Missbeauty

7-How to Use an Eyelash Curler

2014-05-25T19:30:00.000+03:00

How to use an eyelash curler. Curling eyelashes make your eyes look wider & brighter. Metal eyelash curlers are better than plastic. You'll want to replace the pads on the curler every 2 months. For best results, you'll want to gentrly heat the curler with a blowdryer for no more than 5 seconds.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: 3 minutes

Here's How:

1- Eyelash curlers work best on clean eyelashes. Make sure eyelashes are free of mascara.

If necessary, use eye makeup remover to remove old mascara.

2- With your blowdryer on low heat, blow air on the curler for no more than 5 seconds.

Touch the metal. If it's hot, let it cool for a few seconds. You don't want to burn your eyelid.

3- Open the curler, clamp lashes near the roots. Hold for 10-30 seconds.

Never curl lashes after you apply mascara -- as the mascara dries, lashes can stick to the curler & be torn from the roots. Don't bother curling bottom lashes.

4- Repeat on the other eye.

What You Need:

Metal eyelash curler
Blowdryer

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6- Applying Blush

2014-05-18T17:00:00.000+03:00

Many women avoid blush , about 47% of American women today wear blush compared to 1948, when 66% wore it) but it can be your beauty secret weapon.
For healthy, natural color, nothing beats blush.
However, blush tends to overused as well.
To avoid looking like a clown, try these steps to choosing blush & applying it.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: 2 minutes (once you get past the first couple steps below)

Here's How:

1- First choose the color using nature as your guide. According to InStyle, the trick is to find a color that matches your cheeks when they're flushed after exercise or being out in the cold. For a quick test, 'spank' your cheeks & use the resulting color as a guide. (We suggest doing this in the comfrot of your home away from other people, wink).

Another trick is to match your lip color. Fair skin looks great in rose, olive in peach & dark skin in apricot or even red.

2- Now that you have the color, choose the right formula for your skin type.

Powder is typically best for oily & combo skin.
Cream is great for dry skin. Liquid and gel are great for oily skin. For even better results, combine cream & powder together. "It helps my blush stay on longer & looks more luminous," said makeup artist Laura Mercier in O Magazine . Keep in mind stains -- great for well-moisturized skin, not dry skin -- tend to dry very fast so blend well & fast.

3- Apply foundation, eye color & lipstick.
While blush is usually your 2nd-to-last makeup step (before powder), you should experiment with what works best for you. Some makeup artists like to apply blush BEFORE foundation for a more 'natural' look.

4- Throw out the freebie 'Barbie-size' blush brush that comes with the blush. Use a professional full brush instead , but don't use the same brush you use for your powder.

5- Put the blush on your brush, tapping off any excess or put a dab of gel on your fingers.

6- Look into the mirror and smile. This helps you figure out where the 'apple' of your cheek is.

7- Since you want a healthy flush, it's best to apply blush only to apples of your cheeks.
Keep color light & blended. If you're using gel or cream, NYC makeup artist Carlo Geraci (in O Magazine) suggests dabbing it on with your middle finger, then blend with your ring & middle finger. The clean finger will pick up any excess blush.

8- If you've gone a bit too heavy on the powder blush, a bit of translucent powder over it will calm it down. For cream blush, blot the color off with a tissue. Since gel & liquid blush 'stain' the cheeks, the only way to lighten them is it wash your face, moisturize and reapply your makeup, this time more sparingly.

9- Finish your look with a sweep of translucent powder.

10- Extra tip: For a sun-kissed sheen dab bronzer powder on your forehead, chin & nose BEFORE you apply the blush. To make sure it doesn't look like a stripe, use "a big brush & a light hand," suggests makeup artist Bobbi Brown in Lucky Magazine. Those with darker skin tones should try a caramel-color bronzer (not orange) paired with a yellow-based blush, suggests makeup artist Jeanine Lobell in Elle Magazine.

11- Expert tip: Feel free to experiment with different ways of shading. Makeup artist Shane Paish suggests in the May, 2006, issue of InStyle, to try a C-shape shading. To do this, apply a sheer highlighting powder in a c-shape from your temples to your cheekbones. It should go from the center of your brow bone to the center of your cheek, Paish said, "like the shape of a parenthesis."

Tips:

Clean your brushes with baby wipes. If you don't keep your brushes clean, they'll gather bacteria and transfer it to your skin.
For a sexy look, dab a little shimmery blush on the highest point of your cheekbone nearest your eye.
Using powder blush? Always sweep it in one direction. Going over & over or around and around causes streaks & can hurt your brush.
Cream blush is great for mature skin. It blends easily & therefore looks very natural. For gel or cream blush, dab a dot on the apple of the cheek and two smaller dots up the cheekbone. Blend the dots together up to the hairline.
Dusky pink blush will warm up any tired-looking skin.

What You Need:

blush
professional blush brush
mirror
translucent powder
bronzer blusher

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5-Top 5 Beauty Tips for Prom Makeup

2014-05-14T19:30:00.000+02:00

The weeks before prom can be crazy. There's nothing better than planning your dress, shoes, prom makeup and hair. To make things easier, we've compiled the five prom makeup musts for this year's event. If you live by these prom makeup tips, we guarantee you won't look weird, boring or too much like your regular, everyday self for this year's prom. Have fun!

Prom Makeup Tip #1: Pick your eyes OR your mouth

The biggest mistake people make when putting on makeup is that they highlight both the eye and the mouth. You need to pick one or the other and downplay what you rejected.
How to pick? Simple. What do people compliment you on? Do you have Angelina Jolie's lips or Kate Bosworth's eyes? If you choose to focus on your lips, you'll want to go bright. Red is hot for prom, as are dark pinks. Just stay away from brown (leave it for your grandmother) and make sure you keep your eye makeup soft and simple.

If you want to play up your eyes, go all out with liner, shadow, mascara and even false eyelashes (the ones that AREN'T obnoxious and outlandish). Just make sure you stick with light lips capped with a light gloss.
Smokey eyes are a great look for prom. Here are step-by-step instructions .

Prom Makeup Tip #2: Perfect your skin tone.

Perfecting your skin tone can be more important than eye makeup. But the secret is to make it look like you're wearing hardly any makeup.
While we're firm believers that few women under age 25 need foundation, if you have acne or an uneven skin tone, you'll want to cover it up with concealer and foundation.
To avoid the pancake batter look, only apply foundation on the areas of skin that are discolored or have blemishes (usually the forehead, cheeks and chin). Make sure to choose a foundation that perfectly matches your skin and blend in well along the jawline.

Prom Makeup Tip #3: If in doubt, mimic a celebrity

A good trick for those of us overwhelmed with hair and makeup choices is to mimic a celebrity look. Whomever you're into, whether it be Mischa Barton , Carrie Underwood, Kristin Callaveri or Ashlee Simpson, you can adapt their look for your prom.
Chances are a professional makeup artist did the celebrity's makeup. If you're having your makeup done at a department store counter before prom, you can bring along the picture for your makeup artist to perfect.
It can also be easy to do it yourself since many magazines name the products used on the celebrity. This way you can apply the exact makeup the celeb used.

Prom Makeup Tip #4: Three things to remember when taking pictures

You'll have those prom pictures for years, so don't forget these three things:
1. Apply liner and lipstick WITH A MIRROR before you pose.
2. Powder your oily areas (forehead, chin and nose) immediately before the picture. Or better yet, keep blotting papers in your purse.
3. Find out how to stand so you look ten pounds thinner.

Prom Makeup Tip #5: What to bring in your purse

Every purse needs blotting papers (better than applying powder all night, which can leave you looking like a mime), lipstick or gloss, powder (just in case), breath mints and a small bottle of hairspray.

One last thing: Remember, a happy, fun attitude is your biggest beauty weapon. Who doesn't look beautiful when they're happy and smiling?

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4- The Right Way To Apply Foundation

2014-05-13T16:30:00.000+02:00

The right foundation will even out your skin tone & give you the appearance of flawless skin. But you have to do it right, otherwise you risk looking like a ... clown. Follow these steps for a flawless complexion.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: 2 minutes

Here's How:

1- Begin with clean hands and a clean face

2- Apply a moisturizing sunscreen that's perfect for your skin type. All foundations will go on more smoothly if the skin is well-hydrated.

3- Let the moisturizer set for a few minutes.

4- Wipe off any excess moisturizer with a tissue. Greasy skin will make the foundation slip and slide.

5- Camouflouge your dark, under-eye circleswith a concealer.

6- Using a makeup sponge or the tips of your fingers, apply dots of foundation on your cheeks, chin, forehead and tip of the nose.

7- Using the sponge or your fingertips, blend the dots together. Pay special attention to your hairline and jawline to ensure there's no obvious line where the foundation abruptly stops.

8- Set the foundation with loose powder immediately after application.

Tips:

You don't have to put foundation all over your face. Try spot-fixes for those areas that need coverage (likely around your eyes & nose & on your chin).
Don't want to go all out with a foundation? Tinted moisturizers may be all you need if your complexion is dewy, but you want a light, sheer wash to even out blotchiness.
The tips of your fingers work well, but I like to use a sponge. Make sure & wash out the sponge well so it doesn't start harboring all sorts of nasty bacteria.

What You Need:

1 makeup sponge
foundation for your skin type
concealer
moisturizing sunscreen

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3-Make Up Your Eyes in 8 Steps

2014-05-11T19:00:00.000+02:00

When evening calls for a glamourous look, you want to focus on making your eyes amazing. Here are eight simple steps to making up your eyes for evening.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: 10 minutes

Here's How:

1- Prep your eyes with concealer

Concealer can be used to cover up undereye circles or just the bluish discoloration just under your inner eye. To cover dark undereye circles, apply three dots of concealer under each eye. Start at the inner corner where skin tends to be darkest, then under the pupil and the third on the outer edge. Pat, never rub with your ring finger (this finger tends to have the softest pad) until it disappears.

2- Apply eye base to your lid

Eye base is the secret to keeping your shadow in place for hours. Without properly priming your lid first, your eyeshadow will likely end up a greasy line in your crease.

3- Apply shadow.

It's great to use a three-toned shadow and build from lids to brow. Allowing them to blend into each other like a rainbow is gorgeous, according to celebrity makeup artist Mally Roncal. Start with a light color that almost matches your lid. Sweep the color across the lid and up to your browbone. Follow with a medium color across your lid only. Build on this with a darker color in the crease. Blend the colors well.

4- Follow with eyeliner

Dark eyeshadows work great as eyeliners. Wet a slanted brush, then dip in a dark eyeshadow. Line eyes as close to the upper lashes as possible from the inner corner to the outer corner. Follow with liner on bottom eyes, but only line from the middle of the eye out. Smudge the bottom line with a Q-tip or your finger. You don't want a prominent line. For a smokey eye, use a brush to pat in a dark eyeshadow along the upper lid and below the lid. You don't want a stark line, instead you want to blend it so it's 'smudge-y.'

5- Brighten your eyes with a highlighter

This step involves only the inside part of the eye. With a gold or pink highlighter (white is too bright), draw a v-shaped shape that follows the inner corner of your eye from top to bottom. Blend with your fingers. This will help make eyes 'pop.'

6- Highlight your brow

Take the same highlighter and dab it on your browbone, concentrating on your mid-brow outward. Blend with your finger.

7- Curl lashes

An eyelash curler will make even long lashes look more gorgeous. For added effect, you can heat the curler under a blowdryer for a couple seconds. Test curler before applying to lashes because you could burn yourself.

8- Apply mascara

Place the wand of your mascara brush at the bottom of lashes and wiggle back and forth. Follow with another few sweeps of the wand. Apply to bottom lashes as well.

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2- Apply Makeup in Five Minutes

2014-05-06T17:30:00.000+02:00

You have exactly five minutes before rushing out the door. Here are the steps you can follow to apply your makeup in as little as five minutes.

Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 5 minutes

Here's How:

1. Dot on moisturizer.
In most cases, it is recommended that you wait for ten minutes before applying foundation, but there will be times when we simply haven't the time.

2. Apply foundation and blend.
I was always a big sponge user and while I have no problem with them, I have found something even better. A foundation brush gives great coverage without sponge marks. In fact, no one will ever guess that you even have foundation on.

3. Apply blush and blend.
Powder blushes are the easiest to apply.

4. Apply your favorite eye shadow.
A light coverage is all you will need.

5. Apply eyeliner according to eye shape.
As we are working on limited time, concentrate on the outer corners. Less chance of a messy application.

6. Apply mascara to lashes.

7. Using a fat brown pencil,
apply color to brow bone and blend.

8. If your brows need color,
apply it now with small strokes of a pencil.

9. Color your lips.
A lipbrush gives a better application and takes no more time than lipstick straight from a tube.

10. Powder your nose and t-zone with loose powder.

11. Check your blush and add a tiny bit more if necessary.

Tips:

Before you begin your makeup application, set out everything you need.
For individual How To's on any of the above, see the How To index.
Your five-minute makeup is perfect to take along on holidays. It's fast and easy and won't take up a lot of room.

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1- six Beauty Secrets for Beautiful Woman

2014-05-05T09:00:00.000+02:00

1. number one secret beauty tip

My favorite beauty tip is one I use every day (actually every night): Vaseline.

I use it to remove my eye makeup. It's cheaper than over-the-market products, doesn't bother my eyes and I read it can actually help protect the delicate skin around your eyes. Then in winter Vaseline provides the perfect cure for chapped lips: Simply slather it on, then massage lips for a few minutes with an old toothbrush. Continue twice a day until lips are silky and smooth.

2. the easiest way to make up your eyes, without spending a fortune or hours in front of a mirror

Here's a quick (and inexpensive) 4-step routine to use if you don't have much time:

Step 1: Dot concealer on lids. This hides unsightly veins.

Step 2: Sweep a neutral shade like taupe (which I find compliments every skin tone) over eyelids. Add a bit of shimmer if it's nighttime.

Step 3: Skip the cheap pencil liners and use an eyeliner brush and a dark eyeshadow for eyeliner. Wet the brush first for a more dramatic line. Apply line along the top and bottom lashes, making sure to get color in between lashes (you want the line to look as natural as possible). Don't line inside rim of eyes -- it makes eyes appear smaller. Smudge bottom lash so line isn't obvious.

Step 4: Mascara can make anyone's eyes look bigger and brighter. If you have short or straight eyelashes, curl them first before applying mascara.

3. hair tips that you should know for bad hair days

Absolutely! My favorite trick for medium-to-long hair is the messy bun. Not only do buns look sophisticated and hip, they hide bad ends and awkwark cowlicks. Plus, the messier, the sexier! I also love the bandana look, which is totally in right now. As long as you have makeup on, you won't look as if you're meant to be working on a farm. Plus, the bandana look is cute on hair of all lengths.

4. the one skin care or makeup product that every woman should have in her purse

Lipstick or gloss. Provided a woman has great skin, all she really needs is mascara (which you only have to apply once in the morning, so no need to carry it your purse) and lipstick or gloss to look put together.

5. the best way to deal with the occasional blemish
Camouflage it with concealer. But make sure to dot the concealer on with the pad of your middle finger. You never want to rub concealer in like you would sunscreen or foundation.

6. the most surprising beauty secret

There are two. The first is that the less makeup a woman wears, the younger she looks. The second is how a good skincare routine can take years off your face. By skincare, I mean wearing sunscreen daily then using antioxidants, peels and scrubs to buy back lost time and fix damaged skin. I thought all those skincare products were a bunch of mumbo jumbo until I tried them. Now my routine is 50 percent skincare, 50% makeup application.

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Women Beauty Eyebrows

2014-05-04T19:30:00.000+02:00

How To Shape Your Eyebrows

Few things make you appear more groomed than well-plucked eyebrows . Many women have their eyebrows tweezed or threaded professionally and the trend is so hot, eyebrow boutiques are popping up in big cities across the country. I recommend you have a professional do your eyebrows first to set a 'blueprint', then all you have to do is pluck where the hairs grow in. (A pro waxing should set you back about $20 depending on where you live). Here's some tips on how to tweeze your own eyebrows.

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: 10 minutes

Here's How:

1- The biggest mistake people make is to tweeze too much.
Avoid overplucking as it can take months for brows to grow back. Here's a simple trick to remember: The space between your brows should be equal to, or a little wider than, your eyes. To find where your brow should go, take a long eyeshadow brush or pencil and hold it parallel to the side of your nose. Where the brush meets your brow is where your brow should begin.

2- To find the end of your brow,
extend the brush diagonally from your nostril, following the outside edge of your eye toward the brow. Where the inside edge of the brush hits is where your brow should end.

3- The best brows have a slight arch. To find yours, hold the brush parallel to the outside edge of the colored part of your eye (the iris). Where the brush meets the brow is where the highest part of your brow should be.

4- Cleanse your skin.
Exfoliating with a gentle scrub (I like Biore) helps prep the area as well. Worried about pain? Expert aesthicians suggest applying to the brow Anbesol, Orajel or any teething gel for babies. Brush brows up and out.

5- You'll want to invest in a good pair of tweezers with a slanted edge (my favorite, hands down.

You also want to make sure you're near a window with light pouring in or under a bright light with a good mirror (magnifying mirrors are best, but be sure and flip it over to see your overall effect in the regular mirror).

6- Make sure to pluck hairs in the direction they grow. Don't grab too many hairs at a time. You can hold skin taut as you pluck.

7- It's a myth that brows should never be tweezed from above.
You want both the bottoms and tops to be smooth. So be careful, but tweeze the top AND the bottom.

8- Stop every few hairs to step back and look at the job you're doing.
If you overpluck, you're stuck. Unlike most hairs on your body, your brows won't always grow back once they're yanked.

9- Once you're done plucking, you can apply aloe vera gel, which will calm the redness right away.

Tips:

1-To ensure your tweezers maintain their firm grip, regularly wipe the tips with alcohol to remove any oily build up. Also, keep in mind that Tweezerman will sharpen your tweezers for free when they dull. (I always lose mine before they become dull).

2- If your brows are sparse or spotty, you can fill them in by pressing a brown shadow into your brow. Chanel's Perfect Brow Compact is the ultimate brow shadow. It's expensive, but worth the price. Plucked too much? Ji Baek, owner of Rescue Beauty Lounge in Manhattan suggests in Elle Magazine that you stimulate hair growth by massaging brows with a toothbrush.

3-If you use a pencil to fill in sparse brows, apply with short, feathered strokes from the inside of the brow out. Then carefully rub brows with a brush or your fingertips to soften the effect.

4- Brow gel helps keep your brows in place all day. Or if you don't have gel, apply a dab of hairspray to your finger and use it to keep unruly hairs in place.

5- I've saved the best tip for last. The ideal time for brow-shaping is the week after your period begins. It the time in your cycle when your body is least sensitive to hair removal.

What You Need:

A great pair of tweezers. My recommended choice: Tweezerman
A mirror, preferably magnifying
Anbesol or children's teething gel if you're afraid of pain

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Women Self-Tanners

2014-04-23T16:30:00.000+02:00

No doubt having a tan makes you feel thinner, sexier and healthier. But these days baking in the sun is becoming increasingly more unpopular as more women realize the sun's UV rays age skin faster than anything (not to mention increase your chance of developing the deadliest form of skin cancer, melanoma).
If you're ready to skip laying out but don't want to give up glowing skin, self-tanners are a great bet. Self-tanners can darken skin for up to a week thanks to dihydroxyacetone, or DHA.

Here we run down five tips for self-tanning your face and body:

Tip #1: Salon tans are your best bet

If you want a flawless, professional application and can afford the price, head to a spa or salon. For upwards of $60, you can get one of many options: Full body exfoliation and professional application of self-tanner, airbrush bronzing (where an aesthetician sprays a fine mist of tanner over your entire body), or your least expensive option: Spray tanning.

Tip #2: How to use self-tanner on your face

This is a four-step process. Pull hair up in a ponytail before you start so you don't miss any parts. According to InStyle's May 2007 issue, makeup artist Scott Barnes once missed a spot on Jennifer Lopez's ear because he forgot to pull her hair up.
First, prep skin by gently cleansing and exfoliating. Skip moisturizer, which may interfere with the tanner.
Step two: Apply undereye cream. According to Barnes in InStyle, you want the color of your skin to be lighter under the eyes, it makes you look younger.
Step three: blend a few drops of self-tanner and equal parts moisturizer in the palm of your hand then apply over face and neck. You only want to go one shade darker than your natural color.
Step four: Let color develop for three hours then follow up with a sweep of bronzer on forehead, cheeks and nose -- areas where the sun naturally shines.
Don't forget: Smooth remaining tanner over earlobes and upper ears. Wash hands thoroughly. Don't skip the sunscreen.

Tip #3: How to self-tan your body

For this three-step process, start by exfoliating skin with a body scrub in the shower paying special attention to rough areas including knees and elbows (dry skin absorbs higher concentrations of tanner). Shave before you tan. InStyle suggests using a body oil, instead of shaving cream, when shaving.
Barnes suggests rubbing Vaseline on cuticles and nails. This protects your manicure and keeps fingertips and nails from staining.
Apply tanner limb by limb, starting with your legs. Apply over the shin and calf of a leg, sweeping tanner down over your ankle, foot and toes. Then apply tanner to your thigh from front to back, using the excess to cover your knee. Repeat on your other leg. For the final step, apply tanner to your hips, stomach and torso, following with your shoulders and arms. Wait 10 minutes to dry before dressing and avoid any excessive activity that will make you sweat for at least a few hours. If your tan hasn't set, sweat could cause streaking.
Bonus tips: To remove tanner from palms, without washing off product from the tops of your hands, rub palms along a wet washcloth, making sure to get in between fingers.
Give arms, legs and decolletage a subtle glow with a body shimmer.
To create fake fab abs, create a contour with the tanner. InStyle magazine suggests flexing your stomach muscles in front of mirror, leaning to the side to see where your "ab line" is, then tracing the outside of your muscle with a bit of tanner on your finger. Do the same to the other side. Once it dries, do an all-over coat.

Tip #4: Pick the right tanner

There are several types of tanners: Tanners created just for the face, airbrush tanners, cream tans, bronzing gel, tinted tans and tan enhancers. There's body shimmer and bronzing powder. You can layer tanners as colors fade. How? Apply a lotion then follow with bronzing powder or shimmer. Just be careful not to go too dark.

Tip #5: So you messed up, uh-oh

If you end up with a streaky tan, you can fix with an astringent toner or even toothpaste. Exfoliate to even out a patchy application. Not dark enough? Repeat the procedure. Just make sure you gave the tan enough time to develop.

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Women Beauty , Lip Gloss

2014-04-12T18:30:00.000+02:00

Lip gloss is as popular as ever. This season, try a coral color.

1. Apply properly.
Instead of putting gloss on like you do lipstick (from left to right, top to bottom with a smack!) apply gloss to the middle of your bottom lip only. Rub lips together. This will keep gloss from going on too thickly & getting goopy on you.

2. Apply gloss over lipstick.
I love the look of just a bit of gloss over a neutral lipstick. Again, dab just a bit in the center of lips and smooth out from there. Keeps you from applying too thickly.

3. Got too goopy?
Smack lips between a tissue paper, just like you would lipstick.

4. Make gloss pop.
Lighten lips with concealer before adding colored lip gloss.

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Teen Beauty Toners

2014-03-31T04:30:00.000+02:00

Many women assume they need toner. They believe it removes the extra makeup and oils on your skin, while minimizing pores. There are hundreds of toners on the market. Every brand sells it. But is toner really necessary?
Answer: No, unless you have really oily skin. "Toners just add an extra step and expense," said Jeffrey Dover, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine
While many people feel toners truly cleanse their faces, removing any excess makeup residue, most beauty editors agree toners are not a "must-have" part of most people's skincare regimen. Since most modern toners aren't as drying as the ones of the past, I believe they aren't harmful to most skin types. However, this is up for debate, as you'll see below.
So who should use toner? People with extremely oily or acne-prone skin and those of us who want extra cleansing after wearing a lot of makeup. If you love your toner and sincerely believe it works, then by all means do not throw it out. What's most important is your own skin's reaction to it, not the hype surrounding toner's necessity in the beauty world.

What the Experts Say

"Today most dermatologists agree toner isn't necessary. Its main purpose is to remove traces of makeup and residual cleanser, but a high-quality cleanser, even a creamy one, should rinse off easily with water alone. Some women like the fact that toner leaves their face tight and smooth. But that taut, tingly sensation actually indicates dryness."
"Skip the toner. When we say this in the magazine, we always get outraged letters from aestheticians saying skin isn't truly clean until it's been swabbed down. But dermatologists say toner can be overly drying on all but the oiliest skin. If you can't resist the lure of the cotton ball, make sure your bottle is alcohol free.
"For many women, toners are the logical next step in a skincare regimen, but I don't buy it. Literally. Whether they are called balancers, clarifying lotions, skin purifiers, or astringents (the strongest ones), toners are a pricey broth of water, color, preservatives, witch hazel, alcohol -- and not much else. In fact, for most women, toners are a redundant product: toners are supposed to remove every last trace of oil, sweat, and makeup from your face -- but so will a good cleanser. A toner will make your pores look smaller by swelling the tissue around the pore, but a moisturizer will do the same thing -- and more." -- "Beauty, the New Basics" by Rona Berg
"Often sold as a must-use step, toners are truly optional." -- Bobbi Brown in "Bobbi Brown Beauty"

"Fact: you probably don't need toner. Many skincare companies insist that cleanse/tone/moisturize should be the basic, three-step skincare regime, but we disagree. (And so do some of the world's leading facialist "gurus" including Eve Lom, Amanda Lacey and Janet Filderman.)" -- "Total Beauty" by Sarah Stacey and Josephine Fairley
"Beauticians often try to sell us that by using toner during a facial, they're 'closing the pores.' Baloney. Pores aren't elevator doors which can open and shut." -- "Total Beauty" by Sarah Stacey and Josephine Fairley
"There's something about toners that people love. Toners are actually relics of the days when most cleansers left a heavy residue on the skin and one needed to remove it by taking this extra step. Today's cleansers pretty much clean up after themselves, so a toner with strong astringent action is unnecessary, in some case, not to mention dehydrating." -- "Age-Less" by Fredric Brandt, MD

The Beauty Experts Who Promote Toner

Of all my beauty books, these are three that mention toner as a bonus (still, they don't consider them "must-have"):
"If skin feels too oily or you're wearing a lot of makeup, a toner can clean away anything your cleanser has left behind. The newest formulas are alcohol-free and don't strip skin of its necessary oils." Bobbi Brown in "Bobbi Brown Living Beauty"
"Irritant-free toners are an excellent skin-care option for all skin types. They are fine as an cleansing step after removing the cleanser. Toners can also soothe skin, lightly moisturize it, and provide some antioxidant and anti-irritant protection." -- "The Beauty Bible" by Paula Begoun
"A toner is a curious thing ... it's meant to refresh and rejuvenate the skin whenever you feel you need it. It cleans, smooths, acts as an anti-inflammatory, and helps minimize pores while also preventing breakouts. We love it because it gives your skin a boost, good tone and a healthy glow." -- "The Beauty Buyble, The Best Beauty Products 2007" by Paula Conway and Maureen Regan

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Teen Beauty - Sunscreens

2014-03-25T19:00:00.000+02:00

the Difference Between a Sunscreen and a Sunblock

Sunscreens are the most popular at the moment. Available in creams, lotions and gels, they contain chemicals that absorb UV rays. They are also inconspicous on the skin. The chemicals that are most often found in sunscreens include PABA, Benzophenones, Cinnamates, Salicylates,
Sunblocks instead of absorbing UV rays, reflect them. At one time sunblocks could be spotted by the opaque white film, but new technology has created sunblocks with particles so tiny, that the opaque film in no longer noticeable. Chemicals most common in sunblocks include Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

Choose the Best Sunscreenf you have ever been to the tanning/sunscreen aisle at your local drugstore, you know how overwhelming it can be. SPF this, UVA that, and then throw in UVBs in the mix and the confusion begins!

Choosing the Right SPF

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. The higher the SPF number, the better protection against the sun's harmful UVB rays. The SPF number lets you know how much longer you can stay out of the sun without burning. For example, if it takes 15 minutes for a person to burn, an SPF 15 will allow them to stay out in the sun 15 times longer without burning.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends wearing an SPF of 15 or higher for maximum protection. SPF is available in factors from 2-60. Does highest mean the best protection? Not necessarily. An SPF of 50 only provides 1-2% more protection than an SPF30.

UVA and UVB Protection

The label of the sunscreen will indicate the UVA or UVB protection.

UVA rays are responsible for the aging effect of the sun. However, overexposure to UVA rays can cause skin cancer.

UVB rays are responsible for sunburns and skin cancer.

Choose a product that has states "UVA/UVB" protection or has "broad spectrum" protectant.

Waterproof vs Water Resistant

If you are looking for a sunscreen to use while in the water, choose a sunscreen that is "waterproof" or "water resistant".

"Waterproof" sunscreen should provide protection in the water for 80 minutes, while "water resistant" provides only 40 minutes of protection.

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20 Beauty Secrets Every Teen Should Know-2

2014-03-12T17:00:00.000+02:00

11. When can you skip sunscreen ? Never

Here's a trick we wish we knew: The first beauty product you should apply every day is sunscreen, even if it's cloudy or rainy outside. Why? Good habits start young and if you use sunscreen now, you'll have gorgeous skin when you're 50, 60, 70. Plus, the sun's UV rays can penetrate clouds.

12. Wrapping hair around the barrel creates waves

There's nothing sexier than long, layered waves. To get them, wind hair AROUND the barrel of a large curling iron. Reverse direction for each 2-inch section (wind up for one, down for another).

13. Self-tanner will always stink

Unfortunately, even the best ones smell. Your best bet is to apply self-tanner a good 24 hours before an important event and take a shower (don't loofah) to wash off any smell.

14. Don't let nails go

Not into manicures and pedicures? No worries. Just make sure to keep nails clean and the same length. If you do want to paint them, don't keep the polish on until half of it's chipped away. Also, there's nothing worse than too-long toenails. Keep nails clipped between pedicures! People tend to judge others by the care they put into their hands and feet.

15. Don't line the inside of your eyes

It will make your eyes appear smaller. Instead, line just at the lash line. Also, an obvious line doesn't look natural. Smudge the line just a bit.

16. Oily hair? Invest in a dry shampoo

If you have blonde hair, sprinkling a bit of baby powder on your roots and at your crown will soak up excess oils. If you have brown hair, you might be better off with a dry shampoo for your hair color.

17. Shave legs at the end of the shower

Cut down on nicks and cuts by making shaving the very last step in your shower or bathing ritual.

18. Know your best feature and play it up
What feature do people comment on most? Play it up. If you're told you have Angelina Jolie lips, make sure to wear gloss and play with bold lipstick colors. If it's your eye color people love, find eyeshadow colors that complement them and make sure to wear mascara. Also, know what color shirts look best on you and go shopping.

19. Scrubs are great for dry skin

If you have dry, itchy skin in winter, invest in a scrub and handmitts and scrub away in the bathtub. Make sure to slather on a thick moisturizer afterward. For dry, callousy feet, buy a pumice stone. They work better than any of the other wimpy options on the market.

20. Remember: Beauty is mostly internal
Think about a girl you know who's overweight yet all the guys love her. Why? Because she's confident. If you aren't wearing makeup and your toes haven't been repainted in weeks, if you're happy and smiling you will still be 10 times prettier than the mopey cheerleader sitting next to you in class. Trust us (wink).

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20 Beauty Secrets Every Teen Should Know-1

2014-03-10T18:00:00.000+02:00

There's nothing worse than getting advice from older people, we know, we know, but the truth is some advice is worth taking and keeping, especially when it comes to fun beauty tips. We've been reading fashion magazines and testing beauty products for years. In this time, we've read 1000s of beauty tips, tried 1000s of products, but only a few are worth keeping around. So, here we share with you the

20 things we wish we knew when we were teenagers.

1. Skip the foundation

If you have acne the first thing you want to do is slather on the thick foundation. AVOID AT ALL COSTS. Foundation is for women over 40. Not only will it cover up your natural beauty, but foundation on a teenager looks anything but natural. Instead, cover up blemishes with concealer, then follow with a powder.

2. You pat concealer in, you never rub it in

We know this from watching the Tyra Banks show. When applying concealer, put a bit on the pad of your middle finger and pat it in. Never rub. Got acne? Pat the concealer on top of it.

3. Play up your lips or your eyes,
never both If you are wearing heavy eye makeup, go for nude lips with just a bit of gloss.

Prefer the drama of dark lipstick? Keep face light (stay away from heavy blush) and wear only mascara on your eyes and a light eyeshadow.

Don't heavily line your eyes. Play up both and you'll look like a clown.

4. Less is more
Ever notice how some of your friends look best with no makeup at all? No matter your age, too much makeup makes you look worse. If you wear foundation, powder, blush, liner, mascara, eyeshadow, lip liner, gloss on an everyday basis, then you're doing too much. Tone it down: All you really need is a great mascara, concealer for acne and gloss.

5. Natural hair is always hot
   If you have super dark hair, lighten your look by going a shade darker or getting lighter highlights. Blonde? Try highlights, especially around your face. We see too many teens lightening their hair several shades and the look is super tacky, not super fabulous. The trick is to let people assume you were born with sun-kissed hair, not that you gave yourself a bad dye job from a bottle.

6. Vaseline is your best friend
Skip the bottled cleaners: Vaseline is the best eye makeup remover hands down. It's also great for fixing chapped, scaly lips.
Slather on a bunch of Vaseline, then use a toothbrush to massage lips. Wipe the excess off on a tissue. Your lips will be smooth and soft.

7. You can never go wrong with layers
Layers are great for any hair type: Super curly, straight or wavy. It makes thin hair appear thicker, curly hair appear manageable and wavy hair appear just-got-back-from-the-beach sexy.

8. Acne? Get thee to a dermatologist,
                                                       stat Biggest mistake people with acne make? Not going to a dermatologist. Forget those $150 jeans you covet. Getting rid of those pimples will be the best investment you'll ever make. And the only guaranteed way to do it is with a dermatologist.

9. Spend money on key beauty products
   Not sure what to splurge on and what to save on? Here's our Golden Rules: Don't scrimp on eye shadow, facial moisturizer, powder, self-tanner or lipstick. There's a big difference in quality for these products. Don't waste your money on fancy mascaras, cleansers, eye liners or lip gloss.

10. Buying foundation or lipstick? Test it first
   There are some beauty products you simply must try out at a department store or Sephora before you buy. These include: Foundation, lipstick, blush and powder. Buy these products in a grocery store and you'll be lucky if you picked the right color for your skin tone. What you can get away with without testing: Mascara, eye liner, most basic eye shadows and lip gloss.

20 Beauty Secrets Every Teen Should Know-2

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Anti-aging

2014-03-08T19:30:00.000+02:00

You can take 10 years off your face without plastic surgery by using the right anti-aging products. Microdermabrasion, chemical peels, retinoids and antioxidants are all methods more and more women are embracing.

1-Antioxidants

Antioxidants neutralize the free radicals caused by UV rays. Free radicals are those buggers responsible for fine lines, age spots and skin cancer. Great antioxidants include Prevage cream available by prescription. We also read great things about Skinceuticals CE Ferulic Acid serum. This boosts the skin's protection against UV rays

2-Botox

is basically a purified form of botulinum toxin. when injected Botox smooths lines by 'blocking nerve impulses that trigger wrinkle-causing muscle contractions.

3-Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are meant to lift away the dead upper layers of skin. They are painted onto the face by a dermatologist or trained cosmetologist. The higher the concentration and the longer they are left on, the deeper they work.

4-Premature aging

5-Retinoids

6-Wrinkles

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Anti-aging ( Retinoids & Alpha Hydroxy Acids)

2014-03-06T23:00:00.000+02:00

There are products that really do turn back time, so to say, and reduce lines and wrinkles.

The Secret to Youth:

1- Collagen

Collagen is the key to healthy skin that tends to age well. The change in the pH level of the skin caused by just a few uses of a retinoid product such as Retin-A or AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) can help generate collagen. "Collagen is the skin's structural fiber," dermatologist Dennis Gross said in the October 2005 issue of O Magazine. "As we get older, it breaks down, creating lines and large pores."

The best way to keep collagen from breaking down is avoiding the sun at all costs. Dermatologists warn that up to 90 percent of wrinkles, dark spots and sun damage are caused by sun exposure. This is why they're always preaching the use of sunscreen .
However, if the damage is done, you can try to recoup the gorgeous skin you once had. To find out your best option, read on.
2-Vitamin A

Vitamin A really cuts down on the wrinkles, perhaps better than any other type of skin product. I would recommend skipping the over-the-counter vitamin A products and consider getting a prescription from your doctor for Retin-A, Renova or Retin-A Micro.

These contain the ingredient "tretinoin," which is proven more effective on fine lines and wrinkles than retinol, found in most OTC products.
Keep in mind that you shouldn't expose skin to the sun when using Retin-A, Renova or Retin-A Micro. You'll want to cover up with sunscreen and a hat. Vitamin A makes skin very susceptible to skin damage.

Retinoids

Retinoids are the tamer, non-prescription versions of the vitamin A derivatives listed above. Retinoids contain a less harsh Vitamin A derivative called retinol. These products are less potent and therefore great for weekly upkeep.

Alpha & Beta Hydroxy Acids

AHAs and BHAs are better options for women who find the Vitamin A products dry out their skin. AHAs are acid extracts that tend to be more moisturizing. You'll want to look for products that include glycolic (an acid extract from sugarcane), lactic (milk) or citric (citrus fruits).

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How to Get Rid of Wrinkles

2014-03-05T17:30:00.000+02:00

No one likes wrinkles, which are caused when collagen breaks down deep in your dermis, far below the skin's top layer. The key to improving or preventing wrinkles is two-fold: You need to stimulate collagen production while keeping free radicals such as the sun, stress & pollution from causing more damage. You have a number of options available to help you turn back time a bit without going under the knife. Here's a rundown of 5 options currently on the market that are created to minimize the appearance of wrinkles. Better yet, most of these can be bought over-the-counter:

1. Sunscreen.
Sun damage is the #1 cause of wrinkles. Wonder what your skin would look like if it was never exposed to the sun? Look at your bottom. Wrinkle-free, eh? That's what your skin would look like if it was kept under cover all the time as well.

A good rule of thumb: If it's daylight outside, you need sunscreen, no matter how cloudy it is. In the June, 2005 issue of InStyle Magazine, Dr. Fredric Brandt, dermatologist to the stars, suggests using a 'two-finger scoop' of sunscreen daily to the face & neck.

Also, don't forget the top of your hands. Dermatologists report seeing women with young faces & old hands all the time.

2. Vitamin A (retinoid) creams.

To prevent wrinkles or keep them from worsening, look for products containing vitamin A Used nightly (or every other night), vitamin A creams stimulate collagen renewal & prevent skin cells from breaking down. Women in their 20s & early 30s can use these to keep fine lines from turning into deeper furrows. I've been trying one percent Retin-A on my skin for the past month & I've noticed a marked improvement even though best results can be seen in about 6 months.

(Just make sure you never go out without sunscreen when you're on these Vitamin A products, your skin is extra susceptible to sun damage).

3. Alpha-hydroxy acids or microdermabrasion.
If you're in your mid-30s & worried about wrinkles you might try exfoliating once a week with a alpha-hydroxy acid (AHAs) or a microdermabrasion kit.

Don't use both & be careful not to over-exfoliate. Chemical exfoliators (the AHAs) work great on oily or combination skin, while the physical scrubs are great for very sensitive skin (make sure it's in a creamy base). AHA's are glycolic or lactic acid formulated to increase collagen in sun-damaged skin. They are also known to reduce pore size, redness, blotchiness & fine lines. Microdermabrasives smooth fine lines & get rid of dead skin.

4. Antioxidants.
Free radicals -- the unstable oxygen molecules produced by pollution, stress & sun -- are a skincare nightmare. They attack healthy skin cells & cause collagen breakdown, all of which lead to wrinkles. Antioxidants like green tea, vitamins C & E, & coenzyme Q10 work together to neutralize free radicals.

A cocktail of these antioxidants are like a multi-vitamin for skin, according to dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross. How to use it? Use antioxidants both orally & topically. IN Elle Magazine, dermatologist Leslie Baumann, MD, swears by Heliocare vitamins. Topically, antioxidants are great for bolstering UV protection. Apply an antioxidant serum containing vitamins C or E, Co-Q, alpha-lipoic acid, grean or white tea, pomegranate or idebenone under your sunscreen (see products below). The antioxidants will fight those free radicals the sun generates.

5. Eye cream.
You might notice the area on your face that's aging the fastest is around your eyes. The skin around eyes is extra-thin & prone to developing undereye bags, crow's feet & dark circles.

To battle crow's feet you'll want to use a retinoid wrinkle reducer that hydrates. To fight bags under the eyes, a skin-tightener with hyaluronic acid or retinol . But keep in mind that most doctors agree the only way to get rid of undereye bags is to undergo surgery. Want to rid eyes of dark circles? You need a vitamin K-based eye product . By the way, those undereye circles are not caused by lack of sleep. According to Davide J. Leffell, MD, professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, dark undereye circles are caused by genetics & won't change with more or less sleep. Some fun facts on wrinkles from the April 2006 edition of Allure: In 1889, Margaret Kroesen created Frownies, an adhesive patch that held skin taut, smoothing out wrinkles. 1920, the year Coco Chanel made suntans fashionable after her return from a sun-filled vacation on a yacht. 1982, the year Chanel launched it's first anti-wrinkle cream with sunscreen. 1988, the year the FDA warned about the indiscriminate use of Retin-A, an acne drug, to treat wrinkles. 1995, the year the FDA approved tretinoic acid, the main ingredient in Retin-A, for the purpose of fighting wrinkles.

Anti-aging (how to Slow the Aging Skin Process)-2

2014-03-01T15:00:00.000+02:00

You saw the 5 'dos' for perfect skin care. Now here are
B- 5 don'ts:

1-Don’t pull and rub your skin.
Aging skin has been under attack by UV rays, stress and carbon monoxide so don't stress it more by pulling on it.

2-Don’t forget to moisturize
While it's a myth that wrinkles are caused by dry skin, moisturizing can improve the appearance of lines by temporarily plumping them up.

Extra tip: Moisturizers are best used on damp skin. They lock the moisture in. Gross doesn't use tap water when washing skin because of harsh minerals found in many city water sources.

3-Don’t ignore your neck and chest.

The neck and chest are first to show the signs of aging (they have fewer oil glands than the rest of your body), yet most of us ignore them.

Look for moisturizers that have age-fighting ingredients like vitamin A (retinols), kinetin, copper or vitamin C.

4-Don’t forget the sunscreen.
This is a no-brainer. You’ve had it ingrained in your head since youth, but seriously, even in winter it can take just 20 minutes of unprotected sun exposure to damage the skin. .

By the way, it's a MYTH that 80 percent of your lifetime sun damage occurs before age 18, according to the April, 2006, issue of O Magazine. Katie Rodan, MD, adjunct professor of dermatology at Stanford University School of Medicine, says in O that this myth stands officially debunked and studies indicate we get only 23 percent of total UV exposure by age 18. Of course it gets worse as we age. So you CAN prevent sun-induced aging by wearing sunscreen.

5-Don’t tan.
Even if wrinkles haven't shown up yet, you need to stop tanning now because they will.

Once signs of aging appears, you'll be spending a lot of money to reverse it. So if you do have sun damage? You can reverse the damage with photorejuvenation such as pulsed light treatments. Many spas and dermatologists provide these pricey fixes.

One word of warning: Once you start an anti-aging regimen, you have to keep it up. The effects of acid peels, AHAs, moisturizers -- all the anti-aging products that remove dead skin cells and make skin look plumper -- won't last forever. You have to maintain them.

Anti-aging (how to Slow the Aging Skin Process)-1

2014-02-18T20:00:00.000+02:00

5 Dos and 5 Don’ts to Help Slow the Aging Skin Process

Maybe you're in your 20s or early 30s and you think you can't possibly have (gulp) aging skin yet. Well, you're wrong. Your skin's 'youthfulness' has less to do with age than how it's been treated, so if exposed to sun, smoke and stress, your skin will start ‘acting old,’ losing collagen, glow and elasticity. Lines will develop and pores can seem more pronounced.

It's easier to prevent damage than to repair it

but the good news is you CAN reverse skin damage.

Here are 5 dos and 5 don’ts to help slow down and reverse the aging process and leave your skin glowing at any age.

A- 5 dos

1- stop smoking.

Ever notice the skin of a lifelong smoker? It can appear wrinkly like a squashed paper bag. The fact is, smoking is the 2nd biggest cause of skin damage after sun exposure. Why? Nicotine constricts blood vessels and decreases the flow of oxygen to the skin. Not good things.

2-use an AHA or BHA (also known as retinols) every day.

A daily application of a one percent prescription retinoid lotion (such as Retin-A or even better, Tazorac) can erase years from your face. AHAs used properly not only take off lots of dead skin, but can seem to take 10 years off as well by reducing fine lines. (Keep in mind these products do NOT shrink pores. Your pore size is completely hereditary, so don't believe promises of permanent reduction). Over-the-counter options such as RoC Deep Wrinkle Night Cream are good, but prescription creams work the best. Extra tip: You must stay out of the sun if you use retinoids. You are extra-susceptible to sunburns.

3-exfoliate once a week.

Choose a formulation that's best for your skin type. Chemical exfoliators (glycolic or salicylic acid) are best for oily or combo skin, while scrubs found in microdermabrasives work best for sensitive skin.

4-use an eye cream daily.

Eyes are one of the first places to show aging. The skin around the eyes is extra thin so you'll want to protect it from the sun with eye cream with SPF.

5-invest and ingest antioxidants.

'Antioxidants' is a huge word in aging prevention. A huge proponent of antioxidants (found in green teas and beta carotene) is dermatologist Leslie Baumann, MD. To get the best possible protection against free-radical damage, Baumann suggests in Elle magazine that you take both oral and topical antioxidants. Get antioxidants in pill form by taking Heliocare vitamins.

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Nail Polish (Give Yourself a Pedicure )

2014-02-17T18:30:00.000+02:00

Giving yourself a professional pedicure is an 8-step process.

1-Remove polish from nails
The first step is to remove the old polish from your nails. Instead of cotton balls (which will leave fuzzies), we suggest using a lint-free cotton pad, Saturate the cotton pad with acetone remover & rub off the old polish.

If the color isn't coming off easily, press the saturated cotton on the nail & let it soak in first. A tip for removing stains from nails: try rubbing whitening toothpaste on your nails. You can also rub a drop of lemon or lavender oil on each toe & rub a buffer back & forth over the nail. This will remove the yellowed outer layer.
Tip for picking the perfect polish remover: Alcohol- and acetone-free removers are less drying, but don't work as well, especially on dark shades. Use the 'free' stuff on lighter shades.

2-Cut & File Nails
It's best to use high quality clippers made for clipping toenails such. To avoid ingrown nails, cut nail straight across to just above the skin. Make sure your nail doesn't extend over the tip of your toe. To get a soft square shape, file nails in one direction until they are even & slightly rounded at the corners. (Hint: Don't use metal files, they'll rip your nails). Don't clip the sides of nails, that can cause ingrowns.

3-Soak Your Feet
Fill a large flat-bottom bowl with warm water. Throw in bath salts, your favorite aromatherapy oils & let your feet soak 10 minutes. The more cracked & calloused your feet, the longer they need to stay in. Trick only the pros know: Add a quarter cup of milk to your bath along with the essential oils & salts. The lactic acid in the milk loosens dead skin.

4-Trim Cuticles
Apply cuticle remover to the base of each nail & rub it in. Leave on for a minute, then use an orangewood stick to gently push with a circular motion everywhere where skin meets the nail (including the sides). Be careful to remove skin only on top of the nail, don't touch the toe flesh. Use cuticle nippers to trim any loose skin. Be careful not to nip your toe flesh.

5-Scrub Your Feet
Apply an exfoliating body or foot scrub to a foot file or wet pumice stone to slough away the dead skin on the balls & heels of your feet. You'll want to scrub the balls, bottoms & sides of your heels & around the toes. To get the most leverage, sit on the side of a bathtub, facing inward. Remember the pedicure motto we read about once, "smooth, don't remove." You'll want to stop if your foot turns bright red (this means you've scrubbed too hard). Remember, that tough skin is there for a reason. Any basic foot file or pumice stone from your drugstore will do the trick.

6-Moisturize
Dry feet thoroughly including between the toes & rub in a thick foot cream . Rub the feet & the calves. Rehydrate cuticles by rubbing in a dab of cuticle oil.

7-Polish Your Toes
Use acetone remover to get rid of any excess oils on the nails (including the cuticle oil you just applied). Apply a thin base coat using 3 strokes, one down the middle, then one on each side. Don't paint the cuticle. Wait a minute before adding two coats of your favorite polish, then finish with a thin top coat . Clean up any errors with an orangewood stick wrapped in cotton & dipped in acetone remover. Let nails dry for at least 40 minutes. Tip: It's good to paint any polish remaining on the brush over the front nail edge. This prevents chipping.

8-Finish
After nails have dried, spritz with a moisturizing oil like SolarSpeed spray. This sets your polish & moisturizes your cuticles. Then voila! You're done!

Nail Polish ( Extend the life of your manicure )

2014-02-07T16:30:00.000+02:00

Ever spend an hour doing your nails only to smudge a nail within minutes of finishing up the last coat? Here's six tips to avoid those smudges on your next manicure...

1: Make sure nails are super clean
Natural oils on your nails aid in chipping. Even if your nails are polish-free, apply polish remover to get rid of oils on the surface of nails.

2: Prep nails with a base coat Polish will adhere best to nails prepped with a base coat

3: Don't lay on the polish too thick
Three to four thin coats of polish rather than 2 thick coats will last longer, cut down on drying time and cause fewer changes of bubbles brewing on your nails.

4: Don't forget the tip
When polishing, polish the tip of the nail as well. This helps cut down on nail polish chipping.

5: Consider a shimmery color.
The little particles of sparkle will help polish cling to your nails.

6: Apply a clear topcoat
Topcoat helps extend the life of your manicure. You can use the base coat as a topcoat. Do brush topcoat on and around the edges of nails as well, it's an extra seal against chipping.

7: Allow proper drying time
Make sure you give your nails a good 45 minutes drying time before handling objects. Once dry time is over, submerge nails in cold water then apply lotion. This allows for a slippery surface until nails are completely dry. For pedicures, wrap toes in plastic wrap if you're wearing shoes other than flip-flops or sandals.

8: Keep topcoat handy
To prolong the life of your manicure, apply a topcoat every other day.

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Nail Polish (make a French Manicure yourself)

2014-02-06T00:49:00.000+02:00

1-Prepare the Nails
Remove old nail polish and file your nails into shape.

2-Soak Nails
Soak your nails in warm water to soften the cuticles.

3-Prepare the Cuticle
Gently push the cuticles back using an orange stick. The first time you do this, you may have a lot of cuticle. You can remove them by applying cuticle remover.

4-Apply Cream
Apply hand cream to the nails and rub them in. Leave on for 2-3 minutes. Wipes nails with facial tissue to remove excess.

5-Apply Basecoat
Apply a clear basecoat & leave to dry.

6-Paint Nail
Using a neutral, pale shade that matches the natural color of the nail bed, paint the nails. Leave to dry. Wait 2 minutes, then re-apply.

7-Paint Tips
Paint the naturally white tip of the nail with an opaque white or beige polish. In traditional French manicures, this white strip is straight across the nail, however, if you let the polish curve with your natural nail, your nails will appear longer.

8-Finish Off With Clear Polish
You'll want to finish off the nail with a coat of clear polish. This will protect the layers underneath.

9-Clean Up Errors
Using an orangewood stick wrapped in a wisp of cotton moistened with remover, clean up any errors around the nail.

10-Let 'Em DryIt will take a good 20 minutes before your nails are safe enough to do small things (meaning: use the pads of your fingers only). Wait a full hour before really using your hands.

Nail Polish ( Ingrown Nails )

2014-02-04T01:35:00.000+02:00

An ingrown toenail is caused by pressure of the nail against the skin on the side of the nail. Prolonged periods of pressure can cause irritation of the skin, swelling, infection, and pain. Ingrown nails are seen mainly in the big toes of people in industrialized nations. People in cultures that don't wear shoes rarely get ingrown nails.

Causes of Ingrown Toenails
There are several factors that can lead to an ingrown toenail. The first is an abnormality of the soft tissue on the side of the nail. Certain rare diseases can cause a laxity of the skin, but the most common soft tissue abnormality is that seen with tight-fitting shoes. The shoes cause overcrowding of the toes pushing the soft tissue against the edge of the nail. Another common factor that can lead to ingrown toenails is nail abnormalities. Improperly cutting the toenail, cutting it short and curved, can cause the nail edges to turn in. Certain conditions such as lung disease, advancing age, and poor circulation in the extremities from blocked blood vessels can cause the nail to curve. Other less common factors that can lead to ingrown nails are bone spurs under the nail, trauma to the nail, multiple infections, and drugs such as indinavir.

Appearance of Ingrown Toenails
There are three stages of ingrown toenails.
1-In the first stage the skin on either side of the nail is red and painful to the touch. This is due to inflammation or irritation only - not infection.

2- In the second stage the skin is infected and may bulge over the side of the nail. The affected area may ooze clear fluid or pus.

3- In the third stage the skin has been infected for a prolonged time and is trying to heal itself. The skin does this by forming granulation tissue. This is heaped up extra red tissue that bleeds easily and migrates over the nail edge.

Diagnosis of Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails are diagnosed clinically by their appearance. If pus is present, it may be cultured to determine the bacteria involved, but this is not always necessary. Infections that involve the bone or joint space may need to be ruled out with an X-ray, but this extent of infection is rare.

Treatment of Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails are treated based on the stage involved. Toenails in stage 1 can be treated with warm soaks, a cutout shoe, and by elevating the nail with a cotton swab. Symptoms improve after a couple of days, but may not resolve for 2 to 3 weeks. Toenails in stage 2 can be treated with warm soaks and oral antibiotics. Closed-toed shoes and hosiery should not be worn for at least 1 week. If the toenail is especially painful, a portion of the toenail may need to be removed. This is done in the office under local anesthesia. Toenails in stage 3 need to be treated with partial or full toenail removal. For recurrent instances of ingrown nails, the nail bed can be ablated. This is done by placing phenol on a cotton swab and inserting it under the cuticle remaining after the nail has been removed. The phenol kills the matrix cells that make the nail plate.
Diabetics and Ingrown Toenails
People with diabetes must pay close attention to their feet. Diabetics can develop peripheral neuropathies and loose the sensation in their feet. They are also predisposed to getting unusual infections because of the changes in their immune systems. Finally, diabetes can cause the toenails to thicken and curve under leading to ingrown toenails. For all of these reasons, people with diabetes should report any redness around the toenails to their health care provider even if they don't have pain. Diabetics with thickened toenails should see a podiatrist to have their nails trimmed under antiseptic conditions.

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Different Methods For Hair Removal

2014-01-25T17:15:00.000+02:00

These days there are many options for hair removal.

It's not just about the razor anymore. Different hair removal methods work better on different areas & skin tones. Find out when -- & what -- to shave, wax, tweeze & laser.

1-Laser hair removal
2-Threading
3-Shaving
4-Waxing

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Hair Removal -- How Waxing & Sugaring Works

2014-01-24T10:00:00.000+02:00

Waxing is the application of a sticky substance to skin. The resin binds hair to a strip of cloth, which is yanked off (usually in the opposite direction of hair growth). Hair is removed from the roots and will eventually grow back. Sugaring, an alternative to wax, is made up of a mixture of lemon juice, sugar and water. Hair needs to be longish for the waxing to work because the wax needs to bind on the hair in order for it to be yanked out (notice how we refuse to use the tamer word, 'pull'?). The pain factor here is high. But the first time hurts the most. Hair grows in thinner. (We swear). So after a couple times it hurts a bit less. Waxing and sugaring lasts about 2 to 6 weeks

Waxing your own legs can be tricky and sticky. But do it right and you can save yourself a lot of money from the salon.

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: 30 minutes

Here's How:

1-Ensure hair is long enough to wax. Hair needs to grow out 1/4 inch (the wax needs hair to stick to otherwise it can be yanked out by its roots).

2-Two days before exfoliate legs to remove dead skin.

3-Apply baby powder to skin. Baby powder removes oils helping the wax stick better to hair.

4-Heat wax in microwave or by immersing container in warm water (follow the package instructions methods vary widely).

5-Work in small sections. Apply wax in the direction of hair growth. For proper application hold the stick at a 90-degree angle & apply a smooth thin layer.

6-Before wax cools completely apply the strip to wax

7-To remove strip peel it in the opposite direction of hair growth. Don't pull straight up, it's less painful to keep the strip as close to skin as possible. If the area stings it can help to apply pressure on immediately after the strip removal.

8-Apply a lotion containing salycylic acid to prevent ingrown hairs.

9-To remove excess wax on skin use a body oil do not try to remove wax with hot water. Also consider a sugaring kit like Moom Sugar. Sugar washes off much easier than wax.

Tips:

If you're using Retin A Renova or Accutane don't wax that area of the skin. You're much more susceptible to rashes & irritation.
Take 2 ibuprofen pills an hour before your treatment to cut down on the pain.

What You Need:

Wax kit (comes with the spatula, wax and strips)
Hairy legs
Post-waxing cream (see Step 8 above for product info

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