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Hair Coloring Tips

May 18, 2008

Blonde or Bronze,

Coloring hair  has come a long way and  Indian women are more willing to experiment now than we were willing to earlier. A head of colored hair, even in the 1980s, drew a lot of attention and appreciates glances. But today, take a quick look around you and you will agree that 80-90 per cent of young college girls and even career women have colored hair. And unless it is crazy color, it is considered normal and acceptable. Should you or shouldn’t color your hair is a question you often ask yourself. Here are a few answers to help you make up your mind about coloring your hair.

Are hair colors safe?
Yes, they are totally safe, in fact most of the colors today have special polymers and conditioners incorporated in them to make them superior to hair colors which were available earlier. These polymers and conditioners actually penetrate the hair shaft and enter the cortex, mending any damage in the normal hair structure. They smoothen the outermost layer of hair that is made up of cuticles, which appear like tiles on a roof under the microscope. The ultimate effect after the use of such a product on your hair would be shinier, smoother and healthier hair. So far there appears to be no connection between the application of hair color and the appearance of gray hair. Hair turns gray due to the inability of hair to produce melanin in the early stages of hair growth.

Melanin is the color pigment in your hair, which can be black, brown, red or yellow. The individuality of your hair color is determined by the percentage of each color pigment, making each person’s hair color characteristically their own. Poor diet, illness, age, heredity, etc can cause the acceleration of grey hair and the actual use of a hair dye has nothing to do with the graying process.  Read more

Written by James · Filed Under Tips for Good Hair 

For Great looking Legs!

May 17, 2008

There’ll be plenty of flesh on show this season with micro minis and hot pants making a huge comeback,  so you’ll make sure your legs are looking at their best with our 12 simple :

1. Ditch the fuzz in favour of smooth, silky legs
The first stop to perfect pins has to be getting rid of leg hair. Whilst there may be an excuse for fuzz in the winter months, self-respecting legs should be hair-free this summer especially given the current fashion for micro minis and barely there dresses. If you’re planning to shave, take time to make it a pampering experience to avoid those in-a-rush nicks and cuts. After also shaving or waxing be sure to moisturise to keep silky smooth.

Top Tip: The on the shin is especially thin, and prone to becoming dry, wrinkled and flaky if neglected so be sure to slather on a moisturiser every morning.

2. bumps and stretch marks
bumps can occur because of a condition called keratosis pilaris or as a result of ingrown hairs. To avoid them, exfoliate legs with a grainy scrub in the shower.
Also get to work on reducing the appearance of stretch marks by applying a stretch mark corrector. Read more

Written by James · Filed Under Skin Care 

Stronger Bones Secret!!

May 16, 2008

Well, calcium is the foundation on which strong bones and teeth are built, so over time a diet low in calcium can increase your risk of developing brittle bone disease (osteoporosis).
The best way to safeguard your bones is to pack in enough calcium before your mid-to-late 20s and thereafter eat a well balanced diet with plenty of weight-bearing activity like walking, running, aerobics, tennis, football and dancing which will strengthen your bones.
One of the easiest ways to meet your daily calcium requirement is to consume three portions of milk, yogurt or cheese (3-A-Day).
This could be:
·        An average glass (200ml) of semi-skimmed or skimmed milk.
·        A small pot (150g) of low-fat yogurt.
·        A matchbox sized (30g) piece of cheese. 

Ever wonder how professional athletes get so strong? Athletes may seem to have super powers, but they are only human, and they need 3-A-Day to grow strong and live a long, healthy life just like the rest of us. Three-of-what, you say? Three servings of dairy, of course. Calcium, found in dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt, gives your body the vitamins and minerals it needs to grow taller, run faster and jump higher, just like your favorite athlete. Calcium makes your teeth and bones denser, meaning they won’t break as easily if you’re playing a rough sport like football or soccer.

Still not convinced? Then let’s find out why getting 3-A-Day is so important for growing future stars like yourself! 

Q: I’m still not hooked on this 3-A-Day idea. Why is it so important?
A: There are many reasons to get 3-A-Day. First, your body absolutely has to have calcium in order to grow bigger and stronger. It helps your bones become tougher so they don’t break while you’re exercising or playing sports with your friends. Second, the more calcium you get, the stronger your body becomes, and the better you’ll be at your favorite sport! And, with all the delicious dairy choices out there, it’s really easy to get three servings in each day. Besides, you don’t want to be the smallest kid in school, do you? It’s time to get 3-A-Day!

Q: This 3-A-Day thing sounds like it might be a good idea. But how can I possibly get three whole servings of dairy in each day? And do all kids need the same amount of calcium? It’s too much to remember!
A: It’s as easy as 1-2-3. Drink some flavored milk, eat some cheese on a burger, and have frozen yogurt for dessert. See how much you should have:

If you’re 6-8 years old, all you have to do is drink an 8-ounce glass of milk, eat a piece of string cheese and an 8 oz. container of yogurt throughout the day.

If you’re 9-11 years old, you’ll need even more calcium, since you’re in your prime growing years! You should include 3-A-Day + 1, meaning you can have the same food as above, but add another serving for extra measure.

Q: That seems easy enough, but I don’t know where to start, or even how to cook!
A: You won’t believe how easy and fun it is to start getting 3-A-Day of dairy. Have fun with your food! Make "Smiley-Face Waffles" by adding fresh berries for eyes and a mouth and add a dollop of yogurt for the nose. Try some "Marvelicious Mac ’n Cheese". Or think of your own, original recipes that include milk, cheese or yogurt.

Getting 3-A-Day doesn’t mean having the same old glass of milk everyday. You can easily add calcium to the foods you already eat. For example, you could eat a slice of cheese pizza, sprinkle some cheese on your eggs, or add yogurt to make a yummy smoothie.

Written by James · Filed Under Health 

Feel Good Food!

May 15, 2008

good food Life can be such a struggle; a challenging job, demanding children and an expectant husband. It feels as if there is no time to cook but as a mother you feel compelled to feed your loved ones and yourself with fresh and healthy food. I think getting the children involved in the cooking is a great way to keep them busy as well as getting them interested in food. Also, finding easy and quick dishes where there is flavour and not too much fat is key, here are two recipes to get you started, the children can get involved, they are suitably different enough to get them interested and good for you all at the same time. Enjoy.

Paneer and Mushroom Wrap

Indian kathi rolls are our version of the wrap. This is my vegetarian version of the Kathi Kebab.
MAKES 5 ROLLS Chutney
225g baby spinach leaves, washed 45g fresh coriander, leaves and stalks 9 large garlic cloves, peeled 2” piece of fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped 6 tbs. roasted and salted peanuts 2½ tbs. lemon juice or to taste 1 tbs. vegetable oil salt and freshly ground black pepper 2-4 green chillies (optional)
TANDOORI MUSHROOMS  Read more

Written by James · Filed Under Health 

Make Up Tips!!

May 14, 2008

 Applying lipstick:
Before applying lipstick, prime your lips with some foundation and powder to remove all color from your lips.
Outline your lips using a sharp lip liner pencil. The shade of your pencil should be same as that of lipstick. For the upper lips, start from the centre and move out towards the corner of the mouth. For the lower lip, work from side to side.
Take some lipstick into a brush and fill along the outline of the lips. For the upper lip, start from the centre and work outwards and for the lower lip, work from side to side. Don’t apply too much of color.
Open your mouth wide and brush the color into the corners, so the edges must not remain unfilled.
Use Vaseline or cream to give shine to your lips after applying lipstick.

Lip gloss:
Lip gloss is used to give a shimmer and a shine to lips. Lip gloss lasts for a longer time and can be water resistant. Lip gloss is applied directly or after the lipstick.

Creamy lipstick can be used to keep the lips moisturized and wet look can be added with the help of lip gloss. Special effects can be achieved by adding shades like silver, gold over lip color. For lips having fine lines, gloss should be used on the centre of the lips.

SHAPING UP YOUR LIPS:

Knowing the shape of lips, you can correct your lip shape and can make you look attractive.

For thick lips: This type of lip appear smaller if you draw the outline just within the natural shape. You must use medium toned lip color and avoid dark brows, plums and pale shimmer shades .
For thin lips: They can be easily corrected by taking the pencil outside the natural lip line. Work on it slowly and steadily to get the perfect shape. Fill in with the lipstick. A highlight of frosting on the upper lip would create an impression of fullness.

For shapeless lips: Try to make the most flattering shape by stressing the centre of the lips and then fill.

Dark lips: There are various reason for the lips to get dark that is the use of cheap brand of lipstick, heavy application of lipstick, sun exposure, drinking tea or coffee in excess. The prime cause of dark lips is smoking. Check whether you are not wearing expired lipstick. It can also be due to dryness and allergy. For maintaining red lips, fresh air, vitamins and iron are required. Keep your lips free from lipstick as much as you can. Take plenty of fruits and vegetables.
 
Applying foundation:  Read more

Written by James · Filed Under Make Up 

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