Friday, February 29, 2008

Beauty & Fashion.hqqt

Designs on Vancouver: Bamboo Clothes Canada, Dancing Bears Hemp Clothing, and Dream Designs

Fashion writer Victoria Everman catches up with a few of the designers exhibiting at the Vancouver Green Living Show.

More...

Designs on Vancouver: Australian Outback Collection, Ethical Soles Trading Co, and Nektar Designs

Our fashion writer, Victoria Evermann, highlights three of the designers who will be exhibiting their work at the upcoming Vancouver Green Living Show.

More...

Designs on Vancouver: Nixxi, Adhesif Clothing, and Shirtseed

With dozens of sustainable designs, Vancouver could easily be considered the eco-fashion centre for Canada. Our fashion writer, Victoria Evermann, highlights three of the designers who will be exhibiting their work at the upcoming Vancouver Green Living Show.

More...

Rest easy in eco-friendly sleepwear

Whether you are huddling from the cold or just wanting to lounge in something comfortable, the perfect eco-sleepwear is out there. Organic cotton, silk, and bamboo are widely available online and in-store. By far, the most popular is the ever-so-cozy organic flannel.

More...

Pucker up with the perfect lip gloss

Protect your lips against the ravages of winter and send hearts racing with the perfect kiss this February.

More...

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Ultimate Guide To Choosing The Best Mascara

One of the essential makeup accessories that women all across the globe use to make their eyes shine is mascara. This beauty enhancer is very effective in giving you a more improved appearance. In fact, even if you do not put on eyeshadow or eyeliner, a dash of mascara is sufficient in making you look all madeup and beautiful. In spite of its popularity, however, a lot of people still do not know how look for and choose the right mascara.

Globalization has made it more difficult for women to select the mascara that is perfect for them because of the increasing number of brands sprouting from all over the world. Aside from the brand, you will also be confronted with different types of this product. For instance, it is not surprising to see mascara that can make your eyelashes longer and curlier, or one that can make your eyes look like Beyonce. Here are some of the things you should consider while buying mascara.

Waterproof Is The Way To Go

Before the invention of waterproof mascara, women find it very challenging to prevent smudging or melting, especially during warm weather. If you are a busy woman, juggling two jobs at the same time and trying to raise a family, you cannot check your makeup for smudging every once in a while. Thus, to avoid looking like a raccoon, it is always best to opt for one that is waterproof.

Texture Is Key

Every woman knows that mascara with a thick texture is not only hard to apply, it also tends to smudge and clump the eyelashes together. Thus, if you are buying mascara, make sure that the texture of the brand that you are buying is fluid and consistent. It is really quite easy to determine if the product has the right texture, just pull the wand out and see if there are clumps sticking on the bristles. If there is even the slightest gob on the stick, then do not buy the product because it is of substandard quality.

Look For One That Is Easy To Remove

Although there are many eye makeup removers in the market today, there are some types of mascara that are quite difficult to wash out. In fact, many women lose a dozen or so eyelashes just by removing their mascara. Imagine if you have to experience this everyday; aside from being painful, there is also a big chance that your eyelashes will become thin due to the frequent pulling and shedding whenever you wash off any makeup residue. Thus, you need to look for a washable type of mascara; something that soap and water can easily remove.

Expensive Is Not Always The Best

There is a common misconception that the most expensive brand is always the best product to buy. Although many of the costly brands really make use of quality ingredients, some are just spiking the price of their products because they hold a popular brand. There are quite a number of cheap mascara brands that also have the right consistency and quality. Thus, your buying decision must be based on merits and not solely on the name of the company that made the product.

Aside from making sure that you buy the right mascara, you also need to know how to take care of your eyes. Your eyes and their surrounding areas are very delicate so you have to be careful on what products to use on them. To really make your eyes look beautiful, you have to ensure that they are well cared for and are free of imperfections like fine lines, puffiness and dark circles.

No amount of makeup and mascara can truly hide your eye-related skin problems. If you want to improve the look of your eyes, you need to use eye creams and gels for moisture and protection. One eye cream that can help you against the puffiness, dark circles and wrinkles on your eye area is Eyevive.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Beauty & Fashion.xmow

Natural Home Remedies For Dark Circles Under Eyes

Are you tired of looking into the mirror only to see puffy eye bags and dark eye circles in your reflection? Firstly, what do puffy eye bags and camel humps have in common? Why, water retention, of course.

More...

If Weight Loss Has Left You With Loose Skin, Cosmetic Surgery Could Be The Answer

Loose skin, saggy skin, is this a problem you have? Have you lost a large amount of weight and are left unhappy with the results?

More...

Tanning Lotions - Choosing The Best

Historically, the term "tanning lotion" usually meant a product that would help a person tan safely in the sun and would hopefully produce the desired tan as quickly as possible without burning. Presently, though, there are lotions you can get which actually increase the darkening effect of UV light in a tanning bed or natural sunlight to help you tan darker and quicker. New and improved sunless tanning lotions are also on the market which darken your skin without any exposure at all to harmful light.

More...

Wholesale Perfume And Designer Perfume

You can get almost anything at discounted price, if you buy wholesale. This is true in Perfume also. Even you can buy designer Perfume at rock bottom prices if bought in bulk.

More...

Sculptra - A Dermal Filler

Learn about one of the most popular dermal fillers on the market today, Sculptra. Looking great has never been so easy!

More...

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Beauty & Fashion.etgu

Oh, Baby!

Baby Jane Holzer, that is. She was one of the inspirations for John Galliano's very pretty fall collection for Christian Dior, which skillfully mixed glamour and restraint. The big hair and ladylike accessories were all part of the fun. Here, a look that would have delighted Holzer in the Sixties, a flared fur coat, worn with short leather gloves and a top-handle bag.

More...

Fashion Scoops: Art Nouveau... Get Up and Go... On the Record...

Forget about martial arts: Lucy Liu is wielding a paintbrush and turning out large-scale canvases.

More...

Wild Cards

La vie sauvage was a strong motif on the Paris runways as designers let loose with leather, feathers and fur — not to mention tribal themes and racy animal prints.

More...

More From the Shows: A.F. Vandevorst... Cacharel... Bruno Pieters...

Duality in layered, monochrome male-female couplings was the underlying theme for designers Filip Arickx and An Vandevorst's 10th anniversary collection, seen in a tailored cape jacket, say, worn over a soft velvet dress, or in a vermilion-hued silk blouse layered over a mannish coat.

More...

Getting In Shape

What could sculpture possibly have to do with down jackets? Giambattista Valli intends to show the fashion pack on Friday night when he unveils his first collection as creative director of Moncler's Gamme Rouge line, applying a romantic approach to a cold-weather staple.

More...

Friday, February 22, 2008

Beauty & Fashion.oqlk

Designs on Vancouver: Nixxi, Adhesif Clothing, and Shirtseed

With dozens of sustainable designs, Vancouver could easily be considered the eco-fashion centre for Canada. Our fashion writer, Victoria Evermann, highlights three of the designers who will be exhibiting their work at the upcoming Vancouver Green Living Show.

More...

Rest easy in eco-friendly sleepwear

Whether you are huddling from the cold or just wanting to lounge in something comfortable, the perfect eco-sleepwear is out there. Organic cotton, silk, and bamboo are widely available online and in-store. By far, the most popular is the ever-so-cozy organic flannel.

More...

Pucker up with the perfect lip gloss

Protect your lips against the ravages of winter and send hearts racing with the perfect kiss this February.

More...

Green loving with eco-friendly lingerie

Turn up the heat with some sustainable lingerie for men and women. So grab your favourite smooth tunes and slip into one of these frilly offerings to heat things up on those cold winter nights.

More...

Best and worst green fashions for 2007

Our fashion correspondent, Victoria Everman, checked out the winners and sinners of green fashion in 2007 and found the top three.

More...

Thursday, February 21, 2008

How to get sensational skin?

Unless you have a very hairy back, dont wax it. Surprisingly women who have barely discernable body hair on their back still want to wax it, with the result that their backs get getting rough when the hair starts growing back. Soon in-growths or a rash starts developing causing further roughness. If you wear clothes that reveal your back, consider bleaching your hair on the back instead of waxing it.

Massage oil on your body once a week if possible, or at least once a month. Try and organize a massagewalli to come in and give you a body massage. Over time your muscles will get more supple, circulation will improve, and your skin texture will smoothen. After getting a massage, dont take a shower for at least fifteen minutes to half an hour. Give your body time to absorb the oils. If you have access to a steam room, make sure you get some steam so the pores open and the oils get absorbed better.

Drink at least ten to twelve glasses of water a day. Your skin needs water to remain free from toxins. In addition, water heals and cleans all impurities from the inside out.

As far as possible, shower with cold water. Showering with hot water causes pores to open, with the result that your skin absorbs more of the chlorine in the water than it would if you were to shower with cold water. In addition, cold water increases circulation and cause blood to rush to the skin, infusing it with oxygen and minerals.

When taking a shower, after applying soap scrub your legs well with a pumice stone. This reduces in-growths. Scrub gently though you dont want to get bruised.

If you live in a warm, humid climate, in all likelihood you will perspire more. In addition, dust, pollution and dead skin also contribute to blocking pores. You need to exfoliate skin regularly in order to keep it healthy and supple. Invest in a loofah and scrub your body well while showering. While the pumice stone can be used on the legs, feet, arms and underarms, use the loofah all over the body, taking care to scrub your back well.

Soft Skin Mask

Here's a great mask to put on your skin for instant softness.You will need:

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup oil or vegetable glycerin

A healing substance like Vitamin C crystals or aloe vera gelA few drops of essential oil like lavender (optional)

Mix these ingredients together until you have a paste, and apply it all over your body. Leave on for five minutes until the mixture tightens. Wash off with cool to lukewarm water. You will feel the difference in your skin texture almost immediately.

Dont try this just before an important even as it may leave a little redness on your skin depending on how sensitive it is.

Beauty & Fashion.iepw

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Scissors-Over-Comb Technique

The scissors-over-comb technique, often used by barbers, is essential for many different cuts for men and women. This particular technique allows you to cut close to the head and follow the hairline. If you do it right, you end up with a softer look, but not a freshly shaved look like you get with clippers.

You will need to start with a head of freshly washed, damp hair. Cut the top ½ of the haircut, removing the bulk. Instructions for this can be found in The Beginner's Guide to Cutting Hair in chapter 11. After that is completed, you can move onto the lower ½ of the haircut. Here are some guidelines to help you:

* Starting at the hairline, lift a section of hair with your comb in your holding hand (left hand).

* Cut off the hair that sticks past the comb with your scissors (in your cutting hand). The lower blade (the stationary blade) must be parallel to your comb.

*Keep the blade of your scissors moving as you cut a section (one comb's worth) of hair. If you stop "mid cut", you can get little nick marks.

*Open and close the blades all the way so that most of the cutting is done with the center part of the blades rather than the tips. Cutting with the tips can result in choppy, uneven cuts.

* Try to do all the cutting work with your thumb(upper) blade rather than your lower (finger) blade. Your lower blade should stay as still as possible - that's why it's called the stationary blade.

* Cut the hair close to your comb but don't actually touch it (unless the style is very short). You could end up cutting into your comb and damaging your scissors.

* After you've cut the first section, lift some of the cut hair along with the next section you want to cut to act as your guide. Don't cut any of the hairs from your previous cut - they are just there to guide you.

* You must keep your comb at a consistent distance and angle from the scalp to get a smooth cut. This is especially difficult in curved or rounded areas such as the nape of the neck.

* Work your way around the bottom ½ of the haircut, lifting either vertical or diagonal sections. Avoid horizontal.

* Stand to one side as you do this technique, not directly in front of what you are cutting. This allows you to more easily see the angle of the comb and the amount of hair you are cutting.

* It helps to have long scissor blades for this technique. Shorter scissors can result in more unevenness as well as horizontal "steps" because your hand will be in the way.

This technique takes a lot of practice, but once you get it right, you'll be able to blend and cut very short hairstyles with a clean, even look.

Beauty & Fashion.mksg

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

You’ll have hair loss if you don’t know 10 reasons why?

Today almost everybody complains from hair loss. Maybe so do you. But are you sure that you’ve removed all the reasons for hair loss? In order to be sure you should read all the list of main reasons:

1. You don’t wash your hair as soon as it becomes muddy. The muddy hair cannot breathe. Therefore sometimes hair loss begins.

2. You comb you hair while it’s wet yet. If you noticed wet hair is hardly combed. And as a result of it its structure is damaged. You should comb your hair only when it’s quite damp.

3. You wash your hair too often, even when it’s not necessary. As a result of washing too often, hair becomes dull and thinner. Because it loses most of its nutrients while washing process.

4. You often use a drier. Hair begins shedding, but also loses its health and natural shine.

5. You do not use the suitable shampoo for your hair. Today it’s very difficult to choose the right shampoo among numerous popular brands. But the famous and expensive don’t always mean the best. Before buying any hair remedies I recommend to read the following article that I’ll post tomorrow. I hope it may be useful for you.

6. You have just been operated or taken a lot of chemicals. After both of these events begins hair loss as a result of chemical poisoning of the organism. In this period your ration must be very rich in vitamins (especially A, B, C, D, E), minerals, microelements. You’d better drink fresh-squeezed fruit and vegetable juices (especially apple, carrot, cucumber etc.). You can drink them together in equal proportion. And of course, the second thing you should do is to make masks for external nutrition of hair. It’s recommended to wash hair with natural homemade shampoo for a while (see the receipt in my next articles).

7. You have anemia. The lack of iron and vitamins also causes hair loss. In this case besides treatment with natural hair remedies, you need also eat food rich in iron. I especially recommend you to drink fresh-squeezed apple juice and eat various salads, nuts, more fish, etc. Fish is very rich in vitamins A, E. Or you can consult with your doctor and take some multivitamin tablets. But I recommend you to choose the natural way.

8. You often dye or perm your hair. Regular coloring or perm damage hair and it begins to fade, becomes thinner and dull. Therefore such hair usually doesn’t seem healthy. Such hair needs special care most of all. You should make natural masks to nourish your hair. I recommend you to use natural homemade shampoo.

9. You “trick” your hair only with remedies you buy from stores. Don’t forget that the best shampoos, masks and conditioners that you buy from shops are not enough for health of your hair, especially if it is damaged. Because almost all these remedies contain chemicals thanks to which we could keep them for a long time. But true natural remedies can be usually kept for a week maximum. You’d better use homemade shampoos and conditioners minimum 3-4 months a year if you want to have healthy and bright hair with natural shine. (see the receipt in my next articles). You can also find such chemical free homemade shampoos at the natural shampoo section of natures brands store.

10. You eat much salt or sugar.
Everything is useful in necessary dose. Consuming much salt and sugar also causes hair loss. You should reduce them in your ration; especially restrict pickles, cakes and sweets.
Homemade masks for hair loss

Mix coconut oil + mustard oil + castor oil in equal quantities. Apply on the scalp and massage gently. Leave overnight. Shampoo in the morning. It’s a good treatment for hair loss (at least once a week).

Home remedy for deep conditioning damaged hair (from perms, coloring or using a drier)

1 cup real mayonnaise (room temperature) + ½ cup olive oil + 3 egg yolks. Mix all in a bowl. Apply thoroughly on your scalp and hair. Cover with plastic cap, then with a hot towel. Keep at least 30 min and then rinse out. Do not shampoo afterwards, just rinse well. Do it when you are not going to go out.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Beauty & Fashion.lqfs

Rest easy in eco-friendly sleepwear

Whether you are huddling from the cold or just wanting to lounge in something comfortable, the perfect eco-sleepwear is out there. Organic cotton, silk, and bamboo are widely available online and in-store. By far, the most popular is the ever-so-cozy organic flannel.

More...

Pucker up with the perfect lip gloss

Protect your lips against the ravages of winter and send hearts racing with the perfect kiss this February.

More...

Green loving with eco-friendly lingerie

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner and you’re lucky enough to have a “special someone," you might be spending more of your time between the sheets than usual.

More...

Best and worst green fashions for 2007

Our fashion correspondent, Victoria Everman, checked out the winners and sinners of green fashion in 2007 and found the top three.

More...

Warm and cosy with fair trade accessories

Freezing cold one day, wet and soggy the next -- you need some winter accessories to keep you warm and dry. Pick out some fair trade gloves, mittens and scarves made with natural fibres for that cosy feeling inside and out.

More...

Friday, February 15, 2008

Beauty & Fashion.gyab

Celebrity Hairstyles: See Whose Hair Is Best

Since first debuting in 1991?s The Man in the Moon, Reese Witherspoon has endeared many with her sweetness ...

More...

America's Sweetheart: See Julia Robert's Beauty Evolution

Those luscious lips are recognizable anywhere?on a movie screen, in a weekly

More...

The Evolution Of Jennifer: See J.Lo's Many Changes

J. Lo is the most gorgeous working woman we know. Though she?s already lived nine lives in the limelight (singer/actress/designer/dancer/director), it?s her breathtaking appearance that always ..

More...

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Beauty & Fashion.uujj

Stark Trek

Minimalism offset runway glitz this fall, when Francisco Costa sent out a beautifully serene, yet still rigorous, lineup at Calvin Klein. Here, one of those quiet numbers, a silk-and-wool bustier paired with a wool felt pencil skirt.

More...

Exhibition Captures Versace, Avedon Connection

Rarely has a collaboration between a fashion house and a photographer been as strong and successful as that between Versace and Richard Avedon, which lasted for almost 18 years.

More...

Jones to Embrace Faster-Fashion Model

Jones Apparel Group wants to be more like H&M. The apparel vendor, which on Wednesday reported narrower fourth-quarter losses, said it is looking to turn goods more quickly, aiming for the same fast-fashion model used by the Swedish retailer and its competitor, Zara.

More...

Fashion Scoops: DeJa Vu... Kisa Crisis... Bamford Babes...

"It's happened again. Someone stole an outfit just before my show," said Christopher Kane with a serious face, before bursting out laughing.

More...

Fall Girl

Giorgio Armani gave his Armani Collezioni label a feminine touch for fall, with ruffled tops and flowy dresses. As retailers demand color, he delivered a strong palette and rich prints.

More...

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Beautiful Skin Tips And Diet To Make Skin Beautiful

Get Beautiful Skin By Eating Right Food

Everybody wants to have clear, healthy glowing skin. You can achieve this by gathering the following ingredients, and following the simple steps below. It's simple and takes little time. In order to get the right skin, it is important to look at the part played by nutrition in skin care. Healthy skin happens when we eat good foods, exercise regularly, minimize stress and protect our skin from the harsh environment.

Tips

Drink a lot of water: Just by hydrating your body, you will notice quick improvements in the quality of your skin. Because the body uses water you drink first, if you're not getting enough, the skin may not ever get any extra. By increasing your water intake to at least 8-10 glasses each day, you'll notice your skin become more plump, supple, healthy and young looking. Green Smoothies: Green smoothies are amazing skin food. Green smoothies come loaded with antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and other micro-nutrients that your skin requires to be healthy and look young.

Protect your skin from the elements. If you spend time outdoors, particularly skiing, add a sunscreen to your regimen. In the winter, brisk winds add to the damage from the elements. Your body may not feel warm, but you can still get sunburn. Studies show that we receive more ultraviolet rays in the winter than was previously thought.

Eat Yoghurt: Yogurt is the only dairy product that is good for your skin. During the fermentation process the probiotic bacteria make it easily digestible. The probiotic bacteria in yogurt are also very important for healthy, radiant skin because they improve the immune system and kill bacteria that cause acne and other skin problems.

Eat Fruits for Breakfast: Did you know that while you sleep your body is detoxifying and cleansing out the waste material from previous day? This is very important for healthy skin as these toxins and waste material can cause acne and other skin problems.

Diet

Two liters of water a day should be drunk this helps keep the skin hydrated and flush away toxins from the body

Eat vegetables & Fruit

Eat 2 – 3 portions of vegetables for lots of nutrients for the skin,

The best ones are below, but really any vegetable or fruit is good and in terms of vegetables try and eat them raw if you can.

Sweet potatoes tomatoes and spinach.

ProtectionCleansing: Your skin requires proper cleansing to keep it properly toned and clean. Cleansing removes the dust and stress from your face by cleaning the pores and circulating the blood supply. Use a gentle cleansing agent. Face washes are specially prepared to be effective at cleansing your skin gently and tenderly. For your body use a good mild and moisturizing soap.

Moisturizing: It is essential to use good moisturizers since the UV rays and pollution dries your skin thoroughly and makes it lifeless. There is a range of moisturizers available in the market to suit your skin type but what is important here is to pick the right one with the right components in it.

Sunscreens: With the rise in pollution level and the intensity of the ultraviolet rays it is very essential to use sunscreens during daytime to protect your skin form any kind of damage and premature wrinkles even if you are at home because these rays come in through the windows and there is no running away from it

Facials: Facial is also a vital step towards beautiful skin. Facial thoroughly cleanse your face and remove the top dead layers of the skin resulting into having a beautiful and glowing skin. Facial moisturizers your face effectively and help in faster cell renewal and relaxes the muscle of the face.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Perfume – Best Gift For Your Valentine

In this world, perfumes have become one of the most important gifts to offer your beloved. And Valentine Day, a particular day has been dedicated to lover since the 14th century, is about to come.

Valentine’s Day is a very precious occasion for the lovers. They plan in advance as what to gift to their beloved ones. Every lover dreams to present their dear ones with unique valentine gifts.

Valentine’s Day is celebrated on the 14th of February every year, and it is an occasion to celebrate every kind of love. It is not just that couple convey their feelings to each other on this day through thoughtful gestures and gifts. Every kind of love like that of a parent for a child or even that between friends can be expressed elaborately on this day, however, the most popular association is that of romantic love between couples, whether married or unmarried .Valentine’s day is celebrated with full of joy in every corner of the world

Every one likes to gift to someone When any body gives a gift, it's conveying a message with it. And if there is any great occasion, it's effect great. There in number of thing available in the market to give gift to someone. But gift should match the occasion and personality of the recipient.Gift varieties affected by the occasion on which you are using this. One of the great occasions is the Valentine’s Day. This valentine’s day, every body would like to purchase good, cheaper and special gifts

Today perfume is the most popular and necessary brand for every person. Everyone loves the sweet smell of perfume. People might want to be more attractive to someone special. So everyone can gift this to any one to whom you want. There are so many different discount designer perfume, brand name perfume, cheap designer perfume, are available in the market, can gift to someone according to the personality of the recipient.

Perfume makes a great gift for someone. This gift works better if you know the person to whom you are gifting and can choose according to the person. And if you are gifting the major brand name perfume on this Valentine’s Day to someone special, it will make your relation closer.

So on this great occasion of Valentine’s Day, you can purchase brand name perfume for you and some specials. And can gift to some one which make you feel nice and make your valentine day great.

Friday, February 8, 2008

Beauty & Fashion.waot

Pucker up with the perfect lip gloss

Nothing says romance like Valentine’s Day, so send hearts racing with the perfect kiss this February.

More...

Green loving with eco-friendly lingerie

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner and you’re lucky enough to have a “special someone," you might be spending more of your time between the sheets than usual.

More...

Best and worst green fashions for 2007

Our fashion correspondent, Victoria Everman, checked out the winners and sinners of green fashion in 2007 and found the top three.

More...

Warm and cosy with fair trade accessories

Freezing cold one day, wet and soggy the next -- you need some winter accessories to keep you warm and dry. Pick out some fair trade gloves, mittens and scarves made with natural fibres for that cosy feeling inside and out.

More...

Behind the seams with Stewart+Brown

Karen Stewart is half of the husband-and-wife team that started the California-based Stewart+Brown in 2002. Our Green Living fashion correspondent, Victoria Everman, spoke with Karen about the company.

More...

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

How to look Good in an Environmentally Friendly Way

How safe is your morning beauty regiment to your daily health? I’m going to scare you with this next statement. According to a recent study, people “apply an average of 126 different ingredients to their skin daily”, making the collective impact of these chemicals very dangerous. We might not have to worry so much if it was only one or two products a day we used, but on average, we use between ten to fifteen personal care products every day.

What are we to do? We can’t use any personal care products and expect to have any friends left by the end of the day. At some point we will need to use soap, toothpaste, shampoo, makeup, hair removal and, of course, that time of the month women so dearly love. Everyday we are faced with choices that affect us physically and socially.

This following list hopes to give you a little bit of information, and hopefully point you in the right direction towards changing your personal care routines in the bathroom. You’re going to buy most of these products anyway, so why not choose ones that won’t hurt the environment and more importantly won’t harm you.



  1. Toothpaste - We all want a big, bright smile. TO help us out with that toothpaste makers add chemicals like titanium dioxide for whitening, and high levels of fluoride. The level of fluoride that we ingest on a daily basis both through drinking water and toothpaste has been a concern for health experts for some time. Even though fluoride helps fight tooth decay, high doses are poisonous. There are a few natural toothpastes on the market or just using a bit of baking soda does the trick, as well.

  2. Hair care - The number of chemical women put in their hair easily outweighs the amount on our skin. Just take a quick look at some of the things. There is shampoo, conditioner, serum, wax, gel, hair spray, color, etc. Your hair is absorbent and all those products can contain harmful chemicals. Stay away from products containing petroleum products when shopping for shampoos. Be careful with hairsprays and hair gels which contain high amounts of petroleum derivatives, formaldehyde, phthalates, and synthetic fragrance.

  3. Look at the label – Unregulated chemicals are easily the most complicated and publicized issue regarding cosmetics and what that are used to make them. There are certain common substances you should always watch out for. Find out which ones to avoid the most and then check the ingredient label of any cosmetic products you purchase. Instead of reading every label, look for which cosmetics companies use certified organic and natural ingredients.

  4. Aluminum-free deodorant - Aluminum, commonly found in antiperspirants, known to cause skin irritation, but also more general inflammation may spread beyond the applied areas. They also block pores, preventing the body from eliminating toxins by perspiration. This reduces your body’s ability to regulate its temperature. Try using natural deodorant brands that don’t contain aluminum, instead. Try a crystal stick which uses natural mineral salts.

  5. Petroleum-free products – You’d be very surprised at how many petroleum derivatives are found in not only everyday cosmetics but also in other personal care products like sanitary pads. Mineral oil, paraffin, and propylene glycol are used as basic ingredients in a great deal of cosmetic products. Read the ingredients and look for certified labels.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Beauty and Makeup Tips for the Modern Cheerleader

You fulfilled a lifelong dream of yours. You finally did it. You made the cheerleading squad! Now you need to start practicing all of the routines and memorizing the cheers. Relax, that will come with time. For now though, you can start getting yourself ready for the squad by studying up on some beauty tips.

As a cheerleader, you’ll be expected to look your best. You’re representing yourself, your squad, and your school. Needless to say, your appearance is extremely important. Now, not only will you need to worry about your everyday makeup, hair and overall appearance routine, you now have to worry about your beauty regime for cheerleading.

Here are some tips to help you keep that fresh makeup look even while performing those physically demanding flips.

  • Smile. Nothing screams enthusiasm as a great big smile. It’s a great asset and one that all cheerleaders are known for having.

  • As the old saying goes, “keep it simple, stupid.” Less is usually better with all of your makeup products. Don't go crazy on using beauty products. It’s your inner beauty that you want to stand out and not the outer.

  • Pick a hair style which is attractive and will highlight your best facial features. Remember that you'll be jumping, flipping, running and stunting. Pick a style that will make it easy to get your hair to stay in place.

  • Try not to use too much hair sprays, mousses, and styling gels. You’re going to be active and sweating. Your sweat will make these products run and get in your eyes, nose or mouth.

  • Apply makeup but keep it nice and simple. Let your best features stand out and minimize your flaws. Know what colors look good on you and which don't. Get a makeover done if you get the chance.

  • Read all of the fashion magazines; pay attention to the hair styles and the makeup that celebrities are wearing. Don’t be afraid to take a chance and try some new things and techniques. If you see someone at the mall that has a style you like, ask them about it.

  • Keep your eye makeup as simple as you can. Nothing at is as worse than having your eye makeup running down your face during a big cheer.

  • This sounds pretty obvious but you’d be surprised at how many girls forget to brush their teeth or use a deodorant that works. You can be wearing the most expensive cloths or the best makeup but if you smell bad then no one will care.

  • Pick out a good lipstick or lip color that works with your complexion and coloring. Use a foundation or powder to your lips before applying your lipstick, helping it will it stay in place and last longer. More and more girls are recommending a plain lip gloss or lip shine.

  • Please, oh please, do not wear any strong and overpowering fragrances. Between your shampoo, hair spray, perfume and lip gloss you could possibly have on a stinky mixture that may be obnoxious for your cheermates.

Monday, February 4, 2008

Don't panic when the temperature rises

Many plus size women start to panic when the temperature starts rising and the sun starts shining. Summertime means less clothes around the body that can camouflage some parts you don't want to be exposed.

Good news, ladies, you don't have to hide anymore, plus size swimsuits are widely available now in all different shapes and styles. Not only you can find plus size swimsuits that fit you, you can actually look great too. Manufacturers of plus size swimsuits design their bathing suits in a way that they smooth and flatter curves and, at the same time, offer you some modesty.

Many different swimsuits have a skirt or a short, covering wide hips or bottoms, while the tops camouflage the mid-drift area. These two piece swimsuits, which are called shortinis and skirtinis are therefore very functional and can be seen on many beaches.

One of the bigger advantages of two piece swimwear is that they can easily being combined with each other creating different looks and combinations. Also, many plus size women find it more comfortable to stroll along the boulevard or visiting a snack bar or supermarket wearing a short or skirt.

Sometimes you can even see women wearing their tops on a sightseeing tour or a night out. It becomes a fashion item. Of course there are women who prefer the traditional one piece swimsuit. And there is good news for them also: more and more different styles and shapes are available. Manufacturers experiment with different colors and patterns not only creating an exotic assortment but also create slimming effects.

One piece swimsuits can be wear with confidence too. Very popular are the swim dresses and the sarongs, draped around the front to cover tummy bumps and wide hips and in the meantime giving the main body a slim line. And because of the wider variety and the higher competition, cheap plus size swimsuits aren't difficult to find.