One of the main skin problems that women have issues with under-eye bags and puffiness. There are many different remedies available for you to use in order to get rid of them. It’s up to you to decide which one is going to help you in the best manner. There are many things that you can do in order to take care of under-eye bags and puffiness. A few of the solutions will be discussed in detail here.
Determining the Cause
Before you choose any method of treatment, it is important to try and figure out the cause of your under-eye bags or puffiness. It could be hereditary, as in many cases, and although this certainly does not mean that you are not going to be able to get help, you should be prepared that it may be more difficult to treat if that is the case.
It could also be allergies that are causing this swelling and puffiness under your eyes. If allergies are the root of your problem, you can try removing the allergen or take a good over-the-counter allergy medication. However, it is always a good idea to talk to your doctor before taking any type of medication.
It is also very important to make sure that you get plenty of sleep at night. Otherwise you can wake up feeling tired and restless and may have the under-eye bags and circles to prove it. Lack of sleep also causes the skin to become paler, especially under the eyes, and reduces circulation as well. Your goal should be to get at least eight hours of sleep each night and try to stay away from drugs and alcohol, because these are only going to add to the problem.
Cucumbers
One of the most popular methods used to get rid of bags under the eye involves cucumbers. Cut a few pieces of a regular cucumber and then lie back, placing one piece on each eye. You can also use figs or even rose water on cotton pads, if rose water is available to you. Regardless of what you use—cucumbers, figs, or rose water—keep it on your eyes for at least twenty minutes or more.
The cucumbers work particularly well because they have a high water, silicon, and sodium content, which helps to soothe and cool the eyes, thereby shrinking bags and relieving puffiness and irritation. They also help in toning and firming the skin around the eyes while reducing the effects of daily lifestyle stress at the same time. Even if you do not have bags or puffiness, you can use this method once or twice a week as a preventative measure and help ease stress.
Products
There are various products available to help with under-eye bags and puffiness. These under-the-eye products work by using cooling and relieving ingredients that help to calm and soothe the skin around the eye. Some under-the-eye products will be pricier than others, but the effectiveness that they offer is well worth it.
Besides products that are specific to under-eye bags and puffiness, there are also various overnight facial masques you can use that will help to reduce the appearance of puffiness or discoloration. These work best when you apply them at night and remove them in the morning, allowing them to do their job overnight. Seeing a naturopathic physician also may help you, especially if you have been trying other methods of treatment with little to no success.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
How Can You Overcome the Challenges That Summer Skin Throws at You?
Whilst winter skin may be an absolute nightmare, summer skin can also cause you plenty of problems too. There is the added worry of wearing sun tan lotion, and protection against premature ageing is also needed now. So how exactly do you handle the problems which summer can throw at you?
The Joy of Summer
Summer no doubt makes us happier. However, for the body it is simply just another season which it has to survive. Whilst winter may be a problem for dry skin, summer is a problem for oily skin! Rashes sunburn and infections are also common problems that summer brings with it.
Warm weather also attracts various insects and as we spend so much of our time outdoors, insect bites are often quite common. The problems really are endless and sometimes summer can seem more like a chore than a time to relax and enjoy the sun! Luckily there are a variety of ways in which we can protect our skin; it is all a matter of preparing the body!
How to Care For Summer Skin
There are literally loads of things you can do to help your skin in summer. The most obvious one is sun tan lotion. Our skin is more likely to get burned in summer and sunburn can not only be painful, but it can also be quite serious too. Skin cancer is a very big risk is summer and so a high level sun protection factor is essential, especially for people with fair skin and freckles. It is recommended that you use a sun protection factor of at least 18 and really for fair skin it should be even higher. Also, make sure that you are spreading enough onto the body and pat it into the body rather than wiping it on.
Other things you can do to help your summer skin include:
Changing Your Products
Just as you would change your products in winter if you have dry skin, changing your products in summer is also essential if you suffer from oily skin. Soap free cleansers are good to use and followed on by an alcohol free toner should help to keep the skin clean and fresh. These kinds of products help to ensure that you clean your face without removing all of the skins oils, and they also will not cause any irritation.
Changing your moisturizer is also important as you will now need a much lighter one than you did in the winter. It is essential to choose one which is oil free which usually has silicone or glycerine based ingredients in them.
Do Not Overdo it With the Exfoliator
Exfoliating may be really tempting in summer as more skin is often on show, however, it is possible to overdo it and damage the skin. You can still exfoliate on the knees and on the elbows, but exfoliating the face should definitely be avoided. If you do exfoliate the face it can cause microtears in the skin which lead to uneven pigmentation once exposed to the sun.
If you do want a gentler exfoliator, a cleanser or a moisturizer with alpha hydroxy acid such as Glycolic or Lactic acid, will gently exfoliate the skin and improve the texture and tone of the skin.
Making sure you dry off completely after bathing or having a shower is also important, as is keeping an insect repellent close by!
Overall, if you do follow the above tips, you should be able to get through summer with no real problems. Remembering to protect the skin from sunburn is the most essential tip to follow. Sunburn not only hurts, but it can also cause premature ageing as well as skin cancer. Always make sure that the foundation you wear also has an SPF of at least 15 and remember, if you have oily skin stay away from oil based products!
The Joy of Summer
Summer no doubt makes us happier. However, for the body it is simply just another season which it has to survive. Whilst winter may be a problem for dry skin, summer is a problem for oily skin! Rashes sunburn and infections are also common problems that summer brings with it.
Warm weather also attracts various insects and as we spend so much of our time outdoors, insect bites are often quite common. The problems really are endless and sometimes summer can seem more like a chore than a time to relax and enjoy the sun! Luckily there are a variety of ways in which we can protect our skin; it is all a matter of preparing the body!
How to Care For Summer Skin
There are literally loads of things you can do to help your skin in summer. The most obvious one is sun tan lotion. Our skin is more likely to get burned in summer and sunburn can not only be painful, but it can also be quite serious too. Skin cancer is a very big risk is summer and so a high level sun protection factor is essential, especially for people with fair skin and freckles. It is recommended that you use a sun protection factor of at least 18 and really for fair skin it should be even higher. Also, make sure that you are spreading enough onto the body and pat it into the body rather than wiping it on.
Other things you can do to help your summer skin include:
Changing Your Products
Just as you would change your products in winter if you have dry skin, changing your products in summer is also essential if you suffer from oily skin. Soap free cleansers are good to use and followed on by an alcohol free toner should help to keep the skin clean and fresh. These kinds of products help to ensure that you clean your face without removing all of the skins oils, and they also will not cause any irritation.
Changing your moisturizer is also important as you will now need a much lighter one than you did in the winter. It is essential to choose one which is oil free which usually has silicone or glycerine based ingredients in them.
Do Not Overdo it With the Exfoliator
Exfoliating may be really tempting in summer as more skin is often on show, however, it is possible to overdo it and damage the skin. You can still exfoliate on the knees and on the elbows, but exfoliating the face should definitely be avoided. If you do exfoliate the face it can cause microtears in the skin which lead to uneven pigmentation once exposed to the sun.
If you do want a gentler exfoliator, a cleanser or a moisturizer with alpha hydroxy acid such as Glycolic or Lactic acid, will gently exfoliate the skin and improve the texture and tone of the skin.
Making sure you dry off completely after bathing or having a shower is also important, as is keeping an insect repellent close by!
Overall, if you do follow the above tips, you should be able to get through summer with no real problems. Remembering to protect the skin from sunburn is the most essential tip to follow. Sunburn not only hurts, but it can also cause premature ageing as well as skin cancer. Always make sure that the foundation you wear also has an SPF of at least 15 and remember, if you have oily skin stay away from oil based products!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
7 Steps to Great Makeup
. Avoid wearing too much
Makeup is meant to enhance features not bring negative attention to you. That's what wearing too much makeup will do; it will bring you unwanted attention. Don't wear too much of anything such as:
i) Eyeliner: dark, thick eyeliner will make you look overdone and will ruin the rest of your makeup.
ii) Mascara: too much mascara looks fake and will flake. It looks especially bad if worn with thick eyeliner or dark blue eye eye shadow.
iii) Foundation: Make sure your foundation is the same color as your skin. Foundation is meant to protect and give the face a smooth look. The magic word is blend.
iv) Powder:The same holds true for powder - not too much. Also, be sure to blend your makeup so there are no obvious lineS
2. Lips
Apply lip liner to completely cover the lips, add color and your lipstick will stay on much longer. Make sure your lip liner doesn't show. Also, your lip color should match your skin tone; wear cool colors if you have cool coloring and warm colors if you have warm coloring. If you want to make your lips look smaller, keep your liner on the inside of your lips. However, if you decide to make your lips look larger, going outside the natural outline of you lips is a mistake. This can look quite messy and unnatural.
3. Appropriate makeup
Wear makeup that is appropriate for the occasion. If you are going to the beach you shouldn't wear the same or as much makeup as you would if you were going dancing. Also, when you are in daylight your makeup should be a lighter than when you are out for the evening.
4. Too little or no makeup
Some women don't wear makeup because they are not sure how to use it and are afraid of being overdone. If you are unsure, start will light colours in your shade. Start slowly and add one product at a time. Maybe start with foundation, add mascara, blush or lipstick. If you are not used to wearing makeup, using a lot a first may be a little too much for you, so start slowly. The bottom line is a little is better than none. If you are still unsure seek professional advice.
5. Overall look
When your makeup is completed it should look natural. That means avoiding colours that clash. If you have dark skin and hair you will look better in darker shades; light colours will make you look washed out. If your hair and skin tone are light, light colours will look better on you. Dark makeup will make you look older and harsh. If you have oily skin, first use oil control moisturizer and foundation. Then be sure to wear loose powder, keeping pressed powder with you for touch ups.
6. Hair color
Your hair color should also be in harmony with your skin. If you have dark hair and you want to add color, keep it close to the same shade. If you have light hair, use light colors. As you age your skin will lighten, so should your hair color. One last thing about hair color - if you do color you hair be sure you keep it up, don't let your roots show.
7. One last thing
Keep makeup looking fresh all day by doing regular touch ups. Don't let your makeup fade or crease. Smile!!!
Makeup is meant to enhance features not bring negative attention to you. That's what wearing too much makeup will do; it will bring you unwanted attention. Don't wear too much of anything such as:
i) Eyeliner: dark, thick eyeliner will make you look overdone and will ruin the rest of your makeup.
ii) Mascara: too much mascara looks fake and will flake. It looks especially bad if worn with thick eyeliner or dark blue eye eye shadow.
iii) Foundation: Make sure your foundation is the same color as your skin. Foundation is meant to protect and give the face a smooth look. The magic word is blend.
iv) Powder:The same holds true for powder - not too much. Also, be sure to blend your makeup so there are no obvious lineS
2. Lips
Apply lip liner to completely cover the lips, add color and your lipstick will stay on much longer. Make sure your lip liner doesn't show. Also, your lip color should match your skin tone; wear cool colors if you have cool coloring and warm colors if you have warm coloring. If you want to make your lips look smaller, keep your liner on the inside of your lips. However, if you decide to make your lips look larger, going outside the natural outline of you lips is a mistake. This can look quite messy and unnatural.
3. Appropriate makeup
Wear makeup that is appropriate for the occasion. If you are going to the beach you shouldn't wear the same or as much makeup as you would if you were going dancing. Also, when you are in daylight your makeup should be a lighter than when you are out for the evening.
4. Too little or no makeup
Some women don't wear makeup because they are not sure how to use it and are afraid of being overdone. If you are unsure, start will light colours in your shade. Start slowly and add one product at a time. Maybe start with foundation, add mascara, blush or lipstick. If you are not used to wearing makeup, using a lot a first may be a little too much for you, so start slowly. The bottom line is a little is better than none. If you are still unsure seek professional advice.
5. Overall look
When your makeup is completed it should look natural. That means avoiding colours that clash. If you have dark skin and hair you will look better in darker shades; light colours will make you look washed out. If your hair and skin tone are light, light colours will look better on you. Dark makeup will make you look older and harsh. If you have oily skin, first use oil control moisturizer and foundation. Then be sure to wear loose powder, keeping pressed powder with you for touch ups.
6. Hair color
Your hair color should also be in harmony with your skin. If you have dark hair and you want to add color, keep it close to the same shade. If you have light hair, use light colors. As you age your skin will lighten, so should your hair color. One last thing about hair color - if you do color you hair be sure you keep it up, don't let your roots show.
7. One last thing
Keep makeup looking fresh all day by doing regular touch ups. Don't let your makeup fade or crease. Smile!!!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Would you like to put a little romance back in your relationship?
Why not spend a day pampering each other. Start off with a nice bubble bath with lots of candles and do a complete spa treatment, "Couples Style".
Got kids? Make a deal with one of your friends or neighbors to swap kids for a day. You take their kids for one day and they take yours the next. This way both couples can have a romantic spa day.
Let's get started. Be sure to have everything already set up. Have lots of candles, make the sensuous, soothing total body treatments below. This will take about an hour. Oh! Very important. You may want to Shave your legs and such before you start.
Now send the kids to the neighbors. Turn off the phone. Put a do not disturb sign on your door and turn on your favorite
music.
Here are the recipes. Be sure to get them all made in advance.
Start off with a nice soothing bath by candle light.
Homemade Bubble Bath
1 quart Water
1 Bar castile soap - grated
2 oz Glycerin
2 oz Coconut oil
15-20 drops of your favorite essential oils
Grate 1 bar of castile soap into 1 quart of water, warm water helps dissolve the soap faster. Allow the soap and water to mix well so that you have a liquid soap solution. Next add glycerin, coconut oil and essential oils and mix. Pour 1/4 -1/2 cup under running water and jump in.
While your in the bath wash each others hair with this fabulousconditioning shampoo. Spoil your partner by Massaging The Scalp
Use pressure point massage whenever you apply shampoos or conditioners. This will soothe nerves, reduce tense scalp muscles, and increase the circulation to the scalp promoting the natural hair growth.
To massage:
Slide the fingertips through hair, starting at the temples Press gently and rotate to loosen scalp Slide fingers to the top of head & back to the back of the head.
Finish, slowly rotating fingertips around the front hair line. Repeat the process for two to three minutes, as time allows.
Egg Shampoo
1 egg
1 tsp. olive oil
1 tsp. lemon juice
1 Tbs. Castile soap
1/2 cup water or herbal tea
5 Drops of essential oil of your choice (optional)
Combine all in blender and whip until smooth. Shampoo
with mixture using warm, not hot water for the shampoo
and rinse. Store any remaining shampoo in the
refrigerator for use the next day.
Give each other a complete facial.
First wash each others face with a gentle face cleaner then use this aromatic facial rinse.
Rosemary Chamomile Facial Rinse
1 tablespoon dried rosemary
2 tablespoons dried chamomile flowers
4 cups water
Boil all ingredients for 15 minutes. Strain, retain liquid, cool and put in container. Wipe liquid over face, let remain for 5 minutes. Rinse with cool water.
Follow up with a soothing facial mask.
Avocado Honey Mask
1 lg Avocado
1 T Honey
Peel and slice avocado. Puree with honey. Pat it gently to the face and continue patting until the mask feels extremely tacky to the touch. Relax and leave the mask on 5-10 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
Next wash each other from head to toe with a beauty bar to soften skin. Now follow with this skin softening exfoliate. Rub it all over each other to remove all that dead sun beaten skin.
Honey and Almond Scrub
1 small jar of Cold cream
3 tablespoon Honey
5 tablespoons slivered almonds
Whirl slivered almonds in a blender pour into a small jar and mix with cold cream and honey. Smooth onto body in circular motion for 1-2 minutes and rinse off.
Now turn on the shower and rinse off completely. We still have more fun to go.
Next comes the really fun part, the total body massage. Make this Luxurious Bath Oil Treatment and massage it from head to toe on your partner. Be sure you each get a turn.
Turn the lights down low, turn on some soft music, light a few aromatherapy candles and set the mood for total relaxation.
Luxurious Bath Oil Treatment
This recipe makes about 1 3/4 cups of bath oil.
10 vitamin E caps (prick with a pin and squeeze out the oil)
1/2 cup Sweet Almond Oil
1/4 cup Castor Oil
1 cup of Sunflower Oil
30-50 drops of fragrance oil depending upon particular oils used,
you may use more or less.
Blend the oils and fragrance together. Place the oils into a glass container with tight fitting lid and tip back and forth everyday for a week to blend. Open the jar after each blending and make any necessary fragrance adjustments. Pour into a fancy
or decorated bottle and use as needed.
Don't You Feel Great? What you do for the rest of the day is completely up to you. I am sure you can figure it out.
ENJOY!
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