Manicure & Pedicure Tips

Manicure & Pedicure

A professional manicure and pedicure is a luxury, and it is also time-consuming and can be expensive, especially when maintaining a polish job. But there are some simple home remedies that are inexpensive and will allow you to enjoy the feeling of a salon manicure and pedicure. So rather than go to a spa and have to return in a few days to have your fingers and toes repainted, do them at home yourself.

Removing Old Polish

Polish can become chipped and unsightly, so keep it looking fresh by removing all traces of old polish from your nails. Use a non-acetone nail polish remover to keep from drying out the nails and hands or feet.
A paper towel or cotton ball works best when removing old polish, as toilet paper or tissue can come apart and absorb too much of the polish. A paper towel can help you apply friction without it tearing apart. Always use a clean side of the paper towel for each nail.

Bath Oil

Bath oil

For an excellent moisturizer for the hands, heat 1 cup of baby oil with 1/2 cup of water in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Use a larger bowl or pan and the same ratio of oil and water to soak the feet. Soak in the solution for 10 to 15 minutes, which will loosen dead skin and the cuticles and soften hands and feet. Use a pumice stone over all rough areas to leave the skin with the kind of professional glow you would have after leaving a spa treatment.

Vinegar

Vinegar

Because chipping polish can be a nuisance, apply a light coat of white vinegar to the nails using a cotton ball. Allow the solution to dry and then paint your nails. This will moisturize the cuticles and set the polish so that it lasts longer. After the nail polish dries wash your hands and feet in warm soapy water to get rid of the vinegar smell.

Manicure tips

Giving a manicure, or manicuring as it is called professionally, was once considered only a luxury for the rich. More and more women (and men) now have regular manicures. Manicuring is derived from the Latin word manus which means hand and cura which means care. Manicuring improves the appearance of the hands and nails. Giving a manicure isn’t hard once you know the basic steps.

Remove the old polish. Moisten a cotton ball with nail polish remover. The type of polish remover depends on your personal preference. Press the cotton ball over the nail for a few seconds to soften the old polish. Wipe gently with the cotton ball on the nail starting at the base of the nail to the tip. This keeps old polish from smearing into the cuticle.
Shaping the nail is the next step. The fingernails should be filed into oval tips. Begin on the left hand with the little finger and work towards the thumb. Hold the finger between your thumb and the first two fingers of the left hand. Hold the fingernail file in the right hand. Slant the fingernail file so that the filing is done mostly to the under side of the nail. File each fingernail from the corner to the center, going from right to left and then from left to right. On each side of the fingernail, stroke in one direction only. Repeat the process on the right hand.
Softening the cuticles is accomplished by soaking the fingers in a small finger bowl filled with soapy water. A few drops of mild dish soap added to water in the finger bowl works well. Carefully dry the hand by holding a small towel and place, the hand on the towel. Dry the hand while simultaneously pushing back the cuticle and skin on each fingernail. Be very gentle.
Apply cuticle remover by following the directions on the cuticle remover tube or bottle. Gently loosen the cuticle with an orangewood stick or cuticle pusher. Keep the cuticle moist while working. Wash gently and dry.
Clean under the free edge of the fingernail by dipping a cotton-tipped orangewood stick in soapy water and cleaning under the nail from the center outward to each side.
Sometimes it is necessary to remove dead cuticle or hangnails with small scissors or cuticle nippers. Be very careful when you do this.
Apply cuticle oil or cream at the base of the nail. Brush nails gently in a soapy water with a downward motion. Dry hands and nails thoroughly. Next use a very fine emery board. Buff nails giving them a smooth beveled edge. Wipe nails to remove any particles of cuticle or dead skin.
Apply base coat using long strokes. When the base coat is dry to a light touch apply polish. Apply polish lightly with strokes from the base to the tip. Excess polish on cuticle or nail can be easily removed with cotton tipped orangewood stick moistened with polish remover. Apply a top or seal coat. Brushing the top or seal coat around and under the tips of the nail will give the nail added protection.
The final step is to apply lotion. This can be done if time permits. Nails need to be completely dry. Start at the wrists moving down to the fingertips with light rubbing motion.

Foot Care

Tortured by new shoes, toes squashed in boots or neglected soles - your feet went out on strike and yearn for attention! Dehydrated and the rough soles caused by bare-feet long walks on the sandy beach are still visible and those blemished zones where the sandals had pinched you - doesn't look very sexy, right? Each day, even 15 minutes of attention can be a savior for your feet's look. And at least once a week book a spa pedi - so relaxing and your soles will look divine.

Daytime Care In the morning, apply a foot cream or foot spray with refreshing effects; in the evening, use soothing or calming creams and sprays. Peeling You need peeling for your soles at least once a week and also for the rest of your feet. After only 5 minutes of massaging with an exfoliating cream, your skin is returning to it' s natural smoothness. MiniSPA at Home Just as you offer your complexion cosmetic treatments of the best quality, your feet need the same spoiling.

Dissolve bath frizzies or bath salts in your bathtub. It has a smoothing, calming and deodorizing effect. Cutback It's hard to maintain your nails long during the winter. Your toes will hurt and the nails can ingrow. It's a requirement to shorten them. The specialists recommend filing them. But if your nails are thicker, use the nail scissors or clipper.

Nighttime Care You want to fall asleep quick, forgetting all about daily stress? You want your feet to feel relaxed and rested? Try to massage them before going to sleep, using massaging butter or oil. If you don't have such thing, it's ok using a greasy cream or a super-nourishing gel. Smoothing Your heels and the zone above are the driest parts of the skin. A special moisturizing cream, applied each evening after shower will help and prevent skin scaling or cracked heels.

Must do In winter, even well-kept soles need getting thickened skin removed. If the peeling creams or exfoliators doesn't really work, foot files are the ideal solution. Super Tips 1. If you feel your feet heavy and tired after a day in the office use a refreshing, blood circulation improving gel. 2. A pretty nail polish will last longer on a buffered nail. Buy a nail file with special surfaces for smoothing. The nail polish will last longer, will be smoother and shinier. 3. Use glass balls or pebbles in the bath/shower. Rub your feet on and between them, as long as you stay in the water. 4. Rough heels with cracked parts, may be the result of wearing synthetic fibre stockings, or Vitamin A and B deficiency. If the problem persists, you should visit a dermatologist! 5. Your nails have stains after using dark nail polish? Use an anti yellowing top coat before applying nail polish.

Beauty Basics

Beauty Basics Tips

By Maria

Despite the media coverage of makeover reality shows, the majority of Americans are not looking for extreme transformations. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, most of us want to look better, naturally, with 68-percent preferring a subtle change. And experts agree that looking your best could be accomplished at home for considerably less.

Dr. Linda Franks, a leader in the specialized skin care frontier, says "To get that timeless, healthy look you need to start with an appropriate skincare regime. Taking good care of your skin can stave off fine lines, wrinkles, age spots and even dry skin."

Doctors say whatever your skin type, the key is to cleanse it gently.
-- Avoid hot water and use lukewarm instead, to prevent over-drying.
-- And throw in the towel – traditional washcloths are too abrasive for the face, so use your hands and fingers.

Sixty-eight-percent of women claim to have sensitive skin which means dry, tight, chapped or easily irritated skin.
-- Moisturize regularly.
-- Avoid harsh cleansers with ingredients such as fragrances, dyes and preservatives because sensitive skin is easily damaged and takes longer to recover.

If your skin is dry and easily irritated, don’t wash more than once a day. You may risk stripping the skin of its natural oils.
-- Look for non-irritating cleansing washes that are soap-free.
-- Use light, oil-free, water-based moisturizers to help maintain the skin’s natural barrier.
-- Make sure to choose a facial moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15, which protects against both UVB and UVA rays.

Skin sensitivity may also result from the third most common, non-surgical skincare procedure known as Microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion is a quick and easy, non-invasive procedure that helps to reveal healthier-looking skin by sweeping away dead skin cells.
-- Dr. Franks reveals that, following the treatment, the best way to avoid irritation is by opting for an ultra-gentle cleanser and moisturizer.
-- A new clinical study shows that PURPOSE gentle cleansing wash and dual treatment moisture lotion with spf 15 are compatible with this procedure.

How else can you obtain optimal skin health? Dr. Franks says, "Exercise opens up blood vessels to make skin look healthy and youthful. It’s so important for healthy skin."
-- Regular cardiovascular exercise increases blood flow to the skin which assists in collagen production.
-- Maintaining muscle mass through exercise can also help anchor and support skin, keeping it taut.
-- And drink up! At least eight, eight-ounce glasses of water a day are crucial for optimal skin hydration.

So before you sign on for an extreme and expensive makeover, just think back on some simple, beauty basics! You just might like what you see!

Normal Skin Care

Normal Skin

Some women are born beautiful and some try hard to look beautiful with the help of makeup. So much of time, energy and most important money they spend on buying cosmetics, applying cosmetics just to look best. But the most important question that arises here is can these cosmetics give you beautiful skin too? There are various skin types, like oily skin, normal skin and combination skin. Out of this normal skin is supposed to be the best one, as it is easy to maintain this kind of skin.

If you have got normal skin, then you are really lucky and you should appreciate what you have got. Along with it you should take care that your skin remains the same no matter how old you become. You have a problem free skin and thus to keep it in well texture you can try out some face packs that you can easily make at home. These face packs are made from various vegetables and fruits. Apply fresh tomato juice on your face and massage gently for some time. Keep it on your face for about five minutes and wash it off. You can do the same thing with the orange juice.

To take care of normal skin, you can also apply the peel of papaya on your face. This will make your skin glowing. Make sure that you use fresh papaya peel for applying on your face. You can also store papaya pieces in your refrigerator and use it everyday to clean your face. You can also give the relaxing feeling to your skin by applying carrot juice on it. Allow the juice to dry on your face and then wash it off. If you are above the age of thirty then you might have started showing the aging signs. You can prevent the winkles and fine lines form showing by applying cabbage juice on your face. Do gentle massage and keep it applied to your face for about five minutes. Wash your face with cold water and dry it up.

You can eat an apple a day to keep the wrinkles and fine lines at a bay, as eatng apples make the aging process slow. You can also rub your face with the apple peel to clean your face. As you know that the pollution levels are very high it becomes rather an impossible task to get a clean and clear skin. Also there is so much stress due to the hectic work schedule that you don’t get time to relax and help your skin relax too. These two things are mainly responsible for taking the glow away from a normal skin. You will need to choose natural products while purchasing the skin care products.

The natural products are very effective and are not costly too. You will not have to worry about any kind of side effects. You should choose the products that are made for normal skin care. Your lifestyle should also be needed to mold so that there is no stress and you get proper time to relax. Your diet should include fruits and vegetables. Drinking plenty of water is also good way to clean your system and have clear skin.

Sensitive Skin Care

Sensitive Skin

Many people in this world have sensitive skin and find it very impossible to use any kind of body creams or cosmetics due to the fear of getting some or the other skin problems. Sensitive skin reacts very quickly to cold and heat. Hence taking care of skin in winter and summer is the most important thing. Being sensitive, the skin is very delicate and thin and thus reacts to the temperature changes, cosmetics, detergents and alcohol based products. When such skin comes in contact with alcohol based products it becomes red and starts itching.

If you have sensitive skin then make sure that you use products, which doesn’t contain harsh and allergy causing chemicals. Applying sunscreen lotions and creams will also be good to prevent skin from the ultraviolet rays. Use mild soaps for washing your face and pat the skin dry with soft towel. Whenever you purchase any new makeup product r beauty creams make sure to try them first on your wrist. If after 24 hours of applying the cream on your wrist, there is no side effect on your wrist then you can safely use that product.

There are certain essential oils for sensitive skin like Lavender, Rose, Sandalwood, Neroli, and Chamomile. You should choose cosmetics and beauty products that include any of these essential oils. In sensitive skin too some people have too sensitive skin, for them only natural skincare products are good. If any of the products is causing you skin irritation then stop using it and keep your skin as much makeup free as possible. Make sure to moisturize your skin well before going to bed in the nighttime.

If you have tried almost all the brands of products available in the market and still not found the one that doesn't react with your skin then fault is not yours. Most of the manufacturers produce the makeup products and beauty creams using the same ingredients for all kinds of skin type. They just give different labels on the product like for dry skin, for sensitive skin, etc. These companies make makeup products and beauty products and keep their prices very high, as they know that people will pay any price to look good.

Many of the skincare products contain chemicals; prolonged use of it can cause severe skin troubles. Not only this but there are severe risk to your health also like cancers and other disorders. Hence make sure that you buy those products, which are used natural ingredients and essential oils mentioned above. The herbs like comfrey and bearberry are very effective in the treatment for sensitive skin. These herbs repair the skin tissues and prevent the skin from harsh weather condition.

Along with applying the natural skincare products for sensitive skin, you should also eat good nutritious food including vegetables and fruits. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol, as they cause harm to your skin also. Drinking plenty of water will prevent the loss of moisture from your skin and thus reduce your chances of getting acne and other skin problems.

Oily Skin Care Tips

Caring for Oily Skin

Oily skin is caused by over-active glands, which produce too much sebum. Sebum is produced by the sebaceous glands. It is necessary as it helps lubricate your skin and carries away dead skin cells. When the skin is oily, too much sebum is being produced. This article tells you:

• What are the problems faced by people having oily skin?
• How food intake and oily skin are associated?
• What causes oily skin?

The right oily skin care is essential for anyone with oily skin. Oily skin does not look healthy and is prone to skin problems like acne. It is important that such skin be given proper treatment for oily skin.

What is oily skin and how is it caused?

Oily skin is caused by over-active glands, which produce too much sebum. Sebum is produced by the sebaceous glands. It is necessary as it helps lubricate your skin and carries away dead skin cells. When the skin is oily, too much sebum is being produced. The skin becomes dull and greasy and pores may become clogged.

The extra secretion of sebum can be caused by many factors. Heredity, diet, birth control pills and the wrong cosmetics can all cause oily skin. Hormonal balances can also affect the production of sebum, which is why oily skin is often common in teenagers, pregnant women or women going through menopause.

Problems Faced by People with Oily Skin

People with oily skin often suffer from skin problems, like blemishes, acnes, black heads, white heads and pimples. Enlarged and clogged pores may be a problem. Oily skin often looks dull and shiny. With the right oily skin treatment, it is possible to treat such problems.

How to have less oily skin

Oily skin, and the problems it brings, can be minimized. Thorough cleansing can prevent some of the problems associated with oily skin, as it removes the dirt and dust and stops the pores becoming clogged. As make-up can also clog pores, it is important that all make-up is removed before going to bed. Here are some more tips on how to have less oily skin.

NATURAL METHODS

Natural oily skin care can be very effective. Food intake, proper hydration, herbal care and other natural remedies can all help provide the proper treatment for oily skin.

Food Intake

To improve your oily skin through nutrition, eat plenty of foods that are rich in protein. Include lots of leafy vegetables and fresh fruit. Vitamin B2 can help prevent oily skin, so include good sources of B2 by eating wheat germs, whole grains, beans and nuts.

Cut down on the amount of sugar and fat in your diet, and avoid soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, chocolate and fried food.

Hydration

People sometimes make the mistake that oily skin does not need to be hydrated, but oil is not moisture. Keep your skin hydrated by drinking plenty of water. A good moisturizer, that is suited to oily skin, can also help keep your oily skin hydrated.

Water and Skin Care

Water and Skin Care

Water plays a big relation in taking care of your skin. Have you ever wondered why does water wrinkle your skin? This is because water has certain elements that react to human skin. You might have heard a number of skincare experts saying that drinking water for your skin would help a lot. Quite true. Water is indeed vital to a beautiful skin. And much of it is because of the very nature of water.

The Nature of Water

Water primarily stimulates the circulation of blood, fluids, and the necessary elements inside our body. Additionally, it also controls and regulates the skin's natural balance. When water is warm, it has the power to hydrate, revitalize, detoxify, and oxygenate the skin. Warm water also gets rid of blackheads and makes large pores smaller. Drinking water makes the body more relaxed and invigorated. It also replaces the moisture lost due to everyday activities. Simply put, these are all the benefits of drinking water for skin.

Why Does Water Wrinkle Your Skin?

Staying underwater or soaked in a bathtub too much causes your skin to wrinkle. It is because the water washes off the sebum, an oily substance produced in the epidermis, which in turn, is the outer layer of the skin. Sebum actually blocks water from entering the skin. But it is washed off when you stay in the water too much and then absorbing water through skin starts. Without sebum, water penetrates the skin causing it to swell. The tip of the fingers and toes are the ones most affected. And it is because these parts of the skin hold water and sebum is abundant there too. But then again, once the absorbed water evaporates, the skin that has been wrinkled by water goes back to its normal form. So the wrinkles to the skin caused by water is really not something to worry about.

The Role of Water in Skin Care

Water keeps the skin hydrated.

Our skin is comprised of 90% water. And so without the right amount of water to keep that level, the skin tends to be unhealthy and dry. In fact, dehydration does not affect the skin alone, but the rest of the body as well, including the vital organs like kidneys and lungs.

Skin Care Tips

21 Skin Care Tips

Like our stomachs, our skin doesn’t always work the same way every day. Sometimes it gets a little fussy and doesn’t want to behave.

Skin care is one of those things I didn’t really take seriously until my late twenties. I WISH I’d started paying more attention to it sooner, but c’est la vie!

To help with a wide variety of skin situations (I’ve faced my share of them), here’s a list of 21 skin care tips.

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1. Hydrate for Healthy, Glowing Skin: You have heard it hundreds or thousands of times before, but that’s because it’s true. The best thing you can do for your skin is to drink plenty of water. Here are a couple quick ways to make water easier to remember.



2. Microdermabrasion for Softer Skin: It costs MUCH less than a facelift and doesn’t have the same risks. Many women are turning to microdermabrasion to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.



3. Removing Stretch Marks: Pregnancy isn’t the only cause of stretch marks. They’re also caused by regular wait gain/loss, exercise and injury, and here are some ways to remove them.



4. How to Make Homemade Facial Scrubs: With this great video you’ll play mad beauty scientist and learn how to make your own professional spa facial scrub at home.



5. How to Treat Acne: Here, a licensed esthetician explains a complete skin care regimen to deal with acne — covering topical treatments, masks and nutrition. Very informative!



6. How to Have Clean Pores: Here’s a fun little tidbit — you can’t actually shrink your pores, but cleaning them can make them appear smaller.




7. Diet for Healthy Skin: One of the best skin nutrition posts I’ve seen in a long time…



8. Grow Old Gracefully: This helpful post lists steps you can take to grow old gracefully in each decade of your life, from your twenties through your seventies.



9. 4 Basic Skin Care Needs: Here are four simple things you can do to get your skin back on track when it skids off the rails.
   
10. Defy Age with Japanese Sake : If you’re looking to turn back the clock and find the fountain of youth, try some sake!



11. Removing Acne Scars: Scars are a natural part of living, but some are far worse than others. Here are things you can do to diminish or remove acne scars entirely.



12. Natural Skin Care Tips: These are some often overlooked ways to enhance skin, including diet and exercise tips for a glowing complexion.



13. Diet and Your Skin: We are what we eat, or so the saying goes. This post describes which foods DO make a difference and which one’s don’t.



14. Caring for Oily Skin: Get that shiny T-zone under control, girl, with a little help from these tips.



15. 10 Natural Skin Care Concoctions: Here are 10 natural skin care recipes that made me hella hungry for more!



16. How to Tighten Loose Skin: We do what we gotta do, right?



17. How to Treat Acne with Honey: Not only do you get more bees with honey, but it may also help treat acne, too.



18. Treating Blemishes and Scars: Here’s one way to treat acne and acne scarring with an aspirin and vitamin E mask.



19. Exfoliation Tip for Baby Smooth Skin: YouTube member MissChievous shows one approach she uses to exfoliate her skin.



20. Facial Peels: If what comes to mind is Samantha’s scary red face on Sex and the City, then read on!



21. Caring for Oily Skin: It may be more apt to breakouts, but oily skin ages more slowly than dry. Here are some things you can do to take care of your oily skin.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,