Sunday, May 20, 2012

5 best beauty tips to help you become your own beauty expert




                   

You don't necessary need to consult a professional make-up guru or a personal trainer to be able to make yourself look attractive. It may surprise you to learn that many of the best beauty tips simply involve using your common sense.  In fact you probably recognize your best features and shortcomings better than anyone. This article will examine some best beauty tips to help you become your own beauty expert.

1. Regular Exercise. First of all, pick a type of exercise that you enjoy! You need to exercise regularly to gain the health benefits, so it is crucial that you choose a type of exercise that you are willing to perform on a regular basis. If you hate weight lifting or going to a gym, then don't pick this as your exercise routine as guess what? You won't do it once the novelty wears off! So make sure that you choose something that you enjoy doing. Ideally, any exercise type that you decide upon should have a good mixture of cardio, weights and stretching if you are really serious. As mentioned if weights are not your thing, then don't worry about it and try to find a physical activity that has a good cardio and stretching component. Your body will still benefit from this type of exercising.

2. Diet. A well-balanced diet plan is essential for looking young and staying healthy. Ensure that you are eating lots of foods high in vitamins, minerals and full of nutrients. Besides the obvious health benefits, these will also help to improve the look of your skin. Red and dark fruits are well-known for containing high level of antioxidants which help your body repair damage caused by free radicals. You need lots of protein in your diet from foods such as tofu, lean meat and nuts. Nuts are a great source of unsaturated fat which helps to decrease your cholesterol levels and maintain it at a healthy level. Never underestimate the importance of drinking enough water daily. Most diets recommend at least 8 glasses per day minimum. This is necessary to keep your body and skin fully hydrated and healthy looking

3. Make-Up. While the goal of applying make-up is to improve your appearance, it should also be something that is enjoyable and not a chore. Make it easy by using only a high-quality foundation along with a brush to ensure that you apply it smoothly and evenly. Since your foundation does contact your delicate facial skin it is important to ensure that the ingredients do not clog the skin pores. Longer, thicker looking eyelashes are very trendy now and this can be achieved by using a good quality mascara. Keep your lips sexy looking by using a lip balm which prevents chapping and keeps them soft. A blush product can help give your face a healthy appearance as well as highlight your facial cheekbones. Make-up is all about experimentation. So don't be afraid to try different products and colours such as eye shadow and lipstick to give yourself a new look. With more beauty products in the consumer marketplace than ever before along with all the hype surround new product launches, it is very easy to feel overwhelmed.

4. Sun Exposure. The days of baking in the sun as a way to become healthier are long gone. With the higher concentrations of ultraviolet light during the hot days of summer, it is much healthier to avoid prolonged sun exposure as much as possible. If you are going to be spending significant time outdoors then plan to use a moisturizer and a facial make-up which contains sunscreen. In cases where you may be in the hot sun for lengthy periods such as while at the beach, hiking, cycling, watching an outdoor event, etc. then ensure that you apply a good quality sunscreen with a high level of UV protection and wear a hat. Current research indicates that excessive sun exposure is one of the primary causes of the visible aging of our skin making some people appear much older looking than they actually are. More dangerous still is the higher probability of sun-worshippers getting skin cancer due to repeated sun exposure. Sadly this can affect people of all ages, just not the older generation.

5. Skin Care. Proper skin care involves a regular routine of washing, moisturizing and exfoliating. For washing, a mild cleanser should be used on a daily basis. Try to avoid products that have an alcohol base or make your skin feel greasy. Alcohol tends to dry out your skin, while oily products may clog the pores of your skin. It is important to wash your face well every morning and never leave make-up on your face for long periods of time such as when you are sleeping. Keep your skin hydrated by using a good quality moisturizer after washing. Several times a month it is necessary to remove dead skin cells from your entire body using an exfoliation product. With the many different types and brands of cleansing, moisturizing and exfoliation products available these days, you may need to try out a variety of cleansers and lotions to find which ones work the best with your skin.

It is essential that you take the time to determine which products or product lines do the best job of enhancing your natural beauty and disguising your flaws. Time is on your side, as these products are not going away soon, and there will always be something new.

Being able to master each of these tips is an important step in learning how to be beautiful today and every day forward.





7 beauty tricks to keep you looking gorgeous all day







 We are going to expose some ways to keep your make-up looking great all day long, and well into the evening too. The key to your success will being able to stock your purse or make-up bag with the correct essentials. Most women have a wide range of beauty supplies at home, however you must always have a collection of essential beauty supplies ready to travel with you at any time.

1. Select Your Foundation Carefully. Our first essential item for maintaining your state of beauty is your moisturizing foundation. Foundation helps to give your skin even tone and healthy colour. You will also want a moisturizing foundation with a high SPF to protect your skin from damage due to sun exposure. Another consideration is to use a non pore-clogging foundation to help avoid any breakouts of acne due to plugged pores. Not all foundations are created equal, so you will need to experiment with different types of foundations of discover one that will not dry out your skin or make it look oily rather than adding a healthy glow. Don't let the size of the foundation bottle discourage you from packing some along. Simply purchase a small plastic bottle for your make-up bag and then refill it when necessary.

2. The Eyes. Since the eyes are often one of the first noticed attributes in our facial appearance, it is important to include several palettes of eye shade to allow for a range of looks. Choose subtle colours during the day so as not to appear too classy for work. Earth tones also work well to give a natural look and also help to bring out the beauty of your eyes. Wearing eye shadow containing a bit of shimmer is optional, but it works well both during the day or evening times. Evening colour palettes should include smoky gray and black combined with a few bright colours for more effect. Having a variety of colour palettes will enable you to create a more dramatic effect if you feel the need to do a touch up between leaving your day job and heading out for the evening.

3. Blush. You should consider carrying at least two different colours of blush within your make-up bag to be used for enhancing your cheekbones. Try a lighter, natural colour blush during the day to provide your cheekbones with a healthy glow. During the evening if you are still out and about the town, a darker shade of blush will help to add a sense of mystery to your appearance.

4. Face Powder Power. Don't forget to pack face powder as this is essential to set your foundation. Face powder also helps to even skin tone finish to help your skin appear younger and healthier. Power may also be applied during the day to get rid of facial shine that comes from sweating or a build up of oil on the skin surface.

5. Eye Power. Don't underestimate the power of your eyes when it comes to your overall appearance. People are often drawn to another person's eyes and this is where mascara and eyeliner play a big part in how you look. As a rule you should carry both black and brown mascara and eyeliner for accentuating your eyes. Many people choose only to use black mascara, however brown mascara may actually make you appear younger. For daytime use, brown eyeliner is the best choice as it provides a softer look. Before heading out for an evening event, you can quickly lengthen and thicken your eyelashes by applying several coats of black mascara. Next take your black eyeliner and apply a thin line for subtle improvement or go dramatic by using a thick line. Black eyeliner can also be used to create the cat eye effect if you are looking to party.

6. Lipstick Magic. Remember to include at least two different lipstick colours in your make-up bag. First, you will need your general purpose lipstick colour. Depending on your skin tone, this may include pinks, earth tones or different shades of red. The second colour should be one that draws attention to your lips. To avoid getting sore and chapped lips, your lipstick should include a moisturizer. If you suffer from dry, scaly lips then also include a colourless lip balm to apply to your lips prior to putting on your lipstick. If you want to keep looking your best at all times, then it is important to include these basic cosmetics in your bag. Along with the basic don't forget to include the fore-mentioned items that can help you go from worn out and tired to looking energetic and ready to party in a few minutes. The power of a well-stocked make-up bag cannot be overstated when discussing how to look beautiful, as it permits you to always look your very best within minutes, no matter what time of the day or night.

7. The Bag. Ideally your make-up bag or container should be tiny enough to fit into your purse or handbag, yet capable of holding enough essential products to keep you looking your best throughout the day and evening.



Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Ankara: A Fashion Friend




The Ankara print is one of the top fabrics to watch out for and to some it is a wardrobe staple already.
Gone are the days when the Ankara print fabrics were reserved for making garments worn only for ceremonial purposes. I mean now you can get almost anything in Ankara print as they now have a modern touch to them. From shoes, accessories such as scarves, clutch bags, belts, hair accessories etc, dresses, bags, shorts, blazers, trousers, jumpsuits…you name it! And the best part is that you can get these locally from designers who can even customize whatever you want to suit your exact taste and style.
The Ankara trend has been embraced the world over and is so in vogue right now such that it is not an African only thing anymore!! Some have even called it the “Ankara invasion”.

The Ankara print is an African thing, so to show love for our continent, investing in one item at least will be ideal.
Nicki Minaj , Lady Gaga, Solange, Amber Rose, Kim Kardashian, Beyonce, Rihanna , Anna Wintour, Nicole Ari Parker… are just a few of the American celebrities who have embraced the Ankara swag trend. And the way things are looking…this is just the beginning.

Ankara also comes in shoes and accessories.

www.beautyship.blogspot.com


Your Skin Needs Your Care




Cleansing
The truth being told, you need to find a good cleanser that your skin responds well to, and stick with it. See the best cleansers for your skin type.

There's no need to spend N500 on a fancy wash. Stay clear of bar soaps as they tend to dry out the skin. Choose a creamy cleanser if you have dry skin or a clear cleanser if you have oily skin.

Be careful not to cleanse too often. Washing at night should do you. If you have dry skin, consider cold cream like Pond's, which the French use. Simply apply cream, then wipe off, no water needed (if you have hard water it can be especially harsh on skin). Most women prefer the water method: Use warm water to loosen dirt and clogged pores. Use a dime-sized bit of cleanser, then rinse with cool water. You wil also need take take off makeup with proper make up remover.
In the morning, a splash of cool water is all you need (it helps removes excess oil from your nightly moisturizing). Never wash your face with hot or cold water (both can be harmful to your skin). Also be careful about overcleansing skin because it causes rashes and also adult acne.
Exfoliate
Exfoliation is the step most people skip in their weekly skincare routine. But trust me, if you start properly exfoliating your skin, you will notice an almost immediate difference.One of the reasons men's skin looks more youthful than women's is because men tend to exfoliate daily when they shave…weird right? But true. There are several ways to exfoliate skin:
Scrubs work well by removing the top layer of dead skin cells that tend to dull your skin glow. We find exfoliating skin once a week with a facial scrub keeps skin glowing year-round. Make sure you use a gentle scrub with tiny grains.

Is a toner helpful? Some people swear by toners, some say, "toners are only for copy machines". That’s not totally true…toners are meant to remove all remaining traces of oil, makeup and dirt, but a good cleanser should do this. I believe strongly it's up to you. If you like the way a toner feels on your skin. Ask around for people who have used that particular product,Buy it. Use it. Enjoy it.
Moisturize
A basic law of beauty is that everyone, no matter her skin type, should moisturize. Even if your skin is oily, it will benefit from. (The only exception is those with acne). Why? Moisturizers seal moisture into skin . So how much should you moisturize? Your skin will tell you. When your skin is tight, it's crying out for moisture. Be careful not to overmoisturize ,it can clog pores.
Are eye creams necessary? Hmmmmm maybe. Some cosmetic surgeons strongly recommend eye creams. Why? The skin around the eye contains no fatty tissue and is therefore very thin and susceptible to wrinkles. Special eye creams are formulated to "thicken" this area.
Sunscreen
The number-1 cause of wrinkles is sun damage, so it's important to use sunscreen from your early years. A great way to do this is to purchase two moisturizers: One for night and one for day that includes Ultra V iolet protection. Don't use moisturizers with sunscreen at night, the ingredients are not meant to be and can aggravate skin.
At the end of the day you need a consult with a licenced Dermatologist before taking any decisions as regards skin care.

Stretch For Good Health And Body





Being involved in fitness events and health fairs, I often ask others about their own exercise routines. After their initial self-deprecating moment, they usual express how they want to exercise more, but don't have the time. My response is that you have to make time, even 15 or 20 minutes a day, because exercise is contagious. Twenty minutes one day could mean forty-five minutes the next. You take what you can get. Finally, I tell them, if they do nothing else that day, they should make sure they stretch, because it provides many benefits.
The first positive from beginning a stretching routine is improved flexibility and movement. No one likes that first moment when they get out of bed and everything feels stiff. The last thing you would want is for that stiffness to stay around all day. You are hunched over. Your posture is terrible. As some will say, you look bent like a pretzel. If you've been stretching regularly, this type of early morning stiffness will go away quickly and you'll be standing up straighter quickly. Additionally, improved flexibility allows you to reach more easily for things. Your range of motion is better and your reach may even be extended. People who take pilates, have even reported getting taller after performing the exercises after a few months.
The one I most closely associate with is injury prevention. This is a direct benefit of the elasticity that your muscles develop through stretching. Reaching for and pulling on everyday items is where most people get in trouble when they don't stretch. Simple events like reaching for a door to hold open for someone or trying to get a box on a high shelf are typical story starters for the injured. It was in the middle of the night when I had to change bed sheets, that I experienced back pain. It isn't that I don't stretch regularly, but more that this exemplifies what can happen when your stiff. Out of a still sleep, I was performing reaches and pulling the mattress when my body was just jostled from sleep. My back hurt the next day. After a few days of stretching, heat, and ice I was back to normal. Any regular day, changing the sheets is not a problem at all, because I stretch regularly. As an avid runner, I do not experience pulled muscles as a result of regular stretching.
Increased circulation can lead to a number of benefits, including oxygen flow to the muscles. This increased flow of oxygen can improve your muscular endurance because it provides more of the things your muscles need. On the other end, the increased flow allows for the removal of toxins and waste to be done more rapidly, thus carrying away carbon dioxide and other waste that can slow your muscle's recovery.
Whether you work with a fitness trainer, or with an instructor who teaches yoga or pilates, you will be able to develop a great stretching routine. Over time, you will begin to feel and see the benefits of increased flexibility and movement. Results are not immediate. Remember, do not worry about what you reap that day, but look more at the seeds you planting for long term benefits.

www.beautyship.blogspot.com

3 Rules on How to Stop Hunger



Do you keep asking yourself how to stop hunger? There are so many tips available and you don't know what to choose. Not all of them are good and not all of them are suitable for every person. It's a good idea do a little research and find the best of them but you have no time available. I think it is useful to share with you my experience on this subject matter. I tried many things. Some of them worked some didn't work. Some worked only for a short period of time. I will present you what worked best for me. I called these my three Golden rules to stop hunger.
1. Think about your hunger and divert your thoughtsDo you really feel hungry? You think on how to stop hunger but... you are not really hungry. I always ask myself. Maybe I'm just bored. If so, I do something for the next 15 minutes or so. The basic idea is to divert my mind from hunger. There are a lot of things I do. I open the door and get out. Then I try a walk and make it as long as I can. When I'm not in the mood for walking I turn off the TV (too many commercials) or get away from the room. Do the same. Do something you like or something fun: movies, shopping, cars, music, golf or a shower. When you finish take a nap.

2. Drink waterDrinking water is one of the most efficient ways to stop hunger. You may feel hungry when your body is dehydrated. Maybe what you need is some water. When I'm hungry, I drink one or more glasses of water. It makes my stomach feel full and it has zero calories. How to stop hunger if you don't like the idea of drinking water? If you're not happy with the idea, make some tea or lemonade. Don't drink soda or other carbonated beverages. You can try some ice water to make your body burn some additional calories in order to heat it up.

3. Eat breakfast
Never skip breakfast. How to stop hunger when you don't eat? Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and provides you with the energy you need for a long time. I eat every day at the same hour. I always make my breakfast well-balanced by including different types of foods: fruits, vegetables, whole grains etc. This rule, I think, it's the most important one. A healthy breakfast can easily stop your hunger. As for the rest of the meals, try to eat less at lunch and - if possible - skip dinner. When it's not possible limit yourself to only 3 regular meals a day.

What are your best rules?
These are the best tips I can give to you. They worked for me. There's no need to pay for diet pills or any other expensive solution. They are easy to implement and you'll spend only time. Try some of them. They may work for you, too. Any of them can curb your cravings and help you control your hunger and your weight. There is nothing to lose. Try them and start control your hunger, your weight and your life. Or try something else. Make your own three golden rules and change your life. Then you can teach others how to stop hunger with your own set of rules.

www.beautyship.blogspot.com