| Want gorgeous skin? Start by making sure you don't commit any of these skin-damaging crimes |
 We hate to get preachy on you, but if you want your skin to look great well into your 80s, you'll follow this advice, courtesy of dermatologists and skin care experts. When asked what the worst possible things for our skin are, these topped their lists. So now, repeat after us, "thou shalt not"... |
Seven Deadly Skin Sins: You'd Better Not Be Tanning!
Finding Your Perfect Eyebrow Shape: Eyebrows Simplified
I will admit, I’m a bit obsessed with eyebrows. I don’t really tend to pay attention to everyone else’s brows, but I am always messing with mine. It constantly amazes me how well-groomed eyebrows can radically change the appearance of my face. A few simple steps can completely alter your look, and it doesn’t take much time to accomplish.
To begin, discover the right shape for you. Don’t just go attacking with the tweezers! Look straight into a mirror and take a ruler (or other straight lined object - I’ll admit to using an eyeliner pencil most of the time) and place it vertically along the outer edge of your nose up to the inner corner of your eye. Take an eyebrow pencil and mark where the pencil lies - that is where your brows should begin. Leave the pencil against your nose but angle it out so that it passes by the outer part of the iris. Remember to look straight ahead, or this whole exercise is futile. Take your brow pencil and mark this spot on your brows. This is where your arch should be highest. Again, leaving the pencil in the same spot, angle it out so that it goes over the outer corner of the eye. Mark this spot as as well, as this is where the brows should end.
Now you have your basic shape. Pluck all stray hairs and decide how thick your brows will be. The current trend is for strong, or thick, brows, but I’ve always preferred a more natural look. Tweeze to define your arch and be sure to remove all hairs in between brows. To emphasize your arch, pluck underneath carefully, making sure you don’t go too thin.
A simple brush with an eyebrow brush every morning will make a huge difference. Fill in brows with an eyebrow pencil or powder lightly for a more finished look. For a natural look, try a clear eyebrow gel. You’ll be amazed at how it will finish off your daily look.
Photo by chilling_soul on Flickr
Product Review: Olay Pro X Anti-Wrinkle Protocol
I am so interested in anti-aging products lately. Mostly because I'm getting to that age, but also because there are so many options out there that are available to everyone - not just those who have an extra $500 to spend at the beauty counter.
Olay will always have a place in my heart. I remember my mom always having a bottle of the pink Oil of Olay lotion when I was growing up, and the Regenerist line has been very good to me. While I have temperamental, breakout-prone skin, I can usually count on Olay products to calm my skin down and provide great moisturizing, especially in the cold winter months.
I was fortunate enough to be able to try the Pro-X line when it was just being released. I had heard through the beauty grapevine that people were having a hard time with it, and I was a bit worried. I shouldn't have been, though. I managed to make it work quite well for me.
The Anti-Aging Starter Protocol kit includes Age Repair Lotion SPF 30, Wrinkle Smoothing Cream, and Eye Restoration Complex. The Age Repair Lotion SPF 30 is to be worn during the day, applied in the morning after cleansing. The Wrinkle Smoothing Cream is applied in the evening after cleansing, and the Eye Restoration Complex goes on the eye area after the Wrinkle Smoothing Cream.
I really like the Age Repair Lotion because the SPF is high enough to actually make a difference. It also incorporates the SPF into your daily routine, which is something we all need, but most of us don't really do. SPF 15 in your moisturizer or makeup really isn't the same, and we all need sun protection. It isn't overly greasy, and goes on well. A simple two step routine in the morning - cleanse, apply lotion. That's it.
The Wrinkle Smoothing Cream is a rich cream that is applied in the evening. I thought it was extremely moisturizing, and the eye cream was also quite rich. It almost bordered on greasy, but a good exfoliation before application will help with that problem a lot.
While many people reported breakouts with this regimen, I managed to avoid it by using a 2% salicylic acid cleanser both morning and evening. While there is no cleanser in this kit, and none is recommended, the only way I would have avoided problems was to hit it hard with the salicyclic acid. I am not sure a glycolic acid formulation would have been as successful.
I don't have many facial lines or fine lines on my face, so I can't report any change in wrinkle reduction. It is important to note that it takes up to 24 weeks to see changes (check out their information on clinical trials). I used the product for four, and was quite happy with it. Will I continue using it? I'm not sure. Probably not, since I don't think I need this kind of intense protocol just yet. I may very well come back to it in a few years when I'm ready for some serious wrinkle fighting action, though.
All in all, I think this is an amazing anti-aging program for someone who needs it at an incredible price point.
From Total Beauty: Makeup Tricks that Erase 10 Years
| Try these simple color and texture changes to look younger today |
 Here's motivation for you: At the end of this article, you can cozy up to your makeup mirror and emerge looking 10 years younger. What habits to break, what new techniques to try -- it's all here with before-and-after pictures. |
Thermal Water Sprays for Skin Care
Thermal spring water originates from subterranean layers and flows from hot springs of least 68°F in temperature. Pure and aseptic, it is used or bottled directly at the spring location, offering therapeutic value. While thermal spas are abundant in Europe, there are a few in the Unites States which utilize thermal water from specific American hot springs such as Warm Springs, GA, Hot Springs, AR, Calistoga, CA, and Thermopolis, WY. Aside from its temperature, thermal spring water differs from common spring water in its mineral content, including minerals like natrium, iron, fluoride, magnesium and calcium.
The many purposes of thermal water sprays
Thermal water sprays soothe skin irritations such as sun burns, improve the skin’s resistance to microorganisms, and help moisturize the epidermis. A bacteria-free thermal water spray calms, soothes and softens the skin’s natural balance with its anti-inflammatory agents. Other types of water sprays serve to calm the skin, refreshing and cooling it, especially during the summer.
Use thermal water sprays if experiencing the following:
- Facial redness / inflammation / abrasion
- After Shaving / waxing
- Burning / stinging / itching
- Sunburn
- Diaper rash
- Post-surgery
Where Do You Find Inspiration?
It’s easy to get bored with your makeup stash, even if you have tons and tons of it. Even the most dedicated of us need inspiration to come up with new looks and new reasons to buy great new stuff! Reading about trends helps, but actually seeing how to use something, especially something untried, can inspire me to really mix up my look for the better.
But finding that inspiration can be hard. I look to magazines first, especially ones that focus on beauty and fashion because you can get more information on what the products are and, occasionally, how to use them. Allure magazine is excellent in terms of explaining technique and listing sources, but many of the glossies can be inspiring.
Celebrities are also a popular choice, especially if you can find an accompanying article interviewing the makeup artist. Celebrities can always be counted on to wear the most current trends as well as have an excellent artist available to work their magic. These articles can be really helpful for learning technique.
My favorite source of inspiration, by far, are the real people that I find on YouTube. So many amazing talented everyday people, motivated by nothing other than sharing their expertise, post videos not only showing their look but telling you how to achieve it. Do a quick search for “makeup tutorial” and start checking out all the amazing looks and talent!
Photo via Flickr.
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