The summer months are sure to bring a healthy glow to our skin, whether it comes from a self tanner at home or time in the great outdoors. The makeup colors that looked so great on your pale, winter skin will no longer cut it on a radiant summer complexion. You will need to adapt to your new look – and so will your cosmetics bag. With an adjustment in the products and hues that you put on your face, you can slide into summer with warm weather style.
The first rule of thumb when it comes to your summer makeup routine is that less is more. The heavy make-ups that worked so well over the cold weather months will simply not work when the thermometer heats up and sweat begins to happen. Think sheer, in both your colors and the products themselves. Since your skin is already nicely tinted, you can probably do away with your foundation for the summer, at least during the daytime. Opt instead for a tinted moisturizer, and follow up with a waterproof concealer to hide flaws and even skin tone.
The next step in your summer makeup routine will be to add some color and shimmer to your skin. Using a blush will help to brighten your complexion, while a bronzer will deepen your tan. Blush colors that work well on tanned skin include the bright pinks and corals that will give you a dash of color that looks natural under the sun. Bronzers come in a matte finish, which serves to deepen your tan shade, or a shimmer that is primarily used to highlight and add sparkle to your face. Matte bronzer can be used all over your face, while shimmering bronzer is generally used in place of blush or as a highlighter.
Your eyes won’t require as much color with this makeup palette either, so think sheer blues, greens and coppery pink to bring out those peepers. Hints of color is best for daytime wear, but go all out with the three-shade system in the evening to make your eyes really shine at night. Summer is the right time to stick with waterproof eyeliners and mascara. Even if you don’t plan to visit the water, sweaty skin in the hot weather can cause your makeup to drip and smudge. One coat of mascara and a subtle bit of eyeliner under the lower lid are all you need to keep those eyes looking their best on a hot summer day.
Finally we come to the lips, which is often one of the most difficult features to enhance in the summer. The first step in beautiful lips should be plenty of protection and moisturizing, since the sun can do its damage to your delicate kisser, and any lip product will glide on better to a well-conditioned mouth. In the summertime, you can get away with a dash of shine from a clear lip gloss during the day, and go for a hint of color with your shine at night in one of the new pink or coral shades this season.
The full of this article's can be read on the source at: CareFair.com
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June 19, 2007
Makeup Colors that Make the Most of your Tan
June 12, 2007
Fashion Threads: Summer shoes, cool cardigans and award-winning cosmetics
Ready for some summer shoe shopping, but don’t know where to start?
This season, think patent leather, think peep toe, think wedges, think cork.
Verandah Shoes on East University Drive in Granger has got the goods. Try Calvin Klein’s espadrille wedge sandals in gold for $100, Via Spiga’s patent leopard-print slides for $125 or Donald J. Pliner’s funky all-cork sandals for $210.
For the more budget-minded, Payless has some very stylish options to choose from, too. There are adorable star-print peep-toe skimmers for $17.99, black-and-white floral print espadrille wedges for $22.99 and red patent flats for $19.99.
Cardigans are officially cool
It’s hard to imagine John Krasinski (better known as Jim from NBC’s “The Office”) in anything but a dress shirt and tie.
However, Krasinski was looking quite stylish on the “MTV Movie Awards” last week, when he sported jeans, a white T-shirt and a simple gray cardigan.
Yes, the inherently nerdy cardigan is making some serious headway in the world of fashion. In fact, we saw Kele Okereke, lead singer of Bloc Party, wearing one on-stage at a recent concert in Chicago.
Read more or this article's from the source: www.southbendtribune.com
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May 26, 2007
Retinol Lotion Reduces The Fine Wrinkles From Natural Aging Of Skin, Not Just Skin Aged By Sun
Lotions containing retinol improve the appearance of skin that has become wrinkled through the normal aging process, not just skin that has been damaged by exposure to the sun, according to a new study from the University of Michigan Health System.
Researchers tested lotions containing retinol - Vitamin A that is found in many skin-care products - on the skin of elderly patients. Lotion containing retinol was used on one arm of each participant, while a lotion without retinol was applied to the other arm.
Wrinkles, roughness and overall aging severity were all significantly reduced in the retinol-treated arm compared with the control arm, according to the study, which appears in the May issue of the journal Archives of Dermatology. The production of collagen, due to the retinol treatment, also makes it more likely that the skin can withstand injury and ulcer formation, researchers say.
"With the population aging so rapidly, it is important that we find ways of treating skin conditions of elderly people - not just for purposes of vanity, but also for the healing of wounds and the reduction of ulcers," says senior author Sewon Kang, M.D., professor of dermatology at the U-M Medical School.
This research serves as an important step forward in the understanding of how aging skin can be improved, researchers say.
"In the past, it was everyone believed that retinoids would treat only photoaging, or damage from exposure to sun. This is the first systematic, double-blind study showing that it improves any kind of aging - photoaging as well as natural aging," says co-author John J. Voorhees, M.D., the Duncan and Ella Poth Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Dermatology at the U-M Medical School. "You can rub it anywhere, and it will help to treat the signs of aging."
The lotion was made at U-M, but U-M will not commercialize this lotion because it was designed only for experimental purposes and, therefore, is cosmetically undesirable. Many retinol containing cosmeceutical creams, however, are sold by various companies. Those specific products were not tested by the U-M team.
The reduction of wrinkles in the study's participants was due to increased collagen production and a significant induction of glycosaminoglycans, which are known to retain large quantities of water. In general, aging skin tends to be thinner, laxer and more prone to fine wrinkles than young skin.
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In addition to Kang and Voorhees, authors of the study were lead author Reza Kafi, M.D.; Heh Shin Kwak, M.D.; Wendy E. Schumacher, B.S.; Soyun Cho, M.D., Ph.D.; Valerie N. Hanft, M.D.; Ted A. Hamilton, M.S.; Anya L. King, M.S.; Jacqueline D. Neal, B.S.E.; James Varani, Ph.D.; and Gary J. Fisher, Ph.D. All of the authors were at the University of Michigan Department of Dermatology when they participated in the study. Kafi and Kwak now are at Stanford Medical School, and Cho is with the Seoul National University in South Korea.
Fisher, Kang, Varani and Voorhees are named inventors on an issued patent application concerning methods for treating skin aging. They would receive royalties under U-M's Intellectual Property Policy in the event that a commercial license is signed and a product is sold. This article describes research that was part of the basis of the approved application.
The study was supported in part by grants from the Babcock Endowment for Dermatologic Research, the Merck-American Federation for Aging Research, Alpha Omega Alpha Student Research Fellowship and the National Institutes of Health.
Reference: Archives of Dermatology, May 2007, Vol. 143: 606-612.
Contact: Katie Gazella
University of Michigan Health System
Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
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May 13, 2007
Pamper Yourself - Ways to Treat Yourself on Mother’s Day
Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! You’ve logged countless hours as homework helper, wound bandager, diaper changer and guiding angel of little lives. You deserve to give yourself a pat on the back and treat yourself for a job well done. But whatever should you do? Let us help.
When you have a moment to stop and close your eyes – remember that? It’s called relaxing – So, when those moments come, where do you go? The spa? The beach? A luxury hotel? If you can swing it – GO! If, like most moms, the best you can do is take an hour to yourself, make that hour a Mother’s Day treat to remember, refresh and enjoy.
Think about your happy place. The place that makes you take a deep breath and sigh with the sheer thought of being there. What is it about that place that makes it special? Recreate it in your own bathroom, bedroom or back yard. What are the smells? Find a few candles, potpourri, flowers or take-out that will satisfy the senses. How about the sounds? Check out CD’s from your local library or purchase a few with exotic birds, relaxing music, the ocean, or just enjoy the silence. What do you see? Surround yourself with seashells, new satin sheets, a sexy new nightie or stunning new dress. Treat yourself to a tub spa, a new chaise lounge or fresh paint or art for your bedroom.
Can you take a whole day to yourself? If so, plan ahead and indulge in 24 hours of Mother’s Day peace and bliss. Make a check list that suits you. What would you like to eat, drink, snack on, wear, read, watch? Have all these items on-hand and add a few more treats to your shopping list. Be sure you’ve satisfied you sweet tooth, the healthy side of you (you want to enjoy for the whole day and not feel guilty half way through), the adventurous you and the quiet you.
Plan to do something that would make you blush or say, “Oh I could never!” Consider conquering a climbing wall, spending an entire day at the spa, get the brightest nail color the salon has to offer and buy a top or dress to match then strut your stuff on the dance floor! Go for a walk and take pictures of something other than your kids. Take your time at your favorite store. Rent a movie you want to see and watch it without getting up twenty times.
Have we made ourselves clear? You deserve to take a day and treat yourself! Be creative. Be the you that you are when you’re not teaching your children to be the best they can be. Consider your likes and dislikes and act accordingly. Your family will thank you for it. After all, they love just the way you are.
How to Create Great Finishing Touches
After years of trial and error and a drawer full of all-wrong lipsticks and eye shadows, you’ve finally achieved a look you love. Polish that perfect look, or perk up the look that’s still in progress, with 10 top-to-bottom tips that create great finishing touches.
1. Add a little shine to your do with a spritz of anti-frizz, shine enhancer. Spray onto your fingertips and pull through the hair closest to your face. This brings out your highlights and casts light onto your face.
2. Groom your eyebrows. Use a brow liner first to fill in any sparse areas then follow with brow powder. The pencil wax will help hold the powder in place.
3. Try hair wax to super-define your brow arch. Rub wax onto the tips of your middle fingers and, beginning nearest your nose, sweep brows up into their natural arch and out toward your ears.
4. Use a lash curler to cast a shadow on your browbone and draw attention away from any dark under-eye circles.
Tip: Try gently curling your lashes just after a hot shower or steam when they’re most pliable.
5. For longer, fuller lashes with no clumps hold your mascara brush parallel to your eye lid at the base of your lashes. Press into lashes as close to the lid without touching it as you can. Gently move the brush back and forth as you pull it through your lashes. This safely lengthens and separates.
6. For eyes that pop, apply liner a shade darker than your darkest eye shadow to the middle of your top lashline. This will give the illusion of higher, wide-open eyes.
7. Using concealer a shade lighter than your skin or a facial highlighter or brightener, apply to the outer folds of your nose, at the corners of your mouth and the far inside corners of your eyes (all the way out to your nose and around the inside corner of your eye socket). Blend well. This will brighten your face for a picture-perfect glow.
8. Plump your pucker by lining your top lip from the outside corner to the V in the center. Add a high-shine or shimmering gloss to the center of both top and bottom lips for even more plump.
Tip: Lining from the outside in creates a fuller look while lining from the V to the outer corner creates a thinner look.
9. Add a dusting of brick or pink blush to the plumpest part of your cheek for a sun-kissed look that lights up your entire face.
10. To give your face a healthy glow, rub a small amount of Vaseline or your moisturizer into the palms of your hands and gently press against your cheeks, browbones, forehead and nose.
Take Your Makeup From Daytime To Nighttime
It’s 4:30 PM and your best friend calls you to make last minute plans to go out after work. You rush home and, being crunched for time, you only have about 20 minutes to change and be out the door. You don’t have time to re-do your makeup, but with a few quick steps and key products, you can create a dramatic evening look, depending on whether you want to highlight eyes or lips.
Use oil - blotting tissues to remove any shine, then apply a light layer of illuminating, translucent loose powder.
To focus on eyes – use a slightly darker cream eye shadow and a slate gray (for brunettes) or dark brown (for blondes and redheads) eyeliner pencil with shimmer or a slight touch of glitter and line the upper and lower lids. Smudge color with a Q-tip. Or apply to upper eyelids only and slightly extend and wing-out the outer tip. To balance strong eyes, downplay lips by mixing a little concealer and lip-gloss and apply with a lipbrush.
Carefully comb eyelashes with a clean eyelash comb (don’t reapply mascara!)
Add a two sweeps of your blush to refresh the color, then apply one to two drops of a liquid shimmer on the tops of cheekbones and temples to highlight.
To focus on lips – gently remove any remaining lip color, apply conditioning lip balm and line lips with a lip pencil that matches your lip color or is a neutral tone. Use a lip color that is slightly bolder than your daytime lip color. Suggested colors include a dark berry for light skin tones, a deep mauve or light red for medium skin tones and a deep red or wine for dark skin tones. Using a lip brush, apply one layer and blot. Apply one more layer and top off with a layer of clear gloss, adding a very small amount in the center of the bottom lip to create a bee-stung look. Balance the look by combing the eyelashes and emphasizing eyebrows by applying a few light strokes of matching eye pencil. Apply one small dot of the liquid shimmer under each brow bone to subtly highlight the eyes.
Australian Cosmetics in Great Demand in South Korea
With more than $7 million worth of cosmetics imported into South Korea in 2006, Australia is one of the largest importers of cosmetics into the Asian country. ccording to published reports the popularity of Australian-made products in South Korea is partially a result of their chemical-free formulations.
South Koreans are also reported quite aware of organic and natural skin care products and are keen on skin care. With rising income levels they are able to purchase the personal care items that they want. The only country selling more to South Korea than Australia is France.
Via: CareFair.com
May 12, 2007
Skin Care Tips for Food Service Workers
Working in food service involves being surrounded by ingredients and chemicals that may not be skin-friendly. For an easy way to keep your skin safe without putting your job in jeopardy, follow these simple skincare tips.
Waitresses, cooks, managers and other positions in food services always maintain the strictest standards of cleanliness. Whether it's in fast food or a regular dine-in restaurant, frequent hand washing and other routine parts of the job can take a toll on your skin.
Many who work day in and day out in the food service industry may find they suffer from dry, weak and flaky skin on the hands. It only makes sense to wash your hands before, during and after trips to the bathroom and throughout your shift. However, excessive exposure to water can dry out skin of any type. This can result in dry, cracked and uncomfortably tight skin. Putting lotion or any other kind of moisturizer may seem like the easy answer, but due to the nature of the work, this ends up becoming a tug-o-war between washing and moisturizing. Even the strongest moisturizers and lotions can be washed off, especially when soap is involved. So what can employees in this industry do to keep their hands safe?
It may be easier said than done but if it is at all possible, try to lessen the number of times you wash your hands throughout the day. That doesn't mean you should neglect the sanitary standards set by your job. Instead be more aware of the things your hands come into contact with. Being more cautious about what you touch can help lessen the number of times you wash your hands. If you can't get around frequent washing, make sure to use lukewarm water rather than hot or cold water. Carry hand sanitizer with you or keep it within easy reach, and practice using that instead of constantly washing your hands.
When drying off your hands, avoid vigorously rubbing them dry. Many restaurants use low-quality paper towels that can irritate your skin. Pat your hands dry so you don't scratch up your hands.
At the end of your shift, use a shielding lotion instead of regular lotion or moisturizers. Shielding lotions contain special ingredients that actually work with your skin to repair and protect your skin's natural defense barrier. Other moisturizers tend to sit on the surface, which doesn't help your skin but in fact could make the problem worse.
When you do wash your hands at work, don't do it for too long. Keep your hands under the water long enough to get a good soapy lather and then rinse them off quickly and dry them. Using these tips will lessen the damage your hands suffer daily and will help your skin repair itself and prevent further damage.
Philosophy Handmade is an excellent product to pamper your skin when you get home after a long day's work. Its special ingredients will ensure your hands get the care they need when they are stressed. For the ultimate at-home treatment for your hands, the Bliss All You Need Is Glove Set has all you'll need for soft, healthy and perfect hands. MD Formulations Critical Care Shielding Creme is the ideal product for taking care of skin that has been damaged by wear and tear or excessive sun exposure. This cream shields and protects your skin from the inside out.
Via: www.skincare-news.com
April 5, 2007
Precise radiation therapy spares healthy tissue
Radiation therapy is a powerful and highly effective cancer treatment - it can kill malignant cells, dramatically shrink life-threatening tumors and reduce pain caused by cancer. But all that power can come with a price: Radiation can damage healthy tissue as well as diseased tissue.
When doctors use radiation to treat cancer patients, it's a delicate balance: damage or kill as many cancer cells as possible while limiting the potential harm to normal cells. One way to improve the response rates and tip the balance in the patient's favor is through advanced technology that can precisely target tumors.
Precision treatment
One relatively new treatment method, known as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), uses some of the latest equipment and medical expertise to go after cancer. This expertise has been available at the Gibson Cancer Center since April 2005 under the direction of Dr. Thomas Walden, a radiation oncologist.
IMRT equipment includes a computer-controlled linear accelerator, a machine which produces high energy X-rays. It stands about 10 feet high and 15 feet long. It generates tightly focused photon beams or X-rays that can be specially molded to conform to the shape of a tumor - or even target specific points inside a tumor.
The equipment can be rotated around the patient so that the beams are delivered from the best angles. The beams also are adjustable, allowing higher doses of radiation to be delivered to the tumor and less harmful doses reaching nearby healthy tissue than with more conventional radiation treatment.
Planning is key
The treatment is carefully planned ahead of time by a team of experts, led by Walden and his associates. Three-D computerized tomography, or CT, images are made of the tumor and surrounding tissues. Other high-end scans, such as PET (positron emission tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), may also be used to determine the exact location and shape of the tumor.
With this information, specialists can determine the radiation dose and energy beam configurations that will be needed. The team at Gibson Cancer Center includes chief radiation therapist Shari Nichols and radiation therapists Angie Horton, Regg McIntyre and Jacque White. In addition, physicist Saad Bennouna is directly involved in the treatment planning and overseeing the quality control program.
Because IMRT is so precise, it is particularly important for the patient to remain still. Often, special reusable devices - made of foam, plastic or plaster - are molded to help the patient maintain the proper position. These devices are used only for that specific patient. The patient's skin may also be marked to help accurately align the equipment. The alignment uses fixed laser light from wall mounts, visual positioning and radiographic confirmation (X-ray pictures).
Painless procedure
Even though the equipment may sound futuristic - perhaps a little scary - IMRT is painless. And while side effects are the same as with conventional radiation therapy, they occur less often and with less intensity, offering a better quality of life for the patient.
“For the patient with prostate cancer this means less irritation to the bowel and bladder near the prostate,” Walden said. “And for the patient with a head and neck cancer, less irritation of the parotid or salivary glands, resulting in reduced long-term incidence of dry mouth and impaired quality of taste.”
Compared with conventional radiation treatment, fewer IMRT treatments may be needed. But since each treatment is more complex, individual sessions may last a little longer. Patients usually are scheduled for IMRT treatments five days a week for six to eight weeks. Sessions typically last between 15 and 30 minutes.
“Most prostate cancer patients are able to maintain normal work and social schedules during treatment with the exception of the short daily break for treatment,” Walden said. “The whole cancer center staff works hard to ensure safe, accurate treatment as well as helping the patient to maintain quality of life. Our dedicated staff includes highly trained and caring nurses, nursing assistants, a social worker and a dietitian.”
IMRT is currently being used at the Gibson Cancer Center to treat breast cancer, head and neck cancers and prostate cancer. While about half of all cancer patients receive some kind of radiation therapy, IMRT is not appropriate or necessary for all tumors.
Amanda Crabtree is the public relations officer for Southeastern Regional Medical Center. You may reach her at crabtr01@srmc.org.
Via: www.robesonian.com
April 4, 2007
How a Unique Skin Care Cream Saved the Costume Jewelry Industry
NickelBlock Skin Cream, Inc. has developed a skin care cream that retards the development of skin allergies to nickel containing jewelry. This is a big problem in the costume jewelry industry where most products contain a high concentration of nickel and other "filler" metals. Nickel related skin allergies affect 20 to 30% of women in the US predominantly in the age range of 15 to 30 years.
NickelBlock is applied before bed. During the night, this unique skin formulation rebuilds/enhances the barrier function of the skin. It works quite quickly. The barrier layer of the skin protects against dehydration and the introduction of "foreign" molecules, such as nickel, into the deeper dermal layers of the skin. Once a foreign molecule reaches the deeper, dermal layers of the skin it can initiate an immune reaction resulting in an inflammatory response.
NickelBlock is not a drug, a cosmetic or an anti-inflammatory agent. It is a natural blend of vitamins, amino acids and lipids that act together to specifically enhance the barrier function of normal skin. As such, it can be used to block contact hypersensitivity reactions to many different allergens and irritants.
NickelBlock is the only product on the market that can enhance the natural barrier function of the skin.
April 3, 2007
Jacques Courtin Clarins, skin care magnate
Jacques Courtin-Clarins, a French masseur who founded one of Europe's largest skin-care product companies and whose name became synonymous with luxury cosmetics, died March 22 at his home in Paris. No cause of death was reported. He was 85.
Born Jacques Courtin, he added Clarins to his name in 1978 as the company he started in 1954 was becoming an international success. The business, which now has annual sales around $1 billion, includes spas and salons worldwide that feature his plant-based oils, creams and perfumes.
Mr. Courtin-Clarins started as a Parisian salon where clients received massages with non-greasy oils and creams. His rubbing technique, marketed as the "Paris method," emphasized firming and slimming as the goal. Mr. Courtin-Clarins persuaded celebrities of the era, including ballerina Ludmila Tcherina and screen sex symbol Martine Carol, to endorse his skin treatments.
The company expanded its array of skin-care products, including Eau Dynamisante body spray and Lotus Oil body cream. It acquired perfumes of fashion designers Loris Azzaro and Thierry Mugler. Mr. Courtin-Clarins worked with Mugler to create the Angel perfume in 1992. It was a huge hit and emerged as competition to Chanel No. 5.
Despite outside offers to buy the business, Mr. Courtin-Clarins took Clarins public, although his family maintained a majority share. He gave his sons, Christian and Olivier, ranking positions within the company. Because Mr. Courtin-Clarins spoke only French, his older, jet-setting son, Christian, was credited with charting Clarins' growth worldwide in the 1970s and 1980s.
SoCal nail polish maker removes chemical from products
OPI Products, Inc. which makes one of the most popular brands of nail polish used in salons nationwide, has begun removing a chemical from its product line amid health concerns raised by an environmental group.
Women's Voices for the Earth, a grass roots environmental group, has been lobbying OPI Products, Inc. for about a year to remove dibutyl phthalate, toluene and formaldehyde from its products due to health concerns.
While the Los Angeles-based company removed dibutyl phthalate last year and offers formaldehyde-free products, OPI recently said they have started to introduce products without toluene - a chemical that helps polish flow more smoothly.
Women's Voices released a study this month called "Glossed Over: Health Hazards Associated with Toxic Exposure in Nail Salons." The group claims chemicals found in nail products have been linked to cancer, birth defects and other health problems.
"The health standards are so outdated that we don't believe they're protecting people's health," Women's Voices spokeswoman Alexandra Gorman said this week.
An OPI spokesman said the company did not remove the chemicals because of pressure from the group. Spokesman Harris Shepard said the toluene was removed because company researchers found other ingredients that improve the flow of polish.
In a March 15 letter to Women's Voices, Chief Operating Officer Eric Schwartz argued OPI products are safe.
"As you know much of the concern about the above ingredients emanates from potential exposures in industrial factory settings where the exposures are much, much higher than in finished nail care products," he wrote.
Gorman said she supported the action, regardless of the reason.
"OPI is doing the right thing with this decision," she said.
March 26, 2007
Natural Solutions for Chapped Lips
No matter if lips are exposed to the drying heat of summer or the bitter cold of winter, oftentimes the delicate skin on the lips is the first to feel damage. With a little help from nature, chapped lips don’t have to hang around as long as the storm or heat wave does. Try one of these easy treatments for dry, cracked, and sore lips.
Honey
Honey is an excellent choice as a treatment for a bad case of chapped and cracked lips because it is moisturizing and healing. Honey is safe to use on small cuts, and it is antibacterial so it will also keep lips from getting infected. Use honey on lips before going to bed at night, or apply throughout the day. A half hour treatment should help smooth and heal chapped lips, and it can be done several times a day for severe cases.
Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil is a good moisturizer for a case of dry lips, and can usually be found in just about any kitchen. For natural product choices out on the market, aim for a blend of olive oil and beeswax for a smooth consistency and thick coverage, especially helpful in the blistering cold.
Aloe Vera
If the lips are chapped or over-dry from exposure to the sun, aloe vera might be a good choice for soothing and cooling the burn. Use the gel directly from a piece of aloe plant, or find a gel that is pure aloe vera for your lips. After using the gel from the inside of the plant, it can be broken open and the clear and wet inside flesh can be rubbed directly on the lips. Put it in the fridge to help refresh the piece until there is no more moisture.
Drink more water
Chapped lips are often a sign that there is not enough water in the body to keep the skin hydrated. If chapped lips seem to be a recurring theme, try increasing your water consumption.
Shea Butter
Shea butter is extremely moisturizing and nourishing to the skin, and it is said to mimic the skin’s natural oils. If commercial products and other oils do not work for you, mild shea butter might. Shea butter is also a good choice for sensitive skin, which is what makes it a popular choice for baby lotions and other baby products.
All About Night Creams
Night creams are probably the oldest and most traditional beauty ritual there is and over the decades, the selections and various formulations of night creams have gone from one or two to so many that the choices can be overwhelming.
Grandmother`s cold cream she applied before bed every night has been replaced by fancier and more innovative versions that promise a more youthful and vital appearance, fewer lines and wrinkles, more softness and suppleness, and all sorts of other claims. We`ll list some of the most popular brands we came across and what they claim to do and we`ll let our readers be the judge and jury as to which ones work best.
Why Do We Need A Night Cream?
It has been said by beauty experts and Dermatologists that night time is when our skin renews itself, heals itself, produces it`s natural oils, and rids itself of the pollutants and toxins it may have encountered during he day. The theory is that since our skin is at rest and isn`t being exposed to pollutants, that it is more "open for business", so to speak, to the treatments that we apply. Also, many people prefer focusing their treatment at night because there`s no need to coordinated their chosen cream with cosmetics. Hence, night creams are plentiful in supply and promise all sorts of phenomenal results.
Some We Found That May Be Worth Trying
Here, we`ll tell you about some we came across in our reading and what the brand claims to do for you.
Origins: Origins is a great line that focuses on more natural ingredients than traditional lines and can be found at some department stores or ordered online. Their night cream, Nit-A-Mins boasts a mixture of ingredients to increase hydration and also incorporates some great scents that promote relaxation and a good night`s sleep.
Prada: If you`re into the luxury buys, Prada makes a nighttime kit that mixes a great concoction of vitamins with healthy things like avocado and wheat. The kit contains not only a night cream but also a nighttime treatment for the eyes.
Sisley: Sisley makes a rich and intense night cream that is great for dry skin since it`s most appealing benefit is lots of hydration. It`s also got some natural ingredients that promote healing, like eucalyptus and Echinacea.
Jo Malone Orange and Geranium: This night cream sounds yummy enough to eat, although we wouldn`t recommend it. The focus of this night cream is reversing environmental effects through detoxification with essential oils of orange and geranium.
Barbor Vita: This night cream sounds more like a nighttime dessert than a beauty treatment as. It`s ingredients include Mexican honey and wheat, along with the hydrating and restorative benefits of Vitamin E. The focus here is on repair and restoration.
The night creams listed here a just a brief mention of those available, whether at the drugstore or the department store. Finding one that works for you and delivers on its promise may seem a little intimidating, but with so many out there, it may be a process of trial and error.
March 25, 2007
Brings Cosmetic Plastic Surgery to the Masses
The launch of NewImage.com marks a turning point in the cosmetic plastic surgery industry. NewImage.com, a new destination for those looking to make their dream image a reality, provides consumers with the latest news and information on cosmetic plastic surgery, simple and flexible financing options and easy accessibility to board certified surgeons across the US.
By hosting a place where cosmetic plastic surgeons, financiers, and image consultants collectively work to give clients a safe and fulfilling experience, NewImage.com is the ultimate destination for elective medical procedures.
As a new initiative, it is NewImage.com’s unique offering to have personal image consultants “handhold” patients through the entire cosmetic surgery process, from the initial meeting with doctors to after surgery completion, giving patients the re-affirmation, trust, and support they need.
"We are excited about the launch of NewImage.com. In order to make informed decisions about looking and feeling confident about ourselves, we need information we can trust," says Kathy Tuite, chief spokesperson for NewImage.com. "NewImage.com solves that need by providing information that consumers need on the topics of cosmetic surgery and non-surgical alternatives, all in one place so that they can make the right choices."
With Hollywood leading the way, more and more people are turning to cosmetic plastic surgery and cosmetic dentistry for the latest physical enhancement options. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, “more than 10.2 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures were performed in the United States in 2005, up 11 percent from 2004.”
Today, enhancing the physical image through cosmetic plastic surgery as well as cosmetic dentistry procedures has become mainstream, and at NewImage.com people interested can find the latest news from breast augmentation to the uses of Botox®, dental procedures, non-surgical alternatives, before and after photos, and public forums for people interested in reading about personal experiences on any type of cosmetic surgical procedure.
The launch of NewImage.com is just the beginning. In the near future NewImage.com will become a complete image enhancement site. With the addition of non-surgical physical enhancement alternatives, minimally invasive cosmetic treatments, and cosmetic dentistry, plus anti-aging beauty tips, products and interactive community forums, Newimage.com will become the ultimate image enhancement online destination.
About NewImage.com
Founded in 2006, NewImage.com is a leading provider of information to help consumers make educated decisions about elective medical and dental procedures. With reliable and accurate information on cosmetic plastic surgery, med spa therapies, cosmeceuticals, laser hair removal, and cosmetic dentistry, access to a network of 130 plus board certified surgeons nationwide, flexible financing programs available, and 24 hour image consulting assistance with surgical procedures, NewImage.com can be considered the one-stop destination for cosmetic plastic surgery consultations and more. NewImage.com is based out of Norwalk, Conn. For more information on NewImage.com visit http://www.newimage.com
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Non-Western Skincare
The Ayurvedic and Chinese Traditions
non western skincareOnce the domain of hippies and new-age types, alternative medicine is now mainstream. In skincare, non-western disciplines that emphasize natural ingredients and the mind/body connection are also enjoying newfound popularity. Ayurveda, which emphasizes balancing bodily functions and Chinese Medicine, which focuses on healing, both offer intriguing skincare treatments and philosophies
Ayurveda: The Knowledge of Life
Ayurveda is the oldest system of preventive health care in the world. Born in India over 6,000 years ago, Ayurveda means "knowledge of life." Its goal is create balance while strengthening the body`s ability to heal itself. Ayurvedic skincare takes traditional Ayurvedic principles and applies them to treatments and practices that treat the effects of stress and aging.
Ayurveda holds that the human body is governed by three "doshas” that work together to regulate all the body`s functions. The doshas are: Vata (movement), Pitta (metabolism), and Kapha (structure). In Ayurveda, it is thought that all people are born with a unique combination of the three doshas, are ruled by one in particular.
Skincare focuses on restoring the skin to balance, while treating individuals according to their Doshas. Unlike conventional treatments, only natural botanical ingredients are used.
Typical Ayurvedic facials and massages include milk, rose petals, sandalwood and herb-infused oils. Treatments are proceeded by consultations in order determine the client`s Dosha. Ayurvedic skincare is designed to nourish and balance the skin while simultaneously stimulating the senses with aromatherapy.
The Doshas and Skin
Vata doshas tend to be small-boned with fair, thin, and dry skin. They typically have poor circulation, resulting in cold hands and feet. In additional, they often suffer from anxiety, insomnia, and poor eating habits. Because sluggish circulation causes dull, prematurely aged skin, treatments for Vatas should encourage the flow of nourishing blood to the skin.
Pitta types are more high energy, with passionate personalities and oily skin. They are allergy-prone and tend towards high blood pressure. Pittas are likely to suffer from acne and Rosacea. They need calming treatments that help slow oil production.
Kapha doshas tend to be nurturing caretakers. Physically they have with thick hair and sluggish metabolisms. However, Kaphas are the clear winners in the beauty lottery with their thick, moist and healthy skin. Because Kaphas are used to taking care of others, they will benefit most from ultra pampering treatments that emphasize massage.
Chinese Medicine: Internal Awareness and Acupressure
Skincare methods that draw on traditional Chinese medicine unlock the emotional tension carried in people`s faces. It is believed that once tension-related wrinkles and lines fall relax, the skin will remain young, calmer and more peaceful looking. Chinese medicine practioners approach skincare in terms of one`s overall health. It’s a holistic approach that combines a health consultation, acupressure facial and education about proper diet.
The initial consultation establishes the client`s current level of health, which the Chinese consider a vital part of beauty. It also includes a "reading" of the face to determine the pressure points most in need of stimulation. Follow-up sessions address nutritional imbalances and instruct clients on eating for their skin type.
Facial treatments are rejuvenating and address the client`s specific health needs. It includes facial acupressure and massage to stimulate the points on the face that improve tone, firm the skin, and increase the circulation of blood, lymph and chi to your head. Like Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine treatments incorporate botanicals, herbs and essential oils.
Ancient Cosmetics
When we think about cosmetics, we think about the ritual of beautification and relaxation. What we tend to forget is that cosmetic use often sprang from a necessity, and cosmetic rituals can be used to increase the health and well being of the entire body. The cosmetics of the ancients reflect this understanding in a physical as well as a spiritual sense.
Hebrew, Greek, & Roman Cosmetic Practices
Among the early Jews it was required by the Babylonian Talmud for a man to provide his wife with cosmetics. Attractiveness was a factor, but cosmetics were mostly used for body cleanliness. Moses indicated people should guard their bodies as a gift from God, and the use of cosmetics was one tool that was suggested. The Greeks and Romans also shared this understanding and attitude of the body as a temple. The Romans began with a simple care regimen of bathing and exercise, but as they conquered neighbors, they began to adopt less health and spiritual oriented cosmetic practices. One of these practices involves powdering the face with a white lead powder, which is a dangerous practice and can be fatal. They were also found stealing the animal fat and ash soap making practices of the people they conquered in Germany. Their process of copying spread several cosmetic practices throughout Italy. The Greeks had very advanced practices in the area of public baths and toilets, with toilets built over flowing streams, but prostitutes were the only ones who wore cosmetics regularly in that culture.
Ancient Cosmetics in Egypt
Archaeologists have found that the people who settled in Egypt began to employ the use of cosmetics out of necessity. They used the oil of the castor bean plant to protect their skin against the sun’s burning rays. They similarly protected their eyes by using green copper compound, depicted in paintings inside the ancient tombs. Malachite is a green mineral which was also used for this purpose and was prepared in a sea-shell. Additionally, perfume use in Egypt sprang from priests using them to prepare mummified bodies. The tombs also contained elaborate toilet kits, which give us an idea of the cosmetic tools and supplies of the day.
New Guinea Greetings
In New Guinea, an ancient spa treatment was and still is practiced on social guests. Lard is rubbed on the guest’s chest to help maintain body warmth. This allows the New Guinea people to make sure their guests do not get too cold due to the low temperatures in the mountains.
Indian Skincare, Naturally
From the use of henna to enhance hair hues to the simple threading method for hair removal and the oils and herbs used to moisturize and preserve the skin, the Indian approach to beauty is one that has evolved naturally. In India, the kitchen cupboard is also the medicine cabinet where the Indian woman starts and ends her day with a skin cleansing ritual.
Cleansing is Key
Cleansing is by far the most important part of the anti-aging skincare regime, starting each morning and ending each day with a creamy cleanser that removes dirt and dead skin without stripping the natural oils of the skin that keep it supple. Common household ingredients like honey and cream are used as daily cleansers, which provide enough moisture to the skin that an additional moisturizer is often not necessary.
A Typical Indian Cleansing Regime Includes the Following Steps:
To begin, a muslin cloth is applied to the face with hot water to soften the skin, using a circular motion for stimulation. Then a mixture of yogurt, turmeric paste and lentil flour are applied to the face as a moisturizing exfoliant using the same circular motions, allowing the finger tips to massage the facial muscles to soothe and tone sagging muscles that come with the natural progression of an aging body. After several minutes of this cleansing massage, the face is then rinsed with the muslin cloth that is dipped into icy cold water that helps to seal the pores, improving the skin’s overall condition. After cleansing, a freshly made toner consisting of cucumber juice, elderflower water or orange flower water along with a few drops of tincture of benzoin is used each morning for further tightening of the pores. While at night the skin is left alone to “breathe” after cleansing.
Moisturizing
In the northern regions of India and for more mature skin types, moisturizers consist of coconut or mustard oil infused with herbs like bergamot, jasmine or sandalwood which allow the skin to absorb vitamins A and E to keep skin youthful.
Do-It-Yourself Moisturizing Treatment
A face pack (the Indian version of a face masque) is also used weekly to keep the skin glowing, firm and nourished. Here is a simple face pack you can create at home to start you on a more natural approach to skincare:
1. Ingredients:
· banana
· 1 egg yolk
· 1 tablespoon of honey
· 1 tablespoon of powdered milk
2. Directions:
· Use a blender to mix ingredients into a pulp.
· With your fingertips, apply the mixture to freshly cleansed skin, avoiding the eye area.
· Wait 20 minutes, and then rinse with warm water.
· Towel dry face gently.
Although each region in India offers slight variations on skincare, the unifying characteristics are natural ingredients that provide similar and often-superior results to products that are chemically manufactured and found in a bottle!
By Shobha Tummala
About the Author: Shobha Tummala owns two high-end spas in New York City, Shobha SoHo and Shobha Madison, specializing in making the exotic more familiar. At Shobha, the dedicated staff brings ancient hair removal and skincare traditions like threading, sugaring, and all-natural facials to the mainstream in a relaxed, Indian-inspired environment. Skilled henna artists are also available for private events. Contact: www.shobhathreading.com
Mayan Beauty Tips
The ancient Mayan culture utilized natural herbal remedies for beauty over 3000 years ago all over South and Central America. Today, their beauty secrets are used in products and spa treatments throughout the world. You can get a taste of Mayan herbal beauty by trying some of these ancient treatments at home.
Make an Avocado Face Mask
Avocadoes were a highly revered part of the Mayan beauty regimen. Mash ½ of a fresh ripe avocado and apply it evenly to your face. Leave it on for 20 minutes, and rinse it with tepid water. This mask is good for hydrating dry skin, and can be a helpful winter skin treatment.
Try Rose Hip Seed Oil for Minor Skin Blemishes
Rose hip seed oil is a South American remedy for decreasing the signs of scars, aging, and uneven coloration of the skin. Find a commercial product made with the oil, or purchase it online and mix it with olive oil for a nightly facial treatment.
Mix Chaparral and White Sage to Make a Free Radical Fighter
Chaparral and white sage are both antioxidants that have the effect of inhibiting the growth of free radicals and destroying the ones that have already formed. To make a cleanser that works against them, mix a tablespoon of chaparral and a tablespoon of white sage. Combine them with a cup of cold water, and let it sit overnight. In the morning, add 1 tablespoon of sunflower oil to the herbal solution, and shake thoroughly. Apply the solution with a cotton ball before bed for free radical control.
Use the Renowned Mayan Hair Wrap
This hair masque is known throughout the world as a remedy for dry, damaged and lifeless hair. Combine ½ an avocado, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, ½ a banana and one egg yolk. Apply the mixture evenly to the hair, and wrap it with plastic or use a shower-cap. Allow the mixture to sit on your hair for at least an hour. Then, simply rinse, shampoo and style hair as usual. Use the entire avocado and banana when treating long hair.
Kill Bacteria on your Face with Acacia
The herb acacia is an antibacterial and an astringent. Crush the dried herb into a powder and mix it with water to make an antibacterial wash to treat skin outbreaks. Mix with honey for a healing solution that can be applied for 20 minutes at a time.
For Itchy Skin Try Cliffrose Bark Tea
Cliffrose bark is an ancient Mayan herb used for a variety of medicinal applications, including skin problems. If you have a rash or skin disorder and nothing else seems to work, purchase some of the bark and add it to just boiled water. Steep for 15 – 20 minutes and apply to the affected area and wait for relief.
Cut Slices of Avocadoes to Decrease Puffiness Under the Eyes
Slice an avocado to fit under your eyes and lie down. Place the avocado under your eyes and allow it to soak in for at least 20 minutes. Watch your puffiness disappear and enjoy the cooling and moisturizing effects of avocado.
Indonesian Beauty Tips
Indonesian beauty is based on the concept of getting back to nature with a holistic approach. The ancient tradition of natural health and wellness in the region is called Jamu. Jamu is the Indonesian tradition of using medicinal herbs to treat every aspect of life.
In terms of beauty this means blending the leaves, roots, fruits, flowers and barks of various plants into treatments that rejuvenate and nourish the body and also create inner peace which translates to outer beauty. For an Indonesian beauty experience at home, try some of these tips based on traditional Jamu beauty treatments utilized by Indonesian and Javanese royalty for hundreds of years.
Get a Foot Massage
For a traditional Indonesian style foot massage, have the masseuse focus on foot reflexology, and soak your feet in flower water before your massage treatment. Use pumice made from volcanic stone to remove dead skin from your feet before the massage as well.
Use Coconut Milk as a Hair Conditioner
For dry, brittle hair try using the ancient Indonesian remedy of rinsing the hair with coconut milk instead of a commercial conditioner during your shower. The milk will leave your hair moisturized and smelling like coconut.
Give your Body a Steam Treatment
Traditional Indonesian spas offer steam treatments to specific parts of the body to tone the skin and flush toxins. To mimic these treatments, steam parts of the body for a ½ hour at a time. Steam your face by holding it over a sink full of hot water with a towel over your head. Steam other parts of your body by turning your bathroom into a steam-room after a shower.
Try Eating Indonesian Kepel Fruit
Kepel fruit is a brown fruit that is about the size of an egg. The fruit is known in Indonesian beauty as a natural deodorant and eating the fruit is supposed to cause the body tsmell like the aromatic fruit.
Keep Coconut Oil in Close Reach
In Indonesia and Java coconut oil is used to massage the skin and to treat damaged hair. Add a small amount of essential oil of orange flower or rose for added fragrance.
Soak in Goat’s Milk
Mandi Susu is an ancient beauty bath used for princesses of Java to help them maintain soft and youthful looking skin. The old-fashioned treatment was to sit in a goat’s milk bath for 30 minutes and do not rinse afterwards. In a big city Indonesian spa you can get this treatment with new products that take out the taste and smell of the milk but keep the protein content for soft skin. Sheep’s milk or cow’s milk can also be used for mandi susu.
Relax with a Floral Bath
Treat yourself to an Indonesian style floral bath after your home spa treatments. Add fresh or dried petals of jasmine, gardenia, hibiscus, magnolia, and rose to bathwater and soak for 20 minutes to relax your muscles and help build internal wellness.
