Everyone Has The Right To Be Beautiful

Friday, 26 April 2013

Get The Best Skin Of Your Life (And Keep It)

To Look Great by Tomorrow:

Get a lactic or salicylic acid peel

Without exfoliating regularly, dead skin cells will begin to pile up, which causes an increase in fine lines and dullness. Beverly Hills, California-based aesthetician Gina Mari says that for a temporary reduction in fine lines and a boost in skin color, all you need is a quick peel. The lactic and salicylic acids provide a light exfoliation that not only removes the dead skin, but encourages new skin cells to turn over, so that, according to Mari, “new fat, healthy cells are encouraged to come to the surface of your epidermis” to create a youthful glow.

Or, if you have a special date coming up (like your wedding or high school reunion), get an instant glow and firmness to your skin with oxygen therapy. When your skin is extremely dehydrated, it looks dry, flaky and can’t absorb moisture. According to Mari, the combination of oxygen therapy and antioxidants will give you glowing skin that you’ll notice immediately. The oxygen helps push the antioxidants, like vitamins A, C, and E, deep into your pores, allowing your skin to reap their full benefits. You’ll walk away with “glowing skin, a plumpness that will last for about three days, and a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” says Mari.

To Look Great by Next Week (or Sooner!):

Moisturize

While wearing lotion seems like the most basic step in skin care, it can actually make a huge difference in your skin’s radiance, evenness, and texture. Dr. Heidi Waldorf, MD, Director of Laser and Cosmetic Dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center, calls it the "moisturizing effect." Basically, when your skin’s barrier is intact, your cells will be lined up evenly, which allows light to reflect off of the skin surface. You’ll also be better able to see the color of your blood vessels beneath the epidermal layer, which gives off that “rosy glow” we all yearn for. So just by moisturizing daily, your skin will seem more radiant within days.

Of course, wearing lotion is also crucial to keep your skin’s barrier intact, protecting it from environmental factors. Look for ingredients in your moisturizers like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which help skin retain moisture. If you have oily skin, you still need to hydrate, but look for ingredients such as niacinamide or ferulic acid for a lighter feel.

To Look Great in Two to Three Months:

Stop smoking

Okay, we all know that smoking is bad for you — it causes cancer, emphysema, heart disease…the list goes on and on. But, those little cigarettes also happen to be the second leading cause of premature aging, right after sun damage. “Every time you inhale smoke, you’re cutting off the oxygen supply to your skin,” says Dr. Waldorf. Plus, each puff releases a trillion (yes, a trillion) free radicals that ultimately break down the collagen and elastin in your skin. The result? Sagging, wrinkly skin that will only get worse over time.

To Look Great in Six Months to a Year:

Use a retinoid every night

Retinoids receive a lot of buzz, and here’s why: They’re among the most effective anti-aging ingredients on the market. By using a topical retinoid overnight, you’re stimulating your body to produce more collagen, which increases skin’s supple, youthful appearance. Dr. Alex Khadavi, MD, Associate Professor of Dermatology at USC, says that over time, retinoids can also change the surface of your skin by quickening the cell turnover rate and evening out pigmentation. In six months’ time, you’ll be left with more even, supple, and taut skin than you began with. Make sure to consult your dermatologist to find the right retinoid for your skin.

To Look Great in Ten Years:

Use an antioxidant serum

The leading cause of premature aging is, you guessed it: sun exposure. To prevent skin cancer, premature wrinkling, sunspots, and all the other negative effects from UV rays, wear an SPF of at least 30 that has both UVA and UVB protection. To make your sunscreen even more effective, try pairing it with an antioxidant serum. Antioxidants help combat infrared radiation from the sun, which has been shown to cause signs of aging (in addition to ultraviolet rays). Looking for highly effective antioxidants? Choose a serum with ferulic

acid, vitamin C or E.

Thursday, 25 April 2013

What Does Your Nail Polish Color Say About You?

What color nail polish do you gravitate to? A Pantone color expert discusses how the color of your manicure can reveal hidden personality traits

Red Polish = You're Sultry

Red is the ultimate statement in glamour -- as it has been for generations. “It’s the most seductive of all colors,” says Leatrice Eiseman, color expert and executive director of Pantone Color Institute. “We were going into a period when other colors started turning up in nail polish, and everyone wanted to try them, but a return to red means a certain nostalgia factor, in a traditional way.” In other words, this is a person who’s tried the other colors, and knows what's sexy for her.

Blue Polish = You're Fearless

Forget any tranquil blues that might pop to mind -- this season’s take on the color is electric. “It’s in a class by itself. It’s very charged, it’s attention-getting and very hot -- the hottest flames burn blue,” points out Eiseman. “A person who would choose that, [wants] to be unique and different; it’s a departure from the norm. It’s fun and experimental.”

Burgundy Polish = You're Sophisticated

Deep and dark, like the wine for which it’s named, this color packs the powerful combination of classic red and trendy purple. “Burgundy is an elegant shade of red, one of the most elegant colors you can think of,” says Eiseman. “It has a huge degree of sophistication to it. Someone who thinks of themselves as sophisticated leans towards this color; it’s very haute couture.”

Blinged Out Nails = You're Vivacious

“I think there’s just going to be more and more effects being added!” say Eiseman, of nails’ glitziest, blingiest trend of them all. “There’s so much experimentation with technology in every substratum you can imagine, and it’s reflected in nails.” These oversize bling bombs can go on every finger, or you can disguise your wild side and just paint one finger on each hand for a surprise contrast with your natural nails.

Duo-Chrome Polish = You're a Visionary

This futuristic two-tone look won’t help you tap out messages on your smartphone any faster, but it does indicate a person who’s very engaged with technology. “I point to the nail polish industry in defining metallic tones like these, and many of those were inspired by the technology used to paint cars,” Eiseman says. Your manicure suggests that you’re likely to keep ahead of those curves.

Gunmetal Polish = You're Unconventional

These very dark shades of gray read almost black in the bottle, but on your nail, they hold their own as part of your look. “It’s a very strong neutral -- it takes on the same connotation as black, which is the strongest and most stable color,” says Eiseman. “We talk about it as a color but it’s almost a psychological presence. It’s the ultimate in sophistication and high fashion, in order to make a statement.”

Gold Polish = You're Intriguing

This neutral-but-not color embodies an exciting contradiction. “Metallics now have almost attained classic status, but it doesn’t stay still, it keeps your eye moving -- it’s challenging.” Eiseman notes that historically metallics have come and gone in fashion, but for the last five or six years there’s always been at least one that’s hot. “Once people discover that glitz, they really become addicted to it,” she says.

Neutral Polish = You're Dependable

Neutral colors, unsurprisingly, are the most unchanging, but this season’s take on nude is a gray-toned beige that’s natural and flattering on many skin tones. “Someone that would choose that color likes the idea of something dependable, always there. It’s a solid color that lasts,” she says.

Green Polish = You're Dynamic

“Green is a very complementary color to lots of other colors (think of flowers and their stems) and I think people have discovered that you can use it in various ways and you don’t have to change your color all the time,” says Eiseman. While it doesn’t shout like a brighter shade, it’s a strong color and has a lot of power.

Orange Polish = You're Carefree

Eiseman notes that Pantone’s color of the year will have staying power. “Color doesn’t just fall off the end of the earth at the end of the year; it’s a trendy color that will last through the fall,” she says. “Once people get accustomed to orange and they play with it, they really enjoy it.” Just like yellow, it’s high-visibility and playful, but it can also be very exotic, recalling the tropics with certain shades.

Muted Pink Polish = You're Ladylike

After a trend of shades as bright and summery as fresh watermelon, this season’s pinks are ready to grow up, but still stay sweet. “These mauve-y pinks are more mature; they have a bit of a gray undertone,” explains Eiseman. “This gives them an almost vintage feeling.”

Yellow = You're an Optimist

“Yellow in general is associated with sun and warmth; it’s so visible that you can’t ignore it,” says Eiseman. Nor would you want to, particularly in the season’s signature shade, a very bright canary yellow. “If you use it on your nails, that’s a real statement. It’s very extroverted and happy,” she says.

Purple Polish = You're Creative

“Purple and its variations are generally thought of as the most creative of all colors --it’s complex, a combination of blue and red,” Eiseman says. “Most blues are tranquil and most reds are very dynamic, and when you put those together you have conflicting forces, a unique tension. Usually creative people are very drawn to purple; they love the unique energy of it -- they don’t want something simple.”

How to Use Aloe Vera Ice Cubes to Treat a Sunburn

Anyone with a painful sunburn seeks relief the minute redness (and sometimes blistering and swelling) appears. While taking ibuprofen can eventually help with the pain, you’ll need to wait up to an hour before you can feel its effects. For immediate relief, turn to the power of aloe vera. The properties of this plant not only provide pain relief but also project a cooling sensation that allows for instant comfort. Take its use to the next level by freezing the solution in ice cube trays to numb painful areas while the aloe vera goes to work.

Preparing the Aloe Vera Cubes

Purchase aloe vera gel. Select natural aloe vera gel that contains close to 100 percent aloe vera. Some sunburn relief formulas have added ingredients, which may interfere with the freezing process.

Visit the local health food store to find a natural product. Read product labels to ensure the product you buy has the most aloe possible.

You can also extract aloe vera gel from an aloe plant. However, this may not produce as much lotion as you will need for freezing. You could enhance what you pick up at the health food store with material extracted from your plant.

Fill each reservoir of the ice cube tray three quarters of the way with aloe gel. If youonly have a limited amount of gel, consider adding a small amount of water to each reservoirto beef up each cube.

Allow the Ice to Freeze. Depending upon your freezer setting, this could take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours. If you can freeze the cubes overnight you’ll obtain the best result.

Using the Aloe Vera Cubes

Apply one cube to the affected area the minute (or even before) you feel pain. Try to work with only one or two cubes if possible, to avoid having them melt all over the place.

Consider holding each cube with a clean washcloth. As the cube melts, it will be absorbed by the washcloth, reducing further mess.

If you plan to use the entire tray, dump the cubes into a separate bowl you can maintain in the freezer. Then refill the tray and freeze so you have another round on hand.