OUTER BEAUTY (FALSE EYELASH APPLICATION~STRIPLASH)

THE FINISHED RESULT MY EYES

As you know this blog is a cornucopia of things, about all this pertaining to YOU and your well being inside and out, mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually, covering your well being and beauty as well as tips on using Wicca to make your life better and of course Holistic therapies so this topic is about beauty and False Eyelash Application.

 

If you haven't tried false eyelashes they are the quickest and easiest way to transform your look. I know they can be fiddly and they take a bit of practice in getting the right amount of adhesive and getting them positioned right but once you have become adept at using them you will become addicted.

When first trying them, try fairly natural ones to begin with, when you get better at applying you can go on to longer styles

1. Carefully using tweezers, remove the strip lash from it's tray and measure the lash from where your own lashes start to the end and with sharp scissors snip off the excess, little by little until you have the exact length. Repeat with the other strip lash.
2. Apply your complete eye make up as usual, though you can apply them to unmade up eyes, its also helpful to apply eyeliner along the edge of your own lash line as it makes it that but easier to apply the lashes especially when you are learning, and apply mascara first.
3. Holding the lash centrally in the tweezers using a cotton bud apply a very thin line of adhesive to the lash band (dont worry although it's white it will dry clear, and you can even obtain black adhesive now) and give the adhesive 30 secs or so to dry so that it becomes tacky.
4. Looking down into a mirror apply the centre of the strip lash to the centre of your natural lash line (on your skin not your eyelashes) press down first the centre with the end of a make up brush handle or your finger tips then both ends. If you have allowed the adhesive to go tacky you should not get it all over your eye lids and lashes. There is also this great little gadget around see below that clamps the lash as a whole to make applying easier.
5. Using a dry brush fluff your natural lashes with the strip lash to blend and if wearing eye make up apply a thin eyeliner line over the strip lash band to blend. Do not use normal mascara on the strip lash as it does ruin them, a couple of manufacturers do make a special mascara for use with false lashes and its well worth buying as it blends your natural lashes with the false ones perfectly and wont damage the false lashes after all you do want to use them again and again. Voila perfect.
6. To remove the striplash holding your eye lid gently closed without over stretching, lightly pull away at the outer corners to peel the strip lash away from the lid. With clean fingers and tweezers gently pull off the dried adhesive from the lash band and with a cotton bud dipped in surgical spirit wipe over the lashes gently to remove any residue of make up and adhesive and place back in their tray for future use. If you look after your false lashes you can use them many times.

Striplash Applicator

For the beginner even simpler are preglued lashes these are totally idiot proof and even a trained monkey in a frock could apply these. I myself am partially sighted and I can manage these in seconds. There is no waiting for adhesive to dry, these can be used a few times so you can reposition if not right but because there is no layer of adhesive they are much easier and quicker to apply. Most come with a spare new self adhesive strip for when the first looses it stickiness and when the spare one looses it stickiness you can use them as conventional strip lashes. The application is just the same as above minus the adhesive application.

What more do you need ladies to enhance your looks fast some preglued lashes and some lip gloss 5 minutes fast and ready to go!

Maggie Brown (Author)

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BIPOLAR ILLNESS

TIME THE STIGMA WAS REMOVED

For far too long there has been a stigma associated with mental illness, however there seems to be a spate of celebrities who are professing to suffer from BiPolar illness, but are they really? I'm all for publicising mental illness, for too long it's been misunderstood and the pain associated cannot be comprehended unless you have either experienced it first hand or worked in this field. Sympathy is given out easily if its obvious you are suffering from a physical condition such as a broken leg, not so in mental illness where others cannot see your pain. Mental illness deserves recognition and understanding what it does not need are those who think it is a fashionable ailment of the moment. I like to think these celebrities are genuine sufferers for this will certainly help give mental illness the empathy and attention it needs and talked about instead of being hidden and hushed up

Article below is from the DAILY MAIL

Manic depression has been rebranded as bipolar... But are so many of us really mentally ill?

By Pat Hagan
Last updated at 4:24 AM on 19th April 2011

Affliction: Catherine Zeta-Jones publicly admitted she was diagnosed as bipolar

When Lucy Johnstone began working in mental health nearly 20 years ago, bipolar disorder — or manic depression as it was known then — made up a small fraction of her workload.
‘Now, every other referral is someone with suspected bipolar disorder,’ says Johnstone, a consultant clinical psychologist for Cwm Taf Health Board in Wales.
‘More people turn up with it because they hear about it in the news. They go to their GP saying: ‘‘I think I’m bipolar.’’ ’
This confirms the effect of what some feel is the ‘fashion’ among celebrities for being labelled bipolar, a condition the Royal College of Psychiatrists claims affects one in 100 people at some point in their lives.
The latest high-profile name is Hollywood star Catherine Zeta-Jones, who was reportedly admitted to a clinic for five days suffering from depression and mood swings brought on by the stress of her husband, Michael Douglas, battling throat cancer.
She joins household names, such as Stephen Fry, Sting, Ben Stiller and Jean-Claude Van Damme, in declaring publicly that they suffer with the condition.
But what is bipolar disorder, and is there really a hidden epidemic? Or is it a Hollywood fad for blaming the stresses of ordinary life on a mental illness?
And could this trend be misleading ordinary people into thinking they, too, have a psychiatric illness when they are experiencing what psychologists describe simply as ‘extreme mood variations’?
The term manic depression was used to describe people whose moods swung from elation to despair and hopelessness.
It’s a condition which, during the manic phase, makes people feel invincible and bursting with exciting ideas.

Their speech accelerates, they sleep no more than a couple of hours a night and they can lose all sense of financial responsibility — sometimes running up huge credit card bills.
But in the depressed stage, they struggle to make the simplest decisions and sometimes feel suicidal. Research suggests it is mostly genetic, but is triggered by a stressful experience, such as job loss, bereavement or physical illness.
Sufferers can experience ‘rapid cycling’, where their mood swings from one extreme to the other every few weeks.
In 1980, when psychiatrists were updating the psychiatric profession’s ‘bible’ — the Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders — they changed the name to bipolar disorder.
They chose the term to reflect the fact that the elation and desperation patients feel are the polar opposites of each other.
Also, manic depression had become associated with psychotic behaviour, where the sufferer hallucinates and hears voices. In fact, very few experience this.

High profile: Other celebrities that have come forward about suffering from bipolar are Sting, left, and Stephen Fry, right, who declared he loved having it

But as well as changing the name, psychiatrists have fine-tuned the definition, so it has gone from covering only extremes of mania and depression to milder behaviour patterns which, sceptics claim, border on normality.
Today, the umbrella term of bipolar disorder covers two forms.
Bipolar disorder one is when the patient has suffered at least one manic episode — where they become highly excitable, barely sleep, talk rapidly and lose their inhibitions — which has lasted for longer than a week, followed by severe depression.
Bipolar disorder two, the kind with which Catherine Zeta-Jones has been diagnosed, is where there may be long periods of moderate depression punctuated by mild attacks of mania.
It is characterised by hypomania, where a person can be in a semi-permanent state of excitement that may be mistaken for sheer energy and enthusiasm by those around them, before slumping into a depression that can vary from debilitating to so crushing they can’t get out of bed.
Even for psychiatrists, bipolar two can be difficult to distinguish from depression.
‘When someone is manic, they are very high and often deluded,’ says Dr Peter Byrne, director of public education for the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
‘It’s obvious they need to be sectioned under the Mental Health Act. But with hypomania, you may feel confident and good about yourself. It can be hard to persuade someone with it that they need medical help.’
It was this aspect of his condition that prompted Stephen Fry, in his BBC programme The Secret Life Of The Manic Depressive, to declare he ‘loved’ having it because he believed it provided ‘the energy and creativity that perhaps has made my career’.

Stress: Coping with her husband Michael Douglas's throat cancer brought on Catherine Zeta-Jones's depression, she said

The association with artistic genius is thought to be a key motive for some who seek out a bipolar diagnosis.
It is also seen as a more acceptable term than manic depression.
‘People are happier to be labelled bipolar,’ says Dr William Shanahan, medical director of the private Capio Nightingale Hospital in London. ‘It seems kinder, while manic depression depicts someone running down the road screaming.’
But the steep rise in the use of the bipolar label has caused a rift in the mental health community.
Many psychologists are alarmed at the apparent over-use of the bipolar label and fear it is playing into the hands of those who want to blame life’s stresses on a medical condition.
There is also concern that those experiencing bipolar-type symptoms as a result of chronic drug or alcohol abuse may court the legitimacy of a medical diagnosis to hide their problems.
Drug or alcohol abuse can produce erratic behaviour, sleep deficiencies and depression — similar to symptoms of bipolar.
The British Psychological Society (BPS) has questioned whether some people are being wrongly labelled as mentally ill.
‘Many people experience periods of depression and also periods of elation and overactivity,’ it says in a new report on the issue.

Many people experience periods of depression and also periods of elation and overactivity, says the BPS. But should they be classed as mentall ill?

‘Mood can affect how we feel about ourselves. At times we may feel extremely positive or even grandiose about our own abilities, while at other times we may feel we are a complete failure.’
It says some people seek medical help because they mistakenly perceive these mood swings as unnatural. Once they do, they are likely to be diagnosed as bipolar because the criteria are so broad.
But the BPS adds: ‘Not all mental health professionals accept the idea these experiences are caused by an underlying illness.
‘Some people who experience extreme mood states find it useful to think of themselves as having an illness. And mental health services assume that once someone experiences problems with unstable mood, they are likely to recur.’
The BPS wants a shift in the way bipolar disorder is perceived and treated. It agrees that patients in a manic state need potent drugs to stabilise their moods. But many more, it argues, would recover without medicine and would avoid being stigmatised by mental illness and potentially jeopardising their future job prospects.
‘Traditionally, medicine has been the only type of help offered,’ the report states. ‘But there is increasing evidence that talking treatments can also be useful.’
Psychiatrists, on the other hand, point out that talking techniques, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, serve little or no purpose when someone is in a frightening and potentially dangerous manic state.
‘For milder depression, many people may not need medication. But if they have bipolar, it is likely they will,’ says Dr Peter Byrne.
Dr William Shanahan insists drugs have a role to play because it can be impossible to predict how each individual will respond to their violent mood swings.
‘You can get some bad news and feel really down. Those feelings may go away or they may get worse. But at what point do you stop telling yourself to ‘‘pull yourself together’’? Even those with slight depression can end up killing themselves.’

Maggie Brown (Author)

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ASTRIDESTELLA'S PHILOSOPHY ARGUMENTS/CONSTRUCTIVE DISCUSSION

ONLY BY CONSTRUCTIVE DISCUSSION CAN DIFFERENCES BE RESOLVED

Why am I not happy? Many people say this without stopping to think. This is often not because they are unhappy but in a period of stasis. We do need a certain amount of stress to motivate us, yet the curious thing is no stress at all is also stressful, we find we have too much time on our hands or we get stressed from the repetition of the same routine, change and variation keeps everything fresh and alive. This goes for all aspects of our lives, be it at home or work. However if you know the reason you are unhappy is the result of another's behaviour rather than leave it to fester it is best to tell the other party in order hopefully leading to a resolution, and not resulting in an argument.

When it comes to arguments and disagreements, these can be healthy as they help clear the air. For how are we able to know if our behaviour is affecting others, if no one tells us and likewise if we find others are upsetting us, instead of berating the other person we should tell them how we feel. The problems arise though because instead launching into a tirade of insults, it is much more constructive to start with, "I feel" and then go on to explain how YOU are feeling, without being insulting. You will then find it a lot easier to find some common ground and a solution. Another problem arises when airing grievances and that is one where old arguments are brought up, this is neither healthy or constructive. However what do you do, when you are trying to air your grievances healthily, you've started off by saying how you feel, you haven't insulted the other party, nor have you brought up the past but the other party has taken offence and gone on the defensive and started dredging up the past? Well keep calm, take a deep breath talk slowly and state you do not want an argument and that we are discussing ….etc and its unfair to bring up the past. If you are in a relationship with this person reassure them that you love them and that you don't want to argue but this is what I am feeling and I'm telling you because I love you and want to be truthful and honest and you are also my best friend and I am asking for your help. As soon as you say you are asking for their help you will generally find the whole atmosphere will change. However if they are  still acting negatively keep calm and try the broken record technique. If this doesn't help and you have done everything else correctly, then its best to wait until they have calmed down, so walk away and politely tell them  we will talk when we are BOTH calm. Now I know you are calm but if you say "YOU" it is more than likely they will flare up further.

When you have given them a suitable calming off period try again by stating you care and love them but you really want to resolve this as you genuinely didn't mean to cause distress, chances are they will have had time to think and you should be able to resolve your differences constructively. Of course you will get the sulkers and they require a different approach. Sulking is not a very mature thing to do, as it solves nothing for in order to come to a conclusion you need dialogue. Sulking is the adult version of a tantrum in my opinion, its a desire to be noticed and for attention. So you treat the sulker as you would a toddler having a tantrum. When a child has a tantrum its because they are too little to understand strong emotions and they are unable to cope, so the result is a tantrum. To dissipate a tantrum you walk away or remove the child to a quiet place firstly to help them calm down. You keep calm, you must not lose your temper as you have to control the situation for them. Calmly you talk and pretend the tantrum is not happening, you reassure the child you love them and talk quietly and lovingly to them, this does not mean to you have to give in, to what they wanted that caused the tantrum in the first place, but by being quiet and loving gradually the child will calm down and you can hug them when its all over. Its similar to what you do with a sulking adult, give them their space to calm down a bit. Talk quietly and calmly and reassure you care/love the person, you don't want to argue you really don't, but you do want to resolve things but in order to do this, we do need to talk. Now for persistent die hard sulkers you may have to leave them alone if they flare up at that and try this tact a few times but it does work.

Lastly an old saying but a true one, "Never let the sun go down on an argument". In other words don't let conflict drag on as it can grow arms, legs and bells on. Nothing is ever resolved by sulking, fighting or shouting at some point there has to be talking and if more people discussed their grievances there would be fewer wars and conflicts in this world

Maggie Brown (Author)

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AROMATHERAPY NEROLI ESSENTIAL OIL

NEROLI ESSENTIAL OIL

Not only has Neroli great therapeutic properties, but also has the most beutiful smell. It has a greatly relaxing effect on the body and mind, relieving muscle spasms, calming heart palpitations and has a wonderful rejuvenating and regenerative effect on the skin, helping to prevent ugly scarring and fighting stretch marks.

Neroli oil has a sweet, floral and slightly haunting aroma, the color is pale yellow and the viscosity is watery. It is one of the most expensive essential oils.

Care must be taken when buying neroli oil, as many suppliers adulterate the oil to increase their profits, as it is a strong smelling oil and even when diluted still has the most incredible smell. The oil sold by us is unadulterated and 100% pure. It is also known as 'orange blossom' and it takes about 1000 lbs. of orange blossoms to make 1 lb. of Neroli oil. The name is said to have originated from the Italian princess, Anne-Marie de la Tremoille (Countess of Nerola) who used the oil as a perfume and to scent her bathwater and gloves. It is still an ingredient for making traditional smelling eau-de-cologne.

Orange petals are often associated with marriage, purity and brides, as brides traditionally wore orange buds in their hair.

Neroli oil is extracted from the small, white, waxy flowers of the bitter-orange tree by steam distillation and yields 0.8 - 1 %.

Chemical composition

The main chemical components of neroli oil are a-pinene, camphene, b-pinene, a-terpinene, nerol, neryl acetate, farnesol, geraniol, linalool, nerolidol, linalyl acetate, methyl anthranilate and indole.

Precautions

Neroli oil is non-toxic, non-sensitizing, non-irritant and non-phototoxic yet must be used sparingly when a sharp clear head is needed, as it can be very relaxing. Again avoid in pregnancy and in epilepsy

Therapeutic properties

The therapeutic properties of Neroli oil are antidepressant, antiseptic, anti-infectious, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, bactericidal, carminative, cicatrisant, cytophylactic, cordial, deodorant, digestive, emollient, sedative and tonic.

Neroli oil is very relaxing and can relieve chronic anxiety, depression, fear, shock and stress and its calming effect can also be beneficial to the digestive tract. It can be used for intestinal spasms, colitis and diarrhea.

It helps insomnia, and as one of the essential oils with the most sedative effects is useful for treating depression, anxiety and shock and is also effective in calming heart palpitations, treating headaches, neuralgia and vertigo. It can help when a patient is convalescing and is a good general tonic.

On the skin, neroli oil can help to regenerate skin cells and is a rejuvenating oil useful to prevent ugly scar tissue, promote a smoother skin, fighting stretch marks and broken capillaries. Neroli oil not only smells exquisite, but can also relax and calm the nervous system, the digestive tract and is helpful in skin care.

• Burners and vaporizers As vapor therapy, neroli oil is useful for insomnia, nervous tension, headaches, vertigo, depression, as well as anxiety and shock.
• Blended massage oil or in the bath As a blended massage oil or diluted in the bath it helps with insomnia, headaches, neuralgia, nervous tension, heart palpitations, anxiety, depression, colitis, stomach upsets and diarrhea and for boosting the skin.
• Cream or lotion When used in a cream or lotion is not only fights stretch marks and broken capillaries on the skin, but also prevents ugly scarring. Its action of stimulating cell growth and cellular activity helps it to rejuvenate and regenerate the skin.

Maggie Brown (Author)

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WICCA ~ A PASSION CANDLE SPELL

 
CANDLE PASSION SPELL

Inscribe a red candle with your name then face south and light it. Invoke the fire element by chanting:

FIRE, I CALL UPON YOUR HEART.  AID ME IN THIS MAGICAL FEAT. BRING ME WHAT I ASK OF THEE.  AS I WILL, SO MOTE IT BE!
  


Sit in front of the candle and watch its flame dance for a few moments. Chant three times:

LET PASSION FLOW IN ME, AROUND AND ABOUT, LET ITS TIDES FILL ME FULLY, WITHIN AND THROUGHOUT.  GRANT NEW ZEST AND VIGOR FOR WHAT COMES MY WAY. GRANT THAT I EAGERLY SEIZE EACH NEW DAY!

Let the candle completely burn out

Maggie Brown (Author)

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WICCA ~ A SPELL FOR PASSION

CANDLES FOR A PASSIONATE LOVE SPELL

To draw a passionate love your way, during a waxing Moon gather two taper candles,
one pink and one red, and some red thread and jasmine oil.

Anoint the candles with jasmine oil using your fingertips, then light them while visualizing
the flames of passion growing between yourself and new, but yet unknown, love.
Link the candles together by making a figure eight between them with the thread while repeating:

"Flames of passion and seeds of romance grow;
I open my heart to love. Now the one who seeks me shall come."

For best results, enact the spell on three consecutive nights.

Maggie Brown (Author)

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WICCA ~ CANDLE SPELL AGAINST PSYCHIC ATTACK

CANDLE SPELL AGAINST PSYCHIC ATTACK
You will require the following:
white candle red candle black candle

Imagine a blue ball of energy inside the candles. Caress the candles as you chant:

Goddess of Three, I call upon thee,
To protect from those who wish to harm me
Keep them from using the gift from thee
Keep them from using thy gift to harm me

When you finish chanting, imagine the blue ball exploding into lines of blue.
Imagine the lines surrounding you and wrapping you in warm blue energy.
See the blue light as a shield. Know that it is unbreakable.
Think about how it is the Goddess' Light protecting you.
Then put the candles someplace where they can burn undisturbed and let them burn themselves
out, sending all the energy into your shield.

This spell is best performed during the full moon.
For longer effects you can make it a seven-day spell.

Maggie Brown (Author)

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FURTHER TO MY OWN MATERIAL ON MY BLOG I CAME ACROSS THIS ARTICLE TO ILLUSTRATE WHAT I HAVE BEEN SAYING

12 worst things a woman can do to her skin

With their bulging bank balances and the world’s top beauticians on speed dial, you could be forgiven for thinking that celebrities have it easy when it comes to skincare. How wrong you’d be. Whether it’s smoking or overexposure to harmful rays, we take a look at the top skincare sins and the celebrities who commit them.

Rex Features

Ditch the evil weed
Partaking in the evil weed is one of the quickest routes to a wrinkly, prematurely aged complexion and rock chick Courtney Love is a classic example of how smoking can take its toll on the skin. "Smoking causes premature ageing by damaging the collagen matrix of the skin and dehydrating skin, which leads to a loss of elasticity," says Shabir Daya at victoriahealth.com. "Nicotine content restricts blood flow to the skin causing loss of radiance and resulting in a lacklustre skin. One of the other problems with smoking is that the whole action of smoking can cause deep wrinkles, exaggerating frown lines and wrinkles around the lips."

Rex Features

As the face of countless brands, good skin was a must for Kate Moss, but years later, now it appears years of piling on various lotions and potions for make-up shoots has taken its toll on the supermodel's skin. "The most common mistake people make is over treating their skin on their quest for perfect skin," says celebrity facialist Ole Henriksen. "Additionally, when using moisturisers, cleansers or exfoliants you don't want to rub too vigorously - you don't want to overtreat or oversensitise your skin. It's important to recognise that by gently slipping the product across your face in upward circular motions, you're stimulating the granular ingredients to do the work for you, as they were designed to do."

Rex Features

We all love a healthy glow, but spending too long in the sun doesn't just increase the risk of cancer. Donatella Versace is a classic example of the effects of sun damage, while sun-loving Geri Halliwell looks set to follow in the same footsteps. "Sun exposure is the cause of up to 80% of premature ageing," says Katherine Bell, senior therapist at The Sanctuary Spa in Covent Garden. "Whilst we often see the effects of the UVB rays through reddening on the skin, the UVA rays often don't show themselves until later in life. These rays have an effect on the deeper layers of our skin where our collagen and elastin are found, and it's collagen and elastin that help to keep our skin firm and plump." If you've spent too long soaking up those rays in the past, look for products that contain phytoestrogens - which are derived from the plants Pueraria Lobata and Pelvetia and can help stimulate the production of collagen - such as Clarins' Super Restorative Day Cream (ciao.co.uk).

Rex Features

While film star Cameron Diaz probably has access to some of the best facialists around, her hectic lifestyle could well be the cause of her acne - finding time to enjoy a balanced nutritional diet is key to maintaining a healthy complexion. "Poor diet can have a detrimental effect on the skin, so it's very important to maintain a nutritional diet rich in fruits and vegetables which will maximise antioxidant levels in the skin and body to help to fight free radicals," advises Amanda Watson, brand manager for Neal's Yard Remedies.

Rex Features

Although we love Nicola Roberts for the fact she's finally embraced her naturally pale complexion, the often flaky appearance of her skin suggests she could well be skimping on the moisturiser. "The average person doesn't apply enough moisturiser because they're afraid of clogging the pores and causing blackhead pimples," says Ole Henriksen. "But most formulations today are non-comedogenic - they won't clog your pores. By not applying enough moisturiser, your skin won't bounce back easily; it may become dry and flaky, or prone to broken capillaries. Moisturiser acts as a protective shield." Ole Henriksen's Herbal Day Cream (ciao.co.uk) instantly infuses skin with long-lasting moisture without clogging pores.

Rex Features

California girl Jessica Simpson has admitted she struggles with her weight, but a healthy diet and regular exercise isn't just essential for when it comes to squeezing into those tiny dresses. "Exercise is essential for good skin because it improves circulation, boosts metabolism, and helps maintain muscle mass, all of which contribute to a healthy, youthful appearance," explains Clinique's guiding dermatologist, Dr David Orentreich.

Rex Features

While we're not advocating that overly whitened, Hollywood smile, neglecting your oral hygiene can have a serious effect on your appearance, due to the fact your teeth have a large part to play when it comes to supporting your skin. "Proper oral hygiene reduces tooth loss and helps to prevent facial bone atrophy which leads to wrinkles and sagging of facial skin," warns David Orentreich. "Prevention of periodontal disease and gum loss maintains a youthful appearance."

Rex Features

Victoria Beckham has fought a much publicised battle with acne since she hit the limelight as a Spice Girl, which wasn't helped by the thick layers of foundation she piled on. "One of the worst things you can do is simply not looking after your skin correctly," says Caroline Frazer, skincare expert at simple.co.uk. "We only have one, so it's important to notice what's happening and listen to it. Is it dry, greasy or combination? Are the products and routines used working for your skin? Cleansing, toning and moisturising every morning and every evening with gentle products without perfume is one of the best gifts that you can give your skin and ensure that your skin looks its best for years."

Rex Features

We all love a tipple, but as Amy Winehouse's complexion shows, excessive consumption of alcohol can play havoc with your skin. "Chronic alcohol consumption can increase formation of small red facial veins and contributes to other changes in the skin's appearance," warns Dr David Orentreich at Clinique.

Rex Features

Too many sleepless nights and it's only a matter of time before your skin starts to suffer. "A lack of sleep reduces the regenerative process and toxin removal from the skin resulting in lacklustre skin and especially affecting the eyes causing dark circles and bags under the eyes, and can also affect the hair," says Shabir Daya at victoriahealth.com. "Use a good multitasking mask on the face to plump up the skin and restore a dewy complexion and perhaps a caffeine-rich eye cream to minimise eye puffiness and dark circles." Neal's Yard Remedies' Power Berry Facial Mask (ciao.co.uk) helps revitalise and refine the skin with a potent blend of antioxidant-rich acai, cranberry and grape.

Rex Features

As we get older, fine lines start to appear, and while we're certainly not a fan of that over-botoxed, caught-in-a-wind-tunnel look, the way we move our face can play a huge part in the development of wrinkles. "Avoid exaggerated facial expressions," suggests David Orentreich at Clinique. "Always wear sunglasses when outside to avoid squinting, which causes crow's feet around the eyes." If you've got a hectic schedule, invest in a portable eye care product, such as Clinique's All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage pen (ciao.co.uk).

Rex Features

Kate Beckinsale might well hate the hordes of paparazzi that follow her around, but losing her temper with the paps could have some surprising consequences. "Stress can cause numerous and varying effects on the skin and causes the release of cortisol - the stress hormone," says Shabir Daya. "Cortisol causes excessive sebum production as well as causing a thickening of the cells lining the sebum-producing glands resulting in acne, blackheads and other similar concerns. Cortisol also causes a lack of essential fatty acid utilisation by the body and these fatty acids help to maintain elasticity of the skin as well as maintaining the oils within the skin - causing a lack of radiance and vitality of skin." If a packed schedule has left you with dull, tired skin, make time for a weekly radiance-boosting facial mask, such as A'Kin's Multi Fruit & Willow Bark Instant Radiance Facial Masque (victoriahealth.com).

Tamara Hinson, contributor, MSN Life & Style, Updated: 15/04/2011 16:57

12 worst things a woman can do to her skin

 MY OWN ARTICLE BELOW

SKIN CARE

THIS ISN'T A CONVENTIONAL BEAUTY BLOG SO I AM NOT GOING INTO PRODUCTS OR EVEN ROUTINES BUT RATHER TACKLING THE INNER CORE AND DEALING WITH THE REAL CAUSES OF SKIN DAMAGE

THE BASICS: UNDERSTANDING HOW THE ENVIRONMENT AND STRESS AFFECTS THE SKIN

Under the 'Stress section' I talked about how stress hormones such as Adrenalin and Cortisone affect the skin, if you recall Adrenalin reduces the nourishment delivered by the blood stream by directing the blood flow away from the extremities to the heart, lungs and muscles, so the skin and hair wont be so well nourished. Cortisone damages the fibrocytes, these are specialised cells within the Dermis that produce collagen and elastin and it is collagen and elastin that provides support and elasticity within the skin, akin to the foam and springs in a mattress. When we are young our skin is plump and elastic but through use from normal facial movements, the downward pull of gravity, the collagen and elastin tends to bunch together just like the stuffing in a well used mattress. Now if we undergo stress for a considerable period as these fibrocytes become damaged due to the action of Cortisol so the skin will loose its support structure, its elasticity will suffer and it wont spring back to shape like it used to, like spent elastic. Cell renewal will suffer due to the reduced blood supply there wont be adequate nourishment and the skin will take on a greyer pallor and it will loose its healthy rosy glow.

Now there is another aspect to this equation, the action of Ultra Violet Light from the sun and of course sunbeds. The sun produces three types of UV Light UVA UVB and UVC. The Earth's ozone layer blocks 97-99% of this UV radiation from penetrating through the atmosphere. Of the ultraviolet radiation that reaches the Earth's surface, 98.7% is UVA  (UVC and more energetic radiation is responsible for the generation of the ozone layer, and formation of the ozone there). Now I don't want to get to technical here and want to focus on UVA and UVB. UVB can only penetrate down through the skin to the dermis and is responsible for burning but UVA is able to penetrate down through the dermis and like Cortisol damages the Fibrocytes, those little cells that plump up our skin and give it elasticity.

One of the best places on our bodies to see the affects of gravity and demishing collagen and elastin especially on women is on the thighs often referred to as 'Cellulite'.

Because we are composed of 70% water, water is an important component of the skin, therefore it important we drink adequate water to keep ourselves hydrated. Don't wait until you feel thirsty before you reach for that drink, it is much better to sip water at regular intervals as we are constantly loosing water through bodily processes.

THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL, SMOKING AND DRUGS ON THE SKIN

TYPICAL SMOKERS SKIN (NOTE THE PURSE LINES)

Everything in moderation is something to bear in mind when it comes to food and drink and that includes alcohol, but alcohol is a toxin and the liver has to work hard to break it down. The occasional drink is not going to have too much effect on the skin but it does cause the peripheral circulation to dilate and one of the characteristic signs of too much alcohol is the appearance of broken capillaries across the face, There are other causes of broken capillaries, sometimes, it's hereditary but often caused by  sudden changes in temperature i.e. going from very warm central heated homes to going outdoors without protecting the skin or driving in cars with the heater blasting against the face. Squeezing spots is another cause. Too much alcohol is a depressant too, so you may feel rather jolly at the time but you are sure to come back down to earth with a bump.

Many common prescribed drugs have an effect on the skin its something to be aware of many drugs such as diuretics will cause a loss of moisture so forewarned you take extra care to apply a good moisturiser to help counteract this effect.

Recreational drugs obviously will have an effect on the skin too with many of them toxic to the body and anything that diverts the body to spend time detoxifying obviously takes energy away from repairing and maintaining the body. This is not a blog that discusses drugs I am sure readers will already know the dangers of such substances.

HEALTHY LUNGS

Smoking is one of the worst abuses you can do to your body, firstly because of its direct effect affect on the lungs, it impairs the uptake and absorption of oxygen and of course all cells in the body require oxygen in order to function normally. The nicotine  as well as being addictive is a powerful vasoconstrictor therefore it reduces blood flow to the peripheral circulation so the skin and hair are going to suffer. So as well as impairing oxygen uptake and reducing blood flow to the skin, the body is also having to use its resources dealing with all the toxins also inhaled. Poorly nourished skin means it cannot repair itself adequately. Smoking also leads to more wrinkling, those little purse string lines around the mouth and crows feet caused by the smoke further research has proven that smoking causes the skin to age ten years.

EFFECTS OF ONE PACK PER DAY FOR 20 YEARS

The lungs to the right here are really quite shocking and here you can see the effects of tar from the cigarettes.

















IMPROVING THE SKIN BY DIET

IMPROVING THE SKIN PART 1 HOW IT WORKS

Firstly please read the blogs and page on health as this will give an indication on a balanced diet.

If I were to ask you what is the largest organ in the body what would you say? It's not the liver or the intestines but the skin, it does a very important job for us and how many of us take it for granted and don't look after it.

HOW THE SKIN WORKS

The basics so you will understand how the skin works. The skin is comprised of 3 layers, the Epidermis the layer you can see, the Dermis the true skin and the subcutaneous. Cosmetics only work on the Epidermis and you can see how deep it is, if you have ever experienced a blister. A blister is caused when friction causes the Epidermis and the Dermis to separate and the fluid within the blister is lymph. The Epidermis has no nerve endings or blood supply that is why removing the top layer of a blister is not painful, not to be recommended though as it exposes the Dermis which is rich in nerves and a blood supply to infection.

The skin  has several functions to secrete sebum that oily substance on your skin, this is to help keep the skin moisturised by trapping moisture and forming a barrier together with sweat known as the 'Acid Mantle' The Acid Mantle is slightly acidic and acts as a Bacteriastat to inhibit bacteria. The skin secretes sebum via the sebaceous glands within the hair follicles and sweat via the Endocrine glands (there are another type of sweat glands know as Apocrine glands these are found in the axillary and pubic regions unlike Endocrine sweat bacteria act on Apocrine sweat quickly and this causes the characteristic Body Odour, these glands only become active after puberty and have a role to play in pheromones)

Our body temperature is regulated by the skin this is due to the  peripheral circulation either dilating to bring blood to the extremities of the body like the skin causing flushing to help loose some of the heat and also by sweating for as the sweat evaporates heat rises with it. The opposite happens when its cold the body conserves heat to vital organs more important than the skin, giving a more white/bluish appearance and may even induce shivering. At the base of every hair follicle there is a tiny cilary muscle when its cold and we start to shiver this muscle contracts causing the hair to stand up trapping a layer of air next to the skin, giving the appearance of goosebumps. Within the Dermis there are sensory nerves that detect temperature. We also have an insulatory layer of fat in the subcutaneous.

Our skin is waterproof so absorbs very little, the only things that can permeate the skin are medications, this includes patches such as Nicotine  and HRT and Essential oils (see Aromatherapy articles on Blog) COSMETICS CAN NOT. Do not believe the hype and sales talk ladies if it could be absorbed by the skin you you have to go to your Doctor for it and it would need to be licensed as a Medicine.

Our Skin is protected by sensory nerves that alert us to pain, pressure, touch, heat and cold, it is waterproof largely impermeable except to the substances above, fairly tough and it with its layer of fat below the dermis in the subcutaneous layer keeps us warm, protects our organs and bones, gives us shape. As fore mentioned the Acid Mantle helps protect from bacteria as bacterial growth is inhibited in its slightly acid environment. Melanocytes special little cells in the dermis increase as a result of UV light and give us tanning, the epidermis also thickens to help protect our skin. Also in the skin are mast cells and when they are damaged, they produce histomine, it gives the characteristic itching a weals associated by allergies, its function is to stimulate blood to the skin to repair and maintain it. However with allergies the body is hypersensitive producing this effect.

The skin also excretes some toxins through sweat but this is very very minimal, so do not believe the hype of some sales people who will suggest you have a detoxifying foot bath that will rid you of toxins as it changes the water to a dirty brown colour. Again this is sheer hype and nonsense for if ridding the body of toxins was that easy we wouldn't have a need for Dialysis Machines for those suffering kidney failure. It is the Liver, Kidneys and large Intestine that detoxify us.

Vitamin D is also formed in the skin as a result of the action of UV light acting on 7-dehydrocholesterol present in the skin, so everything in moderation we do need some sunlight.

CARING FOR THE SKIN

So you know know how the skin works and it's functions  and that's great when everything is in balance. However skin is a very sensitive organ but as far as the body is concerned it is a lesser important organ that the heart, lungs, liver etc, so priority is given to important organs at times of stress, whether that is emotional stress i.e. worry etc. or physical stress such as extremes of temperature and its very cold.

What we put on the skin can throw it off balance, many people use soap and water, well thats fine for your body, but our face has more sebaceous glands, is more exposed to the elements and more open to micro-organisms. Why not soap and water? well soap is alkaline  and remember the acid mantle is slightly acidic, this maintains an environment where micro-organisms are less likely to multiply and if you use an alkaline product you will strip away this protective layer, making the skin more susceptible to infection. Because our sebaceous glands tend to be more active on the face, and this increase of sebum in nature's moisturiser, there may be more of a tendency for them to become blocked, if infection enters the blocked pores the result it a spot. There are a number of cleansing bars on the market and water activated cleansers around for those of you who like the feel of water on your face.

The trouble and risk of blocked pores is magnified if there is also a build up of dead skin cells. Now it takes roughly 28 days for new cells in the basal layer of the epidermis to form and be shed, this time span increases with age, as we get older our skin becomes more sluggish, if we don't cleanse our skin adequately enough a layer of dead cells sit on the surface making our complexion dull, combined with sebum these dead cells can block pores causing blackheads. Inncidently blackheads are not dirt but sebum and dead cells form a plug and oxidise  causing this this discolouration. In order to keep our complexions fresh and depending on the type of skin you have exfoliation should be carried out once to twice a week, with oily skin generally twice. There are various products on the market but avoid those exfoliators that are made from ground up nutshells and husks as these can be quite scratchy and can damage the surface of the skin leading to possible infection. Rather choose a product with fine micro beads. Some exfoliators work by dissolving dead skin cells and are often fruit based containing fruit acids or enzymes, these may irritate sensitive skin so its a good idea to patch test an area  before proceeding.

But before choosing what cleanser to use on your skin, you need to know what type of skin you have. Firstly normal skin is a rarity, normal skin is like the skin children have, its neither dry or oily, theres no visible pores nor shine, it has a good texture and colour, no spots, blackheads and is plump and has good elasticity. Now how many of us can say we have normal skin? Oily skin often has visible pores particularly down the 'T zone' of our faces, it becomes shiny very quickly, it is prone to blackheads and spots, its doesn't have dry, flaky patches and often has a sallow colour about it and make up slides of the face quite quickly. Dry skin, has no obvious pores, doesn't have a tendency to blackheads or spots, can have flaky itchy areas, often feels tight after cleansing and a tendency to line and can often be more highly coloured. Combination skin is by far the most common type of skin, it often has an oil 'T zone' with normal, if your lucky outer areas or dry cheeks. It is a combination of either of the aforementioned types. So you have 4 skin types. Now if only it was that simple but the skin has different conditions that affect it. Firstly moisture, it may surprise you to know that even oily skin can become dehydrated as this is down to moisture content in the skin and not oil. Central heating, changes in temperatures, windy weather and not drinking enough water, too much coffee, tea and cola drinks and alcohol all affect our skin and can lead to dehydration. Oily skin favours better than most as sebum can trap some moisture but not enough to prevent moisture loss. So its important you keep yourself hydrated and drink plenty of water to start with and use the correct moisturiser for your skin type. Moisturiser does what it says, its job is to trap moisture in the skin, with dry skin moisturisers, they generally are more oil based than one designed for oily skin and so on.

Cleansing is a matter of preference but your skin type will guide you as I mentioned early, some people prefer the feel of water on their skin so a rinse off type of cleanser will suit them. But whatever way you cleanse your skin, cleanse it twice once to remove make up and the grime from the day and second to deep cleanse the skin. Which leads me on to eye make up remover. The skin around the eyes is very delicate and is the thinest skin thickness on our bodies so treat it with care. Do not treat it roughly or rub cleanser harshly around the eyes as this will stretch this delicate skin. Eye make up is designed for this sensitive area and not all facial cleansers suitable, check the packaging. Which leads on to all in one cleansers and wipes, these are fine short term but not ideal in the long term. Many of the wipes contain alcohol and irritate sensitive eye tissue and certainly the same wipe should not be used for both eyes due to the risk of cross infection, the same goes for cotton wool pads and tissues.

Toners do we need them? well if you use a water based rinse of cleanser no you don't as the water is suffice to tone and freshen the skin, but if you use a tissue off cleanser yes you do to remove any residue of cleanser and grime. These vary from hydrasols (i.e. rose water) to witch hazel, avoid alcohol on the face as it will remove the acid mantle.

It may surprise you to know that skin after the age of 25 is considered mature but after the age of 25 ageing signs start becoming apparent. Prevention is better than cure and a lot easier. We know from Part 1 how UV light contributes to ageing so be sure your moisturiser contains a sun protection level of at least 15 thats the first thing to be aware of. Drink plenty of water to maintain moisture levels and avoid caffeinated drinks as they are diuretics as encourage the kidneys to excrete more urine and can lead to dehydration. A good balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables to give the cells the right nutrients. Avoid smoking I explained in an earlier article how this ages the skin and does so by ten years. And there is stress, now that is difficult to avoid but there are things you can do, you can lessen its affects by relaxation and I will be giving tips to avoid the damaging effects due to stress later.

Anti-wrinkle cremes, well if you read the earlier article in Part 1 no cosmetic can penetrate the epidermis, so I have to say ladies expensive skin cremes are a total waste of money. The only thing I would say is that avoid products with mineral oil as this oil sits on the surface of the skin, yes it traps the evaporation of moisture but it can block the pores but its fine to use on the body, instead use a vegetable oil based product and by that I don't mean 'Crisp and Dry' some examples are Almond oil, Jojoba oil, Olive oil. With expensive cremes you are paying for the packaging and nice jar. There are temporary anti-wrinkle fixers that work by temporarily tightening up the skin or have fillers and light reflective powders that soften the appearance of lines. Simple things like avoiding squinting in the sun or getting your eyes checked if you have difficulty in reading will prevent many a line forming around the eyes

Aromatherapy cremes and face masks I will cover in a later article

MPB ©

SKIN CARE THE EFFECTS OF UV LIGHT

The effects of ultra-violet on the skin are a mixed blessing!

Some is beneficial, necessary for the formation of vitamin D, some is harmful. Much of what happens to the skin as a result of ultra-violet light is the result of the skin trying to protect itself and the body inside from the harmful effects of an excess of the rays; the skin is quite effective at preventing the rays penetrating deeply into the body.

The Stratum Corneum is a major factor in this prevention (see diagram below)

Reflection of rays by layers of the Stratum Corneum

The Stratum Corneum is maintained at such a thickness that with the ‘usual’ intensity of ultra-violet falling on it, very little passes through and no damage is caused to the live cells beneath. The Stratum Corneum of exposed parts of skin such as the face, neck and hands will be thicker than those parts normally covered by clothing.

However, exposure to higher than normal intensities of ultra-violet will allow sufficient rays to pass through the epidermis possibly to cause damage to the living cells underneath.

Penetration of Ultra-Violet Rays into the Skin

In a skin, which has active melanocytes producing melanin pigment granules, this extra ultra-violet will develop the colour of this melanin, resulting in a Tan.

But not everyone’s skin is in such a state of readiness; their melanocytes may be inactive, as a result damage will be caused to the live cells. The result reddening, discomfort, may be even blisters and peeling i.e. Sunburn.

Regardless, more UVB rays will penetrate to the Stratum Germinativum to stimulate its dividing cells into greater activity, this will produce new epidermal cells at a more rapid rate and this will eventually thicken the Stratum Corneum, thus helping to reflect UV rays.

The general increase in the skin’s metabolism reflects throughout the body in creating ‘a feeling of well-being’.

The physical, physiological and psychological effects of Ultra-Violet

Beneficial effects:

• Vitamin D production
• Stimulation of Metabolism
• Tonic Effect
• Has slight Germicidal effect on the skin
• Causes hyperkeratinisation (thickening described as above), which is thought to help with some skin conditions such as Acne Vulgaris and Psoriasis.

Screening responses against excess:

• Suntanning
• The irritant effect of sunburn
• The thickening effect of the Stratum Corneum

Damaging effects:

• Short term – Sunburn
• ***Long term – Premature aging, thickens the epidermis giving a ‘leathery’ appearance, irreversibly damages Collagen and Elastin fibres, causes dehydration, can cause allergic reactions, can produce dark pigmentation patches; Skin Cancer.

Vitamin D Production

A normal varied diet including dairy produce will supply all the vitamin D required; however through sunshine the vitamin may be made in the body with the help of ultra-violet.

In the body there are two substances, which can be converted into vitamin D, these precursor substances are 7-dehydrocholesterol and ergosterol. When vitamin D is required these substances are moved to exposed skin where using ultra-violet energy these substances are converted to Vitamin D.

The potential for making vitamin d in the skin is so enormous that merely exposing the face for less than an hour on an overcast December day will make all that is required for the day, the body is able to regulate this however so a days long sunbathing will not cause over production.

***How too much sun and UV light damages and ages the skin

Maggie Brown (Author)

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