Caring for the hair may be one of the most pleasurable activities around, because you can see and feel the difference everyday. To add to this is the immense premium that society places on good looks, and you already have a raison d'être for taking better care of your hair.

Untangling Your Hair, Safely

If you've been suffering from tangles for the longest time, perhaps it's time to invest in a hair care product that has been designed to deal with such a problem: a detangling agent. Here's a fact that most hair care product users don't know: tangles won't go away with more shampoo or more conditioner. What these products can do is to clean the hair and a bit of positive charge to the hair, not untangle it.

Using a detangling agent is easy. First, apply shampoo and some conditioner on your hair (like you normally do) and pat your hair dry. Isolate the spots on your hair that have the most tangles and apply the detangling agent on your dry hair. Slowly untangle your hair, taking care not to damage the small scales on your hair shafts.

For Kinky Hair

If you have naturally kinky hair, we know just how difficult it is to remove those tangles. The trick is to go very slow with the detangling process. Use some shampoo and conditioner and dry your hair. Apply the detangling agent, and instead of using a comb, use a large knitting needle.

It might sound a bit outlandish, but large knitting needles pose the least harm to the hair than other implements. Go through the tangles section by section and strand by strand until your hair is fine once again.

Washing Your Hair Properly

If you can, wash your hair not with cold water but with comfortably warm water. Lather first the shampoo before slowly massaging the stuff unto your scalp and hair. Use your fingertips to gently let the shampoo penetrate up to the roots of the hair shafts. When you're done washing your hair with shampoo, it's time to rinse. When rinsing, use flowing water and allow your hair to hang during rinsing. Instead of rubbing with your towel, pat your hair dry.

Be On The Look Out For Fraudsters

It's unfortunate, but yes, there are some unscrupulous manufacturers that are selling cheap but substandard hair care products. This practice is not limited to exporting countries like China; we have our own troublesome companies right here in the United States. Unfortunately, the United States Food and Drug Administration can only do so much for consumers. The FDA cannot stop the production and shipping of substandard hair care products until there is documented proof of fraudulent activity.

Here's an easy way to spot potentially dangerous hair care products. It's normal for shampoos and conditioners to say that they can smoothen the hair and make it glow. But claims like they can make the hair longer in a week or it can make the scalp produce more hair is outwardly suspicious. Do not be a gullible victim; do your research first. There's not a medical device in existence that can make hair naturally longer the first 7 days of use.

While women are all set to bid adieu to their summer wear, and get ready to shop for the latest fashion gear for fall, experts have advised them to be aware of fashion and beauty trends that may be harmful to their health.

Shazia Khan, co-medical director, Loyola Primary Care Center at Oakbrook Terrace, Loyola University Health System (LUHS), has cited many dangerous fashion and beauty trends that include large bags or purses, high-heeled shoes, nickel jewellery and acrylic nails.

"Women can pay a high price for fashion when it comes to their health. Certain beauty and fashion trends can take their toll, if women do not take steps to correct them," she said.

The harmful fashion trends and their effects on health are as follows:

Bags
Large purses or bags may be to blame for back and neck pain, because they place a strain on the shoulders and neck. Avoid bags that weigh more than 10 pounds. Khan has recommended that women should look for small purses made with light material or backpacks where weight is distributed evenly across the back and shoulders.

Was eyeliner hysteria last night on the MTV VMAs red carpet—I want to say 98 percent of the starlets that showed up (Cassie, Nicky Hilton, Pink, J.Lo, etc.), had some version of a heavily lined and super defined eye. Tres chic, sure—but only one pretty lady got the look really right: Lauren Conrad. Check her out above—could her eyes be anymore gorgeous, huge and perfect? There’s one big reason why her version of lined eyes really stood out from the pack, and it’s something you don’t need to hire a makeup artist to pull off yourself. Get the trick we all could use—and check out the one VMA attendee that should have heeded our advice…after the jump!

Lauren is the perfect lining example: When you are going super heavy and super dark with the liner, you can’t line the entire eye or you’ll make your giant eyes look positively teeny. Check out how LC went heavy, but she didn’t line the inner corners (both on the top and bottom rims). When lining your eyes, keep the majority of liner color on the outer half to three-quarters of your eye. So, stop lining (or go really, really, thin) when you hit just a bit past the center of your rim. Or better yet, as you draw the line from outer to inner corners (either top or bottom) get lighter as you work in, so the line peters out slowly and it isn’t a jarring thick line and stop.

Now, take a look a Leighton Meester—sure, it’s one dramatic look, but it feels messy, totally overpowering and her eyes look like itty bits of nothing. Let this be a lesson to us all—leave the inner corners of your eyes liner free!

source; www.thefrisky.com

Building upon the success of the incredibly popular Eyeshadow Primer Potion, Urban Decay has introduced awesome new makeup primers for lashes, lips, and complexion. Urban Decay is clearly headed for primer world domination. You will want to get every single one of these.

For Lashes
Eyelash Primer Potion ($20) adds major oomph to lashes. When I apply this before my regular mascara, my lashes look seriously glamorous, noticeably longer, and about twice as thick. The formula is also designed to condition and strengthen lashes. Big thumbs up.

For Lips
Lip Primer Potion ($20) is a powerhouse must-have that plumps lips and helps lip color last longer without drying out lips. It also helps color go on smoother, adds moisture, and protects lips with antioxidants and SPF 15.

15 September, 2009

Women with sensitive eyes have been given makeup tips to prevent them from suffering irritation.

Writing in the Daily Mail, Jemma Kidd suggested that women with delicate skin or sensitive eyes avoid eyeshadow that is glittery or has a lot of colour.

She said that reds are especially bad for such people.

The easier a product is to remove, the better it is for those who need to take particular care of their skin.

As such, Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara was one suggestion, as it can be taken off with water, while women were also urged to use wax-based eyeliner rather than liquid, since the latter is more difficult to clean off.

If it is necessary to use a proper makeup remover, Ms Kidd said that unfragranced or water-based products are the best.

A former model, Jemma Kidd now runs a professional makeup school which was established in 2003.

The academy intends to expand internationally and offers a range of courses for varying needs.

16 September 2009

DUBAI — Marilyn Vinluan has been overwhelmed with offers for help and medical treatment after she suffered injuries, allegedly at the hands of her employer, which left her with scars and blurred vision.

Among those offering care is a Palestinian eye specialist, Dr Ali Dabbagh of Oyoomi, a mobile eye clinic that cares for 14 per cent of over three million people in the West Bank suffering from diabetes and glaucoma.

Dr Dabbagh, who examined and treated her eyes for free, told Khaleej Times that Marilyn is a sweet and wonderful person. “It is a privilege to be able to help her in a small way,” he said.

Marilyn, who has been complaining of blurred vision and occasionally a black spot in her field of vision, was brought to Dr Dabbagh last Tuesday upon his invitation. “I examined her and found something wrong with her eyes,” he said.

“I am now carrying a medical investigation and have started (interim) treatment. I will examine her in two week’s time again, during which she will undergo a blood test to determine whether anemia has affected her vision.”

Marilyn said that she is very happy for the help.

“I want to thank all who have helped me and who sympathize with me,” she said. Consul General Benito Valeriano at the Philippine Consulate in Dubai told Khaleej Times that Dr. Mohan Rangaswamy, a cosmetic surgeon of repute at Dubai Welfare Hospital, volunteered to treat Vinluan’s deep scars after viewing her pictures.

“We will take her to Dr Rangaswamy by Sunday, September 20, for physical examination.

He has (sounded his) intention to treat her for free,” 
Valeriano said.

Marilyn has told the police her employer hit her face. The alleged abuse continued for more than a year. On one occasion, he is said to have struck her with electrical extension wires until bits of them came to be embedded in her body.

With a bleeding face and broken rib, she ran away in August and filed a complaint with police and underwent initial treatment at Sheikh Khalifa Hospital 
in Ajman.

She was released on August 24 after 12 days of hospitalisation for a broken rib and wounds all over.