In part 1 we talked about how to apply our foundation and blush to look natural. Now we’ll discuss lipstick and eye make up

So here we go Makeup Tips Part 2 or… "How to apply eye make without looking like you’ve gone 3 rounds with Joe Frazier"

In other words don’t overdo it. Subtle is the word here!

Eyeshadow - There’s a rainbow of colours now available, unlike when I grew up, green and blue were almost all that we could get (boring!) So have fun and experiment, but bear a few tips in mind.

Keep bright colours for evening use only.

Don’t use frosted, glitter or metallic shadows if you’re over about 25! You’ll accentuate any fine lines. There’s also a theory that the small glitter particles can pass through the fine eyelid membranes and lodge in the eye. (I don’t know for sure if this is true, but it’s enough to make your eyes water!)

Use dark colours to shrink and light colours for emphasis.

Blend blend blend blend! between colours. Use a brush or fingers (gently does it)

Use a lighter colour on the inner edge of eyes to "open" and darker colours on the outer edge for a dramatic look.

It’s best to use no more than 2 colours at a time (unless you’re super clever) Make sure to use the same colour tone. Hot colours are bronze, taupe and gold. Sheer colours will look more natural.

*Special tip* - Don’t use an eye shadow that’s the same colour as your eyes. Contrast will bring our your eye colour better. For example if your eyes are blue use a brown or taupe shade. Brown eyes look fabulous with most colours - except brown.

Mascara - If you only do one thing then make it mascara! It has the most impact of all make up.

Start at the root of the lashes and move up. Make sure you include the tiny lashes at the inner corners.

Put an extra coat on the outer corners too. This will make your eyes look "larger".

Wipe brush with a tissue to remove any "blobs".

Don’t use a lash comb afterwards, instead use a clean wand (wash your old one and use that)

If adding a second coat, do it before the first one dries.

Mascara can "go off" quickly. Replace every 4 months to avoid eye infections.

Don’t overdo it. Too much will stick your lashes together and look unnatural.

To widen eyes, use an eyelash curler - before applying mascara.

If your eyelashes are very sparse, try false lashes, these can look great if applied properly!

*Special tip* - If you have small eyes, don’t use mascara on your bottom lashes. This can make your eyes appear smaller.

Eyebrows - Pluck only under your brows to create a good shape. If your brows tend to meet in the middle then you can pluck here too, but be careful. A beautician can wax this area for you the first time so you can maintain it yourself in future.

If you have sparse or light eyebrows use a pencil one shade darker than your brows, but no darker than your hair colour. Blondes are best using a light brown pencil.

If your brows already look good, try adding some shine with a slick of Vaseline or sheer lip gloss.

Use a brush to blend pencil at all times.

*Special tip* - If your eyes are too close together, start your brows more toward the middle of the eye. Try this with a pencil first. Don’t pluck before you’re sure it suits you!

Lipstick - The best thing I can tell you about lipstick is to use a lip brush. Yes it takes a little longer to apply, but you’ll get an even application of colour and stay within the lip line.

Make sure your lips aren’t dry or flaky, use Vaseline or moisturizer before applying lipstick.

If your lips are too thin, draw a line just slightly outside your normal lip line with a lip liner pencil (careful!)

If you want your lips to be the focal point of your face, use a strong colour and use less eye make-up.

For lasting colour that doesn’t come off on your coffee cup (or his cheek!), blot lips and re apply. Blot again.

Use a gloss over your lippie for impact!

Practice makes perfect when applying make up. If you do it often enough, you’ll be able to apply make-up in the dark, without a mirror and with both hands tied behind your back (Just joking but you know what I mean!)

Copyright 2005 Wendy Owen

Like to have better looking skin? http://www.holistic-facial-skin-care.com will give you detailed information on natural skin care and chemical free products. The author, Wendy Owen has had a lifetime interest in general and alternative health and beauty. Sign up for a free book "75 Beauty Tips" and other gifts!

Do you want your life story to be a long and joyous one, without having every line written on your face?

Yes, we all do! Is there anyone who doesn’t want to look as good as they can, for as long as they can?

While there are some very quick fixes such as, minor to major cosmetic surgeries, there are some less extreme measures that you can use to look and feel younger on a daily basis.

(1) Check your attitude!

How do you feel about life?

Is your life going the way you want it to?

Do you take responsibility for what you have created, good or bad?

How about accepting who you are?

Be grateful for what you have, family, friends, a job etc. Then do an assessment of the things you want to change, if any.

Watch your self-talk, if you wouldn’t say those things to others, don’t say them to yourself!

Be aware of why you want to make any change in your life. It must be something you have committed to, else you will most likely fail and add one more reason to criticize yourself.

(2)Know your nutritional needs!

What you eat has a huge impact on how you look and feel.

The foods you eat help make and maintain soft, smooth, glowing skin.

Wrinkle free skin is important in any anti-aging effort.

The recommended daily food requirements are good guidelines, but you must know how to balance your food intake to keep your body performing at its best.

At any given age, we might need to boost specific nutrients or hormones.

Get regular checkups!

Eat fresh fruits and vegetables as snacks, instead of over-processed manufactured "fast foods".

Try not to rush your meals.

When food is not given enough time to be digested properly, it becomes a burden on your body, causing un-neccessary wear and tear and premature aging!

(3)Take timeouts!

When was the last time you had some fun?

A good laugh?

If you cannot remember, it’s been too long!

Even if you must laugh at yourself, find something to laugh about.

Old photos, old clothes you’ve kept that you will never wear again, find something, anything.

What about pampering?

Done anything special for yourself lately?

A facial, or manicure?

In -home or at a salon, it doesn’t really matter.

It’s the time you spend just focusing on yourself that will make you feel special and cared for.

We all need that!

(4)Be interested and interesting!

Yes, we are all short on time, we are busy people, but you must make time to be interested in others, your community, the world. You will find that is the only way to be interesting yourself.

Learn something new, a language, a new style of cooking or dance. Learn about a culture that’s different than your own.

Ageless, interesting individuals always seem to want to know more about life.

Try not to pry or judge, just be open to sharing opinions and knowledge.

(5)Groomimg is ageless!

When did you last update your looks?

A new hair style or wardrobe is a very effective anti-aging tactic.

Today there are so many flattering styles of dressing, everyone of us can find one that works perfectly for us.

Subtle changes in hair coloring can make you look years younger.

Lose a few pounds if you need to.

There is a diet that will work for you.

Find skin care that’s right for your skin type.

Take care of your nails and teeth.

Beautiful well cared for hands is a must for you, if you want to appear younger!

Anti-aging is more a matter of making the most of what you have, than the sporadic and temporary results gained by invasive and expensive surgeries.

Agelessness is more about maintenance over the long-term than any qick fixes.

Meaningful beauty is not just smooth skin (which is nice) but it is also an outlook on life, your life.

Treat yourself and others with respect.

Balance your physical, emotional and spiritual life.

No one else can or will do it for you!

Get rest when you need it, play when you have the opportunity.

Own your emotions, accept responsiblity for your actions, apologise for your mistakes, give and accept praise gracefully.

One of the best ways to anti-age yourself is to not only look good, but to be pleasant and interesting to be around!

Yvonne has been helping her family, friends and customers choose effective and affordable skin care for over 30 years. She invites you to come visit her and make some great skin care selections of your own, at http://www.herbalhealthyskin.com

It’s vacation time, and you need the perfect tan. Not the splotchy burns or tan lines of last year, but an even, healthy golden glow all over your body. Tanning salon? Spray on lotions? Those are definitely options, but if you love the feeling of a natural tan at the beach, and the ambience of lying outside near the surf, read on.

Yes, it’s a fact the sun’s natural rays can be harmful. Skin cancer is rising, and sunburns are a constant threat. Does this mean the end of feeling the sand beneath your toes and listening to the soothing sounds of the ocean? No, of course not! You can tan more safely. There are a few easy steps to take beforehand to prepare yourself:

1. Smooth yourself – A few days or weeks before you head to the beach, before you shower every morning, buff your skin with a body brush in gentle, circular motions to ensure smooth skin and better circulation. During your shower, exfoliate with a soft body scrub to brush away dead and dry skin. This will give your skin a soft, even surface for your tan.
2. Moisten – After your shower, take the time to apply a rich body cream to seal in moisture and keep your skin feeling smooth. A daily moisturizer is essential to minimize damage to your skin from UV rays. After tanning, it doesn’t hurt to apply a cream to your skin again. If you’re on vacation, you’ll probably shower before heading out for a night on the town, so this would be the perfect time for a moisturizer.

Once you’re in the sun, limit yourself to a few hours a day, and try to avoid sun tanning during the peak hours of 11 AM and 2 PM. Always use sunscreen, as a full sun on unprotected skin is bad no matter what. A lotion with SPF 6 to 15 will still allow you to tan, based on your skin type. A good tan should take a few days. Tanning too fast is dangerous and could lead to burning and long term damage. The idea is to tan slowly. Because the act of tanning is your body’s defensive response to the sun’s rays, you don’t want to overdo it. Gradually, as you get darker, your skin will raise its natural SPF to about 3 or 4. Certainly not enough to protect you for prolonged periods, but enough for your body to know it’s hot out there. The idea is to look like you’re enjoying your summer. Keep practicing step 1 and 2 every morning before you go out.

The perfect tan means minimizing tan lines. One method is to wear a bikini and periodically adjust your straps. Another idea is a tan through swimsuit, which allows part of the sun’s rays to penetrate the fabric. The straps will still need periodic adjusting due to the knitted seams, but you have the ability to tan your entire body, even while wearing a 1-piece bathing suit, should you so desire.

Practise this daily regime, and you’ll have a great tan by the end of the week. If you treat your skin right, the sun will again be your friend. Have fun at the beach.

Chris is the author and owner of http://www.no-tan-lines.com, an information and resource site on tan through clothing, tanning tips and beach sportswear.

Why to let people know your age when you can keep them guessing? But shedding off years from your appreance isnt always a piece of cake. At times, it can present a picture where you are trying a bit too hard which you should avoid. But there are some magic tips which you can always use to hide your age

1) Give special attention to neck while moisturising your face. Neck reflects your age.

2) Regularly follow a routine of cleansing, toning and moisturising your skin.

3) Frame your face well with layers instead of keeping it all in one length while getting a haircut for yourself.

4) Dont apply too much of make-up. It echoes your frustration related to your ageing skin.

5) Always go in for cream-based cheek color over powdered one.

6) Caramels, dusty pinks topped with gloss make make the lips much younger.

7) Avoid brown, deep mauves, matte reds.

8) For those with glasses, opt in for coloured plastic glasses rather than metal frames.

9) Choose from grey or brown eyeliners. NO BLACK EYELINERS.

10) Fringes and bangs look very cute and throws you into your earlier times.

11) Take special care of your eyebrows. Its very important in taking off years from your face. Go for a medium thick brow that looks like it’s naturally in good shape.

12) Most important of all, Quit Smoking right now. It infacts make you look much older than you are. Get some Quit Smoking painlessly: Effective Tips at http://www.weightloss-health.com/quit_smoking_ways.htm

THE IDEA IS TO PAMPER YOURSELF WITH THESE ANTI-AGEING TIPS which can really do wonders for you.

About the Author:
Jasdeep
For http://weightloss-health.com/ your complete and most comprehensive family guide on Health.

Also get free tips and tricks on Skin Care and a chance to go through other informative articles targetting various health issues at Skin Care Tips and Products

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Now with today’s scientific breakthroughs and discoveries you can defy the signs of aging and look great at any age. Whether you want to correct years of sun damage or you want to prevent wrinkles before they start these seven age defying techniques will give you the ability to stop the aging process dead in it’s tracks, protect and repair your skin and promote younger healthier skin.

Avoid Direct Sunlight – Research indicates that about 90% of skin changes that begin in your 30’s and 40’s stem directly from the cumulative effects of exposure to the sun’s UV radiation. Prolong exposure to the sun at any age can increase your risk of skin cancer. To protect your skin from sun damage , avoid prolong exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 3p.m. when UV rays are the strongest , apply a sunscreen with a SPF 30 or above on all expose skin 20 minutes before going outdoors even if it is a overcast day. UV rays can penetrate clouds and harm unprotected skin.

Don’t Smoke – Smoking ages the appearance of your skin and cause premature wrinkles. The chemicals inhaled from cigarette smoke constrict tiny blood vessels in the skin, reducing the oxygen and nutrient supply to delicate facial tissues. Blood vessel constriction lasts at least an hour after a cigarette has been extinguished.

Nourish Your Skin From The Inside – Drink 8 glasses of water a day. Eat a balance healthy diet. Take antioxidants and vitamins such as green tea, soy, vitamins A, B, C and E all of which are excellent for creating healthy younger skin.

Be Smart About Your Skin Care Products – There truly are amazing skin care products on the market today that can defy the signs of aging, repair and protect your skin. However not all skin care products are created equally. Did you know that a vitamin C product that contains concentrations of less then 5 % is ineffective, or that a topical product that contains collagen won’t increase the collagen in your skin because it’s molecules are simply too large to penetrate the skin. To receive the full benefits of today’s technology and breakthroughs it is essential to become a smart consumer and reach the best products and the most beneficial ingredients that are available.

Don’t Over Exfoliate – Exfoliation is one of the best renewal processes for your skin. It helps to shed the top layer of dead skin cells, unclog pores, makes skin more receptive to moisturizer and improves the look and feel of your skin. However dermatologists’ caution that the over use of exfoliating products can leave the skin dry, red, irritated and more vulnerable to sun damage. You should not use exfoliating products such as AHA products, micro-dermabrasion treatments or facial scrubs more then twice a week.

Before Going To Bed Use An Antioxidant & Vitamin Enriched Moisturizer – Research has confirmed that our skin’s ability to absorb active ingredients from skin care products is greatest at night. This makes bed time the best time to topical nourish your skin with antioxidants and vitamins.

Use Cosmetics Fortified With Vitamins & Antioxidants – Cosmetics formulated with vitamins and antioxidants have been found to have therapeutic benefits for your skin and to aid in the promotion healthier skin.

Eileen Hammel is a Nationally & Internationally Recognized Image, Style and Beauty Expert Ms.Hammel is President of Smarter Image, Smart Skin Care-Smart Cosmetics by Smarter Image and Smart Grooming By Smarter Image. http://www.smartskincaresmartcosmetics.com/

HGH is produced naturally, in everyone, by the pituitary gland. After the age of 23, your natural HGH levels begin to decline and you may start to experience the affects of aging. This includes weight gain, decrease in energy, lack of sex drive, low endurance, muscle atrophy and more.

HGH therapy comes in several forms. The first is by injecting Human Growth Hormone directly into your bloodstream. This invasive procedure can only be prescribed by a physician. Injectable HGH therapy was originally intended for children with stunted growth but physicians soon correlated the benefits to be helpful in trying to offset or delay the aging process and resulting health risks associated with getting older. Doctors are now liberally distributing this substance to elderly patients seeking to slow the effects of aging. The main problem associated with injectable Human Growth Hormone is that it often costs upwards of $3000 a month. That’s $36,000 a year and it is not covered by insurance. Additionally, this invasive therapy comes with some health risks. Side effects such as allergic reactions, fever, and swelling are just a few of the risks associated with the injectable form of therapy.

Due to the steep costs and risks of certain side effects associated with this invasive form of therapy, explorations of alternatives have become popular. Alternative HGH therapies include “All-natural supplements, including capsules, powders, and sprays. There is one very important point to understand about these types of Human Growth Hormone therapy. They do not offer “actual” HGH. The only way to get actual Human Growth Hormone is by having it injected directly into your bloodstream via syringe, physician, and prescription. I have seen, in this crowded marketplace, several products promoting themselves as “HGH” in a spray. This is impossible because HGH is a large unstable molecule that cannot pass thru the membranes in the mouth. Furthermore, it is illegal to provide true-form HGH without a prescription. The goal of alternative therapies is to stimulate your own body’s pituitary gland to produce more Human Growth Hormone on its own. These all-natural therapies have several benefits. Whether the HGH therapy is termed “all-natural”, “homeopathic”, or spray form, the fact is that these alternatives are only around 2% of the cost of the injectable Human Growth Hormone.

What should I choose?

With HGH alternative supplements saturating the market, it is very difficult to make a decision as to what is right for you. What is the most effective, safe, practical, and affordable solution available? Sprays remain suspect because of the premise behind them. As stated earlier in our report, we have found that is impossible for a spray to deliver actual HGH sublingually. Furthermore, administering accurate doses sublingually presents a challenge for sprays. Additional drawbacks are the potential binders and fillers that are present in this form of therapy. Lastly, taste remains a concern with all sprays. Powders are less popular and prevalent on the market. Having to measure proper mixes and portions is a hassle that I would prefer not to deal with but may be a preference for those that find pills and capsules intolerable.

Most of the “all-natural” capsules, pills, and tablets are similar in what they promise to offer. I have found that Ultimate HGH™ and GenF20™ HGH releasers are two of the more popular and effective HGH supplements, in capsule form, that stimulate your own pituitary gland to produce more HGH naturally. Neugenisis™ is new to the market but offers its HGH releasing formula infused with rich antioxidants promoting additional Wellness benefits. Additionally, Neugenisis™ is promoted in a package that includes another logical Antiaging product, a topical anti-wrinkle cream. Neugenisis™, on its own (individually) measures up well to all the stand-alone HGH releasing products available. Neugenisis™ is different in that it provides additional antioxidant properties and is an effective product in a system that was created to offer the most Antiaging benefits available. New research suggests the benefit of combining all-natural HGH releasing compounds with skin rejuvenating topical crèmes.

The Longevity System

With higher HGH levels come improved elasticity of the skin, strengthened nails, and enhanced skin rejuvenation. One of the main ingredients in all the HGH releasing products mentioned is L-Arginine. L-Arginine is involved with the production of new skin and connective tissue. It is essential to the formation of collagen and boasts many benefits that relate to skin repair and rejuvenation. NeuLife Laboratories has brought a new combination to the market and offers the “Longevity System”, featuring a high-grade HGH releaser in caplet form, Neugenisis™ (with active ingredient L-Arginine), and an aggressive topical anti-wrinkle crème, Neuderma™. Neuderma ™compliments the HGH benefits provided by Neugenisis™. Neuderma™ is an aggressive topical anti-wrinkle cream which includes the benefits of Pentapeptide technology (Matrixyl and Argireline). In my research, I have established that both products, Neugenisis™ and Neuderma™ , can stand individually as “A” list products but as a system, Neulife Laboratories has created a niche that, up to this point, has not been filled. Both, HGH releasing supplements and skin crèmes, can run upwards of $100.00 each. With this new system, you get the all-natural HGH releasing supplement and the topical Antiaging, anti-wrinkle crème, for approximately the same cost of some individual products.

If you can tolerate the costs and potential side effects of invasive HGH injections, this form of therapy may provide the quickest benefit of Human Growth Hormone. If you seek alternatives, sprays and powders have more limits than potential benefits. It is my opinion that a system of therapy, including a HGH releaser and a topical wrinkle crème, can provide the ultimate package for those seeking Antiaging benefits. NeuLife Laboratories has introduced the “Longevity System” to provide the comprehensive benefits that many seek but seldom find.

Ms. Bardley frequently submits her opinion-based columns to Longevity focused health forums. She sits on the Longevity advisory board for nutritional sciences and contributes to National publications centered on Anti-Aging developments.

Dry skin has a parched look caused by its lack of ability to retain moisture. Characteristics of dry skin are fine pores, dryness, fine lines, roughness, tight, uncomfortable feeling, and dull appearance. If your skin feels the same, it’s a fair bet you’ve got a dry complexion.

Dry skin is caused by too little sebum in the lower levels of skin and too little moisture in the upper levels. It feels tight and itchy after washing. It requires soothing care to look its best. It is essential to take proper care to hydrate it. Only then you can begin to enjoy a new, softer skin.

Dry skin is very reactive to the environment and hates extremes of cold, heat and wind. It tends to peel and has a tendency to premature ageing with the emergence of fine lines and wrinkles. There is a difference between a dehydrated skin and a dry skin. While the dehydrated skin is simply thirsty, dry skin needs extra care in adapting a beauty regime to nourish the weakened corneal layer. While dealing with dry skin, your objective should always be to restore tone to the lipids in the corneal layer.

Every dermatologist’s advice: you must cleanse according to your skin type. Dry skin must be cleansed without removing the skin’s protective film. So you should opt for a thick milk cleanser and rinse with flower water. Your moisturizing cream should be rich in repairing agents containing ceramides, which reduce the salt content and slow down the evaporation of water in the skin.

Face Masks for dry skin:

1. Mix 2 tablespoons honey with 2 teaspoons milk. Smooth over face and throat. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

2. Mash apricots mix it with warm olive oil to form a paste. Apply it on your face and leave it for 10 minutes, then wash off.

Some helpful tips for dealing with dry skin:

1. Drink one and half litre of water every day to retain the hydration rate of your skin cells. Also, it benefits your overall health.

2. Maximize the effects of hydration by adding the essential oil, angelica, to your day and night creams.

3. Make sure to abandon water based cleansers.

4. Try iris flower, as it is excellent for retaining moisture in the skin.

5. Always opt for creams with ceramides.

6. Eat a balanced diet including fresh fruits and vegetables.

7. Stay away from soft drinks, sugar and other junk foods.

Homemade solutions for dry, flaky skin: 1. Place a sprinkling of sugar in your palm and dampen with water. Gently massage on the flaky areas. Rinse. 2. Rub half of an apple on skin to help even out the texture.

Caring for all the skin types here: http://www.ultimate-cosmetics.com/beauty/skin-care/skin-types.htm

Tania Jain - For http://www.ultimate-cosmetics.com . Find lots of makeup and beauty tips here with loads of information on skin care and skin disorders. Get addicted at our exciting forums – http://forums.ultimate-cosmetics.com You are free to publish the above article in your ezine or website, provided the credit is given to the author and a hyperlink (HTML clickable) is given to http://www.ultimate-cosmetics.com

There comes a time in everybody’s life when we start to consider the implications of growing old and the possibilities of using one of the many different anti-aging treatments that are available. Coincidentally, this time of life is usually around the same time we discover our first wrinkle or laughter line. These first signs normally become apparent in your 30s or 40s if you are lucky and while that is the first time we will be likely to consider using anti-aging treatment, we really should start using it earlier than this. By keeping our skin healthy from an earlier age we are at least prolonging the aging effect as long as possible.

If you do leave it until the very first signs of wrinkles it is possible to still do something about it. When the first wrinkles do materialise, don’t ignore them. Denial is the worst possible move at this point. Application of a good anti-aging cream may help remove some of the wrinkles and stop new lines forming.

How do anti-aging products work?

Good anti-aging treatments are far from being a miracle cream, and contain vital nutrients and vitamins that are proven to help rejuvenate the skin. Most contain Retinol, a form of Vitamin A that has proven in recent studies to have a considerable rejuvenating effect on aging skin.

Other types of treatment use different chemicals and vitamins to improve the look of your aging skin.

The collagen molecules in skin begin to break down as we age and this is what creates the wrinkles and lines on our faces. Most anti-aging creams are only able to contain partial collagen molecules because they are too large to enter the skin by use of a lotion. Hydroderm have developed the patented Collagen Infusion Delivery System. This innovative formula delivers entire collagen molecules into the skin, which give a healthy and rejuvenated glow taking away the wrinkles and lines associated with old age.

Dermabrasion is one of the oldest known treatments, developed in 105 by a German dermatologist. Originally created for the treatment of acne scars, it has been successfully used for many decades to remove many forms of skin abrasions and can even be used for the safe removal of tattoos. Dermabrasion patients do suffer a certain amount of rawness and slight pain in their faces once the treatment is complete and an opaque yellow fluid drains from the sites but this is perfectly normal and should be expected. The scabs that this liquid leaves can easily be removed with wet cloths.

Surgeons who carry out laser Dermabrasion insist it is a far superior form of Dermabrasion because the use of the laser facilitates much more accuracy and, therefore, better results.

Microdermabrasion utilises a fine mist of crystals that smoothen the skin and a vacuum action that removes dead outer layers of skin giving you smooth, soft surface alleviating the appearance of aging skin.

Microdermabrasion treats sun damaged skin, age spots, wrinkles, fine lines and just about every type of aging skin problem you may face. An entire program of Microdermabrasion can take as little as half an hour to complete and there is little discomfort and no side effects. Any skin colour can be treated and upon completion of the program the user can return to a normal daily life.

On the discovery of Microdermabrasion several years ago, it was first necessary to go to a professional dermatologist in order to receive the treatment however, now you can buy a home Microdermabrasion kit so you can do it yourself from the comfort of your own home.

Summary

The appearance of aging skin is an inevitable symptom of modern living. The increasing toxins in today’s society act like poisons upon our skin. This in turn causes acne and nasty abrasions to the skin that can be difficult to get rid of.

Dermatological studies have been conducted with many nutrients and vitamins and these can be used to help prevent the aging process. Botox and other such harsh treatments can be avoided with the use of creams or delicate dermatological procedures.

Dermabrasion, Microdermabrasion and Hydroderm are excellent examples of these. They are widely available either through chemists or, in the case of laser Dermabrasion from a dermatologist through your local hospital.

Using any of these treatments can help alleviate the appearances associated with aging and the toxins in modern society. The key is to start taking care of your skin at the earliest possible opportunity.

© 2005 Jenna Keys

Jenna Keys is Editor of http://www.my-skin-care.biz, an online resource for skin care and anti aging treatments.

I love Vogue and W. Like Playgirl and Playboy, they have plenty of terrific articles but the draw for me is really the pictures. Along with thousands of other women, each month I leaf through the seemingly hundreds of pages of the newest issues of Vogue and W. I learn about the styles and looks that designers hope will catch on in two seasons (silk and tulle when many of us are shopping for heavy cottons and wools … or vice versa) and fashions which I can’t afford or don’t fit my lifestyle. That’s not to say that all the contents are fashion forward; the ads are right in the moment.

[Next to the pictures, my favorite is the headlines. For example, “Gwyneth takes Paris!” (what does that mean exactly?), “GREAT LENGTHS, The New Lust for Long Hair” (really?), “SECRETS OF THE SUPER BRIDES” … compared to those, how lame is “GREAT beauty resources?”]

I’m always disappointed when I get to the end of Vogue and W; then I put them aside and “forget” about them. While it’s important to know what’s “happening,” isn’t the trick to selecting great (beauty) resources in choosing those that help you enhance your lifestyle and further your interests and goals?

So, considering my age, health and fitness level (which I plan to maintain … my health and fitness, that is), I pick up InStyle, Allure, More, pilatesstyle, Prevention … oh, and anything with anti-aging in the title. While I browse, I also want to learn how to “Cut Cancer Risk, 30 steps to take now,” “WALK OFF WEIGHT THIS WINTER, Our easy 7-day plan” (easy?), “AGE-PROOF BEAUTY, THIS STUFF WORKS!,” “134 NEW FALL LOOKS … and how to wear them” (!!!). There’s always a tip or trick to learn and, much more importantly, I can relate.

Thankfully, the beauty industry and magazines have evolved from covering the prevailing fashions to helping women adapt the current modes and offering them choices for their lifestyles and purses (notably, InStyle and Style network’s show “The Look for Less”). While the focus is still stubbornly on youth (which is hard to understand with the number of baby-boomers who have plenty of disposable income), any number of resources are on the market with tips, trends, techniques .. and pictures.

What are “great” beauty resources for me won’t necessarily work for you, of course, since “great” is so subjective. You have your own style and focus which makes you unique and attractive. The GREAT beauty resources are the ones that help each one of us enhance our individuality … and maybe they include Vogue and W.

© Copyright 2005. Charlotte Maddox. All rights reserved.

Charlotte is an experienced independent beauty consultant with Mary Kay Inc.

Register on Charlotte’s Mary Kay Inc. web site to receive a monthly email newsletter, Beaut-e-News(tm), with tips & techniques and a seasonal mailing of the "The Look" catalog with free samples plus the latest in skin care and color looks (complete privacy ensured).

http://www.marykay.com/charlottemaddox

Although it is obviously not possible to turn the clock back entirely, we can take many steps now to ensure that not only do we slow down the aging process, but we can also reverse many of the signs of aging that we may presently be experiencing.

The biggest key in the fight against aging is of course our diet and nutrition. The old adage, "you are what you eat" is absolutely true! It is impossible to expect to be healthy and vital if we are not eating the nutrients we need to keep our bodies performing at its best.

I truly believe that the increase in lifestyle diseases that we are presently seeing is in great part due to poor diets and junk food. It is very important to try to increase the amount of whole foods that we eat and decrease the amount of processed foods that we eat.

Processed foods have almost no nutrients left in them … they are considered "empty calories". But even worse than that, the preservatives, additives and chemicals that are in these processed foods interfere with many bodily functions including hormones. These chemical toxins are called "xenoestrogens" and they often trigger a condition called "Estrogen Dominance".

What is Estrogen Dominance? Simply explained, it is when the ratio of Estrogen and Progesterone get out of whack and you have higher levels of estrogen, compared to progesterone. There are many things in our modern society that contribute to this imbalance including birth control pills, caffeine, alcohol and xenoestrogens (which are caused by external toxins and pollutants like detergents, pesticides, plastics etc.), as well as impaired liver function and even stress!

The hormonal imbalances caused by Estrogen Dominance have many negative effects on the body and can make you feel a lot older by triggering many symptoms like poor memory, "foggy brain", weight gain and difficulty losing weight, increased facial hair, decreased sex drive, vaginal dryness, darkened skin pigmentation, water retention and much, much more. Estrogen Dominance also increases the risk of many lifestyle diseases like cancer, fibrocystic breasts, breast cancer, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and much more.

Estrogen Dominance is much more common than people think, thanks to the world we live in. And it is happening to women at younger and younger ages, even to women in their twenties or thirties! So how do you combat estrogen dominance? One of the most important changes you can make is losing weight if you are overweight, since this triggers a vicious cycle of hormonal imbalances and weight gain, especially in the abdominal area.

But of course, how you lose weight is just as important, if not more, than just losing weight. If you lose weight following unhealthy weight loss diets, you could be unbalancing your hormones even more. The better method is to lose weight in a slow, steady fashion by eating healthy, nutritious food and NOT starving yourself.

If instead of following an unhealthy diet, you follow a healthy eating program you will not only lose weight, but will have many health benefits as well. Check out these little-known, powerful anti-aging benefits you get from eating a healthy, balanced diet:

- Eating a healthy diet decreases free radical production through proper nutrition, which is a powerful anti-aging technique, as well as decreasing the risk of developing different types of cancer

- Eating healthy also helps to promote anti-aging by lowering cholesterol and triglycerides to healthy levels

When you follow a healthy diet and do not skip meals or starve yourself, you actually speed up your metabolism and increase fat burning capabilities. Dieting is one of the best ways of slowing down your metabolism, which of course makes losing weight very difficult. Yo-yo dieting is a good example of this. Each time you lose weight and gain it back, you are slowing down your metabolism so that each subsequent diet gets harder and harder to lose weight.

- It is also possible to make a few simple changes to your diet so that the food you eat stabilises your blood sugar levels and reduces insulin and improves insulin resistance … ultimately decreasing the risk of Diabetes. And did you know that Insulin is a major culprit in weight gain?

- And here is a very powerful anti-aging secret: eating a healthy, balanced diet supports your liver! If your liver works better, your body detoxifies more efficiently, which improves all areas of your health (including cellulite reduction the natural way), as well as supporting your immune system which is of course very important for good health

And not only do unhealthy diets unbalance your hormones, one thing that many people don’t think about when they decide to lose weight following unhealthy fast weight loss diets: the faster you lose weight, the bigger the chances that you will be left with loose, sagging skin! A healthy eating program decreases the chances of having loose, sagging skin, because you lose weight in a slow, steady way, which gives your body a chance to firm up your skin. There are also many foods you can eat that promote healthy, firm skin tone. (The "Diet Free … At Last!" Weight Loss Program teaches which foods promote anti-aging and also which foods you can eat to help to improve skin tone and prevent loose, sagging skin.)

About the author

Geri Richard is the owner of the "Diet Free … At Last!" Weight Loss Program website. This program teaches you how to lose weight the healthy way, without hunger, food cravings or starving yourself on endless diets. It even includes a free e-book that focuses on how to reverse aging and improve your health and quality of life. Visit the website at http://www.weightloss-dietfree.com to see how you can get this free e-book.

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