HEALTHY HAIR

HEALTHY HAIR

               

Three essentials for healthy hair

          Your hair is a reflection of your internal health. Taking proper care of your hair can completely redefine your beauty. It is absolutely essential for you to know the type of hair that you possess. Your hair can fall into four basic categories – Normal, Oily, Dry, and Combination. Knowing the type and texture of your hair can help you to identify the type of products and treatment options that best suit your needs.

          The second essential for attaining healthy hair is to follow a proper hair care routine. You should wash your hair on a regular basis using a good shampoo and conditioner. Opt for a hair serum if required. Do not comb your wet hair and allow them to dry naturally. Minimize the use of heating machines like blow dryers, straightening irons, and curling devices as these damage your hair physically as well as chemically.

Use elastic bands and other accessories, which prevent hair breakage and avoid too-tight hairstyles like ponytails and buns. Make sure that you wear a hat or a scarf to protect your hair against the adverse effect of UV rays as well as strong winds. Oil your hair once a week to strength them. Massaging your scalp with almond or olive oil can aid in providing sufficient nutrition to your hair, for keeping them, moist, soft, and frizz-free. Trim your hair on a regular basis to avoid developing split ends.

         The third and most neglected essential for healthy and shiny hair is your diet. Watch your protein intake. Eating nutritious meals (especially adequate protein) can definitely promote the good health of your scalp and hair. Include two servings of protein-rich foods like eggs, chicken, sprouts, and soya in your daily diet. Consume two glasses of milk daily. Include omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E rich foods like soybeans, tofu, almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and flax seeds in every meal. In addition, drink plenty of water. Keeping the body well hydrated can ensure proper hair growth, whilst minimizing dandruff and thinning of hair.

HOME MADE FACIAL TIPS

                                      

                                        HOME MADE FACIAL MASKS

Here are some of the facial masks that you can create in just a few minutes and use at home:

FACIAL MASK #1 :

Slice an apple into small pieces. Put into a blender and add 3-4 tablespoons of honey. Blend it until the apple pieces are blended firmly. Apply the mixture on your face, let it stay there for 15 to 20 minutes then rinse with warm water. This is good for oily skin.

FACIAL MASK #2:

Get a big-sized ripe banana and mash it firmly. Put 4-5 tablespoons of honey and mix it well with the mashed banana. Apply the mixture to your face and your neck. Wait for for 15 minutes, then rinse it off with lukewarm water. I consider this as a firming facial mask.

FACIAL MASK #3:

This works best for blemished skin. Chop one medium size tomato. Add one tablespoon of instant oatmeal from your fridge and put them together in your blender. Add one table spoon of lemon juice. Once ingredients are mixed well, remove from the blender and apply it gently to your face. Apply

mixture to your blemished skin, add more oatmeal on your face, then wash it off with warm water after 10 to 15 minutes.

FACIAL MASK #4:

Mix 2 teaspoonfuls of fresh milk with 2 tablespoons of honey. Dab the mixture gently on your face and your neck. Let the mixture stay for about ten to fifteen minutes. Rinse your face with warm water after. This works best for dry skin types.

FACIAL MASK #5:

This is also for oily skin types. Grab two tomatoes from your crisper and mash it well. Apply the mashed tomatoes on your face. Wait for 20 minutes. You will feel a little uneasy with this facial mask, but just divert your attention to something else while waiting for your timer to hit the 20th minute. Then, wash it off with lukewarm water.

FACIAL MASK #6:

Ground four to five almonds finely. Mix the grounded almonds with a teaspoon of lemon juice and 1 ½ tablespoon of honey. Once fully combined, apply to your face gently. Leave the mixture on for 10 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water. This for making your face looks firmer.

FACIAL MASK #7:

Crash 5 newly picked strawberries. Add 1 table spoon of lemon and mix it well with the crashed strawberries. Rub it gently to your face. Leave it there for 15 minutes, then rinse with water. This works best for people with oily skin.

FACIAL MASK #8:

Mash an avocado to a pulp. Put in a blender and add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 egg white. Once the ingredients are well combined, apply the avocado-lemon-egg white mixture to your face and throat. Relax and wait for 20 minutes. Rinse it off with warm water. This is another facial mask good for oily skin types.

These are just some of the facial masks that we can do at home. Why not start having an extreme make-over to have your guy think twice of ditching you for another woman. Hahaha!!

GENERAL SKIN CARE

GENERAL SKIN CARE

Cleansing

Cleansing is the first essential step to any daily skin care routine. Cleansers are generally applied to wet skin over the face and sometimes also the neck, avoiding the eyes and lips.

Cleansing the face once per day is typically adequate for normal or dry skins. However, a mild cleanser should also be used at night if makeup has been worn to remove any excess dirt or oil. Oily skins should be cleansed more frequently, at least twice per day. Water-based, gentle cleansers are ideal for all skin types, though particularly acne-prone skin may require medicated cleansers containing  benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid to discourage acne. While soap can be used as a cleanser, it should be avoided in cases of dry and sensitive skins; many alternatives are available. Oil-based cleansers have become particularly popular with oily skin, as they are very gentle and do not over-dry the skin, but still effectively remove dirt and makeup. It is important to cleanse before applying makeup, regardless of skin type, as this helps to create a clean surface for makeup application. Many cleansers are also suitable for use as a makeup remover, but a proper makeup remover is preferable, particularly for the removal of eye makeup.

Masks

Face masks are treatments applied to the skin for a period of time, then removed. Typically, they are applied to a dry, cleansed face, avoiding the eyes and lips.

There are many kinds of face masks available, which typically fall into one or more of the following categories:

• Clay-based masks use kaolin clay or fuller's earth to transport essential oils and chemicals to the skin, and are typically left on until completely dry. As the clay dries, it absorbs excess oil and dirt from the surface of the skin and may help to clear blocked pores or draw comedones to the surface. Because of its drying actions, clay-based masks should only be used on oily skins.
• Peel masks are typically gel-like in consistency, and contain various acids or exfoliating agents to help exfoliate the skin, along with other ingredients to hydrate, discourage wrinkles, or treat uneven skin tone. They are also left on to dry, and then gently peeled off. They should be avoided by people with dry skin, as they also tend to be very drying.
• Sheet masks are a relatively new product that are becoming extremely popular in Asia. Sheet masks consist of a thin cotton or fiber sheet with holes cut out for the eyes and lips and cut to fit the contours of the face, onto which serums and skin treatments are brushed in a thin layer; the sheets may also be soaked in the treatment. Masks are available to suit almost all skin types and skin complaints. Sheet masks are quicker, less messy, and require no specialized knowledge or equipment for their use compared to other types of face masks, but they may be difficult to find and purchase outside of Asia.

HEALTH DRINK

HEALTH DRINK

           For kids of all ages, water and milk are the best choices, so let them flow. Not only is water calorie-free, but drinking it teaches kids to accept a low-flavor, no-sugar beverage as a thirst-quencher. Because a cup of milk has 300 milligrams of calcium, it can be a big contributor to your child's daily needs.

Here's how much calcium kids need each day:

• toddlers (ages 1 to 3 years): 700 milligrams of calcium daily
• kids (ages 4 to 8 years): 1000 milligrams
• older kids (ages 9 to 18 years): 1,300 milligrams

The current dietary guidelines for milk or equivalent dairy products or fortified soy beverages are:

• Kids ages 2 to 3 should drink 2 cups (480 milliliters) every day.
• Kids 4 through 8 should have 2½ cups (600 milliliters) per day.
• Kids 9 and older should have 3 cups (720 milliliters) per day.

Choose fat-free (skim) or low-fat (1%) milk products most of the time.

When kids drink too much juice, juice drinks, sports drinks, and soda, these beverages can crowd out the milk they need. Sugary drinks also can pile on the calories.

This chart shows the calories and sugar in different beverages:

DRINK	SIZE	CALORIES	SUGAR
Water	8 oz (240 ml)	0	0 g
Low-fat milk	8 oz (240 ml)	100	11 g
100% orange juice	8 oz (240 ml)	110	22 g
Juice drink (10% fruit juice)	8 oz (240 ml)	150	38 g
Powdered drink mix (with sugar added)	8 oz (240 ml)	90	24 g
Soda	8 oz (240 ml)	100	27 g

HEALTHY SNACKS

HEALTHY SNACKS

     Between school, homework, sports, your after-school job, and hanging out with friends, it may feel like there's no time for healthy eating. And when you do stop to eat, it's probably tempting to go the quick and easy route by grabbing a burger and fries, potato chips, or candy.But it is possible to treat yourself to a healthy snack. In fact, if you have a hectic schedule, it's even more important to eat healthy foods that give you the fuel you need to keep going.                                                                      Even if you take time to eat three meals a day, you may still feel hungry at times. What's the answer? Healthy snacks. Snacking on nutritious food can keep your energy level high and your mind alert without taking up a lot of your time.                                                                                                   WHY HEALTHY SNACKING IS GOOD FOR YOU: You may have noticed that you feel hungry a lot. This is natural — during adolescence, the body needs more nutrients to grow as it should. Snacks are a terrific way to satisfy that hunger and get all the vitamins and nutrients your body needs.But you need to pay attention to what you eat. Stuffing your face with a large order of fries after class may give you a temporary boost, but a snack this high in fat and calories will only slow you down in the long run.          To keep energy levels going — and avoid weight gain — steer clear of foods with lots of added sugars like candy bars or soda. Look for foods that contain fiber like whole-grain breads, cereals, fruit, and vegetables and combine them with protein-rich snacks such as peanut butter or low-fat yogurt or cheese. 

Here are some ways to make healthy snacking part of your everyday routine:

• Prepare healthy snacks in advance. Did you know that you can make your own granola or trail mix? When you make something yourself, you get to control the ingredients and put in what's good for you! You also can keep plenty of fresh fruit and veggies at home to take on the go. Cut up melons or vegetables like celery and carrots in advance. Keep the servings in bags in the fridge, ready to grab and go.
• Keep healthy snacks with you. Make it a habit to stash some fruit, whole-grain crackers, or baby carrots in your backpack or workout bag so you always have some healthy food nearby. Half a cheese sandwich also makes a great snack to have on standby.
• Make it interesting. Healthy snacking doesn't have to be boring as long as you give yourself a variety of choices. Whole-wheat pretzels with spicy mustard, rice cakes with peanut butter and raisins, or low-fat fruit yogurt are healthy, tasty, and easy.
• Satisfy cravings with healthier approaches. If you're crazy for chocolate, try a hot chocolate drink instead of a chocolate bar. An 8-ounce mug of hot chocolate has only 140 calories and 3 grams of fat. The average chocolate bar, on the other hand, has 230 calories and 13 grams of fat. Substitute nonfat frozen yogurt or sorbet for ice cream. If you're craving savory munchies, snack on baked tortilla chips instead of regular corn chips and pair them with salsa instead of sour cream. Or satisfy salt cravings with pretzels instead of chips.
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POLISHED NAILS

POLISHED NAILS 

         Traditionally, nail polish started in clear, red, pink, purple, and black. Since that time, many new colors and techniques have developed, resulting in nail polish that can be found in an extremely diverse variety of colors. Beyond solid colors, nail polish has also developed an array of other designs and colors, such as nail polish stamps, crackled, magnetic, nail polish strips and stickers; fake rhinestones are also often applied. Some types of polish are advertised to cause nail growth, make nails stronger, prevent nails from breaking, cracking and splitting, and to stop nail biting. Nail polish may be applied as one of several components in a manicure. 

         French manicures are manicures designed to resemble natural nails, and are characterized by natural pink base nails with white tips, making it one of the first popular and well known color schemes with nail polish. The tips of the nails are painted white while the rest of the nails are polished in a pink or a suitable nude shade. French manicures may have originated in 18th-century Paris and were popular in the 1920 s and 1930 s.

         Social media has given rise to the nail art culture that allows users to share their pictures about their nail art. "W W D reports nail polish sales hit a record $768 million in the U.S. in 2012, a 32% gain over 2011, despite a cluttered market that seemingly sees a new launch each week." General new polishes and related products came on to the market in the second decade of the 21st century as part of the explosion of nail art, such as nail stickers (either made of nail polish or plastic), "crackle" nail polish, magnetic nail polish, nail polish marketed for men, and nail decorations.

HEALTHY NATURAL HAIR

HEALTHY NATURAL HAIR 

   4 Beauty Tips to Healthy Natural Hair

                     Though a permanent cure for gray hair is still to be found, a colorist can still do an excellent job in getting rid of all your gray hair. Women over 50 will find the following tips useful to bring out their inherent beauty, though there’s nothing more beautiful than going gray naturally.

• A few strands of color painted hair can be great to subtly hide gray hairs, more so if the natural hair color is light.
• Another way to get rid of your gray hair is to go for a solid and darker shade. This may be the perfect solution to take care of your gray hairs, but only for the duration of six to eight weeks as the color grows out by this time. So if you don’t mind traveling to the salon every six to eight weeks, this method is great.
• You can also try out a new hairstyle, which again should be a reflection of your personal preferences. Also, turning 50 should not mean it’s time to cut your hair short, since long hair has a beauty of its own, irrespective of what the age is.
• To take care of your thinning hair, go for a shorter cut as this leads to an increase in volume.Coloring your hair is another option to provide volume to fine limp, hair. Use of the right product can also be of help, like a volumizing shampoo. Another way to tackle the problem of thinning hair is to go for hair extension.

However, the best natural beauty tip can be to invoke it from within, as inherent beauty is the best form of beauty. And a radiant smile on the face can be the best reflection of internal beauty. Also, this may mean going for the right products or treatments as the case may be. And at the end of it all, taking proper care of yourself can be the best natural beauty tip that you can benefit from.

FAIRNESS SKIN

                                                                      FAIRNESS SKIN

    Three important steps for maintaining good skin are cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing. Smoking prematurely ages skin, so stop. Limit exposure to the sun. Blotchy complexions and age spots have been linked to overexposure to the sun. Sun damage also causes wrinkles, so use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher regularly. Moisturizing lotion and soap effectively help to soothe dry skin. Use cleansers rich in vitamin E and glycerin. Exfoliate daily to get rid of dead, dry skin. Use facial and body scrubs with exfoliating properties. Over-the-counter creams containing. Pentapeptides prompt skin cells to produce more collagen (skin firmer). Almond and Castor oil are also good moisturizing agents. They can be used at night in place of moisturizing creams. Drink lots of water, and eat healthy to aid your body in skin repairs. Water hydrates the skin from the inside out.

Presented here are some simple tips that you can use effectively to make your skin look soft and healthy.

• Scientists have established a direct link between premature aging of your skin and smoking. So if you are into smoking, get rid of it.
• Stay away from sunbathing and tanning salons. Avoid the hot midday sun, preferably from 10 am to 4 pm, as the sun’s rays are strongest during this time, if you do not wish to end up with freckles,age spots or blotchy complexion on your skin. And if you still have to be outside during this time, ensure you have enough protective measure taken, like a protective hat, log sleeved shirt or sunglasses.
• Use sunscreen regularly, especially those which provide both UVB and UVA protection and with SPF that is higher than 15. Too much of unprotected exposure to the sun results in the formation of fine wrinkles and uneven skin tone, a phenomenon termed as ‘ photo aging .’
• Be aware of skin cancer, and if you notice anything unusual about your skin, seek medical advice immediately. This applies more for older and fair skinned people who are at a greater risk than anybody else.
• Use a humidifier like moisturizing soaps or lotions to keep your skin soft and smooth and see your doctor if its otherwise.
• Maintain a healthy food habit and see to it that you drink lots of water.  This will ensure your skin is hydrated from inside out.
• There are several anti aging products in the form of lotions and creams available off the shelf which, women above 50 can make the best use of for revitalizing their skin. Among these, products laced with  pentapeptides that promote the development of collagen, the support structure that is responsible for giving a firm look to the skin, can be used for best results. There’s also the option of prescription treatments and retinoid creams that you can make the best use of.There is a range of skin treatments available that can impart a youthful look to the skin. This includes botox injections to get rid of wrinkles from the upper third of the face, chemical peeling methods for erasing fine lines especially around the eyes and mouth or wrinkle fillers to plump up the skin. Another method to remove ultra fine lines, rejuvenate skin complexion and improve skin color and tone is micro dermabrasion.Intense Pulse Light is still another method that allows doctors to take care of skin that may have been damaged by the sun, scars and other facial problems.

SUMMER CAMPS AND ITS IMPORTANCE

It is hard to believe it but it is actually time to start thinking about summer camp  for your kids. Whether you chose a day camp or a sleep away experience, by sending your child off to camp you are providing them with a valuable growing experience. 

Every family has their own set of guidelines and comfort level, regarding sending a child to sleep away camp. Most camps will consider campers who are 7 and above for overnights, and some even younger. Developmentally, most kids are ready to be away from home at 8 years old, but again this varies depending upon personality and family dynamics.

The advantages to sending your child to an over night camp are many. Children have an opportunity to relate to adults without their parents present to help them navigate the interaction. They can make new friends and for some kids, reinvent themselves for a small time away from school and familiar social settings. This opportunity helps many children develop competencies that they have yet to develop at home or in school. Your child can build new skills, in a relatively short period of time, when given the opportunity. 

Most parents report that their child returns from sleep away camp with a greater level of independence than they could have imagined gained, in such a limited amount of time. At camp there are expectations placed on kids, with regard to time and self-care, and often those things are managed more closely at home simply because of busy schedules. At camp, the days are a bit more leisurely (hopefully) and the stress level is low which is something most kids desperately need. 

If just reading this article makes you queasy at the thought of sending your sweet little one away from home at such a young age, stop and think about why this is. Is your discomfort because of a past experience you had at sleep away camp or are you simply feeling that the world is too scary a place to allow your children to venture out on their own so young? These are valid concerns but shouldn’t dictate whether or not you take this leap of faith. Be very careful because your reluctance can be contagious and may be the reason your child is either resistant to the idea or outright objects to it. 

By all means, do your due diligence when it comes to choosing a camp. Make sure they have a good reputation and ideally some longevity. Even better, get recommendations from friends or your child’s school or doctor. I don’t recommend ever forcing a child to attend summer camp, if they are adamantly against it, but if they show some resistance gentle encouragement is perfectly acceptable. 

Summer camp may not be the right activity for every child but it is a wonderful experience for most. Homesickness and getting dirty are all a part of the package but the friendships, memories made, and the experiences gained can last a lifetim12

Every family has their own set of guidelines and comfort level, regarding sending a child to sleep away camp. Most camps will consider campers who are 7 and above for overnights, and some even younger. Developmentally, most kids are ready to be away from home at 8 years old, but again this varies depending upon personality and family dynamics. 

It is hard to believe it but it is actually time to start thinking about summer camp for your kids. Whether you chose a  day camp for a sleep away experience, by sending your child off to camp you are providing them with a valuable growing experience. 

The advantages to sending your child to an overnight camp are many. Children have an opportunity to relate to adults without their parents present to help them navigate the interaction. They can make new friends and for some kids, reinvent themselves for a small time away from school and familiar social settings. This opportunity helps many children develop competencies that they have yet to develop at home or in school. Your child can build new skills, in a relatively short period of time, when given the opportunity.

Most parents’report that their child returns from sleep away camp with a greater level of independence than they could have imagined gained, in such a limited amount of time. At camp there are expectations placed on kids, with regard to time and self-care, and often those things are managed more closely at home simply because of busy schedules. At camp, the days are a bit more leisurely (hopefully) and the stress level is low which is something most kids desperately need.

If just reading this article makes you queasy at the thought of sending your sweet little one away from home at such a young age, stop and think about why this is. Is your discomfort because of a past experience you had at sleep away camp or are you simply feeling that the world is too scary a place to allow your children to venture out on their own so young? These are valid concerns but shouldn’t dictate whether or not you take this leap of faith. Be very careful because your reluctance can be contagious and may be the reason your child is either resistant to the idea or outright objects to it.

By all means, do your due diligence when it comes to choosing a camp. Make sure they have a good reputation and ideally some longevity. Even better, get recommendations from friends or your child’s school or doctor. I don’t recommend ever forcing a child to attend summer camp, if they are adamantly against it, but if they show some resistance gentle encouragement is perfectly acceptable.

Summer camp may not be the right activity for every child but it is a wonderful experience for most. Homesickness and getting dirty are all a part of the package but the friendships, memories made, and the experiences gained can last a life time.

Hide your Gray hair

Sure, gray hair seems to be making a comeback in Hollywood – did you see Kelly Osbourne's recent gray locks?! – but most women avoid the straggly little buggers like the plague.

WEIGH YOUR OPTIONS

We're showing you your best options for dealing with your shades of gray.

Once upon a time, gray hairs used to be like battle scars: They showed a woman was dignified and wise, after all. Nowadays, women are pretty terrified of slipping into the silver 

What not to do

You've probably been warned that if you pluck a gray hair, more will grow back. We're not so sure about that, but Piecuch does tell us that getting all tweezer-happy isn't a good thing. "Tweezing them is not necessary. When they grow back in, they'll stick straight up causing the whole world to really know what's going on."

What to do

Whether you decide to cover up your hair with a whole new shade or simply get strategic about covering them up, there's an easy solution for everyone: "There's an option for everyone -- whether you have black, brown or blonde hair, are a six week or a 12 week type of client."
Since gray hair can leave skin looking dull, coloring it has many benefits. A new, fresh color can take years off your age, bring vibrancy and richness to your natural skin, and make wiry gray hair soft and manageable.
"The great thing about color is it can almost always be fixed or altered," Piecuch says. "Trust your stylist to pick out the best color for you and together work on a schedule so you're always looking your best."

What are my options?

Enough talking! Let's check out the best options for dealing with your grays.

For the commitment-phobes:

Maintenance level: These options require the least upkeep and are great for women in the six week maintenance bracket.

If you're not ready to fully commit to a new hair color but are still bothered by your grays, Piecuch says you have a few options. "Highlighting (either balayage or foiling) will add some 
brightness to the hair and the gray will blend in with them," she says. "If you're extremely gray 
but don't plan to be at the salon often, this will be the best for upkeep. With this option, when your roots come in they won't be as noticeable.
Another alternative is to low light, adding your natural color back in and basically turning back the clock a few years. With this option, you'll still have grays but there will be less of them.

For the in-betweeners
Maintenance level: This most common coloring option lasts four to six weeks.
If you want to get rid of grays but aren't ready to commit to a new color totally, demi permanent color is the best option for you! "This is the best gray blending service," Piecuch says. "The color lasts four to six weeks and then slowly fades off the hair, leaving no regrowth lines."
Another bonus? all demi permanent color lines are usually ammonia-free and 
are very gentle on the hair. Plus, it's usually the quickest option, and the hair is left in shiny healthy condition.

For the risk takers:

Maintenance level: Depending on how much gray you have, this option usually requires a four to six week upkeep routine.
"When you're ready to fully commit, it's time for permanent color. This will cover any piece of gray that's on your head and no one will ever know the difference," Piecuch says.
Since regrowth can be very obvious, Piecuch recommends pairing this service with a highlight "to keep the color looking dimensional and minimize the line of the new root and the previously colored hair."

Foot pain ...

Perhaps we should. Whether we notice or not, our feet take a beating, and all those miles can definitely take a toll, leaving feet looking - and feeling - battered.

WHY WE HATE OUR FEET

According to a recent survey by the American Podiatric Medical Association, more than a quarter of US women say they hate their feet, most often because of the way they look. What's more, more than half of all adults say they regularly experience foot pain.

Foot Fact:

People ages 36 to 45 report more acute pain than any other age group.

LIVING WITHOUT FOOT PAIN

The truth is, having painful or unattractive feet is not an inevitable part of life. No one should consider foot problems "normal," says Robert Piccora, DPM, an Associate Professor at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine and chairman of Podiatry at Gramercy Surgery Center in New York City. "Sure, your feet might feel a little sore after you've been on them more than usual - maybe you went for a long hike or spent the day shopping," he says. "And you might get a blister if you wear shoes that don't fit perfectly. But if you're in pain - or if you notice any bumps, bulges or bends in your feet - you should pay attention."

COMMON TYPES OF FOOT PAIN AND CAUSES

Some of the most common types of pain come from problems with the toe joints, says Dr Piccora, and the most common types of these problems are bunions - caused by misalignment in the junction of the big toe and the foot - and hammertoes, which are deformities in the second or third toe joints. Unlike more superficial problems, such as blisters and calluses, these conditions are the result of changes in the bony framework in the foot. They look bad, they often feel worse, and they won't go away on their own.
"Both bunions and hammertoes tend to run in families," Drs says. They're often caused by an inherited defect in the mechanical structure of the foot, which creates abnormal stresses and, eventually, deformities in the bone and joint. "You don't inherit the problem," he explains, "just the predisposition." Other causes are foot injuries, neuromuscular disorders, arthritis and congenital deformities such as flat feet or low arches. People whose jobs place a lot of stress on their feet, such as ballet dancers, are also prone to developing bunions and hammertoes.

Pamper yourself to a pedicure

STEPS TO THE PERFECT PEDICURE

Whether you are doing it for yourself or someone else, the procedure is the same -- although it's easier to massage someone else's feet than it is to completely massage your own.

To start, you will need a footbath or large, wide bowl.

Choose from a selection of bath and essential oils, foot scrubs, or fizzing bath bombs. Organize toe nail clipper, emery board, nail buffer, spongy toe separators (if planning to polish toenails), nail brush, and follow-up scented foot lotion. In addition, you'll need towels for catching spills, and drying freshly washed feet. If you have nail polish on your toe nails, remove polish thoroughly before starting the pedicure.

Take the bowl or footbath and fill it with warm to hot water.

Give yourself the hottest water your feet can take for optimum softening of the tough heel skin, and to promote relaxation. Toss in a fizzing bath bomb. Most are made with scent and Epsom salts, and, when added to water, turn a simple bath, or in this case, a simple footbath, into a bubbling, tickling massage. Add a drop of your favoring essential oil -- lavender is a relaxing choice.

Use a foot scrub.

While feet are wet, use a foot scrub to soften the calluses built up during everyday exercise and ordinary tasks. Be gentle. If the tough skin on your feet has been building up over a few years, realize that it may take a few weekly pampering pedicures to bring your feet back to softness.

Rinse foot scrub off feet in the cooling footbath.

Feet can soften in the footbath for a total of about five minutes, or until water is too cool for enjoyment. Gently dry off feet with an absorbent towel.

Care for your cuticals.

While skin and nails are soft, take a few minutes to gently push back toenail cuticles with an angled cuticle stick. Use big toe nail clippers to cut toe nails straight across. A caution: do not clip them too short for this can cause problems with ingrown toe nails as the cut nails grow back. Grab the nail brush and scrub across the tip of nails and on the top of the nails. This is a safer way to clean out gunk under nails than to poke a stick underneath the tip and down the side of nails.

Now for the foot massage.

If you are giving yourself a pedicure, don't skip this step no matter how awkward or difficult it may seem. Massaging feet increases blood circulation, relaxes muscles and relieves aches and pains. Any lotion will do but using a peppermint oil foot lotion brings added benefits: the peppermint also promotes blood circulation in the foot, and overpowers lingering foot odor. You can start at either end of your foot, but make sure the entire foot receives the benefit of the massage.
Pour a quarter-sized dollop of lotion into your hand and start at the heel, rubbing repeatedly with a light touch, softening skin and soothing stresses. Move up the foot, rubbing lotion in the bottom of the foot. Use thumbs to make small circles as you work your way over the sole. Pressure can be increased anywhere it feels good. In fact, ticklish feet prefer a firmer hand; it's the light touch that tickles most!

Pay extra attention to the toes.

Rub between toes, using a gentle touch. Finish by rubbing each toe individually. Give both feet equal care.

Finish with the toenails.

File any jagged or sharp edges and shape the toe nail. Even if you do not want to polish the toenails, use a nail buffer to smooth nail ridges for a clean, healthy look.
If possible, use a nail buffer that has three separate finishes. Start with the roughest surface first and give each nail 20 strokes. Give each nail 20 more strokes with next surface, and finish with 20 buffing strokes with the finest surface on the nail buffer. Use that goofy looking sponge toe separator. This tool keeps polish from smearing as toes bump together.

And finally, the polish.

When polishing toenails, keep in mind the beating your feet take during the day. Start with a clear base coat of polish to prevent the yellowing on the toenails resulting from dark polish painted directly on the nail. Two coats of color will help the nails stay attractive for up to two weeks. Finish with two sheer coats of a protective top coat to keep your pedicure looking great.

Antiaging tips for skin

EAT FOR SKIN HEALTH

What we eat has a huge impact on how we look, especially when it comes to achieving that much-coveted youthful glow. dietitians recommend getting plenty of what she calls "smart" fats - omega-3s and monounsaturated fat - which help regenerate skin at the cellular level, improve texture and tone and help ensure skin looks supple. Get these smart fats from fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, herring, halibut, sardines), avocado, olives and olive oil.    
Spano also suggests choosing foods rich in lutein - a carotenoid that may help protect your skin from the inside out. The best sources of lutein are egg yolks, leafy dark green veggies and fresh corn. Some studies have found that lutein may also protect skin from UV damage.  
Foods that are high in antioxidants, such as berries, broccoli, leafy greens (kale, spinach) and tomatoes are also great for your skin. We need antioxidants to help protect the skin from free-radical damage (rough texture, wrinkles, sun spots). Vitamin E is another must for skin health, Spano says, and suggests adding vegetable oils, wheat germ, nuts, seeds and olives to your diet for healthy, glowing skin.

STAY HYDRATED

If you want skin to look younger and more supple, drinking enough water is a must. "Dehydrated skin looks wrinkled and rough," Spano says. Aim for eight glasses of a day, which will also help you lose weight, aid digestion, improve your energy and concentration and flush toxins from your body. Keep a reusable bottle in your purse for easy, on-the-go sipping. 

ANTI-AGING SKIN CARE

Cleanse: Gently wash your face both morning and night, but steer clear of cleansers that have high alcohol content and other drying agents , which leaves skin clean, soft and free of pore-clogging debris.
Exfoliate: Exfoliate your skin weekly with a gentle facial scrub, which will get rid of dead skin cells and keep skin smooth, healthy , a gentle but effective product that stimulates cell renewal and brightens skin.
Moisturize: Apply moisturizer over your entire face and neck twice a day. Dry, aging skin loses its elasticity, which is when wrinkles start to form. which strengthens skins' moisture barrier to improve the look of dry, aging skin.

WHAT TO SHOP FOR

Look for skincare products with effective anti-aging ingredients such as vitamins A, C and E, retinol, peptides, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and glycolic acid. Most major skincare brands offer products with these anti-aging ingredients, and these products will help reduce the appearance of fine line and wrinkles, as well as help slow the aging process.  

PROTECT YOUR SKIN

No matter your age, you need to protect your skin from the sun. Not only can sun exposure lead to skin cancer, it will also cause dryness, sun spots, wrinkles and other visible signs of aging. Always 
use a moisturizer, sunscreen and cosmetics that contain SPF 15 or higher. If you spend a lot of time in the sun each day, wear both sunglasses and a hat.

HOMEMADE SKIN CARE

Even though you can buy anti-aging products at the store, you can also go the DIY route and make your own. We've created a simple but effective recipe you can try at home using items you probably have in your kitchen.

APPLE ANTI-AGING CREAM

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp apple juice
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp buttermilk
• 1 Tbsp rosemary oil
• 3 seedless grapes
• 1/2 apple
• 2 egg whites

Directions: 

1. Blend all the ingredients in a food processor or blender.
2. Use a cotton ball and dab the mixture over entire face.
3. Pay special attention to areas around the mouth and eyes.
4. Allow mixture to dry completely and then rinse with cool water.
5. Use twice a week for best results.
6. Refrigerate leftover mixture for up to one week.