Natural Beauty Care, Tips

Understanding the All Natural Beauty Products

2009-04-06T16:07:00.000-07:00

Everybody wants to be beautiful naturally rather than being beautiful through high chemical content products. We know that there are people suffering from chemical sensitivities that are looking for all-natural beauty products that are 100% natural. All natural beauty products are what we consider to be truly healthy beauty products.

There are so many beauty products nowadays which contain different kinds of chemicals that some of us might not understand what that chemical really is. Also, we do not know what benefits they could give to us. I remember going to a store where different kinds of beauty products are on sale. I saw this whitening lotion and out of curiosity I picked it up and read the labels at the back. I was kind of surprise to see those different kinds of chemicals that are being used. I did not even finished reading it and put it back to the shelf. Just imagine how these chemicals could affect your skin. I would rather mash up the papaya pulp and apply to the surface of my skin

All natural beauty products must be considered to be the high standard beauty products that are being sold today. All natural beauty products and natural food have no difference. Just like natural food has become accepted and revered, natural beauty care is finally beginning to receive the credit that it deserves. There are no strict standards in place to direct consumers to the real thing when it comes to completely natural. So its buyer bewares, and be educated as to what constitutes a completely natural product.

We see a lot of beauty products using the word “natural”. But do not be deceive by them. When you see the word "natural" on a beauty product, it is basically meaningless and worthless. This is a buzz word that is being used to attract you to buy those beauty products. So you better read the ingredient labels very carefully as much as possible. If you see any long chemical names that you can barely pronounce, there is a very good chance that it is not completely natural.

I may sound harsh but that is the truth. So, if you are using such chemical based products and even if you have been using that for years or decades, I would suggest that you compare your beauty products to food. The skin that surrounds your entire body takes in a large portion of whatever is put onto it. If you think that skin does not absorb, then think about birth control and Nicotine patches. Yes, skin does absorb and it is presently absorbing toxins every day if you use beauty products that contain dangerous ingredients. It may be a small amount on a daily basis, but when used continually all through your life, it can be a large amount, some of which remains. These chemicals may have been tested for so many times, but just imagine when all of these chemicals are put into the body, they will basically merge with each other. These combinations have not been tested. So it simply means that you are the guinea pig.

All natural beauty products are not just an imitation that you are buying in stores everywhere. They are the real thing. Different companies are coming ahead, bringing their wonderful, truly natural products to the market under the name all-natural or organic. Just continue to read your labels. It is your time to give your skin the beauty that they need. In turn, your skin will thank you with radiant, healthy beauty.

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About the Author:

Allison Jane Perez is working as a webmaster and as an online marketer.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles/understanding-the-all-natural-beauty-products-213262.html

Using Natural Beauty Care Products

2009-04-06T16:04:00.000-07:00

Having beautiful skin is not generally difficult but there are some things you need to be aware of; a regular skin care maintenance routine is one part of the secret but there is more than just this to learn.

Unfortunately many women still feel that the only way they will achieve that beauty is by using invasive techniques like liposuction and plastic surgery for instance. But more natural beauty care products are the order of the day now and whilst they may take a little longer to produce results, they are longer lasting and have other health benefits.

It is no longer fair to just consider beauty care products as those used be the elderly like anti-aging products. The number of products available is huge and continues to grow; all designed to improve the health and beauty of the skin. It is important to remember that skin covers our whole body and not just our faces so it is important to make sure that we maintain this.

Part one in your daily skin care regime is to use a cleansing agent to remove all the pollutions like smoke, dust and make-up that our skin has to put up with on a daily basis. This part must be carried out with a quality face cleanser placed on a cotton pad moved in a circular pattern then washed with clean warm water, drying with a soft towel but take care not to rub the skin when you do this.

Applying toner rids your skin of any excess cleanser and restores your skins natural PH balance. To reduce the number of wrinkles and help make your skin soft and supple, use moisturizing creams or lotions once you have finished with the skin toner. Moisturizing beauty care products ensure that all the work you have just carried out to clean, tone and condition your skin does go to waste.

Every week, at least once but preferably twice, it is recommended you get rid of dead skin cells by exfoliation or a natural peel, which is becoming a more popular skin care routine. This step means that you will need to cleanse and then use a toner on the skin otherwise the exfoliant may not be completely removed.

Eye creams are used to help maintain the delicate tissue surrounding your eye, these are specially formulated beauty care products that reduce the appearance of puffiness, dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles or to help improve elasticity and firmness.

Taking some form of daily exercise and drinking plenty of water are two things you don't need to spend a fortune on but will really improve the skin tone and feel. It is not a good idea to forget the important role our skin plays in our overall health and of course how we look so taking care of it is not just about vanity.

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About the Author:

If you are interested in topics of health then have also a look at Thomas Zoellners website http://www.wellness-antiaging-bodycare.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/using-natural-beauty-care-products-387583.html

Beauty Basics - Eight Tips For Naturally Beautiful Skin

2009-03-30T13:01:00.001-07:00

by: Ololade Franklin

Not sure what to look for when choosing cosmetics? Need some advice on taking care of your skin? Here are eight tips to help your skin look and feel it's best.

1) Select moisturizers made with vegetable oils. The lotions, creams and body oils that you use should be made with vegetable oils, not mineral oil. Vegetable oils, (like olive oil, sweet almond oil, corn oil, etc.) contain fatty acids which help to moisturize and soften the skin. Mineral oil is derived from petroleum and does not contain anything that helps to nourish the skin.

2) Look for herbs and herbal derivatives in your cosmetics. Herbs and their derivatives (essential oils, extracts, infusions) contain natural chemicals which soothe, tone and help condition the skin. Two herbs which are especially useful in natural cosmetics are Lavender and Tea tree. The essential oils of both lavender and tea tree are gentle, natural antiseptics.

3) Once a week soak your feet in warm water, and gently exfoliate dead skin with a pumice stone. Follow up by moisturizing your feet with a natural foot oil or foot lotion.

4) Every week soak in a tub of bath salts. Salt, especially salts mined from the Dead Sea in the Middle East, are rich in minerals and help draw impurities out of the skin.

5) After a shower or bath, seal in moisture by using a body oil or lotion made from natural vegetable oils.

6) If you have blemishes and your skin is dry, moisturize your skin in the morning and at night with products that contain vegetable oils which are high in essential fatty acids. Essential fatty acids help to soften and hydrate the skin and they can also help soothe minor irritations. Vegetable oils that contain large amounts of essential fatty acids are: corn oil, sunflower seed oil, safflower oil, borage oil, blackcurrant seed oil and evening primrose oil.

7) Look for toners and astringents that are made without ethyl alcohol, rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. These ingredients are solvents that are extremely drying to the skin.

8) Every time you wash your hands, moisturize them with a natural lotion or cream to help them stay soft.

About The Author

Copyright: 2005 Ololade Franklin. Ololade Franklin publishes Making Good Scents(TM), a newsletter for people who make their own bath and body care products. For information about Making Good Scents(TM) visit http://www.MakingGoodScents.com

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Natural Beauty: What Is It Really?

2009-03-30T12:59:00.000-07:00

by: Lori Stryker

Natural beauty is the ideal many people strive to achieve when they purchase make-up, creams, shampoos and other forms of cosmetics. But what really constitutes natural beauty, and how can it be achieved?

Many consumers, in an attempt to cleanse, tone, moisturize, mattify, shine, colour, enhance and so on, have overloaded their skin and their cabinets with too many needless products. Experts have found that 63 percent of all women complain of having developed 'sensitive skin', and many of these complaints can be traced back to an overcomplicated skin care regimen (Fairley, 2001). In contrast, the needs of human skin are simple. They are cleansing, moisture, nourishment and protection. Skin which suffers from burning, reddening, pimples, rashes and other symptoms similar to these may be caused by or made worse from adverse reactions to the cosmetic products overloading many women's cabinets. Often many of these products claim to alleviate or eliminate the very symptoms they are causing (Begoun, 1991).

When selecting skin care, it is best to choose a product formulated for your skin type. Everyone's skin is individual and varied, but to assist in product selection, and in understanding what your own skin needs, the following skin types have been generalized.

* Balanced, which is neither oily nor dry, and similar to the skin type of children.
* Oily
* Dry
* Sensitive, which is a condition involving reddening, burning or rashes when a cosmetic is applied.
* Problem, which is prone to acne and breakouts.
* Combination, which is most skin, containing oily and dry patches.

Beautiful skin can be obtained by making good choices for your skin, such as using cosmetic products and make-up which are truly natural. Eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruit, water and healthy oils (such as polyunsaturated fats, essential fatty acids found in flax seed oil, olive oil, etc.) all assist in achieving and maintaining healthy skin. Lastly, adequate rest, sleep and exercise also contribute significantly to beautiful skin.

Simple Skin Care Steps:

* Gentle cleansing - depending on your skin type or preference, choose a natural soap.
* Toning - use a toner which is alcohol-free, infused with essential oils
* Daytime moisturizing - light or rich skin moisturizer
* Nighttime moisturizing - use facial oils formulated with essential oils

Make-up:

Choose make-up which is made with all natural ingredients and colours, regardless of one's age. All faces look fresh and naturally beautiful when colours which reflect the earth's vibrant range of hues are applied. Rainbow-like colours, or deep, dramatic shades cannot be obtained naturally in make-up without synthetically derived colours. These colours rarely look natural, are often trendy and go out of style quickly.

Great looking skin does not mean flawless, masked skin. Rather, lets reconstruct our notions of what constitutes 'beautiful skin' and 'beautiful faces', because perfection does not exist in the natural world, nor does it exist in human beings. Computers, cameras, lighting and other sophisticated technologies create "flawlessness", to create an ideal image no one can attain. Instead, beautiful skin and natural beauty is skin that is free from harmful chemicals, hydrated from within and on the surface, fed with balanced nutrition and wise food choices, and regulated with reasonable exercise. A positive outlook on life and an optimistic perspective also contribute to natural beauty, inside and out.

How the organic make-up company Can Help You Achieve Your Own Natural Beauty

Our products are made fresh for you once we receive your order. We do not stock inventory, so our cosmetics do not require powerful shelf life lengtheners or potent synthetic preservatives. The preservatives we use are natural, such as wheatgerm oil, grapeseed oil, d-alpha tocopherol (vitamin E) and/or ascorbic acid (vitamin C).

While our products do not need refrigeration, our creams, as they contain water, are best stored in a cool, dark place, away from steam, light or unnecessary exposure to the air.

Our packaging is simple, without fancy and unnecessary labels, boxes or inserts. We believe very strongly that the purchasing power of your money should be directed towards a natural, high quality product, rather than wasted on packaging.

We invite you to give our natural products a try. We do not make any unrealistic or unscientific claims, such as anti-aging or wrinkle elimination, which are impossible in any cosmetic. We develop our products based on sound scientific principles and the physiology of the skin. Our products will convince you on their own merit, since they are natural, vegan and an excellent alternative to conventional cosmetics and make-up.

If you have any questions, please contact us at www.organicmakeup.ca.

Interested in selling our products? Contact us to discuss how we can assist each other to bring our safe, natural cosmetics and make-up to interested consumers.

References:

* Begoun, Paula (1991). Don't Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me, Beginning Press, Seattle.
* Fairley, Josephine (2001). Organic Beauty, DK Publishing, London.

By Lori Stryker, B.Sc., B.H.Ec., B.Ed. http://www.organicmakeup.ca

About The Author

Lori Stryker has been researching and developing all natural skin care and make-up for the purpose of offering men and women safe, natural cosmetics for everyday use. She brings to her research a specialist in human biology from the University of Toronto, coupled with a professional home economics degree and an education degree from the University of British Columbia, fusing chemical and biological knowledge with food, family and textile sciences.

You may use this article but any modification or publication of this article for fiancial gain must be approved of by the author. The author's name, Lori Stryker and her company's name, The Organic Make-up Company, needs to by noted when used.

info@organicmakeup.ca

Natural Beauty From Natural Ingredients

2009-03-30T12:58:00.000-07:00

by: Sharon Hopkins

In the past, women relied on natural beauty treatments from the ingredients found in their kitchen or gardens. Products created from natural ingredients available at home have essential vitamins, minerals, nutrients and healing properties that work with your body to heal and protect the skin naturally without any cosmetic cover ups.

The basic rule for home made beauty care -

- Keep the recipe simple. Avoid ingredients that you have unpleasant side effects on your skin.

- Sterilize and dry all the equipments and containers.

- Make small batches of the product that you would use each day.

- If you smell any thing rotten or bad, throw out the concoction.

- Do a patch test before trying out any home made beauty recipes to avoid nasty side effects.

- Hygiene and cleanliness is all important.

- Create natural home facial mask at home, keeping in mind your skin type.

Natural Home Facial for Oily Skin - Despite its disadvantages, oil skin is boon in the long run as wrinkles, lines, etc take time to show up than they would on the dry skin making you look younger than your peers. Though one still has to take proper care for oily skin with the right skin care products.

- Peppermint facial - Peppermint dissolves excess oil and gives cool refreshing sensation to the skin. It cleans the pores and kills bacteria that cause acne. Use pure peppermint essential oil. Mix 1 tbsp milk, 1 drop of peppermint oil, 3 tsp distilled water, 2-3 tbsp kaolin to make a soft smooth paste. Apply the peppermint mask on your face. Relax and let the mask harden. After the mask is completely tightened, gently peel and rub off the mask.

Natural Home Facial for Normal Skin - Having a normal skin does not mean that you should avoid taking care for it. Cleanse tone and moisturize your skin daily so your skin will stay healthy for years to come and make you look younger than your peers.

- Peppermint and Lavender oil facial mask - To relieve your self from tensions and headache, peppermint and lavender duo come handy. The natural facial mask relaxes the facial muscles. Mix 1 tsp jojoba or any carrier oil in a bowl with 1 drop of peppermint and lavender essential oils. Add 3 tsp distilled water, 2-3 tbsp kaolin to a smooth spreadable paste. Apply the face mask. Relax and wait for the mask to dry. Peel off solid pieces of hardened mask and use plenty of water to cleanse your face from the rest of the mask.

Natural Home Facial for Dry Skin - The honey and banana combo makes a good facial for dry skin. Honey leaves the skin hydrated with its hydrating properties and bananas with hordes of vitamins, calcium and other essential nutrients keep the skin smooth and soft. The bananas should not be overripe. Mash 1 small banana. Add 1 tsp of honey to it and mix well. Apply this on your face and leave it on for 10 -15 minutes. Wash off with lots of water afterwards.

The reader of this article should exercise all precautions while following instructions on the recipes from this article. Avoid using if you are allergic to something. The responsibility lies with the reader and not the site and the writer.

About The Author

Sharon Hopkins manages http://www.skin-care-at-home.com. Read on to indulge your self with easy to make home made recipes from natural ingredients from the kitchen.

Embracing Your Natural Beauty

2009-03-30T12:54:00.000-07:00

As unique individuals of a similar species, we are all born with qualities that distinctively distinguish us from one another. There are many congenital factors which contribute to our originality such as culture, customs, environment, and genetics. With that being said, our physical characteristics contribute to painting the world in its beautiful colors, adding texture and zest to what would otherwise be a bland, featureless world. Skin tones can range in color from pink, yellow, olive, golden, bronze, to many different shades of brown. Hair color varies in shades of blond, brown, red, silver, and black; sometimes all of these colors can even be found on one single head. The windows to our souls are also tinted in an array of colors that can fall between blue, green, brown and gray. In addition to these colorful features, our skin and hair are again broken down into different types. Some of us are very pleased with the intricate combination that we were born with, while others are not; instead, choosing to embrace society’s standards.

As many of us know, today’s world consists of plastic surgery, color contact lenses, skin bleachers, nail tips, perms, hair extensions, weaves, and everything else that can be altered in order to sketch a smile on the face of what our mind considers to be beautiful. Let us take a look at the definition of beautiful.

beau·ti·ful (byYour browser may not support display of this image.Your browser may not support display of this image.tYour browser may not support display of this image.-fYour browser may not support display of this image.l)

adj.

1. Having qualities that delight the senses, especially the sense of sight.

Does this definition insinuate that unless you are naturally born with qualities that delight society’s sense of sight, you must modify your appearance in order to be accepted as beautiful?

It is appalling to even imagine this to be true; but by just taking a look around us, how could we say it is not? It may seem as if certain cultures target particular fixations; again, this may be due to certain genetic make-ups in which society has labeled as less than acceptable. Of course all ethnicities tamper with all available altering options, it is observed that while more Caucasian groups desire plastic surgery, more African Americans lean towards wanting straighter hair, but both desperately go through equally drastic measures to attain self satisfaction.

As many of us know, for the longest time in today’s world, straight hair has been the norm. With an exception of the 70’s, many African- Americans did not know how to appreciate natural pattern and beauty of their hair. Even children who have never had a complex and appreciated their hair was taught that straight hair was “good hair” and that hair that was not straighten was “nappy” and “unkempt”. For years now, we have depended on the straightening comb and chemical processing to get the hair to “be good” or “be tamed” so that it could be easier to comb and manage.

The cold reality of managing “good hair” is that people pay to have it damaged. What person in their right mind would pay for that, right? Well, that is just the thing…they obviously aren’t in their right mind. Whatever happened to our Higher Being and appreciating the way He created us? People in their right mind would think about how special He created each of us, down to the hair that grows from our scalps. Despite its texture and pattern, it is healthy hair; no different than the person’s hair that grows from their scalp straight. Do they go through the dreadful process of paying someone to make their hair “good”? Straight does not make hair good. What makes it good is that it’s healthy and it’s yours. If the whole process is thought about long and hard enough, questions of self worth and acceptance should undoubtedly surface. What then makes African-American hair bad? Is it fear that someone caught wearing their naturally textured hair will be seen as bad or shameful?

As more and more African-Americans have been embracing their natural hair, what they find is not nappy, kinky, or even coarse hair. It actually has a beautiful, medium to fine texture ranging from millions of medium to small curls. They eventually discover that the “kinky” or “nappy” hair that they thought they had, came from trying so hard to make their hair something it was not. It is sad how many people resort to doing things solely to fit into the norm. Whether it is your hair, nose, breasts, stomach or thighs you want to change; just as a person can discover their hair is naturally beautiful, you can soon discover that everything about you is naturally beautiful and does not need changing. True beauty is ONLY defined through the eyes of the beholder. Once you learn to recognize your beauty naturally, so will everyone else. Beauty is always there, but it takes wisdom to truly embrace.

About The Author
Siobhan Gamble writes full time for EarthFrisk, a social network and bookmarking website. At EarthFrisk you can find links and sites you've never seen before. Create Groups, Share videos, photos, vote on links and pictures and more. Visit http://www.earthfrisk.com.

Feel Good Naked - Natural Beauty Secrets

2009-03-30T12:36:00.000-07:00

How confident are you when it comes to being naked? Sadly, a lot of women agonise about their bodies and revealing all can be a traumatic experience. If you are looking for tips, tricks and beauty secrets to help you make the most of your natural beauty and feel good naked, you've come to the right place.

Number one of all the beauty secrets is this, if you want to feel good naked you must be happy in your own skin.

To help you achieve this, look after your skin to bring out its natural beauty. Exfoliate regularly to remove dead skin cells and give your circulation a boost, this will encourage new skin cells at the same time. Encouraging new skin cells will give your skin a younger, fresher look.

Always moisturise using a good moisturiser and pay special attention to dry areas such as elbows, knees and feet. Take your time and massage the moisturiser right into your skin. Massaging not only helps your circulation it also helps to smooth out bumps and wrinkles and will enhance your natural beauty. Olive oil, an old-fashioned beauty secret, will give your skin a luxurious look as well as making it soft and supple to touch. As the surface of your skin improves and you get to know your body better you will begin to feel good naked.

Remove unsightly hairs from your legs, under your arms and tidy up your bikini line, or go the whole hog and go for a Brazilian wax.

You probably already know that eating a balanced diet to maintain healthy skin from the inside will benefit your natural beauty. Oily fish and vegetables will do wonders for your nails, hair and teeth as well as providing fish oils and vitamins for your skin and is a beauty secret worth knowing.

Your hair is your crowning glory especially if you want to feel good naked, have it trimmed regularly and keep it clean, well conditioned and healthy.

A quick fix beauty secret to feel good naked is to decide which your best asset is and show it off to the best advantage. Stand naked in front of a tall mirror and take a good, long look at yourself.

Standing straight on is not always the best pose, experiment by turning slowly and watching how your contours change. Standing side on can be a lot more flattering and compliment your natural beauty. Stand up straight and lift your sternum (breastbone) arch your back slightly so that your bottom sticks out a little bit but not too much.

You can make yourself look slimmer by stretching your body into a bow shape and being careful not to stoop or scrunch yourself up. Or stand slightly side on to the mirror placing one leg in front of the other; this will give you a very sexy shapely outline indeed.

Or try lying on your stomach propped up by your elbows, this accentuates the curve of your back and the shape of your breasts and at the same time minimises your stomach.

The idea behind the above beauty secrets is to create an illusion, flatter your natural beauty and help you to feel good naked.

A good tip is to spend as much time as you can actually being naked, this will get you used to seeing yourself naked and the more you see yourself naked, the more being naked will feel natural to you.

Remember to stand up straight and stretch your body to make yourself look slimmer. It also helps if you master the art of walking by placing one foot in front of the other, as though you are walking a tight rope, and swing your legs from the hips. I've found this looks extremely elegant and it will do wonders for your confidence.

Another good beauty secret is to go for soft lighting, such as candles, tea lights or softly coloured light bulbs if you haven't got a dimmer switch, and make sure the lighting is behind you. This not only has a slimming effect - it will also help to soften your outline and give you a sexy glow.

A soft glow rather than harsh lighting will give your skin an even tone and minimise the appearance of any blemishes.

One of the best beauty secrets I know is taking regular exercise to help keep your body toned and supple, a thirty-minute walk three times a week will pay many benefits. Walk at a speed that gets your heart rate up, this will oxygenate your blood and improve your skin, as well as your muscles and heart. Don't walk so fast that you can't have a conversation at the same time.

A toned and balanced body is extremely beautiful and will make you look and feel good naked, and you don’t need an hourglass figure to achieve this. Add quality to your movements with muscles that are long and toned and you will appear more balanced and beautiful.

Finally, the best way to feel good naked is to have confidence in yourself. If you don't feel it, fake it until you do. Get to know your own body and accept yourself for who you are and how you look.

We are all individuals and there are no set rules for everyone. Watch other women and notice how they move, what looks good and what doesn't. You can learn a lot by watching others.

Someone who is happy in her own skin and behaves in a confident manner is extremely attractive and sexy, regardless of her body shape.

How you feel about yourself is what really counts because this will show in your eyes and natural beauty will radiate from you.

Relax and enjoy yourself - love the way you look - if you do then others will too.

About The Author
Elaine Woosey shares more natural beauty secrets, tips and advice at http://beauty-secrets4u.com Discover how to be gorgeous by visiting http://www.beauty-secrets4u.com/ebook.htm where you can download a free chapter of her ebook.

Is Beauty Past 40 Possible?

2008-04-01T10:44:00.000-07:00

by: Susan Megge

Is beauty past the age of 40 possible? Of course it is; why do you ask? My guess is that you’re a woman in your 40’s (or perhaps approaching 40) and you’ve recently noticed some changes in your physical appearance. Maybe you’ve gained some weight, or perhaps you’re starting to notice fine lines around your eyes and mouth. The skin on your chest, arms or legs appears thinner and perhaps has the consistency of crepe paper. In addition to the changes in your physical appearance, you may have also noticed that you’re more easily tired out than you were a few years ago.

So now you’re wondering if you’ll ever be able to re-gain a youthful appearance. Well, that’s up to you; if you have no desire to put forth a little effort so that you will feel and look both young and energized, the answer is probably “no.” If, however, you badly want to feel and look your very best during this next phase of your life, and you’re willing to make a few lifestyle changes, then yes – most definitely – you will re-gain your youthful appearance and have the energy you had a few years prior.

The first step to a healthier, happier and more beautiful you is making an attitude adjustment, if necessary. It’s important to realize that you can be anything you want, and age shouldn’t be a deterrent; know that you’re a capable and mature woman whose goals can be accomplished if you’re determined enough to make some necessary changes.

If your goal is to lose weight, it’s crucial that you understand the link between physical activity and weight loss. You see, cutting calories is no longer enough to have a lean, toned and healthy body. This is due to the fact that as you get older, your body is working hard to convert your consumed calories into fat to make up for the declining levels of estrogen you’re experiencing as you approach menopause. You absolutely need muscle to burn calories and gain some tone, therefore, it is a necessity to exercise regularly, incorporating weight training into your workout routine.

If you’re feeling sluggish, no doubt exercise is going to give you so very much energy, but it’s also important to treat your body well by consuming foods that are healthy, such as fruits, dark leafy green vegetables and whole grains. Avoid white rice, potatoes and white bread, which can result in additional fat accumulation.

By treating your body well – through exercise and diet – your skin will also benefit and won’t sag quite as much as you begin to build muscle. As for the fine lines you may be noticing, there are so very many products available that will easily reduce the appearance of wrinkles, without necessitating the need for surgical or cosmetic procedures.

You see, you need not accept some of the changes that naturally occur as you get older. It is up to you to take care of your body, and by doing so you will be happy, healthy, fit and beautiful. I know from personal experience that anything is possible if you’re determined enough. Use your maturity – and the confidence that comes with it – to your advantage by accomplishing those goals which you set for yourself.

About The Author

Susan Megge is the founder of http://www.40isbeautiful.com, a website designed to assist mature women as they approach and experience menopause. Susan started experiencing symptoms of perimenopause several years ago and researched various avenues to deal with these symptoms naturally. This led to her discovery that menopause can be a very manageable, and even wonderful time in a woman's life. Susan Megge is the author of "Being Beautiful Beyond 40", a book dedicated to helping women to be inspired, confident and beautiful as they approach menopause.

4 Secrets for Beauty & Wellness

2008-04-01T10:41:00.000-07:00

by: Chanelle Washington

4 Secrets for Beauty & Wellness: Learn basic tips that “really” work to look and feel your best

Invest in Self-Care

No amount of expensive beauty products can hide fatigue, stress, unresolved drama and suppressed anger. Look in the mirror, declare that “I am worthy of uninterrupted time, to nurture my body, mind & soul” Create a dates for relaxing facials, perfect pedicures, serene baths, exciting makeovers, and tranquil massages.

Maintain Healthy Hair

Healthy hair looks more attractive, it provides more styling options, and enhances your natural beauty. Once a month massage a plant-based oil into your scalp and hair, after shampooing. For additional aromatherapy benefits, try Indigofera’s Jojoba Hair Oil. Then, sit under a hooded dryer or bask in the sun for 30 mins. Rinse hair, dry and style as usual.

Learn to apply a “minimalist” look

Every woman can enhance her look with basics like bronzer, mascara and lip- gloss. Neutral shades and sheer color on lips can work for the office, cocktails or romantic evenings. Experiment with creating your look ahead of time.

Tip: well-shaped brows make a real difference in your appearance.

Keep your smile white naturally

You deserve a beautiful smile. Before you spend a fortune on whitening kits or procedures, try this: Make a paste with baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and a drop of peppermint essential oil. Brush teeth thoroughly, **do not swallow and rinse well. Repeat daily for one month and observe a remarkable improvement.

“Be Radiantly Beautiful…..”

©2006 Chanelle Washington, Indigofera
For more tips sign up for our newsletter.

About The Author

Chanelle Washington is a passionate, powerful and effective speaker, author and entrepreneur. She is President of Indigofera “treasures for body, mind & soul. A beauty and wellness company” She empowers others with “Optimal Wellness ” & “ Entrepreneurial Success” workshops. Her audiences leave inspired with valuable skills and relevant knowledge. Contact her at wellness@indigofera.com

http://indigofera.com

Beauty Secrets Are All Around You

2008-04-01T10:38:00.000-07:00

by: Morgan Hamilton

Are you seeking beauty secrets? Maybe you should realize that the most important beauty secret is that there is no single secret that will help every woman. Every woman is unique, and therefore, so are her beauty needs. In your search for beauty secrets, you may not notice the obvious. Stress is a major cause of aging, thus relief from it will help maintain your youthful beauty. The spa is an excellent place to visit if you want to get rid of stress. Massages, mud, and other beauty wraps are also popular and effective methods of relaxing.

Your mother or grandmother can probably give you some good beauty secrets. People have different skin, and your family is more likely to have gone through the same problems that you may be experiencing. Someone in your family may have already found a treatment that helps eliminate early wrinkles or ward off pimples for your skin type.

You can also look for more beauty secrets on the World-Wide-Web. Hop online for more beauty tips, but keep in mind that some of the information you find may not work for you. Women’s magazines are also a good source of beauty tips and treatments. They offer a huge variety of tips that may or may not work. You might say that half of the fun is experimenting with your friends, or spending a night alone to pamper yourself with new treatments.

Try to keep track of your own beauty secrets for future reference. There will come a time when you discover an amazing facial in the local beauty store, but a few weeks down the road, you can’t remember the brand name. You can also come up with an effective homemade treatment for acne, but then forget the basic ingredients that you put in it.

Every generation thinks that they are facing a unique problem that old methods cannot handle. This idea is both true and false. Old fashioned methods can treat your beauty problems. In some cases, the environment has changed so much that your beauty or skin care needs may require new treatments.

Keep in mind that you should be careful about what you apply to your skin or what you put into your body. While drinking a lot of water is one of the effective and reliable beauty secrets that you can safely try, putting a potentially harmful substance in or on your body is a risk that you should not take.

About The Author

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Beauty Secrets. Get more information by visiting http://www.brightbeautytips.com/beauty-tips/beauty-tips/beauty-secrets-are-all-around-you.html.

Beauty Diary - Get the Connection?

2008-04-01T10:36:00.000-07:00

by: Kristin Adams

Our skin is affected not only by the foods which we eat, but also by the things which it absorbs. This means that whatever you put onto your skin could potentially have a direct effect on its health and appearance. When looking at the cosmetic and skin care products which you use, it may surprise you to know that most of them could be potentially causing your skin problems instead of helping them.

Identifying the Cause of the Problem If you are struggling to find the cause of your skin problem then try writing down everything that you use on your body and hair during your daily routine. Note when you started using each product. Is it an old favorite you have used for the last 15 years, or is it a brand new product you just picked up? Have there been any other changes to your beauty routine? If there have been then it is more than likely that the change in products has led to the problems with your skin. Writing a beauty diary will help you narrow down the potential offenders.

A figure which may surprise you is that most women tend to use around 12 personal care products a day. This could be anything from soap to shower gel, deodorant, make-up and even moisturizers, cleanser and toner. Each one of these products has on average 15-30 potentially harmful ingredients.

By being your own personal beauty investigator, you can eliminate the product from your beauty routine that could be causing the trouble. If you are having a reaction, allergic or otherwise, it most likely is connected to a new product introduced into your routine. On occasion though, old favorites can start to cause irritation after prolonged use, so don't rule them out. Once you have a date that your skin issue began, first take a hard look at the products you have used after that date.

At this point you should:

1. Look at the remaining products in question and determine if they come in contact with the area of your body with which you have issues. For example, if you have acne on your forehead, remember that not only pertains to your cosmetics but also your hair and shampoo which come in contact with this area and must be considered.

2. Read the ingredient labels of the identified new products. If you notice a trend in the ingredients of all your products you could be allergic to one or many of these repeating ingredients.

3. Remove one or all of the isolated products from your routine. If you must use a similar product make sure that it is made of different ingredients. If you are not using a natural product already try an all-natural alternative. Read the ingredient labels to confirm that it is truly natural. These natural alternatives generally contain less ingredients and are free of many irritating chemicals found in traditional products. If you are already using a natural product that you would like to eliminate make sure you replace it with an entirely different formula.

4. Keep the suspect products out of your beauty routine for at least 3-4 months.

5. Do your homework. A quick google search for 'safe cosmetics' or 'cosmetic database' will give you detailed information about the general safety of thousands of products you may be using. Make sure your products fall within the 'green' range for safety in the online safe cosmetics databases.

6. During this time note any changes to your issue and overall health.

7. By writing down the cosmetics you use and the ingredients in them you will then be able to log on to safe cosmetic databases and determine the safety rating for that particular product.

Cutting Out the Risk of Harming Your Skin There are over 10,500 ingredients used in cosmetics and skin care products. Of those only 11% have ever been tested for safety. The FDA does not require testing of cosmetic and beauty care products. With this huge knowledge gap about the ingredients in our beauty products it is often better to stick to what is known and tested to be safe. If you are interested in eliminating potential unknowns from your routine try natural alternatives to your drug-store or department store brands. There are lots of options available both online and in your local health food store.

Start that beauty diary and learn more about your own beauty habits! You may see a connection between your skin problems and the product you use.

About The Author

Kristin Adams is Founder and President of Afterglow Cosmetics, a line of natural make-up including mineral cosmetics infused with certified organic ingredients. Discover your natural beauty at http://www.afterglowcosmetics.com

How To Identify Your Natural State Of Beauty By Taking Dosha Survey

2008-04-01T10:34:00.000-07:00

by: Dr. Helen Thomas

If you're one of the 99% who doesn't meet the latest trend, you may become frustrated with your body. You may want it to be thinner, or for that matter, more robust. You want it to look younger, or more mature. You may want blonde hair instead of brown. You may want to more plump skin instead of stretched. We live in a world that wants to keep us chasing after something we don't have. Once we get it, another carrot is dangled before us that we're told we must pursue in order to feel fulfilled.

Just look at the series of beauty enhancers and restrictive routines offered to "help" you meet impossible standards. Many women invest thousands of dollars and endless hours chasing after someone else's idea of beauty. Others can't be bothered and end up neglecting their face, skin and hair entirely. The more beauty you manifest, the more confidence, contentment and love you feel. Likewise, the more confidence, contentment and love you feel, the more beauty you will manifest. It's a wonderful spiral to be caught in.

I understand this truth now, but it wasn't always so simple for me to grasp.

I grew up in the 60's and 70's when the hippies were glorifying just "being natural" and not doing anything to make yourself appear more beautiful. In my 20s, 30s and 40s I felt pretty without doing anything. I was a little disdainful of beauty techniques.

It was only when I began to understand the esteemed place that beauty care held in Ayurveda — the ancient science of well-being from India — that I began to realize the deeper value of daily practices for my hair, face and skin.

As You Were Born and Grew You Started to Stray From Nature's Plan For you: Unless you live in perfect conditions your body and mind will not manifest exactly how they were intended to at birth. As life is dynamic, they'll remain constantly in sway to help you adjust and survive. Your current state of being is what Ayurveda calls your vrikruti . This includes your current state of beauty.

If you were born with a tendency towards dryness, and you live in a warm, tropical region, you should have little trouble keeping your dry skin in check. Likewise if your have moist skin and you live in a dessert climate. Your vikruti (your current state) and your prakruti (your intended state) differ little.

Here's Where The Trouble Starts: Imbalances in your face, hair and skin (as well as the rest of your body and mind) occur when your Prakruti (ideal state) and Your Vrikruti (current state) vary too much.

If you have a tendency towards dry skin, and you live in the dessert, you'll need to take extra measures to keep from becoming excessively dry and unattractive. Vice versa, if your skin leans towards being overly moist and you live in the tropics.

So no matter how hard you try, if you were born with a certain prakruit, for example predominately kapha, you will never be able to achieve a super-thin look. It's just not going to happen. I'm not saying you need to surrender to being overweight. Not at all. But you have to take more action to control your weight, just like a predominately vata person needs to put forth effort to stop losing too much weight.

That's really what my approach to Ayurvedic beauty is all about... I t's a process of discovering what makes you uniquely beautiful and working to bring that out more fully. It's about falling in love with who you are, and your beauty potentials, instead of straining to achieve someone else's.

About The Author

2007 © Copyright Dr.Helen Thomas D.C. B.A. All rights reserved in all countries

Go to http://www.effortlessayurvedicbeauty.com/ Take your Dosha survey and learn what the ancient medical scientist have to teach all of us that is very relevant today.

Click Here Now To Take Dosha Survey Get Your Ayurvda Body type
http://www.effortlessayurvedicbeauty.com/prakrutiquiz/index.html

Beauty and Health Tips

2008-04-01T10:28:00.000-07:00

by: Mary Rose

Beauty and health are the two sides of the same coin. You cannot possess either in isolation. Indeed a healthy person is naturally beautiful and the reverse is also true. It is a fact that health and beauty go hand in hand. Health is the metabolic efficiency in all people and beauty brings joy to the beholder. The following are some health and beauty tips that are simple and easy to follow.

Firstly, find ways to move your body. Always make it a point to use the stairs rather than elevators or escalators unless you are pressed for time. If you are overweight, eat less or exercise more to have a youthful body. The daily regime of either calorie restriction or exercise increase has positive effects on the body function. It is important to keep diabetes under control if one is diabetic or even take preventive measures to reduce the onset of diabetes and the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, hyper tension, and cancer or lung disease. Sedentary lifestyle is the greatest bane of health and beauty. It is imperative to exercise 30 minutes a day, 5 or 6 days a week. Indulge in anything that moves your limbs. It is not only a beauty and fitness tool, but a stress reliever as well. You can move around in small time intervals. It will be definitely far more rewarding if you could devote 45 minutes to 1 hour for any physical activity.

The next of the tips is - learn to say no to fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats. Reduce the intake of cheese, butter, nuts, sauces etc. Drinking water is one of the best beauty and health tips we can all follow. Water is essential for virtually every function of the body. The average person needs 1 to 3 liters of water a day. Drink with meals, as well as before, during and after exercise. Remember during your workouts, cold water is more readily absorbed.

The most important of the beauty and health tips is to quit smoking. It is mandatory to be a non smoker in order to improve the overall beauty and health of the individual.

Try to reduce stress filled situations. It is always easier said than done. Devote 30 minutes a day doing something you enjoy. Keep your temper under check and count to ten before losing your temper or getting aggravated. Stay away from people whom you find difficult to cope with. It is also important to practice oral hygiene and stay in a pollution free environment to remain healthy.

Recent studies suggest that a glass of wine or one drink a day is good for the heart, but take it easy!Gulping down glasses of wine can cause health problems such as liver and kidney disease as well as cancer.

There are many health and beauty products available in the market right now. They bring in different promises, guarantees and offers. Think for a while before making the purchase. Collect the details of the products you intend to buy. You should ensure that the product will do well for your beauty and health which you are looking for in it. Health and beauty products do help to improve your skin, health and fitness.

The link between genetics and beauty and health is a powerful one. But if one follows these basic beauty and health ,it is possible to live a healthy and beautiful life.Finally, stay positive. There's an ultimate connection between positive outlook and healthy and happy living. We all agree to the fact that a beautiful mind exists in a beautiful body That is the best of all beauty and health tips.

About The Author

Mary Rose has authored several books including books related to dating,love and marriage.For more information logon http://www.casanads.com/bm/hf.htm

The Maharishi Ayurveda Approach to Beauty and Skin Care with Nancy Lonsdorf M.D.

2008-04-01T10:24:00.000-07:00

by: Nancy Lonsdorf M.D.

“Every person is born perfect. Inferiority is a mistake of the mind, a cloud covering the light. Dissolve the clouds by observing a balanced life with healthy habits. Nourish your mind and body. Connect with your own inner self. Celebrate your own magnificence and your beauty will always shine through.”

---- Dr. Rama Kant Mishra, renowned Ayurvedic physician and dermatologist

The Three Pillars of Beauty

Maharishi Ayurveda (MAV), the modern, consciousness-based revival of the ancient Ayurvedic medicine tradition, considers true beauty to be supported by three pillars; Outer Beauty, Inner Beauty and Lasting Beauty. Only by enhancing all three can we attain the balanced state of radiant health that makes each of us the most fulfilled and beautiful person we can be.

Outer Beauty: Roopam

The outer signs of beauty - your skin, hair and nails - are more than just superficial measures of beauty. They are direct reflections of your overall health. These outer tissues are created by the inner physiological processes involved in digestion, metabolism and proper tissue development. Outer beauty depends more on the strength of your digestion and metabolism, the quality of your diet, and the purity of your blood, than on external cleansers and conditioners you may apply.

General Recommendations for Outer Beauty

As we will discuss, the key to skin care is matching your diet and skin care routine to the specific skin type you have. Meanwhile, there are some valuable recommendations for lustrous skin, hair and nails that will be helpful to everyone, regardless of skin type.

1. Diet: Without adequate nourishment, your collagen layer thins and a kind of wasting takes place. Over time, your skin can shrivel up like a plant without water from lack of nourishment. To keep your skin plump and glowing:

A. Eat fresh, whole organic foods that are freshly prepared.

Avoid packaged, canned, frozen, processed foods and leftovers. These foods have little nutritional value and also they are often poorly digested which creates impurities that localize in the skin. The resulting buildup of toxins causes irritation and blocks circulation depriving the skin of further nourishment and natural cleansing processes.

B. Favor skin nourishing foods.

Leafy green vegetables contain vitamins, minerals (especially iron and calcium) and are high in antioxidant properties. They nourish the skin and protect it from premature aging.
Sweet juicy fruits like grapes, melons, pears, plums and stewed apples at breakfast are excellent for the skin in almost everyone.
Eat a wide variety of grains over different meals and try mixed grain servings at breakfast and lunch. Add amaranth, quinoa, cous cous, millet and barley to the wheat and rice you already eat.
Favor light, easy to digest proteins like legume soups (especially yellow split mung dhal), whole milk, paneer (cheese made from boiling milk, adding lemon and straining solids) and lassi (diluted yogurt and spice drinks).
Oils like ghee (clarified butter) and organic, extra virgin olive oil should be included in the diet as they lubricate, nourish and create lustre in the skin.
Use spices like turmeric, cumin, coriander, and black pepper to improve digestion, nourish the skin and cleanse it of impurities.
Avoid microwaving and boiling your vegetables. They lose as much as 85% of their antioxidant content when cooked in this way. Steaming and sautéing are best.

Caring for outer beauty through knowledge of skin type

Besides these general recommendations the key to Outer Beauty is to understand the difference in skin types so you can gain the maximum benefit from your individualized skin care regimen. MAV identifies three different skin types based on which of the three main metabolic principles (doshas)- present in everyone, but to different degrees- is most dominant in your body.

Vata Skin

* Description: Vata is composed of the elements of air and space. If you have a vata skin type, your skin will be dry, thin, fine pored, delicate and cool to the touch. When balanced, it glows with a delicate lightness and refinement that is elegant and attractive. When vata skin is imbalanced, it will be prone to excessive dryness and may even be rough and flaky.

* Potential problems: The greatest beauty challenge for vata skin is its predisposition to symptoms of early aging. Your skin may tend to develop wrinkles earlier than most due to its tendency to dryness and thinness. If your digestion is not in balance, your skin can begin to look dull and grayish, even in your 20’s and 30’s. In addition, your skin may have a tendency for disorders such as dry eczema and skin fungus. Mental stress, such as worry, fear and lack of sleep, has a powerful debilitating effect on vata skin leaving it looking tired and lifeless.

* Recommendations for care

With a little knowledge, you can preserve and protect the delicate beauty of your vata type skin. Since your skin does not contain much moisture, preventing it from drying is the major consideration. Eat a warm, unctuous diet (ghee and olive oil are best) and favor sour, salty and sweet tastes (naturally sweet like fruits, not refined sugar) as they balance vata. Avoid drying foods like crackers. Drink 6-8 glasses of warm (not cold for vata types!) water throughout the day and eat plenty of sweet, juicy fruits. Going to bed early (before 10 PM) is very soothing to vata and will have a tremendously positive influence on your skin. Avoid cleansing products that dry the skin (like alcohol-based cleansers) and perform Ayurvedic oil massage to your whole body (abhyanga) in the morning before you shower.

Pitta Skin.

* Description: Pitta dosha is composed of the elements of fire and water. If you have a pitta skin type your skin is fair, soft, warm and of medium thickness. When balanced, your skin has a beautiful, slightly rosy or golden glow, as if illuminated from within. Your hair typically is fine and straight, and is usually red, sandy or blonde in color. Your complexion tends toward the pink or reddish, and there is often a copious amount of freckles or moles.

* Potential problems: Among the many beauty challenges of pitta skin types is your tendency to develop rashes, rosacea, acne, liver spots or pigment disorders. Because of the large proportion of the fire element in your constitution, your skin does not tolerate heat or sun very well. Of all the three skin types, pitta skin has the least tolerance for the sun, is photosensitive, and most likely to accumulate sun damage over the years. Pitta skin is aggravated by emotional stress, especially suppressed anger, frustration, or resentment.

* Recommendations for care

Avoid excessive sunlight, tanning treatments and highly heating therapies like facial or whole body steams. Avoid hot, spicy foods and favor astringent, bitter and sweet foods which balance pitta. (Again, naturally sweet, not chocolate and refined sugar!) Sweet juicy fruits (especially melons and pears), cooked greens and rose petal preserves are especially good. Drinking plenty of water helps wash impurities from sensitive pitta skin. Reduce external or internal contact with synthetic chemicals, to which your skin is especially prone to react, even in a delayed fashion after years of seemingly uneventful use. Avoid skin products that are abrasive, heating or contain artificial colors or preservatives. Most commercial make-up brands should be avoided in favor of strictly 100% natural ingredient cosmetics. And be sure to get your emotional stress under control through plenty of outdoor exercise, yoga and meditation.

Kapha Skin.

* Description: Kapha dosha is composed of the elements of earth and water. If you have a kapha skin type your skin is thick, oily, soft and cool to the touch. Your complexion is a glowing porcelain whitish color, like the moon, and hair characteristically thick, wavy, oily and dark. Kapha skin types, with their more generous collagen and connective tissue, are fortunate to develop wrinkles much later in life than vata or pitta types.

*Potential problems If your skin becomes imbalanced, it can show up as enlarged pores, excessively oily skin, moist types of eczema, blackheads, acne or pimples, and water retention. Kapha skin is also more prone to fungal infections.

* Recommendations for care

Kapha skin is more prone to clogging and needs more cleansing than other skin types. Be careful to avoid greasy, clogging creams. Likewise, avoid heavy, hard to digest foods like fried foods, fatty meats, cheeses and rich desserts. Eat more light, easy to digest, astringent, bitter and pungent (well-spiced) foods as they balance kapha. Olive oil is the best cooking oil and a little ginger and lime juice can be taken before meals to increase your characteristically sluggish digestive fire. Take warm baths often and use gentle cleansers to open the skin pores. Avoid getting constipated and try to get some exercise every day to increase circulation and help purify the skin through the sweating process.

Inner Beauty: Gunam.

Happy, positive, loving, caring individuals have a special beauty that is far more than skin deep. Conversely we all experience the quick and deleterious effect on our skin from fatigue and stress.

Inner beauty is authentic beauty, not the kind that shows on a made-up face, but the kind that shines through from your soul, your consciousness or inner state of being. Inner beauty comes from a mind and heart that are in harmony, not at odds with each other, causing emotional confusion, loss of confidence, stress and worry. Inner peace is the foundation of outer beauty.

Maintain your self-confidence and a warm, loving personality by paying attention to your lifestyle and daily routine and effective management of stress (I highly recommend the TM technique for its scientifically-verified benefits on mental and physical health and reduced aging.) You will also be healthier and feel better through the day if you eat your main meal at midday and make a habit of going to bed early (by 10 PM is ideal.)

Remember, kindness, friendliness and sincerity naturally attract people to you. On the other hand, being uptight or tense makes people want to walk the other way, regardless of your facial structure, body weight, or other outer signs we associate with attractiveness.

Lasting Beauty: Yayastyag

In order to slow the aging process and gain lasting beauty there are two additional key considerations beyond those already discussed,

1. Eliminate toxins and free radicals in the body: The main deteriorating effects of aging come as toxins and impurities (called ama in Ayurveda) accumulate throughout the body. These toxins may begin as free radicals in the body, or over time may become oxidized into free radicals, all of which contribute to premature aging in the body. For lasting health and beauty it is essential to avoid and neutralize free radicals, to prevent impurities of all kinds from accumulating and to remove those that have already become lodged in the body.

The most powerful cleansing therapy in Maharishi Ayurveda is "panchakarma" therapy, a series of natural treatments ideally performed twice yearly, that involves 5-7 days in a row of massage, heat treatments and mild herbal enemas. Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of undergoing this cleansing program once or twice a year to prevent impurities from accumulating, localizing and hardening in the tissues. Just as we change the oil in our cars regularly for optimal performance and lifespan, Ayurveda recommends that we cleanse the “sludge” from our tissues on a regular basis through panchakarma treatments.

Best of all, panchakarma treatments are luxurious, blissful, and make you feel (and look) completely rejuvenated in just a few days time. I have had many a patient who told me that friends asked them afterwards if they had gotten a facelift, they looked so fresh and youthful!

Other free radical busters include: reducing mental stress, eating antioxidant foods like leafy green vegetables, sweet, juicy fruits and cooking on a daily basis with antioxidant, detoxifying spices like turmeric and coriander.

2. Add rejuvenative techniques to daily living:

The daily activities of life in the modern world systematically wear us down and speed up the aging process. Ayurveda maintains it is crucial to practice daily rejuvenative regimens to counteract the stressful wear and tear of everyday life. According to Ayurveda the most important rejuvenative routines for your life are:

Going to bed by 10:00 PM. This simple habit is one of the most powerful techniques for health and longevity, according to MAV.
Meditate daily. Any meditation that does not involve concentration (which has been shown to increase anxiety) can be very helpful. I highly recommend the twice-daily deep rest and enlivenment of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique, whose benefits have been verified by over 700 published research studies.
Eat organic, whole fresh food that is freshly prepared. There is an Ayurvedic saying: "Without proper diet. medicine is of no use. With proper diet, medicine is of no need." Be sure to avoid those leftovers, processed and microwaved foods for better nutrition and vitality.
Perform Ayurvedic oil massage in the morning (abhyanga). Morning oil massage purifies the entire body, reduces anxiety and stress, helps prevent and heal injuries and supports circulation. It is especially helpful in creating a radiant complexion and keeping your skin youthful. Research shows it may also help prevent skin cancers.
Practice yoga asanas. Maintaining flexibility and circulation is key to health.
Practice pranayama (yoga breathing) techniques. Pranayama enlivens the mind and body. Ideally practice the following sequence twice a day. Asanas, pranayama and meditation.

Summary

Everyone's unique beauty shines forth when they have radiant health and personal happiness. Beauty is a side effect of a balanced, fulfilled life. Supreme personal beauty is accessible to everyone who is willing to take more control of their health in their day-to-day life through time-tested principles of natural living.

For most of us, beauty is not a gift but a choice. Every woman can be radiantly beautiful simply by beginning to lead a healthier life. You will be rewarded by the glowing effects you will see in your mirror each day and the powerful, bliss-producing effect your special beauty has on everyone in your life.

About The Author

Nancy Lonsdorf M.D. received her M.D. from Johns Hopkins and did her postgraduate training at Stanford. She has studied Ayurveda with some of the world's most renowned Ayurvedic physicians in India, Europe and the U.S. Dr. Lonsdorf has 17 years of clinical experience with Ayurveda and is currently the Medical Director of The Raj Ayurveda Health Center in Vedic City Iowa.

Dr. Lonsdorf has authored two books on Ayurveda and women's health:

A Woman's Best Medicine (Penguin/Putnam 1995 ; ISBN 0-87477-785-2) describing the Ayurvedic approach to the major issues in women's health
A Woman's Best Medicine for Menopause (Contemporary/McGraw Hill 2002; ISBN 0-8092-9335-8) describing the Ayurvedic approach to menopause

Doctor Lonsdorf's contact information is:

Nancy Lonsdorf M.D.
1734 Jasmine Avenue
Vedic City, IA 52556
641-472-8246
web site url: http://www.ayurveda-ayurvedic.com/
info@ayurveda-ayurvedic.com

Take Care Of Your Inner Beauty

2008-04-01T10:22:00.000-07:00

by: Hifzur Rehman

Let us talk about beauty from a different angle!

We have our own criteria for judging the beauty of a woman. We look the beauty of a lady from a certain angle and then pass the remarks whether she is beautiful or not. It’s not fair. Let me tell every woman that she is unique and beautiful.

The business of beauty is thriving everywhere. Women are spending much of their time and money on buying beauty products. Even in the third world countries, women living below the poverty line, buy cheap and substandard beauty products, which give more harm to their skin than good.

It’s the fundamental right of every woman to look beautiful. Every woman wants to listen the sweet words “you are beautiful”. But the beauty of a woman is far from her looks or figure. Physical beauty is only one aspect while a beautiful charming personality is a complete blend of many fine characteristics such as good manners, etiquette, behavior, smile, intelligence, sense of humor, social and family values etc., all make a woman look beautiful and attractive.

Didn’t you know that there is a marked difference between a carefully hand woven expensive Persian carpet and a cheap machine made carpet. Both of these cannot be equated. A beautiful woman is like an elegant hand-knotted Persian carpet. Each and every silky, colorful thread of her character, nicely woven into her personality, gives a woman an everlasting beauty and attraction.

Looks are very important indeed but the characteristics of a person are much more important. Besides taking care of your physical beauty, why not think of improving your inner beauty. The beauty which everyone admires is becoming a rare commodity these days. While on your way to a beauty parlor keep on thinking ways of improving your inner beauty.

Take care of yourself and take care of your inner beauty. No doubt you are a beautiful person.

About The Author

Hifzur Reman is the author of popular articles on self improvement. He is also the editor of his website: http://www.selfimprovement.ch which is a great source of self-improvement related information on various aspects of life. A visit to his site will open the doors of success for you!

Beauty Consultant on Skin Care Basics

2008-04-01T10:20:00.000-07:00

by: Sheila Dicks

If you’re like many women you are confused about how to choose the proper skin care. Or maybe you have some knowledge of what is available but you are not sure what is a good choice for you. Cosmetics come in many forms and deciding which is good for you is often a matter of personal taste. However, in order to make a good decision here is some basic information that you should know.

Cleansers: Are used to cleanse the skin of impurities and restore it to its natural oil balance.

Types of Cleansers

Soap: Almost everyone uses it. If you have dry or oily skin be sure your soap is helping correct the problem. Medicated soaps are meant for acne and problem skin, hypoallergenic soaps are meant for sensitive skin and there are drying soaps for oily skin and oily soaps for dry skin. If you have problem skin it is best to see a dermatologist.
Liquid Cleansers: Are made for all types of skin. A good cleanser goes deep into the pores to loosen and lift excess oil and makeup.
Creams: Are used for dry skin
Pad Cleansers: Are thick wad of absorbent material and are good for touch ups throughout the day.
Grains: Are coarse cleansers that are used for oily skin

Refreshers: Are used to complete the cleansing process. They help tone; sooth and rehydrate the skin keep complexions clear and clean.

Types of Refreshers:

Astringents: Are meant for oily and normal skin types. They usually have alcohol as an ingredient that will stimulate the complexion and close the pores. This is not a product to use on dry skin.
Toners: Are mild refreshers and are meant for normal and dry skin.
Fresheners: Are recommended for dry, sensitive or problem skin.

Moisturizers: Replenishes moisture and nourishes the skin.

Types of Moisturizers:

Moisturizers for normal skin: Helps maintain the moisture in normal skin.
Moisturizers for dry skin: Helps restore skin’s natural moisture balance.
Oil Control Moisturizers: Help control excess oil and prevent blemishes
Emollients: Are rich creams suited for extra dry skin that replenishes the natural supply of the skin’s oil. This moisturizing cream forms a protective shield that minimizes moisture evaporation and allows increased hydration of dry areas.

Masks: Exfoliates dead surface cells as it hydrates and moisturizes the skin.

Types of Masks:

Facial Masks for normal to dry skin: Help relax facial muscles and remove dry flaky skin.
Facial Masks for oily skin: Refines skin’s texture and deep cleans to help control surface sebum.
Pore Packs: Are designed to eliminate blackheads and reduce blemishes. Mostly used for oily skin.

Foundation Protection: Foundation protects the skin by keeping moisture in and dirt out with the added benefit of a flawless finish. This is a step that some women skip because they don’t quit know how to apply it and are not getting the right look. A couple of suggestions: make sure you have the type that is compatible with your complexion, test the color on your jaw line and it should be the same color as your complexion and make sure you have exfoliated (if not the foundation will show up as flaky).

Types of Foundation:

Full Coverage: used for normal to dry skin for extra hydration.
Medium Coverage: used for normal to oily skin.

Whatever your skin type take care of it by keeping it clean. Cleanse, tone and moisturize every morning and every night. Irregular or improper cleansing causes skin problems and makeup that is left on the skin will dull the skin’s surface; while oil and dead skin cells will clog the pores and cause blackheads.

About The Author

Sheila Dicks is a wardrobe and image consultant who teaches women how to look slimmer by dressing to suit their body type. Visit her at http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com to download a copy of her e-book Image Makeovers and get How to Build a Wardrobe free.

sheila@sheilasfashionsense.com

The Hottest Beauty Trend Isn’t for Women: It’s Skin Care for Men

2008-04-01T10:19:00.000-07:00

by: Donna Monday

Not too long ago, it used to be that when a woman brought home her facial scrub, cleanser and toner, she could be sure that the closest her man got to them was reaching over those fancy jars for his can of shaving cream.

Not any more. In recent years, men have been secretly dipping into their wives and girlfriends skin care products and liking the results that they see. So much so that many companies are developing skincare lines just for men.

And men are flocking to these skin care products in droves. Statistics reveal that men in the United States are spending over $4 billion a year on grooming products.

Skin care for men is growing in popularity among ethnic men as well. Ethnic men spend $88 million on skincare products. There is no sign of this trend slowing down.

One main difference between skin care for men and women is ease of use. While women may be willing to go through several steps in their beauty regimen, men like their regimen to be quick and easy. One, two, three and they’re out the door.

Keeping it simple doesn’t mean skimping on quality. Men are looking for high quality skin care products just like their female counterparts. MaleFace is a good example of high quality men’s skincare.

For more information on male skin care visit: http://www.1-minute-beauty-diva.com/FaceAMansSecret.html

About The Author

Donna Monday writes beauty related articles for http://www.1-minute-beauty-diva.com

Plant Shrub Roses For Carefree Beauty

2008-04-01T10:15:00.000-07:00

by: Ron King

Shrub roses are an easy, colorful choice to use anywhere you would plant a shrub.

Sturdy and Plant-Friendly

Unlike many roses, Shrub Roses are perfect for planting anywhere. They're "plant-friendly" and are good neighbors in any collection of flowers. Shrub Roses are also very winter-hardy, and they are highly disease-resistant.

These round, easily-maintained bushes are not small, either. Many older Shrub Roses can grow up to 6 feet in height. If desired, Shrub Roses can be trained to grow like tall hedges.

Privacy Screen or Hedge

Shrub roses are great as a screen or hedge plant for privacy, as a border, or a background. Although the flowers from Shrub Roses have little fragrance, they come in a wide assortment of vivid colors. Vibrant pinks, reds, whites, and yellows are all common for a shrub rose's abundant flowers.

Ground Cover or Hanging Basket

Several modern shrub roses have been popularized in recent years. Ground covers such as Cliffs of Dover, Flower Carpet and Jeepers Creepers have been treasured by homeowners with sloped or uneven lawns.

They also grow wonderfully in hanging baskets and containers. Regardless which variety you choose, Shrub Roses can be a wonderful feature at the entrance to your home.

How to Plant

Make sure the plant is in a very sunny location. Most Shrub Roses require a minimum of 8 hours of full sun on a daily basis. The direct light combined with moist soil ensures maximum flower production.

Dig a hole that is double the width and depth of the pot your shrub comes in. Use a sharp instrument to cut the plant away from the sides of the pot. Disturb the roots as little as possible. Once you have the plant free from its container, place it in the hole. Fill in the remaining space with loose soil and soak the plant with water.

Practically Maintenance-Free

Fortunately, Shrub Roses require very little maintenance. During the summer months, you'll probably need to water your shrubs twice a week. Keep the soil moist and you're done.

For gorgeous results and optimal growth, use organic fertilizer on your roses in the spring and fall. Pruning is not necessary, because it is basically self-cleaning. Shrub roses release their own dead foliage, creating a neat appearance through every season.

Some of the prettiest roses are "ever blooming." Purchase this type of shrub rose, and you’ll have a recurrent bloomer that will flower profusely several times a year.

Before you plant another green shrub, consider planting a Shrub Rose instead. The most difficulty you'll have with this plant is deciding which one to buy!

About The Author

Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. Visit http://www.grow-roses-now.com to learn more about this fascinating hobby.

Skin Care and Beauty Routines - How Does Yours Rate?

2008-04-01T10:12:00.000-07:00

by: Katrina Price

Good skin care and beauty are easier to achieve than you might imagine. And since we only get one face per lifetime, it's much better (and cheaper) to invest in good skin care now rather than a facelift down the road.

When choosing a skin care regimen, it is important to use all of the steps from the same brand because they are formulated to work together. Don't use a piece of this set and a piece of that set. Also, be sure to use ALL the steps in a skin care set. You wouldn't bake a cake and leave out the flour, would you?

Wash your face thoroughly before applying makeup and glamour cosmetics. Give yourself a nice facial. An artist wouldn't paint a masterpiece on a stained or dingy canvas, right?

When applying your facial skin care cleanser, use light strokes so as not to tug on your skin. Use your ring (third) finger around the deliate eye area. It's your weakest finger and will do the least amount of damage. Mask should not be applied too close to the mouth or the eye area. Toner and moisturizer round out the facial and now you're ready for foundation and color cosmetics.

True beauty comes from within, and makeup and cosmetics simply enhance that. If your skin care and beauty routine doesn't involve a lot of glamour makeup, don't worry. A few shades of neutral or sheer cosmetics will give you that special glow and look of natural beauty. Pay attention to your manicure and pedicure as well.

For goodness sakes, don't fall asleep with makeup or cosmetics on. It's estimated that for every night you do, your skin ages by 12 days! Give yourself a quick facial before you hit the sheets. It's called skin CARE for a reason.

About The Author

Katrina Price offers her insights into the world of skin care and beauty. You can read more by visiting www.skincareteacher.com.

Today's Personal Care Products - Health and Beauty

2008-04-01T09:56:00.000-07:00

by: TK Healey

Personal care products help us to improve hair, skin, health and fitness. These items can improve are lives and the way in which we live them. These products have come a long way over the years and definitely make our personal hygiene chores a lot easier.

Hair removal products have always been an interest for both men and women. Women want those smooth silkily legs without having to shave with a razor blade everyday. One of the first hair removal products I can remember was nair. “Who wears short shorts”, commercial ad comes to mind. Nair is a lotion that dissolves the hair.

What sophisticated products do we have today for hair removal? Well for one the electric razors have come a long way. They claim to leave your skin smooth and soft and to give you closest shave ever. I lost track I think we are up to 7 blades now. The ePen is a home electrolysis system which permanently removes unwanted hair. The ePad extra large body pads remove hair quickly and painlessly.

There is also an abundant of products to stop thinning hair. You don't have to join a hair club for men or go to the doctors and pay for hair transplants when there are so many products you can use right at home. There are special shampoos, conditioners, hair brushes and treatment solutions to try. These products claim you will get thicker, fuller and healthier looking hair.

What products do we have that fight signs of aging? A product called frownies gently re-educates the underlying muscles to give you a more relaxed and natural, appearance to help with the removal of wrinkles and frown lines. There is also numerous skin care lotions, creams, and sprays to apply to your skin. Some of these brand products are Youthful Essence, Sheer Cover, Aloette, NuGlow and this is just a real small sample.

Whether you are looking for the soothing relaxation and tension easing experience of a personal massager, or want to get a great looking tan, there are many great products designed to make this all possible in the comfort of your home. These products help to promote wellness in your life and improve your looks!

We all want to feel and look our best. Looking good can also mean feeling good!

About The Author

TK Healey chief editor for http://SurfTilYouDrop.com ® a consumer based website focusing on As Seen On TV products. Visit this page for unique Personal Care Health and Beauty Products.

Ayurvedic Beauty Care

2008-04-01T09:49:00.000-07:00

by: Dev Sri

Ayurvedic beauty care mostly is Ayurvedic lifestyle itself. However there are some additional usages of ointments and including healthy food items in your diet.

Ayurvedic beauty care includes employing techniques for skin care, hair care, eye care, foot care and to keep optimum body mass. There is no place for ama (bodily toxic wastes) in the body. Complete nutrition to body is necessary for good beauty care.

Healthy Ayurvedic lifestyle is natural Ayurvedic beauty care. Balance lifestyle in such a manner that there is little scope for stress or accumulation or bodily or mental toxins. Ayurvedic beauty care deals not only with external beauty. It also deals with inner feelings like happiness, calmness and mental stability. No one can hide sadness with makeup.

Daily exercise, especially yoga is an important aspect of Ayurvedic beauty care. Women who want to keep their youthful beauty needs to practice yoga on a daily basis. Practicing yoga can also relieve women off menstrual problems and can help them with easy delivery at the end of their pregnancy.

Ayurvedic beauty care do include the use of natural cosmetics derived from such plants like sandalwood, turmeric, henna (mehndi), aloe vera and many naturally available beauty care products. The application of which is determined by the body and skin type of the person. A knowledgeable Ayurveda beauty care expert can tell the exact body and skin nature of a person and give advice on exact type of cosmetics to use.

Once started, Ayurvedic beauty care continues to give a glowing face and confident look wherever you go.

About The Author

Dev Sri provides insider information about Kerala Ayurvedic practices at http://keralaayurvedics.com/