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Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Natural Face Lift

Natural Face Lift


By Anna Lynn Sibal

Aging - turn back the clock - is a fact of life. It is an inevitable process that we cannot really escape from as the years take their toll on our bodies. But despite this inescapable fact, there are a lot of women who spend a great deal of time, effort and money to keep themselves looking young regardless of their real, chronological age. It is largely due to our youth-oriented culture, where beauty always translates to youth.

Trying to look young is not really bad at all. After all, who does not want to look young for as long as she can? It is just that most of the methods available right now to keep those wrinkles and sags at bay are too expensive and too effort-intensive. Anti-aging creams and lotions are good for keeping the skin looking young, healthy and wrinkle-free, but what about the sags? It seems that the only way to get rid of those sags is to go under the knife and have a face lift.

A surgical face lift is expensive and scary. A lot of times, it also looks unnatural. There are not a few cases where one glance at a woman's face immediately tells the beholder that the woman has had a face lift. What is the use of undergoing that procedure if it looks so crassly obvious?

Thankfully, there are ways of having a face lift that looks natural and is inexpensive. Most of all, we do not have to have a surgical procedure done on our face to have that youthful-looking visage - get glowing. It only involves a few minutes of our time on a day-to-day basis, and it could be done while we are driving and waiting for the red light to turn green, while watching TV, or while putting on our face creams in the morning or at night. It is called facial fitness.

Facial fitness is an exercise regimen that involves working out the muscles of the face to prevent them from sagging. It works on the same principle that if we exercise the muscles of our body, then the muscles will become toned and the skin will visibly improve.

The muscles of the face also need to be exercised. If they are let alone, they just sit there on our faces, lengthening and thinning as the years come upon us, giving us that sagging and tired look as we age. With the facial fitness regimen, the facial muscles undergo resistance training, and the skin is pulled and pushed so the muscles are contracted. Eventually, the skin is lifted with all the pushing and pulling, taking away the sags and smoothing out the wrinkles from our faces.

Another benefit of undergoing a facial fitness regimen is that making the muscles of the face contract increases blood circulation to the face. With improved blood circulation to the face, more oxygen and nutrients are brought to the cells and tissues of the facial muscles and skin. Therefore, it would look healthier and whatever damages that our facial tissues have sustained are more easily repaired.

Having a regular facial fitness routine brings us a natural face lift. With a natural face lift, we do not have to undergo surgery just to keep ourselves looking young. The power to look young has become literally in our hands.

Natural Look

Natural Look


By Anna Lynn Sibal

Putting on makeup can be a daunting task for women who are not really adept at the art of makeup and are not familiar with the right techniques and with picking the right colors for their skin tone and eye color. Common fears include choosing the wrong colors for the skin or colors that do not match the outfit, putting on too little or too much, or botching the makeup altogether. Instead of putting on makeup, there are women who opt for just the ordinary face powder or talcum powder and a dash of lipstick (which may or may not be the right color for their lips either), and then they are done.

Makeup is supposed to enhance the features of our face rather than to cover it, and nothing is more alluring than what is known as the natural look. For those who do not know much about makeup, or know nothing at all, achieving the natural look is pretty easy. The key to doing it is matching the color of your foundation with the tones of your skin, as well as using shades that go well with the undertones of your skin.

A quick tip: when buying foundation, test the match of the product with your skin tone by applying it against your jaw line and letting it on your face for a few minutes. Go ahead and see how it looks like in daylight, rather than in artificial light to see how well it goes with your skin. The perfect foundation for you blends well with the color of your skin, so much that it is hardly noticeable.

If your skin has beige tones. If your skin has beige tones with a touch of peach or pink, the colors you should go for are shades of peach, pink and apricot for your lips and cheeks. Cover up whatever blemishes you have on your skin with a concealer before applying the foundation, and then dust the foundation off with matching loose powder. Make sure that your foundation has SPF because skin like yours burns easily under the sun. Also, try not to put on too much makeup on your face because too much will look harsh on your skin and make you look older. Finish off with a shimmering peach or pink lip gloss.

If your skin has olive tones. If your skin has olive tones, the best way to go is with foundation with warm colors like golden brown. Skin with olive tones is also generally oilier than most, so try to stay away from foundation with shimmer in it to reduce the shine. For a sun-kissed look, apply a touch of bronzer on the apples of your cheeks, the bridge of your nose and a little on your forehead. For your lips, outline it with a nude-colored lip pencil, and then apply clear gloss.

If your skin has yellow tones. If your skin has yellow tones, stay away from ivory or pink for your foundation and stick to warmer hues with a yellow base. Also, avoid using powder foundations; yellow-toned skin tends to get dry and flaky, and so powder foundations will only emphasize this unnecessarily. Finish with a light cream blush, colored pink, on the apples of your cheeks, and a light pink gloss for your lips.

To get a smoother finish on your foundation, apply moisturizer on your skin first as a base. Remember to put on only the right amount of moisturizer and dab off any excess with tissue. Too little moisturizer will make it hard for the foundation to blend, and too much will make your makeup run off your skin.

Achieving the natural look is easy. You don�t have to be a makeup wiz to do it, and it is perfect for those who want the gorgeous yet understated look

Alpha Hydroxy Acids: Good or Bad? By Anna Lynn Sibal The term �alpha hydroxy acids� is becoming more and more of a popular term among those of us wh

Alpha Hydroxy Acids: Good or Bad?


By Anna Lynn Sibal

The term �alpha hydroxy acids� is becoming more and more of a popular term among those of us who are conscious of the beauty products that we use for our skin. There are even some beauty companies out there that use the alpha hydroxy acid content of their products as a focal point for their marketing campaigns. But just what are alpha hydroxy acids?

Alpha hydroxy acids, or AHA for short, are compounds that are taken from sugars found in milk and fruits. Alpha hydroxy acids are known to be effective in rejuvenating the skin, making wrinkles disappear and heal the damage caused by photoaging on our skin. AHA does this by exfoliating dead cells off the skin, which in turn encourages the skin to grow cells to replace the old ones. AHA also induces the production of elastin and collagen, the compounds responsible for the reduction of wrinkles and the suppleness of the skin.
Alpha hydroxy acids can now be found in a wide range of beauty products � eye creams, moisturizers, foundations, toners, cleansers and facial masks.

However, just like any other skin product, AHA should be used discriminatingly, because it is not a miracle potion. If used incorrectly or used too much AHA can irritate the skin. Ironically, as much as AHA can cure photoaging damage, it can also increase the skin�s likelihood to get damage from photoaging. Pigment scarring is also associated with the excessive use of AHA.

Thus, it is very important to exert care when applying alpha hydroxy products on our skin. The best way to do it is to choose one or two products among the number of products that we use for our skin to contain AHA, then use other beauty products that do not have AHA. This will decrease our chances of getting our skin irritated.

Better have those two products that you need to contain AHA to be your exfoliant and your moisturizer. AHA, after all, basically works as an exfoliant, and moisturizer is always left on to let the skin absorb it. The skin must absorb the AHA ingredient of the product in order for AHA to work; thus, using cleansers with AHA do not make sense. Cleansers are just washed off before the AHA can be absorbed by the skin.

Always, always, always use a sunscreen when using a product with an active alpha hydroxy acid ingredient. Remember that AHA increases our skin�s vulnerability to damage from sunlight. Applying sunscreen generously on the skin, especially the part of the skin treated with AHA, is a definite must in order to protect the skin from the negative effects of exposure to sunlight.

Because too much alpha hydroxy acid can be dangerous to the skin, better use a product with only the right levels of AHA in it. The ideal AHA concentration in any product should be around 5% to 8%, and with a pH level of three or four. Any more can do more damage than good for our skin.

Suggestions for Cleansing and Detoxing Our Bodies

Suggestions for Cleansing and Detoxing Our Bodies

Fall is a particularly good time to pay attention to cleansing the body. People have cleansed throughout the ages to remove buildup of toxins and impurities in the system which constantly drain our immune systems.
There are countless ways to cleanse, but here is just a sampling of ideas to consider:

1) Digestive Cleansing
One of the most comprehensive ways to rid the body of the accumulated junk (mucous and build-up) in our digestive track. Digestive cleanses may involve fasting, wheatgrass juice, or juicing, cayenne pepper, enemas and colonics. Each of these is intended to assist the body in the process of elimination (particularly the elimination off all the “bad” things we’ve ingested over the years). Often the results of digestive cleansing – after the initial “reaction” stages of headaches or irritability- include feeling more “clear-headed”, lighter, more aware, less fatigued, energized.

Cleanse and Purify Thyself is a great book to read before doing a cleanse and Health and Yoga is a great resource on this topic.

2) Skin Brushing / Dry Brush
Brushing your skin with a dry body brush is one of the best ways to clean your skin. It may feel kind of odd but it is more effective than brushing your skin with a wet soapy brush or sponge.
skinbrush.jpg
3) Pranayama
Incorporating a breathing practice, with breath retention, and focus on expelling all the air out of the lungs helps invigorate and cleanse the lungs. Many yoga studios offer a pranayama class or incorporate pranayama in their scheduled classes.

4) Tongue Scraping / Tongue Cleaning
Ever notice that slimy white (or sometimes yellow, if you’re sick) film on your tongue? Sounds, gross, I know, but that’s the mouth’s eliminatation system and one of the causes of bad breath (the rest of it is coming from your digestive system). A tongue scraper can be used to scrape off coated tongues first thing in the morning.

5) Detox Bath
Use a combination of epsom salt, sea salt and baking soda to help pull out toxins from the skin (another great way to eliminate toxins). This one can be especially beneficial to ease emotional imbalances.

6) Water Flush
Most of us know that it’s important to stay hydrated and drink lots of water. A Balinese healer gave me another tip…drink 2 liters of warm water first thing in the morning to flush your system.

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam, GlamSpirit, Wellness, Health, GlamNetwork, Cleansing, Detox, Elimination System, Energize, Health, Fasting, Dry Brush, Skin Brush

Beauty Foods and Natural Beauty Ingredients

Beauty Foods and Natural Beauty Ingredients

Here are some healthy finds from the blogosphere:

beautyfoods2.jpg

Beauty Snob has a beautiful post about 8 foods you should eat every day. It includes a cute little key that indicates the bennies of each particular food.

Beauty by Nature talks about Pure and Positive Energy and treating your body like a temple so it can radiate with beauty.

Something sweet: Honey Skin Care Recipes from Yoga Coffee Outlook.

Homemade Skin Treats from Suite 101.

All Natural Mineral Makeup: Giella from GlamBlush.

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam, GlamSpirit, Wellness, Health, GlamNetwork, Natural Beauty, Beauty Foods, Natural Ingredients Beauty, Homemade+Beauty+Recipes, Homemade Beauty Recipes

Get Healthy Glowing Skin, Stay Hydrated

Get Healthy Glowing Skin, Stay Hydrated

One of the best ways to nourish your skin is to drink plenty of water. Water assists the body with it’s natural elimination process by flushing unwanted toxins out.

Did you know? Crankiness and irritability are some of the first signs that a person is dehydrated. A good thing to tell your sweety next time either one of you gets a little crabby. or better yet, say nothing and just give ‘em a little agua.

TIP #1
Keep a never-ending supply of water at your desk at work or wherever you spend most of your time. I like to mix things up with a little sparkling water or a slice of lemon or orange or cucumber on days that I want to pamper myself.

TIP#2
For a little added pampering at work, try a hydrating mist.
My secret weapon that I keep stored in my desk drawer is Shu Uemura Hydrating Mist:


Age-Defying Skin Secrets from GlamSpirit

Age-Defying Skin Secrets from GlamSpirit

I am not a beauty expert, but I am frequently told that I have really good skin. In my experience good skin comes from a wholesome, nutrient-rich diet, 8 hours of sleep each night, drinking plenty of water and keeping my energy body clear.
In addition the beauty regimen listed above, I do have one guiltless (unsolicited, non sponsored) beauty obsession. It’s called SKII. Someone gave me a bottle as a gift and that’s when I and became hooked.

skii2.jpg
SK-II Facial Hydrating UV Cream

Nail Corners

Nail Corners

To file or not to file

The corner of your nails should never be filed.

Why? Filing the corners of your nails will weaken the nail and you will find that they will break more easily as a result.

Christmas Nails

Christmas Nails

Cool Christmas Nails
by Joanne Elliott

Are you ready to have some fun this Christmas?! Well why not get a few girlfriends together for a night in with pizza, soda, and prepare for the festivities with a nail party! No matter how old or young you are, anybody can make these entertaining ideas sophisticated and glamorous. And the best thing is, none of these suggestions will break the bank!

Christmas Nails Party Ingredients:

  • Your favorite friends, your mothers, your younger sisters, even your great great grandmothers� the more the merrier!!
  • As many types and colors of varnish as humanly possible� get rooting around in your closets (this is also a good way of forcing yourself to have a quick clear out!)
  • Lots of clear or translucent nail varnish.
  • A hairdryer that can go at a low heat.
  • Beautiful sparkling glitter, permanent marker pens, an old firm sponge, card, scissors, nail glue feathers, sequins, etc etc.
  • A table or surface which you can all fit around� which won�t be ruined if things get a little messy!
  • Tissues and varnish remover... just in case.

Now use these design ideas as a starting point... I expect you to get even more inventive as you go. Be brave! Be bold! Go wild!!

Glitter Chick

Design your own glittery nail varnish. This one�s really easy. Choose a �base� color, and paint your nails with one coat. Then immediately sprinkle glitter onto the surface of the wet varnish! You can use any color glitter that you want. Or why not go for a rainbow effect, or try to draw on stripes with the glitter? Use the hairdryer to ensure that the nail varnish is dry. Then finish the effect with a thin coat of clear varnish� this will �seal in� the glitter, and also stop the glitter from being scratchy. (A surefire way to ladder your tights!)

Seasonal Stencils

Why not try to cut out seasonal shapes in thick-ish card to make a stencil? You could try snowflakes, stars, snowmen etc etc. Once you have made the stencil, simply lay it over the nail in the desired position. Then take your varnish brush, and remove the excess polish. (This should stop the varnish from oozing under the stencil and spreading everywhere). Now dab at the stencil until you have built up a solid block of color. Remove the stencil, et voila! Sensational seasonal nails in seconds!

Serial Stamping

Get your old firm sponge and cut out tiny shapes to use as stampers. This can be quite fiddly, so it�s probably better to use simple shapes like circles and triangles. Paint your nails (with a flat base coat, or use any combination of ideas). Once the base is dry simply paint the sponge with the varnish and stamp the nails. If the effect doesn�t go to plan, why not try �stippling� your nail with the sponge to give a sort of misty, blotchy color effect. (N.B. This will only work so long as the varnish is smooth in the end. Pitted or lumpy varnish will just look bad!)

Crazy Lady

If you�re feeling a little eccentric, this one will be right up your street! Why not stick cool things onto your nails?! Paint the base color as bright as you want. You can even use a combination of techniques like stripes or dots to create a really bold effect. Then take some nail glue, and carefully stick things like feathers or festive star shaped sequins directly to the nail. You can co-ordinate these with your outfit, jewelry, or hair slides, and guarantee that everybody in the room will be looking at you!

Funky Freehand

If you�re not really artistically inclined, you may well regard this one as �The Master Class�! Try blending colors of polish directly on your nail. You could use stripes, dots, or even make up your own funky freehand patterns. Now if you really want to go to town you can wait for the varnish to dry, and then �work into it� (as my old art teacher used to say!). Take a permanent marker and draw onto the top of your nail. You can get much more attention to detail if it is a fine-liner, even down to the fact that you can do a dotty pattern exactly around a nail varnish circle. Just make sure that you give your nails a final coat of clear varnish when they are dry. Even permanent marker can smudge on varnished nails you see�!