Forsooth, the untruth told in the name of beauty! Beauty myths are often no more than old adages that are handed down to each generation. They may have a “piece” of truth but largely they do not reflect modern wisdom; and some of them are just plain silly.
SKIN
MYTH: Drinking a lot of water will hydrate your skin.
While drinking water is necessary for our bodies, too little water in your body can give you a tired appearance. But your skin can still look dry even if you drink eight glasses a day. And too much will only result in too many trips to the bathroom.
MYTH: Dotting on toothpaste can help get rid of pimples.
Toothpaste often contains menthol, which can help dry out a pimple, but other common toothpaste ingredients can irritate the skin. In fact, the fluoride in it can actually burn your skin! So, Derms agree across the board that this tip should be shelved. There are better OTC options for zapping a zit without the potential burn. For a much safer paste that will help resolve a whitehead, try the home remedy of mixing a little cornstarch and water and dabbing it on overnight.
MYTH: Preparation H deflates under-eye puffiness.
This was a secret of makeup artists when I was in New York. Alas, the cream was reformulated in 1994, and the product's active ingredient (a yeast derivative that is said to reduce puffiness) is no longer found in the version that's available in the States. So, unless you got your “roid” cream in Canada, it won’t de-puff your peepers. It should also be noted that using Preparation H around the eyes can cause dry and inflamed skin, so use this only where it's meant to be used, south of the, um, border.
HAIR
MYTH: Never pluck a gray hair, because 10 more will grow in its place.
Seriously!!! How can you get 10 new hair follicles from plucking one? If anything, ripping a hair out by its root leads to regrowth that refuses to lie flat. Your best bet for conquering gray? See a colorist.
MYTH: Brushing your hair 100 strokes a day will make it shine.
This probably came out of the days when hair washing was more of a monthly event than a daily routine. Back then, the oils from the scalp could have, theoretically, lubricated the lower lengths. We modern gals, however, get our lube from a bottle and, quite frankly, don’t have the time, (like Marcia Brady evidently did) to rake our cascading manes for 100 strokes. No loss though, because hair will break if you tug on it too much. Opt for gentle brushing―a few strokes here and there―which will make hair shine by distributing the natural oils and flattening the cuticles to make them reflect more light. Light brushing also removes impurities and stimulates blood flow to the scalp, which nourishes hair follicles and keeps them healthy.
LEGS
MYTH: Shaving will make your hair grow back darker and thicker.
Hair that hasn't been cut tapers to a point--widest at the base and narrowest at the tip. When you shave a hair, the razor cuts the hair at skin level or at the base. The widest part then grows out, and the hair may appears thicker, and may feel coarser to the touch. But shaving doesn't change the width, density, or color of hair.
MYTH: If you use wax to remove hair, fewer hairs will grow back.
Wax rips the hair out at the follicles; any repeated injury to the follicles over time―we're talking several years―could damage some follicles to the point that they don't grow back." So employ waxing for its ability to keep your legs smoother longer than shaving can, but not for diminishing hair growth.
MISC
MYTH: Wearing nail polish all the time will make your nails turn yellow.
This is true, well, sort of. Nails are porous, and they absorb the pigment in polishes. While you might not seen stains from pale colors, darker colors (especially reds because they have more pigment) will often stain your nails. But you can wear enamel all you like and still avoid discoloration. The solution: Before applying polish, paint on a clear base coat to prevent nails from absorbing pigment.
MYTH: Sleeping on your back or with a satin pillow will help your face stay wrinkle-free.
That's a big exaggeration with a little truth behind it. As you age, the collagen and elastin fibers in your skin break down, so when you burrow your face into a pillow, putting pressure on these fibers for several hours at a time, the skin is increasingly less likely to snap back. If you have a pattern of sleeping on one side, that side of your face will typically show more wrinkling than the other. After time, these lines can turn into deep-set wrinkles, so flip over and get your shut-eye on your back.
MYTH: Natural ingredients are also hypo-allergic
Whether it's a natural or chemical ingredient, if your allergic to it, you'll see a reaction.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Partner Pampering: Planning A Romantic Valentines Spa Evening at Home
Need a Valentines gift idea for the guy or gal who has it all? How about some spa-inspired pampering at home? A spa night at home can be as good, or even better, than a day at the spa.
First, the cost will be lower, and you can spend an unlimited amount of time pampering each other in a setting that offers complete privacy--assuming that you have a babysitter.
This is not about giving the best spa treatment from a technical point of view; it is about spending quality time together in a way that takes you both out of your routine. Take the time to plan out the evening and assemble the things you will need to make it perfect.
The best spa treatments are about engaging the senses. To engage your partner visually, set the mood by subtle lighting, candles, flowers or flower petals, and lots of pillows in soft textures.
When you stimulate the sense of smell, the most primitive of the senses, it really begins to set the mood. While Lavender has been shown in laboratory tests to be the most arousing aroma, other scents, such as: vanilla, sandalwood and rose, have been used for centuries as aphrodisiacs. Jasmine, neroli, patchouli, vetiver and ylang ylang are other heady, exotic scents associated with sensual pleasures. Most important is to choose scents that you and your partner find appealing.
Music is subjective too and it doesn’t have to be “spa music” such as Enya, as long as it is relaxing and mutually enjoyable. My husband and I have a few CD’s that we took on trips to Italy and France so for us playing those always transports us back to those romantic trips.
Dinner may come much earlier or later in the evening too but for the spa portion of this experience, try to recreate the decadence most spas strive for. Have some tasty treats such as strawberries or chocolate, or anything you both love to lure your taste buds into the mood of indulgence
Creating an evening of pleasant tactile sensations is not exclusively about “massaging” your partner. If you feel unsure about what to do remember, when it comes to the sense of touch, you can make up for what you may lack in massage skills by simply being familiar with your partner. Here are some general tips to get started.
-Provide a soft robe, an eye pillow and a neck warming pillow
-Most of what feels so indulgent about spa treatments is that you are allowed to simply give over to someone doing something for you
-Wash or brush the hair, or massage the scalp
-Massage the feet and hands---soak the feet first (this is especially nice if you don’t have a tub
-When trying your hands at massage...
~The floor (which is firmer) may work better than the bed
~Perhaps focus on one area such as the feet which are easy to do with your partner seated in a recliner
~Go very slowly
~Use more oil for smooth strokes, less for deep pressure
~Get feed-back from your partner
~When you get the “green light” repeat a stroke several times
~If your nails or long you can use a smooth warmed stone
Finally, if the two of you as a couple would like to learn how to give a better massage, I do a private sessions and show couples some basic therapeutic massage techniques and they both get to give and receive. Go to mywebsite and click on Specials--it’s a great Valentines Day present!
First, the cost will be lower, and you can spend an unlimited amount of time pampering each other in a setting that offers complete privacy--assuming that you have a babysitter.
This is not about giving the best spa treatment from a technical point of view; it is about spending quality time together in a way that takes you both out of your routine. Take the time to plan out the evening and assemble the things you will need to make it perfect.
The best spa treatments are about engaging the senses. To engage your partner visually, set the mood by subtle lighting, candles, flowers or flower petals, and lots of pillows in soft textures.
When you stimulate the sense of smell, the most primitive of the senses, it really begins to set the mood. While Lavender has been shown in laboratory tests to be the most arousing aroma, other scents, such as: vanilla, sandalwood and rose, have been used for centuries as aphrodisiacs. Jasmine, neroli, patchouli, vetiver and ylang ylang are other heady, exotic scents associated with sensual pleasures. Most important is to choose scents that you and your partner find appealing.
Music is subjective too and it doesn’t have to be “spa music” such as Enya, as long as it is relaxing and mutually enjoyable. My husband and I have a few CD’s that we took on trips to Italy and France so for us playing those always transports us back to those romantic trips.
Dinner may come much earlier or later in the evening too but for the spa portion of this experience, try to recreate the decadence most spas strive for. Have some tasty treats such as strawberries or chocolate, or anything you both love to lure your taste buds into the mood of indulgence
Creating an evening of pleasant tactile sensations is not exclusively about “massaging” your partner. If you feel unsure about what to do remember, when it comes to the sense of touch, you can make up for what you may lack in massage skills by simply being familiar with your partner. Here are some general tips to get started.
-Provide a soft robe, an eye pillow and a neck warming pillow
-Most of what feels so indulgent about spa treatments is that you are allowed to simply give over to someone doing something for you
-Wash or brush the hair, or massage the scalp
-Massage the feet and hands---soak the feet first (this is especially nice if you don’t have a tub
-When trying your hands at massage...
~The floor (which is firmer) may work better than the bed
~Perhaps focus on one area such as the feet which are easy to do with your partner seated in a recliner
~Go very slowly
~Use more oil for smooth strokes, less for deep pressure
~Get feed-back from your partner
~When you get the “green light” repeat a stroke several times
~If your nails or long you can use a smooth warmed stone
Finally, if the two of you as a couple would like to learn how to give a better massage, I do a private sessions and show couples some basic therapeutic massage techniques and they both get to give and receive. Go to mywebsite and click on Specials--it’s a great Valentines Day present!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
NEW YEAR—NEW YOU
Want to look as pretty as possible in 2011? Well, it’s a new year which means you can create a new you. Be more fabulous in 2011 by making subtle or major changes in your life and creating goals. Here are 5 resolutions to start New Year off right!
CLEAN UP YOUR ACT
From cell phones to makeup brushes it is time to clean up your act. Bacteria and allergens can take up residence almost anywhere. So give a critical eye to all areas of your primping process and clean up or toss out what doesn’t meet the new standard of cleanliness. And wash your face every night to rid its surface of, not just oil and makeup, but airborne dirt, chemicals and bacteria.
SHAKE UP YOUR ROUTINE
Make this the year to make some qualitative changes. Your face and skin changes over time and most daily-use skin care products lose their ability to alter the skin as the skin becomes accustomed to them. Make it your monthly “Beauty Dare” and try new colors in hair, makeup, clothing, and eyewear, even foundation!
CREATE HEALTHY HABITS
Since 80% or more of aging is directly attributable to the sun, make this the year you commit to year-round use of an SPF. Other healthy habits that pay off beautifully: stop smoking, improve your posture, drink more water, get more sleep, and stop biting & picking: skin, lashes, cuticles nail polish!
SEEK COMPLEX PRODUCTS TO SIMPLYFY AND SAVE
Make this the year to upgrade and multi-task!
o Invest in a lash-growing products and you will save on mascara
o Multi-tasking cosmetics mean more room in your purse and less morning confusion
o Color preserving shampoo and conditioner can stretch the length between hair color appointments
o Moisturizers with SPF can give you skin treatments and UV protection
o Ditch the acrylic nails and go for the new shellac that lasts for up to 3 weeks
o Solve the foundation dilemma with color-adjusting formulas or…buy more than one to address tonal differences and adjust to seasonal color changes!
WHEN IN DOUBT...CALL IN A PRO
If you have any skin concern (beyond seasonal dryness) that you think about everyday, make this the year to call in a professional. And, if you are shy about making new selections in makeup and skin care, turn to those whose passion it is for these areas. They would love to help.
With every new year there’s a desire for change. So, let’s start 2011 off right by being bold, different, sanitized and organized!
Want to look as pretty as possible in 2011? Well, it’s a new year which means you can create a new you. Be more fabulous in 2011 by making subtle or major changes in your life and creating goals. Here are 5 resolutions to start New Year off right!
CLEAN UP YOUR ACT
From cell phones to makeup brushes it is time to clean up your act. Bacteria and allergens can take up residence almost anywhere. So give a critical eye to all areas of your primping process and clean up or toss out what doesn’t meet the new standard of cleanliness. And wash your face every night to rid its surface of, not just oil and makeup, but airborne dirt, chemicals and bacteria.
SHAKE UP YOUR ROUTINE
Make this the year to make some qualitative changes. Your face and skin changes over time and most daily-use skin care products lose their ability to alter the skin as the skin becomes accustomed to them. Make it your monthly “Beauty Dare” and try new colors in hair, makeup, clothing, and eyewear, even foundation!
CREATE HEALTHY HABITS
Since 80% or more of aging is directly attributable to the sun, make this the year you commit to year-round use of an SPF. Other healthy habits that pay off beautifully: stop smoking, improve your posture, drink more water, get more sleep, and stop biting & picking: skin, lashes, cuticles nail polish!
SEEK COMPLEX PRODUCTS TO SIMPLYFY AND SAVE
Make this the year to upgrade and multi-task!
o Invest in a lash-growing products and you will save on mascara
o Multi-tasking cosmetics mean more room in your purse and less morning confusion
o Color preserving shampoo and conditioner can stretch the length between hair color appointments
o Moisturizers with SPF can give you skin treatments and UV protection
o Ditch the acrylic nails and go for the new shellac that lasts for up to 3 weeks
o Solve the foundation dilemma with color-adjusting formulas or…buy more than one to address tonal differences and adjust to seasonal color changes!
WHEN IN DOUBT...CALL IN A PRO
If you have any skin concern (beyond seasonal dryness) that you think about everyday, make this the year to call in a professional. And, if you are shy about making new selections in makeup and skin care, turn to those whose passion it is for these areas. They would love to help.
With every new year there’s a desire for change. So, let’s start 2011 off right by being bold, different, sanitized and organized!
Monday, May 17, 2010
What Brings You Here Today?
Years ago a friend of mind described a reoccurring dream he had during the last year of his marriage. In his dream he had an enormous pimple on his face that defied excision. No need for a professional interpretation on this one. What my friend clearly reserved for his subconscious to wrestle with, I see many woman dealing with each time they look in the mirror. Imperfections become the vessel in which we load our worries and regret; as we tuck the loss of a loved one in that furrow between the brows, squeeze our career frustration into the lines encircling our necks and scatter regret among the dozens of tiny lines across our face, we begin to equate removing the signs of wear with emotional resolution.
In the, often emotional, description of “what brings you here today” I frequently hear a narrative that is not about looking younger, but looking hopeful. If a procedure can conjure back the face we used to see, before disappointment, betrayal, and loss took their toll, then maybe we can start afresh. While some people do cling to the past, and to their youth, I truly believe that others simply want to refurbish their appearance in order to take on what lies ahead. Those who discourage others from any alterations may not fully understand, or care to, the complex reasons one would choose to alter one’s appearance. But whether it’s a new haircut, braces, a tattoo, or the annihilation of a wrinkle, ultimately, we each have to find our own path to peace with our reflection.
In the, often emotional, description of “what brings you here today” I frequently hear a narrative that is not about looking younger, but looking hopeful. If a procedure can conjure back the face we used to see, before disappointment, betrayal, and loss took their toll, then maybe we can start afresh. While some people do cling to the past, and to their youth, I truly believe that others simply want to refurbish their appearance in order to take on what lies ahead. Those who discourage others from any alterations may not fully understand, or care to, the complex reasons one would choose to alter one’s appearance. But whether it’s a new haircut, braces, a tattoo, or the annihilation of a wrinkle, ultimately, we each have to find our own path to peace with our reflection.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Getting Groomed In This "Hairy" Economy
According to Wakefield Research, bikini-line grooming is one of the most widely practiced beauty routines in America. The folks at Wakefield seemed surprised to learn the importance that American women placed on this, still rarely discussed, beauty ritual. In fact, when asked which is more embarrassing during a day at the beach, a majority of women (59%) say that being seen with an ungroomed bikini-line is worse than their top slipping off in the surf. Yep, most chicks would rather be seen half-naked than a wee bit hairy.
This same study found that many cash-strapped female consumers will be "trimming" their trimming costs with as many as four in five (80%) women will be skipping spa or salon visits to cut down on expenses. Skipping the professional depilation leaves a gal with basically 5 choices;
1) Let it grow and try to claim it as an ethnic or religious choice.
2) Shave and suffer through the occasional cuts, abrasive stubble and ingrown hairs.
3) Learn the ancient art of threading. Hopefully it will go better than that scarf you tried to knit.
4) Get a home-care gadget or two that promise to have perfected the process.
5) Try to wax yourself. You can do it, sister! Pour that molten wax on your nether regions, wait ‘til it cools, and then rip that unsuspecting clump of curly hair outta there. Then do that 2-6 more times…on both sides.
Those you who have actually tried the 5th option are, no doubt, chuckling at this point. For those of you who have explored the other 4 options, you probably won’t be surprised to know that most of you eventually return to a pro for grooming. So, instead of throwing the hairy baby out with the bathwater, I’d like to suggest applying a little basic math to the problem.
Okay, waxing costs, on average, between $25 and $65 per treatment. Since waxing needs to be repeated every six weeks or so, it can cost over $500 per year to keep your garden of delights (or any other area for that matter) tidily groomed. Depending on the area we are talking about, and laser sessions needed to annihilate the hair follicles; you are looking at about that same amount of money (or only slightly more) to get rid of the hair, once and for all, with laser hair removal, and…here’s the best part, there’s less discomfort than with waxing!
I am always happy to do a test patch so that you can see what you are signing up for. At that time, I can also give you an exact price per treatment, as it does vary slightly depending on the amount of area and growth. If you plan on asking Santa for a gift certificate I can even put a “suggested package” on file for you. But, I do urge anyone, male or female to consider the laser as an option to all that other depilating nonsense. Until they create a cream that makes all the hair fall off the area it is applied to...and no where else...and never return, it is your best hair removal option.
This same study found that many cash-strapped female consumers will be "trimming" their trimming costs with as many as four in five (80%) women will be skipping spa or salon visits to cut down on expenses. Skipping the professional depilation leaves a gal with basically 5 choices;
1) Let it grow and try to claim it as an ethnic or religious choice.
2) Shave and suffer through the occasional cuts, abrasive stubble and ingrown hairs.
3) Learn the ancient art of threading. Hopefully it will go better than that scarf you tried to knit.
4) Get a home-care gadget or two that promise to have perfected the process.
5) Try to wax yourself. You can do it, sister! Pour that molten wax on your nether regions, wait ‘til it cools, and then rip that unsuspecting clump of curly hair outta there. Then do that 2-6 more times…on both sides.
Those you who have actually tried the 5th option are, no doubt, chuckling at this point. For those of you who have explored the other 4 options, you probably won’t be surprised to know that most of you eventually return to a pro for grooming. So, instead of throwing the hairy baby out with the bathwater, I’d like to suggest applying a little basic math to the problem.
Okay, waxing costs, on average, between $25 and $65 per treatment. Since waxing needs to be repeated every six weeks or so, it can cost over $500 per year to keep your garden of delights (or any other area for that matter) tidily groomed. Depending on the area we are talking about, and laser sessions needed to annihilate the hair follicles; you are looking at about that same amount of money (or only slightly more) to get rid of the hair, once and for all, with laser hair removal, and…here’s the best part, there’s less discomfort than with waxing!
I am always happy to do a test patch so that you can see what you are signing up for. At that time, I can also give you an exact price per treatment, as it does vary slightly depending on the amount of area and growth. If you plan on asking Santa for a gift certificate I can even put a “suggested package” on file for you. But, I do urge anyone, male or female to consider the laser as an option to all that other depilating nonsense. Until they create a cream that makes all the hair fall off the area it is applied to...and no where else...and never return, it is your best hair removal option.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Dysport Enters The US Aesthetic Market
New Botox Rival Unveiled: Dysport, the newest contender with hopes to temporarily paralyze your facial muscles, appears to differ from Botox in some important ways. The process, through which Dysport is manufactured, creates a solution with a smaller protein complex. This is a distinct advantage when treating the condition hyperhydrosis (excessive sweating) as the area(s) that require treatment are much larger and the smaller protein appears to allow the solution to diffuse beyond the injection site. But, some physicians see this as an undesirable aspect in the treatment of facial lines, where control and placement are highly desirable.
Another consideration is the duration of the effect these two solutions are able to sustain. In a double blind study published by the American Academy of Dermatology in 2006, the performance of both Botox and Dysport was evaluated in the glabellar (between the eyes) area. Both solutions performed acceptably from week 1 through 16; however, by week-16, 53% of the Botox group maintained the desired improvement in glabellar lines while only 28% of the Dysport group maintained improvement. So, for aesthetic applications it appears that, at least for now, Botox is holding its own in the battle of the botulinum toxin treatments.
Another consideration is the duration of the effect these two solutions are able to sustain. In a double blind study published by the American Academy of Dermatology in 2006, the performance of both Botox and Dysport was evaluated in the glabellar (between the eyes) area. Both solutions performed acceptably from week 1 through 16; however, by week-16, 53% of the Botox group maintained the desired improvement in glabellar lines while only 28% of the Dysport group maintained improvement. So, for aesthetic applications it appears that, at least for now, Botox is holding its own in the battle of the botulinum toxin treatments.
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