HOW TO GET PERFECT, BOUNCY, SHINY HAIR

THE KEY TO MEGA VOLUME

Mouse gives you volume that lasts all day long--and the more you use, the bouncier it gets. Before you blow-dry, you should apply it liberally to damp hair from the roots to the ends.

GET SALON RESULTS!

1. Partially dry. Flip your head upside down, and blow-dry your hair on medium heat until it's 80 percent dry.

2. Use rollers. Wrap two-inch sections around a round brush, drying each section on high heat. Once each section dries completely, wrap it tightly around Velcro roller.

3. Shake it out. Let your hair cool in the rollers for 15 minutes. Then unroll each roller and gently run your fingers through your hair to get perfectly tousled waves.

ESSENTIAL TOOLS

An hour glass brush. The cool shape prevents hair from sliding off the brush while you blow-dry. Look for one with a ceramic barrel, which holds on to the heat from the dryer to give you even softer waves.

A professional hair-dryer. Find one that's "ionic" (to dry hair faster) and that has more than 1,800 watts of power (to eliminate frizz). If it comes with a nozzle attachment, use it! The concentrated blast of heat will smooth the cuticle of your hair, which adds tons of shine. 

How to Choose the Best Foundation for your Skin Tone

FIND THE RIGHT FOUNDATION SHADE

Applying an undetectable base is the first step in  achieving a gorgeous face. Here's help for picking your perfect hue.

If you're shopping at a department store...

Swipe three possible matches on your lower cheek or jawline (the shade should closely match your neck as well as your face). Take a mirror and head toward a window or go outside so you can see the hues in natural light. The one that fades into your skin without much blending is the winner.

If you're shopping at a drugstore...

The trick is to first determine if you are pale, medium, or dark. Once you know your skin tone, use the bottle shade name as a guideline. Pale skin tends to have some redness, so it's best to stay away from pink-toned foundation shades. Look for a hue labeled beige or buff to neutralize ruddiness. Girls in the middle of a skin-tone spectrum have light beige, olive, or tan complexions with warm undertones. Asian skin also falls into this category since it has a lot of yellow in it. Stick with shades labeled warm, medium, or golden. Dark skin can range from as light as cafe au lait to as deep as ebony. To prevent a grayish cast, go for colours like tan, sable, or chestnut. Also, dark-skinned women often have oily skin, which can cause their base to oxidize and appear darker when it mixes with oil, so try a foundation that is slightly lighter than your complexion. 

KEY APPLICATION TIPS

Clean fingers can provide the sheerest, most natural effect since the warmth of your hands help "melt" the base onto your skin. It's best to use your fingers with liquid and cream foundation formulas.

Sponges provide more coverage and are good for blending cream-to-powder or thicker liquid foundations. Tap, don't rub, the base into your face with the sponge for an even finish.

A foundation brush gives a heavier, more velvety finish because you're literally painting on a liquid or cream base. This is ideal if you're going for a very polished look. 

CAMOUFLAGE 101

A single concealer won't cut it on every area of your face. You need one with yellow or even green undertones for tackling the redness in a zit, plus a pink-tinged shade to counteract the blue in under-eye circles.

YOUR FOUNDATION WARDROBE

When you need minimal help:

A liquid foundation or tinted moisturizer. They are sheer, blend easily, and will even out your skin tone. Look for versions that have light-reflecting pigments if you want to boost glow.

When you have some obvious red spots:

A cream to powder formula. It'll give you medium coverage and a noncakey finish.

When you won't be able to touch up your makeup all day:

A transfer-proof base-- it forms a light, flexible film that ensures the pigment won't fade for hours. Quick tip: Let your moisturizer absorb before applying your base, then blot your face with a tissue to remove any excess.

When your face is breaking out or you're more oily:

An oil-free foundation that contains the zit-fighting ingredient salicylic acid (it will say so on the package) won't clog pores or slide off your face. 

WHICH GOES ON FIRST: FOUNDATION OR CONCEALER?

Foundation. It will be the base for everything. It evens out skin tone, so you can really see where, or if, you need concealer. 

GET MORE FROM YOUR BASE:

Mix your foundation with an equal part face lotion to create a tinted moisturizer. 

Blend foundation over your eyelids to hide any red blood vessels. It'll also serve as a base for your shadow. 

Use the foundation that pools and thickens in the bottle cap as a concealer in a pinch.

HOW TO WOW YOUR NEW GUY

There are certain phrases that guys just can't resist. Bust out the following lines in early days of dating.

• "That's hilarious!" When a dude is trying to impress you, he'll crack jokes to ease the tension and show off his personality. Telling him that you dig his sense of humour will help him relax, and it means even more to him than simply hearing you laugh (though he wants that too), because it reassures him that your chuckle is genuine. 

• "Let's eat Italian tonight." Men crave a chick who expresses her opinions. So when he asks what you want to do, don't respond with "I don't know." Instead, suggest something you're in the mood for. Worried he won't be into it? Present a few options, and have him choose his favourite.

• "You really get me." When you feel like a guy is connecting with you, tell him. Men often don't pick up on the subtle signals you send and wind up stressing about whether you like them. Vocalizing that he understands you boosts his confidence and lets him know you're bonding. 

SOURCE: SUSAN CAMPBELL, PHD, AUTHOR OF SAYING WHAT'S REAL.

Makeup- How To Tell When It's Expired

We all have our beauty staples that we can't live without- some we use often, some we wear on occasion. Unfortunately, a lot of women are unaware of the fact that makeup DOES expire! Here is your beauty expiration guide:

Foundation: Specifically liquid foundations (powder foundations do not collect bacteria). These should be replaced after 6-12 months of use. Most are water based, some are oil based- making them bacteria magnets! Using a bacteria- infected foundation can cause breakouts and inflammation. I suggest using a foundation with a pump or a squeeze tube and storing it away from heat and bathrooms.

Concealer: They should last about a year. When the colors start to turn, that's when you know it's time to toss it. Continuing use can result in breakouts.

Face Powders and Blush: These babies can last up to two years before needing to replace them! The reason being is that powders contain a tiny amount of, if any, water so there is less of a chance of bacteria growth. Another indication of expiration is when your powders are too hard to pick up on the brush.

Mascara and Eyeliner: Mascara is the fastest product to expire; it should be replaced every 3-4 months. Every time you coat your lashes, dip the brush back in the tube, and coat again you are contaminating the tube with bacteria. Bacteria will grow in the closed off environment and will put you at risk for an eye infection! Eyeliner also has a shelf life of 3-4 months due to application around the mucous membrane. Pencils tend to last longer than liquids if you remember to keep sharpening them!

Eye Shadows: They have a surprisingly short shelf life, again due to application around the mucous membrane- about 5-6 months.

Lipstick and Gloss: Another shocker- they last up to about a year! They contain no water so they do not collect as much bacteria as expected. Since lip products are repeatedly exposed to the mouth area, toss them after about a year (especially if you've been sick).

Tools: Most tools will last YEARS if you take proper care of them. I recommend deep cleaning them every two weeks. When brushes aren't cleaned, they breed tones of bacteria and can cause breakouts. Spray alcohol on tweezers, lash curlers, or any other tools (not brushes!) to kill bacteria every few months.

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Safe Sipping!

Yes, alcohol always poses some risks, but experts offer this advice for keeping your intake within reasonable bounds.

Never drink on an empty stomach. Eat before you hit the bar to slow the rate at which the alcohol passes into your bloodstream. 

Water down mixed drinks with ice, and avoid shots--they’re almost impossible to nurse.

Try alternating water, soda or juice with alcoholic drinks to slow yourself down (leave the vodka out of the seabreeze next round).

If you plan to have more than one, nurse each 12-ounce beer, 5 ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor in a cocktail for an hour.

For lowest risk, try to keep your intake to no more than two drinks in one day and no more than seven over the course of a week. 

SOURCES: MARY VLAIRE O’BRIEN, MD; NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM; SCOTT T. WALTERS, PHD

Simple Steps to Flawless Skin

People often wonder why they don't look as good as many celebrities. Well, here's the inside scoop: These so-called natural beauties work at it. Their beauty, in large part, is due to how they take care of their bodies. They make sure to exercise on a regular basis, they make healthy food choices, and they put long-term gain ahead of short-term gratification. They also indulge every now and then--because they're only human--they do what it takes to make up for it. 

HOW TO GIVE YOUR SKIN SOME LOVING

Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize

No doubt you've heard this many times. Think of moisturizing as adding a protective sealant to your skin that prevents water from escaping. Some moisturizers even gradually release water into the skin. Surprisingly, it is not dry skin itself that causes wrinkles; rather, it's the cell damage that occurs deeper beneath the skin's surface that causes skin to break down and form wrinkles. Skin tends to get drier as you age, and it becomes more susceptible to damage and infection. So, counteracting dry skin by moisturizing really does help to slow down the aging process.

Moisturize from within

Drink water for better complexion. The more you drink, the better your skin will be. Some people will debate this direct correlation, but the facts are that drinking water, just like exercising, helps to increase blood flow. And as with exercise, better circulation is better for the skin. Drinking water also helps to flush toxins out of the body, and we know toxins are bad for the skin. Toxins lead to blemishes. So, fewer toxins equal fewer blemishes, which equates to smoother, prettier skin. How much water do you need? Just pay attention to your body; it will tell you when you need water. If your lips are parched or your nose is itchy and dry or you're simply thirsty, you need more water--not soda, water!

Get off that couch

Most people think of exercise as a way to cut calories or get rid of fat or strengthen their muscles. But it's also terrific for your skin. Whenever you improve your circulation, you improve your skin since healthy, glowing skin depends on good blood flow. Also, sweating during exercise is one of the most natural ways to get rid of those terrible toxins.

Restore with sleep

They call it "beauty sleep" for a reason. Sleep and beauty really are interrelated. Everything regenerates when you sleep. Your mind renews, your cells renew, and your skin renews. Never feel guilty about sneaking a nap or sleeping in. If you feel tired, it's your body telling you it needs time to repair. You'll be rewarded with healthier skin when you wake up!

Shed the dead skin

It's important to exfoliate twice a month to remove the dead cells on the top layer of your skin. Dead skin is the chief reason for skin appearing dull and dry, so when you exfoliate, you immediately gain more youthful luster to your skin. The increased blood flow that results from invigorated skin also helps stimulate collagen growth. Dead skin also tends to block pores and trap bacteria, so regular exfoliation can also help control acne. Do not exfoliate more than twice a month. Overexfoliation can be damaging to your skin. If you begin to strip away healthy cells in addition to dead cells, this can lead to an outbreak of acne. The best indication that you're overexfoliating is if your skin feels irritated or you see increased redness. Your skin should be pleasantly tingly, not burning, after exfoliating.

Create your own tropical paradise

You don't have to go to the tropics to achieve the benefits that humidity and moisture provide to your skin. You can create your own tropical paradise with a humidifier and a few plants. Or you can invest in a miniature fountain, which is a more aesthetically pleasing humidifier. Whatever you buy, the point is to moisten the air with H2O. This is particularly important in the winter when the dry air from heaters sucks the moisture from your skin. Also, did you know that your skin dehydrates when you sleep? And dehydration causes skin to sag. So, if you don't want to run your humidifier all the time, use it only at night. Placing some plants around is also nice, not only because they liven up your surroundings (quite literally) but also because research has shown that plants help you feel more relaxed and prompt you to breathe deeper, allowing more oxygen to enter your system. Plants also help to remove chemicals--toxins--from the air.

Indulge in a night of beauty

I'm all about pampering with facials, massages, and whatnot. But I do not believe it has to cost a mint. Give yourself a break both physically and financially by staying home one night a month to indulge in a "night of beauty". Luxuriate in a hot bath filled with body oils while drinking a seltzer with mint. Give yourself a home facial. It's all about letting go of the tension and thoroughly relaxing so that you breathe deep and easy. The increased oxygen in your blood is a wonderful boost for your skin.


The best news is that our skin cells are constantly regenerating. So if you have problem skin or you've damaged your skin, there are many, many things you can do, starting today, to have better skin. You can minimize damage or get rid of it altogether, thanks to the technological advances in skin care.

HOME FACIAL RECIPE:

To give yourself a facial, follow these steps:

1.) Put on some relaxing music.

2.) Boil some water in a quart-size pot, with or without chamomile herbs.

3.) While you're waiting for the water to boil, cleanse your face and then grab a very large towel or blanket.


4.) When the water comes to a boil, remove the pot from the stove and place it somewhere where you can sit comfortably with your face leaning over it.

5.) Remove the lid and let some of the initial steam escape before putting your face into the steam.

6.) Cover your head and the pot with the blanket or towel.

7.) Sit in your tent of steam and breathe deeply for seven to ten minutes.

8.) Pat your face dry, apply  moisturizing mask, and leave it on for fifteen minutes.

9.) Remove the mask with cool water.

10.) Follow with a good moisturizer.

Voila! you now have happier, supple skin!

There's a couple of things that can make a huge difference to the health of your skin. The first is to Vita-Mineralized. The best way to get vitamins and minerals is by eating a balanced, colorful diet of fruits an veggies and by taking your supplements. Vitamins and minerals are catalysts. Once they're absorbed into your body, they go to work setting off a chain reaction in other parts of your body to produce necessary elements we need to function. It's as if you're treating your internal system to a good workout. Much like a good trainer, they make sure your body gets what it needs to look your very best and ensure everything's working properly on a molecular level. Most importantly, these food sources contain the antioxidants our body needs to fight those nasty little free radicals. Another thing you can do for your skin is get plenty of protein. Protein is the natural building block for healthy collagen, and as we all know, collagen keeps your skin firm and toned.  

• Free radicals, which are unstable molecules, are produced in our bodies as a result of many things: over-exposure to UVA rays, radiation, smoking, environmental pollutants, alcohol, injury, aging, strenuous exercise, and chronic disease. Once these free radicals form and begin attacking our bodies, they can do some real damage--- to our skin, our heart, and other organs. In general, they weaken the immune system and make a person more susceptible to the development of cardiovascular diseases and even cancer. So you want to make sure you're getting plenty of antioxidants to counteract these malicious free radicals. Antioxidants exist as vitamins namely (A, C and E), enzymes, and other compounds in foods.