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Beauty Becomes You — Enhancing what you’ve already got

With plastic surgery becoming more and more popular, it is evident that many women are seeking to recreate their features into an image of something else. Rather than looking for their own beauty and enhancing it, they are looking for a quick fix to enhance their beauty by changing what they have naturally. Luckily, it is just as easy, and much less painful, to enhance the beauty you already have. Everyone has a degree of natural beauty, and this is important to remember as you think about enhancing features that you already possess, rather than creating features that you never really had.

The eyes are generally considered the most beautiful part of the body. They are seen as “windows to the soul,” and few people decline to comment on a pair of striking eyes. Luckily, the eyes are also the easiest features to enhance. It can be done simply or elaborately, but however you do it, the eyes can be made to “pop” and catch attention, drawing others’ gazes from less attractive areas of the body to the eyes.

One way to enhance the eyes is to enhance the eye lashes. Many people simply wear mascara to accomplish this. However, mascara can be messy and annoying. Additionally, it can also spread infection and disease to the eyes. Eyelash extensions can be a desirable alternative to wearing mascara to lengthen and thicken the lashes. Lash extensions are small, individual pieces of synthetic material that are made to look like real lashes. They are as light as real lashes, and they attach directly to the top of the lash, rather than the skin of the eyelid (like false eyelashes). This can enhance the natural beauty of the eyes in a very natural way.

Another way to enhance the eyes is by using eye shadow. It does not follow that the shadow has to be dark and imposing, leaving other people no choice but to notice the eyes. Rather, light eye shadow often looks more attractive and helps the eye look more open and lighter. Eye shadow with a shimmer has become especially popular as it adds a pleasing sheen that attracts attention to the eye without immediately repulsing the attention. Additionally, flesh colored, non-shimmering eye shadow can be used below the eyes to reduce the appearance of dark circles.

Enhancing the lips is another hot topic when it comes to flaunting your good looks. A moist pair of lips (not slimy and wet, mind you) are a pleasure to behold and to listen to. When you wear lipstick, make sure that it is a moisturizing lipstick that also contains sunscreen. The lips do not have the melatonin that is present in the skin to offer protection. Therefore, lips too exposed to the sun easily dry and crack. But one need not wear lipstick to enhance the lips. Even a faint lip gloss can draw attention and give the lips a more naturally beautiful look. Lip liner is a very valuable tool in helping enhance the look of the lips by making them appear thicker and fuller.

Just a touch of light rouge on the cheeks can help draw the eye up the face, resulting in a face that does not look quite so chubby. The key is to not overdo the blush, just adding color so that there is the look of a healthy glow. By carefully following the cheekbone almost to the edge of the hairline, it is possible to accent the cheeks while drawing attention away from a little extra fat that might be present in the face. Pinching the cheeks can also help, and it looks more natural, but this can fade away and be painful and annoying to boot.

Finally, it is possible to enhance one’s natural beauty by careful use of skin care products. There are many creams designed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and other fine lines, as well as to moisturize and exfoliate. Exfoliation adds a glow to the face, as dead skin cells are sloughed away to reveal young and healthy cells beneath. These skin care products can smooth the surface of the face and allow for a healthier glow. Additionally, face creams made with parelastin help keep the skin supple, and there are creams that help firm the skin to more naturally reduce sagging.

Beauty Tips for Flattering Feet

You jam your feet into fashionable shoes, kick them around, stub their toes, ignore their nails and demand that they carry you around all day. No wonder they look a little worse for the wear. Luckily, there are plenty of simple, inexpensive tricks you can use to have your feet looking and feeling their best in no time at all.

There are so many elements of everyday living that are absolutely torturous for your feet. Standing all day, too-small shoes, stuffy boots, and exposing them to the locker room floor at your local gym are examples of scenarios to which most women can relate. Feet are often taken for granted until they start to hurt and reject the burdens you place on them, so think of taking care of your feet now as an investment against problems in the future.

If you’ve ever had a professional pedicure, you know how amazing it feels to have your feet taken care of: soaking, exfoliation, moisturizing and maybe even massage. The best part is you can recreate this experience at home with only a small investment of time, money, and resources.

Begin by removing any old nail polish with a remover-soaked cotton swab and then soaking your feet in a tub of relaxing, hot water. Toss in some bath or Epsom salts to increase the pleasant feeling. If you have a home foot bath with bubbles or jets, that’s even better. Soak for at least five to ten minutes; the heat will promote blood circulation in your feet and soften your skin and you can use the time to read, watch television or just lean back and relax.

When you’re done soaking, use a small brush to buff one foot at a time, removing dead skin and softening your feet. Let each foot go back into the water after you’ve finished brushing.

Use a dollop of foot scrub lotion (available at any department or drug store) to further soften any rough spots like your heels or the sides of your toes. When you’ve massaged the lotion into your feet, take a pumice stone to finish off any lingering rough skin. This is a great tool, so take your time and rinse your feet when you’re done.

Feeling good by now? There’s more. Remove your feet from the water and dry them with a soft towel. Rub your feet with some of your favorite lotion. A peppermint lotion may be particularly soothing and relaxing, especially if you have willing partner to handle this step for you. Either way, it feels marvelous.

After you’ve finished massaging your feet, it’s time to add a little style. Trim and shape your nails with clippers and a file, and then use a cuticle stick to gently push back your supple cuticles. If you have a cuticle trimmer, you may want to scale away excess cuticle skin, although it’s imperative to do this carefully to avoid damaging the cuticle.

Once your cuticles are under control, you will want to even out the surface of your nail by applying a clear or opaque base coat. This will help hide any ridges or lumpy areas that might show up if you applied nail color directly to the affected area. When the base coat is dry, add a coat of your favorite nail color. Choose something soft and light for a conservative look or something bold and daring for more flair. Whatever your choice, it’s a good idea to apply several coats to improve the durability of your finish. Clean up any messy areas as you go, using a small cloth or cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover to dissolve stains that may have been deposited around the edges of your toe nail. An additional coat of clear sealer will prevent chips and scuff marks from harming your pedicure masterpiece.

That’s it! You’re ready to strap on a pair of open-toe sandals or to pad around the house in your bare, and very fashionable, flattering feet.

Looking pretty is one element of great feet. The other part is keeping your feet healthy. Wear supportive, well-fitted shoes, wash and dry your feet carefully to avoid fungal and bacterial problems, and mention any significant problems, such as cuts and scrapes on your feet not healing well as that could indicate a more serious problem such as diabetes.

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9 Beauty Tools You Cannot Live Without

Just as with art, construction, or crafting, having the right beauty tools on hand can be the difference between an okay look and a spectacular look. Both women and men invest a lot of money in their appearance. If you have the clothes, accessories, make-up and hair products, why skimp on the tools that will make using those elements easier and more effective?

You can get away with an amateur make-up application, but for a really professional-looking job, you need the right beauty tools. So, toss away your Q-Tips and those little freebie brushes and sponges that sometimes come with your make-up. It’s time to build a small collection of essential beauty tools that will enhance your look and give you a greater payoff for the money you’ve already invested in make-up and other beauty products. For a couple hundred dollars, you can have the kind of tools any professional would be proud to use.

BrushesBrushes are among the key tools used by make-up application professionals. They are not, however, a one-size-fits-all solution to your make-up needs. There are different brushes for different jobs, and you will get the best results if you choose the correct brush for what you are trying to do. Some of the must-have brushes include:

Foundation brush – use it to achieve a superior natural finish when applying either cream or liquid foundation. Experts suggest putting a small spot of foundation on the back of your hand and then dipping the foundation brush into that before applying the foundation with downward strokes spreading out near the jaw and hairline. Synthetic-bristled brushes use less product that natural-bristled ones, which are more absorbent.

Concealer brush – concealer is meant be used in small amounts to cover blemishes and other imperfections. A small-tipped brush is perfect for applying just the right amount of concealer to camouflage blemishes without a caked-looking build up. If you need concealer under your eyes, as opposed to using it to hide a pimple, consider a small-tipped brush with a wider base you can use for precision application and easy blending.

Blush brush – also called a powder brush, a blush brush should be large, with a dome-shaped head. You can use the same brush to apply blush of bronzer and to top it with a light-as-air coat of translucent face powder for a sheer effect. Sable hair brushes are the choice of experts when it comes to blush application.

Eye shadow brush – cream or shadow eye shadows should be applied with a sable brush. Selecting a dense, angled brush will give you more vivid color while an all purpose brush (a steal for under $10 in most drug stores), results in a softer look.

Eyeliner brush – supremely fine bristles make these brushes the best for defining the top and bottom of your eyelids with all kinds of eyeliners. Sable brushes are best for powdered liners while synthetics work best for liquids.

Lip brush – stiff synthetic lip brushes give you the control necessary to define your lips. They also work well to give a smooth finish to dark colors or to add gloss for extra shine.

MiscellaneousThere are more kinds of beauty tools available than most of us can imagine. Thankfully, we don’t need most of them. Aside from the brushes mentioned above, here are some of the essentials you should add to your make-up kit if you don’t already have them.

Tweezers – great for ridding yourself of any pesky stray facial hairs. A basic pair will do fine.

Lash curlers – with a few exceptions, most of us don’t have lovely, curly lashes. This inexpensive tool will help you open wider for more dazzling eyes. Using a bit of heat can improve the curl you achieve with even a simple lash curler.

Cleaner – make-up brushes and tools can carry bacteria and should be cleaned regularly. Brush cleaners are available if you have a lot of brushes, but you can give your tools a weekly shampooing just as easily. Before drying on a folded towel, use your fingers to re-shape your wet brushes. Aside from removing unwanted bacteria, cleaning your tolls will also help preserve them for years of use to come.

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Beauty Treatments Right in your own Kitchen

4 Masks to Make Yourself

Nature has given us great bounty. In many cases it is not necessary to purchase expensive products, often made from chemicals, from stores in order to enhance the quality of the skin. There are plenty of products right in your own kitchen that can help you enhance the quality of your skin and can even help you feel great. These products are a testament to the great qualities that are inherent in the most ordinary things that can make us beautiful, cleansing the skin and brightening the complexion.

Creating facial masks from common kitchen products has been done for years. Even the most common and ordinary products make great facial masks. While essential oils and special clays can be very effective, there is no need to use them if you do not wish to. Simply head to your kitchen cupboards and refrigerators and create any one of the following face masks, and feel the good effects almost immediately. For best results, it is recommended that you apply a facial mask once a week, rinsing your face first with warm water and then rinsing with cold (to close the pores) after you finish removing the mask.

Egg mask. It seems a little strange to create a face mask using eggs, but it is a tried and true method for toning the skin. The egg actually helps tighten the skin, giving you a firmer face that is less wrinkled and less prone to sagging. Simply beat one egg white until it is stiff. Then you just smooth it over your entire face. After 20 minutes, remove the mask. You can adjust the mask to your skin type by adding lemon juice to the egg white (just a drop) for oily skin or putting in a bit of honey for dry skin. The skin on the inside of the shell can actually work as an acne treatment. Just place the skin over the breakout and leave on for 30 minute or even overnight to help reduce the appearance of the acne.

Honey mask. This is a very easy mask. It is cleansing, and the honey acts in the same way as an antibacterial. You need warm, runny honey. You can run your honey container under warm water or soften it in the microwave to get it to the desired consistency. Be careful with the microwave, however, as you may get the honey too hot. You just want it warm and runny, not scalding. Smear the honey all over your face. Even those with sensitive skin can usually use this treatment. After about two minutes, it will start to feel as though it is pulling. This is when you rinse the mask off with warm water (follow with cold as soon as all of the honey is off of your face).

Acne mask from kitchen items. If you want to help control your acne, a simple mask made from what you keep in your kitchen can assist you in your fight against acne. For a major breakout, form a paste using one half cup strained tomato pulp and powdered milk. When there is enough to make a paste, blend until the mixture is no longer pasty, but is smooth. Then apply and leave for 20 minutes. You should wash this off with warm water. Because Vitamin C and Potassium are found in tomatoes, this will also help your skin heal from the acne.

You can create a variety of nourishing masks if instead of tomato you use carrots, bananas, or cucumbers. Simply mash whatever you are using (you will have to steam the carrots first) and substitute it for the tomato pulp.

Strawberry alpha hydroxy mask. Take four or five large strawberries and mash them up until they become a thick pulp. Then cover the face thickly with the pulp. Lie down quietly for about 20 minutes before washing with warm water followed by cold. It is important to note that this treatment is not a good idea for extra sensitive skin.

These easy to make facial masks are fun and inexpensive to create from items found in the kitchen. They are also quite effective. One more treatment that can help with rough facial skin is to use mayonnaise. This also works on your elbows. Make sure you use only a light layer, and make sure that you only leave it on for 15 minutes before washing it off.

Beyond Extended – Traveling the Route of Hair Extensions

Hair extensions were once reserved for only the most glamorous celebrities around. Fans would look on in wonder when celebrities went from a short do to waist length hair in a matter of days. Along with celebrities, many cancer patients began using hair extensions to help get a manageable look as their hair grew back. With hair extensions being very expensive, these were the only two groups willing to pay the price. Today however, hair extensions are affordable and attainable for anyone who is trying to get a new beauty look.

The popularity of hair extensions really revolves around the quick results you get from using them. There is no other product out there that allows you to add a foot of realistic looking hair on your head in just a few hours. You can literally get any length of hair you want. The best part about it all is that hair extensions, unlike wigs, are very believable. Hair extensions are made of either human hair or synthetic hair. Human hair extensions tend to be much more costly and are usually reserved for patients recovering from cancer.

Although the trend of hair extensions may sound new to some, it is a practice that has been used for years. African-American hair stylists have been using weaves and hair pieces in the same manner that today’s hair extensions are used. Many of the techniques were originally mastered in neighborhood beauty shops. In salons today, stylists who work with hair extensions have been trained in the latest techniques. Not every stylist you visit will know how to use hair extensions properly. There is nothing worse than getting a bad extension job and having to pay for it, so be sure to research stylists in your area that specialize in hair extensions.

It may seem that hair extensions are only helpful when you want to lengthen your hair, but it is not true. You can use hair extensions for other hair problems as well. If you have very fine hair, you can use hair extensions or additions to add volume and thickness to your hair. You can gain hair that is more manageable using these additions. You can also use hair extensions to add a little color to your hair. If you would like to try something new, you may consider adding a few pieces of pink hair extensions to your hair. Colored hair extensions can be used as highlights as well. It is a way to get color that does not fade or harm your hair in any way.

Keep in mind that hair extensions are not something that you can get during your lunch break. The entire process can take hours and can be quite monotonous. To help expedite the process, ask to meet with your stylist before your actual appointment so you can choose colors, length, and get everything in order. This will save a little time during your appointment. Most often the hair extensions must be ordered, so a pre-appointment will allow you to choose what you want. It is also a great time to ask any questions you might have and to find out what you will need to do to care for your hair extensions.

There are several ways your stylist can attach hair extensions. You can get it attached strand by strand or by weft. When stylists use a weft, they actually sew or bond the weft to your natural hair. Your stylist will choose the appropriate type of attachment using your hair’s natural characteristics. The biggest difference in these two methods is usually cost. Stylists usually determine the cost of your hair extensions by the amount of time it will take to finish the entire process. Keep in mind that another factor of the cost will be the quality and amount of hair you will need for the process.

Getting hair extensions can be a fun and rewarding process. Just remember to research stylists in your area that are experienced in hair extensions. The more experienced the stylist is in giving hair extensions, the better your hair will turn out. Also remember that taking care of hair extensions can be time consuming. They require specific needs when it comes to washing, brushing, and styling. Do your homework beforehand and your hair extension experience will be a huge success!

Body Piercing – A Form of Beauty Where Less is definitely More!

Getting a body piercing can be a somewhat complicated process. This is because there is such a vast array of styles available – as well as places to get pierced. Gone are the days when only girls got their ears pierced – and to do so in the cartilage was considered risqué. Today, people of all genders and ages are getting pierced in some of the most unusual places.

When deciding to get a body piercing, it is important to go through a professional rather than do the piercing yourself or allow a friend to do it for you. Most piercing, when completed by a professional, is perfectly safe. Some parts of the body, however, can become permanently and severely damaged if pierced incorrectly. For this reason, it is important to always consult a professional piercing specialist when considering getting a body piercing.

Piercing can also be painful, though the pain doesn’t normally last for very long. For those with a low tolerance for pain, this needs to be considered before deciding to get a body piercing. To help cope with the pain of tongue piercing, some apply Orajel to the tongue before piercing it. Most people, however, don’t use any form of pain-reducer at all – it’s simply not worth the time or expense for a few seconds of pain.

In addition, it’s not a good idea to get a piercing when you are sick. Your body needs to be strong and it needs to be able to produce adequate amounts of white blood cells in order to help it heal. If your white blood cells are already occupied with an illness, your body doesn’t need the extra stress a piercing will cause. If you are feeling ill, it is best to postpone your body piercing until you are feeling better

The cost of piercings varies depending on the type of piercing and the location. Some include the price of the jewelry with their costs while others do not. If the jewelry is a separate cost, the type of jewelry you choose will affect the cost. For example, Titanium costs more than surgical steel. In addition, a tongue piercing generally costs more than a nose piercing.

Before getting a piercing, however, it is important to check into the policies of your place of employment. Some employers have strict rules about body piercing and whether or not their employees are permitted to have them. Getting a piercing is not worth losing a job. Similarly, it would be very upsetting to go through the pain an expense of getting a body piercing, only to be told to remove it. Some companies allow body piercing, but they need to be covered by a band-aid or some other type of disguise. Be sure to check into this before getting a piercing to decide if the trouble of covering up your piercing is worth it to you.

Once you have decided to go ahead and get a piercing, you need to decide where you want the piercing to be. There are many places that can be pierced on the ear besides the lobe. In fact, pretty much every area of the ear containing skin or cartilage can be pierced.

Other popular places for body piercing are on the face. The nose and eyebrow are two common places for body piercing. Some people also choose to get piercing in the chin, right below the lip. Yet others get piercing above and to the side of their lip, similar to a beauty mark.

If you work out regularly, play sports, or otherwise sweat often, it is important to tend to you piercing regularly. While these activities alone don’t cause harm to a pierced area, sweat can cause the pierced area to become filled with germs and bacteria, which can lead to an infection. Be sure to shower and clean the pierced area after engaging in an activity that causes sweat to get into the area.

Wherever you decide to get you’re piercing, it is important to remember that too many piercing can detract from your appearance rather than enhance it. Therefore, piercing – where they are located and how many you get – should be carefully planned out to ensure that your piercing sends the right message about you and your appearance.

Don’t Be a Flake – Remedies for Those with Dandruff

Dandruff can be an embarrassing problem for anyone at any point of their life. Millions of people suffer from dandruff, which is considered a chronic scalp disorder. The main symptom of dandruff is an itchy, flaky scalp. If you have dandruff, you will likely notice excess white flakes in your hair or on your shirt throughout the day. Although it is annoying and humiliating, you can control your condition with a few helpful tips.

If you have mild dandruff, the answer to your problem may simply be finding a good shampoo. There are many dandruff shampoos on the market that are great at controlling mild dandruff. Just pick one up at the store and give it a try. If you see no improvement in at least two weeks, try another variety. If you still see no improvement, try a shampoo with a tar extract in it. This is particularly helpful to dry scalp conditions. They do not smell as great as regular shampoos, but they will get the job done. You may also find that tar shampoos are a bit more expensive, but they are worth the extra cost.

There are a few behavioral steps you can take to control your dandruff. Researchers have found that stress is a major factor in many conditions, including dandruff. If you are experiencing dandruff, take a look at your life and your schedule. If you can do anything in your schedule to lessen your stress load, then by all means, do so. Not only will your dandruff likely improve, but you will probably feel better as a whole.

Many people are confused about dandruff. Some may think that dandruff occurs because you shampoo your hair too often. The opposite is true however, especially if your scalp is oily. Oily scalps need to be shampooed often to remove any excess oil. The excess oil may make your dandruff problem even worse. Be sure to use your dandruff shampoo when you wash your hair and you will see a great improvement.

Styling products are often the cause of oily scalps. They tend to build up on your scalp, causing the scalp to produce excess oil. Hair spray, waxes, gel, and mousse are all to blame in this case. If you are experiencing dandruff, try cutting back on your usage of these products. You could even be having an allergic reaction to these products that is taking a form similar to dandruff.

One thing that may trigger dandruff is taking really hot showers. If you have any type of skin problem, you should keep your showers moderate in temperature. Hot water tends to cause the body to dry out or produce more oil to compensate, which are two problems associated with dandruff.

New studies are showing that natural sunlight may be good for dandruff. Researchers warn that you still should not spend a great deal of time in the sun, due to its cancerous waves. You should simply spend short amounts of time with your scalp getting exposure. Not only will the sun help your dandruff but it will provide the Vitamin D your body needs to keep you happy.

If none of these tips help control your dandruff there are a few things you can do. First, schedule a visit with your general practitioner. He or she will access your condition and may even prescribe a prescription treatment for your dandruff. The doctor will likely only do so if your dandruff is moderate or severe. Most of the time the prescription is a shampoo or a scalp wash. Your doctor may decide to refer you to a dermatologist however. The dermatologist will likely diagnosis you with dandruff and may or may not take a sample. The sample may be sent off to confirm you have dandruff instead of an allergic reaction to something else.

If you have dandruff, don’t worry about trying to prevent it, because it is not a preventable disorder. Focus instead on controlling it and not letting it control you. There are many things you can make a part of your daily habits that will help you control your dandruff. If you have questions, be sure to consult your doctor, as they can confirm that it is actually dandruff you are dealing with.