Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Shoes for my feet

I have prolapsed arches. Which means, I have been having difficulties in finding the right shoes to wear. I cant wear your typical run of the mill, cheap, trendy shoes. Tried, but I die a little everytime. So I've abandoned the idea completely. Can only buy shoes with proper arched insoles.

Have tried shoes from Scholl. Their shoes are pretty good but not all of their designs have the arch insole. No other brand found locally seems to have that feature.

Problem is, I have a large bunion too. It's because of the arch. So my sport shoes have an insole too. I'm using insoles from ORTHAHEEL. I have two types.

One is the slimfit insole, which I stick onto sandals and my court shoes; and the other is the sport one. That one I stick into the sport shoes I wear. It works wonderfully.

So my trouble is still finding nice, trendy sandals and shoes with insoles.

Smelly Feet ... yuck!

Of late... actually almost all my post-puberty life, I have had problems with my feet. I can't wear closed shoes as my feet get too wet and a little slimy (gross)! Yet, I've tried putting a cloth insole (still wet); sprayed anti-perspirant (feet felt veryvery dry); and powder. None worked, obviously. The spray did work, but a little toooo well. Feet felt very dry and waxed over.

Not only that, even wearing open toe shoes leave my feet a bit smelly.... WHY?

Any help?

Friday, October 21, 2005

Natural Skin Care - Just Open Your Kitchen Cabinet

By John Edwards

Safer, less expensive, and easy-to-use natural skin care can be as easy as opening your kitchen cabinet, coupled with a few minutes of preparation.

Healthy, radiant, glowing skin is something every person wants. Yet, few of us even think to use what's really the best for out skin: natural skin care products.

Each year, millions of dollars are spent chasing after perfectly healthy, ageless skin. The environment, stress, and less than healthy eating habits, all play a major role in the quality of your skin.

The answers to achieving radiant, glowing complexion are within arm's reach. Many of the items in your kitchen right now can provide natural skin care that's even better thank those expensive, chemical filled products that cost an arm and a leg.

Skin Care Throughout Life

From the day we are born, our skin requires much care to remain smooth and healthy. It begins with soap to keep us clean. Then, there are creams, powders, and ointments to keep diaper rash from our bottoms. During the first few years of our lives, our skin will do well with soap for cleaning and the occasional lotion or cream for moisture. Then come the teen years. Our raging hormones bring out the oily skin, the pimples, and a host of other conditions.

It's important to understand that everything that comes in contact with our body affects our health and the condition of our skin. That's why choosing natural skin care products and ingredients is important. The liver filters the toxins and poisons from the food we eat, but whatever we place on our skin is directly absorbed. This includes deodorant, lotions, gels, cleansers, toners, make-up, perfumes, and more.

As we age, our skin becomes more sensitive, and we need to be even more careful with the beauty treatments we use.

Simple Solutions for Better Skin

Here are a just a few natural skin care solutions for you to try. You'll be very pleased with the results:

-once a week, rub your skin with baking soda while in the shower, for a smooth, silky feeling. You can also do this on your face to remove black heads.

-fresh tomatoes are great for the oily areas of your face. (Please make sure to try the tomato juice on your arm first, as your skin may be sensitive to it). Rinse thoroughly immediately after using the tomato juice.

-for a great moisturizer try olive oil: this healthy fat is good for you, and is great for your skin. You can also use it to soothe sunburned skin.

-vinegar can work wonders for smelly feet and armpits. Mix water and vinegar 50/50, and use in place of deodorant: it will keep the unpleasant sweat smell away, without any irritation. As for your feet, if you suffer with athlete's foot, a week of vinegar foot bath will help a lot, sometimes completely getting rid of your condition.

-egg yolk mixed with honey makes for a really great mask: put on your skin, leave it on for 20 minutes, and rinse off. Excellent for sensitive skin. Honey gives a tingling/ticklish sensation, so if you are sensitive to that, use the egg yolk alone.

-another use for egg yolk: for those with eczema, use it instead of soap. It doesn't smell great, but it will heal your damaged skin.

-a great treatment for dry skin is avocados: mash it, smooth it onto your face, and rinse off after 20 minutes.

Lastly, make sure you drink 8 glasses of water every day to keep your skin cared from the inside out.

Find more beauty tips at:
http://www.beauty-makeup-tips-online.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Sensitive Skin - How to Take Care of Sensitive Skin, Naturally

By Danny Siegenthaler

Sufferers of sensitive skin do not have to go without make-up or skin care products. On the contrary, a good quality natural skin care regime will help to reduce the sensitivity over time and will promote healthy, vibrant looking skin.

There are a number of symptoms which may help you to identify whether or not you have sensitive skin (should you be in any doubt):

Your skin reacts quickly to both heat and cold; Sensitive skin burns easily, when exposed to wind or sun

Skin is easily irritated by detergents, cosmetics and alcohol, leaving the skin red and blotchy, with visible surface veins.

The key to ‘normalise’ sensitive skin is to use a good quality, natural skin care system and follow a daily skin care regime. The following is a simple step-by-step process anyone with sensitive skin should follow:

Two or three times a week use a deep cleansing mask specifically formulated for oily skin. Wildcrafted’s Red Earth Medicine Facial Clay has been specifically formulated for dry and sensitive skin and includes ingredients such as Red Clay and Rose Hydrosol, which are beneficial in treating your sensitive skin.

Wash your face no more than twice a day using a natural pH balanced cleanser. Wildcrafted’s Hydrating Cleanser uses ingredients such as essential oils of Rose and Chamomile blended with Glycerine and Shea Nut Butter to cleanse, soothe and hydrate your sensitive skin.

Use a toner that is appropriate for oily skin. Wildcrafted’s Milk of Roses Toner makes use of Rose and Aloe Very to gently calm, hydrate and condition your sensitive skin prior to moisturising.

Use a moisturiser designed specifically for dry and sensitive skin. Wildcrafted’s Rose Day Crème contains wholesome oils like Almond, Olive and Jojoba oils in combination with essential oils of Sandalwood and Rose to revitalise the skin and soothes and softens irritated, sensitive skin.

Use your natural skin care regime every single day.

Ensure your diet is very high in nuts, grains and vegetables and very low in saturated fatty foods.

Drink plenty of water each and every day to help keep your skin hydrated.

The American Academy of Dermatology offers the following recommendations:

Choose powder when possible. Powder cosmetics are not only great at removing shine, they have very few preservatives and contain few ingredients that can cause skin irritation compared with liquid makeup.

Avoid waterproof cosmetics, which require a solvent to remove them. They also remove sebum, the oily substance made by the sebaceous glands in the skin. Without this oily barrier, sensitive skin is exposed to potential irritants that can cause a beauty breakout.

Throw out old cosmetics. "Women should keep track of cosmetic expiration dates and throw out any items that have passed their peak," cautions Dr. Bergamo. "Old makeup products can spoil or become contaminated. This is especially true for eye products, which should also be discarded if you experience any type of eye infection." Typical life spans for cosmetic products include 1 year for foundation and lipstick, 3 to 4 months for mascara, and 2 years for powder and shadows. It also is important to wash makeup brushes and sponges regularly to remove accumulated dirt and germs that can aggravate sensitive skin.

Use black-colored eyeliner and mascara products. Dermatologists feel that black is the least allergenic of all colorants used in eye products.

Use pencil eyeliner and eyebrow fillers. According to Dr. Bergamo, "Pencil eyeliner and eyebrow pencils are wax-based and contain pigment and minimal preservatives. They are much less likely to cause problems than liquid eyeliners that contain latex, which may cause a reaction in latex-sensitive individuals.

Stick to earth-toned eye shadows. Lighter earth tones, such as tan, cream, white, or beige, seem to cause less upper-eyelid irritation. "The higher concentration of pigments in darker colors, such as navy blue, can cause an adverse reaction in women with sensitive skin," Dr. Bergamo speculates.

Check sunscreen ingredients. Dermatologists recommend daily use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor 15 or higher. For women with sensitive skin, sunscreen should contain only the physical sunscreen ingredients zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Unlike chemical sunscreens that absorb ultraviolet rays, physical sunscreen ingredients deflect the rays rather than absorb them.

Use products that contain no more than 10 ingredients. The fewer ingredients in a product, the less likely it is to cause a problem.

Avoid nail polishes. Wet nail polish can be transferred to a person's eyes and face before it dries. This casual transfer can cause problems for women with sensitive skin or allergies to any of the components of the polish.

Use foundations with a silicone base. Although powder is preferred to protect sensitive skin, women choosing a liquid foundation should look for one with a silicone base. Liquid facial foundations based on silicone do not cause acne, and silicone has a low incidence of skin irritation.

Danny Siegenthaler is a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and together with his wife Susan, a medical herbalist and Aromatherapist, they have created Natural Skin Care Products by Wildcrafted Herbal Products to share their 40 years of combined expertise with you.

Join our Natural Skin Care Newsletter – it’s fun, free and Informative and you receive a free eBook on natural skin care.

© Wildcrafted Herbal Products 2004 - 2005

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Monday, October 10, 2005

Makeup Bag Secrets of the Celebrities

By Sher Matsen

Have you ever wondered why celebrities seem to look gorgeous no matter where they are and no matter what the moment? Are they prettier than the rest of us so it’s easy for them? Not at all – they are just smarter about what their makeup bag holds. Read on for makeup bag secrets of the celebrities.

Celebrities will tell you having their makeup at their fingertips is their number one priority and it should be for every woman. That’s not to say you have to pack around 50 pounds of makeup. Just a tube of lipstick can do a lot to freshen your face. Actresses like Sandra Bullock, Jennifer Anniston, or Angelina Jole will all tell you that the ultimate makeup bag is really no secret at all.

You can buy fashionable and trendy makeup bags ranging in size from compact to purse size so even your makeup back can make a fashion statement. But lets face it. It’s what we put in it the makeup bag that really counts. And why is it no matter what size your makeup bag is, it seems to be too small or the makeup you most need at the moment doesn’t appear to have made it into the bag? It’s time solve that problem by putting together the makeup bag of the celebrities with all their secrets.

Your makeup bag is really a matter of your personal taste. Choose one that grabs your attention, fits your personality and fits your purse. There’s no sense buying a huge makeup bag when you pack a tiny purse. You can buy discount bags for as little as $5.00 or designer makeup bags for as much as $100.00.

The Celebrity makeup bag is based on the assumption that your makeup bag is small to medium in size. For those that have a tinier bag you’ll have to choose which items to remove. For those packing a large bag, add all the extras that will fit.
The celebrities tell us the most important thing you need to put in your bag is a small double sided compact mirror. You can purchase a nice size travel mirror complete with protective cover for around $5.00.

The next most important tool for the celebrities are the makeup brushes. Make sure you have a blush and eyeshadow brush in your bag. Or you can purchase a compact set of miniature brushed for around $10.00. That will ensure you’ll have every brush you need.
Now to the makeup. Jennifer Aniston says your foundation or powder is the absolute most essential makeup bag requirement. If the original container is too large, then purchase a compact bottle or transfer some to an after market container that seals well.
Angela Jole won’t leave home without her favorite lipstick. Pick only one or your bags going to get full too fast. Remember your building a compact version of your real makeup case. You can add a lip gloss if you like.
Eyeshadow is also a must have for touchup. Choose a palette of colors you can wear or use anytime. There is no good way to pack a variety of colors, so it’s best to choose your most reliable colors. And for heavens sake don’t’ forget to add mascara and eyeliner.

According to the stars you also need to make sure you have your blush. Now this can be a bit trickier because the containers are a bit big. Best to look for a flat compact style blush.
To keep you fresh, you can also add some prepackaged facial cleansing cloths, a travel toothbrush and toothpaste, and a travel size deodorant.

That’s it, you know now the makeup bag secrets of the celebrities . All the basics, to get you through the day and have you looking gorgeous. So what was the big secret?

Sher from Estate Jewelry International have been serving customers for over 20 years, providing affordable estate jewelry, and a wealth of information on jewelry, fashion, designers, and beauty with on staff industry professionals. Please visit us at Estate Jewelry International.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Saturday, October 08, 2005

Fool Proof makeup tips

Makeup can be very tricky. You do it right, you’ll look fabulous. Mess it up and look like a hag. Contrary to popular belief, makeup is really easy to get right, once the basics are covered.

Some old-school people think that makeup will damage your skin: make more pimples, cast dark shadow on lips, clog pores… you’ve heard them all before! Point is, makeup as a whole have evolved and improved over the last 2 decades. No longer do they clog pores or make your lips turn black. Rather, makeup is seen more of an extension of your own skin. With formulas that feel like second skin, or barely there gives you great wearability and feel the makeup less. Personally, I like to wear makeup that I cant “feel” on my skin. Its gotta blend in so well and feel so light, leaving my face feeling freshly washed. That makeup causes pimples and clogged pores is basically the fault of the wearer.

To prevent pimples or clogged pores, one has to invest in a really effective, good cleansing system. By system, I don’t mean you have to use 10 types of creams and washes to cleanse. Depending on how much makeup you use, you will only need 3 to 4 types of products to leave you really clean and refreshed.

As a rule, you wash your face twice a day only. With a light gel cleanser in the morning and again at night. (I will elaborate more if you need more cleaning!) Followed by a toner and moisturizer. That’s 3 products you need all day. Basically.

My Story
Personally, I have great skin (no pimples, a bit of clogged pores but not too bad). But I love makeup. I have dark circles under my eyes, which I use concealer to cover, followed by light runover of powder foundation. I alternate between blusher and bronzer as my cheek color, a bit making a great deal of difference. I sometimes use eyeshadow, something light to bring out my eyes and use mascara. My lashes are quite sparse so mascara really helps. Then I use a lip gloss or lipstick and I’m done!

For more glam effect, I shadow my eyes more, and instead of blushing all over cheeks, I keep it high on the cheek bone, and use a highlighter to bring it out more (that’s what I saw on TV when someone demo’ed how Liz Hurley likes her blusher). Line my eyes very close to the lashes and give it lots of mascara. For truly glam effect, I love those mascaras that have 2 sides: one for building the lashes, so they look real thick and long, then the color to set it. Instant superstar!

I also love the lipglosses or lipsticks that have great sparkle in them. Like the Dior Addict. Its really wonderful!

I keep my skin great coz I’m a real stickler for clean skin. If I’ve used a lot of makeup (liquid foundation then powdered over) and lots of mascara, I take a bit longer to clean up. I would use a milk cleanser ( I absolutely love Sanden Brook’s milk cleanser) and massage it all over, tissue off then use a gel face wash to wash the rest off. Oh and remove the mascara with a good eye makeup remover like Lancome’s Bi Facil. It’s great. Loreal has a similar one. Just look for one which has both oil and water. If you look at the bottle, it will have 2 layers. Shake it up and soak into cotton pad. Press onto lashes leave for 2 seconds and gently wipe off. Continue until all is gone. Make sure you clean the bottom of your eyes after that.. inevitably in the process of cleaning your upper lashes, the mascara would have smudged the bottom too.

So after that, I wash off and tone and moisturize. Great skin! All in 5 minutes. 3 before my shower, wash while I’m in the shower, and tone and moisturize after.

I will try to give you a few types of users, how to prep the face, to application of makeup and finally to cleansing and nourishing.

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