Flower Beauty Magazine

8 Natural and Fast Anti Aging Tips

2009-12-21T08:03:00.000-08:00

8 Natural and Fast Anti Aging Tips

A WHOLESOME DIET, regular exercise, and other long-term good habits lay the foundation for a healthy glow. But sometimes you need to shine right away. The following expert-recommended fixes can help you turn back the clock in just 24 hours. Try them--you'll look and feel more youthful and vibrant.

1 Touch Your Feet. Reflexology, or stimulating the pressure points on your feet, reduces stress, and if you're relaxed, you look younger. To relieve stress instantly, press your thumb into your solar plexus point, located just below the ball of your foot. Hold for one minute and repeat on your other foot.

2 Elevate Your Head. Propping your head up with an extra pillow reduces the eye puffiness that can add years to your face. Gravity drains fluid so it doesn't pool around your eyes. Simply slip an extra pillow under your head 15 minutes before you get out of bed.

3 Chill Out. Cooling your eyelids also helps eliminate puffiness. On each closed lid, place a cold tea bag (any type will do), a refrigerated cucumber or potato slice, or the secret weapon of many makeup artists--a chilled teaspoon (put spoons in the fridge the night before), "[Spoons] fit into the contour of the eye, and the metal retains cold long enough to be effective. In 10 to 15 minutes, any of these items will reduce puffy eyes.

4 Heal Hands. Rough hands are a dead giveaway of age. To rejuvenate them, right before bedtime slather on a generous coat of sesame oil, canola oil, or sunflower oil. Slip on cotton gloves (or you can use socks), and sleep with them on. The oil barrier prevents moisture loss from your skin, she explains. By morning, your hands will be baby soft and smooth.

5 Banish Bloat. Retaining water can make you appear heavier. Diuretic herbs like horsetail (Equisetum arvense) or dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale) can help you drop 3 to 5 pounds of water weight in a day. To safely lose a few pounds for a special occasion, Mowrey recommends taking 1 g of either horsetail or dandelion root in capsule form twice a day for one day. Or you can take 12 drops of either herb tincture in a cup of warm water two or three times a day. Don't exceed these dosages. If your body sheds too much water you could lose electrolytes, the mineral salts like sodium and potassium that facilitate communication between cells.

6 Move with Grace. If you don't move well, you look old, no matter how good your figure, hair, or makeup is. Poor posture can result from a sports injury or even just from slinging your purse, gym bag, or briefcase over the same shoulder every day for several years. Feldenkrais, a method that teaches proper movement, uses gentle exercises to amend slouching, limping, and other problems. You'll see results after a single hour-long session.

7 Live in Love. When you're in love, you glow. But you don't need to wait around for Cupid's arrows. Baltimore plastic surgeon Eve Bruce, M.D., author of Shaman M.D. (Inner Traditions, 2002), says you can get the same results simply by evoking a memory of love. Try this meditation exercise: Set aside 20 minutes to sit comfortably in a quiet place. Close your eyes and recall a loving memory of a friend, a pet, a parent, or a child. To help you focus, inhale through your nose deeply for four counts and exhale through your mouth for eight. Consider lighting scented candles or playing music that takes you back to that particular time. Once you get the hang of it, you can recall certain thoughts instantly and make yourself glow at any time

8 Mist Your Face. Dull, dry skin can magnify fine lines. For an instant dewy look, you can try spritzing on the following recipe whenever your skin feels tight: Combine in a spray bottle 1 cup distilled or mineral water, 1/2 cup witch hazel, and 3 drops of chamomile (Matricaria recutita), geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), or lavender (Lavandula officinalis) essential oil. (Stored in a cool, dry place, the spray keeps indefinitely.)

source: findarticles.com

6 Thing to Do to Delay Skin Aging

2009-09-20T08:22:00.000-07:00

WATER
You can find more water in the human body than any other substance. That is way it is very important for you to drink plenty of water, at least 2 litres a day (8 full glasses). It helps the skin mentain its youth and smoothness. On the other hand, dehydration makes the skin appear without brilliance and vitality, and the pores appear larger.

TAN
Never lay out in the sun without protection for the skin. And if it is not summer and hot yet, but you really want a tan to look gorgeous for an occasion, you must keep in mind that 10 minites in a tanning bed are equivalent to an entire day spent in the sun without proctection. Self-tanners and bronzers are a lot more suitable, and they do not have side effects like premature aging and skin cancer.
For a daily use I recommend a SPF15, and a more powerful SPF if you plan to go out in the sun, according to the color of your skin. You also have to be careful what kind of sun protection products you use, for they do not all contain dermatologically approved sunblock ingredients, like: avobenzone, zinc and titanium oxydes and others that you can find after a quick search on Google.

MAKEUP
During night time is when the process of skin rejuvenation takes place. During your sleep, the skin builds up collagen and tries to regain the youth lost during the day. That is why it is vital for your skin to wash your face each night before going to sleep. If you do not remove makeup at night, it will suffocate your skin, and the process of rejuvenation is very affected by the lack of oxygen. Washing your face at night, or using products for cleaning and moisturising, also helps fighting skin aging and pimples.

FOOD
Your nutrition should contain mostly, if not only, nutrient-rich foods, like kale and broccoli.On an every day basis, you should avoid pasta and white bread, because they can cause inflamation, which wreacks havoc on skin, and they lack nutritional value.

PRODUCT USE
The first signs of aging appear around the eyes and lips. If you have a combination of oily, breakout-prone skin, apply a silicone or gel product just in those areas.
In addition to the daily SPF product, you should also apply an anti-oxidant serum under it. It provides an extra shield from the sun, as anti-oxidants are known to work very well with sunscreen.
Exercising in the morning can help with the dark circles around your eyes, that make you look so tired.
Products with Vitamin C are great for you if you include drinking and smoking in your routine. This ingredient helps you combat the effects that this type of lifestyle can have on your skin.

If you are trying to cover the lines and wrinkles on your face, more makeup, foundation, powders or concealers just won't do. The more of these products you apply on your skin, the more the lines will show. The best thing to do is to lightly apply some sheer coverage formulas, which work out great.
When applying the serums or SPF products and sunscreens, don't forget about the other parts of skin that can be exposed, like your neck, chest, hand and legs.
SLEEP
When you are tired, your body is longing for rest and because it is fighting to stay awake, things that make your skin look bad happen. The poor blood circulation shows as puffy skin, low blood presssure makes it lack color, and together with the relaxation need felt in the muscles, your poor skin will have a saggy aspect. That is whay a good minimum 7-8 hours sleep is called beauty sleep. We realy need it to be beautiful.

I would like to thank for the pictures to www.psychologytoday.com, www.industryplayer.com, treehugger.com, craveonline.com, www.planktonskincare.com, comunidadebeatitudes.com, yasivmarin.com, slimtrim1.com, leisureguy.files.wordpress.com.

3 Ways to Keep Every Haircolor Up to Date

2009-09-16T07:49:00.000-07:00

Same old hair? Bring it back to life.

I am sure it is not just my fear, I bet some of you guys are also a little scared of a color overhaul. Of course Charlize Theron looks good with blond or even chocolate hair, even long or short, or curly... She can do anything to her hair, she will still be hot. Returning to our own hair, I thought of the 3 most important steps to be considered when intending to take some breaths away.

Step 1: Rejuvenate your natural color and give it a boost.
I have heard many women say that they don't even remember what was their natural hair color. We really shouldn't get to that. Dramatic changes of hair color aren't always the way to the best look. Instead of trying to cover it up, you should try to enhance it. Talk to you hair stylist about it and he/she will help you discover the hues that are combined to give your hair its natural color.
Then choose to bring out the hue that would bring your hair a warm and rich tone. Bring out the blond if you have a light brown hair, or the red in case of dark brown.

Step 2: Get inspired
Make a quick search and discover what celebrity has almost the same hair color as you, then study how they bring out different shades and tones each season. At least that is the advice of the hair stylists and color specialists in New York.
If you decide to do that, be realistic about it. Think about the skin tone in addition to the natural hair color.

Step 3: Making it reality
Once you have decided on colors and tones, be sure to take some pictures to your hair stylist, for together you are to create a personalized look. He might also suggest enhancing some colors according to the ones that can be found in your wardrobe. Are they bold colors or pastels?

Trends for blonds: Hot advice:

Exchange the bleached highlights for a glimmering old.
It would be advisable to give up chunky streaks and precise,
striped strands.
We are back to the all-over permanent color.

This helps your natural hues getting reamrked from under the color.

<- Kate Hudson

Trends for brunettes: Hot advice:
Searching for a little more contrast and dimension?

Hairstyle specialists recommend a cinnamon low-light in order to create a halo effect of color.

Advise your stylist to work the color into small sections of the top layer of your hair, all aroud your head.

Halle Berry ->

Trends for read-heads Hot advice:
Tired of the strawberry blond you have been wearing for a while?
Try something warmer and richer, like an auburn hue on a vibrant shade.
Make it pop and you will get the depth you desire.

<- Julianne Moore

Trends for black hair: Hot advice:
You would best ask your colorist to create highlights with a shade only around the crown of your head.
Use the highlight judiciously, because they can look overly done in dark hair.
Experiment with butterscotch or toffee shades to break up a dark mane and maybe add radiance rays.
Catherine Zeta Jones ->

10 Natural Home Remedies For Chapped Lips

2009-08-21T06:35:00.000-07:00

Natural Home Remedies For Chapped Lips:

- Apply on the lips a layer of a greasy cream, leaving it to act for 2-3 minutes, then remove it with a towel or a soft toothbrush previously moistened in warm water;

- Olive oil applied to dry lips also has a beneficial effect, with calming effects and making the skin more supple;

- Buffer your lips 2-3 times a day with a mixture of rose water and glycerin (in equal amounts).This mixture has as effect reducing lips inflammation and irritation;

- Buffer your lips with a mixture of 2 drops of rose oil and 1 spoon of vegetable oil (olive or sweet almond);

- Vitamin E is very good for the skin, so you can apply the content of vitamin E capsule directly on the lips.

Preventive Methods:

Because the lips do not have sebaceous glands (glands that produce the fat substance),they are prone to drying and chapping if they are exposed to extreme weather conditions (cold, strong wind or excessive heat).

- In case of exposure to strong wind use lip balms and creams;
- If you expose yourself to strong sun you should use creams with filtering effect;

- Be sue only to use lipsticks with hydrant qualities, which help protecting your lips;

- During winter, if it is very hot in the house put pots of water on the stove to get some moisture in the air (especially at night);

- If you already have chapped lips, it would be wise to avoid wetting your lips with the tongue, because all saliva does is just making the situation worse.

Menstrual Cycle Disorders

2009-08-19T03:25:00.000-07:00

Menstrual cycle disorders are common throughout the reproductive life of women, especially during puberty and before menopause. They are caused mostly by some hormonal disorders. However, the local, gynecological causes should not be neglected such as: uterine fibromatose, adenoids, erosion of the internal genital tract.

The hormonal Menomethroragyes are irregular bleedings caused by the partial and acyclic detachment of some portions of the uterine mucosa. After excluding the organic causes of the local bleedings, as in blood and vascular diseases with deficiency of haemostasis, it is given the diagnosis: functional neuromethrolagy.
During puberty, and before menopause they can get really severe, enough to complicate to a severely anemic syndrome. So because the cause of menomethrolagyes are hormonal, the syndrome benefit from medical treatment highly effective, based on the synthesis hormones: estrogen and progesterone. An environment without conflicts contribute to balancing the sick.

Adjusting the Menstrual Cycle Using the Shepherds Purse Plant

Shepherds purse is a herbaceous plant, annual or biennial that grows in sunny or semi-shadowed areas, on arid to very wet soils. On medicinal purposes we use the aerial part of the plant. Harvesting is done during April-May, during flowering and when fruits are rare.

Due to the hemostatic and uterotonic actions, they are used in uterine bleedings, as menstrual flow adjuster and as a calmant for abdominal pain caused by dysmenorea.

To regulate the menstrual cycle I recommend an infusion of 10g of shredded plant in 200 ml of boiling water, from which you take 4-5 tablespoons sweetened with honey or sugar daily; the treatment begins 10 days before the appearance of the menstrual cycle.

Adjusting and Calming the Abundent Menstruation Using Potentilla Anserina Plant

Potentilla Anserina Plant has an astringent and hemosthatic action and because it contains large amounts of tannin.

It has a spasmodic action due to flavonnoids. As an astringent, it encourages blood and mucosa clotting, the permeability of capillaries and cell membranes. The spasmolitic properties occur on the intestine's and uterus' smooth muscle as well as on the pilloric spasms of the stomach.

Potentilla Anserina Plant is mainly used in hypermenorea (regulates and eases pain in abundent menstruation). It is also used for: renal calculosis, enteritis, stomach cramps, diarrhea, anemia and convalescence.

Contraindications:

- chronic kidney or liver diseases.

Preparation and use:

Internally: as an infusion 1.5%, you take two cups per day every 12 hours; or as a decoction, a spoon and a half for 500 ml of cold water, boil it 15 minutes, drink warm in three parts, after the main meals.

Attention

- Do not drink on an empty stomach because it causes the irritation of the gastrointestinal mucosa.

Breast Implants: Saline vs Silicone

2009-07-29T07:22:00.000-07:00

In 1992, responding to claims that silicone gel-filled breast implants had harmed tens of thousands of women, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the marketing of the devices for breast augmentation.

Fourteen years and mountains of safety data later, the FDA relaxed its stance, approving two manufacturers' applications to market silicone gel-filled implants for breast augmentation once again. The implants had remained available for breast reconstruction following mastectomy, as well as for women enrolled in certain clinical trials, throughout the ban. Saline-filled implants stayed on the market all along, used with FDA approval for either breast augmentation or breast reconstruction.

Not surprisingly, the rise and fall of the ban on silicone gel-filled breast implants left many women with unanswered questions. What are the risks of breast-augmentation surgery, and are those risks increased with either type of implant? How do you choose between silicone gel-filled and saline-filled implants? Here Molly Walsh, D.O., a plastic surgeon at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., explains some of the differences between these two types of breast implants.

Who can get silicone gel-filled breast implants?

Silicone gel-filled breast implants are available to women age 22 and older for breast augmentation, or women of any age for breast reconstruction. This includes primary surgery to put breast implants into place and also revision surgery to correct or improve prior implant placement.

Why the age restriction on silicone gel-filled implants for breast augmentation? One reason is because a woman's breast tissue continues to develop into her early 20s. But the age restriction is a bit arbitrary. FDA officials felt that at age 22, most women could make a fully informed decision about getting breast implants — including the risks and ongoing costs associated with the procedure.

Who can get saline-filled breast implants?

Like their silicone gel-filled counterparts, saline-filled breast implants carry an age restriction for use in breast augmentation. But in this case, you have to be at least age 18 to get saline-filled breast implants for breast augmentation. Saline-filled breast implants are available for women of any age for breast reconstruction.

FDA officials say the age restrictions for saline-filled and silicone gel-filled breast implants differ because the two types of breast implants carry different risks.

What's the difference between the two types of breast implants?

The two types of breast implants differ in material and consistency. Saline-filled breast implants consist of a silicone shell that's filled with saline during implant surgery, after the shell has been inserted and is in place.

Silicone gel implants also consist of a silicone outer shell, but they're pre-filled with a silicone gel rather than saline. Silicone gel has a viscosity — a thick, sticky fluid consistency — that closely mimics human fat, which is a large component of female breast tissue. Saline, on the other hand, isn't compressible and gives a more firm impression.

Some women claim that silicone gel-filled breast implants look and feel more like natural breast tissue. Saline-filled implants have been criticized for feeling hard or unnatural, although improved surgical techniques — such as placing the implant behind the chest muscle and slightly overfilling it — have lessened these complaints.

How does the plastic surgeon decide whether the implant will be placed behind the chest muscle (subpectoral) or with the breast tissue (subglandular)?

A combination of factors is considered when determining implant placement, including:

* Anatomy of your breasts, including amount of breast tissue
* Type of implant: saline or silicone gel
* Size of the implant

What are the risks of breast implants?

Both saline-filled and silicone gel-filled breast implants have risks, including:

* Implant rupture
* Need for additional breast surgery
* Scar tissue that hardens around and distorts the breast implant (capsular contracture)
* Breast pain
* Decreased nipple or breast sensation
* Infection

If you have saline-filled implants, implant deflation may be a concern. If you have silicone gel-filled implants, a rupture could mean that silicone gel leaks outside of the implant's silicone shell. However, there's no evidence that free gel poses any risks beyond

those of an intact silicone shell — and neither one leads to autoimmune disease. That's why the FDA re-approved the use of silicone gel-filled implants.

Thanx to the Mayo Clinic staff.
www.mayoclinic.com

Must Have: Perfect Nails

2009-07-28T03:38:00.000-07:00

Strong nails that grow fast? This is every woman's dream. Find out what you have to do to get beautiful nails

picture source: nailsandbeautyacademy.co.uk

In order to be able to boast about your nails, you have to make them healthy. The lacks of hydration or, on the contrary, too much exposure to moisture make you nails become very fragile, especially at their tops. Heat, detergents, and the nail polish remover are the worst enemies of your healthy nails. If you are not able to wear protective gloves each time you wash the dishes, immediately after doing it you should use a hydrating lotion for hands. Try not to keep your hands in the water for a long time when you wash the dishes, swim, or even when you take a bath. Nails have the capacity to absorb 20-25 % of their weight when in water, and constrict when dry. If this process repeats often, your nails become weaker. Nevertheless, beyond prevention, there are also natural solutions to revive problem nails:

Once or twice a day offer your nails and fingers an olive oil massage. Dwell on your cuticles and sides of your nails. Massaging improves blood flow at the nail level, and it works like a medicine.

Heat up some till oil and use it as a nail mask. Leave it work for about 15-20 minutes and then wash it with warm water. Apply this treatment once at most twice a week. Do not forget that too much hydration for your nails make them week.

Wear you nails short for a couple of weeks, to help the recovery process. The shorter they are, the risk to tear them becomes smaller.

For hydration, choose a lotion rich in urea and lactic acid, an ideal treatment in nail treatment.

picture source: collegepublisher.com

If you have torn cuticles or small wounds at you nails, then the usual manicure treatments can lead to infections. A handy way to treat this is massaging your nails with worm honey for 15-29 minutes. Honey works against bacteria, and prevents any potential infection. Apply this treatment at night, before going to bed.

Allow your nails to breathe. Try not to use nail polish for at least a month. For more severe cases, you may even need three months. Not only that nail polish dries the nails, but also the remover attacks their roots.

If you want you nails whiter, apply a pledged with some apple vinegar on each nail and massage them. Another way is to treat your nails with a mild solution of peroxide hydrogen, once a week.

picture source: uamodels.net

For stronger nails, use a garlic paste for a couple of minutes a day.

If you have a nail polish addiction, use this treatment for nail strengthening: add 8 drops of lemon, 5 drops of iodine in a bottle of taintless nail polish. Blend it and leave it for a day or so. Then apply it in a thin layer every day for 7 days. Then remove the nail varnish.

picture source: nailrooms.co.uk

To get stronger nails, try a diet which consists in foods rich in vitamin B, like cauliflower, peanuts and duckweed. Have these vegetables fresh at least twice a day. Absorbed vitamin B encourages the development of strong and healthy nails. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend an appropriate product.

If you want your nail polish to dry faster, apply a thin layer of baby oil too.

Did you know that...?

nails grow about an eighth of a centimeter a month;
fingernails develop faster than toenails;
if you are right-handed, the nails from your right hand grow faster than the ones from your left hand; the reverse is valid for left-handed ;
nails grow faster during summer and pregnancy;
after 35 years old, nails tend to become naturally more fragile.

Trendy 2009 Hair Cuts

2009-07-27T09:47:00.000-07:00

Cropped bob was ruling all through 2008 with many A-listers cutting their hair shorter and setting this trend onand off the red carpet. As for the upcoming 2009, generally, the trends will remain similar with slight changesadded to the overall tendency. In short, forget about bob, try something more extreme - extremely short, extremelygirly, extremely sexual or extremely slick.

Cropped bob

However, if you still think bob rocks, add a new touch to your look by making it a cropped bob, which is somethingin the middle between a pixie crop and a bob. Cropped bob is the IT! thing for a confident lady as it’s pretty attention grabbing.

Pixie Crop

Yes, Victoria Beckham & Katie Holmes are trend setters! They introduced pixie bob in 2008 and the trend seems to be still in fashion in 2009. The challenge of pixie bob is simply this - it must always be well styled, otherwise it might create a tired middle-aged housewife look, which is totally not your dream look.

Long hair - ultimate 2009 trend

The ultimate 2009 hair cut trend is long hair. And with long hair, that’s practically good for any face shape and body, you can try several options.

Go voluminous

Go straight and sleek

Go retro with 1940s waves

source:http://www.glamourvanity.com

Trendy Shoes for the Fall-Winter Seasons 2008-2009

2008-09-12T00:56:00.000-07:00

Trendy Shoes for the Fall-Winter Seasons 2008-2009

This autumn and winter, you can wear almost any type of shoes. You only have to be careful about how you match the shoes with your suite.
Designers propose different types of ankles, boots, or shoes. Depending on the occasion, you are free to pick any of the models.
For going to work, the most suitable shoes are the above the ankle shoes or a comfortable pair of work boots.
It is not at all recommended for you to go to work wearing a very elegant pair of high heels. Keep them fresh for a night out with your boyfriend.

Boots for the Fall-Winter 2008-2009

You can easily choose to wear a trendy pair of boots in any occasion.
Whether you go out with your friends, go to work, or shopping, wear a comfy pear of boots, with a mid heel or even a low heel.
Boots can be simple, under the knee, with low or high heels, or they can be accessorized with fur at their upper sides.
Like other shoes, boots are trendier with a platform, a thick heel and a rounded toe.
Leather shoes are as always in fashion, but also the ones made from patent leather, or other different replacements, in earthy colors or black.
Do not forget about the accessorized boots or the stretch ones, because they are in fashion this year too.

The Bride's Bouquet: Significance and Practical Advice

2008-06-18T05:40:00.000-07:00

The ancestral significance of the bride's bouquet stands in the old belief that the smell of flowers banishes the evil spirits, bringing good luck and prosperity to the one who wears it.
In Ancient Rome, both the groom as well as the bride each wore a wedding bouquet that symbolized fertility and the entrance into a "new life".

To these general symbols, is added the significance of the flowers used in the bride's bouquets, or their colors. At present, it is however very difficult to find a unanimously accepted meaning for each flower.
A simple search on Google will show you that we are right. Anemones, for example, mean either fragility or anticipation, or even unshared love, depending on the link you choose to click on. There are, however, beyond the lack of trust in what we read about the flowers' significance, an unanimously accepted symbolism for the most often used flowers (in life and in literature, perhaps).
Probably if you have to associate the first word that comes to your mind with "lily" you say "purity" or something like that. It is the truth that there is such a significance impregnated in the collective mind that "attests" the association lily - purity. Also, the rose or orchid are flowers of obvious distinction and elegance. Beware, avoid, for the same reasons of "collective mind", the calla lily which has a morbid meaning.

In the end it does not matter so much the general significance of flowers, as it matters the meaning that they have for you both. Maybe at your first meeting your loved one offered you a white rose and you want to have a bouquet of white roses ... or or freesias, or tulips ... All flowers have their beauty and their delicacy. What is important is which ones are the most beautiful for you. Choosing flowers for the bridal bouquet is actually more a matter of taste than of convention.
The bouquets should be ordered in time, but it is the godmother's job is to do it.
As a bride will have to agree with your godmother upon your bouquets and to decide together what kind of bridal bouquet you will have, in order for her to order it in due time for you.
It is important for it to be picked up the morning of the wedding day, so as not to have any surprise with flowers fading.

Regarding wedding traditions, one of the most popular tradition is throwing the bouquet. This is done at the exit from church (less frequently) or after having the cake at the restaurant (usually).
The women who are not married yet stand behind the bride. Superstitions say that the one who will catch the bouquet thrown by the bride, is the one to marry next.

Maternity : Emotions During Pregnancy

2008-04-25T01:32:00.000-07:00

Understanding pregnancy and the changes caused by it help the future moms live through this period a lot more easier.

Hormonal modifications affect the emotional state with each pregnancy, not only at the first one. However, at the first pregnancy, this kind of manifestations can lead to a more difficult bearing of this period.

virginmedia.com

The first pregnancy trimester starts with major hormonal modifications, together with physical changes more or less visible. The main two hormones, estrogen and progesterone, which play a very important part during pregnancy can cause nausea, vomiting, an increased sensibility at the breast level, and emotional instability. These variations can happen at a very large scale, pregnant women being able to pass from euphoria states to depressions in a very short time, with or even without a reason.

Your life as a couple can suffer during this period, depending on your partner's ability to see and understand the changes that happen to the pregnant woman. The feeling of vulnerability, especially in the case of an unplanned pregnancy, but not necessarily, financial reasons, the imminence of the great responsibility that knocks on your door, especially at the first pregnancy, the fear of pain and others contribute to depression states.

Starting with the second trimester, the hormonal storms start to mellow off, and the manifestations generated by them start to disappear. The spontaneous abortion becomes less likely to happen.

emotionstolife.com

Pregnant women start to regain their self-confidence, and get used to being pregnant. The fetal movements appear and the feeling of another person's presence is very special. Turning back to past activities, starting new ones, like the visits to the doctor or the lessons for pregnancy and birth, contribute to the optimistic state that characterize this period. Nevertheless, the feelings and anxiety experimented during pregnancy are intense and very different, unique for each woman.

The third trimester combines the feeling of pride with the anxiety caused by not knowing how the baby is going to turn out after giving birth. The significant changes in waste are going to attract the attention of the people around towards the pregnant woman, but they do not always see this as a positive thing. Although they often need help, the vulnerability feeling can rise in some cases.

During the last weeks of pregnancy, the anxiety can aggravate together with physical discomfort. You can have problems when sleeping, even insomnia, caused by the impossibility to find a comfortable position to sleep. The periodical contractions cause discomfort, so does the position of the fetus in the uterus. Women can feel very vulnerable at refuses, loss or insults during this period. They can feel ugly and unwanted by their partners.

Pregnant women are eager to finish with the discomfort caused by the pregnancy, but at the same time, they are concerned about the reality of becoming mothers and the changes that will follow in their marriage and family, especially about the way that the new family member will affect the other brothers. They can be worried about the pain of birth, especially if they have had unpleasant experiences at previous births, or if it is their first one and they do not know what to expect. During the last weeks of pregnancy, women are also concerned by the health of their future child.

Five Important Questions About Skin Care

2008-04-03T06:52:00.000-07:00

Our desire to protect our skin more efficiently from growing old makes us want to use more and more cosmetics, that we don't realy need. Sometimes we lie to oursevles saying that it is not important that we didn't wash our make-up the other night. But if you keep doing that, and do not try to change your attitude, don't be surprised when yo realise that you look older than you really are...

Picture source: thebeautybrains.com

My skin is dry and exfoliates because of the antiachneea creams. Should I give up the treatment?

There are no reasons why you should abandon your skin treatment, and allow the achneea to chew on it. There are creams, moistures, mixtures, and gels for the skin with curing and relaxing effects, which do not harm or dry your complexion.

Should I use a special moisturizing cream with hidrating effects, even if my complexion is not dry?

The truth is that you should not use powerull moisturing creams if you don't need them, because this can lead to a sebum hypersecretion, and your skin will become greasy. Are you worried about wrinkles? Don't panic. There has not been yet established a certain bond between the skin process of getting old and the abundent use of hidratating creams. Of course, this is true only if you have a normal complexion, but, even so, do not forget about the UV protection.

Is it that bad if I forget to wash the makeup off before going to bed?

It's not a disaster if it happens once in a couple of months or even more rarely. If it's a habit,
you should know that all the impurities gathered during the day can cause problems to your skin, closing the pores. In the morning, your skin will be greyish, lackink brightness anf life, and you will very soon have to face problems like achne, iritations, dehidration of your skin, and many more possible. Anyhow, it is not that big of a deal at least to rub your face with a wet napkin.

Picture source: maysbeautyproducts.com

Is night cream a must?

Not in the case of a greasy complexion. Usually, night creams are richer in nutritive substances
than day creams, which makes them harder to be tolerated by a skin rich in sebum. If you are in this cattegory , you should choose a light lotion, rich in vitamins C and A, which help in reconstructing the deep cellular structure and help getting rid of the expresion lines of the face.

I do not have wrinkles around my eyes for the moment. Should I preventively use a lotion?

It is never too early in this matter. The answer is affirmative. You must include in your daily
routine for skin care the special eye cream. Especially if you are over 30.

Taking Care Of Limp Hair

2008-03-27T04:05:00.000-07:00

Having a limp hair can be very depressing, and it affects the well-being of a woman, especially when she fights it powerfully ad without any results.

Most of the tricks used to offer some volume to your hair often fail because the hair isn't some kind of gum that you can easily shape.

Picture source: as-seen-on-tv.net

"I wash my hair very often and it still has no volume!"

Well, your problem has an explanation (gravity), one or more reasons (insufficient rinsing, inappropriate shampoo use, seborrhea, daily washing, etc) and a constant (a bad look).
Fortunately, you can find various ways to refresh and revive your hair on the market nowadays. Used daily or periodically, on a wet or dry hair, as creams, gels or masks, they offer shape and health to your hair.
In addition to that, food plays a very important part in the beauty and vitality of your hair, so you should try to give up chocolate, caffeine and spiced foods.

Mistakes made in hair care

Before throwing the guilt on your organism, your should try to analyze the way your treat your headgear. Here are the good ways to take care of your hair:
- you take a drop of shampoo in your hand and do circular movements throughout the entire surface of the scalp, smoothly massaging the root zone, for a couple of minutes.
- use warm water (or even cold water)
- apply the balm through all the length of your hair, not only at the roots, and after a few minutes rinse again with warm water (both the shampoo and balm should be specially designed for greasy or volumeless hair)
- do not use the hairbrush immediately after washing up; first use a soft towel to absorb the water and leave the hair to dry naturally
- start combing your hair when it is almost entirely dry, without forcing or tearing it
- a trick used by women with long hair is to tie it in a pony tail on top of the head, this way keeping it far from the head during the night, which leads to a considerable volume
- hair gel is not indicated, stylists recommend hair mouse

Are hair extensions a solution?

Yes and no. Any type of extensions can do serious damage to your hair, making it easy to tear, mostly because of the glue products.

Picture source: pamperedhairhaven.com

In the past years, there have been miraculous improvements in this area, and now there are natural hair extensions, which are highly recommended, being easier to take care of, looking better even though they are ore expensive.

It is your call, but it would be best to ask a specialist about the most suitable treatment for your hair, especially if it has problems.

What kind of hair curlers should I use?

Hair curlers come in very handy when desperate for some hair volume.
However, when choosing the ideal curlers, you first need to keep in mind the length of your hair: if you have short o medium size hair, you should definitely use neither small nor big sized curlers (they will make your hair look forcedly curled),
Big curlers, ideal for long hair, are obviously meant to create big, sensual and feminine curls. You apply the curls on the wet hair, and then pulverize a thin layer of hair spray or mouse.

You should not use the hair dryer, but leave it to dry naturally. After about 30 minute, the curls are to be removed, and the hair is to be combed with a smooth hairbrush.

The Ideal Haircut

Women whose hair has the tendency to stick to their scalp are advised to choose a less pretentious hairdo, with a short hair, and to use tricks like natural colors and arranging the hair one side.

Tummy Exercise Myths

2008-01-22T07:50:00.000-08:00

Our bodies are genetically conditioned on how we lose or gain weight. Interestingly enough, the first place where we gain weight is the last place where we lose it. We cannot reduce only the part we do not like. Once we lose fat from our body, we lose inches everywhere even where we do not want to lose.

The problem with tummy muscles is that we do not generally exercise this muscle in daily life. It is not greatly challenged from climbing stairs, bending, stretching or walking. We, therefore, have to make a special effort to encourage it to come back into line. The movements have to be small and controlled and depend on the effort put in by the exerciser to get really good results. Secondly during pregnancy, as the baby grows inside the muscle (transverse) is pushed forward. A huge amount of stretching is going on and tends to leave the muscle loose and hanging forward after the birth. It is essentially the lack of strength left in this muscle which allows the tummy to sit in that rather round forward position Mothers would recognise from after birth.

In all cases it is the lack of exercise for this muscle which causes it to become loose and give the 'pot bellied' appearance.

Myth No. 1: By doing some midsection exercises one can reduce 'love handles'.

Fact: You cannot reduce fat from a certain targeted area of your body just by using exercise alone. And the abdominal area is no exception. So if you want to get a flat stomach and to reveal your abs, losing the fat covering them is the way to go. And the only way to do this is to lose fat proportionately from your entire body by burning more calories than you consume.

Myth No. 2: You have to do tons of crunches.

Fact: Overuse of crunches will only shorten your abs, pull your head forward and gives you a bad posture. To reduce fat in your bodies, you need to do cardio exercise and eat nutritious foods in reasonable amounts. In simple language 'burn more calories than you consume.' The cardio helps to burn that stored fat and the lower calorie diet forces the body to use the accumulated fat for energy.

In addition, the crunches and a total body workout (with weight training) helps the body to increase muscle mass. Muscles burn fat; fat does not burn itself so, the more muscle we have, the more fat our body uses for energy, so we lose weigh faster. If you only do crunches, you will develop your abdominal muscles and strengthen them. This will reflect in better posture and less back problems, but you will not be able to see your abdominal muscles because they will be covered with fat

Myth No. 3: Exercise is more important that nutrition.

Fact: Diet is one of the key factor when trying to get a flat tummy. Plan your nutrition in advance, to avoid dietary downfalls. Focus on protein, green vegetables, fiber-rich fruits, and zero calorie drinks such as Green Tea and water. Avoid all sugar.

Myth No. 4: You must do train your tummy every day

Fact:You don't need to do direct tummy training every day. Instead, train them twice per week and use non-conventional exercises such as Mountain Climbers and Stability Ball Jackknives to reduce the stress on your low back. Avoid the overuse of crunches and sit-ups in your training program. Instead, beginners, should focus on abdominal endurance with planks and side planks, and work up to more advanced exercises, but still avoid doing hundreds of crunches lying on your back.

Concentrate on increasing daily incidental activity. Reduce the use of labour saving devices like remote controls etc. Rearrange the house or office environment so that it is physically inefficient making movement mandatory. Try standing or, even better, pacing when chatting on the phone. Park further away from the entrance of a shop, and use the stairs instead of the elevator. ...source: www.womenfitness.net

Hair Tips For The Winter Months

2008-01-15T11:23:00.001-08:00

We have learned how to help protect our skin in winter, but very few product lines show us exactly how to help protect our hair. A dedicated winter rescue for dry, static, flyaway hair seems not only wise, but also mandatory.

"Cold weather dries out hair more quickly because there is less humidity in the air," says Sarah Kemp, spokesperson for the Pantene Pro-V "Winter Rescue Renewal" regime. "This dryness, combined with the cold makes hair brittle and susceptible to breakage. Wind can tangle the hair and cause individual strands to rub together, potentially damaging the cuticle layer, weakening the hair shaft, leading to damage".

* Here are some pointers

Few little things that you can do to protect your hair. I have listed some of my favorites and I hope that they will help you... until the warmer weather sets in.

* Use the appropriate shampoo and conditioner.

Some fab winter hats, from chic caps to the return of the beret, are being showcased in this year's fall and winter fashion collections. But this must-have seasonal accessory can cause static electricity and rebellious hair. Using a nourishing shampoo and an enriched conditioner will help lock in moisture and reduce static.

* Use conditioning products before using heated styling tools.

A gel or mousse alone isn't enough to protect the hair. If you normally use a gel before blow-drying, apply a repair cream, heat-protecting cream or leave-in conditioner first. Use it sparingly, especially on the ends, but don't forget it. You don't want to make your hair heavy or gunky, but more importantly, you don't want hot rollers applied directly to the ends of your unprotected hair.

* Shower in cold water

It's tempting to take a long hot shower, but the extra heat can dry out your hair, making it more prone to damage. Rinsing your hair with cold water after shampooing and conditioning helps keep moisture in, giving your hair extra shine.

* Reduce your use of styling appliances

Winter cold robs hair of its vital moisture, leaving it dry, brittle and more susceptible to frizz and static. Blow dryers and curling irons can harm dehydrated hair, leading to further damage. Keep your use of these styling appliances to a minimum and every week give your hair a special moisturizing treatment.* Don't go out with wet hair!To avoid damaging your hair, you've opted not to blow dry but now you should stay indoors until your hair is completely dry. Believe it or not, damp hair can freeze and break when exposed to cold winter weather.* Get your hair trimmed.

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

Enjoy the winter! Brrrrr...

Adjusting Your Skin Care To Fit Your Age

2008-01-14T08:36:00.000-08:00

How to optimize your skin care to fit your age? This issue raises both much interest and much confusion. Some experts declare that the need to adapt a skin care routine to fit a particular age is marginal because the essential physiology of the skin does not change all that much. Others assert that your skin care routine should account for every hormonal change in the body, especially those associated with aging.

The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. The core mechanisms of skin physiology are the same at any age. Yet, many things do change, including metabolic rate, cell turnover rate, hormonal levels, accumulation of damaged cells and molecular garbage, prevalence of inflammation and so forth. Taking those into account is likely to provide extra benefits.

Byological Vs. Chronological Age

The age of your skin should be judged based on biological factors rather than simply your date of birth. Biological and chronological age are rarely very far apart but they are not the same. The rate of aging varies among people due to genetic and lifestyle differences. The variation in the rate of skin aging is particularly high (compared to other tissues) because the skin is more exposed to the environment. When optimizing your skin care, you can use your chronological age as a starting point but you should also take into account biological factors that may have affected your rate of aging. For example, if you are in your twenties but your skin has suffered a lot of sun damage, you may benefit from the anti-wrinkle treatments (e.g. tretinoin a.k.a. Retin A) that are otherwise best used later in life. If you are undergoing early menopause in your late thirties, you might benefit from topical estrogens and/or progesterone even though such treatment are typically contemplated in late forties.

You Need The Basics At Any Age

A number of basic practices are essential for optimal skin care at any age. Skipping them is likely to undermine the rest of your routine. Make sure you protect your skin from avoidable damage, particularly sun damage. Establish a sensible basic daily routine matching your skin type. Then determine whether you need any age-specific steps . ..source:www.smartskincare.com

Designer handbags - just one click away

2008-01-11T12:48:00.000-08:00

Usually, in order to buy a clothing item, or even an accessory, you have to go through many boutiques, and spend a lot of money. Now, with the help of the Internet, you can buy the items such as handbags at lower prices, from the comfort of your own home .

There is no doubt that, at least one time in her life, every woman has dreamt to own a beautiful, perfect handbag, made by some famous designer. However, just a few of them can actually say that they have truly realized that dream. The majority of them have to settle with cheaper copies, something that resembles their dream designer handbags, or just with the dream of actually owning such expensive items.

Nevertheless, there are some other alternatives to buy all sorts of designer handbags at a very convenient price. The most simple and comfortable way is to order them online. This method does not require a lot of time. In addition, it is very convenient, because you do not have to go anywhere.

Usually, the shipping of the ordered products is free, depending on the location, and the payment procedure is very simple. You can pay either with your credit card or with cash when you receive the ordered handbags. Therefore, you do not have to put a lot of effort into buying such items. All you have to do is to order the ones you like the most and wait until we will ship deliver them to the address with which you will provide us.

What is more, the items from the latest handbag collections are available in just a couple of days after their official release. All handbags come with a certificate of authenticity that guarantees the fact that all products are designer handbags and not just copies. However, the available collections usually display the specific signature of famous designer's houses. Subsequently, you can consider you have made a reliable investment into quality accessories for your outfit. The point is that you can choose from an impressive variety of designer handbags that have the signature of famous designers such as Fendi, Gucci, Miu Miu, Chloe, Dior, Jimmy Choo, Marc Jacobs or even Prada.

To make the offer even more attractive, there are daily discounts for different products. Moreover, even if the prices are lower then the ones you would usually find displayed by the regular stores, there are also different offers that vary each day.

The price of these products is so low because the shipping of such handbags takes place directly from the manufacturers, and the providers include special offers. This is an additional guarantee of the reliability if the accessories we are able to provide. Moreover, because of that, you can now buy your favorite handbags at incredibly attractive prices.

Of course, if you want to stay update with all the offers and discounts, you can subscribe to a newsletter. In this manner, you will receive, each day, an e-mail with news concerning new products, discounts and news about your favorite products. This is the easiest way to purchase your dream handbags, ata very convenient price, without compromising their quality or anything else, for that matter. There is no need to hesitate any longer. Accessorize your outfit with the appropriate designer handbag, purchased in considerably cost-effective conditions. ...source:http://fileblogs.com

Winter Wedding Dress

2008-01-10T13:14:00.000-08:00

The bride planning a winter wedding has a greater flexibility when it comes to choosing a winter wedding dress. Cold weather brides can choose to wear the same types of strapless or halter dresses summer brides wear, but they can also wear fur trimmed or long sleeved styles that would make summer brides uncomfortable.

COVERING UP

Many brides choose to wear summer styles for a winter wedding. Sure, strapless wedding dresses are all the rage right now, and they do look nice, but how can a bride enjoy herself when she's shivering? If you will be wearing a style that doesn't offer any protection from the cold, it will be in your best interests to wrap yourself in something warm. A white faux fur or velvet wrap, shrug, shawl or hooded cape looks stunning a top a white wedding dress. Some brides even go for color and choose a red velvet or velour stole to wear over their wedding dresses. Those who go with a long flowing cape, may choose to wear a hood instead of a traditional veil or headpiece.

WINTER WEDDING DRESS STYLES

There are some beautiful winter wedding dress styles to choose from as well. Many dresses come with long sleeves. A thick satin dress or one made of white velvet or velour would rival those summer styles and in fact, may even look more elegant and formal. A style with faux fur trim around the sleeves and collar will simply look stunning.

WHERE TO FIND

Since most brides are opting to go the strapless or sleeveless route, winter wedding dresses aren't as plentiful as their summer time counterparts. If you find pictures of winter wedding dresses in bridal magazines, you may want to call bridal salons in your area to see if they carry the dress. Many will order one for you if they don't have it in stock. You might also find a winter wedding dress online. Keep in mind however, that when you purchase a wedding dress online, you don't have the benefit of being able to see the dress in person. You can't examine it for flaws, nor can you try it on. Make sure you're able to return the dress within a certain amount of time, say thirty to sixty days, if it doesn't fit properly or has flaws.

You can also have a winter wedding dress made for you. If you have a particular style in mind, discuss it with your seamstress. She may either know of a pattern or be able to make a pattern for you.

DRESS IN SEASON

If you're getting married in the winter, why would you want to wear a summer gown? Dress according to the season by choosing a winter wedding dress. You'll look stunning as you walk down the aisle in stunning velvet or faux fur. Sparkly jewelry will add an "icicle" effect to your outfit. Best of all, you won't look like every other bride getting married during the winter months. ...article source:http://weddings.lovetoknow.com

Breast Enlargement for Big Breasts

2007-12-15T12:07:00.001-08:00

The breasts are made up of mammary glands and fatty tissue. The pectorals muscles hold breasts. Your breast has a nipple at its center surrounded by a dark area, called the areola. As your body starts to develop during puberty, a small bump grows under the areola and nipple. As your breasts develop, the bud and nipple get bigger and the areola darker. Your breasts will attain their full size (natural breasts) in 3-5 years from the time your breasts start growing.

Every woman has a predetermined breast size. Some girls have small breasts and some big breasts. Your heredity is the most important factor in determining breast shape and size. Due to hormone imbalances as a result of poor eating habits, lack of minerals and vitamins, excessive stress and lack of exercise, you may have poor breast development during puberty.

Your breast may become bigger if you gain weight, and your breasts may become smaller, if you lose weight. No breast enlargement cream or breast enlargement pill can change the breast size. However, some breast enlargement creams or pills claim to supply phytoestrogens isoflavone to regulate female hormones and show beneficial effects.

Breast enhancement exercise is to keep your pectorals muscles that support your breasts in good shape. This will give your breasts a good cleavage, firmer shape and lift. ....Article Source: breast-pills.be Picture Source:denverbreast.com

Detoxification For Health & Wellness

2007-12-15T01:45:00.001-08:00

Detoxification is something our bodies do on a daily basis. It is the process of eliminating toxins through the five eliminatory channels:

Liver
Colon
Lungs
Kidneys
Lymph
Skin

In the world we live in today, with polluted water, air and food, our bodies regularly get overloaded with substances that do not support our body - toxins! Our bodies become overloaded and are over-burdened with eliminating toxins. So many undesirable substances stay our bodies.

Surrounding these substances with mucous and fat is one way our system tries to shield us from these invading substances. a good portion is stored in our fat deposits!

A detoxification program is a good way of assisting our body to eliminate and neutralize these harmful toxins.

Let us look at the 5 organs for detoxification:

Liver

The liver is the largest internal organ in the body and plays a crucial role in maintaining normal metabolism and detoxifying the body.

Colon

Disease begins in the colon. The colon is responsible for both carrying wastes out of the body and nourishing the body. Nutrients are absorbed in the colon. So if your body is storing toxins and excess mucous they will be stuck to the intestinal walls of the colon. Making it very hard for your body to absorb the required nutrients and eliminate the wastes traveling through the colon.

Lungs

Your lungs are responsible for helping your body get the required oxygen it needs by processing the air we breathe. The lungs are one of the first organs to intake toxins. A cold is usually a sign that your body is trying to rid itself of toxins and waste matter that has built up to the point of overwhelming your immune system.

Kidneys

The kidneys play an important role as a filter for the body as well. Water is vital to helping the kidneys do their job. The average person eliminates approximately 5 pints of water a day. Drinking adequate water is essential.

Lymph

The lymphatic system carries a clear fluid which contains excess proteins, wastes, and other elements. This fluid called lymph surrounds the cells of our body to bring them nourishment and carry wastes out of the body.

Unlike the blood, the lymph does not have the heart to pump it through the body. It must rely on the movement of the body and stimulation.

Skin

o End your cravings for habit-forming substances such as sugar, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and drugs.

As mentioned earlier, the skin is the largest organ of the body.
There are several benefits of detoxification:

1. Increase your energy by removing toxins that wear you down.
2. Shrink your stomach to its normal size, making it easier to control the quantity of food eaten.
3. Boost your mental clarity by flushing away chemicals, food additives and preservatives.
4. Break your bad eating habits to achieve or maintain your desired weight.
5. Lose weight. A detox program is the first step to safe and effective weight loss.
6. Cleanse your digestive tract of accumulated waste and bacteria.
7. Purify all your major organs allowing you to function at your best.
8. Reduce cellulite, allergies, acne and obesity safely and naturally.

o What is a good Detox program?

A Good Detoxification program should be designed to help the body cleanse itself of toxins, mucus, and waste materials in the intestinal tract and liver, kidneys, and blood, thus helping your body function better. This not only restores new energy to your vital organs, but to the entire body as well. Source: diet-article.com

Bad hair days

2007-12-13T06:35:00.000-08:00

1. Heat damage

Caused by too much blow-drying and straightening. If you need to blow-dry your hair into style, try to wash it less often. That way you won't need to blow-dry as often. Towel dry your hair before blasting and invest in a deep conditioning treatment and use it fortnightly. Try wearing your hair back at least once a week to give it a break. Get your hair trimmed regularly to remove split ends, and keep the hairdryer at least 6 inches from your head when drying.

2. Horrible cut

If you didn't complain at the time and get them to fix it, you can do one of two things:
Accept it - wear it up/ back or under a scarf, hat or wig until it grows out,
Get it cut again - Go to another salon (if you are rich) or a model cut (if you are not) and get them to fix the cut for you.
Whatever you do, make sure the stylist does what you ask next time.

3. Home dying disaster

It's gone green: or pink or any colour it shouldn't have. This is a job for the pros. If you've not got the cash for them then try getting an appointment for a model colour at a reputable hairstylist. They are usually free/cheap but do mention your problem when you ring up, as some may not help you. If it's chlorine that's made it green, ask your chemist for a chlorine removing shampoo, and try wearing a swimming hat in the future.
My highlights are too obvious: Go to a salon and get them to put a colour wash/toner over your hair, or convert half the highlights into lowlights. In future remember to use a toner when highlighting.
It's patchy: Put it under a headscarf, dash out to the chemists and buy some more, and apply with supervision - If you dye your hair yourself, it is advisable to have someone around who can check you've covered all your hair, or better still do it for you. This is especially vital when you have very long or very thick hair. In these cases it is worth buying two or three bottles of dye to make sure you have plenty to cover it all.
The colour faded really fast: This is often because of prelightening the hair before dying it, and is especially problematic for reds and bright 'fun colours'. You sometimes find that semi-permanents hold best on bleached hair, and using a shampoo especially for coloured hair can help to retain the dye. As for fixing the fade, dye it again, but if you must use a permanent, make sure you condition your hair well afterwards and continue to do so.
The colour isn't what I wanted: Ask your chemist for a colour-removing product which will take the dye out (but remember, they contain bleach). Alternatively you could try using a semi-permanent dye to cover up the problem and then try a permanent one when that one fades. If in doubt visit your hairdresser for advice or call the helpline on your hair dye box.

4. Poodle locks (bad perms)

It didn't take: probably due to incorrect processing. Wait a few days, then go to a professional and get a hair analysis before getting a re-perm.
I look like a poodle: Comb conditioner from roots to ends on frizzy tight curls ASAP, wait five minutes then rinse it off. Set your hair on large rollers and let it dry naturally. If this doesn't work, go to a salon that offers the reverse perm.

5. It just won't behave

There is no way it's going to look like you stepped out of a salon today, so either go for a hat or headscarf or do the following:

Long: Smooth some de-frizz serum in it and pull it back into a tight ponytail, plait or bun depending on how bad it's being
Short: Either throw some wax in it and carry off the ultimate bed head style or twist sections and clip them in place. If it's long enough you could plait it anyway you like.......source: thesite.org

Fashion New Year's Resolutions

2007-12-12T03:33:00.001-08:00

Get Ready Now to Make Fashion Work for You All Year!

Learn some basic things you can do in your closet and at all the mall to get your wardrobe on track for the coming year.

If one of your New Year's Resolutions is to look better, fashion is a great way to achieve that. Going through your closet, learning what works for you, and following through will help you feel better about yourself in the coming year. Here are some tips to follow to make your resolution a success.

Begin the work at home. Clean out your closet and drawers. Go through everything you own and separate it into what you will keep, what you will throw away, and what you will give away. Purging your closet will likely give you a lift you are no longer saddled with clothes you never wear. When deciding what to keep and what to get rid of, ask yourself some basic questions:Do I love it? Does it fit me? Does it look good on me? Does it make me feel good about myself? Am I comfortable in it? You want to be able to answer yes to all the questions. You don't want clothes that make you feel self conscious or cause you to always be yanking at the hem line or itching your arms.
Once you have purged your wardrobe, organize your closet and drawers. Put clothes in logical groups. Sweaters in one section, summer shirts in another, winter shoes near the sweaters, and so on. And in your drawers, separate out your underwear from your bras and socks. It seems common sense, but many people simply toss in their clothes after washing and then struggle to find what they want when they are in the morning crunch time trying to get dressed.
After your home is organized, do some research to discover what looks best on your body type. Look at styles in fashion magazines and online, or go to a department store and enlist the help of a personal shopper. Identify what type of body you have (straight, apple, pear, hourglass) and then find out what cuts of fabric do the most for you. For example, women with broad shoulders should avoid wide-collared shirts or short puffy sleeves. This will help you while you are shopping to quickly limit down the choices.
After you know what styles look best on you, learn what brand names work best with your body. Some designers are more conscious of women with small busts, while others assume that your top is full. Don't waste your time browsing through clothing that will never look as good on you as someone else. And don't get down on yourself about your "flaws". Clothing is cut for different shapes and sizes. If one doesn't work for you, another will. No one person has a body that looks good in every clothing fashion.
After discovering the brand names that work for you, narrow down the stores that are most tailored to your style and age. While there might be a number of styles that suit you, they may not all suit your taste. Also, some clothing that fits you well may not be age appropriate. Looking too young or old for your age is usually distracting and not nearly as flattering as dressing in something that is more true to your stage in life.
Once you have all the above done, it's time to go shopping! Buy key pieces to have a strong foundation for your wardrobe. Basic pairs of pants and tops that not only look great on your body and also fit in your closet will start you off on the right foot this year, whether it's in four-inch heels or soft brown leather saddle shoes.

These tips can help you not just begin a new year but any time you want to make a fresh start with your clothing. (...source: suite101.com)

Check Out! Design Editions: Gap's New Euro Must Have

Natural Skin Care

2007-12-08T04:54:00.000-08:00

Healthy skin is the result of several factors: a healthy diet, right amount of exercise, good skin care practices, a positive outlook, and a relaxed mind. Lots of people at present are conscious of their health and are deciding on using the natural approach in dealing with their health issues. They are now making their own personalized products to treat and take care of their skin. They make use of organic materials to mix their own skin solutions. Actually, it is to their advantage that they are the ones to make them because at least they know what goes in it and how their skin reacts to those ingredients. There are several products in the market that causes an allergic reaction on the skin, and even costs really high. By creating your own product, you lessen the risk of allergy formation as well as save money.

Eating a healthy diet is also vital to having radiant skin. You should at least eat five servings of fruit and vegetable everyday to cleanse the body of toxins that may affect your metabolism. There are a lot of fruits and vegetables to choose from, each with their own contribution. If you are not used to eating these kinds of food, you can try to look for one that appeals to your palate.

Drinking water is also important to keep the skin healthy, supple and soft. Almost all natural skin care recipes require water for externally cleaning the skin and for regular consumption. It helps a lot when the required amount of water, about eight glasses a day, is followed. After using this therapy for several days, you will be noticing differences in the way your skin feels and how your body functions.

Drinking an herb based tea can help hydrate the skin and at the same time get your daily requirement of vitamins and minerals. There are several examples of teas that greatly promote healthy skin and body function. The examples are black alder, used for skin eruptions, bergamot tea which cleanses the body system, burdock, dandelion, horsetail, nettles, oat straw, sarsaparilla, stevia, and yellow dock.

Herbs for the Skin and Hair:

Black alder (for skin eruptions)
Bergamot tea ( cleanses the system)
Burdock
Dandelion
Horsetail
Nettles
Oat straw
Sarsaparilla
Stevia
Yellow dock

Regular exercise enhances blood circulation necessary to maintain healthy skin. Most people find exercise to be a burden. Try to look for a type of exercise that you can enjoy doing since it will be easier for you to do it regularly. Exercise also relieves stress and helps in having a healthy mental disposition. These are the all ingredients you need for better looking skin.

Unique Wedding Themes: Black and Gold Wedding Theme

2007-12-06T11:03:00.000-08:00

Consider a wedding with a black and gold theme to it. Stunning, dazzling and very elegant, it's a wonderful choice of colors with many decorating options.

Wedding Attire

Bride's Attire

There is no fast rule that says you have to wear white. In fact, up until the time of Queen Victoria, nobody wore white as a wedding dress! Instead, choose a beautiful satin gown in gold. Keep it simple and elegant. Accent the gown with simple gold jewelry and a gold tiara instead of a veil.

Bridesmaids

For contrast, have your bridesmaids wear black with gold accents, such as a draped sheer gold scarf or gold embroidery along the hemline. Gold and black ribbons woven into their hair would look gorgeous or have their hair sprayed with gold glitter hairspray for sparkle.

Groom and Groomsmen

Simple black suits or tuxedos with a black hanky trimmed with gold in their pocket (rather than a boutonniere).

Wedding Invitations
Black invitations with gold lettering would look stunning.

Wedding Decorations
With a black and gold color scheme for your wedding, you'll want to keep the decorations understated and simple. Accenting is the key here. Here are some ideas which you could use:

Use tall black and gold helium balloon bouquets as decorations near doorways, food tables and corners of the room.
Hang gold foil stars hung from the ceiling which will reflect the lights and "twinkle"
Paint some bare tree branches in black and some in gold. Secure in sand filled pots. Add clear twinkle lights to the branches
Drape the front of serving tables and the head table with gold colored tulle. Secure each loop at the table edge with a black and gold satin bow.
Use candles on serving tables, desert tables, etc. for added ambience. If you can afford it, place round mirrors under the candles to reflect the light.

Table Decor and Centerpieces

Use black tablecloths instead of white. Sprinkle the centers with gold colored confetti. If you can buy some fairly inexpensive tablecloths, you may even wish to draw a swirled star design in the centers with gold glitter fabric pens.
For table centerpieces, you could use a clear or black bowl filled with water and add gold colored floating candles.
For flower centerpieces, create an arrangement of lilies, spray roses, and freesia in all shades of yellow in a tall, gold colored vase.
Place 3 black shiny metal or ceramic candle holders on a mirror in the middle of the guest tables and insert gold dripless taper candles of different lengths for a simple, yet elegant arrangement.
Cut out black paper silhouettes of people or items to use as place cards. Write the guest's names on the place cards in gold glitter pen.
Fill clear, uniquely shaped vases with gold and black colored sand in varying patterns. Place between two taper candles on the tables.

Wedding Favors

Everyone loves chocolate. Present your guests with a small box of Godiva chocolates in a gold favor box wrapped with a black ribbon.
Fill miniature black top hat and cane favors with mints or candies.
Wrap 2 or 3 floating gold and black colored candles in tulle. Tie with gold and black curled ribbons.

Hair Extensions

2007-12-01T05:09:00.001-08:00

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF HAIR EXTENSIONS

So you've got the all-new look, you've got the long gorgeous mane you've always wanted to have, and you're feeling like a total goddess thanks to your longer locks. But they're not going to stay beautiful unless you really make the effort to take care of them. Your extensions might not be your real hair, but that doesn't mean you should just neglect them. We've got hair extension care tips for you right here, so take the time to check them out.

First and foremost, you have to keep your hair clean. Use a mild shampoo and conditioner or better yet, ask your stylist what kind of products would work best your hair and your extensions. When taking a shower, it's recommended that you gradually wet your hair instead of putting on the full pressure of water on your head right away, which could cause a lot of tangling.

Going to the pool or the beach? Feel free to toss around your newly-lengthened tresses while you're frolicking in the sand or lounging around beside the pool. But when the time comes for you to take a dip, tuck your hair under a swim cap. Chemicals and saltwater can do great damage to your hair. Wash your hair afterwards in case some of these seeped into your cap during your swim.

Don't worry about putting your hair in buns, braids and ponytails. Your hair will still hold up when styled in different ways. Just make sure you use some good clips and bands which won't stretch out your hair.

If you're going to style your hair, remember not to use too much heat because it could turn your hair frizzy. Wash your hair with lukewarm water and let it air-dry afterwards. If you really must use a hair dryer, go with ionic dryers for best results.

An important reminder for you would be to stay away from coloring or perming your hair yourself. As always, consult your salon first and leave all treatments in their hands.

Following these simple tips will keep your extensions looking nice and natural. Best of all, you will get to keep your goddess-like locks for a longer period of time!

Also see: Natural Bristle Hair Brush?