How Women Can Be Attractive By Enhancing Their Best Features

Being attractive has nothing to do with being beautiful. It has to do with making use of what you have and being confident about herself. If you look hard enough you can always find fault with any womens attributes but that is not what this is all about. This is about being happy with what you have. If you want to improve on yourself thats up to you. Improving your appearance may help but it doesn't change who you are. In this article I help you to use what you have and be confident.

Enhance your best features

You don't have to be a beauty queen to have something that sets you apart from others. Some women have great legs. If that is you do what you can to show them off. Especially in the summer time show off those legs. If your shoulders are your best feature than wear sleeveless dresses and blouses. You can enhance any part of your body modestly. You don't have to dress lewd or slutty to get peoples attention.

Makeup

A little makeup goes a long way. Too much makeup is hideous and looks very fake. They should teach girls at very young age how to apply makeup without looking like they are icing a cake. Too much eye makeup will take away from most womens best feature. After all if your eyes were your best feature you would want to enhance them not look as if you are a clown in a circus.

Hair

Some women look very good in long hair while others look good with short hair. Your beautician can usually advise you if you are not sure. Ask what hair style would be best for you and take less time in the morning getting ready. You talk with your hair in your body language and movements. Wear your hair in a style that enhances your the features of your face.

Scent

They should have men sell womens cologne and women sell mens. The cologne may smell good in the store but does it smell good on you and do men like it on you. Some colognes can act negative to your body chemistry and not smell so good. I would want a women to tell me if a cologne worked for me. I would think a women would want a man to tell her the same thing.

Improvements vs what you have

Everyone wants to improve on themselves but don't let that stop you from being who you are. Try not to dwell on what you don't have but on what you have. Running to weight watchers and your plastic surgeon all the time may make you feel better but it won't necessarily make you better. Sure we can all improve on our appearance and lose weight but be grateful for who you are. Our society dwells so much on looks that we overlook our best qualities.

So in closing, be confident with who you are and enhance your best features. You will find you will have more confidence in yourself.

How To Perfect Your Make-Up

Remember That Beauty is a Way of Life

Beauty is a way of life. It relates to life, people, things, and sites. In fact everything has some beauty to it I believe, especially us women.

Beauty of the heart, beauty of the soul and beauty of the mind. Everyone of us has a beautiful quality and some may just need the opportunity to find it.

I am a make up artist and perform make up for several occasions to women of all colors and skin types. Below I am going to explain to you the beauty of make up and how you can better your self confidence with a little make up.

The average woman has normal to dry skin although many women have oily skin also. The need to care for a persons skin is vital in maintaining the skins vitality and youthfulness.

Cleaner/Moisturizer/Toner - Everyday cleansing, toning and moisturizing which is a 3 step process and vital for everyday can help eliminate and reduce skin imperfections such as uneven skin tone, blemishes, redness, wrinkles and spotty skin. Fresh clean skin provides the perfect base for your foundation. I recommend Mark Kay Cosmetics.

Mask - Any sort of mask which is like a cleanser but works deep into the pore is very important in maintaining clearer looking pores. Applying a mask once a week for 15 mins allows for the dirt and pore build up that isn't cleared by the cleansing process to be removed without harming your skin or causing irritation. Using the Mark Kay Dermabrasion system is one of the best masking technique products available on the market today.

Concealer - Concealer is a womens gift from god, because it comes in green, yellow, brown, beige's, ivory and there is a concealer to hide anything. Scars, blemishes, acne, pimples, puffiness, bags under eyes...there is a concealer that does it all. Green is for severe acne or redness, yellow is for dark circles and blemishes. Apply this concealer and dust with powder to set before applying foundation.

Foundation - Foundation is used not only to help even out skin tone/color but to also stop the suns harmful UV rays, prevent dryness from wind, and also help prevent the other basic elements of everyday life from attacking your freshly moisturized skin. That is why the 3 step process is vital for women to apply twice a day. Applying foundation is not a difficult task, you have the choice of applying it using your clean fingers, sponges, cotton wool and the latest trend foundation brushes (just like paint brushes for the face). The application of foundation depends on the persons skin type and face as foundations comes in liquids, creams, creme to powder, powder, oil free and so on. That is why it is best to check with your make up specialist or a Mary Kay consultant for further information.

Eye-shadows - Eye-shadows are one of my favorite tools because it is used to bring out the persons natural beauty in their eyes, there is a eyeshadow in every color and can be used all over your eyelids. Colors can be fantastically blended to create illusions of larger or smaller or deep set eyes and have the ability to make your eyes seem more than what they appear to be. Eye-shadows can be applied with a base color (cream, peach) and all over darker tone to cover the eyelid and a darker color for in the crease of the eyes. I highly recommend brown, purple, green and gold for brown eyes. Green, blue and purple for green eyes. Gold, Violet, pink and chocolate for blue eyes.

Eyeliner - Eyeliner too comes in many forms and colors, they are mostly known as liquid or pencil. As i create and illusion of wider set eyes, i use pencil for inside my eyelids and liquid including slight tail for the top eyelid and outer corners, always in black as this is the classiest of colors for eyes.

Mascara - There are millions of mascaras out there but by far the best would be Mark Kay, Lo real, Max factor, MAC and napoleon. Always wear black as this is the best shade for any eye color and gives eyes the dramatic effect to complete your look. It is always applied last after all other eye make up and use a cotton bud to clean up any glitches.

Lipstick - can be used to simplify and define the lips or to make them stand out amongst all other facial features. If you have dramatic eyes, dull down the look of your lips, if your other make up is basic then pump up the volume and make those lips kissable.

Gloss - Finally apply the gloss over the lipstick, for that tempting glossy shine that will leave you looking irresistible.

Ladies - Hag it Up!

A Strike Toward Much Needed Appreciation

There has been so many times I've heard stories about the length most women will go to look their best which is most expected. This has been a practice all around the world since the beginning of time. On top of that we are to be the home makers, bare children, be submissive and subservient toward our most gallant breadwinner known as our husbands. Surprisingly, this idea may not scare all women away. However, the picture of the old fashioned ideal woman
enhanced is more of an accurate symbol of today's woman.

Today we can do it all and keep our heads when the world is chaos around us, because we are a unique gender who can love deeply. The only thing we ask in return is to be appreciated for everything we do to encourage us. We'd like to be recognized whenever we show of our new figure, a new dress or hairstyle as the most beautiful woman in the world. We would like to grow old with the man we love, and witness all the fantastic accomplishments of our children, grandchildren, and possibly great grand children. The reality sets in and all we look for is missing, or given away to another making us wonder what happened. Yet, we are not with out hope. My idea for this article is to remind the men how much is done and how little is acknowledged about womens appearance.

First of all to look as great as many women do it takes work. Some may be born with some desirable traits, but generally for the rest of us we do what we can . When it comes to beauty treatments, aerobic memberships, cosmetic surgery, diets, and shopping it is very costly. Since most women in professional careers are expected follow this practice it has to be a multi-billion dollar business. Let's not forget our eating disorders that plague many females more than than it affect males in terms of anorexics obsessed over getting fat when they aren't, bulimics who binge and purge, and the obese that can't help binging on all the wrong foods as a crutch for living in this life.

The first two disorders are concerned about appearance as the last disorder gave up on the concern of looks due to certain issues. Nevertheless, all have issues that should have us thinking about how "Mo'nique's FAT CHANCE" beauty contest for over weight women, model agencies are encouraging the models to eat, how Kate Moss was being accused of encouraging the youth to starve themselves to look like her, how dove is using women of every body type and age in commercials to change the look of beauty, etc. Not to mention, the actresses such as Lucy Lawless, Kate Winslet, Beyonce Knowles, and others feel comfortable with a little more meat on their bones. Looks can no longer be one sided as to what beauty is anymore, because everyone has assets that make can make them stand out. Now that this is taken care of along with the beauty routine I want men to realize that beauty knows know pain.

Even though women may try to deny that she not only want to look good for herself, but it wouldn't hurt to have a few heads turn...or more just for feedback purposes. Honestly, all the bikinis in the world will not help a woman get a man in an all gay male city. When we dress to the nines we mean to go out to the public whether at work, the beach, or night club or even church. Besides, for those busy body females you can't stand it is icing on the cake to see them just hating you because you know they know you look good. Needless to say, it feels good to have yourself together. You don't always have to be lean to look your best. Women of the fuller figures can also look their best and get their man just as the skinny girls I.E Oprah Winfrey, Jill Scott Carnie Wilson,Rikki Lake e.t.c but of course they are lean now. I love those stories of the bigger women getting their men due to the fact that the men noticed the beauty of the person within despite the weight issue. The reason I bring this up is due to the what I am about to mention.

If baffles how much men envision having children with their wives forgetting each and every time the reality of weight gain many women experience. It isn't major weight gain, but baby fat with the possibility of a slight bit more. The men sometimes will tell interviewers that the personality matters more than looks though looks are nice, but turn into mean brats when their once lean wife gains a few pounds that she can actually lose. Pregnancy or illness can cause weight problems in anyone. Some men use it as a reason to take away all intimacy from their wives, and cheat with someone else. On the other hand, the women can have their figure and the man can look for a younger girl to have an affair with. Or worse they will choose a man or child. This is a highly unacceptable treatment of women after everything they do to live up to the traditional expectations of what a real woman should look like, carry herself, and skills she must know. My argument is that it isn't fair to expect a woman to be a trophy on the arm of an unsatisfied man who does not even take care of himself to be the best male he could be. Why should women go through even painful beauty practices only to hang on the arm of a grizzled hack? I don't see any of us retiring from our beauty

practices in the near future, but it is high time men stand and notice with themselves. Some men know to look their best, but the men doing the most complaining does not fully liver up to their own potential. It is time for female trophies to be matched with male trophies and hags to be matched with grizzled hacks.

Lander Original Skin Cream

Product Review

I'm pretty simple when it comes to beauty products. I don't spend a lot of money on them because I use very few of them.

Most of what I buy comes from the dollar store.

I grew up using Noxzema - the name brand stuff. My mom always bought it, and as a pimply faced teenager living in Florida, it was one of my favorite products.

However, when I went away to college, I discovered discount beauty products, and haven't looked back since. A Noxzema "imposter" I've been using for years is Lander Original Skin Cream.

At $1.00 in my local Dollar General store, it can't be beat, for the following reasons.

Effectiveness: I use Lander's to wipe my makeup off at night. I like the cooling sensation it leaves. It feels as if it's penetrating the core of my skin. This could be due to the strong smell, which brings me to my next point.

Smell: Anyone who's ever used Noxzema is familiar with that tingly, cooling feeling you get upon application. This is due in part to the Menthol in the product.

I think Lander's puts more menthol in theirs than the name-brand Noxzema, because upon opening the bottle, it wafts out at you.

I happen to love this smell.

Texture: Just like Noxzema, Lander's is white and creamy. However, Noxzema seems - to me -- to be a bit "chalkier" than Lander's.

Lander's has the consistency of a face cream you leave on.

Uses: As I said, I grew up in Florida, so in addition to using it as a makeup remover, I've used it to cool down my skin if I've been out in the sun too long.

An avid runner, this comes in handy on those days when I overdo it a bit.

Also, sometimes during the day if my face starts to itch (I have very sensitive skin), I'll apply a bit of Lander's. It helps to relieve the itching - and it smells clean too!

Where to get it: I've purchased Lander's at WalMart and my local Dollar General store.

Price: Depends on where you buy it, and what size. I usually buy the 14oz. At WalMart, I pay between $1.89 and $2.39. At the dollar store - which is where I try to remember to always buy it, $1.

Tips when Using Herbs

INGESTION TIMES

I take herbs mostly a while before going to bed. I do this for maximum effect as the body does most of its miraculous healing during the hours of rest. This way, we are most likely able to benefit from the extra leverage that herbs can provide in expelling toxins from the body.

For those herbs which seem to have a really strong effect - for example, for me, like a liver cleaner/detoxifier (see page 4 in the first article) - I take them during the day when I am busy or after I have eaten some food in order to diminish the otherwise powerful effects of that herb.

SUBTLE OR POWERFUL?

What is a powerful effect from herbs?

Because everyone is working with a different mix of factors (among them: diet, exercise, and an overall body chemistry that can be attributed to the genes your parents gave you) this is a difficult question to answer. My advice: consult a dietician and a doctor before trying out any herbs. Herbs may have a known (or possible) reaction with certain "western" medications you may currently be taking.

Again, what is a powerful effect from herbs? For instance, when I take the liver-cleansing mixture during the night, by morning I have at least one or two large skin eruptions (pimples) that have volunteered to expel toxins. In addition, my eye ducts invariably may have some form of dried discharge. Urine is a deep yellow, showing the presence of many toxins that have been expelled through a pair of hard-working kidneys. These are strong indicators as to the powerful effects herbs have on my body. If I took perhaps one or two more liver-cleansing capsules, I would be concerned at overtaxing my body. Better to take fewer herbs, and over a longer period of time.
I've spoken with folks who express a concern that I am having an allergic reaction. I say: possible but unlikely. These effects from herbs do not cause me any discomfort, and yield a less evident effect if taken during the day when my body is otherwise "distracted" by daytime activities.

So, general rules: take herbs that show a strong effect during the day, and those with a lesser effect at night. For an even more reduced effect, take strong herbs with a meal. For greater effect, take them without a meal.

MIXING HERBS

For myself, as a general rule I've found it's best to take herbs separate from each other, and without food. The general idea is to send your body a clear message from that herb's specific beneficial effect. By mixing them with other herbs or with food, the chemicals in those other factors may conflict or cancel each other out.

There are always exceptions. Some herbs can definitely be mixed with little to no adverse effect. For example the liver-cleansing herbs I take are sold as a broad-spectrum mixture for maximum effect. Likewise the mushroom mix I take is a careful blend of many mushrooms and herbs designed to help shrink tumors and cysts. So some herbs, taken as a blend, serve as a team to address harmful factors in your body.

DON'T SEND CONFLICTING SIGNALS!

I usually never take any herbs with a meal. Why? Conflicting signals!

The foods you eat are made of chemicals, and contain special nutrients bearing unique signals going into your body. These food signals may override or conflict with other signals borne by the herbs you swallow with your food.

Sure, certain foods and herbs may seem almost designed to be taken together. For example, herbs high in enzymes (like Spirulina or algae) can be taken with food to aid digestion. In the absence of knowing what the compatible foods and herbs are, I find it best to keep things separated. By doing this, the idea is to send your body a clear and singular signal.

So let that herb's signal ring clear, on its own.

BLIND DATES GONE HAYWIRE

Let play the "Dating Game" with certain herbs and/or foods. Here are some obvious "bad matches" on the food-herb dating scene:
Kava & Gaffeine - This would be a catfight from the beginning. Kava is a muscle relaxer. Caffeine jazzes you up, and is easily associated with muscle tension. Don't go washing down some kava with a swig of coffee. It will confuse your body, thus prompting it to say, "Huh? Whaddya want me to do???" (Same for skullcap and valerian with caffeine. Don't mix 'em).

- Valerian & Ginseng - Same thing as above. Mixing fast and slow together make for static in the signal.

- Ginseng & Caffeine - Wow, this relationship could actually get dangerous. Mixing two stimulants like ginseng and caffeine might actually be harmful. I find that I am very sensitive to ginseng. I am more sensitive to it than the caffeine in coffee. Knowing this, I drink coffee for a lift instead of using ginseng, and I would never mix the two for fear of overload.

- Valerian & Skullcap - I've used both together in small doses and not suffered any adverse effects. Again, I took only small amounts of both. Say, one capsule each. When two herbs seem to serve the same or similar function, I look upon them as two brothers who took on the same job. Best to let them work independently.

TURNING DOWN THE VOLUME

There are times when I wish to intentionally diminish the known strong effects of certain herbs. Okay, this is where mixing with food may help out. By mixing the many signals of foods you eat with the singular signal of a known herb that works strongly on you, you can tone down that herb's signal enough to make it more manageable.

TOO MUCH IS TOO MUCH!

Hey folks. This one is a no-brainer. Everyone knows ingesting too much of anything, no matter how healthy, is no good. Eat five pounds of hamburger. You get sick... maybe even go to barf city. Take too many herbs, bad news. So let's not go overboard.

It goes without saying, taking too much of anything can be bad for you. By all means this caution applies to herbs. Start with a recommend dosage or smaller dosage to see how certain herbs may affect you, and experiment from there. Or better yet, follow the advice of a professional.

Drink a Beer After Your Workout

It's Healthier Than Water!

It must be true! It involved a study at Granada University, and twenty-five college students were the lucky participants. Well, make that twelve, as the group was split into two groups; one was given beer after strenuous workouts and the other had to imbibe ordinary water. Poor souls.

Professor Manuel Garzon, the Granada University study leader, said that those who drank the beer afterward had slightly better results with the hydration effect. It should be noted that no hard scientific data were made available.

The students performed strenuous workouts in 104 degree temperatures for a twelve week period. In my humble opinion, the beer drinking group may have continued their participation due to the post-workout incentive. It's amazing the beer-deprived group stayed in the study. Or, maybe they drank the obligatory water provided by the good professor, then went back to their dorms and threw down pints of Foster in privacy.

Regardless, this small study has its detractors, primarily from the medical community. The belief is that beer has a diuretic effect, and drinking it after a hard workout only causes more of a dehydration effect.

Dr. James Betts, however, said "a moderate amount of beer might be just as good as water at helping the body retain liquid, but was unlikely to be better. If you are dehydrated to start with following exercise, a beer, as opposed to a spirit, probably does not have a high enough concentration of alcohol to induce a diuretic (increased urination) effect."

Although the statistical population involved in the study, only twenty five students, would not qualify as statistically meaningful, it motivated me to form my own new, improved theory. It goes like this: when you get the urge to exercise, sit down, calm yourself, and drink a few pints of your favorite brew. No sweat, ergo, no dehydration. Oh yeah. Additionally, do this in an air-conditioned environment...

Jergens Skin Care Original Scent Lotion

What's so Special About This Lotion?

Everyone eventually experiences dry skin, especially people who wash their hands several times a day. Hand lotion can help alleviate dryness caused by frequent hand washing. There are dozens of brands and types of hand lotion to choose from, so how can a person tell which hand lotion is the best hand lotion?

The following product review provides valuable information regarding Jergens Skin Care Original Scent Lotion. This product review gives insight into Jergens Skin Care Original Scent Lotion and provides a fair evaluation and assessment of this popular skin care product. Those with dry skin will find this review helpful in their quest for lotion to moisturize and help heal their dry skin.

Product Description

Jergens Skin Care Original Scent Lotion has a delightful cherry-almond scent. This lotion specially formulated for dry skin comes in a 15-ounce bottle with a pump. The bottle is primarily white, the lettering on the bottle is deep pink, and the pump on top matches the aqua-colored brand name label at the top of the bottle. The base of the bottle displays which skin type the lotion is formulated for, and the choices are dry, very dry, and extra dry.

Jergens Skin Care Original Scent Lotion contains a key ingredient called cholesteryl isostearate. This ingredient is patented to duplicate a natural skin lipid that helps the skin naturally moisturize itself. It’s amazing that Jergens was able to develop and patent a natural ingredient. No other lotion contains this ingredient, and this is what makes Jergens Skin Care Original Scent Lotion one of a kind.

Product Claims
Jergens Skin Care Original Scent Lotion claims that dry skin should be moisturized each day in order to prevent additional dryness. It also claims this lotion moisturizes the skin while making dry skin healthy and soft to the touch. Jergens Skin Care Original Scent Lotion claims to penetrate beneath the surface of the skin and heal from the inside out. These are astonishing claims, and this leads up to the purpose of this product review. Does Jergens Skin Care Original Scent Lotion really heal dry skin? Is Jergens Skin Care Original Scent Lotion worth buying?

Personal Experience

The cherry-almond scent of this unique lotion is very appealing. Cherry-almond is a scent Jergens is known for, and Jergens says users of their lotion prefer this scent. I absolutely love the cherry-almond scent of this lotion, and the scent was actually what inspired me to buy the lotion in the first place.

Although I was drawn to the scent of this lotion, the effectiveness was truly amazing. Jergens Skin Care Original Scent Lotion effectively softened and ultimately healed the dry skin on my hands. I highly recommend this lotion to anyone with dry skin. You won’t be disappointed by Jergens Skin Care Original Scent Lotion for dry skin.

Contact Information

For additional information regarding Jergens Skin Care Original Scent Lotion or any other Jergens product, call Jergens toll-free at 1-800-742-8798. Customer service representatives can take your call Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You can also learn more about Jergens and the products they offer at the Jergens website.

Five Skin Care Myths

There are a lot of skin care companies and products that are competing for your hard earned dollars. The messages are often conflicting and confusing. There are some skin care myths that may be costing you money and preventing you from taking the best possible care of your skin.

Dr. Leslie Baumann, M.D. a professor and Director of Cosmetic Dermatology at the Miller School of Medicine at the university of Miami, has written an excellent book on skin care and using the right products for your individual skin type. Following are Five Skin Care Myths, adapted from her book, "The Skin Care Solution."

Myth 1. The Best way to find the best product for your skin is to experiment with brands.
Truth 1. Unless you have a lot of money and free time that you want to spend on experimenting on your skin, this method is a waste of resources. However, the cosmetic companies are more than happy to let you but and try their products. Experimenting with skin care products works out really well for the big skin care companies, but not for the consumer.

Myth 2. The More Expensive Products Work Better.
Truth 2. Not necessarily. When skin care products are developed, the rights to the formulations are often sold under different brands. The difference between the drug store brands, department store brands, and the dermatologist formulations may be no more than the price tag. The expensive. designer brands spend a huge amount on packaging, marketing and advertising. These costs are passed on to the consumer.

Myth 3. Ivory Soap is for sensitive skin.
Truth 3. Even though Ivory markets itself as a brand for sensitive skin, this is not the case. Like any brand that foams and makes suds, Ivory is not good for sensitive skin. Soaps that make vigorous suds wash away the natural lipids that protect the skin. People with sensitive skin should never use products that make bubbles or thick suds. A thin layer of suds is OK. Shampoo should never be used to wash the face. There are minimally foaming products, such as Cetaphil, Dove, Ponds and some Nivea products that are good cleansers for sensitive skin.
Myth 4. The food we eat doesn't affect out skin.
Truth 4. The diet can affect skin. A low or no fat diet can increase the dryness of the skin. Studies have shown that patients taking drugs for cholesterol ofter have dry skin. Cholesterol is important in keeping skin hydrated.

Myth 5. Paying attention to skin is a waste of time.
Truth 5. Once you have identified your skin type and know the right routine for your skin, skin care should not take an excessive amount of time. You can learn the best routine for your skin type by consulting a dermatologist, or by reading The Skin Type Solution.

"The Skin Type Solution" has a simple quiz that identifies your individual skin type. By taking the quiz you can learn what type of skin you have and what the best type of products are for your skin. The doctor explains some of the biology of the skin and why certain products work better for you. She also provides a list of suggested products in various price ranges, from drug store brands to department store and designer brands.

Investing the time in reading this book and learning which products are best for your skin, and why, will save time and money in the long run. By purchasing the right products with assurance, consumers can save the money and frustration\ion of experimenting with different brands. By using thte right products for your skin, you can get the best possible results for beautiful skin.

Personal Care

Cocoa Butter Lotion VS. Surgeon's Skin Secret

Growing older - - for women in particular - - involves a lot of unpleasant things. There are the aches and pains normally associated with aging. There is the thinning hair problem. Weight becomes an ever present issue. It almost seems as though your body is in rebellion against you. Beauty seems to become a thing of the past.

One of the things I didn't expect with aging, however, was how severely dry my aging skin would become. It is actually quite painful to have your hands and fingers, in particular, crack, blister, and bleed.

I've tried virtually every moisturizer and beauty skin care cream on the market. Nothing works 100%. Some moisturizers make you hands feel great - - for about five minutes. However, after that, unless you want to continue to apply it constantly, the skin goes right back to its original rough, dry, and painful state.

Other moisturizers don't seem to do that much on the surface, but after you use them for awhile, you do actually begin to see a difference. We're not talking a drastic difference, mind you, but one that is sufficient enough to be noticed.

That is the case with the two skin moisturizers I'm going to compare. Cocoa Butter Lotion from Personal Care and Surgeon's Skin Secret.

Personal Care stands behind its Cocoa Butter Lotion saying that it promotes beautiful healthy skin with natural moisturizers. I'm not a chemist or a scientist so I don't pretend to understand how the mixture of ingredients used work to accomplish this.

I do know that the product contains water, mineral oil, glycerin, lanolin, panthenol, keratin protein, and cocoa butter; all things that supposedly have viable healing or softening properties. However, it also contains a lot of other chemicals that make me wonder just how good all of this stuff can actually be for anyone's skin.

Cocoa Butter Lotion feels wonderful when you first put it on the skin. With its natural essential oils and pleasant fragrance, it certainly seems to offer a short term fix for painful dry skin. However, over the long haul, I don't see a significant cumulative effect from this product. It works better than many other similar products, but it just doesn't perform at the level hoped for.

Surgeon's Skin Secret is an unusual product in that it comes in a stick format. Originally used by surgeons to help relieve dry skin caused from having gloves on their hands for an extended period of time, it has some unusual properties. It doesn't come off in the water or with normal everyday sweat.

Unlike its competitor, Skin Secret uses no chemical additives. Instead it uses beeswax, light mineral oil, and lanolin in a non-toxic, skin revitalization formula. The product claims to help reduce the appearance and feel of dry, chapped, irritated skin. And, oddly enough, it does just that.

While Skin Secret has a kind of waxy feel going on, as it works itself into the skin you can immediately feel its softening properties beginning to work. Using it regularly over a period of time also seems to have a real cumulative effect on the skin.

Distributed by Jamark Laboratories, Inc., Surgeon's Skin Secret is sold exclusively on-line and through television's QVC network. It generally comes in a two-pack of 2.5 oz sticks in a variety of scents including unscented, grapefruit, lemon, rose, mint, lavender, vanilla, and berry. The cost is $17.50 for a two pack which can last anywhere from one to three months per stick, depending upon how often you apply the moisturizer.

Distributed by Personal Care Products, Inc., Cocoa Butter Lotion is available through most major department stores, drug stores, and some grocers as well. It can be purchased in various sizes and fragrances from lemon to vanilla or peach. A 20 fl. Oz. Bottle costs between $3.99 and $5.29, depending upon where it is purchased.

Comparing them head to head, they fall out this way:

Packaging goes to Cocoa Butter Lotion. Skin Secret focuses more on the product than the packaging which more closely resembles deodorant than a moisturizing beauty product.

Fragrance goes to Skin Secret. There are a multitude of fragrances to choose from and they all smell delicious.

Initial Application result goes to Cocoa Butter Lotion. It feels great going on.

Long-term Effectiveness goes to Skin Secret. It actually works to improve the condition of the skin and also helps to protect the skin.

Overall Product Value goes to Skin Secret. Although it is more expensive up front, the product lasts forever and has a long-term cumulative effect.

All in all, Skin Secret is the better product for those who actually want to make a difference in the appearance and condition of their skin. Cocoa Butter Lotion is fine for a short-term fix, but it simply doesn't have the long-term effect of Skin Secret.

Natural Skin Care Solutions that Work

No More Acne!

So many people suffer from acne, hyperpigmentation, and other skin woes unnecessarily. There are natural, affordable remedies to these problems, and most can be cleared up within a matter of weeks. Give the following suggestions a try before shelling out big bucks for a dermatologist:

WATER
I'm listing water first because it's probably the most important thing we can do to preserve our skin and keep it clear. Whether you're dealing with dry skin or problem skin, you NEED water. Our skin's hydration begins inside of us, and water is the only way to do that effectively. Water flushes toxins and impurities out of our bodies as well so it is critical to healthy skin. Water keeps our kidneys and liver functioning properly so it's necessary to keeping our insides healthy. The recommended amount varies according to the source, but many suggest drinking half your weight in ounces of water. (Example: If you weight 100 lbs., drink 50 oz. of water since 100/2 = 50). Sugary drinks and carbonated beverages should be avoided when possible. Green tea and white tea are wonderful antioxidants. They help maintain youthful, healthy skin. Horsetail tea is high in silica,

DIET
We really are what we eat, and our skin shows it. A poor diet can cause problem for even the best skin. Avoiding processed foods high in preservatives and hyrdrogenated oils is a must for acne-prone skin. The chemicals in these foods are not skin-friendly.

Here's a list of the main foods to avoid and why:
Dairy products - Many people are lactose intolerant and don't even realize it. Just because you haven't formally been diagnosed as being lactose intolerant does not mean that you don't have a mild intolerance that could manifest itself as acne. Dairy products are acid forming in the body, and our bodies need to remain slightly alkaline. Therefore, over consumption of dairy products can lead to an upset of this balance and acne. Dairy products are also notoriously hard on the digestive system which is another cause of acne. The hormones found in many dairy products can cause skin problems ranging from acne to dermatitis.
Meat - Animal protein should be eaten in moderation or not at all. Cooked animal protein is difficult to digest, and it often takes several days for it to travel through the digestive system. During that time, it putrifies and creates toxins. Our digestive systems are simply not designed to digest the amount of meat most of us consume. Animals have smooth, short digestive tracts that are designed to handle large quantities of meat. Human digestive tracts are long and folded so that we can get the most nutrition from the food we consume. When we consume animal protein, it becomes trapped in these pockets and leads to a buildup of toxins in our system which is eventually expelled via our skin in the form of acne and other problems. Cutting down meat consumption rarely leads to protein deficiency because protein can be found in many other places in our diets.

Refined carbohydrates - Eating refined carbs and sugar leads to a surge in insulin and an insulin-like growth factor. This leads to an excess of male hormones which encourages the skin to produce large amounts of sebum (oil). Excessive sebum is one of the primary causes of acne since too much sebum is a breeding ground for bacteria.

In light of the buildup of toxins that bad foods create, detoxification systems and liver cleanses are great ways to remove toxins from the system and clear skin quickly. Fasting is another wonderful skin-clearing strategy since it gives the digestive system a break.

What you should be ADDING to your diet are fruits and vegetables. The vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables are ESSENTIAL to healthy skin. I can't think of a single fruit that doesn't contain some ingredient that helps healthy skin thrive. Juicing fruits and veggies or make fresh smoothies is a great way to add more fruits and vegetables to the diet.

SLEEP
Sleep is the body's time to repair itself. The body must maintain the body's most important organs first (heart, liver, brain), and the skin comes after these things. Without sufficient rest, our bodies can not effectively repair themselves and our skin often shows it. A lack of rest often shows up as blemishes, enlarged pores, bags under the eyes, dark circles, and sallow skin. In addition to tremendously reducing stress which in turn reduces acne-causing hormones, sleep keeps the immune system in tact so it can effectively fight off bacteria and infections.

EXERCISE
Exercise is great for the skin because it increases the blood flow to the skin and allows oxygen to get to the cells more efficiently. Light sweating will help clean the pores from the inside, and exercise will improve the fitness of the internal organs. Also, exercise is wonderful for regulating hormones.

STRESS
Our bodies have their own ways of telling us that we're under negative stress. Hair loss, skin problems, loss of appetite and other indications are typical evidence of stress. It's important to find facilitative ways to handle stress in order to keep it from ruining our skin. Our bodies release cortisol, an acne-causing chemical, when we're under great stress. Whatever the remedy is: exercise, sleeping, writing, meditating, talking to a close friend - we have to be aware of the things that help relieve our stress.

TOPICAL CARE
Oftentimes people with oily skin will try to strip the skin of its oil in an effort to balance it. Although logical, our bodies don't work this way. The key is to maintain a healthy balance by regulating sebum production through diet and exercise. When the skin is stripped of its oil, it begins producing more oil to compensate, and this only leads to more problems.

For this reason, a gentle cleanser is best. Natural products that are free from harsh ingredients such as alcohol are better for troubled skin. Harsh ingredients and astringents strip the skin's moisture and contribute to problems instead of eliminating them. Tea tree oil has been found to be an effective astringent without drying as much as commercial astringents. If possible, avoid products containing the following: alcohol, isopropyl myristate, lanolin, sodium lauryl (laureth) sulfate, propylene glycol, mineral oil, and parabens.

Exfoliants are important to a good skin care regimen. They slough off dead skin and remove surface debris that can clog pores. Again, natural ingredients are best. Exfoliation should be done every other day or less often, depending on the regimen. Too much exfoliation can damage the skin and leave it raw and vulnerable.

Facial masks are a great way to absorb excess oil and refine pores. Clay based masks using kaolin or sea kelp powder work well. Steaming the face with boiling water (with a few drops of tea tree oil) prior to using the clay mask will help draw out impurities and shrink pores.

Acne blemishes and pimples should not be picked at or squeezed. Doing so often spreads infection and pushes the plug deeper into the skin. It also increases the risk of ruptured and scarred skin. Applying tea tree oil to the blemishes will help speed healing.

Scars can be effectively treated with lavender oil or rosehip essential oil diluted in almond oil. Also, coconut oil is great for improving the skin's texture and reducing red scarring. Aloe vera gel is also great for reducing scars and hyperpigmentation. Other methods such as microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and laser treatments can also fade hyperpigmentation and restore skin's smooth texture. A good sunscreen is also necessary to protect the skin from the sun's harmful rays that can age the skin and cause problems with uneven tone.

Blackheads are caused by partially blocked pores. They should not be forcibly extracted. Instead, the excess oil and dead skin should be removed from the skin in order to eliminate blackheads. Gently exfoliating regularly will help keep blackheads away.

Professional facials are typically good for the skin but extractions should be gentle. Too often, estheticians use undue pressure and force on the skin. This results in ruptures, scarring (particularly in AA women), and enlarged pores.

RECOMMENDED SKIN CARE LINES
Arcona
Aveda
Faith Products
Dermalogica
Dr Hauschka
Aubrey Organics
J/A/S/O/N
Green People
Living Nature
Lush Cosmetics
Neal's Yard Remedies
Origins
Earth Science
Mychelle
Origins
Desert Essence
Avalon Organics
The Sanctuary
The Body Shop
Weleda

OTHER TIPS
-Don't touch your skin throughout the day unless you've just washed your hands. Otherwise, you're spreading dirt and bacteria from your hands to your skin.
-Change pillowcases and bed linens regularly as they touch the face throughout the night. Oils from our face and hair can contribute to skin problems.
-Take a good multivitamin every day to be sure your body & skin are receiving the necessary nutrients for healthy functioning.
-Wear makeup that is oil-free and are non-comedogenic. Use disposable sponges to avoid the transfer of bacteria. Be sure to wash makeup brushes once a week to keep the clean and free or dirt and bacteria.
-Try drinking aloe vera juice to boost the immune system and heal the digestive system.
-Flaxseed oil, Echinacea, MSM, olive leaf extract, and evening primrose oil are all great supplements.
-Milk of Magnesia makes a great mask for minimizing pores and smoothing skin's texture.
-Raw honey makes a great face mask. Simply apply raw honey and leave it for 10-15 minutes. Then rinse with warm water and pat dry. Honey antiseptic properties will help clear blemishes and maintain the skin's moisture balance.
Ok, this is all I can think of for right now. If anyone has any questions, I'll be happy to answer them or another lady here may be willing & able to help. I hope this helps those dealing with skin problems as I know how frustrating it can be. Good luck!

How to Have Healthy and Beautiful Skin

With Many People Fighting Acne, Sun Spots, Wrinkles, and Aging, Here Are Some Tips to Keep Your Skin Looking Healthy and Vibrant!

In a world that is so obsessed with beauty and pushing back the signs of aging, skin care is so important to keeping the look of health and youth! Here are a few tips you can follow to keep your skin looking youthful and refreshed! Hey, it may even knock off some years!

-If you must be in the sun, you need to apply sunscreen. Many moisturizers contain a small amount of sunscreen, so when purchasing lotions, keep your eyes open for that kind of moisturizer. A lot of people won't apply sunscreen when they are headed to the beach because they think that it's going to prevent their tan. The truth is that you can get sunscreens with as little as 3 SPF! There are no excuses anymore, so put it on!

-Keep hydrated! You must drink water. Soda is not a good thing, because the caffeine dehydrates the skin! Hydrated skin is soft and flexible! A good way to test your hydration levels is to take a look at your cuticles, if they aren't clear, you need more water! The best way to check hydration is to look at your urine. I know it seems gross, but if it is clear, that means you're hydrated enough. If not, keep drinking your water until it is clear!

-Be healthy! A good diet and exercise routine is a must when you want healthy skin! Keep eating those fruits and veggies and stray away from greasy, fatty foods. Exercise improves the blood flow to your skin, keeping it healthy and rejuvenated.

-Don't skimp on skin care! Make sure you use good quality skin care products. Make sure that you keep your skin good and moisturized to prevent it from drying out. Also, make sure all of your make up brushes and sponges are clean. Bacteria grows easily on dirty make up tools. To keep that bacteria off of your face, be sure that you cleanse your skin daily with a moisturizing soap.

-Don't Smoke! Smoking just does gross things to your skin. It discolors it and causes terrible wrinkles and sagging. Have you ever noticed how a smokers cheeks are caved in and they have dark circles under their eyes? Ew!
-Don't stress! Stress just does all kinds of bad things to your body in general, so why wouldn't it effect your skin? Along with stress is plenty of sleep! Make sure you're getting your eight hours of sleep a night to help ward away your stress! Nothing stresses me out more than the lack of sleep! I have a very short fuse when I have a lack of sleep.

-Splurge! Get a facial! There is nothing better than having a facial and the soft skin that follows. It helps to clear away dead skin cells and rejuvenate the healthy ones!

-Avoid tanning beds! Just like with the sun, the UV rays have harmful affects on the skin.

I hope these tips are helpful ways for you to obtain a youthful, healthy glow to your skin! You're already a beautiful person inside, let's keep your outside just as beautiful and healthy!

Tips for Taking Care of Your Skin and Improving Your Complexion

Unless you're a mascot or a superhero, your skin is probably the most noticeable part of your body. It is important to take good care of your skin if you want to look younger and healthier. Improving your skin complexion is the best way to achieve this. Here are some tips for how to improve your skin complexion.

Moisturize: you've probably heard people talk about skin moisturizers a million times, but why is it so important? Dry skin is bad, period. The longer you have dry skin, the worse your skin will get. Dry skin increases the effects of aging. Having dry skin will cause your skin to wrinkle and crack. You should use a good moisturizer daily. You should also drink plenty of water and avoid consuming foods and beverages that dry out your skin, such as coffee, soda, and salted snacks. It's just as important to moisturize your skin from the inside as it is from the outside.

Stay Out of the Sun: We all know that a fresh tan looks good, but it's terrible for your skin. You may look good with a tan today, but you will regret it 10 years from now. Long exposure in the sun also dries out your skin and causes you to age quicker. The next time you're lying in the sun or a tanning bed, just imagine you're in a giant oven.

Understand Your Skin Type: Different people have different types of skin. Some people have dry skin, some people have oily skin, and some people have normal skin. It is a common myth that you should wash your skin daily. If you have dry skin and you wash your skin daily, you will only make it worse. A person with dry skin should only wash their face a few times a week. If you have oily skin you should wash your skin daily. If you have neither dry nor oily skin, just keep doing what you're doing. Knowing what type of skin you have will make it easier to understand how you should take care of it.

Don't Use Products That Contain Alcohol: You should never use products that contain alcohol on your skin. Alcohol will dry your skin out. Many aftershaves contain alcohol and are bad for your skin complexion. Before you put anything on your skin, read the ingredients and make sure it does not contain alcohol.

Aside from cosmetic purposes, there are many other reasons you should take good care of your skin. Skin diseases are not fun at all, and probably more common than you think. Having healthy skin is part of having an overall healthy body and lifestyle. Lots of people worry so much about taking care of what's underneath their skin, that they forget to take care of their skin, as well.

Skin Care Tips for Women Living in Cold Weather Climates

When winter hits many of us take our skin for granted, believing that our skin is moist enough to withstand the onslaught of cold, dry air in the coming season. Women who live in parts of the world where cold freezing temperatures wreak havoc on skin understand that no amount of rain or wet snow can replenish it. By taking a few protective measures anyone living in a naturally cold place can preserve the moisture in their skin and avoid having the dry itchy flakies and here are five tips to help you do just that.

1. Exfoliate Your Skin. Before you take a shower you need to remove old dead skin from your body. This allows the fresh new skin beneath to breathe and absorb moisture. Get yourself a good natural bristled body brush and use large sweeping motions to massage your skin. You'll also be helping to stimulate blood flow and help reduce cellulite as an added bonus.

2. Use sun screen. Sun screen wasn't just invented for summer time use. We should be protecting our skin from harmful sun rays all year long. Dangerous UV rays are actually stronger in the winter and can be far more damaging to your skin if left exposed. There are cosmetic companies now including UV ray protection in their foundations such as Cover Girl TruBlend Powder Foundation Sunscreen. It works like a sunscreen but its still make-up.

3. Apply moisturizer. The cold outdoors is not the only thing that dries out your skin. The air indoors is much drier due to heaters being run and lack of fresh outside air being circulated inside. The only way to combat that is to apply moisturizer. It's best to apply an all-over body moisturizer at least twice a day; once in the morning and once before bed. A real good all-over moisturizer is Eucerin or Lubriderm. Both of these moisturizers are fairly cheap in price and can be found in any drugstore, Wal-Mart or Target stores. Eucerin also has a moisturizer that has added SPF sun blocking agents. If you've got money to spend then give the Neutrogena SPF 15 moisturizer a try as it does a great job at soaking right in to your skin without the added oils.

4. Use Carmex or other Lip Balm. It gets very easy to neglect our lips when we spend all day yacking or stuffing our faces but protecting our lips is very important. To keep your lips from getting chapped the first thing you should do is stop licking them. When you repeatedly lick your lips you are actually removing moisture and causing them to get even more chapped. To eliminate the huge red ring around your mouth rub a little Vaseline on the area before going to sleep.

5. Use sleeping time to replenish the moisture in your hands and feet by applying moisture and sleeping with socks and gloves on. You can wear socks on your hands as well as your feet but be sure they are 100% cotton. I prefer Hanes cotton socks but brand doesn't really matter. Curel makes a moisturizer that works well on both hands and feet but let me tell you about a secret product I recently found at Target.

Burts Bees. It's absolutely delicious smelling and wonderfully nourishing. My skin loves this stuff and I have very dry skin. Burts Bees Mama Bee vitamin E body oil is an all over moisturizer made of almond, lemon oils and vitamin E and the best time to use it is right out of the shower. I love that it doesn't leave my skin feeling oily or slick and best of all it only cost me $8 for a 4 ounce bottle.

If you take care of your hands, feet, lips and face you should fare pretty well in the coming winter months. But no matter what products or techniques you use remember that one of the best ways to hydrate your skin is to hydrate your body. Be sure to drink lots of water this winter.