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5 Anti-Aging Make Up Tips To Live By
March 19th, 2012
You’re doing everything you can to look after your skin as outlined in the articles skin care tips to live by part one and skin care tips to live by part two, but something somehow still feels wrong. There are still days when you look in the mirror and think “I need to pull out every trick in the book today to make me look younger!” That’s when your best friend, make-up, comes in! There are certain tips and tricks you can utilise in your beauty and cosmetic routine that will give you a smoother, radiant and glowing complexion which will instantly take years off you. Here’s how to do it…
1. The Eyes Have It
The old adage is true. The eyes really are the windows to your soul. Treat them so. The eyes can be one of the first places on the face to show signs of ageing with fine feathery lines, and hooded lids giving a sometimes tired and un-lifted appearance to the face. It’s important first of all, before you apply any products to pay special attention to your eyebrows. A nicely shaped, well defined eyebrow can do more to lift your face than any amount of concealer or highlighter (though they can and do help as we shall see!). Pluck out any straggling hairs that you can see, but remember to pluck only from underneath the brow arch and never from above. Follow the natural line of your eyebrow and never over pluck.
2. Concealers
Concealers are a wonder product for an anti-ageing make up bag. They are wonderful multi-taskers that come in many different blends and forms. However, as we start to age, it’s good to try and pay attention to the formula of the product you are using – the product you’ve used since you were twenty might not be the best thing out there for you twenty five years on. It’s helpful to look for a concealer which is of a cream consistency rather than from a panstick or bullet. These will be naturally more conditioning for the skin, look less “cakey” and give a more radiant appearance to the skin. If you are trying to hide blemishes or dark circles, the best advice is to use minimum amounts of product and blend well, building up coverage as you go. Your best blending tool is a small, soft brush and not your fingers (your fingers can disperse and melt the concealer unevenly) many companies make special concealer brushes now which can help to make all the difference. Invest in one.
3.Foundations
As with concealers it’s important to look for a creamy, easily blendable formulation which will give seamless coverage but still maintain a healthy glow to the skin. A drier formulation can age the skin as it will sit in any fine lines and accentuate them. However, there is an increasing move towards mineral foundations at the moment which (if the right brand is sought out) can be incredibly natural looking, give impressive radiance and not dry the skin out at all, they can be easily buffed on with a kabuki brush and are easy to replenish or top up during the day if you are prone to attacks of shininess on the skin!
4. Highlighting
Use highlighting products to bring light to your face and disguise fine lines or give further cover up to dark eye circles. The ideal places to apply highlighter to are on the sides of your nose, corners of your lips, hollow of the chin – additionally a little highlighter placed just underneath the outer corner of your eyebrow will give an extra lift to the eye area and distract from any hooding. Highlighter will help you achieve further radiance and help to stop your skin looking dull.
5. Blushers
Traditionally blusher is used to achieve an outstanding pop of colour to the skin and to give a glow to the complexion. Blush should only ever be applied to the apples of your cheeks and it should be in as natural a shade as possible – i.e., one that sits in harmony with your skin’s own tones. Avoid using anything too red or too dark, and instead opt for shades of natural rose pink or peach. Again, choose a balm or cream formula over a powder formula. To apply, look directly into the mirror, and smile naturally. Immediately you should see the apples of your cheeks stand out. Apply the cream blush sparingly over that area and use a nice, soft bristles blusher brush to spread the product evenly over the area. Again, the watchword is to use sparingly and build up coverage rather than trying to work a huge amount of product onto the skin and spread out.
These are the initial steps to achieve great a anti-ageing make up which will leave your skin hydrated, plump and radiant looking. A barely there look that will wow everyone!
Katrina Blake is a freelance writer from England and a working mother of two who has to look after everything from her own beauty to finding the best credit card balance transfer for her family.
Cheers to Eating Green and Aging Gracefully
March 17th, 2012
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Cheers to eating green and aging gracefully!
Traditionally Americans celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by over indulging in alcohol… and possibly green eggs and ham, but why do we celebrate St. Patrick’s day anyway? And why not use the holiday to remind us eating green is even more important than wearing green?
First, let’s note these old Irish sayings:
Enough and no waste is as good as a feast.
You’ll never plough a field by turning it over in your mind.
OK… who is St. Patrick?
St. Patrick is the patron saint credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. St. Patrick’s Day originated in Ireland as a Roman Catholic feast day to honor the patron saint. In the 1700’s Irish immigrants brought the tradition to America by using the day to celebrate Irish culture with festivals and parades.
Why green?
We associate the shamrock with Ireland because it became customary for festival goers to wear a shamrock on the day of the feast. Also, the Irish take pride in their country’s beautiful green landscapes, and we often hear Ireland called the “Emerald Isle” or the emerald of Europe. The tradition of wearing green, or risk getting pinched, entirely started in America. Supposedly a rumor started in the early 1700s as advice to keep leprechauns at bay. These little fairy-like creatures would pinch anyone they could see, but apparently wearing green can make people invisible to leprechauns. Since there is a shortage of leprechauns these days we take it upon ourselves to pinch people not wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day as a reminder that leprechauns can indeed see them.
Why do we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?
The festivals and parades of Irish immigrants in America simply grew in popularity to become the day of all things green we celebrate today.
Why not use the holiday to remind us eating green is more important than wearing green?
The food you put into your body contributes to looking younger, feeling younger and aging well. Let’s use this St. Patrick’s day to focus on green foods that will help us look young!
Eating a variety of vitamin rich food is key, because vitamins and antioxidants contribute to the health and appearance of your skin. When you do eat green plants eat them close to their natural state. Obviously eating plain vegetables is better than battered and fried vegetables or in casseroles filled with cheese, but did you know steaming vegetables is even better than boiling? When you boil vitamin rich vegetables more nutrients seep out than when you steam them. Also, the longer you cook a vegetable the more nutrients are lost.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with some of these healthy green foods… no need to add food coloring!
Asparagus
Asparagus is a good source for vitamins A, C, and E, fiber, anti-oxidants and folate. Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin that occurs naturally in food, and anti-oxidants contribute to healthy cells in all parts of your body. Asparagus also contributes chromium which helps insulin transport glucose from the bloodstream to your cells.
Broccoli
Broccoli contributes to lowering cholesterol and offers vitamin C and fiber. Broccoli naturally helps our body’s detoxification system, and it contains a small amount of selenium, an anti-cancer element.
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts contribute vitamins C, fiber and folate to our diets. They also contain cancer fighting elements and are said to help us fight off disease.
Cabbage
Cabbage is a great source of vitamin C, and it acts as an anti-oxidant and immune booster. It’s rich in sulfur, can also help with constipation, fight infections and influence brain function due to the presence of iodine.
Green Beans, Soy Beans and Lima Beans
Beans are a cholesterol-free source of protein, and they help contribute fiber and anti-oxidants to your diet. Your skin is essentially made of protein, so if you don’t get enough protein your skin will show it.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is free of trans fats (usually found in processed food) and rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and beneficial plant compounds. Extra-virgin olive oil also offers beneficial levels of oleocanthal, a compound that mimics the effects of anti-inflammatory medications including aspirin and ibuprofen.
Romaine Lettuce
Romaine lettuce is a good source of vitamins A and C and provides anti-oxidants that help your body reduce inflammation.
Spinach
Known to improve brain function spinach is high in anti-oxidants, and it contributes fiber, calcium, protein and magnesium to your diet. Magnesium helps keep blood pressure normal, bones strong, and heart rhythm steady. Spinach is full of nutrients, but not full of calories.
Look Young Atlanta wishes you a happy and healthy St. Patrick’s Day!
Beauty Sleep: Myth or Reality?
March 6th, 2012
There are numerous tasks we undertake on a daily basis to try and help us stay young and healthy both inside and out. Whether you go to the gym each morning, ensure you eat a nutritious and healthy mix of fruit and vegetables, or take care of your appearance using Look Young’s state-of-the-art photo facials, chemical appeals, or Obagi products, there’s one aspect of your daily routine that people often forget the importance of; sleep!
Sleep – Nature’s Cure All
How Important is Sleep for Looking Young?
Your dose of sleep in the evening is an amazing cure-all for all the physical and mental troubles you might have suffered throughout the day. If you’ve worn yourself out at work, or looking after the children, sleep will help regenerate your energy supplies and gives the body time to concentrate on healing any wounds you may have procured. Perhaps you had an emotional head to head with a work colleague or loved one, causing you mental distress, the added wonder of sleep is your ability to dream, which allows your mind time to de-stress and process all those an anxieties in amazing and often confusing nocturnal narratives.
Tips to Help You Have a Peaceful Nights Sleep
All of these benefits of sleep are crucial to your development as a happy and healthy person, yet sometimes we lie in bed at night and despite counting sheep after sheep, we simply just can’t coerce ourselves in to a deep slumber.
If you’ve ever suffered sleep deprivation long term or short, follow these handy tips to ensure you have a peaceful and healing nights sleep, every night.
* Try to keep the room a comfortable temperature; it’s a common mistake to make the bedroom a little warmer than necessary. The optimum room temperature for sleep is between 60 to 68 degrees. Too warm a room will cause you to sweat, and too cold will often wake you up.
* Remove anything noisy from the room, such as ticking clocks and electrical devices that emit a hum. These usually insignificant noises will be amplified in your mind as you try to drift off to sleep.
* Make sure your bedding is prepared to offer sufficient comfort, cotton bedding over polyester is important to avoid unnecessary sweating during the night. Also think about investing in items such as organic latex mattresses or memory foam for your beds.
* Try not to eat high carbohydrate or sugary food before bed, as the sugar in your blood stream may drop after you’ve prepared for slumber, waking you up.
* Also try not to drink fluids of any kind (especially those containing the stimulant caffeine) 2 hours before bedtime, to alleviate the chance of needing to visit the toilet mid-sleep.
* Keep your bedroom as dark as possible. Avoid light creeping in from the hall or curtains for example. If this is not possible, wear an eye mask to allow your mind to completely relax.
* As for relaxing, try to avoid work or other mind stimulating and possibly stressful tasks at least an hour before bed. Instead dim the lights and read a book, or watch a relaxing television program or film. Maybe music is more your thing; make a note of your favorite, calming songs and play them before bed time.
* If you have suffered anxiety throughout the day, writing all your thoughts down before bed may allow you a chance to de-stress. Keeping a journal is a great way to relinquish worries and organize your tasks for the next day.
* Don’t over-tire yourself. Getting to bed early is a key factor in ensuring a solid nights sleep. 11pm is the recommended time for your routine, especially if you have to wake for work between 6 am and 7 am.
* If you have a partner, try a relaxing bedtime routine; include aromatherapy massage with essential oils such as Lavender. Perhaps you could try talking to each other about your worries from the day. If you sleep alone, meditation before sleep may also benefit in relaxing your body and mind.
If you or your sleeping partner suffer any health issues that disrupt your ability to sleep, it is vital you work towards solving these problems as soon as possible. From heavy and loud snoring, to skin problems which cause you or your partner to itch, all these conditions can cause problems during the night.
If these tips fail in helping you slip in to a deep slumber, perhaps you should consider visiting a sleep specialist, such as The Atlanta School of Sleep Medicine and Technology.
Author: Katrina Blake is a freelance writer from England who normally writes reviews of beds and organic latex mattresses making her somewhat an expert in relaxation and sleep. Sleep is something she doesn’t get enough of, however, as a working mother of two.
Skin Care Tips to Live By: Part 2
February 12th, 2012
For those of you who read the first part of awesome skin care tips, here is part two. Now that you have perfected part one, I’m sure you are ready for part two!
Clean and Sweat Free Skin:
It’s the beginning of the new year, so for anyone who has stuck with their resolution of going to the gym, more power to you! But don’t let a great new year’s resolution keep you from another. Whether you’re going to the gym burning a lot of calories on the bike, in a classroom, or an lifting some weights, don’t neglect to take care of your skin after a strenuous workout. Leaving sweat on your face for an extended period of time leads to bacterial growth. Imagine your face as a petri dish of bacteria…not pleasant right? Prevent acne and other dirt and grim buildup by making a good habit to clean your face immediately afterwards.
Hands Off!:
You might not be consciously aware of this, but if you stop to count how many times you touch your face in a day, you’d be shocked to know that your hands end up on your face at least 5 times a day. From brushing your hair away from your eyes to subconsciously worrying about that pimple, our hands end up near our face quite often. Because our hands are essentially germ carriers, touching our face with our hands can further clog up our skin with dirt and oils. Keep your hands clean and try to refrain from touching your face!
New Beauty Supplies:
Recently I just replaced my foundation brush and blush brush and have witnessed a dramatic change in the appearance of my skin. After trying to pin down the reason why my skin kept breaking out and why it was so dry even after serum and lotion, replacing my old brushes ended up doing the trick. Beauty tools that we frequently use are full of bacteria because of constant usage. That is why it is important to clean them on a weekly basis and replace them every couple months. Similar with makeup, if you are using the same mascara, foundation, eye shadow, etc for more than 4 months, it’s time to throw it away! Don’t hold onto old makeup. Spend the extra money on new quality makeup to prevent damage to your skin. By trying to save money using old makeup or cheap makeup, you are causing more harm to your skin, which will cost you more in the long run.
Keep Up the Good Work:
If you have started working on part 1, bravo. If you have kept up with part 1 of skin tips, give yourself a pat on the back! Let’s not beat around the bush and say that we are going to keep up with every single tip. It’s understandable that things come up, laziness gets in the way, and sometimes we forget. But the best we can do is try to stick with some healthy new habits. Just be patient and you will start seeing a change in the appearance and health of your skin. And you know what they say, there’s no better motivation than success!
Note from the author:
Thanks for checking out Look Young’s health and beauty blog, stay in tune with future articles on Atlanta laser vein removal, weight loss tips, Atlanta laser hair removal and much more! Please feel free to leave a comment on what you would like to read about in the future.
Skin Care Tips to Live By: Part 1
February 5th, 2012
Did your skin take a brutal beating during the last year? Ladies (and gents), be honest with yourself, if you can’t count the number of times you neglected the health of your skin, it’s time to start picking up a new skincare regimen! The appearance of our skin is not the only motivator for us to take care of our skin, but the health of our skin is another important factor. Here are some tips to help you get a head start on renewing your skin…it’s not too late!
Sunscreen, Sunscreen, Sunscreen!
I cannot stress the importance of wearing sunscreen like no one’s business. You are probably thinking to yourself “well I stay indoors most of the time” or “it’s winter, so I don’t need to wear sunscreen”. No, no, no! That is far from the case. The power of UV rays is the same no matter what season you are in. Even driving to work and being exposed to UV rays through the window of your car increases your chances of skin cancer, so it is important to either use lotion infused with sun protection or to wear at least SPF 15-30.
Let Your Skin Breathe:
What’s the one thing that your mother, your aunt, and even your grandmother warned you when you first started wearing makeup? Don’t be lazy and go to sleep with your makeup on! But no matter how many warnings we had and how many times we hear it, we never seem to follow it. I will admit that I am guilty of not following this simple skincare tip. After all it only takes 5 minutes to clean your face, at most. So to make it easier for you ladies, invest in some makeup remover tissue cleansers! Sleeping with your makeup is not only bad for your skin, causing rough skin as well as acne prone skin, but it can also pose a threat to the health of your eyes. Sleeping with mascara can cause bacterial infections in your eyes. So think twice about sleeping with makeup on, you won’t wake up feeling pretty.
Treat Yourself to a Facial:
When we’re young, our skin cells are constantly growing and replenishing itself. However, as we age, the time for our skin to renew takes about twice as long. What this means is most of us end up with a face full of dead and dull skin. To help our skin get a little push, its good to exfoliate with a facial Atlanta or microdermabrasion Atlanta once a month or once every three weeks. Beauty clinics are great options for clients who prefer having a dependable clinician, but using home remedies are also viable options.
Nourish Your Skin:
Whenever you shower or wash your face with warm or mildly hot water, especially during winter season, the natural oils of your skin tend to disappear. Which is why it is very important for you to using excellent nutrient packed facial moisturizers and toners right after a nice hot shower. Make it a habit and you will find yourself with more supple skin on from day to day!
Health Tips: New Year, New You!
January 29th, 2012
Start the year off right by following and reading recommended health tips for 2012. Whether you are feeling like it’s the right time for change or you are simply looking for ways to live healthier, here are some baby steps to take to help you get on the right track of living better.
1. Start a new workout routine:
Whether you have been trying to lose weight, attempting to shed the last 5 or 10 pounds, trying to bulk up, wanting to run your first marathon, or what have you, 2012 is a great year to start trying out a new workout routine. If you have been going to the gym already, this still applies to you. Many people end up doing the same workout routine which does not give results after a while. Your muscle and body gets used to the same routine, so it is always good to switch it up. Do more weights or more reps, confuse your muscles and you will start seeing a positive change.
2. Change up your diet:
If you have been eating fried foods, fast foods, foods with high sugar, or processed foods, you know what you need to do. Clean out your kitchen, ditch all the bad foods and replace it with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fresh meat, etc. It’s never easy to start new but it’s necessary. Either go all out or don’t bother! For those who have been eating healthy, its good for your body to get nutrients from different sources, so switching up your diet is a good idea as well!
3. Pick up a new hobby:
A great way to relieve stress is to find a new hobby that makes you feel good about yourself and about life. Maybe you want to go into painting, knitting, playing the guitar. The sky is the limit and age is never a factor! If you want to do it, there’s no harm in trying. There’s nothing more satisfying and zen than picking up a fun new hobby.
4. Visit your doctor:
Going go the doctors for checkups, for illnesses, for any reason is always a dreadful thing. No one likes the possibility of finding out bad news. But there isn’t enough emphasis and stress on the importance of getting a yearly checkup, making sure you get routine tests, and being up to date with vaccines. Schedule your yearly tests as soon as you can for 2012!
5. Spend more time outdoors:
Most of us prefer to spend our time in front of either a computer screen or a TV screen. Some of us work with jobs that require us to be in front of a computer for 8 hours only to go home and spend the rest in front of a computer screen or TV. Take a stroll, window shop, go to your neighborhood park instead of plopping down in front of your TV.
6. Cut back on caffeine and alcohol:
Americans have a tendency of drinking an excessive amount of both caffeine and alcohol. Excessive caffeine is taxing on the heart, can cause unwanted twitching, heart palpitations, and insomnia. Excessive alcohol is bad for your liver, increase risk of breast cancer, and throat cancer in some individuals.
7. Spend more time with family and friends:
Last but not least, make time for your friends and family. We are all social creatures by nature. When we isolate ourselves, most of us are affected inversely. People who lack human interaction are more prone for negative psychological influences such as depression. As humans we grow by communicating with each other and we find happiness through our relationships.
Thanks for stopping by today at Look Young’s Blog, stay tuned for more health and beauty related articles such as laser vein removal, laser hair removal, and Atlanta hair stylist tips!
Fabulous Locks: Hair Stylist Tips
January 22nd, 2012
Just because the temperatures are dropping as we go further into winter, doesn’t mean you have to forgo luscious luxurious hair. Now ladies and gents, what is the most common problem we all have during the winter? Dry and humid weather conditions not only affects our skin, but it also affects our hair. But have no fear, Look Young Atlanta is here to help with some helpful haircare tips! Read up on these easy tips and you can dazzle everyone with your lovely locks.
- Shampoo every other day:
Washing your hair everyday strips away natural nutrients and natural oils from your hair. Instead of using shampoo everyday, try washing your hair every other day. You can touch up your hair by spraying it with water if need be. Another alternative is to buy shampoo that is made of all natural extracts that won’t strip your hair of its nutrients.
- Eat fruits and veggies:
You are what you eat; every part of your body…even your hair! People who have shiny luxurious hair usually aren’t naturally just born with it. To have shiny hair, your body needs enough protein and other sources of vitamins that is best absorbed with raw fruits and veggies.
- Get a trim:
When hair stylists tell you the importance of getting a trim, they aren’t fooling you! Just as you would go to the dentist to clean your teeth, you should get your hair trimmed every couple of months. Trimming your hair gets rid of dead hair cells that are unhealthy, which can make a big difference in the appearance of your hair. Make an appointment with your nearest hair salons in Atlanta!
- Use a hair mask:
Hair masks are great for dry hair, limp hair, or frizzy hair. Heck, it’s even great for people with great hair! There are many different hair mask products at your local drugstore or if you are daring enough, you can even look up some homemade recipes. It is recommended to use a hair mask only once a month.
- Buy a humidifier:
Invest in a humidifier for your room to keep your room some moisture. Humidifiers are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased almost anywhere. Winter weather causes the air to become very dry, add on heating and any form of moisture in your house is lost.
- Use less hairspray:
Hairspray is very toxic to the health of our hair. Essentially hairspray has harsh and unnatural chemicals that prevents your hair from breathing. If you are a frequent hairspray user, try to switch to a more natural product if you cannot cut out hairspray from your everyday routine.
- Air dry hair when possible:
With our busy schedules we often resort to blow drying our hair. However it is a no-brainer that excessive heat is bad exposure to our delicate hair. Not only does it cause it to dry out very quickly but it causes split ends and damaged hair. The best solution is to air dry if possible or to air dry and then use medium heat when blow drying.
Look Young Atlanta – Holiday Cheers
December 22nd, 2011
Happy Holidays form your friends at Look Young Atlanta.
Relax A Little
December 5th, 2011
From planning family dinners, making budgets, to shopping for loved ones, the holidays can be an especially stressful time mentally and physically. At Look Young, we offer the best clinicians with you in mind. If you are feeling off, stressed mentally and physically, or just want some relaxation, consider coming in for a session of acupuncture. Don’t be alarmed or scared by the misconception that acupuncture is akin to being poked by pins repeatedly. Acupuncture needles are actually quite flexible and thin, slightly larger than the whisker of a cat. Almost all who have tried acupuncture don’t consider it to be painful at all. Read the rest of this entry »
Holiday Shopping In Atlanta
December 1st, 2011
Decisions, Decisions…
Holiday shopping can be brutal in Atlanta. Thanksgiving is when everyone has to start thinking about gifts for friends and family for this holiday season. Clothes get outdated, old, and there is always that dreaded risk of buying the wrong size. Holiday food or restaurant gift cards are the last things someone wants to receive after over a month’s worth of massive holiday feasts and before their New Year Resolution. Electronics will be outdated and old within a few months. What if you could give a gift that will not become outdated within the next year and improves your friend’s health and beauty? Read the rest of this entry »
