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Go Beyond Green With Eco-friendly Beauty Trends

fashion — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 20:24:13 +0000

(ARA) – Green living doesn’t have to mean forgoing the latest looks, especially when eco-conscious beauty is the hottest thing going. Formulations driven by nature, practices that are kind to the earth and minimal packaging are all cool ways to celebrate the warm weather.

Here are some of the hottest eco-conscious beauty trends going:

Fresh as a Rose
The classic and perfect rose inspires some of the hottest colors and scents of the season. Cheeks blush in pretty shades of pink for day and bold fuchsia for evening while glamorous pink lips perfectly accompany spring smiles. For an all-over ethereal glow, the Roseflower Radiance Stick from The Body Shop is a soft, natural and preservative-free way to achieve a dewy spring glow. Match spring’s romantic mood and sweep the silky, sheer golden pink highlighter along the cheekbones for a subtle shimmer that enhances the complexion.

* Style Highlight
Made with rose oil from the “valley of roses” near the Atlas Mountains, The Body Shop Moroccan Rose Body Butter melts on contact with the skin for superb hydration and releases the delectable fragrance of roses harvested at dawn, at their fragrance peak. It also features rich Community Trade ingredients from Ghana and Brazil.

Pastels and Pinks
This season, eyes shimmer in paparazzi-friendly pastel greens, pinks and golds. Celebrity makeup artist Chase Aston says a soft gold eye shimmer is fresh and modern and is perfect for an allover eye, from lash to brow. For a contemporary effect, a cool mint green swept along the top lash line and underneath the lower lashes sings spring.

* Style Highlight
“To take this runway look to night and capture a perfectly imperfect smoky eye, take a black eye definer pencil and line along top lash line, then dip an eye color brush into midnight blue eye color and smudge over eye definer line,” says Aston.

Waste Not
What is on the outside of a beauty product is just as important as what’s within. Look for sustainably-harvested and fairly-traded ingredients as well as minimal packaging made from post-consumer materials. And when you’re done with a container, remember to recycle it!

Wild Accessories
Reduce, reuse and recycle are today’s hottest buzzwords. Raid your closet for vintage jewelry and accessories or hit your local thrift shop for a bold bargain that pops. When the sun is shining, remember to protect yourself from UV rays with a stylish round pair of sunglasses.

Beauty that Gives Back
Being good to the Earth also includes being kind to the people who inhabit the planet. Everyday products and practices can make a big difference, so look for beauty that gives back.

*Style Highlight
Purchasing a product like the preservative-free Tantalizing Lip Butter from The Body Shop and MTV means a donation is made to the Staying Alive Foundation — a charity saving lives by empowering young people around the world to protect themselves and their communities against HIV and AIDS. Now that’s beautiful.

And when you’re done all your beauty shopping, you need an eco-friendly and stylish bag to carry all your goodies home in. Try The Body Shop Bag for Life, which is a reusable, organically grown cotton bag produced without harmful pesticides.

For more information on eco-conscious beauty, visit TheBodyShop-USA.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tips for Putting Your Best Face Forward this Fall

fashion — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:56:05 +0000

Your fall beauty regimen should focus on caring for the basics of beauty – skin, smile and hair.

Bathing suits will soon be packed away for another year, but beauty doesn’t take a holiday when summer winds down. Women everywhere will need to modify their daily beauty routines to keep pace with autumn’s changing demands, and the rapid approach of the holiday season.

Your fall beauty regimen should focus on caring for the basics of beauty – skin, smile and hair. Here are some tips to ensure you enter the cooler months looking your best.

Fall Skin Care

Fall is one of the most demanding seasons for your skin. Not only does bright sunshine persist in many areas of the country, the air turns dry and cool – conditions which can add up to damage and drying.

* Remember to moisturize daily, and consider replacing the lotion or gel-based moisturizer you used over the summer months with a cream-based product. Cream-based moisturizers do a better job of locking moisture into the skin.

* You’ll still need sunscreen, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors, but you can probably pack away the 50 SPF cream until next summer. Go with a lighter SPF. Many makeup lines now offer foundations that include UV protection.

* Stay hydrated. Make sure you get your recommended eight, 8-ounce glasses of water per day. If you live in a particularly dry climate, consider sleeping with a humidifier in your room. Not only will it help your skin, the humidifier can help relieve some respiratory symptoms brought on by dry weather.

Something to Smile About

Your smile is often the first impression someone has about you. “It’s easy to overlook the importance of taking care of your smile, especially as schedules get busier in the fall,” says Dr. Nancy Rosen, a New York City-based dentist whose clients include business executives, fashionistas and politicians.

* Before the holidays hit and you have time for little else other than shopping and entertaining, schedule a checkup with your dentist.

* White teeth can turn a nice smile into a show-stopper. Consider incorporating a teeth whitener into your everyday beauty routine. Crest Whitestrips Daily Whitening Plus Tartar Protection provides five-minute once a day whitening and protection from tartar and daily stain build-up. “These strips not only provide tartar protection, they’re a great way to whiten teeth daily.” Rosen says. “The strips are gentle enough to use every day, even for people who are sensitive to whitening.” They are available anywhere Crest products are sold; or log on to www.whitestrips.com for more information.

* The cool, dry air and crisp breezes of fall can lead to chapped lips. Use lip balm that contains UV protection to prevent chapped or sunburned lips. Avoid petroleum-based balms, as evidence has shown that petroleum can actually dry out your lips.

Have a Good Hair Day

The flagrant abuse you subjected your hair to all summer comes home to roost in the fall. Autumn is a great time to recover from the effects bright sun and pool chemicals had on your hair.

* Update your cut. It’s a new season and a good time for a fresh start. Look for a cut that complements your face, is fashionable yet easy to care for – a style that will serve you well through the increased busyness of the fall and holiday season.

* Treat yourself to a deep-conditioning session at the salon to help repair sun and chlorine damage. Afterward, use a light conditioner or shampoo/conditioner combination every time you wash your hair.

With a few simple enhancements to your daily routine, you can ensure your beauty regimen doesn’t fall behind this autumn.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Solving your skin-care puzzle

fashion — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:01:17 +0000

Solving your skin-care puzzle

Many different factors go into making up your skin profile. Take all of them into account to create a skin-care regimen that’s as unique as you are. Vaseline (www.vaseline.ca) explores the challenges your skin faces year round.

Our bodies are smart. They do what they can to protect us. Darker skin helps shield us from the dangers of the sun’s rays with a natural protection equivalent to wearing SPF 5. And that means less burning, less wrinkling and fewer sunspots. But darker skin can lose moisture more quickly in cold and dry conditions.

Fairer skin lets through more light and more vitamin D. That’s good for our health but it also makes lighter skin more prone to sun damage. While lighter skin holds moisture for longer periods of time than darker skin, helping to protect it from severe weather conditions, when it does become dry and damaged it shows quickly and soon becomes unable to cope with the elements.

All it takes is a quick look out the window to see why this country can be a hard place for a body. Unless we’re lucky enough to live on the damp, temperate west coast (though perhaps not so lucky for our hair), we’re going to need a barrier between us and the elements. The extreme cold of Quebec or the far north, the winds of the prairies or the effects of high altitudes in the mountains can rob skin of moisture. Overexposure to raw spring winds or summer sunshine can do the same.

Then there’s the man-made geography. We’re talking overheated wintertime interiors, the air-conditioned nightmare of summer and the hard water that may flow from our taps, all of which can be just as drying as stepping outside in a January gale.

That Father Time’s a mean old goat. After we hit 25, our skin starts losing collagen and cell replacement slows. The result: duller, less supple skin.

We all know that too much stress is bad for our health. But did you know that high levels of stress can contribute to premature aging? By intensifying the effects of dryness, it can make our skin look as tired as we feel. Stress can also affect skin and other health conditions that each individual is prone to, which in turn affects our appearance.

Long, hot showers, failing to moisturize, forgetting to use sunscreen (in summer) or leaving our gloves at home (in winter), walking around all day in high heels. Oh, the things we do to our bodies – and our skin. Even the supplest, most luminous skin suffers when neglected or mistreated. And the results aren’t pretty: chapped, cracked, rough, tough, bumpy, lumpy, sunburned, spotted skin.

- News Canada

One minute beauty tricks

fashion — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 11:56:45 +0000

When you surround yourself with beautiful colours and scents, your mood can't help but improve.

With these simple tricks from Homebasics.ca, you’ll look and feel like a million bucks in one sweep of the second hand.

Use them to get velvety skin. After whipping up a batch of lemonade, take the leftover lemon halves and rub your knees, elbows, heels and other dry spots. The Vitamin C rich pulp helps skin feel soft & silky.

Time elapsed: 45 seconds.

Of flowers, that is. When you surround yourself with beautiful colours and scents, your mood can’t help but improve. Plus, oxygenating your surroundings is never a bad idea.

Time elapsed: 30 seconds.

Lounging in the sun is time consuming and bad for your skin. Slathering on a shimmery self-tanner, however, is neither. Opt for the tinted kind and you’ll look and feel radiant instantly.

Time elapsed: 60 seconds.

Your posture will improve, you’ll step more confidently — and that pained, pinched look will disappear from your face.

Time elapsed: 8 seconds.

Soak (caffeinated) tea bags and chill them in the freezer for a few minutes, then place them on your eyes to reduce puffiness. Cold cucumber slices also achieve the same effect.

Time elapsed: 60 seconds.

If it’s been months since you changed your razor blade, you may not remember how smooth and silky your skin can feel. Replace the blade every week or two and say goodbye to nasty nicks and cuts.

Time elapsed: 15 seconds

- News Canada

Healthy hair prescription

fashion — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 11:50:34 +0000

Healthy hair

Are you sick and tired of damaged hair? Common ills such as heating tools, colour processing and over-styling – not to mention sun, wind and chlorine – can weaken your hair, leaving it frayed, frizzy and fried. Dove Therapy System Hair Care (www.dovehair.ca) is here to help diagnose and treat your ailing tresses.

Problem: Split Ends

Prescription: Regular trims help keep ends from fraying, as does using a super-moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Avoid over-styling and try a smoothing cream to encourage hair cuticles to lie flat.

Prevention: When outside, cover up with a hat or apply a protective spray. Be diligent about conditioning to replenish lost moisture. Dry hair is more susceptible to splitting. Without treatment, hair will continue to split up the hair shaft.

Problem: Lacklustre Locks

Prescription: Bleaching and colouring can wreak havoc on healthy hair. Chemicals weaken the hair shaft, making it porous, dry and less able to reflect light. The result is hair that lacks sheen. Switch to products formulated specifically for coloured hair. Bring back bounce and elasticity with an intensive treatment product.

Prevention: Book a cut right after a colour or highlight service. It will snip away over-processed ends and help keep hair vibrant.

Problem: Frizz

Prescription: Before you touch your hair with anything hot, such as blow-dryers, curling irons or hot curlers, protect it with a product designed to take the heat. Tame misbehaving locks with styling products such as mousse, gel and hairspray.

Prevention: Let your hair keep its cool by shampooing and styling it every other day. You can banish frizz with regular use of a moisturizing conditioner designed for that purpose. Before styling, towel-dry hair first to remove excess water, and then blow it dry on low heat.

Problem: Weak, Brittle Hair

Prescription: Chemicals work their way into the shaft and weaken it from within. Pool chlorine is especially bad for blonde and light-coloured hair because it can actually stain the hair and tinge it an unsightly green. It’s time for an emergency infusion of moisture: try a deep conditioning treatment to revive dry locks and strengthen them.

Prevention: When swimming, tuck your hair under a bathing cap and shampoo it as soon as possible after leaving the water. Choose products infused with moisturizing ingredients to make hair supple again.

- News Canada

Beauty emergency quick fixes

fashion — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:49:46 +0000

Beauty emergency quick fixes

Flubbed your polish? Made a streaky mess with your self-tanner? Not to worry. These rapid repairs from Q-tips Cotton Swabs (www.homebasics.ca) will have you out the door in a flash.

For years, everyone recommended navy blue liner as the key to brightening eyes. Actually, the secret is light blue. Line the inner rim of your bottom eyelid with pale blue liner. The pastel hue makes the whites of your eyes appear brighter.

Use a clean lip brush instead of your finger to apply concealer. You get more precise application and better coverage. (Heat from your finger can dilute the product).

Resist the urge to pile on more styling product or hairspray. Instead, mist your hair with water and shape it into place with your fingers. The water will reactivate the styling product you already have in your hair.

No time for a colour touch-up? Use a coloured mascara that matches your hair colour to instantly camouflage grey hairs.

Put a drop of nail polish remover on your finger and smooth out the smudge. Wait a few seconds, then apply a light coat of polish over the whole nail. Apply a speed-dry topcoat to get you out the door fast.

It’s easy to create streaks when you’re using self-tanner. Even out skin tone by rubbing body scrub firmly over the area. You’ll remove the outer flaky skin that the self-tanner adheres to.

Red Carpet Tips for Fresh Fall Style

fashion — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 17:59:03 +0000

Red Carpet Tips for Fresh Fall Style

As the leaves change their colors this fall, many people find it is a great time to also change their style. The fall season brings new fashion and a chance for women to peruse style magazines and hit the shops to revive their look. Stylist-to-the-stars Britt Bardo brings good news for this fall’s style seekers — looking your best does not have to take a lot of time or money.

Prepping celebrities for red carpet appearances and eleventh-hour events is a daily task for Bardo whose clients include Hollywood A-listers, Jessica Simpson, Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lopez. While she spends much of her time preparing stars for important events, Britt often finds herself providing clients with simple tips to achieve a stylish, yet effortless, look at the last minute.

But in Bardo’s opinion, a new look isn’t always about the clothes and accessories. Her easiest tip is likely the first that people notice. “When my clients have to look good quickly, my new secret weapon is the new touch-up teeth whitening product, Aquafresh White Trays Revive. It revitalizes the effects of previous whitening treatments, improving teeth whiteness in just two days — it is a life-saver for last minute events.”

This fall, fashion doesn’t have to be complicated — Bardo finds the most basic items to be wardrobe essentials. “When you are at a loss for what to wear, stick to well-fitting, chic basics,” she says. “A great pair of trousers and a simple t-shirt tucked in are dependable outfit home-runs. Then give the outfit some ammunition with bold accessories.”

Bardo recommends these other tips to turn heads this fall:

* Every woman should have a great-fitting, sexy little white shirt. It is classic and chic and goes with everything.

* Mix up your cosmetics with the new mineral make-ups available at the drugstore. Drugstore cosmetics are just as good, if not better than high-end, fancy brands, and are a fraction of the price.

* If you want to try out a trend but are hesitant to spend a lot of money, look for a similar style at a lower price. With high-end designers doing collections for mass retailers it is easy to find something fun and low cost.

For more tips from Britt Bardo see the article featured at www.AquafreshWhiteTrays.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Celebrate every inch of the amazing you

fashion — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 02:59:49 +0000

Celebrate every inch of the amazing you

(NC)—When you look in the mirror, do you adore what you see? Well, look again. This fabulous, tenacious, sexy miracle of a bod is your greatest gift. Just think about the miles it has covered, pain it has endured and incredible pleasures it has provided on your behalf. How can you get to a state of body-loving nirvana? Here are some tips from Dove Hand & Body Lotions (www.dove.ca/body).

Start treating your body like the best friend that it is. Get a massage or facial once a month. Indulge in a long hot bath with scented oils surrounded by candlelight. Invite a girlfriend over to swap pedicures. Take a nap in the middle of the day.

Life is too short to wear clothes that are tight or restrictive. Go through your wardrobe and pitch anything that distracts you while you’re wearing it, whether it’s bras with straps that slip down, skirts you have to tug into place or shoes you can only walk in for 20 minutes at a time.

This is probably not the first time you’ve heard this advice, but it’s high time you liberate yourself from the numbers game – unless you’re monitoring your weight for medical reasons. A scale should never determine your self-esteem or your sense of worth.

Numerous studies have shown that the false ideals of the fashion industry have wreaked havoc on the self-esteem of women, particularly young girls. It may feel like harmless fun to flip through the pages but if, in the end, it makes you feel dissatisfied with your own beauty, it’s a waste of your time and psychic energy. Invest instead in magazines that celebrate who you are – gardening, design, news, travel, and music – not what you look like.

Make a list of all the things you love about yourself. Start with the outside (gorgeous eyes, silky skin, sexy shoulders) and work your way in (generous, honest, loyal, funny). When you’re done, ask your spouse, children and best friend to add to the list. Keep it somewhere handy and refer to it often.

The best way to celebrate your body? Use it. Schedule a weekly walk and gabfest with friends. Go bike riding with your kids. Yoga is an ancient practice that helps foster the mind-body connection – it’s one of the best ways to stay fit and limber while rejuvenating the soul.

When we’re feeling down, sometimes all we need and all our bodies need is a long hug. So don’t be afraid to ask for one. The healing powers of a warm, safe, secure embrace work wonders on our psyches, allowing tightly wound nerves to relax into the strength of another.

-News Canada

Celebrate the Queen Bee in all Women (w/ Honey Bath, Facial, & Body Polish Recipes)

fashion — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:25:06 +0000

Although moms get their own special day of recognition every May, what about all of the other women that help make the world go ‘round? Grandmothers, sisters and best friends all deserve to know how much they are appreciated on a daily basis.

The summer months are dotted with special days dedicated to the ladies. This summer, declare all of the women you know a queen bee and celebrate the things that make them beautiful – inside and out. Keep these dates in mind and surprise her highness with a day of pampering.

Gorgeous Grandma Day – July 23
Girlfriend’s Day – August 1
Sister’s Day – August 3

Natural beauty is easy to attain with an item you most likely already have in your kitchen cupboard – pure honey. Used by itself or with a combination of ingredients, honey can help moisturize, ward off unwanted bacteria and help give your skin an all-over natural glow. Not only is honey a humectant, it also contains vitamins, enzymes, minerals and antimicrobial properties, making it one of the more natural ways to indulge your skin.*

Christopher Watt, Hollywood aesthetician to stars such as Halle Barry and Jennifer Lopez, has developed a database of recipes especially for the National Honey Board that focuses on natural ingredients and easy do-it-yourself directions.

* Not a significant source of vitamins, enzymes or minerals.

RECIPES:

The Honey and Gold Luxe Facial

Ingredients:
1/3 cup pure honey
1/4 cup papaya, peeled, seedless (optional)
1 banana (optional)
1 Tbsp. Chamomile tea (optional)
24-karat gold leaf sheets

Treatment Instructions:
Steep 1 Chamomile tea bag for 5 minutes and set aside. Mix together honey, papaya and banana in a small bowl. Add 1 Tbsp. Chamomile tea; mix until completely blended. Apply to clean skin in circular motions. Leave on face for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove using tepid water. Apply gold leaf sheets to entire face and neck. You may need to use tweezers to handle as the gold sheets are very thin and delicate. Leave on skin for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, followed by a cool rinse. Skin may appear shiny after application. If desired, wash face with a gentle cleanser. Apply moisturizer.

Note: Honey may be used alone on clean, damp skin prior to the gold leaf application.

Golden Honey Body Polish

Ingredients:
1/2 cup pure honey
1/2 cup Dead Sea Salt (can substitute Epsom Salt)
2/3 cup grape seed oil
24-karat gold leaf sheets

Treatment Instructions:
Combine honey, Sea Salt (or Epsom Salt) and grape seed oil. Crush 2 to 3 sheets of 24-karat gold leaf until almost powder consistency; add to honey mixture and combine. Apply in bathtub or shower to damp skin. Work the mixture in on rough areas such as elbows, knees and the soles of your feet. Rinse with warm water. Towel dry and apply moisturizer.

Note: You may also add the crushed gold leaf to further enhance your favorite moisturizer.

Foaming Vanilla Honey Bath

Ingredients:
1 cup sweet almond oil, light olive or sesame oil may be substituted
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup liquid soap
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

Treatment Instructions:
Measure the oil into a medium bowl. Carefully stir in remaining ingredients until mixture is fully blended. Pour into a clean plastic bottle with a tight-fitting stopper or lid. Shake gently before using. Swirl desired amount into the bathtub under running water – then step in and descend into a warm, silky escape.

For additional beauty tips and recipes using pure honey, visit www.honey.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent