Looking Gorgeous! 5 Jaw-Dropping Fashion Ideas for Winter

If you’re mourning the loss of your sundresses, tank tops, and sandals, that means it’s time for you to spice up your winter wardrobe. Even if you loathe the winter months, you might find yourself liking them a bit more with a fashionable cold weather wardrobe.

Casual for Cool Days

Your winter wardrobe doesn’t have to consist of giant coats and your sagging Ugg boots. Unless you live in the very far north, it’s likely you’ll have plenty of winter days that are cold but not freezing. Start with dark washed jeggings that give you the comfort of leggings with the tailored look of jeans. Top your jeggings with a flowy polyester-blend sweater. Put away your puffy down jacket for the day and finish your look with a tweed jacket or a colorful pea coat. Add a little extra warmth with a cute hat and an infinity scarf.

Winter Lodge Look

Longing for the ski lodge but don’t have the time to head into the mountains? Wear your favorite button-up flannel shirt and top it with a chunky sweater that lets the sleeves and hem of your flannel peak out. Shimmy into your favorite skinny jeans and ankle boots for a look you can wear from the movies to a date on the couch.

Channel Audrey Hepburn

Don’t let anyone tell you wearing all black is out of style. Wearing your favorite black leggings or jeggings, top it with a sweater cape. A cross between a chunky sweater and a boho poncho, a cape keeps you warm without making you look shapeless. Wear some knee high boots or your favorite wedge booties for an ultra-sophisticated look.

Exchange Your Sundresses for a Wool Dress

You can find adorable wool-blend dresses that will keep you warm and let you feel feminine and flirty. Choose an A-line cut that is tailored at the waist but flows from the hips down. Keep your legs warm with cable knit tights and your favorite boots you got using Kohls promo codes, then top the outfit with an oversized scarf and a brightly colored bag.

Feel Sexy

It’s possible to dress a bit sexy this winter! Find a slinky, fitted wool skirt and top it with a blouse and a cropped jacket. Worried about your legs being cold? Wear black tights and thigh-high boots for a look that’s functional and oh-so-sultry.

Updating your cold weather gear will help get you through the dreary, wet days of winter. Whether its sweaters, tights, or a variety of boots that brighten your day, feeling good will make these months go by like lightning.

Aging with Grace: Tricks to Make Your Teeth Last You Longer

There are several reasons to hold on to your natural teeth for as long as you can. When you lose your teeth, the body reclaims some of the precious minerals from the area, and you suffer some bone loss from your jaw. In addition, while dentures and tooth implants have come a long way, they are expensive and take some getting used to. Here are ways to prevent tooth loss and keep your natural teeth alive for longer.

Vitamins for Strong Teeth
Calcium and vitamin D keep bones and teeth stronger and healthier. Foods high in calcium include dark green vegetables and dairy products. To get more vitamin D in your diet, eat fatty fish such as salmon, eggs, and cheese. Most adults don’t get sufficient quantities of calcium or vitamin D from diet alone, and so you should consider including supplements.

Prevent Enamel Erosion
Acidic food eats away at tooth enamel. Over time this leads to exposure of the soft tooth surface, the dentin, underneath. As the dentin is exposed, you will experience increased sensitivity, which may cause pain during brushing, eating food, or drinking. Eventually you will experience tooth decay with this condition.
Avoid enamel erosion by practicing good oral hygiene, using fluoride rinses and toothpastes, and limiting direct contact of acidic foods, such as fruit juices and sodas, with your teeth. One way to do this is to use a straw. Regular trips to the dentist can also help. Your dentist can spot problem areas on teeth before they turn into cavities, and suggest special mouth rinses and treatments to restore worn enamel.

Keeping Gums Healthy
Gum disease causes pain, swelling, and can progress from mild diseases, called gingivitis, to the severe form, called periodontitis. This latter form can lead to tooth loss as the supportive gum tissue and bone that hold the teeth are gradually destroyed.
According to Dr. David K Skeels, good dental hygiene is an important step in keeping gums healthy. Your mouth is full of bacteria and when the bacteria is not brushed and flossed away, plaque forms on the gum line. The more this occurs, the more bacteria collect on gums, eventually causing infection. Keep your gums healthy by brushing and flossing at least twice a day. Your dentist might also recommend you use a medicated mouthwash if you are genetically prone to plaque buildup. In addition to daily oral care, visit your dentist for professional tooth cleaning at least twice a year.
Many medications affect oral health by reducing saliva, and some diseases, such as diabetes, increase the risk of gum disease. Make sure to tell your dentist about your general health and all prescription medicines you are taking. You may need more frequent dental visits or specific mouth rinses or gels to prevent gum disease and tooth decay.
Keeping your teeth in good health is a full time job, but luckily not a hard one. As long as you do regular maintenance and avoid harsh acids you should be able to live a full life with a full set of teeth.

Simple Tips for Applying Makeup on Sensitive Skin

Living with sensitive skin requires paying a little more attention to your beauty products and regimen than the average person might have to. People with sensitive skin tend to develop problems when scrubbing too hard, for instance, or applying a new skin product. Read on to learn how to treat your skin well, so it always looks its best.

Test Products Before Use
This is the number one rule for people with sensitive skin. Always apply a small sample of any new product to an inconspicuous spot on your body, like behind your ear. If your skin tends to be hypersensitive, try a thinner patch of skin like next to your eye. Then, wait 24 hours. If no redness, blotching, or swelling occurs, then you know you can safely use this product. And be careful with any products labeled hypoallergenic. Because the FDA does not regulate this label, any product can call itself hypoallergenic. Just always do the skin patch test before using it.

Always Moisturize
Sensitive skin is especially delicate and exposure to the elements can do a number on how dry it gets. Moisturizing your skin daily (at least twice) helps it become more resilient to damage from elements like sun, wind, and pollution. Moisturizing vigilantly also prevents water loss, which can lead to a series of problems like dryness, redness, itchiness, and flaking.

Wash Carefully
Early morning and night are the most crucial times for caring for sensitive skin. Start the day by washing with a gentle cleanser (but not so gentle you need to scrub your face to remove residual grime and oils) without any unnecessary additives like scrubbing beads, dyes, or fragrances. Then, moisturize with your favorite daily cream, ideally with sunscreen already mixed in. In the evening, always wash your face with the same gentle cleanser, and apply a gentle night cream to help your skin revitalize overnight. Talk to a dermatologist in Austin about what treatments might be a good choice for your routine.

Choose Cosmetics Wisely
There is a huge selection of beauty products and cosmetics out there, and it’s easy to become paralyzed by the overwhelming amount of choices, or just as easily make the wrong decision for sensitive skin. But just because your skin is delicate doesn’t mean you can’t wear makeup at all. Try to choose mineral-based cosmetics, which are most frequently free of additives like fragrances and dyes. Choose pencil eyeliners instead of liquid (which can contain latex – a known allergen to sensitive skin). Always toss your old cosmetics as they can go bad since over time they can start to harbor cultures of bacteria.

Living with sensitive skin just takes a little more attention to how you treat it. But in the end, this form of self-care probably means your skin will look better as you age. Learn to love your sensitive skin and treat it well, and it will do the same for you.

Skincare Safe Products During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, your body undergoes a massive series of changes, from hormonal imbalances to tiny tears in your skin to increased blood circulation. These changes often have an effect on your skin, and while many of the skin issues caused by pregnancy are temporary and resolved after delivery, pregnant women can use certain pregnancy-safe skincare products to relieve their symptoms.

For example, if a pregnant woman experiences melasma (the darkening of skin on her face), makeup and concealer can disguise the discoloration, while sunscreen can prevent further darkening of the skin. Soy-based sunscreen may also have an effect in lightening the darkened skin area.

Stretch marks are another extremely common skin issue caused by pregnancy, experienced by 90% of women (typically in the sixth or seventh month of pregnancy). While research hasn’t proven a surefire way to avoid stretch marks, moisturizers can reduce the itchiness, while sunless tanning products can hide the marks as well.

Along with itchiness, pregnant women are also prone to experiencing rashes on their body. While harmless, these rashes can be quite uncomfortable for women; they can be treated with over-the-counter topical moisturizers, or, if severe, prescription corticosteroids may be required.

One skin condition with a simple, DIY fix is puffiness in the eyelids and face, which occurs due to increased blood circulation during the third trimester. Pregnant women can treat this at home with ice and cold packs applied to the affected area; if paired with sudden weight gain, it may signal problems that you should discuss with your doctor.

As women’s bodies produce more hormones, some women become prone to acne, especially around the mouth. While over-the-counter acne products (such as astringents) can help, pregnant women must be careful to avoid products that contain benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and/or retinoids, all of which are considered unsafe for pregnant women to use because of their links to birth defects and pregnancy complications.

Men’s Shaving Tips

Ladies, here are some great tips for your man!

Ever since the ancient Egyptians become the first people to make shaving a standard cultural practice, men have spent about 3,000 hours of their lives dedicated to shaving. Three-fourths of adult men shave their face every day, and yet, many men are still unaware of the best shaving practices. Here’s how to make your shaving experience smoother.

Start by gathering the products you’ll need for a close shave. Exfoliate twice a week before shaving to avoid razor burn, and avoid aftershaves with too much alcohol (which dries skin). Dab at nicks with a styptic pencil or alum block, or even lip balm! Out of shaving cream? Olive oil and hair conditioner can work well in a pinch, and when you do buy new shaving cream, look for one with a high concentration of lubricants and moisturizers to protect your skin. If you’re thinking about growing your beard out, a stiff-bristled boar’s hair brush cuts down on itchiness.

Next, get your razor in peak condition. If you’re looking for a low-cost razor, safety razors give you the closest possible shave at the best value, or you could subscribe to a mail-order razor service. Clean your razor safely by using a small brush or a faucet with high water pressure, and store your razor somewhere it can completely dry (use a few drops of an anti-corrosive agent to keep the blade sharp). If you have a dull blade, swipe it upward along the leg of an old pair of jeans up to 100 times to sharpen it, with the sharp end of the blades facing away.

Finally, shave smartly. Shave after showering so that your hair is softened, and shave with the grain of your facial hair to avoid skin irritation. Shave your neck by leaning forward and tilting your head back slightly to flatten the area. Finish by splashing your face with cold water (not hot) after shaving to avoid irritation.

Are Your Personal Care Products Really Safe?

The Breakdown of Acne Break-Outs

Graphic by http://www.advdermatology.com.

Long, Flirty Eyelashes

Your eyelashes serve a physical purpose of helping to keeping dirt, dust, etc. out of your eyes. The thicker and the longer, the better for this purpose. However, in most cultures, long eyelashes are a sign of beauty and femininity in women. Since the time of the pharaohs, dressed up eyes with make up on them has formed an essential part of many women’s daily beauty regime.

Women have been forced to rely upon cosmetics such as mascara and false eyelashes to create the illusion that their eye lashes are longer. But, in today’s world, scientific developments have created the opportunity for us to actually grow our own lashes.

What woman does not want gorgeous eye lashes? The long, flirty kind that you can “bat” seductively at the opposite sex? If you were not genetically predisposed to getting them, one way to accomplish this is to try using lash growth serum and treat yourself to a new look.

The Lashem lash growth serum is infused with safe, powerful peptide treatment and patented QuSome delivery system that provides higher encapsulation and absorption of ingredients, you’ll find this is better than false lashes.

*Results from 6-week clinical study on file

LONGER-LOOKING LASHES AND FULLER-LOOKING BROWS
NOURISHES AND CONDITIONS
FEATURES SYMPEPTIDE TECHNOLOGY
EFFECTIVE COMBINATION OF AMINO ACIDS (THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF PROTEINS)
PATENTED QUSOME DELIVERY SYSTEM PROVIDES HIGHER ENCAPSULATION OF INGREDIENTS AND IMPROVES ABSORPTION FOR BETTER PERMEATION AND MAXIMUM EFFECT
CLINICAL TESTS SHOWED AN AVERAGE IMPROVEMENT OF 46% LONGER-LOOKING LASHES IN 6 WEEKS*
100% OF WOMEN IN CLINICAL STUDY NOTICED IMPROVEMENT IN JUST 2 WEEKS*
CLINICALLY TESTED
OPHTHALMOLOGIST TESTED
DERMATOLOGIST TESTED

There are other salon lash care products that you can try by clicking on the link.

Don’t stop at just eye lashes. Read their article on how to grow eyebrows, If you are really interested in enhancing your look, you will take the time to do the research.

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3 Unforgivable Basic Make-Up Mistakes that Women Keep on Repeating

There have to be hundreds of thousands of articles, how – to guides, tutorials, videos and lists that talk about the same subject over and over again: make – up errors that women are still making, despite an enormous quantity of information available on almost every corner of the Internet. It is true that not all women are make-up artists and it is reasonable to admit that not everybody affords professional or high-quality products, but there are still some inexcusable mistakes you can see with your open eye in the streets and those mistakes can make women look negligent and messy if not corrected.

1. Wipe off those mascara marks from your eyelids

Sure, there is good mascara and there is bad mascara, but the quality of the product has nothing to do with the fact that some women still get out of the house with messy eyelids. Applying multiple layers of mascara and using a curling brush for volume is the thing to do if you want to make your eyes look bigger and more intense, but wait a few moments between two applications to let the product dry. Don’t overload the eye lashes and wipe any messy trace that is left behind. Beautiful women suffer from being cataloged as negligent and messy just because they forget these simple rules and it is truly a shame.

2. Use the lipstick like you really care

If your lips are dried or chapped, first use a moisturizing balm before applying the lipstick. No matter how trendy the product is, when used improperly it only creates negative results that can be labeled cheap or tacky. There are tens of rules on how to use lipstick, depending on the season, on how thick or thin are our lips, what skin tone we have, what combination of eye make-up we use, what time of day and what occasion we use the lipstick in and many of these are well known and skillfully applied. But another basic mistake is to use a lip liner of a completely or even contrasting color with the lipstick which is not so fashionable, but on the contrary, can lead to discouraging effects and an overall feeling of that woman being uninspired in her beauty choices.

3. Rainbow – good. Parrot – not so good

It is true that the latest season trends in make-up this fall and winter insist on ravishing eye lid make-up in strong metallic nuances, bronze, gold, grey and brown, terracotta, olive and cobalt, but also satin blue and purple, glam navy blue and spectacular combos of neon and mate. Creating a striking smoky eyes effect or a neon-glam spectacular look is one thing, putting all the available colors on your eyes and arcades is just unforgivable. Also, a basic mistake that can ruin a woman’s look, no matter how hard she tries, is to not finish her make-up, making sure everything is smoothly and uniformly applied, protected and finished. Too many colors and an unfinished eye make-up also look cheap and messy, no matter how high quality the cosmetic products you use. Three colors wisely used should be enough and even three may prove not to always be the best choice for a day at the office or a casual outfit.

Some women are true artists when it comes to make-up, as they have learned and studied the tendencies and practiced their skills. While nobody says you should look like a Hollywood diva ready to receive her Oscar award every day, having a little care for some basic aspects that have a lot to do more with self-respect and self-care than with skills, is the first step in really enhancing your beauty and not trashing it because of speed or negligence.

The Beauty Behind the Make Up

Today’s people, especially women, go to great lengths to decorate themselves to make them look more appealing and attractive. Most of the ancient people used various types of paints to decorate their faces. These were spiritual practices designed to protect, to show stages of growth and to identify with natural rhythms and occurrences in the environment.

Ancient Africans in Egypt outlined their eyes with pigment to create an almond or feline shape to protect themselves from bad spirits and to recreate the image of the Sun god, Re. The ointments they used also served as an insect repellent, disinfectant and helped to protect their eyes from the sun’s glare in the hot Egyptian desert.

Eye make up provided psychic protection as well. The Egyptian word for eye-palette seems to derive from their word for “protect.” An unadorned and thus unprotected eye was believed vulnerable to the Evil Eye. Outlining the eyes thus became a personal protective amulet drawn right upon the skin; an amulet that once applied could not be lost or misplaced.

In other African countries as well as with the natives of North America, South America, etc., tribal face and body painting was also used for spiritual reasons and for hunting, war and to signify advancement as in rites of passage.

The reason tribes use face and body art, including tattoos, to transform themselves may be varied. Sometimes they choose to do so as a part of a tribal ritual or at other times they do so to mark their status, but the colorful and dynamic language of the face painting remains the same.

Indigenous peoples of the Amazon have said that in this power to change ourselves, we demonstrate our humanity and set ourselves apart from the world of the animals.

So, there is a long history of facial painting, tattoos and what we now refer to makeup and cosmetics. Our modern reasons for cosmetics are different now. It is a practice to make us look more attractive and appealing to others, especially those of the opposite sex.

Why do we even have eyelashes and eyebrows? The scientific explanations make perfect sense in terms of functionality. Eyelashes serve as dust filters and as an early sensor for the blink reflex to prevent small foreign bodies from hitting the eyeball.

Our eyebrows help keep moisture out of our eyes when we sweat, or if we happen to be out in the rain without an umbrella. The arch shape diverts the rain or sweat around to the sides of our face enabling the eyes to stay relatively dry. The most obvious advantage is that it lets us see clearly under these conditions.

Make up on our faces also mimics the look of sexual arousal. When the body becomes sexually aroused there is an increased flow of blood into the face, the lips become more red, the checks become flush looking and the soft tissues surrounding the eyes will darken. This appearance generates a primal response in members of the opposite sex.

So men’s conscious minds might be thinking something else, deep down their biological imperative recognizes the signs that a woman is sexually aroused. It’s sort of like pheromones, which are the chemicals released when you get aroused to help entice the opposite sex. You smell them, but you aren’t aware that it’s the pheromones the member of the opposite sex is giving off. All you know is she, or he, smells good to you and you want to experience more.

Red lips are one example of mimicking natural arousal as well as blush on the checks.

Now you know just a little bit about the history and purposes for makeup! If there are things that you have learned about the history and the art of makeup, please feel free to leave your comments.

We all want long, beautiful lashes and to be able to grow longer lashes naturally. Mascara is one of the most prevalent cosmetics in use in today’s society. Mascara brightens and opens the look of the eyes by depositing color onto the lashes making them appear thicker and darker.

Ladies, for a limited time Lashem.com is offering free sample sizes of their most popular products: free lash growth serum and free volumizing mascara. You just pay shipping & handling.

Whatever your preference for making up your face and designing your body, always do it your way – your style. If you are inexperienced with makeup, you can visit beauty counters in the malls to get some advice and actual applications. This way you can try different things until you find what you like.

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Natural Remedies for Dandruff

Reposted from Natural News.com

Dandruff is a dermatological condition whereby dead skin cells shed from the scalp. While everyone suffers from flaking from time to time, dandruff can become so prevalent and irritable for some people that it can often affect their social lives and personal well-being. This leads many people to seek external treatment.

While modern medicine does provide several treatments for dandruff, often in shampoo form, these treatments are almost always comprised of unpronounceable and unnatural ingredients that often include numerous side effects. Fortunately, many natural (and inexpensive) treatments for dandruff also exist and often work far better than their allopathic counterparts. Below is a list of the best of them.

Natural remedies for dandruff

Black pepper – Black pepper has long been used in India to treat dandruff due to the combination of zinc and selenium found in it, which are effective at fighting dandruff flakes. Rather than solely applying black pepper to the scalp, mix two teaspoons with a cup of yogurt and stir. Next, rub the blend into the affected area of your scalp and leave in for an hour or two. Following this, wash it out with a mild shampoo. This also acts as a great natural conditioner.

Raw egg – Although many of us won’t like the idea of applying raw eggs to your scalp, it is an effective treatment against dandruff that has been used for centuries by Indian, Chinese and Japanese cultures. Simply beat two eggs and apply it to your scalp for one hour. Following this, cleanse your hair and scalp with a mild shampoo. As with the black pepper and yogurt, this is also an effective natural conditioner.

Lemon juice with sandalwood or garlic – Another effective remedy for dandruff is lemon juice mixed with either sandalwood or garlic (both of which have antimicrobial properties). Mix one part lemon juice to two parts garlic or sandalwood and apply as a paste to the affected area of your scalp. The lemon juice will serve as an effective remedy against existing flakes, while the garlic or sandalwood will prevent against bacteria that can aid in flake growth. Leave this treatment in for 20 to 30 minutes and then rinse with a mild shampoo.

Apple cider vinegar – Apple cider vinegar is one of those home remedies that are used for many ailments, including dandruff. Due to its high potassium content, it is an effective cure against the dry and itchy scalp associated with dandruff. It also aids in getting rid of the dead skin cells already located on your scalp. Simply apply the apple cider vinegar to your scalp and massage for five minutes. Next, rinse your hair with water and, if you wish, a mild shampoo.

Olive oil – Olive oil is perhaps the best home remedy for dandruff due to its natural moisturizing and clarifying properties. In order to utilize olive oil against dandruff, slightly heat it to a lukewarm temperature and massage into the affected area of your scalp. Leave the olive oil in overnight and rinse it out with a mild shampoo in the morning.

Neem – Neem is a tree that contains effective anti-fungal properties. Neem leaves or neem oil can be applied to the scalp as an effective treatment for not only dandruff but also lice and other scalp infections. Apply neem to the affected areas of your scalp and rinse an hour or two later.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/041827_home_remedies_dandruff_treatments_hair_care.html#ixzz2dMWIxA8v

Simple and Effective Tips To Help Anyone With an Underactive Thyroid Lose Weight

Submitted by Avelina Kongoi, London
Obviously if you have been suffering with an underactive thyroid for any amount of time then you will know and appreciate just how hard it can be to lose even a tiny amount of weight. The reality is that this condition is affecting more and more people every single year!

As of this very moment there are about 27 million Americans all over the United States who are suffering from hypothyroidism but, even more alarming is the fact that there are many more millions out there that have still not been diagnosed with the condition!

Subclinical hypothyroidism is another condition that is getting more and more common and it results in the person experiencing symptoms such as fatigue etc without actually having an underactive thyroid in the first place. This condition usually comes about as a direct result of poor nutrition and if the person improves their diet then the symptoms will slowly but surely disappear.

When you have hypothyroidism you’re going to find that your metabolism will become extremely slow, which will result in you not being able to burn the calories you need to burn to lose all that excess fat!

Anyone out there that has thyroid glands that are just not working as they are supposed to be working will find that they will struggle to lose weight. This is because your thyroid glands are responsible for producing two very important hormones known as T3 and T4. These are the very hormones that are actually responsible for maintaining your body’s rate of metabolism.

If you don’t have enough of these hormones in your body then you’re just never quite going to be able to burn the calories you need to burn in order to get into shape, hence the reason why people with an underactive thyroid tend to find it harder to lose weight.

Simple and Easy Tips To Help You Shed Fat Even With Hypothyroidism

Tip 1: Get Your Local, Fully Qualified Doctor To Diagnose and Treat You

You have to make sure that you get down to your local doctor to get an official diagnosis because this will be the key to getting your health back to where it needs to be.

Your diagnosis is going to largely depend on the results of the blood test you’re given by your local doctor. The blood test will basically measure the amount of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH),T3, and T4 you have inside your body. You will be diagnosed with having an underactive thyroid if you have high amounts of TSH and low amounts of the thyroid hormones (T3 and T4).

If you’re one of the people that has been diagnosed with hypothyroidism then you’ll more than likely be given some medication that is known officially as levothyroxine. Taking this medicine will help to get your levels of thyroid hormone right back into the healthy range, which will ultimately get your metabolism boosted up! Exactly what you want when you’re trying to lose weight.

Tip 2: Start To Consume Healthy and Nutritious Meals Full of Protein and Vegetables

Losing weight is all about making sure that you consume highly nutritious meals every single day of your life. This means you’re going to want to start consuming a ton of vegetables and protein because it’s the key to shedding all that excess fat in record time.

From personal experience and from reading a ton of research studies out there, I can tell you that protein is the most satiating of all the macronutrients out there, including fats and carbs. This will literally mean that hours and hours will go by before you feel the need to consume food. The other bonus of consuming a healthy amount of protein is that it will preserve all that metabolism boosting muscle mass, which is extremely important!

Tip 3: Cut Out The Processed Junk and Instead Focus on Consuming Fiber Rich Foods

All those processed junk foods are just empty calories that are not benefiting you in any way. In fact they are just preventing you from losing the weight you need to lose to get into great shape. Instead of consuming all those junk foods, I’d recommend that you start stocking up on foods that contain a lot of fiber in them.

Fiber rich foods are not only very satiating but they will prevent things like chronic constipation from occurring… which is very common among people who have hypothyroidism.

Tip 4: Exercise as Much as You Possibly Can

Once you have really nailed your diet, I’d recommend that you start focusing on implementing a really solid fitness routine into your life. It can be as simple as taking a walk around the block or you can be very serious with it and join the local gym… but, whatever you do, make sure that you do something!

From a results standpoint I’d recommend that you focus on lifting weights because not only will you shed a lot of calories when you’re engaged in the actual exercise but you’ll be working to build up a lot muscle mass which will inevitably result in your metabolism rising and rising.

The higher your base metabolic rate, the more calories you’re going to end up burning… it’s as simple as that my friend. So over time you’ll be getting in better and better shape, which is exactly what you want when you’re trying to get into incredible shape fast!

Remain consistent with your effort and believe me it will only be a matter of time before you end up in the best shape of your life.

Nothing in this world can stop you from getting amazing results accept yourself. You have to get out of your own way and make sure that you take massive action every single day of your life. Keep doing this and believe me you will find that getting into shape even with an underactive thyroid is easier than you think!

If this article was on that you enjoyed then you will really love http://hypothyroidismdietplan.org because the information there will truly help you overcome hypothyroidism for good!

Avelina Kongoi maintains the website http://hypothyroidismdietplan.org and blogs about effective ways to control this condition with nutrition.

Debra Britt – Celebrating History through the Eyes of a Black Doll Collector

Debra Britt is the founder of the Doll E Daze Project & Museum, Inc., the national Black doll museum. They have a collection of over 6,000 dolls; they provide education and workshops and raise self-esteem in young Black children. She tells us how it all got started.

I guess the biggest question is why did you decide to open a Black Doll Museum?

There was never a plan to open the museum. I am a Christian and I believe that my life purpose was to open this museum. As a business person, I know that failure to plan is a plan for failure. However, the events in my life called me to this ministry. Entering the 5th grade, my teacher had difficulties accepting a black child in his room, therefore I endured pain and humiliation on a daily basis being called a monkey and taunted by him. I knew this not to be true and tried to ignore him and educate myself with history and geography while I was in his class. I have a seizure disorder that in 1996 left me disabled and unable to travel alone or long distances. I began to research dolls I had collected. In 1999, my husband and I adopted two girls who had been emotionally and physically abused. They needed love and positive reinforcement about who they were. In 2004 I began my journey with my sister Felicia Walker and Tamara Mattisson to ensure that all children have the tools to become strong, confident, loving, lovable and independent. That begins with positive self-esteem – accepting the skin you’re in and loving it.

The museum chose me.

I acquired 3000 dolls on my own. I know what a powerful impact is made to see a doll in your image that you can

Debra Britt, Founder Doll E Daze Project & Museum

call beautiful. In addition, through my research I have actually proven that teaching history with artifacts is an empowering experience. The museum’s physical space allows me to do that on a daily basis. We enlighten and uplift a child in crisis.

Where do your dolls come from?

The dolls at the museum come from all over the world. When my baby sister Kareema Thomas was 25 years old, she had a stroke. There was no medical reason. They told us she would not be able to walk again as she was paralyzed. She saw Byron Lars “Limelight” Barbie in an Essence magazine and told her four older sisters she wanted it. That weekend we put her in a wheel chair and took her to several malls looking for the doll. It was nowhere to be found. However, we told her she could have any other doll that she wanted if she attempted to get the doll. She knocked a couple down and we brought them for her. Every weekend after that for at least a year, this was a ritual – getting her to take small steps. It then became a bonding for us. My mother eventually joined us.

We then began traveling across country, all the while searching for dolls during our vacations, at flea markets and doll shows. We used timeshares and discovered conventions and other collectors. While Kareema ‘s interest was in Barbie, we all took on different interests. I like vintage dolls, Felicia loves Native American dolls, my mother – porcelain, Tammy, miniatures and clothing and Celeste likes African dolls. We also uncovered the collecting bug of “action figures” in my brothers, as well as Barbie’s and fashion dolls they said it was for their daughters. That was almost 17 years ago. We still travel and now the daughters ,granddaughters cousins and nieces all join us. It is a family affair.

How many do you have in the collection at this point?

At This point we own 6,273 dolls of which none are duplicate. This does include my extensive collection of Black Santa’s, Angels and cloth dolls, We keep 1500-2000 dolls on the floor daily. We rotate the displays every 6 weeks and also put dolls on display in several libraries that we collaborate with.

How many do you plan to have?

I actually have no idea how many we will have. We tell the African American experience with our dolls and history never ends. If someone donates a doll to us and if we already own that doll, we clean and restore it. If we are called during the holidays, we use those dolls for our doll giveaway. They are given with love to girls in foster care, homeless shelters and battered women’s shelters.

If this a nonprofit or for profit business? Are you looking for donations?

We are a registered 501(c) 3 non profit organization and do accept and need donations to sustain the museum.

What supports the museum financially?

The museum is supported totally by donations and through our doll making workshops and bully prevention program we have created partnering with schools. We currently work with Hartford Performs in the Hartford Public School system. Our programs meet the curriculum framework standards for social studies, history and the arts. Readers can support us through donations, memberships, volunteering and the purchase of merchandise.

Are any of the dolls for sale?

We do have dolls for sale at the museum. The dolls range from African wrap dolls, fashion dolls, and soft sculptured dolls. Many of our dolls come from the cottage industry of black doll artists. We also partner with several small businesses such as River Trading and Pretty Brown Girls.

Understanding that your dolls are probably from a variety of time periods, what is the range? How old is the oldest one you have and where did she come from?

The dolls range from the late 1700-present in all mediums. We have sold some dolls to keep our doors open. We have an 1847 wishbone doll, 1885 paper doll and a bottle doll from 1830. My oldest doll is from 1796 and I received them a set from the house I moved into as a child. They will be leaving soon as I need to sell so we can keep our doors open.

There was a time when Black dolls just were not made in America. When was the first time you had your own Black doll and what did it mean to you?

This is true. Black dolls weren’t readily accessible in America, my grandmother Jessie was a maid and she often bought home toys and clothes from the children she took care of. She would painstakingly take the white dolls apart and dye them in a pot with rite dye to provide me with a black doll. She made me an African wrap doll and gave me a history lesson on the origin when I was just 8 years old. So memories of black dolls have been there for me.

In 2004, I wrote the a book entitled “Legend of Cecilia.” It is a story of the first African princess, the princess of courage. It will be available in September and is also a musical that is in process. It will be on our website for sale during our Grand Opening Celebration Black Doll Fest, Sept. 27-29,2013. The National Black Doll Museum presented by the Doll E Daze Project is located at 288 N. Main Street in Mansfield, Ma .

Please tell our readers where the museum is located and what your hours are? And how can they find more information?

We are open Thursday-Monday 9-5 pm. We are open in the evening by appointment and closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays. Our admission fee is $13.00 for adults and $9.00 for children and seniors. We can provide an hour-long tour of the museum. More information is available at our website www.nbdmhc.org or by calling us at (774) 284-4729

Doll E Daze Project & Museum, Inc.

288 N.Main St.

Mansfield, Ma 02048

Website: www.nbdmhc.org

Read about them in the Boston Globe

Join them on Facebook: National Black Doll Museum

Doll E Daze blog

The Sisterhood of Natural Hair – Sarah Mukibi

Sarah Mukibi, is a woman who like most of us, has diverse interests. She is working towards a degree in psychology, works on a sexual and domestic abuse hotline and has also started her own company, Sisterhood of Natural Hair. The reason she developed her company was very interesting and impressive because she did it in retaliation of what someone told her.

It doesn’t matter how we get on the path to pursuing our passions and the things that are important to us, it is just important that we do. The people we may believe to be “devils” or negative, can be perceived to be angels if we take their messages and turn them into positive things in our life. That’s what Sarah did. And, the abuse hotline work that she does is challenging, but gives her a sense of joy and fulfillment to be able to help others.

Sarah is from Maryland, USA.

Your hair is natural. Why do you choose to be natural? At some point in time did you try eurocentric hairstyles and maintenance?

Yes, I did try eurocentric hairstyles and maintenance. I was the weave queen at one point in my life. I would get my hair done about every two weeks – really wasting money and just damaging my beautiful hair. So one day in April 2010 I decided to just start my natural hair journey. It had been years since I was natural and I never knew from being natural came freedom. Going natural has been one of the best decisions in my life and it has empowered to do more/be more as a person. I started my journey with the “big chop” and as my hair started to grow I decided to lock it.

How did having natural hair empower you to do and be more as a person?

Well, wearing my natural hair has made me more confident. It’s not that I wasn’t confident before, but I would have never thought in my life I would wear my natural hair so proudly and would actually be doing it and loving it. It has made me so proud of myself. It made me want to reach out to other African American women and empower them to support them in their journey with organic hair.

You developed a company called Sisterhood of Natural Hair. Tell us what the thinking was the lead you to do this?

One day in my sociology class my professor asked me why I wear my hair the way I do. He kept insisting that I was

being rebellious against the system and told me that I will not be able to get a good job in corporate America. This hurt me but at the same time empowered me to reach out to other African American women who may be natural or considering going natural that it is okay if you choose not to covet and conform to european standards of beauty. Sisterhood of Natural Hair is for African American women to be empowered, improve self-image and pathways for future generations to come. Through re-engineering the hair products African American Women use, we will also bring back the make-up that highlights the beauty of the African American women.

(WMTS Note: We are outraged that someone (especially a professor) can be arrogant enough to tell anyone that by conforming to their own culture is considered being “rebellious against the system.” We do not all have to try to look like white women (and please do not take this statement in an offensive manner ladies.) We do not need other people’s approval to be who we are. That is incredible. Good for you Sarah for sticking to your own natural being.)

I see you mention upcoming hair and make-up products for African American women. When will these be available to the public?

Creating my own natural hair care line is something that I will be doing in the future. I will have products like shampoos, conditioner, moisturizers etc. At this moment I do not have all the logistics, but we are working on developing them.

Links:

www.sisterhoodofnaturalhair.com

Facebook Twitter

Email: sisterhoodofnaturalhair@gmail.com

Would you tell us a little bit about your work on the hotline sexual assault help-line?

Sure. Part-time I talk to victims/survivors of sexual assault on an online hotline. This is something that I truly love to do. Every time I work I feel like I am helping someone at the time of need. My job there is to have interventions and provide resources for victims/survivors of sexual assault. We have many victims/survivors come to the hotline because it is online and anonymous (like instant messaging). It is very hard for someone to seek help and having the ability to anonymously seek help or direction from a trained staffer can really help with someone’s fear.

Whether it’s reporting, providing books, self-care or seeking professional help, like a therapist, are all the helpful things we can provide someone visiting the hotline.

The majority of the people who come to this hotline are women. But, this is something available to men also, right?

Yes, it is also open to men. We do get more women than men though probably because of the stereotypes associated with men in that they are supposed to be strong and to be able to protect themselves. Some are afraid or too embarrassed to seek help.

What about children? Do you get children that come to the hotline?

Yes, we do get children who come on the hotline. The chatline is anonymous so visitors are not able to give us any personal identifying information, but you can tell when it is a child by how they express them self. I have to be honest, those are the hardest chats for me. Some bring me to tears literally.

You say this is something that you love to do. How did you get started and how did you come to love this work?

I saw an ad online. Something just clicked in my head and told me to apply. I believe I was hired for a reason, it’s like it was meant to be. I love it because I realize every time I work I am helping someone in need. That’s a great feeling. Also, I am a psychology major so this is in my field. I am working toward a PsyD degree to become a clinical psychologist dealing with abused individuals.

For privacy reasons, we cannot mention the name of the website. But, for women out there in need of such services, they can google phrases like “help for victims of abuse,” “domestic violence hotline,” etc. There are many places to go for help. If you are in need of help or know of someone in need of help, please seek it. We are all in this thing together. If one woman is in need, then we all are – WMTS

How To Keep Your Face Healthy And Looking Good This Winter

Submitted by Debbie Sweet

Even though we’re exposing less of it, winter is super-tough on our skin. Winter weather, heat and heavy clothing can all contribute to itchy, damaged skin during the winter months. These six tips will help you save face this winter.

Get a humidifier – The hotter the air in a home, the more it wicks moisture away. A humidifier can help replace the moisture that’s lost due to central heating. Humidifiers are relatively inexpensive and can be found at discount department stores and drug stores. Run them in areas where you spend the most time, like your office, living room and bedroom.

Check your cleanser – Many regular soaps, including bar soaps, are much harsher on your skin, and the damage can appear even worse in the winter. Choose a skin cleanser with built-in moisturizer or use baby oil on your skin right after you use your soap to replenish the oils the soap washes away.

Layer your clothing – A wool weather might seem cozy, but it could make your skin itchy and irritated. Instead, wear breathable materials like cotton and jersey knit against your skin and layer heavier materials, like wool, on top. This will help you stay warm and protect your skin.

Moisturize – Cracked lips, chaffed hands and dry skin patches are common during the winter, so it’s important to moisturize your skin regularly. As soon as you step out of the shower and blot dry your skin, apply a thick cream moisturizer all over. Apply moisturizer after you wash your hands or whenever your skin feels tight. If you use a regular lotion during the summer, put it away until warmer weather comes your way, and instead rely on ointments and creams. Some ingredients to look out for in your moisturizers are petrolatum, mineral oil and glycerin. For brittle nails, coat them with Vaseline and keep them short and clean.

Change wet clothes quickly – Wetness on your skin for a long period of time can lead to itchiness and irritation, so change out of wet hats, coats and scarves as soon as you can. Winter weather can be unpredictable, so keep extra dry clothes stashed in your office or car in case of an emergency. When you peel off the wet clothes, use a dry towel to blot – not rub – your skin dry. Rubbing can further irritate your already itchy skin.

Eat right – Eating right is important all year, but eating certain foods during the winter months can help keep your skin looking great. For instance, grapefruit, tomatoes and carrots contain lycopene, which can help your skin stay smooth. Tuna, a great source of omega-3, can keep your skin looking youthful, bright and firm (and as a bonus, is good for your heart!) Foods high in vitamin C, like broccoli, can fight wrinkles and age-related dryness, as well as soak up free radicals that can damage your skin’s collagen. Another important element is water – drink plenty of it, especially during the winter months when the heat from indoor central air is depleting the moisture in your body.

Use sunscreen – It may seem like an unusual tip, but sunscreen isn’t just for the beach. Winter sun is just as damaging as the summer sun, and can be even more damaging when reflecting off snow. Use a makeup or moisturizer with sunscreen included or use sunscreen on its own. If you ski, make sure to use a sunscreen that blocks UVA and UVB radiation.

About the Author: Debbie Sweet reviews Chicago dermatologists. When she’s not writing, she enjoys Pilates and organic gardening.

6 Home Remedies to Get Rid of Stretch Marks

Submitted by Claire Mier, UK

We know that eliminating stretch marks is not easy. There are certainly different treatments such as abrasion, dermabrasion, laser technology that removes by these ‘scars’ and these can be a good option in the event that the grooves are very pronounced. However, when its size is less, we can use several natural remedies that can help reduce them. Stretch marks can appear with the pregnancy, due to hormonal changes, body growth in adolescence, or by sudden changes in weight. They usually occur in areas like the legs, the buttocks, the breasts, or the belly.

Home Treatments Against Stretch Marks Using the Ingredients Found in Your Kitchen

Remedy #1 – Lemon juice: lemon is a remedy that can be used both to treat stretch marks and scars. It contains glycolic acid and hydroxide acid; an ingredient that can be found in many of the creams that are used against this problem. This ingredient dissolves dead cells and renews the skin.

Remedy #2 – Carrot puree: Steam carrots until they become soft enough to mash and make a paste. Apply the paste onto the area where they are stretch marks and let it sit for as long as possible.

Remedy #3 – Cocoa Butter: This can be one of the most common remedies for preventing stretch marks that appear with the pregnancy. Apply the cocoa butter on the hips, thighs, buttocks and abdomen in the morning and before bed. Cocoa butter is so effective because it penetrates the upper skin layer and can reach the dermis, known as the second skin layer.

Remedy #4 – Grapes: The extract from grapes protects and beautifies the skin because it is one of the best moisturizers. It hydrates and retrieves the effects of dry skin. We can extend the pulp on the skin as if it were a mask. Let stand for 20 to 30 minutes then rinse well with lukewarm water. Not only will this help eliminate the stretch marks, but it will also prevent the re-occurrence as well.

Remedy #5 – Essential Oils for Stretch Marks: rose hip or almond oil both have regenerative properties that help to remove these unsightly marks. The oil is be applied once a day after showering. Since this is not one of the synthetic cosmetic products, we will notice the results only if we are consistent.

Remedy #6 – Aloe vera: this basic beauty treatment could also be an option to remove stretch marks, improve skin hydration, and replenish dry skin. Although there are plenty of products containing this plant, it is most advisable to use a freshly cut to make it more effective. We can apply it on the problem areas two or three times a day.

To see results you should be consistent with the treatments. Only the continuous applications can give you the noticeable results. It is best to make it a daily routine and be committed. Although at first it may seem that stretch marks are still there, with time we will see improvement.

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Claire Mier is a beauty blog writer who shares her passion in natural health and beauty remedies on GetCurvyNow.com. You can read her unbiased reviews on natural breast enhancement products such as Breast Actives, and natural breast enlargement remedies at GetCurvyNow.com today.

Shop Your Closet

Fall is officially here: there’s a nip in the air, colored leaves are falling and pumpkin-flavored lattes are beckoning. With your shorts and sundresses tucked into the back of your closet, last year’s fall fashions are front and center. But are they still in style? Before you go donating last year’s honeysuckle-colored sweater to a good cause, consider first making yourself familiar with this year’s new trends in fall styling and see if some of your wardrobe is salvageable. The following are five things to look for in your closet that will allow you to keep up this season without buying all new attire:

1. High necklines

A major trend right now in both sweaters and dresses is high necklines. Avoid the traditional turtlenecks, and instead look for lines that end right at the collarbone. If you are looking at evening wear, lean towards gowns made of lighter fabrics like silk or satin; the high necks will create statuesque lines reminiscent of the Greeks.

2. Red

The Masaai tribe in Kenya is known for their obsession with the color red. They wear it in tartans, in solids, in stripes and in patterned bed sheet. This fall, think like a Masaai! Find your crimsons and rouges, and match them with contrasting patterns and accent colors. The bolder the choice, the bolder you’ll feel.

3. Fuzzy knit sweaters

That’s right, now is your chance to pull out those old sweaters you kept around for their warmth and comfort quotients. Pair them with a leather skirt or leggings and your favorite pair of boots — and don’t be afraid to belt it (more on that later).

4. Contrasting collars

Probably the most challenging look to pull from your wardrobe, it’s also the most simple: Wearing a collar that is a contrasting color to the rest of the shirt, or perhaps even a contrasting pattern, creates a bold look that stands out. Pairing a bright patterned collar over a subdued solid sweater vest might be all you have to do to pull this look off.

5. Belts on dresses and skirts

When it comes to belting a dress, I suggest erring on the side of skinny belts as thicker ones can break up a body and make it look bigger. This trend usually works best with fitted skirts or pencil skirts, and adds a more tailored look to a dress you might not normally take a second glance at.

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As you can see, the major trends this fall are not as complicated as they might have been in the past—and the best part? All of these will transition easily into winter, too! With a few items from your own closet and some ingenuity, you too can dress to impress this season without breaking your budget.

Melissa Woodson is the community manager for Washington University in St. Louis’ @WashULaw, a top-tier Master of Law program in U.S. law, as well as a contributor to the LLM guide. In her spare time, she enjoys running, cooking, and making half-baked attempts at training her dog.

Women’s Minds, Bodies and Spirits

by Dr. Nancy Nelson

I am going to address all three of these topics with one important point, one seemingly impossible task, as women we do everything for everyone, that is, except for ourselves.

We work, go to school, raise our children, help others to raise their children, care for our husbands, and seniors and care for our homes. We are leaders, helpers and mothers in our churches, serve on committees and do community work. At night we do not “fall” asleep, instead we pass out later than the other members of our households. And in the morning we rise before anyone else in our house.

We are sleep deprived. We make sure everyone else has enough to eat before we eat and if there is not enough we go without. We find money to send our children on school trips and to go to movies yet we wouldn’t dare spend what little money we have to do these things for ourselves. We beam at the accomplishments of our husbands and children while we think our own are insignificant. We keep going even when we are sick. We put off seeing a doctor until we can schedule a time that does not inconvenience anyone else in our lives.

We are care givers – not care receivers. We do not take care of ourselves. We do not let others take care of us and for this we pay a heavy price.

My mother, who is soon to be 90 years old and the mother of 10 children, fits the above description. She raised her children and put our needs and wants before her own. She cared for her husband for almost 35 years until his death. She was “Mom” to all of our friends. As a registered nurse, she worked full time at a convalescent home. She never took a vacation, hung out with friends and never went to a movie. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I realized that sometimes when she sat at the dinner table with only a cup of tea, saying she wasn’t hungry, that there was only enough food for her children to eat.

After everyone was in bed my mother would start the ironing. I have no memory of ever waking up in the morning while she was still in bed. She was usually in the kitchen or bringing up a basket of wet clothes from the basement.

However, there was one big difference, one thing of importance that I later studied in my mind. My mother managed to take time for herself.

How? How could she possibly have found time for herself? My mother had small methods of self-care. When we were little she had quiet time. She would show us on the clock, before we could even tell time, where the big and little hands would be when quiet time was over.

Then she would lay down with the baby and we would be quiet until the hands on the clock were where they were supposed to be.

When we got older she found other ways. One of my favorite was her announcement from the top of the stairs, wrapped in her bathrobe, that she was taking a “bauth.” Now a “bauth” is very different from a bath. During a bath we could knock on the door to ask a question or complain about what a brother or sister had done to us. We might even have an argument in front of the bathroom door waiting for our mother to holler to stop. But during a “bauth”, which was always a half hour long, we would have to be dead or dying to knock on the door or in any way disturb her or we would end up with a soar behind. This was Mom’s time.

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Sarita Thomas and her Soul Purpose

Soul Purpose is a wellness company that sells both wellness products & skin care products made with all natural ingredients. We sell dietary aids like shakes & edible chocolates in addition to vitamins to promote a healthy system. We sell facial cleansers, essential oils & Javafit coffee (which is a coffee designed to boast your immune system). We have a mineral make up line that includes lip gloss, lip stick, foundation, mascara, eye liner, blush & eye shadow, etc. We also sell soy candles (that can be used a massage oil), solid perfume, shea butter body balms/body custards (that contain Vitamins A/D/E & shea butter in addition to other natural ingredients), feet care products, lotion, bath/body gels, body scrubs, shampoo, conditioner, hair butter & hair shine. People can join the business & partner with me to make an income or supplement their current income. The prices for enrollment are a $10 fee or a $35 fee (the latter gives you an enrollment start up kit & one month FREE online internet service for your business).

Not interested in joining the business but love the products? Well people can also host a party & earn FREE products while having fun with close friends at the same time thru our Hostess Program. Hostess programs have little to no start up costs and are a great excuse to get together with the ladies (or fellas) & receive FREE products in the process. No time for a traditional party with your busy schedule? No problem…. Host a Virtual Party & receive the same benefits as a traditional Soul Purpose party with out the set up, cancellation or weather hassles. You can invite anyone, from anywhere to participate in your party (regardless of their area code) & still receive the same benefits in our Hostess Program which include:

-$100 or more in FREE products

-two ½ priced items

-a FREE soy candle

For anyone who is interested in simply making a purchase I have tons of sales/promotions going on like make a $50 purchase & get a FREE perfume scent of your choice. Also the holidays are quickly approaching & we have lovely gift sets for that special person(s) in your life.

Finally we also have fundraisers that are perfect to support any business structure i.e. company, school, church, etc.

Any questions regarding any of the information listed above people can view my contact info as well as some of the Soul Purpose products on my website http://bettyboop124.soulpurpose.net or here :soulppose@gmail.com (860-578-4127). On Facebook? Please “like” me @ Soul Purpose-Thomas. On Twitter? Please follow me @Illytown76

Sarita N. Thomas
Executive Marketing Director
#205344 @ Soul Purpose
860-578-4127

soulppose@gmail.com

http://bettyboop124.soulpurpose.net

Follow me on Twitter @Illytown76
“like”me on Facebook Soul Purpose-Thomas

A Natural Way to Reduce Wrinkles

We have been taught that youth is everything and that young is beautiful. That means that old is bad and unattractive. I personally don’t subscribe to such thinking. I consider myself more beautiful now than ever having grown older and more wiser in my ways.

Having said that, I recognize also that our body does as we do. It is a product of our thoughts our habits of eating, sleeping – in other words – how well we take care of ourselves. I know women in their 70’s and 80’s who have incredibly beautiful skin and sparkling eyes. They have a wonderful outlook on life and fully enjoy themselves in it. So the secret key is our thoughts and what we believe about ourselves. Meanwhile, I came across this article from Natural News (which is something I subscribe to on the internet) about reducing or removing wrinkles. For those of you who are concerned about such things, here it is: (Enjoy!) – Tomaca

(NaturalNews) Wrinkles are a bane of the natural aging process. They are thin creases or lines that form in the skin, primarily on the face and neck. Wrinkles result from a gradual decrease in the skin’s collagen levels as you age, which causes it to lose its elasticity. Wrinkles may also form pre-maturely, as a result of poor diet, stress and sudden loss of weight. You can use natural remedies to prevent and get rid of wrinkles.

Milk and Honey Cleanser
Milk and honey is an age-old, anti-wrinkle cleanser that dates back to the ancient pharaohs. Modern science now supports the efficacy of this remedy: milk is rich in lactic acid, a type of alpha hydroxy acid that deep cleanses the pores, sloughs off debris from the skin and stimulates the secretion of collagen. Honey is rich in humectant compounds, which promote the absorption and retention of moisture into the skin. This helps to keep the skin hydrated and increases its elasticity.

Combine one tablespoon of honey with half a tablespoon of organic raw certified whole milk. Massage this into your skin and leave it on for ten minutes. Rinse it off with lukewarm water.

Lemon Juice and Sugar Exfoliator
Lemon juice is rich in citric acid, a naturally-occurring, organic acid with strong exfoliating properties that help to get rid of wrinkles. Exfoliating your skin sloughs off dead cells from the outer layer of the skin, revealing soft, supple skin underneath. It is also rich in vitamin C, which is essential in the production of collagen. Sugar contains glycolic acid, which is a type of alpha-hydroxy acid that helps to repair skin damage and to remove dead skin cells.

Stir one teaspoon of sugar into two tablespoons of lemon juice, mixing thoroughly. Gently massage the solution into your skin using your fingertips, taking care to avoid your eye area. After ten minutes, rinse it off with cool water.

Egg White Mask
Egg whites are a temporary but popular remedy for getting rid of wrinkles naturally. Egg white has astringent properties that temporarily tightens pores and firms the skin, helping to diminish the appearance of wrinkles. To use this remedy, separate the egg whites from two organic eggs and whip them until peaks form. Apply this to the face, leaving it on for about 20 minutes. Wash it off with cool water.

Lemon Balm Rinse
Lemon balm is a natural astringent that helps to keep your skin taut and firm. Make a lemon balm rinse by steeping a handful of lemon balm in two cups of boiling water. Let it cool and then use it as a facial rinse each morning.

Take Your Vitamins
Vitamins are a simple but effective natural anti-wrinkle remedy that not only helps to get rid of wrinkles, but also promotes healthy, younger-looking skin tone. B-complex vitamins, in particular, have potent antioxidant properties and can be obtained from dietary sources such as organic meat, eggs and whole wheat. Vitamins A, C and E are also natural anti-oxidants for the skin, and they can be obtained from green leafy vegetables and fresh fruit.

Reference
1. “Jude’s Herbal Home Remedies: Natural Health, Beauty & Home-Care Secrets” by Jude C. Williams and Jude Todd
2. The Mayo Clinic: Wrinkles
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/wr…
3. Peter Molan: Manuka Honey as Medicine
http://bio.waikato.ac.nz/pdfs/honey…
4. “The Doctors Book of Home Remedies II,” Prevention Magazine; 1995
http://www.mothernature.com/Library…

About the author

The Armchair Herbalist is a copywriter, turned insurance agent, turned freelance writer and published author. She has written numerous health- and business-related articles and eBooks for Demand Studios, Suite101, Bright Hub and LovetoKnow.
She is a self-professed armchair herbalist, and authored the book: 101 Herbal Tea Remedies: Healing Infusions and Decoctions from Nature’s Own Pharmacy.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/031130_wrinkles_remedies.html#ixzz1CKrLZdH9