Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Natural Beauty Tips for Women Over 50



A few fine lines, a hint of gray. The normal changes of aging are inevitable. But with skin rejuvenation products, nonsurgical facial treatments, and hair care products, it's easy for women over 50 to enhance their natural beauty.

What Happens to Skin and Hair as We Age

The effects of sun exposure, smoking, diet, and heredity become evident on our skin as we get older. Stress, gravity, and obesity also affect how well skin looks. And as we age, our skin doesn't produce new cells as quickly as it used to. Skin gradually becomes less elastic and prone to dryness.

Something similar happens to cells that give our hair its color, too. Hair pigment cells become less efficient at renewing themselves, which makes hair gray.

8 Natural Beauty Tips for Your Skin

A few simple steps are all you need to care for your skin as you get older. These natural beauty tips can get you started.

1. If you smoke, stop. Research shows that smoking prematurely ages your skin.

2. Just say no to sunbathing and tanning salons. Stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun's rays are the strongest. If you must be outside, wear a protective hat, long-sleeved shirt, and sunglasses. Freckles, age spots, and blotchy complexions are linked to sun exposure.

3. Wear sunscreen religiously. Use products with SPF 15 or higher, and both UVB and UVA protection. Damage to the skin from excess or unprotected sun exposure is known as "photoaging." These changes can include fine wrinkles and an uneven skin tone.

4. Check skin often for skin cancer. If there are changes that worry you, call your doctor right away. Older, fair-skinned people are at high risk, and must have a yearly check.

5. Soothe dry skin. Use a humidifier. Use moisturizing soaps and lotions. See your doctor if you still have problems.

6. Eat right and hydrate. Good nutrition helps the body repair skin. Drinking lots of water helps hydrate skin from the inside out.

7. Try anti-aging products. For women over 50, over-the-counter creams and lotions may enhance natural beauty by rejuvenating your skin. Pentapeptides (a chemical compound in many new products) may help prompt skin cells to produce more collagen, which is the support structure that gives skin a firmer look. Prescription treatments and retinoid creams are also options.

8. Know about skin treatments. Botox injections can ease wrinkles in the upper third of the face. Chemical peels are effective in removing fine lines and smoothing skin, especially around the eyes and mouth. Wrinkle fillers can plump up your skin and erase lines. Microdermabrasion erases ultrafine lines, rejuvenates your complexion, and improves skin tone and color. Laser resurfacing is another technique; it allows doctors to improve sun-damaged skin, scars, and other facial problems.



Natural Beauty Tips for Healthy Hair

Thus far, modern science has not yet found a cure for gray hair. Yet a colorist can work wonders, if you don't like your gray.

Shaya Scarratt, a stylist with Altered Ego Salon & Spa in Tempe, Ariz. thinks that naturally going gray is beautiful. Her advice for bringing out the natural beauty in women over 50:

1. Try highlighting. A few strands of color painted throughout hair can subtly hide gray hairs, especially if a woman's natural hair color is fairly light.

2. Time for full color? Women who want a solid, darker color should realize it's going to require regular maintenance as the color grows out. If you don't want a salon appointment every six to eight weeks, solid colors are not for you.

3. Try a new style. Your personal preference should guide the style. But don't feel compelled to go short just because you've turned 50. Long hair can be beautiful no matter what your age.

4. Fix thinning hair. A shorter cut gives more volume to thinning hair. Color is also good for giving volume to fine, limp hair. Sometimes the right product, like a volumizing shampoo, can solve the problem. Hair extensions can also help give a boost to thinning hair.

Your favorite natural beauty tip may be as simple as wearing a radiant smile. Or it may mean using a few products or treatments along the way. Whatever your choice, taking care of yourself is ultimately the most beautiful thing of all.



Standing tall, feeling confident, believing in yourself -- these are all important ways to feel your best. But as any woman who's ever stood in front of a mirror can tell you, beauty secrets count too!

While the way we look may be only one part of who we are, it is still a part of us. And feeling that you look your best can be a real confidence booster.

Looking your best doesn't have to be complicated or expensive, either. Experts say most of us really only need to pay attention to a few basic beauty secrets - essentials that can help you look and feel great without spending a lot of time or money.

To help you find the beauty tips that really work, WebMD talked to top skin care and beauty experts, who parted with their personal tips for looking great:

Beauty Tip 1: Never Underestimate the Power of Moisturizer

Whether your skin is dry, normal, or even oily, if you can only afford one skin care product, experts say, your dollars will be well spent on a good moisturizer.

"Sometimes, all you really need is a good moisturizer and a mild cleanser, and you can take years off your face," says New York University professor Rhoda Narins, MD, president of the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery. When skin is dry, says Narins, every wrinkle is accentuated, making you look older.

If you're in your 20s or 30s, doctors say, moisturizers will give you some of the protection you need to keep skin from prematurely aging.

"In your 20s and early 30s, a good moisturizer can take the place of a lot of products," says Park Avenue plastic surgeon Darrick Antell, MD.

So what exactly is a "good" moisturizer? Dermatologist Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD, describes it this way: "It's a product that will do anything from gently adding moisture, to sealing in the moisture you've achieved, to helping your skin produce more moisture -- and which type you choose should be based on your skin's individual needs."

If skin is normal to dry, look for moisturizers containing alpha hydroxy acids. They can help skin produce more moisture on its own, says Crutchfield, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School.

If skin is very dry, he also suggests products using a technology called vesicular emulsion.

"This technology uses microscopic spheres that are alternating layers of moisture and water that slowly release throughout the day, so you get continual moisturization," says Crutchfield.

If skin is oily, look for a light, gentle moisturizer - but don't skip this step, cautions Crutchfield.

"Oil is not moisture, and even if you have excess oil you still need moisture,

Sunscreen Is Your Best Antiaging Product.

Before you see the plastic surgeon, before you plunk down half a paycheck on that pricey anti-aging cream, in fact, before you do anything, put on sunscreen.

While most of us know it reduces the risk of skin cancer, did you also know it's an amazing beauty secret that can help keep skin looking young?

The reason, say experts, is that when sunscreen blocks out the sun's damaging rays, it also blocks their aging effects.

"The sun impacts collagen production in the skin, and without collagen, skin won't naturally maintain that plump, moist, youthful, wrinkle-free look," says Antell. Get enough sun exposure, he says, and skin will wrinkle long before its time.

Without the protection of sunscreen, just a few minutes of daily sun exposure over the years can cause noticeable changes in how skin looks and feels, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Not only will you see more wrinkles and fine lines, but also more freckles, age spots, and spider veins. Skin itself can look rough and leathery or loose and slack - all thanks to the sun.

Sunscreen can protect your skin from these damaging rays, so that even if you do spend time outdoors, your face is less likely to give away your age.

Crutchfield advises choosing a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. Because sun breaks down its effectiveness over time, if you're going to be in direct sunlight for an extended period, reapply every hour or two.

Another option: Use your regular sunscreen before putting on makeup (it should go on first, before anything). Then, for touch-ups, use a light, translucent mineral powder to add extra protection throughout the day.

"These powders contain a natural sunscreen, and since they generally don't build up on the skin you can keep adding protection all day long," says Crutchfield.

Beauty Tip 3: Choose Your Cleanser Wisely

If you're a "soap and water" girl (or guy), you may want to rethink your cleansing strategy. Dermatologists say that one of the best beauty tips around is to use the gentlest cleanser you can find - and use it sparingly.

"While the temptation may be great to wash your face several times a day (or more if skin is oily), not only will over-cleansing not help you, if you're using a harsh product -- particularly soap -- you could be harming your skin," says Crutchfield.

Wash your face too often - more than twice a day - and you can damage the natural lipid barrier, the protective mantle of lubrication that keeps skin looking and feeling healthy.

"Once that protection is lost, and the integrity of the skin barrier disrupted, skin becomes dry - which means it can crack, peel, itch, burn, sting, or any combination," says Crutchfield. It also means you can look older than your years.

The solution: Wash skin no more than twice a day and choose your cleanser wisely.

Use the Right Tools for the Right Job

You can have the best eyeshadow money can buy, the world's most luxurious foundation, a bronzer straight from the cosmetic bag of a supermodel. But if you don't have the right tools to apply them, their benefits will be lost.

What constitutes the "right" tools? Brushes should be soft and feel gentle on the skin, but also have substance so the product can be moved to the surface of your skin. If you dip a brush in shadow or blush and the color falls off before you make it to your face, that's a bad brush, experts say.

Beauty Tip 5: Update Hair and Makeup Every 2 Years

If you walk into your high school reunion and hear a chorus of "You haven't changed a bit," run, run, RUN to the nearest beauty salon!

Experts say that if you can't even remember the last time you changed your hair and makeup, it's way overdue.

"Ideally, your image, including hair and makeup, should be updated at least every two years - and sooner if the styles change dramatically," says Beverly Hills hair expert and QVC personality Nick Chavez.

By keeping your look current, says Chavez, you also look younger and more modern. "Nothing dates a woman more than outdated hair and makeup," says Chavez.

If it's been a while since you've had a change, visit the makeup counters at your favorite department or beauty store, and don't be afraid to ask for help. Most of the better lines are sold by makeup artists who can quickly catch you up on what's new.



Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Mehndi Party | Plan for a Successful Mehndi Party

Ideas for the Perfect Mehndi Party




What's a mehndi party? Well, it's the Indian equivalent of a bridal shower. It is one of the more important pre-wedding events that happens in the days leading to the actual wedding date. The bride's hands and feet are painted with intricate mehndi designs, which include geometric and figurative motifs such as flowers and leaf and vine patterns, and traditional hindu or muslim religious symbols, depending on the religion of the Indian bride. Therefore, it will be important to give it as much thought in planning for the mehndi (henna) party, as you would for your actual wedding day!

The mehndi party (henna party) is an affair that traditionally involves predominantly womenfolk in the family, although modern mehndi parties involve men as well, especially in modern Hindu families where there are mixed dances.
The vibrant red color of the mehndi is supposed to symbolize satisfaction and happiness in the future marriage. The mehndi can be applied to the bride's hands and feet the night before the marriage ceremony, or some days before it, by the bride's female relatives who spend several hours applying the designs. The process may take anywhere from three to eight hours depending upon the complexity of the designs and whether or not both the hands and feet are decorated.
So keep that in mind when planning for the mehndi party. Here are some tips for planning the perfect mehndi party.
1) Be selective when you make out your invitations. Why? Mehndi parties are usually more meaningful if you keep it small and intimate. Invite only the female relatives and close friends that you want at your party.
2) Sometimes, in addition to the bride getting her hands and feet painted with mehndi (henna) designs, certain female guests (bride's mother, sisters, best friends) are getting simpler henna designs done on them too. If you decide you would like that at your henna party, then be sure to ask your female guests, if they would like to have their hands painted with mehndi as well. Once you have a number count of the female guests who would like their hands painted with mehndi, then you will have an idea as to how many assistant henna artists you will need to have at your party.tives and close friends that you want at your party. 3) Plan on having entertainment for you and your guests. You can decide on the music that you will play - make a cd compilation in advance. You can also appoint a few of your close female friends to perform dances, or sing, as you watch while getting your hands and feet adorned with henna (mehndi).
4) If you would like to have a more elaborate mehndi party, then think about creating a theme with fitting mehndi decorations. For instance, if you are planning to have a mehndi party during the spring, summer or early Fall, then you may consider an outdoor evening party. You could install Moroccan bedoiun tents in your garden with lush interior decorations in the tents - pillows, cushions, hand made rugs, lamps, candles etc. If you do this, you should plan on having a generator installed too, so that you can have lights in the interior of the tents. If you prefer something more low-key, then consider having at your home, or in a restaurant (where you can book a room, or even the entire place). If you go with the restaurant, then you should plan to asking the restaurant to help with the decorations and catering. 5) This brings us to the food. Ask your guests if they have any dietary restrictions. To be on the safe side, plan on having both vegetarian and non-vegetarian courses - can't go wrong there!

5)Keep in mind that you will be having wet mehndi (henna) paint put on you. And you would be expected to keep them on your hands for sometime. So before you actually have the henna put on you, you should be attired in something comfortable and easy to remove (or adjust). Do NOT choose somthing to wear on your mehndi (henna) party just because you think it looks good. Pay attention to the material, you don't want something that itches your skin. That won't do when you're expected to sit still for a very long time!

6) Finally, be relaxed. Since you, as the bride, will be having the most elaborate and intricate mehndi (henna) designs done on your hands and feet, you can expect to be sitting still for sometime. Therefore, it is important for you to be occupied in other ways, so that the sitting does not become tedious. Plan a programme for the night (at least for the duration it takes for you to be sitting still while the henna artists works on you). That way, you will be happily distracted watching some form of entertainment as you sit for the mehndi (henna) appplication process. And most of all, have fun! It's your bridal mehndi (henna) party. And you're getting married soon!

Mehndi Party
 Mehndi Facts You Need to Know

Bridal Mehndi (Henna)
So you are planning for your bridal mehndi (henna) party. It would be good to know what exactly mehndi is, so that you are more or less prepared for your Night of Henna!
Mehndi( henna) is a small shrub called hawsonia inermis and is found in Iran, India, Pakistan, Egypt, and North Africa.Women in Indian rural villages actually pick fresh mehndi leaves and prepare them for the application. They grind the leaves until it is a powdery form. Some people also grow it in their home gardens, as we do! It is also readily available in retail stores in a powder form.
There are different types of mehndi (henna) available. Black, brown and red. While the color of the actual Mehndi dye is deep green, once it is removed, the dye leaves a color that varies from light orange to a deep brownish-black.
How to Make Mehndi (Henna) Paste:

1) Make sure that your mehndi powder is a bright green. If it is a dull green, that means it is not of a good quality. But be careful because not all bright green henna powders are 100% henna. Some can have additives with colorings. A good indicator is usually is the henna stains the skin a light orange within a few minutes of touching the skin, then it's probably good.

2) There is no standard formula to make the mehndi paste. Different henna artists will have their own preferred method of making the henna paste. However, there are basic ingredients that you can use to make the paste. Use fine mehndi (henna) powder. Filter the mehndi powder through a nylon cloth, to remove the large fibers from the mehndi, which can get in the way when applying the paste. This powder can be mixed with oil (such as eucalyptus, nilgiri, or mehndi oil) and water, to make a thick paste. You have to add the right amount of water when making the paste so the Mehndi isn't too thick or too thin. You will also need to add some lemon or lime juice to get the color to set. Lemon juice is also added to the paste to intensify its red color. You can also add tea or coffee to darken the mehndi dye (stain).
 Mehndi (Henna) Application

The finished paste is placed into a cone. During the process of laying out the design, the cone does not touch the skin, but rather, the henna is laid out onto the skin like a fine thread. The flow of the henna must be controlled in order to produce an even line, and requires skilled hands.

After the henna design is laid out on the skin, a mixture of lemon and sugar is dabbed over the design to set it. The longer the design is left undisturbed, the deeper the color will be. If possible, you should leave it on for at least 5 hours. Later the henna is removed by scrapping it off, revealing a reddish color where the henna touched the skin. The color left behind darkens over the next 12 hours or so.
Mehndi Indian
Bridal Henna Designs


 Parties
The mehndi (henna) party is an important ceremony that occurs before the actual wedding day. During the henna party, henna designs are done on the palms of the hands and feet of the bride. The actual application of the henna can take anyway from 1.5 to 3 hours depending on the type of designs being applied. The more elaborate and intricate the designs, the longer it takes.
In some Indian Muslim communities, the name of the groom is incorporated into the henna design of the bride, a practice that is similar to other Muslim cultures elsewhere.

While the bride is having her henna done, female guests (usually her close female relatives and friends) will perform dances and sing as entertainment. Traditionally, this is an event that are attended by only the females, but in some modern Indian families, men are also invited to the activities.

The henna designs signifies the strength of love in the future marriage, so the bride makes an effort to keep it on as long as possible. The henna artist will used special ingredients that will enhance the longevity of the henna designs - it is possible for the designs to last for over three weeks after being applied.

While the main henna artist is doing the work on the bride, henna assistants will usually do simple designs for the female guests. The henna party ends with friends and family sitting down to a lavish dinner.
Here are some beautiful henna bridal designs we have come across. Hope you are well inspired by them.
Moroccan Inspired Henna Designs

We showcase below a few pictures on Moroccan henna designs. The Moroccan henna designs are more geometric in focus rather than floral based, and such henna designs can be a unique design for Indian brides wanting something special for themselves. The moroccan powder used gives a vibrant red stain

Monday, December 13, 2010

Eyebrow Waxing

Unless you have very sensitive skin, waxing is a quick and relatively easy alternative to plucking your eyebrows. Although it is generally best to get eyebrows waxed professionally it can be expensive - up to around $15 as a general rule, although salons do differ. If you have a tighter budget, or if you are feeling fairly brave, here are some simple steps for you to try at home...

1) Preparing the Eyebrow

Brush the eyebrow into place with a baby toothbrush or clean mascara wand, so that their natural shape is neatly defined. Next, apply an astringent such as witch hazel to anesthetize the sensitive skin under the brow. Work out your natural brow shape by standing several feet away from a mirror, and following these simple steps�

Working out the length of the eyebrow

Hold a ruler parallel to your nose, and level with the inner corner of the eye, to work out where the brow should begin. If your eyes are close together, make the gap between the brows wider. If your eyes are far apart, don�t wax the start line of the brow too much so that they are closer together. Mark the correct point with a dot.

Working out the curve of the eyebrow

You can work out where the highest point of the curve/ arch should be by holding a ruler from the edge of the nostril past the outer edge of the iris (the colored part of the eye) and up to the eyebrow. Mark the spot with a dot.

Final planning

Now link up the dots in a gentle arch to draw on the ideal shape of the eyebrow that you want to achieve. This will give you a guideline to go by when applying the wax. You should aim for a smooth arched brow that tapers slightly at the outer ends.

2) Applying the Wax

Buy a professional waxing kit - basically a jar or tub of wax which can be warmed up in boiling water and applied with a small applicator or spatula, and (usually muslin) removal strips. Each product varies slightly, so be sure to read the manufacturers directions carefully.

Warm up the wax to optimum temperature and use the small spatula to apply a thin layer of wax to the growth. Make sure that you only use a small amount of wax on the spatula to avoid the wax dripping when it is applied. Apply wax with the hair growth under the eyebrow, (i.e. in the same direction that the hair grows in). You don�t need to use much, and you should not let the wax dry.

This is the painful bit! Ouch!!

Never wax above the eyebrow, only ever shape from below. Waxing from under the brow will widen your eyes and help to get the line even. This will make you look younger and much more glamorous if done correctly! As soon as it is applied remove the wax against the hair growth, (i.e. in the opposite direction that the hair grows in). This is done by gently smoothing a piece of cotton muslin over the waxed area, pulling the skin taut with one hand, and pulling the muslin off with the other.

It is a good idea to take a little hair off at a time, especially if you have fairly this growth. You will be surprised how much difference a little hair removal will make to your appearance.

4) The Aftermath

Any straggly hairs left over after waxing can be easily plucked out using a set of good tweezers. Apply a soothing balm like tea tree oil onto the area afterwards. You should avoid direct sunlight, acid based facial treatments, and liquid makeup for several hours.

To give the gorgeous new eyebrow shape emphasis, use an eyebrow pencil or tinted brow shadow to subtly fill in any gaps, and even out the natural color tone. Don�t worry if you make mistakes, even if you have bald patches or empty spaces. Practice makes perfect, and anyway, the hair will have grown back before you know it!!

Tweeze Your Brows

Thin Tip: Good for grasping small, fine hairs, and plucking ingrown hair.

Slanted Tip: Gives maximum control.

Square Tip: Best used for removing coarse hairs or several hairs at a time.

1. Tweeze immediately after showering or apply a hot washcloth to loosen hair follicles.

2.Hold a pencil vertically along the side of the nose. Eyebrow should start at outside edge if pencil - Anastasia Soare eyebrow queen.

Hint: Leaving a bit more space will widen close-set eyes.

3.Hold pencil to outside of eye. This is where the eyebrow of a bombshell should end.

4.Smooth brows with a little moisturizer to help hairs slide out - turn back the clock.

5.Brush brows up to find a natural arch.

6. Draw in the desired shape beforehand with a soft eye shadow pencil - Keira Knightley smokey eyes.

Hint: Don't use an eyeliner pencil. It will cause you to pluck too much.

7.Tweeze under the brow first, plucking in the direction of the growth.

Hint: If your plucking becomes too painful, apply a little anbesol (yes, that pain reliever for teeth also numbs the brows)

8.Using an eyelash comb, comb brows upwards and trim any hairs that extend beyond the natural top or brow bone. Glamorous lashes.

9.After tweezing, soothe the area with cool, wet tea bags.

Beauty Tips For Eyebrows

Your eyebrows add strength and definition to your face. Well groomed eyebrows enhance your beauty

You should pluck eyebrows before bedtime so any redness will disappear overnight. In shaping your eyebrows use your facial features.

Use a pair of slant edge tweezers which grip hairs easily. Comb hairs one way and then the other to remove loose hairs.

You should pluck hairs between the brows and any stragglers. Never remove the hairs from above your eyebrows.

Pluck each hair individually close to the root. Work in the direction of the growth.

Always avoid over plucking. In defining your eyebrows choose a shade similar to your natural hair colour.

When using a pencil you should apply in small, feathered strokes. Starting at the inner corner work outwards.

Blend the colour with a brush. To tame stray hairs just use hair gel and comb through to neaten.

Filling In Your Eyebrows

The trick to full brows is to come clean, then fill in the blanks. Waxing director Eliza Petrescu of Avon Salon & Spa explains it for us:

* Choose a pencil and powder in the correct shade. Women with fair complexions should use a blonde shade, those with olive tones should go tawny or brown, and those with with African-American skin should use gray.

* Brush brows downward with a dry, mascara-like wand. To define the arch, use the pencil to draw a line along the upper edge of the brow. Comb the brows upward and outward.

* For added fullness, dust eye shadow into the hairs of the brow with a stiff, slanted brush. Dip the brush into a tiny amount of powder and use short, gentle strokes while applying.

* If brows have been severely overtweezed, brush the hairs in the direction of the growth, and fill in any visible patches with powder. Avoid adding to the top or bottom of the brows.

* Comb a clear brow gel up through the brows to set hairs in place.Also see: Easy makeover

Control Your Brows

Snipping instead of tweezing the brows might be all that is needed to control your brows. Here is how it is done.

• Brush brows straight up and then check for hairs that are too long.

• Snip any offending hair one at a time with a small pair of scissors.

• Brush brows downward and check again.

• Repeat the previous step, snipping any hair that seems to be too long.

• Brush brows into place and check for any hairs that still might need attention.

• Continue brushing and snipping until your brows can be brushed into place naturally.

NOTE: Maintaining your brows is something that should be done on a weekly basis instead of all in one day. Mistakes can be made that sometimes cannot be fixed.

Also, instead of pencil, use eye shadow to color your brows for a more natural look

Perfect Eyebrows

Six Steps To Perfect Eyebrows

1. Brush brows upward. Carefully trim any excess hair above the top of your natural arch. Be careful not to take off too much at the ends or you'll have brow "bald" spots.

2. Look closely at the shape. Your brow should begin at your tear duct, peak at the outer edge of your iris and end at the outer corner of your eye. "Many women make the mistake of taking off too much at the outer corners," says Weston. "This slants the brows upward and makes the person look perpetually angry."

3. Prep your skin: Soak a cotton ball in astringent and wipe the brow area.

4. Hold a pencil in line with the outer side of your iris and note where the peak of your arch naturally occurs. From the arch to the outer corner of the eye, your brow should fall in a straight or slightly curved line, depending on the look you're trying to achieve.

5. Hold the tweezers at a 45 degree angle and pluck the stray hairs below the brow line. "Pull in the direction of the hair growth, or you may end up breaking the hair mid-shaft," says Engle. Follow your natural brow shape, not the trends. "It's very difficult to let your brows grow back into their natural shape after you've plucked them to death trying to achieve a particular look," she says.

6. Fill in sparse areas with a freshly sharpened brow pencil - be a bombshell; use light, quick strokes to draw in hair. Brow powder will give thin brows overall definition, and is great for a more natural look. Using the brow brush, sweep powder up and outward over brows. If you're a brow novice, a tinted brow gel is a foolproof way to keep brows in place. Lightly coat brows using upward and outward strokes. Wipe off any excess and allow it to set. Get Glowing!

Brow Color

Did you know that brows should be a little lighter than your hair color? Yes, it's true...about two shades.

However, if you are blond or gray, the opposite is true.

Brows To Die For

Eyebrow Shape

Did you know that your eyebrow is supposed to start directly above the inner corner of your eye?

The highest point should be just a little beyond the outer corner of the iris and should taper off to the end!

OK, so now you know...

Toothbrush Your Brows!

Keep them in place...

If you are having trouble taming your brows, here is a little trick:

Take a toothbrush and spray with a little hair spray and then brush on brows. The stickiness of the hair spray will help keep them in place.

Trimming Your Brows
A nice eyebrow contour

This is an alternative to tweezing. Brush them up so that the really long hairs will be very visible.

Instead of tweezing and creating a hole, snip it with a pair of tiny scissors. Works wonderfully :-)

Sunday, May 16, 2010

HAIR CUTS

A woman?s hair is her crowning glory. It frames her face and completes her appearance. She can talk with her hair, and there are so many ways that a person can tell about her by simply looking at her hair. It is therefore very important for a woman to take care of her hair, to keep it clean, moisturized and trimmed, so that it would remain soft, shiny and neat.




Most women cut their hair to different styles in an attempt to enhance their looks. Some like their hair long and straight, while others like to wear their hair long and with abundant curls and ringlets. There are others who go for the minimum, no-fuss look and always have their hair cut short and simple, while others wish to strike a balance between femininity and practicality and keep their hair at mid-length. And there are still others who like experimenting on color and highlights, not just with the length and cut of their hair.



Unfortunately, not everyone can wear the same hairstyle and look good in it. Some hairstyles look great on some women, but sadly look like bombs on others. Many things can be taken into account as to why this is so, but mostly it is because the hairstyle does not flatter the face.



The way you do your hairdos must flatter your face and enhance your best features. After all, that is what the hair is supposed to do, aesthetically speaking ? to frame your face and to help bring out your best features. Whether a hairstyle will look good on you or not depends on the shape of your face.



There are many, many types of hairstyles out there, but not all will look good on you unless the hairstyle fits the shape of your face. Below are the different hairstyles that are considered most flattering for each shape of face.



An oval face. The oval face is the perfect face. Almost any hairstyle will go with it, whether it is long or short, straight or curly. If you have an oval face, you will do well with having layers near your chin or cheekbones to draw attention to them. However, try to avoid hairstyles that add volumes to the top of your head ? it will make your face look longer.



A long face. If you have a long or oblong face, you should create the illusion of width to balance it out. You can add width to your face by doing your hair with long, side-swept bangs or chin-length bobs. You will also do well with curls and waves that frame the face.



If you have a long or oblong face, you should avoid letting your hair grow extremely long or having your hair cut extremely short. Such extreme hairstyles will take the width from your face and emphasize its length.



A round face. If people with long faces need to add width to their faces, people with round faces need to take some of the width and bulk off by adding length. If your face is round you need to create the illusion of length, and to do this, you can have your hair cut just below your chin, or in graduated layers. Do not do your hair in short, one-length, blunt cuts, as it will only draw attention to the roundness of your face.



A square face. Having a square face means having an angular jaw. The hairstyle trick with having a square face is drawing attention away from that jaw. This is done by putting texture to your hair. Short curls do exactly this, as well as long layers that start just below the jawline. If your face has a square shape, you should try not to have your hair cut in one-length bobs or wear bangs that are cut bluntly. It will only emphasize the squareness of your face.



A heart-shaped face. Heart-shaped faces are pretty Valentines, but the pointed chin draws attention away from the eyes. If you have a heart-shaped face, you could bring focus to your eyes by wearing side-swept bangs, a fringe on your brow or long layers at the top. Or you could let your hair grow and have it done with layers that touch your cheekbones.

DANDRUFF

How To Shake Dandruff Flakes
If you have dandruff, do not worry about being alone with your problem. With one out of every two people in the entire world having, or having had, that same problem as yours, you are definitely not alone with it. Dandruff is a common hair problem. Embarrassing indeed, but a very, very common problem nonetheless.
What causes dandruff? Well, you see, our entire skin, from our scalps to the soles of our feet, sheds dead skin cells on a daily basis. We get a complete coating of new skin every 28 days or so, but we hardly even notice it.
Our bodies also play host to a lot of microorganisms like bacteria and fungi, feeding off on the sebaceous oils that our skin produces. Our scalp in particular is home to a kind of fungus called malassezia fungus, and its food is the oils produced by the hair follicles of our scalp. Dandruff happens when, for some reason or another, the malassezia fungus goes crazy and irritates our scalp, causing the dead skin to shed a lot faster. So, instead of shedding the dead skin cells of our scalp for a month, the shedding happens in less than two weeks, and the oil that our hair follicles produce cause these dead skin cells to clump together and become dandruff. Until now, the factors that trigger this phenomenon with the malassezia fungus are still the subject of research.
Dandruff is an embarrassing hair condition, and it can recur despite your best efforts. But with proper hair care, the recurrence of dandruff can be controlled. The best way to keep the flakes at bay is to shampoo your hair every day - picture perfect hair.
Dandruff can, of course, become stubborn, so if washing everyday with your regular shampoo does not stop the flakes from becoming haywire, the next best thing to do would be to start using anti-dandruff shampoos. Look for anti-dandruff shampoos with zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, salicylic acid or ketoconazole as the active ingredient. To keep your scalp from developing immunity to these shampoos, go ahead and rotate brands at least once a month.
For optimum results, you can lather your hair with the shampoo of your choice twice. The first wash will clear the scalp of the flakes and the oil buildup. The second one would let the chemicals in the shampoo get absorbed by the scalp - haute hair.
You can also try homemade remedies to wash the flakes away and to keep the dandruff from recurring. What is considered the best homemade remedy to dandruff is a vinegar wash. Mix two teaspoons of vinegar with six teaspoons of water and rub it against your scalp before you go to bed, then wrap your head with a towel. Apply the same solution to your hair once again in the morning when you wake up, then rinse it with water. You do not have to worry about the smell of vinegar in your hair, as the smell of vinegar does evaporate eventually.
Whatever you do, never, ever scratch the clumps with your fingernails. It will cause wounds on your scalp.
Dandruff is an embarrassing hair condition, but it is not unmanageable. Just take good care of your hair and the flakes will go away.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Anti -Aging Tips - How to avoid wrinkles

What causes wrinkles?
Wrinkles are caused by both genetic and environmental factors such as sunlight, make up, exposure to chemicals , cigarette smoke, and other pollutants.
How to avoid wrinkles?

Avoid the sun.

Take care of your skin daily with a routine that includes cleansing, moisturizing and daily sunscreen.

Avoid smoking.

Avoid alcohol.

Avoid caffeinated beverages which can dehydrate the skin.

Drink plenty of water.
At what age should you consider using an Anti-Wrinkle Cream?

Start before you even see a wrinkle appear. Eye creams in particular are effective at supporting the delicate area around the eyes and preventing or stalling the development of wrinkles. For many of us that means start using then in your thirties. The skin's natural levels of collagen diminish with age and anti-wrinkle creams may offer a replacement.