The Beauty Denominator

I love large open eyes and am at times a little envious because some women are so blessed and I am not, but small eyes are not really a problem if we learn where to focus our efforts. We can make small eyes pop and look great too, all you need is a little practise with different makeup techniques and start taking better care of the area around your eyes now so you wont look like a wrinkled raccoon by the time you get my age.

Dark circles will make your eyes look smaller than they are and if you have deep circles around your eyes they will make your eyes look sunken. Most people know that in order to fix this problem you have to use a concealer that is slightly lighter on the dark circle area. Simply by ridding yourself of the circles, you will be able to enhance your eyes even more.

Let’s discuss eye shadow because many women need to understand that being bold and dramatic with eye shadow will make your eyes stand out more, but the truth is when the eye shadow is too dramatic it makes your eyes by contrast tend to shrink back into your face and we want them to look larger not disappear. If you have small eyes you need to keep the eye shadow very simple.

One other thing to consider is the shape of your eyebrows, it’s amazing the results that can be achieved just by reshaping the brow to enhance your eyes. Your eyes will seem smaller and closer together if you have brows that are too close together or heavy. To help make your eyes look wider apart and open, tweeze your eyebrows further out than you might normally.

If possible, it is best to get your eyebrows about an eye length apart if you can, but if I were you I would simply go to a professional and let them shape them for you and show you where the arch of the brow should be. It truly is amazing the results that can be achieved. So have fun experimenting with those different techniques and let those eyes shine big and bright.

Related: Make Your Eyes Appear Larger

Most women love make-up and trying new techniques and new ways of applying it for a natural appealing look. You can find countless tips and ideas pasted all over the Internet, I am not a make-up artist, but I did learn how to apply make-up professionally. We all learn certain things from our Mother and big sisters and experimenting with friends.

Most people only have their make-up done professionally for special occasions and it’s really a lot of fun and relaxing and if done properly can make you feel like a million bucks. Most people know what suits their skin tone and if you don’t just stop in at any department store make-up counter and they will be happy to assist you.

They can’t tell you what products you should be using unless they have a licence, but they can help you decide what is best for yourself and shades that might work. I really don’t use much make-up any more except my eyes because they look small, my eyelashes are so sparse and my eyebrows are so light that I have to have my mascara, eyeliner, and eyebrow pencil or I look sick.

I love looking at the before and after make-up pictures of the stars and celebrities because it’s totally amazing and I think little girls should see that their hero’s weren’t born that way and they shouldn’t put themselves down because they feel they don’t measure up. No one is perfect and we all have flaws and using make-up the correct way can cover a multitude of sins.

Like I said my big thing are the eyes and that is usually the first place I look when I meet someone because I love the eyes and you know the old saying that the eyes are the windows of the soul, I really believe that, but I have often wondered about blind people and tried to put myself in their place and just because I am not able to look into their soul, it does not make them soulless.

Back to the eyes, I like for my eyes to stand out and look bigger and more expressive so the first place to start is with eyeliner. Eyeliner can be a big boost, but you need to use the correct technique. Start by lining the the entire top lash line and then extend that line slightly at the corners of your eye. I know lots of people get carried away and like the Cleopatra image, I’m sorry, but that simply doesn’t work anymore.

If you like, you can also line the bottoms of your eyes which I always do, but make sure you concentrate color only on the outside third of the eye and extend it just slightly past the edge. Don’t get too dramatic unless your just playing and trying on new looks for different occasions. Keep in mind that a soft and smoky look will open your eyes up more than thin hard lines.

Bright shades will make your eyes look even smaller so make sure that you use dark and neutral colors with just a little hint of black for lining. We can then move on to our eyelashes to open the eye even more. It’s great how they make mascara that will curl at the same time, but if you don’t have that type of brush, you will want to curl your lashes three times.

Treating Nail Fungus without Drugs now tell me is that really possible? Come on even I’m not really sure about all the things I learned in school about how to treat certain conditions and sometimes I even wonder if it’s possible to cure things that doctors don’t even know about. I know people have tried Vicks salve to cure toe fungus known as Onychomycosis and I know Bill did .. Does that really work?

Yes actually it does for some and did for Bill, but I’m not sure how the menthol and other ingredients work together or what is actually going on so we can only guess how an anti-fungal drug will really work. Some really strange things and home remedies do work for some, but not everyone has the same experience however I saw it work for Bill.

I am not an expert on fungus and we are not allowed to treat anyone that has a fungus of the nails because it is very contagious, but you do learn what they say about treating a fungus and it’s very beneficial to read  about different solutions for the fungus problem that so many suffer from  so read below and then visit the site that has lots of answers and then you decide for yourself.

The number one rule to treating nail fungus is to keep your feet clean and dry at all times. Wash your feet thoroughly with soap and water and dry them carefully. Pay special attention to the areas around and between the toes where moisture can accumulate.

If you have time, use a blow dryer on its lowest setting to remove any hidden moisture. Use an anti-fungal powder to keep feet dry, but avoid products that contain cornstarch as this could encourage fungus to grow. If you want to find out more information then check the link above and find out about Mycozil  which is a natural anti-fungal internal formula that fights infection through the blood stream  and see if it might be right for you.

Product knowledge is a must when you work in a salon because you have to know which products will work best for your clients and knowing what to suggest to your clients is very important to help you make money since most sales mean a percentage for you. I was never good at pushing products on people though so I didn’t make much money off of retail.

I do know that Nexus has a great product line because I took their course and I really liked using their products because I saw how they work first hand and I received a certificate from the company, but that is only one professional brand among many that do a great job, but you don’t have to use professional products to have great hair. That’s why I love samples, you can try before you buy.

I have never used Sunsilk products before, but when I was surfing the web I ran across their site. So I played with their makeover page and looked around for a bit and then I decided I would send after their sample pack. I already knew I was going to try the de-frizz because my hair is awful. I love John Frieda’s Frizz Ease hair serum, which I use all the time, but I think I’ll give this a shot and see what I think of these products. I haven’t used it yet, but I’ll report back when I do.

As you can see it’s a 3 pack sample of shampoo, conditioner, and 24/7 creme and as a rule I normally don’t use a lot of conditioner because it builds up over a period of time and I don’t care for that weighted down feel, but once in awhile it doesn’t bother me too much and I’ve been massaging my scalp a lot more lately to loosen it. It’s not good to have a tight scalp. If you’ve tried these products before leave a comment so we’ll know how it worked for you.

I like trying samples instead of buying the full product of anything because I usually don’t like a lot of stuff and I have half filled bottles of some of the weirdest products, which reminds me I need to start pitching that stuff out. All it’s doing is taking up space. If you want to try a free sample just visit gethairapy.com and try before you buy. Can’t say I cared too much for their makeover studio hairstyles, but it amused me for a couple minutes.

If I run across anymore samples of beauty products, I’ll be sure and post them. I don’t know why I haven’t been doing more of this. I’m sure there are lots of places that would love to give samples to generate interest if you run across any please leave a comment and the site where the samples can be found. Time for bed, so I’ll say goodnight.

Many young people are going gray early and some are undecided about coloring their hair. Men especially think it would make them seem vain to their peers, but young people everywhere accept changing of hair color as a normal expression of who they are now a days. It’s pretty much anything goes and the trends we see come and go daily.

For many people that don’t have the time and money that it requires to keep up with the regrowth I always suggest that they try low-lighting because it’s more natural looking and you only select certain strands to give a darker appearance and you don’t have to worry about the starkness of the regrowth of white against all that dark, it is more blended and much healthier.

Men as well as women should always stay away from metallic hair color such as Feria and Grecian formula especially if you are planning on having any other chemical services done because it could cause a melt down. I have another post on the sidebar that you can check for more information about metallic dyes. I personally think it is very striking to see a young face with silver hair.

We deal with beauty issues on a daily basis and everyone is concerned about their appearance. I’m sure many have thought about some sort of cosmetic surgery and sure it becomes necessary for people that have been injured or burned or other unfortunate accidents, but I know it’s not right for everyone.

When it comes to determining if cosmetic surgery is right for you, there are a number of important factors to consider. One of those factors is the cost. It is no secret that cosmetic surgery is expensive. The larger the area you need repaired, the more costly your surgery is likely to be. With that in mind, if cosmetic surgery is needed for medical purposes, like to repair skin damage, your health insurance may cover all or a portion of the costs. If you will be responsible for the costs of cosmetic surgery, all on your own, it is important to make sure that you can afford to do so, without putting yourself in debt.

Another factor that you will need to take into consideration is the time that you have to devote to cosmetic surgery. Unfortunately, this is a factor that many individuals do not take into consideration when first examining cosmetic surgery. Most cosmetic surgeries require a few days worth of rest and follow-up care. This may mean that you are unable to return to work right away. It is important that you are able to get the appropriate amount of time off from work, particularly without creating any issues that may cost you your job. Also, if you will miss a week or more worth of work, it is important to take your financial loss for that time period into consideration.

Another one of the many factors that should be examined, when examining cosmetic surgery, is that of the surgery type. Cosmetic surgery includes a number of different procedures. Popular cosmetic procedures include those that remove wrinkles, repair skin damage, such as burns, reduce or increase the size of breasts, as well as reshape or restructure the nose. As previously stated, the cost of your cosmetic surgery may all depend on the areas of your body which you would like improved. It may also have an impact on which cosmetic surgeons in your area can perform the work for yo

The decision as to which cosmetic surgeon you would like to use the services of is a decision that should not be made on a whim. When searching for a cosmetic surgeon, it is advised that you examine areas of expertise. While most cosmetic surgeons are able to perform a wide range of surgeries, there are some who have specialties, like breast enlargements or breast reductions or facelifts. Of course, there are no guarantees, but you are more likely to see success when using the services of a cosmetic surgeon that specializes in the procedure in which you would like to undergo.

As a reminder, cosmetic surgery can help to improve your appearance, which can have a whole set of other benefits all on its own, but it isn’t for everyone. With that in mind, if your physical appearance is an issue that you regularly have to deal with, it may be best to schedule a consultation appointment with a cosmetic surgeon in or around your area and make sure it is something that you can handle.

Women love getting manicures and pedicures, it’s very relaxing and they feel beautiful and well groomed afterwards. The technical term for the nail is Onyx and it shows the condition of your health. In most cases doctors can diagnose your condition by examining your nails. A healthy nail is flexible and firm with no ridges, smooth and curved without blemishes and slightly pink in color.

The average growth rate of the nail is around 1/8? a month and grows much faster than your toe nails, but as you know the toe nails are much thicker and definitely harder. They grow much faster in the summer time than winter months. Children’s nails grow a lot faster than older people and it would take around 4 months to replace a nail.

Did you know that your thumb nail grows the slowest and the fastest is the middle finger. When I went to school I didn’t mind learning about the nails because that was interesting, but I have never wanted to be a nail technician, but it was something I had to learn in order to get my cosmetology license. I have a nail technician certificate also encase I want to get a job as a manicurist, which I don’t.

Nail technicians are not doctors and should never try to treat any diseases of the nail. We have to learn what we are allowed to treat and when we are suppose to refer the client to a doctor. If it’s a simple blemish or just some simply irregularity then we can help, but always avoid treating nails that are sore and irritated and show any sign of infection.

At a later date I will post more about the nails, but right now I want to discuss fungus and mold of the nails. Nail fungus and molds are contagious and can be spread and should never be treated in a salon. I have seen a lot of women develop mold because of wearing artificial nails for so long. In such cases a technician may remove the artificial nails, but with extreme caution and always wear protective gloves.

Nail mold is usually caused because moisture gets trapped between the natural nail and products used to enhance the nail, such as gels, acrylic , tips and wraps. In the early stages it appears yellow-green and in later stages it gets darker and if it isn’t taken care of will turn black and have a foul odor and the nail will probably fall off.

If your nails have any discoloration that starts spreading toward your cuticle and starts turning darker then it is probably a fungus and you should have it checked. There has been much said about using vicks salve to treat nails with fungus, but I really have never known anyone personally that has used this remedy till a few months ago and that would be my partner Bill.

His big toenail has been black since he came back from the Vietnam War. He always calls it his ugly toe. He read an article a few months back that said if you use vicks salve on your nail it would get rid of the fungus. The house has had the vicks salve smell (which consists  of camphor, menthol, cedarleaf oil, turpentine oil, nutmeg oil, thymol and eucalyptus oil) for over a month now, but we don’t mind because he is so delighted with his big toe, that is so pretty now. So I know first hand that it worked for Bill.

When deciding on a new hair style and cut the following points should be remembered. How your head is shaped, your profile and the shape of your face and head and how it looks from behind and the proportion of your body size and posture, plus both your good and bad features. Yeah I know it isn’t easy to be perfect.

There are seven facial shapes determined by the bones in your face and they are divided into 3 sections which are from the forehead to the eyebrows, eyebrows to the end of the nose and from the end of the nose to the bottom of your chin. I will list each below and explain how we would want to style in order to achieve the oval look.

• Facial Shapes

1. Oval- is the ideal facial shape that we compare all others to and for which we aim to create illusions to make the other shapes conform to. The oval face would be around 1 and a half times longer than the width across the brow and the brow is a fraction wider than the chin. Almost any hairstyle will look good on the oval face unless there are other considerations like your profile, shape of the nose and whether you wear glasses.
2. Round- is a wide face with a rounded hair and chin line. We need to create the illusion of length for the face. We need more height on top of the head with hair covering the ears and cheeks, but one side can also be worn up and back exposing the ear . The bangs should be swept to one side covering a portion of the forehead.
3. Square-is a wide face with a square jaw line and a straight hair line. This is my facial type and we have the same problems as the round. We also need the illusion of length to offset the squareness. The hair can be styled off the forehead and forward at the temples and the jaw line to make the face appear more narrow and softer an asymmetrical or off-center style works well.
4. Pear-is a narrow forehead with a wide jaw and chin line and we need to create an illusion of width at the forehead. The hair style should be full and high. With loose waves over the ears and a partial soft bang to cover part of the forehead. This style should work well to add width to the forehead.
5. Oblong-is long and narrow with hollowed cheeks. We need to make the face appear shorter and more wide. The hair should be closer to the head on top with a fringe of bangs. Draw the hair outward at the cheek area with more fullness at the sides to create a wider look for the face.
6. Diamond-is a narrow forehead and chin line with a wide width through the cheekbone area. We need to reduce the width across the cheekbone area by increasing the fullness at the jaw line and forehead. We need the hair styled closer to the head at the cheek line. Avoid styling the hair away from the cheeks or back from the hairline.
7. Heart-is a wide forehead with a narrow chin line. We need to decrease the forehead width and increase the width of the chin line. So a style with a center part with the bangs flipped up or slanted to one side with more width and softness at the jawline should work well.

It is difficult trying to decide which type face mask is right for you and your skin type. Do you buy the already prepared ones and just follow directions not knowing really what all is in it or do you make your own at home or simply just go pamper yourself and have it done at the spa. Now the spa is fun and relaxing, but not everyone can afford it all the time. Always remember to use a toner and moisturizer.

A few ideas are listed below, but feel free to experiment and have fun.

Dry Skin -2oz. avocado(fresh), 1oz. oj, 1tsp. acacia honey, 1 tsp. molasses, and 5 drops Chamomile essential oil, put in blender or hand blend, if it’s too thick add a little more oj. Start at the neck and spread upward. You can leave this mask on for 30 minutes or so to get the full benefit.

For damaged, sensitive, or sunburned skin try this one.

1 tablespoon unsalted butter softened, large crushed strawberry. Do you have normal to dry skin use a 1 inch slice of cucumber pushed through a sieve, use a tablespoon of lemon juice for oily skin, or try adding 1 egg yolk if you have very dry skin. In a bowl, beat the butter and your chosen ingredient. Apply the mask as soon as it is combined and leave it on your face for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove with a wet, warm washcloth.Bananas are rich in potassium, calcium, and phosphorous and are great for dry and sensitive skin and will make your skin soft and smooth.

Tomatoes, apples, and cucumbers are great for their soothing, astringent effect and strawberries are slightly astringent, but will stimulate also.When using the fruits and vegetables above, either slice thinly or crush and use your gauze as mentioned in the previous post .

All skin types will benefit from the egg white mask. Simply beat the whites till fluffy and apply to your face. It tends to dry and tighten and cleans impurities from your skin.

Try this one for really oily skin.

Whisk one egg white in a bowl until the peaks are stiff. Add 6 drops of witch hazel and 6 drops of lemon juice to the whites. Then, gently put the mixture on your face but be sure to keep it out of your eyes. Leave it on your face for about 15 minutes before rinsing well with warm water.Yogurt and buttermilk can be used for all skin types and has a mild astringent effect. You can make up your own masks by using a combination of many ingredients.

Honey has a hydrating effect and it helps tone and tighten it is good for all skin types, but sensitive skin will really benefit from a warm honey mask, not hot. Some people mix honey and oatmeal or almond meal and make a paste using milk. You can purchase all kinds of ingredients at health stores and they usually tell you the benefits of use.

Related:

Beauty Treatments Right In Your Own Kitchen

Using Face Masks And Packs

Face masks and packs are basically the same except the pack is heavier and thicker in consistency, often clay is used in a pack and these are recommended for normal and oily skin and are applied directly to the skin.

For dry skin masks are recommended and depending on the ingredients used and whether you buy them or make your own from organic natural fruits, vegetables, herbs, dairy, eggs, and oils you may have to use gauze or cheesecloth, as it is normally known to hold them on the face.

Some people are allergic to certain prepared masks or may be afraid of unknown ingredients and prefer to make their own. When using fresh fruit and vegetables you will notice that they will not adhere to the face and stay in place because they get runny this is when you would use the cheesecloth.

Maybe you and a friend or your husband will help you. Have fun and relax giving each other a facial. Cut a piece of gauze large enough to cover the neck and face. Be sure to cut out a place for your eyes, nose, and mouth even though you can breathe through the thin gauze it will make it more comfortable.

When applying the mask start at the neck and spread upward over the face. You may need to apply a second layer of gauze to hold it in place. Place your eye pads on and sit back and relax for 10 to 15 minutes or until dry then start at the neck and roll the gauze up and away from the face. Finish your clean-up with a moist towel or pads, apply an astringent and moisturizer and see how refreshed you feel. Men also enjoy facials.

A hot oil mask is recommended for dry, scaly or skin that is inclined to wrinkle. I recommend a salon for the most beneficial results because most people do not have an infrared lamp, but you can do it at home also just prepare your gauze and moisten it in the hot oil and apply to your neck first continuing up over the face, place your eye pads on and sit back and relax for 10 minutes if using an infrared lamp make sure it is about 24 inches from the face and the time would be 5 to 10 minutes. Roll the gauze away starting at the neck after clean up be sure and use an astringent and moisturizer.

Related:

Make Your Own Facial Masks 

Beauty Treatments In Your Own Kitchen