1. Go to the shop unscented. If you’re trying something new on you, you don’t want to layer it with another fragrance. This is pretty straightforward, but if you’re planning to go perfume shopping on that day, and spraying perfume in the morning is as normal for you as brushing your teeth, you’ll need to remember this.
That’s especially useful if there is someone else helping you with the choice. You may be smell-blind to your own perfume, but the other person’s nose will be confused. If you’re planning to go on your own, at least leave your wrists free.

2. Give it time. We’re always in a rush, and we expect to choose a perfume as we would choose a dress. Perfumes however, develop over the course of hours, so what you get on the top notes may not be what you get two or four hours later. Unfortunately, we tend to forget that, and perfume houses know we do, so it’s not unusual to come across fragrances that smell gorgeous for the first 10 minutes only. Give perfume time. Make the stop at the perfume shop the first one of your shopping session, try the fragrance and continue with your route. Take a sniff from time to time to check if it’s still good after a couple of hours. Top notes are not enough.

3. Spray it on your skin. This is related to the one above. Paper and skin make perfumes smell differently, and perfume houses know that as well. The skin is the real thing though, and if a perfume is great on paper, it may be because it was constructed for that purpose. The blotter is more practical, but it’s not enough: always go for the skin, it doesn’t matter if you smell of ten different things at the same time.

4. Be wary of shop assistants. I don’t mean it bad, of course: they’re there to sell, and that’s fair enough. The problem is, whereas some of them know their stuff, others will just try to push the latest fragrance, without even asking what you’re looking for, and others just won’t have a clue. When they approach you, try to understand how helpful he or she can be, you may be better off on your own.

5. Don’t stress your nose. So now you’re in the shop, spraying perfumes on your skin, dribbling shop assistants, and determined to wait at least two hours before deciding what you like or not. How many perfumes should you try? If you want to go home with a new one on that day, then three are enough, else your nose will get confused.
If you can wait and come back, then spray more, be flexible with the tips so far, and create a shortlist of three.

6. Celebrity perfumes are still perfumes. If there is a topic that causes strong arguments in the perfume community is the one of celebrity fragrances: should we hate them or love them? My take is that your approach should be the same as with any other perfume. Just remember that celebrities never take part in the making of the scents that carry their name, they only give their persona. If you love / hate the celebrity, it doesn’t mean you’ll have to love / hate the perfume.

7. Be open to perfumes for the opposite sex. Gender division in perfumes is becoming relative, thus more and more useless. It doesn’t mean that if you are a guy you should wear ultra-feminine fragrances or vice versa, but in my perfume reviewing experience so far, I constantly come across fragrances which, although officially for one sex, would suit pretty much everyone.

8. Consider buying samples online. If you want to be 100% sure about a fragrance, then you will have to wear it for one or two days at least. No need to buy a bottle though, It won’t be hard to find samples online, both designer and niche.

9. Don’t let them see the light of day. That is how they will live virtually forever. Light is a fragrance killer, and although all perfumes nowadays contain UVA filters, absence of light is the best thing. Keep them in the original box all the time.

10. Think of the occasion before you pick from the shelf. Free perfume on a free skin, sure: we should all be able to wear whatever whenever. Yet, there is such thing as the correct match between a perfume and a given situation. This should be a straightforward principle, but it’s often overlooked. Perfume is part of your image and image has a social impact. Once you’re aware of that, the rest is just common sense.

Author’s Bio

Andrea writes perfume reviews with a personal view at Yournextperfume.com

Brazilian waxing is most of the type associated with discomfort or pain and embarrassing situations. It is almost like a taboo topic that no one feels comfortable talking about or doing any research on. That is why Brazilian wax first timers have a really bad experience and usually don’t come back for a second one. The truth is that the first one it’s always the worst, but there a few things you can do in order to make it a better experience.

The first and most important thing is to talk to your friends that had one before. Try to get as many details as you can. You could also talk to the spa personnel about it or even watch a video review so that you will know what to expect.

If you have sensitive skin or if your pain threshold is lower than average you can take a pain killer 30 minutes or one hour before your appointment. I usually recommend Ibuprofen, but you can take whatever pain killer you want.

Another very important thing is the length of the pubic hair. In order for the Brazilian waxing procedure to be efficient the hair should have a specific length. By the book this length is around a quarter of an inch. You can obtain it by shaving and waiting for three weeks or by trimming your hair, although the first option is better as all hairs will have the exact same length.

As I already mentioned a Brazilian wax will cause some discomfort and your skin might be a bit more sensitive right after it’s done. In order to reduce the discomfort I recommend wearing a comfy panty, something made of cotton and not that tight.

Since we are one the skin sensitiveness topic, you should know that coffee increases it so don’t drink any before your appointment. Also, try to plan your appointment so that you will get the Brazilian in the first week after your period, when the skin is not that sensitive.

Last but not least, do not apply any lotions, creams or any kind of products to your skin before the waxing. These products might interact with the procedure, may prevent the wax from sticking to the hair or may affect your skin.

These are the most important things I can think, make sure to follow them and you should be fine. I know the first Brazilian wax is the most unpleasant, but the more you do it the better it gets. Your hair will grow back finer and thinner, your body will get used to it and over time you will hardly feel it.

Author bio:

Claire is the owner and editor of BrazilianWaxHQ.com – a website offering information and advices on Brazilian wax to women and men, customers or salon owners.

If you are one of these women who feel annoyed by all the fuss created around the question of make-up and think that make-up makes intelligent women look superficial, let’s look to what extent you are right and to what extent changing your attitude may enhance the quality of your life.

The cons of make-up

• The main disadvantage is the chemicals that are present in make-up. In the recent years more and more attention has been drawn to the safety of the ingredients of cosmetics. Fortunately, the industry has started catching up with the trend offering a wider variety of bio cosmetics.
• The dependency on cosmetics when women feel embarrassed to show themselves in front of people without make-up. This shows deep insecurity and low self-esteem. This problem has to be tackled with other means as well. Make-up should be an additional aid to feel more confident not the one and only. It’s vital for these women to work on finding their real worth.
• Make-up put on not properly has the opposite effect of the desired one. The leading expert on the issues of non-verbal communication, Tonya Reiman, recommends having a consultation with a professional make-up artist. According to her this investment pay offs very well through the years. The next paragraph reveals exactly how this happens.

The benefits of make-up

• Enhancing the sex appeal a woman possesses.

Some women can’t accept that men are dependent much more on visual stimuli than women when choosing a partner. This doesn’t make them “stupid”, “superficial” or “bad”. This is a characteristic they are born with. In the animal kingdom males have to attract a female by showing off their colourful decoration whereas in human society where men are fewer, women have to fight for attention.

Make-up and cosmetics have been used since ancient times to aid a woman be noticed – help her tighten loose skin, enhance advantages and hide disadvantages. In order to become a wife/long-term partner she has to possess many other qualities but the first impression she makes is with her physical appearance. However, the good first impression is not the only function of make-up. Variety is important for men’s eyes and a woman can ensure that her man will enjoy some variety throughout years by using make-up. Of course, there should be other ways in which to keep being interesting for a man except the appearance.

• Boosting a woman’s confidence.

Make-up when put skillfully can make a woman look younger, more beautiful, more vivid, lively and fresh. It happens in two ways – firstly from the appearance itself, secondly from the mere act of doing something assertive for yourself (the desire to be noticed means you feel you deserve to be noticed) and thirdly from the variety (changes and novelties in our appearance are pleasant not only for men but for us as well). You can imagine how beneficial for all kinds of situations a boost in confidence is.

Confident people are more convincing in negotiations with clients and partners. They are also more creative and productive as they can focus their energy on finding solutions instead of fighting insecurities and desire to avoid attention. On the other hand, the positive feedback women get from other men and women (yes, we know how valuable compliments are from other females, maybe sometimes even more valuable than when they come from a man) for looking nice enhances the effect of their own feeling of self-appreciation.

Make-up tips

Tonya Reiman cites a study in her book “The Power of Body Language” which shows the importance of make-up in the workplace and for a successful interview when you want a job change. According to the study women who use make-up with measure that looks natural are perceived as more competent and get more recognition and even higher salaries than women who use heavy make-up or no make-up at all.

Tonya Reinman suggests that you should avoid red lipstick at work as it has a strong sexual effect on men which can undermine good team work or your professional presentation.

If you want to impress a man you should know the power make-up has on men’s perceptions. Mascara makes men’s eyes linger on woman’s eyes – the window to her inner world, the “content”. Rouge gives a woman a healthier look which instinctively attracts a man. When a woman is aroused the colour of her cheeks and lips becomes more intense which has an immediate positive response in the man opposite her. This effect is artificially achieved with well-balanced use of rouge and lipstick/lipgloss. Just make sure to practice applying make-up at home to find the right intensity and technique for your face or follow Tonya’s advice and get a consultation from a good make-up artist.

It’s not obligatory to put make-up on a regular basis but keep in mind that you can rely on it for additional boost in the mood and confidence every once in a while. If your attitude to make-up is totally negative, think about whether you have difficulty with integrating other typical feminine features like feminine way of walking, smooth gestures, etc. Explore the reasons for that and work on accepting the feminine energy you have naturally flowing in you since birth. It is one of the important ways to harmony and happiness.

Author’s bio

Maria Dimitrova writes for anotherway.org, a site where you can discover the most efficient solutions to problems in different areas and useful information like the best web browser, why the cost of gold has surged or how to invest in precious metals.

There are still a lot of different opinions regarding the root of the problem. According to some specialists excessive blushing is a result of hypoglycemia and they suggest taking a hypoglycemia test and if this proves to be the cause, you need to make changes in your nutrition to adjust the biochemical balance in the body. However, most experts agree that the psychological factor is the most probable of all.

Ray Crozier, a psychology professor at University of East Anglia in the UK, reckons that blushing is an ancient reaction in humans aiming to reduce others’ anger when the blusher feels they’ve misstepped socially. In the animal kingdom reactions of contrition can be witnessed in dogs which roll over to show they feel guilty and ask for forgiveness. The problem for people who blush excessively is that they are too self-critical and blushing happens even at the slightest doubt that they’ve done something wrong.

The Bulgarian psychologist Madlen Algafari explains in her book “Hunger for Real Things” that apart from the physiological causes of skin inflammations and rashes (allergy, hormones, and too much or too little of a chemical in the body), psychology has found out that these conditions indicate a long-term suppression of emotions and impulses – most often of aggression and sexuality. Aggression is used not in the meaning of violence but as a healthy ability to assert yourself and say “no” when you are against something.

If the “heart” doesn’t say something, the face “shows” it. Under the sensitive skin often a very sensitive soul is hidden. Sensitive people who block strong emotions and have a problem with expressing them in a healthy way are most vulnerable to these skin conditions as they “use” their skin as a boundary which hides their internal world from the others. The energy of these suppressed emotions which the person doesn’t turn into action has to find a way out. Spots and blushing do this job. Ironically the isolation of the internal world such a person seeks makes them isolated in the literal meaning as many people feel additionally embarrassed by the problematic skin and avoid active social life.

Can you recognize yourself in this description? How can you help yourself?

• Resolve to be more open and frank with others. Of course this doesn’t mean “rude” – you can always choose the words you‘ll use to express your opinion even when it’s negative. Don’t leave blushing to say “I want you” every time when you feel attracted to someone. It’s difficult to be brave and risk being rejected but after all, you’ll survive the pain from being rejected. You might be missing out on a great number of opportunities by not taking risks. You can plan to be more frank about something in your relations at least once a week.
• To start believing in your ability to get over the pain of rejection, you need to work on your self-esteem. Search for sources that might help you appreciate yourself more without relying so much on others’ appraisal.
• When you blush, admit it to the other person who is with you, say “I feel I am blushing”. The person who is blushing is afraid of making a bad impression but if they admit it publicly, that shows courage. It’s the first step of becoming more open and braver.
• Employ additional healthy ways to release tension on a regular basis – do sports. You’ll gain further benefits from exercise as you’ll discover how to stay fit and young and become even more confident.

If you think that your skin problem or blushing might be caused by a purely physiological reason, visit a dermatologist but why not try the mentioned tips – at least they are free and harmless. Only practice and time will show whether they’ve been beneficial so be persistent and try them out!

Author’s Bio:

Maria Dimitrova writes for anotherway.org, a site where you can discover the most efficient solutions to problems in different areas and useful information like the best web browser, why the cost of gold has surged or tips on precious metals investment.

Tips for Healthier Skin

*Knowing which skin type you are is the most basic tip for skin care, but it’s also the most important because not all skin care products are suited for everyone’s skin. Skin care products are made for specific types of skin. When you know which type of skin care products (cleansers, moisturizers, acne treatment, etc.) suit your specific type of skin – your skin will reap the benefits. Here’s a simple guide to discover your skin type:

• Dry Skin – Your skin may be dry if it feels tight, parched or even, flaky.
• Normal to Dry Skin – If your skin is this type, your cheeks may feel tight and dry, but your nose, chin and forehead are comfortable.
• Normal Skin – This type is characterized by skin that feels comfortable (not too tight) and not greasy at all.
• Normal to Oily Skin – This skin type tends to be somewhat shiny on the forehead, nose and chin by the middle of the day, but the cheeks are okay. People with normal to oily skin may suffer from the occasional pimple.
• Oily Skin – This type is shiny by mid-day. Those with oily skin are also prone to pimples and blackheads.

*Drink lots and lots of water. Water keeps your skin moist and helps to improve your overall health, as well as, the health of your skin. It’s amazing the difference your skin will show by making just this simple adjustment.

*Clean your skin regularly (one to two times, per day). This skin care tip is effective at ridding your skin of dirt and other harsh elements (dust, pollutants, and other skin toxins) that may damage your skin. Remember: Use luke warm water for cleansing your skin because both cold and hot water can damage your skin.

*Be gentle with your skin. Try not to exfoliate or scrub too hard or too often. A good rule to live by, as well, is to avoid applying too many skin care products.

*Keep your skin properly moisturized, at all times. This skin care tip is essential to follow – don’t allow your skin to get dry. When the skin is dry, it causes the outer layer of skin to break, which means your skin can develop a rough, unattractive appearance. Use moisturizers and emollients to keep your skin moisturized. Also, moisturizers are the most effective when applied to skin that is still damp.

*Avoid using soap on your face. Soap dries out the skin and should only be used below the neck.

*Apply sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun’s UV radiation. Many daytime moisturizers have sunscreen built in. Remember to use moisturizer, even on cloudy days. UV rays can cause skin cancer, so this tip is very important to your health and your skin’s health.

*Get plenty of sleep. Lack of sleep is known to cause wrinkles under the eyes.

*Exercise for your skin. While this may surprise you – lack of exercise is known to cause the skin to slack – so regular exercise is good for your skin. Exercise is an excellent way to beat stress, which causes havoc to your skin, as well.

*Beat your stress. Stress is known to cause harmful effects to everyone and their skin, too. So, one of the best things you can do for your skin is to relax. Take a warm, relaxing bath. Take a break from your daily routine to do something you enjoy or indulge in a stress-releasing activity or meditation.

Author’s Bio

Get your daily dose of fashion news and beauty tips with DailyMakeover.com. Find expert beauty advice, hairstyle ideas and try out your new look with the virtual makeover tool.

Urban Decay is great for a variety of occasions, from going to work or heading out for a nice dinner! They also offer a variety of beauty products to choose from, including eye shadow, bronzer, lip gloss, and even a makeup setter. I have a difficult time choosing which products I’d like to try first, but considering the reviews I’ve heard about their Naked Palette, I’ll start by reviewing the popular eye shadow first followed by additional beauty products you’ll want to invest in.

1. The Naked Palette comes with a brush and twelve different neutral shades, in perfect time for the fall. These neutral shades compliment a number of outfits and you can never go wrong with neutrals because they match practically everything. I can picture wearing this eye shadow with a new leather jacket, tunic, and leggings on my way to a park where I’ll be watching the autumn insignia form on the leaves in the trees.

2. Since we are gradually letting go of summer time and learning to embrace the forthcoming fall time, why not allow that kiss of sunshine to remain on your cheeks with Urban Decay’s Baked Bronzer. You can select from two different shades called Gilded or Toasted. As expected Toasted is a bit darker, so if your skin already has a natural tan, this might be the shade for you. Girls who have a lighter skin tone, like me, might not want to overwhelm their pale complexion, so as a substitute going with a light bronzer would be a great deal more flattering.

3. If you’re anything like me, then you are a sucker for any and all lip gloss. The vintage like holder that this lip gloss comes in makes it all the more tempting. The Lip Junkie Lip Gloss is not super sticky but instead has a soft and cushiony texture that most girls desire.

4. I live in a humid climate in California near the beach and I’m constantly on the lookout for a fast acting setting spray that will keep my makeup in tact. Boy was I thrilled when I discovered that Urban Decay also offers an All Nighter Long Lasting Setting Spray! Now I can head out to the beach without worrying about my makeup becoming blotchy or melting.

A quality company such as Urban Decay offers a number of beauty supplies that I’m going nuts over. Neutral eye shadow, gorgeous bronzer, smooth lip gloss, and a long lasting setting spray are all on my beauty go to list. With the coupons that are available, I just might be able to splurge and be all set for the autumn time and not to mention heading out to the beach whenever I feel like it.

Author’s Bio

Bio: A freelancer, writer, blogger, ocean dreamer, and fashion lover, Sierra adores being a featured fashion blogger for JoeShopping.com and runs her own personal blog at Ocean Dreams.

Having said that, there is always occasion to pretty up a bit for a night out, or to look put together for friends/family. The following essentials will keep you looking carefree and natural by day and smoking hot by night–All in the space of one (TSA approved!) quart-sized Ziploc bag.

Concealer

A good coverage concealer will keep you looking awake and fresh without the full coverage stress of foundation. You will be surprised at the wonders it can work when used sparingly beneath the eyes, around the nose and anywhere else your face has redness or blemishes. M.A.C Select Moisturecover is my favourite. Try a couple different brands to find the one that matches your skin tone and will not budge.

Waterproof Mascara

This is a staple that will make you feel pretty both on the beach or trekking around a new city, without adding bulk to your face. Try to find a dark brown formula that looks somewhat natural to keep with the easy, laid back vibe of vacation. I like Clinique formulas as they do not tug my eyelashes once it’s time for removal. And they stay in place, raccoon-eye free!

Bright Lipstick

Nothing dolls you up for a special occasion like luscious, bright lips. Lipstick is extremely portable, requires no brushes and (if you are both well practiced and steady handed), no mirror! For cool toned ladies, a bright pink such as Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick in Fuchsia is very complementary and fashionable. My personal favourite is M.A.C Lipstick in Lady Danger, a coral, orange red. To make your pretty pout last, keep the tube with you during your night out for touch ups.

Dark Brown Eyeliner

In lieu of toting fragile eyeshadows in your suitcase, pack eyeliner instead. It’s small, quick and makes such a difference! I think dark brown is the most universally flattering (I like Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencil in Bourbon) whilst still being low-key. Pair smoldering eyes with your bright lips and you’ll be the belle of whatever ball you are attending.  Again, no brush necessary, just draw a little on your upper lash line and gently smudge with your finger. I recommend leaving the lower line bare unless you really want to dial up the glamour at a dance club.

Lastly, and Most Importantly: Make up Remover Wipes

When you are having fun on your adventures it can certainly be easy to forget about the most important part of make up: Removing it! Whether you wore eye make up that day or not, you should always cleanse your face before bed. Sweep away daily dirt and germs so they can’t harm your beautiful countenance while you slumber. For travel, wipes are your best option as they are easy to pack and fool proof to use (Step One: Remove from packet. Step Two: Wipe your face). Neutrogena has a wide range of these wipes that are both gentle yet effective.

Bring these five must-haves on your next vacation and you will be secretly done up while looking beautifully undone!

Authors’ Bio

Noella Schink is a travel and beauty writer from Portland, Maine. For your next vacation she recommends Auto Europe for your car rental needs.

Things have changed now that we’re grownups, and we have a lot more options than we had in Mom’s makeup case. Advertisers would just love for us to think that they’ve got the colour for us, but here is a little secret that no one else will tell you: As much as advertisers would like for us to believe otherwise, the best red lipsticks don’t come from one particular brand or retailer – they come from experience.

How is that, you say? Let’s clarify: The best red lipsticks are any that work for your particular skin tone, hair colour and body chemistry, all of which may have an effect on the overall impact of a particular lipstick. That sexy red Sephora lipstick that your best girlfriend has been raving about may be the best for her, but there’s no guarantee that it’s going to look as gorgeous on you (unless your best girlfriend happens to be your identical twin sister.

The Colour of Clarity
A person’s body chemistry can have quite a large impact on how a particular shade of red “wears” on the skin – the shade we see in the tube isn’t necessarily what we’ll see on our lips. All other things being equal (like hair and skin tone), the same shade may look pinker on one person, more orange on another, and a nice, true red on a third, depending on individual body chemistry. Chemistry can also affect how long the lipstick wears and how moist or dry it feels on the lips.

The only way to know is to try it on and wear it for a few hours – and since no one has time or gas money to hit the department stores anymore, it’s a good thing we’ve got such great online makeup deals!

Framing Lip Colour with Skin and Hair
Have you ever noticed that your makeup doesn’t look the same after you’ve gotten some summer sun? That your bright, bloody red lipstick doesn’t look as good on your new tan as it did on your once-pale face?

Body chemistry isn’t the only thing that can make lip shades change colour on your kisser. Hair colour and skin tone can have quite a large effect on your makeup’s overall impact, so it’s worth your while to check out some different shades after you change your hair or skin colour.

Ultimately, it is best to experiment and take note of which lipstick brands and shades really behave themselves on your lips. You will know which shade “pops” for you when you see it. What are your favourite red lipsticks, and why do you like them?

Author’s Bio
This post was written by Kayla Block, owner of Makeup Deals of the Day, which is like an online Cosmetics Company Outlet online. She sells Sephora and department store brands of makeup, all at discount prices.

Until you’ve experienced pregnancy yourself, you won’t understand the journey one goes through.  If you’re someone that is struggling due to the changes of pregnancy, here are a few things you can do to boost your self confidence, and to feel beautiful once again.

Rest: First of all, you need to make sure you’re getting at least 8 hours of sleep each night.  Let your body relax, and give your baby the rest it needs.

Diet: A healthy diet is essential if you want a healthy baby and pregnancy.  Not to mention, when you eat the right foods and get the vitamins you need, your body will function properly and give you that healthy glow.

Exercise: When we finish a good exercise the feeling is great.  We feel accomplished, healthier already, and more energized.  Not only is exercising good for your body and your mind, it helps keep your weight where it’s supposed to be and increases your chances of a healthier pregnancy.

Clothing: Take the time to buy some cute maternity clothes.  When we have clothes that fit us nicely and flatter us we have a lot more confidence in the way we look.  You’ll feel beautiful and happy you took the time to do some shopping.

Pamper: Pregnancy is a long journey.  Each trimester is different, and each woman experiences different symptoms.  Take time to pamper yourself so that you can relax and feel good during your pregnancy.  Whether you get a facial done, a pedicure or your hair coloured, take time to feel good about yourself.

It is important that even though your body is going through several changes that you remember the prize at the end.  Keep yourself excited, happy, and focused on the positive things instead of the negative!  Once you feel yourself wandering to the negative side, call up a friend or family member and get in a good talk!

Author’s Bio

This is a guest post written by Lauren Dzuris.  Lauren runs FindMyCarSeat, a Car Seat website that helps soon to be parents find the right car seat for their child, while giving them tips and advice on everything from pregnancy to caring for your baby.

Stay Out of the Sun

We shouldn’t have to even say this one, but it needs to be said. Nothing will do more harm to your skin than excessive tanning. Sure we all like to look a little bronzed in the summertime, but it is not worth the health risks that are associated with exposure to the sun. If you simply must get the bronzed look, do it via a spray on tan. The more you protect your skin from dangerous UV rays, the longer you will retain a youthful appearance.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking lots of water is one of the best, and cheapest, ways to keep you skin looking healthy and vibrant. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink lots of water. Make it a habit to sip water throughout the day. No hydrating lotion can do as much for the appearance of your skin as staying internally hydrated can.

Clean Up Your Diet

The more variety you get in your regular diet, the better your skin will look. Remember when we said that your skin is an organ? Like all of your other organs, your skin needs vitamins and minerals to stay looking and feeling good. Eat a healthy, balanced diet that includes a lot of fiber, fruits and vegetables. Skip on the fast food whenever possible.

These tips may sound like they are more suited to a fitness article, but keeping yourself healthy by following these tips will do more for keeping you looking beautiful than you could ever imagine. Topping off these steps with the right outfit and the perfect accessories will keep you looking like a knock-out for years to come.