Who does not want to sport a flawless skin and thick mane of hair? All of us want to! Right? However this is not possible unless you are healthy. If you are having skin related issues then you should not avoid even the slightest sign. These are not ailments but mere symptoms of ailments that you are suffering from within. Unless you heal yourself from inside, you cannot flaunt flawless skin and hair. We all know and agree that prevention is better than cure. Here are a few important factors to be kept in mind that will help us combat the usual skin related problems in a jiffy.

Almost the whole world is troubled by Acne related problems. Acne happens due to clogged pores or excessive oil secretion. The first step is to ensure that you cleanse your skin properly at equal interval. Apply an appropriate toner in order to close your pores. Try and avoid wearing tight clothes as they may aggravate the situation. Never touch acne with dirty hands or pluck them as they may leave behind a permanent scar.

In case you are suffering from dry skin, then do friendship with moisturizers. Choose a moisturizer, depending on your dryness and skin situation. If you have extremely dry skin then use wax based creams. Incase even after prolong use of moisturizers there is no improvement in your condition, then it is best suggested that you consult a dermatologist.

Many people suffer from Brown spots and freckles on their skin. This is mainly caused due to over exposure of harsh sun rays. In such cases, it is advisable that you use a strong high SPF content sun protection cream to combat your problems. Try and reapply sun scream on these areas after every couples of hours when out in the sun. Wear clothes, which keep these areas under cover and protect your skin from UV rays of the sun that may aggravate the condition.

For all the above ailments discussed, you get over the counter medication. Try using them to see if it improves your condition. If not, then rush to a dermatologist. They have the required knowledge to guide you through your problems and resolve them. They will prescribe certain medicines and therapies that will be beneficial for your skin related issues. Remember that any kind of skin related problem is actually just an external manifestation of an inner deep rooted problem. Unless you heal yourself from within you will not be able to get rid of these skin ailments completely.

When a mirror breaks, nothing can be done to bring it back to its original perfect form. Luckily for us, this kind of permanency is not true when it comes to more important stuff – stretch marks, for instance. Of course, many people believe that nothing can be done about stretch marks. “Once you’ve got them, you’ll have to live with them.” Thankfully, science has made such statements totally untrue!

You have probably all wondered why we get these wretched marks in the first place. When the skin is stretched past its limit, it causes stretch marks. This normally happens when your body’s size increases at too fast a pace, such as at the time of puberty or when a person gains weight suddenly. Stretch marks also occur fairly commonly during pregnancy. The human skin has three layers: the outermost is the epidermis, the middle is the dermis and the innermost layer is called the subcutaneous layer. Stretch marks occur due to less than required collagen content in the dermis. In reality, stretch marks pose no risk to your health. They are merely a cosmetic imperfection, but an imperfection nonetheless, according to some people.

Most stretch marks fade with age, becoming lighter as time passes. For people who do not want therapy, one option is to cover stretch marks with make-up that is made especially for this use. For perfectionists who want to do better than just covering them up, laser therapy is a good option. The type of laser used depends on the kind of stretch marks. The ones lighter than the skin color, need a laser that stimulates melanin production and those stretch marks that are darker than the skin tone require a laser that reduces their color. Besides this, there are other kinds of laser treatments that use a different method to help you get rid of those embarrassing stretch marks. One laser stimulates the production of collagen in the skin cells, thereby, restoring their elasticity and curing the very cause of stretching of skin.

Another treatment for stretch marks is blue light therapy, which involves the use of a combination of gel and light to remove stretch marks. This particular treatment is also useful for reduction of acne.

Topical treatments and applying creams may also help moisturize skin, repair collagen and enhance elastin growth and in that way reduce the stretch marks on your skin. Usual ingredients for these creams are cocoa butter, wheat germ oil, lanolin and vitamin E. However, most of these creams are effective if applied while the skin is being stretched and may be almost useless if applied after the marks have already been formed. They reduce occurrence of stretch marks by keeping the skin soft and supple and by making it more elastic and less prone to these marks.

Who is most susceptible to stretch marks? People who are genetically prone to them (they usually have their parent’s weak collagen) and people with lighter skin should be more careful and should try to avoid rapid fluctuations in their weight.

Of course, there is no single guaranteed-to-work cure. Rather, a combination of some of the above mentioned treatments can help drastically reduce or in some lucky people, totally eliminate signs of stretch marks.

Try natural home remedies to fade away those ugly strech marks forever.

Do you remember your adolescence years when every morning the thought of facing the mirror and seeing red teen acne staring back at you used to give you nightmares? Troubled teen is the correct term to define this confusing phase of anyone’s life. Not only does our body go through a horrific hormonal imbalance resulting in more sebum production that causes pimples, the uncertainty of what the future has in store adds to the woes.

This is the time when you want to experiment and enjoy different facets of life, want to be a part of the cheer leader group or be a part of that all popular school band. A high self esteem is must for a smooth sail at this age which can seriously be hampered by the appearance of this disturbing teen acne. Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder doesn’t hold true at this time of your life and nothing helps to uplift your spirit as much as a glowing clean and clear skin. From face packs to oral medications there are numbers of products flooding the market claiming to provide you with the much needed relief from this ugly acne.

Here are few of the tips that can be used to handle the aggravating problem of recurring teen acne:-

• Try a product that is rich in salicylic acid which helps in controlling the excess oil on your skin thus preventing the teen acne breakout. One of the most popular product which has won many admirers is Proactive that has proved to be very effective in curing acne as seen by the before and after snaps of its users.

• Another skin care treatment that is being used especially by adolescents is making use of acne peels. This treatment not only cures your skin but also improves your complexion. But a word of caution before going for this treatment, acne peels can be a bit rough on your skin. Because of the harsh impact of acne peels, this treatment is not recommended for adults suffering from acne breakouts. Though acne peels is a slightly expensive therapy it promises to give you excellent results.

• One of the best alternatives to treat teen acne is to rely on tested grandma’s home remedies. Try using natural substances like sandalwood paste or grated cucumber face pack on your skin. These substances have a cooling effect on the skin, soaks excessive oil without actually drying your skin giving it the much wanted natural glow without any side effects.

There are number of alternatives available to the teenagers today to effectively deal with the problem of teen acne. A little bit of personal care like regular cleaning of your face with a mild soap combined with balanced rich fiber diet and regular exercise will surely equip you in bidding adieu to the horror known as teen acne.

Feeling restless  and cant take it any more? Discover how I achieved acne free skin in just three days.

A life is nurtured in a tiny corner of your tummy… a body is being shaped inside the confined walls of your abdomen. You are asked to be cautious and a lot of do’s and don’ts are suggested to you. You take the advices from those who are experienced…you feel the kick, you feel the pangs and a feeling of joy perfectly blended with fear… you are now the creator!

Every woman’s pregnancy is a different experience. This is how it went for Christine, a new mum.

Month One

I don’t feel like I’m pregnant, but I do get tired easily. There is an occasional period like cramp though. I’ve started craving salt, and sometimes I eat it right out of the pot!

Month Two

I’ve been told that I might have symptoms of morning sickness, but I haven’t had any of it yet. Strong flavors put me off, especially garlic and onions. My nose is sharper and the sense of smell is more acute. I feel a little depressed at times, and run to the loo quite often.

Month Three

My stomach seems to have swollen up just a little bit. I feel like I have water retention. My clothes still fit me but it does feel a little tight. I haven’t had any mood swings but I don’t feel sexy anymore. I feel like crying in the mornings, and I do feel uneasy at times, especially in the mornings, but I’m alright after breakfast.

Month Four

I now have a prominent bump and I feel rather good about it. I love eating sweets all of a sudden, and I also eat a lot. I feel great, and my skin seems to glow. I’m mostly in a happy mood. Got a cold this week, and that did get me low for sometime but otherwise I’am just fine.

Month Five

I love watching my bump in the mirror, and it’s got pretty big and obvious now. I have started gorging on food, and feel hungry very often. I like myself and am happy, but I do get tired easily, especially in the evenings.

Month Six

I get tired very easily, but the hunger pangs still grip me. I’ve started craving for chocolates and eat loads of them everyday.

Month Seven

This is getting quite tough, and its not too much fun anymore. My groin and my back ache all the time. At times, my breathing gets short and panicky.

Month Eight

I’m on the bed all the time now, and sleep for most of the day. The baby is getting really heavy now, and I find it very hard to move. My back ache has got worse, and its almost impossible to get comfortable anymore. I’m feeling alright, but quite irritable.

Month Nine

I feel real heavy and uncomfortable, and it’s usual for me to get up every now and then in the middle of the night to wee. I can’t eat large meals anymore, as the baby is pressing my stomach. The stretch marks have become prominent, and I have a bad heartburn. My skin become very oily and tired. I’m just waiting to have the baby!

Month Ten

I went 7 days overdue- a very hard few days. It was hard to wait in anticipation, but according to my friends and family, overall this was quite an easy pregnancy.

Most of the times, it is the most common experiences that rule the suggestions pouring in while you are pregnant. But if your pregnancy happens to be different… do not worry! You are perfectly fine! You just need to be alert and prepared for a roller coaster ride of emotions… to finally have the life you’ve just created within your body, in your arms.

Personal Path to Pregnancy – This well-written e-book explains the key elements to greatly increase the probability of becoming pregnant. The tips and strategies described in Personal Path to Pregnancy will definitely help you achieve your goal of becoming pregnant.

We’re all well aware about the problems and symptoms of ‘that time of the month’. But yet, it’s just not easy to get through those days without feeling fat, ugly or just plain uncomfortable. Here’s a quick fix to help you cope with the dreaded PMS, the hassle free way.

1. Water Retention

If you find yourself asking your mate if you look fat, there’s actually a reason for that. And it’s definitely not your imagination. Studies have shown that you can gain weight anywhere between 1 kg to 4 kg before your periods! This happens due to water retention, but it can be overlooked with the assistance of good posture and a straight back. Walking tall and dressing well can actually make you feel and look a lot better during the days when you feel awfully ill-fitted in anything you wear.

2. Food and Bloat

If you feel like you’ve been bloating up, and don’t know what to do, switch to a fruit and veggies diet when you’re having a PMS attack. It can help in reducing your bloat. Especially useful are celery, onion, parsley and garlic, all of which have diuretic properties which can help in flushing liquids out of your system

3. Hit the Gym

If you’ve asked around, you’ve probably heard fitness freaks say they don’t suffer from the symptoms of PMS as much as others do. And surprisingly, this is indeed true. Regular exercises would not only keep you active and healthy, it will also help in sweating out some of the excess fluid that makes you feel lumpy. And better yet, exercise also releases feel-good hormones that prevent you from feeling down and out.

4. Banish Salt

During the days when you’re suffering from PMS, cut down your salt intake to a minimum. Reducing the sodium levels in your body helps in preventing water retention. To avoid all forms of sodium, stop yourself from eating heavily processed foods, ready meals and tinned foods.

5. Tender Breasts

If your breasts feel sore or very tender during your PMS days, increase your intake of Vitamin B6. Good sources of Vitamin B6 include beans, whole grains, oily fish, bananas and chicken. Try to incorporate at least one portion of each into your daily diet to help relieve PMS symptoms.

6. Mood Swings

Mood swings are quite common when you suffer from PMS. The best thing you can do here is to educate your partner about your mood swings. Along with this, you could also opt for prescribed herbal medicines that can help in easing your mind off the stress and irritation.

7. Menstrual Cramps

At times, your cramps may be painful. To overcome these painful cramps, you may as well think about taking some type of the over-the-counter medication for one to two days. These medications are “anti-prostaglandins”. They may relieve the discomfort, make your flow lighter, and make your uterus cramp less.

8. Aching Back

Try gentle exercise, heat therapy by resting a hot water bottle where it hurts, or relaxing in a hot bath. Lying down and breathing deeply or taking over the counter painkillers may also help a great deal.

With a bit of knowledge, it’s not hard to beat the PMS blues. If you get these eight pointers straight, you can rid yourself of those painful symptoms of PMS. And of course, you can completely forget about worrying about it too.

These tips are just the basic rules that have to be followed while picking up a good pair of sandals or shoes, but these days there are so many style factors and designs in every shoe, that there’s no easy way to describe which shoe will be the perfect one for your feet. So go ahead and try out a few shoes so you can see for yourself and decide what looks best for your feet.

When You Think You Have Big Feet

If you think you have big feet, the first thing you should know is that your feet probably don’t look as big to others as they do to you. If we were to talk about US sizes, and you wore a size 7, and you’ve always wished you had feet with a size 5, then take a ruler and look at the difference. It’s hardly two thirds of an inch. Now do you really think a man walking across the street is going to find that little difference and raise a hue and cry over it? I think not.

What To Do If Have Really Large Sized Feet?

If your feet are truly bigger than what is considered average, then you might have a problem finding footwear that fit you well. And you might also have a few problems finding your size in that beautiful pair you saw last week.

In these cases, you can go for custom shoe makers who are available in every city. You could even ask your favorite store to help you out, and they could point you to the best in the line. Most of the stores would also be willing to make the same pair you adore in your size if you could convince them. And along with that, there are also several online stores where you can find the perfect pair of shoes or sandals that you’ve been waiting for.

The problem most shoes and sandals is that, even if they do make your feet look shorter, they can make it look a wee bit wider. But there’s not much you can do about that. But here are a few tips that you could use to make your feet look smaller and a lot sexier!

Heeled Shoes VS Flat Shoes

While high heels may not be as good for your feet or body, they will make your feet look smaller. The good news is that chunky heels and wedges usually accomplish this better than stiletto heels, and they’re typically much easier to wear.

Round Toes Instead Of Pointy Toes

Pointy toed shoes can make even the daintiest of feet appear long. Since they’re usually very close-fitting, they also make the foot look thinner. Narrow shoe styles might be a good thing if you think your feet look too wide, but if it’s the length of your feet that is keeping you up at night, you definitely want to steer clear of slim shoes with pointy toes.

Dark Colored Shoes

Shoes in darker colors will make your feet look smaller than shoes in light or pastel shades, but don’t feel like you just have to stick to black. In addition to dark earth tones and grays, deeper versions of red, blue, purple and green will serve you better than their lighter-toned counterparts.

Say No To Skimpy Sandals

A strappy sandal that exposes a lot of the foot will make anyone’s foot look larger, but showing a little bit of your foot can work to your advantage. To break the monotony of just wearing closed shoes, women can try peep-toes or sling-backs.

Closed Shoes

As a general rule for closed shoes, the more material there is on top of your foot, the longer your foot will appear. A style with an opening that is closer to the toes will not look as big as a shoe in which the foot opening is very close to the front of your leg.

Accents Make Big Feet Look Smaller

Bows, buckles, lace overlays, and kiltie detailing will make feet appear more petite. Also try out shoes with tassels, and straps that cross the shoe or sandal closer to the toes than the leg.

Now if your nails are somehow less than perfect for any reasons, here are a few quick tips to get them in great condition in almost no time.

HEALTHY HANDS

• Whether you like them loud or if ‘barely-there’ is more your style, your nails need to be in ‘tip’-top condition to look good. Just as your skin gets dull and blemished when neglected, your nails too need attention.
• Drink plenty of water and use a moisturizing lotion regularly so your nails don’t get dehydrated.
• Massage hand lotion into your nails, this stimulates blood flow, bringing the nutrients that help them grow.
• Vitamin A, zinc and calcium will keep nails strong and healthy.

DOING IT YOURSELF

Start with the soak: Apply some cuticle cream or heavy moisturizer to the nail bed (the join between your finger and fingernail), then soak your fingertips in a bowl of hot water for about 10 minutes. When your cuticles are soft, use an orange stick to push them back, this should lift them slightly too. Now you’re ready to snip the excess cuticle skin carefully and gently with a cuticle nipper.

Shape up: According to experts, square ended nails are the most popular look to go for, although there is also a trend for “a more gentle curve, a cross between square and oval.” An emery board is best for shaping, not a nasty metal file that can burn and weaken the nail. Use a firm stroke moving repeatedly in the same direction.

Ridges: You can choose between a ridge file and a ridge filling base coat to even out the surface of your nails. Take time to do this, it helps, and is noticed.

Color: You can match your outfit, keep it subtle or go wild with glitter glamor (fluoro shades not recommended for official meetings or dinner with future in-laws). Don’t shake the bottle, it’ll create air bubbles; roll it between your palms to warm the liquid. Load the brush, wipe off the excess and start with a stroke down the center, before going on to do either side. Apply a second coat after the first is totally dry.

Top Tips: Try to use as few strokes as possible when applying color so you don’t end up with a streaky finish. A clear topcoat will keep your hard work in place for longer.

There’s a right way to apply mascara and there’s a wrong way to apply it. As easy as it may seem to just swipe a brush across your lashes, it can be tricky. Getting those perfect lashes need the perfect application. Here are a few tips that you can use to work your magic with those fluttering lashes.

1. Always apply your mascara from the base, not from the tip, not from the middle, but right from the base. If necessary, you can wipe away the excess mascara to prevent clogging.
2. Let your mascara work its magic for you, by rubbing the wand, first from side to side at the roots, and then rub them outwards so that your lashes fan out a lot more.
3. You may have heard that lash combs aren’t effective, and not very useful. But you definitely need a lash comb to complete the perfect pair of lashes. They can separate the mascara and spread your lashes , and prevent them from looking clumpy.
4. Take your time to apply mascara, and try applying them in layers. Allow the mascara to dry in between applications and reapply them at different parts.

Now that we’re done with a few basic tips about mascara, here are a few great products that you should definitely try out.

Christian Dior DiorShow Waterproof Mascara 090 Black

Inspired by runway shows and behind-the-scenes tricks used by professional makeup artists, Diorshow mascara reveals the secrets of the stars. The ultra-glamorous result leaves lashes thickened, lengthened and curved to the maximum, simply extraordinary. It has an exclusive one coat formula and has extra large brush for thick, ultra voluminous lashes. It is now available in a long-lasting, yet easy-to-remove, water proof formula.

Shu Uemura Fiber Xtension Lengthening Mascara ( Black )

Instant lash extensions. The first ever mascara with a unique technology combining silky-smooth building fibres, that instantly creates uniform, volumised, long lashes. Patented Triple Stroke Brush fits perfectly to lash line, delivering the formula to each individual lash. With a single stroke, lashes are coated evenly, effortlessly, with a professional touch. It is smudgeproof, water-resistant, long-wearing.

Silky Conditioning Mascara by Terry

Score some fringe benefits with Terry’s rich, silk protein mascara. The nutritive color is packed with high density pigments that individually coat and define every lash. Thanks to the smudge reducing curved blush, the color can be applied in many different ways: natural for day, super voluminous for night. It comes with a metallic tube that has a uniquely curved blush and a lash building, moisturizing formula for no-run, ultra long wear.

If you still haven’t got the hang of stroking your palms against a smooth cheek each morning, you probably still have a lot to learn, old boy. Take a look at these shaving tips to get the smooth finish.

1. Avoid shaving first thing in the morning. Your face would still be puffy due to the fluids that collect in your face tissues over a night’s sleep, and the perfect shave would be hard to get.
2. Stubble should be wetted with warm or hot water before shaving. This swells the hair shaft allowing the blade to cut the hair, not your skin.
3. Use a sharp blade. A dull blade is responsible for many shaving cuts as it drags over your face and catches your skin along with the hair of your beard.
4. Thoroughly massage shave cream into stubble. A vitamin and Aloe Vera based shave cream will provide a close soothing shave and protect against razor rashes and burns.
5. Rinse the blade often in hot water when shaving and use slow short strokes. Take your time.
6. Shaving with grain means shaving in the direction of how the hair grows on your face. It is always best to shave this way. Shaving against the grain can cause redness, rashes, razor burn and ingrown hairs, which are all painful.
7. Use an exfoliate such as a facial cleanser or scrub to eradicate dead skin cells and open up the pores of the skin to prepare it for a close shave.
8. After shaving, apply an oil-free moisturizer to soothe and protect the face. If you prefer an after-shave, check the label for alcohol. Dryness and stinging sensations are by-products of most after-shave products whose primary ingredient is alcohol. It may feel good at the time, but alcohol based after-shaves are actually irritating to many complexions.

Ever wondered about how you could get those smoky eyes or those glorious lashes on the go? Read these eye pointers to transform your eyes from gump to red carpet attraction in no time.

Mascara Curling

Never apply mascara before using a curler on your eyelashes. You should apply all other eye makeup (liner, shadow, shimmer) first, but keep your lashes clean before you curl them.

Eyeliner Tip

Does your eyeliner make your eyes look smaller? Try using a lighter color (such as brown, taupe or navy) and apply a little at a time. Draw a thin line first and observe the results in the mirror before going back to apply more. If your eyes still appear smaller, try applying liner to the outer two-thirds of the eye only.

Dramatic Lashes

Curling your lashes can make your eyes look bigger and the whites brighter. If you weren’t blessed with long luxurious lashes you can always try applying false eyelashes to achieve a dramatic gorgeous eye. With little practice, you’ll be able to apply them in no time! Remember to carefully remove the lashes at the end of the day and cleanse thoroughly with a bit of shampoo (they’re reusable!).

Tired Looking Eyes

Another late night out? Rise and shine by applying white eye shadow to your inner eye and eyelids. The color will brighten your look, make eyes really pop, and erase and effects from the night before.

Runway Brows

To achieve the latest runway look of well-groomed and defined brows, we recommend you see an esthetician to professionally shape and style your brows. You can then maintain the look at home with tweezing and trimming. If your brows are particularly unruly, a little hair gel (or even clear lip gloss in a pinch) can help smooth them into submission.

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