Aromatherapy Guide

February 6th, 2008

Aromatherapy is part of the subtle healing realm which also includes flower essences and crystals. An effective aromatherapy guide can help you find the best essential oils to use for any situation. Aromatherapy uses essential plant oils that help in psychological and physical healing. They can be inhaled or even rubbed into ones skin. This type of therapy dates back to ancient times, where the Chinese used many of herbs such as: sage, lavender, rosemary and juniper for medicinal purposes. Aromatherapy is the use of natural pure essential oils to improve a persons physical health, mental health and general well being.

It can offer solutions to problems as varied as high blood pressure through to insomnia and has been in use around the world for centuries. The uses of aromatherapy are many. The aromatherapy benefit you receive largely depends on a combination of factors that include your own body type, the way your brain reacts to scents, and the type of aromatherapy you use. Some people use aromatherapy candles or incense, and breathe in the soothing scent of various fragrances. The scent is said to set off a chemical reaction in the brain, creating a mental state of relaxation. Other types of oils, salts and lotions can be used on the skin.

Creating the same effect except physical. Others use aromatherapy as a way to look and feel younger and more vibrant. Everyone needs to relax at some point in the day, or the week. A bath is always an enjoyable way to benefit from aromatherapy, as is a nice massage if you have a partner or significant other who can massage the oil into your skin. Always dilute essential oils, either with a lot of water for steam and bathing, or with a modest amount of carrier oil for massaging. Pure essential oils are extremely potent substances and should never be used in their raw state. Diluting them in oil or water will ensure that you stay safe while reaping the benefits that aromatherapy has to offer.

Aromatherapy can be administered through a steam facial, a bath or through massaging with carrier oils infused with a few drops of essential oil. A bath is always an pleasurable way to benefit from aromatherapy, as is a nice massage if you have a partner. Always dilute essential oils, either with a lot of water for steam and bathing, or with a modest amount of carrier oil for massaging. Pure essential oils are extremely potent substances and should never be used in their raw state. Even if you are skeptical, don’t stress yourself out even more by wondering how to take care of all the worries in your life. Use this aromatherapy guide, and try an aromatherapy product.

Aromatherapy Recipe

February 6th, 2008

Millions of people enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy, a natural take to medicine and personal well being. The origin of aromatherapy can be traced back to thousands of years, but it is only in recent times that it has been recognized as one of the most popular, as well as effective healing arts. Aromatherapy is actually done using essential oils that are extracted from plants, seeds, herbs and flowers. If you are looking to get relief from everyday stress and tension in a natural way, aromatherapy recipes are the proper way to go about doing it. Aromatherapy recipes refresh, stimulate, as well as relax the body and the mind.

Aromatherapy recipes can be used to produce benefits for those using them. Aromatherapy has been practiced for centuries by people who believe in the benefits. Many in the United States and other European countries do not agree with those that believe in aromatherapy as mainstream medicine. In the United States, aromatherapy is believed to be an alternative or complementary medicine. Aromatherapy help to increase the well-being of the individual. There are various types of aromatherapy recipes that are used to treat various major problems such as anxiety, depression, nerve disorders, tension and insomnia.

In addition to that, these recipes are also used to treat skin and hair problems. Aromatherapy recipes tell the cooks exactly what ingredients to place into each mixture, just like a traditional recipe for food. An aromatherapy recipe can be as simple as adding one drop of essential oil, like eucalyptus, to carrier oil like apricot kernel oil, to make invigorating massage oil. Be careful to use less than 10 drops of the essential oil per ounce of carrier oil. Too much essential oil will cause skin irritation. Bath salts are another easy aromatherapy recipe. Again, combine less than 10 drops of a soothing essential oil like lavender, with about two cups of either sea salt or Epsom salts.

Add several drops of moisturizing carrier oil like sunflower oil. Another aromatherapy recipe air freshener. If you makinit fist take 20 to 30 drops of a clean-smelling essential oil like lemon or pine, and add to an ounce of distilled water. Put it in a spray bottle - inexpensive. These aromatherapy recipes will require specific amounts for the desired effects. Those using the recipes should experiment with them to reach the desired effect. You can easily buy different types of aromatherapy recipes in the form of aromatherapy blends found in most local stores.

Homemade Hand Cream

November 6th, 2007

Homemade Hand Cream is easy to make your home and ingredients only home remedy in your home kitchen and garden. Blend egg white, glycerine, honey and much ground barley to make a thick fluent paste. Apply on your hands. Leave it for 20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

Simple homemade hand lotion recipe ingredients include 2/3 cup rosewater and 1/3 cup glycerin. Mix the two ingredients in an 8 once bottle and shake well. Store in a cool, dark place. The loftiest glycerin levels of any hand cream ensure that even the coldest, cracked, dry hands are rejuvenated and rehydrated. A small amount of cream absorbs easily into the skin, producing a healthier mien in an instant. Other home made lotion is use 2 teaspoons of perfumed body lotion and 1 to 2 drops of red food color.

Put stearic acid, glycerin and wax in a “crock” on low heat, until all is well liquefied. Then add the 1/2 ounce of ammonia and blend up fast with a wooden spoon. Take off stove and beat till it appears like whipped cream. When cool, add perfume and color.

Rose Petals Hand Cream is ingredients with 1/3 cup glycerin and 2/3 cups rosewater. Mix ingredients by shaking in a bottle. To use: massage into hands customarily. Store in a cool dry area.

Splen Hand Cream is ingredients with 1/2 oz. sodium laurel sulphate ,4 oz. cetyl alcohol crystals ,6 3/4 oz. glycerine and 1/2 oz. lanolin anhydrous. Place all ingredients in a double boiler, and stir upto crystals are dissolved. Add 37 1/2 oz. hot water (not boiling). Add 1 1/2 oz. of favorite cologne. Add enough food coloring to give a pleasing color.

Beat with electric mixer until light, fluffy and the color is well intermixed. For homemade hand cream mix together to a smooth paste one teaspoon each of soft shortening, petroleum jelly, almond oil. Three teaspoons of lanoline, two teaspoons of glycerin and lime juice. Half teaspoon of lemon extract. Put in air tight container and store eitherin the fridge or in a cool and dry place.

Bee pollen hand cream is a 100 percent natural way to beautify your skin without harsh cleansers or perfumes. This homemade hand lotion is entirely natural with no added toxins, additives, chemicals, or synthetic perfumes. Dissolve gum in 1 cup lukewarm water. Soft water should be used. Let stand 24 hours or til it gels, then add other ingredients. Shake well and dilute with warm soft water until the desired consistency is obtained.

Natural Skin Care Products

September 9th, 2007

Skin care products having hydroquinone are popularly mentioned to as bleaching creams or lightening agents. Natural skin care is the care of the skin using naturally-derived ingredients (such as herbs, roots, essential oils and flowers) combined with naturally facing carrier agents, preservatives, surfactants, humectants and emulsifiers. Natural skin care products made from vegetable or animal extracts may be inherently toxic, and if prepared insularly the concentrations of active ingredients cannot be controlled.

Natural medication needs a bit of work, but are a lot inferior and are possibly good for you than a pot load of chemicals. Unless otherwise specified, wash all of these off with lukewarm water. Honey’s natural antioxidant and anti-microbial properties and capacity to absorb and retain moisture have been recognised and used extensively in skin care treatments as they help to protect the skin from the damage of the sun’s rays and reinvigorate depleted skin.

Vitamin C is the only antioxidant that is proven to stimulate the synthesis of collagen, which is essential since your body’s natural collagen production decreases as you age. Shea butter is originated from the kernel of the “Karite” tree. It is used in its purest, cruded, certified organic form, it can provide healing for conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, stretch marks, and dermatitis. Shea butter is also a basic of African pharmacology because to its potent healing abilities. Essential oils in natural bath and skincare products turns them into a holistic blend of perfume, beauty support, and medicine.

Essential oils are the heart of these recipes. These fragrant gifts of nature have been used by many cultures since ancient times for their potent yet gentle effect on skin, hair, the sense of smell, and the psyche. Jojoba skin care is a organic remedy. Jojoba is a unrefined moisturizer for the skin. The oil is similar to the genuine sebum of whale. Also, it softens the skin.

Copper peptide is often referred to as the most effective skin regeneration product. Aromatherapy is also use skin care products include lavender, which aids sleep, coconut milk, which soothes dry skin, eucalyptus and pine oil which relax the muscles and ylang ylang which is a natural, non chemical based perfume. Hyaluronic acid (also known as a glycosaminoglycan) is often touted for its ability to “reverse” or stop aging. Fruit oils are often used in shower gels and soaps to nourish, invigorate and hydrate the skin and hair.

Citrus fruits are popular natural ingredients as they promote skin development. Other examples of fruit oils include banana, pineapple, apple and melon. Kojic acid is a more recent remedy for the treatment of pigment problems and age spots. Many spas and skin care salons now target on using more naturally derived skin care products. Chemical preservatives are generally used because they are much cheaper than, and extend the shelf life of the product more than natural alternatives.

Natural Skin Care Tips

1. Protect yourself from the sun — use sunscreen and avoid direct sunlight between the hours of 10 and 2.

2. Avoid smoking and alcohol.

3. Get adequate rest and nutrition.

4. Protect yourself from stress — both emotional and environmental stress.

5. Wash your face twice a day.

6. Don’t neglect certain areas of the skin. Elbows, heels, neck, and decolletage need moisturizing.

7. Exercise moderation. More is not always better.

8. Avoid Excess Sugar.

Top Skin Care Products

June 24th, 2007

Healthy skin is the most important element of a great looking face. Skin care is important, even for men, and using the best skin care products can help improve the quality of your skin and help keep it looking younger and healthier as well. When looking for one of the best skin care products, you may want to find something that will not only leave your skin feeling clean, but moisturize the skin as well. Some of the best skin care products on the market are in the form of a face cleanser, lotion, or moisturizer. Moisturizing is a necessity. Again, the product with the least amount of chemical additives is the best. Always use a light moisturizer on your face after cleansing and shaving. Best Skin Care Products - Face Cleansers The next time you are at a drugstore, don’t forget to pick up Cetaphil, a product recommended by dermatologists. This item does not contain chemical or scents that create irritated skin. Best Skin Care Products - Face Cleansers. The scrub should be strong without being damaging. Stay away from scrubs that contain rough elements like ground bits of nut or seed extracts.

Healthy skin is young looking skin. There are preventative techniques that can promote the best skin possible and keep it looking its best longer. Some of the best skin care products for blemished skin includes the popular Neutrogena Pore-Refining Cleanser, which does not dry out the skin. There are many new skin care products using cutting-edge chemicals and ingredients on the market today. The fastest growing segment are those creams and lotions that offer anti-aging properties, and are designed to minimize the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, frown lines, and crow’s feet. Dove Sensitive Essential Day Lotion is light and void of scents or dyes. More men are beginning to become conscious of their need for men’s skin care products for their grooming needs. Men have approximately 15% oilier skin and significantly larger pores than women do. Men have very unique skin and they need to choose carefully when purchasing anything that claims to improve or enhance their appearance. Many men may just be using bar soap, or even worse, nothing at all to cleanse their face. It is important that a man properly cleanses his face to prevent excess oils from building up and causing unsightly skin problems. There are anti wrinkle and special cleansing skin care lotions and creams that are made to clean the unique skin of a man without drying it out and making it rough. Using regular soap can leave the skin too dry, so picking out a specific facial cleanser for men.

Top Skin Care Products Tips

1.Your skin is either normal, oily, dry or combination. Make sure that you know what your skin type is before you buy skin care products.

2.Even the oiliest of skin needs a daily moisturizer– just be sure to select a brand that is oil-free.

3.Look for products that contain SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or more. Not only will your skin look great, but you’ll be protected from the sun’s damaging ultra violet rays.

4.Your skin is more than just your face, so don’t neglect the rest of your body. Moisturize your entire body and slough off dead skin cells regularly– you will look and feel refreshed and rejuvenated.

Wedding Makeup Tips Planning

June 24th, 2007

1. Starting with concealer and foundation. Be careful about the colour foundation you choose. Whilst you should always go for a match as near as your skin, anything too pale will make you look washed out if you are wearing a white/ivory dress.

2. Whilst there are some lovely “shine” products available to give a dewy complexion, again be very careful where you use them.  If you are applying a highlighter, stick to brow bones, cheekbones and a dab in the middle of your lips.

3. Pending on what season you are getting married this will also have to be taken into account when planning your makeup. Avoid anything too shiny on your skin if you are getting married in the summer, stick to a coloured lip-gloss but don’t wear shine all-over.

4. Light formulas are better as you don’t want your makeup melting in the sun. Winter make up can be more dramatic although again it’s best to stick to a stronger look of your usual make up.

5. To make your lipstick last all day. First apply a lip primer to give your lips an even surface and rid of any flaky bits.  Then line your lips with your lip pencil (which should be the same shade as your lipstick).

6. Although foundation/concealer should be left to areas where you need it, i.e. around the nose then blended into the cheeks (you don’t want to put it everywhere otherwise it will look false), you can also apply to your eyes to give your eye shadow a good base and something to cling on to.

7. Eyebrows - have them professionally shaped before your big day and enhance them with a same colour eyebrow shade. Eyebrows frame your face and it can make a huge difference if you have the professionally shaped.

8. To make your eyes look bigger and whiter choose dark navy mascara. If you are dark skinned or have brown eyes then black is usually best. Brown mascara can make eyes look tired.

9. If you have small eyelids, apply a highlighter just in the center of the eyelid and a dark brown shade in the eyelid crease – this will lift your eyes. White/ivory eyeliner in the rim of your eyes also makes them appear brighter, however be careful.

10. For a natural flush apply a light natural pink shade onto the apples of your cheeks – don’t go to harsh.

Acne Scar Treatment

June 24th, 2007

Acne is one of most common skin conditions in the world, afflicting 40 to 50 million Americans  Acne is a skin condition that affects up to 80% of people in their teens and twenties, and up to 5% of older adults. Most serious scarring is caused by the more severe forms of acne, with nodules more likely to leave permanent scars than other types of acne. While many people recover from acne without any permanent effects, some people are left with disfiguring acne scars. Severe, inflamed, cystic acne always leaves scars after healing, but in some people even superficially inflamed acne can result in scarring. There are some topical skin care products and medications that can improve mild scarring, but most acne scars are treated with a combination of surgical procedures and skin resurfacing. After an acne lesion has healed, it can leave a red or hyperpigmented mark on the skin. This is actually not a scar, but rather a post-inflammatory change. The redness or hyperpigmentation is seen as the skin goes through its healing and remodeling process, which takes approximately 6-12 months. If no more acne lesions develop in that area, the skin can heal normally. Any color change or skin defect still present after 1 year is considered to be a permanent defect or scar. Atrophic macules are usually fairly small when they occur on the face, but may be a centimeter or larger on the body. They are soft, often with a slightly wrinkled base, and may be bluish in appearance due to blood vessels lying just under the scar. Over time, these scars change from bluish to ivory white in color in white-skinned people, and become much less obvious.

Acne scars result from two types of tissue response to the inflammation of acne: (1) increased tissue formation, and (2) loss of tissue. Acne Scars Years after outgrowing adolescent acne. severe acne, which causes nodules — painful, pus-filled cysts or lumps — to appear under the skin. Scars caused by increased tissue formation are caused by a build up of collagen in the skin. Scarring frequently results from severe inflammatory nodulocystic acne that occurs deep in the skin. They are the visible reminders of injury and tissue repair. In the case of acne, the injury is caused by the body’s inflammatory response to sebum, bacteria and dead cells in the plugged sebaceous follicle. White blood cells and inflammatory molecules may remain at the site of an active acne lesion for days or even weeks. In people who are susceptible to scarring, the result may be an acne scar. When tissue suffers an injury, the body rushes its repair kit to the injury site. Among the elements of the repair kit are white blood cells and an array of inflammatory molecules that have the task of repairing tissue and fighting infection. Follicular macular atrophy is more likely to occur on the chest or back of a person with acne. These are small, white, soft lesions, often barely raised above the surface of the skin—somewhat like whiteheads that didn’t fully develop. This condition is sometimes also called “perifollicular elastolysis.” The lesions may persist for months to years.

A person may seek treatment for acne scars (1) as a procedure to remove or improve the scars, or (2) in conjunction with an overall program of skin rejuvenation. Mederma is helpful for treating newly healed wounds and resolving acne. Ice-pick scars and deep fibrotic scars are not treated effectively by chemical peels. Keloids are usually not treated by chemical peels. Repeated and/or deep peels may be necessary to improve deep or extensive scarring.Using tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova, Avita) speeds up the skin’s remodeling process and helps heal post-inflammatory changes. Picking at scabs should be avoided at all costs. Scabs form to protect the healing process that is going on underneath them. The newest form of treatment for acne scarring is called fractional laser therapy. This type of treatment works at a deeper level than laser resurfacing or dermabrasion. Laser Treatment-Lasers of various wavelength and intensity may be used to recontour scar tissue and reduce the redness of skin around healed acne lesions. The type of laser used is determined by the results that the laser treatment aims to accomplish. Chemical peels can improve small, depressed scars and some larger scars. Peeling may also be effective in treating any remaining acne by removing comedones (blackheads and whiteheads).

Application of Makeup

May 4th, 2007

For the best final result, you must meticulously prepare your face for the actual application of the make-up.

Identify the structure of your face: This is very important, so that you can understand the high points and the drawbacks of your face. Then you will be able to emphasize the excelent features of yaur face and camauflage yaur handicaps.

Faces are af 2 basic shapes: angular and round. Angular faces are well delineated, with a strong bane structure and musculature. Angular faces  could be trapezaidal, rectangular, square ar triangular. Round faces, an the other hand, have curved, continuous, gently sloping lines, without any bony projectians. Round faces can be oval or the true round form.

The ideal shape of a face is oval, so with  the clever use af make-up. You must attempt to make. Your face appearoval. This can be done by using faundatians of different tones the dark shades and the pale shades (white ar clear). Dark make-up tends to reduce, deepen, darken and conceal and is suitable far prominent cheeks, large nases, chubby faces, and for the bags under the eyes. Pale make-up, on the other hand, enlarges lengthens, brightens, fills Dut, and covers the dark circles under the eyes.

Getting ready: Before applying make-up, especially if You are dressing for a rather important occasion, Yoi must prepare Yourself in a very special way. Massage Your face with a nourishing cream, follow it up with a suitable mask. See that there are no dark hair visible an the face bleach them or pluck them, if necessary. You might need to remave unwanted hair from yaur arms, legs and underarms.

Shaping your eyebrows: Eyebraws give the face its expression. So, its really worth spending sometime deciding an the shape and cantaur of your eyebrows. But, if you think that You would require a drastic change in the shape af your brows, it would be best to seek professianal help, at least for the first time.

The single-most important point to remember when shaping yaur eyebrows is balance. Your facial shape wauld to a large extent determine the snape af yaur eyebrows. Here are same tips to help yau decide an the shape of yaur brows:

For a trapezoidal face: Slightly thick eyebrows drawn gently tawards the temple.

For a rectangular face: Keep the eye-brows as natural as possible.

For a square face: Give a slightly rounded curve.

For a triangularf ace: Brows should not be too thick. Curve the brows slightly upwards, to emphasize the triangular shape of the face.

For an ovalface: Keep the brows parallel to the lid and drawn towards the temple.

For a round face: Brows shauld be slightly arched, in an oblique curve directed towards the temple.

How to choose eyeshadow base

May 4th, 2007

Powder shadows are more popular because they are easier to apply and blend. An important point to remember is that light colors highlight, while dark colors make the area recede.

# The Eye Shadow Magic !!!
Does it really matter which eyeshadow you buy and apply? If you didn’t think it made a difference then think again.

First choose a tone that helps to give basic shape to the eyes. Blend outwards towards the outer corner. You can choose from brown, depth and to contour the eyes. Finally, use a light tone on the eye lids tipped applicator and then blend with a brush. Again, there should be no obvious lines of demarcation.

Know Your Skin Type

May 4th, 2007

To recognise your specific skin type, do the following test:

  • Wash your face at night with your face wash and warm water.
  • Do not apply any cream or lotion when you go to bed
  • The next morning, before washing your face, blot separate tissues across your forehead, nose, cheeks and chin.
  • If there is no oily residue, you have either normal skin or dry skin. If your skin is dry, it will feel flaky and streched.
  • If all the tissues have an oily patch, your skin is oily.
  • If only the tissues used on the forehead, nose and chin are oily, then you have combination skin.