BEAUTY LIFE

How can I buy cheap clothes Women's yoga

2011-01-26T20:19:00.000-08:00

Although Sally had no problem with going to the gym, which was not so excited about taking a yoga class. His friends said that she would love it, but I also knew I'd have to buy lots of new clothes, it was something that she really could not afford. So how can you get cheap clothes women trendy yoga without spending a fortune?

- Sally trip to your local store does not go as well as she had planned. She expected a variety of yoga clothing sportswear department, but found they had nothing more than a pair of cropped pants. She hoped she could find some nice women clothing yoga at sports stores in the mall, but that does not work well.

- His next stop was a discount clothing store, but the range was very small. Had basic black yoga pants, but not caps to go with them, and nothing in his size.

- You can also go to a sporting goods store. They often have a good variety of athletic women's clothing, but not always wear clothing for women of yoga. Especially if you are looking for something unusual, they usually do not find it here.

- Go online seems to be the best place for any woman to find the type of yoga clothes they want. If you are looking for designer fashion brands, clothing, yoga or just comfortable fit will help others in the class, you should have no trouble finding them in an online store that specializes in yoga clothes .

- Of course you can go to a yoga studio for clothes, but they are almost always the most expensive place to buy. Have some variety, but you will find that clothes are outrageous price.

Sally bought a pair of cheap yoga clothes shopping at an online store of yoga and was very happy with what you bought. Within days, he was sent to her and she was able to take a yoga class. She was happy that she did not have to spend much money, and there was something exclusive clothing than anyone else in the class had seen, and a bag of great yoga and a yoga mat you bought there, too.

The benefits of a calm and peaceful mind during pregnancy

2011-01-26T20:17:00.000-08:00

Pregnancy is a time when you must take special care of themselves, both for their own welfare and that of her unborn child. Most women have heard "eat for two ', and take special care of what they eat, the adoption of a diet rich in essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals, while ensuring a peaceful mind can be so important during pregnancy .

Besides being a mental and emotional stress can have a major impact on the body and overall health and wellness. Find ways to reduce, manage and control stress is important during pregnancy and is part of achieving a general welfare.

To help patients reduce stress during pregnancy, many clinics can provide the mind and body relaxation programs to help control and reduce stress. Restorative yoga is a form of yoga that involves the use of accessories such as blocks, blankets, chairs, walls, etc to place the body in certain positions.

The idea is that this is a relaxing form of yoga that does not require the effort of strength and energy. Note, however, that this form of yoga break is different from sleep. Before any session of yoga, make sure you tell the instructor you are pregnant, and avoid certain types of yoga such as Bikram or hot yoga.

Acupuncture can also be a useful treatment to reduce stress. This is an ancient Chinese treatment that involves inserting thin needles, sterile in certain parts of the body. Practitioners believe this helps to release positive energy, negative energy that drives the process to bring the body into a healthy balance. The reason for the success of acupuncture is not fully understood, although many have noted the success in treating various ailments and stress reduction.

Counseling may be another good way to ensure a peaceful mind, peaceful during pregnancy. Whether you're talking one-on-one with a counselor or a group therapy session, talking about what is happening with a professional or with other women going through the same, and that can have a big impact.

Many clinics offer counseling services for pregnant women or women experiencing infertility to help cope. Moreover, the discussion of their problems and concerns with your partner may be useful as it not only allows you to talk about their problems, but it tells your partner what is happening.

Looking For Natural Angular Cheilitis Cures

2011-01-25T17:58:00.000-08:00

There are numerous cures, both natural and medicinal, for the painful and socially embarrassing condition known as angular cheilitis, cheilosis, angular stomatitis and even perleche. In spite of the number of angular cheilitis cures in existence, the condition is notoriously hard to get rid of once it has gotten a grip which means that prevention can be better than cure but this is not always possible. The best way to beat the condition is to adopt a two-pronged approach of prevention through good oral hygiene and healthy eating, and cure through medication. If you want to try to cure it naturally there are a number of things you can do to help rid yourself of the condition.

One of the fundamental angular cheilitis cures that relates to both prevention and cure is healthy eating. A lack of B vitamins and iron and manganese compromises the immune system which, in turn, can lead to cheilosis, so eating lots of green leafy vegetables and beetroot (to increase iron absorption) can help. The fungus Candida Albicans that lives in the mucous membranes of the mouth and in the digestive system is one of the major contributors to the development on perleche when there is an overgrowth of it. This fungus thrives off yeast and sugar, and a proliferation of it causes the candidiasis, or 'thrush', that leads to cheilitis. Therefore, avoiding sugar and wheat, as well as other fermented foods and alcohol is a step in the right direction towards curing not only the candidiasis but the cheilitis as well. You can also supplement your diet with a good multivitamin complex to help boost immunity and fight the condition. Drinking lots of water to help the body rid itself of toxins is not a bad idea either.

Good oral hygiene is vitally important not only in preventing angular cheilitis but in curing it. Bacteria that naturally resides in the mouth and respiratory tract can multiply and gather in the folds at the sides of the mouth as saliva is deposited there and exacerbate the formation of the unsightly and painful lesions associated with cheilitis. Two natural preventative angular cheilitis cures that are helpful here are good brushing and stringent cleaning of dentures, if you have them. Badly-fitting dentures make denture-wearers particularly prone to cheilosis so make sure yours are properly fitted by your dentist. Another preventative remedy is to keep your lips hydrated by regularly applying lip balm so that they do not become chapped. Chapped lips and continual lip-licking when there is cheilitis-causing bacteria in the mouth is a definite contributor to the reddened scaly patches of skin that can appear around the mouths of sufferers.

The angular cheilitis cures described above can safely be applied as there is no actual medicine involved but if the condition persists, it would be wise to consult a doctor for medical treatment. In addition, the symptoms of angular cheilitis can be the same as those of more serious diseases so it is a good idea to get medical advice if you have not experienced cheilosis before.

Build Muscle And Lose Fat With 4 Clean Steps

2011-01-25T17:56:00.000-08:00

Build muscle and burn fat are the two most important components in constructing an exceptional physique, so you'll want to heed the advice on this guide. The desire for a powerful, wholesome body is common enough, and there's no shortage of information out there. Not all of it's accurate, so right here on this article we present you the best way to construct muscle and burn fat properly.

Step 1
The fundamentals which it's essential to know to construct muscle and burn fats successfully are cardio workouts and resistance coaching, which more often than not includes lifting weights at a gym. Weight lifting is great to your muscle tissues, giving them more power, and enhancing their efficiency. The weight lifting will then bulk up the muscular tissues with extra dimension, and the cardio burns off excess fats, and offers your coronary heart a stimulating workout.

Step 2
After you have developed a settled exercise program with both cardio and resistance training, the best way to construct muscle and burn fats as quickly as potential is to chop the rest periods in between workouts proper down. This makes your gym work a lot more strenuous, and you have to be careful. Supplied you stay inside your limits, your muscle mass will benefit enormously from working at the point of exhaustion.

Step 3
One often missed, but extremely essential, issue within the efficacy of your exercises is your diet. Learning which meals to eat at any given stage is a crucial think about having the ability to build muscle and burn fat. Very few bodybuilders actually know find out how to do this. Muscle groups need protein to rebuild themselves after a strenuous workout, so soak up protein meals as quickly as you can. Attempt it for a month, and see what happens. Attempt it with low fats protein comparable to tuna or chicken, and you should be pleased with the results.

Step 4
Make certain the weights you carry are right. Whereas most individuals will let you know to be sure to are usually not lifting an excessive amount of weight, and that is indeed sound advice, you also have to know that there are extra folks in gyms beneath lifting than over lifting. Many weightlifters struggle to see gains as a result of they aren't lifting enough weight to work the muscles. A weight which you'll be able to only handle to raise for six or eight reps is ideal to build muscle and burn fat. Discover a weight which you can solely lift round 6 times, and hold practising lifting until you can lift the load more than six times. When you possibly can raise the load ten occasions with relative ease, it's time to enhance the weight again.

Comply with the straightforward however efficient advice in this information, and one can find yourself capable of construct muscle and burn fat.

A Kangen Water Machine Can Help You Get Back Your Health!

2011-01-25T17:55:00.000-08:00

It's projected that more than 70 percent of the weight of human is water. And this makes it very important for everybody to have sufficient of it. In addition, it's a major role player in a variety of body functions. Are you looking for a way to enhance its benefits? If so, you might consider using a Kangen Water machine.

This filter is not like anything else. After undergoing a unique method of filtering, tap water then undergoes electrolysis. This method ionizes the elements and eliminates unneeded contents, such as toxins. It is then converted into a pH which is alkaline or basic, as there are present hydrogen molecules which are highly active. This device is engineered by Enagic. It's a company that's studying on mineral water for three decades already.

Subsequently, the molecular structure of water is changed. It gets smaller, comprised of about 5 to 6 clusters. This allows for it to be easily absorbed by the body, when compared with plain tap water. The result? Quicker hydration and elimination of poisons within the body. Additionally, minerals (magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium) are absorbed at a faster rate.

Alkaline water also acts as a powerful anti-oxidant. Throughout typical body processes, waste material are given. Most of these waste products are oxygen molecules that are highly volatile. Called free radicals, they attach themselves to many other cells which are healthy, and cause damage to them. Through the Kangen machine, the hydrogen content of water can be expanded. Hydrogen molecules stick to these free radicals, sweeps them out of your body, delaying the process of aging.

There are a number severe health problems which are associated with the body's acidity. An ideal way of counteracting acidity is by the introduction of alkaline rich substances into the body. This, consequently, leads to some curing effects. Those who also wish to shed weight could also find consumption of alkaline water very useful. You are able to drink as much of it as you like; it's still regular water so there aren't any side effects to be worried about.

The cleansing effect is yet another benefit to be enjoyed. Everyday, we're swamped by harmful toxins all over. With their piling up in the body, the body's methods of eliminating them quickly are affected. Similarly, the body's natural defences against penetrating microorganisms are destabilized. Such results to our susceptibility to several different diseases. But with proper detoxification, toxins can be easily eliminated from your body.

Breakthroughs in technology enable the production of lightweight Kangen Water machine. Versions usually come in stand-alone types, or those that you specifically affix to faucets. Other than the company Enagic, there are additional manufacturers who also promote this filtering machine nowadays

Long Distance Relationships Advice: How to Make the Relationship Work

2011-01-24T17:49:00.000-08:00

These days it is becoming more and more common that people have long distance relationships. With e-mail, chat rooms, mobile phones, Skype, and all sorts of other digital tools at our disposal is easier than ever to keep in touch with our partner, even when they are on the other side of the country. Here are some tips on how to survive and thrive in a long distance relationship. The first thing you do is really sit down and discuss things. Both must be willing to commit to their relationship if I wanted to work. If you do not really talk about things that go into it halfway, then it is likely that things will break and end up hurting someone. Set a date for the next time you go to meet his partner. If you know exactly when you meet him, then he will make the time between your next visit more bearable. It will also help build the excitement to know that you see on the weekend for several days. Always try to have at least some contact with each and every day of the week. Even if it only means sending texts back and forth, still going to have personal contact with them. It is certainly a good idea to let your partner know that you're thinking of them, even when they are with them. From time to time try to go one step further. Write a letter to send to her or send a card instead. You may even consider buying a gift and mail. Write some really poignant and intimate words that will make your heart melt. This is a great way to keep some of the romance alive, even when not in direct contact. If you can you should also try to talk to your partner every day for at least a few minutes. As mentioned, it is always a good idea to have some kind of contact each day. The best way to contact which will be available to talk to them directly. Find out how the day has gone and how they feel. These days you can also use things like Instant Messenger or Skype. Using Skype will even let you see your face when you chat, making everything more bearable. Surprise as often as possible. If you know you are going to have a quiet weekend at the former might be a good idea for you to pretend that we have to work and then go to the door anyway. They will not see this as a very romantic gesture and will be absolutely delighted to see you. However, remember that absence makes the heart grow fonder. While you're always in each other's thoughts and every time we see it will be a little more special.

Some basic tips on surviving a long distance relationship

2011-01-24T17:47:00.000-08:00

These days it is becoming more and more common that people have long distance relationships. With e-mail, chat rooms, mobile phones, Skype, and all sorts of other digital tools at our disposal is easier than ever to keep in touch with our partner, even when they are on the other side of the country. Here are some tips on how to survive and thrive in a long distance relationship.

The first thing you do is really sit down and discuss things. Both must be willing to commit to their relationship if I wanted to work. If you do not really talk about things that go into it halfway, then it is likely that things will break and end up hurting someone.

Set a date for the next time you go to meet his partner. If you know exactly when you meet him, then he will make the time between your next visit more bearable. It will also help build the excitement to know that you see on the weekend for several days.

Always try to have at least some contact with each and every day of the week. Even if it only means sending texts back and forth, still going to have personal contact with them. It is certainly a good idea to let your partner know that you're thinking of them, even when they are with them.

From time to time try to go one step further. Write a letter to send to her or send a card instead. You may even consider buying a gift and mail. Write some really poignant and intimate words that will make your heart melt. This is a great way to keep some of the romance alive, even when not in direct contact.

If you can you should also try to talk to your partner every day for at least a few minutes. As mentioned, it is always a good idea to have some kind of contact each day. The best way to contact which will be available to talk to them directly. Find out how the day has gone and how they feel. These days you can also use things like Instant Messenger or Skype. Using Skype will even let you see your face when you chat, making everything more bearable.

Surprise as often as possible. If you know you are going to have a quiet weekend at the former might be a good idea for you to pretend that we have to work and then go to the door anyway. They will not see this as a very romantic gesture and will be absolutely delighted to see you.

However, remember that absence makes the heart grow fonder. While you're always in each other's thoughts and every time we see it will be a little more special.

Ways to get pregnant naturally - Tips and tricks you can do in bed

2011-01-23T18:10:00.001-08:00

Women who want to learn tips for getting pregnant naturally be helpful tips below what to do during sex to greatly increase the chances of pregnancy.

First, time is of crucial importance. Sex on the day of ovulation is the standard recommendation, but some studies indicate that it is better to have sex about twelve hours before ovulation and again on day of ovulation. Sperm need this amount of hours to complete a process called training, during which travel through the female reproductive tract and fertilize an egg.

This implies that women should know for sure when your day of ovulation. You can use ovulation kits and techniques such as basal body temperature monitoring. There are online guides that explain in detail how to perform this control.

It is also often beneficial to use lubricants during intercourse to facilitate entry of sperm and increases sperm motility. However, most commercial lubricants are detrimental to sperm, and even saliva can harm sperm. A good egg substitute is as a sexual lubricant.

After sex, she should stay in bed and lay still for about 30 minutes. It should put a pillow under your hips to reduce the effect of gravity on sperm movement. which is a simple but very valuable tips on how to get pregnant naturally.

A fairly healthy women using these tips are found effective. To maximize your chances of getting pregnant, she should continue to see their health, exercise regularly, go without coffee, nicotine and alcohol, learning to relax and avoid stress and get enough sleep at night.

Laser Hair Removal and Female Hirsutism

2011-01-23T18:08:00.000-08:00

Laser hair removal can be an effective treatment option for women suffering from hirsutism. female hirsutism affects between 5 and 10% of all women. The percentage is higher for women with polycystic ovary syndrome, also known as PC operating system. The women of Asian or African descent are affected less frequently than those of European descent. This condition can cause extreme emotional distress for many women.

female hirsutism is vaguely described as increased hair growth and excessive. That growth occurs in areas of the body where there is usually little or no normal hair growth. The hair usually grows into an adult, male, sexual patterns, hair growth. For instance, a woman with hirsutism can grow a beard, mustache, chest or back hair. Many women have hair in these areas, but usually is pale, thin and almost invisible. In the case of a woman with hirsutism, the hair is thick, course and can be colored.

Before seeking laser hair removal treatment for hirsutism, it is essential to consult your primary care physician. The cause of the disease must be determined, as can be the result of different hormones, or medical problem that needs to be treated medically. body hair growth is determined by genetics, hormones and lifestyle. Often, but not always, hirsutism is caused by androgenic hormone levels are very high.

The significant growth of hair can be seen on the chin, upper lip, or area of the pins of a woman with mild hirsutism. It may also grow in the lower abdomen and around the nipples and is the same color as the hair that grows in the woman's head. For women with advanced cases of hirsutism, excessive hair growth will also be in the upper abdomen, sternum, shoulders and upper back. In many cases, hirsutism begins with puberty.

The amount of hair on a woman's body is different from person to person. What may seem normal that a woman may seem excessive to another. For example, a woman from Sweden, with light hair and skin can feel a dark-haired woman of Italy, which has lots of hair.

Laser hair removal is a safe and effective for women with hirsutism to get rid of unwanted hair too. For facial hair is a much better after waxing waxing or shaving of the skin. One treatment is all that is needed to remove facial hair and is less painful, much more durable results. However, more than one treatment may be necessary for the elimination of excessive unwanted hair in other parts of the body.

In today's world, physical appearance is very important to many people and how they relate to each other. It can be very stressful and embarrassing for a woman to have an excessive amount of hair growing where it should not grow. Laser hair removal is a safe alternative to other hair removal methods and effective treatment option for women suffering from hirsutism.

All you need to lose weight is you!

2011-01-22T18:15:00.000-08:00

Ok so it is at this time of year again. January and everyone goes crazy for weight loss. Not only are people trying to lose weight, but also stores, advertisers, the celebrity with their DVDs! They want to capitalize on this as much as possible and you have to realize is that you do not need all the things out there trying to flog you. All you need to lose weight you are.

It can be difficult to try to lose weight. The last thing we need is all these different products that claim to do all the work for you. Also in the top of the DVD of celebrities with their bodys lean drumming tones on the face and the classic before and after image. The thing with these celebrities is that they have two things that most people have no meaning a 100% success for them and failure for us.

Time and Money!

Ok, so you can fit your exercise at any time they want. There are days of hard work as most people. Money is another factor. They can afford the best personal trainers (not cheap), a dietitian to ensure your right to eat healthy foods that I'm sure you know is not cheap! What I am trying to convey is not fooled by the magic of DVD has transformed in just 20 minutes a day doing. The reality is that exercise would have done more with her personal trainer every day, every day have been motivated by his personal trainer (very important) And have eaten exactly the right food to lose weight and tone.

Let me pick up on the point of motivation. This is something that people tend to lose early in his mission to lose weight. It's hard to get up every day and can start the day. Ok so how can we change this situation without the cost of personal trainers? Good friends with someone who also wants to lose weight. You'll be surprised how much of a boost it will give to others, does not want to leave your partner so self-motivated. If you do not have a friend who until then with a way to motivate yourself is to see progress.

So each week to record things as weight, size of the waste, the size of the leg, thigh size, arm size. To see that every week is getting thinner will give you the motivation that every morning. It is because this is a gradual progress is not really really notice the difference in the mirror. So that's another important message. Do not set your goals too high! Place realistic about what you can accomplish. You really can lose track if you can not achieve their goals, but if they are realistic and come to the morale boost is awesome!

What I take from this is that it is not necessary to go all out and spend a lot of money. Certainly going to lose pounds, but not the ones you want. :) If you want to lose weight, then eat right, exercise, put in hard work and keep your motivation up.

Phentermine: raising the bar in diet pills

2011-01-22T18:13:00.000-08:00

The increasing demand for effective diet pills can be attributed to the stereotypes set by the media in terms of beauty. Magazines, television and the Internet have created thin people on the highest pedestal of beauty. Fortunately, there is Phentermine. It is a widely used drug against obesity in the United States that is similar to amphetamines and activates the fight or flight response, with the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine. It is a good complementary treatment for obesity with diet modification and regular exercise.

Phentermine is also sold as Adipex-P, was accepted for the first time in the overall market after being approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1959. It became a popular drug for obesity and has been the subject of numerous studies and articles from the year 1990.

In the past, this diet pill has been used with fenfluramine (Pondimin) and dexfenfluramine (Redux) in a drug called Fen-Phen for best effect. However, this combination has been arrested in 1997 because the development problems of the heart valves has been associated with use of fenfluramine.

Today, phentermine is only used to induce weight loss. When you are taking this diet pill, be sure to follow the dose prescribed by your doctor on demand, as it can cause withdrawal symptoms. Normally, this diet pill is available in extended-release tablets or capsules may be taken three times daily 30 minutes before a meal or a single dose during breakfast. If taken by the latter method, it is best to take this medicine one hour before breakfast or approximately 2 hours after breakfast with a full glass of water to optimize the suppression of appetite. Never take a couple of hours before bedtime because it may cause difficulty sleeping.

When you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, never take a double dose to make up the missed dose as this can cause an overdose. In addition, people taking antidepressants, insulin or oral diabetes medications and drugs used to lower high blood pressure should not take this diet pill because of drug interactions. Alcohol consumption also prevents this pill to prevent an increase in side effects of this pill for weight loss.

Generally, phentermine is used in the short term and should never be extended without the doctor's advice because it can cause dependence. In order to achieve optimal results, but must also be accompanied by a healthy diet and healthy lifestyle.

Diets to lose weight fast - Eating Right to Lose Weight

2011-01-21T08:04:00.000-08:00

There are fad diets for many around, but I tell you diets to lose weight fast are not exaggerated. Diets for quick weight loss diets are healthy. Diets for quick weight loss are free of carbohydrates.

May not have heard, but the quickest way to lose weight is to get rid of the carbohydrates in your diet. This is not an easy thing to do, but adherence to this diet without carbohydrates, with little exercise will give rapid and significant results.This simply means that your diet is based on meat, fish and vegetables. You can have grilled chicken, steamed vegetables and a lot of salad but watch your salad dressing to make sure it is healthy.

Diets for quick weight loss may also include cheese and eggs, but absolutely no bread, pasta, rice, sugar, cereals, beans, fruits or any food containing more than 9 grams of carbohydrates.

Be sure to eat plenty of vegetables and drink more than 8 glasses of water a day. This fills and reduces food cravings. When you eat less, the end result is fewer calories which is very essential for fat loss goal.

Avoid eating after 7pm and always go for a light dinner. Participate in the exercise can make you better results.

Spread your meals into 6 parts instead of one or two large meals.This means that you will eat every 2-3 hours daily.

Sleep, sleep, sleep. It has been shown that having enough sleep is crucial for fat loss goal.

If you follow these diets for quick weight steadily, you will see significant results within a month, but you have to keep at it for the overall success of fat loss.

To lose weight you have to restart your metabolism

2011-01-21T08:02:00.000-08:00

With a current epidemic of weight gain in our modern world is inactive wonder so many people want to lose weight so they can look and feel better about themselves. A word that is heard frequently used in relation to weight loss or weight gain metabolism, as it often is to blame, since it is the type of fuel your body burns.

When you hear someone say, "My metabolism has slowed down" probably right. Anyone over the age of 25 years in the inactive and sedentary world does a poor structured exercise program is definitely going to have a slower metabolism.

Your metabolism after all, is essentially the engine of your body. Throughout the day, if active or sleep is the burning of fuel (calories). It regulates the amount of food intake is burned for energy or stored in your body as excess body fat. If you have allowed your muscular system to become flaccid and no tones will be burning a lot less than someone who is strong and fit.

Therefore, the problem of overweight comes down to having too much fat for the amount of muscle they have. This is your body composition (muscle / fat) and not only caused by eating too much food, but in reality it is not doing enough muscle building and maintenance of the activity.

This is very easy in our modern world, as everything that looks like "work" so that our muscles have been removed to make our life easier "and" comfortable. " The price we are paying for this is that two thirds of our population is overweight to some degree or another.

The only solution that will correct this is to restore the loss of muscle tissue that is responsible for the slow metabolic rate and the only type of exercise that will do this is a strength training exercise. Only one or two pounds of muscle renewed increase your metabolic rate and start chewing on that excess body fat.

Will not even realize this, because it is buried deep in fat and that is your real enemy is not strong healthy muscle tissue that will help you to be thinner. As we return to restore muscle tone and burning fat for their weight on the scale can not change, but be sure that under the right fat side down on the base level of important changes happening in the motor metabolism to help you be more agile and slimmer.

Of course not "fix" for a moment, there is none of these when it comes to fat loss. But he is working on a long term solution and can gradually reclaim your body strong, lean, thin, healthy and restart revving your metabolic rate. This means that you burn more fuel per minute of the day and night to burn the fat that spoil its appearance and increases their risk of disease.

How to Win Your Girlfriend Back - Powerful Ways to Pull Her Back

2009-12-13T06:38:00.000-08:00

When you want nothing more in the world to reconcile with your ex-girlfriend, it can seem as though everything is standing in your way. The more that you find yourself thinking about her and how to attract her back, the more confusion that you feel and you are not sure which direction that you should take. This is perfectly natural to feel this way, as almost everyone has a hard time dealing with breakup situations.

Is there a way that you can pull her back to YOU? Is there a way that you can attract her back and not have to deal with all of the confusion anymore?

Here are a few tips that may help you out:

1. Be delicate when discussing things with your ex-girlfriend. You do not want to push her further away from you by not using the right tact when you are talking with her. While there is good reason for you to feel anxious about things, you want to talk to your ex-girlfriend in a calm and collected manner. The whole point is to pull her back, not push her out.

2. Hear her side of things. While you will have your own viewpoints, you want to make sure that you hear her perspective on the reasons why things were not working out. Don't dwell on these factors, and look for ways that you can solve the problems so that they do not get in the way again.

3. Ease into any discussions of reconciling with her. You don't want to be too forward with letting her know that you want to get back together. Remember how fun it was at the beginning of the relationship when there was that feeling of not knowing and this made you step your game up with her a little more? Recreate that feeling so that you can bring the spark back.

These three tips can easily help you to pull your ex-girlfriend back to you. However, there are more advanced techniques and strategies that you can use that will help you to get her back fast. Time is of the essence when dealing with your ex-girlfriend, and you do not want to allow too much time to pass. Otherwise, there is one thing that you can be sure of.

Getting her back will take more effort and the chances of her meeting a new guy will rise, if you choose to wait for far too long.

Weight Loss- How To Factor In Food Labels

2009-12-13T06:35:00.000-08:00

Information is an important part of any major effort, and that includes trying to lose weight. When we know exactly what's going into our bodies, we can make informed decisions about how to take control, rather than making hopeful guesses and blind leaps.

A key tool in gathering this information is the nutrition label found on the packaging of almost every piece of food we buy. This little label provides essential information summarized to help you maximize your weight-management efforts. Knowing how to read this label is a vital skill that should be part of every grocery shopping trip.

By simply taking a moment to factor in these nutritional facts, you gain concrete, reliable data that can take the guesswork out of your diet. Here, we give you the skinny on what to look for, so you can quickly get the info you need and get going.

Step One - Look at the Serving Size

This is the single most important piece of information on the Nutrition Facts label. All the other information on the list is based on a single serving size, so knowing this size is vital to understanding the rest of what we're reading.

Consider a chicken noodle soup can, for example. The label says that the soup has 890 mg of sodium, or 37% of the daily-recommended intake for a 2,000-calorie diet. This is not the total for the entire can, it is the total per serving. However, there are 2.5 servings in a single can. This means the can has 2225 mg of sodium, or 92.5% of the daily value. This is the difference between one can being a third of our daily allowance and nearly ALL of our daily allowance.

Step Two - Look at the Categories

There are a number of elements listed, always in a standard order, and again always broken down by serving size. Not every label has every item. Foods made from fruit typically don't list cholesterol, for example. As a rule of thumb, if the label doesn't list it, then that element isn't present (or at least not in a statistically significant amount). These sections typically have a hard number per servings, but also can include sub-sections explaining in more detail.

For example, the categories on our sample soup can include: * Calories: Our chicken noodle soup has 60 calories per serving, with 20 of them coming from fat. * Total Fat: This can has two grams of fat per serving, .5 of which are saturated fats. The can contains zero grams of the particularly troublesome transfats.

Step Three - Look at the Numbers

There are several important groups of numbers on every Nutrition Facts label. Each set of numbers has their own meaning, and can provide a great deal of information.

The first number to consider is typically labeled "%DV," which stands for percent of daily value. A serving of chicken noodle soup has 15mg of cholesterol, which is 5% of the daily-recommended value.

Notice that these percentages, however, are based on a 2000 calorie a day diet. Everyone's dietary needs are different, so the Nutrition Facts label has to shoot for an average. If you were an athlete training on a 2400 calorie a day diet, 5% of your daily cholesterol would be 18mg, not 15mg.

This means that while the percentages are a useful guideline, they can only serve as that. More important are the hard numbers of these ingredients, in grams and milligrams. Consult your dietician or nutritionist and establish what your target daily allowance of calories, fats, and the like will be, and then use that information to determine what your percentages are.

Step Four - Make the Info Count

Of course, we need more than a list of raw data when it comes to taking control of our eating habits. As mentioned above, remember that you need to speak with a professional and identify your specific dietary needs before you can truly take advantage of this information.

For example, a diabetic has different nutritional requirements than someone who is simply a few pounds overweight. For the diabetic, the carbohydrates section will probably be the most important, since it includes the sugar content of the food in question. For someone simply looking to lose a few pounds, knowing the calorie content is probably going to be the focus, so they can compare their exercise to their diet intake. Sodium will of course be relevant to those with high blood pressure, and so forth.

The important thing to remember is that this label is a tool for taking control, not a warning list to make you feel guilty about eating. Yes, our can of soup has a great deal of sodium in it, something that should give us pause. That doesn't mean we have to skip it, it simply means we need to consider reducing salt intake in our other foods for the rest of the day, or perhaps having only half the can at a time, with a piece of fruit as a side.

The Nutrition Facts label is a great opportunity for personal empowerment, because it gives us so much of the information we need, in one convenient place. For example, consider organizing your daily food journal in the same way a nutrition label is laid out. Take some time to examine the labels in your pantry, and find a way you can use this information to help you take control.

How and why fashion trends return

2009-12-13T06:31:00.000-08:00

There are many reasons for fashion trends to recycle, other than the most obvious one - that designers periodically run out of new ideas. They, like writers, can experience a momentary idea block. It isn't pretty but it happens to the best of us. However, that is by no means the primary reason behind the "everything old is new again" full circle we experience from time to time.

The first important reason behind fashion recycling is the visceral need to return to what we believe was a better time. That was never truer than it is in today. Certain eras speak to the feelings we want to recapture, like romance, stability or financial acuity.

So the return of the big shoulder in women's fashion hearkens back to the 80's when it was okay to be wealthy. It was also a time when women felt no need to apologize for their intelligence and ambition. The revitalization of the shirtdress speaks to the need for some women to return attention to hearth and home. Dresses in general speak to a woman's readiness to once again embrace her femininity. The fact is that few recycled fashion trends are based on chance alone; tired of recent fashion but frightened of where the future is going, sometimes the only comfort that can be found lies within that with which we are most familiar.

Sometimes fashion speaks to the need to redefine ourselves as human beings. Call it a rebirth of sorts. When fashion designers catch on to that need, they spin new and interesting takes on where they think women should be going. Sometimes they come up with something new and exciting, at other times they merely rework old designs. Either way, the end result is often exactly what is called for.

Fashion periodically focuses on a specific culture to provide what is known as escapist fashion. It allows those of us unfamiliar with other cultures to take a peek into that world and become a part of it through our dress. A few years back there was a heavy emphasis on oriental design. Luscious silk and satin tops and kimonos were popular because they transported women away from their normal humdrum lives. While those styles were not new at all in the Orient, they were new for much of the rest of the world and that made them a part of a fashion revolution.

Of course sometimes recycled fashion is simply a matter of fatigue. After all, how many hundreds of different looks can any designer expect to develop year after year? When it doubt, it is smart to return to what has worked well in the past. As for those of us who choose to wear these looks, we often just agree to go with the flow.

Lastly, fashion often returns to the classics simply because they are just that - classic. They are things with which we can seldom go wrong. Think about the Channel LBD (little black dress), a string of pearls, the stiletto heel, or a trench coat. Those items fit into almost any setting at any time in history and can be worn by almost anyone.

So what are some of the key items that we can expect to return in fashion now and in the near future? Some are obvious like those noted above. Others remain a little more elusive but here are some of my predictions and picks:

* Pearls. Although they are rarely out of style, today's woman chooses choosing pearls as her go to piece of jewelry. With tough times, money is short and there is little left for the luxury of gold and gemstones. Pearls however, are always in style.
* The brooch. A jewelry item that constantly recycles, it may soon become a classic. It can be worn alone on a jacket, dress, top, or coat. It can be paired with other jewelry items. It can be turned into a medallion necklace or add zing to a bracelet or clutch. Few jewelry pieces have that kind of versatility.
* Button earrings. Hoops and chandeliers come and go but button earrings are always perfect. They aren't too large or too small. They don't demand attention or detract from clothing. They come in a wide variety of materials and they are relatively inexpensive. In short, they are very nearly perfect.
* The scarf. A colorful scarf can add drama to any piece of clothing. It can accent a casual hairstyle or replace an item of jewelry. Best of all, it can be mixed and matched with almost everything in a woman's wardrobe.
* A crisp white shirt will never go out of style. While the length or cut may alter slightly from year to year, it remains a must-have piece. It looks equally good with a suit or a pair of jeans; thereby extending a woman's wardrobe tenfold.
* A leather blazer. Faux leather is even acceptable in this day and age as long as it is one of the good copies and not the cheap pleather of yesteryear. Like the white shirt, a leather jacket can be worn with almost anything. It can replace a suit jacket, jazz up a denim skirt; or make a dress appear more casual. Additionally, leather is durable and will last for many years.
* The pencil skirt. Although they weren't seen much for several years, they have definitely made a strong comeback and designers are vowing not to let them get away again. Why? Because almost every woman can wear one and it can be played up or down to suit the occasion; making it not only versatile but also fun.
* The shoe boot. Once a trend that came and went with abandon, the shoe boot is today's classic footwear item. One can be found to suit the need of virtually any woman without her having to worry about the "calf" issues. No longer granny's shoe, today's shoe boot comes in a variety of styles, colors, and fabrics, making it easy to find the perfect one for any occasion.

These just touch on a few of the "oldies but goodies" we can expect to see become fashion classics. As times change there is one thing of which we can be certain. If we hang on to that old favorite jacket or coat long enough, it will come back into style.

Ten beauty tips using common household items

2009-12-12T07:57:00.000-08:00

Lots of us today are just plain tired of throwing away big bucks on beauty products that simply don’t work as advertised. Rather than throwing more good money after bad, some women today are pulling out products that they already have on hand to make their own beauty products. Here are some of my favorites:

Tip #1 – Repair dry, damaged hair with an avocado conditioner made right in your own kitchen. Cut the avocado into small pieces and throw into your blender, food processor, or Magic Bullet. Mix in one-half cup of mayonnaise or a few tablespoons of olive oil. Next, wash and towel the hair. Apply the conditioner liberally and work it throughout the hair using a wide toothcomb. Cover it with a shower cap and let it sit for at least 10 minutes. Rinse, dry, and style as usual.

Tip #2 – Lighten skin discoloration while you soften it by adding buttermilk to your bath water. Between a pint and a half-quart is more than enough to do the trick. You can also add in a few drops of your favorite essential oil to make a luxurious spa treatment that your skin will love.

Tip #3 - Keep your heart healthy by eating chocolate. But not just any chocolate will do, and you can’t eat as much of the sweet confection as you might like! According to various studies, a couple of squares of unsweetened or semi-sweet dark chocolate a day will do the trick.

Tip #4 – Use old coffee grounds to chase away unsightly cellulite. Apply the grounds directly to the affected area, then wrap it with kitchen plastic wrap. Let the grounds sit in place for about 30 minutes. Remove the wrap and wash away the grounds. Repeat the treatment regularly to continue fading the marks.

Tip #5 - Make your own facial mask with honey, yogurt, and bananas. Mix one-half cup of plain yogurt with one tablespoon of raw honey and one-quarter mashed banana. Blend well in a blender, food processor, or Magic Bullet. Apply the mixture liberally to the freshly cleansed skin of the face and neck. Let the mask sit for between 15 and 20 minutes. Rinse the mask off with cool water, pat dry, and go.

Tip #6 – Make your own facial scrub by mixing the juice of one orange with a few tablespoons for cornstarch and a few grains of kosher salt. Apply the scrub to the face and neck area, working it in gently with small circular motions. Then rinse the skin, pat it dry, and apply your normal skin care regimen.

Tip #7 - Use a dab of olive oil to freshly shampooed hair to add shine and youthful vitality. About a nickel size portion should be enough for short to chin-length hair. A quarter’s portion may be required for longer tresses. Just pour the oil into the center of your hands and then rub them together. Work the oil throughout the hair. Follow up by using a wide toothcomb to make sure the oil is evenly distributed. Let sit in place for between 10 and 20 minutes. Rinse with cool water, dry, and style as usual.

Tip #8 - Get rid of the old dead, flaky skin on your feet and heels with a homemade foot scrub made from strawberries. Blend about a dozen strawberries together with one teaspoon of kosher salt and your favorite essential oil or some olive oil from the kitchen. Apply the scrub to the feet, rubbing it in thoroughly with strong, circular motions. Next, soak feet in Epsom salt for about 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse, dry, and apply the moisturizing cream of your choice.

Tip #9 – Make that green cast on your hair that is caused by too much pool chlorine go away with a tomato juice rinse. Simply wash the hair normally. Then apply the tomato juice straight from the can. Work throughout the hair using a wide toothcomb. Cover and let sit for about 10 to 15 minutes. Then rinse, condition, dry, and style as usual.

Tip #10 - Help cleanse and detangle hair easily with vinegar. It has been used for decades as a natural hair rinse. It will remove product build-up from hairspray, mousse, gel, and other hair setting lotions while it also works to keep the hair from tangling. Simply mix equal parts of vinegar together with water. After shampooing the hair, apply your normal conditioner and rinse. Then add the vinegar mixture and work it through the hair to the ends. Rinse again, dry, and style as normal.

More budget-beating home-made beauty ideas

2009-12-12T07:55:00.000-08:00

With economic down turns happening all over the world, women everywhere are looking for ways to conserve money, and this often means abandoning many of those products that are considered luxuries. The good news is that most of us already have items at home that we can use to replace them, and here are a few of my favorite ideas.

Tip #1 - egg yolk acne treatment
Replace that expensive acne treatment will simple egg yolk. Separate the yolk from the white part of the egg, saving the white for another beauty treatment. Whip up the yolk until it is light and fluffy. Then use a cotton ball or make-up sponge to apply the mixture anywhere on the body where acne exists. Allow the treatment to dry thoroughly and then rinse it away with cool water.

Tip #2 - egg white skin moisturizer
Whip up the egg white left over from the tip #1 until it is stiff like meringue. Add a drop or two of olive oil, vitamin E or glycerin, but no more than that, or the mixture will get watery. Apply the mixture with a cotton ball or make-up sponge. Let it sit on the skin for between 15 and 30 minutes. Rinse with cool water to discover deliciously moisturized skin once again.

Tip #3 - egg & lemon dandruff shampoo

If you cannot afford expensive dandruff shampoos, don't worry. Eggs can help in that department too. Mix a few drops of lemon juice in with one egg. Beat the mixture until it becomes frothy. Pour the mixture into a squeeze bottle and then apply it to the hair all over the head. Work it through thoroughly with your fingers or a large tooth comb. Cover hair with a plastic shower cap and wait between 15 and 45 minutes. Shampoo, condition and rinse for flake free hair.

Tip #4 - vinegar for dieting

If you want to lose a few pounds but can no longer afford expensive diet pills, try this home remedy instead. Pour a few drops of apple vinegar over foods like vegetables or salads or better still, mix a teaspoon into your water. Vinegar helps to abate hunger. You will eat less and before long find that you have dropped a few pounds without starving yourself along the way.

Tip #5 - vinegar for digestion

Are you having trouble digesting your food? Vinegar can help with that as well. Just take a tablespoon for bedtime and enjoy a peaceful night's sleep without those painful indigestion pangs.

Tip #6 - vinegar head-lice shampoo

If your child comes home from school with a case of head lice, you might think that expensive lice removing shampoos are called for, whether you can afford them or not. The good news is that you have a natural lice treatment right in your kitchen cabinet. Just pour straight vinegar over the areas of the head where the lice are the worst. Let it sit for a few minutes and then use a lice comb to remove them.

Tip #7 - natural hair dyes

If you want to brighten up your dulling red hair but can't afford expensive hair dyes that's okay. You probably have one of two products in your kitchen that can do the job just as well. Both beet and cranberry juice can be used as a hair brightner on red or auburn locks. All you have to do is shampoo as usual and then pour the juice over the hair several times. Let it sit in place for between 10 and 30 minutes and then rinse with cool water.

Tip #8 - tea-bag skin tighteners

Do you wish you could afford those expensive skin tightners on the market today? You have something in your kitchen pantry that will work just as well. Never throw away old tea bags. At bath time, just drop them into your water. They will work magic, with the ingredients of polyphenol and tannin tightening up the skin while also improving blood circulation.

Tip #9 - champagne hair volumizer

Never throw away the champagne you didn't finish drinking - use it as a hair volumizing treatment. Mix equal parts of water and champagne together and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. After shampooing and conditioning your hair, spray on your homemade mixture. Then style the hair as usual. The powerful antioxidants in the grapes work to repair damaged hair, making it look and feel thicker with each successive treatment.

Tip #10 - natural ink stain remover

If you have ever gotten ink in a piece of clothing, you probably just gave up and threw it away. But, when money is tight, that sort of thing isn't acceptable. Instead try using vegetable shortening to remove those pesky ink stains. Just rub the shortening in using a circular motion until the ink begins to bleed out through the back of the fabric. Then get rid of the greasy residue with a degreasing detergent to make the article of clothing as good as new once again.

Stay tuned for future kitchen ideas to help you pinch pennies without losing any of the products that you love.

Fruits and vegetables - nature's beauty products

2009-12-09T01:17:00.000-08:00

Everyone understands the health benefits of eating fresh fruits and vegetables. However, few people think about using those very same items to make healthy, all natural beauty products. However, the truth is that both fruits and vegetables are chock full of antioxidants and valuable vitamins, minerals, and nutrients like vitamin A, B, C, D and E, carotenoids, co enzyme Q 10, phytonutrients, polyphenols, potassium, selenium, and zinc to name a few.

Combined with other ingredients, fruits and vegetables are extremely useful in making some of the best facial masques, skin creams, bath treatments, and skin ointments that can be found anywhere.

Fruits such as bananas, berries, cantaloupe, grapes, lemons, oranges, peaches, and pineapple can be used to make facial masks, luxurious skin creams, cosmetics and anti-aging products. Vegetables like avocados, carrots, cucumbers, greens, peppers, potatoes, and tomatoes have similar valuable uses. Below are some examples:

Avocado is packed with properties that naturally help the skin in its own collagen production.
Banana has natural oils that work perfectly as skin softeners while the fruit’s rich vitamins and nutrients are wonderful for improving hair’s elasticity.
Beans of differing varieties can be useful in fighting off the first signs of aging.
Blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries are packed with antioxidants as well as their own natural anti-inflammatory properties. Used in skin cream, they can help soothe skin while repairing surface cells.
Cantaloupe makes a soothing skin cream that ensures a radiant and glowing complexion.
Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which can help smooth rough skin patches.
Cucumbers have long been known to help in the reduction of dark circles underneath the eyes.
Garlic can help stave off signs of aging by jumpstarting new tissue regeneration.
Grapes contain polyphernols, which hydrate both the hair and skin.
Greens are rich in antioxidants that reduce skin inflammation and prevent cell damage.
Lemons act as a natural skin bleach and softener. Used on rough elbows, knees, or foot calluses lemon can help even out skin color and make skin softer and more supple.
Peaches are chock full of antioxidants and nutrients that work to protect skin from damaging UV rays.
Peppers help increase circulation and work well in cosmetics to plump up the lips.
Pineapple contains a powerful enzyme that helps eliminate dead skin while protecting it from free radicals.
Potato helps to alleviate dark circles underneath the eyes.
Strawberries are a natural tooth whitener.
Sweet potatoes are great for helping to stop the signs of aging.
Tomato is rich in lycopene which helps to fight free radicals, and its vitamin C boosts collagen production.
Watermelon helps to soothe sunburn and makes minor skin repairs by encouraging tissue regeneration.

Ingested or used in creams, masques, and ointments it is clear that Mother Nature still makes the products that work best to make our lives more comfortable as well as more fulfilling.

Look for my other articles on using kitchen pantry items to make homemade beauty products, and watch for future installments focusing on the health and beauty benefits of fruits and vegetables!

How you can stay looking and feeling good while pregnant

2009-12-09T01:16:00.000-08:00

Most women think that it's okay to stop exerting effort in looking beautiful during pregnancy but it's not. Pregnancy is a time when your hormones are in a rage. It is easy to be overwhelmed by new feelings, sensations, and changes in your body that make you feel not in control. Taking care of your pregnant self lets you be in control and preserve your health and beauty. It's not easy to look in a mirror with disheveled hair and dry, blotchy skin. It's also frustrating to try and fit yourself in your pre-pregnant outfits. Get rid of the idea that this is normal. What's normal is a pregnant woman embracing and enjoying her pregnancy by taking care of her body, her health and beauty.

Studies by the MRC/US Anxiety and Stress Disorders Research Unit show that babies born of happy mothers are healthier -- they are heavier, more active, and agreeable. They also absorb more nutrients from their first feedings which are essential for their nourishment. Happy mothers are also found to produce better-quality milk for their babies. Negative emotions increase the risk of developing post-pregnancy depression. This affects how a mother bonds and cares for her newborn. The best way to ward off this negativity is to preserve your health and beauty.

First, follow a healthy diet under the specifications of your doctor. Do not assume that the diet your other pregnant friend follows is right for you. Your health and beauty needs are unique. You may have deficiencies or skin care needs, which your friend's diet cannot address. Second, take supplements and vitamins according to your doctor's instructions. Never take drugs or any form of medicine without your doctor's approval. It may have adverse effects on your baby. Third, exercise lightly to avoid gaining excess weight. Expectant mothers normally gain 15-20 pounds anything higher than that can give you a difficult delivery. Fourth, get adequate sleep and rest. Nothing is more stressful than sleepless nights because of hormones and restlessness. Make up for lost sleep during the day your body tells you when it needs some shut-eye.

Of course, a pregnant woman's health and beauty are not limited to her physical needs. Her emotional and psychological well-being are just as important. You know that nothing boosts your confidence than being thought of and complimented as beautiful. You can easily get that goddess feeling again through modern maternity fashion. Take all those loose, tent-like dresses your mother-in-law lent you. Contemporary maternity designers are coming out with new designs that showcase your pregnant body rather than hiding it. Take advantage of your fuller cleavage and wear lower necklines. Show off your pregnant belly in stretch tops that hug your curves in solid colors. Avoid hiding in busy prints and opt for simple, understated accents and accessories. Change your hairstyle -- pregnancy is a perfect excuse to try the new pixie cut. Keep your posture straight and your feet pretty in fun flats and funky mules.

Health and beauty are essentials for a pregnant woman. Take care of yours to be better-equipped in caring for your baby. Treat your pregnancy as your time to shine with natural health and beauty. Staying healthy and beautiful during pregnancy is not only easy it is the best thing you can do for yourself and your baby.

About the Author

Elizabeth Gilley writes articles for the Beauty Biz on beauty, fashion, diet and fitness.

Elizabeth's homepage

Tips to choose an essential oil

2009-12-09T01:14:00.001-08:00

An "essential oil" is an aromatic oil extracted from a plant, the concentrated essence of that plant, and these oils (also known as volatile oils) are used in aromatherapy, as well as perfumes and food flavorings. In aromatherapy they are used in a number of different ways to have a healing effect on the body. As well as having a physical benefit, using an essential oil in massage is thought to improve a person’s physical, psychological and emotional well being in different ways, depending on the specific essential oil (or combination of oils) being used.

Essential oils are very concentrated and so often only one of two drops are needed to have a beneficial effect. However this potency also means they should be used with care, and you should always be aware of any specific contraindications when using them.

The most common types of essential oil are: lavendar, chamomile, tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint and ginger. Below you'll find a brief description of the benefits each brings and ways in which you can use them at home.

Lavender

This is the most commonly used and versatile essential oil, fantastic for reducing stress and inducing relaxation, and an excellent cure for insomnia. You could try putting a couple of drops in a vapourizer or oil burner or even on your pillow to help you sleep. You could also mix a couple of drops with some massage oil and massage it in to your neck and shoulders. Or even better, get someone else to do it!

It is also helpful in relieving headaches and toothache. A drop can be applied to the temples or to the jaw area.

It is known for its healing and soothing properties. It is particularly effective as a treatment for burns and scalds and cuts and wounds. Neat lavender can be poured on to a sterile gauze and applied to a burn or wound. It is one of the most popular oils to use during childbirth as it can help induce relaxation and reduce anxiety and pain. Vapourising the oil or placing drops in a oil burner in your birthing room is probably the best way to get the most out of the oil.

It makes a great insect repellant and a good antidote to insect bites to help relieve itching. It can be applied directly to bites and mixed with a cream or oil and applied to the skin as a repellant.

Chamomile (Roman)

This essential oil is known for its sedative and anti-inflammatory properties. It is an excellent nerve tonic and so is a very effective stress-reliever. Once again it is good at relieving headaches and toothache and is recommended to help against teething pains in babies. Use it in a vapouriser or oil burner.

It has a calming effect on the digestive system. Use a couple of drops in a massage oil and very gently apply to the abdomen.

Cold chamomile teabags make excellent soothing eye compresses.

Tea tree

This has strong anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. It is an excellent cure for many infections including thrush, athletes foot and cystitis. A couple of drops can be mixed with a sink full of water to provide a douche wash. It can be applied directly to athletes foot.

It can help provide relief from respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and sinusitis. Try putting a couple of drops in a bowl of steaming water and inhale.

It is a great treatment for a variety of skin conditions such as cold sores and herpes. It can be applied directly to either of these using a cotton bud. Because of its antimicrobial properties it is also great for any wound healing. As with lavender oil it can be poured on to a sterile gauze and applied to a wound.

Eucalyptus

This essential oil is probably best known for its use as a decongestant, especially during a cold. Place a couple of drops in a bowl of steaming water and inhale. Or place in a vapouriser or oil burner. You could also place a couple of drops on a tissue and/or pillow at night and inhale the vapours

It is also an excellent insect repellant and helps to relieve insect bites.

Its warming properties help to relieve muscular aches and pains. Use in a massage oil base and massage in to the achey areas.

Peppermint

This is a very effective essential oil for treating disorders of the digestive system. It helps to relive nausea, indigestion, diarrhoea and flatulence. Mix a couple of drops with a massage oil and apply gently to the abdomen.

It is excellent in helping to relieve travel sickness. Place a couple of drops on a tissue and inhale every few minutes.

It has a cooling effect on the skin and can be applied to the temples or back of the neck to relieve headaches. Be very careful to avoid going too near the eyes.

It can help increase concentration and clear the head when feeling mentally fatigued. Try adding some to a vapouriser or oil burner when working or studying.

It is a great mucular pain reliever and can be added to massage oil and massaged in to the affected areas.

It can also be beneficial in relieving the symptoms of a cold or flu. Use in a bowl of steaming water as with eucalyptus.

Ginger

This is a warming essential oil and is very stimulating for the system. It is therefore excellent for treating muscular aches and pains and rhematism and poor circulation such as cold hands and feet. Again massage in to the affected areas after mixing with a massage oil.

It is known for its ability to relieve travel and morning sickness. Place a couple of drops on a tissue and inhale every few minutes. It is also very healing for sore throats, coughs and sinusitis. Use in a vapouriser or oil burner.

As you can see, each essential oil has various benefits and uses, and some of the different essential oils share similar properties. They are a very potent and effective method of treating many conditions and are a natural way to improve your overall well-being. Care must be taken though to ensure any contraindications have been considered before use.

Seven things you should do to keep the weight off!

2009-12-09T01:13:00.000-08:00

A person's ideal weight will vary depending on various factors, such as bone structure, quantity of muscle, and genes. You could do the BMI test, or you could take your waist to hip ratio measurement and decide if you need to take action.. Here are some additional interesting snippets that might help:

   1. Eat more slowly! Researchers at Osaka University in Japan found that people who ate quickly were more likely to be overweight. Eating quickly as well as eating until full had a greater additional effect on being overweight. (ref: British Medical Journal, October 2008)
   2. Dairy foods fill you up and have the ability to bind to fat which is then excreted. So, fill up on low-fat yoghurts or cottage cheese! (ref: The Truth about Food.)
   3. Soups are good for satiety. Solid food combined with liquid in a soup sit for longer in the stomach, so you feel full for longer.
   4. Don’t snack at night. Not because you’ll store more fat at night, that’s a myth. But you’re likely to eat more at night if you snack then. After dinner, brush your teeth so you’re telling yourself the kitchen door is closed.
   5. Don’t skip breakfast. You are more than twice as likely to be overweight than those who take breakfast.
   6. If you’re eating a healthy, balanced diet but still can’t shift the pounds…. cut portion sizes!. We’ve got so used to supersizing our portions that most of us don’t know what a portion should be. Either use a smaller plate or, better still, use a portion-control plate with compartments for protein, carbs and veg. See www.thedietplate.com.
   7. Chromium can help you reduce weight. It improves sensitivity to insulin which then curbs fat and sugar cravings and reduces appetite. A recent study also shows that chromium can reverse diabetes (ref: Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics)

I hope these tips help make a difference!

A review of four of the top lip liners on the market right now

2009-12-09T01:11:00.001-08:00

As women age, our lips get smaller. It’s another one of those wonderful tricks that Mother Nature keeps in store for us when we least need or want it. Consequently, the older we get, the more likely it becomes that we will require lip liner to ensure that our lipstick looks fresh for as long as possible.

As is the case with many cosmetics, there are a lot of lip lining products on the market. Some, of course, are better than others. Let me share the knowledge I’ve gained so far on the liners that I have tried.

Maybelline’s Moisture Extreme

My overall favorite lip liner is Maybelline’s Moisture Extreme. It is advertised as a longwearing, budge-proof lip liner that comes in a variety of colors. These include bordeaux, delicate pink, hazelnut, mocha, red glamour, and rose.

What I like best about Moisture Extreme is that it goes on smoothly, without pulling or tugging at the already thin, delicate skin of the mouth area. The product is so creamy that it is effortless to apply. It doesn’t feather into those tricky little lines around the mouth and it even helps keep the lipstick that you put on top of it from feathering as well.

Although I really didn’t expect it to live up to its smear-proof advertising, this product actually honored its claim. Even after my lipstick had worn off, the delicate shade of the liner remained to make certain my lips stayed pretty all day long, no matter what I ate or drank.

Although this pencil requires sharpening, it doesn’t break as easily as some of the more expensive liners that are out there. It holds up well and will very likely last until you are ready to change the color. At around $5.50 per pencil, it is worth every penny.

Maybelline’s Long Lasting Lipliner

Almost as good is Maybelline’s Long Lasting Lipliner. It comes in a convenient retractable pencil format. The soft kohl pencil ensures a smooth application that won’t irritate the lips or feather into fine lines and wrinkles.

This lip liner is quick and easy to use, locking in color that will last for hours. I love how easily Long Lasting Lipliner blends, while leaving brilliant color in place that won’t smear or fade away.

This Maybelline product comes in several colors, including bordeaux, brown, icy beige, red, rose, and rosewood. Retailing for just over $5.00, this pencil will last quite a while.

Cover Girl’s Outlast Smoothwear Liner

If you aren’t a big Maybelline fan, you might wish to try Cover Girl’s Outlast Smoothwear Liner. These silky-soft pencils also glide smoothly across the mouth to ensure a flawless application each and every time. Because the liner is creamy soft, it won’t damage the mouth’s already thinning skin.

Much like Maybelline’s products, this Cover Girl liner seems almost impenetrable. It coats the lip area with a long lasting color that stays and stays. And there is no need to worry that it will bleed into those tiny mouth lines.

The Outlast Smoothwear Liner comes in a retractable pencil that makes certain it is ready to use at any time, and in a wide variety of colors which includes berry, blush, burgundy, chocolate, coffee, nude, plum, raisin, rose, ruby, spice, and wine.

Outlast Smoothwear Liner retails for just under $6.00. Although it is slightly more expensive, if you are a Cover Girl fan, you might consider it worth the extra money.

Queen Collection Lasting Lip Pencil

Queen Latifah offers yet another wonderful Cover Girl lip liner called the Queen Collection Lasting Lip Pencil. It comes in the shades of burgundy, chocolate, coffee, plum, raisin, and rose. It is relatively inexpensive at around $6.00 per retractable pencil.

This liner is also silky smooth as it glides over the lips, to deposit the perfect amount of foundation product. The beautiful shades seem to caress the lips gently while providing a brilliant color barrier that will keep your lipstick in place until you are ready to remove it.

Overall verdict

All four of these lip liners are excellent. They all get five out of five stars, with a slight edge to Maybelline’s Moisture Extreme; my all time fave!

The benefits of cold temperature treatments

2009-12-07T19:39:00.000-08:00

Author: Doreen Corbey

The cold stones have the effect of initially speeding up breathing and moving blood from the surface of the skin, but once the body has become used to the temperature, the muscles relax and blood returns to the skin leaving it glowing. This treatment is great for removing toxins from the body, especially the draining sequence of a facial massage with the marble stones.

At home

There are, of course, cold water treatments you can try for yourself at home - cold showers are not just for Eastern European athletes! If you don’t have a shower, or removable shower head, a bowl of water will do.

Make sure you’ve bathed/showered with hot water and that your body is warm. Then, taking the shower head, turn the water to cold and direct it at one foot and up the front of that leg til you reach the hip. Then start again at the foot and direct the water up the other side of the leg. Repeat on the other leg. When you’re feeling stronger, continue the jet of water up the whole front of the body and lastly the back. For the first few goes it's fine to go just go as far as the tops of your legs.

The usual rule of alternating temperature treatments is that you generally start warming the body, then chilling it and repeat this twice more. However, this is not always feasible and, I think uses too much water, so I generally just start off with hot and finish with a cold rinse.

Still not persuaded?

If the idea of getting cold still holds no allure, ask yourself why athletes and dancers are advised to immerse their limbs in buckets of knee- deep ice cold water. Answer - it prevents injury and reduces swelling even before it’s apparent. After every treatment I give, especially after massage, I immerse my hands and arms in cold water - it feels like ice-cream on a hot day. My cold rinse at the end of every shower leaves me feeling alive and zinging.

Give some cold water treatment a try - your body will thank you for it!

About the Author

Doreen has had a passion for massage since she was 15 years old. She still has that passion, and offers massage, specialist facials and other beauty treatments in her home-based salon in Surrey. With any energy left over she will devour all the beauty pages of all the magazines she can lay her hands on!

Doreen's homepage: Bellessence

Review: InStyler Rotating Hot Iron Hair Straightener

2009-12-07T19:37:00.000-08:00

Having baby fine, delicate hair I am constantly looking for something to help me obtain some of today's hot new styles. After watching several infomercials on television for a new rotating iron called "The InStyler," I decided to give it a try.

It looked simple enough to operate and promised to give dry and damaged hair a beautiful sheen. Best of all, it looked like it was easy to use no matter what style you wanted to achieve; it straightened kinky hair and waved or curled already straight hair.

Unfortunately, the commercial made the product look far easier to use than it really is. After multiple tries, I discovered I still had not achieved any level of accuracy with the styling iron. What I had managed, however, was to further dry out and damage my already delicate hair.

Not wanting to be unfair in my assessment of the product, I decided to ask my daughter, daughter-in-law, and some friends to check it out as well. My daughter also has fine hair but it is thicker than mine is and she is an expert with a traditional curling iron. However, even she could not master The InStyler.

My daughter in law has natural curly hair that is thick and coarser in nature. She also had problems conquering the product, although she did like the final results once she did.

The results for my friends were pretty much the same. Those with thin, delicate, or fine hair hated The InStyler while those with thicker, coarser hair experienced better results. However, even they said they could not justify the $120 price tag.

This product gets mixed reviews. It apparently works on thick hair or hair that is coarse. However it is far from easy to operate; the learning curve is long and frustrating to say the least and it is far too easy to damage hair with the product's heating planes.

The InStyler can be purchased from television infomercials or through the television-shopping network QVC. The cost varies slightly but ranges between $100 and $120.

I could not, in good faith, recommend this product. It is too difficult to handle and can cause permanent hair damage.

Tips to Remove Facial Mole Safely & Naturally

2009-12-06T20:38:00.000-08:00

“I often feel self-conscious when people stare at my face moles as though I am an alien from outer space. Sometimes, the words they say are irritating, and it will upset me for many days.”

“One day, out of frustration I decided to take action. In my mind, I wanted to get rid of my unsightly face spots. I spent hours doing research online for a solution. Amazingly there was plenty of information on how to remove a facial mole.”

To help you find the best solution, here are the most common methods you can use to get rid of your face moles.

1) Laser mole removal
This procedure is normally handled by a plastic surgeon. A laser device will be used to bombard laser beam at the selective spot on your skin in order to burn away the mole. The debris will absorbed by the body immune system during the healing process. Laser treatment
is a perfect solution for small and flat facial mole. When the mole is large and thick, more surgical sessions are required to eliminate the mole entirely, and therefore the treatment cost can be very high for most people. Other drawbacks of laser surgery are pain, scarring, possible infection, partial removal of mole and skin discoloration.

2) Mole Surgery Methods
The common surgeries to remove moles are shaving, excision and cauterization. These treatments are carried out by a dermatologist. Depending on the condition of your face moles, your doctors should be able to recommend a surgery that is most suitable for you. The surgery will only take a short time with an outpatient visit. Sutures are performed to close the wound after the operation, and therefore scarring will normally be formed for all surgical alternatives.

3) Natural Mole Removal
There are plenty of non-surgical, natural remedies you can carry out at the comfort of your own home. These home remedies usually work on the same principle which uses natural herbs
to cauterize the facial mole. They are very safe and effective to use, and you should see great result within a few days.

To learn more about natural home remedies for removing unsightly face moles, please visit our site for more information.

Is Yoga Right for You?

2009-12-05T23:46:00.001-08:00

A lot of women perform yoga exercises not just to lose weight or maintain proper body weight but also because they want to be healthy emotionally and mentally. Yoga is also known to contribute to the decrease of a number of problems during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. There is research to prove this, but it’s easy to see the physical, mental, and emotional benefits evident on those women who practice yoga.

Yoga Helps You Cope with a Busy Lifestyle

If you are still undecided about yoga, then there are a number of things about it that will help you decide. One of these is its relevance to today’s world, even if it is one of the most ancient practices of all times.

Yoga is considered as the perfect solution that helps women cope with their busy days and the resulting mental and physical stress. This is especially true if they are working moms who need to deal with the pressures of both work and home. Sitting behind a desk or even driving a car for several hours every day would already result in a woman’s having shoulder and back problems that will not only affect their lives at the office but also at home when they are dealing with the family and household chores.

Choosing the Best Yoga Style Helps

Deciding if yoga is really right for you would also require you to choose the yoga style that will fit your lifestyle, personality, and needs. If you are a working mom, your yoga needs might differ from those women who are just working at the office for long hours every day. As such, it is very important to find the perfect teacher or trainer who has the right knowledge about yoga who is not only qualified and accredited but also compassionate and sensitive to what you really need.

Yoga Styles:

1)Vini Yoga. This is a personal practice that could be developed through the incorporation of meditation, proper breathing, and posture as well as prayer and rituals. The amount of all these aspects that could be incorporated into your yoga practice will have to be changed though as a woman and her needs change and develop. Therefore, if you are still a student or a young professional, then the physical aspects of yoga might be more important for you, while older women might focus more on the spiritual, mental, and emotional aspects.

2)Ashtanga Yoga. Also considered as the power yoga, this style is known to be flowing and athletic. Breathing is very important in this yoga style as a woman flows through a series of postures. This is able to generate a lot of sweat and body heat, thus helping women detoxify their bodies.

3)Ananda Yoga. This yoga style makes use of temperate poses. This is gently meditative and perfect for those who would like to practice a yoga style that helps them to look inwards so they can focus on making their emotions better.

How to Effective Dieting

2009-12-05T23:43:00.001-08:00

When it comes to weight loss, usually the first thing that comes to the mind is dieting. More often than not people get tempted to shed those extra kilos by starving themselves for a few days. However the health experts don't recommend such dieting, the weight lost through crash dieting comes back as soon as people start having their scrumptious meals. Moreover, dieting can make the body weak debarring it of required nutrients. It's better to diet consciously and in fact in a healthy manner. There are some healthy dieting tips, which if followed sincerely, can definitely enable you to maintain a vigorous body.

Drink Plenty Of Water - The most effective diet tip is drinking lot of water, as water is the most important catalyst in losing weight and keeping it off. Water works as a natural appetite suppressant by keeping stomach full with no possibility of dehydration, which leads to hunger cravings. It also helps in flushing out toxins from the body and keeping it hydrated. It facilitates mobilization of stored fat by helping the kidneys flush out waste.

Make Sure To Eat Breakfast - Most of the people think that by skipping breakfast, they would avoid extra calories; thus it will reduce their weight. But this is absolutely wrong. Once you skip breakfast, it will make you hungrier later in the day leading to distorted satiety signals (in which it's hard to make out when you're full). It actually results in eating more. In case you don't get time to have breakfast, have a liquid meal to fuel your body.

Increase Your Fibre Intake - Eating foods rich in fibre helps to keep food moving through bowels. Like water, fiber rich foods bulk you up and make you feel full. As a matter of fact, a person can lose around 10 pounds a year just by doubling his fiber intake. High fiber foods are usually low in calories and fill you up quickly. So, eating more of fiber rich food means you're having fewer calories. On an average, a person consumes about 8g of fiber every day, but many health experts suggest 25g. You can start your day with a high fiber cereal; prefer eating fibre throughout the day.

Eat Healthy Fats - Most of the experts assert that fat causes obesity, raises your cholesterol and causes heart disease, but this is not exactly true. The point to consider is, if fat is that bad, why it makes part of our natural diet chain? So, here comes the answer. Fat provides the body with essential fatty acids (like linoleic and linolenic acids), which are required for normal reproduction and growth, over and above for production of prostaglandin, a hormone like compound that regulates blood pressure, blood clotting, and inflammation. A healthy diet suggests eating healthy fats, which includes cold-water fish, mackerel and salmon, nuts, and olive oil.

Lean Protein - Few people know that protein is a great weight control tool. Due to its immediate satiety factor and for keeping full for longer periods, protein acts as a tool to weight management. It helps in balancing out carbs by preventing insulin spikes that can cause a drain in energy and sugar cravings. Protein also helps in maintaining muscle mass, which is vital in the fat burning process. A person must take at least 20% of calories in the form of proteins.

Tips To Match Shoes With Your Outfit

2009-12-04T21:28:00.000-08:00

Change is the only constant thing when it comes to fashion. Believe it or not, every day, there is a new style that dominates the market and stores. While mini skirts may be in today, chances are they will become outdated tomorrow. If not more, same is the case with shoes as well. Something that is in-fashion today is capable of being archaic in a few days time. As such, keeping in mind such changes, matching your shoes with your outfit can be a tricky task at hand. Just as your clothes, shoes define your personality. For those who are conservative, open toed footwear or strappy high-heeled ones would be a strict no-no. Bright colored shoes would also have no place in their shoe rack. However, those who are daring and outgoing would feature a variety of footwear in their shoe rack. At the time of choosing footwear for your dress, you need to understand that personal choice is all that matters. Just follow some general rule of the thumb and you are sure to reflect a good choice, without making any fashion faux-pas. Read on to know more about how to match your shoes with your outfit.

Choosing The Perfect Shoes With Your Outfit

The Three Main Parameters

According to the Occasion
If you are of the opinion that shoes need not be worn according to the occasion, this could come as a blow. Shoes reflect a story of their own. Much can be said about a person's whereabouts by having a look at his or her shoes. While leather shoes define the formal mood, a casual occasion can be dealt with a pair of trendy footwear. While black/ brown leather shoes add style to a man's formal look, for a women medium to high heels work the best for meetings, conferences, offices or any other formal get-togethers.

According to the Style
Style is an important consideration to make, while matching shoes with your outfit. It would not only reflect your style quotient, but also mark your aptitude for fashion. While a casual skirt can be paired up with heeled chunky loafers or platforms, knee-high boots go the best with mini skirts. In case you are wearing jeans, sneakers or chunky soled shoes would be a good option to explore. Capris are best when teamed with open toed mules or platform. While long dressy pants prefer boots, sleek fabricated straight glamorous pant will look outstanding when coupled with strapped sandals.

According to the Color
This is basically applicable to women at large, though nowadays men are also seen exploring colored shoes. Red/ Yellow sneakers or off white color formals are a common sight with men today. Coming back to women, if you are wearing a red dress, you can pair it up with shoes that have red touch. While black is universal and goes well with any dress, white is best suited when it is teamed with a white or off white dress. Metallic shoes will match clothes that have multicolor in them. For those who want to portray a taller appearance without wearing heels, putting on shoe that match the hemline is a good idea. However, if you are tall and want a reverse effect, choose shoes that contrast the hemline.

Tips

A long skirt is best worn with flat shoes, ballet slippers or backless slip-ons.
Pumps of medium height work the best when you are off to work. Round, square or slightly tapered heels will give a professional look.
In case you are wearing palazzo pants, team them up with slip-on open-toed flats or espadrilles.
Straight glamorous pants look the best when they are worn with strapped, high-heeled sandals.
Boots, chunky-soled shoes or sneakers go well with jeans as well as corduroy pants.
For a party look, team your dressy outfit with a glamorous pair of sandals. Pointed-toe shoes with Sabrina heels would work the best.

3 Simple and Elegant Day-to-Night Hairstyles

2009-09-12T18:38:00.002-07:00

Good hairstyles and easy up-dos start with a great cut. Starting with a fresh and flattering haircut is like an artist starting with a blank canvas – you can do anything with it. Once you get that covered, you can go from the office to a night on the town lickety-split and still look fabulous.

1--Tousled Tresses
Wavy hair looks great for the daytime, especially in the warmer months. A windswept voluminous look is easily achieved if you use a light spritz of wave or beach-hair hairspray and then scrunch your hair in your fist. This non-fussy daytime look can be turned quickly into a nighttime look with the use of a clip or hair-tie. Pull your hair back loosely with the clip, or create a chic loose bun at the nape of your neck with the tie.

2--Stick Straight and So Sleek
If you typically wear your hair very straight, keeping it down during the day results in a great look. You can easily take your hair into evening mode by creating a deep side part, and pulling it back into a low ponytail. Add something extra to your look by wrapping a piece of hair from the bottom of your ponytail around the hair tie, therefore concealing it. Tuck the end of the piece back into the tie or pin it underneath the ponytail.

3--Brilliant Braids
Whether large or small, braids are a great day-to-night look. Wearing a French braid during the daytime not only keeps your hair back during the day, but it means you are priming your hair for some awesome waves when you undo that braid come night. A small, singular French braid starting at your part and continuing down your hairline above your forehead can be worn day and night, when paired with the right outfit or accessories. A few small braids from your part can give you a relaxed Boho chic look for daytime, but also creates a great textured look when you pull them back into a ponytail at night.

Fashion Trends This Autumn--- Black and Short For Your Legs

2009-09-12T18:38:00.001-07:00

You would think, would you not, that now, more than ever, fashion would be straining its every muscle, sinew and tendon to produce wearable, irresistible clothes. But what do we find? Black, black and short. At least no one can say the message isn’t clear.

But honestly, black and short? Brevity, as Dorothy Parker famously wrote, is the soul of lingerie. We’re not talking about lingerie, however, we’re talking about skirts and dresses and an entire industry that appears, commercially, to have signed a collective suicide pact. Christian Dior said that a woman’s knees were the least appealing part of her anatomy. And he knew more about fashion than Parker. Or was it Coco Chanel who said it? Sources conflict, which just shows how true the sentiment is. She knew more about fashion than either of them.

Do not misread me. I like black. I like short. But this is blackness and shortness reductio ad absurdum. Retail therapy in autumn 2009 is not really therapy at all, but an exercise in ingenuity.

I get it, though. I think we all do. Black is back in fashion (it never really goes away, but lurks in the shadows, waiting to engulf your wardrobe), short is youthful. But there are other kinds of fashion, as there are other kinds of youthfulness. So go easy on the black and seek out some of the other shades that are mounting a counter-assault (or, to be more accurate, a gentle remonstration) on the Master Colour. Teal, purple, berry shades and camels are out there if you look. Mixing them with chocolate, tan and grey looks especially strong and modern.

Short is trickier, especially since a lot of it is also shapeless. This is contrariness taken to a new level. If you’re small, curvy and your legs aren’t your best feature (roughly 70 per cent of us), it’s insanity.

So here’s what you do. First, keep reminding yourself that short is not an obligatory route to looking younger. Short only makes you look younger if your legs are up to the job. Second, don’t buy short because you’ve had it with traipsing around the stores for something that covers your knees, and you can always wear your shortie as a top. You can wear it as a top, but you weren’t looking for a top, you were looking for a dress or a skirt, which you may find in Marks & Spencer (one of the few places that offers an option on lengths), or by spending north of £900 on an RM by Roland Mouret.

With that thought dangling tantalisingly, let’s proceed to minidresses worn as tops. There’s nothing wrong with the idea in principle (provided they’re skinny trousers), but it’s an effect you may not want to replicate every day, particularly on those occasions when you want to look pin-sharp.

You could buy a skirt in a large size (for the extra length) and get it taken in, but that doesn’t work with all cuts. Alternatively, you can fall back in love with trousers.

5 Tips To Choose Perfect Suit for Men In 2009

2009-09-10T05:57:00.001-07:00

There is a basic rule out there that says every man need to own at least one suit. It is definitely the most important piece of clothing a man can have in their wardrobe. They are worn with the intention of making a statement. A good looking suit gives off a certain image of respect. You cannot succeed in the corporate business world without one and you will look silly in certain social situations too.

A suit sends out messages to people about your place in the company and the world. It shows power, position and mastery in your profession. Not only that but it also is used to show respect in special circumstances whether at a wedding, funeral, graduation or other important event.

A suit forces people to take you seriously and for obvious reasons too. Unfortunately, there are many men out there who don't know where to start when it comes to finding the best suit for them. The look at the price tag and make their decision there. Here are a few of the basics about purchasing a brand new men's suit.

1--The first thing you want to do is find out what your measurements are. Make sure you know your inseam, which is the inside leg length, shoulders, arms, neck, chest, and waist. Just because you need to know your measurements, doesn't mean you should be doing it yourself. You won't get an accurate measurement and that will affect the fit of your suit. Most places that sell suits have someone on hand to take your measurement for you.

2--Now that you know what your measurements are, decide what style or type of suit you want. The most common style is the single-breasted suit. The jacket has a single row of buttons that button up like a shirt but also are made with two, three or four buttons. You also have the option of going with a double-breasted suit if you're not a fan of the way single ones look on you. A double-breasted suit is made with two rows of buttons with one side overlapping the other when buttoned up.

3--At this point you should be thinking about what type of fabric you want to use. Suits are made in wool, linen, and believe it or not, still polyester. Wool suits are great because they are cool in the warm summer months and warmer in the winter than the other fabrics. Suits made with wool are available different weights too like light, medium and heavy. So no matter what the weather is, you're covered.

4--There are a few people who because of allergies, cannot wear the fabric wool and choose to buy a suit made from linen or polyester. Neither are a good of quality as wool since they don't hold up as well or breathe well but they are cheap enough to make people buy them. One plus about a linen or polyester suit is that they don't wrinkle easily which is why you see so many traveling salesmen wearing a polyester suit.

5--The last step in this process is to make sure everything fits properly. You don't want a suit which looks bad across your back and shoulders or is too tight around your arms. To ensure a proper fit, try the suit on and then have a tailor do some minor alterations to it. Most suit stores can do that in house so it shouldn't be an issue to find a tailor.

Top 10 Fashion Colors for Fall 2009

2009-09-10T05:57:00.000-07:00

A summary of the top Fall 2009 colors that make up the diverse color palette are:

1--American Beauty — this flattering true red is neither harsh nor over-the-top. Designed to suit all skintones, this warm but robust hue can be blended with almost any shade.

2--Rapture Rose — represents all that is new and fresh about this fall’s designs. With nurturing and feminine tones, this color plays upon the vibrancy of last season’s fuschia but is toned down a little with soft pink. This key shade transcends clothing into cosmetics and accessories.

3--Burnt Sienna — more a pinkish, earthy orange, reminiscent of Mediterranean terracotta roof tiles. Warm and comforting, probably the most-fall like of all the Panetone shades.

4--Majolica Blue — adding an exotic feel to the color group this cross between teal blue and navy complements oranges and purple hues perfectly.

5--Purple Heart — sitting somewhere between true purple and lilac, this refined tone is soft and sensual.

6--Warm Olive — a rich yellowy green, reminiscent of an olive in a martini, which, according to Pantone's Fall 2009 report “makes all other colors come alive.”

7--Honey Yellow — a warm and welcoming yellow with a hint of honeyed beige. A perfect partner to Burnt Sienna for a wintry feel.

8--Crème Brûlée — needs no explanation for those who love its namesake, the delicious French desert. Providing one of fall’s classic neutrals, this paired down mix of gray and ivory beige looks good enough to eat!

9--Nomad — another timeless neutral which falls between light gray and beige serves as an anchor for more robust colors

10--Iron — represents the “new black” of the season. Neither a true gray nor brown it falls more in the category of a cross between slate and gunmetal. This serves as a grounding color for all other tones.

How to Wear Colors for Fall Winter 2009/2010
With less emphasis on one-season wonders, you’ll find the color palettes for fall winter surprisingly versatile and able to transcend seasons. The secret for a stylish, sophisticated, timeless look is to choose colors in the same tonal palette, which also has a slimming effect.

Classic neutrals such as Iron and Nomad are fail-safe as they are classy and have an expensive feel. Go for quality over quantity if you want pieces to last. Express a little individuality by adding an injection of at least one of the season’s more robust, stronger colors, like Rapture Rose or American Beauty.

The season’s red and blue hues are surprisingly flattering to most skintones. Darker skins look fantastic in warm olive or honey yellow, but for lighter tones, this can make skin look sallow. Metallics can also be slimming, especially when it comes to shoes.

Latest Prom Dress Trends in 2009

2009-09-06T23:21:00.002-07:00

You will never forget your first prom dress, and the longer you spend choosing something, the better you will look on the night! Its important to get together with your friends and go shopping, have a trying on day where you go to every single dress shop in the area! Make sure to wait at least 24 hours before buying something, to make sure you really love it, and are confident its the most flattering look for you.

Prom dress trends for 2009 are:

One-Shoulder - This is a very designer look, and looks best on those with a slender frame, with slim shoulders. A bit of ruffling looks couture, and full length versions of the one-shoulder look are already being seen on the runways for Autumn Winter 2009/10! This is a classic trend, that will make you feel comfortable, feminine and elegant. It looks awesome with a pretty updo hairstyle, high heels and a cute clutch bag.

Short Skirt Lines - Its totally appropriate to experiment with the length of the skirt you wear to prom, assuming your school allows it! Short styles are fun and flirty, and you are a lot more likely to wear the dress a second time around if its short, as this is suitable for lots of other occasions as well. Make sure you buy this sort of dress in a fun colour of fabric (watch High School Musical 3 or Wild Child for fab inspiration).

Embellished Halters - This is very trendy and looks great on girls with a small bust. These can look slightly informal or a bit over-the-top sometimes, so be careful. Choose a dress that looks as though a large necklace has been sewn into the neckline, a lot of beads and glittery sequins can make a dress look instantly designer. These dresses look fab in a maxi or mini length, but be sure the color suits you, as it will be close to your face!

This year, style is all about creating your own unique, individual look. Start by finding something that inspires you, a celebrity whose look you love, or a designer who really captures your imagination. Then start to play around with clothes you already have, alter hemlines, necklines, or add sequins.

Accessorizing and embellishments are fun and on-trend, and are a great way to make any outfit look different and super stylish. Add some extra glitz to an outfit by popping to your local fabric shop or haberdashery.

6 Guides For You To Buy Diamond Jewellery

2009-09-06T23:21:00.001-07:00

Diamond jewellery is gaining popularity around the world due to its durability and beauty. Women wear different kinds of jewellery at different occasions such as birthdays, weddings and engagement ceremonies. Moreover jewellery items are used as gifts for sisters, mothers, wives and girl friends. It is the requirement of every women and she selects it according to her budget and demand. These days you can find a large number of jewellery products from different online and offline stores. However, you should know some important tips to guide you while buying jewellery items.

1. First of all you need to buy diamond jewellery items from reliable and safe online or offline jewellery shops. It is an expensive kind of shopping so you should be careful; a little carelessness can lead to disappointing results. You should trust the reputation of the shop or company from where you are going to buy.

2. It is an important point to remember that you should know about the purity of gold which you are buying. In other words you should know information about karats since that would provide information about the purity of the gold used in the item and hence its value. Gold is a soft metal so it is impossible to make jewellery items from pure gold therefore other metals are added to give rigidity and durability. 24 karat gold is pure gold but very soft so this form can be bent easily and it can change its shapes when one tries to wear it.

3. 18k gold is 75% pure, 14k gold, 12k and 10k gold also vary in purity. The ratio of mixing a metal in gold varies from each type of gold therefore you should understand its karat composition and ensure that proper guarantees are provided. When the other metal is added in excess then it gives more hardness to gold and vice versa.

4. How will you receive your purchased diamond jewellery items? Will the company ship them to your home or you yourself will carry them? What would be its shipping charges if bought from online stores? Everything should be clear before buying a jewellery item.

5. The most important point for guidance is to buy jewellery items from the jewelers who are members of reputable jewelers' association or have multiple physical locations.

6. You should know about the manufacturer of jewellery to make the right decision. Diamond jewellery from a known manufacturer is considered genuine product so try to buy reliable and renowned products having trademark.

How do I walk in high heels like a pro?

2009-09-06T23:21:00.000-07:00

Walking in high heels is so much easier than you think.
The secret is practice...lots of it! But before you start practicing, getting the foundation right is so important.

1ST step is to get the right size shoe for your foot. Sometimes we fall in love with a pair of shoes and squeeze our feet in even though they are obviously too small or they flap about because they are too big...either way you will never be able to walk in them properly, so don't waste your money.

You see, walking like a pro in high heels is all about balance...and practice! The shoe must fit perfectly. The arch of your foot must sit comfortably in the shank of the shoe, which is the part that curves between the toe and the heel. If the shoe doesn't fit, your arch will not sit in the shank properly and your balance will be off and this could lead to disaster and a lot of pain in your feet.

Here is the big secret to walking like a pro in high heels...are you ready? Wear them everyday for about 15-30 minutes. That's it. I said it was easier than you thought. Our muscles have something called muscle memory and we can change the memory of our muscles if we do something differently for about 30 days or more so if you practice walking in high heels everyday or as much as you can, the heels will begin to feel like they are just an extension of your foot. When you put them on, your muscles will begin to adapt to the shape of the shoe and 'know' what to do.

Do you remember when you were first learning to ride a bike? You probably fell off the bike several times and felt a bit clumsy and uncoordinated but you kept going until you got it right. No one was born knowing how to ride a bike or wear high heels so keep practicing and it will become second nature.

Please do not copy the way some models walk on the catwalk, overlapping their feet so that they look like they are about to trip...this is not good! Place one foot next to the other and walk. No overlapping or other fancy footwork or you will lose your balance and fall. Besides, you can get that sexy hip sway by just pivoting on the balls of your feet and still maintain your balance.

Put your heel down first right before your toes (don't put them down at the same time, and don't put your toes down first). Once your weight is on the balls of your feet, shift your weight forward, as if you're walking on your tip toes.

High heels are great and can make your legs look longer and make you look taller but only if they fit properly and you walk tall with good posture.

The last but most important tip is to NEVER wear a new pair of heels for the first time when you are going out or you will live to regret it!

Top 10 Skin Care Tips

2009-09-01T22:33:00.001-07:00

care tips pouring in from all quarters all the time? All of us want to have a glowing skin but in order to possess such a skin we need to give a little effort towards its care.

Following these simple Top 10 Skin Care Tips is not difficult.

In fact you don't have to run to the beauty stores and make a dent in your wallet to follow these simple skin care tips. So follow these top 10 skin care tips to pamper your skin.

1. Do not get carried away with flashy cosmetic labels. It is better to understand your skin type before trying products and recipes.

Select a skin care product that is suitable for you. If you find it confusing, then you can also refer to our pages homemade beauty tips for skin care recipes you can prepare at home.

2. Follow the goodness of "water therapy". Drink a lot of water as it helps to get rid your body of toxins.

3. Cleansing is very important and should be done on a regular basis. Often dirt and grime tends to accumulate due to the harsh environmental factors on the skin making it dull and lifeless in the course of time. Dirt and sweat also cause acnes and blackheads which make our skin look ugly.

4. Do not scrub or exfoliate too hard. Be gentle on your skin and it will smile with health.

5. Whether you stay outdoors in the sun or indoors in air-conditioned rooms, your skin is prone to getting dry, so hydrate your skin from time to time by applying moisture. For oily skin individuals, using a mild moisture is a good idea.

6. Use sunscreen protection to guard yourself from the damaging UV radiations when you venture out in the sun. If you are allergic to cosmetic products try a natural sunscreen product instead. And wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.

7. Excessive smoking and drinking can be very harmful for the skin. So quit smoking and cut down on drinking. Avoid coffee and try herbal tea instead.

8. Physical exercise is vital for having a great skin. So, make sure you include exercises in your daily routine and make it one among the Top 10 Skin Care Tips.

9. Too much stress is bad for your skin. So make sure you get adequate rest. Yoga is a great way to relax and delays the aging process. Remember to eat healthy too.

10. Treat your skin to a facial to rejuvenate it. The facial must include a massage to improve blood circulation and promote the growth of new cells.

Hair Care Tips For Anyone

2009-08-29T20:06:00.001-07:00

---Should I shampoo my hair daily?

Eric Fisher of Joico Laboratories, Inc. (a professional hair care line) doesn't recommend it. "Most people tend to overshampoo, stripping their hair of its natural oils, which keep hair healthy and shiny," he says.

If your scalp looks oily when you wake up, you should shampoo every day. (Once is enough, though; shampoo and conditioner labels only advise you to repeat the process so that you'll use them up faster.) Otherwise, your hair will probably look better and stay healthier if you skip every other day and let its natural oils accumulate.

Fisher recommends switching between different shampoos every six weeks or so to avoid product buildup, which can leave hair limp. Or just use a clarifying shampoo for a few days at a time every two months to remove the residue your products leave behind.

---What kind of conditioner should I use?

If you have normal or dry hair, use a standard rinse-out conditioner every time you shampoo. But if your locks tend to get greasy, you may want to condition them only a few times a week. For fine or thin hair, look for a conditioner that adds body and reduces tangles. If your hair is super-thick or curly, try a heavier leave-in conditioner.

Combination shampoo and conditioners may seem convenient and economical, but they aren't that great for your hair. It's tough to clean and condition at the same time; what most combos do well is make your hair easy to comb.

---What other hair care products should I use?

Shampoos and conditioners are just the basics. If you want to add volume or shine, you may want to look into other products, but don't overdo it. Too much "product" in your hair can make it brittle and more likely to break when you touch or comb it. Here's a list of the most popular ones and their benefits:

•Gel: Adds shine and helps sculpt hair; best on thick, curly hair; people with fine hair should use a spray gel, which doesn't drag hair down as much.
•Mousse: Can be used during or after blow-drying to give hair more body.
•Pomade: Adds texture, hold, and shine; not recommended for oily hair.
•Sculpting lotion: Gives hair definition, makes it stiff and crunchy; great for curly hair or short spiky styles.
•Silicone sprays: Adds polish and sheen.
•Spray: Holds hairstyles in place.
•Texturizer: Tames split ends and flyaway strands.
•Volumizer: Gives hair lift; makes it look less flat.

---Is it possible to brush my hair too much?

If your hair is fragile, excessive brushing isn't good. You know you have fragile hair if it's dry and doesn't reflect light. You can also take the "elasticity test:" Break off one strand and pull it between your fingers. Hair that can't stretch one third of its length without breaking is fragile. If you have healthy hair, brushing will distribute its oils, producing a natural sheen, but it won't make your hair grow faster. Don't brush your hair when it's wet.

Here are some of the different kinds of brushes:

•Natural/boar bristles: Give an even amount of attention to hair when blow-drying; almost impossible to get strands tangled in them.
•Nylon/plastic bristles: Best for controlling and detangling curly or long hair.
•Paddle-shaped: Ideal for long, one-length, or shoulder-length hair, because they cover a lot of space evenly.
•Round: When used for blow-drying, adds body -- like a hair curler -- to virtually any style, especially good for bob cuts.
•Vent-shaped: Good for those on the go; the holes in the base allow air to pass through to speed drying time; also adds volume to longer hair.
•Wire bristles: Save these for the pros; they snag hair much too easily.

If you prefer combs, choose from the two basic kinds: wide and narrow tooth. The further apart the teeth, the more texture and separation you'll create in hair. A narrow comb -- where the teeth are packed close together -- gives you a smooth look.

6 Shaving Tips for Preventing Ingrown Hairs

2009-08-27T19:58:00.001-07:00

Shaving often causes an ingrown hair problem to occur and that is why it is also referred to as razor bumps. Therefore, the best prevention technique is not to shave. Although this is a very logical approach, it is not very practical because not all men want facial hair and not all women are thrilled to have hairy legs or armpits. The alternative is to practice proper shaving techniques consistently and to follow certain shaving tips as described below.

1--Shave with an Electric Razor

Many individuals have found that shaving with an electric razor reduces the occurrence of hairs that are ingrown or razor bumps. This is likely due to the fact that electric razors do not shave as close as a wet blade. With blades, the shave is much closer and there is a greater chance of the cut and sharpened end of the hair to re-enter the hair follicle.

2--Use Shave Gel Instead of Foam

Gels are typically less irritating whereas foams can dry-out and irritate the skin. The shave gel product should contain plenty of lubricating agents and be specially formulated for sensitive skin. Do not use any product that contains alcohol. Alcohol will make this skin care problem substantially worse because it will dry out the skin and close the pores.

3--Wash the Skin Before Shaving

Wet hair is full of moisture and cuts easier. On the other hand dry hair is tougher and stronger. As a razor encounters this tougher hair, it gets pulled up from the follicle and then retracts beneath the skin surface after it is cut. This increases the risk of ingrown-hairs because the cut hair gets trapped inside the hair follicle and digs inward or sideways into the skin as it grows. The hair to be shaved should be wet for around five minutes prior to shaving. Washing the skin before shaving also helps to exfoliate it and helps lift the hairs away from the skin follicle.

4--Shave in the Direction of Hair Growth and this Same Direction Each Time

For men, the direction of shaving is downwards on the cheeks, chin, and moustache areas and upwards on the neck. For women this means shaving downwards on the legs. This is a very important factor in preventing hairs from becoming ingrown. It prevents the hair from being cut too short. If shaving with the hair grain (direction of growth) is done consistently, then the hair can be trained to grow out straight, which prevents it from curling back into the skin.

Shaving against the grain will give a closer shave and some individuals prefer this technique. However, if one is prone to skin irritation and the development of hairs becoming ingrown then shaving with the grain of the hair is strongly recommended.

5--Shave with Skin in a Relaxed State

When shaving it is best not to pull the skin too tight. A little pressure is okay, but too much stretching will result in the hair being cut too short. Also, do not use too much pressure on the blade.

6--Avoid Repeated Strokes in the Same Area

Repeated strokes with the razor over the same area will cause the hair to be cut too short and result in a greater chance of the development of an ingrown-hair problem. Also, a single blade razor is generally preferred. With rigid twin blade razors, the first blade lifts the hair and the second blade cuts it deep and usually at an angle that makes the development of ingrown hair likely. Pivoting head razors with multiple blades are not as bad as the fixed blades razors.

Treatments For Kinds Of Insect Bites

2009-08-27T19:31:00.000-07:00

Insect bite treatment is an important element of healthy skin care. If spider or insect bites or stings are ignored, there is potential for complications for the skin and health of the individual.

The skin provides protection for the rest of the human body from external contaminants, poisons, etc. Therefore, when it comes to insect and spider bites it is the target organ for biting insects and spiders. Why do insects and spiders bite the skin of humans? There are two principal reasons why spiders and insects will bite or sting. The first is for protection and the second is to feed on human blood.

The reasons for biting or stinging categorize spiders and insects into two classes: venomous (or poisonous) and non-venomous. Depending on which type of insect did the biting, an insect bite treatment may be necessary.

Venomous insects are the ones that bite or sting as a defence mechanism to protect themselves or their nests. Usually the bites or stings are very painful and toxic venom is injected into the skin via a stinger. The affected area often swells (around 12 inches or possibly more from the affected area) and becomes very red. A stinger may or may not be left behind, depending on the insect. Itchiness is usually not one of the significant symptoms caused by venomous insects. Individuals with these types of bites or stings usually pursue insect bite treatment. In some cases, the insect venom can cause a severe allergic reaction within a few minutes or up to an hour after the bite or sting. In these cases, the facial area swells, urticaria develops all over the body, and difficulty or no breathing at all can develop (anaphylaxis). This is a very dangerous condition and an insect bit treatment and more serious medical attention should be pursued.

Non-venomous insect bites are in general quite a bit less painful. These insects inject anti-coagulant saliva into the skin to facilitate feeding on the human blood. In many cases, an insect bite treatment is not sought after or required. Usually only minor swelling or a small raised red spot occurs that may or may not blister, accompanied by itch. For some, the itch, swelling, and redness may be more severe or mild allergic reactions may occur. Intense itch can lead to repeated scratching of the affected area and breaking of the skin surface. This can result in an infection. Therefore, some type of insect bite treatment may be a good idea to prevent any problems from developing.

Insects may also carry viruses such as West Nile, Malaria, Lyme disease, Dengue fever, Rocky Mountain Spotted fever, Encephalitis, and Rickettsial disease among others. Therefore, bug bite treatment or more aggressive medical treatments and prevention all become extremely important. In addition, bites can sensitize individuals to certain skin conditions. For example, dermatographism is one skin condition that may develop because of a bite or sting, usually from a venomous type insect.

As discussed above, depending on which type of insect did the biting, an insect bite treatment or insect bite relief may be required. Therefore, listed below are various common biting and stinging insects in order to provide specific information on each insect. This information includes the effect that the bites have on human skin and the body overall, description of bites, prevention steps in order to avoid bites or complications from bites, and a discussion on insect bite treatment. Please click on the type of insect to access this information.

---Biting Insects

*Mosquitoes

A mosquito bite usually results in redness and minor local swelling around the mosquito bite site. Itching is also very common and tends to last longer than the swelling, which subsides after a few hours. An insect bite treatment for mosquitos will help bring relief for these symptoms.

*Bed Bugs

Bed bug bites create small hives usually in an orderly row or clustered pattern. Skin redness and itching are also very likely and are a reaction to the bed bug’s saliva. Insect bite treatment for bedbugs is similar to that for mosquitos.

*Sand Fleas

Despite its size, the bite from a sand flea is quite painful. In fact, most of the time the bite is more painful than one from a typically larger mosquito. In addition to pain, the bite causes a large welt or rashes on the skin that can persist for several days.

---Stinging Insects

*Wasps

A wasp sting can produce symptoms that are local and affect only the skin or can be systemic and affect the whole body. Whether a sting will generate minor or major reactions or symptoms depends on a number of factors. The type of insect bite treatment or insect bite relief depends on the severity of the reaction to the sting.

*Bees

A bee can cause quite mild non-life threatening skin symptoms or much more serious health problems. The greatest risks that can occur from bee stings are an allergic reaction(which could be fatal in some individuals) or infection. Bee sting treatments are often required to avoid health and skin problems.

*Fire Ants

A fire ant delivers a very painful and burning sting to its victims. This fiery burning pain is intensified because of the likelihood of multiple bites or stings. An insect bite treatment is necessary to help brief relief to the victim and prevent complications from developing.

---Spiders

*Spiders

Most spiders are not dangerous to humans and do not require a spider or insect bite treatment. Most bites are too small even to be seen. However, all spiders do have some amount of venom and the potency can vary substantially. This determines the extent of reaction in the skin and the body overall.

*Chiggers

A treatment for chigger bite is often required to ease the symptoms that occur after a bite. Within a few hours after a chigger bite, extremely intense skin itching will be experienced. This is accompanied by the appearance of red bumps on the skin.

8 Hair Color Tips To Dye Hair At Home

2009-08-24T22:07:00.000-07:00

If you've recently started experimenting with at-home color or are thinking about making the switch (in the name of saving cash), use these tips as your guide. With this expert help you can get salon-quality results in the comfort of your bathroom. So go ahead and cheat on your colorist -- with yourself! You and your wallet will be happy you did.

Tip 1:
When selecting at-home hair color, never go more than two shades lighter or darker than your current tone. Jason Backe, co-owner and head colorist at Ted Gibson Salon, warns that if you do break this rule it could lead to disappointing or disastrous results because unlike at the salon, the product is pre-mixed, so it's impossible to control the volume of peroxide.

Tip 2:
Semi-permanent hair color is a great option for color commitment-phobes (try Garnier 100% Color). But Alyson Pemoulié, senior colorist at Eva Scrivo Salon, points out that you can’t lift or go lighter with a semi-permanent shade -- you can only go darker or blend grays.

Tip 3:
Having trouble finding the right shade? Most hair color companies offer online guides. L'Oreal Paris has a tool that walks you through the decision-making process and Clairol has a "try it on" feature that allows you to see yourself in a variety of different hair colors. Keep in mind, if the shade you like is entirely different than your natural color (remember tip no. 1?), head to the salon for your first application.

Tip 4:
If you’ve never used at-home color before, it's important to practice. Patty Slattery, assistant vice president of education and technical services at L'Oreal USA, recommends testing your skills the day before you color using gloves, a paint brush (if needed for the box you're using) and conditioner. "This way you can mimic the motion of spreading the product all the way from roots to tips," she says.

Tip 5:
Before highlighting at home for the first time, separate out a quarter-inch section along both sides of your part -- and clip it out of the way. Start your highlights below the clipped section. "It'll hide any errors or spots where the color doesn't make it all the way to your roots," Backe says. Our readers' favorite: L'Oreal Paris Excellence Cremelights.

Tip 6:
There's nothing worse than ruining your clothes and staining your floor in an at-home hair color attempt. "Create a salon at home. Throw on a smock or old shirt and set up a station that includes gloves, a comb and a towel to wipe up spills," Backe says.

Tip 7:
"Swipe a thin layer of petroleum jelly or rich moisturizer on the outermost edge of your hairline," Backe says. This provides a barrier to keep the dye from staining skin. Just make sure you don't get any on your roots or your color application may look uneven or splotchy. If you do stain your skin, pick up a bottle of Roux Clean Touch Haircolor Stain Remover to easily remove it.

Tip 8:
"Hair color can feel tingly and uncomfortable if your scalp is too clean," Slattery says. So always apply hair color to unwashed hair. The natural oils act as a buffer to the product. And don't worry; color is strong enough to penetrate through hairstyling products, no problem!

Skin Aging Signs In Your Different Age Groups

2009-08-24T06:52:00.001-07:00

Skin aging signs gradually appear throughout the various stages of life. Some of the symptoms of aging skin can be classified into certain age groups.

Pre-teen Years (12 years old and younger)

The skin is usually in near perfect condition in terms of skin aging signs, not including the presence of any skin diseases or lasting damage caused by skin diseases.

--skin is soft and smooth, plump and with small pores

--abnormal skin growths, birthmarks, and moles may be present (these are not indications of aging
--skin as they were likely present at birth)

--scars due to day-to-day living begin to accumulate

13 to 20 Years Old Skin Aging Signs

Many changes are occurring to the body during this age range. Some of these changes manifest themselves in the skin.

--various degrees of acne develop depending on the individual

--scaring as a result of acne

--fine lines start to appear

--appearance of hair in unwanted areas of the skin

20 to 30 Years Old

For this age group, the first real signs of skin aging begin to appear.

--appearance of additional fine lines and first minor wrinkles

--slight dulling of the skin

--enlarging of skin pores begins

--some loss in the elasticity of the skin

--slight skin sagging, especially around the eye

--acne and associated scarring

--appearance of excess hair on the skin

For women, pregnancy is likely to occur during this time and there are associated skin problems that occur more significantly because of this such as:

--stretch marks

--varicose and spider veins

--skin discolouration or pigmentation problems

30 to 40 Years Old

--Some of the initial skin aging signs experienced for the 20 to 30 year old age group begin to
--become more evident. In addition, some additional signs of skin aging appear.

--more lines on the forehead and around the eyes and mouth

--more wrinkles evident

--potential appearance of facial veins and varicose and spider veins on the legs

--more likely to see changes or unusual dark spots on the skin which could be early warning signs for skin cancer

40 to 55 Years Old

This age group is where the aging skin signs really become more significant and more of a concern for people.

--scars and blemishes from younger times become more evident

--more fine lines and wrinkles and those wrinkles begin to deepen noticeably

--significantly more sagging of the skin around the eyes and cheeks

--more facial veins, varicose veins, spider veins

--appearance of age spots that begin to darken

--skin takes on more of a rough texture

--more significant enlarging of pores

--recovery of skin from damage begins to slow

--beginning of skin discolouration and pigmentation problems

Over 55 Years Old Skin Aging Signs

--many fine lines and deep wrinkles

--uneven colour or skin pigmentation

--sagging of skin becomes worse in all areas

--dark circles appear under the eye

--liver spots and the greater likelihood that moles and warts will appear

--the probable significant appearance of many of the intrinsic and extrinsic aging signs mentioned above

Enlarge Your Breasts Naturally and Quickly In Months

2009-08-23T17:09:00.001-07:00

No matter where you live there are women who wants to know, how to enlarge your breasts naturally. Most of them are ashamed of their breast size, either because they are too small or they have begun to sag. This can be very embarrassing for women especially when they see other women with big beautiful breasts.

The thing is, some of those women chose to under go surgery to get those big breasts. This is something you will not have to do, because there is a simple way of enhancing your breast size without surgery. Some even use padded or push up bras which make it look as though they enlarged their breasts, but when the day is over they still have small breasts.

Imagine this, a man find you attractive because of your bust size and for other reasons, then after months of dating you expose your breast to him for the very first time. Now he realizes that your breasts really are not what he thought they were. Not only is he turned off, you are embarrassed because of it.

Now imagine, you tried a breast enhancement cream product that really gave you the chest size you wanted, now he's happy and so are you because you didn't have to pull out those pads.

By using breasts enlargement pills and creams you are guaranteed to increase your chest by 1 to 2 cup sizes in as little as 6 months. The pills helps to increase the blood flow to your breasts and the creams is used for massaging your breast which also helps the blood flow.

The ingredients in these products are natural so there are no side effects which makes them safe for you to use. Not only are they good for your breasts, they are also good for your health. These products helps to stimulate the growth and the development of your breast.

Here's how to enlarge your breasts naturally? Buy a natural breast enhancement program that comes with pills, cream and massaging techniques. Make sure there is a money back guarantee, read some of the testimonies from women who have tried them, check with your doctor and follow the directions.

Write Your Name In Japanese Symbols For Tattoo Design

2009-08-23T17:08:00.000-07:00

Nowadays, just as we, Japanese people, love to use English symbols or phrase on T-shirt, Logo or jewely design, Westerners start to use Japanese Kanji Symbols for their own design needs as well.

The most popular use of Japanese Symbols is for tattoo designs, and today, this article tells you how your name is translated into Japanese Kanji symbols.

Although there are 3 different Japanese scripts called Kanji, Hiragana and Katakana, the most popular Japanese symbol as a tattoo design is Kanji.

Kanji are ideographic characters.

It means that each of Kanji symbol represent not just a sound, but an object or idea. Historically, it is imported from China.

Now, when we write names in Japanese kanji symbols, we can use several different ways to translate. First of all, the key to successfully rendering a name into Japanese symbol is deciding what you want to achieve.

Today, a professional way of Japanse name translation is disscussed. That is, the phonetic and eulogistic transcription, and used when you want to get both the pronunciation and the original meaning of your name.

In this case, we choose a kanji symbol according to each character's sound, and also combine them with an appropriate meaning.

For example, we write Emma in Japnase kanji symbols.
Emma can be written by using 2 kanji symbols.
The pronunciation becomes "e ma" in Japanese, while the meaning is "Eternal Truth".
You see, we use the Japanese kanji symbol which has "e" sound and "ma" sound, and in this case, we have chosen Eternal kanji symbol whose sound is "e" and truth kanji symbol whose sound is "ma".

Also, Kanji has 2 different ways to read and has several different sounds.
So, let me also mentioned about the Kunyomi and the Onyomi.

The onyomi has developed from the original Chinese pronunciation but over the centuries it has been adapted to and become part of the Japanese language.
On the other hand, the kunyomi is native Japanese word.

To write names, we use both kunyomi and Onyomi reading.
But, English names are usually translated with Onyomi reading, and if the sound of onyomi reading of a kanji character is the same as the sound of your name, its kanji character is allocated.

Find Cheap Anti-Wrinkle Creams

2009-08-21T04:01:00.001-07:00

We’ve often been told that, if we want undeniable quality, we must not make any compromises, even if that means paying more than we could afford on a single beauty product. As a matter of fact, as a new study by UK consumer watchdog Which? reveals, this is precisely the one thing on which the cosmetics industry relies, since most costly anti-wrinkle creams on the market are outperformed by budget versions in terms of visible, lasting results.

Which? performed the six-week blind study on a group of women aged 35 to 65 in a bid to determine whether more expensive products also meant they returned better results than their cheaper counterparts, ThisIsMoney says. As the findings reveal, they don’t: in fact, it’s precisely the other way around, as the Simple Kind to Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturiser, coming from a budget brand, came on top, with the most visible results in terms of banishing wrinkles.

“It’s not just Hollywood stars who want to look younger, we all do, but it’s unlikely that spending a fortune on the latest miracle product will get rid of wrinkles. Our tests show that anti-wrinkle eye creams have limited success, whatever they cost.” Jess Ross, editor of Which?, says in a press statement. So, while more costly products have more luxurious ingredients and come in a better and more appealing package, they offer little in return for their ridiculously high price tags, the study has revealed.

This is a serious blow to the cosmetics industry, ThisIsMoney points out, especially since the blind study included some of the most popular products and brands now available on the market. As a side note, all volunteers who agreed to take part in the study, as well as the five experts who compared the results at the end of the trial period, did not know what products they used. The results were compared by means of high-definition photographs taken of the volunteers at the beginning and the end of the study.

“The results showed that the Simple Kind to Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturiser face cream worth just £3.21 outperformed the most expensive product tested, the StriVectin–SD, which costs £47.” ThisIsMoney says of the findings. Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum, £16.75, the “miracle” anti-wrinkle cream that literally flew off the shelves after it was reviewed by BBC and proclaimed “scientifically proven” to eliminate wrinkles, came in second, falling in the “Moderate Wrinkle Reduction” category. Even more surprisingly, the much-hyped pharmacy brand RoC Retin-Ox Intensive Eye Cream (£19.95) came in last, being the only product of the 12 tested to fall in the “Least Effective” category, despite the positive media it had garnered since release.

How To Fight Adult Acne

2009-08-15T18:47:00.002-07:00

Adult acne can really put a crimp on your life. Last year, for instance, Christine Janssen considered posting a new photograph of herself on her business web site but ultimately resisted the idea. “With my acne, I just wanted to put a paper bag over my head,” says Janssen, 41, who runs a Manhattan marketing research company.

Skin problems afflict almost everyone growing up, but some never outgrow it, says Jonette Keri, MD, PhD, assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and chief of dermatology at the Miami VA Medical Center. She estimates that nearly 30% of women and 20% of men ages 20 to 60 (and beyond) are troubled by breakouts.

What Causes Adult Acne?
Adult acne is caused by sebum, an oily substance produced by the skin’s sebaceous glands. Sebum clogs pores, which attract bacteria and become inflamed. For most adults, breakouts are a result of hypersensitivity to androgens (male hormones). But an imbalance in both male and female hormones (estrogen) can also cause breakouts. For women, this can happen during pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause. Some medications, such as corticosteroids, and cosmetics are also triggers.

How Is Adult Acne Treated?

Treating adult acne is tricky. Most acne medications are geared to teens' oily skin, a bad choice for drier adult skin. Effective treatment often requires a trial-and-error approach that takes time, Keri says. Her recommendations include:

Cleansers: Cetaphil and Aquanil are the most gentle. Avoid too-strong gels and products containing beads or granules, which are abrasive and can irritate and worsen sensitive skin.

Creams and lotions: Use an over-the-counter retinol product to clean pores and help reduce fine wrinkles. Prevent discoloration and fade acne scars with products that contain salicylic and glycolic acids. And to spot-treat a breakout, use a product with benzoyl peroxide, which helps kill bacteria.

Prescription medications: The topical antibiotic clindamycin helps fight bacteria in the skin; so does tetracycline, another antibiotic, taken orally. Oral contraceptives and spironolactone, a blood pressure drug, can help balance hormones.

High-tech solutions: Laser and intense pulsed light treatments mainly target scars, but blue light therapy treatments kill acne-causing bacteria. These treatments are costly, though, so explore your other options first.

A Skin-Care Regimen for the Acne Prone

Believe it or not, there’s a trick to skillful face washing. To start, try to keep your face clean during the day. Then wash your face twice daily with the cleanser (if your skin is dry, try using water the second time). Use only warm water (hot water is drying). Wash for just 1-2 minutes (more can irritate your skin). And use your hands instead of a rough washcloth. (If you must wash with a cloth, choose one made for babies, so it’s as soft as possible.)

As for Janssen, she found that a doctor-prescribed regimen of gentle cleansing, oral antibiotics, and a retinol cream did the trick, and her new photo is now proudly posted on her web site. She says, “All my friends comment on how clear my skin looks.”

All Things You Should Know Before Tattoo

2009-08-15T18:47:00.001-07:00

The Truth about Tattoos
If you haven't noticed, tattoos are popular. Already, 25% of 18- to 30-year-olds have a tattoo. In the next few years, 40% of this age group will have a tattoo. If you think tatts are a guy thing, think again. Up to 65% of tattoo bearers are women. But before you ink, learn more about tattoos – why people get them, the health risks involved, and your removal options if you change your mind.

Types: Amateur Tattoos
Amateur tattoos are made by individuals or their friends by jabbing ink, charcoal, or ashes under the skin with a pin. They lack the artistry of professional tattoos. And because such tattoos are done under unsanitary conditions with unusual pigments, there is a much higher risk of infection.

Types: Cultural Tattoos
Cultural tattoos are applied via traditional methods to members of certain ethnic groups. They may serve ritual, societal, or cosmetic functions.

Types: Professional Tattoos
Professional tattoos are applied by registered artists using a tattoo machine -- the term many artists prefer to the slangy "tattoo gun."

Types: Cosmetic Tattoos
Tattoos may be used as "permanent" make-up, such as eye and lip liner, lipstick, blush, eyebrows, or hair imitation. Because tattoos do fade over time, the procedure must occasionally be repeated to keep colors fresh.

Types: Medical Tattoos
Medical tattoos are not decorative, but are placed for medical reasons:

--Patients with medical conditions or chronic diseases, such as diabetes, may use a tattoo to alert health care workers in case of an emergency.

--Doctors often use tattoos to mark specific sites for repeated application of radiation therapy.

--After breast reconstruction surgery, a tattoo may be used to simulate the nipple. This use may also be considered a cosmetic tattoo.

Types: Traumatic Tattoos
Traumatic tattoos occur during injuries, when dirt or other materials get imbedded in the skin. Examples include "road rash" from bike accidents or "pencil-point" tattoos (like the one shown here) from pencil punctures.

Why Get a Tattoo?
There are two basic, very different reasons why people get tattoos: To demonstrate one's individuality and uniqueness, or to show membership in a group. Should you get one? No, says University of Miami dermatologist Jonette Keri, MD, PhD. "Down the road, you may not want it -- bodies at 60 look different than bodies at 30," she says. "And, people still have preconceived notions about people who get tattoos. If you'll be looking for a job, you may not get it."

Safe Tattooing: Choosing a Studio
If you're going to get a tattoo, remember that getting a permanent tattoo is an invasive procedure that requires breaking the skin and coming into contact with blood and body fluids. Make sure the studio is as clean as a doctor's office. (Hint: Check the bathroom. If it's dirty, get out of there.) Check the artist's business license to make sure it's up to date. And check the tattoo area: Look for a separate area for tattooing with a clean, hard surface and no random items contaminating the work area.

Safe Tattooing Tips
--Don't drink alcohol or take drugs (especially aspirin) the night before or while getting a tattoo.

--Don't get a tattoo if you're sick.

--Make sure all needles are removed from sterile single-use package before use.

--Make sure the studio has sterilization equipment to clean instruments after each use.

--Make sure the artist washes his hands and puts on sterile gloves; many tattooists are required to take training in the prevention of bloodborne illnesses.

--Make sure the work area is clean and clear of nonsterile objects (water bottles, purses, etc.)

--Get a list of the specific pigments used, including color, manufacturer's name, and lot number.

--After getting a tattoo, carefully follow healing instructions -- including use of antibiotic ointment.

Tattoo Risks: Infection
Whatever type of tattoo you get, there are risks involved. The most serious risks are life-threatening infections, such as HIV or hepatitis C, from unclean needles. Other infections, such as a staph infection called impetigo or MRSA (shown here), or deep-skin infection cellulitis may develop. It is important to note the FDA has not traditionally regulated either tattoo inks or tattoo removal, but is currently studying the issue.

Tattoo Risks: Allergic Reaction
Some people develop allergic reactions to tattoo pigments -- especially red pigments. The woman in this picture developed an allergic reaction to the red pigment used in her cosmetic lipstick tattoo. Tissue injury and inflammatory reactions to dyes or metals into the skin can occur. Occasionally a contact dermatitis can happen.

Tattoo Removal
Tattoos can be removed. Sometimes, particularly if the tattoo was done only in black, the results can be quite good. But often the skin cannot be restored to its original color or quality.

Tattoo Removal Techniques
There are three basic techniques: cutting away the tattooed skin, dermabrasion (rubbing away the tattooed skin with an abrasive device), or laser removal. Most doctors prefer to use lasers. The tattoo shown here was removed via laser; the scar below it was left from dermabrasion removal. Some color inks are harder to remove than others and repeated visits are required; permanent tattoos may never be gone entirely. The FDA warns people NOT to use any of the many available do-it-yourself tattoo removal products. These products contain acids and can cause harmful skin reactions. The FDA suggests that people seeking tattoo removal see a doctor, not a tattoo artist.

Tattoo Removal: What To Expect
Different lasers are used on different tattoo colors to break down the pigment into small particles that can be eliminated from the body. Immediately after treatment, the skin under the tattoo may whiten. More normal skin color usually appears in time.

Tattoo Removal Risks: Allergic Reactions
Lasers break down tattoo pigments, raising the possibility of allergic reactions. In the heart tattoo shown here, each of several different laser treatments caused the same blistering reaction. Fortunately, the blisters got better with routine skin care.

Tattoo Removal Risks: Scarring
Not every tattoo comes off perfectly. This picture shows scarring caused by attempted laser tattoo removal.

Guides To Care Your Sensitive Skin

2009-08-11T17:51:00.001-07:00

Before you can help treat and adequately care for sensitive skin, you need to know whether your skin is actually sensitive. If your skin is breaks out in rashes, stings at the use of skincare products for normal skin, and is constantly irritated by skincare products and/or environmental factors, you probably have sensitive skin. If you do have sensitive skin, you may need to re-think your usual skincare routine.

Switching out the products that you currently use for ones that cater to the needs particular needs of sensitive skin is probably the most obvious place to start. Read the labels of skincare products carefully before you buy anything new. The label should read “for sensitive skin.” Also check the ingredients list. Stay away from products that contain alcohol; instead select a product that contains natural skin soothing ingredients such as aloe. Products made with sensitive skin in mind can be found in drugstores and department store makeup counters and just about anywhere else that you usually buy skincare products.

An adequate skincare regimen should include the use of a makeup remover prior to a person washing their face. People with sensitive skin should take particular care to choose a makeup remover that is soap-free. If the label says “gentle” or “for sensitive skin” then it is probably a good buy, but when in doubt ask a knowledgeable sales assistant who works exclusively in the cosmetics section of the store.

When applying the new makeup remover, use a cotton swab instead of a washcloth. A washcloth is harsher and tends to irritate sensitive skin more than a soft cotton swab or pad.

Washcloths are not the only harsh abrasive a person with sensitive skin should steer clear of. Exfoliating scrubs that contain granules of any size, large or small, are often too hard on sensitive skin. If your skin is acne-prone then you still need to exfoliate at least one time per week. As an alternative to scrubs containing abrasive granules, try using a product that contains salicylic acid once a week to keep pores de-clogged.

Toners are especially important products for people with oily skin. If your skin is too sensitive for a toner developed for normal skin, but you also experience trouble with oil control, try using a gentler toner instead of skipping that step altogether. Toners made with natural ingredients such as witch hazel are much gentler on the skin than a toner made for normal skin. Normal toners usually include harsh ingredients such as alcohol, which as you already know is bad for sensitive skin, so stay away from those.

An adequate skincare regimen also includes the daily application of sunscreen, but for people with sensitive skin, some sunscreens are so irritating to the skin that people skip this important step. Instead of allowing sun damage to ruin your skin’s future health, buy a sunscreen or a sunscreen-containing moisturizer that has zinc or titanium dioxide listed in the ingredients. These ingredients are not absorbed into the skin as are sunscreens containing the skin irritating chemical Parsol 1789.

Creat Frizz-free Hair By Yourself

2009-08-11T17:50:00.000-07:00

Frizzy hair happens, but there is something you can do about it.

1) Wash your hair, but don’t over-wash it. Frizzy hair does not need to be washed every day and it certainly should not be washed more than one time per day. As a general rule, people with frizzy hair should not wash their hair more than three times per week. If you do you are basically cleaning the natural oils that help weight down frizzy hair right off of your head. When you do wash your hair use both a conditioning shampoo and an intense, deep conditioner. It might be hard for some people to forego washing their hair everyday, but try to remember that you can still shower as many times a day as you want to keep your body clean, just skip over your hair. If you wash everyday right now, ease off gradually. Your scalp is accustomed to over-produce oil to try to keep up with your hygiene habits so try washing up to four times per week and gradually work your way down to three and maybe even two.

2) Deep condition regularly. Deep conditioning will help restore moisture to your hair and will help fortify damaged hair over a period of time during which you use the product at least one time per week. You can use a hair mask, oil treatment, or deep conditioner for this task. You may want to ask your hair stylist to recommend specific products.

3) Replace your styling gel with a conditioning styling cream. Recently introduced hair products for made for curly hair are creamy and conditioning unlike hair gel which holds the curls in place but does nothing to condition your hair. If you can’t give up the gel, at least apply a generous dose of leave-in conditioner to your hair before you apply the gel.

4) Whether your hair is curly or straight, if it is frizzy then you need to stay away from blow dryers, flat irons and curling irons. The more heat you use to style your hair the more you are drying your strands out. If you can’t bear the look of your hair when it isn’t heat styled, try using only one heated styling tool and set it to a lower temperature that you usually use. For example, don’t blow-dry your hair and then use a flat-iron to get it straight. Instead, allow your hair to air dry and then use your flat iron, but use it on a low or medium setting instead of a high one. On the days that you use heating tools, always apply a thermal protectant to your hair, as directed by the product’s label, before styling to reduce the damaging effects such tools will have on your hair. Your hair stylist may again be able to recommend a tried-and-true product for you. But of course, the best way to help your hair out is to skip the heat styling altogether. If you don’t know any other way to manage your mane, make an appointment ASAP with your stylist to get tips on styling your hair naturally. Every time you skip over that blow dryer you are helping to restore your hair.

Great Hairstyles For Balding Men

2009-08-11T01:41:00.001-07:00

Going bald isn’t bad -- it’s actually badass if you approach it from the right angle. A lot of guys worry about their hair loss; this is the wrong outlook. It’s these guys who should take a lesson from their balding counterparts who face the issue head on, with confidence and style. These are the men who work with what they have and it translates into enduring self-assurance. It’s these men who set the example for all of us -- balding or not -- on how to pull off a truly poised, unwavering style. So if you’re thinning on top and can’t afford plugs like Piven, here are some approaches for your lessening locks.

----Thinning Hair
Some guys just lose it all over, with no rhyme or reason. For these guys, there are a couple of great haircuts that are both stylish and sophisticated: shaggy layers or a crew cut.

*Shaggy Layers

Say your hair is thinning on top, but you’re just not ready to go short-short. Try shaggy layers. By tousling your hair and just sort of letting it “fall where it may,” you create a disheveled allusion that actually works in your hair’s favor. Look at Peter Sarsgaard, for example. He masks his thinning hair with unkempt cleverness. Sarsgaard’s longer layers, especially toward the front, disguise his hair’s thinness by falling in a random, purposefully out-of-order mess.

*Crew Cut

At the point when your thinning hair requires a shorter cut, you should consider a crew cut. The crew cut works its magic by blending the thinning hair in with the rest. Bono is a perfect illustration of the crew cut these days. By donning this buzz-like ‘do, taking the hair short on the sides and slightly longer on the top, he avoids the pitfalls of his lightening locks. His crew cut deceptively intermingles the thinner areas with the thicker areas, leaving a visual effect that more hair is present than there actually is.

----Bald Spot
There are some who have plenty of hair everywhere -- except the crown of their head. The bald spot is a common issue, and it’s one that’s easy to skirt with either a buzz or a close shave.

*Buzz Cut

The beginnings of a bald spot become imperceptible when you pull out the clippers and go for a buzz. The buzz works well to disguise the thin (or absent) hair on your crown, and since a buzz cut comes in varying lengths, it is a gradual cut you can employ throughout the balding process. Jason Statham has long been the master of this particular haircut. His buzzed-back locks work in conjunction with his bad-boy image to create a look that’s urban, edgy and sophisticated.

*Close Shave

If the buzz cut starts to fade, then guys with a bald spot can opt for the close shave. (This particular cut works well for those whose bald spot is quite expansive.) With a close shave, you leave a hint of hair on the scalp, just enough that everything usually all blends together. The overall effect is sleek, and you can look at Djimon Hounsou as proof. Making a truly bold move, Hounsou uses the close shave not to disguise his balding pate, but to define his style.

----Receding Hairline
Textured Crop

Most guys have plenty of hair toward the back and on the sides; it’s just that the hair in the front seems to be retreating from their face. If this becomes the issue, then use a textured crop. This stylish cut, like the one that Jude Law regularly sports, uses uneven layers, especially at the receding hairline, to blend everything together. It creates an unbalanced symmetry that looks both messy and modern all at once.

Au Naturel

If you’re balding and you know it -- and you do care -- then go for the au naturel look. Some guys prefer to let nature run its course, fully embracing what’s been given to (or taken from) them. They are the George Costanzas of the world, and they are to be respected for their adherence to their own rules and regulations. Hey, we all face shrinkage in some form or other.

Losing Your Hair, Not Your Cool
We have a lot to learn from guys balding gracefully. These are the men facing ordinary challenges with extraordinary technique. They take a simple approach to hair loss, finding ways to work with their thinning locks rather than work around them. These are the guys who prove that losing your hair definitely doesn’t mean losing your cool.

6 Easy Homemade Manicure Recipes

2009-08-11T01:40:00.000-07:00

1.Hand Sugar Exfoliant
Mix two tablespoons of oil (vegetable, olive, baby or safflower oil) with three tablespoons of sugar (using coarse sugar will be better) and form a paste. Gently rub the paste on your hands and continue doing so for 2-3 minutes. Wash off with warm water and dry thoroughly.

2.Hand Softener
For coarse and dry hands, mix one tablespoon of lemon juice with a teaspoon of sugar and a little water. Apply this mixture on your hands and let it sit for 5 minutes. Wash off with warm water and dry thoroughly.

3.Tomato-Lime Softener
If you have rough skin on your hands, this recipe will surely prove to be handy. Take out the juice of one tomato and one lime and mix well. Add 2-3 tbsp glycerin to it and massage your hand with the mixture, for 3-4 minutes. Wash off with warm water and dry thoroughly.

4.Honey-Egg Softener
In a bowl, put an ounce of honey, the white portion of an egg, one tsp of glycerin and some barley powder. Mix the ingredients well and apply on clean hands. Let the paste sit on your hands for a few minutes and then wash off with water.

5.Nourishing Hand Cream
Mix 1/3 cup of glycerin and 2/3 cups of rose water. Put the mixture in a bottle and shake it well. Store it in a cool and dry place .Massage your hands with the mixture as often as possible.

6.Cuticle Softener
Warm olive oil can go a long way in softening your cuticles. Just after you have taken a bath, push your cuticles back and massage warm olive oil into them. Use the tips of the fingers for the purpose.

Makeup Tips Just For Older Women

2009-08-09T17:09:00.001-07:00

Beauty and makeup are not the monopoly of young age. It is actually at 40 that the real need of makeup starts. The makeup for older women need not be more sophisticated and classy. It is because they have to be specific about the colors and texture of makeup they use. The make up they wear also reflect about the society they belong to, so at this age more than looking beautiful, makeup becomes a way to flaunt the class and hide the ageing signs. The basic challenge in applying make up over an old lady is to cover her ageing marks and give her a graceful look.

Difference between the make up of Older and Younger Women

*The makeup of older women needs to be more graceful than that of young women.

*The use of colors should be done in a more classy way. There should be use of more pastel shades. Excess glittery and skin showy clothes should be avoided.

*The combination of accessories with the dress should be very sophisticated and stylish.

*Makeup should focus on hiding the ageing marks like wrinkles, blemishes and scars if any.

*As there is a little less scope to go out of way in hairdo and hair color, the experiments should be done in a subtle way with hair cuts.

*It is always preferable to go for regular cuts and suitable trends other than blindly following the fashion.

*Remember it's not about looking younger; it is about looking beautiful at your own age.

Before you go for a makeup do…
Now when you are 40, it is time to give you a wonderful make over. First of all review your look and observe the changes that have come across you in last few years. Also, make a check list of the things you want to work upon. Do you feel you are in the same look from last 10 or 20 years? It is time to change now. Your dated hair and makeup can add to your aging look and wrong choice of colors can make you a matter of amusement. It is thus often advisable to go for a professional advice. Given here are few...

Make up advices for older women
Hair
Reconsider your hair style. Go for a change that compliments your face and profession at your age. Also, go for colors lighter in shade for a softened and graceful look.

Eyebrows
As by this age, your eyebrows may start getting sparser and the color of your eyebrows may begin to fade, give them additional definition with a powder, pencil or gel that is similar to your natural hair color.

Face
Do not go with very heavy foundations; try liquid foundations mixed with moisturizer to nourish your dry face. Also try to use a shade of reflecting foundation. Even use the lighter shade of powder which is moisturizing, and goes on smoothly. In case you use blush, make sure that you use cream blush instead of a powder for a more bedewed appearance. Use a non-frosted powder below your chin to hide the saggy neck.

Eyes
Make sure you curl your lashes as this brings a big change in the way you look. Use neutral shade of shimmer for more natural look. Use a judicious yet classy use of liner and mascara. Avoid wild colors, go for mild ranges. Prefer the blends of pink and gray eye shadows that soften graying hair

Lips
Your lips must have started getting a little dry by now. So the challenge before you is giving your lip, a fresh and young look. Prefer using foundation and powder close to the lip line. You can also go for an anti-feathering lip primer to avoid feathering. Choose graceful shades of lipsticks. More than colors pay attention to the moisture and fullness of your lips. Pink, Berry, Coral or Peach shades are good options.

Top 10 Beauty Foods You Can Find In Your Kitchen

2009-08-09T17:08:00.000-07:00

There is no doubt that all of us want to look beautiful, slim and fit. One has to exercise sufficiently to look good. But it is important to eat the right kind of diet to look beautiful. There are a number of beauty foods that are healthy and help in enhancing your looks. Given below some foods that you can add to your diet if you want to look beautiful.

1.Apple Cider Vinegar: This vinegar has a number of healing properties and it makes the skin soft and supple. Apple cider vinegar is concentrated with enzymes and these help peel off dead skin cells. It breaks down fat and helps food digest properly.

2.Carrots: Help to maintain the outer layer of the skin to prevent premature aging. It works just like Retin A.

3.Cheese: Make a slice or two of hard cheese a part of your diet. Cheese helps to prevent bacteria from growing in the mouth and prevents cavities. Choose between Swiss, cheddar or Gouda.

4.Citrus Fruits: These fruits hold the skin cells together by forming collagen. Collagen cannot be added to the skin topically and hence fruits and juices must be made an integral part of your daily diet.

5.Cranberries: These berries keep the urinary tract lining healthy.

6.Garlic: Helps to combat wrinkles and restores tissues.

7.Nonfat Yogurt: Is high is calcium and helps to keep your smile white and your teeth cavity-free.

8.Sweet Potatoes: These potatoes are full of vitamin A and vitamin A is known for being an anti-wrinkling agent. The result of eating this vegetable is smoother skin.

9.Tomatoes: This vegetable does wonders to your skin. Tomatoes are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C and potassium.

10.Wheat Germ: To get rid of pimples efficiently include two or three tablespoons of wheat germ in your diet. You add this to your cereal, yogurt and cottage cheese.

Benefits Of Goat Milk Soap

2009-08-08T20:46:00.000-07:00

Most people do not understand or are unaware of goat milk soap and its benefits. Day after day many people continue to use the same commercial soaps that are too harsh for their skin. They do not realize that there is a handmade natural soap alternative that could be much better for their skin.

Goat milk soaps are good for just about any skin type. Do you have dry skin? Some people with dry skin suffer with continual scaling and dryness causing them to itch while maintaining an overall uncomfortable feeling. Goat milk soaps can help dry skin sufferers. These handmade natural soaps are super mild, gentle and very moisturizing. Do you have oily skin, blemishes or acne? Since this soap is super mild it doesn't irritate blemishes or acne but, instead, gently cleanses. Most commercial soaps and toners are too harsh and end up irritating blemishes and acne making it worse. This handmade natural soap is sold to a lot of acne sufferers and they have had great success with it!

Goat milk soap is so mild and gentle it can, even, be used on the face. Research will show that most commercial soaps are not buffered. This means that the pH of the commercial soaps are so far from the pH of the skin that it takes an average of two hours, after being exposed to these soaps, for the skin to return to its normal pH level. Goat milk is a buffer. This means it has a pH very close to that of human skin, so when you use soap with a high percentage of goat milk the pH of your skin doesn't change very much. Your skin doesn't take all of that time to recover. Some people have avoided using all soaps on their face because the facial skin is thin and very sensitive, but these natural handmade soaps can finally offer an alternative to those harsh commercial soaps, even those that are specifically advertised as face products.

Commercial soaps can leave a soapy build-up around the tub or shower. They can leave a mushy mess for you to clean. This is not the case with goat milk soaps. This soap lasts much longer than regular commercial soaps, using a well-drained soap dish. The longevity of this soap is, also, dependant upon the ingredients and formula used by the soap maker. Some goat milk soaps may turn soft and only last a couple of weeks while others will last much longer. The extra care and boost of ingredients put into these natural soaps, by the soap maker, is proof of a high quality product that last longer.

These handmade soaps are offered with fragrances derived from natural extracts or some have no fragrance at all. Some fragrances include: Lavender, Peppy Citrus, Orange Tree, Peppermint Coffee, Monoi de Tahiti, Gardenia Grail, Aloe & Oats and more. There is a no fragrance soap called Au Natural. These soaps offer distinct characteristics and are good for almost any skin care needs.

Super Styling Products For Men's Hair

2009-08-07T23:20:00.001-07:00

The market is booming with hair styling products for men. The business of shampoos, conditioners, gels and several other beauty products, specifically meant for men, is flourishing day by day. In fact, guys are spending a lot of money at spas and grooming parlors. With the ever-increasing demand for specialized men’s grooming products, the market of these products is also thriving. Gone are those days, when boys used to apply oil on hair and style it in the 'simple gentlemen' look. Now, with the availability of umpteen numbers of hair products in the market, style is more in. However, there is also a lot of confusion about what to use and what not. If you are also looking for something that suits your persona and hair care needs, we have given an idea of all the available categories of hair styling products for men, in the lines below. Read on to explore how to choose hair products for men.

Choosing Styling Products For Men's Hair
There are various kinds of hair products for men available in the market, right from fixatives to pliable. Also, there are hair-products available for all kinds of hair - thick, fine, curl, straight, as well as wavy. You can choose your hair products depending upon the kind of look you want. For example, if you have fine-textured hair and want to give the spiky look, you can’t do without the fixatives. On the other hand, if you have a rough hair texture and you want it to be soft (so that some cute girl can her hands through it), go with the pliable products.

Types Of Product

Fixatives

Gels
It is generally good to use water-based gel, if you want to get a wet and sleek look. However, please restrain yourself from buying a cheap hair gel, because it might make your hair break or flake off. The key to choosing the right hair gel for you is ‘the finer the hair, the lighter the product’. If you use a strong gel on fine hair, it will weigh down.

Hair Sprays
Hair sprays are basically meant to lock in the best hairstyles. Basically a hair spray is used as a finishing product. As in case of a gel, you need to select the product keeping in mind your hair type. If you have fine hair, even a light spray would be useful. If you are concerned about the natural luster of your hair, use hair sprays with sunscreen element.

Pliables
Pomades
Pomades are hair styling products that can be either water or wax based. They are basically used to give a wet, glossy look to the hair. They make a great option if you have thick hard hair. It can be used for shorter hair, in case shine is required. However, if you use pomades on fine hair, they will make it look greasy and limp.

Waxes
Waxes are very much like pomade, but tend to be harder. They are petroleum based and prove to be great for providing shine. You can use them for controlling short haircuts, like flattops and buzzcuts. They are also great, if you need to manage your exceptionally thick hair. Avoid using wax on your fine hair; otherwise you will end up with a sticky, greasy look.

Fibers
Very much like the pomades and waxes, a mud (or fiber) is used when control is required. Fibers give a matte finish to the hair, so they are very good for those who want the ‘right from bed’ kind of look. You can even give texture to short, disheveled hairstyles and add separation to long styles, with the help of fibers.

Creams
Creams are good for almost all kinds of hair. If you want to add shine to your hard and dull hair, they serve as a good option. For adding a little shine to your fine hair, a very small amount of cream will be enough. This product is also nice for curly hair, if you want to give it a shiny look and keep your curls together.

Tips
--If you have fine hair, avoid using greasy products.

--People with hard hair should avoid permanent usage of gel.

--Excess usage of fixatives or wax based products can lead to premature graying of hair.

--After you have come back from the party, make sure to wash off your hair and let it dry, so that your hair pores can breathe properly.

Yoga Can Boost Health For A Breast Cancer Woman

2009-08-07T23:19:00.001-07:00

A new study recently revealed that special Yoga classes could improve the overall well being of breast cancer patients, thus initiating faster recovery. A study by Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York has said that Yoga tremendously helped giving boost to women who were receiving treatment for breast cancer. This was particularly effective in those women who were not taking chemotherapy.

The women who participated in the study reportedly enjoyed the whole experience and it helped them come over the trauma of cancer in a positive way. It was well received by the patients and proved to be very helpful. The study was conducted on a group of 128 women who belonged to the low-income category. The classes were conducted thrice a week and those who participated were taught simple exercises to be done at home also. The exercises were based on Hatha-Yoga and were specially designed for women who came for treatment of breast cancer.

The exercises were taught while the patients were either sitting on a chair or were lying down. It was clearly found that the women experienced calm mind and had significant improvement in their general quality of life. Their distress was greatly reduced and their emotional, spiritual and social well-being improved for the better. It was added that the exercises were to be performed only under experts’ supervision and the patients interested in Yoga should contact their doctors first.

Choose Your Riht Bra If You Have A Small Breast

2009-08-05T06:35:00.000-07:00

Finding the right bra for any woman can be an impossible mission. As a plus size woman with petite breasts looking for a bra is pure hell. I share with you a few no-fuss tips for getting that perfect fit.

--- Before doing anything make sure you have the right size for your bra. This can be done by measuring the length around right up under the breat and around the back. This will determine the number of your bra size. Then measure around but this time move the measuring tape right over the breast. This will determine your cup letter. If its too much just go to your local Lane Bryant or Victorias Secret. They generally offer free bra fitting services.

---Go to a either Ashley Stewarts or Lane Bryant and try on sevral bras in your size. They offer bras from 36-40 in cups B-J. Go a size up or down depending on fit to adjust comfort. If you want to enhance cleavage stick to demi bras or deep-plunge styles. If you like a natural look stick with full coverage or soft cups with underwire.

---If you are shopping online make sure you check the specific sites sizing charts since they dont all cut their bras the same. Call customer service if nevessary and ask if they are true to size.

---Try to pick colors that flatter your skin color and match your undies or better yet buy some new ones while you're there. Choose bras with thicker side bands so you can prevent that little bit of fat from flapping over your bra strap.

---Go home and try on all your bras with different shirts and dresses to feel and see the difference. Show off your new sexy cleavage with confidence.

Find The Ideal Bra

2009-08-05T06:32:00.000-07:00

Whether you choose a bra to enhance, minimize, support or show off your bust, fit is crucial. It's the key to keeping you comfortable and supporting your breasts properly. Here are a few steps to finding the ideal bra.

Step 1 Use a measuring tape to measure around your bare rib cage, just beneath your naked breasts. This number indicates the band size most appropriate for your figure.

Step 2 Measure the widest part of your bust, sliding the tape around the middle of your back. Hold the tape as level as possible to ensure accuracy.

Step 3 Note the difference between the two measurements. Use the following as a guide, and try on a range of sizes above and below your measurement: If your bust measurement is up to 1 /2 inch larger than your band size, then your cup size is an AA. A measurement of 1 /2 inch to 1 inch more than the band size indicates an A cup, 1 to 2 inches indicates a B cup, 2 to 3 inches indicates a C cup, 3 to 4 inches indicates a D cup, and 4 to 5 inches indicates a DD or E cup.

Step 4 Select a range of bras according to your band and cup size.

Step 5 Try on a bra. Place your hands through the straps and bend over to allow your breasts to fall into the cups. The cups should contain your breasts'unless you're trying a demibra or an enhancing bra'and should center your nipple in the fullest part.

Step 6 Close the bra using the middle hook. Look for a band that fits snugly but doesn't cut into your rib cage. If it's too tight, try adjusting the hook closure before proceeding to a larger size.

Step 7 Adjust the straps so the band fits comfortably under the breasts and around the rib cage. If the bra seems to slip forward, if you find yourself pulling up on the straps, or if it feels as if your breasts are falling out of the bottom of the cups, the band size is too big.

Step 8 Check the fabric or bridge between your breasts. This should lie flat on the breastbone. If it sticks up or stabs your breastbone uncomfortably, try a larger cup size. If it puckers, try a smaller size.

Step 9 Move up a cup size if your breasts bulge from the bra. Move down a size if you notice wrinkles in the cup material.

8 Steps to Apply Great Eyeliner

2009-08-05T06:31:00.002-07:00

Step 1 Choose an eyeliner appropriate for your eye color. Brown, navy and charcoal accent light eyes well, while brown and plum shades flatter brown eyes. Make sure your liner complements the color of your shadow.

Step 2 Consider the type of look you're after. Pencil eyeliner gives your eyes soft definition, while liquid versions offer precision and drama. You can also moisten dark eye shadow and apply it with a small, flat brush.

Step 3 Prepare a cake liner or a dark eye shadow by applying a small amount of water to your brush. Or, if you're using a pencil eyeliner, ensure that you've sharpened the pencil adequately.

Step 4 Move the wet brush gently through your cake liner or dark shadow. Hold the brush or pencil as you would hold a pen.

Step 5 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.

Step 6 Draw a line across the upper lid just above the lashes, from the inside corner to the outside corner of the eye. If you're using liquid liner, allow it to dry before opening your eyes all the way, or the color may transfer into the crease of your eye.

Step 7 If you used a brush or a pencil, soften the look by gently smudging the line with your brush, a cotton swab or your finger.

Step 8 Line the lower lids. Moving from the outside edge inward, draw a line on the outer two-thirds of the lid or more, depending on the look you're going for. Your line should be slightly thicker at the outside corner, becoming thinner as it moves in toward your nose. Using your brush or pencil, lightly stroke the area. If using a liquid liner, apply it in one smooth stroke. Apply less color so your eyes don't appear raccoonlike.

Deep Condition Your Hair In A Simple Way

2009-08-05T06:31:00.001-07:00

Combat the damage of chemical treatments, coloring, heat styling and environmental pollution by deep-conditioning your hair on a regular basis. This will help replenish lost moisture and keep locks shiny and resilient.

Step 1 Assess your hair's needs and the time you have available. Different formulas offer different levels of conditioning, and treatment time can range from 2 to 60 minutes.

Step 2 Select a formula that best suits you, then consult your stylist to insure that the conditioner you've chosen will not interfere with your color treatment.

Step 3 Shampoo your hair. Towel dry, absorbing all excess moisture.

Step 4 Place a quarter-size amount of conditioner in the palm of your hand. Use more conditioner for longer hair.

Step 5 Rub hands together gently to distribute conditioner.

Step 6 Begin at the hairline and apply conditioner from forehead to ends. Comb through hair for even distribution, applying a little extra to the ends of long tresses.

Step 7 Massage scalp and relax for the time indicated.

Step 8 Rinse thoroughly and style as usual.

Stretch Marks In Weight Loss? ---Here 9 Tips To Help You

2009-08-03T05:42:00.000-07:00

One of women's biggest concerns when dieting is the appearance of stretch marks.

They usually happen when the skin is stretched a lot over a short period of time. They can appear during pregnancy and during general weight gain or weight loss. The medical term is stria.

For women they normally appear on parts of the skin where fat is stored like the stomach, breasts, thighs and buttocks.

Stretch marks start as red lines and are slightly lifted on the skin. They are formed in the dermis which is the middle layer of the skin. This part of the skin is actually elastic and helps the skin keep its shape.

However, if the dermis is constantly stretched and has reached its limit, it will break and form into stretch marks. They may become pink, reddish brown or dark brown depending on skin colour and are usually formed in lines similar to scars.

There is no definitive cure for avoiding stretch marks but the following recommendations will help you to avoid them or fade the ones that have appeared:

• Eat foods or take supplements high in vitamins A, E and C in addition to your normal diet. (Note. Pregnant women should avoid taking more than 25,000 IU of vitamin A).

• Add foods or supplements to your diet that are high in zinc and silica which helps form collagen, the supporting fibres that are good for your skin. Foods like beetroots, brown rice, soy beans, leafy green vegetables, whole grains and bell peppers will help.

• Essential fatty acids found in many vegetables, vegetable oils and fish oils help to make cell walls.

• Brushing your skin with a loofah or skin brush when you bathe will stimulate circulation which helps to avoid their formation.

• Massage cocoa butter or vitamin E onto your skin or stretch marks after bathing.

Moisturizer creams containing AHAs (Alpha Hydroxyl Acid) can help reduce their appearance although creams won't necessarily prevent them.

More extreme methods can include:

Laser Treatment: May not remove them but it can help make them less noticeable.

Cosmetic Surgery: Is an extreme and expensive option but it can successfully remove stretch marks.

As a general rule you should massage your skin everyday with a moisturizer in order to improve the blood circulation to encourage new tissue to appear, and to eat healthy foods.

Finally, pregnant women can avoid stretch marks by simply eating enough to nourish themselves and their unborn child with a healthy, well balanced diet of advisable foods.

Use Hair Straightener In A Proper Way

2009-08-03T05:39:00.000-07:00

Present generation fashion conscious women appreciate straight hair looks best, and they can achieve this with so many different types of hair straighteners available on the market. The concept of straight hair is not new but old and that too was achieve by few women who dares to take the risk of straightening their hair with iron for clothes and did much damage to their hair. The concept remains the same but the technology has changed that provides hair styling with much safety and ease.

It is amazing to learn that women few years back when there was no tool like hair straightener dared to go beyond any limit to look beautiful and so realizing the necessity of such tool today we have the product in several different forms like curler, hair dryer, hair styler, hair straightener and etc. Always remember that higher quality plate is the most desirable asset of any flat iron as better plates straighten the hair more easily and cause much less damage. Genuine hair straightener has very hard ceramic coatings that are sprayed in layers and baked. This tends to perform best. While less expensive units usually do not have ceramic, heating elements and some may have a paint-like coating that gives the appearance of ceramic plating. The shortcomings of these hair accessories are that the cheaper coatings wear off very quickly and cause more damage to the hair and using these appliances will surely damage your hair.

There are two types of hair damages that these flat irons may create and they are damage due to heat and mechanical damage. Heat damage and mechanical damage can be avoided only if you are happy with what you are born with. Since the hotter the flat iron the better it works in changing the original structure of the hair forcibly so heat damage is unavoidable but since we are living in this modern era where creating fashion statement is important so everyone of us desire to look best paying attention to our look especially so we cannot avoid this. Next is the mechanical damage and that can be avoid with smoother plates. Hair straightener with ceramic plates is safe for your hair. You will come across several cheap hair straightener that looks like the original but their plates are made of aluminum and coated with something such as a hard ceramic coating. It gives you the impression of original hair straightener and anyone can get ditched especially if anyone is new to this field. With few use the cheaper coatings wear off and the level of mechanical damage increases that leads to split ends, hair breakage and many other hair problems.

We can do something to minimize the damage. First, you must focus on purchasing a quality product and not the cheap one that fake and does not guarantee safety and replacement if there is any problem. People exclaim at the selling price of the quality hair straightener but they are justifiable. Next we must follow the instructions strictly that comes with the product and try to use these appliances when required. Also must follow hair care regime properly to keep our hair in healthy condition. Following these steps will surely make our hair straightening experience enjoyable.

Great Hairstyles For Black Hair In 2009

2009-08-03T05:36:00.000-07:00

Look your best with the best of the year's hottest trends - Here's a look at the 5 hot black hair styles for 2009!

Just like the trends in fashion which changes from season to season, the trendiest styles that you can wear also vary from year to year. The good thing about going with the trend as far as your black hair is concerned is that you can easily update your look or give yourself a makeover without having to spend hundreds of dollars on an updated wardrobe.

All you need is visit the stylist for a good, trend hair cut that will suit the shape of your face. Then, with the help of some styling tools and products, you can use a variety of looks to suit your mood, your outfit and the occasion!

The 5 Hottest Black Hair Styles for 2009

We may already be halfway 2009, but that does not mean that it's too late for you to wear the year's latest trends in black hair styles. In fact, now is as good a time as any to update your look - because the trends will surely change by the end of the year.

So what are some of the hottest and trendiest black hair styles that you can wear to update your look? Here's a quick look at the 5 best styles that you can try:

Pixie Cuts

If you have really short hair, one of the best and hottest black hair styles that you can sport is the updated pixie cut. Feel as glamorous as Audrey Hepburn back in the days. However, this time it will be more Rihanna-esque rather than classic because the pixie cut that your stylist will give you has more of a geometric shape to it.

The pixie cuts of today can range from ones which look really soft, to a razor cut which has an almost rock edge to it. The good thing about this hot and trendy look is that it is low maintenance and fuss-free. You can wake up in the morning, spend a few minutes styling it and you'll be instantly ready to face the day - with a hot and glamorous look to boot!

Black Bobs

The "bob" that Rihanna is sporting is still an 'in' look for the year 2009 - and it's evident by her appearance on TV and all over the mags. All you need to do is ask your stylist to give the Rihanna bob a more modern twist. You can go with or without bangs - just make sure that the length of your bob is something that you will feel comfortable yet gorgeous in.

Ultra-Sleek & Straight

With the popularity of tools like Sedu straightening irons, you don't need to always wear your hair in its natural state - nor do you need to have it chemically straightened, either. Just use a straightening tool (flat iron) to tame your curly or wavy hair and wear your locks in an ultra-sleek, straight style - just like Tyra Banks!

Braided Design

No top hot black hair styles list will ever be complete without including the classic braided hairstyles. What makes braided hair such a classic for black women is that your hair will still be in its natural state. And, once the design is finished, it is a very easy look to keep without a lot of product or styling work.

Sassy Bangs

What's so good about sporting bangs is that there is a suitable cut of bangs for any face shape and hair length. By chopping off a few hair strands as bangs, you can easily update your look without the need to have a complete haircut.

Risks and Benefits of Plastic Surgery

2009-08-01T19:37:00.001-07:00

Topical treatments can help improve fine wrinkles and skin texture. However, rapid and dramatic improvements are more likely to be achieved with plastic surgery. But don't rush to schedule your plastic surgery just yet. First, here are some facts you should know.

*Plastic surgery is expensive. In the US, a facelift costs from $6,000 to $15,000.

*Any surgery is potentially dangerous, including plastic surgery. Complications are rare but they do occur, ranging from scarring to fatalities. Plastic surgery may be particularly risky if you have certain health conditions (e.g. diabetes).

*Everyone is different. Some people do much better than others, even when treated by the same plastic surgeon.

*It may take several weeks or months before your face fully recovers from plastic surgery.

*Plastic surgery might adversely affect the physiology of your skin and underlying tissues, speeding up the aging process.

If you decide to undergo plastic surgery, keep in mind the following.

*With plastic surgery, more is not necessarily better. For instance, too tight or too frequent facelifts may create a distorted, unnatural look. The result may be worse than having no plastic surgery at all.

*Find a board certified surgeon with a vast experience in the plastic surgery. Search thoroughly, compare different plastic surgeons, talk to their former patients.

*It is somewhat more risky to have plastic surgery in a surgeon's office than in a hospital. If you are having an in-office plastic surgery, make sure that the facility is accredited by AAAASF (The American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities).

*Plastic surgery does not slow down the aging of the skin but may actually accelerate it. Therefore, plastic surgery is not a substitute for skin rejuvenation measures discussed in various articles at Smart Skin Care Site. Actually, after a plastic surgery you should be even more diligent in preserving your skin's youth.

*Before going for plastic surgery, give a few month try to topical skin rejuvenation treatments (see Treatments section of this site). The results may be dramatic enough to change your mind.

Use Silicon To Enhance Your Beauty Naturally

2009-08-01T19:36:00.001-07:00

When the words silicon and beauty are used in the same sentence, one would expect to hear about the controversial silica gel implants for breast enhancement. Surprisingly, there may be a much safer and more natural use of silicon that could benefit your appearance. Namely, food supplements containing bioavailable forms of silicon.

Silicon is an essential trace element required for the formation and maintenance of the connective tissue. In particular, silicon increases tissue levels of hydroxyproline, one of the key amino acids required for the synthesis of collagen and elastin. In fact, several studies demonstrated that addition of bioavailable forms of silicon to tissue culture increases the production of type I collagen. There is some evidence that supplementing bioavailable forms of silicon in humans may improve some parameters of the connective tissue, including skin, nails, hair and cartilage. In one study, researchers from the university of Antwerp, Belgium, investigated the effects of choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid (10 mg of silicon per day for 20 weeks) on various parameters of the skin, hair and nails. The study involved 50 women and was double-blind and placebo-controlled. The researcher found modest (in the range of 15-20%), but statistically significant improvements in such parameters as skin roughness, firmness and strength. The brittleness of nails and hair decreased.

Further research is required to confirm these findings and find optimal doses, treatment duration and so forth. For those who would rather not wait, a supplement of a bioavailable form of silicon may be worth a try. One such commercially available supplement is choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid (e.g. Biosil brand), the form used in the above study.

Silicon is generally well tolerated. Its recommended intake estimates range from 5 to 20 mg per day. Considering that some silicon is contained in the food, it would be wise not to exceed supplemental doses used in the above study - at least until more research is available.

Is there a connection Between Skin and blood sugar

2009-08-01T19:35:00.000-07:00

Blood sugar, or more accurately blood glucose level, is a very important aspect of human physiology because glucose is the primary fuel for the central nervous system. If the blood level of glucose drops below a certain point for a long enough period of time, a person will lose consciousness, fall into coma and die. Very high blood glucose seen in diabetes is also harmful, although the immediate consequences are usually less dramatic.

It is less widely known that blood sugar has an important bearing on the aging process. Unfortunately, in addition to being a vital cellular fuel, glucose is also a substance that can cause damage to cells and tissues by randomly reacting with proteins, DNA and other vital molecules. (Scientists call this process glycation). Perhaps the worst consequence of glycation is cross-linking which is the formation of chemical bridges between proteins or other large molecules. A material that undergoes cross-linking usually becomes harder, less elastic and has a tendency to tear or crack. For instance, cross-linking is responsible for hardening of a rubber mat or a garden hose left in the sun. In an aging body, cross-linking causes hardening of arteries, wrinkling of the skin and stiffening of joints. Not surprisingly, diabetics, whose high blood glucose intensifies cross-linking, tend to have more skin damage (as well as vascular and other organ damage) than non-diabetics. However, even mildly high blood sugar promotes the aging process in the long run. This condition, called carbohydarate intolerance (or glucose intolerance) means that one's blood sugar tends to be higher than normal but not high enough to warrant the diagnosis of diabetes. Carbohydrate intolerance is extremely common, affecting up to fifty percent of the population in developed countries. In most carbohydrate intolerant people, fasting blood sugar is normal while blood sugar after meals is higher than it should be.

Research indicates that correcting carbohydrate intolerance is one the most important steps one can take towards slowing down the aging process.

Now, the question is how can one find out whether she has carbohydrate intolerance. An overt diabetes is relatively easy to diagnose. A doctor simply takes your fasting blood glucose to see whether it is elevated. A more sophisticated test called OGGT (oral glucose tolerance test) is needed to diagnose carbohydrate intolerance. First, your fasting blood sugar is measured. Then you are given a meal containing a standard amount of glucose, after which your blood glucose is measured every 30 minutes for 2 or 3 hours. This allows to see how quickly your blood sugar returns to normal after a carbohydrate load. The main risk factors for carbohydrate intolerance are being overweight and age over forty.

Improving carbohydrate tolerance
People who are carbohydratre intolerant can slow down their aging and reduce the risk of diabetes by taking steps to improve their carbohydrate metabolism. Furthermore, we believe that these steps are useful for anyone over thirty as they reduce the risk of developing carbohydratre intolerance or diabetes in the future.

Reducing glycemic effect of meals

As we ingest food, the enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract break it down into small molecules, such as simple sugars, aminoacids and peptides. Many foods, from ice-cream to pizza to pop-corn, contain glucose or other sugars that are converted to glucose in the body. Usually, glucose is in the form of starch, a branched polymer made up of many glucose molecules, or sucrose, a sugar consisting of one glucose and one fructose molecule. As the food is digested, the glucose it contains is released and absorbed into the bloodstream, which causes blood glucose level to rise. (Scientists call this glycemic effect of food.) How dramatic such a rise would be depends on several factors: (1) how much glucose a meal contains; (2) in which form this glucose is (e.g. starch or sugar); (3) are there other food ingredients, such as fiber, that affect the rate glucose absorption. Meals that produce less dramatic rise of blood glucose tend to be better for one's carbohydrate metabolism. Generally, among nutritionally equivalent alternatives, the food with smaller glycemic effect should be preferred. For instance, glycemic effect of a whole grain rye bread is 32 percent smaller than that of the equivalent amount of white bread. Guess which is better for your health!

Fiber

Over the past decades, research has promoted fiber from a nearly useless non-nutrient filler in plant-derived foods to an important food constituent conducive of health and longevity. Chemically, fibers are a diverse group of plant polymers based on polysaccharide chains. In contrast to starch, which is also a type of polysaccharide, fibers cannot be digested by humans, and pass through the gastrointestinal tract fully or partially intact. Large amounts of fiber in the diet make stools soft and bulky.

Fiber came to the spotlight when physicians working in Africa noted a very low incidence of such typical "Western" conditions as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, colon cancer, diverticulosis and hemorrhoids. They also noticed that local population consumed a very high fiber diet -- their stool volume was several times greater than that of people in the West. A role of fiber in preventing diseases and obesity was hypothesized, which spawned abundant research on the subject. Some health benefits of fiber, such as colon cancer prevention, are still controversial. Others, including its ability of fiber to prevent and/or improve carbohydrate tolerance and type II diabetes, are confirmed by solid evidence. Fiber slows down the rate at which glucose is absorbed from food into the bloodstream. This gives the body more time to process carbohydrates, leading to lower blood sugar and better carbohydrate metabolism.

It is estimated that a typical citizen of a developed country consumes about one third of the amount of fiber optimal for health and longevity. Luckily, it is not as difficult to increase one's fiber intake without supplements as many people think. Keep in mind that fiber supplements, especially when used improperly, may cause intestinal obstruction, a serious health problem. (This never happens with high fiber foods though).

Exercise

Regular exercise is known to improve carbohydarate tolerance and have a variety of other health benefits. (And it's fun too!). If exercising outdoors, which is usually more fun than otherwise, make sure to protect you skin from excessive sun and wind exposure.

Supplements

Certain nutrients and botanicals have positive effect on carbohydrate metabolism. For instance, lipoic acid is known to lower blood sugar levels (see also the article about conditionally essential nutrients in this section). Some adaptogens were consistently proven to improve carbohydrate tolerance or even reverse early stages of type II diabetes. Adaptogens are substances that promote successful adaptation of the body to various forms of stress and also normalize various physiological aberrations. Most known adaptogens are derived from plants and are quite safe at commonly used doses.

Drugs

Of course, there are drugs that lower blood sugar. Vritually all of them, however, can have substantial adverse effects. Using glucose-lowering drug in people with confirmed diabetes is a reasonable trade-off. These drugs should not be used in people with mild carbohydrate intolerance. There are far safer things to try!

Short Hairstyles For Thick Hair

2009-07-24T21:40:00.000-07:00

As a kid, each one of you must have heard the story of Rapunzel, the fairytale character, who was famous for her thick long hair. While some of you must have just heard it, others would have dreamt of having such fabulous hair, while the remaining are the lucky ones that have been blessed with the prized possession. Yes, thick hair is always considered beautiful and healthy, even finding place in people’s fantasies. However, the summer months do compel you to change your perception as the scorching heat not only makes it difficult to manage such long hair, but the hair itself loses its innate charm. So, for those with thick long hair, given below are some short haircuts, which will provide the much needed respite this summer.

Shag Hairstyle
Shags look good on practically all the people. Short shag is an ideal choice for those with thick hair. For inspiration, you can consider Hollywood actress Meg Ryan, who looks sexy in her carefree shag hairstyle. To define the face, jagged layers are cut throughout the hair and side bangs are used to provide height and extra definition.

Razor Cut
For thick hair, you can even consider the razor cut. Unlike the long razor, which is recommended for long and straight hair, short razor is suggested for thick hair. The short razor cut provides several defined layers, which provide movement as well as control to your hair. This enables you to manage your hair easily, without being messy.

Ponytail
As everyone envies thick hair, the ones who are gifted with them should be proud. Maintaining this feeling, you can simply make a ponytail and still look stylish. Your hair might be long or short, a ponytail looks trendy anytime. For special occasions, you can experiment by making dual ponytails or tie them sideways for a flirtatious look. Another teasing hairstyle is the partial ponytail, which leaves some of the hair out.

The Pixie
The Pixie haircut also looks good on thick hair. It not only frames your face but also accentuates your features. The hairstyle comprises of short yet different length bangs. It is quite choppy in appearance and provides a messy look at times. However, it requires less maintenance and provides you a naughty, girly look.

How to Fix a Bad Hair Color

2009-07-24T21:39:00.000-07:00

Hair color is one of the best instruments that can help you transform your look completely. It can turn you into a bold brunette from a gentle blonde or change your tame brown hair color into fiery red. Though hair color can make you look extremely good, frequent using can stress your hair and at times, also dry them out. The worst part comes when somehow; the hair color goes wrong and gives a hue that is completely different from the one you expected. Whether done by a professional stylist or caused by a person experimenting at home, a bad hair color can definitely make people look funny and affect their self esteem. In such a case, it is better to go to a professional and seek his help. In the following lines, we have provided some tips for fixing bad hair color.

How to Fix a Bad Hair Color

Professional Solution

If you got your hair colored from a professional stylist, it is better to go back to him immediately. The sooner he starts treating your hair, the better it will be for you.
After you contact the stylist, it is better not to indulge in blame game. Anger or emotional outbursts will not get you anywhere. It is better to focus on finding a solution for your problem.
Have faith on your stylist and let him try and fix the color to your satisfaction. Most of the professional stylists will promptly try to find a solution and ask you for no extra charges.
If the bad hair color is a result of your mistake, in most probability, the stylist will ask you to pay up. In such a case, ask him about the treatment and its cost beforehand, so you have an idea about your liability.

Some More Tips

It is always better to go to professional stylist to get your hair colored as well as to get your bad hair color corrected.
Try to stick to the stylist who colored your hair. Since he colored the hair, he will definitely have at least some idea about the solution too.
Do not try to fix the problem yourself, by resorting to bleach, other colors or color removal products. This can damage your hair beyond repair.
Getting your bad color treated from a professional may take more than one visit. So, please be patient.
In case it is totally impossible for you to go to a professional, contact the customer care of the hair color company. They will be in a better position to help you with the problem.

Other Solutions
At times, it might be that there is no solution to your problem and you have to bear with a bad hair color for some time. In such a case, you can follow the tips given below, to minimize the problem.

Go to a professional stylist and ask him to give you a short haircut, which does not accentuate your hair color.
Applying hot extra virgin olive oil and washing your hair with hot water will help the color fade away quickly.
Have a diet rich in proteins and pop some hair vitamins to help enhance hair growth.
At places where you have uneven hair color, using accessories like hair clips, barrettes and jeweled hairpins, is a very good option.
Finally, do not let a bad hair color prevent you from going out. Be confident of your looks and step out boldly. Most of the times, people will not even notice your bad hair color.

Different Eyebrow Shapes

2009-07-24T21:37:00.000-07:00

Eyebrows are a vital part of the face as they contribute a great deal in framing it. With the help of eyebrows one can draw attention towards the eyes and can even accentuate the features. Though nowadays both men and women have become aware of the importance of the brows and get them trimmed regularly, it is still not a necessity for men, unlike women. It is a common trend amongst women to get their eyebrows trimmed as per their face cut. Everyone has a different face and the shape of the brow also depends on the same. Thus, a person should know which shape will be best suited for him/her. For more information on different kinds of eye brow shapes, read on.

Different Shapes of Eyebrows

Arched
Arched eyebrows are deemed ideal for those who have extremely thick brows, riding low along the brow ridge. The arched eye brows broaden up the appearance of the eyes and make them appear more alert, bright and wide. The arched shape is basically a combination of the angled and curved shapes. It is typified by an upward angle, starting from the inner corner of the eye following up to a two-thirds distance. It culminates with a curve downward on the outside.

Angled
Angled brows are the most striking of all the eyebrow shapes, owing to the sharp angle they have. Angled brows begin upward from the inner corner of the eye and then slide down with a steep angle, towards the outer edge. This brow shape is great for those who have a round or wide face. This provides a vertical line to the face, making it appear slimmer. Moreover, it is ideal for close-set eyes as they help in drawing the focus to the outside.

Curved
Curved eye brows are usually round in shape. The curve of the eyebrow follows the line of the eyelids and expands only proportionately. This type of eyebrow is ideal for those who have sharp, angular features. The addition of curved eyebrows provides a mellower look to their features, adding softness to the overall look.

Flat
Though the name might seem intriguing, there is a shape of eyebrow which is referred as flat eye brow. It is so called owing to the minimal curvature it provides along the length of the brow. Flat eyebrows are deemed suitable for those who have very narrow faces or widely spaced eyes. This makes their face look broader and deviates attention from the wide gap between the eyes.

How to Shine Shoes

2009-07-22T18:01:00.000-07:00

Tired of having your shoes look worn-out a few hours after you’ve bought them? Want to keep your shoes looking as good as new? Fear not-- with a few handy supplies, and by following these steps, you can learn the easy way to shine them like a pro.

Step 1 Clean dust and dirt from the surface of your shoes or boots with a shoeshine brush or damp cloth.

Step 2 Select a can of wax or creme shoe polish that matches the leather you want to polish.

Step 3 Use a shoe polish brush to apply a conservative amount of polish to the surface of the leather. Brush in circular motions until the leather has a dull coating. Get into tight spots using an old toothbrush.

Step 4 Wait 15 minutes while the polish dries.

Step 5 Brush shoes or boots with a shoeshine brush.

Step 6 Buff to a gleaming shine with a clean cotton cloth, such as an old sweat sock or T-shirt.

Beautiful clothes no matter your size

2009-07-21T05:03:00.001-07:00

Everyday we hear stories on the news about people carrying more weight than ever before. In America, the obesity rate is at an all time high, and in Britain is becoming an increasing problem.

Unfortunately this weighty trend doesn’t show signs of turning around quickly. Part of that is simple mechanics, as putting the weight on is infinitely easier than taking it off. Another culprit is today’s hectic pace; every year people are working more hours, are involved in more out-of-the-home activities, and are more emotionally stressed. That means we are likely to continue to take advantage of the convenience of high calorie, low health-content fast food.

So the fact remains that there are a lot more women who fall into the “plus size” category, and this is unlikely to change soon. Yet most clothing designers refuse to acknowledge the existence of this retail base. Is this an issue of prejudice? Perhaps they just don’t want to acknowledge that plus-sized women exist. Or maybe it’s simply that they are snobs, thinking their designs are so spectacular that plus-sized women don’t “deserve” to wear them. Surely it can’t be a deliberate decision to only sell to one tiny sector of their potential target audience! Whatever the reason, most designers simply don’t make anything past a size 14 or 16.

There are, however, some designers who have are not only willing, but actually seem eager, to serve the plus size market. Some of them are extremely well known all around the world, like Bob Mackie, Nolan Miller, Emanuel, Gabriella Rossi, and Randolph Duke. Others may not have an international reputation, but they definitely click with women in America and much of Europe. They include Terry Lewis, Anthony, Susan Graver, and Jean Bice.

Unlike most of their competitors, these fashion-forward designers are willing to design clothes for women from size four to 24. I’m not just talking about ugly baggy shirts or caftans either. These designers provide the latest fashion trends in jeans, dresses, skirts, tops, jackets and more. To make sure of the fit, many of them use fit models rather than mannikins. This ensures that every woman has the opportunity to put her best foot forward.

For the woman who yearns for something a step above the norm, designers like Nolan Miller, Bob Mackie, and Randolph Duke offer class and sophistication as well as fun and perfect fit. From simple tees to leather jackets and even glamorous gowns, Nolan Miller designs fashions that make every woman feel like the star. With most of his collection focusing on absolute elegance, Miller’s customers can easily step on to their own red carpet and command the utmost attention. Whether it’s a lace tunic, velvet skirt, or butter soft leather jacket each and every piece of Miller’s clothing screams style.

Bob Mackie’s designs run the gamut from cozy casual to premier ready fashion. Using luscious fabrics, great textures, bold patterns, and punches of color, Mackie gives women the chance to make an affirmative statement every single day. Randolph Duke’s clothing collection is always trendy, sophisticated, and versatile. He is the master of illusion, often designing clothing that can be worn more than one way. From denim to suede or from cotton to knit, Duke fashions are always on-trend and happening.

Women who like something a little more down to earth can easily turn to Emanuel and Gabriella Rossi. Emanuel fashions are flirty and fun. Each Emanuel collection features the most current trends in fashions, the day’s hottest fabrics, colors, and cuts. Gabriella Rossi focuses heavily on knit fabrics, which fit into almost any lifestyle. Like Emanuel, Rossi’s collections are cut to accent the best part of a woman’s body and to move gracefully as she moves. It’s a beautiful fusion between fashion and form.

For the working woman, designer Susan Graver provides fabrics that don’t wrinkle easily, glide like air on the body, and make the wearer feel like a million dollars. From her silky soft peach skin fabrics to her signature faux leather, Graver designs elegant pieces that can be mixed and matched with ease and stand up under the most brutal lifestyle. From casual tees to beautiful twin sets and from embroidered denims to soft elegant laces, Graver offers something to suit the taste of women everywhere. Even better yet, most of Graver’s pieces can easily move from day to night with a tweak in jewelry, a change of shoes, or the addition of accessories. Best of all, Graver’s price tags are unbelievably low for the quality of her fashion.

For those who prefer clothing with a little pizzazz, Anthony Designs almost always fit the bill. While he specializes in beautiful ethnic designs, he designs for women in general. His collection ranges from casual chic to party ready. His designs aren’t for every woman simply because Anthony doesn’t do the mundane. He’s into unusual shapes, layering, and lots of “bling.” His fabrics are soft, elegant, and easy to wear. His cuts are unusual and loaded with sass. Don’t let his price tags fool you, though, because this designer’s clothing stands up well, even on the worst day imaginable.

The woman who leans toward the casual side of life will love Quacker Factory by designer Jean Bice. From cute little novelty sweaters to rhinestone and pearl embellished fashions, Bice’s clothing is highly recognizable. Her customers are extremely loyal to the Quacker Factory; many collecting her designs for their artistic value as well as for the fact they are simply fun to wear. Bice does everything from adorable pjs to elegant shirts and sweaters that make their wearers feel special each and every time they put them on. Like some of her fellow designers, Bice’s fashions are priced to fit the budget of today’s working woman.

Last, but never least, Terry Lewis designs a line of fashions called Classic Luxuries. Although she now features collections in many different fabrics, her focus remains on suede, leather, and faux fur. But we aren’t talking about just any suede or leather. We are talking about fabrics that are soft, supple, and infinitely wearable. Lewis’s jackets and pants are cut perfectly to make any woman’s body look its very best. Her leather designs range from plain to embellished and even laser cut with elaborate designs. Her color pallet is always on trend, with something to fit any skin tone. Although her leather pieces are easily the best on the market today, her faux fur pieces are even better still. Whether long or short or car coat length, Lewis’s incredible fur mimics the real and even exceeds it from time to time. At prices a fraction of those normally seen for like fashions, Lewis has quickly built an extremely loyal fan base.

All of the designers listed here have their own design houses and sell their clothing in specialty boutiques and retail clothing stores as well as on the Home Shopping Network (HSN) or QVC. For more information or to browse their collections, check out their designs on the Internet or through the HSN and QVC websites.

Every woman deserves to feel beautiful, whether she is a size zero or a size 24. More than that, she deserves to be recognized for the person that she is and the contributions she has made to the world; not just for her size or her looks. It’s rewarding to know that at least a handful of designers have taken that message to heart and responded. On behalf of plus size women everywhere, I offer our heartfelt thanks.

fashion tips for an elegant, graceful and chic look

2009-07-21T05:02:00.000-07:00

Functions and occasions accomplish anybody thrilled. Bathrobe up for these occasions adds to the excitement. Every accident calls for appropriate dressing; some crave academic dressing, others crave informal. The way you do your hair, architecture and accessories additionally counts. Appearance is not aloof spending huge amounts of money the outlook; it is the way to accessory appropriate with affordable amount tagged dressing. For these appropriate occasions, afterward are some appearance tips for an elegant, adroit and chichi accessory to accomplish you angle out amid all. Weddings are a time of anniversary of two bodies starting a new life.
It is a happy, blissful occasion, so dress up in a way that shows your blessed mood. When bathrobe up for weddings accumulate in apperception whose bells you are accessory and again dress accordingly. Weddings alarm for academic dressing, so abstain carefully any accidental stuff. Also, go with the trend! Abrasion what is 'in fashion'. It is able to abrasion ablaze colours to weddings. It is additionally awfully bigger to abrasion your cultural apparel to weddings. Girls and women charge abrasion jewellery. It is the time to abrasion your gold and chunk after attractive odd. As for your hair, get it curled! Straightened beard is no best in fashion.

Abstain the wet accessory effect. It is a years-old trend now. Stilettos accomplish women accessory added affected and glamorous. Therefore, go for aerial heels instead of pumps, flats or wedges. Men charge additionally accouterments formally, cutting suits. Birthdays and added parties accord addition advantage to dress up. You can go from academic to semi formal. The affair setting, cardinal of guests and the acclimate altitude comedy a cogent role in allowance you dress up. Women can go for saris, pants skirts and apart frocks etc. Bodies abrasion jeans at some clandestine parties. To accessory acceptable at a party, you aloof accept to accessory 'cool'.

Abrasion adequate and presentable attire. You can accept from a array of colours. Parties are added an befalling for fun and enjoyment, so abstain cutting annihilation that would accomplish you uncomfortable. Abrasion whatever you can backpack well. Leave your beard accessible or bound, align it or coil it; parties accord you chargeless choice. Girls should abstain blanket layers of accomplish up on at parties. Instead, go for a lighter effect. Simple eyeliner, mascara and appearance would additionally do well.

Summer hair - keep it looking good on the beach

2009-07-21T04:52:00.000-07:00

The hot summer sun is one of the worst things that can happen to hair. That is especially true for hair that is already damaged or that has been color treated. For that reason, the best summer hairstyle begins with healthy hair. There are several products on the market to help protect hair from the sun; which one is chosen will depend upon the condition of the hair as well as the summer situations one hopes to avoid.

Frederic Fekkai, one of the masters in hair care, has developed a system of products that are perfect for summer hair. Retailing for around $20, they can be found at Fekkai’s hair salons, upscale department stores like Nordstrom’s, and specialty beauty boutiques like Sephora. The first is called “Wash and Wear.” The lightweight product is perfect for those who can wash their hair immediately after leaving the beach. It is equally good for those who just want to encourage natural soft waves or curls. Spray it on liberally to achieve a beachy look while also protecting hair from the chlorine of the pool, the salt of the sea, and the drastic heat of the summer sun. The other product is a light gel called “Zero Humidity.” It can be sprayed onto dry or wet hair. It conditions while adding a shield that keeps hair from frizzing in the hot summer sun. All that is left behind from either product is soft, supple, sexy hair.

Ojon Hair Care also provides an excellent product they call a Restorative Hair Treatment. It retails for under $30 and can be found on QVC or purchased directly from Ojon. Formulated from oil from the Ojon tree, it is the same product that the Tawira Indians have used for over 500 years. This all-natural cream not only works to rejuvenate hair but it also works to improve the condition of the scalp at the same time. It hydrates the hair even while it is being exposed to the harshest summer rays. Application is simple. All that is needed is to add a quarter size amount to the hair and work it through to hair ends. Then pull it back, put it up, or shield it with a hat. This miraculous hair treatment may be the one product in the world that guarantees hair will be in better condition - softer, silkier, and shinier - after exposure to the sun.

How To Style Curly Hair

2009-07-18T06:24:00.000-07:00

If you are born with curly hair, first of all understand that your hair is no mess and muddle. In fact many of the people with straight hair must have been jealous of your hair at one point of time or the other. You have natural style about your hair, something that gives you a special zing in your looks, something unique and different from the crowd. Do you even realize that many girls with stick-straight hair spend hours trying to get a curl like you? So, do not think of getting rebounding done. Rather, there are several other experiments that you can try with your hair. Read this article to know how to style curly hair.

Styling Tips For Curly Hair

Basic Care

Prevent Frizz
Style is effective only when hair is properly cared for. There are a few basic care tips that need to be kept in mind before anything else. The problem of frizz is one of the most irritating problems that people with curly hair face. The simplest solution to this is the use of deep conditioner with silicone. It will help retain the shine and luster of your hair.

Use Blow Dryer Correctly
The blow dryer, if not used properly, can make your look nightmarish. All those people who have curly hair should always use a diffuser while blow drying their hair. In case you do not have a diffuser handy, aim the blow dryer nozzle downward, in the direction of hair growth.

Use Comb
If you have curly hair, prefer using comb, instead of a brush. It is because combing your hair will help your have clear curl locks, which will enhance the beauty of your hair, in turn.

Best Curly Hair Looks

Curly Hair Looks Best If Long
Do you remember how actress Keri Russell cut off her famous long curls and the public went fiercely angry? It is the basic issue with most of the girls with curly locks - they look good only when long. For majority of the faces, short curly hair seems to give a puffy look.

Best Haircuts For Curly Hair
In case you are planning to go for a hair cut, it is best to include some layers into it. Without layers, long curly hair seems like a Christmas tree. Do not go for uneven hair-cut and please stay away from straight cut looks.

Go For Pressing
At times, getting your hair pressed, for making it temporarily straight, is a good idea. This style lasts for a day or two and will help you get a different look. However, do not go for frequent pressing, as it might damage your hair.

Exclusive Hair-Dos

Ballerina Bands
Ballerina bands look best on women with curly hair. They give a very cute as well as romantic appeal to the person. Ballerina bands look best with half-up, half-down hairstyle.

Headbands
Headbands are big saviors for curly-haired women who are short on time. If you have curly hairs, simply pull your hair back in a band, flattening it in the front and with twists in the end.

Loose Buns
If you have long curly hair, you can look like the perfect damsel by having them fabulously pulled back, in a loose bun. It is very simple to make and comfortable to carry as well.

Techniques to do Self-Massage

2009-07-18T06:22:00.001-07:00

After a day's hectic work, you would want to sit back, relax and pamper your senses with a soothing massage. The best bet would be to ask someone in your home, say your mom, sibling or partner, to give you a gentle massage. In case nobody is near you, then help yourself. We provide you some handy self-massage techniques, which would de-stress your body and give you the much needed relaxation. Check out the following lines and get tips on some effective self-massage techniques.

How To Do Self Massage

*Scalp
To massage your scalp, sit straight and gently place your thumbs behind your ear. Now, spread your fingers on top of your head and give a gentle massage to your scalp, by making circles with your fingertips. Do it for about 15-20 minutes and feel the difference!

*Eyes
In case your eyes are tired, may be due to prolonged work on computer, then you would need to rest them for sometime. A gentle massage would serve the purpose. Close your eyes and place both your ring fingers under the eyebrows. Ensure that the fingers are positioned near the bridge of your nose. Now, exert pressure on the areas by pressing your fingers. Hold the position for about 5-10 seconds. Repeat the massage 2-3 times.

*Nose
The self-massage technique applied to nose also proves to be the best remedy to get rid of sinus. For the purpose, you need to place your fingertips at the bridge of your nose. Now, slide your fingers down your nose, moving towards the top of your cheekbones and finally, to the outside of your eyes. Do this exercise for about 5 minutes, in a gentle manner. This would provide you relief from sinus pressure.

*Shoulders
Shoulder pain is a common problem faced by people doing desk work. To relieve the tension in your shoulders, place one arm across the front of your body. Now, with the same arm, touch your opposite shoulder. Press your arm firmly on the muscle above the shoulder blade and move it in a circular motion. Repeat the massage with the other arm as well.

Other Self-Massage Techniques

*In case you want to release muscular tension, rub your muscles in a circular motion, with the help of your palm or the fingers.

*By rubbing your muscles in a circular motion, with the help of your palm or fingers, you can release a lot of tension from the muscles.

*In case of chronic stress on the muscles, apply the kneading technique. For the purpose, you would need an essential oil. Heat the oil a bit and knead your muscles gently, just like the way you knead bread dough.

Tips

*Apply outward motion to end each self-massage technique. You may also do some gentle tapping, in order to stimulate the circulation of blood and promote deep relaxation.

*Always apply gentle strokes while massaging, because you would not want to exert undue pressure on your muscles.

*Give your body's organs a gentle massage for about 15 minutes, daily. By doing so, blood circulation would improve.

How To Look Mysterious

2009-07-18T06:16:00.000-07:00

Everyone wants to look beautiful or gorgeous, but have you ever given a thought about looking mysterious? What is mystery, you might ask. It is something that is not fully understood or that baffles the understanding.

When you look mysterious, it is bound to arouse curiosity among those who are around you. Read on to find out some tips about how to look mysterious.

*One of the best ways to get that mysterious look is to experiment a little with your hair. You can dye your hair or get a dark hair color which is sure to look good. Try something that is deep in color like black. To complement the dark color, get a hair style with some sharp angular cuts. This will add to your mysterious look.

*You can also use a little lighter foundation for your make up than you generally use. Over the lighter foundation, you can use some deep colored or reddish lipstick. This will compliment your look nicely. It will look a little old world, perhaps, even a little gothic but it will be sexy, nonetheless.

*Wear something dark in color, like purple, black, deep red, forest green; anything with a dark look. Dark always looks mysterious, especially if you pair it with something feminine like gorgeous necklaces, beaded black or purple colored earrings. This will make you look mysterious yet give you that feminine charm.

*You can also try and wear short skirts coupled with fishnet stalking and colored tights. This will really look good.

*Apart from the looks, you can also work the way you talk. Remember, be silent and only speak when spoken to. This will add to the mysticism.

*If you happen to catch a guy's eye, give him a sensual look and then look away. Don’t keep gaping towards him. He sure would want to chase you!

*Wearing some vintage piece of accessory can also add to that mysterious look. Things like capes, jackets, hoods, hats, corset shirts, etc. can look real good and sexy.

*Have fun! If you are not comfortable yourself, you will not be able to project what you want to. So, just be confident about yourself and have fun.

In short, here are some tips on how to look mystifying.

*Wear vintage pieces of accessories.

*Get a cool looking haircut with sharp angles.

*Wear dark eye make up.

*Try short skirts coupled with fishnet stalking.

*Give guys that enigmatic look

*Try and paint your nails in deep color.

Having that 'closed look' is not that difficult. If you follow the steps mentioned above, you are sure to baffle everyone around you. So, go ahead and get that look that you had always wanted.

How To Remove Tattoo

2009-07-18T06:12:00.000-07:00

If Saif Ali Khan breaks up with Kareena Kapoor (no offence to their fans), what is he going to do? Not with his life, I mean with his famous tattoo! Well, we hope he never has to go through this dilemma of whether “to remove or not remove” the tattoo. However, there are many people who have inked themselves with a tattoo in a spur of moment, but no longer want it. Those who are stuck with an undesirable tattoo, whether it’s the name of their past flame, a gang sign or something very corny, know the cost of succumbing to a whim. Getting stuck with a tattoo you hate to see, for the rest of your life, is not a pleasant notion. On top of that, it’s just not possible to cover the tattoo with your clothes all the time, so you become the butt of many jokes as well. So what do you do? Live with it till you die? No! Not anymore at least! The good news is that now, there are a number of methods, using which you can remove your tattoo. Go on and explore these methods and know how to remove an unwanted tattoo. At the same time, do make sure that you think twice before getting inked the next time.

Tattoo Removal Methods

*Laser Removal
It is one of the best methods of tattoo removal. A cream is applied to numb the skin and then, with the help of laser, the tattoo is broken down into fragments. These fragments are, in turn, removed by scavenger cells. However, a tattoo cannot be removed with only one session of laser treatment. It needs a couple of sittings to make the 'thing' go away completely.

*Intense Pulsed Light Therapy
Intense Pulsed Light Therapy is almost similar to the laser treatment. However, in the former, instead of laser, intense pulsed light is utilized to break the tattoo down. A gel or cream is applied over the tattooed part and then intense flashlight is flashed to the area, through a prism. Just like laser, this treatment doesn't get rid of the tattoo in one go and will need a number of sittings.

*Removal Cream
A “Do it yourself” method of removing a tattoo comprises of the application of tattoo removal cream. This cream uses a chemical, known as Trichloroacetic Acid, which causes the skin to peel. When applied regularly on the tattooed area, it will peel the skin on the particular area, breaking the tattoo in turn. However, the tattoo will take a certain amount of time to be completely gone.

*Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion is yet another common method of removing a permanent tattoo. It involves the process of sloughing away the top layer of the skin, to remove the tattoo. Eventually, a new layer of skin takes place of the tattooed layer. However, this method may leave scars in some cases. At the same time, it is not recommended for tattoos done on the face.

*Salabrasion
Salabrasion is a method of tattoo removal that makes use of water and granular salt. This mixture is rubbed on the skin, to remove the tattoo, with the peeling of the upper skin. However, this method is not very popular and should only be used on the tattoos that have not been done very professionally.

*Scarification & Camouflaging
Scarification, the veryname implies the method of tattoo removal. In this case, an acid solution is used to remove the tattoo. However, it results in a scar on the tattooed area. Camouflaging, on the other hand, means hiding the tattoo, by injecting new pigments in the area it exists. The new pigments cover the tattooed part and camouflage it. However, the injected part may not look same again and even seem like a scar.

*Surgical Removal & Excision
Surgical removal means removing the tattoo by surgery. It involves the technique of tissue expanders, such as a balloon being inserted under the skin. In case of excision also, the tattoo is surgically removed. However, it involves removing the tattooed skin and then stitching it back. In other words, the skin on tattooed area is removed and grafted with the skin from any other body part of the same person.

Choose The Perfect Prom Dress

2009-07-18T06:09:00.000-07:00

Choosing the perfect dress for special occasions such as prom can be very tricky. Many dresses look beautiful on hangers or models in the catalog, but lose their charm the moment you wear them. This is probably because they are just not fit for your personality. To choose the most suitable prom dress, you need to consider the color, size and fabric of the attire and of course, your body shape. This prom night, if you want to look your best and grab all the passing glances; make sure to buy the best outfit. You can check out the following lines and explore tips on how to choose the perfect prom dress.

Choosing Your Prom Dress

*While choosing attire for special occasions like prom night, you need to consider your budget. You would want to land in something that gives you the desired look, but does not end up burning a hole in your pocket. So, set the budget before hitting the mall for shopping.

*Last moment shopping largely ends up in a disaster. To avoid this, you should go shopping a week or two prior to the prom night. This would help you get the best of the lot.

*There is still one thing that needs to be done, before you go to shop for your apparels. It is research. For the purpose, peruse the latest fashion magazines and newspapers. You will get to know what is hot and what is not, including the patterns, prints and colors for the attire.

*In order to know about the latest trends, you may consult a boutique as well. Online window shopping would also help you a great deal. Shortlist the ideas, which click you in the first instance.

*Assess your body shape, before finalizing your prom dress. This is very important, because you would not want to compromise on the comfort level as well as the degree of attractiveness.

*In case you have a curvy figure, consider wearing a dress that highlights your waist, but creates an illusion of lesser hips and thigh weight. If you have a slim figure, go for an outfit that best highlights your silhouette. With large bust size, you may flaunt halter neck gowns, but beware of the v-neck types, which have a plunging neckline that looks atrocious.

*If you have a plus size figure, consider purchasing a dress that tends to flatter your weight and produces an illusion of curves. Go for an outfit that takes emphasis away from the bulging areas of your body, probably tummy, hips and thighs and draws the attention towards your face.

*Consider the length of your prom dress. Check out whether your friends, who have attended prom nights earlier, wore long or short length dresses. Again, perusing magazines and newspapers may serve the purpose.

*Look for a dazzling shade for the prom dress, which looks as good on you. While you do not have to be too jazzy, try to avoid colors that are too subtle as well.

*After you have finalized the outfit, it is the time to shop for footwear and accessories. Remember, both of them should complement your attire and you need to shop for them in advance. The accessories can be glittery, but not too flashy.

*When you are done with the shopping, try the items a week before the prom night. Put on the dress and pair it with the shoes, accessories and a hairstyle that would suit the get-up. Walk around your home, to give your dress a comfort check.

How To Determine Facial Shape

2009-07-18T05:59:00.000-07:00

The choice of a good hairstyle largely depends upon the shape of your face. Rest of the criteria, including the texture, color and type of the hair, are just secondary. It is hard to be objective about your own facial shape, because many of the facial shapes tend to look similar to each other. Nonetheless, there are many differences, which can be clearly figured out by taking the measurement of your face and then matching them with the characteristics of each face shape. Read the article and find out how to determine your facial shape, so that you land with the perfect hairstyle, which accentuates your looks.

----Determining Your Face Shape

*First of all, you need to stand in front of your mirror. Do make sure that you have put on all the lights, so that there is no mistake in reading measurements.

*Comb your hair backwards and tie a ponytail. Now, get a piece of paper, pen and an inch-tape.

*Measure your face from the top of your cheekbones, across. Note down the measurement on paper.

*The second step would be to measure your forehead across, at its widest point. The widest portion of your forehead would be positioned exactly halfway between your eyebrows and your hairline. Take down the measurement on paper.

*Now, measure your face vertically, from the tip of your hairline to the bottom of your chin.

*Write down all the measurements and find out the category in which your facial shape falls.

----Facial Shape Categories
After you noted down the measurements of your face, compare themwith the characteristics of different facial shapes, as given below:

*Round: If the shape of your face is round, then your face will be as wide as it is long. Your face won't have sharp angles. Further, this facial shape is characterized by soft 'corners' along the jaw-line and forehead.

*Oval: If your cheekbones are slightly wider than your forehead or jaw-line, then you have an oval face. The oval face is characterized by wide cheek-line. In this case, the length of your face would be one and a half times more than its width.

*Square: Your face would be as long as its width, in case the shape of your face is square. This facial shape is characterized by a wide forehead and a strong, wide jaw-line.

*Triangle: A triangle face would have wide forehead that narrows down gradually, to form a pointed chin. This facial shape is also characterized by a prominent jaw-line.

*Diamond: In case your facial shape is diamond, your cheekbones would be the widest and the most prominent feature. With a narrow forehead, the jaw-line would be wide.

*Heart: A heart-shaped face is narrow at jaw line, wide at forehead. It is further characterized by wide cheekbones.

*Oblong/Rectangle: An oblong or rectangle face is longer than its width, just like a rectangle and has sharp edges.

Make Your Eyes Look Bigger

2009-07-14T17:54:00.000-07:00

One could argue that the eyes are the most important feature of the face, since we tend to look at them the most. There are a few make up tips and tricks to make your eyes pop. To make them stand out, follow the tips below.

Use eyeliner only on the outer rim of the eyelids, not the inner rim.

*Blend eyeliner with a cotton swab rather than leaving it as a harsh line.

*Avoid drawing eyeliner on the inner corner of the lower lid; instead, start the line at the beginning of eyelash growth or even closer to the middle of the eye.

* Use a light shade of eye shadow on the upper lid leading up to the brow, which will open up the eye. A darker color can be used in the fold of the eye.

* Consider wearing false eyelashes to give your eyes a more wide-eyed, innocent look. Be sure to use natural-looking eyelashes.

* Curl your eyelashes with an eyelash curler before applying mascara to give you the same effect as false eyelashes.

*Try a black mascara if brown does not bring out your eyes enough.

9 Things To Know Before Buy Plus Size Clothes

2009-07-14T17:48:00.000-07:00

Women who are larger than average oftentimes find it difficult to find plus size clothes that are still stylish. However, several websites feature women's clothing in sizes 12 and up that look good and won't put a major dent in your pocketbook.

Step 1--Begin by getting your measurements. Sometimes women do not know their accurate size when looking for clothes. Use a tape measure and measure your bust, waist and hips. Write down the numbers on a sheet of paper for reference.

Step 2--Visit the Kiyonna website. This company offers plus size clothes for women that are sophisticated and stylish. You can find work clothes, casual wear, evening wear, swimwear, undergarments and even bridal wear at Kiyonna.

Step 3--Select "Customer Service" in the top navigation bar. On this page, you'll find a size chart to determine your size from 0x to 5x. Use your measurements to find your appropriate size.

Step 4--Choose the bigger size if you are between two sizes. You can always return or exchange the items within 30 days if they do not fit or are not satisfied for any reason.

Step 5--Pick the type of plus size clothing you are looking for under "Departments" in the side bar. On the next page you can see a gallery of pictures with information about each clothing item. Click on the picture to see a detailed description of the item.

Step 6--Roll your mouse over the picture on the next page to see an upclose view of the item. If you decide you want to buy it, select a color and size from the pull down menu, and then click "ADD TO BAG."

Step 7--Call Kiyonna toll-free at (888) 549-6662 if you have any questions about their plus sized clothes or ordering process.

Step 8--Select "CHECKOUT" when you are done shopping. On the next page, fill out the form with your shipping and billing information. Press "CONTINUE WITH CHECKOUT" and choose your shipping method. Kiyonna ships by standard ground shipping or gives you the option of overnight shipping.

Step 9--Enter your credit card information. Kiyonna accepts Visa, MasterCard and Discover. Write down your tracking number to track your shipment.

5 Easy Tips to Choose a Hair Conditioner

2009-07-14T17:47:00.001-07:00

Your choice of conditioner depends most on your hair type (unlike your choice of shampoo, which depends on your scalp type). Choosing the right conditioner can help you avoid greasy, limp locks or a dry, frizzy head of hair.

*Choose a rich, moisturizing conditioner if your hair tends to get dry and frizzy.

*Use a volumizing conditioner if your hair is limp and fine.

*Get conditioner made for normal hair if yours is healthy and shiny.

*Change the brand of conditioner you use every month, since hair can become immune to a specific formula's effects, and buildup can occur.

*Buy a separate deep or leave-in conditioner to use once a week. If your hair is fine, use it in the shower and rinse it out immediately, the way you do with normal conditioner. The drier your hair is, however, the longer you'll want to leave it in.

Make Your Own Hair Conditioner

2009-07-14T17:44:00.000-07:00

The personal grooming and hair care aisle in your local beauty supply store is most likely overwhelming by virtue of its sheer volume of available options. Even narrowing it down to hair conditioner alone, there is the option of choosing a leave-in conditioner or one that will rinse out. It is tempting to just buy one or the other, but to truly get your money’s worth, it is best to make your own leave-in hair conditioner. The process is cheap and simple, and you are certain to have the best hair conditioner available when you make it yourself.

Make Your Own Leave-In Hair Conditioner

*Begin by assessing your hair’s needs. Hair that is permed, colored, straightened or otherwise altered will have different needs than hair that is only gently brushed. An experienced hairdresser can quickly and easily assess your hair’s overall health and needs.

*Purchase filtered water in individual bottles. Filtered water is purified and has been rid of chlorine, long known to wreak havoc on blond hair. It is also devoid of many minerals that would normally lead to unsightly buildup and thus it makes it a perfect addition to your homemade leave-in conditioner.

*Mix 1 oz. of commercial hair conditioner with 5 oz. of purified water. Pour the components of the mixture into the spray bottle.

*Gently stir the mixture with a wooden or glass stirrer until it is well blended. You now have a bottle of homemade leave-in hair conditioner that takes a minimum amount of time and work and costs a fraction of the price you would spend for a similar product from the store.

Tips & Warnings

*Buying purified water in individual bottles is preferable to buying it in a gallon jug, since repeated opening and closing introduces contaminants that may lead to algae buildup in the bottle.
*Buy a small bottle of the conditioner to avoid storing a partially used bottle for a long period of time. The exposure to air and contaminants may alter the quality of the conditioner and since you will use it sparingly, getting your money’s worth depends on using the entire content of the bottle.
*Adjust the nozzle to use as little or as much of the leave-in hair conditioner as your hair’s condition requires. If you have just deep conditioned your hair, you will undoubtedly need less; if the weather looks like it might cause your hair to get frizzy, use more.
*Do not mistake filtered water for spring water. Some spring water is enhanced with minerals that will not work well for a leave-in hair conditioner.
*Do not use the same distilled water that you are using for your iron.

Popular Summer Wedding Colors

2009-07-13T20:27:00.000-07:00

One has to be careful when dressing up for the somber dark winters. But summer dressing, that too for a wedding, can be fun! The monotony of the landscape during winters is broken with the onset of summertime. You can see the sun shining in varied shades of orange at different points of the day and vibrant flowers in full bloom. Everything looks just so fresh and inviting. So let your summer wedding colors be a representation of all the season has to offer. In other words, the choice of colors for summer wedding is endless.

Ideas for Summer Wedding Colors
When you think of summer wedding colors, think of bright hues. Since everything is a riot of colors during summertime, you can feel free to choose any hue. Yellows, purples, bright pinks and bright blues are some popular summer wedding colors. They work fine for everything right from the décor to flowers to trousseau.

Though more suitable for springtime, you can consider using pastel hues for delicate touches in a wedding. Pastel colors may not be quite appropriate for the dresses of bridesmaid during summer wedding, but these can definitely be used in invitations and other such subtle accents.

The brightly shining sun is the first thing most people will associate with summer. As such, yellow can be used in combination with gold or orange with white to get a lovely, fresh feel.

A combination of gold with lavender is apt for creating a bright, merry atmosphere in summer weddings. You can add magenta in economical amounts to this particular color scheme to pep things up further. A good idea will be to make the bridesmaid wear dresses in different colors of this summer wedding color scheme.

Teal is one hue which can bring out the best in a summer wedding. Flux this hue with silver and white for a cool, stimulating color scheme. Tulips and other flowers can be died teal to match dresses and other decorations.
Red and pink blend with one another quite well. Employ different shades of both colors to create a really romantic atmosphere during a summer wedding. Use reds and pinks in lights, candles, etc.

17 Useful Tips To Prevent Frizzy Hair

2009-07-13T20:19:00.000-07:00

The problem of frizzy hair is something that majority of the females have to face, especially those with curly hair. It is basically the dehydrated cortex (the inner layer of the hair shaft) that causes the problem of frizzy hair. This dehydration can be result of a number of activities - frequent perming, excessive use of styling products, regular usage of bleach or color, taking a poor diet, brushing wet hair, excessive exposure to the sun, and so on. Whatever be the reason, frizzy hair looks very bad and can easily mar you appearance. The good part is that following certain simple steps and taking some precautions can help you stop frizzy hair. In the following lines, we have provided some home remedies for preventing frizzy hair.

How to Prevent Frizzy Hair
1--Always use appropriate hair care products for your hair. A moisturizing shampoo and a moisturizing conditioner will be your best bet.

2--Don’t wash your hair on a daily basis. Rather, stick to taking a head bath twice in a week.

3--After applying conditioner, always rinse your hair with cold water. It locks down the cuticles and prevents frizzing.

4--Cream conditioners are the best for preventing frizzy hair. Make sure to leave the conditioner on for a few minutes, before rinsing it.

5--You can try using leave in conditioner that controls frizziness by re-hydrating the hair during the day.

6--Never ever use oil-based conditioners on hair that are prone to frizziness, as they can contribute to the problem.

7--Condition and nourish your hair by applying a hair mask once or twice a week. Always concentrate on the ends and leave the mask on for approximately 10-15 minutes, before rinsing it thoroughly.

8--Go for a deep conditioning treatment once or twice a month. It repairs the hair and also keeps them hydrated.

9--Do not blow dry your hair more than once or twice a week. Even while using a blow dryer, never run it up and down the hair. If possible, use an ionic blow-dryer.

10--Stick to silicone-based products for styling your hair, but do not use them in excess.

11--Use the de-frizz (anti-frizz) creams, serums and gels available in the market, concentrating only in the problem areas.

12--Never ever use a brush for combing your hair. Rather, stick to a wide-toothed comb. The former can not only cause more frizz, but also result in split-ends.

13--Get your hair trimmed on a regular basis. It can not only control frizz, but also prevent split ends.

14--As much as possible, let your hair dry naturally. At the same time, don’t run your hair with a towel.

15--While buying hair care products, look for the ones with moisturizing agents, vitamin E, Aloe Vera, honey, chamomile, olive oil, panthenol and glycerin.

16--Before styling your hair, make sure to apply de-frizz products. It will contribute to your hairstyle.

17--Do not keep touching your hair throughout the day and try to keep your hands away from the hair as much as possible.

Makeup To Look Mysterious

2009-07-13T20:14:00.000-07:00

Everyone wants to look beautiful or gorgeous, but have you ever given a thought about looking mysterious? What is mystery, you might ask. It is something that is not fully understood or that baffles the understanding.

When you look mysterious, it is bound to arouse curiosity among those who are around you. Read on to find out some tips about how to look mysterious.

*One of the best ways to get that mysterious look is to experiment a little with your hair. You can dye your hair or get a dark hair color which is sure to look good. Try something that is deep in color like black. To complement the dark color, get a hair style with some sharp angular cuts. This will add to your mysterious look.

*You can also use a little lighter foundation for your make up than you generally use. Over the lighter foundation, you can use some deep colored or reddish lipstick. This will compliment your look nicely. It will look a little old world, perhaps, even a little gothic but it will be sexy, nonetheless.

*Wear something dark in color, like purple, black, deep red, forest green; anything with a dark look. Dark always looks mysterious, especially if you pair it with something feminine like gorgeous necklaces, beaded black or purple colored earrings. This will make you look mysterious yet give you that feminine charm.

*You can also try and wear short skirts coupled with fishnet stalking and colored tights. This will really look good.

*Apart from the looks, you can also work the way you talk. Remember, be silent and only speak when spoken to. This will add to the mysticism.

*If you happen to catch a guy's eye, give him a sensual look and then look away. Don’t keep gaping towards him. He sure would want to chase you!

*Wearing some vintage piece of accessory can also add to that mysterious look. Things like capes, jackets, hoods, hats, corset shirts, etc. can look real good and sexy.

*Have fun! If you are not comfortable yourself, you will not be able to project what you want to. So, just be confident about yourself and have fun.

In short, here are some tips on how to look mystifying.

*Wear vintage pieces of accessories.
*Get a cool looking haircut with sharp angles.
*Wear dark eye make up.
*Try short skirts coupled with fishnet stalking.
*Give guys that enigmatic look
*Try and paint your nails in deep color.

Having that 'closed look' is not that difficult. If you follow the steps mentioned above, you are sure to baffle everyone around you. So, go ahead and get that look that you had always wanted.

How To Get Rid Of Whiteheads

2009-07-13T20:11:00.000-07:00

You are fed up of the whiteheads on your face. You looked so pretty but these whiteheads ruined your face. Go through these suggestions and know how to get rid of whiteheads.

Cause of Whiteheads

*Unusual exfoliation of skin cells contributes to the growth of pimples. The dead skin cells clog up the pimples.

*Some individuals produce sebum which is drier than normal. This creates a skin environment conducive to the growth of whiteheads.

*Sebaceous glands in some people produce oleic acid which irritates the skin and promotes the formation of plugs. The plugs result in whiteheads later.

Cure of Whiteheads
Here are some remedies regarding how to prevent whiteheads.

Use Natural Products
Natural products are best for removing whiteheads. Oatmeal and yogurt prove useful when you try to get rid of whiteheads.

Wash your Face
Wash your face thoroughly at least two times a day. Try putting baby powder on your skin. The baby powder dries whatever is on your skin. Steam your face over hot water to open the clogged pores every three days.

Use Oil Free Products
Use oil-free products to wash your skin. Smooth out the skin daily with a facial scrub suitable for your skin tone two to three times a week.

Use Oil-free Moisturizers
Don’t hesitate to use oil-free moisturizers on the skin. If the skin gets too dry, it will only increase the oil production and result in more breakouts.

Do not Pop Pimples
Popping pimples would increase the problem. It would cause scarring. Oil would spread to other areas causing more whiteheads.

Applying a Compressor
Use a hot, wet compressor on an existing whitehead to open the clogged pore.
Using Lotion or Creams

Apply topical lotion or cream having retinoid (derived from vitamin A) over the pimples. It would be helpful in opening the clogged pores. Any acne lotion having salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide would also be helpful.

See a Dermatologist
Seek help from a dermatologist if home treatments fail to deliver. Using a sterile pen-like instrument the medical professional would open the pores and take out the plugged skin cells.

"DIY" A Sugar Facial

2009-07-12T19:08:00.000-07:00

A number of skin problems are associated with the lack of proper care. Exfoliation is one of the best treatments recommended for healthy and beautiful skin. Apart from removing the dead cells from the surface of the skin, the process cleans the pores, thereby making the face glow naturally. You will be surprised to know that a soft, smooth and glowing skin is as close to you as your sugar jar! Yes, sugar facials are widely popular and regarded as one of the best ways of exfoliation. Learn how to do a sugar facial, with the steps given below.

How To Do Sugar Facial

Things Required

*White Granulated Sugar
*Mild Cleanser/ Face Wash
*Facial Toner
*Cotton Ball
*Clean Towel
*Moisturizer
*Water

Procedure
*Apply a mild cleanser on your face. Wait for one minute and wipe the cleanser with a clean cotton ball. Another option is to clean your face with a soap-free face wash. This will help remove makeup, if any, on your face.
*Dry your face, using a clean towel.
*It is the time to apply a facial toner. Dampen a cotton with toner and apply it on your face, in circular motion. This will clear the leftover traces of the cleanser.
*Now, add one teaspoon of white/brown sugar to one teaspoon of facial cleanser. Mix it well.
*Apply the cleanser-sugar mixture on your face. Massage your face well, with a circular motion of the hand, for about five minutes, or until the sugar is partly dissolved.
*Leave the face pack on for ten minutes.
*Rinse your face thoroughly with lukewarm water.
*Wash your face again, this time with cold water, so that the pores get tightened.
*Dry your face with a clean towel.
*Apply a little amount of moisturizer on your face. Skip this step if you have oily skin.

Tips
*Use the sugar facial mask twice a week, for best results.
*Do not rub your face too hard while scrubbing, as it will leave red marks.

40 Flower Tattoos And Their Meanings

2009-07-12T19:02:00.000-07:00

The body art of tattooing has been gaining increasing popularity with the passing time. More and more people are opting to have a tattoo made on their body, with the arms, neck, lower back and ankles being the most common spots. However, before you get a tattoo made on your body, be aware of the fact that each of the tattoos is associated with a meaning, be it a flower, a fairy or a skull. So, while selecting the tattoo, make sure that its meaning reflects your overall personality or life. In case you are planning to get flower tattoos on your body, get to know the meanings of each of them, through the following lines, and only then, make the selection.

Meaning Of Popular Floral Tattoos

*Rose Tattoo
One of the most popular flower tattoos, rose is mostly seen on women, though men are also showing an increasing interest in it. As to the meaning of rose tattoos, it depends on the color used therein. For instance, red rose symbolizes love, respect, courage and passion, while a yellow one is regarded as a sign of friendship, joy, gladness and freedom, the promise of a new beginning. Then, you have the pink rose tattoo - meaning grace and gentleness, white rose tattoo - meaning spirituality and purity, lavender rose tattoo - meaning love at first sight, blue rose tattoo - meaning mystery and 'achieving the impossible' and finally, the black rose tattoo - meaning mourning or pessimism.

*Hibiscus Tattoo
Hibiscus, commonly seen in the tropical country, is yet another flower that is commonly being used as a tattoo design by people. With the term Hibiscus meaning "mallow", the flower itself is taken to mean delicate beauty. When sported on the body of a person, as a tattoo, Hibiscus flower is usually taken to mean that he/she is full of grace and charm. It can also be used to symbolize exquisiteness and elegance. While there are many color combination that you can use in a Hibiscus tattoo, the most common comprise of red and green - red flower and bright green petals.

*Lily Tattoo
Lily, one of the flowers that can bring instant freshness to any room, is counted amongst flowers commonly used for the purpose of a tattoo. It can be taken to mean a lot of different things. For instance, as per Bible, white lily signifies virginity, purity and the radiant soul of Virgin Mary. Even the Chinese and Greeks connect white lily with purity, with the former regarding it as a symbol of summer and abundance as well. The flower is also believed to be associated with the Roman Goddess Venus. In other words, getting lily tattoo on your body will signify purity of your soul, apart from peace and harmony.

*Lotus Tattoo
Lotus is regarded as a sacred flower in many religions of the world. For instance, in Buddhism, it is considered to be a symbol of enlightenment. Buddhists believe that its petals signify the struggles that a person goes through in his life, while its center symbolizes the state of enlightenment. For them, it also means a man's arousing to the spiritual reality of life. Then, there are Hindus, who consider lotus to be a symbol of eternity, purity and divinity, apart from life, beauty, prosperity, fertility, youth and even feminine beauty. Lotus tattoo might also be taken to mean a struggle in life or the constant ups and downs a person has faced.

Other Flower Tattoos & Their Meanings

*Acacia - Friendship, Love
*Anjelica - Inspiration, Magic
*Azalea - Moderation, Temperance
*Baby's Breath - Purity of heart
*Bells of Ireland - Irish luck
*Bluebell - Constancy, Sorrowful regret
*Buttercup - Riches
*Carnation - Fidelity, Love
*Cherry Blossom - Spiritual beauty
*Cornflower - Delicacy, Refinement
*Crocus - Gladness, Mirth
*Daffodil - Deceitfulness, Hope, Unrequited love
*Daisy - Innocence
*Dandeloin - Coquetry
*Dogwood - Forgetfulness
*Four O'clock - Timidity
*Fuschia - Intimacy
*Gardenia - Refinement
*Geranium - Gentility, Peaceful mind
*Hibiscus - Delicate beauty.
*Honeysuckle - Bonds of love
*Hydrangea - Boastfulness, Heartlessness
*Iris - Virtue, Wisdom
*Jasmine - Happiness
*Lantana - Unyielding, Unbending
*Lotus - Estranged love.
*Magnolia - Benevolence, High-soul, Love of nature, Dignity, Nobility
*Morning Glory - Affection, Departure
*Orange Blossom - Chastity, Eternal love, Marriage
*Peach Blossom - Captivity
*Red Flower - Burning passion
*Rhododendron - I am dangerous
*Saffron - Voluptuousness, Sexual energy
*Sunflower - Sheer beauty
*Thistle - Austerity, Sternness
*Tulip - Enchantment, Fame as a great lover, Passionate love
*Violet - Tendency to be timid and shy
*Water Lily - Purity of heart
*White Flower - Purity
*White Lilies - Purity, Sweetness
*Zinnia - Thoughts of absent friends

Tips To Make Your Lips Pink And Smooth

2009-07-12T18:58:00.000-07:00

Everyone wants an oomph factor in them. In fact, many of the women out there would kill to have luscious, full lips that would send any handsome hunk panting and wanting to kiss them. Beautiful lips can really be an asset and to get that naturally is actually not that hard a job. All you have to do is to refrain from pressing or biting the lips and use certain natural remedies. And you would find yourself with lips that would easily give anyone inferiority complex. Read on to know the easy and natural ways to make your lips pink and smooth, that too with the help of homemade recipes.

How To Make Your Lips Pink & Smooth Naturally

Rose Petals
Crush four, five petals of red rose and coat the paste on the lips. Apart from instant reddening, it will also give smoothness to the lips. Apply every day, 2-3 times, to find yourself with luscious lips. You can make a lip balm too, by mixing crushed rose petals with milk cream. Mix it thoroughly and apply it on the lips for twenty minutes and then wash it off. You will be left with soft and supple lips.

Beetroot Juice
Applying beetroot juice is the best way to make your lips pink. It works like wonder. Grind beetroot in mixer, after washing it thoroughly, and strain the juice. Keep it in fridge. Apply it on the lips for twenty minutes, 3-4 times a day, and then wash it off. If you want to go natural, you can put this juice on lips before you go out. It will work as a lipstick and will work wonder on your lips as well.

Ghee
The natural ghee not only brings taste to your food, but will also help you make your lips smooth, pink and full. Rub a little warm ghee on your lips, 2-3 times daily. If you’re suffering from chapped lips, then this recipe is surely for you. Ghee is very good for weather-stricken chapped, dry lips.

Olive Oil/Clove Oil
Daub a little olive oil on a small ball of cotton and apply it on the lips, before bathing. After a few minutes, wash it and let the lips dry. You wouldn’t need a lip balm for the whole day. Similarly, you can apply clove oil on your lips, which has antiseptic properties and heals chapped and dry lips in no time.

Mustard Oil
Mustard Oil comprises of an old remedy for dry lips, but only few people apply it. Before going to sleep, pour a few drop of mustard oil on your belly button and massage it slightly. See the effect in the morning. It will heal the chapped, bleeding lips, making them soft and smooth.

Healthy/ Vitamin A Rich Diet
Nothing beats a proper healthy diet, when it comes to pink and smooth lips. Incorporate vitamin A rich food in your diet and drink lots of water. Avoid smoking, as it not only blackens the lips, but also ruins your health. Include juices, fruits and dairy products in your diet.

Exfoliation
Exfoliation is very important, if you want your lips to be soft and smooth. Mix olive oil and sugar together, in equal amounts, and blend them thoroughly. Dab the mixture on the lips. With the help of a soft toothbrush, gently exfoliate it. You can apply lemon juice with sugar too. Leave it for half an hour and then rub it with little strokes of brush. Rinse off with cold water. Honey and sugar also would work as a great exfoliator. You will be amazed at how soft your lips become.

Homemade Recipes For Lip Balm

*Mix a few drops of coconut oil, lemon juice, lemon oil and bees wax. Warm the mixture and pour it in a glass jar. Don’t overheat it, as it will lose its beneficial effects. Keep the glass jar with you and dab your lips with it, whenever necessary.

*Mix bees wax, apricot kernel oil and calendula oil. Warm them in double boiler and then add a few drops of orange essential oil. Store in a glass jar and use it when necessary.

*You can mix beeswax, castor oil and sesame oil and warm them in double boiler. Add a few drops of beetroot juice and store for further use.

How To Make Your Face Look Slimmer

2009-07-12T18:55:00.000-07:00

All the people in this world are not blessed with similar facial features, physical structure or even mental makeup. They tend to differ from one another in more than one ways. For instance, take the case of facial shape. Some people tend to have a long face, while others have round shape. Then, there are people with pronounced cheekbones, while there are some who have almost round cheeks. While there is not much that you can do to change your basic structure, some modifications can surely be done to alter your appearance a bit. In this article, we have provided tips on how to make your face look slimmer.

Ways Of Making Your Face Look Slimmer

The Power Of Makeup
When the task is to make your face appear slimmer than it is, never ever underestimate the power of makeup. One trick that you can use in this context would be to brush bronzer underneath your cheekbones. At the same time, use a highlighter directly on your natural cheekbones. This will make you cheekbones more noticeable, slimming down the face in turn.

Wear The Right Hairstyle
With the right hairstyle, you can add height to your face, thus making it appear slimmer. For instance, you might style your hair in the form of an upswept do or even the tease the top a bit, in a way that adds subtle height to the face. Yet another option is to wear a high ponytail. All of these hairstyles would give the illusion of a longer, slimmer face.

Choose Your Earrings Wisely
Wearing the right kind of earrings can go a long way in adding height to your face and making it look slim. If you have a round face, never ever go for the same shape in earrings. Rather, wear long dangles. They help draw attention away from you face, downwards. At the same time, you need to keep away from the earrings that add width at ear level.

No Chokers or Short Necklaces
One of the most common mistakes that women with a wide face and neck or a double chin tend to make is to wear chokers. Rather they should avoid any necklace that is either too short or fits too closely to the neck. This is because such neck pieces usually emphasize the wide cheeks and double chin further. You need to wear something long that draws the eyes down.

Wear Lower Necklines
If you have round cheeks or a double chin, always go for lower necklines in your clothes. In fact, you should stock up on V-necks, wide boat necklines, and off-shoulder dresses. If the neck and a part of your shoulders are visible, they tend to take the attention away from your round face. On the other hand, turtlenecks seem to highlight the round face all the more.

Some Tips

*If you have a heavy face, try opting for a layered hairstyle. Layering hair around the crown adds height to the face and makes it look much slimmer that it is.

*Always keep your eyebrows groomed and properly shaped. They tend to draw the attention towards the center of your face, away from the round cheeks.

Get The Perfume Last Longer

2009-07-12T01:10:00.000-07:00

Coco Chanel once said, “A woman who doesn’t wear a perfume has no future”. All right, she went a little far, but the idea behind the quote remains the same. Women like to wear perfume and many of them cannot even step out of house without it. However, getting a perfect perfume, which compliments you, is a tough job. Nevertheless, after months of going through the catalogues, surfing the net and hours of rummaging in the street, you finally find a perfect perfume. Yet, there is one hitch. It evaporates very fast and you don’t know how to make it last long. You can’t throw your favorite perfume bottle, since you love its smell and cost you quite an amount. It’s also not possible for you to carry it around to spray it every time the smell evaporates. Now, what to do? We will tell you! We have brought out some tips that can help you know how to make your perfume scent last long. Read on to find out.

Tips To Make Perfume Scents Last Longer

*Fragrances, in general, need some base to stick on and that is why people with oilier skin tend to retain fragrance longer than people with dry skin. To make your perfume last longer, try applying it on the oilier parts of your body. Hairline is a good option and between the breasts is an excellent place to keep the fragrance intact.

*If you want your perfume scent to last couple of hours, try layering it with different perfumes of the same fragrance. Also with that, you can use soaps, creams or body wash in the same aroma, which will help the perfume retain the smell for longer.

*Perfumes with light spray tend to evaporate easily. So, buy perfumes in rich sensual fragrance. The most known fact of making a perfume last longer is to spray it on the pulse-points. These areas produce heat, which in turn release the fragrance of the perfume, making it last longer. The wrists, temples, base of the throat, bend of the elbow and between the breasts are all the pulse points and you should spray perfume there.

*You should spray the perfume just after having a shower, as the pores are open at that time and your body is moisturized. It will surely last long. Some people suggest spraying the perfume only after you’ve put moisturizing lotion on your body. If you prefer moisturizing your body before putting on perfume, then put a lotion that complements the scent of your perfume. Remember; never ever let your lotion’s smell contrast with that your perfume.

*You can rub a little petroleum jelly, Shea butter or olive oil on the pulse points, before applying the perfume, to make the scent last longer. Also, while you’re spraying the perfume, spray from approximately twelve inches away and then step into the fragrance cloud. It will help the scent spread equally on all parts of the body.

How To Measure Your Hat Size

2009-07-12T01:09:00.001-07:00

Most of the people think of buying clothes and shoes as one of the most difficult tasks in this world. They consider buying the accessories, such as belts and hats, to be fairly easy and simple. However, easy though it looks, getting a hat that perfectly fits your head is not at all a simple task. This is because, in majority of the cases, a person's head size doesn't perfectly conform to the regular hat sizes available in shops. What to do now? If you want a perfect fit for your hat, the best bet would be to get one especially made for you. For the purpose, you would have to determine your hat size. How? We will tell you! Read on to get tips on how to measure your hat size.

How Do You Determine A Hat Size

Don't Go For Hat Size
The first thing to keep in mind, while determining your hat size, is that sizes of the hats, as available in the market, should not be taken into consideration. Majority of the hats that you will find in the stores come with a size label of their own. However, the exact measurements prove to be a problem, especially when you have to convert inches into centimeters or vice versa. So, learn to ignore the hat sizes. Rather, you should measure your head, down to the last inch or centimeter, in order to get the perfect fit.

Measure Your Head
After ruling out the hat sizes available in the market, it is the time to measure your head, to lay you hands over the perfect fit. For the purpose, you will have to make use of a good tape measure. In case you are not able to get the most accurate measurement of your head by yourself, it is advisable to take the help of someone else. Remember, an ill-fitting hat can cause major discomfort. You can take all the time in the world you want, but make sure that the measurement of your head is perfect.

Measure The Right Place
Even on a single human head, measurements can vary to quite an extent, depending on the particular area where you concentrate. In order to get the right measurement, you need to evaluate the right place on your head. Simply winding the measuring tape around your forehead would not give you the perfect measurement for your hat size. The best bet would be to use a hat that you already own and which is comfortable as well. Place it on your head and measure the area where it settles.

Get The Measurements
Finally, you need to get the measurements for your hat. Get the measuring tape and place it around the head, where your own hat fits. Make sure that the tape wounds snugly, being neither too tight, nor too loose. After you have placed the tape on your head, at the right place and in the right way, it is the time to note down the measurements. Make sure to get the exact measurements, down to one eighth of an inch. Now, take this measurement to a hat maker and get the perfect, custom-made hat for yourself.

Getting Tangles Out Of Hair

2009-07-12T01:06:00.001-07:00

Maintaining long hair is not an easy task. You have to bestow a lot of care and use a wide variety of hair care products, to get beautiful tresses. Then, there is the necessary of having a proper, well-balanced diet and drinking lots of water. However, one of the worst problems that you have to deal with, when you have long hair; comprises of tangles. They can make even the sanest person lose her frame of mind. In case you also suffer from the problem every now and then, this article would surely prove useful. Go through the following lines and check out ways of getting tangles out of hair.

How To Get Tangles Out Of Your Hair

---Using Baby Oil
One of the best ways to get rid of hair tangles involves the use of baby oil. Let us know how to use the product, to solve the said problem.

*First of all, you need to take a small amount of the baby oil in your hands.

*Rub your palms against each other, to make the oil spread across them.

*Now, apply the baby oil all over you tangles.

*Make sure to rub the oil throughout the tangle, so as to distribute it well.

*Get a wide-toothed comb and use it to pull out the tangles gently.

*After all the tangles have come out, use a normal comb through your hair.

*Now, shampoo and condition your hair, to get rid of the oil.

---Using De-Frizz
In case you do not want to go for the baby oil option, using de-frizz can also help get rid of the tangles present in the hair. Read on to know how.

*First of all, you have to wet your hair thoroughly and give it a thorough wash.

*Now, apply condition on your hair and rinse it off after a few minutes.

*Take put a dime-sized amount of de-frizz and apply all over the wet hair.

*Use your finger to take out the tangles from the hair, gently.

*After this, use a wide-toothed comb to ensure that no tangles are left.

*Let the hair dry naturally and then use hair de-tangler spray.

*Comb your hair and have it free of tangles.

---Using Conditioner
There is yet another way of getting rid of hair tangles i.e. with the help of a conditioner. Check out how it works.

*First of all, you will have to cover the tangled hair with conditioner.

*Using your hands, you have to work in the conditioner.

*Now, use your fingers to pull apart the tangled hair gently.

*While removing the tangles, it is best to go from the bottom, up.

*After you feel that the conditioner has covered the hair completely, use a wide-toothed comb.

*Separate your hair into small sections and start at the bottom of the hair, working your way up.

*While removing the tangles, remember not to tug or pull at the hair. Otherwise, you might end up with split ends and damaged hair.

Straighten Your Hair Naturally

2009-07-10T16:04:00.000-07:00

There is no doubt about the fact that straight silky hair perks up a girl's attitude quotient. However, the torture that our hair has to go through, during those hours of re-bonding, is certainly a put off for any sensible woman. For the women who shudder at the idea of hours of harmful chemicals and electrical appliances functioning on their hair, there is a better option, in the form of natural hair straightening methods. They are the best way to have straight silky hair, that too without the use of costly and harmful chemicals and certainly no side effects.

Natural straightening methods are cheap and easily available too. So, why are these methods not much popular? It’s because they take long hours and many months, to give the results. However, the results are the best; you get straight hair with shine, silky softness, that too for long-term. So, instead of wasting your time in hovering around salons, give yourself these treatments at home and find yourself with the straight hair only seen in advertisements. Want to know more on how to straighten your hair naturally? Read on.

How To Get Straight Hair Naturally

*Get a glass of coconut milk and add juice of one lemon to it. After mixing it properly, refrigerate it till the time a creamy layer forms on top. Apply this cream on your hair and leave it for some time. Cover your hair with a hot towel. Now, wash and condition your hair as usual. Comb your hair while still wet. You would find that your hair are shiny and less unruly. After several repetitions of the process, you would find your hair straighter too.

*Take a cup of milk and add a few drops of honey to it. Mix in some mashed strawberries and then apply the mixture on the hair. Keep it on your hair for two hours and then wash off, with a mild shampoo. Blow-dry hair, with a wide-teethed comb. Voila! Your hair is straighter, shinier, and more beautiful than ever.

*Hot oil treatment is another method that nourishes and moisturizes your hair, making it straighter in the long run. Heat a little oil, be it coconut, olive, or any other oil of your preference, and apply it on the scalp. Wrap a hot towel on your head and leave it for some time. Wash your hair after sometime, to find it glossy, smooth, and straighter.

*Beat two eggs and add a spoon of olive oil to them. Mix thoroughly. Take a wide teethed comb and divide your hair in different small sections. Stretch the hair with the comb and thoroughly apply this paste on it with a small brush. Wrap it in silver foils and keep for a few hours. Wash it off with a very mild shampoo and find yourself with gorgeous straight hair, sans chemicals.

*Take one cup of multani mitti (fuller’s earth), one egg white and a few spoons of rice flour. Mix them with water and apply it on your hair. Apply it with a brush and simultaneously comb it. Leave it for half an hour and then comb it again, making it straighter. After combing the hair, leave it for two to three hours. You can comb in between too, to maintain the straight texture. Wash it off, to find silky, smooth and straighter hair.

Tips To Preserve Your Wedding Dress

2009-07-10T16:01:00.000-07:00

You spent a great time in selecting that perfect dress for your wedding. You may now hope that the beautiful wedding gown be worn by your sister or your daughter on their 'big day' or you may want to treasure your wedding gown for sentimental reasons. In both the cases, you need to preserve the dress, in order to retain its beauty for the coming years. Many people do not know how to preserve their precious wedding dress and often end up in either spoiling the color or fabric of the gown or even staining it. If you are also in such a situation, then this article is just for you. Check out the following lines and know how to preserve your wedding dress.

Wedding Gown Preservation Tips

*People often dispose off their wedding dress bags, thinking that the plastic bag would be of no use in the future. A little known fact is that the bag can be very handy, when you want to preserve your wedding dress for the future. So, make sure to save the bag in which your wedding dress came.

*In addition to the bag, you will need a clean, white cotton sheet to wrap the wedding gown. Wash the cotton sheet in hot water, before using it for the purpose. Do not use detergent to wash the sheet, because the chemicals might ruin the fabric of the sheet and eventually, your wedding gown.

*Wrap the wedding gown in the washed and dried cotton sheet and then cover it with the plastic bag. Be careful while wrapping the gown, so as not to result in tearing away of the fabric or the hemming

*Send your wedding dress for dry cleaning, one or two days after the wedding ceremony is over. Ensure that you send your precious gown to a professional dry cleaner, who specializes in preserving formal gowns. You may get some help from the bridal shop, about a good dry cleaner.

*Ask the dry cleaner to take care of your gown, during the cleaning process. Alert him about the stains in the gown, if any. If the ornaments in the gown are glued on to it, rather than sewed, do not forget to inform the cleaner about the same. This is very important, because the ornaments often fall off during the cleaning process.

*Ask your dry cleaner to wrap the wedding gown in a clean, acid-free tissue papers. Be sure to mention that you want the high quality tissue papers to be put in between the folds of the gown, to avoid permanent wrinkles on the dress.

*Ensure that the dress is stored in an acid-free box, since the chemicals present in the acid can spoil the fabric of the gown. If possible, ask the cleaner to wrap the dress in an acid-free box, after completing the cleaning process.

*After you have collected your wedding gown from the dry cleaner, place it in your closet, in a very neat manner. You may hang the wedding gown in a padded hanger, to avoid wrinkles.

*The wedding gown should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. The temperature of the store room should also be taken care of. This is because the temperature has an indirect effect on the fabric of the gown, after it gets treated with chemicals during the dry clean.

*Inspect your wedding dress on each anniversary to check whether it is in good condition or not. Make sure that you allow the dress to 'breathe' and then store it properly again.

How To Wear A Bra With Off-The-Shoulder Dresses

2009-07-10T16:00:00.000-07:00

The summer season has arrived and brought with it the craze for off-shoulder dresses. Right from America's First Lady Mitchell Obama to your girl-next-door, everyone can be seen donning an off-shoulder outfit these days. Every big designer, like Prada, Gucci and Dolce and Gabbana, are all bringing in their spring collection with more and more off-the-shoulders dresses. With all this hullabaloo, it is now becoming almost a temptation very hard to resist. The harder part with these dresses is not buying them, rather being able to select the right pair of bra to go with it and then wearing it right. Here are some tips to help you out in the task. Go through the following lines and get tips on how to wear a bra with off-the-shoulder dresses.

Wearing Bra With An Off Shoulder Dress

*For an off shoulder dress, the best bet would be to go for a strapless bra. With all the options present in the market, it is not at all difficult to find a strapless bra, buying the right one might prove to be a challenge. Go for the one that gives your upper part a nice lift and a good shape. Strapless bras come in many shapes and sizes and even variations, such as lace, seamless and push-up pads. So, before buying, make up your mind on one, keeping in mind the size of your bust and the material of your dress.

*It is essential for you to try the bra before buying it. Try it on and walk a little and even jump to make sure that it stays put and doesn’t make the boobs look weird. Stretch your arms and move around to see if the bra is flexible. It should be flexible and shouldn’t drop down.

*If you dread wearing a strapless bra, you can go for a clear strap brassier. However, it will work only if your off-the-shoulder dress isn’t too far off the shoulder. Don’t wear it with a dress that is far-off the shoulder, as it will look quite odd. Also make sure that the straps don’t get exposed in more light, to give off the reflection and ruin your beauty.

*If you are a small-breasted woman and are wearing a very low-cut dress, then you can go for adhesive bras as well. They come in a wide range, from the stick-on-cups to floral-shaped ones, which cover the necessities and give you the liberty to wear very low cut dresses.

*If your dress has a gathered bodice, then you can go for double-stick-tape to keep the dress secured to your bra. Also try going for glue-on bra tapes, which you would find in any good lingerie shop.

*An alternative for the women with big busts can be long line bras, as they have better chances of staying in place.

*Make sure to invest in branded bras, as they generally have better fittings and last longer. You can many cheap ones as well, but they can turn out to be a major let-down later on.

Smart Ways To Prevent Ingrown Hair After Shaving

2009-07-10T15:59:00.000-07:00

Shaving forms an important part of the daily routine followed by majority of the men out there. Be it because of the reason that their company requires them to look clean everyday or due to the fact that they want to look well groomed at all times, shaving is surely one necessary evil. However, it often brings with it the problem of ingrown hair, which look like ugly black spots on the face. Though most of the men are unaware of it, it is perfectly possible to avoid having the ugly bumps. How? That's what we are here for. Go through the following lines and find excellent tips on how to prevent ingrown hairsafter shaving.

Preventing Ingrown Hair When Shaving

Using Good Products

--While buying the shaving cream, make sure to go for one that is non-acnegenic and has been especially formulated for sensitive skin. It should also contain a lot of lubricating agents. As far as possible, avoid going for foam-based shaving creams, as they tend to dry and irritate the skin, in turn resulting in ingrown hair.

--After the shaving procedure is over, it is advisable to use a post-shave product that contains salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is an active substance that can prevent ingrown hair (and also treat them efficiently). It not only moisturizes the skin, but also helps clear pores and prevents any kind of infection.

--While choosing post-shave products, always make sure to avoid the ones that seem to contain alcohol, be it in any amount. This is because alcohol tends to make the skin drier and can also close the open pores, thus making it prone to ingrown hair.

Daily Routine

--Daily use of a face scrub can go a long way in helping your prevent ingrown hair. Exfoliation helps get rid of the upper layers of dead skin on your face and avoid the in-growth. However, you should go for a gentle scrub, which contains glycolic and salicylic acid, and make it a part of your everyday routine.

--Every morning, before you start shaving your beard, clean it thoroughly. Get a soft-bristle face brush for the purpose. Dip it in a liquid cleanser and massage your beard with it, in a circular motion. This will help displace the tips of ingrown hair, remove dead skin cells and clear follicles, thus allowing your hair to grow without any hindrance.

Shaving Technique

--Before shaving, splash your beard with water and let it remain wet for the next 5 minutes. The wet hair, which is full of moisture, will be easy to cut. Now, shave in the direction of the hair growth. Cutting against the grain is one of the main reasons behind ingrown hair.

--While shaving, allow your skin to remain in a relaxed position. Never ever try to pull it or stretch it too taught. Refrain from putting too much pressure on the blade and try to use a single-blade razor. At the same time, avoid repeat strokes over the same area.