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
Monday, April 19, 2010
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
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
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.
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.
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