The Most Overlooked Beauty Secret
By
Sharon A SullivanCosmetics are a multi-billion dollar industry. Department stores devote the best locations in their stores to cosmetics. These displays direct a great deal of attention to moisturizers, anti-wrinkle creams, emollients, exfoliation etc. all to make your skin soft, supple and younger looking.
But the simplest and often disregarded beauty treatment of all is ...
Are you ready for this?
Water!
We are always looking for the latest and greatest, most innovative products to improve our skin. But when you think of it, after oxygen, water is the most precious element we need. By weight our body is approximately 72% water and needs a consistent water supply to maintain itself.
Our largest organ is our skin. It also is the most exposed. Our skin is made up of millions of cells, each which needs water. Drinking water will actually plump up your thirsty skin cells making them softer, healthier and even give you younger looking skin.
One of the ways to test for dehydration is to pinch your skin. If it stays even the least bit pinched after you let go, you are deeply in need of water.
Drinking water also improves your skin because it helps every part of your body do its job. Every system in your body requires water. If you aren't drinking the proper amount of water your body will become sluggish. Water transports nutrients, regulates your body temperature and removes waste. The process of flushing out toxins is beneficial to all areas including your skin as it will eventually result in a beautiful clear complexion.
Waters' presence also aids in digestion and thus helps your cells absorb nutrients. Combined, these give your skin that natural healthy glow. As you can see water really is the essential ingredient for healthy skin.
The amount of water you need to drink each day is constantly under debate. At one time it was believed that each person should drink 8 glasses a day. Unfortunately this general rule doesn't take into consideration the difference in size, shape, gender. Other factors are where you live, how active you and what your diet is like also influence how much water you should drink.
If you exercise a lot or have a physically demanding job your water requirements would be higher than a typical office worker. Also, if you live in a hot climate (or during the summer) your body's water loss will also be greater and require more frequent replacement. Perspiring, which is wonderful for your skin, is water of course that will need to be replaced.
On the average, food will provide twenty percent of your water intake, especially if you include fruits and vegetables which have more water content. Juices and other non-caffeinated beverages will also contribute to the amount of water you consume. Although coffee, tea and other caffeinated beverages actually can work against this because they act as a mild diuretic which means they actually will promote your body to getting rid of them.
For the average person five glasses of day is an ideal place to start. Five glasses of water a day may seem daunting at first but they are really quite simple to drink if you space them out throughout the day. Drink one glass while eating your breakfast, another at lunch and another at dinner. That is three easily taken care of. Now drink another sometime between breakfast and lunch and another between lunch and dinner. You can just sip on these throughout the day.
Depending on the water quality in your area, an investment in a small filtration unit that is in a small jug in your refrigerator is always a good investment. Others have found that having a water cooler in their home was just what they needed for their family to drink more.
As a variation you can always zest it up a bit by putting a slice of lemon, lime or orange in your glass. If you do buy any flavored waters that are on the market today make sure that sugar isn't listed as an ingredient.
If you are not accustomed to drinking that much fluid in a day, cut down on some of the non-water beverages and replace it with water. Slowly increase it to your goal. You may find that you have increased trips to the washroom but that's okay because it shows that the water is really working. Soon enough your body will regulate itself so the trips to the washroom will decrease. It will be worth it and you will be amazed at the results!
Water really is your skins most optimum beauty treatment and the most affordable. Give it a try. You will be glad that you did.
Sharon Sullivan authors a Journal
Thyme for Nutrition and a
Womens Weight Management website. She always welcomes new visitors.
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8 Beauty Tips
By
Michael OkejeThe number one natural beauty tip I can give you is to take your health seriously. In Chinese medicine, we know that natural external beauty is a reflection of inner health and well being. Often, the solution to external beauty problems is an internal one. That means foods and herbs. In the case of skin problems, herbs can be use to create creams or wraps and applied directly.
In Chinese medicine, we treat problems like acne, blemishes, and other skin problems, hair loss, and premature graying of the hair. Some of this you may need to see a Chinese medicine herbalist for, but some of it you may be able to deal with yourself. I'm going to give you natural beauty tip after natural beauty tip to help you do just that.
Natural Beauty Tip #1 - Eyes Lacking LusterWhat does it mean? You can see it in babies and young children - bright, glowing eyes. Our oldest Chinese medicine classic (written between 200-500 B.C.) states that "the essence of the internal organs ascends to the eyes." The Bible says something similar, "Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light."
Clear and glittering (shining) eyes indicate vitality of mind and essence. Dull, clouded eyes reflect a disturbed mind, and weakened essence - this often happens in people with long term and deep emotional problems.
How can you fix it? Well, first of all, if you have some emotional problems, work through it with a professional- either a counselor, therapist, or someone within your religion. This is one part of getting to the clear, vibrant personality that shines through in bright eyes. It may take a while to get there. Second, you can take herbs and eat foods that benefit the eyes.
Probably the best Chinese herb for the eyes is lycium fruit (gou qi zi). Other herbs are black sesame seeds (hei zhi ma), and privet fruit (nu zhen zi). Good foods for the eyes include shepherd's purse, undried raspberry (fu pen zi), and animal liver.
Natural Beauty Tip #2 - Bags Under Your Eyes
Bags under the eyes indicate Kidney-system (root energy) deficiency, blood stagnation, or allergies. Respectively, the solutions are to increase energy and minimize overwork; get more movement and circulation; and find the allergy cause, eliminate it, and take anti-allergenic herbs and foods.
The Kidney-system energy is limited. If you overwork, have too much sex, or use more energy than your digestive system can produce, you'll dip into this limited energy fund. This can lead to more than circles under your eyes- you can end up with premature aging and hair loss, impotence and infertility, and ankle, knee, and lower back problems. If that's your problem, try to practice moderation, eat better, and take supplemental herbs and foods like black cohosh, Chinese chive, mutton, walnut, oysters, pork, dried rehmannia (sheng di), Chinese yam (shan yao), and horny goat weed (yin yang huo).
Blood stagnation can mean sharpn stabbing pains; clots and dark blood in the menstruation; irregular menstruation; and hard spots in the abdomen. If you have this, try celery, rose, yellow soybean, seaweed, mung bean, corn, eggplant, cucumber, and hemlock parsley (chuan xiong).
For allergies, get both IgG and IgE done for both external (skin test) and food allergies (blood test). If you find something substantial, avoid it! For food and herbs, try garlic, fresh ginger, royal jelly, chicken, beef, chestnut, astragalus (huang qi), kudzu vine (ge gen), and welsh onion (cong bai).
Natural Beauty Tip #3 - Acne
This is literally too much heat - your face has become a volcano just to let it out! Try mung bea, seagrass, seaweed, Chinese hawthorn (shan zha), Job's tears (yi yi ren), and purple sage (dan shen). Avoid spicy foods, greasy foods, and fried foods. Try some raw vegetables, too.
Natural Beauty Tip #4 - Dry SkinMoistening herbs and foods are soy, spinach, asparagus, millet, barley, salt, seaweed, apple, tangerine, pinenut, persimmon, peanut, pear, honey, oysters, and clams. A seaweed facial wrap would be nice, too!
Natural Beauty Tip #5 - EczemaTry guava, clam, irish potato, he shou wu, wild chrysanthemum, mugwort, Job's tears (yi yi ren), and asian dandelion (pu gong ying). Avoid spicy foods, greasy foods, and fried foods.
Natural Beauty Tip #6 - Psoriasis
Try turnip root leaf, vinegar, grapefruit, black plum (wu mei), cloves (ding xian), and dang gui (aka dong quai).
Natural Beauty Tip #7 - Prematurely Graying HairThis can happen for two reasons- either you have a root energy (Kidney system) deficiency (for more information and solutions, see the Kidney deficiency information up under natural beauty tip #2), or you have what is called 'hot blood.' The second one happens with bleeding, nosebleed, skin ulcers, and urinary difficulties. For hot blood, take black soybean, processed dried persimmons, processed rehmannia (shu di huang), and dried rehmannia (shu di huang).
Natural Beauty Tip #8 - Premature AgingThis is another Kidney-system deficiency.
Try walnut, chicken, duck, he shou wu, Chinese ginseng, deer antler velvet (the deers aren't harmed! Lu rong), astragalus (huang qi), lycium fruit (gou qi zi), horny goat weed (yin yang huo), caterpillar larva fungus (dong chong xia cao), and red date (da zao).
References:
Sionneau & Gang. The Treatment of Disease in TCM: Volume 2.
Lu. Chinese Herbs with Common Foods: Recipes for Health and Healing.
Pitchford. Healing With Whole Foods.
Maciocia. The Foundations of Chinese Medicine.
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The 9 Must Have Vitamins For Healthy Hair
By
Kristy KlienHair is one of the most important aspects or features of a person's beauty and appearance. Hair makes you more charming when combed in a stylish manner. But there are numbers of hair problems, which lead either in their loss or their fading the original color. Often, these problems occur when you do not take a diet rich of necessary vitamins, which are vital for hair growth. You are required to consume the food that are rich source of vitamin B, B3, B5, B6. This is because vitamin B is one of the most vital vitamins for healthy hair. However, the deficiency of any of these vitamins may cause the hair loss or premature graying of hair as well as many other problems of hair.
Here, we provide you with the necessary information of various vitamins required for hair and different sources of essential vitamins.
Vitamin A:Vitamin A helps in producing the healthy sebum in your scalp. Vitamin A can be obtained from meat, fish liver oil, eggs, spinach, broccoli, cheese, apricots, carrots, cabbage, peaches, and milk. The advisable daily dose of this vitamin is minimum 5,000 IU. But if this vitamin is taken more than 25,000 IU daily, that may cause hair damage or some other serious health hazards.
Vitamin C:Vitamin C is useful for nurturing the health of hair and skin. Vitamin C can be obtained from pineapple, strawberries, green peppers, leaf vegetables, citrus fruits, dark green vegetables, cantaloupe, kiwi, tomatoes, and potatoes. The advisable daily dose of Vitamin C is 60 mg.
Vitamin E:Vitamin E is useful in nourishing scalp circulation. Vitamin E is obtained from green leaf vegetables, soybeans, nuts, raw seeds, wheat germ oil, and cold pressed vegetables oils. The daily advisable dose of this vitamin is up to 400 mg if this vitamin is taken in excess it can increase the blood pressure or can reduce the clotting of blood.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin):Vitamin B3 helps in promoting scalp circulation. The common sources of vitamin B3 are meat, fish, turkey, chicken, wheat germ, and brewer's yeast, daily dose advised is upto 15 mg. If taken more than 25 mg daily, may cause temporary heat sensation through dilation of blood cells, which is also known as niacin flush.
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid):
Vitamin B5 helps in preventing the graying and loss of hair. This vitamin can be found in egg yolk, milk, organ meats, whole grain cereals, potatoes and brewer's yeast. The daily dose advised is between 4 to 7 mg.
Vitamin B6:
Vitamin B6 helps in creating melanin, which provides color to hair. It also helps in preventing the hair loss. The foods that provide vitamin B6 are organ meats, egg yolks, vegetables, whole grain cereals, and brewer's yeast. Daily advised dose of Vitamin B6 is 1.6 mg. However, an excess dose may result in numbness of hands and feet.
Vitamin B12:This vitamin also helps in preventing the hair loss. The sources of Vitamin B12 are milk, fish, chicken, and eggs. The advised daily dose of Vitamin B12 is 2 mg.
Biotin:Biotin is also called vitamin H. it helps in preventing the hair from losing its color and it also controls baldness. Biotin is obtained from whole grains, milk, rice and liver.
Zinc:Zinc helps in proper functioning of immunity system. The scarcity of zinc in your food may result in baldness and scalp problems.
Kristy is a professional hair stylist and writer for My Hair Styling Tools a leading supplier of the
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How to Avoid Being Scammed by the Online Beauty Industry
By
Samara BowlingAs a woman I know that it is hard to accept yourself and your body if you suffer from an significant flaw. This flaw could be small breast from pregnancy, weight loss, or that you've always had small breast. Maybe you suffer from stretch marks or you're a tad bit over weight. Whatever that flaw may be it bothers you to the core. Your husband or boyfriend may have reassured you about it, but in your mind you wish, dream, and fantasize about changing whatever that flaw is about yourself.
In the 21st century women can now take charge over their appearances and body with plastic surgery, but this can be quite expensive so you may opt for alternatives first. Instead of breast implants you try breast creams and pills, and instead of microdermabrasion or a tummy tuck you try weight loss pills and stretch mark creams.
Back in 2005 I was searching for an alternative solution to enhance my bust line when I came across several websites selling breast enhancement pills that were natural and guaranteed to work. The first type of pills I tried were about $60 and these pills did nothing for me. I tried others that claimed to be better, but after dishing out well over $1000 in my hard earned money to these scammers I realized that the pills will never work. These scam sites even collaborated sites advertising the best breast pill to use while keeping the price within a certain range so women that were reluctant to spend too much money would still try the pills. I've even saw sites that sold the same exact product with the same exact testimonials posing as a different site! This was the same for the stretch mark creams as well. I was mislead by the false testimonials and pictures that these sites presented.
After learning my lesson I now search for reviews from REAL women before purchasing a cosmetic product. Not affiliated sites which are paid to make the product seem great and in my searches it has been extremely difficult to find reviews on products. Either I have to dig to find or them I don't find any at all. In 2008 I decided it was time for a change. It is time for women to stop getting scammed into purchasing products that don't work. We take pride in our appearances and it's time to stop letting these scam businesses take advantage of that.
If you don't want to waste money only to be scammed by products that don't work always research the product before purchasing it to avoid disappointments. When researching the product do not rely on sites that advertise the top three products to treat the specific problem or the testimonials on the site. Try searching for reviews on the particular product on forums related to beauty and cosmetic review sites such as
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How to Get Thin Cheeks
By
Rachel NesbitIn order to lose cheek fat and get thin cheeks you can do a number of things. You should know, that this may take a while to accomplish since losing facial fat isn't the easiest thing you can do, but by doing the right things, you can tone your cheeks and have a slimmer, more attractive face.
The first thing you can do in order to get thin cheeks is to simply diet. Dieting and working out leads to a reduction in overall body fat. You will also lose cheek fat in the process. This is particularly good to do if you're overweight. It's like killing 2 bird with one stone. Use your desire to get thin cheeks in order to lose weight completely. Of course, you will look better throughout your body and not just your face.
Another thing you can do to get thing cheeks is to start doing facial exercises. Just like you workout the other muscles of your body, so you should keep your facial muscles in shape. Many people believe that it's very difficult to lose fat from a specific body part. However, you can improve the condition of your cheeks not just by losing cheek fat, but by also toning the facial muscles. This will help your skin to look taut and youthful and to prevent sagging. This will make it appear as if you have thinner cheeks as the skin will appear firm and smooth.
Your diet is also important to get thin cheeks, or at least the appearance of them. Avoid all foods which are high in sodium as they cause water retention which makes your face appear bloated. Drinking at least 8 glasses each day will also help as it will prevent your body from retaining the little water you do drink.
So by combining these 3 steps:
Diet
Facial Exercises
Prevent water retention
You will improve the appearance of your face and get thin cheeks.
Click here to read more ways to lose cheek fat. Rachel Nesbit writes extensively on Beauty and health issues. To read her in depth review of facial exercises, click this link:
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Beauty and Skin Care - A Chinese Herbal Prescription
By
John FungSkin care should not be tied to beauty only. It should be viewed as a health practice. The skin is a very important tissue that envelops and protects your body. If not attended to, irritating conditions may arise such as dryness, peeling, itch, pimples, mouth sores, and small eruptions, etc., which may develop into bigger problems like rashes lasting for months or even years. If the skin is well taken care of, the hair and the nails will be as well for they are real extensions of the skin.
The Chinese approach connects skin problems to "excess heat" in the blood, which means several things including:
• Too much spicy, barbecued, deep fried, or greasy food.
• Too much shellfish such as crabs, clams, mussels, oysters, etc.
• Not enough sleep, or going to bed too late.
• Not enough rest causing an overactive liver.
• Toxins in blood due to unhealthy eating or environment.
• Not enough fluid consumed everyday.
• Not eating the right kind of food such as vegetables and fruits to nourish or moisturize the skin.
If you come from a different culture, some of the causes mentioned above do not seem to have obvious reasons. I'll try to explain more in a later article. Nevertheless, those reasons are validated everyday by observing the habits of those suffering from dry skin and associated problems.
Nature of skin problems:
• Skin problems may not be limited to just one location. They can move to other parts of the body since they are related to blood.
• Minor problems are easier to treat with diet or habit change.
• When a major skin problem has developed, it will remain a long-term irritation with periodic flare-ups triggered by the above-listed causes.
• You cannot expect fast cure from a major skin problem. You can only look for steady improvements in the form of intensity, duration, and frequency of flare-ups.
• If the problem does not spread to a new location, and the old location is being replaced by newer skin, it will definitely be a good improvement.
External treatment:
• Skin care is a multi-billion dollar business with countless products and services for external treatment.
• Surgery and other advanced treatments are becoming popular too.
• You have to find the right kind of product or service suitable for your skin.
Internal treatment:
The Chinese approach, basically, is to nourish and detoxify the blood, calm the liver, moisturize and nourish the skin:
1) Nourish blood
Dan Shen
He Shou Wu
2) Detoxify blood
Xian He Cao
Bai Hua She Cao
3) Calm liver
Bai Shao
Jin Yin Hua
Huang Qin
4) Moisturize skin
Mai Men Dong
Xuan Shen
5) Nourish skin
Yu Zhu
Sha Shen
A combination of 11 herbs is recommended.
Drink one cup (8 oz) of herb tea a day.
This is just one formula with countless variations depending on:
* How bad is the skin problem and where.
* Do you make an effort for diet or habit change.
* How sensitive is your body to herb package.
For further information, go to
http://www.herbsandtea.com/ Herb packages or capsules can be tailor-made to suit your needs.
A video presentation is given on
http://www.youtube.com/ Search "askjohnfung" to see different topics being discussed.
John Fung is a practicing Chinese herbalist in San Jose, California, specializing in cancer recovery, allergy, anxiety, fertility, digestive disorder, skin problems, and other non-emergency conditions.
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Update Your Hairstyle with Bangs
By
Inge I.If you want an easy, low-maintenance way to update your style, get inspired from the latest celeb trend and old favorite: get bangs! The great news is that bangs are not only the perfect option to get stylish but they're versatile to practice new looks framing beautifully the face. It's also guaranteed to knock years of you!
Blunt Bangs
The most on-trend of all the looks are the heavy, blunt bangs instantly updating a simple medium long hairdo. This type of bangs can suit a wide range of face shapes. The secret is in altering the width and depth to suit the individuals' bone structure and hair type.
For the best results ask your stylist for wide, blunt bangs that fall on your brow line when it's dry. How to style them yourself
Section back the sides, take the first inch of the bang then clip the rest back. Blow-dry the inch section straight down and then work backwards until you run out of bangs. Finally, use flat-iron over the ends in a downward motion and finish with hairspray or light shine spray.
Tip! Dry your bangs while they're absolutely wet and always use your fingers to avoid any wayward growth patterns spoiling the shape.
Wispy Bangs Fine hair types can get away with long wispy, feathery bangs. This type of bangs suit women with oval face shapes or those with larger foreheads who want to soften their features and emphasize their eyes.
Ask your stylist for eye-skimming softly layered bangs, but avoid any mention of blunt, heavy bangs.
How to style them yourself
Apply smoothing serum to the bangs area and volumising spray through the root area and longer lengths. Blast dry with hairdryer using your fingers to create volume in the root area. Finally use either a paddle or a large round bristle brush to tame the longer lengths.
Tip! Remember not to over work bangs. Keep it as natural as possible and hold them in place with a quick mist of your favorite hair spray.
Side Sweeping Bangs
This bang would suit women with square shape face or with at least strong jaw lines. It's not really for the shy and retiring! For the best results ask your stylist for soft, textured, sweeping bangs. Make sure you emphasize that you want dramatic, heavy bangs, you don't want them whispy and thin.
How to style them yourself
This is a great "blow and go" style. Just pull the bangs forward while blow drying, then place over to one side and add a quick mist of strong hold hair spray and you're good to go! Tip! To get a more casual look, try pulling all your hair back off your face but leave bangs down to soften the style.
Visit our website BecomeGorgeous.com for more
Hairstyles and
Haircuts ideas + many
hairstyles pictures.
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Hair Care - Simple Tips For Great Results
By
Carol FoxTo make sure you hair always looks its best here are some no nonsense care tips which apply equally to men and women:
Avoid using the wrong hair shampoo. To do this you need to know your hair type. For example is it oily, dry, curly, or straight? If you are not sure then ask your hairdresser on your next visit. If you cannot afford salon prices then buy the beat quality shampoo you can. It is a false economy to buy cheap when it comes to buying hair care products.
To avoid long term damage minimise the use of strong chemicals to straighten or curl your hair. Whether your hair is thin, wavy or straight accept it forwhat it is. Instead of trying to restructure your hair type look at different hairstyles and cuts to compliment your hair type.
Make sure you chose the right conditioner to compliment the type of shampoo you are using. It is essential that you apply the conditioner from root to tip.This can be achieved easily by combing the conditioner through the hair to ensure an even distribution.
Dry your hair gently and avoid rubbing. Use gentle patting initially before applying a warm hair dryer. Make sure you avoid over drying your hair at all costs to ensure you do not undo all that good work you have just put in with shampooing and conditioning.
If you are going to put your hair in a braid or ponytail then to avoid damage make sure you do not use any plain rubber band. Always use a specially treated rubber hair band designed especially for hair.To avoid breakage and loss never sleep with your hair in a ponytail or in tight braid. If you have young children make sure you have untied their hair and given it a thorough brushing before sending them to bed.
Never leave it to the last minute to try out a new hairstyle such as a braid or updo. Practice makes perfect. So to avoid disappointment when that special occasion arrives make sure you have practiced several times.
Carol Fox
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What Does Organic Mean? A Look At The Origins And Organic Cosmetics Today
By
Barbara OliosoOrgan-ic, the literal meanings.
Organic means literally organ, from organized living beings and it derives from the latin word arganon, musical instrument. In 1942 it acquired the meaning free from pesticides and fertilizers, being referred to crops farmed according to organic standards. It is easy to understand the confusion about this term as it means related to nature as well as free from pesticides and fertilisers.
The four principles behind the organic movement and its original spirit.
The organic farming movement which is at the origin of the whole organic trend we are living today has four important principles at its foundation: Health Ecology Fairness Care Source: IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement)
Organic beauty standards and organic cosmetics.
Organic farming has international standards internationally recognized and harmonised, but there is no official definition applicable to cosmetics and beauty products, as there is no unanimity on how to define them. That is why it is a little bit of a jungle out there with several certifying bodies interpreting organic cosmetics their own way and also brands using the organic claim. What is the difference? If no certification is present the organic claim could be referred to simply natural ingredients or to organic certified ingredients, where no specification is made about:
-what percentage is present (it could be from a tiny bit up to 100%)
-the nature of the other ingredients present. When an organic certification is present it means the product complies with some organic standards which:
-guarantee the amount of organic ingredients (in the UK there are 2 systems: 70% plus and 95% plus)
-regulate the non organic ingredients (such as preservatives, herbal extracts, and other cosmetic ingredients that are nature derived) The way the non organic ingredients are regulated differ from a certifying body to another, with some organizations stricter than others in the choice of non organic ingredients. As there are a few around, there are a few standards: Soil Association, Organic Food Federation, Organic Farmers and Growers, Ecocert, Cosmebio, Demeter or BDAA, AIAB, BFA, etc.
Organic cosmetics, strengths and challenges.
Organic certified cosmetics are developed aiming to provide products that are close to nature as much as possible, but how close can we get and at what price? Organic certified ingredients are much more expensive than ordinary ones and have stronger odour and colour. The organic certification for finished products also adds a cost, and it does not have a universal meaning.
What then? My solution is Forest Secrets skin care, a range taking the best of the organic spirit without compromising on purity and performance. Forest Secrets products do not contain any of the preservatives you might find in organic cosmetics and it contains natural ingredients with fantastic anti ageing properties that are scientifically proven. You will not be able to find organic certified products with powerful antiaging claims as the organic standards do not allow that. To find out about how to get the best out of nature visit our products benefits page
http://www.forestsecretsskincare.com/Benefits.htmlDr Barbara Olioso is a professional chemist, with 9 years experience in natural and organic cosmetics. She is a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Society of Cosmetic Scientists in the UK. She is the founder of Organatural Cosmtic Developments, she writes for trade magazines and she lectures at international conferences on natural cosmetics and sustainability. She recently developed and launched her own skin care range, Forest Secrets, potent and pure skin care. To know more about her brand or abour her please visit
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Why Are You Still Taking Showers Without a Shower Filter?
By
Nick WrightThe thought of taking a shower in heavily chlorinated pool water is not an appealing one at all. However, most people have no idea just how much chlorine they're being exposed to by not using a shower filter. The regular tap water coming out of your shower head contains just as much chlorine, if not more, than the amount allowed to be in standard public swimming pools. By using a quality shower head filter you can reduce or even eliminate chlorine completely from your daily shower.
Chlorine can make for an uncomfortable shower experience because it usually strips away natural oils, which can easily disrupt the natural metabolism of the skin. This can lead to excessive dryness and unnecessary cellular damage, greatly accelerating the signs of aging. By installing a reasonably priced shower filter in your home, the benefits of softer skin and more manageable hair become a reality almost immediately.
Standard shower filters have only been shown to reduce free chlorine, and in some rare cases, chloramine (a devastating combination of chlorine and ammonia). Although there are many claims to the contrary being made by several shower filter sellers all over the Web, a simple fact remains. The combination of a relatively small amount of media within a short bodied shower filter simply cannot remove other contaminants from fast flowing hot water using standard methods. Basically, the water is too hot and moving too quickly for the small amount of "stuff" inside to do it's job with any meaningful results.
Using a shower head filter will ensure your skin and hair feel and look much healthier, but also provides tremendous protection for the rest of your body by not forcing you to inhale toxic chlorine fumes. Because of this, it is highly recommended that you get a shower filter if you have asthma or any other sort of respiratory condition. It can be extremely beneficial to those that have serious asthma and/or allergy symptoms. Chlorine and chloramine are notorious for causing irritation to the sensitive mucus membranes of the eyes, nose and throat.
Another advantage to having a shower water filter is that it can help enhance the pH of water and bring it much closer to the "neutral" range of 7.0. There are several different shower water filtration systems out there that use their own technology or techniques to filter the water. Some even claim to have some type of complex, multiple stage filtration system that promises to remove of all kinds of synthetic and volatile organic chemicals. However, most of these types of claims are based entirely on clever marketing instead of real data. When in doubt, always ask to see data substantiating any claims that sound too good to be true.
The best thing about shower filters is how relatively inexpensive they are and how easy they are to install and maintain. An average shower filter will run anywhere from $40-$90 and should perform with average results. Even if you are willing to spend a little more money, higher priced shower filters do not necessarily provide greater protection. Look for shower filters that utilize Vitamin C (Ascorbate), KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion) or Chlorgon (Calcium Sulfite); with the Vitamin C and Chlorgon type shower filters also providing excellent protection from chloramine. Shower filters that contain any type of carbon generally do not perform as well and have been known to produce large amounts of bacteria within a short period of time. The bacteria feed on carbon within the moist, warm confines of a shower filter and quickly multiply. This can lead to bacteria being released into the stream of shower water and onto your body.
The most important aspect of purchasing and using a chlorine shower filter is whether or not it will perform to your level of expectation. If in doubt whether that very attractive shower filter hanging in your shower stall is actually working, go out and purchase some total residual chlorine test strips and test for yourself. A bottle of 25 test strips will generally run less than $10 and can be found on eBay for even less. Just make sure you purchase and use test strips that check for both free and combined chlorine, otherwise known as chloramine. With the rapid implementation of chloramine across the globe, free chlorine disinfection of our public water supplies is sure to quickly become nothing more than a distant, unpleasant memory.
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Buy Green Skin Care Online - What You Really Need To Know Before You Buy
By
Barbara OliosoYou can buy natural and organic skin care products almost anywhere, but how do you measure how green a company or a product is? Many people think that the organic certification is the easy choice, but it only covers ingredients, leaving packaging and the ethos a blank area. Here are a few key things to look at when you are truly committed to sustainable choices when buying natural or organic skin care:
Read the ingredients list
Huge topic! Here are a few easy tips:Avoid petrochemicals, watch out for: PEGs, SLES, cocoamide propyl betaine, Propylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbates, synthetic colours (some common ones are CI 17200, CI 19140, CI 42090)Avoid formaldehyde, disguised in precursors such as Hydroxymethyl glycinate, DMDM hydantoinAvoid estrogen disruptors, such as synthetic musks (they are used to fix the fragrance). If they are present they are disguised by the word Parfum. The safest way is to avoid synthetic fragrances all together.Nano Titanium: recent research is showing it causes DNA damage! It is listed as normal Titanium Dioxide. ASK the question: is this Nano Titanium?
Look at the packaging
Plastic, the price is starting to show, with the Trash Vortex in the Pacific being the biggest dump ever causing a lot of suffering to wild life. How can we promote the use of plastic when it is not from renewable sources and it does not get recycled?Metal is another material from non renewable sources, with Aluminium running out in 50 yearsGlass is the best material, despite it requires a high energy input for recycling, it does get recycled and if dumped in the ocean, it simply gets corroded awayRecycled paper is a good choice, especially if vegetable inks are usedPaper boxes are good too, but when metal foils are present (silver and gold for example), the paper can not be recycled!
Watch out for natural ingredients that may cause environmental damage
Palm oil is top on the list of ingredients causing environmental damage, as the demand grows, more rain forest gets cut in the South East Asia. The use of palm oil is only the tip of the iceberg as many cosmetic ingredients derive from palm oil. The best choice at the moment is to avoid products containing palm oil not from sustainable sources. Beware that also organic certified products may contain palm oil derivatives.
Support products containing Fair Trade ingredients
Fair trade ingredients such as the ones certified by Phytotrade are an example of how green chemistry, low environmental impact, biodiversity and fair trade all come together to give fantastic oils for the skin! Also ingredients from cooperatives or projects helping local communities in harmony with the environment are good.
Buy "Local"With natural ingredients being shipped from all over the world, it is good to minimise air miles by buying brands that are made in your country of residence. It simply does not make sense buying in the EU products made in Australia!
Support products made with renewable energy
There are electricity sources that come from wind farms, therefore with 0 impact in terms of CO2 emissions, such as Eco Energy and Scottish Hydro Electric Power 2. Buying products made using green electricity is another contribution to keeping CO2 emissions low.
When buying green, there are many dilemmas to face, and that is why I developed a skin care range (Forest Secrets, potent and pure Skincare) that could thick all the boxes of sustainability still delivering fantastic results for the skin. So that your soul can feel good about using an ethical product, and your skin can benefit too by getting soft, radiant and toned.
To know more visit
http://www.forestsecretsskincare.com/My name is Dr Barbara Olioso and I am the founder of Forest Secrets Skincare. I am a professional chemist specialised in natural cosmetics. I am a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Society of Cosmetic Scientists. I have 9 years experience in natural skincare, from ingredients to formulation.I write articles for trade magazines and I speak at international conferences on natural cosmetics and sustainability. I have a great passion for natural ingredients and I believe that achieving sustainability in natural cosmetics is paramount. As naturals are growing in demand, can we fulfill the demand without destroying wild habitat and biodiversity?
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Four Makeup Blunders You Should Avoid
By
Janet MartinMakeup, like fashion, evolves with time. What may have been in style in the 90's may no longer be considered as appropriate and fashionable in this decade. Although retro styles, like the revival of leggings and polka dots, may prop up once in a while, you still want to avoid an outdated look.
To get on the loop of what is not hot, continue reading to learn the common makeup faux pas you need to avoid by all means. Pay attention.
Incorrect Foundation Hue
Picking the right color of foundation to suit your skin tone is of utmost importance. If you pick a color that is too light for you, you will either look like a porcelain doll or a clown. On the other hand, if the shade is too dark for you, you will look like a burnt gingerbread man.
If you want to know what color suits you best, you need to test it on your skin, preferably on your face. It is not ok to test it on the back of your hand because there is a big chance that the tone of your face is not similar to that of your hand. The best place to test if the foundation shade is right for you is by applying it on your jawline under natural light. If you have to, go far out from the makeup counter lights and check if the color truly matches your complexion.
Noticeable Blush Stripes
If you want to look like you stepped out of a music video from the 80s, then by all means do not blend your blush and ensure that a streak of makeup can be prominently seen from your cheeks to your ears. However, if you want to appear chic and updated, you should prefer a more natural look.
Instead of sweeping a thick red or dark brown blush on your cheeks, you should use rose or copper blush. Furthermore, it would be best to barely dust the apples of your cheek with some blush while bringing the brushstrokes up towards your ear. Lastly, don't forget to blend your blush so as to avoid the dreaded blush stripe.
Penciled-In Eyebrows
Not so long ago, thin eyebrows were to die for. It was not surprising to see that even teen stars in Hollywood back then were sporting super thin brows. However, the movie and television industry probably realized that very thin eyebrows are not very attractive, unless a woman wants to look older than her real age. You see, thinning eyebrows is actually a sign of aging.
If you have naturally thin eyebrows or you are already showing some signs of becoming old, then it is all right to color your arches with makeup. Just make sure that you follow the arch of your brows with your pencil and after drawing the line, smudge your eyebrows a little bit with a brush so that the lines won't look as if your two-year-old daughter drew them up with her lead pencil.
Partially Lined Eyes
Another makeup blunder that has persisted through the years is the partial lining of the eyes. This practice is not only out-of-date but it also defeats the purpose of the eyeliner. The reason why women put a line on their eyes in the first place is to enhance the eyes and give them more emphasis. Partial lining, whether on the top or bottom eyelids, will make your eyes look smaller.
It is important to note that eyeliners are easy to smudge. Thus, you need to be sure that your liner is waterproof or of good quality. You do not want to attend an important meeting with dark circles around your eyes. Incidentally, if the dark circles are caused by sleep deprivation or stress, then you need to do a more proactive approach. Use a concealer to minimize the dark appearances or deal with the problem by using eye gels and creams; having raccoon eyes are definitely unflattering. One eye cream that is effective in eliminating such problem is Eyevive. Learn more about the product by visiting
http://www.eyevive.com/.
Janet Martin is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premiere online news magazine
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Look Hot This Summer
By
Paul RodgersThere are so many ways for you to look hot at the beach this summer. Having tried so hard to slim down for the beach over the past few weeks or months, when you finally arrive at your destination, you can let your hair down and undo your belts and proudly show the world your rights to be proud of yourself.
With summer fast approaching, people are jumping on their scales and, apparently, not liking what they see. The intake of proper nutrients can aid in optimizing your health during these hot summer days. Summer may be a time for fun and games; however, it also holds risks such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke, skin cancer, food poisoning and even tetanus. For those salad lovers out there, this is a good time to enjoy a light refreshing summer vegetable or fruit salad.
It's pretty much a given that most of us want to get slim for summer, so what we need of course is a summer diet. Losing weight doesn't happen overnight, it requires a disciplined diet of the proper foods, and a consistent exercise routine. Try to set clear goals when starting this type of diet and allow yourself to indulge on something that will curb your cravings. If you manage to stay on the summer diet for three weeks, you'll be well on your way to building the habits that go towards creating a healthier lifestyle.
We all know that dieting is not the easiest thing in the world to stick with, so here's a few tips to make it easier and to keep you going. Well, if it's as hot where you are as it is here, you'll have already broken out the barbecue and you'll be looking for some tasty recipes that keep you eating healthy and won't jeopardize your weight loss program or diet. The balanced, healthy daily diet will be something like this: 5-6 servings (75-90 grams) of breads/grains (preferably high fiber), 5-6 servings of milk/cheese/lean meats, 3-4 servings of fresh vegetables (preferably high fiber), 1-3 servings of fresh fruit, 7-14, 8 oz glasses of water.
Exercise is an effective strategy to lose weight, improve insulin sensitivity, and lower levels of stress hormones. Getting fit and losing weight requires a lifestyle change that involves making healthy decisions about good food choices as well as a regular exercise routine. Start an exercise program and build up to 30 minutes most days of the week. The best results are achieved using refined techniques, functional exercises, cardio, proper nutrition, awareness, variety, consistency, supplementation and motivation over time.
Diet supplements assist recipients to meet costs associated with an unusually expensive therapeutic diet that is required as a result of a specific medical condition or a special dietary need. The Amazon Diet is formulated with Cha de Burge, a small tree that is native to Brazil.
Although new to the United States, The Amazon Diet is taking the nation by storm.
Paul Rodgers specialized in marketing online fitness, diets, health and beauty products and services. You are invited to
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Baby Boomer Women Can Enjoy Nail Extensions And Yet Avoid Bacterial Or Product Issues
By
Judy LorenzFrom the early years until these baby boomer days, you have known that you can put your hands behind your back or in your pocket to keep someone from judging your appearance by dry skin and broken nails. Or you can try acrylic nail extensions which are applied and artfully painted by licensed salons in every community, large or small.
Nail extensions appear to be an answer to chipping, pealing and weak nails. Our hands and nails are part of the first impression that we make with someone and we are very sensitive about the presentation. We avoid dry, rough hands or chipped and pealing nails, stained by nail polish that contributed to the dry, pealing condition. Baby boomer women like to get into gardening and hobbies that can be tough on a manicure. According to my friends who have them, the extensions are actually tougher than the natural nail when faced with our demanding occupations.
You can go from austere French manicures to exotic artistic scenes painted on each extension, or a classy build-up that resembles the stronger nails that some of your associates are able to grow naturally.
Salons employ or contract with specialists who are licensed through the state cosmetology regulation departments. The specialists obtain their training through certified beauty schools and learn many aspects about a varied resource of extension products. The specialists understand that some people have sensitivity to certain or all products that are part of nail extensions. Occasionally chronic health issues and long term treatment for illness will affect the condition of your hands and nails. Be sure to tell the salon about any such treatment or condition so they can make appropriate recommendations. You cannot have had a negative experience that is new to them, so if you have had problems, tell the specialist. Then, you have a better chance of finding a product you can tolerate while you enjoy your new look.
Studies show that the products are often not the problem when there is a bad experience with nail extensions. Cleanliness at the salon or on the part of the client are more likely to contribute to problems than errant acrylic products.
The salon you select should have a separate and extremely clean table for manicures and nail extensions. A professional specialist will be conscientious about making sure you are ready for the process. Your hands and nails should be thoroughly cleaned before beginning, while open sores, irritated or infected cuticles or hangnails would lead to a recommendation to delay the extension work.
In addition to the potential for infection from the issues mentioned above, a serious bacteria with a big name, Pseudomonas aeruginosa , stalks people who have long nails or nail extensions when hands aren't thoroughly washed or nail beds aren't cleaned and dried. Other bacteria and microbes are seeking a place in small, dark, damp areas that can accompany long nails, be they artificial or home grown. Nail extensions that are not properly applied over natural nails that have had the natural, protective surface roughed can 'lift' to let bacteria get in under them. In that likely damp place, the bacteria can grow rapidly, resulting in pain and no fun with the new nails.
Now, if you weren't pretty seriously considering nail extensions, you wouldn't be interested in this information which appears to be trying to scare you off.
There is hope! There are some things you can do to help yourself avoid a sad experience.
Shop salons aggressively, looking for clean conditions and an acknowledgement of the need for cleanliness for you and from you.
When you find one you like, ask to meet the technician who will work on your nails. Nail extensions are not a one night stand. There is maintenance and change on a regular basis if you are going to take good care of them. When you have someone you trust, you can begin building a long term relationship. You are justified in taking a little time.
After making an appointment, reschedule if you have any issues with your hands, such as irritated or infected cuticles, hangnails, cuts, or eczema outbreaks, That applies to the first appointment and to follow-up appointments. The technician and shop will appreciate your position and your efforts to protect yourself and their shop in the face of even minor infections.
You have made an effort to find a salon where you won't pick up pathogens. Don't expose your system or the shop to some that are already on your body. Ask your technician about information of eczema reaction to the products used.
After you have the beautiful extensions, don't be distracted by the butterflies and rockets painted on them and neglect hygiene for your hands. Commit to extreme handwashing habits to avoid bacteria issues. This practice will most likely help you to avoid enjoying your nails while you endure a cold or flu. Pay attention when the nail specialist tells you what you can do to be sure you get the nails clean but cause the least amount of damage or wear and tear to your nails and manicure. Indulge yourself a little more when she offers you a chance to buy some excellent products help with maintenance of your new beautiful nails. A successful beauty experience should be well-equipped.
Now, with precautions and information in place, apply the wisdom you've accumulated during the years so you can enjoy your pretty nails. When the salon offers you an appointment for a pedicure, further indulge your inclinations and set a time soon. Baby boomer women can enjoy pretty toes along with pretty fingers!
JudyAnn Lorenz has eperience with the times and writes here about the beauty issues for Baby Boomer Women. You can learn more about the beauty success potential for mature women at my website
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Hair Care - The New Buzz in Body Care Industry
By
Alden JerryHair is a living organ of our body. Hair care involves proper and optimum care of hairs so that they do not get damaged. It could involve hair dressing also, wherein hairs are blown dry, combed and styled. It is very important that one eats healthy diet to keep her or his his hairs in good health. The hair gets its nutrition from the blood that flows in the veins the scalp skin. If someone suffers from prolonged stresses, has bad food habits or smokes excessively, it could result in a substantial damage to her or his hairs.
Different methods need to be employed to take care of different types of hairs. For example, children's care needs an altogether different approach than an adult's. Children typically have very fine hairs. Their hairs vary from those of the adults to a great extent in texture, density and colour. One should use a wide comb to detangle the children's hairs. One should begin combing the child's hairs from the bottom and move upwards through the length of the hair. One should also use a mild shampoo to wash the hairs of a child. A number of good appliances are available in the markets these days.
Some people develop bad head hair care habits. They use well or hard water to wash their hairs. The well water may contain many unwanted minerals like magnesium, silica and lead. These minerals adversely affect the hairs' health and retard their growth. While magnesium may make the hairs dry, silica chokes the hair follicles and promotes hair fall. Lead makes the hairs to loose weight and inhibits the growth of new hairs. One should speak to a hair specialist to get proper treatment of hard water.
One should always opt for natural hair care methods. These natural methods use herbs for the treatment of hairs. Such treatments are very hygenic and promote healthy hair growth. One should avoid cheap hair care that is offered by many roadside saloons at throw away prices. Such hair treatments may result in permanent damage to the hairs. One should care for her hairs in the same way as she would for any other part of her body.
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Reparative Skin Creams and Lotions
By
Laura BrightonWith the recent move into a more health-conscious America, reparative skin creams, "neutraceuticals" and many other skincare products are getting a big boost in the consumer market. It's an age-old story, but we all know that people, especially women, want to appear younger and healthier, and are looking for the best ways to do so.
Another reason for this recent increase in use may be the backlash against Botox. Consumers who are more health conscious are beginning to hesitate over the fact that Botox is a chemical that is injected into their bodies. A more health conscious America is beginning to rebel over this fact. They have found that topical lotions are a great alternative to Botox for handling various skin care issues and are much easier than the injections or surgical alternatives, while still giving premium results.
Recent positive research about antioxidants may also help to explain the new consumer confidence in lotions and creams, many of which are beginning to include antioxidants.
Antioxidants work by fighting free radicals, which are a waste product or a by-product in the body that causes cell damage. Free radicals are caused by things such as cigarette smoke, the sun's rays, air pollution, and alcohol. Stress can also produce free radicals in your body because it increases adrenaline, which in turn takes blood flow from your skin.
Of course, the process of improving your skin with antioxidant-based skin lotions and neutraceuticals takes a long time, so many women have turned to topical creams that do the same work right on the surface of the skin. This two-pronged approach works, well, as skin is repaired slowly from the inside while the woman gets instant results on the outside. These particular lotions work by pulling the skin tight at the surface, and seem to function particularly well around the eye areas. It is important to note that these lotions work by using the same mechanical pulling motion as a face lift, and the results produced are very similar. The consumer is left with smoother, tighter skin in the eye area.
Of course, consumers feel there are great advantages to these particular types of products. They are generally a luxurious treat for face, and are pleasantly scented and affordably priced. A bonus, of course, as compared to surgery or Botox, is that there is no pain, injections or office visits.
Clearly, the skincare market has expanded remarkably, to the benefit of all consumers. This expansion has led to many more options available to those looking to fight the signs of aging and environment on the skin. Whatever choices the consumer makes, taking care of one's skin will provide an instant boost in positive outlook and self-esteem, while also lowering perceived age.
Laura Brighton has worked in the
antiaging skin care industry for over a decade and is a frequent contributor to Youthology.com
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Top 5 Tips for Damaged Hair
By
Dylan DunnAlthough there are many tips for damaged hair that you can use to treat your damaged hair, these seem to be the top 5 tips that can improve the health and manageability of your hair.
Vinegar helps damaged hair
Vinegar is almost a wonder cure when it comes to damaged hair. It can help prevent split ends and that annoying frizziness when your hair is dry. It is also very good at getting rid of dandruff. There are many ways to use vinegar - you can simply apply a tablespoon of it to your hair as you rinse it in the shower, you can massage it into your hair before you shampoo to help with the dandruff, or you can soak your hair in a combination of vinegar and water.
Damaged hair hates heat
Some tips for damaged hair may seem a little strange but this one is actually very sensible - don't use a blow-dryer, hot comb or hot rollers on your hair. The rollers and the hot comb do the most damage because they stretch your hair as the heat is applied. If you must use a blow-dryer keep the heat on lowest setting.
Choose the right shampoo for your damaged hair
Many shampoos have cleaning agents that can actually damage your hair. Acidic shampoos with a ph between 4.5 and 6.7 are mostly recommended. Other tips for damaged hair when shampooing include being gentle when you are lathering your hair and not shampooing too often; you don't need to shampoo your hair twice a day or even once a day. You can skip a day here and there.
Read the labels on your shampoos and conditioners
Far too many people don't pay attention to the ingredients in their shampoos and conditioners. Look for products that have little or no alcohol. If your conditioner is extremely fragrant then it probably has more alcohol in it. Get the products that have the least amount of fragrance.
Use food to heal damaged hair
Open up your refrigerator and you will probably find a few things that can help you invigorate your hair. Use mayonnaise like a conditioner - massage it into your hair and leave in for about 30 minutes before you rinse it out. Lather a mixture of egg and warm water into your hair and then rinse out.
Dylan Dunn is an experienced hair stylist turned writer. You can learn more about
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Body Beautiful
By
Prahalad SinghTo keep your body skin soft and healthy, you need to give it attentive care. If you have dry skin or any skin type during wintertime-practice the following routine. Bathe only once a day and limit showers and baths to five minutes. Use lukewarm water and minimize the amount of soap you apply. Olay Complete Moisturizing Body Wash contains petroleum and is good for very dry skin. Concentrate the lather under the arms and in the groin area.
Don't forget to wash the soles of your feet, between the toes, and your ears. If you have sensitive skin, avoid cleansers with fragrances and skip the loofah or any other abrasive sponge. Keep a pumice stone handy and use on the feet daily or weekly depending on the condition of your feet.
When you come out of the bath or shower, only pat your skin dry. Apply a moisturizer, such as Avon Moisture Therapy Body Lotion, Eucerin Plus Lotion, or Arnlactin Lotion, to damp skin to trap moisture in the skin.
In summertime or if you have oily to normal body skin-feel free to take lengthier showers or increase the temperature. You can also shower or bathe two times a day. Loofah sponges are acceptable for exfoliation, but be careful not to make the skin raw or irritated.
If you are a plus-size woman, don't forget to lift your breasts and any abdominal folds and wash underneath. Also, lift each arm to wash armpits and one leg to cleanse the groin area. Pat your entire body dry with a towel and sprinkle the body folds with an absorbent powder like Zeasorb AF, which has antifungal properties.
If you have darkened areas on your neck and under the arms (acanthosis nigricans), dark elbows or knees, or small rough bumps on the arms and legs (keratosis pilaris), do not attempt to scrub the problem away. You'll only irritate the skin. If, however, you notice peeling skin on your towel, you may need to exfoliate manually (using a loofa) or chemically (using exfoliating acids). The following cleansers for the body offer a variety of options for women in color: Olay or Dove Bar Soap, Avon's Bath Gels, Olay Cleanser for Dry Skin, and Dove Cleanser.
The cotton gloves provide a barrier between your hands and the rubber gloves, which contain ingredients that can trigger an allergic reaction. Cotton gloves also absorb perspiration, preventing irritation and rashes. Try to avoid wearing latex or vinyl gloves for long periods of time and never wear them overnight. Carry a rich hand cream (Neutrogena Hand Cream or Avon Hand Cream) in your purse and apply it many times throughout the day, especially in cold weather.
Be sure to wear cold-weather gloves throughout the winter to avoid dry, cracked hands. If you develop cracks in your fingers, apply a glob of Vaseline to the area several times a day. If they do not heal after a few days, then see your dermatologist for medicated ointments.
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Make Up Tips
By
Hayi MansoorIf you ask a woman that what is the thing that you like the most, then out of many things one would be make up. It is one of the things that women of all ages love to do. The best thing in a woman's arsenal, according to a woman, would be a make up kit. What is the thing which really forces a woman to opt for make up?
God has gifted women with immense beauty. Humans came up with a way to enhance this beauty and make the features of a woman's face look much more beautiful. This way was applying make up. Make up and make up kits have gained immense popularity amongst women and it is considered customary for women to dress up and make up well, for attending parties and functions. You go in any part of the world, you will find that make up forms part of a woman for any function or ceremony. Though the style of make up differs for every part but the basics are the same.
Over the years hundreds of companies have come up with different sorts of make up items. It includes toners, foundations, blush on and many more. Using a make up kit is not difficult but you must follow some tips while applying the items for the safety of your skin and to enhance the effect of make up:
1. The skin tone must be taken into consideration before opting for any make up shade. The tone and shade should match with each other. Some women look good in purple shade and some look good in blue. Then women also go for orange and yellow shades. It really depends on the skin that it shines with which shade and you should judge it well.
2. You must wash and clean your face and neck thoroughly before applying make up. This would give you a clean base to work with. By doing this the dirt will be removed and there would be no chance of the pores getting blocked.
3. A toner should be used after washing the face.
4. You should have a good set of brushes for applying the make up. They should not be hard so as to avoid damage to your skin.
5. You must take particular care of the time of the day when the make up is being done. For an evening make up you can use blue shade and for normal daytime you can use neutral make up.
6. You should also apply a moisturizer on your lips before you apply lipstick. This would give a much better look to the lips.
Make up is an activity of fun and joy for women. But women should also know the right way of doing so. This would help them look much more beautiful and glamorous.
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7 Top Reasons To Use African Shea Butter
By
Scott MalinAfrican Shea Butter
African Shea Butter is made from the seeds of the Karite tree (known as the Tree of Life) which grows wild in West Africa. In Africa, there are number of therapeutic uses for the "King of skin care ingredients" including ingesting it for colds and flus and as a ceremonial food. Africans use it on the skin of infants, because of it's incredibly mild properties on the most sensitive of skin.
Also, it does an amazing job of protecting and moisturizing their delicate skin. Africans also use Shea Butter with the elderly to help with aching joints and to keep their skin supple. Due to the dry nature of the Sahara, it is also used regularly to help with cracked and dry skin.
The 7 Top Reasons to use Shea Butter
1.
Dry Skin - Helps dramatically reduce the issues associated with dry skin. Specifically, Shea Butter helps prevent chapping, chafing and skin cracks (especially on the feet and elbows).
2.
Psoriasis, Eczema, Dermatitis - Has shown to have remarkable effects on rashes, psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis. French dermatologists used Shea Butter on 35 people from different age, sex and racial backgrounds for a period of ten days to 5 months. These subjects had all types of skin disorders ranging from dry and wrinkled skin to serious burns and rashes. There was substantial healing in all of the cases, and in some cases the healing was almost miraculous. These clinical trials have all been well documented by the French Ministry of Health.
2.
Skin Irritations - Minor skin irritations including allergies, insect bites, frost bites, sun burns, burns, and small skin wounds all respond positively to treatment. Shea Butter glides on smoothly and easily and penetrates into the skin immediately, having a very quick effect,
3.
Wrinkles - Helps dramatically with wrinkles. Shea Butter works by rejuvenating skin cells and cleaning pores. Shea Butter also helps by preventing wrinkles by keeping moisture protected in the deeper dermal layers of the skin.
4.
Dry Hair and Scalp - Helps prevent weak hair from breaking, fading or thinning out. Unlike almost all other hair conditioners on the market, which use Petroleum by-products, Shea Butter does not clog pores or block the hair shafts. It also helps prevent dandruff and revitalizes split ends. In addition, it will protect the hair from the damaging rays of the sun, hair dryers, perms and dyes. A good idea is to use it before swimming in a pool or the ocean to help protect your hair from chlorine and sea salt.
5.
Sensitive Skin - One of the best choices for people with ultra-sensitive skin, including infants. Why? The chemical composition of shea butter is close to vernix, the substance found on newborns at birth, so there is no negative reaction to it by even the most sensitive people.
6.
Stretch Marks - Excellent for the prevention and treatment of stretch marks and other kinds of scar tissue. It works by moisturizing and feeding nutrients to these areas which helps dramatically reduce the appearance of scars or stretch marks. In addition, Shea Butter is also good for the healing of sore nipples of nursing mothers.
7.
Aging - Wonderful for older people who are looking to prevent bed sores and want to keep the suppleness of their skin. Shea Butter works great for the elderly population and can be used everyday.
For the highest quality shea butter available, please click here to learn moreScott Malin is rapidly becoming a widely respected writer on the subject of organic, all natural skin care. You can find excellent advice about how to have healthy and beautiful skin at:
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Get Rid Of The "Cottage Cheese" With Anti Cellulite Cream
By
Rose BasilePeople all over the world have always looked for a way to get rid of cellulite. Many treatments have been offered over the years to get rid of these annoying stretch marks, but most never made much of a difference. However, new products from companies like Avon give a super shape to your skin and do away with many of those marks that have you worried.
Today, some people decide to undergo risky and costly surgeries to get rid of their cellulite. However, this can be dangerous and result in long term damage to your skin. There are great alternatives to using cream that allow you to fix the problem without an invasive surgery.
Anti cellulite stretch mark cream is one of the latest inventions in the battle against this common malady. Anti cellulite cream is effective in helping your body fight off the stretch marks, but it also must be done in conjunction with small changes in diet as well as exercise.
It's important for people who are interested in getting rid of their cellulite to remember that cream along won't help give you a new super shape to your skin. Stretch mark cream is just the beginning. A well-balanced diet is another important step in treating your cellulite. A healthy, natural diet rich in fruits and vegetables does much to keep weight under control and maintain skin healthy. Cellulite is actually enlarged fat cells that have become attached to the skin, but are located just under the surface.
As you work to maintain a healthy diet, this will help keep your fat cells to a minimum. Also, regular exercise is another way to give you relief from cellulite and help your body take a new super shape. Choose an exercise schedule that meets your needs and keeps you interested. Don't worry about doing what everyone else is doing. If you're bored going to the gym, it won't last long if you get a new membership. Choose an activity that you love.
When you have changed your diet and exercise habits, you'll be able to get the full advantage of anti-cellulite creams sold by Avon. These creams will be able to correct some of the problems that lead to stretch marks and help you keep that perfect shape to your skin for years to come. Make sure you buy stretch mark cream from a well known distributor who is recommended by doctors and professional groups. Don't fall victim to scams that promise to take away your cellulite in a matter of days without any extra work on your part.
It's a tough job being beautiful, you need all the help you can get from
Cellulite Cream Secrets. Find out if
free cellulite cream can be effective, or the
best brand name and discount cellulite cream available.
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