Fragrance Changes Your Mood

Research shows that smell affects mood and behavior. Apparently, the nasal passages lead directly to the brain´s limbic system which regulates your mood, memory and sexual response. Knowing this, head out and find a fragrance that appeals to you and then watch your mood change. It couldn´t be easier.

Take It Back

If you purchase a moisturizer for dry skin (for example) and it doesn´t meet your needs, take it back for a refund. This is also true of any product that produces an adverse reaction.

Guard against wrinkles with 30 seconds per day

Regardless of gender, make a point to moisturize your face every morning. The moisturizer guards against the dry, dull skin that is more likely to develop premature wrinkles. To add more power to your routine, choose a face lotion containing SPF 15 or higher.

Smoke, Dust and Dirt

We come into contact with smog, dust and dirt, not to mention chemicals in every day cleaning supplies. Can you imagine what this is doing to our faces? It is really important to cleanse thoroughly and follow this up with an anti-oxident cream to help take care of the free radical damage.

Dermabrasion

This procedure involves electric brushes that "sand" the outer layers of the skin. It is the shock of this procedure that causes new collagen to form. This form of cosmetic surgery is primarily for deep lines or sever acne scars. Be sure to search out a qualified dermatologist or doctor and recovery/healing time can be up to six weeks in some cases.

Do I Really Need Cosmetic Surgery?

If you are considering any sort of cosmetic surgery, be sure you are doing it for the right reasons. Do you simply want to appear more attractive? If so, consider other possible routes that are available to you. There maybe an easier and less expensive way to achieve the same results.

Free Radicals Speed Aging

Not only will free radicals speed up aging, they will make you more susceptible to illness. Be sure to include broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, citrus fruits and green tea as often as possible... daily if you can manage it.

Your Toes... :(

Have you looked at the cuticles around your toes lately? If not treated, they can be as hard as leather. Baby them a little by applying your favorite cuticle oil.

Glycolic Peels

This procedure is the mildest and will remove only the outer layers of skin. However, you will notice a fresher look to your complexion immediately. What will this acid peel feel like? Yes, it does sting a little but it´s nothing you can´t handle.

Blissful Bath

Don´t use the bath as a place to merely shave your legs. Instead, put on some soothing music, scent the room and then use a bar of decadent soap. Personally, I love chocolate soap. When the bath is finished, you are soft, fragrant and incredibly relaxed.

Buy a fashion magazine

Wearing the right clothes can have a tremendous impact on the age you appear to be. A forty-year-old woman can cause herself to look anywhere from 25 to 55 based on the clothes she wears. Pick up a copy of a fashion book and see for yourself the amazing style transformations that are possible. Doing so can shed years off of your appearance.

Finding a Doctor?

If you have decided that cosmetic surgery is right for you, it´s time to find a doctor. Look for recommendations from your family physician, rather than simply going through the newspaper. Recommendations can also come from people you know. Your neighborhood esthetician might be able to point you in the right direction as well.

Not Enough in Foundations

While it might sound like a good idea to wear a foundation containing an SPF factor, the layer that you apply is too thin to provide the kind of coverage you require. To prevent damage from the sun, team up your foundation with a good moisturizer that contains a sunscreen.

Our Skin´s Biggest Enemy

It´s the sun! Is it any wonder that our face is the first part of us to show its age? And it isn´t merely suntanning that causes the problems. It´s the CONSTANT exposure that we receive every day... a minute here and a few minutes there. Our defense is a daily application of an SPF15 (or more) moisturizer.

Treat Yourself

You probably deserve this more than you know! You are going to need 15 ml of sweet almond oil and a few drops of lavender essential oil. Combine the two and then take a few moments to give yourself a facial massage. They are incredibly relaxing and very beneficial to the skin. And surprisingly enough, the oil is easily absorbed into the skin which means no shiny face to worry about.

Your Bottom Lip

Be sure to wear a lip balm or a lipstick that contains a sunscreen. Your bottom lip is especially vulnerable to the sun´s rays and there have been reports of cancer in this area of the face. Don´t take any chances.

Exercise... Food for the Skin

Exercise is not only good for your body, it´s also good for your skin. Aerobic exercise will increase circulation, bringing much needed nutrients to the cells. It also boosts the collagen and elastin production that ruins our necks and jaw lines. So... exercise really is "skin food."

What does SPF stand for?

These three letters stand for "sun protection factor." If your product states SPF25, it means that you could remain in the the sun 25 times longer than if you had no protection. Each year, companies bring out products with higher protection. I now have a sun block with an SPF of 50.

What is Artecol?

This procedure involves a series of injections, just under the skin´s surface. Microspheres fill the depression (wrinkle), lifting the skin to its former height. Artecol contains an anaesthetic that aids in minimizing discomfort, after the procedure has taken place.

Tired Eyes?

I spend a lot of time on the computer and as a result, my eyes are often tired. Here´s an easy way to give them a rest.

Rub your hands together several times to build up heat. Now cover the eye area, resting the heel of the palm on the cheek bone. Your hands won´t even touch the eye area, but the heat will soothe and relax.