Friday, December 11, 2009

Common Cold Remedies Debunked!


Omega-3 Pill
If you don't like or eat a lot of fish, pop an omega-3 supplement daily to reap the fatty acid's impressive immune-fortifying properties. Omega-3s increase the activity of phagocytes—cells that fight flu by eating up bacteria—according to a study by Britain's Institute of Human Nutrition and School of Medicine. Other research shows that omega-3s increase airflow and protect lungs from colds and respiratory infections.

Look for purified fish oil capsules that contain at least 1 g combined of EPA and DHA.

Astragalus
This Chinese root is shown to stimulate the white blood cells that fight infection, says Prevention advisor Andrew Weil, MD. A study published in 2007 found that astragalus appears to boost immunity in mice. And a pilot study suggests that the herb may have similar effects in people. However, keep in mind that astragalus may take 6 to 8 weeks to reach its full effect.

Echinacea
If taken at the start of a cold, this herb might shorten duration and severity of symptoms. But some brands don't contain the amount of echinacea listed on the label—and some formulas have none at all. Possible side effects include wheezing, rash, and diarrhea.

Vitamin D
This power nutrient may effectively boost immunity and help prevent colds, a Harvard study shows. People with the lowest vitamin D levels were 36% more likely to have upper respiratory infections, compared with those with the most D. (Asthma patients with low levels of D were nearly 6 times as likely to get sick as those with the greatest amounts.) Adequate amounts of D help produce cathelicidin, a protein with virus-killing qualities.

Since it's tough to get enough from sunlight or diet (fish and fortified dairy are the best sources), you'll need a supplement to attain optimal levels, says study author Carlos A. Camargo Jr., MD. Aim for at least 1,000 IU daily.

Cold-fX
Consider taking this supplement, which contains North American ginseng extract, when you feel a cold coming on. Subjects who took two daily capsules of Cold-fX (available online) caught half as many colds as a group taking a placebo, according to a study by the Center for Immunotherapy of Cancer and Infectious Diseases at the University of Connecticut. When they did get sick, their symptoms lasted less than half as long. This particular ginseng variety contains compounds that increase white blood cells and interleukins, proteins the immune system relies on.

Airborne
Experts say this supplement, a blend of blend of Zinc, Ginger, Echinacea and other vitamins, minerals, and herbs, does nothing to repel germs on an airplane or anywhere else. It also contains large amounts of vitamin A, which could be toxic if taken several times a day.

Zinc
The research on this mineral is conflicting. Still, "30 mg taken at the very start of a cold will shorten it by about half a day," says David L. Katz, MD, MPH, director of the Yale University Prevention Research Center. Look for Zicam or Cold-Eeze. By slowing the multiplication of the virus in the nose and throat, these products appear to shorten colds.

But don't overdo it. While even a slight deficiency in zinc, which is needed to produce white blood cells, can increase your risk of infection, more than 50 mg daily can suppress your immune system and block absorption of other essential minerals.

Vitamin C
There's certainly no downside to eating a lot of C-rich foods, such as red peppers and citrus fruits. But taking a vitamin for extra protection won't help. A 2007 review of 30 studies found no evidence that vitamin C supplementation prevents colds in the normal population. Plus, megadoses can cause kidney stones, upset stomach, and even internal bleeding in children.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Haircuts for Women 2010

Short Black Hair


Shaved side hair cut / undercut

Pixie crop with longer fringe

Women's Hair Trend 2010

Twists & rope braids


The Top Knot


The chignon


Masculine / androgynous slicked hair


The Slicked Side


1970's inspired flowing texture


Long hair inspired by the 1970s


Long waved hair inspired by the 1940s


Plaited & Braided hair

2009 Hair Cuts and Styles for Men

The Classic Part


The Slick Back


The Fringe


Sunday, December 6, 2009

Scent Seduction For Guys

Men who use cologne are more confident than those who don't.It's body armor around his ego.The smell may fade, but the effect lasts.




1.Banana Republic Republic of Men
smells like clementine, herbs
"Clean, traditional"


2. Usher VIP
bergamot, saffron
"Masculine, mysterious"


3. D&G l'Amoureux
spice, musk
"Stylish, sexy"


4. Zegna Colonia
cedar, florals
"Rugged, virile"


5.Axe Instinct
leather, spice
"Energetic, youthful"


6.Lacoste Challenge
citrus, woods
"Sporty, cool"


7.Yves Saint Laurent
La Nuit de l'Homme
woods, lavender
"Sophisticated, elegant"

Homemade Lavender Water Perfume


Ingredients:

2 cups of lavender flowers
2 pints of boiling distilled water
2 tablespoons vodka
Put the lavender flowers into flameproof container. Now pour on the boiling water. Then stir well. Now cover and leave to infuse for about 48 hours. Also stir occasionally. Strain the liquid through a non-metallic strainer pressing the flowers against the sides to extract the maximum fragrance. Stir in the alcohol, pour into bottles, cover, and label.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Bring Out Your Cheekbones

Enhancing the cheeks has been a trend for several years and now since the make-up application techniques have developed make-up has become even more attractive. Find out how you can get gorgeous cheeks so you can look beautiful every day.
Rosy cheeks have always manged to create a very innocent and sweet look, a look suitable for all occasions. The blushes created nowadays are more subtle and can create a gorgeous effect for all skin types. There are also a variety of colors available to suite different skin tones and preferences.


Because applying the blush improperly can create an unflattering make-up, it is best to choose colors that are softer and are close to your skin tone. You want to emphasize your cheeks not make them stand out on their own. Here are some tips to get gorgeous cheeks so you can look beautiful every single minute:

*to determine the exact area you need to apply the blush it is recommended to stand in front of a mirror and smile. This will emphasize your cheeks and it will reveal the exact spot where you need to apply the blush

*don't apply the blush high towards the hairline as you will create a very unappealing look. Stop at the highest edge of your cheeks and you will have a very subtle, cute look

*the look you should be going for would be a very subtle one so try to avoid applying too much blush. Shake or blow off some the excess powder blush on your brush to avoid applying too much

*avoid applying cream blushes on your skin if you have an oily complexion. Your skin is already oily you don't need creamy make-up to make your cheeks even more shiny. Powder blush will help you create a matte finish, so go for the powder blushes instead

*the more natural looking the blush is, the more natural the effect created will be. Try to use rosy, peach, or brown colored blushes that match and complement your complexion

*choose lighter colors during the day and go for darker shades during the evening as the result will not be as obvious during the night as it is during the day

*Choose the brand that appeals to you most and make sure you emphasize your gorgeous cheeks as best as possible. Your make-up look will be completed by the blush and you will radiate beauty.

How to Treat Blister?

So, you've got a blister. Now what? Doctors recommend you try to keep the blister intact. This means no popping -- no matter how tempting it may be. Remember, the blister is there to protect your skin. It guards your injured skin from coming into contact with bacteria and becoming infected. Cover it with a small bandage. If the blister is too big for a standard-sized bandage, cover it with a porous, nonstick gauze that will allow the blister to breathe.

Sometimes, though, a blister may be quite painful and even prohibit you from wearing any shoes at all. If you do need to drain the blister -- and this should be your last resort -- here's how to do it safely. (Please note: If you have poor circulation or diabetes, consult a doctor before self-treating a blister.)

To relieve a painful blister, you should drain the fluid but leave the skin intact. This isn't for the squeamish, we might add.

1.First, wash your hands and the blister with warm water and soap.
2.Swab the blister and area with iodine or rubbing alcohol.
3.Sterilize a clean and sharp needle by wiping it with rubbing alcohol.
4.Gently puncture the blister in a few spots near the blister edge. Let the fluid drain (applying very gentle pressure if necessary) and do not remove the overlying skin.
5.Immediately apply an antibiotic ointment to the area and cover with a bandage or gauze.
6.After several days, you can cut away the dead skin using sterilized scissors and tweezers.
7.Apply more ointment and a bandage or gauze.
8.Always call your doctor if you see signs of infection around a blister -- redness, pus, warm skin or increasing pain.

If you're already suffering from a blister, use a bandage or moleskin to protect it. Many brands carry bandages sized and shaped especially for high heeled and strappy shoes. Likewise, if you have a "problem area" that always seems to blister, nip it in the bud and place a moleskin or bandage on the area you're worried about.

Moisture is also big culprit in the formation of blisters. You can keep your feet dry by using powder or, in extreme cases, an anti-perspirant.

If, for whatever reason, you think blisters are unavoidable, try some of these measures. Take a page from runners and hikers. Use petroleum jelly or a similar lubricant wherever you think a blister is likely to form or has already formed. The lubrication will prevent further painful friction.

If your feet are sliding forward in your shoes, causing the shoe to rub against your heel as you walk, try some insoles or heel cushions. These keep your feet firmly in your shoes, eliminating rubbing and friction. Another thing to remember -- nobody's feet are the exact same size. One may be slightly bigger or wider than the other, leading to one normal foot and one blistered foot. Grippy insoles and heel cushions can help alleviate this problem for the ill-fitting foot.

Kate Hudson


OLDER: As any surfer girl knows, waves need volume to have a real impact.

YOUNGER: There's a reason they call them beach babes: Tousled waves and bronzed skin look naturally sexy.

Victoria Beckham's pixie cut


If you want to play up your eyes and cheekbones—and you're brave—try Beckham's short pixie. It flatters heart- or oval-shaped faces, but not round ones, says hairstylist Garren of the Garren New York salon, who gave her this cut. "It can be worn on or off the face," he says. "Ask your stylist to make it very feminine, and shaggy at the neckline with short, piecey bangs. The shortest bangs should be one inch long over your forehead. Work a light silicone pomade through your hair, using your hands, for definition."

Hair and Makeup From Prada's Spring 2010 Runway Show


"There's a dark innocence to her."
"The hair is a slightly grunge take on the '60s," Guido told us. "It's a bit '60s with the teasing at the crown, and a bit Brigitte Bardot with the messy bunches of hair." (He used Redken Thickening Lotion to give it a matte texture.)

Rosacea

Description & Prevention
It may come in handy when you're making like Santa Claus, but this chronic skin condition usually leaves you anything but jolly. Rosacea causes the nose and cheeks to suddenly turn beet red, often after eating spicy foods, drinking alcohol or a hot beverage, or being out in hot weather. No one knows what really causes rosacea, although doctors have noticed that fair-skinned women of Irish or Celtic ancestry are genetically predisposed. Rosacea affects about 5% of the population, most often women between the ages of 30 and 40.


Fortunately, keeping rosacea under control is frequently as simple as treating your skin gently and avoiding anything that's known to trigger a flush.


Find a gentle cleanser. Use a liquid facial cleanser that contains sodium lauryl sulfate or disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate. Both ingredients will clean your skin gently and without any stimulation that might cause flushing.


Soothe your skin with chamomile. Since chamomile is known to soothe rosacea-prone skin, use cleansers, soaps, and moisturizers containing chamomile, an herb related to the ragweed family. One caution though: If you are allergic to ragweed, you should avoid these cleansers.


Avoid abrasives. Any type of abrasion can cause a flush. So leave abrasive products such as scrubs, buff puffs, or cleansing powders to others.


Keep wrinkle creams to a minimum. If you have rosacea and want to use an anti-aging cream that contains alpha hydroxy acids to prevent wrinkles, proceed cautiously. Read product labels carefully, and only buy creams that keep the percentage of acid under 2.5%. If package directions urge you to use the cream twice a day, don't push your luck. Use it once a day, tops. If there is any redness at all, discontinue using the product.


Gently apply a cucumber moisturizer. After you cleanse your skin (and also if you apply an alpha hydroxy acid preparation), smooth on moisturizers that contain cucumber extracts. Although no one knows why, cucumber lotions soothe rosacea-prone skin.


Select cosmetics for sensitive skin. Since the chemicals used in most cosmetics will irritate rosacea-prone skin, use only cosmetics that are labeled "for sensitive skin." Although not chemical-free, they usually have fewer and less-irritating chemicals than regular makeup.


Stay in the shade. Stay out of the sun, period. The sun may set off a flare-up, and no cover-up or sunscreen will prevent it.


Use only a titanium dioxide sunscreen. Even in the shade, you're exposed to indirect sunlight, so use a sunscreen whenever you go outside. Avoid all the chemical sunscreens, and stick to a sunscreen that lists titanium dioxide as its major ingredient. It's less irritating to rosacea-prone skin.


Stay cool. Since heat is a major cause of flare-ups, dress in layers of light clothes that you can peel off to keep your body cool, no matter where you are. And take tepid (not hot) baths and showers.


Avoid wool. Wool tends to keep you too warm and seems to cause redness and rashes in those who are prone to rosacea.


Choose cool food. Spicy food is known to make those with rosacea flush. Avoid foods prepared with chili peppers, Tabasco sauce, horseradish, and the like. Try to eat more dark green vegetables such as broccoli, kale, asparagus, and spinach. These foods are high in vitamins A and C, beta-carotene, and bioflavonoids, which can improve rosacea by strengthening capillaries and boosting the immune system.


Don't drink alcohol. Alcohol causes blood vessels in the skin to dilate, making rosacea more noticeable.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Home Remedies For Insect Bites

- Mosquito Bites

-For mosquito bites apply lime juice diluted with water over the bite.
-You can also apply calamine lotion for mosquito bites.
-Apply a salt water solution or paste over the bite, this helps in relieving the itching problem.
-Mix one teaspoon baking soda in one glass of water and rub the solution with a cloth over the bite for 15 to 20 minutes.
-You can apply an antihistamine cream which relieves the itchiness from the bite.
-Applying rubbing alcohol over the bite helps to soothe the itch.
-Apply fresh damp mud on the bite. This can be used for bites similar to this like bug bites, chigger bites and others.
-Take an oat meal bath this will help to reduce the swelling and itchy feeling.
-Rub dry soap over the mosquito bite. It reduces the itchy feeling and the swelling.
-You can also use a banana peel which is to be used inside out. This provides relief from the bites.
-A mixture of pure olive oil and vinegar also helps in relieving the mosquito bite problem.
- Chigger Bites
-Apply clear nail polish on the bites, it provides you quick relief.
-You can rub bacon grease on the affected area as this provides quick relief from the chigger bites.
-Vicks Vapor Rub is another way to cure this problem. The petroleum chokes the chigger and methanol helps in relieving the itch.
-The mixture of camphor and phenol in mineral spirits also helps in shedding this problem.
-A hot water bath is an excellent way of dealing with this problem.
-Rubbing the affected area with Listerine also helps in alleviating this problem.
- Wasp Bites/ Wasp Stings
-First thing first, the bitten area should be cleaned with soap and water solution.
-You can apply a poultice of meat tenderizer or salt over the wasp sting as soon as possible. You can use half a teaspoon of any of the products with water and leave it over the bite for 30 minutes.
-You can use this remedy for wasp itch or wasp sting or fire ant bite. Household ammonia can be use as it helps to minimize the sting produced due to the bite.
- Other Bites
-You can use make a paste by mixing water with cornstarch. Apply this paste if you have been bitten by any poisonous insect like a spider. The paste helps in drawing out the poison from your body.
-You can wash the area with mild soap and water to remove the germs and other allergy provoking substances. This can be done for most of the bites like bug bites.
-A paste of baking soda and water works great for most bites.

Home Remedies for Sore Throats

Rest and Take It Easy
Common sense dictates staying in bed or at least resting when a sore throat's got you down. Taking it easy leaves more energy to fight the infection. If your sore throat doesn't require medical attention, rest will help get you back on the road to recovery.

Gargle
Gargle with turmeric. Try this gargle to calm a cranky throat. Mix together 1 cup hot water, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Gargle with the mixture twice a day. If you're not good with the gargle, mix 1/2 teaspoon turmeric in 1 cup hot milk and drink. Turmeric stains clothing, so be careful when mixing and gargling.

Gargle with warm saltwater. If you can gargle without gagging, make a saline solution by adding 1/2 teaspoon salt to a cup of very warm water. Yes, when your mother told you to gargle with saltwater, she knew what she was talking about. It cuts phlegm and reduces inflammation. Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon salt in 1/2 cup warm water, and gargle every three to four hours.

Gargle with Listerine. Another good gargling fluid is Listerine mouthwash. If you share the product with anyone else in your household, don't drink straight from the bottle; instead, pour a small amount into a cup (and don't share that, either).


Drink Cider Vinegar
This sore throat cure is found in several different remedies. Some doctors still swear that it is surprisingly palatable and works wonders. (Do not give it -- or any other honey-containing food or beverage -- to children under two years of age. Honey can carry a bacterium that can cause a kind of food poisoning called infant botulism and may also cause allergic reactions in very young children.)


1 tablespoon honey, any kind


1 tablespoon vinegar, preferably apple-cider vinegar


8 ounces hot water
Mix all the ingredients together in a mug and sip slowly (but don't let it get cold). Use as often as desired.

For gargling: You'll need 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup cider vinegar, and 1 cup warm water. Dissolve the salt in the vinegar, then mix in the water. Gargle every 15 minutes as necessary.

Use Citrus
Sip lemon juice. Mix 1 tablespoon each of honey and lemon juice in 1 cup warm water and sip away.

Drink lime juice. Combine 1 spoonful with a spoonful of honey and take as often as needed for a sore throat.


Eat a Juicebar
Juice bars are cold and soothing to a hot throat. Don't suck, though. Sucking may irritate the throat even more. Simply let small pieces melt in your mouth.


Drink Hot Liquid
Especially if you're not good at gargling, drink hot fluids, such as coffee, tea or hot lemonade. Coating the tissue in your throat with warm liquid provides a benefit similar to applying hot packs to infected skin. (And sipping hot tea is more pleasant than trying to swallow a hot pack.)

To make a soothing tea, use a spoonful of marjoram steeped in a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes. Strain, then sweeten to taste with honey.


Grab Some Candy
Think of a sore throat as an excuse to indulge your sweet tooth, since some doctors say that sugar can help soothe a sore throat and the ticklish cough that may come with it. If nothing else, sucking on hard candy -- in the sugar-free variety -- can help keep your mouth and throat moist, which will make you feel more comfortable

Keep The Fluid Coming
Drink as much fluid as possible -- at least eight to 10 8-ounce glasses per day. Keeping your throat well lubricated with soothing liquids can prevent it from becoming dry and irritated and may even help banish the infection faster.

Suck On Garlic
This Amish remedy can treat or prevent sore throats. Peel a fresh clove, slice it in half, and place 1 piece in each cheek. Suck on the garlic like a cough drop. Occasionally, crush your teeth against the garlic, not to bite it in half, but to release its allicin, a chemical that can kill the bacteria that causes strep.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Twilight Inspired Make Up and Hair


Glowing Skin
Twilight's vampires may sparkle like diamonds in the sun, but mortals like us look best with just a touch of strategically placed highlighter. Sweep a cream or powder along the tops of the cheekbones, then dab what's left on one finger on the tip of your nose (trust us—it balances the look). A golden hue is best for dark skin, while a champagne-colored or pinkish shade flatters fairer skin tones. And everyone should avoid colors that are too frosty—they can make skin look ashen.

Just-Bitten Lips
No need to draw blood to get the effect—a lip stain in a cherry or berry shade, applied more heavily in the middle of the mouth, will do the trick. Draw on a liquid stain or dab a deep berry or burgundy lipstick onto your mouth with your fingers, and press lips together.

Smooth Hair
It rains over 100 inches a year in Forks—so where's the frizz? We're guessing it's keeping the movie-set hairstylists pretty busy—unless they, too, have found the only secret weapon that works: the MIT research that went into the Living Proof No Frizz line of stylers. Instead of temporarily masking fuzz with loads of silicones that weigh down your hair, these products form a feather-light coating over hair that actually keeps humidity from seeping in and wreaking havoc in the first place.

Pale Skin
What do beauty editors and the Cullen kids have in common? You got it—a fear of the sun. But you don't have to hide in a cave to keep your skin protected; just make sure to slick on a broad-spectrum sunscreen (they protect you from both UVA and UVB rays) before leaving the house. The most potent sun-blocking ingredients include Mexoryl, Helioplex and Active Photobarrier Complex .Choose at least an SPF 30, and really slather it on—it takes a teaspoon or two of cream to protect your face and another few to keep your neck shielded.

Sexy Eyes
First, apply a chestnut shadow over your lids just up to the crease. The important thing is to choose one with a matte, powdery consistency—creams and shimmers reflect too much light. Then line both the upper and lower lash lines with a soft-tipped chocolate-colored pencil, and smudge with your fingertips.

An Even Complexion
Even with all the sunscreen in the world, those who actually venture outside in the daylight are destined to earn some dark spots on their skin. To lighten them, dab spots every night with a cream containing 2 percent hydroquinone or both niacinamide and glucosamine. When used along with SPF 30 sunscreen, they should fade in three to six months. A glycolic acid peel used once a week can help speed things up.

Shiny Hair
Whether you've got long, straight locks like Bella or an Alice-esque pixie, any style looks best when hair has a glossy finish. An at-home glaze,coats each strand for maximum luster. Plus, it can last through several shampoos—without flattening the hair the way that some silicone-based serums can.

Piercing Eyes
Since we're mere mortals, our eyes may not change colors with our moods. But they can—with the right shadow shade. Purple eye shadows, like the ones used at the spring Versace show, can bring out the golden flecks in brown and green eyes. If your eyes are blue, go with bronze or peachy shades like the pros used backstage at Derek Lam .

Party Make Up Mistakes To Avoid

Matching your makeup to your outfit
Matchy-matchy is tacky. "If you're dressed to the nines, your face should be low-drama," says makeup artist Jemma Kidd. That means if your clothes are bright, stick to a neutral palette; if your outfit is metallic, avoid shadow and lipstick with shine, and go with smoky eyeliner.


Playing up your eyes and lips
Make a decision—it's one or the other, not both. If you accentuate your eyes, wear lip gloss in a shade that's transparent, like champagne, says makeup artist Troy Surratt. If you focus on your lips, do the reverse and brush on soft brown eye shadow.

Shining too brightly
There should be only one disco ball at any party. To make your skin look dewy, apply shimmer—not glitter—strategically (and sparingly) to one feature. On the eyelids and inner corners, try a creamy shadow or a gleaming highlighter; apply a powder highlighter on the cheekbones; or go with a sparkling nude lip gloss.

An unbelievable bronze
"Women often choose a bronzer that's too dark for their skin and blend it all over their face," says makeup artist Mally Roncal. The trick is picking the right one: Make sure it's a powder and that it's golden, not orangey or muddy brown. (If you're fair, look for a bronzer that's tan or honey-colored; for medium skin, a medium brown or terra-cotta bronzer is ideal; and for dark complexions, try a deep, coppery shade. Just don't go more than one shade darker than your skin tone.) Load it onto a powder brush, tap off the excess, and then start applying it to your jawline, nose, cheeks, forehead, and even your chin.

Heavy metal
Take a lesson from Midas: Not everything you touch should turn to gold (or silver, or copper, or bronze). Choose two features—max—to highlight with metallic makeup.


Red lipstick that bleeds
Crimson looks best when it's painted on with precision. Start with smooth, balm-coated lips. To keep the color from bleeding, trace the border of your mouth with a liner that matches the natural color of your lips, then fill in the rest. Apply lipstick with a small, synthetic lip brush: Start in the center of the mouth and work the color outward.


Too much powder
A little of the powdery stuff goes a long way. Before you head out, apply a light dusting of loose powder or a very fine pressed powder to help your makeup stay put and keep shine to a minimum. Later,after dancing, don't cake on more powder to get rid of the shine. Instead, use oil-blotting sheets.They're quick, disposable, and you don't need a mirror to use them.


Fading makeup
Beyond a tube of lipstick, pack these makeup essentials to keep your look going strong all night long:

* Concealer. Nothing kills your confidence like a blemish that shows up out of nowhere.
* Cotton swabs rolled in eye shadow: store them in a cigarette case, and freshen your shadow in seconds.
* Black eyeliner. As the night progresses, line the inner rim of your eyes with it. All of a sudden, you feel sexy. It's instant fierceness.
* Bold cream blush. Pack the brightest one you have, and blend it on the apples of your cheeks to refresh your look.Even if you don't have any color left on your lips or eyes, it always works.
* A light-colored lipstick or gloss. Any pale pink shade will do.

5 Minutes Hair and Make Up Tips


Metallic Lids in Under a Minute
This season's shimmery eye shadows go way beyond silver and gold—colors such as copper, navy, and violet look cool and fresh and are easy to wear. Simply dust the color onto your lids and along your bottom lashes for a halo effect. The rest of your makeup should be toned-down—just add a coat of mascara, a dusting of blush, and a neutral lip color.
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Freshen Your Face
Your office-to-party emergency kit should include:

Moisturizer. If you're not wearing foundation, rub it on your cheeks to make your skin look dewy.

A makeup-eraser pencil. Swipe one around your eyes and mouth to delete mascara smudges and lipstick smears without messing up your foundation.

Concealer. Before re-upping your undereye coverage, be sure to dab on a bit of moisturizer or eye cream. It will keep color from becoming cakey.

An eyelash curler. Pumping up lashes perks up tired eyes, with or without a new coat of mascara.

Oil-absorbing sheets. Press one on your forehead, nose, and chin to degrease without destroying your makeup.

Highlighting cream or powder. Add a swipe on the cheekbones and brow bones to brighten skin.

Rosy Cream or Gel Blush. Smile wide and dab it on the apples of your cheeks. This one step alone will make you look ready to face the world.

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Smoky Eyes in Three Easy Steps

Using a soft, chubby black pencil, draw short strokes from the outer lashes inward, creating a thick line that stops just short of the corner. Repeat on your bottom lashes, then smudge it all with a cotton swab.
Dip a small eye-shadow brush in gray shadow; tap off excess. Start at the outer corner and dust it across your lid using feathery strokes and staying close to your lash line, then blend the shadow up to the crease.
Dust what's left on the brush from your crease to your brow bone, then blend everything into a soft haze by whisking your brush over any edges of color.

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A Quick Chignon
Party hair doesn't mean prom hair. One easy updo: Create a tight, low braid, wrap it into a bun, and secure it with bobby pins at the nape of your neck. (A spritz of hair spray on each pin will keep them from slipping.) Add an embellished barrette at the side of your head for extra oomph.

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Add a Feather
No matter your hairstyle, adding a feathery clip or headband instantly dresses it up. Just get the position right:Accessories look great when worn on the side of the head, close to the face.

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Quick Purple Polish
Purple makeup is having a moment right now, and nails are no different:The color combines the excitement of red with the calming properties of blue and communicates balance. It also happens to look great whether you're dress is dark and moody or light and bright. Pull the shade off fast with polish that dries in 60 seconds. Just be sure to take a few minutes to paint carefully, and you'll be off in no time.

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Revive Your Hair—Fast
Four ways to freshen up your hair without a trip to the salon:
If you're wearing your hair down, blast the roots with a blow-dryer to lift them. Add even more volume by moving your part to the other side.
Tease the hair at your crown and smooth it over with your palms—the height gives any style a little oomph.
Smooth frizz by squirting a drop of serum, cream, or even hand lotion in your palm. Rub your hands together and skim them over the outer layer of your hair, working from the ears down and then using whatever's left on the crown.
Have bobby pins, plain black elastics, and a thin black elastic headband handy. If your hair is beyond help, pull it all back into a twist. Then push the black headband about one or two inches behind the hairline—you'll instantly look stylish.

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Bold Lips
Choose a color that flatters your skin tone—cherry for pale complexions, coral for olive, or either color for dark skin—and apply it straight from the tube. Once you've added this pop of color, you can keep all your other makeup understated.The goal is to look pulled-together but not overdone.

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Warm Up Your Legs
No one will notice your killer dress-and-heels combo if you have dry, ashy legs. Here's how to get them glowing:
Moisturize. Amy Tagliamonti, head makeup artist for Gossip Girl , applies Mustela Hydra Bébé Body Lotion on Leighton Meester: "It makes skin glow," she says.
Add color. Don't fear leg makeup. Tagliamonti treats Blake Lively with Sally Hansen Airbrush leg makeup: "It dries quickly, looks natural, and won't rub off on clothes."
Highlight. Draw a line down the center of legs, front and back, thigh to toes, with shimmer powder—it actually has a subtle thinning effect.
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Pump Up Flat Hair
To volumize dry hair, lift three-inch sections and allow them to drop through a mist of medium-hold hair spray,then spray your entire head with dry shampoo and scrunch; the result is hair with lift and a lovely, seemingly no-product finish. For those who hate hair spray, apply mousse to a vent brush and then to damp hair—it won't squeeze the air out of the mousse.Coat the brush with mousse and run it through one side of your hair, then refuel and do the other side.

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Holiday Hair Mistakes

Corkscrew Curls
The only corkscrew you want this season is one that opens a bottle of wine.There's nothing flattering about tight curls on anyone over the age of seven.For a more modern wave, wrap hair around the outside of the barrel of a curling iron, leaving the ends straight for texture.Once all the hair is curled, break up the ringlets by raking through a little bit of texturizer.



Milkmaid Braids
If you look like you could work on a Swedish dairy farm, your braids are too tight. You always want hair to look touchable. For a less severe style, resist parting hair down the middle—it's flattering on almost no one—and instead "loosely pull your hair straight back and make whatever style braid you do a little messy by spraying it lightly with dry shampoo and mussing it with your hands.

Tendrils
They're really old-fashioned (and not in a cool, retro way).There is nothing more unattractive than tendrils, especially when they're obviously pulled out of a finished style. Rather than deliberately placing stray hairs (or, even worse, curling them), just let loose hairs fall where they may:It gives a modern touch to an often classic look.

Hair Spray Overload
Remember: You're walking into a party, not a wind tunnel. The problem here is not just your trigger finger, but holding the spray can too close to your head.The product doesn't have time to dry, so you end up with sticky, wet-looking hair.If you can't hold the hair spray or shine spray 12 inches away from your head (and let's face it, who can?), your best bet is to spritz the product on your palms and run them over your style.That way, hair is beautiful and touchable all over. (Using a lightweight spray doesn't hurt.

Too Much Teasing
A little bit of volume can dress up any look, but anything higher than an inch of two has the potential for a big hair mistake. Instead, add subtle volume to a ponytail or high bun by back-combing only at the hairline, then pulling the hair back loosely.

A Cheesy Half-Updo
The hairstyle of the commitment-phobe (you can't bear to put it all up, but don't want to leave it all down) often leaves hair looking top-heavy.A common faux pas is pulling too much hair up. To keep the balance, make sure hair is pulled diagonally upward and secured above the start of the nape of the neck—no higher.Brush key areas, the hairline and forehead, with an eyebrow brush lightly coated with hair spray to keep them in place.



Decking Your Head With Too Many Ornaments
If there's a headband, there can't be a clip. If you're all about barrettes, one is safe, and two can be cool if they're stuck in in a random way, as they were at Dolce & Gabbana. And remember the cardinal rule of hair accessories: Don't wear them with big earrings or a serious necklace.

Poker-Straight Hair
Straight hair can be gorgeous, but it still has to move. To keep it from hanging too close to the head,spritzing roots with thickening spray and blow-drying with a round brush before tackling it with an iron.Hit just the very bottom of the hair with an iron.That way, you can still see the layers.

Teased Bangs
The '80s may be making a comeback in fashion, but that doesn't mean it has to hit your look over the head. The biggest culprit here:using a round brush when blowing out bangs.To cut volume, dry your bangs with a flat boar-bristle brush. And watch the gunk factor:Don't ever use a shine- or silicone-based spray on your bangs . "It will clump hair together and make it look greasy.

Three –meals –a –day plan


According to supermodel and mother-of-two, Claudia Schiffer, a sensible, three-meals-a-day plan is the only way to maintain her catwalk curves. 'I don't diet because it messes up your metabolism,' she says. 'Instead I eat three meals a day, particularly lots of fruit for breakfast because it's cleansing and quickly digested by the body and I try hard not to snack in-between meals. But if I want a piece of chocolate or a biscuit, then I have one. Denial makes you crave for something even more.

As well as sticking to a three-meals-a-day plan, Claudia tries to eat organically. 'I like my food to be as natural and unpolluted by chemicals as possible so I always eat organic.

Rainy-Day Hair Tips

* Always start by misting a heat-protective spray on wet hair. Not only does it stop hair from drying out over time (which makes it much more frizz-prone), it helps create a barrier against environmental moisture.

* Add a little anti-frizz product. Just keep the application light, and if you can, skip the holding products (like mousse, styling cream). While the temptation is always to pile on more products when it’s crappy out, this actually makes frizz seem worse most of the time.


* Blow your hair bone dry. Absolutely no moisture should be left in the hair when you’re trying to maintain a blowout in humid air.

* Let your hair cool completely before stepping out into the elements (or finish your styling by using your dryer’s cold setting). This’ll ensure that your cuticle lays flat so water vapor can’t sneak its way in.

* Resist running your hands through your hair. I always thought the oils from my fingers helped smooth frizz

Ridiculously Healthy Foods

Dark Chocolate

Thank you, dark chocolate, for making us feel good—not guilty—about dessert. Dark chocolate is filled with flavonoid antioxidants (more than 3 times the amount in milk chocolate) that keep blood platelets from sticking together and may even unclog your arteries.It may also help with weight loss by keeping you feeling full, according to a study from Denmark. Researchers gave 16 participants 100 g of either dark or milk chocolate and 2 hours later offered them pizza. Those who consumed the dark chocolate ate 15% fewer calories than those who had milk chocolate, and they were less interested in fatty, salty, and sugary foods.

Try a chocolate with 70% or more cocoa. Two tablespoons of dark chocolate chips with fresh berries as a midafternoon snack or after-dinner dessert should give you some of the heart-healthy benefits without busting your calorie budget.

Apples

One of the healthiest fruits you should be eating is one you probably already are: the apple. The Iowa Women’s Health Study, which has been investigating the health habits of 34,000 women for nearly 20 years, named apples as one of only three foods (along with pears and red wine) that are most effective at reducing the risk of death from heart disease among postmenopausal women. Other massive studies have found the fruit to lower risk of lung cancer and type 2 diabetes—and even help women lose weight.

In fact, one of the only things that could make an apple unhealthy is mixing it with sugar, flour, and butter and stuffing it into a mile-high pie. Instead, have one as an afternoon snack with a tablespoon of peanut butter, or add slices to sandwiches or salads.

Lychee

A French study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that lychee has the second-highest level of heart-healthy polyphenols of all fruits tested—nearly 15% more than the amount found in grapes (cited by many as polyphenol powerhouses). The compounds may also play an important role in the prevention of degenerative diseases such as cancer.

Serve by peeling or breaking the outer covering just below the stem; use a knife to remove the black pit. Add to stir-fries or skewer onto chicken kebabs to add a sweet, grapelike flavor.

Asian Pears

One large Asian pear has a whopping 10 g of cholesterol-lowering fiber, about 40% of your daily need. People who ate the most fiber had the lowest total and LDL cholesterol levels, according to a recent study of Baltimore adults. The same researchers found that people who ate the most fiber also weighed the least and had the lowest body mass index and waist circumference.

Serve by dicing it into a salad of Boston lettuce, crumbled goat cheese, walnuts, and mandarin oranges. Or make it a dessert: Add peeled and cored pears to a saucepan with 1 cup white wine, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, and enough water to cover the pears. Cover and simmer 40 minutes or until pears are soft.

Blueberries

Blueberries may very well be the most potent age-defying food—they’re jam-packed with antioxidants. When researchers at Cornell University tested 25 fruits for these potent compounds, they found that tangy-sweet wild blueberries (which are smaller than their cultivated cousins) packed the most absorbable antioxidants. Research shows a diet rich in blueberries can help with memory loss, prevent urinary tract infections, and relieve eyestrain.

Add up to 1/2 cup of blueberries to your diet a day for maximum health benefits, recommends Ronald Prior, PhD, adjunct professor of food science at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. This alone provides just about double the amount of antioxidants most Americans get in 1 day.

Sweet Potatoes

One of the best ways to get vitamin A—an essential nutrient that protects and maintains eyes, skin, and the linings of our respiratory, urinary, and intestinal tracts—is from foods containing beta-carotene, which your body converts into the vitamin. Beta carotene–rich foods include carrots, squash, kale, and cantaloupe, but sweet potatoes have among the most. A half-cup serving of these sweet spuds delivers only 130 calories but 80% of the DV of vitamin A. Replace tonight’s fries with one medium baked sweet potato (1,096 mcg) and you’re good to go—and then some.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are our most common source of lycopene, an antioxidant that may protect against heart disease and breast cancer. The only problem with tomatoes is that we generally eat them in the form of sugar-loaded jarred spaghetti sauce or as a thin slice in a sandwich. For a healthier side dish idea, quarter plum tomatoes and coat with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Roast in a 400°F oven for 20 minutes, and serve with chicken.

Spinach

Spinach has serious health muscles. For one thing, it contains lots of lutein, the sunshine-yellow pigment found in egg yolks. Aside from guarding against age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness, lutein may prevent heart attacks by keeping artery walls clear of cholesterol.

Spinach is also rich in iron, which helps deliver oxygen to your cells for energy, and folate, a B vitamin that prevents birth defects. Cook frozen spinach leaves (they provide more iron when cooked than raw) and serve as a side dish with dinner a few times a week.

Broccoli

Pick any life-threatening disease—cancer, heart disease, you name it—and eating more broccoli and its cruciferous cousins may help you beat it, Johns Hopkins research suggests. Averaging just four weekly servings of veggies like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower slashed the risk of dying from any disease by 26% among 6,100 people studied for 28 years.

For maximum disease-fighting benefits, whip out your old veggie steamer. It turns out that steaming broccoli lightly releases the maximum amount of sulforaphane.

Avocado

These smooth, buttery fruits are a great source of not only MUFAs but other key nutrients as well. One Ohio State University study found that when avocado was added to salads and salsa, it helped increase the absorption of specific carotenoids, plant compounds linked to lower risk of heart disease and macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness. “Avocados are packed with heart-protective compounds, such as soluble fiber, vitamin E, folate, and potassium,” says Elizabeth Somer, RD, author of 10 Habits That Mess Up a Woman's Diet.

But they are a bit high in calories. To avoid weight gain, use avocado in place of another high-fat food or condiment, such as cheese or mayo.

Edamame and Tofu

Soy’s days as a cure-all may be over—some claims, such as help for hot flashes, don’t seem to be panning out—but edamame still has an important place on your plate. Foods such as tofu, soy milk, and edamame help fight heart disease when they replace fatty meats and cheeses, slashing saturated fat intake. Soy also contains heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats, a good amount of fiber, and some important vitamins.

Soy’s isoflavones, or plant estrogens, may also help prevent breast cancer. Some researchers believe these bind with estrogen receptors, reducing your exposure to the more powerful effects of your own estrogen, says Prevention advisor Andrew Weil, MD. But stick with whole soy foods rather than processed foods, like patties or chips, made with soy powder. Don’t take soy supplements, which contain high and possibly dangerous amounts of isoflavones.

Lean Beef

Lean beef is one of the best-absorbed sources of iron there is. (Too-little iron can cause anemia.) Adding as little as 1 ounce of beef per day can make a big difference in the body’s ability to absorb iron from other sources, says Mary J. Kretsch, PhD, a researcher at the USDA-ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center in Davis, CA. Beef also packs plenty of zinc (even minor deficiencies may impair memory) and B vitamins, which help your body turn food into energy.

If you can, splurge on grass-fed. Compared with grain-fed beef, it has twice the concentration of vitamin E, a powerful brain-boosting antioxidant. It’s also high in omega-3 fatty acids. Because this type of beef tends to be lower in overall fat, it can be tough—so marinate it, and use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking.

Fat-Free Milk

Yes, it does a body good: Studies show that calcium isn’t just a bone booster but a fat fighter too. Recent research from the University of Tennessee found that obese people who went on a low-calorie, calcium-rich diet lost 70% more weight than those who ate the least. Vitamin D not only allows your body to absorb calcium, it’s also a super nutrient in its own right. Recent research found that adequate D levels can reduce heart disease risk, ward off certain types of cancer, relieve back pain, and even help prevent depression, but most of us don’t get nearly enough of the 1,000+ IU daily that most experts recommend.

A splash of milk in your morning coffee isn’t enough to provide the calcium and vitamin D you need. Use milk instead of water to make your oatmeal, have a glass with breakfast, or stir some chocolate syrup into it for an after-dinner treat.


Egg

Egg yolks are home to tons of essential but hard-to-get nutrients, including choline, which is linked to lower rates of breast cancer (one yolk supplies 25% of your daily need) and antioxidants that may help prevent macular degeneration and cataracts. Though many of us have shunned whole eggs because of their link to heart disease risk, there’s actually substantial evidence that for most of us, eggs are not harmful but healthy.

People with heart disease should limit egg yolks to two a week, but the rest of us can have one whole egg daily; research shows it won’t raise your risk of heart attack or stroke. Make omelets with one whole egg and two whites, and watch cholesterol at other meals.
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