healthy

The Evils of Tanning Beds

2009-02-05T11:30:00.001-08:00

OK, so you've had a few days of steady rain, and going to the beach isn't an option. But you're starting to notice your pasty white skin, and you'd like to do something about it. Or ... it's January, and tanning outside is a little brisk.

So you head to a tanning bed, and -- voila! -- in a few short minutes, you've got that tan you wanted.

What's the problem with this scenario? You're inevitably going to get complaints from people who tell you that a tanning bed is somehow dangerous.

Nonsense.

A tanning bed is not "dangerous," is not a "voluntary coffin," (to quote my mother's dermatologist) and isn't silly.

It's a way of getting tanned, a way of getting your body's needed dose of vitamin D.

Your body doesn't differentiate: the UV rays react on the skin whether you're out on the sand for a few hours, or spending 10 minutes on a tanning bed.

10 minutes is a good rule of thumb: it's roughly equal to an hour in the sun. It's easy, relatively cheap (look for specials) and is especially good for those times when you don't have time to spend in the sun, or can't because of the weather.

Of course, watch your time. Most places won't let you use more than 20 minutes at a pop, but even that's a long time, if you haven't had any UV exposure for a while. Start slow, ease in, and enjoy your tan.

And if it's December, enjoy the envy of your pasty-skinned friends. If your looking good bothers them, suggest they get therapy.

Jim Huffman, RN specializes in natural and alternative healing therapies. His first book is 'Dare to Be Free: How to Get Control of Your Time, Your Life, and Your Nursing Career,' and is aimed at helping other nurses find satisfying, dynamic careers. His website is <a target="_new" href="http://www.NetworkForNurses.com">http://www.NetworkForNurses.com</a> and his health blog is at <a target="_new" href="http://www.shababa.blogspot.com">http://www.shababa.blogspot.com</a>

Should You Get Plastic Surgery?

2009-02-04T21:30:00.001-08:00

These days, plastic surgery is often much maligned, and while the apparent levity with which it is sometimes undertaken and its almost epidemic-type spread can seem rather worrying, the benefits of plastic surgery can easily be overlooked. While there is an overwhelming array of various plastic surgery horror stories reported in the press, the quiet stories of success often remain untold. For the right candidate, plastic surgery can truly be a life-enhancing procedure.

It would be wonderful to live in a world where everyone is truly accepted, regardless of their physical appearance, and while this type of world might one day evolve, these days, being different is undeniably difficult. For those people who suffer under the weight of a single feature that seems to swallow the rest of them whole, plastic surgery is simply the door to a new life. One of the first things that many patients notice after surgery is how the correction of this feature can bring a sense of balance to their whole appearance. For the woman with big breasts or the man with prominent ears, the hated feature can dominate their self perception, and its alteration to a state that blends in more easily with those of others, truly allows the rest of their self, both physically and spiritually, to blossom.

The most important element of the plastic surgery picture is the surgeon who will perform the procedure. A good plastic surgeon will first evaluate the patient's suitability for treatment, both physically and emotionally, and will help them to approach the surgery with realistic expectations. A good surgeon will adapt the problem feature to match not only the patient's physical appearance, but their personality also, allowing the person who has been hiding behind the perceived imperfection to really shine. Because this is what plastic surgery does, at its best - it does not have the power to change the way a person feels about themselves, but in changing something that has been oppressive to the patient, it allows them to find their confidence again.

Jeff Lakie is the founder of <a target="_new" href="http://www.cost-of-liposuction.com">Plastic Surgery Resources</a> a website providing information on cosmetic surgery.

Differences Between Perfume And Perfume Oils

2009-02-04T20:30:00.001-08:00

The history of perfume oils dates back to ancient Egypt when these fine scented oils were presented to royalty as gifts. In modern times, however, when the word "perfume" is said, most people think of department store fragrances, which consist mainly of the concentrated oil and alcohol solution. Nevertheless, as more and more people are finding out about them, perfume oils are experiencing great popularity. Here are some interesting facts about perfume oils:

1) Strength of smell - Perfume oils are highly concentrated and up to ten times more concentrated than department store perfumes. This quality allows oils to last longer than their eau de perfume counterparts.

2) Alcohol - Perfumes have alcohol in them, which creates different smell effects. Most body oils use carrier oils like jojoba or grapeseed oil in place of alcohol. In some fragrances, the smell can change as the alcohol evaporates different scent notes through time. With oils, the scent is more constant.

3) Price - A noticeable difference between perfumes and perfume oils is price. Perfumes have a very high markup and great profit margins, which is perhaps why many celebrities have embarked on the trend of creating their own perfumes and colognes. Perfume oils can be sold very cheaply, or even more expensively than the perfumes, depending on how they are positioned in the market.

4) Body chemistry - Just because a perfume or cologne smells good on you, doesn't mean that the oil version will. Perfumes only have a small percentage of oil, so they are quite different than pure body oils. This interaction between the fragrance and your body may produce a different scent perception altogether.

5) Packaging - Clearly, department store perfumes are very nicely packaged and thus make great gifts for friends and family. Many perfume oils are sold in less attractive containers, which is part of the reason for their lower price.

6) Uses - Perfumes are only intended for use on the body, but perfume oils can be used to create a variety of scented products, like soap, candles, bath oils, air fresheners, and many other types of scented products. Be aware that there are different types of fragrance oils and that pure uncut oils are not safe for use on the skin.

In summary, whether you choose to use perfume oils or not will depend on the factors above. Try out a small sample first and who knows, you might just discover a delightful new product to add to your personal inventory.

Criss White is a professional web writer on baby and new mother topics for baby and pregnancy websites. See <a target="_new" href="http://www.bestperfumeoils.com">Body perfume oils</a> and <a target="_new" href="http://www.mybabyshowerfavors.com/perfume">Designer Perfume Oils</a> for more perfume oil information and supplies. Note: If you find this article useful, you may reprint it on your website, e-zine, or in your newsletter as long as the credits and resource box remain in tact and the hyperlinks are active.

Collagen in Skincare

2009-02-04T18:30:00.001-08:00

Collagen is one of the main constituents of our skin. Located in the dermis, it is responsible for the resistance and integrity of the tissue. Collagen is a protein that serves as a key structural component of tissue, such as skin, bones, ligaments, etc. The dermis, the inner layer of the skin, contains large amounts of collagen, elastin and fibers which are responsilbe for your skin's strength, texture and elasticity. Also, as we age, collagen becomes hard and cross-links with neighboring fibers making it difficult for the skin to hold moisture or maintain elasticity. It collapses on itself below the surface of the skin thus seen on the surface of the skin as wrinkles.

Wrinkles, lines and rough skin texture are a SURE SIGN OF POOR DERMAL COLLAGEN HEALTH. Collagen used in creams remains an effective tool in the area of cutaneous hydration. In fact, one can compare its molecule to a big sponge able to absorb a great quantity of water. Therefore when applied to the skin it maintains it to a humid state and provides it with optimal hydration thus reducing the appearance of ageing signs.

After the age of 20 collagen production reduces l % per year.

Collagen creams help by hydrating (moisturizing) the epidermis which tends to firm and revitalise, favours cellular renewal, smooth and plump up the skin by increasing the skins elasticity. Help to nourish, repair and tighten the skin as it helps to replenish the skin's own natural collagen making it softer and radiant. The main role of collagen creams is to help retain water in the stratum corneum, that is to maintain the epidermis in a normal state of hydration. Also collagen is well known for its healing properties!

Recommended use of collagen skincare products are at any age or as soon as fine lines or wrinkles start to appear!

Linda
Professional Esthetician
Elle's Esthetic Studio
<a target="_new" href="http://www.ellesestheticstudio.com">http://www.ellesestheticstudio.com</a>

How to Have Great Looking Skin

2009-02-04T11:10:00.001-08:00

Great skin is something that nearly everyone can cultivate. Our skin is affected by our:

. Genes
. Inner nutrition - what we eat and drink
. Exercise
. General health and well-being
. Emotional health, and
. Outer nutrition - how we take care of our skin

While we can't alter our genes, we can improve our skin by making the necessary adjustments in the areas we can influence. Read on to discover the basic components of a healthy outer nutritional plan for your skin.

If you seriously want great skin the very first thing to do and wear a hat and good quality sunscreen when out in the sunshine. Having said that, let's move on to understand the next three basic foundations to great skin.

If you want your skin to look and feel great, careful cleansing is very important. This should be done first thing in the morning and last thing at night to remove pore-clogging dirt. Don't cleanse enough and you could find yourself prone to spots. Cleanse to often and you could be stripping away essential oils and be susceptible to dry skin or even eczema. Understanding your skin type (normal, dry or oily) and using a cleanser to match is the best foundation for great looking skin. Remember to rinse your face with warm water after using a cleanser, as any residue will continue to work on the skin if not completely removed.

Our grandmother's used soap and water?isn't that good enough? Soap is not very good at removing makeup because it does not contain enough oils to dissolve the staying power that most cosmetics have today. Remember the 'tight' feeling after your have washed your fact with soap? Soap can be very drying on your skin and may wash away essential oils. Another reason not to use soap is that it is not matched to the natural balance of our skin. Soap is generally alkaline, whilst skin is naturally acidic.

The second step to great outer nutrition for your skin is to tone. Toners are designed to remove any last traces of cleanser, while also helping to tighten and refine pores and prevent the build-up of dead skin cells. After toning your skin should fee and look revitalised and refreshed, and ready to be moisturised. Again you will need to apply a toner that matches your skin type.

The third foundation step is to apply moisturiser to help restore the moisture loss caused by the drying effects of sunlight, central heating, wind, cold and pollution. A good daytime moisturiser would contain a sunscreen and will be easily absorbed into the skin. At night you should use a richer, more nourishing cream, as this is when your skin more readily absorbs moisture.

Despite the plethora of products on the market and the myriad of additives?. the most important ingredient of any moisturiser is water! If water is just splashed on the skin it will not say there. Moisturisers are basically oil and water emulsions which contain a humectant (a substance added to another to make it moist), which attracts water and helps 'fix' it in the upper layers of the skin.

Moisture that is lost firm the skin needs to be replaced quickly so that the surface of the skin is kept both soft and smooth. The living cells in the layers need water so that they will not shrivel up and die. A moisturiser can protect the skin by providing a varier between the skin and the external environment. It also prevents the loss of moisture from the deeper layers of the skin.

Should people who have oily skin use a moisturiser? Moisturisers are particularly recommended for people with dry skin but everyone can benefit from using a moisturiser. You simply need to ensure that you choose the correct moisturiser for your skin type. People with oily skin should choose a moisturiser that hydrates their skin whilst helping absorb any excess oil.

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Eyelid Plastic Surgery

2009-02-03T12:00:00.001-08:00

Blepharoplasty, commonly known as eyelid surgery, is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess fat, skin and muscle from the area around the eyes. As people age, their skin loses elasticity, they accumulate more fat and their muscles lose tone. This aging process can make the arms or stomach or breasts sag, but on the face this loss of tone and elasticity can make you look tired, angry, upset, sick and much older and can even impair vision. Eyelid surgery can be frightening because complication risks, like infection, involve the eyes and your vision. However, a vast majority of people who have undergone eyelid surgery are happy that they did so.

As with most cosmetic procedures, patients undergoing eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) are given either general anesthesia, which will require a longer stay at the medical facility and a person to take care of the patient for 24 hours following surgery, or they are given local anesthesia and a sedative, so they are awake but they cannot feel the area being operated on and they are much calmer about the procedure because of the sedative.

Blepharoplasty can be done on either the upper or lower eyelids or all four. The variation will determine the length of the surgery. In eyelid surgery, tiny incisions are made along natural creases in the upper eyelid and below the lash line on the lower eyelids. The skin of the eyelid is then separated from the fat deposits and muscle so the fat can be removed. Depending upon the patient, the skin and muscle can then be trimmed as well before they are sewn back together. Recovery can be uncomfortable because of the swelling associated with any surgical procedure which will, in this case, dry out the eyes and sometimes prevent them from comfortably closing fully before the swelling goes down.

Blepharoplasty does not remove wrinkles, dark circles or a sagging brow. For this reason, eyelid surgery is commonly performed in conjunction with other facial cosmetic procedures such as brow lifts.

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Find a qualified <A target="_new" href="http://www.sleepingswan.com/">Cosmetic Surgeon</A> in Your Area at <a target="_new" href="http://www.sleepingswan.com">http://www.sleepingswan.com</a>

Look Years Younger In Minutes

2009-02-03T11:15:00.000-08:00

Now whether you are just beginning to notice your first few lines or you are experiencing more advance signs of aging you can painlessly and safely achieve a healthier, youthful, wrinkle free beauty in minutes with these simple professional techniques used by the world's top makeup artists.

Lift a Sagging Jaw line ? After applying your foundation apply a very thin line of highlighter from ear to ear along the top of your jawbone. Blend thoroughly. Next apply a thin line of contour cream or shadow on the bottom and the underneath area of your jawbone. Blend thoroughly.

Make Wrinkles & Lines Disappear ? Before applying foundation use a Q- Tip or very thin makeup brush to apply a professional line filler product or highlighter inside the creases of your lines and wrinkles. Using the thin end of your makeup sponge or a clean Q-Tip gently blend.

Perform An Instance Face Lift ? A well groomed medium width brow with a strong arch will visual lift your face instantly. To create a well groomed brow with a strong arch pluck clean the area underneath the brow bone and shape the brow with widest part of the brow at the inner corner of your eye and the brow getting thinner has it goes out toward your temple. The highest part of the arch should be just above the outer edge of your pupil.

Create Fuller Younger Lips ? After covering the lip area with foundation and your lips with a lip cream or balm take a lip liner the same shade or a shade slightly lighter then your lipstick and line just outside your lips natural lip line . Apply your lipstick with a lip brush blending lipstick to lip liner. Place a dab of pale light color lip gloss in the center of your top and bottom lips.

Give Your Eyes A Quick Lift ? Applying eyeliner has close to lashes as possible line eyes from where the inner corner( tear duct ) of your eyes end to slightly pass the outer corner of your eyes. Has you get to the outer corner of your eye slightly tilt line upward to create a slight slant. This technique works whether you line just your upper lids or both your upper and bottom lids. Curl your lash with an eyelash curler before applying mascara.

Eileen Hammel President of Smarter Image, and Smart Skin Care - Smart Cosmetics by Smarter Image is a Nationally & Internationally Recognized Image, Style and Beauty Expert. <a target="_new" href="http://www.smartskincaresmartcosmetics.com/">http://www.smartskincaresmartcosmetics.com/</a>

7 Essential Beauty Tips

2009-02-03T10:11:00.001-08:00

Beauty

Beauty is defined as the phenomenon of the experience of pleasure, through the perception of balance and proportion of stimulus. It involves the cognition of a balanced form and structure that elicits attraction and appeal towards a host, creature, inanimate object, scene, music, idea, etc. It's as well seen as An assemblage or even graces or even properties pleasing to the eye, the ear, the intellect, the aesthetic faculty, or even the moral feel.

Beauty is the quality that gives pleasure to the mind or even senses and is associated with such properties as harmony of form or even color, excellence of artistry, truthfulness, and originality.

A common understanding of the word beauty suggests that it's the appearance of things and people. For illustration, we call miss globe or even miss universe the virtually all beautiful female on earth. Also a fully blossomed rose is as well called a beauty. Beauty can't be measured, not can it be counted. It's purely subjective in nature, and its comprehension changes based on data from perception set of individuals.

Beauty has always been revered from the time individual kind had developed basic senses. We've heard of umpteen number of stories in history when wars utilized to be inflicted upon for the desire of beautiful females. Beauty is all pervasive in nature and rises above any discrimination of race, caste, religion, etc.

Many theorists and scientists have tried to deconstruct beauty into even more understandable parts. 1 idea is to look at it from the point of see of how much symmetry is discovered in the object. A few of the main contributions in this regards are - The inborn inclination of people to be attracted to symmetry coupled with the natural want or even pursuit of happiness leads to the premise that symmetry is indeed the symbol of beauty.

Mortal beings are so engrossed with beauty that it's taken a awesome shape in economy in the form of beauty industry. There are many enterprises and organizations taking part in selling beauty products. These range from your next door beauty salon to a multi-billion premium branded marketing organization spread across 150 countries in the globe.

Beauty care is a outstanding act time and pastime for mortal beings, especially women. Beauty is perceived to offer attractiveness and confidence. Beauty care includes hair care, face care, skin care, nail care, proper diet, vitamins, etc.

There are many therapies dedicated to the cause of beauty care. Even more crucial among it is aromatherapy, cosmetology, laser coarse of action, hair coloring, slimming techniques, etc.

Many authors have written on beauty. A select few of the wonderful quotes are "a thing of beauty is a joy forever" by John Keats. "True beauty lives in deep retreats, Whose veil is unremoved, Till heart with heart in concord beats, And the lover is beloved" by Wordsworth. And "We all know that a thing of beauty is a joy forever and that beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. Is not it interesting how the perception of beauty" by Anon.

Helen Keller sums it all "The virtually all beautiful things in the globe aren't seen nor touched. It is felt with the heart".

Codi Bellezia is the owner of <a target="_new" href="http://www.abeautyz.com">a beauty z</a> which is a premier resource for beauty information. for more information, go to <a target="_new" href="http://www.abeautyz.com">http://www.abeautyz.com</a>

Orange County Plastic Surgeon Search

2009-02-03T06:23:00.000-08:00

The main problem is that of abundance. Finding an Orange County plastic surgeon is easy, the problem is to find THE Orange County plastic surgeon - the one who will meet your expectations. Start from searching the Internet. There you will probably find about fifty plastic surgeons for a start. When you have the list, start contacting them, one by one. I know this is time consuming, but the plastic surgery is a surgery, not some kind of magic. Narrow your list to those who specialize in the kind of surgery you want to have and visit the clinics.

How can you find the best plastic surgeon available?

Every Orange County plastic surgeon worth choosing will offer you a short walk around the clinic to show you what's going on there. If they ask you to sight tight in an office, it's a big minus. The second checkpoint is the plastic surgery picture. Ask them to show you the "before/after" photos of patients that had similar surgery to yours. Even in Orange County, every plastic surgeon will have to show you the pictures. Check them carefully - if in any of them you will see makeup, resign. All these photos are used for medical purposes and taking photos in makeup means only that there is something to hide. If both the walk and the pictures' check went good, you can get down to business.

Things you should check before the surgery

The prices are quite high in Orange County. Every plastic surgeon living there is a professional, so the prices are "professional" too. Don't worry about the money, though. You are about to have a surgery any saving $300 and risking some surgery complications instead isn't a too bright idea. Remember, it's the professionalism you're looking for, not a discount. Every Orange County plastic surgeon is a professional, but you want to get "the best of the best", don't you? The money you will spend is only a secondary problem then. I say this because we tend to forget about it during any purchases or negotiations and we start thinking only about our money.

Jeff Lakie is the founder of <a target="_new" href="http://www.tummy-tuck-photos.com">Plastic Surgery Resources</a> a website providing information on cosmetic surgery.

Blinded by the White?

2009-02-03T05:10:00.001-08:00

Washington DC-By J. S. Ronnette-Patients traveling the road toward whiter teeth have a dizzying array of options to choose from. There are so many whitening products and treatments out there that some dental consumers get blinded in the glare of choices. From paint-on bleaching gels to stick-on whitening strips to in-office power bleaching-what's a white-smile-seeker to do?

The current methods break down into whitening at home and at the dental office, with a growing interest in whitening at the dentist's office. "Many of our patients are busy professionals, and they would rather come in for a one-visit power bleaching session to get the job done right away," says Dr. Daniel J. Deutsch, of the Washington Center for Dentistry. And many patients are not new to the world of whitening, having already tried over-the-counter techniques.

Home teeth whitening

? The brush-on method sounds wonderfully easy and unobtrusive. Just brush on the bleaching gel before you go to sleep. Let it sit on your teeth all night long and brush it off with your toothbrush the next morning.

Also considered the Lazy-Man's whitening system, this method contains inherent flaws. The most obvious drawback is that once saliva "wets" the gel on the teeth, the bleach gets diluted and rubs off in some areas. This situation lowers the chance for an even whitening result. And no one wants that blotchy, partially bleached look!

And many of these at-home formulas contain glycerin, which is known to deplete moisture in the enamel of the teeth. This condition often leads to discomfort from sensitivity during the whitening process.

? The stick-on strips method is popular because they are simple to use. They are easy to apply and need no preparation.

But, again, the short-cut approach gives skimpy results. Here's why: The upper and lower strips get pressed against the outer front surface of the teeth. And while they adhere pretty well, the strips cannot fit completely within the cracks and grooves that occur along the contour of your teeth. The recesses between each tooth might possibly retain their darker staining, and even might look darker against the newly bleached flatter areas. Eventually, as the whitening process progresses, teeth might appear to have undesirable, pronounced gaps between them.

In addition, these methods often use bleach at a lower concentration (6 to 10 percent), which is less effective than bleach supplied by many dental offices.

? The trays and bleaching gel method remains the most successful and efficient home whitening treatment.

A special form-fitting, soft plastic tray is made from a mold of your mouth. The tray fits snugly over each tooth. The dentist also supplies a higher concentration (16 to 22 percent) bleaching gel.

Patients wear the trays and gel for a certain period of time every day for a specific number of days-as prescribed by the dentist.

This method gets good results for patients amenable to wearing trays and gel either a few hours in the evening ? or while they sleep.

In-office Whitening - Britesmile
? The one-hour power bleaching method is fast becoming the option of choice for patients seeking great results ? fast!

This in-office treatment-known as Britesmile-gets high marks for quick, comfortable, easy whitening at lightning speeds.

"The Britesmile chair is often the first stop for patients getting a full smile makeover," says Dr. Marc Doctors, also of the Washington Center for Dentistry. "They want to match their new crowns and veneers to teeth that are as white as they can get."

The Britesmile system lightens teeth up to nine shades whiter, on average, with no harm to tooth enamel, gums or existing fillings. Teeth reach their optimum natural whiteness and reveal a smile that many patients haven't seen in years.

The one-visit session goes like this: After examining teeth and gums, pre-whitening toothpaste is applied with a hygienist's polisher to prepare teeth for the whitening session.

The current shade of the teeth is measured. A before photo is taken. Then, the technician protects the gums and mouth with special materials and applies the whitening gel.

Many patients relax with movies or music while a gentle blue light shines on their teeth to activate the whitening gel. The technician reapplies the gel every 20 minutes-three times during the one-hour session.

When the sessions are complete, the new shade is noted and an "after" photo records the new brighter smile for posterity.

How long does it last? Long-term results depend on the patient. Tobacco, coffee, tea, dark soft drinks and lax attention to dental care can work against the results. Regular professional care will help maintain a new "Britesmile" up to two years. Some patients maintain results at home with trays and gel.

For more information on Britesmile whitening and other cosmetic dentistry procedures in the Washington DC area, please <a target="_new" href="http://www.washdent.com">click here</a>.

Baby Boomers Seek Hold on Youth Through Cosmetic Surgery Procedures

2009-02-02T08:20:00.001-08:00

Elkhart-IN -People in the 35-50 age group comprise the largest percentage (40 percent) of individuals who had cosmetic procedures last year, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). In all, more than 8.7 million procedures were performed on people who took action to proactively manage signs of aging or enhance their appearance.

"Society is certainly entranced with the idea of holding on to a youthful look as long as possible," said Dr. Ronald Downs, of The Centre, P.C in Indiana. " Many people say they feel better when they look better." Liposuction was the most popular procedure in the 35-50 age group. Nose reshaping was the most popular among persons 19 to 34, who represent 26 percent of the 8.7 million, and eyelid surgery was number one among patients 51 to 64 (24 percent).

In all, cosmetic surgery procedures rose 32 percent from 2002 to 2003, according to the ASPS. The number of surgical procedures grew at 5 percent, while minimally invasive procedures jumped 41 percent. "With the incredible influence the entertainment industry has on public opinion, TV shows such as Extreme Makeover are no doubt significant contributors to this rise in procedures," added Dr. Downs.

Botox? injections were the most common minimally invasive procedure, up 157 percent. "We believe that cosmetic injectables will continue to grow in popularity with the aging public," said Dr. Patrick Viscardi, The Centre, P.C., "especially since the FDA in late 2003 approved Restylane?, an injectable dermal filler made from non-animal, stabilized hyaluronic acid." Other injectables recently approved by the FDA include CosmoDerm? and CosmoPlast?, both of which, unlike Botox, do not require an allergy test ahead of time and, therefore, do not require a waiting period.

A concern by the ASPS is that with the increased popularity of injectables, people may turn to physicians who do not have the level of medical training needed to properly administer such treatments. Both Dr. Downs and Dr. Viscardi of Indiana are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the only board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties to certify a surgeon in plastic surgery of the face and all areas of the body.

The Centre, P.C. in Indiana is a comprehensive plastic surgery practice that delivers expert professional care to patients in the Michiana, Indiana area. With specialists in the fields of hand surgery and therapy, reconstructive surgery, cosmetic surgery and skin health in Indiana, <a target="_new" href="http://www.thecentrepc.com">The Centre</a> offers a unique variety of services and treatment options, including an Injury Prevention Program for businesses and their employees. Contact The Centre, P.C. at 574.296.9100 or visit thecentrepc.com or the American Society of Plastic Surgeons at plasticsurgery.org.

Imagine the Possibilities??

Going Beyond Benzoyl Peroxide

2009-02-01T23:30:00.000-08:00

Millions of people suffer from acne in the United States alone, and many of these acne suffers use Benzoyl Peroxide as the acne treatment medication of choice.

It is generally safe, has very few side effects, and it has been proven to be the most effective over the counter acne treatment.

However, there are many more people who have more severe, or particularly resilient acne that is not susceptible to over the counter medications such as Benzoyl Peroxide.

Some of the most effective acne medications are available via prescription only. However, these are truly the "heavy guns" in the fight against acne, and are well worth looking into for anyone who has chronic or severe acne breakouts.

The most commonly prescribed acne medications are antibiotics such as Erythromycin and Trimethroprim. These are generally more effective than over the counter treatments because they work by treating the source of acne, the acne causing p.bacteria. Many acne sufferers find antibiotics work well for them in treating acne, and have fewer breakouts because of them.

However, one of the big drawbacks from using antibiotics is developing an immunity to them. This means that over time, the antibiotics are less effective in treating not only acne, but any form of bacterial infection including diseases such as strep throat and even some STD's. This should be considered before undergoing an antibiotic regime to treat acne.

Another alternative is Retin A. Retin A is a topical acne treatment, and a derivative of Vitamin A. Although the exact mechanism is unknown, Retin A has been proven to be effective in reducing fine lines and wrinkles, as well as acne and some acne scarring. Retin A is generally more effective in treating acne than antibiotics.

However, Retin A is not without side effects either. The skin becomes more sensitive to the sun, and exposure to the sun can be very damaging. Also, people with sensitive skin or a skin disorder such as eczema can experience severe redness, skin flaking, and irritation. In spite of this, most people who use Retin A find they are satisfied with the results, and don't find the side effects overwhelming.

The most effective acne treatment currently available is Accutane. Accutane is also a derivative of Vitamin A, and is taken orally. It has been referred to as the acne "wonder drug", and for good reason. The majority of people who complete a 15-20 week session experience greatly reduced acne for years, and some never again have acne.

Accutane works by stopping sebum production in the skin. With no sebum, the acne causing p.bacteria do not have any way to grow. This results in clear skin, sometimes for life.

However, Accutane is not without side effects. The most severe are birth defects and mental disorders, such as psychosis and suicide. Dry skin, severe headaches, and hair loss are also common side effects. Though accutane is the most effective acne medication, it should only be used as a last resort, under close medical supervision.

Though there are other medications that are more effective than benzoyl peroxide, these are the most commonly prescribed, and are all worth consideration if one is experiencing severe acne. As always, a medical doctor should be consulted before trying any medication.

Greg Podsakoff is a former acne sufferer, and editor of <a target="_new" href="http://www.acne-treatments-guide.com">http://www.acne-treatments-guide.com</a>

Brow Lift - Cosmetic Surgery Procedure

2009-01-31T05:20:00.001-08:00

Brow Lift ? Cosmetic Surgery Procedures

Throughout life, natural signs of aging occur on all of our bodies. The forehead broadcasts a telltale sign of aging more so than any other place on our body. Fortunately a forehead lift is one of the easiest and among the most common procedures to fight the visible signs of aging. During the aging process the muscles and skin on the forehead begin to lose a great deal of elasticity and eventually causes drooping. This will give the appearance of fatigue, frustration and sometimes anger.

Smoothing out the lines and lifting the sagging skin will give the forehead a younger and more refreshing look. Generally most people choose to have a brow lift performed between the ages of 40 ? 60, but because it's such a quick and simple procedure, anyone can use it to enhance their appearance.

Today, brow lifts are generally performed using one or two techniques. The first technique is more traditional as it requires a lengthy incision along the hairline, starting at the beginning of one ear, and ending at the other. The hair on both sides of the incision line is tied back, and the forehead skin is separated from the tissue below. The skin is then stretched across the forehead and reattached within the hairline by tight stitches and sutures. Most surgeons then cover the area with surgical gauze and bandages, but some choose not to.

A less invasive procedure used to perform a brow lift is called an endoscopic brow lift. Instead of using one long incision, the doctor makes around three half inch cuts into the top of the scalp where a pencil thin scope is then inserted. The scope is connected to a camera which allows the doctor to view beneath the skin without having to cut it open.

While the camera is placed into one incision a surgical tool is used inside another. The forehead skin is lifted while the underlying tissues are smoothed out or removed entirely. The smaller incisions are then washed away and stitched. Depending on the doctor, sometimes they are covered with gauze or antiseptics.

To learn more about <a target="_new" href="http://www.resource4cosmeticsurgery.com/topics/browlift.html">brow lifts</a> or other cosmetic surgery procedures such as <a target="_new" href="http://www.comoms.com/breast-augmentation/">breast augmentation</a>, please visit <a target="_new" href="http://www.resource4cosmeticsurgery.com">http://www.resource4cosmeticsurgery.com</a> This article may be freely reprinted as long as this resource box is included and all links stay intact as hyperlinks.

Complexion Problems - Getting a Clear, Healthy Complexion

2009-01-29T21:01:00.001-08:00

Most of us do. There are the few lucky people who have near-perfect skin tone and color, and who never break out with an acne blemish, and yet their skin stays perpetually moisture balanced and clear.

What is their secret? And is there a way for you to duplicate this perfection, or are you doomed to a life of never-ending, genetically-impossible-to-defeat complexion problems?

The good news is, there are some simple ways you can greatly improve your complexion. Some may seem fairly common sense, and other may be something you never thought of, nor incorporated into your skin care routine.

1.) Adding a splash of lemon juice to your drinking water is a healthy complexion booster. Lemon juice can help clarify your skin tone. Also, be sure to drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated throughout the day.

2.) Using a gentle toner in your cleansing routine (after cleansing but before moisturization)will help to reduce the appearance of large pores, and prevent blackheads from forming.

3.) Supplement your daily diet with a good multivitamin specifically formulated for skin health. There are some great skin supplements today that will help eliminate complexion problems and produce noticeable improvements in your complexion with continued and consistent use.

4.) Use a gentle exfoliant once or twice a week. Even if you are prone to breakouts, gentle exfoliation is still a must for smooth, new skin cell turnover, and great tone and clarity. If you have any acne blemishes, just work around them to prevent further irritation.

5.) Another great weapon against acne breakouts are herbal acne remedies. The quality "real deal" herbal acne supplements will not only help to eliminate acne, but also will help to heal existing blemishes, and minimize scarring by delivering potent vitamins and herbs which soothe and heal the skin.

6.) Eat your antioxidants! Eat a diet rich in natural antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. This includes dark leafy greens and brightly colored fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants combat free radicals, the primary perpetuator of healthy skin cell destruction and deterioration.

7.) Take a few moments to give yourself a relaxing facial massage in your cleansing routine (preferably while cleansing, for ease of movement). Take advantage of skin cleansing time by gently massaging the facial muscles. This helps increase circulation, and even helps encourage skin cell turnover for a fresher, more vibrant complexion and a healthy glow.

8.) Get your ZZZs. Nothing wreaks havoc on one's complexion more than lack of sleep. Chronic inadequate sleep results in loss of color, a "slackening" of the facial tone due to muscle fatigue, and even can contribute to stress-induced breakouts.

Following these eight simple rules to perfect skin will really help conquer your complexion problems. Especially when combined with the right skin care products, this routine will have people noticing how beautiful your skin is in no time!

Danna Schneider is the webmaster of Herbal-Therapeutics.com <a target="_new" href="http://www.herbal-therapeutics.com">http://www.herbal-therapeutics.com</a>, an herbal remedy and natural skin care product focused site bringing the latest in advanced natural skin care technology for acne, aging & wrinkles, rosacea, and general skin care and health.

Theatrical Contact Lenses: An Insight into the World of Cinema & Special Effects

2009-01-29T20:50:00.001-08:00

Ever wonder how stage actors or movie characters get that eerily captivating look in their eyes? Sure, there is always the CG and special effects route in the movies. Certain lighting schemes can invoke various feelings on the stage. However, the majority of the time, that intrinsic look is a result of theatrical contact lenses.

Given the right situation and storyline, theatrical contacts can transform your viewing experience from observer to active participant. In suspenseful thrillers, theatrical contacts can just flat out scare you. In the world outside of theatrics, they also do a pretty great job of terrifying children of all ages around Halloween as well.

Theatrical contact lenses come in a wide assortment of themes and colors. Many rock musicians wear theatrical contacts that black out the pupil making the eye appear to shun light. The white out theatrical lens gives off that angry look popularized by the Hulk in the old television series. Other popular themes include bloodshot contacts and various animal associations such as zebra, jaguar, and the always popular cat pupil.

If you are trying to find the particular contact used by your favorite monster in the latest horror movie, you may be out of luck. Most movies have special effect contacts specially designed to fit the character's needs. However, if you search around deep enough, you may stumble across a generic knockoff that generates the same effect.

Although there are a variety of companies that manufacture and sell theatrical contacts, the two most popular brands carried by most opticians are CooperVision's Crazy Lenses and CIBA Vision's WildEyes. CIBA Vision also makes the immensely popular FreshLook line of color contacts.

It is important to note that the same rules for purchasing, wearing, replacing, and caring for regular contact lenses also apply for theatrical contact lenses and cosmetic lenses. This means that you must have a prescription to purchase them. Even if you don't need vision correction, you must still go to an optometrist to be examined, prescribed, and fitted for all styles of contact lenses including special effects contacts.

If you are looking for a fun way to breathe new life into a character, transform your production without costly cg effects or simply terrify kids this Halloween season, look into purchasing a pair of theatrical contact lenses. There are numerous varieties to choose from. Talk to your optometrist about ordering your new pair of special effect contact lenses today.

Mike Schwartz is the owner of the popular web site <a target="_new" href="http://www.bestcontactlensesonline.com">Best Contact Lenses Online</a> His site provides useful tips, resources, and reviews to help you make the best decision when purchasing contact lenses on the Internet.

LipoSelection? by Vaser?

2009-01-29T17:50:00.000-08:00

Vaser? LipoSelection? is a revolutionary advance in ultra-sonic liposuction. People with fatty areas of the body, resistant to diet and exercise, can now enjoy a gentle and quick body contouring solution with results that are far more predictable than those of traditional liposuction. The key to LipoSelection is the ability to target only the unwanted pockets of fat for removal, leaving the surrounding areas of the body, such as nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues, relatively undisturbed. This is an exciting breakthrough, so gentle that it originated from the treatment of brain tumors!

Liposuction by Vaser?, called LipoSelection?, accomplishes this selective tissue removal by using a combination of surgical elements. First, the targeted area is filled with a numbing saline-solution that liquefies the fat pockets. Then, only the fat cells are removed with a gentle combination of suction, dispersed ultrasonic energy, and massage. Because the probes used in LipoSelection? are smaller, 3.5mm to 4mm, the necessary entry incisions are extremely small.

Vaser? LipoSelection? surpasses traditional liposuction in a number of ways. The lesser invasion of the body promotes faster healing, meaning less bruising, less pain, and a faster recovery. Imagine getting the smooth and shapely look that you've always wanted and being able to return to your normal activities in only days!

Dr. Downs at <a target="_new" href="http://www.thecentrepc.com">The Centre PC</a> is the first cosmetic surgeon in Indiana to offer Vaser? LipoSelection?. For more information email us, or call ?.

Disclaimer: LipoSelection was approved by the FDA in September 2002 for the removal of fat from the human body. The new procedure carries a reduced risk of complications such as contour irregularities, lengthy periods of swelling, blood clots, seromas, skin discoloration and prolonged numbing. When complications do occur with LipoSelection, they are often less severe than when they are associated with typical liposuction. As stated before, the recovery period after LipoSelection is typically measured in days, however the recovery time depends on the extent of the surgery performed.

What is Spray Tanning?

2009-01-29T13:10:00.000-08:00

Spray tanning is a relatively new method of sunless tanning. Technically spray tanning method is something between self-tanning cosmetics and tanning beds. You go into the spray-tanning booth where you are sprayed by a special mist. After a few minutes the process is over and in a short time you'll the kind of suntan you want.

How does it work?

The mist used in spray tanning contains DHA, a chemical reacting with the outer layer of skin and dyeing it brown. Technically it works just like tanning lotions, but the booth and sprays assure that all the body will be equally covered with DHA. Spray tanning does not require any additional sessions ? one visit is enough to get a suntan you need.

How long does it last?

Because spray tanning works only in the outer layer of the skin (the "dead" one), the effects can last only as long as a week, and they usually disappear in four or five days. As you see spray tanning is an excellent method to look very good for a short time. But of course, you can visit a spray tanning saloon once a week and retain your skin color almost indefinitely.

Can I make it last a little longer?

Well, the skin replacement process is unavoidable, but you can increase the lifespan of you tan if you do a few things before beginning the spray tanning process. Here are they:

(1) Moisture your skin with some water-based moisturizer prior to spray tanning. It will help DHA to propagate itself into your skin and will add to tan's lifespan.

(2) Exfoliate - clear your skin's outermost layer from those dead cells that are already about to fall off. The mist will dye only those cells that are supposed to last longer than a few hours.

What about the tan color?

Due to the chemical processes caused by DHA, it is impossible to get an improper tan color ? it will be always a shade of brown. Of course, spray tanning lets you choose the right shade ? by spraying the right kind of mist, you can acquire all the palette of browns ? from very light brown to almost black ones. It does not change the session time.

Can spray tanning be dangerous for my health?

Spray tanning eliminates most health hazards typical for UV-tanning methods, so skin aging and cancer are no longer problems. The only possible hazard of spray tanning is an allergy for DHA, but as with kinds of allergy, this does not usually threats your life, like cancer does.

Is spray tanning dangerous for my clothes?

No, it isn't. Spray tanning method rely on chemical reactions in your skin and DHA isn't by any means paint! Even if mist has been used in excess, spray tanning does not create any stains and remains perfectly safe for your clothes (and people you shake hands with J).

Does it leave any odor?

It depends. While most waterborne sprays are odorless, many spray tanning saloons use oil-based mist and it leave some starchy odor, so it is not recommended to go to spray tanning saloon right before a date. The scent vanishes completely after a few hours.

Linda Smith owns <a target="_new" href="http://www.luxurytanning.com">Luxury Tanning.com</a>, a site devoted to the latest in <a target="_new" href="http://www.luxurytanning.com">tanning</a>

Beautiful Skin 101

2009-01-29T07:30:00.000-08:00

Most women shy away from being called 'too sensitive.' But when the subject is kin, they're all too willing to wear the scarlet S. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, at least 40% of women believe they have sensitive skin, although most dermatologists report that only a fraction really do. Sensitivity "defined as skin that's prone to irritation from products, weather, or stress" is a real (albeit misunderstood) condition. It's not the same as an allergy. It means you have a lower tolerance for irritating ingredients, such as fragrances and dyes. The evil twist here is that the more skin reacts, the more sensitive it becomes. Imagine normal skin having a natural barrier like Saran Wrap. People with sensitive skin have a disrupted barrier all the time. But by identifying what disrupts that barrier and protecting it with the right moisturizer, you can develop a thicker skin.

Read Labels: Before applying creams, lotions, or makeup, read the ingredients list. The fewer ingredients on the label, the better. All products and formulas should be free of fragrance, dye, and isopropyl alcohol (commonly known as rubbing alcohol). And beware of botanical ingredients and oils. Test each new product on the side of your neck for a few days before using it on your face.

Cleanse: Wash you face with a milky, non-foaming liquid cleanser or a soap-free bar. Do not use a washcloth or any rough scrubber, which can be too abrasive for sensitive skin. Rinse face well by splashing with lukewarm water and pat with a soft towel, leaving skin slightly damp. There is no need to use a toner, which generally contains drying and irritating isopropyl alcohol.

Moisturize: Dab moisturizer onto damp skin in the morning and night. Look for one that contains ceramides, fatty acids, or cholesterol, all of which help form a protective barrier against irritation. In the morning, when the moisturizer is absorbed, apply a sunscreen (with an SPF 15 or higher). It should also contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which are least likely to cause reactions. Cheat Sheet

Choose the right products. 'Allergy-tested' means it doesn't have ingredients that cause common reactions. 'Noncomedogenic' means it won't clog pores.

Read labels. Not everyone with sensitive skin is troubled by the same thing, but the most common irritants, in order, include fragrance, isopropyl alcohol, dyes, PABA, lanolin, sorbic acid, formaldehyde, and benzoic acid. Don't assume that natural products are safe. Some botanicals (rosemary, sandalwood, arnica) and essential oils (jojoba, tea tree, lavender) may irritate.

Test samples on the neck for several days. If they don't irritate you, they'll probably be fine for your face. Don't try an arsenal of new products at once. Similarly, if skin breaks out, stop using everything, and reintroduce products one by one.

Be as gentle as possible. Use a creamy, liquid cleanser or a soap-free bar and rinse with lukewarm water. Avoid Buf-Pufs and washcloths. Pat with a towel and leave skin slightly damp.

Moisturize with a product for sensitive skin, or one that contains fatty acids, cholesterol, and ceramides. Every day, be sure to apply a PABA-free sunscreen that contains titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Daily Basics

Wash with a milky, non-foaming liquid.
Use a soap-free formula with oatmeal that calms dry and itchy skin.
For day, use a fragrance-free moisturizer containing a non-irritating sunscreen. At night, smooth on a noncomedogenic formula that helps fortify the skin's barrier while you sleep.
Dermatologists say that sensitive-skin sufferers are more likely to avoid using sunscreens, associating them with past reactions to PABA. Choose one that won't aggravate skin.
It's not just what you put on your face. Hair spray can cause breakouts along the hairline. Use an allergy-tested and keep the hair off the face whenever possible.

Extra Help

To soothe redness, dermatologists recommend using a fragrance-free treatment. A dime-size dab of an over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream also relieves itching.
For dryness on the body, increase resistance to the environment with a product containing lipids, which is safe for sensitive types.
To treat blemishes, start with an irritant-free face lotion that minimizes blotches with vitamin A. Follow with a concealer that won't aggravate acne, which does double duty by helping clear and conceal blemishes.
Dermatologists like products that get their color from iron oxides, which are less likely to cause reactions. They're also talc-free, which means they won't rob skin of the moisture it needs.

Tricks of the Trade

Don't' shower or bathe for more than 20 minutes, or you'll dry out your skin. Use lukewarm water.
Don't start any aggressive treatments during the winter, when skin is dryer and more sensitive because of low humidity and indoor heating. A humidifier helps skin from becoming parched.
Grainy or chemical exfoliants can cause breakouts. Excessive daily scrubbing rubs the sebaceous glands, which can clog pores. Use a clay or mud mask to slough off dead cells instead.
Facials are trouble unless they're simple, steam-free, and employ fragrance-free products.
Avoid chemical peels and laser treatments if you're sensitive to exfoliants and skin-lightening creams.
If acne medications irritate your skin, ask your doctor about taking oral antibiotics or birth-control pills, which can help minimize blemishes.
Keep Retin-A treatments to only once a week. Dilute the strength by mixing it with your moisturizer.
For skin that seems provoked by anything and everything, ask you dermatologist about cleansers and moisturizers that are normally prescribed for hypersensitive postsurgery and postpeel patients.

This article is brought to you by IH Distribution, LLC.

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A Beauty Salon Will Help You Look Your Best!

2009-01-27T08:40:00.001-08:00

A beauty salon will help you look your very best with a price that will fit in almost any budget. A beauty salon will be able to make your hair, skin, toes, and fingernails look marvelous. In addition, most beauty salons offer their services for a fairly reasonable price. However, sometimes it may be difficult to choose what service you want. If that is the case, simply be on the lookout for any fashion style that you like. Look through magazines and cut out photos of styles and colors that you find pleasing. Take notes so that when you do go to a beauty salon, you will know exactly what you want. However, be aware that some beauty salons are better than others. To make sure that you are in high-quality beauty salon, check to see if it has clean beauty salon equipment and a clean work area. Also, be aware that in most states, beauty salons are required to publicly display their establishment license. If the salon or barbershop won't show you an establishment license, you don't know whether the shop's health and safety procedures have been approved by the state.

Time saving Beauty Salon Tips.

A beauty salon visit can be time consuming. To get the most from your visit and still have time left in your day, try these time-trimming tips. Before you leave your beauty salon, schedule your next appointment. Call ahead on your appointment day to see if your stylist is running on time. If not, you won't have to waste time sitting at the beauty salon when you could be home. If you want to be quickly in and out for your beauty salon appointment, try to schedule the first appointment for the day.

About The Author

Mike Yeager

Publisher

<a href="http://www.a1-beauty-4u.com/" target="_new">http://www.a1-beauty-4u.com/</a>

Makeup Tip: Beautiful Eyes

2009-01-27T05:00:00.000-08:00

Eyes have been called the windows of the soul because of how much they communicate. Eyes give your face energy and individuality. They do not have to be a certain size or shape to be considered pretty - all eyes have their own unique beauty. When makeup is applied to look natural it will bring out the eye's true color and enhance the eye's beauty. When you feel good about your makeup you will be more confident and will have one less thing to worry about.

A subtle application of eyeliner, shadows and mascara work together to create magic and make your eyes look their best.

Eye Shadow

Eye shadow is meant to highlight and define the eyes. Eye shadow is used to create depth to bring out the beauty of the eyes. A dark color used on the lid will make the eye appear smaller, while a lighter color will make it appear larger. That is what eye shadow is about creating illusions. These are the basic techniques for the following eye shapes:

Small eyes: Don't use too much shadow or liner ? it will make you eyes look smaller. Apply a light color on eyelid, use a darker color in the crease and use a highlighter under the brow.

Large eyes: Wear darker shadow on the lid and extend it to the crease. Use a flat color under the brow to highlight.

Deep-set eyes: Use light colors on the eyelid and under the brow. Use a medium color in the crease. Emphasize the outer corners with shadow.

Wide-set eyes: Use darker colors on the inner corners of the eye.

Hooded eyes: Apply light colors on the lid. Use darker colors from the center of the eyelid to the outer corners and blend.

Round eyes: Make round eyes longer by using color all around and extending toward the outer corners.

Asian eyes: Apply highlighter under the brow. Use light shadow on the inner half of the lid and a darker color on the outer half.

1. Light colors cause the eyes to open, dark colors will cause the eyes to recede

2. If you have very light skin avoid dark shades

3. Be careful with shimmer ? they will bring attention to imperfections and wrinkles.

4. The eye area is the first to show age don't tug on the skin.

Eyeliners:

Eyeliners are meant to define the eyes so they should do just that, not be the focal point of your makeup. Eyeliners come in various colors and forms liquid, pencil etc. Keep the eyeliner natural. Pencils are available in many colors (for the best look stick to black or brown) and can be sharpened for a fine line. For a smudged effect use a sponge tip shadow applicator or an eye shadow brush. When your pencils are too soft refrigerate them. When they are too hard soften them by holding them between your fingers.

To line the eye, start on the lower lid, just beneath the lashes. When you are finished always smudge the line with your sponge. Stay as close to the lash line as possible. On the upper lid, draw a line form the inner corner to the outer corner, thickening the line toward the outer corner. After the age of 40 keep the line in between the lashes.

Mascara and the creation of beautiful lashes:

Mascara frames your eyes and can make your face come alive. Mascara softly accentuates the eye while thickening and darkening the lashes; it is the finishing touch for eyes. There are several different types to choose from, thickening, and waterproof to smudge proof. Waterproof will need a special remover and smudge proof will wash off easily. It is not a good idea to wear waterproof mascara for extended periods of time since it has a tendency to dry the lashes.

Select a shade of mascara that complements your coloring. Dark shades on pale eyes with brown lashes will darken them and will look harsh. Stay away from blues and other colors since they will ruin your look.

Lashes that are hard to curl may need the help of an eyelash curler. Curl your lashes before you apply mascara ? hold for ten to twenty seconds.

To apply mascara look straight into your mirror with your chin slightly lifted so you can see your lashes. Insert the wand only once and twist, don't pump. Pumping can break the brush bristles and distribute the mascara unevenly and will dry out the mascara faster. Start by rolling the wand from root to tip in an upward motion. Reinsert the brush and apply again. If your eyelashes are thick and long they may clunk together. If this happens let them dry and then separate them with the corner of an eyebrow brush.

Sheila Dicks is a wardrobe and image consultant who teaches women how to look slimmer by dressing to suit their body type. Visit her at <a target="_new" href="http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com">http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com</a> to download a copy of her e-book Image Makeovers and get How to Build a Wardrobe free.

Personal Care Products Can Lead To Cancer

2009-01-26T22:00:00.001-08:00

Our skin is a two way membrane. During perspiration toxins are eliminated from our body through it. Recently scientists have found that some chemicals when applied to the skin can penetrate the body and be absorbed by the body in significant amounts. Many personal care products contain chemicals which are considered hazardous by EPA. National Institute of Occupational safety and health found 884 chemicals used in personal care products and cosmetics are known to be toxins. The numbers of products used by adults and children that contain potent carcinogens are very high. It was reported recently that 500 dangerous chemicals have been found on a single fat cell in a healthy looking British woman. Another report was of 350 man made chemicals and residues used in personal care products found in breast milk.

Ammonia derivative DEA-Diethanolamine,TEA- Triethanolamine and MEA-Monoethanolamine when combined with products containing preservative nitrates form notrosamines which are carcinogenic. FDA urged the companies to remove them from shelves but even now almost 37% if products tested contained nitrosamines.

If Alcohol content in mouthwash rises to more than 25% it is known to cause mouth, tongue and throat ulcer.

FD&C or D&C color pigments are from coal tar and are carcinogenic.

Mineral oil made from petroleum ingredient found in baby oil and skin care can hinder skin respiration and can age skin prematurely. Baby oil is almost 100% mineral oil.

Phthalates exposure through hair mousse and hair spray can cause genital abnormality. It can be absorbed into the body through skin and also through inhalation.

Propylene glycol used in hair conditioners deodorants cosmetics baby products body lotions skin care and tooth pastes and even added to human and pet food can cause eye irritation, skin irritation, headaches and nausea.

Scientist recently found paraben in breast cancer tissue. It is used as a preservative and is considered to increase oestrogen levels in women and can drive the growth of breast tumors.

Methylisothiazolinone ?M.I.T found in anti microbial soap, shampoo and other personal care products can cause nerve damage. It is chemically identical to Agent Orange used in Vietnam War.

SLS- Sodium laureth sulphate found in shampoos, toothpaste, gels, and cleaners used as a foaming agent can cause permanent impairment of eyes and corrodes hair follicles and impairs the ability to grow hair.

These are some of the harmful chemicals added to our personal care products. There are much more chemicals added to these products and scientists are discovering more chemicals to be harmful. Even many of the so called natural and organic products have these harmful chemicals added to them. Try to use chemical free and organic products.

Anita Cherry is a health enthusiast who offers informative tips on health. For more information about Network marketing and chemical free certified organic products and health information visit <a target="_new" href="http://www.healthinfoforyou.com/a/real_organic.htm">http://www.healthinfoforyou.com/a/real_organic.htm</a>

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Boost your Natural Beauty

2009-01-26T21:30:00.001-08:00

Make your hair shine and your skin glow with these all-natural Skin and Hair Nourishing masks & recipes, that you can whip up with just a few simple, easy-to-find ingredients.

Egg yolks are widely acknowledged as one of nature's best moisturizers. Here are a couple ultra-rich masks to "deep condition" hair and skin.

1.Egg Yolk & Honey Facial Mask

(Best for dry skin types)

Mix Together in equal proportion

? Honey

? Egg yolk

? Almond oil

? Yogurt.

Honey stimulates and smoothes, egg and almond oil penetrate and moisturize, and yogurt refines and tightens pores.

2.Egg Yolk, Avocado & Mud Facial Mask

(Best for oily skin types)

Clay or fuller's earth mud is available in powder form at any Health food store or Nutrition outlets.

Mix Together in equal proportion

? Dry clay

? Egg yolk

? Mashed Avocado, with

? Witch hazel

Mud dries excess sebum while the egg yolk and avocado

replenish lost moisture. Witch hazel acts as a toner.

3.Fruitamins Hair Mask

In a blender mix

? 1/2 Banana,

? 1/4 Avocado,

? 1/4 Cantaloupe,

? 1 tablespoon Wheat germ oil

? 1 tablespoon Yogurt.

For extra conditioning, squeeze in the contents of a vitamin E capsule. Leave in hair for 15 - 20 minutes.

4.Fruitamins Face Mask

In a blender mix

? Strawberries

? Pineapple

? Banana

Apply to the face and leave it for 15 - 20 minutes, Wash off to find a glowing face.

Well, this is one of the best solutions for females going on a date ? Believe it!!

N.SRIVATHSHAN MBA(PHARMA MARKETING),BA SALES,PRODUCT, ADVERTISING MANAGEMENT,PHARMACY,NUTRITION&DIETETICS. PRODUCT MANAGER NANDAN BIOMATRIX <a href="mailto:srivathshan@yahoo.com">srivathshan@yahoo.com</a> <a target="_new" href="http://www.geocities.com/srivathshan">http://www.geocities.com/srivathshan</a>

Botox? ? Fast And Effective But The Big Question Is Is It Safe?

2009-01-26T20:00:00.001-08:00

Women are constantly seeking products to look younger and often they are digging deep into their pocket books to try new products. Some have had laser treatments, some have spend exorbitant amounts on new face creams, some have tried holistic or natural approaches. Woman and I might add men are always on the quest for a more youthful appearance. Many have turned to Botox? .

What we know for certain is the Botox? anti-aging treatment works. In 2003 in the US 8.3 million cosmetic procedures where done. Of that 8.3 million 78% of the procedures did not involve surgery such as injectables to ease wrinkles.

Botox? ? is the trade name for botulinum toxin A.What Botox? does is "paralyze muscles and soft tissue fillers" which are derived from natural collagen and restore plumpness. Originally Botox? was used to treat uncontrollable blinking. Doctors soon discovered the patients being treated for blinking were obtaining a more youthful appearance ? thus the future of Botox? took a turn down the cosmetic road.

The protein compound of Botox? actually causes botulism which can result in paralysis. When it is injected into the skin the muscle stops contracting it causes the skin to relax and the wrinkle to soften. Botox? works best on individuals who have deep set highly visible wrinkles. It is mostly used on the forehead, between the eyes, and on crow feet. It takes 3-5 days after the injection for the effects to occur which last 3-4 months.

Some people are having "Botox? Parties" where everyone gets together for cocktails and their Botox? injection. We strongly recommend you do not partake in these parties. Seek medical advise if your are considering a Botox? treatment. If you are thinking about a Botox? treatment make certain your Doctor uses FDA approved Botox? and only get treatments form a licensed Doctor. Dermatologists or Plastic Surgeons are the most expert in administering Botox? so if either of these are an option I would recommend taking that route. Get a few recommendations for doctors and check each one out thoroughly. Check if they are board certified, get references if at all possible, schedule an appointment for a consultation which will give you a better indication if you are comfortable with your choice. Ask your doctor to show you before and after pictures of procedures he has done.

Some of the potential problems that can occur <LI>Some people experience a pinching or burning sensation when the needle enters the skin. Ask your doctor for a numbing cream prior to your treatment</LI> <LI>Minor post treatment headache may occur</LI> <LI>Red blotching can occur for around 15 -30 min. Wait to leave the doctors office until redness fades.</LI> <LI>Droopy eyelid results when there is seepage of Botox? into the muscle that keeps the eye open. It can occur anywhere from immediately to two weeks after the injection.</LI> <LI>Some may experience an expressionless face. Use a lower dose of Botox? next treatment </LI>

BOTOX? ? has been approved as an anti-wrinkle remedy by the American Food and Drug Administration (AFD). Since this is a public and federally funded institution, they are primarily concerned with public safety one would assume they would not approve BOTOX? ? for general public usage without conducting all the sufficient and necessary tests to determine whether or not it is safe.

The use of Botox? is truly a personal choice and we recommend you do your research before making a decision.

About the author: Sher has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing affordable estate jewelry, and a wealth of information on jewelry, fashion, designers, and beauty with on staff industry professionals. Please visit us at <a target="_new" href="http://www.estatejewelryinternational.com/">Estate Jewelry International</a>.

The Right Beauty Supplies Will Make You Look Great!

2009-01-26T13:30:00.001-08:00

Use beauty supplies the right way and yours could well be the face that launched a thousand ships! Growing old may be mandatory, but looking it certainly isn't. It's just that one has to do it right. But that's exactly what's difficult. The mind boggles with the onslaught of unending types of beauty supplies, countless makeup and enticing brands. Am I using the right beauty supplies? Am I doing it correctly? What about side effects? Thankfully, makeup tips are not very difficult to find.

Trust the beauty supply expert.

Generally, you can always trust a beauty supply expert. And thankfully, one is almost always available without much trouble. The media abounds with beauty supply tips. And then there are brands that you can trust your skin with. Or use exotic mineral beauty supplies that are a great alternative to chemical beauty supplies. They use natural ingredients and causes less damage to the skin. Over a period of time, the presence of wrinkled skin could make that vital difference between skin that used regular beauty supplies and skin that used natural beauty supplies.

Beauty supplies today not only means enhancing beauty that is skin-deep, it also means preservation of skin nutrition. After all, our skin is the largest organ of our body and needs adequate nutrition like any other organ. Consistent, healthy skin care is the best way to avoid wrinkles, sunspots and premature aging. It will pay off in the end. We spend our hard-earned cash on beauty and skincare. Lets make sure that its main beneficiary is our skin, not skin care product manufacturers.

About The Author

Mike Yeager
Publisher
<a href="http://www.a1-beauty-4u.com/" target="_new">http://www.a1-beauty-4u.com/</a>

<a href="mailto:mjy610@hotmail.com">mjy610@hotmail.com</a>

Brow Lift Information

2009-01-25T10:10:00.001-08:00

As you age, your skin becomes slack and loses its luster. You develop wrinkles and your face can look sunken in. It's amazing how forehead wrinkles and drooping eyebrows can age a person's appearance. The solution to this problem is a brow lift. Often, as you age, people will ask if you're angry or sad or tired when you are actually in a cheerful mood. These aging affects on the forehead not only make you look older, but also make you seem like you're in a negative mood. This is why many people have chosen to undergo cosmetic surgery to lift their brow, shedding years and those negative emotions that are unconsciously emitted by a sagging brow.

As with most cosmetic surgery procedures, many surgeons will give local anesthesia and a sedative, but others will use general anesthesia which will put you to sleep through the entire operation. There are two different ways to have a brow lift: the conventional "open" method and the endoscopic method.

In the classic method of brow lifts, an incision will be made on the scalp, usually just after the hair line, although it is sometimes put before the hairline or in the middle of the scalp because of patients who are experiencing hair loss. The forehead skin is the lifted to alter the forehead muscles. Then the brow is lifted and the excess skin is trimmed off and stitched back into place leaving the patient with a smooth brow.

Endoscopic procedures are becoming more favorable because the incisions are smaller. Rather than one long incision, four or five smaller incisions are made in the scalp and a tiny camera, an endoscope, is inserted so the doctor can see below the skin. Then the muscles are altered and the excess skin is tightened.

Want more Information about <A target="_new" href="http://www.sleepingswan.com/articles/Eyebrow_Lift.htm">Brow Lift</A> Cosmetic Surgery?

Find a qualified <A href="http://www.sleepingswan.com/" target="_new">Cosmetic Surgeon</A> in Your Area at <a target="_new" href="http://www.sleepingswan.com">http://www.sleepingswan.com</a>

Eyelid Plastic Surgery

2009-01-24T19:30:00.000-08:00

Blepharoplasty does not remove wrinkles, dark circles or a sagging brow. For this reason, eyelid surgery is commonly performed in conjunction with other facial cosmetic procedures such as brow lifts.

Want more Information about <A target="_new" href="http://www.sleepingswan.com/articles/Eyelid_Surgery.htm">Eyelid Surgery</A>?

Find a qualified <A target="_new" href="http://www.sleepingswan.com/">Cosmetic Surgeon</A> in Your Area at <a target="_new" href="http://www.sleepingswan.com">http://www.sleepingswan.com</a>

The Benefits of Sunless Tanning Sprays

2009-01-24T15:30:00.000-08:00

Some people desire enough of a tan for just one occasion such as an evening out. Some people look at all options available in sunless tanning products and decide to tan the old-fashioned way, after all. For those who opt for a traditional, sun-induced tan, caution and protective measures are recommended.

Currently, sunless tanning spray can be found at high-end salons or spas and can anywhere from $25 per session to up to $100 for a few one-hour sessions. Sunless tanning spray contains dihydroxyacetone (DHA). DHA is applied in a fine mist to the entire body of the customer. DHA reacts with dead skin cells on the surface of the body, causing them to turn brown. Most tanners who use the spray method report good, realistic results and excellent coverage. The spray on tans last five to seven days, typically.

Sunless tanning spray is either water or oil based. The former is recommended for people with sensitive skin. The FDA has approved DHA as safe since the 1970s. It is colorless -- the color change in tanners' skin is chemical -- but may at first emit a slight odor, which should disappear after showering. It will not stain clothing.

Sunless tanning spray is not recommended for people with dry and flaky skin or for people with very fair skin. In the case of those with dry skin, a spray tan may end up looking patchy, due to the accelerated shedding of dead skin cells. For those with fair skin, the tan may end up looking too dark or otherwise awkward.

Moisturizing can optimize the life of a spray tan. Other preparations to take are to exfoliate before having sunless tanning spray applied, avoiding showering for at least four hours before the tanning session, and avoiding physical activity for a short while after the spray tan is applied. The better precautions are taken and the more diligently aftercare is pursued, the better the results of a spray tan will be.

<a target="_new" href="http://www.e-sunlesstanning.com">Sunless Tanning Info</a> provides detailed information about sunless tanning lotion, booths, sprays, salons, and pills, as well as reviews of best sunless tanning products and methods. Sunless Tanning Info is the sister site of <a target="_new" href="http://www.i-tanningbeds.com">Tanning Beds Web</a>.

Wonderful Foaming Honey Foot Bath at Home

2009-01-23T20:40:00.001-08:00

I imagine you can tell me at length about how tired your feet and legs get after your busy day. When's the last time you got to treat yourself to a day at the spa? Even if you had the time, it's not too often you can afford the $100 cost of a simple, relaxing, foot soak.

Doesn't that sound nice? A relaxing foot soak at a spa. So I put together this simple recipe so you can have that soothing soak with ingredients you probably already have at home, and can whip up immediately.

***

Step 1. Create this wonderful foaming honey foot bath at home.

Here's what you need:

1 tablespoon Honey
1 tablespoon Liquid Soap (I used dish soap)
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
2 tablespoons Sweet Almond Oil

The almond oil was the only things that sounded like it was tough to find, but my wife and I found it at the chain drugstore at the corner of our street. Just take a look in the beauty/cosmetic aisle.

Mix all these ingredients together in a bowl and its ready for your foot bath. Note: If you want to make this stuff in a large quantity to save for later, you can bump up all the ingredients to something like this:

? cup Honey
? cup Liquid Soap (I used dish soap)
1 tablespoon Vanilla Extract
1 cup Sweet Almond Oil

Now you can save this in a bottle and save some time for next time.

Step 2. Find yourself a foot bath

These days you can get a fancy, space-age, foot bath for about $20. They promise they do all sorts of things like vibration, bubbles, and heat. I haven't tried one myself, but for $20 that probably isn't a bad experiment.

My wife however didn't need one as she had me volunteer to provide all the scrubbing and massaging for her.

Wait! Hon, I don't recall you ever offering me a foot bath?

So anything around the house that can submerse your feet just above the ankle is going to work here. We ended up using a disposable aluminum roasting pan.

Yes it was brand new and didn't have roasted meat in it!

Step 3. Fill up your foot bath

Put your mixed up concoction from Step 1 into your foot bath and fill with warm water.

Please be real careful with the water temperature. Do this by triple checking the temperature of the water with your hands when it's done. And if you are doing this for a spouse make sure you understand their taste in temperature.

I speak from experience here. I got a little lazy, and didn't judge the hotness of the water. Although my wife was a trooper and tried to go along anyways. I could tell from her grimace and refusal to dip more than like a toe into the water, that I made it too hot.

Step 4. Soak for 10 minutes

After I got the temperature of the water right, we soaked her feet for 10 minutes. There is all sorts of good stuff going on now during this soak.

The soap is obviously cleaning all sorts of impurities from your feet. I can't even explain how many things the honey is doing. Here is a short list:

1) Apparently honey forms hydrogen peroxide which is a great anti bacterial agent. So there is goes cleansing your feet some more.

2) Honey contains antioxidants. Health news constantly revolves around us getting more antioxidants. So without me getting all biologist on us, I'll just confirm that getting more antioxidants on our skin and in our diet is really super great!

3) Honey is also a terrific humectant. All that means is it makes a great moisturizer.

***

Just knowing about this foot bath, you can get started on your at-home foot spa. So take 15 minutes tonight and pamper yourself. Those feet are going to feel so soft, especially in a comfy pair of <a target="_new" href="http://www.yourflipflops.com">flip flops</a>.

Another great way for women readers to treat their feet is to slide them into a pair of ultra-comfortable <a target="_new" href="http://www.yourflipflops.com">flip flops</a>. Get a pair at <a target="_new" href="http://www.yourflipflops.com">http://www.yourflipflops.com</a>.

Or if you'd like our FREE newletter with more articles about pampering your feet, send a blank email to <a href="mailto:flipflops@aweber.com">mailto:flipflops@aweber.com</a>

Going Beyond Benzoyl Peroxide

2009-01-22T21:40:00.001-08:00

Millions of people suffer from acne in the United States alone, and many of these acne suffers use Benzoyl Peroxide as the acne treatment medication of choice.

It is generally safe, has very few side effects, and it has been proven to be the most effective over the counter acne treatment.

However, there are many more people who have more severe, or particularly resilient acne that is not susceptible to over the counter medications such as Benzoyl Peroxide.

Accutane works by stopping sebum production in the skin. With no sebum, the acne causing p.bacteria do not have any way to grow. This results in clear skin, sometimes for life.

Greg Podsakoff is a former acne sufferer, and editor of <a target="_new" href="http://www.acne-treatments-guide.com">http://www.acne-treatments-guide.com</a>

What The Heck Are Crowns, Veneers and Implants Anyway?

2009-01-22T17:20:00.001-08:00

Dentistry has become a hot topic, as writers across the media spectrum are reaching into our mouths for story ideas. Apparently, the making of a beautiful smile makes good copy.

"And don't we all identify in some way with those people making big changes-on shows like "The Swan" and "Extreme Makeover"-even those getting new smiles?" says Dr. Bernard Lynch, at the Washington Center for Dentistry, in Washington, DC.

No wonder we need to boost our dental vocabulary, especially if we're thinking about delving into some smile improvement ourselves. So, here's a quick review:

"The Crown." Sometimes a front tooth is out of line, too short, too wide, too narrow or hopelessly too gray, too yellow or too brown.

"One solution is to pare down the unfavorable tooth and then cover it with a crown or cap," says Dr. Marc Doctors, also of the Washington Center for Dentistry. The new porcelain tooth fits perfectly over the minimized tooth, providing a sparkling, whiter, straighter version of its former self.

"The Veneer." Sometimes a tooth has fewer objectionable features, and the alignment, color and shape can be improved with a more delicate replacement option. Consider the veneer: a thin, fingernail-size shell of glistening porcelain that fits over the existing tooth that has been slightly re-contoured.

Veneers and crowns made with new, advanced, porcelain materials provide the opalescence, brightness and natural shape that improve a smile-naturally-while lasting for many, many years.

"This option provides a wonderful way to revitalize a smile and get an image that looks younger, healthier," says Dr. Daniel Deutsch, of the Washington Center for Dentistry.

"The Implant." No longer are patients denied a beautiful, natural smile because of missing teeth. Once fated to have removable appliances-or even dentures-these patients now have a happier alternative. Synthetic roots of new "teeth" literally are "implanted" into the gum and bone.

The new implanted root is made of metal, and in time, the gum and bone grow around it. And the portion of the implant that protrudes above the gum line gets a crown that looks just like a natural tooth. It's a miracle to those getting a second chance at teeth that feel-and look-like normal teeth.

"Patients need to know that their teeth can stay young for life," says Dr. Lynch. "Nowadays, dentistry really does have all the answers."

<a target="_new" href="http://www.washdent.com">Please click here for more information on cosmetic dentistry procedures in Washington, DC.</a>

What is the Best Treatment for Grey Hair

2009-01-22T01:20:00.001-08:00

When your hair goes grey it is due to the fact that the cells in the hair follicles called "Melanocytes" no longer generate pigment, the main one being melanin. The hair follicle loses all pigment over time and eventually goes white. The white hairs against your darker hair give the effect of grey hair. As your hair is no longer as healthy as it use to be you need to consider treating it to prevent it from going brittle and lifeless.

The vital vitamins that your hair would need in this case is B12, and Omega 3's. You can take these supplements as tablets or you can use a shampoo that contains these types of nutrients. There are many products on the market that promise to treat Grey Hair or even take Gray Hair away. Beware as there are only a few that will actually be effective.

If you are looking for a shampoo that will replace the lost nutrients in your hair then you need to make sure that the ingredients of the shampoo will actually treat the problem. If the shampoo contains Emu oils then you know that the product will work. The Emu oil contained in the shampoo is known as the follicle awakener and has been used by many to help prevent the onset of gray hair. Every hair must have omega 3's to grow properly. And Emu oil is the only ingredient that we know that can moisturize the hair enough to get it back up to an 8% moisture rate as it is supposed to be.

Now although a shampoo with these types of ingredients will help with the lack of moisture in your hair you may find in some cases it will actually darken the hair and reverse the graying process to some degree. The Emu oil actually works at the root of the hair follicle by penetrating the hair strand rejuvenating the pigment.

Just because you have Grey Hair doesn't mean you shouldn't treat it with conditioner and shampoo. Grey Hair can look healthy if treated properly. If you use the correct products you will find your hair will be healthy, full of volume and in some cases you could even get your original hair color back.

Grant Marwick is a freelance writer and owner of <a target="_new" href="http://www.no-gray-hair.com">http://www.no-gray-hair.com</a> that provides solutions and advice on treating gray hair and <a target="_new" href="http://www.no-gray-hair.com/Grey_Hair_treatments.html">grey hair treatments</a>.

Effects of Tanning Beds - Is it a Boon or a Bane?

2009-01-21T18:20:00.001-08:00

Tanning beds - a boon or a bane? That is the million dollar question that's uppermost on all tanning-interested people. The effect of tanning beds is not a subject that can be put to rest quickly as the pros and cons maintain almost a supernatural balance with each other. In the industry of tanning beds, tanning bed lotions, tanning bed pillows and other tanning bed accessories, the effects of use are either little understood or worse, suffer from total ignorance. Here, we try to articulate some basic facts about tanning.

Tanning is a body reaction to ultraviolet radiation, typically of two types UVA and UVB. Both these types of radiation have been associated with side effects of tanning beds where the incidence of over exposure has occurred. The effect of tanning beds that worked on UVB radiation have been well documented, with skin burning being observed frequently. This phenomenon caused manufacturers to shift to UVA-type operation where the effect of tanning beds based on this technology was perceived to be low. However, over-exposure to UVA radiation has been suspected to initiate immune system destabilization. Popular knowledge tells us that over-exposure to the sun's radiation leads to skin cancer. So sun screens are a must for protection, even in artificial tanning to negate any adverse effect of the tanning bed.

In a way, answering the question "Are tanning beds good for us" is analogous to answering the question "Are French fries good for us". Puzzled? When you have French fries in the right amount, it's a great in-between mealtime snack, but when you get consistent overdoses of it, you can be assured of the road to obesity. And so is the effect of tanning beds too! Take all steps to ensure that you are safe on the tanning bed. Do your research, ferret the internet and speak to your doctor if it means so much to reassure yourself.

Treat the tanning bed with respect and you will be rewarded with what can only be called ethereal beauty. Have a safe and enjoyable tanning time!!

Visit our articles section at <a target="_new" href="http://www.tanningwonders.com/articles_1.html">Tanning Articles and Resources</a> for more such practical tanning advice and tips.

? 2005,Yaksha Patel. This article is courtesy of <a target="_new" href="http://www.tanningwonders.com">Tanning Wonders - Making Tanning work for you!</a>

You may publish it at no cost, as long as the links are left intact, made live, and this notice stays in place.

What Causes Aging?

2009-01-21T14:00:00.001-08:00

Although we experience the aging process as a progressive physical deterioration of our bodies, the aging process, according to some preliminary case studies appears to be more easily understood at another level of our being.

This is what is called the energy bio-field level. Many of us have heard of the term "aura". Well this is in a small way a reperesentation of that energy bio-field. This bio-field has been shown (see Michael Talbot's "The Holographic Universe") to contain embedded in it one's entire life history.

In other words, what you experience as your personality, your consciousness and the memories of your life appear to be stored in this bio-field in energy form.

I have over the last ten years been working with a new tool called the Mind Resonance Process(TM) that heals an individual of past emotional traumas which are stored in their consciousness and hence in their bio-field.

I have made repeated anecdotal observations that reveal that when such trauma is released by MRP an individual begins not only to feel younger but actually starts to "look" younger. These observations have inspired me to try to document the changes by monitoring age related markers such as DHEA levels and testosterone levels in middle aged men in upcoming studies.

It is known that both DHEA and testosterone levels decline in a rather predictable manner in mid life. I am planning to administer MRP to men in this age bracket to show whether MRP can be shown to reverse these trends.

What does this all mean? Well, it suggests that aging is related to the accumulated "emotional" trauma that we experience and "carry" in our bio-field as toxic information. This toxic information then cascades down (see "The Divine Holographic Energy Field") and disrupts the functioning and integrity of the physical body at all levels. The result is illness and aging.

What I am now seeing with MRP is that this information can be released permanently and that this appears to "re-organize" the bio-field so that it can heal the body spontaneously. This appears then to manifest as a more youthful and healthy body.

Aging then, at the bio-field level appears to be the result of an accumulation of toxic traumatic emotional memories stored there as disruptive information. What is interesting is that all of this can be cleared (see "Eliminating the Past" and "We Are Not Our Persoanlities")with MRP.

So the next question is, is aging really necessary? In an article entitled "Do You Love Your Body?" I make the point that it is the toxic environment created by this stored toxic information, at the bio-field level, that "convinces" or "forces" us to abandon, our physical bodies. If this environment were cleaned up however would there be as much motivation for one to choose to jettison their body? I doubt it.

I elaborate on this in a longer article entitled " A Tuned Bio-Field: A New Definition of Consciousness" (Parts 1 &2).

Dr. Nick Arrizza is trained in Chemical Engineering, Business Management & Leadership, Medicine and Psychiatry. He is a Key Note Speaker, Author of "Esteem for the Self: A Manual for Personal Transformation" (available in ebook format at; <a target="_new" href="http://www.telecoaching4u.com/ebook.htm">http://www.telecoaching4u.com/ebook.htm</a>), Stress Management Coach, Peak Performance Coach & Researcher, Specializes in Life and Executive Performance Coaching, is the Developer of a powerful new tool called the Mind Resonance Process(TM) that helps build physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well being by helping to permanently release negative beliefs, emotions, perceptions and memories. He holds live workshops, international telephone coaching sessions and international teleconference workshops on Physical. Emotional, Mental and Spiritual Well Being.

Personal URL: <a target="_new" href="http://www.telecoaching4u.com">http://www.telecoaching4u.com</a>

The Benefits of Shea Healing Butter

2009-01-21T02:50:00.001-08:00

Shea HEALING butter is a high performance lotion, and cream that enrich your skin with the added benefit of HEALING. It is a natural alternative to skin care products designed to moisturize, protect, revitalize and refreash your body from head to toe.

WHAT IS SHEA HEALING BUTTER?

Shea butter is solid which comes from the natural fat obtained from the pit of the fruit of the African karite tree grown in West and Central Africa. Also referred to as karite butter. Shea butter is an emollient that is extremely therapeutic, helping to heal cracked, aged and damaged skin. Its chemical constituents help to heal small wounds, burns, and skin ulcers, bruising and soreness, and penetrates the skin and leaves it feeling soft and smooth. Shea butter which also contains vitamin A and E has a high content of unsaponifiables and phytosterol, which have antimicrobial and moisturizing properties and provide protection from the UV and stimulate the skin's renewal process, providing a more youthful, vibrant appearance. It's texture is typically soft and butter-like so it melts readily into the skin.

BENEFITS OF SHEA HEALING BUTTER <ul> <li> Alleviate Scars after surgery, minor cuts</li> <li> Relieve burns, eczema, and dry/chapped skin</li> <li> Banish dark spots, skin discoloration</li> <li> Smooth wrinkles and blemishes</li> <li> Relax muscular stiffness</li> <li> Improve skin elasticity</li> <li> Minimize stretch marks</li> <li> Reduce razor burn/bumps</li> <li> Moisturize and protect the scalp</li> <li> Revitalize damaged/proccessed hair</li> <li> Soothe baby's skin, even cradle cap</li> <li> Eliminate diaper rash</li> <li> Promote cell growth & wound healing</li> <li> Reduce impact of ultravoilet rays (use additional sunscreen also)</li> </ul>

TIPS FOR DRY SKIN

1. Decrease the frequency of bathing/showering; maintain tempid water; and limit the duration to 5 minutes or less.

2. Use a mild bar soap. Liquid soaps are more drying. Avoid glycerin soaps and those which contain deodorants.

3. Always apply a good moisturizing lotion after bathing/showering. Shea Healing Butter is effective in mild to moderate cases of dry skin.

4. Operating a humidifier in your home during cold climates, especially in the bedroom, may add moisture to the air and protect the skin when the heat is on.

5. Apply a moisturizer-sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater to all areas of the body exposed to the sun.

6. Finally, and very important, drink plenty of water and liquids to keep the skin moist from the inside.

For more information about Shea Healing Butter, please visit <a target="_new" href="http://www.sheahealingbutter.com/">http://www.sheahealingbutter.com/</a>

Kaaryn Walker manages <a target="_new" href="http://www.sheahealingbutter.com/">http://www.sheahealingbutter.com/</a> a high performance line of shea butter healing products.

Kaaryn is also the creater of <a target="_new" href="http://www.kidshygieneandhealth.com/">http://www.KidsHygieneAndHealth.com</a>, a web site dedicated to learning the causes and finding solutions of youth and teenage hygiene and health concerns. "Ask the Expert" and the Parents Message Board serves as a great place to learn and exchange tips on better hygiene and health care for kids.

Tanning Bed Facts

2009-01-19T16:20:00.001-08:00

A tanning bed produces UV rays and thus just like the sun there can be some health issues. You can tan safely by following the tanning bed tips provided by many. Here are some tanning bed facts.

Skin type
No matter what type of tanning bed you are using, if you don't know your skin type you could land up in trouble. There are five basic skin types. The lightest being albino the darkest being naturally dark pigmented skin such as Asian or African. And then there is the rest of us somewhere in between.

The type of skin you have will determine how long and how often you can tan. Some skin types burn much quicker, while others seldom burn at all. The salon attendant will help you determine your skin type. If you are tanning at home then refer to the manual that came with your tanning bed.

Tanning Lotions
Always use a tanning lotion that id designed for indoor tanning. Stay away from the oils. They are messy and they get all over the acrylic which then blocks the rays from reaching you.

Use a tanning lotion appropriate for your skin. So if you burn easily the choose a lotion with a higher SPF. Never use inside lotions outside or outside lotions inside. Each is designed to protect you from specific rays associated with that type of tanning.

Do Not Let Yourself Burn
Avoid a sun burn at all costs. In the tanning world this is the golden rule. Some people will burn much easier than others and you need to take steps to avoid burning. If you are really fair and you never tan without first getting a burn, then don't tan. It's that simple. Burns are dangerous to your health and the cause of skin cancer. No tan is worth risking skin cancer. Tan smart!

Choose Your Bed Carefully
You should always start with a lower watt tanning bulb bed. The beginner beds aren't as powerful as the mega beds and it will give you pigment time to develop. Once you've got your base tan you can move to a bed that has stronger tanning bulbs. If you stop tanning and you loose your tan then you have to start all over again from the beginning with a low watt bed. The strong tanning bulb beds are very powerful and you will damage your skin if your skin is not ready for them.

Home Tanning Beds
You might want to consider purchasing your own bed. Although the commercial beds are great you have to work your schedule around their schedule and it seems you're always rushed. With a bed at home you can relax and enjoy your tan and you can tan in the privacy of your own home. It's a great end to a busy day.

Home tanning beds can be purchased for a reasonable price, especially if you calculate how much it cost to go to a commercial bed. Remember there is not just the cost of session but the gas to get there, the wear and tear on your car, and the cost of your time. It's something to consider.

Of course there are advantages to commercial tanning beds to. They always have the latest and greatest beds. They absorb the cost of replacing bulbs that have become weak, and they do all the maintenance and repair. All you have to do is show up.

However you decide to get your indoor tan, just be smart and tan in moderation. You can have that beautiful golden tan if you play your tanning bulbs right!

M.D. Stacener from Home Tanning Beds has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing valuable information to keep you beautiful and healthy. Please visit us at <a target="_new" href="http://www.tanabanas.com/">http://www.tanabanas.com/</a>

Rhinoplasty Facility Costs

2009-01-19T13:40:00.001-08:00

No matter where the doctor and the anesthesiologist are going to perform a rhinoplasty surgery, there will be a cost for the facility. This cost includes and nurses or other staff necessary for the procedure, equipment and supplies to be used and the facility's general overhead whether that is a rhinoplasty being performed in an office or one being done in a hospital. Obviously, if there is a reason that the work must be performed in a hospital, there is going to be a higher charge involved than merely the fee charged for a simpler office procedure. And finally, this fee will include any costs involved in the anticipated recovery after the surgery. If a small procedure has been performed and a local anesthetic was administered, a short time after completion, the patient may be up, walking around, feeling fine and ready to leave after a final examination by the surgeon. However, if the work was more complex, if an anesthetic was necessary to keep the patient asleep for several hours, if the pain quotient is expected to be higher due to the nature of the problem being addressed, it will be several hours after the surgery has been completed before the patient will be awake and several more hours before the patient is examined and allowed to leave.

All of these factors will affect the facility fee (as well as all other costs involved) and should be completely discussed beforehand. Applying the total monies spent on facility fees and dividing that by the number of surgeries performed, we arrive at an approximate average facility fee, nationally, of $700. If you are being charged substantially more or less than that you should ask why and the doctor's answers should adequately explain the difference.

In some instances, the doctor may be offering a "package price" which would include his fee, the anesthesiologist' fee and the facility fee as one number. If this makes you uncomfortable for any reason or if the total price for the work you are requesting does not feel proper, ask for a breakdown.

Remember, the numbers quoted here are from compiled figures published by American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) under the category rhinoplasty cost. There are two factors to take into account with these numbers:

1. The category "rhinoplasty cost" includes any surgery performed by a licensed surgeon operating on the nose. This can range from the removal of a simple bump, the repair of a simple skin tear or even hiding a small scar, up to a complete nasal reconstruction. As the complexity of the work increases, as the skill and artistry required of the surgeon increases, so does the cost.

2. Many rhinoplasty costs are hidden by doctors who have no problem billing their work to unsuspecting insurance companies as a repair of a "deviated septum" to "improve breathing difficulties" which would then be partially covered. This practice has become prevalent in the industry as the work can be performed and the client can save 60% or more of the total costs. Be aware if your doctor intends to bill your insurance company. If this is not something you wish to be involved in, make your desires known.

<a target="_new" href="http://www.e-rhinoplasty.com">Rhinoplasty Info</a> provides comprehensive information on preparing for and recovering from rhinoplasty, as well as costs, surgeons, and procedures, including revision rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty Info is the sister site of <a target="_new" href="http://www.e-dentalimplants.com">Dental Implants Web</a>.

The Swan on the Chopping Block

2009-01-19T09:50:00.001-08:00

When Anderson wrote "The Ugly Duckling", he was imagining a natural transformation from awkward youth to mature beauty. His vision did not include a meat cleaver. The new network show, "The Swan" is a travesty on so many levels that it is difficult to know where to begin. There is nothing wrong with using cosmetic surgery to correct a definitive flaw but to turn yourself over to megalomaniacs with scalpels is cause for more therapy than these women are receiving.

It is unconscionable that television should even consider anything so potentially damaging. However, the women who allow themselves to be the golden goose (to mix metaphors) are equally to blame. What sane women would with good conscience turn herself over to strangers without having any input into what is being done.

The Swan reflects society's superficial attitude towards cosmetic surgery as a cure all for everything from natural aging to an unhealthy lifestyle. It is not enough that millions of baby boomers are already flocking to cosmetic surgeons to graft an artificial spring over a natural winter, now they are fiercely promoting the idea to much younger women even in those in their 20s who admittedly should look far better than they do but could substitute restraint for butchery to improve themselves without outside help. Taking individual responsibility is a far healthier solution to the problem

A healthy person always looks 10 to 20 years younger than her peers. While many women would give anything for beauty, there is one thing that should never be sacrificed --health. Health and beauty are connected vessels: if you steal from one, you steal from the other.

Your inner and outer body are two sides of the same coin. If the colors and forms of your body are changing outwardly, do not be mistaken, for they are also changing inwardly. If surgery is needed on the outside, it might be an indication that surgery will soon be needed on the organs inside as well. Often, the exterior flaws that can be corrected by cosmetic surgery are the result of much more serious internal problems. If the cause is not addressed, the problem will recur.

Cosmetic surgery will not make you younger. Any surgery drastically ages your body. In fact, biologically, you will get older. Facelifts and associated procedures do take years off your face temporarily but add years to your body permanently. Is it worth undergoing 10 to 12 hours of consecutive procedures, exhausting your body, and endangering your life for superficial changes that can largely be obtained through a healthy, disciplined lifestyle?

Think about the images of how the skin was separated from the underlying tissue; how it was lifted back and tightened; how excess skin was trimmed away; and the ear-to-ear incision was closed with surgical staples. Once seen, it is impossible to forget the sight of how the skin was torn or burned, how fat was sucked up, and how foreign materials were implanted.

Since beauty in its natural state requires no force or coercion, the procedures are so gross that it's difficult to perceive the final result as artistic. Beauty is incompatible with pain and horror. No matter how widely accepted cosmetic surgery is, it will never be separated from the terrible ordeal the subject endured.

Facelifts do not last forever and the negative effects cannot be completely undone. I am asking you to give a new lifestyle a try. You might be surprised how few faults you see in yourself that you are willing to allow someone else to correct. The results will be so astonishing, you just might like yourself the way you are about to become. Beauty, health, and youthfulness are all connected. Your guide for deciding if you are doing the right thing should be--when you gain one, are the others victims?

There is no natural beauty without 100% natural food. The lack of beauty, especially in people over forty, is the result of the consumption of devitalized and denatured foods. Cooked food depletes the body's enzyme reserves and damages its rejuvenating power. On the hand, the Rawsome Diet of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds in their raw state will help your body to make the most of its revitalizing abilities. By restoring the integrity of every cell and by facilitating the operation of every organ, it will bring your weight to its ideal mark, refine your features and add delicacy to your face.

? 2004 Tonya Zavasta

About The Author

To learn more about how you can uncover your Rawsome beauty, visit: <a href="http://www.beautifulonraw.com" target="_new">www.beautifulonraw.com</a>

<a href="mailto:Tonyazavasta@hotmail.com">Tonyazavasta@hotmail.com</a>

Tips For A Glowing Skin

2009-01-17T06:40:00.001-08:00

Do you know how and where to moisturize? Here are some helpful hints?

MOISTURISING our skin is essential to maintain that 'young, beautiful' look. On another note, is it necessary to moisturize all areas of your skin? The answer is NO. Many models actually go to private 'beauty' classes to learn how, when and where to moisturize their skin. So, learn your skin type, don't be 'afraid to try many products before settling on one.

1. Do not over moisturize as it can lead to clogged pores. Your forehead and cheeks tend to be the drier areas. There is no need to moisturize your chin if it is not needed.

2. Most women misdiagnose their skin type. This can cause improper moisturizing. You also need to change your techniques of moisturizing with the changes of seasons. Know about the various moisturizers - http://beauty-cosmetic-guide.com/moisturizers.htm

3. When using a moisturizer, always apply it to the skin in a circulatory motion. Pat your skin with the tips of your fingers gently as if playing a tune on a piano. This is also a great stimulant for your skin.

4. Tired of buying moisturizers too often? Here is how to make them last longer. Use a small amount of natural vegetable oil as a base first. This will help make your moisturizer last much longer.

5. Use a moisturizer as a base before applying your foundation. For best results, wait until the moisturizer is dry and then apply foundation. However, if your foundation is somewhat dry; then apply it right away; your moisturizer will help it to loosen up a bit.

6.To get the best results from any of your facial products, rub it between your hands, this helps to heat it up, and hence, becomes easier to apply.

For more tips and article on beauty and skin care - <a target="_new" href="http://beauty-cosmetic-guide.com/">http://beauty-cosmetic-guide.com/</a>

About the Author: Nikhil Jain MBBS is an editor and author (<a target="_new" href="http://www.beauty-cosmetic-guide.com">http://www.beauty-cosmetic-guide.com</a>), skin specialist and veteran dermatologist whose passion is guiding others to solve their skin problems and enhance their beauty.

Beauty Tips: 10 Steps for Radiant Skin

2009-01-17T00:40:00.001-08:00

When it comes to a glowing complexion what we put into our bodies and how we treat our skin and ourselves has a huge impact on how we look ? no skin care product can overcome certain damage. Here are a few hints to take the best care of your skin and get that radiant glow.

1. Eat a balanced diet ? what we put in our bodies will show on our skin. If you eat fatty foods and junk your skin will reflect that, so give your skin proper nutrition.

2. Get at least 7 to 8 hours sleep every night. A lack of sleep will show up under your eyes as dark circles or bags. Proper rest will also benefit your body and your life.

3. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day to keep your skin hydrated. It is best to spread the consumption of water in small amounts over the course of the day to be sure it is properly absorbed.

4. Maintain a regular exercise schedule. Exercise gets the blood moving and creates a healthy body.

5. Get lots of fresh air but avoid prolonged exposure to wind and cold.

6. Avoid the sun and tanning beds. The damage done by ultraviolet rays is long lasting and cannot be reversed.

7. Always wear sunglasses to avoid squinting.

8. Try to achieve a well-balanced life and reduce stress.

9. Exfoliate twice a week to rid your skin of dead cells.

10. Develop a skin care routine for your particular skn type.

If you have been neglecting your complexion start right away to improve it ? it's never too late. What you do today will show up in your skin in the future. It's up to you.

Sheila Dicks is an Image and Wardrobe Consultant who teaches women how to dress to suit their body type and look slimmer. Visit her at <a target="_new" href="http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com">http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com</a> to download her ebook, 'Image Makeovers' and get How to 'Build a Wardrobe' free.

Handmade Soap Facts

2009-01-16T12:20:00.001-08:00

How many people know what soap really is? Several of the cleansing bars that you buy at the store, for example, are detergents-and not soaps at all. They are called syndet bars, or synthetic detergent bars. They are made from synthesized chemicals and are usually much harsher than soap. Detergents contain petroleum distillates rather than oil. On the other hand, true soap is made from natural oils (such as olive, coconut and palm) and is a gentle cleansing product more appropriate for use on skin than is detergent.

Soaps, unlike detergents, are made by combining sodium hydroxide or lye, oils and water in a process known as "Saponification". Some people may question the use of lye in handcrafted soap. The fact is that all soap is made with lye. What needs to be made clear is that once the process of saponification is complete, the lye and oil molecules have combined and chemically changed into soap and glycerin. There is no lye present in the finished bars of soap.

The oils in our soaps are put there for a specific purpose. The coconut oil creates a wonderful lather. The olive oil is used for a high quality, long lasting bar. Canola and Palm oil carry nutrients to the skin, and the safflower oil make a creamy bar.

Glycerin is a skin soothing emollient that adds to the goodness of handmade soap. In commercial soaps the glycerin is removed for sale to the cosmetic industry to sell separately, sometimes at a higher price than the soap itself! Glycerin is important to skin care because it is a humectant. Humectants draw moisture from the air, which in turn moisturize your skin. A whole 1/5 of a bar of our soap is glycerin.

Most soaps have artificial ingredients to scent or color. Some handcrafted soap is scented with fragrance oils. These are synthetic chemicals that are mixed together to imitate a particular scent. They have contributed in many cases to chemical sensitivity in some people. They also have no aromatherapy benefits. The scents in our soaps should come only from essential oils, which are steamed or pressed from plants. Essential oils are the fragrance emitting components of plants and are at the heart of aromatherapy. Not only do they smell good; they have many beneficial effects on the body, mind and spirit.


The coloring in our soap should come from nature as well. The petals of Lavender and Rose can be used. Earth Pigments can also be used, which are simply finely ground rocks. This makes the colors rich and earthy, rather than artificial looking.

About the Author

Yvonne Takhtalian, C.N.H.P, H.I. spent the past 10 years developing and improving Vita-Myr Natural Products helping thousands like you heal gum disease and gingivitis. She just released a new line of 100% Natural Vita-Myr Soaps to compliment her Vita-Myr Mouthwash & Toothpaste. Find out more about effective natural relief of gum disease at <A target="_new" href="http://www.vitamyr.com/">http://www.vitamyr.com/</A> or email questions/comments to Yvonne at <A href="mailto:vitamyr@mindspring.com">mailto:vitamyr@mindspring.com</A> Copyright ? 2004 Vita-Myr? International Inc All rights reserved. Natural Products For Healthy Living ?

Contact Lens Makeup Safety Tips

2009-01-16T00:30:00.001-08:00

If your teenage daughter wants to wear contact lenses, you may have some reservations, so get as much information as you can for her when it comes to applying makeup. Contacts are nice because eyeglasses may get in the way if your teen plays sports and girls like their pretty eyes to show instead of being hidden by eyeglasses. Your teen needs to be responsible so that she will take care of them and put on her makeup with eye care in mind. If you misuse cosmetics when wearing contacts, you may develop allergies, dry eye, injury, infection, or deposits on the lenses. There are a lot of things you can do to safely put on makeup if you wear contacts. Here are some tips and product information when it comes to applying makeup safely around the eyes:

? Wash your hands prior to putting in each contact, then apply makeup

? Don't expose your eyes to water while wearing contacts

? Take out the lenses before you remove your makeup. Avoid greasy or oily makeup removers as they may build up on the contact lenses

? Avoid getting too close to the eye with any type of makeup

? Use makeup that is hypoallergenic to avoid sensitivity. Use only well known trusted brand names

? Use water soluble makeup

? Don't use waterproof mascara as it may permanently adhere to the lens. Also avoid mascara that contains volume building fibers

? Avoid eye shadow that is powder. Use only gel, liquid or cream. Never use eye shadow that is frosted or iridescent. These may contain oyster shells or mica.

? Do not use eyeliner that is directly drawn on the rim of the eye. Keep all eyeliner pencils sharp enough so the wood doesn't scratch the surface of the eye

? Use pressed powders

? Don't use hairspray or other aerosols if you have already put in your lenses. Allow all hairspray to settle before walking into a room that has just been sprayed. Many times hair products can irritate the eyes and they are more susceptible now to problems because you wear contacts.

? Keep all nail polish remover and perfumes away from your contacts.

? Never swap makeup application sponges or brushes with your friends and wash your application brushes frequently

? Don't put on make up if your eyes are already red or swollen, this will only irritate them more

? Beware of flaking mascara because pieces of nylon can reach the eye and never purchase mascara refills

? Never use saliva or water to thin cosmetics

? Never swap your contacts with your friends

? Never wear the contacts if they become cracked, chipped or torn

? You may want to use an eye wash to remove any excess oils from makeup residual ? Replace your cosmetics every six months to avoid bacterial growth

? Never apply eye makeup while in a car or worse yet while driving

If your teenager follows a few common sense ways of putting on makeup properly and purchasing the right products, there should be no problems with the contacts, or maintaining eye health and safety.

Beverly Marshall is a successful freelance writer offering guidance and suggestions for consumers buying contact lenses, reading glasses, safety glasses and more. Her many articles found on <a target="_new" href="http://www.contact-lenses-4u.net">http://www.contact-lenses-4u.net</a> and <a target="_new" href="http://www.contact-lenses-4u.net/reading_glasses.htm">http://www.contact-lenses-4u.net/reading_glasses.htm</a> give information and tips to help you save money and make informed buying decisions.

New Hair Styles for 2005 - Summer Hair Trend

2009-01-15T08:00:00.001-08:00

A variety of hair styles, colors, and trends are growing in popularity for 2005. New hair styles for 2005 include hair of varying lengths, from curly and wavy to sleek and straight. Some of the old standbys from 2004 are still going to be popular in 2005.

The straight look is still in. The messy look and the shabby chic look are also still going strong. The soft wavy look is one new addition to the in list that has been growing in popularity this season.

This season, one of the hottest looks is a short cut. Not just any short cut though. The newest version of the short hair cut is longer layers and fringe in the front with the back cut in shorter, softer layers. The great thing about this style is that, even though it is short, you still have a variety of options when styling it. It can be worn straight and smooth for a more sophisticated look. If a more youthful and fun look is in the cards for your day, simply tousle the layers for a more wind blown, wavy look.

Your hair's texture is also an important part of the cut and style. Layers and soft edges give a cut the versatility that it needs to hold more than one style. Razor cutting is a terrific way to accomplish the flipped, wild look that celebrities like Meg Ryan wear. Using sculpting gels and waxes can give you a chunky layer look that separates and holds your layers in place. For a smoother, sleek look, layers can be blown dry to lay flat and soft against the face. Smoothing gels can help to keep hair smooth and free from frizz for hours at a time.

Although cut and texture are an important part of having a trendy, up to date short hair style, maintaining shiny, healthy hair is always a must.

Whether you wear your hair curly, wavy, or straight, a healthy shine is your hair's best accessory. For this season, a product that adds shine to your hair is a must have.

To maintain a trendy and fashionable look for this season, color is the key. In Eastern cultures, hair color choice is not just a statement about our fashion savvy, but also is essential in showing our inner self and desires. Since red symbolizes strength and vitality, it is not such a surprise that most women today would pick red as their first choice of hair colors.

Red certainly is a trend this season, and that means all shades. Anything goes from burgundy to strawberry blonde on into the copper hues.

As a matter of fact, reds are beginning to replace blonde as the most popular hair color choice.

Color highlights have been popular for while and will continue to be popular this season. This type of hair coloring works particularly well on the layered, shorter haircuts. So, go ahead. Try whatever floats your boat. As I said before, this season, anything goes!

Nancy Faizabadi is a professional hair stylist and the founder of <a target="_new" href="http://www.short-hair-style.com">http://www.short-hair-style.com</a> where you can find free tips on short hair style and color ideas, hair color trends, hair products and much more. Whether your hair is fine, thick, curly, straight, processed, colored or in need of a new style, <a target="_new" href="http://www.short-hair-style.com">http://www.short-hair-style.com</a> has a section for you.

17 Top Tips for Great Holiday Hair

2009-01-15T07:30:00.001-08:00

When you are away from home in a different climate your hair will be subjected to weather it is not used to.

Your hair needs to be protected in the same way that you do with your skin. UV rays are very harmful to your hair affecting the pigment, strength, shine and vitality.

For your skin you take with you cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen and after-sun lotions so for your hair take shampoo, conditioner, hair sunscreen and styling products.

Cold Climate

1. Cold temperatures weaken your hair and susceptible to damage. Flyaway hair tends to be subject to static. Hair should be well conditioned and protected by wearing a hat.

2. If you have frizzy hair use a leave-in conditioner and take a deep moisturizing mask with you on holiday. All hair types will benefit from using a heat protection spray and serum to keep the elements out and keep the moisture in.

Humid climate

3. Hair expands just like it does when it is wet in a humid climate. This will make your hair fluffy or if it is curly, frizzy.

4. For all hair types, a pre-holiday deep conditioning treatment is a must to nourish the hair and seal the cuticles, as you want to prevent excess moisture from entering the hair shaft.

5. If you have fine hair use a light leave-in conditioner from mid-way down the hair to the ends and use a serum to seal the ends after blow-drying, being careful not to overdo the serum on fine hair.

6. If you have curly and/or frizzy hair then you need to seal the cuticle (the outside of your hair) to minimize the additional frizziness that results in humid weather.

7. Use a leave-in conditioner very morning. Use an anti-frizz serum to coat and seal the cuticle.

Hot and dry climate

8. The sun strips the hair of its natural oils and dry heat increases this effect. UV rays attack your hair and the resulting free radicals damage the hair. The weakened cuticle causes the hair to become dehydrated, allows the bleaching and fading of the color pigment as well as split ends.

9. To protect your hair 100% from sun damage wear a hat!

10. Deep conditioning your hair before your holiday is essential.

11. If you have fine hair use a wash your hair with a gentle shampoo and use a light leave-in conditioner with UV protection. Use a sun-protection spray containing a UV filter to screen your hair from the effects of the sun and seawater and re-apply after going in the sea.

12. If you have curly hair use a moisturizing shampoo and a leave-in conditioner to minimize dryness. Apply a nourishing hair mask whilst you are away to deep condition your hair. Use a sun-protection spray containing a UV filter to screen your hair from the effects of the sun and seawater and re-apply after going in the sea.

13. If you have frizzy hair use a sun-protection spray containing a UV filter to screen your hair from the effects of the sun and seawater and re-apply after going in the sea.Use a rich leave-in conditioner with UV protection each morning and apply a hair mask every other day during the holiday.

14. When you have been swimming in the sea always wash the salt out afterwards.

15. Chlorine from the swimming pool is extremely damaging when combined with the effects of the sun, wet your hair in the shower before hand and protect your hair with a leave-in conditioner preferably one containing a UV filter. Wash your hair thoroughly after swimming.

16. Hair grips and bands are an extremely useful item to have on holiday and offer a quick-fix solution for hair care problems.

17. Don't forget your travel plug to ensure that you can still use your hairdryer and other electric hairstyling equipment whilst abroad.

Bon Voyage!

Copyright ? Skye Irwin, <a target="_new" Href="http://www.Haircare-made-easy.com">Haircare-made-easy.com</a>, 2005 This article is copyrighted. Please feel free to use it in it's entirety including copyright information and information about the publisher. Skye Irwin operates the website HairCare Made Easy, you can get her Hair Care Made Easy book from <a href="http://www.haircare-made-easy.com/spage.html">http://www.haircare-made-easy.com</a>

Make An Easy Lotion For Your Skin

2009-01-15T01:00:00.000-08:00

Years ago I found out how incredible easy it is to make lotion. It is so inexpensive and organic that I wondered why anyone would even consider spending a dime on the chemical rich lotions on the market.

Besides I had an added incentive, I have eczema, so I am extremely sensitive to what I put on my skin. Making my own lotion was a great alternative for me.

To begin, for a lotion base all you need is water, oil and an emulsifier. An emulsifier is simply an ingredient that blends the water and oil together. Here is the base that I begin with to make my lotion:

? cup distilled water
? cup oil (I usually use olive, almond, macadamia nut, or grape seed)
1 TBS liquid lecithin

You can experiment from here by adding essential oils, combining other oils; you can steep beneficial herbs into your water before you add your oil, etc?

Here is a nice winter lotion to get you started:

? cup distilled water
? cup olive oil
1 TBS lecithin
6-8 drops of geranium oil
2-4 drops Myrrh oil
400 IU Vitamin E oil (1-2 open capsules)

Geranium oil is good for supporting balance and rejuvenating dry skin conditions and for wrinkled and matured skin. Myrrh is a gentle oil that is effective in replenishing moisture.

Vitamin E oil is an excellent antioxidant and helps to protect the skin as well as a nice preservative.

Blend all ingredients in the blender either on whip or cream. You will have a nice creamy firm lotion. Add more water to make a lighter lotion. Store in the refrigerator in hot climates or store in a cool place. Shake well before use.

Enjoy your lotion. Hopefully this little recipe will inspire you to become creative!

About The Author

Danielle Sims explored her library of alternative health, herbal books, and aromatherapy books and created a blueprint for making her own body wrap formulas at home. Now she offers this information in an e-book entitled Wrap Yourself Slim: Body Wrap Exposed. Monthly newsletter is also available at her web site. for more information go to <a href="http://www.wrapyourselfslim.com" target="_new">http://www.wrapyourselfslim.com</a>

<a href="mailto:links@wrapyourselfslim.com">links@wrapyourselfslim.com</a>

What is Digital Nail Art?

2009-01-14T23:10:00.001-08:00

How is the procedure performed?

After the nails are given a basic manicure, which involves cleaning the nail, removing the cuticle and any dead skin around the edge of the nail. <li>The nails can then be given a base coat (usually a strong white) to enhance a coloured design. <li>Or if the client wishes to have a natural look in the back ground of the design, then no base coat is required. <li>Then the activation coat is applied - this ensures that the design dries quickly. <li>The client chooses their design either from preset designs or from thier own picture - which can be scanned into the computer. <li>After placing the hand into the machine the design can then be printed.

How long does it take?

The printing itself takes approximately 10 seconds per nail, and depends on the design - sometimes even quicker. The whole process including nail preperation and drying of coats in between can take 15 minutes.

How long do the designs last?

They last as long as a normal nail varnish treatment. With the application of two thin coats of clear nail varnish - paying special attention to the tips, then if you are carefull with your nails, the designs can last up two weeks or longer.

Are the inks and varnishes dangerous?

All the inks and varnishes have been tested to comply with all safety standards and are perfectly safe.

Are your hands safe in the machine?

Your hands are placed insde a special cradle which holds the nails at a safe distance from the printer head. The Printer actually sprays the design onto your nails, so you don't feel a thing. If by any chance, you happened to move your fingers whilst in the machine, the sensitivity of the safety cut out will stop the printing immediately.

Can it print a French Manicure?

Certainly can, just use the white base coat and the machine can print the french manicure with more flair and design than you could ever do with air brushing.

Can it print toe nails?

Yes, fashion now goes a step further, and the world of design and art is now available for your toes.

Where can I get digital nail art?

At any reputable nail salon, if there isn't a machine in a salon near you, then tell them to get a machine so that you can try it out.

To make the most out of this technology, the professional nail technician would have to be experienced with general manicures and pedicures. These are the basics to any nail care business, but also a knowledge of computers and how they work is advisable. The software is easy to use, but the process needs a bit of practice in order to become proficient. With expert guidance and advice from a reputable company, then using this new technology will enhance your business and bring colourfull designs into the lives of many clients nails.

Robert Geoghegan, Operations director of <a target="_new" href="http://www.digi-printers.com">Digi Printers ltd</a>, based in the UK. An electrical engineer by trade, but happened upon nail art technology through his wifes beauty business. Now has an indepth knowledge of these types of machines. <a target="_new" href="http://www.diginailart.com">http://www.diginailart.com</a>

Petroleum and Cosmetics: What are the Potential Health Risks?

2009-01-14T18:10:00.001-08:00

What is petroleum?

Crude oil, sometimes called petroleum, is a fossil fuel that was produced deep in the earth through a process that took millions of years to complete.

Millions of years later, almost all of us come into contact with a derivative of petroleum every day. Through a process called fractional distillation, petroleum refineries break petroleum into many of its smaller components. Each of these smaller components is made up of molecules called hydrocarbons.

The world is full of products that come from petroleum. For example, gasoline, styrofoam, lubricating oils, and many other items are all derivatives of this raw material. How are petroleum and cosmetics related? The two seemingly unrelated items, petroleum and cosmetics, are indeed closely related in our modern world.

Mineral oil and petroleum are the basic ingredients in many cosmetic products today. Both mineral oil and petroleum have the same origins in fossils fuels. Cosmetics such as foundations, cleansers, and moisturizers often contain mineral oil. By locking moisture against the skin, mineral oil sits on the skin's surface and can potentially block pores. This may cause the appearance of pimples because the skin cannot properly 'breathe'.

Fragrances in lotions, shampoos, and many other cosmetic products are composed of aromatic hydrocarbons. Perfumes and products containing fragrance can contain many hundreds of chemicals to produce a distinct scent. A significant number of these aromas are derived from petroleum.

One popular chemical additive that carries moisture in cosmetics is propylene glycol. It is also a derivative of petroleum. Some products that list propylene glycol as an ingredient include:

- anti-freeze

- laundry detergent

- paint

- shampoo

- conditioner

Past research links propylene glycol to serious health problems as liver and kidney damage as well as respiratory irritation or nausea if swallowed.

An antiseptic, isopropyl alcohol, kills bacteria on the skin. You can find it on the ingredient list of cleansers, toners and other cosmetic products. Unfortunately, this derivative of petroleum dries the skin and may cause miniature cracks in the skin that allow bacteria to enter, potentially causing irritations or pimples.

Do these petroleum-derived products affect your health?

Your skin covers your body and acts as a physical barrier to many of the pollutants in the atmosphere. When you use products on your skin such as cosmetics, lotions, and shampoos, the ingredients in these products come into direct contact with your body's largest organ; your skin. You may ask yourself, where do the ingredients in the products go? Modern research at the Herb Research Foundation found that the skin absorbs up to 60% of the chemicals in products that it comes into contact with directly into the bloodstream. Today, hormone therapy treatments and smoking cessation medications are often prescribed as patches that you apply directly to the skin. The medication passes through the skin and directly enters the bloodstream.

For pregnant women, the risk is not only for her body but also for the developing fetus. If the chemicals found in cosmetics readily enter the bloodstream when applied to the skin, then they will also reach the developing baby. Researchers at the Brunel University in England are looking closely at a family of preservatives called parabens. Their research has recently linked parabens to the possibility that male babies will have lower sperm counts. These preservatives are derived from petroleum and help to maintain the freshness and integrity of the product. Currently, many manufacturers add parabens to cosmetics to allow a minimum of 3 years shelf life. Therefore, the parabens kill any bacteria that could potentially enter the product. If these chemical ingredients can kill the bacterial cells, what are they doing to your skin cells? In most cases, there is no conclusive answer to this question. However, the research mentioned strongly suggests that the synthetic ingredients may have a significant impact on our bodies.

In many cases, the long-term effects of many of the chemical additives in our cosmetics are not known. However, other chemical additives are known carcinogens. These types of chemicals can cause cancer in humans. Such chemicals include some artificial colours in cosmetics. The effects of chemicals and other synthetic ingredients in cosmetics may lead to mild allergic reactions causing rashes and minor skin irritation to more significant problems such as lesions on the skin.

What are your alternatives for cosmetics?

Luckily, there are alternatives to cosmetics filled with synthetically produced ingredients. Increasingly, cosmetic manufacturers are answering the public's demand for alternatives to the chemically loaded beauty and grooming supplies. The Organic Make-up Company is one such company that is leading the way in producing high-quality, organically manufactured cosmetics! As a consumer, you have the ability to decrease the number of preservatives and chemical additives your skin comes into contact with and therefore, that may enter your body. To avoid using the synthetically derived fragrances, look for products containing essential oils. These are pure oils derived from flowers and other plants in nature.

All you have to do is make the simple choice of purchasing cosmetic products with all-natural, organic ingredients. Whether you continue using cosmetics that contain petroleum-based ingredients or not is a personal choice. What is the most important is to get the facts and to know that you have a choice when it comes to buying organic or synthetic cosmetic products.

References:

- Fairley, Josephine. Organic beauty: look and feel gorgeous the natural way. Dorling Kindersley : London, 2001.

- http://www.hans.org/web_articles/h07drugschemicals/h0799whatisreallyinyourhbprods.aspl, accessed Oct. 3, 2004.

- http://www.naturalmakeup.ca

Lori Stryker has been researching and developing all natural skin care and make-up for the purpose of offering men and women safe, natural cosmetics for everyday use. She brings to her research a specialist in human biology from the University of Toronto, coupled with a professional home economics degree and an education degree from the University of British Columbia, fusing chemical and biological knowledge with food, family and textile sciences.

You may use this article but any modification or publication of this article for fiancial gain must be approved of by the author. The author's name, Lori Stryker and her company's name, The Organic Make-up Company, needs to by noted when used.

Discover Effective Home Remedies to Dandruff

2009-01-14T11:20:00.001-08:00

Dandruff is a common problem. You can fall victim to excessive dandruff at any age. 97% of Americans suffer from dandruff at some time. One out of every two persons in the world have problem with dandruff.

Common practice is to treat dandruff with anti-dandruff shampoos. But did you know that you can use simple effective home remedies to treat dandruff? Home remedies may offer complete solutions for controlling dandruff.

One of the best ways to control dandruff is to apply a mixture of vinegar and water on the scalp. Make a mixture of 2 teaspoons of vinegar and 6 teaspoons of water and apply it on the scalp before you go to bed. Keep it for the whole night with a towel around the head. Rinse your head with vinegar water again in the morning. If you continue to treat your hair with it for few months, it will serve your purpose.

You can also use a mixture of 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and 2-teaspoons of vinegar. Massage the scalp with this solution. After the massage, treat your hair with an egg shampoo.

You can rub a combination of 1 part sulfur powder, 2 parts surgical spirit, 1 part almond oil and 4 parts rose water or distilled water on your scalp to keep dandruff at bay. Or:

Boil a mixture of 4-5 dried thyme and two cups of water for 10 minutes. When the mixture cools down, massage it on the scalp and leave it for half an hour. Wash it afterwards and see the results. You will have a dandruff-free head.

You can also soak ground fenugreek seeds overnight in water and massage the paste on the head, leaving it for a few minutes. Wash it afterwards using a mild shampoo.

You can also prepare a homemade mixture of 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice with 100 grams witch hazel in 200ml of water and use it on washed hair. Applying the mixture several times is helpful in warding off the problem of dandruff.

If you wash your hair with warm apple cider vinegar, leaving it for 30-40 minutes and then rinsing it with plain water, you are sure to control dandruff positively. You have to continue this process regularly to stop its return. The smell of the vinegar does evaporate!

Try a mixture of olive oil and almond oil. Massage your scalp with the mixture and leave it for five minutes after you feel the burning sensation. Rinse properly and you should have a dandruff-free head.

Did you know the well-known pain killer aspirin, used for relieving aches, can serve you equally effectively to eliminate the problem of dandruff? Just crush and powder two aspirin tablets and add it to your shampoo. Leave the mixture on your scalp for two minutes. Rinse and wash properly to remove the aspirin particles completely from the scalp.

You can directly use Aloe Vera gel to remove excess dandruff. Apply the gel on your scalp 10-15 minutes before you plan to wash your hair. Regular use of the gel before shampooing will keep down the growth of dandruff.

These remedies take time to show a visible change but are effective for some people.

The best point concerning a home remedy is that you have many options and, if you think that a particular ingredient does not suit you, you can try an alternative. You should give each remedy at least a week before trying another.

Do you want to have beautiful hair every day for the rest of your life? Visit <a target="_new" href="http://www.hair-styles-secrets-revealed.com">Hair Styles For Dummies</a>, FREE web site that will teach you how to achieve gorgeous hair.

The History Of Aviator Sunglasses

2009-01-14T04:00:00.001-08:00

Have you ever wondered where those cool big lenses and signature frame originated from? Maybe you are a little curious as to how aviation shades have gotten so big in recent years?

In this article I will discuss how "pilot glasses" began, as well as how they got where they are today. After reading this you may just decide on getting a pair for yourself!

The shades we know today were first created way back in 1936 by none other than Ray Ban. The reason they are known as "aviator sunglasses" is because they were developed specifically for pilots back in 1936. Pilots needed a good pair of anti glare sunglasses, and Ray Ban's design satisfied this requirement perfectly.

The design that Ray Ban came up with was actually modeled directly from the goggles being worn by the U.S. military at the time. Since the aviator's debut, they have remained largely unchanged in design and are still standard issue for military pilots the world over.

Maybe even more interesting is how aviation shades have literally taken off with the general public (no pun intended).

Ray Ban started selling aviator sunglasses to the public a year after they were created; in 1937. During the years many different companies have now started making their own pilot shades -- Both name brand and no name sunglasses.

Different technologies have also come into fashion? Some of them stay and some of them go. For instance, have you seen those mirrored aviator glasses that were popular in the movie Top Gun? Those are a technology all their own.

Even different lenses are sometimes used, but glass is still the most popular. Perhaps the biggest change has been all the different colors coming out. Blue, purple, and pink are just a few of the colors you can now find being sported on aviation glasses.

Celebrities have also been boosting these shades reputation as of late ?- Many of the biggest stars can be seen wearing them.

All of the above combined have contributed to the huge success of aviator sunglasses. We can only expect them to get even more popular in the near future.

***************************************************
Cody Kahl is creator and writer of Aviator Glasses Guide ? A site
dedicated to providing only the best <a target="_new" href="http://www.aviatorglassesguide.com/">aviator sunglasses</a> information.
Cody believes in quality, and this free resource proves it.
***************************************************

Fashionable Mom

2009-01-13T08:20:00.001-08:00

You're a mom and you're still thinking about being 'fashionable'? That's the kind of response I got from someone I went shopping with. All I did was go shopping with this mom and when we passed a fashion outlet selling fashionable clothing and apparel, I commented that I wanted to get that frilly pink top with splashes of lime green that is flying off the shelves with a 70% discount tag!

Is it wrong to be a mom and still want to be fashionable? In my personal opinion, there's absolutely NOTHING WRONG with wanting to be a fashionable mom! Being mom doesn't mean that we have to give up our rights to being fashionable, beautiful and healthy. Being mom doesn't mean that our lives and the entire focus of living has shifted from 'us' to 'family'. Of course, without a smidgen of a doubt , being mom zaps your energy and any mom with a sense of fashion can tell you that it takes a lot to be a fashionable mom.

It already takes so much effort to dress up the kids?imagine trying to find time matching fashionable tops with fashionable skirts?and then find the blasted fashionable handbag with the same color and tone to go with the same-colored fashionable shoes! What an effort!

When we used to be single, trying to be in fashion didn't used to be such an effort, did it? In fact, pulling out fashionable clothing off the shelves and donning them seems to come so naturally to most of us when we are young and LOOKING! Now that we're not looking anywhere else but at our kids, we find it such an effort just to be fashionable?

And yet, being a fashionable mom is still possible! ABSOLUTELY! All it takes is some effort, planning and some common sense. And work at it!!

Marsha Maung is a freelance graphic designer and copy writer who works from home. She designs apparel and premium items at <a target="_new" href="http://www.allmomstuff.com">http://www.allmomstuff.com</a> and is the author of "Raising little magicians", and the popular "The Lance in freelancing". More information can be found at <a target="_new" href="http://www.marshamaung.com">http://www.marshamaung.com</a>

Are Tanning Beds Worth Your Time

2009-01-12T23:50:00.001-08:00

There is no denying that we live in a world of convenience. Our daily lives depend on gadgets and devices such as the ubiquitous mobile phone, the trustworthy PDA, and our cars that we cannot live without.

It is no wonder that the indoor tanning salon got invented. People who want to get darker are bound to look for a better way to get a nice, even tan, without the complexities, inconvenience and danger of the open sun.

These days, tanning salons are full-fledged establishments with top-of-the-line tanning products and equipment. Although you are paying for something that you can technically get for free, you receive in return a more even tan in a much more shorter time-frame. Ever spend three hours in the sun just waiting for the perfect tan? Well, look forward to spending twenty minutes in a tanning saloon for even better results.

Whichever salon you frequent should have experienced, trained staff that can guide and give you advice on the maximum exposure time that you should have. Look out also for what to do in case of emergencies and also check if they provide protective gear, e.g. protective eyewear. Ensure that the salon's policy after a customer leaves also includes sanitizing the tanning bed surface and eyewear. Trust me when I say that you do not want to lie on a sweaty, bacteria-filled bed surface.

Of course like the sun, tanning beds still emit the ultra-violet (UV) rays UV A, UV B, and UV C, so you have to watch your exposure. Many people think that just because it is a semi-artificial and human-controlled method, that it is safer and less dangerous. It is not. You still have to be careful and take care of your skin.

By practicing smart tanning in moderation, people can derive the best out of a tan. To tan smart, use a good lotion, wear protective eyewear, and never let yourself burn. After your tanning session, try to apply moisturizers liberally to replace the moisture lost.

Alvin Poh believes that a tan can make someone look healthier and livelier. Find out more about <a target="_new" href="http://www.buytanningbed.com">tanning beds</a> or the popular <a target="_new" href="http://www.buytanningbed.com">Wolff Tanning Bed</a>, and learn to tan smart!

Get Back that White Bright Smile with the Teeth Whitening Systems at Home

2009-01-12T15:40:00.001-08:00

There are many poets who have written about the power of the smile. A simple smile can turn a bad situation into a more manageable situation. Smile has the power to throw even the bullies off balance; such is the power of a good clean smile. Let me add, a good clean smile with a brighter teeth to support. How often have we seen in movies and television the stars sparkle because of that charming smile with those white sparkling tooth. Many have never thought about the idea of they too can have that smile, with the whiter teeth. Well there is help now a days, there are many great products out there that can whiten your teeth and bring them back to their natural shade at the minimum. You don't have to go to the dentist for the bleaching process; just at the comfort of your home you can administer the process without much fuss and mess. You can do this even under a tight budget with very little money shelled out from your pocket.

The first and foremost to understand is that not everyone's tooth is alike. Each person has a unique shade that can be matched to one of the many standard one. This is the first and foremost to really understand before setting up realistic goals. The first thing these products provide is remove the stains from the tooth. As years pass by the exposure to many staining substances cause the tooth to loose it original color, and without proper treatment they are not going to go off. The popular drinks like coffee, tea, coke and other such soft drinks as well as red wine contribute substantially to the staining. There are many more factors that could cause this. The teeth whitening products contain carbamide peroxide as the active ingredient that does this trick of bleaching off the stains. This is an ADA approved ingredient in most of the products out there; a few also use hydrogen peroxide as the active ingredient. The oxidation induced by the products helps to take care of the stains and brings back the natural shade to begin with. The whitening process is not effective against the crowns or other dental work performed on the tooth. So you should apply the dental whitening as long as needed and then go back to your dentist for a replacement with a suitable shade crown or add-ons. Generally the whitening process can show results in just a few applications and you can continue up until the desired shade is obtained. Then you can stop the application. There is a flip flop period after this as the shading becomes a little dull and the a little brighter and it stabilize at a particular shade. This is usually much brighter than the one you started out with. Don't worry this is usual and you have to wait for the shade to set in before going to the doctor to get your replacement crowns.

The price factor is one big thing that you need to consider, almost all products including the dental bleaching procedures employ the same active ingredients and you have to choose the product that can save money on top of the same effect. You should buy the OTC products that are either certified or developed by certified Dental Labs. Some products have a unique formula - pH balanced with high adhesion qualities designed to stay on tooth surface. These are some of the factors to consider while choosing to get that catchy, bright white smile you have always dreamt of.

You can reprint this article as long as the whole article along with active links is published as is. Freelancing at its best at <a target="_new" href="http://www.freelancefree.com">http://www.freelancefree.com</a>

Sun Damage: A Major Cause of Wrinkling and Premature Aging

2009-01-12T07:10:00.001-08:00

Most of us love the warmth of the sun, but over exposure can cause significant damage to our skin. The sun's ultraviolet rays (UV) can cause our skin to dry out and lose essential oils and decades of tanning, burning and over exposure to the sun may cause changes in our skin's structure.

Unprotected skin exposed to the sun can gradually lose essential oils, making it dry, flaky and prematurely wrinkled. Repeated episodes of sunburn, although they appear to heal on the surface, can lead to permanent skin damage over time.

Excessive over exposure to the sun can cause changes in the skin's collagen called photoaging. These changes can take the form of wrinkles and fine lines, decreased skin elasticity (sagging skin), or a thickened skin textured. UV radiation can damage the collagen that supports the walls of the skin's blood vessels, causing them to be more fragile. A symptom of this is easy bruising on sun-exposed areas such as the back of hands.

Over the years, repeated sunburns and unprotected exposure to the sun can increase the risk of skin cancers including basal cell and malignant melanoma and other types of skin cancers..

Prevention is the key to avoiding photoaging and more serious skin damage. Here are some ways you can protect your skin from the harmful UV rays:

ALWAYS apply a sunscreen before you go outdoors, especially to your face, neck and hands. That means 365 days a year, rain, shine or clouds. Choose a sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more, with a broad spectrum of protection against both UV-A and UV-B rays.

Use a sunblock on your lips, preferably with an SPF of 20 or above.

Wear sunglasses with UV-A and UV-B light protection.

Wear long pants, a shirt with long sleeves and a hat with a wide brim.

Limit your time outdoors when the sun is at its highest (about 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

Certain medications such as antibiotics can increase your vulnerability to sunburn. Check with your doctor.

What to do if you think you already have skin damage

Be sure to see your doctor immediately if you have any unusual looking moles or changes in your skin. Don't wait.

You may be able to improve the appearance of moderately sun damaged skin with alpha-hydroxy acids, which remove dead skin cells from the out layers of your skin, leaving it softer and smoother. Chemical peels, laser resurfacing or microdermabrasion may also be helpful.

Valerie Goettsch is webmaster of the site <a target="_new" href="http://www.Skin-Sage.com">Skin-Sage.com</a> which is dedicated to reviewing anti-aging and anti-wrinkle skin care products and offering tips on having younger looking skin.

Whats Up With Botox?

2009-01-11T15:10:00.001-08:00

BOTOX? is part of a family of drugs called "botulinum toxins". Specifically, it is the Registered Trademark and brand name for "botulinum toxin type A" which is manufactured by a company called "Allergan". Nothing else that is made by any other company is allowed to be called BOTOX?.

Botox is actually a first cousin to the dreaded botulism food poisoning that is caused by the evil bacterium Clostridium botulinum.

Yikes! That sounds scary enough to make you stop reading right now -- but don't run away quite yet. Just as atomic energy can be used for good and bad, there's room in your life for Botox if used and administered properly.

Although you may have only heard of it recently, Botox has been around since the early 1960's when it was first approved for use as a treatment for Strabismus (crossed eyes). It later received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a treatment for three specific medical conditions known as blepharospasm, strabismus, and cervical dystonia. Essentially, each of these conditions involve the appearance of involuntary muscle contractions.

In order for a muscle to move, it must receive a signal from your brain. That signal is carried to the muscle by a chemical called acetylcholin. If your body produces too much acetylcholine then the affected muscles will go into "spasm" or begin twitching. BOTOX? blocks the release of acetylcholine to the affected muscle which stops or reduces the spasm. Since Botox is injected only into the affected muscle the rest of the body is not affected.

Unless you have one of the diseases that regular Botox is designed to treat, the chances are your real interest is in a derivative called "BOTOX? Cosmetic". Although most people simply refer to this derivative as Botox, there is a marked difference. BOTOX? Cosmetic is a protein which is produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. It is FDA approved for reducing the activity of the muscles that cause "frown lines".

According to the manufacturer, "Treatment with BOTOX? Cosmetic can visibly smooth and soften moderate to severe frown lines between your brows. An improvement can be seen within days and may last up to 4 months, although results may vary. In clinical trials, nearly 90% of men and women surveyed rated the improvement in the appearance of frown lines between their brows as moderate to better 1 month after treatment."

This means that while BOTOX Cosmetic doesn't work for everyone, there is a 90% chance that it will work for you. BOTOX Cosmetic is administered by injection directly into the muscles that are causing your frown lines. The process takes 10 minutes or less and there is no "recovery period". That makes it perfect to get done during your lunch break or anytime that you have a free 10 minutes.

A "normal" treatment can last for up to 4 months although this time period varies widely among different people. Regardless, the manufacturer recommends that you get treatments no more frequently than every 4 months.

Here are some guidelines for you to consider:

BOTOX Cosmetic may not be for you if you have any diseases that affect your nerves or muscles or if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant soon, or are nursing.

Be sure to give your doctor a COMPLETE listing of all medications that you are taking prior to receiving a BOTOX Cosmetic treatment.

Once you stop treatment your frown lines will gradually reappear until they look the same as before you began the BOTOX Cosmetic program.

It is not a permanent cure for your wrinkles!

Credit: Mike Jones of BodyFAQ.com, the health, body & beauty information site. Click here for related information on Liposuction: <a href="http://www.bodyfaq.com/liposuction.html" target="_blank">http://www.bodyfaq.com/liposuction.html</a>

The Truth About Home Made Facials

2009-01-11T02:20:00.001-08:00

I started making facial masks after reading several books on natural cosmetics. Common ingredients used in home made facials are eggs, lemon, milk, honey, cucumber, tomato, essential oils and lots more fruits, herbs and other ingredients.

The assumption I had was that home made cosmetics, being all natural and preservative free were much safer than the commercial masks you found in stores. A wrong assumption. You know the saying. Never assume anything. It makes an ASS of U and ME. Did you know some of the deadliest poisons on earth are 100% natural?

There are complaints about preservatives irritating the skin and all that. That may be true especially for a person with very sensitive skin. But preservatives actually make cosmetics safe to use. Preservatives kill or at very least, inhibit the bacteria, mold, viruses and nasty things that would otherwise thrive in the cosmetics we use. Commercial preparations usually contain some preservative or other to make these products safe for use. Some of the very high end cosmetic formulations are packed in sterile capsules to do away with or at least, minimimize, the need for preservatives.

If you make your own skin care for use later in the week, chances are, unless you are anal about sterilizing everything and freezing every batch once it has cooled, thawing it only when you are going to use it, and keeping your cosmetics away from the raw meat in the freezer, eventually, you could find yourself using contaminated home made cosmetics, which could lead to a skin irritation.

I used to make my own skin care but found all the precautions I had to take such a hassle, now I buy mine off the shelves.

Even if you make your facial products for immediate use, you have to be careful about using only the freshest ingredients. A mouldy fruit or anything that is spoilt can lead to disastrous results on your skin.

Then there is the safety of the ingredients used in your skincare products.

I once told a pharmacist about the lemon remedy I was using on my pimples. She was horrified. Lemons are highly acidic. Lemon juice is pH 2. Sulphuric acid is pH 1. Lemons can cause a nasty acid burn if you are not careful.

We had a discussion about this. She told me about a customer who showed up with an acid burn. Turns out, she had a sunburn. Back in Australia, she would soothe that sunburn by rubbing cut cucumber over her skin. The juices would ease the sunburn. This time around, she was unlucky. The cucumber she used was more acidic than the ones she was used to and she ended up with a really nasty acid burn.

Though cucumber is soothing, cucumber contains Alpha Hydroxy Acids as do most fruit and some of the other ingredients used in homemade beauty recipes.

You see, in home made skin care, the exact chemical makeup of the ingredients you use may vary, leading to unpleasant results if you are unfortunate. That is why, everytime you make any facial mask, test it on the inside of your wrist first, before you let that mask touch your face.

I was lucky. The lemon facial I did helped clear my skin by killing the bacteria, without burning my skin. The pharmacist said I was fool hardy. As did my cousin who has been making her own beauty products for years already.

Lemon can thin the skin. It is so acidic. The pharmacist thought the other things, like the almond meal I mixed with the lemon juice helped neutralize the extreme acidity. Also, when I used freshly squeezed lemon juice directly on my face, I would dilute it with water first.

Yet the books I read with home made beauty recipes often include lemon in their recipes. After all, lemon has lightening properties. Lemon juice is often used to lighten freckles. Lemon was even recommended in a book by a former model, for use as a toner.

Not all ingredients are that dangerous though. Oats is an excellent ingredient for use in soothing facials. That was recommended to me by a doctor. For my toddler's rash. Cooked oats in a bag in the bath water is a home remedy to soothe itchy skin. Here is a facial that uses oats and rose water. <a target="-new" href=http://www.womanht.com/facials/RoseOatsFacial.htm>http://www.womanht.com/facials/RoseOatsFacial.htm</a>

A home made face mask can be as simple as putting some mash fruit your face. <a target="-new" href=http://www.womanht.com/facials/fruity_facials_tried_and_tested.htm>Fruity facials tried and tested</a> outlines such experiments with fruit.

Different skin types require different ingredients. Dry skin can use richer, nourishing ingredients. Really dry skin would love the moisturizing effect of sweet almond oil or olive oil. Oily skin, on the other hand would break out in pimples if you try massaging these oils on your face. What works for your best friend may be disastrous on you.

The easiest thing to do nowadays is to simply buy a great mask for your skin type off the shelf for your home facial. I use commercial masks these days after some disastrous experiments trying to find new ingredients for new home made facial masks for my site. The successful facials were published with at http://www.womanht.com/facials/.

The writer is the writer of the articles in <a target="_new" href="http://www.womanht.com/facials/">Home Made Facials</a>.

What is Spray Tanning?

2009-01-09T22:50:00.001-08:00

How does it work?

How long does it last?

Can I make it last a little longer?

Well, the skin replacement process is unavoidable, but you can increase the lifespan of you tan if you do a few things before beginning the spray tanning process. Here are they:

(1) Moisture your skin with some water-based moisturizer prior to spray tanning. It will help DHA to propagate itself into your skin and will add to tan's lifespan.

(2) Exfoliate - clear your skin's outermost layer from those dead cells that are already about to fall off. The mist will dye only those cells that are supposed to last longer than a few hours.

What about the tan color?

Can spray tanning be dangerous for my health?

Is spray tanning dangerous for my clothes?

Does it leave any odor?

Linda Smith owns <a target="_new" href="http://www.luxurytanning.com">Luxury Tanning.com</a>, a site devoted to the latest in <a target="_new" href="http://www.luxurytanning.com">tanning</a>

7 Steps to Great Makeup

2009-01-08T23:10:00.001-08:00

1. Avoid wearing too much

Makeup is meant to enhance features not bring negative attention to you. That's what wearing too much makeup will do; it will bring you unwanted attention. Don't wear too much of anything such as:

1. Eyeliner: dark, thick eyeliner will make you look overdone and will ruin the rest of your makeup.

2. Mascara: too much mascara looks fake and will flake. It looks especially bad if worn with thick eyeliner or dark blue eye eye shadow.

3. Foundation: Make sure your foundation is the same color as your skin. Foundation is meant to protect and give the face a smooth look. The magic word is blend.

4. Powder: The same holds true for powder - not too much. Also, be sure to blend your makeup so there are no obvious lines.

2. Lips

Apply lip liner to completely cover the lips, add color and your lipstick will stay on much longer. Make sure your lip liner doesn't show. Also, your lip color should match your skin tone; wear cool colors if you have cool coloring and warm colors if you have warm coloring. If you want to make your lips look smaller, keep your liner on the inside of your lips. However, if you decide to make your lips look larger, going outside the natural outline of you lips is a mistake. This can look quite messy and unnatural.

3. Appropriate makeup

Wear makeup that is appropriate for the occasion. If you are going to the beach you shouldn't wear the same or as much makeup as you would if you were going dancing. Also, when you are in daylight your makeup should be a lighter than when you are out for the evening.

4. Too little or no makeup

Some women don't wear makeup because they are not sure how to use it and are afraid of being overdone. If you are unsure, start will light colours in your shade. Start slowly and add one product at a time. Maybe start with foundation, add mascara, blush or lipstick. If you are not used to wearing makeup, using a lot a first may be a little too much for you, so start slowly. The bottom line is a little is better than none. If you are still unsure seek professional advice.

5. Overall look

When your makeup is completed it should look natural. That means avoiding colours that clash. If you have dark skin and hair you will look better in darker shades; light colours will make you look washed out. If your hair and skin tone are light, light colours will look better on you. Dark makeup will make you look older and harsh. If you have oily skin, first use oil control moisturizer and foundation. Then be sure to wear loose powder, keeping pressed powder with you for touch ups.

6. Hair color

Your hair color should also be in harmony with your skin. If you have dark hair and you want to add color, keep it close to the same shade. If you have light hair, use light colors. As you age your skin will lighten, so should your hair color. One last thing about hair color - if you do color you hair be sure you keep it up, don't let your roots show.

7. One last thing

Keep makeup looking fresh all day by doing regular touch ups. Don't let your makeup fade or crease. Smile!!!

Hyaluronic Acid vs. Collagen - A Growing Debate

2009-01-08T13:30:00.001-08:00

The debate continues as to whether Hyaluronic acid or collagen is the best option for facial injections. However, research shows that Hyaluronic acid is rapidly becoming the facial injection of choice.

Hyaluronic acid facial injection, Restylane, is one of only two FDA approved injections for the treatment of facial wrinkles around the nose and mouth. The other two are the collagen injection for correcting soft tissue deficiencies such as wrinkles and acne scars and botulinum toxin (Botox) for treating frown lines between the eyebrows. However, in a pivotal clinical study of Hyaluronic acid, results indicated that Hyaluronic acid is a safer and more effective option than collagen.

The clinical study included 138 patients who received the Restylane Hyaluronic acid injection on one side of the face and bovine collagen injections on the other side. Most patients in the studies required one injection, while one third needed more than one injection. The Hyaluronic acid injection produced a lower incidence of redness than the collagen injections.

Further research indicates that the possibility of allergic reactions in patients who use Hyaluronic acid is much lower than in patients who use collagen. Allergic reactions are possible in 3% to 4% of patients who use collagen and very, very rarely in patients who receive Hyaluronic acid injections. The reason lies in the fact that injectable collagen is derived from animals principally from cow hides and pig skins. Hyaluronic acid injections are not animal derived and thus do not contain animal protein which can cause allergic reactions in humans.

Lastly, Hyaluronic acid injections last much longer than collagen injections. Hyaluronic acid injections can last for as long as 6-12 months while collagen only lasts for about 3-4 months. Thus, between increased safety, effectiveness and results, it appears as if Hyaluronic acid is poised to become the wrinkle filler, lip plumper and fine line killer of choice in today's highly competitive cosmetic surgery market.

<a target="_new" href="http://www.E-Hyaluronicacid.com">Hyaluronic Acid Resource</a> is dedicated to promoting an understanding of Hyaluronic acid, a major ingredient in many medical and anti-aging therapies and to highlighting places where you can safely purchase Hyaluronic acid products. For more information go to <a target="_new" href="http://www.E-Hyaluronicacid.com">E-Hyaluronicacid.com</a>

Novelty Contact Lenses are Fun if Used Safely

2009-01-08T12:10:00.001-08:00

It must be Halloween or you are in a play if you are thinking about buying novelty contact lenses. Quite a few of the special effects that are shown in the movies are done with these special costume contact lenses. They can be really enticing to wear because they certainly are different, but they must be used safely and with caution. Some of the styles and ways you can wear them are:

? Put on a black cat suit and one of the different styles and colors of cat eyes

? Dress in red with a fork and wear devil lenses

? Put on a tuxedo and wear vampire lenses

? Make your eyes appear red or black with total coverage

? If you want to support your favorite NFL team, you can get contacts that display your team name

? You can look like a reptile with a green lens and a black vertical slit going through it

? A whimsical lens would be a smiley face, flower, or dollar signs

? Contact lenses that feature flames would be fun for a devil costume

? Lenses can change color if when exposed to a black light so they would be even more noticeable at a club

? Show your patriotism with an American flag, or the Union Jack.

? There are eye drops that you can put in your eye to make them appear dead

? What kind of animal do you want to look like? How about a cat, jaguar, zebra, wolf or reptile?

? A novelty contact lens used in one eye only would look really scary or funky.

? These are only a few of the wild choices that you can find online from a reputable dealer or from your eye care professional.

There is a down side to the use of novelty lenses. All of the costume lenses on the market are seen by the FDA as medical devices so you must have a prescription to buy them. They do not carry any kind of corrective prescription; it is just as though they were a plain pair of glasses with fake lenses in them. Black market contacts have been more places than ever before. You might find the novelty lenses in a gas station, flea market, or salon. If you get them from somewhere other than a reputable distributor, you could be inviting serious permanent eye injury. Definitely stay away from those lenses because you just can't put your eyes at such risk. They can also present a danger because many of the styles limit the amount of light that enters the eye. Your peripheral vision may also be restricted, causing problems while driving or even walking.

Novelty contact lenses can be safe to wear as long as you follow the guidelines from your eye care professional. Never swap lenses with your friends. If they aren't fitted specifically for you, they can cause eye injury and will be very uncomfortable to wear. You wouldn't do that with corrective contacts and you shouldn't do that with these. Clean them just as you would other lenses, and don't sleep or swim in them. If you get a proper prescription from your eye doctor and get them from a reputable dealer, you should be able to have fun with the lenses and create the theatrical or scary look you are trying to achieve.

Bifocal Contact Lenses

2009-01-07T16:10:00.001-08:00

Anyone who has needed prescription bifocal glasses in the past waited for years in order to be able to wear bifocal contact lenses. Bifocal contact lenses are now more than a wish for anyone who ever wanted to shed their bifocal glasses for the convenience and look of contacts. All bifocal contact lenses are designed to provide corrected vision to people who have a condition that is known as presbyopia. Presbyopia is farsightedness resulting from a reduced ability to focus caused by loss of elasticity of the crystalline lens with age and requires those who have it to wear bifocal contact lenses.

People who required something like bifocal contact lenses will often have to hold reading material or other reading material closer to the eyes in order to make out the words. Just about every maker of bifocal contact lenses is available in either a soft contact lens or a gas permeable contact lens. The latest in bifocal contact lens technology and development also allow contact lens wearers to choose disposable contact lenses that can be replaced after wearing them for just a short time. Some of the disposable contact lenses allow users to have new bifocal contact lenses for each day of the week.

Bifocal contact lenses are made similar to the way bifocal glasses were designed to offer wearers two different visions when looking in a particular direction. Bifocal contact lenses have two different strengths that correct nearsighted vision and farsighted vision. Each time a person puts on their bifocal contact lenses, he or she may take some time to get used to the way the two different powers blend when viewing various distances, but the eye adjusts quickly and any contrasting or blurred areas will be differentiated in no time.

Bifocal contact lenses can be made in different designs including concentric, alternating and simultaneous vision styles. Bifocal contact lenses that are made with the concentric design have the center part of the lens with the distance power and the outside portion of the lens has the closer power. Bifocal contact lenses that are made with the alternating vision style are quite similar to the way traditional bifocal eyeglasses are made with a line separating the two powers into the top half and the bottom half of the lens. Bifocal contact lenses made with the simultaneous vision style places the center of the lens over the cornea so that the two powers are split over the pupil and the eye trains itself to tell the difference between the powers that accommodate the proper vision necessary.

About The Author: Kevin Lynch is the owner of <A target="_new" href="http://www.nu-contact-lenses.com">nu Contact Lenses</a> website, which have tons of resources with a variety of information, news and more.

Fuller Lips Without Injections or Surgery?

2009-01-07T13:10:00.001-08:00

Once again, very full lips are one of the most sought after "assets", thanks in large part to a very popular and sexy actress that seems to appeal to both men and women. Plastic surgeons say the most often requested lips they would like to imitate are Angelina Jolie's. And who can blame them? You can't deny the sensuality and femininity of a full pair of lips. Lips that are fuller can really balance out the face, and add to the attractiveness and symmetry of the overall facial structure. Full, soft looking lips seem to compliment and soften any woman's face and bring out their most feminine, sensual and sultry features.

You may be one of the lucky women who has been blessed with a perfectly pouty and full smile, but if you're reading this article you are probably seeking to enlarge, enhance, or otherwise increase the volume and fullness of your lips. But who really has the money or inclination to go have a costly, and many times painful, procedure performed which may not even produce permanent results? Not to mention, most of these procedures are, in fact, not permanent, and do require recurring visits every six months.

This can really add up, and the results may not even be as natural as you desire. So the question is, if you want fuller, larger, sexier lips, what are your nonsurgical choices, if any that are safe AND effective?

It seems like every day a new cosmetics company is popping up on the internet claiming to have the one lip enlargement product that really works. How are you to tell which of these lip enhancement products really lives up to it's claims? We all know that most of them probably are just a waste of good money. Most lip enlargement creams, gels and glosses work by actually irritating the outer layer of cells, causing it to swell slightly and turn a deeper color. Other lip enhancers use light reflection through high shine or gloss to trick the eye and make the lips appear fuller. Most of these do not result in any truly noticeable difference to the naked eye, and do not last more than one hour.

There are a few products that have been shown to help increase moisture and volume over time with repeated use (for reviews and suggestions http://www.cosmeticsgalore.com/best-cosmetics-online-reviews.html ). Do not expect a dramatic increase by the use of these products alone though. The best, most dramatic natural lip enlargement can be achieved through combining the use a quality topical lip product along with a lip enlargement pump. A lip enlargement pump is a small hand-held device that gently suctions the lips outward, pulling fliud in to the lips and creating a dramatically fuller set of lips for a few hours at a time. They are inexpensive, and you only need to buy it once and you're done. I do however recommend you purchase a few so you have one for home and one for on the road. The best part about this device is that, over time and with regular use, you will notice your lip size really has increased, even after the initial effect of lip "plumping" has worn off.

One word of caution though, if the pump is used for too long with each individual treatment, or the suction is too vigorous and severe, it will cause your lips to bruise. So start slow, and be sure you are not in discomfort as this is a sign the lips may bruise. Be cautious and mindful of this, and stick to the recommended treatment times. If the suction is too much, reduce the pressure by releasing the nozzle until it is a comfortable "tugging" sensation. This device is truly a great way to achieve a dramatic increase in lip size, and is a great "special occasion" beauty tool. It is a Hollywood standby for photo shoots and a favorite trick of models and actresses to get the lips extra plump and full.

Another tip for maintaining moisture and fullness of the lips, besides using a good lip enhancer and a lip pump (if so desired for dramatic effects), is to keep you body hydrated. Be sure to drink plenty of water at all times, and be sure to apply your lip product whenever it wears off. Keeping the lips hydrated is part of the trick to keeping them as full and flushed as possible, so they stand out, instead of blending in with the rest of your face. Avoid dehydrating ingredients such as mint and camphor.

Here's an interesting fact: Did you know that your lips actually get fuller during the times of your monthly cycle when estrogen levels are elevated? You may have thought you were imagining that your lips are fuller during certain times of the month - but you weren't!

So, now you know that you really can achieve fuller lips without the surgery and injections. As long as you are dilligent in administering the treatments as recommended, and choose the best products, you are on your way to a perfectly full, soft set of lips!

Danna Schneider is the webmaster of the beauty and makeup product review and advice website CosmeticsGalore.com <a target="_new" href="http://www.cosmeticsgalore.com">http://www.cosmeticsgalore.com</a> and her new dedicated natural breast-enhancement site <a target="_new" href="http://www.natural-breast-guide.com">http://www.natural-breast-guide.com</a>. - providing reviews and research on everything from natural breast enhancement and lip enhancement products and cellulite treatments to self tanners, acne treatments, and makeup.

She is a cosmetics and beauty product researcher and enthusiast.

Makeup Artist Tricks of the Trade - Skincare Advice and Makeup for Your Wedding or Special Event

2009-01-06T20:40:00.001-08:00

Skincare - in preparation to your wedding this should be an essential part of your planning its just as important as choosing the right venue or dress, as all eyes will be on you and your bridal party so you want to look and feel great!

There are so many products out there that we are bombarded with choice. A salon is usually a good place to start as you can talk to someone who has specifically trained in skincare and will use a high quality range of products.

If you're not doing it already cleansing and toning the skin is an important step in maintaining a healthy skin. Soaps tend to dry the skin out and are a fantastic breeding ground for bacteria, so avoid using on your skin and go for a gentler option such as a foaming face wash or face wipes if you want a quick cleanse.

Along with this, part of your everyday ritual should include twice daily moisturising even if your skin is oily you still should use a good moisturiser but one with a mattifying effect, which can help to control excess sebum production.

The day before the wedding make sure you exfoliate the skin so there is a good base to work on. Exfoliating gets rid of excess dead skin cells which cling to the surface and prevent your products from doing their job as effectively. Your makeup will look much better on a smoother skin. Makeup - Choosing the right makeup is the next step.

What colours should you get and what will last?

I would always recommend using a qualified beauty therapist/makeup artist for your wedding as from experience many brides have found it a great help. A trial should be offered so you can view the products and the makeup will be applied therefore you can see what the finished look will be for your special day. A general rule that older members of the bridal party such as the mother of the bride should go for a light base nothing too heavy which may draw attention to fine lines and matte eye shadows. The bride can choose from many different looks, matte and flawless, the dewy look for a healthy natural appearance. When having the makeup done on the day it is fun and helps your morning run smoothly so when you are all made up you feel confident and ready to go.

If you decide to do your own makeup then you can have a makeup lesson to learn some of the tricks of the trade. Here are just a few, use a daker blusher in a tan colour under the cheekbones to lift them and make them appear higher and deeper ( I call this the cheekbone effect. Apply eyeshadow with a damp brush for longer wear and stronger colour for precise application. The best foundation I have come across during my time as a makeup artist has such a flawless finish but doesn't look heavy or caked, it covers redness and is also water resistant. A foundation like this is ideal for brides as being perspiration proof when you get hot in the evening dancing the night away your skin will still look perfect.

If booking a makeup artist always plan ahead these services get booked quite far in advance as do popular venues and other wedding services. Have fun preparing for your wedding and its a great excuse to get on top of a good skincare regime.

Lucy Orrey fully qualified beauty therapist/mobile makeup artist to Surrey and west Sussex RIPHH BTEC ND BABTAC For more advice , products available, wedding packages and treatments visit <a target="_new" href="http://www.harmonyinbeauty.co.uk">http://www.harmonyinbeauty.co.uk</a>

Color Contact Lenses - an Easy Way to Change Your Look!

2009-01-06T20:23:00.000-08:00

Want to change something about your appearance? How about your eye color? You would be amazed how eye color affects your image. Find out what color contacts can do for your appearance and see how to get the best out of them

Color contact lenses options

Enhancement contact lenses are designed to enhance the color of light eyes. They don't change your color, but give your eyes a light blue, aqua or green tint. Enhancement color lenses make your eye color brighter and more defined.

The most popular enhancement color contacts are Acuvue 2 Colors Enhancers by Johnson & Johnson and Freshlook Dimensions by Ciba Vision. Freshlook Radiance is also a very interesting design; these lenses create an illuminating effect. Enhancement color contacts only work on light eyes; on dark eyes they will not have any effect at all.

Opaque color contacts completely change the color of your eyes. They work equally well for light and dark eyes. Even if you have a very dark brown eyes, opaque color contacts like Freshlook Colorblends can transform your color into sapphire blue or jade green.

The color of an opaque color lens isn't solid - it has an imprinted pattern that simulates the natural pattern of a human eye. High quality opaque color contacts like Acuvue 2 Color opaque or Freshlook Colorblends look very realistic. People would be amazed by what beautiful blue, green or amethyst eyes you have.

Costume color contacts are always Halloween favorites. While the contacts mentioned above are designed to give your eyes a different but realistic looking color, costume lenses can give you cat's eyes or werewolf eyes, while complete whiteouts are perfect for the effect of blind eyes. And who said that you can only wear costume color contacts for a costume party? It can be a real fun to wear them when going to the club, or just at school or work with otherwise ordinary clothes. With a pair of cat's eyes, you are guaranteed to be noticed.

Most costume contacts only cover the color area of your eye. However, there are also scleral color contacts that cover the visible portion of your eye. Scleral lenses can produce unbelievable effects. The most popular costume contacts are Crazy Lenses by Cooper Vision and Wild Eyes by Ciba Vision.

All brand-name color and costume contact lenses are available with corrective powers as well as in plano (no correction) This means that if your eyesight isn't perfect and you wear corrective contact lenses anyway, you can get color lenses with corrective powers and kill two birds with one stone.

Color contact lenses wearing advice

<li>You should follow the same rules as for regular contact lenses - wash your hands before putting color lenses in, clean the lenses each time you use them and store them in a contact lens case in a special solution.</li> <li>Color lenses are like your tooth or hair brash, and should not be shared with other people</li> <li>You should put your make-up on after the lenses are in. If you use hairspray, do it before you put the lenses in, or shut your eyes very tightly while spraying.</li> <li>Use only a mild multipurpose solution for cleaning your color contacts; never use</li> peroxide based solutions. And don't rub the lenses - it can damage the color</li> <li>If you don't wear your lenses often, change the solution they are stored in at least once a week</li> <li>Don't wear your color contacts for longer than 8 hours at a time</li>

Your eyes and your hair are probably the two things most people notice first. And with color contacts you can have any eye color you want. Try them, and I am sure you will see many men turning their heads when you pass.

Tanya Turner is a contact lens expert and a founder of <a target="_new" href="http://www.1-contact-lenses-consumer-guide.com/"> Contact Lenses Consumer Guide</a>, which provides you with information about all types of contact lenses including <a target="_new" href="http://www.1-contact-lenses-consumer-guide.com/color-contacts.html">color contact lenses photos and reviews</a>

A Review of Popular Sunless Tanning Products

2009-01-06T00:10:00.001-08:00

When the weather starts to warm up and the days get longer, we are all drawn outdoors to enjoy the sun. Many will recall seemingly endless hours outdoors, soaking up the sun's rays without a care.

Unfortunately, sunbathing isn't as carefree an activity as it used to be. These days, there's more to worry about, such as premature aging, scarring and blemishes, or even skin cancer. With so many options for sunless tanning, finding the best sunless tanning products and methods can be confusing.

In terms of coverage, consistency of color, and follow up care of the tan, spray booth tanning is a good bet. Though it can be costly, and the convenience of home application is lost, many people report high levels of satisfaction from spray tanning. Fantasy Tan and Mist-On Tan are two popular systems. Costs will vary by region and depending on the facility.

Other products touted among the best sunless tanning are Bain de Soleil Tinted Self Tanner Foam (medium) for its quality of color and duration of the tan, and Bain de Soleil Faces Tinted Self Tanning Cr?me for its ease and smoothness of application and duration of the tan. Though considered high in cost, these are quality cosmetics, according to some.

Coppertone Sunless Tanner Spray (dark) is popular, because it is a spray, and it is applied in the home. No need for a salon visit. This product is appreciated for the quality of the tan, the ease of application (the spray mechanism doesn't clog,) and how long the resulting tan lasts.

Sunless tanning is a large and growing industry, with advances being made regularly in blend and technology. There are products for every budget and lifestyle. The best sunless tanning is UV free, convenient, and looks great! Best of all, no one has to know where that beautiful tan came from!

Skin Type - Do You Know Yours?

2009-01-05T19:40:00.001-08:00

In order to care for your skin properly you must first determine the type of skin you have. There are 5 types of skin: Normal, Dry, Oily, Combination and Problem Skin.

Normal:

The skin is soft, supple and smooth. It is fine-textured and free of blemishes (with the exception of periodic blemishes). It has a nice glow and never feels oily or dry. Less than twenty percent of women have this skin type. If this is your skin type you are fortunate; however, this does not mean that you shouldn't take care of it.

Dry:

This type of skin to has a fine texture and is transparent looking. It feels tight and drawn without moisturizer and tends to have fine lines around the eyes and mouth. It feels especially dry after washing and may have whiteheads around the eyes and dry patches. This type of skin needs proper care because it shows signs of aging early.

Oily:

The oily complexion is greasy, sallow and course. It has large pores and tends to have pimples, blackheads and whiteheads. Within hours of washing the oiliness will reappear and makeup is usually absorbed quickly.

Combination:

This type of skin is oily in the T zone and the rest of the face is dry. The T zone is the forehead, nose and chin. The extent to which both areas are dry and oily may vary; however, both areas require a separate cleaning routine to restore them to balance.

Problem Skin:

Problem skin is usually oily and has a course texture and is subject to acne. It has large pores, blackheads, red blotches and may become more irritated under stress. If the problem is serious it will require the assistance of a dermatologist.

There are also 2 skin conditions that may occur either together or separately and may occur with any skin type. These are sensitive and allergic conditions. If when applying skin care products you begin to sneeze, wheeze, itch or breakout you are probably allergic. Skin that appears thin, pale and flushes easily and may be sensitive and be subject to allergies. If this is the case, treat your skin gently and use hypoallergenic products.

About The Author

Sheila Dicks is a wardrobe and image consultant who teaches women how to look slimmer by dressing to suit their body type. Visit her at <a href="http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com" target="_new">http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com</a> to download a copy of her e-book Image Makeovers and get How to Build a Wardrobe free.

<a href="mailto:sheila@sheilasfashionsense.com">sheila@sheilasfashionsense.com</a>

Want to Try on That New Hair Style Before You Get It?

2009-01-05T08:30:00.000-08:00

Hair Styles Cuts And Dos Review:

Description: Hair Style Editor, Photo Uploading, Hair Style Gallery with 3,950 photos of short, medium, long, and updo photos for women.

Subscription Price: $9.99

Subscription Term: Annual

Payments Accepted: Visa, Mastercard, Secure connection

Current Number of Members: 25,291

User-Friendly: Yes

Guarantees: Satisfaction guaranteed! If you don't like it, you get a refund! If for any reason within 30 days, you are not satisfied with your membership we will refund your money, no questions asked ! There's no risk involved, don't like it then just ask for your money back. It's that simple!

Strengths Extensive Hair Styles Galleries, Ebook on hair advice, 1 year membership, Satisfaction Guaranteed, Very quick- find a new hair style in 5 minutes

Introduction

Advertising and promotional material for this website focuses on uploading a photo and trying on various hair styles. When I first logged in to the members area, the first thing that got my attention was the incredible amounts of hair style photos for very short, short, medium, long and updo hair styles. An immediate sense of relaxation came over me. If I couldn't find a good hair style among the thousands, well then there there just wasn't any hope.

There is also an extra E-book included in the membership that is barely mentioned on the web site. This E-book is great! It is a list of hair care tips and advice from a top hair designer in England. It covers all sorts of topics, such as how to select a hair designer, how to select a new hair style, various styling tips and tricks and what to do when your home hair color didn't turn out so great. This E-book has valuable information that everyone can use. I read every page of it--almost 100 pages total.

Hair Style Galleries

I quickly browsed through all the galleries, looking at all the different hair styles with different hair colors, textures, volume and even highlights. There are no photos of men's hair styles, ethnic or african-american women hair styles. The photos are all optimized to load quickly, so there is no time wasted waiting for photos to load. If you find a photo that you like you can click on it to enlarge it and even print a copy to take to your hair stylist. Printing the updo photos are especially helpful if you are looking for prom, bridal or formal hair styles. There is also the option to save the hair style photos that you really like in your favorites so you can play a slide show of them later.

Hair Style Editor

After browsing all the hair style photos, I move on to the hair style editor part of the website where I am told I can upload a photo of myself and try on some hair styles. The instructions to upload are very straightforward and I upload a photo of myself within minutes (it might have even been seconds). The photo that you upload should be taken against a plain white background and you should probably pull back most of your hair so it doesn't hang in your face.

Once you have uploaded your photo, you enter the hair style editor where there are four tools at your disposal.

Color Palette - allows you to change the color of your chosen style

Mask Pad - allows you to mask the undesired details on your photo prior to trying on different hair styles. For example, you may want to remove long hair that appears in a photo or the background of the photo

Size Tool - allows you to modify the size and proportions of the hair style you select

Trash Tool - allows you to remove the modifications that you just made without having to start over

First, I masked my photo so that only my face shape was showing. By the way, this is a great way to figure out your face shape! The masking takes a little bit of expertise with the mouse. If you are switching categories, for example, going from medium hair styles to long hair styles, you must re-mask your face again. You can change the width of the mask tool to make it a little easier closer to the face. After masking, I went to the category selector which allows you to browse thru and try on hair styles in the five categories, very short, short, medium, long and updo hair styles.

Once you find a hair style you want to try on, you just click on it and drag it to your photo. It automatically loads. Then you can move it around a bit to make it fit right on your head. After you are done adjusting the size and color of the hair style, you can print it or save it as one of your favorites to view later. The photo that you get with the selected hair style is obviously computer-generated, but it does give you a glimpse of what the hair style would look like on you. For example, I have been wanting to add some bangs to my current hair style. When I tried on the hair style with bangs, it didn't look very good at all. I think I have decided to skip the full bangs for now and maybe go with just a few long whispy looking bangs.

Conclusion

Hair Styles Cuts and Dos is an immediate relief for anyone desperately looking for examples of any type of hair style. You can literally find a new hair style in 5 minutes!! The hair style editor is also a great tool to try on various hair styles and get an idea of how they will look on you. The extra E-book is full of tips and advice for hair, tons more than you would find in any magazine.

Typically a lot of women go and buy a bunch of magazines when they want to find a new hair style. If you consider the price of a magazine alone- between 3-5$-- and the fact that you don't always find the style you want in just one magazine, the price for admission at Hair Styles Cuts and Dos - currently $9.99 for a whole year ---is well worth it

The Hair Styler Review

Description: Online virtual hairstyling with over 2000 hairstyles and 53 color choices to try, online hair consultation, face shape info

Subscription Price: $14.99

Subscription Term 6 months

Payments Accepted: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Bankcard, Diners, Secure transactions

User-Friendly Yes

Guarantees:TheHairStyler.com guarantees* that upon the fee being paid to us, a member will be able to use TheHairStyler.com website for a total period of 6 months to view all available hairstyles using their own uploaded image or a Model image supplied by TheHairStyler.com. Strengths: Celebrity hair styles, men hair styles, description and maintenance routine of hair styles, hairstyle articles, face shape information

Introduction

There is a demo version of the software on the site for you to try out. The demo shows a selection of hair styles and how you can try them on. Also available to visitors for free is the hairstyles consultation. You answer some basic questions about your face, age, height, skin color, hair density, generer, eye color, etc. and then the hairstyle consultation comes back with some recommendations for you to try out. It also has several styles to avoid. Several hairstyle articles are also free for visitors to the site. Some of them cover celebrity hair styles, recent trends and other hair related articles. The freebies on the site are very useful.

Membership

Once you become a member, you have access to the entire selection of hair styles and you can load your own photo into the hair styler software. Be sure to upload a good photo with your hair pulled back off your face and a white background. If you are unable to upload photos on your computer, you can send your photo to The Hair Styler and they will do it for you. Uploading a photo takes about 10 seconds and you are allowed to upload as many photos as you want in the six-month membership. Once your photo is there you can go and try on hair styles in the 7 different categories Celebrity, Everyday, Formal/Bridal, Classic, Mens, Alternative and Dreadlocks.

After you upload your photo you go to a section where you determine your face shape. The face shapes are Oval, Round, Oblong, Heart, Square, Diamond and Triangular. The example face shapes are very easy to place on your photo. Determining your face shape is a breeze!! After your face shape is determined you have to line up the eyes in the diagram to your own eyes and adjust the color of the photo as needed. Next you move on to try on different hair styles

The Celebrity category is broken down further into various female, black female, classic female, various male, black male, classic male and celebrity search. There is a large list of celebrity hair styles to choose from and if this is what you are after, The Hair Styler is your place!! Descriptions for the different hair styles are very useful. They include info on how long it will take to style that particular hair style, what hair care products you will need and what face shape and hair texture the style is suited for.

Everyday hairstyles are broken down into texture- with straight, wavy and curly as choices, and length- short, medium and long are choices. Formal/Bridal categories include UpCurls, UpSmooth, DownCurls, and DownSmooth. If you are looking for prom or bridal hair styles, this section will give you quite a few ideas for your special event. The descriptions for the hair styles are very helpful, giving you suggestions on styling, hair care products to use and how long the style will last.

The Classic and Dreadlock categories are not broken down any further and the Mens hairstyles choices are short, long and conservative. The face model for the mens hairstyles is still the women model, but if you upload a mans photo you will get a good idea of how the hair style will look.

In every category there is the option to save or print the hairstyle photo that you like. When you print the hairstyle it prints not only the hair style you like, but also the directions, hair care products to use, what face shape the style is recommended for and the time required to style that particular hair style. This is all very useful info that you can bring to your hair stylist.

Conclusion

The Hair Styler has many features that are helpful for selecting a new hair style. The hairstyles are realistic looking when they are loaded on your photo and the site is constantly updated with new hair fashions. The system is easy to use and no complicated sofware is needed, only an internet connection. Since The Hair Styler goes into face shapes and has many different categories, it may take you a little time to find what you are looking for. But the time is well invested with lots of useful hair style information that will help you with your hair style now and in the future.

Stellure Review

Description: 3D Hair Style Studio, Photo Uploading, Face Shape Info, 3D Model of Your Face

Subscription Price: 3 Levels

Sampler: Free Trial

Figure: $19.95 6 months

Reflect: $34.95 12 months

Lifetime:$49.95 Never pay again!

Payments Accepted: Visa, Mastercard, Delta with Secure connection

User-Friendly: Yes

Strengths Realistic 3D Models, Can get customized 3D face model, Satisfaction Guaranteed, Monthly Newsletter, Value pricing, Articles on hair styles, Oscar fashion, prom hair fashions

Introduction

Stellure is a relatively new site that offers hair imaging in three dimensions. It differentiates itself from other imaging programs because of the very realistic 3D aspect. Currently they have the first batch of 151 hair styles loaded in the system. They are adding a lifelike color tinting system soon and they have just negotiated a deal that will give them access to large volumes of top quality fashion and classic hairstyles. As more and more hairstyles are added, the membership prices will be going up. The best value at this time is the lifetime membership as it gives you the benefits of the increased catalogue at a much lower price. And, let's face it, examining your hair style and trying to find new ones is a lifelong activity.

The Hair Style Studio

Joining Stellure is quick, easy and secure. Depending on what type of membership you have selected, you can view hair styles on a stand in model or upload photos of yourself for Stellure to create your own 3D model to view hair styles. For the purposes of this review, we went with the customized 3D model. There are detailed instructions on the site for taking the photographs. You will need a front view and a side view. If you have scanner it is very easy to take a regular photo and scan it in for uploading. If you don't own a scanner, you could probably go to your local photo processing center and have it done for you.

Before you get started with the hairstyles, you are directed to the face shape wizard to help you determine which one your face fits into. The wizard loads very quickly and asks you several questions about the dimensions of your face. After you have answered everything, the wizard tells you your face shape. This is important information since all of the hairstyles come with descriptions that detail which face shape they are suited for. There is also a link to style advice in the members area to specific style advice for your face shape.

We opted for the Reflect membership where we would get our own customized 3D face model. We had two photographs taken of one of our staff members, one front view and one side view. Once we uploaded the two photos in the Stellure member area, we received an Email in less than 24 hours that the 3D model was ready. (They do state on the website that the 3D models will be finished in 48 hours or less). Once your 3D model is finished, you will get a list of recommended hair styles for your face shape and then you can go to the hair style studio to try them on.

To try on a hair style you simply click on the style and it will show up on your face model. You can set the face model to spin clockwise, counterclockwise or you can click on any of 12 different angles to view the hair style. The hair styles and face models are very realistic looking and the 3D view gives you a very good idea of what the selected hair style will look like from the back. The back view of a hair style is probably the most often ignored view of any hair style and the 3D spinning face model allows you to see the back from a very different perspective.

As you try on different hair styles, you can get styling information by selecting the small i on the menu, you can print the hair style and you can save it in your favourites to view later. When you print a hair style, you will get a front view, back view and a view from each side. The detailed description is included in the printout. Information such as suitable lengths, length descriptions, suitable densities, face shapes, trim period, texture description, styling instructions, maintenance level and styling time. These are all very important factors to consider when considering a new hair style. If a hair style you like requires 30 minutes to style every morning and you do not have that kind of time, then you will probably not be very happy with your results.

There is a search function that will allow you to search by category, face shape, hair density and hair length. Categories include: Latest, Classic, Glamour/Evening, Formal/Bridal, Easy Care and Updo. Face Shapes include Oval, Rectangle, Square, Round, Heart, Pear and Diamond. Hair Density includes Thin, Medium, Thick and Hair Length selections are Short, Medium and Long.

In addition to the hair style studio, you will receive a monthly newsletter that discusses the most current hair style fashion and how to get it. This is great info if you want your hair to be in fashion. And, if you can't find the hair style you are looking for, you can actually request it.

Conclusion

The fact that the technology used to develop the 3D Hair Style Studio at Stellure is patent pending says a lot about the high quality of the program. Most hair imaging programs offer just the front view of the hair style and Stellure offers a 3D look at selected hair styles with either a stand in model or your very own face model. It factors in your face shape information and offers suggestions for selecting a new hair style The results are very realistic and as more and more hair styles are added to the Hair Style Studio, this subscription based program will be the place to go if you want to find a new hair style and see how it will look on you.

Perriann Rodriguez is the author of the recently published 2005's Most Popular Hair Extensions, available at <a target="_new" href="http://www.hairresources.net">http://www.hairresources.net.</a> She is also the founder of <a target="_new" href="http://www.hairresources.com">http://www.hairresources.com</a>, the center for World Class Hair Styles + Beauty Salons. Perriann is listed in the 2004 Who's Who of Executives and Professionals and the U.S. Register of American Writers.

Get Back that White Bright Smile with the Teeth Whitening Systems at Home

2009-01-04T12:50:00.001-08:00

7 Tips to Keep Your Skin Looking Great

2009-01-04T10:40:00.001-08:00

1. Healthy Food: Keep your skin fresh and glowing by eating antioxidant-rich foods. Choose foods that are bright in color, such as broccoli, carrots, blueberries and tomatoes. When you eat healthy and exercise regularly you are much more likely to have great skin.

2. Sunburn Treatment: First to avoid the chance of sunburn always use a sun block that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. If you are unfortunate and get sunburn, take a bath in lukewarm water using a moisturizing bath product such as Aveeno. Follow with a moisturizer.

3. Help for Rough Hands: Use Mary Kay, Satin Hands. It has an exfoliant and a moisturizer that leaves hands feeling ever so soft. Or, apply an extra emollient cream at night and then slip on a pair of cotton gloves and you'll wake up with hands that feel much softer.

4. Eliminate Bumpy skin: If your skin feels rough (has little bumps) use a body scrub once a week and you will feel a difference.

5. Get rid of Back Pimples: If you get pimples on your back try a body wash that is make for acne (such as Clearasil) and watch your acne disappear.

6. No More Pillow Marks: To avoid waking up with creases on your face use a satin pillowcase. A satin pillowcase is also a great trick to keep your hair in place.

7. Skin that feels fresh: If you have a problem keeping the shine off your face during the summer and your face feels greasy by noon, change your cleanser and/or moisturizer to oil controlling.

Sheila Dicks is an Image and Wardrobe consultant who helps women learn how to dress to suit their body type and look fabulous. You can reach her at <a target="_new" href="http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com">http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com</a> and get the Free Report " 7 Things Your Girlfriends Won't Tell You About Beauty and Fashion".

Indoor Tanning Beds - All You Wanted to Know!

2009-01-04T02:40:00.001-08:00

So you are nearing the end of your search for the formula to look the modern day Adonis or Helen. Good news. Your search stops right here with Indoor tanning beds!! Read on to know more about indoor tanning beds, tanning accessories and purchase options for your tanning beds.

Of all the possible options of indoor tanning beds, the horizontal format i.e. the lying bed is more prevalent than the vertical format i.e. the standing bed. You will find that most retailers selling residential tanning beds deal mainly with the horizontal tanning bed only. There are various pros and cons attributed to each form of use and one should be fully aware of both before making a purchase decision. Also, Indoor tanning beds make for a sizable investment so it's best that you understand the long term costs associated with owning one before taking any step forward.

The most common reason of purchase among people owning an indoor tanning bed is the degree of convenience that it has lent to their lifestyle. You can use it when you want it, how you want it, how often you want it, and all this at your own time schedules. Plus today, you are spoilt for choice, be it tanning bed lights, lotions or even pillows. With such a wide range of product availability, more and more satisfied indoor tanning bed users are starting each day looking better than they ever did before.

In any such high investment decisions, it makes sense to scout the market for tanning bed deals, discount options, installment schemes or even used tanning beds for sale. A word of caution here: Never compromise quality with cost as the risks involved far outweigh the benefit of having saved a few extra dollars. It helps to get just as wee bit technical, understand the kind of bulbs used, the recommended exposure, pre-usage and post-usage directions to ensure that your experience is truly safe and satisfying.

Visit our articles section at <a target="_new" href="http://www.tanningwonders.com/articles_1.html">Tanning Articles and Resources</a> for more such practical tanning advice and tips.

? 2005,Yaksha Patel. This article is courtesy of <a target="_new" href="http://www.tanningwonders.com">Tanning Wonders - Making Tanning work for you!</a>

You may publish it at no cost, as long as the links are left intact, made live, and this notice stays in place.

7 Tips to Help You Avoid Buying a Destructive Soap or Cleanser if You Have a Skin Problem

2009-01-04T02:10:00.001-08:00

Psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema, and any other skin problems are irritated very easily by most soaps. As a former psoriasis sufferer I would estimate I tried at least 30 different soaps hoping that would cure my psoriasis. I later discovered I was wrong and my psoriasis was only irritated from soap, but soap was not the cause of it.

If you have any form of a skin problem you may have feared taking a shower or bathing because of the dry, painful itch, and film left by using a commercially produced bar soap. Why is that? What causes the itch left by a bar soap and is there any way to cope?

Here are some tips to buying a better soap or cleanser that may not irritate your skin:

1. Glycerin is a good moisturizer. Glycerin is known to moisturize from the inside out, pulling in moisture from the outside environment. It's typically found in better quality, more expensive soaps like a hand made soap or good cleanser. Lower grade, commercially produced soaps usually remove the glycerin and use more cost effective chemicals which are much more destructive to the skin.

2. Avoid any soaps that are granular. Granular soaps are terribly too abrasive for the skin of acne, psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis sufferers. This abrasive soap may be okay to wash motor oil off your hands but not to scrub the acne-prone skin on your face.

I had acne as a teen and believed I could scrub long enough to remove dead skin cells to let my pores "breathe". It took little time to discover this was only irritating my skin. If you have beautiful, blemish-free skin a granular soap may not be harmful. However, gentle is the key for anyone who has any form of blemish or sensitive condition like psoriasis, eczema, or dermatitis.

3. Tea Tree Oil and Eucalyptus are terrific for cleansing. Tea tree oil is considered to have some of the best natural antiseptic / antifungal properties in the world. Eucalyptus oil has been shown to fight infection-causing bacteria, fungi, and viruses very effectively.

The reason I have found tea tree oil and eucalyptus to be so powerful in helping my psoriasis was because both were natural and complemented my skin. Far too many chemicals are added into many commercial soaps today that do their job of cleaning but strip away the skins natural moisturizers as well.

Although I no longer have psoriasis, I still use a specific blend of aloe, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil in a concentrated cleanser. Email me and I will tell you what it is and where to purchase it. (I don't personally sell it but can tell you where to find it)

4. pH balance of you skin is critical. Normal skin is naturally acidic with a pH in the range of 4.2 to 5.6. Most traditional soaps considered "mild" have a pH of around 9.5 - 11 which is too alkaline and may cause excessive dryness and irritation. These soaps traditionally remove the natural acid protection and extract the fats from the skin as well.

If you have eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis your skin may be even more alkaline than normal in those affected areas. Using a low-grade commercially produced bar soap, which may be more alkaline, could lead to infection. If you prefer a bar soap try a hand made soap. It will be more expensive but it would be worth it if you saw results, wouldn't it?

Most cleansers may be more gentle because they are made not to disturb your skin's pH level. The skin is designed to protect itself by maintaining a more acidic pH level. Many commercially made soaps may rob the skin of it's natural acidic state, leaving it unprotected.

5. Frequency of washing - don't overdue it. If you have acne you may have a difficult time with this one. If your skins excessively oily in your facial area it's could be because you are using a poor quality soap that's highly alkaline. By washing too much you may be stripping away the skins natural oil, forcing it to produce more.

I wash my skin once a day. I often see others recommending washing the skin up to three times daily. Washing this much is incredibly excessive for those of us with sensitive skin.

6. Pure Aloe Vera - the absolute best moisturizer. If you've ever had a severe sunburn you would know not to take a very hot shower. Don't consider your psoriasis, eczema, or dermatitis to be any less severe than sunburn.

If you find yourself in a situation where you're in terrible pain from skin lesions this may help. Before I found my psoriasis cure I used Fruit Of The Earth? Aloe Vera 100% Gel. This is the closest thing to a pure moisturizer that you will find. While I don't need this anymore because my psoriasis is gone, it helped tremendously when my psoriasis was very painful.

7. Natural. Most commercial "soaps" today are really detergents loaded with chemicals that irritate the skin and upset it's natural balances. I only use and recommend hand-made soaps or very mild cleansers. The best place to find these hand-made soaps and cleansers are alternative medicine retailers, health food stores and the internet.

The skin is no different than life in that you need balance to be at peace with yourself. You need effective solutions that will not cause extreme side effects. If you want to see an example of extreme un-balance examine chemo therapy. Many patient's undergoing chemo loose their hair, many get brutally sick, etc., because the body is not meant to go thru this type of intense therapy.

Learn How To Tan Safely

2009-01-03T22:30:00.001-08:00

Finally summer has arrived, the sun is warm and inviting and we can ditch that heavy clothing. It's the season to enjoy the outdoors and enjoy that sun. But the trick is to tan safely and enjoy the sun safely.

There are so many terms related to tanning, sun tan lotions, and the whole industry. Have you ever wondered what the difference between SPF and UV index is? Here's some tanning terms to help you understand the industry lingo. Then you can be on your way to being that sexy goddess or god with that deep golden tan.

We'll start by defining tanning. Don't laugh it's an important lingo term. A tan occurs when your skin absorbs UV rays [ultraviolet radiation]. As the UV rays penetrate your skin produces melanin which darkens the outer layers. Funny thing is we all see that darkening as a healthy tan but infact it is a sign of damaged skin. In actuality it is the beginning of a burn.

Well that little tid bit isn't going to stop the sun worshiper so then you'll need to understand what the UV index is. This is just a scientific measurement with a big fancy name that tells us how much UV rays is reaching the earth at certain time during the day.

UV is not visible but it is always present at some level. UV rays actually consists of UVA and UVB rays. Experts say they are both bad so you'll need to protect against both.

The UV index is on a scale of 10. The higher the number the stronger the rays and the more exposure you will have. If the index is really high you need to be really careful because it won't take long to burn. And how attractive is the red tan with the peel effect?

SPF is how suntan lotions are rated. It stands for sun protection factor. All suncreens have a number from 4 to 30. The higher the number the higher the protection. The level of protection you will need is based on your skin and how fast you normally burn. People that tan easily and never burn can use a 4 but a fair skinned person who thinks sun and get red is going to need a 30.

The difference between sunscreen and sunblock also needs to be explained as they are totally different products.

Sunscreen comes in a lotion, oil, or cream and has an SPF rating attached to it. It reacts with the sun creating a barrier that you cannot see. How strong the barrier depends on how strong the SPF. The lower the number the less protection.

Most sunscreens tell you to apply 20 minutes before going out and if you swimming you need to reapply when you come out of the water. You can also buy waterproof sunscreen which lasts longer.

Sunblock on the other hand has no SPF rating because it does just what it says it blocks the sun's UV rays completely. This is thick and gooey. You've seen people with it on their noses and lips.

Where you have to be careful is some sunscreens that are a 15 or higher will be marked as a sunblock but this is totally not true! If you are looking for a sunblock then look for a bottle that has no SPF rating.

So go play in the sun, enjoy that warm weather, even get that golden tan if you must, but do it smartly and safely!

Face Off

2009-01-03T13:30:00.001-08:00

The other day, I indulged in one of my many guilty pleasures. Specifically, I watched a programme called "Face Lifts From Hell."

Like many factual programmes, you can learn a little something from "Face Lifts from Hell", and tonight I took away this little nugget: It's not immigrants or asylum seekers that are putting a drain on the national health service. It's idiots from this country.

One woman on tonight's programme (and I don't want to appear misogynistic, but there were no men featured; draw your own conclusions) went on a surgery holiday. The basic premise is that you go on a package trip with a group of other desperate people, and they cart you off to Poland to have various bits of your anatomy sucked, snipped, sliced and tightened.

This woman, who, due to numerous face-lifts, looked like she was constantly hurtling forwards at about 97 miles an hour, had some sort of breast-enhancement and, after surgery, was taken to a small apartment in a block with all the other patients and left there to recuperate. She was essentially dumped in a flat in Poland and left to her own devices with a group of equally vacuous and recently-mutilated women.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, she contracted an infection.

She then came back to the UK and, at a cost of ?5,000, had to have things fixed. (Her bosom was left comically lopsided, to my great amusement, but this is a serious point. Ironically, a serious point is also what one of her boobs was left with.)

If this was an isolated case I could let the matter go, but the entire programme was like a hit parade of idiots who now had bodies as defective looking as their brains almost certainly are.

One woman - I swear this is the truth - was talked into cosmetic surgery by a travelling face-lift salesman. I'm not making this up. Someone came to this woman's door and convinced her to get a face-lift she didn't really want. I have enough trouble figuring out how my dad always seems to end up with windows and bank accounts he didn't have any intention of aquiring after someone knocks on the door, but how in the name of all that is holy can you even consider listening to someone who goes door to door trying to convince people to be drugged to unconsciousness so that a stranger can slice into them and pull their skins on tighter?! Am I the only one who would hear alarm bells ringing in my head if this happened to me?! Possibly, yes, as this woman leapt at the chance and was genuinely surprised when things ended in tears.

Another woman travelled from Turkey for liposuction, and woke up a week later in a different hospital with what can only be described as a seam. She now looks like you could unzip her and keep pencils in her stomach. Apparently the surgeon, who, wouldn't you know it, had a history of this sort of thing, botched the operation, severed an artery, and had to rush her to a (stop me if you see this coming) NHS hospital for treatment.

While I'm ranting, I may as well mention the lap dancer who wanted her breasts increased from a B cup to a C. She woke up with an F (am I the only one who pictures her relatives standing around with deeply interested looks and yelling "SURPRISE!" as she comes to?) and as a result could no longer lap-dance. Not to fear. She's since become a teacher. Perhaps this goes some way to explaining the state of the education system, too, but that's another story.

Our penultimate contestant tonight was a heavy smoker with a heart condition (who, funnily enough, was starting to look a little aged.) She was, to be charitable, nothing special to look at anyway. She also happened to neglect to mention her heavy smoking and heart problems to her surgeon, and ended up having a stroke from the stress of the procedure. What a shocker.

However, our prize winner tonight was a woman who had two children and put on weight (she actually put on the equivalent amount of weight of two ten-year-old children, by my calculation) and was offered a stomach reduction and lyposuction on (just the girls! People on the left! All together!) the NHS. Her operation wound became infected, and she contracted gangrene. But this isn't the end of the story. Oh no. After three days, she was allowed home, and was, in her own words, in agony. She then suffered several fits. This, I'm sure you'll agree, is where most of us would plan a return to the hospital. Instead, without going into the exquisite and mind-numbingly sickening detail she indulged in, she waited a further five days (with her condition becoming progressively worse) and nearly died.

Now, is it me, or is there a pattern, here? From what I can see, the sort of people who have cosmetic surgery are the same sort of people who travel to a Polish ghetto for operations, accept advice from travelling facelift salesmen, who don't think that mentioning your liability to have a heart attack mid-operation is anything to trouble your doctor with, and decide that having a series of fits following an operation should be considered a "wait and see" sort of situation.

People who go in for cosmetic surgery, by and large, are stupid.

Now, I'm not for a moment suggesting that there aren't good reasons. If you've been burned or damaged in some severe way that wasn't your fault, or if your body really does look terrible for whatever reason, I can understand the desire to do something about it. Otherwise, here's a pretty solid, iron-clad law of physics from someone who was a straight C student in science: People get older!! Believe it or not (you probably will, I'm quite dull) you've aged since you started reading this. Yeah, you. You, there, in the chair, looking at the screen with the slightly slack-jawed expression you didn't realise you adopted when you read things.

Most people just accept it and move on with things.

If you can't, here's the first of my tips: Stop smoking. Without exception, every single woman of 50-something I've ever seen cram her flabby, drooping body into an outfit far too low, high, tight and stretchy for her has also had a cigarette in her mouth. And too much makeup, but one thing at a time. If you want to stay young-looking, stop poisoning your lungs and skin with nicotine. It'll do you wonders.

Secondly, here's my tip for losing weight without having to have a vacuum cleaner inserted into any orifices or incisions. It's a simple equation: Less food, more exercise. Or, even, equal it out. Exercise proportionate to how much you're eating. Keep an eye out for this, you'd be surprised how many fat people seem oblivious to this law.

As soon as people start to accept that shit (and age) happens, and begin to look after themselves, they'll stop being a drain on the NHS from their botched face-lifts ("Who knew 'Crazy Achmed' wasn't a reputable surgeon?!") and everyone else with real injuries might get some frigging treatment.

This, more than anything else, is the problem with the world today. Years of increased convenience (remember when you had to walk to a certain part of the house just to make a phone call?!) has left western humanity softer than an impotent marshmallow and just desperate for someone or something to blame, and for someone or something else to fix it. "I'm 50 and don't look as good as I did at 19! There must be someone to blame and some procedure I can have!" It's just going to happen, people, and until we all start to face up to the simple and oft-overlooked fact that life has a habit of sucking, we'll never get anywhere. And the people who can't accept that, of course, also can't accept it when their desperate, sad attempts to beat the cosmic house fail, and so they complain about that. I guess, at the end of the day, I'm trying to get across a simple message: You were the one who chose to have that operation, madam, and if it doesn't turn out well, there's nobody to blame but yourself.

Incidentally, I have another weight loss tip. If you can't bear to exercise and cut back on what you eat, just smoke yourself thin. You'll look old, but I can give you the number of a really good plastic surgery salesman. Honest. He's just knocking on the door, now...

Luke Haines

Rosacea Treatment & Rosacea Skin Care - Can You Cure Rosacea? There is a Solution....

2009-01-03T11:00:00.001-08:00

Rosacea is a fairly common skin disorder that primarily affects fair skinned people in their 30's and over. While it's exact cause is difficult to pinpoint, the symptoms of Rosacea are obvious in their manifestation on the facial skin. Typical Rosacea symptoms are a combination of any of the following: Red looking, flushed skin - especially on the nose and the cheeks, small, dilated blood vessels known as telangiectases may appear in the background, inflamed red bumps sometimes with a yellow head (acne rosacea), a shiny, oily appearance to the skin, and roughness, or "orange peel" like texture of the affected skin.

Rosacea is typically aggravated by alcoholic beverage consumption, hot or spicy foods, some types of common cosmetic ingredients, sun exposure, hot baths, hot tubs, saunas, and the consumption of hot drinks. People who suffer from Rosacea are typically advised to avoid these triggers, but this of course is not always possible. While it is not possible to actually cure Rosacea, since the underlying cause seems to elude scientists, there are ways of controlling it that are very effective.

Many who suffer from this skin disorder do seek the advice and prescribing authority of a dermatologist to control it. The most common dermatologist-prescribed method of controlling Rosacea is through the utilization of a topical antibiotic. While this can be effective in controlling the problem, it is mostly temporary, and the problem returns immediately after the treatment stops. This can also be a problem for those who may not have the time or the money for the dermatologist visits and prescription refills.

With today's nutraceutical and cosmeceutical advancements, there are so many treatments available that either equal prescription skin care treatments, and even outperform them. The best part is, you don't have to take the time out for the dermatologist appointment, and you don't have to pay the high recurring costs of prescription refills and return appointments. This holds true for Rosacea treatments also. Many people have had huge success with natural Rosacea treatments and systems - one in particular.

The marriage of pharmaceutical technology and nature has indeed spawned some of the greatest cosmetic correction innovations that we now are able to take advantage of today. With the proper skin care regimen, some lifestyle cautions and common sense avoidances, Rosacea is indeed a treatable skin condition, and it can be treated equally as well without prescription, man-made medications. Natural is always better, and these new and innovative Rosacea products definitely prove that.

Danna Schneider is the webmaster and founder of <a target="_new" href="http://www.cosmeticsgalore.com/acne-rosacea-treatments.html">http://www.cosmeticsgalore.com/acne-rosacea-treatments.html</a> , a cosmetics and beauty product review site, reviewing and providing volumes of information on the latest in cosmetic enhancement and cosmetic correction technology, cosmeceutical products, and nutraceutical products.

Homemade Facial Mask Recipes

2009-01-03T05:20:00.001-08:00

Have you ever calculate how much money you have spent for beauty purpose in a month or a year? $200? $500? or maybe $1000 or more? Maybe it's time for you to stop wasting too much money by trying some cheaper beauty products which also will bring you the same results (or even more) compare with those expensive ones.

These are all natural homemade facial mask recipes, which you can prepare easily within minutes and the best part is: won't cost you much!

* Normal, combination skin, oily and blemished skin

Mix one egg white, 1/2 cup cooked instant oatmeal, a teaspoon olive oil and a few drops of lemon juice until smooth. Spread on your face and neck, leave on for 15 ? 30 min then rinse with lukewarm water. Few drops lemon juice will help to reduce blackheads while egg white will leave your skin feel "tight" after this mask application.

* Dry skin

Mix one egg yolk, a teaspoon honey and a teaspoon olive oil and some vitamin E oil. Spread over your face and neck, leave on for 15 ? 30 min then rinse in lukewarm water. You can add more olive oil if you still feel dry on your skin.

* Dry and spotted skin

Mix dry oatmeal (you may grind it in a blender), honey and plain yogurt to make a paste. Spread it over your face and neck, leave on 15 ? 30 min then rinse with lukewarm water. You may add a little salt and olive oil to make an exfoliating mask or scrub for your bocy dry skin area.

For more information about beauty, health and fitness, please visit <a target="_new" href="http://beauty-health-fitness.blogspot.com">http://beauty-health-fitness.blogspot.com</a> and for beauty, health and fitness selected stuff, please visit <a target="_new" href="http://beauty-health-fitness-estore.blogspot.com">http://beauty-health-fitness-estore.blogspot.com</a>

Divine Food for Divine Beauty

2009-01-01T14:30:00.001-08:00

Excerpted from the book "Your Right to Be Beautiful: How to Halt the Train of Aging and Meet the Most Beautiful You" by Tonya Zavasta. The book is available at: <a href="http://www.beautifulonraw.com/html/righttobe.html" target="_new">http://www.beautifulonraw.com/html/righttobe.html</a>

The phrase "natural beauty" has been abused and misused beyond restoration. The modern use is almost never associated with its true meaning. Someone said there should be a portrait of a healthy person in a museum so people would know what they are talking about. If we don't know what a healthy person looks like, how do we know what natural beauty is?

In our unnatural world, the word "natural" no longer means without effort, at least not in the realm of obtaining your best look. One thing is a must in defining natural beauty: its achievement must not involve any sacrifice of health. None, period. If health is compromised in any way beauty is not natural.

Our body was created in the image of God, the Supreme Beauty. When our actions are in opposition to nature, the results are different types of bodily ills, deformities, and ugliness. Since there can be no natural beauty without eating 100 percent natural food, most of you have never seen the natural you.

There is an urgent need for another word. The contemporary meaning of natural is too far from the divine. I suggest filling this void with "rawsome", a new word circulating in the raw food community. It is a combination of two words:" raw" and "awesome" with the meaning being something between natural and divine. The diet of raw fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds also needs to be renamed. I have often been told that the phrase "the raw food diet", sounds like eating raw meat, particularly sushi, which is misleading. The raw food diet is so awesome that it should be called the very name it inspired- the Rawsome Diet.

Most of us feel our appearance lacks something. In reality, ugliness is more about excess. Toxic accumulations in our bodies are responsible for stealing our health and attractiveness. Beauty lies latent under cushions of retained fluids, deposits of fat, and sick tissues. Your beauty is buried alive, but in most cases it can be revived in a version that will be satisfactory to you. You must take immediate action to revitalize it. When you do, your uncovered beauty will surprise and delight you.

Eating cooked food will leave residues the body cannot utilize, and they will be deposited in places our Creator never intended. Everything not fully digested and properly eliminated, the body will treat as an abnormal substance. It will pocket these toxins as far away from the vital organs as possible--on the peripheries of the body--where it will invariably be reflected in our outward appearance. If the body cannot use it inside, it will deposit it on the outside. Nutrients from the food you eat spiral upward to the epidermis, and their quality will determine whether you will have a glowing clear complexion or skin spotted with growths, such as moles and skin sores.

Some physical characteristics of our face and body we cannot change--they were determined prior to our birth. But the consumption of the raw plant diet as an adult will make a difference in the texture of skin and hair, the health of nails, weight and complexion. All of these traits and more are determined by daily choices, with food being one of the most important and, luckily, the one we can fully control.

The Rawsome diet is the most suitable one for human physiology. It is salubrious to the body's health and salutary to its beauty. The ability to renew cells is built into your body, and the body itself is capable of making you look more attractive. After all, we were designed to bloom continuously as old cells get replaced by new ones. The Rawsome diet makes the most of this rejuvenating ability of our bodies.

Rawsome beauty is not manufactured from the outside but cultivated from the inside by nutritionally charged food. Whole raw food restores the integrity of every cell and facilitates the optimal operation of every organ inside and out. The body, having been awakened by the improved diet, in its wisdom, will reach out to the places where health was lacking, and you will gradually see your beauty surfacing. The Rawsome diet will eliminate all the toxins on a deeper level and bring amazing changes to your appearance.

Only the body sustained on raw food will host natural beauty, or should we say Rawsome beauty. The landscape of the body will change. The surface of the skin will become soft and smooth but still firm and supple. Visible pores will diminish. A sallow skin with a yellow pallor will turn into a porcelain-like complexion. The whites of eyes, once red, will become bright with a bluish tinge. As natural collagen production improves, it will fill in the places where it is needed as in hollow cheeks. Raw food eating will clarify and refine your features and bring delicacy to your face.

On the Rawsome Diet, you will marvel at how the Master Artist will make the most of your individual features and bring balance to the entire face. Texture, hues, and shape will be harmoniously arranged into a genteel whole. Perfection and imperfection will be tied together into a unique original version of beauty.

Each time I see a woman, I study her appearance, and I see not just the way she looks but the way she could look. What I see is how far her image falls short of her potential beauty. I perceive her beauty as it would stand out after the body has cleansed itself from toxins and excesses.

From age 15 until recently, I wore my hair permed, only to discover at 45 that straight hair in my natural color was the best possible frame for my face. Did my preference change? Not at all. My face did. So let me give you a hint, if you need a camouflaging hairdo, you are not looking your best. The changes in your face brought about by raw foods will bring the freedom to arrange your hair in any way you want. When your peer group is thinking: "I am losing my looks", you will be finding yours. At 45, I enjoy looking in the mirror while before I detested my reflection.

As the cleansing initiated by this diet is completed, you will be very pleased to see how you were meant to look. Your body will exhibit beauty and dignity. You will become satisfied, even fascinated, with your appearance. When you look your very best, you look perfect, in a sense that you are as close to the divine image for yourself as you could ever be. You accept yourself completely. Natural beauty is above conformity; it doesn't demand to be accepted by the dictates of the beauty norm.

People who have been on the raw food lifestyle for several years begin to have a glow, the kind not often seen in middle-aged people. Optimal health is recognized by an emerging radiance. Glow is hard to fake because it is internal. It comes from an abundance of clear, pink, almost transparent cells that light up the face. Only superior blood circulation can bring this transfiguring glow. Several years on the raw food diet will make you look as though you just stepped out of a painting by Renoir--the impressionist best known for his preoccupation with light.

I have come to believe if you do not embrace the 100 percent raw food diet, you will never meet The Most Beautiful You. The best proof that the Rawsome diet is optimal for the body is it makes you beautiful. Slim face, slender waist, and clear skin with smooth coloration-these subtle changes will convince you the raw plant diet is the best for good health and graceful beauty. No woman knows her true beauty until she cleanses her body completely of all waste.

You can say there are people who are beautiful, and they are not on this diet. That is true. It is hard to believe, but even they haven't seen the best of themselves. Dissatisfaction with one's appearance arises not from perceiving our bodies inaccurately but because subconsciously we are aware we haven't achieved our optimal look. The Rawsome diet gives a feeling of authenticity, an assurance we have become what we were meant to be.

Raw food not only corrects beauty's shortcomings but also lifts the limitations of one's spirit and releases strains and tensions in both your mind and body. People on the raw food diet have an aura about them, a transcendent nobility and complacent dignity. Sickness is goodness lost, and our unhappiness is a longing for goodness. One takes in the goodness in the form of fresh fruits and vegetables and feels its purifying process on the inside. Goodness in one's food summons up goodness in one's appearance and character.

Do you think it is hard to follow this life style? Women have done so many outrageous and dangerous things to themselves in the pursuit of beauty, I believe they should at least try the Rawsome lifestyle, which promises to transform them into beautiful people. What a woman won't do for health, she will do for beauty. This is the first time beauty asks no sacrifice from health.

?2003Tonya Zavasta

This article may be freely reprinted in its entirety as long as the entire article, byline and URL are included.

About The Author

Tonya Zavasta is the author of the book "Your Right to Be Beautiful: How to Halt the Train of Aging and Meet the Most Beautiful You" and of the soon to be published its sequel "Beautiful on Raw". In these books Tonya comes across as an ambassador for plain looking women in their quest for physical beauty. Tonya knows firsthand what it is to be humiliated, face adversity and meet the complex obstacles of daily living with a congenital disability. Facing several reconstructive hip surgeries to enable her to walk, she sought a way to offset the devastating effects of anesthetics on her health and appearance. She became more and more convinced that the solution to her quest for health and beauty was to be found in the raw food lifestyle or the Rawsome Diet as she calls it. The Rawsome Diet not only helped her to sail courageously through troublesome times, brought her general health and appearance to an all time best, but also opened a new chapter of her life. Firmly believing that the roots of under-performing and under-achieving lie in feeling and looking less than your personal best, she is on a mission: she wants every woman to look and feel beautiful. Tonya is convinced that by eating as God intended everyone can look uniquely beautiful as God envisioned.

To learn more about how you can uncover your Rawsome beauty, visit: <a href="http://www.beautifulonraw.com" target="_new">www.beautifulonraw.com</a>

<a href="mailto:Tonyazavasta@hotmail.com">Tonyazavasta@hotmail.com</a>

Look Better, Feel Better

2008-12-31T22:50:00.001-08:00

>Yikes! It's that me, I though after seeing my reflection. What happened? I feel like a different person and I am right. I went from being a single, ambitious young woman to a loving wife, mother and entrepreneur. All this new roles that I have acquire through life, leave me with more responsibilities and less time on my hands.

So, does this mean I have to sacrifice my physical appearance? I don't think so! Who says that moms can't be trendy or simply look more put together.

Just to make things clear, I am not talking about wearing over revealing clothes, expending every single penny on shopping sprees or basing your whole existence on the way you look.

My advice is to just make time for improving your overall appearance. Even if you are a stay at home mom, make sure you get up a couple of minutes before the kids and do your hair, apply some lotion and don't just wear worn out t shirt, sweat pants etc.

What ever your beauty routine is just make time for it. It is a proven fact, looking better will help you feel better and influence those around you.

Kenia Morales is the publisher of online magazine <a target="_new" href="http://kpatra.com">http://kpatra.com</a> "For Every Aspect of Today's Woman. Visit her site to find a variety of women related issues and topics".

Email: <a href="mailto:eniamorales@kpatra.com">eniamorales@kpatra.com</a>

Trends in Gift Giving ? Jewelry a Timeless Favorite

2008-12-31T11:50:00.001-08:00

In times of rapid change, constants lend comfort to our lives. Since ancient times, jewelry has been one of the most popular gifts to give and to receive, and it still ranks among the top gifts as a universal, particularly pearls and birthstones. Jewelry ranks just beneath flowers as the gift that says "I love you," and it ranks just above flowers as a gift to convey that the recipient is someone special. A gift of jewelry delights the recipient and evokes a genuine smile.

It's the Style?

It's not the price; it's the style that determines whether your gift of jewelry is received in the same spirit in which it is given. To give jewelry that delights, match the gift to the recipient's style. Jewelry is one area where you cannot give a gift that you would love to own. Your idea of a fashionable bauble may be another's idea of junk. Is the intended's style casual or more formal, traditional or contemporary? You wouldn't give a Swatch watch to your great-grandmother any more than you would give a diamond tennis bracelet to your Goth niece. Select a compatible style and your gift will stand out among the recipient's favorites and ensure that the gift never finds its way to the regifting closet.

The Many Faces of Pearls

Any woman over the age of 30 appreciates a fine strand of pearls. They're elegant, timeless, and suitable for most occasions. Think back to your favorite old movies; most leading ladies wore pearls at some point during the movie.

Pearls are the only gemstone created within another living organism. Natural pearls are grown without any human intervention when a speck of sand or other irritant lodges itself inside an oyster. Deteriorating environmental conditions have rendered natural pearls all but obsolete.

Cultured pearls have quickly filled the void. The only difference between a natural pearl and a cultured pearl is that human intervention is required to place the irritant inside the oyster shell. By controlling the size and shape of the irritant as well as the environmental factors, cultured pearls guarantee greater quality control. You'll find pearls in many hues ranging from white South Sea pearls to black Tahitian pearls, and covering a lot of territory in between: pink, green, blue and ivory.

Freshwater pearls sport a combination of interesting shapes and hues not usually found in saltwater varieties. Freshwater pearls come from Chinese rivers and lakes where the Hyriopsis cumingi mussels can produce 50 pearls at once. They are usually less expensive than saltwater pearls, but no less elegant than their saltwater counterpart.

Birthstones

Precious and semi-precious gems linked to birthdays date as far back as the 15th century. Unlike today, early birthstones were linked to the signs of the Zodiac instead of to calendar months. Almost everyone appreciates a birthstone, and it shows that you actually put some thought into the gift. Many people believe that wearing their birthstone protects them and brings them good luck. When giving a birthstone as a gift, think beyond rings to bracelets, pendants, earrings, pins and chokers.

The chart below contains the official modern birthstones, as established in 1912 by the National Association of Jewelers. Some birthstones have many legends associated with them; you'll find a brief summary below. This official list applies only to the United States. Several other birthstone lists exist, such as the mystical birthstones, which originated in Tibet and the Ayurvedic birthstones, which originated in India.

Month Birthstone

January Garnet

-Associated with blood, garnet provides victory, protection from injury and health and brings constancy

February Amethyst

-Said to have been worn by St. Valentine, amethyst signifies spirituality and sincerity

March Aquamarine

-The stone of serenity and courage, also associated with water

April Diamond

-Banishes evil, promotes goodness, improves financial situations - the world's favorite precious gem also signifies pure and eternal love, innocence

May Emerald

-Brings harmony, the stone of life and renewal, love and success

June Pearl

-Purity, chastity and modesty, health and longevity

July Ruby

-Devotion, integrity and success - contentment

August Peridot

-Dignity, success and fame ? married happiness

September Sapphire

-Clears the mind and brings prosperity and clear thinking

October Opal

-Happiness, beauty, love, magic - hope

November Topaz

-Brings wisdom and strength of mind, fidelity

December Turquoise

-Good fortune and prosperity

Enclose a card with the gift explaining the meaning of the birthstone. While most people know their birthstone, few know the significance attached to it.

If you want to give jewelry as a gift, but you're at a loss for what to give, pearls and birthstones provide two safe options that are sure to please and make a lasting impression.

M J Plaster is a successful author who provides information on shopping online for <a target="_new" href="http://www.jewelry-4-u.net/">jewelry</a> and <a target="_new" href="http://www.jewelry-4-u.net/gifts.htm">jewelry gifts</a>. M J Plaster has been a commercial freelance writer for almost two decades, most recently specializing in home and garden, the low-carb lifestyle, investing, and anything that defines la dolce vita.

Discover The Make-Up Artist in You

2008-12-31T05:10:00.001-08:00

As a licensed cosmetologist, I would like to share how to develop the art of truly being a makeup artist on your own face.

First, please toss out old ideas you may have had, as well as the "one size fits all" beauty tips you've picked up along the way. You don't want any pre-conceived ideas that may cloud your judgment.

Get in front of a mirror, with natural light. Cleanse your face, moisturize, etc. to get it ready for makeup. Get all your brushes, makeup gathered and pull your hair back out of the way. Imagine yourself as your own artist, with your face as the canvas upon which you are about to create a look.

There are 2 very important principals to remember. Light colors bring out, gives the illusion of an area being forward or front. Dark colors set back, creates a look of depth. Now, really study for your face for a few minutes, don't focus for now on any particular area, look at shape overall.

It might help to even write down notes about impressions you get. What areas seem to need brought out? What areas seem to need to be set back? An example would be a very round face would need an area in the cheeks set back (darker) to give the illusion of higher cheekbones, more slender face, at the same time using some lighter shades on the forehead area above the temples to also create a look of lengthening the face. A chin that is a bit undercut would need to be brought forth more to give the appearance of being more prominent than it is (lighter color).

When using lighter & darker colors for shading & highlighting, be sure to blend very well and use a light touch. Choose a foundation that is very close to your natural skin coloring. I personally have recently discovered mineral makeup (you can do an online search for several brands) or you can use any brand you want. I just have found these very easy to use for using light & dark colors where needed. Blend, blend and blend more, you don't want anything that looks obvious or any streaking appearance. Also if you're a light blonde, you wouldn't use something super dark for shading because you wouldn't be able to blend it in a way to look natural. Use a shade that's 1 or 2 shades darker than your natural skin tone, same with lighter shades, 1 or 2 shades lighter than your own skin tone.

Look at your eyes closely now. You want to create balance. Not every eye will look best with the typical medium color on the lid, darkest in the crease and highlighter on the brow. Again, look at your eye shape, what needs brought forth (light), and what needs to recede (dark). A person with deep-set eyes for example will do best with a light to medium shade on their lid, the lightest side in their crease, and a medium shade on their brow bone. The person with the deep-set eyes needs to avoid dark colors altogether, it will only accentuate the problem. Having the lightest color in the crease will help bring forth their eyes, making their eyes look bigger, wider and not set back.

This is the opposite pattern of what is typically told.

If a person has eyes that are close set together, you want light colors around the inside areas of the eyes (near the nose) to give the appearance of more space being there, making the eyes look wider apart, and darker colors on the outside edges.

Play with the different looks until you get the right one for your bone structure. It also helps to stand back away from a mirror, from across a room to look, as you get a better feel of overall balance than right up close. Don't be afraid to try new combos you hadn't thought of before, it might be the perfect fit for you!

By Valerie Garner-Mother, grandmother and candlemaker / owner of Joyful Designs in Soy. She loves to write on a variety of topics with a warm, and engaging style. <a target="_new" href="http://www.joyfuldesignsinsoy.com">http://www.joyfuldesignsinsoy.com</a>

The Rhinoplasty Procedure

2008-12-31T02:30:00.001-08:00

While most people have heard of rhinoplasty or nose surgery, most do not know what the procedure entails once you enter the hospital operating room.

Once you are in the operating room and have spoken with the people who will take care of you during the surgery, the anesthesia will be administered. The exact type of anesthesia used will depend on the duration and complexity of the surgery about to be performed, any allergies you may have to any of the anesthesia drugs available, and the preference of the surgeon and anesthesiologist. Before any incisions are made, before any intrusive procedures begin, the nose is anesthetized with a local anesthesia either lidocaine or marcaine with epinephrine. This is used to numb the tissue, the surrounding cartilage and facial bones and further protect the patient from feeling any of the surgery. In addition, many surgeons use a diluted form of cocaine possibly mixed with epinephrine to shrink the mucous membranes inside the nose as well as to seriously reduce blood flow to the area.

There are two basic approaches to rhinoplasty and depending on the artistry and sophistication of the surgeon and the type of work required, either approach may be employed with equally indiscernible success.

1. Internal (endonasal) rhinoplasty ? here the surgeon makes incisions only on the inside of the nose, opens the skin up and proceeds to do his work without making any incisions on the external facia. Internal rhinoplasty requires more skill and artistry to perform and can only be properly employed in cases where the amount of surgery being performed is minimal or at least of such a nature that all of the work can be reached from the interior of the nose.

2. External rhinoplasty or open-tip rhinoplasty means the doctor is making incisions on the outside of the nose, at the crease where the nose joins the face so that there is no discernible scarring after the procedure has been completed. Open-tip rhinoplasty is usually employed where the surgery requires more extensive removal or manipulation of the skin and cartilage tissue.

Either of these procedures can be performed utilizing a local anesthetic or a general anesthesia and can usually be completed anywhere from two to four hours again depending on the complexity of the work being performed. Using either the internal or the external incision methods, the skin and cartilage of the nose is exposed and the surgeon can then begin the artful process of sculpting the existing tissue to achieve the desired goals of the patient.

Remembering that rhinoplasty is really more art than surgery, the doctor will frequently refer to the photographs and notes he has made prior to the procedure. He will carefully check the symmetry of the shape of the nose and make sure that the changes he is making are the right ones to achieve the desired result. Very small alterations, incisions as small as a millimeter or two, can make large differences after the swelling has gone down in the overall appearance and balance of the finished look. This is the artistry of the surgeon you have selected.

When the surgeon has completed the sculpting process, he will carefully check the blood vessels in the area to see if they have been affected by the surgery, he will measure the nostril openings to see if they conform to his pre-op notes and measurements and then he will begin the process of closing up the nose. Small sutures will be used to close the incisions made during the procedure whether internal or external. These incisions are similar in size and form to the ones employed by heart surgeons when they are closing up small veins and arteries after cardiovascular surgery.

Finally, a small protective splint is placed around the nose. Your surgeon will have fitted you for the splint prior to the surgery and you will be expecting it when you awaken. After about 24 to 48 hours, on your next visit, the splint will be removed and your new nose will be ready to "face" the world. You'll be left with some swelling, a small amount of pain and some antibiotics to ward off infection.

Tanning Bed Supplies -- Addons that Really Count!

2008-12-31T02:00:00.001-08:00

So you are getting on a tanning bed. What next??

No tanning experience is complete without the use of the entire range of quality tanning bed supplies. In much the same you love a fine-dine restaurant than just the taste of the food, tanning bed supplies give the extra zing required to make a tanning bed stint truly powerful. In this article, you will learn about the complete range of tanning bed supplies available in the market today and be able to make informed decisions on what suits you best.

Apart from the tanning bed itself, tanning bed supplies include tanning lotion, sunless tanning accessories, tanning bed bulbs, pillows, goggles among others and also engineering parts of the tanning bed that can serve as up gradation. Most of these supplies are commonplace items in your local supermarket and should not be too hard to find. However, for high grade and specific tanning supplies, you might have to do some amount of research. Trust us when we say that the time spent on searching for the right product almost always justifies the use of the product and so is the case with tanning bed supplies.

For instance, a mind boggling variety of indoor tanning lotion as a part of tanning bed supplies is available. Therefore, the choice of a tanning lotion to buy purely depends on your budget, your skin nature and the period of use. Choosing from a wide range of high performance tanning beds and high-end variants right down to discount tanning lotion is an exercise one should go through, for the sheer learning from the experience. For the more technically informed, one can indulge in choosing between the best buck boosters available for your bed and add-on UVA/UVB meters.

The world of options for tanning bed supplies is virtually limitless and its just a matter of a little effort in finding the right product for you. Remember, 'Nothing venture, nothing gain!'.

Happy tanning!!

Visit our articles section at <a target="_new" href="http://www.tanningwonders.com/articles_1.html">Tanning Articles and Resources</a> for more such practical tanning advice and tips.

? 2005,Yaksha Patel. This article is courtesy of <a target="_new" href="http://www.tanningwonders.com">Tanning Wonders - Making Tanning work for you!</a>

You may publish it at no cost, as long as the links are left intact, made live, and this notice stays in place.

Manicure at Home

2008-12-30T11:50:00.001-08:00

Required items to perform manicure:

<ul>

<li>Bowl with warm soapy water

<li>scrub lotion

<li>petroleum jelly or any other moisturizing lotion

<li>cuticle pusher

<li>Favorite nail polish and clear polish

<li>Nail polish remover (if your nails have color)

<li>clean white towel

</ul>

Steps to a manicure:

Before starting make sure you remove your nail polish and have all the required items mentioned above. Also remove any jewelry on fingers.

First trim or shape nails.

Soak both hands in warm soapy water for 3 to 5 minutes.

Push cuticles back gently with towel or cuticle pusher " stick".

Rub hands with a homemade scrub or any other scrub lotion to exfoliate skin.

Apply petroleum jelly or any other moisturizing lotion on hands. Cover with gloves and leave on for about 5 minutes.

Paint nails. Make sure to apply at least to coats of nail polish and a top coat of clear nail polish to give it more shine. Give it enough time to dry.

Try giving yourself a manicure at least once a week to for great looking hands.

About The Author

Kenia Morales is the publisher of online magazine <a href="http://kpatra.com" target="_new">http://kpatra.com</a> "For Every Aspect of Today's Woman. Visit her site to find a variety of women related issues and topics".

<a href="mailto:keniamorales@kpatra.com">keniamorales@kpatra.com</a>

Coming Clean: The Truth About Soap

2008-12-30T08:10:00.001-08:00

What Is Soap?

Soap is the oldest cleanser around. It is created by a chemical reaction between oils, water and lye. Although lye is used to make soap there is no lye left after saponification (the chemical reaction that makes soap) is complete. There is no such thing as a bar of soap that was made without the use of lye. Different kinds of soap are made using a variety of different oils. Both animal & plant oils can be used in the soap making process, each adding different qualities to the soap.

Conventional Bar Soaps

Much of the soap available in the store today is not really soap at all, but a detergent. Detergents are a petroleum based product, like gasoline and kerosene. Have you ever noticed how regular soap leaves your skin feeling dry, itchy and tight? Alkali, the most common irritant in soap is often the culprit. Others ingredients in mass-marketed soap have been proven harmful to human health and can cause severe skin irritations in some people. These include ingredients such as DEA, Isopropyl Alcohol, BHT and Triclosan (commonly found in anti-bacterial soap). The most common ingredient in conventional bar soaps is sodium tallowate. It is the natural product of combining tallow, or beef fat, with lye. The attractiveness for tallow for mass producing soap is that it processes quickly, produces a hard bar of soap and is cheap and plentiful.

The New Bar On The Block

While there is nothing new about handmade soap, its popularity is growing rapidly. The sales of handmade soap continue to grow as part of society's movement toward buying products that are healthy and good for the environment. With the ever increasing use of synthetic chemicals and studies about their dangerous effects, consumers are on the lookout for more "green" alternatives.

Benefits Of Handmade Soap

Evidence abounds of the healing properties of a handmade bar of soap. Those who suffer from skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, as well as people that have sensitive skin or are hypoallergenic often find immediate relief by switching to handmade soap. Compared to store bought soap, handmade soap is very mild. They are often made from vegetable-based oils, such as olive, coconut, and palm and do not contain the potentially harmful chemicals found in conventional bar soap. One of the biggest differences between commercial soap and handmade soap is glycerine. Glycerine is a clear liquid that absorbs water from the air and is a key factor in keeping skin soft and healthy. Glycerin soap is especially good for sensitive and delicate skin, and for children. Because it is a high quality by-product in the soap making process, many mass commercial soap manufacturers often extract the glycerine and sell it as a by-product to be used in higher priced products like lotions and skin creams.

Handmade Soap Is Good For Your Body

For adults, the skin covers approximately 20 square feet of the human body. It is the largest human organ and is the bodies first line of defense against dehydration, temperature, infection and harmful substances. Handmade soaps give your skin the care it deserves and make bathing a gentle, soothing experience.

Handmade Soap Is Good For Your Mind

For many of us today, life seems to move at an often hectic pace. While the stress of everyday life increases, personal time is at minimum. A fragrant, handmade bar of soap is a simple indulgence that fosters a feeling of relaxation and being pampered. Treat yourself or someone you love to the benefits of handmade soap!

About The Author

Chere Deshayes is the owner of Bath Plantation, a company that specializes in fine handcrafted bath and body products. Subscribe to her FREE newsletter at <a href="http://www.bathplantation.com/newsletter.html" target="_new">http://www.bathplantation.com/newsletter.html</a> or visit her site at <a href="http://www.bathplantation.com" target="_new">http://www.bathplantation.com</a>.

Acai Berry From The Amazon Is Taking The World By Storm!

2008-12-28T19:20:00.001-08:00

The benefits from eating healthy are endless. And, according to Dr. Nicholas Perricone, some foods can be eaten to help you look and age better! At the top of the list is the acai fruit from the Amazon forest. This little berry is one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world. It can often be found in juice form in health food and gourmet stores.

A previously little-known fruit harvested from the Brazilian rainforest is now gaining recognition for its high levels of the cholesterol-fighting fatty acids, Omega 6 and Omega 9, and its strong concentration - up to 33 times that found in red wine grapes - of anthocyanin, a powerful anti-oxidant.

The acai berry is especially noteworthy for the antioxidant properties afforded by its concentration of anthocyanin - which is also present in red wine - that prevents oxidants from harming connective tissue while repairing damaged proteins in blood vessel walls. This helps explain the "French Paradox." The French, who are noted wine drinkers, have one of the lowest incidences of heart disease of any westernized society despite a diet high in cholesterol and saturated fat.

Monavie Direct, a network marketing company started in 2004, is experiencing rapid growth. The company was formed to market a wellness product, the Acai Amazon Berry, in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia. With 10 times the antioxidants of grapes and twice the antioxidants of blueberries, the Brazilian Acai berry is considered to have the best nutritional value of any fruit on earth.

With each bottle of MonaVie purchased, a portion of your proceeds will be donated to help preserve the Amazon rainforest. MonaVie's roots are entrenched in the Amazon. The Amazon is a region of superlatives: it spans the borders of eight countries; it is the world's largest river basin and the source of one-fifth of the Earth's freshwater; it has the world's highest diversity of birds and freshwater fish; it is the planet's largest and most luxuriant rainforest in which, amazingly, live more than one third of all species in the world. Despite its natural richness, the Amazon ecosystem is fragile and in peril.

Make a Difference in the World. Drink Life? Drink MonaVie?

We are currently looking for team leaders for the following countries: USA, Canada, Singapore, Puerto Rico, New Zealand and Australia.

We will be opening many more countries in 2005. We are currently looking for team leaders to help with International Expansion and we are offering free Signup and free Website marketing systems at no cost to you but for a limited time only. So act soon !

For addtional information about MonaVie please visit: <a target="_new" href="http://www.monaviedirect.com">http://www.monaviedirect.com</a>

Chris Johnson - Public Relations
<a target="_new" href="http://www.monaviedirect.com">http://www.monaviedirect.com</a>
646.654.1692

Human Hair Extensions Create Beautiful Long Hair Styles Instantly

2008-12-28T18:40:00.001-08:00

As you glance across virtually every print medium such as newspapers, magazines and catalogs, there seems to be one thing in common as far as hair cut styles is concerned. The long hair cut style is everywhere. So what are you supposed to do if you don't have long hair and you really want the long hair cut style? Well, let's see, human hair grows about ?" per month, so if your hair is at ear level, that would be almost two years to wait for that 'hair cascading down your back' look. And of course by the time you grow your hair out, the short hair cut style will be in.

"Don't limit yourself to just adding length to your hair. Hair extensions offer a simple solution to fine hair and can add a little pizzazz to thick, curly or wavy hair in any color or style."

Rod Sickler
Owner
Images by Rod & Company
Rantoul, Illinois

In today's society, two-year waits are OUT and immediate results are IN. The beauty industry recognized the demand for instant long natural looking hair and thus today's hottest trend was born-Human Hair Extensions. Hair extensions are not only for lengthening your hair, according to Rod Sickler, owner of Images by Rod & Company and Sexy Hair Concepts Artistic Team Member.

"Any hair type can support hair extensions", says Sickler. Sickler makes hair extensions easy by creating cutting-edge hair styles for his clients. Some examples include sleek and straight hair, vivacious ringlets and striking color enhancements with the use of different highlighted and lowlighted hair extensions. He describes the hair extension process as very painstaking and challenging as it requires many hours and various techniques to complete. The rewards are many as he is able to re-invent hair, tweak techniques and fulfill his clients' needs.

One of Sicklers' hair extension clients, Holly Leach of Rantoul, Illinois, says she wanted to get hair extensions because she was ready for a change and wanted Sickler to re-invent her look by adding thickness and length to her thinning hair with European Hair Extensions. She was absolutely amazed at the results. "I came into the salon (Images by Rod & Company) looking one way, and came out looking totally different", says, Leach. Leach has had her hair extensions for about 5 months now, with absolutely no issues and no complaints. She maintains the hair extensions with non-soy based conditioning shampoo and moisturizers from Sexy Hair Concepts, and uses hair dryers and curling irons with no problems. Leach concludes,"Hair Extensions are worth the time and money, when you can get fabulous-looking long hair instantly".

"Hair extensions are a huge self-esteem booster because they give women the opportunity to get the long hair style look without the wait" Guinevere Werr

Manager, The Spa East Bank Club, Chicago, Ill

Some women are concerned or have heard that hair extensions can cause damage to their natural hair, or even loss of hair. Guinevere Werr, Manager of The Spa at the East Bank Club in Chicago, Ill, says the fusion application method Sickler uses from So.Cap., an Italian company, does not create any damage to the natural hair since it is applied ?" from the scalp and not directly on the scalp. Werr assisted Sickler with applying brown hair extensions with some highlight extensions to her sisters' hair. She adds that Sicklers hair extension clients have lost almost no hair extensions and have had very little maintenance issues.

So where do you start if you are thinking of getting hair extensions? You must research the different types of hair used for hair extensions, the different types of attachment methods, the hair stylists' education and training, any maintenance schedules and of course the cost.

There are a lot of different types of hair that are used for hair extensions. There is human hair and synthetic hair. Synthetic hair is used to add the high fashion colors, such as pinks and blues. Generally speaking, if you are going for the natural, it grew out of my head, look you should go with human hair. Human hair comes in many different textures and grades. The human hair must be strong and healthy to produce extensions that will last and wear without tangling or drying. European human hair is well- known as quality human hair used for extensions.

There are three basic techniques to attach the hair. They are fusion or strand by strand, weaving and bonding. There are many variations to these techniques and they are sometimes called by different names.

Fusion/strand by strand: This process is done strand by strand in small sections using heated adhesive sticks or glue specifically made for hair extensions. Extension hair is added directly to your own hair. Sickler uses the fusion method from the Italian company So.Cap. Hair is attached about ? "from your scalp and looks totally natural. Sickler comments, "No one can visually see that you have hair extensions. It's up to you if you want everyone to know".

Weaving is a process where a corn row or track is created around the head and close to the scalp. Extension hair is sewn on the tracks. Your own hair lies over the tracks for a natural look. Bonding is a process where bonding glue is applied onto the weft of the extension hair and then applied at the root of your hair. A weft is horizontal hair strands attached together at the top of vertically flowing hair strands. Wefts can be machine-made or handmade.

There are some disadvantages to each of these methods. Sometimes if the hair extension application method is not done properly, the hair extensions will simply fall out, or cause damage to your natural hair. Also, with additional pressure to your scalp from the weight of the heavy extensions, there could be some thinning of your natural hair and/or headaches as you adapt to the new weight. There have been some reports of allergies to the chemicals that are used. You should discuss the disadvantages of hair extensions thoroughly with your hair stylist so that there are no surprises.

The hair extension training and education your hair stylist has received is very important to the success of their work. Sickler received his hair extension training from renowned expert, Joseph Accola, and he keeps up-do-date on techniques by attending beauty shows across Europe where hair extensions are more popular than in the U.S. "Hair extension education and training are paramount to successful hair extensions for any hair stylist", says Sickler. If you are looking for a hair stylist to do hair extensions and they don't have the proper training, you could be very disappointed with the results.

After you have your hair extensions in place, you will need to schedule regular maintenance visits to check your extensions. How often you need to go back will depend on the type of hair and the method of attachment that was used. As your hair grows out, some of the hair extensions will need to be removed and replaced or touched up.

On a day-to-day basis you should treat your human hair extensions as you would long hair. Brush, shampoo, condition and moisturize on a regular basis. Some hair stylists will recommend specific high-quality hair care products to use with your extensions. You can also use hair dryers, flat irons, curling irons on most types of human hair extensions. Color treatments can be done on the hair extensions, but you should consult with your hair stylist before considering this. Monthly color touch-ups to your roots will not be a problem, as the hair extensions will not be touched.

Although it doesn't hurt physically to get hair extensions, it may hurt you financially. There really is no way around this factor. To get good hair extensions on your whole head, you will need quality human hair, an experienced hair stylist, at least one assistant and about 6-8 hours of time. The ticket price can vary from $150-$2000 depending on what you are having done. Adding a few highlights or lowlight hair extensions can be quite less as the time and amount of hair needed is less.

In short, here are ten tips to follow after you have decided you want to get hair extensions and have selected a beauty salon. To find beauty salons that do hair extensions, you can look in the yellow pages or search online. The beauty salon directory at www.hairresources.com will allow you to search for 'hair extensions in your City, State.

1.After selecting a salon, schedule an initial consultation to discuss what you would like to have done and any concerns that you have. 2. Ask about what hair extension experience your hair stylist has and where they received their training.

3. Make sure the hair stylist listens and understands your needs and concerns. Does he/she communicate well with you?

4. The hair stylist should ask you about your lifestyle, health, hobbies and your normal hair routine

5. An analysis of your scalp and hair should be done at the initial consultation to make sure your hair is in a condition for successful hair extensions.

6. Ask to see before and after photos of hair extension clients

7. Ask for references and be sure to call them

8. Ask how often the average client needs to replace the hair. This is very important for anticipating future costs

9. Get a written estimate for your hair extensions with an itemized list of the services required to achieve your new look

10.Get a written maintenance plan. Plan should include recommendations for products, grooming tools, follow-up appointments and any special instructions.

Hair extensions have many advantages and several disadvantages that should be addressed, but if you want to create an instant long hair style, human hair extensions are the way to go

Perriann Rodriguez is the founder of <a target="_new" href="http://www.hairresources.com">http://www.hairresources.com</a> and <a target="_new" href="http://www.hairresources.net">http://www.hairresources.net</a> She is listed in the 2004 Who's Who of Business and Marketing Professionals and U.S. Registry of American Writers. She is the author of the Ebook: 2005's Most Popular Hair Extensions, available at <a target="_new" href="http://www.hairresources.net">http://www.hairresources.net</a>, and over 100 feature articles.

Hair Raising Stuff

2008-12-28T17:30:00.001-08:00

Definately without a doubt it was a new image that was needed for my summer holiday. I was sick and tired of looking like the queen with the same hairstyle for as long as I could remember.

Well that was all about to change as I went on a rampage emptying every shop shelf of every glossy magazine that I could find. That evening all engagements were cancelled with Coroanation St, Emmerdale and Eastenders. Sacrafices had to made as I was on a mission to find the new me.

Settled down for the evening with every brochure and mag at my side, flicking through every page not leaving one unturned. Surely there had to be a style in one of them that was going to help me in my quest in finding the new image that I so badly craved.

A couple of hours of browsing had elapsed, and low and behold there jumping out at me as plain as day was the most wanting to die for hairstyle you ever did see. This was it with out a doubt. The style that I knew was going to give me a new lease of life.

After a visit to the shops armed with hair colouring lotions conditioners scissors etc. I raced up the stairs to the bathroom missing every other step. I was so excited. Why would I not be excited? tomorrow I was to be a different person. No animosty spared between the old image in the mirror as I said my goodbyes

Smelling like a peroxide skunk I carried on following the instructions on the box. No matter how sweet scented that sachet of conditioner was it was not powerful enough to rid the odour that lingered all around. It was all going to be worthwhile I said to myself glancing down for about the hundredth time at the picture in the mag. Forty minutes was up and it was now time to rinse dry and style. (Enter the blonde bombshell)

Staring down at the picture in the magazine and back to my reflection in the mirror, told me something was wrong. Two styles couldnt be any more different.

I followed the instructions as prompted, where could I have gone wrong? I screamed. I will tell you came a voice from the other side of the bathroom door. It was my husband who on hearing all the fuss decided to check out what was going on. I will tell you what is going on I yelled back at him.

Explaining how I felt about myself I handed him the magazine with the picture of this fabulous hairstyle on this beautiful model. He looked for a long while at the photo and then back at me. Repeating this motion many times.

Darling I do not want to upset you he replied, but the reason that you will never have that look is because you do not have that face. So why not make do with what God gave you. I have made do with what god gave you for 34 years and I still like what I see.

Kacy is my name and I am about to take another route in my life, of which I know will be a challenge but what the heck. Life is all about challlenges. <a target="_new" href="http://benidormbeaches.com">http://benidormbeaches.com</a>

What is Digital Nail Art?

2008-12-28T13:30:00.001-08:00

How is the procedure performed?

How long does it take?

How long do the designs last?

Are the inks and varnishes dangerous?

All the inks and varnishes have been tested to comply with all safety standards and are perfectly safe.

Are your hands safe in the machine?

Can it print a French Manicure?

Certainly can, just use the white base coat and the machine can print the french manicure with more flair and design than you could ever do with air brushing.

Can it print toe nails?

Yes, fashion now goes a step further, and the world of design and art is now available for your toes.

Where can I get digital nail art?

At any reputable nail salon, if there isn't a machine in a salon near you, then tell them to get a machine so that you can try it out.

Beauty Tips: 10 Steps for Radiant Skin

2008-12-28T10:30:00.001-08:00

1. Eat a balanced diet ? what we put in our bodies will show on our skin. If you eat fatty foods and junk your skin will reflect that, so give your skin proper nutrition.

2. Get at least 7 to 8 hours sleep every night. A lack of sleep will show up under your eyes as dark circles or bags. Proper rest will also benefit your body and your life.

3. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day to keep your skin hydrated. It is best to spread the consumption of water in small amounts over the course of the day to be sure it is properly absorbed.

4. Maintain a regular exercise schedule. Exercise gets the blood moving and creates a healthy body.

5. Get lots of fresh air but avoid prolonged exposure to wind and cold.

6. Avoid the sun and tanning beds. The damage done by ultraviolet rays is long lasting and cannot be reversed.

7. Always wear sunglasses to avoid squinting.

8. Try to achieve a well-balanced life and reduce stress.

9. Exfoliate twice a week to rid your skin of dead cells.

10. Develop a skin care routine for your particular skn type.

If you have been neglecting your complexion start right away to improve it ? it's never too late. What you do today will show up in your skin in the future. It's up to you.

Buying Home Whitening Kits like Whitestrips

2008-12-28T07:20:00.001-08:00

Tired of stained, yellow teeth? Want to give yourself a beautiful, whiter smile? Then perhaps you have thought about at home teeth whitening kits. In January 2004, Consumer Reports wrote "Home kits do whiten teeth for far less than you'd pay for a professional treatment."

Along with the above quote, Consumer Reports rated Colgate Whitestrips as "good" while Crest Simply White Night was given a rating of "very good." Both were said to help in whitening the tester's teeth and both were recommended products.

But which of the two is most right for you? When deciding to buy an at home teeth whitening kit, keep in mind of what is most convenient for you. The main difference is that Crest Whitestrips are nearly invisible sticky strips that are worn twice a day, for 30 minutes at a time, (or you can do a single one hour session) while Colgate Simply White Night is a gel that is brushed onto your teeth before you sleep. Neither are flavored and after a few days, most people get accustomed to either method. However, the main reason consumers do not get the full benefits of their whitening kits is because they prematurely stop usage before the recommended time (usually 14 days).

One last note is that both Crest and Colgate recommend continued usage or their products to improve your teeth whiteness level. Therefore, if you are satisfied with your initial results, consider purchasing another teeth whitening kit to whiten your teeth even more. However, neither Crest Whitestrips nor Colgate Simply White Night can give you a "bombshell" white smile if you have had years of coffee, caffeine, or smoking. For those results, you will most likely have to have multiple visits to your dentist as well as spend hundreds of dollars.

If however, you are looking for a cheap alternative to whiten your teeth several shades, then why not give at home teeth whitening products a try? After all, almost all of them offer a money back guarantee.

About The Author

Yale Wang is the founder of <a href="http://www.whitekit.com" target="_new">http://www.whitekit.com</a> a website offering information and products about home whitening products such Crest Whitestrips and Colgate Simply White Night

<a href="mailto:webmaster@whitekit.com">webmaster@whitekit.com</a>

The Maharishi Ayurveda Approach to Beauty and Skin Care with Nancy Lonsdorf M.D.

2008-12-28T03:30:00.001-08:00

"Every person is born perfect. Inferiority is a mistake of the mind, a cloud covering the light. Dissolve the clouds by observing a balanced life with healthy habits. Nourish your mind and body. Connect with your own inner self. Celebrate your own magnificence and your beauty will always shine through." -Dr. Rama Kant Mishra, renowned Ayurvedic physician and dermatologist

The Three Pillars of Beauty

Maharishi Ayurveda (MAV), the modern, consciousness-based revival of the ancient Ayurvedic medicine tradition, considers true beauty to be supported by three pillars; Outer Beauty, Inner Beauty and Lasting Beauty. Only by enhancing all three can we attain the balanced state of radiant health that makes each of us the most fulfilled and beautiful person we can be.

Outer Beauty: Roopam

The outer signs of beauty - your skin, hair and nails - are more than just superficial measures of beauty. They are direct reflections of your overall health. These outer tissues are created by the inner physiological processes involved in digestion, metabolism and proper tissue development. Outer beauty depends more on the strength of your digestion and metabolism, the quality of your diet, and the purity of your blood, than on external cleansers and conditioners you may apply.

General Recommendations for Outer Beauty

As we will discuss, the key to skin care is matching your diet and skin care routine to the specific skin type you have. Meanwhile, there are some valuable recommendations for lustrous skin, hair and nails that will be helpful to everyone, regardless of skin type.

1. Diet: Without adequate nourishment, your collagen layer thins and a kind of wasting takes place. Over time, your skin can shrivel up like a plant without water from lack of nourishment. To keep your skin plump and glowing:

A. Eat fresh, whole organic foods that are freshly prepared.

Avoid packaged, canned, frozen, processed foods and leftovers. These foods have little nutritional value and also they are often poorly digested which creates impurities that localize in the skin. The resulting buildup of toxins causes irritation and blocks circulation depriving the skin of further nourishment and natural cleansing processes.

B. Favor skin nourishing foods.

<li>Leafy green vegetables contain vitamins, minerals (especially iron and calcium) and are high in antioxidant properties. They nourish the skin and protect it from premature aging.

<li>Sweet juicy fruits like grapes, melons, pears, plums and stewed apples at breakfast are excellent for the skin in almost everyone.

<li>Eat a wide variety of grains over different meals and try mixed grain servings at breakfast and lunch. Add amaranth, quinoa, cous cous, millet and barley to the wheat and rice you already eat.

<li>Favor light, easy to digest proteins like legume soups (especially yellow split mung dhal), whole milk, paneer (cheese made from boiling milk, adding lemon and straining solids) and lassi (diluted yogurt and spice drinks).

<li>Oils like ghee (clarified butter) and organic, extra virgin olive oil should be included in the diet as they lubricate, nourish and create lustre in the skin.

<li>Use spices like turmeric, cumin, coriander, and black pepper to improve digestion, nourish the skin and cleanse it of impurities.

<li>Avoid microwaving and boiling your vegetables. They lose as much as 85% of their antioxidant content when cooked in this way. Steaming and saut?ing are best.

Caring for outer beauty through knowledge of skin type

Besides these general recommendations the key to Outer Beauty is to understand the difference in skin types so you can gain the maximum benefit from your individualized skin care regimen. MAV identifies three different skin types based on which of the three main metabolic principles (doshas)- present in everyone, but to different degrees- is most dominant in your body.

Vata Skin

* Description: Vata is composed of the elements of air and space. If you have a vata skin type, your skin will be dry, thin, fine pored, delicate and cool to the touch. When balanced, it glows with a delicate lightness and refinement that is elegant and attractive. When vata skin is imbalanced, it will be prone to excessive dryness and may even be rough and flaky.

* Potential problems: The greatest beauty challenge for vata skin is its predisposition to symptoms of early aging. Your skin may tend to develop wrinkles earlier than most due to its tendency to dryness and thinness. If your digestion is not in balance, your skin can begin to look dull and grayish, even in your 20's and 30's. In addition, your skin may have a tendency for disorders such as dry eczema and skin fungus. Mental stress, such as worry, fear and lack of sleep, has a powerful debilitating effect on vata skin leaving it looking tired and lifeless.

* Recommendations for care

With a little knowledge, you can preserve and protect the delicate beauty of your vata type skin. Since your skin does not contain much moisture, preventing it from drying is the major consideration. Eat a warm, unctuous diet (ghee and olive oil are best) and favor sour, salty and sweet tastes (naturally sweet like fruits, not refined sugar) as they balance vata. Avoid drying foods like crackers. Drink 6-8 glasses of warm (not cold for vata types!) water throughout the day and eat plenty of sweet, juicy fruits. Going to bed early (before 10 PM) is very soothing to vata and will have a tremendously positive influence on your skin. Avoid cleansing products that dry the skin (like alcohol-based cleansers) and perform Ayurvedic oil massage to your whole body (abhyanga) in the morning before you shower.

Pitta Skin.

* Description: Pitta dosha is composed of the elements of fire and water. If you have a pitta skin type your skin is fair, soft, warm and of medium thickness. When balanced, your skin has a beautiful, slightly rosy or golden glow, as if illuminated from within. Your hair typically is fine and straight, and is usually red, sandy or blonde in color. Your complexion tends toward the pink or reddish, and there is often a copious amount of freckles or moles.

* Potential problems: Among the many beauty challenges of pitta skin types is your tendency to develop rashes, rosacea, acne, liver spots or pigment disorders. Because of the large proportion of the fire element in your constitution, your skin does not tolerate heat or sun very well. Of all the three skin types, pitta skin has the least tolerance for the sun, is photosensitive, and most likely to accumulate sun damage over the years. Pitta skin is aggravated by emotional stress, especially suppressed anger, frustration, or resentment.

* Recommendations for care

Avoid excessive sunlight, tanning treatments and highly heating therapies like facial or whole body steams. Avoid hot, spicy foods and favor astringent, bitter and sweet foods which balance pitta. (Again, naturally sweet, not chocolate and refined sugar!) Sweet juicy fruits (especially melons and pears), cooked greens and rose petal preserves are especially good. Drinking plenty of water helps wash impurities from sensitive pitta skin. Reduce external or internal contact with synthetic chemicals, to which your skin is especially prone to react, even in a delayed fashion after years of seemingly uneventful use. Avoid skin products that are abrasive, heating or contain artificial colors or preservatives. Most commercial make-up brands should be avoided in favor of strictly 100% natural ingredient cosmetics. And be sure to get your emotional stress under control through plenty of outdoor exercise, yoga and meditation.

Kapha Skin.

* Description: Kapha dosha is composed of the elements of earth and water. If you have a kapha skin type your skin is thick, oily, soft and cool to the touch. Your complexion is a glowing porcelain whitish color, like the moon, and hair characteristically thick, wavy, oily and dark. Kapha skin types, with their more generous collagen and connective tissue, are fortunate to develop wrinkles much later in life than vata or pitta types.

*Potential problems If your skin becomes imbalanced, it can show up as enlarged pores, excessively oily skin, moist types of eczema, blackheads, acne or pimples, and water retention. Kapha skin is also more prone to fungal infections.

* Recommendations for care

Kapha skin is more prone to clogging and needs more cleansing than other skin types. Be careful to avoid greasy, clogging creams. Likewise, avoid heavy, hard to digest foods like fried foods, fatty meats, cheeses and rich desserts. Eat more light, easy to digest, astringent, bitter and pungent (well-spiced) foods as they balance kapha. Olive oil is the best cooking oil and a little ginger and lime juice can be taken before meals to increase your characteristically sluggish digestive fire. Take warm baths often and use gentle cleansers to open the skin pores. Avoid getting constipated and try to get some exercise every day to increase circulation and help purify the skin through the sweating process.

Inner Beauty: Gunam.

Happy, positive, loving, caring individuals have a special beauty that is far more than skin deep. Conversely we all experience the quick and deleterious effect on our skin from fatigue and stress.

Inner beauty is authentic beauty, not the kind that shows on a made-up face, but the kind that shines through from your soul, your consciousness or inner state of being. Inner beauty comes from a mind and heart that are in harmony, not at odds with each other, causing emotional confusion, loss of confidence, stress and worry. Inner peace is the foundation of outer beauty.

Maintain your self-confidence and a warm, loving personality by paying attention to your lifestyle and daily routine and effective management of stress (I highly recommend the TM technique for its scientifically-verified benefits on mental and physical health and reduced aging.) You will also be healthier and feel better through the day if you eat your main meal at midday and make a habit of going to bed early (by 10 PM is ideal.)

Remember, kindness, friendliness and sincerity naturally attract people to you. On the other hand, being uptight or tense makes people want to walk the other way, regardless of your facial structure, body weight, or other outer signs we associate with attractiveness.

Lasting Beauty: Yayastyag

In order to slow the aging process and gain lasting beauty there are two additional key considerations beyond those already discussed,

1. Eliminate toxins and free radicals in the body: The main deteriorating effects of aging come as toxins and impurities (called ama in Ayurveda) accumulate throughout the body. These toxins may begin as free radicals in the body, or over time may become oxidized into free radicals, all of which contribute to premature aging in the body. For lasting health and beauty it is essential to avoid and neutralize free radicals, to prevent impurities of all kinds from accumulating and to remove those that have already become lodged in the body.

The most powerful cleansing therapy in Maharishi Ayurveda is "panchakarma" therapy, a series of natural treatments ideally performed twice yearly, that involves 5-7 days in a row of massage, heat treatments and mild herbal enemas. Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of undergoing this cleansing program once or twice a year to prevent impurities from accumulating, localizing and hardening in the tissues. Just as we change the oil in our cars regularly for optimal performance and lifespan, Ayurveda recommends that we cleanse the "sludge" from our tissues on a regular basis through panchakarma treatments.

Best of all, panchakarma treatments are luxurious, blissful, and make you feel (and look) completely rejuvenated in just a few days time. I have had many a patient who told me that friends asked them afterwards if they had gotten a facelift, they looked so fresh and youthful!

Other free radical busters include: reducing mental stress, eating antioxidant foods like leafy green vegetables, sweet, juicy fruits and cooking on a daily basis with antioxidant, detoxifying spices like turmeric and coriander.

2. Add rejuvenative techniques to daily living:

The daily activities of life in the modern world systematically wear us down and speed up the aging process. Ayurveda maintains it is crucial to practice daily rejuvenative regimens to counteract the stressful wear and tear of everyday life. According to Ayurveda the most important rejuvenative routines for your life are:

<li>Going to bed by 10:00 PM. This simple habit is one of the most powerful techniques for health and longevity, according to MAV.

<li>Meditate daily. Any meditation that does not involve concentration (which has been shown to increase anxiety) can be very helpful. I highly recommend the twice-daily deep rest and enlivenment of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique, whose benefits have been verified by over 700 published research studies.

<li>Eat organic, whole fresh food that is freshly prepared. There is an Ayurvedic saying: "Without proper diet. medicine is of no use. With proper diet, medicine is of no need." Be sure to avoid those leftovers, processed and microwaved foods for better nutrition and vitality.

<li>Perform Ayurvedic oil massage in the morning (abhyanga). Morning oil massage purifies the entire body, reduces anxiety and stress, helps prevent and heal injuries and supports circulation. It is especially helpful in creating a radiant complexion and keeping your skin youthful. Research shows it may also help prevent skin cancers.

<li>Practice yoga asanas. Maintaining flexibility and circulation is key to health.

<li>Practice pranayama (yoga breathing) techniques. Pranayama enlivens the mind and body. Ideally practice the following sequence twice a day. Asanas, pranayama and meditation.

Summary

Everyone's unique beauty shines forth when they have radiant health and personal happiness. Beauty is a side effect of a balanced, fulfilled life. Supreme personal beauty is accessible to everyone who is willing to take more control of their health in their day-to-day life through time-tested principles of natural living.

For most of us, beauty is not a gift but a choice. Every woman can be radiantly beautiful simply by beginning to lead a healthier life. You will be rewarded by the glowing effects you will see in your mirror each day and the powerful, bliss-producing effect your special beauty has on everyone in your life.

About The Author

Nancy Lonsdorf M.D. received her M.D. from Johns Hopkins and did her postgraduate training at Stanford. She has studied Ayurveda with some of the world's most renowned Ayurvedic physicians in India, Europe and the U.S. Dr. Lonsdorf has 17 years of clinical experience with Ayurveda and is currently the Medical Director of The Raj Ayurveda Health Center in Vedic City Iowa.

Dr. Lonsdorf has authored two books on Ayurveda and women's health:

A Woman's Best Medicine (Penguin/Putnam 1995 ; ISBN 0-87477-785-2) describing the Ayurvedic approach to the major issues in women's health

A Woman's Best Medicine for Menopause (Contemporary/McGraw Hill 2002; ISBN 0-8092-9335-8) describing the Ayurvedic approach to menopause

Doctor Lonsdorf's contact information is:
Nancy Lonsdorf M.D.
1734 Jasmine Avenue
Vedic City, IA 52556
641-472-8246
web site url: <a href="http://www.ayurveda-ayurvedic.com/" target="_new">http://www.ayurveda-ayurvedic.com/</a>

<a href="mailto:info@ayurveda-ayurvedic.com">info@ayurveda-ayurvedic.com</a>

Is Your Bad Mood Causing Skin Breakouts?

2008-12-28T02:50:00.001-08:00

Your skin tells a lot about you. Someone who looks at your face can often tell if you haven't had enough rest, if you've been slacking on your diet, or if you moisturize regularly. Your skin can also tell someone a lot about your state of mind.

It's pretty obvious when you're embarrassed because your face will get flushed. That's not what I mean. I'm referring to life's problems that pile up, stress you out, and keep you from performing at your ultimate best. Long periods without good nutrition will make skin pale and flaky, while a lack of moisture in your body can make skin tight and pinched-looking. Late nights and stressful situations can cause breakouts, oily skin and a tired, harried appearance that can keep you from looking your best.

With our busy lifestyles, it's hard to imagine how we can sleep more, eat better and stay hydrated enough to keep life's problems from showing up on your face. Fortunately, you can easily combat some of these problems by carefully choosing quick ways to relax and rejuvenate your body that won't break the bank.

Natural skincare products containing essential oils will not only help to improve your skin's appearance, but they have a double-duty effect with their aromatherapy benefits. For example, lavender essential oil is beneficial for people with minor cuts, scrapes, rashes and mild sunburn. It is also great for relaxation, making lavender a useful tool for eliminating stress.

Another great essential oil for mood enhancement is clary sage. It helps to balance the skin's natural production of sebum, making it a suitable choice whether your skin is too oily or too dry. At the same time, clary sage is well known for its hormone balancing effects, eliminating the mood swings and cramping that often occur during your menstrual cycle.

When you are choosing skincare products with essential oils, look for ones that contain little to no fragrance so you receive the full benefit of the aromatherapy at work. Also check the labels for chemicals which may cause allergic reactions and thwart your efforts to clear up your skin. With the right products, you'll begin to feel better emotionally, your appearance will change for the better, and people will certainly take notice.

Burgundy Shank makes natural skincare products using essential oils and other nutrient-rich natural ingredients. To download her FREE Report, "The Top 10 Ingredients to Avoid in Your Personal Care Products," sign up for her newsletter, "Beauty Secrets from Around the World" at <a target="_new" href="http://www.burgundysoap.com">http://www.burgundysoap.com</a>

Differences Between Perfume And Perfume Oils

2008-12-27T22:00:00.001-08:00

Spring and Summer Make-up Trends 2005

2008-12-27T10:20:00.001-08:00

Natural, Radiant skin

That's right, summer is upon us already, which means less emphasis on covering up under layers of foundation, concealer and powder and focusing instead on the natural beauty of our skin. This is all very well for those blessed with perfect, clear skin, but for the rest of us mere mortals, help is at hand! With the proper use of foundation and blusher that "peaches and cream"/"English rose" radiance can be yours this summer.

Foundation should be kept as light and dewy as possible. Apply a fluid or cr?me foundation with the fingertips, and blend with a sponge for a flawless finish. Use foundation sparingly, and only where necessary. Certain areas of the face - the forehead, nose and chin - naturally will require more coverage than the cheeks.

Blusher should be applied first to the apples of the cheeks and then swept back and upwards, using light strokes. To keep skin radiant and lustrous, ensure you use a good exfoliator, to remove dull dead skin cells and reveal new skin for a brighter complexion. Follow this with an SPF moisturiser suited to your skin type, bearing in mind many people can use a slightly lighter cream or lotion in the summer months than is required in the winter.

What's in: perfectly natural complexions. What's out: heavy bronzer and fake tan. This summer it will be all about pale, milky skin with just a touch of blush across the cheeks and nose. Think pinks and peaches for fairer skin tones, and light golden bronze for darker skins.

Glossy nude lips

After the winter of covering up lips in bold shades, its time to ditch the lip liner and vampy red lipstick in favour of a lighter glossier look. Lips are more delicate and understated this season, think lip tints and sheer glosses, in pink and peachy tones for paler skins and golden bronze hues for darker skins. The whole look should be very fresh and unpretentious. Try Clinique's Colour Surge Impossibly Glossy lip colours, or Est?e Lauder pure colour crystal gloss. For a little extra coverage and long lasting wet-look colour apply Lanc?me's juicy rogue, with a dab of "babydoll" the newest addition to their cult juicy tube collection. As with make-up look, preparation is key, so invest in a lip-exfoliator and start applying a good non-petroleum based lip balm frequently, for kissably soft lips!

Bright n' bold eyeliner

In keeping with previous make-up trends there is still very much a focus on eyes this spring. However the emphasis this season has shifted to eye-liner, and the bigger and brighter the better. Reinvent your night-time look by lining your eyes with kohl or liquid liner, in vivid turquoises, rich purples, azure or aubergine. These work particularly well with a hint of shimmer to open and draw attention to the eye. I recommend Bobbi Browns Long-Wear gel eyeliner, applied with an eyeliner brush, so you can intensify the look as much as you like. You could also try M.A.C pigments, which come in an exhaustive range of colours and textures. Loyal fans of the kohl pencil, try Lanc?me's Crayon Kh?l in 019 le bleu de jules, a soft aqua-marine blue or Bourjois Khol & Contour Eye Liner in Violet Irise 18, a vibrant lilac-fuchsia.

Finally for all the eye-liner buffs out there, Make-Up Forever's colour liquid liner, thanks to its ultra fine tip applicator, will give a highly pigmented pearly finish.

Nicola Hickey-Crowe, make-up artist.

Getting Rid of Cellulite - The Best Anti Cellulite Creams, Treatments and Remedies

2008-12-27T09:30:00.001-08:00

It is estimated that about 95% of all women have cellulite. That is a staggering number, and seems almost impossible to beat! We are lucky enough to live in an age where cosmetic and "nutraceutical" technology is becoming so advanced, getting rid of cellulite is becoming easier, more affordable, and faster.

We have several anti cellulite creams, treatments and even anti cellulite herbal supplements and cellulite remedies at our disposal to add to our anti cellulite arsenal. Getting rid of cellulite is an uphill battle, and as of yet there are no "permanent" fixes, but there are ways to effectively and dramatically reduce cellulite and smooth those puckered, spongy areas into submission.

Getting rid of cellulite is easier and so much more effective with more than one method of cellulite treatment. First, a high quality anti cellulite cream, lotion or gel is a good start, since the smoothing, tightening, and water retention relief ingredients almost immediately smooth the appearance of cellulite. Also, the massaging action that is used to apply the cellulite lotion actually helps to externally stimulate circulation and break up the collagen bands just below the surface that cause the puckered, spongy texture externally.

Another highly recommended method of getting rid of cellulite, IN COMBINATION with your anti cellulite cream, is an herbal or all natural cellulite fighting supplement designed to specifically target the internal causes of cellulite formation.

By helping your body dispose of excess water retention and built up toxins, anti cellulite supplements actually help shrink the fat cells that are responsible for the appearance of cellulite.

Getting rid of cellulite becomes a less daunting task when you combine an excellent anti cellulite cream and oral anti cellulite remedy, since you are attacking cellulite "from both ends".

If you approach the cellulite fight this way, I guarantee you will see a noticeable reduction in cellulite in about four to eight weeks. All you have to lose is the cellulite if you follow this approach to getting rid of cellulite!

Danna Schneider is the webmaster of CosmeticsGalore.com <a target="_new" href="http://www.cosmeticsgalore.com">http://www.cosmeticsgalore.com</a> , a beauty and cosmetic enhancement product review site providing beauty advice and the latest in cosmetic enhancement technology and methods.