10 Big Fashion Mistakes of Today

When it comes to fashion, most people want to look their best. However, there are many people who commit the most common fashion mistakes on a daily basis without even realizing it. Here are the ten worst fashion mistakes that people make – and how they can be avoided.

1. Wearing clothes that are too tight. Clothes that are too tight just look bad. If you are typically sucking in your belly or have to lie down to get your pants zippered, you may be trying to cram yourself into a size that is too small. Tight clothes do not make you look thinner; instead they accentuate your bulges to give your style an unflattering look. 
2. Underwear lines showing. No one wants to see your panty and bra lines. It is best to invest in some thong underwear for the days when you want to wear those white pants. Also, avoid decorative or lacy bras when you are wearing sheer or light colored tops – the bra decor tends to show through. Make sure to wear an appropriate color bra – dark colored bras do not look good underneath light colored tops! 
3. Wearing clothes that are too baggy. If you are heavy, it may seem like you can cover unsightly bulges up by dressing yourself in baggy, tent-like clothes. Unfortunately, the baggy clothes only tend to make you look heavier. Try to find clothes in your correct size that are also comfortable to wear. 
4. Wearing clothes that are too short. Micro miniskirts come in and out of style, but they only look good on very few people. In general, clothes that are too short should be avoided. If you are in a work environment, make sure your skirts are an appropriate length (usually no more than an inch or two above the knee). 
5.  Not dressing your age. A sixty year old woman, no matter how great her body is, should avoid shopping in the department store "juniors" department. Sure the clothes are hip and trendy, but you'll look much better if your attire is more suited to your age. Skip the belly shirts and the Daisy Duke shorts and try to find stylish clothes that are more age-appropriate. 
6.  Wearing clothes that are out of style. The Nehru jacket went out of style in the 1960's, so if you still have one in your closet it may be time to part ways with it. The same thing goes for pencil-thin neckties and shirts with big, bulky shoulder pads. Out of date styles do not look good on anyone, period. If you're holding on to these clothes in the hopes that they may come back in style, keep in mind that, while fashion trends do tend to cycle back, they usually come back with slight variations. Therefore, it's doubtful that your pastel-colored Miami Vice style jacket will ever be in vogue again. 
7. Wearing clothes with wrinkles and stains. This one sounds like a no-brainer, but it's truly unbelievable how many people break this fashion rule. You don't want to look like you just rolled out of bed, so if your clothes are wrinkled – please iron them! Scan your clothes under a bright light for stains before you put them on – sometimes unsightly stains just seem to appear out of nowhere. 
8. Forgetting to wear important undergarments. Even flat-chested women need to wear a bra every day. A bra provides you with much needed support and coverage. Many women go for years wearing the wrong size bra, but an ill-fitting bra will not provide you with the support that you need. Take the time to go to a lingerie or department store to have yourself measured and fitted for a bra by a professional. 
9. Wearing the wrong color. Depending on your skin tone, certain colors may not be very flattering on you. Consider getting a professional color chart done to determine which colors are the best for your complexion and then avoid colors that clash with your skin tone. 
10. Wearing worn out clothes, shoes or pantyhose. Even well-made clothes wear out eventually. Check garments for worn out elbows, rips and tears before you wear them. Scuffed shoes are another big fashion no-no, to fix this invest in some shoe polish to remedy the problem. If the heels on your favorite shoes are getting worn, have them repaired. You can only get a few good wearing out of a typical pair of pantyhose, so do not waste your time trying to repair rips with clear nail polish. Pantyhose are generally inexpensive, so just spring for a fresh pair when your old ones wear out.

So Ladies, remember these simple fashion tips to look your best.
 

Lemon Juice Shampoo for Strong Hair

People have been using lemon in cosmetics since the days of Egypt, ancient Greece, Rome and Asia. It is especially good for hair because it cleans, refreshes, and nurtures it. Lemon also has an abundant amount of Vitamin  C which gives it shine and gloss to hair, in addition it works well on oily hair and helps to remove dandruff. Lemon lightens hair and protects it from damage that may be caused by UV rays. Just using lime or lemon makes your hair smell like lemons, it may be better to use homemade shampoo which is simple to make. Here is how to make lemon juice Shampoo at home.

Ingredients

• 1/4 Cup liquid vegetable-based soap or mild shampoo
• 2 Tablespoon fresh lemon or lime juice
• 1/4 Cup water
• 1 Lemon
• Grater
• Sauce Pan
• Spoon
• Strainer
• Shampoo Bottle
• Mixing Bowl

Method

1. Grate the outer part of the lemon skin until you have a teaspoon of the zest. You can also save if for future use.
2. Heat the soap, lemon juice, lemon zest and water in the sauce pan for 2 minutes. Do not allow the mixture to hiss or boil. Use medium heat.
3. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature. This will take about 10 minutes.
4. Strain out the lemon zest and store the strained liquid in a shampoo bottle. You can use this shampoo every day. Rinse thoroughly after every use.

Living Wise!

With the New Year approaching and reminding us of how we have let go of ourselves and the changes that need to be made in our life, here is something to give us a head start in the resolution we know we are going to make; the resolution to finally lose weight. The best way to kick start this is by revamping your eating habits, try these 5 small changes to achieve your nutrition goals.

Eat Breakfast: Even if it is just a bowl of cereal, toast and juice, you need morning fuel to keep you going and to help avoid overeating later in the day.

Choose Fat-Free Instead of Whole Milk: Make the switch gradually, and you won’t even notice a taste difference.

Get Your Grains: Fiber containing whole grains, such as whole wheat bread and pasta, may reduce the risk of heart disease.

Eat More Fruits and Veggies: They are rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin A and fiber. They also work as great substitutes for the high calorie snacks. Aim for 5 to 9 servings a day.

Bake or Broil Meat: Do not fry meat. You won’t sacrifice flavor and you will give-up the added fat and calories.

Good Luck in achieving your weight loss goals. Start with these simple changes and then when you officially start the New Year with an exercise routine, the results will be out of this world and soon you will see the person you want to see in the mirror.

10 Ways to be Beautiful Early Morning

Early morning looks are one of the most common beauty horrors for a women, here are some beauty tips that will help you look beautiful from early on.

Wash Your Face

Make a habit of washing your face a few hours before bed. If you wait until you're tired, you're more likely to blow it off, which will allow the toxins and dirt to stay on your face all night.  At night there's more blood flow to the skin's surface, and there's nothing else on your face to interfere with absorption.

Use:  Neutrogena Deep Clean Relaxing nightly cleanser.

Sleep on Your Back

Lying on your stomach is bad for beauty sleep. The average head weighs 7 to 8 pounds – that is a lot of pressure to put on your face every night. Many dermatologists say they can tell what side of the face a person sleeps on by the number of wrinkles there.

Use a Pillow While Sleeping

Sleep with your head elevated on two pillows, gravity helps lymph and blood flow so fluid won’t accumulate.

Wrinkle-Free Skin

At night you do not have to worry about spending too much money to slather on the richest formula you can. Aquaphor healing ointment works to condition lashes and hydrates the delicate eye skin quite well.

Use: Aquaphor Healing Ointment.

Sneak a Glow

Mix a drop of self-tanner into your night cream or use a cream that contains a little tan-producing DHA.

Use: Clarins Radiance-Plus self-tanning cream.

Avoid Dough Face

To wake up with defined cheekbones, eat a high-protein, low-sugar dinner. Skip the rice, pasta and potatoes, when our diet’s high in glycemic carbohydrates, our features take on a soft, doughy appearance.

Wrap it up

To minimize the morning frizz, sleep on a satin pillowcase or put your hair in a silk scarf. These fabrics are much softer than cotton, so there is less friction.

Manage Your Hair

Pile hair into a twist on the top of your head; use a scrunchie to avoid crimping. In the morning you will have major volume and beautiful waves.

Use Hair Conditioning

Sleep with a moisturizing treatment in damp hair overnight. Any rich conditioner will do, be sure to rinse in the morning.

Use: Phillip B. Katira Hair Masque.

Sleeping Beauty can now wake up even more beautiful!

Winter Skin Care

Our skin is more adaptive to summer than winters. Winter can take a toll on our skin due to lack of oil glands on certain parts of our body which causes them to become dry and itchy. To keep the skin radiant and beautiful during winter, here are a few tips on skincare during winter. With winter now approaching these tips will help you to prepare your skin and show it off when spring and summer finally roll out.

Drink Plenty of Water

• Provide your skin the extra hydration. Carry a bottle with you when you go out.
• Tea is also a great option during the colder months.

Exfoliate

•  A nice body scrub can help remove the dead skin from your body, adding this to your routine once a week, will not only make you feel fresh, but your skin will be free from the dirt and grime that you accumulate on a daily basis that does not come off until you exfoliate.
• Don’t forget to moisturize after exfoliating.

 Humidifier

• An excellent option is to add moisture back to the air.
• A humidifying system can help your skin to hydrate instead of becoming dry and cracked.
• Humidifiers are available at your local drug store.

Use an Oil-Based Moisturizer

• Choose a moisturizer that comes in an ointment form as it contains 80% oil.
• Creams and lotions may dry out the skin instead of keeping it moisturized and soft.  

Sunscreen

• Just because the summer is over doesn’t mean that you stop using sunscreen. Before you leave the house, apply a sunscreen of at least SPF 15.
• You can choose a product that combines a sunscreen with a moisturizer. This will protect you from the elements.  

Gloves

• Why expose your hands to the cold only to have the moisture sucked out.
• Choose a good quality pair that does not irritate the skin and will help to keep your hands dry and warm.  

Flax-Seed Oil

• Although Flax-seed oil does not taste great, but it will help you moisturize your body from the inside.
• Because it is rich in vital fatty acids, it can do wonders for your overall health. Flaxseed oil is available in oil form as well as in capsule form. 

Bath Oil

• A good jojoba and almond oil bath will help to relax your body.
• Nourish your skin by adding a few drops of these oils to your everyday bath water and watch your skin glow with a renewed radiance.  

Say no to Hair Dryers

• Sadly the hair dryer is not your friend during winter as the hot air dries out your scalp and can irritate your skin as well.
• Try to go for a tousled look or the wavy style this winter, but do give your blow dryer a much needed brake this winter.  

TLC for Your Lips

•  Lips have no oil glands, so we are tempted to lick our lips during winter which should be avoided at all costs.
• Keep a lip balm with you and apply it when you are tempted. 
• You can also apply olive oil to your lips when you are at home to keep the lips moist. 

Stay Warm and Don't Forget to Moisturize!

Recipes for Relaxation

Butter up with an Avocado Mask

• Great for a moisture-infusing mask
• Mash 1 ripe avocado in a bowl mix in 1 Tbsp each of yogurt and honey. Smooth over skin and leave it on for 20 minutes, then gently wipe off with a damp cloth.

Basic Breathing Exercises

• Breathing exercises are an easy-and-quick way to regroup and relax.
• Lie back in a comfortable place, close your eyes and imagine a cherished peaceful setting – a cottage by the lake or a quiet river.
• Inhale deeply, filling your lungs to a slow count of 10. Wait, holding your breath for a second, and exhale to the same slow count of 10. Repeat.

Kick-up-your-Heels Foot Treatment

• A great way to relax after running errands.
• Fill a basin with 1 Tbsp of baking soda and a few drops of bath oil. Soak for 20 minutes and scrub off dead skin with 2 parts sugar and 1 part olive oil mixed together.
• Rinse and treat your feet to your favorite lotion, making sure to put extra around the cuticles.  If you have time, apply your favorite nail polish.

Herbal-Tea Hand Soak

• The same soothing herbs that warm you in winter work wonders on your skin in summer.
• Steep a handful of loose-leaf chamomile tea in a basin add 1 Tbsp of essential oil (choose one that will complement with your brew), and soak your hands to your wrists for 10 minutes. Pat dry and lather with hand lotion.

Cure for Dark Elbows and Knees

A common reason for the knees becoming dark is excessive kneeling. When it comes to elbows, discoloration occurs as a result of too much friction. At the workplace, our elbows tend to constantly graze against the arms of our chairs and tables, causing darkening.  Another reason is that the knees and elbows are where the maximum amount of sweat, dust and grime get accumulated along with a buildup of dead skin cells. Lack of proper skin care can also add to the problem. The knees and elbows need as much moisturizer as the face and other parts of the body; most of the time these areas are ignored resulting in a high percentage of dead skin.

Lemon juice is quite effective in lightening knees and elbows at home as it has bleaching properties. Simply apply lemon juice to the affected areas and leave on for at least 30 minutes then wash off. Applying lemon juice daily while using pumice stone will give results in about 3 weeks.

Types of Exfoliates

• Scrub the knees and elbows daily in the shower with gentle pumice stone, moving it in a circular motion; you will start to see lighter knees and elbows in a short time.
• Squeeze the juice out of two quarter wedges of a lemon, add salt then scrub into your affected areas gently, to remove the dead skin. Then take the lemon wedges and lean your elbows on them (one elbow on each). Rest this way for about 10 minutes. Do this daily until the dark patches disappear.
• Mix fresh lemon juice and baking soda to make a thick paste, apply to dry elbows. Gently rub in to exfoliate the skin and leave it on for about 15 minutes before washing.
• You can make an excellent exfoliate at home using chickpea flour and yogurt. Massage the mixture to the affected areas. Using this method will give a glow to your knees and elbows.
• Mix 1 tsp. coconut oil with half tsp. of lemon or lime juice, soak a towel in hot water & scrub firmly.
• Make a paste of chickpea flour and lemon juice and apply on elbows and knees, leave on for 10-15 minutes then wash off.
• It is very important to moisturize after using any of the above scrubs to remove dead skin from your elbows and knees. Here are some natural moisturizers that will help to lighten the elbows and knees.

Moisturizers

• Right after shower, massage mustard oil on the elbows and knees and rinse off with warm water.
• Honey is also a great moisturizer, if using it; leave it on for 30 minutes before washing it off.
• Application of aloe vera gel regularly on affected areas is also known to be quite helpful.
• Before bed time, use olive oil to massage these areas cover the areas with a sock that has its toe part cut out to avoid the oil from rubbing off.
• Moisturize your elbows & knees at least 2 – 3 times a day. Do not allow these areas to become dry at all.
• Do not leave the house without applying sunscreen to your elbows and knees at least SPF 20 is recommended.

To get ahead in the world, we must sometimes elbow our way, why not make sure that our elbows are well cared for.

5 Habits for Flawless Skin - The Why and The How

 

Sophia Loren once said “Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical.”  What this means is that feeling good about yourself is the connection between beauty and self-image. The more comfortable you are in your own skin, the more beautiful you are.  To hve the utter most confidence in the way we look requires some work.  The following 5 habits will help to give you flawless skin that we all want so you can officially be comfortable in your skin and finally make that connection between your beauty and self-image:

1.  Always wash your face before going to bed...NO EXCUSES!

• Why: Going to bed with a full face of makeup can lead to clogged pores, pimples and inflammation.
• How: The cleansing process only takes a minute. Using a cleanser and lukewarm water, wash your face in circular motions and pat dry. A quick alternative is to keep gentle cleansing cloths on hand to wipe away grime before you hit the sack.

2.  Take care of your skin, even while you sleep!

• Why: Night is the ideal time to use cream or serums that restore moisture and prevent and treat signs of aging. During the day, UV rays, wind and pollution can damage skin, but as you rest, skin cells are renewed.
• How: Make sure to check for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, protective antioxidents and anti-aging peptide properties. Apply the serum to your face and neck, avoid the eye area unless it is specified that it is safe to use around the eyes.

3.  Exfoliate at least once a week!

• Why: Removing dead skin cells not only reveals fresher, more radiant skin, it also prevents clogged pores...which ultimately helps reduce the likelihood of breakouts!
• How: If you have sensitive or dry skin, exfoliate once a week...Otherwise go for at least 2-3 times a week.  You can exfoliate after washing or simply by using an exfoliating cleanser.

4.  Give extra TLC to your eye area!

• Why: The eye area needs extra hydration to stay healthy so your regular face moisturizer may not cut it. Skin under the eye is extra delicate, so using an eye-specific retinol and antioxidant concoction minimizes the chances of irritation.
• How: Pick a formula or serum that addresses your specific concerns. Make sure your under eye cream is tailored to your needs.  Apply in the morning and night after you moisturize, using your ring finger (this finger provides the least amount of pressure under the eyes).

5.  Protect your face from the sun regardless of the time of year it is!

• Why: Minimal exposure to UV rays can cause damage to your skin -- even if your are just sitting by a window!  This can add up over time and lead to freckles, brown spots, uneven skin tone, and reduce natural collagen and elastin in the skin.
• How: Choose a moisturizer that provides an SPF of 15 - 30. Using an SPF of more than 30 can cause reverse effects!  Try to find a moisturizer that also provides tons of vitamins like A, C, and E along with green white tea and idebenone - this will help combat free-radical damage.

Now that you have the information for flawless skin, go forth and beautify yourself!

Fixing Damaged and Brittle Hair

With all the abuse we inflict on our hair on a daily basis with blow drying, straightening, curling, not to mention the products we use every day, are we really that surprised when our hair does not behave itself? Most remedies that we read about only offer a temporary solution. Here is one that will fix your hair with regular use of this remedy. Although this is a bit elaborate, if it fixes the problem from its root, why not try it out.

Ingredients:

Virgin Olive Oil               1 Cup
Almond Oil                     1/4 Cup
Mustard Oil                    1/4 Cup
Coconut Oil                    1/4 Cup
Castor Oil                       1/4 Cup
Fenugreek Seeds            1 Cup

Method:

   1. Mix the oils and the seeds in a see-through bottle and leave it in the sun for 8 hours (does not have to be all in one day).
   2. Apply the oil in the hair and leave it on for 1 hour.
   3. Wet a towel, heat it in the microwave, and wrap it on your head a few times, for a hot oil treatment.
   4. Wash and condition your hair like you normally would, the last rinse must be with cold water.  Recommended shampoo/conditioner Biolage Hydratherapie with deep conditioner (leave conditioner in for 5 minutes).

Note: I got this remedy from my facial specialist who used to work for a dermatologist. She has done wonders for my skin.

Here is to hair that wows everyone that sees it!