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. 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
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:
Monday, April 6, 2009
Using Natural Beauty Care Products
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Is Beauty Past 40 Possible?
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.Read More.. Read More .....
4 Secrets for Beauty & Wellness
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
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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.comhttp://indigofera.com
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Beauty Secrets Are All Around You
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.Read More.. Read More .....
Beauty Diary - Get the Connection?
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.comRead More.. Read More .....
How To Identify Your Natural State Of Beauty By Taking Dosha Survey
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 countriesGo 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 Read More.. Read More .....
Beauty and Health Tips
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 Read More.. Read More .....The Maharishi Ayurveda Approach to Beauty and Skin Care with Nancy Lonsdorf M.D.
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
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!
Hifzur Rehman © 2004 – All Rights Reserved
hrehman@selfimprovement.ch
Beauty Consultant on Skin Care Basics
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
Read More.. Read More .....The Hottest Beauty Trend Isn’t for Women: It’s Skin Care for Men
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
Copyright 2004
Donna Monday writes beauty related articles for http://www.1-minute-beauty-diva.com
Read More.. Read More .....Plant Shrub Roses For Carefree Beauty
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.
Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact.
Read More.. Read More .....Skin Care and Beauty Routines - How Does Yours Rate?
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.
Read More.. Read More .....Today's Personal Care Products - Health and Beauty
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. Read More.. Read More .....Ayurvedic Beauty Care
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/ Read More.. Read More .....