Like many women, I dread the first day in my bikini. That first day on the beach may be judgment day for my winter self indulgences, months of munching myself into unattractive bulges in the stomach, the hips, love handles, thighs. Some parts of the body seem almost programmed to stock fats and the prospect of fighting them an almost lost battle. Some of us may also suffer from hormonal or genetic predispositions that make firming and refining the waist skin almost impossible.

However you don’t need to panic. The first, and obvious, thing to do if you have put on a few extra pounds is to start exercising and eat lean. You can also get some help with some cellulite fighting lotions and serums. Popular in France where women swear by them, they are efficacious when diet and exercise are also included.

Here are my top cellulite-busting treatments:

Clarins Body Lift Cellulite Control, $68. This luxurious formula targets stubborn cellulite with 8 plant extracts to break down the protein barrier of fat, tighten and firm the skin to help make the hips and waist smaller. The lotion spreads smoothly and is easily absorbed by the skin. It is most effective if you massage the skin in a circular motion to promote circulation and drainage of fat and water in the targeted areas.

Vichy Laboratoires CelluDestock Intensive Treatment, $39.50. Infused with pure caffeine  and Lipocidine, this formula is meant to reduce the appearance of cellulite in four weeks. The non-sticky formula causes a slight stimulating, tightening, and toning up effect upon application on the buttocks, hips, and thighs. You must apply from knee to buttock and knead the area slowly until the product melts into the skin.

Vichy Destock Stomach Firming and Refining Abdominal Care, $37.50. This treatment helps reduce the stubborn and sagging stomach area. Pro-firming peptides and 5% Pure Caffeine improve microcirculation and firm the skin reducing the bloated feeling.

G. M Collin Body Lipo-Fitness Serum, $48. This cellulite treatment with Glaucine–caffeine complex activates channels to evacuate fat and sugar and re-balance your metabolism. The texture is very creamy and easily to spread. The result is firmer leaner skin over a two-month period.

Nivea Skin Firming Cellulite Gel–Cream, $11.  This product gets the job done–and at a very reasonable price to boot! Formulated with Coenzyme Q 10, Natural Lotus, and Carnitine it fights and reduces cellulite in ten days.

St. Ives Fresh Skin Invigorating Apricot Scrub, $5.40.  To stimulate the full absorbency of the slimming products, you should exfoliate the skin area first. This affordable exfoliator is a great way to slough off dead skin cells and bring out fresh layers of skin.

Vani-T Bronzing Custard, $29.95.  If you are fair-skinned, one trick I have learned to look slimmer is to cover my body with a self-tanner on the first day in my bikini. This organic self tanner is free of the  usual harsh chemical suspects common in self-tanners. Yet it contains approximately double the percentage of self-tanning agent (DHA) and delivers a safe. very natural tan with no orange streaks or foul odors.

These cellulite-fighting creams will help you reduce your waistline and thighs but make sure you do not depend on them alone to look trimmer and tighter. Take control of your body by working out on a regular schedule, adjusting your intake of food and alcohol,  and exfoliating your skin regularly to boost circulation and keep it fresh. If you follow these rules, you will absolutely look more confident on that first day at the beach and if you bring along your date, he will no doubt be impressed.

What are your cellulite-beating tricks? Tell us in comments!

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One in ten Americans suffers from depression–a pretty staggering and alarming statistic. Given the current social climate, these rates aren’t all that surprising.

“Top risk factors include being unable to work or unemployed; having no health insurance; suffering from obesity,” notes psychologist Gregory L. Jantz, citing a Centers for Disease Control study.

“Unfortunately, those topics have dominated headlines for the past five years. What’s worse, by 2020, the World Health Organization estimates depression will be second most debilitating disease worldwide.”

The author of “Overcoming Anxiety, Worry and Fear,” says these negative emotions along with sustained, excessive stress can lead to depression, which now overshadows other  problems for which patients seek help at his clinic.

“Depression can be rooted in a number of problems, and those need to be addressed – simply taking a pill is not usually effective treatment. Anger, fear and guilt can all be underlying causes, even when the person isn’t aware he’s experiencing those feelings.”
A holistic treatment approach, which may or may not include medication, helps people overcome a bout of the debilitating illness, and learn techniques to manage it themselves, he says.

People at risk of depression can work at maintaining their emotional equilibrium by counterbalancing negative feelings with optimism, hope, and joy. This is most effective if they do this holistically, addressing the four main categories of human need.
“By purposefully feeding the intellectual, relational, physical, and spiritual aspects of your life positive emotions, you can achieve balance,” Jantz says.

He offers these suggestions:

• Intellectual: Be aware of what you’re feeding to your mind. Try reading a positive, uplifting book, and setting aside time in your day to fill yourself up intellectually with constructive, encouraging messages. Be aware of what you are reading and listening to, and seek to counter the negative input we all get with positive influences.

• Relational: Think of a person you really enjoy talking to, someone who makes you feel good about yourself or someone who’s just fun to be around. Plan today to spend time with that person this week, even if it’s just for a moment or two. Make the effort to verbalize your appreciation for his or her positive presence in your day.

• Physical: Physical activity is a wonderful way of promoting emotional health. Engage in some mild exercise this week. Take a walk around the neighborhood. Stroll through a city park. The goals are to get your body moving and to allow you to focus on something other than yourself and your surroundings. Greet your neighbors, stop at the park and watch someone playing with his dog, or cheer at a Little League game. Intentionally open up your focus to include the broader world around you.

• Spiritual Support: Take some time to nourish your spirit. If you are a member of a religious organization, make sure to attend services this week. If you are not, listen to some religious or meditative music. Spend time in quiet reflection, meditation, or prayer. Intentionally engage in an activity that replenishes and reconnects your spirit.
If you are not depressed but feel anxious and stressed, have trouble sleeping or find your not content much of the time, Jantz says it’s time to start taking care of yourself.

“Depression is painful and as debilitating as any other disease,” he says. “Take steps to de-stress your life and to work on emotional balance before it gets worse.”

About Gregory L. Jantz, Ph.D
Gregory L. Jantz has more than 25 years experience in mental health counseling and is the founder of The Center for Counseling and Health Resources, near Seattle, Wash. The Center, “a place for hope,” provides comprehensive, coordinated care from a treatment team that addresses medical, physical, psychological, emotional, nutritional, fitness and spiritual factors involved in recovery. He is the best-selling author of more than 20 books, including “When Your Teenager Becomes…The Stranger in the House.” If you’re concerned you or a loved one may be depressed, visit www.aplaceofhope.com and click the “Are You?” tab for a self-evaluation.

Shoes – a girl’s best friend, well one of them at least.  There’s something about a great shoe that really does something for an outfit, but there’s also that pair that really gets a guy’s heart racing.  Men don’t necessarily understand women’s shoes and their love for them, but they definitely experience the power of a sexy pair.

Here are 10 pairs and styles that will always be a insta-way to get your guy’s attention and have him wanting more!

Jimmy Choo Alicia Patent Point-Toe Pump, $525. When it comes to your fashion, guys are pretty simple to please and I’ve come to realize that there’s nothing they love more than a classic, yet super sexy, black sky high pump.  I’m not entirely sure what it is – maybe it’s the easiness to view and understand, maybe it makes them think of sexy business attire (hey, we know they’ve at least thought about that sexy secretary fantasy once), or maybe it’s just because a good pump can make your legs look fantastic – who knows but what I do know is that it’s the easiest way to garner a complement from your man.  Black is always a good choice, but trying color or pattern will still turn him on.

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Dolce Vita Zana, $179. Guys have a thing for a sexy black strappy sandal.  I’m not entirely sure why, maybe those tiny little straps get them thinking about those other tiny little straps you’re wearing, but whatever it is they totally dig this style shoe.  I like this particular pair because of the subtle, but sexy, metallic detail.  Regardless of how sexy your outfit is, you’ll definitely bring the sex appeal with these bad boys.

Steve Madden Mucho, $99.95. A sexy peep toe goes a long way and these Steve Madden’s don’t disappoint.  My bf loves when I wear a sexy pair of peep toes so I guess it’s safe to say that pairing some toe cleavage with some chest cleavage is a killer combo.  This particular pair also throws in some cage-y, dominatrix-y influence with being too much to take away from the sexiness of the shoe.  Definitely a pair he’ll love.

Reiss Ana Lattice Caged Sandals, $425. And speaking of dominatrix, can’t really get more sexy than a caged sandal.  The key to this look is to make sure it’s not too S&M – you want to keep it classy and approachable.  This particular shoe is a great option for two reasons – you get the cage look without overdoing it because of the smart pink suede fill ins and the feminine bow tie in the back.  Make this as playful or sexy as you’d like but just remember not to sex up your outfit too much because that could turn into serious sexual overload.

Schultz Belita High Heels, $170. I love the sexy simplicity of a skinny strappy sandal, especially one that has very few straps, and that feeling is definitely echoed by guys.  Not a lot of fuss, not a lot of distraction – just a sexy shoe that speaks for itself.  I think the feminine silhouette of a strappy sandal like this is what really seals the deal and a skinny stiletto heel doesn’t hurt either.  This shoe has a lot of wiggle room for styling and will bring the heat to whatever it’s paired with.

Sergio Rossi Cachet Patent Leather Pumps, $747. Nothing says sex kitten like a pair of fire engine red, sky high pumps.  You’ll definitely grab any guys attention with these stunning shoes and the key to not giving off the wrong impression is to let the shoes do all the talking.  Keep the rest of your look toned down on the sex appeal – skip the skin tight miniskirts and bandage dresses and aim more towards skater dresses or a fits like a glove pair of skinny jeans and a feminine blouse.

Sam Edelman GiGi Sandals, $65. Not a heel kind of girl or want to give your feet a break?  Try rocking a pair of flat sandals.  I love these because they’re not overwhelmed with too many straps everywhere or with a platform – just a simple flat sandal with some sexy animal print and bold colored details.  The color and animal print will show off your wild side a little bit and you’ll also be comfortable, which will resonate in your personality and body language.  These are definitely a flat that will catch his eye.

Sam Edelman Mason Sandal,  $119. Yes, another pair of Sam Edelman’s and another animal print – but there’s a twist to this.  Nude platforms are a great trick to making your gams look nice and long, and being that guys are visual creatures and lovers of long, sexy legs creating this illusion is definitely a great way to grab and keep his attention.  Throw in the sexy pin thin heel and the animal print touch (which just so happens to enhance the nude color scheme) and you’ve got yourself one hot shoe he won’t be able to say no to.

Zara Ankle Strap Sandal, $89.90. A sexy heel with some color will not only grab his attention but show off your fun side, too.  I’m always for adding a pop of color to any outfit, especially one filled with neutrals, but colorful shoes are also a great way to add some serious personality to your look.  Try not to get too crazy with the prints and colors because it could kind of freak him out a little, but if you keep the colors simple and really let them speak against a classic or neutral outfit, he’ll definitely take note and want more.

ASOS Populate Lace Pointed High Heels, $43.08. When done the right way, lace can be really feminine and sexy – something your guy will love.  It gives off a little lingerie-ish vibe, and we all know how much they love that.  This pair gives you the perfect amount of lace, a tiny bit of leather, and a flattering cut out detail all in one smart, pointed toe pump.  This shoe has a wide range of styling and will look great with everything from boyfriend jeans and a tee to a figure flaunting LBD.  Definitely a pair that won’t go unnoticed.

This is just a small sample of all the many gorgeous and guy approved shoes out there.  With so many styles available it’s hard not to find a few pairs that will always turn your guy on.  Play around with a couple different options and remember to take note of what gets the most attention from your man or guys you eye when you’re out with the girls.  There’s no better reassurance then the approval from them – hey, they know what they want!  Once you’ve got an idea of what turns him on, invest in a couple pairs to throw on for those special evenings to really drive him wild!

Xoxo,
Emiko

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With the weather finally warming up, it’s a perfect opportunity to do some hard-core skin repair and rejuvenation. Like a snake, we need to shed our old dried-up winter skin that was abused through three months of harsh temperature extremes of freezing outside temperatures and over heated interiors.

Dr. Debra Jaliman, a nationally renowned dermatologist and author of “Skin Rules,” recommends exfoliating at the beginning of spring in order to shed our skin’s winter coat. She recommends pads impregnated with Salicylic Acid or Glycolic Acid or an exfoliator with Hyaluronic Acid to exfoliate the dead layers of our winter skin and bring out the new fresher layers. Hyaluronic Acid revitalizes damaged tissue and increases the skin’s viscosity and elasticity.

Here are some other products to help get your skin into tip top shape this season:

BeautyRx Advanced Exfoliating Therapy Pads by Dr. Schultz ($70) easily removes the layer of dead skin cells to reveal radiant, fresh skin. It contains four Ph – adjusted exfoliating ingredients, 10 % Glycolic augmented with Beauty RX compound Tetrafoliant to accelerate rejuvenation by brightening. It is formulated for Normal, Oily, Acne prone and Combination Skin, (not for Sensitive Skin). $70. On alternating nights, swipe across clean face, avoiding eyes and lips. Rinse off after 15 minutes.

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If your skin is sensitive, even prone to allergies, VMV Hypoallergenics, Illuminants + Cleansing Cream ($33) offers an exfoliating version more suitable for you especially if your skin receives active treatments.  It exfoliates gently while keeping your skin within a safe PH range with mild doses of unbuffered Glycolic Acid (unbuffered Glycolic Acid acts more quickly than buffered Glycolic Acid and contains certified Virgin Coconut Oil plus antioxidant Green Tea, Vitamin C + Phytic Acid (a plant derived acid), 100% Phthalate-Paraben-Preservative-free.

I am also a big fan of VMV Hypoallergenics Illuminants + Face-Hand-Body Lotion ($75) It offers mild exfoliation, tone correction, brightening  and hyper pigmentation therapy with rice Phytic Acid and  delivers deeply balanced  harmonized skin.

Own’s earth– friendly Rejuvenating Exfoliating Cleanser ($11.99) with Glycolic Acid and Vitamin E can be used on a daily basis to refresh dull complexions. Non-irritating, it preps the skin beautifully at the end of the day to take full advantage of the benefits of Own’s Renewing Night Cream ($24.99) that refines the skin’s texture.  Linoleic Acid Technology at the basis of Own enhances collagen levels while leaving a nice silk like finish that texturizes the skin.

A new British organic line Orico was just launched into the US with a Face Wash ($21) with a mild exfoliating action to target grubby urban skin specifically with a synergetic blend of antioxidants and Linden and Ginkgo that increase circulation and clarify the complexion. It works wonderfully with Superico ($47)  a Vitamin rich Face Oil with Jojoba and Bergamot oil that deeply balances out post-winter flaky-dry skin with no oily residue.

Some serums also contain Hyaluronic Acid and offer an alternative way to exfoliate, refresh and rejuvenate your skin’s surface after winter. Goldfaden’s Radical Difference ($80) uses the anti-oxidant powers of Red Tea that is fifty times more powerful as an antioxidant than Green Tea and Cherry Extracts that offer antioxidant protection and Vitamin C. The serum creates a protective barrier that repairs imperfections and the added Hyaluronic Acid keeps the skin fresh and vibrant.

If after you have thoroughly exfoliated, you still feel that winter has really aged your skin and it may be time to start digging some Botox needles into it, think twice and try first Goldfaden’s Needle-Less ($115) concentrate serum that helps to plump and fill in the skin. It contains 100% pure Hyaluronic Acid and Hexapeptides, effective at preventing the degenerative process and improving the skin’s texture and radiance. Use in the morning after cleansing your face or at night.

If your wrinkles are deep and your skin patchy and dry, you may want an even quicker turnover with Emergence by Pro + Therapy ($130), a cell rejuvenation complex with Kinetin and Zeatin  and an instant skin filler that helps smoothing out post winter creases while refreshing the appearance of your skin. Inspired by genetics research and medicine the velvety texture of this gel immediately makes the skin plumber.

For your dried up legs, arms and hands, one of the best Moisturizing Body Lotion that really gets the job done is Atopalm Moisturizing Body Lotion ($30). A quick absorbing formula, it mimics the body’s natural lipids thanks to a patented Multi-Lamellar Emulsion technology that delivers skin strengthening lipids and Allantoin to soothe stressed skin

After exfoliation and rejuvenating your skin ,make sure you wear a sunscreen with a SPF 30 even in springtime. “Sun damage is cumulative. Only five minutes in the sun daily can add up to red spots, brown spots, rough texture and fine lines” warns Dr .Jaliman. The light starts to be harsher in spring as the sun gets a bit closer to the planet. If your week – ends are full of outdoor activities, your city sunscreen just won’t do. Adventuress High Performance Sunscreen ($26) is specifically targeting exposure to the sun in the wild elements Include it in all your Spring escapades.Available as towellettes and pads too.

For lips I have discovered a deeply moisturizing lip Balm collection called Sun Bum ($3.99) with SPF 30, It relieves from dryness and contains soothing cocoa butter but no Petrochemicals and amazing flavors such as Pomegranate, Mango, Key lime. $ 3.99

These are my choices to turn over my winter old skin into a fresh spring version. I have tried them and was delighted with them. It is essential to keep on top of your skin maintenance. Skin is not only the biggest organ of your body, it is the basis of your appearance and what reveals the best your health, attractiveness and level of vibrancy. Keep at it!

- PATRICIA WERSINGER

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