Make-Up Tips & Beauty Advice

Drop Dead Gorgeous

How far would you go to be the fairest of them all? In Elizabethan times, women rubbed lead on their face and mercury in their lips to achieve beauty. The health problems were innumerable and serious. During the Italian Renaissance, a certain Signor Toffano created an arsenic-laced face powder. This lovely little gimmick was marketed as a way for rich women to rid themselves of their unwanted husbands. One flick of a powder puff was enough to see him buried. Today we would baulk at such a risk but we still happily slather ourselves in chemicals so strong they are handled with protective clothing in laboratories. Is it possible the cosmetic industry is still peddling beauty to die for? How do we know, after all just reading the ingredient list in a moisturiser seems to require a biology degree.

Lets start with the ubiquitous sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). This chemical is used in almost everything from toothpaste to shampoos. But its side effects can include eczema, irritated eyes and skin (with prolonged exposure) and possible inflammation and infection of the urinary tract and vagina. Checking children’s products to make sure they use the less harsh sodium laureth sulphate is a good idea as SLS has been shown to permanently damage children’s eyes.

Other dodgy ingredients include EDC’s. These gender-bending chemicals are linked to falling sperm counts in men. Some, like Nonylphenol used in cosmetics, Butylated hydroxy anisole (BHA) and E320 (which can leach into cosmetics from PVC containers) are restricted by the EU with a defined tolerable daily intake. However, overtime they build up in our body tissues and some experts consider there is no safe level for use.

Alpha hydroxy Acid (AHA). The cosmetic industrys favourite discovery AHA and BHAs are fruit and milk sugar exfoliates respectively. They work by rubbing off the outer layer of skin to expose the younger-looking? skin beneath. They cannot, as advertisers suggest, permanently improve your skin. In fact, they could ruin it. The epidermis (top layer) of skin is an important barrier protecting the body from UV rays and chemicals we come in contact with. The body’s natural reaction to having it rubbed away is to create a thicker tougher epidermis, trapping you into a cycle of exfoliating. If you choose to regularly use products containing AHA’s then you will also need to use a stronger sunscreen. AHA’s have only been around ten years and their long-term effects are still unknown.

Natural products and extracts show the beauty industry has got wise to our desire for a more natural life. But too often “natural” ranges are just repackaged old products with small amounts of “extracts” added to keep the consumer happy. Really ?natural? products may also need higher levels of preservatives to keep them from going off, and so end up with the same number of chemicals found in all cosmetics and toiletries. Finally of course natural products such as plants and animal extracts can easily be as poisonous as chemicals.

Baby soft skinBabies and young children are particularly susceptible to infection, so products for children under three must have 50 times less microbes then adult products- according to EU law. This does mean they have many more preservatives in them- including benzoates. Benzoates can cause gastric irritation, mouth numbing and urticara and are often used in baby wipes. Perhaps the best option is to choose products with the smallest list of ingredients possible, and use baby soap and water where possible.

Animal magicThe Romans once painted their nails with a mixture of animal blood and fat. While this would horrify the public today there are a surprising number of animal products on our bathroom shelves. If you are a vegetarian this can make life difficult. Some animal-derived ingredients are pretty easy to spot other telltale names include:

Tallow, CI 77267, CI 77268, Collagen, Elastin, Gelatin, Hyaluronic Acid Keratin, Musk, Serum Albumin, Unipertan

Even if cosmetics say they have not been tested on animals, the individual ingredients are sure to have been tested, but not necessarily by the manufacturer.

Are you worth it?

Before you get too alarmed remember few people suffer serious health problems from cosmetics although many find certain products don’t agree with them. Buying simpler products, that don’t make us pay for wildly unrealistic advertising is probably a good idea. Cosmetics and toiletries can clean us, make us smell sweeter and enhance our looks but for real health and beauty, throwing money at the beauty counter is not an answer.

Boring but true: the only way to make your skin and hair healthier, and eyes brighter are the old tried and tested methods of health and nutrition. This means eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and getting enough sleep. It also means staying out of the sun, exercising regularly and quitting smoking. It may not come in the most glamorous package- but your body and health are definitely worth it.

Athlete’s foot or tinea pedis is known as a very common skin problem. This skin disease can find its residence in anyone’s feet. Being an athlete is least bit of its concern, a hot and humid foot is what makes that disease choose you. This skin infection is caused mainly by a fungus which eats the dead skin cells and is found in plenty on your feet and mainly occurs between the toes.

The right breeding ground for this infection is a warm, dark and humid place. Our foot tends to fit the bill. The fungi actually can be seen in damp areas of the swimming pool, showers and locker room from where the athletes happen to get infected and so is the name which became widely popular.

If it is not properly treated it may come back to haunt you. It can be there for short or long period depending upon the severity of the infection. It is transmitted through contact with a cut or a bruise on your feet. Therefore, when in such place you should be take extreme care to save yourself from the athlete’s foot.

This is commonly found among men from the teens till crossing that 50 mark. It is also related to personal hygiene and how much you actually adhere to that. Some may not be that particular with their daily routine which makes them more prone to such a skin disease. If your immune system is weak they have greater chances of meeting the athlete’s foot.

This mostly hits the spaces between your toes, but can easily spread through reaching your soles as well as your toe nails. Even though adults are easily affected, children too can be a soft target. Some of the routine hygiene methods may just help you stay away from such kind of a disease, like wearing dry socks daily.

Signs and symptoms for Athletes Foot

-There is constant itching, burning sensation which cause blisters. -Feet start burning and stinging at the soles -Blisters are very itchy -Your feet becomes completely dry -With the passing days the infection spreads too -You can also find bumps on your feet

Some of the preventive measures if infected by this infection

-Wash your feet everyday, if you happen to go for swimming then take extra care -Drying your feet is very important -Give some breathing space to your feet -Cotton socks is very good as it helps in soaking the wetness -Try not to walk barefoot -Put talcum powder which would help to avoid excess sweating -Soak your legs in a mixture of salt and warm water for 10 minutes -Use of baking soda is also very effective. After rubbing baking soda rinse it and dry it thoroughly. Then the last step of this treatment is by dusting some corn starch.

Nowadays the state met than men are masters of the world is not valid, because today there is an epoch of equal right. And it is necessary to notice that women actively use their rights and begin to demonstrate their skills and abilities in those spheres, which were considered as the territory of men. In order to be successful among men, women have to make many efforts. And appearance in this case means a lot. First opinion usually is made according to appearance, that’s why it is necessary to take care of this aspect.

One of the important moments of the appearance is the make-up and especially it is connected with lips. This part of the face attracts people’s attention and it is necessary to take care of the make-up of lips.

In order to have perfect lips, it is necessary to choose lipstick in a right way. There are two main aspects, which are important in this case. These are texture of lipstick and the color. As for texture, it depends upon your taste. There are women who like shiny and glossy lipsticks, which give them young and fresh look. Other women prefer matte lipsticks, which give more mature look.

As for the color, it is more difficult. In order to choose the right color, it is necessary to test it on your skin. The color may look amazing in the shelf of the store, but on your lips, it may look not so great. So, if you don’t know which color if suitable for you, take that one which seems to be the most attractive for you. If you don’t test to your feelings, then limit your choice by traditional colors, which are suitable for the majority of women.

We all know what is happening in the economy and the market; people are losing jobs and businesses are not doing well. With jobs being cut and few businesses opening their doors for new employees, most of our friends are losing hope and don’t know where to turn to for jobs and inspiration. We say stop, take a deep breath and learn that there is something that can be done and one way to do it is to turn to financial advices that are straight forward and advices that work.

Why a Suze Orman advice matters now

Just take the case of the Suze Orman advice on financial matters. Suze Orman is a known figure in dispensing her straight-forward Suze Orman advice, and along the way she had built a good following of satisfied professionals and ordinary workers and some people who don’t see the Suze Orman advice in the good light. The slight ripple of those who hold an unfavorable view of the Suze Orman advice is greatly shadowed by that segment of the population that says that the Suze Orman advice truly works! Her financial advice or her noted Suze Orman advice simply drives into the heart of most concerns of most people now. So you suck at making money in this trying time? The term may be too straight-forward but there is no denying that most people right now experience this predicament- they suck at making money. And if you are, then there is nothing to worry since a Suze Orman advice is the kind of financial advice that you will need in this tough times.

Some foundations of a Suze Orman advice

The financial advice centers on how to make money, simply not selling stuffs. This may be far-fetched for some but this strategy truly works. And a Suze Orman advice is one of those advices that dwell on the fact that you can also earn your money this time without having the need to sell something online. This is sensible enough; even though you have something to sell, people don’t have the cash in order to pay for their purchases. With this in mind, it is imperative that other strategies should be used and these strategies should still be alongside the Suze Orman advice.

Suze Orman advice as encapsulated in a self-help CD

The good news is that there are a number of strategies and suggestions that you can use that still tread along the Suze Orman advice. The list of tips, suggestions and strategies that still follow the Suze Orman advice are encapsulated in a compact CD, which means that you can have an easy access to information and tips when you need it the most. For example, in this compilation CD you get to be inspired by a person who uses the strategy and the Suze Orman advice in order to make millions by not selling a thing in his site. The CD also incorporate thoughts on how to use ad words to the site advantage, and talks about other Suze Orman advice that can help you build your millions without having to sell something but instead giving it away for free. A Suze Orman advice on financial matters and in making money is just what you need. Check more about a Suze Orman advice and other related financial advice on www.doyousuckatmakingmoney.com in order to start making money.

There are over one million new cases of skin cancer diagnosed every year in the United States, representing about half of all cancers diagnosed in the country. And skin cancer on a dramatic increase. There are twice as many skin cancers in our population today as there were 20 years ago. Given this rate of increase, chances are about 50/50 that you will develop at least one skin cancer lesion if you live to age 70. This is especially true if you are fair-skinned. While skin cancer can occur in people of all races, those with lighter skin have a much higher risk because their skin contains less of the pigment melanin, which helps protect against an overdose of the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays, which can lead to skin cancer over time. The effect is apparently cumulative. A body of evidence also suggests that this also applies if you decide to go the “fake bake” route of the tanning salons.

Thankfully, most skin cancers, about 95 percent, are not life threatening. Skin cancer falls into two broad areas: basal-cell cancer / sqamous-cell cancer, and melanoma. The two most common of these cancers are the basal-cell and sqamous-cell carcinomas. These typically are easily treated, usually with surgery, and rarely lead to death. If neglected, however, over time, these can eventually lead to disfigurement and/or can spread with dire consequences. Only about 5 percent of all skin cancers are malignant melanomas, but these are far more dangerous and account for almost all deaths due to skin cancer. This aggressive form of cancer needs to be addressed immediately. Like most cancers, the risk of malignant melanomas will increase with age. If you feel you have developed any type of skin cancer be sure to see a dermatologist at once.

Most skin cancers, as one might imagine, occur on the face, neck and hands as these are the areas that receive the most exposure to the sun due to the fact that most of us wear clothes. These are also the areas that are most exposed to the view of others. As the usual AMA’s (American Medical Association) approach to skin cancer is knife and needle, this can leave unsightly scars just where you might not want any.

But there are alternatives. Having had a number of non-melanoma skin cancers, I’ve had the opportunity to try both the AMA (have the scars to prove it) as well as several “alternative” approaches. The method of treatment that I’ve settled on is the herb Chaparral. Chaparral is a plant that grows in the deserts of the southwestern U.S. and has been used historically by the indigenous populations of the region for a number of ailments. Today, it can be found in powder form at most health food stores. A small bag is all one needs and only cost a few bucks. I make a paste by mixing the powder with wheat germ oil (also found at your local health food store) and apply it directly to the lesion. Then I cover it with a Band-Aid. I do this once in the morning (after my shower) and again in the evening for six or seven days- carefully removing the old paste with a Q-tip. The advantages I have found are as follows: No pain. Perhaps a slight tingling at first. As chaparral only targets the cancerous cells, without affecting the surrounding normal tissue, my skin can quickly begin to repair itself naturally after the cancer is gone leaving usually just a “new skin” pink spot for several months. And all this at a fraction of the cost of a surgical procedure.

If this all seems a bit strange to you, please understand that this is nothing new. There are a number of books that have been written that offer other non-evasive, less painful methods of treating basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers as well. I would recommend the book, The Skin Cancer Answer: The Natural Treatment for Basal and Sqamos-Cell Carcinomas and Keratoses. This book is priced right, easy to read and provides you with what many might feel is a better method of treatment. But check around- and see what work best for you, knowing that many others have taken the non-AMA approach. In any event, use a dermatologist to diagnose what type of skin condition you might have, discuss it with him, but know that there may be cost effective, alternatives to the knife and needle.

Have you ever examined the ingredients listed on the labels of your cosmetics or other skin care products? Do you know what those ingredients are?

What you may not realize is that many of the skin care products and cosmetics you are buying contain ingredients that are not only harmful to your skin, but also to your long term health. Many of these ingredients are known carcinogens (cancer-causing) and are used by the cosmetic industry simply because they are cheap.

Here are just some of the synthetic chemicals used in cosmetic products that have been identified by scientific studies to be harmful to your health.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS):

Often described as being “derived from coconut” to disguise their toxic nature, these chemicals are commonly used in shampoos, toothpaste, foaming facial and body cleansers and bubble bath. SLS and ALS can cause severe skin irritation, and are easily absorbed into the body, building up in the brain, heart, lungs and liver, leading to potential long term health problems. SLS and ALS may also cause cataracts, and prevent children’s eyes from developing properly.

Paraben Preservatives:

Parabens are widely used in cosmetics, deodorants, skin care and baby products to prolong their shelf life. They are known to be highly toxic and have caused rashes and allergic reactions. Recent scientific studies in the UK found a strong link between the use of parabens and the increasing rate of breast cancer in women. Researchers found a high concentration of parabens in 90% of breast tumors tested.

Propylene Glycol:

Found in many beauty creams, cosmetics and cleansers, Propylene Glycol can cause skin rashes and contact dermatitis, and has been shown to cause damage to the kidneys and liver.

Isopropyl Alcohol:

Alcohol is used as a solvent in many skin care products. It causes skin irritation and strips the skin of its natural acid mantle, promoting the growth of bacteria, moulds and viruses. It may also cause premature ageing of skin.

DEA (Diethanolamine), TEA (Triethanolamine) and MEA (Monoethanolamine):

These substances are harsh solvents and detergents that are used in cosmetics and face and body creams as an emollient. They can cause allergic reactions, and long term use of DEA-based products (such as Cocamide DEA) have been linked to an increase in the incidence of liver and kidney cancer.

Aluminum:

A common ingredient in antiperspirants, aluminum has been linked to Alzheimer’s Disease.

Mineral Oil:

Derived from petroleum (crude oil), mineral oil is commonly found as a main ingredient of face and body creams and cosmetics. Baby oil is 100% mineral oil! It coats the skin like a plastic film, clogging pores and stopping the skin from eliminating toxins, which can lead to acne and other skin disorders. Other petroleum based ingredients include paraffin wax, paraffin oil and petrolatum.

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG):

Used as a thickener in skin care products and cosmetics, PEGs interfere with the skin’s natural moisture balance, causing an increase in ageing and leaving the skin vulnerable to bacteria.

Talc:

Talc is a soft mineral used in talcum powders and cosmetic powders. Scientific studies have shown that routine application of talcum powder to the genital area is linked with a three-to-fourfold increase in the development of ovarian cancer. Inhaling cosmetic powders containing talc may also be harmful to long term health.

How To Avoid These Toxins:

Examine the labels of your cosmetics and skin care products carefully, and learn to recognize ingredients that are harmful to your skin and to your health. Many web sites have lists of potentially harmful ingredients in addition to those shown above (e.g. Environmental Working Group).

Whenever you put on your eye makeup, your aim should always be to make your eyes look brighter. Your eye makeup should make your eyes stand out among the other features of your face. You can achieve this by selecting the right colors for your eyeshadow and creating the right blend of eyeshadow for your eyes.

Okay, so let’s get going… it’s not difficult to learn the proper techniques to applying eye shadow, but it does take some time and a little bit of that extra shadow that you have laying around to practice with. Don’t sweat the small stuff – after a little practice and some good makeup tips you’ll be applying your eye shadow like the diva that you are.

Luckily, learning how to put on eye shadow the correct way is not difficult. As a matter of fact, it is just a matter of finding the right style and the right technique for you. Don’t be frustrated if you don’t get it right the first time. Here are a few tips on helping you apply your makeup.

Tips for applying eye shadow

1. Apply the medium shade on the upper eyelid only. Use a lighter shade under the browbone to highlight the eyes.

2. When you want to apply light shades such as blue, beige, light green and light gray then you should first draw a thin line with the help of liquid eyeliner.

3. Pearly shades are great for highlighting the brow bone and opening up the eye area.

4. You should use brushes to apply eye shadow. And try to avoid those nasty foam applicators that come with it.

5. Apply a lighter eye shadow color above your primary color and below your eyebrow.

Tips for applying eye mascara

1.Apply mascara after eye shadow and eyeliner.

2. If your mascara is new and the deposit on the corners is plentiful, tissue off the wand before applying to prevent smudging

3. Never curl your eyelashes after applying mascara because they can stick to the pad on curler.

4. Try not to blink your eyes for until it dries. To remove the excess mascara blot the lashes with a tissue.

5. Finally brush with a clean dry brush, to separate the lashes.

6. Always remove mascara before going to bed. This will keep lashes healthier.

Coloured Mascara

If you are bold enough, try putting on blue or brown mascara on your lashes after applying a coat of black mascara, for a stunning look.

In putting on makeup, we should take care how we put on our eye makeup and how we apply eyeshadow. The eyes, after all, are the most beautiful features on a woman’s face, so we should emphasize their beauty always.

Have you ever bought makeup that looks great at the store only to get it home and find it makes us look more ghoulish than gorgeous? Of course you have, but is the only alternative to toss it? No! And here is how you can easily recover…

To soften a blinding shade of blusher, start by applying a more neutral-colored blush such as tawny brown, which creates a natural-looking flush on most skin tones. Then add a pop of the bright color on top. To make it brighter, first sweep the blah blush over the apples of your cheeks; then tap the tops of your cheekbones with your most vibrant shade of pink blush.

Foundation can easily be made darker, just apply the foundation as you usually would and then dust a little powder bronzer onto your cheeks, forehead and chin using a large blush brush — the coppery tones will help add warmth and depth. Another option: Create a richer color by mixing a small amount of foundation with a drop of gel bronzer in your palm. To make it lighter, dilute the color by mixing it in your hand with a squirt of untinted facial moisturizer.

After filling in lips with a too-loud shade of lipstick, just top it with a neutral beige lipstick. Continue layering on the beige until you reach your desired tone. Create a more intense, matte version of a lackluster lipstick by first lining and filling in your kisser with a lip liner that’s at least two shades deeper than the lipstick. Then apply the lipstick and a deeper shade of gloss for sheen and much fuller and poutier lips.

To soften the color of eyeshadow, start by sweeping lids with a taupe-tone shadow or a pale yellow powder. Then apply a light coat of the blaring color. If it’s still too intense, add another layer of the lighter shade. Or if the shadow is bright green, blue or violet, you can use it as an eyeliner to softly define just your upper lids. Then to darken the color, dampen your eye shadow brush beforehand, which will intensify the hue.

Following these simple tips will mean no more makeup buying disasters and a much happier and more beautiful you!

The talk of the town…every celebrities our getting hooked on eyelash extension! Why stay in front of the mirror for quite a long time doing the mascara and eyelash curl thing if you can have an eyelash extension?

Eyelash extensions are worn by almost every female celebrity, and all the other females out there! If what you ever wished for is having thick and longer lashes and yet you’re tired of doing the old trick, I bet an eyelash extension is what you really need. If you would like remarkable, long, natural looking eyelashes that last longer than mascara, look better than false eyelashes, and can withstand close scrutiny, then the answer is Eyelash Extension – the latest trend nowadays.

Let’s admit it, not every one of us is given perfect lashes and we always dreamt of having one…I myself envy those people out there with full volume and long lashes. Eyes I guess is often the first part of the person’s face that we look up to, those windows of the soul as the old proverb say. If you feel like your lashes are neither too short nor too sparse, don’t worry because you’re not alone…and guess what? There’s something out there that is especially made for us! Don’t dream because it’s over…Eyelash Extensions has been setting the latest trend!

Eyelash extension has been widely accepted since it is perfect for everyday wear as well as special occasions of course. Semi-permanent Eyelash Extension are made from synthetic fibres that are curved to replicate a natural eyelash. They provide length and thickness to your own lashes and are available in varying lengths and thickness. Each individual lash is applied on a lash by lash basis to your natural lashes with a special bonding agent that can last anywhere from two weeks to two months. You can have a full set or partials—lashes are applied only at the outer corners of the natural lashes—and the service takes anywhere from 30 minutes to two 1/2 hours. There is no need for mascara even though water based mascara is fine to use. The result is thicker, longer, eye opening eyelashes that are safe in the shower, while swimming, sleeping or exercising.

Remember to avoid rubbing the eyes or putting on mascara, and sometimes lying face down since this might damage your eyelash extension. You won’t want to ruin the prefect lashes you finally had after an eyelash extension, right? What a great offer it is for us women with short and sparse eyelashes, isn’t it? Eyelash Extensions create a longer, thicker and fuller look that almost every woman desires because more attractive eyelashes get noticed!

In ancient times the eye was the part of the body most enhanced through the use of make-up. Today it is the lips that get accentuated by women the most. Lipsticks and other lip cosmetics are applied to the lips to highlight what is considered to be the most irresistible and flirtatious appearance on a woman.

A common application of lip products is by simply accenting the natural color of the lips with a clear lip gloss or by a light pink lip liner and a lip gloss tinted with pink. This provides a natural or a soft tone on the lips. Other shades are available in lipsticks, lip liners and lip glosses but your complexion and other colors used in make-up applications on the face should be considered when choosing the appropriate shade for your lips. Other close to neutral tones that are popular to use include plum with a slight gold shimmer, soft mauve, red-toned pinks and also sheer that contain gold, reddish brown and red shimmers.

Dark complexions look the most attractive in reddish browns, soft pinks, and light brown shades of lip products. Using a close-matched or a lighter shade in a lip gloss will work to make the lips fresh and full. Careful and precise use of a lip gloss can highlight the use of lipsticks and lip liners.

For an effective gloss application over a lipstick product, make a small pool of lip gloss in your hand. With the tip of your finger spread the lip gloss on over the lipstick evenly. If using lip gloss to highlight a lipstick application that also uses a lip liner, start with adding lip gloss to the middle of the lip and work outwards in each direction that the lip liner will not be mixed in with the lipstick. If the combination does get smeared together, wipe off and start over again. Perfect lips are a must when the lips are such an attractive feature.

A lip primer or a color fixative added to the lips prior to application of a matte lipstick will prevent unsightly effects such as drying, cracking or flaking. Lipstick combinations with lip glosses in silver or gold shimmers, depending on complexion, can be an exceptional way to create a fetching and eye-catching result to the lips.

The health and beauty of your lips depend on receiving moisture through the skin. Be sure to use lip products that add rather than take moisture away from your lips. Vitamin E is probably the best option for an additional boost of moisture to one’s lips and as a bonus Vitamin E gives the lips a glow that is a natural highlight to the face. Another lip product that can make lips healthy, beautiful and a base to sexy lips is with a good lip balm. Apply a lip balm to the lips before using other lip products and this will trap in the moisture to give plump and smooth lips until a reapplication is necessary.

Applying lipsticks or lip glosses over dry and cracked lips will only work to highlight the damage and will detract people. Creamy lipsticks are another product that can be used on a daily basis to keep lips healthy and moisturized while still giving color. Lip glosses add a fresh, luscious and wet look to the lips.