Juggling a husband, kids, a home and a job can be a real struggle. More often than not, there isn’t enough time to strike off every item on your to-do list. You’re tired, worn out, run down and it shows, but who has hours to spend primping in front of a mirror? Not you. And this shouldn’t matter. With a few simple tricks, you can go from blah to babe in one hour or less. So treat yourself to your full beauty potential with the following easy strategies.
Start your instant makeover with a look at your skin. A clean, smooth complexion is the base of a glowing face, so assess the condition of your skin. Is it oily, dry or normal? Are there any eruptions or blackheads that should be treated and removed? Use a gentle cleanser and exfoliation pad to remove excess oil and dead skin, and then rinse your skin with cool water. Blot gently and apply your favourite moisturizer, preferably one with built-in sun protection. Be sure not to rub your face as you are applying the moisturizer – particularly around the super-sensitive skin near your eyes, and to smooth body lotion from neck to toes. Many women apply facial moisturizer every day but neglect to care for the rest of their skin, even though it, too, is subject to wear and tear from dryness and environmental pollutants.
Experts agree that a new hair cut is a great way to change your look and boost your mood. But if you’re only looking for a temporary change, consider styling your hair differently. You don’t need a salon to do this! You just need to be adventurous. Is your hair short and unfussy? Add a little gel for a sleek and sophisticated look. Get out your curlers if you normally wear your hair straight, or your straightening iron if your regular hair style is curly. The demands of everyday living often drive women to simply tying back their hair with little regard to how it works. Take a few minutes to wash, condition, and style your hair to see a dramatic improvement in your appearance and sense of confidence.
The natural look is nice, but applying makeup is an easy way to glam up your look without expending a lot of effort or time. Take advantage of the season’s trend toward pretty mauve lipsticks and dramatic, multi-tone eye shadow. Eyeliner has also made a comeback, so use it to make a bold statement for an evening out on the town. Mascara is an absolute must and takes literally seconds to apply. Also, if you haven’t already done so, take a few minutes to have a professional cosmetician recommend colors and shades that will complement your hair, eyes and skin.
Choose a dynamite outfit and accessorize. Dressing up isn’t just for special occasions. Chances are, if you look sloppy, you feel sloppy, so put on a great pair of jeans, a soft sweater, heeled boots and a pair of earrings before heading to the grocery store or to your son’s soccer game. Going out for dinner? Let your dinner companions ooh and aah when you arrive in a fabulous dress or pantsuit. Even if you consider the choices in your closet a little on the dull side, you can always mix and match to add excitement to your wardrobe. Add a flirty silk scarf or unusual brooch to a conservative outfit for instant visual interest and appeal.
Your most powerful beauty tool is a big, genuine smile enhanced by sparkling, lively eyes. When you’re happy and relaxed, it shows in how you look, feel and behave, so do whatever it takes to allow you to smile. This might mean taking a short nap to catch up on your rest, de-stressing with some time in front of the television with your favorite reality program, pursuing a hobby, exercising, sipping a coffee or hanging out with a friend. Make time for a few ‘you’ moments each day. Having and enjoying this time is just as vital as any other appointment, so make it a point to set aside at least 20 worry-free ‘you time’ minutes each day. You’ll feel better, look better, and your smile will be absolutely gorgeous.
Shaving is one task that most women hate to deal with. It is something that takes a significant amount of time and with today’s woman being as busy as ever, there is simply not enough time in the day! Even though it is annoying, there are few women who can comfortably live with hairy legs, at least for more than a week or two. Therefore, you should learn what you can do to make shaving your legs not as bothersome.
Although some women never think twice about how far to shave, there are many women who are in constant wonder about whether they should shave more than an inch above their knees. Most young women rarely worry about shaving above their knees unless they have dark hair growth. Adult women however rarely leave any part of their leg unshaved. It is really a personal preference decision. If you are comfortable leaving your upper leg a bit fuzzy, then by all means, you have the right to do so. Once you do begin shaving the upper area however, you may find that you are only comfortable when your entire leg is hair-free.
Many women determine how much of their legs they shave by the weather. If they are planning on wearing a short skirt, bathing suit, or shorts, they will shave their entire leg. However, in the winter season they may forgo shaving altogether. Single women who date are much more likely to shave their entire legs everyday. Married women are more likely to skip a day or only shave the parts of their legs that are visible to the general public.
After deciding exactly what you are going to shave and what you will leave for later, there are a few things that you should do to make sure shaving is a comfortable experience. The most important thing you can do is to use a fresh razor. Razors can be used more than once, obviously, however you should certainly change your razor at least once a week. Disposable razors are different and should be tossed daily.
With a fresh razor in hand, you should lather up with a good shaving agent. You can use a shaving gel, cream, or lotion. Try the female versions of shaving products, as they are usually a bit more sensitive. However, in a pinch, you can certainly reach for your man’s cream. Another great item to use to help you in shaving is hair conditioner. It works just like shaving lotion and can help moisturize your legs during and after you shave. Try not to use soap as this will only dry out your legs and makes shaving uncomfortable.
Even though you are likely rushed to get in and out of the shower, be sure to take your time when you shave. The more time and effort you take, the better your shave will be. You will have a smoother shave with less nicks and rashes if you shave slowly. So, try to slow it down a bit. Saving your shaving routine for last when in the shower is also a good idea. By allowing your hair to soften from washing and the heat of the water, you will find shaving to be more soothing than stressful.
What you do to your legs after exiting the shower is almost as important as what you do when you are in the shower. Never leave shaved legs dry and without moisture. Most women can lather on body lotion right after shaving, but some may find this irritating to their legs. If you find yourself in an irritating situation, consider skipping your shaving routine for a few days. After your irritation heals, try using baby oil right on your legs after shaving. Almost everyone can use this without irritation. It is a bit messier, but it will provide everything you need for a comfortable shave.
Getting a clean and non-irritating leg shave can mean putting a little more effort into the routine then you may expect. However, these tips are not so time consuming that you will notice a big difference in your morning schedule. They are mostly things that you can start making habits, which will ultimately take no more time for you to accomplish than your normal routine. So, start shaving smart today and you will see the results in no time!
Give Yourself a Hand – Advice for Maintaining Beautiful Hands
Maintaining beautiful hands is important for maintaining a youthful look at any age. Your hands get the most exposure and show your age the most, so care of them is care for your age. Knowing how to maintain your hands as you age is the best way to make sure they look your best and that you, in turn, look your youngest and best.
As you enter your 20’s, your hands look young and healthy for the most part. This is your skin’s glory years as it is likely yours overall. While in your 20’s is the best time to start preventing the effects of aging, because you don’t yet have to worry about treating the effects that are already there.
Premature aging is most often caused by exposure to the sun. In your 20’s is the best time to begin protecting your hands. At least twice a day, use a moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15. If you are going to be outdoors in the sun for long periods of time, apply a sunscreen with a UVA blocking agent in it. UVA rays are what cause brown spots and wrinkles. About once a week, exfoliate the skin on your hands by using a facial scrub. Removing old dead skin will help the daily moisturizer you are applying to penetrate deeper into your skin. Finally, apply an over the counter lightening skin ream nightly to your hands. This will fade minor brown spots and discoloration that may already be infiltrating the skin on your hands. Beware, though, if you are not using your sunscreen, the spots will reappear.
As you enter your 30’s, your estrogen levels will begin to drop. This drop will cause more dryness in your hands than you experienced in your 20’s. In addition, this is the time when the first signs of photo aging may occur (loss of tone in your skin or blotchiness). There are still steps you can take.
Each morning, when you get up, apply a moisturizing cream with a sloughing agent (lactic acid, glycolic acid, or salicylic acid). This will help to keep dead cells from accumulating on your skin’s surface. After you moisturize you will need to layer on the sunscreen. Again, the sunscreen should have an SPC of at least 15 and contain either transparent zinc oxide or Parasol 1789. You will also tend to lose moisture during the night. To prevent this, apply an emollient serum to the backs of your hands about a half an hour before you go to bed. Lastly, to fade out any brown spots that have begun to show, apply a prescription bleaching cream (see your dermatologist) in the morning and then some sort of vitamin A derivative in the evening.
As you reach your 40’s you skin will begin to thin out, which is a normal part of aging due to a loss of collagen in the skin. You will begin to notice more veins, wrinkles, and sun spots on your hands (if any of them look strange or change shape or color, see a dermatologist).
In your 40’s you will want to change to a hand cream that contains whey protein, which has been shown to help the production of collagen. Also as always, don’t forget to put on a layer of UVA/UVB blocking sunscreen. In an effort to help produce collagen as you sleep, apply a nonprescription retinol cream or Renovo. If serious wrinkles and spots continue to appear on your hands, you may have to resort to in-office dermatological procedures. Consult your doctor before making any decision about serious treatments. Many of these procedures can help reverse some of the effects of aging that all the measures discussed simply cannot prevent.
It is your face that probably gets noticed first, but your hands get the most exposure: the most exposure to people, the sun, and the elements. Because of that exposure, your hands are what is going to display your age. By taking proper care of your hands you will be able to look your best, and maybe even look younger than you thought you could. So take care of your hands, no matter what your age, and enjoy the benefits.
Grooming for Guys – What Your Lady Wishes You Would Do
For many men, a quick shower and shave seem like all that is needed when it comes to grooming and looking good. However, what some men do not realize is that the women in their lives may be wishing they would take grooming to the next step. In today’s society men have a countless variety of grooming options that can leave them looking and feeling even better than they ever expected. Men now have the option of partaking in almost every grooming practice that women do. Advancements in grooming and changes of attitudes have allowed men to take care of their hair, skin and nails in ways that men never have in the past. These grooming habits can also come in handy for driving women wild.
Something that may surprise many men is that something as simple as a manicure can prove to be a huge turn on for women. Manicures have long been thought of as a practice reserved for women only. However, in recent years more and more men have taken up the process of keeping up with the care of their hands and nails. In addition to providing men with a rejuvenating process for their hands, manicures can also prove to be a relaxing and stress-relieving process. Many men will find that the process of having their hands soaked, wrapped and even massaged can be an exhilarating process. In addition to discovering how relaxing a manicure can be, men who have never experienced a manicure may also be surprised at the positive response a manicure will get from their partner. Soft, well-treated hands can make a huge difference.
Good grooming for men does not stop at the hands. Facials provide customers with skin care in perhaps the most important area to groom – the face. Keeping the skin on your face clear and clean can make a huge difference when it comes to personal hygiene and grooming. After all, the face is the first thing someone sees when meeting a new person. Like manicures, facials were also long thought of as a practice only acceptable for women. However, in recent years facials have become more and more prevalent for men as well. The human face is made up of sensitive skin and should be cared for more carefully than other areas of the body covered by tougher skin. Facials are a meticulous cleansing method that keeps the sensitive skin of the face clear of blemishes and looking spectacular. Facials can leave anyone – male or female- feeling completely rejuvenated and like new. Facials are also extremely beneficial for people who have skin conditions such as excessively oily or excessively dry skin. Facials can help to change either of these conditions; moisturizing and cleansing the skin better than any facial cleanser will do.
For a lot of men hair care is not a concern of major significance. A lot of men feel that a quick shampoo each day will do the trick. However, lately more men have begun dying their hair, something women have done for decades. When people enter middle age and grey hairs begin to appear, many people see hair dye as a way of maintaining their youthful looks. For men, dying their hair can seem somewhat girly, but they should rest assured that there is nothing wrong with coloring their hair. In fact, for men who feel uncomfortable with getting their hair colored at a salon, at-home hair dye kits can be purchased.
For women who wish their man would take up some more meticulous grooming habits but cannot seem to convince him to make an appointment at a local spa, booking a couples appointment might just be the answer to their problem. By booking a couples appointment the man may see the spa trip as a date with his wife or girlfriend rather than a trip he is making to a spa to beautify and exfoliate. Many spas have an option for couples that are looking to visit the spa together. Couples can book together and take part in whatever spa treatments they would like to pursue together. An even more enticing idea is for couples to book a vacation at a spa. Since vacations include the most relaxation they provide the perfect opportunity for men to let themselves truly enjoy the benefits of a spa – and maybe even convince them to continue the grooming treatment once they have returned home.
Hair in a Hurry – Quickie Tips for When You are Running out the Door
Today, you are busier and on the go more than ever before. You still want your hair to look great, though, right? When it seems like you are always dashing around to get out the door, it can be difficult to get your hair looking just like you want it to. Well, don’t worry; there are some simple and fast hairstyles you can use to get the look you want without spending hours on your hair. You can be on time and still have great looking hair that looks like you spent hours on it.
One quick and easy hairstyle is the fast forward curl. This is a sophisticated style that takes a lot less time than it looks like it does. First, you will want to make sure you have everything you need: a blow dryer and diffuser that is light enough to hold easily, a small barreled curling iron, misting bottle (if you have natural curl), curl enhancing balm (if you need it), and a hair spray that holds without making your hair stiff.
First, apply the curl enhancer or a mousse to help enhance or bring out any natural curl you have. If you have a lot of natural curl, a misting bottle might be enough. Gently detangled your hair and create a part in it. Allow your hair to 80% air dry (use a towel if you are in a real hurry). If you have a lot of natural curl, begin scrunching your hair with your hands – mist frequently if you are using water. If you are using a blow dryer, push your fingers into the hair to lift at the roots. If you feel like you want more volume, dry your hair upside down while continuing to scrunch with your fingers. If you have less natural curl, you may use a small barreled curling iron. Once you have it how you like it begin spraying with a non-stiffening hairspray to hold all the curls in place for the day or evening.
Another popular look that you can throw together before dashing out the door is the trendy messy up do hair. To accomplish this look, gently brush out your hair to remove the tangles. Pull some of the hair up from the front of your face and secure it with a covered ponytail holder of some sort. Then, cover the holder with a hair clasp. At the nape of your neck, gather your hair into a loose ponytail and hold it in place with a hair tie. Next, twist the ponytail up to the crown of your head before securing the twist with long hair pins. Leave several (however many you like to see) of the ends of the twist loose and arrange them as you like. Pull some of the whippy ends around your jaw loose so that it will soften your jaw line. Then, hold everything you have done in place with a hairspray that will not leave your hair stiff and crunchy.
In order to make these and other styles work for you as a fast style, practice. Use instructions or ideas and practice putting your hair in them. Before you know it, you will be able to race in the door, change hair styles, and dash back out to your next appointment or date looking fresh and stylish without having to find hours to spend on your hair. To vary looks, change the color, size or style of pins you use. Also, vary the accessories and you will be able to make the same look, in the same amount of time, look different, fresh, and stylish every time.
You are busy with work, a social life, and any number of other drainers of your time. You are constantly on the go: running from work, to social occasions, to appointments, and all of them while still trying to look your best. Your hair is a big part of your look, but it can be difficult to keep it looking great with limited time. Memorize these and other quick and stylish hair styling methods to look your best without spending a lot of time on your hair. Remember, too, that practice makes perfect when it comes to quickie hair care when you are running out the door.
Many people assume that the secret to having strong, healthy nails is the way you care for them. Millions of women spend money on manicures and pedicures each week in an effort to keep their nails looking healthy and beautiful. In fact, the true secrets to healthy nails begin way before you set foot in the salon. The first step to having healthy, strong nails has to do with nutrition. Some people are surprised to find out that what you eat has a major impact on the way your nails grow.
The biggest nutritional tip for healthy nails is to get plenty of vitamins. Vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin B12 all have an effect on your finger and toe nails. Vitamin A works to keep your nails strong. If you do not have a large enough intake of vitamin A as well as calcium, you could find that your nails become dry and/or bitter. Bitter nails often break much more frequently and easily than stronger nails. Vitamin C can work to prevent those annoying and sometimes painful hang nails. Protein and frolic acid work with vitamin C to keep your nails healthy and void of any hang nail problems. Protein also keeps your nails healthy in other ways. You may have noticed random white bands across your fingernails at one time or another. These are often caused by protein deficiency and making sure your intake of protein is standard can help keep your nails looking clear and healthy. Zinc also prevents white spots from appearing on your nails as well. Vitamin B12 assists in keeping your nails from becoming dried out, much like vitamin A. Without vitamin B12 nails often also become darker and the ends often curve. Sufficient amounts of vitamin B12 can keep your nails growing healthy and remaining naturally colored and clear. Another nutritional tip for healthy nails is keeping up your intake of hydrochloric acid. Hydrochloric acid prevents nails from splitting and breaking. Keeping your nails strong is vital in the quest for healthy nails.
Even if you were previously aware of the affects nutrition can have on your nails, you will surely be surprised at how much of a difference a proper diet can make in the life of your nails. It is recommended that people consume a diet composed of fifty percent fruits and vegetables. This large portion of fruits and vegetables provides the large quantity of vitamins that keeps nails healthy but also helps in a variety of other ways to keep your entire body healthy and working right. Dieticians will recommend that people drink at least eight glasses of water a day. It is extremely important that people remain hydrated and keep their intake of liquids high. Although water is the best for keeping everything from vitamins to toxins moving through the body correctly, almost any liquids are appropriate for keeping the human body hydrated. Fruit and vegetable juices are often good for healthy nails as well. In fact, carrot juice is thought to be the best liquid for keeping your nails healthy and strong. The high levels of calcium and phosphorus in carrot juice keep nails especially strong.
There are a number of common problems that occur for many people in terms of their nails. Nutrition can often help in curing most of these problems. Discoloring is one common complaint that occurs in a number of people. In some cases these people have conditions such as anemia that may cause this as a symptom. In other cases discoloration can be attributed to heavy smoking. Dry nails are another often complaint of people. Dryness causes nails to break easily which can be a hassle. Diet can have a huge impact on dry nails and should be considered for people who complain of dryness in their fingernails. Hang nails and white spots on the nails are other complaints many people have that also can be attempted to be reversed through proper diet. If you have problems with any of these conditions consider changing your diet around, even if you make small changes.
Eating right can have a huge impact on your nails. However, a proper diet can have positive aspects on almost every area of your life. In addition to keeping your nails strong and healthy, a proper diet can make your entire body feel healthy, rejuvenated and strong.
Here a Hair, There a Hair, Everywhere a Hair, Hair
One of the growing trends in beauty care in past years has been that of hair removal. It seems as if hair is definitely “out” and everyone wants a smooth, hairless body. In actuality, the human body is almost completely covered with hair, with the exception of the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. This makes for a lucrative business for those who are licensed for hair removal. There is not only one hair removal method to choose from though. In addition to removing hair through plucking with tweezers in front of your mirror, there is a variety of other options available for those who are looking for a quicker, more lasting hair removal process. And women are not the only ones buying into this hair removal craze. Men are also among frequent customers getting their backs, chests and other areas hair-free.
Waxing has long been a favorite method of those seeking to be smooth. Waxing requires hot wax to be poured on the area and then removed by having strips stuck on and pulled off along with unwanted hair. Although this method is often painful, it is cost effective and can last a while, which keeps many customers coming back for more. Another selling point for some is that waxing can be done by professionals in a salon or can be done in your own home with one of many self-waxing kits sold in stores. For people not wanting to spend a lot of money or have the process done in a public salon, home waxing can seem attractive.
For many people, being able to complete the hair removal process in their own home is very convenient and appealing. Many people feel shy about having certain areas treated for hair removal by another person. This has made shaving perhaps the most common hair removal method. Shaving is relatively cheap and easy to do. The only downside comes in the fact that it can be somewhat time consuming given the size of the area being shaved. You often have to re-shave the area a few days later. But another method that some people do not know of is the use of depilatories.
Like shaving, depilatories can be used in the privacy of your own home, as they are often sold close to razors and other shaving needs in stores. Depilatories are made up of a chemical mixture that is applied to a region of unwanted hair. Once applied, the depilatory is left on the hair from anywhere from three to fifteen minutes depending on the size of the area and the amount of hair being removed. Once the chemicals have had time to kill the hair, the depilatory is removed and the area of skin is smooth and free from hair. For people with sensitive skin depilatories may not be the right way to go about removing unwanted hair. Since depilatories contain such strong chemicals in order to kill the hair, they often cause skin irritation for people who are prone to having sensitive skin. Depilatories also typically require repeat treatments relatively soon after the first. However, many depilatories do keep areas smooth and free of hair longer than shaving. People who use depilatories also do not have to worry about nicking themselves with a sharp razor. Hair removal with depilatories is completely devoid of pain.
There are other, newer forms of hair removal that keep areas hair free much longer are now available to consumers but they must be practiced by a professional and, in some cases, can be expensive. Electrolysis and laser hair removal are growing trends in hair removal. When removing hair by electrolysis, the technician uses a needle that projects an electric current into the hair follicle, killing it at the root. By sending the current directly to the root of the hair follicle it prevents hair from growing back in the same spot. Although it may take longer than laser hair removal, electrolysis is one way to permanently remove hair in a certain area. With laser hair removal the customer needs fewer repeat treatments until the hair is completely dead and gone forever. With laser hair treatment a wavelength of energy is omitted from the laser, working to kill the hair from its base. Laser hair removal may seem like the most appealing hair removal procedure but there is a downside. Since laser hair removal is a relatively new procedure and can be high in demand compared to the number of specialists licensed to practice the procedure, the cost of laser hair treatments can be relatively high.
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silica is recommended as supplement for hair and nails, but when i search for silica in google, it only gives me silica’s used in industry, computers, etc, nothing health- related. so im wandering, may be its different forms of silica? or what is the difference?
I Didn’t Order that Combo! Combating Combination Skin
If there are parts of your face that are oily, while other parts are dry, then you have what is called combination skin. As a general rule, your skin will likely feel fairly normal to you on most of your face. The oily part will be mostly in the T-zone area. The T-zone area is the part of your face across your forehead and down your nose and chin, forming a “T” on your face. There are certain other signs to look for so that you will know if you have combination skin and will know how to treat it.
For one thing, some areas of your face may feel tight after you wash. This will typically be on the parts of your face not included in the T-zone area. These areas will likely also look flaky and dull and may feel rough. A second sign would be that parts of your skin will look shiny, feel greasy, or be prone to pimples and blackheads. This will typically happen in the T-zone area.
Perhaps the biggest frustration for those with combination skin is caring for it properly. Having both dry and oily skin areas on your face can make skin care seem almost impossible. There are, however, things that you can do to care for and keep your combination skin healthy and feeling good.
First of all, make sure you are cleansing every day. Use a mild cleanser on your entire face. Use the cleanser twice a day, preferably before bed at night and after get up in the morning. These are the times your face most needs to be cleansed anyway, but if you have combination skin it is imperative.
Get a good moisturizer. Once you have identified which parts of your face are the dry parts, most likely these areas are not in the T-zone and this is the area you will treat. Use the moisturizer on those dry areas only. Using it in your oily T-zone will only make that area worse.
The goal when you have combination skin is to normalize it. Normalizing is trying to gain a balance between the oily and dry areas so that all your skin looks and feels the same. In order to accomplish this feat, you want to look for products that are made for such normalization. For instance, ones that contain alpha hydroxyl acids (fruit acids or AHA’s) or retinols will work best. Retinols are a vitamin A derivative. Such products should help you to gain more normal and even looking skin.
The reason AHA creams are so beneficial to your skin is that they area catalyst for skin cell regeneration. By burning off or removing the top layer of skin cells (or the too oily and too dry ones) they expose the healthier skin cells beneath them. These cells are more likely to absorb moisturizers. They also help improve skin elasticity through their water-binding properties. This can help with that “tight” feeling you may get in the dry areas with your combination skin. The only thing about which you need to be aware is that once you are using AHA’s, you need to continue using them. Once you stop, your cells will not regenerate at the rate they were with the AHA and will return to their original state very soon.
The next important move is to try to control the shine. The oily areas of your face will tend to shine as oils collect in the pores. When you buy makeup, look for something that is labeled as “oil-absorbing.” Such makeup is made to soak up oils from your face and prevent shine. Again, this will likely be more of a problem in your T-zone area than anywhere else.
Combination skin can be uncomfortable, frustrating, and on certain days embarrassing. However, it is not an impossible or untreatable problem. By recognizing that you have combination skin, taking the time to identify your areas, and learning treatments you can still have beautiful skin. Be sure to read your makeup labels and skin care product ingredients to keep you looking even, natural, and beautiful. Make sure you understand what each product you put on your face does so that you will know when and where to put your products on your face. By learning not to additionally dry the dry areas or moisturize the oily areas, you can achieve balance and a natural glow.
