First Impressions

By Anna Lynn C. Sibal
So ladies, we all know the saying “First impressions last.” We meet these words as a catch phrase on some commercial on TV or the radio, or in some book or magazine that we happen to read. We hear our mothers and our girl friends alternately nag and advise us about making a good first impression. It is an idea that is deeply ingrained in most of us.

We are headed for a job interview, a first client call, a blind date, a dinner with potential in-laws, or whatever important meeting which would have us making new acquaintances. We are dressed to the nines, with our faces perfectly made up and not a hair out of place, and we smell great. Is that enough to make a good and lasting first impression?

Sadly, the answer to that is no. We may look great, just smashingly gorgeous, and that is just fine. But we may ruin what picture we have painted for ourselves at that first glance taken of us with our first move or the first word we utter. How then do we solve this dilemma and create an impression that truly lasts beyond first glance?

The first thing to do would be to make eye contact with the person you are meeting and maintain it for more than a second. And then you smile. Prolonged eye contact and a smile make for a good ice breaker and set the atmosphere for something friendly and pleasant.

If something bad happened to you before the meeting and it brought you to a foul mood, don’t show it to the person you are meeting up with. Making a dour face and whining a lot at that first meeting would lead the other person to think that you are not at all nice to be with, so fake a good mood. Soon enough, you would not have to fake it, and you will start believing that you are feeling great all along.

If you are feeling nervous about this meeting, try to hide it by controlling your twitching, fidgeting, jittering, or whatever habit you may have that conveys anxiety. If you feel that you are not making good conversation, you can still redeem yourself by keeping the other person talking about himself. Also, try to talk more slowly. Nervous people have this tendency to talk too fast and to talk too much about themselves. Try to curb that and just let the other person speak.

Once the two of you get warmed up, just encourage him to talk more about himself. Do not be a narcissist by turning the conversation back to your own self. Respond genuinely to him and keep your gestures in sync to what he is saying, or else it would seem to him that you are bored and are not actually listening to what he is telling you. Flatter him with sincerity but do not overdo it.
First impressions truly last, whether it is for good or for bad. Make every impression you make good and lasting.

Natural Skin Care

More Vibrant Skin…Try Juicing!
By Kathryn M. D’Imperio Did you know that your diet contributes greatly to the clarity and condition of your skin? It’s true. Pay attention next time you eat an entire candy bar by yourself, or take notice of your skin’s tone and texture if you opt for a better diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, salads, healthier foods, and lots of water. Natural skin care at its best...

Nutritional consultant and author Elaine Wilkes, N.C., M.A. offers a delicious tip to getting radiant, glowing skin. In her book Food Choices Made Easy! Finally A Summary of What All The Health Experts Say!, Wilkes provides helpful tips compiled from hundreds of health advisors on how to get skin that looks and feels healthy and young. Tips she delves into include advice on weight loss, great foods to eat and those to avoid, and money saving tips, to name a few.

So what is the secret to smooth, healthy, youthful skin?

Wilkes points to a fabulous beverage recipe as the answer.

“Believe me, I have tried everything,” Elaine Wilkes says. “But, doing this tip, I have had strangers come up to me and ask me why my skin looked so healthy. Say goodbye to weary skin with juicing.”

Elaine Wilkes is also a Certified Practitioner of Metabolic Typing, which means she matches people’s nutrition to their metabolism, taking into account their genetics, personality, blood type, etc. She recommends creating a juicy cocktail for a vivacious skin tone and healthier complexion, and to help anyone achieve glowing skin.

“Combine fresh green vegetable juices such as cucumber, celery, kale, parsley, spinach, and a little bit of apple for a delicious taste, into a juicer,” she instructs.

Wilkes also suggests also adding lemon and ginger for a yummy zing.

“Soon, you will notice a glow to your new, plumped-up, radiant skin,” she details. “For more added benefits, drink half your weight in ounces of water each day. Beautiful skin is about what is going on inside your body. Nourish your inside with these tasty, healthy juices and your skin cannot help but look terrific. Oh, and you'll feel great, too.”

For healthy skin that looks and feels great, make a conscious effort to improve your diet. Also take the time to practice a regular cleansing routine, and engage in a realistic exercise program. These commitments to yourself will give your body and skin the boost they’ve needed to get on and stay on the right track.

Right Way To Wash Your Hair

By Anna Lynn C. Sibal Most of us think we have this all down pat, but for all we know, we might be wrong. After all, we have been washing our hair all our lives. How could we go wrong with something like washing our hair? However, we might be washing our hair the wrong way and contribute to its damage without actually knowing it.

What we should remember about our hair is that the individual strands of our hair, no matter how thick or strong it looks, is actually very delicate. So we cannot just tug and pull at it, or else it would break. We would not want to have hair breakage, would we?

So, what is the right way of washing the hair? The first thing you should do is to comb the tangles out of the hair before you wet it so the hair would wash easily and the tangles would not worsen. And then, wet your hair thoroughly under the shower. You can use either warm or cold water if you like, but for best results, you can wet your hair with warm water to open the scale-like cuticles of the hair and wash all the oil and dirt off. And then, you can rinse your hair with cold water afterwards to close the cuticles and add to the shine of your hair.

Rinse your hair under the shower to rid it of the leave-on conditioner and styling aids you have used previously, using gentle strokes of your fingertips. Then, pour a dollop of shampoo in the palm of your hand. Rub your hands together, and then apply the shampoo to your scalp. Take note that you should put the shampoo on your scalp and not at the ends of your hair, as the shampoo would dry your hair's ends and cause it to weaken and split. Also, do not mix your hair all over your head as you shampoo because it will get all tangled up. After this, rinse the shampoo off.

More often than not, we need to shampoo our hair for a second time. The purpose of the first shampoo is to clean the oil and dirt off; the second shampoo is supposed to let the shampoo treat our hair. So, repeat the process, but let the shampoo sit on for around a couple of minutes. Rinse the hair completely after this.

To get the excess water off your hair, just squeeze the water out. Do not pull or tug at the hair because the hair is at its most delicate when it is soaked. When the excess water is out, apply a dollop of conditioner - mane event - and apply it along the hairline, the nape and the ends of the hair. Pile your hair then inside a shower cap and let the conditioner stay there for around ten minutes. And then, rinse it off completely.

The Busy Babe's Beauty Guide

By Kathryn M. D’Imperio

Finding a few moments to ourselves proves quite the daunting task anymore. With places to go, people to see, presentations to make and happy hours to enjoy, getting dolled up sometimes becomes more of a hassle than it’s worth…or so it seems.

When you add up all the minutes it takes to select an outfit, accessorize with the right purse and appropriate jewelry, dry and style your hair, apply makeup and dash out the door, before you know it you’re running late again. The problem is this: You want to look great but you don’t want to spend a near-lifetime getting ready.

The solution? Pick and choose which elements of your appearance are most important to you. Once you’ve prioritized, you can really achieve the look you want in less time. For example, let’s say you care about clothes, hair, makeup, and jewelry, in that order.

How can you make the most of your time without leaving out a key element? Well, for starters, select your outfit the night before, even if it means trying things on at 10 or 11 o’clock at night. You want your hair to look nice, so try to have an idea of style – up or down – before you get out of the shower. Make it our goal to know exactly how you want to do your hair once you dry it.
Next, critically consider how much makeup you really need to wear. On days when I’m feeling especially lazy, I typically slap on some mascara and my favorite flavored lip-gloss and head out the door. If I have blemishes to hide, I definitely take care of those first. Finally, when it comes to jewelry, you can throw on something basic and simple that goes with anything, or you can forego the adornments altogether.

Here are some fast, last minute beauty tips:

DO:
Carry a powder compact at all times. If you don’t have time for makeup, you’ll be happy to at least dust some powder on your cheeks and forehead. If your company throws a last minute photo shoot at you, your compact will save your tail.

Keep a lip-gloss or Chap Stick handy at all times. Not only does it make you so much more kissable should your sweetheart pop into the office for a surprise visit, but you’ll be keeping your smackers safe from chapping, splitting and dryness associate with both hot and cold climates. Even without a true color lipstick, lip-gloss can make you feel sexy and so worth it.

Invest in some hair accessories, especially claw clips, hairpins and other barrettes. Even if you don’t have the time to fashion a new look, twist your hair back and pin it to your head for a sweeping look. Some hair clips will allow you to pile all of your hair on top of your head effortlessly. This comes in very handy when you don’t have time to dry your hair completely.
Make your manicures last longer by applying clear polish every so often. With such a busy schedule, it is amazing you have your nails done in the first place. To keep your pretty look alive as long as possible, apply a clear topcoat daily to prevent the nail polish from cracking and chipping.

DON’T:
Even think about doing your makeup “in the car.” Even if you are stopped at a red light, the minimal time you have between lights isn’t nearly enough to apply mascara, let alone foundation or anything else. Especially don’t try to paint your nails in the car!

Go too heavy on the hues… If you’re doing a dark, intense look for your eyes, avoid going high-impact on your mouth.

The Sexy Woman Look

By Beverly Smith

How to look sexy without being sleazy?
Women strive to make themselves look sexy and attractive and this is a fun and exciting endeavor. But the key is to be sexy without looking sleazy.
To achieve this, just add a couple of unexpected accessories and some sensual essentials. There are a lot of ways to express your sexuality, not just by donning a micro skirt. Here are a few tips on how to add sensuality without sacrificing your modesty and class.

Put on red lipstick. Remember, nothing does the job better than red, no matter what you think. It will add a splash of color and a stylish alluring vibe. For young girls, yes, sexy girls are fine – shimmer merry lip gloss is good, older women should choose matte red that best suits their skin tone (blue-reds for darker skin tones; orangey hues for olive; true reds for blondes).

A nice pair of sunglasses will add mystery and a cute look, as well as protect your eyes.
Add a hat. Think of Sarah Jessica with all her hats and panamas! It is a perfect way to get a major sex appeal. You can start with classic shapes, such as fedora or beret.
Experiment with shoulder-duster earrings, they work great for the after-dark look, especially when combined with bare shoulders and updos. Wear metallic. It has a great luminous effect and, in addition, is one of the hottest looks this spring.
Go for fabrics that feel nice against your skin, like cashmere, silky satin and buttery soft suede. Look for exotic dresses that add feminine charm and intrigue. Harem pants, sarongs and embroided items are the ethnic looks borrowed by Western designers from Asia and North Africa.

Play peek-a-boo: do not bare your breasts. Nude linings, camisoles and slips will keep you covered and at the same time they look suggestive.
Do experiment with different types of sexy lingerie. Try Sheer Lingerie

Beautiful Sexy Legs

Besides their eyes and breasts, women's legs are a primary target for men's visual inspection. Men highly value those which are very long, with beautifully shaped calves, but not too muscular.

Beautiful legs normally have a space between ankle and calves and between calves and knees, and a small space above the touching knees. This, however, does not automatically mean that just because your legs are not like that, they are not attractive and well shaped.

Many women think that their legs are too fat or too thin. Unfortunately, the actual shape of your legs cannot be easily changed. However, with exercise you can improve muscle tone and make them look better.

How To Have Beautiful Legs:

If your legs are too fat, lose fat by going on a sensible diet and exercise. Start a regular sport activity or go to the gym.
Sometimes, legs may not be fat, but look heavy, because of bad circulation. Put your legs and feet up.
If your legs are too thin, improve them with exercise. The legs can look much more attractive with better muscle tone. Walking and bicycling are wonderful exercises for shapely legs. At the office, walk up the stairs, instead of taking the elevator!
Avoid standing for prolonged periods of time to reduce the appearance of varicose veins.
Smooth legs look more appealing than fuzzy legs. Creams can be used as hair removers, and there are quite a number of shaving tools present in the market. But the best natural depilatory is a turmeric paste, apply it before a bath, and leave it on to dry.
After a bath, make your skin feel good by moisturising it.
Avoid excessive sun exposure
Avoid baths that are too hot
Elevate or raise your legs when sleeping
Always finish your shower with a cold water jet on your legs
Drink a lot

Beauty Tips for Teen Girls

By Beverly Smith

Makeup and clothing is an issue for many teenage girls. If you are stressing about what you should look like as a newcomer in middle school, or a freshie in high school, here's a quick guide to help your fashion mature with you throughout middle and high school.

In Sixth grade, wear lip gloss, some mascara, and maybe a little bit of pale eyeshadow; don't go too heavy or it may look bad. If you want to try out more types of makeup, keep that for home experiments. As for clothes, keep it in your comfort level. Bear this in mind: if you are wearing a bra or undershirt, don't let the straps hang out. It doesn't look cool; it just looks sloppy. If you are wearing a short shirt, check in the mirror to see if your stomach hangs out of the bottom. Otherwise, wear something a little bit longer. Also, if your pants are likely to slip, wear a belt. Belts are totally hip now!
* The main point is to keep the makeup light, and the clothes clean cut.

In Seventh grade you are beginning to care a little more what you look like; you might want to try curling your hair a few days a week, and using different hairstyles besides your typical ponytail. If you are acne prone, try foundation. Remember thet even oily skin can get flaky and that looks horrible with foundation. So try it on weekends first and ask your mother (or someone that uses foundation well) if it looks okay. In Seventh grade you might want to try eyeliner. But not too much because you don't want to look like a racoon! Start trying to tie outfits together with accessories. It's good to try new things with your makeup and clothes. But when you try the new things, make sure it looks good on you, not just in the picture or at the store. Check out different stores, and find out if there is a style that suits you.

In eighth grade you are probably getting good at makeup and you know what you like. Try establishing your own hairstyle without looking like everyone else. For example, if everyone has long, layered hair with no bangs, try light wispy bangs and a shorter, layered look. You might be wearing tighter jeans now and probably starting to get concerned with impressing the guys, so it's safe to try out more mature styles such as a sleek leather blazer, or lower cut necklines. If you are happy with your sports bra, that is totally OK. But it's safe now to check out the actual bra department and wear something that makes you feel pretty - like lace.

Ninth grade: high school! This is a big transition. Now in the same world as seniors, you are going to want to look like the rest of your peers. You should by now have your makeup and hair styles already. Try to update this look a bit, because no one wants to carry the same look they had in middle school. Dramatize a detail in your hair. If its known for it's left side part, part it even deeper. Make a straight style even sleeker and hip. Learn to make youre curls tighter, or looser. In high school you might want to wear your usual make up during the day, and as you start to go out with friends and boys at night, add a darker shade of eyeliner, or jazz up your lips with something more festive. It's also good to try new shoes, try wearing spikier ankle boots with a pair of hot jeans and a blouse. Chunkier heels aren't as hip as spikes as you get older.

Incorporate accessories into your outfit. Buy yourself a bag that's in suede or leather to keep your schoolbooks in, instead of a backpack. You will want to buy yourself a new jacket, and make it your own. You know what you like, so go and find clothes that fit your style, but crank it up a notch for a more mature feel.

* Remember, no matter how old you are the most important thing is to have fun.

10 Steps to a Perfectly Clean Face

By Shreelata Suresh

Did you know that you have a great deal of control over the texture, clarity, suppleness and long-term health of facial skin just based on how and how often you cleanse? Whether you’re young or old, man or woman, you can do your skin a big favor by cleansing correctly.

Cleansing is arguably the most important part of your basic skincare routine. Proper cleansing gets rid of old surface skin cells, dirt and dust, grime, make-up and bacteria, and keeps skin pores free of clogs and able to breathe freely.

Cleansing also aids circulation and prepares the skin to receive topically applied nutrients and lipids.

Here are some tips for proper facial cleansing from the 5,000-year-old healing tradition of Ayurveda:

1. Cleanse twice a day, no more. Unless you have exposed your skin to excessive dust, grime or pollution, twice-a-day cleansing is more than adequate for any skin type. Cleansing too often strips your skin of precious natural oils. Not cleansing regularly, particularly before you retire for the night, may lead to build-up and eruptions.

2. Choose a cleanser that is appropriate for your skin type. Do not use soap on facial skin: it can be too harsh and drying and damage skin over time. A too-rich cleanser can clog pores, while a too-dry cleanser can irritate the skin. A cleanser for dry skin should contain nourishing herbs and oils. One for oily skin should include herbs that balance oil production and support clarity. Sensitive skin benefits from an ultra-gentle, fragrance-free, non-irritating cleanser.

Traditional ayurvedic cleansers are made fresh with natural ingredients such as ground oats, lentils or chickpeas, complexion enhancing or clarifying herbs such as turmeric, Amalaki, Neem and sandalwood, emollients such as milk, cream yogurt or honey, and floral or citrus waters for pure healing fragrance. You can make your own by mixing the dry ingredients to last a week or two and blending the mix with milk or cream right before use. Otherwise, look for a natural cleanser that’s gentle and fortified with skin-friendly herbs.

3. Always cleanse with tepid water. Hot water dries and damages skin over time, and cold water won’t dissolve and take away embedded dirt and grime as well as lukewarm water.

4. If you use sponges or washcloths, make sure they are clean and soft. They are not necessary for effective cleansing: your fingertips can do just as good a job.

5. Wash your hands thoroughly before you cleanse your face, or you will be working dirt into facial skin. Use a headband to secure hair away from the face.

6. Start by splashing tepid water on your face and neck.

7. Apply the cleanser with your fingertips or a soft sponge, using gentle circular massaging strokes and moving upward on the face and neck. Do not scrub too much…gentle massaging strokes are enough to help improve circulation as well as loosen grime and old surface skin cells. Too much scrubbing will stretch skin and irritate it, especially the delicate skin around the eyes.

8. Rinse with lots of tepid water. Don’t forget to rinse off cleanser from the neck and hairline. Cleanser residue can clog pores and attract dirt.

9. Gently blot off excess water with a soft towel. Do not scrub dry or drag towel along skin.

10. Follow immediately with a water-based toner and a moisturizer appropriate for your skin type to seal in surface moisture and offer nourishment when skin is receptive.

Note: This ayurvedic information is educational, and is not intended to replace standard medical care or advice.

Anti Aging Skin Care - 7 Tips On Looking Younger

Do you want to look younger? Let’s face it, nowadays, who doesn't? Once it was just celebrities and those in the public eye who worried about looking older everyone else grew old gracefully! Now 40 is the new 30 and men as well as women care about their appearance, there is even a trend in society to discriminate against the older generation. What can you do to stay looking younger? There is no Anti Aging Magic Potion that will clear your wrinkles overnight, but with discipline and a good Anti Aging Skin Care routine in place you will be on your way to looking younger for longer. There are many drastic solutions available for anti aging skin care to help you look younger, from the traditional cosmetic face lift to injecting chemicals like Botox into the skin to provide a temporary wrinkle smoothing effect. Not everyone is willing, or financially able to go to these extremes. So what can you do on a day to day basis that will help you feel and look younger? By following the 7 steps below, you will be on your way to a more youthful appearance for longer. And remember it is never too late (or too early!) to start a good anti aging routine. Seven tips on looking after your body and mind:

1. Drink plenty of water every day - most doctors recommend 7 to 10 glasses a day. Water flushes out toxins, keeping your body and skin clean. Also your skin will look clearer and plumper if it is not dry. Definitely the first step for "anti aging skin care" to look younger.

2. Eat a healthy balanced diet, include something from all the major food groups each day in your diet. Eat plenty of fibre and fresh fruit and vegetables. The UK government recommends five portions of fruit and vegetables are eaten daily, however this should be the minimum amount you eat. Fruit and vegetables contain many essential vitamins and minerals that help maintain and repair the skin and cells. Not only will your skin look younger but your body will age better and you will be less prone to many common diseases of old age. The prefect "anti aging skin care solution" Also avoid eating fatty and oily foods which increase your weight but do not give you anything nutritionally. Overweight people generally look and feel much older than they are.

3. Aim to lead a stress free, calm existence. If you are stressed the body releases chemicals which years ago would have helped you to deal with the problem with "fight" or "flight". Since these are not a solution to most of life today’s problems, the chemicals will stay in your body and cause you to become mentally or physically ill. Ensure that you sleep well and exercise regularly. Use whichever techniques help you to relax - taking a long warm bath, massage or aroma therapy are just a few to try. Remember, extreme stress will just cause your hair to go white and your face to look tired and lined. Enjoy life!

4. Regular exercise, taken at least 3 times a week and daily if possible, will work wonders in helping you look and feel younger. Ensure the exercise is vigorous enough to make you break out in a sweat and your skin will look younger as toxins are flushed out. Remember to contact your doctor before drastically changing your exercise regime.

5. Avoid UV radiation as it is the major cause of premature skin aging and wrinkles. Ensure you always have adequate sun protection for the climate and your skin type. Buy facial moisturisers which contain UV protection for daily use. Use of a good quality high factor sun cream should be part of your daily routine. A tan might look good for a while but you will age and wrinkle quickly and be more prone to skin diseases such as cancers.

6. Try to cut out nicotine and alcohol consumption. Smoking will age you as chemicals in the smoke are aging to the skin and will reverse your anti aging skin care process. Additionally, if you are forever squinting through smoke, crow’s lines around the eyes will appear all too quickly. Alcoholic drinks contain many toxins which are harmful to your health. Excessive drinking will mean your liver no longer copes with ridding your body of these toxins.

7. Look for skin care products which are anti aging (those containing the ingredients Vitamin C, retinol and ceramides are very good). Try different anti aging skin care products to see which works best for you and moisturise daily. Remember, if you feel good about yourself, you will look good.