7 Ways to Reduce wrinkles

 I try all   sorts of ways to get their skin looking as wrinkle-free as possible.

There are a plethora of fancy facials that use, among other unique ingredients, lasers, bee venom, and even one’s own blood. In addition to those treatments, there are pricey cosmetic creams, Botox and even face slapping.

But you don’t have to spend a lot of money to prevent wrinkles.

As part of the “GMA” Yahoo Your Day series, “GMA” met up with Michele Promaulayko, Yahoo Health’s editor in chief, to get the scoop on how to prevent wrinkles for free. She said that most wrinkles are caused by the breakdown of collagen and elastin, adding: “biggest culprits are obviously smoking and the sun.”

Promaulayko offered the following seven easy tips to prevent wrinkles:

1. Avoid drinking through a straw. “When you're pursing your lips a lot with a straw, you're going to get those little lines around your lips. It's not cute,” she said.

2. Limit frequent gum chewing. The repetitive motion of chewing, usually more on one side of the mouth, can cause wrinkles to be more pronounced on that side of the face.

3. Always wear your sunglasses, even when it's cloudy. "You're always squinting when you're in bright light. And that's going to cause fine lines around your eyes," she noted.

4. Try not to stretch your skin when applying or removing makeup. Just try to be gentle with your skin,” she said. “Also we have a tendency to … raise our eyebrows and open our mouth and make all these funny faces. Try not to do that."

5. Limit consumption of refined sugar. “It does nothing good. It breaks down your cells,” she said, adding that it causes inflammation.

6. Be aware of how much you’re looking down at your mobile devices. “You can use voice texting … holding your phone up and not looking down,” she said.

7. Try not to sleep on your side. “When you sleep on your side, you cause wrinkles on your face, but you also cause cleavage wrinkles,” she said. She advised that people sleep on their backs and use silky pillowcases.

Female Student Sparks Debate With 'I Don't Shave' Essay

Yasmin Gasimova is seen in this undated Facebook photo.

Yasmin Gasimova

A UK student has worked online readers into a lather, after writing about her refusal to shave her body hair and perpetuate what she described as “unfair expectations of women.”

In an essay that appeared in the The Tab Liverpool, titled, “I Don’t Shave and I’m Not Going To Start,” Yasmin Gasimova wrote that since having stopped shaving at the age of 11, she has endured much criticism from acquaintances and schoolmates. But she remained staunchly opposed to the notion that she should alter her natural appearance to suit societal norms.

“As someone of Turkic origin, I don’t remember ever not having hair,” Gasimova, now 19 and a computer science student at the University of Liverpool, wrote. “In fact, as early as 10, boys were making fun of my moustache and I was trying to shave my noticeably hairy stomach.”

But a year later, the author decided that shaving her abdomen and legs wasn’t worth the inconvenience it caused her, so she stopped. After a period of pushback from friends, family and boyfriends, Gasimova wrote that most people close to her eventually agreed with her personal stance.

Gasimova did not immediately respond to ABC News’ requests for comment. But in her essay for The Tab Liverpool, the author also shared multiple photos exposing her unshaven legs, underarms, and face.

Some commenters offered support of her position on not shaving, cheering: “Good on you for be comfortable with your hair!”

Others asserted their dislike of female body hair.

“I'd hope the Author of this article is aware that many guys don't like body hair on women and that she's tough enough to take the, regrettably inevitable, abuse she's getting,” wrote one reader.

Gasimova disagreed, she wrote.

“If you think the au naturel look is gross, it isn’t – you only believe that because you’ve been conditioned to see it that way your entire life,” wrote Gasimova. “I dream of the day I can walk around in the summer in shorts, without being conscious of people judging me. It will, however, take many of my sisters joining me and ridding the public of the shock.”

Nail it! Colorful Spotty Stiletto Nails

Amazing Uses for Epsom Salt

What do pedicures, hair volumizers, tile cleaners and bath crystals have in common? They can all be created – at a low cost and in an eco-friendly manner – using Epsom salt. Comprised of the minerals magnesium and sulfate, Epsom salt is a natural exfoliant and anti-inflammation remedy that can be used to treat dry skin, sore muscles, small wounds and even to fight illness. It can also be added to any bath or foot soak to create a luxurious at-home spa experience. These budget-friendly, hassle-free tips from the Epsom Salt Council show how Epsom salt can keep you feeling healthy and beautiful in the comfort of your own home.

Hair volumizer

Adding Epsom salt to conditioner helps you to rid your hair of excess oil, which can weigh hair down and leave it looking flat. Create your own homemade volumizer by combining equal parts Epsom salt and conditioner. Apply and leave in for 20 minutes before rinsing. Repeat the treatment weekly.

Sunburn relief

Epsom salt’s anti-inflammatory properties make it a great tool for alleviating mild sunburn irritation. Take an empty spray bottle, mix two tablespoons of Epsom with one cup of water and spray on the affected area. Your days of dealing with messy aloe are over!

 

Dry lips

Always find yourself fumbling for lip balm? Try giving your lips a deeper treatment using Epsom salt. Combine a few tablespoons of salt with a teaspoon of petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline), apply the solution to the lips, and gently rub it in. The solution helps remove dead and/or dry skin and will leave your lips looking fuller and healthier.

Bug bite relief

To help relieve common insect bites, just mix two tablespoons of Epsom salt with one cup of water, dip a cotton washcloth in the solution, and apply to the affected area.

Sore muscle soother

Epsom salt can help to relieve sore muscles after workouts. Create a muscle-relaxing “paste” by dissolving a teaspoon of Epsom salt into a cup of hot water and cooling the solution in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. Make sure to clean the skin of the affected area and dry off before applying.

Pedicure

Treat your feet to even more fun with a low-cost, at-home Epsom salt pedicure. Mix one half a cup of Epsom salt with warm soap water and soak. Remove nail polish, cut and file toenails and then soak again for five minutes. Epsom salt’s natural exfoliating properties will help soften rough and callused skin, leaving your feet feeling spa-fresh.

Facial

Epsom salt’s natural exfoliating properties help give facial pores a deep clean. For an Epsom salt facial, add one half a teaspoon of Epsom salt to any face cleansing cream. Apply to skin, rinse with cold water, and dry.

 Post-shower spa treatment

Gentle exfoliation is a common treatment at many spas, and you can have the same experience for a fraction of the price at home. After a shower, gently massage wet skin with handfuls of Epsom salt. The salt’s coarse texture and rich nutrients help to cleanse and get rid of dead skin cells, leaving your skin silky smooth.

Apple Cider Vinegar Will Totally Transform Your Skin & Hair

If you’re still only using apple cider vinegar in your salad dressings, you’re missing out. As odd as it might sound, the all-natural, all-purpose kitchen staple is also becoming a preferred beauty potion. As someone who can’t even cut an onion, putting something as pungent as a vinegar on my skin and hair was not easy the first time. But the transformative beauty benefits of ACV kept me coming back until I finally just moved the bottle from my kitchen cabinet to my medicine cabinet.

Note: If you want to try any of these tricks at home, be sure to only use a raw, organic, unfiltered, and unpasteurized apple cider vinegar (we like Bragg’s, $9; amazon.com). And run it by your dermatologist, too.

As a Face Toner
I used regular toners for a few years, but I can’t say I ever really saw a big difference. Enter ACV, and my skin is brighter and tighter. “Skin is naturally acidic but when vinegar is used as a toner, it helps skin find the ideal balance between dry and oily,” says Dr. Karen Hammerman, cosmetic dermatologist at Vanguard Dermatology in New York City. I dilute a tablespoon of ACV with a few drops of water and apply with a cotton ball three to four times a week. If you have extremely sensitive skin, try adding more water to the mixture and use less frequently.

As a Hair Rinse
Ever notice how your shampoo seems to stop working after a few weeks, leaving you to assume that you need to buy a new brand? That could be the result of product buildup. It’s easy to forget that our scalp is skin and, just like our faces, needs a good deep cleaning every once in awhile. “Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid which, when applied to your scalp, removes excess buildup left from styling products and shampoos,” says Hammerman. Twice a month, after shampooing, I pour one to two cups of the vinegar on my hair; I massage it into my scalp and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing. Don’t worry, the smell won’t stick around—but if you’d prefer, try a clarifying shampoo like Fekkai’s Apple Cider Shampoo ($20,amazon.com) for similar effects.

To Soothe Burns
If the thought of rubbing highly acidic vinegar on red-hot, tender skin makes you wince, you’re not alone. My face still scrunches right before I apply ACV to a sunburn, but, fear not because it doesn’t actually hurt. Amino acids in ACV “can help balance hydration in the skin and calm irritation,” says Hammerman. Massage onto sunburns or razor burns to turn down the heat.

To Clean Makeup Brushes
ACV can de-gunk every tool in your application arsenal, from blush brushes to brow brushes. And the malic acid in ACV makes it antibacterial, says Hammerman—so, you’re washing out germ buildup, too. Hammerman suggests combining one cup of warm water with one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, and one or two thick slices of lemon to scent the concoction. Clean brushes with the mixture, rinse with water, and lay out to dry

By Lindsay Dolak, InStyle.com

10 Simple All Natural Beauty Tips

10 Super Simple All Natural Beauty Tips

The world would have us believe that there are no simpleand inexpensive natural beauty tips and tricks. What makes me say that? Well, did you know that the beauty industry is a nearly $300 BILLION dollar empire? And that the average woman spends about $15,00 on just makeup in her lifetime! (source) And according to a UK survey, women will spend well over a year of their life applying that makeup. (source) Ouch. That, of course, says nothing of the toxic chemicals so commonly found (with almost zero regulation) in beauty products. Yep. Seems like the world is telling us that we need to spend lots of time, lots of money, and risk our health to be beautiful. Don’t believe it. For starters, let’s get real about the idea of beauty. To me it’s about unmasking the real person, not covering it up. And there are lots of simple ways to thank your body, feel more beautiful, and not have to pay an arm and a leg for it. Here are just 10. They are easy. They are all natural. And yet, still luxurious. Enjoy.




1. Banana and Egg Hair Treatment

Looking for a little more shine in your hair? Simply mix one egg and a mashed up banana. Apply it as a thick paste to your hair and leave it on for 10 – 30 minutes. Wash it our doing your usual hair washing ritual (if you usually use a store-bought conditioner you’ll probably only need to condition the ends). And voila! Super simple, and all natural, beauty tip.

2. Moisturizing Nail Treatment

Soak your nails in olive oil for five minutes. And then sit back and admire your pretty hands.

3. Simple Honey Face Mask

Raw honey is naturally anti-bacterial and a super quick way to get soft, beautiful skin. Once a week use a tablespoon or so of raw honey (not the processed stuff parading as honey) and gently warm it by rubbing your fingertips together. Spread on your face. Leave on for 5 – 10 minutes and then use warm water to gently rinse it off and pat dry. Then bask in the glow of your honey-awesomeness. This raw honey is awesome, by the way.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar Clarifying Shampoo

For those who are using commercial shampoos: To help eliminate any build up in your hair, mix ¼ cup organic apple cider vinegar (like this) with 1 cup water. Follow with your usual conditioner.

5. Elbow and Knee Exfoliate and Skin Brightener

Cut an orange in half and rub it on your elbows and knees. Helps soften those rough patches. And it smells good. (Rinse off the sticky mess when you are done.)

6. Gentle Body Scrub

Mix a 2 to 1 ratio of olive oil and sea salt to make a quick and effective body scrub. This helps get rid of dead skin cells creating softer, more glowing skin. And this natural beauty tip is much cheaper that expensive store bought body scrubs.

7. Easy Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment

Want super soft, hydrated hair? This is one of my favorite all natural beauty tips. Use melted coconut oil as a deep conditioning hair and scalp treatment. Massage coconut oil into your scalp and then work it through your hair. Leave it on for a couple of hours and then wash it out using shampoo (no need to condition unless you have really long hair and then maybe just the ends.) Note: For you no ‘poo-ers keep in mind that coconut oil will saturate your hair with awesome goodness… that can be really hard to get out with just baking soda and *some* natural shampoos. You may want to try just a little coconut oil on a little section of hair and see if you can get it out before you do this. Otherwise you might have really greasy (but soft!) hair for a few washes. NOT that I’m speaking from personal experience of anything (*cough*).

8. Simple Toxic-Free Shaving Cream

Use coconut oil on your legs as a natural replacement for your shaving cream. Talk about a simple, natural beauty tip.
9. All Natural Black Head Removal

Place 4 or 5 drops of raw honey on an open lemon wedge. Then rub the lemon on your face for a minute, emphasizing any trouble areas. Leave the mixture on for 5 minutes and rinse with cold water. (Keep in mind that citrus can make your skin photosensitive so it’s best to do this before bed rather than before going outside).

10. Dry Brushing for Better Skin

Dry brushing is a simple detoxification process for your body. It stimulates a number of organs through a gently massage. It also helps the lymphatic system, eliminates dead skin coatings, strengthens the immune system, can eliminate cellulite, stimulates the hormones, and can help tighten skin through better circulation. Best of all, it’s cheap and easy. Learn more about dry brushing and how to do it here. Here’s a great skin brush to get you started! 

By:    Robin Konie

Bumble and Bumble Surf Infusion: Like Surf Spray But Better

Photo: Yahoo Beauty

Growing up near the water, I’ve always loved the way my hair looks after a day at the beach. The salty scent, the texture — I wanted it to linger forever and dreaded washing it out of my hair. I spent summers in middle school filling up a spray bottle in the ocean so I could mist it into my hair whenever I pleased. (I also filled another bottle with lemon juice in an attempt to achieve natural highlights from the sun, but that disaster story can be saved for another time.) When Bumble and Bumble launched their Surf Spray ($27) in 2001, I finally had a true, awesome replication of beach hair — complete with seaweed and kelp extracts.  The salt-infused mist could help me simulate spent-the-day-in-the-ocean textured strands even when landlocked in Manhattan!

So imagine my delight when Bumble just launched a new version: Surf Infusion ($29). Unlike the original, which has a more matte, gritty finish, this salty spray is mixed with ingredients like coconut, mango seed, passion fruit, and palm oils for soft conditioned waves with a sheen. The tropical scent is intoxicating (I’m a sucker for anything that smells like sunscreen or umbrella drinks) and the cool, tousled, wind-blown look it gives my hair is one I haven’t been able to replicate using any other product. Even real ocean water.

            By :           Joanna Douglas

5 Wedding Beauty Tips From the Founder of Style Me Pretty

Abby Larson, the founder of Style Me Pretty. (Photo: Abby Larson)

Wedding beauty isn’t only a one-night affair. Your hair and makeup choices will live on in your photos (and now on social media) for everlasting posterity. No pressure or anything. If the choices are stressing you out, Abby Larson, founder and editor of the popular wedding blog Style Me Pretty (which also happens to house portfolios of potential makeup artists in its “Little Black Book” section), offers five beauty tips to get you down the aisle.

Now’s not the time to try that drastic makeover. “The only trend that brides should really follow word for word is this: The most beautiful brides look like the very best version of themselves on the day of,” Larson says. “Don’t force a new style or play with on and off again trends on a day where being you is so very important.”

When it comes to your hair, let loose. “Effortless is the name of the game right now when it comes to wedding day hair,” Larson says. Though your look may have been thought through and practiced to perfection, the result should look nonchalantly carefree. “Beachy waves, messy braids and buns, wispy fall away pieces all reign queen right now,” Larson says.

Put in the prep work. Now’s not the time to procrastinate. “To really make your skin look flawless and full of light, get into a solid skin regimen months prior to the big day,” Larson recommends. “Book regular facials, use a reliable skin care program and clean up your diet. Your skin (and your photos) will thank you for it on the big day!”

Smoke and mirrors is a good thing. For a dash of aisle drama, Larson suggests a smokey eye. “But go for soft, not-so-harsh tones like caramel, nude, blush-y pink, bronze and chocolate so that the result is more romantic and timeless,” she cautions.

Pay lip service. “Just like your skin, lips can be tended to in the months prior,” Larson says. “They should be entirely kissable on your big day. Use a gentle lip exfoliant and a good moisturizer to prep your lips for a perfectly smooch-worthy pout.”

 by: Larson

How to Do Your Own Wedding Makeup

For the royal wedding, Duchess Kate Middleton did her own makeup(Photo: Instagram)

1. Look for visual inspiration: Whether you scour Pinterest or go through a stack of bridal magazines, it helps to have a picture of how you want your makeup to look. Search for models with similar skin tone and hair color to have a truer idea of how different colors will look on you.

2. Think timeless and stick to your style: You will be looking back on these pictures for decades to come, which is why I recommend going with a look that’s timeless. Trying to pull off the latest makeup trend (like contouring) will only end up looking dated in the future.

3. Learn how: Many makeup counters provide makeup applications for a small fee or for free. Since words like “pretty” or “sophisticated” mean different things to different people, it is better to bring along your inspiration pictures as a reference. The makeup artist can show you how to apply the products, give you a chart, and then you can purchase the products you like the best.

4. Do an at home test run at home: You always want to do a practice run or two before the big day. You’ ‘ll see what’s difficult, what works, and what you would rather skip. Don’t forget to take pictures in daylight and after dark, to see how the makeup looks on camera.

5. Avoid self- tanner: It seems like a good idea to add a little extra glow, but self- tanner or spray- tanning can easily turn you an unnatural shade. Plus, once you do it, it’s impossible to take off. Better to go with a little bronzer on chest, neck, forehead, and cheekbones — wherever the sun would naturally hit.

6. Have an emergency kit: Have solutions on hand for whatever beauty or fashion emergencies you might have. Inlclude clear nail polish, Q-tips, eye makeup remover, eye drops, wardrobe tape, and safety pins.

7. Don’t tweeze your brows yourself: A few months before, find a good eyebrow groomer and have your brows done. Have them done again a week before the event, but don’t try to do them yourself. It is too easy to get carried away and over- tweeze.

8. Use long-wear makeup: Keep touchups to a minimum by investing in makeup that has staying power. You can find long-lasting versions of all your makeup, from foundation and concealer to eye shadow and liner to lipstick.

9. Choose makeup with a yellow undertone: Yellow toned foundation or tinted moisturizer a must. It’s the only way your foundation will look like skin when you are photographed.

10. Set foundation and concealer with powder: A light dusting of sheer powder in a color that matches your skin tone will set foundation and concealer. Your makeup will last longer and the powder will help control shine. Use blotting papers to calm down shine for the rest of the night.

11. Waterproof mascara is a must: Getting teary-eyed on your wedding day is a big possibility, so avoid streaking mascara with a waterproof version.

12. Layer two blushes : To create a pretty glow that lasts, try layering your blush. Go with a natural shade of blush on cheekbones. Then add a pop of brighter color, either a powder or cream blush, on top. This will keep your cheeks flushed for longer than if you just went with one color.

13. Make your lipstick last: Kissing your new husband, kissing your guests, sipping champagne—your lipstick will get a lot of wear. Make it last longer by layering lipstick, followed by pencil in the exact shade as your lipcolor.

                            By :     Bobbi Brown

11 Ways to Look Gorgeous on Your Wedding Day

Model Hannah Davis in a bridal-Inspired look by Bobbi Brown. (Photo: Ondrea Barbe/Courtesy of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics)

On your wedding day, you want to look amazing, but you don’t want to have to think about your makeup. Here are my 11 best bridal makeup tips:

1. Do a test run: Whether you are doing makeup yourself or working with a makeup artist, make sure to do a practice run first. Take pictures in daylight and after dark, to see how the makeup looks on camera. If you love it in person and on film, recreate it on the day of.
2. Amp up your color: Because you are wearing white, you want to make sure your lips and cheek color is a little bit brighter and stronger than your everyday look. Neutral, beige, or pale lipstick can look faded against white, especially in photographs. Pink, rose, and plum tones are all beautiful lip colors against white.
3. Look like yourself: Your wedding day isn’t the day to try a totally new look. If your makeup is too high maintenance, or will require too many touchups, save it for another night. The goal with wedding day makeup is to feel pretty, confident, and comfortable.
4. Prep skin carefully: Avoid placing face oil, rich eye cream, or serum on your skin, because your foundation and concealer will fade faster. Instead, prep skin with a good, fast-absorbing moisturizer. Avoid one with SPF, just this one day, because some sunscreens can leave a whitish cast on skin. If you have an outdoor wedding, and want to avoid a sunburn look for foundation that contains SPF.
5. Set foundation and concealer with powder: A light dusting of sheer powder in a color that matches your skin tone is a must for setting foundation and concealer. Your makeup will last longer and the powder will help control shine. Note that you shouldn’t keep layering powder on all night, it will end up looking heavy, instead use blotting papers to calm down shine.
6. Choose long-wear makeup: Keep touchups to a minimum by investing in makeup that has staying power. Look for formulas labeled “all-day,” “long-wear,” “12-hour,” etc.  You can find long-lasting versions of all your makeup from foundation and concealer to eye shadow and liner to lipstick. For eye shadow, look for cream versions that leave a dry finish and are easy to blend.
7. Waterproof mascara is a must: Getting teary-eyed on your wedding day is a big possibility, so avoid streaking mascara by going with a waterproof version.
8. Choose softer eye shadow colors: A very dark, smoky eye can often look too severe paired with a wedding dress. Instead, go for light to medium shades. You can still do a smoky eye, but with subtler shades like light browns or gray tones.
9. Liner is key: Black liner will help open up and define your eye. Especially for pictures, liner will help highlight your eyes.
10. Layer blush: To create a pretty glow that lasts, try layering your blush. Go with a natural shade of blush on cheekbones. Then add a pop of brighter color, either a powder or cream blush, on top. This will keep your cheeks flushed for longer than if you just went with one color.
11. Make your lipstick last: Kissing your new husband, kissing your guests, sipping champagne—your lipstick will get a lot of wear. Make it last longer by layering lipstick, followed by pencil in the exact shade as your lipcolor.                 
12.   :Bobbi Brown

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Photo Credit: Lauren’s Lyst

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