5 Ways to Become More Photogenic

Some of the most beautiful people in the world don't always look great in magazines because they aren't photogenic. Taking great pictures may not seem like that big of a deal, but that is going to determine how people remember you in the future. You obviously can't change the structure of your face or body to suit your photos, but you can tweak a few other elements to make yourself look better. Here are a few tips to help you out.

Find the Light

Fans of the show America's Next Top Model may have heard Tyra Banks tell the contestants to "find [their] light." This is an old trick that can completely transform the way you look in photos. If you use the light to your advantage, you can hide some of the negative features you may not like about yourself. If you ignore the light, you can actually emphasize areas that didn't look that bad to begin with. Play around with your facial positions until you get light to glimmer off your cheek bones, irises, and lips. You'll instantly look better after that.

Make It Natural

Rather than looking like you're forcing a smile, you need to make your photos look like they were taken in the moment. For instance, let's assume that you're just trying to take a picture with you smiling. Laugh during the photo session so the smile looks believable. Your muscles will react differently during live situations like this. It's your job to get those moments captured on film. 

Practice Your Angles

Turning your body, face, or feet in a certain direction can completely transform the way you look in a photo. Most people look larger when they face a camera than they do when they turn to the side. You don't have to completely move around, but you need to think about cocking yourself slightly to the side. You'll automatically look thin and lean this way.

Utilize the Eyes

Your eyes are the windows to your soul, and they also happen to be the doors to great photos. The key here is to "smize" (smile with your eyes). You basically have to squint while staring at the camera so that your eyes look like they are piercing straight through the viewer. Practice a bit on your own, and you'll soon see a difference in the emotions your photos evoke.

Clean Your Skin

Having clear skin is an important part of taking a good photo. Blemishes and dark marks always seem to stand out in photos, no matter how much makeup you wear to cover them. Wash your skin on a regular basis, and consider using a microdermabrasion treatment to get that ultra-clean feeling every few weeks. If you can consistently keep your skin soft and smooth, your pics will naturally look better. 

If you follow the tips above, you're sure to have consistently great photos. People will be offering you modeling contracts in no time!

How to Pick a Good Makeup Brush

Who knew applying makeup would turn into such an art? It reminds me of artists whose techniques depend on the brush, the medium, or the canvas. I guess our “medium” is the makeup and the canvas our face. In fact, much of the same shading and color knowledge used in art applies to creating special looks with makeup. Brushes provide opportunities for a soft, natural, or dramatic appearance…whatever your preference. Deciding which brush depends on a few important factors.

Natural Hair Types

Natural bristle brushes are wonderful for sculpting with dry products, which include powder, both compact and loose; blush, and eye shadow. Before going shopping for a natural brush know these brushes tend to soften with use and contain mostly virgin hair whose ends taper to stay soft on the skin. Whatever you do, stay away from poor quality natural hair brushes. They can become scratchy after a time and shed. And avoid the dyed brushes unless you just want to make your brush jar a color palette. Several types of hair are available in natural brushes.

Squirrel Hair

One type is squirrel hair. Prior to commissioning your hunter to bring back a squirrel from your yard, be aware the bristles actually do not come from these little darlings. However, they are the softest natural hair found in makeup brushes. They are more expensive, as quality products often are, but are a worthwhile investment because of their durability. When considering brushes for blending eye shadows, choose squirrel hair brushes.

Goat Hair

A second choice for natural bristles is goat hair. This brush is wonderful for powder… giving the smooth, finished, professional look. It also helps create a glow to your skin naturally as it deposits the powder evenly. Goat hair brushes are best for cheeks and contouring.

Sable Hair

But if you are looking for brushes that last a lifetime, choose sable hair. These may or may not be the most expensive of all, but are worth every penny. With wet or dry products, these brushes are therefore quite versatile. They are well-suited for shadowing. In fact, if my sable brush from college days had not sustained a permanent bend after a move, I would still be using it today! They are really easy to care for as well and have no hint of animal "fragrance".

Synthetic Brushes

If you just plainly do not wish to spend major funds on makeup brushes, synthetic ones made from nylon or a product called taklon are available. Synthetic brushes are good for cream or liquid items such as concealer or foundation. These brushes tend to soak up less liquid than do the natural ones and give a soft, natural, even appearance. However, they can become stiff and may not last as long as their natural counterparts. If you have sensitive skin, the usual preferences are good quality synthetic brushes. They are less expensive, for the most part, are soft against the skin, and any allergies are rare. But find ones that are dense enough to do a good job, and not too floppy.

Weigh the pros and cons of each brush type for your needs. After starting with these tips, you may agree that having a small assortment of excellent quality brushes of which you take excellent care, is the best choice for all your versatile looks. So, before throwing away that brand new blush because it did not give the look you anticipated, check to see if your brush is the culprit.

Kathryn Thompson is a fashion guru who enjoys letting her natural beauty shine forth.  She enjoys writing about anything related to fashion and beauty and recently wrote about her favorite makeup and cosmetic brushes.

Home Remedies to Erase Dark Circles Under Your Eyes

Whether you are staying up late at night, stressed, or simply have allergies chances are those dark circles under your eyes are becoming more noticeable. Maybe you did not even realize you have them but someone has been asking if you are getting enough sleep or how tired you look, this is why.  Do not waste a ton of money on creams or injections to get rid of them, there are other ways that are cheap to help you get rid of them. Each of these remedies will all be items/ingredients one can typically find in your kitchen.

Sleep
Make sure to get at least 8 hours of sleep per night, a little more if you are able to do so. This may not reduce those dark circles but it will help you stay awake and alert longer. The healthier you are, means the healthier your skin will stay.

Tea Bags
You have just made yourself a cup of hot tea, instead of tossing those warm tea bags away put them on top of your eyelids for 20 minutes. Do this every day for 2 weeks for the best results. This will dramatically reduce the puffiness and dark circles. The best type of tea to use would be green or chamomile tea because they are rich with antioxidants and are healthier for you to drink.

Cucumbers
Grab a cucumber out of your fridge, maybe you were planning using them for cucumbers and ranch dip or a salad. Save enough that, you can cut two thin slices and place them over your eyes for 10-15 minutes. This will help rid the puffiness but also tighten the skin around your eye.
Avocado – Place a slice of avocado under each eye. The oil inside the avocado with the coolness will help reduce the coloring of your eye and the puffiness.

Potato
Placing a slice of potato under each eye will help because of the bleaching agents inside the potato; this will help lighten the dark circles.

Spoon
In case you do not have any of the above take a spoon out of your drawer and put it in the freezer for a while. Once it is frozen take it out and put it on the dark circles until the spoon heats back up.
Do not forget to wash the eye with cold water after using any of the above remedies.  Finally, by eating right and getting the proper exercise this can help your body and reduce those eye circles. Every person should drink 8-10 glasses of water per day to you are your body hydrated.  Sometimes the dark circles are due to the lack of nutrition in your body, which means it is time to figure out what you are missing and put it back in. Gel, creams, facial massages and make up work as well but why pay a ton out of pocket when you can do all the above and barely have to spend a dime?

Styling Hair Extensions: Products

Hair extensions are a fantastic way to add instant, natural looking volume and length. Whether this is with clip in hair extensions or pre bonded, micro loop and tape in extensions. As with your own natural hair, hair extensions can also be styled too. This article explains which products are recommended to be used when styling hair extensions.

Heat Protector

Providing your hair extensions are 100% human hair, then you will be able to use heat to style them. This can be hair dryers, hair straighteners, curling tongs and wands. However, the first styling product that is absolutely essential is a heat protector spray. Heat protector sprays should be used on your own hair too but is particularly beneficial to hair extensions to make them last longer and stay in a good condition.

Heat from blow dryers, hair straighteners and curling irons can weaken the hair making the ends become dry, damaged and split. A good heat protector spray will protect the hair from thermal environments and they are very simple to use – spritz onto wet hair before blow drying or onto dry hair when styling with straighteners or curling tools and comb through to ensure the product is spread throughout the hair. Then simply style as normal. The best part about heat protector sprays is that they are not only going to stop your hair from becoming damaged, but they also add shine, de-frizz and help to style your hair.

Serum

As hair extensions are no longer attached to the scalp, they also no longer receive the much needed nutrients and oils that your natural hair gets. This means that hair extensions often need a little help with some extra moisture. Hair extension serum that is specially designed for extensions will smooth any split ends and help to maintain moisture, not to mention reviving damaged hair in an instant. 1-2 pumps of hair serum is usually sufficient and can be applied by rubbing into the palm of your hand and applying throughout the extensions concentrating on the ends which tend to become dry.

Repeating this application regularly will also help to maintain the life of your hair extensions.

Gloss Spray

As with natural hair, there is nothing better than glossy, healthy locks and this is exactly what we want for our hair extensions too. A gloss spray can add instant shine and shimmer to extensions to give a luxurious look and feel to finish off any hair style.

Styling & Fixing Spray

Just like styling sprays for natural hair, a styling and fixing spray is a great ‘all rounder’ product to help make your styling process easier, adding volume and also texture as well as helping to keep a style in place. This will usually be used after drying hair prior to styling.

Antistatic Spray

Often people find that hair extensions can become quite static so this is one product that I would definitely recommend for extensions. It is a lightweight leave in spray conditioner that adds moisture to the extensions whilst providing nourishment and shine. It can also help to detangle the hair whilst reducing split ends and making the hair appear smoother for a sleek finish. In most cases, you will apply to towel dried hair and comb gently to remove any tangles before drying and styling.

The products recommend in this article will help style your hair extensions effectively. Some high street products that we use in our own hair however cannot be used on hair extensions as extensions need specific ingredients in the products to help maintain them. I would recommend I&K Hair Extension Care products from Hairtrade.com as they are specially designed for use on hair extensions and really help to increase the longevity of the hair.

Laura is a hair and beauty writer with extensive knowledge in Beauty, Makeup and hair care, specialising in hair extensions

New Plastic Surgery Techniques To Eliminate Signs of Aging

The most common thing that comes to mind when someone mentions plastic surgery is the look of over-processed appearances that make once-beautiful women into unrecognizable mannequins. With the current trends in plastic surgery we are moving away from the "mannequin face" and exposing truly natural-looking beauty.

More and more women are looking towards realistic ways to fight the aging process, and the industry has responded with new high-tech treatments to provide a pure form of beauty. Awareness, easy to access, and price has also increased the popularity of plastic surgery options with younger groups. Younger women are now using these options to slow down aging as opposed to reversing it.

Needles and chemical injections are no longer the only answer. Laser treatment is showing promising treatment due to its ability to simulate the skin to repair itself naturally making it more subtle and natural in appearance.

Not every doctor is trained to provide the variety of plastic surgery options available. Take the time to make an appointment with a plastic surgeon who is qualified in the procedure you wish to receive, not your general practitioner. Look for someone who has American Board of Plastic Surgery or American Society of Plastic Surgeons accreditations.

It is important to start your dialogue with the injector so that they fully understand in the results you are trying to achieve. Explain to them that you wish to achieve a natural look that still provides expression and movement. Less is more; you always have the ability to return for additional fillers.

It is difficult to take out what has already been injected. Additional signs to look for when you go for your initial consultation which will help you determine if this doctor is right for you: if everyone who is in the waiting room looks similar, politely cancel your appointment and find a doctor who will take the time to focus on what you need, not make you look like everyone else.

Fillers like botox, radiesse and juvederm are the number one anti aging injectables on the market. If you are noticing wrinkles on your forehead or around your eyes this solution will help eliminate those dreaded wrinkles. Make sure that the plastic surgeon you choose shows you before and after pictures so you know what you can expect. Never rush into something like this, and make sure to always do your homework. To healthy living!

Eye Problems Suffered In The Third World

Many eye charities exist to help with eye problems in the Third World that sadly are largely preventable and treatable but often result in the sufferer becoming irreparably blind due to lack of early care and attention when most needed.

Worst Areas For Eye Disease

A very debilitating disease that is common in the Middle East and Africa is trachoma, which is a highly contagious bacterial infection which attacks the eyelids, the cornea and the conjunctiva of the eye. Untreated it causes scarring, ultimately of the cornea which can result in a great or total loss of vision. It is most common in areas of poverty where there is no proper hygiene and clean water. For those who cannot work, they can face destitution and starvation.

Trachoma can be spread by flies or insects carrying secretions of the infection on their legs or bodies, or by direct or indirect contact with fluids from the eye, nose or throat of an infected individual via polluted water or shared towels.

Can Trachoma Be Prevented?
The disease can be halted by prompt treatment and by hygiene lessons to parents and children to prevent further spread of the disease. For example, learning not to share towels if there is an infected sufferer within the family or for a village to build a covered latrine which prevents flies breeding.

Cataracts In The Third World
In other developing countries, many of the older population have severely impaired sight due to untreated cataracts and may be virtually blind as a result. The cataracts may be due to a previous injury to the eye, to diabetes, be an age-related deterioration of the eye or due to exposure to bright sunlight constantly without protective eyewear. (Something field workers may suffer.)
In developed countries, cataracts are routinely operated upon but in rural areas of India and Africa, the elderly often are resigned to losing their sight and an operation on cataracts carried out by a charity can seem to be like an unexpected miracle.

A Parasitic Infection Of The Eye
The Filarial worm is an opportunistic parasite which is very common and said to be one of the most common causes of blindness in the world – known as river blindness. The parasite is a leech which latches on to the eyeball and is transferred by mosquitoes who bite an infected host and then another, passing on the infection. There is a drug to treat the condition but the best prevention is avoiding being bitten by mosquitoes.
Fortunately today, modern medicine and medical research have shown how to prevent such damaging eye diseases and how to treat them if contracted.

Charlotte blogs about eyes, vision and health for prescription glasses online provider DirectSight.

Vaseline: Awesome Beauty Uses for Petroleum Jelly

Sometimes brand names are so popular that they become synonymous with the product they represent. Adhesive bandages are simply known as Band-Aids. Antibacterial ointment is often referred to as Neosporin. Petroleum jelly is most commonly referred to as Vaseline.

In reality, vaseline isn’t the only company to produce petroleum jelly, but we’ll just use the name here to make things easier. (“Vaseline” rolls off the tongue so much better than “petroleum jelly.”) Whatever type of petroleum jelly you purchase, there are many different ways you can use it in your beauty regimen, and some of them might surprise you. Here are some great uses for it.

On Your Lips
Vaseline is actually one of the best things you can use as a lip gloss. For one thing, a tub of Vaseline can last an incredibly long time if you’re only applying it to your lips, so it’s significantly more cost effective than buying individual tubes of lip gloss. It actually works better, too. Vaseline will moisturize dry, chapped lips and keep the skin healthy. It also gives your lips a brilliant shine.

On Your Nails
If you like to do your own manicures or pedicures, Vaseline is a great product to have on-hand, because it can serve many different purposes. Massage Vaseline into your cuticles to soften them, which will improve their appearance and make it easier for you to trim them. While painting your nails, Vaseline on your cuticles will also make it very easy for you to remove any polish that gets on your skin. Finally, rubbing Vaseline on your nail polish during the week will give it a shiny luster that will make it look just like new again.
Bonus: Rub Vaseline around the the top of a nail polish bottle to make it much easier to open next time.

On Your Body
Vaseline actually makes a great skin moisturizer, especially for the rough areas of your skin, like your elbows and feet. Massage Vaseline into those spots to get soft, shiny skin. Every night before bed, put Vaseline on your feet, and cover them with socks. Your feet will quickly become noticeably better-feeling and better-looking. After shaving, use Vaseline as a soothing lotion. Also, place in on your pressure points before applying perfume to make your scent last much longer.

On Your Face
Use a very little bit of Vaseline on your eyelids before applying eye shadow, or on your cheeks before applying blush, to give your makeup some extra shine. Vaseline can also help you remove false eyelashes. When put you on your eyebrows, it can help you tame and groom them, as well as make it easier for your to pluck them. When applied to a Q-tip, Vaseline also helps remove makeup, especially stubborn waterproof makeup.

In the Shower
You can use Vaseline in the shower to make your own exfoliating body scrub. Just mix Vaseline with brown sugar or sea salt to your desired consistency, and rub all over your skin to remove dead cells. Your skin will be incredibly soft and smooth afterward.

Cayla Crenshaw is a beauty expert and freelance writer who loves to find alternative items that she can use as beauty products. She often writes and can be found blogging about anything from the newest beauty products to eco friendly beauty.

Best Ways To Keep Your Skin Healthy

It is of great relevance to maintain the health of your skin for obvious appearance-related reasons but also for your own well-being. Skin care products are often advertised on television and in many other places and there has pretty much always been a consistent demand for them, evidencing the recognition from people with regard to the importance of a healthy complexion. You may choose to take the opportunity on certain occasions to have a professional facial treatment at a spa but there are also a number of regular practices that can help your skin.

Maintaining calm
Everyone is aware that keeping life free from stress is a near impossibility but there are a number of times when it can be avoided or let go. Managing the level of stress you go through is one of the key factors in maintaining healthy skin, not to mention the effect on your health in an overall sense. Finding the time to shut off from all demands is not always an easy thing but if you can manage to do this at some point during each day then you will benefit yourself considerably. If you do spend time relaxing in the bath then try not to go overboard with how long you spend in there as this can decrease the level of necessary oils in your skin.

Adequate protection from the sun
This is admittedly more of an issue for those who are deemed to be fortunate in living in close proximity to areas that experience a lot of sunshine but protecting your skin from the sun's rays is vital. Among the typical guidelines for sun protection is wearing sun cream that has a high enough factor to protect your specific skin type. In addition to this, finding a place in the shade to sit in is recommended when the sun is at its most powerful in relation to where you are. Hats and other clothing that safeguard against the most harmful rays should also be worn.

Your diet
The food you eat is certainly significant in how your skin looks and feels. An intake of water is often associated with healthier skin and the required amount of hydration is one of the principle elements of the whole process. The first thing that most will think of when beneficial foods are mentioned is fruit and vegetables. Dieticians and nutritionists will advise you against eating excessive amounts of foods high in fat as this is of course detrimental to your overall health, and the same can apply to your skin too.

Ways To Keep Your Skin Healthy

As we age, we begin to understand the importance of taking care of our bodies. The same goes for our skin. To care for our skin means to enhance its healthy appearance.

Sun Isn’t As Healthy As You Think

The biggest thing you can do is protecting yourself from the sun. Think about it-yes your skin is at the mercy of everyday elements, but the most inevitable is the sun. Before you protest, saying you barely have enough time in your morning routine to do your make-up, most moisturizers and foundations carry a small percent of SPF so in one step, you’re done. If you’re going to be outside for an extended period of time, remember to reapply. Do so at least every two hours and consider even more if you’re swimming or perspiring more than normal.

Nix Bad Habits

Smoking takes a large toll both inside your body and out. It causes wrinkles, making you look older than you actually are. Smoking affects blood vessels, restricting blood flow which affects the oxygen and nutrients your skin gets. This bad habit also damages collagen and elastin, leaving your skin feeling saggy and dull instead of firm and youthful.  

Improving your diet is another step you can adopt to help out your skin. A balanced diet of grains, proteins and vegetables are good for your body and help with the appearance of skin. Stress is another manageable factor to get a hold of. Stress can take a toll on the appearance of your skin and cause lack of sleep, which also affects how you look.

Be Kind

A large part of taking care of our skin begins in the bathroom. A step that we almost always fail to complete that leaves our skin in harm’s way is the lack of sunscreen we use. Applying sunscreen or a product with it should be one of the first things we do before walking out the door. When it comes to washing our face, we all have a preference to the temperature we like to use, but should we be using a certain one? It seems to make sense that hotter water will open up pores to get out more dirt and grime, but if it’s too hot, it will only strip skin of its natural oils. Next time, avoid turning the handle all the way and wash your face with warm or lukewarm water instead.

Take the same kind of gentle thinking and apply it to your cleanser. If you are someone that feels they need a strong cleanser to wash, especially if you have trouble with acne, think twice about the strength of the cleanser you are using. Stronger isn’t always better. A mild cleanser will still take care of bacteria and dirt and still leave the essentials that are healthy for your skin.

Steps to Take After Cleansing

What we do after cleansing is just as important as cleansing itself. Reaching for the towel, some of us can admit that we scrub as hard as we can until it’s dry. But all that scrubbing is abrasive to skin and can even rub it dry natural moisture. Think gentle and pat it dry.

Depending on your skin type, it may feel dry after cleansing. Many of us take that as a sign we did a good job cleaning our skin, but we are actually harming it by washing away moisture and nutrients that should stay on our skin. This brings us back to why we don’t always need as strong of a cleanser as we think. Regardless of how mild a cleanser is that we try to use, it’s up to us to restore any moisture our skin needs to be healthy. The best way to do that is to find a moisturizer that matches your skin needs and apply it after cleansing. And of course, it’s an added bonus if you apply one with an SPF.

There are many things that can wreak havoc on our skin that involve more than how we wash it. Take steps to better get control over your daily life and skin routine and you will see how much easier it is to maintain healthy skin, which will leave you feeling great about how you look. 

The article was written by the skin care experts at DorMauri.com.

Things To Look Out For In Case Of Modelling For Teenagers

As children, one of the dreams that they may have is to become a successful model. There could be any number of reasons behind this. But it is the glamour and the glitz that attracts teenagers towards modelling. If your teenager wants to become a model, it is a good career option. But it is important for them to understand that it is not an easy job and that there is a lot of hard work involved. They should understand that modelling for teenagers involves a lot of stress and they may also have to travel a lot to complete their assignments.

It is important to choose a good agency in the case of modelling for teenagers. The best thing to do would be to opt for an agency that has a lot of experience in dealing with teenage models. When you opt for such an agency, they would be able to make sure that the career of your child is managed properly. Initially, when your child’s career is starting, you may not have enough money to travel to various cities to do assignments. Therefore, it is always better that you get some local assignments before going to other cities.

Another thing stressful about modelling for teenagers is the interview process that happens for every modelling assignment. It is important that the child is prepared and ready to face the casting agent who would be deciding whether a particular teen would be suitable for the assignment or not. The child should prepare for it in a systematic way and the agency would help them in the process. They would give you training on what all you need to do when you go for an interview and all the documents to carry. Of course, the parent or guardian should also go along in case they are needed for signing the contract.

It is important for the teens to understand that it would not be all plain sailing and that there would be disappointments along the way. Therefore, they should have a strong personality or else they may not be able to face the pressure. There have been many instances where teens have gotten dejected whenever they got rejected by companies and when things seemed to be going very difficult. Only if he or she can take these failures in their stride would they become successful. Or else, they would not become a model.

Another thing to remember in the case of modelling for teenagers is not neglecting education. While your child may be having a successful modelling career, one should not forget that continuing education is also very important. A modelling career lasts only for a few years. Once you come out of it, you should still be able to find yourself a job to support yourself. Also, in case the teenager is not successful, he should not be in a position where he finds himself in the middle of nowhere. One needs to keep all this in mind in the modelling industry. To know more, please visit http://ukmodelsreviews.com/ .

Amy Jackson is a journalist who writes for several Fashion Magazines.

10 Tips For Improving Your Skin

Getting great skin isn't a mystery! Check out these 10 easy tips to improve your skin.

Check your Water - The water you use to clean your skin is almost as important as the water you drink. Hard water isn't conducive to lathering, which forces you to use more product, and can dry out your skin. Soft water lets product lather easily, so you need less product to get the same results. Check your area's water quality by visiting the Environmental Protection Agency.

Be Wary of Wrinkle Fighters - There are tons of anti-wrinkle creams on the market, but they are not all made alike. Check the ingredients; a good anti-wrinkle cream contains Retinol, hydroxyl acids, coenzyme Q10, copper peptides, kinetin and green, black or green tea extracts. Try Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream for wrinkle fighting care.

Have a healthy diet - Certain vitamins, like A, C, B3 and E, have been found to benefit the skin. Avoiding fatty foods and an abundance of dairy products if you have acne can also improve your skin tone.

Use Protection - The sun is your skin's worst enemy. Fight it off by applying SPF sunscreen every time you are outdoors. Make sure your sunscreen has UVB and UVA protection, like DDF Enhancing Sun Protection in SPF 30, which works with any type of skin and improves tone at the same time.

Catch your ZZZs - Sleep is nature's way of resetting and healing, and if you're not getting enough rest, your body isn't able to repair your skin - and sleep deprivation can trigger an increase in adrenaline and cortisol. Make sure you have a relaxing bedtime routine, go to sleep and wake up the same time every day and get at least seven to eight hours every day.

Pamper your skin - If your skin looks flaky and uneven, it's time for some hardcore moisturizing care. Try the Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting mask, which sloughs off dry, flaky skin, brightens your tone and soothes at the same time.

Minimize pores - Age, genetics, skin type and sun damage can cause unsightly large pores, and excessively oily skin can magnify the problem. Look for a product with salicylic acid that can hide and refine large pores on your face, like the Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner.

Brighten blah skin - Free radicals, sun and stress can leave your skin looking less than glowing. Rejuvenate your lackluster skin with a skin peel or mask with antioxidants and vitamins, like Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Extra Strength Alpha Beta Peel.

Chill out! - Stress increases the body's production of cortisol, which can make skin oily, and lowers the body's ability to fight off acne-inducing bacteria. To combat stress's effect on your skin, practice deep breathing, yoga or medication.

Wash up every night - One nighttime step you should never miss? Washing your face using an effective but gentle cleanser before bed gets rid of makeup, dirt, oil and bacteria that can cause problems. Try Dr. Brandt Time Arrest Creme Cleanser for cleaning and collagen enhancement.

About the author: Thomas is an award winning freelance writer with many years of experience under his belt covering health issues. When he’s not busy writing he is usually reviewing dermatology experts in Chicago or sharpening his water polo skills.

5 Tips For Healthy Glowing Skin

When it comes to skincare, getting the basics right can really help you avoid the natural aging process and avoid skin problems later in life. Here are 5 easy tips to get you started:

1. Keep a close eye on what you eat
Research shows a strong link between a healthy diet and good skin. By eating the foods you are supposed to eat such as fruit, vegetables, proteins & good fats (such as the fats found in nuts & avocados) and avoiding the high salt and fats found in many microwave meals and takeaways this can really help promote good skin and a healthier lifestyle in general.

2. Quit Smoking
Smoking can lead to a tightening of the blood vessels which decreases blood flow, in turn reducing the amount of oxygen and nutrients that our skin needs to remain healthy. If you do smoke, quitting is a very key way to improve your skin condition and more importantly your overall health. There is an array of options available to help you quit smoking, so do your research and get the right thing for you. Nicotine patches can give you the hit of nicotine your body requires or there are any number of electronic cigarette retailers such as the vape store that supply cigarettes that emit only water vapour.

3. Get some R&R
We all feel the stresses of daily life, whether it’s the kids, the job or those bills continually dropping through the door. But, in amongst all of this, make sure you make time for yourself to relax and reflect, have a soak in the bath with some relaxing music, add some bath oils and help soak away the daily build-up of stress.

4. Sun Lotion & Sun beds
This really is one of the key ways of looking after your skin. Spending too long in the sun can lead to wrinkles in later life; it can also cause other skin conditions and age spots and can severely increase your risk of skin cancer. Most importantly, avoid the concentrated doses of UV that sunbeds bring.
Make sure you use a good amount of sunscreen with at least a factor 15 protection. It’s easy to forget to re-apply but make sure you keep on top of it by re-applying every 2-4 hours or more if you are in and out of the swimming pool.

5. Be good to your skin
The strains of daily life can take a toll on your skin so make sure that you take precautions to look after it. We all know what it feels like to get out of the shower or bath and feel like we have dry skin so make sure you add the moisture back using a good moisturiser like Nivea or Vaseline. Make sure when you shave you lubricate and protect your skin and avoid strong soaps.

This article was created by Paul Young, an accomplished freelance journalist with published healthcare articles on a number of high tier blogs & websites.