Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Zap Those Puffiness and Dark Circles Under Your Eyes

By: Lesley Chew

Isn't a major nightmare to wake up in the morning to discover you have dark eye circles like a panda bear? Do you want to completely eradicate those nasty looking dark circles that are under your eyes?

Dark circles under your eyes are a major bane to looking good. Who wants to look like a panda bear? No other facial flaw is more noticeable to everyone than dark circles are. The appearance of dark circles increases how old you look, makes you tired looking and signs of someone who is unhealthy. They make others think that you are stressed or you have poor living habits.

What are the causes of dark eye circles? The following are a few of the factors that might contribute to the condition :

1. The culprit is really a combination of things like heredity, allergies, aging, and of course - lack of sleep!

2. Sometimes even if you get enough sleep and are stress free, as you age there is likelihood that you may develop dark circles anyway. Why? This is a result of the layer of fat underneath your eyes that actually thicken in time and gives the illusion of dark circles when you are in certain lighting.

3. Another major cause is sun damage. In addition to that extra fat layer that contributes to dark circles, years of sun damage causes microscopic blood vessels underneath your eyes to loose their stability and add to the problem.

The culprit is really a combination of things like heredity, allergies, aging, and of course - lack of sleep!

Sometimes even if you get enough sleep and are stress free, there is a likelihood that you may develop dark circles as you age anyway. Why? This is a result of the layer of fat underneath your eyes that actually thicken in time and gives the illusion of dark circles when you are in certain lighting.

Another major cause is sun damage. In addition to that extra fat layer that contributes to dark circles, years of sun damage causes microscopic blood vessels underneath your eyes to loose their stability and add to the problem.

So in order to stay as free from dark eye circles as possible, make it a point to have sufficient sleep each night, eat healthy food and avoid the sun (or at least use proper sun protection).
Have a hot date? Below are 3 simple ways that you can take advantage of to help with your tired looking eyes.

1. For a quick fix try using a concealer. Using yellow will neutralize the blues, purples, and husky hues on the skin. This does not rid the problem, but a temporaily solution that can build your confidence for the day to alleviate the 'tired look'.

2. Use tea bags and cucumbers! There definitely is something to seeing those commercials with women having cucumbers and tea bags on top of their eyes. Both tea bags and cucumbers reduce inflammation and decrease swelling. Tea bags are especially good to use for dark swollen circles because there is tannin inside of the tea that helps with eliminating the puffiness. So stock up on teabags and cucumbers!

3. Use more anti-oxidants. Antioxidant treatments help to reduce fluid buildup under the eyes, which decreases the look of the dark circles. Go for treatments that involve a lot of vitamin C and GHK copper peptides. Also, vitamin K is great for restoring stability and strength to the blood vessels under the eyes, which reduces their proliferation.

Getting rid of your dark circles permanently is a long process. However, if you persist everyday by getting enough sleep, living a stress free life, eating healthily and avoiding the sun, you may well be cured of dark eye circles eventually!

Lesley is the owner of Discover Skincare Secrets website which provides free skincare information and news. Visit now and learn how to look younger today!

0 comments

BOOKMARK THIS POST

Monday, January 29, 2007

Eight Great Tips for Natural Skin care

By: Dr John Anne

Skin is a very important and visible part of our body. It’s a kind of protective coating on our entire body parts. For a good easy skin care here are a few tips:

· First thing should be keeping your skin clean. Rather than using soaps on the face, its better to use mild face wash according to use skin type as oily for oily skin, dry for dry and combination for the combination one. One can use our home remedies for a beautiful, healthy and glowing skin. One can use rose water, lemon juice, and fruit juices to clean and wipe the skin with. It will give a refreshing look to one’s skin. If the skin is dry than one can use a pinch of milk cream and a drop of lemon juice on it, mixed and rubbed on the skin and then washed. Which is very good to clean the skin.

· Then is drinking lots of fluids. To have a good, healthy skin one should drink lots of water which is said to be at least 8-10 glasses of water in a day and some skin and health specialist say that it should be in proportion to your weight as for every 10 kg of weight, one should drink a liter of water so if the weight is 60 then the person should drink 6 liters of water. Which can be substituted with fruit juices too.

· Always apply sunscreen lotion on the skin. One should never go in the sun without applying a sunscreen lotion, which protects the skin from harmful UV rays. Which are known to give even skin cancer. It damages the skin and makes it tan, give blemishes, burn mask and pigmentation, which can never get healed 100%. So it’s better to apply the right sunscreen lotion on the skin to save the skin from early aging.

· One should avoid all unhealthy food if the skin is already suffering from bad patches or pimples. Even caffine drinks are harmful for the skin. Too much consumption of tea, coffee, saturated drinks damage the skin. Smoking too is a very important factor to harm the skin. It makes the skin dry, makes it look dull and gives puffiness on the face. Drinking alcohol too isn’t good for the skin. So if one can’t stops consuming all these things completely, one can at least have them in moderation to help the skin stay young and healthy.

· Where one don’t get proper time to care the skin as full time working people, never mind, they can care their skin in a very well way by a little effort from there side. Working people should keep moist tissues in their bags and purses to wipe their face to remove dirt and sweat when they cannot wash their face again and again. Should apply sunscreen when outside home and nice mild moisturizer on the skin while doing anything else. Even in the night before going to bed one should wash the face, keep it clean, remove any make up if had put on the face and then should apply a good moisturizes according to the skin type.

· One can judge the skin type in the morning. As in the morning without washing the face one should wipe the face with a tissue paper, if there is lots of oil on the nose sides and chin then the skin is t-zone, if there is oil all over the face then the skin is oily, if its somewhere dry and somewhere oily then it’s combination skin, and if there is no oil n stickiness on the skin, the skin is dry and you are lucky if the skin is just perfect neither there is oil nor dryness.

· If the skin is prone to pimples and acne, one should give it a little more care. Should clean the skin more often, should apply medicated soaps and lotions. One should check it up with a skin specialist too as dandruff in the hair and scalp or some hormonal changes too can be a cause of a bad skin. One should never pinch or squeeze the pimples or acne or should not try to remove black head on their own as it will ruin the skin more and will give it permanent scars.

· One should avoid too much make up on the skin as if you care about your skin and keep it healthy and clean, you would definitely not require make up to make it look good. But if anytime you had applied make up on the skin, you should clean it as soon as you come back home. Let the skin breathe without any make up on it. One can use baby oil, baby lotion or mild cleansing milk on the skin to remove the traces of make up.

So one can get a glowing, healthy skin by giving it a little care and can keep the skin away from black heads, pimples, blemishes and pigmentation.

Know more on Natural Skin Care through herbal cure and aromatherapy. Also read more about the benefits of Body Srubs.

0 comments

BOOKMARK THIS POST

Friday, January 26, 2007

Beautiful Skin - The Result of a Nutritional Diet

By: Carol Stack

Everybody wants to have clear, healthy glowing skin. In order to get the right skin, it is important to look at the part played by nutrition in skin care. Healthy skin happens when we eat good foods, exercise regularly, minimize stress and protect our skin from the harsh environment.

There is no way around it. In order to have beautiful skin you have to eat a healthy well rounded diet including good portions of the alkaline forming foods. This includes most vegetables and vegetable juices, fruits and fruit juices, several teas, many different types of seeds, and so on. (Do a Google search on the term "alkaline" if you want the full list.)

Simply put, certain nutrients in the daily diet are essential for maintaining a healthy skin. These are foods rich in essential fatty acids, vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin B, and include fruits, vegetables, fish, and liver.

You might consider taking some nutritional supplements such as a good quality multivitamin and mineral supplement, vitamin C, an antioxidant blend (containing at least vitamins A, C, E, zinc and selenium), and an essential fatty acid supplement (linseed oil, fish oil or evening primrose oil or oil blend).

Foods that can enhance your appearance need to feature as many of the following as possible: antioxidants, antibacterials, fiber to clear toxins, essential fats to support skin and reduced levels of saturated fat and sugar. The quality and quantity of the food you eat definitely has a direct reflection on your health, the look of your skin and hair as well as overall stamina.
It is also very important to drink a lot of water. This will help flush toxins from your body as well as re-hydrate your skin. There are many reasons doctors recommend eight eight-ounce glasses of water each day, and beautiful skin is one of them.

Exposure to sunlight causes loss of water in our body which leads to dryness of the skin. Also, repeated sunburn frequently leads to some form of skin cancer, which is why you must take steps now to prevent sunburn from occurring. Protecting yourself from sunburn now really can prevent skin cancer later.

Eating a healthy diet also helps young people fight acne. Many people don't realize the connection between diet and acne, but it is there and a diet high in nutritious foods and low in junk food and oily foods can make a tremendous difference.

Your mama was right. You need to eat a nutritional and balanced diet to provide your skin with the nutrients it requires to look its best. A diet that is rich in nutrients will give you a better chance of beautiful skin no matter what your age.

Carol Stack has written numerous articles. She lives in the United States with her husband, three children, and various dogs and cats. Carol and her sister Barbara have combined forces to produce a website that focuses on better health through nutrition. You can visit it at: www.healthyrecipesandmore.com

0 comments

BOOKMARK THIS POST

Thursday, January 25, 2007

5 Things You Must Do If You Want To Be Beautiful

By: Caterina Christakos

Being beautiful is more about preparation and less about what you are born with. Work with what you have diligently and daily and you have a recipe for true beauty. Here are 5 tips to put into use immediately:

1. Know What You Want Ahead of Time
Go through magazines and find someone with your body and skin type who has had a makeover. If you are considering a hair makeover, as well, then look through hair magazines for women with your hair type.

2. Create a Daily and Weekly Ritual of Beauty
Once you know what you want, create a daily skin care ritual and a once a week pampering session. At the very least this should include - cleanser, moisturizer and an at home facial. If you have acne try Proactiv Solution 4-piece with Daily Oil Control

3. Head to the Counter
Go to the Beauty Counter at any Major Department Store and have them give you a free consultation. You do not need a million products! Start with the basics - powder, lip liner, lip gloss, blush, a basic eye shadow pack and mascara.

4. Practice Applying Makeup
Spend 10 - 15 minutes a day practicing applying your makeup for the first week. Remember to always apply, at the bare minimum, some lip gloss and mascara before leaving the house. Get out the magazine that you found with the look you want and practice recreating it.
Tip - Just remember that these models have been digitally enhanced so go for as close as possible without beating yourself up if it is not exactly the same.

5. Gut Your Closet once every 6 months
Go to your closet right now and give away anything that you haven't worn in the last two years. Throw out the shirts and jeans that are falling apart or that are so faded that you can barely tell what color they are. And get some good sturdy hangers to hang your clothes on. Finally budget some money to get a few key pieces to complete what is left of your wardrobe.

Tip: Set up a savings account that has a certain amount automatically taken out of your paycheck each week. You decide the amount. Then treat yourself every 3 - 6 months to a new outfit or pampering session.

Take these basics and use them on a daily basis. The beauty industry knows that being beautiful is about enhancing what you have. Take their little secret to heart and practice it daily.

Caterina Christakos a published author and dating coach. Learn how to be more beautiful confident and seductive. Just go to: www.seductiondiva.com

0 comments

BOOKMARK THIS POST

Monday, January 22, 2007

Cucumber Benefits - A Guarantor For Beauty Skin

By: Sharon Hopkins

Skin has many other purposes other than being beautiful and serving as an eye candy for everyone. It protects our internal organs from any of the external adversities as far as possible.

Whenever you are running down with fever, due to sweating skin tries to bring down the temperature. Entry of foreign object or any other unwanted material is disallowed by the skin. Even with all these uses, if we tend to disregard skin's importance then it would be a real shame.

Cucumber is a very edible fruit which comes from the cucumber plant cucumis sativus, which is part of the gourd family. It is being used for different purpose as it can be eaten raw or cooked. With so many health benefits it becomes one of the most important parts of food diet as well as skin diet.

Cucumber can claim to be a water body as it has 90% water. It is known to be a cooling agent due to the water in it. It is believed that cucumber helps in reducing swelling around the eyes or the big dark circles under your eyes. This is world-wide treatment which is being used to its maximum extent.

These also can be one of the most wonderful and natural eye pads you can find for yourself. The puffiness and the tiredness in your eyes may just leave you, if you do this in a relaxed fashion. These natural eye pads do wonders after a long days work.

If you want a happy skin, then cucumber is the answer. As cucumber and the skin share the same level of hydrogen, it becomes easier for cucumber to mask all the problem areas. It helps in soothing and softening your skin which can get you relaxed in no time.

With so many useful ingredients in cucumber it can help you in treating so many skin problems. It has become part of daily beauty product into face packs, facials, juice and many other things which can affect your skin.

Due to its cooling effect it can be termed as a magic wand for all your skin problems. The cleaning and cleansing property helps your skin tremendously making it soft and supple. The regular intake of cucumber juice is very useful both internally and externally.

To have a glowing and smooth skin you can use this recipe

Blend 4-5 leafs of fresh mint. Peel and deseed the cucumber. Add mint leaves to the cucumber to make a puree. Beat egg white and keep it separate, then add this egg white to the cucumber mixture. Apply this evenly on your face for 20 minutes and then rinse it with water and pat it dry.

The reader of this article should exercise all precautions while following instructions on the recipes from this article. Avoid using if you are allergic to something. The responsibility lies with the reader and not the site or the writer.

Sharon Hopkins webmaster of sites like www.hair-n-skin-care.com provides information on Natural skin care with Cucumber. With so many properties cucumber just rules the roost for natural skin care.

0 comments

BOOKMARK THIS POST

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Enhance Your Skin Beauty With Rose Oil

by Cindy Boswell


As we already know that, aromatherapy is healing various problems through aroma of naturally extracted oil. Aroma plays a crucial role as it not only heals, but also refreshes the mind and provides an enthusiasm to lead a positive life. And, it will not be fair that aromatherapy has been discussed without rose oil (essential oil).

Rose oil is extracted by either of the ways that is, through solvent extraction or steam distillation. Rose oil is such oil which has a sweet, floral and strong perfumery smell.

Rose oil is used to heal various health problems, such as:

* Stress

* Depression

* Frigidity

* Mature skin

* Eczema

As it is known that, rose oil has strong fragrance which directly helps in elevating individual mentally. In addition to this characteristics, it is also antiseptic, antiviral and antidepressant in nature. Sometimes, it is also seen that they are also used by blending it with other different type of oils such as bergamot, geranium, chamomile etc. Such a blend gives a charismatic affect, when used in aromatherapy.

Rose has been symbolized with beauty and fragrance which can capture the hearts. So, with such feature of capturing hearts implies that it also helps in enhancing beauty of skin. It is suitable to all kind of skin but usually it is used for sensitive and mature skin.

In addition to this characteristic, it has also been proven as a good means to cure problems like vomiting, constipation and nausea etc. It is seen that when rose oil is mixed with chamomile oil, it shows an effective results in curing throat and cough problems.

Rose oil in aromatherapy is used to give soothing effects. It has a great aroma which helps in relieving from all the tensions. In other words, it helps in maintaining physical and mental fitness. Other than these uses, it is also used in many beauty products such as oils, lotions, ointments, crèmes etc. Roses have always been known for its fragrance, soothing affects in aromatherapy. But while using rose oils the person is recommended to take some of the following precautions, which are as follows:

* Before using rose oil internally, the person must take advice from a practitioner to avoid undesirable situation.

* If the person is already suffering from any skin problem, cancer, he must first consult a practitioner.

* Pregnant women and children's must not use any of the essential oil without consultation.


About the Author
Cindy Boswell is working with the New Directions UK. She has also been involved in the research work on plants and oils for a long time. To find Tea tree oil, Rose oil, Essential oils, Wholesale, Wholesalers, Wholesale essential oils you need to visit http://www.newdirectionsuk.com

0 comments

BOOKMARK THIS POST

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Nourishing your skin from within to have a moist, clear and glowing skin

By Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D.

The skin is the outer reflection of your inner health. Moist, clear, glowing skin is a sign of good diet, while dry, pale, scaly or oily skin results when diet is not up to par. Fortunately, the eating habits that work best for staying healthy are also the next best thing to a fountain of youth for our skin.

Skin tonics

Just about every nutrient has a role in maintaining healthy skin. Vitamin C helps build collagen, the "glue" that holds the body's cells together. Poor intake of this vitamin can cause bruising, loss of skin elasticity, poor healing of cuts and scrapes, and dry skin. Just one daily glass of orange juice or a bowl of strawberries supplies all the vitamin C you need. Healthy skin also needs the B-vitamins found in whole grains, milk and wheat germ to help speed wound healing and prevent dry, flaky or oily skin. Vitamin A in dark orange or green vegetables and fruits maintains epithelial tissues such as skin, thus helping to prevent premature wrinkling or bumpy, sandpaper-like skin. Vitamin D in milk might help curb symptoms of psoriasis. Zinc in meat, seafood and legumes aids in the healing of cuts and scrapes. Water keeps the skin moist and regulates normal function of the oil glands. The list of nutrients that benefit the skin is almost endless.

Good oxygen supply

Your skin needs a constant supply of water and oxygen. Supplying these and other nutrients to the skin and removing waste products requires a healthy blood supply. It takes an ample amount of many nutrients to build and maintain healthy red blood cells and other blood factors. Those nutrients include protein, iron and copper, plus folic acid, other B vitamins and vitamins C and E. A deficiency of any of these, especially iron, reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, suffocating the skin and leaving it pale and drawn.

Fats for the skin

Some nutrients directly affect the health of your skin. Repairing damaged skin requires protein, zinc and vitamins A, C and K. Linoleic acid is a fat in vegetable oils that helps restore damaged skin and maintain smooth, moist skin. On the other hand, a high-fat diet might increase the risk for developing skin cancer. Despite these seemingly contradictory findings, the solution is simple: Consume an overall low-fat diet and follow the guidelines below.

Antioxidants: anti-aging and anti-cancer

Much of the so-called aging of the skin is really a result of long-term exposure to sun, tobacco smoke, and ozone. Environmental pollutants generate highly damaging oxygen fragments, called free radicals, that erode skin much like water rusts metal. Free radicals also damage collagen, the protein latticework that maintains the skin's firmness and suppleness. The result is a condition called photoaging, which includes dryness, loss of elasticity, and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Free radicals generated by sun exposure also damage the genetic structure of skin cells, which contributes to the development of cancer. Antioxidant nutrients, including vitamins C and E and beta carotene, show promise in slowing the rate of free-radical damage to the skin. People who consume five or more antioxidant-rich foods -- spinach, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, cantaloupe, grapefruit, carrots -- stockpile these health-enhancing nutrients in their tissues and develop fewer skin cancers. Of course, the antioxidants are effective only if you combine this healthful diet with other risk-control habits, such as using sunscreen lotions.

More-than-skin-deep guidelines

The dietary guidelines for healthy, youthful skin are simple. Consume at least 2,000 calories of minimally processed foods daily -- including fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads and cereals, and cooked dried beans and peas, with two to three servings of nonfat milk and a small amount of extra-lean meat or fish. Include several servings daily of antioxidant-rich foods, such as oranges for vitamin C, dark green leafy vegetables and apricots for beta carotene, and wheat germ for vitamin E. Include one linoleic acid-rich food in your daily diet, such as safflower oil, nuts, avocado or seeds. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily. Avoid repeated bouts of weight loss and regain, since weight cycling can result in premature sagging, stretch marks and wrinkling. Take a moderate-dose vitamin and mineral supplement that contains extra amounts of the antioxidant vitamins. When outdoors, wear a hat, use sunscreen and apply one of the new antioxidant-rich creams that contain vitamin E and C.

source:
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/diet.fitness/9906/30/nourish.skin/

0 comments

BOOKMARK THIS POST

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Puffy eyes - How To Reduce Swelling And Puffiness From Around The Eye

by Kacy Carr


What is the cause behind puffiness developing around the eyes? Puffy eyes are a major concern among women (young and old) who believe this should not be part of the female beauty package. Yes and how right they are - but unfortunately even though we agree - some women struggle to avoid this condition from occurring. If the puffiness is not caused by lack of sleep - where after time the swelling eases off, then you need to look for ways to help reduce the problem, that is, if it is not a condition that may need medical attention

Less severe puffiness of the skin below the eyes can arise from a number of instigators, some of these causes can be allergies or skin disorders i.e. dermatitis, where the affected area becomes irritating, red and itchy. Another factor known to cause puffy eyes is fluid retention which can be encouraged by changes in the weather or hormone levels. Heredity is not ruled out either - so it can be a hand me down ailment. Swollen type puffiness is not normally a symptom of seriousness or that of a cosmetic worry, but if what you see before you in the mirror causes you reason for concern (Elephant man) speak to your doctor. Reduce under eye puffiness (puffy eyes) by emptying our content of tips into your cosmetic bag and adhere to them as part of your beauty regime. Below are those tips.

One way to help prevent puffy eyes is by lifting (raising) your head from the bed at night time. By doing this you control any fluids from flooding around the eye area Find time to sit down and relax then apply a cool water (not freezing cold) compress to the skin below the eye for a couple of minutes. Another fine way to treat the puffiness is to use chilled slices of cucumber, a chilled gel mask or cold moist tea bags. These options are also very refreshing for tired eyes.

When using over the counter medicines always follow the instructions accordingly. The eyes are very sensitive - so be very careful how you treat them and with what you treat them with. It has been said that some unreliable confirmation that if haemorrhoid cream is applied to the puffy eyes it can reduce the puffiness. However unless there is proof, of which no clinical tests have evaluated its effectiveness as of yet, you must seek advice before usage. Using haemorrhoid cream is unadvisable unless you are advised to do so by a medical person, because, these creams can leave you with an uncomfortable sensation. Skin supporting the eye region is tender and delicate so because of this - haemorrhoid cream can cause irritation.

Creams as such can lead to dryness and inflammation. Watch for any signs of allergic reaction If the puffy eyes look severe and you see no sign of the swelling disappearing around (swelling/edema) or other parts of the body, then talk to a doctor, your GP will then be able to rule out other possible causes behind your puffy eyes like kidney or thyroid problems, puffiness can stem from the side effects of medication so be weary at all times of what you treat this condition with.

Remember that beauty comes from within, so regardless of having puffy eyes on the outside its what is on the inside that counts in feeling good about your self.




About the Author

Essential Glamour advice for you. Keep your beauty in shape.

0 comments

BOOKMARK THIS POST

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

How to Get Rid of Puffy Eyes - Find Out Here

by Jim S Smith


If you get puffy eyes sometimes, it's probable that either your mother or father or both of them also get them too. In this way having puffy eyes is, for many people, inherited. Having said that, it is still possible that you will have puffy eyes from time to time even though neither of your parents ever do. The skin surrounding the eyes is particularly sensitive because it has a high concentration of blood vessels.

Having puffy eyes around can be caused for a number of reasons. Crying usually causes puffiness around the eyes; this is because our bodies increase the blood flow around the eyes in reaction to our emotions. Additional causes for puffy eyes include feeling stressed, having an allergic reaction, retention of fluid, and changes in our body's hormone production. Our eyes can also become puffy when we wake up after having been asleep. This post-sleep eye puffiness can be due to a number of factors including drinking alcohol before sleeping, moving around a lot while asleep or too much salt in our diets which causes the body to retain water and therefore causes puffy eyes.

In more ongoing cases of puffy eyes it is recommended that an eye health professional is consulted.

How to get rid of puffy eyes:

1. Drink lots of plain water, this will help to flush out toxins from your body.

2. Reduce the amount of salt you eat. Remember that a lot of foods have 'hidden' salt, check the nutritional details on the food packet.

3. If you identify that your eyes become puffy because of an allergic reaction minimize contact with whatever causes the reaction. You should also consult your doctor to see if there is any treatment for the allergic reaction.

Effectively getting rid of puffy eyes very much depends on what is causing the puffiness. Once the cause is identified the solution is much easier to find.




About the Author
Discover the Fast 3 minute Formula to Beautiful Eyes Right Now!

0 comments

BOOKMARK THIS POST

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Skin Anti Aging Tips - Look Younger In 2007

by Janice Wee


Time relentlessly marches on and you grow older year by year but do you have to look your age?



The easiest way to an instant face lift is to get a hair cut.



You see, long hair visually drags down your face, making you look more mature. Older. Go for a hair cut by a professional hair stylist for a cut that visually lifts your appearance, making you look years younger. Get you hair colored but ask your stylist for advice. Pick a color in the family of shades that suit your natural skin tone. Go lighter to soften your features. Darker hair color can be aging. If your hair is snow white, you might want to keep it that way. I have an aunt who let her hair stay white and she looks much younger than she did when her hair was black or any other color. I didn't notice any lines on her face and she looked vibrant. Stunning, actually.



Next, look at your wardrobe. Do the clothes you wear age you? Specifically, do the colors you wear make you look tired? Drawn out? Older? Harsher?



Take some time to re evaluate your colors. You need four scarves or t-shirts or towels or fabrics large enough to drape around your face in these four colors. Royal blue, light blue, orange and peach. With these, you can evaluate the family of colors that flatter you best.



Sit in natural sunlight and look at your face carefully in the mirror. Drape the royal blue fabric around your face. Does the color make you look older? Younger? Tired? Radiant?



Do that with each of the other three colors. Now which color makes you look your best?

If royal blue makes you look youngest, then your colors are black, pure white and the pure colors of the rainbow.
If light blue makes you look better, your colors are gray, pure white and pastel versions of rainbow colors
If orange is your best color, go for ivory, earth tones, brick, corals, turquoise, oranges, golds and the colors of autumn leaves.
If peach is your color, go for warmer pastels and ivory.
Throw out anything in your wardrobe that's not in your colors as those would make you look older. Replenish your wardrobe with clothes in colors that actually suit you. Do the same with your makeup colors


Talking about makeup, go easy on the eye liner. Smoky eyes might look sexy on a younger woman, but all that black eye liner and heavy shadow ages a woman past a certain age.



After tackling the visual illusions, let's address the facts. The assumption is that as you get older, lines and wrinkles will appear. Aches and pains, loss of memory and deteriorating health accompanies the aging process. Does this have to be the case?



Not if modern technology has anything to do with it. Companies are eyeing the wallets of baby boomers as they march towards old age. The needs of the aging population is addressed by health and beauty companies determined to develop products that we'd stampede towards -- the fountain of youth.



Yes, there are botox shots that erase wrinkles temporarily. Then there is prevage, a fluid created by the company that makes Botox. You apply it on your skin to halt the appearance of wrinkles. No needles required. That is just one of the many anti-aging skin care products developed to reduce the signs of aging.



As for aches and pains and all those age related ailments, taking care of your health as early as you can in life would help a lot.

A nutritious diet
Regular exercise
Reading, playing chess or engaging in mentally stimulating activities
All these would let you feel younger. There are supplements to make you physically younger too. Human Growth Factor supplements (HGH) are among the more effective ones. You know how the fats pile on past a certain age? When you're younger, your metabolic rate is higher and the excess food burns off easily. As you get older, you find it harder and harder to lose weight. The fat gets more stubborn over the years. A lower level HGH is the culprit. It affects more than just the fat. Lower energy levels, a lack of muscle tone, all symptoms of aging are addressed with HGH supplements.


Here is how Human Growth Factor supplements work.



For women, there's an excellent anti-aging herb that does everything you'd want in a beauty pill. It is used in Thailand to ease the symptoms of menopause and used in the beauty industry for its breast enhancing properties. It not only firms the breast, taken long term, it causes the breasts to enlarge as well. Notice how lips thin as you age, taking these pills also makes your lips fuller. Skin, hair and nails become healthier, nourished by the nutrients in these herbs. It gives one more energy to boot. Only thing is that due to its breast enlarging properties that can enlarge male breasts, these herbs should only be taken by women over the age of twenty one.




About the Author
More anti aging tips at http://www.getyouthful.com/best-anti-aging-information.html

0 comments

BOOKMARK THIS POST

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Trends in Skin Care for 2007

by Dr Danny T. Siegenthaler


The last few years have seen a focus on products that attempt to halt, slow down or even reverse the aging process of the skin. We have seen an explosion of anti-aging products on to the marked that claim to remove lines and wrinkles in no time. With each new product we were introduced to terms such as 'Neutraceuticles' and the like, each as meaningless as the next. We saw the promotion of Botox injections, machines for microdermabrasion, laser skin resurfacing and a variety of other gadgets, creams and lotions that supposedly make the skin look visibly younger.


Over the past 2 years, the natural approach to skin care has also enjoyed new growth with more and more women, and more recently men, looking for safer, natural alternatives to skin care. Natural Skin Care Products have seen an amazing increase in demand in the last 12-24 months, and this demand will continue to increase for some time. This is primarily because consumers are becoming more aware of the potentially harmful effects of some of the ingredients commonly used in commercially available skin care.

Just as in the last few decades of the 20th Century, when consumers became more aware of the potentially hazardous effects of artificial colours and flavours, all too often added to our foods and drinks, today, this awareness is spreading into other areas of our lives.

The skin is the largest organ of the human body and it can and does absorb chemicals it is in contact with. As consumers are educating themselves about skin care, they are realising that many of the ingredients they put on their skin, end up in the blood stream. As a result, they are increasingly reading labels, contacting companies asking what their ingredients consist of, and are becoming more selective about what they are willing to put on their skin. This trend will continue not just during 2007, but well beyond.

Other areas of skin care, which are starting to come under increasing scrutiny from consumers, are treatments such as Botox injections, and cosmetic surgery. If the current trend in the USA is any guide, Acupuncture will feature greatly as a natural alternative to Botox injections and cosmetic surgery. Acupuncture is a proven, effective, and ancient form of treatment. Cosmetic Acupuncture, however, is not well known in the west, but media reports are starting to emerge about the use and effectiveness of Acupuncture to treat facial lines and wrinkles.

Cosmetic Acupuncture is a totally natural, side-effect-free method of reducing lines and wrinkles, indeed, it not only has the capacity to smooth out those unwanted menaces, but tones the skin and underlying muscles. No doubt, Home-Acupuncture kits and devices will soon be promoted together with microdermabrasion machines and the like.

So, the key trends in skin care for 2007 will see continued, increasing demand for natural skin care products, as well as a demand for qualified Acupuncturist specialising in Cosmetic Acupuncture.

Surprisingly, an area that has not yet seen a major trend toward natural ingredients but which will come into consumer focus soon, is natural cosmetics, such as eye shadows, lipsticks, etc. This will be the next area of beauty care where consumes will demand products containing natural ingredients.


About the Author
Danny Siegenthaler is a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and together with his wife Susan, a medical herbalist and Aromatherapist, they have created Natural Skin Care Products by Wildcrafted Herbal Products to share their 40 years of combined expertise with you.

© Wildcrafted Herbal Products 2007

0 comments

BOOKMARK THIS POST

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

7 Perfect Tips for Beautiful Skin Care

Author: Mike Law

For most women, part of their morning and evening routines involve a skincare regiment of applying creams, moisturizers, tonics, lotions, and the like. Why do women put themselves through this? To combat the signs of aging, and to maintain youthful looks and beautiful skin! However, how many women consider what is in the products they are using?

Some women probably do not realize that what they are putting on their skin may actually be undermining what they are trying to prevent to begin with. In fact, the average woman puts twelve products on her skin daily, most of which contain harmful chemical preservatives. Dr. Myron Wentz, founder and chairperson of USANA Health Sciences has this to say about beauty in the June/July 2005 issue of the "USANA Health Sciences" magazine:

"Some say that beauty is only skin deep. Nonsense! I believe that true beauty is a reflection of true health, and true health begins deep inside each and every cell in the body. But true health and true beauty have an outer component, which is why we require protection from environmental insults such as solar radiation, pollutants in our environment and the drying effects of air. . . The fact is, you simply cannot contain a healthy body if your skin isn't healthy. And your skin can't be healthy if your are subjecting it to toxic substances that are ultimately absorbed into your body."

So, what can women do? How can they combat environmental pollutants, the affect of solar radiation, and the drying effects of air? How can they be sure they are using the very best products on their skin so they can be healthy inside and out?

Here are 7 tips to assist in this process:
1. Be very aware of what is in skincare products. Use product that are all natural as much as possible.

2. Look for products that contain Dermal Surface Renewal Technology. DSR smoothes away existing signs of aging such as laugh lines, crows feet, and dullness.

3. Use products that have regenisomes. Regenisomes penetrate the skin to speed cell renewal after sun exposure. They also use the light of photosomes to undo sun damage, and have ultrasomes to renew skin while sleeping.

4. Find products with Proteo-C and Proflavonol-T. These two vitamins protect the skin from premature aging caused by the sun, pollution, and other environmental factors. They also provide advanced nutrition to the skin to keep it appearing smooth and firm.

5. If possible, use products that are paraben free. Parabens are synthetic chemical preservatives that are widely used in personal care products such as shampoos, conditioners, hair styling products, make-up, facial masks, skin lotions and creams, and deodorants. They also are typically found in baby lotions, shampoos, and other personal care products for infants and children. In addition, parabens are in many foods and pharmaceutical products. Researchers are beginning to find parabens in benign and malignant human breast tumors. While some studies have challenged their toxicity in many products and question their long term affect on humans, using products that are paraben free can eliminate the risk of exposure to this harmful chemical.

6. Drink plenty of water! Water hydrates skin and hair as well as flushes toxins out of the body.

7. Limit stress or learn to manage it effectively. Stress is harmful both emotionally and physically. Find that stress reliever activity that works best and use it on a daily basis!

Follow the above 7 tips to true beauty and health.

0 comments

BOOKMARK THIS POST

Sunday, January 07, 2007

How to Diet to Avoid Under Eye Puffiness

by Kamau Austin


Your health is one of the most indispensable assets in your life. You should take good care of your health to maintain both a sound mind and sound body.

If you take time to monitor your health and occassionally pamper yourself, your body will continue to function smoothly with diminished chances of health problems.

Some Times How You Look Seems Beyond Your Control Sometimes you experience health problems which are caused by factors beyond your control. Eye puffiness is a good example.

Have you always been beauty conscious and have you always followed a regular and strictly healthy lifestyle, but feel helpless as your eyes have lost their glow and brightness? Do your eyes appear gloomy, droopy, and tired?

How did this happen seemingly over night? Let's look into why your eyes may look tired and less than their best.

The truth is that dark circles under your eyes may not be a sudden occurrence.

Several factors have been acting in unison behind the scenes and could have resulted in puffiness under your eyes. Many of the factors that cause under eye puffiness are natural and beyond your control.

Overview of Causes

For the most part, under eye puffiness is caused by liquid retention. This process is a gradual one in which the cells near your eyes begin to show signs of degeneration as you grow old. These cells are delicate, soft, and easily broken.

Once the cell walls are broken, excess water that should be eliminated is retained in the cells. In severe cases, under eye puffiness is obvious and best described as "saddle bags or luggage."

Remedies to Solve Under Eye Puffiness

The immediate step is to check both your diet and lifestyle and to make a few changes. A diet rich in carbohydrates can run counter to having vibrant eyes because it may aggravate under eye puffiness by causing water retention.

Steps you need to find relief -- Some Do's and Don'ts Always remember to consult a physician before making a major change to your lifestyle. Once your physician approves your new plan, try to minimize consumption of foods that contain wheat, diary, soy, corn, and citrus.

Before beginning any treatment for under eye puffiness, you should test your body to evaluate whether it shows any signs of allergies or infections when you include these foods in your diet. A specialist can check you for certain food and other allergies.

Drink as much water as you can since water will clear any clogging in your system and reduce puffiness under your eyes. Eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins, especially A and C, to promote glowing eyes and reduce puffiness. Don't forget to include essential fatty acids in your diet. These are better known as healing fats. These are found in sunflower, safflower, walnut, soybean, and green leafy vegetables.

There are many eye creams, like Eyederma(tm), that help reduce dark circles, puffiness, and tiredness around your eyes. For instance, it is reported the Eyederma(TM) skin treatment is a combination of several different compounds that can help fight dark circles and other signs of aging. Eyederma(TM) is available from Amazon and the www.BODeStore.com.

Take extra care to avoid:

(1) Foods that contain toxins. It is very difficult for your body to eliminate toxins. These are slow poisons that tax or weaken your system by attacking major organs slowly but steadily. Double-check official health sources and food product labels to familiarize yourself with ingredients that may be toxic. (2) Anything artificially produced should be carefully considered before being frequently eaten. For example, think twice about buying products with artificial colorings, additives, and preservatives. Many times these additives, in the long run, may only cause more harm to your body than help.

Under eye puffiness, or edema, is one of the major problems that you might encounter on your path to achieving more illuminating personal beauty. These problems may become more challenging after forty.

Similar to other organs, your eyes also need to be taken care of and pampered. One of the simplest ways to keep eye problems at bay is a balanced and low-carb diet that does not induce water retention. Follow these tips, and you will be on your way to more glowing, youthful, and cheerful-looking eyes.


About the Author
Written by the V-Team, courtesy Kamau Austin, publisher. The V-Team writes articles for the health and fitness enthusiast. Their timeless health and fitness tips are at the Fit After Forty Blog. See more useful news and tips about

0 comments

BOOKMARK THIS POST

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Selecting Natural Herbal Skin Care for a Perfect Beauty

Author: Robert Thatcher

Whether for themselves or for their kids, many people today are very concerned about their skin care products. Many of the commercial skin care products sold today contain chemicals and preservatives that don’t perform what they promise to do. Our skin may be left too dry after moisturizers and lotions go off. This is very bad for the skin since it is more prone to problems at this stage even more so than before putting on the lotion.

General Content of Herbs

An alternative that many seek these days are natural herbal skin care products which are purely made from herbs and other natural resources blended together at the best level. Besides having what they are four, these products generally contain natural herbs such as Goldenseal and Echinacea in almost all of them.

The ingredients in these natural herbal skin care products are used as natural resources for antibiotic and immune building. These herbal products also provide healing to various skin problems such as infections, rashes, cracking and others when used for a long period of time Aromatherapy.

Specific and Harmless Contents

Exclusive herbal ingredients are found in many natural herbal skin care products that work only for a particular purpose without affecting other aspects of the skin, unlike the commercial skin care products on the market today. For example, having exposure to the skin for a maximum period of six hour with a commercial moisturizer would usually cause the chemicals inside to do some other activities on the skin, without the individuals knowledge. The herbs in natural herbal skin care products are very much specific so they are able to perform on the maximum level.

Witchhazel is an ingredient in natural herbal skin care solutions for acne since it acts as a natural astringent for those with oily skin problems. Not harm is done by having these products on the skin, but commercial products with the same function that have ingredients such as 1, 4-dioxane and methylparaben which when exposed for longer period of time can be very harmful to the skin.

Essential oils and herbal extracts are used to hand make these natural herbal skin care products. It takes many years of product researches to come up with one particular one, so that the product does not cause any harm for those who want an alternate to the commercial skin care product Beauty Tips.

Robert Thatcher is an expert on the Natural Herbal Skin Care Products.

0 comments

BOOKMARK THIS POST

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Beauty From The Inside For Sensitive Skin

By: Karla Gae Pascua

Using the wrong skincare product is not only a waste of money, it can also lead to irreversible skin conditions. But in order to choose the most appropriate products for your skin, you must first determine whether you have oily, dry, a combination of the two or normal skin.

Remember that every regimen has to be tailored to your skin and as the condition of your skin varies from time to time, so does you skin care regimen. There are basically four main steps in skincare—cleansing, toning, moisturizing and protecting.

When cleansing, avoid rinsing with hot or cold water as extreme temperatures encourage the development of broken capillaries and dry skin. Use tepid water and rinse off cleansers thoroughly. Cleansing scrubs may be used if you have oily skin but don’t overdo it; that only stimulates the oil glands to produce more oil.

After cleansing the face and neck areas with a mild product, you may apply toners to close pores that the cleansing process may have opened. Toners remove traces of cleanser and produce a tight, refreshed feeling when they evaporate. Remember that toners may not adequately remove all traces of a make-up cleanser so you should use a cleanser first, especially if your skin is oily.

Now for moisturizers. When we speak of moisturizing the skin, we are really talking about moisturizing the dead layer of the skin (stratum corneum) that is visible. When you get out of the bath, the stratum corneum is moisturized but it doesn’t stay this way for long. In order to moisturize the skin, one has to put water into the stratum corneum and keep it there. This is exactly what moisturizers do.

Oily skin may not need moisturizers in the first place. If you need moisturizing, choose those that are oil-free. If you have normal or dry skin, use water-based moisturizers. If the skin gets too dry, switch to one that contains more oil than water. If you have skin types, you can treat the oily and dry areas with the respective formulae or leave the oily untreated and treat only the dry areas with the appropriate formula.

After cleansing and moisturizing, use a product that will protect the skin against sun-damage to delay the tell tale signs of ageing. Use a sunscreen for oily skin during the day.

About the Author:

Karla Gae L. Pascua is a senior copywriter at Agatep Associates, Inc., one of the country's leading public relations agencies. Pascua has been writing professionally for over a decade, seven years of which were under the stewardship of the industry's acknowledged father of public relations, former UST professor, and journalism textbook author, Charlie Agatep.

Labels:

0 comments

BOOKMARK THIS POST