19.6.12

Wake-Me-Upper Secrets For Girls On The Go


Some nights you just can't get any. Sleep that is. Insomnia, jet lag, late nights out, and staying up late chasing your intellectual endeavors are just a few snooze-time thieves. Inevitably you wake up the next morning looking just as blah as you feel. The telltale signs stare back at you in the mirror in the form of lackluster skin, dark circles, and droopy eyes. Since hiding under the covers usually isn't an option, follow these surefire ways to look awake and perk up your looks when you're pooped.

For Lackluster Skin
  • Hydrate: The best way to wake up skin is to hydrate, both inside and out. Start your day with a big glass of water then focus on your skin care routine.
  • Moisturize: When you're tired, your skin easily loses lipids, allowing water to evaporate from your skin and leaving it feeling dry and tight and looking dull. The solution: Lube up with a richer, denser face moisturizer than you normally use (if you don't have oily skin) "petrolatum" on the ingredient list is a good sign, or just switch from lotion to cream. Wait a few minutes to let it sink in, and reapply if your skin still feels dry.
  • Go Easy On Foundation: If you usually wear a foundation, skip it. Tired skin tends to be rough and uneven, and foundation looks best on a smooth surface. Instead, go for a lightweight tinted moisturizer. You can make your own tinted moisturizer by mixing a few drops of your foundation with your moisturizer.
  • Pep up washed-out skin with two shades of blush: your neutral, everyday blush plus a brighter shade. Apply the neutral shade the way you always do, starting on the apple of each cheek and blending up into your hairline. Then very lightly dust the brighter shade just on the apples of your cheeks. This added splash of color will help give you that well-rested glow.
For Dark Circles
  • Tea Bags: Apply used green or red tea bags store in the fridge for instant pick me upper. Tea bags have caffeine, tannins and antioxidants that work wonder for delicate eye areas.
  • Conceal: The antidote to really dark under eye circles is a combination of two concealers. Start with a pale pink concealer to correct the purple-green color of your circles. Then layer on your usual (yellow-toned) concealer. Make sure you apply concealer under each eye, up to its lash line and toward its inner corner. Use your fingers to gently pat and blend the concealer, then lock it in place with loose powder (in a yellow tone), applied with a velour puff.
For Droopy, Puffy Eyes
  • Potato Power: Spritz eyes with Avène Thermal Spring Water spray and apply thin slices of potato on the eyes for 10-15 minutes. Works like magic in reducing the eye bags and puffiness.
  • Minimal Makeup: is best on tired eyes. Skip shimmer and cream shadows; they draw attention to the eyes and can magnify droopiness and puffiness. Opt for soft, matte powder shadow instead. Avoid rosy or red-toned shades, which make you look even more tired. Pat a white eye shadow lightly on the outer end of your brow bone for highlighting this gives illusion of open eyes. Curl your lashes to open up your eyes even more, and finish with a coat of mascara on your upper lashes only. This will draw attention up and away from the tired under eye area.
  • Refrigerated Preparation H: can rescue puffy eyes in a jiffy but use only in case of emergencies as it can cause irritation if used on regular basis.

Other Tips-n-Tricks For Quick Wake-Me-Upper
  • Pep Up Your Wardrobe: Put on a color that makes you happy.
  • Move Your Body: Exercise can help get rid of puffiness in your face and give you a much-needed glow.
  • Try Essential Oils: A whiff of mint is an instant energizer.

Now make a plan to get back on track with a healthy night's sleep tonight.

11.6.12

Bro-Tox: More Men Get Botox


Man’s Latest Fall Back Weapon Against The Lines Of Age!


Botox treatments for men have dramatically risen over the last few years. With a market replete with glossy magazines, expensive advertising and celebrity images, it is no surprise that the demand for aesthetic treatments is on the up!

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons last year more than 300,000 men received Botox, which is a 10% increase from 2010. Botox injections are the most commonly performed nonsurgical cosmetic procedure all over the world. And now men are getting on the Botox bandwagon. The reasons men do it range from the usual innocent vanity to hopes of looking better will deliver a professional edge. There is a competition in our society for looks; better looking men get paid more……. they get prettier girls.
The most common areas of concern for men are the wrinkles between their eyes (no. 11 sign), smile lines (crows feet) and on their forehead (transverse worry lines). These wrinkles are the result of repetitive use of the upper facial muscles (frowning, smiling, raising eyebrows, quizzical expressions). The repeated muscle movements lead to dynamic wrinkles and Botox is an excellent choice for ironing out these dynamic wrinkles.  
Botox is a protein that paralyses muscles it cannot eliminate creases or etched in lines in the skin from many years of repeated movement. This is why its wiser to start Botox injections sooner, rather than later. Botox works by weakening the muscles, therefore improving facial expression lines. Onset usually occurs 3 to 12 days after injection, and usually lasts somewhere between 3-6 months. Thus, repeat injections are required to maintain the effects. The most common side effects but unlikely is redness and minor swelling at the injection site.

Getting botox is a way to soften your looks and erase years, to succeed at work or with the opposite sex. And it's not just the trendy and stereotypical guys that show up for some primping anymore. A lot of times they're men you wouldn't necessarily see coming into a dermatologist’s office. It's the average joes getting some extra pampering and realizing that taking care of yourself isn't just for the ladies.



5.6.12

Skin Classification


Most of us are familiar with the four basic skin types as shown below:


As dermatology has evolved the basic skin classification has been revised and here’s the new and more comprehensive skin classification system. Find out what is yours and start taking care of your skin accordingly.

           I.       Normal
          II.       Normal and Pigmented
        III.       Normal and Sensitive
        IV.       Normal, Sensitive and Pigmented
          V.      Dry
        VI.       Dry and Pigmented
       VII.      Dry and Sensitive
     VIII.       Dry Pigmented and Sensitive
        IX.       Oily
          X.      Oily and Pigmented
        XI.      Oily and Sensitive
       XII.     Oily, Pigmented and Sensitive
     XIII.     Oily and Combination
     XIV.     Oily and Combination Pigmented
       XV.    Oily and Combination Sensitive
     XVI.     Oily and Combination Pigmented and Sensitive

Normal Skin has an equal balance of water and oil, making it naturally well moisturized. The pores are medium-sized. When you pull the skin away from the bony structure, it springs back to normal position. Lines and wrinkles are appropriate for age.

Oily Skin has a coarse texture. Usually oily areas tend to shine. Oily skin results from overactive oil glands; the oil helps retain dead skin cells in the hair follicles. Pores tend to be larger. The dead skin cells may darken with exposure to the air, forming blackheads. Often, individuals with oily skin have a tendency to develop acne in their teen and middle years, and overgrown oil glands, or sebaceous hyperplasia, in the middle and late years.

Dry Skin has a rough texture and may become flaky. There are no shiny areas; in fact, the skin looks dull. Pores tend to be smaller because less oil is produced. Without adequate moisture, dry skin can easily become chapped. As dry skin ages, it’s more likely than other types to become wrinkly.

Pigmented Skin is prone to uneven discolorations, and freckles with hormonal change, pregnancy, and sun exposure. Requires regular use sun block usage and bleaching products.

Sensitive Skin is prone to redness and irritation on and off. Requires gentle non-allergenic products.

Oily and Combination Skin is prone to blemishes and T-Zone of open pores. Requires special care with salicylic acid and oil free products.