GOOD, SMART, HEALTHY, GOOD LOOKING

Rules for Dressing Thin

2007-09-25T13:34:00.000+07:00

Rules for Dressing Thin
1. Monochromatic dressing is Leah's favorite rule of all time. Two colors break the body in half and a lighter color on bottom will make you look bottom-heavy, but one, dark color will create a longer, thinner line. And, black is the most slimming color "The darker the color, the safer you are."

2. Base your wardrobe on dark neutrals.

3. Friendly and Unfriendly Verticals: Leah grades three garments

Rating A+: This jacket has elongating lines throughout - even the pockets are hidden which doesn't draw attention to the hips. Leah bought one for herself!

Rating F: This jacket is a triple threat! The bulky pockets make any woman's hips look larger, the belted waist destroys the line between top and bottom, and two rows of buttons do little more than make the midriff wider.

Rating C- : Although this palazzo pantsuit uses long lines to its advantage, if pants are bigger at the bottom, they will make you look bigger.

One vertical to avoid! If you're at all bottom-heavy, stay away from pleats—they will do nothing but draw attention to and accentuate your curves.

4. Balance. If you're long-waisted, wear short layers over long ones - it shortens your waist and will help balance your look.

5. Beware of stiff, shiny, or bulky fabrics. They can make you look fat and will draw attention to bumps and bulges on your body.

6. If you have large hips don't wear dresses or skirts that button down the front.

The berry with punch-Lifestyle: Health & Fitness

2007-09-25T12:02:00.000+07:00

The berry with punch

TORONTO (Reuters) - All hail the acai, the latest of a variety of trendy fruits that are finding their way into drinks like smoothies, teas and juices, along with the promise of giving your health a boost.

A few years ago, pomegranate was suddenly everywhere, but new options like goji berries and mangosteen became popular once the bright red seed-filled fruit went mainstream.
Now the buzz fruit is acai, pronounced "a-sigh-ee". It's the latest trend in an increasingly popular food category: functional foods, defined as those that provide some benefit outside of basic nutrition. A dark purple Brazilian berry promoted as packed with fiber, phytochemicals and essential fatty acids, acai has been called "nature's perfect energy fruit" by well-known nutritionist Dr. Nicholas Perricone.

"The acai berry is one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world," said Jeff Graham, managing director of product development for MonaVie, makers of two juice beverages that contain acai berries, along with eighteen other fruits.

Acai does have an impressive nutritional profile: it's high in healthy fats like omega fatty acids and phytochemicals like antioxidants, and low in sodium, cholesterol and natural sugars. It also contains soluble and insoluble fiber, and essential amino acids.

But while the research on acai is promising, it's also new, which means that consumers need to be wary of overblown health claims and deceptive marketing, said Dr. Joshua Bomser, a nutrition professor at Ohio State University. Even if unsupported claims are not associated with a particular product, they can easily be found online, and it can be difficult for consumers to tell which sources are reputable and which are not.

A University of Florida study showed that extracts from acai berries killed leukemia cells in a laboratory setting, and the research is often mentioned by proponents of the berry and its health benefits.

Dr. Andrew Weil, a leading expert in integrative medicine, writes that there's a big scientific leap from what happens in a test tube to what happens in the human body, and past studies have shown that results seen in a lab don't always bear out in human trials.

Consumers with a layman's understanding of the science may not understand that difference, Bomser pointed out, especially if it's presented in a misleading way. "Consumers really need to be aware of where the information is coming from."

MonaVie's acai-based juices are marketed as a food, which restricts the claims that can be made about their health benefits, but some manufacturers of similar high-concentration juices market them as dietary supplements. Foods sold in the United States are subject to FDA regulations controlling marketing claims that can be made in their advertising and on their packaging, while dietary supplements go virtually unregulated.

MonaVie works from the top down to market its juices accurately and legally, Graham said. The products are sold by individuals through multilevel or network marketing instead of in stores, and sellers who make false claims are removed from the company's distribution list, he said.

"We want to be around for a long time," Graham said, "and the best way to be around for a long time is to make the appropriate and well-defined and approved claims you can make for fruit-based products, which are really very few."

Some critics say that functional food products can be a costly way to get your vitamins and minerals. For example, MonaVie sells for about $40 for a 25.3-ounce bottle. Consumed at the recommended rate of two to four ounces daily, it will last about a week and cost about $4 to $6 a day.

Graham acknowledged that the product is not inexpensive, but said the cost can be comparable to eating the recommended daily servings of fruits, depending on what is consumed.

Several surveys have shown that many Americans don't come close to meeting those recommendations. A study recently published in the Journal of Preventive Medicine found that only 11 percent of American adults were eating the United States Department of Agriculture's recommended two daily servings of fruit and three daily servings of vegetables in 2002, and that consumption was not increasing. Sixty-two percent of respondents didn't eat fruit daily.

Given that reality, Graham said, MonaVie offers a convenient way to get some of the antioxidants -- along with a portion of the vitamins, minerals and fiber -- provided by fruits.

Trends aside, consumers have always been curious about the health benefits of particular foods, Bomser pointed out. "We've known for a long time that fruits and vegetables are healthy. That's really not new," he said. "I think what is new is the scientific understanding of what makes fruits and vegetables healthy, and some of the components involved in that, and also the mechanisms involved."

As it stands, the scientific evidence shows that acai is a nutritious fruit, and eating it certainly isn't unhealthy, he said. Further research may show that acai has particular health benefits due to its combination of various compounds.

In the meantime, consumers shouldn't neglect their overall diet while waiting for a miracle product. "Avoid thinking of one particular food as a magic bullet for disease prevention," Bomser said. "It really should focus on the whole diet and lifestyle."

Article from: Reuters

Scent of a woman

2007-08-23T14:50:00.000+07:00

Scent of a woman
Fashion designer Betsey Johnson on her “very girly” first fragrance.

Betsey Johnson recently cartwheeled through Toronto for the Canadian launch of her debut fragrance collection. The eponymous perfume is the most recent addition to the ever-expanding catalogue available to what Johnson describes as the “Betsey girl.” After 40 years in the fashion industry, Johnson seems more enthusiastic than ever. Her fashion career began in the 1960s when she dressed the likes of Andy Warhol and the Velvet Underground. By 1978, she had her own line; today, she has more than 50 stores worldwide. A new grandmother and a recent cancer survivor, Johnson doesn’t ready to stop any time soon. FASHION’s Charlotte Herrold talked to her about the language of perfume, rock ‘n’ roll idols, and duty-free shopping.

What was the first fragrance that you ever really loved?
“I remember Evening in Paris and Shalimar. Shalimar was a big fragrance in my high school years. And I remember the first time I saw an AC/DC boy/girl kind of fragrance. It was called Canoe, and we would say, ‘Oh my god, we’re wearing guys’ cologne!’ Now it’s all fresh sea breeze and ying yang and wear what you want. Now, I tend to hop around with fragrances. I buy the bottle first, the smell second. If it doesn’t look good, I’m convinced it doesn’t smell good.”

How important were aesthetics when creating the fragrance?
“The first time out, I wanted it to be really Betsey. It had to look special and be sweet and very girly. It’s floral, candy-like, addictive, eat-it-up. I wear it! I get lots of compliments from guys. Something I say is, ‘It’s only as good as the compliments you get.’ Same with cooking a meal for someone or wearing a dress. With perfume you want feedback, because it isn’t really anything you can show someone. You can’t say, ‘See my pretty dress,’ or, ‘Taste my pretty meal.’”

You already have another fragrance in the works, and there is talk of a line of legwear and one of makeup. Is there a point at which you will stop expanding?
“I love licensing! We’re on to the second perfume, and we’re developing variations on the first one: creams, roll-ons. It explodes into all these other categories of smelly stuff. We definitely would love to do cosmetics and jeans, even menswear. And children’s is a category I’m dying to get into. It’s great to be making more of all the stuff that my girl wears. She can have my version of watches, sunglasses, jewellery, swimwear, lingerie, and all that junk.”

Amy Winehouse performs in your dresses and even got married in one. What was your reaction?
“She is my idol! I love it when people come along and they’re wonderful and talented and really kick-ass new, and they also love my clothes! I very rarely get on celebrities because they want couture and Armani, whereas Amy is more like my street down-and-dirty gal. That she got married in my little anchor dress – it’s just the best thing to happen to me since Prince. It’s just so fun when you really like someone and they like you. That’s what it’s all kind of about. It’s connecting with people through a perfume or a dress. It’s saying, ‘Good, it wasn’t just crazy little me who made that polka dot dress that only I would wear. You would wear it too!’”

Rumour has it that your clothing line is returning to your edgier design roots.
“I’m hoping to go back to cotton Lycra, my favourite fabric. I love stretchy stuff ‘cause I wanted to be a dancer, so I grew up in leotards. I am trying to kick in a little more fun, sexiness, over-the-top Betsey, like the good old days. I also like – having grown up a bit – more sophisticated clothes as well. It’s not just me, me, me. It’s more like taking what you love and then just making it for a more varied customer.”

How do you maintain your trademark uniqueness given that so many designers and celebrities are putting out perfumes now?
“Now doesn’t Beyoncé have a perfume, and Sarah Jessica? Do baseball players have perfumes? You need to have a perfume. It says you are part of the real world when you have a perfume. If a girl likes your clothes and likes your shoes and likes your jewellery, she’s going to want to have your perfume on her shelf.” Are you going for the same look for your second fragrance?
“The first perfume came from a lovely old vintage bottle I saved since high school. It’s so easy for me to do the bottle and the packaging – everything but the smell. It’s hard ‘cause you’re smelling all this stuff, and you think, Great, we’ve almost got it! Then you wake up the next morning and you smell it and you go, Well, that’s really wrong!”

So designing a perfume is very different from designing a dress?
“Perfume is all in your head. And it’s more difficult because it’s a language I don’t know, a whole other world of sensitivity. It’s funny how you talk the language. You say, ‘Well, if the perfume was a room, what room would it be?’ And I always say, ‘Oh, the bedroom!’ I think my happiest moment in the perfume world will be when I’m travelling through the airport and go to a duty free shop and I see my perfume. That’s when I’ll know I’ve hit it home.”

Article from: fashionmagazine

The Drive to Be Skinny: A closer look at weight management.

2007-08-10T20:10:00.000+07:00

The Drive to Be Skinny: A closer look at weight management.

As Americans we are constantly exposed to controversial, widely debated visual images of body shapes that are unattainable for the majority of the population. However, there is an underlying notion for many people that the unrealistic images we see in everyday life are what we should look like. This societal pressure to look a certain way and feel good about being this has led to a boom in the fad-dieting industry while healthy weight management knowledge is sometimes left behind. On the other hand, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services suggest that 55% of all Americans are currently overweight, and 20% or more are obese.

"Everyone can be healthier, but not everyone can be as skinny as they'd like to be" says Kristen Olmos. She is a registered Dietitian and Nutrition Counselor at the Student Health Center. Kristen works with many students and faculty on campus to educate them about health eating habits and weight.

"It concerns me that so many people have a desire to be a certain weight. A lot of times the goal is not a realistic healthy concept of what the person should look like." Part of Kristen's job is to work with students who have tried to loose weight in the past through popular fad diets.

A day in the Zone Diet : Breakfast-1 flour tortilla, 2oz. Ham, 2Tbsp Guacamole, 1 c. grapes. Lunch- BLT sandwich, dill pickle, 1 oz. low fat cheeze, ฝ c. yogurt, 1/3 c. peaches. Dinner- 6oz salmon, 1 tomato, 1 Tbsp parmesan cheese, 1 cup green beans, spinach.

spinach

I worry when people refer to themselves as fat. I see some people that have emotional issues with their weight and body image. Obviously this is going to play a huge role in weight management efforts." Many people are discriminated against or made fun of because of their weight. Common examples are the work place or mainstream comedy. "Obesity is an area where we believe we can discriminate against people, treat them poorly and think it is acceptable. It's very common for people to be discriminated against because of their weight" says Olmos. This discrimination, or an unrealistic notion of ideal body weight, will provoke 50 million Americans this year to try to loose weight whether they need to or not.

"Components necessary for healthy weight loss focus on overall health an not just what the scale says".

Last year, Kristen says, many students were on trendy high-protein diets. These include Protein Power, the Zone, Sugar Busters, and the Adkins diet. These diets restrict the intake of carbohydrates, an essential macro nutrient and source of calories in the body. The body then has to derive energy from the increased fat and protein intake, as well as fat and protein stores in the body. Much of the initial weight loss from these diets is water weight rather than fat. These diets are often very calorie restrictive and people often find the required diet leaves them unsatisfied. "People can loose weight like this but at what cost? It doesn't make sense to take the enjoyment out of food and life. Components necessary for healthy weight focus on overall health and not just what the scale says."

Physical activity is a major part of weight management, as well as general health. Most professionals agree that doing some kind of moderately intense physical activity for at least twenty minutes, three times a week, is beneficial to overall health and can help with weight management.

Anyone interested in analysis of their actual diet can contact the Health Education Department about the Nutrition Analysis Program. The program is designed to examine the specific diet of an individual. It can be a very useful tool for those interested in personal nutrition information. Stop by the Health Center for more information.

Article from: http://healthed.uoregon.edu

>> 10 Healthy Eating Tips for the Busy College Student

2007-08-10T19:57:00.000+07:00

10 Healthy Eating Tips for the Busy College Student

The average college student is often pressed for time, under a lot of stress and eating on the go. You may find it difficult to avoid bad habits like skipping meals or frequenting fast food restaurants. But eating a healthy diet can help you feel better, cope with stress and perform better in the class-room and on the athletic field. It really isn't that hard to get started.

1) Eat a good breakfast. Studies show that skipping breakfast detracts from scholastic achievement. When there isn't time to sit down and enjoy your morning meal, grab a bagel, piece of fruit, and some juice. Most of these items can be easily stored in your dorm room.

2) If you must eat fast foods, choose wisely. Choose pizza with half the cheese, a regular size roast beef sandwich, baked potato, or green salad with reduced calorie dressing. Limit high fat offering like french fries, fried chicken or fish sandwiches and watch out for salad dressing.

3) Keep healthful snacks on hand so if hunger strikes during a late night study session, you won't be tempted by vending machine candy, chips, or ice cream. Possibilities include fresh or dried fruit, pretzels, unbuttered popcorn, rice cakes or whole wheat cracker. If you have a refrigerator, consider raw vegetables with low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese dip.

4) Eat plenty of foods that are rich in calcium. People in their early twenties need to be build up stores of calcium in their bodies to prevent osteoporosis in later life. If you don't like milk, try to include ample amounts of low-fat yogurt, low-fat cheese, and green leafy vegetables in your diet.

5) If you need to lose weight, do it sensibly. Starvation and/or diets that offer a quick fix usually backfire and are harmful. There is not truth to the theories that suggest eating foods in any particular combination will promote weight loss. The only safe way to lose weight, feel good while doing it, and keep it off is to eat a balanced diet.

6) Sugar provides calories in your diet but few other nutrients and it contributes significantly to tooth decay. Use it sparingly and consider sweetening coffee, tea, cereal and fruit with diet sweeteners instead.

7) The dining hall salad bar can be either an asset or a detriment to you diet depending on how you choose from it. Of course, leafy greens, raw vegetable and fresh fruit are beneficial. But if you choose lot of creamy dressing, bacon bit, and mayonnaise based salads, the calories and fat may equal or even exceed those of a burger and fries.

8) If you drink alcohol, keep in mind that it supplies calories but no nutritional value. A light beer, a glass of wine, or an ounce of liquor each has about 100 calories. There are also many health problems associated with drinking alcohol.

9) Drink lots of water. Your body needs at least eight glasses a day, and if you exercise vigorously, you may need more. To remind yourself, carry a water bottle along to class and keep it handy during late night study sessions.

10) Remember, food is a lot more than nourishment for our bodies. Enjoy and savor it.

Article from: http://healthed.uoregon.edu

>> Weight for the Holidays

2007-08-08T17:05:00.000+07:00

Weight for the Holidays

Christmas is a comin' and the goose is not the only thing getting fat! Unfortunately, many people gain weight during the Christmas and New Year holiday season. With all the festive feasts, decorative sweets, and parties, not to mention the regular heavier cooking that we do in cold weather, you may find that you are among those people who gain weight during this time of the year. You may even have the remnants of last year's festivities still hanging around your waist or tucked into your cheeks. If so, you are probably dreading this year's contributions even more.

Now, I know there are many articles out there that warn you about holiday weight gain and give crisp, clear instructions about avoiding even the most tempting treats. But, unless you have steel-plated willpower, I also know that, while you may cut back a little on your amounts, that you probably aren't willing to totally give up the party goodies and platefuls of your favorite holiday foods. Let's face it ? you need another approach to holiday weight control that you are willing to live with.

Why not prepare for this year's holiday season by losing 10 or more pounds before the Christmas festivities begin? Now, before you panic - I'm not suggesting that you go on a starvation diet to accomplish that, but simply make some lifestyle and body chemistry changes that will rapidly result in weight loss, energy gain, and other physical improvements. Does that sound impossible? Let me assure you, based on results I have seen with my patients, not only is it totally possible, but it is relatively painless and amazingly simple.

I'm sure you realize that a healthy diet, proper exercise, and rest all contribute to your health and wellness, but if your body chemistry is out of balance, they may not contribute to your weight loss efforts. Thanks to a collaboration of anti-aging scientists and physicians, it is now possible for the masses to scientifically correct 5 major body chemistry issues in just 10 days, leading to the weight loss that I am recommending for your holiday relief. Here are your 5 body chemistry areas.

Blood sugar ? Lower your blood sugar levels through careful attention to the glycemic index. Are you eating too many carbs? By watching your carbohydrate intake, you can lower your blood sugar levels, which will increase your energy, stabilize any mood swings, and trigger your body to release fat. As an added bonus, you will control or avoid type 2 diabetes with proper blood sugar control.
Body toxicity ? Did you know that addressing colon and liver toxicity issues will make a huge difference in your health? Did you know that an average person carries around 7-25 pounds of fecal matter internally? If you lower your body toxicity levels, you can reduce gas, bloating, bad breath, and body odor. You will also non-surgically flatten your tummy, while correcting constipation and/or diarrhea issues.

Control of parasites, candida albicans, and intestinal funguses ? Another vital issue you need to address in taking control of your health and weight is the control of parasites, candida albicans, and intestinal funguses. If you have any of these problems, you may suffer from water retention, sugar cravings, mood swings, poor sleep, and allergies. If you have ever taken antibiotics, then chances are you have an intestinal flora or candida albicans issue. Even if you don't take antibiotics, you can ingest antibiotics through meat and dairy products.

Chemistry issue of acid/alkalinity ? You will want to check the acid/alkalinity of your body's pH. If you are too acidic, then you will be a "vapor weight gainer," putting on weight rapidly for no apparent reason. You will also be tired and allergy and illness prone, and it has been proven that people who are too acidic are the ones who get cancer. Being alkaline helps you have more natural vitality and will help you maintain good weight management effortlessly.

Turn up the burn on fat ? You can do this while enhancing metabolism by natural means and controlling appetite. One way to enhance metabolism is to eat regularly scheduled meals every day. Skipping meals slows down metabolism as the body goes into storage mode, thinking it is not going to receive food so it begins to conserve.

Of course, you will want to remember to practice proper deep breathing so that your cells have enough oxygen to function efficiently and to the best of their abilities. I also want to remind you that all your body systems, from the smallest cell to the largest organ (the skin), cannot function properly without proper amounts of water. Your personal water formula is 2 quarts of water (plus another 8 oz for every 25 pounds you need to lose) per day.

If you will make the simple lifestyle changes that can affect these body chemistry balances in your body, I can assure you that you will not only reach your goal before the holidays begin, but you will find them amazingly helpful during and after the season has passed as well. Remember, these are lifestyle changes that I am suggesting. They are yours for keeps. May you enjoy a slimmer and happier holiday season and many more to come.

>> What is a Healthy Diet

2007-08-08T17:02:00.000+07:00

What is a Healthy Diet

There is so much information about what is healthy and nutritious these days that it is very difficult to sort out the hype from the truth. Following a healthy diet can be accomplished by making some simple adjustments to your current diet.

If you think it is just too much trouble to make some simple changes to improve your family?s diet, think again. Most people do not realize the incredible impact that a healthy diet has on our bodies, making the difference between poor health and good health.

Along with regular physical activity, a healthy diet is the most important factor that determines your weight. If you are overweight or obese, your chances of developing many diseases or conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, and certain cancers, increase significantly.

v EASY STEPS TO A HEALTHY DIET
v Your first step to following a healthy diet is to make sure you include food from all food groups. Vegetables, fruits, whole-grains, legumes, lean proteins and low fat milk products should all be incorporated into your daily diet.

*VEGETABLES ? A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer. It also contributes to a healthy weight, reducing your risk of obesity and the conditions associated with it. There are a multitude of vegetables to choose from, the healthiest being dark green vegetables like broccoli, lettuces, and kale, orange vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, and squash, and red vegetables like red peppers and tomatoes.

*FRUITS ? Eat a variety of fruits each day, canned, dried, fresh or frozen. Stay away from fruit juices as they can be high in sugar. (Unless you make the juice yourself.)

*WHOLE GRAINS ? Choose whole grain cereals, breads, rice, and pasta. Read the food label and make sure the grain that is listed such as wheat, rice, oats or corn is referred to as WHOLE in the list of ingredients. Whole grains are an excellent source of fiber. Fiber can help reduce your risk of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

*LEGUMES ? This class of vegetable includes beans, peas and lentils. They are low in fat, contain no cholesterol, are high in protein, and have phytochemicals, compounds that help prevent heart disease and cancer. They are also a good source of fiber. Add pinto, kidney, black and garbanzo beans, split peas and lentils to your daily diet.

*LEAN PROTEINS ? Choose lean meats, poultry, and fish. Bake, broil, or grill it. Do not fry! Beans, nuts and seeds also provide protein.

*LOW-FAT MILK PRODUCTS ? Eat low-fat yogurt, low-fat cheese or low-fat milk every day. Dairy products can lower your risk of diabetes and help build strong bones, reducing your risk of osteoporosis.

There are a variety of foods that should not be present in your diet except in very small amounts. These foods, such as sugars, alcohol, and some fats, contribute to diseases and poor health.

*SUGARS ? Avoid foods containing sugar. You know what they are! Always check food labels to see how much sugar is present as some foods contain sugar that may surprise you.

*ALCOHOL ? Avoid alcohol. If you must drink, limit intake to one drink a day. Alcohol can increase your risk of many conditions including some types of cancers.

*FATS ? There are different kinds of fat in our foods. Some are detrimental to your health and others are very healthy.

1. Monounsaturated fats (olive oil, flaxseed oil, peanut oil and avocados)

2. Polyunsaturated fats (safflower, sesame, sunflower seeds)

These fats raise your good cholesterol levels. To stick to a healthy diet, choose foods with these fats.

3. Saturated fat and trans fatty acids raise your bad cholesterol levels, contributing to your risk of heart disease. Limit your intake.

Saturated fats are found in beef, veal, lamb, pork, lard, butter, cream, whole milk dairy products and can be present in processed foods like frozen dinners and some canned food. Always check food labels before purchasing.

Trans fatty acids, the kind of fats that increase the risk of heart disease, are formed during the process of creating cooking oils, shortening, and margarine and are found in commercially fried foods, some baked goods, and crackers. When checking food labels, make sure the ingredients do not include hydrogenated fats.

Following a healthy diet is a necessary step for the improved health of you and your family. It is not difficult to make the simple changes necessary to change an unhealthy diet to a healthy one. The advantages, better health, longer life, and more energy, far outweigh any inconveniences you may experience.

>> Cosmetic Tips And Tricks

2007-08-08T16:39:00.000+07:00

Cosmetic Tips And Tricks

Women have been wearing cosmetics for thousands of years. Archaeologists have evidence of men and women using cosmetics in Egypt over 6000 years ago! Wealthy Egyptian women would paint their nails, massage their faces with creams and oils, apply lipstick and eyeliner, and even color their hair. Obviously, things haven?t changed that much over the last few millennia!

How Do You Put Cosmetics On?

The most important thing you can do when applying makeup is to start with a clean face. A clean face gives you the perfect palate for applying the rest of your cosmetics. A dirty face, on the other hand, will make it much more difficult. A clean face will also help keep your skin look clear and healthy.

After you have thoroughly cleaned your face, apply foundation smoothly and evenly. When applied correctly, it should not look like you?re wearing foundation. The purpose of foundation is to smooth out your skin colors to cover up any blemishes and to help you put your cosmetics on better. Your face should feel light and natural. If it is obvious that you?re wearing foundation, or if your face feels like it?s covered with guck, then you?ve put too much on. Also consider if you have the right type of foundation. To work properly, the foundation has to match your skin tone as closely as possible. If you are having trouble picking the right color of foundation, talk to a cosmetics consultant at one of the cosmetics counters at your local department store. If you?ve only put a bit too much foundation on, you can blot at your skin with some toilet paper to remove the excess foundation without having to start from scratch.

If required, you can then apply some concealer to your face with your fingers. Concealer can be particularly useful around your eyes so any dark circles don?t have you confused for a racoon! No matter where you use concealer, always remember to blend, blend, blend. If the concealer is not blended into the rest of your face, it will only draw attention to the spots your are attempting to cover up.

It is only after you?ve washed your face and applied foundation and concealer that you?re ready to move on to the more noticeable cosmetics such as eyeliner, eye shadow, mascara, blush and lipstick.

What are Cosmetics Made Of?

The ancient Egyptians mainly made their cosmetics from clay and oils (with the occasional dash of mercury). Modern cosmetics are made from an unbelievable array of products. Lipstick often contains fish by-products and blush can contain mica, a translucent mineral! While the Food and Drug Administration controls what can be used in cosmetics, the precise ingredients are often protected as trade secrets.

If you really want to know what?s going on your face, you can chose to buy organic cosmetics that will make their makeup from simple, natural materials. This can also be a useful strategy if you are concerns about animal testing. If you only want to buy cosmetics that have not been tested on animals, make sure to inquire whether the cosmetics you are purchasing were tested on animals or not.