Cosmetic Dentistry: Your Ticket to a Movie Star Smile

A picture-perfect smile is often the first thing we notice about celebrities. And each camera-ready grin is unique.

"A round face, like Queen Latifah's, looks best with teeth that are slightly rounded at the edges," said Dr. Michael Schneider, a cosmetic dentist. "Usher has a square face - his teeth are more square and slightly smaller. Will Smith, who has a rectangular face, has teeth that are similar to Usher's, yet with slightly sharper line angles."

"With a heart-shaped face like Drew Barrymore's, the chin is more noticeable. The teeth can't line up like [those with] a square or rectangular face and need to have some slight rotation, showing characterization."

However, some of us weren't born with a superstar grin. The dazzling smile you see in magazines and movies or on the street may be the result of cosmetic dentistry procedures, such as veneers.

To avoid the pain that can come with applying regular veneers, people are turning to Lumineers by Cerinate.

Unlike regular veneers, Lumineers doesn't require drilling or grinding down sensitive tooth structure. The procedure is minimally invasive, making anesthesia and pain shots unnecessary.

Clinically proven to last up to 20 years, Lumineers is contact lens-thin and provides instant teeth straightening and permanent whitening, transforming misshapen teeth into a naturally beautiful and perfect smile. It is a convenient substitute for braces and can be used on worn teeth to strengthen them and prevent further wear. Lumineers also can be placed over crowns and bridges to improve aesthetics.

A Lumineers application can be completed in two short visits to the dentist.

Approximately 8,500 dentists use Lumineers, made from Cerinate, a porcelain developed by Santa Maria, Calif.-based Den-Mat Corp. It comes with a five-year replacement warranty.

Contacts Lens Online: Where To Go And How To Get The Best Deal

Purchasing contact contact online has been growing in popularity over the last few years; all the same most people still purchase their contacts from their local eye doctors.

Online companies that sell contacts offer convenience and lower prices for only the time it takes to type some simple information. Many people are afraid of entering the personal information necessary to order contacts online with identity fraud being such a common problem with shopping online today, but most places selling contacts are secure and reliable with very little actual risk involved in the process. Problem is though; there is a huge number of websites online that sell contacts and choosing the one that is cheapest or “the best” isn’t the easiest of tasks. Most major contact companies have their own websites but usually don’t sell contacts on their site so you have no choice but to use a third party site like yourlens.com or 1800contacts.com.

When trying to make a decision about buying contacts online there are many things you have to take into consideration, first and most important of which being is the site you are using reliable and legitimate.

Despite the fact that most contact sale sites are safe and reliable these days there’s always the risk that the site is a front to just steal personal information. People wanting to buy contacts online should look at reviews of the website citing reliable sources or use sites that are very popular and advertise on T.V. Take 1800contacts.com, advertises very frequently on T.V. and is an extremely popular site. Most sites are safe and most people who want to steal contact information would be more apt to use sites under less skepticism and review. Really most are safe and you’d be hard pressed to find one that wasn’t but with identity theft such a common occurrence it is always better to be safe rather than sorry.

The biggest thing that people look for when trying to choose a website to order contacts from is the price. While many may offer similar prices for their contacts there is more to ordering contacts online than just the actual unit price of the contacts. Shipping is a big aspect that needs to be taken into consideration because shipping with some companies can really be murder, many sites offer free shipping and the extra time it takes to shop around to find a site that offers free shipping seems well worth the extra time it takes to find a site with free shipping. A lot also offer discounts when buying in bulk like lens.com which offers free shipping on orders over $99, a $30 rebate when buying 8 or more boxes, and also $13.24 when buying more than 8 boxes which is less than what most sites that sell contacts ask. Many websites also have special discounts and coupons that you can use on other sites, again it takes a little extra time to find these websites but with the money you can save the extra time is often well worth it.

Contact lens shopping online is cheap, convenient, and usually very safe. There’s rarely any risk shopping for contacts on these sites, most of which are secure. There I s a huge number of different websites you can buy contacts from and half the problem is trying to choose what site is the best for you. lensrate.com offers a list of many of the most popular contact sale websites and special offer for those websites.

Choosing an Antiaging Eye Cream

When it comes to choosing an antiaging eye cream, the possibilities are endless. The choices range from high end department store brands, to affordable names brands and can be found in all shapes, sizes, and forms. So you can imagine that when it comes time to choose an antiaging eye cream that will produce the best results for you, the job is a tough one. Whether your target area is above the eye, below the eye, or the eyelashes, the possibilities are definitely there.

For the Eyelashes

Although not your ordinary antiaging eye cream, the products available for your eyelashes are enriched with a complex of lecithin along with plant extracts. It’s meant to promote growth of the lashes, and is clinically proven to do so while conditioning your existing lashes. Many Internet websites and beauty stores carry this type of treatment, so your best bet is to shop around for particular differences in products as well as price.

Wrinkle Reducers

A few different kinds of antiaging eye cream can be found that reduce wrinkles while promoting healthy skin. Some of these wrinkle reducers are left on over night and then washed off, while others are meant to be used under makeup or as a lotion alone. The severity of the eye lines you are trying to reduce or smooth will probably make a big difference in which type of antiaging eye cream you decide to use. For more deep lines or crows feet, you will probably want to sue an overnight treatment, couple with a leave on treatment. And for softer lines that need just a bit of smoothing, a leave on conditioner should do the trick.

Age Defying Choices

In addition to worrying about wrinkles, lines, and brittle eyelashes, we simply want to defy our age. It’s natural, as getting older means feeling older. What better way to feel younger than to look younger? With age defying antiaging eye cream choices, defying age is a possibility. The choices in this area include firming cream and glow enhancers but the line tends to also offer natural choices such as chamomile antiaging eye cream, and herbal treatments.

Many products offer multiple benefits in one treatment, while others come in kits and require multiple steps. The severity of your problem areas don’t really matter as to whether a one step or multiple step treatment is the best choice, however pricing, time availability, and satisfaction should be the deciding factors.

Choose Your Body Lotion

Body lotions come in many different combinations of herbs, natural products derived from fruits, plant leaves or seeds. They work in so many ways, such as healing dry skin, improving skin’s texture, nourishing and replenishing skin’s lost natural oils as well as it restores the radiance of the skin.

I. Natural Ingredients:

1. Shea butter

Derived from the fruit kernels of the shea nut tree, it has remarkable healing and softening abilities. Studies show that shea butter has anti inflammatory effects on the skin, thus increase wound healing and improve scar appearance. From its physical make up of vitamin E, vitamin A, and cinnamic acid as well as a unique fatty acid profile, this butter can moisturize and heal dry skin.

2. Sunflower oil

Is rich in vitamins E and A and very high in fatty acids that aids in restoring skin moisture, natural oils and regenerates. Vitamin A encourages collagen production and is able to retain moisture.

3. Almond oil

Easily absorbed, this is an important nutrient for skin softening and conditioning. With high vitamin A content, it is very suitable to dry, flaky or inflamed skin. Helps the skin to balance its loss and absorption of moisture.

4. Jojoba oil

Good for all skin types, It readily penetrates the skin to nourish, moisturize and softens dry skin. Hypoallergenic and pure, it contains minerals, proteins and a waxy substance which imitates the skin’s collagen, making it supple and soft to the touch.

5. Cocoa butter

A very popular ingredient among hand and body lotions, like the shea butter, it acts as an emollient helping the skin feel soft and calm. It can also prevent and lessen stretch marks if applied regularly.

6 Aloe Vera

Studies show that aloe vera can very well improve the skin’s capability to hydrate itself. It has a powerful penetrating ability which carries healthy substances through the skin. With daily use, aloe vera will help maintain a healthy glowing skin. Because of its numerous biologically active ingredients, such as polysaccharides, phytosterols, glycerol, vitamins E, B & C and zinc; these all contribute to the healing, scar reducing and anti inflammatory effects of aloe vera.

7. Macadamia oil

This has lubrication properties and is easily absorbed. This oil is high in monounsaturated fatty acids acting as anti oxidants to prevent deterioration and weakening of cell membrane. It is also an emollient with magnesium and thiamine, that soothes and calms. Good for mature and aging skin.

8. Glycerin

It has humectant properties, drawing moisture from the air unto the skin.

II. Choosing The Right Body Lotion For You:

- Read labels
Different products have different ingredients. It is important that you know what consists of the lotion that you are buying, to avoid allergies. Also choose a product labeled as a moisturizer.

- Choose a moisturizing lotion
Take note of the positive changes it has done to your skin. Note these changes and if you love the results, then continue using it.

- Know your skin
Although many lotions are for all skin types, there are lotions which are specifically formulated for normal,dry, amd extra dry skin. It is best to buy a lotion that could address to your skin type to achieve the best results.

- Know what you need
Do you need a lotion just for daily moisturizing? Or you have stretch marks that needs attention too? There are hundreds of moisturizing products in the market that can improve the appearance of your stretch marks as well as nourish your skin.

- Consider your skin’s condition
If you have sensitive skin, choose a moisturizing lotion that is noncomedogenic. This means that the lotion has been proven and tested not to cause acne reactions on the skin. Likewise, unscented body lotions will unlikely cause allergies.

- Consider your lifestyle
If you are the type who loves spending time outdoors, you may need a lotion with ultraviolet protection, to minimize skin wrinkling and drying.

- Consider the season
In winter, choose a heavier lotion with shea butter or any intensive ingredient. During the summer, a lighter, well absorbed lotion with aloe vera and sunscreen protection works best.

Causes and treatment of Wrinkles

As people age, their epidermal cells become less sticky that makes skin noticeably thinner. When skin becomes thinner, the effectiveness of its barrier function decreases and releases moisture instead of locking it in the skin. When this happen, the skin is more prone to dryness and it is likely to lose its ability to repair itself.

When the dermal layer becomes thin, it produces less collagen and elastin fibers. These causes wrinkles and make skin sag.

Causes

Aside from the ageing process, sun damage is also linked to wrinkle formation. When skin is exposed to sun for a long period of time, it can result to dryness and it can damage the collagen fibers that protects the skin. In addition, prolonged exposure to sun can cause skin disorder and cancer.

Other factors of wrinkle formation are the following: Poor nutrition, stress, sleep deprivation, excess alcohol or illegal drug consumption, and pollution.

Prevention

1. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause serious skin damage. Experts recommend the use of hat when on the beach especially between 12nn-2pm. Use of sunscreen and sunglasses is also helpful to avoid wrinkles that might appear around the eyes.

2. Smoking is dangerous to your health. And also to your skin. People who are smoking form wrinkles around their mouth earlier compare to non-smokers. To keep skin healthy, avoid cigarette and smoky places like bars and restaurants.

3. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Excessive alcohol consumption is bad for the skin. Alcohol prevents the body from absorbing vitamins needed to keep the skin healthy.

4. Drink at least 8-12 glasses of water everyday. Water helps in keeping the skin glowing and healthy. It is an effective element in reducing wrinkles, flushing toxins, fat, and other foreign substances out of the body.

5. Use olive oil as much as possible. It makes the skin soft and younger looking.

6. Eat tomatoes and vegetables. These contain nutrients that are proven to make the skin look younger. In addition, fruits, nuts, and beans are also good food for the skin.

7. Resist the urge to sunbathe. Experts agree that although tan makes men and women look sexier, it can pose threat to the skin. Try self-tanner instead. Never use tanning bed or sunlamp.

8. Pamper the skin once in a while by going to spa or sauna. Also, get 8 or more hours of sleep. These can do wonders on the skin in no time.

9. Use moisturizer twice everyday.

Treatment

Dermatologists are advising people who have few, shallow wrinkles to use moisturizing creams and sunscreen. However, more and more people are looking for more advance technology in erasing the signs of ageing.

Recently, dermatologists responded to people’s request for wrinkle treatment. Botox was introduced that soften wrinkles that are caused by grimacing or squinting. Hyaluronic or collagen acid are injected on the skin to elevate wrinkles.

Another breakthrough is laser treatment to minimize wrinkles. Most common laser treatment is called Carbon Dioxide laser that is designed for deeper wrinkles.

People who have deep, excessive wrinkles resort to face lift. It is a surgical procedure that is both invasive and expensive that produces excellent results.

Wrinkles cannot be avoided but they can be delayed. There is nothing more satisfying than looking younger than one’s age. So, just follow these tips and stay young!

Buying Contact Lenses Online

As the popularity of the internet continues to rise, many people are now shopping online. One of the most popular items to purchase online are contact lenses. When you shop on the internet, you are not limited to what is available at your local eye shop. It isn't necessary to drive around town looking for the best prices for contact lenses. The internet now allows people to compare the options and prices from the comfort of their own home. Because of this, you can save both time and money simultaneously.

Even though the internet is a great place to purchase contact lenses, there are certain guidelines which need to be followed. Ten years ago, contact lenses were expensive, especially those which had color. The availability of contact lenses online has greatly reduced their price. It is now possible to find brand name contact lenses which are a fraction of the price you would pay in most retail stores. There are a number of reasons why contact lenses are cheaper online than they are in traditional brick and mortar stores.

The goal of online merchants is to get as many customers as possible. Because the cost of getting these customers are high, online merchants will have to keep these cutomers in order to make money in the long term. Online stores which sell contact lenses do not have the overhead that offline stores have. There is very little cost for inventory, employees, or rent. Because of this, these low costs are transferred to the customer. Before you begin shopping online for contacts, it is important to remember that you will need a prescription.

Prescriptions are mandatory even if you only intend to buy contacts for cosmetic purposes. If your prescription has expired, you can contact your eyecare professional in order to get one. It is also important to make sure the prescription is filled out correctly. Once this is done, you will be ready to begin purchasing contact lenses online. When you purchase contact lenses over the internet, you will have to provide personal information.

It is important to make sure you shop at sites which are secure. They should offer a Secure Socket Layer and your information should be encrypted at all times. It is also important to look at the shipping and handling costs. While purchasing contacts online can save you money, if you have to pay large shipping fees, the low cost of the lenses may not be worth it.

Breast Augmentation: a choice

Breast augmentation affirms the identity of the person undergoing such surgery. It affirms who they are to themselves, and in turn, to those around them. This is because, in general, there are probably few other zones of the body we consider to be more significant than a woman's breasts. Regardless of one's gender or sexual orientation, we all recognize the significance most societies place upon them. For better or for worse, they are part of how we define women, much like how we treat faces as part of how we define people.

However, unlike a new hairstyle, make-up, or overall change in fashion, surgical breast augmentation takes on a deeper meaning. It's surgery. Not something that is easily separated from the person. It becomes a part of the person. This is why it's so important to the person who makes the decision that they do so with a certain degree of comfort, of understanding, of willingness to enter the process, and the support of those close to them.

Implants, for the purpose of breast augmentation, have mainly been used for two reasons: reconstruction and cosmetic. Regardless of the reason, implants have changed since the ones produced in the 1970s. It has primarily been their design, due to our knowledge of their impact on the body. As such, we know much more about implants today than when they were used in the 1970s.

Today's implants may still be made of silicone gel, but have apparently have a much lower risk of rupture than the earlier ones. In fact, the two main types: silicon gel and saline solution, both employ a silicone shell. However, the issue of rupture - whether silicone or of the saline solution variety - is a possibility, thereby requiring that implants be checked. One of the main methods used to check them are with mammograms.

The surgical technique used is also a consideration. However, a lot can depend upon the surgeon and the individual themselves. Variables include the following: the surgeon's preference, and the amount of existing breast tissue where the implant is to be placed. The main techniques are: sub-glandular, sub-fascial, and sub-muscular. In addition, there are different types of incision that may be employed by the surgeon: Peri-Areolar, Infra-Mammary, and Axillary. Each technique has its advantages and disadvantages. For this reason, it's recommended that the individual consult their surgeon in advance regarding the different techniques and how they may affect them.

There is also another type known as polypropylene string breast implants. They are less common as they don't involve the use of a prosthetic device. Their use tends to be more documented in the adult video or sex trade industry. Also, regular checkups and procedures are required for such implants.

Finally, depending on the country you live in, there may be regulations regarding the types of implants that may be used. For example, some countries may ban the use of silicone gel-filled implants, or only allow their use on a strict case-by-case basis. Regardless, an initial consultation with a surgeon is always important, as with any elective surgery.

Botox - What Does It Do?

With all the hype and insanity over people getting Botox injections for everything from a sagging chin to a droopy eyelid, one has to wonder just what it is that Botox does and how exactly does it work?

To understand exactly what Botox is and what it does, we first have to look at just how this amazing miracle of modern science came to be.

Botulinum toxins, which are what Botox basically comes from, were first researched back in the good old 60s during the hippie era. Originally the purpose of this was to treat neurological disorders. In 1989 Botox was finally approved by the FDA to treat eye muscle disorders like blepharospasm, uncontrollable blinking, strabismus, crossed eyes and even wrinkles. In the year 2000 it was approved to treat cervical dystonia. This is a disorder that causes severe neck and shoulder contractions and also a very unusual side effect of eye disorder treatments. In their research, doctors discovered that Botox softened the frown lines between the eyebrows. It was after this discovery that Botox officially came into existence and was FDA approved on April 15, 2002.

So what exactly does Botox do? How does it work? Well, when Botox is injected into the muscles of the forehead, it blocks nerve impulses which results in the weakening of the muscles that cause frowning. Eventually over a period of several months, given enough of these injections, the frown lines start to get softer and in many cases eventually disappear completely. Botox can also be injected into the muscles of the face that cause crows feet, forehead lines and frown lines.

Botox injections themselves are actually a diluted form of botulism. Yes, the same botulism that can make us very ill. Botox cosmetic is a purified form the Botulinum toxin.

The next question is, how exactly does it work? Well, to put it simply, every time you laugh, smile, frown, or for that matter do just about anything with your facial muscles, wrinkles are caused by the underlying contractions of these muscles. After years of making these expressions the wear and tear on your face begins to be noticeable and the lines start to become permanent. When these creases become permanent, no kind of skin cream can get rid of them. That's where Botox comes in. After being injected into the effected area, it temporarily paralyzes these muscles so that you can't make these expressions. That's why people who have had Botox injections literally look like mannequins. You'll still have enough movement to look semi human (a matter of opinion) but not enough to cause these wrinkles. So in fact by taking these Botox injections they make you look younger.

So what's the price for this "fountain of youth?" Botox is not cheap, my friend. The average cost of just one Botox injection in the United States is about $350. This also depends on what area of your face is getting the injections. The area near the eyes is more expensive, costing between $400 and $900 per injection. For large surface areas such as the forehead, injections can be between $600 and $1300 a pop.

And with all the fuss about simply looking younger, one has to wonder how safe these injections are. That is probably best left for another time.

Body Fat Percentage is The Right Way to Measure Fitness

Because your body is about 50-55% water, you can temporarily stage-manage your weight with diet pills and fad diets but, you cannot manipulate your body fat percentage. Body fat percentage is a more meaningful metric for gauging physical fitness than what you can get out of height and weight tables.

The U.S. Army established a maximum allowable body fat percentage standard that applies to everybody from recruit to four-star general. Failure to meet the body fat percentage standard means no promotions and no career training. Repeated failure to meet the standard will result in an early exit from the Army. That's a harsh result.

At least with the Army people know what to expect as a consequence of ignoring their own physical fitness. The world we all live in may not be as honest as the Army in defining those consequences but, the results may be as unkind.

Excessive body fat connotes a lack of personal discipline and can lead to low self-esteem. It detracts from appearance and suggests a poor state of health, physical fitness or stamina. That is what researchers found from measuring the responses of people to photos of different body types.

The maximum allowable body fat percentages for everybody in the U.S. Army are shown below. Chances are you are not in the military and never intend to be but, can you suggest a more thoroughly researched or carefully crafted standard?

Maximum allowable body fat percentages are categorized by age and gender. For males this is the breakdown:

Age 17 – 20: Max Body Fat is 20%
Age 21 – 27: Max Body Fat is 22%
Age 28 – 39:. Max Body Fat is 24%
Age 40 and over: Max Body Fat is 26%

And for females:

Age 17 – 20: Max Body Fat is 28%
Age 21 – 27: Max Body Fat is 30%
Age 28 – 39:. Max Body Fat is 32%
Age 40 and over: Max Body Fat is 34%

It's fair to say that knowing your body fat percentage is a necessary first step to getting fit and trim. Because your body is about 55-60% water, you can stage-manage your weight with diet pills and fad diets but, you cannot manipulate body fat percentage.

Consider making your physical fitness goal to get your body fat percentage in line with the U.S. Army standard for the maximum allowable body fat percentage for your age and gender. Once you get there you will have accomplished something meaningful and made physical fitness a positive habit. You will be able to take your body-building and fitness ambitions anywhere you want to go.

Fortunately determining your body fat percentage is easy. If you cannot or do not want to get it done at a gym or anywhere else other than privately, you can get a body fat caliper at a sporting goods store or at Amazon.com. There is an under $15 model and even one with a digital readout for around $30. The instructions that come with the body fat caliper are helpful enough for you to take readings as accurate as you would get at the gym or the doctor's office.

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person’s weight and height. BMI is used for creating statistics from large groups of people and in that role is considered a reliable indicator of body fat percentage for an entire population. You’re a population of one. Get the body fat calipers.

Beauty Foods: What You Eat Affects How You Look

We've all heard the old adage, "You are what you eat." But what about the connection between your food and your face?

Most articles about nutrition focus on the role of your diet in maintaining optimum internal health and warding off disease. For example, many articles talk about how the antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables can fight free radical damage to your immune cells, your organs and your DNA.

Well guess what? The same phytochemicals, vitamins, nutrients and minerals that keep your insides in the pink are equally essential for clear skin, bright smiles, strong nails and clear eyes. If you want to look your absolute gorgeous best, keep these diet guidelines in mind:

* Antioxidants: Found in abundance in colorful fruits and vegetables, these nutrients help combat signs of aging caused by the oxidation - the rust, if you will, of our cells. Beauty foods that are potent sources of antioxidants include: pomegranates, prunes, concord grape juice, blueberries, blackberries, purple cabbage, kale, brussels sprouts, dried plums, kiwis, raspberries, strawberries, raw spinach, oranges, apples and watercress.

* Essential fatty acids: Certain polyunsaturated oils are called "essential" because they must be included in our diet. EFAs, like omega-3 and omega-6, may reduce inflammation that can clog skin and lead to wrinkles. Sources include seafood - such as salmon, sardines, trout and flounder - as well as almonds, walnuts and flaxseed.

* Avoid simple carbs: Some research suggests the insulin spike caused by simple carbohydrates, such as bread, pasta and sweets, may trigger a series of metabolic reactions that can lead to breakouts.

* Maximize water, moderate alcohol: Water, and lots of it, will help keep your skin hydrated, while alcohol in excess of one 4-ounce drink a day can dry it out. Also, some dermatologists say alcohol's dilation of fragile facial capillaries can cause and exacerbate rosacea.

* Healthy fat: While it's always important to minimize artery-clogging saturated fat, don't shy away from healthy monounsaturated fats, like olive oil and other liquid, plant-based oils that keep skin emulsified.

* Vitamin C: Make sure to also feed your face with vitamin C to help maintain collagen, the most important component of connective tissue contributing to the underlying foundation of your skin. The best sources of vitamin C includes citrus fruits and juices, broccoli, cauliflower, cantaloupe, strawberries, tomatoes, red peppers and green peas.

* Weight-loss bonus: Pound for pound, fruits and vegetables have fewer calories than other food groups. Plus, they have plenty of fiber, so they'll help you feel full. Such a fruit-and-vegetable-rich diet helps ward off cravings by ensuring the body gets the full spectrum of nutrients, minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals it needs to function.

Data from the National Weight Control Registry, which maintains records on more than 3,000 individuals who have had success keeping off a minimum of 30 pounds, suggests that the winning diet for long-term weight loss is a low-fat, complex-carb diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

This data was recently reinforced by an international study, conducted by Northwestern University, assessing the diets of more than 4,000 people in the United States, United Kingdom, Japan and China. The study found that, without exception, a diet high in complex carbohydrates, fiber and vegetable protein was associated with low body-mass index.

The bottom line is that there's nothing more beautiful than vibrant good health, and there's nothing healthier than a regime that includes plenty of exercise, rest, water, lean proteins, and an abundance of fruits and vegetables.

Jennifer Grossman is the director of the Dole Nutrition Institute. - NU

Beauty Below The Neck

For years, women have witnessed and embraced the technological explosion that is the anti-aging face care category. In fact, it seems there is a cream or serum designed to diminish every possible telltale sign of aging that appears on the face.

But what about the rest of the body? Women are so concerned with laugh lines and crow's-feet that they tend to neglect caring for the body's skin. The truth is women love having beautiful, smooth, touchable skin all over their body, even below the neck. It's the difference between high collars and plunging necklines.

Also, with the expansion of the anti-aging market, there are many ingredients saturating this category. However, there is one breakthrough ingredient on the top of the list. Creatine is a vital anti-aging ingredient found naturally in the skin and provides energy to the cells. Over time, the creatine supply in the cells depletes and causes skin to become dry and rough and then increases the appearance of lines and wrinkles on the hands, chest and upper arms. Therefore, when creatine is applied topically, it has anti-aging benefits and is clinically proven to lift the skin and diminish the visible signs of aging.

Nivea body Age Defying Moisturizer is an anti-aging product for the body made with the skin's own creatine. It works to replenish the creatine level in the skin, boosting the skin's natural anti-aging power. Skin is soft, smooth and noticeably lifted with less visible wrinkles.

It's no secret that healthy skin is important to maintaining a youthful appearance. So in addition to caring for the face when it comes to aging, women should start paying attention to their entire body, from head to toe. What woman doesn't want beautiful, smooth, touchable skin?

Aveda And The Search For Sustainable Products

Aveda offers natural hair products, natural make up, skin care products, and other cosmetic products for men and women while being environmentally safe.

As a manufacturer of plant-based hair, skin, body, aroma, make-up and lifestyle products, Aveda stakes its long-term business model on safe and all natural alternatives to the chemical laced products which many other beauty product companies use. All of the Aveda shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, make-up and skin care products are made from natural plant-based ingredients.

The Aveda Corporation was founded in 1978 by Horst Rechelbacher. He was on a missions to provide the hair and beauty industry with natural products from sustainable resources that gave the high quality results demanded by hair and beauty professionals. As such, it was one of Avedas top priorities to incorporate nature and the environment into their products and business model.

Aveda take their commitment to the environment very seriously as is demonstrated my their mission statement, "To care for the world we live in, from the products we make to the ways in which we give back to society. At Aveda, we strive to set an example for environmental leadership and responsibility, not just in the world of beauty, but around the world." While leading the way in the struggle to protect the environment Aveda took another major step joining forces with UNESCO and The United Nations Foundation in order to help protect and conserve some of the worlds most important places and resources.

This story of their search for a source of the essential oil sandalwood typifies the ethos of the company.

Most sandalwood available on the market has been poached in India, sometimes by organized gangs who also poach elephants. Like most essential oils traded on international markets, sandalwood oil is often adulterated with petrochemical oils. Aveda's quest for the Earth's purest, finest organic sandalwood oil that can be traceably sourced, sustainably harvested and where the oil extraction process uses steam instead of petrochemical solvents took them to the Aboriginal People of Australia.

Until recently, the Aboriginal Peoples who have harvested sandalwood from their lands have received a very small percentage of the profits from the final harvest. Aveda's partnership with communities of Mardu Peoples of Kuktabubba assures responsible sourcing and harvesting practices. . For the Mardu Peoples, the harvesting of sandalwood provides a sustainable economic base for its people. As partners with Aveda, the Aboriginal Peoples receive fair payment for their sandalwood harvest, creating a business where all parties benefit.

The difference in quality and sustainability benefits beauty professionals, consumers, indigenous communities and the Earth.

The company is not just about selling products. It takes it's mission to a much deeper lever in the provision of beauty products and experiences for its customers. These include

Lifestyle Salons/Spas: These salons and spas are committed to the philosophy of connecting beauty, wellness and care for the environment. They offer fantastic experiences as well as well as the full range of Aveda products.

Concept Salons/Spas: These salons and spas offer a customers a caring and relaxing experience using hair care, skin care and face color exclusively from Aveda.

Experience Centres: These retails stores are located in many large shopping malls and city centres. They stock the complete line of Aveda products.

Destination Spas: These are to be found around the world with each one created for the sole purpose of providing complete relaxation for the body and total escape for the mind. They offer luxury facilities and the full menu of treatments in a specially designed atmosphere.

With more and more people wanting do take care of the planet Aveda is all set to be able to provide men and women with the products they want whilst giving them the knowledge and comfort that they are making a real difference to the environment.

As Summer Fades, Your Tan Doesn't Have To

Enjoying the sun has been a favorite pastime for people of all ages for many years. Today, it is still one of life's free pleasures.

In the early 1920s, "Sun Therapy" became very popular and was prescribed as a cure for everything from simple fatigue to tuberculosis. Around the same time, French fashion designer Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel popularized the tan as a status symbol when she appeared at the fashion shows with a golden tan obtained while vacationing on the French Riviera.

In the mid-1940s, home tanning lamps gained popularity with health enthusiasts. And in the 1970s, the carefree youth culture demanded a year-round tan so they could appear to have just returned from vacation. This spawned the development of the indoor tanning bed (1975) and the growing popularity of sunless tanning lotions.

Today, with superior application methods and advanced ingredients, the use of sunless tanning products is at an all-time high and anyone can enjoy the appearance of a beautiful, healthy-looking tan-year-round.

Keep On Glowing

As summer fades, your tan doesn't have to. One of the simplest and most effective ways to keep a beautiful tan looking fresh and radiant through the sunning season and beyond is to use products specifically designed to create and maintain a sun-kissed glow. Following are some simple sunless tanning tips from the experts at California Tan.

• Always Prepare Your Skin-For best results, prime skin with a gentle, oil-free exfoliating product to do away with rough, flaky, dry skin to create a smooth surface that will more evenly absorb sunless tanning ingredients. Exfoliating will also help color last longer and help the sunless tan fade away more evenly and naturally.

• Apply Self-Tanner Once a Week-To develop or maintain a healthy-looking glow, apply self-tanner over entire body in even, circular motions and always wash hands after application. Never apply self-tanner to palms of hands or soles of feet. Choose a product format that is best for your skin type-lotion for dryer skin, spray for oilier skin, or foam for combination skin. A product with a subtle tint allows for easy application as it "shows where it goes."

• Keep Color Fresh and Skin Hydrated-To extend color and protect a tan from fading away, use a moisturizer containing subtle self-tanning, skin-enhancing bronzers. The combination of hydrating the skin and supplying it with the added bronzers will keep color going strong and skin smooth and radiant.

• Pay Extra Attention to Fast-Fading Zones-Certain body parts, like the face and legs, lose color due to excessive cleansing and/or shaving. Keep color longer by paying special attention to these areas with products designed to extend color longer with bronzing, anti-aging, sun care protection and moisturizing ingredients. California Tan Face Perfector SPF 15 and Leg Perfector were designed to prolong color on your face and legs.

Anti-aging info and advice

With more and more people living for longer periods, anti-aging is becoming big business. This article looks into what causes premature aging and gives advice on how to keep looking younger for longer.

The latest research shows that around seventy-five percent of skin aging is caused by an over exposure to the sun. This is a huge figure and one that has to be taken seriously for anyone who is looking at ways in delaying the aging process.

In my opinion this is actually common sense as when anything becomes burnt it tends to shrivel up and become all wrinkly. This is what can happen to peoples skin, it may not happen straight away but after maybe thirty years of this over exposure to the sun, wrinkles are likely to appear.

For people who enjoy spending time sunbathing as it makes them feel good and they like looking tanned, I would advise a strong sun cream. This should be used regularly as per the instructions and if you start to feel your body burning up this is the time when you should be looking for some shade or to cover up.

It is also important to ensure we get enough sleep. Research suggests that people who only average around six hours sleep per night will age in looks far quicker than people who average eight hours.

Again this is very logical as if you have a period of a couple of weeks when you do not get enough sleep, bags can appear under your eyes. If you have a really good nights sleep you tend to wake up not only feeling fresh and awake but also looking fresh and healthy. My advice here for people who have developed these bags under their eyes would be to use a good eye cream or to gently massage their eyes every day.

Smoking can certainly speed up the aging process. To quit smoking is not easy however but it is a must for people on a quest to delay the aging process. There are of course many other reasons to stop smoking, therefore be brave and look at ways to quit smoking today.

I have often heard people refer to somebody with a comment such as, he looks as if he has had a hard life. This is often referred to somebody who looks far older than they actually are. They look like they have not been looked after or that they have not had enough love in their lives.

What I think has happened is that they have had a stressful life. What we therefore need to do is to attempt to live as much of a stress-free life as possible. This of course is not that easy. What we need to do is to think in a more positive and pro-active way. We need to start to like ourselves and be happy with who we are and what we have. Thinking in this way will certainly in my opinion help you in your quest of anti-aging.

Answering Hypnotherapy's Most Frequent Questions

The definition of hypnosis is a relaxed, focused state of concentration. To some, the concept of being relaxed and focused at the same time seems an oxymoron, but hypnosis allows you to enter such a state of mind. It was presumed until recently that it was a sleep-like state, or that the mind was unconscious. Actually, there is a state which the brain enters into. It has been discovered on scans during hypnosis that in this state, the mind is highly receptive to suggestion. It is not an unusual or unpleasant state of mind; most people simply feel relaxed. There is an alteration in brain wave activity, called the alpha state. This is a very pleasant, relaxing state, but during which the mind is alert, responsive, and open to a rich sensory experience.

Is hypnosis dangerous?

In the hands of a properly trained individual, hypnosis is not dangerous. There may be some circumstances which would be undesirable with an untrained hypnotist, but nothing serious could happen. If you are seeking hypnotherapy, always ensure that the practitioner is registered with a professional body with a code of conduct that you can review.

Can hypnosis make me do something against my will?

This is one of the biggest myths surrounding hypnosis. Stage hypnotists choose their subjects carefully so that they will have participants who would be willing to act outrageously. You will never do anything, or accept any suggestion that violates your morals or values. If that was possible, hypnotists could make you rob banks and bring back the money. The hypnotists would be rich and rule the world. Clearly, this is not the case. If you visit a hypnotherapist wanting to seek help with a phobia, and approach your session with an open mind and a willingness for the therapy to work, these is a good chance that your session will have a positive outcome.

Can anybody be hypnotised?

Almost everyone can be hypnotised. There are a few exceptions, however. Some examples are educationally subnormal individuals, people suffering from senility, very young children, hard drug addicts and individuals under the influence of alcohol.

All You Need To Know About Fragrances And Perfumes

Why do people use perfume? Men and women alike have their own purposes for using fragrances. Some just like to smell good, and smelling good enhances their own well-being. Some use perfume to make a grand statement as they enter a room and to leave an impression as they go out. Some enhance their own natural scent with perfume so they would be seductive and appealing to the opposite sex. There are many reasons as to why people use fragrances.

Unique Signature Scents

When you buy perfumes, however, you have to be careful. It is very unwise to just pick up a bottle and head off to the counter to buy that fragrance. You have to test it on your skin first. Not only is it possible that you could be allergic to some perfumes, but a fragrance that smells nice on one person will not smell the same on you.

There is something that biochemists and manufacturers of perfumes alike call the signature scent. This signature scent refers to the particular chemical makeup of the body, which dictates how our skin will take to any fragrance that we apply onto it. We all have unique signature scents because it is determined by our particular lifestyle habits and choices, diet, the medication that we take if we are taking any, our skin type and coloring, and many other factors. Thus, because of signature scent, a specific fragrance will smell differently on different people.

The Three Elements of Fragrance

The scent of a perfume is determined by three elements: the theme of the fragrance, its notes and its concentration. Knowing about these three elements can help you decide on which would be the best perfume that would suit you and your personality.

Theme is what creates variation among fragrances. It is also called accord and is dependent on the base upon which the perfume is formulated, and there are four common bases used in formulating perfumes. These four are:

* Citrus – created from fruits rich in citric acid, like oranges, bergamots and lemons, always light and fresh-smelling.
* Earth – lends an air of mystery upon the wearer, formulated from minerals or from non-flowering plants such as cinnamon, vanilla, honey and sandalwood.
* Musk – always considered sexy and alluring, and though previously made from the sacs of animals such as the civet and the Asian musk deer, they are now created synthetically.
* Floral – the most common theme among perfumes; as the name suggests, they are made from the essence of flowers and are often strong, clinging and sweet.

The notes of a perfume, on the other hand, are what are known as the impressions of the fragrance. It is the lingering air left by the perfume as it evaporates from the skin. All scents have three notes, called the top, the heart and the base.

* Top note – the instant impression created by the fragrance. It is supposed to attract people to the scent, but it quickly dissipates.
* Heart note – called the body of the perfume, the perfume’s essence. It tells the smeller what the fragrance is supposed to be about.
* Base note – the scent that lingers after the top note and the heart note evaporates. It is the main message of the perfume.

The last element to be considered is the concentration of the perfume. Concentration indicates how pure the perfume is, or the amount of perfume oil added into the fragrance. The purest perfume is known to be extremely volatile and can cause irritations when applied right onto the skin. To prevent this and to allow users to enjoy fully the fragrance, perfume oils are mixed into ethanol, with water sometimes added in.

Perfume extracts are the most concentrated among fragrances. They are meant to be used sparingly and only on the body’s pulse points. Coming after perfume extracts in terms of concentration is the eau de parfum, and after that, the eau de toilette. These two are often sprayed all over the body. The least concentrated of fragrances is the eau de cologne.

Tips on How to Buy Perfume

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when buying a scent for yourself.

1. Never buy a scent just because you liked how it smelled on someone else. Remember that our signature scent is uniquely our own, so what may smell good on others may not be as good on our skin.

2. Never be in a rush when buying perfume. The best way to test a fragrance is to spray some on your wrist and let it linger for 30 minutes. It usually takes a scent to display all its three notes within 30 minutes. If you like what you smell on yourself after that time, go ahead and buy the fragrance.

3. Always get a scent that expresses your personality. You should always think of the fragrances you wear as extensions of yourself.

4. Always remember that the chemical makeup of a perfume is delicate. Therefore, never store your fragrances in extremely cold or extremely hot places, or where they can be caught by direct sunlight.

5. Never hoard your perfumes or else they will just evaporate.

Agel UMI: A Highly Effective Way of Boosting Our All Important Immune System!

Your body is in an all out war, constantly and everyday of your life. All day, everyday, germs and viruses are trying to enter your body to wreak havoc. From simple infections to dangerous viruses, your main area of defense – the frontline in this war for control over your body – is your immune system. Without an immune system you’d quickly be gravely ill, and very soon afterwards die.

Even with a compromised and less than peak functioning immune system, we are at great risk of contracting simple infections and diseases that can easily become elevated to become serious illness.

So how do you combat this and actually strengthen your immune system? Is there really in fact a way to do this? Luckily there are things you can do, and thanks to Agel Enterprise, the company quickly breaking new ground on the health and wellness front, it’s actually easier than ever before to be able to do so, even for the busiest people.

Agel UMI is the product from Agel which not only is able to help in strengthening a weak immune system, but surprisingly for many… just as importantly, it actually modulates the immune system so that the immune system doesn’t become overactive and actually begin to work against us. When this happens, and it gets out of hand, the effect is called auto-immune disease in which case your immune system begins attacking your own body, mistakenly seeing it as a threat. Agel UMI works to balance this effect.

Agel is a company that works extremely hard to find the best, most efficient and effective ingredients from all over the world to use in their products, and UMI is no exception.

Depending on where you live on this great planet, you may or may not normally consider eating seaweed because it just may not be a part of your culture, or part of the custom from where you live – but in many cultures people do eat seaweed, and very much benefit from its effects. Brown seaweed is apparently a superbly nutritional plant, usually consumed only on coastal areas from which it’s abundantly available, where people for centuries have benefited from its potent effects on the immune system.

The reason for this, as extensive studies have now gone on to show, is because of a substance in the brown seaweed called Fucoidan. This is essentially a very potent substance which contains very essential sugar substances to our bodies such as fucose. Fucoidan seems to be the chemical substance in the brown seaweed which is responsible for modulating, or balancing the immune system.

The brown seaweed has been an essential and vast part of people’s meals in these areas and thus has sustained their health much more effectively than other areas.

Agel took it a step further with it’s Agel UMI product for you however; and so that you don’t have to sit and eat the brown seaweed, Agel has put the potent substance into a highly efficient and quickly absorbable gel that actually tastes great regardless of the fact that it is well…seaweed.

It also comes in very convenient packets so that you can basically squeeze it right into your mouth. You can experience a huge difference in your health as well as be able to do so without having to stop your day to either dig out and swallow pills, or blend up some sort of shake.

Agel makes some of the greatest products in the world for health and wellness, and Agel UMI should be the cornerstone for that because without a strong but balanced immune system you’re basically destined for illness.

About comercial tanning beds

What is a Commercial Tanning Bed?
If you are looking to invest in a Tanning salon then you will need to purchase several commercial tanning beds. A commercial tanning bed is not the same as your in-home consumer tanning bed and there are at least two different styles to choose from.

What is a Commercial Tanning Bed?

A commercial tanning bed is a tanning unit that is designed to withstand the constant demands placed on it by repeatable use. Unlike a home unit these commercial tanning beds will be used several times a day. Commercial is generally more powerful for example if a home tanning bed has the same number of lamps, for example 24, then the voltage may be lower. Commercial tanning beds will typically use a 220v unlike the home version which will tend to use 110v.

Are there Different Types?

A commercial tanning bed can be found in two types. You have your typical tanning bed where you lay down during your tanning session. Then you have an upright unit also referred to as a stand-up commercial tanning bed. This type of unit gives you the ability to stand during your tanning session which tends to run around 8 min. This style also gives you the option of adding a dressing room to it so you can undress and tan all in the same unit.

The Benefits of Using a Commercial Tanning Bed
Ask any dermatologist what is the worst thing you can do to your skin and they will tell you exposing your skin to the sun's UV rays. By using a commercial tanning bed you can get skin that looks sun-kissed without the need to expose yourself to the damage that tanning in the sun can do.
By using a commercial tanning bed will also save you time. Unlike laying in the hot sun for hours, each tanning session on a commercial tanning bed will only run from 8 minutes to 15 minutes. The time for each session depends upon how many lamps are on the tanning bed and how many watts are generated during the session. So getting rich looking skin can actually be done during a lunch hour or quickly after work on your way home.
Does a Commercial Tanning Bed Come With a Warranty?
Almost every manufacture offers a warranty. The industry standard seems to be a 90-day on lamps, parts and labor. Then you have an additional 5 year limited warranty for manufacturing defects. Some manufactures cover other charges such as an extended labor-only warranty for the first 6 months.

Is their Financing Available for a Commercial Tanning Bed?

Yes there is financing available. Almost every manufacture offers financing for their tanning beds. Most offer a lease with an optional buy out at the end. This is a great way to go because you need to only come up with a first, last and security payment which is usually a very small payment. Then at the end of the leasing period you typically have a dollar buy out which means your last payment will be for $1 and the commercial tanning bed is now yours.

A Pursuit For The Nose

Take note, when you buy a perfume bottle most of the cost goes to the packaging, advertising, sales profit and tax. Only a small percentage, actually around ten percent, is dedicated to the costs of the scents.

So why buy when you can make your own perfume. Not only will you be able to save some money but you'll get a blast from the pursuit of the perfect perfume.

One of the greatest advantages of making your own perfume is that you don't have to worry about having chemicals and preservatives going onto your skin. Since you're more likely going to work with natural, you don't have to worry about the possible effects of synthetic materials on your body.

However, care should still be taken when using various essential oils. Some people might still have particular allergenic reactions to specific types of oils. It is therefore important to know or be familiar with your own body chemistry first before trying experimenting with blending perfumes.

First, let's differentiate between the various types of perfumes. Basically, a perfume is a mixture of aromatic compounds and diluted in alcohol and water. The amounts of aromatic oils dissolve in a blend determine if it can be called a perfume or a cologne. Arranged from highest concentration of oils to lowest the sequence would be: perfume, eau de parfum, eau de toilette, eau de cologne and body splash.

When we say perfume, the blend of aromatic oils is from 25 to 40%. Eau du parfum, meanwhile, are 15-30% aromatics. Eau du Cologne has even lighter aromatic oil contents. This type of scent usually has around 5-15% aromatic compounds. Toilet water or sometimes referred to as body splash has only 3-5% aromatics. Body splash are ideally used after you take a bath or shower.

When you make your own perfume, you get to choose which solvent you would use to dilute the blend. Available at your disposal are either jojoba or alcohol. Both have distinct differences and benefits. Jojoba is great for perfume blends because it never turns rancid.

When you have created your own perfume blend, it is best that you use the perfume only on your pulse points. Anywhere more and you might overdo the scent. For diluting the blend the traditional way, you use grain alcohol or a high grade proof of vodka. Alcohol makes the blend more volatile. The problem with alcohol is that you have to let the perfume blend evolve. If you don't the scent will smell more like an alcohol rather than a perfume. Usual proportions of alcohol and perfume blend is about three or four ml of the blend combined with five or 10 drops of alcohol.

Making your own perfume should be fun. Don't delve too much on the technicality of blending perfumes. Explore and try to make combinations that are unheard off. You never know, the resulting blend might be perfect to your body chemistry.

Scents and fragrances react differently when applied to your body. Choosing one that fits you is like choosing the right color of dress or the right pair of shoes to wear. Perfumes cannot just be worn arbitrarily. The resulting scent might be catastrophic. That's why you need to experiment more when making your own perfume. Try various combinations of scents until you find the perfect one for you.

7 Beauty Tips for Looking Younger

Ever since Eve took that first bite of the apple, the human race has been obessed with beauty.

The truth is we begin the aging process just as soon as we pop out of the womb. Every day of our lives our bodies slough off and regenerate new cells. The speed at which that process takes place when we are children is vastly different as we get older.

Every day you are bombarded daily with commercial messages and beauty tips that attempt to lure you into believing that the most recent miracle drug is just what you need to fight off the ravages of Mother Nature.

We are living longer as a whole. Singularly, that can be a curse or a blessing, depending on your perspective.
The best route to natural beauty and healthy skin is to take care of what you have. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? The truth is that your skin takes a beating from the environment every single day. Here are some of our favorite beauty tips for keeping your skin fresh and healthy:

1: Stay hydrated and do it with plenty of water! That does not mean soda, caffeine or any other type of liquid, even if it is low cal. Soda (even diet soda) has a high concentration of sodium. Sodium retains fluids. You need fluid that will hydrate and flush your body free of toxins. Make sure you are drinking at least 8 glasses a day!

2: Protect your skin from harmful ultra violet (UV) rays. We all love the sun. We love being in it and we love having a beautiful tan. The truth is you can poison yourself with too much sunshine. UV rays cause skin cancer and if that isn’t bad enough it causes your skin to age faster than it should, contributing to unsightly wrinkles. If you must play in the sun, make certain you are using an adequate sun screen. Don’t leave home without it!

3: Keep your skin clean. Use a soft warm cloth. Skin does not require scrubbing. You will do more harm than good if you do.

4: The best cure for wrinkles is to never have them in the first place! If you are like most of us, you didn’t listen to your Mom when she tried to tell you to stay in the shade, stand up straight and stop squinting!

5: Eat healthy. Knowing how and what to eat, can make a huge difference in how you feel. Improper eating habits can cause depression, weight gain, illness and an overall lethargy.

Weight gain causes your skin to stretch. As you get older, it loses it's elasticity and you're left with sagging skin.
The best solution to this is to maintain a proper weight.

A rule of thumb for eating habits are...don't eat more calories than you consume. Don't go one single day without doing something extra and physical for at least 30 minutes per day. This can be three ten minute walks. Or 30 minutes of vigorous aerobics, or 12 minutes of weight lifting and 18 minutes of walking.

6: Don't worry, be happy. A happy outlook appears to trigger the release of endorphins. Endorphins relax the cardiovascular system and cytokines which alert the immune system to pay attention in detecting abnormalities like cancer cells. Listen carefully to yourself. If you have put yourself down since childhood, over a lifetime, negative subliminal messages can take their toll by turning you into a pessimist. Spend one week writing down the phrases you use in your “self talk.” Chances are you will find that you repeat a dozen or so phrases over and over again that reinforce that negative image. If you know about them, you can change them. Outer beauty and inner joy go hand in hand.

Here are a few quick tips for increasing joy, hope and optimism that will work no matter what your age:

Make a list of at least 50 great things that happen to you every day.

Laugh a lot. You’ll heal your body and your mind.

Discover a new challenge each month.

Try meditating for just five minutes each day.

7: Sex After 50 – Ha! How many of you jumped ahead to this section?

The importance of physical intimacy actually depends on the couple. An alarming number of men used to give up on sex after 60 and many women used to feel that their sex life ended with menopause. Thankfully, that is no longer the case.

Sex at middle age can actually become better and more satisfying than ever before. Maturity gives a couple more experience in lovemaking. The children are usually grown and left home. The pressures of building a career and day to day life are usually less stressful than in younger years.

Is beauty really skin deep?

The answer is yes and no. It’s a paradox, isn’t it? True beauty begins from the inside out. Don’t you wish there was some way to “wriggle your nose” and regain that soft skin you had as a child? Well, until someone comes up with the true “Fountain of Youth” we are stuck with what we have.

Just remember that getting older doesn't have to mean getting old.

5 Myths About Rhinoplasty – Revisited

With rhinoplasy being the second most popular plastic surgery procedure performed in 2004 (according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons), nose surgery is moving from the realm of the rich and famous into the homes of regular people like you and me. Now that this procedure is more accessible than ever, it’s only natural that you will be exposed to a lot of information about it – some true, some doubtful, some downright false. In this article, we’ll try to address some of the most popular misconceptions surrounding rhinoplasty.

1. Every plastic surgeon can do a rhinoplasty surgery – Technically, yes. Most plastic surgeons will have rhinoplasty on their list of performed procedures. However, that doesn’t mean that every plastic surgeon can achieve good rhinoplasty results. Rhinoplasty is a challenging procedure, both from a medical and an artistic point of view. A plastic surgeon must have a thorough understanding of the internal anatomy of the nose and the workings of the respiratory system, so that the reshaped nose is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also fully functional. Since the nose is such a major factor in our face’s overall appearance, the plastic surgeon also needs to have a strong sense of artistry, to create a nose that fits beautifully with the rest of the patient’s face.

2. Rhinoplasty is motivated by vanity – Despite the widely-held belief that people get nose surgery solely for cosmetic reasons, it’s not uncommon for this procedure to correct breathing problems (e.g. a septum deviation) in addition to enhancing the appearance of the nose. At the same time, it has been established that in patients who are unhappy with the appearance of their nose, having rhinoplasty may lead to a physical and emotional transformation that will enhance their self-confidence and ultimately their quality of life. From this perspective, the effect of rhinoplasty is comparable more to a therapeutic treatment than a selfish gratification for the patient’s vanity.

3. Rhinoplasty is painful – Unlike other plastic surgery procedures like breast implants or tummy tuck, rhinoplasty is not usually painful. Most surgeons perform rhinoplasty under general anesthesia, so you will be fully asleep and will not feel a thing. After the surgery, you will have a small nose cast for 7 to 10 days, during which you will most likely feel congested, as if having a cold. The area around your nose and eyes may be swollen and bruised (especially if your nasal bones have been reshaped); however, the overall discomfort you will experience after the surgery is minimal.

4. Everyone will notice you had a nose job – If your nose requires a major change – like removing a large bump – people around you might indeed notice the difference in your nose. However, if your nose needs only a refinement of the bridge or tip, chances are the perceived change in your appearance will be less dramatic than you anticipate. After all, nobody is as intimately familiar with your facial features as you are, so making a minor change to them may not be very obvious to the outside world. Also, keep in mind that a good surgeon will avoid providing you with an “operated-looking nose”, and instead will strive to achieve a balance between your reshaped nose and the rest of your facial features, so they naturally complement each other.

5. Rhinoplasty will get you the nose of your dreams – While having rhinoplasty can dramatically improve the appearance of your nose, there are certain limitations to what a plastic surgeon can do, based on your given bone and skin structure. At the same time, there is a chance that you won’t be fully satisfied with the results of your surgery. Statistics show that between 10% and 15% of rhinoplasty surgeries require a secondary procedure, to either enhance or correct the results of the first. This is sometimes due to the nose healing and developing in ways that the surgeon cannot predict or control. In other cases, the patients’ dissatisfaction with the final results is due to poor communication with the doctor about the intended outcome of the surgery. However, this occurrence is an exception rather than the rule, since most patients report to be happier with their physical appearance after the surgery than before.

So what is the key to successfully achieving the nose of your dreams? Going back to point one – it’s carefully researching, selecting and communicating with your surgeon! How long has he or she been performing nose surgeries? What is their surgical accreditation? What does their safety record look like? Take a good luck at images of his or her rhinoplasty patients – does their reshaped nose measure up to your idea of beauty? Can you picture your own nose looking like that? If you do, the next step consists in ensuring that both you and your surgeon have a very clear understanding of what you expect your nose to look like and what is attainable from a medical point of view. Armed with good knowledge and a positive attitude, you’re on your best way to achieving a more attractive and confident YOU!

12 Tips for Eyeshadow

Eye Shadow - Top 12 Tips On How To Apply It Perfectly

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So go for it and get gorgeous right away!

3 Benefits Of Home Tanning Beds

Some people love the idea of owning tanning beds. A bed in your home will allow you to tan whenever you want, day or night. You won’t have to drive across town or rush to get to the salon before they close. Although they can be expensive, if you tan regularly, the investment may be well worth the money in the long run.

3 Things to Look for in Tanning Beds

The Style of the Bed
You basically have two choices in the style of your bed: a traditional horizontal bed and a standing booth. Unless you have a room or large space to devote to a horizontal bed, you may want to consider a standing booth. These take up less space in your home and can be placed in a corner. Basically, your preference and the amount of space you have available will dictate this choice.

The Bulbs Used in the Bed

The type of tanning bed bulbs used in a bed are the most important feature. Beds use either UVA and UVB rays or UVA only. There is controversy over which bulbs are safer for your skin. There really is no safe way to tan, and you should take precautions to protect yourself from damage to your skin, regardless of the bulbs used.

You need to know exactly which kinds of bulbs are used in your bed when it is time to replace them. Bulbs aren’t interchangeable and you need to be sure to buy the right ones. Also, look at the placement of the bulbs. How easy will they be to replace? You will most likely be performing this task yourself and you want to be sure it will be easy to do.

Extra Features

The best extra features to look for include a face tanner and a cooling system. The face tanner will help you get the ultimate tan all over your body. These have specially placed bulbs in the facial area that direct light to this area, which is difficult to tan for some people.

A cooling system is important if you get easily over heated inside a bed. The cooling fan will keep your skin from getting too hot. Make sure you don’t overdo it in the bed with this feature. Just because you don’t feel the heat, doesn’t mean you aren’t tanning. Staying in the bed too long contributes to over exposure and can be dangerous for your skin.

Choices in Home Tanning Beds

Most home beds are traditional tan beds. These use typical bulbs that resemble fluorescent tubes. Another choice in beds are known as High Pressure Beds. These use high pressure quartz bulbs, rather than the traditional lamps. They are called high pressure because the gas in the bulb is slightly higher than the pressure in the atmosphere.

These beds allow you to tan on only one side at a time. You will need to turn over half way through your session. Many people find these to be more comfortable than traditional beds. These are normally found in salons, but you may come across one if you shop for used equipment.

Purchasing Used Tanning Beds

A used bed can be an affordable option to an expensive new home bed. In many cases, you can find a high quality bed at the price of a cheap bed. There are some things you should consider before purchasing a new bed:

o Make sure the bed you are considering meets the current federal and state safety regulations. These change often and you want to make sure the bed you buy is safe. A tanning salon owner is a good source of information regarding safety regulations. The internet is another good source of information, as most states post regulations for salon owners.

o Find out how often the bed was used. If it was originally used in a salon, it has probably gotten quite a bit of use. Sometimes beds that have been purchased for home use end up getting very little use. These can be great, giving you a little used bed at a substantially reduced price.

o Compare the price difference of the used bed with a brand new bed. The bigger the difference, the better for you.

o Ask about the working condition and any repairs that have been done. Also ask when the bulbs were last replaced and about the maintenance that has been done. You want a bed that has been properly maintained.

o Ask if there is any time left on the warranty.