Top 10 Fashion and Style Tips for Women

1 - Know your body shape

Petite women should avoid chunky clothes and strong prints. Instead go for fitted shapes and soft fabrics, narrow belts subtle contrasts of colour and texture. Keep everything streamlined so as not to cut the body in half.

Busty women should wear eye-catching skirts (shorter if you are comfortable) and trousers, strong prints and colours or textures draw the eye away from the top half of the body. Wearing a single block of colour is thinning. Avoid eye-catching tops, instead wear long jackets that draw the eye down. Darker coloured tops which are loose fitting and waist hugging.

Pear shaped women should love vertical lines, V-necks and skirts with slits up the side. Straight of A-line skirts to just below the knee. Dark tights and shoes with colour or pattern in a blouse or top, tops should hang past the hips. Classic cuts on top in lighter colours draw the eye away from the hips. Accent the V-neck with a V or Y- shaped necklace.

Tall women should avoid tight clothes. Wear the right skirt length, too short or too long will be out of proportion. As with petite women keep everything streamlined, wear blouses over trousers so as not to shorten your top half.

Rectangular women should wear pattern. Feminine knit sweaters over skirts are great. Wear a round neckline and mirror it with a round necklace or scarf.

 2 - Dress to suit your personality

Rock chick - accessorize and clash a little but keep it feminine.
Urban chic - take advantage of the wonderful high street fashion, stunning yet simple.
Sporty - Layer trendy casual clothes.
Arty - Taking the contemporary fashion and adding a dash of your own personality to spice things up.
Sexy - Sensual fabrics, curvy and delicious. A splash of colour and scent.
Retro chic - Great accessories, and a flare for those classic, all time looks.
Romantic - Classic cuts, tailoring and soft colours, lace, embroidery and pearls.

 3 - The right accessories can make all the difference

- V and Y- shaped necklaces draw the eye down
- Round necklaces fill the neckline
- Ultra long earrings elongate the neck
- A long, trailing belt elongates the legs
- The right hat can make an outfit
- Cocktail rings add fun and colour and a bit of sparkle to a casual outfit
- Scarves can be arty
- A matching jewellery set can bring an outfit together

 4 - Wake up to make up

- Make your eyes sparkle with a contrasting eye shadow
- Open out the eye by highlighting down the middle of the lid
- Use black for a dramatic look
- Use grey for smoky eyes with a delicate pink lipstick
- Choose a red lipstick for a classic look but choose one close to your own natural colour for precision.
- When creating bold eyes, keep paler lips. When choosing red lipstick do paler eyes.
- Use the colour palettes made up by the manufactures instead of matching your own eye shadow tones. Blend the colours well.

 5 --A bag for life

- For daywear a good sized leather bag in a classic style cut. This season gives you plenty of choice as to colour and texture.
- For evening wear the clutch bag is back or alternatively go for a shoulder bag with a chain strap.

6 - Keep everything in proportion

- petite people elongate themselves with a slim cut
- for slim hips wear straight leg trousers/skirts, avoid flared ankles.
- for curvy hips balance them out with an A-line skirt, not a bias cut
- to hide hips wear flared trousers and a classic cut top
- wear a blouse with a short skirt
- wear a trim jumper with a long skirt
- heels are always slimming
- wear the right jacket, length and bulk are important here

 7 - Dress for the season

- in spring / summer wear the bronzer and shimmery make up
- for spring / summer wear lower cut and soft fabrics in bright colours
- in autumn / winter matte make up with slightly darker tones
- for autumn / winter wear natural colours and natural fabrics, knitwear, leather, cotton, linen

8 - Don't mix styles

- less is more
- there are many trends this season don't wear bold colours, metallics, animal print and retro glamour all at once.
- Pick one style per outfit and don't go overboard, often one or two accessories will look fabulous with a simple outfit.

9 - Have fun with subtle changes

- have jewellery that you can mix and match each day
- change your parting
- wear a scarf as a belt
- wear basic clothes in unusual ways
- use a brooch on a ribbon as a chocker
- wear a long necklace or a scarf as a bracelet
- add cabochon beads to an old bag and use it again

 10 - It all comes down to the basics

- a good pair of jeans go for comfort, there are lots of styles which are fashionable this year. It is important to try them on before you buy. If going for skinny jeans get stretchy ones. If you have curvy hips got for low boot cut jeans to show them off. If you need a little more room for thighs and calves go for a relaxed fit, or for the bum go for low waist, low pockets and balance things out with flared ankles. This season go for dark colours and textures.
- a leather jacket is an autumn/winter basic. Go for a good feminine cut, no need to look like a biker unless you choose that style.
- a classic suit if you don't wear one to work is great for many occasions.
- a white blouse is versatile and feminine
- a proper coat again go for a feminine cut at a length that suits you.
- boots there are many refreshing changes to the classics this year
- evening dress think of the whole outfit before you buy and make sure you have shoes and jewellery to match, maybe get a versatile dress that can be dressed down for occasions too.
- high heels the shoes to dance the night away in
- appropriate bag barrel bag for overnight, clutch bag for evening, shoulder bag for day.
- Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, the correct underwear. Start with a good foundation and the rest of the outfit will follow. Go and get yourself measured if you are not sure.

Common Fashion Mistakes Women Should Avoid

- Wrong colours. Know your skin and hair tone and what colours compliment you.
- Wrong size. Be honest when you shop. Wearing the right size clothes in good tailored fitting will make you look wonderful no matter what your size.
- Wrinkled clothes. Avoid looking like you haven't made the effort.
- Slave to fashion. Don't pick the trends up from the catwalks unless you are sure they will suit your bony shape and colouring.
- Wrong underwear. Wear good, well fitting underwear and don't show bra straps or slip hems.
- Too short skirts. They make it too easy to flash, keep your modesty intact.
- Too many colours. Lots of colours together confuse the eye, choose two or three.
- Too many patterns. Again, confusing and messy. Don't be afraid of colour or pattern but less is more.
- Too many accessories. Accessories can really make an outfit, but again don't overdo it.
- Unmatched shoes. Make sure your shoes match your outfit or stockings.
- Stuck in rut. Don't always stick to the one style of clothes, have some fun changing your wardrobe.
- Inappropriately dressed. Always dress for the occasion or wear functional clothes depending on the weather or season.
- Inappropriate make up. Day make up is lighter than evening and summer is lighter and more sunkissed than winter which is darker and matte.
- Scruffy shoes. The best outfit in the world can be ruined with scruffy shoes.
- Unmatched fabrics. Dress for the season, heavier knit for winter doesn't match with the lighter sheer summer fabrics.
- Uncoordinated wardrobe. Try to create a wardrobe of clothes you can mix and match so that you don't have to worry about putting outfits together.
- Same hairstyle. Update your hairstyle, don't get stuck in a rut.

What do you wear on rainy days?

With the June gloom we’ve been experiencing across the US recently, I’ve received tons of emails from you guys wanting outfit ideas for rainy days. It can definitely be tough to dress for a rainy day because there are so many things to consider. From what type of material you can wear (suede shoes are a no-go) to how to stay dry without sacrificing style, dressing well when it’s rainy out requires a little planning in advance. Don’t worry, though! It’s easier than most people think to dress for a rainy day. Here are some rainy day fashion tips, as well as six outfit ideas for rainy days.

Rainy Day Fashion Tips:

Add color! Don’t be scared to wear something bright and fun on a rainy day. Bad weather can be depressing, so why not go out of your way to wear something non-depressing and cute?

A cute umbrella can be an accessory. There are so many adorable and cheap umbrellas available at stores like Target, so there’s really no excuse to stick to basic black. Buy a couple in your favourite colours if you live in a really rainy area and use them to add colour to your look.

Kid’s umbrellas are cheap, cute, and perfect for one person. I mentioned this in my article 25 Fashion & Style Tips to Brighten Your Day as well, and though I’d repeat the tip here. Why not save a little cash, have some fun, and buy a really ridiculous kids umbrella?

Don’t spend a lot on an umbrella. If you’re anything like me, you’ve lost more umbrellas than you care to remember. That’s why you should never spend much on them. Even if you aren’t prone to misplacing them, umbrellas still aren’t investment pieces – you don’t use them every day! 

A classic trench coat is always perfect for rainy weather. There aren’t many inexpensive and cute trenches in stores right now as it’s summer, so I didn’t include many in the outfits below. But that doesn’t mean I don’t love them! The trench coat is SUCH a classic & essential piece that’s perfect for all occasions and especially rainy days.

Be careful of the materials you wear in rain. I’m sure you probably know this already, but just in case… Suede is off-limits in rain because water usually ruins it, and leather that hasn’t been treated with a protect ant can easily be damaged by water as well. Don’t risk ruining your clothes – go with rubber, leather, or protect ant-treated leather shoes in rain and leave your favorite suede handbag at home.

At the same time, don’t worry too much about a 100% waterproof jacket. If you plan ahead and have your umbrella on hand, your jacket won’t get wet enough for waterproofing to matter.

Go crazy when it comes to rain boots. There are so many cute rain boots out there today to fit any sense of style – they literally come in every colour under the sun. Have fun and find a pair you love! Much like umbrellas, you can go completely nuts with your rain boots and no one will mind.

How to cure Seasonal Hair Loss

Seasonal hair loss is the unjustified hair we lose at the turn of every season. It could be any season, but mostly seasonal hair loss is highest during winter. The causes for such hair fall are quite a lot and knowing them is important for preventing hair loss. Such seasonal hair fall may only last 4 to 6 weeks, but it’s mostly enough to lower your moral and leave you worried about how best you can care for your hair.

Seasonal hair loss is a very common problem and the following can be the root causes:

Lack of exposure to Sunlight: Seasonal hair loss in women is mostly seen in winters. During winters, exposure to sunlight is minimal. Therefore, due to lack of vitamin D synthesis in the body, winter is the main reason for seasonal hair loss in women. Lack of sunlight often leads to hair falling out in clumps.

Excessive Sweating: Seasonal hair loss in men is generally seen in summers. Due to unavoidable exposure to sunlight, the scalp sweats excessively. It causes acne like spots on the scalp leading to severe itching, irritation and hair loss. Using an effective Herbal shampoo will help you cope with the problem.

Weather Conditions: Seasonal hair loss can also be a result of harsh weather conditions. Summers and winters can make your hair terribly dry. Split ends, weak roots, dandruff, regular tying up of hair etc are a few reasons for hair loss. The best way to deal with this is to protect your hair from brutal weather conditions.

Avoid getting wet during rainy season. The rain water is mixed with different kinds of pollutants, which can damage hair.

The following steps can be taken to protect your hair from getting damaged or uprooted and can help give you lustrous hair:

Massage your scalp with warm coconut oil at least twice a week. Leave the oil all night long and wash it off the next day with a mild shampoo.

Hair ironing, perming, hair coloring or hair styling should be avoided if you are keen on having beautiful locks.

Use a hair pack of henna and curd to keep your hair nourished. Henna is very good for strengthening the roots of your hair.

Use minimal hair products since they prove to be very harmful for the hair in the long run.

Use protective clothing like scarves and hats to protect your hair. You lose a lot of hair while combing through the knots. Recently washed hair that are left open to dry are prone to forming tangles so if you are leaving home instantly after washing your hair, carry a scarf.

You can also carry protective gear such as umbrellas to keep out the sun or the rain.

Plait or tie your hair before you go to bed or before stepping out of the house.

Avoid using heat appliances such as hair-dryers or hair straightners regularly. Use them occasionally.

Tips for Choosing the Right Necklaces for Women

Women love jewellery and having the right necklace for the right outfit makes you look chic, sophisticated, and completely pulled together. But, with so many fashion necklaces for women on the market today how do you go about choosing just the right necklace? Here are some simple tips that may make choosing that special necklace easier.

When choosing from the wide array of fashion jewellery for women, try to match the jewellery with the material of your outfit. If the outfit is plain then choose fine necklaces that have a bit of a design and lots of colour to enhance your overall look. If your material has a lot of colour and design choose a necklace that is simple and elegant.

Choosing the right necklace for the right outfit is simply a matter of choosing the best fine necklaces that you can afford that you like and are just a little different than the run of the mill jewellery that everyone else is wearing.

For sporty outfits you want to choose something fun and a little different from among those fashion necklaces for women. Something with a nautical theme would be perfect for that cook out by the pool or that day on board a boat. Choosing something with colourful beads may be perfect for those other casual occasions such as lunching with friends or that drive in the country.

Most women have their own version of a little black dress that is perfect for those dinners out and other dress up occasions when you don't have time to shop for something new or simply don't know exactly what the evening calls for. While these dresses are handy and look great, you really need two or three fashion necklaces for women to help brighten up the dress and give you a slightly different look for different occasions. Choosing a simple heavy gold or silver chain from the many fine necklaces for women will give that little black dress a stylish, understated yet ultra sophisticated look. Just what you need if you are trying to impress the boss at that fancy dinner meeting. However, for that more romantic date you might want something a little more "Bling" like a necklace with crystals or other colourful stones.

When dressing for work you of course want to dress for success and that includes your jewellery as well as that nice dress or fashionable suit. Having a couple of fine necklaces, that are a bit on the unusual side but, tasteful can set off most business outfits. If you are going for pearls avoid the plain white ones and go for the newer more trendy colours such as those that are a bit coppery or look like wet beach sand. That way they will look traditional while sending the message that you are open to new ideas and can think outside of the box.

Necklaces such as chains, chokers, lariats, and strands come in a variety of lengths and styles. Know which lengths will work for you and find the style that matches your jewellery needs.

Necklaces traditionally come in seven lengths. Depending on the length, the necklace will hang to a different part of the wearer's body.

      10- to 13-inch necklaces: Short necklaces, such as chokers, wrap close around the neck and measure 10 to 13 inches long. 

      16- to 18-inch necklaces: Certain chains, lockets, strands, and chokers measure between 16 and 18 inches long. They stay close to the neck. Attached pendants lie above the breastbone.   

      17- to 20-inch necklaces: Many chains, strands, and lockets, as well as some longer chokers measure between 17 and 20 inches long, meet at top of breastbone, and can attach pendants.   

      20- to 24-inch necklaces: Chains measuring 20 to 24 inches long meet at the top of the bust line. Certain strands, chokers, and pendant necklaces also come in these lengths.  

      28- to 34-inch necklaces: Long, 28 to 34-inch necklaces hang at or below the bust line or are worn as a doubled strand.  

      Necklaces 40 inches and longer: Often worn doubled or tripled, necklaces measuring more than 40 inches long can also hang at, or below, the navel. 

      Necklaces 48 inches and longer: Often used for long strands, necklaces measuring more than 48 inches long usually wrap or knot around the neck without a clasp.

Tips for Buying Right Jewellery for Women

Women are passionate about Jewellery as it represented a symbol of femininity and even social status. Jewellery has always made women feel beautiful and confident. Jewellery may be made from a wide range of materials, but gemstones, precious metals, beads and shells have been widely used. Depending on the culture and times jewellery may be appreciated as a status symbol, for its material properties, its patterns, or for meaningful symbols. Jewellery has been made to adorn nearly every body part, from hairpins to toe rings.

Form of personal adornment, such as brooches, rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.

Necklace:

Necklaces have been an integral part of jewellery since the time of ancient civilizations. Common features of necklaces include features such as colourful stones (particularly gemstones / jewels), wood (usually carved or polished), art glass, feathers, shells, beads or corals - a wide, wide variety of other adornments have also been used. If a necklace includes a primary hanging feature, it is called a pendant or amulet, if the hanging feature is itself a small container, is called a locket.

Choker:

35 centimetres (14 in) to 41 a centimetre (16 in) long and sits high on the neck.

Princess necklace:

A princess necklace is 45 centimetres (18 in) to 50 centimetres (20 in) long, longer than a choker, but shorter than a matinee.

Matinee necklace:

A matinee length necklace is 56 centimetres (22 in) to 58 centimetres (23 in) long - typically a single strand that rests at the top of the cleavage.

Opera necklace:

An opera necklace is 75 centimetres (30 in) to 90 centimetres (35 in) long and sits at the breastbone.

Sautoir or rope necklace:

A sautoir or rope necklace is any necklace longer than opera length.

Lariat necklace:

A lariat is a very, very long variation on the sautoir or rope, without a clasp, often worn draped multiple times around the neck; the ends can be crossed over, looped, or knotted in various ways. This type of necklace sometimes incorporates a loop at one or both ends to allow it to be worn in the style of a lasso, or it may be worn doubled over with the ends passed through the loop formed in the middle.

  

Earring:

Earrings are jewellery attached to the ear through a piercing in the earlobe or some other external part of the ear (except in the case of clip earrings, which clip onto the lobe). Earrings are worn by both sexes, although it is more common among women, and have been used by different civilizations in different times.

• Clip-on earrings – Clip-on earrings have existed longer than any other variety of non-pierced earrings. The clip itself is a two-part piece attached to the back of an earring. The two pieces closed around the earlobe, using mechanical pressure to hold the earring in place.
• Magnetic earrings – Magnetic earrings simulate the look of a (pierced) stud earring by attaching to the earlobe with a magnetic back that hold the earring in place on by magnetic force.
• Stick-on earrings – Stick-on earrings are adhesive-backed items which stick to the skin of the earlobe and simulate the look of a (pierced) stud earring. They are considered a novelty item.
• Spring hoop earrings – Spring hoops are almost indistinguishable from standard hoop earrings and stay in place by means of spring force.
• An alternative which is often used is bending a wire or even just using the ring portion of a CBR to put on the earlobe, which stays on by pinching the ear.
• Ear Hook earrings – A large hook like the fish hook that is big enough to hook and hang over the whole ear and dangles.
• The Hoop – A hoop threads over the ear and hangs from just inside the ear, above where ears are pierced. Mobiles or other dangles can be hung from the hoop to create a variety of styles.
• Ear Screws – Screwed onto the lobe, allow for exact adjustment—an alternative for those who find clips too painful.

Ring:
Ornamental jewellery around the finger; it is the most common current meaning of the word ring. Other types of metal bands worn as ornaments are also called rings, such as earrings arm rings, toe rings and neck rings.
Rings can be of almost any material: metal, plastic, wood, bone, glass, gemstone to name a few. They may be set with a stone of some sort, which is often a precious or semi-precious gemstone such as diamond, ruby, sapphire or emerald, but can also be of almost any material.

Bracelet/ Bangles:

Bracelets or Bangles can be manufactured from metal, leather, cloth, plastic or other materials and sometimes contain jewels, rocks, wood, and/or shells. Bracelets are also used for medical and identification purposes, such as allergy bracelets and hospital patient-identification tags. The designs range from simple to intricate handmade designs, often studded with precious and semi-precious stones such as diamonds, gems and pearls. Sets of expensive bangles made of gold and silver make a jingling sound. The imitation jewellery, tend to make a tinny sound when jingled.

Want Brighter, Whiter Teeth?

Have your pearly whites lost their luster because of dingy gray or yellow stains? Stained teeth can occur as we age, but some common foods, drinks, and even mouthwashes can stain teeth. Do-it-yourself remedies can help whiten teeth, and avoiding substances that stain teeth can stop further discoloration. Use these secrets to whiter teeth to restore your bright smile.

Home Remedies for whitening teeth:
Make a paste by mixing
2 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide
2 teaspoons of baking soda.

Place the mixture in a small bowl. The thickness of the paste should be consistent as the typical thickness of toothpaste. For a beter taste, add a bit of mint or just a scoop of toothpaste can be combined with the home-made paste for whitening teeth.

Now, how is this home-made whitening theeth remedy re used?

Apply with a toothbrush and leave the mixture on your teeth for at a couple of minutes. You should avoid swallowing the paste. If this happens, just drink lots of water. Use only once or twice a week.

Home Remedies for whitening teeth #1: Brush my teeth really with regular tooth paste. Then pour some extra virgin olive oil on a white wash cloth and scrub your teeth for incredible results

Home Remedies for whitening teeth #2: Make a paste of few drops of lemon juice and a pinch of common baking soda. Apply this to your teeth and massage gently as if brushing. This helps to remove the stain from the teeth.

Home Remedies for whitening teeth #3: Rub your teeth with the inside of orange peels. Orange peels have a mild compound that has been shown to whiten teeth which removes stains from teeth without damaging the enamel.

IMPORTANT: While hydrogen peroxide is safe to gargle and to use as a home remedy to whitening teeth, one should be extra careful not to swallow any of it as it poses a health hazard to the body. For pregnant or lactating women, any accidental swallowing of the whitening gel could be potentially harmful to the unborn fetus.

When using hydrogen peroxide, you may also experience gum irritation. This is perfectly normal and natural however you should avoid using it if you have any sores inside your mouth.

Waxing Kits for At-Home Hair Removal

Using a waxing kit at home to remove hair from arms, legs, bikini area, chest and face can save you time and money. Waxing takes more preparation time than shaving, but the results usually last two weeks. To perfect waxing at home takes practice and patience. The pain lessens as you wax more and the hair follicles decrease in sizeAt-home waxing kits can be very effective at removing hair, and are a great alternative to shaving; however, the waxing process itself can be rather “annoying” for many people.  If you plan on doing large areas of the body, you can count on making several trips to the microwave to re-warm the wax, so you better clear your schedule for at least an hour because this method of hair removal is definitely high maintenance.

Waxing Instructions

Most beauty supply stores will have everything you need to start waxing from home—The waxing kit, strips of cotton or cheese cloth, and moisturizing products for post-treatment.  If you want to treat smaller areas like the upper lip, a facial waxing kit usually includes a small spatula for even distribution of the wax that is melted in the microwave before application.For hot waxing treatments, the wax is applied directly to the skin in the direction of the hair growth.  A strip of cloth is then applied, smoothed down with the hand, and pulled from the skin in the opposite direction of the hair growth.  Cold wax treatments are applied in a similar way, but the strips are ready to use, pre-coated with wax or a sugaring substance, and are usually best for facial, underarm and bikini areas.

Popular At-Home Waxing Kits

White at-home waxing is still considerably cheaper than going to the salon, some waxing kits can be expensive and the price adds up over time.  So your choice will depend on the area you want to treat, and your budget.

Side Effects of Waxing at Home

· Pain (Don’t say we didn’t warn you!  Waxing can be painful depending on the type of product, the sensitivity level of the skin, and how well the user adheres to the instructions) 

· Irritation/Rash

· Redness/Swelling 

· Bruising 

· Broken Skin 

· Ingrown Hairs  

Instructions:

Step1: Exfoliate the skin about one or two days before you intend to wax at home. This will bring small hairs to the surface and ensure a slower re growth.

Step2: Grow or trim the hair to a quarter inch before opening the wax kit. Use a small pair of scissors to trim, making sure not to injure yourself. On the other hand, wait to wax if the hair isn't at least a quarter inch long.

Step3: Make sure the area is clean and dry. Use baby powder on the area to ensure dryness.

Step4: Heat the wax, if necessary, either on the stove in a pot full of water or in the microwave. Follow the kit manufacturer's recommendations carefully. Under or overheating can slow down or ruin the whole procedure.

Step5: Apply the wax to the desired area as directed. Common methods include a roll-on container or using a wooden or plastic spatula to spread the wax evenly over the skin. Put on a single muslin strip, following the direction of hair growth. Smooth a hand over the strip a few times, pushing in the direction of the growth.

Step6  Pull the strip (or the wax, if stripless) off in the opposite direction of the hair growth. Check the strip to make sure you're getting the roots of the hair.

Home Waxing Tips :

Once you have the wax applied to your skin, and the strip laid on top of it, rub firmly in the direction you applied the wax. This will help the wax adhere to the hairs. Don't wait too long though, or the wax will cool too much. Pull the skin below the area taut and tear the strip off in the opposite direction that you applied it. Do it quickly! Slow removal doesn't work and it prolongs the pain. Once you've removed the strip, apply pressure to the area immediately with your palms or fingers. This will help alleviate pain in the area. Apply the wax for your next section, trying not to overlap the previously waxed skin. Never wax the same area more than twice in one treatment.

Waxing Aftercare Tips

Use a moist, warm towel to get rid of any excess wax.

Avoid sun exposure to the treated areas for at least 48 hours, and always use sunscreen.

Avoid wearing tight fitting clothes/underwear that would rub or irritate the treated skin.

Always do a test patch first before fully treating your skin.  You never know how your skin will react to waxing and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

After 24 hours, exfoliate the skin to make sure wax or dead skin does not clog the pores, resulting in ingrown hairs.

5 Tips for Smoother Skin

It's a fact of life: Your skin ages just like the rest of you. It's constantly exposed to the elements, from the punishing sun and heat to the bitter cold and wind. It's impressive to know that it holds up as well as it does. Through the years, the largest organ in the human body weathers sunburns, acne, stretching, winter dryness and cracking, and many other damaging effects without much too complaint.

Your skin performs several crucial roles. It keeps your body temperature regulated; protects you from infection and injury; keeps moisture inside; and filters and remove impurities. But those duties exact a price on your skin, causing it to lose elasticity and become thin, dry and cracked. Wrinkles, blemishes and spots are frequent signs of aging skin.

But if you want smooth skin for as long as possible, there are things you can do now and throughout your life to make it happen. The key to remember is that making good health choices about your skin can keep it looking younger for a longer amount of time. That means not just being careful about your exposure to the elements, but also being careful about what you do to your body as a whole. By following 5 simple tips, you can have healthier, smoother skin.

5: Protect Yourself from the Sun

The sun causes the most damage to our skin, so protecting it when you're outside is a top priority. Skin cancer, age spots, wrinkles, freckles, and skin that's rough or dry are all symptoms of too much sun.

Staying out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest, can help protect your skin from ultraviolet rays that do the most harm to your skin. If you do go out during that time, wear clothing that covers as much skin as possible, including wide-brimmed hats and full-length shirts and pants. When you do expose your skin to the sun, wearing a good sunscreen can protect you. Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. If you're at the beach or exercising outside, make sure that it's water-resistant and sweat-proof, and that it'll protect you from a broad spectrum of radiation (both UVA and UVB rays). Reapply the sunscreen as needed.

4: Keep Your Skin Clean

If you want smooth skin, you'll need to have clean skin, too. Washing your face twice a day with warm water, a clean wash cloth and soap or a cleanser removes dirt and oils and keeps your skin healthy. Be gentle when cleaning your skin if you want it to stay smooth, though. Avoid strong, scouring soaps, and limit the time you spend in the bath or shower. Shave carefully using a lubricating gel or foam, and pat dry with a towel after cleaning instead of wiping -- this will keep some moisture on your skin.

3: Moisturize

Your skin is made of three different layers: the epidermis, or the outermost layer of your skin; the dermis, the middle layer that contains blood vessels, nerve endings, and oil and sweat glands; and the hypodermis, which is mostly made of fat and contains your hair follicles. Moisturizers help that top layer retain moisture -- and this keeps skin smooth, too. The best time to apply a moisturizer is right after you step out of the shower or bath. With your skin still damp, apply the moisturizer so your skin will keep that moisture in. You can also apply after you wash your hands and before going outdoors for extended periods in cold weather.

2: Maintain a Proper Diet

You are what you eat, and that goes for your skin, too. If you want smooth skin, there are certain foods to consider and certain foods to avoid. Foods rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C and Vitamin D help keep skin smooth and healthy. Vitamins A and C are particularly helpful if you want smoother skin. They can also prevent spots and other growths from coming later in life.

A good diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids from fish and antioxidants and vitamins from tea, fruits and vegetables may help preserve smooth skin and protect it from disease. But a good diet for smooth skin would be incomplete without the most essential ingredient -- water. The human body is made up mostly of water, and keeping it properly hydrated is essential to preserving good skin.

1: Healthy Living

Keeping your weight in check can give you smooth and healthy skin. Exercise, combined with a good diet, will do wonders for one of your most important organs. Exercise increases your circulation, delivering more nutrients to the skin and the rest of your body while carrying away toxins. It also helps the body produce collagen, which minimizes wrinkles

If you smoke or drink too much alcohol, chances are you're harming your skin. Smokers have more wrinkles around their eyes and mouths, and tobacco can cause the skin to turn a yellow or brown color.

Anti Aging Tips:

Surely nobody wants to grow old. So I am going to share a few tips here on how to slow the aging process.

1. Selenium: Selenium is a trace mineral that promotes body defenses. Selenium can be found in Brazilian nuts in large quantities. Eating 1 or 2 Brazilian nuts daily will help slow the aging process.

2. Eat less and chew more: Eat a smaller amount of food, but make sure what you choose to eat has the daily recommended vitamins and minerals. Also, make sure you chew the food well. Nutritionists say that chewing food at least 20 times, reduces the number of calories that we give our body.

3. Exercise: The same as always, eat healthy and exercise. We hear this over and over but we do not put it to practice. Exercise not only helps to keep fit, but also to maintain flexibility.

4. Multivitamins, vitamin E, calcium: This is a mixture of three little pills that could help you keep young for a long time.

5. Magical teas of eternal youth: Sage tea and damiana tea. Be careful with damiana tea, though. It also helps fertility. So, if you are not planning on becoming pregnant but want to drink the tea, make sure you are using a safe birth control method.

How To Fix Split Ends Without Cutting Them

There's no hair enemy as fierce and unyielding as the much-dreaded split end. "Split ends occur when the protective outer layer of the hair cuticle wears away because of external stressors such as heat styling and salon chemical services," explains Amy Abramite, creative director and stylist at Chicago's Maxine Salon. "Once the internal structure of the hair is exposed, it becomes weakened, dehydrated and damaged, causing split ends." 

While the only true way to rid yourself of roughed ends is to have them snipped off, you can do between salon appointments to improve the look of damage and prevent more splits from occurring.

Use a wide-tooth comb: After you apply conditioner in the shower, slowly run a wide-tooth comb through hair until all the tangles are out. This prevents the snaps and breakage you can incur when you try to brush out hair that is roughed up from a towel-dry.

Mind your heat tools: That bargain-bin blow-dryer may be a tempting purchase, but inexpensive tools tend to dangerously overheat over time and burn ends into splits.

Go gentle: "Imagine wearing a silk blouse every single day. It would get pretty beat up. Treat your hair like an expensive fabric, and it will last longer and look better," .Use only covered elastics with no metal piece, like those made by Goody to tie hair into a ponytail. If looking for a sleek look, rely on products like gel and finishing spray to create a smooth finish, instead of pulling hair too tightly to achieve it alone.

Try on ponytails!

Take folic acid and biotin: There's a reason they say you are what you eat: Nutrients literally build the proteins that make up your hair strands. Two B vitamins in particular -- folic acid and biotin -- have been shown to supplement hair health, length and thickness, says Sunshine.

Folic acid helps the production of red blood cells, which powers the growth of hair. Foods rich in folic acid include green leafy veggies, oranges, soybeans and wheat. Biotin strengthens both hair and nails through its metabolism of fats, carbs and proteins. Brown rice, lentils, peas, sunflower seeds, walnuts and soybeans are all rich in biotin.

Use leave-in conditioner: Conditioners that you rinse out in the shower will do little to nothing for split ends, but a leave-in conditioner will add extra protection that stays on strands as you heat-style and go about your day.

Blow-dry the right way: Always use a nozzle on your dryer to control and direct the flow of air, and dry hair in a downward direction before sectioning off and drying completely with a round brush. This way, you spend far less time with intense heat straight on the hair. "If possible, air drying 90 percent before picking up the blow-dryer is even better," says Sunshine. And of course, if you can naturally dry all the way, that's always your best option.

Limit damaging services: There's unfortunately no way around it -- treatments like hair color, highlights, straightening and perms all cause trauma that can result in a bevy of split ends. Try to limit service to just one major hair concern, and refrain from washing strands for at least 48 hours afterward, when they're most porous and likely to break and split. Not only will hair health improve after you go on a chemical-service diet, but your wallet will thank you.

Get regular cuts: While a haircut is the only way to get rid of split ends, regular trims are your best protection against them. The longer you wait to trim, the greater chance you have of split ends worsening and travelling up the shaft. It may sound counter-intuitive, but this is why it's actually best to get frequent trims if you're trying to grow longer, healthier hair. Whatever your hair type or style, our experts recommend you get a cut or trim at least every six to eight weeks.

How to make Lips Pink & Soft

Dark and dry lips are a result of your lips not being moisturized and exfoliated as well as a suffering from bad circulation. Remedying this situation requires that you start exfoliating, moisturizing, and massaging your lips. It also helps if you quit smoking, if you are a smoker, and also get some exercise. Exercising just to get normal colour lips may sound odd, but it does contribute in the long run. Improving your diet is also important as, sometimes, rapid increases and decreases in weight cause the skin to be pulled in ward causing a dark appearance. In addition, an improper water intake causes toxins to build up in the skin an since the skin of the lips are transparent, it can really show.

The first part of the treatment starts with exfoliating. This is a simple technique of rubbing the skin off your lips; however, this should be done carefully otherwise you could end up with a sore lip. Normal skin is also exfoliated using mostly the same technique. All you need is some lemon juice or half a lemon rubbed over your lip. You could also use salicylic acid for this purpose, which would actually be more effective for this purpose. Once you finish rubbing the lemon or the salicylic acid on your lip, wait a moment before you start the next step – rubbing. The exfoliation terminology for rubbing is actually abrasion and on normal skin, this would be done in a cosmetic formulation using micro beads but the lips are a very sensitive part of the skin and cannot be subject to the same forces. Therefore, use your finger to do this task after tightening your lips a bit. This should be done every day.

Next comes moisturizing. Naturally, there is a little bit of skin oil called sebum that is secreted on the lips but since we lick our lips very often, this comes right off. To moisturize your lips, use a lip balm – when you are outside the house and coco butter when you are in the house. In an emergency where your lips are drying out, you can also use some of the oil from the skin on your nose on your lips as well.

The final part of this puzzle is massaging the lips. This is easy and should be done every now and then. It basically requires you to put your lips together, then from the inside let your teeth put some pressure on the lips and just move it in and out and side to side. This improves the circulation in the area allowing for the tissues to be oxygenated and for the toxins to be removed.

Best Pedicure Tips Ever

Begin by completely removing any residual nail polish from your last pedicure.

Soak your feet prior to exfoliating and trimming your toenails to soften the skin and enamel. Add a little milk to the water so that its lactic acid can loosen any dead skin. 5 minutes is usually a good rule of thumb for how long to soak your feet, but the more cracked and callused your feet are the longer they will need to soak.

Use pumice to gentle smooth away calluses and rough skin patches. We recommend the Personal Pumice Bar because it is gentler on sensitive feet than a pumice stone or steel callus file.

After exfoliating, dry feet thoroughly, including between the toes.

Apply moisturizing foot cream being careful not to put moisturizer between your toes or you run a greater risk of getting a fungal infection such as athlete’s foot.

Cut nails straight across just above the skin to prevent ingrown toenails. Never clip the sides of your toenail and make sure your toenails don’t extend beyond your toes.

When rounding sharp nail edges file lightly in one direction being careful not to scrape the nail’s surface. Use an emery board rather than a steel nail file. A steel file is more likely to rip your nails.

The fine-grade surface of the emery board is for smoothing sharp or rough nail edges. This is the side you should use on your toenails. The coarser surface of an emery board on the reverse side is for shortening & shaping fingernails which can safely be kept longer than toenails.

Apply cuticle remover to the base of each nail & rub it in. Leave on for a minute.

Use a wooden or rubber cuticle stick (often called an orange stick) to gently push back the cuticles. A properly designed cuticle stick should be relatively small with rounded ends and a flattened tip.

When pushing back the cuticles, hold the stick at angle to prevent jabbing motions and use slow, gentle pressure. Be careful to remove skin only on top of the nail. Do not touch the toe flesh. Pushing back your cuticles should not be painful and should not bleed. If it hurts you’re pushing them back too hard.

While there are cosmetic benefits to trimming your cuticles, there is much debate among medical professionals as to the degree to which it increases your risk of infection. If you do plan to trim your cuticles use a sterilized, cuticle nipper. Don’t trim all the way down to the skin or you’re likely to bleed and feel a burning sensation.

If you have never trimmed your cuticles before it is probably a good idea to have a professional pedicurist show you how to do it the first time. If you have a foot condition, ask your doctor before trimming back your cuticles.

Don’t apply colour toenail polish to conceal toenail fungus as it will only protect the infecting bacteria causing the infection to last longer. Apply a coat of clear antimicrobial nail polish instead.

Prior to polishing remove any traces of cuticle remover from the nails by applying a non-acetone polish remover.

Roll your nail polish bottle between your hands rather than shaking it to avoid air bubbles.

When applying nail polish keep away from fans, air conditioners, and drafts which can also cause bubbling.

When applying nail polish use the three stroke method. One stroke on either side with the final stroke in the middle. Try not to paint the cuticle.

If you accidentally paint your cuticle or skin you can remove the blemish with a Q-tip dipped in nail polish remover.

If you don’t wish to colour your nails apply a clear coat of polish or use a nail buffer to remove surface enamel imperfections.

Moisturize your feet regularly; not just when you give yourself a pedicure. A recent AMPA survey revealed that only 41 percent of women moisturize their feet frequently even though it’s the easiest way to prevent cracked heels and peeling skin.

Fashion Emergency..!!

Ever been caught in public with a bra strap that won't stay up, mascara that won't stay on your lashes, or a major run in your pantyhose? Well, there's no need to run and hide in the nearest bathroom. A few simple tricks will either ameliorate or keep these fashion emergencies at bay and let you go on your way with confidence.

 1. For pantyhose or stockings that decide to make a "run for it" add a dab of clear nail polish at the tip of the run and that'll do the trick to stop it in its tracks. If you don't have nail polish handy, a quick spray of hairspray works just as well. If the run is just too obvious then ditch the things and go bare. Always remember to shave and moisturize just in case!

 2. The zipper on your best sweater or jacket get stuck? No fear, just rub a bar of soap on the zipper and problem solved.

 3. For skirt and pant hems that come loose, double sided tape works wonders to keep things in place, as do band-aids when you are in a pinch.

 4. Lint balls or piling on your favorite sweater is no reason to toss it out. Rather than attempt to pick them all off, try using duct tape or masking tape wrapped around your hand. Gently swiping your hand across the fabric will lift off the lint and leave your sweater looking like new.

 5. Always keep baby or cosmetic wipes handy in your purse to wipe away excess blush or mascara raccoon eyes. It'll give you a mid-day refresher and save you from looking like you've been heavy sweating in your make-up.

 6. For loose buttons, try dabbing that ever useful clear nail polish over the top and it will keep the thread in place and your button as well. To fully avoid loose button fall-out, try reinforcing your buttons before an important event. That way you know your buttons will stay put and you'll be avoiding what could turn into a major fashion emergency.

 7. Hair getting frizzy right before your hot date and your frizz serum is safely at home? Try running some hand lotion through your hair. It'll soften your hands, condition your hair and flatten the frizz instantly.

 8. If you get caught with painfully dry hands and/or cuticles in public, rub some Chapstick over the dry/rough spots. Works like a charm to make your hands & cuticles look smooth and conditioned.

 9. Bra strap won't stay up? Double sided tape comes to the rescue once again. Just stick a tiny piece on your shoulder and lay your strap right over it. No one will be the wiser and your strap will be staying put.

 10. For sweater snags, rather than tug at the loose end, simply tuck it in and knot it on the inside. It's an easy way to keep your sweater and your ego from unravelling!

 With a few simple fashion and beauty emergency tips under your belt, you'll never have to worry about making a quick exit again!