood, so it's imperative that they always look good. Don't worry, I'm not suggesting that you should embark on a diet of leaves and nuts. I'm not an advocate of the size zero, but I'm sure you'll find it interesting to know what sort of diet a fashion model would choose.

The Fashion Models Diet Plan

A favourite way for models to look good is to "Cleanse" or "Fast". This is not a complete starvation diet, as it will include the intake of soups and fruit juices over a 3 to7 day period. It is more of a detox routine and is gernerally only carried out once or twice a year.

The benefits of this detox is to obviously rid the body of harmful toxins, such as preservatives and food additives together with inhaled smoke and fumes. It also gives the colon a chance to rid the digestive system of any fecal build up. The results can be dramatic as the liver and kidneys are able to repair and replace damaged cells instead of continuing to rid the body of toxins.

A typical "Cleanse" diet might consist of a combination of fresh carrots, celery, beet, spinach, apple, coconut, broth and juices. Citrus and tomato juices are too acidic to drink while fasting so these should be avoided. It's important to drink plenty of water during the detox and avoid consuming any unnecessary medications or supplements.

The advantages of a detox are weight loss, reduced body odour, shinier finger nails, stronger hair, reduced cellulite, a glowing complexion and more beautiful eyes.

After the detox, the typical fashion model will then begin her normal eating habits, which to some people may appear to be a "real" diet. However, it will simply be a healthy balanced diet, which might typically consist of the following:

---Breakfast (9am)
One boiled egg with a slice of wholewheat bread
A bowl of cereal with skimmed milk
Black coffee
Total 369 calories

---Lunch (12.30pm)
Turkey salad with balsamic vinaigrette
Cup of tea with skimmed milk
Total 320 calories

---Early Evening Snack (4.30pm)
Low fat Jell-O pudding
Total 100 calories

---Dinner (8pm)
Lean Cuisine chicken a l'orange with rice
2 slices of low fat cheddar cheese with wholewheat crackers
Total 448 calories

The total calorie intake for a typical day is 1237. The aim of the diet is to keep the daily calorie count below 1500.

This is a typical example of a fashion model's diet, which will also involve some form of aerobic exercises 3 times a week.

So, as you can see it's not at all what you might have originally thought. It's just a sensible eating plan and a sensible exercise routine. However, if even this diet seems a little too much to stomach, you could try a natural herbal diet remedy.

Here are the top 5 tips that fashion models highly recommend for staying in trim.

1. Decrease your alcohol consumption. Alcohol suppresses the body's ability to burn fat.

2. Eat more Black Pepper, Ginger, Chile Peppers. Spicy food helps speed up the body's metabolism.

3. Increase your muscle mass. Muscle burns fat, so adding 5lbs of muscle will help you burn another 250 calories a day.

3. Increase your vitamin B and Calcium intake. The B-Vitamins give you more energy and increase your metabolism.

4. Drink More Water. A healthy, well-hydrated body is important to flush out toxins and aid in metabolising fats

5. Increase your intake of Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Omega 3 fatty acids can help to balance blood sugar levels and control appetite.

Perfumes and Fragrances

2009-02-09T22:17:00.001+02:00

Mankind has been using perfume for quite a long time. Some people say it was first discovered in ancient Egypt and used by different civilizations such as ancient Chinese, Hindus, Israelites, Carthaginians, Arabs, Greeks, Romans and finally reintroduced hundreds of years later in France. Ever since, French perfume has become famous worldwide and today sets the standard for excellence.

The word perfume comes from Latin, meaning �through smoke�. Perfume came into being in the early days, through the burning of incense and aromatic herbs. Ever since, it has influenced mankind up to a point to become a product of desire.

For those purchasing perfumes, it is wise to become familiarized with basic fragrance groups which will help to find the perfect perfume one might be looking for.

The citrus fragrance category derives from different fruits such as lime, lemon, tangerine, mandarin and others, creating a sort of refreshing aroma. Mostly used during the summer. Appropriate for office wear, day or evening wear.

The floral fragrance category derives from large varieties of flowers such as vanilla, jasmine, roses and others. It is the most popular and used fragrance group. The scent of romance and starry nights.

The oriental fragrance category derives from mixtures of spices, resins, amber, balsams and other exotic essences, creating a warm and exotic feeling. Widely used during the winter season in the evening.

The chypre fragrance category derives from different wood-moss mixes, providing earthly aromas such as oak moss and other types of wood. Chypre fragrances smell slightly dry, not very sweet. Chypre perfumes are rich and tenacious, usually for those who tend to prefer slightly out of the norm fragrances.

The green fragrance category derives from scents of pine, leaves, herbs, juniper and others, providing a sharp outdoor scent. Good day wear and occasional evening wear in warmer weather.

The Fougere category of perfume scents derives from bergamot, oakmoss and geranium, and is mostly used my men. It has a classy style. Great fragrance choice for distinguished gentlemen.

These diversified fragrances will evoke different feelings and people just seem to enjoy that very much. Now that the basic fragrance groups have been explained, it�s up to one to make the best of his next perfume purchase and make use of the perfume fragrance that best suits his lifestyle.

However, while purchasing perfumes one should bewared that famous brand name perfumes are fairly expensive. If one is looking for genuine perfumes, he must be willing to spend fairly amount of money. However evoking memories of romantic moments thru fragrances may just be priceless and the expensive perfume price may just become fair.

Roberto Sedycias
IT Consultant

This article is under GNU FDL license and can be distributed without any previous authorization from the author. However the author�s name and all the URL�s (links) mentioned in the article and biography must be kept.

This article can also be accessed in portuguese language from the News Articles section of page http://www.polomercantil.com.br/perfume-fragrancia.php

Roberto Sedycias has a bachelor degree in Business Administration and over 20 years experience in systems analysis and computer programming. Currently working as IT consultant for http://www.polomercantil.com.br

Rules for Spring Beauty

2009-02-09T22:13:00.001+02:00

There's a new sophistication in spring makeup this year. It is neither softly feminine nor is it hard edged. There's a flash of metal but it is offset by pale softness. Make-up is minimalist this season that hints at purity, but it is far from perfect.

FRESH SKIN

Give your skin the perfect finish and ditch the bronzer for once. Spring clean your skin and give it a dewy freshness with a mist of sheer foundation to conceal the flaws. Prep your face with a makeup primer. Dust your face lightly with translucent powder to get a clean finish. Dab a little shimmer cream on the high points in your face to reflect light for a dewy look.

OLD BROWS

Thin, over-tweezed, brows are passe. During the fashion weeks, international makeup artists worked on thick, well defined, arched brows to frame the face. Well-defined brows add character to the look. Get yours done to match the shape of your face. The winged look and the arched shape are the popular choice for the make-up artists this season. They claim that thicker brows add glamour to the otherwise low-key make-up of the season.

FULL LASHES

Recreate wide-eyed innocence with some fake lashes. You can go a little overboard with it without feeling guilty. Instead of attaching the whole lash strip, makeup artists cut little lash clusters and glued them in between the real lashes at equal distance. Then piled on mascara to set the eye look. They enhanced the look with a dash of beige or gold eye shadow. If you are not ready to go for falsies, then use a double dose of lengthening and volumising mascara. Use a lash primer before you apply the mascara to build the volume. Go easy on the eye shadow though.

ELEGANT EYES

Metals are hot for spring eye make-up. It adds that edge to the spring's soft makeup. In almost all the major international shows, whether it was Chanel, Prada or Donna Karan, models sported variations of gold and silver shadows. Wear yours as a layer over a beige, khaki or brown shade to create an intense look. Ditch the black eyeliner this season. Focus on using dark colours like, silver grey, midnight blue or chocolate brown as a liner. In case you cannot live without the staple black eyeliner, then use it to draw a thin line to rim your upper and lower lash lines without extending it at the corner to highlight the eyes. To get a soft, spring maiden look, use a peach, pink or lilac shade on your lid close to the lash line, then blend in silver or gold shadow till the crease.

CORAL CHEEKS

A dash of peach, coral or subtle red blush on your cheekbones is the way to enhance spring's fresh face trend. Makeup artists put the coral and red blush where bronzers used to sit last season. To get your blush right, start with a peach blush from the lower apple of your cheeks going up to the temple. Then blend in an intense coral or red colour half way from the cheekbones till the hairline to create a subtly graded look. Pick a blush with a pearly accent to it rather than one that gives a matte effect.

LUSCIOUS LIPS

Neutral and pink lips are back again this season but with a little twist. Instead of hi gloss, the texture is sheer or creamy matte. When choosing a nude shade, go for the ones that have a warm undertone with a hint of gold or terracotta. To get a healthy look, try a peach lipstick or a beige pink gloss. If the rest of your face is muted, then give your lips a full dose of colour with a bright pink lip colour, be it rose, pink or fuchsia. For a more glam night out, pick a bright coral; it is the new red for the season and complements skin tone beautifully. To get a soft matte finish, use a lip pencil dipped in lip balm to fill in your mouth. Or use a gloss and gently blot away the shine. No harsh lip line if you want to look hip.

HIP HAIR

Like rest of the look, hair this season is fuss free and off your face. Low buns, high ponytails, pulled-back braids, loose waves and headbands define tress trend for spring. Slick back your hair and twist it around to form a low bun at the nape. Pull out a few strands to soften the hairstyle. To add glamour to this style, simply make a side part and then pull back the hair into a low chignon. Pull up your hair into a really high ponytail and wrap the base with hair to give a sophisticated look. To dress it up, use a wide silk or organza ribbon to tie up a large bow around the ponytail. A headband is no longer a schoolgirl hair accessory. It adds femininity to adult hair dos as well. Ornate or stretchy bands are a fashionable way to keep hair off your face.

Papaya � A Natural Choice for a Facial Mask

2009-02-09T22:11:00.007+02:00

Papaya is a natural for incorporating into your skin care regime. The fruit offers anti-oxidants and are rich in essential enzymes. Papaya has both preventative and restorative properties when used in skin care. Papaya�s powerful fruit enzymes are know to aid and accelerate healing in skin disorders such as acne. In addition, the fruit enzymes are a gently exfoliation to the skin.

The yellow fruit is usually available all year long, however is more easily found in the super markets between April and October. Papaya offers extensive benefits in skin care therapy. When applied to the face, it reduces wrinkles, nourishes the skin with Vitamin A which accelerates the formation of new skin cells, and exfoliates the skin. In addition, it is loaded with Vitamin C, which is an anti-oxidant. The beta-carotene in this fruit protects the skin and promotes elasticity.

Papaya is used is many skin care products today and provides a �natural� face lift and rejuvenation bring a wonderful and natural glow to the skin. It is commonly seen in toners, moisturizers, and facial peels. In addition, it is gently enough for all skin types.

An occasional facial peel is a great way to loosen dead skin cells, which improve the texture of the skin while restoring elasticity. In addition, peels reduce pore size, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and helps with blotchiness and stimulate collage production.

To effectively use this recipe, cleanse face and steam to open pores. The skin will be moist and receptive to the peel.

Papaya Peel

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh pineapple
Half-a-cup fresh papaya

1 tablespoon honey

Puree fruit together. Add honey and mix into a smooth paste.

Pineapple and papaya contain natural enzymes and alpha-hydroxy acids that remove dead skin cells while the honey moisturizes the skin. Leave mask on 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse completely.

For more wonderful skin care recipes and products, visit http://completeskincaretherapy.com

Celebrity Hairstyles - How to Make Their Looks Your Own

2009-02-08T14:19:00.001+02:00

Celebrities are the most excellent supporting tools for hair styles and haircuts, they show all over and we see them at their top. You can choose any celebrity hairstyle according to your facial shape, hair type, and figure. Here represent some tips for getting celebrity hairstyle.

1. Face Shape

This one is most important thing for considering what hairstyle suits on you. Generally most of the hairstyles are suitable for people having oval shaped face. Here some hairstyles are suggested for other facial shapes.

Round Face Shape:

For round shaped face long and medium length hairstyle with layers is well suited. Avoid short hairstyle. You may follow the hairstyles of the celebrity Christina Ricci for round shaped face.

Square Face Shape:

A square face shape is as like as a round face shape in several ways. You can apply same hairstyles for both. For both the round and square shaped face it is best to reduce richness at the sides of the face, because a blunt cut, chin length or short bob cut is not suitable for a round or square face shape. Square shaped faces are consecrated with vast cheekbones and bone structure, so any hair length from short to long looks great. For looking more stylish you can add waves and curls at the bottom. You can follow the hairstyles of the celebrity Sandra Bullock for your square shaped face.

Heart Face Shape:

For heart shaped face it is best to follow the hairdos of Jennifer Love Hewitt. In this facial shape cheekbones are with thin jaw lines, so chin length bob haircut looks great.

Learn more on celebrity hairstyles, new haircuts and latest hairstyles picture gallery

Eye Care - Dark Circles - How to Get Rid of Dark Eye Circles Fast

2009-02-08T14:12:00.000+02:00

Don't you just hate the sight of dark circles underneath your eyes? Proper eye care and dark circles removal is a great way to look younger and healthier. But getting educated about how to properly treat dark circles is crucial is you want to get rid of them fast.

Eye care and dark circles treatment is just like solving any other medical condition. If you want to get rid of dark circles, you need to find out what causes them to develop and stop them in their tracks.

This is how dark circles for under your eyes:

*When too much blood is trying to get through your capillaries at once, some blood cells begin to wander into your skin

*Once your body detects that some blood cells have breached your skin, an enzyme is sent out to break down these blood cells and the hemoglobin that gives it it's red color.

*When this happens, leftover hemoglobin components are left in your skin, which are a dark black/blue color.

*As you get older, you skin begins to become less firm and thin out (especially the skin around your eyes, which is the thinnest skin on your body already) and the black/blue hemoglobin deposits show through the skin more.

So as you can imagine, proper eye care and dark circles removal requires that all of these problems need to be addressed.

Now, you can start your search for the right kind of eye cream, or you can spend a little more time and research what ingredients best address these problems.

For example, Halyoxl™ has been proven to reduce dark eye circles by up to 60%. It improves capillary circulation underneath your eyes and even removes excess hemoglobin from your skin. Whether you already have dark circles or you just want to prevent them from happening, then Halyoxl™ is an ingredient you may want to look for.

Another is CynergyTK™. This breakthrough new ingredient actually stimulates the production and regrowth of new skin cells, collagen protein, and elastin protein. Collagen is what keeps your skin firm and tight and elastin keeps it elastic and flexible. With increased skin cell growth and more collagen and elastin production, your skin will become thicker and more elastic, making it hard for dark circles and other aging signs to form.

I invite you to learn more about these ingredients and other eye care dark circles ingredients by visiting my website listed below.

Jason Michaels is a long time user and passionate admirer of all natural skin care products. Visit his site now and discover the latest and greatest breakthrough anti aging products and ingredients he recommends after conducting extensive research on anti-aging skin care ---> Go to http://www.skin-and-health-site.com

Smoked Salmon Salad is a Healthy Lunch Option

2009-02-08T13:53:00.001+02:00

As the new year begins, it's a great time to start a plan for changing your eating and fitness habits. This is something that many of us try to do each year, and often, something that we fail at. But this year, why not make a stronger commitment not to losing weight, but to doing something for yourself. You can start by joining a gym and really committing to going several times a week. You can also start by eating lighter at lunch, such as with the addition of smoked salmon salads to your diet. A little bit of change can go a long way toward making you feel better than you have in years.

When you commit to eating a smoked salmon salad for lunch several times a week, you're helping to make this healthy habit a routine, much like going to the gym. Once you get into a routine, it's much easier to keep it going, which means that starting and keeping a commitment to a healthy lifestyle can really change your life. It's also the reason that so many of us have a hard time breaking our unhealthy habits, as they were something that we committed to by not making an effort to life a healthy lifestyle.

Eating a smoked salmon salad several times a week as your lunch is a great way to build your commitment to healthy eating in a way that is both nutritious and good for you. Of course, the vegetables that make up a complex salad are always good for you, as long as they are dressed with a low or no fat dressing. But the secret to this salad is really in the smoked salmon. It's excellent for you for a variety of reasons. The first is that it's incredibly high in protein. This helps you to stay active during a long day.

When you're deciding what to eat as part of a healthy lunch, smoked salmon salad stands out because of how low in calories smoked salmon is. In fact, when you eat the same amount, smoked salmon is lower in calories than both steak and baked chicken. This means that you can eat less to get full, and will be consuming less calories with your lunch. It also means that you're getting a great amount of protein without a lot of empty calories along with it.

There are so many different varieties of smoked salmon salads that you can try, you will never be hard pressed to find one that you want to eat that day. One of the most simple is a smoked salmon and tomato salad. Simply take a large variety of tomato, like a beefsteak, and slice it thinly. Then layer these slices with a thin piece of smoked salmon. Finish with a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette and you have a delicious lunch!

This year is the right time to start following a more healthy lifestyle. It's simple to do when you use smoked salmon salads as a lunch staple!

Want to eat healthier lunches? Try a smoked salmon salad. You can get great deals on fresh smoked salmon today at Smoked Salmon Delivered.

Facial Cleansing for Specific Skin Types

2009-02-03T19:09:00.001+02:00

Cleansing is a vital step in your skin care regime. Proper cleansing with products specific for your skin type will improve your overall appearance. Daily cleansing is important to remove dirt and bacteria, sweat, air pollution, excess oils and in addition cleansing exfoliates the skin surface to promote circulation.

Proper cleansing starts with clean hands. This prevents the transfer of bacteria to your face. Apply your cleansing cream at the forehead and then sweep the cleanser over the face, lips, and neck. Massage the cleanser into your skin in a gentle circular motion. Eye make up can be removed with specially formulated eye creams, as some facial cleansers are not suited to be applied to the eye area. Thoroughly rinse your face with cool or tepid water (not to hot or to cold). Extreme hot or cold water can cause flushing and break sensitive capillaries in the skin. Hot water will open the pores and expose these pores to environmental pollution and dirt.

The best cleanser is those that clean the skin without stripping them of the natural fatty oils that protect and waterproof the skin. Removing excess oils in the skin can be accomplished without harsh soaps and strong cleansing creams that dry out the skin. This drying affect leaves the skin exposed to bacteria, cellular damage, and prone to fine lines and wrinkles due to lack of moisture.

Below are easy recipes for various skin types:

Normal Skin
No matter what skin type, choose mild liquid or soap gels for cleansing your face. Soaps made for bath, body and hands tend to be drying no matter what skin type and should be avoided on the face and neck. When buying store bought cleansing creams look for avocado, coconut, or wheat germ. These natural ingredients are suitable for normal skin types. In addition, below is a facial cleanser for normal skin types:

Gentle Facial Cleanser

1/2 cup oatmeal or cornmeal plain yogurt (add enough yogurt to form a paste)
Mix ingredients to form a paste. With your fingertips and in an upward circular motion, gently massage the paste into your skin. Rinse with warm water and then apply a toner and moisturizer.

Dry skin
First, stay away from hot water when cleansing the face and neck. The hot water opens the pores and extracts the natural moisture quickly. Your cleansing creams should contain non-detergent ingredients that will rinse off easily. When selecting your cleansing cream look for products that contain natural ingredients such as almond, olive or jojoba oils. Below is an easy cleansing recipe for dry skin types:

Honey Cleanser (For Dry Skin)
*Castile soap
1 Teaspoon Honey

Wet face. Pour a little castile soap into the palm of your hand, add honey. Mix honey and soap into a lather, wash face.

*Castile soap is made from vegetable oil as opposed to animal fat like other soaps. Oils used in castile soap include olive, coconut, almond, hemp, and jojoba

Oily skin
Avoid wax-based cleansers, as they are prone to clog pores. An easy recipe for oily skin is as follows:

3 tablespoons oatmeal 2 teaspoons witch hazel a few drops of water

Dampen oatmeal with few drops of water then add the witch hazel. Apply to your face with an upward and outward circular motion. Rinse with lots of warm water. This recipe is good for all kinds of skin. If you have dry skin add a little oil such as olive oil.

Combination skin
Use a foaming face wash in the morning to keep oily areas at bay. Your evening skin care regime you should use a cream cleanser to soothe the dry areas. The oatmeal recipe above is suited for all skin types and would be useful for combination skin types.

Sensitive skin
Cleanse with gentle, milky, water-soluble lotions and tepid water. Avoid gels or soaps that contain drying alcohol, preservatives, or strong-acting acids. Avoid exfoliating scrubs or astringents, which can cause inflammation.

1 cup dried chamomile
4 tablespoons honey
1 cup milk
8 teaspoons wheat germ

Steep chamomile in milk for a few hours. Strain, keeping liquid. Add honey and wheat germ to liquid mixture. Blend well. Place in a bottle. Refrigerate any used portions. Keeps up to a week.

The ingredients in this recipe add a variety of benefits to your skin. The Chamomile is one of the most used herbs in the cosmetic industry. It is used in soaps and cleansing creams to soothe and soften the skin. The milk a natural alpha hydroxyl acid that helps the skin exfoliates and removes dead skin cells off the surface of the skin. It is very hydrating and soothing to the complexion. The wheat germ contains vitamin E and B, which makes this ingredient nourishing and very soothing. In addition, the granular texture gently sloughs off dead skin cells, which makes it a perfect ingredient for sensitive skin.

Why You Should Switch To Mineral Makeup

2009-02-03T19:05:00.001+02:00

Many women who enjoy wearing makeup do so for many reasons. Sometimes it is to cover up blemishes and imperfections of the skin. Sometimes it is just to highlight facial features to add a touch more beauty. However, the problem is that many types of makeup are really horrible and harsh to facial skin, actually causing damage with prolonged use. Unfortunately, a lot of women find a makeup that they like and they wouldn?t change it for the world ? even if it is causing damage to their skin. Thankfully, there is a form of makeup that every woman should try. It is called mineral makeup. There are several brands available, but one of the really great brands out there is called Jane Iredale.What Makes Mineral Makeup Different From Other Types Of Makeup?You probably hear this in every single makeup advertisement, but mineral makeup is truly unique. You will hardly believe the difference that mineral makeup makes to your skin. First of all, mineral makeup is non-comedogenic. In terms of skin care products, it means that it will not block your pores. This is important because makeup which blocks the pores can cause skin blemishes when it gets trapped beneath the skin. Non-comedogenic makeup is great for acne-prone skin because it reduces the chances of getting acne. Secondly, mineral makeup, such as the products available from Jane Iredale, is all natural and hypo-allergenic. That means even women who have super-sensitive skin can wear mineral makeup. Third, mineral makeup gives complete coverage for all kinds of skin imperfections. Even women with rosacea can use mineral makeup and it will completely cover the redness and even out the skin tone. Another reason that women should try mineral makeup is because it is long-lasting and rarely needs touch-ups throughout the day. This means that you can actually save money with mineral makeup because over time you will use less, and it will last much longer than other types of makeup.Mineral Makeup Is Actually Good For Your SkinWhile so many people forget to use sunscreen on a daily basis to protect the skin and prevent pre-mature aging, if you switch to mineral makeup, this will no longer be a problem. Mineral makeup has built in sun protection ? up to an SPF 20. This means that your face is protected from harmful UVA and UVB rays. Mineral makeup is so good for your skin, that it comes highly recommended by plastic surgeons and dermatologists worldwide. The mineral makeup forms a breathable barrier that actually protects the skin from environmental pollutants that can cause free radical damage. Some professionals even say that mineral makeup is so good for your skin that you can actually sleep in it with no worries. If you haven?t already given mineral makeup a try, or if you are in the market for mineral makeup, it is definitely worth it to make the switch. Mineral makeup products, such as those available from Jane Iredale, are available from skincare professionals. Once you try mineral makeup, you will never want to use any other kind of makeup!

Green Tea for Beautiful Skin and Healthy Living

2009-02-01T23:31:00.000+02:00

Green tea offers so many benefits to the skin and to the body. It contains antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and anti-bacterial properties. It is not a mystery green tea is so popular in the cosmetic industry. Loaded with Vitamin E and C, the antioxidant agents slow the signs of aging externally and provide beneficial vitamins for overall health when taken internally.

Furthermore, recent research has concluded that green tea can prevent cancer. The death rate in Japan from cancer is significantly lower than that in the States. In Japan, green tea is part of their daily staple and consumed as much as 5 to 6 cups a day. This suggests that the main ingredients in green tea (*tannin, **catechin-see definition below) in sufficient amounts can lower the mortality rates of cancer patients.

Additionally, green tea can lower high blood pressure and lower blood sugar levels for those suffering with diabetes or the onset thereof. Caffeinated tea refreshes the body when taken internally; it stimulates the body?s organs and clears the mind. Green tea can lower cholesterol by restricting the excessive buildup of (LDL) cholesterol. Research has also suggested that green tea can inhibit skin cancer due to its protective properties.

Overall, green tea drinkers seem to enjoy better health. The vital ingredient Catechin is 100 times more potent than Vitamin C and 25 times more potent than Vitamin E.

Green Tea Facial Toner

5 green tea bags or several heaping teaspoons of green tea leaves
1/3 to ? cup fresh herb, chopped (see list below for your specific skin type)
2 cups mineral water or vitamin water

Combine all ingredients in a small pot. Bring to boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Strain if necessary. Apply with cotton ball. The toner will keep for at least one week in the refrigerator.

Dry skin: Elderflower, linden flowers, and marigold.
Normal skin: chamomile - especially good for antiseptic values, fennel, lemon balm, parsley, and rosemary.
Oily Skin: Chamomile-especially good for antiseptic values, fennel, lemon balm, parsley, rosemary, and peppermint and sage-especially good for antiseptic values.

*Definition of catechin: The antioxidant activity about 25-100 times more potent than vitamins C and E. One cup of green tea may provide 10-40mg of polyphenols and can have an antioxidant activity greater than a serving of broccoli, spinach, carrots, or strawberries. A catechin is effective because it sticks to proteins easily and blocks bacteria from adhering to cell walls. This disrupts their ability to destroy them. The catechin in green tea also prevents viruses from adhering to cell walls and causing harm.

**Definition of Tannin: All tannins act as astringents, shrinking tissues and contracting structural proteins in the skin and mucus.

Carol Belanger, author of 300+
Skin Care Recipes

For more wonderful skin care recipes and products, visit http://www.completeskincaretherapy.com

How to Apply Smoky Eye Makeup

2009-02-01T15:04:00.001+02:00

Smoky eye makeup is almost a common sight at night parties or glam events or even dates. This is because the smoky eye look gives a dramatic yet alluring look for the evening.

For those ladies who often use fake eyelashes, the smoky eye look is a must as it helps to camouflage the stick on part of the fake eyelashes. Below are some simple steps to create a perfect smoky eye look.

Step 1

Always apply an eyeshadow base over the entire eyelid to the brow bone. This is to set the foundation for your eye makeup and helps to ensure that your eye makeup stays intact throughout the day.

Step 2

Brush the darker eyeshadow color from your eyelid to midway upwards. Remember to blend the colors nicely. The darker the color, the more dramatic and smokier the effect is.

Step 3

Use a thin line brush to brush on the darkest color onto the entire eyelid area.

Ensure that the colors are blended nicely. They should look gradual instead of abrupt.

Step 4

Apply a liquid eyeliner closely to your lash area and also to the bottom eye line. For the bottom eyeline, start from the end of your eye corners and move it inwards. Draw up to 1/3 length.

Step 5

You may choose to smudge the eyeliner with an eye brush a bit to enhance the eye effect.

Step 6

Curl your eyelashes and coat volumizing mascara onto them. If you want to be more eye-catching, put on your fake eyelashes instead. Remember to curl both your real lashes and your fake lashes before you stick your fake lashes on.

Step 7

Keep the rest of your makeup simple. Do not overdo your cheeks and your lips. The focus should only be on your eyes.

Makeup Celebrity carries a wide range of Japanese eyeshadows and eyeliners.

Author operates an online store at http://www.makeupcelebrity.com which brings best Japanese comestics and skincare to the world.