Wednesday, March 30, 2011

LOOK GREAT WHILE YOU TRAVEL

Look Great While You Travel

Melissa Kagan ON Jan 23, 2006 at 4:45AM
www.ivillage.com

Packing for a trip is no easy task. Most of us end up packing more clothes than we know what to do with. And shoes? Forget about it; they can require a separate suitcase on their own. It's not much easier when it comes to beauty and skin care. While we want to make sure we bring all the essentials, our skin may require different products when we travel than when we're at home. The key is to find multitasking products that don't take up too much room. Here's how to look great on the go:

    * Buy a cream blush that doubles as a lip tint.

    * Carry cleansing or refreshing wipes. Oil of Olay Daily Facials Express Wet Cloths wipe away dirt and makeup -- even waterproof mascara -- while nourishing skin with moisture and vitamin E. These are especially great for long airplane rides.

    * Carry an all-in-one moisturizer with sunscreen and tint. Look for creams with SPF 15 protection or higher that have a slight pigment to provide a great finished look without the heaviness of foundation.

    * Go from day into evening without overstuffing your makeup bag: A hint of shimmer can be applied to the face, body and even hair, creating a sexy nighttime look in seconds

    * Prepare for lost luggage by bringing a few basics on board. Many of the above products can be easily packed in your carry-on to tide you over until your luggage is found.

    * Drink plenty of water. Whether you are in the air, basking on the beach or skiing down the slopes, staying hydrated is the most important beauty tip of all.

    * Don't wear nail polish; it chips easily when you're toting luggage, making your hands instantly unsightly. Instead, get a "buff" manicure -- ask your manicurist to buff your nails to a shine instead of applying polish.

    * Carry some peppermint or rosemary oil on airplanes. The recirculated air in planes can make you stuffy. Rub a dab of essential oil on your temples to help relieve congestion. (If you have time for a bath when you get to your destination, you can add several drops of oil to that as well.)

    * Wear minimal eye makeup, and carry eye drops. Stuffy air, long lines and hours on the go will make you tired. Wilted eye makeup will make you look even more tired. If your eyes feel too naked without some attention, you can curl your lashes, apply a light mascara tint and set your brows in place with a clear brow gel. If your peepers feel dry or get red, a few eye drops will fix them.

    * Apply a leave-in conditioner before you begin your journey. Choose one that's formulated for your hair type so it won't weigh your hair down. The stresses of traveling, especially if you go to a different climate, can dry out hair and cause split ends

    * Carry an eye gel or cream. Often, applying a nutritious eye gel or cream is enough of a pick-me-up to get through customs. If not, at least you'll keep the delicate skin around your eyes moisturized and prevent puffiness.

    * Take your own supplies for your time away from home. Travel-size products leave room in your suitcase for other essentials. Most drugstores these days carry everything from mini nail polish remover pads to Shout stain remover cloths to deep-conditioning shampoo. Since products such as soaps and shampoos provided by hotels are often harsh, these petite products are important to have.

MY THOUGHTS

I think I'll follow the idea of nit having nail polish.  But I really don;t like bringing along toiletries.  I prefer to buy them from wherever it is I'm going.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

GET OVER YOUR WAXING WOES

GET OVER YOUR WAXING WOES

from the article 'Don't Suffer in the Name of Looking Good'

Stay fabulous (and pain-free) with these expert tip

Waxing Woes

Pouring hot wax onto your most sensitive areas, and then ripping out hundreds of tiny hairs at once… what are we thinking? But it doesn't have to feel as bad as it sounds. Just follow these steps from April Meese, an esthetician who owns Customized Beauty Ltd, a salon specializing in permanent makeup, and Katherine Goldman, esthetician and owner of Stript Wax Bar in San Francisco.

• Take two Aleve 30 minutes before your appointment, recommends Meese.

• Make sure hair is long enough to be waxed, says Goldman. Go "hippie chic" for at least two weeks prior to the appointment.

• Apply 4 to 5 percent topical lidocaine, available over-the-counter at most pharmacies. "This is a numbing cream that can be put on the area and covered with plastic wrap 20 minutes before treatment. It is messy, but it's helpful for the extremely sensitive skin clients," she explains. If you do this, however, be sure to let the esthetician know you used numbing cream, so they will double check the temperature of the wax (since you might not be able to tell if it's too hot).

• Offer to help the esthetician stretch your skin during the appointment, says Meese. "The tighter the skin is, the less pain there will be."

• After you've been waxed, Goldman recommends avoiding extreme heat or exercise for 24 hours (that means no sunbathing, saunas or hot tubs).

• And, finally, Goldman's golden rule: "Do not shave in between waxes!" You don't want to irritate the area, plus you need to let the hair grow in for the next session.

MY THOUGHTS

Sometimes I can't believe what women are willing to go through to stay beautiful.  Vanity has a price indeed.  And I'm not just speaking of money.  Come to think of it though, I've never had a painful experience with waxing.  It can be uncomfortable but not painful.  Threading (eyebrows) - that's something I will never try again. 

Sunday, March 20, 2011

SPIDER VEINS

Vitamins And Creams - Spider Veins
iVillage Beauty Body Spa
www.ivillage.com

ON Feb 22, 2001 at 4:24AM


There is a common myth that vitamin K pills, creams and lotions diminish spider veins. The rumor stems from the fact that vitamin K has been long associated with blood clotting. Taken orally, vitamin K can cause blood clots, stopping the flow of blood through a vein or capillary and thereby making it disappear. This works with healthy veins as well, posing definite health risks. Although reviews are mixed on the effectiveness of vitamin K, most experts agree that applying vitamin K to the skin, will do very little to clot blood and minimize spider veins.

To help prevent spider veins, maintain average body weight. Exercise -- especially walking -- also helps circulation and contraction of the muscles. Wear flat or low-heeled shoes and don't use body shapers (updated girdles) that restrict blood circulation. Consult your doctor about support stockings; they can be helpful, but they must fit properly or the constriction will be detrimental.

MY THOUGHTS

i heard that, when  left uncorrected, spider veins can be painful, too.  the advice laid out in this article are quite simple - walking, no high heels and no tight girdles.

Monday, March 14, 2011

WAYS TO STOP BONE LOSS AFTER AGE 50

WAYS TO STOP BONE LOSS AFTER AGE 50

from the article "7 Ways to Stop Bone Loss After Age 50"
By Carole Jacobs, Special to Lifescript
Published March 13, 2011
Reviewed By Edward C. Geehr, M.D.

Were you a wild child – drinking, smoking and eating badly in your younger years? If so, you might be at risk for osteoporosis. Here’s how to prevent additional bone loss in 7 simple steps…

The excesses of youth – smoking, drinking and starving yourself skinny – are now showing up as bone loss and osteoporosis in women.

About 8 million women in the U.S. have osteoporosis, and 30 million more may get the disease, which can cause bones to break with something as harmless as a sneeze, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF).

But even if you’ve abused your body in the past, you still have time to save your bones with simple changes, like getting enough vitamin D, eating more fresh fruits and veggies and, yes, adding some weight if you’re too thin.

Read on for the latest studies and doctor-recommended tips.

1. Know where you stand

Not sure where you fall on the bone-strength scale? Head to your doctor’s office for a couple of helpful tests.

    - FRAX (Fracture Risk Assessment Tool).
    - Bone-density test - dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry         (DEXA) scan

2. Bone up with calcium

Your bones store up to 99% of the calcium your body needs for nearly every function, including blood clotting, muscle and nerve function. And women can lose up to 20% of their bone density during the 5-7 years following menopause because of a decrease in estrogen.

That’s why women over 50 should get about 1,200 milligrams of calcium daily, according to updated guidelines issued by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in November 2010.

Your best sources for the mineral are low-fat and fat-free dairy products, such as milk, ice cream, cheese and yogurt, but calcium supplements can fill nutritional gaps, says Katherine Brooking, M.S., R.D., a New York-based dietitian.

“Just don’t overdo it," Cosman adds.

Too much calcium – more than 2,500 mg for adults 19-50, or more than 2,000 mg if you’re over 51 – can cause constipation and kidney stones, and it could interfere with the body’s ability to absorb other essential minerals such as iron and zinc, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements of the National Institutes of Health.

3. Get more vitamin D

“Without enough vitamin D, [women] could lose up to 4% of their skeletal mass per year,” says Michael F. Holick, Ph.D., M.D., professor of medicine at Boston University Medical Center, who discovered calcitriol (vitamin D3), the hormonally active form of the vitamin. He’s also the author of The Vitamin D Solution (Penguin).

That’s why increasing vitamin D intake is essential. It helps maintain normal calcium levels in the bones and aids in its absorption.

You can get D from leafy greens and fortified dairy products, but the major source is sunlight, which triggers production of the vitamin in your skin.

But you’ll probably need a vitamin D supplement if you live in a cloudy climate, use sunscreen religiously and/or have dark skin, Holick says.

4. Eat your veggies

Milk and vitamin D aren’t the only ways to build strong bones. Fruits and vegetables also have high levels of nutrients essential for skeletal health, including magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin K and several B vitamins, according to a large 2009 study conducted by the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston.

Five servings of fruits and veggies a day is all you need, according to a 2005 landmark study at the Clinical Research and Regional Bone Centers at Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw, N.Y. Calcium-rich produce includes broccoli (180 mg/cup), cooked spinach (240 mg/cup), arugula (125 mg/cup), orange juice (300 mg/cup), kiwi (50 mg/cup) and dry figs (300 mg/cup).

5. Kick butts

Here’s another reason to quit smoking: It’s a leading cause of bone loss and fractures in women older than 40, according to a three-year study conducted on 4,332 women at Universidade Federal de São Paulo in Brazil and published in 2010.

“Nicotine seems to have toxic effects on bone-forming cells and lowers estrogen levels, which in turn reduces bone density and leads to an earlier menopause,” Cosman says.

Cigarette smoking may increase spontaneous bone loss in women not taking estrogen, according to a two-year study on 270 postmenopausal women conducted at the Center for Clinical and Basic Research in Denmark.

6. Drink moderately

If you drank heavily during your adolescent and teenage years – the critical bone-building time – you may have irreversible skeletal damage and a greater risk of future fractures and osteoporosis, according to a 2010 Loyola University Study on rats.

Moderate drinking may affect estrogen concentrations or suppress bone breakdown to release minerals used in the rest of the body, researchers theorize.

So go ahead and enjoy just one glass of wine with dinner, Cosman says.

7. You really can be too thin

Here’s a good excuse to hang on to those love handles: A little extra padding protects your bones.

A low body weight often goes hand in hand with low bone mass and increased fracture risk, according to a 2006 Rutgers University Study. And those extra pounds may even protect you from fractures if you take a tumble.

Trying to lose weight? A 10% weight loss results in up to 2% bone loss, the Rutgers researchers say.

Weight protects you in several ways, the study shows. First, just carrying around an extra load has a weight-bearing benefit. Also, fat is associated with bone-building hormones, such as estrogen. And when you lose weight, circulating estrogen decreases.

MY THOUGHTS

i should start learning to like milk.  i have no problem with veggies and getting enough sun.  but milk has never been a favorite.  much less a habit.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

STAY FIT TO PREVENT DISEASE

Stay Fit to Prevent Disease
JORGE’S DAILY FIT TIP
By Jorge Cruise, Chief Diet and Fitness Expert
Published February 11, 2011

As we age, some wonderful things happen: We become wiser and more confident, and learn to appreciate life and good health in deeper ways. Unfortunately, our bodies don’t always embrace age quite as well as we’d like! You may notice some changes in your body that occur based on hormones. The biggest change is where you carry your weight and how your body metabolizes the food you eat.

A woman’s body goes through many changes in her 20s, 30s and 40s. Childbirth, health problems and stress can take a huge toll on your physique, but managing weight and staying rejuvenated are critical to long-term wellness. Letting your health decline can lead to life-threatening diseases such as diabetes, breast cancer and strokes; that’s why you should focus on prevention. One Canadian study shows that regular physical activity can help prevent several chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, obesity, depression, and osteoporosis. So remember to squeeze in three 30-minute sessions of cardio a week – it’ll help ensure you live a long, healthy, happy life.

Your coach,
Jorge Cruise

For information on Jorge's fitness program and to get a free copy of his Belly Fat Cure Report, visit jorgecruise.com.

MY THOUGHTS

three 30-minute cardio sessions.  that's only 1.5 hours a week.  sounds easy.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

BEING THANKFUL MAKES YOU BEAUTIFUL

BEING THANKFUL MAKES YOU BEAUTIFUL

from the article '11 Ways to Feel Beautiful'
(And not one involves more makeup!)
By Jenny Bailly
O, The Oprah Magazine  |  From the January 2010 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine

JUST SAY "THANKS

When you compliment a child on her dress, she doesn't respond, "Oh, I don't think it fits quite right." (But she might say, "Thanks! And look at my shoes! And my braids! And did I tell you I'm the third tallest girl in my class?") Stop deflecting praise about your appearance. Simply say "thank you" when someone compliments your thick hair or sparkling eyes. You—and your admirer—will feel better about the exchange, creating positive reinforcement that makes you both want to give and receive compliments more often.

MY THOUGHTS

why is it so difficult to simply accept compliments. if they're patronising you or pulling your leg, that's their problem.  so, go ahead and smile at the person complimenting you.  and you don't need to compliment back.  you just need to say 'thank you'.

Friday, March 4, 2011

BREATHE DEEPLY TO FEEL BEAUTIFUL

BREATHE DEEPLY TO FEEL BEAUTIFUL

from the article "11 Ways to Feel Beautiful"
(And not one involves more makeup!)
By Jenny Bailly
O, The Oprah Magazine  |  From the January 2010 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine

BREATHE DEEPLY

Shallow breathing manifests itself as tension in your face, throat, even shoulders. On the other hand, when you take deep, slow breaths, you look and feel more at ease in your body. So take a second, enjoy the photo, and breathe.

MY THOUGHTS

i've always known that breathing deeply relaxes us and eases the tension.  i never quite thought of it this way well, it won't cost a thing.so, breathe.  deeply.  and feel how beautiful you are - inside and out.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

PUT ON A HAPPY FACE

PUT ON A HAPPY FACE

from the article '11 Ways to Feel Beautiful'
(And not one involves more makeup!)
By Jenny Bailly
O, The Oprah Magazine  |  From the January 2010 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine

PUT ON A HAPPY FACE

"We all find smiling faces more attractive than nonsmiling ones," says Paul Ekman, PhD, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, who has studied facial expression for several decades. A smile not only lifts the muscles around the eyes and lips, for a more youthful appearance, but also generates a feel-good ripple effect: Your brain gets an instant mood boost from the muscle contractions, and that boost is maintained as people smile back at you.

MY THOUGHTS

no amount of makeup can replace a happy face- that's for sure.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

FIND SOMETHING TO ADMIRE IN YOU

FIND SOMETHING TO ADMIRE IN YOU

from the article '11 Ways to Feel Beautiful'
(And not one involves more makeup!)
By Jenny Bailly
O, The Oprah Magazine  |  From the January 2010 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine

FIND SOMETHING TO ADMIRE—IN YOURSELF

"Studies using eye-tracking technology have shown that people who are unhappy with their appearance zero in on their perceived flaws when they look in the mirror," says Nancy Etcoff, PhD, director of the Program in Aesthetics and Well Being at Massachusetts General Hospital. Turn your gaze on the feature you like (we know you have at least one). "When your eyes take in something that pleases you, your brain's reward system is activated, lifting your whole mood," says Etcoff.

MY THOUGHTS

curious about eye-tracking technology? - click this link - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_tracking

and this is how an eye-tracker would look like.

from optometry.com
but we don't really need an eye-tracker to see what's beautiful in us.  everyone has something beautiful in them.