Hair Extensions

Have you noticed the amount of celebrities Ravishing Ravens who have all of a sudden grown long, flowing locks? The key to their fabulous hair is the clever use of hair extensions, carefully blended to match exactly with their own hair.

Hair extensions offer instant volume haute hair for limp tresses hair SOS or emergency relief from a disastrous haircut.

You can expect extensions to last up to three months.

Caring for hair extensions is a bit different from caring for natural hair. Some things that you should know.

• Use a soft bristle brush and brush your hair from the bottom and gently work your way up.

• Gently tie your hair up while sleeping.

• Do not color your own hair extentions at home.

• To prevent tangling, run your fingers through the braid extensions.

• Don't spray your extensions with conditioners or any silicone based products as they can cause the braids to slip.

How long can extensions be? Ellen Pompeo

You can have any length you want up to about 26"-30". Anything longer than this puts extra weight on your scalp which may lead to uneven pressure and damage to your own hair. The best looking hair extensions for average height women are usually around 22" or less.

How much are they?

It's all relative. Someone will do it for you for a few hundred dollars while others will charge thousands. Shop around, but remember that to get the best possible product you will pay a premium price. However, your hair will look great, it will last and you will feel terrific!

Can I wear my hair up?

Of course, the hair extensions should not be applied any lower than the base of your scalp (approximately at the level of the middle of your ears), so your hair covers the extensions while you wear it in pigtails, ponytails - see Reese Witherspoon, french braids etc.

Does it hurt?

No! If it hurts get out of there! The extensions artist should braid the tracks firmly but comfortably. The tension should be even all over your head with no points pulling or hurting. Do not put up with someone telling you it has to be really tight in order to be secure. Pulling your hair out is not the idea. You will know you have something on your head for the first day or two but after that you won't even feel that they are there.

How to Apply Nailtiques

Nailtiques is a line of nail care products that conditions and strengthens the nail. The Nailtiques Nail Protein formulas protect the nail from chipping, breaking and peeling while other products fortify brittle nails and soften cuticles. Human nails can easily become damaged through neglect and exposure to harsh chemicals like acetone. Nailtiques reverses existing damage and protects against future problems.

Instructions

1. Wash hands and remove all remnants of nail polish.

2. Apply a layer of the Nailtiques Nail Protein treatment on each nail. Give the treatment a few minutes to try. Use it alone or as a base coat before you apply your nail polish.

3. Massage the Nailtiques Cuticle and Skin Gel around the base of each nail to soften rough cuticles and dried skin. Use your finger or a Q-tip to rub in the gel.

4. Pull off some of the excess cotton from the Q-tip. Swab the Q-tip into the Nailtiques Nail Moisturizer and apply underneath your nail tips. Leave on overnight to allow it to absorb into the nail beds. This helps build flexible and strong tips.

5. Remove white spots on the surface of the nails by rubbing the Nailtiques Oil Therapy directly onto the nail.

6. Prolong the life and shine of your nail polish by applying about 2-3 drops of the Nailtiques Formula Fix over the polish. This is also used to thin out thickened nail protein. To use on thickened nails, apply 2-3 drops directly onto the nail.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the Nail Protein and Nail Moisturizer about three times a week for best results. Use all other products as needed depending on your nail condition. Nailtiques can also be used on the toes in a similar fashion.

Publications: Febstore

Sandra Bullock Beauty Secrets

Sandra Bullock is known worldwide for her glossy, tumbling locks and her fresh faced girl next-door beauty. Women everywhere would love to be able to achieve such great results, so naturally. Find out some of Sandra Bullock’s beauty secrets and learn ways to use them for yourself.

She arrived at last year's Oscars, where she won the 2010 best actress award, with a beautiful sleek, shiny hair style. This look was achieved by stylist Adir Abergel, who stressed how important it is to use the right shampoo and conditioner when achieving a silky style, and he tells Sandra to wash and condition her hair the night before a major event, to make it more manageable and achieve a perfect amount of shine and weight.

Sandra has an enviable figure, which she keeps in shape by doing Pilates, weight training and kickboxing and when at home she runs or rides a bike. She says she doesn't diet, but sometimes uses The Zone, a healthy lifestyle plan which chooses the right combination of foods, and encourages eating small meals, at least six times a day. The plan aims to program the body’s insulin levels and train it to burn fat, thus shedding any excess weight.

She recently surprised fans by revealing a secret she learned when filming "Miss Congeniality." she said when researching among beauty pageant entrants they taught her that using hemorrhoid ointment around the eyes would help with lines and crows feet. In her own words, she said "Putting butt cream under my eyes is one of my best beauty secrets, and stops me from getting lines".

At the Golden globes, she was seen in a beautiful purple gown, and a lot of attention was focused on her nails as she was wearing fashionable taupe colored nail polish.

You can achieve great results on your own hair without having to go to celebrity stylists. Choosing great products from hair care ranges like Biosilk or Joico will ensure your hair is as silky and shiny as you need it to be.

Use CHI flat iron hair straighteners for the extra smooth, silky look. Even if you have fairly straight hair naturally, CHI flat irons will help you achieve the look that Sandra Bullock pays hundreds of dollars for.
Even if your hair is normally dry, dull or even frizzy, using Biosilk Silk Therapy treatment as well as a flat iron will bring amazing results.

Even when curling your hair, using the right hair care products will ensure you get that "Sandra Bullock gleam". The award-winning actress claims she spends only about 8-10 minutes on her face, leaving as much time as possible for her hair, which she says is very hard to manage. In her own words she said "I use a face cloth and cream for my daily beauty regime, and sometimes I use mascara if I want to make an extra effort. My entire routine takes about eight minutes since I have this mop on my head that I need to wrangle with".

Sandra Bullock may spend a lot of money on celebrity stylists and products, but you can achieve very similar results with the above-mentioned CHI, Biosilk and Joico hair care and beauty products, as well as great nail care products from ESSIE and NAILTIQUES, all available online from www.febstore.com at extremely low prices.

http://www.febstore.com/_blog/News/post/Sandra_Bullock_Beauty_Secrets/

Nail Care Tips

Your nails are a very important part of your hands and they too need to be well taken care of. Well-kept hands with neat, clean and healthy nails are a pleasure to behold. We can say that for your hands to look beautiful, your nails need to be strong and healthy. To achieve this, you need to undertake certain steps, such as cleaning your nails on a regular basis, treating the cuticles properly and keeping the nails well moisturized. Go through the hand nail care tips given below and know more on keeping your nails healthy and beautiful.

Nail Care Tips

• To harden soft nails, soak them in warm olive oil for about 20 minutes, on alternate days.

• To remove stains from your nails, mix one tablespoon of lemon juice in a cup of water and soak your nails in this liquid for a few minutes. Then, wash off with warm water and apply a hand moisturizer.

• It is not a good idea to remove the cuticles from your nails, as it will make the nail susceptible to infection. Rather, make sure to use good quality cuticle oil and gently push back the cuticles, with the help of an orangewood stick.

• Try to stay away from acetone polish removers as much as you can and stick to the one that make use of acetate. Still, try not to use a polish remover more than once a week.

• In case you wear nail polish, make sure to give your nails a break from time to time. In other words leave them without polish for a few days, every now and then. Otherwise, they will develop an ugly, yellow tint.

• If you want to give a natural shine to your nails, just like the clear base coat, rub petroleum jelly on your nails and then buff them with a soft cloth.

• If you have brittle nails or split and dull nails, then increasing your consumption of Organic Silica, Vitamin B (especially B5) and MSM (Methyl-Sulfonyl-Methane) as it will surely help.

• Never ever resort to nail biting, as it is extremely destructive for the nails as well as the cuticles. If you are in the habit of biting your nails, stop as soon as possible.

• Whenever you wash your hands make sure to dry the nails properly and apply a hand cream or lotion, using it on the nails as well. This is because soap makes the nails dry and brittle.

• The best time to file your nails is when you are already wearing a polish. This will prevent splitting or breaking of nails.

• If you have brittle nails, it is advisable to wear nail polish or at least the clear base coat as much as you can.

Publications: http://www.febstore.com/nail-care

Vitamins That Promote Hair Growth

Natural Female Hair

There are over 4 million hairs on the average human's head, these hairs grow over periods of time, they are known as terminal hair growth or terminal length. The average terminal length of each hair lasts for a 6-7 year period, and then the hair falls out so it can be replaced by a new one. It's certainly a good thing that these hairs get replaced because they keep your scalp warm – and other parts of the body – this prevents unwanted debris from entering your eyes, ears and nose. With that being said, the hair found on your head is considered to be the most important area of hair on the body!

Unfortunately, many people struggle with hair loss which robs them of the aforementioned benefits. Thinning hair or going bald is oftentimes a sign of aging, but luckily, hair loss can be slowed or even stopped altogether. If you suffer from hair loss or brittle hair, it may be caused by the improper care of your hair, or a lack of nutrients you are taking in. A person's hair and nails will oftentimes reflect the health of the individual they belong to. Fortunately, there are easier ways of adding the right amount of vitamins and minerals to your diet for healthy hair and nails.

However, before taking any nutritional supplements, it's always best to consult with a physician. This is especially necessary if you are pregnant, or have diseases that could become more serious with improper usage of nutritional supplements. Now that we've established this, here is a list of vitamins you should consider incorporating into your diet for healthier hair, skin and nails.

Vitamins & Minerals That Help Your Hair Grow Faster

Iron

Your body uses iron found in red blood cells as a carrier pigeon to bring oxygen to all of the cells found in your body. If the body is deprived of iron, you could become anemic, thus causing you to feel tired or weak. When your body is weak, so is your hair, which leads to damage and breakage; so be sure to increase intake of iron after consulting your physician.

Vitamin H

Vitamin H is also known as Biotin or vitamin B7. All of the vitamins found in the B vitamin family are crucial to healthy hair growth, so vitamin H is no different. Biotin is responsible for turning carbohydrates into energy that the body can use. You should also know that Biotin aids in metabolizing the fats and protein crucial to enhancing and strengthening hair; you can find Biotin naturally in nuts and egg yolks. Another satisfying fact about Biotin is that it may ward off grey hair and hair loss.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is an antioxidant important for healthy hair because it contributes to the production of sebum (oil) on your scalp. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that maintains and balances out the synthesis of retinoic acid found in your hair follicles. You'll find vitamin A naturally in meat, cheese, eggs, apricots, spinach, fish, liver oil, milk, broccoli, peaches, carrots and cabbage.

Vitamin C

Ascorbic Acid, which is a water-soluble vitamin commonly referred to as vitamin C, is great for hair growth because it's able to build and repair tissue. It’s an antioxidant that smoothes out some of the damage which occurs with inevitable exposure to pollutants that make hair and nails brittle. If you’re not getting enough vitamin C, you may experience hangnails and brittle hair. But as always, it’s important not to take supplements without consulting a doctor beforehand.

Zinc

Zinc is not a vitamin, however, it is found in each and every cell inside of your body. For centuries we have used zinc for its ability to heal wounds quickly, and it works as an antioxidant to cut down the production of free radicals or molecules produced by everyday pollutants. If a zinc deficiency occurs, you will notice white areas on your fingernails; fortunately, this issue is easily solved with a zinc supplement of 8-11 mg. You can also eat veal liver, toasted wheat germ, sesame seeds, tahini (sesame seed butter) and dark chocolate. Make sure to speak with your doctor before adding a supplement to your diet.

Vitamin E

By including vitamin E in your diet, you increase your scalp’s blood circulation. Similar to zinc and vitamin C, vitamin E is an antioxidant that can be found naturally in wheat germ oil, raw seeds and nuts, green leafy vegetables, soybeans, cold-pressed vegetable oils or dried beans. For those who have blood pressure problems, it is very important to discuss vitamin E with your doctor since it can increase blood pressure which causes serious complications.

Vitamin B5

You’ll be able to find vitamin B5 in a variety of foods including the following: liver, organ meats, egg yolk and vegetables. This particular vitamin is also known as Pantothenic Acid and works in the same manner as vitamin H, and in combination, will create a strong barrier for hair loss. Vitamin B5 fights against grey hair because it contributes to melanin which is responsible for your hair color.

Inositol

Again, inositol is not considered a vitamin because it's able to synthesize inside of the body, but it still plays a role in keeping hair healthy. Look for foods like cantaloupe, oranges, and melons to find inositol in its natural habitat. The reason why you want to incorporate these foods into your diet is because inositol helps your hair keep its moisture intact.

Above all, remember that your hair and body go hand-in-hand; both need proper nutrients to function and maintain good health. Keeping this in mind, hair found on the body is mostly made up of protein, which is why protein should always be included in your diet. You can find protein in milk, eggs, soy products, beans and yogurt. Also, find foods rich in lecithin to make hair stronger; some foods with lecithin are wheat germ, yeast and calves liver. Simple changes to your diet such as these can reduce hair loss, and promote hair growth over time.

Julia Roberts airbrushing gone too far?

Making Julia Roberts and Christy Turlington look any more beautiful than they already do must have been a hard task, but they still managed to do it.

The make-up ads featuring the airbrushed images of the actress and the model have been banned because their touched up faces were 'not representative' of actual results.

The L'Oreal magazine ads, for the Lancome Teint Miracle and Maybelline Eraser brands, breached codes on misleading promotions, said the Advertising Standards Authority.

But, really this is not the first time we've been lied to is it?

Each season there are new beauty products that claim to give us longer, fuller lashes and radiant, youthful skin - when we really know that the models have been pictured with false eyelashes and and a lot of airbrushing has been done post-picture.

"Even if women do know they are being lied to, it doesn't make it right," she told the BBC. "There's a bigger issue as well - we are in a situation where one in four people say they are depressed about their bodies."

Whilst, the complaint may have been made with all good intention and it did garner a result, chances are there will still be airbrushing and what-not going on in advertisements.

But we ladies understand this, they've had hours and hours of make-up applied, the perfect lighting and a good-old lot of photoshopping.

Publications: Febstore

11 Makeup Mistakes You Don't Realize You're Making Part 3

Mistake No. 8: Using pencil on your eyebrows 

"A penciled eyebrow looks painted and weird (hello Joan Crawford)," Patel says. Nevertheless, many women still go this route to fill in brows. A better option: "Choose an eye shadow color that matches your hair color and apply with a thin, stiff, angled brush using tiny strokes," Patel says.

We confess: "I used to use pencil to fill in my brows and I recently switched to a waxy powder," says Meghan. "I can't tell you the difference it makes! With the pencil, you could totally tell that I did some fill-in work. This waxy powder is so much easier to use, easier to fix if I mess up, and looks way more natural."

Mistake No. 9: Wearing black eyeliner in the daytime 

"Here is a general rule: dark colors shrink and recede," Patel says. "Light colors advance and bring forward." That's why she recommends skipping black eyeliner (especially underneath eyes) during the day, so your eyes look more open and awake.

We confess: "Yikes, I do this almost every day," says Sarah. "I do like how the liner defines my eyes. I think I look tired without some liner on. But I will admit that black can be a bit harsh for daytime, so maybe a switch to brown liner is in order. Same effect without the goth undertones."

Mistake No. 10: Wearing glitter

"The thing that bothers me the most about glitter in makeup, besides the fact that it shouldn't be worn by anyone over the age of 14 (fabulous club kids get an exception here), is that it travels on your face, leaving strange sparkly spots where they shouldn't be,” Patel says. Instead of chunky glitter, she recommends shadows with finely milled shimmer -- used sparingly, of course.

We confess: "I got super into glitter in junior high when I discovered Tony & Tina, this fabulous line that specialized in glitter-packed makeup," says assistant editor Sharon. "While their products were amazing (sadly discontinued), I unfortunately used glitter on more than one area at a time. So ... glittery eye shadow, glittery eyeliner, sparkly blush, and glitter-infused lip gloss. Yowza. In hindsight I probably looked like I got into a fight with a tub of glitter -- and lost."

Mistake No. 11: Going nuts with "luminizing" products

"Luminous particles have been added to everything in the past few years, most notably foundations, powders, and highlighting products," Patel says. "One or two such products can make a woman look fresh and glowing. Too many can make her look very, very strange." Think glowing head on a matte body, or like you spent your morning leaning over an oil vat -- not exactly sexy. Patel suggests limiting your illuminating products to these areas: cheekbones, inner eye corners, and (if used sparingly) under the eye.

We confess: "I had this great Stila luminizing powder -- I wore it everywhere, every day," says Beth. "It was part of my uniform. Then I caught my reflection in really strong daylight one time, and I realized how it was highlighting every bump, scar, and wrinkle on my face. From then on, it was a nighttime thing only -- and even then, only when I was going to a darkly lit place."

Publications: Febstore

11 Makeup Mistakes You Don't Realize You're Making Part 2

Mistake No. 4: Trying to "plump" your lips

You've probably heard, or tried, the trick of lining just outside your natural lip line to make your lips look bigger. But it's way easier said than done. One wrong move and you'll end up looking like Pamela Anderson circa 1993. If you are going to attempt it, Patel says to use a lip liner the same shade as your lipstick on the outer line of your lips, without passing over it. Fill in your lips as well -- that way if your lipstick fades, you don't wind up with only a line around your mouth.

We confess: "The makeup artist for my wedding drew lip liner outside my lips -- I guess it was to make my lips look fuller, but all I kept thinking was 'porn star,'" says editor in chief Beth. "Not exactly what I was going for. When she packed up and left for the day, I dialed it way back with a Q-Tip and vowed never again."

Mistake No. 5: Over-tweezing (or ignoring) your eyebrows

"When [brows are] well groomed they can enhance your eyes and your entire look," Patel says. So go to a professional to get an ideal shape. While you do want to tame overgrown brows, Patel stresses that you don't want to tweeze too much. "As we get older, our brows naturally become sparser, so if you tweeze your brows too thin they might never fully grow back," she says. So just stick with cleaning up the area around your brows and follow their natural arch for your best shape.

We confess: "I've totally over-tweezed my eyebrows," says associate editor Alexis. "What usually happens is this: I try to clean up the strays and notice a few stragglers on the end. I remove a few hairs from the end, and then think it looks uneven. Before I know it, half my eyebrow is missing. On both sides. This is why I get them threaded -- professionally."

Mistake No. 6: Wearing an entire eye palette on your lids

"Just because your compact came with four or more colors packaged together doesn't mean you have to paint them all onto your eyelids at once," Patel says. Instead, she recommends wearing no more than three shades at a time: a medium one on your lids, a lighter one near your brow bone and a dark one as liner. But for everyday, you really only need a sweep of one shade across your lid.

We confess: "Yes, I had delusions of grandeur and thought I could get all fancy on my eyelids," says senior editor Sarah. "I had a different shade of liner on my top and bottom lash lines, a brow highlighting shade, crease shade and at least two shades on my lids. Had this been done by an actual makeup artist I'm sure it could have been quite beautiful -- but since I'm so not one -- it looked like a hot mess. The only saving grace: I had enough time before going out to wash it off and start over."

Mistake No. 7: Trying to "sculpt" your face

Yes, we would all love chiseled cheekbones and a dainty, ski-slope nose, but if nature didn't deliver, makeup isn't going to help. Patel says contouring is best left to professionals, and only for photography or film. "No matter how skilled you are with the makeup brush, it's nearly impossible to use dark colors that aren't glaringly obvious when viewed in person, especially in broad daylight," Patel says. "Focus instead on pretty, soft makeup that plays up your best features."

We confess: "OK, so I have a round face and therefore use whatever means necessary, i.e. makeup, to help slim it," says associate editor Anna. "It's safe to say I have gotten a little heavy-handed with the bronzer under my cheekbones on more than one occasion."

Publications: Febstore

12 Things Your Nail Salon Doesn't Want You to Know Part 3

When you shave matters
You shouldn't shave before getting a pedicure, says Choi, as pedicurists do not care if you have hair on your legs. Also, shaving your legs makes you more prone to infection as newly shaved legs have opened pores (and often tiny nicks you can't see) that are susceptible to infectious diseases. So don't be wary of showing off some stubble at the salon, she says.

Some tools can't be sanitized
You can only put metal tools in the autoclave, says Choi. And as we stated before, only an autoclave kills a 100 percent of all bacteria and viruses. Nail salon tools like pumice stones, emery boards, nail buffers and foam toe separators need to be swapped out after each use to prevent the spread of bacteria. That's why you're best off bringing your own -- just in case the salon doesn't follow this practice. If you see any white residue on a nail file, it means it's been used on someone else.

Footbaths aren't your friend
"Whirlpool footbaths," though seemingly safe, are filled with city water, which may or may not be free of microbes, says the doctor and are typically difficult to clean. Even though most nail salons disinfect their tubs, researchers for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention typically find bacteria that could cause boils and rashes in most according to the "New York Times." And it's extremely hard to bust these salons with having microbe growth, as many times salons aren't linked to the infections because boils can take as long as four months after a pedicure to develop.

You don't need your calluses removed
Many salons will try and talk you into callous removal, as it is usually an additional service and charge. But Skyy Hadley, celebrity manicurist and owner of the As "U" Wish Nail Spa, says it is not always necessary. "If you're an athlete then you should never remove your calluses as these actually help level your performance. If you are not an athlete, you should have your calluses removed with a deep soak and scrub once they become thick and uncomfortable," she says.

If you do opt for callous removal, always choose scrubbing or a chemical remover. Never allow your nail technician to cut or shave the skin off your feet. "Cutting is cutting," and "not recommended," says Choi. Not to mention, the more you cut, the thicker the calluses will grow back, she advises.
Publications: Febstore

12 Things Your Nail Salon Doesn't Want You to Know Part 1

Your nails create big beauty salon business. Spending anywhere from $10 - $45 a pop for a manicure and $15 - $50 for a pedicure (not including tip), your weekly or monthly salon visits are costing you precious pampering dollars. No wonder it's a six billion dollar a year industry.

Skip to see the 11 things your nail salon doesn't want you to know now.

As you can imagine, the money you spend on these little luxuries is very important to the salon industry, meaning they will do whatever it takes to keep you coming back for more. While sometimes "whatever it takes" is going above and beyond excellent service, cleanliness and technique, it can also mean cutting corners and deceiving the salon layman in order to keep costs down and business booming.

And not to totally scare you, but what's supposed to be a luxurious treat, can sometimes turn into your worst nightmare -- think skin eating diseases and infections. While yes, millions of women get manicures each year and don't experience any serious or life-threatening side effects, you'd be naive to believe that it could never happen to you. Nail salons that have been insufficiently cleaned or performed bad sanitization practices, as well as ones with inadequately trained nail technicians, could be a breeding ground for bacteria and a dangerous place for you to "unwind."

This is why we went straight to the pros who know -- nail technicians and a podiatrist in order to uncover the secrets nail salons don't want you to know. Read on to learn how to save money at the salon, your nails and possibly your life.

You are always at risk

Podiatrist Dr. Robert Spalding, author of "Death by Pedicure," states that "at this time, an estimated one million unsuspecting clients walk out of their chosen salon with infections -- bacterial, viral and fungal." And no matter which salon you go to, there is always a risk of infection. He claims that in his research "75 percent of salons in the United States are not following their own state protocols for disinfections," which includes not mixing their disinfectant solutions properly on a daily basis, not soaking their instruments appropriately, and using counterfeit products to reduce costs (for example Windex substituted for Barbicide), says the doctor. And the problem is that there is no way to really "verify an instrument has been properly soaked and sterilized," without watching the process.

They don't turn customers away

Like most businesses, most nail salons won't turn away paying customers, which means that people who are sick, have nail infections or foot fungus are being worked on next to you instead of being referred to an appropriate medical professional.

Dr. Spalding says that the greatest danger of the nail salon is "The transmission of infection from one client to another." And with "millions of people whose immune systems are compromised by diabetes, HIV, cancer, hepatitis and other infective organisms" booking services offered in nail salons, many are dangerously susceptible to infection, warns the doctor.

They swap and dilute bottles

In her long history as a nail technician, celebrity manicurist Jin Soon Choi, owner of Jin Soon Natural Hand and Foot Spas in New York City, says she has heard of many salons filling expensive lotion bottles with a cheap generic lotion. That way the salons can charge you more for the manicure by claiming to use prestige products, but in reality are just deceiving you.

Similarly, she says that some salons will dilute nail polish bottles that have become clumpy from old age or from too much air exposure with nail polish remover. This action compromises the quality of the polish, which will make the formula chip easier once on your nails. To ensure the life of your color and to protect any possible germ.

Just because there is no blood, doesn't mean you haven't been cut

"Breaks in the skin can be microscopic or highly visible," says Dr. Spalding. They can either come in with the client via "cuts, scratches, hangnails, bitten nails, insect bites, paper cuts, split cuticles -- or be created in the salon," he says. "Nail techs using callus-cutting tools and nail nippers, files, cuticle pushers, and electric burrs and drills, can and do scratch and nick skin," sometimes drawing blood and sometimes not. But just because no blood is visible, doesn't mean these "portals of entry" aren't susceptible to infective organisms, the doctor advises.

If you've ever had your nails filed and it momentarily feels "too hot in the corner for even a second," then you've had the surface layer of your skin broken -- leaving it open for infection.

Publications: Febstore

NAIL CARE TIPS

One large area of the modeling industry is named 'parts modeling', comprising those models whose legs, body or hands are used for adverts that require only a small part of the model's body. Hand models are a great resource for beauty tips, because their career depends on the beauty of their skin and nails.

Strong and beautiful nails are a great sign that you're a healthy person. Good nail care is not only good for any close-up photos you might do, but is an important part of being an attractive person.

Stronger Nails

Wearing nail polish actually strengthens your nails. If your nails are delicate and easily broken, try to wear nail polish as often as possible. Using a good clear nail polish every day will give your nails a great natural look and strengthen them in the long run too.

Here's a good tip for making your nail polish dry faster - dip your nails in ice water a minute after application. Alternatively, put on a light coating of baby oil.

One thing you should be careful off - never open soda cans with your nails. Instead, slip a knife under the ring pull and lever it up gently. There's no sense in getting beautiful nails then ruining them on a can of Coke!

Exposing nails to water causes them to expand and contract, contributing to weakened nails; Wearing a set of rubber gloves while cleaning is a good idea to protect them.

Making Small Nails Appear Larger

If you have short or narrow nails, clear nail polish sometimes only makes your nails appear small. A darker nail polish will make them seem narrower, and hence longer.

For those of you with very small nails, using a nail polish with a metallic color can make them appear larger.

Moisturizing Nails

Julia Roberts soaks her nails in olive oil for a few minutes each week. Why? Olive oil moisturizes your nails without weakening them, and softens your cuticles too. It also prevents "hang nails" that are caused by dry skin.

Softening Cuticles

Never cut off cuticles or calluses, they will just grow back harder and you run the risk of infection. It’s far better to soften them if you can. Just as with nails, dipping in olive oil will make them more supple, softer and less prone to splitting.

Another good tip for softer hands is to dip them in milk for 3 minutes. This is a great tip to do before your manicure.

Bubbly Nail Polish

If you keep getting bubbles in your polish, remember not to shake the bottle before use, this just increases the bubbles. If you want to mix it up, try rolling it between your hands first.

Split Nails

If you're one of those people who suffer from consistently split nails, here are some great tips. Never grow them too long, as this just makes them more vulnerable. About one quarter of a centimeter beyond your finger is a good length. Make sure that they are always neatly filed into a nice curved shape.

Your nails lose moisture a lot faster than your hands, so always keep them very well moisturized. Also keep your use of polish remover to a minimum - the alcohol it contains can suck out moisture.

Products nail care

Makeup tips

Models often have a team of people working on them - specialists for makeup and hair, plus a stylist for their clothes. They quickly learn the make-up tips that suit them best. This becomes very useful on smaller modeling or promotional jobs, where often the model needs to do her makeup.

Listed below are some of the tips that my model friends and I have learned over the years. No one is perfect, and we all have facial characteristics that sometimes need to be hidden or enhanced. The proper use of make-up can bring out your best features while minimizing the ones you're not so proud of!

Using Foundation to Contour Your Features

By using a darker foundation (maybe 2-3 shades darker than your complexion), you can create shadows on your face to hide or enhance your natural features. These tips can be used in conjunction with the tips on blush, below.

This contouring works best at narrowing features that you think are too wide. To make your whole face appear leaner and narrower, apply the darker shade of foundation around your hairline and under your cheeks.

To narrow down a wide nose, apply your usual foundation on the center of your nose, then run the darker foundation down the sides to enhance the shadowing.

Using Blush to Sculpt Your Face

Blush can really give your face that healthy look, but models know that it can also be used to reduce or enhance your facial features. The judicious use of blush can create contours where there are none, or soften angular features, taking an average face and making it more beautiful.

Lets start with the nose. If yours is too long and narrow, try applying a little blush down the center of your nose. Conversely, if it’s too wide, try lining it down each side.

It works the same for your face. If you have a wide forehead and small chin, try blending your blush down from your ear to your chin. If your forehead is smaller and your chin larger, blend it up around your eye and across your forehead.

Using Eye Shadow and Liner on Your Eyes

Your eyes are your most expressive feature, and the most important to get right. Here are some simple tips that models use to make the most of what they have.

To make your eyes look bigger and younger, use a white eye pencil to apply a thin white line to the inner rims of your lashes. This line is very hard for anyone to spot and makes your eyes appear much larger. A small amount of silver eye shadow in the corner of your eyes will open them up and give them a pop.

You can use shadow and eye pencil to correct wide- or narrow-set eyes. For wide-set eyes, use a darker shadow around the inner corners and a lighter shadow at the outer corners. Then use a dark pencil to line just the inner half of your lashes. For narrow-set eyes, just do the opposite!

Tips For Your Lips.

By using lipstick and lip gloss, you can get the lips you've always wanted without resorting to plastic surgery!

To get fuller lips, use a pencil to outline your upper lip in the same shade as your lips. Then apply your lip color as usual, for an added effect use lip gloss, but only on the inner part of your lips.

If you're lucky enough to have full lips but want to make them appear smaller, make sure not to use lip gloss as this will tend to enhance them. By using deep, matte colors you can reduce their impact and allow people to focus on the rest of your face.

MODEL DIET TIPS

One of the best things you can do to look more beautiful is to slim down to your correct body weight.

Models and actresses spend enormous amounts of time and money to lose that weight, whether it’s time with their personal trainers, cleansing weekends or surgery.

There are easier solutions for the rest of us though - below is a selection of diet tips suggested by real models. For more ideas, check out our other site Model diet plan, If you have any more suggestions, please email them to us!

Model Diet: 

Tip  N° 1: Take a photo of yourself in a bikini every week to measure your progress (and keep you motivated!).

Tip  N° 2: Keep healthy snacks in the house - sweet potatoes, low fat Jell-O and frozen fruit are good examples!.

Tip  N° 3: A thirsty body sometimes thinks it is hungry. When you get a hunger pang, try a glass of water first!

Tip  N° 4: When you are hungry, you can also try a coffee or a Diet Coke - both can make you feel fuller!.

Tip  N° 5: Eat slowly! It takes a while for your stomach to let know the brain that it is full - give it some time!

Tip  N° 6: Drink green tea between meals to curb your appetite. Keeping a box of teabags at work will help.

Tip  N° 7: Drink lots of water! Your metabolism will not function without lots of water, so keep drinking!

Tip  N° 8: Use mustard on your sandwiches - mayonnaise has little nutritional value and is loaded with fat.

Tip  N° 9: Write a food diary - it will help you pinpoint where you can improve your diet.

Tip  N° 10: Put a picture of you when you were skinny on the fridge, or the freezer where you keep the ice cream.

Tip  N° 11: Find yourself a Diet Buddy - support each other, weigh each other once a week and compare notes.

Tip  N° 12: Drink green tea or coffee before your meal in a restaurant - it helps you stay away from huge meals!

Tip  N° 13: Do not fry your food! Baking, roasting and broiling are much healthier methods.

Tip  N° 14: Switch to calorie-free diet sodas. Most normal sodas contain about 120 calories!

Tip  N° 15: Cut down on the drinking! Alcoholic drinks are high calorie and have little nutritional value.

Tip  N° 16: Use a list for your weekly shop, and try not to buy anything off the list.

Tip  N° 17: Always eat breakfast, this will get your metabolism working and actually help you lose weight!

Tip  N° 18: Chew sugarless gum between meals - it will help you to feel fuller. Tip  N° 19: Use chopsticks when you eat rice dishes - it might help you to eat slower.

Tip  N° 20: Take the skin off chicken before you eat it - this reduces the fat content by 75%!

Tip N° 21: Keep some freshly cut vegetables in the fridge - eat them with a light dip as a snack.

Tip N° 22: On your days out, take a protein bar in your bag rather than buy chocolate from the deli.

SUMMER VACATION BEAUTY TIPS

Looking fabulous is a must especially while on vacation, so make sure you radiate beauty while having fun in a dreamy, heavenly place. To ensure you look flawless every time, incorporate the following summer vacation beauty tips into your pampering regimen!

Stress can definitely take a negative tole on your skin and hair, so keep your skin looking amazing by learning a few tips which will make you look perfect on vacation. Relaxation and a few beauty tips can definitely help recharge your batteries and make your look radiant, so prepare to dazzle by following these useful tips.

Get a haircut before going on vacation

A sunny vacation on one of the world's most amazing beaches sounds amazing, but the effects of sun exposure, chlorine and salt water could be devastating for your hair, unless you pay attention to hair care. Split ends can be amplified when exposed to these external factors, so make sure you protect your hair by getting rid of any split ends prior to your vacation. While in the sun, protect your hair suing a scarf, a hat or spritz UV protection to ensure the richness of your hair color and the health of your locks is not affected, so your locks can look as luscious as ever upon your return.

Moisturize your skin and hair

Moisturizing is a very important factor if you wish to maintain your health and your skin and hair radiant looking. Drink plenty of water on vacation, whether its somewhere on a beach or a mountain resort, as dehydration is your skin's most feared enemy. Maintain your hair's moisture by applying nourishing masks which will leave your locks looking amazing and much more easy to style.

Dye your eyebrows and lashes

The color of your eyebrows and lashes can fade in time and that can make you look faded as well. A professional lash and eyebrow dye (done at a beauty salon) can restore that fabulous color which defines your facial features, so before going on vacation turn to your beautician for help. This way you'll look amazing even if you're not wearing makeup.

Protect your skin from UV rays

Nothing looks worse than a sunburn which can lead to peeling skin, an uneven tan as well as more serious problems such as melanoma or skin damange, so prepping well ahead of laying in the sun is a definite priority. Apply a high protection SPF cream which covers UVA as well as UVB rays so your skin can tan without the damage and the pain of a sunburn.

Sport stylish updos

Styling your hair on vacation can be a hassle, but looking amazing shouldn't be put on pause especially on vacation. There are so many fabulous easy to do updos which can instantly transform your look taking you from simple to fabulous in seconds, so experiment and pay attention to your hair as hairstyles can have a heavy impact over your look. Braided hairstyles, half updos, buns, classy ponytails are only a few hairstyles which don't require too much time and skill for styling, so go for various hairstyles depending on your mood.

Walk barefoot on the beach

Sand can be your pedicurist as the friction between the sand particles and the skin help exfoliate dead skin while giving your feet a gentle massage and a high amount of comfort. Walk barefoot on beaches with soft sand so you can have soft feet naturally, with only the help of nature.

BEAUTY TIPS FOR YOUR FIRST DATE

¿Are you in need of beauty tips for the big day? Then take a look at these useful guidelines that will lead you through the preparation rituals to flash your best side on your first date. Besides organizing your outfit it is worth devoting extra-attention to your skin and body in general. Find out how to look dazzling on your first date in a few steps.

Usually the preparations for the first date are joined by nerves and flushing emotions. Indeed it is essential to create the best impression right on the first meeting. Consequently in order to guarantee the breath-taking look it is worth embedding some essential body and skin care rituals into the prep phase.

This time the perfect won't be enough to impress, it is equally vital to devote extra-attention to keep our skin flawless and radiant to create the illusion of natural beauty. Regardless of the nature, time and place of the date you'll advised to be aware of the basic tricks that will turn you into the queen of the day. Make sure you skim through these first date beauty tips to bring out the best of your eye-popping entrée.

Start at the basics, besides the basic body care routine you can include into your busy schedule a quick exfoliation. Glowing skin is in, no doubt. This useful trick will boost the natural glow of your complexion and will eliminate the dead and dry cells from the surface of your skin.

Make sure to do it the night before the great day in order to enjoy its benefits for a longer time. Don't forget to moisturize your skin right after exfoliating it, opt for a charming body lotion to kill two birds with one stone, condition and radiate a dazzling allure.

Hair removal is another must have ritual before the first date. Even though you're wearing pants or long sleeved tops there's no room for assuming any unnecessary risk.

The best way to do have smooth underarms or legs is to use either a shaving cream or the traditional hair removal methods that should be planned at least a few hours before the event.

Go on with polishing your face. After applying the basic skin care treatments make sure to mask the beauty flaws. Use concealer and a transparent pressed power to camouflage the blemishes and other skin problems. Even if you struggle with a pretty visible blemish, don't panic there are several homemade treatments or cosmetic solutions that can help you in getting rid of the redness.

Lips are the buzzword on the first date. Would you kiss a guy with chapped and dry lips? Certainly, no, in order to spare him from this kinky experience care for your lips to keep them in top shape. Apply a homemade exfoliation treatment or some nourishing lip balm days before the first date. Start the preparation in time to achieve the desired result. On the day of the date don't forget to use a discrete lip gloss. Be careful don't exaggerate sticky lips are not as appealing when kissed as they are from a distance.

Opt rather for a drop of it, this will have the same dashing effect as a ton of it. If you prefer the tinted one you may apply a lip gloss one shade darker than your lip color.

Make sure there's only a thin layer that covers your lips since the main aim of this trick should be to properly hydrate and condition this spot.

Devote some extra time to your makeup. Some girls tend to go to extremes and cross the limit of good sense when it comes of playing up the essential spots.

It is highly recommended to choose either the lips or the eyes when it comes of flashing your beauties.

Playing with both aces is a real first date don't. You'll find plenty of options to draw the attention to your eyes it is indeed the most flattering thing you can do to constantly keep his attention. More the natural lips look is one of the top favorite accessories in the eyes of men.

Last but not least top your look with the prefect scent. This can be a tricky step since the majority of people make a sport of exhausting their perfume supplies when it comes of the first date. However you might be surprised how the inappropriate fragrance can spoil a meeting.

Just think about it, spraying your smashing scent on the top notch places as behind ears, in the back of the knees and on the nape of your neck would be enough to grip someone's attention. Go for your signature scent in order to turn your date into an unforgettable moment.

BEAUTY TIPS FOR A PERFECT EXFOLIATION

 

Spring is the season of regeneration and it's time to rejuvenate your skin with peeling treatments which remove dead skin cells to reveal a healthy, radiant looking skin. Find out how you can visibly improve the look of your complexion with the following beauty tips for a perfect exfoliation!

Everyone knows that a beautiful skin begins with a proper skin care routine and the use of beneficial products. We might have all different needs when it comes to beauty products, but there is definitely one thing we have in common: the need to exfoliate.

The following beauty tips can help you find the perfect exfoliation method for you as this process leads to the regeneration of the skin and promotes a healthy, radiant complexion.

There are several methods you can turn towards when it comes to the exfoliation process, depending on personal preference as well as budget, but there are a few methods which stand out from the others. These methods are professional methods performed in beauty salons all over the world.

Specialists have developed these products and methods used to exfoliate the skin to promote healthy, beautiful looking skin that radiates. They act by removing the dead skin cells which cover the skin to allow new cells to regenerate. This way, the skin remains soft to the touch, glowing, and fine lines are faded away. Here are some tips to help you achieve a perfect exfoliated skin:

Peeling products and natural homemade exfoliants

If you're not a fan of beauty salons or you're just on a tight budget, don't worry, as you'll still be able to reach that healthy radiant skin you've always dreamed of. Facial scrubs and also fruits such as kiwis, grapefruits, papaya, and many more others can help remove those dead skin cells which cause a dull, unappealing look. There are a variety of products available for you, so make sure you choose right.

If you have acne problems, use a fruit exfoliating mask and avoid those peeling systems which feature small granules as they might irritate your pimples, doing more harm than good.

Intensive Repair Treatments

This type of peeling treatment is a bit more expensive than microdermabrasion and the procedure lasts longer as well, to about 90 minutes. The Intensive Repair Treatment is suitable for tired, dull and devitalized skin, as it helps oxygenate the skin deeply. The treatment begins with make-up removal and skin toning, after which the exfoliation process begins. Papaya and pineapple enzymes are used to remove the dead skin cells of the skin; these fruit acids work really well and are gentle on the complexion.

Next, the skin is oxygenated using a high frequency electrode, after which a purifying mask is applied. Then, a special vitalizing serum is applied and when the procedure ends, a final face cream is applied to protect the skin against external factors.

The result of this procedure is that of a face lift and a fresh, youthful complexion.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a very popular procedure which helps remove dead skin cells and pigment spots from the skin's surface. This technique uses diamond dust to remove dead skin, and the procedure lasts about 15 minutes. During this time the beautician covers all the area of your skin, including the soft and sensitive zones around the eyes and the mouth. Due to the fact that after the treatment the skin pores are open, a highly intensive moisturizer is applied, thus the skin will remain soft and radiant. Microdermabrasion stimulates collagen and elastin production, blemishes are removed and fine lines faded, so give this procedure a try every month or so for a fabulous looking skin.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels, just as the name suggests, use chemicals to gently burn the surface of the skin, to remove any dead skin cells and promote skin regeneration. This procedure should only be done by a professional as they can determine exactly the concentration you need to deal with your problems. There are different types of chemical peels, which vary from soft to harsh, depending on the skin's needs. After a consultation performed by a specialist in dermatology, the acid chemical peel will be applied in the concentration needed. After the treatment, an SPF protection face cream will be applied on the skin to protect it. It is advised to avoid sun exposure after this treatment until the skin cells regenerate. The results obtained after a chemical peel are a visibly rejuvenated complexion and a cleaner looking skin.

Make Your Manicure Last

Wish your polish could outlast a few shampoos, keystrokes, or simple chores? Make it stick with these 11 tricks.
1. Never push back dry cuticles. Doing so can crack polish at the base, which leads to chipping, says New York City celebrity nail pro Deborah Lippmann, who offers tips like this in her master class, held at upscale department stores. But if you're about to change your polish, you don't want any cuticle skin on the nail's surface (it can interfere with your base coat) — so loosen ragged edges by rubbing in a softening cream. Then gently nudge cuticles back with an orangewood stick.
2. Don't soak fingertips. There's no real reason to do so (at salons, it's just part of the pampering), and, says Tom Bachick, executive vice president of the Young Nails Company, it can actually have a negative effect: When you soak your nails, they absorb water, which temporarily puffs them up — but they revert to their normal shape when the water evaporates. This expansion and contraction is the top cause of chipping, peeling, and cracking of polish, says Bachick
3. Get the surface clean, clean, clean. Any traces of moisture, dust, or leftover enamel will get in the way of new-polish adhesion. To pave the way for true staying power, drizzle an old toothbrush with hand soap; then use it to "get into the corners and under nail tips, where oil — the great enemy — may be hiding," suggests Jan Arnold, cofounder of Creative Nail Design. (Steer clear of lanolin-based soaps, which interfere with adhesion.) Then swipe on an acetone polish remover to temporarily dehydrate the nail plate.
4. Shape up. "To maximize nail strength, tips should be rounded and corners left somewhat square," says Robyn Gmyrek, M.D., an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Columbia University, in New York City. Filing is healthier than clipping, which can crack the nail plate. Use a fine-grit nail file and work in one direction. "Filing back and forth with an abrasive board will cause the nail's delicate keratin layers to peel away from each other," says Elsbeth Schuetz, international educator for Orly.
5. Apply a base coat (no, it's not just a marketing ploy). Not only does a bottom layer give lacquer something to latch on to, says chemist Doug Schoon, vice president of research and development for Creative Nail Design, but studies show that a base coat sticks to nails better than polish does. For uneven nail surfaces, choose a base that also smooths out roughness.
6. Once lacquer is on, seal it with a slow-setting topcoat. Quick-dry kinds are certainly appealing, but they evaporate so fast, they leave polish soft, mushy, and prone to denting. A slower-acting topcoat leaves a harder, more protective finish. To speed things up without sacrificing protection, use a drying oil or spray over your topcoat.
7. Make the most of metallics. Sure, light shades make chips less noticeable, but you can get an extra couple of days' wear from a metallic polish, says Schoon. One theory on why this works: Small iridescent flecks thicken enamel, so it forms a stronger film as it dries — allowing it to outlast creamy opaques (whose high pigment content can block adhesion).
8. Or try Revlon's ColorStay Always On Nail Enamel. This two-step system — which consists of polish and a protective sealant and doesn't require a base coat — promises to resist chips for up to ten days. The Good Housekeeping Research Institute put it to the test while moving office buildings (talk about active conditions). Despite a few complaints about surface scratches, nearly all of the panelists agreed that it was the longest-lasting polish they had ever tried (50 percent got ten days of wear; one person, 14 days). As one tester put it, "This product has revolutionized the nail polish industry."
9. Polish should be applied in three narrow, even strokes — one down the center and one down each side — and then be allowed to dry for two minutes before a second coat is applied. The thicker the layer is, the more difficult it is for the solvent — the liquid agent in enamel — to evaporate, boosting the chances that polish will peel.
10. Practice good maintenance. "Everything you touch wears away your polish," says Lippmann. Every other day, apply a layer of quick-dry topcoat (it's OK to use on already-dry polish) to form a protective shield and increase shine.
11. Give your polish a drink. The more your enamel dries out, the greater the likelihood that it will separate from your nail. Since topcoats don't seal in hydration, apply oil to nails and cuticles before bedtime, and slather on a thick hand cream twice a day.