Premium Beauty Tips

Unwanted hair is no fun, and it?s not as easy to remove as you would like it to be. Yet, there are solutions to your unwanted hair. Removal can be one of two types. First of all, it can be simply temporary, such as shaving the hair away. Or, it can be made to be permanent.

Why Remove Hair?

Why should you bother with having costly procedures done to remove hair? There are many reasons. For example, many athletes have hair removed so that they can shave seconds off of their times. Or, many fashion conscious people want eyebrow, leg, arm and private areas hair free to stay with the current style. Some men enjoy having their hair styled into a specific fashion statement such as a moustache or goatee. Sometimes, individuals need to have it removed for medical reasons. Still, others just want it gone.

Why Permanent?

For many individuals the best way to get hair gone is through investing in permanent solutions. You?ll likely need to see a licensed Esthetician for this procedure and it will cost you. But, if you get it done, and it is done significantly, you will not need to keep worrying about the hair.

What Permanent Options Are There?

There are many. Here are some of the many that you can choose from.

Laser treatments: these are by far becoming some of the most popular. The process, which is FDA approved, actually uses a small laser to destroy the hair follicles. It takes seconds to do. But, many individuals can not have this procedure as you will need the right colored skin/hair for it. The procedure is expensive, up to $3,000 per procedure in which you may need more than one treatment. Experience is helpful in having a good experience the first time.

Electrolysis: This is another option for permanency. In this procedure, a probe is placed into each follicle (yes, it takes a long time for large areas!) and will then use an electric charge to destroy the follicle. It is painful to an extent, and you will likely need more than one treatment. Again, it can cost up to $3,000 for this procedure.

Photo epilation or pulsed laser treatments: These are much like the laser treatments in that they use pulsed light to work at destroying the follicles and it can be very effective for under arm hair as well as that of the bikini area. There are few limitations here, and it will cost you slightly less at about $2,000 per treatment.

Temporary?

There are many temporary methods for hair removal. You can use processes like shaving and waxing to help remove hair. You can use creams as well as plucking. Temporary or not, these are less expensive and often less painful methods of hair removal.

Which solution is for you? Base your decision on your budget and your preferences. Talk to your local dermatologist for recommendations. Whatever you do, get rid of the hair!

As a beauty consultant Nicola is always evaluating new products. Visit her site at http://www.epilator.info for resources, views and information about removing body hair.

Copyright Epilator.info All rights reserved. This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact.

Hair Care Professional- Breaking One In

Beauty Salon- It is so important for us to find the right beauty salon so that we can have the right look at the right time. However, there are certain things that beauty salon owners don't want you to know.

According to the September 13, 2005 issue of the LA Times, soon after Hurricane Katrina passed through the states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama beauty salons with power and water reopened. Women who had lost EVERYTHING flocked to those open beauty salons. They wanted to look good even though they did not have a place to live. They wanted and needed professional hair care.

This fact alone confirms your intuition about the absolute necessity of finding the right beauty salon. This holds true for a beauty salon Santa Monica, or a beauty salon Long Beach, Mississippi.

Let me give you some general guidelines and tips to use when you are looking for a new beauty salon. I will also include some helpful suggestions about how to deal with your hair stylist.

1. How far is the beauty salon from your home or work? Is it convenient to either or both?

2. Telephone the salon. Ask if their hair care stylists have experience with your type of hair. For example, is your hair long, curly, textured or exposed to frequent changes to hair color, heat and the elements?

3. Search the Internet for reviews of beauty salons in your work or home zip codes.

4. It seems obvious, but it's crucial: Who do you know whose hair looks fabulous? Ask them where (and to whom) they go.

5. When you get to the beauty salon what does the atmosphere FEEL like to you? Is it peaceful or stressful? Which do you prefer?

6. Are you greeted right away or are you forced to wander around or ?twiddle your thumbs? until someone attends to you?

7. If you've made an appointment is it kept?

8. Is the beauty salon clean and well organized? Does everything seem to be in its place?

9. How is the staff dressed? Are they dressed appropriately to your taste?

10. What does the hair of the staff look like to you? Is the hair of the staff professionally done or is it sloppy?

Ok, you've decided that the beauty salon environment is satisfactory, now how do you deal with the hair stylist?

11. Collect and bring pictures that are appropriate for your type of hair. The biggest beauty salon hair disasters occur when your hair stylist doesn't understand what you want. Pictures help convey your message.

12. Don't immediately go for a cut, take it slower. Book a blow-dry with your selected stylist. Ask, if you were to cut my hair, how would you do it? Once you've set aside the time for a real consultation, here are some key questions to ask yourself as you talk to your stylist:

? DO YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE with the hair care stylist? You should like his or her sense of style. This means clothing, grooming, personality, everything.

? IS THE STYLIST ASKING YOU questions, giving ideas and suggestions that relate to your personality, rather than pointing to a style on the wall or in a book?

? IS THE HAIR CARE STYLIST ADDRESSING the health of your hair, not just proposing to cut off split ends? The two of you should be talking about conditioners and rinses that enhance shine and bounce, and special treatments that can prevent or repair damage done by the environment, such as pollution, sun, chlorine, humidity, or dry air.

? ONCE YOU'VE AGREED ON A LOOK, does the stylist preview how you'll need to blow it dry, wash it, and maintain it? These are all things to think about before actually getting the cut.

If you can answer most of the questions to your satisfaction, then you've probably found a beauty salon and a hair stylist that will make you look fabulous. If you cannot, then move on to the next beauty salon on your list.

Take the above tips with you when you come to Next Salon in Santa Monica, CA. We think that you'll find that you came to the right beauty salon.

Noori Daili specializes in making women and men look luscious and desirable. She is the founder and owner of Next Salon at 2400 Main Street in Santa Monica, California 90405. Call now at 310-392-6645 and mention this article for a 10% savings on hair service appointments. For more info go to the beauty salon website. Online appointments are welcome.

Beauty pageants are a program that is fun for adults, teens, and children alike. There are baby beauty pageants, teen beauty pageants and adult beauty pageants. Sometimes there are many prizes, and other times there are no prizes, but just the satisfaction of knowing what you have accomplished.

If you have a baby

Baby beauty pageants are an exciting movement, one that has been around for many generations. Babies that are cute, funny or just comical are on display for votes and for the review of judges. From there, the top ten are generally picked, and a number one is appointment. Often times the types of promotions that are used in baby pageants, include baby food or baby clothing businesses. In order to boost their business and make their target audience aware of what they are selling, baby pageants are held to determine which baby fits what category and then prizes are awarded.

Teen beauty pageant

A teen beauty pageant is one that is generally held every year, for the male and the females. The boys and girls are those who are hip, cool, natural looking, that have great grades, and that could have: great skin, a valuable hobby, care for the environment or they are involved in agricultural events. Just about every county has a four H club, and from there, a Dairy princess is chose. These are beauty pageants. In every state, there is a Miss awarded under 18 and there is a Miss awarded for those who are over eighteen. Scholarships, money, cars, prizes and such are often times given away for those involved in teen beauty pageants.

Adult beauty pageants are not limited to those such as the Miss America, or the Miss World, there are also Mrs. USA, and Mrs. pageants for about every state. There are also teacher beauty pageants, business hold pageants for locals only, and there are others that are based on those who are nominated by another.

Additionally there are more types of beauty pageants held every year, and you may just want to enter one. There are the muscle builder's pageants, there are bikini contests, and there are contests that are based on local communities offering prizes for beauty pageants for those who are in all types of age ranges. There are even pageants for those who are cute, beautiful, funny, comical, daring, outrageous and so on, for promotions of just about every product out there. If you want to win, you have to enter.

A beauty pageant can be based on beautiful legs, fingers, the face, the butt, and the muscles, just about anything! If you want to get involved in a beauty pageant you are sure to find one that will give you the best time of your life while entering to win!

Copyright 2006 - Agust Hauksson. Agust is a regular contributor of articles to many online publications. Find more great information at: http://www.beauty-pageant.org/

When we are young, our body naturally sheds and renews skins cells. This gives teenage girls a natural glow that cannot be created by even the most expensive make-up. As we age, our skin cells don?t renew themselves as quickly and exfoliation becomes essential.

Exfoliation is actually the scrubbing away of dead skin cells. It is the true key to keeping your skin youthful. When dead skill cells stay too long on the surface of your skin four very bad things happen:

1.The dead skin cells block moisture from penetrating your skin
2.Your skin gets a dry and dull appearance ? even pasty at times
3.The dead skin cells can clog your pores and result in breakouts

And worst of all,

4.The dead skin cells on the surface actually slow down the renewal and regeneration of new skin cells underneath the surface skin layer.

Proper skin exfoliation can increase the renewal of fresher, younger looking skin cells by as much as 30%!

Our creator designed the body to automatically heal and renew itself. So, when you scrub away dead skin cells, your body is triggered to replace those cells with new cells. In Psalm 139, David says: ?I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made!?.

When your body makes new skin cells, it is also signaled to produce more collagen. Collagen is the connective tissue that plumps our skin. If you read any beauty magazine you will see many products claiming to replace loss collagen in your skin. This is important because collagen loss is the main reason our skin becomes drier and more wrinkled as we age.

To give you a feel for the difference collagen makes, take a look at the average man your age. Chances are his skin is a lot less wrinkled than yours. That is because men have roughly twenty five percent more collagen in their skin than women.

So now you know, exfoliating removes dead skin cells, causes your body to produce fresh new skin cells and collagen which is absolutely necessary for younger looking skin. But, there is more!

?Exfoliating opens up skin pores that are blocked by exposure to air pollution, air conditioning, dirt and grime from our fingertips. This gives you smaller skin pores and the appearance of more refined and even toned skin.

?When you exfoliate you also increase blood circulation to your face. Increasing the blood supply to your face is absolutely essential to prevent aging skin!

?Exfoliation removes the debris that blocks moisture from penetrating into the skin. So, after exfoliation, your skin will absorb more nutrients and moisture, your skin will appear clearer and fine lines will look softer. Very fine lines may actually disappear.

After I discovered the great benefits of exfoliating, I only had one question?

How do I exfoliate and how often can I exfoliate?

The way to exfoliate varies depending of the condition of your skin and your skin type. Washing vigorously is actually enough for some people. Others will need to exfoliate ? gently.

Younger women can exfoliate up to four times per week. After forty, I suggest once a week if your skin is still oily. If you have dry or sensitive skin, once every two to three weeks is best. And don?t forget ? when you exfoliate always think gentle.

Believe it or not, simple table sugar is one of the best exfoliates. It has fine grains for the gentlest removal of dead skin cells and is non-drying. Most importantly, sugar rinses completely away leaving your skin clean, smooth and rejuvenated. I recommend all natural organic sugar. You can find it these days at most grocery stores. It is chemical free and safe to use on your entire body. Here is all you need to do:

1.Always start with a clean face
2.Put a couple of tablespoons of water in your hand and mix it with a bit of your favorite mild liquid soap
3.Lightly wet your face, and put about a teaspoon of sugar in the palm of your hand
4.Dip the two middle fingers of your other hand (not the index finger) into the mix
5.Use a gentle, gliding circular motion over your entire face, neck and eye zone
6.Rinse well and pat dry
7.Look at your face, it should look rosy but not irritated

Note: Always rub your face in an upward motion. This will help to reposition fat deposits higher on your face giving it a ?lift? in appearance!

To wake up and nourish a really dull completion you can use a combination of raw oats and essential oil. This next exfoliating scrub is just as natural, healthy and effective as the sugar scrub.

Natural exfoliating scrub with essential oil

?Take 2 - 3 teaspoons raw oats (not the instant or pre-cooked type) and crush into smaller bits either by hand or in a grinder.

?Mix the dry oats with pure honey and 1/4 teaspoon of a red or apple cider vinegar until it forms a smooth paste. Add more honey as needed.

?Add 1 drop of basil oil to the mixture.

?Wash your face with a gentle soap (never use a deodorant soap or alkaline soap on your face).

?Rinse your face thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry with a towel.

?Apply the mixture in gentle circular movements. Avoid the area around your eye. You should leave the mixture on for about 15 minutes and then wash it off thoroughly with lukewarm water.

Although this treatment is not as neat as the sugar/lather treatment, the results are excellent and it costs only pennies to make.

If you have special problems like blackheads on your face, this next exfoliate is very effective.

Baking Soda Blackhead Remover

?Make up a mixture of ? part baking soda and ? part distilled water in the palm of your hand.

?Gently rub the mixture in circular motions on your skin for about 3 minutes

?Rinse with lukewarm water.

If you are a fan of the self-tan you can get really great results by giving yourself a facial and body scrub with baking soda!

This is gentle enough for even daily use.

Your freshly scrubbed face will absorb moisture and nutrients far better. You will look younger and face the world with a beautiful clean canvas!

Linda Gaston is an advocate for natural beauty solutions for the mature Christian Woman. She has written a book Born Again Beautiful that provides all natural solutions for beautiful hair, skin and body for the woman over forty. To learn more visit http://www.bornagainbeautiful.com

If you'd rather have teeth pulled than hop on an exercise bike, you're not alone.

Finding the motivation to squeeze your bottom into a pair of Lycra shorts is just too much to bear after a exhausting day at the office. So what's a weight conscious person to do?

You want to get more active, but you want it to be fun too. What's so unreasonable about that? Nothing. What's more, there are plenty of ways to feel the burn that means you don't have to go within a mile of that nasty, mean old gym instructor.

And while you may not get an aerobic workout with most of these activities, you can see how they will add up to affect your overall activity levels and help you tone up - as you have a bit of fun too!

Activity Boost Level: Mild

Kiss Me

Pucker up with a loved one and your heart will start racing. Put a bit of oomph into it and you'll not only get flushed, you'll be working it that part harder too.

Laugh It Off

Laughing is thought to improve your immune system and skin condition. Rent a good comedy or get together with a friend who really gets you giggling to feel the immediate benefits.

Make Love

Boost your activity levels by making whoopee. And, if you feel in a frisky mood, a particularly vigorous session can give you a really good aerobic workout.

Scream for Your Team

The last time you screamed for your local sports team you'll have felt your blood pumping. If you watched last year's Stanley Cup Final, even better!

The Write Stuff

An hour spent furiously scribbling can really give you an energy boost, especially if you're concentrating hard.

Activity Boost Level: Moderate

Sing Hallelujah

Believe it or not, a rousing sing song can give you a decent workout ? just make sure you belt it out at full volume.

Have a Tinkle

If you're musically minded, playing the piano is good for toning those muscles ? choose something energetic like rag-time or a dramatic classical piece to really feel the benefits.

Do a Delia

Have a dinner party for six people or more. All that furious cooking chopping and grating will really give you a rush! Have a look at our recipe section for inspiration.

Get Under the Hood

If you're handy with a screwdriver, mending your car gives your day a bit of extra activity - especially if making heavy repairs.

Milk a Cow

Milking by hand can really get your heart pumping. Slight snag ? first find your cow.

Activity Boost Level: High

Do It Yourself

Both woodwork and plumbing will give you a decent activity boost ? now there's a handy way to lose weight and check things of your to do list too!

Child's Play

Young kids never seem to sit still. Take a leaf out of their book and go play; it's not just great for family bonding, you'll also feel the burn after a bit! Try a half hour game of energetic soccer or some backyard gymnastics.

Disco Diva

Put on your sparkly skirt and head for the dance floor ? a good half hour boogie will tone your whole body.

Move House

If the prospect of changing homes is getting you down, be cheered by the fact that shifting and carrying furniture is quite a strenuous workout. So get packing!

Richard Moore is the Founder an President of Everything Health and Beauty! For Men and Women Our WebMall is quickly becoming one of the most trusted and easy to use collection of shopping stores to create a fun and relaxing online shopping experience...and we are constantly searching for other stores with quality products, great prices and top notch customer service. If there is a shop you like...please tell us about it and we will do our best to put it on our site. Our goal is to have everything you need for your Health, Beauty, Fitness and Wellness needs...all in one place. Everything Health and Beauty! http://www.everythinghealthandbeauty.9k.com

We?ve probably all had the experience, at some time or other, of walking out of a hair salon full of dismay and disappointment at our new look! This doesn?t have to happen again.

Talking with your hair stylist

Do be honest in this discussion! If you don?t want to spend hours every day fixing your hairstyle, be sure to let her know. Listen if she makes suggestions.

If you know what haircut and style you want, it?s easiest if you can show your hair stylist a picture of it. You could browse the many hairstyle websites and print one for yourself, or find one in a magazine. This will help avoid misunderstandings.

If you can?t find such a picture, the salon will have a binder or catalog which may give at least an approximate image. A common complaint is, ?She cut too much off?. So to indicate how much you want cut off, place your hand at the right position, rather than saying ?Cut about 2 inches off?. Have your hair stylist step back and get a good idea of how much you want cut off.

Be sure and listen if she suggests that your desired cut and style will look different on you than it does in the picture; she has a lot of experience!

If you?re not sure what you want

Again, look through the binder of possible styles and discuss ideas with your hair stylist. Don?t just say, ?You decide; do whatever you think is best?. You don?t want to invite experimentation! On the other hand, your stylist has a lot of information and could make suggestions you might never have thought of. It helps if you know what shape your face is.

How to discover your face shape

Using a flexible tape measure, make the following measurements and write down the results:

1.Across your forehead at the widest place, about half way between your eyebrows and your hairline

2.Across your cheeks from the edge of one cheekbone to the edge of the other

3.Around your jawline, between where it?s widest on each side

4.From our top hairline to the tip of your chin

Compare those numbers. The face shapes are:

?Round: Approximately as wide as it is long

?Oval: Greater length than width

?Long: Length is 1? times the width

?Heart-shaped: Wide at the forehead and cheeks and more narrow at the jaw. Often has a pointed chin.

?Square: Equally wide at the forehead, cheeks and jaw

?Diamond: Wide at the cheeks and more narrow at the jaw and forehead

Then what?

Now there?s a decision as to whether you?d like to camouflage your face?s shape, or allow it to be what it is. Some hair stylists recommend hairstyles that will lengthen a round face, for example, or widen a long one. But if you like the shape of your face, why hide it? This is a personal decision, and your thoughts can be shared with your hair stylist.

Some general tips

?A short or cropped style will help a short neck to look longer, as will long hair piled up

?Hair close around the face will help camouflage a double chin

?A short cut will look good on a person with a well-formed neck, delicate features, firm jaw, and / or a well-shaped head. Those features will show to advantage when they?re not shadowed or covered by hair

?Long hair will look good on a person with very healthy, shiny hair, and if it?s cut in an up-to-date style and doesn?t fall below the cleavage.

?Layered cuts can soften facial features

?A chin-length cut of straight hair will look good on a long face, as will curls and waves, but not styles which pile the hair up

?A short, wispy cut will look good on a round face

?A short, spiky cut will look good on a square face, as will any sleek style that extends below the jawline

Jacquelyn, the office manager at Salon Cabochon in Sacramento, CA, told a story recently of a friend of hers, Marge, who had been unemployed for nearly a year. The friend came in desperation to Jacquelyn. ?Would you give me a whole new look, Jacquie? I?ve spiffed up my resume and clothes and makeup. So it must be my hair that?s the problem!?

A salon stylist assessed Marge?s facial shape, hair texture, and general silhouette, then created a soft wavy style very different from the previous short crop. The following week, Marge got a job! Was it her improved appearance? Her increased hope and confidence? Who knows, but it worked!

If you or someone you know is interested in a hair styling session, please feel free to contact the Salon Cabochon in Sacramento, California for a consultation. (http://www.saloncabochon.com)

Like every organ in your body, our skin requires adequate nutrition to function properly. Nutrients that enhance overall body health will also promote healthy skin and hair. It needs pharmaceutical-grade supplements that provide advanced levels of essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and cofactors in convenient morning and evening packets for a difference you will see and feel.

The skin contains natural enzymes that break down the extracellular matrix--proteins that keep skin looking youthful--leading to lines and wrinkles. And, these enzymes, or MMPs, become more active as skin ages. MMP inhibitors that reduce the activity of these enzymes help slow the signs of aging. A new scientific breakthrough increases cell turnover rate and maintains a firm and elastic intercellular matrix for visible results you will see right away.

The skin reflects the state of the body's health and looks its best when all cells in the skin's layers are properly nourished and hydrated. The skin is the last organ to receive nutrients from the body, and the first to show signs of nutritional deficiency, imbalance, or illness. While some nutrients can be applied topically, others can only be produced from within the body. Therefore, the secrets to becoming more beautiful comes from a synergy of internal and external nutrition, as well as protection from environmental toxins and oxidation damage, which can accelerate sagging and wrinkling.

To achieve this synergy of internal and external nutrition and a protection from environmental toxins and oxidation damage, you need to develop a beauty regimen that is designed to be a comprehensive approach to skin and hair care that takes into account the nutritional needs of both the skin and body. You would need to use outer nutrients that hydrate and reduce the signs of aging. This regimen is most effective when used in conjunction with pharmaceutical-grade supplements that help to replenish and nourish the skin cells from the inside out.

To achieve a results-oriented, morning and evening regimen designed to leave skin clean, hydrated, and healthy, begin with a deep cleanse followed by a soothing toning treatment that will leave your skin refreshed. Follow with an application of one of our powerful refining treatments to help diminish the appearance of uneven skin tone, imperfections, and signs of aging. Finish with a deeply hydrating moisturizer for your face and eye area to achieve a soft, smooth appearance.

Two to three times a week, enhance the benefits of this simple skin-care regimen by exfoliating your skin with a gentle polishing scrub, followed by a luxurious, pampering masque that will leave your skin incredibly hydrated and radiant.

When used together as a system, products are clinically proven to increase elasticity, decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve texture, and boost skin's moisture levels. In just a few short weeks you could experience dramatically visible results.

Because of the close link between nutrition and the appearance of the skin, dietary supplements are also an important step in your daily inner and outer beauty regimen. Skin is the body's largest organ and it can absorb healthy and unhealthy substances that are applied to it. Pharmaceutical-grade products focus primarily on the cellular health of the skin and use the newest technologies available to create products that are both effective and safe. Pharmaceutical-grade complexes should be thoroughly tested by dermatologists, allergists, and ophthalmologists to ensure quality and safety. To ensure safety and quality, an independent, third-party laboratory should test them again to demonstrate effectiveness. Along with added trace minerals that encourage healthy cells, pharmaceutical-grade products should contain powerful ingredients that are clinically proven to nourish, revive, and refine the skin as they help defend against free radicals and oxidative stress.

Now the science of skin care has been revolutionized with groundbreaking, self-preserving technology. For years, scientists have worked to find an alternative to parabens, the traditional preservative used in beauty and skin-care products. After nearly ten years of research, the answer has been found in a unique, patent-pending blend of botanicals, antioxidants, and active ingredients that keep every product fresh without the need for parabens. It truly is the next generation of skin and body care.

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PERMISSION TO REPUBLISH: This article may be republished in newsletters and on web sites provided attribution is provided to the author, and it appears with the included copyright, resource box and live web site link. Email notice of intent to publish is appreciated but not required. Mail to: eagibbs@ureach.com

Etienne A. Gibbs, MSW, Management Consultant and Trainer, conducts seminars, lectures, and writes articles on his theme: ... helping you maximize your potential. He offers a free health survey at http://eagibbs.usana.com; free state tourism guides at http://www.ExecutiveAndGroupTravel.com; and travel updates at http://www.executiveandgrouptravel.blogspot.com. Reach him at eagibbs@ureach.com or at 502-386-1175.

This is a good topic to discuss especially now since the popularity of all the make-over shows. I have always been curious as to why people, mostly women, have this idea that they are expected to look a certain way in order to fit in with society.

We all would like to believe that quaint saying, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but how true and meaningful is that phrase when the beholder has been brainwashed, so to speak, into subscribing to the belief that beauty is the artificial look we see on glamour mags, in TV commercials, and even in some children's books? For some time now, that image has consisted mainly of white women and the white standard of beauty.

I decided to take this question of plastic surgery and the search for beauty and see how it can affect some women in the African-American community. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, African-Americans make up only 6% of plastic surgery patients. Why is this? Do African-American women have a more positive self/body image or is it that many cannot afford it? And for the 6% who do have surgery, to which standard of beauty were they trying to aspire?

I chose to start my search for the white standard of beauty in 1960. I chose that year because at the time, a TV show was airing that sought to teach moral and societal lessons through fantastical tales. Two episodes of this show were very telling and prophetic, and they both dealt with how society viewed beauty and the expectations placed on women to be beautiful. That show was, The Twilight Zone.

Beauty in 1960... Rod Serling offered us a tale of beauties and beasts in episode #42 entitled: Eye of the Beholder. Here's a brief synopsis of the show I found at The Twilight Zone Guide: Janet Tyler anxiously awaits the outcome of her latest surgery. Janet, who's abnormal face has made her an outcast, has had her eleventh hospital visit - the maximum allowed by the State. If it didn't succeed, she will be sent to live in a village where others of her kind are segregated. As her bandages are removed, she is revealed to be very beautiful. The doctor draws back in horror. As the lights come on we see the others, their faces are misshapen and deformed. As Janet runs from her room crying, she runs into another of her kind, a handsome man named Walter Smith. He is in charge of an outcast village, and he assures her that she will eventually feel she belongs. He tells her to remember the old saying: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Although the show was filmed in black and white, we can clearly see that Ms. Tyler is Caucasian. The doctors appear to have darker skin, nevertheless, the idea here was that the viewers empathized with Ms. Tyler because she was the classic blonde, slender beauty commonly seen in 1960's fashion magazines. As the show closes, the narrator speaks: Now the questions that come to mind. Where is this place and when is it, what kind of world where ugliness is the norm and beauty the deviation from that norm? The answer is, it doesn't make any difference. Because the old saying happens to be true. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, in this year or a hundred years hence, on this planet or wherever there is human life, perhaps out among the stars. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Lesson to be learned...in the Twilight Zone.

1964: The Standard Continues Episode #137, in Season Five, is called, Number Twelve Looks Just Like You, and was adapted by a short story called The Beautiful People. In this episode, we meet Marilyn, a young woman who is about to go through a rite of passage in her community. This rite is called The Transformation and it requires citizens to choose among several models of bodies into which they will be transformed. The message here is that this society only sees one standard of beauty and that one will not be happy unless they look and act just like everyone else. Opening Narration: Given the chance, what young girl wouldn't happily exchange a plain face for a lovely one? What girl could refuse the opportunity to be beautiful? For want of a better estimate, let's call it the year 2000. At any rate, imagine a time in the future when science has developed a means of giving everyone the face and body he dreams of. It may not happen tomorrow--but it happens now, in the Twilight Zone.

Once again, the beautiful people are all white and we don't see any women or men of color. What was this episode trying to tell black women about beauty? The closing narration: Portrait of a young lady in love--with herself. Improbable? Perhaps. But in an age of plastic surgery, body building, and an infinity of cosmetics, let us hesitate to say impossible. These and other strange blessings may be waiting in the future--which after all, is the Twilight Zone.

Beauty 40 Years Later

Some aspects of beauty standards have changed, but not much. We do see more black models and beautiful black women, but when you look at the majority of the more famous ones, (Tyra, Halle, Janet, Vanessa Williams, Beyonce, a few of whom have had plastic surgery, on their noses and other body parts), you can see straight away that they have many Caucasian attributes: small, pinched noses, lighter complexion, lighter eyes, straight, lightly colored hair. It is rare that you will see a model with very dark skin, a tight afro, wide, round, larger nose, and full, large lips. Flip through any issue of Vogue or Glamour and look for that image I just described. Then look for the first image I described.

So, are black women trying to aspire to the white standard of beauty when they seek plastic surgery?

According to Cynthia Winston, assistant professor of psychology at Howard University in Washington, D.C., We really don't know much about how blacks are influenced. Most of the research focuses on perceptions related to skin color. Foe most African-Americans, perception can be shaped by their environment. For example, an African-American woman growing up in an all-white neighborhood in Nebraska may be more likely than an African-American woman raised in inner-city Detroit to compare herself with white images of beauty.

(Source: African-American Women & Plastic Surgery: Self-Improvement or Self-Hatred? By Angela D. Johnson, Sept. 2, 2003)

Now What?

I suppose, it all comes down to how one feels inside about themselves. But there is this viscous cycle of doubt that women constantly face so it's often hard to reconcile your inner voices with the outside images thrown at you everyday. Many women buy into the trends and fashions that dictate beauty. TV shows and print ads abound with images of sexy women. Fitness clubs persuade women to join not so they will lower their risk of heart disease, but so they will aspire to be beautiful on the outside. No one tries to sell things that will help them on the inside.

In the end, you can look at all of this and say that there will always be standards of beauty and those who aspire to live up those standards, and those wanting to make a profit off those standards (cosmetic companies, ad agencies, modeling agencies, fashion designers, plastic surgeons, psychotherapists). The media portrays what people want to see and apparently, it's sex and beauty.

Ms. Martin currently resides in sunny Southern California with her son. When she's not writing, she works part-time as a preschool teacher where she hopes to help all children develop positive self and body images.

The Internet is a great place to source and find all those wonderful and tempting wholesale contact lenses and contact lens accessory offers.

You've probably spent hours in the comfort of your own home, surfing the 'net on your computer looking for those to-good-to-be-missed special offers. Looking at it that way any amount of time searching is worth it, if it means you're getting top-quality products at the lowest possible prices!

This is especially true of any contact lens accessories purchases you make at wholesales since these items help you to maintain your lenses in tip-top condition, keeping them safe for your eyes.

However, your eye safety doesn't actually start with the contact lens accessories wholesale Internet specials you found recently, though. It starts with an examination and prescription from your eye doctor or eye care professional.

As with everything else in life, everyone is an individual and although we look the same and some of us even share the same eye color, our eyes are truly unique.

That's why you must remember that contacts are corrective eye wear. They are prescription medical devices that only your eye doctor or eye care professional should prescribe and fit.

It's easy enough to practice good common sense eye care for yourself. For instance, don't borrow and wear other people's contacts as this could cause eye infections, damage your sight and lead to significant vision problems.

In cases like this no matter what contact lens accessories wholesale deals you got on the Web, even the latest and greatest must have accessory can't help you when you use lenses inappropriately and incorrectly.

And don't get complacent just because you've been using contacts for years - in fact, you're likely to have picked up bad habits and could actually be abusing your contact lenses and your special contact lens accessories.

It's important every year to make sure that you set an appointment to have your eye doctor or eye care professional review your prescription. That way, you can be certain that your lenses are the best possible fit and you can ensure they are as safe and beneficial as possible.

That way you can keep on surfing the 'net, finding as many of those contact lens accessories wholesale special offers you want, till your hearts content!

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Elaine Clay is the owner of Online Contact Lenses Guide.com. A one-stop online resource guide - find helpful information, tips, articles and advice all about the different types of contact lenses available.

Feel free to use the above article on your web site or ezine. Provided that it is published in it?s entirety, including my resource box above and a ?live? clickable link to: http://www.online-contact-lenses-guide.com.

For most women, a healthy head of hair is a fleeting pleasure--a not-so-cheap thrill that seems to end the moment we tip our hairdressers. Even if we can prolong our post-salon glow, within a few weeks, it?s inevitably replaced by multiplying mobs of split ends and shower caddies resembling hair rehab clinics.

According to a recent Pantene survey, more than 70 percent of women believe their hair is damaged--a problem their stylists are all too familiar with. ?When hair is shoulder length or longer, it?s usually split or dry,? says Gil Ferrer of the Gil Ferrer Salon in New York City. The good news is, you can get your strands into shape by replacing a few bad habits with Beauty Addict's 12-step healthy routine.

Breaking the Cycle
Ironically, the same tricks and tools we use to improve our hair?s appearance often lead to lasting damage. According to Ferrer, ?color, perms and straighteners are all harmful, especially when they?re combined.? To create the desired effect, these chemicals disrupt the cuticle--the hair?s delicate outer coating. When that layer is permeated or frayed, hair becomes dull, dry and brittle.

Even so, an estimated 60 percent of U.S. women color their hair, and 40 percent of them opt to go blonde. Sadly, ?products that create double-processed, lighter-blonde shades are particularly hazardous,? explains hairstylist Matt Yeandle. If you?re determined to dye, Yeandle suggests sticking with a single-process color and avoiding re-coloring the same strands, which ?can cause serious damage.? In addition, many stylists recommend staying within two shades of the hair?s natural hue or using gentler, semipermanent products.

But the chemically dependent aren?t the only ones at risk; friction and hot tools can be equally unsafe. ?Going to bed with wet hair leaves strands more vulnerable to friction,? says Yeandle. After showering, he recommends lightly squeezing hair with a towel, using a wide-tooth comb to remove tangles and, once it?s dry, brushing gently, rather than vigorously. Alicia Trani, of New York City?s Mudhoney salon, also warns against overwashing, as well as potentially harmful accessories: ?Uncoated rubber bands and tight ponytails worn every day are going to cause damage,? she notes.

The 12 Step Program
As with most things, the road to hair recovery is paved with care, caution and self-control. Follow the experts? advice to get your tresses on the right track.
1. Cut and Run
To prevent split ends, experts stress the importance of trimming your hair every three to four weeks.
2. Beware the Razor
Be mindful of the tools your stylist is using. ?Although razors can create beautiful styles, they can compromise the hair?s cuticle,? says Yeandle.
3. Keep in Condition
According to colorist Erika Szabo, of New York City?s Louis Licari Salon, generous conditioning is crucial to maintaining a healthy mane.
4. Go Deep
Rather than relying solely on standard rinse-outs, Szabo also suggests ?saturating dry hair with conditioner, covering it with a shower cap, and keeping the cap on when showering, to let the steam activate the conditioner.?
5. Make an Investment
Poor-quality accessories can undermine even the best hair-care regimen. For best results, invest in an extra-gentle boar?s-hair brush and fabric-covered elastics, which create stress-free styles.
6. Choose the Right Tools
If you insist on heat-styling, stick with ceramic tools, which ultimately cause less damage than the metal variety.
7. Fight the Elements
Sun, wind, salt water, and chlorine can all damage the hair?s cuticle. Szabo recommends using UV-protective products, which also keep color from fading.
8. Beat the Heat
Blow-dryers, flatirons, and curling irons can all take a heavy toll on hair. If you?re unwilling to forgo the heat, limit yourself to weekly usage.
9. Hold Back
When blow-drying, use a diffuser or nozzle, and always keep the dryer at least six inches from the hair.
10. Keep It Moving
Flatirons should be kept in constant motion to prevent singeing, and curling irons should be carefully timed, following manufacturers? instructions.
11. Get a High-Pro Glow
Nourish your hair at home, but leave heavy-duty chemical processes to the professionals.
12.Shop Around
Remember that perhaps the most important step in preventing damage is choosing the right hairdresser: ?Make sure your stylist is knowledgeable, understands your hair, and won?t use damaging methods,? says Ferrer.

Happy Endings
Drugstores and salons are teeming with products that claim to restore, rejuvenate, and repair. According to Ferrer, ?there?s really no way to reverse damage; the hair has to grow back.? Fortunately, the following products can help improve the look of battered locks and prevent new growth from suffering the same fate.

Mild shampoos such as Bumble and Bumble Gentle, Jean-Marc Maniatis Anti-Frizz, and Garnier Fructis Fortifying are specially formulated to protect and nourish. Daily conditioners like Paul Mitchell Super Charged and June Jacobs Citrus Clarifying leave hair silky and manageable. For weekly hydration, try deep conditioners such as K?rastase Masqueintense or L?Or?al Color Care Dry Defense 3-Minute Treatment. For heat-activated help, V05?s Hot Oil Treatments offer first-class moisture, while Nutriol?s Hair Fitness contains 12 vials of patented strengthening serum. Clinique Quick Detangle gets wet tresses tangle-free; Infusium 28 Heat-Activated Leave-In Treatment fortifies strands while you blow-dry; and Neutrogena Triple Moisture Healing Shine Serum is a premium polisher, improving the appearance of split ends.

Tara Mattarazzo is the editor-in-chief of Beauty Addict Magazine http://beautyaddictmag.com. For more articles on beauty, hair care, skin care, makeup, fashion, shopping, fitness, women's health, and more, visit the Beauty Addict Magazine features page at: http://beautyaddictmag.com/thescoop/features/featureindex.html

Beauty

Beauty is defined as the phenomenon of the experience of pleasure, through the perception of balance and proportion of stimulus. It involves the cognition of a balanced form and structure that elicits attraction and appeal towards a host, creature, inanimate object, scene, music, idea, etc. It's as well seen as An assemblage or even graces or even properties pleasing to the eye, the ear, the intellect, the aesthetic faculty, or even the moral feel.

Beauty is the quality that gives pleasure to the mind or even senses and is associated with such properties as harmony of form or even color, excellence of artistry, truthfulness, and originality.

A common understanding of the word beauty suggests that it's the appearance of things and people. For illustration, we call miss globe or even miss universe the virtually all beautiful female on earth. Also a fully blossomed rose is as well called a beauty. Beauty can't be measured, not can it be counted. It's purely subjective in nature, and its comprehension changes based on data from perception set of individuals.

Beauty has always been revered from the time individual kind had developed basic senses. We've heard of umpteen number of stories in history when wars utilized to be inflicted upon for the desire of beautiful females. Beauty is all pervasive in nature and rises above any discrimination of race, caste, religion, etc.

Many theorists and scientists have tried to deconstruct beauty into even more understandable parts. 1 idea is to look at it from the point of see of how much symmetry is discovered in the object. A few of the main contributions in this regards are - The inborn inclination of people to be attracted to symmetry coupled with the natural want or even pursuit of happiness leads to the premise that symmetry is indeed the symbol of beauty.

Mortal beings are so engrossed with beauty that it's taken a awesome shape in economy in the form of beauty industry. There are many enterprises and organizations taking part in selling beauty products. These range from your next door beauty salon to a multi-billion premium branded marketing organization spread across 150 countries in the globe.

Beauty care is a outstanding act time and pastime for mortal beings, especially women. Beauty is perceived to offer attractiveness and confidence. Beauty care includes hair care, face care, skin care, nail care, proper diet, vitamins, etc.

There are many therapies dedicated to the cause of beauty care. Even more crucial among it is aromatherapy, cosmetology, laser coarse of action, hair coloring, slimming techniques, etc.

Many authors have written on beauty. A select few of the wonderful quotes are a thing of beauty is a joy forever by John Keats. True beauty lives in deep retreats, Whose veil is unremoved, Till heart with heart in concord beats, And the lover is beloved by Wordsworth. And We all know that a thing of beauty is a joy forever and that beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. Is not it interesting how the perception of beauty by Anon.

Helen Keller sums it all The virtually all beautiful things in the globe aren't seen nor touched. It is felt with the heart.

Codi Bellezia is the owner of a beauty z which is a premier resource for beauty information. for more information, go to http://www.abeautyz.com

We all have times when our skin looks less than gorgeous. At those moments we inevitably reach for the miracle products -foundations, concealers, powders-we rely on to cover up the flaws we?d like to hide. Yes, makeup is a great temporary fix, and it?s a wonderful tool for enhancing our best features. But depending on cosmetics to cover over your troubled complexion could actually be making the problem even worse.

Cosmetic Acne - What Is It?

If you use makeup regularly, then those blemishes you?re trying to hide could actually be caused by your cosmetics. You can usually tell if your acne has been triggered by a chemical, topic agent because it will look somewhat different from the genetic or hormonal type that?s often characterized by red bumps and pustules. Cosmetic acne is more rash-like and generally made up of tiny pinkish or flesh-colored bumps. These bumps can appear anywhere you apply the cosmetics - on your forehead, cheeks, chin or nose, or even on your neck.

People who mistakenly think that these little bumps are chronic low-grade acne of the type that requires topical creams or antibiotics may be tempted to cover up with even more makeup. They pile on the foundation, smothering the skin and creating a more persistent and noticeable rash.

It?s important to recognize that this isn?t true acne of the type caused by internal factors. Cosmetic acne is all about what you are putting on top of your skin. Therefore, it requires a different treatment. If you want to get rid of cosmetic acne there is a very simple fix: just stop using the makeup that?s causing it! In most cases, the acne will clear up within a few weeks of throwing out the offending cosmetics!

What Cosmetics Should You Use?

Does all the above mean makeup is a no-no? Of course not! But in order to avoid potential flare-ups, choose your cosmetics carefully. Opt for formulations made without oils and look for makeup marked non-comedogenic, which means that they have a lower likelihood of clogging pores. Avoid heavy, thick or greasy substances. And don?t be afraid to go bare-faced - we all tend to exaggerate our own flaws, but they are usually much less noticeable to other people. It?s good to let your skin breathe as much as you can.

What if you are experiencing isolated breakouts along the hairline or on other parts of the body? You should take a good long look at all the creams, soaps, shampoos and other substances you?re putting on your skin in order to determine what could be causing the condition. Sometimes using heavy conditioners can clog the pores around the scalp and even on the neck or back (especially if you have long hair that hangs down and touches your skin). Try switching to a lighter formula, or be vigilant about keeping your hair away from your skin.

If it?s your body soap that seems problematic, you may want to switch to a formula that offers extra exfoliation to keep pores clean. Consider one that contains the acne-fighting ingredient salicylic acid, which sweeps away dead skin cells and prevents clogs from forming in the pores.

Methods of Application

Finally, remember that sometimes it?s not just what we are putting on our skin that is wreaking havoc on our complexion - sometimes it?s how we are applying those substances that needs to change.

For example, scrubbing too hard when applying your facial soap can encourage your skin to produce more oil, leading to acne flare-ups. Rinsing with hot water instead of lukewarm can also promote breakouts, so keep your sink and shower water at a comfortable but not too steamy temperature.

And whatever you do, don?t dip your fingers directly into pots of foundation or apply concealer wands directly to blemished areas. Doing so allows oils on your fingers and acne bacteria to take up residence inside your cosmetics - and next time you use that foundation or concealer you risk spreading acne to your fresh, clean skin.

So make it a point to use disposable cosmetic sponges, Q-tips and tissues to keep your makeup pristine, and wash your cosmetic brushes regularly. Toss out any makeup that?s been sitting in your cabinet for longer than a few months to ensure that whatever you put on your face is clean and free of potential skin hazards!

About:

Man, woman, young or young at heart, enjoy free high quality in-demand cosmetic and natural skin care product offerings and free articles on sound skin care tips. For those who believe skin care is a 24/7/365 affair, a

Balance your meals- You can do this by eating properly throughout your day. Try eating small meals between breakfast and dinner to keep your blood sugar levels stable. Combine carbohydrate foods with protein to keep stable blood sugar. Cut out fat by not eating deep fried foods, fatty meats and foods such as sugary desserts, hydrogenated foods, packaged and processed foods. Carbohydrate foods with protein, antioxidents and iron levels are key to health.

These foods will affect your skin, hair and nails. They will also leave you feeling tired and energy depleted. Foods such as steamed vegetables, lightly grilled fish in olive oil with lemon or lime juice, skinless chicken breast, lean cuts of beef, and any kind of greens such as spinach, are all excellent choices. Drink Black teas and green teas which contain antioxidants, and are good for you in moderation. Carbohydrate foods with protein, antioxidents and iron levels are key to health.

Iron levels- Your iron levels are important to keep normal, as iron is a mineral that creates the molecule hemoglobin. This molecule carries oxygen to our organs and tissues, which we need to be healthy and feel energized.

Examples of iron foods include red meat, poultry and fish. Plant sources of iron are better absorbed because they are joined to other plant constituents. Lentils, molasses, raisins, prunes, dried fruits and beans are a few examples of plant based iron foods.

Low iron levels can result in anemia, and if this condition is left untreated it can be life threatening. Check with your physician regarding iron levels. Carbohydrate foods with protein, antioxidents and iron levels are key to health

Ken and Deidre are successful author and publishers of Health and Fitness tips for your reading pleasure. We have many tips for you to find. http://www.weddingdresses-gifts-flowers.com

If you?re like many women you are confused about how to choose the proper skin care. Or maybe you have some knowledge of what is available but you are not sure what is a good choice for you. Cosmetics come in many forms and deciding which is good for you is often a matter of personal taste. However, in order to make a good decision here is some basic information that you should know.

Cleansers: Are used to cleanse the skin of impurities and restore it to its natural oil balance.

Types of Cleansers

Soap: Almost everyone uses it. If you have dry or oily skin be sure your soap is helping correct the problem. Medicated soaps are meant for acne and problem skin, hypoallergenic soaps are meant for sensitive skin and there are drying soaps for oily skin and oily soaps for dry skin. If you have problem skin it is best to see a dermatologist.

Liquid Cleansers: Are made for all types of skin. A good cleanser goes deep into the pores to loosen and lift excess oil and makeup.

Creams: Are used for dry skin

Pad Cleansers: Are thick wad of absorbent material and are good for touch ups throughout the day.

Grains: Are coarse cleansers that are used for oily skin

Refreshers: Are used to complete the cleansing process. They help tone; sooth and rehydrate the skin keep complexions clear and clean.

Types of Refreshers:

Astringents: Are meant for oily and normal skin types. They usually have alcohol as an ingredient that will stimulate the complexion and close the pores. This is not a product to use on dry skin.

Toners: Are mild refreshers and are meant for normal and dry skin.

Fresheners: Are recommended for dry, sensitive or problem skin.

Moisturizers: Replenishes moisture and nourishes the skin.

Types of Moisturizers:

Moisturizers for normal skin: Helps maintain the moisture in normal skin.

Moisturizers for dry skin: Helps restore skin?s natural moisture balance.

Oil Control Moisturizers: Help control excess oil and prevent blemishes

Emollients: Are rich creams suited for extra dry skin that replenishes the natural supply of the skin?s oil. This moisturizing cream forms a protective shield that minimizes moisture evaporation and allows increased hydration of dry areas.

Masks: Exfoliates dead surface cells as it hydrates and moisturizes the skin.

Types of Masks:

Facial Masks for normal to dry skin: Help relax facial muscles and remove dry flaky skin.

Facial Masks for oily skin: Refines skin?s texture and deep cleans to help control surface sebum.

Pore Packs: Are designed to eliminate blackheads and reduce blemishes. Mostly used for oily skin.

Foundation Protection: Foundation protects the skin by keeping moisture in and dirt out with the added benefit of a flawless finish. This is a step that some women skip because they don?t quit know how to apply it and are not getting the right look. A couple of suggestions: make sure you have the type that is compatible with your complexion, test the color on your jaw line and it should be the same color as your complexion and make sure you have exfoliated (if not the foundation will show up as flaky).

Types of Foundation:

Full Coverage: used for normal to dry skin for extra hydration.

Medium Coverage: used for normal to oily skin.

Whatever your skin type take care of it by keeping it clean. Cleanse, tone and moisturize every morning and every night. Irregular or improper cleansing causes skin problems and makeup that is left on the skin will dull the skin?s surface; while oil and dead skin cells will clog the pores and cause blackheads.

Sheila Dicks is a wardrobe and image consultant who teaches women how to look slimmer by dressing to suit their body type. Visit her at http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com to download a copy of her e-book Image Makeovers and get How to Build a Wardrobe free.

It is a blessing for a child to hear that she is beautiful.

My family is small, just my parents, sister and me. My sister and I are three years apart. Ever since she was born, she received many praises from family members and strangers, on how cute and pretty she was. My mother too ? my relatives always complimented how good my mother looked. There are two experiences I remember vividly. My mom, sister and I were at a department store. A pretty lady from one of the make up counters rushed out and said to my mother: your baby daughter is so pretty! Then she looked at me and said nothing. Another incident happened while we were having a dinner with family and relatives. One of my aunts said to me: Noelle, I hate to tell you this, but your mother is more beautiful than you.

These incidents had hurt the heart of a little child of no more than 6 years old.

It wasn?t that I didn?t have anything good within me. I had the brains ? evident by my report cards from school. Yet brains rarely impress on first sight like beauty does. It is easy to be drawn to outer beauty. But what about the beauty we have within?

Comparisons of our looks continued throughout our adolescent and teenage years. Each one of them was painful. My mother, also drawn to outer beauty, has confirmed with others who said I was inferior in looks than my sister.

These experiences have prompted me to see beauty in all people. There must be something good in each of us. This is one of the reasons why I am now a personal image consultant, because there are elements in colour, clothing and communication skills that are harmonious to every individual. What is beauty anyway? To me, beauty is harmony. Nature is all about harmony. We can always draw inspirations from it. Take a look at the sky during daytime and night time; each flower; each blade of grass. Each is different, yet each is beautiful.

Yet, it is undeniable that people judge others in the first thirty seconds of meeting. We cannot go against this ingrained human nature and think people should not judge others by how they look, because in reality, they do. How can we make the best of what we have to bring out our outer beauty?

The key word is harmony. If your body is mainly straight and narrow, wear straight lines and stiff clothing. If you body has curves, wear curvy lines and soft, drapey clothes. If you are big, wear clothing with thick lines; if you are delicate, stay with thin lines. If your eyes, hair and skin tones are warm, wear warm colours. If cool, then wear colours that are blue based, rather than yellow based. Do not feel pressured by wearing what?s current. There are elements we can incorporate into our clothes and make up to keep our images current, but we do not have to be a slave to fashion and make up. Just pick out elements that are harmonious to you, and ignore the rest.

Most important, see beauty everywhere, each person you meet. From this you will appreciate your own beauty even more. If you are a mother with a daughter, see her inner and outer beauty, and tell her how beautiful and wonderful she is. It is a great blessing to a child. This is part of her foundation in self esteem.

What will you do today to see your own beauty?

Noelle Wong sees and unveils beauty in people. She is the owner of iN-IMAGE! Inc., a personal image consulting company in Toronto that offers one-on-one consultations and workshops to help people increase their personal presence. For inquiries please contact her at noelle@in-image.com. Her website is http://www.in-image.com

Everybody longs for that healthy glow, for sparkling eyes and shiny hair that bounces with every step. Millions of dollars are spent every year in beauty products to make skin that much clearer, wrinkles that less visible and lips pout that much more. And while there are cosmetics that do work, you shouldn?t underestimate the value of natural beauty products. Remedies that are available with nature. They?re easy to find, won?t put a hole in your pocket, and don?t have a trace of any harmful chemicals. Read on to see what gifts from nature can make you your most beautiful self.

For your hair (http://www.ultimate-cosmetics.com/beauty/hair-care.htm)

Lemon juice:
Lemon juice when used on your hair is an effective treatment for dandruff. Its citrus property cleanses the hair. Squeeze a lemon onto your hair and massage into the scalp, and then wash it out using water and your preferred shampoo.

Coconut Oil:
Coconut oil is used in several parts of the world as an aid to beautiful hair. It has enriching vitamins and nutrients that help your hair to grow long and lustrous. In addition, it also combats dandruff. Massage into the scalp before washing hair. If possible, do so a night before, so the oil can soak in overnight.

Vinegar:
Vinegar is great to add some bounce and vitality into dull and lifeless hair. Mix a little vinegar into warm water, and then rinse your hair with the solution. You hair will look revitalized.

For your skin

Water:
The important of water cannot be stated enough. It is one of the most important contributors to beautiful skin. It flushes out toxins and battles breakouts. A person should drink at least eight glasses of water per day. Warm showers are also very beneficial to the skin. When your skin is well hydrated, it looks young and healthy.

Roses:
They?re more than just pretty flowers! Rosewater is extremely good for the skin. It purifies the skin, and leaves it wonderfully scented. Combined with hazel, it is especially good for oily skin. Turmeric Powder: If you want your skin to naturally get fairer and more radiant, you could try turmeric. Just mix a piece of turmeric with curd and apply it onto your skin. Leave the paste on for about ten to fifteen minutes, and then wash off using cold water.

For your body:

Fruits:
Fruits are one of the best gifts that nature can give you. Most of them are low in calories, and can give you a whole lot of energy. In fact, almost all diets have fruits as an essential part of them.

Spinach:
Spinach leaves are very, very healthy. There?s a reason why Popeye enjoyed spinach so much! It helps to make your body stronger, and more resistant to illnesses and ailments.

Ellen for http://www.ultimate-cosmetics.com. Find lots of makeup and beauty tips here with loads of information on skin care and skin disorders. Our forums ? http://forums.ultimate-cosmetics.com.

Spoon shaped nails are very common. Nail technicians can not usually recognize one when they see one. When it can be seen, it might mean that there may be a serious underlying disease. If it's only an aesthetic deformity a simple overlay can solve the problem. Spoon nails are caused by a trauma to the nail matrix. This results in a deformity of the nail. The edges of the plate curl up which then is called the spoon nail deformity.

What Is this?

Spoon nails are a deformity of the nail. Usually it will grow out in a few months, but if it does not, it could be a sign of a more serious problem. Clients who have spoon nails should seek medical attention before seeing a nail technician. If a technician knows the client, she can easily determine how to proceed with her nails. For example the nail technician knows that it is a hereditary condition. If it is new client for the nail technician and the nail seems unhealthy, it can indicate a fungus infection or even a more serious problem.

How does it look like?

The nail looks exactly like a spoon. In minor cases, the nail only has a little wave in it. In more severe cases, the nail becomes brittle and usually cracks inside the wave. It may even crack to the very end of the nail plate. The skin around the damaged nail is usually dry. Fungus infections can develop within these splits and may discolor the nail to a green or yellowish color.

Causes

The deformity can be hereditary, and in this case the nail seems completely healthy. Biting and an unhealthy diet (the lack of iron and nutrition)can also cause this kind of deformity. Different forms of trauma to the nail plate can also be the reason of spoon nails, but in this case the shape will sooner or later grow out, and can be filed off. If the nail technician recognises some kind of change on the clients? nails they should suggest the client to seek medical advice.

Treatment

In milder cases the problem can be solved by just letting the nail grow out. In other causes such as a iron deficiency or improper diet, taking some form iron supplementation or changing the diet may help. During the treatment the skin around the nail should also be looked after. for Nail Techs

If you think your client has spoon nails ask him or her and find out how long your client has this condition. If you do not know the client and see that the nails are unhealthy or discoloured send her to a doctor before doing the clients? nails. However if the nail seems clean you can safely put an overlay on it. Extra precaution should be taken to make sure that nail and edges are carefully cleaned. Apply the overlay just the same. Try not to miss any part of the nail. Make sure you properly fill in the wave (the overlay will be a bit thicker there)!

Remember that if a client appears with this condition, it is better to first refer them for medical advice than to be sorry later.

The biggest resource for nail technicians: http://www.nailart4me.com