June 13, 2008

Do You Really Need To Wear A Moisturizer?

You just may be able to get away without using a moisturizer.

“Not everyone needs or should use a moisturizer, especially women with oily, combination, or acne-prone skin!” Paula Begoun, author of Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, writes on her website. But what if you just can’t part with your favorite day and night creams? What should you be looking for when shopping for a moisturizer?

According to Paula, a good moisturizer should contain emollients (essential for making skin not feel dry), water-binding agents (ingredients that attract water to the skin and help keep it there), anti-irritants and antioxidants. For daytime, it must contain a well-formulated sunscreen.

If you have an oily t-zone area (forehead, nose and cheeks) and your skin is normal to dry elsewhere on your face, you have combination skin. Most of us will have combination skin at some point in our lives. Use an oil-free moisturizer in the t-zone and a light moisturizer on other areas. In order to normalize your skin, it may be necessary to apply two different types of products on the different areas of your skin. Alternatively, you can skip the moisturizer for your t-zone entirely and just moisturize the cheeks and eyes.

If you have dry skin, your skin may feel dry and itchy and wrinkles are more obvious on your skin than other skin types. Although the use of a moisturizer can help to temporarily smooth out wrinkles, none of them can turn back the clock. Choose one which makes your skin look smooth and feel supple. A water-based moisturizer is preferable, although it won’t last as long as an oil-based moisturizer. However, emollients in water-based moisturizers such as plant oils and shea butter can help to provide your skin with essential moisture. (Tip: Apply moisturizer on damp skin to lock in moisture.)

If you have sensitive skin, you may have red patches on your face and/or are easily irritated by using certain products. It can be difficult to find a product which doesn’t aggravate your skin and cause breakouts or unsightly rashes. Look for moisturizers which do not contain fragrance and ingredients which you know can be potentially irritating to your skin. Even something as harmless as Aloe Vera can cause skin irritations!

Sunscreens are essential for daytime wear to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. There are plenty of sunscreens on the market which hydrate the skin as well as protect the skin from the harmful rays of the sun. Why not skip the moisturizer and wear a sunscreen instead? The fewer products on your skin, the less likely your skin will develop an irritation to any of the ingredients.

Tara Sabeti is Vice-President of Marketing at http://www.BeautySteals.com, an online retailer of cosmetics, skin care and fragrances. A graduate of Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, she has spent more than five years researching and working in the cosmetics and fashion industries. Her in-depth knowledge of all aspects of the cosmetics industry, from product development to e-marketing, as well as cosmetic applications for women of varying backgrounds, makes Sabeti an authority women can trust.

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May 31, 2008

Tips on Shopping For Men’s Colognes and Perfumes

With the huge variety of fragrances, colognes and
perfumes available, it is understandable that men will
find it confusing and difficult to choose their
personal perfume. It is easy to get lost in the myriad
of scents and smells that some pick the wrong perfume
that does not compliment their personality and taste.
There are many different kinds of scents, oils and
essences being advertised which makes choosing one,
very challenging. Finding the right perfume that
compliments and enhances your personality is important.
You don’t want a perfume that simply smells good but a
scent that becomes uniquely you - irresistible,
alluring and attractive. There are many things a man
should consider when choosing a personal perfume. These
simple pointers are just to guide you in making the
right decision.

When choosing a perfume, go for one which appeals to
you and makes you feel great. Think of what kind of
smell you find most attractive. Is it the woody and
aromatic smell of spices? Then go for a spicy perfume.
If you love the smell of the fresh ocean breeze, then
you should choose an oceanic fragrance. If you feel
good about yourself, you will exude confidence, which
makes you much more attractive and charming. There are
six main categories of perfumes including:

1. Floral - romantic and feminine, has flowers as a
dominant theme

2. Fruity - spicy and fresh with fruits used as part of
the formula

3. Oceanic - use synthetic elements to smell strongly
of the sea

4. Greens - fresh energetic perfumes that remind you of
the outdoors

5. Orientals - sexy exotic and intense perfumes that
smell of musk, vanilla, spices and opulent heavy
flowers

6. Woody - Perfume that smells like bark, moss and
other things you might find in the forest

Of course, not all of these perfumes will suit your
personality and taste. Go for a scent that will bring
out the best qualities in you. Pick a scent that is
subtle enough and not overpowering. You do not want to
smell as if you took a bath in your perfume. Your scent
should be sensual, but not overly sexy that you might
give the wrong signals. Choose a scent that comes
closer to the natural attractants in a man’s body. By
accentuating those scents, your perfume becomes much
more effective and magnetic. For best effect, your
scent should elicit happy memories in a woman. Such a
scent will leave a woman wanting for more.

You can choose from many popular perfume brands. Some
of the recommended colognes and perfumes include the
following: Acqua de Gio by Armani has a strong citrus
scent that reminds one of summer. Most people love its
fresh scent. Cool Water by Davidoff is simply a classic
- cool, refreshing and smooth, it is perfect for
everyday wear. L’Eau D’Issey combines the scent of
citrus and tobacco for a differently exciting
fragrance. If you want a perfume that is elegant and
speaks of class and good taste, go for perfumes from
the French perfume houses Guerlain and the House of
Creed. You can also choose Penhaligon’s, Czech and
Speake from England or Acqua di Parma from Italy.

Finding the perfect perfume that compliments your
style, personality and essence may be challenging and
difficult but it is also rewarding and enjoyable.
Perfume becomes a medium of expressing yourself. Having
the perfect scent makes a strong and lasting
impression.

Timothy A. Garyantes enjoys shopping online and recommends: http://www.youngperfume.com/
as a resource for information about perfume.

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May 17, 2008

Baldness Cures

Baldness is not a problem that can be taken lightly and the medical community is hard at work isolating cures and treatment modules for it. Apart from the psychological ramifications in a predominantly appearance-oriented society, there is a good deal of money to be made by effective baldness cures.

Propecia has been proven to stimulate marginal hair regrowth and is useful in long-term maintenance. It works by inhibiting systemic creation of DHT and has been found effective in men only. Minoxidil has been found far more effective in actual growth stimulation, though the benefits are strictly short-term and almost immediately reversed at cessation of treatment. It is useful in both male and female baldness and is best used along with Propecia for optimum regrowth and maintenance.

Dutasteride is a fairly new innovation in the treatment of baldness. Controlled studies indicate that its regrowth properties surpass that of Propecia, and that it is also useful in long-term maintenance of regenerated hair. Since this an emerging treatment module, sufficient studies as far as side effects are concerned have not yet been undertaken. There may be issues of allergic reactions in certain users.

The only other clinically established and therapeutically useful formulation is tricomin, which regenerates hair by kick-starting existing hair follicles back into productivity. It is relatively free of unwanted side effects and its efficacy is enhanced in combination with other treatment modules such as minoxidil and Propecia.

With specific regard to female baldness, the medical correction of disrupted thyroid functions can have positive effects, as can, in certain instances, female hormone (estrogen) replacement therapy.

Baldness provides detailed information about baldness, baldness cures, baldness treatment, and more. Baldness is affiliated with Vitamins For Hair Loss.

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May 5, 2008

Skin care products

Organic beauty products can be found in a few places. There are organic food stores which carry these products. Because these stores are rather small, the selection may not be that great. Also, supermarkets have an organic aisle. It is possible to find some organic beauty products in these stores as well but the selection in these stores is even smaller than those in health food stores. One aisle for all organic products does not leave much room for beauty products. The best place to find these products is online. There are several online stores that are dedicated only to organic beauty products. These sites sell only natural organic products. It is possible to shop at several organic beauty supply stores in minutes by using the internet.

In using organic beauty products, a woman is putting healthy natural products on her skin. When she does not use organic beauty products on her skin, who knows what she is putting on there. Taking care of your skin and making sure you understand the proper way for skin care and skin problems prevention is the key for any healthy looking and feeling skin, make sure you read and educate yourself about the type of skin you have in order to make sure you are doing everything right for your skin.

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April 12, 2008

The Fountain of Youth

The fountain of youth has always been the most sought-after yet illusive pursuit of man. Does it truly exist? Yes, it does, but not in a tangible form. The fountain of youth is an attitude, a way of thinking, and a way of life.

The biggest thrill of childhood was the anticipation of joy and happiness yet to come in your life. Nature’s progressive order of growing up was inborn in our conscience:

o Get an education
o Get a job
o Get married
o Raise a family of your own
o Retire and live happily ever-after

Having so much to look forward to in getting older was what made childhood so exciting and full of wonder.

Occasionally people reach a stage in life when the thrill of optimism and joy of expectation of these highly anticipated milestone events seem to have been replaced with a ho-hum existence, sprinkled with disappointment after disappointment. This is commonly known as a mid-life crisis.

Life automatically has its bumps in the road and everyone experiences the entire emotional gamut in varying degrees. Frustrations, worry, depression and disappointment ultimately take their toll and low self-esteem is most often the individual result. It is this low level of self-esteem that makes you age faster than maybe you actually need to. The biological clock and gravitational forces don’t show any kindness, either.

So what if you start to look older? If you weren’t getting older you would have a bigger problem. It happens, so make the best of it.

What would happen if you chose to think young again and discovered an entirely new area to explore within your world that gave you something to look forward to every day? Your emotional health would begin to heal and from there, your physical health would be positively affected. You could assume the same innocent anticipation you had as a child, able to experience again that same child-like inner happiness, strength and positive energy.

Life is to be lived with enthusiasm and with a strong desire to see what comes next. This is the power of youth. When you make up your mind there is nothing left, age takes its toll.

The power is inside you to think young and therefore restore your youth all over again. You can change your thoughts by changing the way you choose to view situations, circumstances, people and especially yourself.

Self-confidence and self-esteem make you look, feel and carry yourself youthfully. Making the effort to look your best from head to toe at all times, gives you personal pride and allows you to defy human nature in an effort of fighting the negative elements of physical aging.

What did you do when you were a kid? Why not continue doing it? Bounce on a trampoline. Lift weights. Play games. Swing on the swing at the park. Laugh. Take a nap. Accept a new challenge now and then. Maybe your life just needs a little rejuvenation and your furnace of metabolism just needs a little re-regulating. Having something to look forward to makes that possible and adds sparkle to life. Hope is an attitude without age limitations.

Keep your mind filled with knowledge and keep it productive. Do all the good you can with what you have and never quit having a goal to work toward. Nothing brings more joy in life than achievement of your goals, perhaps because by now you have learned that you have no choice but to give your best efforts and utilize your talents to reach them. Having something to strive toward allows you to overcome emotional old age.

Decide on a new goal and give your best efforts in attempting to achieve it. Nothing brings more joy in life than a goal achieved. Wanting to do something and giving it the very best you can - provides an inner personal joy. Hard work, dedication and determination will bring greater happiness than anything else in life.

Refuse to get old. You don’t have to. Youth is enthusiasm, activity, plans and projects. Fall in love with what you are doing.

o Smile often
o Have a good sense of humor
o Make others feel happy about themselves
o Know your limitations
o Laugh at yourself
o Be your true, uninhibited self
o Be determined to excel
o Retain your own personal technique and make it your trademark

Tell yourself you are still a child and that you plan to stay there. You can turn back the hands of time by dressing younger and listening to the music you listened to when you were a hope-filled, love-struck teenager. Seeking ways to improve yourself must become a way of life - and it’s never too late to start!

Terri Emmett offers three free online courses: THE ORGANIZED HOUSEKEEPER’S HOUSEBOOK; THE ORGANIZED HOUSEKEEPER’S SIX-WEEK CHARM COURSE (both at: http://www.charmcourse.com); 100 STEPS TO ETERNITY (http://www.prophecyguide.net), and has an armchair tourist site for those who would like to see America’s beauty and the world’s cultural treasures (http://www.americansr.com).

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April 6, 2008

Understanding Laser Hair Removal

If you have heard about laser hair removal, then you are likely to be one of the many that believe it is an easy way to get rid of unwanted hair. Although many people do find great success with the treatments, others will need several to succeed. And, there is no real way to know how you will react to the laser treatment until you have it.

Who Should Have It?

The ideal candidate for laser hair removal is the person who has dark colored hair. The darker the hair the more likely it is that the laser can remove it permanently. With that goes the pigment color of the skin. Individuals who have a dark complexion will not be ideal candidates because the hair is harder to see. Light skin, dark hair is the best situation to find yourself in.

You will also need to have a good budget. Sessions of laser hair removal can last upwards of several hours and will require several thousand dollars to complete. If you need multiple treatments, that too can become even more costly. The average is four visits per person.

Melanin is the pigment that gives hair color. You will need the melanin to be able to absorb the energy from the laser and then incorporate the heat into the follicle. The heat will actually kill off the follicle, making it impossible for hair to re-grow. Also, those who have a dark colored skin tone have more melanin, it is necessary to insure that the process will still work well. To help this, a cold compress will be used to keep the affected area cool. The laser will not target the cold areas which are important for it to work properly.

The skin can be kept cool in another way as well. This is multi pulsing laser technology. Laser energy is pulsed or interrupted, rather than streamed. That means there is less heat which helps to cool and at the same time, protect the skin. Other laser removal devices include: Alexandrite, a long pulse laser; Diode, which generally is used on darker skin; Q-Switched Nd:YAG, which delivers two wavelengths that work on both deep and near-surface follicles; and Ruby, that as the name implies, consists of red laser beams capable of targeting melanin.

There are a number of excellent resources on the internet that will help you to discover why or why not laser hair removal is the right solution for you.

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

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.

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