Hannah Montana Eye, Nail and Hairstyles Care

Embrace your dark side with sexy smokey eyes and glossy red lips

2011-11-15T18:50:00.000-08:00

It’s Halloween and time to embrace your dark side. Sexy smoky eyes and glossy red lips are classic looks that never go out of fashion. Actress Eva Green, right, has made this look her own and the former Bond Girl’s dramatic, gothic look is very much in vogue right now.

A smoky eye with a nude lip or vermilion red lips with a natural face are both looks that I love. Everyone can wear red lipstick, it’s just a question of the right shade.

To make it easy, I’ve broken it down into categories to help you choose the perfect shade for you.
For dark beige and bronzed skin: Deep cool reds with burgundy tones. Try Fashion Fair Finishing Lipstick in Rhapsody in Red, £16.35, www.boots.com.

For ivory and light beige: A cool, true red (for very pale skin try red with a pink tint) – Marks & Spencer Perfection Super Gloss Lipstick SPF 20 in Bright Rose, £7.50.

For pale skin and red hair: Terracotta reds or brick reds – Perfection Sheer Shine Lipstick in Rouge, £5, www.marks andspencer.com.

For medium skin, mid brown hair: Cool berry reds or raspberry – No7 Moisture Drench Lipstick Siren, £10, www.boots.com.

Fair skin, blonde to brown hair: Blue-red lipsticks such as Lancome Le Rouge Absolue 134 Idole, £19.50, www.houseoffraser.co.uk.

Be a goddess with sexy lips

2011-11-15T18:44:00.000-08:00

Celebrities and beauty addicts alike are going positively gaga for the newest trend to hit the cosmetics market. Jesse J, Rihanna and Beyoncé have all been spotted sporting fabulous looks by Violent Lips and Glitzy Lips.

Launched in the US in April this year, the lip fad that is exploding internationally is finally available here in SA.

Violent Lips lets you get seriously glamorous on your lips with a range of colours, designs and patterns. Go wild with some animal prints or funky patterns, or show your pride with rainbow lips. The effect is easy to achieve and is removed without any fuss using baby oil. What we love about the product is that it glams your pout while nourishing your lips with its vitamin-enhanced formula. We also love that it contains no animal products.

Glitzy Lips is an infallible foil lip appliqué that you can use anywhere you need a little extra glitz. Expressing your inner glam goddess won’t be difficult with this product.

Applied with a skin-safe and easy-to-use adhesive, these designs are guaranteed not to fade for at least 8 hours.

The ranges are available at selected salons or online at www.maskscara.co.za.

Kiss these sexy lips

2011-08-14T03:23:00.000-07:00

The shape of your lips says more about your sex life than you think.

Women with sharply raised cupid's bow (known scientifically as a tubercle) on their top lip are 12 times more likely to reach orgasm through sex alone.

In a study by the University of the West of Scotland, 255 women between the ages of 18 to 35 were asked to give detailed descriptions of the shape of their lips and their sexual habits.

95 percent of those with a pronounced cupid's bow claimed to be able to orgasm via sexual intercourse alone, while only 60 percent of those with a flat tubercle said the same."If you’re already having orgasms through sex alone, then great," said sex therapist Paula Hall in a statement to the Daily Mail, quick to point out that what really matters within a fulfilling sex life is trust, openness and communication.

Luckily for women lacking a prominent tubercle, lip shape has no influence on reaching orgasm through other approaches....

Study Reveals Link between Women's Lip Shape and Sexual Gratification‎

2011-08-14T03:19:00.001-07:00

In a recent study, it has come to light that women with bee-stung lips are 12 times more likely to reach orgasm through sex alone as compared with women having flat lips. For the study, a team from the University of the West of Scotland quizzed 258 women aged between 18 and 35 about their lip shape and sexual habits.

The team found that 95% of the participants with a well-defined tubercle claimed that they hit the heights during sex while only 60% with a less well-defined tubercle could claim the same sexual gratification.

Though it could disappoint many, the team is of the opinion that there is no correlation between a woman’s ability to orgasm via other methods and shape of her lips.

That’s what Paula Hall, sex therapist with Relate, recommends women. Paula is of the opinion that to enjoy ones married life, both the partners need to establish an open channel of communication which would gradually build sexual comfort between them.

It has been observed that though curvy lip shape could give selected women an edge over others to enjoy sex with their partners, a lot can be done beyond that to make worth living.

How to pull off a strong eye

2011-08-14T03:14:00.001-07:00

There is a right and a wrong way to frame an eye.

And there are many stellar examples of excellent eye ‘looks’ – celebs always get it right (thanks to on-call makeup artists). International runways demonstrate many inspiring examples, and many of us seem to have perfected it

There is of course the smoky eye, the au naturel eye (with just a smidge of liner and mascara) and the full-on, made-up eye with a technicolour palette of colours together somehow just works.

There are so many tools, tips and expert how-to’s you’d think most wouldn’t get it wrong. Many of us have become pros. Some, not so much.

Pippa Middleton - she of the overused moniker ‘her royal hotness’ - may be lauded for her slim butt, though her eye makeup always looks kinda wrong. She breaks the cardinal rule to not line the inside rim of the eye, especially if you already have smallish shaped eyes. It simply narrows them and makes them appear smaller, which is not as flattering as a wide, open-eyed look.

What is the modern way to a strong eye?
The best tip to create a strong, modern eye is to definitely go bold! Do not be afraid to amp up the colour and depth by utilising shades such as charcoal, slate and espresso. This helps soften the effect for day wear. For night, add a dash of a colour suited to your eye shade to make your modern eyes pop!

Explain why lining the inside rims of your eyes instantly narrows them?
Using black or deep brown product to line the inner rim of the eye gives the illusion of a sultry, seductive eye shape. A basic makeup rule to follow: darker colours reduce or recede certain areas, as lighter colours bring a feature forward. By lining the inner rim top and bottom it allows the eye to appear more defined and enhances the natural eye colour.

What are some other fail-safe tips for a dramatic (yet not too heavy) eye?
Have fun with your makeup application and stick to softer shades. Cream eyeshadows are fantastic as they are quick and easy to blend and gives a lustrous, fool-proof finish. Finally, never leave the house without false eye lashes and lashings of black mascara for sexy, smouldering eyes!

Hannah Terrett’s star Benefit favourites for creating an uber-glam look:
Smokey Eyes - This kit contains all you need for a modern, bold eye. The shadow colours are perfect for all eye shades.
BADgal waterproof eyeliner - This is a MUST for keeping your eyes in check all night long.

Benefit creaseless cream eyeshadows - Are perfect to add a pop of colour.
BADgal lash mascara - Gives instant lengthy, voluminous lashes.
Benefit strip lash sets: And my favourite: false lashes! Fit to all eye shapes and are reusable up to 5 times; perfect for recreating your modern eye again and again.

Weird things men like in women

2011-08-14T02:41:00.001-07:00

Men are crazy. And they get crazier when they see you approach him in those red pumps and skinny jeans with a baggy and casual tee in style and confidence.

Although there are a thousand things which make your irresistible, here are the top most unbelievable ones:

1. No make-up: Oops. Sorry girl. There's a great chance that your guy hasn't even noticed your smokey eyes or the new bronzer on your face. Save money and turn him on!

2. Lingerie that doesn't match : And you though you should pair your lacy, satin purple panties with a purple bra? Show him that you are unprepared and yet give in to his desires and make yourself hotter!

3. Wit : You thought it was all about physical contact? Crack a joke or flash your smile and he's sure to get wooed! Tip: It's better still if you are game even for jokes that are played on you. And why not? It just proves how self-assured you are.

4. Curvy is sexy: He doesn't like flat abs and zero sizes. Men love love-handles.

5. Intelligence, confidence, emotional maturity and sexual openness : Flaunt your real self (sans the gloss), support him when he is down, talk dirty and show your sensual attitude, and girl, you've got him!

6. Wearing a baggy tee to bed: Stay casual and he'll be more comfortable in your company. Don't intimidate him by being prim always or sounding like a know-it-all.

7. Unkempt hair: Whoa, why get prim and proper when your man likes your bed-hair or smudged kohl eyes?

8. Eye contact: Make yourself irresistible by looking at his eyes and putting across your point. Don't be shy.

Beyonce Loads Up On The Drama With Her Intense Cat Eye

2011-08-14T02:37:00.001-07:00

Sasha Fierce is right! I need to rave about her killer cat eyes on this cover!

Beyonce looked sultry and sexy on the cover of the September issue of Harper’s Bazaar and we were just dying to know how she got her killer beauty look! Click to find out how YOU can get her smokey eyes!We spoke with celebrity makeup artist Alma Qeraxhiu of Alma G Salon and Spa in NYC and she gave us the how-to guide on getting Beyonce’s gorgeous eye makeup look.

Start with an arched shaped brow. Use Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Brow Color.

Next, apply your foundation, under eye concealer and powder. Try Stila Perfect & Correct Foundation and Stila Brighten & Correct Concealer.

With a sharp eye pencil, starting from the front corner of your eyelid to the end of the lash line, trace the eye.

Use a brush to apply black eye shadow on top of the line for a smoky look, and blend in neatly. Use Stila Eye Shadow in Ebony.

Gently trace along the top of the eye with a liquid liner to get a clean edge. Top it with base eye shadow to tone down the thickness if too heavy. Try Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Carbon Black.

Finish by curling eyelashes, then apply 3 thin coats of mascara, building the layers gradually to avoid lumps. Try Stila Forever Your Curl Mascara.

Try out these tips and tricks, HollywoodLifers, and tell me what YOU think of your very own Beyonce- inspired cat-eye!

Eye Makeup Ideas for Spring & Summer 2011

2011-03-07T16:43:00.000-08:00

Bring out the beauty of your eyes by turning towards the newest trends in makeup, as they can instantly give you that seductive touch that makes heads turn. Inspire yourself from the following runway eye makeup ideas for spring/summer 2011 and you'll look gorgeous!

For the new season, the new fashion trends have already been set with the makeup tendencies following up closely. After a season which laid emphasis on lots of shimmer, iridescent finishes and glossy, ruby red lips, it's time to transition to a new chapter. The new makeup colors and finishes are inspired by the textures, surfaces of textiles presented in the runway collections. Makeup trends alternate beautifully between natural, barely-there looks to bold and bright finishes,

textures juggling with matte or extremely glossy surfaces.

The eyes are considered to be the "gateway to the soul", as you can tell a lot of things just by looking into someone's eyes.

If you're looking to enhance this feature, take a cue from the following eye makeup ideas for spring/summer 2011 straight from the runway.

Subtle eye makeup
Minimalism is the hottest thing when it comes to the new makeup trends.

Natural beauty has no match, so you really don't have to go overboard when your goal is to look fabulous.

Minimal makeup is ageless and perfect for day wear as well as evening, meaning you'll look fabulous from day to night,

without having to change or redo your makeup. The most popular eye makeup colors used for this type of makeup are soft pink, baby blue, coral as well as beige, neutral and brown.

Use a white eyeliner pencil on your waterline to make your eyes look bigger and brighter. Curl lashes and use one coat of mascara to define your eyelashes.

Bright eye makeup
If you're ready to make a statement, then bright eye makeup is definitely for you.

Richly pigmented, saturated eye shadows are in perfect harmony with the season's fashion color trends. You can apply a single vivid shade to the entire eyelid or pair up complementary colors for a strong, contrasting finish.

The hottest colors of spring/summer 2011 include lush colors such as red, orange, blue, pistachio-green, tundra green, purple, yellow.

Smokey eye makeup
When it comes to underlining the beauty of the eyes, nothing can be compared to the effects of the smokey eye makeup. Smokey eyes create a very sexy and mysterious look, so bring out your eyes using dark colored makeup.

Use amazing color combinations such as black and silver, indigo and ivory or other bold shade mixes such as purples, greens or electric blues for the ultimate smokey eyes.

Winter 2011 Makeup Tips

2011-03-07T16:31:00.000-08:00

This season it's time you stand out and try bolder makeup styles. From the daring eyeliner and smokey eyes to darker shades on your lips and nails, take a look to some of the hottest trends and winter 2011 makeup tips for you to try.

If you are more into the natural makeup style, you shouldn't worry as there are options for you too. You just have to practice in order to obtain a flawless looking makeup with a minimum amount of effort.

If until now you weren't such a big fan of the eyeliner, for winter 2011 you have to step out from your shell, take chances and bring more attention towards your eyes. Maybe you find it rather difficult to apply, but with practice and patience you'll certainly manage to do it right, especially now when everything is possible, every shape and size. Moreover, a red lipstick can add glam and femininity in an instant. Here are some makeup tips for you to draw your inspiration for your winter 2011 makeup looks.
# Eyeliner can be considered as a real lifesaver for girls who have smaller eyes and want to bring depth to them. You can apply eyeliner only on the top lid in order to add expressiveness to your look. If you use a liquid eyeliner, make smaller lines in the inner and outer corner and in the middle, then connect them. For the bottom eyelid it is preferable to use a pencil eyeliner. For a night out with your friends try the cat eye makeup for a sexy look.

Spring Fashion Preview: In makeup, beauty is all about vivid colour

2011-03-07T16:20:00.000-08:00

VANCOUVER -- Spring 2011 is a bright, bold, colourful antidote to the dark gloom of winter, especially when it comes to makeup.

“It’s fun this year. I like it a lot,” says Silvia Pensato, a cosmetics manager with London Drugs. “And it’s stuff you can do yourself. You don’t have to be a makeup artist.”

Forget the muted lips and smudgy eyes of the past few seasons. This spring it’s all about a vivid coral lip or a swoosh of dramatic green eyeliner. They’re simple looks with major impact, a perfect complement to fashion’s neutral palette.
“Usually you see fall as being more dramatic, but this spring has a lot of drama,” says Carla Chalmers, the national education manager for Elizabeth Arden.

“It’s going back to the ’70s – but not so hippie,” adds Alexa Williams, a makeup artist at Beauty Mark in Yaletown. “It’s just so refreshing. I find in springtime I want to wear brighter colours. You want to wear something that brings you out of the darkness of winter.”

At the same time as this colour explosion, we’re seeing a subtle palette of neutrals: nude nails, clean complexions, bronzers for a soft glow, soft blush, nothing heavy or murky.

“Natural’s always a really nice look for spring,” Williams says. “Keep it clean, maybe just add a bit of bronzer and definitely some self-tanner.”

Most importantly, this is a great season to have some fun with your makeup and get creative.

“The main thing is experimenting with colour,” Pensato says. “And the good thing with makeup is if you make a mistake, you can take it off and start again.”
To help you get started, here are the season’s top five beauty trends:

1. In the pink

“What’s really big in lipstick is pink, from light pink to really bright pink,” Chalmers says. “Pink, pink, pink. Everyone’s liking the pink. Everyone can wear it.”

Barbara Atkin, vice-president of fashion direction at Holt Renfrew, describes it as “soft, feminine looks highlighted with pinks and mauves for lips tints and glosses, lipstick, blush, eye cream and shadows.”

And blush is back in a big way.

“But these are not what you think of as a traditional blush,” Pensato cautions. “They’re more illuminating. People don’t want the big pink cheeks.”

Get the look: Dior Addict Ultra Gloss in 516, $31, Lancome Blush Subtil in Shimmer Pink Pool, $38, Laura Mercier Lip Tint in Rose, $23, all from Holt Renfrew; Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Ultra Lipstick, $29, at department stores across Canada.

2. Bright eyes

“The emphasis is on bold and brightness,” Williams says.

Atkin calls it a “pop of eye colour” that illuminates the eye with “green and turquoise brights, blended in with beige and bronze accents.”

The more daring can experiment with orange, yellow and neon hues, but most of us will be looking at the blues and violets on the cooler side of the spectrum. The key is to go bold with liner on the top lid, staying close to the lash line with a subtle cat’s eye swoop at the corners, and keep the rest of the eye area clean.
And be sure to focus on one feature only.

“Don’t do dramatic eye makeup and bright lipstick,” Pensato cautions. “It looks really overpowering.”

Get the look: Lancome Ultra Lavender eyeliner, $30, Cover Girl Liquid Line Blast in violet, $10.99, L’Oreal Double Extend Illuminator, $13.49, all from London Drugs; Elizabeth Arden Smoky Eyes Powder Pencil in Black Violet, $16, at department stores across Canada; Shu Uemura Morphorium Blue Palette, $85, Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadowliner in Samba-dy Loves Me, $22, both from Hot Renfrew.

3. Cleaning up

Heavy foundations are out for spring; what’s in is a clean, fresh, healthy-looking glow. Look for sheer foundations, primers and concealers, especially products that do double duty, like moisturizing foundations. Self-tanners and bronzers are also key this spring, and so is nude nail polish.

“There are the pastels as well, but the nudes were really big on the fashion runways,” Pensato says. “Rihanna was wearing nude recently on her album cover and Katy Perry was wearing nude recently, too.

“It’s easy, it’s low maintenance. Basically, it’s making it as easy as possible.”

Get the look: Giorgio Armani Cosmetics Face Fabric, $55, Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation SPF 15, $55, both from Holt Renfrew; OPI Coney Island Cotton Candy, $10.99, Sally Hansen Choco-Latte, $7.99, both from London Drugs; St. Tropez mousse self tanner, $49.50, Paula Dorf neutral eyeliner, $20, Nanoblur clear gel foundation, $19, Cargo bronzer, $26, all from Beauty Mark; Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Ultra Lift and Firm Makeup SPF 15, $49.50, at department stores across Canada.

4. Powerful hair

The past few seasons, hair has been all about Hollywood glamour. This season, expect to kick things up a notch.

“It’s still trending in that glamorous look, but it’s more edgy,” says Rasa Jurenas, national educator for Schwarzkopf Professional. “Hollywood glam with a bit of a twist to it.”

Expect to see bold colours, strong lines, powerful shapes and a strong dash of red. There are ’70s and punk influences, but, Jurenas cautions, “Don’t go way back with the ’70s to do your hair. Do a modern version of it. Really pay attention to the trends, but don’t go back to that era.”

The good news is that you can achieve big drama with new high-tech and lightweight products such as serums for volumizing and lift, and spray waxes for hold.

“Even with an architectural look, you want it to look like hair, not a helmet,” Jurenas says.

Get the Look: OSiS Shape Gloss Wax, $21, Essensity Natural Shine Serum, $21.25, OSiS Flexwax Ultra Strong Cream Wax, $21, OSiS Glamour Queen H2O free Volumizing Hairspray, $20, at salons everywhere.

5. Orange you glad

The fastest way to bring your look into 2011 is with a coral lip.

“Coral is really big, but it scares people,” Chalmers says. But there are corals that aren’t our grandmother’s corals. It’s much more the wearable easy corals.”

For instance, she says, this year Elizabeth Arden brought back its Tropicoral lip gloss due to popular demand.

“There you go,” she says, “even the customers are looking for coral. Because it’s a gloss it works on everybody.”

Get the look: Studio Makeup Tropical Coral lipstick, $18, Lise Watier Coral Pop Glamour lipstick, $20, both from London Drugs; Elizabeth Arden High Shine Lip Gloss in Tropicoral, $15, available at department stores.

Best eye makeup designs on display at DFS

2011-03-07T16:17:00.000-08:00

Winning eye makeup designs on exhibit at through end of month at DFS Galleria, Tumon.

This month, DFS Galleria Guam staged a contest to give its beauty professionals a chance to showcase their talents.
The competition challenged contestants to come up with their own original eye makeup design sketches and then create them.

The overall winner of the competition was Carol Marquez.
Her design and designs of the other winners — in categories such as Best Seasonal Fashion Look, Best Runway Look, Best Artistry, and Most Fantasy — are on exhibit at the DFS beauty department through the end of the month.

Perfect Eye Makeup for Blue Eyes

2011-03-07T16:13:00.000-08:00

Finding the perfect eye makeup for blue eyes can be a lot of fun. After all, if you're blessed with having blue eyes, why not show them off?

Although you may be led to believe that wearing blue eye makeup will enhance your blue eyes, you'll want to reconsider. Blue eyes actually less the most perfect when enhanced with colors at the opposite end of the color wheel.

Gold, orange, and makeup with a yellow tone are the best for enhancing your blue eyes. To complete the look, use black eyeliner and mascara for extra contrast!

Beauty Can Hurt

2011-03-07T16:12:00.000-08:00

COSMETICS can help in the beauty transformation, but some danger lies that can also hurt you. Just learn to use them wisely.

There is a big danger in Mascara, eye shadow and eye liner contain preservatives to prolong their shelf life, but eventually these protective chemicals break down, making the products ripe for contamination by bacteria.

Continued use of the cosmetics can irritate or cause permanent damage to the eye. To protect yourself, follow these guidelines:

* Replace your eye makeup every three to four months if you haven’t finished using it up.

* Wash your hands before applying make up.

* Never use friends’ eye makeup and avoid eye (and face) makeup testers at cosmetic’s counters. If you do, be sure to use the disposable q-tips and mini-spatulas provided. A recent study showed that more than half the demonstration supplies at the display counter were contaminated.

* Be especially careful to avoid scratching the cornea, which can cause serious damage.

For other cosmetics, here are some safety tips:

* Keep containers tightly closed and store them in a cool place. Creams and lotions can be refrigerated to prolong their shelf life. Check the list of ingredients on packages to see if the product contains a substance to which you know you are allergic.

* With hair coloring and depilatories, do a patch test. Don’t use cosmetic on already irritated skin.

* Don’t smoke while applying cosmetics. Some products, for example, hair sprays and nail polish, contain alcohol, which is flammable.

* Don’t mix half-used cosmetics or add water or saliva.

* Buy cosmetics in the small size. Date the container and use only for the next twelve months, maximum.

How to Do Taylor Swift Makeup

2011-03-07T16:00:00.000-08:00

Taylor Swift always looks flawless, no matter the occasion. It's no surprise that many people want to know how to do Taylor Swift makeup themselves. The Covergirl looks fabulous with her signature cat eye makeup and red lips. If you want tips on how to make Taylor's makeup look your own, check out these ideas.

How to do Taylor Swift Makeup: Lipstick
Taylor Swift loves her red lipstick. She rarely ever hits the red carpet without it. Line your lips with a red lipliner, accentuating the cupid's bow of your lips. Then apply a matte red lipstick. Blot, and apply lipgloss to the center of your lower lip.

How to do Taylor Swift Makeup: Eyeliner
Taylor Swift loves a retro chic cat eye. To get her eye makeup look, use liquid liner to draw a line from the inner corner of your eye, extending it to the outside corner of your eye. Apply shimmering makeup on the lid of your eye, and don't forget lots of mascara!

Check out more of Taylor Swift's best makeup looks:

What Eye Makeup do the Kardashians Use

2011-03-07T15:45:00.000-08:00

Kim Kardashian has perfected the smoky eye: never too dark, allowing the focus to be on her lashes and eye color.
Kim also knows the cardinal rule when it comes to makeup: Pick only one thing to emphasize. With a smoky eye, this means playing up your eyes and leaving your cheeks and lips relatively simple.

Kim's makeup look requires several steps, but though it looks daunting it's actually pretty simple to achieve. Remember, the key to this look is blending! Here is a step-by-step guide to Kim's smoky eye.

A tip before you start:
Wash new brushes with shampoo and conditioner before you use them. This will keep them from shedding.

What you'll need:
The products:
Moisturizer
Liquid foundation
Cream concealer (a shade lighter than skin tone)
Powder the same color as your skin
Powder a shade darker than your skin (you can also use bronzer)
Dark blueish/purple eye shadow (any dark shade of eye shadow will work just as well)
Silver/pearl cream eye shadow
Black eyeliner pencil
Black eye shadow
Black mascara
Brown/black eyebrow powder (depending on your brown color)
Silicon-based eye shadow primer
Fake eyelashes and glue (one with a clear base is better)
Cream blush
Nude lip liner
Nude/light pink lipstick
Nude/light coral lipgloss

The tools:
2 kabuki brushes
Powder brush
3 eye shadow brushes (make sure one is synthetic)
Angled eyeliner brush
Eyebrow brush
Cotton buds
Small scissors

Step-by-step guide:
Foundation & Blush
1. Apply a pea-sized amount of moisturizer to your face

2. Put foundation on the back of your hand and then use the kabuki brush to pick up the foundation

3. Use a buffing motion to apply the foundation to your skin. Doing this allows for a more sheer application that lasts longer than a tinted moisturizer. Don't forget to apply to your jawline and blend in.

4. Use your finger to lightly tap concealer under your eyes and anywhere else you need.
5. Using another kabuki brush for blush, lightly buff it onto the apple of your cheek and along the top of your cheekbone, make sure to blend the edges

6. Using the powder brush and loose powder, lightly brush on loose powder to set the foundation. Start with the forehead, then nose, and then cheeks. This also acts as a contouring mechanism.

Eyes Tip:

Make sure there are no lines from the concealer under your eyes then brush a loose powder underneath the eye with a small bursh, this allows you to easily remove any flecks of dark powder from eyeshadow and liner later

1. Apply eye shadow primer on lids using an eye shadow brush, this prevents your eye shadow from creasing. Apply until right above the crease.

2. Using another eye shadow brush, apply your dark eye shadow to the top part of your lid. Start on the outside corner and work around the top of the crease. Make sure to blend, you don't want any harsh lines.

3. Line the inside of your lower lid with the black eyeliner pencil, then blend under the eyes. You can soften the line with your finger or a cotton bud.

4. With your eye shadow brush, blend the bottom liner into the upper lid shadow.

5. Using the synthetic eye shadow brush, put shadow on the inside corner of the lid. Blend slightly with the bottom eyeliner and then use brush to blend with the rest of the upper lid.

6. Get your black eye shadow and with the angled eye liner brush, press into upper lash line starting from the outside corner. Bring up slightly into the eye lash crease. This helps intensify the length of your lashes and conceal fake eyelashes.

Brows and Lashes
1. Fill in eyebrows with the brow powder. Make sure not to go too heavy or else they'll look harsh.

2. Use a brush to lightly remove any excess powder from under your eyes.

3. Trim the eyelashes to fit your eye

4. Put eyelash glue on the base of the lashes and let it dry until it's tacky

5. Gently place eye lashes on eye and let dry

6. Brush darker powder or bronzer over forehead, nose and below chee

2. Blot on the lipstick, keep it light because the emphasis of the look is your eyes

3. Top it off with a little bit of gloss for some body

Voila! You're done!

Eye Makeup Ideas

2011-01-07T17:38:00.000-08:00

Different special events usually require a unique approach when it comes to your outfit, hairstyle, but also your makeup. Everything should perfectly match in order to obtain a sparkling, extravagant and expressive overall aspect. Therefore, a bold, dramatic eye makeup can totally change the way you look and add a fashion-forward vibe. Even though it might sound rather difficult to achieve it, in fact, with just a few skills, patience, right tools and products, it is possible. Draw inspiration from the following dramatic DIY eye makeup ideas and get ready to turn heads.

It is more than true that with just one simple brush stroke you can turn a daytime, dull makeup into something mesmerizing, overly dramatic. A bold, dramatic eye makeup is suitable for a wide range of occasions, such as parties, going out with your friends, thematic events, and even dates, as long as you keep don't go OTT with it.

Just like in the case of a normal, simple makeup, you need to obey the same rules when it comes to a dramatic DIY eye makeup too. All the important steps that are meant to lead to the final result should be followed accordingly as every single one plays a major role in the entire makeup process.

First of all, make sure your skin is glowing and healthy-looking so it reflects youth. For this, pay extra attention to the makeup base. No makeup looks good with visible skin issues or unwanted dark circles around the eyes. Therefore, your most reliable friends should be the moisturizer, foundation, concealer, highlighter, and powder.

After the makeup base has been applied, it’s time you pass to the eye makeup. What better way to bring out the dreamy side in you than by choosing an eye makeup worthy of a genuine Ice Queen? An icy look can beautifully create a special effect especially when it comes in contrast with a flawless skin.

Start by applying an oily base on the eyelids. Apply a classic eye pencil that you can even out using your fingers or a flat brush. Over this base, apply the shimmery, diamond, glittery eyeshadow. If you want to obtain a clean eye makeup, before using the eyeshadow apply a soft coat of powder. You can use golden or silver eyeshadow.

The already popular smoky eye can also be used in order to create your bold and sexy eye makeup. You can choose the simple version but making sure you overuse the black eyeshadow, or, you can break the all-black color on the eyelids applying a soft colored line.

A more dramatic approach is the one using more colors for the eyes. This might be a more difficult version, but the result will look absolutely fantastic. For example, start by applying a black eyeliner on the lower lids and on the interior of the upper lids. Choose a navy blue matte eyeshadow. Then, apply brown shades on the arch in order to create the illusion of a continuous eye makeup. For a more shocking result, go for red, bold lips. Sexy, elegant, mysterious and so fantastic! Or, you can create a stunning work of art mixing light yellow (in the inner corner) and green (in the outer corner).

A complex makeup that uses unusual color combinations can help you draw all the attention. Applying two complementary colors in the two corners of your eyes can result into a fairytale-looking eye makeup. A pink, red or blue eyeshadow for the lids and golden or yellow on the arch can change completely your appearance. For a mystical and alluring result, you can apply a glittery eyeliner in a different color.

Since for a casual, daytime look soft, neutral colors are the most appropriate, we can turn up the drama with bolder, brighter shades, such as orange, fuchsia, or purple. These colors work amazing especially if you go for a balanced approach. For example, you can apply a gray eye pencil on the interior of the bottom eyelid. Next, on the eyelids use an orange, fuchsia, or yellow eyeshadow.

Make sure you go for products with a powdered texture and apply them on a rather oily base. You can also choose a purple eyeshadow on the mobile lid, going towards the eyebrow line, and use a gray shade on the bottom lid in order to create contrast. On the other hand, green can also be a safe choice as it flatters every skin tone.

For bolder personalities who love to stand out through a unique style, there are other two variants for you that you can easily achieve at home. First, there are false eyelashes with a wide range of designs, such as hearts or feathers. Then, there are the eyeshadow applications with an eye-catching design. You can forget all those annoying brushes and sponges. You just have to choose the color or print you want and press it on.

source: www.make-up.becomegorgeous.com

Could It Be, The Most Expensive Nail Polish in the World?

2010-11-25T03:21:00.000-08:00

25 November, 2010 - What's the most you'd pay for nail polish? $40 for the latest Chanel number? Or do you draw the line at twenty bucks? How about $133,130? That's about what this Models Own Gold Rush bottle costs.The shimmering metallic shade doesn't have actual gold in the formula, but the outside is dripping with the real thing—along with 1,118 inlaid diamonds, too. Depending on your preferences, you'll find it either gorgeous or gaudy. We're not sure what team we're on. But, back to the cost.

The £83,000 bottle is available at British jeweller Frost of London, but a £5 "ready to wear" version of the polish launches in December. Which would you prefer: the couture or RTW polish? Check out these other gold picks, too.

View 5 Photos ›

Fall Nail Polish Trends

2010-11-25T03:18:00.001-08:00

I've put off doing this blog due to the wacky weather we've been having in California.
I've been trying to hold on to this second chance of summer we were given. However as it was raining cats and dogs last night I put that aside and decided to finally embrace fall. However, I did just get my hands on Essie's Sew Psyched, so that should be a great transition. So here are three of the hottest nail trends for fall, and some nail polish options that won't chip away at your bank account.

Glitters & Metallics:

Other great colors would be glitter golds and silvers. Also try throwing on a coat of glitter polish on top of a polish color you already own for a little more depth. It's a fun look for holiday parties.

Colors Shown: Love & Beauty Bright Lights and Desert Sunset $3 Forever21; Hard Candy Lime Glitter $5 Walmart.com

Neutrals & Earth Tones:

These colors are more my speed (I own all three and they are awesome!) Other great colors to try are tones of taupe, pale nudes and warm chocolate colors.

Colors shown: Rimmel London Steel Grey $4, any local drug store; Essie Sew Psyched $8 Essie.com; Love & Beauty Brick $3 Forever21.com

Jewel Tones:

These colors bring the drama. These rich bold colors are a great break from the neon colors of summer but still offer that pop of color. Other great shades to try are purple hues and teals and firey oranges.

Colors shown: Love & Beauty Midnight Sky $3 Forever21, China Glaze Emerald Fitzgerald, $6 Ulta.com, Revlon Plum Seduction $4 any local drugstore.

What are some of your favorite nail colors for this season??

Scotch Naturals paints pretty green nails

2010-11-25T03:07:00.000-08:00

Nov 24 2010 - Avoid the stew of toxic stuff in conventional nail polish, and try a new, water-based product that gives you color without the worrying chemicals. Many health-conscious environmentalists go out of their way to avoid chemicals like BPA — but still apply hazardous chemicals directly onto their bodies. Yes, I’m talking about nail polish. Though many companies have taken the worst three ingredients — formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) — out of their formulations, the remaining stew of chemicals in the bottles are still dangerous enough that cities collect nail polish at household hazardous waste sites.

But nail polish that really is safer for you is on the market. On the heels of Acquarella comes another water-based nail polish line: Scotch Naturals. The adult version of Hopscotch Kids, the non-toxic nail polish for children, Scotch nail polishes rank a “low risk” 1-2 on Environmental Working Group’s cosmetic safety database Skin Deep.

Though Scotch nail polishes really don’t look any different, you’ll actually be able to tell Scotch is not like conventional nail polishes as soon as you crack open the bottle — because you won’t be greeted with the stench of chemicals. Instead, the polish, if sniffed up close, smells a bit like crayons!

And the nail polish looks great too. I’ve long since quit painting my fingernails — The almost instantaneous chipping that begins after a manicure completely defeats the purpose of trying to pretty up the nails with polish in the first place — but I usually keep my toenails polished, and Scotch does the job well.

Scotch nail polish, in liquid form, is a little thinner than those of conventional brands — so make sure you don’t have too much polish on the brush when you give yourself a mani-pedi. The thin liquid’s full of fun color though! The usual two coats will give your nails full color coverage — with a little shine to boot.

The only minor inconvenience of using Scotch nail polish is that the stuff takes a little longer to take off. Scotch makes its own, better-for-your-health nail polish remover, which is great because it too won’t assault your nose with chemicals, but which works a bit slower. Oddly, the remover actually foams a little when I try to use it, which makes it difficult for the cotton ball to soak up all the used-up nail polish. It’s a small price to pay for green beauty though. Expect a 5-minute clean-up job for all 10 nails.

Want pretty polish for the holidays? Scotch has a 3-pack deal going on. Three colors of your choice, a bottle of remover, and a nail buffer can be yours for $47.99. IMHO, that should be enough polish to get you through all of 2011.
source: www.mnn.com

How Safe Is Your Nail Polish?

2010-11-25T02:58:00.001-08:00

A mani-pedi always sounds like a good idea. But how can you be sure that your nail salon is a safe and sanitary place—both to work and to be pampered?

Well, if you live in beautiful San Francisco, you’re in luck: last month the city’s Board of Supervisors unanimously passed the first healthy nail salon recognition ordinance. According to the statute, the city will publicly commend salons that volunteer to stop using nail polish containing the toxins DBP, formaldehyde and toluene.

These hazardous chemicals, known as the Toxic Trio, are closely associated with cancer, birth defects and asthma, which is why you may have heard it’s best to skip manicures altogether when you’re pregnant.

But what about salon employees who are exposed to these scary chemicals day after day, year after year?

Fortunately, 74 percent of polishes on the market are already made without the Toxic Trio; they’re often advertised as “three-free.” Some of the bigger “three-free” manufacturers include Hard Candy, Sally Hansen, OPI, Revlon, and Chanel. The popular Essie brand is a notable exception: its polishes still include all three nasty chemicals. Download a complete list of which brands are “three-free” and which aren’t.

The ordinance hasn’t yet gone into effect; in the meantime, San Francisco locals should check out Nova Nail Spa, one of the city’s first green salons. According to Nova's website, every aspect of the spa’s design “from the insulation to the flooring materials to the pedicure seats to the plaster on the walls to the lighting is either non-toxic, energy efficient, rapidly renewable or recycled.” Naturally, all of their treatments and products are 100 percent natural, too.

The rest of us, who don’t call the Bay Area home, can still get green nails with an at-home manicure. In addition to choosing a nontoxic nail polish, look for a paraben-free lotion and soy-based polish remover, all of which are available at most drug stores (Whole Foods and other natural food shops will carry a larger selection).

Taking a closer look at pink eye

2010-10-15T21:32:00.000-07:00

When the surface membranes of the eye are irritated, small blood vessels dilate slightly in the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that covers the white part of your eye. These enlarged red-blood vessels give the appearance of a pink cast to the normally white sclera. Such inflammation is called conjunctivitis.

There are many different causes of pinkeye. Symptoms that may help provide clues as to the source of irritation may include burning, itching, stinging, pain, grittiness, crusting, discharge or sensitivity to lights.

Allergic conjunctivitis is often associated with itching, redness and excessive tearing. A stuffy and itchy nose may go along with the eye symptoms. Over-the-counter allergy drops or antihistamines may reduce these sensations substantially.

Bacterial conjunctivitis often starts in one eye and spreads by way of the hands to the other eye. A sticky or pus-like discharge is common and may result in crusting of the lashes in the morning. Sometimes the lids are literally pasted shut and require a warm wet compress to open them after sleeping. Treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis usually requires antibiotic eye drops, which are prescribed by your ophthalmologist after an examination of your eyes.

In severe cases a small sample of the mucus may be cultured in a laboratory to determine the exact organism that is causing the trouble. Left untreated, bacterial conjunctivitis may result in a deeper infection or ulceration of the cornea — the clear, front window of the eye. Such a complication may cause permanent scarring.

Viral conjunctivitis may affect one or both eyes and generally causes excessive watering and sometimes a light discharge with mild crusting of the lids. Viral conjunctivitis usually requires no specific treatment other than artificial tears for comfort. Like a cold, the symptoms usually clear within a week or so.

Contagious forms of pinkeye may be spread by coughing or sneezing, which causes a spray of tiny droplets of infected mucus to hang in the air. Direct contact with the discharge from an infected person can also transfer the infectious agent to your

Although conjunctivitis can affect people of any age, rapid spreading among young children is common in classrooms and day care settings. Careful and frequent hand washing and covering of the mouth and nose when coughing can help to stop such epidemics.

Usually, conjunctivitis is not serious, but some types may cause scarring of the eye if untreated. Substantial sensitivity to lights may be an indication of the beginning of such a serious condition and should prompt you to see your eyes.

Contact lens wearers are particularly susceptible to conjunctivitis if strict hygiene practices are not followed. Because soft contact lenses are mostly water, bacteria can get into the lenses and continue to irritate the surface of the eye over time. Swimming with contacts is a particularly high-risk activity. Any redness of the eye should prompt a contact lens wearer to remove the contacts immediately.

Prevention of conjunctivitis consists of good hand washing; covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing; not sharing eye drops, towels or washcloths, makeup or mascara with an infected person; and common sense measures such as not rubbing your eyes.

Make your eyeshadow last longer

2010-10-15T21:23:00.000-07:00

HOW can I make my eyeshadow last longer? Most of the time, it tends to disappear or become lighter after three hours or so. – Irene

According to L’Oreal Paris training manager Carolyn Yeo, do apply an eye care treatment around your eyes before applying eyeshadow. Choose a treatment appropriate for your eye concern.

Apart from treating your problem, eye care treatments can also help protect the skin around the eye area from all the make-up you apply on it. For example, L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Double Eye Lift – the first “double action” eye contour care – targets not only wrinkles and lines, but also sagginess and loss of elasticity. It’ll also give your eyeshadow a smooth finish.

However, be cautious with the amount and texture used, as some treatments may cause oiliness around the eyelids, thus causing the eyeshadow to fade quickly. To make eyeshadow last longer, you can opt to apply a very thin layer of concealer on your eyelid before applying eyeshadow.

Then, you could try using either your index or third finger to apply the eyeshadow instead of a brush or sponge applicator. This gives you more control and precision. Eyeshadows like the L’Oreal Paris Colour Appeal Open Eyes Pro Grey Harmony gives a good indication of how you can shade the colours gradually for a more stunning effect.

Make sure you use very gentle pressure on the eyelids, rather than “sweeping” movements as this removes rather than fixes the eyeshadow. When you “press and roll” using finger application, the result will look fresh and brighter, and will last all day.

L’Oreal Paris will be giving Irene a L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Double Eye Lift, True Match Touche Magique Concealer and Colour Appeal Open Eyes Pro Grey Harmony, all together worth RM142.70.

MOST of the lip balms in the market claim they can reduce the appearance of dark-coloured lips caused by lipsticks with low quality ingredients. I’ve tried many types of lip balm in the market but it feels like my lips are getting drier and darker each day.

I don’t sleep in an air-con room and I only spend up to six hours in the office in an air-conditioned environment. I make sure I apply lip balm before putting on coloured lip gloss and before I sleep.

I also make a point to drink at least four litres of plain water every day. Due to the dryness, I don’t dare to use lipstick. It would be good if you could recommend an affordable method or products that can solve my problem. – Annie

Pascale Thouzery, marketing and product development manager for Aesop, advises Annie to take plenty of fluid intervals throughout the day, and regularly apply lip balm as we tend to unconsciously lick our dry lips very often. Sometimes, being in a smoky environment like an open-air restaurant or clubs/pubs for long periods at a time will irritate not only the skin but also the sensitive skin areas around the eyes and lips, too.

This will not only aggravate the dryness but cause chapped lips to become worse in the long run. Reducing alcohol intake and getting regular sleep will help one’s overall well-being, and not just heal the lips.

Thouzery recommends Aesop Tuberose Lip Heal, a sublime-smelling lip heal designed to hydrate and soften lips. This composition contains a floral tuberose top note, with an enriching macadamia nut and avocado base. If you are currently using a petroleum-based lip balm, this may be exacerbating the condition. Petroleum-based lip products are actually not absorbed by the skin, but instead, they form an occlusive barrier.

This helps in the short term but does not contribute to long term moisturisation. Tuberose Lip Heal will actually be absorbed easily and will moisturise, soften, hydrate and heal dry, chapped rough lips. It does not contain bees’ wax or lanolin. It’s also considered a lip therapy breakthrough for vegans.

The lip darkening issue is more complex but this could be related to the dry lips or caused by sun exposure. Tuberose Absolut is usually utilised in high-grade parfum concentrates and Aesop sources its Tuberose from the South of France.

This product should be utilised within three months of opening, due to its low preservative content.

Aesop will be giving Annie a Tuberose Lip Heal worth RM89.

HERE’S a chance to get your ‘always wanted to know but didn’t know who to ask’ beauty questions tackled. Send your queries to StarTwo to be answered fortnightly by beauty professionals from beauty or skincare houses. The queries should be beauty-specific and may be on skin or hair concerns, cosmetics or products, too.

Please indicate in your e-mail subject matter:

Beauty Q and send your beauty questions to startwo@thestar.com.my. Published letters will receive a gift. Please include your name,address and contact number. All the best to your beauty quest!

Natural Toenail Fungus Treatment Eradicates Dermatophyte

2010-08-29T03:40:00.000-07:00

The natural Zetaclear product is designed to kill a fungus called Dermatophyte that invades the area underneath toe nails. This fungus causes the toe nails to turn yellow and unsightly. Experts estimate that as many as 35 million Americans are infected with toenail fungus; therefore this natural treatment is what most people in the US have been waiting for years.

The Dermatophyte fungus lives on the outer skin layer and can infect nails, hair and skin. The most common type of infection happens in the toenail and can be quite painful. Zetaclear uses a clear liquid gel that contains natural oils which seep under the toe nail and kill the fungus. To apply this natural toenail fungus treatment, a person brushes the gel on with an applicator brush. The treatment is applied once in the morning and once in the night.

Any person can find out if he/she has a dermatophyte infection by going in for a consultation. The doctor only needs a sample of the nail, skin or scalp in order to send it in for testing and determine whether the infection in cause by the dermatophyte fungus. The test for identifying this fungus is called the Dermathophytes Test Medium, abbreviated DTM, and its results come back in about 10-14 days, in which it the sample taken from the patient is incubated and observed. At the end of this time period, if the culture medium doesn’t change color, then it is not Dermatophyte, however, if the medium turns bright red, then the result is positive.

The Dermatophyte fungus can be treated with Zetaclear, which is a homeopathic treatment which means that it is recognized by the Food and Drug Administration as a homeopathic medicine. Zetaclear consists of two separate treatments a homeopathic spray and a Clear Nails Solution. The active ingredients in this product treat the painful sensitivity of the skin, nail discoloration, dryness, and pain, but it also has antiseptic capabilities and it is used to kill the actual fungus. The product is easily applied by spraying it under the tongue like all homeopathic treatments.

Zetaclear Clear Nails Solution contains Tea Tree oil which promotes healthy skin, Almond Oil which moisturizes the skin and relieves itchiness and dryness, Jojoba oil which relieves moisture loss, Vitamin E oil which is used to treat scars and burns, lemongrass oil which is used in aromatherapy, undeclyenic acid which promotes healthy skin and clove oil which is a natural pain reliever. Clove oil is also a natural herbicide which means it can kill plants such as fungus.

More information about toenail fungus treatment and Zetaclear can be found at http://naturaltoenailfungustreatment.org/

Eye Bags – How to Get Rid of Bags Under Eyes

2010-07-27T00:27:00.000-07:00

To most people, it’s the eyes are actually the most mesmerizing feature in the human face. This is what you’ll read in research polls and surveys. These statistics reveal that most men and women find the eyes as the most attractive facial feature they look for in the opposite sex, so don’t let your most magnetic feature be ruined by eye bags.

It’s your eyes that should catch attention, not the bags under them.

And bags under the eyes are right to be called so, as these “luggage” can really weigh down your appearance. Eye bags give you a perennial stressed and sick look even if you slept well and feel vibrant and energetic.

A good skin care routine and expensive eye creams won’t prevent eye bags from making themselves felt if you don’t do facial toning exercises. Applying heavy concealer will neither help so much in hiding bulging under eye bags.

But this does not make eye bags reduction impossible to those who balk at having artificial procedures to treat them. You just have to find out what caused them in the first place, then apply the necessary measures to either completely eliminate or improve these underlying conditions.

Possible causes of eye bags

The skin around the eyes is thinner and more delicate than the rest of your facial skin. It is for this reason that the first signs of aging appear in the eye area, and where fluid retention or extra fat appears more prominent.

Genetics may also play a big role in your tendency to accumulate fluids in your eye area.

But this hereditary predisposition to hold water in the blood vessels in your eye or periorbital area doesn’t mean your only recourse is surgical eye bag removal or blepharoplasty or less invasive procedures such as Botox injections, which will have a heightened ouch factor due to the very delicate and sensitive periorbital skin.

You can have a natural eye bag removal by changing your diet, lifestyle and by religiously doing facial exercises ten to fifteen minutes a day.

Eye bags can be caused by:

- Loss of skin elasticity due to aging
- Droopy cheek muscles
- Sinus infection or allergic rhinitis
- Thyroid or kidney problem
- Fatigue and lack of sleep
- Hormonal imbalances
- Food and dust allergies
- Iron deficiency
- Caffeine addiction
- Smoking
- Menstruation
- Pregnancy
- Overworked eye muscles in the case of people with vision problems
- Toxicity

Most of these underlying causes can be tremendously improved by proper nutrition. Some, however, would require medical attention. Consult a competent alternative health practitioner or physician practicing complementary or integrative medicine to help you with your health conditions.

How to get rid of eye bags

1. Eat whole foods as much as possible. Leave processed foods untouched in their shelves when doing your grocery. Consume watery fruits and veggies such as watermelon, cucumbers, apples, cranberry, asparagus and grapes.

Coconut water and green tea are good natural diuretics. Potassium-rich foods such as bananas, strawberries, cantaloupe, tomatoes, papaya and yogurt help keep your body (and face) from retaining water. Getting lots of vitamins A, C and E from natural food sources such as carrots and dark leafy greens, citrus fruits, bell peppers, nuts, seeds and cold-pressed oils would also be highly beneficial. Vitamin C and B6 supplements also assist in the body’s expulsion of extra fluids.

2. Keep yourself well hydrated by drinking enough water each day. Raw fruits and vegetables also contain high amounts of quality, mineral-rich water that your body will need to purge itself of toxins and impurities that can lead to the formation of eye bags.

3. Avoid foods and beverages that encourage fluid retention such as alcohol, coffee, white sugar, cheese, fried foods, carbonated drinks, white flour, gravy, salt, soy sauce and foods that contain monosodium glutamate. Steer away from food toxins such as artificial preservatives, chemical additives and pesticides present in inorganic produce. Don’t go crazy over carbohydrate laden foods as these can also lead to facial edema.

4. Obtain extra iron by eating spinach, broccoli, dried fruits such as raisins, and sea vegetables such as kelp, dulse and laver. You can also take an iron supplement as an insurance policy.

5. Keep your sodium intake under tight control. The common rule is not to exceed 2,000 milligrams of sodium each day.

SodiumBut since you are conscious of your rather pronounced eye bags then you might as well not go over 1,000 milligrams of sodium a day, which would entail mandatory label reading and sodium intake monitoring.

6. To reduce the appearance of bags under eyes, place both of your index fingers on the sides of your outer nostrils and apply gentle pressure on the two areas for ten seconds.

You can either steadily press these points or move your fingers in tiny circular motions. Repeat five times. Pressing on these acupressure points will initiate release of toxins that can manifest as under eye bags.

7. Fix your body clock and follow a facial exercise regime. Going to bed on time, sleeping for seven to eight hours, keeping stress in check and doing facial exercises that minimize under eye bags will not only tighten the eye ring muscles.

These will also improve circulation in the eye area, which can help lighten the appearance of dark circles. Face exercises for the muscle ring around the eyes ring also smoothen crow’s feet and other wrinkles in the periorbital area.

Upper eyelid bags or hooded lids will also get their treatment through the practice of face exercises.

8. The cold cucumber remedy has the reputation of being merely anecdotal but those who put cold cucumber slices regularly swear by its efficacy. Slice a cucumber and freeze 2 slices for half an hour.

Meanwhile munch on the remaining slices with a freshly made low sodium dip or a simple raw apple cider vinegar and black pepper dip. Apple cider vinegar is another all-natural remedy for water retention due to its high potassium content.

After thirty minutes have elapsed get the 2 cucumber slices from the freezer. Lie down and place both on closed eyes for fifteen minutes.

Don’t let eye bags steal the spotlight from your eyes. Let your peepers shine by effectively treating bags under eyes as outlined in this article. Stop carrying those eye bags around with the amazing 30-Day Facial Fitness Program.

In the eBook included in this package, John Socratous teaches you how to ditch these useless bags that can carry nothing but excess fat and fluids through diet tricks and exercise tips.

Celebrity Makeup: Megan Fox, Jennie Garth Attend "90210's" Ian Ziering's Wedding

2010-06-06T03:03:00.001-07:00

It was a mini "90210" (the original, good one) reunion in the O.C. on Friday evening as Steve Sanders, er, Ian Ziering, married his longtime gf, Erin Ludwig (she's a nurse) in Newport Beach, CA.

The ceremony at the tony Pelican Hill Resort, took place at sundown and was attended by West Beverly alums Jennie Garth, Jason Priestley and Brian Austin Green. Garth's hubby, Peter (Carlisle Cullen) Facinelli, and B.A.G.'s longtime girlfriend, Megan Fox, were also on hand to toast the new husband and wife.

Conspicuously absent from the festivities were Tori Spelling and Tiffani-Amber Thiessen who were in attendance at Ziering's first wedding (to Playboy playmate, Nikki Schieler) back in 1997. That union lasted for nearly 5 years.

It was a busy week for Megan Fox who was replaced in the upcoming "Transformers 3" movie by Victoria Secret angel, Rosie Huntington-Whitely. The impossibly sexy starlet, who's known for her brazen -- and vocal -- opinions, wearing her hair loose in curly cascades and her signature cat-eye makeup, was swathed in Green's brown suit jacket to brace against the coastal chill. (Learn how to do perfect eyeliner.) By the next day, she and Green were seen frolicking in the waves on Maui as she sent the paparazzi into a frenzy with her sick bikini bod.

Jennie Garth, too, was shielded from the Pacific breeze, wearing a cream colored pashmina that went well with Facinelli's tan linen suit. Keeping her makeup subtle and natural as usual, the mother of three daughters, is known for her own version of the cat eye. As she told "Glamour" magazine in 2008, her way makes you look rested -- even if you're not. The how to? "You dust the color up and out into a soft point just past the outer corners of the lids." Doing this makes your eyes appear to be more open, more awake. (See Jennie through the years. Do you think her look has changed?)
source: www.totalbeauty.com

Tips for eye make-up removal

2010-06-06T02:59:00.000-07:00

Eye makeup is hard to remove because of the delicate area around your eyes, but if not removed properly, over time causes blackening of the skin in that area as well as formation of wrinkles. Before you use your face cleanser, remove your eye make up using these simple steps...

- Apply a few drops of eye makeup remover on a cotton ball. You could alternatively use olive oil or vaseline, these are equally effective.
Wet the cotton ball appropriately.
- Working with one eye at a time, close your eye and apply one of the cotton balls to your lid and lashes. Let it sit for a minute so it can work its way through the layers of makeup.
- After a minute, gently swipe your eye in a downward direction to ensure all the makeup is off.
- Open your eye and clean any residual makeup under your lashes.

Tips

- Baby oil works wonders. It works better than makeup remover and is a cheaper alternative.
- If you suffer from hay fever, be choosy about your makeup remover.
- Do not use the same cotton ball for both eyes. If you have an infection in one eye it will quickly pass on to the other.
- Avoid using soaps as they don't cleanse your skin thoroughly.

Lip gloss and fish fingers: Britain's inflation 'basket' gets an 80s makeover

2010-03-31T05:29:00.000-07:00

Britain may like to consider itself a nation of gastronomic sophisticates, sipping espressos and drizzling balsamic vinegar over microleaf salads.
Shoppers are buying lip gloss rather than lipstick in economy drive. Photograph: Matthias Tunger

But according to the latest look at the nation's shopping habits, what we are really chucking in the supermarket trolley is rather more passé, with garlic bread and fish fingers making their debut in the "shopping basket" of goods used to calculate inflation.

And it is not just in the food department where the way we shop might be said to be regressing to the 1980s. On the makeup front, too, Britons are apparently channelling Farah Fawcett rather than Lady Gaga: this year, the Office for National Statistics, which tracks the prices of 650 items throughout the year to monitor fluctuations in the cost of living, has decided that lip gloss is a more modern inflationary marker than lipstick, while tongs and straighteners have replaced the humble hairdryer.

Each month, the ONS collects about 180,000 prices for an imaginary basket containing about 650 goods and services on which people typically spend their money. Changes in the prices of these items form the basis of two of the main inflation trackers, the consumer prices index (CPI) and the retail prices index (RPI).

This basket already contains such contemporary culinary treats as frozen pizzas, dehydrated noodles, gammon and chicken kievs.

The majority of goodies in the basket remain constant from year to year – sausages, sliced bread and flour have been in since the exercise began.

But each year the compilers tweak the list a little to reflect changing consumer habits. Sometimes, the ONS explained, this might be because spending has reached a level that demands inclusion to ensure the basket remains representative or spending. It added: "In other cases, items may be included to improve coverage of categories with highly variable prices, or to diversify the range of products collected for a particular category."

While some items may be surprising, the ONS basket does offer insights into the way we live today – with the rise of food and environmental irritants, for instance, it is fitting that allergy tablets have been added to the basket. And several items are anything but retro: "computer games with accessories" make an appearance for the first time, reflecting the huge rise in popularity of entertainment consoles that are supplied with plastic guitars, microphones and steering wheels.

Blu-ray disc players have also been added, joining DVD players, Freeview boxes, flat screen televisions and digital radios. Disposable cameras, however, have been kicked off the list as digital cameras and mobile phone photography make older technologies increasingly defunct.

Sometimes the ONS adds new items to the basket at the expense of old ones. As well as lipstick and hairdryers, other items crossed off the 2010 list include baby food (replaced with powdered baby formula), bars of soap (replaced with liquid soap) and fizzy cans of pop (shoved out in favour of small bottles of mineral water).

The addition of water is timely: between 1993 and 2008, the UK bottled water market, including office water coolers, grew from just 580m litres to 2.06bn litres, according to the trade body the British Bottled Water Producers.

And sales of hair straighteners are likewise booming: Superdrug today reported a 20% increase in the amount of straighteners sold over hairdryers compared with last year.

But not all of the additions are borne out in the retailers' own figures. "We have 800,000 regular pitta customers each month compared to only 100,000 for garlic bread [which replace pitta in the basket]," said a spokeswoman for Sainsbury's.

"And as for soap, it seems whereas two years ago there were roughly the same numbers of customers buying bar and liquid soap, over the two years the number of people buying bar soap has remained constant at around 500,000 customers per month, whereas liquid has grown to approximately 650,000 customers per month."

The ONS doesn't just track the prices of consumer goods. For the RPI, it also looks at house prices and related issues. Today it said the way of measuring mortgage interest payments in its RPI was about to change.

It will now use the average effective rate of mortgage interest, which it says better reflects the many different types of mortgages – including fixed rate, discount and tracker mortgages – that were not covered in the standard variable rate measures of interest it previously used. The changes will be introduced in the February consumer price inflation data to be published on March 23.
source: guardian.co.uk

Hairdresser scoops award

2010-03-31T05:19:00.000-07:00

A TRAINEE hairdresser at Weston College has scooped an in-house apprenticeship award.

Hannah-Marie Martin, aged 15, has won Hairdressing Young Apprenticeship of the Year for a 1940s hair cut she styled.

The Worle Community School pupil beat 12 other students to win the competition at Weston College.

She said: "I was so shocked to win but really pleased.

"I enjoyed the competition as it gave me a chance to use my creative side and I am quite proud of the final result as it was exactly what I wanted it to be - original and personal to me."

Students in the school competition were given the task to create a hair design and write a personal statement.

Second place went to Hattie Bayliss, aged 14, of Nailsea School and third place went to Karla Flynn, aged 15, of Wyvern School.

Tip to Solve Your Hair Problem

2009-09-16T07:07:00.000-07:00

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.

Acrylic nails, big bags may be fatal!

2009-09-16T06:49:00.000-07:00

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.

If women cannot bear to part with oversized bags or purses, they should incorporate neck, back and shoulder strength-training exercises into their workout routines. They also should regularly rotate the shoulder on which they carry the bag.

Big bags and purses also are a target for harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

High Heels
Continuously using the stylish stilettos can lead to long-term foot, back and ankle problems. Women who insist on wearing high heels should take heed and limit the time they wear them to prevent long-term damage.

Other than that women should alternate the height of heels in order to prevent the Achilles tendon from tightening and shortening. They should choose a wider, more stable heel and never wear a heel that causes imbalance.

Choose a shoe that allows ample room for the toes and only wear pointed toes that narrow well past the ball of the foot. And always go shoe shopping at the end of the day to allow for normal daily swelling.

Jewellery
Hypersensitivity to the nickel in jewellery can cause a chronic itchy, red-skin reaction.
People who are highly sensitive to nickel should have their jewellery lacquered, coated or plated with palladium to protect the direct contact of nickel with the bare skin. Another option is to strictly wear stainless steel, platinum, or gold jewellery.

acrylic nails
When an acrylic nails is applied to the natural nail surface, minor trauma to the acrylic nails can cause separation of the nail from its nail bed.

"acrylic nails allow bacteria and fungus to enter the nail area, which can lead to infection. A better option would be to take care of the original nail through moisturizing and strengthening polish," said Khan.

She concluded that women could find ways to be stylish without compromising their health.

"These trends can have legitimate, long-term health ramifications. Using these tips will allow women to remain fashion forward without jeopardizing their health down the road," said Khan.

source; timesofindia.indiatimes.com

The One Eyeliner Trick You Can’t Live Without

2009-09-16T06:33:00.000-07:00

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

Urban Decay introduces awesome new makeup primers for lashes, lips, and complexion

2009-09-16T06:22:00.000-07:00

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.

For Complexion
Complexion Primer Potion ($30) improves the look and feel of skin as it helps foundation last longer and go on more evenly and smooth. It comes in two varieties. Any foundation looks better with one of these applied first.

• Brightening is a light, cool gel that feels great and makes skin look more radiant and healthy while it moisturizes and firms.
• Pore Perfecting provides a soft, velvety, matte finish ideal for oily skin. It minimizes the look of pores and fine lines, and gives an airbrushed look to skin.

Where to Buy
For a really good deal, snag the Sephora-exclusive Box of Potions that includes five Urban Decay’s potions for just $65 ($114 value). Urban Decay cosmetics are available from Sephora, Ulta, select Macy’s, and urbandecay.com.

source: www.examiner.com

Celebrity & fashion contact lenses news

2009-09-16T05:48:00.000-07:00

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.

Battered Maid Gets Free Eye Treatment

2009-09-16T05:24:00.000-07:00

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.

Everyday Eye Care

2009-06-26T09:02:00.000-07:00

Here are some safety tips you should follow if you wear contact lenses.

Make sure to:

Get regular eye exams to assure the continued health of your eyes.
Always have a back-up pair of glasses with a current prescription in the event that you have problems with your contact lenses.
Always ask your eye care professional before using any medicine or using topical eye products, even those you buy without a prescription. Some medicines may affect your vision or irritate your eyes.
Ask your eye care professional about wearing glasses or contact lenses during sports activities to minimize your chance of injury.
Apply cosmetics after inserting lenses and remove your lenses before removing makeup.
Apply any aerosol products (hairspray, cologne, and deodorant) before inserting lenses.
Always inform your employer if you wear contact lenses. Some jobs may require the use of eye protection equipment or may require that you not wear lenses.
Follow and save the directions that come with your lenses. If you didn’t get a patient information booklet, request one from your eye care professional or look for one on the manufacturer’s website.
Replace contacts as recommended by your eye care professional. Throw away disposable lenses after recommended wearing period.

Do Not:

Sleep in daily wear lenses because it may increase your chance of infection or irritation.
Purchase contact lenses from gas stations, video stores, record shops, or any other vendor not authorized by law to dispense contact lenses. Contact lenses are medical devices that require a prescription. See Buying Contact Lenses to help you take simple precautions to make your purchase safe and effective.
Swap contact lens with another person. Swapping provides a way to transfer germs between people. Contact lenses are individually fitted. Incorrectly fitted lenses may cause permanent eye injury, infection and may potentially lead to blindness.
Smoke. Studies show that smokers who wear contact lenses have a higher rate of problems (adverse reactions) than nonsmokers.
Swim while wearing contact lenses. There is a risk of eye infection from bacteria in swimming pool water, hot tubs, lakes and the ocean

To view a video on handling, inserting, removing and caring for your contact lenses, go to:

American Optometric Association
For more tips on how to care for your lenses, see Contact Lens Solutions and Products

Risks of Wearing contact lenses

2009-06-26T08:58:00.000-07:00

Wearing contact lenses puts you at risk of several serious conditions including eye infections and corneal ulcers. These conditions can develop very quickly and can be very serious. In rare cases, these conditions can cause blindness.

You can not determine the seriousness of a problem that develops when you are wearing contact lenses. You have to get help from an eye care professional to determine your problem.

If you experience any symptoms of eye irritation or infection,

remove your lenses immediately and do not put them back in your eyes.
contact your eye care professional right way.
don't throw away your lenses. Store them in your case and take them to your eye care professional. He or she may want to use them to determine the cause of your symptoms.
report serious eye problems associated with your lenses to the FDA’s MedWatch reporting program.

Symptoms of Eye Irritation or Infection

discomfort
excess tearing or other discharge
unusual sensitivity to light
itching, burning, or gritty feelings
unusual redness
blurred vision
swelling
pain

Serious Hazards of Contact Lenses

Symptoms of eye irritation can indicate a more serious condition. Some of the possible serious hazards of wearing contact lenses are corneal ulcers, eye infections, and even blindness.

Corneal ulcers are open sores in the outer layer of the cornea. They are usually caused by infections. To reduce your chances of infection, you should:

Rub and rinse your contact lenses as directed by your eye care professional.
Clean and disinfect your lenses properly according to the labeling instructions.
Do not “top-off” the solutions in your case. Always discard all of the left over contact lens solution after each use. Never reuse any lens solution.
Do not expose your contact lenses to any water: tap, bottled, distilled, lake or ocean water. Never use non-sterile water (distilled water, tap water or any homemade saline solution). Tap and distilled water have been associated with Acanthamoeba keratitis, a corneal infection that is resistant to treatment and cure.
Remove your contact lenses before swimming. There is a risk of eye infection from bacteria in swimming pool water, hot tubs, lakes and the ocean
Replace your contact lens storage case every 3-6 months.

Other Risks of Contact Lenses

Other risks of contact lenses include

pink eye (conjunctivitis)
corneal abrasions
eye irritation

For more information about the risks associated with contact lenses, go to:

Advice for Patients With Soft Contact Lenses: Acanthamoeba Keratitis Infections Related to Complete® MoisturePlus Multi Purpose Contact Lens Solution
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/PatientAlerts/ucm064695.htm
Advice for Patients with Soft Contact Lenses: New Information on Risk of Serious Fungal Infection
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/PatientAlerts/UCM064709
Contact Lenses and Eye Infections
http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/contacts.html
Corneal Ulcers and Infections
MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
Eye Conditions: Acanthamoeba Keratitis
American Optometric Association

Contact Lens Solutions and Products

2009-06-26T08:57:00.000-07:00

There are a variety of solutions that can be used for the various types of contact lenses. But these solutions can also cause serious problems if not used correctly. Incorrect care of contact lens solutions can increase your risk of eye infections and corneal ulcers. These conditions can develop very quickly and can be very serious. In rare cases, these conditions can cause blindness.

To reduce your risk of infections:

Always wash your hands before handling contact lenses to reduce the chance of getting an infection.
Remove the lenses immediately and consult your eye care professional if your eyes become red, irritated, or your vision changes.
Always follow the directions of your eye care professional and all labeling instruction for proper use of contact lenses and lens care products.
Use contact lens products and solutions recommended by your eye care professional.
Do not use contact lens solutions that have gone beyond the expiration or discard date.
Sterile saline solutions are only to be used for rinsing. They are not to be used for cleaning and disinfecting your lenses.
Rub and rinse your contact lenses as directed by your eye care professional.
Clean and disinfect your lenses properly following all labeling instructions provided with your lens care products
Do not “top-off” the solutions in your case. Always discard all of the left over contact lens solution after each use. Never reuse any lens solution.
Do not expose your contact lenses to any water: tap, bottled, distilled, lake or ocean water. Never use non-sterile water (distilled water, tap water or any homemade saline solution). Exposure of contact lenses to water has been associated with Acanthamoeba keratitis, a corneal infection that is resistant to treatment and cure.
Do not put your lenses in your mouth to wet them. Saliva is not a sterile solution.
Clean, rinse and air-dry your lens case each time lenses are removed. You may want to flip over your lens case while air drying so excess solution may drain out of the case. Contact lens cases can be a source of bacterial growth.
Replace your contact lens storage case every 3-6 months.
Do not transfer contact lens solutions into smaller travel size containers. This can effect the sterility of the solution which can lead to an eye infection. Transferring solutions into smaller size containers may also leave consumers open to accidentally using a solution not intended for the eyes.

To view a video on handling, inserting, removing and caring for your contact lenses, go to:

American Optometric Association
http://www.aoa.org/x8024.xml

For more tips on how to care for your lenses, see Everyday Eye Care

Buying Contact Lenses

2009-06-26T08:56:00.000-07:00

Contact lens sales are regulated by both the FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Before you buy any contact lenses from someone other than your eye care professional, the FDA wants you to be a wise consumer. With a valid contact lens prescription, it is possible to purchase your contact lenses from stores, the Internet, over the phone or by mail. The following questions and answers should help you take simple precautions to make your purchase safe and effective.

What do I need to consider when buying contact lenses?

Is your contact lens prescription current? You should always have a current, valid prescription when you order contact lenses.
If you have not had a check-up in the last one to two years, you may have problems with your eyes that you are not aware of, or your contact lenses may not correct your vision well.
The expiration date for your prescription is currently set by your state. Some require a one-year renewal, some a two-year renewal. If your state has not set a minimum expiration date, Federal regulation sets a one year date unless your eye care professional determines that there’s a medical reason for less than one year.
To be sure that your eyes remain healthy you should not order lenses with a prescription that has expired or stock up on lenses right before the prescription is about to expire. It’s safer to be re-checked by your eye care professional.

What does a valid contact lens prescription include?

As defined by FTC regulations, a prescription should contain sufficient information for a seller to completely and accurately fill the prescription. This includes the following items:

Patient’s name
Examination date
Date patient receives prescription after a contact lens fitting (issue date) and expiration date of prescription
Name, address, phone number and fax number of prescriber
Power
Material and/or manufacturer of the prescribed contact lens
Base curve or appropriate designation of the prescribed contact lens
Diameter, when appropriate, of the prescribed contact lens
For a private label contact lens, the name of the manufacturer, trade name of the private label brand, and if applicable, trade name of equivalent brand name

Will I get in legal trouble if I buy contact lenses without a copy of my prescription?

You won’t break any laws, but the company is selling you a prescription device as if it were an over-the-counter device. In legal terms, this misbrands the device. The company is also violating FTC regulations by selling you contact lenses without having your prescription. For more information, see the The Contact Lens Rule: A Guide for Prescribers and Sellers.

What can I do to avoid serious problems when buying my contact lenses?

Order your contact lenses from a supplier you are familiar with and know is reliable. Contact lenses are often more complex than they appear.
Request the manufacturer’s written patient information for your contact lenses. It will give you important risk/benefit information as well as instructions for use.
Beware of attempts to substitute a different brand than you presently have. While this may be acceptable in some situations, there are differences in the water content and shape between different brands. The correct choice of which lens is right for you should be based only on an examination by your eye care professional, not over the phone.
Carefully check to make sure the company gives you the
- exact brand
- lens name
- power
  - sphere
  - cylinder, if any
  - axis, if any
- diameter
- base curve
- peripheral curves, if any

If you think you have received an incorrect lens, check with your eye care professional. Don’t accept a substitution unless your eye care professional approves it.

Where can I report problems that I have when buying contact lenses?

If you find a Web site you think is illegally selling contact lenses over the Web, you should report it to FDA.
If you do not get the exact lenses that you ordered, you should report the problem directly to the company that supplied them.
To file a complaint about prescribing practices to FTC, use the FTC Consumer Complaint Form.

Contact Lenses

2009-06-26T08:51:00.000-07:00

Contact lenses are the number one choice for many people with vision correction needs. For many, contact lenses provide flexibility and convenience. There are many different lenses available for a variety of needs and preferences. Contact lenses can be used to correct a variety of vision disorders such as Myopia (nearsightedness), Hyperopia (farsightedness), Astigmatism, and Presbyopia (poor focusing with reading material and other near vision tasks).

This website gives information about the latest innovations on contact lenses. It provides general information and is not meant to replace a discussion with your eye care professional.

You can buy contact lenses only if you have a current, valid prescription.

Important Contact Lens Care Tips

Follow recommended wearing schedule.
Do not substitute sterile saline solutions for multi-purpose solutions.
Rub and rinse your contact lenses as directed by your eye care professional.
Do not “top-off” the solutions in your case. Always discard all of the leftover contact lens solution after each use. Never reuse any lens solution.
Clean, rinse and air-dry your lens case each time lenses are removed.
Do not expose your contact lenses to any water: tap, bottled, distilled, lake or ocean water.
Contact your eye care professional if you experience any symptoms of eye irritation or infection.

Contact Lens Prescription

When you get an eye exam, you have the right to get a copy of your prescription. You can use this prescription at another vendor or to order contact lenses on the Internet, over the phone, or by mail. See Buying Contact Lenses.

As defined by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations, a prescription should contain sufficient information for a seller to completely and accurately fill the prescription. This includes the following items:

Patient's name
Examination date
Date patient receives prescription after a contact lens fitting (issue date) and expiration date of prescription
Name, address, phone number and fax number of prescriber
Power
Material and/or manufacturer of the prescribed contact lens
Base curve or appropriate designation of the prescribed contact lens
Diameter, when appropriate, of the prescribed contact lens
For a private label contact lens, the name of the manufacturer, trade name of the private label brand, and if applicable, trade name of equivalent brand name

PREPARATION AND AFTER CARE

2009-03-11T01:17:00.001-07:00

Before eye laser treatment:

1. Preparation & Suitability

You need to have a thorough eye examination to determine whether you are a suitable candidate for the refractive surgery. Prior to that, please make sure that:
1. You are at least 18 years and have had stable vision for the past year
2. You are not pregnant or breastfeeding
3. You have not been diagnosed with:
o Connective Tissue, Autoimmune or Immunodeficiency disease, eg. Rheumatiod Arthritis, Sjogren diseases or Severe dry eye
o Certain eye disease, eg Keratoconus, Cataract, Glaucoma, Diabetic retinopathy or macular disease.
4. You must have healthy eyes — no glaucoma, infection, cataracts, severe dry eye, or any other condition that would affect postoperative healing.
5. Your vision must be stable for at least a year before surgery.

Extreme spectacle powers >-16.00D or +7.00D has to be treated on a case-to-case basis and may not be deemed suitable for Laser Refractive Surgery but other procedure may be appropriate.

Your eyecare practitioner can help you decide, but below are some general guidelines to check out before your doctor visit:

2. Planning for Your Eye Examination Appointment

If you are a contact lens wearer, you need to lay off the lenses first as it may distort the original shape of cornea.
For those who wear Soft / Disposable / Daily Lenses, you need to lay off the lenses 10 to 14 days prior to the eye examination date. If you are wearing Semi Hard (RGP) / Hard / Toric Soft Lenses, it is advisable to lay off as long as 3 to 4 weeks.

Your pupils will be dilated on the eye examination day. So you might have difficulty for near work and sensitive to bright light which may last for 2 to 3 days after the check-up. Please bring along a pair of sunglasses on that day.
You can also come in for a preliminary test without laying off the contact lenses to find out whether you can consider for the treatment or not. We shall let you know how many days you need to lay off your contact lenses prior to the full eye examination date.

Please call your nearest Optimax Eye Specialist Centre to book in your appointment.

After Treatment:

1. Your treating doctor will check on you after the procedure.
2. Please make sure you are not driving on the treating day as you may feel slight irritation after the treatment.
3. Bring along a pair of non-powered sunglasses with you as the eyes will be a bit sensitive to light after treatment.

In the first week after the treatment :

	• Remember not to rub or squeeze your eyes • Avoid getting water, soap or shampoo in your eyes, but you will need to keep the eyelid are clean. • Avoid going to dusty and smoky places
	• Do not wear eye makeup or apply eye cream
	• Wear sunglasses when doing outdoor activities. • Avoid sports activities such as jogging, gym or badminton. • Put on eye shields provided before bed
	• Use the eye drops as advised

In the first month after the treatment,

• Do not swim, use the sauna, SPA or have a facial treatment
• Avoid sports like football, taekwando or basketball.

Attend all check ups as advised

• Do not worry unduly if you experience glare / haloes at night or under dim lights for a few weeks
• With all procedures, your vision will gradually improve and sometimes it might take about 3 to 6 months to stabilize

What is Intralasik?

2009-03-11T01:14:00.000-07:00

The" Intra" component denotes the use of the Intralase Femtosecond laser and LASIK is an abbreviated term for "Laser Assisted In situ Keratomileusis" With Intralasik, the first step of cutting the flap is accomplished using a highly precise laser, the Intralase Femtosecond Laser.

The Intralase software directs the Intralase laser to optically focus its beam into a tiny, 1 micron (.001mm) spot of energy that passes harmlessly through the outer layers of the cornea until reaching its exact depth within the stroma (central layer of the cornea). In an "inside out" process, the laser beam creates a separation plane by forming an interconnecting series of bubbles made of carbon dioxide and water vapor.

The laser beam stacks a pattern of bubbles along the periphery of the treatment plane, leaving an unseparated section of tissue to act as a hinge. As with a traditional LASIK approach, the surgeon then folds the tissue back to expose the underlying corneal layer to prepare for the excimer laser treatment that will re-shape the cornea. With Intralasik, surgeons can avoid the complications related to surgical blade problems. The Intralase laser precisely delivers the laser energy directly to the outer surface of the cornea, which suffers no trauma. A higher degree of accuracy in both the depth and size of the corneal flap is now possible with Intralase.

There are a number of valuable benefits that this form of surgery provides.

1) Safety

This is the most valuable advantage of Intralasik and the main reason why Optimax invested in this expensive technology. With the accuracy and safety checks offered by Intralase, major complications do not occur.

2) Precision

Flap measurements are highly accurate.This provides the surgeon with confidence to :

a) Treat patients previously rejected because of thin corneas.
b) Avoid the risk of ectasia - a complication that can occur from an unexpectedly thick flap. In ectasia the cornea is thinned beyond the margin of safety resulting in instability.
c) No induced changes in refraction which can occur with irregularly thick flaps from LASIK affecting visual outcome.

3) Outcomes

By being able to cut the initial flap in such a controlled fashion, we are able to closely predict our results. In creating such precise and uniform flaps we avoid surprises of new astigmatism and aberrations.

Technology

Intralase FS60 for flap creation on IntraLasik, Custom IntraLasik and
PAC IntraLasik.

The VASTLY IMPROVED 4th GENERATION INTRALASE called the IntraLase-FS60 (femtosecond) has been introduced at Optimax ,
Malaysia to create BLADE-FREE LASIK flaps.( The conventional alternative, is when the LASIK flap was created using a microkeratome with a blade.)

4th GENERATION INTRALASE-FS60 HAS VAST IMPROVEMENTS FROM LESSONS LEARNT FROM THE 1ST GENERATION INTRALASE:

• Twice as fast procedure time (usually less than 20 seconds).
• Enhanced patient comfort and safety during the procedure.
• Improved flap quality creation software.
• Smoother corneal surfaces than before, for better results.
• Administers less energy to the cornea for greater safety.

THINNER FLAPS CAN BE CREATED TO SAVE CORNEAL TISSUE!

Of course the biggest benefit of 4th Generation IntraLase-FS60 is the increased SAFETY and PRECISION from its older version of ALL-LASER BLADE-FREE procedure.

How does IntraLase-FS60 Laser Work?

• Pulsing at a speed of one-quadrillionth of a second, the laser uses an infrared beam of light to prepare the flap.
• The Intralase has pulses that are focused within the tissue to create an incision below the surface of the corneal tissue.
• A series of closely-spaced bubbles of 2-3 micron in diameter each, is created, which are absorbed into the tissue and leave a cavity in the stroma. (Hence the tissue above created is the flap used for Lasik)
• The process takes under 15 seconds, on average ( twice faster than the older version).
• The surgeon then lifts the flap to proceed with the Excimer Laser sculpting.
• The surgeon can precisely control laser specifications for flap diameter, depth, and edge angle.

In short there is no longer any worry about irregular or non-perfect flaps for Lasik!

What is Short-sightedness?

2009-03-11T01:11:00.000-07:00

Normal Eye Myopic Eye

Shortsightedness occurs when the eyeball is too long or the corneal curvature is too steep. This causes light rays to focus at a point in front of the retina, rather than directly on its surface. Shortsighted people have difficulty reading objects at a distance, but can see for up-close tasks. Shortsightedness runs in families and usually appears in childhood. This vision problem may stabilize at a certain stage, although sometimes it worsens with age.

Signs and symptoms

People who are shortsighted often complain of headaches, eyestrain, squinting and fatigue when driving, playing sports, or looking at distant.

Treatment

Shortsightedness may be corrected with glasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery. Depending on your vision problem, you may need to wear your glasses or contact lenses all the time, or only when you need distance vision, like driving, seeing a chalkboard or watching a movie.

What is French nail manicure

2009-02-13T03:13:00.000-08:00

Fashion experts have differing views on the French manicure. Some think that the French manicure has gone pass and outdated, while some are of the opinion that the French manicure is a classic that will never go out of style. But whatever the fashion gurus think, many women go for the French manicure because of its simplicity and the natural look that it evokes. The French manicure also gives the nails that clean, well-groomed appearance that is neither flashy nor fussy.

But first, what is a French manicure? A French manicure is a style of polishing the nails wherein white paint is applied to the tips of the fingernails, and the rest of the nails are given a pink coat or painted with sheer polish that is colored either pale pink or very light beige. The French manicure is very good for short nails and nails that have a moderate length.

Before you start giving your nails a French manicure, make sure you have followed the general rule for putting on nail polish. You should prep your nails first by removing old nail polish with acetone remover. Then go and clean your nails and give them a trim.

Once you are done cleaning and trimming your nails, go ahead and apply a base coat to your nails. Keep this base coat thin and even. Afterwards, put a tip guide to your nail. This is supposed to cover the lower part of your nail as well as follow the curve of your nail tip's natural white. When you are done with that, apply white polish to the exposed tips of your fingernails, and then let them dry. Keep the area that you will paint white thin. If you go too widely on the white paint, your nails will look chunky. Also, if you do not feel comfortable with stark white tips, you can use off-white polish instead.

When the white polish on the tips of your fingernails is dry, remove the nail tip guides thoroughly. And then, paint the entire length of your nails with a beige polish. Two coats of this polish may be necessary. After this, put a layer of top coat on your nails. This is the last step; after putting on the top coat, dry your nails and make sure they dry completely.

To extend the life of your French manicure and to keep your nails nice and looking well-groomed, you should make it a point to apply an extra layer of top coat on your nails every night.

For all its seeming simplicity, putting on a French manicure can get really tricky. Most drugstores and beauty shops sell readily-assembled nail polishing kits especially made for the French manicure. If you need extra help, you can find these kits very useful.

If you want to try out the French manicure but you are afraid to do it yourself, you can always visit a nail salon and have your nails done there. French manicure often costs extra than a regular polish because of the degree of accuracy needed for the job. It may be an expense, but it is worth it.

Here are just a few samples of our French Manicure nail pics. The pics have been sent in by lots of generous nail techs from all over the world for your enjoyment.

a pretty addition to a French pedicure.	Give your footsies the royal treatment!	xxxxxxxxxxxx	the traditional pink and white.
Black tips are an unexpected addition.	Add jewels		A splash of red gives nails added punch.
Who says French nails must be boring?	Dress up your French manicure	Short, blunt nails are ideal for the office.	Long, square-tipped French nails

Celebrity Eye, Nail and Hairstyles Care

2008-10-26T06:39:00.000-07:00

There are a number of factors that come into play when you are creating a superb hairstyle. You should go with a hairstyle that matches your personality, rather than one that is classic. Certain hairstyles tend to complement individual facial shapes better than others do. So you should start experimenting with different hairstyles a few months before the prom. If you don't already use hair care products on a regular basis you should start using them, and you should schedule regular hair trims to keep those split ends in check months before prom night. Whatever you do, don't make any drastic hairstyle changes prior to the prom.

The nail is made of a hard protein called keratin. A protein is one of the building blocks which make up the body. The nail care help protect the ends of the fingers and toes from trauma and also help us pick up small objects.

Over the last hundred years, the nails have become more important for cosmetic reasons and less important for protection.

Manicuring is the care of the hands and nails. Basic manicuring should be done once a week. Every 4-6 weeks it is a good idea to seek the services of a professional manicure. A professional manicurist best knows how to keep your nails looking healthy and beautiful. Obviously much of what you will find in these pages applies to anyone who wants to maintain health, beautiful and long nails.

Keeping your hands looking clean, feminine, and polished does not require weekly trips to the manicurist! Find easy nail care tips to get the perfect nails you have always wanted..

Grime
No need for grimy mitts. Just give your hands a scrub with mild soap and warm water before you go out, using a nailbrush to get the gunge out from under your nails. Oil on hands and under nails can be got rid of with a bit of swarfega, or other cleansing agents.

Infections
If your nails go crumbly and whitish or yellowish and separate slightly from the nail bed then it could be a nail fungus infection. Speak to your doctor, who can prescribe an anti-fungal paint to get rid of it. If you get hangnails or loose skin down the side of the nail, trim it off with sharp scissors to reduce the risk of the skin tearing or infections getting into the skin.

Basic Nail Care

* Wash hands with mild soap, using a nailbrush.
* Soak the hands in warm water for a few minutes to soften the cuticles (the bits of skin at the bottom of the nails).
* Very gently push back the cuticles if they are long and ragged.
* Trim the nails to the same length, cutting off any snaggy or spiky bits.
* File the ends of the nails to smooth them off.
* If your hands are dry, apply some hand cream (it doesn't have to be the girly stuff that stinks of flowers, lads).

Don't Bite!
Nail bitting isn't exactly seductive, try an anti-biting nail paint. Tastes absolutely disgusting, but will stop you putting your fingers in your mouth so often.

Can Nails Reveal about Your Health?

2008-10-25T06:51:00.000-07:00

Source: www.nailcareguide.com

Take a look at your fingernails. Are they strong and healthy-looking? Or do you see ridges, or areas of unusual color or shape? The condition of your nails may offer clues to your general health. Illness can cause changes in your nails that your doctor can use to develop diagnose. Here are a few nail disorders that may be linked with illnesses:

Beau's lines — Indentations that run across your nail. This can appear when growth at the matrix (nail root) is disturbed by severe illness such as a heart attack, measles, or pneumonia.
Clubbing — Your fingertips widen and become round while the nails curve around your fingertips. Caused by enlargement in connective tissue as compensation for a chronic lack of oxygen. Lung disease is present in 80 percent of people who have clubbed fingers.
Half-and-Half (Lindsay's nails) — Look for an arc of brownish discoloration. May appear in a small percentage of people who have a kidney disorder.
Onycholysis — The nail separates from the nail bed. Most of the time, this problem is associated with physical injury (trauma), psoriasis, drug reactions, fungal disease or contact dermatitis from using nail hardeners. Sometimes onycholysis can be related to an over - or under-active thyroid gland, iron deficiency, or syphilis.
Spoon nails — Soft nails that look scooped out. Depression is usually large enough to hold a drop of liquid. This condition often indicates iron deficiency.
Terry's nails — The nail looks opaque and white, but the nail tip has a dark pink to brown band. This can be a symptom of cirrhosis, congestive heart failure, adult-onset diabetes, cancer, or aging.

*Remember that the nail conditions described above are in no way definitive proof of a bigger health problem. Please consult with a medical professional for a reliable diagnosis.

The Solution for Splitting Nails

2008-10-24T06:56:00.000-07:00

Frustrated by fragile fingernails? Try this.

Many women are plagued by fingernails that split and crack. What's causing this? Like body shape, skin tone, and hair texture, our nails' ability to grow is largely hereditary -- so if your mom had weak nails, you're likely to have them, too. That said, there are things you can do to avoid much of the splitting:

Protect your nails from water. Keep your hands out of H2O, since water can actually dry out nails, causing them to split. Be sure to wear gloves when doing dishes or cleaning.

Apply hand cream religiously. Look for a rich formula, which will seal moisture into nails, making them stronger and more flexible. And be sure to slather on cream every time you wash your hands. Dermatologists often recommend Elon Lanolin-Rich Nail Conditioner.

Limit use of nail polish remover. It contains alcohol and other chemicals which make nails brittle. Use remover no more than once a week.

Buff instead of polish. Nail polish can have a drying effect on weak nails. To get a shiny, polished effect, try a buffer. The friction it creates actually stimulates nail growth.

Keep nail length manageable. Go for no more than a quarter-inch beyond the tip of your finger, and keep nails filed into resilient soft ovals.

If you try the above with no success, consult a dermatologist.

What Causes Ingrown Nails?

2008-10-23T07:03:00.000-07:00

An ingrown toenail is caused by pressure of the nail against the skin on the side of the nail. Prolonged periods of pressure can cause irritation of the skin, swelling, infection, and pain. Ingrown nails are seen mainly in the big toes of people in industrialized nations. People in cultures that don't wear shoes rarely get ingrown nails.

Causes of Ingrown Toenails

There are several factors that can lead to an ingrown toenail. The first is an abnormality of the soft tissue on the side of the nail. Certain rare diseases can cause a laxity of the skin, but the most common soft tissue abnormality is that seen with tight-fitting shoes. The shoes cause overcrowding of the toes pushing the soft tissue against the edge of the nail. Another common factor that can lead to ingrown toenails is nail abnormalities.

Improperly cutting the toenail, cutting it short and curved, can cause the nail edges to turn in. Certain conditions such as lung disease, advancing age, and poor circulation in the extremities from blocked blood vessels can cause the nail to curve. Other less common factors that can lead to ingrown nails are bone spurs under the nail, trauma to the nail, multiple infections, and drugs such as indinavir.

Appearance of Ingrown Toenails

There are three stages of ingrown toenails. In the first stage the skin on either side of the nail is red and painful to the touch. This is due to inflammation or irritation only - not infection. In the second stage the skin is infected and may bulge over the side of the nail. The affected area may ooze clear fluid or pus. In the third stage the skin has been infected for a prolonged time and is trying to heal itself. The skin does this by forming granulation tissue. This is heaped up extra red tissue that bleeds easily and migrates over the nail edge.

Diagnosis of Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are diagnosed clinically by their appearance. If pus is present, it may be cultured to determine the bacteria involved, but this is not always necessary. Infections that involve the bone or joint space may need to be ruled out with an X-ray, but this extent of infection is rare.

Treatment of Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are treated based on the stage involved. Toenails in stage 1 can be treated with warm soaks, a cutout shoe, and by elevating the nail with a cotton swab. Symptoms improve after a couple of days, but may not resolve for 2 to 3 weeks. Toenails in stage 2 can be treated with warm soaks and oral antibiotics. Closed-toed shoes and hosiery should not be worn for at least 1 week. If the toenail is especially painful, a portion of the toenail may need to be removed. This is done in the office under local anesthesia. Toenails in stage 3 need to be treated with partial or full toenail removal. For recurrent instances of ingrown nails, the nail bed can be ablated. This is done by placing phenol on a cotton swab and inserting it under the cuticle remaining after the nail has been removed. The phenol kills the matrix cells that make the nail plate.

Diabetics and Ingrown Toenails

People with diabetes must pay close attention to their feet. Diabetics can develop peripheral neuropathies and loose the sensation in their feet. They are also predisposed to getting unusual infections because of the changes in their immune systems. Finally, diabetes can cause the toenails to thicken and curve under leading to ingrown toenails. For all of these reasons, people with diabetes should report any redness around the toenails to their health care provider even if they don't have pain. Diabetics with thickened toenails should see a podiatrist to have their nails trimmed under antiseptic conditions.

Nail care becomes part of daily life

2008-10-22T07:12:00.000-07:00

By Lee Joo-hee

SEOUL: Song Ji-youn, a 27-year-old office worker, has only one thing on her mind after a gruelling day at work.

Taking off to a trendy street in Apgujeong, Song enters her haven — a shop where she can get her nails done.

Professional nailcarhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gife business was first introduced here in the late 1990s and began rapidly booming recently. It has now become one of the fastest spreading industries across the country.

“Good evening,” familiar artists call out in unison as Song enters the door of her favourite nailcare shop “Bennett”. It is among more than five nailcare salons lined up on the same street opposite the Galleria Department Store.

She finds her nail technician and sits down, clunks her hands forward and immediately starts chatting away about how her boss has been giving her a hard time. The artist smiles and nods, quickly moving her hands to tend to Song’s chipped nails.

read more ...

Artificial Nails

2008-10-21T07:20:00.000-07:00

There are several types of artificial nails. No matter which nail type you choose, the first session will always take some time, since the manicurist must file the whole natural nail and lay some adhesive to tighten the wrapper or the artificial nail tips to the size and the shape of the nail. Then, in both cases maintenance is needed, although acrylic ones are more durable. The following items explain their main features and differences:

Wraps: These are basically a tissue that wraps the nail with very strong resins. The most common ones are called silk or fiberglass. They just differ in the type of tissue used - silk nails show the texture of the material, so they must always be varnished in color, covering or disguising them properly. In general terms, after wrapping the nail, artificial nail tips are added to enlarge them.

read more ..

Nail care becomes part of daily life

2008-10-20T07:12:00.000-07:00

By Lee Joo-hee

SEOUL: Song Ji-youn, a 27-year-old office worker, has only one thing on her mind after a gruelling day at work.

Taking off to a trendy street in Apgujeong, Song enters her haven — a shop where she can get her nails done.

Professional nailcare business was first introduced here in the late 1990s and began rapidly booming recently. It has now become one of the fastest spreading industries across the country.

“Good evening,” familiar artists call out in unison as Song enters the door of her favourite nailcare shop “Bennett”. It is among more than five nailcare salons lined up on the same street opposite the Galleria Department Store.

She finds her nail technician and sits down, clunks her hands forward and immediately starts chatting away about how her boss has been giving her a hard time. The artist smiles and nods, quickly moving her hands to tend to Song’s chipped nails.

read more ...

Artificial Nails - Applying Acrylic Nails

2008-09-01T20:48:00.000-07:00

By Anna Lynn C. Sibal

Artificial nails, or acrylic nails, are very pretty. You can have them at any length and at any color. You can indulge in the whimsical and have designs painted on them. You can even have artificial nails pierced and wear nail rings.
What are acrylic nails? Acrylic nails are also known as fake nails, artificial nails that are glued onto the real nails. A lot of women like wearing them for various reasons. Some women feel that wearing long nails make them feel pretty and feminine, but they find that letting their real nails grow longer instead of wearing acrylic nails can be too much of a hassle. Real nails, after all, can get very brittle if allowed to grow long, and they chip off. read more..

Beautiful Nails

2008-08-31T21:10:00.000-07:00

By Kathryn M. D.Imperio

Much like fingerprints, nail shapes and sizes are also unique to the individual. You may find similarities between your nails and those of a parent or sibling, but fingernails come in many shapes and sizes. If you�ve ever looked at a friend�s manicure, you may notice that hers does not look identical to yours. Why is that? Well, for starters, your nail bed may be longer or shorter, wider or narrower than your friend�s nail bed.
The nail bed is the part of your skin where the actual nail rests. Your nail bed may also differ from your mother�s, your sister�s, your cousin�s, as well as from complete strangers. This is because nail beds come in different shapes suited to the anatomy of the individual. read more..

When the nail are crooked and have different shapes, a square nail shape is best

2008-08-30T21:17:00.000-07:00

Did you know that different skin tones reflect the same nail polish shades differently? In other words, certain nail polish colors may look better on you, or your friend, depending on the tone of your skin. If you don�t already know the tone of your skin, you can find out by simply consulting a beautician or your own stylist.
If a person has red tone to her complexion, reds don't always look good, but if you must, make sure it is blue-red, not an orange-red, "Carolyn Cianciotto explains." If one has yellow tones, beige will look yellow. Pinks are nice for people with a lot of yellow in their skin.

Aechieve

2008-07-15T20:53:00.000-07:00

How To Polish Your Nail

Shape the nail using nail cutter and nail filer

Dip and soak the hands in luke warm water to which liquid soap or shampoo is added

Buff the cuticle with some cream and push the cuticle back gently using cuticle pusher

Clean the nail using orange stick and cotton dipped in Antiseptic lotion

Apply the first coat of nail polish

When the first coat is dried and hard apply the second coat. Do not dab but stroke in on with three even strokes starting at the base and sweeping up to the top

Allow to dry thoroughly in between the coats

Hollow Eyes

2008-07-12T05:58:00.000-07:00

Many people have a deep hollow beneath the lower eyelid which creates a dark shadow beneath the eyelid which people call dark circles under the eyes. This deep hollow beneath the lower eyelid is caused by an inherited deficiency of fat and or bone and treatment of this type of dark circle under the eye requires surgery.

Celebrity Eye Care

2008-07-11T04:15:00.000-07:00

To better understand the treatment of dark circles under the eyes I will discuss the various types of dark circles under the eyes that I encounter in my plastic surgery practice and my understanding of the cause of the dark circles, and what I feel is the most effective treatment to remove the dark circles under the eyes

Celebrity Eye Care

2008-07-10T04:18:00.000-07:00

Understand that the eyelid skin appears darker than the surrounding facial skin in all people-this is the normal condition and is caused by shadows created by the overhanging brow and the fact that the eyelid skin is much thinner than the surrounding facial skin. Below I am talking about exaggerated dark circles under the eyes that cause people to be unhappy with their appearance.

Celebrity Eye Care

2008-07-09T04:22:00.000-07:00

The eyelid skin is the thinnest in the body and many people with dark circles under the eyes have extremely thin skin on their eyelids and around the eyes. This thin skin is an inherited trait. The dark circles under the eyes are caused by the fact that the purple color of the underlying eyelid muscle shows through the thin skin and creates a bluish or purple color. The color is darkest near the nose and on the lower eyelid near the nose.

How About This Eye

2008-07-08T04:32:00.000-07:00

Treatment of dark circles under the eyes caused by thin skin is very difficult because it is very difficult to make your inherited skin thicker. Cover up make up like Jayne Iredale Eye Cover, Dermablend, and Covermark are very helpful and my first recommendation. Frequent microdermabrasion and Retin A cream over a long period of time will build new collagen in the dermis will thicken the skin and provide some improvement.

Eyeshadow is a revolutionary solution

2008-07-07T04:34:00.000-07:00

to ensure perfect eyeshadow application every time. Press the shadow applicator onto your lid and smooth over the lid with your fingers, then remove the sheet! Left on your lid is creamy eye-color that can be blended up to your browbone with your fingertip. When you're pleased with the result, apply the finishing powder and you'll have a lasting crease-free shadow application!

Smokey Eye Look

2008-07-06T04:37:00.000-07:00

what else can make you as desirable and seductive? Nothing, I am afraid :) So, here are seven steps that taught me to get that Smokey Eye Look men simply can’t resist!

Begin by applying a light shade of concealer to the under eye area, and all over the top lid. Your mineral makeup foundation is a great concealer for this step and prepares your Eyes for the eyeshadow that you are going to apply.

Sexy Smoky Eye

2008-07-05T04:43:00.000-07:00

Everyone loves that smoky-eyed look! Here is how you can pull it off easily.

Enviable Eyes

2008-07-04T04:47:00.000-07:00

The Arcus Deformity discussed below creates a very severe dark circle in people with thin eyelid skin and correction of the Arcus deformity with Arcus release and fat grafting can be very helpful treatment for dark circles under the eye in these individuals.

make your eyeliner stay put the entire day

2008-07-03T05:22:00.000-07:00

Everyone has veins and blood vessels called capillaries in their eyelid skin. In many people however the veins are very prominent and the blood vessels add to the dark color of the eyelid. To diagnose this cause of dark circles look in a mirror with bright light on your face and gently pull the skin of the lower eyelid tight. You will see many tiny branching red and blue lines which represent blood vessels.

Sexy Eye-Popping Eyeliner

2008-07-02T05:30:00.000-07:00

You need blood vessels and veins to keep your eyelid healthy and alive. However when there is an abundance of smaller vessels which create a bluish or purplish hue to the lower eyelid some new IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) or laser therapies can be used to treat dark circles under the eyes in people with an excess of small capillaries and blood vessels. The very large veins cannot be treated.

Thick black eyeliner feline style

2008-07-01T05:37:00.000-07:00

Laser blood vessel treatment is a serious and potentially dangerous treatment for dark circles under the eyes and must be performed by a physician who is experienced in the use of lasers and IPL. Most importantly the eye must be protected by placing a shield over the eye during treatment so that the laser or IPL light cannot hit the eye. The laser and IPL light can damage the retina and destroy vision if the beams hit the unprotected eye.

Sultry smoky eyes

2008-06-30T05:42:00.000-07:00

Hyper pigmentation, too much pigment in the skin of the eyelid is a very common cause of dark circles under the eyes. Treatment of dark circles under the eyes caused by hyper pigmentation is very effective, but the pigment frequently returns after sun exposure. Hyper pigmentation of the lower eyelids occurs because of sun exposure and prevention with sun block, sun glasses, and a hat are the most important first treatment for this type of dark circles under the eyes.

Sexy Eyes

2008-06-29T05:45:00.000-07:00

After the above treatments have lessened the pigmentation causing the dark circles under the eyes, if necessary I proceed to IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatments. These treatments do effectively remove pigment causing the dark circle but again experience and eye protection are very necessary to prevent eye injury.

Our eyelid skin becomes loose or lax

2008-06-28T06:32:00.000-07:00

As we age and our eyelid skin becomes loose or lax, the eyelid skin also falls or sags over the depression caused by the Arcus deformity and the dark circle gets worse. With aging and excess protrusion of fat against the lower eyelid the Arcus deformity can become quite pronounced.

Older-eyelids

2008-06-27T06:37:00.000-07:00

By contrast the Arcus Deformity occurs in much younger patients including children. Most people seeking treatment for dark circles under the eyes in my plastic surgery practice are in their 20’s and 30’s. Doctors often misdiagnose the Arcus Deformity as the Tear Trough Deformity which is a major problem if a Tear Trough Implant is used to treat the dark circle. The Tear Trough Implant is designed to plump or correct the depression in the cheek out toward the side of the face, and in my experience the Tear Trough Implant cannot adequately correct the dark circle under the eye where it is deepest, near the corner of the lower eyelid near the nose.

Celebrity Eye Care

2008-06-26T04:07:00.000-07:00

Effective treatment for removal of dark circles under the eyes must be directed at the underlying cause of the dark circles. Millions of people complain of dark circles under the eyes but the underlying cause of the dark circles varies greatly. Treatments for dark circles that do not correct the underlying cause of the dark circle do not work. There is an incredible array of treatments for dark circles including cucumber slices, tea bags, vanishing creams, bleaching creams, lasers, surgery, more sleep, avoid TV and computer, drink 2 liters of water a day etc, yet few of these regimens seem to be directed at the underlying cause of the dark circles under the eyes.

2008-06-25T06:07:00.000-07:00

The hollow eye occurs more commonly in people from Central Asia and the Middle East but it certainly occurs in all races and from people in all regions of the world. To treat dark circles under the eyes in people who have hollow eyes I do a laser procedure called an Arcus Marginalis release and fat grafting. The Arcus Marginalis is a structure which tethers the lower eyelid to the bone and creates a dark circle when the eyelid skin above the dark circle falls over the dark circle creating a shadow. Releasing the Arcus Marginalis releases the eyelid skin and eliminates the crease or dark circle.

Dark circle and correct the hollow eye appearance.

2008-06-24T06:09:00.000-07:00

Usually, to treat the dark circle under the eyes caused by the hollow eye I have to take fat from around the belly button on the abdomen to have enough fat to adequately fill the hollow eye deformity. The incision to remove the fat is well hidden down inside the belly button and is usually not visible.

Treatment of dark circles under the eyes

2008-06-23T06:11:00.000-07:00

Treatment of dark circles under the eyes caused by the hollow eye usually takes me 45 minutes to an hour, can be done with you asleep or awake, and recovery is usually 10 days. Patients do not complain of pain afterwards. The main recovery is waiting for bruising to go away and blurred vision from eye ointment that I have you use for the first week or two. Most importantly after this treatment you need to be calm, rest and not exert yourself. Working out or heavy lifting can raise your blood pressure and cause bleeding. Although you will be up and around the first few days with sunglasses to cover your bruising, I do not want you to exercise or lift heavy objects for at least 2 weeks.

The Arcus Deformity-the True dark Circle under the Eye

2008-06-22T06:13:00.000-07:00

The most common cause of dark circles under the eyes in patients who seek treatment of dark circles under the eyes in my plastic surgery practice is the Arcus Deformity. The Arcus Deformity is a dark crescent shaped circle or depression which occurs beneath the lower eyelid starting beside the nose in the corner of the eye and running out toward the side of the face and curving upward towards the outside corner of the eye.

The Arcus Deformity

2008-06-21T06:15:00.000-07:00

The Arcus Deformity is caused by the fact that a small structure beneath the lower eyelid called the Arcus Marginalis is attached to the bone of the eye socket and also attached to the lower eyelid from underneath. This attachment tethers or holds the eyelid close to the bone of the eye socket while the rest of the lower eyelid is loose and free to move. The normal fat which is beneath the eyeball pushes out against the lower eyelid which creates a visible bulge on the lower eyelid. You can see this by closing one eye and gently pressing on the closed eye. With your other eye you will see the bulging of the fat against the closed lower eyelid on the other side.

Arcus Marginalis

2008-06-20T06:18:00.001-07:00

The eyelid skin that is tethered by the Arcus Marginalis cannot move or bulge, and as the fat bulges the lower eyelid above the Arcus Marginalis it creates a shadow or dark circle beneath the eyelid where the Arcus Marginalis is attached to the lower eyelid skin. This is the true dark circle under the eyes.

Arcus Marginalis

2008-06-19T06:18:00.000-07:00

The Treatment of Dark Circles Under the Eyes With the Arcus Marginalis Release

2008-05-04T19:41:00.000-07:00

Author: Dr Brooke R. Seckel

Effective treatment for removal of dark circles under the eyes must be directed at the underlying cause of the dark circles. Millions of people complain of dark circles under the eyes but the underlying cause of the dark circles varies greatly. Treatments for dark circles that do not correct the underlying cause of the dark circle do not work. There is an incredible array of treatments for dark circles including cucumber slices, tea bags, vanishing creams, bleaching creams, lasers, surgery, more sleep, avoid TV and computer, drink 2 liters of water a day etc, yet few of these regimens seem to be directed at the underlying cause of the dark circles under the eyes.

To better understand the treatment of dark circles under the eyes I will discuss the various types of dark circles under the eyes that I encounter in my plastic surgery practice and my understanding of the cause of the dark circles, and what I feel is the most effective treatment to remove the dark circles under the eyes.

Understand that the eyelid skin appears darker than the surrounding facial skin in all people-this is the normal condition and is caused by shadows created by the overhanging brow and the fact that the eyelid skin is much thinner than the surrounding facial skin. Below I am talking about exaggerated dark circles under the eyes that cause people to be unhappy with their appearance.

Causes of Dark Circles under the Eyes

Thin Eyelid Skin

The eyelid skin is the thinnest in the body and many people with dark circles under the eyes have extremely thin skin on their eyelids and around the eyes. This thin skin is an inherited trait. The dark circles under the eyes are caused by the fact that the purple color of the underlying eyelid muscle shows through the thin skin and creates a bluish or purple color. The color is darkest near the nose and on the lower eyelid near the nose.

Treatment of dark circles under the eyes caused by thin skin is very difficult because it is very difficult to make your inherited skin thicker. Cover up make up like Jayne Iredale Eye Cover, Dermablend, and Covermark are very helpful and my first recommendation. Frequent microdermabrasion and Retin A cream over a long period of time will build new collagen in the dermis will thicken the skin and provide some improvement.

There are new lasers on the horizon which are very effective at stimulating new growth of collagen in the dermis and these new technologies may prove very beneficial. Be sure to sign up for my free newsletter to be informed when these new technologies are available.

The Arcus Deformity discussed below creates a very severe dark circle in people with thin eyelid skin and correction of the Arcus deformity with Arcus release and fat grafting can be very helpful treatment for dark circles under the eye in these individuals.

Prominent Eyelid Blood vessels and Veins

Everyone has veins and blood vessels called capillaries in their eyelid skin. In many people however the veins are very prominent and the blood vessels add to the dark color of the eyelid.

To diagnose this cause of dark circles look in a mirror with bright light on your face and gently pull the skin of the lower eyelid tight. You will see many tiny branching red and blue lines which represent blood vessels.

You need blood vessels and veins to keep your eyelid healthy and alive. However when there is an abundance of smaller vessels which create a bluish or purplish hue to the lower eyelid some new IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) or laser therapies can be used to treat dark circles under the eyes in people with an excess of small capillaries and blood vessels. The very large veins cannot be treated.

Laser blood vessel treatment is a serious and potentially dangerous treatment for dark circles under the eyes and must be performed by a physician who is experienced in the use of lasers and IPL. Most importantly the eye must be protected by placing a shield over the eye during treatment so that the laser or IPL light cannot hit the eye. The laser and IPL light can damage the retina and destroy vision if the beams hit the unprotected eye.

Pigmentation of the Eyelids

Hyper pigmentation, too much pigment in the skin of the eyelid is a very common cause of dark circles under the eyes. Treatment of dark circles under the eyes caused by hyper pigmentation is very effective, but the pigment frequently returns after sun exposure.

Hyper pigmentation of the lower eyelids occurs because of sun exposure and prevention with sun block, sun glasses, and a hat are the most important first treatment for this type of dark circles under the eyes.

The treatment of hyper pigmentation begins with bleaching creams such as a combination of Retin A and 4% Hydroquinone, Obagi Blender 5, Epiquin or other prescription bleaching cream combined with microdermabrasion.

After the above treatments have lessened the pigmentation causing the dark circles under the eyes, if necessary I proceed to IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatments. These treatments do effectively remove pigment causing the dark circle but again experience and eye protection are very necessary to prevent eye injury.

Hollow Eyes

Many people have a deep hollow beneath the lower eyelid which creates a dark shadow beneath the eyelid which people call dark circles under the eyes.

This deep hollow beneath the lower eyelid is caused by an inherited deficiency of fat and or bone and treatment of this type of dark circle under the eye requires surgery.

The hollow eye occurs more commonly in people from Central Asia and the Middle East but it certainly occurs in all races and from people in all regions of the world.

To treat dark circles under the eyes in people who have hollow eyes I do a laser procedure called an Arcus Marginalis release and fat grafting. The Arcus Marginalis is a structure which tethers the lower eyelid to the bone and creates a dark circle when the eyelid skin above the dark circle falls over the dark circle creating a shadow. Releasing the Arcus Marginalis releases the eyelid skin and eliminates the crease or dark circle.

I then transplant fat to fill the hollow in the bone and plump the dark circle and correct the hollow eye appearance.

Usually, to treat the dark circle under the eyes caused by the hollow eye I have to take fat from around the belly button on the abdomen to have enough fat to adequately fill the hollow eye deformity. The incision to remove the fat is well hidden down inside the belly button and is usually not visible.

Treatment of dark circles under the eyes caused by the hollow eye usually takes me 45 minutes to an hour, can be done with you asleep or awake, and recovery is usually 10 days. Patients do not complain of pain afterwards. The main recovery is waiting for bruising to go away and blurred vision from eye ointment that I have you use for the first week or two. Most importantly after this treatment you need to be calm, rest and not exert yourself. Working out or heavy lifting can raise your blood pressure and cause bleeding. Although you will be up and around the first few days with sunglasses to cover your bruising, I do not want you to exercise or lift heavy objects for at least 2 weeks.

The Arcus Deformity-the True dark Circle under the Eye

The most common cause of dark circles under the eyes in patients who seek treatment of dark circles under the eyes in my plastic surgery practice is the Arcus Deformity.

The Arcus Deformity is a dark crescent shaped circle or depression which occurs beneath the lower eyelid starting beside the nose in the corner of the eye and running out toward the side of the face and curving upward towards the outside corner of the eye.

The Arcus Deformity is caused by the fact that a small structure beneath the lower eyelid called the Arcus Marginalis is attached to the bone of the eye socket and also attached to the lower eyelid from underneath. This attachment tethers or holds the eyelid close to the bone of the eye socket while the rest of the lower eyelid is loose and free to move. The normal fat which is beneath the eyeball pushes out against the lower eyelid which creates a visible bulge on the lower eyelid. You can see this by closing one eye and gently pressing on the closed eye. With your other eye you will see the bulging of the fat against the closed lower eyelid on the other side.

The eyelid skin that is tethered by the Arcus Marginalis cannot move or bulge, and as the fat bulges the lower eyelid above the Arcus Marginalis it creates a shadow or dark circle beneath the eyelid where the Arcus Marginalis is attached to the lower eyelid skin. This is the true dark circle under the eyes.

As we age and our eyelid skin becomes loose or lax, the eyelid skin also falls or sags over the depression caused by the Arcus deformity and the dark circle gets worse. With aging and excess protrusion of fat against the lower eyelid the Arcus deformity can become quite pronounced.

older-eyelids.jpg

The Arcus Deformity is the true dark circle under the eye and I use the term Arcus Deformity to differentiate it from the Tear Trough Deformity which is different. The Tear Trough Deformity starts near the corner of the eye in the same location as the Arcus Deformity but the Tear Trough Deformity runs down into the cheek rather than up toward the outside corner of the eye.

The Tear Trough Deformity is a sign of advanced facial aging and is caused by the sagging or descent of the cheek into the middle of the face which occurs with facial aging in your 50’s and 60’s. Tears run down the cheek and out the side of the face through the Tear Trough instead of straight down the cheek as they do in a child.

By contrast the Arcus Deformity occurs in much younger patients including children. Most people seeking treatment for dark circles under the eyes in my plastic surgery practice are in their 20’s and 30’s. Doctors often misdiagnose the Arcus Deformity as the Tear Trough Deformity which is a major problem if a Tear Trough Implant is used to treat the dark circle. The Tear Trough Implant is designed to plump or correct the depression in the cheek out toward the side of the face, and in my experience the Tear Trough Implant cannot adequately correct the dark circle under the eye where it is deepest, near the corner of the lower eyelid near the nose.

The treatment for dark circles under the eyes caused by the Arcus Deformity must include release of the Arcus Marginalis and fat repositioning or fat grafting to plump the area of the dark circle.

The traditional plastic surgery treatment for eyelid rejuvenation called the blepharoplasty, during which fat is removed, can actually make dark circles under the eyes worse and create a hollowed eye appearance.

Treatment of dark circles under the eyes that are caused by the Arcus deformity requires a modern blepharoplasty approach which includes release of the Arcus Marginalis and fat repositioning or fat grafting.

I use a very specific treatment for dark circles under the eyes called the transconjunctival blepharoplasty with Arcus release and fat grafting. This treatment is done through a tiny incision on the inside of the eyelid called a transconjunctival incision because it goes through the conjunctiva, the pink tissue on the inside of the lower eyelid. I also use the laser to make this incision.

The benefits of the laser transconjunctival incision are:

1. No visible scar or incision on the outside of the eyelid
2. No change in the shape of the lower eyelid-the traditional scalpel blepharoplasty through an external incision usually weakens the lower eyelid and causes a sad eyed look
3. Less bleeding during surgery
4. Less bruising after surgery
5. Quicker recovery

My results following treatment of dark circles under the eyes with the laser transconjunctival blepharoplasty with Arcus Marginalis release and fat grafting have been very successful. Most patients have recovered within a week and many who do not bruise are comfortable being seen with make up after 5 days.

Summary- Treatment of Dark Circles under the Eyes

To summarize, effective treatment of dark circles under the eyes requires that you correct the problem that is causing the dark circle under the eye. To accomplish this you must understand what type of dark circle under the eye you have and what is causing it.
Treatment of dark circles under the eyes is possible; the key is understanding the underlying cause of your dark circles. With proper diagnosis and treatment of dark circles under the eyes caused by the Arcus deformity beautiful results can be achieved with the transconjunctival Arcus release and fat grafting.

For more information on dark circles under the eyes contact me and feel free to send me photos of your eyes and I will tell you what I see after reviewing them.

Be sure to sign up for my free email newsletter
http://saveyourface.com/NewsLetter.html
as I often write about dark circles under the eyes and other topics on facial rejuvenation. I suggest you read my book Save Your Face which explains facial and eyelid aging and how to reverse and treat facial aging changes.

Dr Brooke R. Seckel
http://drseckel.com/

Concord, Massachusetts

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/

Burning Eyes – Causes of Burning Eyes

2008-05-03T20:10:00.000-07:00

Author: peterhutch

Burning eyes affects about 30% of reading glasses wearers at one time or another. It is the commonest symptom of dry eyes. Most just suffer in silence, but there are simple steps that can be taken to help the condition.

Eye burning with discharge is burning, itching, or drainage from the eye of any substance other than tears. Lots of different things can make your eyes burn. Smoke, pollen, or a viral infection such as a cold or the flu can cause eyes to itch, burn, water, and redden. In these cases the burning and itching usually go away when the irritant is removed.

Sometimes burning and itching eyes are due to environmental pollutants that might be eliminated by social action. If secondhand cigarette smoke is annoying, say so. If an industrial plant in the area is polluting, contact the EPA for solutions.

Unprotected eyes can also be burned by the ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, tanning lamps or arc welding equipment. Like sunburns to the skin, you won't feel pain until hours later, when the eyes and the area around them swell. Near-UV rays can damage your retina. The risk of sunburn to the eyes is very high when sunlight is reflected off water, sand or snow.

Causes of Burning eyes
Chronic dry or burning eyes can be caused by age, some medications, and disease. Itchy, burning eyelids can also result from infection.
Tears bathe the eye, washing out dust and debris and keeping the eye moist. They also contain enzymes that neutralize the microorganisms that colonize the eye. Tears are essential for good eye health.
Allergy is caused by an oversensitive immune system, which leads to a misdirected immune response. The immune system normally protects the body against harmful substances, such as bacteria and viruses. It reacts to substances (allergens) that are generally harmless and in most people do not cause a problem.

Sometimes burning and itching eyes are due to environmental pollutants that might be eliminated by social action. If secondhand cigarette smoke is annoying, say so. If an industrial plant in the area is polluting, contact the EPA for solutions.

Pink eye or viral conjunctivitis causes a red or bloodshot eye and excessive tearing. If you suspect pink eye, remember to wash your hands often, and avoid touching the unaffected eye. The infection will run its course in about 10 days.

During the normal aging process, our bodies and our eyes produce gradually less and less oil. This reduction in oil in the tear film results in quicker evaporation leading to the formation of dry spots on our eyes.

Treatment for Burning eyes

Artificial tears used four-to-six times a day can also relieve symptoms. Avoid over-the-counter eyedrops other than artificial tears because they will eventually make symptoms worse.

Antihistamines in the form of eye-drops or ointments may be prescribed. Cortisone-like eye ointments are not often prescribed. These medications will reduce many types of inflammation, but can make certain infections, such as herpes, worse.

Conserving the tears in your own eyes is another approach to keeping the eyes moist. Tears drain out of the eye through a small canal into the nose (that is why your nose runs when you cry). Your ophthalmologist may close these canals either temporarily or permanently. This closure conserves your own tears and makes artificial tears last longer.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/

Cool Tricks on De-puffing Your Eye Bags

2008-05-02T20:15:00.000-07:00

Author: Janet Martin

After crying a river of tears, having too much booze the night before, or spending little time for sleep, you may find yourself with red puffy eyes. Although you can cover your eye bags with a cool pair of sunglasses, you still have to deal with your eye problem when you have to remove your shades. What's more, bags under the eyes are usually accompanied by other problems such as dark circles or extreme redness.

Puffy eyes usually last for hours or a couple of days. If you are not going anywhere, it is actually good for you to just let nature determine when your poofed-up eyes are going to deflate. However, if you have an important meeting, a date, or you are going to attend a special occasion, having eye bag woes can really be annoying. Here are some tricks on how you can de-puff your eye bags in a jiffy:

Prevention Is Best

Some people are prone to eye bags, while others are not. If you are one of the individuals who seem to be prone to having swollen eyes, then you should stay away from things that are causing your eyes to puff.

If you have an important date, you should remember to sleep well the night before. Also, make sure that you don't go on an alcohol spree, which may be responsible for fluid retention. Getting easy with salty foods may also be a good idea because like alcohol, too much salt can also make you retain much water.

Simple Eye Massage

If you were not able to prevent your eyes from becoming swollen, then do not despair. There are plenty of things you can do, such as performing eye massage to help reduce inflammation.

Using your ring finger, simply massage your eye area in circular motion, starting from your nasal sinuses then to the cheeks. Make sure that you slightly push the skin upwards so as not to cause wrinkles. Repeat the massage for about five times on each eye. Gently massaging the area will help flush out pooled fluid faster.

Soothe Your Eyes With A Cool Eye Mask

Placing a chilled eye mask (choose the one without holes for more coverage) on your eyes for 10 to 15 minutes will help soothe your eyes. Moreover, your blood vessels will constrict or tighten due to the cold temperature. This will help facilitate draining of fluid located beneath the skin under your eyes. If you do not have a plastic eye mask, you can use chilled cucumbers or used teabags.

Stay Away From Hot Beverages

If you have swollen eyes, it would be best for you to drink plenty of cold water or other cold beverages. As mentioned earlier, the cool temperature encourages blood vessels to constrict, which will help in promoting better fluid drainage. Basically, the bags under your eyes are simply water or fluid that was not properly flushed out of your system.

Say No To Exfoliation

It would be best for you to skip using products that have ingredients such as salicylic acid, alpha hydroxy acid, and retinoids. These ingredients could irritate your skin and make swelling much worse.

Skip The Eyeliner

If you still have eye bags even after you performed the tricks above, then you need to skip eyeliner for the day. This makeup is used to enhance the shape of the eyes so if you have swollen eyes, the eyeliner will only highlight the flaw. Instead, use an eye shadow that is of the same shade of your upper eyelid to mask the swelling. You can also sweep the same color just beneath your lower lashes to help cover the flaw.

Since puffy eyes are usually accompanied by other eye problems, such as dark circles, crow's feet and wrinkles, you should use natural and high-quality eye creams. One eye product that could help reduce fine lines and skin discoloration around the eyes is Eyevive. For more details, visit http://www.eyevive.com/.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/

Lasik Eye Care: Stop Wearing Eye Glasses And Contact Lenses.

2008-04-30T20:22:00.000-07:00

By: Paul Courtney

The majority of us who suffer from astigmatism, hyperopia, and myopia can literally have our vision restored to a perfect 20/20, no need for eye glasses nor those annoying contact lenses. Anymore.

As you are probably aware lasers can be found in many applications such as when we check out library books, a laser gun or pen scans their codes with lightning speed. When we make purchases at a department store or supermarket, a laser reads the bar code on a product, in the blink of an eye. Also, police officers use a special hand held laser device, to determine when motorists are exceeding a certain area’s speed limit.. These applications have been around for a while. Now, lasers have even influenced the treatment of eye conditions, in the form of LASIK eye care.

What is a LASIK?

LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis. This is the latest tool available to Ophthalmologists to perform refractive laser eye surgery to correct the following common eye conditions:

1. astigmatism (slightly irregular shape of the front of the eye),
2. hyperopia (farsightedness),
3. myopia (nearsightedness).

The Lasik procedure is painless and typically requires less recovery time for the patient, than other vision-corrective surgeries.

LASIK May Be Right For You

If you decide to look into this method of eye care particular steps should be taken to determine if you are an ideal candidate for LASIK eye care. An ophthalmologist should first assess your eyes, to learn how healthy they are, what variety of vision correction you require. If all is well the amount of material that the laser should remove from the eye’s surface is determined. Normally, your physician will examine your eyes for symptoms of eye disease. If any problems are found they must be eliminated prior to your receiving LASIK eye care.

The mapping of the eye’s surface is usually done by a special machine which photographs your eye so as to “map” your cornea surface. to create the most precise mapping of abnormalities that are influencing your vision.

Finally, prior to the implementation of LASIK eye care it is necessary to determine if you are an ideal LASIK candidate, questions will need to be answered as to what medications you are taking, or other problems you have related to your health. Some health concerns will require LASIK surgery to be delayed, while others totally prohibit you from undergoing the procedure.

The Odds Of 20/20 And 20/40 Vision

Unfortunately, there is no central database which reveals LASIK’s vision results. The results of the procedure are primarily founded on different clinical studies. These studies related to the vision outcomes of LASIK do not share the same components. They reveal how many achieve 20/20 (perfect) vision, or 20/40 vision—the minimum visual clarity required to obtain a driver’s license.

These studies are usually carried out immediately after the LASIK eye care procedure, again several days later and after one, three, and six month intervals. This accounts for vision alterations after surgery.

Look, it is not for everybody, but if you are one of the fortunate ones why not go through LASIK eye care, have your vision restored and get rid of those eye glasses and contact lenses today.

Source: www.Isnare.com

Nail Fungus (Onychomycosis) – An Overview Of Nail Fungus Infection

2008-04-06T20:43:00.000-07:00

By: Darren W

Does the term Onychomycosis (on-ee-koh-my-ko-sis) sound bad to you? Wait till you see it. But better make sure they won’t be on your own nails or you might not want to see your fingers for a time. To give you an overview, Onychomycosis is the scientific name for nail fungal infection. This type of nail abnormality is caused by the bacterium called dermatophyte or tinea unguium, of which sources include yeasts and molds. This bacterium is also the source of such skin infections as athlete’s foot, jock itch, and the common ringworm.

Onychomycosis is 50 per cent more common than other nail disorders. It consists of several subtypes: Distal Subungual Onychomycosis (this takes place when the fungus affects the nailbed); White Superficial Onychomycosis (happens when the fungus forms "white islands" on the outer layers of the nail bed); Proximal Subungual Onychomycosis (if the fungus seeps through the proximal nail fold); Candidal Onychomycosis (is caused by the bacterium candida, when the nails are overexposed in water); Total Dystrophic Onychomycosis (when the nail plate is completely ruined).

Normally, men are more prone to nail fungal infection than women. Nail fungi can actually infect anyone but those with diabetes or leukemia should take extra care, the same goes for adults especially ages 60 and above. Having declining immune system and troubled blood circulation is what makes them more vulnerable.

This infection is characterized by the thickening and discoloration (yellow, white, or black of the nails. Minor pain is felt in the infected area while the nail slowly detaches from its plate. This kind of fungus easily spawns in warm and moist areas, thus, always finding settlement under our toenails and seldom on the fingernails.

How does the nail get contaminated? Nail fungal infection are anaerobic microorganisms, which means that they thrive in warm and wet areas. The little supply of oxygen keeps them surviving making our nails the safest place for them to breed. They feed on the keratin substance of the nails and slowly destroy them.

Usually, walking barefoot in public swimming pools, communal shower rooms, and gyms gives them access to your toenails, while overexposing your hands to water and harmful chemicals allow the bacteria to grow in your fingernails. To cure the infection, consult a specialist at the early stages of growth. There are common oral and topical treatments that doctors commonly prescribe such as Lamisil, Penlac, Tinactin, and lacquer, among others.

If you are a fan of alternative medicines, vinegar works well as anti-fungal remedy. Soaking the infected part in vinegar for 15-20 minutes twice daily until the infection heals kills the bacteria because of its strong acid contact. Applying Vicks VapoRub on the area is also a popular treatment.

Meanwhile, the rules for preventing nail fungal infection are easy. Three simple ways: Keep your hands and feet dry and apply foot powder on your feet if you must; never walk barefoot in wet, public places; and most importantly, maintain good hygiene. Then, you are guaranteed to be fungi-proof but for awhile.

Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=246870&ca=Medicines+and+Remedies

Acrylic Nails: A New Trend In Nail Care

2008-04-05T20:41:00.001-07:00

By: Rachel Lynn

Acrylic nails are made in many shapes and colors. The designs are catered to the customer’s taste. The acrylic nails are applied especially for special occasions, but there are also many women using acrylic nails daily, like a part of their regular beauty routine. Short, brittle nails are often a disadvantage and applying new long and strength nails is sometimes a good initiative.

Some people are biting their nails; it is a habit difficult to break. Applying acrylic nails make this habit harmless; many people can forget about biting nails then. Those artificial nails pasted onto the real nails are improving the hand’s aspect and are protecting the owner from biting. Your new nails will even compliment your hand jewelry.The materials are hard enough and impossible to chew. It is easy to split or break natural nails; artificial acrylic nails, pasted on the real ones, can protect the natural nails. Maintaining natural nails can be, for many people, difficult enough. The artificial nails must be maintained bi-weekly; it is a more comfortable and quick way to have beautiful nails all the time.

Nail technicians are recommending caring artificial nails like the natural ones. This means to not expose the acrylic nails to water for long time. The water can seep in between the natural and acrylic nails, causing problems and maybe infections. If the nails are applied using high quality materials, the user can go about their usual routines without worry, but they must wear rubber gloves when they are washing dishes,

Most nail technicians do believe that any damage caused due to the fixture of acrylic mails could lead to unwanted problems for natural growth of nails.

Acrylic nails are made mixing a powder and a liquid. Nail technicians shape into place and paint the nails using this mixture. Here is a nice beauty related site http://www.beautycap.com. The liquid recommended by the best professionals’ artificial nails technicians is Ethyl Methacrilate, or EMA. It is more expensive than Methyl Metacrylate, or MMA, commonly used because it is cost-effective. MMA is connected to series of harmful side effects, like skin irritation, or irregular nail growth. Most nails artists urge the clients to use EMA, because its quality is superior. Some excellent materials, proper pasted nails and appropriate care insure the women that their nails will enhance their hands with elegance, style and safety.

Once care and maintenance are in place, the problem is to have an appropriate nail color, design and trend. French manicure is a very popular design: a simply natural nail color and white tips. The color complements any out fir, so this combination is very popular. Some clients are daring to play with color, so the nail artists are creating a plethora from designs, from stars to teddy bears.

Some clients prefer to add a little sparkle in addition to the color, design and trends. There are inserts that can be imbedded right into the acrylic. Tiny gems and stickers’ that come in a large range of shapes, design and colors are the most common. There is also another current: the nail piercing. The nail is pierced by a nail technician with jewelry. This procedure is impossible on natural nails.

A nail application service takes about an hour. To realize the acrylic nail maintenance to the nails salon takes usually about twenty minutes. The visit must be done bi-weekly. the maintenance being cost-effective and brief.

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=82778&ca=Womens+Interest

Do It Yourself Nail Care

2008-04-04T20:37:00.000-07:00

By: Daniel Smith

In my own opinion the nails on the fingers as well as on the toes actually reflect how hygienic a person is. It shows just how concerned a particular person is when it comes to cleanliness. With the busy schedules most women may be leading, it is common for most to neglect having their nails get the regular manicure and pedicure. You can actually have to die for nails at a fraction of the price and in the comfort of your own home with this nail care guide.

If you want to clean your nails it is best to remove and wipe off any nail polish that may be remaining on your nails. Soak a cotton ball with a nail polish remover or acetone and apply on nails.

Long nails are great to look at but nails of just the right length would be ideal. Cut and trim your nails with a nail cutter based on your desired length. Toe nails though are better if they are snipped short.

The nail cutter does not all the time give straight cuts so refine your nail’s cut with the use of either a nail file or emery board whichever one you have. It is best to file in one direction instead of going back and forth which have the tendency to cause your nail to break. The direction of filing should be from the outside towards the center. A square cut that is somewhat oval in shape as well is ideal to avoid ingrown nails which can be very painful.

To remove unwanted cuticle, rub a solution of cuticle remover and gently push it with a pusher. If you know how to use a nipper, you can slowly cut them as well but you have to be extra careful because an incorrect way may cause infections. It is best to have your cuticles cut by a professional. Soaking your fingers and toes with the cuticle remover in warm water helps speed up the softening of your cuticles.

Before any color application a base coat is important to help protect your nails as well as prevent it from absorbing the color. Before applying nail color rub the bottle between your palms to prevent clumps. Apply a first coat allow to dry before doing another coat. Prevent smudges by applying nail color in a single direction. A topcoat is then applied to help maintain the shine as well as prevent chipping.

Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=150510&ca=Internet

How To Apply Artificial Acrylic Nail

2008-01-08T06:03:00.000-08:00

Author: Cosmetics Fairy

Beautiful nails are a desired enhancement to feminine beauty, but many ladies may have trouble attaining them. If nature did not bless you with wonderfully strong, healthy nails, you can still enjoy the glamorous look that long and painted nails can give you. All you have to do is apply strong and durable acrylic nails over your own nails.

You can find a service for acrylic nail application at nail salons. It is an expensive option. It is not as expensive for you to apply the acrylic nails yourself. By following instructions and with practice, you can apply your acrylic nails with the same care and great results that you can get from a nail professional.

As for supplies, you will need non-acetone nail polish remover, artificial nail tips, liquid acrylic, powdered acrylic and nail oil. Your equipment needs to include a nail brush, nail files, nail filing block, acrylic nipper, small acrylic brush and a working dish for the acrylic liquid. Choose acrylic nail tips that are the same size as your own nails or you will have to file the nails down.

Give your nails a manicure. Smooth rough edges and remove dead skin. Use a non-acetone nail polish remover to remove nail polish and acrylic. Use the filing block to roughen your nail surfaces. Cut the nails to the skin portion. Do not injure yourself. You want to prevent your nail from being broken if the acrylic nail tip is broken.

Line up your acrylic nail tips so that you can reach them easily when you are ready to put a drop of glue on the tip. The glue drop should reach from the bottom of the nail to the indentation where your nail's edge will fit in. You can remove a crooked acrylic nail by immediately soaking it in water.

Use the acrylic nippers or a large nail clipper to trim the tips to your desired length. Use the nail file to remove any rough edges and to even out the lengths of your nail tips. Use the liquid acrylic in a well-ventilated area. You will paint the liquid acrylic on to your nails so that the beds will be smooth without any bumps where the edge of the acrylic nail tips rests on your nail.

You will be dipping the acrylic brush into the liquid acrylic and then into the acrylic powder that will create a ball of thickened acrylic on your brush. Paint the acrylic onto your nail so that you can create a smooth finish for your acrylic nail tips.

Have the acrylic powder container open. Prepare the acrylic brush by dipping the brush into the liquid acrylic and then wiping it on a paper towel to remove excess liquid. Then lightly dip half of the brush into the liquid acrylic and then remove the excess by wiping against the inside of the liquid acrylic bottle.

You are ready to dip the brush tip into the acrylic powder. When you do, you will create a ball of thickened acrylic. It should be damp instead of wet. Paint this thickened acrylic where the acrylic nail tip is on your nail. Work quickly to spread the acrylic onto your nail surface without flattening the acrylic. Wipe the brush on the paper towel to remove any excess acrylic.

Continue working until you have built up the surface to resemble the curve of your own nail bed. Apply a bit at the tip of the nail to create a natural look as necessary. Avoid getting acrylic on your cuticles because mold or fungus could grow under the nail at that spot.

It will take about ten minutes for your nails to dry and set. You can safely use a grit nail file on the sides of the dried and set nails and close to the cuticle bed to shape your nails. Use the filing block to smooth your nails. Remove any acrylic filings and dust by washing with soapy water and using a brush. The exposure to the harsh chemicals requires that you moisturize your nails with nail oil. As your nails grow out, you will need to paint more acrylic on to your nails every two weeks.

Tags: Nail Polish, Artificial Nails, Hand Painted Nail Art

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/

Improve your Eye Health With Natural Remedies

2008-01-08T05:49:00.000-08:00

Author: Rudy Silva

Eye diseases like cataract, glaucoma, detached retina or myopia all come from weakness and inflammation in the tissues that compose and surround the eye. Most doctors don't really know what to say to you on how to improve your eye health. They don't know how you can strengthen and protect your eyes from becoming disease or if you have an eye disease how to improve your condition.

In 1985, I develop detached retina in my right eye and my left eye had weakness.

The day I went to the eye specialist in Palo Alto to see why part of my vision was dark, I didn't go home for 3 day. The very moment the doctor examine my eyes, he said "You need to go to the hospital right now and have surgery tonight." Was I scared? Definitely!
Was the surgery a success? Yes it was. But not until I went through a 5 hour laser surgery procedure, had a needle pushed into my eye as I looked straight at it, and had an in house laser procedure of 50 pulses.

Months later I asked my eye doctor what I could do to improve my eye health and to keep them strong. There was silence and my question was never answered. He just didn't know.
Since that time, I become a nutritionist and have learn many things about keeping eyes healthy and I plan to write an e-report so that I can pass that information on to many of you that want to avoid losing your good eye sight as you become older.

Right now I want to give you only one thing you can do for your eye health. I want to give you a formula on how you can make your own eye drops made out of MSM. As you recall in the last newsletter, I mentioned MSM eye drops that you can use it in your ears to keep them flexible. Well, MSM eye drops are the best drops you can use in your eyes to:
" strengthen them
" prevent glaucoma
" prevent cataract,
" keep them young
" dissolve mucus accumulation
" keep your eyes moist
" correct dryness
" relieve strain
" relieve red eye
" clear up pink eye
" clear up sties
" clears up eye infections
" tie up free damaging free radical
" tie up destructive proteins

The best part about MSM eye drops is that they are not addictive like many of the eye drops that you find at the drug store.

Look, can you ask any more of this eye drop solution? Yes you can. The second best part about MSM eye drops is that they are really cheap. You can buy it already make for around $5. Of course, you only get one ounce. The shipping cost more than the product.

Here's what I buy when I make it myself:
" a 2 or 4 ounce brown eye dropper bottle
" torpedo MSM tablets of 1000 mg per tablet
" saline solution that I use for my contact lens and that's it.
Here's how to make it:
" Boil the eye dropper bottle with stem and rubber top for 10 minute
" After boiling, rinse out the inside of the bottle, stem, and rubber cap with distilled water.
" fill the bottle with 80% saline solution.
" add two to four MSM torpedoes making it 2000 to 4000 mg.
" Let the MSM dissolve and it's ready for use.

Only one warning, just start with only two torpedoes. Then test it on your eye by dropping one drop into your eye. You will feel a little bit of a sting. Keep adding a torpedo until the sting is not too severe or to slight. I use 4 torpedoes since I am use to the sting. I also add a drop of 98% Aloe Vera gel, since aloe has an antibacterial property and it promotes cell regeneration. Of course, adding aloe makes it sting more but this will not damage your eye. Just go slow and add mall amount of aloe until you get the effect you can live with.

This is a real nice eye drop and excellent for your eye health. It is best to make it yourself, since it can be done when ever you need it. I use it all the time before I put my contacts lens, when I have my contacts on, and after I take them off. Have fun doing this and if you have children show them what you are doing.

Tags: Eye Health, Healthy Eyes, Msm Eye Drops

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/

The Ever Changing Fashion Market

2008-01-05T06:11:00.000-08:00

Author: carolyn

Fashion is a funny thing; it’s made up of clothes, shoes, bags and other accessories people wear throughout the year on themselves. The clothes you buy from a clothes shop, a supermarket or even online shops the range will have something to do with the current fashion.

There’s always a new fashion item coming out especially to the start of each season from winter to summer to autumn to spring. It’s not only clothes and accessories to go with them that are fashion items but also hair and make-up. Hair has become an important statement in many people, especially if a celebrity has a new hair cut, it suddenly gets into the limelight and everyone seems to go and have their version of the hairstyle created. The most recent craze of hairstyle is definitely the Pob which Victoria Beckham introduced after getting rid of those hair extensions. She is continuously changing the Pobs colour and cut and many people copy this style making this a fashion statement.

Celebrities are the main fashion victims, they take it very seriously if a designer says this is this season’s look of course they will be wearing it. I think fashion has become more important in young adults due to the celebrities always sporting the fashion items. High street shops are always making their own version of the hot item for the season at a much cheaper price than the real thing, which attracts more people to buy it. Problem is the more people who buy the item the more likely you are to wear the same thing as another person at a party or shopping in town. So why not be different and individual, create your own style if you want just use on piece of fashion and mix other items together.

Brands become successful as people buy their clothing, bags, shoes and accessories after seeing them in magazines as the hottest item of the month. The more the brands advertise the more likely they are to have high sales. The companies use clever tricks to get customers to buy their products with special offers and limited edition items. Many brands charge high prices that celebrities and high earners can only afford but there are some people who don’t care what the price is the higher the better in some sense, buying an item just because of the name on the item, getting them in debt with the use of credit cards. These companies are able to return premium profits for themselves at the cost of the customers.

With the ever changing fashion circle you can buy one item of clothing and its out already, it continuously changes from country to country, climate to climate and date to date. Fashion from the 70’s has recently been in fashion again in the last year so it’s amazing how fashions do come back. I had an item of clothing my mum said she wore when she was around my age too, so it proves fashion is an ever changing circle.

Tags: Fashion, Celebrities, Fashion Clothing, Hairstyles, Fashion Shoes, Fashion Branding, Fashions Bags

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

An Overview of Laser Eye Surgery

2008-01-04T05:59:00.000-08:00

Author: Charles Moore

In past generations, as soon as an eyesight specialist discovered that you had bad eyesight there was no way of getting rid of it - in modern times this is no longer true. Looking for a way to get rid of glasses, eye doctors searched for a way to fix poor eyesight - and eventually created LASIK.

LASIK stands for Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis, which is a form of refractive eye surgery. While contact lenses can be used, LASIK solves the hassle completely.

In the past, metal blades were used to make the corneal flap, nowadays a laser is used- speeding up the process. In modern times, the excimer laser is used; invented by Dr. Bhaumik in May, 1973. As soon as the ultraviolet excimer laser was discovered capable of remodeling tissue while leaving no heat damage to the surrounding area, scientific discoveries in the use of the excimer laser for eye surgeries were made, meaning today's procedures are a lot less complicated than those of the past. While problems existed in the past, these have since been solved and minimal problems today are had with LASIK eye surgery.

Even though LASIK is a procedure that fixes poor eyesight by altering the cornea, it is not as difficult as other forms of surgery. LASIK is done in two parts; and as it does not hurt much it can be performed while the patient is awake (although a sedative is often used). In the first part, a corneal flap of tissue is made using a special laser, and for the second part, the cornea is altered in order to fix poor eyesight. Due to a laser being used, the cornea is "deceived"; it does not know it has been operated upon and thus many of the mishaps of old eye surgery (such as corneal haze) are removed.

The total procedure takes less than 30 minutes. The laser system includes a large machine with a microscope and an attached computer screen. The laser is used to remove corneal tissue based on measurements taken at your initial evaluation. After the procedure your vision may be hazy or blurry. This will improve considerably within the first few days. Plan on taking a few days from work until symptoms are gone. A follow up visit is scheduled within the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery to test your vision and examine your eyes and regular scheduled interval check ups for at least six months.

After Lasik laser or refractive surgery your vision will stabilize within one or two weeks. But it may take a several months to continue to improve. You may experience glare and night blindness may during this time. Risks with Lasik laser eye surgery are visual aberrations especially in low light, over or under-corrected and additional surgery enhancement may be needed, regressive in the treatment this is uncommon, dry eye symptom which may require medication for tear production, in rare cases vision may worsen that cannot be corrected. You should contact your eye doctor immediately if any of these conditions occur or worsen.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/

Beautiful Nails Tips

2008-01-02T06:07:00.000-08:00

Author: Juliet Cohen

Nails are made of keratin an object in the body. Nails grow at an average rate of 0.01 centimeters a day. Caring for nails is equally important as taking care and pampering all the other body parts. Nails keep on growing so one need to regularly clean them and keep them in shape. Smoking damages nails very badly so one should avoid smoking or should cut off the intake to keep oneself healthy and to keep the nails healthy. Women do wear long artificial nails matching with their outfits to make their fingers look different and they do different art work on the nails to make them appear unique by using gels, colors, sequins on them. Women who always keep color coated on the nails too spoil the health of their nails. Shaping and cutting nails perfectly needs a little practice and patience. Keeping your nails trimmed and shaped properly helps to create a glamorous look to your hands.

Nail polish can help your hands look younger, smoother and even thinner. If you want beautyful and health nail eating a healthy diet. It is important to include certain vitamins in your daily diet to ensure that your nails are healthy and look beautiful. Every day apply a little bit of lime juice on your nails and let it rest there for 5 to 10 minutes. To avoid this unhygienic condition, remove the dirt with carbon papers or thick clothes. Never use sharper objects to remove dirt from your nails as it would break the nails. Supplement your diet with spirulina and kelp to make your nails strong. The water can work as a beautifying agent as well as a destructive aid for nails. Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to dryness, very rounded and curved ends or darkening of nails. Red skin around cuticles indicates poor metabolism of essential fatty acids.

Beautiful and Health Nails Tips

1. Eat protein rich food for white bands across the nails.

2. Deficiency of hydrochloric acid causes nails to split.

3. Deficiency of vitamin B 12 can lead to dryness, rounded and curved ends and darkening of nails.

4. Eat food rich in zinc to prevent white spots on the nails.

5. Poor metabolism of essential fatty acids causes red skin around the cuticles.

6. Eat food rich in sulfur and silicon like broccoli, fish, and onions.

7. Eat food rich in biotin such as soy, brewer’s yeast and whole grains.

8. Drink plenty of water and fresh fruit juices.

9. Drink fresh carrot juice as often as possible as it is rich in calcium and phosphorus and good for strengthening the nails.

10. For dry and brittle nails eat food that is rich in vitamin A and calcium.

11. For hangnails eat food rich in protein, vitamin C and folic acid.

12. Supplement your diet with spirulina and kelp to make your nails strong.

13. Use Blue Tinged Translucent Polish.

Tags: Nail Polish, Beautiful Nails, Nail Care Tips, Healthy Nails Tips, Caring Your Nails

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/

Eye Beauty Care

2007-11-08T05:42:00.000-08:00

Author: Juliet Cohen

Frequent rubbing of the skin or prolonged fatigue will cause eye bags. Over dryness and improper eye care will contribute to appearance of wrinkles and crows feet. Towards middle age, the eye area will droop slightly if untreated.

Do eye padding exercise to strengthen the eye area and improve its circulation around that area. Use your third and fourth finger on each hand, using lightly press and padded movements under your eyes start from inside and then out until you reach the temple and pressed for 10 seconds. Repeat a few times. Do it everyday, during application of eye gel, cream or serum, or whenever necessary without make up.

In today’s changing lifestyle and pattern, you notice some students as young as teenagers have started developing eye puffiness and dark circles which is not so common in the past.

Use eye care products to repair and treat your eye area. Use an eye product daily, add it into your daily skin care regime and start a weekly DIY (Do-it-yourself) intensive eye treatment at home. You may do it alone or together with your DIY home facial treatment.

Use cooling cucumber slices and place it on each eye, rest for 10 minutes. Remove and wash your eye area with clean water. You can also substitute with potato slices or cooling tea bags.

Instead of using vegetables, you can opt to use light weight eye gel masque. Apply around the eyes, rest and leave it on for 10-15 minutes. Wash your eye area with clean water.

Apply a light weight eye gel around the eyes.

Do eye padding exercise to strengthen the eye area and improve its circulation around that area. Use your third and fourth finger on each hand, using lightly press and padded movements under your eyes start from inside and then out until you reach the temple and pressed for 10 seconds.

Your skin is still young and delicate. Do not use too strong eye products, use a gentle and mild eye product to de-puff your eye area.

Use cooling cucumber slices and place it on each eye, rest for 10 minutes. Remove and wash your eye area with clean water. You can also substitute with potato slices or cooling tea bags.

Pour rose floral water onto 2 facial cottons, place wet cottons onto each eyes covering the under eyes area. Leave it for 15 minutes. Rose floral water contains soothing properties and is suitable for sensitive skin.

Use a light weight eye gel or cream masque which does not cause milia seeds or oil seeds. Apply around the eyes, rest and leave it on for 10-15 minutes. Wash your eye area with clean water.

Use ready made at the counter eye pads masque. Leave it on eye area for 10-15 minutes or as instructed. Remove and wash your eye area with clean water after that.

Apply a light weight eye gel or cream around the eyes.

Do eye padding exercise to strengthen the eye area and improve its circulation around that area. Use your third and fourth finger on each hand, using lightly press and padded movements under your eyes start from inside and then out until you reach the temple and pressed for 10 seconds.

Your eye problems are not critical yet. Therefore, do not go for oil based, rich and nourishing eye care products provided you have a dry skin texture.

Tags: Beauty Skin Care Advice, Eye Makeup Tips, Beauty Makeup Advice, Beauty Care, Eye Beauty Tips, Beauty Care Tips

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/

Sparkling Eye

2007-08-24T05:30:00.000-07:00

Sparkling, beautiful eyes are the best assets a woman can have. Do take time to cater to the special care that eyes need regularly.
If your eyes are swollen or puffy in the morning when you wake up or anytime during the day; here are some tips for you. Reducing your sodium intake and sleeping with your head elevated on a pillow can reduce morning eye puffiness.
Two cool cucumber slices placed over your eyelids can constrict blood vessels because of their astringent properties. Lean head back and rest cucumbers on eyes and relax while they do their work. Two moistened caffeine tea bags will work the same way by reducing puffiness because caffeine constricts blood vessels and reduces swelling.
A few egg whites, stiffly beaten, and applied with a brush to the face and under the eyes will make the skin feel tighter and look less puffy. Add a drop or two of witch hazel which also reduces swelling and will keep the egg whites from drying to rapidly.

Rinse your face in cold water when you wake up or when puffy eyes attack anytime of the day to constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling. This a great energizer.
Making sure you are drinking enough water will also reduce eye puffiness. When a person is dehydrated the body starts storing water as a defense system and this will add to puffiness around the eyes. Eat enough of Vitamin A and C. Take special care in the choice of eye make-up. Don't use make-up that can irritate and harm the eyes. Avoid spending too much time in smoky rooms and don't neglect a check-up on a regular basis.

A surprising culprit is responsible for mid-day eye puffiness. Finger nail polish containing formaldehyde. There are new formaldehyde-free nail polish that you should look into if you are allergy prone. Also hair spray or a new eye makeup can also cause swelling in your eye area.

If you continually have eye puffiness go see your doctor. You could be having symptoms of sinusitis or allergies that can be cleared up by antibiotics or medication.

The Nail

2007-07-25T02:25:00.000-07:00

The fingernail is a flexible plate of horny tissue formed by the natural hardening of epidermis cells. Many factors influence the development of this tissue: among them, genetic make-up, diet, health and environment. The essential components of the nail are keratin, water and lipids of calcium and iron.

The nail originates in the matrix as part of the epidermis, or outer layer of the skin. It hardens and thickens through a process called keratinization, becoming less firmly attached to the nail bed, which explains the white of the lunula. As growth continues, the nail becomes thinner and again fixes itself firmly to the nail bed, taking on a pinkish tone.
Depending on individual growth rate, it takes from 3 to 5 months for a nail to grow completely.
Nails generally grow faster and stronger in summer than winter, and grow faster on the right hand of right-handed person, the left hand of a left-handed person. The growth rate is also more rapid during pregnancy.

Healthy nail and a balanced diet
"You are what you eat" is a popular saying, and certainly one's fingernails reflect one's diet. Dietary deficiencies not only prevent nails from growing normally, but also can cause weakness and brittleness, two of the most exasperating problems.
Vitamins, calcium and minerals are particularly important to the growth and maintenance of strong, healthy nails. A vegetarian diet can weaken the nails as it produces imbalance due to the lack of animal proteins. Similarly, a poorly balanced weight-reduction diet is not beneficial to the health of the nails.

What are some causes of damaged nails
Just as poor health and dietary deficiencies can inhibit the growth of a nail, so can illness and diet influence the condition of otherwise sound nails. Resulting damage can be of short-term duration and requires immediate attention. Internal causes should be referred to a qualified doctor or dermatologist for treatment.

Privacy Policy for Hannah Montana Eye, Nail and Hairstyles Care

2007-05-04T19:30:00.000-07:00

If you require any more information or have any questions about our privacy policy, please feel free to contact us by email at kedarah@hotmail.com.

At Hannah Montana Eye, Nail and Hairstyles Care , the privacy of our visitors is of extreme importance to us. This privacy policy document outlines the types of personal information is received and collected by Hannah Montana Eye, Nail and Hairstyles Care and how it is used.

Log Files
Like many other Web sites, Hannah Montana Eye, Nail and Hairstyles Care makes use of log files. The information inside the log files includes internet protocol ( IP ) addresses, type of browser, Internet Service Provider ( ISP ), date/time stamp, referring/exit pages, and number of clicks to analyze trends, administer the site, track user’s movement around the site, and gather demographic information. IP addresses, and other such information are not linked to any information that is personally identifiable.

Cookies and Web Beacons
Hannah Montana Eye, Nail and Hairstyles Care does use cookies to store information about visitors preferences, record user-specific information on which pages the user access or visit, customize Web page content based on visitors browser type or other information that the visitor sends via their browser.

DoubleClick DART Cookie
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.:: Google's use of the DART cookie enables it to serve ads to users based on their visit to Hannah Montana Eye, Nail and Hairstyles Care and other sites on the Internet.
.:: Users may opt out of the use of the DART cookie by visiting the Google ad and content network privacy policy at the following URL - http://www.google.com/privacy_ads.html

Some of our advertising partners may use cookies and web beacons on our site. Our advertising partners include ....
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These third-party ad servers or ad networks use technology to the advertisements and links that appear on Hannah Montana Eye, Nail and Hairstyles Care send directly to your browsers. They automatically receive your IP address when this occurs. Other technologies ( such as cookies, JavaScript, or Web Beacons ) may also be used by the third-party ad networks to measure the effectiveness of their advertisements and / or to personalize the advertising content that you see.

Hannah Montana Eye, Nail and Hairstyles Care has no access to or control over these cookies that are used by third-party advertisers.

You should consult the respective privacy policies of these third-party ad servers for more detailed information on their practices as well as for instructions about how to opt-out of certain practices. Hannah Montana Eye, Nail and Hairstyles Care 's privacy policy does not apply to, and we cannot control the activities of, such other advertisers or web sites.

If you wish to disable cookies, you may do so through your individual browser options. More detailed information about cookie management with specific web browsers can be found at the browsers' respective websites.

Nail Toolkit

2007-02-06T01:10:00.000-08:00

2030-L COMPLETE HANDLEBAR CONTROL KIT 5/8 - 3/4"
Category: Handlebar

HYDRAULIC CLUTCH MASTER CYCLINDER USE WITH ANY HYDRAULIC CLUTCH

THROTTLE ASSEMBLY POLISHED, BLACK ANODIZED, OR CHROMED

RISERS 4" NAIL STYLE POLISHED
ALSO AVAILABLE BLACK ANODIZED AND CHROMED