The Top 6 Skin Care Ingredients To Avoid

Octyl Stearate
This chemical is used in moisturizers, sunscreens, tanning oils, and eye creams, among others. It is both an irritant and comedogenic, meaning it clogs pores. Although proper moisturization is a must for healthy skin, avoid products containing octyl stearate. If you have ever noticed pimples in the delicate skin around your eye, consider switching your eye cream. Finally, while the dangers of tanning have been stressed due to the potential for skin cancer, harsh ingredients in tanning products is another reason to learn to love your pale skin. Products containing octyle stearate include Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Foundation, Almay Kinetin Eye Treatment, and Cellex-C Sun Care.

Algae Extract
While this ingredient sounds "natural," that doesn't mean your skin will be receptive to its irritatant and comedogenic properties. Algae Extract, also listed as seaweed extract or gelidiela acerosa extract, can be found in many products such as Clairol Hydrience Haircolor, Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Eye Cream, Origins A Perfect World Eye Cream, and Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion, among many others. Two other algae-derived products, algin (or sodium alginate) and carrageenan, are also used to stabilize or emulsify skin and hair products such as facial cleansers, moisturizers, and exfoliants, shampoos and conditioners, and shaving cream. Fortunately, algin is easy to avoid; carrageenan is more prevalent.

Laureth-4
This coconut-derived surfactant, dispersant, and emulsifier (meaning it evenly suspends one liquid throughout another, rather than allowing it to settle) is an extremely common ingredient in all kinds of skincare products that can be difficult to avoid. Some Aveeno bath products and body scrubs contain Laureth-4, and it can also be found in Gillette shaving gels and even some acne treatments. It is worth your while to search out products free of this comedogenic and irritating alcohol.

Sodium Chloride
Otherwise known as salt - yes, the kind used to flavor food - sodium chloride is a pore-clogging chemical found in products too numerous to mention. Just because you can safely eat it doesn't mean you should put it on your skin! Aveeno- Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser is a good bet if you want to avoid sodium chloride and most other harsh ingredients, such as those listed in this article.

Isopropyl Myristate
Primarily comedogenic, isopropyl myrstate may also be somewhat irritating to sensitive skin. It is derived from both plant and animal fatty acids and helps the skin absorb the skincare product. Isopropyl myristate is a common ingredient found in body lotions, like Neutrogena Light Sesame Formula, tanning lotions by Banana Boat, and foundations by Estee Lauder and Cover Girl.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
This chemical is a detergent used in many hair and skin products. It helps the product to lather. Until recently, sodium lauryl sulfate was nearly impossible to avoid, but because of industry safety concerns and a little bad press, it is much less difficult to find alternative products. If you must use a product with sodium lauryl sulfate, make sure you rinse your skin and hair thoroughly. Never leave a product with this ingredient on your skin. Also avoid sodium laureth sulfate.

There are numerous other ingredients to avoid, if possible. Acne-causing ingredients include: hexadecyl alcohol, oleth-3, and wheat germ oil. Irritants include: acetone, isopropyl alcohol, and colloidal sulfur. Mineral oil (petrolatum) may dry out skin in the long run, as will propylene glycol.

HOW to Get Longer, Thicker Eyelashes

How to Grow Fuller Lashes & What to Do to Thicken Existing Lashes

 

A pair of thick, long eyelashes beautifully makes your eyes pop, and when you have them, you can get away with wearing only minimal makeup. So outlined is the most effective ways to lengthen and thicken your lashes—tips to help you better grow them, tips on which products and techniques are most effective, and tips on what NOT to do.    


Nutrition for Long Lashes
Beauty problems can often be traced back to, or improved by, the nutrients you consume. Beautiful eyelashes are no different.  

A registered dietitian  explained that: “B vitamins, and especially biotin, can help eyelashes and the hair on your head grow.” Additionally, a “biotin deficiency can actually cause eyelashes to fall out.”  

Many also believe that biotin can help strengthen brittle nails and improve acne. Yes please.  

The best way to consume nutrients is by eating them, rather than taking supplements (which is convenient since eating is so much more fun), so boost your biotin intake with foods like nutritional yeast, liver, cauliflower, salmon, bananas, carrots, egg yolks, sardines, legumes, and mushrooms—all rich in biotin.    

How to Pick the Right Mascara
There are critical things you should consider when choosing mascara, and important tips to follow to properly apply it.  

• Hypoallergenic: If you have sensitive eyes or find mascara irritates your eyes when you wear contacts, you may want to opt for hypoallergenic mascara. It will say on the packaging whether it’s hypoallergenic. Almay is known for making a drugstore alternative for those with sensitive eyes.     
• Waterproof:  Pass on waterproof mascara for day-to-day use and save it for beach days instead. The ingredients that bind the mascara to your lashes are too harsh to use daily, not to mention all the elbow grease it takes to remove the mascara can wreck havoc on your lashes.    
• Double-layer:  Because it’s impossible to pack too many ingredients into a tiny tube of mascara without sacrificing their effects, it’s best to use two with separate purposes. Pick your favorite lengthening mascara and layer it on, then follow-up with a coat of your go-to volumizing mascara.    
• Lower Lashes:  To avoid those pesky under eye smudges when you try to apply mascara to your bottom lashes, use a smaller wand designed to paint those little lashes. You can find mascara for bottom lashes (Clinique makes one), which comes with a teeny wand, or you can simply purchase small wands from the drugstore or a beauty store and use those with your current mascaras.      
• Lash Serums & Primers: Lash serums are designed to boost your lashes with vitamins and protective ingredients. Primers, on the other hand, when applied as the first layer on your lashes, can enhance the effects of your mascara coated on top.  
• Tube Mascara: Tube mascara adheres to each lash in a tube-like manner—it does not simply refer to mascara that comes in a tube. Because of its properties, tube mascara results in lengthened, thickened lashes with less of those pesky little flakes. It also tends to have more staying power.       

Eyelash Extensions
In the last year, eyelash extensions have become all the rage. Rather than applying false lashes yourself (which you’re generally only wearing for a day), you can go to a salon to get individual lashes glued in place between your natural lashes. You can even custom pick the length of your lashes if you’re worried about looking too drag queen fab at the office.  

The process can take a couple of hours, but can provide you with a few weeks of beautiful, eye-batting lashes (salons recommend you come in for touch ups every two to three weeks—those take about 30 minutes).  

To maintain the life of your extensions, try to sleep on your back (this is a great way to prevent wrinkles anyway). carefully remove your eye makeup with removers that are not oil free, and brush out extensions daily to prevent tangling. Some swear that if you properly care for your lashes, they can last from one to two months.  

Note, though, that as the lashes shed, they may cause a slight increase in shedding of your own lashes. If lash extensions are making your eyelashes thinner, certainly discontinue getting them.    

Combat Eyelash Loss
Your eyelashes shed naturally, but if they’re falling out in clumps, you might want to evaluate the problem. Using expired mascara, overusing waterproof mascara, not removing your eye makeup religiously, or having a vitamin deficiency can all contribute to eyelash loss, among other things.  

So replace your mascara—you should be doing this at least every three months anyway, make sure you gently remove your eye makeup every night before hitting the sack, and incorporate more biotin-rich foods into your diet. You can also try applying an eyelash serum/conditioner after you’ve removed your makeup at night—this can help strengthen and moisturize your lashes.  

If your eyelashes are still shedding too rapidly, make an appointment with your doctor to rule out possible eye infections, thyroid or autoimmune diseases that could be leading to hair loss. 

How to Combine Colors in your Wardrobe, using The Color Wheel!

What to Wear

Ever wonder how some of your favorite fashionistas put colors together to create eye-catching and fabulously colorful outfits?

The color wheel! It is an excellent wardrobe tool! In fact it was one of the first things I learned about when I studied Interior Design and Makeup Artistry. Figuring it out isn’t too complicated.

Here’s a quick breakdown:


You can make the following combos using the color wheel as your guide:
1. Colors directly next to each other (i.e. yellow and yellow-orange; yellow and yellow-green; violet and blue-violet, etc.)
2. Colors that form right (90 degree) angles with each other (i.e. yellow and red-orange; blue and violet-red; green and orange, etc.)
3. Colors directly across from each other (i.e. yellow and violet; blue and orange; red and green, etc.)
4. Colors that form a T (i.e. blue, orange, and violet-red; yellow, violet, and red-orange; yellow, blue-green, and red-orange, etc.)
5. Colors that form an X (i.e. blue, orange, violet-red, and yellow, violet, blue-green, and red-orange, etc.)
Since brown is a neutral, it will go with virtually any color on the color wheel. I love to pair a chocolate brown with cobalt blue or fuchsia or bright red—such a fun and bold combo. Of course white, black, and the hues of blue found in denim are also neutrals that go with just about anything.



Colors that are a part of a “color family” also apply. So for instance, you can substitute pink with red and still be able to pull off the combos based on the color wheel (i.e. we see that blue and red form a right angle with each other–then in Elise Neal’s outfit she wore fuchsia and cobalt blue). Get it? Good.

As for accessories, I’m definitely not a fan of colored jewelry or belts, but go crazy with colored hats, bags, shoes, or scarves. When choosing jewelry, pair gold (or gold-toned) jewelry with your warm colored outfits. Warm colors have a yellow, gold, or orange undertone to them. Wear silver (or silver-toned) jewelry with your cool colored outfits. Cool colors have a blue, pink, or red undertone to them. Since colors are broken down by hue, temperature, intensity, and tone any single hue can be either warm or cool. Just look at the undertones.

You can also use the color wheel when coming up with color combinations for your makeup. It can help you decide which makeup color to wear so that you don’t match your eyeshadow with your outfit. Check out how Rihanna paired gorgeous purple eyeshadow with her red frock:



And there you go—a breakdown of how to use color combinations to spruce up your wardrobe. You’ll be looking more fab in no time.

Hope this helps! ;)

How to Find Your Undertone and Choose the Right Foundation

Finding the right shade of base to match your complexion always seems like a daunting task. And according to Jamie Greenberg, a celebrity makeup artist for Mark., most of us aren’t wearing the right color anyway. Often foundations and concealers prompt you to choose a shade based on your undertone, especially when shopping online. But if you don’t know what your undertone is, that isn’t much help!
Foundations usually come recommended for one of three undertone types: “cool,” “neutral,” or “warm.” It’s possible, though, to fall somewhere in between (you could be “neutral-warm,” for instance). To get you closer to finding the perfect match, we asked Greenberg to outline how to figure out your undertone. Note, these same principles apply on all skin tones, from very fair to dark. And remember, if you're having trouble DIY’ing it, you can always ask a professional makeup artist for a skin analysis.

Those with cool undertones will notice their skin has a pink, red, or blue tinge to it.
You have a “cool” undertone if:
• If the veins on your wrist are blue or purple
• If silver jewelry flatters your skin more than gold
• When you look at your skin in the sun, it appears blue-ish

If you have neutral undertones, your skin is neither pink/red/blue nor yellow/gold/peach, but somewhere in between.

You have a “neutral” undertone if:
• The veins on your wrist are blue-green
• Both gold and silver jewelry flatter your skin
• When you look at your skin in the sun, it appears greenish

Those with warm undertones will notice their skin has a yellow, gold, or peach tinge to it.
You have a “warm” undertone if:
• The veins on your wrist are slightly green or olive
• Gold jewelry flatters your skin more than silver
• When you look at your skin in the sun, it appears yellowish

Three More Tips for Finding the Right Foundation

So now you know your undertone, you can start to narrow the field. If you’re trying foundations in a store, here are Greenberg’s three tips to help you find the right one.

1: Prep Skin First

Before you do anything, exfoliate and moisturize your skin. “Slough off those dead skin cells and prepare that canvas so it can honestly accept color,” says Greenberg. “If your skin is sweaty or isn't totally clean, the color won't be accurate!”

2: Test in Good Lighting

Make sure you test your foundation in good lighting. It's always a good idea to first test it out in one location, and then go somewhere else with different lighting to see if it still matches. And make sure you're wearing white, as other colors might alter your tone. Greenberg warns that you should never try to correct your color with a base. “It's best to match your undertone, and then if you feel pale, you can always add bronzer or blush for dimension,” she says.

3: Match The Color You See Most

There are three parts of the body you have to think about: the face, the neck, and the décolletage—and Greenberg points out that all of these can differ. “The most natural thing would be to match your neck, but because of sun exposure and elements, the face/décolletage are often darker than your neck,” she says. To even things out, Greenberg suggests choosing a product that matches the color you see the most, and then applying base to the face and neck so that you get even color all over.

Makeup Techniques & Terms Verified

Makeup Techniques

Fashion Makeup

Fashion makeup is used in magazine photography as well as on the fashion runway. Avant-garde makeup is also an applicable technique used for projects that require experimental themes. Fashion makeup is also commonly used in television and film ranging for the natural prime look to more sophisticated applications such as color balance.

 

Theatrical Makeup

Stage makeup is used as a method in conjunction with stage lighting to highlight the actors' faces in order make expressions visible to the audience from moderate distances. This often includes defining the eyes and lips as well as the highlights and lowlights of the facial bones.

 

Special Effects Makeup (FX makeup)

The use of special effects techniques enhancing physical features to exhibit metaphysical characteristics as well as fantasy makeup. The use of prosthetics and plaster casting are also required for projects that entails non-human appearances. Accents such as theatrical blood and ooze are also techniques applicable to this type of makeup.

 

Airbrushing

The use of an airbrush which is a small air-operated device that sprays various media including alcohol and water-based makeup by a process of nebulization. The earliest record of this type of cosmetic application dates back to the 1925 film version of Ben-Hur, it has recently been re-popularized by the advent of HDTV and digital photography, where the camera focuses on higher depths of detail. Liquid foundations that are high in coverage but thin in texture are applied with the airbrush for full coverage without a heavy build-up of product.

 

Bridal Makeup

Bridal makeup is a new segment in a makeup artist's repertoire. From ethnic, to glamorous, to contemporary, makeup artists are now an important part of wedding planning worldwide.

 

High Definition

This is an art which involves the use of light reflectors and ingredients such as minerals to give the skin a flawless finish. This was developed due to the further development of high definition mediums and the cost implications of airbrush makeup.

INFUSED WATER- A NEW CONCEPT.

Here are their benefits to help with detoxification energy and hydration. put as much fruit in water as you like and let the water sit for at least 30 minutes before drinking

(1) Green tea, mint, lime----fat burning, digestion, headaches, congestion and breath freshener.

(2) Strawberry,kiwi-----cardiovascular health, immune system protection, blood sugar regulation, digestion

(3) Cucumber, lime, lemon---- water weight management, bloating, appetite control, hydration, digestion

(4) Lemon, lime, orange-----digestion vitamin C, immune defense, heartburn, (drink this one at room temperature)

Do not keep longer than 48 hours you can put more water using the same fruit, but discard after 48 hours.

Reflexology Hand Chart

5 Natural Remedies for Ant Invasion

There are lots of chemical ant repellents these days, the problem is these are full of toxic Ingredients, bad scents and some of them are expensive. Luckily there are a lot of homemade effective solutions for getting rid of this problem.
Remedy for ant trails:
Follow the trail of ants to find out where they are entering your house, then when you find the source a good remedy for disrupting the ant trails is to sprinkle some herbs like: chervil, lavender, mint, thyme and juniper on them, so they will stop following and then you can use remedies for repelling, on the list bellow.

1. Lemon juice
The intense scent will repel them, and disorient them.
How to do it: by squeezing fresh lemon juice onto windowsills and doors also in the cracks between appliances and walls, they will stay outside of your house.


2. Cinnamon / Peppermint
Other than giving your house a nice scent, the ants wont cross it.
How to do it: sprinkle ground cinnamon use cinnamon sticks on garlic in the most invaded areas or spray cinnamon essential oil all around the doors, windowsills, floors, etc.

3. Boiling water and dish soap
How to do it: Fill with water and a little bit of liquid dish soap a spray bottle.
Spray it on any visible ants
If you find the trail or see any ant colonies you can pour a kettle of boiling water on it and it will kill thousands of them obtaining instant results.

4. Chalk
It is made of calcium carbonate, a nontoxic substance, chalk particles can puncture ants skin and slowly kill them by dehydration, so they wont cross.
How to do it: draw a chalk line around doors, windows, floor.

5. Vinegar
Vinegar has fungicidal properties that help repel ants either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar will work.
How to do it: Pour it in a spray bottle and spray on areas where the ants are.

WHAT IS "FAT"??

Wedding Day Beauty Don'ts!

There's a lot to consider for your wedding day, or really, any big life happening that's going to be documented through hundreds of photos that you'll want to look back on forever. You want the right dress, the right hair, the right shoes, the right makeup. When you're making such an effort, planning ahead to look your best, it's easy to go overboard on treatments and services too close to the event. And it's just as easy to overlook little things—like the fact that you should stay far, far away from the sun beforehand (see #4!)—that can have a big impact on your overall look (not to mention photos).
Before I go on, there's one universal don't I should mention: don't forget that you're beautiful! Have fun!

1: Don't Do Hair Removal

Of any kind. Don’t get your brows, upper lip, or underarm area waxed/plucked/Nair'ed the day before your wedding. Or the day of your wedding. Schedule hair removal treatments about a week out, so the redness can calm down and you can fix any unexpected problems. Similarly, schedule a facial at least a few days before the big day to make sure any inflammation or irritation has time to wane. If you do find yourself with redness or splotchiness, say around the brows or anywhere else, have some Kiehl's Skin Rescuer on hand. The stuff cools and calms splotchy flare-ups instantly. It really works!

2: Don't Cut or Color Your Hair

This sounds like a no-brainer, but remember: it's not a good idea to cut or color your hair in the days leading up to the wedding. Think about all of those times you get your hair done in a salon and come out feeling bummed about the look. That's what you want to avoid. And if you have at least a few weeks to play with a new 'do, you'll feel much, much more confident.

3: Don't Wear Non-Translucent Powder

"Don’t wear a non-translucent powder. If your powder isn't translucent, it'll reflect the light of a camera flash and you'll look like a ghost in photos. Dust your translucent powder on to remove and prevent shine, and you'll get the most fresh, natural-looking finish.

4: Don't Go In the Sun!

When you're anywhere close to the day itself, don't go in the sun! A bride, right before her wedding, inadvertently got a bikini-top-line burned into her skin after a mere 15 minutes in the sun. And her dress? It was strapless. To try to even everything out, she put sunscreen on the tan parts and hit a tanning bed. "It sort of worked, but not really," she says. Learn from her mistake. Before the event, if you're going outside at all, wear layers and triple up on the sunblock!

Easy DIY After-Sun Lotion

It’s officially summertime. So you reached for a Corona instead of the Coppertone. Now you’re burnt to a crisp, but fresh out of aloe plants in the backyard? Not to worry. We’ve got an easy, soothing after-sun recipe you can whip up in no time. It relies on lavender essential oil, which relieves stinging and prevents peeling; pure aloe vera, a powerhouse soother and healer; and black tea, which contains tannins—compounds that relieve redness and inflammation. For added soothing and cooling benefits, you can add chamomile or peppermint oil, too.

You will need

• Black tea (tea bags or leaves are both fine)
• 15 drops lavender essential oil
• 2 tbsp. pure aloe vera gel, which soothes and heals (available at your local natural food store)
• Optional: 3 drops chamomile and/or peppermint oil
Boil the tea in 2 ounces of water. When the tea has cooled, mix in the aloe and essential oils.

Pour the mixture into a spray bottle for easy application and store in the fridge. Spritz on after a cold bath or shower.
Yep, it’s that easy! The best part? It smells aaaaaamazing. Don’t forget to hydrate! Oh, and load up on the sunscreen next time. Your skin will thank you later.

Why are some people mosquito magnets?

By Lisa Collier Cool

If you feel as if every mosquito in a 50-mile radius has you locked in its sights, while your friends are rarely bitten, you could be right. Up to 20 percent of us are highly alluring to mosquitoes—and scientists have discovered some surprising reasons.
“Both your metabolism and your unique body chemistry—which is as distinctive as a fingerprint—play an important role in determining whether or not you’re a mosquito magnet,” says University of Florida entomology professor Dr. Phil Koehler. “Also, there’s evidence that your degree of attractiveness to mosquitoes can change over time.”
Here are some intriguing discoveries about why some of us are particularly tasty targets for the tiny vampires:

Mosquitos prefer blood type O

In their quest for a meal, mosquitoes are nearly twice as likely to land on people with type 0 blood than those with type A, according to a Japanese study.  Indeed, the biting pests consider type 0 more delectable than any other blood type, the researchers reported. Most people secrete substances that allow mosquitoes to identify blood type before they bite.

Beer drinkers beware

Swigging just one bottle of beer can significantly boost your risk of being bitten, according to a study published in Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association. The researchers reported that, “Mosquito landing on volunteers significantly increased after beer ingestion compared with before ingestion.”
8 Healthiest Summer Cocktails

Watch out for the full moon

The tiny bloodsuckers are 500 times more active when the moon is full, reports the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA). Overall, the highest risk times for mosquito bites are dusk and dawn, with the females of some species migrating up to 40 miles in pursuit of a meal. (Male mosquitoes don’t bite.)

Keep your socks on

The pungent aroma of dirty feet is apparently irresistible to mosquitoes, as a brave scientist, Bart Knols, discovered when he sat in a lab in his underwear to find out which parts of the body the pests are most likely to target. He found that 75 percent of the bugs homed in on his feet, but after he washed them with deodorant soap, the mosquitos bit randomly. His team also reported that stinky cheeses, such as Limburger—which has the same odoriferous compound responsible for foot odor—also draws mosquitoes.

Mosquitos know if you’re expecting

Moms-to-be get bitten about twice as often as women who aren’t pregnant, increasing their risk for bug-borne diseases, according to a study conducted in Gambia. The researchers hypothesized that since women in the later stages of pregnancy exhale 21 percent more volume, mosquitos were drawn in by the moisture and carbon dioxide in their breath. They also found that pregnant women's abdomens are nearly 1 degree warmer, which may cause more volatile substances—released in sweat and attractive to mosquitos—to be present on their skin. Not only do several other studies have similar findings, says Dr. Koehler, but “there’s also evidence that women are more attractive to mosquitoes during certain phases of the ovulation cycle.” Studies have mixed results as to whether men or women are more likely to get bitten, he adds.
Are You Bug Savvy? Learn How to Prevent Head Lice

Running won’t help you

Both the carbon dioxide we exhale and substances in sweat, such as lactic acid, help mosquitoes home in on their prey. As a result, Dr. Koehler reports. “You’re more likely to be bitten if you’re running or exercising than when you’re at rest, since you’re breathing harder and sweating more.” In fact, physical activity ups risk for bites by as much as 50 percent, according to AMCA.

Like vampires, they prefer dark clothes

Dark-colored clothing can increase your risk of falling victim to the little bloodsuckers, compared to lighter-colored garments, says Dr. Koehler. In one study comparing the appeal of various hues to mosquitoes, the researchers reported  the following results:  black (most attractive); red (very attractive); grey and blue (neutral); khaki, green, light khaki, and yellow (less attractive).

BENEFITS OF TUMERIC

Foot Reflexology.

 

Massage the part of your foot that corresponds to the part of your body that hurts and it will slowly reduce and eventually get rid of pain. Helps promote blood circulation to that particular part of the body!

You can see very clearly two kinds of people.

 

“This is the thing: When you hit 28 or 30, everything begins to divide.
You can see very clearly two kinds of people.
On one side, people who have used their 20s to learn and grow, to find … themselves and their dreams, people who know what works and what doesn’t, who have pushed through to become real live adults.
Then there’s the other kind, who are hanging onto college, or high school even, with all their might.
They’ve stayed in jobs they hate, because they’re too scared to get another one.
They’ve stayed with men or women who are good but not great, because they don’t want to be lonely. … they mean to develop intimate friendships, they mean to stop drinking like life is one big frat party.
But they don’t do those things, so they live in an extended adolescence, no closer to adulthood than when they graduated.
Don’t be like that.
Don’t get stuck.
Move, travel, take a class, take a risk.
There is a season for wildness and a season for settledness, and this is neither.
This season is about becoming.
Don’t lose yourself at happy hour, but don’t lose yourself on the corporate ladder either.
Stop every once in a while and go out to coffee or climb in bed with your journal.

Ask yourself some good questions like: “Am I proud of the life I’m living? What have I tried this month? … Do the people I’m spending time with give me life, or make me feel small? Is there any brokenness in my life that’s keeping me from moving forward?”

Now is your time.
Walk closely with people you love, and with people who believe … life is a grand adventure.
Don’t get stuck in the past, and don’t try to fast-forward yourself into a future you haven’t yet earned.
Give today all the love and intensity and courage you can, and keep traveling honestly along life’s path.”

5 Reasons to Add Lemon to Your Water.

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  5 Reasons to Add Lemon to Your Water.
  
  1.Lemon is alkalizing helping to balance your ph levels. I have just recently learned that disease thrives in an acidic environment so alkalizing foods are especially good.
  
  2.Lemon juice oxygenates and hydrates your body.
  
  3.It’s high in vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, potassium and much more.
  
  4.Lemon water in the morning kickstarts your metabolism, digestive system, and helps your kidneys flush out toxins.
  
  5.Lemon juice is antibacterial, antiviral, and immune boosting

Natural Cleaners : 5 Uses for Lemon

NewYork Times Best selling author, Sophie Uliano of Gorgeously Green and her new book DO IT GORGEOUSLY...

In this series she shows  multiple uses for common household products. In this one she shows you 5 fantastic uses for Lemon and natural cleaning.

How to Make a Gentle Eye Makeup Remover

Eye makeup remover needs to be gentle on sensitive eyes, but effective in dissolving cosmetics and residue. Make your own eye makeup remover with help from Gorgeously Green's Sophie Uliano in this free video on green lifestyles.

Natural Remedies : Menstrual Pain Reliever : Do It Gorgeously Green

New York Times Best selling author, Sophie Uliano of Gorgeously Green and her new book DO IT GORGEOUSLY, shows you how to make your own non toxic, inexpensive pain relieving period pack.

Gorgeously Green : How to Make a Purifying Clay Mask

Creating your own spa products saves both money and the environment. Create a purifying clay mask that rivals any upscale spa with help from Gorgeously Green's Sophie Uliano in this free video on green lifestyles.

Expert: Sophie Uliano
Bio: Sophie Uliano is the NY Times bestselling author of Gorgeously Green, 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life and The Gorgeously Green Diet.

12 Best Foods For Your Abs!

12 Best Foods For Your Abs!

Check out the link below for more info:

http://positivemed.com/2013/02/21/12-best-foods-for-your-abs

10 Great Benefits of Drinking Green Tea.....

10 Great Benefits of Drinking Green Tea:

It is used for treatment and prevention of cancer.

It is used to stop Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

It is used to raise the metabolism and increase fat oxidation.

It reduces the risk of heart diseases and heart attacks by reducing the risk of thrombosis.

It reduces the risk of esophageal cancer.

Drinking green tea inhibits the growth of certain cancer cells, reduces the level of cholesterol in blood, improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol.

It is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular diseases

it is used to treat impaired immune function.

Some researches show that, drinking green tea regularly may help prevent tooth decay by killing the bacteria which causes the dental plaque.

UNDERSTANDING 'OILY SKIN' AND HOW TO TREAT IT NATURALLY...

I know it's an oil, but I have suffered from acne and the acne scars for over 11 years, and it's the only thing that has worked, along with evening out my skin tone, and it's not just because it's my skin and everyone is different Trust me.

Jojoba oil, unless you are allergic to it, which is VERY RARE by the way, is wonderful! It literally fools your skin into thinking it is producing sebum, so your skin will slow down the natural production of it.

Sebum is the oil that clogs your pores. Sebum is the oil that goes crazy and into overdrive when you wash your face with harsh chemicals or scrub too much. Sebum is what keeps your skin hydrated, but it can be a pain if it's constantly being stripped away by this and that chemical. (read your labels - does any of it grow out of the earth?!)

I use jojoba oil along with some tea tree oil, and sometimes some lavender for its relaxing aromatherapy properties. I just mix it together in a seperate container, or you can just add the drops of the tea tree and/or lavender to the entire jojoba oil bottle.

And, in all honesty, I have never really measured it out, I just add enough drops to where it smells good - maybe 20 drops per ounce of jojoba, I honestly have no idea, but you can always look it up.

You will break out for about a week, but it's not really breaking out. The jojoba oil 'draws out' what is clogging your pores, and it's really nothing more than little white heads that you can literally wipe away with a facecloth, as they are very soft from being so hydrated, and the antiseptic of the tea tree keeps it from becoming infected.

This will also work on easing the pain and discomfort of cystic acne, too. Not to mention, it works wonders on your acne scars! I can go without foundation! Something I have literally not been able to do for some yrs. I even get compliments on my skin!

Please, please, please try it! Olive oil and grapeseed oil are good, too, but those are better for body and hair, as they do not match the skin's natural ph balance as well. Jojoba does! yay!

You can even make it do double duty by running your fingers through the dry parts of your hair, or elbows, after you have just rubbed it all over your face.

Now, I'm not going to lie, some people do not like the smell of the oils, or the jojoba, but it's not like covergirl makeup, but so does the other stuff that's full of chemicals. And, if it smells good, then you are putting fragrance on your skin, which is even worse! Nature smells, baby, suck it up!

For younger fairer skin, combine lemon, lime & cucumber juice. 

Sprinkle turmeric powder...

Apply mixture to clean face...

Leave for 1/2 hr before washing off...

Skin Care Tips for Men - Just because you're a dude, doesn't mean you shouldn't look after your skin.
Check out the below link and find out how too! ;)

http://video.about.com/skincare/Skin-Care-Tips-for-Men.htm …

Light Up Your Life: Highlighter 101

By Sarah Campbell

Ever wonder how celebrities get such glowing, ethereal skin? It’s not all fancy facials and expensive aesthetician visits. With the right highlighter and proper know-how, you can fake it!
Sometimes called “luminizer,” highlighter comes in many forms, from cream to liquid to powder. While you use darker colors for contouring, highlighting brings your features forward and makes skin look younger and more dewy. Because you can find it in so many different shades and finishes, deciding which highlighter is right for you can be daunting. We consulted celebrity makeup artist Julianne Kaye, the official Maybelline Beauty Expert on the NBC series Fashion Star, to learn all about highlighting techniques and how to find the perfect product for you.

Choosing a shade: gold- or silver-based?

When it comes to highlighter, one size doesn’t fit all. To select the right shade for yourself, keep your undertones in mind. “When I’m working with a darker skin tone, like my client Tia Mowry, or someone of Latin descent, I tend to go with more of a gold-based shimmer that’s on the warmer side,” says Julianne. One of our favorites is NARS Illuminator in Laguna. For lighter skin, Julianne recommends a silvery or champagne colored tone, like RMS Beauty Living Luminizer. MAC Strobe Cream works for a wide range of skin tones, because it’s a mica pearl pigment that’s multi-colored.
“Sometimes in a pinch I’ll use a shimmering shadow if I can’t find something in my kit,” says Julianne. Eyeshadows from a line with a wide range of colors, such as Inglot Freedom System, work great for those seeking a custom shade to use as a highlighter.

For an everyday, natural application

According to Julianne, some tend to overdo highlighting, and it can end up looking silly. “The whole point of highlighter is to look like you’re naturally glowing and have a perfect complexion,” she says. So how does she wear it herself? Lately, simply by mixing it into her tinted moisturizer: “For a consumer in everyday life—like for me, I’m pushing 40 and my skin’s not looking so radiant—all I do is wear a tinted moisturizer and a little bit of the luminizer in it to get the glow and it looks beautiful in person.” The technique is great for everyday, especially if you want people to think you have beautiful skin and look gorgeous and dewy.

Red-carpet-ready technique

When Julianne is doing a client for the red carpet, she avoids highlighting all over, because that tends to look really shiny in photographs. If you're going to be photographed, Julianne suggests placing luminizer anywhere that protrudes: the high planes of the cheeks, down the bridge of the nose, and the cupid’s bow to give the illusion of a fuller lip. Another great trick is to apply a stick highlighter (like Nars The Multiple) over foundation, and then go over it with a powder highlighter. “You’ll have that lit-from-within beautiful glow!” she says.

If Julianne could choose only one highlighting product...

… she’d pick Ambient Lighting Powders from Hourglass. “There are seven options for mood lighting, candlelight, dim light, and they’re so, so, so gorgeous—different ranges of golds, silvers, and bronzes. Hourglass is just an amazing brand, and the powder is super finely milled, and not full of chunky mica as some highlighting powders can be,” she says.

Eight Easy Steps to Break Out of a Makeup Rut

By Selena Fragassi
 

You’ve been applying the same makeup since last Christmas. You’re feeling less than inspired, and bored stiff is not the look you’re going for. You are in a makeup rut. But don’t worry, it’s easy to break out if you’re willing to embrace change, according to Christian McCulloch, Dolce & Gabbana’s national makeup artist.
“Change is good!” he says. “It's fun to switch things up, experiment, and step out of the comfort zone,” noting that it’s important to try new shades, textures, and looks in order to “discover beauty in the unexpected.”
McCulloch has become renowned both for his strong, smokey eye and a deep roster of celebrity clients (including Kate Winslet, Naomi Watts and Jessica Biel) who entrust their red carpet looks to him. He definitely knows how to make someone stand out. Here are McCulloch’s eight simple steps to breaking free from a tired makeup routine.

Step 1: Know Yourself

“Everyone wants to look good and feel good. Knowing yourself is the most important way to start expressing a look that’s best for you. Take a good gaze at yourself in the mirror and ask what you’re happy with and what you’d like to improve or change.”
Face charts are a great starting point. Print out some blank templates (search google images) and get your colored pencils and make like it’s your kindergarten art project. Try mixing and matching different colors for your eyes and lips and play around with shading for your cheeks. It’s a simple way to try adventurous color before you apply to your face. When you find the one (or two or three) that you like, tape it to your mirror and experiment on yourself!

Step 2: Find Inspiration (and Copy It!)

“Runway and editorial layouts are great places to find a new look you like. Inspiration is really everywhere—in books, art, movies, magazines, music, social media channels. Find an outlet you love and you’ll see the inspiration start to flow. If you find something you like, absolutely copy it. Through practice, you’ll learn how to make the look your own.”
You know this by know, but Pinterest is a must for keeping all your inspiration ideas stored in one handy place. Love the boudoir look of Myrtle in The Great Gatsby or digging Beyonce at the Chime for Change concert? Pin every image that excites you, so you can come back to ’em later, when you’re ready to test out new looks.

Step 3: Hit the Makeup Counter

“Head to your favorite beauty store. It might not change your whole routine, but even talking to someone who views beauty differently will inspire you to change it up, even if it’s just a new lip color.”
Hit up your local counter, and you’ll likely pick up some technique know-how, too. A brand’s artists will often give you complimentary makeup applications, allowing you to try that coral pink lipstick before you buy it.

Step 4: Have at Least 3-4 Different Looks

“I like diversity in makeup and propose changing your look from day into night, from weekday to weekend. I would say everyone needs a professional day look, an evening look, a fresh weekend look, and then perhaps a more dramatic party look. That's three to four looks you should have in your repertoire.”

Don’t get overwhelmed. Many of the beauty products you own—or will buy—can be mixed and matched for multiple looks. For example, liquid black eyeliner can be applied with a thin line for a day look, while at night, you add a second thicker line and wing it out for your dramatic look. Likewise, a peachy gloss can be used alone for your fresh weekend look, and also added over red lipstick for a high voltage sheen at night.

Step 5: Take Good Care of Your Skin

“A solid makeup look starts with proper skin care, followed by a foundation that best suits your tone and texture. I like a velvety or creamy complexion. The new Perfect Matte Liquid Foundation from Dolce & Gabbana is a brilliant way to even out problem skin or problem areas. It lasts all day and has a great finish with a radiant glow.”
Every season, evaluate your skincare routine. In winter you want extra moisture in your day cream—which you may not want in the summer months, when you are focused on oil control. If you aren’t already using one, consider adding a serum or eye cream that, over time, can help even out skin tone and reduce inflammation around the eyes.

Step 6: Perfect Your Complexion

“A good complexion remains more consistent and less changeable from day to day. But you should play with subtle variation and enhancements such as blusher and bronzer.”
Eyeshadows and lipsticks aren’t the only way to tinker with color and texture. Have fun with your base, too! If you normally wear a matte finish, try a naturally tinted foundation instead. Play around with primers to find one that locks in your makeup or provides a dewy base, and experiment with your cheeks. Powder blushes, cream tints, and cheek stains all give different results.

Step 7: Mind the Eyes and Lips

“The eyes and lips are the two most dramatic changes you can make and the best areas of your face to consistently try new colors. Switching the color of your eyeliner or choosing a richer pigmented lipstick is a simple but effective way to change up your entire look.”

Pick a quick switch, and do it for a week. Go buy seven new lip colors and dare to try a different color every day. Or, if you’re feeling less adventurous, pick two new lip products, one gloss and one matte, and alternate. Another simple change with a big impact? Bright-colored eyeliner, especially if you’re accustomed to brown or black. Commit to wearing purple, blue, or green—or get a metallic liner to really make your eyes pop—for a full week, and see how it goes.

Step 8: Make Palettes Your Friend

“If you're simply bored, or feeling drab, break out a palette, and you’ll suddenly find there's a lot to try.”
If you always use the same colors on your eyes and lips, it may be out of convenience; you have that single shade on hand, and it's right there in front of you. A pre-made palette is like a Crayola box of mini options, allowing you test out a variety of different colors in a single purchase. And, if you discover a new color, texture, or product type you love, you can then invest in a full-size product.

 
Did you know: Putting a dry tea bags in smelly shoes or gym bags will absorb the unpleasant odor.

CLEAN YOUR KIDNEYS

Years pass by and our kidneys are filtering the blood by removing salt, poison and any unwanted entering our body. With time, the salt accumulates and this needs to undergo cleaning treatments and how are we going to overcome this?

It is very easy, first take a bunch of parsley or Cilantro ( Coriander Leaves ) and wash it clean
Then cut it in small pieces and put it in a pot and pour clean water( enough to cover it) and boil it for ten minutes and let it cool down and then filter it and pour in a clean bottle and keep it inside refrigerator to cool.

Drink one glass daily and you will notice all salt and other accumulated poison coming out of your kidney by urination also you will be able to notice the difference which you never felt before.

Parsley (Cilantro) is known as best cleaning treatment for kidneys and it is natural!

 

Natural Beauties: Four Skin Care Must-Haves You Can Buy At Your Farmer’s Market

By Selena Fragassi
 
Fruit stands may stick around only for the summer, but beauty is always in season! The next time you head to the farmer’s market, keep in mind that some of your finds not only have nutritional value, but also reap amazing benefits for your hair, skin, and nails. We recommend picking up these four superfoods first—Mom would be so proud you’re getting your 3–5 daily servings of veggies and fruit, and then some!

Avocados

As everyone from the Beach Boys to Katy Perry have pointed out, California girls are hot. Perhaps it’s because they have easy access to nature’s beauty fruit, avocados. Rich in vitamins A, B6, E, C and K, these green machines are ripe for softening skin and hair and protecting against sunburn. Use for...
Dry or burned skin: The fruit’s amino acids helps protect cells from environmental damage, plus the fruit’s easily absorbed oils are able to penetrate layers of skin and encourage cell growth. Oils from avocados can act as natural sunscreen and soothe sunburn. To make a facial mask, mash 1–2 ripe avocados and add a tablespoon of honey. Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse.
Lackluster hair: Avocados are full of good fats, which make for a great deep conditioner. Plus, vitamin E restores shine. For a hair treatment, mash 1–2 ripe avocados with a tablespoon of honey, and then add 1 egg or 2 tablespoons olive oil. Leave on for 20–30 minutes and rinse.

Bananas

We discovered more than 20 known beauty benefits for this fruit (Bananas, right!?). And it’s true: vitamins A, B6, and C plus zinc and iron can help quench skin, decrease eye puffiness, and even aid in clearing up acne. Use for...
Dry hands: Vitamin A helps replenish moisture and even out rough, dry skin. Simply mash 2 bananas and apply to clean, dry hands for 20 minutes and rinse, and you’ll notice the difference.
Puffy eyes: When you put mashed banana under your eyes, the high levels of potassium act as a sponge, removing excess fluid trapped under skin and reducing swelling. (For this same reason, eating the fruit will help fight bloating). As a bonus, your face will smell amazing after!
Acne: Banana peels carry a number of antioxidants. Cut a piece and rub over the interior of a peel on any areas of the face affected by acne or blemishes three times a day. You should see results in about a week.
Face: To make your own facial scrub, combine 1 mashed banana with 1 tablespoon of sugar. Rub the mix over skin in a circular motion to remove dead skin cells and moisturize, then rinse.
See even more homemade banana beauty recipes here!

Carrots

While many swear by carrot juice to reduce weight, drinking a natural cold-pressed or extracted concoction (read: no added sugar) may also help improve your vision and reduce the risk of macular degeneration. Here are some more carrot beauty tricks. Use for...
Uneven skin tone: With ample Vitamin E and carotene, you can actually even out your skin tone by using a carrot-based mask once a week. Puree and strain 1 carrot to get the juice, add 2 tablespoons of honey and 2 tablespoons of oatmeal, and mix together. Leave on for 20 minutes, then rinse.
Brittle hair and split ends: vitamins A and E can help protect hair cuticles from damage, making them more durable so that you find fewer stray strands in your brush. Use carrot oil daily before styling to lock in these beneficial nutrients. To make your own carrot oil, clean 3-4 large carrots and peel off the outer layer of skin. Place carrots into a pot and pour oil (coconut or olive) over them until covered. Simmer on the lowest setting until the oil in the pot turns orange. Strain and store liquid in refrigerator until needed.
Try a carrot face mask, too!

Grapes

Ever notice in the movies how servants are always feeding grapes to their highnesses? It’s no coincidence—these pint-sized poppers are nothing short of miraculous. Not only do grapes magically produce wine and transform into raisins, but they also hold unparalleled beauty benefits thanks to their bounty of vitamins B1, B6, and C, as well as calcium. Use for:
Discolored teeth: Malic acids in grapes naturally and safely help break down stains and discolorations on teeth. And, all you have to do to reap the benefits is eat them. Remember that the next time you want to fill your mouth with peroxide.
Damaged cuticles: Start using grapes on your hands, and you’ll be able to hold off on those manis for longer. The rich antioxidants inside help remove hangnails and nourish cuticles. To enjoy a quick treatment for fingers or toes, combine 10 grapes with 2 tablespoons of sugar in a food processor. Rub the mix onto each nail bed, then rinse off.
Dull skin: Grapes act as a great toner that can brighten your complexion, too. To make a cleansing solution, cut a handful a grapes in half and squeeze the juice into a container. Use cotton balls to apply over the face and rinse.