Shaving Tools For Everyday Shaving

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To get a great shave then you need to use some products in particular. By not using them you will have problems. All skin types can use these great products for their shaving efforts.

Shaving brushes are ample devices to spread shaving cream and erect hairs from laying on your face. This makes it much easier to cut the hairs cleanly. A shaving brush comes in many styles and hair types but any of them will work just as good as the next. Silicone shaving brushes work well because they are gentle on the skin and do a great job at standing the hairs on end.

Shaving cream wasn't used too much in the past like glycerin soap was. The cult of straight razor users still prefer this type of shaving cream. Regular soap doesn't provide the same amount of lubrication that glycerin soap does for the razor. A sensitive skinned person will need to pay more attention to the shaving cream or soap that they plan on using. The problem is that these types of skin are prone to painful shaving sessions due to burning.

There are many kinds of shavers in the market. Not everyone likes wet shaving and some will prefer to use an electric shaver to cut their hair. Usually straight razors give a very smooth shave and the others give a quicker but rougher style of shave. It doesn't matter which method of shaving you use because you will need to be careful when cutting hair so close to the skin.

Using moisturizer isn't just for women and men should consider it as well. Shaving leaves skin dry and it is important to moisturize since the body can only produce so much natural oil on its own. Dry skin is one of the causes of skin irritation.

And finally the last item is water. Cold water prevents your razors edge from warping and warm water will keep your face ready for a razor to slide over it.

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Shea Body Butter: The Ideal All-Over Body Moisturizer

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Over time, skin loses its natural moisture and this loss of moisture often results in rough, dry and scaly skin. The environment, weather, bad habits and even household chores all have profound effects on the skin and because it is impossible not to get exposed to any of these elements, the most that any woman can do is to protect her skin and help it regain the moisture it had lost. For a lot of women, this means turning to the various creams, lotions and potions churned out by different beauty companies.

With the wealth of choices available on the market however, women are hard-pressed to find a product that is right for them. This demand by women for an effective product has led beauty companies to turn to nature for a solution. In the quest to find an ingredient to make into an effective product, beauty companies looked to Africa and discovered shea butter, one of nature's greatest moisturizers.

Nowadays, most beauty companies offer shea butter in their range of beauty products and not surprisingly, it is one of the most sought after products by women. Between shea body lotion and shea body butter, most women would opt for the latter as it has a higher concentration of shea butter thus making it the ideal all-over body moisturizer. Naturally, it costs more too but most women are willing to spend a little extra because the benefits derived from using body butter as opposed to lotion are far greater. Besides, shea butter is more expensive compared with other moisturizing ingredients to begin with. The difference in cost can be attributed to the fact that the shea tree from which fruit the shea butter comes from only bears fruit every 15 years or so.

Shea body butter is an excellent moisturizer and it helps a lot in combating dry skin. It works well for use on any part of the body especially those prone to dryness like the hands, elbows, knees and the soles of the feet. For cracked heels, it is usually recommended to slather on shea body butter at night before covering the feet with socks. As with any body butter however, it is important to remember that the shea body butter has a shorter shelf life compared to its lotion counterpart. Whatever brand you choose, a good rule to keep in my mind is that body butter needs to be used up within six months from its first use.

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Shop Online for the Best Deal in Perfumes

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Perfumes are one of the most widely used cosmetics all over the planet. All people want that they smell nice, their home gives a pleasant fragrance and some even take care that their pets give a soothing aroma. That is why the perfume industry has got huge prospects. With the advent of internet it's been seen that people go online to shop almost everything right from books to cosmetics, garments to cars. Some people may argue that while buying perfumes online you don't have an option of trying those perfumes. But they must ask themselves that the last time when they went to purchase perfume from a retail store, were they able to quickly decide on which perfume they would buy. In most cases you are lost in the fragrance of different perfumes. And after some time you are not even able to differentiate between the fragrances of different perfumes. You end up buying a perfume which you may not like in future.

When you shop online, there are various advantages that you avail. Firstly you don't have to go anywhere like a mall or a supermarket to search for your favourite perfume. A mall may have 500 choices for perfumes or even 1000 but that is far less than the number of choices you get when you are buying online. Hence purchasing the perfume online saves your time, money and effort at the same time. Another very important thing which helps online is that you can actually checkout the reviews of different people who have already used that particular perfume. They can easily answer questions like whether the fragrance lasts for long time or not, does it have any sort of side effect on your skin and so on. You can also pick up perfumes from any corner of the world. The perfumes are used and produced everywhere in the world. There is a certain possibility that the perfume which is produced or which is available in your area, doesn't suit your taste. But going online to purchase perfumes, you get freedom of selecting the best perfume by reading the reviews and looking for various available options. You are in a position to select perfumes from all over the planet and the best part of the story is that you get the best bargains.

Over millions of perfumes are available worldwide in different fragrances and in very attractive pickings. The choice of fragrance varies from person to person. That is why it becomes really important that you must get all the information properly before going for an online purchase else you may end up buying a product which doesn't suit you. Things may become even worse when you are choosing for someone else. Basically there are seven main types of perfumes which are offered online. These categories include Floral, Chypre, Leather, Fougere, woody, citrus and oriental. You must be very careful in selecting from these categories. As there are number of people providing perfumes through online stores hence the competition is really high. Consumers can easily get benefit because of such high competition. So if you want the best deal in perfumes, go online.

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Should Whale Tail Bathing Suits Be Banned for Good?

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We have always been bombarded with the same question over and over, "Should whale tail bathing suits be banned?" In a world where nobody is as daring as we could have never expected, my answer to this question is NO. It should not be banned BUT there should be some restrictions when it comes to wearing it. I cannot blame those designers who created this kind of swim wear because they are just simply doing their job and that is to continuously create something new and sexy and daring in fashion. If they create something that is already expected and common then they would lose their job. They are here, I believe, to make the world more colorful and so they are free to create whatever it is that they want or else everything will be boring.

A woman is allowed to express herself through the clothes that she wears because that is what fashion is all about. They are the biggest clients of the fashion industry. Ask me I am also a woman. The argument continues as to whether the whale tail bathing suit be banned or not and I already made it clear that it should not be as long as there will be certain restrictions when it comes to wearing this. And what are those restrictions? This kind of swim wear is really beyond what we could imagine. I mean you are revealing almost everything there is in you. Others may find it sexy while others may find it somewhat insulting especially to those women who have high respect to them and I do not have anything against the wearers of this type of swim wear either. I mean we could not just simply judge someone by what she is wearing but the point is that we should also be considerate of our surroundings and just leave the imagination to our husbands and that means if it is possible just wear those whale tail type when you are at home with your husband and better if you have own swimming people too because you can wear them freely anytime of the day.

Whale tail bathing suits are already here so we really do not need to make more arguments about it. I am not asking people to completely embrace them either. We just have to be kind of neutral about it. You can still wear a pair and enjoy having one but if you can just be a little considerate then I think nobody will have to give up something.

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Skin Firming Creams For Younger Looking Skin

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When people are younger, their body can produce enough essential elements for skin health. These are the collagen and elastin. Collagen helps the skin to be firm while elsatin does the opposite; it makes the skin flexible. These elements make a skin looks healthier and youthful. As people grow older, their collagen and elastin begins to diminish. This is why wrinkle, sagging skin and age spots occur. The signs of aging have paved the way for the creation of a skin firming cream.

This skin care product is being widely used by people all over the world. It aims to reduce wrinkles and makes the skin firmer. Studies has shown that these creams can be effective to people. It can't be harmful as long as the product contains safe and natural ingredient.

There is a lot of skin firming cream available in the market. Each may have different way of treating an aging skin. Some tightens the outer layer of the skin or plump it up to make it feel smoother and look firmer. Other's use essential elements that could help regenerate skin cells.

Products that contain collagens cannot be effective on treating an aging skin. You may think that you have to increase the level of your collagen, but literally applying it on your skin would not help. Collagen molecules are too big to be absorbed by the skin; hence, it would just lead you to a waste of money. You must choose a firming cream that could stimulate the growth of your collagen. There are some products that could help stimulate the growth of elastin as well. This kind of product could more likely give a positive outcome.

You must avoid buying a skin firming cream that contains mineral oil, paraben, alcohol, fragrance or dioxane. All of these ingredients can be very harmful to your skin. Some of them can cause irritation and rashes; it may even be a cause of some cases of cancer. Try to select products with natural oils such avocado oil, coconut oil, olive oil, emu oil or even fish oil. You may think that these oils could be harmful to your skin, making it feel greasy or clogging your pores. But it doesn't, these oils have essential vitamins and minerals that can stimulate skin cell regeneration, prevent free radical damages and stimulate collagen growth.

Products with natural extracts, manuka honey and cynergy TK is something you should also sought after. These ingredients may help in stimulating collagen growth as well; in fact, studies show that cynergy TK can also stimulate elastin growth. Thus, using products containing these very beneficial ingredients can give you the results you are looking for.

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Smartlash Eyelash Enhancer Review

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Every woman envies and hopes to have lengthy and glossy eyelashes. Smartlash is a product introduced by IQderma (a company from California) that is one of the most respected beauty product producers on the market nowadays and promises to provide the wanted impact. Despite the fact that there are numerous eyelash boosters available over the counter today, the product and its style has resulted in millions of reviews that are positive amongst ladies. The item pledges to help increase longer, luscious and thicker eyelashes. Longer and richer lashes assist in making your eyes look brighter and even bigger and have the ability to make facial features look more defined.

Unique selling points

Smartlash uses VisiLash technologies to avoid the harmful results that this sort of products tend to create. They claim to use scientifically tested ingredients. The primary one in the product is water, which is of course harmless. Additionally, it contains marsupium bark extract, soybean oil, mannitol, lecithin, apigenin and panthenol in addition to many more. They do not contain prostaglandin that is generally used by typical eyelash enhancers. This particular substance has been proven to trigger darkening of the skin on the eyelids. It is also clear of the ill unwanted effects caused by similar items.

It's been recommended to use this product twice a day, morning and night in a way the eyeliner is applied and also at the brow skin in a preferred shape of eyebrow. The product is a powerful remedy against eyelashes which are currently shortening because of the external environment and other beauty products.

Added benefits

This item indicates amazing results during individual testing. A 68% increase in lash length in a time period of 60 days and a 100% boost in lash volume in four weeks has been reported in an independent medical study. In addition to increasing size of eyelashes, it may also help in highlighting eyebrows. The lack of prostaglandin is favorable. The product can be bought from independent shops. It matches magnificently with mascara. Each item from IQderma including this particular one has a 30 day money back guarantee if absolutely no results are noticed. This particular eyelash enhancer can be utilized by wearers of contact lens too and does not create any sort of irritation.

The item has a whole lot of benefits which make you lower the need for skin drying chemicals, clumpy mascara, costly extensions and sticky eyelash glue. No prescription is needed for this product. It is actually safe for the eye brows and contains absolutely no parabens. There's been simply no reported indications of discoloration too.

Among the many similar products you can purchase today, Smartlash is offered on a free trial at $4.95 for shipping and handling and even if used 2 times a day (as is recommended), it can easily last many months in contrast to many other comparable items. Although many items claim to enhance and improve eyelashes, this product has obtained a lot of reviews that are positive.

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Smoky Eye Makeup Tips For a 5-Minute Face

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The smokey eye look is still very popular and it looks fantastic when done correctly. If not done well, it can look like you have 2 black eyes, and no one wants that effect! The smokey eye is sexy and dramatic and alluring. There are many, many tutorials out there that provide step by step instructions on achieving the perfect smokey eye look. In an effort to save you time and any eye makeup disasters, here is a simple step by step tutorial to achieving the perfect smokey eye.

1. Prep your lid area. Using a primer designed for the eyelid is a great way to make your eye makeup last longer and look fresh all day long. Apply primer all over lid area and let dry.

2. Line your eyes with eyeliner. Any color will do. If you want an especially dark and dramatic look use a black eyeliner. Or change it up and use a bright jewel toned liner such as amethyst purple or green. Apply the liner to the top lash line.

3. Apply eyeliner pencil to the bottom lash line and smudge using your finger or a sponge. You can also achieve this by using an eyeshadow and smudging that after applying.

4. Use a light shimmery eyeshadow and sweep it over your entire lid.

5. Now, using a darker color eyeshadow and an eyeshadow brush, apply the shadow beginning at the outer corner of your eye and blend inwards. You do not want the darker shadow to go any higher than the crease of your eye. Also apply just above the lashes and smudge upwards. The key here is to blend your shadows together.

6. Step back from the mirror and admire your gorgeous smokey eyes!

With a little practice you will be able to do this in no time at all and can leave the house with sexy smokey eyes any time you like. Perfect!

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Straight Lines - Crooked Lines - Puddles - Oh My!

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It makes me really happy to see Africans especially women, breaking stereotypes and succeeding in business. This is one of the reasons I decided to start a blog. But I was so busy last week with a translation project that I didn't get a chance to think what to write about next. I like doing the interviews like the one I did on Hidden Voices and I do have another one lined with a Ugandan lady who's doing some extraordinary work in East Africa. But for today I'm kinda happy because Handbag Designer101 said they'd like to feature me and sent me some questions to answer in preparation. Going through the questions really took me down memory lane. I laughed a little (actually a lot), as I reminisced the days when I was still flapping around in "idea land" trying to think what on earth I could do apart from work. I remembered how one time after I had decided to try bag-making, I was so frustrated that I couldn't find any sewing contractors willing to work with someone just starting out. Everyone I contacted said they weren't interested in producing small quantities. At the height of frustration that day, I hopped on the internet and ended up in Europe!

I couldn't afford to make large quantities and didn't want to either. I think I more or less expected the bags to NOT be exactly what I wanted and was prepared to live with that. Actually, what I was really worried about was the quality. I'm almost fanatical about finishing. In the end I decided not to use one of my better designs and instead sent a sample bag that I had used to have my first bag pattern made - which had proved to be a disaster.

Wasn't I scared about them not making the bags right or even worse, being cheated? Of course I was but I had done everything I knew to do (which at the time was almost zero) to find someone, anyone, to produce them. I didn't even know I had to provide technical sketches of the bags. I could barely draw a circle. You see, all this happened just after I had taken the radical decision that rather than just SELL bags, I would start to DESIGN bags. (Read the full story here). Well, I later learned that designing the bags was just the beginning of the process. I still had to select the fabrics and leathers, lining, zippers, handles and other bag components AND send these to the sewing contractors - and all this to Bulgaria. Yes, you heard me, BULGARIA!. I had to plead for mercy to get them to agree to make the bags since initially they too told me that their minimum order was 1,000 pieces. I wanted only about 30!

Eventually they said yes, but by that time I had developed cold feet and all the concerns I mentioned earlier came flooding back. I found myself rehearsing all the what ifs and this, to the point that I decided maybe I should just forget the whole thing. I mean after all, I had absolutely no contacts in Bulgaria and knew nothing about the country and to be very honest with myself (and you), I had absolutely no idea what I was doing going all the way to Eastern Europe to make bags! But I did have ONE thing that stood in my favor. You see, I had a dream that wouldn't die. And when you have a dream...

I was still teeter-tottering over what to do as common sense and conventional wisdom were both hinting me very strongly I might add, to drop the whole idea. I don't remember what the trigger was, but out of nowhere, I suddenly remembered a book I had read many years ago. It was the autobiography of Dr An Wang, co-founder of Wang Laboratories and titled ''Lessons''. There were two quotes in particular that really left a footprint in my mind. The first one said: "You have to risk failure to succeed. The important thing is not to make one single mistake that will jeopardize the future.'' Well, I'm not actually going to Bulgaria; just my fabrics and the bag components so I couldn't be jeopardizing that much, could I? I mean it's not like my life is at stake or anything like that, was how I reasoned. Nonetheless, I had to admit that it sounded pretty crazy to go all the way to Bulgaria just to get a few bags made when I had the whole of the U.S. (where I lived at the time) to choose from. I was still struggling with yes, do it and no, don't do it, when I remembered that there was another one of Dr Wang's quotes that I had stored somewhere in my emails. I searched for it and found it. It says: "Progress is not a straight line; the future is not a mere projection of trends in the present. Rather, it is revolutionary. It overturns the conventional wisdom of the present, which often conceals or ignores the clues to the future.''

Well, I figured I had wrestled with conventional wisdom enough and that if it worked for Dr Wang maybe it could work for me. So I followed his advice and tried to steer away from anything I felt would jeopardize the success of the project. I followed up with the company with tons of questions, emails, phone conversations and did as much research as I could on the company via the internet. Many weeks later, I decided to go ahead.

Did everything work out perfectly? Of course not. Was I cheated? Nope. Were the bags well-made in terms of quality and finishing? Very. Did they keep to the agreed deadline? Yes. Did I get what I expected though I didn't provide any technical sketches? They exceeded my expectations: the sample bag I sent was awful. What was the retail price of the bag? $80. Was it worth all the effort? Absolutely! Did I make any mistakes? Of course. I learned how important it is to provide good technical sketches if you want your designs to be captured properly. I was just lucky to have had some sort of sample to show to give an idea of what I wanted. I also knew nothing about US customs at the time and subsequently took a course on it to escape the bondage of my ignorance. Would you do it again? If necessary. Why? "Because sometimes you have to step out on what you see 'cause if you see the invisible, then bless God you can do the impossible."

-TD Jakes.

Having by-passed straight lines to walk in crooked lines and step in puddles, I have learned from Dr Wang never to underestimate the power of a quote. Besides, you know what they say: if the quote fits, run with it.

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Study Reports Skin Moisturizer Causes Cancerous Tumors!

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A skin moisturizer caused an increased rate of cancer tumor formation according to a tumor biology study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology in August of 2008. The results came as no surprise to some people.

Experts from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and other public safety organizations have been trying to warn consumers for years about the dangers lurking in their medicine cabinets. Ingredients commonly found in moisturizers and other skincare products are known to cause cancer, cellular mutations, nerve damage, organ failure and birth defects.

Due to lax cosmetic industry regulations, companies are allowed to include all but a handful of highly toxic ingredients in their formulas. The ingredients are allowed because of an old mistaken belief.

Although some traditional healers have known better for thousands of years, relatively modern scientific theory held that cosmetic ingredients could not penetrate through the skin's outer layers.

Many major cosmetic companies still adhere to that theory. That's why the companies have been allowed to use toxic ingredients. Why not change the formula?

It's hard to say why companies steadfastly refuse to change their formulas. Money probably has a lot to do with it.

The retail price of a skin moisturizer is determined by several factors. The cost of the ingredients is one factor. The cost of advertising and marketing is another. If the product is sold by a retailer, rather than directly through the manufacturer, there is the cost of mark-up.

In order to change their formulas, many cosmetic companies would have to start over from square one. That means they would have to do the necessary testing, research and development. That would add more to their costs. Prices would go up. Customers might stop buying.

What are the most hazardous cosmetic ingredients? Researchers used more than one skin moisturizer in the 2008 study. They contained different ingredients. Some of the compounds that may have contributed to the tumor formation are parabens and sunscreens.

Petrolatum was present in all of the moisturizers. According to the EWG, the biggest petrolatum concern is the contamination risk. Petrolatum is a byproduct created when crude oil is converted to gasoline. During the manufacturing process, cancer-causing chemicals may contaminate the petrolatum. Although most companies use acceptable purification methods, there's just no way to be sure. A chemical assay is not required before distribution.

Parabens have been found in tumors before. Some sunscreens are known to penetrate through the skin's outer layers and cause cellular mutations that can lead to the formation of a cancer cell.

So, what kind of skin moisturizer is safe? There are lots of safe creams and lotions on the market. In order to be sure, you can evaluate the label of ingredients or look for a manufacturer that has signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics.

Companies signing the Compact agree to adhere to the European Union's stricter cosmetic regulations. Their products do not contain ingredients that are known to cause cancer, cellular mutations, nerve damage, organ failure or birth defects. You can buy a skin moisturizer from those companies with confidence.

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Tea Tree Oil - Heal Your Skin Naturally

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Essential Oils are the highly concentrated essences distilled from specific plants. They are used not only for their scent, but for their medicinal attributes as well.

Tea Tree is the most powerful antibiotic and antifungal of the essential oils. It's pungent, medicinal fragrance is refreshing and revitalizing to the senses. The oil is distilled from the leaves of the Tea Tree. Native to Australia, Tea Tree has been used by the aborigines for centuries to relieve respiratory problems, headaches, and to heal infected wounds. Captain Cook's sailors used it in the 18th century to fight scurvy.

Because it has the ability to regulate the production of sebum (the skins natural oil), tea tree is a fabulous healing tonic for your skin. The oil benefits skin by helping to heal burns, acne, and cold sores. Tea tree clears blemishes caused by chicken pox and is even good for warts. It also helps to relieve itching and foot fungus.

To heal mild infection from a cut or insect bite, place 3 drops of the oil on a cotton ball and apply to affected area.

This oil can be used directly on the skin or added to a carrier oil such as almond or olive oil.

Mixes well with lavender.

Warning: Tea Tree oil may be irritating to sensitive skin. Do a patch test before using.*

Sample Recipe:

Acne Zapper
? 3 drops Tea Tree Oil
? 3 drops Geranium Oil
? 3 drops Lemon Oil
? 3 teaspoons carrier oil such as almond or olive.

Mix oils and apply to clean face nightly.

*Patch test-Before using a new recipe, even if it's natural, it makes sense to do a patch test first. Apply a small amount to the inside of your arm. Cover it with a band-aid for 24 hours. If the spot becomes red and/or itchy, you are having a bad reaction to one of the ingredients and you should not use it on your skin. Wash it off with warm soapy water. If you have particularly sensitive skin, consult with your dermatologist.

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The Amazing Effects of a Synergistic Anti Aging Facial Cream!

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The benefits of an anti aging facial cream or mask may be numerous. The sum of the benefits sometimes exceeds the benefits of individual compounds, if the ingredients work together in synergy. Here's a look at some that do.

Functional Keratin is an active protein extracted from sheep's wool using patented processes. In clinical studies, a 40% improvement in firmness has been noted. Peptides are believed to work in synergy with the protein to enhance results.

Peptides are similar to proteins, but they contain shorter chains of amino acids. Thus they are more easily absorbed by the skin's cells.

Numerous peptides have been studied for their benefits to the skin. Tetrapeptide-3 is one that has been shown to improve the skin's firmness, particularly on the neck. As much as a 40% improvement in firmness has been seen in some studies.

Imagine the results you would see if you used both Functional Keratin and tetrapeptide-3. Some research and development teams have imagined the results. They have included both ingredients in their company's anti aging facial masks.

Masks can be deeply hydrating or deeply cleansing, depending on the ingredients they contain. They are typically used twice a month, often on an alternating basis.

The cleansing masks pull dirt and toxins out of the pores, which reduces your risk of blemishes and makes your skin's surface smoother. The deep hydrating masks provide moisture and nourishment to the cells.

Each cell in the skin's outermost layer contains the protein keratin. One of its functions is to absorb moisture and pull it into the cell. This makes the cell plumper, which in turn makes your face firmer.

So, increased firmness and smoothness are the benefits that accompany the regular use of anti aging facial masks. Daytime moisturizers and nighttime creams can provide even more benefits if they contain nano-particles of coenzyme Q10.

Nano-particles are tiny enough to be absorbed into the deepest of the skin's layers. Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant found naturally in practically every cell of the body.

The amount of COQ10 present in the cells decreases with age. For example, the amount present in the cells of the heart starts to decline drastically once we pass the age of 20.

The amount present in the skin is quickly depleted during sun exposure. This is one of the reasons scientists began evaluating the benefits of including COQ10 in an anti aging facial fluid. Sun exposure is one of the main causes of cellular aging, the signs of which become visible in the form of wrinkles and sagging.

If used daily for three months, a cream containing nano-particles of COQ10 may help reduce wrinkles by as much as 30%. A reduction of other signs of sun damage has been seen, including reduced roughness and dryness.

The most effective day creams and nighttime moisturizers contain COQ10 and Functional Keratin. Wrinkle reduction combined with improved firmness is equal to amazing results. Why choose an anti aging facial cream that provides only one benefit when there is so much more to be had?

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The Basics of Makeup

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In an earlier article we discussed how every little girl moves from playful and wanting to just look like mum to getting serious about enhancing her natural beauty. We also took you through the simple steps of proper cleansing, applying a moisturizer, a concealer and a perfect foundation to create a beautiful canvas for these next steps in the Basic Makeup process.

Basic Eye Makeup

It's said the eyes are the window of the sole and in health and beauty circles it's said that the eyes are the window to health and attraction. Eye Makeup is one of the most important and best ways to enhance your natural beauty.

There are several steps for applying make up around the eyes.

* Always start with your eye brows. Create a brow-line using an eye brow pencil. You can also use the pencil to fill in gaps where you may have plucked away your natural brow. Applying carefully and sparingly as an eye brow pencil can really show and look unnatural. Use a slanted eye makeup brush to apply eye powder to finish the job. Eyeshadow come next and it needs to match and compliment your eye color as well as your skin tone so chose your colour after some study of both. Use darker shades of eyeshadow to line your upper eye lid. Then use medium shades above and up to the crease of your eye. Light eyeshadow now goes from that point to just under your eye brow. Basic Makeup Tip: An eyeshadow palette is handy for have colours to mix and match.
* Use an eyeliner in a darker matching colour to make your eyes stand out more. Apply in a thin line on the bottom edge of the upper eye lid using your eye makeup brush. To make your eyes to look larger, apply the eyeliner only on the upper eyelid, extending the line 1/2 inch beyond the corner of your eye. If you already have large eyes and prefer a more dramatic look apply eyeliner on the edge of the lower lid below the eye lash.
* Mascara is your final step in the eye makeup part of this basic makeup application. Once again pick a colour based on your skin tone. Use dark brown if you are fair and black if you have darker skin. Navy or plum is good for evening wear but not appropriate for work. Dip your Mascara applicator into the tube and gently apply to your upper and lower lashes. Wait a few moments to dry then apply a second coat. This helps avoid clumping.

Basic Blush Makeup You will find Blush in powder and gel form. It doesn't matter which form you choose just be sure to apply it sparingly. Smile to find the 'apples of your cheeks'. Apply blush on your 'apples' or just below them. Experiment to determine which place is more flattering for your face. Basic Makeup Tip: Invest in good Makeup Brushes to apply your blush and other cosmetics.

Basic Lip Makeup By now you know that matching and coordinating is everything in makeup. Choose a lip stick or lip stain that goes with your skin and your outfit. You can apply it from the tube with lip stick or use a lip stick brush for lip stains. Professional make up artists always use a lip brush when applying either. Next apply lip-liner around the edges of your lips. Basic Makeup Tip: Use a lipliner of similar shade to your lip stick or stain.

Marcia Canti is a Basic Makeup Specialist who has created the 'Basic Makeup' method for looking great everyday. From tips on how to the Basics of Makeup to shopping for cosmetics Marcia knows her stuff! Whether you're taking the kids to school or heading out for a formal function Marci will make sure you look your best. Learn more about Marcia's 'Basic Makeup' Methods and discover great deals on cosmetics too at BasicMakeup.com

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The Best Facial Cleanser for Real Results

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I don't know about you, but I don't have time for complicated skincare regimens. I just need a simple system which cleans my face without drying it out. Unfortunately, using a mainstream facial cleanser often left my skin feeling tight, pulled and uncomfortable. So I decided to look into the problem so that I might, finally, find a gentle, but effective system for keeping my face clean, moist and healthy. Well, not only did I discover why the vast majority of cleansers aren't good for the skin, I also learned about the best substances for achieving a clean, healthy complexion. Let me explain.

While it is true that the foundation of effective skincare is to clean, moisturize and protect your skin, the products you choose to accomplish this is no small matter.

The harsh chemicals contained in the majority of facial cleaning products are not only ineffective, but have the potential to harm your skin. Mineral oil, nitrosamine, dioxane, alcohols and fragrances, which form the basis of most skin cleansers, have no ability to work with the natural chemistry of your skin. Their synthetic molecular structure keeps them on the surface of your skin where they strip your natural oils. Worse yet, these synthetic chemicals are deposited on your skin where they can provoke flare-ups and break-outs.

I learned that the best facial cleanser will be formulated with high concentrations of bio-active extracts from Nature. This is especially important if your skin is sensitive and can't tolerate harsh soaps or cleansers.

Clinically-tested, bio-active ingredients have been proven to gently pull dirt and grime from your face.

Kaolin, a unique bio-active extract found in a special clay from New Zealand, along with betone gel, have achieved safe, effective cleansing results in clinical trials. In addition to gentle cleaning and disinfecting, these natural ingredients also soothe inflamed skin, improve blemishes and stop new ones from forming.

But the benefits from a Nature-based facial cleanser don't end there. Rich, natural moisturizers and emollients, added to these cleansers, provide healthy hydration, antioxidant stimulation and a boost to your immune system. Scientific tests show substances such as shea butter, jojoba, avocado and macadamia nut oils, along with active Manuka honey, are highly effective at achieving these beneficial results.

So instead of using a harsh facial cleanser with the potential to harm, rather than help, why don't you give your skin what it needs for healthy, beautiful results? Products formulated with the best natural cleansing and hydrating power can make a real difference in the way your skin looks and feels.

If you'd like more information about the natural facial cleanser I personally use to support the health and appearance of my skin, please visit my web site.

Therese Higgins is a dedicated researcher and user of the best natural skin care. When it comes to achieving young, fabulous skin, Therese knows, "knowledge is power!" Learn more about the potent, clinically-tested natural extracts being used to create the safest, most effective facial cleanser on the market today. Visit http://www.absolutely-radiant.com/ now!

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The Best Lighted Makeup Mirror Brands

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If you are a budding makeup artist or simply find yourself in front of the makeup mirror more than normal, a lighted makeup mirror is one investment you should make.

Most professional makeup artists do their craft away from their homes. Because not all locations have well-lighted rooms or dressers, bringing your own portable, well-lighted makeup mirror should keep you away from unwanted situations.

Portable, mirror-only makeup mirrors are sold and made by a lot of specialty manufacturers. Most of their products are available online. They also have stores and dealers scattered nationwide.

A professional makeup artist should also consider using an all-in-one makeup station that has its own lighted mirror. A makeup station also has compartments; these usually fold and pack to into a hard-shell; some of these cases also have built-in trolleys which make them easier to transport. Such products are being sold by specialty manufacturers and come in a wide array of sizes and styles.

If you think such products are a little too much for personal use, there are also portable makeup mirrors that suit home and occasional use. These mirrors are generally smaller and have fewer lights. These products are relatively cheaper and should be enough when used from dressers and bathrooms.

Below are some brands and products worth having a look at if you are in the market for lighted makeup mirrors.

Professional

Makeup Artist Network

Makeup Artist Network, or simply Makeup Art, is a leading manufacturer of makeup cases. Although they also have a number of vanity products, their makeup cases and stations have been used by professionals since 1999. They have cases with lights of different sizes, styles, and colors.

Vanity Girl Hollywood

Vanity Girl Hollywood is also a specialty vanity accessories manufacturer. They have very unique makeup tables, vanity mirrors-both wall-mounted and tabletop, as well as a number of other vanity accessories. They are endorsed by celebrities such as Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey, and their products were also used in the 2010 Olympics.

Makeup Station

As their name suggests, this company provides portable makeup stations for use on location. Their products have been used in movie sets for popular Hollywood movies. Also unique about this company is that they allow they offer their products for rent.

Personal

Remington

Ask around any department store or browse through online shops and you will surely come across the brand Remington. Remington and their True-To-Light series of mirrors have been re-branded by a number of different companies because of its simple design. The Remington makeup mirror has also had several reincarnations featuring improvements every time.

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The Do's and Don'ts in Extending the Life of a Bra

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Comfortable bras do not always stay comfortable without proper caring. Even though you have secured that cute-looking bra with perforated pads that keeps you dry and comfy all the time, it will not last like that forever if you don't do it right. Below are some tips of the do's and the don'ts in taking care of bras.

The Do's

Do wash your bra after using it three times. More than that it will collect more moisture on the fabric and especially on the pads. This will not be easy to get rid of and it will definitely not be healthy and hygienic for your skin.Use a mild detergent to wash your undergarments, including your bra. This will gently take care of the cleaning action of the bra.Hand wash your bra. This way you make sure that there is no element of the bra that gets pulled off and causes premature bra snagging.Put it inside the lingerie bag if you wash with a washing machine. This will prevent it from being tangled with the other clothes.Use cold or warm water and set the washing machine to a gentle spin mode. To maintain the shape of a bra, everything needs to be done gently.Before drying, reshape the bra if it contains foam or batting in the cups.Air dry the bra. You can either hang it on the middle section of the bra or lay the bra flat to prevent it from stretching out.

The Don'ts

Don't wash the bra in the washing machine together with heavier clothes like jeans or towels.Don't dry the bra right under the sun. This will prevent it from fading. Air drying promotes the gentlest way to dry a bra.Never iron a bra! It does not need it.Don't squeeze the bra recklessly when you hand wash it. It can result to an ill shaped bra or its underwire.Don't stuff it in the drawer in a way that it may lose its shape.Don't bleach bras. It can degrade the spandex - the common material in bras.

These tips will help you figure out the best way to handle your bras and keep them in their most comfortable shape. There is a reason why you buy a comfortable bra. And this should be a reason enough to keep them longer with you.

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Twenty Beauty Tricks for Your Skin

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Add retinol to your routine. Retinol or tretinoin smooths and evens out skin tone.

Dermatologists recommend peptide, as it is the most effective ingredient in moisturizers and serums that firm and lift.

For breakouts, use a product containing salicylic acid, antioxidants and calming ingredients.

Women get cystic pimples even into their forties usually the week before their periods. If this is your problem, exfoliate with an at-home scrub or peel twice a month to keep your pores clear and slough off dead skin cells.

Do not use a deep dark lip hue as it bleeds into the creases around your mouth. Use soft, neutral shades like rose or preach for fair to medium tones and sheer browns and berries for darker skin.

To keep your eyes from being puffy in the morning, sleep on two pillows. This will keep your head elevated preventing fluid from collecting around your eyes during the night.

Put your eye cream in the refrigerator. Cold temperatures shrink blood vessels and help to minimize under-eye bags.

Use a 10-minute moisturizing mask which will plump up your cells. After putting on your regular face lotion, add a little facial oil to keep the moisture in.

Baby your chest and neck because the skin in these areas is very thin. They show your age often quicker than the rest of your skin. Make sure you use sunscreen daily. Use a moisturizer that has retinoids or peptides every other day or so as it can leave your skin red and flaky is overused.

Fight fine lines in the shower. Before you get into the shower, massage a drop of grapeseed oil into he skin around your eyes for 10 minutes. This will improve skin texture and the oil contains antioxidants that fight wrinkles caused by free radicals.

Be careful when you wax your eyebrows. After forty you are killing the hair root and it may never grow back.

Use a brown pencil or powder along the top line of your arches to make the whole eye appear raised. It will give you a brighter look.

Smudge the line of your eye liner with a cotton swab, extending it outward instead of stopping at the end of your eye. This will stop eyeliner bleed and keep you looking fresh rather than tired.

Use a rosy color on the apples of your cheeks. It will brighten your skin.

After cleansing your face, apply one layer of moisturizer before your foundation. Then pat a very light coat over your makeup. It will give you a dewy finish and an extra dose of hydration.

Use an illuminating cream or powder on your upper cheekbone, center of your forehead and below your lower lip. This makes your face appear lifted.

Use water-resistant mascara and eyeliner so it will stay put if your body temperature soars.

Keep powder to a minimum as it cakes up on a damp face.

Use an oil-free concealing pencil for pimples rather than under-eye concealer so it won't slide off.

As you age, you lose pigment and radiance. Switch to a foundation with a warm tint and go golden. You can even add a drop or two of liquid bronzer to your favorite foundation or use bronzing foundation.

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Ways to Find Cheap Perfume

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Perfumes are volatile liquids with a mixture of fragrance, oil, water, and compounds that emit a pleasant scent. It is used not only by human but also in animals, dead bodies, and living spaces. Perfumes were born in ancient times and ancient people applied it by soaking flowers, resins, and fragrant barks in oil and water and then lathering it on their bodies.

Nowadays, women's perfumes stand first in line for the largest variety of perfumes available in the market. Women's perfumes were divided into different types of scents namely floral, woody, oriental, and fresh. Perfume in its full concentration can be bought in smaller bottles but with very high prices since it emits unmistakable aroma. On the other hand, eau de toilette, eau de parfum, and eau de cologne are also perfumes with less concentration and can be bought in larger quantities with relatively lower prices. According to statistics, Jennifer Lopez's perfume line is the best selling perfume among all of the celebrity perfume lines. This may be due to her image in the world of entertainment.

On the other hand, Chanel comes first as the most salable designer perfume followed by Lacoste and Dior. Meanwhile Vera Wang perfumes are recommended for brides and brides to be. Designer perfumes are available readily online. If you opt for designer perfumes on sale for 15-20% off, just visit perfume.com website. They have a wide array of designer perfumes on bargain to choose from. Burberry, Marc Jacobs, and DKNY are there to name a few. When shopping for perfumes, it is advisable to choose a scent that will bring positive energy and aura to the user. Perfumes have different scents to cater to the different needs of the customers. Go ahead and get that remarkable scent that represents the woman in you.

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What a 10x Magnification Mirror Can Do for You

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For me appearances are important, they're not 'everything' as some people would suggest but they still mean a heck of a lot. When you see someone for the first time, you've already formed preconceptions about them in your mind. These are almost always based on what they look like. How do you identify someone you may consider to be a chav (or gangster if you're American)? By the way they dress. Is it any different for a businessman, doctor, nurse or builder? No.

How you dress and how you look is how you tell people who you are in this world, and even if you may be completely different to how people that dress like you are. The vast majority of people that see you won't be speaking to you, but just passing you by in the street and categorizing you instantly. It's easy to say that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but the fact is if you have two books with two covers; one bad and one good, you know which one you'll pick.

This is where 10x magnification mirrors come in, because they allow you to take control of your appearance. Appearance doesn't just relate to the clothes you wear, but your skin and hair feature massively. On a purely statistically level good looking people do significantly better in life than their more average or worse looking counterparts. If you don't believe me you can research it yourself and you'll see that they perform better in almost every aspect of life. In a world where appearance can mean the difference between job promotions, the woman/man of your dreams as well as how people treat you there's clearly an incentive to get better looking.

A mirror that can show a magnified version of the face allows you to identify problem areas such as acne/white heads - as well as increase your power to treat them. This means that popping pimples, covering spots and moisturizing are all tasks that are made easier by the ability to actually be able to see the problem areas. Interested in 10x magnification mirrors?

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What Is Hair Relaxer and How Does It Work?

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Hair relaxers are those substances which are used in order to straighten the curly hairs. There are many people who are not happy with the texture and shape of their scalp hairs like they possess rounded, curly hairs and they want to change the shape so that they would look more beautiful. In majority, women are more concerned with the beauty of hairs and they remain in the search for the solution of their problem. There are many ways to make the hairs straight, however; the most frequently used method is the application of hair relaxers. Hair relaxers are of different types. They are made up of different chemicals, organic substances, natural products and herbal remedies, etc.

The use of this type of product is much easy and it could be applied to the hairs with in short time. The whole process is hassle free and it does not produce any mess. Majority of the products are FDA approved and therefore; there is no harm in their application. These items are required to be applied after every few months in order to keep the straightening of hairs long lasting. There are many products which not only make the hairs straight, but also they provide softening and shinning. It is recommended, however; to clean the hairs with shampoo after applying it and to use conditioner for further softening and shinning.

Many of the people prefer natural and herbal relaxers since they possess the idea that chemical and organic hair relaxers would be harmful for the hairs. The fact is that if any type of hair relaxers irrespective of its ingredients and composition is applied properly and according to the instructions, then it would not produce any lethal effects on hairs and on the scalp. These products are available in the form of cream and lotion and therefore an individual would not get any problem in its application on the scalp hairs.

There are several strong chemicals that are present in the hair relaxers. These chemicals change the physical characteristics of hair and bring transformation in the original structure of the hair shaft. The change or transformation happens when the chemical molecules penetrate the cortex layer of the hair shaft. Due to the changes that happen inside the hair shaft on account of these chemicals, the curl shape is lost and it starts to relax. Since all of these changes happen in the central shaft which provides strength, elasticity and peculiarity to the hairs, therefore; after relaxation, all of the characteristics of the hairs are changed. This is the fact that using relaxers on hairs would make the it weaker, however; the natural strength of hair would be restored after few days. In addition it is necessary to use the conditioner before and after hair relaxer which provide extra-strength to the hairs and make them soft. In this manner the chances of hair fall or damaging would be minimized. Another important thing is that the procedure should not be repeated after fixed interval of time so that it would have enough time to grow and to acquire their normal strength.

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When Good Hair Goes Bad - Top Three Winter Hair Care Mistakes

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With the weather changing, it seems now is the perfect time to get your winter wardrobe in order - but make sure you don't forget about your hair! Thankfully, keeping up with the new season's on-trend hair styles and avoiding style slip-ups is much more simple (and kinder on the purse) than staying ahead of the fashion curve. It's important to remember that the way you style your hair, and the hair care products you use, can have a big impact on your style.

With this in mind, keep your hair in tip top condition and avoid the following style faux pas this season.

1. Oily looking hair

Often, the key to avoiding a shocking style is as simple as choosing the right hair care products and, importantly, using the right amount of product. An oily appearance is often caused by a build up of styling or other hair care products, or using an inappropriate shampoo or conditioner for your hair type.

Avoid using too much wax or spray, and if you wash your hair every day, make sure you buy frequent use shampoo. Try using a tea-tree oil based conditioner; tea tee oil is known for its oil absorbing properties.

Also, pay attention to your scalp. An over-active scalp which produces too much sebum is an often overlooked cause of oily hair. Sebum is a substance produced by the scalp to protect the hair and skin and stop them drying out. If you think an over-active scalp may be your problem, try a shampoo that's designed to regulate sebum production and cleanse the scalp.

2. Over-styled hair

It's pretty pointless spending hours in front of the mirror if the autumnal gusts destroy all your hard work as soon as you step outside! Less can definitely be more this season when it comes to styling. Experiment with drying your hair naturally - If you're prone to unruly, frizzy hair, using anti-frizz hair care products can help tame your locks quickly. Also, when towel-drying, blot instead of madly rubbing hair further reduce frizz.

As well as being a waste of time, over-styling can cause lasting damage to your hair, the most common mistake being excessive use of heated styling tools. Too much heat can leave hair looking dry and feeling brittle - give your hair a break every so often by allowing it to dry naturally and It'll thank you with a rejuvenated shine.

3. Excessive or faded colour

An obvious one, but it's one of the most common mistakes. Dramatic changes in colour can lead to an unexpected contrast between your hair and skin tone or eyebrows. This can be great if you're after a more striking look, but if you prefer your colour more subtle, don't change by more than a couple of shades at a time. Make sure you give some thought to how your hair colour will impact on your whole look.

Make sure you keep your coloured hair looking fresh and radiant. This is especially important with striking blonde colours; there are several good hair care products and shampoos out there that are designed specifically to enhance blonde tones and fight yellowing.

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Women Can Ward Off Unappealing Skin With The Help Of Stretch Mark Treatments

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Women are prone to being quite self-conscious about their physical appearance, and for some unexplainable reason, women tend to be so highly critical of other women's looks, but most especially of their own. Knowing how particular they can be in terms of attention to detail, it becomes a tough ordeal to have to go through when you are faced with issues that you cannot really do much about. When it comes to skin care, women readily do whatever they can to keep their skin supple and glowing, to keep the skin properly moisturized in order to maintain the skin's elasticity. But what we cannot seem to stop is the tendency for elasticity of the skin to decrease, which later on leads to nasty stretch marks.

Even though these stretch marks most commonly appear on hidden areas of the body such as the buttocks and the tummy area, it still becomes quite the concern for people who wish to enjoy being able to go swimming in their skimpy summer outfits. Even the people who simply want to dress comfortably in their nice walking shorts can grow conscious if there are actually stretch marks present on their thighs. These red marks are easily noticeable and it can be the catalyst to many weird looks from people that come across your way. The arms can also be the target area when it comes to the appearance of stretch marks on an individual, and sometimes even the armpit area. This can be a problem especially if you are living in warm temperature areas wherein people have a penchant for cool apparel that sometimes consists of sleeveless tops and blouses. To say the least, these stretch marks can show up just about anywhere on your body, but do you even know what causes this? Let's find out.

What happens is actually a hormonal occurrence which takes place on a cellular level. Whenever weight gain or loss happens to an individual, he or she releases hormones into the body's system and these hormones then end up being metabolized by fat cells within the body. What people do not know is that hormones are similar to fat and cholesterol, making any weight gain or weight loss influence the hormones that circulate in our body, including our skin.

While other people believe that it is the direct result of a middle layer of skin being torn and leaving an impression in the shape of mild scars, it bottom-line is that those who have them wish to get rid of these marks. That is why it is with great emphasis that people introduce stretch mark treatment and prevention creams into their skin care regimen. By doing so, they eliminate the possibility of these small scars from showing up on the individual's skin in the first place.

By going one step ahead, you can keep your confidence levels up and save yourself from the trouble of having to deal with this horrible skin condition that women would love to say goodbye to.

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What's Good About Organic Beauty Products?

Nowadays, it is quite common to see TV or internet ads that show different beauty items that claim to be made of totally organic products. What makes these products more preferred by most consumers is that they do not contain some of the chemicals that are usually found in synthetic beauty products, that may have adverse effects on the body.

On top of this benefit, there are other advantages of using organic beauty products such as the following:

1. What most people find fascinating about these organic beauty products is that most of them smell wonderful! This is because most of these products are made from essential oils that are derived from flowers, fruits, herbs and other plants that naturally emit a pleasant smell. The fragrance is more natural than what other commercial skin products have, because some of these synthetic cosmetic and beauty items smell like the chemicals they are made of or if they do smell good, it's only because the manufacturers use other fragrances to hide the otherwise harsh smell.

Some of the more common fragrances that you can get out of organic beauty products are that of lavender, rose, papaya, coconut milk, vanilla and other natural ingredients that are harvested straight from a farm, with no other harsh chemicals added.

2. You can easily trace the ingredients organic beauty products are made of. If it says on the packaging that the organic beauty product is made from papaya, then that's the scent that you will get. This is why these products are quite popular, because there are no hidden ingredients used, unlike the synthetic beauty items where the list of ingredients usually includes chemicals that most people are not even familiar with.

3. They are not as pricey as commercial cosmetics. Most of these organic beauty products are less expensive than the ones sold by top labels in the beauty and cosmetics industry. In fact, if you spend some time on the internet, you can even search for the recipes and create your own natural beauty product at a far lesser cost than what you will find in the market.

If you're interested to start a beauty regimen using organic beauty products, consult your dermatologist for advice on which specific products are suitable for your skin type. Read a lot about the health benefits of these organic beauty products, and how they can help you attain your beauty goals. There are specific products for specific problems, like aloe vera for hair growth, coconut oil for smoother skin and honey for facials. Take your time in finding more information about these organic beauty products and you will gain not just the knowledge, but also the benefits of looking better with regular use of these products.

Mary Tanady desires to write articles since 3 years ago. Not only does this author loves to write in the topic of weight loss, but also in beauty, dieting, fitness training and health. Visit her latest website on ruby stud earrings which reviews ruby engagement rings.

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Some Thoughts on Beauty Products and the Use of Them

Modern times have indeed presented us with lots of new perspectives and ideas about beauty. There are people who are blessed with naturally perfect skin, manageable hair, symmetrical features and other characteristics we consider today as beautiful. However, for some of us who are not lucky enough to have such looks, we turn to experts for beauty tips and advice on which beauty products to use.

Some people are apprehensive about the idea of wearing makeup, such beauty products are deemed as masks to improve appearances which has become the measuring stick of one's worth nowadays. There is an air of vanity and artificiality when these things are discussed, and investing on facades is taken with disgust. This standpoint is most especially hard on girls and women, who are perceived to keep on trying to obtain approval and acceptance through their looks.

On the other hand, can we really say that looks don't matter? A lot of studies on likability, mate selection and professional success have shown that physical appearances are one of the factors that are taken into account when we interact with people. It merely gives us an idea about how our perceptions are tinted by what we directly see. It is a part of human nature to judge through the senses as our brain puts people we meet into categories, which in turn, determines how we relate with them.

Now, can we blame people who are trying to enhance what they are given through beauty products and surgery? I say, to each his/her own. We are all trying to fit in, feel more confident, and be more agreeable. We have said so many times before; beauty is in the eye of the beholder and the most important beholder there is - ourselves. Our self - perception is reflected in our dealings with other people, and most likely, how we see ourselves will match how they will look at us.

If it takes beauty products for you to feel good, well - groomed and more confident, then why not? Some would see it as a sign that you love yourself enough to put some effort into it. It is a matter of choosing which works for you. Putting on moisturizers at night, using facial wash to cleanse your skin, maybe a touch of makeup for special occasions, wearing different hairstyles from time to time and dressing up just to feel great are some things that can be done to uplift our spirits and boost our confidence to face the world.

Of course, like in all things in life, just don't overdo it. When all your energy and attention is devoted solely to this one thing, of improving your looks and nothing else, then you might miss out on other things that are equally important. It is true that outward appearances matter, but let's not forget that it is just one aspect of beauty. A good attitude, a pleasing personality, and sensitivity to other people are other components that no beauty products can address, so in the same manner, we must work hard to developing these things to be truly beautiful both inside and out.

Krystal is a professional beauty consultant with Salon Hive

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What Natural Beauty Products Are the Best Skin Care Solution?

Many times we think, is there no answer for getting a naturally beautiful skin? Well, natural beauty products that are creating a buzz in the market are a simple solution for all your skin problems. Yes, as per its name, it's all natural and contains no harmful chemicals. Today they are many companies that come up with a number of so called natural beauty products but wait a minute, before you blindly believe in any product that comes your way here are few tips that can help you get the product that best suits your need:

Do not go for brands that offer its products at a much cheaper rate than rest of the market. It might be quite attractive to find a natural beauty product of lower cost, but just think for a minute. Which is better spending some extra money and getting a better product that provides greater results or products that come for a lower rate with no guarantee to receive skin repair benefits from? So it is always advisable to go for all natural beauty products that have high quality natural ingredients with a better cost.

It is wise to check for the ingredients of the natural beauty product than just going by the advertisement. Here are some of the ingredients that you need to check for while purchasing a skin care product, these include: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Retinol or tretinoin, Dimethylaminoethanol or DMAE, Alpha lipoic acid and retinyl palmitate. These are the components that work best on your skin and give a long-lasting result.

Do not just go for major brands always; also look out for smaller developers that offer high quality products. You never know you might be surprised at the quality of the product offered by a small scale manufacturer. It might just be the product you have always been looking for.

The bottom line is just don't blindly believe in each and every natural beauty product. To give your skin that extra boost, choose the right product as per your requirements. Hope the tips mentioned above helps you get the best natural beauty product you need.

You are cordially invited to visit http://www.flawlessskinnaturally.com/ to find a breakthrough in anti aging products.

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Shea Body Butter: The Ideal All-Over Body Moisturizer

Over time, skin loses its natural moisture and this loss of moisture often results in rough, dry and scaly skin. The environment, weather, bad habits and even household chores all have profound effects on the skin and because it is impossible not to get exposed to any of these elements, the most that any woman can do is to protect her skin and help it regain the moisture it had lost. For a lot of women, this means turning to the various creams, lotions and potions churned out by different beauty companies.

With the wealth of choices available on the market however, women are hard-pressed to find a product that is right for them. This demand by women for an effective product has led beauty companies to turn to nature for a solution. In the quest to find an ingredient to make into an effective product, beauty companies looked to Africa and discovered shea butter, one of nature's greatest moisturizers.

Nowadays, most beauty companies offer shea butter in their range of beauty products and not surprisingly, it is one of the most sought after products by women. Between shea body lotion and shea body butter, most women would opt for the latter as it has a higher concentration of shea butter thus making it the ideal all-over body moisturizer. Naturally, it costs more too but most women are willing to spend a little extra because the benefits derived from using body butter as opposed to lotion are far greater. Besides, shea butter is more expensive compared with other moisturizing ingredients to begin with. The difference in cost can be attributed to the fact that the shea tree from which fruit the shea butter comes from only bears fruit every 15 years or so.

Shea body butter is an excellent moisturizer and it helps a lot in combating dry skin. It works well for use on any part of the body especially those prone to dryness like the hands, elbows, knees and the soles of the feet. For cracked heels, it is usually recommended to slather on shea body butter at night before covering the feet with socks. As with any body butter however, it is important to remember that the shea body butter has a shorter shelf life compared to its lotion counterpart. Whatever brand you choose, a good rule to keep in my mind is that body butter needs to be used up within six months from its first use.

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Tea Tree Oil - Heal Your Skin Naturally

Essential Oils are the highly concentrated essences distilled from specific plants. They are used not only for their scent, but for their medicinal attributes as well.

Tea Tree is the most powerful antibiotic and antifungal of the essential oils. It's pungent, medicinal fragrance is refreshing and revitalizing to the senses. The oil is distilled from the leaves of the Tea Tree. Native to Australia, Tea Tree has been used by the aborigines for centuries to relieve respiratory problems, headaches, and to heal infected wounds. Captain Cook's sailors used it in the 18th century to fight scurvy.

Because it has the ability to regulate the production of sebum (the skins natural oil), tea tree is a fabulous healing tonic for your skin. The oil benefits skin by helping to heal burns, acne, and cold sores. Tea tree clears blemishes caused by chicken pox and is even good for warts. It also helps to relieve itching and foot fungus.

To heal mild infection from a cut or insect bite, place 3 drops of the oil on a cotton ball and apply to affected area.

This oil can be used directly on the skin or added to a carrier oil such as almond or olive oil.

Mixes well with lavender.

Warning: Tea Tree oil may be irritating to sensitive skin. Do a patch test before using.*

Sample Recipe:

Acne Zapper
? 3 drops Tea Tree Oil
? 3 drops Geranium Oil
? 3 drops Lemon Oil
? 3 teaspoons carrier oil such as almond or olive.

Mix oils and apply to clean face nightly.

*Patch test-Before using a new recipe, even if it's natural, it makes sense to do a patch test first. Apply a small amount to the inside of your arm. Cover it with a band-aid for 24 hours. If the spot becomes red and/or itchy, you are having a bad reaction to one of the ingredients and you should not use it on your skin. Wash it off with warm soapy water. If you have particularly sensitive skin, consult with your dermatologist.

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Twenty Beauty Tricks for Your Skin

Add retinol to your routine. Retinol or tretinoin smooths and evens out skin tone.

Dermatologists recommend peptide, as it is the most effective ingredient in moisturizers and serums that firm and lift.

For breakouts, use a product containing salicylic acid, antioxidants and calming ingredients.

Women get cystic pimples even into their forties usually the week before their periods. If this is your problem, exfoliate with an at-home scrub or peel twice a month to keep your pores clear and slough off dead skin cells.

Do not use a deep dark lip hue as it bleeds into the creases around your mouth. Use soft, neutral shades like rose or preach for fair to medium tones and sheer browns and berries for darker skin.

To keep your eyes from being puffy in the morning, sleep on two pillows. This will keep your head elevated preventing fluid from collecting around your eyes during the night.

Put your eye cream in the refrigerator. Cold temperatures shrink blood vessels and help to minimize under-eye bags.

Use a 10-minute moisturizing mask which will plump up your cells. After putting on your regular face lotion, add a little facial oil to keep the moisture in.

Baby your chest and neck because the skin in these areas is very thin. They show your age often quicker than the rest of your skin. Make sure you use sunscreen daily. Use a moisturizer that has retinoids or peptides every other day or so as it can leave your skin red and flaky is overused.

Fight fine lines in the shower. Before you get into the shower, massage a drop of grapeseed oil into he skin around your eyes for 10 minutes. This will improve skin texture and the oil contains antioxidants that fight wrinkles caused by free radicals.

Be careful when you wax your eyebrows. After forty you are killing the hair root and it may never grow back.

Use a brown pencil or powder along the top line of your arches to make the whole eye appear raised. It will give you a brighter look.

Smudge the line of your eye liner with a cotton swab, extending it outward instead of stopping at the end of your eye. This will stop eyeliner bleed and keep you looking fresh rather than tired.

Use a rosy color on the apples of your cheeks. It will brighten your skin.

After cleansing your face, apply one layer of moisturizer before your foundation. Then pat a very light coat over your makeup. It will give you a dewy finish and an extra dose of hydration.

Use an illuminating cream or powder on your upper cheekbone, center of your forehead and below your lower lip. This makes your face appear lifted.

Use water-resistant mascara and eyeliner so it will stay put if your body temperature soars.

Keep powder to a minimum as it cakes up on a damp face.

Use an oil-free concealing pencil for pimples rather than under-eye concealer so it won't slide off.

As you age, you lose pigment and radiance. Switch to a foundation with a warm tint and go golden. You can even add a drop or two of liquid bronzer to your favorite foundation or use bronzing foundation.

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Women Can Ward Off Unappealing Skin With The Help Of Stretch Mark Treatments

Women are prone to being quite self-conscious about their physical appearance, and for some unexplainable reason, women tend to be so highly critical of other women's looks, but most especially of their own. Knowing how particular they can be in terms of attention to detail, it becomes a tough ordeal to have to go through when you are faced with issues that you cannot really do much about. When it comes to skin care, women readily do whatever they can to keep their skin supple and glowing, to keep the skin properly moisturized in order to maintain the skin's elasticity. But what we cannot seem to stop is the tendency for elasticity of the skin to decrease, which later on leads to nasty stretch marks.

Even though these stretch marks most commonly appear on hidden areas of the body such as the buttocks and the tummy area, it still becomes quite the concern for people who wish to enjoy being able to go swimming in their skimpy summer outfits. Even the people who simply want to dress comfortably in their nice walking shorts can grow conscious if there are actually stretch marks present on their thighs. These red marks are easily noticeable and it can be the catalyst to many weird looks from people that come across your way. The arms can also be the target area when it comes to the appearance of stretch marks on an individual, and sometimes even the armpit area. This can be a problem especially if you are living in warm temperature areas wherein people have a penchant for cool apparel that sometimes consists of sleeveless tops and blouses. To say the least, these stretch marks can show up just about anywhere on your body, but do you even know what causes this? Let's find out.

What happens is actually a hormonal occurrence which takes place on a cellular level. Whenever weight gain or loss happens to an individual, he or she releases hormones into the body's system and these hormones then end up being metabolized by fat cells within the body. What people do not know is that hormones are similar to fat and cholesterol, making any weight gain or weight loss influence the hormones that circulate in our body, including our skin.

While other people believe that it is the direct result of a middle layer of skin being torn and leaving an impression in the shape of mild scars, it bottom-line is that those who have them wish to get rid of these marks. That is why it is with great emphasis that people introduce stretch mark treatment and prevention creams into their skin care regimen. By doing so, they eliminate the possibility of these small scars from showing up on the individual's skin in the first place.

By going one step ahead, you can keep your confidence levels up and save yourself from the trouble of having to deal with this horrible skin condition that women would love to say goodbye to.

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