Sunday, September 5, 2010

August Beauty Tips

8.7.10

Choose a concealer that closely matches your skin tone to cover a skin problem. If you use a concealer with a lighter color, it will accentuate the problem instead of covering it.

Cover freckles with a shade that matches your skin color instead of using a darker shade to achieve a more natural look.

This tip is from my friend Rita on how to achieve thicker lashes. First use the wand on the top of your lashes twirling, and wiggling the wand upward to curl them. Then apply to underneath side of your top lashes. They will look thick and beautiful. If you want to apply mascara to the bottom lashes, apply it from underneath, twirl the wand upward for a light feathered look.

For nails that are too thin and brittle, take a folic acid supplement daily. It helps with both hair and nails. A great product to strengthen nails is “Nutra Nail” and it can be found at Walmart. Apply to unpolished nails and your nails will be long, strong, and beautiful!

8.14.10

Use tea tree oil soap instead of bacterial soap as it is just as effective, very gentle and will not dry out your skin.

For dry facial skin, before you apply moisturizer, mist your face with cool water, and then pat dry.

If your feet sweat excessively, massage cornstarch, or baking soda into your feet to eliminate odors.

For cracked lips, gently exfoliate with a toothbrush coated with Vaseline, and then apply lip balm.

For slow growing finger nails, take an omega-3 fish oil supplement daily to accelerate nail growth.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Beauty Tips and Tricks to Apply Eyeliner

Eyeliner is a great way to enhance your eyes and create a dramatic look. If you follow these tips, you will achieve a fresh and professional look that will make your eyes sparkle.

Color is one of the first things to consider when choosing your eye liner. Remember contrast is the key that will bring out the natural color of your eyes. Don’t be afraid to experiment a little. For example, brown, or charcoal works well bringing out the color of blue eyes. Black works well for women with dark hair. Plum is a great color for green eyes. Dark blue eyeliner can be very dramatic for brown eyes. A general rule for color: light colors will protrude and darker colors recede.

You can achieve a more natural look by using two different shades of eyeliner, a darker one for the upper eyelids and a lighter one for the lower eyelids. Or you can achieve the same look simply by smudging the eyeliner on the lower lids.

Choose an eyeliner pencil with a softer texture. Using an eyeliner pencil that is hard and waxy makes it difficult to achieve a smooth line. The goal is to create a nice smooth, unbroken line that enhances the natural shape of your eye.

The shape of your eyes will help you to determine the placement of your eyeliner. To make your eyes look closer together, draw the line a little thicker near the inner corner of your eyes. To make them look farther apart, draw the line a little thicker near the outside corners of your eyes. To make them look bigger, draw an even line along the natural shape of your upper and lower eyelids. To make them look rounder, draw a thicker line near the outside edges of both your upper and lower lids. To make your eyes appear more oval, draw a line that is thicker in the middle of your upper eyelids.

For an overall smoother look and one that will last longer, use a creamy powder on your eyelids before you apply eyeliner.

One of the most important keys to applying eyeliner is to use a pencil that is very sharp and apply as close to your eyelashes as possible. For a more natural look, start your eyeliner close to where your eyelashes begin near the inside of your eye and follow to the outside edge of your eyelashes. Where you apply eyeliner depends on the shape you are trying to create.

You may also want to warm up the eyeliner before applying to achieve a smoother look by running warm water over the pencil with the lid on. For the lower lid, start at the outside and move toward the inside corner.

The pressure you use to apply eyeliner can be used to enhance the shape of your eye. For an even line, apply the same pressure all the way across. Apply more pressure to increase the weight of the line where you want a thicker line and vice versa for a thinner line.

The lower eyelids will look more natural if you end the line about 75% over from the outside edges. You may want to use a Q-tip to soften the line, starting at the outside edge, moving toward the inside to “smudge” it a bit.

The goal of eyeliner is to enhance, and draw attention to eyes. It also provides an opportunity to recreate the shape of your eyes. If you follow these tips your eyes will be one of the first things people notice about you. When properly applied, eyeliner will make your eyes more defined and draw attention to one of the most important features of your face, the windows to your soul.

You can find everything to create beautiful eyes here.

--Carla

Monday, August 9, 2010

Age Spot Removal

Age spots, which are sometimes known as liver spots, are a discoloring that is caused by maximum exposure to direct rays from the sun. They are also referred to as hyper pigmentation. The dermis is the layer of the skin underneath the epidermis. Age spots on face and hands are the most common.

The best defense against age spots is to use a very good sunscreen product every day and apply it in the morning before you go outside. No matter what shape your face is in, using sunscreen will help prevent more age spots from appearing, and prevent the ones you have from growing larger.

Regular exfoliation also helps reduce the appearance of age spots as dead skin cells are replaced by new ones. I have heard some women have tried hydrogen peroxide every night until the appearance of their age spots are reduced. Hydrogen peroxide helps to bleach the skin. By turning the skin a lighter color with this lightening tactic, you may be able to reduce the appearance of age spots. I have not personally tried this method yet, but obviously it would be one of the most affordable treatments. I will update you with the results when I do.

If you decide to consult a dermatologist about age spot removal, one of the things that you will be told to do is to protect the area from the sun. Freezing and acid peels make the skin easier to burn as the skin is more delicate afterwards. Retin A is another popular age spot removal product however, it is only available through prescription. There are also over the counter creams with ingredients called Retinoids that claim to help reduce age spots.

You may decide to try some of the different products that are available online. There are so many products available it may be difficult to choose. Two different options available are Meaningful Beauty and ResDermatrol to name a couple. I have not heard anything negative about these two lines of anti aging skin care.

Sometimes you can try different products through a free trial offer, just remember to cancel before the specified time limit so you are not charged the full amount, and/or have them continue to send you additional products before you get the chance to try them out. You can always order more if you like the skin care line.

You may have to experiment a little to find what works best with your budget, skin type, color and skin problems. Whatever method you choose, you deserve to look your best, and who doesn’t want great looking skin?

You can find age spot removal products here.

--Carla

Monday, August 2, 2010

July Beauty Tips

Here are the July Beauty tips!

7.10.10

Moisturize your face at night to save time and your skin will look refreshed in the morning.

Create more time for yourself in the morning by developing a 5-minute makeup routine. Apply 2-in-1 foundation, lip liner, gloss, mascara, blush, finishing powder for shine, and you are gorgeous and ready to go.

To make your perfume last longer, apply it to damp skin right after you get out of the bath or shower. Also, spray a little into the air and walk under to apply perfume to your hair to make it last longer.

Introduce bananas and yogurt to your regular diet to enhance your beauty and slow down the aging process. You can also use plain yogurt for a natural facial mask.

Use a lip stain product with a little gloss to keep your lips looking great the whole day.

7.17.10

To get rid of flyaway hair, spray a little water-based hairspray on a comb and comb through your hair.

Use a leave in conditioner and comb it through your hair when it is damp, and let it dry naturally, to eliminate flyaway hair.

To get rid of hair static, use a dryer sheet and gently smooth it downward through your hair.

Apply a little gel by patting gently at the ends of your hair with your fingers to eliminate static and flyaway hair.

Instead of using a brush, use your fingers to comb through hair, this will reduce static.


7.26.10

Condition your eyelashes by brushing petroleum jelly on them at night. You can also apply for day wear for a more natural look instead of mascara.

Apply foundation to your eyelids before adding eye shadow to smooth it and make it last longer.

For a homemade wrinkle reducer, mash ¼ of a banana until creamy. Apply to face, leave on for 15 to 20 minutes and rinse with warm water and follow with a cool water splash.

Exfoliate your face once a week using a couple of tablespoons of sea salt and gently massage in with a wet washcloth or fingers avoiding the eye area. Rinse with cool water to close pores.

Lighten the dark skin on your elbows by rubbing them with half of a fresh lemon for a bleaching effect. Rinse and follow with a moisturizer to avoid dryness.

7.31.10

To make blush last longer in hot weather, use 2 types of blush, cream and powder. Apply the cream blush first, apply setting powder, and top off with a powdered blush. Your blush will look great all day!

Add a drop of witch hazel to your cream foundation to create a medicated foundation. This will help with oily skin and help to control breakouts.

To boost the shine of dark hair, rinse with a solution of diluted vinegar.
To bring out the highlights of blond hair, apply lemon juice.

For combination skin, use 2 types of masks. Use one for oily skin on the t-zones, and one for normal or dry skin on the other parts of your face. This creates a perfect salon facial treatment made just for your skin type.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Choosing a Designer Handbag That Compliments Your Body

With so many choices in designer hand bags, it can be an overwhelming task choosing the right one. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when selecting your designer hand bag. If you follow these tips, your hand bag will show you off in the best possible way, and your beautiful shape.

A general rule for selecting the right hand bag is to choose one that both contrasts and compliments your body shape. This will help to create balance with your shape and show off your hand bag at the same time.

If your shape is curvy, choose a sleek rectangular shaped bag. If your shape is more straight lines, choose a hand bag that has a more rounded look.

You can emphasize your best features simply by choosing the right length of your hand bag. If you want to emphasize your bust, choose a short handled bag that falls below your armpit. These are better suited for women with a smaller size bust size. If you want to emphasize a small waist, choose a hand bag length that falls right at the waist. If you are large busted, choose a hand bag with longer straps to help create a vertical look.

To compliment your body type, choose a hand bag that mirrors your body size. If you are a large woman, select a larger handbag. If you are a petite woman, choose a smaller bag or a tote that hangs from the shoulder if you need more space.

Color is also important when selecting the right designer hand bag. It should flatter your natural coloring and work well with your outfit. You will get more for your money if you select a hand bag that works with several items from your wardrobe.

If you follow these guidelines for selecting your designer hand bag you will choose just the right one to create the perfect overall look. A designer hand bag is an investment that can really enhance your unique style when chosen carefully. If you choose your hand bag wisely, you will feel confident and relaxed with your appearance knowing it sets you off to your best advantage.

You can find genuine designer hand bags here.

--Carla

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Advice for Choosing Teeth Whitening Products

One of the best beauty tips that can instantly take at least 10 years off your age is creating a whiter smile. I heard a top makeup artist on TV say when asked “what is the first thing you do to make a woman look younger?” He replied “whiten her teeth.” I thought it made great sense because our teeth tend to become dull and look yellow the older we get. Who wants yellow teeth?

The market is flooded with brands of tooth whitening products and it is difficult to know which one is best, especially when ordering from the internet. Here are a few of my experiences.

I purchased a whitening system from my dentist for about $300 and was very happy with the results. It was not an instant fix, but my gums did not hurt after I used it. One problem is this process must be repeated from time to time to maintain a white smile. The other problem is my current budget will not allow me to afford to do it again right now.

There are two brands I would definitely stay away from. I tried these two brands of dental whitening I had ordered over the internet. The information I received was to use the two products together to achieve maximum results. My teeth did get whiter, however, the products really made my gums and teeth hurt for a long time.

These products were initially inexpensive because they were a “free trial”. However, because I did not cancel them within the specified time, I might as well have visited the dentist due to the cost. Also, when I did try cancel them, one of the companies made it very difficult to cancel. I had to make at least 3 calls to them and it was very time consuming. The two brands I would not recommend are Dazzling White and Everbright Smile.

If you do decide to order teeth whitening products over the internet, check out my “Consumer Tips for Free Trials” blog published in April to avoid repeating my unfortunate mistakes.

If your teeth are just lightly stained, try using a whitening toothpaste. This should be enough to keep your teeth looking their whitest.

If your teeth are heavily stained due to coffee, tea, aging or smoking, it is probably best to use a dentist approved tray and gel system to return your teeth to their naturally white color.

You can get the same system used in a dental office for less from a company called ProWhite. They are an actual dentist lab and will create custom trays and use the same gel solution you get from the dentist’s office. Dentists also purchase their gel from this lab. You can save money by dealing directly with the lab.

I have not tried the tooth whitening pens, however, after my negative experience with the brands I mentioned earlier, I would stay away from any “instant” product as I do not want to permanently damage my teeth or gums.

Whitening your teeth more slowly is what most dentists recommend. The reason is it does not damage your teeth and gums. Unless of course you can afford the rapid whitening method provided in a dentist’s office. I know we all want quick results, just be careful when choosing a tooth whitening system so you don’t damage your teeth or gums.

I hope this information helps you to make an informed decision about choosing the right product to whiten your teeth. Remember, your smile is one of the first things notice about you and having sparkling white teeth makes a great impression. Having a gorgeous white smile can easily make you look 10 years younger.

You can find an affordable dental lab here.

--Carla

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Seven Tips to Feel More Beautiful by Increasing Your Self Esteem

The biggest challenge to being beautiful is feeling beautiful. Our hectic lives can sometimes put our spirits on the back burner and we can begin to under value ourselves. Here are few things you can do to feel good about yourself, boost your self esteem and feel beautiful about the person you already are.

Tip 1
Know you are unique!
When you wake up in the morning, remind yourself that you are unique and there is no one else like you in the whole world.

Tip 2
Respect yourself!
Think about what your deepest needs are as a person and consciously make an effort to fulfill those needs. We are not talking about immediate gratification, but your deepest needs as an individual. Ask yourself who am I? Am I living my true purpose? How do I get there? Take baby steps.

Tip 3
Be your own person!
Decide what you want out of life and pursue it with enthusiasm. Do not let others decide what your life should be.

Tip 4
Feel good about yourself!
Keep a journal and write down 10 to 15 things you accomplished well every day. This will help you focus on the positive things you did so you will spend less time on the negative things.

Tip 5
Don’t try to be perfect!
Trying to be perfect is a negative loop and can keep you from accomplishing even the smallest goal. The reality is that life is not perfect. Do the best you can and be genuinely happy with the outcome.

Tip 6
Inspire Yourself!
Pursue work and activities that inspire you to be the best person you can be. Engage in activities and hobbies you have a passion for and you will feel on top of the world!

Tip 7
Laugh!
Express your inner joy and laugh whenever it is possible. See a comedy show, watch a funny movie, or read a funny book. Laughter is contagious and good for your mind, spirit, body, and those around you.

These are just a few tips to help you increase your self esteem. All of us have experienced times where we just don’t feel as good about ourselves as we are capable of. When you have healthy self esteem, you love and appreciate yourself exactly as you are. Remember you are unique and have enormous potential. Isn’t it time you allowed yourself to express the beautiful person you already are?

Friday, July 2, 2010

June Beauty Tips

Here is a list of the June Beauty Tips . . .
6.4.10

Conditioning your scalp when you have thinning hair can clog pores and inhibit hair growth, instead condition just the ends of your hair.

For thinning hair, hold your head upside down and gently massage the scalp once or twice a day to increase blood flow to hair roots.

Use a volumizing shampoo to make thinner hair look thicker and have more body.

Take a multivitamin (with folic acid) with breakfast each day to ensure thinning hair is not caused by a nutritional deficiency. Folic acid helps hair, skin and nails to grow stronger.

Do not wear hair styles that pull hair too tightly or can cause breakage to avoid thinning hair.

Nioxin products can be effective in treating thinning hair.


6.09.10

To keep hair healthy, massage your scalp for a few minutes every night before you go to bed to stimulate blood flow to the roots. (Or have your significant other do it for you, it feels great!)

Always rinse hair with cool water after you shampoo. It makes the cuticle lie flat and your hair will be shinier.

Be gentle with the ends of your hair when you shampoo as scrubbing the ends dries them out.

Before swimming in a pool or the ocean, apply conditioner to the ends of your hair to protect them.

Always blot your hair dry after shampooing, rubbing your hair can cause split ends.


6.15.10

When applying mascara, start at the base of your lashes and move the wand gently back and forth as you glide it toward the ends. This will help separate the lashes, and make them appear thicker and longer.

For best results to create thick and long lashes, use two types of mascara. Apply one for length first, and then apply one to thicken eyelashes.

Use a spoolie to separate wet lashes after you have applied mascara to eliminate any clumping.

Make your own spoolie by completely washing a wand from an old tube of mascara and let dry before using.

For great lashes, use a clear primer first and then apply your mascara.

Use an eyelash curler before or after you apply mascara to make your eyes look larger.


6.29.10

A water-based foundation with a sheer, satin finish will work best for most all skin types.

For mature or dry skin an oil-based matte foundation works best for your skin type.

Use an oil-free foundation with a matte or satin finish for oily skin.

A tinted moisturizer with a sheer finish works best for normal, dry or mature skin because it provides light coverage.

Mineral makeup foundation with a matte finish is usually good for all skin types. It should be used sparingly on older skin to avoid a heavy look.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Five Steps for Applying Mineral Makeup

Mineral makeup has become very popular lately and for good reasons. First of all when applied properly it looks very natural and is light to wear. Secondly, the minerals are actually good for nourishing your skin. Follow these easy steps for applying mineral makeup and your skin will not only look gorgeous, but will also be healthier.

The biggest secret to applying mineral makeup flawlessly is to use good quality mineral makeup brushes. The most affordable way to get started with mineral makeup is to sign up for a really good introductory offer that includes brushes with their starter kit.

Step one – Moisturize
Apply moisturizer to your clean face. You may also want to follow with a makeup primer for mature or aging skin to achieve a smoother surface. Wait about 10 minutes before beginning to apply your makeup.

Step two – Conceal
Put a little concealer into the cap and using a concealer brush, swirl it around the powder, tap off excess and apply in gentle circles around the areas you want to conceal. Note, some people advise you to conceal after you have applied foundation, and this step can be implemented however works best for you. I have found it works better for me to apply concealer first and then blend with the foundation powder.

Step three – Foundation
Place some foundation powder into the cap and using a foundation brush, swirl in the foundation powder, tap excess off of brush and apply in a gentle circular motion starting at the outside edges of your face and work toward the center to blend evenly.

Step four – Setting powder
Place some setting powder into the cap and using a brush that has denser bristles than the foundation brush, swirl brush into the powder, tap off the excess and apply in a gentle circular motion. You can apply this powder all over your face or just to the T-zones for combination skin. Setting powder will keep your makeup looking fresh longer and also help with shine if you have oily areas or oily skin in general.

Step five – Blush
Place a very small amount of blush in the cap and swirl a small amount onto your brush. The best way to apply blush is to smile and apply to the “apple” areas of your cheeks. Blush will give a healthy, natural glow to your face. You may also want to use a separate dense brush to blend in the blush so it looks completely natural.

Finish your eye makeup and lips as you normally would and you are ready to go. Using mineral makeup is easy, feels great and is good for your skin. If you follow these easy steps, you will look absolutely fabulous and feel great too knowing your makeup is flawless!


You can find cheap mineral makeup and starter kit here!

Monday, June 28, 2010

6 Simple Tips for Great Hair Care!

#1 – Shampoo your hair only one time really well. Some experts advise you to shampoo your hair twice and this is really not necessary and can also dry your hair.

#2 – Use a shampoo that is formulated for colored or processed hair if you color or perm your hair. These shampoos are specifically created to be gentle and moisturize your hair.

#3 – Use a clarifying shampoo at least once a week to eliminate build up from shampoo, and other styling products. If you don’t want to spend additional money on a clarifying shampoo, mix a pinch of baking soda into your regular shampoo and use normally.

#4 – Do not use an all in one shampoo especially on oily hair as it can create build up much faster on your hair and weighs it down.

#5 – Use a volumizing shampoo only two or three times a week for fine or thinning hair. This type of shampoo contains proteins that bond to the hair to add volume. If it is used to often, it can create a residue than weighs your hair down.

#6 – Protect your hair from the sun. This will prevent your hair from becoming brittle. Wear a great hat when you are in the sun for extended periods of time. Use an SPF product on your hair if wearing a hat is not feasible. Leave in conditioner can also help protect your hair from the sun.

If you follow these simple tips your hair will look healthy, shiny and beautiful. It’s easy to have and maintain gorgeous hair when you know how!

You can find natural hair products here!

--Carla

Friday, June 11, 2010

Basic Clothing Items Every Woman Should Have for Her Wardrobe!

If you have ever asked yourself what items you should have as basic wardrobe pieces, then this list is for you. This is a great shopping list if you have found yourself wanting to re-invent your wardrobe, and gives you a great starting point to build your new look. Keep in mind the colors you choose should flatter the color of your skin and body type to emphasize your best features. Remember the most flattering styles and colors are those that create an unbroken vertical line for your body.

At Least Two Shirts
• A white or pastel colored button-front shirt with a hem length that flatters your body
• T-Shirts with necklines that flatter your neck and body type

At Least Two Pairs of Dark Pants
• One with a simple, slimming cut for day wear
• One with a fuller leg style in black that drapes for day or evening wear

At Least Two Pairs of Jeans
• One slimming pair that is hemmed to wear with heels
• One pair hemmed to wear with flat shoes, sandals, or tennis shoes

At Least Three Skirts
• One with clean lines like a pencil type skirt, or an A-line skirt in black
• An A-line shape skirt, diagonal bias, or circle in a fabric that drapes well for day and evening
• One neutral in a mixable fabric that may be a vertical stripe

At Least Three sweaters
• One black that you wear in all seasons and should match your pants in color
• One neutral color that flatters your skin tone
• One with a rich color that flatters your coloring

At Least Two jackets
• One tailored jacket that matches your dark pants so it reads as a suit
• One sporty or casual jacket that flatters your shape in a leather, suede, wool, or cotton twill

At Least Three coats
• A classic trench coat that flatters your shape to wear when it rains in a neutral or black
• A light knee-length coat that works for day or night you can wear between seasons
• A winter coat suitable for your region in the best fabric you can afford

At Least Two Dresses and/or Matching Separates
• A little black dress for day and evening
• Matching separates that create the look of a dress and create an unbroken visual line

Remember to choose colors that compliment your skin tone. The best way to test for colors that will flatter you is to hold them up against your face when you are not wearing any makeup. If the color lights up your face and brings out your best features it is a great color for you. Monochromatic outfits will help create a slimming vertical line for your silhouette, while contrasting colors tend to cut you half visually. These basic items will keep you prepared to dress impeccably for any occasion and should be the basis on which to build any wardrobe.

You can find gypsy clothing here.

Source: The Pocket Stylist Behind-the-Scenes Expertise from a Fashion Pro on Creating Your Own Unique Look, by Kendall Farr

Friday, June 4, 2010

May Beauty Tips

5.13.10

Getting regular exercise at least 3 times per week for a half hour per day can make you look ten years younger.

Getting at least 8 hours of sleep per night will keep you feeling refreshed and younger looking.

Getting regular facials at least once a week or a minimum of once a month will keep your face looking youthful.

Maintaining a healthy weight keeps you looking young. If necessary, use a healthy, weight loss supplement regularly to help maintain your weight.

Using a detoxifying supplement to rid your body of harmful toxins can also keep you looking younger.


5.20.10

For blue, green or gray eyes, use eye shadows that are shades of brown to create a frame around the eyes to make them pop. Avoid colors that match your eye color if you want them to stand out.

For brown eyes, use eye shadows that are a silver brown, or sandy honey color tones to frame your eyes.

If you have small eyes, use lighter shades of eye shadow.

Use darker shades of eye shadow for large eyes.

Do not use shimmery products on problem skin as they will only emphasize trouble spots.


5.28.10

To prevent “green hair” from swimming in a chlorine pool, soak hair with club soda or seltzer when you get out. Rinse hair, shampoo and condition normally.

To get rid of normal shampoo build up, mix a small amount of baking soda into your regular shampoo at least once a week, lather up, rinse well and condition. This step will save you money so you won’t have to purchase an additional clarifying shampoo.

To eliminate “green hair” caused from swimming in chlorine, use tomato juice, paste or ketchup, massage into hair, rinse, shampoo and condition.

Another way to get rid of “green hair” is to dissolve 3 aspirins in a cup of water and work into hair. Leave mixture on hair for 5 minutes then rinse, shampoo and condition hair.

Click here for the best over 50 beauty tips!

Friday, May 28, 2010

Seven Fashion Trend Tips for Spring/Summer 2010

Wearing the latest fashions can be fun, refreshing and affordable when you know what’s hot! These styles can also be adapted and combined to give you the edge in expressing your own unique look. So let’s look at some of the trends for spring and summer.

• Hot pants and boy shorts are in! For those of us who may be past the age we can actually wear those, a great alternative may be ripped jeans, patched jeans and torn denim. Ripped jeans still show a little skin, but not too much. One way to cut your clothing costs and still show off your style savvy is to sew some patches on an old pair of jeans or create rips and fray them.

• Sheer fabrics and see-through clothing is in! This style can work for just about anyone as you can choose what areas of your body you want to show and cover up any areas you may want to hide.

• Boyfriend Blazers are in! Wearing a chic oversized blazer or really light jacket with the sleeves rolled up is a great addition to your outfit for a cool evening. This is tomboy chic at its best especially when paired with a see-through top. You will want to choose one with the length that compliments your body shape. If it’s too hot for a blazer, borrow your boyfriends’ large linen, white or light blue collar shirt and roll the sleeves up for $0 dollars!

• Patterned prints are in! These prints can be bold or subdued, floral, striped, animal print or abstract. However you choose to play up patterned prints this season you will look right on target with this trend.

• Military fashion is in! Anything in army green or camouflage is definitely in fashion right now. If army green is not your best color, choose a clothing piece with military flavor in navy or a subtle camouflage print. You can stay within your clothing budget by pulling your old cargo pants out of the closet.

• Short skirts with cowboy boots, or military boots are in! This is a fun style sure to get you noticed and also works with longer broom skirts. Combine it with a nice cotton top and you are good to go.

• This seasons colors include the entire range of earth tones – from light browns, sienna to terracotta, light purples, blues, pinks, lime greens, muted turquoise, hot pinks and bright burgundy. Think eco-friendly colors!

You can see keeping in fashion this season can be fun, easy and you don’t have to break the bank. You can purchase just a few items and combine them with pieces from your closet to create a unique fashion statement that is totally in and expresses your own style. Who knew fashion could be so much fun? It’s easy when you know how!

You can find the latest styles for gypsy clothing here.

--Carla

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Our Little Beauty Secret: One Teaspoon Of Honey A Day

Honey is one of the best kept beauty and health secrets there is. It is very simple to introduce honey into your daily diet. Honey contains vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that provide great nutritional value necessary for healthy skin and hair.

Honey is wonderful to have around the house for a number of reasons.

• It helps to heal minor cuts and wounds by absorbing water from the wound and drying it out so it inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi.

• Adding honey to your daily diet can help your skin glow, reduce wrinkles and make you look younger.

• Honey makes a great facial mask because of its moisturizing ability, natural cleansing and exfoliating properties.

• It helps to regulate your digestive health by promoting good bacteria.

• Honey has ingredients that have anti-inflammatory properties so it can benefit people with arthritis.

• Consuming honey produced in the same area where you live can reduce allergy symptoms.

Substituting honey for sugar or artificial sweeteners is a very easy way to introduce it to your daily diet. Another easy way to introduce honey to your daily diet is to have just one teaspoon either in the morning or at night.

If you do not currently consume honey on a daily basis, now is a great time to start! The benefits of natural honey are tremendous and it can be our little beauty secret for beautiful skin, hair and vibrant health!

To find honey produced in your area, you might try www.honeylocator.com or your local farmer’s market. For other types of honey you can find it here and just do a search for honey.

--Carla

Friday, May 14, 2010

8 Different Ways To Get Rid Of Under Eye Bags In Just 10 Minutes Or Less

1) Use a wash cloth soaked in cold water. Lie down, close your eyes and lay cold cloth over your eyes for 10 minutes.

2) Slice a potato that has been refrigerated, lie down, place potato slice over your eye areas and leave for 10 minutes.

3) Use Preparation H that has been chilled in refrigerator. Gently pat gel under eye area. Be very careful not to get gel into your eyes. Wait until it completely dries and then wash off with cool water. You can do this first thing in the morning and wash off before you apply makeup.

4) Use a gentle firming mask on the under eye area to reduce swelling, wait until dry and then wash the area with cool water. Follow with a moisturizer as firming masks can sometimes dry the skin.

5) Keep 2 spoons in the freezer. Lie down and place them over eyes for 5 to 10 minutes.

6) Use a wash cloth soaked in cool, caffeinated coffee. Lie down, place cloth over eye area for 10 minutes. Coffee is a diuretic and draws water away. Wash with cool water.

7) Use a chilled de-puffing gel eye mask over eyes and leave on for 15 minutes to reduce eye puffiness.

8) Use a stick-on patch infused with gels and extracts from chamomile, cucumber, mint and aloe. Keep chilled in refrigerator, apply in morning for about 10 minutes, and then remove.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

April Beauty Tips

4.4.10

To make your legs look longer, wear shoes that match your skin color or hosiery.

To appear slimmer, wear a monochrome outfit with a matching narrow belt. Putting high contrasting colors top and bottom or wearing a wide belt tends to cut you in half visually.

Choose skirts that are longer than they are wide to create a more vertical appearance.

If you choose to wear a jacket or shirt over your outfit, leave it unbuttoned to create a stronger vertical impression.

4.11.10

Wear a hat with good circulation to protect your hair from the sun’s rays during the summer months.

Keeping hair shorter in the summer makes it easier to keep healthy. If you have long hair, wear it up to protect the ends from becoming brittle.

Avoid using alcohol-based hair sprays in the summer as it can dry out your hair and cause damage.

Use protective sun screen on your hair if you plan to be in the sun for an extended length of time or if wearing a hat is not feasible.

Use a moisturizing shampoo and a light leave-in conditioner during the summer to protect your hair from the heat and humidity.

4.19.10

Clothes that fit right flatter your silhouette and the contour of your body.

Choose clothing that creates an unbroken visual line as this will give you a longer looking body line.

Clothing should not hide the outline of your body, it should accentuate it.

A general fit guide is clothing that does not cling, bulge, crease or pull from any angle - front, sides and back. Clothing should follow your natural outline and move gracefully with you.

When trying on clothing - sit, stand and walk to make sure it has a natural fit and pay attention to the bust, hips and back areas to assure a proper fit.

Choose clothing that accentuates your assets and diminishes the areas you don’t want to emphasize. You are uniquely you so express yourself with clothing that shows you at your own best style.

Clothing that complements your skin color and brings out your natural tones will be much more flattering than wearing this season’s trends.


4.28.10

Beauty Tips

When you look in the mirror do not criticize yourself. Instead smile at yourself and say “I am beautiful now!”

Remind yourself every day that you are unique and important. There is only one you and you are wonderful!

Treat yourself every day to something that makes you feel good!

Smile! It makes you feel good and actually makes you happier.

Put on your favorite music and dance by yourself. It’s great exercise and makes you feel happy.

Work on improving your health. Eat a healthier diet, drink lots of fluids and exercise in a way that expresses doing something you love.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Easy 5 Step Facial for a Smoother, Healthier Face

The purpose of a facial is to perform deep cleansing, massage, steam, exfoliate and moisturize your face to help rejuvenate skin cells. You can do this at home or visit a day spa. However you choose to do a facial, the benefits can be considered as good preventative care against the signs of aging and keeping your skin healthy looking, smooth and clear.

It has been said that many men look younger than their female counterparts. They believe it is due to men exfoliating every day by shaving. Exfoliating is simply the process of removing the top layer of dead skin cells from the surface. This alone can make your face look smoother because in reality it is, once you have removed the dead skin cells.

Step 1 - Wash
Wash your face with a clean wash cloth using a gentle face cleanser, gently moving over your face in small circular motions, then rinse well two or three times. For normal to oily skin, you can use a gentle scrub.

Step 2 - Massage
Apply a light moisturizer or oil (you can use lavender, olive or massage oil, but it should be right for your skin type) and gently massage your face using small circular movements with your fingertips for 5 to 15 minutes. The moisturizer or oil reduces stretching of the skin during your massage. This brings more oxygen to your skin, releases tension and relaxes the facial muscles. If you have oily skin, massage only a short time as you do not want to over stimulate the oil glands in your face. Rinse your face well.

Step 3 – Steam
Use a facial steamer if you have one. If you do not, boil some water and pour into a bowl (add some lavender or herbs to make it more luxurious), put a towel over your head and let the steam soften your skin for 5 to 8 minutes. Steaming stimulates your circulation and sweat glands. It helps to bring impurities to the surface and releases toxins. Be careful not to use water that is too hot or it may break the tender capillaries on your face. You can tell if it is too hot if it is uncomfortable.

Step 4 – Cleansing Mask
Apply your favorite cleansing mask and leave on for 5 minutes or until the mask dries. Rinse well with cool water. For oily or aging skin, you may want to follow the cleansing mask with a clay based tightening mask. Make sure you rinse well after any type of mask.

Step 5 – Moisturize
Apply moisturizer thoroughly to your face, neck and chest area, and you are done!

If you are new to facials, it is a good idea to get them a few days before a special event as they can sometimes make your skin appear a little red. This is not uncommon and is just temporary. The basic rules are to use products that feel right for your skin type and accomplish the goals of a facial. Remember the goals of a good facial are deep cleansing, stimulation, exfoliation and hydration. Try to treat yourself to a facial weekly or at the very least once a month.

If you are pressed for time you can skip some of the steps above. Just wash your face, apply a cleansing mask, either lie down for 5 minutes or soak in a bath (a lavender oil bath is wonderfully relaxing), rinse and apply your moisturizer. Even this quick method can help rejuvenate your face and make you feel more beautiful!

You can find all of the items mentioned above for a complete home facial including masks, essential oils, herbs, and moisturizers here. Just do a search for each item on your list once you reach their website. It makes the process so much easier if you don't already have what you need! Good luck!

--Carla

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

6 Exercises To Achieve A More Youthful Appearance

Look five to ten years younger with a daily facial exercise routine! Facial exercises work because they help boost the production of collagen and elastin giving your face greater elasticity. They also increase blood circulation bringing more oxygen and nutrients to the skin. You may experience minor skin break outs at first, but this is normal and is nothing to worry about.

Facial exercising is not a look-young-instantly program. It may take 2 or 3 months for the positive effects to really show, however, if you make a genuine commitment, you will reap the benefits of looking younger. Plan to perform the exercises a minimum of 5 times per week for optimal results.

For maximum effect, perform the exercises in front of a mirror and visualize the muscles you are currently working on. Hold each exercise for about 6 seconds and repeat 5 times.

Don’t be afraid to laugh at how you look while you are performing these exercises. My friend Rita and I tried some of the ones I was researching and it was pretty hilarious. At one point my husband Tim had to leave the room because he said we looked way too scary! The bottom line is that they do work and if you give them some time, you will notice a big difference!

# 1 - To smooth your Forehead

Place the fingers of both your hands vertically across your forehead, using your index, middle and ring fingers only. Your ring fingers should be resting on the top of your eyebrows. You want to keep the skin on your forehead smooth while you perform the exercise. Once your fingers are in position, try to raise your eyebrows up, at the same time bringing the front of your scalp down against the pressure of your fingers

# 2 - To tighten muscles around the eyes

Place your middle fingers at the right corners of your eyes pressing lightly. Raise your lower lid upwards. You should look somewhat like you are squinting. The pressure from your fingers will help you avoid wrinkling the skin at the corners.

#3 – Tighten skin on upper eyelids – 2 part exercise

1. Close your eyes and press the upper eyelid to the lower eyelid.
2. Prevents eyelid drooping. With both eyes open, raise upper lid as far as possible. You should see the upper whites of your eyes.

#4 – Remove creases from area between nose and cheek

Lay your index fingers from the inside corner of your eyes alongside either side of your nose to keep your skin smooth and create resistance for the exercise. Then try to wrinkle your nose upward but without allowing your skin to move very far. This makes the muscles work harder creating an isometric excersize. What you should have is similar to a bunny look.

#5 – To strengthen cheek muscles and raise the corners of your mouth

Smile as wide as you can with your mouth open and open your eyes as wide as possible. Try to move the corners of your mouth toward your ears. You can gently place your index fingers at the corners of your eyes and your thumbs to the right of the corners of your mouth to reduce wrinkling while you perform this exercise. This exercise might be called "The Joker".

#6 – For the chin and neck
Tilt your head back as far as you can, keeping your shoulders down and back, at the same time make a chewing motion. Chew for about 10 seconds, then return your head to its normal position. Repeat 5 times.

These are just a few exercises that can really make a big difference in how you look. For more information, you might want to do a Google search on “yoga for the face” or “facial exercises”. I found many You-Tube videos on the subject and it may be helpful to actually see someone perform different exercises. The important thing is to choose a few exercises that feel right for you and stick with them until you achieve the results you want. Good luck!

(For anti aging products that really work, click here.)

--Carla

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Consumer Tips for Free Trials

First, I would like to point out that Free Trials can be a great way to try out new health and beauty products for a low cost. In my case with ordering some Free Trial teeth whitening products, it was more like Free Trial and Error! I wanted to share my experience ordering Free Trial teeth whitening products and offer some useful tips in general to help you have positive online shopping experiences.

Tip #1
Before you place any orders online or anywhere for that matter, sign up for a free email address on Yahoo or Google. Any time you make a purchase from a new vendor, give the free email address, it will cut down on spam and unwanted email from your "real" email account.

Tip #2
Use a credit card for purchases instead of a debit card whenever possible. This helps you in a couple of ways. You may earn points or money for using the credit card. Credit cards usually offer more protection if you need to dispute a charge.

Tip #3
Always read the Terms and Conditions or Policy before you place your order. When I placed my order, I thought I would be paying about $7.95 or so, but since I did not read the Terms and Conditions, I ended up paying about $168. The Terms and Conditions clearly stated if I did not cancel within 7 days, I would be charged the full amount. Also, it stated they would continue to send me their product once a month, if I did not cancel within the specified time period.

Tip #4
While reading the Terms and Conditions, write down all of the details. Keep a piece of paper handy and record the company name, company phone number, the date you ordered, the amount of the order, and the date required to cancel the order so you are not over charged on your credit or debit card.

Tip #5
Write the date you need to cancel the Free Trial and the phone number on your calendar. It is a good idea to cancel at least 3 days before the due date in case you have difficulty canceling the order.

Tip #6
Call the phone number listed on the Terms and Conditions before you place your order to make sure it is a valid number and someone is available to take your call. When I received my credit card statement, I tried to call the phone number listed. I kept getting the message that their mailbox was full. I was never able to reach anyone at that number, even after trying for several days.

From now on I will adhere to my own tips when ordering Free Trials. Also, I will never offer either of those teeth whitening products on my website. One of the Free Trials took me 2 days to cancel!

I hope you find these tips useful and helpful for becoming an informed consumer when shopping online. I also hope you are now fully prepared to have many positive online shopping experiences!

Take care!
--Carla

Monday, April 5, 2010

March Beauty Tips

I decided I would post the beauty tips for the previous month in case anyone missed them. I add new beauty tips each week.

March Beauty Tips

3.19.10

Drink 8 glasses of water every day. Water flushes toxins and keeps your skin hydrated and healthy looking.

Take an Epson Salt bath. Epson Salts pull harmful toxins from your body and skin. A nice bath is also relaxing and makes you feel good!

Play soft music and light your favorite scented candles while you bathe. This makes your bath time even more luxurious and also de-stresses you from a challenging day.

Use a facial mask product while you soak. It’s a great time to use this type of product to refresh your face.


3.28.10

When trying out a new perfume, do not judge it from the first scent. All perfumes have 3 notes, a top, middle and base note. Instead wear it for a few hours to give it time to interact with your natural scent to see if you really love it.

Do not rub perfume on your skin, it damages the delicate ingredients.

Wear lighter perfumes in hot weather and heavier perfumes in the winter.

To shop for a new perfume, visit the perfume counter at your favorite department store. Spray on the vein of your wrist and continue shopping to give it time to release all of the notes. Do not try more than 2 new scents at a time and spray one on each wrist. After wearing the perfume while you shop, choose the one that works best with your own scent.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Feeling Beautiful

I started my website, ImBeautifulNow.com about 3 weeks ago and I have really been learning a lot about my women friends and myself.

I chose the name intentionally because I wanted to create a positive affirmation for women. When you shop on my site and someone asks you where you bought it, you would say “from I’m Beautiful Now.com”. I wanted to create a situation for women to say something positive about themselves.

I am really beginning to believe I am on the right track about this issue many of us women share. For example, my friend Rita was reading the text on my home page and said, “Well, it sounded good until I got to the part that says ‘we are dedicated to providing beautiful women . . . ‘ and then I thought, ‘I can’t shop there, I’m not beautiful.’”

I was shocked to hear her say that because she really is a beautiful woman. She has class, always dresses impeccably, and has a great sense of humor and fun, great bone structure, tall, large beautiful brown eyes. I mean she really is beautiful!

I started talking to some of my other women friends and it turns out that almost none of them feel they are beautiful. Why is that?

I am almost convinced it’s a woman’s thing. Men don’t seem to have this problem. A man can look like Larry the Cable guy, but when he looks in the mirror, he sees Brad Pitt. Why can’t we do that?

The answer is we can! This is my message to every woman who needs to hear it (including me), the next time you look in the mirror and start to criticize one of your tiny little flaws, just STOP, smile at yourself and say “I’m Beautiful Now!”

The truth is you really are beautiful just the way you are! The less you criticize yourself, the more beautiful you will feel. The more you tell yourself the truth, the more beautiful you will feel.

You really ARE Beautiful Now!

Sincerely,
Carla