Archive for May, 2007

What are Foundations ?

Friday, May 4th, 2007

Facial make-up or foundations are products intended for application on the face and the neck. They colour the skin evenly and hide facia:!imperfections such as scars, depressions and dark and light coloured areas.

Effects created by different foundations. Which foundation should you select? Several forms of foundations are available. You must choose your foundation correctly and for this you need to know the effect of each of the forms.

Emulsions: These are packaged in tubes and are formulated for a variety of skin types -for dry skins, oily skins and normal skins. They give less sheen than cream or liquid foundations, but cover blemishes very well.

Creams: These are packaged in jars. As they contain a high proportion of oils, they are particularly suitable for dry skins. These also provide a heavy cover, but give a glossy finish.

Liquids: These are packaged in bottles and can be formulated for all skin types- so look at the label before you purchase! Along with the cake variety, they are the commonest type of foundation used. They give a light sheen cover but are too light to cover any blemishes and scars.

Gels: These are packaged in squeeze tubes. They give a light, natural look and are the variety you should use if you have a blemish free normal skin.

Cakes or sticks - These are the solid forms of foundation. Since they have a drying effect, use them on an oily skin. They give a dense matt cover and are good for covering blemishes and scars. Solid forms are popular for photographic and stage work but are too heavy for everyday use.

Powders: The original full coverage face-powders have now given way to transparent powders;these transparent powders conttol shine and provide oil-blotting. They are used after foundations to give a matt finish. Cake or compact powders are more heavily formulated; as they contain a certain amount of foundation, these are not the best choice for the initial powdering over foundation because they may rub the foundation off and also cause an unattractive colour build-up. They are best used for touching up during the day, when they help to reinforce coverage.

Art of Makeup

Friday, May 4th, 2007

The art of makeup depends mainly on the coordinates between colour and the light in which that colour is viewed. Blending of textures and colour is the other most pertinent factor, which gives the result of successfully applied make-up. It is bes to approach makeup application on a step-by-step basis. Setting up a personal makeup routine can help you become proficient much more quickly. The keywords to remember are more blending, less makeup. It is helpful to apply a good foundation or lotion on the hands, neck and the face before make-up, so that the skin appears even. Powder gives a kind of glow to the cheeks, so does the cream. Rouge heightens the natural pink tinge of the cheeks. Eyes lend charm to the face. Their beauty can be increased by a make-up of the eyes, eye brows and eye lashes. All these beauty aids are important to enhance the appeal. Every woman should know about them and should take care to use these to the maximum benefit.

Top Five Cleansing Errors and How to Avoid them

Friday, May 4th, 2007

Is your cleansing regimen keeping your skin from looking its glowing best? Try quitting these five common cleansing gaffes:

1. Cleansing too often - This can be bad for your skin. Over washing your face can stimulate oil glands, making your skin even slicker. So no matter what your skin type, cleanse no more than twice a day with a cleanser formulated for your skin type.

2. Using too much cleanser - The less concentrated your cleanser, the gentler it is on your skin. So dilute a dot of liquide cleanser with water or lather it up in the palm of your hand before you cleanse.

3. Using products that are too harsh - You might like the tingly feeeling an alcohol-based cleanser or astringent provides, but using it every day can lead to tight, flaky skin. In fact, astringent is often overkill even for oily skin. So let your skin be your guide.

4. Using products too harhly - Yes, whiteheads are aggravating - but over-scrubbing won’t help. Avoid abrasive facial pads or grainy scrubs. You might end up with blotchy, flaky skin or even tiny broken capillaries.

5. Not rinsing enough - Most people don’t rinse away their cleansers thoroughly enough. When you think you’re done with rinsing, splash your face three more times.

Why does one need to tone the skin?

Friday, May 4th, 2007

All types of skins need a freshener or a toner. Toners come in alcoholic and non-alcoholic forms. The alcoholic ones are meant for the oily skins whereas the non-alcoholics are good for the dry skin.Toning helps to clear away all residues that have been left by a cleanser. It also tones up the facial muscles besides stimulating blood circulation. It restores the pH balance, which might have got disturbed during the process of cleansing. The best way to tone the skin is to splash a lot of cold water on the face. This helps in closing the pores, which might have opened up during the process of cleansing. After that one can apply a toner suitable to the skin type.

Unwanted Facial Hair

Friday, May 4th, 2007

Unwanted hair, particularly on face, should be a matter of great concern to a woman. There can be many reasons for this unwanted growth like congenital cause, imbalance of honnones, pregnancy, irregular menses, mental tensions, long illness, worries and shocks. One should immediately cure oneself of unwanted hair when they start growing, instead of just feeling shy and embarrassed. In the medical tenninology it is called ‘hirsutism’. These unwanted hair grow mostly on the chin, above upper lip and on the forehead. Most of the women suffering from hirsutism are in the age group of fifteen totwenty five. There are many ways to get rid of these unwanted hair, albeit, temporarily. For example, plucking, threading, waxing, etc. Since the main reason for the growth of unwanted hair is the imbalance of honnones inside the body, it is imperative to get it treated medically. The first step in the medical treatment is a thorough checkup of genitals. In case of somedefect intheuterus, it is treated by an operation.

Electrolysis is the only permanent treatment for removing facial hair, but being costly it is beyond the means of middle income group women. This treatment is, however, gaining quite a popularity in India.

What are the causes of Hair Loss ?
Sunday, November 12th, 2006
There are five major factors which could lead to hair loss.

Hair Loss are due to:

1. High fever,frequent childbirth, haemorrages,surgical shock, and severe mental stress and strain. However, these factors are reversible and hair growth resumes after 3-4 months.

2. Diffuse Alopecia, which is endocrinal in origin. This can be due to hypo or hyper thyroid ism, diabetes mellitus (not properly controlled), pregnancy or oral contraceptives.

3. Drugs like thallium, anti-thyrotoxicosis, anti cancer drugs, heavy metals like Bismuth, excess intake of vitamin A. While the first four causesare irreversible; the last one is reversible.

4. Nutritional deficiencies of proteins, iron, zinc etc. This factor is totally reversible.

5. Chronic diffuse Alopecia, which is androgenic in origin. This is genetically determined like the baldness seen in males. This can neither be prevented nor cured.

Henna Hair Dye and Henna Paste

Friday, May 4th, 2007

One of the main advantage of using natural hair dye and colourants, like heena, is that they are completely safe and do not subject hair and scalp to harm the structure of hair.

Henna is the most popular natural colourants. It is easily available and easy to use. It conditions hair and has great protective and restoration powers. Such quality have made henna one of the most versatile ingredients.

In fact, heena does not penetrates the cortex and does not destroy the cuticle. It has the ability of coating the hair shafts and actually provides added protection. Using heena hair dyes also makes hair appear thicker and lends it body and luster.

Benefits of Henna Hair Dye and Henna Pastes

If you have a few grey strands, there is no need to use chemical dyes, as henna hair dye can be used very effectively to conceal them. A question that is very commonly asked is whether heena will colour the entire hair a flaming red. The answer to this is that dark hair will not be colored red. In fact, heena will add gloss and brighten it.

Coffee or Kaththa(catechu) can be added to the heena paste to give the white hair a rich brown colour rather than a reddish tinge. The colored stands will blend with the rest of the dark hair and will be well concealed.

Heena powders have been combined with other ingredients like kohl, amla, bael and so on, to formulate conditioners that will not only dye the hair but also benefit it in several ways. In fact, the regular use of such products would help to check greying of hair. For those who use chemical dyes, such preparations provide protection and improve the look and texture of the hair.

One of the most important aspects of cosmetic-care is to be aware of the detrimental effects of various treatments.

Some treatments can have disastrous results , involving a great deal of time, effort and expense to gain what is lost. In some cases , the damage may be permanent . As far as possible, avoid treatments that expose the skin and hair to damage. When you feel you must resort to such methods , bs sure to supplement them with an appropriate beauty asset may be preserved as long as possible.

Natural colourants and heena hair dyes:

In ancient Egypt and Persia, indigo was mixed with heena to colour the hair. It gave a dark bluish tinge to the hair.

Walnut bark is also known to colour the hair brown.Tea rinses do not dye hair, but lend it attractive highlights.

Kaththa(catechu) or coffee powder can be added to heena paste, to give hair a darker colour.

Cosmetics for Nails

Friday, May 4th, 2007

Cosmetics for nails include not only nail polishes, but also preformed nails, sculptured nails, andnail-mending cosmetics. Most women routinely use only nail polishes but it is always worthwhile to know about the other specialised cosmetics available for your service, in case you ever need to use them.

Nail Lacquers: This is the term used for all nail coveringcosmetics: nail enamels, top-coats, andbase-coats.

Base-coats are used to improve the adhe-sion of the nail enamel to the nail. They do not contain colouring agents. They may contain additives like gelatin which are thought to im-prove the quality of the nails.

Top-coats improve the depth and lustre of the enamel and also increase the resistance of the enamel to chipping and abrasion. They are also colourless but may contain sunscreens to protect the nails from sunlight.

All nail enamels.contain cellulose nitrate. Different pigments are added and today there is such an enormous range of colours and finish available in nail enamels.

Nail polish is not bad for your nails: People often say that weiring nail polish all the time is harmful because the nails cannot ‘breathe’ . This notion is totally absurd, because the part of the nail which is painted is dead and anyway does not breathe. On the contrary, if your nails are weak, enamel can actually give it some degree of protection by guarding against breakage as it binds the fragile and flaking nails. Polishes which contain nylon or acrylic also strengthen the nail by fanning a thick coat. For nails which break or flake easily a colourless polish or a base or top-coat can IJeused with advantage because you can keep touching it up without having to remove the original coat.

The main problem with the use of nail polish is that associated with their use, is the use of polish remover. These are very drying be-cause they remove the natural fats from the nails. Sothe frequent use of removers can cause nail problems and must be avoided.

In some people nail polishes do cause allergic reactions. Rashes can appear on any part of the body which comes in contact with the nails - eyelids, face, and sides of the neck. The nails themselves are not affected though the adjoining skin may be involved.

Why do we need a face pack?

Friday, May 4th, 2007

A face pack or mask cleanses, revitalises, stimulates and exfoliates the skin. It also Functions as a deep pore cleanser. A good mask helps to Free clogged pores, loosens the blackheads,removes dirt and recharges the cells. There are several types of Face masks available in the market. Some need to be washed away while some are peeled off.

Body Building Exercise

Friday, May 4th, 2007

Body Building Exercise is a most important routine for healthy, glowing skin and hair, and to have muscular body. You don’t need to exercise for 2 hours every day - although that certainly would help ! All you need is thirty to forty minutes of an aerobic workout four to five time a week. Aerobic Exercise could mean a brisk walk, swimming, cycling, dancing, playing a vigorous game like tennis, badminton, etc, using the treadmill or going to the gym.

How can I find out the shape of my face?

Friday, May 4th, 2007

Take a sheet of paper, the same size as your face and a flat ruler.Brush your hair well back and begin to measure your face, taking great care to keep the ruler perfectly horizontal or vertical, as if your face were traced on a pad.

. Take the total length from the hairline to the point of your chin (draw a line to indicate this measurement);

. Take the total width (at the height of the forehead, the eyes, the cheekbones and the mouth). Now draw the general outline of the face as accurately as you can’

. Take the height of the forehead from the hairline to  the eyebrow line (draw a horizontal line there);

. Take the height of the eyes (draw a line there);

. Take the distance from the eyebrows to the base of the nose (a line);

. Take the distance between the base of the nose and the edge of the upper lip;

. Take the distance between the base of the nose and the lower lip;

. Take the width of the mouth;

. Take the length of the chin.

. Draw diagrammatically the curve of the eyebrows, the nose, the mouth, etc. and you have represented your face on the paper. Compare it with the classical oval shaped face and you will see the type to which you belong.