Brighten Up Dull & Tired Skin

As we grow older and are constantly exposed to the UV rays of the sun our skin starts to appear dry and dull. This is the result of the outside layer of the skin getting excessive build up and is not exfoliated on a regular basis. Build-up is especially noticed after we have spent the summer in the sun. It’s more apparent to women since we realize that our make-up doesn't look as fresh and our foundation begins to fade within a couple of hours. Our make-up and foundation is actually being absorbed into the accumulated dead skin cells, which gives a very tired and unhealthy look to the skin.

To keep your skin vibrant and healthy on a regular basis, you must have a regimen that incorporates exfoliation and nourishing the skin. Your regular skin care program does not have to be a department store or drug store solution. You can prepare an all nature skin care program right from your kitchen table and manage to get the same results if not better results that your store bought product promises.

Exfoliation:

You should exfoliate at least 2-3 times per week (daily is even better) to keep the skin’s healthy glow. One solution for exfoliating the skin in an in expensive way is to use sugar. Yes, Sugar! Glycolic acid which is found in most AHA (alpha hydroxyl acid) products is from sugar cane. You can benefit from glycolic acid by using sugar for exfoliation.

Simply mix ½ to 1 teaspoon of sugar in with a small amount of your favorite skin cleanser. Wet your face and massage the cleanser/sugar mixture over your face for 1-2 minutes. Rinse your face with lukewarm water to remove this mixture and you will instantly feel a difference in your skin.

Nourish:

Give your skin a refreshing drink with a simple nourishing facial mask. The ingredients are powerful and can be found in your kitchen. Combine one or more main ingredient with a liquid ingredient for to make a wonderful facial mask. Base your ingredient choices on the health properties of each item.

Base Ingredient:

Honey – It is a humectant (which draws in moisture) and it has antibacterial qualities that also stimulates and smoothes the skin.

Mango - Provides natural fruit enzymes which also exfoliates the skin and the oil in mangos help moisturize.

Avocado - A naturally rich moisturizer has essential fats and oils.

Oatmeal – Moisturizing and slightly exfoliating

Liquid Ingredient:

Milk – Enzymes and Lactose acid to exfoliate and milk fat to condition the skin.

Aloe Vera Gel – Healing and softening.

Egg White – tightening and conditioning.

You will want to follow your treatments with your favorite hypoallergenic moisturizer. For best results, these treatments can be done 2-3 times a week to help keep your skin youthful and vibrant.

Fresh Fruit Facials for Healthy Skin

I was having tea with a friend last week, and we were discussing our extensive skin care regimens.  As we were exchanging tips and advice, I realized that I have amassed a virtual recipe box of facials that can be done using fresh fruit.  As there are many of you out there that could benefit from this knowledge, I have decided to share my insights.

One of my favorites is the peach facial, which works very well as a tightening mask.  Simply take a ripened peach, and remove the skin and the pit from the center.  Place the peach and the whites from a single egg in a blender, and whip until smooth.  Pat the mixture onto your face, and allow it to sit there for 30 minutes.  Rinse with cold water.

I have found that the apple mask is very good for normal skin.  Peel, core, and quarter an apple.  Chop the apple in your blender, and add two tablespoons of honey.  Blend until smooth.  Then remove the mixture from the blender, and refrigerate for approximately 10 minutes.  Apply the mixture to your face using a patting motion, and be sure to pat until the honey becomes tacky.  Leave it on for about 30 minutes, and rinse with warm water.

I have also had great success with a Strawberry mask that my Grandmother told me about.  The trick here is to use extremely ripe Strawberries.  Add approximately ½ cup of strawberries and a ¼ cup of cornstarch to the blender, and mix until smooth.  Apply the mixture to your face, and be careful to avoid the area around your eyes.  Leave it on for 30 minutes, and rinse it off with cool water.

The next facial mask is excellent for blemished skin.  Chop a ripened tomato into small pieces, and place it in your blender.  Add one tablespoon of lemon juice and some instant oatmeal or rolled oats.  Mix until it is all combined.  Do not mix for too long, as it will not stick to your face.  If it gets too thin, simply add more oatmeal.  Apply the mixture, and leave it on for 10 minutes.  Scrub it off using a warm, wet cloth.

There are many different ways to care for your skin, and as many different products on the market.  In my experience, the most natural treatments provide the best results.  Try to avoid products that have heavy perfumed scents or appear to use poor quality ingredients.  These all natural fruit facials have worked wonders for me.  I hope you enjoy them.

Beauty Care - Antiperspirants

Perspiration and body odor have been of concern for many of us who wish to present a beautiful body to others. Here it is important to note that deodorants and antiperspirants are not the same. Deodorants hide the smell with fragrance. They do not dry the perspiration at all. They also do not prepare the skin for not perspiring. Deodorants will not keep you dry. They will make you feel good with their fragrance and hide body odor.

For keeping yourself dry you have to use antiperspirants. An antiperspirant blocks the sweat ducts and does not allow the sweat from reaching the skin surface. Aluminum chloride has been a choice ingredient in antiperspirants. Many new aluminum compounds are now being used as active ingredients in antiperspirants and the newest is Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex Glycine.

The ideal anti perspirant should be water soluble, free of any fragrance and contain ingredients that are not normally allergy forming. As the areas where antiperspirants are usually y applied such as underarm, is moist and warm, with skin layers upon layers and having thin epidermis, the ideal antiperspirant should be highly non irritating for most of the users. it should also not leave any deposit after drying.

If you have any allergy to fragrances, dyes, contact, please use antiperspirants with care. Diabetics should use these products after consulting their doctor. If you have sensitive skin or have tendency for eczema, please consult your doctor before using antiperspirants.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Tips for Eyeshadow

Your makeup is as important to your finished look as the clothing you wear, in fact, it can actually be more important. We've all spotted women who didn't have a clue how to apply their eye shadow. But we've also saw women who know how to apply it properly and they look put together and beautiful. Don't you want to be one of those women? Of course - and we are going to give you some top tips so you can do just that.

Great news - putting your eye shadow on correctly really isn't difficult at all. It really is just a matter of finding the right technique and look for you and your personal style. Don't worry if it takes a few tries to get it right. Check out these tips:

1.Always apply a base coat on your eyes just as you do to the rest of your face. Loose power works or you can apply your foundation to the eye area. It gives a nice even palette to work with.

2.Blend, blend, and then blend some more. I can't stress this enough. Try an experiment. Blend one eye and then just use a brush and apply the other eye. You'll instantly know what I'm talking about and you'll never forget to blend again.

3.If you want dramatic eyes, take your eye shadow brush, dip it into water, and then into the shadow, then apply. It will give you a much deeper, dramatic color.

4.If you have blue eyes, wear purple, violet, taupe, gray, deep blue, and black. Funky colors include fuchsia, turquoise, and silver.

5.If you have green eyes, wear purple, plum, forest green, brown, and khaki. Funky colors include light green, gold, and bright purple.

6.If you have brown eyes, wear champagne, copper, brown, apricot, khaki, and beige. Funky colors include royal blue, tangerine, hand hot pink.

7.Everyone can wear navy, powder blue, and charcoal. Fun colors include silver.

8.Apply a lighter shadow in the inner corner of the eye to reflect and make your eyes look younger.

9.If you want your eyes to appear larger, use a light color on the inner corner, and a darker shade in the middle of the eye area.

10.Practice until you get the application of your eye shadow down to a science. When you get good, your make up will look more natural and more polished.

11.Apply your dark shadow only to the eyelids from the lash line to the crease in the eyelid. Apply your medium shadow from just below the eyelid crease to the brow bone.

12.Highlight along the brow bone. Doing it this way will make your features stand out naturally and beautifully.

So there you have it. With these top tips you now know how to apply your eye shadow so you will look your best.

Remember that while you're practicing all these steps, that you should take notice of what works best for you. Practice by yourself, or practice with a friend if you find it easier to ask someone else's opinion.

And one more thing. If you make your face more youthful looking with wrinkle creams that gives results, then any make up that you have will be so much more effective.

So go for it and get gorgeous right away!