iFashionHits

Tricks That Works Marathon:Vaseline

2012-01-12T21:43:00.000-08:00

There are some weird tricks that really works wonders let me introduce them to you each week by week so today I will tell you guys about secret of Vaseline

Vaseline:We all know vaseline is perfect for our chapped lips,feet.It is applied even on elbows and knees for that evil climate.I heard that vaseline helps in eyelash growth so since I have not-so-long-perfect lashes I thought whynot give a try!

Observation:I applied for a week on my eyelashes at night and go to bed and blam ! It really works I saw visible result so instead of buying an eyelash growth serum which is quite expensive vaseline is safe and cheap.hope this helps you guys.Take care.

Img:stherbproducts.com

Review:Santoor chandan Soap

2012-01-12T21:42:00.000-08:00

Today I am going to review Santoor chandan Soap.Now I know lot of you guys think that body wash is better than soap but I personally believe that soap gets rid off all the dirt from my body.

So winter is leaving us soon and our skin is in a worst condition with that wild cruel climate so the skin is dry,flaky..... so I will tell you guys that I have tried many soaps and this soap is suitable for my skin.

My Skin Type:Normal

In winter it loses its moisture so I bought this soap and my skin is fine with it.I didn't see my worst skin this time.

Price:Rs 40 but I got it for a discount for Rs20/-

Review Rate:3.9/5

Photo: http://s3images.coroflot.com

Celeb Look At 2012 People’s Choice Awards

2012-01-12T21:13:00.000-08:00

Demi Lovato arrives at the 2012 People's Choice Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on January 11, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.She wore a gorgeous color and I personally liked the details of the gown and its the best dress of the night.

Glee star Lea Michele dress is not her best look but its effortlessly elegant

Vanessa Hudgens black gown with gold webbed beading is looking gorgeous.

Note:These are my personal opinions

Photo:Celebuzz.com

Fruits Face Mask

2011-10-02T01:34:00.000-07:00

Watermelon – Mix the gram flour along with grated water melon juice and extract to apply on the face or apply juice mixed with cucumber. Leave the ingredients on the face for about 20 minute.

Pineapple – Apply the juice directly to your face, let it be for about 15 minutes and rinse off with warm water or by making a paste of pineapple along with 2 tsp of olive oil and honey in the blender or use pineapple slices on rough skin spots like knees, elbows, and heels.

Mango – Make a paste with mango pulp, milk, almomd powder and multani mitti.Massage your face with it and wash off when dry after 20 minutes or so!

Apples -Add a cup of apple juice to your bath to cleanse and soften your skin. The juice of apple can be used as a breathe freshener too. Apple juice when applied to your hair scalp can prevent dandruff. Use as a final rinse after shampooing your hair.

Lemons

Use lemon slices to soften rough skin spots such as elbows and heels. Lemon slices also help deodorize and mix a few teaspoons of lemon juice in your bath and you will feel fresh the whole day. Lemon rinds can be rubbed on to scars as it aids healing. Lemon is a ,natural bleach it can help to fade out dark spots and acne scars too

Some Ayurveda doctors say lemon should never be used in scalp which promotes grey hair

Bananas

An easy facemask that will make your skin supple is to apply mashed banana all over your skin and leave it on for 2o minutes, rinse off with warm water and moisturize after that. Mashed banana also makes a wonderful hair conditioner when mixed with a 1 tablespoon of honey.

Papaya

Mash papaya and 3 teaspoons of aloe vera gel and massage all over your body monthly.
Caution for the first time as it may sometimes irritate sensitive skin.

Peaches

Mash a fresh peach and combine with a tablespoon of plain yogurt to make a smooth paste.

So start munching on all these healthy fruits and leave some to be applied on your skin too.

Almonds for skin and makeup

2011-10-02T01:32:00.000-07:00

Almond oil face mask: Prepare a mixture of almond oil, honey and lemon juice and use it as a moisturizing face mask about once a week.

Almond oil hair conditioner: For natural hair care, use almond oil as a deep conditioner. Rub it directly into the scalp for natural hair care — use small, gentle circular motions to thoroughly moisturize your scalp.

Almond milk astringent: The milk made from almonds can be used as an astringent to keep skin looking young and healthy. An astringent should be used after washing to help remove extra impurities and leave skin smoother and give you more even tone.

Ground almond exfoliating scrub: Soak almonds for a few hours, then grind them. Make a paste of the ground almonds with milk or rose water and use it as a face scrub.

Beauty Substitutions

2011-03-05T18:17:00.000-08:00

1.Shaving cream

Use this: conditioner

2. Anti-acne facial cleanser

Use this: toothpaste

3. Toothpaste

Use this: baking soda

4.Facial exfoliator

Use this: warm washcloth

5. Lip balm

Use this: olive oil

6. Body wash

Use this: 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner

7. Eyeliner

Use this: eye shadow

OPI Kate Perry & Texas Collection For Spring 2011

2011-02-17T05:11:00.000-08:00

Availability
January 2011 – @ulta.com and ULTA stores.
More photos right after the jump.Spectrum of colors:

Teenage Dream – dreamy pink glitter, where you are certain to fall!
Not Like the Movies – this lush silver is the real deal
Last Friday Night – cool blue glitter
The One That Got Away – amazing deep purple berries
Black Shatter – top coat

nail polishes will retail for 13.95 Eur.

Availability & Price
Official Launch Date – February 2011
Each 15 ml bottle will retail at £9.95.

OPI Texas Nail Polish Collection for Spring Summer 2011 includes the following nail polishes:

Don’t Mess With OPI - A lean, mean, kick-grass forest green.
Austin-Tatious Turquoise – Cowgirls love this bodacious blue-green.
It’s Totally Fort-Worth It – A shimmery lavender grey that’s so worthy of you.
Do You Think I’m Tex-y? A “berry” sexy bloom of Dallas Dahlia.
I Vant To Be A-Lone Star – You won’t want to share this starry Texas-sky blue.
Houston We Have A Purple – A galactic red-violet that’s ready to “rocket-roll”!
Suzi Loves Cowboys – But she loves this campfire chocolate shade s’more!
San Tan-tonio – A “honey” of a ten-gallon tan!
Too Hot Pink To Hold ‘Em – A red-hot pink-red that deals a winning hand.
Guy Meets Gal-veston – An “engaging” coastal coral.
Y’all Come Back Ya Hear? – This Texas tangerine will be waitin’ for ya!
Big Hair Big Nails - A rosy pageant peach.

Look Polished In Minutes

2011-02-17T05:10:00.000-08:00

Time is precious so your daily routine should include skin, hair, and nails care. It is important so that once you got an important call you only had to go over your hair with a brush and a lipstick over your lips and be ready either for a meeting or a hot date.

1. Moisturize your face and leave for a minute.

2. While your skin absorbs moisturizer do your hair. If you have a short hair just use some hair wax to highlight the contours of your haircut. And if you have long hair make a knot or a bun. If it’s for the official event slick your hair back, if not make it a little loose and let couple of locks hang free.

3. Get back to your face applying concealer with a brush where it’s needed and spots of foundation and loose powder.

4. Apply blush in dots, look up and start brushing the cheeks to create a contoured look.

5. Two coats of mascara to the upper lashes, and one or none to the lower lashes. A natural color eyeshadow apply to the line above your upper lashes very close to them and blend into the corner with your fingertips.

6. Natural lip color with the lip balm or peach lip-gloss.
Also there are other variations of hairdos and makeup but saving time by step-by-step makeup application and hairstyling will let you look polished and perfect in minutes.

Hair

Hot trend: Side-parted Bun

Official meeting or reception? Deep side part and slick it. Use gel or hairspray but do not overdo it. Make a little low braided bun, loosen it a bit to give it a volume. And voila you are polished and perfect in minutes.

Hot trend: Ponytail. Going for a date or party? Make a ponytail. High or low, sleek or soft. Beauty experts think it is best to make a Nicole Ritchie swept to one side ponytail as it is both modern and romantic. Backcomb your hair around the crown and fix it with a hairspray. It should be round but not sleek. Comb the tail to one side and fix it.

Hot trend: Tousled knot. Triangular section in the front and voluminous knot at the back. Couple of waives near the face and you are polished and perfect for a party. Make the mild waves away from the face with a curling iron. Fix with a hairspray just a bit not to lose the tousled hair effect.

Hot trend: Wavy bob. If you graced the summer in a sleek bob there is a perfect way to follow another hot fall trend – wavy bob. Volumizing mousse and dryer will help you create volume and expand the natural wave and the small curling iron add more waves.

Makeup

Hot trend: Red lips. Red lips are top trendy this fall. Vintage is in the air. Christina Hendricks and other celebrities shine with their red lips on the red carpet, so can you. Take a red lip pencil and stroke around the lip lines inwards, blend and cover with a red lipstick with a lip brush. This will give you full red lips. Pair them with the cat eyes and you’ll be a Hollywood star.
To make cat eyes look perfect smoothen your face with a bit of foundation, powder and concealer and touch your cheeks with a bit of color. Take an inky black liner and draw a line above your lashes winging it out a bit further the end of your eye. A little mascara and you are polished and perfect.

Hot trend: Silky smokey. Smokey eyes are “in” in purple, blues, darks and silvers. To complement your eye color use purples and blues with the dark eyes and silver and gunmetal for light eyes. Apply your shade with a brush and blend a bit to the browbone adding a bit of cream-shimmer eyeshadow. This will create silky smokey look and is done in minutes.

Hot trend: Nude lips. Use applying technique as described for red lips by using lip-colored pencil and natural gloss.
Combine a ponytail a la Nicole Ritchie and silky smokey eyes and you are ready for a dinner, party or club. For an official meeting make a side-parted bun and natural makeup.
It is a lot easier to look polished and perfect in minutes when you maintain your daily routine of eyebrow plucking and skin care. Use our hair and makeup tips to create a trendy look in minutes. A curling iron and hairspray are your best friends in creating a quick cute hairstyle considering that waves are “in” this fall.
If you are about to meet your company’s partners put on a black or gray suit. Pants or skirt doesn’t matter as long as it’s clean and ironed. A pencil skirt paired with a white or pink blouse will also do the trick to make you look both sexy and professional.
Every woman has to have a little black dress and a pair of black classic pumps or stilettos in her wardrobe. This combination is always appropriate and is easy to match. A bit of accessories to brighten up the look and a purse or clutch to complete the outfit. In order to avoid an emergency run always store a spare pair of stocking or pantyhose in your drawer.

Skin Care Tips For Springtime

2011-02-17T05:07:00.000-08:00

1)Review your routine and switch as needed. Is your skin care routine appropriate for springtime? As temperatures rise, everyone’s complexion tends to get oilier, so even if you have dry or combination skin, you might need a lighter moisturizer.

If your skin is really oily, you might want to switch to a serum. These products are very lightweight and deliver a powerful dose of nourishing ingredients, dermatologist Leslie Baumann, M.D., writes on her Yahoo! Health blog.
Also, oily types should consider applying a mattifying gel. Dr. Baumann suggests using OC Eight Professional Mattifying Gel, which controls oil for up to eight hours. Apply the gel before your makeup. For dry or combination complexions, mattifying gels are likely too drying. Instead, shrink any excess shine by keeping a stash of blotting papers in your purse or applying primer before your makeup.
Also, don’t forget to evaluate your beauty products. If you used hydrating makeup — such as moisturizing foundation, concealer or blush — during the colder weather, set it aside. Instead, sweep on a light dusting of powder, bronzer or blush and apply a light lip gloss. For the springtime, it’s best to keep it simple.

2) Try a treatment. After a harsh winter, your skin is begging for some relief and rejuvenation. Consider a deeply hydrating mask or a deep cleansing treatment. If you prefer a DIY treatment, try this recipe to boost and brighten your complexion from body + soul:
Ingredients:

    * 1/2 cup unripe papaya, diced
    * 1 teaspoon plain yogurt
    * 1 teaspoon honey

How it works: Blend all ingredients in a food processor. Apply the mask to your face for eight to 10 minutes. Then, rinse with cool water. Apply a gentle moisturizer while skin is still damp. If you prefer mild exfoliation or have sensitive skin, the magazine suggests using ripe papaya.

3) Be diligent about sun protection. As the weather gets warmer, make sure you’re applying sunscreen to all exposed areas 20 to 30 minutes before heading outdoors, and reapplying every two hours. If you don’t own a double-duty product already, consider using a facial moisturizer with SPF. This way you aren’t applying several layers of lotion on your face.

4) Invest in a cute hat. In addition to applying sunscreen, it’s wise to invest in a wide-brimmed hat (at least a 3-inch brim) to shield your face, hair and scalp.
Just like the sun can dry out your face, it can also dehydrate your hair, leaving your tresses dull and brittle. Even worse, exposing your scalp to the sun can result in a painful sunburn. Hats also provide defense against overheating.

5) Address body acne. With increased heat and sweat, your pores can get clogged and acne can sprout — in the most unlikely places, including your back. To treat the problem, try using a medicated cleanser, cream or gel that contains benzoyl peroxide. Using a scrub on a regular basis (about two to three times a week) can help to prevent body acne. However, keep in mind that you can’t scrub away your acne. Exfoliating too often and too vigorously can aggravate the skin, especially on more sensitive areas like the chest. If you’re experiencing severe body acne, it’s best to see a dermatologist.

6)Start screening your skin. Make sure you’re regularly and thoroughly checking your skin for any moles that might’ve changed in color, size or shape. For details on checking your skin, read Preventing Melanoma and Using Proper Sun Care. Plus, be sure to schedule your annual appointment with your dermatologist for a professional screening.

7) Use self-tanner. Before bathing suit season officially begins, many people start working on their “base tans” in hopes of warding off any real damage once they start spending more time outside. However, there’s no such thing as a safe tan — even your base tan causes damage to the skin.
Instead, fake your luminous skin with self-tanner. To learn how to properly apply self-tanner, check out our guide on sunless tanning.

8)Get a mani and pedi stat! After a frosty, windy winter, your hands and heels are probably cracked, chapped and dry — not the best look for your open-toe shoes. Revive them for springtime with an at-home manicure and pedicure.

9)Exfoliate the entire body. Now that you’ll be exposing more than your neck and hands, make sure to exfoliate your entire body. Get rid of rough, scaly skin by using a light lotion with glycolic acid, lactic acid or urea. Or, you can use a moisturizing body cleanser on a washcloth, suggests Allure.
If skin is especially rough and dry or you have a condition known as keratosis pilaris (a genetic condition that typically appears on the arms and thighs and resembles goose bumps or acne-like bumps), you might be tempted to use a powerful scrub and over-exfoliate. However, this can backfire and cause more irritation and inflammation, according to the magazine. Using a light lotion with the ingredients mentioned earlier will help treat and soften the skin.

Beauty Tip of the Week from Renee Rouleau: 5 Skincare Myths

2010-12-04T07:25:00.000-08:00

We asked one of our favorite skin care experts, Renee Rouleau, to guest blog for us each week with tips on keeping our skin beautiful. She'll be blogging weekly on Wednesdays at 6am so watch for her posts!

Hello Beauty Snob readers! My name is Renée Rouleau and I'll be blogging here once a week and I am so excited to be sharing my expert advice with you...the snobs! A bit about me? I'm been a licensed esthetician for 22 years, I live in Dallas, Texas and am the owner of two fabulous skin care spas as well as the Renée Rouleau skin care line, based on nine different skin types. Well, here goes!

There are so many misconceptions when it comes to skin care products and how to care for your skin so I'm here to share the top five skin care myths and letting you know the truth!

Skin Myth #1 Chocolate and greasy foods will make your skin break out. False: There is no evidence that these foods will increase break outs. However, the foods that ARE most often linked to causing acne is dairy (when the acne is more cystic bumps and occur in the chin and jaw line area) and acidic foods (when the break outs occur in the cheek area) like tomatoes, spaghetti sauce and citrus fruits. If you get acne break outs in these areas, try cutting back and your skin may clear up!

Skin Myth #2 The higher the number, the better it is when it comes to the sunscreen. False: The higher the SPF number, the more chemicals you're exposing your skin to thus increasing your skin's chance of a reaction. So for those with sensitive skin an SPF 30 is adequate. But did you know that an SPF 30 actually offers less than 4% more than an SPF 15? And an SPF 45 offers only 2% more than an SPF 30? So you're not even getting much more sun protection by going higher in number. The key to the best sun protection has more to do with how often you reapply and how generous you apply it, than what the number is. Find one that is compatible with your skin and wear it religiously 365 days a year, rain or shine, inside or out, reapply often...and on the neck, too! (Jump for more myths!)

Skin Myth #3 Oily skins don't need moisturizer.False: Wrong. Oily skins don't need heavy and greasy oil-based moisturizers (you've already got enough oil) but water-based, oil-free moisturizers are necessary to keep the skin cells healthy and to discourage dead skin cell buildup. Skin cells are like fish, they need water to live and without it, you can cause premature skin aging. And drinking water is not enough, you must give you skin topical hydration by using a moisturizer.

Skin Myth #4 The richer the eye cream, the better it is for preventing wrinkles. False: Most eye creams that are very rich typically contain heavy oils like Mineral Oil or Petrolatum. These ingredients have a hard time getting absorbed, so they sit on the surface and can migrate into the eyes while you're sleeping causing excessive puffiness in the morning! Not only that, but the heavy oils can weigh down the delicate skin tissue under the eyes resulting in a weakening of elasticity over time. Look for eye creams that absorb, yet still leave the skin feeling moist and supple.

Skin Myth #5 I can't wear sunscreen. They break me out and clog my pores.The newer sunscreens available today are so much lighter weight and compatible with oily skins than they used to be years ago. If you can't wear sunscreen because they break you out (because some actually can) then you just haven't found the right one yet. Look for sunscreen containing at least 6% micronized Zinc Oxide. Zinc Oxide is anti-bacterial and dries to a matte finish on the skin making it ideal for skins prone to acne. Titanium Dioxide is also good, but it can leave a white-ish cast on the skin making it not suitable for skin of color. Bottom line: sun exposure is the #1 cause of wrinkles, so keep your skin protected.

Celeb Look: Creamy Nude Lips

2010-12-04T07:22:00.000-08:00

I love the clean, fresh look that comes with a nice, creamy nude lip. It's also an easy way to off-set bold eye makeup which is essential for me given my penchant for metallics. An easy way to achieve the look is to apply Laura Mercier Lip Colour - Sheer Nude Lips ($20) and then dab and blend a bit of liquid foundation or concealer with it.

Ten Health Tips For Winter

2010-12-04T06:08:00.000-08:00

How can you keep healthy and avoid seasonal affective disorder (SAD) during the cold winter months when everyone seems to have the flu and a diet of healthy salads, rich in vitamins and minerals, doesn't seem so appealing? Our ten winter health tips will help to get you through to spring in good shape.

1. Eat a healthy diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. Hearty home-made vegetable soups are great for cold days. This not only provides vitamins that aid the immune system, but these foods are also rich in anti-oxidants, substances known to counteract the effect on the body of free radicals (this may help to prevent some cancers). A daily vitamin and mineral supplement is a good idea, but it's no substitute for those obtained in fresh foods.

2. Watch that you don’t gain extra pounds due to overeating the wrong foods. Comfort foods in moderation are fine, but in winter it is tempting to over indulge. If you need to lose weight, choose a well balanced diet such as Weight Watchers, rather than a fad diet.

3. Have an exercise routine - don't turn into a couch potato just because the temperature drops a few degrees. Put on your thermals and get out there - or alternatively take up an indoor sport or active hobby such as dancing. If you really can’t get out, open the windows each day to freshen the air.

4. Get plenty of rest. Getting overtired can deplete your immune system leaving you open to infections. If you are having difficulty sleeping, look for herbal sleep remedies.

5. Prevention is better than cure so ask your GP about getting a flu shot - they are not just for the elderly. Influenza is debilitating viral illness for the healthiest of us. Thousands of work hours are lost annually due to influenza. Don't wait for the flu season to start before vaccination; go towards the end of autumn. Flu shots do not prevent colds as these are caused by a different virus.

6. If you catch a common cold take a zinc, vitamin C and echinacea preparation to help reduce the duration of symptoms. Cold & flu preparations are available from pharmacists to reduce runny noses and fevers. Discard used tissues directly into a bin to prevent spreading the virus to other family members (it is spread in droplets).

7. Don't demand or take antibiotics for a cold or flu - these illnesses are caused by viruses and cannot be treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics are only used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Unnecessary prescriptions of antibiotics contribute to the deadly antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria that we hear so much about. (It should be noted that antibiotics may be appropriate to prevent secondary bacterial infections in some people e.g. the very young or elderly).

8. Don’t hide away because it is winter, especially if you don’t socialize by going out to work. At first it may not seem like a big deal, but it can become isolating and contribute to feelings of depression.

9. Beat the winter blues. According to The National Organization for Seasonal Affective Disorder (NOSAD) Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of winter depression which affects millions of people every winter, especially during December, January and February. If you think that you may suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder), try to get out in the daylight for a while each day. If possible get some winter sun. Alternatively you might consider light box therapy.

10. Look forward to spring. Plan a new you, new goals and some enjoyable activities to look forward to.

NB. Before taking any supplements or medications, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or intend getting pregnant, have a medical condition or already take any form of medication.

How To: Copy Eva Longoria’s Makeup

2010-11-06T08:11:00.000-07:00

On a list of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, Eva Longoria Parker doesn’t need a number — she’s the reason you write the list. Her enchanting looks can’t all be credited to her flawless genetics, though: even frustratingly gorgeous celebs like Eva need a little help from their makeup artist friends.

Here’s a step-by-step guide how to get Eva’s makeup look yourself at home:

Pluck your brows first. To achieve the proper brow shap, use a stencil like the ones from Anastasia’s Brow Kit; if you don’t have a stencil, you can simply draw in your brows with a brow pencil and pluck everything outside the penciled area.
Lightly dust each eyelid with your shadow brush using a rose-colored eyeshadow. Cover all of your eye area from eyelid all the way up to the bottom of your eyebrows to enhance the arch of your brows.
Using the same shadow brush, gently gather some color with a dark heather-colored matte eyeshadow.
Tip: using the same brush throughout your makeup routine can make blending easier.
Gently feather the color from your lash line in an upward motion on the lid. As you approach the crease, the intensity of the color should lessen.
Tip: If you mess up, don’t try to remove the eye makeup — use pressed powder to cover any mistakes instead.
Use a light shimmery blush and a deeper bronzer for the perfect contouring helper to create supermodel cheekbones. Locate the apples of your cheeks by smiling and then sweep the darker shade immediately below this region. Use the lighter color directly on the apples for a shimmery effect.
A little black kohl eyeliner pencil on the waterlines of each eye and two coats of black mascara will finish up your eye makeup.
For Eva-esque lips, choose a lipliner just a smidge darker than your natural lip color. Top with a bubblegum pink gloss and voila! You’re a housewife for life.

NARS Cosmetics FALL Palettes

2010-11-06T08:05:00.000-07:00

NARS Cosmetics introduces two new palettes for fall boasting new packaging with a compact in a NARS-logo zippered case.

Enclosed in a black carton, NARS continues to surprise and experiment with iconic casing by bringing the logo from traditionally black and white to vibrantly bold color. Both palettes include two signature NARS cheek products chosen to complement the lips or eyes-whether deep and sultry, or light and fresh. Complete with a range of shades to be worn together or alone, the glamorous combinations are limitless. Are you all about the eyes or all about the lips? You decide. Or, choose both to have everything you need at your fingertips.

Beautiful Life Lip And Cheek Palette

Top Row (left to right):
Sexual Healing Lipstick (sheer, shimmering pink blossom)
Honolulu Honey Lipstick (satin, flesh-toned beige)
Roman Holiday Lipstick (sheer, delicate pastel pink)
Funny Face Lipstick (semi-matte fuchsia)
Bottom Row (left to right):
Copacabana Multiple (glistening pearl)
Orgasm Multiple (peachy pink with shimmer)
Price: $55.00

Only You Eye And Cheek Palette

Top Row (left to right):
Alhambra Duo Eyeshadow (left side: metallic rose mist)
Mekong Single Eyeshadow (espresso fused with gold)
Eurydice Duo Eyeshadow (left side: electric aubergine)
Pandora Duo Eyeshadow (right side: matte black)
Bottom Row (left to right):
Hungry Heart Blush Duo (left side: iridescent gold ivory)
Orgasm Blush (peachy pink with shimmer)
Price:$65.00

The Truth About Coffee: Good or Harm for your Body

2010-11-06T07:30:00.000-07:00

IS COFFEE GOOD FOR YOU?

Well, I would have to say, all things in moderation. There do definitely seem to be some health benefits. The more we’re learning, research is leaning on the side of it being good for you. It lowers the risk of Parkinson’s disease and Type 2 diabetes. It mediates depression. But the benefits are dose-related.

SHOULD CHILDREN BE DRINKING COFFEE?

It’s better to limit their caffeine intake. They’ll get caffeine in other things : chocolate, sodas, but particularly in kids, it’s linked to attention problems and hyperactivity, so it’s better to avoid it.

COFFEE IS DEHYDRATING. TRUE OR FALSE?
It depends on the dose. We think of coffee as a diuretic. But recent studies have shown it’s only a diuretic at high doses - above 575 milligrams. Have some water if you exceed that amount.

HOW MUCH IS THAT?

575 milligrams is a little less than three cups of coffee, but that’s three regular size cups. But we have to remember the cups we have nowadays are big cups. So, it’s easy to have more than 575 milligrams.

COFFEE INCREASES HYPERTENSION. TRUE OR FALSE?

Coffee does increase your blood pressure, but only for a few minutes. What’s interesting is that recent studies show it doesn’t increase your likelihood of getting hypertension. I would caution that anyone who has high blood pressure that’s not under control should avoid caffeine.

COFFEE HELPS WEIGHT LOSS
Unfortunately, this doesn’t work. Caffeine does speed up your metabolism for awhile but, in long-term studies, people who drank coffee had no better weight control than people who didn’t.

DOES COFFEE ACCELERATE BONE LOSS?

This one is a little controversial. It doesn’t make our body lose more calcium or lose calcium from the bones, but some studies have shown coffee drinkers do have more brittle bones. I suggest all of my patients, especially women, supplement with a calcium supplement or, if you’re going to have a great deal of coffee, make sure you put some milk in your coffee

Hayden Panettiere Makeup

2010-10-16T21:22:00.000-07:00

When I’m not going all out with metallic eyeliners and long false lashes for a glam night out, my next favorite makeup look is “naturally pretty” with bronzed cheeks, shiny lips, and lightly smoked eyes.

Hayden Panettiere’s make-up look here is the fair-skinned version of my “naturally pretty” night-out makeup, perfect for dinner and drinks.

Get Neutrogena cover girl and singer/actress Hayden Panettiere’s pretty summer night make-up look:

1. Start out with a fresh, clean face. Blend your favorite tinted moisturizer with a bit of Revlon Skinlights Face Illuminator Lotion and apply to your face, blending down to your neck. This will give you that glowing, bronzed complexion.

2. Apply a burnt orange blush to the apples of your cheeks, blending back toward your ears. If you’re digging mineral makeup right now, try Cover Girl TruBlend Minerals Blush in Shimmering Sands (use your own blush brush rather than the one that comes in the package for easier application).

3. Sweep a shimmery bone-colored eyeshadow on your browbone and a rich brown shade in the crease such as found in Clinique Colour Surge Eyeshadow Duo in Butter Pecan. Line your bottom line with more of the taupe brown.

4. Layer on tons of volumizing mascara. My favorite right now is Rilastil Volumizing Mascara in Black. It gives my lashes so much depth!

5. Finish off with a moisturizing lip gloss like Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Gloss in Dizzy. Yum.

Hottest Nail Colors for Fall 2010

2010-10-16T21:21:00.000-07:00

Chanel Le Vernis in Khaki Vert (left), Essie Nail Polish in Sew Psyched (right).

.
LUST

Who other than Chanel could inspire waiting for nail polish? The new shade du jour is a greige-meets-khaki that makes going casual the chicest thing you can do.

Chanel Le Vernis in Khaki Vert, $25; chanel.com

MUST

Cargo fatigues have nothing on this smoked-up gunmetal green. Stroke on supershort, square nails for a finish that camouflages your intentions but never your sense of style.

Essie Nail Polish in Sew Psyched, $8; essie.com

Butter London 3 Free Lacquer in Bumster (left), Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Yellow Kitty (right).

LUST

This cheeky muted yellow is a tribute to Alexander McQueen's 1996 low-rise trousers that caused quite the stir with their crack-baring bums. Always the jester, that McQueen!

Butter London 3 Free Lacquer in Bumster, $14; butterlondon.com

MUST

The sunny side of this frothy yellow cream is that it's an all-in-one mani -- the polish serves as a growth treatment, base, color, and top finish. Kind of like your La Perla.

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Yellow Kitty, $7; drugstores nationwide

Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in Waking Up in Vegas (left), Sonia Kashuk Nail Colour in Tauped (right).

LUST

Lady Gaga herself flaunted the unexpectedly feminine hue on the September cover of Vanity Fair, hurtling the creamy putty to iconic status. And you thought gray was for good girls!

Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in Waking Up in Vegas, $16; lippmanncollection.com

MUST

A touch of taupe makes this pale gray flattering on all skin tones. Plus, at less than $5, you can save your pennies for that next big Louis splurge?

Sonia Kashuk Nail Colour in Tauped, $4.99; target.com

M.A.C. Cosmetics Nail Lacquer in Earthly Harmony (left), OPI Nail Lacquer in Over the Taupe (right).

LUST

This creamy neutral wears well both at work and at play, so you can focus on being fabulous instead of repainting and waiting for your nails to dry come the weekend.

M.A.C. Cosmetics Nail Lacquer in Earthly Harmony, $13; maccosmetics.com

MUST

The summer may be over, but that doesn't mean you have to give up all things tan. Brush on this cashmere-rich version of the tone for nails that look sexy, even when covering up in the fall.

OPI Nail Lacquer in Over the Taupe, $8; opi.com

YSL Manicure Couture in Belle de Nuit (left), Sula Paint & Peel in Crush (right).

LUST

If you crave color when the cooler weather hits, YSL's newest purple will coat you in royalty. At a price like that, would you expect anything less?

YSL Manicure Couture in Belle de Nuit (includes gold tip polish), $30; yslebeautyus.com

MUST

After you paint Sula's grapey Merlot on your tips, you'll have to resist wanting to take it off. That's because the polish peels away in one tidy -- and addictive -- swoop. Don't say we didn't warn you!

Sula Paint & Peel in Crush, $9; sulabeauty.com

RGB Cosmetics Nail Lacquer in Steel (left), American Apparel Nail Polish in Factory Grey (right).

LUST

Just like a city girl who traverses sidewalks in style, this industrial shade rides the latest fashion trend while still having the practical wearability of a pair of flats.

RGB Cosmetics Nail Lacquer in Steel, $14; rgbcosmetics.com

MUST

Depending on whether you pair it with dark denim or a comfy cardigan, this rumbling thundercloud hue can either run tough or soft -- just like you.

The Japanese diet

2010-10-16T21:15:00.000-07:00

Japanese diet is one of the healthiest diets in the world. Japanese people are by far some of the skinniest and healthiest people on the planet. This is changing, though, as their diet is becoming similar to ours, but their traditional diet has many lessons for all of us.

Japanese eat small amounts of many foods in each meal. Americans, on the other hand, appear to eat big amounts of the same food in each meal (e.g. pasta).
Japanese cooking is very light. They use broths to flavor the food instead of heavy sauces. One of these broths is dashi - it is sold in many gourmet stores or you can make it yourself.
Japanese eat rice, instead of bread. Rice is better than cheap bread full of sugar, but not superior to all breads.
Japanese eat a heavy breakfast. The breakfast in Japan is a complete meal similar to dinner, along with fish, rice and miso soup.
Japanese do enjoy desserts, but not very often and in a smaller amount.
No diet. The author says that Japanese women do not think of diets. However, in our own research, this is not quiet accurate anymore, but by all means, they are very skinny.
Japanese walk a lot. While they do manufacture a lot of automobiles, walking or going on a bike is very much a part of daily Japanese life. Many old buildings do not have elevators and Japanese regulation does not require elevators for building with up to four floors - which means, plenty of opportunities to burn calories.
Japanese eat fish, a lot of vegetables, rice, soy, noodles, tea, and fruits.
Japanese bring beauty and harmony to the table. They use pretty sets of small dishes with different purposes.
Do not overeat. Stop eating when you are 80% full.

Although to switch to a Japanese diet completely does not sound reasonable for many people, some Japanese dishes and principles are easy to incorporate in our lives and they can help us lose weight and enjoy food.

Kim Kardashian's Makeup Artist Mario Reveals

2010-10-09T20:15:00.000-07:00

Admit it, you envy Kim Kardashian for her gorgeous skin, makeup and overall glammed up look on the red carpet. What if we told you we found her secret weapon?

Makeup artist to the stars, Mario Dedivanovic is giving Hollyscoop the low down on how he gives Kim that radiant red carpet glow--as well as some other amazing beauty tips. Read on beauty lovers...

What kind of lashes do you use on your clients to give them a dramatic look?

Mario: “I use different kinds of lashes - both strips and individuals. It really depends on the look I'm going for. I love the Ardell brand of false lashes. MAC individual lashes are a favorite too and often times I make my own design using strips or individuals - I glue pieces together or cut into them to get my desired look.”

What foundation or concealer do you use under your clients eyes to give that radiant look?

Mario: “Under the eyes, I use concealer. If the area is very dark, I'll use a cream concealer first like Laura Mercier's secret camouflage and follow with a liquid concealer on top. I love the new liquid high definition concealer from Smashbox cosmetics.

How can us regular folks get that gorgeous red carpet glow on our skin?

Mario: “Very easily actually! I created the perfect highlighter for Giella Cosmetics called Eye M Glam. It gives a sheer golden glow to the skin and you can use it anywhere on the face or body. I always apply some to the cheekbones, bridge of nose, inner corner of eyes and on the collarbones. I literally can’t work without it - it makes my clients look so polished and radiant.

What one key product do you use on your clients to help flatter their skin?

Mario: “I would definitely say the Eye M Glam highlighter. I use it on everyone and anyone because it flatters the skin with a youthful glow.”

How do you make sure your make up doesn’t melt off during a night out on the town?

Mario: “Try using a primer first because it will help makeup to last longer. For longer lasting makeup, its important to powder the skin after foundation. Powder will hold everything in place.”

Are there any products you use before to make sure your make up stays in place?

Mario: “Not really. I just always set makeup with powder to keep everything in place. Sometimes I will spray Fix + by MAC over everything to help set the makeup. If a client has dry skin, I spray The Mist by La Mer all over face after makeup is complete. It adds moisture and sort of wakes up the skin.”

Are there any products that you use to get rid of shine?

Mario: “There are different products and/or techniques for this. Sometimes I start off with a anti-shine cream on the T-zone. This absorbs the oils and leaves the skin with a matte finish. Oil blotting tissues are also amazing. Use them throughout the day or night to absorb oils without messing with the makeup.”

Toe Ring – New Fashion Trend

2010-10-09T20:09:00.000-07:00

If you check data from history, tradition of toetoe ring started in India for the married women - as a sign of marriage. However with time traditional values have faded but not the fashion. It is said that toe ringstoe rings were introduced in the US by Marjorie Borell, who, after returning from India, began manufacturing and selling them in New York in 1973. Now the toe ring has taken a new modern shape and design to match up the modern fashion trend. Colorful stone toe ring has replaced the old silver style. Single colored and thin bands in plastic and metal are also available. True, as the young generation has a mixed style of dressing; so the designs of the fashion material are also designed as per their taste.

We asked a college girl why she likes wearing toe ring, she answered: "I wear it because it is very popular in college and it looks very cool with open sandals and flip flops. I wear them and like to match them with my clothes or footwear." Cool!

Toe rings are funky and above all they are add-ons to your attitude and personality. The best part is they are available in many varieties that go with different kinds of clothes too. This fashion accessory is easily affordable and this makes it more popular among young girls. Even you can see some funky and colorful toe rings in your nearest Dollar StoreDollar Store. 1$ it's really worth; you can have lots of collection matching your outfits.

Part of society who can afford the expensive one can look for gold and diamond toe ring. Amazing designs are available in diamond toe ring.

It puts style as well as appeal to a lady's presentation, apart from augmenting her attractiveness. Toe rings are one of the stylish pieces in costume jewelry in today's fashion trend.

Types of Toe ring available in market:

• Beaded Toe Rings
• Studded Toe Rings
• Coiled Toe Rings
• Carved Toe Ring

Steal Mila Kunis Look

2010-10-09T20:03:00.000-07:00

Mila Kunis has been looking amazing lately, perfect hair and makeup. Mila’s makeup artist, Rachel Goodwin dished to People magazine on how she created Mila’s sultry and sophisticated look.
Eyes: Goodwin says, “I created a silvery smokey ete by layering matte and shimmer shadows.” She used Chanel’s Quadra Eyeshadow palette in Smokey Eyes. She also lined the eyes with a Chanel Intense Eye Pencil in Noir (black) and finished with two coast of mascara.

Lips & Face: Mila’s makeup was finished off with a pale lipstick by Kevin Aucion, Lip Tint in Tatjanaberry, and a subtle blush to keep the over all look balanced. Goodwin wanted to focus on Mila’s eyes so she kept the Face and Lips muted

How to get Mila’s Cat Eye Look:

Arch brows by softly filling in with Kevin Aucoin The Brows pencil.
Highlight brow bone with the lightest shade from Dior’s Incognito shadow palette, then define crease with taupe, winging up and out at the corners.
With a small brush, trace along upper and lower lash line with Thierry Mugler Eye Sculpt in black.
Sweep on two coats of Clarins Wonder Volume Mascara in black

11 Winter Beauty Tips

2010-09-26T00:44:00.000-07:00

1. Try a creamy facial cleanser
Cleansers strip away moisture as part of the job of removing makeup, and dry winter air tends to magnify the problem. Gel cleansers can be very drying, but creamy ones like Dove deep moisture creamy facial cleanser and Neutrogena deep clean cream cleanser should help.

2. Mask the problem
Use a moisturizing facial mask to replenish moisture lost throughout the day.

3. Look for a humidifier
If your skin feels dry and tight even when you’re inside your home, there may not be enough moisture in the air for you. Scan the sale pages for a portable humidifier. Make a note to yourself to clean the filter regularly (if they get yucky they breed bacteria).

4. Turn down the heater
It’s a beauty catch 22, but overheating a cold home will worsen dry skin problems, so experiment with different settings on your heater to find the right temperature for both you and your skin.

5. Any device that heats your environment will also steal your moisture
Even electric blankets. If dry skin is driving you crazy, throw another comforter on the bed, and see how you feel after you’ve left the electric blanket unplugged for a couple nights.

6. Moisturize in the shower

Moisturize throughout the day, but try using body lotion even before you’ve left the shower, right after rinsing soap or body wash. It will help lock in some extra moisture. Rinse off and pat dry.

7. Watch the shower temp
Hot showers feel great in winter, but they wreak havoc on dry skin. Try a lukewarm shower instead, then pat your skin dry with a towel. Apply moisturizer (again) as soon as you step out of the shower.

8. Use alcohol responsibly
Avoid skin products and hairstyling products high in alcohol. When alcohol evaporates it feels cool and refreshing, but it’s also stripping away moisture, so look for alcohol-free products when the air is already dry.

9. Don’t blow it

If you’re already dealing with dry, brittle hair, resist the urge to reach for the hair dryer. It’ll only make things worse. Dry and style your hair with a towel, and if you still use a dryer, time yourself and try to use it a little less.

10. Moisturize meh!
Moisturize throughout the day and don’t forget to drink extra water when it’s cold and windy. Your hands, feet, knees and elbows may need a little more help, too. I like rich products containing shea butter, petrolatum, mineral oil, tea tree oil, linoleic acid or glycerin. For intense relief, moisturize hands and feet at night, and then slip on gloves or socks to lock in moisture.

11. Pucker up
Chapped lips can be a big problem in winter. The air dries out my lips, which makes me lick them, which makes them chap even worse! Use a lip balm with at least SPF 15 and preferably one with antiseptic agents to aid in healing. Some lip balm products are made with tea tree oil, which helps heal painful cracks. I also like lip balms with phenol, beeswax, aloe, vitamin E and essential oils.

Winter Skin Guide: Face and Body Care

2010-09-26T00:38:00.000-07:00

Don’t accept a dull complexion and scaly legs. Win the battle against dry, winter-weary skin with these expert beauty tips.

Moisturizing Tips: Face
“In the winter, you need to add products to your skin-care regime to protect yourself from the harsh elements; if you’re using a normal, lightweight moisturizer, bump it up to a more emollient one,” says Dawn Diorio, national trainer and aesthetician for Ahava, who suggests a lotion that contains glycerin, aloe, and vitamin E: “Glycerin and vitamin E help lock in moisture, and aloe helps to calm and soothe. It also stimulates circulation and helps rid toxins from the skin.”

Diorio also recommends using a serum to complement your daily moisturizer. “You need to layer your skin care just as you layer your clothes,” she says. “A serum penetrates and hydrates cells in the lower layer of the skin so that when they rise to the surface, they’re plump and healthy.” Diorio is a fan of Ahava Time Line Optimizer Serum because besides vitamin C to even skin tone, “it contains Dunaliella algae, which is rich in wrinkle-fighting ingredients provitamin-A, beta-carotene, amino acids, and omega-3 fatty acids.”

Celebrity nutritionist Paula Simpson says that hydrating with omega-3s from within is important too—she refers clients Drew Barrymore, Kristen Stewart, and Gwyneth Paltrow to Glisodin Skin Nutrients Advanced Daily Formula during the winter months, a supplement that contains omega-3-packed krill oil. “To see the real benefit of the product or any nutraceutical, you’ll have to take it for three to five weeks because skin cell turnover won’t occur until then,” says Simpson. “But after about 10 days, you might notice that dry patches on the skin aren’t as dry.”

If you’re not into popping pills, Simpson says to get omega-3s from salmon, mackerel, tuna, nuts, and seeds. For more moisturized skin, she also recommends proteins and staying hydrated with “green-based smoothies,” which she calls “great skin boosters.” Dermatologist Ariel Ostad, MD, says his green smoothie standby consists of celery, cucumber, and lettuce with additions of lemon, ginger, or beets.

Other glow-getting ways to hydrate include eating lots of fruit (“fruits—especially melon—are very high in water,” says Simpson) and drinking green tea, which Simpson says is “loaded with antioxidants and protects the skin from UV stress.”

Moisturizing Tips: Body
Marcia Kilgore, founder of skin-care line Soap & Glory, warns against superlong showers: “Water is a winter wolf in sheep’s clothing. While you might think it’s hydrating, water topically can have a drying effect on your epidermis. In fact, the more water that hits your skin, the more it breaks down the complex layer of naturally occurring lipids between and on top of your skin cells. Overbathing or overshowering will make dry skin even drier, so do your dousing in small doses, and make sure you moisturize immediately afterward.”

To reap the most benefits from your body lotion, Kilgore says to simply blot skin with a towel—don’t dry completely—so that humectants in your moisturizer can draw water on skin’s surface into the lower layers.

Exfoliating: Face and Body
Depending on how oily or dry your face is, Diorio recommends exfoliating one to three times a week, at the end of your shower when your pores have been steamed open. “But never exfoliate more than three times a week or else you might wind up breaking down your skin’s natural barrier function and make your dry, flaky skin worse,” she says. Another don’t: scrubs that contain abrasive grains. “You want granules that are manmade, perfectly round spheres because they won’t rip or break the skin like a ground seed will, for example,” says Diorio.

As for the body, Kilgore says you should exfoliate at least three times a week: “It will simultaneously stimulate circulation, and your after-shower moisture lotions will sink in more readily.” But don’t slough with a loofah: “Once used, they are loaded with bacteria buildup.”

How to Fake a Summer Tan

2010-09-26T00:30:00.000-07:00

Thre is no doubt having a tan makes you feel thinner, sexier and healthier. However, these days baking in the sun is becoming increasingly unpopular as more women realize the sun's UV rays age skin faster than anything (not to mention increase your chance of developing the deadliest form of skin cancer, melanoma). If you're ready to skip laying out but don't want to give up glowing skin, self-tanners are a great bet. Self-tanners can darken skin for up to a week thanks to dihydroxyacetone, or DHA.

Here we run down five tips for self-tanning your face and body:

Tip #1: Salon tans are your best bet

If you want a flawless, professional application and can afford the price, head to a spa or salon. For upward of $60, you can get one of many options: Full body exfoliation and professional application of self-tanner, airbrush bronzing (where an aesthetician sprays a fine mist of tanner over your entire body), or your least expensive option: spray tanning.

Tip #2: How to use self-tanner on your face

This is a four-step process. Pull hair up in a ponytail before you start so you don't miss any parts. According to InStyle's May 2007 issue, makeup artist Scott Barnes once missed a spot on Jennifer Lopez's ear because he forgot to pull her hair up.

First, prep skin by gently cleansing and exfoliating. Skip moisturizer, which may interfere with the tanner.
Step two: Apply under-eye cream. According to Barnes in InStyle, you want the color of your skin to be lighter under the eyes, it makes you look younger.
Step three: Blend a few drops of self-tanner and equal parts moisturizer in the palm of your hand then apply over face and neck. You only want to go one shade darker than your natural color.
Step four: Let color develop for three hours then follow up with a sweep of bronzer on forehead, cheeks and nose: areas where the sun naturally shines.
Don't forget: Smooth remaining tanner over earlobes and upper ears. Wash hands thoroughly. Don't skip the sunscreen.

Tip #3: How to self-tan your body

For this three-step process, start by exfoliating skin with a body scrub in the shower paying special attention to rough areas including knees and elbows (dry skin absorbs higher concentrations of tanner). Shave before you tan. InStyle suggests using a body oil, instead of shaving cream, when shaving.
Barnes suggests rubbing Vaseline on cuticles and nails. This protects your manicure and keeps fingertips and nails from staining.

Apply tanner limb by limb, starting with your legs. Apply over the shin and calf of a leg, sweeping tanner down over your ankle, foot and toes. Then apply tanner to your thigh from front to back, using the excess to cover your knee. Repeat on your other leg. For the final step, apply tanner to your hips, stomach and torso, following with your shoulders and arms. Wait 10 minutes to dry before dressing and avoid any excessive activity that will make you sweat for at least a few hours. If your tan hasn't set, sweat could cause streaking.

Bonus tips: To remove tanner from palms, without washing off product from the tops of your hands, rub palms along a wet washcloth, making sure to get in between fingers.
Give arms, legs and décolletage a subtle glow with a body shimmer.

To create fake fab abs, create a contour with the tanner. InStyle suggests flexing your stomach muscles in front of mirror, leaning to the side to see where your "ab line" is, then tracing the outside of your muscle with a bit of tanner on your finger. Do the same to the other side. Once it dries, do an all-over coat.

Tip #4: Pick the right tanner

There are several types of tanners: Tanners created just for the face, airbrush tanners, cream tans, bronzing gel, tinted tans and tan enhancers. There's body shimmer and bronzing powder. You can layer tanners as colors fade. How? Apply a lotion then follow with bronzing powder or shimmer. Just be careful not to go too dark.

Tip #5: So you messed up, uh-oh!

If you end up with a streaky tan, you can fix with an astringent toner or even toothpaste. Exfoliate to even out a patchy application. Not dark enough? Repeat the procedure. Just make sure you gave the tan enough time to develop.

Fall 2010 Fashion Trends for Women

2010-09-02T10:37:00.000-07:00

Fashion trends for Fall 2010 break away from the loud cuts and bold color palettes of past seasons and move in a more sophisticated direction. Enter modern classics in premium fabrics with real staying power — with emphasis on texture, pleating, quilting and draping.

Grown-up Fashion for Fall 2010

Fall Winter 2010’s grown-up fashion is reflected in finely tailored coats and capes and lashings of luscious fur, cashmere and velvet. Emphasis is on minimalist, clean lines in fall's neutral colors and jeweled tones that are spiced up with contrasting fabrics and glamorous footwear and accessories.

The biggest fashion revival comes in the form of fur. Find sophisticated fur-blocks adorning sleeves, shoulders, collars, hoods and hems on everything from coats to dresses and even on clutch purses.

Coat Trends for Fall 2010

The coat is the center piece of a winter wardrobe. Many go longer-length with Military being the order of the day, with nipped in waists and billowy skirts.

Heavy wool blanket-style coats draped around the shoulders jostle with cashmere camel car coats for some classic chic. The trench coat goes oversized and belted and perfectly polished coats get sculpted sleeves and lots of fur on shoulders, sleeves, collars and hems.

Enter the fur hoodie, channeling a sports luxe vibe. The winter cape, having made its dramatic mark on the fall fashion runways, gets a modern makeover with styles that are tiered, cinched and hooded, in all lengths from short to ankle-sweeping, to suit all body shapes.

Boxy fur jackets with nipped-in waists give a very 70-s feel. The timeless and ageless leather jacket gets a fall winter makeover with form-fitting biker cuts with quilted panels and on-trend studs

Dresses for Fall 2010

A revival of no frills dresses drawing on the minimalist looks of 90’s American designers. Find simple tweed dresses and Shirtdresses in luxe fabrics and pleating. Mohair sweater dresses are accessorized with fur.

For eveningwear, dresses are sensual with soft swathes of fabric, a move away from the sculpted body-hugging cuts of last winter. Lines are softer and comfier with many taking on a Boho feel with froth and frills. It is all about playful volume and understated glamor with frills and fringing and draped pleats aplenty.

The little black dress offers up simple silhouettes in contrasting fabrics for the party season. Interest is added with subtle panels of jeweled embellishments, or hard-edged studs used to sparkle on hems and waistlines.

Knitwear for Fall 2010

Heavy textured knits embody everything which is cozy about colder days and designers play with proportion in everything from sleeveless vests to draped floor-length cardigans.

Mid-length bulky knits come in the guise of loose-knit ponchos and funnel-neck coatigans. Traditional fisherman’s cable knit sweaters transcend age-groups with their rope shoulders and placket embellishments. Enter also patterned Intarsia knits derived from Hebridean, Nordic and North American roots. Their colorful tonal yarns adorn wrap-around cardigans — perfect for layering.

Pants and Skirts for Fall 2010

Equestrian-inspired tapered pants in neutral palettes of soft green, gray and black take their influence from English country girls. Wear them with strappy gladiator heels or worker boots with stiletto heels which scream utilitarian but ultra sexy.

Leather has been a key trend for several seasons but now designers turn their attention from skirts and dresses to minimalist-style pants. More wearable with stretch jersey waistbands, these offer greater comfort and practicality. Suede panel detailing adds an extra softness and an equestrian vibe.

Winter skirts include plaid pleated kilts in country-inspired fabrics and checked skirt suits with matching bags.

Key fashion trends for Fall 2010 represent wearable styles and luxurious fabrics which show a more mature attitude to dressing. Such transitional outfits grounded firmly in the modern classics enable fashionable women embellish their wardrobe with looks that have real staying power.

Top 7 dietary supplements for women

2010-09-02T10:32:00.000-07:00

If you've ever stood in the supplement aisle of your local health food store and wondered how you could possibly choose among the hundreds of products on the shelf, you are not alone.

Women are especially bombarded with advice on how to treat everything from premenstrual syndrome (PMS) to menopause. But beyond the basic multivitamin, how do you know which ones to choose and how much to take?

Evangeline Lausier, M.D., assistant clinical professor in medicine for the Duke Integrative Medicine Center in North Carolina, calls supplementation "one aspect of self-care" in a holistic health approach — "as long as the recommendations are evidence-based."

And when establishing any new supplement regimen, you should be sure to consult with your health care practitioner for counsel on the correct dosage and any potential drug-nutrient interactions.

Here are several supplements and dosages that Lausier suggests for healthy women throughout all stages of life:

1. Calcium. Before the age of 35, a woman needs sufficient calcium to form strong bones — after age 35, calcium slows bone loss that naturally occurs later in life. In fact, Lausier says, calcium's protective effect on bone mass is one of the few health claims permitted on supplement labels by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Furthermore, studies have shown calcium to help mitigate symptoms of PMS and possibly lower blood pressure.

Dosage: Premenopausal women should take 1,000 milligrams per day. Postmenopausal women should up their intake to 1,200 to 1,500 milligrams per day to maintain bone strength. Take the calcium in divided doses twice a day (half in the morning and half in the evening).

2. Vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 helps the body absorb the calcium we do take in. Further studies have shown that higher dosages of vitamin D3 may help prevent a variety of health concerns — from breast cancer and osteoporosis to type 1 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and multiple sclerosis (MS).

Dosage: For calcium absorption and healthy bones, premenopausal women should take at least 500 IU per day. Postmenopausal and elderly women should increase their dosage to 800 IU per day. To reduce risk of disease, women should take 1,000 IU a day. Women who live in northern climates are at higher risk due to reduced sunlight exposure. Fifteen to 20 minutes of direct sunlight twice a week on the arms and face provides adequate doses of vitamin D if the ultraviolet (UV) rays of sunlight are strong enough — such as those obtained closer to the equator.

3. Iron. Deficiencies of iron result in anemia, which "has profound effects on metabolism and energy enzymes," Lausier says. Premenopausal and pregnant women have the greatest need for iron and, therefore, may benefit from supplementation. In fact, iron requirements for pregnant women are almost double those of nonpregnant women due to a potential for blood loss while delivering and increased blood volume during gestation.

Dosage: Lausier advises premenopausal women to supplement with 18 to 20 milligrams per day. Pregnant women can increase supplementation to 27 milligrams per day. Postmenopausal women are not typically iron-deficient and should only take supplements under a doctor's supervision. In fact, too much iron can be harmful to the liver.

4. Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). GLA is an essential fatty acid that can help reduce inflammation. The simplest way to increase your GLA levels is to take evening primrose oil, borage or black currant seed oil.

Women with PMS have been found to have low levels of GLA in the body, so adding a GLA oil may help. GLA also may reduce irritable bowl syndrome-type symptoms that are associated with menses.

Dosage: Evening primrose oil, in particular, has been the focus of several research trials — with mixed results. However, many doctors, including Lausier, suggest giving it a try because of its low risk of side effects. Supplement with 270 to 500 milligrams of GLA or 3 to 6 grams of evening primrose oil per day.

5. Vitex. Dating back to ancient Rome, women have relied on Vitex agnus-castus , aka chaste tree berry or monk's pepper, for various health issues. Modern research supports its use for PMS symptoms, irregular periods and infertility.

Dosage: Vitex acts over the long term to balance the hormonal system. Therefore, women need to take 30 to 40 milligrams once a day for several months, according to Lausier, to feel any effect. Pregnant women should not take it.

6. Indole-3-carbinol (I3C). I3C is a substance that's present in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, brussels sprouts and cauliflower. Eating more of these vegetables is associated with lowered risk of certain types of cancer.

Dosage: Small preliminary trials on humans suggest that I3C may reverse conditions related to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, such as cervical cell abnormalities. One trial showed that taking 200 to 400 milligrams of I3C per day for 12 weeks reversed early-stage cervical cancer. Lausier recommends taking 200 to 400 milligrams per day. Don't forget to eat your cruciferous vegetables. Cruciferous comes from the word "crux," or "to cross." These vegetables generally have four leaves that cross and include broccoli, cabbage, brussels's sprouts and cauliflower.

7. Folic acid. This B vitamin is critical in the production and maintenance of new cells, especially during periods of high cell division — like in pregnancy. Sufficient folic acid intake before conception and in the early months of gestation has been shown to protect against neural tube defects.

Other clinical trials are being done to determine folic acid's relationship to cardiovascular disease, a major health threat for women. Folic acid supplementation has been shown to decrease homocysteine levels in the blood. Elevated levels of homocysteine have been linked with heart disease and stroke.

Dosage: Lausier suggests women of childbearing age supplement with 800 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid per day, increasing to 1,000 to 2,000 micrograms per day before and during pregnancy. After menopause, women may supplement with 400 to 800 micrograms per day to reap the potential cardioprotective benefits of the vitamin. Don't forget to eat foliage (green stuff) that is packed full of folic acid.

Diet Plans

2010-09-02T10:30:00.000-07:00

When selecting a meal plan, make sure you are consuming a balanced and complete diet. Your assignment is to set realistic and attainable diet goals. Start by following the simple guidelines below.

Nutritional and Diet Plan Guidelines

Commit to consuming 4 - 6 small meals and snacks everyday.
To succeed, you must plan ahead by packing your foods the night before. Thus, you should always have fresh and low-fat foods around.
Keep it simple. Don't get too caught up on the specifics or your diet. Start by simply just counting calories.
Eat your foods slower.
Make healthier food selections like fruits, vegetables, whole grain cereals, and beans, low-fat or nonfat dairy products, low fat meats, fish and skinless poultry.
Avoid foods that are high in fat and calories.
Avoid foods that are high in sugars such as pastries, candy bars, pies and candy.
Use a variety of fruits and vegetables in your nutrition plan. Start by trying to eat 5 total vegetable and fruit servings every single day.

How to apply smokey eye make-up?

2010-08-16T09:01:00.000-07:00

How to apply smokey eye make-up?

The crease is very important to the smokey eye and it needs special attention. With a taupe colored shadow, or a mixture of gray and brown, pick up a small amount (to begin), and work it into the crease area. Continue until the area is well defined, with lots of attention to the blending process. Remember, the look we are after is smokey.
With your favorite mascara, coat lashes so that they play up the darkness of the eye area. Several coats might be necessary.

How to Get Smoky Eyes Look?

Here you'll learn the basic step by step instructions for smoky eye look. So, ready to have a smokey eyes look.

That Smokey Look application tips - Step by step smokey eyes

Apply the base as you apply for any make-up.
Apply mauve or red bronze base eyeshadow on upper and lower lids. Highlight the socket areas with a smoky black hued shadow pigment.
Use a slightly thicker eyeliner to highlight the eyes.
Curl your eyelashes to give them a smoky look.
Apply mascara.
Apply mauve or red blush on to complete the look for smoky eye.

Tips on how to do Smokey eye makeup?

Remember to keep lips nude. When applying strong makeup (like smoky eyes or red lips) put the focus on either eyes or lips, never both.
Apply white translucent powder below the eye and dust off after applying . It will catch any fallen shadow.
For a bit of fun, try a blue or purple mascara. It will make blue eyes "pop."
Liner doesn't have to come in pencil form. Makeup experts know eyeshadows make some of the best eyeliners. To do this take an eyeliner brush, wet it, then dab wet brush into the dark shadow. This allows for a deep, precise line. You can also use the dark shadows without wetting brush first. Either way, eyeliner is necessary for smoky eye.

The key to the perfect smoky eye is proper blending. You want to make sure colors are blended together flawlessly.

HOW TO: 1-min Fat Burning Exercise for Multi-Taskers

2010-08-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

Best Ab Workout Circuit by Tone It Up

2010-08-16T08:59:00.000-07:00

Makeup Like Megan Fox

2010-08-01T10:29:00.000-07:00

The Megan Fox look is not a typical glitzy starlet, beach-blonde kind of look. (Not that there is anything wrong with that look!) If you want to do makeup like Megan Fox, you are going to go for the Old Hollywood look. You are not going for the tanned, glimmering and glossy look. Creamy and Dewy is what we are looking for. Start with a very dewy finish in a classic beige, using concealer beforehand as needed to get an all-over uniform creamy complexion.

Apply a light dusting of powder to set and finish your face. Megan Fox does not seem to apply any blush or cheek color at all. If you are unable to pull that off without looking sickly, apply a very light bit of an almost neutral or peachy color. Do not do the whole facial sculpting, make-a-fish-face thing we did in the 80's and 90's. That's out, no matter who you would like to look like!

Lips are a matte, natural color. I don't mean a neutral beige or colorless, but a color that lips actually would be in a perfect world! Remember how our moms used to put on lipstick and blot with tissue? Well, that's what you want to do to achieve the Megan Fox look. You could even get this look by lining your lips and filling in with the liner only. No drippy gloss for this look, please.

The Eyes have it in this look. Megan Fox has beautiful eyes, and whoever does her makeup does not do anything to detract from the natural beauty, but enhances them. No Miss Piggy eye makeup here. No blues and greens and purples, which have made a fun comeback for the younger set. (Remember what Loralei Gilmore said about how great it was when makeup was just for fun, not damage control.....)
You want to cover the lid area with a very light colored, natural shade from lid to brow. Apply a highlight right under the brow bone, but not a stark look. Blend very, very well, until you almost can't tell you have any eyeshadow on.

Her eyeliner is probably the most important part of her eye look. Using black or brown/black liquid eyeliner, create a strong line on your upper lid. Don't take it too far up or out, but whatever you do, don't let it droop down! Remember, think old Hollywood. You want an exaggerated natural look. For your bottom liner, you are going to use a pencil for a softer, smudged look. It should almost be undetectable. Finish with an eyelash curler, and then the longest lashes you can master in black, of course.

Megan Fox has a strong brow. This is something you might need to adjust to coordinate with your hair color. Of course, a brunette can carry off a darker brow. But, you want a well-groomed brow, and then a nice arch. You can accomplish this however you alike. I like to apply aloe vera gel and then use a brush with brown eyeshadow. As a blonde, eyebrows are a particular challenge. I have also found a Cover girl soft pencil in a color called grey/khaki. It is perfect for me, and I can achieve a bold line without looking harsh. If you are a brunette, go a little bolder than usual.

Bag Essentials

2010-08-01T10:25:00.000-07:00

Schoolbag Essentials

1. Eyelash Curler

Revlon Eyelash Curler – $3.99

I am obsessed with my eyelash curler; it’s actually quite embarrassing. After hours of lecture, I sometimes notice that my eyelashes become droopy, so I always use my eyelash curler on breaks between classes. Eyelash curlers are great because they make a huge difference in how you look. My current favorite is Revlon’s Eyelash Curler ($3.99) because it grabs all my eyelashes and gives them an amazing curl.
Another reason I love eyelash curlers is because they’re great to bring with you to class since, unlike other makeup products, there’s no risk of spillage in your purse. One word of warning, however: watch where you put your eyelash curler in your bag. I once put my eyelash curler in the front pocket and it broke when I dropped my bag on the floor. So be careful!

2. Lip Gloss/ Lip Balm

Covergirl Wetslicks Fruit Spritzers in Watermelon Splash – $5.49

It reminds me of the grown-up version of those cute Bonnebell lipglosses we all used as kids. What girl didn’t love those? Although the color looks hot pink, it comes off as a more sheer tinted pink. It’s a versatile shade that’s sheer enough to work on any skin tone. But the real reason why I love this lipgloss so much is because it tastes amazing – I always want to lick my lips because it tastes so good! It doesn’t have that overly artificial fruit taste; instead, it has more of a watermelon bubblegum pop flavor.

ChapStick

ChapStick Lip Moisturizer SPF 15 – $1.59

If I don’t want to fuss with using a mirror during the day, I make sure to bring lip balm with me. I actually prefer lip balm over lip gloss because it requires less maintenance. But more importantly, it keeps my lips moisturized and soft.

ChapStick is an all-time classic. I’ve been using it for as long as I can remember. Although it’s only a couple of dollars, the quality is superior to anything else I’ve ever tried. I could never understand why certain girls would spend so much money on expensive lip balm when this works so well! I always use the Lip Moisturizer SPF 15 ($1.59), but many of my friends like the cherry flavored one as well.
Burt’s Bees Lip Balm

Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm – $2.69

I was introduced to Burt’s Bees lip balm in high school. Once I felt the minty, tingly sensation, I was hooked. This product will make your lips feel fresh and hydrated. It is slightly more expensive than ChapStick, but the classic Beeswax- Lip Tube Balm is still incredibly affordable at $2.69. Unlike the ChapStick brand, Burt’s Bees offers an array of lip products from tinted lip balms to lip glosses. However, for an everyday school product I prefer to use the regular lip balm.

3. Translucent Powder

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder – $6.59

Calling all oily skinned ladies: if you hate how your T-zone gets shiny during the day but hate caking on heavy face powder, I have found your golden ticket. Although I use MAC Mineralized Skin Finish Natural in the morning, I use Maybelline’s Dream Matte Powder ($7-8) to touch up during school hours. This is a translucent powder, meaning it is incredibly sheer and doesn’t contain much color. So you can pile it on and your skin won’t look cakey. But best of all, this product works wonders to reduce the appearance of oily skin. Totally a must-try.

4. Hand Sanitizer

Bath and Body Works Anti-bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Gel – $1.50

While hand sanitizer is not really a beauty product, it’s an essential for me during the day, and is too important to leave off the list! Throughout the day, you’re constantly touching dirty doorknobs and germ-filled desks. Just attending class is practically a recipe for catching a cold. Fortunately, hand sanitizer will help keep your hands clean and free of most germs.

Hand sanitizer is actually great for your complexion, too, if you’re like me and rest your chin on your hand during class. Think about it: your hands are usually covered in dirt, oil, and germs. When you touch your face, all that dirt comes into direct contact with your pores, providing a perfect breeding ground for breakouts. So using hand sanitizer is crucial.

Store Makeup for your Travel Bag

2010-08-01T10:15:00.000-07:00

Summer is here and I am sure many of you are planning your vacations. Deciding what make up and beauty products to pack can sometimes be a pain. Also how to pack them has been an issue for me at times. Being a frequent traveler I have had my fair share of travel woes. From moisturizer bottles exploding in my suitcase to realizing I haven’t packed my eyeliner – I have experienced it all! So based on my experience and a few tips from others, here are a few pointers for make up and beauty for travel.

In your suitcase:

Keep a small tube/bottle of your regular face wash, shampoo, night cream etc permanently in your travel bag.
Cello-tape the mouth of your lotion bottles. And place them in zip-lock bags. Heartless porters and factors like air-pressure can cause these bottles to explode during travel.
Carry body sprays which come in plastic containers as opposed to glass bottles (like the Body shop ones). If you must carry a glass one, wrap it in your towel and ensure you place it in middle of your suitcase. This is to ensure that the bottle is padded on all sides.
Travel light. Carrying your entire make up for a trip is a bad idea. Besides if the airlines should lose your luggage, you don’t want your entire make up gone do you? . Carry products that are multipurpose. Such as a lip and cheek tint. This helps save space.
Cream based foundation/concealer can melt during travel, placing them in separate zip-lock bags can prevent disasters.
Just like perfumes, place your make up kit in the middle of suitcase and ensure it is padded with clothes all around.
I always pick the toiletries placed in hotel rooms. If I don’t use the product, the bottles can be re-used to carry lotions, shampoo etc for a short trip.
Don’t ever go with the assumption that you can pick up your products at your holiday destination. Not all products are available in all places. For example I recently did a mini tour of Chennai hunting for Colorbar products with no luck.
Make a travel check list and paste it on your cupboard. Creating this list when you are relaxed and have time to think is a good idea. So the next time you have to make an unexpected trip, you don’t have to worry about forgetting an essential

In your handbag:

Carry a small bottle of freshener, rose water or even a spray bottle of water in your handbag. You want to look fresh in your vacation snaps don’t you?
Carry wet tissues. Kara has wet wipes with sunscreen. This is product is pretty useful and solves the problem of re-applying sunscreen each time you wipe your face. (This product is priced at Rs 150/- for 25 wipes)
Always carry a small stole. I use this as a bandana when I’m doing a car trip and this doubles up as a shawl to keep me warm on flights.
Keep an anti pimple/blemish cream handy. Travel and new environments can sometimes cause havoc to skin.
If you are the type like me who uses multiple handbags -place all your must have essentials in a small pouch. Just transfer the pouch into the handbag you will be using for the day/travel. Not only does this make swapping bags easier, you also don’t have to dig through your entire bag looking for that tiny lip balm.

Looking good on the go:

Keep make up minimal. Nothing looks worse that foundation streaking on one’s face. If you must wear make up, use products that are water proof.
Mineral make up works best. Not only is it perfect for summer, it’s easier to carry around than a bottle of foundation.
Don’t forget your lips! I have realized that lip balms work better than lip stick when traveling. When I am outdoors I use Carmex lip balm with SPF 15, otherwise it’s the Body shop range of lip balms which I just adore. (Any suggestions for a lip balm with SPF that is available in the Indian market?)
Whether you are picnicking at the park, or lugging you baggage around the airport – your nail-polish has more chances to chip when on the move. Keep your nails simple and clean. A clear varnish works best.
While most of us taken extreme precautions in protecting our face and body from sun damage, our hair is ignored. Sun protection for your hair is also important. Bonacure and Boots have good hair sprays that provide sun protection. ( Again I am looking out for something similar in the Indian markets. Any suggestions?)
If you are going to be on a long flight, moisturize well and apply a serum to your hair.
Drink plenty of water and cut on down caffeine before and during a journey. This will help prevent your face from looking tired and patchy. This was a tip given to me by a flight attendant.

Eye Makeup for Wide-Set Eyes

2010-07-26T08:40:00.002-07:00

1. Reduce the space between the eyes by applying dark eyeshadow in the inner corner.
2. Apply the lighter eyeshadow to the outer two-thirds of the lid from lashes to brow bone.
3. Use eyeliner to draw a very thin line from inner to outer corners on both upper and lower lids.
4. Pencil eyebrows a little closer to the nose. Don't extend eyebrows out at the ends.

How to Make Wide-Set Eyes Look Closer

If the space between the inner corners of eyes is wider than the width of one eye, you have wide-set eyes.
So your aim is to reduce the space between the eyes to make your eyes look close together.
You should emphasize the inner corners by using darker eyeshadow in the inner corners and lighter eyeshadow in the outer halves.

How to shape brows for wide-set eyes
Eyebrows create a frame for your eyes. To shape brows for wide-set eyes:
- Pencil the eyebrows close to each other.
- Don't extend eyebrows out at the ends.

How to apply eyeshadow for wide-set eyes
- To emphasize the inner corners, apply dark shade to the inside third of your eye from lashes to brow bone.
- Apply light shade to the outer two-thirds of the eyelid from the lashes to the brow bone.

How to apply eyeliner for wide-set eyes
- To make eyes appear closer, line upper and lower eyelids from inner to outer corners.
- Smudge the line or use the matching eyeshadow to soften

Lashes
Apply black mascara increasing the thickness of mascara towards the centre of the eye.

How to choose eyeshadow to match eye color

Eyeshadow colors for blue eyes
Shades of brown, gray, taupe, deep blue, camel, violet.

Eye shadow colors for green eyes
Shades of plum, purple, mauve, pink, dark gray, charcoals, all shades of brown, black

Eye shadow colors for brown eyes
Shades of blue, blue gray, plum

How to choose eyeliner to match eye color

Using different shades of eyeliner also allows you to change the look of your eye color.
Choose an eyeliner color to make your eye color stand out:
Eyeliner for blue eyes
Brown shades, black, charcoal, dark green, dark blue.

Eyeliner for green eyes - deep purples, dark browns, golden browns, blacks and charcoal dark shades of plum

Eyeliner for brown eyes - different tones on brown, golden browns, bronze, black, deep navy blue, dark grays

Small Eyes Makeup

2010-07-26T08:40:00.000-07:00

Small eyes are proportionately smaller in comparison to the rest of the facial features. If you have small eyes, try the following eye makeup tips to make your eyes appear bigger:
1. Apply light pastel coloured eyeshadow on the eyelids.
2. Apply medium-toned eyeshadow (such as soft grey or blue) in the creases.
3. To give your eyes more prominence, apply highlighting shade under the brows
4. Line upper and lower lids with soft-coloured eyeliner to enhance small eyes.
5. Apply black mascara on upper and lower lashes.

Small Eyes Makeup Tips and Tricks

How to shape brows
Well-shaped brows make small eyes appear wider even without any other makeup. Remove stray hairs and pluck your eyebrows a little with tweezers. When plucking your eyebrows, leave the inner part of your brow thicker, this will create an arch to frame the eye. Then fill in sparse spots with brow powder or brow pencil.

Use light shades of eyeshadow
Apply pastel-colored shades of eyeshadow on the entire lid, starting at your lashes, and blending up to your brow. Avoid dark shades which will make small eyes look even smaller.
Apply darker shade to the outer corner of your eyelid and to the crease.
Use white eyeshadow under your brow bone.

How to apply eyeliner
To make small eyes appear bigger, line upper and lower eyelids with soft-coloured eyeliner starting above your iris and extend to the outer corner of your eye or slightly upward. Avoid thick black lines, which can actually close up the eye. Smudge the line or use the matching eyeshadow to soften. Use white eyeliner on the inner rims of your eyes

Lashes
To make small eyes appear bigger, curl lashes and coat them with two coats of black mascara.

How to choose eyeshadow to match eye color

How to apply eyeshadow

Usually you should use three colors:
- The lightest color will open and brighten your eyes.
Apply light shade from the inner corner to the middle of lid from lashes to browline.
To make your eyes appear wider, apply highlight from the inner corner of you lower lid to the middle of the lower lid.

- The medium color will give slight depth to eyes.
Apply medium color to your lid crease. Blend well.

- The most intensive color will give shape to the eyes.
Apply the darkest contrasting color to the outer corener of your eye. If your eyes are close-set, apply the darkest color on the lower lid along the eyelashes.

How to apply eyeliner for small eyes

Eyeliner allows you to shape and emphasize your eyes.
- To make small eyes appear bigger, apply eyeliner from mid-lids to the outer corner of your eye and extend eye liner beyond the eye.
- Apply eye liner as close to lashes as possible
- Hold outside corner of eye with the finger tip to apply.
- Smudge the line or use the matching eyeshadow to soften.
- You can line your eyes with deep-toned eyeshadow instead of the eyeliner

How to choose eyeliner to match eye color

Hair Care In The Rains

2010-07-25T05:38:00.000-07:00

Manage hair easily and keep it looking great even when it rains!

The rains bring respite from the heat of the summer but can leave you frustrated when your hair refuses to behave and stay in style. However, by following a few simple tips, you can manage to keep your hair problems to a minimum and look good.

Do not wash your hair too often

There is nothing better than a nice bath when you just get in from the pouring rain. However, washing your hair too often, say every day, can exaggerate the problems you already face. Washing your hair two or three times a week will keep your hair clean and looking good. At the same time, it prevents excessive drying of hair and keeps frizziness to a minimum. Also, do not forget to condition your hair after every wash; you could use a leave-in conditioner to make dry hair more manageable.

Protect from moisture

Excessive moisture is the biggest culprit during this season. It affects your hair even if you remain indoors, especially on days when the humidity is high. Depending on your hair type, it may leave your hair frizzy or flat. Hair that is fine, wavy, or curly usually tends to absorb the moisture in the air. This makes fine or thin hair fall flat, but people with wavy or curly hair end up with frizzy strands. The best solution to this is to use a humidity-protective gel before styling. These gels help by forming a protective coat over the hair cuticle and preventing moisture from getting in.

You can also follow up with a non-sticky hairspray for extra protection. It is better to use an aerosol, since it gives out a fine spray. A spray with a regular nozzle can give out too much of the product, which can result in clumps of your hair turning sticky later on in the day. Try not to use more than four different hair care products at a time. This will save you time. A normal routine would be to use a shampoo, followed by conditioner, styling gel, and hairspray.

Do not experiment too much

On rainy and extra-humid days, it is usually better not to force your hair into a style that does not feel right. For example, do not attempt to curl hair that is fine and limp or straighten hair that is naturally curly. This is because even a small amount of moisture absorbed by your hair will make it revert back to its natural texture, and your efforts will be in vain. Instead, try and make the most of your natural hair texture by adopting a style that suits you. Rub a generous amount of gel through curls for that tousled look. For fine and straight hair, pulling it back into a ponytail or braid works best.

Choose hair care products wisely

Frizzy hair is usually dealt with by using hair cream or similar products to smooth it down. But this can have an adverse effect, by allowing your hair to absorb moisture and making it look greasy or sticky. During the rainy season, it is better to stick to alcohol-based creams and gels since they have a drying effect on hair. Leave moisturizing products for use in the winter months.

Accessories

If you cannot quite get your hair to behave the way you want it to, do not fret. The right accessories can not only cover up a bad-hair day but can also make a fashion statement. A colourful scarf can cover up most of your frizzy ends, while a funky hairband works for shorter hair. If all else fails, just grab a hat for that slightly bohemian look.

With so many ways to keep your hair looking and feeling great even when it's wet, it is time for you to go ahead and enjoy that rain dance!

Ten Top Tips On How To Wake Up Beautiful Every Day

2010-07-18T01:07:00.000-07:00

We've all heard the term that we need to get enough "beauty sleep". But what does it actually mean, and how do we get the best out of the sleep time we have. In fact, can good quality sleep actually improve our looks?

Research into "beauty sleep" has shown that a few minutes extra sleep in the morning (you are ideally looking for eight hours sleep each night), can lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which is fantastic as raised levels of this hormone will accelerate the aging process.
If you are looking for a glowing complexion like that of Liv Tyler's or Cate Blanchett's then you do need to get enough, good quality sleep. Steer clear of vigorous exercise, starchy foods and alcohol before bedtime and your skin cells will have a chance to repair. Good sleep means lots of the human growth hormone will be released which is also called the youth hormone as it has anti-aging effects.

Here Are Ten Great Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Your Beauty Sleep

Sleep on your back - not only does this save you from getting a crinkly chest, but sleeping on your front will also put a lot of pressure on your face, causing puffiness. Dermatologists can also tell the favourite side for a person to sleep on as they will have more wrinkles on that side of their face! Sleeping on our backs suddenly seems like a good idea.
Wash your face thoroughly before sleep with a relaxing cleanser until your complexion is squeaky clean. Dirt and toxins left on your skin are just accelerating the aging of your skin.
Make the most of the repairing and remoisturising process that happens overnight, and slather on a good quality, dry skin replenishing cream such as Eucerin Dry Skin Replenishing Face Cream.
Get those romantic pillows propped up around you at bedtime - keeping your head slightly raised encourages blood flow and lymph glands to drain which means less puffiness in the morning. Another great way to avoid puffiness is to avoid alcohol!
Before applying your repairing face cream for the night apply a small amount of self-tanning cream to your face and neck - you will wake up with a healthy glow, which is a nice surprise and creates an instant good mood on a cold, wintry morning.
Avoid carbs when making your evening meal (bread, potatoes, pasta) and go for a light meal of proteins and salad. Too many carbs in the evening can lead to a less defined and doughy complexion.
If you want to keep your hair silky smooth for the next day, slip on a silk pillowcase or tie up your hair in a silky scarf as this keeps hair from frizzing and knotting overnight.
Another tip to create a fantastic hair-do overnight is to gather your hair together and twist it round and round, holding it in place on top of your head with a scrunchie. This will transform into a cascade of waves and curls with lots of body next day.
If you are washing your hair in the morning, give your hair a pre-treatment overnight with a rich hair masque to replenish its natural beauty.
Finally, you can get a little help from the inside by taking a slow release B-complex vitamin before going to bed. Slowly released B vitamins can promote energy and glow from the inside, helping you to wake up feeling more energised.

Beauty Tips For The Festive Party Season

2010-07-18T00:59:00.000-07:00

The weeks leading up to the Festive Season are some of the busiest in the social calendar for many of us - and its fabulous, we see friends that we haven't seen all year, socialise with our work colleagues and party with family and best friends. I tdoes lots for our heart and soul - but it can also ravage our looks and particularly our skin. With excesses of food and alcohol and lack of sleep and rest, our bodies can suffer and so can our faces. Here are some of the causes of lackluster looks and some great tips to ensure you sparkle and glow throughout the party season.

Dull And Flaky Skin Caused By Poor Cleansing

Yes, its easy to preach that you must cleanse, tone and moisturise twice a day - but when you totter in during the early hours of the morning with the dreaded work-day alarm looming not too many hours away - who can really be bothered to do this. But waking up the next day with skin still smothered in blotchy foundation and mascara is not pleasant and more importantly this will cause dry patches and clogged pores. The simple solution to this is to keep some facial cleansing wipes handy - even by your bedside or next to your toothbrush. Even the most tired or tipsy of us can manage a facial wipe - you can give your face an extra cleanse or even use a gentle facial scrub in the morning to remove any bits you have missed.

Shadows And Bags Under Your Eyes

Excess alcohol can cause eye bags and shadows - as can lack of sleep. Once you are up and about in the morning fluids will begin to move around your body which can help to reduce bags, as can massaging and tapping in gently a soothing eye cream. Its also useful to have one of the caffeine enriched moisturising roll-ons for around the eye to sooth and refresh the area.

Spots And Blemishes Appearing On Normally Flawless Skin

I particularly notice that I will get spots or blemishes in my t-zone area at times of excessive partying. A combination of rich foods, alcohol, lack of "good" sleep and burning the candle at both ends results in an immune system that doesn't work as well as normally. Try taking a Vitamin C supplement or eating foods rich in Vitamin C such as papaya, mango, peppers, strawberries, oranges and chillies as this vitamin is top-notch for your skin's health.

Pale and Dull Skin On Arms And Shoulders

At this time of year, unless you've been lucky enough to take a winter-sun break, its probably quite a few months since you saw some sunshine. If you feel a little pale and dull and you are wearing a strappy or strapless party dress, don't panic and definitely don't head for a sunbed. Try exfoliating your skin with a good body scrub and then applying an instant bronzer - try one such as Lancome Flash Bronzer Shimmering Instant Body Tan which I can recommend. There are also some amazing sparkling body powders which have a great shimmering golden effect.

Dry and Cracked Lips

Dry and cracked lips can be caused by dehydration (again too much alcohol!), but also some long-lasting lipsticks can be extremely drying and the combination of the two can lead to dry, crinkly and sore lips - not very attractive under the mistletoe. Look for long-lasting lipsticks which also contain moisturisers or a built in finishing gloss. A good tip is to keep a small tin of Vaseline with your cleansing wipes and before you dive under the duvet apply a good amount to your lips last thing at night. This will soak in and moisturise during the night and your lips will be plumped and smooth by morning.

6 secrets of great hair

2010-07-18T00:51:00.000-07:00

Good hair is not an impossibility - all you need to do is take care of it. Here are some pointers
Get Ahead offered you five trade secrets to get great hair.

1. De-frizz!

On weekends or once in a fortnight, dab an intensive conditioner or coat your hair with protein liquid (available at beauty salons as a power dose treatment for hair).

Applying good Jojoba oil at the ends of your hair or the frizziest parts of your hair is another good option.
Pin up your hair or wrap it in plastic and sleep on it. This will restore the absent moisture and control the frizz.

2. Ensure your hair is completely dry before you step out
When wet hair is exposed to direct sunlight, it can get damaged. It might result in hair fall and discoloration.

3. Avoid hair dryers and hot curling tools.
Hair dryers and hot curling tools heat up your hair and tend to make it dry.
If you really want to go for the curly look, braid your hair when semi-wet.
This will settle into beautiful waves when dry.

4. Be careful with those hair serums
Do not overuse shine products to control frizzes -- they often contain silicone that can coat your hair after just a few applications and can prove harmful.

5. Swim safe and use the sun to your advantage!
A summer swim can be blissful. But chlorinated water can play havoc with your hair.
To prevent damage, wet your hair with tap water before you swim. The more wet your hair before you swim, the less salt water and chlorine it will absorb.
After the swim, rinse out the chlorinated water. And comb a dollop of deep-conditioning treatment on your hair. Let the heat of the sun help the treatment penetrate.

6. Stay dandruff-free
Not washing hair properly, frequent use of hair sprays and gels, excessive use of hot curling irons, poor hair-friendly diet or even stress can cause dandruff.
So stay clean and nourished and steer clear off dandruff.
Dr.K Palwade, a consultant dermatologist, reveals that dandruff not only leads to itchiness and irritation of the scalp, it can also cause problems like acne, skin rashes and hair loss.
He says, "It is not necessary to use an anti-dandruff shampoo if the dandruff is not excessive. Use a shampoo that is suitable for your hair, regularly, and keep your hair squeaky clean. That is good enough to drive dandruff away.
"Use an anti-dandruff shampoo only if the dandruff is excessive. Continue the use for two months after the dandruff is gone. Shampoos with lemon and olive oil extract are particularly good for dandruff-prone hair."

Neutrogena Shampoo is a medicated anti-dandruff shampoo that works well as well.
Note: Anti-dandruff shampoos are harsh on your hair, so make sure you use a good conditioner after you shampoo it.

Custom-Fitting Earrings For Your Face Shape

2010-07-08T08:29:00.000-07:00

But from shoulder-skimming strands to simply stunning studs, the latest earring looks are so varied that you'll have no trouble finding the most flattering pair for you.

The Right Earrings for Your Face Shape

Round Face

If you have a round face - one that is essentially as wide as it is long - you'll want to choose earrings that elongates and adds a little angle to your face. Try long, narrow earrings with a wee bit of curve that draw the eye downward instead of in a circle. Square, oblong and rectangular earrings are also options, as are dangling and angular earrings.
Steer clear of: circular earrings, such as hoops, as well as tiny studs and button earrings.

Oval Face

An oval face needs, well, not much. This almost "ideal" face shape finds its width at the cheek bones and tapers smoothly in either direction, with a chin slightly slimmer than the forehead. Almost anything goes for an oval-facer, so grab that spiraled dangly pair of earrings, slide in a pair of classic studs, look cute in button earrings, or go wild with more elaborate, dazzling looks.
Steer clear of: to avoid sporting a too-long face, don't wear incredibly long shapes that will just pull you down.

Heart-Shaped Face

The divine heart-shaped face, characterized by a wide forehead, stunning cheekbones and a tiny cherubic chin, require earrings that mimic the face's shape, but upside-down. Chandelier and teardrop earrings, as well as triangular earrings that have the tapered point at the top, work well to broaden the chin and narrow the forehead. Even circular and oval earrings will work with your face shape, so long as they don't taper as they descend.
Steer clear of: earrings that mirror your face shape, such as those that come to a point at the bottom, or, obviously, heart-shaped hoops.

Square or Angular Face

If your face is accented by a strong, square jaw line and an angular forehead that are close to the same width, you have yourself a square face shape. Add a little length to that visage, and you're rectangular. For earrings, you're in need of a pair that will soften your features, taking a dash of edge off your look.
As long as you avoid harsh angles and square shapes, you can wear just about anything in the earring category. Hoops and curved edges will add the necessary roundness, and drop earrings, long tear drops, or multi-tiered dangling earrings will give a square shape some length. If you fall in the rectangular category, avoid much length, tossing in the shoulder-kissing drops for wider, circular shapes or thicker earrings that give your long face some width.
Steer clear of: square, rectangular or harshly angled earrings that echo your face shape.

Got the rules to finding the ideal earrings for your face shape down pat? The next step is finding the perfect pair.

MAKEUP TIPS FOR AGED WOMEN

2010-07-08T08:18:00.000-07:00

All the women desire to make them very beautiful. To get a pretty complexion they depend upon the makeup but they forget their age and use that makeup which they used when they were young. Makeup has its some requirements and if it is applied to follow some tips according to your age then you may succeed easily.

Usually women in old age prefer to be simple, having no makeup at all. They don’t get regular facials and don’t dye hairs. That’s why they look older than the actual age. In Asian countries, old women hardly pay attention to their makeup. Only women belong to upper class like to do light makeup.
So here we are offering you few tips which will be helpful for you while doing makeup.

Blush and foundation:
Don’t use powdered blush and foundation on your face. But use blush in liquid form and foundation sparingly. With the help of these items, just cover the required spots. For example nose, under the eyes and lastly chin. Because in old age, skin usually gets dry. Almost all the women make mistake while purchasing makeup items.

Don’t use shimmer:
Avoid use of shimmer nail polish because it will draw attention to your age spots on your hands. In the same way stay away from shimmer eye shadows and shimmer lip sticks. As all these show off wrinkles on your face.

Less makeup:
Old age require the less makeup. Heavy makeup just suits in young age and even in mature age. The heavy foundations and base settle lines and wrinkles on your face which gives a bad look.

Avoid tweezers on chin:
As women grow old, hairs on their chin increase. This makes women tensed. So they start using shaving razors or tweezers to get rid of this unhappy situation. But this makes their hairs more thick than before. But I will advice to keep away from all these cheap methods. Just apply electrolysis method which is the best way to get rid of unwanted hairs. It is expensive but more effective.
So if you will follow the above mentioned points, you will come forward as a graceful personality before people.

All the women desire to make them very beautiful. To get a pretty complexion they depend upon the makeup but they forget their age and use that makeup which they used when they were young. Makeup has its some requirements and if it is applied to follow some tips according to your age then you may succeed easily.

Celebrity Makeup Secrets for Your Best Look Ever!

2010-06-20T18:45:00.000-07:00

Celebrity Eyes:

Makeup artists have many tricks up their sleeves to make celebrities’ eyes pop! They first put an eye shadow primer or some foundation on the eyelids, so that the eye shadow has something to hold onto. For eye shadow colors, they’ll select three shades which are variations on the same color (i.e. light green, medium green, and dark green), or in the same neutral color family (i.e. beige, brown, and dark brown). They will put the lightest color on the brow bone, the medium color on the lid, and the darkest color in the crease. This will emphasize the shape of the eyes and make them stand out!

Other tricks for glammed-up, red carpet eyes include lining the lower inner rim of the eyes with a white pencil to make them appear bigger and applying shimmery clear lip gloss to the top eyelids to make eyes sparkle. Celebrity makeup artists also apply shimmer powder under the brow bone to draw more attention to the eye area and they always smude eyeliner with a Q-tip to make it look less severe or smokier.

To create cat-eyes (like Brigitte Bardot in the sixties or Pamela Anderson today), celebrity makeup artists use dark brown or black eyeliner to exaggerate the end of the eye so it turns up slightly. If you decide to go this route, remember that smudging is the key to perfecting this look!

Celebrity Eyelashes:

Celebrity makeup artists also have many secrets for eyelashes! They always curl eyelashes first to maximize length and curl. They then dust them with powder which makes the eyelashes look much thicker after the mascara is applied! Celebrity makeup artists will often use two coats of mascara, the first will be a lengthening or separating formula, and the second, a thickening formula, to max out eyelash potential! Mascara clumps are combed out between coats.

For special occasions celebrities may use false eyelashes (their secret is dark eyelash glue) or may have eyelash extensions applied which are semi-permanent variations.

Celebrity Eyebrows:

Celebrity makeup artists know that enhancing the shape of the eyebrows is one of the most dramatic ways to improve a celebrity’s appearance. Celebrity makeup artists use Treezerman brand tweezers most often to shape eyebrows. They tweeze the hairs under the arch of the eyebrow to further emphasize it and pluck away any strays. Eyebrows are filled in with the feathery strokes of an eyebrow pencil in either "blonde "or "taupe" for blondes, "auburn" for redheads, and light brown or medium brown for brunettes. Only black-haired gals should fill in their eyebrows with a "dark brown" eyebrow pencil" and nobody should use a black eyebrow pencil as it looks too severe. A secret weapon of celebrity makeup artists is brow sealant, which keeps this brow look in shape all day.

Celebrity Concealer:

Amazing Concealer by Amazing Cosmetics is favored by many celebrity makeup artists. Concealer is usually applied with an eye shadow brush. It is applied in thin layers which are "built up" until the blemish is covered. Concealer typically is applied before foundation. For really red blemishes, makeup artists often use a green concealer first which tones the redness down under foundation.

Celebrity Foundation:

Laura Mercier Foundation is very popular with celebrities. Foundation is usually applied by celebrity makeup artists with a sponge for the most natural looking coverage. Celebrity makeup artists use a foundation primer which is worn between your moisturizer and your foundation. This product refines the skin and helps foundation stay in place all day. If you can’t spring just yet for celebrity products, try Revlon’s Color Stay Foundation with Soft-flex, which stays in place all day and comes in an extensive variety of shades.

Celebrity Powder:

Celebrity makeup artists almost always use loose powder in a translucent or skin matching shade. They will apply it with a puff and then dust it away with a big brush, or will apply it with the big brush, being sure to shake off any excess first. Then the celebrity will carry around a pressed powder or blotting papers in her evening bag for touch ups. Some celebrities skip powder all together for their dry skinned clients. Powder is great for keeping foundation in place for the longest period of time, however.

Celebrity Blush:

Nars and Stila blushes are very popular with celebrity makeup artists. While these are powder blushes, there are other makeup artists who prefer gel blush because of the dewy, healthy glow it imparts. Blush is never applied with anything but a big, fluffy brush. It is applied on the apples of the cheeks in circles, or is swept from the apples to the hair line. Shimmery blushes like Nars blush in Torrid can make the cheeks appear to be glowing, according to celebrity fans.

Celebrity Lips:

MAC lipliner in Spice is the shade thought to most closely resemble natural lip color for most people and is a favorite of celebrity makeup artists. Celebrities often use lip-plumping products like City Lips and LipFusion which have both won awards from Good Housekeeping! Lip gloss is applied at least to the center of the bottom lip to make it look fuller.

How to do metallic smoky eyes for summer

2010-06-20T18:36:00.000-07:00

Smoky eye makeup (often referred to as "the little black dress of makeup") elevates your evening look to something truly dramatic when punctuated with metallic glimmer. For summer, we’ve come up with a few creative combinations to brighten your smoky eyes and give them a shimmering 24k goddess effect. Try on metallic eye makeup in our virtual makeover studio now and shimmer, shimmer, shimmer for summer!

"Smoky eyes can make fair skin look sooty and dark skin look muddy, if done improperly. A metallic gold works on all skin tones to make the look light and sexy."

To start your metallic smoky eye, determine which eye shadows complement your eye color. Brown and hazel eyes look gorgeous in metallic golds, blues are pretty in metallic pinks with golden undertones and green eyes stand out in metallic plum or violet shades. A touch of metallic in the center of the lid or at the browbone can open up the eyes tremendously and impart a glowy goddess look.

To apply: begin with eye shadow. The darkest eye shadow can be applied allover the eye lid, or in the crease, depending upon the shape of your eye and the look you desire. Applying dark color in the crease and blending it upward and outward toward the browbone elongates round eyes; many Asian women prefer to create depth by putting dark color allover hooded eye lids. Apply metallic eye shadow all over the lid or at the inner corner of each eye and keep the brow bone light.

Line the upper lashes from corner to corner; line the lower lashes just three quarters of the way, beginning from the outer corner of the eye. For an intensely metallic smoky eye, dip a flathead eyeliner brush into classic black liquid eyeliner (brick brown or plum if you have green eyes) and push it into the lashline. Do the same with black powder eye shadow (brick brown or plum if you have green eyes). Layering your liner with different formulations (pencil, powder, liquid) will give your look staying power.

Tips For Transforming Your Look throughout the Day

2010-06-20T18:28:00.000-07:00

Have you noticed how some people at work seem to look great during the day and when you have an evening work function look even better? They seem to be able to transform themselves with ease. On arrival at the conference they seem to have a small case and yet look as though they have a whole wardrobe with them. On the other hand you have taken a much bigger case, many more clothes and yet still feel as if you haven't quite got the right clothes and accessories with you. By reading these tips you too can move from day to evening with ease too.

1. Attitude - Rather than feeling that you never look your best, start believing in yourself. Believe that you are the best dressed in the room, this will help your confidence no-end.

2. Plan - If you have a work to evening function, plan in advance (up to a week) what you could wear. Try on the day outfit and transform it into the evening outfit, including the shoes and the accessories. You might find that just one item needs changing, for example a necklace. By planning in advance you'll have time to look in the shops for that piece.

3. Detail - There is much truth in the saying 'The devil is in the detail'. When you are trying on your evening outfit, look in a full length mirror or get a partner or friend to take a digital photo for you. Concentrate on the details of the photo. Is there anything that you could do to change an acceptable image of you into one that wows?

4. Dress - One of the easiest transformations from work wear to evening wear is a dress & jacket combination. A simple day dress in a colour that suits you, with a matching or co-ordinating jacket can look very smart. By keeping the dress for the evening you could change the jacket to something dressier or swap it for a wrap & you can change the shoes for something more strappy or glitzy. Add an eye catching necklace & /or ear rings to pull the whole evening look together. The effect can be so different that colleagues will hardly notice the dress that you wore in the day.

5. Make-up: Your make-up during the day may be understated. By making more of your eye make-up and adding a flash of bright lipstick you will complete your overall transformation.

6. Bag: If you have a briefcase or a large bag in the day, then pack a small clutch bag for the evening. There are some great shapes and styles for eye catching pieces around at the moment.

7. Walk into the evening event feeling a million dollars. If you really love your look yourself you will convey that image when you walk into the room.
If you need feel you need help with finding styles and colours that really work for you then treat yourself to an image consultation. An image consultant can help you to portray the successful person that you are through your appearance and after your visit you are likely to wonder why you didn't do this years ago!

Carmindy Tips

2010-06-15T08:06:00.000-07:00

Carmindy’s number one rule for a fresh summer complexion? “NEVER go tanning to get a summer glow. Layer on the sunscreen every day and you’ll still get a hint of healthy color—the perfect summer accessory. If you want more radiance, sweep on a little shimmery golden bronzer to accentuate your glow.” Try Sun Glow Powder Bronzer, a customizable color trio that creates a complexion-enhancing, flattering sun-kissed glow. Micronized pigments offer a clean, natural, sun-free bronzed effect—no tanning necessary.

To complement a radiant complexion, go for a light, sheer lip. “Summer is the season to play with floral shades like roses and pinks,” says Carmindy. “Put away dark shades like wines and burgundies and opt for light, fresh lip colors instead. Sweet pink shades complement a radiant complexion—plus they make teeth look whiter.” Carmindy recommends Ultra Soothing Lip Tint, a balm-like gel with a hint of tint and healthy shine. Try the tint in Cranberry or Guava for a sheer wash of delicate pink.

If you want to try a brighter lip color, balance the boldness with a more natural eye. “One of my foolproof summer tricks is pairing a bright coral lipstick and subtle wash of eye shadow,” says Carmindy. “It instantly perks up your complexion, no matter what your skin tone, and it’s a really light, fresh summer look.” To get the look, try Color Comfort Lip Color in Sunbeam with the color-coordinated shades in the Amethyst, Metallic, Ocean or Quartz Instant Definition Eye Shadow Palettes.

10 Kitchen Beauty Ingredients

2010-06-15T07:58:00.000-07:00

1. Potatoes

French fries may not be great for your thighs, but raw potatoes make for an excellent skin-brightening scrub, says Shobha Tummala, owner Shobha salons in New York City. Her trick is to mix equal parts grated raw potato and loose tea (cut open a tea bag, if need be) with 1/3 as much olive oil and slowly massage onto your face with your fingertips, using light circular motions. Then rinse with warm water. “Potatoes contain lanolin, which is moisturizing, and the dried tea leaves work as a natural medium to exfoliate the skin’s top layers,” Tummala says. “Your skin will be left with a natural glow.”

2. Bananas

“Bananas are very soothing and moisturizing to the skin, so they make a great homemade mask,” says New York City makeup artist Kimara Ahnert. Just mash up a nice ripe one and spread it all over your face. Leave on for a few minutes, then rinse with warm water. For added oomph, Boston dermatologist Ranella Hirsch, MD, likes to mix half a banana with 2 Tbsp full-fat sour cream and 1 Tbsp honey and leave the blend on for 15 minutes before rinsing and applying moisturizer. Bananas also work magic on parched hair; mash one together with half an avocado and leave on damp hair for at least 30 minutes as a deep treatment, suggests hairstylist Ryan Nickulas of New York City’s Ryan Darius Salon: “Wind your hair into a bun, throw on some sunglasses and lip gloss, and you can wear this out as a chic beach look while hydrating your hair at the same time—without anyone knowing it.”

3. Brown Sugar

Even though he sells his own line of skincare products, Hollywood spa owner Ole Henriksen still loves how brown sugar’s fine granules leave skin feeling warm, soothed and soft. Try his favorite make-at-home shower scrub: Mix about 2 ounces brown sugar and 2 ounces oil (he uses sesame, but olive would work too). To add aromatherapy benefits, buy an essential oil in a relaxing scent, like lavender, and add 15 drops to your scrub. Slowly massage the scrub into your body, starting at your toes and working all the way up.

4. Tea Bags

Got puffy bags under your eyes? Grab a different sort of bag as a quick cure—a tea bag (just not the decaffeinated kind). “Brew some tea using two bags, then let them cool and place them under your lids,” says New York dermatologist Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas, MD, PhD. “The natural caffeine helps shrink blood vessels to visibly diminish puffiness.” Chilling the bags in the fridge for a bit will intensify the effects, since the cold also helps reduce swelling.

5. Kosher Salt

To give hair that great textured look it has after a day at the beach—even if you live nowhere near the shore—try this trick from Nickulas: Fill a spray bottle with about 3 ounces water and add 3 teaspoons kosher or sea salt and a couple squirts of any hair gel, then shake it up. “Spray it onto hair and scrunch to get that tousled beach look,” he says. The coarse salt clings to your strands and gives it sexy texture and volume

6. Oatmeal

Not only is it an excellent ingredient for heart health, oatmeal can also help keep you looking youthful and glowing, says New York dermatologist Jeannette Graf, MD. “Oatmeal contains beta-glucans, which are very skin-soothing, and it also has a tightening effect when you apply it as a mask,” she says. She likes mixing 1 tablespoon oatmeal (preferably not the instant kind, which is more finely ground) with 3 Tbsp plain yogurt—which helps exfoliate and moisturize the skin thanks to its lactic acid—and 1 Tbsp soothing honey. Apply this blend to your face and leave on for about 5 minutes, then rinse with warm water. “Your skin will feel soft, smooth and refreshed,” she says.

7. Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is a very effective ingredient for hydrating dull, dry hair, Dr. Hirsch says. She suggests mixing half a can with a mashed-up medium-size avocado, combing the blend through dry hair and leaving in for 20 minutes before washing it out. Raw coconut oil is also a favorite hydrator for hair and body, and it’s inexpensive to purchase online or in health food stores.

8. Asparagus

“Asparagus contains chlorophyll, which brightens and exfoliates the skin, giving it a natural glow,” Tummala says. One of her favorite recipes for dry, flaky skin: Purée some raw asparagus with milk (which contains lactic acid, another great natural exfoliant), then mix in an equal amount of super-hydrating avocado and honey. Apply to a clean face, leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse. Also happen to have an orange on hand? Grate the peel into your moisturizing mask before you apply it. “It will exfoliate dead skin when you wash it off,” she explains.

9. Oranges

Attention kitchen-phobes: For this treatment, literally all you have to do is cut an orange into wedges. “After you shower, lightly squeeze some orange juice onto each part of your body and massage it in,” Henriksen says; this exfoliates the skin thanks to natural alpha hydroxy acids (the stuff that gives citrus a slight sting). You can also rest dry elbows in cut grapefruit halves while watching TV to help soften stubborn rough patches.

10. Coffee

Don’t toss those aromatic grounds after you brew your next pot of coffee, says Meredith Fish, founder and CEO of Brownberry sunless tanner. Instead, use them to exfoliate skin before you apply self-tanner for extra-even and streak-free results. Mix about 3 Tbsp of the grounds with 1 Tbsp salt (optional) and massage over your whole body while in the shower. “Not only are coffee’s granules ideal for dead-skin removal, coffee beans contain vitamin E and other antioxidants, and they’re antibacterial and stimulating,” she explains. Rinse well and let skin dry completely before self-tanning.

Beauty Secrets from Around the World

2010-06-15T07:50:00.000-07:00

Australia

Australian makeup artist Napoleon Perdis says yarrow extract is used by Australian Aboriginal women to prevent stretch marks, thanks to its moisturizing and hydrating properties. “Yarrow root is also an anti-inflammatory, which soothes the skin.” Calm your complexion with his Auto Pilot Pre-Foundation Primer , which contains the extract as a key ingredient.

Chile

Chilean women credit the antioxidant powers of red grapes for their luminous skin. They create a paste by mashing up a handful of the fruit and adding 2 tablespoons of white flour. They then apply the mask to their face and leave it on for 10 minutes before washing it off. “It wakes up the appearance of tired and fatigued skin to give you an amazing glow,” says Shalini Vadhera, author of Passport to Beauty

Dominican Republic

“If you ever meet a Dominican woman, look at her nails––chances are they’re super-strong,” says Vadhera. What’s their secret? Women in the Dominican Republic swear by garlic to keep their nails tough as…well, nails. They chop up fresh garlic, add it to a bottle of clear nail polish and let it stew for 7 to 10 days. “There will be an initial smell, so if you want to ward off vampires this is a great way to do it,” jokes Vadhera. “But the scent goes away. Garlic has so many strengthening properties and is naturally antibacterial as well.”

Egypt

According to Vadhera, Cleopatra’s beauty secret was taking milk baths to soften her skin and remove dead cells. To try the treatment at home, Vadhera recommends adding 2 cups of powdered milk to your bath. “It will make your skin look absolutely gorgeous and feel so smooth, silky and soft.”

France

“The French woman sticks to a scrupulous and preventive skin and body care routine,” says Shannon Gallogly, lead aesthetician for French beauty brands Decleor and Carita. “This means she has weekly facials, regular massages and religiously takes her makeup off each night.” Gallogly’s recipe for an at-home facial without the price tag of a spa version: Mash up cherries and pomegranate seeds and apply as a mask to the skin for about 6 minutes. “This mask will help brighten skin with natural enzymes while firming at the same time.” Remove the mixture with a warm towel to help boost circulation.

Greece

“Greek women are blessed with Mediterranean skin, which is light in color but has enough melanin to shield and absorb harmful UV rays,” says New York City dermatologist Macrene Alexiades, MD, PhD, who is half Greek. But even if you aren’t genetically blessed, you can still take a cue from the women of Greece. “There are other factors that contribute to their glowing complexion: They eat a Mediterranean diet high in fish, which provides skin-rejuvenating omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as fruits and vegetables, which provide antioxidants and vitamins. They also believe their intake of olive oil contributes to their great skin.” So, start reaching for the olive oil instead of butter for better skin.

Israel

Cygalle Dias, owner of New York City’s Cygalle Healing Spa, was born in Israel and believes in the healing powers of sea salt. “When you swim in the Dead Sea, all of the salt helps your body rid itself of toxins, and it has also been known to help cure skin diseases.” To get the detoxifying benefits of sea salt at home, Dias shares her spa’s Lavender Sea Salt Scrub recipe: Mix together ¼ cup sea salt, 1 pinch seaweed powder, ½ cup massage oil and 10 to 15 drops lavender oil. Apply to skin to gently exfoliate.

Italy

How do Italian women maintain their glossy locks? According to Fabio Scalia, Italian hairstylist and owner of Fabio Scalia salon in Brooklyn, New York, the answer is right in your kitchen. Italian women keep their hair shiny by combining yogurt and olive oil and using the mixture as a conditioner. “The protein in the yogurt gently nourishes and conditions.” To whip up the rich treatment at home, Scalia recommends mixing 1 cup of plain whole-milk yogurt with 1 teaspoon olive oil. Then apply the mixture to washed hair, let it sit for 5 minutes and rinse with cool water.

Japan

Titi Branch, the half-Japanese cofounder of Miss Jessie’s hair care line, credits seaweed for Japanese women’s long, silky hair. Nori is a rich source of the trace mineral iodine, which is essential for healthy hair growth. (According to Branch, the iodine added to table salt isn’t the right kind to nourish your hair because your body doesn’t easily absorb it.) Seaweed is also a rich source of other mane-strengthening minerals—including iron, zinc, selenium and copper. “Japanese women either eat nori seaweed or boil it and apply it to dry hair as a nourishing paste.” Head to your local Asian grocer or health food store to pick up sheets of nori. “It’s traditionally used to wrap sushi, but you can use it like a tortilla to wrap up veggies with a dash of soy sauce, or crumble the sheets and sprinkle them on a salad, rice or stir-fry,” advises Branch.

Spain

Spanish women bring out natural, subtle highlights in their hair by rinsing it with cranberry juice, says Vadhera. Try mixing ¼ cup pure juice (not cocktail blends) with ¼ cup water and doing a final rinse with it in the shower. “If you’re going to be in the sun, the cranberry juice brings out the rich hues in your hair,” she says. “It works amazingly on brunettes, but if you’re blonde you’ll want to use lemon juice instead to avoid ending up with pink hair.”

Sweden

Swedish women attribute their glowing, healthy skin to their diet of antioxidant-packed fresh berries and grilled fish, says Petra Strand, Swedish makeup artist and creator of makeup line Pixi, now available at Target. Give yourself a hit of antioxidants by trying Strand’s at-home treatment: Boil mineral water with a green tea or white tea bag, let the tea infuse the water and then freeze it into ice cubes to use instead of a toner. “Saunas are also a big part of Swedish culture,” says Strand. “The dry, clean heat rids your body of toxins.” To get the effect of a sauna at home, Strand says to take a handful of rock salt and add a dash of olive oil and about 10 drops of pure eucalyptus oil. Rub it all over your body and rinse with a blast of cold water.

India

Indian women has long,strong, beautiful shiny hair as they use coconut oil as a conditioner. Regular massage of the head with coconut oil ensures that your scalp is free of dandruff, lice, and lice eggs, even if your scalp is dry. Coconut oil is extensively used in the Indian sub-continent for hair care. It is an excellent conditioner and helps in the re-growth of damaged hair. It also provides the essential proteins required for nourishing damaged hairand it is used for weight reduction

Beautiful Eyelashes

2010-05-30T05:16:00.000-07:00

Remove the wand from the tube of mascara. Do not pump the wand into the tube to get more mascara on the brush – this pushes air into the tube and dries out your product. Instead swirl the brush inside the tube.

Using a piece of tissue, blot the brush gently. This removes excess mascara, preventing clumps, and enables you to build layers of mascara for a more flattering, dramatic effect.

Start applying mascara by placing the brush at the very base of the lashes. Rub the wand back and forth as you move it along the lashes – this gives you a thicker-looking lashline. When you get halfway out, stroke the wand straight along the lashes to lengthen them.

Comb through your lashes and allow them to dry for 30 seconds before adding a second layer.

If you happen to get mascara on your skin, don't worry. Simply let it dry and it will just flake off. If you try to wipe it away when it is still wet, you'll only make a bigger mess! If you like, any smudges that get along your lashline can work to your advantage. Just smudge it in and you've got eyeliner!

Remember, a few thin coats of mascara look much more natural than one heavy coat, so use restraint!

Unless you've got very fair eyelashes, you don't need to apply mascara to your lower lashes. It's a dramatic look, so save it for evening! If you've got fair lashes, however, you may want to use the same mascara that you used on your top lashes on your bottom ones.

Summer Makeup Trends 2010

2010-05-27T18:59:00.000-07:00

Rock Mega-Watt Summer Makeup

Bright makeup colors have a place in your makeup bag now. Go for bold in seaweed green eyeliner or indigo mascara instead of brown and black. A hot pink eye shadow can make your eyes look bright and beautiful (caution: too much on your lower lashline and you could wind up looking like you have seasonal allergies). Blending bright colors on the back of your hand before applying them to your lids will prevent them from overpowering your face.

Perfect Your Summer Tan

Look like the girl from Ipanema with the right sunless tanner. Apply it an hour before bed, starting at the ankles and working upward (wear latex gloves to prevent stained palms). Use a makeup sponge to blend it onto your hands, feet and face, and rub Vaseline over knuckles, ankles and eyebrows prone to color-cling. Slip into loose-fitting pajamas, or sleep in the buff, and—presto!—you’re looking sun-kissed come sunrise.

Spotlight Luscious Summer Lips

Call attention to your kisser in papaya- and tangerine- inspired lipsticks—they’re spirited alternatives to red for day or night. If your skin is medium or dark, opt for an orangey-red shade. Peach is a mellower alternative for light skin; the effect is understated and warm, and you can build the color as you wish.

Flaunt Your Knotty Side

Expose a swan-like neck to catch his eye poolside. Create a center or zig-zag part, gather a ponytail at the nape of your neck and twist it into a low-slung bun. Fasten it at the base with bobby pins or accessorize with a colorful conversation piece to encourage handsome strangers to come-hither. Loosen the bun, but keep the front tight with your bangs slicked back or swept to the side for a glamorous, albeit low-key, effect.

Get Summer-Fresh Faced

Strive for skin that looks youthful, fresh and totally kissable. Step 1: Trade foundation for sheer tinted moisturizer that’s like a second skin. Step 2: Feign the glow that follows a satisfying romp in the hay with a soft peach or apricot blush. Powders are ideal for oily skin, silky creams or gels work for dry skin. Step 3: Dab a pearly highlighter onto the cheekbones, temples, outer and inner corners of the eye, and underside of the brows. This technique picks up light, imparting the same enviable glow you had at 16.

Summer Bronzing 101

2010-05-27T18:55:00.000-07:00

Which bronzer is best for you—the one that will look naturally bronzed in every light and keep you from having to go in the sun all summer long? Try on these different types of bronzer in our virtual makeover studio.

Moisturizing Bronzing Lotion

The sheerest of liquid formulas, moisturizing bronzing lotions have hydrating benefits. The added hint of moisturizer keeps the skin supple and the application natural looking.

Loose Bronzing Powder

For a matte bronze look, opt for a powder bronzer without shimmer. A lightly iced formula with hints of sheen will give you a dewy, glowy tan.

Pressed Bronzing Powder

This species of bronzer is perfect for the girl on the go. Powder is ideal for oily skin types and a compact allows you to tote it in your purse for touch-ups.

Liquid, Gel & Foam Bronzers

These bronzing formulas can take time to master, but they’re virtually fool-proof when mixed with a little moisturizer, which makes them glide on smoother and sheerer. Blend lightly with your fingertips or a sponge (in natural daylight) for best results.

Multi-Purpose Bronzing Sticks

Bronzing sticks generally come in cream form, making them easy to use. Make sure yours is oil-free if you’re highly sensitive or breakout prone. This type of formula is ideal for evening out tan lines or improving the sun-kissed look you already have.

Towlettes

Packaged for the maiden who hates making a mess, towlettes allow you to achieve your desired glow without getting it allover your hands. Colors range from sheer to deep, and the application is a matter of personal preference.

Blush Bronzer

This is a hybrid of a blush-bronzer (usually pinkish brown) and used as an accent to create more definition around the cheek bones. A loose version is great for creating scattered touches of bronze allover.

Hair Products With UV Protection

2010-05-27T18:47:00.000-07:00

Come summer, you should have hair protection on the brain (don’t forget to protect your hairline and part!). Color-treated hair is especially sensitive to the effects of the sun and other summer bummers like cholorine. If you want to preserve the hand-painted highlights or single process color you just splurged on at the salon, don’t leave home without sun protection, a rule you should also follow for the skin on your face and body. Ultraviolet rays can penetrate the cuticle of the hair, bleaching (or “oxidizing”) the color—this explains why brunettes turn reddish and blondes go brassy.

Since hair products can’t advertise an SPF (those labels are reserved for skin products per the FDA), look for formulas that call out UV filters or ingredients like benzophenone and ethylhexylmethoxycinnamate (try saying that five times fast!). To gear up for a day at the beach, a styling cream with UV protection will cling to the hair longer and offer more intense protection than a spray. If you plan to spend the day shot gun of a convertible, wrap your hair in a scarf or tuck it under a hat to keep whipping winds at bay.

Create Your Own Spa at Home for Pennies!

2010-03-20T23:59:00.000-07:00

Beauty Grocery Shopping List

dry milk packets
eggs
baking soda
olive oil (organic if possible)
corn starch
cucumber
chunky sea salt
tea bags
avocado
plain rolled oats (oatmeal)
honey
sugar
lemons
vinegar

Spa Bath: Cleopatra's Skin Softening Milk Bath

Dry weather makes for a tough layer of dry tired skin. No one knew that better than the Queen of the Nile, Cleopatra. Legend tells us she is the originator of the luxurious milk bath. As decadent as that sounds you don't need a lot to make it work for you, too. Milk has a protein that nourishes the skin while lactic acid gently nudges dry dead cells to release their hold on their younger more hydrated underlings.

Run a medium hot bath.

When the water is 3/4 full turn off the tap and put in 2 packets of dry milk. If your skin is super-dry, use whole milk packets, if you tend toward oily chose skim.

Have about 1/4 cup of rough salt nearby.

Pin your hair up and pop in. Have a good soak, about 20 minutes.

Check rough patch areas like heels, knees and elbows. Scoop out some of the salt into the palm of your hand and rub off the dead skin with it.

Still soaking, begin to drain the bath. Hop up and put on the shower to rinse any remaining milk and salt—if you're brave opt for a cool rinse to really seal in the milk nutrients.

Take tremendous pride in your beautiful skin, exit the bath and enter the world to rule your kingdom

Make Your Own All-Natural Salve for Dry Skin

2010-03-20T23:51:00.000-07:00

How to Make Skin Salve

Ingredients:

One cup of olive oil

One cup your choice of blossom. Try lavender buds, calendula blossoms, dried rose petals, rosemary, or mint leaves.

¼ cup of beeswax, grated or shaved

Jar or other container to store finished salve

Cheesecloth, or a fine mesh strainer

Making the Salve:

Place one cup of olive oil and your choice of blossoms or leaves into a saucepan over medium heat.

Heat until the mixture is just below a simmer.

Turn the heat off, move the pan to a cool burner or a trivet, and let the flowers or leaves steep for twenty to thirty minutes.

Strain the oil through a strainer or cheesecloth into a clean bowl. Squeeze as much oil as possible out of your flower buds or leaves with a spoon.

Add beeswax to the oil, and stir it in until it melts.

Pour your salve into a clean jar or container (I used a clean baby food jar), and let it finish cooling, uncovered.

Cover and store

How to Find Sunscreens that Really Protect the Skin Without Harmful Chemicals

2010-03-20T23:49:00.000-07:00

A few of the bad boys to avoid in sunscreens

Avobenzone
Benzophenone (benzophenone-3)
Homosalate & Octy-methoxycinnamate (octinoxate)
Padimate-O

What to look for in sunscreens
According to Dr. Streisfeld, "the key to healthy skin is to keep the body healthy overall: get sun exposure, but not too much, and nourish the skin after sun exposure with natural products using herbs and plants (like aloe vera), and healthy oils."

When using a natural sunscreen, Dr. Streisfeld says that Zinc Oxide is a key ingredient in natural formulas as it deflects the sun's rays. Another similar key ingredient is Titanium Dioxide. When combined with clean, non-toxic ingredients like shea butter, beeswax, unrefined oils, green tea, chamomile, etc. there is a nourishing and protective effect on the skin.

Dr. Streisfeld also stresses the importance of antioxidants to help protect the skin from free-radical damage.

But it's not just the ingredients that deem a product eco. You have to take the packaging into consideration as well. Yup, more and more beauty companies are focusing on greening their boxes in addition to what's in them and using post consumer recycled materials as well as biodegradable packaging.

We know, there are lots of options out there and it's hard to distinguish the green, natural and chemically-laden. So we have sifted through the masses for you. Here are a few to try

Sunscreens That Are Good for You and the Planet

Eminence Organics' all-natural Sun Defense Minerals provides intense SPF 30 sun protection in the form of a make-up powder. The tinted powder is sweat-proof and water-resistant, hypoallergenic, anti-inflammatory, plus it is naturally anti-bacterial and will not clog pores. This stuff may look (and make you look) pretty, but it is SERIOUS protection for even the most exercise-enthused. More than their ingredients, Eminence boxes are made from 30% post consumer recycled material, the wooden boxes are made from 50% post consumer recycled material, plus their plastic containers are made out of non-toxic, recycled material. Love!

ilike Organic Skin Care Tomato Suntan Lotion (SPF 22) filters the sun's harmful rays and prevents tomato-red skin with, yes, tomato (plus a slew of other natural ingredients like sesame oil, carrot, aloe and titanium dioxide). The handpicked, organically grown ingredients are rich with body beautifying and protecting lycopenes, bioflavonoids and carotenoids and perfect for every skin type.

ISun Organic Skincare Antioxidant Sun Butter Level 18 Sunblock Cell Protection blends mango seed butter with zinc oxide and Phytoplankton Phytolyase enzymes into a melt-on-your-skin body butter that not only guards against sunburns, but also lets your skin lap up the nutritive ingredients for seriously show-stopping beauty!

California Baby SPF 30+ Sunscreen No Fragrance isn't just for babies. What's great about California Baby is that it is safe for sensitive skin, free of artificial scents, and has no irritating chemicals while still providing UVA-UVB broad-spectrum protection. More than natural ingredients, California Baby is as eco as possible using minimal packaging (no boxes or clamshells), recycled paper and soy inks, plus they use biodegradable packing peanuts.

Lavanila Pure Vanilla Healthy Lip Butter SPF 15 ensures that your pucker stays healthy and plump during hot days too! We love that it is all-natural and filled with pure shea, kokum, illipe and cocoa butters to deeply moisturize, Goji Berry and Vitamin E to deliver loads of essential vitamins and amino acids, plus natural SPF 15 to protect.

Homemade Face Masks

2010-03-20T23:41:00.000-07:00

Why go buy face masks when you can make them totally naturally yourself? Here are some basic face masks that you can make on your own, and in a matter of minutes.

All of these ingredients are simple to put together to make a great face mask. Just mash the given ingredients together and let the mixture sit on your face for 10-15 minutes.

Here are the items you should try combining:

Apple+Honey+Oatmeal

Avocado+Honey

Banana+Yogurt+Honey

Brown Sugar+Milk

Strawberries+Cream+Honey

Egg Yolk+Honey+Olive Oil

Oatmeal+Olive Oil

Cucumber+Yogurt+Strawberries+Honey

Blended Almonds+Honey+Egg White

Baking Soda+Water

Apricots+Milk

Lemon+Egg+Honey

All of these combinations make for wonderful masks and they help to green up your life and improve your skin simultaneously. Try them!

10 Do-It-Yourself Beauty Treatments

2010-03-20T23:37:00.000-07:00

1. Spoil Your Face with Spoiled Yogurt

While eating yogurt that's past its expiration date isn't always a sure bet, it can still work wonders for your skin. If it's only a few days old, try mixing it with honey and cucumber for a refreshing face mask.

2. DIY Portable Bronzer Compact

Have an old makeup case lying around? Instead of trashing it, refill it with a combination of cinnamon, sugar, and essential oils for a blush alternative that looks as sweet as it smells.

3. DIY Pumpkin Foot Scrub

Summer sandals, swimming, and flip-flops can do a number on your feet. Smooth out your rough heels and dry, cracked skin with this pumpkin foot scrub—it's a fall-friendly way to say goodbye to damaged skin.

4. Make Your Own Shaving Cream

Lessen the damage that shaving can do to your face, neck, legs, or underarms with this simple cream made from melting sunflower oil and glycerin soap. You'll get all the benefits without the synthetic chemicals.

5. Six Soothing Summer Beauty Treatments—Fresh from the Farmer's Market

The bulk of summer's produce bounty may be over, but you can still put leftovers to work with these homemade recipes for everything from toner and face masks to fruit-scented lotions--all of which help your skin keep that midsummer night's glow.

6. Save Water, Energy, and Money with DIY Dry Shampoo

Cut your energy bill, skip plastic bottles, and trim your water use with this guide to dry shampoo. You'll have clean hair in no time—and with no fuss. What could be better?

7. Yogurt and Honey: 2 Key Ingredients in Your DIY Facial

The same things that make yogurt and honey so good for you inside make it just as essential for your skin on the outside; see what, why, and how to make the most of these foods (without eating them).

8. Nourish Your Skin with This Organic Blueberry Facial Masque

If you already love blueberries for their sweet taste and health benefits, then wait until you see how good they are for your skin. You'll never see fruit salad the same way again.

9. DIY Tinted Beet Lip Gloss

Beet juice for color and olive oil for moisture blend together to make a sweet, shiny lip gloss that will keep your pucker perfectly smooth without petroleum and other iffy chemicals.

10. DIY Eco-Friendly Hand Softener

Forget the cocktails: mix lemon juice and vodka with olive oil, sea salt, and other on-hand ingredients for this leave-on skin treatment that gives you soft, smooth hands and nails.

Ancient Egyptian Art of Body Sugaring

2010-03-14T04:55:00.001-07:00

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar
¼ cup lemon juice
¼ cup water

Equipment: Candy thermometer

Combine the ingredients in a heavy saucepan, and heat on low using a candy thermometer. Watch the mixture very carefully so that it doesn’t boil over. Heat the mixture to 250 F on the candy thermometer; this is the hardball candy stage.

Remove from the heat and let cool enough to pour into a jar without breaking or melting the jar. (Note that this jar will be reheated in the future. Make sure it is safe for whatever form of reheating you plan to do—in the microwave, or in a pan of water.

Rip clean cotton fabric in 1-inch strips. Make sure the cotton isn’t too coarsely woven.

This next step is very critical: Let the mixture cool enough so that it won’t burn your skin. The first time I did this I didn’t let the blend cool enough and I burned myself! Test the mixture on the palm of your hand, knowing that is much tougher than the sensitive skin under your arms.

Using a dull knife or Popsicle stick, spread the cooled sugar onto your skin. Cover with the cloth strips, let set for a few minutes, and then rip off quickly as you would a bandage.

The Right Exercise for Your Type

2010-03-14T04:37:00.000-07:00

Vatas

Vatas tend to get worn out; they have a low reserve of energy. the worst thing they can do is overextend themselves physically. Vatas are fairly flexible, so they love exercise like yoga and Pilates, where they can stretch and warm their muscles. They also like exercises where they can have fun, because they tend to get bored easily; anything new and interesting gets their attention. They love a hot, steamy shower after exercise.

Best exercise for Vata
Low-impact:
Yoga
Walking
Dancing

Pitta
Pittas are fiercely competitive, so sports where they play on a team, or games where they have something at stake, really fuel their fire. Swimming, diving, and other water sports are great for Pittas, because the water is cooling, which is balancing for them. It is refreshing for Pittas to take a nice dip in the pool after their workouts.

Best exercise for Pitta
Competitive or team sports:
Baseball
Tennis
Or cooling sports:
Swimming

Kapha
Kaphas have a lot of stored-up energy, so they can take more strenuous exercise—actually, they need to burn off that energy so that it doesn’t turn to bulk. Running is great, even if it’s on a treadmill at the gym. Weight lifting is also really good for Kaphas. As a reward for their efforts, Kaphas may look forward to a nice warm soak in the tub!

Best exercise for Kapha
Stimulating, regular exercise:
Bodybuilding
Running

Basic Herbal Shampoo and Hair Conditioner Formulas

2010-03-14T04:33:00.000-07:00

HERBAL SHAMPOOS

Choose herbs for your shampoo that will enhance your hair color and texture, and that address any special needs you may have. You can mix and match herbs from the following lists to develop an individualized combination that is best for your hair.

Dry: Comfrey root, avocado, elder flowers, orange blossoms.
Normal: Dandelion, horsetail, clover.
Oily: Watercress, strawberry leaf, white willow bark, lemon grass.
Ethnic: Comfrey, nettle, cherry bark, olive oil.
Shine: Egg, raspberry, nettle, vinegar, quassia.
Manageability: Yogurt, cherry bark, beer.
Softness: Cherry bark, burdock root, olive oil, marjoram.
Dandruff: White willow bark, birch bark, comfrey, nettle, peppermint, vinegar.
Growth: St. John’s wort, nettle, sage, basil, rosemary, onion juice.

BASIC SHAMPOO FORMULA
Ingredients
2 tablespoons liquid castile soap
1 cup spring water
¼ cup fresh herbs (2 tablespoons dried)
1 teaspoon almond or apricot kernel oil
2 drops essential oil

To make:
1. Place herbs in a clean 10-ounce glass jar with a lid.
2. Boil the spring water and pour over the herbs.
3. Cover and let steep for 10 to 20 minutes.
4. Strain the liquid from the herbs into a bowl.
5. Add the liquid castile soap and almond or apricot kernel oil and mix thoroughly.
6. Scent with essential oil and mix again.
7. Bottle in a plastic container with a spout or a clean recycled shampoo bottle.

Yield: Approximately 24 shampoos

HERBAL HAIR CONDITIONERS
Herbal hair conditions help make hair more manageable and often impart a smoother and softer texture. They are especially good for those who cannot live without hot rollers, curling irons and blow dryers.

Jojoba Conditioner
Ingredients
1 cup rose floral water
1 tablespoon jojoba oil
10 drops vitamin E oil

To make:
1. In the top of a double boiler, gently warm the rose water.
2. Once rose water is warm, add jojoba oil.
3. Pour the mixture in a blender and add the vitamin E. Blend at high speed for 2 minutes.

To use:
1. Wet hair with warm water.
2. Pour the conditioner onto your hair and scalp, massaging in thoroughly.
3. For damaged hair or extra conditioning, leave on for several minutes, perhaps while bathing.
4. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
5. Shampoo lightly and rinse again with cool water.

25 Hair Myths: Fact Or Fiction?

2010-03-13T07:30:00.000-08:00

Myth No. 1: Cutting Hair Makes It Grow Faster and/or Thicker

False. Shorter hair often looks and feels thicker but cutting your hair won’t alter its normal biologically determined growth rate or overall texture. Thin, limp or fine hair will not ever grow thicker in response to a haircut. Plump up your hair by using volume enhancing hair care products, experimenting with a hair fattening blunt cut or getting a texturizing perm or color treatment.

Myth No. 2: Split Ends Can Be Repaired Without Trimming

False. The only successful treatment for removing split ends is with a scissors. While some hair care products may temporarily merge split ends together, this fix only lasts until your next shampoo. Keep in mind that damaged ends tends to grow slower than healthy, well-maintained, trimmed hair.

Myth No. 3: It Is Okay To Trim Your Own Split Ends At Home

True. Although regular visits to your stylist for a professional trim are recommended, if you wish to clip your own split ends at home it is perfectly acceptable. Always use a professional set of scissors and avoid dull blades, which can actually make splits worse.

Myth No. 4: Split Ends Will Travel

True. Uncut split ends can travel up the hair shaft towards the roots. Tresses that are not tended to, over time, may develop splits that migrate and split all or part of the entire hair. Some ends can actually tear multiple times so that your split ends have splits.

Myth No. 5: Hair Grows Faster On Different Parts Of The Head

True. There is some scientific evidence that the growth rate of hair may vary on different parts of the head for select people. There is also some indication that the growth rate of hair on babies may be faster on the crown than on any other parts of the scalp. Usually the growth rate differences are very marginal and will not impact the hair appearance in any way.

Myth No. 6: Hair Will Always Remain The Same Texture

False. Although you may be born with straight, curly or wavy locks, there are many circumstances under which your hair’s ultimate texture can be permanently altered. Pregnancy, medication, chemotherapy, age and other variables can cause your texture to be temporarily or permanently altered.

Myth No. 7: Shaving A Baby’s Scalp Will Alter Their Natural Hair Texture

False. The hair that a baby is born with may or may not be the hair that they grow up with. Shaving a baby’s head will not alter the texture of their ultimate hair nor will it cause their hair to grow faster or thicker.

Myth No. 8: Coloring Hair During Pregnancy Is Harmful

False. Although some physicians disagree, most believe that coloring the hair during pregnancy will not be dangerous to the baby. When in doubt always get your physician’s permission to color your hair during pregnancy. Most experts believe that the key danger with hair coloring is not the application of the product to the scalp but the inhalation of the strong chemical odor.

Myth No. 9: Virgin Root Hair Should Be Treated Differently

True. The hair that is closest to the roots will react differently to the application of new hair color and chemical treatments. Hair color applied directly to the roots will process differently that color applied on hair that has already been treated.

Myth No. 10: Blow-Drying Hair Can Cause It To Smoke

False. This bizarre myth has been circulating for years in a number of versions. On the rare occasion that hair “smokes” it is due to the evaporation of condensation on the hair from styling gels or similar hair care products.

Myth No. 11: Smoking Causes Gray Hair

True. According to J. G. Mosley of the Leigh Infirmary in Lancashire, England in an article in Science News (January 11, 1997) smokers are four times more likely to have gray hair than nonsmokers. Even worse, smoking has been conclusively linked to accelerated hair loss.

Myth No. 12: Gray Hair Can Only Be Covered With Permanent Color

False. Depending on the percentage of gray hairthat you have, you may be able to blend or cover the budding gray with a semi-permanent or demi-permanent blend that does not contain harsh chemicals.

Myth No. 13: Washing Hair Every Day Dries It Out

False. The right shampoo for your hair type and texture will actually add moisture, body and beauty to your hair. The key is to finding the correct shampoo designed for your hair.

Myth No. 14: Rinse Out Conditioners Does Not Provide Benefits Because It Is Rinsed Out

False. Rinse out conditioners applied to your hair right after washing will leave a deposit of moisturizing proteins and other ingredients on the hair shaft providing hair that feels softer, shinier or better conditioned.

Myth No. 15: Wearing Tight Braids, Ponytails Or Buns Causes Baldness

True. Traction alopecia is a very real hair loss condition that may result from wearing tight ponytails, cornrows or buns over an extended period of time. Over time, hair breakage or loss as the result of tight, stressed styles, can become permanent. Avoid this potential problem by opting for looser styles that minimize scalp tension.

Myth No. 16: Sleeping With A Wet Head Causes Scalp Fungus

False. Scalp or fungal diseases can’t be caught from sleeping with wet scalps. Scalp fungus or infections requires prior involvement with infected sources such as humans, tainted hair care tools or animals. As an example, ringworm can be spread by infected animals.

Myth No. 17: Sharing Combs And Brushes Can Spread Scalp Diseases

True. It is a fact that lice and other parasites can be transported from scalp to scalp through the sharing of combs, brushes and other hair care tools.

Myth No. 18: Hair Develops Immunity To The Same Shampoo Over Time

False. Many people swear that their hair will become immune to the benefits of the same shampoo used over time. There is no scientific evidence to prove this myth.

Myth No. 19: Hair Should Be Washed Every Day

False. There is no correct schedule for washing hair. Every person should shampoo according to the specific needs of their hair type and texture. While some people do benefit from a daily shampoo, others benefit from a variety of shampooing schedules.

Myth No. 20: Lemon Juice Will Bleach Hair Blonde

False. While some naturally light haired people may notice a slight lightening or brightening after prolonged sun exposure soaked in lemon juice, the majority of people will not see any obvious change in their hair lightness or brightness.

Myth No. 21: Salon Products Are Identical To Drugstore Products

False. While there is an exception to every rule, salon products are generally manufactured to contain higher quality, more expensive ingredients that are designed to consistently provide more intensive cleansing, moisturizing and conditioning results. The quality ingredients found in salon products are not usually found in drugstore brands.

Myth No. 22: Swimming Pool Chemicals Can Turn Hair Green

True. Frequent swimmers with natural blonde or chemically highlighted hair that is extremely porous may experience the development of green tints and shades over time. This problem can be prevented with regular use of moisturizing shampoo and conditioners that provides a natural barrier to chlorine and related chemicals.

Myth No. 23: A Sunburnt Scalp Can Lead To Hairloss

True. Severe sunburn or a series of burns that occur over time may damage delicate hair follicles at the root level. People with a genetic predisposition towards hair loss may accelerate the onset of hair loss activity. Avoid scalp burns by applying sun protection products to your scalp along with your hair.

Myth No. 24: Brushing Thinning Hair Makes It Fall Out Faster

False. As long as you use a good brush on your hair, normal daily brushing will not accelerate the normal loss of hair from the scalp. If your hair is suffering from a hair loss condition like alopecia brushing will only cause you to lose hair that is already ready to fall. Excessive brushing is always discouraged under any circumstances.

Myth No. 25: Hair Care Products Advertised As Natural Are Chemical Free

False. Not all hair care products sold in health food establishments are completely natural and may contain chemicals like SLS. When in doubt read the label.

Quick Tips

2010-03-07T05:44:00.000-08:00

Born-Again Eye Pencils in an Instant

If Eye Pencils becomes harder to apply and re-sharpening doesn’t help then Just rub a tiny amount of lotion or olive oil over and around the tip. Take off the excess with your finger. Now your eye pencil will glide on effortlessly and the line drawn will be clean and professional-looking. Try it!

To Clean Combs and Hairbrushes

Method 1: Use Baking Soda. Add a few spoonfuls of baking soda to a basin of hot water. If you only have a small comb, just use a cup. Soak the dirty end of your collection of hairbrushes and combs into the mixture and leave for 10 minutes. If you need to, use the ends of an old toothbrush to work out the gunk while they’re being soaked. Take out and rinse.

Method 2: Use plain old shampoo. Take an old toothbrush and add a dab of your shampoo on it. Use the toothbrush to scrub out the lint from your comb. If you have hairbrushes, soak them in the sink with some foamy shampoo water.

Method 3: Use vinegar. Soak the brushes and combs in a solution of vinegar and hot water for 10 minutes. The vinegar will strip the oil off the bristles.

Method 4: Use dishwashing liquid. You can use this the same way as Method 2 above.

Vinegar

Use plain vinegar or better yet, apple cider vinegar. Dilute 1 part vinegar to 1 part water if its too strong! Use your own good judgement because each vinegar product will differ in strength. Start off slow.

Dab on skin. Leave on for about 10 minutes. Wash off thoroughly with water.

Why it helps: The acid in vinegar sloughs off old skin cells like store-bought AHA products.

For longer-lasting nail color
Dab some astringent or facial toner over your nails before applying any nail polish. This will remove all traces of oil residue and help the nail polish adhere to your nail, and last longer.

Garlic for Strong, Hard Nails
Chop freshly peeled garlic and put this in your nail polish. Let this sit for a several days, afterwhich your old regular nail polish becomes a strengthening solution! (Some store-bought nail hardeners list garlic extract as an ingredient. e.g. Mavala Scientifique Nail Hardener and Oleda Hard Hard Nails.)

Turmeric – a traditional skin remedy to lighten skin
Mix turmeric powder (you can find this easily in most supermarkets. It is used mainly for Indian cooking so look for stores in areas that cater to this market.) with cucumber juice or lemon juice to make a paste. Apply to the affected area. Leave on for fifteen minutes. Rinse off. With daily use, skin pigmentation will even out.

Castor Oil (Beautiful Skin & Hair)

2010-03-07T05:07:00.000-08:00

1. Castor Oil cures acne

The Ricinoleic Acid in castor oil works to inhibit many viruses and bacteria, and as castor oil is able to penetrate skin tissue deeply, this makes it an effective treatment for acne.

To treat acne, dab a hot damp washcloth all over your face in the evening before you go to bed. The heat will gently open the pores on your face. After this, massage a little castor oil gently into the skin. Leave on overnight. Repeat this daily for 1 to 2 weeks to see results. You can also repeat this twice in the day, once at night and once in the morning.

2. Castor Oil keeps the skin looking smooth, youthful and unlined

Castor oil’s ability to penetrate more deeply than any other essential plant oil make it an excellent way to keep skin looking youthful and fresh. Castor oil works better than any store-bought anti-ageing creams.

The best way to use castor oil is to rub in a small amount over your face and around your eyes before bed. This may be hard to do at first because castor oil is extremely thick and sticky. Therefore, rub the oil in as thoroughly as possible and then pat your face gently with a tissue to get rid of the excess. This will keep wrinkles at bay. Be sure to use only cold pressed castor oil that is hexane free. Any other kind may clog your pores.

Castor oil is found in several anti-ageing creams, wrinkle creams and undereye creams.

3. Castor Oil thickens eyelashes and eyebrows

Rub a little castor oil over the base of your eyelashes before bed. This prevents thinning and promotes rapid growth, leading to thicker and fuller lashes. In fact, many commercial products for eyelashes contain castor oil.

To thicken sparse eyebrows, rub a little castor oil over the brow line before bed.
Castor Oil breaks up external and internal scar tissue, and prevents new scars from forming

Castor oil’s unrivaled deep tissue penetration help to soften and remove both external and internal scars, like those that form following surgery.

Castor oil will penetrate deep into the tissues to slowly break up scar tissue. Amazingly, castor oil is able to distinguish between healthy cells and abnormal ones. In healthy cells, castor oil will detoxify and stimulate them, while increasing circulation. In abnormal cells like scar tissue and growths, castor oil will instead work to aggressively dissolve cells thanks to the solvent property of castor oil.

To break down internal scarring, soak a piece of clean cloth with castor oil and place it over the scar area for an hour or two each day. You can also simply rub castor oil over the scar each day. More serious internal scarring will take longer to break down.

On another note, castor oil can also prevent scars from forming in the first place. Applying castor oil over cuts or scrapes will promote excellent skin healing.

Remarkably, applying castor oil after surgery, cuts or wounds will also minimize scar formation. This could be because of castor oil’s ability to increase our body’s lymphocytes (because of this, castor oil packs are especially useful for people with HIV or AIDS). Lymphocytes, or white blood cells, appear to regulate wound healing. And studies have shown that T lymphocytes may play an important role in wound healing and scar formation. Babies and young children have naturally higher levels of lymphocytes than teenagers and adults. These higher lymphocyte levels could be one of the reasons why our skin healed with much less scarring when we were younger.

Several commercial scar reduction creams also contain castor oil (eg Scar Zone, Scar Repairex). However, they also contain more chemicals than they do castor oil!

4. Castor Oil prevents hair loss and regenerates hair

The anti-bacterial and anti-fungicidal properties of Ricinoleic Acid in castor oil protects the scalp and hair from infections which can cause hair loss. The Omega-9 fatty acids in castor oil also nourish the hair and prevent the scalp from drying.

Rubbing castor oil on your scalp and the roots of your hair will regenerate new hair growth within months. This will also thicken thinning hair.

5. Castor Oil keeps hair looking soft and shiny

Castor oil is a humectant as it draws moisture into the hair and skin. Applying castor oil on hair will keep it looking soft, shiny and strong.

6. Castor Oil softens thick calluses and removes corns

Castor oil application will soften any rough or thickened skin, including calluses and corns. To treat corns, apply castor oil over your feet and put cotton socks on before going to bed. (Incidentally, sleeping with castor oil socks on will also soothe painful heels and foot pain.)

7. Castor Oil cures skin infections like athlete’s foot and ringworm

Apply a castor oil soaked cloth on the affected area. If it is small enough, a bandaid with a few drops of castor oil can be used instead.

8. Castor Oil prevents stretch marks

Rub a small amount of castor oil over your stomach and thighs daily to prevent stretchmarks during pregnancy or periods of weight gain.

9. Castor Oil will remove moles and warts

Rub castor oil into moles or warts every night. The moles (or warts) will start to shrink over a few weeks, and continued use will eventually remove the mole without any scarring. Complete removal may take 2-3 months, but this slow healing will also ensure there is no “hole” in your skin. (The surgical removal of moles will often leave a hole where the mole was. This indentation can often be permanent.)

10. Castor Oil will remove age spots (liver spots)

Rub castor oil into your age spots every night. The age spot will lighten over time, and continued use will eventually remove the age spot completely.

How to Start a Skin Care Routine

2010-03-07T05:06:00.000-08:00

1.Know your skin type. Developing a skin care routine is completely dependent on oily, normal/combination, dry, sensitive or even sun-damaged skin. There are many online resources, including helpful quizzes, that allow you to understand which type of skin you have.

2.Cleanse well. The trick is finding a cleanser that works well for your skin. Once you have found one you love, stick with it. They can be tough to find. Liquid facial cleansers tend to work best. Shy away from bar soaps for your face; they are drying, and aren't designed to handle the delicacy of facial skin.

3.Exfoliate. Many people miss this step in their daily skin care routine, but it's an important step in refreshing the skin as it scrubs away the dead skin cells that can cause pore clogging, dry skin and even acne. For the cheapest, do-it-at-home fix, find a scrub at your drug store that includes exfoliating beads or particles. Exfoliate just once a week.

4.Skip using a toner. Some people swear by them, but many experts feel that a good cleanser should remove all remaining traces of oil, makeup and dirt. A toner isn't necessary, but if you really like yours, stick with it.

5.Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. No matter what your skin type, it should be moisturized. Even oily skin can benefit from an oil-free moisturizer. The face and body should be moisturized, but special formulas should be used for the face. Your skin will indicate how often you need to complete this step. If it feels tight/dry, it needs a drink. Don't over-moisturize; it can lead to clogged pores.

6.Apply sunscreen. Dermatologists agree that sunscreen is the most important aspect of your skin care regimen. Choose a daily moisturizer with UV protection and get two benefits in one. Avoid moisturizers with sunscreen built in at night, as the ingredients aren't meant to be used 24/7

10 Fast Hair and Makeup Tricks

2010-02-27T09:00:00.000-08:00

1. Get Clean Skin Quick
To sop up oil and refresh makeup, lightly mist your face with toner, then pat with a tissue, says Eva Scrivo, makeup artist and owner of the eponymous New York City salon. Finish with a dusting of loose powder.

2. Lighten Locks Instantly
If scalp grease (or too many products) have left your light hair looking like dirty dishwater, sprinkle translucent powder over your roots, then brush through, says makeup artist Morgen Schick.

3. Hydrate Your Skin in Half the Time
Use conditioner to moisturize your hair — and body, says Schick. Just massage it in neck-to-toe in the shower, rinse, and dry off. The conditioner will hydrate nearly as well as body lotion — without the time suck of waiting for it to sink in.

4. Get Gorgeous Nails Now
Schick's 60-second strategy: Remove all polish, clean under your nails (with lemon juice, if you have it), and massage the thickest lotion you can find (lip balm will suffice in a pinch) into your cuticles.

5. Use Pink to Fake Perfect Skin
Surprise! Concealer is only half the battle when it comes to fixing flaws. To really perfect your complexion (no matter what your skin tone), try wearing lipstick in a warm pink. "It distracts people's eyes from blemishes and other imperfections," says Schick.

6. Depuff Your 'Do in a Flash
To flatten frizz, dampen your hands with water and a drop of hand lotion, then gently pull your hair back into a French twist. Wait 10 minutes; take your strands down. Voilà — fuzz free!

7. Focus on the Front to Speed Hairstyling
When you're strapped for time, do the T-zone blow-dry: down your part and around your hairline only. "As long as the front and top of your hair looks finished," says Scrivo, "so will you."

8. Score Evening Eyes in Just One Step
Eyeliner is the fastest way to look sexy, says Delux Beauty creator Jillian Dempsey. To do: Trace your top lash lines to just past the outer corners of your eyes.

9. Pull It Together with a Ponytail
There's nothing wrong with resorting to a ponytail — after all, it's the ultimate easy style. To do: Pull your hair back haphazardly with your fingers and spritz with hairspray, says Roy Teeluck, owner of the Roy Teeluck Salon in New York City. Last, twist a stray tendril around your hair elastic; pin.

10. Revive Your Face Rapidly
To look alive after a long night, pat concealer onto the inner corners of your eyes, under your lower lashes, and next to your nose, says Scrivo. Finish by swirling bronzer over your cheeks.

A Beautiful Night

2010-02-27T08:49:00.000-08:00

Foot Care

Feeling terrible after a tiring day? As soon as you return home, soak your feet in a basin of warm water mixed with a handful of fragrant bath salts. After 10 minutes, wash your feet (a simple soap and water wash is sufficient).

If you aren't feeling sleepy by this time, take a foot filer and scrub your heels. Using a toothpick (orange stick) clean the edges and grooves around your toe nails, to remove the dirt that gets accumulated. Apply cold cream or moisturizer before winding up. This will make the skin soft and prevent people from running away at the sight of your feet.

Face Wash/Scrub

Cleansing your face before going to bed is essential to take away the dirt you might have picked up in your day. Walnut scrub is ideal for oily skin. Make sure you scrub your face in circling motions and wash with cold water. For those with dry or sensitive skin can use baby oil or wet cleansing pads, followed by a night cream.

Night Cream/Moisturizing

The right time to apply any treatment, especially moisturizer - be it for whitening the skin, under-eye cream or simple moisturizing. It will revitalize your facial skin and work wonders on skin, which had been exposed to all the dirt and grime in the daytime. It would be a good idea to use it on your arms and neck, too.

Your Hair

While oil is not the elixir of life to hair, it IS essential in keeping it well conditioned and supple. Leave oil overnight and wash in the morning with shampoo to get better results.

Heat a little amount of oil (olive oil, almond oil, or plain old coconut oil) by placing it in a small container and swirling it in hot water. After the oil gets considerably hot, massage the scalp with your fingertips, in rotating motion, for at least 8 - 10 minutes. You can do this while soaking your feet in warm water.

Castor Oil

Applying pure castor oil to your eyebrows and lashes, particularly those who have scanty growth, will make them grow thick and long. For tired or puffed eyes, place a cotton pad soaked in chilled rose water. Keeping thin slices of cucumber ready in the refrigerator beforehand is ideal.

Grated cucumber, by itself or mixed with carrot juice, can be spread under the eye, to reduce black circles and sagging skin.

Lip Guard

And finally, a smear of Vaseline on your lips, and you can sleep like a child and get up like a fairy!

Spa Secrets

2010-02-27T08:32:00.000-08:00

For Face:

Make Grapefruit mask by blending 3 tablespoons of very fine oatmeal, 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley and juice of grapefruit to form a soft paste. Let it sit for five minutes and then apply it on your face. When it is dry, rinse with warm water and tone and moisturize the skin.Prepare rose and lavender water by boiling dried petals in a covered bowl. Let it cool and strain it in bottles. Store it in a refrigerator and you can use it with all the facemasks or simply use it as a natural face wash.Soak finely chopped almonds in water and let it sit for an hour. Strain the water and use the residue as a good scrub. The water is good for rejuvenating eyes and removing dark circles.

For Hands:

Blend almond oil well with butter and store it in refrigerator. Massage it as hand cream just before sleeping. Cover your hands with cotton gloves while sleeping to wake up to great looking hands next morning.
A mixture of mashed fresh avocado, egg yolk, honey, rice bran and few drops of evening primrose oil massaged on to hands and feet and left for 20 minutes is great to rejuvenate dry and wrinkled skin. Avocado and egg are good for skin nourishment; rice bran for exfoliation while evening primrose oil keeps hair, skin and nails healthy.

For Body:

After the warm water shower, rub a mixture of coarsely ground coffee, sea salt and massage oil on your body in wide, circular motions and strong and even pressure. Shower once again and apply the body lotion.
For dry skin, prepare soothing and invigorating ginger skin cream. Mix fresh ginger juice, light sesame oil, apricot kernel oil, vitamin E oil and cocoa butter and heat it until the cocoa butter melts and oils blend.
Prepare moisturizing body scrub at home by mixing together liquid glycerin, water, sugar, solid coconut butter and few drops of your favorite essential oil. Blend glycerin, water and sugar to form a soft paste and mix the melted coconut oil to the mixture along with essential oils. Let it cool and then you can use if after bath.

15 Beauty Uses For Aloe Vera

2010-02-21T08:33:00.001-08:00

As a skin brightener: Rub aloe vera on your face to decrease pigmentation and dark spots.
Have red blotches after plucking your brows? Rub some aloe vera on the discolored area and watch redness disappear.
Aloe is a surprisingly good moisturizer and is effective in combating wrinkles because the skin absorbs it quickly – rub some on your neck and see for yourself.
Soothe a sunburn
Create your own facial cleanser with aloe vera: Just mix with olive oil, rosewater, and a few drops of grapeseed oil in a food processor. Keep it in the fridge!
Nourish your skin: Aloe vera is extremely nutrient-rich: it has 18 amino acids, B vitamins 1, 2, and 6, vitamin C, niacinamide, choline and the minerals calcium, iron, lecithin, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium and zinc.
Create an organic sugar scrub and apply to damp skin:
- 2 tbsp. aloe vera
- 2 tbsp. brown sugar
- 1 tsp. lemon juice
You could also try a salt scrub for rough patches:
- 2 cups sea salt
- 1 cup aloe vera
- 1 cup baby oil
- 2 tbsp. honey
Speed hair growth: Massage aloe vera into the scalp, leave in for 30 minutes and rinse. Aloe Vera is known to balance PH and stimulate the production of enzymes on your scalp which help with hair growth.
DIY brow gel: mix a little aloe vera with an eyeshadow that matches your eyebrows. Apply with a brow brush.
Tighten your pores: Aloe has properties similar to astringents, so rubbing it on your face can reduce the appearance of enlarged pores.
For scars and stretch marks: Aloe vera speeds cell regeneration, so rub it on scars and stretch marks to watch them fade more quickly.
For those with eczema or psoriasis, aloe is possibly the best moisturizer available. Rub all over hands and feet, put on gloves and socks and let it work its magic!
Run out of conditioner? Use aloe vera instead! Your hair will be silkier than ever – just make sure to rinse well.
Mix aloe vera into powdered hair dye before dyeing hair to help fight off moisture loss from drying chemicals.

Spring 2009 Fashion Trends

2010-02-12T18:15:00.000-08:00

Color palettes on the Spring runways were vivid. Think jewel tones with a bit of a push. This Spring’s fashionista is going to be a strong woman and reflect that in her color tones. Go bold with bright blues, fuschia, bold yellows and bright greens. These colors WILL dominate and add instant freshness to your outfit. What a way to climb out of the winter blahs!

When you are thinking garment structure, designs modeling futuristic motifs lead the packs on the runway. Look for eccentric cuts and lines, asymmetric shapes, and toned down metallics. Go metallic by night in matte golds and silvers, and let your bright colors dominate the days.

And if you like the asymmetry trend, you will be happy to know that one is not leaving any time soon. You will find this in tops, dresses, skirts, necklines, and even shoulder lines. The one shoulder dress is sticking around, and you know that is because it reveals just enough to maintain the balance between sexy and elegant. The beautiful thing about the one shoulder is there is NO figure this silhouette does not flatter.

You are also going to see a lot of ethnic influence in Spring 2009 trends. Designers are getting inspired by the exotic destinations they get to visit, so you will see this in bold patterns, animal print, and big floral influences. These are married with a softness and femininity that balances each trend. Designers Diane von Furstenberg, Emanuel Ungaro and Duro Olowu have managed to capture this essence in their collections with a sense of exotic that you simply can not ignore this Spring.

When you are choosing your Spring wardrobe, let this year’s trends be a lesson to you. The Spring fashion trends this year are all about giving up the old and bringing in the new. Any fears you had about trying trends are to be tossed out with your Spring cleaning. Go bold with big bold colors, in cuts and lines that are structured and contemporary.

Rachel McAdams Makeup

2010-02-12T17:59:00.000-08:00

Puckish and pretty actress Rachel McAdams is Hollywood's hip new darling, nominated for no less than five MTV Movie Awards in 2005. The Canadian-born beauty started young: She was 13 when she first performed Shakespeare. Here she wears a bohemian-chic look with next-to-naked skin, bright flashes of fuchsia-violet eye shadow and a set of false lashes. Makeup artist Deborah Grayson explains how you can get Rachel's look.

Step 1: Begin with a clean, lightly moisturized face, but keep moisturizer away from your eyelids, as you'll be applying false lashes later and moisturizer could interfere with their adhering firmly.

Step 2: To get Rachel's "naked skin" look, Grayson recommends using concealer in lieu of foundation just to target trouble areas that may bother you, such as under the eyes or around the nose. Do this by dotting on a tiny bit of concealer with your fingers, then blending in light patting motions until it's diffused.

Step 3: Apply a sheer rose-pink cream blush to the apples of the cheeks using your fingertips, then blend outward toward the cheekbones.

Step 4: Line the entire inner rims of the eyes (both upper and lower) with a black kohl eyeliner pencil.

Step 5: Apply an eye shadow base to the lids. This will create a smooth, matte base on which to place eye shadow and will further keep lids dry in preparation for false lashes.

Step 6: With a tapered eye shadow brush, apply a vibrant shade of matte-textured, fuchsia-violet eye shadow to the entire eyelid, allowing the shadow to extend, or "fan out," horizontally both left and right, so that the inner portion of the lids (the area closer to the nose) and outer portion of the lids (outer edges of the eyes) are bordered by color.

Step 7: With the same tapered liner brush, apply the violet-fuchsia shadow under the rim of the lower lash line. It's a rather broad line, so you can be generous in your application.

Step 8: Next, apply a strip of black false lashes to the upper lash line and let them set a few minutes so that they adhere properly. You may want to try one of the new self-adhesive lashes so you can skip the extra step of gluing ‑- only remember not to pull on or rub them later, as they come off easily.

Step 9: Apply a fine coat of black mascara to the lower lashes.

Step 10: The lips are really understated, so finish with just a single layer of sheer honey-pink cream lipstick.

Sienna Miller Elegant Twist

2010-02-12T17:58:00.000-08:00

Sienna Miller appeared on the red carpet in a bold mini dress and her hair pinned back in a chic and elegant twist.

This look is perfect whether you are taking it by day or by night, as it has just enough casual flair to take it to work or on errands with you, and the same amount of elegance to don it at an evening event.

To get this look, start with second day hair as this will give you some more bend and make your hair easier to work with.

1. Create a deep side part, and pin one section to the side while you twist the other.

2. On your other side, start at the front and by sections, twist your hair in a neat chignon so that it lays flat against your head.

3. When you are finished twisting, secure this section at the back with some bobby pins.

4. After you do this, pull a section into your front so that you get the sexy sweeping bangs look that Sienna has here and run a flat iron over it to make it nice and straight.

5. Then,take the other section of your hair then and wrap it into this section, and roll it into a sexy bun that you can pin at the nape of your neck.

6. You may need to add a few extra bobby pins to secure the look, and finish the look with extra hold hair spray.

2010-01-30T08:37:00.000-08:00

Eye Care Tips

2010-01-13T08:31:00.000-08:00

protect your eyes with special eyeglasses if you work with a computer for several hours. Some computer screens don't have a protective cover for the eyes and this might cause eye damage, as your eyes get tired

wear good quality sunglasses whenever you are exposed to sunlight as the bright light from the sun might cause you to make grimaces and thus you will develop wrinkles and fine lines much quicker. In addition the sun can easily burn and damage the skin around your eyes if you don't wear SPF protection

wash your eyes with cold water whenever you feel that your eyes are getting tired. Staring at something or being concentrated to read can tire the eyes much quicker and the cold water will help reinvigorate the eyes

eye creams should definitely be a part of your eye care routine especially after the age of 25 to prevent wrinkle development. These creams contain certain ingredients which have been discovered as beneficial in eye care

try to pamper your eyes using natural ingredients. Place a slice of cucumber, potatoes or other skin beneficial fruits or vegetables on your eyes so the skin can improve it's appearance

eat foods that contain high amounts of vitamins beneficial for eyesight and not only like carrots, broccoli, spinach, fish, soy and blueberries

try to get enough sleep daily, about 8 hours a day as this is the only time the eyes can rest and take a break to recover from the stress they are subjected to daily

do not rub your eyes with your hands if you haven't washed them properly so you don't get bacteria in your eyes and cause infections

visit an eye doctor if you experience blurry vision and headaches often

Celebrity Beauty Tricks

2010-01-09T08:06:00.000-08:00

Catherine Zeta- Jones is happy to use her own homegrown beauty secrets.Such as rubbing honey and salt on her skin to beat wrinkles, washing her hair in beer and brushing her teeth with a strawberry.

In an interview, the 39-year-old actress admits that the answer to preserving her youthful appearance lies as much in her kitchen as her make-up bag. ‘I rub a mixture of honey and salt all over my body to moisturise and exfoliate,‘You wash it off and your skin is gorgeous. Also, I love to eat an apple after a meal, just to cleanse my teeth – they always look polished afterwards.’ If there aren’t any apples in the fruit bowl, a strawberry will suffice. ‘The juice or pulp of strawberries contains malic acid which serves as an astringent and can lighten surface stains,’ she explains. ‘ Pineapples work the same way.’

‘I do condition my hair with honey and beer. ‘I smell like the bottom of a beer barrel for days afterwards but it’s very good for the hair.’

Gorgeous supermodel Cindy Crawford has a super beauty secret using MILK for her flawless skin. She doesn't drink it...she sprays her face with it! She combines milk and water and mists it on her face throughout the day. The lactic acid in milk is a known skin softener.

Jennifer Lopez's beauty secret is that she swears by moisturizing her skin continuously – in the morning, at night before bed, and after the shower – to maintain that healthy glow. Supposedly, Cocoa Butter is her moisturizer of choice. It’s been rumored that J. Lo once demanded a Body Shop store open after hours because she desperately needed a jar of their Nut Body Butter!

Scott Barnes, a celebrity makeup artist, has a beauty secret for Jennifer Lopez's beautiful eyebrows: he mixes a bit of hair wax with gold shimmer eyeshadow and applies it with an old mascara wand to set the brows in place and give a great evening look.

Jennifer Lopez claims that she doesn’t have many crazy beauty secrets except...KRISPY KREME DONUTS!...to keep her derriere.

Jennifer Love Hewitt dabs TOOTHPASTE it on blemishes to zap them away!
Other supposedly great zit zappers are ASPIRINS (which are Salicylic Acid) softened in water (apply paste to blemish and leave on over night), and VISINE EYE DROPS...Some folks swear that if it takes the red out of your eyes, it will take the red out of your blemish!

As with any skin care treatment, it is wise to test an area for reactions and consult your dermatologist first.

Julia Roberts beauty secrets soak her nails in it, and it's not diswashing detergent...it's OLIVE OIL!You can rub olive oil all over your body and even in your hair as a conditioner! Just be sure to wash it out of your hair well, of course.

Ash Rai beauty tips are all about cucumber to soothe the skin after those grueling outdoor shoots, gram flour to cleanse and gently exfoliate the skin of all traces of shooting make-up and milk and yogurt to moisturize the skin and replenish the lost nutrients. A very basic cleansing, toning and moisturizing routine no doubt, but done with the purest of ingredients to ensure lasting results and that too without any harmful side effects.

2010 Way to Wear Pink Makeup

2009-12-31T10:58:00.000-08:00

1. Instead of an innocent updo or a bunch of big curls (which would be way too sweet with all that rosiness) the models' hair was seriously bumped. See Petra's earlier post for the deets. That's the great thing about running into another Glamour beauty girl backstage—we can divide, conquer then head back out to the tent to guzzle free McDonald's coffee together.

2. The Sally Hansen manicurists didn’t play it safe with the nails. They used a couple of coats of jet-black polish then layered a sheer, glittery shade on top. I've been on a white nail polish kick for the last few months, but seeing this made me remember why black nails became a huge trend in the first place—it's so sexy-edgy. The two Sally Hansen shades, Midnight in New York and Hidden Treasure launch next year so be on the lookout.

Wearing the sexy-edgy black polish on is one thing, but taking it off...here are some secret tips to help with that process. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some pinks. But I think the tough-girl hair and nails made the whole look a little fresher. By the way, Charlotte Willer, global makeup artist for Maybelline, used Color Sensational Lipcolor in Make Me Pink on all 18 models, whether they were white, black or Asian, and it looked pretty on all of them. Call me a beauty nerd, but I get excited when I stumble upon a truly wearable makeup shade.

Runway Makeup 2010 - Soft and Natural

2009-12-31T10:48:00.000-08:00

The gorgeous outfits designed for the 2010 spring summer season are matching the feminine and lovely makeup style perfectly. The style and elegance that have been at the base of each fashion collection are balanced by the simplicity and elegance of the makeup.

Make sure you exfoliate your face before you apply your makeup to ensure a clean and uniform application. Apply the foundation using a makeup sponge, a brush or your fingers uniformly and set it using translucent powder.

When it comes to eye makeup, soft shades are the solution. Peach, copper, soft pink are the most popular eyeshadow colors used since they blend beautifully with most skin tones and create a very simple and attractive look.
Rosy or brown toned blush add a little bit of color and definition to the cheekbones, softening the look. To brighten and enlarge the eyes apply a white eyeliner on the waterline. A touch of mascara brushed on the upper lashes and a touch of lip color lipstick complete the look.

Spring 2010

2009-12-31T09:53:00.000-08:00

1. Loose buns are classy and timeless.

2. Rummage around for red...lipstick that is. Red lips continue to be classy for spring. Just remember to keep your eye makeup light.

3. Long lashes are big. A huge trend are 'permanent' false lashes applied individually. They last a couple weeks & are especially big on the West Coast. Not ready to go the glued route? Layer on the mascara. Several coats should do you.

4. Don't overbronze. Fake tanned skin is in again, but don't go overboard ala 'Dancing With the Stars' George Hamilton. Instead, try layering your fake tan with a light tanning creme set with a tinted moisturizer or a bronzing powder. The best thing about bronzed skin? You can go light on the rest of your makeup. We love bronzed skin paired with a pink lip gloss & mascara.

5. Long wavesare still hot, while straightening irons still are not. Ironed hair has been out now for a couple seasons & it stays out for spring. Instead, opt for straight, but full hair with a few loose waves you can get via Velcro rollers or winding hair around a full-barreled curling iron.

6. Spring is all about shimmer. We love the look of shimmer on eyes & cheeks, especially on tanned skin. Here's a how-to on getting the glow.

7. Coral is not just for Floridian retirees. Coral is in this spring for women of all ages. 'O' magazine trumps it as the perfect shade when pink feels cliched & red is just too vampy. The deal with coral is to stay away from mattes & opt instead for glosses & lipsticks that you apply with your finger (the stick itself can make the color too heavy).

Vaseline Tips & Tricks

2009-12-26T17:14:00.000-08:00

1. Put a coat on your eyelashes before you go to bed. Lots of people swear by this - and say it will make your lashes grow longer and thicker over time.

2. Put a coat of Vaseline on your feet at night, cover them with socks and wake up to softer feet - every day!

3. Put Vaseline on your elbows every day - they will stay soft!

4. Put Vaseline on your cuticles several times a day for softer and better looking cuticles every day.

5. Put Vaseline on chapped lips

6. Use Vaseline as lip gloss

7. Mix a little Vaseline with a little Kool-Aid powder and make a colored and flavored lip gloss!

8. Melt Vaseline and one chocolate chip in the microwave, mix and let resolidify for chocolate lip gloss!

9. Maintains perfume scent longer when applied at perfume points before spritzing the perfume.

10. Can be used as a moisturizer for acne sufferers (it is a misconception that it clogs pores)

11. Moisturizes severe dry skin

12. Use Vaseline on your knees to prevent that dry, ashy look

13. Mix with sea salts to make a scrub!

14. Applying Vaseline on your teeth prevents lips from sticking to teeth for celebrities and contestants in beauty pageants who smile a lot

15. Applied on teeth before applying lipstick prevents lipstick from sticking on them

16. Massage, baby!

17. Warmed up can be used as a night cream

18. Makeup remover

19. Protects skin exposed to adverse weather

20. Applied under eye shadow it can create a shiny effect

21. Applied on cheeks for a dewy look

22. Can be used to smooth and soothe skin after shaving

23. Used in manicures under cuticles

24. Gets rid of dry skin lines which can arise from washing

25. Lubricates ear lobes and helps to make earring insertion easy and painless

26. Keeps fingernails pliable and resilient

27. Use with your lipstick to create a cream blusher for your cheeks

28. Helps to ease off stuck on rings

29. Tames unruly eyebrows

30. Defines eyelashes and leaves them with a glossy and waterproof look

31. Conditions scalp pre-shampooing

32. Can help prevent chaffing

33. Aids with healing after cosmetic surgery procedures

34. Reduces scaling and itching associated with dandruff

35. Theraputic when applied to lesions caused by poison ivy

36. Can help improve condition of those with atopic eczema

37. Helps heal and protect new tattoos

38. Can protect against harmful hair dyeing, perming and straightening chemicals when used as a mask around the hairline

39. Use a tiny dab to put a quick shine on your shoes and bags

40. Smear a tiny bit on your hands and scrunch through your hair for a choppy look

41. Use just a touch on the ends of your hair to hide dry and split ends

42. Remove makeup stains from clothing

43. Rub Vaseline on the neck of your nail polish bottles and they won’t get stuck to the caps

44. Make your week old nail polish look new again - rub a small dab over the polish.

45. Use a touch of Vaseline mixed with powder eyeshadow pigment to make new colors, or a more solid eyeshadow that won’t get all over your face when you put it on.

46. Stretch your favorite lotion by mixing it with Vaseline.

47. Put Vaseline on your lips, leave it a few minutes, then scrub your lips with a toothbrush to exfoliate and leave them SO smooth

48. Remove false eyelash glue from your lash line

49. Apply a small amount on dry spots on your body before fake tanning lotions are applied, and prevent uneven tanning!

50. Generously apply Vaseline all over before taking flights to combat associated dryness

51.Once you carve your Halloween pumpkin, rub Vaseline on the exposed edges. it keeps it from rotting or going dry.

52.It is used to remove chewing gum from the hair.

2010 fashion trends

2009-12-20T00:20:00.000-08:00

The hottest trend is the cognac color. You will see it on high heels boots, on dresses, knitwear, everywhere. The color spectrum for the coming winter season seems very dark, almost mystical. Black and near-black shades that move between midnight blue, forest green, petrol, dark violet and deep reds. Red and berry shades bring life into the game.

Well, we can’t afford to day dream about clothes very often, because it’s a time of national and international economic turmoil. So we need to do more with less. Let’s share a few words about what’s hot.

Over knee boots are hot. They could possibly be the season’s must-have item — whether you go for something wild like these hot pink super-high suede boots or a more classic black, you’ll want to wear these everywhere.

Menswear. Maybe the fact the women started to wear men’s wear is a demonstration or a need for women to grab control of a style that could have gone dour. Features like bow blouses, ruffles and tailored waistcoats that feminize “masculine” styles.

Jeans! Always in fashion. Start with a feminine blouse with ruffles, add ankle booties, an oversized clutch and statement necklace for a night out with the girls, or pair with a long cardigan belted at the waist and ballet flats for a weekend outing. Wear them with flats, with ankle boots, with knee high boots, with high heels shoes, you can wear them in almost every way you want.

Makeup Trends For 2010

2009-12-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

Eyeliner

Start by creating a perfect make-up base, with a moisturizing foundation, set well with a fine layer of transparency powder and accentuate it with little pink on your cheeks and eyebrow line well defined. First draw an outline with a pencil or a dark eye shadow. Over this line use the eyeliner. In this way you can be sure you won’t do anything wrong. Lipstick can be a strong red or a very natural beige

Disco make-up

Combinationof pink and brown, blue-pink, lilac-blue, satin or textured metallic eyelids meet on a sophisticated game of shadows. Colors must be added until the brow line. The blush has to be bright pink, and lipstick pink pearl.

Nude Make-up

It is the most difficult to achieve because you have to have a pretty face and look good without make-up also. The result is very feminine and natural. All make-up colors are brown, beige and pink.

Rock make-up

Eyes are very well contoured and the maximum attention is dragged on the external corner of the upper eyelid, which is emphasized with black eyeliner. In combination with black, violet blue or ultramarine can be used. Eyebrows are thin and well drawn, and the lips are very powerful colored, in dark shades of red or brown.

Hot Hairstyles For 2010

2009-12-19T23:26:00.000-08:00

More volume
A French bob with a rebel look

Stylish loop
Asymmetric fringe

Beautiful Winter

2009-12-19T23:05:00.000-08:00

Hair

Before the winter winds can work havoc with your hair, expose your hair to deep conditioning. Since the cold weather causes to dry your hair, massage your hair in aloe Vera juice for a few minutes. This will restore its softness.

You can also treat your hair with oil massage once or twice a week Olive oil can work wonders in reinforcing moisture to your hair. Heat the oil before using and allow it to soak for a time lesser than the time you allot for the summer season. Too long a period of soaking hair in oil can get you ill. If you are used to treating your hair with herbal extracts or herbal oil do not soak it for a long time. Herbal ingredients are mostly cooling agents that are more suitable for the summer. Keep away from washing your hair too frequently.

Woolen clothing like hats, scarves and turtlenecks can cause damage to your hairline. Since they can cause breakage, first cover your hair with a silk scarf before exposing it to winter wraps.

It is the appropriate time for split ends to work their way up to the hair shafts. Hence trim your split ends.

Style your hair with a braid, twist or a knot. Try Keeping away from letting your hair open and wild, as the cold winds can play rough on your hair.

Avoid exposing your hair to frequent coloring, streaking, or ironing as they can rob your hair off its moisture and it is advisable to avoid heating appliances on your hair.

Expose your hair to natural drying. Keep away from blow dryers. If you have to use, use one with a hood.

Always cover your hair with a silk fabric to guard it from the chill winds.

Skin
Your skin texture depends not only on external treatments, but also on the intake. A proper nutritious intake helps in rejuvenating the skin from within. Water plays an important role in keeping your skin alive. A good amount of water helps in retaining the moisture of your skin as well keeping skin disorders at bay. Fruits and vegetables in your daily diet release a lot of water to your system. Primrose syrup and olive oil in your diet also aids in softening your skin.

Use the paste of ground green gram powder instead of soap to work your way to a soft and supple skin.

Pamper you skin with a little coconut oil before bath to heal dryness and chaps. Use a creamy soap that renders that extra suppleness to your skin.

Moisturizers and cold creams are a must in the winters. Apply some good cold cream on your face before going to bed. Moisten your skin with a good moisturizer or a creamy hand and body lotion. My best buy is ' Jergens' hand and body lotion.

Add a few drops of oil to the water that you are using to bath. This will help retain the moisture lost when bathing. Avoid using very hot water during winter as it can decrease the natural oils of your skin. Instead shorten your bath time.

Hands, legs and nails

When treating your legs add a few drops of oil in the water that you use to soak them. With regards to hands, try using rubber gloves while immersing them in water. Use a base coat over your nails against the cold weather.

Lips

A good petroleum jelly will be an effective cover over your lips against the cold weather. Butter is effective in curing chapped lips and renders an extra softness.

So get ready to shield your body against the winter threats

Makeup trends for this New Year

2009-12-08T18:33:00.000-08:00

Makeup trends keep changing with changing season. What was yesterday doesn’t mean to be a part of todays fashion statement too.

So girl, if you are really pondering over the makeup trends for year 2009, then read this article below. This article will guide you over what’s in these days when it comes to makeup makeover.

Makeup

As far as your eye makeup is concerned, thick eyebrows with harsh liquid eyeliner is total no-no for this year. Rather it will be more about defining and giving a soft Smokey touch to your eyes in pastel shades that complement with your skin tone. Eyebrows for spring will be softer and more in its natural form.

Makeup should be done in such a way that your skin looks like that it has been barely touched emphasizing mainly on your Smokey eyes.For blush, make use of colors like soft peaches, pastel plum and roses. Keep the texture sheer and lightweight to ensue that the glow is coming from within.

The whole makeup should look like natural, glowy and fresh with dominance over Smokey eyes. In spring, make a good combo of matte foundation with Smokey eyes. For autumn, sculpt the cheeks with bronze effect along with Smokey eyes.

The trends for hair in this season will be in extreme. They will be extremely short, slick and girly. It will be a bob cut which will sit somewhere to the left. For longer hair, one can add oomph factor by adding volume to it. You can also try the mermaid look or 1940’s waves with side parting. Believe me, it will make you appear sexy and hot.

Lips colors that will dominate this year will be red, copper brown and auburn. Go for bold shades to make some cool style statement with your looks in this New Year.

Evening Makeup

2009-12-08T18:26:00.000-08:00

The makeup changes every time according to the time and occasion. For different occasions you need to do different types of makeup like light or heavy, formal or informal, simple or special etc.

The overall impression and effect of the makeup gets changed in the shades of light. So in the light of this fact the nature of makeup needs to be accordingly adjusted. And this is the reason, which is responsible for the difference in daytime makeup and the evening makeup. On the one hand the day makeup should be light and simple, suitable for sunlight, and on the other hand you can use bright colors for the evening party.

Evening Makeup Tips

The important thing to know is that different shades of light leave different effects on our makeup and therefore can make a big difference in the desired look.

For the evening parties usually the big corporate houses arrange for bright fluorescent lighting.

The fluorescent light is a blue light that sharpens all the colors of the makeup.

The fluorescent light gives such an impact that in this light the blue shades look more reddish and the brown shades appear yellowish or greenish.

While on the occasion of general parties at home people prefer to use incandescent lighting.

The incandescent light is a yellow or red light that tends to soften all the colors of the makeup.

In the evening parties with incandescent lights, you can confidently add more contrast to your face by using slightly bright colors.

For the evening parties in under lit areas such as dancing clubs and nightclubs with little lighting, you can comfortably use lot of makeup with very bold colors and over dramatic styles.

If you are a theater artist or stage artist then you need to wear lot of makeup so that it is visible when stage lights light up your face.

While preparing for the evening parties you should avoid to use more sheer, natural and neutral colors and their combination's.

How To Curl Your Eyelashes

2009-12-08T18:23:00.000-08:00

If you have straight eyelashes and want to lif the eyelashes and open up your eyes then follow the instructions.

Steps:

Before curling your eyelashes apply eyeshadow and eyeliner. When they dry out then curl the lashes. Mascara is always applied lastly to avoid breaking of the eyelashes.

Open the curler and place your upper lashes inside its mouth. Close your eye slightly, then open it and ensure that all of the eyelashes hair should move into the curler's mouth. Always hold the eyelash curler so that the mouth is parallel to your lashes.

Now Move the curler closer to the eye until the tool comes to the base of the lashes, but not over the skin of the eyelid.

Keep the eye open and slowly close the curler. Your eyelashes should fan out evenly across the upper bar. If at any time you feel pinching, readjust the curler.

Hold the closed curler for a slow count of five, keeping your hand and face steady. Repeat for additional volume.

Repeat with the other eye

Healthy Winter Hair

2009-12-08T18:13:00.000-08:00

This season for dry hair. And it's not just the cold, dry outside air that's to blame. The warm, dry inside air is just as bad for your hair. The point is, you can't avoid it. But while you can't change the climate, New York City hairstylist Christo, of Christo Fifth Avenue Curlisto.com, promises you can prevent its damaging effects by following some simple tips.

Get your hair trimmed. It sounds like a no-brainer, but it's not always easy to fit more frequent haircuts into a busy schedule. "Dryness starts from the ends," Christo says. "If you normally get your hair cut every 10 weeks, get it cut in eight weeks." If you usually trim your hair every six weeks, get it trimmed monthly.

Use conditioning products before using heated styling tools. "A gel or mousse alone isn't enough to protect the hair," he says. "If you normally use a gel before blow-drying, apply a repair cream, heat-protecting cream or leave-in conditioner first." Use it sparingly, especially on the ends, but don't forget it. "You don't want to make your hair heavy or gunky," he says, "but more importantly, you don't want hot rollers applied directly to the ends of your unprotected hair.
A weekly deep-therapy mask is a must. "You need to pamper your hair this time of year more than any other, especially if it's curly," he says. If you use a mask that requires heat to activate it, cover your hair with plastic first and use low heat. Christo recommends his own Curlisto Deep Therapy Masque because it contains rice protein to help rebuild and strengthen hair, and corn protein for body and manageability.

Eat a balanced diet. According to Christo, people on low-carb diets have drier hair. "Be aware that what you eat affects the health of your hair," he advises. "Don't make up your own diet. Some of my clients lose five pounds, but their skin and hair look bad. If you're eating lots of protein and fewer carbs, you may need to take a biotin supplement." And of course, he says, drink lots of water.

Fall Fashion '09

2009-11-08T03:18:00.000-08:00

Wide belt

Cinching a wide belt around the smallest part of your torso – your natural waist – emphasizes and slims this very feminine zone while accentuating sexy curves.

Thick belts create the most dramatic, waist-narrowing looks since they brace your body in a corset-like fashion. Look for sturdy or stretchy materials such as solid and woven leathers, reinforced layers of satin, and thick, wide elastic bands that can comfortably resist all the bending and sitting you're likely to do over the course of a day.

If you want to stand out, get creative and fashion yourself a belt out of unconventional materials. Belts can be made out of a variety of innovative fabrics and closures. Mix it up by swapping buckles for bows, hooks and snaps, and trade the usual leather wrap-around for stretchy elastics, menswear-inspired cummerbunds, kimono-inspired silky obi sashes, and bands of fabric.

Skinny belts

Skinny belts are a lovely complement to dainty dresses and separates; extra long slender belts look super stylish when wound many times around the waist or hips.

Skinny belts are often fabricated out of barely-there strips of leather, chain links and rope. And because skinny belts are so slim, you can go for a bright splash of color or a shimmering metallic finish without dominating the outfit.

Remember to keep in mind your body's proportions when choosing a belt; an ultra slinky skinny belt might visually add weight to a plus sized woman, whereas a slightly thicker medium width belt will produce a more balanced skinny-belt look.

Highlight Brown Hair

2009-11-08T03:16:00.001-08:00

1.Purchase the commonly available hydrogen peroxide, not the much stronger product sold at beauty supply stores (unless you want very bleached hair).

2.Wash your hair and remove excess moisture with a towel. Your hair should be damp. For an all-over highlight, pour the hydrogen peroxide, undiluted, over your head and hair.

3.For chunks of highlight, take sections of your hair and wipe them with a cloth saturated with the hydrogen peroxide. Make sure to get all the way up to the roots.

4.For highlights on the top hair layer only, take your hydrogen peroxide-soaked cloth and wipe it over the top layer of your hair

5.Once you've applied the hydrogen peroxide to get the results you want, go outside and stay there until your hair dries. For best results choose a sunny day when the weather is warm and a breeze is blowing.

6.You can repeat this procedure to make your highlights even lighter. Enjoy your new look!

Make Homemade Perfume

2009-11-08T03:14:00.000-08:00

1.Tear your rose petals into small slivers and spread them out on the surface you are working on. If you must use dried or dead roses, spray with water to rehydrate and leave on the surface for 10 minutes.

2. Squeeze the orange rind over the petals and into the spray bottle for a preservative effect on your rose petal oils. These oils are essential in your perfume, it is what makes the scent linger when you wear it.

3. Add three tablespoons of water to your spray bottle combined with a handful of rose petal slivers. Close up your bottle and shake for 30 seconds.

4.Now place 1 teaspoon of rubbing alcohol to your spray bottle, and shake for 30 seconds. This keeps your perfume water from molding in the month that you store it.

5.Leave your mixture for 12 hours in a well lit area. This allows the scents to mix together without harboring mold. Store your perfume in a dry, well lit area to inhibit molding and souring of the rose petals. If you find this is a problem, remove the rose petals after 12 hours of mixing and do not replace them in the bottle.

Know When to Wear Different Types of Perfume

Choose light florals and citrus scents for spring and summer. Heavier scents can be overpowering during the hotter days, especially when they mix with body sweat.

Pick scents that are fresh and invigorating for the hottest days. Wearing citrus or a synthetic “ocean breeze” type of scent will actually make you feel cooler

Choose a sophisticated but light perfume for everyday and office wear. Many synthetic blends strike just the right note for a professional woman.

Be a little daring for dates and nights on the town. Experiment with perfumes that have an Oriental base such as musk or civet.

Suit your perfume to the season as well as the occasion. Choose lighter perfumes for warmer weather, and heavier notes for winter wear.

Wear sophisticated and romantic florals for weddings and special functions.

Pick up your spirits with a light, fresh floral scent or a citrus splash.

Express your sensual side with a perfume based in woodsy and Oriental tones.

Be playful with fruity scents.

Enjoy the calming effects of lavender and vanilla.

Makeup Tips for Different Eye Shapes

2009-10-25T04:46:00.000-07:00

Eyes are the most expressive feature of your face, so why not play them up for an incredible effect? While, we all have our own desires and needs when it comes to makeup, even so makeup and beauty applications can do wonders. Eyes hold the intensity of captivating others’ souls, with merely a glance. If eyes, as they say, are the window to the soul, then they require our immediate attention first, before we can steal others.

Here’s a piece of advice:

"when applying makeup to your eyes, choose shades and ways of applying makeup depending on the shape of your eyes. This way you can easily make your eyes look any way you want!"

We all want beautiful, long eyelashes, well-groomed brows, and eyes that make the heart skip a beat. Follow our lead and educate yourself on how to makeup your eyes, depending on their shape.

Eye Makeup for Deep Set Eyes

For deep set eyes, always go for luminous and lustrous shades. This way, your eyes will appear appealingly bigger. Apply pale eyeshadows, starting from your eyelid from the inner corner of your eye, stretching it till outer corner. Use lighter colors in the middle of the lid, and darker colors on and just above the socket line. Blend the darker shade up and out. Eureka! There you have it – dazzling eyes to bedazzle the crowd!

Eye Makeup for Wide Set Eyes

If your eyes are wide, makeup can amazingly reduce the distance between them, giving them look. This is what to do: apply a darker shade, starting from the outer corner of your eye till the middle of your eyelid.

"Use a lighter eye shadow from the middle of your eyelid to the inner corner of your eye."

Finally, blend in different shades in the middle of the eyelid and get amazing results.

Eye Makeup for Close Set Eyes

Those with close set eyes (narrower than one eye width) should no longer frown, because help is at hand! Simple, apply some corrector on the inner corners of both eyes. Then, with help of an eyeliner, draw a very thin line edging along the upper eyelashes, so that it appears thicker near the outer corner of your eyes. Following that, apply a very thin layer of light eye-shades, from the inner corner of your eyes till the middle of the eyelids.

"Apply darker shades, neatly starting from the middle of your eyelid to the outer corner."

In the end, blend the colors properly. Also, make sure to use more mascara on the outer corners.

Eye Makeup for Down Turned Eyes

Down-turned eyes? No more worries! To make down-turned eyes look sensational and appealing, the trick is to apply your eye shadow upwards and outwards. Apply eyeliner, edging it closer along the upper lash line, blend in the shade along the length of the socket line in the outer two thirds of the eyes. For a dramatic glaze, apply dense mascara.

Eye Makeup for Asian Eyes

For upward-pointing Asian eyes, remember to use light eye shades along the length of your eyelids. Draw a thick smoky line along upper eyelashes with an eye pencil. Make sure that the line is thick enough to be seen well when your eyes are open. Beneath the lower eyelashes draw a thinner line.

"To make them appear strikingly wider and beautiful, apply brown eyeshadow on your eyebrows."

Two or three coats of dense mascara would make you resemble a calendar model. That’s a promise!

Eye Makeup for Those Wearing Spectacles

If you worry that your spectacles will cover your eyes, then today would be the last day of that misery. After reading this tip, you will surely reach out for your make up and perk up your looks!

If the frame of your spectacles is bright, it is better to pay attention to your eyelashes and put the accent on them, rather using too bright eye shades. If you usually prefer brown mascara, how about try a black one for a change.

"To enhance your eyelashes, giving them more volume and curl, apply a coat of dense mascara, from the roots to the tips."

Those among you, who wear tortoise-shaped or horn-rimmed spectacles, concentrate on the shape of eyebrows. Coloring is also a good idea.

Now you would believe that, creating the large, wide-eyed illusion isn’t all that difficult, after all. Whether big or small, just remember you all beautiful the way you have been made. With a few tricks, you can perk up your looks and look ‘the most gorgeous women on the block!

Choosing the Right Hair Style

2009-10-25T04:28:00.000-07:00

Among the diverse hair styles, choosing your hair style – in fact, the right hair style – becomes rather difficult for many. Why so? Because, they simply fail to consider whether the hair style they want or have opted for, is according to their face-cut. The result of this overlooked fact is an ugly not-so-appealing hair-cut making you look least attractive.

Many women frequently change their hair styles, trying their best to keep up with the pace of latest fashion trends in the market. At the same time, there are others who prefer to keep their same old styles You can change your hairstyle as often as you want, pertaining to the fact that you keep in check that its according to your face-cuts and your hair color.

"For a square face, opt for hair cut with rather long layers if possible one with soft waves or curls is perfect, since it de-accentuates your square jaw line, giving you a striking appearance. Also, prefer to use side parting and keep longer hair at the nape of neck. Centre parting is forbidden for you. Same goes for keeping a straight cut hair surrounding the jaw line and square bangs covering just your forehead."

These featured cuts would only tend to underline your strong structure of a square face even more.

"Many experts believe that oval Shape is the perfect face shape, since those with an oval shape have the added benefit of wearing any hair style they want."

Lucky ones, I would say. Oval faces are thought to be perfect for hairstyling and a stylist can afford a lot of styling techniques too. Yet, what could in the way of a beautiful hair style is the quality of hair: thin, lush, wavy, straight, silky etc. Oval faces look admirable with a haircut that adds volume to the top of head and narrows around the forehead. For an elegant look, avoid hair styles with spikes, short topsides or too much volume on the sides.

"For a round face, short fringes around the jaw line looks simply adorable. Fringes tend to elongate the face and a short cut makes the face look thinner."

Steer clear of spiky and short topside hair styling and also stay away from any haircut that may add to the width of your face.

"If you have a long face, then the best style for you would be one with short layers or even a bob cut with a fringe, as it will create horizontal lines. Nasty curls with a bob cut make you look elegant."

Long faces should be styled up to cover the fullness on sides. Thus, you are predestined to shun from short cuts, jaw-length bobs, or styles that accentuate the long face look.

"Ones with a heart shaped face, bangs and a length that frames the jaw line is highly recommended for a good-looking you, while reserve yourself from keeping a short hairstyle at the nape."

9 Make up tips to brown eyes with pale skin

2009-10-25T04:05:00.000-07:00

Eyes – being the prominent features of your face – need extra attention as they deserve, especially while applying make-up. A good make up can play up your eyes, making you look stunningly gorgeous and brighten up your personality.

"Normally, a misguided attempt which women commit is the choice of make up shades and tricks, which better compliments their skin tone and eyes’ color. Not every make up is meant for you so you better make careful choices while choosing shades and other make up utensils such as liners etc."

If you have brown eyes and a pale (fair) skin tone, then the following make tips would work as magic for you:

Take a deep brown liquid eyeliner and apply it along your upper lashes. Select a lightest eye shadow from the palette and apply on the entire lids up to your brow bone.

Next choose a darker shade and apply into the crease, making sure to blend it properly.

For a brilliant look, apply a pencil liner onto the bottom lids and carefully smudge it with your finger to give it a more natural look.

Apply a white eyeliner at the inside corner of the eyes to give a more beautified look. You would be interested in knowing that this make up trick is mostly used by professional make up artists while applying make up.

Apply coats of dark brown or black mascara on your lashes.

Make certain that your eyebrows are properly threaded, waxed or tweezed in a neat and tidy look. Neat eyebrows make your eyes look beautiful with or without make up on. This is an important lesson to avoid missing out on.

For a pale skin tone, a pink blush is the perfect color to apply. While, for those with a rather tanned look or more on the darker tone, applying bronzer on your forehead, cheeks, nose and chin accentuates your features in the best way.

In case you have an oily skin type, apply loose powder and use blotting paper to softly remove the excess. This trick helps to wipe off extra oil in your skin which may ruin your beautiful make up. For those with a dry skin, gently apply a moisturizer over your face before applying the bronzer and blush. Besides dewy look is the season’s ‘in’ look.

With a darker make up, choosing a lighter lipstick preferably nude shade is a sensible trick. This way your lips don’t overpower your eyes. But, a little color wouldn’t harm. Try a pink lip liner and shade lips in. This keeps the color last longer than your lipstick. A nice gloss over lips for the final finish and there you are, looking like Cinderella ready for a ball.

Makeup Tips For Your Face type

2009-10-25T03:32:00.000-07:00

You can easily enhance your features and give yourself a glamorous look only if you know what face type you have. Yes, if you were unaware before, you shall not be anymore.

For that reason, all you need to achieve your goal is to acquaint yourself with the basic face shapes.

Oval Shape
Oval deemed as an ideal shape. Being the most balanced face in terms of features, oval-shaped face does not require any remedial make-up or extraordinary hair-style to emphasize the looks.

"The purpose of make-up is to restore the beauty of an oval shape."

Eyebrows should be shaped immaculately in a natural arch. As you apply lip color to your lower lip, remember to outline it so as to give an impression of fuller lips and simply follow the natural line of the upper lip. Apply blush on your cheek colors in a “C” shape and blend it up till the outer corner of the eyes.

Diamond Shape
A diamond shape has a slim forehead and chin with relatively broad cheek bones.

"To accentuate a diamond shaped face, the purpose is to reduce the extreme width of the cheeks through make-up to achieve a look akin to oval shape."

Hence, apply a rather darker shade of foundation to the exterior of your cheekbones lengthening towards the outer corner of the eyes. On the contrary, apply a lighter shade of foundation on the chin and the forehead to create an impression of the width to the face. Avoid keeping the eyebrows close instead they should be kept slightly apart from the centre and then follow the natural arch. Apply lipstick in the natural shape of your lips.

Heart Shape
An ample forehead and a slender chin is clearly an indication of a heart shaped face. Thus, make up should be applied to increase the width of the chin and jaw line and reduce the width of the broad forehead.

"Thus, to broaden the chin and jaw line, apply a lighter shade of foundation and as for reducing the width of the forehead, apply a dark foundation."

You’re your eyebrows thick and straight following the natural arch, but remember to maintain a considerable distance between the brows. Apply Lipstick following the natural lip line. To create an illusion on width around the forehead and cheeks, apply a high lighter or a white eye shadow to the forehead centre and the sides of the cheeks. Applying rouge on the upper cheek base would do magic and giving your face an alluring appearance.

Round Shape
A round face can easily be recognized owing to the roughly equal width and length of the entire face.

"Your goal is to apply make up in order to add length to the face to achieve an oval shape."

Normally, a slender forehead will enhance the look of the face. For this purpose, use a deeper shade of foundation on the sides of your face. To give a lean look, apply a darker foundation to the jaw line and beneath the cheeks. Add a touch of rouge and apply blush on the cheeks to make them look slender. Make sure to blend it towards the temple area. Apply lipstick on the inside of the lip line. Shape the eyes and brows to give them a fuller wider and longer look.

Square Face
A straight forehead with a square jaw line makes up for a square face. Applying make up to a square face can be a bit tricky.

"To give a soften touch and strikingly highlight your features, apply a darker shade of foundation on the temples, jaw line and sides of the face."

This will help to shrink the width of the face around the corners of the face and give a subtle look. Apply a bit of rouge on the cheeks and blend it towards the jaw line to heighten the length of the face. To alleviate the strong look, round shape eyebrows accent a softer look to the face. Since the square jaw line needs to be dapped with a softer look, thus the final resort which sure works is to apply Lipstick to create fullness in the lips.

Long Face
A Long face type is slightly stretched and less wide with slightly hollow cheeks. So when applying make-up to a long face, remember your goal:

"make the face look wider, diminishing the long appearance."

Make your eyebrows appear slightly thick following a natural arch to shrink the face length. Your eye make-up should be perfectly synchronized with your aim to making the face wider. Thus that can be achieved by accentuating the eyes to make them look bigger. Apply eyeliner from the centre of the lid leaning it up to the outer corner of the eye. Apply lipstick to give the lips a fuller appearance. Apply rouge and blush-on to cheeks but making sure it doesn’t reach higher than the outer corner of the eye and also not beneath the tip of the nose. A richer shade of foundation can be applied across the jaw line and chin area and also on the top of the forehead to easen up the long appearance of the face.

Pear Face
Ever heard of a pear shaped face? Now you are. A face type with a slender forehead, broad jaw line and wider chin area are the main attributes of a pear face.

"Applying make up to pear shaped face is again slightly on the complicated side. You need to concentrate on making the face look lengthier and wider around the forehead."

Shape the eyebrows to create a higher arch on the outer ends. Apply rouge on the cheekbones and blend it towards the jaw line. Apply a rich color foundation on the sides to play down the width of the jaw, to attain a slender look.

Nail Color Trends Fall Winter 2009

2009-10-04T03:20:00.000-07:00

This season, nail trends go to the extremes; from pretty nudes to edgy ebony, signaling the return of strong sophistication after a summer full of pretty pastels and electric neons.
Healthy, round-shaped nails covered in darker nail polish are very IN.

Opt for intense navy blues, rich chocolate browns, from light purples to eggplant, lavender and chic greys.

Rich jewel-tone hues on nails exude luxury - copper and wines and bright and deep reds will be also popular this year.
This season's colors are elegant, bold and suit women with strong fashion sense and who loves taking risks.
A word of warning, however, for mere mortals about to take the plunge: to avoid looking like a punk, quite literally, be sure to keep nails short and beautifully groomed to ensure the overall effect is chic rather than shocking.

TIPS

Moisturize cuticles. Cuticle oils penetrate the skin bed best. Check out prices here:. Don't have cuticle oil on hand? Use a rich hand cream like Eucerin Plus Intensive Repair Hand Cream or even lip balm.
Prep nails by filing. File nails in an oval shape just like the curve of your nail base. Square tips could make your fingers look chubby.
It's important to wipe nails with a nail polish remover before applying polish even if you aren't wearing polish. Why? Oils left on the nail (like the hand cream or lip balm) will keep polish from sticking. But don't clean nails with cotton balls. Why? They'll leave little fuzzies on your nails. A better option is to use a makeup sponge or try these Stripper to Go pads from celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann.
Wrap the tips of your nails with polish. When applying polish, be sure to bring it over the front edge of the nail and slightly under the tip. This helps prevent chipping.
If the polish chips, it's best to remove the paint from the nail and start over. If you don't have time, dip your finger in nail polish remover and smooth over the chipped area and re-apply a topcoat.
Smudged your polish while painting? Try this trick: dip your finger in nail polish remover and use it to smooth the surface, repainting with a topcoat.
The secret to keeping nails from smudging: Dry time! Surfaces will feel dry to the touch after 10 minutes, but don't be fooled. It actually takes an entire hour for nails to completely dry.
When a nail breaks, the best thing to do is to cut it off. But here's a trick if the break is low down (& painful, undoubtedly): cut a tiny strip of gauze from a teabag, place it over the tear & the paint over with polish.
To maintain a fresh polish, add a fresh layer of topcoat every other day.
How long should your manicure last? Experts say one to 2 weeks. A pedicure should last 2 to 4 weeks.

Right Nail Polish Colors for Your Skin

If your skin tone is very light, you can get away with lighter tones of nail color such as pink, pale peach and beige. (Wearing dark colors of nail polish when you are light skinned tends to look "vampy.")
If you have a darker skin tone, you can get away with darker colors of nail polish, such as reds, blues and even black.
Follow the rule of thumb: Light skin looks better with light to medium nail polish; darker skin looks better with medium to dark nail polish.

20 Beauty Secrets Every Teen

2009-10-03T09:44:00.000-07:00

20 things we wish we knew when we were teenagers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. Spend money on key beauty products Not sure what to splurge on and what to save on? See if you should splurge or save on cleansers, mascara, concealer and more.

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

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

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

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

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

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

15. Don't line the inside of your eyes It will make your eyes appear smaller. Instead, line just at the lash line. Also, an obvious line doesn't look natural. Smudge the line just a bit.

16. Oily hair? Invest in a dry shampoo If you have blonde hair, sprinkling a bit of baby powder on your roots and at your crown will soak up excess oils. If you have brown hair, you might be better off with a dry shampoo for your hair color.

17. Shave legs at the end of the shower Cut down on nicks and cuts by making shaving the very last step in your shower or bathing ritual.

18. Know your best feature and play it up What feature do people comment on most? Play it up. If you're told you have Angelina Jolie lips, make sure to wear gloss and play with bold lipstick colors. If it's your eye color people love, find eyeshadow colors that complement them and make sure to wear mascara. Also, know what color shirts look best on you and go shopping.

19. Scrubs are great for dry skin If you have dry, itchy skin in winter, invest in a scrub and handmitts and scrub away in the bathtub. Make sure to slather on a thick moisturizer afterward. For dry, callousy feet, buy a pumice stone. They work better than any of the other wimpy options on the market.

20. Remember: Beauty is mostly internal Think about a girl you know who's overweight yet all the guys love her. Why? Because she's confident. If you aren't wearing makeup and your toes haven't been repainted in weeks, if you're happy and smiling you will still be 10 times prettier than the mopey cheerleader sitting next to you in class.

Lips

2009-09-19T19:23:00.000-07:00

Apply plain honey frequently on lips for pink and smooth lips.

To get soft and supple lips,apply fresh milk cream overnight every day,within few days u will feel the difference

Everyday night beetrut juice apply then morning your lips very beautful

Always keep your lips together so that you can maintain a shape of them.

Apply a mixture of lime juice, glycerine and honey on your lips everyday before sleep. Gently massage your lips for 10 -15 mins.

Massage your lips with coriander leaf juice for soft and rosy lips.

Apply Butter on your lips before going to bed. it gives pink color and makes ur lip softy, and it reduce the lines in the lips

Apply chapstick of any fruit flavour on your lips after u get ready after bath, it will make ur lips look shinny and beautiful and moisture of ur lips will be maintained.

Apply Vaseline or ghee every night before going to bed time.this keeps lips moisturized.

Drink at least eight to ten glasses of water a day so your body is well hydrated.

Always use moisturizer lotion on lips during winter months to ensure soft lips.

To get natural pink lips apply beetroot juice before bed.

Massage your lips with lemon juice, to avoid the black colour of lips.

Apply mint juice or coriander leaf juice everyday to get rosy and smooth lips.

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Grind rose petals and apply on lips to get smooth pink lips.

Exfoliate your lips once a week. Wet a soft toothbrush and gently brush your lips with a circular motion.

Black lips have been caused by drinking too much tea, coffee or by smoking, so you try avoid this.

Apply a mixture of lemon and glycerine to your lips every night, before turning in. Leave it on overnight and wash it off in the morning. This should help lighten your lips.

Grate raw coconut and squeeze milk out of it.apply this milk on your lips.

Eat plenty of raw cucumber and carrot.it smoothen your lips and glowing your skin.

Natural red lips without any lipstick.

1- vaseline and rub with tooth brush and then rinse it

either, just apply the honey over it. it wont harm

2- put honey on lips and leave it there for how long? and then rinse it?!

As long as u want, u dnt even need to rinse it u can apply glycerine and water flower on it.

3-mix flower water and glycerine and put on lips and leave it overnight and wen wake up rinse it?!

U dnt have to rinse anything because it will be absorbed into ur lips with 2-3 mins or less wen u apply it.

4- just put lipbalm on my lips after rinsing it or dont rinse at all??!

Just put lipbalm or vaseline on ur lips without rinsing it because it'll be absorbed in ur lips so there wont be anything to rinse.

Care & Exercises for the Eye

2009-09-19T19:11:00.000-07:00

Vitamins A, B and C is very essential for the good care of the eyes. Carrot, celery, parsley, spinach etc contain a large amount of vitamin A. 8 to 10 hours of sleep is a must for bright eyes.

For eye care : Splash the eyes with cold water. Apply cotton wool pads, soaked in warm milk, witch hazel, weak tea solution or rose water on the eyes. Press gently and leave for 10 to 15 minutes.

To avoid eye strain :

Do not work in dim light
Do not read continuously in buses and trains.
Do not stare too tong at anything without blinking the eyes. Blinking provides lubrications and relief from light.
Do not rub the eyes too hard.
To give momentary relief to the eyes, close the eyes with the palms so that no light can enter. Now open the eyes in the palm cup and stare into this darkness for a minute.

Exercises for eyes :

Lift the eyes to the ceiling and then to the floor. Repeat it for 10 times. Rest the eyes either by blinking rapidly or covering them with palms.
Look straight ahead at eye level, then slowly to left side at eye level and then to right side at eye level. Repeat it for 3 or 4 times.
Make a circle, first clockwise and then anti-clockwise, with the eyes. Repeat for 5 times.

Care for Eyebrows and Eyelashes :

Eyebrows and Eyelashes should be brushed daily with a small brush.
Rub eyebrows and eyelashes with olive oil or coconut oil or almond oil to encourage hair growth.
For cleansing and nourishment of eyebrows, rub them with a little egg white and rinse it off after 10 minutes.

For eye makeup choose the correct colours and shades to complement your personality. The choice of the eyeliner and mascara should be compatible with the natural eyelash colour.

Milk Facial Cleanser

2009-09-19T19:00:00.000-07:00

Liquefy 1 peeled cucumber in a food processor or blender. Strain the mash through a cheese cloth to remove the seeds. Add 1/2 cup of milk and place into sterilized jars. This mixture will keep in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. If it should begin to smell as though it has soured, dispose of immediately.

Wash face thoroughly. Mix 1 whole egg with 1/2 cup of milk and 1 whole avocado or banana. Whip the ingredients until smooth and well blended. Apply this to face and neck areas in a circular motion scrubbing for 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with tepid water. Pour the remaining mixture into a sterilized jar and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Combine 1/2 cup of cold milk with 1/2 tsp. of salt. Stir until the salt is dissolved. Soak a cotton ball in the mixture and gently dab it over the face and neck area. Allow it to sit for 2 to 3 minutes and remove with a damp tepid cloth by gently rubbing in a circular motion. Rinse thoroughly, splashing your face with tepid water.

Mix 2 tbsp. of honey and 2 tsp. of milk. Leave the mixture on for 10 minutes and wash off. This mixture is especially good for dry skin.

Milk Bath

2009-09-19T18:50:00.000-07:00

Measure three cups of powdered milk and place it in a medium-sized bowl. Milk is high in lactic acid, an element that helps to soothe and moisturize dry skin. Lactic acid also helps to refine pores and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Add 1/4 cup of oatmeal to the bowl. Adding oatmeal to your milk bath will create a natural exfoliant and can help soothe dry, itchy skin. Perfect for those who suffer from eczema, or if you happen to have the chicken pox, oatmeal is hypoallergenic with high levels of healing amino acids.

Place 1/4 cup of dried orris root to the mixture. Orris root is best used in powdered form, which is widely available in health food stores. Orris root has a gentle violet smell and helps to detoxify the skin and increase elasticity.

Grind 1/3 of a cup of almonds in a blender until powdered and add the almond meal to the mix. Almonds are a natural moisturizer and pain reliever that will add a healing element to your milk bath.

Stir in 1/3 of a cup of cornstarch and mix the ingredients well. Cornstarch is a natural healing agent that will help to soothe chaffed cracked skin, calm sun burns and help moisturize your skin.

Divide the ingredients into three even parts. Cut the cheesecloth into three 4-inch by 4-inch squares and place the milk bath ingredients in the center of each cloth. Secure the muslin bags with rubber bands or string.

Use your natural milk bath by dropping the cheesecloth bag under hot running water. Break open one vitamin E capsule and add the oil to the bath for an additional skin healing element. Enjoy your soothing soak.

Natural Body Cleanser Recipes

2009-09-19T18:45:00.000-07:00

Natural Body Cleanser- Body Scrub

Body scrubs are used for exfoliating the skin to remove dry, flaky skin cells giving the skin a rejuvenate glow. Exfoliating of the skin with a body scrub should only be done once or twice a week. To make a natural body cleanser body scrub use two tablespoons of olive oil combine with two tablespoons of brown sugar. Mix together until blended then use in the shower once or twice a week.

Dry Skin Facial

The face is one of the most important parts of the body because everyone sees it. A natural cleanser for the face is made simply with a food processor or a blender. In a blender or food processor combine 1/4 of a cucumber (peeled, sliced and juiced), two tablespoons plain yogurt and two tablespoons of cooked oatmeal. Smooth the mixture over the entire face area and rinse off with warm water. Any leftover mixture can be stored in a closed container for up to three days in the refrigerator.

Body Polish

Create a body polish that helps deal with rough patches of dry skin while cleansing the entire body with just a few ingredients already found in your kitchen. In a small bowl mix 1/4 cup brown sugar, one tablespoon jojoba oil extract, one tablespoon almond oil extract, two tablespoons of honey and five drops of lavender essential oil. Smooth and scrub mixture over the skin gently in a shower or bath then rinse with warm water. Prepared mixture can last three days if refrigerated.

Inner Body Cleanse

Cleansing the inner body detoxes the body from toxins that build up over time. An natural body cleanse that flushes out these toxins yet still keeps the body hydrated is easily made from things found in your refrigerator and kitchen cabinets. In a large pot, combine eight ounces cranberry juice, 56 ounces water, 1/4 cup lemon juice and 3/4 cup orange juice. Bring to a full boil then reduce to a simmer. Slowly whisk in 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger. Simmer for approximately 10 minutes, then cool overnight in the refrigerator. Drink this all day the next day, either hot or warmed, without eating anything. If hunger strikes, eat an orange or an acidic fruit. Get a full night's rest and eat a normal breakfast the following day.

Homemade Moisturizers

2009-09-19T18:36:00.000-07:00

Peaches & Cream Moisturizing Lotion
Peel and mash one very ripe peach. Stain through a sieve to extract all the juice. Mix peach juice with an equal quantity of fresh cream. Keep refrigerated.

High Protein Moisturizer
Beat 1 egg yolk into 1 cup whole milk. Apply to face with fingertips. Bottle and store remainder in refrigerator.

Apply any of the following vegetable, seed or nut oils to the skin
a) Virgin olive oil
b) Sesame oil
c) Peanut oil
d) Avocado oil

Use 2 parts rose water and 1 part glycerin to make a lotion. Apply nightly and work into skin.

Buy a pound of natural margarine from the health food store, NOT the supermarket. Store in refrigerator. Apply enough to cover smooth skin. It will absorb into the skin and surprisingly, does not leave a greasy residue.

Rich Rose Cream for Hand care

¼ cup rose petals
1 tbsp rose hips
½ cup hot, not boiling, distilled water
1 tbsp beeswax, grated
1 tbsp cocoa butter
½ cup almond oil
1 tbsp liquid vitamin E
7 drops rose essential oil

In a small bowl, crush rose hips and rose petals with a wooden spoon. Cover with warm water and let sit over night. Strain liquid into glass container. Melt beeswax and coca butter in a small double boiler over medium heat, stirring constantly. Mix in almond oil. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Mix in the rose liquid, vitamin E, and rose essential oil. Mix until very well blended. Cool completely and pour into a glass bottle/jar and close tightly.