Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Facial Massage

Facial massages are a regular part of a salon and spa routine. Many people who are clients at these salons and spas think that facial massages are just to help them relax and become comfortable, but the fact is that there are many long-term advantages to having their faces massaged.

Sometimes women who want to fight fine lines and wrinkles turn to Botox because it relaxes facial muscles. Facial massages do the same thing without the needles or injections, according to Elle Canada.
Facial massages also help keep layers of collagen and elastin fibers in place under your facial skin. Massaging your facial helps the muscles relax and blood flow increase, and this helps skin products penetrate the surface more easily. Massaging the muscles also sends a biological message for the skin to increase elastic and collagen production.

Facial massages also decrease puffiness and swelling of the face. When you move the skin and muscles, it tends to increase blood flow. Blood flow is what brings nutrients and oxygen to the surface of the skin and general area, and as it flows back to the heart, it decongests the skin, as Elle Canada notes.
These benefits not only improve the general health of your skin from the inside, but these show on the outside. Skin will no longer appear bloated, and the increased blood flow will create a natural glow.

Any time that the skin on the face, or skin anywhere on the body is massaged and stimulated, it causes the pores to open up. Stimulation can also cause an increase in temperature, and this too opens up the pores. This is when someone should take advantage and extract the pores, or wash away dirt and debris from the facial pores that cause many skin problems, such as acne, blackheads and overall dullness to the face.

by: ehow

Be Stress Free

Meditate. Daily meditation not only centers your soul, but it vacuums out your brain of unnecessary debris. Simple sit in a comfortable position with your back erect, close your eyes and breathe deeply. Let your mind ramble about until it bores itself and you can concentrate simply on your breath moving in and out. Make your practice as lengthy and elaborate as you like, adding incense, chanting and Tibetan bells if desired. You can use meditation any time, like on a packed, rush-hour subway or even in the dentist’s chair, to bring you stress-free peace of mind.

Exercise. Physical exercise, even something as simple as a morning walk with the dog, has been shown to greatly reduce stress. Any pent-up emotions or overloaded brain sockets can be cleared by busting your muscles to their full capacity. Yoga is a glorious way to help stay stress-free

Remember you are human. You are not Superman or Wonder Woman. Sorry. Humans make mistakes and humans can only do things humanly possible. Go figure. Stop beating yourself up by trying to accomplish too much or putting impossible expectations on yourself or yourself or others.

Ask yourself “How important is it?” While many things will feel like the end of the world as they are happening, they are really not. You’ll get through them. Some you won’t even remember next week, although they are making you stressed-out today. Another good question is to ask if you, or anyone else will remember the thing that’s killing you now in two years. Two weeks. Two days. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Don’t sweat any stuff.

Take time for yourself. A schedule packed with too many to dos never gives you time to pamper and care for the most important person in the world: yourself. You can’t tend to anything outside yourself without stressing out or with much effectiveness unless you make sure to also take care of yourself. This could include something as simple as daily naps or weekly baths to a day in the sun reading the most mindless novel possible.

Say no. There are only so many hours in a day. Don’t fill them with obligations you have neither a desire nor reason to undergo. Saying “no” can be tough, but it can also reduce stress a million-fold and increase your sanity likewise.

Detach often. When the world is swirling crazy around you, close your eyes and mentally take yourself out of the situation. Meditation plays a great key in helping to detach from seemingly impossible or intolerable situation.

When life has its moments, take a deep breath and close your eyes. Imagine being in an airplane, on a boat, or sailing the ocean. Think "Blue Skies." That's all you see: blue, happy, lovely, free!

Take life one day at a time. You cannot do it all at once, but you keep faith that you can do it all at some time, and you keep striving to get there.

Keep positive thoughts! Believe in your self first! You have to believe in yourself in a positive way before others can believe you. Have hope and faith that everything will be all right. Faith and hope will see you through! That is the "Secret." You believe it, with all your heart, attract it, free yourself of negative things and thoughts and you'll achieve whatever it is you seek.

When you keep the positive thoughts going, every day for you will be "Blue Skies."

by: ehow

How To Make The Shampoo Smell Stay In Your Hair

- Choose a strong-smelling shampoo. Strong smells are more noticeable in the hair and are harder to cover up.
- Avoid using conditioner. Adding another smell covers up the smell of the shampoo. Plus, rinsing the hair again also removes more of the shampoo smell.
- Forget styling products. Styling products usually contain heavy scents, which mean they cover up the smell of shampoo. If styling products are necessary, find one that matches the shampoo so the smell matches.
- Spray away from the hair. Even though perfumes and colognes stay well when sprayed in the hair, avoid spraying them there. They will cover up the smell of shampoo. Instead, just spray the pulse points on the wrists and neck. Don't spray in the air and walk through it, either.
- Keep pollutants at a distance. Environmental pollutants such as cigarette smoke, car exhaust and strong scents stick to the hair, covering up the smell of shampoo. The closer the contact with the pollutant, the more the hair absorbs the smell. Standing next to someone smoking a cigarette will almost definitely cover up the smell of shampoo in the hair completely.
- Wash it right before going out. The smell of shampoo fades over time, regardless of how much other smells and pollutants stay away. Shampoo your hair as soon before leaving as possible to keep the smell from the shampoo fresh.

by:ehow.com

Friday, November 25, 2011

How Does Moisturizer Work?

How Skin Loses Moisture
- Skin glands naturally secrete oils. When you cleanse your face, though, you wash away makeup, dirt and other debris as well as those natural oils. Also, over time, your glands secrete less oil, which means drier skin that is less supple and elastic, eventually leading to wrinkles. While aging is inevitable, using a good topical moisturizer can slow this process.
Oil- or Water-Based Mositurizers
- Regular moisturizers that are oil- or water-based help retain water content on the skin's surface by locking in moisture. By keeping the skin hydrated with humectants or emollients, your skin will appear smoother and softer.
AHAs (Alpha-Hydroxy Acids) Mosituizers
- Moisturizers that contain alpha-hydroxy acids, which are mostly derived from fruit acids, do more than add surface hydration. They help slough off dead cells that can accumulate on the skin and dull its appearance. This leads to clearer pores and the emergence of a new, fresher layer of skin, as well as softening any fine lines. (Note, though, that these can irritate sensitive skin, and it's always best to do a patch test before applying to face overall.) It's best to use a moisturizer with AHAs at night and use ample sunscreen during the day, as these acids make your skin more vulnerable to sun exposure.
Retinoid Moisturizers
- Retinoid moisturizers contain tretinoin, a vitamin A-derived acid which, much like AHAs, also slough off dead cells; these also have a skin-lightening effect, which make it perfect for hyper-pigmentation and sun spots. These should also be used at night.

By: ehow.com

Thursday, November 24, 2011

How To Avoid and Get Rid of Cracked Heels

How To Avoid Cracked Heels:

- Use a good moisturizing cream at least twice a day to each heel. The cream should be oil-based to add extra hydration.
- Use a foot file or pumice stone to reduce thickening of the skin and calluses. For best results, use a pumice stone when feet are dry.
- Use a sea salt scrub on occasion. Oil-based salt scrubs are a gentle way to eliminate dry skin and moisturized the feet at the same time.
- Seek the treatment of a podiatrist if the problem persists and becomes unbearable.
- Wear shoes with good heel support. Socks should also be worn with shoes at all times. If needed, insoles can be purchased to add extra support.
- Avoid being barefoot, especially on hard surfaces such as concrete, wood floors and tile.
  
  How To Cure Cracked Heels:
  1. If your heels are dry to the point of being cracked, start by getting rid of that excess dead skin. You can use a foot file found at most drug stores. When using a file, it helps to have soaked the feet a bit to soften the skin. Then just file the excess off.
    You can also use a product like PedEgg. The skin should be dry when using a PedEgg so there is no need to soak. Again, just file off the excess dead skin. The PedEgg is even designed to catch the skin shavings for you.
    
    Once your heels are free of the cracked, dead skin, apply a foot cream or moisturizer. There are products made especially for feet so seek those out. A good time to put on moisturizer is right before going to bed.
    Putting on socks after moisturizing will help keep the moisturizer on your feet so it can absorb through the night.
    
    Repeat Steps 1 and 2 as often as necessary to maintain smooth skin. It may take a while before your feet reach "maintenance" level.
    The more you moisturize, the less often you should have to repeat Step 1.