Beauty Tips

There is something to be said for a golden, California-style tan, but spending hours tanning under the blazing solar disk is more of a skin-cancer risk than it is a fine tanning option. You could go all out and spent a hundred dollars getting a spray-on tan from a salon, but you risk losing control over the shade. For a few measly bucks, hide those pasty legs to the computer and buy some Neutrogena’s Instant Bronze sunless tanning and bronzer in one at the local drugstore. It’s a soft foam that provides instant color, then develops a tan as well.

Sunless Tanning Lotions: How they Work?

Tanning lotions and creams are basically a way of dying your skin a lovely, summertime hue without exposing yourself to harmful radiation. Tanning in its most primitive form is the same thing: UV rays interact with the melanin in your skin, turning it brown and dying you from the inside out. With a store-bought tan and bronzer, you can start out golden, and any incidental color you happen to pick up in the course of your summer is just gravy.

--Editors Tip ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Show off Your Tan with a Swim Suit that Flatters Your Body Type

If you're working on a tan (or applying your sunless tan), you're probably planning to show off the perfect swimsuit. You may even want a swimsuit for tanning in! What to find a bathing suit that works with your shape and coloring? Want an all-over tan, but don't want to get naked at the beach? Buy an opaque mesh suit that lets in the sunlight—but you'll need sunscreen all over too! Don't want a single UV ray to spoil your alabaster skin? There are suits made especially to block the sun's rays.

Swimsuit shopping has reduced many strong women to tears, so when you're ready to find the right suit, look at all your options. With more separates, and sexy new styles like the tankini, it's easier than ever to find a suit that will maximize your curb appeal and hide those tiny (and not so tiny) flaws.

Get help finding the ideal swim wear for your body type, including juniors, womens and plus size suits..

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How to Apply a Believable Sunless Tan

Before you start, decide how deep a tan you want, and plan how much of your body you want tanned. Trouble spots include the neck, and the clavicle area. A deeply-tanned chest above the breasts can look old and wrinkly, so be careful. Decide how you want your feet to look: you don't want a tan that ends in a pair of white ankles! The same with your hands; your tan shouldn't end at your wrists. In general, tanning your face should be avoided because of tricky things like the thin skin under the eyes. If you feel you must have a tan on your face, consider a bronze makeup or powder, or have it professionally tanned at a good salon.

Start with freshly shaven legs so the lotion will go on smoothly, and apply it as evenly as you can. If you can, use a full-length mirror or get a friend to help you apply the lotion to the backs of your legs, you shoulders, waist and back.

Tanning lotion is like salt in a stew: you can always add more, but it's hard to take any out. If you're looking for a pretty rich color, plan to do your tanning in more than one application, so you can brown up in increments, preventing overdoing it.

I recommend Neutrogena because although it costs a little more, you won't end up the bright-orange color of cheap tanning lotions. Getting your tan from a company that specializes in skin care with an eye to sensitivity it also a good idea to my way of thinking.

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Eyebrows are tricky creatures. You know how they're supposed to look, but sometimes they don't want to cooperate, and because they're growing out of your head, they have a semi permanent character that defies wishes and good intentions.

One of the many problems of eyebrows is the fact that if they aren't the right color, they can either dominate your face or disappear entirely. Their unfortunate (but necessary) proximity to your eyeballs makes it a pretty major no-no to just sweep the hair color across each brow and hope it doesn't drip into your eyes. That's why the goddess of practical beauty created the eyebrow pencil, an unsatisfactory solution, but sometimes better than nothing if your eyebrows happen to be very pale.

Shape is also crucial, and if your eyebrows are coarse, creating and maintaining the ideal shape is difficult because pulling out individual hairs can leave large gaps, or severely shorten the length of a brow if you happen to pull out the half-inch hair on the very end.

Shape Eye Brows with Threading, Waxing and Plucking with Tweezers

Eyebrows are tricky creatures. You know how they’re supposed to look, but sometimes they don’t want to cooperate, and because they’re growing out of your head, they have a semi permanent character that defies wishes and good intentions.

One of the many problems of eyebrows is the fact that if they aren’t the right color, they can either dominate your face or disappear entirely. Their unfortunate (but necessary) proximity to your eyeballs makes it a pretty major no-no to just sweep the haircolor across each brow and hope it doesn’t drip into your eyes. That’s why the goddess of practical beauty created the eyebrow pencil, an unsatisfactory solution, but sometimes better than nothing if your eyebrows happen to be very pale.

--Editor's Note --------------------------------------------------------------

Proper Beauty Tools Make Eyebrow Shaping a Breeze

Plucking the perfect eyebrow shape can be a stressful task because no one wants painful, over tweezed brows. Follow the lead of to make up artists and get the right tweezers and eyebrow care beauty tools. For very little money you can get the same eyebrow tweezers most professional salons use.

Learn from the professionals and see some eyebrow care kits that come with everything you need for perfect brows.

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Shaping Your Eyebrows: How to get the perfect arch shape

The perfect eyebrow starts above the inside corner of your eye (over the tear duct), and ends at the outside corner, above your eyelashes. Eyebrows should have an arch: in nature, it’s rarely where it should be, which is a frustrating commentary on standards of beauty. Ideally, the arch happens over the iris, the colored part of your eye. It should be gentle, so if you’re planning to reshape your arch, take it very, very slowly. Do a hair or two a day, and err on the side of caution. Hasty plucking can give you a surprised look that lasts for weeks.

How to Pluck Eyebrows with Tweezers: The Do's and Don'ts

Many women pluck their eyebrows with tweezers. Some wax them, but wax is tricky because it’s hard to get an accurate shape. And some go to a hair removal salon to try "threading." Although threading is newly popular in the United States, it is a centuries-old technique of hair removal practiced in India. The eyebrow experts say never, never to pluck your eyebrows from above, but always to pluck from the bottom of the brow. I say, if you have some wild or stray or bushy hairs growing above your brows, feel free to pluck them. I did it once, and nothing bad happened to me.

I read somewhere that it’s okay to trim your eyebrows. I think this is good if the single hairs are long and thick. You can pluck some hairs and trim the others, brushing them up, evening the ends (be careful not to trim too much!), then brushing them down checking again and again as you go along.

Video on Tips for Eyebrow Shaping

Use Eyebrow Gel to Keep Your Brow Shape Neat after Tweezing

Finally, keeping your brows neat can be done with special eyebrow gel, or you can use a little hair gel to smooth them and keep them shapely.

You can buy an entire professional-style brow kit that includes tweezers, pencils, grooming gels and brush from Anastasia at www.drugstore.com.

How to Prevent Stretch Marks From Pregnancy

When women are going through pregnancy, they often experience stretch marks on their stomachs and hip areas. However, being pregnant is not the only way you can get stretch marks. In addition to pregnancy, rapid weight loss or gain can cause the skin to go into a state of shock. Both men and women can suffer with stretch marks, as a result. Many times as the breast area expands during puberty, teen girls will get stretch marks on their breasts. While working out throughout each trimester and controlling overall weight gain even when un-pregnant can help prevent stretch marks, puberty related stretch marks are difficult to control.

Dealing with stretch marks is not physically painful or bothersome however it can be emotionally trying. As summer arrives, many women might be wondering how they can prevent more stretch marks from appearing. If you’re pregnant, chances are you are watching for a stretch mark to appear, doing everything you can in the meantime to prevent them.

Lotions, Creams & Oil Preventions For Stretch Marks

One of the oldest prevention solutions women use for stretch marks is cocoa butter. Many women start using cocoa butter lotion on their stomach areas the day they find out they’re pregnant. By massaging cocoa butter into the abdomen area before stretch marks appear or even after they are present, the appearance of stretch marks may be diminished. Other skin experts ask their patients to rub Vitamin E oil on the areas most prone to stretch marks after showering. Treatments from companies like La Roche are also quite popular with expecting mothers and those who are prone to stretch marks.

Look At Your Diet When Preventing Stretch Marks

To prevent stretch marks in a natural way, patients may want to look at their diet. Foods high in Vitamina A, E and C can be very beneficial to preventing stretch marks. These important vitamins can be taken from the food you eat or via a supplement. Be warned: if you’re pregnant be sure to avoid too much Vitamin A. Foods high in Zinc and Silica can also be great for the skin and include beets, brown rice, bell peppers, soybeans, leafy green vegetables and whole grains.

Foods rich with essential fatty acids (vegetables, vegetable oils and fish oils) are also helpful with the task of preventing the appearance of stretch marks. These foods help with skin elasticity and collagen growth when paired with a diet where the patient tries to avoid high sugary foods. Losing weight slowly while also participating in weight or strength training can be helpful when avoiding stretch marks as well.

5 Beauty Mistakes Women Make; Plus, Five Beauty Dos

Trends, schmends: Don't break these classic beauty rules

By Julyne Derrick, About.com Guide

Trends come and trends go and this season you don't want to be caught in public looking like last year (or worse, last ... decade). While we think it's cool to follow some trends, there are some timeless beauty rules that will get you through every season looking classy, no matter what coast you live on (or plain in between).

No matter the trends, the less done your hair looks, the fresher you'll look. If you curl your hair, brush out the curls ala '50s pinups. If you opt for a bun on the back of the head, set it at the nape of the neck and let it get messy. If you're off to a formal event, spend more time on your makeup and accessories and leave hair loose and sexy. Remember: Fancy, hair-sprayed 'dos are terribly matronly and best left to your grandmother's set.

Play up your eyes or your mouth, never both or you risk looking like a clown. Nude lips and smokey eyes are a great look. Or try red lips and light eyes.

You've heard this preached enough, but it's true. If you get into the habit of sunscreen application daily, you will thank yourself when you're older and relatively lineless.

Can't bother with too many lotions and potions? Consider a tinted moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15. If you can't stand looking pale, brush on a bronzer. At least it doesn't smell like fake tanners.

Sophisticated women know how to properly layer fragrances to create their own signature blends. How to do it? Take your favorite scent and layer a new one atop it. Try out several versions until you find your favorite blend.

According to French Elle (via blogger boisdejasmine), the safest way to blend is via citrus notes, which can be layered with floral, woodsy and amber-y fragrances.

You can do the same with lipsticks. Create your own shades with mattes and glosses. If you don't like a shade, don't throw it out, perfect one with other colors in your beauty drawer.

Skin left unmoisturized will itch, and itching (especially done when you're not paying complete attention) can cause scabs, which in turn can scar. In the shower, make sure you exfoliate your body thoroughly with a loofah. I like wearing those loofah gloves. Then when you get out and dry off, slather on the moisturizer. See a list of my favorite moisturizers. This is a link

Short, round nails are universally preferred over long talons. I love light pearl-colored manis (always classy) and I adore dark polishes, which are uber trendy and a look that's lasted many seasons already.

For feet, please, skip the French pedicure, which we agree with a reader "looks like you have fingers on your feet." Another no-no: Nail art on your fake fingernails, although we find the occasional flower painted on your big toe adorable.

So many beauty faux pas can be attributed to foundation misuse: Tell-tale lines along the jaw, a mask-like appearance, too-dark colors or raccoon eyes.

To achieve the always classy fresh face, stick to foundation use only on the areas that need it, typically around your eyes, along your your nose and on your cheeks. You don't need foundation on your forehead or even neck. Remember to blend and consider different colors for winter vs. summer, when your skin is naturally lighter.

Keep your complexion fresh and vibrant all year long by exfoliating your face weekly. Your body needs exfoliating as well, so invest in scrubs in your bathtub or shower. (We also recommend showering with exfoliating gloves). A quick pumicing on the soles of your feet during every shower will keep feet soft between pedicures. As for lips, try this Vaseline tip to keep lips from excessive scaling in winter.

There is such a thing as hair that's too long no matter your face shape. Long hair can weigh your face down and once it grows below your breasts it's just plain tacky.

Trust us, celebrities with gorgeous eyes look that way because they slap on the falsies. There are all sorts of false eyelashes to try these days. Don't want to be too obvious? Try the individual lashes.

How to Highlight Cheekbones

Makeup is the perfect tool for emphasizing our best features. Celebrities already discovered this small trick and they seem to find huge pleasure in adding a sophisticated and slimming quality to their look. Indeed cheekbones have a crucial role in creating a sculpted look. The best way to create a flawless and spectacular image is to skim through these makeup tips for faking high cheekbones.

High cheekbones seem to embody what beauty really means. Besides being really hot these have an essential benefit for those who would like to lengthen and thin their faces. Only with the help of a tiny bronzer and highlighters you'll be able to pull off a dazzling high cheekbone appearance. All you need for the quick makeup is:

· Bronzer that matches your skin tone, still a bit darker than the natural skin color. If you would like to stick to foundation you can also opt for it in 1-2 shades darker, for an emphasizing effect.

· Blush powder or cream blush, doesn't matter the point is to repeatedly match it to your natural skin color. Look for either rose, pinkish or peachy shades. It is vital that the blush blends into the overall makeup.

· Highlighter - you'll find highlighters both in powder and liquid form on the market. However if you find purchasing it a bit difficult, you might use a bright colored blush.

The first move is to create the base for the further makeup. Apply the foundation and the concealer on the right spots. Then head to the next level and sculpt those cheekbones.

Step 1
Start with the darker foundation or the bronzer. Apply it to the hollows of the cheekbones and place it following an upward diagonal. Be careful this slight layer should not be eye-popping. The main aim is to blend it into the overall look. It should resemble a shadow rather than a defined line.

Step 2
Use the highlighter to emphasize the most prominent lines of your cheekbone. Again take care of the blending process, still we didn't arrived at the peek of the makeup. This beauty tool will efficiently reflect the light, emphasizing your cheekbones. The prominent features will start to come to the surface.

Step 3
Finally top the look with the blush applying it on the apples of your cheek, sweeping it upward all throughout the upper section of the cheekbones. Keep the blush far from the eye area, to protect the sensitive skin.
Concentrate on the higher portion of the cheek. The result will be a dashing look, the 3 killer combo makeup adds finesse to your features and creates the illusion of high cheekbone and weight loss even if you only fake it.

Flattering Swimsuits for Body Shapes

If you spot a fabulous bikini at the local store, don't buy it immediately you'll be disappointed if it doesn't fit your body shape. Instead have some things in mind when choosing the best bikini for you. The type of a swimsuit is as important as its color and patterns, it can accentuate your weaknesses or your strengths. That's why follow the principles below when buying the flattering swimsuits for your body shape.

Athletic Figure

Girls with an athletic, sporty body shape have several options to choose the best bikinis.

- The keyword is balance in order to be as feminine as possible. Women with small bust tend to have a sporty figure and wider shoulders. That's why it is important to camouflage their proportion.

- Different, smaller or larger prints will be of great help when emphasizing your small bust. Choose bikini tops that create the illusion of a larger bust. Swimsuits that are ruched, with underwires right at the bust area can make your busts look larger. The more complex a pattern is around your bust the more accentuated they seem. Triangle-top bikinis are a must for you. You'll look fabulous in them.

- An athletic figure lacks curves, why not create them artificially. Feminine bikinis with little ties, bows, belts or other small details can give the appearance of having refined curves. Wear them frequently to give definition to your thighs and bottom.

- You can easily emphasize curves by wearing a bottom that is gathered on the side, moreover if it's bright colored, your toned hips will look sporty still wonderful in them.

Apple Shape

The apple shape often implies problems with the tummy and large breasts. That's why it is important to take into consideration these factors.

- In this case we should not deal with emphasizing the upper half of the body. However to make these strengths more attractive, wear tops that have a darker color. Halter-top swimsuit matches your body shape perfectly. These will support your larger bust more effectively. If you don't want to wear dark colors, try vivid ones, but avoid strapless bikinis and triangle-tops that would reveal too much skin.

- Accentuate your cleavage with a V-cut, don't look too cheeky just attractive.
- Spandex and Lycra are great inventions in the case of apple shaped women. These will make you look way slimmer especially if it's paired with a little, decent belt.

- The mono-type bikini will only make you look larger, that's why choose decent patterns, as little flowers and polka dots. Grecian style swimsuits will look amazingly on you.

Pear Shape

Women with pear body shape tend to have larger bums and wide hips. It is a fact that there's no need to fake curves, your shape gives you enough definition in the hip area. That's why you the perfect swimsuit must draw the attention to the upper half.

- Tops that immediately grab the attention of others work perfectly for your shape. Choose patterned and vivid colored ones on top and dark colored more simple ones for the bottom. Halter necks catch the eyes, shifting the attention from your buns to your bust.

- High cut shorts will elongate your legs and won't spoil the overall image. You'll notice that you seem slimmer wearing these than side-stringed ones.

If your body shape combines different elements, choose those tips that match your features.

10 New Year's Beauty Resolutions

Happy New Year! In honor of the very good year ahead, I've compiled 10 beauty resolutions for us. I plan to follow them and I hope you consider adopting some or including yours in the comments section below:

1. No more studying my face for wrinkles. After all, none of us are ever going to be younger than we are right now at this very moment. So much of beauty comes from within. I'm going to try to remember this.

2. Enjoy the moment. A wise man once told me misery comes from obsessing on the past and fearing the future. True happiness happens in the moment. I'm going to stop myself when I'm freaking out and I'm going to savor the beautiful moments more (like my best friend sitting next to me on the couch right now after a long holiday weekend of memorable moments).

3. More massages. Every time I get one, I vow to get another. Massages, I believe, feed the soul.

4. Less sugar. Studies show sugar can cause premature aging. And even though I'm not going to obsess about aging, I am going to be more careful with the amounts of sugar I put into my body.

5. More yoga. At the end of a vigorous yoga session I feel like all is right in the world. It's like being given a Zen injection or something.

6. Post-shower moisturizer. Because I suffer from major winter itch, I am going to try to remember to slather myself with organic extra virgen coconut oil after every shower.

7. Experiment with makeup. This last year I got out of my beauty rut (I wore the same eye makeup for 4 years) and tried a new eyeshadow palette which was such a hit, even random male coworkers noticed it and complimented it. This year, maybe I'll try a new red lipstick!

9. No more boring polish colors. During my New Year's Eve manicure this year I went on a whim and got a deep, rich gray nail polish color (OPI's "You Don't Know Jacques") instead of no polish on my fingers and pearl polish on my toes and I can't stop staring at my hands. A salesgirl at a boutique asked me later the name of my polish so she could try it herself.

10. Compliment people on their best features/lipstick/nail color. I find when I tell someone they have the most amazing eye color or the perfect shade of red lipstick, they brighten. So I'm going to do this and I'm going to make an extra effort to compliment teenage girls I know because they of all people struggle with body issues and need to be reminded what about them makes them extra special.

Bonus Resolution: Take more risks. This has nothing to do with beauty but today my girlfriends and I met up in Coney Island with 1000 other people and jumped into the frigid water as part of the annual polar bear swim. It was a baptism of sorts, a way to start the year anew. Never had I thought I would be the sort of person to jump into ice cold water in the middle of winter in New York City, but I did it and I had so. Much. Fun. There will more of this in 2010.

30 Manicure Tips

The Secrets to Gorgeous Nails

By Julyne Derrick, About.com Guide

People notice your manicure. It's a fact of life I try to remember at all times because if I'm not careful I'll end up with fingernails at 5 different lengths and a hangnail or two. Here, I share 30 of my most favorite manicure (and pedicure) tips. Enjoy!

1. The most flattering nail shape is not long or short or square, it's "squoval" -- not quite square and not quite oval. Get the look yourself by filing nails into a shape that mirrors the curve of your nail base. Square tips can make fingers look chubby, according to nail guru Deborah Lippmann in InStyle Magazine.

2. To ensure your nails are the same length after filing, line each nail up with its counterpart.

3. Don't shake the nail polish bottle, instead roll it between your palms. This mixes the polish without causing air bubbles.

4. Before polishing clean nails, soak a cotton ball in nail polish remover and swipe across nails. This will remove any excess oils or soap than can cause peeling once polish is applied.

5. One trick for applying nail polish: Hold the brush between the thumb and middle finger while resting your forefinger on the top of the cap.

6. To get the best results, apply thin layers. Start with a thin layer of basecoat, then apply a thin layer of polish down the middle then one on the left and one on the right. After the first coat dries for a couple minutes, repeat, then follow with a thin layer of topcoat.

7. Once your pedicure or manicure is complete, run an orangewood stick dipped in nail polish remover along either side of nail to fix any mistakes.

8. Speed up the drying process by aiming a blow-dryer at toes (set on cool) for a minute at a time. Be sure to keep the dryer at least 12 inches from your feet.

9. Gotta leave the house before your pedicure is dry? Apply cuticle oil over the polish. This will keep anything from sticking to your polish.

10. If nails are yellowed or stained, apply a drop of lemon or lavender oil onto the nails and then use a buffer to buff off the stains. You can also buff nails with a peroxide toothpaste such as Arm & Hammer Peroxicare.

11. For an extra spa feeling to your home pedicure, nuke a damp towel in the microwave for a couple minutes, slather feet in moisturizer and wrap them in the warm towel.

1. It's my professional opinion that real nails are much classier than fakes. They are also much better for your nail health. So check out these 5 really, really tacky manicure trends and skip the fakes.

2. If you are super-paranoid about germs in nail salons, you can bring along your own tools for your manicure.

3. Cut the cuticle or not? Ji Baek, owner of the Rescue Beauty Lounges in New York City, recommends people not cut their own cuticles.

The cuticle is there to protect the nail bed and a cut on a nail can easily become infected. Instead, push the cuticle back with an orangewood stick covered in a cotton ball. According to Baek, professionals are trained in cuticle cutting so most can be trusted. If you are paranoid (manicurists have accidentally cut into my skin one too many times for me), simply ask them not to cut.

4. Like the look of clean, nude nails? Skip the polish and ask for a buffing or buff your own nails with a good buffer. Buffing removes ridges and creates a high shine that clear polish tries to emulate. About 30 percent of Baek's clients ask for a buffing over polish. "Fashion editors have it done before they go to shows in Europe," says Baek in InStyle Magazine.

5. Skip the fast-drying topcoat unless you are in a hurry. Salons like to charge an extra dollar or two on this gimmick. While these coats do dry faster, they are more susceptible to chipping.

1. A fresh swipe of topcoat every other day on your manicure and once a week on your pedicure will keep the polish from chipping.

2. When it comes to chipped polish, a nail buffer is your best friend. Repair a chip by smoothing the ragged edges with a buffer (the more smooth the chip is, the better the fix is). Fill in the chip with polish. Once it's dry, apply a coat over the entire nail.

3. Don't file nails after a shower, when they are too soft. File in one direction only to prevent tears.

4. For a pedicure, use a special pedicure nail clipper made for clipping toenails. The straight-edge works better for feet because they don't allow nails to become curved, which can lead to painful ingrown nails (been there, done that). You can round the edges slightly with a file.

5. Since cotton balls can leave behind fuzzies, consider a cotton band like Miss Webril (about $6 at beauty stores) instead. For stubborn polish that stains, press the cotton on the nail for several seconds before wiping off. Don't be stingy with the polish remover, says Baek in InStyle magazine. The more nail remover you have on the cotton, the easier it will be to remove.

7. If you suffer from dry cuticles, keep cuticle oil in your bag or on your desk at all times. Cuticle oils tend to be more effective than creams.

8. Nail-biter? Get a manicure every week for 12 weeks. According to Baek in "Confessions of a Beauty Editor," if you can commit to 12 weeks, you won't bite your nails. It tastes gross and you'll also think twice because of the cost of getting nails done. Baek says many women backslide in week 3, but she suggests persevering.

1. To keep dead skin off of your feet, try the PedEgg, which works as long as you don't overuse. It's best to use the PedEgg on dry feet.

2. Keep dead skin at bay by regularly exfoliating in the shower with a pumice stone. Apply a thick lotion or cream (I love Eucerin's Aquaphor) to feet then wear socks to bed.

3. For extra soft feet, try this trick from "Confessions of a Beauty Editor,": Apply a thick coat of diaper rash cream to feet (yes, that's what they meant), put feet in a thin plastic bag, then put socks over it. If you can sleep like that (there is no way I could without pulling off the socks and bag in my sleep and ending up with sheets full of diaper rash goo), then you are guaranteed the softest feet ever in the morning.

1. Don't grow out nails more than an eighth to a quarter inch past the tips of your fingers, according to "Confessions of a Beauty Editor." Anything longer is verging on tacky.

2. In her book, "How Not to Look Old," Charla Krupp says nothing ages you more than red nail polish, fake nails and bad French manicures (too-white polish and an edge that's not thin). She suggests keeping the fun, crazy colors on your feet and keeping your fingernails neutral.

3. In "Confessions of a Beauty Editor" the beauty editors confess to lazy pedicures. They wait until nighttime to paint on a basecoat, then follow with 2 thin coats of polish and another thin coat of topcoat and <i>they don't bother to keep polish within the lines.</i> In the morning shower, they reach down and scrape off the excess. They swear it works. I'm too lazy to do my own pedicures so I've never tried it. I'd rather pay a professional.

Natural Remedies for Dandruff

By Cathy Wong, About.com Guide

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Dandruff is a common scalp condition marked by white flakes on the scalp and itching.

It appears to be caused by a yeast-like fungus called malassezia, also known as pityrosporum. Malassezia is normally found on the scalp without causing problems, however, if it grows unchecked (possibly due to hormone imbalances, stress, immune suppression, infrequent shampooing, illness, or increased oil production), there is mild inflammation that produces dead skin cells. The dead cells mix with oil and clump together, making them appear white and flaky.

Tea tree oil is an essential oil that comes from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant native to Australia. It has been used for centuries as an antiseptic and anti-fungal agent. There are many tea tree oil shampoos available in health food stores and some drug stores, and many people report these products help with dandruff.

There haven’t been many research studies on tea tree oil for dandruff. One study involved 126 people with mild to moderate dandruff. They used either a five percent tea tree oil shampoo or a placebo daily for four weeks. At the end of the study, the tea tree oil shampoo significantly reduced dandruff. No adverse effects were reported. Although promising, this was not a double-blind study (which means that the researchers knew which participants were using tea tree oil and which were using the placebo), so it cannot be considered solid evidence that tea tree oil works. For more information about tea tree oil, read the Tea Tree Oil Fact Sheet.

A home remedy for dandruff is to mix 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar with 1/4 cup water.

Pour this mixture into a spray bottle and spritz it on to your hair and scalp, being careful to avoid the eye and ear area. Wrap your head in a towel.

After 15 minutes to an hour, remove the towel and wash your hair. This is generally done once to twice a week.

Biotin is a water-soluble B vitamin that helps to break down fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. It is sold in supplement form and is also found naturally in foods.

Food sources of biotin are egg yolk, liver, milk, soy, barley, brewer's yeast, and royal jelly. Biotin is also produced naturally by bacteria in the intestines.

Eating raw egg whites and prolonged use of antibiotics are thought to be causes of biotin deficiency.

Sources
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Satchell AC, Saurajen A, Bell C, Barnetson RS. Treatment of dandruff with 5% tea tree oil shampoo. J Am Acad Dermatol. 47.6 (2002): 852-855.

Hairstyles by Age

What can you get away with at 20, 30, 40, 50 and older?

Don't believe everything you hear out there. Just because you're 65, you don't have to immediately sign up for a helmet hairstyle. In fact, a younger look and lighter color can take years off your face. And just because you're 21, you don't have to have long hair. You can do just about anything. Find out what you can really get away with at age 20, 30, 40 and older.

Your 20s This is the best time of your life to try out all types of haircuts and styles. Short hairstyles, done right, can make you look more mature (or like a kid) while long looks (like Angelina Jolie's here) can be pretty and romantic.

Tip #1: Consider your career goals. In your 20s you're looking to establish yourself in a career, so depending on what that career is, you might opt for a more professional look. If you're in a more artsy profession, you can get away with a funky look. Trying to make your way in a man's world? Chop off that long hair and try a shorter cut. Check out this photo gallery of super-short looks.

Tip #2: Experiment with length and color. Now is the time to see how you look with super long hair, then cut it off and see if you take to short hair. At your age, your hair will grow faster and thicker than at any time in your life. So enjoy it while you have it. Hair coloris the key to reinvention. If you had blonde hair as a kid, you'll look great blonde now. Blessed with black hair? Try a lighter brown or red.

Tip #3: Beware the wrong short cut. What you don't want to look like is a stock 'Mom' character. Choose a short look that fits your age and the latest trends. For some ideas, check out these photo galleries of short cuts.

Your 30s These are the years you may be starting a family or powering ahead in your career (or both). While you can get away with all sorts of styles at this age, you'll want to pick a style that fits your lifestyle. Single in the city? Go for long, sexy waves. At home with a toddler or two? Skip the all-one-length long hair and try for a medium-length cut that can go in a ponytail during the day but with rollers can look great while out with your husband.

Tip #1: Just because you're a mom doesn't mean you can't be sexy. If you want the long, sexy locks, go for it. Just make sure you have the time to keep up your style.

Tip #2: Don't be afraid to go short. We have to admit, we keep our hair long because we know some day we'll have to go short. But we're missing out on some cute styles and you may be too. After all, you can always grow out your hair.

Tip #3: Gray hair popping up? Most women see a few strands of gray hair in the mid-to-late 30s. African-American women tend get gray later in their 40s. If you have just a few strands, ask your stylist to hand-paint the strands instead of applying a full head of color. But if more than a third of your hair is gray, go with full color and camouflage gray hair in between coloring with hair mascara.

Your 40s Believe it or not, you don't have to go short in your 40s. In these years, your personality might drive your hairstyle. If you ooze sexuality, go for a long, sexy waves. Funky and athletic? Opt for a short, sleek look that is as befitting to a 20-year-old as you. My friend, Nia, who's in her mid-40s, has a haircut that totally fits her funky personality: It's short and a bit spiky. And if you met her, you'd think she's no older than 35.

Tip #1: Take care of your hair. As you age, your hair will tend to get brittle. Treat your locks to a hot-oil treatment once a week and get your hair trimmed every 6 weeks.

Tip #2: Layers are very flattering, flat hair isn't. Give your hair body with layers, no matter your hair length.

Tip #3: Go for color. If you're blonde, try highlights. If you have dark hair, go for caramel highlights or go a shade or 2 lighter all over.

Your 50s Shoulder-length hair is a great option for you. Medium-length hair is very versatile -- it can be worn up or down. You can 'sex it up' with waves or go sleek with a straight-iron. You'll also find it's more flattering than long, flowing hair.

Tip #1: Try layers. Piecey layers around the face are very flattering. Or go one-length with underlayers. This will give hair body and looks great dried under.

Tip #2: Hair that is too styled can make you look dated. Even if hair is short, don't go for a spiky look, instead ask for longer layers. Cut out pictures and bring them to the stylist with you.

Tip #3: A lighter color can take years off your face. Ask your stylist what color works best for your skin tone.

Your 60s and older Short hairstyles, whether you opt for sweet or spiky, are a great bet for you. They frame your face, showing off and highlighting your best features. You'll be glad to know they are also low-maintenance.

Tip #1: Silver hair can be very sexy. However, not all women embrace their natural hair color. Many women become blondes as they get older, a natural move considering gray is a softer, lighter color than a natural brown. But blonde hair doesn't complement all skin tones. A better bet for naturally dark-haired women is to color your hair a dark base and get lighter highlights.

Tip #2: Skip the old-lady salons where they cut your hair short and give you curls tight to your scalp, spray it into a helmet and send you off on your way until next week. Go to your daughter's salon and ask for a new look. Better yet, take your daughter along and ask her advice.

Tip #3: Yes, you can have longer hair. Just don't let hair grow below your shoulders. Pull your hair back into a sophisticated chignon and show off your beautiful features.

Makeup Tips for Older Women

How to conceal wrinkles, crow's feet, crepe-y lids & much more

The last time I posted beauty tips for older women on my blog, women wrote in begging me for "more, more, more." So here, you go.

Less is more when it comes to downplaying wrinkles on your face. Find out the right and wrong way to apply powders and foundation.

· Downplay wrinkles by highlighting your eyes. Great eye makeup will make eyes "pop" and attract eyes away from the wrinkles on your face. Keep brows groomed and filled in.

· Go light on foundation. Many women with wrinkles make the mistake of trying to cover them. But a face full of heavy foundation only highlights wrinkles. Instead, try a tinted moisturizer and use only on the parts of your face that need covering up. Also, no matter how pale you are, go a shade or two darker with your foundation or tinted moisturizer. Lighter shades only highlight wrinkles.

· Watch that powder habit. When you were younger, you likely had oilier skin and got used to powdering your entire face. But dewy skin is actually youthful and you should put away your powder (except for the nose and chin). Makeup artists tell me they NEVER use powder on women over 50 unless they're going to be taped, because powder sits atop wrinkles highlighting them.

You've heard the old quote attributed to Catherine Deneuve, "When you get older, you have to be ready to trade your ass for your face." If you have sagging skin, don't run off to a plastic surgeon. Here are my favorite tricks and tips that, unlike a facelift, cost little to nothing.

· Downplay jowls with gorgeous earrings, but stay away from chokers, which bring eyes straight to your jawline. Love necklaces? They should hit at the collarbone or lower. Don't wear elaborate earrings and a necklace, pick one or the other. Both can be overkill.

· Got a crepe-y neck? Haircuts that hit just below the chin will draw attention away from your neck. Long cuts attract the eye downward, according to stylist John Barrett in the November 2007 issue of O magazine. I also love the look of scarves, wrapped several times around the neck. Very European.

· Don't apply blush to the apples of your cheeks or you risk looking like a clown. Instead, choose a rosy blush and using a large fluffy brush, sweep color over the highest point of your cheekbones. Start about an inch in from the nose.

· Dewy skin is always youthful. Because aging skin tends to be dry, skip the powders and opt instead for liquid foundation and creamy blush.

People start developing crow's feet around the eyes in their 30s. I consider my own "laughing lines" and believe it's sign of a good life.

· Don't try to cover up wrinkles around the eyes with heavy coats of concealer. You'll end up with raccoon eyes. Instead, apply just a few dabs of concealer and always pat in concealer with your ring finger. You can also use a brush which distributes concealer more evenly.

· Laugh lines around lips? Plump up lips and bring attention to THEM, not the surrounding area with a moisturizing lip gloss. Any time you add moisturizer to skin or lips, it plumps them up, making them appear more youthful.

Crepe-y lids are another natural part of the aging process. You can spend thousands on an eyelift or you can try these beauty tips that cost nothing.

· Never apply mascara to bottom lashes. Instead, curl lashes and then apply a couple coats of the darkest mascara you can find. Curling lashes always makes eyes pop.

· Makeup artists also suggest keeping eyeliner to the upper lid only. A liquid liner stays better than pencils. You can practice curving the line up on the outer corners of eyes to "lift" them. Avoid thick, heavy lines, however. I am a believer in rule-breaking however, so I think you can go ahead and line the bottom lashes, just skip the liquid liner and try a pencil instead. Don't make the line thick and be sure to smudge. Also, your eyes will look beady if you try to line the inside of your eyes (my mom used to do this and it drove me crazy).

· Reconsider shimmers. Shimmery eyeshadows only highlight crow's feet. The one area they work in is the inside corner of the eye. Apply a dot of shimmery light eyeshadow in the instead corner of the eye to make eyes pop.

· When you have a saggy upper lid, no need to go all out with several different colors of eyeshadow. Instead, keep eyeshadow in place all day with an eyeshadow primer, then apply a couple sweeps of a light eyeshadow that's flattering to your skin color. Skip the bright, crazy colors.

· False eyelashes have made a comeback. But skip the full lashes from the 70s and instead opt for individual lashes. Seehow to apply false lashes.

I'm a stickler for good brows and am known for making my friends let me tweeze theirs.

Keeping your brows done nicely is like having a facelift without surgery, according to author Charla Krupp's brow guy. Here are some tips for keeping your brows perfectly done:

· Get your brows professionally done. Nothing opens eyes up like curling lashes and keeping your brows neat. If you can't afford waxing or threading every few weeks, use the professional's job as a map for your own tweezing. Simply pluck the stray hairs that grow in between professional tweezing or waxing.

· Avoid tweezing gray brow hairs. Instead, conceal them with a brow powder or pencil.

· Drawn-in brows are a no-no. You know the pencil-thin line you see some of your friends or women in your town wear? Well, they only age you and they're somewhat tacky. Learn how to properly fill in sparse brows.

Personally, I love a thin lip. I read somewhere once that it's a sign of intelligence. I don't know about that, but I do know it's a sign of the natural aging process. Here's how to plump up thin lips.

· Picking the right lip color is a must. Makeup artist Bobbi Brown suggests skipping the bright colors and instead opt for a color that's just a shade or 2 darker than your natural lip color.

· As you age, your natural lip line fades. Create a lip line by coloring in lips first with a lip liner, then apply gloss or lipstick over the liner.

· Consider getting rid of lipstick and using lip gloss instead. Gloss creates the allusion of puffed-up lips, especially when applied to the middle of lips.

· Lip plumpers do work, but the effects don't last long (we're talking under an hour). So skip the plumpers and save your money. Even Vaseline in lips will make them appear larger.

For the record, I know 30-year-olds with chin hair problems. You can tweeze them or have your stylist tweeze them, but they will always grow back. The only way to keep chin hairs at bay permanently is electrolysis.

· You have 2 options for moustaches: Wax them off with a home waxing kit you can buy in any drugstore or have a professional do it.

· To lighten dark moustaches, try kit made just for this which you can find in your beauty aisle at the drugstore.

10 Ways to Maintain Your "Sexy"

Put your best face forward with radiant, silky-smooth skin from head to toe. A good cleansing routine along with a few easy overnight treatments and a touch of sun-kissed color can result in temptingly touchable skin you'll love. Here's all the info you need to get your sexy glow on.

• Opt for a gentle liquid cleanser for your face.
• Restore pH balance with the right toner.
• Avoid harsh exfoliants.
• Deep cleanse with a weekly steam treatment.
• Choose the right facial mask for your skin type.
• Regular moisturizing is essential to your skin.
• Create a DIY spa environment with fragrances that soothe.
• Take time to pamper your hands and feet.
• A humidifier prevents dry skin and can enhance sleep.
• Self-tanners offer color without the risk of sun exposure

The Hidden Dangers of Common Beauty Treatments

Driven by articles in women’s magazines and the steady image stream of perfectly pressed and coiffed celebs, many of us dutifully trek to the salon on a monthly—even weekly—basis to undergo an array of treatments from the pleasant (see pedicure) to the not-so-pleasant (see Brazilian wax).

What is the cost of beauty? I’m not talking financially, here, although many treatments aren’t very easy on the wallet. Rather, I’m talking about the health risks we incur every time we walk into a salon. Sure, glycolic facial peels and Botox injections are performed at our own risk with knowledge that there could be some problems, but a haircut or manicure? Read on, ladies, read on.

Getting Coiffed
In 2007, a young woman received chemical burns while getting highlights at her local salon. She was hospitalized and received skin grafts, and was left with two three-centimeter bald patches at the top of her head, according to MSNBC. Such severe injuries are rare, but the FDA lists hair straighteners and dyes among the products that garner its top consumer complaints. These chemicals can cause allergic reactions and burns that run the gamut from itchy, uncomfortable skin to serious injury or even death from anaphylaxis.

Other salon perils include burns from hot blow dryers, curling irons, and flat irons, as well as ringworm, dandruff, and lice from combs and brushes used on multiple clients.

To protect yourself, have your stylist test chemicals on the inside of your elbow the day before you get your hair done to identify a possible allergic reaction, and alert him or her to any burning sensation you might feel during your treatment. Bring your own comb and brush—you can get your stylist’s advice on which to purchase for your hair type and cut—to avoid cooties from other clients and make sure your stylist pays attention while wielding hot instruments.

Another tip: have the shampooer place a towel on the back of your neck before you put your head in the sink. It’s extremely rare, but tilting your head backward while shampooing can alter blood flow to the brain and cause a stroke. Researchers at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey have found that a support, such as a towel, reduces the risk of it happening. If you do feel a sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body; confusion or trouble speaking or understanding; trouble walking; dizziness or loss of balance or coordination; difficulty seeing in one or both eyes; or a sudden, severe headache, get medical help immediately.

The Mani-Pedi
True or false: alcohol completely sterilizes the instruments your manicurist uses to shape your nails and tame those cuticles. False! Unless your salon uses the same methods as hospitals and doctors offices for surgical instruments, they can transmit from client to client the organisms that cause everything from fungal infections to hepatitis to HIV. Other perils include allergies to the formaldehyde in nail polish, the potential for acrylic nails to separate your own nails from the nail bed, and the harmful effects of acetone nail polish removers.

And what could be more relaxing than soaking your feet in one of those warm, bubbling, pedicure stations? Nothing, if you take out the risk of fungus and infection. These luxurious and comforting footbaths harbor bacteria, flakes of skin, and hair from previous clients. There have even been reports of women contracting the drug-resistant staph bacteria MRSA from foot baths.

Before sitting down to a mani-pedi, talk to the practitioner about the salon’s hygiene practices. This may feel rude to you, but it’s better than a staph infection. Check that there is a sterilization machine and a first aid kit before sitting down. If you have sensitive skin, read the ingredients in the nail polish and remover your salon uses to avoid formaldehyde and acetone/acetate. Also, watch how the other clients are treated. Are the practitioners focusing their full attention on the job in front of them or are their minds elsewhere, chatting with each other or answering cell phones? Nicks happen, but they happen much more frequently if the person performing your treatment is being careless. Ask how they clean the footbaths; the correct answer is that they run bleach through the pipe system on a regular basis and thoroughly clean the baths between clients. And, always ask to see a license.

You can do your part by never going for a pedicure when you have any open sores on your feet or legs or any fungal infection. This will both protect you and other clients. Also, don’t shave your legs before your treatment. You might find it embarrassing, but the open hair follicles leave you vulnerable to bacteria.

Even better, save your money and ditch the salon mani-pedi altogether. Do it yourself or have a girls’ night in and trade treatments with a friend.

The Hair Down There
The New Jersey Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling has begun to move toward banning genital waxing after two women reported injuries ... down there.

It’s true. Both women were hospitalized for infections that ensued from their Brazilian waxes and one has filed a lawsuit. The ban has been overturned, but the concerns about the dangers of this common practice remain.

Millions of American women—and, yeah, some men—endure the pricey, painful practice of Brazilian waxing in their quests for a completely smooth pubic area. We know it hurts, but just how bad could a Brazilian be?

Genital waxing can actually be very dangerous because the hot wax can irritate or tear delicate skin in the bikini area, resulting in infections, ingrown hairs, and rashes. My gynecologist even told me of a patient who had to have her labia sutured after an especially unfortunate waxing experience.

Waxing isn’t for everyone. Women with especially coarse hair have a higher risk of ingrown hairs and consequent infections. Consider other hair removal methods, or be a trendsetter and bring back the au naturale look. If you must get waxed, find a reputable salon with good hygiene practices and ask to see a license before you spread ’em. Also, make sure the person performing the treatment never waxes the same area more than once, since this increases the risk for infection, and avoid tight clothing and direct contact with the waxed area for at least the next few hours.

Natural Beauty Is Not a Myth
Enjoyment of life comes from simple pleasures and looking and feeling great are really important for women, so don’t let fear of potential complications spoil whatever pampering and relaxation you’re able to fit into your busy schedule. But if, like me, you question the value of shelling out your hard-earned cash for a treatment you’d much rather do without just because you feel it will make you more attractive, these potential dangers may make you consider the treatments you indulge in more carefully. After all, if beauty comes from within, why risk a staph infection without?

How to Pick the Right Hair Color: 8 Tips

Are you a warm or a cool?

When you color your own hair, picking the perfect new shade or color can be daunting. Here are a few tips to make it easier:

If you want to go from dark brown to light blonde, get thee to a hair salon. Don't try this at home. I get so many women writing in wondering how they can fix a bad dye job. Avoid this by using semi-permanent color and never going more than two shades lighter or darker than your natural hair color.

Pictures on hair color boxes can be deceiving. Go by the color swatches and the descriptions instead. Most boxes will call out the color (blonde, brown, black and red) and the shade of that color (light, medium and dark). There might also be mention of the tone (golden or ashy).

Most of us would like to think we are both warm and cool. But when it comes to hair color, it's important to know which one you really are (and it has nothing to do with your fantastic personality).

You're likely a "warm" if you have golden, olive or dark skin and brown or dark eyes (most Latinas, Asians and African Americans fall into this category). "Warm" women tan easily and the veins in their inner wrists are green.

You're a "cool" if you have fair skin and blue or green eyes, you burn before you tan and the veins in your wrists run blue. If you're confused because you sometimes burn, sometimes tan, you likely skew warm.

Once you know if you're a warm or cool, you'll better know what shades of color look good with your skin tone.

If you have warm skin, opt for golden shades such as caramel and bronze in a darker shade than your skin. Avoid jet-black hair which will wash you out. If you do opt for a golden shade, don't go too light or your hair could turn orange and you'll write in to me and I'll send you to the salon. Can you go blonde as a "warm"? Yes. But it is a delicate process and should be done in a salon, not on your own.

If you are a cool shade, avoid colors such as gold, auburn or copper. They will only highlight the ruddiness of your skin tone. Ash blondes and cool browns work best.

When you go to the hair salon, ask your stylist to bring out swatches. First pick out the colors you are most drawn to, then hold them up to your face near a window where natural light comes in. Ask the stylist to help you determine which shades and tones work best next to your skin.

A basic rule of thumb: People who had blonde hair as children have the right skin tone to be blonde adults. Does this mean you can't be blonde if you didn't have blonde hair as a kid. Nope. You just need the right shade and you should ask a professional for her advice.

Brassy blonde color or highlights on someone with a warm skin tone can be harsh. Opt for warmer shades instead.

If you have brown hair and want to go blonde, you don't want to go too light or you could look washed out. Opt for contrast: Highlights and lowlights. And keep in mind that darker hair will actually complement brown or green eyes better than blonde hair.

Good news! Almost everyone can go red, what's most important is finding the right shade. If you want to go red, I suggest not trying it on your own. Get a professional consultation.

Gray hair can be stubborn to color because of its coarse texture. Many women hide their gray hair with blonde color. If you want to stick with your natural color and your hair is less than one-thirds gray, opt for a semi-permanent color that's a shade lighter than your natural color (or matches your color). The gray will blend right in.

This can happen if you try to go more than two shades lighter or darker than your natural color. If this does happen, a professional can fix it in mere minutes. Don't try to do it yourself. Fixing a bad dye job is a scientific venture and the professionals know exactly what they're doing. You likely do not.

Non-invasive ways to youthfulness

You don't have to face the knife or needle in the quest for a more youthful look. Rebecca Barnes looks at the best non-invasive alternatives

Cosmetic procedures are gaining popularity and more and more people are choosing to go under the knife but what if you don't have the budget, or simply don't want to take the drastic measures of subjecting your face or body to a surgeon's scalpel?

The good news is there are alternatives that might just make a difference to your skin, and won't give your bank manager palpitations, although they obviously won't yield the dramatic effects of surgical procedures.

An interesting ingredient to look out for is peptides. These modern anti-agers trick older skin into producing collagen and hyaluronic acid, another key factor in providing moisture to the skin, in order to repair itself like younger skin.

So whether your concern is sagging skin, thinning lips, dropping eyes or a turkey neck, read on to discover the latest, greatest products to hit the anti-ageing market.

For your eyes

The delicate eye area is one of the first places to reveal the ageing process, and every time we blink or frown, muscle contractions crease the skin, causing wrinkles over time. Garnier Ultralift Eye Cream (£8.99), contains ginger, a powerful anti-wrinkler. It's the UK's best-selling eye cream, and at under £10, it won't break the bank either.

Avon Anew Clinical Eye Lift (£15 for 2x10ml), contains two products in one pot to target specific problems. The Upper Eye Gel boosts elastin and collagen, preventing drooping skin on the eyelids by giving a vertical lifting effect, while the Under Eye Cream helps accelerate cellular metabolism under the eye, visibly reducing puffiness and lines.

An ideal quick fix and powerful enough to work on deeper lines and wrinkles, Estee Lauder Perfectionist Power Correcting Patches (£38 for three), is a targeted treatment that includes a potent bio-peptide to reduce the look of lines and wrinkles faster than topical creams, creating a smoother, lifted effect.

For your skin

Who needs Botox when there's Bio-Medic Siax Hepta Muscle Relaxant (£45 from www.beautyisskindeep.com or 02380 676733), a gentle muscle relaxant that leads to a reduction in expression lines and wrinkles. It contains active hepta-peptides which, acting directly on the epidermis and the dermis of the skin, decreases muscular contractions.

To firm and redefine features and lift your bone structure, try Transformulas Face Control (£39.95 from www.transformulas.com or 0800 161 3166). Containing an award-winning tetra-peptide, Eyeseryl, 75 per cent of testers showed rapid improvement the day after the first application.

Roc Complete Lift - Immediate Lift Serum (£24.95), immediately and visibly lifts skin with the help of THPE, an ingredient which is reportedly four times more effective than DMAE. Raffermin, a plant extract, also acts to firm the skin with long-term effects. For more information visit www.rocskincare.co.uk

Grab some 'me time' and treat yourself to Elemis Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Facial, (from £70). This breakthrough anti-ageing facial has been proven to stimulate biological cell renewal and resurface skin by up to 75 per cent after just one treatment.

For your lips

Forget fillers and unattractive trout pouts, Mene and Moy Balm (£90 from www.beautyisskindeep.com or 02380 676733), is not a temporary plumper that tricks the lips into swelling, but a product that delivers lasting results. It contains retinoic acid that removes dead skin cells, stimulates fibroblasts and increases collagen production, which in turn increases oxygen to the lips.

For a cheaper fix, try Too Faced Lip Injection Mask (£19 from www.hqhair.com), which contains plumping red pepper resin, along with algae and aloe, glycolic humectants and vitamins A and E which reduce the appearance of vertical lip lines.

For targeted action

Botulinium toxin, or Botox, is the quick-fix treatment du jour when it comes to spot-treating areas of the face. However, Mary Cohr Intra-Derm Lift Express Wrinkle Eraser (£35 for 7ml), has a roller-ball application and plumps furrow lines from within for an immediately visible lifting effect, and can also work on deep lines on the neck.

Sanctuary Line Smoothing Serum (£9.95 for 15ml), is packed with filling spheres to plump out wrinkles and smooth skin around the eyes, lips and forehead. A collagen-boosting peptide helps promote firmer skin, while organic rosehip seed oil protects against ageing.

For the body

NV Perricone Firming Body Mist (£120, available from Selfridges; 08708 377 377) might not be that cheap, but it's a darn sight more affordable than a nip and tuck. Perricone products contain DMAE, the magic ingredient for firmness and tone, plus neuropeptides, and this mist should be spritzed liberally onto areas of concern.

Spring Clean (Your Body)

Mom, spring has arrived and it's time to reawaken your body after the damage that occurred during the harsh winter months. For a healthy, radiant glow, revitalize your skin and hair with help from our spring beauty guide. You'll learn the ins and outs of exfoliating dry, scaly skin; shaving your legs without nicking; and toning your arms before it's time to bare them in cute, seasonal sleeveless dresses.

When you are done pampering—and you realize you haven't made your kids' school lunches yet—check out The Rules of Bento for cute and easy meals you can create with leftovers.

Enjoy!

Christine Petrozzo
Associate Producer | Pregnancy & Parenting

Spring Clean Your Makeup

Spring is finally in full swing which also means the daunting task of spring cleaning. Even though we may do a little extra cleaning to our homes each spring, including the dreaded windows, we sometimes forget to clean out our makeup and wash our makeup brushes. I know what you're thinking: "Oh great…just another thing to clean and I have no idea where to start or why I need to even do it".

Well, let's start with our makeup supplies. Did you know that your good makeup can go bad? I don’t mean that it's going to attack you when you're not looking or anything, but good makeup can turn rancid without a moments notice. Last year I did a basic Quick Tips article, giving you the basic rules of makeup shelf life. So this spring check out When to Toss Out Your Makeup, and then move on to your brushes. The fact is that most women don't wash their brushes enough, which can cause skin irritation and infections. You should really wash them every 2-weeks, and if you're unsure where to begin then take a look at my pictorial step-by-step article on How to Clean Your Makeup Brushes. Once you're done you can take inventory of your makeup collection and use your dwindling supply as an excuse to go buy that new fun color. This is perfect timing for the next Clinique Bonus Time, which will begin at Macy's on April 5th. I'll be showcasing this GWP as soon as I get the details, so check back soon!

How to Create a Spa Vacation on a Budget

Tricks We Learned at Ocho Tulum Resort in Tulum, Mexico

For the past couple of years, my dear friend, N, and I have splurged on a vacation together. One year, it was to a fancy destination spa (pricetag: $4,000, including spa treatments and airfare). Last year it was a tour through Southeast Asia (pricetag: about $3,600 a person with travel). This year, with the economy in a crumble, N and I decided to stay within a budget without sacrificing luxury. The goal, we decided, was to create a fancy, luxury spa experience at about half the price. Here�s how we did it.

You can create a spa vacation out of cold or warm climates. Pick among the beach, the desert or ski resorts. The trick is to find a hotel that offers a spa or is near one. This way you can get treatments in the evening after a day of skiing, hiking or bobbing in the ocean.

After much research, N and I decided to spend our winter vacation in Tulum, Mexico. The exchange rate was phenomenal -- after several years stuck at about 9 pesos per U.S. dollar, the rate during our stay was a whopping 15 pesos per dollar. Also, the beach resorts were offering phenomenal deals due to the stagnating economy.

We choose to spend several days at the year-old Ocho Tulum Resort in Tulum, Mexico (see my review of Ocho Tulum). One of the nicest resorts (if not THE nicest) in Tulum, Ocho was serene, clean and hip. Rooms at Ocho run from $220 for two double beds with a garden view to $280 on up for a beachfront room. If you booked 5 nights in the cheapest room and split the cost, you're spending only $550 each, and this is during prime season -- rates during the off-season are even better.

Many hotels and resorts are currently offering fabulous package deals to lure in guests while the economy stagnates. Many luxury hotspots, such as the 5-star Maroma Resort & Spa near Playa del Carmen, are currently offering a "buy 3 nights, get one free" deal. Rancho La Puerta, one of the top destination spas in the world, also offers on-going deals, including one where a friend can join you at 50 percent off.

Also consider booking your tickets close to your travel dates. Most places prefer to book rooms for deep discounts rather than let them sit empty.

Scoring a cheap flight in a bad economy is easy. For a beach vacation in February, there were scores of cheap flights to Anguilla, Mexico, Hawaii and various Caribbean locations. My roundtrip ticket from NYC to Cancun was under $300.

So how did we fare on accommodations? Pricetag per person for 5 nights at Ocho: $750.

The best destination spas offer schedules that mix exercise with healthy food and spas. You can create your own daily schedule that accommodates all three.

At Ocho, I did yoga in the mornings (offered three times a day for $15), I ran along the beach followed by lunges, and I walked in the surf knee-deep along the beach for 45 minutes a day. N dubbed this "surf-striding." It's better than any elliptical and the view is much prettier, too.

8 a.m.: Yoga or Pilates
9:30 a.m.: Breakfast
11 a.m.: Surf-striding or meditative beach walk
1 p.m.: Lunch on the beach
3 p.m.: Snorkeling or sea kayaking
5:30 p.m.: Horseback ride at sunset OR a beach run, plus lunges.
7 p.m.: Spa treatment (massage, facial or wrap)
9 p.m.: Dinner

So how did I fare on exercise costs during my stay at Ocho? Pricetag: $60 for daily yoga.

One of the best things about a stay at a destination spa is the healthy, organic menu (check out some of Rancho La Puerta's most popular recipes). No meat is served at Rancho, only fresh fruits, vegetables and fish. Even their specialty guacamole is made of a blend of avocado and peas, though you'd never know it.

To stay healthy at Ocho Tulum, I ate a plate of fresh fruit (papaya, melon, mango, pineapple) every morning (continental breakfast is included at Ocho), sometimes mixing in yogurt and granola. For lunch, I stuck to fresh guacamole (good Omega-3�s) and ceviche made from fish caught that day. Dinner is usually a salad and another fish (the grouper is amazing) or shrimp.

I shied away from more than one serving of alcohol a day and heavy cream and cheese dishes.

What is a spa vacation without the spa? I purposely chose a resort with a spa menu.

Belen, the spa manager at Ocho, suggested I try Ocho's signature "Luxury Treatment," a full two hours of bliss. The Luxury Treatment starts with a facial, moves on to a scrub and concludes with a massage. The treatment was glorious and took advantage of natural, organic products including honey, yogurt, several fruits, Mayan clay, which is indigenous to that area, and even the famous sand in Tulum, fine enough for a scrub. At only $120, it was the best deal on the spa menu.

Since the beach can wreak havoc on feet and hair, N. and I went into the town of Tulum for pedis, manis and a hair treatment at Fashion + Look salon on Calle Andromeda. I highly recommend a visit for the basics.

For the perfect spa vacation, I recommend taking advantage of the steam and sauna rooms if your resort has them. They're usually free.

So how did I fare with spa treatments? $300 for four days of spa treatments.

If you add up the cost of this trip, airfare included, it was $1,610. That's a third of the cost of a destination resort. My goal was to do this trip in pure luxury at about half the cost and I beat that by a long shot.

Even if you went all-out in the Yucatan, you could save big bucks. I figured a 5-night stay at Maroma (one of the world's best resorts), plus 3 spa treatments and meals included would cost about $2,500 per person for a cheaper room. With airfare, that's still about $1,200 cheaper than destination spas I've been to. And Maroma, believe me, is cr�me de la cr�me.

Would I do a "do-it-yourself" luxury trip again? Absolutely. I'm considering heading back to Ocho for a Yoga Retreat. At $1,500 per person, all meals, accommodation, spa treatments and activities included, it's a screaming deal.

For more information on Ocho Tulum, check out their Website or call 52-998 282 8399.

Top 10 Ways to Fake a Spring Glow

The beauty of spring unfolds, luring us all out of winter hibernation. As we step eagerly into the gentler, sun-dappled climate, our desire for radiant, luminous skin awakens. Luckily, there are products that can help us on your quest for sun-kissed skin without the risk of sun damage. So say goodbye to dull skin—it's time to get your glow on!

· Start fresh: A weekly deep-cleansing mask can lift away impurities that dull your skin.

· Exfoliate to smooth away dead skin cells, revealing fresher, softer skin. A "must do" before self-tanners, too!

· Moisturizers with gradual self-tanners can help you achieve a subtle, natural radiance.

· Sport a subdued shimmer on exposed areas. It's fun and adds just a touch of glam!

Beauty Myths That Deserve to Die

We are all so-called experts on skin care. After all, great aunt Mary Ellen’s best friends mother swore by smearing globs and globs of Vaseline on her face each and every night. And her skin was weathered like a piece of leather perfect, so it must be true. Come close and let me share a secret. Would you believe me if I told you that not everything you hear or read is true? (Which might lead one to argue that that statement could therefore be false, which would negate this entire post … ouch I think I just pulled a muscle in my brain.)

Here are some common myths and what I found out about each.

Myth: Preparation H Reduces Eye Puffiness
Yeah okay. No. In fact, using Preparation H around the eyes can cause dry and inflamed skin. Therefore, you’ll just end up with dry, inflamed, greasy eyes. You’re better off just saving it for your nether region.

Myth: Your Skin Pores Open and Close
A pore is not a door or window—they can not open and close. However, if something is built up in the pore (ie. dead skin cells) the pores can appear enlarged. Go ahead and exfoliate in order to remove that gunk stuff.

Myth: Cucumber Reduces Eye Puffiness
The cucumber itself does not reduce puffiness. But consider this, have you ever heard of someone being referred to as hot as a cucumber? No, it’s cool as a cucumber. Cucumbers are able to stay cold for long periods of time outside of a refrigerator. That cold is what actually reduces puffiness (it causes blood vessels around our eyes to contract, thereby reducing swelling). That being said, you could lay a dirty sock over your eyes and it could help. As long as it is cold.

Myth: Soap Is Bad for Your Skin
When soaps contained lye and animal fat, this was true. But newer soaps are less harsh and have good stuff like moisturizers.

Myth: Vaseline on Your Face Every Night Will Prevent Wrinkles?
Petroleum can make wrinkles less apparent by softening lines, but it can’t prevent aging.

Myth: Never Pluck a Gray Hair; Ten More Will Grow in Its Place
Answer me this: If you grow some carrots and pull them up out of the ground, will a bunch more pop up in its place? It’s just not possible.

Myth: Alcohol-Free Is Better
Not all alcohols are drying alcohols. There are also fatty-alcohols. Fatty = emollient. Emollient = softer skin. (Examples of fatty alcohols would be cetyl-alcohol, benzyl-alcohol and oleyl-alcohol.)

Myth: Cutting Your Hair and Eyelashes Once a Week Will Make Them Grow Longer
We’ll believe just about anything, won’t we? Try this one out and you’ll just end up bald.

Top 10: Ways to Brighten Your Look

It's time to pack away the vestiges of winter, shake off the shackles of gloominess and open yourself to the bright, shiny newness of spring! The first place to start is developing a positive outlook. Let your inner beauty and confidence become the magnet that draws admiration.

· Need a mood booster? Channel your thoughts and emotions by blogging or visiting our message boards.

Welcome to the Beauty Brains weekly recap newsletter. Here you'll find a summary of all the things that have been happening on the Beauty Brains in the past week. Just click on the stories you find most interesting. As always, your feedback, comments and questions are welcome.

Cosmetic chemists answer your beauty product questions! We are a group of cosmetic scientists who understand what the chemicals used in cosmetics really do, how products are tested, and what all the advertising means.

Welcome to the Beauty Brains bi-weekly recap newsletter. Here you'll find a summary of all the things that have been happening on the Beauty Brains in the past week. Just click on the stories you find most interesting. As always, your feedback, comments and questions are welcome.

New Uses for Common Toiletries

Instead of chucking products that don’t work quite like you had hoped, find out what else they can do for you. These tips, culled from blog confessions, expert advice, and our own experiments, will have you reusing your common toiletries in no time, not to mention save you money and get you out of emergencies.

Petroleum Jelly = Furniture Fixer
You may have used Vaseline Pure Petroleum Jelly as lip balm, moisturizer, lash definer, or makeup remover, but did you know it also camouflages light scratches in wood furniture? The Beauty Brains bloggers love this tip: Just dab it on and buff. You can also make light bulbs easier to unscrew by spreading a little around the thread of a new bulb before screwing it in.

Baby Powder = Floor Fixer
Baby powder, or most any body powder, can be used for a number of things like temporarily deodorizing shoes and armpits, but it can also silence little squeaks in wood floors. Just sprinkle it over the offending cracks and use a small paintbrush or broom to sweep it in. Wait a day or two for the powder to work its way in and voila! Silence. (Note: Larger squeaks may call for more drastic measures.)

Conditioner = Shaving Cream
When traveling or just in a pinch, use the same trick employed by stars like Natalie Portman: Shave your legs with hair conditioner. It provides the same slickness as your shaving cream does, allowing your razor to slide over your legs and condition your skin without nicks and razor burn.

Rubbing Alcohol and Hairspray = Stain Remover
To remove home hair color stains on your skin, sink or even carpet, sponge it with an alcohol-soaked cotton ball or rag. Just be sure to apply with a cotton ball soon after you see the stain. If you wait too long, the stain gets harder to remove. If you don’t have alcohol handy and the stain is on fabric, try this tip backed by Good Housekeeping: Saturate it with hairspray, which contains alcohol and can help loosen the stain. Then soak and launder as soon as possible.

Clear Nail Polish = Screw Fixer and Rust Fighter
Author and fix-it whiz Joey Green claims painting a bit of nail polish on screw threads and nuts before inserting them will help keep them in tight. You can also apply clear polish to new toilet seat screws to keep them from rusting too quickly. And for yet another household use, paint the bottom of your shaving cream cans to keep them from rusting in the shower.

Cleanser or Moisturizer = Skin Soothing Treatment
Refrigerate cleansers or moisturizers in lotion or gel form and use them as a post-extraction soothing treatment or refreshing makeup remover for dry skin types. You can also do this with eye cream to give tired eyes a cooling, soothing effect.

Lip Balm = Cuticle Conditioner or Makeup Remover
When you’re done applying your lip balm, don’t just wipe off that leftover product on your finger. Rub it into your cuticles for a nice conditioning treatment. (Note: You can also do this with any room-temperature oil or butter you get on your hands while cooking.) Another tip for lip balm: Like petroleum jelly, it makes a great on-the-go makeup remover for that little eye makeup stain you get after washing your face. Just make sure you’re not using peppermint or menthol lip balm as it could sting your eyes.

Oil-Free Moisturizer = Frizz Tamer
Skin Rhythm blogger Jen confesses using a less-than-pea-sized amount of Juice Beauty Oil-Free Moisturizer as a smoothing cream for her very fine hair: “It smoothed and sealed my dry ends and added a bit of shine. It even added a bit of definition to my layers without weighing down my hair or causing it to look [flat and] oily, even hours later.” You can use most any face moisturizer, lip balm, or body lotion to smooth frizzy flyaways. Start by rubbing just a drop of the product together between hands, then smoothing over hair or along hair ends to tame frizz. (Curly hair tip: To help define curls, wrap one-inch pieces of hair around your finger.) Add more product if necessary, but use sparingly to avoid a greasy look.

Eye Shadow = Highlighter, Contour Creator, Eyeliner, and Brow Filler
Neutral metallic or white eye shadow can easily double as a highlighter, while matte eye shadow that’s a few shades darker than your skin tone can be used to contour features. You can also use eye shadow as eyeliner by wetting an eyeliner brush, dipping it into the shadow and dragging it along your lash line. For brow filler, dab dry shadow on an angled dry eyeliner or brow brush and use a very light hand to fill in your brows.

Foundation = Tinted Moisturizer/Concealer
Want lighter coverage than say, Nars Balanced Foundation, without getting a new foundation? Create tinted moisturizer by mixing your current foundation (you can even do this with stick foundation) with a little moisturizer. Do this on the back of your hand—not in the bottles—and experiment with the consistency and coverage until you get what you want. Apply with a fingers or a brush (a sponge may soak up too much product) and blend well. Don’t forget to set with powder to make the coverage last longer.

Bonus tip: If you need a concealer when you’ve run out, dab on a bit of the foundation that has caked into its cap. The moisture there has evaporated a bit more, leaving your foundation with a thicker consistency. Blend outward with fingers or a concealer brush.

Lipstick = Blush
You may have learned this one from your mother. To give your cheeks a healthy glow, start by dabbing lipstick on the apples of your cheeks. Blend outward, building the color to your liking. (A word of caution: Lipstick is usually a lot more heavily pigmented than blush, so use a light touch.)

Body Scrub = Pre- or Post-Shaving Body Lotion
When shaving any body part, clean and rinse the area, then apply a gentle exfoliating body scrub. This will get rid of leftover dead skin cells, moisturize your skin and fend off razor bumps. Look for a product that contains essential oils or smooth exfoliators like jojoba beads (vs. rough walnut shells), which will slide off easily without clogging your razor or leaving micro-tears your skin. If you’re shaving with the scrub, rinse your razor often to keep it unclogged. After you’re done, rinse the scrub off with lukewarm water and enjoy smooth skin afterward—no lotion necessary.

Gel = Root Volumizer
If you don’t have a root volumizer handy, try this quick fix from hairstylist Marco Pelusi: Rub a tiny, pea-sized amount of gel between your hands, making sure to get it on your fingertips too. Work the gel through damp roots in areas where you need a lift. Blow-dry hair upside down, or for more control, while holding strands up vertically with your hands.

Now that the weather is getting warmer, it’s time to wear shorts, capris and cropped pants. If this frightens you because your Thighmaster has been collecting dust all winter…don’t fret because there is good news in the short department this year!

I am happy to announce the fashion gods have finally answered our prayers! A flattering length of short is “IN”. The Bermuda short! Yes, ladies the Bermuda short that hits at, above or just below the knee-- is a “hot” fashion statement! We can ALL finally wear something cute, comfortable--and trendy! (I think the fashion gods are saying sorry for the impossible-to-wear “skinny” pants most of had the sense not to wear!)

Women wonder (and ask) what is the most flattering length for shorts, capris and cropped pants? Your pant or short length is often one of the first things noticed about you. So wearing the best length for your body type is important. Here are basic guidelines to get you started. In a couple of weeks a complete shorts guide for each body type (with pictures) will be listed on the site.

Bermuda shorts: Hits at the knee. This length is universally flattering. Look for a flat front (no pleats) straight cut for the leanest look. Inseam should be about 12”. Add a wedge heel or espadrille sandal for a long sleek and dressier look. A cropped or fitted jacket works well with Bermuda shorts too. For a more casual look, wear flats, a short-sleeved cardigan sweater and perhaps a pretty long beaded necklace.

Walking shorts: Hits mid-thigh and are loose, casual and comfortable. This style is best for women that are fairly confident with their legs and thighs. Best length is around 7” inseam.

Short shorts: These are also called “Daisy Dukes”. Short shorts are for ladies who used their Thighmasters all winter--or answer by the name of Jessica (Simpson). Inseams are a mere 3”.

Capris: These tend to run around the mid-calf area and can be hard to wear. Women love Capris because they are cooler than long pants and hide a multitude of “issues”. The best Capri silhouette for most women (unless they are tall and thin—then any length is okay) is above the calf. If capris are long, have them hemmed up shorter to add slenderizing length to your legs. Avoid capris that hit your thickest part of your calf.

Cropped pants: These are above the ankle bone. Cropped pants are very hard to wear. If you are heavier or shorter—your legs appear chopped off—like tree trunks. If you are tall, you appear even taller and like you are wearing high-water pants! Wear cropped pants with a heel for the most leg lengthening look. MissusSmartyPant’s advice is to avoid them all together.

Petites and plus sizes: Wear shorter lengths for shorts and capris, if you can. Find a length that is flattering (around the knee is best) and avoid the longer lengths that can make you look dumpy. The longer your legs look the better, tall, leaner, etc.—you get the picture!

One last thing before you get your legs out there…spend some time pampering. Groom your legs (shave) use tan-in-a-can (if you need a glow) and get your tooties looking terrific too! Now you are ready for flip-flops, sandals and of course--Bermuda shorts!

Leslie Gonzales AKA MissusSmartyPants helps women by assessing their body types and building personal profiles to help each woman dress her best. Check out her website for more information, www.missussmartypants.com

Top 10: Quick Ways to Change Up Your Style

Don't get stuck in a beauty rut. Keep your look fresh, your style vibrant and your mood positive. Getting started is easy! You can kick-start your beauty revival with quick makeover tips and explore the world of possibilities with an online virtual makeover. Read on for more ways to jazz up your image.

· Embrace a maintenance routine! Give your skin a little TLC, protect your hair from split ends and pamper dry cuticles.

Find more tips.

Look 5 Years Younger and 5 Pounds Thinner

One drawback to aging is that you lose pigment in your skin, says beauty expert Robert Jones. As a result, you can start to look pale and washed-out. Here's a secret to looking younger (not to mention thinner): If you add color by "sculpting the face" (that means blending multiple shades of foundation and powder in specific areas), you can turn back time.

The makeup guru also explains how to get that youthful glow in Looking Younger: Makeovers That Make You Look as Young as You Feel (Fair Winds Press, 2008). We got the scoop from him on how you should apply makeup. Just pick your face shape below and go!

Top 10: Hair Myths Busted

Who would you go to for hair advice: an artist, a blogger, a salon owner or a beauty expert? Meet Louis Licari, who just happens to be all four and more! Often seen on the Today show offering his expertise in makeovers, Louis understands our passion for beautiful hair. When it comes to separating hair fact from fiction, our celebrity beauty expert lifts the mist from the myths.

Daters, Keep Patti's Tips in Mind

Your mama always said that he should like you for you. If he doesn't, then he's not worth it. Patti Stanger, star of Bravo's The Millionaire Matchmaker, begs to differ. The matchmaking guru says, "Men fall in love between their eyes. If you're not [appealing], he's not going to even look at the menu."

While I do agree with your mama—no man should ever make you change who you are—a little style advice before a first date can't hurt. So I asked Patti about her fashion and beauty tips for daters, and here's what I learned:

After sloughing off your dead skin, what happens to those plastic microbeads that wash down the drain? Some make it all the way to the ocean and linger until they become a very unhealthy supper.

When you're pregnant, you seem to emanate a radiant glow. But even the loveliest complexion can use a little extra pampering -- especially during the summer months. Between the sun, chlorine, sweat, and your fluctuating hormones, your skin can begin to look less than radiant if you don't treat it with care. Try these tips for healthy, soft, and clean skin -- and let your pregnancy glow shine through!

1. Cleanse: Clean skin is beautiful skin. It's important to keep your skin cleansed of sweat, dirt, and oil to prevent clogged pores and a dull appearance. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser every morning and night, followed by a quick sweep with toner on a cotton pad. Also, wash your face after activities such as exercising, cleaning the house, gardening, or any other dirty or physically exerting activity, or one that requires the use of sunscreen.

2. Exfoliate: Does your skin seem dull? It could be the buildup of dead skin cells, sunscreen, makeup, or oils. Exfoliation, which is done with a mild scrub or by using a cream containing fruit acids, is a good way to get that glow back to the surface by revealing the fresh, new skin underneath. If you choose a scrub, try not to scrub too hard or your skin will look ruddy. Gentle pressure is all you need to help the scrubbing granules in an exfoliant do their work. If you use a fruit-acid cream or gel, don't overdo it. Follow the product instructions to prevent skin irritation.

3. Refresh: If you don't have time to wash your face, or just want to get rid of that "tired" look, use an astringent to refresh and clean your skin. Try witch hazel on a cotton pad. Or fill a spray bottle with one part alcohol to six parts water, and add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Close your eyes and lightly spritz your face. You'll feel invigorated and your face will show it!

4. Moisturize: Keeping your skin moisturized is very important. Even if your skin is oilier than usual because of the summer heat and pregnancy hormones, you should use an oil-free moisturizer to replace the moisture that's stripped when you cleanse your face. Also, you'll need a moisturizer to even out your skin tone if you have "combination skin" -- skin that's oily in some parts and drier in others. Apply moisturizer to your face after each cleansing. Look for products that are hypoallergenic, because many skin types become very sensitive with the changes of pregnancy.

5. Protect: One of the most critical thing you can do to keep your skin healthy, younger looking, and evenly toned is to wear sunscreen every day. This is especially true when you're pregnant because your skin might be more sensitive and prone to burning. If you tend to have breakouts or skin irritations, look for oil-free or extra-gentle sunscreens especially formulated for facial skin.

6. Soothe: If you've overdone your exposure to the sun, soothe your skin with aloe vera gel or cocoa butter cream. These ingredients coat the skin with soothing moisture and are very gentle. Opt for fragrance-free formulations to minimize the possibility of further skin irritation.

7. Enhance: Just because you're minimizing sun exposure doesn't mean you can't get that sun-kissed look. Enhance your pregnancy glow with a shimmery bronzer -- a sheer cream or gel that's used like a foundation and easily washed off. Use a tester to select a shade that's just a bit darker than your natural skin tone. After evenly applying a light layer of bronzer, lightly dust some rosy blush on the apples of your cheeks, and you'll look like you've been having fun in the sun!

8. Powder: Glow looks great, but grease doesn't! With the mercury rising, you're bound to sweat. If you have oily skin then you might be prone to more breakouts. Keep a translucent pressed powder compact on hand, and blot your skin frequently with a powder puff or tissue tipped in powder to absorb extra sweat and oil. You'll look fresh and it'll help keep breakouts under control.

9. Nourish: The stress of summer and pregnancy can do a real number on your skin. But you can fight back by nourishing your skin with a relaxing facial mask. Buy a botanical mask for normal skin, a mud mask for oily skin, or an avocado mask for dry skin. Or for all skin types, here's an easy mask you can make at home: Simply mix 1/2 cup of oatmeal with warm water and a tablespoon of honey. Apply liberally to your face, avoiding the eye area. Sit back and relax for 10 minutes and rinse well. Your skin will feel soft and fresh!

10. Pamper: Your skin will feel and look fantastic if you make it a point to pamper it once a week. Give yourself a home spa treatment by gently cleansing your face, then steaming it over a bowl of hot water with lavender and rose leaves or your favorite fragrant tea, for five minutes (just use a towel draped over the back of your head while leaning over the bowl to trap the steam from the hot water). Next, splash with cold water and apply some toner and moisturizer. Your pores will be deep-down clean, and you'll look and feel relaxed!

The information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child's condition.

Baby sleeping? Stop doing the dishes and do something for yourself for a change.

We wait and wait and wait for baby to nap, and then what do we do? If we're lucky or smart or both, we also take a nap. But because it can be so hard to drop off to sleep on a dime, we often spend baby's naptime either cleaning, which is work, or zoning out in front of the TV, which is mindless. Break out of the rut and do something interesting instead. Here are 20 little ideas.

1. Revisit a hobby you've been missing. Pick something you had to set aside when your baby was born, like knitting, scrapbooking, crafts, playing a musical instrument, or gardening -- anything the "old you" used to enjoy.

2. Escape to your bathroom "spa." We like the idea of doing a few quickie treatments at once. For instance, apply a facial mask, then slather your hands and feet with a rich moisturizer. Cover your hands and feet in plastic wrap and cotton gloves or socks, then lie on the couch and relax for 15 minutes. Step in the shower and rinse it all off.

3. Stretch out those mommy muscles. We know your upper back feels tight: Take time to stretch away the stress. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and arms at your side. Inhale deeply, raising your arms slowly over your head and stretching toward the ceiling. Exhale slowly as you lower your arms to your sides. Repeat four times.

4. Feed your brain. Keep a book of short stories on hand, borrowed from a library or purchased from a bookstore. Read a story whenever you have some alone time, or get in the habit of reading while you're nursing.

5. Treat yourself (and your husband!) to a movie night, which you can plan now. Rent a film you missed, or just set the VCR to tape a movie. Call him and tell him the plan, and ask him to bring home microwave popcorn. It will give you both something to look forward to -- and something to discuss other than the baby.

6. Start keeping a journal of motherhood moments. You'll need a notebook, of course, but in a pinch you can just start writing on notepaper and keep the scraps in a box. You'll enjoy looking back on this time and sharing it with your children as they grow older. Don't pressure yourself to do it every day -- just whenever you have time.

7. Get some talk therapy. Call a good friend -- one who always lifts your spirits and makes you laugh -- and have a 20-minute, guilt-free gabfest.

8. Write an old-fashioned letter on real stationery. Or just pen a quick handwritten note (no e-mail allowed) to an older relative like your grandmother or favorite aunt, a childhood friend, or even your husband. Putting words down on paper is so personal and often therapeutic.

9. Who doesn't fantasize about taking a vacation? Stop pining and research affordable options online. Planning a getaway gives you something to look forward to on difficult days. Visit Web sites that offer bargain airfares and inexpensive hotels, and print out some choices to share with your husband over dinner. Or, slip them into a folder and take them out if you find some extra cash (hello, tax refund). Sites to try: sidestep.com, site59.com, and familytravelforum.com. You can also have fun posting reviews of your past vacations at tripconnect.com and zoomandgo.com.

10. Go to school from home. You can take courses via the Web in subjects such as interior decorating or foreign languages. Since there's usually no pressure to complete the course in a set period of time, you can work at your own pace. A place to start: degrees.education.yahoo.com

11. Pull out your special-occasion vase or just a pretty glass, and create a flower arrangement. If you haven't picked up flowers at the supermarket or a local florist, head into your own yard. Even in the dead of winter you can collect evergreen branches and arrange them; bushes with berries also make for pretty displays.

12. Love to organize? Clean out your purse, diaper bag, or jewelry box. Fingering old jewelry is our personal favorite; it's heartwarming to remember where each piece came from.

13. Speaking of organizing, what about those photos? Drive down memory lane by taking scattered pictures and putting them into albums. This is usually a big project, so don't try to tackle it all at once. First, use a box to hold the loose photos, then just place a few at a time.

14. Goof around in the kitchen. If cooking relaxes you, whip up something that you enjoy making -- and don't stress about whether your toddler or husband will eat it. Cooking or baking for the sake of the process is relaxing for many of us.

15. Garden indoors. Go online and order a miniature herb garden for your kitchen window. We like the kit at Greenfeet.com ($22.50), which comes with four different plants -- lettuce, clover, cress, and mustard -- that grow easily indoors.

16. Give yourself a confidence boost. Stop running around in your sweats and a ponytail and take 20 minutes to really get dressed (nothing fancy, just a pulled-together outfit), style your hair, and put on a little lip gloss. Looking good is like magic; it can change your whole outlook on the day.

17. Customize your television. Instead of being a slave to the boob tube, make a plan to tape only your must-see TV. You can use the old-fashioned VCR timer, but the latest digital video recorders like TiVo are easy once you learn how to use them. Because you can skip the commercials, you can squeeze a half-hour program into just 20 minutes. You'll wonder how you ever lived without it!

18. Remember birthdays. Sit down with a calendar and make a list of family birthdays. Fill out cards now, even if you'll mail them later. Need a gift? Shop online. We like amazon.com and redenvelope.com.

19. Take a walk. It's wonderful to walk unencumbered -- no baby, no purse -- but if there's no sitter, take baby along in her stroller. You don't need any particular destination in mind -- for once just enjoy the journey.

20. Make a cup of hot chocolate or a healthy fruit smoothie. The best part -- you don't have to share with the kids.

Here's what busy moms need to know about pampering themselves with the best pedicures.

There's nothing worse than spending precious time polishing your toenails only to have the results smudged by your shoes. The best way to prolong the life of your pedicure is to be patient. Allow polish to dry thoroughly (about 30 minutes) before putting on socks or closed shoes -- for instance, slip on flip-flops and carry on with your day while your toes dry.

If you go to the beach, protect nails from abrasive sand with a chip-resistant topcoat like Barielle Manicure Extender. Chlorinated pools can also wear away even the toughest polishes. Reapply the clear topcoat every few days.

Be perfectly pedicured with step-by-step advice from Sunny Lee, director of Dashing Diva Nail Salon (dashingdiva.com):

1. Wipe off old polish with a non-acetone polish remover. Then clip and file nails to the desired length and shape. Do it right before a shower and you can skip soaking feet in a basin of water, which is messy and time-consuming.

2. In the shower, apply an exfoliant to calluses, rub with a pumice stone or foot file, and rinse well.

3. Dry feet, apply cuticle oil, and massage into skin. Gently push back cuticles with an orangewood stick (available at most drugstores). Use cuticle snippers only for hangnails, since aggressive trimming can cause them to grow back faster.

Jonel Toe Works pedicure kit with a nail brush, foot buffer, cuticle pusher, two files, and toe separators (drugstores).

At-Home Paraffin Footbath

Paraffin wax treatments are a great way to soften and exfoliate rough, chapped skin, especially on your hands and feet. Many salons offer these treatments at a premium, but you can duplicate the effects at home with a paraffin footbath (most cost between $25 and $50).

However, giving yourself a paraffin treatment requires quite a bit of planning and cleanup, which can be next to impossible when you're taking care of a kid. First you need to heat the wax (and keep your little one away from the scalding appliance). Then you dip your hands and feet into the melted wax, cover them with plastic bags, and sit for 15 to 20 minutes.

Once the wax is dry, it's easy to remove, but the heating unit must cool thoroughly before it can be put away. Bottom line: Regular paraffin wax treatments are not a beauty essential, so reward yourself occasionally at a salon and let the pros do the dirty work.

The best part of beautifying your feet is showing them off in strappy sandals, but every summer ugly, painful blisters seem to rain on our open-toed parade. Heat and humidity (not to mention pregnancy) cause feet to swell, making even the most comfortable shoes feel like torture devices.

Since passing on gorgeous shoes is not an option, here's what we suggest: Slip a package of Band-Aid Liquid Bandages (drugstores) in your purse or diaper bag. If your shoes start rubbing you the wrong way, you'll be ready to strike before a blister does. We favor liquid bandages (which you swab on with special applicators) because they're invisible and don't peel away from hard-to-cover areas like toes and heels.

If you still end up with a painful blister, clean the area with warm water, apply an antibacterial ointment like Neosporin, and cover with a regular or liquid bandage.

Top 10 Ways to Turn Couture Into Ready-to-Wear

For most of us, couture creations are fantasy fashions that come with an unreachable price tag. But you can recreate couture styles for a whole lot less! Look for pieces that offer similar details and silhouettes. Eye-catching embellishments elevate a simple piece to elegant fashion statement. More steep-to-cheap tips:

· Take inspiration from Kenley Collins' floral vision and opt for more subtle hues.

Get Ready for Warm on a Budget

I have spring fever. Granted, warm weather is still weeks away (per groundhog), but I'm already starting to conjure up sandal thoughts. Are you?

So yes, we're still in a recession, and things aren't looking up just yet. That's why we're encouraging you to test your budget prowess before the new season hits. How sandal savvy are you? Perhaps you're better with purses? Test your handbag know-how while you're at it.

If you find that you need a little help saving on fab fashion, or you just want to continue on your path of budget prowess, get more tips from our Guide to Sweet Style on a Budget.

How to Apply Lipstick

16 Lipstick Tricks & Tips

A beauty tip I've always sworn by is to pick your best feature and play it up. If you are complimented often on your lips, consider yourself lucky, it's time to play them up. Here's 16 tips on how to apply lipstick.

· Don't play up the eyes and the mouth Women who wear heavy eye makeup and dark lipstick can look clownish. If you want to wear red lipstick, keep the rest of your makeup light. If you are playing up the eyes, keep your mouth light with a gloss or light lip color that doesn't stand out.

· For "plump" lips, apply liner just outside your natural lipline. Dab a bit of gloss in the middle of your bottom lip.

· How to apply lipstick? I don't believe in rules to applying lipstick. Some women use special lipstick brushes (pictured here). I own one and never, ever use it. Others use their middle finger (I once said this was a beauty faux pas and got reamed by a reader, I have since changed my mind). Most women apply right from the tube. Choose what's right for you, as long as the color gets on the lips, you're good.

· Use liner on your lips as a base. Lipstick will last longer if you fill in your lips with the liner first. If you're using light lipstick, try a nude liner. Then slick your lipstick on top.

Lip gloss is infamous for wearing off fast, but if you fill in lips first with the liner, the gloss has something to stick to.

· You can line before or after you apply lipstick or gloss. Some women prefer to apply liner first, arguing that you won't be able to see the natural line of your lips if you apply lipstick first. But I find lips look more natural when I line lips after I apply lipstick.

· Never use a dark liner with light lipstick. Defined lips are great, but make sure the liner matches the lipstick or gloss. Dark liner and light lips is tacky.

· Never use a test lipstick on your lips. It's just plain unhygienic. Instead, test lipstick on your fingertips. It's a closer fit to your lips than the back of your hand.

· Don't throw out a bad color lipstick. Beauty editors know you can create a great lipcolor by blending lipsticks you don't like. You can also color in lips with a darker liner before applying a lipstick that's too bright.

· Keep lipstick off glass. Discreetly lick your lips before taking a sip from a glass. It works!

· Keep lipstick off your teeth with this trick. After applying lipstick, take your index finger and pop it in your mouth, then pull it out. The excess lipstick will come off on your finger rather than your teeth.

· The older you are, the "creamier" your lips should look. If your lips are thinned out and wrinkled, avoid matte or a gloss and stick with a creamy lipstick.

· Not all lipstick shades look good on everyone.Your skin color will determine what shades are right on you. You may like a lipstick on your friend, but it may not look good on you. Orange or brown shades, including corals, look good on few people. These shades tend to make teeth appear yellow.

· Camouflage yellowed teeth. To downplay a yellow cast to teeth, try lipsticks with a bluish undertone. Shades that work include plums, pinks, wines and violets, according to Lazarus, a NYC makeup artist, in the June, 2007, issue of O magazine.

· Heal -- don't throw out -- a broken lipstick. If your lipstick breaks off, simply take off the broken portion with a tissue, then slowly wave a lit match under the broken piece of lipstick. When it's melted a bit, put it back on the base, swivel it down and put it in the fridge -- uncovered -- for 30 minutes.

· Lipstick done? You might notice there's still a bit of lipstick down in the tube. Scrape out the last bits with a cotton swap or orange stick and mix it with Vaseline or lip gloss in a lipstick palette. Use a lip brush to apply.

I also love this tip shared by reader Patti Campbell. She scoops out the lipstick remnants from the bottoms of her tubes and she puts them in a pill case, "the one with the days of the week individually capped." She then nukes the pill case until the lipstick melts. Campbell uses a lip brush and enjoys seven new lipsticks. I would think this is perfect for the purse.

Women suffer from female hair loss, too. Old men are not the only ones who are plagued with depleted scalps, think again. Female hair loss is very much a reality.

Female hair loss is what is commonly known as female pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia. Surprisingly it has been discovered that in America, the ratio of women who have it those who don’t is 1:4. Although female hair loss can’t kill in itself as a condition, it can be troubling.

Magazines and beauty books always view women as the gender who should have full heads of beautiful hair. A woman who has a condition of female hair loss would therefore be seen as unusual.

The normal hair cycle is characterized by hair resting and growing phases. In the anagen or growing phase, the hair develops healthily for a couple of years. After this, it will enter the telogen phase in which it will begin to rest for a number of months before falling off. Normally, 80%-90% of the hair is in the anagen phase, leaving only a comparatively small fraction in the telogen and shedding phase.

For women with hair loss, it is obvious that a lot more than 10% of their hair strands are in the telogen phase. In female hair loss, something disturbs the normal cycle.

- Female Hormones - Hormones play a big part in female hair loss. As some of us already know, both men and women have testosterone, a hormone which men normally have more of. In androgenetic alopecia, this hormone is acted upon by enzymes in the scalp that convert it into dihydrotestosteron (DHT).

The DHT causes the hair follicles to shrink, which eventually will result to loss of hair and inability to grow new strands. In women, the action of DHT is regulated by the hormone estrogen. Female hair loss therefore normally occurs when a woman is in a state of hormonal imbalance. This can happen when a woman is in the menopausal stage or when she has just given birth. The condition can also strike when a woman is receiving hormonal treatment for an illness.

Female and male hair loss differ a lot in appearance. Men usually develop bald spots. We are very much familiar with men eventually losing all hair strands on a particular area such as the top of the scalp. Female hair loss however is different. Women usually only have diffuse balding. This means that there is an observed general thinning of the hair strands resulting in some parts of the scalp becoming more noticeable through the remaining strands. A woman who develops bald spots like men may have a more serious condition that deserves medical attention.

Women with female hair loss now have the option of choosing from different effective products. Now that you know what causes the condition, the best solution is to find a product that can provide extra nutritional support to the female scalp and hair. Nutrients that have been discovered to be good for female hair loss are vitamin B6, biotin and magnesium. Of course, it also makes sense to take care of your health through proper diet and good lifestyle habits.

When it comes to casual wear for 2009, an Adidas Track Jacket is perfect for those who want to be hip.

With so many different styles, selections and colors, even the most picky will find one suited for him or her.

Running through Central Park or going out for lunch with a friend, youll look good in any situation.

Adidas is famous for making stylish track jackets for many years, always introducing new designs.

In the late 70’s, Adidas introduced the shiny polyester track jacket that quickly became popular after celeb’s such as Farah Fawcett and Bill Cosby were seen wearing it.

The brand has evolved, and as a result, they make it a point to design jackets that are always up to date and set the standard for casual sports fashions.

They are versatile in the sense that they are not too hot to wear in warm weather, yet will keep you comfortable in a stiff, cool breeze.

Although they are sports jackets by nature, the updated designs are fashionable for everyday wear, something you wouldn’t expect from a sporting brand.

For instance, some designs actually look like they have been manufactured from an entirely different company, since they have plaid and argyle diamonds to give them a more sophisticated look.

If you are the type that loves the more traditional track jacket look, have no fear, as Adidas hasn’t forgotten about you.

There are a number of styles that emulate different soccer teams in the world, by having the team colors or the logo on the jacket.

Depending upon whether you choose a fashionable style or more traditional version, expect to pay between $25 to $150 for a track jacket.

They can be purchased at major sports stores worldwide so no one should have a problem finding one.

Furthermore, you can surf the net to locate and order one that is just right for you.

If you want to stand out from the crowd, look stylish and fashionable while being comfortable at the same time, then getting your hands on a track jacket from Adidas is perfect for you.

Hair care is a wide field of study. You think you already know everything about how to take care of your crowning glory but you will be surprised to find out that there are many things about it that you are not aware of.

Below are some practical information about hair care that you probably do not know about but you should:

How often you need to wash your hair ultimately depends on these factors–your hair type, lifestyle, and the environmental conditions around you. Those with oily hair, those who live in a dusty environment, and those who have an active lifestyle that can easily get one’s hair dirty and soiled, it is a must to shampoo every other day.

Now if your hair is dry, if your environment does not mess up your hair that much, or if you work or live in enclosed areas that are dust and debris free, then it is all right to just wash your hair once a week. Shampooing everyday can remove the hair natural essences that will keep it from drying out.

Even if you are using high quality hair equipment such as CHI original, it would be advisable not to use your flat irons or curling irons too frequently because constant exposure to heat can dry and damage one’s mane. Of course, there are tricks that can minimize damage such as applying a heat protector spray before using an iron.

As for rubbing vigorously, this habit can fray and roughen the cuticle of the hair. The hair cuticle, which is the outer layer of the hair shaft, protects the hair’s inner filaments. If you constantly rub your hair forcefully, this can result in hair breakage and damage.

Tying or braiding your hair too tightly and undergoing too frequent hair treatments like perms and dyes can damage your hair especially the roots. You should always follow your stylist’s recommendations as to how long the interval should be in between hair treatments.

Before you set out to brush or comb your hair, make sure that you dry it first. Dry blot your hair gently by using a towel. You can use a hair dryer if your hair is damp but not when it is still sloppy wet.

A nutritious and well balanced diet is essential for maintaining glorious hair. It is important to include in your diet foods that are rich in protein, iron, and essential amino acids that are effective in fostering hair growth. Examples of such food are lean red meat, liver, kidneys, fish, cheese, egg, milk, beans, lentils and dark green leafy vegetables.

Your hectic lifestyle has an adverse effect on your hair. Stress increases the production of androgens, which are known to be killers of hair follicles. This can result in hair loss, baldness and damage.

Knowing these things and more will help you take care of your beloved hair properly and more effectively.

Kristy is a dynamic and professional beauty advisor. She will give all the do’s and don’ts of beautifying yourself. If you would like to update your look checkout Oprah’s Beloved Beauty Products to get started today.

Attention, Fashion Fiends!

We all have our vices, and shopping is often one of them. Buying clothes is so satisfying, it can turn into your favorite hobby... shopping really can become addictive. And, if you're not careful, it can lead you into debt. Let's hope that doesn't happen!

We understand the pressure you're under to look fabulous. There's no need to spend a fortune on designer duds. Couture can get costly. Help is on the way:

Top 10 Ways to Make Yourself Over

You don't have to invest a lot of time or money to create a new you. A few easy tips can refresh your look and your spirits! Hair is a major issue for most women. Experiment with thousands of styles with the Virtual Hairstylist. To get the perfect cut you want, clearly communicate your desires. Find a style you love and take a picture to your salon.

· Boost your spirit with "me time"—a solitary, relaxing manicure or a lively girls' night out can work magic.

· Never underestimate the power of exercise. It recharges your body and your mind.

It’s common knowledge that alcohol causes dehydration. “If you don’t take care of your skin before bedtime after drinking all night, you might as well go on a beach vacation for a week without sunscreen. You are totally damaging your skin if drink and fail to treat,” says one High School Musical starlet.

Liberal use and abuse of grandpa’s cough medicine decreases the body’s ability to produce collagen and over time reduces skin’s elasticity leading to wrinkles and dry, sagging skin.

This one is essential and simple. However, if you must venture into the light use a high powered, high quality sun block. “On my face and neck I use spf 45 and on the rest of my body I use spf. That way I’m protected but I can still get a nice tan,” says a famous former Mickey Mouse Club diva.

Caffeine is nature’s diuretic and coffee contains it in spades. It causes the body to get rid of necessary liquids and nutrients. Jesus-lovin’ Country music singers agree, “When I drink too much coffee, my teeth become noticeable stained and I can swear that the slight wrinkles around my eyes start developing into crows feet.”

Leafy greens like spinach have antioxidants that preserve skin health. Citrus like grapefruit and oranges contain vitamin C that increases collagen production. Boosting collagen production is important because it aids skin firmness and elasticity, which helps fight premature wrinkling and the effects of aging.

“Drinking water is one the most important things you can do for your skin. I drink ten glasses religiously now. Years ago, when I didn’t I noticed my skin would dry out, become gray and dull, and look vapid.”

A night cream is the most important step of your beauty routine. Night cream with proven age-fighting compounds like retinol, vitamin C, and peptides will help reduce the environment’s and nature’s effect on your skin. “Using a night cream has helped me preserve my youth. Young boys always approach me at the gym and at clubs thinking I am some 25 year old starlet. I guess they haven’t seen my films from the early 1980s and wouldn’t guess I’m 45,” laughs a member of Hollywood royalty who wisely decided to comment anonymously.

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From Cynthia Nellis, About.com

There isn’t a cure for baldness but do you think that there aren’t any good ways to restore your hair and prevent it from falling out? There are a ton of things you can do in order to keep your hair. The best part of all is that none of them involve you having to go out and search for some new product that just hit the scene.

This article is for you if you are currently experiencing hair loss. This article is intended to show that there are three ways you can prevent hair loss. The information provided is geared to men, but women may benefit from understanding the following information presented.

First off, DHT is a hormone that is responsible for the loss of hair. For males, one of the most important things regarding hair loss is finding a way to minimize the production of DHT. Many people believe that testosterone is the reason for the production of the DHT however, the real cause is excess estrogen. Having too much estrogen is also called estrogen dominance.

Let’s take a look at three key things you can do to prevent the production of estrogen. We hope you can take these tips with you today and take action. Many of these things you can start right away.

First, the environment has a big play and is one of the major causes of estrogen. The pollution in the air causes the body to produce estrogen. Living in a city can be a bad place for you because of the pollution. What you need to do is find a way to neutralize and get away from pollution. Outside of getting out of the city, detoxing the liver can help. Since the liver is like a filter, a good liver detox will cleanse your body and help prevent extra estrogen.

Next, pollute and chemical substances also lead to the production of estrogen. The way to defeat this excess production of estrogen is to take a look at and control the things that you eat. By eating more organic foods, and natural foods, you will minimize the amount of chemicals that go into your body. While natural foods will cost typically more, if you shop around you can find relatively decent prices compared to conventional food products.

Lastly, you need to know that the DHT in your body already is in your scalp. Once you prevent further production of DHT, you need to remove the DHT that already exists. A good DHT remover is usually found in a shampoo for. The shampoo will remove the excess DHT, and is available in both prescription and over-the-counter options.

Follow these three simple steps, and minimize the DHT in the body. As always, you should see your doctor, validate and confirm the information. It is important to ensure that the system suits your way of life and current health situation.

A Lesson in Sexifying

Valentine's Day sometimes creeps up on us and leaves us stumped. This time around, prepare for the upcoming romantic holiday by grooming and primping with a plan. All you need is a lesson in lingerie.

Ready to get sexy? Just follow these simple tips:

· Step 2: Save your cash for that fancy dinner. Buy a budget bra for the special night

· Step 3: Underwear can make or break your sex appeal. Choose your pretty panties wisely

Just because you find that you have this does not mean that here is no way to lose a double chin fast, there is! Any number of these methods may be used to rid your self of a double chin. These include exercise, losing excess weight Velform chin wraps and plastic surgery. Liposuction is also used as a way of ridding yourself of this problem. However, it seems a little radical to have to undergo surgery for a problem that may be solved without this intervention.

Excess weight and aging can also be the reason for developing a double chin, and as far as the excess weight problem. Changing eating habits and exercise patterns can help you lose a double chin fast. The face is often one of the first places where a person shows that they have put on weight, and hence it will also be the first place to show when they lose it.

Aging is a little different since you can’t turn back time but you can get help. The skin around the neck often sags and gets lose with age. The velform chin wrap can help to slow the aging process. It is an elastic type wrap that has been clinically tested to help. When the wrap is applied a gel is applied to the problem area. The wrap helps tighten the skin and mels away fat cells to help you lose a double chin fast.

If you want to lose a double chin was well as improve your strength in your thighs, butt, stomach, and arms exercising can do all this. Exercising benefits your entire body. Brisk walking as a daily routine can help all those areas and you will see a complete change in no time. A daily exercise routine is a great method to start losing a double chin fast.

By targeting the platysma muscle which is the muscle that runs of the neck and chin you can lose a double chin. You can do double chin exercises that are as simple as opening your mouth and stretching your jaw over the bottom row of teeth. You can also exercise this muscle by laying your on your back and lifting your head backwards and forward then side to side. Do this as often as you feel comfortable.

A double chin is not the end of the world, but it does have the ability to make the wearer, appear older and more overweight than they actually are. Lose a double chin fast and you will both look and feel younger and slimmer.

One of the most important aspects of dressing well (and what MissusSmartyPants is all about) is learning what styles will or will not flatter your body shape. Another important part of dressing well is wearing clothes that fit you correctly.

Clothes that are too baggy, or too tight will only make you appear out of proportion and often larger than you really are! Learning basics about fit and proportion can really set your style above and apart from others. But sometimes it's the little things that can make a big difference in your appearance.

1. Have the side pockets of your pants sewn shut. They "puff" out and make you appear 5 pounds heavier and grab attention at your hips.

2. Check your posture. Stand up straight and suck in the tummy - you will automatically look slimmer. Make this a conscious effort each day... and see what happens. :-)

3. Always use a full length mirror before you go out the door. Better yet, look in a three-way mirror... people do see you from all angles.

4. Shop during the week. The stores are better stocked from the weekend and you will get the help you deserve. Less chance of impulse buys when you take your time.

5. Shop alone. You will focus more on your needs. Take your MissusSmartyPants profile recommendations shopping with you. You won't get side-tracked and can take the time to find clothes that are the most flattering for you.

This is a guest post from Carrie at Less is More. My own “fashion” is limited to Costco and Goodwill, so it’s difficult for me to offer advice for those who want to dress for success. Carrie has some tips for those who need to be fashionable and still save on clothes.

The spring clothes-shopping season is rapidly approaching, and I’m ready. I have my calendar marked twice a year — once in early February and once in early August — to clean, inventory, and organize my closet. That way, I’m fully prepared to shop wisely when the major spring and fall collections hit the stores.

My strategy
Shopping at sales isn’t effective for me because the low prices lead me to buy things I don’t really like or which don’t fit right. I’d rather pay full price for things I actually love.

I allot 5% of my take home pay for clothes. Five percent each month doesn’t seem like much — but 5% per year is a sizable chunk. By breaking down my clothing budget and adding to my wardrobe only twice a year, I’m able to curb costs and still purchase a variety of useful items. In order to find pants and jackets in tall sizes, I frequently shop online. I may go into a store to try on an item if I’m not sure what size I need, but I avoid buying items in the store for a few reasons.

Placing larger orders less often allows me to take advantage of discounts and free shipping offers with higher minimum purchases. A policy of not shopping in the store significantly limits impulse purchases. And shopping online has the advantage of making it easy to see your total before committing to the purchase — it’s a lot easier to remove an item from an online cart than it is to tell a sales associate I don’t want an item after they’ve already rung it up!

When shopping online, it is critical to understand return policies. Sometimes items arrive not quite as you expect them. I tend to order online from either sites that allow me to return items to a brick-and-mortar location, or from sites that pay for return shipping so that I don’t incur extra costs. Also, make sure you try things on as soon as they arrive; return periods are often limited.

Be prepared
Before I buy anything, I make sure all of my current clothes are cleaned, ironed, and repaired. I also take time to throw out anything beyond repair. Anything that doesn’t fit or no longer suits my style gets donated to charity or