Ten ways to stay Slim

1. Keep to your meal routine. Try to eat at roughly the same times each day, whether this is two or five times a day.

2. Go reduced fat. Choose reduced fat versions of foods such as dairy products, spreads and salad dressings where you can. Use them sparingly as some can still be high in fat.

3. Walk off the weight. Walk 10,000 steps (about 60-90 minutes of moderate activity) each day. You can use a pedometer to help count the steps. You can break up your walking over the day.

4. Pack a healthy snack. If you snack, choose a healthy option such as fresh fruit or low calorie yogurts instead of chocolate or crisps.

5. Look at the labels. Be careful about food claims. Check the fat and sugar content on food labels when shopping and preparing food.

6. Caution with your portions. Don't heap food on your plate (except vegetables). Think twice before having second helpings

7. Up on your feet. Break up your sitting time. Stand up for ten minutes out of every hour.

8. Think about your drinks. Choose water or sugar-free squashes. Unsweetened fruit juice contains natural sugar so limit it to one glass per day (200ml / 1/3 pint). Alcohol is high in calories; try to limit the amount you drink.

9. Focus on your food. Slow down. Don't eat on the go or while watching TV. Eat at a table if possible.

10. Don't forget your five a day. Eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day (400g in total).

EYES NEED REST

Most of us take our eyes for granted, never thinking of them as muscles or as organs needing special exercises or needing periods of complete rest.

The eye is composed of muscles. Just as any muscle in the body, when we exercise the muscles of the eye, we need to give those muscles a rest.

The best way to rest the eyes is to put them in complete darkness. By shutting out all light, we keep the optic nerve from being stimulated by outside images. Even when we sleep, we can control the resting or not resting of the optic nerve. By covering the eyes and trying to control the images in the mind's eye, we can more thoroughly rest the eyes.

Resting the eyes has another benefit: Relaxing the optic nerve relaxes the rest of the nervous system and can do wonders for relaxing the whole body. The benefits of resting the eyes multiply geometrically, making five minutes of rest more than five times better than one minute of rest.

Eye rest is especially important as more and more of us stare at a computer's monitor screen all day, straining our eyes.

Eye Rest

It is best to remove contact lenses before doing eye rest. Certainly glasses must be removed.

Palming Rub your hands together vigorously to make them warm. Cup the hands slightly and cover your closed eyes with your hands. Rest your hands on the tissue surrounding the eyes rather than the eyes themselves. Now breathe deeply into your abdomen, then let the breath out completely. Relax; imagine that your incoming breath is black. Meditation is a good accompaniment to palming and will help you relax. Use pillows to support your arms when you palm while meditating.

Palm for 5 minute periods during the work day but try for one 20 minute period each day.

Cover the Eyes

Cover the eyes with a soft material, making certain you block out all light while retaining comfort. Sit in a relaxed position, lie down on a bed or reclining chair, or lie down on the floor in the yoga "Dead-Man's Pose." Imagine that the world around you is black. Try not to sleep; just relax into the blackness.

Meir Schneider, PhD, the eye expert who has cured himself of congenital blindness, has this to say about relaxing the eyes, "The relaxation also has an important psychological effect: it teaches the brain that the eyes do not always have to strain, that they can function better and more comfortably through relaxation than through stress.

If you're dedicated to a fitness lifestyle -- exercising regularly and following a healthy diet -- you probably notice the smallest change in your body and its abilities, whether you can lift more weight, increase the intensity level on the elliptical trainer or even fit into your clothes better. But when it comes to your vision, changes are harder to pinpoint, even though your eyes play a crucial role every day. People generally can't measure how well they see, or how well they're using their eyes; they don't know when their eyes have changed, or if they aren't seeing their best, says Else Brisco, OD, FAAO, optometrist at the Hollywood Vision Center in Los Angeles.

"Vision consists of two main components: seeing clearly and how the eyes work (eye muscle control and coordination)," Brisco explains. "Both are very important in your daily life, and for sports." The eyes provide information and feedback to the hands and body about placement, depth and speed, making them critical for optimal sports performance. This affects your ability to catch a ball, your timing, the speed of your visual reaction time, the way you shift your bodyweight and more.

How can we help ensure that our eyes stay healthy and continue to assist us in our quest for optimal fitness? Actually, that's easy: They respond to the same type of diet and exercise regimen we follow for the rest of our body.

Diet & Exercise for the Eye

Just as your body responds to a clean diet, your eyes benefit from good nutrition. "[Eating] carrots and other orange- and green-colored fruits and vegetables is a great way to keep your eyes healthy," notes Brisco. Foods like yams and cantaloupe that tend to be high in beta-carotene are other beneficial additions to your diet. A well-balanced diet, including antioxidants, water and essential oils like omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, is important for eye health as well, she says; antioxidants in particular slow the progression of certain age-related eye problems such as cataracts and macular degeneration.

How to care for your Feet and Toe nails

Like all parts of the body, also the foot is an amazingly ingenious device. Its construction is really complex: 26 bones, 33 joints, 106 ligaments, 19 foot muscles and 11 muscles in the lower leg. Not only is the foot sufficiently strong to carry the entire body for hours at a time, but it also enables us, through subtle movements, to walk and run up to 10,000 to 17,000 steps a day. During our lives our feet carry us between 65,000 and 115,000 miles.

You'd expect the foot to be a body part we are proud and caring of. But surveys show that's not the case. According to this survey, two-thirds of the population has a foot condition like blisters, bunions, calluses, fungus, sweaty feet, nail conditions, cold feet and cramps. These are conditions that do not seem too serious, but which can be very inconvenient and they better be avoided with proper foot care.

More difficult to solve are structural deficiencies in feet which cause pain, fatigue and mobility problems. Flat-footedness being the most well-known deficiency. But also hollow-feet, heel spur, spreading-feet and hammer toes may cause much suffering.

Your feet are two of the most abused & often used parts of the body, what with all the walking and running that you do everyday. This being said, you should make sure to give your feet the attention and care they deserve every so often. Taking good care of your feet will prevent you from getting foot conditions such as Athlete's foot or other fungal infections. No matter what the season is, it is always important to keep your feet and toenails in tip-top condition. During the hotter months, for example, your feet are constantly visible due to footwear choices such as sandals and slippers, so it would be a good idea to keep them looking fabulous and presentable. But even during the winter months when you feet are bundled up in socks and boots, it would still be advisable to take extra measures in keeping your feet well-cared for. Some of these feet and toenail care tips are applicable not only to women, but to men as well (sans the nail color portion, unless this is a preference of the male individual). So to the men, don't overlook the advantages of having nice-looking and cared-for feet as well! Your gal will definitely notice.

Here are some useful steps in taking care of your feet and toenails, which will get you to putting your best feet forward -- literally -- in no time.

BEST TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR TOES AND TOE NAILS

Make sure to wash your feet daily.

With all the running about from place to place that most people do everyday, the feet would have been exposed to a lot of dust and dirt by the end of the day. If you take showers in the morning and not at night, at least make feet-washing a part of your nightly routine when you get home. Lather up with soap, and pay extra attention to the spaces in between the toes. Wipe the feet gently with a towel afterward. Aside from being a mark of good hygiene, doing this would also ensure that you do not step onto your bed with dirty feet, and thus prevent from bringing dirt to your place of rest and relaxation.

Give your feet a pedicure every two weeks. Painting them does not necessarily have to be part of every pedicure routine, but regular pedicures really make a difference in keeping your feet soft and free from dry and rough skin, and your toenails clean and neat. You don't need to spend a lot of cash to have your pedicure professionally done in a salon, as with a few tools, you can do your own pedicure right in the comforts of your own home. Here's how to do one:

• Soak your feet for about 5-10 minutes in a large bowl with lukewarm water. As an added treat, you may also wish to infuse the water with a few drops of essential oils or Dead Sea salts, to keep the feet smelling good and to soften hard skin respectively. The soaking time indicated here is merely just a suggestion -- you may choose to soak your feet for much longer if you want to relax, or if the hardened skin on your feet need extra hydration.
• Exfoliate your feet with a foot scrub to slough off dry and dead skin, and to moisturize your feet as well. Massage the scrub in circular motions, and rinse off afterward. To exfoliate the hardened skin on the heels and bottom part of the feet, use a foot file or a pumice stone. Make sure to use a gentle filing motion, and to never rub too hard.
• Cut your toenails straight across, as opposed to a curved shape, to prevent ingrown toenails from occurring. If you would really prefer a rounded shape instead of a straight square, use a nail file to smoothen the ridges and to give the edges a bit of a curve, so you would end up with a square shape with rounded edges. Ensure that the nails are cut and filed to just the right length -- short, but not too much that you end up hurting yourself.
• Remember to include your cuticles too. Apply cuticle oil to your toenails to soften and moisturize the hardened edges, and push the cuticles back with an orangewood stick to create a smooth, open area ready for your polish. Make sure that you do not push too hard, or you might risk cutting the cuticles and exposing your feet to possible fungal infection. Some people also prefer to skip this step completely and leave their cuticles untouched,,,,, this is ok as well.
• For women, apply polish to your toenails if desired. Do this after you have done your pedicure, so that you have a smooth, clean base for the polish to go on to.
  • Before painting, clean the nail plates by wiping over them with nail polish remover. This removes excess oils as well as old polish from the nails, so your new colour will go on smoothly and last well.
  • Use toe separators to keep your toes apart. This makes the process of painting easier, and prevents a freshly painted toenail from staining another toe.
  • Always use a basecoat - a clear layer of polish - under your colour to prevent staining and to ensure your polish goes on smoothly.
  • Using the nail color of your choice, apply the polish to your toenails. Try to follow the "three stroke method", which consists of using one stroke on each side and a stroke in the middle. This ensures that the polish is evenly applied on the whole nail. Apply two coats of polish to your toenails.
  • After around 10 minutes, use a topcoat to achieve the smoothest, longest lasting results and a high-shine finish.
• Choose nail polish colors which suit your preference or the season.
  • For fall, choose browns, oranges, and reds. Dark green also looks good.
  • For winter, try not to go too festive. For December, either go with red or dark green, but not both. Other colors for winter include dark blue and white. You can really use any color though because your feet are not seen a lot.
  • For spring, bring out the pastel colors! Soft greens, pinks, purples, and blues are a great touch!
  • For summer,
    • • • you will probably be pretty tan, and coral really brings out the tan, even if you're as pale as a ghost! Other colors that work are light blue, turquoise, yellow, and white.
  • • If you can't decide on a colour, remember that a French polish (nude or pale pink polish with white tips) suits everyone and goes with all colors of clothing and skin. But feel free to be bold with toenail colours -- on the fingernails, some colours can look garish and tacky, but on the toenails, pretty much anything goes!
  • Moisturize your feet everyday. Put lotion or foot cream on as a part of your routine. One way to achieve soft, moisturized feet is to rub on some lotion or petroleum jelly before bed, and slip on some socks. When you wake up in the morning, you'll find that your feet are very soft and free of dryness.

Seven tips to improve your complexion

1. Drink water: Yes you’ve heard it before, but this works and is as easy as…drinking water. Eight to ten glasses will wash out the toxins from your system, cleaning up your body and face!

2. Keep your face clean: This is an old one too…but we all know that old is gold. If you have oily skin, wash your face in cool water as often as you can and pat dry. This will prevent clogged pores and blackheads.

3. Keep hair away: Hair carries dust, oil and sometimes dandruff. None of these things contribute to a glowingly clear face. So tie your hair back so that it is not in constant contact with the sides of your face or your forehead.

4. Facials and clean-ups only once every 2 months: Do not fall into the trap of frequent beauty treatments. Steaming and applying packs etc on your face too often will tire and disturb the natural balance of your skin.

5. Moisturize at night: It’s protection during the day and prevention at night. Your skin repairs itself while you sleep. So a light night cream, after removing all make-up will gently assist your skin’s rejuvenation process.

6. Home beauty treatments: You don’t have to trust your face to the care of the experts every time. Your refrigerator and green grocer has some amazing skin care products. Some cold milk dabbed on with cotton will instantly refresh and re-hydrate. A slice of chilled tomato rubbed over your face thrice a week will lighten dark spots and kindle the glow. A face scrub of sugar and olive oil will polish away dead skin and oil wells.

7. Sleep: The easiest of all beauty treatments is also among the most effective. Heard the term ‘beauty sleep’? Well it’s not grandmotherly lore. The prescribed 7-8 hours of sound sleep will prevent wrinkled skin, dull and puffy eyes and dark circles. That’s a big contribution towards a more beautiful you.

So take a good look at yourself in the mirror and head for your kitchen. You will look and feel great when you come out and its guaranteed. Having fair complexion can never be this much easier and cheap by any other means.

Best of luck girls.

Self Tanners and Bronzers

Anyone living in the free world knows the damage traditional tanning and tanning beds can do to your skin. Not wearing sunscreen throughout the day can lead to an uncomfortable sun burn and ultimately cancer, due to the sun’s harmful UV rays. However, most women still feel as if a great tan is the best beauty accessory of their lifetime. The good news is sunless tanning is easier than ever before, with great sunless product choices on the market for every type of woman. Before attempting your first sunless tanning application, take a look at these types of self tanners and how to apply (or remove) them.

Gradual Self Tanning Lotion

Most moisturizer companies are now offering gradual self tanning lotions. From Sephora to Coppertone, shoppers who want to stay healthy while getting a little color can choose these easy self tanning options. These lotions do include smaller amounts of dihydroxyacetone (the ingredient in most self tanners which allows the color to develop). However, they allow the user to get a “glow” over time. Basically, you moisturize with the lotion and after using it for a few days will notice a faint tan glow to your skin. The more you use it, the darker the glow becomes. These options are ideal for those who are new to self tanning, as they are virtually mistake-free and rarely show streaks or “orange” tints.

Self Tanning Cream With Bronzer

Sure, the organic way to look tan is to sit in the sun. But, today there is no need for the skin damage tanners can develop during tanning sessions in the sun or at the spa. Self tanning cream with a bronzer is the ideal choice for someone who wants their tan to show up instantly. The bronzer in this type of self tanning cream gives them instant color, while the self tanner shows its true color in about an hour. These creams do offer more of a risk of discoloration of the hands and other difficult to self-tan areas.

Spray Tanning Booths

For those who have little time to worry about self tanning, spray tanning booths are a hot commodity. These booths are often offered at the spa or traditional tanning stores. They require the user to step into the booth and spray the self tanning solution directly onto the body. Usually lasting only a few minutes, this is the fastest way to self tan. However, upon review many users didn’t like the process and found it uncomfortable or even startling.

Salon Airbrush Tanning

If you have a little extra cash to spend on self tanning, salon airbrush tanning is the way to go. During this process, a professional airbrush tanning specialist sprays your body with self tanning solution. They can mix colors to make you look completely natural and most often get the most even application of all of the self tanning options.

How To Get A Great Self Tan

The key to getting a great sunless tan depends greatly on your preparation. It’s important to exfoliate your skin in the shower, before applying the sunless tanning lotion. Be sure to rub a thin layer of lotion on your ankles, knees and elbows before beginning the tanning session as well. If you make mistakes and need self tanning removal, you can try to exfoliate again to rub off the color or you can wipe astringent on the area to remove the unwanted color.

Overall, sunless tanning is the premier choice in tanning this summer.

Acne Scar Prevention and Pimple Treatment

Many people suffer with mild to severe acne throughout adolescence and well into their adult lives. While a small zit or blemish can wreck your week, it can turn into something much more bothersome if it leaves an acne scar behind when it fades. With many women worrying about fine lines around their eyes and mouths, others are more worried about the scars caused by acne.

Long Lasting Acne Scars Worse than Wrinkles Some Say

In fact, adults admit acne scars are much more bothersome than wrinkles due to aging. Thus, if you want better skin it’s important to think about how to reduce pimple breakouts and focus on prevention of acne. After all, once the pimples are present it can be difficult to deal with them. But, if you can head them off before they even show up you’ll be one step ahead of the game and on your way to a face without acne and acne scars. Use these tips to help you reduce not only pimples and blackhead breakouts but also the appearance of acne scars.

• Try at-home treatments to reduce pimples: You may be tempted to run to the dermatologist to solve your acne problem. However, before you make the doctor’s appointment you may be able to see excellent results with at-home treatments like Proactiv treatment cream systems or those with Retin A. Many people can see great results in reducing their acne and acne scars with this treatment and prevention skin product line. The key to these products is often consistency. If you want to commit to doing an at-home treatment plan, you must be willing to follow the plan completely. Most of these plans fail because the user won’t consistently use the products as recommended and directed.

• See a dermatologist about skin care options: If you’ve tried everything on the shelves to eliminate your acne or acne scars, it may be time to see a dermatologist. A skin care specialist can help you determine the cause of your acne and help you seek therapy for acne scars. Dermabrasion and laser treatments are often great choices for those who want to reduce or improve the look of their acne scars. In addition, skin doctors can prescribe medication if necessary. Another great reason to see a dermatologist on a yearly basis is for a skin check, to eliminate your risk of having skin cancer and not being aware of it.

• Use sunblock everyday to protect skin:
• Many people think the sun helps their acne but it often only masks the problem. When the tan fades, the skin will still show inflammation or rosacea because acne vulgaris doesn’t go away fully when exposed to the sun. While you may feel your best when your complexion is tan, sun exposure can lead to cancer which is obviously much worse than dealing with your acne in other ways. Thus, it makes more sense to use a sunblock which will not clog your pores.

Acne and acne scars can be embarrassing. If you suffer from cyst acne and deal with an eruption daily, you may also be suffering with acne pain. Thus, finding a way to get rid of your acne and acne scars might be high priority in your life. The great news is there are many ways to reduce the appearance of acne and acne scars. Try the at-home treatments and if they don’t work head to your dermatologist for more intense treatment options.

Natural Dry Skin Remedies & Treatment Products for Hydrated Facial Skin Reasons for dry skin include a variety of conditions such as too much sun, windburn, harsh soaps and cleansers, aging and even diet. Insufficient water can dry your skin overnight. Start working on dry skin problems by increasing your water intake. Vitamins and Natural Oils that May Help Dry Skin Drinking lots of water is one remedy for dry skin, but if your skin is very dry, you may need additional help. You may have noticed that many skin care creams contain vitamins: although Vitamin E has been shown to work externally to correct dry skin, most other vitamins don't have a noticeable effect. Look for Vitamin E enriched skin creams, and increase its effects by also taking Vitamin E capsules, which help strengthen skin from the inside.Another benefit of taking Vitamin E is that it works on the skin all over your body—hands, feet, face and everything in between. Other natural remedies for dry skin include Evening Primrose oil, flaxseed oil or Omega 3 oils derived from fish. All of these nutritional supplements have been shown to increase skin's elasticity, its rebuilding capacity and its moisture. You can get these treatments at any health food store, and most pharmacies carry them too. Diet and Nutritional Changes that Will Improve Skin’s Appearance Support the health of your skin by eating plenty of fresh fish (providing you with Omega 3). Adding a tablespoon of flax seeds to your morning cereal tastes good and increases your essential fatty acid intake. These nutritional steps do more than fix your dry skin: they're also natural cures for everything from stomach problems to heart disease. Products, Lotions and Skin Care that May Help Keep Skin Hydrated If you've recently started using an antiaging lotion or cream, you may suddenly develop dry skin. Creams that contain retinol, alpha lipoic acid, or either alpha or beta hydroxyl acids work by chemically exfoliating (breaking down) upper layers of skin. If you experience peeling, redness, scaly skin or a rash, stop using your new cream and try something with milder ingredients or a lessened concentration of the main ingredients. Some people have gotten contact dermatitis from the very skin creams that were supposed to solve their dry skin problems! The best products for your complexion are usually the simplest: look for creams that have not been tested on animals and whose main ingredients are natural. Read the ingredients list on the back of the label! Consider ingredients like beeswax, plant oils, herbal extracts and basic ingredients such as glycerin and water. Acne treatment can lead to peeling or dry skin; especially over the counter products containing salicylic acid or peroxide. Allergies to menthol, camphor and eucalyptus can also cause scaly, irritated skin, so if you're using a Noxzema type product or a nice-smelling toner, you might want to switch to something that doesn't contain those ingredients. For Extreme Dry Skin Treatment and Relief Extreme dry skin can get relief through intensive therapy by way of daytime moisturizer lotion, night creams and increased home humidity. If you suffer from dry facial skin or dry skin all over your body, especially in winter, it may be because the heat in your house is drying you out. Try putting a cool mist humidifier in your bedroom at night, and you may see a difference in a few days. A popular home remedy for dryness is the moisturizing facial mask. Use a half of a ripe avocado, pureed. Rinse your face with lukewarm water and apply the mask while your face is still damp. Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water and pat dry. Apply your favorite moisture lotion. Skin Conditions that Lead to Scaly, Itchy Skin Eczema starts out looking and feeling like extremely dry skin, with itching and redness increasing until you may have scaly patches, clear, fluid filled bubbles , or welts on your arms, legs, face, eyelids or body. Eczema isn't dry skin, however: it's your body's allergic response to causes in the environment, and it can be worsened by stress. If you think you have eczema, talk with your doctor to find out about treatments: although dry skin remedies may be part of controlling eczema, you may also need treatment with corticosteroids, antihistamines, a special ointment for relief of itching, or other prescription drug therapy.

How to Prevent, Protect & Repair Hair Damage

You probably saw all kinds of shampoos or conditioner ads that claim to fix split ends, but let's start by acknowledging the fact that the only way to fix split ends is to cut them off. You can't mend split ends, but you can trim them away and give the hair a chance to grow out again under more favorable conditions.

Preventing Split Ends

On the other hand, you can prevent split ends to some extent by keeping your hair from drying out. The main causes of split ends are time and dryness. Drying and aging hair tends to become brittle and break: keeping it in good shape can hold split ends at bay longer than usual, so treating your hair with kindness is a good rule.

Ethnic Hair can be prone to more split ends

African American women often have a tougher time keeping the split ends away: their hair tends to be thinner and fragile, easily damaged. Keeping breakage to a minimum involves avoiding heat, permanent or straightening fluids and daily styling with irons or hair driers. Coloring hair weakens its structure and makes it even weaker, so that women with black hair who want to use colorants run the risk of thinning their hair or winding up with bald spots. African American hair demands extra gentle treatment and frequent conditioning with rich emollients such as shea butter or coconut oil. These natural remedies are also ideal for keeping the scalp healthy. Keeping Black hair in its natural state is healthiest—forget straighteners or colors and your hair will be stronger and shinier. Tight braids can also damage your hair and may even damage the roots, which can cause you to lose your hair in places, so keep it loose as possible. If you must color your hair, go for henna, which smoothes the hair shaft and deposits the color atop the hair instead of opening the cuticle and adding the color inside the hair. Henna doesn't last quite as long as chemically-based permanent colors, but it actually makes hair healthier when you use it: other colors make it weaker.

No forever solution to stop spilt ends for occurring

Eventually, all hair will develop split ends if it isn't cared for properly. Most hair experts recommend getting a trim every 6-8 weeks, so ends don't have a chance to dry out and split. The beauty of your hair really shows when it's shiny, glossy and thick. Keeping the tips trimmed is protection from further damage: split ends tend to work their way up the hair shaft as it sustains further damage over time. The solution to split ends is to act quickly: don't skip the trip to the salon, or get your hair stylist to teach you how to trim your own hair if you don't like to go in that often.

Breakage and Frizzy Hair Texture is Not from Split Ends!

Don't mistake frizzies for split ends. If your hair looks frumpy or frowsy, the ends might be just fine, but the hair shaft is roughed up from humidity in the air or dryness from harsh shampoos. If you've had your ends trimmed but still see a fuzzy halo around your hair, try using one of the new hair smoothing treatments. Usually consisting of a solution of dimethicone, these smoothers add a gloss to your hair that makes it shiny and more manageable. They don't really do anything to nourish or improve your hair, but they coat the hair the same way furniture polish makes your tables look shiny, and they wash out with each shampoo.

NATURAL MINERAL MAKEUP

Mineral makeup is the latest in the trend in cosmetics toward the simple, all natural and elegant. Mineral base makeup is made with pure minerals rather than fillers and colors, and it comes in powder, liquid or cream versions. The powder makeup is applied with big, fluffy brushes: the brush is dabbed into the powder, then the excess is tapped off and the brush is then applied gently to the face. Start by putting on less than you think you'll need: you'll be surprised at how well the minerals cover. Mineral powder makeup is so finely spun that it's easy to overdo it; putting on too much is a hazard of novice users. But once you get a little experience, you probably won't want to go back to ordinary makeup. Mineral foundation is weightless, and somehow manages to provide coverage while looking invisible. What you get is the look as soon on TV, soft focus but not blurry.

Mineral Cosmetics are Great for Sensitive Skin Types and Conditions

Mineral make up is the best cosmetic for women with acne, rosacea or other skin conditions, not only because you can control the coverage by adding thin layers, but because the ingredients are non-comedogenic and inert, less likely to cause reactions. People with allergies can use mineral makeup, and reviews of the various brands consistently mention how easy it is to apply and how wonderfully it camouflages imperfections. African Americans and other ethnic women are delighted to discover that, unlike many other make-up brands which ignore skin colors that don't fall into the narrow range of Caucasian shades, mineral make-up companies are creating makeup that blends beautifully with every skin tone.

Get a Fresh, All-Natural Look With Mineral Makeup

The all-natural look is extremely hot right now. The major problem with that trend is that most people just don’t look that great without some sort of makeup. Minor flaws, and sometimes more problematic issues like rosacea or acne interfere with the “natural look.” Mineral makeup is a solution that offers women of all skin types and colors a fresh, all-natural look that does not appear to be “overly made-up.” Ordinary makeup adds colors, fillers, and weight to your skin. Mineral makeup is weightless and invisible, and covers your minor flaws beautifully—making your skin appear younger and smoother instantly. Because it’s made with pure minerals, you’ll find you need to use less—getting closer to that all-natural look you’re striving to achieve! Whether you’re trying to smooth out some minor imperfections or avoid using makeup that clogs your pores or causes a reaction, mineral makeup can do the trick.

doesn't complement your skin. You may want to purchase two shades; one lighter and one darker, for contouring or mixing. For lightweight coverage, you'll probably just need a foundation color and maybe a blush: for heavier coverage, choose a concealer to apply after the foundation. If you're used to buying inexpensive liquid or cream makeup, you may be shocked at the cost of a good mineral makeup, but it takes awhile to go through it, and most customers find that it's completely worth the price.

COLOR YOUR LIPS WITH TRICKS

The best lipsticks are long-lasting, perfectly colored and made with ingredients that enhance not only your look but the health of your lips as well. The best lip looks rely on knowing the best colors for your skin. Use these lip tips to keep your makeup beautiful and your lips smooth and soft.

Before adding lip color or gloss, calm your lips for smoother, long lasting color.

If your lips are chapped or dry, lipstick will go on unevenly and fade away fast. Tiny lines around the mouth can trap color, causing lipstick to "bleed"—never a good look! Use a soothing lip treatment or lip balm to moisturize and heal your lips, providing a smooth base for your lip color. Look for calming lip treatment with essential oil of sweet marjoram, lavender, and tarragon, which goes on with a warm tingle and promotes healing. With soft, beautiful lips, your lip color will look and feel better than ever!

Lipstick—a million colors to choose from!

One of the biggest makeup challenges is choosing the right lip color. Some women vary their lipstick in accordance with their wardrobe—a big no-no, since your lipstick is supposed to complement your skin tones!

It's not hard to choose lipstick colors once you know one simple fact. All you need to know is whether your skin tones are "warm" or "cool". It's not about how dark or light you are, or even about your hair or eye color, but what the undertone of your skin is—is it bluish (cool) or yellowish (warm)? Everyone is either warm or cool and it's all about your facial coloring: blondes, brunettes and redheads can be either one.

So how can you tell if you aren't sure? Dig through your makeup bag and find just two shades of any kind of makeup—lip color, eye shadow or blush. Find one color that is orange or rust and another that is pink or lavender. Rub one color on the apple of your cheek and the other color on the apple of the other cheek and then compare. Does one look more "right" than the other? Does one look garish or just wrong? The color that works will show you your skin tone. If the orange color looks right, you have warm tones; if the pink color looks right, you are cool.

Now that you know your skin tone, you are free to choose any lip color in that color family. But that doesn't mean you'll only wear one lipstick shade: you still have plenty to choose from! Take a look at this list of potential lip shades for either coloring:

Warm Colors

Coral, Peachy, Russet, Rust, Amber, Brown, Brick Red, Melon, Salmon, Orange, Sandalwood, Red with yellow undertone, Taupe

Cool Colors

Pink, Raspberry, Cherry, Mulberry, Lavender, Plum, Rose, Strawberry, Crimson, Amethyst, Lilac, Red with blue undertone, Mauve

As you can see, the color names associated with warm and cool tones tend to fall into two groups. The warm tones tend to be earthy, woodsy, with only a couple of fruit names (peach and melon). Cool tones tend to contain the names of berries, which are often shades of pink or purple or reds with blue undertones. Warm and cool women can both wear red lipstick, but the "true red" tend to be bluish, so warm women should look for reds with a slight leaning towards brown or orange. Once you understand your skin tone, the trick is not to fall for a pretty name when the shade doesn't flatter your skin. Lipstick makers know that a lush name, reminiscent of flowers or jewels or romance, can sell a lipstick even when the color looks terrible on most women. So beware!

Don't let the name fool you into buying something that looks wrong on you. Read the name after you've looked at the color!

The best way to get every shade you want is to buy a whole palette of lip colors. But lipstick palettes usually have two or three colors that work and another fifteen that look just awful. If you've ever bought a lip palette, you know what it's like: there are a couple of colors you want, and you have to buy the rest of the palette to get them. They're the two spots where the color's worn to the bottom of the case in a few months while the rest of the compact is untouched. When you're out of the colors you love, the rest goes into a drawer. "I'll think about it later," we say to ourselves while the little pots of unused, unwearable color pile up inside our vanity drawers.

Wouldn't it be great to get a lip palette of every shade you love? To choose each individual color based on what looks great on you? To know you can mix colors with the confidence of knowing that they will blend beautifully because they are in the same color family? And when a beloved color runs low, wouldn't it be great to just replace it and keep the compact! Guess what? You can!

Use a lip pencil or liner to before putting on lip color.

While you don't want to stray too far from the natural shape of your mouth, lip pencils can add clean definition while subtly but powerfully redefining your mouth. Drawn just outside your natural lip line, lip pencil adds fullness; drawn just on the inside, your lips appear slightly thinner.

Want to achieve a luscious pout? Add fullness to the bottom lip with a lip pencil two shades lighter than the

one you use on your upper lip.

Love the Julia Roberts look? Soften and enhance your upper lip line by drawing with your lip pencil in a heavy stroke, then smudge ever-so-slightly upwards with the end of your pinkie. Blot, then apply your lipstick to the edge of the original line.

For total freedom in lip color, make sure you have lip liner pencils in several colors. One lip pencil just can't cut it: you'll want to use slightly lighter or darker lip pencils to create the illusion of fullness or to slightly thin out heavier lips.

Great Lip Gloss

You can't buy lip gloss from a drugstore—unless you want a gloppy, sticky, slimy mess, perhaps adorned with little bits of sharp glitter and a heavy bubble-gum scent. Store brands can have lots of confusing ingredients, but we have decoded the makeup terms for their true meaning. Perfec

t for 'tweens, lip gloss for grown-ups should add subtle shine and color. But the best lip glosses do more than shine you up: they add essential organic oils like tangerine, clove, peppermint, lavender, vanilla, grapefruit and rose. Essential oils not only add health to your lips: their natural scents create instant aromatherapy when applied to the lips. Vanilla and peppermint have been shown to increase happy feelings; grapefruit and tangerine give you a boost of energy; rose and lavender are perfect for calming and soothing stressed nerves. Lip gloss with essential oils that does more than make you look wonderful: it makes you feel wonderful too!

Warm and cool shades apply to your lip gloss choices as they do your lipsticks. Choose colors one shade lighter or darker than your favorite lipsticks for an extra layer of light-loving color, or wear them alone for a natural, pretty look.

Want to maximize your lip color wardrobe? Choose your lipsticks first, then add lip pencils one shade darker than each lipstick, and finish by picking lip glosses one shade lighter than each lipstick. Make sure your lip pencils, lipsticks and glosses are all from the same color family that matches your skin tone. Don't forget a calming lip treatment to protect and smooth no matter which color

s you wear!

For Work to Dinner to Dancing: A Lip for All Reasons

Your daily lip color should be more muted than your night-time look, but we often dash from work to an evening out without returning home. With a small, portable lip palette, you can bring a daytime and a nighttime shade along with complementary lip pencils with no extra hassle—they fit into your purse! Take along a miniature compact with your daily shade, and add a second, more dramatic color alongside it. Or wear a gloss for day and add a lipstick for night. When you're getting ready for the evening, your glammed-up lip color will be right—and right where you need it.

BEAUTIFUL HANDS AND NAILS

The first thing we can all do in having good looking hands is to keep them
clean by washing regularly. It’s amazing how many people (guys especially, but some women and girls too) walk around with grubby non manicured finger nails. Get a nail brush and put it by the sink, so it’s convenient whenever you wash your hands. An added plus of a nail brushing your fingers is the way it feels: those soft bristles and the luxurious soapy lather take your hands on a daily very mini spa vacation. Always follow up with a nice hand cream or lotion to keep your hands moisturized.

Stop nail biting. Break your toddler or child's habit early.

Beautiful hands and nail care start with basics, and not having raggy, bleeding cuticles is a primary step in having presentable hands. Granted, one of the hardest habits to break is to stop fingernail biting, but it’s also one of the more disfiguring things that can happen to a hand. We all know someone who bites their nails to the quick, then starts on those ragged cuticles. Nail-biting usually starts in early childhood as a toddler with some people never outgrowing it, while others only revert to nail-biting in times of stress.

A finger nail biting cure that helped remedy 18 year old girl's problem from when she was a child.

I know a New York woman who stopped biting her nails when she was eighteen, because she wanted to be a flight attendant, and she had read in one of those “How to Be a Flight Attendant” guides, that bitten nails would keep her from being accepted into “Smile School”. (It was a long time ago, when airlines also had age limitations for stewardesses.) I admired her greatly as she stopped through sheer willpower.

At first, she went retro and wore gloves a lot. She also started carrying a nail file in her purse so that when a nail got split or roughened, she could take care of it on the spot. She wore gloves because taking off a glove to bite a nail is a great way to make yourself pause and consider, and then stop the behavior before it starts. She never did become a flight attendant, but she did have her hands photographed for a newspaper ad for the Chicago manicure and nail salon that she frequented and once more a few years later for a Los Angeles nail care and manicure salon.

Nail care and nail biting products

There are some products on the market to stop nail-biting, super-hot or bitter things to paint on your nails. I've heard some nail-biters say that the nasty taste didn't stop them, but they must work for some people.

How to Tie and Wear a Womans Scarf Many Fashionable Ways

When it comes to accessorizing that special outfit, the scarf is the one item you want to have in your wardrobe. The scarf is the perfect accessory as it can add pizzaz to any outfit from the perfect little black dress to a business suit or your favorite T-shirt and jeans outfit. The scarf can add a sensational look making even the plainest outfit into a fabulous fashion hit. You should try to have a variety of scarves such as the pashmina, cashmere, fleece, silk and the scarf belt, then you will be ready for any occasion.

Scarves Can be Worn Many Places on the Body Besides Your Neck

There are numerous ways to wear a scarf, making it a very versatile accessory. Wear it around your neck, tied, knotted or draped. Wear a scarf around head to keep your hair in place or around your waist as a belt. Wear a large scarf around your shoulders as a shawl.If you really feel like “tying one on” try tying a silk scarf around your hips. Just by tying a scarf around your hips, like a scarf belt, you can make your waist look smaller. You can achieve this look very easily by folding a long oblong scarf into the desired width, draping it around your hips and positioning it as a sash. Adjust it as you like. Let it hang down asymmetrically drawing the eye downward to produce a smaller looking waist.

How to Tie a Silk Scarf Around Your Neck

Of course, the traditional way to wear a scarf is around the neck. A fashion statement can be made by tying your scarf in creative ways. Try tying a small square scarf around your neck as a choker or a longer oblong scarf can be knotted in front and hang straight down. The smaller silk (many times can be found in washable silk) scarves look great with a scarf pin to secure them in place. Use a crystal brooch, ring or scarf pin that is all the rage now to hold your scarf in the front. The scarf clips are great to use. Shell scarf holders that you can find at your beach resort gift shops are great options as well. These are just a few ways to hold that perfect designer silk scarf in place. If you don’t have a scarf pin or brooch, try wearing that long oblong scarf in the Grace Kelly style by holding it across the front of our neck and then bringing one end around to fall done your right front side and then bring other end around your neck to fall down your left front side. This is a great way to wear thosedesigner silk scarves that are so light and airy now days. They are great for summer and spring. Another way to wear the long oblong scarf is just drape it around your neck and shoulders and then let it hang down dramatically in front.

How to Wear a Winter Cashmere Scarf and Keep Warm

For winter wear your wool or cashmere scarf and get extra warmth around your neck , by folding the long oblong scarf in half and positioning around your neck with the two ends on one side and the fold of scarf on your other side. Next take the two ends and slip thru the fold of the scarf. By pulling on the two ends you can tighten the scarf as you like around your neck. If it is really cold out you can tuck these ends into your coat for added warmth or if you want a fashionable look then fan the two ends out as desired. This looks great for the thinner summer scarves for a more fashionable look. The knitted scarf is great to wear this way too and often comes with matching gloves to complete your outfit. Usually the knitted scarf is just worn by looping it around your neck.

Tying a Scarf to Make a Hair Accessory and Keep Your Hair Style in Place

A large square scarf can be folded in half forming a triangle that can then be tied around your neck loosely to hang dramatically off one shoulder. Then of course there is always the head that can be covered with the larger square scarf. Hold your hair in place while riding in your convertible this summer by using a light weight chiffon or silkscarf. You can either tie the scarf in front under your chin or try tying it in the back of your head. A smaller scarf can also be folded to a create an hair ban. Another way to wear the square scarf is as a Turban. Fold the square into a triangle and fold edge under over the forehead. Take the two ends to the back and cross them over each other bringing them again to the front to tie on top of the head. You can then tuck in the ends or any loose fabric and adjust as you desire. Be creative with your scarf tying and have fun trying out the many different ways to wear your fashion scarves.

More 80’s fashion and outfit ideas

Glam came along in the 1980s, and the cosmetic and clothing fashions were a combination of Star Trek and an Illinois Human Resources convention. Glam makeup practically preceded the wearer into the room: we're talking eyes so smoky they teared from all the goopy makeup, and big, pillowy, pouty lips, the kind of lips that say, "kiss me and then I'll sue you for sexual harassment". The average woman put on a lot of makeup, did things to her hair with curling irons and bright hair dye color, blow dryers and three kinds of gel, and then it was time to do her eyebrows.

Other 80's styles included workout gear, because the 80's was the time when aerobics really hit the big time. Jane Fonda's workout video made leg warmers a must-have, and it became fashionable to be thin so you could look really great in your gym wear. We saw the advent of lavender jogging suits for women, millions of cross trainers and meaningless little visors for running in the sun while it burned the top of your head. Sunglasses were big, so big in fact, that they reduced the wearer's face to the size of a bug's. Indoor glasses were also big and round, covering from cheek to eyebrow and resulting in glasses wearers pouring on even more eye makeup than ever before.