Not too long and not too short, the medium hair style is perfect for just about everyone. From the straight and limp to the thick and naturally curly, you can be sure that there is a medium hair style to suit your unique tastes and hair type.

The popularity of the medium length hair style has never waned, and it remains extremely popular today. In fact, most hair styles that you see can be considered medium hair styles. Just think about the textured bob or the layered hair cut. Most of these styles look their best at a medium length.

There are a lot of reasons why people choose the medium hair style over other types of styles. The medium hair style is easier and quicker to style than longer hair and it affords more versatility than shorter styles. No matter whether you wear it up or down, the medium hair style offers a great deal of variety to the wearer. Here are just a few ideas:

" Quick and Casual. No matter if your medium length hair style is straight or curly, you can whip it up in a flash to create a simple, casual updo at a moment’s notice. Simply pull your medium hair style up into a bun, French twist or ponytail, allowing a few sprigs to escape here and there, and you’re done. You can also practice variations of the ponytail and add interest to your medium hair style by changing the amount of hair that you pull through your scrunchie.

" Funky and textured. Probably the most popular medium hair styles of today feature a lot of textured, creative cutting techniques. By using a combination of scissors and razor, your stylist can turn your medium hair style into a fashion statement complete with wispy layers and interesting movement.

" Cute and curled. This medium hair style is extremely easy to accomplish if you have natural curl or a perm adding texture to your medium hair style. If not, you can easily add interest to your medium hair style with hot rollers, tube rollers or a curling iron. Simply, roll your medium hair style, spritz it a little, take it down, run your fingers through your medium length hair style, spray and go.

" Captivating color. The medium hair style is perhaps the perfect length of hair in which to try funky and fresh color techniques. From chunky highlights to ink-dipped tips, make your medium hair style stand out from the rest with interesting color.

As you can see, there are numerous things that you can do to make your medium hair style stand out among your peers. While others are stuck pulling their long tresses up or styling their short locks the same old way, you can quickly change your medium hair style to reflect your mood or the occasion. And the beauty of the medium hair style is that almost everything you do will be quick and easy.

Michael Barrows’ website gives great advice for good hair. Get your free ebook packed with hair style and hair care tips and advice, visit the great hair styles website

When temperatures drop it is time to think of how cold weather, chilling winds and dry air will affect your skin. We naturally think of bundling up during those frosty months but there are a few other considerations.

1. Keep your face protected by using heavier moisturizers, especially if you have dry skin. Always wear foundation when weathering the cold - give your face that extra protection. Don’t forget the rest of your skin and use body washes instead of harsh soaps. Use lukewarm water and keep hot water off your face and body - it’s drying in the best of times. Apply moisturizer after showering, while you skin is still damp.

2. During the winter the UV rays reflecting off the snow have an added ability to damage your skin. While skiing, snowboarding or enjoying any outdoor sports remember to wear a SPF of 15 or more. Don’t forget that UV rays can harm your eyes as well, so keep them protected with sunglasses.

3. Keep your hands dry and warm during the winter months by always wearing gloves and keep moisturizer close at all times and reapply often.

4. Winter is the worst time of the year to keep nails in good shape. To avoid brittle nails moisturize your cuticles before going to bed (I use olive oil). Always protect your hands with rubber gloves when you use cleaning products. Some are harsh and will seep into your nails and make them brittle.

5. Keep your lips protected from dry, cold air by wearing lipstick regularly. Make a habit of reapplying lipstick so your lips area always covered (except when you sleep) and you will never have chapped lips.

6. Exfoliate your face and body regularly to smooth away dry patches or prevent them.

7. Visit a spa and get pampered.

Sheila Dicks is an Image and Wardrobe consultant who teaches women how to dress to suit their body type and look slimmer. You can visit her at http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com to download her ebook ‘Image Makeovers’ and get ‘How to Build a Wardrobe’ free.

Skin aging is a result of programmed events, which are represented by modifications at the cellular and molecular level. Major external and internal changes affect tremendously the aging process. One of the major external factors is sun exposure. UV rays can irreversibly induced wrinkles and skin damage. A change in hormonal balance is one of the major internal factors. Due to menopausal hormonal changes, women’s skin looses its elasticity and firmness becoming wrinkled. There are also changes in the skin’s barrier function, sebum (a mixture of waxes, free cholesterol, free fatty acids and other lipids) production and facial contour.

In this particular period of life a special skin care routine has to be developed to keep the skin protected and well moisturized. Sunscreen moisturizer creams are highly recommended at this stage to keep the skin protected. Vitamin C and Vitamin E are natural anti-oxidants with great sunscreen capabilities. Vitamin C has an important role in the elimination of free radicals from the skin, while vitamin E protects against free radicals. Moisturizer’s humectants are also of great importance in keeping the skin hydrated and smooth. Important natural humectants are: glycerin, honey, gelatin, some vitamins and proteins.
Aged skin is fragile, dry, and sensitive. Therefore, mild cleanser and no astringent skin care products should be used. You should be very careful in using chemical peelings especially those using trichloracetic acid or phenol, which are very strong and require long time healing. In addition, UV rays can damage irreversible your new skin layers.

Special care should be taken in the selection of light and heavy foundation make-up. Unfortunately, thicker facial foundation, which can cover the skin’s color abnormalities, only accentuates the deep wrinkles. Sometimes, avoiding heavy foundation makes you look younger and healthier.
Several rejuvenating products are now available on the market.
Among the rejuvenating products, creams containing hormones (progesterone and estrogen) are widely used. The progesterone and estrogen creams can decrease wrinkles, increase the sebum synthesis and improve skin elasticity. It is important to know that topical progesterone and estrogen are quickly absorbed and transported into the circulatory system. Concern may arise in using synthetic hormone creams, since the surplus remains in the system for up to two weeks and can trigger different ailments, such as cancer. Unlike synthetic hormones, plant hormones (phyto-hormones) are metabolized and easily eliminated from the body. They mimic the effect of human hormones and are similar with hormone therapy.
Collagen creams are also available on the market as rejuvenating products. The collagen is supposed to nourish the skin and reverse the signs of aging. But the collagen molecule is too large to be adsorbed into the skin. Thus, what do you possibly feel onto the skin is the effect of other ingredients from the same formulation. You can try injections with collagen instead, which are efficient to soften wrinkles. However, the effect last between 3-12 months and after that you have to repeat the procedure. You might also develop allergies related to different types of collagen.

Extreme rejuvenation therapies are also available.
Dermabrasion, is a type of plastic surgery that is meant to refinish your skin by replacing the abraded skin with new collagen and epidermis. However, Dermabrasion requires undergoing major surgery and in every major surgery there are risks involved. There is also a possibility of scaring infection and permanent change in the skin’s pigmentation.

Microdermabrasion involves blasting the surface of the skin with a mist of crystals under pressure to remove dead and damaged layers of skin. Using this procedure the skin becomes smoother and less wrinkled. The procedure should be repeated every 2-4 weeks, sometimes combined with a chemical peeling. Persons with skin ailments, such as rosacea, are not recommended to use this extreme rejuvenation procedure. And of course persons with diabetes should not attempt to use any of these extreme rejuvenation procedures. The skin healing may never be achieved.

In conclusion:

You cannot reverse the aging process but you can delay it by proper skin care, which does not have to be extreme. You have to know that if you start an extreme rejuvenation procedure you have to stick with it for the reminder of your life, which sometimes is not a convenient alternative.

Natural ways of delaying the aging process, with a proper skin balance of valuable micronutrients and natural hormones, are a long lasting and healthier alternative.

Claudia Budu has a Ph.D. in cell biology and a Master in biochemistry. Everything that she has learned from elderly people and with more than 20 years of scientific expertise resulted in the creations of TelBari - Active Herbal Cosmetics (http://www.telbari.com), a revolutionary approach in natural skin care. Join Our Monthly Newsletter. We will provide valuable information about natural and safe skin care along with expert beauty tips.

When it comes to a glowing complexion what we put into our bodies and how we treat our skin and ourselves has a huge impact on how we look – no skin care product can overcome certain damage. Here are a few hints to take the best care of your skin and get that radiant glow.

1. Eat a balanced diet – what we put in our bodies will show on our skin. If you eat fatty foods and junk your skin will reflect that, so give your skin proper nutrition.

2. Get at least 7 to 8 hours sleep every night. A lack of sleep will show up under your eyes as dark circles or bags. Proper rest will also benefit your body and your life.

3. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day to keep your skin hydrated. It is best to spread the consumption of water in small amounts over the course of the day to be sure it is properly absorbed.

4. Maintain a regular exercise schedule. Exercise gets the blood moving and creates a healthy body.

5. Get lots of fresh air but avoid prolonged exposure to wind and cold.

6. Avoid the sun and tanning beds. The damage done by ultraviolet rays is long lasting and cannot be reversed.

7. Always wear sunglasses to avoid squinting.

8. Try to achieve a well-balanced life and reduce stress.

9. Exfoliate twice a week to rid your skin of dead cells.

10. Develop a skin care routine for your particular skn type.

If you have been neglecting your complexion start right away to improve it – it’s never too late. What you do today will show up in your skin in the future. It’s up to you.

Sheila Dicks is an Image and Wardrobe Consultant who teaches women how to dress to suit their body type and look slimmer. Visit her at http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com to download her ebook, ‘Image Makeovers’ and get How to ‘Build a Wardrobe’ free.

As skin ages, it begins to loose its elasticity. Due to age and things like pollution, weather and other harmful things in atmosphere, the epidermal cells gradually lose their capacity to produce new cells. As result, the face and other body parts starts sagging and start showing wrinkles.

The skin is freshened and rejuvenated using toning lotions. They help to increase the blood supply to the skin. At the same time, toning can help keep it clear and firm by cleaning the oil and reducing pore size.

Tips and advices for skin toning:

1. The rose is an excellent skin toner. Make rose water by mixing one tablespoon rose oil with two and half litres of purified water. Store it in refrigerator.
2. Take a piece of potato and rub it over the face and neck. Wash your skin after 15 minutes. This is very effective for oily skin.
3. Oily skinned people should tone with an astringent lotion, applying to the oiliest places, that is sides of the nose, chin and forehead.
4. Strawberry mash could be a good toner for sensitive skin. Apply it for 5 minutes and then wash it off.
5. Mix two tablespoons of lemon juice with one tablespoon glycerin and three tablespoons of rose water. Rub this juice on the skin. Very effective for a dry skin.

If you like to buy your toner from cosmetic shops, look for one that contains alpha hydroxyl acids.

Valerian D is a freelance writer specialized in issues such as anti aging skin formula.

There’s almost nothing more irritating than buying a lot of expensive cosmetics and finding out after you get home that you don’t like them. You can protect your wallet from this drain by trying out free cosmetic samples first.

You don’t have to throw money down the toilet any more. Trial offers for free cosmetic exist online. With just a little investment of your time, you can get freebies to help you better choose what’s right for you.

Cosmetics companies and other manufacturers want you to have freebies so they can build a fiercely loyal customer base. It does a company no good if you get home and find out your perfume stinks or the color on the package didn’t match the shade inside. What’s even worse for them and for you in this situation is that most stores won’t take the items back once they’re opened. But, thanks to trial offers for free samples online, those worries could be a thing of the past.

Why not try before you buy? Go ahead and take advantage of the offers available online from manufacturers. Even better, you can receive great free stuff or make extra money for completing the offers!

To take advantage of free cosmetic samples online or other offers for free product samples, just look at the list below and decide what you’re interested in. To get the good freebies, you might have to invest a little bit of your time by completing offers, but the money savings in the long run makes the time investment pale in comparison.

You can:

Get free cosmetic samples, learn more about other freebies, find out about offers that reward you for completion with free money or free merchandise, learn how to get free stuff and/or money for shopping online.

The only thing standing between you and getting free stuff online including free cosmetic samples is a little bit of your time. Manufacturers want to know what you think and they want you to become a customer for life by providing you with products that make you happy.

So, sign up with a rewards program today and get paid cash or receive free stuff for accepting offers including free cosmetic samples.

Sherri Lonon is a successful author and publisher of http://www.1st-in-rewards.com

Great tips on receiving free merchandise and money from top online rewards programs.

(c) Copyright 2004, http://www.1st-in-rewards.com. All rights reserved.

Publishing Guidelines: You may freely distribute or publish this article provided you publish the whole article and include the copyright notice and links in full. A courtesy copy is requested upon publication.

Synthetic wigs are very easy to care for. You don’t need to restyle your wig after each washing, like you would with a human-hair wig. However, it is important to point out that human-hair shampoos and other care products are unsuitable for synthetic wigs. Even the mildest shampoo that you might use on your own hair is too strong for the synthetic fibers used in a wig. The same can be said about hair styling mousses, sprays and gels - don’t attempt to use them on your synthetic wig.

Instead, use shampoos, conditioners and hairsprays specially formulated for synthetic wigs. Raquel Welch, Revlon, and Tress Allure produce wide ranges of wig care products, and all of these brands work well with any synthetic wig. Most websites that sell wigs offer wig accessories, too, so it is smart to pick a wig shampoo, conditioner and spray when you order your wig.

Another thing to remember is that synthetic wigs cannot be styled with curling irons, hot rollers or blow dryers. In fact, any heat can destroy your wig, so be careful to keep it away from lamps, ovens, etc. Most synthetic wigs are already prestyled but, if you want to add a bit of personality to it, you can use a mousse that is specially formulated for synthetic wigs and style it with your fingers.

Washing synthetic wigs - step by step

A synthetic wig doesn’t need to be washed very often - after 10 or 12 wears is usually enough. Still, you might have to wash your wig more often if you use a lot of spray or mousse on it. Every washing shortens the life of your wig, so our advice is try not to use excessive styling products on it, and don’t wash your wig until it looks like it needs to be washed.

1. Remove tangles with your fingers and gently brush your wig. The only exception is wigs that are very curly - don’t attempt to brush them

2. Fill a basin with cool water (hot water can damage your wig), mix a little bit of synthetic wig shampoo into it and place your wig in the water. Leave it to soak for about 5 minutes.

3. Swirl your wig around in the water, but don’t rub the fibers

4. Rinse your wig under running water

5. Shake excess water off your wig and spread it on a towel to dry. Alternatively, you can put it on a wig stand. If you have wig conditioner, put it on the wig and gently work it through the strands with your fingers. Remember you can’t use blow dryer on a synthetic wig, so place your wig in a warm room with good ventilation and let it dry naturally

6. Brush your wig when it is completely dry and it is ready to wear again. Again, don’t brush wigs that are very curly.

As you can see, caring for a synthetic wig is really easy. And having a wig or several differently styled wigs can really help you to change your look in an instant.

Tanya Turner is wig and hair extensions expert and a publisher of http://www.WigsGuide.info, an online wig, hair extensions and hairstyle magazine, where you can find information, reviews and pictures of wigs and hair extensions

Things that contribute to Poor Skin Conditions

1.Antibiotics and alcohol lead the way in reducing good bacteria in the digestive tract. The liver and most of the immune system is in the digestive tract.

2. Poor diet, or faulty digestion restricts availability of nutrients that are important to skin’s health

3. Sluggish liver can not store skin-loving vitamins such as A

4. Smoking subtracts years fro your health. It shows mostly in your skin.

5. Lack of exercise reduces blood circulation. This means fewer nutrients and oxygen make it to the skin.

Avoid these ingredients in skin care products:

Glycerin, sodium, lauryl sulfate, antibiotics, imidazoli, petrolatium, propylane glycol, PVP/VA copolymer, sodium lauryl sulfate, steaaralkonium cloride, synthetic colors, synthetic fragrances, and triethanolamine.

What Essential Oils do for your Skin:

• Penetrate lower skin layers to work on moisturizing and healing

• Stimulate and regenerate skin cells, to heal skin damaged by sun, bums, wrinkles, or injury

• Destroy infectious bacteria, viruses, and fungi, such as those associated with acne and other skin problems

• Reduce inflammation and puffiness

• Soothe sensitive or injured skin

• Regulate over- or trader active oil glands

• Encourage removal of waste products

• Contain plant "hormones’ (for hormonally related skin problems)

• Treat stress-related skin problems

Gerald F. McCarthy holds a patent on the unique diffuser used in all ESSENTIAL AIR models.

Over the years McCarthy of Leyden House has accumulated seventeen patents in the field of energy and health related products. A speech pathologist by profession he was intrigued by the beneficial effects of natural healing and began searching for ways to deliver essential oils more effectively.

Visit: http://www.essential-air.com

There are two types of wig material - synthetic fiber and real human hair. Most people naturally assume that a human hair wig is necessarily better than a synthetic one, when in fact it is not that simple. The correct choice depends on what you expect from your wig, how you are going to wear it, and how much time can you can devote to caring for it.

Human hair wigs

The majority of human hair wigs on the market are made from Asian hair. Most of it comes from China, although higher quality Asian hair comes from women who live in India or Pakistan. Asian hair by its nature is thick, straight and usually very dark in color. Obviously this hair is great for making straight black wigs, but to make a blond curly wig it has to go through several bleaching steps and other chemical treatments. As a result, the hair gets damaged and a wig that looks great, when new, might become dull in a few months.

The best quality hair for European-looking wigs comes from Eastern European countries, like Poland and Russia. This hair costs more than Asian hair, because in these countries not so many women are willing to sell their locks. Wigs that are made from European hair last longer and feel softer to the touch.

When buying a human hair wig, be sure to find out from where the hair originates. If you are prepared to spend several hundred dollars on a wig, it is best to find one made from European hair. If the wig label says “human hair wig” without specifying the origin of the hair, it is most likely made from Asian hair.

Advantages of human hair wigs:

• A human hair wig lasts longer than a synthetic one
• A human hair wig is soft and feels natural, to the touch
• A human hair wig can styled and dyed, just like your own hair
• A human hair wig “breathes”, so your scalp won’t perspire as much under one

Disadvantages:

• A human hair wig needs to be styled after every wash
• A human hair wig is expensive

Synthetic wigs

Although you can find hundreds of synthetic wigs styles, not all synthetic fibers are created equally. For example, costume wigs for Halloween are usually made from lower quality fibers - they are cheap and look obviously like a wig. For a Halloween party this is just fine, but for every day use you want a wig that will look like it has grown on your head. Luckily for you, the modern synthetic materials, which are used in top quality designer wigs, can look very realistic.

Go for well known wig brands, like Aspen, Revlon, Norico or Beverly Johnson, and you will get a natural look for an affordable price.

A synthetic wig also has several advantages:

• ease of care - the wig keeps its style after being washed
• lower price

Disadvantages:

• You can’t style a synthetic wig with iron - it will burn
• A synthetic wig will last only a few months, if you wear it every day

I personally prefer synthetic wigs because I don’t wear them every day - only when I want to look different. Also, ease of care is a very important factor for me. So if you want a wig as a fashion accessory or a way to express yourself, then I would definitely recommend getting several synthetic wigs in different colors and styles, rather than just one human hair wig for the same price. But be careful - only go for top quality, more expensive synthetic tresses, otherwise you could be disappointed with your new look.

Synthetic vs. human hair wigs - cost issues

Even a medium-quality human hair wig is going to be more expensive than a synthetic one. This comes down to the availability of material. While synthetic fibers can be manufactured as required, long women’s hair, of good quality, is in a limited supply. The best quality human hair, from Eastern Europe, is very rare.

The best quality synthetic wigs usually cost one or two hundred dollars. For a human hair wig the price is much higher - typically over five hundred dollars, depending on the length. However, you can get both types of wig at discount prices from online shops that specialize in discounted wigs. Discount wigs are not at all inferior in quality - they simply aren’t the latest models. If cost is an issue, it’s always better to buy a best-quality synthetic wig than a mediocre human-hair wig.

If you are still unsure about which wig to choose, though, our advice is to go for a top-quality human hair wig, if you intend it to become your new style and wear it every day. Real hair wigs are definitely the better option for people who need a wig because of hair loss. On the other hand, choose a synthetic wig, if your intention is to have fun with your look and change your image, once in awhile.

Tanya Turner is wig and hair extensions expert and a founder of http://www.WigsGuide.info, an online wig, hair extensions and hairstyle magazine, where you can find unbiased information and pictures of popular wig styles

A Protective Cover for Your Skin, with Sun Block

UV rays from the sun are extremely damaging. They accelerate aging in the skin and cause it to lose its natural whiteness. For this reason, dermatologists recommend daily usage of anti-UV ray skincare products, to prevent skin damage caused by UV rays. In other words, to maintain a healthy and radiant complexion, sun protection must be considered. UV Rays: The Sunshine Killer

UV rays are all around us. Even if you do not step out of your house, your skin will still be subjected to damage caused by UV rays from the sun. A dermatological report from USApointed out that the damage UV rays cause to the skin is accumulative. For sceptics, just look at the vast difference between the skin on your inner arm and outer arm. This is the evidence of solar-induced damage.

UV rays can be divided into three types, according to their wavelengths. There are UV-C (200-280nm), UV-B (280-320nm) and UV-A (320-400nm). The shorter the wavelength, the stronger the impact on the skin. Fortunately, the shortest UVC is already absorbed by the ozone layer before it can reach the earth surface. However, both UVB and UVA can reach to the ground level to inflict direct damage on the skin.

UVA can penetrate the dermis layer of the skin to damage the elastic fibre and collagen fibre, making skin lose its elasticity. At the same time, it darkens the epidermis layer, inflicting the greatest damage on skin. Unstoppable by umbrellas and indoor protection, its effects rage unbridled even on cloudy days.

UVB is the main culprit for those unsightly spots. It stimulates the epidermis, activates the self-protecting mechanism, accelerates melanin formation, darkens the skin and causes a surge of wrinkles.

The latest scientific research has proven that the skin cells will suffer irreparable damage when exposed with no protection to the sun, even if it is only for a day. Furthermore, 90% of skin problems are caused by UV rays.

All-Pervading UV Rays

To resist the damage caused by UV rays, it is vital to first develop a correct understanding. Many think that umbrellas and hats can easily replace sunblock products in preventing UV rays. This could not be further from the truth. Umbrellas, hats or long-sleeved shirts can only block the sunlight; they are unable to keep out UV rays. This is the case even at seaside and beaches.

To step up on sun protection, try to avoid exposure to the sun between 11amand 3pm, for this is when UV rays are the strongest and most damaging. However, sun protection should not be carried out only when there is intense sunlight, as UV rays are all-pervading, regardless of seasons, weather or location (indoors and outdoors). UVA can penetrate deep into the dermis layer even if UVB is blocked by the clouds. So do not be deceived and think that UV rays are absent during cloudy days, as this would lead to negligence in preventing the damage caused by UV rays.

SPFand PA

Among the various sunblock products that we have come across, SPF is a phrase that springs up often. This Sun Protection Factor actually refers to the time phase for the skin to resist UV rays. The higher the SPF, the longer the time frame for sun protection, thus the more suitable it is for long-duration outdoor use.

By and large, UVB causes damage and redness to the skin due to sun exposure and most SPF products are designed to resist UVB, so as to prevent skin damage under the sun. On the other hand, UVA is the culprit that causes tanning and spots and is controlled using products with PA indices, which are divided into three ranks based on their sun prevention effects. PA+indicates effective, PA++indicates very effective and PA+++indicates extremely effective.

Choosing the Right Sun Block

There is a wide range of sun block products in the market, presenting more choices than the consumers can handle. We recommend that you refer to the criteria below for choosing a good sun block.

1. Functions: Good sunblock products should possess sun protection, skincare and safety functions.

a) Sun Protection: Prevent tanning and damage due to sun exposure

b) Skincare: Anti-oxidant, free radicals scavenger, no irritation

c) Safety: Non-allergic, non-carcinogenic

2. Safety: Generally, these are the mechanisms used in sunblock products in the market:

a) UV Rays Absorbents: Sun protection by the application of chemicals, has irritation and safety

concerns. Hence most of the ingredients are strictly controlled. Be cautious when choosing such

sunblocks. If they contain Benzophenone-3 and Benzophenone-4, they are more dangerous.

Specifically, they should not contain Octyl Dimethyl PABAas research has verified that this substance

carries carcinogenic effects.

b) UV Rays Blockers: Sun protection by the application of physics, safe but not easy to produce, will

coagulate. The safest and most effective blockers are Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide.

3. Ingredients: Good sunblock products should contain anti-oxidants and free radical eliminators. If

they carry multiple nourishing ingredients, these would just go to waste. The addition of fruit acid into

sunblock products would offset the original effects and achieve results to the contrary. This is not

what an ideal sunblock should be.

Nur Syahid, a Natural Aromatherapist, specializes in Bio-Tech Aromatherapy including oxygen therapy, ozone therapy, health aromatherapy. Comments, Share and more info E-mail to : Healthybelair@yahoo.com