The beauty rules you should know

There are some beauty rules that are obvious. Don't go out into the sun without sunblock is one. Quit smoking is another. Here are some less obvious rules - but no less important - tips.

PERFECT IMPERFECT

Perfect skin is about genetics not genius skincare. Unless you are genetically blessed, your skin won't be perfect even if you can afford the stratospherically expensive cream that claims to be able to make it so.

Do what you can to protect your skin from the elements, establish a regular skincare programme that fits your budget and investigate ways of treating serious skin conditions if they arise. How well you age is two parts care, one part character.

DON'T BELIEVE IN MIRACLES

Beauty is big business. A huge amount of money is invested in finding "miracle" skincare ingredients.

But - just as there is no cure for ageing - there's no one uber ingredient that's better than all the others. Good skincare is made up of a cocktail of antioxidants and ingredients that mimic the skin's own repair processes and encourage cells to work more efficiently.

GET GOOD ADVICE

Consult a dermatologist or cosmetic physician if you have a problem such as acne or dermatitis. A little spending now could save you a lot of future scarring. To find a good cosmetic physician, visit the website of the New Zealand College of Appearance Medicine.

EAT UP

It makes sense. The skin is the body's biggest organ, so what we eat will be reflected in our appearance. Our internal health shows up in our skin, agrees Dr Geoffrey Heber, CEO of Ultraceuticals, the Australian skincare company that also sells vitamin supplements alongside its moisturisers and cleansers.

But you can't just eat poorly and make up for it by popping a vitamin or two. 'A vitamin such as vitamin C - which is proven to be beneficial to the skin - is 40 times more effective applied topically than when it's ingested,' he says. The main reason is other organs take preference over any nutrients, and your skin gets what's left over. Take supplements, but not at the expense of good skincare.

DON'T SUFFER

Scars, sticky-out-ears, wonky teeth . . . cosmetic medical science has advanced so much in the past 10 years that natural-looking solutions to bad teeth, cauliflower ears and acne pits are infinitely possible. Stubby lashes can be completely cured by the drug Latisse; pigmentation can be minimised by a range of options, including hi-tech lasers. Change what causes you pain.
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ALWAYS WEAR A MOISTURISER

As we age, our cell membranes break down and water loss across the epidermis is increased. The result? Wrinkles. It's one of the reasons why so much emphasis is put on moisturisers' anti-ageing properties. Second only to sunblock, it's a very important beauty investment.

BEWARE INFLAMMATION

The beauty world has really woken up to the dangers of inflammation. The signs - redness, itching, ultra dryness, patchiness - are sure markers of free-radical damage. And damage means more wrinkles, dullness, uneven pigmentation. One of the biggest issues with inflammation, however, is that it's insidious, often doing its damage beneath the skin's surface, where it can't be seen.

Avoid it as much as possible by seeking out skincare specifically designed to soothe inflammation and, if your skin has a tendency to sensitivity, avoid products containing potential irritants (alcohol, menthol, peppermint, citrus and fragrance, for example).

PEEL APPEAL

One of the ways of refreshing your skin is to use a salon or at-home face peel. Basically uber-exfoliants, peels use chemicals to slough off dead skin cells, hence making the complexion look younger and brighter.

The advantages of salon or at-home peels - which generally employ varying percentages of glycolic acid - include smoothing out dry patches, lightening dark sunspots, reducing wrinkles and evening out acne scars.

Source:http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/lifestyle/7459010/The-beauty-rules-you-should-know

Tips for greening your skin and hair care regimen

Regardless of how you’ve come by this information, there’s a major change happening in products for your skin and hair care regimen in reaction to growing consumer demand for products with fewer or no toxic substances. Health-conscious folks are looking for ways to cut the load of toxins that enter their bodies, and environmentalists are increasingly pointing at what they call “non-point sources” of pollution to our waterways. Unlike, say, a factory dumping waste into a river (which is a “point source,” a growing part of the chemicals that make their way into our waterways are coming from our very own homes — working their way into the fish and other animals that share our ecosystem with us. And plenty of people are erring on the side of caution: The truth is that most chemicals in our personal care products are on the FDA’s GRAS list (generally recognized as safe), which means that they haven’t necessarily been tested for safety — just that they haven’t been proven to cause health problems yet.

So now that you have the curiosity and the motivation, here’s how you can green your skin and hair care regimen.

Don’t try to do it all at once: We all have products we love and depend on, and the best way to stick with less-toxic versions of those products is to find a replacement that really works for you. The good news is that unlike old natural products, new formulations work just as well as chemically laden ones.

Choose two or three products to replace first. These should be the ones that you use the most often; usually, your body soap, hand soap, shampoo and moisturizer are the most regularly used products. After you have replaced those, move on to things you use less often, like face masks, shaving creams and hair treatments.

Do some research: With your favorite old products in hand, check out the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. You can enter the products’ names and find out how toxic they really are. The site provides a simple 1-10 rating system (with the higher number being most toxic). Sometimes what you are already using might score low on the toxicity scale, which might mean that you want to keep it around.

You will probably find that some or all of your existing products contain chemicals that are linked with health issues or negative health consequences (you can dig deep into the research on Skin Deep and see the chemicals' effects). This is where you have to make a decision for yourself, based on your life: Are some mildly toxic chemicals OK? Are you looking for completely chemical-free products? The Cosmetics Safety Database will explain the various levels and their potential impacts.

Start shopping: If you have a good local health food store or Whole Foods (which independently evaluates its bath and body products) near you, they are a great place to start. The experts there can help guide you to what’s popular, what works, and which products are the most natural and organic. Not all natural or organic products are completely chemical-free, so be sure to do your homework, even on products from health food stores. You can also find some natural brands at retailers like Target and Wal-Mart.

Source:http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/natural-beauty-fashion/stories/tips-for-greening-your-skin-and-hair-care-regimen

Huda Kattan Reveals Top Skincare Tips for Ramadan

Ramadan could take a toll on your skin, think weary-looking dehydrated skin! Help is at hand from Vaseline ambassador Huda Kattan. The lady behind the Huda Beauty blog is sharing her top tips to keeping your skin hydrated and your face looking fresh. Go on and try them out!

1. Opt for a Blemish Balm Cream
Not only will it keep your skin looking clear, but most of them are actually good for you. I always look for one with an SPF as well as one that can brighten and protect the skin! They are like a tinted moisturiser with added benefits.

2. Mineralise as much as possible
I try to only use mineral makeup during Ramadan. Not only is it light, but it is free of any harmful chemicals, which means your skin will be able to breathe. You will look gorgeous and your face will love you! MAC has some great mineral makeup and the colour selection is great!

3. Use products that are good for you
The last thing you need during months when makeup should be minimal and light is products that are bad for you. I love using primers and mascaras that have vitamins since they can actually make your lashes thicker! I can't live without my Dior Show Primer, my lashes have not only multiplied, but they are longer and thicker from using it.

4. Trade in your lipstick for butters
Our lips tend to get dry super very fast during the month of Ramadan! Of course wearing bright or glossy lips is a big no no. I like to use Vaseline Petroleum Jelly mixed with home ingredients under nude lipsticks or tinted lip balms since they keep your lips hydrated, but also add a hint of healthy colour to your face. My absolute favourite lip tints are the Rouge Coco Shine from Chanel. The colours are light and it feels amazing on!

5. Go easy on the eyes
This month try to keep your eye makeup light! You can always skip the liner all together and use shadows instead since they are really light. One thing I like to do is use a shadow on the outer corner only and in a small amount, this will give you a little life without being too obvious.

6. Keep your skin hydrated
Water goes first to your organs and your skin gets jipped in the process. I always keep a bottle of Vaseline Total Moisture Cocoa Glow handy. Use it right when you leave the shower and it will not only seal in moisture, but add that extra bit of hydration which our skin needs during this month!

7. Drink super hydrating liquids
I always opt for things like coconut water (natural, no sugar added) after iftar since it can help replenish the skin's moisture which is lost during the day when we can't drink water. It won't get rid of your thirst, but it will help your skin a lot.

8. Deal with skin disorders or naturally dry skin
One of the best things you can do is apply Vaseline Petroleum Jelly to your skin before bed time, especially to those dry areas like elbows & knees. Simply apply it overnight and wash off lightly in the morning or wipe with a wash cloth with lukewarm water.

9. Load up on antioxidants
Try loading up on berries when you can since they are super strong in antioxidants. I love goji berries and try to drink acai juice as much as possible. You only need 1 fl oz per day and even with the fasting, your skin will have a healthy glow.

10. Remember to go natural
Try to use as many natural face masks this month. These products are light on the skin, but very effective! One of my favourite things to do is use yoghurt and honey and apply it to my skin for 15 minutes before rinsing. It will help balance skin oils and repair your skin’s health.

Source:http://www.ahlanlive.com/huda-kattan-reveals-top-skincare-tips-for-ramadan-197738.html