Choosing the Right Pedicure to Suit Your Footsies

A well-kept hair can define a person’s neatness, but there is something that can really be said for someone who keeps their nails clean. And when it comes to nail care, most people are not really particular on getting a good pedicure. But if you are on the lookout for a good feet pampering, here are some pedicure ideas that might suit you well.

Hot water Pedi

Treating your feet to hot water that is also at a temperature that is tolerable can be very relaxing. It makes the nail and skin surface much softer making cleansing easier to do. You can add liquid soap to create some bubbles which improves the dirt removal that much easier.

Fish Pedicure

From a simple pedicure routine that you can do right at the comforts of home, let’s jump to something more interesting such as a fish pedicure. Although it may be an unconventional method but this has actually proven to be very effective and certainly a must try! You just dip your feet inside a pool of tiny fish that nibbles on the dead skin surface. This method is not only fun but it is also hitting two birds with one stone. Aside from being able to rejuvenate your footsies, you also end up feeding the fish!

Aromatherapy Pedicure

If you want a more sensual treat for the feet, you might want to try aromatherapy pedicure. This would entail the use of aromatic oils mixed with bath salts to cleanse and soothe the feet. In addition to that, it also keeps it hydrated. If you want to enhance the ambiance, you can light up some candles to help you relax.

Wine Pedicure

Did you know that aside from being a good pair to a meal, wine also works well with pedicure. The reason behind it is its antioxidant properties and anti-aging benefits to the skin. This is even why it is also being used for facials. So the next time you want to unwind with a glass of wine, give your feet some of it too! This can help in keeping the skin taut and it also minimizes age spots.

Floral Pedicure

As the name says, this pedicure makes use of flower petals. You may have seen this done in your favorite salon, and this is not only for decorative or creative purposes because it actually has certain benefits. Certain essences from the flower petals can actually help in pampering and nourishing the feet thus making them soft. This adds more zing to your pedicure as it energizes worn out feet and also relaxing them at the same time.

French Pedicure

If you want to give your nails some posh treatment, you can give it a French pedicure which works the same way as the manicure version. Your toes will be trimmed and filed and outlined with a white nail polish.

Hot Stone Pedicure

Are you dealing with cramp feet as a result of them being overworked? A hot stone pedicure is a good way to relax and soothe those feet muscles. The hot stones are prepared just at the right temperature that provides stimulation to the nerve endings.

Reminder

An important thing that you should always remember when getting a pedicure especially in salons, is to trust only the ones that provide you the best safety. This may seem like a small service, but it is certainly one that you would want under the best hands because if it can go wrong, it can result to uncomfortable and even debilitating consequences.

What Goes Behind Sunless Tanning?

Salons today already offer a wide variety of services aside from the usual haircut, mani and pedi. One of the services that are popular among many patrons is spray tanning. It eliminates the need to spend long hours under the sun to get that perfect and even tan. Spray tanning can cover every groove and curve of your body.

But what really goes behind this treatment?
What chemicals are used?
Is it really safe?
How is it better than other tanning measures?

So what really goes behind the procedure?

It is really simple because after the right shade is chosen, the salon assistant will prepare it for you and all you have to do is to undress and stand inside the tanning booth. A machine or an assistant will apply this all over your body. This will just take a couple of minutes, and you are good to go. You just have to let the color set for a couple of hours before getting a shower.

The solution used in spray tanning is includes those that are DHA-based, Tyrosine-based, and temporary bronzers.

DHA-based spray tans are the most commonly used in salons today and this is because the most effective tanning products contain dihydroxyacteone (DHA) as its active ingredient.  DHA is a colorless chemical that actually reacts to the dead skin cells on the surface layer resulting to a brown color. Since our skin normally shed every day, the tan can last about five to seven days.

There are also tyrosine-based spray tans which are more known to be tanning accelerators. Tyrosine is an amino acid that is said to stimulate and increase the formation of melanin on the skin. This results to a darker skin tone.

Temporary bronzers on the other hand come in either gel, spray, powders, mousse, lotions or creams. These can actually create a perfect tanning solution but, just like putting on foundation or make-up, these can simply be removed with soap and water. These are only perfect for tans that you want to keep for a couple of hours. The products today are already formulated to withstand sweat and some water resistance.

A lot of clients are also wary about the safety of the solution. DHA in particular poses no particular threat especially since it approved by the FDA approval.  But it is strongly specified that DHA is only for external use. And according to the Code of Federal Regulations, it means that it should only be used on external parts of the body and not on those that are covered with mucous membranes, and this includes the lips.

So when spray tanning is going on, you can ensure that you avoid this chemical from getting into your body by tightly closing your eyes, mouth and covering your ears.

Spray tans are considered by many to be better than other tanning procedures because it does not involve the exposure of UV rays. Tanning beds and afternoons on the beach not only give your skin that summer glow, but it also exposes it to premature aging. Although it only lasts a few days, the results are certainly worth it because it creates a thorough and even outcome.

Square Jaw Reduction: A Non-Invasive Way to Contour the Face

Square jaw reduction is becoming increasingly popular because it eliminates the need for highly invasive techniques. It creates a significant change on the face without having to go through broken bones and a long recovery period. Asian women in particular are the ones who are flocking to this procedure because this group are more prone to have enlarged jawlines.

If you are not happy with how your jawline defines your face, there are surgical means of altering or improving this. It involves restructuring of the mandible which takes a complicated surgical process that requires a long recovery period. Plus there is also a tendency that it might not look natural.
However, in this newer and less invasive square jaw reduction technique, one can achieve a more feminine look only with the use of injections. Botox is the substance injected to create a better profile on the lower portion of the face.

You might have heard of Botox many times before as an effective anti-aging treatment but this natural protein can also shrink the size of the jaw muscles by weakening or paralyzing it. The results may not be immediately noticeable, but it will be more evident after a few months.

During the procedure the physician or aesthetician will instruct you to clench your teeth so that your jaw muscle will be more apparent. Once this sticks out, Botox is then injected, mainly focusing on the lower part of the face. This has to be done carefully otherwise it could hit surrounding parts like the parotid glands, the organs responsible for producing saliva.

In most cases, the doctor will also inject the front and back of the jawline to create a more defined appearance by making the jaw less prominent.

Even though this procedure is relatively easy compared to the other option, the effect of muscle injections may not be dramatic enough for others. It can either be on both extremes from being undetectable to being undesirable.

This can happen in instances where the jaw muscle is not developed enough from the start, plus a prominent jawbone underneath. So Botox injections will only cause the jaw muscles to shrink making the bone much clearer.

It is important that you have the procedure done by a doctor who is trained and licensed to perform this work. You should not let someone who is not well-versed about the anatomy of the face and risk permanently damaging the structures in the area as well as their respective functions.

As mentioned earlier, the result may not be immediate and it won't last long either since the effects of Botox will only last for four to six months. Then you would need another set of injections to maintain the results.

However, the cosmetic outcome of non-invasive square jaw reduction is definitely impressive, most especially when done properly. Yes, it might not be permanent, but it will surely be a good temporary option that you can do repeatedly. A more dramatic outcome can even be achieved after a year of continuous treatment.

The Dangers of Sunburn and How Best to Avoid Them

The dangers of sunburn have long been known by many for many years. But in order to be more cautious about it, it is important to know the dangers if sunburn and the ABCs of skin protection.

When we talk about sunburn, it is necessary to know about the light rays that are involved. When you go sunbathing or simply walking around daytime without any protection, you just expose your skin to the ultraviolet rays (UV) emitted by the sun.

The UV spectrum is divided into three categories, UVA, UVB, and UVC. The one that should create the biggest health concern are UVA rays. These types of rays are able to penetrate the skin and damage the cells. It even has the potential to cause cell mutation.

That is why if you are fond of staying long hours under the sun, you should know that by 28 years of age the dermal layer (second layer) of the skin slows down its repair and renewal process. Prolonged exposure to these rays will also cause the epidermis to droop and sag creating premature wrinkles. Any damage done will not be remedied easily causing a person to appear older than they really are.

Back in the day UVA was considered to be much safer than UVB, but new research has proven that this ray actually creates more damage to the body than UVB. The intensity of UVA rays are the same the whole year round and can pass through light clothing and windows. They have longer wavelengths which are responsible for 15% of all sunburns.

UVB rays on the other hand passes through the atmosphere and affect the epidermal layer of the skin resulting to sunburn. This is referred to as the tanning ray which is actually strongest in the northern hemisphere.  This is experienced during the summer months or when some areas of the earth tend to become closer to the sun.

The epidermal layers consist of keritoncytes, basal cells and melanocytes. The melanocyte is the one responsible for the production of melanin which results to a tan or in worse cases, a sunburn.

UVC is something that results the least concern because it is absorbed by the earth’s atmosphere, particularly the ozone layer.

All the information that was mentioned above is the reasons why it is important to wear a good sunscreen especially when you want to get a good tan. Sunburn is a temporary sensation and a temporary appearance of the skin, but the damage can last longer.

Severe skin problems that can result from overexposure to UV rays include melanomas (skin cancer) and actinic keratoses (sun induced non-cancerous growths on the forehead, face and hands). In addition to that being repeatedly exposed to sunburn can even result to cataracts and macular degeneration.

To avoid sunburn, it is best to avoid the sun from 10am to 4pm. UVB radiation is most intense during this time. In fact, even overcast days can still be risky for the skin.

Your sunscreen should have an SPF of at least 15. But more to that it is also important that a sunscreen provide substantively.  This will tell you how much protection you can get from the product when outdoors.  For instance when you are swimming or sweating, how much and how often should you reapply the product.  The subcategories that would indicate the substantively include “sweat resistant”, “water-resistant”, and “waterproof”.

For a safer option you can also opt for spray tans instead of spending hours under the sun and risking yourself to sunburn. You can even get the glow that you want all year round more evenly.

Tips on How to Groom the Brows

Owning a neatly shaped pair of brows can give you a more pleasing countenance. It can make you appear younger, happier and to some extent – thinner. Fortunately today there are a variety of ways for you to groom your arches.

Shaving

One of the simplest and easiest ways to groom your eyebrows is shaving.  All you need to do is to determine the right shape first before shaving it off.

If you don’t know how to get the right form, here is a simple tip to do the trick.

Using a chopstick you place this vertically along the line of the nose until it meets the eyebrow. Shave the hairs the hairs that falls beyond this line. To create the right arch, slant the chopstick upward all the way from the outer edge of the iris and mark the upper spot. Then to make the edge, slant the chopstick beyond the outer corner of your eye.

Once you have determined the shape and the outline, carefully shave the stray hairs that fall beyond this point.

Trimming

Eyebrow trimming is perfect for those individuals with bushy eyebrows. Using an eyebrow brush, you comb the brows in the direction that it grows. Using a tiny scissor, trim those that stick out and with the help of an eyebrow pencil sharpen the shape of your brows better. Viola! You can have beautiful brows in a jiffy!

Eyebrow Stencil

Those who have gone on the overdrive with plucking or shaving, these individuals end up with very thin eyebrows. To help you regain a fuller shape, an eyebrow stencil can help you do the trick, just make sure that you focus on the upper portion of the brows to give the natural lifting effect.

Put on the stencil and using an eyebrow pencil creates small upward strokes with you pressing lightly to avoid an overdrawn appearance. Even with pencil thin eyebrows, you may need to trim a few stray ends to create a defined shape.

Waxing

If you want to create a smooth appearance that will leave you with longer interval for regrowth, why not use eyebrow waxing. This may be a bit uncomfortable at first, but you will get the hang of it overtime. The main benefit is that it results to a cleaner and defined outcome. If you plan to do it on your own, make sure that you take careful shaping and removal techniques to avoid waxing off your brows entirely.

Plucking

The method for plucking is quite similar to shaving. Before removing the stray hairs you first have to determine and draw the perfect shape. Re-growth may also take longer because this removes the entire hair shaft deep down within the roots.

Eyebrow Threading

A fast and simple way to correct one brow, add more shape to the eyebrows or raise its arches is to use the threading method. Eyebrow Threading can be very uncomfortable at first but once you get the hang of it, the pain can be bearable. It takes an experienced person to create a perfectly shaped brow that will best define the eyes.

How to Get Rosy White Skin?

Getting rosy white skin is something that some dark-skinned and some light-skinned individuals long for. But most of the time it may be hard to attain considering that we are subjected to a number of factors every day that would make it a bit challenging to attain. But don’t let that leave you helpless because you can actually get rosy white glow through these simple steps.

Steer Clear from the Sun

We all know what the sun’s harmful rays can do to the body, particularly on your skin. That is why it is only common sense to avoid its harmful rays. The sun’s rays are at its peak within 10 am to 3pm. So make sure that should you need to get out keep your skin protected with a good sunscreen. But even when you are not in direct exposure to the sun’s rays or even during winter, it is wise to slather on some sunscreen.

Almonds for fairer skin

Aside from being an excellent snack, almonds can also give you fairer skin. All you need to do is to soak four to five almonds in water overnight and then make a paste out of it the next morning by adding some milk. This can be a great face pack that you can leave on overnight before rinsing it off with cold water. After a month, you can notice a fairer and rosy complexion.

Lemon juice for a lighter hue

Lemon is most popular for being a good bleaching agent in house cleaning. But it can also be used as a skin lightening treatment by mixing four tablespoons of lemon juice with yogurt or honey. You  apply this on your face and leave it on for fifteen minutes before a cold water rinse. Overtime that can give you fairer skin.

Papaya to keep your skin light and glowing

This tropical fruit is teeming with antioxidants and has long been used as an ingredient to achieve a fairer complexion. You can prepare your own by mashing a medium ripe papaya and rub it over your face and neck.  You can also add in some Aloe Vera extract for added moisturizing and cleansing. Or you could opt for milk and honey. Wash it afterwards with cold water and you can get yourself not only fairer skin, but a smoother and blemish-free one.

Turmeric to turn that skin from dark to rosy white

Another beauty ingredient in the kitchen is turmeric. It helps to you achieve rosy white skin by making face packs by mixing it with rose water or raw milk. This creates a paste that you have to leave on your face for 15 minutes.

Be careful when using lightening products.

Today, you can already find hundreds of skin whitening products in the market, but you have to be cautious when doing so because some ingredients carry certain risks. Take hydroquinone for example. It is indeed an effective skin lightening ingredient but you have to be careful with allergic reactions and skin irritation. You also need to be watchful of other harmful ingredients that may be in some products such as toxic levels of mercury.

Try salon skin whitening services

If you want to get a safe whitening procedure, you can do so at certain salons. From your skin to problem areas such as the bikini lone or underarms; you can look flawless and rosy white all over. 

Skin Care Ingredients that Fend Off Acne

Acne is one of the most common skin problems that many have to deal with. It is fortunate though that there are a number of ingredients that can help relieve the problem. They are effective either when used alone or together.

1. Salicylic Acid

When you go looking for any over-the-counter anti-acne product, salicylic acid is usually among the active ingredients. The reason for this is that it is a very powerful exfoliant that prevents clogged pores that result to blackheads and acne. This is due to the ability of salicylic acid to penetrate the skin’s follicle that effectively cleans out the pores, thus preventing and/or shortening the life of a blackhead or a pimple. It can reduce the size of acne because of it also has an anti-inflammatory action. Salicylic acid tends to be drying that is why experts advise to start off with a lower concentration, which you follow up with an oil-free moisturizer. When choosing an over-the-counter product for acne treatment it is best to use a 2% concentration.

2. Alpha-Hydroxy Acid

This is more known as AHA’s and they are actually found in fruit and milk sugars. They are effective in fending off acne because these can slough off dead skin cells which can clog the pores. There are two types of AHA’s, glycolic and lactic acid. Aside from getting rid of acne, AHA’s are also known as excellent anti-aging ingredients because it reveals a smooth, softer and clearer skin. It can be applied all over the face. However you should take caution when going outdoors and using products with this active ingredient because it can make the skin more sensitive to sunburn. Don’t forget to put on some protection with a good SPF when you use AHA’s.

3. Benzoyl Peroxide

Another common ingredient in anti-acne products in the market is benzoyl peroxide. It has a natural antibacterial and antiseptic action. It also exfoliates the skin as it breaks up the dead skin cells on the surface area. It also reduces any excess oil, and it could also leave your skin to become dry and flaky. This is the perfect ingredient for anyone who has a very oil skin, more commonly among teenagers. But if you have dry or sensitive skin, you might want to skip this because this can be highly irritating. Benzoyl peroxide is often prepared in strengths that range from 2.5% to 10%, but this can sometimes be more especially in prescription-strength formulas for more severe forms of acne.

4. Sulfur

This mineral gets rid of acne by controlling excess oil production, while exfoliating dead skin cells on the surface at the same time. But it is also the anti-inflammatory action that helps fight off acne. Even though this anti-acne ingredient has been in use for many years, it is the smell that puts most people off. That is why in most products sulfur is used together with other ingredients, such as resorcinol, alcohol, etc., to mask the odor.

5. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is also a good anti-acne solution because it can act as a solvent that will stop oiliness on the skin which can contribute to clogged sebaceous glands that result to pimples. It also clears the pores from bacteria while preventing future breakouts at the same time. Tea tree oil can also be used on its own as a pure herbal solution to acne. However in its concentrated form, it has to be mixed with water to avoid allergic reactions because it also contains toxins that can be absorbed by the skin. Individuals who have eczema or sensitive skin should take extra caution.

6. Natural Clays

Another natural treatment for breakouts is clays. The natural compounds found here can actually help get rid of the excess oil, dead skin, and acne. This is thanks to the minerals and enzymes it contains which aids in removing dead skin cells on the surface that can lead to the buildup of dirt and pimple breakouts. But what helps reduce pimple size and other future breakouts are its anti-inflammatory properties. The clay can be used as a mask for facial acne, or you could slather it over your body for body acne. For sensitive skin, pink and white clays are advised, while red or green clays are best suited for problem skin.

7. Witch Hazel

This ingredient is also an effective anti-acne treatment because with daily use it can reduce the inflammation. It also works as a great toner which can aid the skin in creating more breakouts. However the effectiveness of witch hazel would also depend on the skin type of the person.

8. Azelaic Acid

This is another effective ingredient for anti-acne treatment because of its antibacterial action. It also aids in exfoliating the dead skin cells that can only clog the pores. It is often used to treat mild to moderate acne by halting the growth of bacteria on the skin thus keeping the pores clean and clear. In anti-acne products, such as creams or gels, this ingredient often comes in 20% strength.