Vitamin C and Skin Care
By
Suzanne RyanVitamin C occurs naturally in the body and nature and is known as L-ascorbic acid. It is used in skin care because it is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help to protect the skin from the damaging effects of sun, smoking, pollution and other things in our environment that cause the skin to age.
Have you ever applied lemon juice to a cut apple to prevent it from turning brown? The brown color in cut apples is from oxidation (much like aging skin) and the vitamin C in the lemon juice is what prevents it from oxidizing, or turning brown.
Vitamin C actually protects the skin from damage that is caused by exposure to the sun. It also helps to promote the formation of collagen, which provides support and strength to the skin. This causes a decrease in fine lines and wrinkles and can also improve the texture of the skin. Vitamin C can also help to lighten skin discolorations caused by sun damage. This is why some people use lemon juice or rub lemons on dark areas on the skin.
Not all Vitamin C products are created equal. Vitamin C is not very stable and is easily broken down by exposure to air and sunlight. Any container that exposes the product to air - like jars or clear containers - will quickly render your vitamin C worthless. To be effective, vitamin C should be packaged in tubes, capsules, pumps or powders that do not repeatedly expose the product to air and light. My favorite vitamin C product is a powder (in a dark bottle) that you mix in with other skin care items. Some products have "stabilized" vitamin C but these products tend to be much more expensive.
Vitamin C can protect the skin from UV damage caused by prolonged sun exposure; it does not block UV like sunscreen and should always be used along with a good sunscreen for maximum anti-aging benefits.
A Registered Nurse, Suzanne Ryan has a passion for helping women look and feel their best. Her interests include skin care and makeup that is good for the skin. More articles about the science of skin care can be found at her website,
www.RN-Guide-to-Skin-Care.com. Information on the benefits of mineral makeup and reviews of the best selling brands can be seen at her website,
www.Mineral-Makeup-Reviews.com.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit:
www.ebooks4selfhelp.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Keeping Skin Hydrated During Winter
By
Brian FongThe cold winter months can really take a toll on your skin. And it affects the skin all over your body, not just your face. The dry air and wind literally strip away moisture and natural oils, leaving behind blotchy, dull and sometimes even cracked skin. It's true that your skin remains under wraps for most of the winter months, but that's no justification for slacking off. In fact, you've got to kick your winter skin care regime into high gear and ward off damage before it begins.
Hydration really does begin on the inside. One of the most effective ways of keeping skin hydrated during the winter is to water it. That's right - you need to continue drinking your 8 glasses of water every day to keep skin moist and to reap the countless other benefits of water.
Another thing you can do is add some humidity to your environment by using humidifiers designed for use in the home. Moisture in the air keeps the itching, cracking and drying under control.
Before you purchase any moisturizing product, know your skin type so that you get one that won't end up causing even more skin issues. When you do venture outdoors, put on sunscreen or a moisturizer with a built-in sun protection factor of at least 8 - 15. The sun rays are stronger than you think especially if they're bouncing off the snow. Exfoliating your skin weekly will help to remove the dry, flaky outer layers of skin that take the most beating from the elements.
Moisturizers containing natural oils like jojoba and avocado (instead of petroleum) offer good skin protection because they'll actually form a protective layer on top of the skin, which will help keep moisture from escaping, while also allowing skin to breathe. Dressing is layers, with a layer of cotton closest to the skin, keeps the body from overheating, another cause of dry, irritated skin.
Brian Fong
http://www.NaturalVisage.com/Hydration really does begin on the inside. One of the most effective ways of keeping skin hydrated during the winter is to water it ...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit:
www.ebooks4selfhelp.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Aloe Vera - 5 Amazing Benefits For Healthier Skin
By
Laura HalikSince the days of antiquity, the aloe vera plant has been a popular healing remedy for many different types of diseases and conditions and also as an aid in the promotion of greater health. Without a doubt, aloe vera's most popular use is in the promotion of health and healing for the skin. But do we really understand how truly amazing this plant really is and what it does for us in improving the health and healing of our skin?
Here is a brief list of just 5 of the amazing benefits aloe vera has for the health and healing of our skin:
BENEFIT 1:
Aloe Vera heals the skin:
Probably the most widely known benefit is the healing effect that aloe has on the skin. Aloe vera aids in the healing of wounds, frostbite and burns including sunburn. Aloe vera contains a combination of salicylic acid and magnesium that has a soothing, anti-inflamatory effect on the skin. Aloe is able to penetrate the skin's layers to reduce pain, inflammation and increase bloodflow to the affected area. With its ability to penetrate the layers of the skin easily and be absorbed quickly, aloe vera has been widely used to heal, and sooth the skin.
BENEFIT 2:
Aloe Vera moisturizes the skin:
Aloe vera is a natural moisturizer for the skin. With its ability to penetrate the layers of the skin easily and be absorbed quickly, aloe helps to balance the skin's own natural pH level, which is needed for smooth, healthy looking skin.
BENEFIT 3:
Aloe Vera conditions the skin:
Aloe vera also provides natural skin conditioning. Aloe vera contains valuable vitamins and nutrients that are able to be carried to and reach and the deep innermost layers of the skin, thereby healing and conditioning the skin from the inside out.
BENEFIT 4:
Aloe Vera fights aging:
Aloe vera contains natural anti-oxidants such as vitamins A, C and E which are widely known and used throughout the cosmetics industry to help reduce the adverse signs of aging in the skin and also to help improve and tighten the skin's overall elasticity.
BENEFIT 5:
Aloe Vera promotes healthy skin:
Aloe vera also promotes healthy skin growth. Aloe vera is believed to contain its own natural enzymes which have the capability of ridding the skin of dead skin cells and aid in the promotion of healthy, new skin cell growth. Aloe vera leaves the skin with a soft, healthy looking tone and texture.
Get quick and easy to use professional makeup application tips by downloading the free Natural Concealing Makeup, 5 Step System Guide at
http://www.naturalconcealingmakeup.com/index.htmTo find our more about how to conceal and cover skin conditions or scars with natural cover makeup, come visit
http://www.naturalconcealingmakeup.comFrom Laura K. Halik, author specializing in providing natural products and solutions for natural, healthy, spiritual, green living.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit:
www.ebooks4selfhelp.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
4 Ways to Boost Your Natural Beauty
By
Janet FrancisDay Dream a Bit
You need to picture your new look. What specific improvements do you want to make- a slimmer body, healthier hair, clearer and softer skin? Imagine yourself in a few months, after a little effort has paid off and you look and feel wonderful. All these changes are realistic and attainable, but remember you are unique- acceptance is the pinnacle point you need to reach before you start to make changes.
Realize the Ruling Realms of Reflection
Confident women have an attractive aura of authority when it comes to their look that shines from within. Confidence in your looks comes from complete acceptance- make the most of what you have. How do you know what you have? The most effective way to recognise your assets is through reflection. Learn to like yourself, every little bit, even the scary bits. Discover and enjoy experimenting in front of the mirror as a way of lightening stress and enhancing morale. Vanity is a positive virtue, no matter what we have been taught to believe. Women who have low self esteem tend to avoid mirrors, but, mirrors can become a big ally. They can tell you how you're progressing, in those little ways that may not be noticeable to the casual eye.
Balance Becomes Beauty
Little pleasures allow you to feel special, go on, you're worth it! Balance the hard work with these little pleasures, respect what your body tells you. If it tells you to relax then relax, if it tells you to release then find a way to release. Each of us has a voice inside our head that will give us advice. It guides us in the right direction. The difficulty is that we often don't listen to this important information. The reason for this? We don't make or take time out to listen to our body. Plan some quiet time everyday to sit back and listen. Indulge your body and show it the respect it deserves- you will be rewarded. Bringing equilibrium to your life is essential to attain both physical and mental balance and the same applies with your beauty. It shouldn't be a chore. Rather than running around looking for beauty in pricey high street products, discover natural alternatives, that are kinder to your natural balance and you bank balance.
Share and Share alike
What people say, whether intentional or not, can alter our perceptions of how we feel about our self. People are inclined to be drawn to those who make them feel good about who they are and how they look- the kind of friend who will help them and share words of wisdom and knowledge selflessly. Once you have reached a place of inner balance, or have an epiphany, share your confidence with your friends. The more people you support and the more self esteem you create within your friends, the stronger that network of friends becomes- remember knowledge is power, spread the knowledge, spread the power!
J Francis 2007 Copyright
Visit
http://www.thetextperts.co.uk/natural_beauty_tips.html for natural beauty tips.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit:
www.ebooks4selfhelp.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Over 40 and Not Pleased With What You See in the Mirror?
By
Linda BertautDo you notice changes in your skin and coloring that leave you looking tired or older than you would like to admit? Have these changes affected your confidence and self esteem?
If so, you are not alone.
I hear this consistently from women coming to me for a new look: "I just turned 40+ and everything is different. I don't look the same and I don't know what to do."
As you age, the vibrancy you once experienced in your youth starts to fade. The more you have lived and enjoyed the outdoors, the more it shows in your skin. As you transition into your non-reproductive years your hormones change and this creates changes within your body and appearance. The things you normally do to take care of yourself may not work as well anymore.
We experience life cycles very much like the seasonal cycles of Mother Nature. The more you do now to take care of yourself the more rewards you will reap later in life.
Have you noticed any of the following:
Changes in skin tone and elasticity
More blotchiness & sun damage
Less eyebrows and thinning of the hair
Lackluster hair and faded color Here are the top 5 things you can do for a Healthy Glow:
1. Find a hairdresser who specializes in color and can create a look that enhances your best features. Maintain your color and cut every 4 - 6 weeks.
2. Go to my website or join me for a make-up lesson using Mineral Make-Up with a built in SPF of 26. I designed Face Options Mineral Cosmetics for business women on the go.
3. Re-evaluate your skin care regime - if you don't have one, find a good esthetician and start using one now.
4. Drink more water. Clean water keeps you hydrated and allows for healthier looking skin and body tone. Half your weight in ounces is the recommendation.
5. Avoid the largest contributors to aging: sun exposure, tanning beds, cigarette smoke - both 1st and 2nd hand smoke, alcohol, caffeine and fast or processed foods.
Visit my Face Options website for more tips or join me for a class and I will share my beauty secrets with you.
©2007 Linda Bertaut
Want to use this article in your ezine, website or magazine? You may, as long as you include this text with it: Written by award-winning inner & outer beauty expert, Linda Bertaut. To sign up for her FREE how-to articles and ezine, visit
www.FaceOptions.comBio:Award-winning beauty expert, Linda Bertaut is an esthetician, Reiki master teacher, make-up & image consultant who specializes in bringing inner beauty to the surface. Linda's real passion is empowering people to find their true inner beauty, resulting in a transformation from the inside out. "True beauty comes from knowing who you are, and expressing yourself authentically to the world." is Linda's philosophy.
Linda founded
http://www.FaceOptions.com Mineral Cosmetics in 2000 as part of her beauty business, Bertaut Beauty. With over 20 years experience in the beauty industry her products, seminars and retreats are enabling others to realize their true inner beauty as well as unlock their incredible potential to live their best lives.
Linda's Other Products on
http://www.BertautBeauty.com :Mood Bar - Aromatherapy Mists and Herbal Elixirs to soothe and lift the spirits naturally. Bertaut Reiki Training to create peace of mind and reduce stress & anxiety. Workshops & Inner & Outer Beauty Retreats to know youself and follow your unique life path.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit:
www.ebooks4selfhelp.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Women's Perfumes - A Heady Experience
By
Yoga PriyakaraWhat do leading brands like Angel, Calvin Klein, Armani, Gucci, Chanel and Ghost have in common, apart from being idolized the world over? All these legendary brands have made forays in to the world of women's perfumes and have be rather overwhelmed with the sweet smell of success. These brands are runaway hits when it comes to the manufacture and marketing of women's perfumes. Today, this is an industry that is characterized by big bucks and intense competition with each player trying to grab the customers by their eyeballs, err noses.
Let your perfume be your voice
Wearing perfume is an art, for those who love to wrap themselves with a sweet smelling concoction. Wearing the wrong women's perfume could be, well, the harbinger of doom, to put it mildly. Don't let all this daunt you; here are a few tips on what kind of women's perfume to choose. For the routine at work, make sure the perfume is light and breezy. A floral or even citrus based fragrance works well, without being too overpowering. But if it's that dream date, or a candle light dinner with someone special, take care to put on a warm, woody fragrance that has spicy or even Oriental undertones. Trust me, you won't find anything as hot as this on the menu.
Compare and then decide
Its easy to get carried away by what your friends believe. Your best friend swears by Kenzo Flowers, but when you try out this rather popular women's perfume, you smell like a bouquet of flowers. To avoid such dreadful experiences, make sure you take time off to read the reviews and customer testimonials. You'll never regret it. These reviews will tell you that though Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle has a definite divine aura to it; it is certainly not for those looking for something easy on the pocket. If you're thinking of enhancing your perfume wardrobe with Chanel's Chase, it may not be such a great idea after all. But the Allure perfume from the same brand scores certainly on the versatility factor. Issey Miyake's L' Eau D' Issey is one perfume that oozes style and class from every pore.
Great Prices for lovely smells
Women's perfumes are also available at discount prices and even wholesale prices. All these perfumes are 100% branded fragrances, so there's no dispute regarding the quality of the product. These online stores offer some fabulous discounts, up to even 80% on some really exiting fragrances. You can get intimate at just $58 with the classy Basic Instinct by Victoria Secrets. That's something even Sharon Stone wouldn't mind, right? Sites like PriceGrabber, Bizrate and the like have a sensational collection to choose from. There are some really cool gift sets too.
Get a women's perfume today, its bound to be a one-of-its-kind sensory experience.
Perfumes - Do you know their history, what separates the best perfumes from the rest and how to
buy cheap perfumes and
wholesale perfumes?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit:
www.ebooks4selfhelp.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
How To Choose Right Fragrance For The Occasion?
By
Roman FranczakHaving used a number of different fragrances over the years, I notice that I always ask myself two questions when choosing a new scent. The first question is how do we know what perfume or cologne will be the best fit with our skin chemistry? The second question is what scent will be most suitable for the occasion for which we intend to wear it? There are thousands of different fragrances on today's market, which makes choosing the right scent even more difficult.
Fragrance wearers often choose new scents based on the perfume or cologne that others are wearing. They may notice a fragrance they like on a friend, family member or co-worker and ask them what they are wearing, commenting on the fact that it smells great.
Upon receiving the answer, they visit a fragrance store to try this particular brand and see how well it suits them. Unfortunately, a fragrance that works well on one person is not always well suited to everyone. There are better ways to find a perfect fragrance that you can wear with confidence and discover a great match that will become your personal signature scent for years to come. The intention of this article is to give the future fragrance buyers some guidance that will assist them in making their fragrance selection easier and help them avoid buying perfumes and colognes that are not the right fit for them.
The first step involved in shopping for perfume or cologne is to examine the scent category. Floral fragrances consist of large variety of flowers such as roses, jasmine, lily of the valley and many others. They are sometimes mixed with hints of other subtle scents such as vanilla to create a well balanced lighter fragrance that is perfect for a romantic evening or starry night. Floral fragrances are the largest group to choose from. The citrus fragrances contain a blend of fruits such as lime, tangerine, lemon and mandarin, creating very refreshing aromas. These fragrances are mostly worn during the evening, or in the office. Oriental fragrances derive from mixture of spices, resins, amber, balsams and other exotic aromas. These fragrances are widely used for winter evenings.
The concentration of the scent is next factor to consider when buying a new fragrance. Pure perfume is the most concentrated fragrance and is also the most expensive. It stays on your body for the longest period of time. Cologne has the least concentration of scents. As a lighter fragrance, it is recommended for wear by men and women in the office. Wearing lighter perfume or cologne requires more frequent application since they evaporate much faster, especially in the summer months. The third classification of fragrance is perhaps the most important factor to consider. It is very important to choose right fragrance to match the specific occasion for which it will be worn.
For example, a very strong, pure perfume would be inappropriate to wear at the office. In an office setting, perfumes that are too strong could lead to headaches. For an occasion such as a romantic date, the fragrance wearer should consider wearing one of the floral fragrances, perhaps one with some pheromone scents to attract the opposite sex with seductive appeal.
There is a wide variety of romantic fragrances to choose from. The largest groups of the fragrances are casual or daytime wear fragrances, which are universal scents that can be used for many occasions. Evening wear perfumes or colognes are mostly oriental fragrances with blend of spices, resins, amber and other exotic aroma oils, worn to enhance a warm and exotic feeling in the evening.
Here it should be noted that there are some places you shouldn't wear any fragrances. For instance, fragrances should not be worn in the hospital or when visiting a very ill person.
Similarly, in places with crowded conditions such as churches, movie theaters, airplanes and etc., it is not recommended that one wears strong fragrances or in some cases it is best if no fragrance is worn in these locations. When you do choose to wear fragrances in these locations, consider wearing a fragrance that is light.
Most online fragrance stores list their products by two categories: by designer name or by the first letter of the fragrance name. My website,
Fragrance Place, is the first to introduce a very helpful new tool: Fragrances by recommended wear. The website categorizes fragrances into five distinctive categories: Casual Wear Fragrances, Daytime Wear Fragrances, Evening Wear Fragrances, Office Wear Fragrances, and Romantic Wear Fragrances. We have created this search tool base on extensive study of the nature of fragrance, as well as with suggestions provided by fragrance designers. This tool allows buyers to easily make a selection based on occasion. For example, if you are interested in
Romantic Wear Perfumes, just click on that category and you will find selections of all the romantic perfumes to choose from. Alternately, maybe you need something to wear at the office. In this case, click on the Office Wear Perfumes to easily navigate through perfume selections that are well suited to office wear. This great tool will help you to narrow your search, decrease your shopping time and minimize your mistakes when shopping for fragrances.
Author is the webmaster of the
Fragrance Place, the online designer fragrance store with great selection and discount prices.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit:
www.ebooks4selfhelp.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Aloe Vera Skincare
By
Sonya SpencerWhat is Aloe Vera?
Aloe Vera is a succulent plant that originated in the arid areas of North Africa and the Middle East. It is one of several hundred Aloe plants that are natives to many of the arid regions of the world, except Australia.
The beneficial part of the Aloe Vera plant is the sap, more commonly known as Aloe Vera Gel.
This is a clear jelly like substance found in the leaves of the Aloe Vera plant.
Benefits of Aloe Vera
For thousands of years the healing benefits of aloe vera has been known by the people of North Africa and the Middle East. Aloe Vera Gel was used by traditional medicine practitioners to treat sun burn, serious burns, cuts, wounds, infections, dry skin, and many other skin problems. Drinking Aloe Vera Gel also was used to treat all types of mouth, gum and dental problems, improving digestion, and general infections.
Aloe Vera Skincare
Aloe Vera greatly improved the effectiveness of natural organic skincare products such as moisturisers and cleansers, as Aloe Vera Gel helps the body heal any minor skin damage for the sun, the ravages of time and our stressful modern life.
Some of the common uses of Aloe Vera in skincare include
Treating minor burns, rashers, abrasions and other wounds;
Moisturising and rehydrating dry, cracked and damaged skin;
Improving the texture and complexion of skin;
Smoothing of wrinkles and stretch marks;
Treating acne and other minor skin disorders; and
As a hair wash to reduce dandruff and other scalp problems
Aloe Vera Products
Over the past 20 years the Aloe Vera market has expanded greatly. Originally only available through health food stores and naturopaths, Aloe Vera products are now available across an array of outlets including pharmacies and supermarkets.
Although this growing awareness of Aloe Vera's healing properties has greatly increased the number of Aloe Vera products available, not all of these new products are as good as they seem. Some contain such small amounts of Aloe Vera Gel that it has little or no therapeutic value. Others use clever marketing tricks such as using the word Aloe as part of their brand name, despite having no Aloe Vera in the product.
How do you tell a good Aloe Vera product?
This can be difficult, but some things you can do are:
Read the product label and ingredients section.
All products must now list ingredients using Latin name. The Latin for Aloe Vera is Aloe Barbadensis.
If Aloe barbadensis leaf gel, extract or juice is the first or second product on the ingredients list that means that there is a higher percentage of Aloe Vera in the product.
Avoid products where Aloe Vera is not mentioned until much later in the ingredients list. This means the product has little Aloe Vera in it.
Look for products that are Certified Organic Cheers Sonya
www.naturallysafe.com.auHi I'm Sonya Spencer and my focus is natural organic cosmetics, makeup, personal care and beauty products. I have been studying this area for many years.
Feel free to visit me at Naturally Safe Cosmetics
www.naturallysafe.com.au-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit:
www.ebooks4selfhelp.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Organic Skincare - The Natural Alternative
By
Sonya SpencerWhat is Organics Skincare?
An organic skincare product is one where the raw ingredients (eg plant extracts, waxes, oils), are not treated with pesticides and other chemicals while growing or during processing. Natural products, such as sea weed as a fertilizer, can be used in the process as long as these products also are organic.
Further tests are done to ensure the plants purity and organic status right through the production phase of a product. This guarantees the organic status, and therefore a much better product. The key bodies providing this certification are The National Association for Sustainable Agriculture, Australia (NASAA) or by Australian Certified Organic (ACO).
Why is Organic Skincare important?
Many of us use more than 20 different beauty products a day, including: shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, moisturiser, toner, cleanser, talc, body lotion, deodorant, foundation, concealer, eye shadow, lipstick, nail polish ...... the list goes on. These products are applied directly to the skin, lips, around our eyes and hair. The problem is that our bodies do absorb chemicals through our skin.
This means we are absorbing and ingesting a huge amount of chemicals each day, unless we do as so many consumers are already doing, and switching to milder and less harmful organic alternatives. Scientific research may vary on the severity of damage that cosmetic chemicals cause, but the one sure thing is - it's not natural.
Pressure from consumers is now encouraging the skin care and cosmetic market in a new direction; organic skin care and cosmetics.
Skincare products are going organic
Organic skincare products are growing quickly across the world and are the next generation of skincare. This is not a fad, but a change in what consumers are demanding from their skincare products.
They say that imitation is the best form of flattery. Interestingly over the last few years the major brands, have released "organic" or "natural" products. But there is a world of difference between these products and truly organic products such as MiEssences, Mukti, Clariscents and Pure Earth.
Organic Skincare - What to look for?
So what do you need to look for when shopping for organic skincare and what should you avoid?
Look for products that:
• are certified by The National Association for Sustainable Agriculture, Australia (NASAA) or by Australian Certified Organic (ACO).
• have natural products in their ingredients lists
• contain do not contain petrochemicals, parabens, or sulphates.
• use natural preservatives like tea tree oil, or a combination of various essential oils that have antimicrobial activity (eg lavender, lemon, rose, rosemary, sage, sandalwood), grape seed extract or honey.
• are Australian made. Not only does Australia have stringent organic standards, but agriculture in Australia a relatively new and therefore has better quality growing conditions than its overseas equivalent.
Avoid products that:
• have the word "organic" or "natural" in their brand name but don't have organic certification.
• have lots of chemical sounding names in the ingredients list
Cheers Sonya
www.naturallysafe.com.auHi I'm Sonya Spencer and my focus is natural organic cosmetics, makeup, personal care and beauty products. I have been studying this area for many years.
Feel free to visit me at Naturally Safe Cosmetics
http://www.naturallysafe.com.au-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit:
www.ebooks4selfhelp.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Tips To Get Beautiful Nails - For A Beautiful You!
By
Anita R ChoudharyNot just your face but even your hands say it loud when you need to get that perfect impression in a board meeting or on a special person. Your perfectly manicured nails look good and say it loud about how well you maintain yourself. However, nail care is essential for both men and women and few tips that will help you get that perfect nails sitting at home. So, say good bye to expensive salons and French manicurists.
If you devote a little care even once in 15 days your nail will look beautiful, giving you an edge over the others in today's world of competition.
1. Get a basic nail kit that has the necessary tools but is not prohibitively expensive as brand names do not mean great nails! Nail kits are available at every drug store so you can find one that suits you easily.
2. Wash your hands with a herbal based soap and lukewarm water and let it dry. When the nails are soft, they are easy to cut and file. However, be careful as improper filing can weaken the nails. Use a nail file and shape up your nails according to our desire with easy, gentle strokes. File from the side to the middle along the edge of the nail for the best results. Do not apply pressure on the top which will cause then to crack and break.
3. If you apply nail polish, do not put a thick coat and leave it. Beautiful, well manicured nails require 2 to3 coats of nail polish applications to give them that smooth, glossy finish.
4. As with hair and skin, nails also require attention. A well balanced diet and drinking plenty of water keeps the nails shiny and smooth while dehydrated nails look chipped and dry too.
5. Regular nail care is important and occasionally do apply cuticle oil to moisturize and soften your cuticles and nails. This will help the nails to look fresh and smooth, even without nail polish.
6. Never use alcohol based lotions or nail polish removers as they tend to weaken the nails and dehydrate them. The chances of fungi and other microbial infections increase when the nails are cracked and brittle. Always go in for natural, organic
nail care products to safe guard tour skin and nails.
7. Unhealthy habits of biting nails also lead to unhygienic nails and spoil the look of the hands.
So, if you are prone to it, give it up! If you follow these tips, you will have healthy, beautiful nails and hands in a short time span.
Anita R writes for Onestoptreatment.COM that provides information on all aspects of finding
nail care products The information provide by our
SKIN CARE EXPERT! You can find more details and tips about aromatherapy skin care in our education center.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit:
www.ebooks4selfhelp.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
7 Classic Ways Of Bringing Back Your Younger Years
By
Sharon A BellAside from taxes, one of the things that people dread, particularly women, is the aging process. However, no matter what you do, aging is inevitable and you cannot stop the hands of time from ticking and adding up years to your life and wrinkles to your faces and necks. No matter how many Botox and surgical procedures you undertake, you will eventually be faced with sagging skin and age spots galore.
Do not lose some more of your thinning hair thinking for ways to find the fountain of youth. The best way to approach aging, especially for women, is to accept and embrace it. Age gracefully with the help of natural facial cleansers, moisturizers, and make up.
You really do not have to undergo expensive cosmetic procedures just to be beautiful and look younger than you actually are. All you have to do is to follow the seven secrets enumerated below to attain instant youthful glow.
Secret 1: Skip The Concealer And Face Powder
For people who have lines and creases all over their face, it is advisable to skip the concealer and face powder. These products will only make the lines and creases on your face more prominent. If you are a Hollywood star and are shooting a movie or television program, it may be ok to put on tons of concealers and face powders to hide you lines. However, if you are just going out with your friends or going to the mall, then sport a light cream-based foundation that is ideal for aging skin.
Secret 2: The Magic of Highlighter
Another makeup product that will truly hide your flaws and emphasize your assets is the highlighter. Be sure to put some highlights on your creases. The highlighter will help counter the shadows because it reflects the light. However, do not overdo the highlighting. You do not want to look like you came out of the pages of an 80's magazine.
Secret 3: Shape Your Eyebrows
People who are older usually have droopy eyes. One thing you can do to open up your eyes and make it look bigger and more alert is by plucking your eyebrows. Well-groomed eyebrows can help make your eyelids look more lifted.
Secret 4: Don't Forget The Curlers
Another way to make your eyes bigger and brighter is by using an eyelash curler. Ensuring that no lashes are shrouding your eyes can help in your efforts to look younger. However, be careful with using the curler because you wouldn't want to lose eyelashes altogether. As you grow older, you experience thinning of the hair, including those precious lashes.
Secret 5: Mind Your Hairstyle
Your hairstyle is a crucial component in making you look younger and fresher. The ideal hair length for people who are growing old is above the shoulders. If you must keep long hair, ensure that you tie it up to a ponytail. This hairstyle will help in pulling the skin on your temples tighter, lessening the appearance of lines on some parts of your face. If you have too much wrinkles on your forehead, you may want to carry some bangs.
Secret 6: Hide Under A Sun Screen
Exposure to the harsh rays of the sun without any protection will result in the formation and development of more skin blemishes and problems, such as age spots, liver spots, freckles and wrinkles. Don't speed up the aging process; use a good sunscreen during the day, even during winter and gloomy days.
Secret 7: Moisturize
Another way to keep your skin youthful and for you to prevent, or sometimes even remove, signs of aging is by using an anti-aging product that will help hydrate and moisturize your skin. Choose a product that has natural ingredients and is specifically designed for aging skin. One beauty cream that you can use to help make your skin look younger and suppler is Rejuvinol. For more information about this product, visit
www.Rejuvinol.com.
Sharon Bell is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premiere online news magazine
http://www.healthnfitnesszone.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit:
www.ebooks4selfhelp.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Let Your Beauty Blossom This Season
By
Brian A SchwartzBeauty is bestowed by God but maintaining it is our duty. It is a desire of each one of us to look youthful and charming in all the years we live. Though such desire remains a dream, but we can delay aging and enhance beauty by taking good care of ourselves be it hair, face, arms, legs or nails. To make your skin and body healthy, just nutritious food is not enough. It has to be supplemented with some skin care products that gives a real glow to your beauty and makes you feel more confident.
Today the market is flooded with countless beauty products, and it becomes really difficult to make a choice between the authentic and fake beauty products. Before applying any product, it is important to check if it is suitable for your skin type. Beauty products with harmful chemicals can ruin your beauty and can cause more harm than good by causing skin burns and allergies.
Before making a choice, make sure that the product you buy is safe to use and purchased from an authentic dealer to avoid any harm to your beauty.
Take Care of Yourself to Look Beautiful
Face: Face is the first thing that one notices in a person. Facial skin is quite delicate; and to have a healthy glow on face, it should be washed with water many times a day. For enhancing the glow, face packs should be applied and facial care like cleansing, toning and moisturizing at regular periods must be done. Problem of dark circles can be resolved by use of under eye creams and eye lotions, etc.
Body: Replenish and pamper your body with the fragrance of nature. The aromatic magic of lavender is known since ages. Using products with the scent of lavender relaxes your body and soul. Various bathing soaps and gels are available in the market in various flavors like mint, coconut, coffee and pineapple, etc. They relax your stressed muscles and give you a refreshed feeling after the bath. Some after bath lotions will make your senses go wild and help you enjoy intimate moments all the more. While taking care of body, you also need to do hair removal. There are various methods of getting rid of unwanted hair either by shaving or use of hair removal creams.
Hair: Everybody desires long and healthy tresses. It is so depressing when hair loss is more than normal. To regain that vitality and bounce in your hair, use hairs regain treatments and mild shampoos with moisturizing agents. To reduce excessive hair loss capsules & hair liquid soft gels can be taken. They will supplement any kind of deficiency that causes hair loss.
Skin: Who does not dream of a satin skin?Everybody desires a skin that radiates light and attracts every one. Baby soft skin is possible if we keep our skin clean and moisturized. Aloe Vera, rose, coconut and lavender, etc. all result in a soothing skin. These natural soothers come in the form of soaps, gels and moisturizers and when used give you the same relaxation as the natural ones. For best results beauty products chosen must match the skin type. A healthy skin shines like the morning sun. And anti wrinkle creams must be used with increasing age for delaying the old age marks. It's impossible to stop time, but possible to avoid wrinkles. To get guidance in choosing the right products, visit
www.vitadigest.com and find answer to all your queries along with perfect solution for your skin and hair problems. Come regain the charm of youth at affordable prices.
Brian Schwartz is a professional author who has written many articles on various topics & this time writing article on Let your Beauty Blossom this Season.
For more details about Let your Beauty Blossom this Season visit:
http://www.vitadigest.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit:
www.ebooks4selfhelp.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
How To Determine If You Have Found A Good Anti Wrinkle Cream?
By
Einar EskelandThe perfect anti aging anti wrinkle skin care product,- does it exist?
Thousands and even millions of dollars are used every day on cosmetics, anti wrinkle creams and skin care products in general. The demand is astronomical.
Much of what is bought ends up in the garbage though, or the buyer has to give the product to someone else, because he or she develops allergies or other adverse effects from using it. This is more common than anyone likes to think.
How could you find a perfect anti wrinkle skin care cream? Which criteria would you use, and what would that type of cream look like? What would have been the characteristics of the perfect anti aging anti wrinkle cream if you happened to find it?
As a medical doctor, I have given it some thought and in my perspective it looks like this:
1. A cream should ideally consist of healthy constituents only.
One should actually not put something on the skin that one cannot ingest through the mouth.
What you wouldn't eat you shouldn't put on your skin!
Why?
The skin has absorbent abilities that is far beyond what most people know, and in the medical science, this is utilized and exploited more and more. By applying medicines to the skin, one actually needs less of the substances, because the skin absorbs so well, and because the blood doesn't go directly to the liver which detoxes the blood or inactivates some or all of the substances in the medicines. It goes all around in the body without being processed first. When you eat something, every little bit of nutrition that is absorbed from the intestines go to the liver, and is thereby made agreeable and useful to the body through many chemical processes, or if toxic or useless, is neutralized and excreted. This is to protect the body against harmful elements and burdens. When applying something to the skin on the other hand, the elements go directly to the systemic circulation. Whatever is absorbed goes right to the entire body, without going to the liver first for processing.
This makes it more important to consider carefully what one puts on the skin than what one eats. Putting on toxic substances is to ask for trouble.
2. The elements in the cream should be all natural. It seems that natural substances are more agreeable to the body than synthetic, non-physiological substances. The substances should, if they are synthetic, be exact replicas of natural substances. They may also be extracted from natural sources. This way many allergic reactions and sensitizations can be avoided. Many people are allergic to all cosmetics and creams due to the synthetic, non-physiological contents and chemicals in them. Many people drop all skin care for this reason. They simply cannot use it because they fall ill or get adverse effects on the skin. Not only are there allergic reactions, but many people experience flu like symptoms after having had a facial or having had a consultation with a cosmetologist. One may think one has contracted a virus, but guess what.... you may have reacted to a toxic substance in the products that have been applied to your skin. The cosmetologists don't always learn about this, because the unhappy victim doesn't understand the connection between the products and the symptoms. Anyone may get a flu when out among lots of other people, right!?
As a doctor I happen to see some of those cases, and I feel sorry for innocent people who strive to bring out the best of themselves, and end up poisoned, and don't even understand the connection.
They may even end up with their bag full of products that are actually unhealthy for them.
3. All the elements should be active and essential, important constituents of the cream. It should contain no extra, inert base or substance. Many chemicals burden the body unnecessarily, unless they are positively healthy. Avoid anything that is unhealthy, toxic or unnecessary. The elements in the cream should be active and essential for the effects. No extra burden on the body is wanted, and unnecessary constituents should simply be left out. Ingredients that are put in the product without reference to the effects and the health of the skin and the body is not acceptable.
4. The cream should be normalizing all skin types; the oily, the dry, the sensitive and the normal, and even to the oily dry skin type. This would show that the cream is well designed and for general use, and not some sort of specialized medicine that is to be taken only by those with sick or unbalanced skin. It should moisture the dry skin, it should even out too much greasiness or oiliness of the skin, soothe the sensitive skin, stabilize the normal skin and balance the dryness and oiliness of the dry oily skin type.
5. The perfect cream should have medicinal properties, so that one could experience unforeseen positive side effects, like getting rid of minor skin blemishes, moles, acnes and exzematous changes etc etc. Here you find the extra bonus that your purchase involves. Expect good things, and if you don't get to experience those bonuses, move on to another product.
6. All aspects of the aging process should be addressed: The increased cross-linking in the collagen in the sub-cutanous tissue and the tissue just below the basal membrane, the reduced elasticity of the elastine deep in the skin, the reduction of skin thickness both below the Dermal Epidermal Junction and above it, and the water content of the skin should be restored. Old skin is to normal skin what the raisin is to the grape. The difference is the water content. This is of course an oversimplification with regard to the skin, but the importance of the water content should not be underestimated.
7. The cream should not be too expensive. This is self explanatory. It needs some explanation nevertheless. What should one accept to pay for a cream or an anti aging skin product? To use 150-200$ a month in the beginning, and a little less later on should be acceptable, but very many creams are far beyond this price. Paying more is to pay for the label, the name of the company, the wrapping etc. It ads nothing valuable to the cream or to you. Some are priced lower. That may mean lower quality, but not necessarily. If you are lucky to find one such cream with low price and that satisfies all quality criteria, then please make it known to the world!
8. The cream should be easy to apply to the skin, be nice smelling and fresh, and leave least possible residue after it has been applied to the skin. This has a twofold significance: 1) The skin should be free from greasiness or remnants of the cream a short while after application. 2) The contents of the cream should be absorbed easily into the deeper levels of the skin and all the cells in all the different levels of the skin, meaning that the ingredients should be very bio-available to the cells, and not remain on the dead surface layer of the skin, the keratinic layer. If they remain there they are actually useless. They must be absorbed, at least to a certain degree. So 1) no residue on the skin, and 2) good absorbability is absolutely essential.
9. From what we know about illnesses and aging processes today, we can safely say that the cream should contain high concentrations of antioxidants that are bio-available to the cells.
Illnesses are the expressions of increased, pathological aging in different areas of the body, and aging is more and more viewed as a result of the cumulative effects of oxidative stress. To counteract the aging process, antioxidants are absolutely essential. Without them, one will be dependant on hormones or hazardous elements, or less effective (read useless) substances.
Antioxidants are generally healthy and therefore desirable in creams. They have the scope of stopping or even reversing the biological aging processes by promoting healthy conditions, and without causing harm.
10. Also avoid all creams that offer you ONE ACTIVE INGREDIENT. Oooops,- there most of the creams available dropped to the ground! Did you hear the sound of these useless creams as they rushed out of our sphere of interest? These creams are made for your exploitation. They may create some effects, but you are throwing money out the window. Many companies (that includes most of the very famous ones) base their products and reputation on such strategies.
That way, they keep customers busy with trifles for years and years, and earn big bucks without offering you what you search for. They can produce a new cream every year without running out of good ideas. For example, ascorbic acid, known as vitamin C is an active substance, an antioxidant that may come from natural sources, or from a chemical laboratory. The burden of this substance is zero. The effect is positive, among other things on the collagen in the deeper layers of the skin. The same is true for all the other vitamins, anti-oxidants, many essential oils, many plant oils etc etc, and even some substances of animal origins, like Co-Enzyme-Q10 or ubiquinone, L-carnosine, collagen and hyaluronic acid. But basing a whole product on only one such substance is not acceptable and it is not in your interest to buy any of those.
Buy a cream that is full of active substances (it should be VERY GENEROUS!); 10, 20, even 30 ACTIVE SUBSTANCES. And we are not advocating homeopathic doses here! The ingredients should be available in substantial amounts and concentrations!
Is anything available that satisfies all these criteria? Well, not many in my experience. There has appeared one clear winner though, one that satisfies all the criteria, and even criteria that have not been mentioned so far.
11. The cream should have antimicrobial properties, strong enough to help cure minor skin infections of all sorts. Very many substances have antimicrobial properties, like tamanu oil, essential oils, hyaluronic acid, many herbs and many other substances, so being without it means that the cream is of lesser quality.
The 12.th criterion is the efficiency of the cream as an anti aging, anti wrinkle agent.
It must be efficient in helping the user reach the goal of reversing the signs of aging when using the cream regularly.
I know I am harsh on most companies and most products, but when the ideal is possible for a reasonable price, why buy anything less than optimal for your skin?
My hope is that these lines enable you to navigate better in the ocean of cosmetic, anti aging anti wrinkle products, and to find THE CREAM for your aging skin.
http://www.naturalskinrepair.com/rejuvion.html or
http://www.rejuvion-skin-care.comMy name is Einar Eskeland. I am a Norwegian medical doctor, and a yoga and meditation enthusiast since youth. I promote several high quality resources in the health area and for self improvement, evolution and growth as a part of my practice as a doctor, and as a help for my patients in their struggle to regain health and balance.
http://www.naturalskinrepair.com/rejuvion.html-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit:
www.ebooks4selfhelp.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Maintaining Normal Skin
By
Juliet CohenA healthy, normal skin is unblemished, velvety, smooth and supple, with no enlarged pores or flaky dead cells. Normal skin has an even tone, soft, a smooth texture, no visible pores or blemishes, and no greasy patches or flaky areas. This type of skin has a clear, fine-textured, supple and smooth surface which is neither greasy nor dry. It glows with an inner health which stems from good blood circulation and excellent health. There may be occasional pimples in women just before menstruation due to increased hormonal activity, which makes the sebaceous glands overactive. Normal skins can also be 'Normal-To's' as in normal to oily or normal to dry. Wash your face with cleansers that are designed for your normal/normal-to skin type.
Apply moisturizer more frequently to dry skin. Use oil-absorbing makeup to reduce shine.
Normal skin requires is cleaning it twice a day with a mild baby soap and water and toned with something mild, like rose water. Washing your face with plain refrigerated yogurt every night makes most acne cases vanish within a few days.
Fruits and vegetables do help a lot in keeping our skin smooth and supple. They help us ward off infections so that our skin remains blemish free. They contain essential nutrients, which can help give our skin that rosy glow indicative of good health. To give your skin that extra nice glow, try extracting the juice from half an orange or a piece of tomato. Apply this on your face using a lightly massaging action and leave it on for a few minutes.
Avoid touching your skin as much as possible. Avoid direct heat on the face-including that from blow dryers. Make-up on your eyes should be removed before going to bed with an oil based eye make-up remover. Drinking 8 glasses of water a day is essential to healthy skin. Smoking is another dangerous enemy causing your skin to look pasty and giving blackheads a chance. Cool your skin with a freshening toner : wonderful in hot weather and refreshing in cooler. Don't rub your skin around the eyes, we don't want to encourage any wrinkles. Skin can be exposed to hundreds of different chemicals a day. A solution which can often help is to be careful of products you use in your home, changing to organic or natural cleaning materials.
Normal Skin care Tips
1. Avoid direct heat on the face-including that from blow dryers.
2. Always use a mild, oil-based moisturizer under makeup to help retain surface moisture.
3. Soap and water are perfect for lifting and removing dirt.
4. Avoid direct heat on the face-including that from blow dryers.
5. Drinking 8 glasses of water a day is essential to healthy skin.
6. Avoid alcohol and Smoking because it giving blackheads and acne.
Juliet Cohen writes articles for
skin care tips and
skin care treatment. For more information visit our
skin care section.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit:
www.ebooks4selfhelp.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Looking Like a Million On a Shoestring Budget
By
Sandy DumontHaving a great-looking wardrobe doesn't necessarily require spending a fortune. Here are a few principles for looking great when money IS an object:
(1) Buy quality rather than quantity. And please take note, this does not necessarily translate to, "buy expensive, not cheap." Without a doubt, quality fabrics fall better, wear better and flatter the figure more. It is better to have one perfectly-fitting skirt in a superb fabric that spans several seasons (lightweight wool, for example) than a dozen ill-fitting skirts in an array of colors. Black goes with everything, and no one will remember that you wore the same skirt for five days running, because you wore it with a different jacket and accessory each day. Start with one great skirt! My wardrobe is based on a few black skirts and pants that go with an array of jackets and tops in colors that look good on me. Expensive skirts and pants are made with superb fabrics and cut wonderfully, so they make my figure look better. Even if I don't need them yet, I am always on the look for linen, wool gabardine or wool crepe designer skirts and pants at the sales or in consignment shops. You can never have too many. Some of mine are a size larger, so they are great for dining-out comfort as well as travel. Some have loops for belts, so they look good with open jackets; while others are slim and beltless to accommodate snug-fitting jackets.
(2) Wear accessories! This is key. Well-dressed women and jet-setting fashion plates always accessorize their garments. Look through fashion magazines and catalogs, and go to fashion shows for ideas and inspiration. Most fashion coordinators have picked up tricks from designers both here and abroad, and you will see the results on the runway. Earrings are important fashion accessories. More than anything else, the right earring will give you a polished or finished look. Earrings should be somewhat bold to look fashionable. Clip earrings, for example, often look too conservative. Belts are also wonderful accessories. They should have distinctive-looking buckles and be made of leather, not plastic.
(3) Educate yourself so you can shop intelligently. Find out which colors suit you. This will ultimately save you both time and money with future purchases. Color actually forms the foundation for all garments. One of the biggest mistakes made is trying to achieve harmony by matching the superficial appearance with colors: blondes in pastels, redheads in rust, orange, etc. Don't be afraid of bold colors, high-fashion designers are not! And do think contrast. If you have a moss green suit, team it up with a deep magenta blouse or scarf. Add a cobalt blue, French blue or peacock blue blouse or scarf to your brown suit, rather than a beige one. "Safe" looks that are perfectly matched often end up looking boring, no matter who made them or how much they cost. In addition, know your figure so well that you know how to camouflage every flaw. Ill-fitting clothes and those that accent figure flaws undermine more than your figure.
They undermine your credibility. Anyone who really had a million to spend on clothes would make certain every single garment fit like a glove and flattered to the Nth degree, now wouldn't she?
(4) Shop the sales and check out consignment shops. If you are shopping the sales, it is a good idea to do a bit of homework beforehand. Find the shops that suit your tastes and preferences and peruse their racks every two weeks or so. That way you won't waste time trekking all over town at sale time. You will go straight to "your" shops. Consignment shops are a great place to find designer clothes at shoestring prices. Every city has at least one consignment shop that carries designer clothes. Check them all out. You are certain to find one that has everything your heart could desire. Most of them are in the Yellow Pages, with the exception of the CHKD clothing shops and the Discovery Shop at Hilltop East, run by the Cancer Society.
(5) Make a list of the things that are missing from your closet and keep it with you in your purse. If you don't have a great black skirt, at least one jacket in a bold color to wear with it, put them on your list. If you have a suit in a "safe" color, put "scarf or blouse in a bold color" (name the color so you won't be sidetracked...or chicken out!) on your list. Then, the next time you run across a fabulous sale or consignment shop, you will be prepared. Prepared to look great!
Sandy Dumont, THE Image Architect is an image consultant and professional speaker based in Norfolk/Virginia Beach, with 30 years of international and national experience helping individuals and Fortune 500 companies improve their image. She conducts customized Branding for People™ workshops on a regular basis.
For more information, visit
http://www.theimagearchitect.com or email
sandy@theimagearchitect.comArticle Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit:
www.ebooks4selfhelp.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Are You Glowing With Natural Beauty?
By
Elaine WooseyIt was in late summer 2004, on my 50th birthday, that I discovered the secrets of how to be gorgeous.
In spite of following a strict natural beauty regime for most of my life I could see signs of aging beginning to show. A few more fine lines had appeared around my eyes, a few more grey hairs and I'd been dreading the thought of turning fifty. Now the dreaded birthday was actually here it seemed everything was on a slippery downhill slide from now.
My husband, in his infinite wisdom, paid for me to have a spray tan as a birthday treat. What followed over the next few days and weeks contributed to a natural beauty transformation that I can only describe as magical.
My message to you is not to go have a spray tan, however. This only triggered an incredible chain of events. My message to you is this: to look good - you have to feel good and to feel good - you have to look good. This is the very essence of natural beauty.
It's also a never ending circle that gathers speed and momentum like a wheel and it either works for you or against you. If it's working against you, like it was for me, you have to take positive steps to turn everything around. It can be done and you can do it too.
Soon the compliments will start. This is when I began to feel pride in myself. I felt better about my looks - and guess what? I began to look even better. This led to even more compliments.
This, in turn made me feel fantastic about myself.
It doesn't matter how old you are, what shape you are or even what color your skin is.
Everybody can do this - even you.
When you look in the mirror - what do you see? Is the face that looks back at you dull and stressed out or is it alive and vibrant? Are you glowing with natural beauty?
Whatever's getting you down, be it problem skin, advancing years, flabby muscles and dull skin, or just a general feeling of being unattractive then knowing the secrets of how to be gorgeous will give you the body and looks you've always dreamed of.
First you must make a decision - a decision to do something about it.
Once you have made your decision the next step is to take positive action that will improve your looks, your body shape and the way you think of yourself.
Don't get me wrong here, it didn't happen over night. I had to work for it.
It takes time to change your physical looks and body shape. Some improvements showed almost immediately such as how I felt inside. Other improvements took a few weeks.
It takes three weeks to change your complexion because the skin has seven layers. As each layer sheds a new improved layer from underneath shows itself. It takes three weeks for the whole process to complete so that the layer that benefits the most from your hard work i.e. the deepest, works its way up to the top.
Muscle tone is the same; it can take four weeks to improve your body shape by toning up sagging muscles. However, this time scale can be shortened if you are dedicated and really want the end results.
With all things in life, you only get out of it what you are prepared to put into it.
Don't do what I was doing, blaming everything on my age. After all I was almost fifty, what else could I expect except pale, dull lifeless skin, a tired expression and muscles that were just a little too relaxed?
Age is just a number. Your body is fully equipped to repair itself it just needs a little help as you grow older.
Incidentally, growing older is OK. We all do it, its natural. Natural beauty is not striving to look seventeen when you are in fact fifty.
Growing older doesn't have to mean bowing to the pull of gravity and letting our bodies go either.
Jane Fonda, Sophia Loren and Joanna Lumley are all growing older, but when you look at them you don't see their age you just see their natural beauty.
It is possible, I know because I've done it and you can do it too if you want to.
Knowing the right things to do at the right time can change your whole appearance naturally.
Elaine Woosey shares more natural beauty secrets, tips and advice at
Beauty-Secrets4U.com Discover the secrets of how to be gorgeous for yourself by visiting
The Secrets of How to be Gorgeous eBook and have the body and looks you've always dreamed of.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit:
www.ebooks4selfhelp.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Wisdom of Natural Skin Care
By
Juliet CohenNatural skin care is the care of the skin (the largest organ of the body) using naturally-derived ingredients (such as herbs, roots, essential oils and flowers). Many people use natural skin care recipes to make remedies to care for their skin at home. Many spas and skin care salons now focus on using more naturally derived skin care products. Essential fats are thought to keep your heart healthy, fight inflammation, and possibly prevent cancer. They are also particularly important to people with inflammatory conditions such as eczema and acne, and also for people with dry skin. Honey's natural antioxidant to absorb and retain moisture have been recognized and used extensively in skin care treatments as they help to protect the skin from the damage of the sun's rays and rejuvenate depleted skin.
Jojoba skin care is a natural remedy. Jojoba is a natural moisturizer for the skin. The oil is similar to the natural sebum of whale. Flaxseed and walnut oil - Use flaxeed oil or walnut oil with balsamic vinegar as a salad dressing. Salmon is another good source, however these salmon accumulate toxic polychlorinated biphenyls in their body fat during the 95 percent of their lives they spend at sea. Regular body care is essential for good health and well-being. Vitamin B1 aids skin health by helping to keep the circulation normal. Vitamin B6 or pyridoxine deficiency can result in dermatitis or eczema. Niacin deficiency can also cause an eczema type of skin eruption with brown pigmentation, largely on the face, forearms and legs.
Diet plays an important role in maintaining the health of the skin. Anti-Aging is the key that will keep us healthy, beautiful and vibrant. Mash one guava; stir it well with the mixture of oatmeal and lemon juice. Facial masks can also firm the skin, which is usually used for aging skin. Skin lighteners such as licorice or hydroquinone are also placed in the mixture to give the face a lighter look. Facials generally moisturize and hydrate the skin by using steam, masks, humectants and hydrating creams. To cleanse, facials employ the extraction of blackheads, pimples and whiteheads using a facial clay mask. Peeling methods use the help of enzymes. Apply moisturizing, purifying face mask.
Natural Skin Care Tips
1. Avoid Excess Sugar.
2. Healthy diet and plenty of drinking water to stay hydrated from the inside out
3. Exercise to promote overall circulation
4. Avoid smoking and alcohol.
5. Diet plays an important role in maintaining the health of the skin.
6. Anti-Aging is the key that will keep us healthy, beautiful and vibrant.
7. Use of an SPF in your makeup or a lotion, everyday.
8. Drinking eight glasses of water per day.
Juliet Cohen writes articles for
beauty makeup tips and
health beauty tips. She also writes articles on
skin care tips.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit:
www.ebooks4selfhelp.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Dry Skin Around the Eyes
By
Juliet CohenDry skin has a low level of sebum and can be prone to sensitivity. Dry skin, also called xerosis, is a common problem. Dry skin types have to be extremely careful to protect their skin. Yogurt-honey combination helps dry skin. Make an egg face pack with a yolk, a teaspoon of honey, a tablespoon of milk powder. This is beneficial to dry skin types. Avoid the use of tap water when cleansing dry skin. Use mineral water to freshen your face. Don't use a washcloth-a rough texture can irritate. Use nondetergent, neutral-pH products to cleanse your skin. Avoid using any commercial soap. And always touch your face gently. Double-cleanse with a cream, leaving a light, thin trace of it on the skin after the second cleansing.
Moistening with water, then applying a thin film of air-excluding moisturizer, restores the suppleness of the dry skin. Avoiding use of bleach or peels to make the dark circles around eyes light. Avoid vigorous use of a washcloth in cleansing. When toweling dry, do not rub the skin.
Blot or pat dry so there is still some moisture left on the skin. Sleep for sufficiently long hours to prevent formation of dark circles under eyes. Do not scratch the under eye skin. Diet, which is rich in nutrients helps to remove dark circles around eyes. Lightly tap the under eye skin with one or two fingers to increase the blood circulation. Ayurveda treatment for dark circles under eyes. Drink plenty of water (more than 15 glasses). Sleep well at least for 7-8 hrs daily. Eat fresh fruits, green vegetables which are rich in fiber.
Dry Skin Care Tips
1. Drink at least eight glasses of water a day to keep your skin well hydrated.
2. Use non detergent, neutral-pH products to cleanse your skin.
3. Avoid using any commercial soap.
4. Don't scratch dry, itchy spots; apply more moisturizer instead.
5. A few teaspoons of olive oil or lavender-scented oil to your bath.
6. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which cause dehydration.
7. Don't use a washcloth-a rough texture can irritate.
8. Use nondetergent, neutral-pH products to cleanse your skin.
9. Avoid using any commercial soap.
10. Try to avoid extreme cold, which can cause frostbite or skin disorders in some people.
11. Do not use very hot water when bathing or showering.
12. Apply aloe vera gel topically on affected areas.
Juliet Cohen writes articles for
acne treatment and
acne care tips. She also writes articles for
health fitness tips.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit:
www.ebooks4selfhelp.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Essential Oils Tips
By
Juliet CohenEssential indicates that the oil carries distinctive scent of the plant. Essential oils are highly concentrated liquids that can be harmful if not used carefully. Essential oils are generally extracted by distillation. Other processes include expression, or solvent extraction. Essential oils should never be used undiluted on the skin. There are instances when experienced aromatherapy users and practitioners make exceptions to this precaution. Lavender and tea tree are listed by a large number of aromatherapy sources as being oils that can be used undiluted. Essential oils are usually lipophilic (literally: "oil-loving") compounds that usually are not miscible with water. Instead, they can be diluted in solvents like pure 100% ethanol ,polyethylene glycol, or oils.
Today, most common essential oils, such as lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus, are distilled. Raw plant material, consisting of the flowers, leaves, wood, bark, roots, seeds, or peel, is put into an alembic over water.When using essential oils, use the smallest amount of essential oils that will get the job done. Essential oils should only be taken internally after receiving a detailed consultation and prescription from a trained and qualified aromatherapy practitioner. The smoke from burning essential oils may contain potential carcinogens, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Essential oils are naturally high in volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Some essential oils should be avoided during pregnancy or by those with asthma, epilepsy, or with other health conditions.
Essential Oils Tips
1. Essential oil can be put on radiators, scent rings, or light bulbs (avoid the socket).
2. Don't use undiluted oils on your skin.
3. Skin test oils before using. Dilute a small amount and apply to the skin on your inner arm.
4. Keep oils away from eyes and mucous membranes.
5. Add 7-10 drops of essential oil to bath water directly or blend with 1 teaspoon of vegetable.
6. Massage helps the skin to absorb essential oils.
7. Use lavender essential oil in a spritzer bottle to spray on sheets and blankets at bedtime for a deeper relaxing sleep.
8. Wax candles can be bought ready-impregnated with essential oils and are a delightful way of scenting a room. Or
9. Essential oils are extracts from different parts of the plants such as herbs, flowers, leaves, resin, bark, fruit rinds and roots.
10. Add 2-5 drops of an essential oil to one teaspoon of unscented lotion.
11. Add 3 drops of appropriate essential oil to 1 t. of water, mix and gargle.
12. Add 10 drops to your bath water. Agitate water in a figure 8 motion. Soak in it for 15 minutes minimum.
13. Use a sitz bath with just enough water to cover lower body and add 5 drops of essential oil.
14. Avoid applying Essential Oils immediately after perspiring or using a sauna.
15. Avoid strong sunlight or tanning beds after applying essential oils.
Juliet Cohen writes articles for
skin care tips and
skin care treatmentFor more information visit our
skin care section
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit:
www.ebooks4selfhelp.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
What People Really Need to Know About Aromatherapy Essential Oils
By
Kelly HunterDespite its seemingly complex name, Aromatherapy has a very simple definition. It is a form of herbal medicine that focuses on curative mechanisms without employing the entire herb but just a portion of the essential oils that are released when herbs or plants are distilled.
Differences exist between essential oils that just smell great and those that have some form of therapeutic effects. Oils that be considered therapeutic the essential oil must provide the desired effect without too much modification of its components.
They should also meet the four P's described below:
1. Plants - This refers to plants which are grown in the right soil and harvested properly too.
2. Preparation - Water which is free of chemical content is necessary to prepare therapeutic essential oils. The distillation process occurs with the use of low temperature as well as low pressure. These low states also help preserve the basic plant properties and the true essence of the plant. These low pressures and low temperatures help preserve the quality of the oils.
3. Purity - Freedom from chemicals and other associated impurities that can affect the quality of essential oils is part of the requirements to be classified as therapeutic essential oils.
4. Potency - When the essential oils are analyzed and the phytochemical profiles are resolved and checked to ensure that they maintain the relevant quality required in such oils. If you use these essential oils for therapeutic purposes you can simply use a diffuser as a disbursement mechanism. These diffused oils may then be inhaled or applied on your skin or taken orally. You should always apply caution when using any of these essential oils as a certified aromatherapist must be consulted before you use them.
Main Uses:
1. Diffusion - If essential oil particles are dispersed into the air they can easily make the room feel a whole lot calmer. Certain essential oils help rid an area of bad odors and contaminants whenever they are used.
2. Inhaled - If you inhale an essential oil directly, you can easily reduce your anxiety levels and reduce agitation at the same time. Control of your memory and mental functions is also enhanced as well. These oils can also help you stop smoking and achieve a whole lot of other things as well.
3. Topical - Essential oils can be used topically and still provide prevention against fungal infections and hair loss conditions. Essential oils are made up of miniscule molecules that are capable of direct penetration into the skin.
4. Oral - When essential oils are used and ingested orally they can easily resolve certain different forms of ailments that may be related to the digestive and respiratory tracks of individuals. These problems include bronchitis, common cold and sinusitis as well as a number of other ailments.
Regardless of the efficacy of essential oils, people who are interested in using them should be aware that the benefits listed here are no substitute for proper medical consultation with a registered doctor or physician. You should always ensure that you meet up with your doctors and physicians to get all the necessary information about prospective treatments before you start experimenting with solutions like essential oils.
Kelly Hunter operates
http://www.aromatherapy-essential-oils-help.com and writes about
Aromatherapy Essential Oils.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit:
www.ebooks4selfhelp.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Is it More Practical to Own or Lease a Tanning Bed?
By
Trevor MulhollandIf you really want a tan but don't want to shell out the money for a tanning bed or a daily trip to the beach, the next best thing to do is to lease a tanning bed. Finding a good tanning bed to lease would save you the cost and trouble of shopping for an expensive beauty implement all by yourself, and save you the risk of making a hasty purchase also.
The most common and practical way to lease a tanning bed is to rent the services of a salon. In a tanning salon, you will also have skilled attendants who may be able to assist you in case of problems. You should be able to take your pick of professional tanning options - you could get a darker tan faster by making use of the high pressure beds, or get a regular, longer-lasting tan by using the regular beds.
Understandably, leasing the high pressure beds would be more expensive. These beds use a different set of bulbs, more expensive than regular bulbs, but also much stronger. They are also called "high pressure" bulbs, because they emit much stronger (and potentially more harmful) UVA light than regular bulbs. The beds themselves fetch a higher price in the market, used or brand new.
And of course, if you're using stronger stuff, you will also need stronger protection. You may need to invest in thicker and more protective tanning goggles, and you'll certainly have to invest in tanning lotion that has a stronger sun protection factor (SPF). If you're not up to buying these things yourself, you could simply rent or purchase the things you need from the salon during every tanning session. In the long run, it may save you more money.
Whether or not you own the bed you will be using to tan, the important thing to do is to stick to a tanning schedule. Consider your budget before starting a tanning routine. Will you be able to set aside enough money to visit your favorite tanning salon and rent your chosen bed on a regular basis? If you are not confident that you will be able to save up for a regular tanning schedule, it may be best to wait until you have set aside money for the essential treatments.
However, if you're thinking of opening up your own salon, owning your very own tanning bed may be considered more of an investment than opting to lease a tanning bed. Taking care of a tanning bed is no easy task - you have to keep it clean, check it up regularly to make sure all the parts are in perfect working order, replace bulbs as often as necessary, et cetera. But once you have gotten used to the routinary work of maintaining a tanning bed, and have mastered the ins and outs of using it, you can feel more confident to try out other beds, and even to purchase them when it's time to set up your salon.
Learn about the dangers of tanning and how to protect yourself from them on Suntan-bed.com. Also loads of information on
lease a tanning bed for instance. Get a tan... when you can!
http://www.suntan-bed.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit:
www.ebooks4selfhelp.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
Live Happier and Healthier Herbally With Herbal Vitamins
By
Chris RobertsonHerbal products have become extremely popular in recent years. There are herbal supplements, herbal vitamins, herbal weight loss pills, and even herbal Viagra. Most herbs are geared toward better health and improved stamina without the use of over-the-counter or prescription medications; however, herbal products should still be used with caution. Let's take a look at some of the most popular herbal products and see what each has to offer.
Herbal Weight Loss Products
Probably one of the most popular uses for herbal products is to enhance weight loss. There are natural appetite suppressors such as Hoodia and its equivalent extracts, fat burners, nutritional supplements, carb blockers, laxatives, and other products that can help enhance weight loss if used correctly. Herbal appetite suppressors can help keep your appetite to a minimum throughout the day, thus, causing you to eat less than usual. Nutritional supplements can be taken to replenish your body of much-needed vitamins. Fat burners can enhance your metabolism and cause it to burn more fat.
Herbal weight loss products are not meant to replace food or to assist you in starving yourself to lose weight. Instead, they help you control your portions at each meal and resist the urge to snack in between meals. Your weight loss rewards can be even greater if you use herbal supplements along with healthy food choices.
Herbal Energy Vitamins for Mind and Body
You may also benefit physically and mentally by taking herbal energy vitamins. These help stimulate mind and body to improve your physical strength and mental state. Some ingredients used in energy herbs include extracts such as Avena Sativa, Guarana Seed, Panax Ginseng, and many others. These types of herbal products enable you to exercise more and be more active while also clearing and sharpening your mind.
Herbal Vitamins for Men and Women
There are a variety of herbal products designed to help men and women with their specific needs. For example, women who suffer from hormonal imbalances, menstrual or menopause problems, and even sexual problems may benefit from herbal vitamins.
The herbal vitamin Femline helps balance hormones and reduces mood swings using ingredients such as St. John's Wort and Magnesium. Menoplay combines extracts equivalent to Wild Yam, Black Cohosh, and others to reduce menopause symptoms. For men, there's herbal Viagra or similar herbs to help improve libido.
There are also herbal vitamins for calming purposes, improved heart health, lower cholesterol, colon cleansing, liver tonic, antioxidants, improved memory, decreasing stress, and many others.
As with any herbs or medicines, check with your doctor before trying herbs if you have a pre-existing health condition or if you are currently taking medications. Some herbs do not mix well with certain medications, or can be harmful if taken while suffering from certain health conditions. Choose herbal products wisely and check labels or read product descriptions online to see what ingredients are included.
With so many online herbal stores and local health stores that carry a variety of herbal vitamins, you can easily find herbs to meet your needs. Visit an online herbal store today to start living happier and healthier herbally.
Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular
internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about
Herbal Vitamins and Health Benefits or Majon's
Health and Beauty directory-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit:
www.ebooks4selfhelp.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Get a Free Yoga e-Book & Free Report
