Beauty/Fitness Tips

Guide To Applying Your Own Hair Extensions

2008-10-03T20:02:00.000-07:00

Hair extensions are the quickest, easiest way to get long beautiful hair. Long hair is a big trend with celebrities and models, and they don't spend years growing it out. Their extensions are usually done by professionals, but you can buy your own and apply them yourself for a fraction of the cost.

The most popular do-it-yourself type of hair extension is clip-on or clip-in. These take less than ten minutes to apply and if done right, are completely unnoticeable. These are also the most convenient if you like to change your hair often. Here are the basic steps to clip-on hair extension application:

Use a rat-tail comb to section your hair, starting at the lower-back section of your head. (Always work from the bottom up) Clip the top layer of hair up and out of the way.
Slightly tease the roots of your hair and align the hair piece just above where you teased it and slip the clips into your hair.
Make sure that the clip is gripping your hair and that the hair is flat to the scalp
Repeat this process if you have more than one hairpiece

Clip in hair extensions are the best at-home type of extensions, unless you have a beautician living in your home. It is important for you to decide what type of hair extension you will get, synthetic or human hair.

Here are the pros and cons of both:

Human Hair Extensions:

Looks more natural
Can style and be treated as normal hair
Doesn't tangle as easily as synthetic
Lasts longer than synthetic
More expensive
Weighs more than synthetic hair

Synthetic Hair Extensions:

Looks natural
Easier to handle
Must not be exposed to heat and can not be colored, they will melt in high heat
Less expensive
Lighter than human hair

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When to Throw Out Your Cosmetics

2008-09-24T13:50:00.001-07:00

Have you ever bought a container of beautiful blue eyeshadow, or the new whipped form of foundation only to use it once? Do you have tons of makeup, just waiting for the right time to use it all? You may have waited too long. All types of makeup have a shelf life. Just think about the germs that you put into your makeup when you use it. Whether its from contact with your skin, eyes, lips, or finger it does not just go away and the longer it sets, the worse it gets. However, even if you have never used a product you should still be aware of the expiration date.

Also, please note that if you store it improperly (like leave it in the car on a hot sunny day), the expiration date will be much shorter. If any of your makeup has a change in odor, color, or texture then it is best just to get rid of it.

Concealer: 6-8 months
Foundation: Water-based foundations can last up to a year. Oil based will last a little longer, up to 18 months
Eyeliner/Lipliner Pencils: These can last 2-3 years, but must be sharpened regularly to keep it free from bacteria
Liquid Eyeliner: 3 months. This comes in contact with your eyes and can be full of bacteria. Make sure to never share liquid eyeliner.
Mascara: 3 months. Just like the liquid eyeliner, mascara can hold a lot of germs. Be careful not to "pump" the wand in and out of the tube. It can push air and bacteria into the container and dry it out quicker.
Eyeshadow, Blush, Pressed Powder: 2-3 years
Lipstick: 1-2 years. It will have a spoiled smell when it is out of date. If you want to keep it longer, store it in the refrigerator.
Nail Polish: Can last up to 2 years if stored properly
Cosmetic Sponges: These should be washed bi-weekly or weekly if you use it more often and discarded after a month
Makeup Brushes: Should be washed with mild soap once a month

These dates are just the average. Cosmetics that are stored properly can last a little bit longer and improper storage can cause it to be garbage-ready before its time.

If you don't use makeup that often, or you just like to use several different types and colors, then don't spend a lot of money on them. E.l.f. cosmetics
offer quality products and most everything is only $1 so you can buy three times as much without breaking your bank.

Guide to Long, Beautiful Hair

2008-09-20T00:34:00.000-07:00

Envious over all the girls with long, gorgeous locks? Its not so hard to get and keep your hair looking healthy and full of shine. These tips will help you.

Trim Your Hair Regularly. It is important for your hair's health to keep it free of split ends. The splits in the ends of your hair may not seem too serious at first, but they can travel up and cause breakage and make your hair appear frizzy and dull.

Maintain a Healthy Diet. What you take in affects what you see on the outside. This is not only true for your skin and body, but also your hair. Just like your body, your hair needs certain nutrients in order to stay healthy. Here are some hair healthy foods/nutrients

Water: Adequate hydration gives your hair that perfect shine

Fiber

Iron: A lack of iron can result in hair loss

Vitamin A

Protein

Avoid overly applying damaging products. Dyeing your hair more often than necessary can really have a harsh effect on your hair, especially if the color is lighter than your original color. Hair should be dyed no sooner than 4 weeks apart. Yes, most people can dye it sooner, but this is not recommended. For healthier dyed hair, it is best to go to a salon to get it done. If you do dye your hair at home, remember that if you are using the same color to only do your roots. As for perms, this process is considered by hairstylists to be the most damaging process done to hair. If you want a perm, then definitely go to a professional.

Prevent Heat Damage. Can't live without your blow dryer and straightener? You don't have to. Heat can cause a significant amout of damage to your hair and dry it out, causing split ends and a brittle-like appearance. However, there are some things that you can do to slow the process and keep your hair gorgeous.

Use a heat protectant. A spray or serum, either one will work.
Use a good quality flat iron. The prices on these are high for a reason, they work!
Keep your flat iron clean
A diffuser on your hair dryer is more gentle on your hair
Don't leave the hairdryer in one spot of your hair for too long

Condition. Deep condition your hair regularly and apply a small amount of leave-in conditioner to your ends only on a daily basis. This will prevent your hair from becoming dried out.

Some products you'll find useful:

Farouk CHI Original Ceramic Ionic Flat Iron

Farouk CHI Professional 1300 Watt Ionic Hair Dryer

Cortex Pink Flat Iron

'Dumb Blonde' Reconstructor

Liquid Magic Flat Iron Cleaner

Guide to Perfect Glutes (aka Nice Butt)

2008-09-05T19:59:00.000-07:00

Before you read these, it is important that you understand that spot training to get rid of trouble spots does not really work. The only way to get rid of fat is to burn more calories than you take in. Spot training does however, strengthen and tone muscles. The butt muscles are just like any other muscle in the body and can be shaped and grow (in a good way) just as a bicep. The following exercises are the best for shaping and toning your bottom.

Squats

How to do them:

Stand with feet shoulder-width apart.
Slowly lower your body as though you are sitting in a chair until your thighs are parallel with the ground.
Push yourself back up slowly, making sure to keep your weight in your heels. Make sure that your torso stays straight and keep your abs pulled in.

Top Mistakes with Doing Squats:

Don't allow your knees to go out past your toes
Keep the weight on your heels. If you use your toes to bring you up and down, it will not be as effective and will strain the knees.

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Lunges

How to do Lunges:

Stand with feet together
Step forward with one leg and lower body into the lunge position, bending your leg. You should keep both your front knee and back knee at 90 degree angles
Keeping the weight in your heels, push back up to starting position. Keep your abs tight and torso straight

This is just the stationary lunge. There are several different types of lunges, including: walking lunges, alternating lunges, and side lunges.

Top Mistakes with Lunges:

Don't let your knee extend past your toes.
Keep your torso upright

Other common exercises that are great for shaping your butt include:

Biking
Walking
Running
Stepping up stairs (the higher stairs work best (90 degree angle))
Hiking

These will also help:

Winsor Pilates Targeted Training DVD

Mini Cycle Arm and Leg Exercise Machine

Leg Shaper Exercise Kit

How to bring out your eye color

2008-09-03T12:42:00.000-07:00

Want to show off your beautiful eyecolor? Just a few tricks with your makeup and clothes will have people mesmerized by your gaze.

For Blue Eyes

For people with blue eyes, it is important to use a color with a tone that is darker than that of your eye color. Colors that work best: brown, rose, silver, peach, gold, lavender and violet. Do not use colors that match the color of your eye, it will make your natural color seem dull. Brown eyeliner and mascara works best to bring out blue eyes, but also pairing a soft black eyeliner with silver shadow will make them pop. Wearing blue and pink clothing will bring attention to your eyes.

For Green Eyes

People with green eyes should avoid colors with cooler tones, to prevent looking washed out. Colors that work best: Warm purples, medium pinks, deep greens, bronze, and peach. Avoid silver, blue, and white. Brown/black eyeliner and mascara works best for green eyes. Wearing green and gold clothing will bring out the green in your eyes. Also, gold jewelry works very well to enhance green eyes.

For Brown Eyes

People with brown eyes should use light colors to best bring out the colors, as it contrasts to the brown. Brown eyes are usually the easiest to compliment. Colors that work best: blue, pink, purple, green, gold. Both black and navy eyeliners work well for brown eyes.

e.l.f. Eyes. All Eye Makeup Just $1

Great Products for Blue Eyes:

Great Products for Brown Eyes:

Great Products for Green Eyes:

How to Get Soft Lips

2008-08-29T18:13:00.000-07:00

The first step to soft, luscious lips is exfoliation. Simply buy a soft toothbrush (you should not use the same one that you use to brush your teeth) and gently brush it over your lips in a circular motion. It works better if you put a small amount of vaseline, baby oil, or olive oil on your lips first. Do this for only about a minute. If you brush your lips too hard or for too long, they will become red, irritated and raw. Apply a lip balm afterwards. (Lip balms that contain natural ingredients are better for your lips)

Do this once a week for continuously soft, kissable lips that will hold your lip stick in place perfectly.

Another way to get soft lips is to apply vaseline to your lips before you shower, leave it on while in the shower. Don't take it off until about 10-15 minutes after you get out. Use a cold, wet washcloth to remove it.

Rub moisturizer onto your lips and leave it overnight. It will sink in and you will wake up with soft, luscious lips.

Mix 1 tsp of baking soda and 1/2 tsp of water together to make a paste. Massage this onto your lips in a circular motion for about 20 seconds. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry. Apply vaseline or your favorite lip balm.

After you've made your lips kissably smooth, try this lip enhancer

Home Remedies to Reduce Large Pores

2008-08-28T15:42:00.000-07:00

If you have large pores, chances are that you probably want to get rid of them...and fast! Large pores are due part to genetics and age. People with skin that is naturally thick and oily tend to have larger pores. When your sebaceous gland produces a lot of sebum, the pore is forced to enlarge in order to release the oil. Large pores are also created by black heads. Oil accumulates in pores that are clogged with dirt and bacteria. Wouldn't you love to shrink the appearance of your large pores? Here are a few home remedies and tips to reduce large pores.

Home Remedies:

Mix almond meal with enough water to make a paste. Apply to area of skin for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, then apply witch hazel or a solution of apple cider, vinegar, and water.

Bran and Grapefruit is also used to tightens large pores.

Mix table salt and buttermilk into a paste, apply on enlarged pores and massage well. Rinse with warm water.

Mix 1 Tablesoon each of sugar, olive oil and honey. Wet face, apply scrub by rubbing very gently in a circular motion. Remove with water with hands only.

Mix 2 egg whites with a few drops of lemon juice. Apply on face and leave on for 5-7 minutes, then rinse with hands.
As egg whites dry, they lighten the skin and pull dirt out of pores.

Add lemon juice and a little milk to oatmeal. Apply the paste and remove after 20 minutes with water. Do not use if you have bad acne

Grate and mash 1 cucumber and strain into 1 cup of rose water and stir in 1 tablespoon tincture of benzoin. Refrigerate and apply with a cotton ball after each daily cleansing.

Tomato juice helps reduce the size of pores. Applying it with a cotton ball daily will help.

How to Prevent Hair Color Fading

2008-08-27T12:49:00.000-07:00

Avoid washing hair with hot water. Cold or cool water is better because it closes the cuticle.
Use Shampoo/Conditioner specially made for color treated hair
Before coloring hair, wait 24-48 hours. The natural build up of oils in your hair will help the color cling better
Wait about 48 hours after the color is applied and rinsed before shampooing again
Air drying is better for colored hair. Blow dryers and straightening irons add heat damage to your color. If you use heat products, purchase heat defense sprays.
Some volume enhancing products, clarifying shampoos and oil reducing shampoos may harm your color, as they open the hair cuticle and accelerate color fade.
Deep condition your hair about once a week with products made for color treated hair.
Avoid saltwater and chlorinated pools. I you want to swim, rinse hair before and after with distilled water and make sure to shampoo thoroughly after to remove chemicals.
Wear a hat on sunny days
Towel dry hair gently, patting instead of rubbing
Use a shampoo with a colorant to boost your color in between dye jobs.