Circle lenses - a do or don't? By Tiffany Liew - Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Recently circle contact lenses, some donned to look like Lady Gaga herself in her ‘Bad Romance’ video, were banned in the US, sparked by the lens quality control concerns. At the moment, cosmetic lenses can be sold with no restrictions in NSW, which raises the question of whether or not these lenses should be worn.
Purely aesthetically, when worn circle contact lenses make your eyes appear larger through covering part of the cornea (the clear part that covers your pupil and iris). The circle contact lenses are also available in a wide range of colours and are so popular in Asian markets that they’ve almost become accessories, some buying and changing them regularly. They’re cheap enough to buy (under US$20 online), available/accessible, less drastic than surgery and make a dramatic difference to your appearance, so why shouldn’t we?
Well functionally, contact lenses, prescription or non-prescription, require fitting and measures to prevent eye infections as eyes are extremely fragile by nature. If the contacts are too loose or tight, scratching of the cornea can occur, which can be extremely uncomfortable and cause vision problems. Infections of the eye can also lead to blindness in as little as 24 hours, depending on the case.
On the other hand, people have been successful and have had positive experiences with circle contact lenses when they’ve been properly fitted, minimising the risk of corneal abrasion and eye infections. So if you’re considering this doe-eyed look, visit your optometrist or doctor today for a lens fitting and play it safe.
Haircuts to flatter your face shape By Tiffany Liew - Thursday, June 24, 2010
Whether you might be heading out to visit your hairdresser for a trim, style cut or even styling, here are a few pointers to make the most of your face shape:
1. Square faces – For those with angular jaws, shift focus from this line with texture and perhaps some layering. Longer styles tend to work better for those with square faces as they draw the attention downwards along the face, but avoid cuts which create another strong line across your face.
2. Round faces – To flatter your face shape try to minimize the volume around the chin, even through thinning out hair towards the bottom, or having top layers to create some height. On the other hand, you can choose to accentuate your roundness through adopting a bob, though it really depends from person to person.
3. Oval faces – Being the luckiest of the lot, oval faces have the most versatile face shape, so pretty much any cut will work for you. For the most flattering look, choose to accentuate a certain feature of your face, whether it would be through dying your hair, to having a side-swept fringe cut to accentuate your eyes.
4. Oblong faces - Those with longer faces can appear to be rounded or slightly shorter with short to medium-lengths. Chin-length bobs help to create width, and side-swept fringes tend to be flattering as well. To avoid lengthening your face even more, try to avoid any styles or cuts that create extra height, center parts and longer styles.
5. Heart-shaped faces – For people with these faces, the focus of most viewer’s attention tends to land on the smaller/pointy chin. To draw attention upwards (from the chin), you can choose to play up your eyes and cheekbones instead with a fringe. Hair-length-wise, try to avoid cuts which are any shorter than your chin. For short cuts, asymmetric styles and long top layers that graze your cheek bones tend to work well.
Ten Simple DIY Beauty Tips By Tiffany Liew - Wednesday, March 31, 2010
- Leave your mascara in the fridge before you use it. That way, when you use it, your eyelashes will curl by themselves.
- Wash your hair with beer. Try to going for a natural beer and it will give your hair a healthier appearance with more body.
- After washing your hair with shampoo, rinse your hair with cold water straight away. Doing this will seal the cuticle and give your hair a natural shine.
- If you want longer-lasting curls in your hair, curl using a hair straightener. All you have to do is clamp the hair at the top like you would normally, rotate the straightener 180 degrees away from your head, and bring the straightener outwards (with the hair curling around the straightener).
- For longer-lasting and smoother makeup application, use a primer. Primers provide an even base for your foundation to be applied and protect your skin by absorbing some of the oils and makeup that you apply. When putting primer on, make sure you let sink in for at least a minute before applying anything else so that your makeup won’t slide.
- Drink enough water. Enough water means at least 6-8 glasses a day, which will help clear toxins out of your body and keep your skin clear.
- You can use liquid foundation instead of concealer to cover blemishes. By leaving a small amount of liquid foundation to dry on the side or on the applicating part of the bottle, it provides a medium that’s thick enough to dab onto uneven spots on your face.
- Keep your skin from ageing by protecting it from the sun. Whether this might be in the form of sunscreen, a primer with in-built SPF or a moisturizer with the same, ensure that you protect your skin from harsh UV rays, even on a cloudy day.
- Olive oil works wonders for your hair, nails and skin. For your hair, it can be used as a conditioning mask when applied to the ends for around twenty minutes before washing as usual (with shampoo and conditioner). For your cuticles and skin, an excellent exfoliator is produced when olive oil is mixed with honey and granulated sugar.
- Always wash your hands before and after eating. This way, when you touch your face and/or your clothes, there will be less risk of transferring any components from your food (i.e. oils). Some of these can potentially discolour or damage some of your garments and may encourage blocked pores, causing unwanted blemishes
Secrets to Sexy Summer Hair By Brittany West - Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Dullness, split ends, oiliness, unmanageable frizz... they all come for a visit during those hot summer months. Thankfully we have all the information you need to make this summer your best hair season ever!!
USE PROTECTION
Just like your skin, your hair can be damaged by the harmful UV rays, especially during those summer months when they are the strongest. While the rays can give you natural highlights, they also strip your hair of it’s protective outer barrier, leaving the healthy keratin at the core exposed. Pair that with, pool chemicals, sea salt and bleaching and you have a recipe for disaster! Dull hair, split ends, frizz, breakage…you name it!
So how do you protect your hair and prevent the above beauty disasters?? You need a UVA/UVB filter to create a barrier between your hair and the harmful effects of those long summer beach days. Try “L’Oreal Paris Professional Serie Expert Solar Sublime Advanced Protection Conditioning Spray, $24,” which contains a special sunscreen that continues to work even after the product has been rinsed out.
BEAT THE FRIZZ
There is nothing worse than a fuzzed out mane, so here are a few tips to keep it under control this summer. Damaged cuticles allow moisture to creep into the hair’s core, turning sleek hair fuzzy. To prevent this from happening, use sun protection designed for your hair and apply a silicone-rich styling product to lock down cuticles. They’ll prevent your from lapping up the sudden increase in humidity. Try, “TRESemme’ Salon Silk No Frizz Serum, $7.95 or Alberto V05 Heat Defence Straightening Balm, $5.99.
Simply warm up a small amount in your palms and comb through damp hair, from mid-length to ends, leaving the roots witch can weigh hair down and make it look greasy. Then blow dry smooth with a round brush or for a super sleek look, run your GHD over the ends.
LIFELESS LOCKS
Dry summer heat can leave your locks limp and overloading it with product will simply worsen the problem. Instead go light with a volumising spray that uses the term “weightless” in the description such as, Sebastian Professional Whipped Crème, $38.
Backcomb small sections on the sides and crown with a paddle brush or backcomb specific comb, before smoothing it back. If it’s long pin it back for those easy summer days.
OILINESS
If your hair is on the oily side in the best of conditions like mine, sweaty summer heat won’t do it any favors. So when washing it again is not an options, treat dry shampoo as your new sidekick like that of Robin to Batman. Trust me, this product can be a life savor when you are invited to that last minute event and doubles as a volume booster. Try, Batiste Boho Dry Shampoo, $9.95
As a second option you can choose the “wet” look, by simply combing a protective gel or cream through your hair, such as Redken Color Extend shine Enrich Protective Shine Serum, $27.
IT”S NOT ALL BAD NEWS…
Although the sun inflicts many negative side effects on the health of your hair, as they say… “from every negative comes a positive,” And this stands true with the sun as well.
1. For those of you longing for long flowing locks, research has proven the increased sunlight in summer months encourages hair growth.
2. Utilize the summer rays with John Freida’s “Go Lighter” lightening shampoo. Giving you that natural summer glow.
3. Warmth allows products to fully penetrate the hair shaft. Take full advantage of the extra heat by applying a “Pantene 3-minute Miracle, before wrapping up in a fashionable headscarf. Then simply lay by the pool and let the heat do the work.
Happy tanning... Don't forget to protect your skin as well, there is nothing more beautiful than a healthy, glowing complexion!
Cosmetic Surgery and a 5 star Vacation for under $5000? By Brittany West - Tuesday, August 25, 2009
What? That’s
exactly what I was thinking when I read such a headline. Thailand is becoming increasingly
popular for “Cosmetic Vacations.”
Offering breast augmentation, Rhinoplasty, Face lifts, liposuction and much
more at up to 70% lower than in Canada the U.S and Australia all with a little
R&R at a 5 star resort to make your recovery as comfortable as possible.
My second thought was that the surgeons must not be as well
trained as those in our home countries or there must be a catch, but I was soon
to find out that this is not the case.
Many Thai plastic surgeons spend as much or more time in training as
their American counterparts and are often American board certified. Although there have been many
successful testimonials from Thailand, there will always be risks as in any
other country and it is very important to do as much research as possible. Thailand is able to offer these great
prices as the cost of living is quite low and the exchange rate from AUD, CAD
and USD to THB is so great.
If you have been considering a fuller cup size, a brighter
smile or a smaller tummy but wince at the price, Thailand might be something to
consider. Below are a few web
links with more information.
www.mybodyandspirit.com
www.secretescapes.com
www.cosmeticsurgerytravel.com
Create Effortless beach waves By Brittany West - Sunday, July 19, 2009
Celebs like Kate Bosworth, Jennifer Aniston and Ashley Olsen, love a tousled messy do. So how do you cop this sexy effortless style for yourself?
1.Start with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner.
2.Work a defining mousse through damp hair before blasting your strands on medium heat (upside down for extra lift).
3.Twirl a straightener on dry 1-inch sections to create a beachy wave. A ghd works best, however if you don’t have a straigtener you can also use a medium barreled curling iron. Simply place the barrel at the root of the hair and wrap 1-inch sections around the iron from root to tip.
Finish up by raking your fingers through your hair to separate strands and set with a lightweight finishing spray.
Tan, Slim and increase your sex drive in minutes? By Brittany West - Sunday, July 19, 2009
Could you overcome your fear of needles if it meant, weight loss, increased sexual appetite and a golden complexion. Sounds pretty good doesn’t it? The idea definitely caught my attention being like most in search of a nice safe tanning option, so I did some digging.
Scientist’s have devised a new compound that could potentially save you expensive trips to the tanning salon or scrubbing off the blotchy remains of an old spray tan. The new drug is said to produce an immediate even tan, increased libido, promote weight loss while at the same time reducing the risk of skin cancer. This all sounds pretty amazing to a girl who has little time to spend in the sun and cancer that runs in the family. So what are the catches?
Well the prices are fairly reasonable, with a starter package from “Melanocorp International” costing approximately $200 USD. However there has been very little testing on the safety and long-term side effects of this dream tan not to mention the daily shots for those of you who like I, cringe at the sight of a needle.
What I had to wonder to myself is, how do the side effects of each weigh out? On one side of the scale you have “the sun” or sun lamps on the other side you have a synthetic hormone promoting the production of melatonin in the skin. One with known side effects including increased risk of cancer, skin damage, premature aging and the other with long-term side effects that are virtually a big question mark.
We would love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Would you or wouldn’t you?
For more information check out: www.melanocorp.com
Comments
Post has no comments.