Celebrities without makeup

I was shocked when seeing this video. I can't believe some of my idols are so ugly when they don't wear makeup. Now, we know that make up is so important in life. It can change totally the appearance of people. Therefore, do not be upset with your appearance. Be confident with yourself because famous people still look funny without makeup.

Make-up tips for oily skin

People who have oily skin, especially in T-zone area, may have some problems in doing make up. The oiliness will fade the foundation because we may keep using tissue papers to dry the oily area. Therefore, some people are so afraid of wearing make up, especially at night time party. However, it's not difficult for us to prevent this problem. Just follow these tips below and you will become more confident at the party.

1. Foundation: To keep the foundation last for the whole night, we should use make up base foundation before applying any foundation. Base foundation is not only help cover some defects but also make the powder stick well on the skin. Also use a brush to apply powder in the T-zone areas such as forehead, nose, chin, etc. Especially, we should use make up products with oil free.

2. Eyes: After applying liquid eyeliner or gel eyeliner, we should cover the eyelid with some powder to absorb oil. If we use eyeliner pencil, avoid using the one with wax because it's very easy to become dirty. For a good result, do not use eyeliner pencil contained wax in summer time. In addition, after applying waterproof mascara, we should use clear mascara on top.

3. Cheeks: Should use gel blush applying at the upper cheekbone areas for long lasting color.

4. Lips: Before using lipstick or lipgloss, we should use lipliner to define the lip shapes. Should use the color which matches with our nature lip color.

Generally, doing make up for a party at night does not require to do it dark. The natural beauty will never out-of-date. If you have a smooth skin, you just need to use moisturizer rather than using foundation and use natural colors for eyes, cheeks and lip.

Half of the world follows them

It's not exaggerated when saying some female movie stars can affect the fashion styles of women all over the world. Many people consider those famous movie stars as their idols and want to become their copies. Have you ever hunted a dress similar to the one Nicole Kidman dressed up when she received the 2002 Oscar Award? This Australian actress as well as Katharine Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor , etc seem to have a big influence on fashion styles over the world. These famous ladies are not only known for their beauty, attraction but also for their talents.

Some fans love their idols so passionately that they can change themselves as a copy of some famous character they like. Ironically, many fans try to hunt the signatures of one of Hollywood movie stars who suddenly appears on the street; however, these crazy fans are sometimes so disappointed because of chasing a wrong people who wears a similar clothing with their idol.

Moreover, the curly blond hairstyle of Katharine, the attractive purple eyes of Elizabeth Taylor or a gorgeous blonde - Nicole Kidman were and are created a new style also called "mode". It's not surprised when people follow those modes in life.

Nicole Kidman Chanel commercial

The "Magic World" of Walt Disney

Most brides wish to be beautiful and splendid as a princess in their wedding. Now, their dreams will become a reality with Walt Disney's new bridal gowns collection. Walt Disney company and its fashion designer Kirstie Kelly introduce a new collection with 34 beautiful bridal gowns. Especially, this collection is so impressive because Kirstie Kelly creates her ideas from the characters in Walt Disney movies such as Cinderella, Snow White, Jasmine, Ariel and Belle.

Finding balance - Practicing Yoga

Yoga is a valuable fitness activity which gives you many benefits such as improved muscle tone and strength, better balance and, of course, pretzel-like flexibility. This "mind-body exercise" has been the fitness buzzword for at least five years now and, according to recent statistics from the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, more than 11 million Americans currently are practicing yoga.

Researchers found that a 50- minute session of Hatha yoga burns 144 calories, equivalent to a slow walk, and provides no substantial aerobic benefit . As for Power yoga, it burns about 237 calories in 50 minutes and boosts heart rates to 62 percent of heartrate max (HRmax), providing just a mild aerobic workout.

Yoga is aimed to unite the mind, the body, and the spirit. Yogis view that the mind and the body are one, and that if given the right tools and taken to the right environment, it can find harmony and heal itself. Yoga, therefore, is considered therapeutic. It helps you become more aware of your body's posture, alignment and patterns of movement. It makes the body more flexible and helps you relax even in the midst of a stress stricken environment. This is one of the foremost reasons why people want to start Practicing Yoga - to feel fitter, be more energetic, be happier and peaceful.

Water: The Essence of Life

People who care for the most basic of skin concerns such as aging skin, dryness, and sensitivity to the more severe diseases of acne, rosacea, and skin cancer will face a common thread that runs through them all - WATER LOSS.

Water plays an important role in our body systems. When our cells are not fully hydrated, they cannot function at their optimal level. This leads too much of the tissue damage that we can call aging. For example, dehydrated skin is more likely to weaken and succumb to all sorts of ravages that leads to wrinkles, loss of elasticity, dryness, redness, and many other problems. This dehydration and deterioration of our cells can be due to a simple deficiency in our diets of vital cell-hydrating nutrients.

Many people believe that drinking eight, ten or more glasses of water a day is the answer to hydration, but it is not about drinking water. It's about getting water into the cells and keeping it there so that every cell can function to its full capacity. As we age, our bodies lose the ability to utilize water as they did when we were younger. Over time, our cells and the other areas of our bodies that need hydration break down and become unable to hold onto water, leaving them weakened and less effective. For example, a baby;s body weight is 75% water, with skin that is smooth and resilient. By middle age, the average male can contribute about 60% of his total weight to water, and the average female is 50%. So that, when we get older, we loose water inside our cells and tissue. As a result, skin becomes dry, thin and rough.

Therefore, besides drinking enough water, you need to repair the issues in your body that are loosing water. Eating the appropriate amount of cell hydrating and connective tissue building foods is the ultimate way to feed the skin. Taking a dietary supplement which contains glucosamine, amino acids, phosphatidylcholine and lecithin, antioxidants, fish oil, zinc and aloe vera on a daily basic will maintain the correct levels of nutrients in the body at all time. Moreover, you can also take herbal teas, vegetable broth, fruit juices and fresh fruit and vegetables counting toward your daily water intake.

Vietnamese Tradditional Long Dress ( Ao Dai)

Beauty is an abstract word which have many definitions. People can define beauty in different ways depending on their looks. I think beauty is something that is not only shown by the outside appearance, but also shown by the inside. Therefore, to be considered as a beautiful and attractive lady, you have to combine both elements inside and outside. The outside appearance may reveal through the way you're taking care your skin, the way you're choosing make up, hair styles, and especially clothes. It doesn't mean that expensive clothing will make you look good. If you can choose clothes that are suitable to you, you're still beautiful.

In this post, I would like to introduce to you to Vietnamese Ao Dai. Like Japanese Kimono and Korean Hanbok, Ao Dai is one of several Vietnamese traditional customs. A lasting impression for any visitor to Viet Nam is the beauty of a woman dressed in her ao dai ( also called traditional long dress). The ao dai appears to flatter every figure. Its body-hugging top flows over wide trousers that brush the floor. Splits in the gown extend well above waist height and make it comfortable and easy to move in. Although virtually the whole body is swathed in soft flowing fabric, these splits give the odd glimpse of a bare midriff, making the outfit very sensual. Rapidly becoming the national costume for ladies, its development is actually very short compared to the country's history.

We wear Ao Dai not only on holidays but also daily. High school students wear white ao dais as their uniforms. In wedding parties, ao dais still are the first choice in traditional ceremonies. Today, ao dais are more concerned in designing and choosing materials. We love to introduce Ao dais to our foreign friends because through Ao dais, they can know more about our traditional cultures and customs.

Here are some pictures of women wearing Ao Dais. How nice they are!

The benefits of fruits

Eating fruits and veggies will provide vitamins and plenty of antioxidants. They also can help you ward off heart disease and stroke, control blood pressure and cholesterol, prevent some types of cancer, avoid a painful intestinal ailment called diverticulitis, and guard against cataract and macular degeneration, which are two common causes of vision loss. Fruits are finding their way into many aspects of the treatment.

Oranges and lemons: Well-known for their high vitamin C content. Oranges and lemons are being used in skin care treatments to tighten and firm the skin, promote cell turnover as well as enhance skin-lightening effects. To be used effectively, fresh orange and lemon halves can be rubbed over the surface of the skin following the removal of a mask and just before the application of sunscreen and moisturizer. On less sensitive skin types, they can also be rubbed onto the skin prior to a modeling mask, and the juice left on the surface will penetrate beneath the firming mask. Both options result in bright, revitalized, firm and taut skin.

Blueberries: The latest range in antioxidant benefits, blueberries have topped the most popular list. Blueberries are most effectively used as a freshly made treatment mask. They can be gently mashed and applied directly to the skin with a brush, or mixed into a gel base. Be sure to protect your hair and clothing in order to prevent any possible staining.

Bananas: This fruit, especially when blended with milk and/or honey, makes a fabulous treatment mask. Bananas themselves provide firmness and moisture. When mixed with honey or milk, you will receive added hydration as well as exfoliation.

Please always remember to check for allergies, especially food allergies, when applying any product to the skin.

Almonds for health

I truly don't like almonds much. Therefore, I do not care about this kind of nut family before. However, I just read an interesting article about the benefits of almonds, and I found some helpful information. A handful of almonds may be a simple way to improve heart health, say Tufts University researchers. The study concluded that almonds are a source of several antioxidants and antioxidant compounds. Almonds have antioxidants levels similar to those found in many fruits and vegetables. " the analysis of almond skin antioxidants sheds more light on all the nutrients in almonds that provide a health benefit," says Jeffery Blumberg Ph.D., study author. In addition, eating almonds may improve blood sugar levels. If you want to find more further information, visit portfolioeatingplan.com. You can also find some healthy recipes using almonds at that website, too.

Maybe, due to its benefits, I now should start eating more almonds to have a healthy system. Here's one of the almond recipes: Honey Roasted Almonds

Foot massage

After a hard working day, our bodies need to be relaxed. Some of my friends like facial or shoulder massages, but I love to massage my feet because it's the fastest and effective way to release my stress. However, I don't have time to go to the spa or salon to enjoy the massage. I always do the foot massage by myself at home, but it doesn't bring much result. Maybe I don't know how to do it professionally. Therefore, I'm looking for a good book or DVD showing me the tips and how to do the foot massage step by step.

This video named "Comprehensive Reflexology and Massage the foot" by Meade Steadman, an expert massage therapist, is what I'm looking for. Just in 1 hr.28 mins, Meade provides detailed instruction, demonstrating the strokes and techniques on both the right and left foot and on different models: young and old, male and female. For the reflexology section, Meade discusses the body’s physiology, contraindications (particularly geriatric concerns), history, and how the anatomy of the foot maps to each part of the body. The comprehensive massage demonstration shows techniques to work the foot and lower leg for flexibility, relaxation, and improved circulation. Meade’s demonstrations show how to warm up the feet, work the “whole body” for balance, and focus on specific areas of concern. This video received 2006 Gold Davey Award, 2006 Telly Award, and was featured in Massage Magazine, Oct. 2006. If you're interested in this video, you can find more information or buy the video at videoshelf.com.

Here's another 5 mins video showing you some very easy but effective foot massage techniques that can help you melt stress away from your family or friends.

Foot Massage Lesson by Health-Choices Holistic MassageSchool

Avoiding sun damages

More than one million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each year. Many more are diagnosed with pre-cancerous conditions. These numbers continue to increase, not only in the U.S., but worldwide. Despite the alarming increase in skin cancers, especially in the teen and young adult population, some people still believe that a tan is healthy. They're wrong. Although sunlight is a primary source for vitamin D which helps keep our bones strong, there're several factors which are responsible for the alarming rise in skin cancers. Today, the continual erosion of the Earth's ozone layer due to pollution has led to a decrease in the amount of ozone protection than was afforded previous generations. Moreover, there're over 400 medications prescribed that leave patients with an increased sensitivity to sun exposures and a heightened susceptibility to sun damages.

When sun damage comes to the appearance of the skin, wrinkling and thinning of the skin are often thought of as a natural aging process. However, these effects are primarily the result of long-term exposure to sunlight. Cumulative exposure to the sun damages the epidermis (the outer layer) and the dermis (the deeper layer), causing elastin fibers to thicken and become more numerous. Damage to the collagen causes it to undergo degradation, too.

Therefore, using sun protections is the best solution to minimize, avoid, and even repair skin damages. Sunscreen (also known as sunblock, suntan lotion) is a lotion, spray or other topical product that helps protect the skin from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and which reduces sunburn and other skin damage, ultimately leading to a lower risk of skin cancer. The best sunscreens protect against both UVB (ultraviolet radiation with wavelength between 290 and 320 nanometres), which can cause sunburn, and UVA (between 320 and 400 nanometres), which damages the skin with more long-term effects, such as premature skin aging. Most sunscreens work by containing either an organic chemical compound that absorbs ultraviolet light (such as oxybenzone) or an opaque material that reflects light (such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide), or a combination of both. Typically, absorptive materials are referred to as chemical blocks, whereas opaque materials are mineral or physical blocks.

I'm now working at Skin Sciences and selling Doctor's Program Sunblock SPF 30. Most of my clients are confused about the benefits of SPF. What does the number 30 in SPF 30 mean? Is SPF 30 is better than SPF 15? I know some of them are looking for SPF 100 or even stronger. Is the higher the SPF, the more benefit we will receive?

Sunscreens are rated by the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) system. The SPF rating is primarily the amount of UVB protection the sunscreen provides. The rating (SPF15, SPF20, SPF 30, etc.) indicates how much longer a person can be in the sun before burning than when not wearing sunscreen. For example: suppose you can stay in the sun for 10 minutes before starting to burn if you are NOT wearing sunscreen. When using sunscreen you can stay in the Sun your initial 10 minutes multiplied by the SPF rating. So if you use a sunscreen rated SPF15, you should be able to stay in the Sun for 150 minutes (10 x 15) or 2.5 hours before starting to burn. Reapplying sunscreen reinforces the protection although it does not extend the time you can remain in the sun.

In theory, the higher the SPF, the more protection a sunscreen offers against UV-B (the ultraviolet radiation that causes sunburn). However, in practice, the protection from a particular sunscreen depends on factors such as:

* The skin type of the user.
* The amount applied and frequency of re-application.
* Activities in which one engages (for example, swimming leads to a loss of sunscreen from the skin).
* Amount of sunscreen the skin has absorbed.

Generally, according to many testing results, an SPF over 30 does not provide significantly better protection. Therefore, besides using sunscreen, we should use sun-protective clothing, sunglasses, and sun avoidance between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to avoid skin damages.

Looking for Shimmering Shades

If you choose to emphasize your eyes, go with metallic. Gold and silver and all shades in between are colors you'll want to have in your make-up kit. Don't wait to wear them at night. Shimmer is hot for daytime wear, too. Choose two colors: one for the lid shade, carrying it into the crease, and another for the highlight. Be sure to line your eyes. Select the darkest shade of shimmer and wet an eyeliner brush to line your eyes. If you feel that you need a little extra depth, line the outside of the eyes, too. If you've chosen a warm metallic shadow, use a rich brown liner. If you've selected a cool silver or pewter shadow, use a soft black or deep gray liner. When you're using lots of liner, keep the lips and eyes understated. Liquid liner is back, so don't be afraid to emphasize those baby blues.

The skin is pale and delicate and without a tan this spring season. The sunless tan is gone. You need just a shimmer of highlights on the face to give the skin a little color and healthy glow. Blush may be emphasized or kept to a minimum. Think pink and pretty pastels. Cool tones are the choice of the season although they don't always work for every skin tone. Does your skin have too warm of an undertone to wear pink? Try mixing a little soft coral or apricot in with a sheer pink to create your own version of pink. Bronzes this season are more about the look of shimmer and highlight. The fake tan is out, and so is the sun-kissed look of the bronze. Highlights on the skin are created with soft shimmering shades of gold, apricot, or pink.

Lipstick is back this year, and glossy gloss is last year. The spring lipstick colors are nude and pink. Lipsticks should be moisturizing and have a little shine or shimmer. They should not be matter! If you're not sure of your best color, look at the inside of your lower lip to see your best tone of natural, and then go a shade lighter.

Recommending: Soy

Research now shows that consumption of soy protein, which is rich in soy antioxidants, can improve the appearance of skin, hair, and nails. Soy, already recommended by doctors for its health advantages including weight management, menopause relief, heart disease reduction, bone health support, and "beauty from the inside out" to its growing lists of benefits.

Aging, hormonal changes, and lifestyle factors such as sun exposure, smoking, poor diet, and stress can adversely affect the appearance of skin complexion, induce wrinkles, and cause thinning hair and brittle nails. In order to help avoid these signs of aging, the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine reports that individuals over the age of 50 spend approximately $44 billion dollars annually to augment their looks and appear younger. In addition, to smart protective steps, like using sunscreen and avoiding smoking, consuming protein and antioxidant-rich foods can have a positive impact on the health of hair, skin, and nails.

Anti-wrinkle Foods

We all like to look and feel our best. Part of looking our best is reflected in our complexion. Our skin is an excellent indicator of the state of our inner health. Pre-mature wrinkling, dry skin, roughness, eczema, rosacea, and acne are all reflections that our inner health is "off".

As our age, the skin tends to change as the body produces less oil, leaving our skin rough and dry. In addition, in the deeper layers, a decrease of two proteins called collagen and elastin causes the skin to thin, wrinkle, and sag. Although the integrity of the skin is partially influenced by hereditary factors, other factors such as sunlight, smoking, eating inflammatory foods, harsh chemicals, and stress can all accelerate the aging process. In order to keep the look and feel of our young and radiant skin, it is best to consume as many anti-wrinkle foods as possible.

1) Eliminate all inflammatory foods from our diet such as sugar, trans fatty acids, and saturated fats which can accelerate the aging of the skin. Focus on nutrient-dense foods such as lean proteins, soy food, green tea, low-fat dairy products, beans, and whole-grain breads and pastas.

2) Supplement with fish oils. Consuming a minimum from two to three grams of fish oils daily will increase the oiliness of our skin.

3) Pump up the amount of fruits and vegetables we consume to approximately five to nine servings per day. Specifically vitamin C and phytochemicals found in berries and broccoli promote the production of collagen and elastin. As a general rule, the more colorful fruits and vegetables are, the healthier is for us.

4) Do not smoke. Smoking is one of the fastest ways to accelerate the aging of our skin.

5) Minimize dehydrators such as coffee, tea, and sugary pops or drinks. Focus on liquids that promote skin health such as berry herbal teas, green teas, and distilled or reverse osmosis water.

Generally, our skin is the largest organ in the body and one of the best indicators of health. By following these steps above, we will quickly discover that healthy glow we have been looking for.

(Source: Dermascope magazine)

Sandals 2007

Wintertime is almost over. Let's enjoy your wonderful springtime with these pretty sandals. With the brilliant and youthful colors, as well as its fashion styles, this 2007 sandal collection from Victoria's Secret may bring you a happy season. Moreover, Victoria's Secret also have over 100 sexy style sandals with reasonable prices. Check out Victoriasecret.com if you still want to see more pictures and their unbelievable prices.

Five minute makeup

Sometimes, we are too busy to spend at least 20 minutes a day for applying makeup. Here are some easy steps which will help make you look and feel better in just five minutes. Makeup in five minutes is perfect for ones who are in a hurry. It is very easy and fast to apply, and will not take up a lot of time.

Before wearing makeup, wash face with cool water or toner to remove dirt on the face. Then, set out necessary things.

First minute: Apply moisturizer on the face and neck. Then apply foundation with foundation brush, foundation sponge, or even fingertips. No matter which liquid foundation, stick foundation, or powder cake, apply it over the face. However, if one has wrinkles in some areas such as forehead, under the eyes, or around the corner of the mouth, remember to apply just a thin layer of foundation on these areas.

Second minute: Use eyebrow pencil to define the eyebrow. With a wide forehead, should have a short eyebrow, and the long eyebrow for one's small and narrow forehead.

Third minute: Apply powder blush. Dip powder brush into powder and pat it under and over eyes, T-zone, and chin.

Fourth minute: Apply eye shadow in natural shades. Then apply eyeliner to define the eyes and use it according to shapes of eyes. After this, apply mascara to eyelashes.

Fifth minute: Apply lip color and lip gloss. Then touch with a little amount of powder on nose and t-zone. If necessary, check the blush last.

I hope these steps above will be helpful for you in changing your appearance just only in five minutes makeup.

Basic Smokey Eye

The eyes are considered as the soul of our faces. Through the eyes, we may see one's characters as well as distinctive features. In make-up artistry, some people may focus on the face's foundation, but I always spend most of the time on the eyes. I just found a very good video tape about the basic smokey eye for holidays or parties, and I want to share to all of you. Sandy Gold (a professional makeup artist, Freelance T.V Host, and Reporter) will help you have attractive eyes in just five minutes. It's very easy to do. If you're interested in makeup, you can take a quick look to Sandy's blog. I hope you guys will have fun.

Rethinking make-up after 40

Sooner or later it happens. We look into the mirror and see our mothers looking back at us. We start to see the subtle, or not so subtle, changes that are happening to our faces and our bodies; and we are not quite ready for what we see. Our once soft and smooth skin is no longer, replaced by fine lines and wrinkles. It's the age thing starting to take hold, and for most of us, our skin is the most visible sign of aging. Aging is a natural occurrence and part of growing older gracefully lies in our willingness to accept and adapt to change. To alter our appearances, besides changing the lifestyle such as modifying our diet, reducing the stress in our life and increasing the amount of exercise we get, I believe that the right make-up can help women look more youthful, especially choosing the right foundation.

When turning to 40 or over, some of people stop wearing foundation because they thought it would collect in their laugh lines and emphasize their imperfections. They should change their mind. Today, some kinds of foundation, no matter liquid or mineral formula, contain anti-aging ingredients such as peptides, sodium hyaluronate, vitamins, and antioxidants helping aging skin. Check labels to find products that carry two or more of the following ingredients:

Soy: the most well known can reduce the severity of hot flashes in menopausal women by acting as a fill-in for estrogen.

Vitamin E: this antioxidant protects the body's tissues against harmful effects of free radicals.

Peptides: these proteins send a signal within the skin structure to make collagen, which results in firmer and thicker skin.

C0-enzyme Q10: this activates the skin's defense mechanisms, boosting its immunity and protecting against free radicals.

Alpha lipoic acid: this reduces skin inflammation and increases cell metabolism, improving the skin's ability to heal. It also increase the positive effects of vitamin C and E in the body.

These ingredients will help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and restore the skin's luster and softness, giving a more youthful look and feel. So, don't be afraid of using foundation because foundation is truly the key to a flawless appearance for the face.

Berry Good

Even if you get up on the wrong side of the bed, you can still start your morning off on the right foot with a Super Berry Smothie. Excerpted here from Beyond Botox, a new healthy-skin guide from Ben and Howard Kaminsky, founders of the skincare line B. Kamins Chemist, the easy-to-make concoction is chock-full of antioxidants, protein, complex carbohydrates, the good kind of fats and many other key nutrients that will help get you through a hectic day.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup calcium-fortified soy milk

1/2 cup nonfat yogurt

1 cup fresh or frozen "Super Berries" (use any combination of blackberries, black raspberries, wild blueberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and cherries without pits to equal one cup)

1/2 cup chopped or crushed pineapple (in natural juice, drained)

1/2 banana

1 tablespoon flax oil or freshly ground flax seed

2 ice cubes

Put all ingredients in a blender or food processor and process until smooth. The recipe makes two medium snack servings or one large mealtime serving.

Miss America 2007

The Miss America pageant (different from the Miss USA pageant) is a long-standing competition which awards scholarships to young women from the 50 states plus two territories of the United States of America. Miss America 2007 was held at the Aladdin Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, on January 29. This year, the first-prize winner of the national pageant belongs to Lauren Nelson, Miss Oklahoma. Nelson is the second consecutive Miss America and sixth in the history of Miss America to hail from Oklahoma. Shilah Phillips, Miss Texas, was named first runner-up to Miss America, and Amanda Kozak, Miss Georgia, was placed second runner-up.

If you didn't have a chance to watch this show, here are some video clips that will help you have a general look into the world of beautiful ladies.

2007 Miss America top 5 finalists


Miss Oklahoma wins Miss America 2007

Happy Valentine!

I know this post doesn't have anything related to my blog topic. Just because today is Valentine's Day, so I want to share some happiness to you who are in love and be loved. Right now, it's freezing outside. Snow and cold. However, this bad weather seems not to stop people celebrating this special day. I hope all of you will have an unforgettable day with beautiful flowers, gifts, candies and romantic love messages from your lover, your family, and friends. Every year, we consider February 14 as a day to express our love, but I wonder that how many people know the history of this day? I didn't. Yesterday, my 10-year-old niece just asked me why do people celebrate Valentine's Day? How come we have to give red roses? At that moment, I didn't know how to explain it to her. I remember I heard somebody told me about the history of this day, or maybe I read it somewhere, but just a little bit information. Therefore, I went to Google and figured out the answer. Here are some interesting links:

wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine

theholidayspot.com/valentine

Anyhow, Happy Valentine to all of you. Enjoy the day with love and spirit.

Funny Commercial

A Revolutionary Guide to Your Best Skin Ever

Dr. Leslie Baumann, a world-renowned dermatologist, comes a program that's revolutionizing the way people think about and shop for skincare products. The Skin Type Solution is one of the best book to help you identify and buy a products that are right for your true skin type. Through this book, you'll discover:

* Your personal skin type profile detailing exactly what will work and what won't for your unique complexion.

* Natural health and dietary advice for beautiful skin.

* Tips on preventing skin aging and "problem" skin.

* The latest information on the new world of prescription products, facials, chemical peels...

I think with this book in hand, you'll save time, money, and something even more valuable: you beautiful skin.

Refreshing skin with fruit facials

As our skin ages, changes obviously occur in our outward appearance. Due to the lessening of natural moisturizers, our skin becomes very dry, unsmooth, and in some areas on the face will appear wrinkled. To help improve your skin and make it become healthier, here are just some easy treatments which are inexpensive facial recipes right in your kitchen.

Cucumber Facial
1 cucumber
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon witch hazel
1 egg white, beaten with an electric beater until fluffy.

Peel the cucumber and run it through a blender or a food processor. Pour the cucumber pulp into a colander or strainer and force it through to take out the liquid. Combine the cucumber liquid with the lemon juice and the witch hazel. Stir it and add the beaten egg white gently. Apply it to your face and leave it on for 15 to 25 minutes, then rinse it off with cool water. This treatment will help your skin brighten and soften. You should do this facial twice weekly

Tomato Facial

The tomato extract will help clean and provide moisture for your skin. However, if you have a sensitive skin, you should be careful because tomato can cause some allergies which make your skin itch. You can do a tomato facial in 2 ways: crushing or slicing tomatoes, then mix them with fresh milk. Apply it to your face and leave it on for 15 minutes. After that, rinse it off with toner and cool water. Do this treatment twice weekly for good results.

Avocado Facial

Avocado facial is very good for normal skin and dry skin. Avocado helps clean, provide nutrition and recover moisture for skin. The treatment with avocado has the same steps as with the tomato facial. However, leave it on your face and relax for 30 minutes, then rinse with cool water.

Carrot Facial

Use food processor to crush carrots, then mix them with plain yogurt. Appy this combination to your face and leave on for 20 minutes, then rinse off with water. This treatment is very good for teenagers to reduce blackheads. In addition, yogurt also helps eliminate bacteria which can cause acne and pimples on your face. Morever, Vitamin A in carrots also helps heal your scars and lighten dark spots caused by sun damage.

THE HISTORY OF COSMETICS

The first archaeological evidence of cosmetics usage is found in Ancient Egypt around 4000 BC. The Ancient Greeks and Romans also used cosmetics. The Romans and Ancient Egyptians used cosmetics containing mercury and often lead.

In the western world, the advent of cosmetics was in the middle ages, although typically restricted to use within upper classes.

Cosmetic usage was frowned upon at some points in history. For example, in the 1800s, queen Victoria publicly declared makeup improper. It was viewed as vulgar and acceptable only for use by actors.

By the middle of the 20th century, cosmetics were in widespread use in nearly all societies around the world.The cosmetics industry today is a multinational, multi-billion-dollar industry. Of the major firms, the oldest and the largest is L'Oréal, which was founded by Eugene Schueller in 1909 as the French Harmless Hair colouring company. The market was developed in the USA during the 1910s by Elizabeth Arden, Helena Rubinstein, and Max Factor. These firms were joined by Revlon just before World War II and Estée Lauder just after.

SOME MOISTURIZERS FOR WINTER TIME

Not long ago, my face and hands looked terrible in winter time, or even when the weather changed. My skin was so dry and itchy. I sometimes became a victim of painful skin tearing and bleeding. I tried many different kinds of lotion to improve my skin, but it seemed very hard to find which one was the best for me. Then I got a job at Renu Labs which manufactures skincare products. Now my skin is getting better. Maybe some of you will think that I'm exaggering. I would truly like to share some products which work really well for my skin, and hope that you will have similar results.

SkinRenu Advanced Bruise Prevention Formula is my favorite one. By restoring skin lipids and increasing collagen and elastin, your skin tone will begin to improve in only a few weeks. With Soluble Collagen, Carrageenan (Chondrus crispus) Extract, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Tocopherol Acetate (Vitamin E), Evening Primose Oil, Wheat Lipids, and Grapefruite Essential Oil, these effective ingredients will help your skin soften, become smoother and most importantly, begin to build up the strength necessary to prevent tearing and bruising. It's very easy to use. Just apply it to your skin every time you feel dry. You can use it on your face, neck, hands or a whole body.

Another good moisturizer is SkinRenu Ultra Antioxidant. With two more additional ingredients: Grape Seed and Olive Extract, this 1.7 oz bottle will not only help moisturize your face in daytime, but also strengthen your skin to prevent UV from the sunshine.

My clients, my friends, especially my mother-in-law, love these moisturizers so much. If you are interested in how to make your skin look and feel better, I think you should try these products. For more further information, you can visit skinrenu.com or contact me at pavideonow@yahoo.com