Why Be Uncomfortable?

Many women decide that they would rather not feel good in order to look good. This may seem kind of silly, but something as simple as bad shoes that look good will make a woman feel uncomfortable. If you do not feel that you look good, you may decide that you want to squeeze into an outfit that will not feel good on your body. Sometimes you may decide to make a choice to wear something that causes pain and be a little uncomfortable.

What Can Happen?

If you are wearing shoes that are too small, you may have some issues with your feet. This can be painful and you may have to go to the doctor in order to feel better and you may have to change the style of shoes that you are wearing. This can halt you wearing high heels for a long time to come. You may even have to have a foot related surgery if the injury is extreme. Your foot doctor should be able to tell you if they think that you are going to need this kind of treatment.

If you are wearing something that is too small for you, you may have problems with your body in the future. This may mean that your organs are dealing with damage and you may have problems with your body weight. This can seem like something extreme, but it does happen and can be serious.

Plastic surgery is also something that can cause pain while you are changing the way that you look. Sometimes you may have problems that will cause pain later on in life or for longer than you may think that it should. This is because even cosmetic surgery is something that cause pain for the sake of beauty. Make sure that you are really getting into something that you are going to be alright with. That way you will be happy with what you are doing and you will know all of the risks that are involved with the surgery.

Women have been doing things that can cause them to be uncomfortable for a long time and they will still continue to do it in the future. You may decide that you are not going to be a part of this problem because you do not want to deal with what could happen. This is really your choice and you should be aware of everything that could happen besides being uncomfortable. Take the time to really see what you are doing and decide if it is something that you can live with. Some people think that beauty is everything and that being uncomfortable is just a part of that.

What Is Healthy Hair?

There are a few people that wonder what healthy hair is so that they know how to get it. Healthy hair is hair that is shiny and great looking. Many people will work hard for the healthy hair that they want. They may not know what it is that they need to do in order to get that healthy hair.

How to get Healthy Hair

There are a few things that you can do in order to get that healthy hair. The first thing that you can do in order to have healthy hair is to use the right products. When you use the right products on your hair, you can have great looking hair as well as clean and nice looking hair. You may be able to find the right products at your local salon and maybe at your local department store.

Another way to get healthy hair is to make sure that you are going to the salon on a regular basis. The reason that this is important is because when you go to the salon, you can get the dead hair trimmed away and you can get any hair that may have split ends and such cut off.

Eating right can also change the way that you hair looks and feels. If you are eating right, then your hair will look better and you will look better as well. The hair responds to the food that you are eating as well as any other chemicals that you may be taking into your body. That is why it is important that you are not doing any bad habits that may damage your health and the health of your hair.

Why Do You Want Healthy Hair?

There are many people that do not have healthy hair, but everyone really wants it. You may ask yourself why it is that you want healthy looking hair. This is because you want to look your best. Having healthy hair will help you to look good and will help you to feel better about yourself. This can also make you feel better about the situation that you are in and it can make things that much easier to handle for yourself.

When you are looking for healthy hair, you may have to change some of the things that you are doing. This can seem hard, but it really does not have to be if you are willing to make these changes for yourself. Take the time to really try and see what you can do in order to have the hair that you want to and find the one that will work best for you. You also may have to do some kind of combination of more than one thing to get your hair looking good for a long period of time.

Eating Right

When you are trying to figure out what it is that you want to eat, you may want to consider eating something that is going to be good for you and your body. This may be something that will also help the outside look of your body as well. Eating well will also help you to feel better with what you are doing in your life.

Face Cream

Face cream is something that will help your face and body to stay looking healthy and feeling good. A face cream is something that many people have been using for years and can really make a difference with the way your face feels and looks. That will not only make you feel better, but it will also make you look better as well.

Medical Treatments

There are some medical treatments that can be done in order to help your body look younger and to make you feel better. These can range from small treatments that can be done from the confront of your own home as well as in a doctor’s office to full surgery options. You do need to talk to your doctor so that you can be advised on what the best option for you. This may be hard to figure out in the beginning, but you can find a small treatment with the help of a doctor.

The small medical treatments are not as extensive but can really help you to look younger and be happier with your life. These treatments are usually things like skin treatments as well as programs that will help with the aging process. You may be able to find a good treatment that will help you to fight the aging process if you are willing to take your time and find a good small medical treatment.

The larger medical treatments are going to range from small surgeries to large scale ones that will change the way that you look right away. If you are thinking about doing this kind of procedure to improve your body, then you may want to really make sure that it is something that you can do and that you are willing to do.

If you are willing to take the time to find a good way to make your skin look good or your body to look better, you will be happier about what you are doing and you will know what all of your options are. Fighting the aging process is not as hard as you may think if you are willing to try and do something that will change the way that you feel on the inside and the outside. Take the time to understand what the options are that are available to you for what you are looking to change.

What Is A Beauty Pageant?

A beauty pageant is something that many women will do in order to get money to help fund their college education as well as to be a part of something. There are also pageants for young children whose parents want to get them some money for college or to let them have fun with a pageant. Most states have beauty pageants for the girls and the boys that may live in the state.

How Do They Work?

Many beauty pageants will work in the same kind of way. They will get people to sign up for the pageant. You will pay a small fee in order to participate and then you will be given the rules and when the pageant will occur. There will usually be a formal, swimsuit and interview part of the pageant that you may participate in. The judges will then choose a group to go on the next level of competition. Then they will compete for the winning position.

When you win a pageant, you will most likely be given a crown as well as a cash prize that can be used for their college education or to improve their lives. You may then be asked to come back next year to give the crown to the next winner of the pageant. They may also put your name on a plaque that is kept in the venue where the pageant takes place. This can be a great honor for you if this is really important to you.

Why Do A Beauty Pageant?

You may be wondering why you would want to even be in a beauty pageant. You may want to enter one so that you can get some money to help with your college education or because you want to have something that looks good on your resume’. You may also just want to be in a pageant to say that you did one in your life. All of these reasons are good if they are important to you and your life.

Beauty pageants are something that many people want to do. If you decide that you want to try one, make sure and take the time to understand what it is that you are going to be getting into. This will also help you to really know if you want to do the work to go into the beauty pageant at all. If you are a parent and a child has decided that they want to participate in a pageant, you may not know what kind of work it takes to really get your child up to where they need to be. Take the time to find out what you are going to need to do and what is expected of you.

What Is Permanent Makeup?

Permanent makeup is a procedure that consists of makeup being applied to the face through a kind of tattoo procedure. This makes the makeup look be a permanent fixture on the face. You will not be able to change it once it is done and you will have to be sure that it is the look that you want.

Why Do It?

There are a couple of good reasons that you may want to look into this kind of procedure. The first is that you will not have to worry about applying makeup in the morning anymore. This will give you more time to get other things done as well as to not have that worry on your head anymore.

Another good reason is that you will never be caught without your makeup on again. When you have permanent makeup, you will not ever be without it on. You will sleep with it on and wake up with it on and ready to go. There is not going to be the problem of forgetting to put it on and have everyone see the way that you look before you have your makeup done up.

How Does It Work

When you decide that you are going to get permanent makeup, you will have to decide what it will look like when it is going to be done. This way you will have a look that you really like and are OK with living with for a long time to come. Once you have decided on what you want your makeup to look like, you can schedule your appointment to get everything done for your procedure.

Once you have had the procedure, you will be all set. All that you will need to do is maintain the look that you got and take care of the areas that were done. This will ensure that you are looking the best with your new makeup. It will also help you to make sure that you happy with what you look like for a long time to come.

If you are planning on this kind of procedure, you should make sure that you have looked into the procedure and know what it is that you are getting into. This way you will be happy with everything that you are doing and you will know all of the risks and benefits that could happen for you. You should also take some time and research the person that is going to be doing your procedure. Some people are not as good as others and taking a little time to find out about them will help you to know if they are going to be good for what you are doing.

Being graceful means carrying yourself with a confidence that others can clearly see. If you want to exude confidence, you need to work on the way you walk and sit. When you walk, make sure that you keep your toes pointed straight ahead. People tend to get lazy and point them outward. This looks ugly and sloppy.

Early in the morning is when we can get started on a beautiful foot, not an ugly one. Breakfast is a big part of looking attractive. None of us feel attractive when we eat like horses. How do you go about keeping yourself from eating a million snacks before lunch? Why not have shake that is sure to keep your tummy satisfied for several hours. Whip up a shake consisting of a block of tofu, skim milk and honey. Blend this baby up and drink it down. You’ll be good until lunch.

Do you have rough knees or elbows? I think we’ve all encountered this at some point in our lives. Incorporating an exfoliating moisturizing cream is the way to smooth out that skin. If you are out of cream and you need a quick fix, cut open a lemon. That’s right. The citric acid in the lemon will exfoliate your skin.

Having trouble with unsightly acne? You can prevent this by using a natural soap like Dove and by meditating. Meditation has been shown to relax people in ways other actions cannot. Since stress can cause pimples, take a deep breath and meditate. Meditating once a day will help your nerves and your skin.

Speaking of skin, you should be protecting it from the sun. Nearly 90% of wrinkles are caused by the sun. You should be wearing sun block every day to prevent these harmful rays from damaging your skin. This prevention will also help you reduce your risk of being diagnosed with skin cancer. If you are beautiful, it doesn’t matter if you have a tan or not.

When trying to decide on a foundation for your skin, go see a makeup specialist. The majority of women pick the wrong shade for their foundation. This can cause a distinct line that goes around their chin. Don’t look like an amateur. Take the time to speak with someone who can direct you to the right foundation for your pigmentation.

These timeless tips will help you look and feel beautiful in no time. Don’t be jealous of what others have. If you enhance your features by using these tips, pretty soon you’ll be happy with what you have. Being happy is the first step in exuding the confidence and grace everyone longs for.

Tea has been cited for its health benefits for many years. People swear by the teas that they drink. It is the drink of choice for those who need to get their morning started on the right foot and those who want to relax after a long day. In addition to tasting great, tea can be used to help you in your beautification process. Below I will reveal a several tea beauty tips that you can start using today.

Are you heading out on a hot date and you want to make sure your breath is fresh? Many people would typically use a standard mouth wash. Did you know you could use black tea instead? It not only eliminates bad breath, but it can also prevent cavities.

Does your family have a history of heart disease? If so, you may wonder what natural preventative actions you can take. Why not drink black tea. Black tea is also known to lower bad cholesterol levels and help you live a long beautiful life.

Having bags under your eyes and dark circles is not pretty. Many of us have had to deal with this. A great way to reduce the puffiness of these bags and clear up those dark circles is by placing Chamomile tea bags on your eyes.

Pimples are an incredible hassle. They can make us feel ugly and unattractive. Finding a way to dry out these pimples can be costly and frustrating. If you use a moist tea bag on these pimples, you can dry them out in no time. Just lightly pat your pimples with them and you’ll look better before you know it.

If you are giving yourself a pedicure, add a mint tea bag to your basin for a beautiful and relaxing scent. Speaking of feet, you can add green tea leaves to your shoes to eliminate odors and give them a fresh smell. These are two wonderful ways to use tea to beautify your feet.

We all want to have beautiful smooth hair. Instead of buying expensive conditioners, you can use green tea and lemon juice. Mix these two up in a bottle and apply this homemade conditioner after shampooing your hair. Leave it in your hair for a little while and then rinse it out. You’ll have soft and sexy hair in no time.

Shaving can really be a chore. It is even more annoying when you wind up cutting your legs while in the process. If you want to treat the cut in a pinch, use a tea bag to do so. The tannic acid in the tea will help stop your cut from bleeding.

When people think of taking care of their feet, they think of going to a spa. They think of getting a pedicure and having somebody else take care of their feet for them. While this sounds great, not everyone can afford it. This is especially true in these difficult economic times we are in. For those of you who can’t afford to get a pedicure every week, what are you to do? I’m about to share some interesting and surprising tips you can implement at home.

Walking on our feet all day can cause calluses and moisture to develop. Calluses are rough spots on our feet that can be unsightly. Moisture is the common catalyst for infections, athlete’s foot and other unwanted foot problems. Keeping your feet smooth and dry can be a challenging task.

You should pickup a pumas stone if you want to smooth out your heels and the bottoms of your feet. This should be done in the shower. First, you wet your feet and the stone. Then you should soap up your feet to protect them. Next, you should lightly but firmly rub the stone against your calluses. Don’t try and remove the entire callus in one session. This should be done over several days. When you are done, rinse the soap off of your feet. Do not leave the pumas stone in the shower when you are done. This may cause mold to develop on the stone. One you are out of the shower, use a light moisturizer on your feet.

Once your feet are dry you can clip your toenails with a standard clipper. Make sure to use a nail file to gently remove lint or dirt from under your nails. After clipping your nails, you can smooth out the edges with a nail file. You can also use a buffer to shine up your toenails and smooth them out. You may want to finish them off with nail polish or a clear glossy finish.

In this economy money is tight for many people. We can barely afford to get our hair cut as frequently as we used to. Getting a pedicure, for many, is an expense that is just too expensive. If you want to have beautiful feet you can do it yourself. Follow the tips listed above for a great at-home pedicure. In addition, make sure you always wear fresh socks everyday. Wearing the same socks can cause athletes foot or other bacteria to develop. The path to more beautiful feet lies in your hands.

Color is such an important part of your look. We all get tired of the same old look, year after year. You need to mix things up. Why not change your hair color? You might look fetching as a red head. Perhaps you always wanted to be a blond. Now is the time to go for it. Why not? What have you got to lose? Of course, you need to make sure that you get a good color job. Don’t waste your money on color that looks horrible. Your best bet is to go to see an experienced hair stylist who has worked with your hair before. He or she will know what color will compliment your complexion. Your hair stylist may also suggest that you get lowlights or highlights instead or as well. Think about this person’s advice. Chances are he or she knows a little more about hair color than you do. Whatever you wind up getting, make sure it’s something that will make you feel fabulous.

Texture is also very important when it comes to hair. Many people seem to forget this. They let their entire head grown to one length and it looks boring. If you simply have your hair stylist layer your hair or give it a choppy look, you’ll be amazed with the results. Why not go for a retro feathered look? You can really jazz up an old hair style by incorporating texture. Texturizing your hair will revel a hot new you that is ready to take on anything this fall!

Whatever hairstyle or color you go with, make sure you take care of it. It may sound obvious, but so many people let their hair go. They don’t take the time to use good quality products on it. You don’t need to spend a fortune. High-quality doesn’t always mean high-cost. You can find many products to clean and style your hair that are very good. Most of them are $10 or less. Don’t buy a product because of the name on the front. Make your purchasing decision based on the ingredients inside the bottle.

If you follow the tips listed above, you will be getting compliments on your hair for months to come. Hair is a beautiful thing when taken care of properly. Whether you are changing your hair color along with the leaves on the trees or simply getting a new cut, you’re bound to love the results.

Shampoo and conditioner can cost a fortune. This is especially true if you are into fancy brand name products that promise a professional look. The problem is they also have a professional price tag. How do you get around this? There are two ways. If you are unwilling to change which products you use on your hair, shop around. Go online. Many beauty products can be found for a very nice discount on popular websites like drugstore.com and amazon.com. These websites also offer free shipping promotions from time to time, depending on how much you are buying. Another smart way to continue using the same products and save money is by using them less. Don’t shampoo or condition your hair every day. First off, many say it isn’t necessary anyway. This will give you a great opportunity to stretch out the use of these pricey products. If you are willing to change your products, you can find much more affordable options. One of the best reasonably priced hair product lines available is Garnier Fructis. The majority of the products in this line run for $5 or less. They can be found in almost any pharmacy or food store. You’ll also be pleased to hear that there are frequently coupons for their products in local papers and they go on sale regularly.

Don’t spend money on getting a manicure or pedicure at an expensive salon. You can do it yourself at home. All you need is a nail clipper, a nail file or emery board, a cuticle trimmer, and a nail buffer. First, clip your nails. Next you should smooth out the edges with a nail file or emery board. The cuticle also need to be pushed up and cleaned up with the cuticle trimmer. Finish off your nails with a buffer. Many of these nail buffers also have a shining side to them. This lets you smooth out the rough spots and adds a nice shine to your nails. Repeat this process weekly or when needed. This will save you a serious amount of cash every week, month and year.

The beauty tips listed above can all be done by you. You don’t need a professional or a professional product to get the desired result. You can look beautiful and save money at the same time. It just takes some ingenuity and some know how.

All of the above mentioned things are all very well and good, but if you are making these next classic mistakes with your hair, none of the good things you are doing for your hair aren’t really going to make much of a difference, no matter how much money you spend! Here is a list of 6 common mistakes women
regularly make with their hair care:

1. Blow drying or flat ironing your hair every day. All of that exposure to heat is unhealthy for your hair, so you should try to limit using these styling tools to only once or twice a week.
2. Rubbing your wet hair with a towel. This only creates frizz, breakage and fly-aways. Instead of rubbing your hair dry, try gently squeezing it dry with a towel made from microfiber.
3. Bushing your hair when it is wet. This action stretches out your hair and causes breakage. Instead of picking up your brush, try using a wide tooth comb and work from the ends up to the roots. In fact, some hair stylists suggest that we should not be using brushes at all; they say that combs are always healthier for the hair.
4. Blow drying your hair when it is still dripping wet. Since it will take a lot longer to dry your hair this way, your hair will be exposed to the heat a lot longer as well, which only causes damage. Instead, try leaving it up in a towel for a few more minutes, or letting it air dry until it is damp, but still able
   to be styled.
5. Using old brushes and combs on your hair. Many people use the same brushes and combs for years without realizing that this is not healthy for their hair. They can accumulate quite the build up of hair product over the years, and continual use will strip your hair of its natural oils and shine. Also, older combs and brushes tend to get broken here and there, and these breaks, however small they are can catch on our hair and continually break your strands.
6. Always tying your ponytail in the same place. Actually, you shouldn’t be wearing your hair in a ponytail too much in the first place, but if you do choose this hair style often, make sure you move your ponytail each day. Continually tying it in the same place can cause repeated damage to the same spot.

What most people do not know is that you can’t really be successful at getting the perfect, smooth shiny look from just a hair serum. There are 6 proven tips to having smooth hair, that when put together, are guaranteed to work:

Tip # 1: You have to start at the beginning. Don’t just wash your hair with any old shampoo and conditioner; buy a good and proven anti-frizz or smoothing shampoo and conditioner. If your hair is frizzy, it is probably dry, so a moisturizing combo would be good as well.

Tip # 2: Smooth it down. After you’ve washed and conditioned your hair, put some smoothing cream on it while it is still wet. This cream should make your hair easier to style while you blow dry it, as well as making it smooth.

Tip # 3: You have to dry your hair right. Towel dry your hair until it is damp, then make sure you have the right kind of round brush. The longer your hair is, the bigger you brush should be, and the ones that work the best are ceramic brushes with boar bristles. Ceramic is great at capturing the heat from the blow dryer and this will dry your hair faster.

Tip # 4: Protect your hair. Most of us flat iron our hair after blow drying, and flat iron temperatures can reach up 205 degrees Fahrenheit. You can bake something in the oven at this temperature, so you really need to protect your hair before you flat iron it! Try a flat iron spray, and make sure you spray it evenly, paying special attention to the ends.

Tip # 5: Straighten you hair. When you choose a flat iron, don’t even think about going to a department store! Get your flat iron through your hair stylist or buy it at a beauty supply store. The flat irons in Walmart and other stores like it will not do the job at all, especially the ones that use steam!

Tip # 6: Keep the smooth look. Spray a little bit of hair spray over your hair, then run your fingers through it to keep the natural look. Make sure you don’t use hair spray that is too stiff though, or you’ll end up with hair that looks more straw-like than smooth and shiny.

St. Ives has always had some natural ingredients, but now they are even more natural. A lot of their products are advertised as soothing for the skin, and now you may notice that when you use St. Ives products, they should have even more soothing properties in them. This is due to the fact that they have eliminated a lot of harmful ingredients that are unfortunately found in a lot of skin care products.

St. Ives is now making their line of skin care products without parabens, which are a group of chemicals that is commonly used as a preservative in makeup and skin care products. Parabens and phtalates, which are also used in skin care items, can cause sensitive skin to become irritated and these common ingredients have also been linked to Rosacea, (a skin condition that causes redness and blotchiness in the face) and also breast cancer. St. Ives has made sure to give its ingredient list a complete overhaul to make sure that none of their products’ ingredients can bring any harm to their customers. This wise move will give St. Ives a bit of a leg up with their competitors, because a lot of skin care product companies are also removing harmful chemicals from their ingredient lists.

In addition to changing what is inside the bottle, St. Ives has made over their outside look as well. You will notice the next time you go to the store to buy some more St. Ives products that the packaging looks different. They have decided to “go green” and start producing more environmentally friendly products, and now they package their products with eco friendly and post consumer recycled materials whenever possible.

Another change that you may notice when you choose St. Ives products, is the information provided on the packaging. Before the makeover, St. Ives still gave out decent information about the product, but now the consumer gets even more. You will now be able to see what the inside product looks like from a product “smear” picture on the front of the container. They also have a new “benefit bar” on the front that will tell you what the product will do for your skin, as well as a picture of what fruit or major ingredient the product was made from. For example, the apricot scrub now has a picture of apricots on the front.

Recently Genny Lannucci, the PR manager for the popular clothing line, Laura, gave an interview to Elle magazine, and in that interview, she gave some great advice on how to get a thinner look from your clothes. Here are the 6 steps to looking slimmer in your clothing:

Step 1: Buy a good bra. A surprising number of women are not wearing the right size bra, and this mistake can make you look bigger than you are by allowing your chest to sag or showing rolls in the back. A bra that fits right should support the chest and fit snugly, not tightly, in the back.

Step 2: Avoid tight waistbands. Nowadays we see more and more people walking around with that “spare tire” look, but it can be avoided by wearing pants or skirts that actually fit the waist! Don’t wear clothes that are too tight, because you will not be able to avoid bulges around the waist.

Step 3: Invest in some camisoles. Wearing a camisole or a tank top underneath your shirt can give you a sleeker silhouette, and this always makes you look thinner. Try to avoid tight fitting, clingy undershirts though as these will only show your weight even more. Look for a camisole that has some bend to it; one that will loosely glide over your curves.

Step 4: Buy better fabric. A lot of clothing these days is made from cheap, flimsy fabric, and these kinds of materials will accentuate your weight, not your beauty! There are still a lot of stores that sell clothes made from good, denser material, and you should shop at these stores for clothes that will make you appear slimmer.

Step 5: Make sure it fits. Please do not follow the trend of wearing clothes that are too small for you! I don’t know how many times I have seen people wearing jeans or shirts or both that are way too small, and it makes them look a lot bigger than they actually are. I have no idea why this look is acceptable out there, but you will look a lot thinner and nicer with clothes that fit you right!

Step 6: Two words: Empire waist! These wonderful waists have been making women look slimmer for years. Buy tops and dresses with empire waists, because any body type is guaranteed to look slimmer in this type of waist.

It has just come out that Hard Candy has revamped their product line and has come out with 261 new or made over products that will be exclusively released in Walmart! Sephora is currently clearing out their Hard Candy inventory and will not be restocking the brand. Walmart really made a good move with this decision, because Hard Candy products are more known as a higher end line. With the economy as bad as it is however, a lot of higher end product buyers are now shopping at stores like Walmart to save some money. I guess Walmart is hoping to keep these kinds of shoppers by bringing the high end products to them.

Hard Candy is keeping some of the classics, such as the Fortune Teller Lip Gloss and the Eye Candy sliding compact, but they also have a lot of new products such as Walk the Line glitter eyeliner, Ginormous Lash volumizing mascara, Kal-eye-descope baked eye shadow duos, and much, much more.

Walmart is hoping to mainly target women between the ages of 18 to 35 – 40 years old with the new Hard Candy product line, and a spokesperson for Walmart says that the prices will be between $5 and $10, averaging around $7.

According to NuWorld Beauty, which is the developer of Hard Candy, the packaging and overall look of the products will not be changing. Hard Candy products will still look fun and edgy and will also still have the same brand presentation while on the shelves of Walmart. For those of you who think that Hard Candy will be completely different now that they are going to Walmart, you can rest a ease that your favorite brand of cosmetics isn’t changing one bit. (Except maybe the price!)

Some avid Walmart shoppers don’t want these kinds of changes to their favorite store, but the majority of the public is happy about the new product line. I’m not really sure why some people wouldn’t want Hard Candy to be available at Walmart (remember, these people don’t want it because they like Walmart, not Hard Candy!) but whatever their reasoning is, I am sure they will grow to love Hard Candy’s fun way of presenting cosmetics as much as I do!

1. Too much foundation – Remember the old saying, “less is more?” Well, it is true for foundation. Women who wear caked on foundation tend to look older than they are, and you only need a light layer. You can even get away with a tinted moisturizer, which will keep your skin looking fresh and young.
2. Wrong spot for blush – a lot of women apply blush to the apple of their cheeks, but this only draws more attention to any sagging skin. Instead, you want to put blush on the cheekbones, sweeping the brush upwards, away from your nose.
3. Too much glitter – shimmery eye shadow has its place, but that place is not the corners of your eyes! Put it on the inside of your eyelids, and on the brow bone, where it won’t show up every fine line in your face.
4. Too much cover up – We all like to cover up our dark circles, scars and wrinkles, but the older you get, the less cover up does for you. When you put concealer under your eyes, keep it as light as possible, and avoid covering you face with powder, because it actually brings out your fine lines instead of hiding them.
5. Too much mascara and eyeliner – (I am noticing a trend here, with “too much” of everything!) Putting mascara and eyeliner on your lower eyelashes and eyelids will make your dark circles and crow’s feet pop out more! Only apply these to your upper lashes and lids for a younger look. Eyelash curlers work great to improve the look of your eyes as well.
6. Run-on lip color – When we get older, the line of our lips tends to fade away, which can cause lipstick to run or feather. If you apply a clear lip liner to your lip line, this should stop all further leaks!
7. Too much dark lip color – When your lips are thinning, those dark, metallic or bright colors will make you look older than you really are. Try to stick with colors that are more neutral, like rose shades. If you actually stop wearing lipstick altogether, and buy a sheer gloss instead, this can make you look even younger.
8. And the eighth beauty mistake that women make, is not aging gracefully. Don’t worry about looking younger, and you will! Women who walk around dressed like teenagers, with tons of makeup on aren’t fooling anybody, and the way they act and dress usually makes them look foolish and older. Act your age, think young, and don’t worry about what others think about you.

First of all, you need to throw out your brushes. Yes, you heard me right! Most of us don’t have the patience to work a comb through out hair, but we need to learn patience in this area! Even the most gentlest of brushes cause damaging breaks in your hair, and will result in more split ends. When you comb your hair, do it with a medium tooth comb, and start from the bottom up. Depending on how thick or curly your hair is, this may take a while, but the end result will be a healthier, stronger head of hair.

The second thing you can do to take care of your hair is stop washing it every day. I know this sounds a bit iffy, but if you ask any hair stylist, they will tell you the same thing. When you wash your hair every day, it depletes the natural oils in your hair, and makes it dependent on the daily shampoo. I recommend washing it no more than twice a week. Personally, I usually go a week to 10 days, and my hair never gets greasy any sooner than this; even when I handle it a lot. Hair stylists continually comment on how healthy my hair is and they always tell me I’m doing the right thing when I let them know how often I wash my hair.

Start spending money on the right products. For years I bought my hair care products at Walmart, and each bottle would only last me a little while. Then I discovered beauty supply stores, and I haven’t bought any hair products at Walmart since! Salon products cost a lot more than the department store stuff, but it lasts a lot longer because you only need a dime sized amount, no matter how much hair you have. I have products that I’ve been using for the last 8 years, ad they are still going strong. Also, some people think that the shampoo and conditioner they use is not important, but hair experts say that it is more important to splurge on those 2 things before you buy your hair styling products.

The fourth thing you need to do is buy some protective spray for your hair if you blow dry or flat iron is often. Chi flat iron spray is the best brand out there and it will help to protect your hair from the damage caused by the intense, high heat that we put our hair through on a daily basis.

When you hear skin care, you may immediately think about dermatologists, toners and expensive moisturizers, exfoliaters and cleansers, but skin care can be very simple. You don’t have spend hundreds of dollars on skin care products when you can actually find what you need at your local grocery store for under 10 dollars. These products aren’t special either – they are everyday things that we never think about when we hear about skin care.

The number one skin care mistake that Doctor Theresa talked about on ABC News is not wearing sun screen. She did say that this was more a problem for men, because they don’t really like to put things on their faces, and women get sunscreen from most of the makeup they wear. However, women should still put on sunscreen before their makeup, because the little amount in makeup isn’t as beneficial as using sunscreen as a moisturizer. Sunscreen does quite a bit for your skin. It is known to protect your skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun, but it also contains some rich moisturizing qualities that are great for your skin. Sunscreen has also been linked to anti aging due to the fact that the sun gives wrinkles and sunscreen protects you from that. Also, sunscreen has many healthy ingredients in it that make your skin very healthy.

The second mistake reported on ABC news was the use of harsh soaps. I don’t know how many times my mother sent me into the bathroom when I was a child, to wash my hands – really wash them, as she put it! She believed that nothing cleaned better than the hard core bar soaps, like most of us do. If you were handed a foamy cleanser and a bar of soap, which one would you say was the better cleaner? Probably the bar soap. However, both clean the same! The difference between them is the way they leave your skin feeling after washing. Bar soaps are usually harsh on the skin, leaving it feeling dry and irritated. If you wash with a moisturizing cleanser, you will be just as clean, but your skin will thank you.

The third mistake the doctor talked about was spending too much money on skin care products. We tend to think that the more you spend, the better the product, and this is true for some things, but not for skin care products. Sunscreen and moisturizing cleansers can be found at your local grocery or department store for less than $10 each. If you find them on sale, you can probably buy them both for under $10!

The newest procedure of the 3 is called Thread Lift, and it takes about an hour to complete. The patient does not need to go under the knife for this face lift like procedure, and it is not too painful to endure. When someone gets this procedure done, tiny strings are inserted underneath the facial skin and they act as pulleys, pulling the skin on the face tighter. These strings actually stay inside of the person’s skin, making it easy to repeat the procedure when the skin falls again. Dr. Grossman recommends this method for patients who want to tighten up their neck or fix any jowling problems.

The second top anti aging technique is fat transfer. This one may not sound very appetizing, but many people have done it and are satisfied with the results. Recent studies have shown that instead of always pulling skin up for anti aging, it might work better to fill the sagging or sinking skin instead. This is what a fat transfer does. They take fat out of some place in your body where you don’t want it, and inject it into the problem area. This is a good procedure because the injections don’t have all sorts of foreign materials in them – you are just getting what your body already has in the first place!

Hylaform is the third technique for anti aging that was discussed on Oprah. Hylaform is also a filler, and it is made from hylanic acid. This stuff is usually injected into areas such as the lips, nose and wrinkled areas of the face. When you get older, your lips tend to get thinner and sometimes your nose can develop what is called labial folds, and Hylaform can plump up these areas and make you look younger.

You can get these 3 procedures done at a plastic surgeon’s office, and they can be pretty expensive. If you can’t afford to get these things done, you may want to try a product called Intensive Rebuilding Moisturizer. It acts as a filler as well, but it costs less that the injections and surgical procedures.

Ladies, before you put on anymore makeup, let me tell you about Bare Minerals. This makeup is an all natural mineral based makeup that is actually good for your skin. You may have heard about mineral makeup before, but Bare Minerals was actually at the “foundation” of mineral makeup. (Pun intended!) I’m sure you have all seen people with that caked on makeup look, and maybe you’ve even had that look as well, sometimes without much makeup on at all. Bare Minerals makeup is very light, and moat people actually forget that they are wearing makeup at all.

Mineral based makeup is also much healthier for your skin than regular makeup. Dermatologists love this type of makeup, and some even say that you can “sleep on it!” That is rare quality in a makeup, because most would clog your pores and not allow your skin to breathe if you never took it off, but Bare Minerals is so healthy for your skin that it helps to leave it on. Unlike a lot of other makeup, it will never dry out your skin or give you pimples if you leave it on too long.

I know people who wear Bare Minerals, and many of them used to wear foundation, blush and eye shadow.. Now they only have to use foundation. The Bare Minerals foundation cover everything equally and makes your skin look good enough to eliminate all your other makeup. It has sunscreen in it as well, which is one of the reasons it is so good for your skin, but even with the sunscreen, it is still completely weightless.

Bare Minerals is made from100% pure minerals and it is free of preservatives, fragrances and oils, and it contains nothing that can irritate the skin. I can highly recommend this new makeup because I have seen it work on so many people. I have yet to hear a complaint about it, and I honestly don’t think I ever will! You can find Bare Minerals makeup at bareminerals.com or your local American drugstore should have it. For all of the Canadian readers, unfortunately it is not sold in Canada yet, so you will have to buy it from the website. (Ebay is always an option too!)

Sunscreen is a big seller now, and studies are being done all the time on the benefits of sunscreen. This product has come a long way in the past few years, as sunscreen producers are constantly altering their products to comply with the new standards being brought about by researchers. Sunscreen used to be just an agent for blocking the sun, and that was the only thing that was ever advertised about it. However, recent studies have found that sunscreen can do a whole lot more for your skin than just protect your skin for the sun!

Sunscreen is used as the base of most makeup items these days because of the anti aging and moisturizing properties in possesses. People who wear sunscreen every day, no matter what the season or weather, get the benefits of less wrinkles, tighter, smoother skin and younger looking skin. Sunscreen makers are now putting more of these good things in their products to make them more beneficial to our skin.

When you are putting it on to block the sun, you usually put it on every part of your body that will be exposed to the sun, but when people put it on for basic skin care reasons, they tend to only apply it to the facial area. It is great to regularly wear sunscreen on your face, but the rest of your body is missing out! Sunscreen is good for the whole body, and while the face is the most important part to apply sunscreen, don’t forget about the rest of your body. You don’t have to put it on your body as often as you do your face, but apply it at least a few times a week. You should be putting it on your face daily.

Sunscreen will protect you from skin cancer, painful sunburns, wrinkles, old looking skin, dry and irritated skin, and it will leave your body feeling smooth and moisturized. There are many brands to choose from, and when your favorite goes on sale, stock up, because at regular price, some brands can be a little costly. If you prefer to buy natural sunscreen, it will cost even more, and it doesn’t last as long as the regular stuff. You will have to apply it more often and especially after getting wet, because natural sunscreen is not waterproof. It will still give you the benefits mentioned above however, and if you can afford it, by all means, go natural.

With all of the positive information we keep on receiving about sunscreen, most of us do not do any research of our own before we pick it up at the store. We assume that it is all good, and that all brands are equal, but a recent study has shown this to be untrue. The study was performed by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and the results of their sunscreen research prove that not all sunscreen was created equal. Actually, some brands are not as effective at blocking the sun as they claim to be, and some even have chemicals in them that can be harmful to the skin.

The report they gave out on sunscreen is labeled as the “EWG 2009 Sunscreen Guide, and it contains pertinent information that consumers need to hear before they go to the store to pick up their next bottle of sunscreen. The EWG tested over 1500 different sunscreens and other products that claimed to have sunscreen in them. They only tested products that had an SPF of 15 or over. Some of the products that passed their standards include:

• Badger Sunscreen – SPF 30
• California Baby Sunscreen Lotion No Fragrance – SPF 30+
• Kabana Skin Care Green Screen Organic Sunscreen – SPF 22
• Badger Lip Balm – SPF 15
• Rx Suncare Lip Balm Sunblock – SPF 45
• Lotus Moon Sage Sun Protective Crème – SPF 25
• Sun Science Organic Daily Wear – SPF 30
• Devita International Daily Solar Protective Moisturizer – SPF 30

These are just a few of the items that made the list. Some surprisingly leading and popular brand names did not make the safe list, according to the Environmental Working Group, and some of these names include:

• Coppertone
• Neutragena
• Huggies

Apparently, only 5 percent of sunscreen products met their criteria of what a sunscreen should and shouldn’t be providing, but they did say that UVA protection was up by 41 percent and that the amount of harmful substances has decreased since last year’s research. Some people did not like the EWG’s 2009 sunscreen report, but others have found it enlightening and helpful. Hopefully this report will open up some eyes and help sunscreen makers to develop better, safer and more advanced products. Sunscreen can be very healthy for your skin, but make sure you buy the right brand. Take a look at that EWG report before you make any further sunscreen purchases.

One common myth about spider and varicose vein is that you get them from crossing your legs all the time. This cannot be true, because there are a lot of people who cross their legs who do not have spider veins. The condition can only come from heredity, or if you have a job that requires you to stand for long periods of time. Another myth about spider and varicose veins is that they are caused by weight gain. Actually, the reverse is true – when you lose weight, it can bring out what was hiding underneath the fat, and spider veins appear more visible. One more myth concerning spider veins that some people believe is that certain vitamin supplements can get rid of them. Unfortunately, this has been proven to be a myth over and over again.

The biggest myth believed about cellulite is that liposuction is able to remove it all forever. Liposuction can only remove fat that is near the bones – the type of fat that the body can burn off. Cellulite rests just underneath the skin’s layers, where it is impossible for the body to burn and also impossible to reach with liposuction. According to Dr. Weiss, liposuction can actually make the appearance of cellulite look even worse than it was before the liposuction! Some plastic surgeons will go ahead and do the procedure without telling you that it won’t work. Hopefully your surgeon has a conscience and won’t just take your money like that.

When you go to get a pedicure, most pedicurists will do the same routine, including pushing back the cuticles on the toes. This is actually a bad thing to do, and it is one of the myths about pedicures. Pushing the cuticles back can damage the nail and cause infection. One of the hazards that can come from getting a pedicure outside of your own home is the risk of fungus and other infections due to unsterilized pedicure tools. Every salon says that all of their tools are cleaned and sterilized, but you have to take their word for it. No one ever sees the cleaning process; they usually do it in a separate room anyways. The best way to get around this health risk is to invest in some pedicure instruments of your own. No pedicurist should be offended by someone requesting to have the pedicure done with their own tools, and it is the best and safest way to get a pedicure.

Anti aging creams aren’t usually on the cheap side, and many of us want to see results fast, so it is doubly important not to waste time and money on an anti aging product that doesn’t’ work very well. The first thing you should look at is the research that has gone into the product before it hit the shelves. Were the scientists thorough in their research? How many clinical studies were done on the cream? Do you know anyone who has already tried the product? Word of mouth is the best way to know whether or not a product works, and if you know the person well, you should be able to see results in their skin before you buy the anti aging cream.

Another thing to look closely at is who did the research on the product. Some websites will go on and on about this study or that research without actually telling you anything about the scientists who conducted the studies or where the research was done. You want to look for legitimate information that will prove to you that there was, in fact, extensive research done on the anti aging cream before they started selling it.

Some stores will have testers of certain products so you can give them a little test drive before buying them. Now, I’m not suggesting running in every day and trying it for a week before you buy it! There actually is no law against doing that – if the store has a tester out, anyone can go in and use it, but you may get some dirty looks from the staff who will certainly recognize you! (I suppose you could wear a different disguise every day…) Instead of creating some very awkward situations for yourself, I suggest testing only once or twice. If the store is on your way to work, go in on your way there and again on your way home one day and make sure to closely scrutinize your face at the end of the day. Do you feel or see any difference at all? This test can be an unfair one, because a lot of these products say you need to use it at least 2 weeks to see any results. However, if you find one that gives any results, big or small in one day, buy that one!

“You have not because you ask not.” This is a famous quote, and we should really listen to it more often. Ask the store manager if you can have a week’s worth of cream to try out before you buy it. If you get a negative answer, don’t sweat it – it’s just the word no, and you may be surprised at how often you will receive a yes.

Chemotherapy has gone further than cancer fighting, and now scientists have taken one of the chemo drugs, fluorouracil, and put it into a special skin cream meant to heal precancerous lesions that are caused by sun damage. The cream has worked out great for many patients, and a lot of them actually reported some extra results. Many people on this medicated skin cream said that their skin was feeling smoother, tighter and they noticed less wrinkles after using the cream for a few days.

Talk about breaking news – and it was discovered by accident! Finally, something other than plastic surgery that really works to smooth out those wrinkles. When enough people reported these results, scientists decided to do some research on the cream, and a recent study has shown that skin cream with fluorouracil really does work wonders for wrinkles.

The study was only done with 21 people who needed the treatment for sun damage, and they all reported that the cream was uncomfortable at first, but in the end, they though that it was worth it. A couple of people described some stronger side effects, but the majority of the patients said that they liked the treatment so much that they would be willing to pay for it themselves. The people in the study were literally followed for 6 months, and had to have regular skin biopsies, dermatologist checkups and close up facial photographs during the time the study was running. The results, both the skin healing and the anti aging results were good enough to report to the public

Fluorouracil cream is a lot less expensive than laser treatment, although, scientists say that it may not be as effective as the laser treatments. Right now, if you want to use this cream, you have to be a pre cancer patient with sun damage, but it won’t be too long before researchers and anti aging product makers come out with fluorouracil cream (or injection!) that is safe and affordable for regular consumers. When there is a money making opportunity like this one, it will not be too long before someone takes advantage of it! Those of you who don’t want to go under the knife and are tired of using anti aging creams that don’t work, wait patiently, and soon you will have the chance to buy an anti aging product that does what it claims to do.

Water is the most crucial element in our daily lives. We simply cannot live without it. It has an incredible range of health benefits, including the fact that it is the greatest natural implement for detoxification we can use. Proper hydration can improve overall health and cause a better complexion, increased immunity, more efficient digestion, fewer aches and pains, boost in weight loss, fight cellulite, and increase your energy for healthy activities like exercise.

Bodily effects

Hydrating your body with water boosts kidney, liver, skin, and colon functioning. These are your main detoxification organs necessary in the elimination of toxins. Water also increases metabolism, which also improves toxin and fat excretion. Specific functions of water in our bodies include:

• Dilution of toxins and wastes for easier elimination from the body
• Maintenance of a regular body temperature
• Lubricating joints for smother functioning
• Circulation of necessary nutrients, hormones, and minerals through the body
• Provides protection for the brain by maintaining cerebral fluid levels
• Maintains spinal cord fluid to protect it from damage

Dangers of dehydration

As water eliminates toxins from your body through perspiration, exhalation, urination, and bowel movements, it is important to replenish the lost fluids. If your bodily is not properly hydrated, your cells will take the water they need to function directly from your bloodstream, which causes an increase in blood pressure and a greater burden on your heart. Your kidneys will also be inhibited from efficiently cleaning your blood, passing the detoxification duties to your livers and other organs, which may overload them. Some minor health problems due to dehydration include:

• Constipation
• Dry and/or itchy skin
• Acne
• Increased chance for nosebleeds
• Greater occurrence of urinary tract infections
• Respiratory problems like sneezing, coughing, and sinus conditions
• Headaches

Losing as little as 2% of your body weight in fluids is enough to have a negative effect on your body, including:

• Tiredness
• Slow thinking
• Slower immune response
• Weakness

How much water should I drink?

There are varying theories on the right amount of water that should be consumed daily. Your specific consumption depends on the climate you live in, how much you exercise, your state of health and the presence of underlying medical conditions, your age, and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Generally, it is advised to drink at least 2 liters of water a day. If you aren’t thirsty, feel well, and produce a colorless or light yellow urine in normal quantities, then you are probably drinking enough.

Are there other ways to meet my daily water needs?

Actually, foods can make up to 20% of your total water intake. Certain fruits and vegetables are not only healthy sources of nutrients, but also contain large amounts of water. For example, oranges are 87% water, cucumbers are 95%, and watermelons and tomatoes are 90%-100% water by weight. Other liquids, like fruit juices and milk, also have large quantities of water.

What is it?

Basically, mineral makeup refers to products that contain finely powdered minerals. Usually, they avoid the use of chemicals, dyes, perfumes, and preservatives that are commonly found in traditional makeup. It can range vastly in price, from under $10 to well over $50 per item.

The benefits

Fans of mineral makeup claim it creates a light, natural, long-lasting look while improving skin health. They say that its purity makes it the best choice for people with sensitive or problem skin. Mineral makeup is usually non-comedogenic, which means that it doesn’t cause clogged pores, the main cause of acne outbreaks.

Many dermatologists have reported that mineral makeup is a better choice for sensitive skin because it avoids common skin irritants like dyes, perfumes, binding agents, and chemical preservatives. Furthermore, some minerals included in this type of makeup, specifically titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, have anti-inflammatory effects on the skin, which is especially beneficial for people with skin problems like acne or rosacea. Also, mineral makeup is purported to be bacteria resistant, which helps avoid skin infection and irritation.

Mineral makeup manufacturers claim that it improves skin appearance because it does not settle into lines and wrinkles while simultaneously using the natural luminosity of minerals to reflect light from the skin, hiding signs of age and causing a natural glow.

Most mineral makeup offers some level of natural sun protection due to the inclusion of ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

The drawbacks

Critics of mineral makeup claim it causes excessive drying and can irritate the skin while actually highlighting wrinkles and other skin problems.

Many dermatologists and chemists think that the popularity of mineral makeup is just a craze created by very effective marketing. They say that in addition to the lack of scientific proof to support claims of purity and other benefits, many of the celebrated ingredients in mineral makeup have been used in traditional makeup for years.

Also, many experts dispute the claim professed by many producers of mineral makeup that it is so pure you can sleep in it. They say it is never recommended to sleep with any kind of makeup on your skin, or anything but proper emollients, to allow your skin to breath and avoid clogged pores.

While the ingredients in mineral makeup can provide some sun protection, it is advised that you always use an additional sunscreen to protect your skin.

Another major problem with mineral makeup is that there is very little regulation in controlling the ability for companies to use the term on their products. Which means that anything containing minerals can be sold as a mineral makeup, even though it may contain unhealthy chemical ingredients. Even some minerals can be problematic as well, like bismuth oxycholoride, which is a pearly mineral used to add a glow to some mineral makeup. However, bismuth oxychloride is a byproduct of lead and copper processing and has been shown to irritate the skin, causing itching, rashes, and acne.

Lastly, some mineral makeup includes the use of nanoparticles, which they claim offer more subtle effects. However, some research shows that the dramatic reduction in size of minerals like zinc and titanium may cause them to become toxic.

What does food have to do with it?

What you eat on a daily basis provides your body the nutrients required to repair and grow new cells. A foundation of good nutrition helps the production and regeneration of all bodily tissue, including your skin, nails, and hair.

Your hair grows, on average, between one-quarter to one-half an inch each month. This growth is dependent on the proper nutrients and a healthy scalp. There are many foods that provide these necessary elements, as well as some that are directly harmful.

What foods are best?

The following foods are some of the most recommended for optimal hair health:

• Salmon – full of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to improve scalp health. Lack of these may cause dryness, which can lead to dandruff or dull looking hair. Salmon also has a lot of protein, which is very important for hair growth, as well as vitamin B-12 and iron.
• Flaxseed oil – also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and a good option for vegetarians.
• Dark green leafy vegetables – have tons of iron, and also calcium, another hair healthy mineral. This type of food, which includes vegetables spinach, broccoli, and chard, is a wonderful source of vitamin A and vitamin C. These two vitamins are essential for the production of sebum, which is the oil your hair follicles release to moisturize and protect your hair.
• Legumes – like lentils and beans, are packed with protein to encourage growth, and enriched with iron, zinc, and biotin. These minerals have all been linked to healthier hair.
• Nuts – brazil nuts are one of the best natural sources of selenium, which is another critical component in scalp health. Many nuts contain omega-3 fatty acids as well. Walnuts, cashews, pecans, and almonds also have large amounts of zinc, which helps prevent hair loss.
• Poultry – provides the protein necessary for hair growth, healthy texture, and color. It is also a great bioavailable (easily absorbed) source of iron.
• Eggs – another great protein source, and rich in vitamin B-12 and biotin.
• Whole grains – full of zinc, iron, and B vitamins.
• Oysters – chock full of zinc.
• Low fat dairy – is rich in calcium, another mineral crucial to your hair growth. Dairy products also provide excellent protein sources with whey and casein.
• Carrots – a great source of vitamin A, which helps keep your scalp healthy.

What should I avoid?

If you eat a healthy, balanced diet, you should be getting all the nutrients you need for healthy hair. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind:

• Some people take large amounts of vitamin A in supplement form. Excessive vitamin A consumption has been linked to hair loss.
• Some strict diets can lead to deficiencies in many of the vitamins and minerals you need for healthy hair and can thus lead to a decrease in the rate of hair growth, an unhealthy and dull hair appearance, and even hair loss.
• Smoking and consuming alcohol and caffeine can inhibit the absorption of many vital nutrients, thus causing your hair to have a less healthy appearance.

Increased circulation

Exercise gets your heart pounding, which boosts your circulation. This causes nutrients to be delivered more rapidly to your skin cells and also speeds up the elimination of toxins. In this way, exercise not only protects your skin from damaging toxins, but also actively promotes its growth and overall health through increased efficiency of nutrient delivery. Furthermore, better circulation can cause your skin to have a healthy glow.

Collagen production

Studies have shown that exercise increases collagen production. Collagen is a fibrous connective tissue in your skin that helps keep it smooth and wrinkle free. As we get older, the collagen producing cells in our body, called fibroblasts, diminish. This causes skin to lose firmness, elasticity, moisture, and leads to wrinkles. Exercise delivers the oxygen needed for optimal collagen production in your skin cells. Also, exercise has been shown to fight the stress hormones that trigger enzymes that can break down collagen.

Alleviating acne

In addition to its detoxifying effects, which help prevent acne, exercise has been shown to counter the production of testosterone related hormones like DHEA and DHT that provoke acne outbreaks. Furthermore, exercise lowers stress, which can cause your body to release hormones that cause acne. Exercise can also unclog your pores, which will help clear up your skin and prevent future breakouts. Also, exercise lowers the levels of insulin, cortisol, and other hormones that can cause inflammation, which aggravates acne.

Sweat it out

Exercise also promotes the direct elimination of toxins through the skin. Along with the colon, the skin is a major player in the detoxification of your body. When you exercise, you sweat out toxins through your pores, cleansing your body, and your skin. Getting rid of toxins that actively attack your skin, like environmental toxins such as air pollution and cigarette smoke, helps keep it looking fresh and youthful.

Cellulite

While exercise can help you lose weight, it is also very effective at fighting unsightly cellulite, the lumpy fat found on the buttocks, backs of legs, and upper arms. It is thought that cellulite forms when connective tissue is pulled tighter, which creates pockets of fat. Exercise tones muscle, burns fat, and stretches the skin and connective tissue, which helps break up cellulite.

A yoga face-lift

Many yoga practitioners promote the practice of inversions and certain movements that stretch the facial muscles and increase blood supply to the facial skin. These movements help tone the face as well as provide the nutrients your facial skin needs to keep healthy.

Relax your wrinkles

Another benefit of exercise is relaxation. When you exercise, your entire body relaxes, including your facial muscles. When you hold less tension, you are less likely to make expressions like furrowing your brow that can cause wrinkles. Also, your more relaxed muscles will be more fluid and pliable, which can help prevent wrinkles.

Remember to hydrate

Always make sure to be properly hydrated before exercise and to re-hydrate yourself after exercise. Water intake can increase the blood flow to your skin, which adds to the toxin eliminating aspects of exercise.

What are the symptoms?

Eczema is an equal opportunity skin disorder, affecting both men and women and all ethnicities equally. The most common signs of eczema are itchy patches of irritated skin.

Eczema can also cause the skin to become very dry, even to the point of cracking and bleeding. It makes your skin look red, inflamed, and even causes it to thicken in some cases. Occasionally, eczema can cause small oozing blisters.

Where does eczema form?

The areas of the body most susceptible to eczema are the insides of the wrists, crooks of elbows, backs of knees, and around the neck. However, eczema can appear pretty much anywhere on the body.

What causes eczema?

As mentioned above, there are different types of eczema. The causes of contact eczema are relatively straightforward since is it a simple skin reaction to an external factor. Usually, the patient can determine the cause by a process of elimination.

Atopic eczema is a little trickier. It seems to be caused by a combination of genetics and environment. Those with a family history of eczema are advised to be extra vigilant and aware of their daily activities in order to prevent or identify a flare-up.

Non-genetic factors that have been linked to eczema include stressful events or illness, dry skin, hormonal fluctuations, pollution, dust mites, mold, pollen, animal fur or dander, weather changes, and harsh soaps or detergents.

One of the more controversial environmental causes of eczema is diet. There are experts who claim that diet does not influence eczema, and others who believe that it can cause outbreaks. In any case, it is probably advisable for eczema sufferers to monitor their diets to discover if any particular foods seem to make their symptoms worse. Some of the major culprits studies have found include milk, nuts, eggs, soy, wheat, and certain types of fish.

What are the treatments?

In addition to eliminating possible triggers, the best way to treat eczema is to moisturize your skin thoroughly. Also, avoid scratching, and don’t wear synthetic clothing.

A dermatologist may prescribe the following medications for more severe cases of eczema:

• Topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
• Antihistamines to ease itchiness
• Antiseptic treatments to prevent or treat infection
• Oral antibiotics in the case of skin or systemic infections from open sores caused by cracking or excessive scratching
• Immunosuppressant medications have been shown to inhibit bodily responses to allergens, and thus may be helpful

Alternative treatments that may be beneficial are:

• Evening primrose oil or cod liver oil
• Tea tree oil applied topically to affected skin
• Zinc supplements
• Chinese herbal medicine, with caution

What is cellulite?

In the medical and beauty industries, cellulite has a somewhat controversial profile, with debates raging on its definition and the methods to combat it. In appearance, cellulite is the puckered, bumpy flesh usually found on the backs of legs, buttocks, and upper arms.

According to most health professionals, there isn’t a mystery about the nature of cellulite. They say it is basically just bulging fat cells underneath your skin. However, for many, there still exists a debate as to why it is impossible to eliminate completely. Many believe that poor blood and lymph circulation causes the retention of fluids and toxins, which then leads to the swelling of fat cells underneath the skin. Other theories state that aging causes skin to weaken and lose elasticity, thus lowering its ability to form a smooth surface over fat.

Insulin levels

Insulin is directly related to fat storage in the body. Higher levels of insulin in the blood can lead to an increase in the amount of fat your body stores. You may regulate your insulin levels by cutting down on simple carbohydrates like pastries, cookies, sodas, and other sugary foods. Instead, incorporate more complex carbohydrates into your diet, which are digested more slowly and thus provide a more stable form of energy, regulating your insulin levels and lowering the rate at which you store fat.

Collagen deterioration

Collagen is an important connective tissue in your skin. Many experts think that the breakdown of collagen, which happens naturally as we age, can weaken the skin and lead to increased appearance of cellulite.

As most women know, estrogen is one of the main hormones guilty of causing cellulite. However, estrogen also plays a major role in collagen deterioration. Thus, it is recommended to eat foods that help slow the production of unnecessary estrogen in the body. Certain whole grains, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and some legumes cause specific enzymes in the liver to slow estrogen production. This will lower the breakdown of collagen and lead to stronger skin to more tightly contain fat cells.

Hydration

You should drink at least two liters of water each day. Water is crucial to detoxifying the body and aiding in the elimination of waste matters, including the fat that can become cellulite.

Foods to avoid

In addition to sugary and generally unhealthy foods, there are a few more things you should avoid to reduce cellulite:

• Salt can heighten the appearance of cellulite as it may lead to fluid retention. Avoid salty foods and use salt sparingly when you dine.
• Caffeine not only dehydrates the body, inhibiting the excretion of toxins and fat, but also impairs circulation and lymph flow, all of which may influence cellulite.

Supplements

Certain supplements may help fight cellulite. As with any herbal remedies, it is advised that you use them with caution:

• Blue Green Algae
• Gotu Kola
• Hydroxycitric acid (HCA)
• Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)
• Gingko biloba improves circulation.
• Horse chestnut lowers water retention and increases circulation.
• Horsetail (along with gotu kola) strengthens connective tissue to help control the appearance of cellulite.
• Vitamin C and bioflavonoids contribute to the growth and protection of collagen.
• Acidophilus improves digestive function and thus the efficiency of waste excretion.

What causes bruises?

You develop a bruise when an impact against your skin causes small capillaries under your skin to break and release blood into the surrounding tissue. This causes a blue mark that gradually fades through different shades of blue, brown, and yellow until it disappears. This happens as a result of the re-absorption of the released blood by the tissues.

I bruise very easily, what does this mean?

For some people, a slight brush against a hard object can cause a bruise. Often this is simply due to differences in age or genetic makeup causing varying levels of circulation, blood pressure, and skin thickness and strength. Menstruation and smoking can also contribute to bruising easily. However, sometimes bruising easily may be a symptom of an underlying health problem or nutritional deficiency, especially of iron.

What can I eat to help?

Research suggests that the following nutrients may prevent bruising, lessen intensity of bruises, and help bruises heal faster (especially when applied topically):

• Bioflavonoids – help strengthen capillaries, which prevents them from breaking and bleeding during an injury. They also have anti-inflammatory properties that help in healing. Citrus fruits, green peppers, buckwheat, and broccoli are good sources.
• Vitamin C – helps the absorption of bioflavonoids, helps in healing and immune response. May also boost collagen production, which strengthens your skin, helping to prevent bruises. Vitamin C topical crèmes have also shown promise in treating bruises.
• Vitamin K – promotes blood clotting, and thus helps prevent bruising. It also bolsters the walls of blood vessels. A topical vitamin K crème has shown effectiveness in speeding the healing of bruises. Good sources include cauliflower, leafy greens, and alfalfa sprouts.
• Zinc – although the exact process isn’t clear, zinc seems to help with bruise healing. It is an important antioxidant, very beneficial for the skin as a whole, and supports the immune systems. These functions most likely relate to its bruise fighting abilities.
• Iron – an integral mineral for a healthy cardiovascular system. Iron deficiencies due to poor diet or menstruation can cause increased chances of bruising.

It is recommended that you avoid anything that thins your blood, as this will increase the amount of blood released by the broken capillaries at the site of a bruise, and thus increase the size and intensity of the discoloration. Common blood thinners include NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen.

Additionally, it is recommend that you lead a healthy lifestyle including adequate and regular sleep habits, a varied and healthy diet, and exercise. Sleep is especially important in allowing your body the chance to repair itself. Exercise increases your circulation, which speeds up the delivery of the nutrients your body needs to repair the bruise and the breakdown and re-absorption of the blood causing the discoloration.

What are these dark circles under my eyes?

The skin around the eyes is very thin and fragile. Dark circles appear when the blood in your capillaries close to the surface of your skin underneath your eyes becomes visible.

What causes them?

Here is where the experts disagree. Some recent research suggests that dark circles under the eyes occur due to a process very similar to bruising. The fine network of capillaries underneath your eyes may leak blood, which causes a reaction within your body to clean it up. The blood is oxidized, causing the dark blue/red coloring. In this way, the process is exactly like a bruise, except without the initial impact. Aside from these new studies, the standard view is that dark circles are caused by a combination of factors including:

• Genetics – yes, you are more likely to develop dark circles if other people in your family have them as well. The thinness and transparency of your skin also plays a role, which can be inherited.
• Sun – tanning makes the skin under your eye darker, which then exaggerates the dark circles.
• Allergies – anything that irritates the eye may cause rubbing, which can lead to more blood being released under your skin, darkening your circles. Some research suggests that hay fever and food allergies can cause dark circles independently.
• Medicines – certain medications may cause your blood vessels to widen, which will increase blood flow and darken the circles.
• Diet – poor nutrition has been linked to dark circles.
• Poor sleep habits – lack of sleep, poor quality sleep, or irregular sleep has been linked to the development of dark circles, perhaps by inhibiting the body’s reaction time or causing the skin to be paler.
• Pregnancy and menstruation – due to the nutritional demands placed upon the body at this time, the skin is usually paler, which heightens the appearance of dark circles.
• Age – your skin weakens as you age, making it more likely that dark circles will become visible.

What can I do?

Regardless of whether you believe your dark circles are caused by one of the factors above, or whether you agree with new research that suggests they are similar to bruises, there are a few things you can do to alleviate them. Fortunately, these suggestions will also boost your overall health and appearance.

• Healthy lifestyle – includes proper nutrition of fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean protein, legumes, nuts, and healthy fats. Quality sleep on a regular cycle. Exercise and plenty of water.
  • Sleep also controls levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can contribute to eye swelling and dark circles.
• Avoid caffeine, sugar, nicotine, and alcohol.
• Dark circle eye creams – many speed up the rate at which the blood underneath your eyes is oxidized and cleared up. They can also strengthen the capillaries and your under eye skin in general.
  • Especially effective are Ester-C (ascorbyl palmitate) and alpha lipoic acid (ALA). Ester-C boosts collagen production to strengthen the skin. ALA increases blood flow and lymph drainage.

Growth hormone and cell repair

Sleep is an important time for your body to heal and repair itself. A healthy sleeping pattern can help you to fight the signs of aging, maintain your weight, improve your complexion, avoid dark circles under your eyes, and prevent eye puffiness and redness.

During sleep, your body regulates the production and release of various hormones, including growth hormones. These hormones help your body repair the skin damage done by daily life, including the effects of UV light, stress, pollution, infections, and so on.

Evidence suggests that skin cells specifically regenerate at a faster rate at night than during the day, meaning it is a crucial time for your skin to heal and repair itself. Your body also enjoys a boost of molecular protein production and a slowing of protein breakdown during sleep, which helps speed up cellular repair.

All of this helps you fight wrinkles, dull skin, scarring, and other skin problems.

Cortisol and other hormones

Sleep helps regulate the levels of the stress hormone cortisol in your body. Cortisol has many negative effects on your skin, including contributing to acne, uneven skin tone, psoriasis, wrinkles, and atopic dermatitis.

In general, stress contributes to the aging of your body on a cellular level, and excessive stress can lead to an unhealthy appearance. Sleep combats stress and helps your body react more efficiently to avoid detrimental effects. Unfortunately, stress can also inhibit proper sleep patterns and hinder the quality of your sleep, which may lead, in turn, to more stress in a vicious cycle. It is important to employ other stress fighting daily activities like exercise, meditation, and relaxation.

Another hormonal benefit of a healthy sleep pattern is weight loss. Research has indicated that sleep works to regulate the hormones influencing your appetite. Lack of sleep or poor quality sleep can cause disruptions in these hormonal balances and cause an increase in appetite, especially for sugary, fatty foods. This creates a cycle of weight gain.

Toxin elimination

Your skin is one of the largest detoxification organs in your body and sleep is its primetime. Perspiration increases during sleep across your entire body, including your face. Not only does this moisturize your skin during the night, smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles, but it also clears your pores and cleanses your body of toxins that may contribute to an unhealthy appearance.

Beauty treatment absorption

Your sleeping hours are an ideal time for your special beauty treatments to have optimal effectiveness. Moisturizers lock moisture into your skin while you sleep and increased skin circulation allows the absorption of beneficial nutrients in different products. Also, many creams, especially eye creams, have a greater efficacy when not competing with makeup.

Hair masks and hand or feet moisturizing treatments are also very beneficial when applied before bedtime and allowed to sink in overnight.

Why some experts claim there is no diet-acne connection

The physical process of developing acne involves the blockage of pores. When a pore becomes blocked, oils and toxins secreted through the skin are trapped, causing inflammation and pus to build up underneath the skin’s surface. Thus, the most common recommendations to control acne are properly washing your skin to avoid pore blockage, and various treatments that clear pores or combat inflammation. Additionally, many experts say that diet does not cause acne, pointing out that some individuals may eat every food thought to cause acne and have perfect skin while their friend may suffer from breakouts on the same diet. However, this overlooks the potential for a connection between those who are naturally prone to acne breakouts and their diets.

Insulin

Some recent research has focused on the role of insulin and its relationship with male hormones that cause the release of sebum, your skin’s natural emollient. Researchers say that sebum provides a friendly environment for acne causing bacteria. Thus, it could be possible that the increased consumption of refined simple carbohydrates and sugars will lead to a spike in insulin production, more hormones, more sebum, and thus more acne.

Toxins

Your skin is your largest detoxifying organ in your body. You excrete many of the harmful substances you ingest on a daily basis through your skin. When someone consumes large amounts of foods that contain toxins like chemical preservatives, artificial flavoring or colorings, flavor enhancers, and other additives, it stands to reason that their toxin output would be increased, putting additional stress on the pores in their skin. Furthermore, some toxins may trigger an immune response, which leads to a rise of inflammatory agents in the body, and thus, a greater chance for developing acne.

Allergies

Food allergies may be a reason that some people develop acne after eating certain foods while others don’t. Allergens act as toxins in the body, increasing inflammation. If you monitor your diet and any subsequent outbreaks, you may be able to determine a correlation.

General advice

Due to the conflicting information on acne, you cannot be sure that diet alone could be the key to clearing up your skin. However, it is advisable to follow a healthy diet and lifestyle regardless, and this just might improve your complexion. A healthy diet includes plenty of water, whole grains, complex carbohydrates, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats or protein sources, low fat dairy products, nuts, and legumes. Exercise improves circulation, helps you lose weight, clears your pores, and boosts your skin’s ability to detoxify. So, it may be a great help as well. Additionally certain vitamins have been shown to be especially beneficial to skin cell production and repair, including:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B-2 helps fight the influence of stress on acne outbreaks
• Vitamin B-3 improves circulation
• Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant
• Zinc, another antioxidant that supports the immune system